I wonder what this boat was?

[Simpo Two]

I took these photos at West Mersea in 2007 - the hull shape and diagonal planking make me wonder if it was an ASR launch once?

[NDA]

It looks a bit big - but it's certainly got that shape.....

[Simpo Two]

The one called 'Freelance' here looks very similar: www.yalumba.co.uk/Framesets/British%20Power%20Boat...

[Huntsman]

That boat is well documented on the BMPT site.

[markmullen]

Poor old thing needs someone with enthusiasm and very very deep pockets to restore her.

[mickrick]

BBQ?

[Simpo Two]

Surely nothing you can't fix with a few coats of varnish Mick?!

I'm just incredulous that someone can leave a boat like that to rot. If they don't want it, sell it to someone who does while it's still afloat


NB: It appears to be afloat when Google Earth took their photo: 51°46'49.60"N 0°53'54.81"E

Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 16th April 13:34

[chilistrucker]

submarine anyone?

[MOTORVATOR]

Simpo Two said:

NB: It appears to be afloat when Google Earth took their photo: 51°46'49.60"N 0°53'54.81"E

I reckon it floats twice a day there.

[Simpo Two]

Did consider that... can't tell depth of water but I take your point!

[Huntsman]

Its HSL 145.



35 pages of forum about her here http://www.bmpt.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=178&...

[AshVX220]

I don't know when the shots in the first post were taken, but they don't show the gaping hole in the STBD side as shown in the post above.

[Cupramax]

AshVX220 said:

I don't know when the shots in the first post were taken

First line of OP

Simpo Two said:

I took these photos at West Mersea in 2007

[NDA]

Simpo Two said:

I took these photos at West Mersea in 2007 - the hull shape and diagonal planking make me wonder if it was an ASR launch once?

You were right then.....

[Gibo993]

What a shame when you look at her history taken from the BMPT thread linked above "145 rescued 486 airmen!! "

[Simpo Two]

The older I get the more right I tend to be


Sorry for ignoring your first post Huntsman but it wasn't clear which boat it referred to and there was no link to explore.

I think it's a damn shame that people were aware of this boat while it still might have been salvageable, knew the owner, put various feelers out yet still nothing could be done.

[Gibo993]

Makes you want to cry, take a look at her in her former glory: http://www.merseamuseum.org.uk/mmthumbs.php?bid=SH...

[Simpo Two]

Makes you weep:




Whoever's responsible for her loss should be given a sound beating.

Looks like the Zierolds owned it for a long time but it all went wrong after they sold it.

http://www.merseamuseum.org.uk/mmresdetails.php?to...

[pidsy]

someone must still be paying a mooring fee?

[Huntsman]

pidsy said:

someone must still be paying a mooring fee?

Not for a long time I think.

The issue is that to maintain a boat like that, or more importantly to bring one back once its been let go is epically time consuming/expensive. Ask the guys at MTB102 trust of Phil Clabburn that rebuilt 3 of them with his own money.

For that type of vessel, military, high speed, sub 100ft, WWII history, in terms of maintaining our heritage we're in good shape. MTB102, HSL102, MGB81, and one other I cant remember the nnumber of.