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RCN ML ? La Santa Maria IV in Canada,RCN ML ? Zeus II at Greece,RCN ML 120 Maryland Independence at USA,RCN ML 128 Gulfstream II at British Columbia,RCN ML 071 Kona Winds at British Columbia,RCN ML ? at Port Dover Ontario,RCN ML 118 Franlis II (note-should read Franlis III) at Ostend,RCN ML 105 DucDorleans St Claire River,Canada.Six others are known to survive.

Thanks to Phil Simons for source data and all the photographers who have graciously allowed their work to be used in this non profit educational forum. 

Hello Fraser,I'm glad someone came to play,this is an interesting subject.Many thanks for your updates,however you may be incorrect regarding Gulfstream II,she is currently advertised on the internet for weddings etc.charters,see http://modena.intergate.ca/business/boat/ - http://modena.intergate.ca/business/boat/ The other  survivors I refer to are Lahaina Lady ex Saracen III ex ML 070(purchased by John Boyd April 2003,out of ferry service,now at Campbell River Vancouver Island BC),Saint-Louis IV ex ML 097 possibly,Casa Mia ex ML 069,Radell II ex Radar Vessel ex ML 051(now identified,thanks) and Pacific Gold ex PTC724 Elk ex ML 124 (the sixth was Penetang 88,I now know she is no longer).Perhaps you would let us know the fates of these boats also,and if you could post the missing boat's pictures that would be really great.My friend Philip Simons the Coastal Forces historian has Zeus II and Franlis III listed as ex-RCN(the RN/RCN Fairmile B pennant Nos overlap runs from 112-129),I'll ask him what led him to that conclusion and let you know.I have Inshore Fisherman as ex ML 121 B/U 1972,and Franlis III as ex ML 118 at Ostend in August 2005,both pennant No's ex RCN not RN.

RN Fairmile B ML 118 post-war as AEC demo craft Marandis (later Crin-Bleu at Cannes),note removal of spray rails aft.

Franlis III at Ostend,believed to be ex RCN ML 118,note spray rails still in position so very unlikely to be ex RN ML 118. 

Regards,Christian.

Excellent pages of photos of Franlis III;

http://www.ibiblio.org/maritime/photolibrary/thumbnails.php?album=781 - http://www.ibiblio.org/maritime/photolibrary/thumbnails.php? album=781

Her homepage http://sunships.be/asvers.htm - http://sunships.be/asvers.htm her owner apparently believes her to be ex Royal Navy,can anyone read Belgian (Flemish?)to get more info? 

Hi Fraser,superb information,many thanks.So Saint-Louis was 096 not 097,that clears up a mystery and identifies La Santa Maria's history nicely.Philip certainly lists both Zeus and Pacific Gold,the former is currently in greece and the latter was spotted there in Dec 1997(at Zea Marina I think)

See "The Scanner" for the report on Olympia III's sinking 20th March 1975,20th paragraph down;  http://www.hhpl.on.ca/GreatLakes/Documents/Scanner/07/08/default.asp?ID=c003 -  

http://www.hhpl.on.ca/GreatLakes/Documents/Scanner/07/08/default.asp?ID=c003 - http://www.hhpl.on.ca/GreatLakes/Documents/Scanner/07/08/def ault.asp?ID=c003  

I have e-mailed this forum page to Marc-Andre.

Regards,Christian.

Hello All

Have been in touch with Marc-Andre Morin and Philip Simons and can now confirm:

Franlis III is indeed ex RCN ML-118(Philip)

The sixth boat down on original posting is Corniche at Port Dover,not Radell II(Marc's photo collection)

Duc D'Orleans may be taken over by the Halifax Naval Museum for restoration to original appearance.She was given her attractive conversion by Marc-Andre's family in 1948(Marc)

It is highly unlikely but not impossible that Zeus II is ex-Pacific Gold,comparing the pictures the conversion would have had to be most extensive including removing the rectangular portholes aft and replacing the original configuration(Marc's photo collection)

Other hereto unmentioned survivors are:La Marie-Jo ex-052,Earlmar ex-066,Miss Linda ex-068,Tzigane ex-087,Sogno D'Oro ex-122,Princess Malibu ex-126 and Corniche which was 089.(Marc)

Corniche

La Marie-Jo as Cyrius

Lahaina Lady(will soon be Noble Lady)

Pacific Gold

Radell II

As you can see,some of the surviving boats are still hiding from Marc-Andre's superb collection,he asks that we all try to find pictures of Earlmar,Miss Linda and Tzigane (and Pacific Gold,and indeed any other ex RCN Fairmiles).

Regards,Christian.

Ex RCN ML 102 as Moondance in Florida in 1998.She is now called Enterprise II.

EX RCN ML 122 as Malibu Tyee.She is now called Sogno D'Oro.

EX RCN ML 126 Princess Malibu.She still survives also,probably much altered.

EX RCN ML 124 Pacific Gold last spotted Zea Marina Piraeus 1997.Courtesy Philip Simons.

Moondance pic from Aquayachts website.Other pics and info from Marc-Andre Morin.

Hi Fraser

Re Nanticoke restoration,sorry can't help.This was your info.

Re Zeus II and Pacific Gold-I don't think so.It is not impossible though.I think the only rare update for you guys concerns Franlis III courtesy of Philip Simons.

Corniche was at Port Dover in 2005,contact the very helpful Paul Beesley at  mailto:shiphotos@hotmail.com - shiphotos@hotmail.com  to confirm.He pictured her as a rotting Fairmile at  a place called "The Junkyard".He may know whether she is still there.

Regards,Christian. 

Ran accross the following regading the Duc d'Orlean in Sarnia.

After 27 years of cruising the St Clair River, the Duc D'Orleans is to be retired. Co-owner Sherry Bracewell says it was a hard decision but one that had to be made. Her husband Ken is enroute to Sarnia from Rhode Island on the Duc-2. The original Duc, Bracewell says is a smaller vessel than its replacement which will accomocate 200 passengers. Five years ago the Halifax Naval Museum expressed an interest in the former war vessel. Bracewell is hoping the Duc's final resting spot will be there. The transition has forced a delay in the annual CHOK Senior's Cruise to July 7th.

If this does happen she could become a sister to the HMCS Sackville the "last Corvette".

2006-06-02

Hi K225 and Fraser

Marc-Andre is very happy about this news concerning his family's old boat (he has sent me the above picture dating back to those days). He says she will be returning to her birthplace (she was built by Mac-Craft in Sarnia) and also mentions that she will most likely be used for Sea-Cadets training, which I hope means she will be kept afloat for most of the year thus further extending her amazing life so far (Duxford/MTB71 & Hendon/RTTL2757 take note!).

Regards,Christian. 

I took this photo in May of this year while sailing in the San Juans. Gypsy Queen was moored in La Conner Washington. Lines sure look familiar.

http://www.subcommittee.com/SubComm/images/photos/gypsyqueen.JPG - http://www.subcommittee.com/SubComm/images/photos/gypsyqueen .JPG

Hi K225

I think that resembles an ex US Coast-Guard cutter, possibly an 83ft Wheeler? She looks a little too short, the stem a little plumb and the aft quarters seem to have some tumblehome, so unlikey to be a Fairmile. Whereabouts in Canada are you? perhaps we can give you the locations of the closest survivors (Vancouver seems to be the hotspot).

Regards,Christian.

Hi Christian

I'm in Ottawa every year we have been chartering out of Victoria so travel to the west coast at least once a year. I will keep watching.

Just recieved the following which confirms your comments Christian:

Hello

We have donated the Duc d' Orleans to the local-area Sea Cadet organization.
They have plans to take her out of the water and restore her to the original
war-time design. It will (hopefully) be a permanent attraction along
Sarnia's waterfront.

Jim Bracewell
Duc d' Orleans

We can only wish them well in the preservation.

Steve

Just found this posted on the Manitoba Naval Museum lets hope someone steps up.

Our branch of the Navy League (RCSCC Vanguard) was looking at Q105 with some interest, but decided, upon inspection, that she would be too costly to restore and make safe for cadet training. A shame, as she could take quite a few cadets to "sea" for some good seamnship training, especially as Haida is now off limits for cadet training.

We would be very pleased if Q105 were preserved by the Halifax Naval Museum as she would then be the only Fairmile B to be saved. However, we are still trying to bring LtCdr Tony Law's boat back to Canada, the last survivor of the 29th Canadian MTB Flotilla, MTB 486. Just a few weeks ago we were able to confim absolutley that the houseboat Sungo on the Itchen in Southampton is definately MTB 486, and we shall be shortly applying for a Moveable Cultural Property Grant from the federal government. 486 would be an extremely valuable addition to any naval museum in Canada.

Hi All,

Very interested to read about the above, a ex-sea cadet corps person myself!, got latest issue of Ship's Monthly yesterday, bumper section on ship preservation, many great ships and vessels and sad bit on ones now lost to us. But small piece and photo of Sungo talking about her going back to Canada, which I do hope comes off. As FMM quite rightly says, and talked about by many on the site, its the subsequent up-keep that costs. Be great to run the vessel but as the Canadian SCC found, certainly with cadets these days its not easy and cetainly for passengers in general with new regs etc. All the best for now,

John

Toronto

9 Feb 07

Hello Gentlemen,

I discovered thus forum yesterday via a link from the Naval Museum of Manitoba discussion forum.  It is with great interest I have read the emails concerning existing MLs.  The email concerning the RCSCC Vanguard was posted by me and resulted from a discussion with a member of our Navy League branch (I am currently the Executive Officer of Vanguard).

In regards to MTB 486, I am also a founding member of the Canadian Coastal Forces Trust (please see the Motor Torpedo Boats forum for an ongoing discussion there) and was very surprised to discover that there is an article about our efforts in Ships Monthly as we have had no contact with them (although we are very pleased about the publicity).  Our intention for MTB 486 is to pass over ownership to a museum in Canada for her to be a static display, but hopefully one that will allow people on board her – The Naval Museum of Alberta have expressed an interest, and even have an exhibit hall they could put her in.  We fall in the middle of the vintage aircraft debate about flying vs static displays and thus would like to obtain and own a second functioning example of one of these MTBs.  At 71.5 feet (vs 112’ for a Fairmile B), it would be certainly somewhat more feasible,  We would also not be putting Packards into the functioning MTB, but would opt for engines that were safer (regarding fuel volatility) and more economical.

A boat we would like to get is MTB 506/Ambra, which Captain Morgan Tours of Malta is trying to dispose of and which has been offered to us for free.  Our problems with this offer, however, include ascertaining if she is still seaworthy for a trip back to the UK, whether she could travel via the French canals (which is how the 1^st MTB Flotilla reached Malta before WWII), where to keep her in the UK while we are trying to raise the $40 000 US to have her shipped across the Atlantic (which is only half the next best quote we have been able to obtain) and whether Captain Morgan will hold on to her until the July, which is the soonest we could even think of sailing her to Britain.  They just scuttled Raia, another WWII MTB that they owned, and may do the same with 506/Ambra if the wait is too long.

In regards to the post concerning other surviving RN WWII warships, HMS Windrush, a River Class frigate up on the beach near Cherbourg as a fire training ship, is to be scrapped this year, and the fate of HMS Zenith, the last emergency war Z Class destroyer is up in the air.  She is virtually intact in her WWII configuration and is currently in Alexandra harbour, Egypt.  There were plans underfoot to save HMS Wimprel, the last Black Swan Class sloop (also in Alex, also virtually untouched) and take her to Liverpool as the UK’s Battle of the Atlantic memorial.  Any news on that?  Incidentally, the two ‘sweepers preserved in Australia are Bathurst Class, like a cross between a Banger and an Algerine.

To JohnK, can you tell me if the article about our trust is in the February edition of Ships Monthly?  If so. It will reach Canadian shelves in about another two weeks.  Thanks.

Our web page can be found at http://www.CanadianCoastalForces.com - www.CanadianCoastalForces.com .

Hello Nicholas

The 71'6" MTBs are about a metre too beamy for the French canals I'm afraid.

Regards, Christian.

Biggest problems 

Draft - 1.6 metres (5ft 2 inches) MAX!   Less in high summer - 

Width 5.5 metres - (18ft.)  

Hi Don

The 60ft boats of the 1st flotilla were a good 6ft narrower than the 71ft6" boats unfortunately.  

Hi NE user

Presuming she is Maltese flagged, and knowing she was in commercial service up until the end of 2005, I suppose it is safe to say that she should meet Maltese regulations whatever these may be. It is also safe to say that any competent delivery skipper will insist upon the installation of suitable safety and navigational equipment comensurate to any offshore voyage undertaken, regardless of regulations. I personally wouldn't care to do this job, I've done a Med delivery and have seen how quickly it can turn very nasty indeed, with steep, short seas (it was a little late in the season). Luckily the yacht was a big Swan, they'd sail through pretty much anything. I accidentally drove it straight over the top of the combined crests of 3 big ones all coming from different directions in the dead of night in Bonifacio (George on the blink, diesel blockage had stopped the engine, fully reefed main only, and only one other non-seasick crew, we were exhausted!). The subsequent drop into the ensuing trough had to be felt to be believed, and the yacht just shrugged it off. A 60+ year old hard-chine wooden boat would not have done so well (I dread to think...). I would however think there would be takers in Malta who would jump at the chance, I'd recommend August as a calm month to do it if Capt Morgan can hold onto her this long.  

All the enthusiasum is great but not getting us anywhere. It needs to be co ordinated or we will end up tripping over ourselves, nothing will be done and the boat lost.

One person, with the authority of all needs to go out to Malta and take it from there, either sorting out some way of making her sufficently seaworthy so the a profesional skipper will bring her back or whatever is decided.

I suggest a person with experiance go over at joint expence, discuss with Captn Morgan and then report back to see if there is agreement as to next steps. No agreement no next steps.

Don has said he will put up £150 for first months storage. I am happy to put up a proportionat share of flight and accomadation costs to see if we need storage. I would offer to go myself but know nothing about how to judge the condition of the boat.

Maybe and I don't know but maybe Christian can help he being on the spot so to speak. Also if it is felt that the boat can be made safe then get the potential skipper to lok at her as well. The boat must be safe enough to make the passage.

What do you all think? 

Ok by me. Just so long as the boat is saved.

Hi All,

Just read all the above and agree totally with Northeastuser, firstly and foremost, we would be helping the CCFT to get the boat for Canada and thus as N says, you would need to be fully in agreement with them as to any course of action. Second, all good stuff raised re any possible voyage, I think all points have been raised so for my ten pence worth, the idea of a competent person to go and have a look and get a definitive report on her condition is vital. But again, we would need agrement with CCFT, I think Lt Armstrong has an idea that her condition might not be great and has a contact with the owners, so perhaps if I might suggest, if he and his group can see all this possible help and have a time to think and get back as to what they want to see happen. Its great to see all this enthusiasim and interest but must be tempered with some hard thought and planning, sorry if that sounds patronising, it' not meant to be.

Regards

John 

Hi there,

Many thanks N, I to hope that the message comes across to CCFT that it is all aimned at helping them to achieve thier goal. Will let the forum cool down a bit from me, and await response from them,

Regards

John

Must say the positive approach taken here is refreshing, I have no doubt this will be a very difficult and challenging undertaking. This link is the discusion going on at the Manitoba Naval Museum link.

http://www.naval-museum.mb.ca/phpbb/viewtopic.php?topic=799&forum=2 - http://www.naval-museum.mb.ca/phpbb/viewtopic.php?topic=799& amp;forum=2 &

Hopefully 'Lt(N) Nicholas CM Armstrong' will see this and at least realize that there is a very positive support for the project. Sometimes that is all that is needied as a catalist.

 Has anyone priced up what it would cost to truck her across france to the English channel? (checking for illegal albanians at dover)

 Could be stupid money but you never know until you ask. No danger of her sinking that way & theres no lay up time in gibralter waiting for people to find time to fly out & work on her(all costs money)

 Hopefully she could have some temporary bulkheads fitted to stiffen her up & away if going by sea, only way to know is someone having a weekend break in malta & an understanding wife

Here is a Quote I have had recently to move a 19m boat 4.72 wide and 4.88 high,

From port St Louis (France) to Ipswich or Southampton 15000 Euros +19.6%  VAT.

 The Quote was from Van De Werting Transport.

Just  another option.

 NE,

 Expecting my tax bill soon so a very tempting thought.

 Free home in the sun , Why am i still here???

I hope I am not repeating info which may have already appeared on this site.  I have just become a member.

With regards to Fairmile Q105 - Duc D'Orleans.  She has been safely removed from the water and is now in drydock in Sarnia not more than 800 feet from where she was first launched.  A two year project is underway to restore her to wartime appearance by a group called Friends of the Q105.  If all goes well it will be rechristened in 2010 and tour the St. Lawrence Seaway.  It is hoped that it will be in Halifax to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy and that possibly will receive a Royal inspection.  She will then return to grace the Sarnia waterfront as a training ship and a museum.

Kudos to all of those people with a passion for historyand  a willingness to work hard for a great cause so we can all benefit.

Thanks for this update, my friend Marc-Andre is thrilled his family's old boat is going to be restored, I am trying to keep up to date with this so any progress reports are very welcome.

RCN Fairmiles updates;

Great news we wish them all the best with the project.

Steve

Indeed, very interesting and I to wish the project well, hope that we can also see Sungo on its way back to Canada soon.

Johnk

Very recent shots of Radell II from Jim;

Thanks for these, fingers crossed!

Blimey!

Quote.

"It is the capitol project for the Canadian Navy Centennial in 2010."

she looked like this 2 years ago..

I hope they get some good luck soon.