the war in the pacific ended while "hercules" was still undergoing repairs, but she sailed west again 24 october 1945. loading ammunition in the philippines and the admiralty islands, she transited the panama canal 16 march 1946 and docked at norfolk, virginia, 26 march. after a brief trip up the coast to new york and new jersey, "hercules" sailed to norfolk 18 may and hauled down her commissioning pennant 28 june 1946. "hercules" was transferred to the maritime commission 18 july. returning to merchant service, she was renamed "ss exermont", and later "ss bostonian".