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what’s the ’S’ in S32 ?

Printed From: BMPT Forum
Category: Boats (In alphabetical order)
Forum Name: MASB32
Forum Description: Discussion on MASB32
URL: http://www.bmpt.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=331
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 3:08pm


Topic: what’s the ’S’ in S32 ?
Posted By: clive
Subject: what’s the ’S’ in S32 ?
Date Posted: 10 May 2007 at 10:31am

Hi Christian,

 I am replying in the MASB topic (not wanting to crash into 506!)

With regard to the 'S' being a prefix for special duties this could well be correct, the only doubt I have is that in 'Fast boats and flying boats' there is a picture of MASB 35, I think ,(I dont have the book at hand) which says she was assigned to special duties, but she does not have the prefix. Perhaps the photo was taken before the assignment?

How intriguing  I would be very interested to see some light shed on this subject...



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masbie something in the water.   www.freewebs.com/masb32/



Replies:
Posted By: clive
Date Posted: 10 May 2007 at 8:35pm

home now!

 The picture is of MASB 36.  The caption says  "MGB 36 ordered as a 63 foot MA/SB in 1940 and later used for special operations."

So I suppose the picture could be early and a "S"  put on later.(if at all)



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masbie something in the water.   www.freewebs.com/masb32/


Posted By: tramontana
Date Posted: 10 May 2007 at 9:45pm
Christian, in my copy of "Warships of World War 2"  it say's M.A.S.B.   B.P. Type no's 22-39, all were converted into A.S.R.s in 1941/42 the "S" appears to mean M.A.S.B fit as there  is also a picture of S05 an early B.P. boat with depth charges "in situ" , the "S" does not appear to be anything to do with "Special Duties" from what I have read


Posted By: The Pom
Date Posted: 20 March 2011 at 1:18am
The following may or may not throw some light on the "S" prefix to 32. As you may know, I was the owner of 32 when she was known as "Fervent". I just been looking through some documentation that I have and came across the following:
Fervent was apparently laid down in 1939 by The British Power Boat Company at their Hythe yard. However she was not completed and launched until 24th September 1941. She was originally configured as a Motor Anti Submarine Boat, hence MASB and was given the Service Number 32. Her original Yard Number was, I think, 1571. She was subsequently configured for air sea rescue work and was later handed over to a Polish Crew. All boats operated by Polish crews were given the letter S preceding the boat's number hence the S32 painted on the foredeck in the photos accompanying the article on page 139 of the June 1942 edition of the Motorboat and Yachting.
 
Does that help or just cloud the waters even more?!!
 
The Pom


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Peter W


Posted By: clive
Date Posted: 20 March 2011 at 7:42pm
Hi Peter,
Well done for finding that! I guess it makes sense.
More history for the old girl, I wonder what else she has been hiding all these years?
All the best, Clive..
 


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masbie something in the water.   www.freewebs.com/masb32/


Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 24 March 2011 at 5:54pm
Hi Clive,
 
Thanks your response, your in box is full.....
 
Johnk


Posted By: clive
Date Posted: 24 March 2011 at 9:30pm
emptied!Smile

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masbie something in the water.   www.freewebs.com/masb32/


Posted By: rallyman46
Date Posted: 10 February 2023 at 1:59pm
"S" is probably to do with Type 134 ASDIC being fitted

the Polish boats were ALL MGB's - (see notes on this site under "Polish Boats")
they came from varying boatyards but a total of 10
Two left - S7 a houseboat in Shoreham and MGB 45 / S3 derelict on waste shore beside HOO Boatyard on the Medway in Kent
p



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