Βαλένα [Dolaura, Victoria, Patricia, Laurentian, Alcedo]

[Nicholas Peppas]

In the thread on Lucinda, ad at the request of our friend Toxotis, ellinis and I revealed a forgotten Greek passenger ship that had a very short time in Greek waters. This ship had been a very well known yacht, Shemara, that was used as a passenger ship only from 1948 to 1951.

Here we have roughly the same situation with Valena, another yacht that became an obscure passenger ship in the Chalkis-Aedipsos-Volos and the Patras-Amvrakikos gulf routes in 1948-50! Here is Valena.

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Valena was built as the sumptuous British yacht Dolaura by Fleming & Ferguson of Paisley in 1908. Her owner was J. Dunsmuir of London. Originally she had an impressive 913 tons with a length of 58.9 m, a width of 9.8 m and a service speed of 14.4 knots. her technical specifications, as reported by Miramar are:


Name: DOLAURA Launch Date: 5.3.08
Type: Yacht Date of completion: 5.08
Flag: GBR Keel:
Tons: 913 Link: 1580
DWT: 0 Yard No: 373
Length overall: Ship Design:
LPP: 58.9 Country of build: GBR
Beam: 9.8 Builder: Fleming & Ferguson
Material of build: Location of yard: Paisley
Speed(kn): 2T-14
Subsequent History: 19 VICTORIA - 22 PATRICIA - 26 LAURENTIAN - 28 ALCEDO - 38 VALENA
Disposal Data: BU La Spezia 8.51

and


Name Tons Change Main Owner
DOLAURA 913 1908 J.Dunsmuir
VICTORIA 913 1919 J.Dunsmuir
PATRICIA 913 1922 J.Shewan
LAURENTIAN 913 1926 R.A.Alger
ALCEDO 913 1928 G.W.C.Drexel
VALENA 913 1938 J.C.Sweid

She is also reported in http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=5802 that gives the following owners


Owner History:
1908 James Dunsmuir, London & Victoria BC
1920 James Playfair, Midland Ont.
1921 A. Meeker, New York
1922 James Shewan, New York
1926 R.A. Alger, New York
1928 G.W. Drexel, Philadelphia
1938 J.C. Sweid, Glasgow
1939-1945 Admiralty requisition
1947 Pontos Compania de Navigation (J. Livanos), Panama
Scrapped - 30/12/1951

[Nicholas Peppas]

Valena was another yacht that became an obscure passenger ship in the Chalkis-Aedipsos-Volos and the Patras-Amvrakikos gulf routes in 1948-50!

A wonderful description of this luxurious yacht can be found in http://www.nwboat.com/meminfo/memmag/dolaura/dolaura.htm as written by R. G. Peterson of Victoria, B.C., Canada



The luxury steam yacht, Dolaura, was owned by the prominent British Columbia industrialist, the honourable James Dunsmuir from 1908 to 1920. Dunsmuir named his yacht in honour of Mrs. Dunsmuir whose Christian name was Laura, and whose youngest daughter's name was Dola, hence Dolaura!!
.....................
Dunsmuir's yacht was designed in the United States, but built in Scotland at the Scottish shipyard of Fleming and Ferguson Limited, Paisley, Scotland. The estimated cost of the vessel was in the two hundred thousand dollar range. When finished she was a truly fine yacht!

Built of steel, two hundred and eighteen feet long, with a thirty-two foot beam and capable of a speed of fourteen knots. Her coal capacity was over two hundred tons, which gave her a steaming range of over five thousand nautical miles; Victoria to San Francisco and then some!

The main deck was devoted to the accommodation of the Dunsmuirs, their guests and the servants. The oak panelled dining room which took up nearly the full width of the ship, could accommodate twenty four people easily, with one large table in the centre and small tables in the corners. The drawing room which measured eighteen by twenty four, was panelled in Spanish Mahogany, with easy chairs covered in pale blue tapestry and warmed by a massive fireplace. Aft of this room was the ship's library, which was panelled in Golden Oak. The ceilings were painted white, relieved with gold. The top ceiling panels were fitted with pale blue brocade tapestry and the lounge chairs and seats were upholstered in royal blue leather. To top this off, there was a large bookcase, an oak writing table and an oak library table all of which were exceedingly ornate.

The Dunsmuir's private suite of rooms consisted of two state-rooms, a dressing room and a bathroom. All the rooms were lavishly decorated and fitted with large brass bedsteads. The bathroom, finished in white tile, had a bathtub manufactured by Royal Doulton and hand basins of Venetian marble with silver fittings.

The crew's quarters consisted of six spacious staterooms for the ships officers, a chief engineer, a quartermaster, a butler and a steward. All had their own dining room and locker space well forward!

Of special interest to boaters, was the motive power of the Dolaura; a pair of coal fired (later oil fired) twin screw triple expansion engines with two large boilers, each eleven feet three inches in diameter by twelve feet inches long. The two eight foot three inch bronze propellers churned away at one hundred and fifty revolutions per turn, giving the yacht a speed of fourteen knots.

A modern innovation to the Dolaura's comforts was a generating plant, which powered the ships lighting system and a powerful search-light, which was used for docking procedures. Another on board convenience was refrigeration. The refrigerator that was installed had a three hundred cubic foot freezer compartment, which at the correct setting would produce two hundred pounds of ice in a twenty four hour period. This was very useful for storing provisions and providing all the ice that was required by those on board. When you think about it, these were very modern additions considering when the yacht was built.

After the launch ceremonies, the Dunsmuirs took the Dolaura on a shakedown cruise to various North Sea ports. After transiting the Kiel Canal which connects the North Sea with the Baltic, the Dolaura came upon the German Emperors's yacht. The Kaiser, noticing this regal craft, invited Dunsmuir to tour his vessel. Dunmuir came, and then reciprocated the invitation. The Kaiser was so impressed with Dunsmuir's yacht that he apparently ordered a new yacht for himself, obviously to be more lavish than the Dunsmuir's.

Dolaura proceeded to British Columbia via the Panama Canal, arriving here early in August of 1909. From then on the Dunsmuirs used the yacht for fishing and hunting trips, until she was sold in 1920.

After that date, the yacht had a number of different owners, eventually returning to Scotland for a few years, only to be taken over by the British Admiralty for use during the Second World War. History does not relate what the Dolaura was used for; but no doubt she lived up to her splendid past.

After the war, being of the age she was, her final destination was probably the ship breakers yard. One can only hope that somebody saved some of the interior fittings and the beautiful woodwork as a token to a by-gone era.

Well, let me rush to say that (i) we know very well what she did during Word War II; she was and "anti-submarine yacht"; and (ii) of course she survived World War II and came to Greece, although we do not really know how much of her internal ornamentation of 40 years earlier was still available in the Greek seas.

But she was a beautiful lady! Here are two photographs from 1914.

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[Nicholas Peppas]

After World War I, J. Dunsmuir changed her name to Victoria in 1919 (as he divorced his wife) and sold her to James Shewan of New York in 1922. He, in turn, named her Patricia. In 1926, she passed to another New Yorker, R.A. Alger, who named her Laurentian. In 1928, she transferred south, to Philadelphia, and became George Drexel's yacht under the name Alcedo.

The name Valena was given to her in 1937 either by J.C. Sweid of London or by John C. Sword of Ayr, Scotland. This is a mystery as different sources give different owners!

Valena's contributions in World War II are described in two sites: http://www.naval-history.net/xDKWW2-4107-34aRNHome.htm and http://www.naval-history.net/xDKWW2-4201-40RNShips3WApproaches.htm
In both, Valena is listed as an anti-submarine yacht in Campbeltown along with .... Shemara, the future Greek Lucinda!!! It gets better! First, see the map of the region.

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In 1947 she was decommissioned and sold to Livanos, I do not know why....

Contrary to Clydesite, the association with Livanos did not last long. In May 1948 Valena was sold to a Greek shipowner and became a passenger ship. I have a reference to M. Filines, but I am not 100% sure. If it is true, then Filines had both Valena and Lucinda exactly at the same time!

Valena is listed in my notes as doing the Chalkis-Aedipsos-Volos in October 1948 and in September 1949 as well as the Patras-Amvrakikos gulf route in January 1950 (this one under the name Valina)! No further information is available.

In his book I Elliniki Epivatigos Nautilia (Miletos, 2002 ), A. Tzamtzis lists her as "serving the domestic routes on January 1, 1949". He lists her as having 790 tons.

That's all I know about this wonderful ship.

[Ellinis]

Συμπαθέστατο καραβάκι. Το μόνο παραπάνω που έχω να προσθέσω είναι η συμμετοχή του -το 1948- στα γυρίσματα της ταινίας "Χριστόφορος Κολόμβος (http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/29396?view=synopsis)". Το ΒΑΛΕΝΑ τότε φιλοξενούσε τα συνεργεία που κάνανε τις λήψεις και μάλιστα είχε ένα μικρό ατύχημα όταν εμβόλισε τη ρέπλικα του Santa Maria του Κολόμβου...

[Nicholas Peppas]

Συμπαθέστατο καραβάκι. Το μόνο παραπάνω που έχω να προσθέσω είναι η συμμετοχή του -το 1948- στα γυρίσματα της ταινίας "Χριστόφορος Κολόμβος (http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/29396?view=synopsis)". Το ΒΑΛΕΝΑ τότε φιλοξενούσε τα συνεργεία που κάνανε τις λήψεις και μάλιστα είχε ένα μικρό ατύχημα όταν εμβόλισε τη ρέπλικα του Santa Maria του Κολόμβου...

Eisai api0anos!!! Pou to vrhkes auto;

[Ellinis]

Eίχα μια σημείωση οτι είχε ναυλωθεί για γυρίσματα ταινίας στη Δυτ.Αφρική. Τελικά με λίγο ψάξιμο στο διαδύκτιο βρέθηκε και η ταινία που τελικά γυρίστηκε στα Μπαρμπάντος.

[Nicholas Peppas]

Not much new about Valena since last year except for a much better version of a photo I presented last year as well as a photo from its interior and its owner Mr Dunsmuir. All of them when the ship was Dolaura (1908-1919)


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[Nicholas Peppas]

I need to add the following for our international friends:

1. In 1947, Valena was bought by J. Livanos of the Livanos family from the Admirality. She was cleaned and repaired and was transferred to Barbados. At that time she belonged to Pontos Compañia de Navegacion of Panama.

2. In 1948, Valena/Dolaura was one of the ships participating in the movie Christopher Columbus (1949) See http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/29396?view=synopsis Valena was used as a base by the crew and used for photographing action scenes. Here is a short section about what happened with the ship



The production of Christopher Columbus was fraught with difficulties. Neither Sydney nor Muriel Box were keen on the idea, but were forced into the production by Rank who had paid a large sum of money for the story rights. The location shooting - in and around Barbados - was a disaster, quite literally. The construction of the Santa Maria (and presumably the Nina) at the same time as the studio filming at Shepperton proved satisfactory. However, the launch of the Santa Maria did not bode well. As she was launched and sent off down the slipway by the wife of the Governor of Barbados and a bottle of champagne, she stopped and remained there for ten days until she was dragged into the sea. The steam yacht Valena, used as a base by the crew and used for photographing action scenes, then rammed the Santa Maria. Later the Santa Maria followed the example of the original ship. The rocking mechanism of the Santa Maria collapsed; the ship caught fire and was a complete write off - at a cost of £100,000.


3. She was brought to Greece in October 1948 and appears for the first time in passenger ship schedules in November 1948. Her first trip was Piraeus- Chalkis-Aedipsos-Volos, a well known line between the Greek coast and the peninsula of Euvoia. A few other schedules survive.

She was scrapped in La Spezia, Italy in December 30, 1951

[Nicholas Peppas]

Dolaura and Mr J. Dunsmuir

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Source: http://www.hatleycastle.com/jamesdunsmuir/

Dolaura and Mr J. Dunsmuir

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Source: British Columbia magazine

The search for old stuff about Dolaura/Valena continues...

Here is a section of the Victoria Daily Colonist of January 30, 1909 with news about the arrival of Dolaura in Victoria.

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Other news about her Admiralty days as Valena



28.10.1940 -(12.1941)
Commanding Officer, HMS Valena (armed yacht for anti-submarine duties) (Campbeltown)

Source: http://www.unithistories.com/officers/RNR_officersG.html



Ship: Valena
Port of Registry: -
Net Tonnage: -
Reg Tonnage: -
Gross Tonnage: -
Deadweight Tonnage: -

Anti-submarine yacht

Source: http://ardrossanships.com/ships/show/id/850




Campbeltown
Base ship - NIMROD at Campbeltown
Anti-submarine Training Ship - NEMESIS at Campbeltown

84th Anti-Submarine Group – French torpedo boats LE CORDELIERE in Clyde in care and maintenance repairing, LA FLORE at Campbeltown, LΆINCOMPRISE at Ardrossan, British anti-submarine yachts SHEMARA (SO) at Campbeltown, ST MODWEN at Ardrossan repairing, VALENA at Ardrossan, anti-submarine yacht CARINA at Campbeltown

Source: http://www.naval-history.net/xDKWW2-4201-40RNShips3WApproaches.htm



Patrol yacht SHEMARA (834grt) and anti-submarine yacht VALENA (882grt) were exercising with submarine H.50 off Portland Bill in 50-25-50N, 2-47-40W, and made attacks on a submarine contact. Motor anti-submarine boats 3 and 6 were also searching in the area. SHEMARA escorted H.50 back to harbour.

Source:http://wow.naval-history.net/xDKWW2-4001-10JAN01.htm

NS: Shemara is the future Greek Lucinda. St. Modwen is the future Greek Komnenos

[Nicholas Peppas]

Τρεις καταχωρησεις ταξιδιων του Βαλενα (και του Ροδος http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?67941-%D1%FC%E4%EF%F2-Lady-Torfrida-Valfreyia-Star-of-India-Rodos) του 1947 απο την Καθημερινη.

19 Απριλιου, 8 Μαιου και 6 Ιουνιου, αντιστοιχως, για Γενοβα και Μασσαλια το ενα, για Ροδο και Αλεξανδρεια το αλλο.

133020133021133023

[Nicholas Peppas]

A...............
Valena's contributions in World War II are described in two sites: http://www.naval-history.net/xDKWW2-4107-34aRNHome.htm and http://www.naval-history.net/xDKWW2-4201-40RNShips3WApproaches.htm
In both, Valena is listed as an anti-submarine yacht in Campbeltown along with .... Shemara, the future Greek Lucinda!!!

................

In 1947 she was decommissioned and sold to Livanos, I do not know why....

............

Σπανια φωτογραφια του πλοιου Βαλενα κατα την διαρκειαν του πολεμου

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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HMS_Valena_FL20805.jpg




Royal Navy official photographer



This image was created and released by the Imperial War Museum. P




Ministry of Defence Foxhill Collection of Ship Photographs





Associated people and organisations

VALENA
Associated themes
Royal Navy 1939-1945

Associated keywords
Naval Warfare







Και δρομολογια στις 3 Απριλιου 1947 απο την Καθημερινη.

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[Ellinis]

Mια πυρκαγιά σε ένα σπίτι στην Αγγλία έφερε στο φως το φάκελο με τις απόρητες διαταγές που είχαν δωθεί στον Υποπλοίαρχο Alexander North Hardy, τον κυβερνήτη του HMS VALENA, σχετικά με το ρόλο του πλοίου στην απόβαση της Νορμανδίας.
Ανάμεσα στα έγγραφα βρέθηκε και ένα σχέδιο του πλοίου:

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πηγή (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/britain-at-war/10105879/Top-Secret-D-Day-orders-emerge-69-years-after-they-should-have-been-destroyed.html) με περισσότερες λεπτομέρειες

[Nicholas Peppas]

Το πλοιο VALENA με αυτο το ονομα γυρω στο 1940.
http://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?ref=7527#v
Και δρομολογια στις 30 Μαρτιου 1947. Καθημερινη.

188060188061


Επισης σε μια Πορτογαλικη σελιδα, βρηκαμε αυτη την ανακοινωση. Το πλοιο VALENA εφθασε στο λιμανι του Leixoes του Πορτο της Πορτογαλιας στις 31 Ιανουαριου 1947 προερχομενο απο τον Παναμα.



O YACHT A VAPOR VALENA€� ARRIBOU AO PORTO DE LEIXΓ•ES



A 31/01/1947, pelas 14h00, arribou ao porto de Leixoes, devido ao mau tempo e para bancas, o yacht Panamiano VALENA, piloto Jose Fernandes Amaro Junior, tendo atracado a doca No 1 lado norte, o qual realizava a viagem de entrega ao novo armador registado na cidade do PanamΓa. O seu agente consignatario foi a firma Kendall, Pinto Basto & Cia Lda.

[Ellinis]

Mια φωτογραφία του πλοίου ως θαλαμηγός DOLAURA να ανθρακεύει από το κύτος ενός παλαιού ιστιοφόρου, του VARODA (http://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?ref=13918#v), στον Καναδά.

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πηγή (http://search-bcarchives.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/james-dunsmuirs-steam-yacht-dolaura-coaling-from-coal-ship-baroda)