Built as a passenger- cargo steamer by Krupp-Germania at Kiel, for Denizbank-Denizyollari Isletmesi Mudurlugu at Istanbul. A Turkish Government controlled company.
1938 Launched under the name MARAKAZ. Had two sister ship the SUS and TRAK built by the same yard. All three vessels were delivered in 1938 to owners.
Tonnage 1.415 gross, 500 net., dim. 250 x 30 x 13ft.
Four steam turbines 695 nhp, twin screws, speed 17 knots. Coal fired. Speed 18 knots.
Two decker, she was fitted out with an echo-sounding device.
Used in the freight and passenger service in the Mediterranean
From Directory of Shipbuilders and Marine Engineers for 1941.
Owners Denizbank Denizyollari Idaresi (Turkish Gov’t controlled)
Shown in the Company fleet list as a “Second Class Steamer”.
From the above directory over the next few years the company name changes, every two or three years, but still remains under the control of the Turkish Government.
.
Lloyds Register of 1962 gives:
Call sign TCLU. Fitted out with radiotelephony and radar.
Is given now with one deck.
Four steamturbines single reduction geared to two shafts. 3.600 shp. Speed 15 knots. Oil fired.
Given with one hold with a length 59ft, and one hatch 29 x 9ft. Fitted with one three-ton crane.
1965 The company was split up with the passenger and passenger cargo vessels including the MARAKAZ being in the “Denizyollari” (Maritime Lines). The ferries in the “Seheri Hatalari” (Istanbul City Lines.)
1975 Broken up in Turkey.
Turkey 2002 700.000L sg?, scott?
Source: Mostly from Mr. John D Stevenson. Register of Merchant Ships Completed in 1938.
Merchant Ships 1940 by E. C. Talbot Booth.