Hacı Sami Bey and Hacı Sami Ferry: A Maritime Legacy

I would like to thank Tunç Akyol, Group Purchasing Manager of Kibar Holding AŞ, for providing me the opportunity to conduct a detailed study on Hacı Sami Bey, the owner of Hacı Sami Vapur İdaresi. My research on this subject has resulted from quite exhausting investigations, and the topic of Hacı Sami Bey is being brought to light for the first time with this article. There is a need for broader details to be reached on this matter.

Between 1926 and 1930, Hacı Sami Bey operated cargo and passenger services with the vessels İnönü and Nusret/İnayet, which he owned. In the advertisements of his company in newspapers, the title “Hacı Sami Vapur İdaresi” appears under “Hacı Sami Vapurları.” In this context, the guide titled "Turkish Maritime Trade Annual," published in 1929, contains information about two vessels named “İnönü -II” and “Nusret” under the heading “Hacı Sami Bey” and the company name: “Hacı Sami Vapur İdaresi” in the tables listing various shipping companies.

According to this information, the construction name of the vessel “İnönü-2” is “Reliance,” a tugboat built in England in 1903.

Lloyd’s Register of Shipping contains information about “Reliance” from the year 1930, and there are also records in the Selby-Cochrane & Sons Built Ships archive.

The flag and funnel of Hacı Sami Vapur İdaresi have been copied, inspired by the Lloyd’s of London House Flags & Funnels catalog.

The Ottoman letters on the flag are abbreviations or letters of the name “Hacı Sami.”

The letter on the right: Ayn (ا) — the first letter of the word “Hacı” (or the “A/Ha” sound of Hacı Sami).

The shape in the middle: Crescent (Hilâl / Moon)

The letter on the left: Sin (س) — the first letter of the word “Sami.”

The respected contemporary generation of Hacı Sami Bey is Tunç Akyol, Group Purchasing Manager of Kibar Holding, who is a great-grandson of Hacı Sami Bey on his father's side.

The vessel owned by Hafız Hacı Sami Bey, “Nusret- Ex-Cité de Djerba,” was built in 1918 at the Forges & Chantiers de la Mediterranée shipyard in La Seyne near Toulon as a minesweeper named “Engoulevent.”

It had a gross tonnage of 325 grt, a length of 133.4 ft, a width of 24.0 ft, and a depth of 11.0 ft, and it had a steel hull.

In 1920, it was sold, modified as a general cargo ship, and renamed “Cité de Djerba.”

In 1922, it was sold to Hydra Steamships Ltd. under G.M. Chrussachi. Although it was registered in the port of Valletta, Malta, its owner was Greek.

In 1927, it was sold to the Algeria-based Cie Franco-Orientale de Transport Maritime company.

In 1927, it was purchased by Hacı Sami Bey from Balıkesir and renamed “Nusret.”

In 1928, it was bought by Hacı Şeref and Cemal Bey and renamed “İnayet.”

In 1929, it was sold and its name changed to “Katina K.”

In 1930, it was acquired by the Societe Misr pour les Pecheries established in Suez, Egypt, and renamed “Mariout.”

In 1940, due to the needs of World War II, it was purchased by the British Admiralty and renamed “HMS Moonrice.”

In 1946, it was sold to the Norwegian company AS Tveds Sldeksport and renamed “Arnulf.”

In 1948, it was bought by a Norwegian firm and modified as a herring trawler.

In 1959, it was purchased by a Norwegian company and renamed “Branasund.”

In 1965, it was dismantled in Stavanger, Norway.

The old names of the vessels listed in the 1926 "Turkish Maritime Trade Annual" catalog are incorrect and require attention.

Tunç Akyol has conveyed the following information about the family: “I am trying to study the life of my father’s great-grandfather, Ali Rıza Bezzaz, who was born in Bulgaria, and specifically the life of Hacı Sami Efendi (Akyol). I am even researching extensively online. Honestly, I am quite affected by the stories of how my ancestors lived and the lands they walked on.

I have heard from people during my visit that my grandfather, Ali Rıza Bezzaz, is buried in Tekke Mosque in Bandırma and that he was very much loved by the people. I have also heard some things about Hacı Sami Efendi from my grandmother.

Mevlânâ Ali Rızâ el-Bezzâz Hazretleri

Mevlânâ Ali Rızâ el-Bezzâz Hazretleri, the 34th link in the golden chain of spiritual guides who teach people the ways to reach the pleasure of Allah, was born in the town of Ahyolu (Ohyo) in Bulgaria. His date of birth is unknown. He migrated to Bandırma with his family and settled in the neighborhood now known as Bentbaşı. He was the child of a wealthy family. His mother, Şerife Hanım, was a charitable lady who valued public welfare. Two fountains that she built for public benefit are still active.

As understood from the title “Bezzâz,” Mevlânâ Ali Rızâ el-Bezzâz Hazretleri was involved in the fabric trade. He was extremely wealthy, owning many shops and stores, and his trade was prosperous enough to be conducted via ships. Nevertheless, being wealthy did not capture his heart. Mevlânâ Ali Rızâ el-Bezzâz Hazretleri preserved his piety, which he prioritized above all else, in his trade as well.

He applied the principle of “being with Allah among the people” of the Tarîqat-ı Aliyye-i Nakşibendiyye to his life in a remarkable manner.

Mevlânâ Ali Rızâ el-Bezzâz Hazretleri passed away in the year 1330 AH in Bandırma, and his grave is an important pilgrimage site located in the cemetery of the mosque now known as Tekke Mosque.

Events During the Greek War

It has been narrated: “During the Greek war, the Greek soldiers who reached Bandırma also occupied the Tekke of Ali Rızâ el-Bezzâz Hazretleri. One of the soldiers’ dogs turned towards the grave of Ali Rızâ el-Bezzâz Hazretleri and was struck down in a terrifying manner. Upon this, the soldiers, enraged, attempted to kick the grave, but they too suffered the same fate. The soldiers who witnessed the event fled from the Tekke in fear.”

Tunç Akyol wrote the following; “I know that my grandfather Hacı Sami had a shipping company called Hacı Sami Vapur İdaresi or Sami Vapur İdaresi. In fact, I have reached information about two ships, one named İnayet and the other İnönü. There are records I found in old newspaper archives like Bartın Postası or Bandırma Postası. After my father passed away when he was one month old, we distanced ourselves from my paternal family, and I am researching because I am honestly very curious about my family.

My great-grandfather Ali Rıza lived in a mansion on the ramp that goes up across from the old pier in Beylerbeyi. He passed away from a heart attack on June 17, 1956, when my father was one month old. I know that my grandfather Hacı Sami was a patriot who said that during the war and afterwards, his ships sank and that he never made any requests from the state during the country’s troubled times. I believe İnönü 2 was sold to the Yekta family. As far as I know, the house they lived in was also bought by the Kalkavan family.

As far as we know from my grandmother, Ali Rıza Akyol (my grandfather) worked at Metrohan in Karaköy. He had a heart attack at work when he was in his 40s. Although the doctor requested him to stay in bed for 15 days, he did not want to leave because his son (my father) was one month old and his wife was in postpartum. He walked home to their house in Beylerbeyi, which is located on a hill. He passed away that evening from a heart attack. In fact, we have a few photos of him. There are pictures with my grandmother, but honestly, we do not have any other photos of my grandfather.

As far as we know, after my grandfather Hacı Sami's ships sank, he was a noble-hearted man who did not ask for a single penny from the offer of a parliamentary seat from Atatürk, saying that we owe it to the country. He lived as an imam. We know that he led a modest life while being someone who read works to Hafız Burhan at the mansion.

We have extensive information about Hacı Sami Bey’s father, Ali Rıza Bezzaz, and I visit his grave at Tekke Mosque in Bandırma. We know he was a fabric trader, and after Hacı Sami Dede settled in Istanbul Vaniköy, he moved to Beylerbeyi. I also know from my grandmother that he bought the land and house of Sermetpaşa mansion there. However, I could not find any trace of Sermet Paşa Mansion. It might be Servet Paşa. The house my grandmother went to as a bride was a mansion in Beylerbeyi.

In the newspaper advertisements of 1928, there were very frequent announcements regarding the ferry services. Among these, in the “Vapur Seyr-i Seferleri” announcements in Cumhuriyet newspaper, it was stated that the “Ak Yıldız Vapur İdaresi’s Ayvalık - İzmir Postası” would depart from the Sirkeci pier on the morning of February 9th, carrying 1,200 tons of first and second-class cabins and a cabin Rize sulfur vessel to Çanakkale, Edremit, Burhaniye, Ayvalık, and İzmir, and would return by stopping at the same pier. Passengers and cargo should apply to the administration at Nurhan in Sirkeci. Telephone: Istanbul 2668.

Again, on the same page, it was announced that “Yelkenci Vapurları Karadeniz Sürat / Lüks Postası” would depart from the Sirkeci pier on Tuesday, February 10th, to the piers of Inebolu, Samsun, Ordu, Giresun, Sürmene, and Rize. For details, it was requested to apply to number 1 in Sirkeci.

The “Tayyar Vapuru” belonging to Hattatzâde Tayyar Company would depart from the Sirkeci pier on the evening of February 7th, heading to the piers of Gelibolu, Çanakkale, Edremit, Burhaniye, Ayvalık, and İzmir. Passengers and cargo should apply to the central agency at Kürkçü Hanı, number 6 on Reşadiye Street in Eminönü.

Hacı Sami Vapurları’s “Bartın Ekspres Postası” would be made on the day of İnönü 2 (İn-Önü 2), and it would depart from the Sirkeci pier at five o'clock in the evening on February 7th, heading to the piers of Akçaşehir, Ereğli, Zonguldak, Bartın, Amasra, and Cide. Passengers and cargo should apply to Hacızâde at the central agency opposite the Tobacco Customs (Tel: Istanbul 3398).

Hacı Sami Vapur İdaresi was one of the individual/family shipping companies that operated in Turkish maritime trade and cabotage transportation during the late Ottoman period and the early years of the Republic of Turkey (especially between the early 1900s and the 1920s-1930s).

During the period when the Republic was declared, it was among the small/medium-sized enterprises engaged in cabotage transportation with its two vessels alongside large shipowners such as Sadıkzadeler, Yelkencizadeler, and Kalkavanzadeler in the process of nationalizing maritime transportation.

The “Sami” vessel mentioned in newspapers like Akşam and Cumhuriyet during its time has no connection beyond a name similarity with Hacı Sami Bey.

The İnönü vessel was one of the ships that were expropriated at the highest price (29,931 lira) as part of the nationalization policy in the early 1930s.

In the advertisements on the 6th page of the Cumhuriyet newspaper dated January 3, 1930, while the service schedules of Alemdarzadeler Vapurları, Naim Vapurları, and Hantalzade Vapur Postaları were announced, it was stated under the title of Sadıkzade Vapurları- Karadeniz Lüks ve Muntazam Postaları that the “İnönü” vessel would depart from Sirkeci Pier on January 5, heading to Zonguldak, Inebolu, Samsun, Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, and Rize piers. The company’s address is the agency under Mesadet Han in Sirkeci. Telephone Number: Istanbul 2134.

The “İnönü 2” vessel was making regular weekly voyages as K.Z.A.Yekta Vapurları between Akçaşehir and Cide, calling at the piers of Akçaşehir, Alaplı, Ereğli, Zonguldak, Bartın, Amasra, Kurucaşile, and Cide. Applications should be made to the Ahmet Yekta Vapur İdaresi at İzmir Sokak No.11 in Eminönü. The company’s phone number is Istanbul 1399.

These advertisements indicate that the “İnönü” vessel belonged to the Sadıkzade company, while the “İnönü 2” vessel belonged to the Kaptanzade Ahmet Yekta company in 1930.

Lloyd’s Register of Shipping contains information about the “İnönü” belonging to Sadıkzade Brothers and the “İnönü-II” belonging to Hacı Sami Bey in the 1927 yearbook. Indeed, the İnönü vessel was built in 1891 by Wingham-Richardson & Co/Newcastle and was originally named “Lascar.” The “İnönü II” vessel was built in 1903 at the Cochrane & Sons shipyard in Selby and was originally named “Reliance.”

In the Bradford College archive, all possible official information about Reliance is included in the shipbuilding list compiled by Graham S. Abbey, listed with yard number 321. According to this source; it had a gross tonnage of 198 grt, an overall length of 110 ft, a width of 21.1 ft, and a depth of 11 ft, and the vessel was a Trawler-Fishing vessel. It was later modified as a general cargo ship. It was launched on September 12, 1903, and its owner was Great Central Co-operative Engineering & Ship Building Co.Ltd. from Grimsby. It has a 3-expansion main steam engine that produces maximum power of 59 ihp. In 1903, it was sold to C. Caley, in 1912 to a buyer in France, and in 1920 to Hacı Sami Bey, who renamed it “İnönü- II” and converted it into a general cargo ship with a large hull.

In 1929, it was sold to Ahmet Yekta Bey and renamed “İnönü 2.”

In 1933, it was sold in İzmir to Nuri Kaptan and renamed “Kenan.”

In 1950, its name was changed to “Kartaltepe.”

In 1958, it was sold to Fevzi Kalkavan and renamed “Fevzi Kalkavan.”

In 1958, it was lengthened, its engine was renewed, and the vessel, which initially had a gross tonnage of 198 tons, was enlarged to 437 gross tons (762 dwt) and underwent several name changes.

In 1958, it was purchased by Mehmet Oyar and renamed “Çanak Mehmet.”

After 2000, in its final years, it passed to different international operators and was sequentially named Phantoom, Spring, Asalah 1, Micha Star, and lastly Aya (under the North Korean flag).

On May 15, 2005, it was dismantled in Alang, India. It began its journey as a fishing vessel built in 1903 and completed it as a cargo ship exactly 102 years later.

There is a current information source indicating that the grave of Hacı Sami Bey, the owner of Hacı Sami Vapurları, is in the Heybeliada Cemetery in Istanbul, but this information is not definitive. According to the same source, “In memory of the shipowner who spent the last period of his life and passed away in August 1932, a street on the island has also been named Hacı Sami Bey Street.” (Source: Adalar Postası).

However, the claim that Hacı Sami Bey is buried in Heybeliada Cemetery has not yet been confirmed by the available sources.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye