Greek Shipowners of Andros

The 16,911grt Nea Hellas was built in 1922 by Fairfield Shipbuilding as the Tuscania for Anchor Line. She joined Greek Line in 1939. In 1955 they renamed her New York. On 12th October 1961 she arrived at Onomichi to be broken up.

The Goulandris, Embiricos and Polemis Families

The very beautiful island of Andros in the Aegean is the northern most of the Cyclades Group of islands and the second largest, after Naxos, with a width of 40 kilometres at its widest point and a length of 17 kilometres at its longest. The main port of the island is Gavrio with frequent ferry connections to Piraeus. The island is home to three shipping families, all operating huge fleets that were in the top ten of Greek shipping companies at some point during their long existence. The families are the Embiricos, Goulandris and Polemis families.

GOULANDRIS FAMILY OF ANDROS SHIPOWNERS

Basil J. Goulandris was born on Andros in 1886 as one of five sons of Andriot shipowner John P. Goulandris, and served as a seafarer on his family sailing ships and steamers until in 1909 at the age of 23 years he obtained his Master’s ticket and commanded one of the first family steam tramps, continuing in command during World War I. After the war, together with his brothers Peter, Michael, Nikolaos and Leonidas he founded the big fleet of Goulandris Brothers Ltd. with offices in Piraeus and London. Seven tramps were traded in 1932 named Euthalia, Theomitor, Frangoula B. Goulandris, George J. Goulandris, Ioannis P. Goulandris, Marionga J. Goulandris and Violando N. Goulandri. The oldest of this septet was built back in 1898, while the newest were ‘War’ ‘A’ standard ships built in 1918 and 1919.

A large fleet of Goulandris Brothers Ltd. slow steaming steam tramps was decimated by the wolf packs of U-boats during World War II, and Basil, Nikolaos and Leonidas purchased war standard tramps to rebuild their shattered fleet, and traded them on Transatlantic routes to a large degree to Canada, where new businesses were set up by his son John, who had moved to live there. Greek Line had been set up in 1939 by Vassilis Goulandris, son of Peter J. Goulandris and Chrysa Dambassi, and his four brothers to operate the passenger liner New Hellas of 16,991 grt, built in 1922 as Tuscania for Anchor Line and later renamed New York, as a troopship on worldwide Allied convoys. Three further liners were used on the Transatlantic route from Greece to New York after the end of the war, named Katoomba (later Columbia), Neptunia and Canberra.

Leonidas Goulandris, brother of Basil J. Goulandris purchased Greek Line in 1952, and immediately ordered a new passenger liner to be named Olympia for delivery in 1953.

The 25,516grt Queen Anna Maria leaving New York on 28th January 1967. She was built in 1956 by Fairfield Shipbuilding at Govan as the Empress of Britain for Canadian Pacific. She joined Greek Line in 1964. In 1975 she joined Carnival Cruise Line as Carnivale and in 1993 she became Fiestamarina of Fiesta Marina Cruises. In 1995 she joined Epirotiki Line as Olympic and in 1997 she moved to Thomson Cruises as The Topaz. Her final role was as the Peaceboat, The Topaz from 2003 until 2008 when she arrived at Alang on 4th July to be broken up. (Chris Howell)

Subscribe today to read the full article!

Simply click below to subscribe and not only read the full article instantly, but gain unparalleled access to the specialist magazine for shipping enthusiasts.

Subscribe now Log In