Name Prince Otman

ILONA OF KYLESKU was built in 1907 by J. Armour & Sons of Fleetwood and was originally named MAUNA LOA after the Hawaiian volcano which erupted that year. She was designed by William Stoba as a luxury steam yacht and fitted out to the highest specification using pitch pine on oak, with teak for the superstructure and Honduras mahogany for the accommodation. Her twin screw engines were provided by local engineer, James Robertson & Sons and her hull was lined with copper. She was commissioned by textile magnate Henry Calvert and skippered by Captain Bob Rawlinson. The latter managed to stay in charge of her during the war by enlisting as a Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and operating MAUNA LOA in the Mersey, towing barges. She later worked as a minesweeper. Upon Henry Calvert’s death in 1922, Bob Rawlinson purchased the vessel himself. In 1923, she was sold again and was based for many years in Beaumaris under the ownership of the Marquis of Anglesey. By the 1970s, she was operating in Gibraltar and Alicante, before ending up in Palma. MAUNA LOA was badly damaged in the hurricane of 1984 whilst in Palma and was found there by Mr. & Mrs. Wells. In 2001, she was bought by Royalty and sailed home to Fleetwood. In 2012 she was put up for sale and her name was updated to PRINCE OTMAN.

This vessel is a survivor from the First World War. You can read more about her wartime history by visiting our First World War: Britain's Surviving Vessels website www.ww1britainssurvivingvessels.org.uk. 

Boat Internatio