bethlehem shipbuilding corporation of quincy, massachusetts built the ship, the last vessel of this series, as ss "veragua" for united fruit company with launch on 23 april 1932. she was one of six ufc sister ships driven by turbo-electric transmission. "veragua" was delivered in august and made her maiden voyage on the 11th of that month to havana. kingston. cristobal, and port limon. united fruit placed "veragua" on express liner services between central america and new york.