Duff Info
Printed From: BMPT Forum
Category: General Discussion
Forum Name: Coastal Forces
Forum Description: Discussion about Coastal Forces
URL: http://www.bmpt.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=571
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 9:10pm
Topic: Duff Info
Posted By: Magic Fingers
Subject: Duff Info
Date Posted: 14 October 2008 at 9:59pm
|
The world is full of Duff Info and right at the moment there is duff info on MTB102. Over the past week I have been fending off calls wanting to know why we are going to sell or break 102. This all stems from articles in the Southampton Daily Echo and the national Daily Mail. The claims made for a certain other 102 are causing the confusion as most know that MTB102 was the Dunkirk heroine and was fully involved with D Day.
To put the record straight, MTB102 is not for sale. She cannot be sold as she belongs to herself. She is not going to be broken. She has never been fully restored. Most of what you see went to war.
This winter she will be slipped, repaired, repainted and got ready for another season on the high seas. Hopefully she will be involved with the 65th Anniversary of D Day and in 2010 she will lead the "Fast fleet" to Dunkirk.
"We are not amused" is an understatement.
Richard Basey, Chairman MTB102 Trust.
-------------
If it ain't broke don't fix it!
|
Replies:
Posted By: S R Wilson
Date Posted: 15 October 2008 at 10:28am
|
Well said Richard. If people who should know better were to check their facts first there would be a lot less worry in this world.
ood luck with the repairs.
If you are short of crew for the trip in 2010 (or any other occasion) would be happy to lend a hand. I have only been on her once but she has left a lasting impresion.
-------------
SRW
"Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy" WSC.
|
Posted By: Whitelady
Date Posted: 15 October 2008 at 5:36pm
The thought of MTB 102 being broken up is laughable in itself.
typical media causing problems that are not there as per usual, I hope this doesn't cause any problems with the donations that you would normally receive throughout the year.
|
Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 16 October 2008 at 12:00am
|
Hi Richard,
Missed that one! you refer I think to HLS 102, laid up ashore I think for some time now, seen on the boat sales sites, great pity though if she is broken but have heard, I know duff info!, that she is suffering now with being on hard standing and the sun effecting the timbers, she along with MGB 81 is expoxy sheathed.....however long live M.T.B. 102
Johnk
|
Posted By: dgray
Date Posted: 16 October 2008 at 12:59am
First, let me say I'm (bloody) glad that MTB102 is safe.
However, does anyone know is happening to HSL102? I believe she was for sale for a lot of money until recently?
For the record, I want them all to survive....
-------------
Don
Only a number, not even a name. How shall posterity hear of thy fame?
|
Posted By: tramontana
Date Posted: 16 October 2008 at 10:40am
|
Whitelady, it is not only the "general" media who confuse the two, even the Navy News have published a picture of H.S.L. 102 in an article concerning ex R.N. M.T.B. 102, you would think they would know the difference.
It would be tragic to break H.S.L. 102 there must be something seriously wrong with the hull, I can understand him removing the engines if he is a bit short of coin but to scrap what was/is a superb rebuild of a boat completely seems a bit severe. Out of the two of Phil's boat's, if I had to make a decision between the two I would elect keep the .H.S.L. as the more historic boat in my view but of course it is not my decision.
|
Posted By: Christian
Date Posted: 16 October 2008 at 7:32pm
|
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1073334/Desperate-plea-400-000-save-Launch-102--surviving-Dunkirk-boat.html - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1073334/Desperate-plea-400-000-save-Launch-102--surviving-Dunkirk-boat.html
|
Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 16 October 2008 at 8:28pm
|
Hi there,
OK.......really not sure what to make of the above! thanks Christian for that, why not become a charitable trust? guess that would mean he would not get his money back, but suspect he never would, faint possiblity another person with loads of cash might but not likely. To simply break her up sounds extraodinary, bit of PR to try and sell? it was a good effort to restore her and MGB 81, albeit some question I know over methods used I believe. Well, would not be the first time vessels have been restored but then went to ruin. A
Johnk
|
Posted By: Magic Fingers
Date Posted: 16 October 2008 at 9:23pm
|
If you read that article then you should understand the problem. Even the ASR Association recognises that HSL102 was not at Dunkirk. RAF records show her at BPBs Hythe undergoing a major refit. RAF records also show that the only HSL involved with Dunkirk was HSL120. Even then there is doubt that 120 actually went to Dunkirk as she was only available on the 3rd June, the last day. The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships does not recognise HSL102 as a Dunkirk Little Ship. Why do the owners claim it to be one?
Richard.
-------------
If it ain't broke don't fix it!
|
Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 8:35am
|
Hi Richard,
Many thanks for that, indeed the article dose seem a bit off on the facts!
JohnK
|
Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 12:44pm
|
Further to the above, have seen from a certain source that the "powers that be" have intervened on behalf of HSL 102 and MGB 81, securing they say possible free berthing and even a buyer for the craft, well, sometimes as we know, he who shouts loudest may get something! I thought his threat of scrapping was a bit silly, but then stranger things have happened, have heard of one craft under restoration, guys fell out and one took his half by chain sawing it off!, very silly and destructive.
JohnK
|
Posted By: tramontana
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 2:04pm
|
Glad to see there appears to be no "severe" problems with the hull (possibly caused by the sheathing) which for me would have been the only reason to break her, I have never seen M.T.B. 102 so I do not know of her rebuild quality but I am sure it has been well carried out, however I have been on H.S.L. 102 and she was superb, she is however a Day/Weekend boat down below and therefore in a bit of a limited market, you can buy a very nice new plastic floating palace if you are looking for extended cruising although both 102's will get you there a lot faster!!!!!
|
Posted By: johnk
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 2:35pm
|
Indeed, that was what I was refering to, I have seen MTB 102 several times! and she is indeed in superb shape, thanks to a lot of hard work and dedication by the team! you are quite right, you could get a fully equipped plastic boat for the money he is asking, and a lot of upkeep and maintanance with HSL 102, you would have to be really dedicated to take her on.
Johnk
|
Posted By: Magic Fingers
Date Posted: 17 October 2008 at 10:44pm
Tramontana, MTB102 has had lots of refits and repairs but has never been "restored". Inside her you can find the multitude of repairs and modifications that have been carried out over the past 71 years to keep her going. Christopher Dreyer himself admitted to taking her back to Vospers after Dunkirk to get all the damage he inflicted on her, berthing on half sunken ships and bombed jetties, repaired. The MTB102 Trust has no plans to remove this "living" history. It is what sets her apart from the "restored" vessels.
-------------
If it ain't broke don't fix it!
|
|