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Lot Essay
Designed by G.L. Watson & Co. and built by John Brown & Co. at Clydebank, Doris was launched in 1910 for the South African millionaire diamond magnate Mr. Solomon Joel. Registered at 909½ tons gross (383 net and 1,022 Thames), she measured 231 feet in length with a 31 foot beam and was powered by twin-screws which gave her an impressive turn of speed. Luxuriously appointed throughout, as befitted the considerable wealth of her owner, her name was changed to Eileen early in 1914 and, not surprisingly, her size and power attracted her to the Admiralty almost as soon as the Great War began. Hired for the duration and armed with 2-12pdr. guns, she spent the war years serving in the auxiliary patrol until released back to Mr. Joel in 1919. After his death in 1931, she was purchased by a French owner, renamed Girundia (II) and kept at Le Havre where she was requisitioned for war duties for the second time in 1939. After spending the Second World War as the Port Admiral's flagship at the naval base at L'Orient, she eventually returned to civilian use but had so deteriorated that she was scrapped soon afterwards.