How does one describe Phokis? A small British vessel that started as yacht Mera in 1886 and ended up doing a dedicated service for the citizens of the counties (eparheies) Parnassidos, Doridos and Naupaktias, but also for all passengers that were going to Aetoloakarnania, Leukas and Preveza, often with stoops in Kefallinia. Her competitors were Aghios Ioannis-Elpis, Nausika, but especially Doris (last name of Astrapi).
The fights of Phokis and Doris were legendary. In various Greek blogs you will find old memories of writings of citizens from Amfissa and Itea who liked to go to the hometowns using Phokis, while others from Potidaneia, Eupalio and the mountainous Dorida of Lidoriki would not dare step on Phokis but would take only Doris...
The ship was built as the yacht Mera in 1886 by this well known shipyard/builder of small British yachts that were used only for pleasure, Day, Summers & Co of Southampton. She had just 250 tons and was equipped with electricity since 1902. She had a length of 146 ft (45.9 m) and a 21 ft (6.6 m). her nominal speed was just 11.5 knots.
Miramar is particularly poor in its history of this ship...
Thank God we have other sources and the Greek newspapers to tell us the res of her storyIDNo: 1088791 Year: 1886
Name: MERA Launch Date: 3.86
Type: Yacht Date of completion:
Flag: GBR Keel:
Tons: 210 Link: 2360
DWT: 0 Yard No: 75
Length overall: Ship Design:
LPP: Country of build: GBR
Beam: Builder: Day Summers
Material of build: I Location of yard: Northam
Number of screws/Mchy/ Speed(kn):
Subsequent History:
Disposal Data:
The ship had a particularly rich World War I history... Here is for example, a site http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/fo...owtopic=121582 with some memories from the war years. She became the HMY (H.M. Yacht) Mera. Many relatives remember their grandparents and others serving... Here is a typical example.
Isn't it funny that the British do not know what happened to her? And they call Phokis a "ferry"???Can anyone give me any information about H.M. Yacht Mera? My brother-in-law's great grandfather served aboard her. He died in 1916 and is buried in Dean's Grange Cemetery in Dublin.
Pendant No 045, HMY Mera, 219 tons, built 1886, armed with 1 x 12 pounder, 1 x 6 pounder AA guns, served 8/12/1914 to 25/3/1919.
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I guess she was requisitioned and then handed back. Did yachts keep logs? I can't find a trace of one in the National Archives. I'd like to find out where she operated if possible.
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Built 1886 by Day, Summers & Co., she was sold at an unknown date to become the Greek passenger ferry Phokis. She operated in this role until the late-30s. I have not managed to verify her final fate.