History
Department of National Defence Photo
from the collection of Harold Skaarup
This photo hung in the stateroom of the Maryland Independence (Q 120) between pictures of Reagan and Gorbichev
In Jan 1944, Q120 was part of the 82nd ML Flotilla, Shelburne, NS. In Jan 1945, her CO, A/LCdr John Maxwell Todd was SO of the 82nd ML Flotilla.
Sold in 1945 to Upper Lakes and St. Lawrence Transportation Company, Toronto, she was renamed Nelvana II.
ML 120 as the "Nelvana II"
Photo is a newspaper clipping about the conversion of the ML 120 .
As the Nelvana II, she wintered in Florida.
Sold October 19, 1960 to Newfoundland Tractor & Equipment co. Ltd., St. John’s, Newfoundland. As a private yacht for Ches Pippy family.
Owner (1972-74), Navigation Nutak, Sept Iles, Quebec
ML 120 as "The Lady Galadriel"
Owner (1974-77) Joan A. Molz ( wife of Herbert F. Molz), Toronto, Ontario. and renamed The Lady Galadriel (bought for $33,000 as per Stephen Molz, June 2010).
She was equipped with 2 Volvo 312 H.P. 6 cyl. turbo-charged diesels.
Owner (1986): Capitol Boats Inc. and renamed Independence.
In 1986 the state of Maryland bought her and renamed her Maryland Independence. While owned by the state, she was powered by twin 260 HP Volvo diesel engines and had a cruising speed of twelve knots. She was operated and maintained by three full-time and one part-time personnel. She had a carrying capacity of 35 passengers and could accommodate 70 passengers while dockside. The vessel also had 3 guest staterooms, main and dining salons, 2 guest heads, galley, crew quarters, sundeck and flybridge. She was the sailing ambassador for the State of Maryland.
Video of the Q 120 be refurbished to become the Maryland Independence
This is a copy a copy of the registry of the “Maryland Independence” from the Canadian registered “Independence”
Note the manufacturer at the top of the page.
There was an issue registering the “Maryland Independence” because it was a foreign built boat. The USG made a special arrangement for this ship. (Maybe because of the 8 Weymouth Fairmiles that served in the US Navy in WWII.
Sold on Dec. 11 2003 by the state of Maryland on E-Bay for $ 275,000.
2004 owned by Paul W. Davies, Hagerstown MD for recreational use
October 2006, purchased by John Mabry and Timothy Dauses.
MV Varuna 2020 Juan Villegas (owner)
2019, renamed Varuna, port of registry Savannah.
This is the United States Coast Guard registration for the “Varuna”, formerly the “Maryland Independence”.
