Marala

Another taken last night, the “super yacht” Marala, launched in February 1931 as number 388, the only Camper & Nicholson yacht ever to be launched without a name. With the outbreak of WWII she was handed over to the Royal Navy – and was one of the rare British vessels loaned with no request for compensation for doing so. As HMS Evadne she saw convoy service in the Irish Sea from her base in Liverpool and later in the Atlantic, operating out of Bermuda.

During her service she was responsible for shooting down one German aircraft and sinking one German submarine.

In 1962 Robert de Balkany, who was born in the same year as his new yacht, 1931, purchased Evadne and renamed her Marala, combining the given names of his first two daughters, Marina and Alexandra.

Undergoing upgrades and conversion she will join the “super yacht” for hire fleet.

A quiet day reading and relaxing.