Gonca Steamship, exhibited at the Rahmi M. Koç Museum, was chosen first in its category by the votes of the public at the Classic Boat Awards held in England.
Push and Kick, which is in the museum collection, also won first place in the 'Best New Motor Yacht' category in 2021. Rahmi M. Koç Museum General Manager Mine Sofuoğlu, who attended the ceremony in England and received the award, said, “It is a great pride for us that Gonca participated in such a prestigious competition and received an award. "We thank all sea enthusiasts who participated in the voting," he said.
Rahmi M. Koç Museum, Turkey's first and only industrial museum, once again brought its contribution to Turkish maritime to the international arena. Gonca Steamship, which is in the museum collection, returned with an award from the competition organized by the UK-based Classic Boat magazine. Competing among motor ships over 30.5 meters and being one of the three ships in this category, Gonca was chosen first. Classic Boat Awards, held since 2007, brings together marine vehicles that sail freely in blue waters, from century-old traditional ships to restored ones, from sailboats to motor cruisers. The winners of the competition, which is held in 6 categories, are selected by public vote.
Gonca's award was received by Rahmi M. Koç Museum General Director Mine Sofuoğlu at the ceremony held in England on April 3. In his statement regarding the award, Sofuoğlu said, “We are very proud that Gonca participated in such a prestigious competition and received an award. It is another happiness to experience this pride for the second time. İttir Kaktır, which is in our museum's ship fleet, was chosen first in the 'Best New Motor Yacht' category in 2021. "We thank all sea enthusiasts who participated in the voting and voted for Gonca," he said.
Engine made in England
The origin of Gonca, which was converted into a mine-laying ship by the Ottoman Navy during the First World War and used for this purpose, still remains a mystery. Some traces inside the ship suggest that it was built in a shipyard in Northern Europe. Stamps on the ship's machinery indicate that its engine was made in England. Turkish maritime history experts think, based on Ottoman sources, that Gonca may have been used as a support ship in the Port of Thessaloniki.
Saved from destruction
Gonca, which was towed to Gonca Bay at the Military Naval Base near Gölcük after the Gallipoli War and took its current name, was used as a transport ship by the Turkish Naval Forces until 1989. The restoration of Gonca, which was saved from destruction by the Rahmi M. Koç Museum and Culture Foundation, was carried out in Tuzla, Istanbul, in 1993, and the ship was launched as a luxury yacht in 1997. The ship is 32 meters long, 6 meters wide and 3.25 meters deep.
Made a great contribution to the victory
The Gonca Steamship exhibited in the museum made great contributions to the defense of the Dardanelles as the "Thessaloniki Minelayer" in the First World War. Gonca was deemed worthy of the Plaque of Honor for her contributions to the victory at the panel titled "Heroes of a Great Naval Victory" held recently at the Rahmi M. Koç Museum Conference Hall within the scope of the 18th anniversary of the March 109 Çanakkale Naval Victory.
The boats that won awards in the competition will also be announced in the May issue of Classic Boat magazine.