Hi,

regarding the Western Lady former RML's of Torbay. I am trying to contact as many interested parties as possible with the view to forming a preservation society (or similar). This is probably the only hope we have to preserve the last 3 (yes there is a third one) Fairmile B's in existance in the UK that remain almost un-altered from the original RML state. It would be a terrible shame if these well-known and loved boats were sold and converted to the extent that they are effectively lost forever.

Please see http://savethewesternladies.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ - http://savethewesternladies.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

or email me at mailto:western.ladies@channel-two.demon.co.uk - western.ladies@channel-two.demon.co.uk

Thanks and regards, Steve Powell.

Hi All

I have just signed up to the forum.

I went to see the Golden Galleon being broken up a couple of weeks ago, a sad sight. As Steve states it be a pity to see all the RML's go that way.

I have an interest, as my late father Percy 'Franky' Childs served as PO Motor Mechanic on RML 520 with the 69th foltilla. Mainly on the east coast out of Lowestoft. I don't suppose anybody has any photographs of RML's on the east coast? I'm willing to cover costs etc.

Steve, do you know the condition of the Western Ladies at the moment? If they are not looked after I suspect they will suffer the same fate as the Golden Galleon.

Has there been much interest? I've been looking for a group that I could support regard Fairmile B's, but had a job to find any thing. Nothing came up on web site searches? just a thought. I contacted the Coastal Forces Heritage Trust they did not mention you, do they know? Hope this helps.

Hello Phil,

Welcome to the forum, I to have an interest in these and all coastal forces craft, I know steve was in very early discussions with the owners of the WLs, and you are quite right, if they are not maintained they will go the way of the GG, though two have only beeen out of service since the spring,we are now of course in winter and it will not take long for the weather to start to take a toll. It really all depends on the current owners, they quite rightly don't want them in competion with there new steel vessels. It will take a "someone" like steve to do "something" as ever, lets hope it can happen.

Joh

Hi Phil,

I have been in touch with Steve over the past few weeks through his web site and by phone. Western Lady 4 was sold approx 1 week ago. That leaves 3 which is a good propersition and 1 which is apparently very "dubious". Steve is, as said above, speaking to the owners to try and make sure that a plan is put into effect to ensure that at least WL 3 is saved.

Indeed I had hoped to hear from him by now but I know he is busy at the moment.

We are trying to do something but like all things it is a question of time and money and of course enough people willing to make an actual committment.

Hello,

Very interesting re WL 4, any idea where she went? be interesting to see what becomes of her, hope WL 3 can still be saved, understand of course re money etc, hope it dose not come down to WL 1, "dubious" dose not sound good, another GG sounds like. Understand re Steve being busy, as usual those most interested have many other things to do, that get in the way of saving our maritme heritage, "boring" things like having to spend time earning a living, still, as an armchair party, offer what support I can, little though that might be.

John 

Hi all

Yes it would be interesting to know where WL4 is going? Hopefully a like mined person, in which case all are worry's will be over parhaps. Doe's any body know how much support there is in securing the future of one of these craft. i.e. number of people contacted Steve or organisation.

I don't know much about these matters but would of thought that if a effort was made the craft in question would have to be in good condition to start with, I think a "dubious" would be a non-starter un-less a extremely large amount of money was aviable.

Phil

I understand that WL4 is to become a private boat. As to numbers of interested parties in contact with Steve I don't know because I am only one of them but I guess it is not a lot.

No doubt Steve will post when he can but I urge everyone interested to get in touch with him asap. Time is short.

I've pledged £100 to the cause. If a plan is in place I'll gladly double it.

I don't know what else one can do....  Perhaps Steve can let us know if there is anything else....

Looks like interest is brewing

I will give Steve a call Wedneday if he has not replyed to forum by then.

Don, looking at your web site you appear to have some experience with this type of craft.

Hi to all and apologies for keeping you all in suspense re the Western Ladies.

First of all I should reitterate that I am not an official spokesperson for the owners and therefore am not privvy to all that is happening. I do however have a good relationship with them and will continue to do whatever I can to help them find the 'right' homes for these wonderful vessels. Having said that, I also have to be careful about what I say in a public forum as there are commercial interests at stake here and that last thing I want is for that relationship to deteriorate due to any indescretion on my part.

In short, please excuse me if I seem a little cagey at times!

What I can say is that as far as I am aware, WL IV is still under offer from a sympathetic private buyer although I don't think the deal is actually complete yet. I understand that he intends to operate her in such a way that most here would approve of.

WL III is (again as far as I am aware) still looking for a new owner and I will be continuing my discussions with the current owners in the near future with a view to persuing the preservation group route a little further.

As has been said here previously, WL I is not really a viable proposition for anyone without almost unlimited funds and facilities. She may not be quite as bad as poor old GG but is most definitely 'delicate' and has been extensively canibalised to keep her sisters running.

Does anyone know the current whereabouts of Jamaican Moon by the way? Apparently no longer in St Osyth - unless you know different!

All the best and Happy New Year,

Steve.

Hi All

Thanks Steve for keeping us informed, its good to here WL IV future is looking bright.

Phil

Hi Steve,

Just to say thanks also for your update on WLs, along with others, await any news you can give with interest, quite understand re dealing with the owners, I am sure we all will take heed of this, all to easy to blow things with well meaning but ill timed interventions, all the best.

John

Latest (22/03/2007) ...

Western Lady IV is now in private ownership. Her new owner is very enthusiastic and we have every confidence that he will give her a good home and will treat her with the respect she deserves. She will continue to be based in South West England so I'm sure we will still see her from time-to-time.

Western Lady III remains for sale. She was featured in a BBC documentary about the St Nazaire raid last Sunday (BBC1 8pm) which was presented by Jeremy Clarkson. He spent quite sometime on board filming but in the end they only featured her for about 3 minutes!

Western Lady I remains laid-up and no doubt is slowly deteriorating even more. It is a real shame but her owners honestly believe she is not a viable proposition for restoration and she will almost certainly go the way of the Golden Galleon eventually. She needs nothing short of a miracle for things to end up otherwise.

I've made some minor changes to my website to reflect the current situation and I've added some more photographs taken aboard WL IV before she was sold.

http://www.savethewesternladies.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk - http://www.savethewesternladies.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

The 0845 number will be discontinued very soon but you can still email me via the links on the website.

Regards,

Steve.

Ps. HDML 'Pride-of-the-Dart' (Ex Western Lady fleet) mentioned elsewhere in this forum is soon to be auctioned by sealed bid.

Thanks for the update Steve.

Echoing Don's comment how bad is she realy. Also do you know the asking price for WL3

Hi Steve,

Just adding my thanks for the update, much appreciated, await more news as and when you have it, all the best.

John

Hi,

Western Lady I is not for sale. I made several enquiries of the owners with regard to securing some kind of positive future for her but they are adamant that she is too far gone to be saved.

I agree she doesn't look that bad from the photos but maybe closer inspection would reveal the truth.

Unfortunately she is relatively inaccessible as she is moored in the middle of the creek thus only reachable by boat when the tide is in and sitting in pretty disgusting mud when it's out. Also, the creek is private property so it's dificult to get a proper look without the co-operation of her owners.

I will approach them again in the light of all the interest shown here but as they say, don't hold your breath!

Regards,

Steve.

Hi all,

Just to let you know that I've added a short video of a trip aboard Western Lady III to 'Youtube'. The camera-work is a little shakey but I think you'll still enjoy it!

Just go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mcT5HqXmLE - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mcT5HqXmLE

or follow the link from my website.

It's the trip from Brixham to Torquay (25-30 mins) condensed into 10 minutes and was taken in 2003 which was the last year the Ladies were allowed to land at the jetty on the outside wall of Princess Pier, Torquay.

The jetty was condemned at the end of the season and during their last two years in service, the Ladies had to manouever inside the harbour to land - quite a mean feat for a 112 foot boat involving some very nifty skippering to turn her in her own length. Thank goodness for twin engines! Unfortunately, I don't have any video of that.

Regards,

Steve.

Hi all,

here is the latest news ...

Western Lady III / RML497 is now operating from her new home in Swanage under the 'Fairmile Classic Cruises' banner and will be making trips along the Jurassic Coast plus some other services. There isn't much information on the Internet yet but no doubt that will change as soon as her new owners' publicity machine gathers speed.

I recently received an extract from the memoirs of her wartime motor mechanic (1943-1945) which has been very kindly supplied by his Grandson. It is an absoulte treat to read and I have been granted permission to publish the extract on my site so please do take a look.

Western Lady IV / RML526 will be leaving Torbay either Today (Sun 12/8/07) or Tomorrow, conditions permitting. She will be putting into Brixham to take on fuel then making a short tour of the bay as a parting salute before disappearing around Berry Head for the last time bound for Plymouth. She is now privately owned and no longer licensed to carry paying passengers but there will no doubt be some excellent photo opportunities if you happen to be in the right place at the right time. She is looking splendid in her new colours of Dark Blue and White. I hope to put some good quality photos on the site soon.

Her new owner is very keen to collect any verifiable information of her wartime activitities so if you have anything, please drop me a line and I'll make sure it gets to him. I would also like to publish it on my site if possible.

Western Lady I / RML535 sadly seems doomed to destruction in the near future.

I will be shifting the focus of my website away from 'save the ladies' and more towards history and nostalgia but I will still endeavour to follow the ongoing stories of WL's III & IV plus other boats that have a connection with them.

For the time being, the URL remains as ...

http://www.savethewesternladies.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk - http://www.savethewesternladies.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

Thanks very much indeed to all here who have shown an interest in the fate of the UK's last two fully operational Fairmile B Rescue Motor Launches.

Long may they endure!

Regards,

Steve Powell.

Hi Steve,

Great update re the WLs, I think a great success in saving and preserving these craft, shame about WL1 but as much discussed if she has gone to far..., however getting back to the others, as I said, great to hear they are up and running, long may it continue, thanks in part I would say to you and your efforts, plus of course the company, to which thanks should go for not just flogging them to just any one!

JohnK

Hi again,

Just been reading the account from Mr Parkinson, brilliant and I recomend all forum members read it, a privilage to know what these guys did and went through, I know we focus on the vessels but of course it's the people who matter most, and the vessels serve as a reminder of that.

JohK

Hello Steve and John,

I read the story of the wartime activities of P.O.MM Les Parkinson - I agree - this was what the boats were built for and this is one of the main reasons that this, and other similar web sites, are all about. I am always humbled when I read such stories - thanks Steve for putting that link in.