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Κορβέτες ως επιβατηγά [Corvettes as Passenger Ships]
Royal Navy Ships (Corvettes, Frigates, Patrol boats, Minesweepers) as Early Post-War Passenger Ships in Greece
I am opening here a new thread to discuss briefly a large number of now forgotten. make-shift passenger ships that ... graced the Greek seas from 1945 to 1948 and provided travel opportunities when there was nothing better. Most of these ships have been forgotten (see schedules below) but some (Despoina, Cadio, Teti, etc) went on to become legendary and often beloved Greek passenger ships.
Greek Passenger Ship Losses During World War II
At the end of World War II, Greece found itself with a destroyed infrastructure both in railways and roads, in bridges and ships. Indeed in September 1944 only a fraction of the Greek passenger ships had remained still available and useful for passenger traffic
A. Tzamtzis (I Elliniki Epivatigos Nautilia, Miletus, Athens, 2002?) indicates that on August 31, 1939 there were 55 coastal passenger ship of 49,995 tons. Almost six years later, on March 31, 1945 there were just 3 ships (Corinthia, Elena, and Korytsa (Mary M)*** ) left of 6,320 tons. Lost during the war were:
Aetos, Aghios Georghios, Akropolis,
Alberta http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=60932,
Andros http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=58278,
Ardena http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=63545,
Athina S. http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=59859,
Athinai,
Attiki http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=64288,
Aulis http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=64571,
Aura (Mana) http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=64521,
Chios, Costas, Elli, Ellinis, Elsi,
Elvira http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=57224,
Esperos,
Frinton http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=59028,
Fokion http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=57270,
Hellas http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=61454,
Hydra http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=64521,
Ionia, Ithaki,
Kalydon http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=56371,
Kefallinia http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=54785,
Kerkyra http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=57436,
Kriti,
Leon http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=56952,
Leukas http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=64925,
Makedonia, Milos, Moschanthi (the first one), Nausica, Nikolaos L, Patris,
Petros http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=57229,
Pteroti http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=64521,
Pylaros http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=55565,
Samos http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=60339,
Sifnos, Sokratis,
Sofia http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=61052,
Soultana, http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=57229,
Tassos http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=23166,
Thraki, Zakynthos.
Post-World War II Needs in Coastal Shipping (Aktoploia)
Thus, immediately after World War II, the Greek shipowners and the Greek Government found itself in a major dilemma. How could they afford to start shipping connections in a country where mines were everywhere in the Aegaean and the Ionian and in the Evoikos, Maliakos and Korinthiakos gulfs?
The solution was given by the Greek Government that started purchasing old passenger ships from Germany and Italy. These ships had been either given to Greece as reparations or were obtained via Great Britain and the allies. Most of these ships were still serviceable but very old. Three good examples were:
the 1905 Heimara (former Hertha, http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=63535 ),
the 1901 Chalkidiki (former Kehrwieder http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=65172) and
the 1889 Messaria (former Polhem http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=63535).
These ships were bought for use for about 5 or so years, until the Greek shipping enterprise was back on its feet. Some others were old British yachts or other ships that could be easily converted. Such were:
the 1898 Kalamara (former Cala Mara http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=65272),
the 1904 Thessalia (former Beryl, later Glaros http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=58524) ,
the 1899 Lucinda (former Shemara http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=62168)
and many others.
But the most important source of new ships came from the British and American Governments in the former of surplus corvettes, frigates, patrol ships, mine sweepers and even landing vessels. These were not old vessels, but ships that have been built rather rapidly in 1939-42 for the needs of the World War II. Many of these were given to the Greek Government with a small recompense.
In his book with memories from his life as well as that of his father, Alexandros, Konstantinos Filippou, a noted naval architect (1930- ) describes very nicely these purchases (K. Filippou, Diadromi enos aiona, J&J Hellas, Piraeus, 2007)
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*** This third ship was added after an additional comment from Ellinis (see below)
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Early Post-War Corvettes as Greek Passenger Ships
Royal Navy Ships (Corvettes, Frigates, Patrol boats, Minesweepers) as Early Post-War Passenger Ships in Greece
One major class of ships that became “the pick” of the Greek Government were the well known Flower Class corvettes (see also http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/top...class_corvette). The relatively small Flower corvettes were among the first warships to be declared surplus by Allied navies following the end of World War II. They had seen years of hard service in the North Atlantic and were made obsolete by the numerous large frigates, destroyers, and cruisers that entered service in the latter part of the war.
The Flower class corvettes (also referred to as the Gladiolus class) belonged to a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic. Several vessels saw service with the United States Navy where they were known as Action-class patrol gunboats.
The majority served during World War II with the Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy, with 32 being built for, or transferred to, other Allied navies such as the United States Navy, the Free French Naval Forces, the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Royal Norwegian Navy, the Royal Indian Navy, the Royal Hellenic Navy, the Royal New Zealand Navy and, immediately post-war, the South African Navy. These were typically operated according to their original design, as coastal patrol vessels, with many serving until the 1970s.
In addition, 110 surplus Flower ships were sold for commercial use. These saw various careers as passenger ships, mercantile freighters, weather ships, and even whalers (see below).
The rest were scrapped.
A nice example of such a vessel was the Vetch, better known in Greece as Patrai
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Going through widely available sources I have attempted to summarize some of these corvettes that were picked up by Greece. This is not an exhaustive list an you may find your favorite ship missing. Here is the list of the Greek ships (of all types) that came from the Royal Navy Flower class. Note that four of these ships (Tombazis, Kriezis, Apostolis and Sakhtouris) were used only by the Greek Navy and were never offered as “passenger ships”.
Royal Navy Flower ships in Greek hands
(Partial list). Main source: http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/corvettesr2z.htm
HMS Vetch (K132)
Became the merchant ship Patrai (see http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=65264) in 1948, renamed Olympic Hunter in 1951, and then called Otori Maru No.18 in 1956
HMS Spiraea (K08 )
Became the merchant ship Thessaloniki (see http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=65163) in 1948.
HMS Tamarisk (Ex Ettrick) (K216)
Served with the Greek Navy as Tompazis in 1943. She was sold for scrapping in the UK on March 20, 1952.
HMS Tulip (K29)
Became the merchant ship Olympic Conqueror in 1950, then Otori Maru No.8 in 1956 and then Thorlyn in 1957.
HMS Coltisfoot (K140)
Became merchant ship Alexandra in 1947, changing name to Hermopoulis in 1953. She was lost on November 20, 1954.
HMS Coreopsis (K32)
Served with the Greek Navy as Kriezis from 1943-52 (see also below). She was scrapped on July 22, 1952 at Sunderland.
HMS Hyacinth (K84)
Served with the Greek Navy as Apostolis in 1943.
HMS Jonquil (K68 )
Became the merchant ship Lemnos in 1948. Her name was changed to Olympic Rider in 1951 and was lost on December 1, 1955.
HMS Mignonette (K38 )
Served as the merchant ship Alexandroupolis (see http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=65162) in 1948 but was lost on November 30, 1948.
HMS Peony (K40)
Served with the Greek Navy as Sakhtouris in 1943 and was scrapped on April 21, 1952 at Dunston.
HMS Pentstemon (K61)
Served as the merchant ship Galaxidi in 1947, changed name to Rosa Vlassi in 1951.
And here are some of the Canadian ones.
HMCS Brantford (K218 )
Sold in 1950 as mercantile Olympic Arrow.
HMCS Ville de Quebec (K242)
Sold in 1946 as the mercantile Despoina. Resold in 1947 as the mercantile Dorothea Paxos, in 1948 as Tanya, and in 1949 as Medex.
HMS Alisma (K185)
Sold in 1947. Resold in 1949 as the mercantile Laconia, in 1950 as mercantile Constantinos S, and in 1952 as mercantile Parnon. Sunk July 16, 1954.
HMS Bergamot (K189)
Sold in May 1946 as a passenger ship. Resold in 1947 as the Syros, in 1951 as the Delphini and in 1955 as the Ekaterini (see http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=65109).
An unrecognizable Ekaterini upon her arrival to Greece as Bergamot
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HMS Trillium (K172)
Sold in 1950 as Olympic Runner. Resold in 1956 as Otori Maru 10, then in 1959 as Kyo Maru No. 16.
HMS Kilmore
Sold in 1947 as the ship Despoina and then Evangelistria (see http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=22679)
HMCS Owen Sound (K340)
Sold in 1945 to Greece as the Cadio (see http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=62462).
HMCS St. Lambert (K343)
Sold in 1946 to Panama as Chrysi Hondroulis. Resold in 1955 to Greece as Loula.
The story of Kriezis: At war and in movies
Source: http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/top...Sea_%28film%29
Παράθεση:
Allied navies disposed of their Flowers so quickly following the war, the Royal Navy could not supply a single vessel to play Compass Rose in the 1953 film production of Nicholas Monsarrat's novel The Cruel Sea. The Cruel Sea is a novel by Nicholas Monsarrat. It follows the lives of a group of Royal Navy sailors fighting the Battle of the Atlantic during World War II. So, the Royal Hellenic Navy supplied Kriezis for the role prior to her scrapping.
An interesting note: Flower Class Whalers
Some may have noted that some of these ships were transformed later onto whalers! A classical example is the Vetch which became the Greek Patrai (see http://www.nautilia.gr/forum/showthread.php?t=65264) before Aristotle Onassis bought her back and transformed her into a whaler! Why? The design of the Flower-class was inspired by whale catcher Southern Pride, constructed by the Smiths Dock Company Smiths Dock Company of Middlesbrough. The class was intended to be a "stop-gap" measure for the Allied navies in their battle against Kriegsmarine U-boats. They were intended as small convoy escort ships that could be produced quickly and cheaply in large numbers. Despite naval planners intentions that they be deployed for coastal convoys, their long range meant that they became the mainstay of Mid-Ocean Escort Force convoy protection during the first half of the war.
The Flower class became an essential resource for North Atlantic convoy protection until larger vessels such as destroyers and frigates could be produced in sufficient quantities. The simple design of the Flower class using parts and techniques common to merchant shipping meant they could be constructed in small commercial shipyards all over the United Kingdom and eastern Canada, where larger (or more sophisticated) warships could not otherwise be built. Additionally, the use of commercial machinery meant the largely Royal Naval Reserve, and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve crews to man them would be familiar with their operation.
Flower-class vessels were relatively slow for a warship with maximum speed of 14 knots. They were also very lightly armed as they were intended solely for anti-submarine warfare; many of the Royal Canadian Navy's original Flower-class ships were initially fitted with minesweeping equipment, while virtually all of the modified Flower's were fitted with a limited anti-aircraft capability.
The original Flowers had the standard Royal navy layout, consisting of a raised forecastle, a well deck, then the bridge or wheelhouse, and a continuous deck running aft. The modified Flowers saw the forecastle extended aft past the bridge to the aft end of the funnel, a variation known as the "long forecastle" design. Apart from providing a very useful space where the whole crew could gather out of the weather, the added weight improved the ships' stability and speed and was retrospectively applied to a number of the original Flower-class vessels during the mid and latter years of the war.
The original Flowers had a mast located immediately forward the bridge, a notable exception to naval practice at that time. The modified Flowers saw the mast returned to the normal position immediately aft of the bridge, however this does not seem to have been done in all of the modified builds or conversions of the original vessels.
A cruiser stern finished the appearance for all vessels in the class.
Source: http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/top...class_corvette
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Early Post-War Passenger Ships in Greece
Passenger Ship Schedules of Converted Corvettes, Frigates, Patrol Boats and Minesweepers as Early Post-War Passenger Ships in Greece
And now enjoy some of the schedules of these heroic "passenger ships". Many names will surprise you, ship you have never heard before, ships thatw ill be presented one by one in these pages: Patrai, Thesssaloniki, Kyklops, Adrianos, Alexandroupolis, Stephanos, Thasos, Lemnos, Karpathos, Kos, and so many others, but also some that you would recognize and admire later as Peiraieus (later Elsi).
Left: October 12, 1946 ---- Center: October 19, 1946 ---- Right: November 23, 1946
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Early Post-War Passenger Ships in Greece
Passenger Ship Schedules of Converted Corvettes, Frigates, Patrol Boats and Minesweepers as Early Post-War Passenger Ships in Greece
Left: December 3, 1946 ---- Center: December 7, 1946 ---- Right: December 28, 1946
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Early Post-War Passenger Ships in Greece
Passenger Ship Schedules of Converted Corvettes, Frigates, Patrol Boats and Minesweepers as Early Post-War Passenger Ships in Greece
Left: January 4, 1947 ---- Right: January 18, 1947
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And now notice what happened to coastal shipping immediately after the tragedy of Heimara
Left: January 25, 1947 ---- Right: February 15, 1947 ---- Right: March 8, 1947
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Early Post-War Passenger Ships in Greece
Converted Corvettes, Frigates, Patrol Boats and Minesweepers as Early Post-War Passenger Ships in Greece: Various announcements
Left: August 9, 1947 ---- Right: An auction of March 13, 1948 ---- Right: An auction of November 28, 1948
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Left: Cleaning the Corinth Canal on December 3, 1948 ---- Right: By December 3, 1948 most of these "corvettes" are either gone to private hands (with new names) or simply retired and resold
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