Malta flag cruise sailing vessel Sea Cloud, bt. 1931, gt. 2531, departing from Istanbul on 16.6.2007.
It is a famous ship with an impressive history.
She was ordered by the American Mr. Hutton for his wife Lady Marjorie, named Hussar, and was at that time the biggest yacht.
After the divorce in 1935, Lady Hutton still owned th yacht and renamed her Sea Cloud.
In 1942 she was taken over by the US Army and renamed IX-99 and served as signal boat in the 2. WW. All her masts were removed and she was painted grey.
In 1946 the Lady Marjorie got her back. It took 4 years to bring her in her original condition.
In 1955 Lady Hutton sold the yacht, as she could not afford the expenses for the ship any more, to the presdident of The Dominican Republic, who renamed her Angelito and used her as floating home.
When he was killed in 1961 the yacht was renamed Patria sold again by the State of Dominican Republic to the American company Operation Sea Cruises, was renamed Antarna and got Panama flag. After a restauration at Naples she was blocked in the USA because of problems the the authorities and not paid bills.
A young lady, Stephanie Gallagher paid all the open bills and fees and overtook the ship to transform he into an Ocenic School against the will of teh president of Operation Sea Cruises. After an endless fight of these 2 parties the ship staid finally at Colon, Panama until the late 70 ies and had a desolate condition in the end.
In 1978 she was acquired by the German Captain Paschburg and brougth to HDW Kiel for renovation and transformation into a cruise ship.
At that time I was 6 weeks on board in the port of Kiel helping to remove rust and doing other work on the ship for a few DM payment.
For me it was OK as I could stay a few days on this fantastic ship.
Now she is a regular guest at Istanbul in june. I saw her this year again and always remember these hard 6 weeks onboard.