Niki was a small Argosaronikos ship of the early post-War era that served the area well until Neraida, Kamelia, Mahi, the other Hydra and so many otehr ships showed up in the 1950s... We know very little about her background as she was a tug boat before she came to Greece. Yes, you read correctly! A tug boat = rymoulko! Now how she became a passenger ship and how you convert a tug boat into a passenger ship I do not know.
Miramar reveals a bit about her past. She was built at Garston shipyards in the UK in 1906 and spent the 1910s, 20s and 30s a sa tug boat. She had a tonnage of about 275 tons, a length of 32.3 m and a service speed of 14.3 knots.
She came to Greece after the war, some note in 1945 others in 1946. She was purchased by Yannis Latsis, who converted her to a small passenger ship and called her Niki. Koutouzis http://www.koutouzis.gr/ploia.htm claims that she was already doing teh Argosaronikos route in 1946.IDNo: 5251290 Year: 1906
Name: BISON Launch Date: 7.9.06
Type: Tug Date of completion: 11.06
Flag: GBR Keel:
Tons: 274 Link: 1612
DWT: Yard No: 57
Length overall: Ship Design:
LPP: Country of build: GBR
Beam: Builder: Garston GD
Material of build: Location of yard: Garston
End:
Subsequent History: 47 NIKI - 54 HYDRA - 57 NICHOLAS L. - 64 AGHIOS GEORGIOS
The first encounter I had with her was in an ad of August 12, 1948, clearly indicating a simple Aegina, Methana, Poros route but with the unusual statement that she was the only ship tp approach these ports without need of tenders!
19480812 Niki.jpg
On August 21, 1948 things are even simpler..
19480821c Nike.jpg
In 1950 (not 1954 as Miramar shows) she was changed to Hydra, staying again with Latsis. Here is her August 15, 1950 schdule when she became quite ambitious! Her schedule included Ermione, Leonidion, Kyparissi, Yeraka and even Monemvasia!
Aug 15 1950 Hydra.jpg
She was withdrawn in 1954. I do not know more about her except for what Miramar mentions...