tug ATHINA

[Aris]

Steam tug ATHINA (30 x 7 m, 117 grt) was registered in Lavrio (no.2) in 1939. Previously she was registered in Braila under Greek flag (no.88) since 1924.
Any details on her date and place of construction or previous names would be most welcomed.
Any information on her 1941-45 whereabouts are also sought.

Thank you

[davidships]

Presumably the one listed in Focas' book on Greek Danube shipping as 130ihp, owned by Hellas Kyriakides in 1930 (and not in the 1920 list).

Never found more that that. My only observation is that seems a quite small engine for a tug of that size. I suspect local build.

[AvM]

Danube Registers

1930

ATHINA iron
ex RUSUD
owner Periandos Kiriakidis, Greece
registered Braile , Greek Consulate
built 1915 Russia
45t 30.00x7.00x2.30m
compound 130ihp = 18km/h

1935

still noted , but name is underlined
ATHINA iron
owner Periandos Kiriakidis, Greece
no more data given

[davidships]

That's interesting, Andreas.
I wonder whether she appears as RUSUD in any Russian sources?

But "Русуд" doesn't seem to mean anything in Russian.
Perhaps it was "Русудан", the female name in Georgia?

[GeorgeT]

I suspect that "Rusud" is by error for "Russud", which makes good sense -- it was the name of the shipyard in Nikolaev that later became known as the Zavod im. 61 Kommunara.

[AvM]

In Romanian Danube List she is

"RUȘUD"

I have till now not found any Russian tug RUSSUD

[AvM]

I have answers from Russia

Victor Yeravoy

Это быв. РУССУД. Заказан как буксирно-пожарный пх для ЧФ для замены портового судна СПАССК (1903 гп). Из-за нехватки денег постройка часто останавливалась. В конце концов в процессе постройки передан Русскому судостроительному обществу и после достройки получил наименование РУССУД. Как попал за границу неизвестно, но ясно, что во время гражданской войны.

vladl

Я попытаюсь дополнить информацию vvy. Буксирно-пожарный паровой катер РУССУД был построен для нужд завода "Руссуд" по типу катера СПАССК Николаевского порта. Отдельные части корпуса и заготовки строившее катер Николаевское адмиралтейство передало заводу "Руссуд" в марте 1914 г. Завод-строитель "Русское акционерное судостроительное общество" ("Руссуд"). Строительный № С-8. Заложен 04.1914 г. Спущен 08.1915 г. Сдан 23.09.1915 г. 110 т; 23,8х5,2х2,0 м; 200 л.с.; 10 уз; 6 чел.

your could easly with any on-line translator convert it.When you have any problems, please ask.

[davidships]

Thanks Andreas - yes, that's interesting (and confirms George's hunch) - please thank your correspondents.
So we know how she started - now just the middle bit of when/why she ended up in Romania - and what they did with her there.

[AvM]

Also a photo from sergey

Unfortunately we do not know how the tug went to Romania.
Very probably after the Civil War.

[davidships]

Any known photos as ATHINA, Aris?

I found this entry - which looks like the same one - in the WW2 (British) Ministry of War Transport Service List:
ATHINA - 41grt - Greek - 11/41 (salved)-? - naval (Med)
In other words, she was with Greek owners, salved somewhere and taken on British naval service in the Mediterranean area; but when she was returned to her owners is not known (or happened after 1946)

[Aris]

Sorry for my belated answer as somehow I missed the later replies. Many thanks Andreas, David and of course to Victor and Sergey for this wealth of information.
David, unfortunately I have not seen any photos of her as ATHINA but only in her post-ww2 reincarnation as a cargo motor coaster. The bow however remained as seen in Sergey's photo.
It is interesting to note that the ship survives to this day, although inactive for years being ashore in a shipyard at Chios.