photograph
Artwork
Accession Number
991.017.014Description
A black and white photograph of the library aboard TSSY Dolaura, along the right wall a large glass-fronted wooden bookcase, above it the shelves are curtained windows; the back wall has an open door, wall mounted light fixtures with double shades, a picture and a writing desk with a barley twist high backed chair, there are two more of the same chair along the left wall either side of a sideboard, on the sideboard are potted plants; above are two sets of wall mounted electric lights; in the middle of the floor is a long runner and an upholstered stool.Narrative
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
In 1937, Englishman John Sword purchased the Alcedo, had the yacht overhauled, and commissioned the taking of this and other photographs.Date
1937Dimensions
15.6 cm x 20.9 cmPhotograph Type
Gelatin silver processSubject/Image
library aboard TSSY DolauraMedium
PhotographicSupport
Paper, Photographic paperCountry of Origin
United KingdomRelated Association
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