Rn Motor Launch Ml162

Here is the text of a recent report in the Eastern Daily Press:

A converted Royal Navy boat (ML162) that ran popular passenger trips out of Yarmouth during the resort's heyday is facing destruction.

The Golden Galleon, a motor launch with a heroic war-time record, has been moored at Reedham for the past five years.

Now Broads Authority members have been warned she is in danger of sinking, when she would represent a navigational hazard on the River Yare.

The Golden Galleon used to carry more than 50 passengers on trips out to Scroby Sands, but in her later years ran a less popular route across Breydon Water towards Reedham.

Mr Vernon said the vessel was currently registered to a company - Fairmile B Ltd - based in the Virgin Islands. They had been unable to trace the owner, and no mooring fees had been collected.

He said: "The local landowner John Manning has done an excellent job pumping her out and making sure she is OK, but he now wants the situation resolved."

The Golden Galleon, one of only two of its class believed to be left, was responsible for shooting down a number of bombers and sinking two submarines. It took part in the D-Day landings, did escort work out of Milford Haven and off the East Coast.

Retired marine engineer Mr Manning last night told the EDP he was keen to lead a restoration project. Although the boat lets in water through her decks, Mr Manning said a survey he had done showed the hull was sound.

He estimates that restoration could be done for as little as £100,000 to £150,000, and once finished, the Golden Galleon could be used to host trips for groups such as the Scouts.

Anyone interested in helping him is asked to call him on 01508-548686.

 

thats one of the old fairmile 114" MLs, the RAF used them as well. Sad to see her and what is an important part of our military history in such a state.

I do not know if it is still going down there but there used to be MGB101 which gave trips up and down the River during the summer. It would good to see both in the water at the same. or better still HSL 102 and the ML both in RAF colours!

there is asl the "Hants and Dorset" HSL which is being restored to its D-Day state. Now that would be a some sight Two HSLs and the ML!

 

Hi Chris,

When I lived down south I would
often go down to Southampton to the
British Military Powerboat Trust, as my Dad is a
model boat fanatic building various
boats from destroyers to MTB's, all
radio controlled with navigational lights
and sound units etc...
This trust is involved in the restoration
of such boats, maybe someone could
contact them and let them know about
such a boat...maybe they already
know.

This is a link to the trust and worth while
a look British Military Powerboat Trust

Cheers
Kieron

 

This is a link to the trust and woth while
a look British Military Powerboat Trust



I like the photo of the whaleback HSL102!

 

Morse

I think this may be the vessel to which you refer:

(Full details can be found here:

http://www.suffolkchamber.co.uk/bfora/syst..._0/_list.xsl/5)

Dunkirk veteran to attend Lowestoft Boat Show & Maritime Festival 2005

Lady Anne Wake-Walker, the widow of Admiral Wake-Walker, who led the naval fleet to evacuate the British Army from the beaches of Dunkirk in 1940, has graciously agreed to open the Lowestoft Boat Show & Maritime Festival 2005 to be held at Waveney Dock, Lowestoft on Saturday and Sunday, 7th and 8th May.

In doing so Lady Wake-Walker will renew her acquaintance with MTB 102, which will be at the boat show and is the motor torpedo boat to which her husband had to transfer at Dunkirk when 'HMS Keith' the destroyer he was on was hit by enemy fire.

MTB 102 is one of the very few World War II Royal Navy vessels still afloat and is thought to be the only Royal Navy vessel involved in the evacuation that has survived and will be among the 'Little Ships' still afloat and in private ownership making a commemorative voyage to Dunkirk in May 2005, something they have done every five years since 1965.

When during the Dunkirk evacuation the destroyer HMS 'Keith' was disabled by a bomb from a Stuka dive bomber, Rear Admiral Wake-Walker transferred to the 68ft overall MTB 102 for the last two nights of the operation. As she carried no Rear Admirals flag, one of the crew made one from a Navy dishcloth so that MTB 102 proudly flew the 'proper' flag. That 'flag' has been preserved to this day and is in the hands of the present owner of MTB 102, Richard Basey. During the Dunkirk evacuation MTB 102 was the third to last warship to leave Dunkirk.

Regards

 

And there she goes!

 

Originally posted by Chris Basey@Mar 26 2005, 07:01 PM
And there she goes!
[post=32576]Quoted post[/post]

Thanks for that. its confusing when the the only whaleback boat is also "102"!

But there are other former RN MTBs around Britian. There is one moored of Campbelltown, 2 in troon Harbour

 

Chris/Morse

When I was an apprentice plumber
my company had a contract to take
out the old oil fired boilers and replace
them with gas fired. Afther this had
been done unfortunately there was
alot of oil left in the tanks...boats
go well on this , we would go
down to Chertsey river and this
kind boat owner would take it off
our hands...free of course
Anyway next to this house boat
was an old MTB that belonged to
a Vicar. I havn't got a clue if it's
still there, but apparently it still
had it's Rolls Royce engines.

I remember my Dad telling
me the other day of a book he
has on RN MTB's, ML, Barge's and
HDML's, that are still knocking
around.

I'll have to speak to him and
see what the book's called.

Cheers
Kieron

 

I remember my Dad telling
me the other day of a book he
has on RN MTB's, ML, Barge's and
HDML's, that are still knocking
around.


My local library had a book on all types of RAF Marine from 1918 onwards but due to political correctness they removed it!


but if you get hold of the book could you scan some of the photos.

 

No worries Morse I should think
in his library of books he's got
hundreds I could scan. When I
say he goes into detail when bulding
these boats, I mean detail. He will
go to the other end of the earth
to get a book on the same boat
he is building. Just so it's 100%
correct even down to the maps
in the map lockers.

Cheers
Kieron

 

Hi all,

These photo's maybe of interest
to anyone interested in Royal
Navy motor boats.

Ebay photos/Royal Navy motor boat album WW2

Going quite cheap at the moment

Regards
Kieron

 

I spoke with Mr Manning. It seems the Broads Authority were trying it on just a little in that report. They want rid of her in case she sinks which according to Mr Manning, is not at all likely to happen as the hull is sound.

Mr Manning owns the river frontage that ML162 is moored on and is taking care of her as best he can. His concern is simply saving her from being destroyed.


He did say then he would appreciate if people would send an email to the Broads Authority asking them to perhaps promote our national maritime heritage, esecially the saving of ML162.


For anyone interested, an email address for the Broads Authority (best I could find) is: webenquiries@broads-authority.gov.uk

Cheers to Mr Manning.


Regards

Don

 

Hi Rania,

Email on its way. This may seem a strange
question but do you know Mr Manning. The
reason I ask is that my Dad is a Coastal
Forces nut, has build just about all the boats
they used and even some that they went
up against (E-boat). He lives 1/2hr away
from this place and was wondering that
if you knew him if it would be possible
for him to have a closer look...it would
an armchair sailor very happy.

my email address: kieronmichelle@aol.com

Warmest regards

Kieron

 

Has anyone ever seen or heard of M.L 196 which may have seen service in and around Italy in 1944 -45

 

FAO Morse 1001

Hi - would you be able to give me any more info on the launches sited at Troon and Campbeltown?

Many thanks.