Museum ship (ex-tug) “Vernicos Irini” at the Rahmi M Koç Museum, Istanbul, 30th July 2014
Port of registry: Istanbul
Builder: Consolidated Shipbuilding Corp" at Morris Heights, Bronx, New York
Gross tons: 141
Length overall: 26.40 m
Max. draft: 2.971 m
Engines: 2 x type MD6 diesels, 700 b.h.p., by Clark Bros., New York
Speed: 9.5 knots
Completed November 1944 as the 155 gross ton ST-755 (ST = small tug) for the U.S. Army
After WW2 was donated by the US to the Greek Government; sold in the 1950s to Nicolas E. Vernicos Shipping Co Ltd., Piraeus, for use as a salvage tug; renamed "Vernicos Irini".
Sold 1988 to Northern Greece Tugs Maritime Co., Thessaloniki, renamed “Agia Irini”; laid up 2000.
Seems subsequently to have passed back to Vernicos under the name “Vernicou Irini” 2002.
Sold 2002 to the Museum, towed to Turkey, underwent “cosmetic restoration” at RMK Marine, Tuzla; reverted to “Vernicos Irini” & put on display October 2003
Underwent full restoration in 2006, bringing her up to full seagoing condition