scoop, cheese

Object

Accession Number
987.013.001
Description
A silver-plated cheese scoop, the name "Dolaura" impressed in upper case block letters on the top side of the handle, electroplate markings on the underside of the handle, the underside of the handle at the end in a rat tail pattern, the handle narrow (.5 cm) through the mid-section then widening out at the end, the scoop resembling a half cylinder with the outside edges cut with a simple scalloped edge.
Narrative
This cheese scoop is not as finely made as other silverware in The Castle Society's collection from TSSY Dolaura. This suggests that it may have been intended for use by the crew, rather than by the Dunsmuir family and their guests.

The TSSY DOLAURA was a private yacht built in 1908 for Hon. James Dunsmuir by the Fleming and Ferguson shipyard of Paisely, Scotland. It was named by combining the names of Dola and Laura Dunsmuir.

The next four owners were members of the New York Yacht Club. In 1920, the yacht was sold to Arthur Meeker and renamed the VICTORIA; from 1922 to 1924 the yacht belonged to James Shewan and renamed the PATRICIA; from 1926 to 1928 the yacht belonged to Russell A. Alger and was renamed the LAURENTIAN; from 1929 to 1936  the yacht belonged to George W. Childs Drexel and was renamed the ALCEDO.

From 1937 to 1939 the yacht belonged to John C. Sword of Britain and was renamed the VALENA; at the outbreak of WW2, the yacht was requisitioned by the Admiralty, named HMS VALENA and used to hunt enemy submarines until 1945.

VALENA was returned to Mr. Sword and then sold to Pontos Cia de Nav (J. Lavanos), Panama and used for passenger service in the Mediterranean. The yacht was scrapped at La Spezia, Italy on December 30, 1951.  

An aerial photograph of the HMS Valena can be seen here: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205017805
History of Use
This cheese scoop was made for use on the Dunsmuir yacht, TSSY Dolaura. It became the property of Dolaura's Chief Engineer, Alfred Greaves, when the yacht was sold by James Dunsmuir. It was next inherited by his daughter from whom The Castle Society acquired it in 1987.
Date
circa 1908
Dimensions
20.6 cm
Material
Metal, alloy; Metal, silver
Technique
Electroplated; Stamped
Inscription
DOLAURA

Related people/businesses/organizations
Alfred William Greaves (owner)
James Dunsmuir (owner)
Laura Miller Dunsmuir (nee Surles) (owner)
Related Association
Dolaura (Twin Screw Steam Yacht) (was used in)