Bandırma Ferry The Bandırma ferry, a mixed-freight vessel, holds great historical importance from the Ottoman period. It became particularly famous for carrying Mustafa Kemal Pasha (later known as Atatürk) from Constantinople to Samsun in May 1919, marking the beginning of the Turkish national independence movement. Originally constructed in Paisley, Scotland between 1878 and 1883, the ship was initially named Trocadero. For the first five years, it was used as a freighter. It was then sold to H. Psicha Preaus in Greece and given the name SS Kymi. After an accident, the ship sank but later resurfaced, still bearing its previous name. In 1894, the Ottoman Maritime Company acquired the ship and renamed it SS Panderma. It was then utilized as a passenger and cargo vessel in the Sea of Marmara. By 1910, its ownership shifted to the Ottoman Transportation Authority, and the ship was rebranded as SS Bandırma (a name meaning Panderma). From this point onward, it operated primarily as a mail ship serving the coastal waters. The Bandırma ship holds a significant place in Turkish history due to its vital role in transporting Mustafa Kemal Pasha, who had been appointed as the Inspector of the Ninth Army Troops Inspectorate in eastern Anatolia. On 16 May 1919, he traveled from Constantinople to Samsun aboard the SS Bandırma. This journey was part of a larger mission, where the Sultan’s decree sent the Scout Master to oversee the disbanding of the Ottoman Army, a task imposed by the Entente powers controlling the Turkish government at the time. Accompanied by 22 officers, 25 soldiers, and 8 administrative staff, Mustafa Kemal Pasha set sail for the Black Sea aboard an old steamer. The journey was challenging due to severe weather conditions and the lack of a functional compass for navigation. After a difficult voyage, they finally reached Samsun, where they founded the Turkish National Movement, which ultimately paved the way for the declaration of the Turkish Republic four years later, following the War of Independence after World War I and Mustafa Kemal Pasha’s departure. In honor of its vital contribution to the creation of modern Turkey, the governors and mayors of Samsun province initiated the restoration of the Bandırma ferry. The Taşkınlar shipbuilding company commenced the reconstruction on May 9th, 2000, and it took nearly a year to complete. The museum ship was officially opened to the public on May 19th, 2003, at East Park in Samsun, featuring wax figures of Mustafa Kemal Pasha and his companions as part of the museum's exhibit. If you have any questions or need more information about the Bandırma Ferry, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or simply message us via WhatsApp, and we will respond as quickly as possible.