BROKER'S COMMENTS 

MAHALIA is definitely a piece of British Maritime history, her story makes very interesting reading (see below). She was originally built to a remarkably high constructional specification and so has fared well in the ‘test against time’ – the very fact that she took part in the 2005 Commemoration Return to Dunkirk is further proof of her current capabilities.

However, she would benefit from some updates and with the large forward section of the boat unused and unfurnished, there is potential to add more accommodation.  

HISTORY 

MAHALIA was designed and laid down by A R Luke of Hamble in 1915 and completed as a gentleman’s yacht in 1920 by Camper & Nicholsons, Gosport. There is a possibility that she was intended to be used for exploring the upper Amazon River.

She was then named Glala and had various owners through the 1920s and 1930s, notably Lord Brockett of Mallaig who kept her on the West Coast of Scotland, and Sir Alan Cobham, the pioneer aviatorm, who named her Glala combining his own christian name with that of his wife, Gladys.

In 1938 Glala was purchased by the Associated Equipment Company Ltd and fitted with a pair of their oil engines, unusually one 4 cylinder and one 6 cylinder, and used for training, marketing and client entertaining purposes, until being requisitioned by HM Government at the outbreak of World War II. She served as a harbour defence patrol craft at Sheerness and from there she took part in Operation Dynamo, the little ships evacuation of Dunkirk; during this she sustained damage as a result of a ‘near miss’ under attack by dive bombers. She saw further war service as a hospital tender in Belfast and with the naval fire service in Liverpool.

Post war Glala had various owners, spending most of the 1960s and early 1970s cruising the French and Italian Rivieras. Glala spent much of the 1990s as a house boat on Brighton Marina (enjoying an 18-month restoration carried out 1988-1990).

She was purchased by her current owner in 2002 and renamed MAHALIA, taking part in the 2005 Commemoration return to Dunkirk.
 

CONSTRUCTION 

The hull is planked in teak over frames and steam bent timbers. The frames are oak and the timbers are Rock elm, the fastenings are copper boat nails and roves. The centreline structure is oak.  

MACHINERY 

Two Gardner 6l diesel engines (max speed 13 knots / cruising 10 knots)

Two 3-blade bronze propellers (30in diameter)

Conventional shafts with bronze P-brackets

Fuel consumption approx 3 gallons per hour
 

ACCOMMODATION 

Six berths in 3 cabins (the forward section of the boat is unfurnished, originally intended as a crew quarters – 3 berths possible)

Two double cabins, one twin

• Saloon for dining or relaxing is accessed from the aft deck. The saloon is teak panelled and has a cocktail cabinet and lockers. There is a replica leather sofa and French minature arm chairs.

• Guest accommodation for six in three cabins. The joinery is mahogany and each cabin is equipped with a period stow-away hand basin, deck / dressing table, wardrobe and cupboard space. The two starboard cabins are fitted with double bunks and the port cabin with twin bunks. There is an adjacent shower and separate wc/heads compartment. A 240v hot water tank and high presure pump supply hot and cold water throughout.

• The galley is situated off the main passageway that leads forwar from the saloon to the main accommodation. A Banmatic gas cooker, Optimus oven and Coolmatic fridge are fitted.

• The wheelhouse and forward section of the boat are separated by a bulhead from the main accommodation. In the wheelhouse is an attractive compass binnacle, engine throttles and basic navigation aids.

• The engine room is behind the wheelhouse and this space also housed three fuel tanks (total capacity 480 gallons). 

NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT 

Depth sounder
Vhf (dsc)
Gps 

DECK EQUIPMENT 

The wheelhouse is of teak and the long coachroof has a teak deck.

The side decks and aft deck are also teak.

There are two timber masts fitted for the purpose of mounting lights, radar and antenna.

Ground tackle: cqr anchor and kedge anchor (50m of chain); windlass mounted on foredeck.

Superstructure for main deck awning.
 

ELECTRICS 

Two 12v domestic (110amph) batteries

Four heavy duty cranking batteries

240v shorepower and battery charger

Six electric bilge pumps with float sqitches

Eberspacher heating system (outlets in each cabin)
 

DISCLAIMER

These particulars have been prepared from information provided by the vendors and are intended as a general guide. The purchaser should confirm details of concern to them by survey or engineers inspection. The purchaser should also ensure that the purchase contract properly reflects their concerns and specifies details on which they wish to rely.