Wreck of a WW2 RAF high speed launch
Discussion
Was at West Mersea this afternoon near Colchester, and as I walked around the boatyard, I was very surprised to see what looks like the remains of an old RAF rescue launch. She’s in a very sorry state, probably too late to save, but quite a rare sight and unmistakable lines even with the decay.
Anyone know her story?
Anyone know her story?
Tony1963 said:
Seems to be a very slow echo in here!Tony1963 said:
Doesn't seem it ever made to the Southern hemisphere?tracer.smart said:
486 airmen rescued, the ‘Spitfire of the seas’, and now look at her.
It’s a shame, of course, but who would have paid for upkeep and restoration? There was a reason to keep almost every station/aircraft/floaty thing/vehicle ever used by the Forces, but the whole country would turn into a museum for relics that weren’t designed to last more than a handful of years. Edited by Tony1963 on Friday 14th August 08:11
Tony1963 said:
It’s a shame, of course, but who would have paid for upkeep and restoration? There was a reason to keep almost every station/aircraft/floaty thing/vehicle ever used by the Forces, but the whole country would turn into a museum for relics that weren’t designed to last more than a handful of years.
A very fair point. More like a handful of days in some cases. As long as there are preserved/restored examples, even static exhibits, I'd let the rest go.Edited by Tony1963 on Friday 14th August 08:11
Talking of preserved/restored there was a Spit enjoying an outing in the Goodwood area yesterday afternoon and I reflected on what its bretheren were up against 80 years ago. Doubt if many around me even noticed it.
Tony1963 said:
It’s a shame, of course, but who would have paid for upkeep and restoration? There was a reason to keep almost every station/aircraft/floaty thing/vehicle ever used by the Forces, but the whole country would turn into a museum for relics that weren’t designed to last more than a handful of years.
It seems that :-Edited by Tony1963 on Friday 14th August 08:11
Retirement and a move to West Mersea in 1982 saw her leaving Heybridge Basin in favour of a mooring in the Quarters where she kept RIIS 1 company until 1992 when, realising my limitations, I laid her up and put her on the market. She was sold in 1993 to a gentleman from "Down Under' whose ambition is to completely refit her, from keel to truck and, in the fullness of time, take her home to Australia - an idea which has an appeal for my family because her name had its origin in the Pacific and the thought of her eventually reaching those waters ends the story with a nostalgic touch.
It would seem that something happened - or didn't happen - and the boat never made it to Australia.
Tony1963 said:
It’s a shame, of course, but who would have paid for upkeep and restoration? There was a reason to keep almost every station/aircraft/floaty thing/vehicle ever used by the Forces, but the whole country would turn into a museum for relics that weren’t designed to last more than a handful of years.
I completely agree. Nevertheless, it's shame that such a nice thing should just rot away, regardless of its history. They're just lovely boats.Edited by Tony1963 on Friday 14th August 08:11
Yertis said:
Tony1963 said:
It’s a shame, of course, but who would have paid for upkeep and restoration? There was a reason to keep almost every station/aircraft/floaty thing/vehicle ever used by the Forces, but the whole country would turn into a museum for relics that weren’t designed to last more than a handful of years.
I completely agree. Nevertheless, it's shame that such a nice thing should just rot away, regardless of its history. They're just lovely boats.Edited by Tony1963 on Friday 14th August 08:11
Question is are these HSLs so rare that it should now warrant attempting a rescue of this one? Or are there plenty that found new leases of life after service, rebuilt as pleasure cruisers, and are in far better condition as a basis for a restoration?
aeropilot said:
tracer.smart said:
Question is are these HSLs so rare that it should now warrant attempting a rescue of this one?
Yes.Very few survived into civilian use, but I suspect this one is too far gone now.
From
http://www.bmpt.org.uk/boat%20histories/HSL-142/
“ The vast majority of the 63ft HSL's were however transferred to the Admiralty for subsequent disposal after the end of the hostilities. The craft were laid up in storage at places such as Calshot and Dumbarton and sold off. Of these at least nine survived to become houseboats etc., however none have been preserved in original condition and none are known to be held by Museums, thus the presence of HSL 142 at Marchwood, hopefully to be restored to her original appearance, is very important.”
http://www.bmpt.org.uk/boat%20histories/HSL-142/
“ The vast majority of the 63ft HSL's were however transferred to the Admiralty for subsequent disposal after the end of the hostilities. The craft were laid up in storage at places such as Calshot and Dumbarton and sold off. Of these at least nine survived to become houseboats etc., however none have been preserved in original condition and none are known to be held by Museums, thus the presence of HSL 142 at Marchwood, hopefully to be restored to her original appearance, is very important.”
IIRC the bloke who owned it, who was probably rather insane (like many people who buy old boats with the intention of doing them up but never do), didn't pay his mooring fees, so the bloke who owned the moorings, who is probably also insane (like many people who own moorings), kept it and let it rot. Well done both, such a damn waste.
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