***PLEASE NOTE THIS ITEM HAS BEEN SOLD***
End Table From Ellerman Line's MV SPERO

A view of the table showing the front, top, and one side. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2005.

Wooden Legs and Framework
Tan Formica Top
22 Inches Tall
21.5 Inches Wide
14.25 Inches Deep
$200.00
***THIS ITEM HAS BEEN SOLD***

Ellerman Line's 6,916 gt MV SPERO was built by Cammell Laird at Birkenhead in 1966 for the London to Gothenberg run. She had a modern, but well-balanced profile with a single midships funnel and could carry 408 passengers at a service speed of 18 knots.

The SPERO was fitted out with wonderful wood fittings and furniture, although she was built in the emerging "plastic age". Like many British built ships in the 1960s, she was a tad behind the times, which in retrospect made her all the more lovely. When she became NEL Line's SAPPHO for Piraeus to Lesvos ferry service in 1972, most of her interiors were kept intact. I recall seeing her on many occasions in Piraeus during the 1990s, her handsome black topped blue funnel (very reminiscent of Blue Funnel Lines livery) towering over an immaculately white hull.

She was sold for service between Kenya and Tanzania as the SANTORINI 3 in 2002, but ended up on the beach in Alang in January of 2004 as the SANTORI.

I did not initially seek out this ship's fittings as I was distracted by all the other important beauties meeting their end at the time. But, when I came across one trader with spectacular wooden furniture, I could not resist salvaging some SPERO items. This particular end table was in the officer's areas and is quite handsome. There is slight wear at the bottom of the feet and the two black holes shown in the formica top (which sports faint, simulated wood grain) are actually screw tops. It appears they were there from the very beginning and are not scars from 35 years of use. The wood has a partial finish, which can either be restored or kept "as is" depending on the style desired. I personally think it looks beautiful in its current condition, especially with a bit of Tung Oil to restore the lustre.

More views, showing the top and sides. Photos and copyright Peter Knego 2005.