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Mv Delos

ex Villandry, Olympia

Matt Murtland Collection

Steel twin screw motor vessel built in 1965 by Dubigeon-Normandie S.A., Nantes-Chantenay, France (Yard No 809) as a passenger and vehicle roll-on roll-off vehicle ferry, for S.N.C.F. Launched November 20th, 1964.

Technical Data

Length

104.86 m (344. ft) (overall)

Breadth of Hull

17.68m (58.0 ft) (extreme)

Draught

3.96m (13.0 ft) (maximum)

Tonnage

3,444 gross (1976), 982 net (1976), 615 deadweight (1976)

Engines

Two 6-cylinder Pielstick diesels

Power

9,235 kW

Speed

21 knots (max upon completion)

Capacity

1,200 passengers, 140 cars

Call Sign

SXLC (1986)

MMSI Number

N/A

IMO Number

6503567

Registry

N/A

History

November 20th 1964: Launched

April 23rd 1965: Left Nantes for fitting out in Brest. Re-routed owing to engine problems during her initial trials off Ushant.

April 27th 1965: Left Brest for Cherbourg

May 1965: Delivered to S.N.C.F., Dieppe, France. Originally appeared with black hull.

May 16th 1965: Inaugural sailing between Dieppe - Newhaven.

May 30th 1965: Commenced commercial sailings.

October 6th 1966 - October 10th 1966: Publicity visit to Pool of London.

Roy Thornton Collection (left and middle) and © Fotoflite, Andreas Wörteler Collection

1967: During refit joint service flag added to her funnel

May 1st 1970 - May 2nd 1970: Second publicity visit to London.

May 9th 1970 - May 11th 1970: Publicity voyage between Le Havre - Jersey - Cherbourg - Jersey - Le Havre.

Roy Thornton Collection

May 1973: Operated 4 Rouen cruises.

June 1974: Three day cruise to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the Normandy Landings.

June 1975: Retired from service with engine problems.

July 1st 1975: Returned to service.

December 1975: Announcement made that both VILLANDRY and VALENCAY were to be “stretched” at Ateliers et Chantiers, Le Havre to cater for the increase of freight lorry traffic. Approximately three quarters of the after end of the ship’s accommodation was cut and raised by 56 cm. In order to give greater headroom for freight on the main vehicle deck below. Also at this time they were to be converted to bow loaders and have their funnel tops extended. Thus modified they would be able to carry 20 rather than 10 lorries. The VILLANDRY was earmarked to go for her conversion during autumn of 1976 followed a year later by her sister-ship. Other alterations included the removal of the vessel’s stern bridges and the extension of their after observation lounges.

Roy Thornton Collection

March 1977: Returned from stretching.

April 9th 1982: Final day in operation between Dieppe - Newhaven.

June 7th 1982 - August 1982: Chartered to Sealink U.K. Ltd for use between Stranraer - Larne.

August 1982: Service between Calais - Dover.

October 1982: Laid up in Calais.

1983: Received red S.N.C.F. colours

June 24th 1983 - July 8th 1983: Service between Heysham - Belfast.

July 1983: Laid up in Calais.

Matt Murtland Collection

August 12th 1983 - August 13th 1983: Chartered to Sealink U.K. Ltd. For use between Holyhead - Dun Laoghaire.

1984: Withdrawn at the end of the season. Reserve vessel. Then laid up in Calais. Projected sale to Liberian ship owners (Sea Lady Maritime) did not materialise. Projected name was to be YASMINE

August 1984: Sold to Agapitos Bros., Piraeus, Greece. Renamed OLYMPIA.

Roy Thornton Collection

1986: Sold to Ionian Lines Shipping, Piraeus, Greece and renamed DELOS then operating under Strintzis Lines between Killini - Poros.

1997: Sold to Equester Shipping Co. N.V., Kingstown, St Vincent

1998: Broken up.

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All information is believed to be correct and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions found. All items included in this article are subject to © copyright. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking: Aubrey Dale, Peter Longhurst, Matt Murtland, Jürgen Stein, AG Jones and Andreas Wörteler for their assistance in compiling this feature.