HSL Gibraltar 1950/1955

Hi Martin and Don

All I can add is that between the dates correctly quoted above she was Based at ;Calshot, Newlyn, Predannock-929 Sqdrn., Falmouth, Newlyn, Calshot,  AEAF 85GP, Aberdeen-Torry, Newhaven, 238MU, Gibraltar, 238MU, 103MCU, 1110MCU, 238MU, 1107MCU, 1113MCU, D of NC.(as quoted in the book "Boat In The Blue").

She is as Don says of very great historical interest,being the prototype Hants And Dorset.These HSLs provided very much more room inside for casualties and crews alike, and were a great improvement over the Whalebacks in terms of riding swells better thanks to the raised chines, deeper "V" and increased forefoot, significantly reducing slamming. They were designed by George Selman without Scott-Payne looking over his shoulder ( he was away in Canada on other business) hence the absence of the "Whaleback" shape, which although gorgeous made the boats prone to cracking at the gunwhales and they required external stiffeners to combat this fault.The tall H&Ds were initially unpopular with crews used to the low, "ready to pounce" look of the Whalebacks which prededed them,and were hence likened to the buses from whence they got their name, but their sea-kindliness soon won them over. They were slightly slower than the shorter, flatter and lighter Whalebacks, having the same propulsion (3 x Power Napier Sea-Lion) although arranged differently to give a better layout below. They could, however, maintain their speed through a chop long after the Whalebacks would have had to throttle right back.

By my reckoning there are about 15 surviving boats of this type (including the version used by the RASC). 

I would dearly love to see some pics of her too.

If you'd like to see these boats in action, buy the video "The Sea Shall Not Have Them", available from Amazon.

Out of curiosity,how did you find out her RAF number?

Regards,Christian.