HERMES ex-JUGOSLAVIJA (1956). This ship was Jadrolinija's first newbuilding to replace the pre-war express steamers on the international routes (Venice - Yugoslavia - Piraeus). She was followed up by the JADRAN (1957) and JEDINSTVO (1958), all built at Brodogradilište Split. They had to make way for the car ferries at a young age. The HERMES made 1-day cruises in the Saronic Gulf (isles of Aegina, Hydra and Poros). Around 2005 laid up at Piraeus and sold for demolition in 2010.

2563 GRT, 1200 passengers in Jadrolinija's coastal service, of which 170 in 1st class and 38 in tourist class cabins. 1971 MESSAGER (Eurexpomar, Nantes, France). 1976 HERMES (Epirotiki Lines, Greece). 2010 sold to Turkish breakers.

HELP NEEDED: (1) Apart from the name Eurexpomar S.A. nothing is known about the French owners to which Jadrolinija sold the Jugoslavija in 1971. I would be very grateful for any information on which route the Messager was employed. (2) There are several pictures from recent years which show the Hermes tied up in the "waiting room" at Pireaus. When I visited Piraeus in 2006 she was undoubtedly in lay-up. Who can confirm when she was last seen in active service?

Place and date: Aegina (Greece), September 1983

Scanned from a colour slide (dia)