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Fairmile B motor launch

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The Canadian Fairmile B motor launch ML-Q056 in 1941
Class overview
NameFairmile B motor launch
Preceded byFairmile A motor launch
Succeeded byFairmile C motor gun boat
Completedc. 650
General characteristics
Displacement85 tons
Length112 ft (34 m)
Beam
  • 18 ft 3 in (5.56 m)
  • except Canadian built at 17 ft (5.2 m) or 17 ft 10 in (5.44 m)
Draught4 ft 10 in (1.47 m)
PropulsionTwo 650 bhp (480 kW) Hall-Scott Defender petrol engines
Speed20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Range1,500 mi (1,300 nmi; 2,400 km) at 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement16 (later increased)
Sensors and
processing systems		ASDIC
Armament
ArmourWheelhouse plated

The Fairmile B motor launch (often abbreviated to 'ML') was a very numerous class of motor launch produced in kit form by British boatbuilder Fairmile Marine, and then assembled and fitted out by numerous boatyards during the Second World War to meet the Royal Navy's coastal operation requirements.

Design

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While the Type A motor launch had been designed entirely for Fairmile by architect Norman Hart, the Type B design had come from Bill Holt, head of the Admiralty's DNC Boat Section. The hard-chine hull of the Type A had exhibited seakeeping and handling limitations, but Holt's round-bilged design for the Type B was found to be a far more seaworthy form.

Like all Fairmile boats, production of the Type B was based on total prefabrication so individual components could be contracted out to small factories for production and these arranged as kits that would be delivered in stages to various boatyards for assembly & fitting out on a 'just-in-time' basis. Accordingly, the detailed design work for the Type B was taken on by Fairmile and modified to suit their kit fabrication principle - they then also handled production of component parts.

Altogether approximately 650 boats were built between 1940 and 1945. Like the Type As, the Type Bs were initially intended as submarine chasers, so the boats were fitted with ASDIC (sonar) as standard.

Their main armament initially reflected their anti-submarine focus, with 12 depth charges, a single QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss gun forward, and one set of twin 0.303-in Lewis or GO machine guns (frequently increased in number by the crew); early boats often received a Holman projector amidships. A common upgrade to gun armament by 1942-43 in many early boats was to add an aft bandstand mounting for either a 2-pdr Rolls gun or a 20mm Oerlikon cannon. The specifications given are for the original 1940 British version.

As the war moved on, the vessels were adapted to other roles and the armament was modified and upgraded such as the replacement of the 3-pounder with one or more 20 mm Oerlikon cannon and removal of the ASDIC dome for more clearance as minesweepers. Some boats were configured as motor torpedo boats.

Boats

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The Fairmile B type superseded the original Fairmile A type, which had been designed by Norman Hart.

First batch (September 1939 orders)

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An initial batch of 24 of these (ML 101 to ML 124) was ordered by the Admiralty as part of its first emergency war programme on 22 September 1939 from the Fairmile Marine company, of which the first eleven (plus the prototype ML 100) were completed to the Hart design (see Fairmile A motor launch); the remaining thirteen (ML 112 to ML 124) were completed to the new Fairmile B design. The first Fairmile B motor launch (actually ML 113 from Tough Bros, Teddington) was completed and delivered on 12 August 1940, with a further eleven from this first production batch entering service before the end of the year (the last of the batch to be completed - ML 123 - was delayed until 1941).[1]

Name Ship Builder Completed Fate
ML 112 Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight 22 September 1940 Sold on 27 February 1946.
ML 113 Tough Brothers, Teddington 12 August 1940 Sold in March 1946 as Pendennis.
ML 114 Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft 24 August 1940 For disposal in 1946.
ML 115 Solent Shipyard, Sareisbury Green, Hants. 18 September 1940 Sold in October 1946.
ML 116 A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire 14 September 1940 For disposal in April 1946.
ML 117 Lady Bee, Isleworth 26 October 1940 Sold in 1946, becoming yacht Savourna by 1959.
ML 118 Sussex Shipbuilding, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex 7 October 1940 Sold in 1946 as Marandis.
ML 119 Alexander Robertson, Sandbank. 12 September 1940 Lent to South African Navy 1945; for disposal later in 1945.
ML 120 Aldous Successors, The Shipyard, Brightlingsea 8 October 1940 Sold 1946 as Onetwenty.
ML 121 James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire 12 September 1940 Sold in Egypt ca. 1947.
ML 122 A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd 16 October 1940 Lent to Royal Norwegian Navy from 13 December 1940 to 23 August 1941;
for disposal in October 1945.
ML 123 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall May 1941 To Free French Navy as St Ronan from May 1941 to July 1942; sold 1946.
ML 124 A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire 13 November 1940 To Ship Target Trials in 1946; for disposal in October 1947.

Second batch (January 1940 orders)

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The Admiralty placed a massive order for a second batch of Fairmile Bs - 120 vessels in total - on 8 January 1940. These were numbered ML 125 to ML 244. Of these, 37 were delivered by the end of 1940, another 77 during the first half of 1941, and the last 6 during the second half of 1941.

Name Ship Builder Completed Fate
ML 125 J. S. Doig (Grimsby), Grimsby Docks 9 November 1940 Lent to Royal Norwegian Navy from 23 December 1940 to 23 August 1941;
for disposal in October 1945.
ML 126 James N. Miller & Sons, East Shore, St Monance, Fife 19 September 1940 Sunk 27 November 1943 after torpedo attack by U-boat.
ML 127 Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft 7 November 1940 Mined on 22 November 1940 in the Thames Estuary.
ML 128 P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Devon October 1940 Lent to Royal Norwegian Navy from 13 December 1940 to 23 August 1941;
for disposal in January 1946.
ML 129 Mashford Brothers, Cremyll Yard, Cremyll, Plymouth, Devon 14 October 1940 Sunk by bombing on 22 March 1942 off Algeria.
ML 130 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 9 October 1940 Sunk off Malta on 7 May 1942 by gunfire from E-boats.
ML 131 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 12 December 1941 Sold in March 1947.
ML 132 Itchenor Shipyard 9 November 1940 Became constructive total loss by bombing on 21 March 1942 at Bone (Annaba), Algeria, and interned on next day.
ML 133 Lady Bee, Isleworth 12 December 1940 Lost on 11 May 1943 by fire off west coast of Scotland.
ML 134 Solent Shipyard, Sarisbury Green 29 October 1940 For disposal in October 1946; became Egyptian Hamza.
ML 135 Dorset Yacht, Hamworthy 10 October 1940 Lent to South African Navy 1945; sold at Malta in November 1946.
ML 136 Alexander Robertson, Sandbank. 26 November 1940 Sold in Holland in March 1947, becoming Y861.
ML 137 Boat Construction Company, Falmouth, Cornwall. 26 November 1940 For disposal in October 1945.
ML 138 Aldous Successors, The Shipyard, Brightlingsea 19 November 1940 Lent to Royal Netherlands Navy from 10 November 1945 until 1953, then sold.
ML 139 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 17 December 1940 For disposal in October 1945.
ML 140 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 31 January 1941 For disposal in October 1945.
ML 141 Mashford Brothers, Cremyll Yard, Cremyll, Plymouth, Devon 23 December 1940 For disposal in October 1945.
ML 142 Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft 26 November 1940 Sold 1946, becoming Tregarth.
ML 143 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 13 February 1941 Lent to Royal Netherlands Navy from 10 November 1945 until 10 April 1946, then sold as Gay Tulip.
ML 144 Dorset Yacht, Hamworthy 12 November 1940 Sunk by mine on 22 September 1941 in the Channel.
ML 145 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 25 March 1941 Became ML(A)1 from July 1945, sold 1946.
ML 146 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 1 March 1941 For disposal in October 1945.
ML 147 Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft December 1940 Constructive tptal loss on 3 November 1944 off Portsmouth; for disposal in April 1945.
ML 148 Sussex Shipbuilding, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex 10 December 1940 Became ML(A)2 from July 1945, sold 1946.
ML 149 Vosper & Company, Portsmouth 20 February 1941 Became ML(A)3 from July 1945, sold 1946.
ML 150 Sheerness Dockyard 6 March 1941 Sold March 1948.
ML 151 Sheerness Dockyard 25 February 1941 For disposal in October 1945.
ML 152 P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore 18 December 1940 Became ML(A)4 from July 1945,
for disposal in June 1946.
ML 153 H. J. Percival, Horning, Norfolk 19 January 1941 For disposal in July 1946, becoming yacht Ginasal.
ML 154 James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire 5 November 1940 Became ML2154, then Squirrel in 1956,
taken to pieces in June 1958.
ML 155 Woodnutt, Bembridge, Isle of Wight 11 December 1940 Became ML2155, sold 1961.
ML 156 Wallasea Bay Yacht Yard, Rochford, Essex 18 December 1940 Scuttled at St Nazaire on 28 March 1942, salved and became ML2156, sold 1951.
ML 157 John I. Thorneycroft & Company, Hampton, London 9 October 1940 Sold February 1946.
ML 158 John I. Thorneycroft & Company, Hampton 5 May 1941 Sold 27 February 1946.
ML 159 James N. Miller & Sons, East Shore, St Monance, Fife 23 November 1940 Sold February 1946.
ML 160 Alexander Robertson, Sandbank. 27 December 1940 Bombed on 6 May 1942 at Brixham.
ML 161 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 10 April 1941 To Royal Netherlands Navy from 4 January 1945 to 28 August 1946; sold in 1946.
ML 162 A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, North Wales 3 December 1940 To Royal Netherlands Navy from 4 January 1945 to 10 April 1946; sold September 1946.
ML 163 Leo Robinson, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft 12 February 1941 Sold in 1947, becoming Armanda.
ML 164 Boat Construction Company, Falmouth, Cornwall. 18 December 1940 To Royal Netherlands Navy from 4 January 1945 to 10 April 1946; sold September 1946.
ML 165 Kris Cruisers, Riverside Yard, Isleworth, London. 10 December 1940 For disposal in October 1946.
ML 166 J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham 1 January 1941 To War Department as Hambledon in January 1945; for disposal in May 1947.
ML 167 J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham January 1941 To War Department as Iffley in January 1945; for disposal in May 1947.
ML 168 William Weatherhead, Cockenzie 23 November 1940 For disposal in May 1946.
ML 169 William King, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex 27 November 1940 Lost by fire on 15 February 1942 at Gibraltar.
ML 170 Aldous Successors, The Shipyard, Brightlingsea January 1941 For disposal in May 1946.
ML 171 Tough Brothers, Teddington 21 October 1940 To War Department as Richmond in June 1945; for disposal in May 1947.
ML 172 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 16 March 1941 For disposal in May 1946.
ML 173 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 17 January 1941 For disposal in May 1946.
ML 174 William Osbourne, Littlehampton December 1940 For disposal in May 1946.
ML 175 James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire 20 January 1941 For disposal in May 1946.
ML 176 Solent Shipyard, Sarisbury Green December 1940 For disposal in May 1946.
ML 177 Wallasea Bay Yacht Yard, Rochford, Essex December 1940 Lost at St Nazaire on 28 March 1942.
ML 178 Leo Robinson, Tewkesbury 24 June 1941 Sold in 1946.
ML 179 J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham 16 February 1941 Sold in February 1946.
ML 180 Collins Pleasurecraft Company, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft 18 February 1941 Sold in 1948 as Matapan.
ML 181 John Sadd, Maldon, Essex 24 January 1941 Lent to Royal Netrherlands Navy in 1945, then sold to them in March 1947.
ML 182 Leo Robinson, Tewkesbury 2 August 1941 Free French Navy from 1 April 1942 to 12 August 1942, sold in February 1946.
ML 183 A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire 10 February 1941 Lost in collision with East Pier, Dieppe on 11 February 1945.
ML 184 P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Devon 10 February 1941 Sold in March 1946.
ML 185 James Taylor, Chertsey 20 May 1941 Sold in March 1946.
ML 186 Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft 28 January 1941 Sold in March 1946.
ML 187 Boat Construction Company, Falmouth, Cornwall. 11 February 1941 Sold 11 June 1947 at Singapore.
ML 188 A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire 25 March 1941 For disposal November 1945 at Freetown.
ML 189 Dorset Yacht, Hamworthy. 4 February 1941 Sold 11 June 1947 at Singapore.
ML 190 Solent Shipyard, Sarisbury Green 19 March 1941 For disposal in October 1945.
ML 191 Itchenor Shipyard 15 May 1941 To Burma RNVR in November 1945; for disposal in June 1946.
ML 192 Southampton Steam Joinery, Southampton 1 August 1941 To Free French Navy in 1942; lost at St Nazaire on 28 March 1942.
ML 193 H. J. Percival, Horning, Norfolk. 27 March 1941 Sold 11 June 1947 at Singapore.
ML 194 Johnson & Jago, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. 29 January 1941 Sold 11 June 1947 at Singapore.
ML 195 John I. Thorneycroft & Company, Hampton, London 21 January 1941 Sold March 1947.
ML 196 James N. Miller & Sons, East Shore, St Monance, Fife 1 February 1941 Became ML2196; to Norwich Sea Cadets in 1958 as Lord Nelson.
ML 197 Alexander Robertson, Sandbank. 24 February 1941 Sold 1946 as Cory 3.
ML 198 Woodnutt, Bembridge, Isle of Wight 18 March 1941 Sold 1946 as Cory 4.
ML 199 Tough Brothers, Teddington 19 December 1940 Sold in August 1946.
ML 200 James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire 22 February 1941 For disposal in January 1946 at Trincomalee.
ML 201 James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire 27 March 1941 Sold 11 June 1947 at Singapore.
ML 202 Lady Bee, Isleworth 15 March 1941 Sold in February 1946 at Trincomalee.
ML 203 James N. Miller & Sons, East Shore, St Monance, Fife 24 June 1941 For disposal in October 1945.
ML 204 Risdon Beazley, Northam Bridge 27 February 1941 To Burma RNVR on 1 November 1945; for disposal in 1946.
ML 205 James Taylor, Chertsey 28 June 1941 To Free French Navy as Ouessant from May to August 1942; for disposal 1946.
ML 206 Aldous Successors, The Shipyard, Brightlingsea 5 March 1941 Sold to Hampton Sea Scouts in October 1946.
ML 207 Johnson & Jago, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. 11 March 1941 Sold in March 1946.
ML 208 Risdon Beazley, Northam Bridge 12 March 1941 To Royal Norwegian Navy from 12 March 1941 until October 1942; for disposal in October 1945.
ML 209 James Taylor, Chertsey 25 August 1941 For disposal in November 1945 at Freetown.
ML 210 William Osbourne, Littlehampton 7 April 1941 To Royal Norwegian Navy from 5 April 1941; mined 15 February 1944 off Dieppe.
ML 211 Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft 3 March 1941 Sold 1947.
ML 212 A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, North Wales 5 March 1941 Sold 1946, becoming yacht Yvonne II.
ML 213 Mashford Brothers, Cremyll Yard, Cremyll, Plymouth, Devon 11 April 1941 For disposal in November 1945.
ML 214 Kris Cruisers, Riverside Yard, Isleworth, London. 10 March 1941 Sold 11 June 1947 at Singapore.
ML 215 Cardnel Brothers, Maylandsea, Tilthorne, near Chelmsford. 7 May 1941 Sold 1947.
ML 216 Lady Bee, Isleworth 28 May 1941 Mined 19 September 1944 and foundered 28 September in the North Sea.
ML 217 A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire May 1941 Became ML 2217, later to Nigeria as Sapele on 20 July 1959.
ML 218 William Weatherhead, Cockenzie 17 May 1941 For disposal in September 1945.
ML 219 William Osbourne, Littlehampton December 1940 Grounded near Stornoway 21 November 1941, became Constructive Total Loss.
ML 220 Tough Brothers, Teddington February 1941 Became ML 2220, to RNVR in December 1947, sold 20 August 1958.
ML 221 William King, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex 24 February 1941 Became ML 2221, to Connah's Quay Sea Cadet Corps in 1958.
ML 222 J. S. Doig (Grimsby), Grimsby Docks 20 April 1941 Became ML 2222, for disposal in 1956.
ML 223 Alexander Robertson, Sandbank. May 1941 Became ML6002, later ML 2223; to Nigeria in July 1959 as Calabar.
ML 224 Bay Yacht, Wallasea. 13 March 1941 For disposaL in March 1946.
ML 225 Aldous Successors, The Shipyard, Brightlingsea 25 April 1941 To War Department in June 1945 as Maple Durham, but conversion not completed and disposed of in October 1945.
ML 226 Boat Construction Company, Falmouth, Cornwall. 8 April 1941 For disposal in November 1945 at Freetown.
ML 227 Austins of East Ham Ltd, Twinn Wharf, Barking 21 May 1941 Sold 1947 as Syrinx.
ML 228 Tough Brothers, Teddington 15 April 1941 For disposal in November 1945 at Freetown.
ML 229 Dorset Yacht, Hamworthy. 7 April 1941 For disposal in November 1945.
ML 230 Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft 28 March 1941 Sunk in collision in Indian waters on 17 August 1945.
ML 231 Sussex Shipbuilding, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex 19 May 1941 For disposal in November 1945 at Freetown.
ML 232 James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire April 1941 To Greece in July 1945 on loan as Domakos; broken up in 1946.
ML 233 P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Devon 31 March 1941 Lent to Royal Norwegian Navy from 31 March to 23 August 1941; for disposal in October 1945.
ML 234 A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire 15 September 1941 To War Department in June 1945 as Marlow, but conversion not completed and disposed of in October 1945.
ML 235 A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, North Wales 27 May 1941 Sold in 1946, becoming yacht Pauline.
ML 236 J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham 9 June 1941 For disposal in February 1946.
ML 237 J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham 22 May 1941 Became ML2237; sunk as gunnery target on 8 October 1952.
ML 238 Alexander Robertson, Sandbank. 14 November 1941 To Italian Navy 7 January 1946.
ML 239 Solent Shipyard, Sarisbury Green 22 May 1941 To War Department in June 1945 as Marsh, but conversion not completed and disposed of in October 1945.
ML 240 Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'ness 22 May 1941 To Italian Navy 7 January 1946.
ML 241 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 19 May 1941 For disposal in January 1945.
ML 242 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 28 May 1941 Constructive Total Loss by fire 29 November 1942 in West Africa.
ML 243 William Weatherhead, Cockenzie 26 May 1941 For disposal in January 1946.
ML 244 H. J. Percival, Horning, Norfolk 3 July 1941 To France on 16 August 1944 as V101.

Third batch (May 1940 orders)

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An order for a third batch, this time of 65 boats, was placed on 21 May 1940; these were numbered ML 245 to ML 309, and were all delivered during 1941, as were two extra units (ML 310 and ML 311) ordered on 28 June 1940 for Singapore to be assembled by the Singapore Harbour Board; this last pair were delivered to Singapore on 29 November 1941, only to be lost in February 1942 to the Japanese (who re-used ML 310 under the name Suikei 12).

Name Ship Builder Completed Fate
ML 245 Sheerness Dockyard 14 July 1941 To Free French Navy as St Guenole from July 1941 to July 1942;
sold 11 June 1947 at Singapore.
ML 246 Sheerness Dockyard 21 July 1941 To Free French Navy as St Ives from July 1941 to July 1942;
to Burmese RNVR in November 1945; for disposal in January 1946.
ML 247 J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham 19 July 1941 To Free French Navy as St Alain from July 1941 to July 1942;
to Burmese RNVR in November 1945; for disposal in January 1946.
ML 248 Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft April 1941 Became ML2248; sold 3 July 1954.
ML 249 Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Rochford, Essex 27 April 1941 To War Department in June 1945 as Molesey, but conversion not completed and disposed of in October 1945.
ML 250 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 19 May 1941 Became ML2250; sold 1962.
ML 251 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 19 May 1941 Lost in collision in the Atlantic 6 March 1943.
ML 252 Southampton Steam Joinery, Southampton 17 February 1941 Sold 1946, becoming yacht Cheriton.
ML 253 John Sadd, Maldon, Essex 5 May 1941 For disposal in October 1945.
ML 254 J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham 8 May 1941 For disposal in October 1945.
ML 255 Mashford Brothers, Cremyll Yard, Cremyll, Plymouth, Devon 18 July 1941 For disposal in December 1945.
ML 256 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 25 June 1941 For disposal in April 1947.
ML 257 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall August 1941 For disposal in October 1945.
ML 258 Dorset Yacht, Hamworthy. 28 May 1941 Mined 15/16 September 1944 off Rimini; for disposal January 1945.
ML 259 Leo Robinson, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft 3 July 1941 Sold in July 1946.
ML 260 John I. Thorneycroft & Company, Hampton, London 22 May 1941 To Royal Netherlands Navy from 4 January 1945 to September 1946; for disposal September 1946.
ML 261 Boat Construction Company, Falmouth, Cornwall. 11 June 1941 For disposal at Freetown in November 1945.
ML 262 Collins Pleasurecraft Company, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft 18 June 1941 To Free French Navy 1941; lost 28 March 1942 at St Nazaire.
ML 263 P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore 10 June 1941 For disposal at Freetown November 1945.
ML 264 Johnson & Jago, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. 20 May 1941 Sold in November 1946.
ML 265 Risdon Beazley, Northam Bridge 30 May 1941 Lost by fire at Freetown 1 July 1944.
ML 266 William King, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex 19 May 1941 To France 16 August 1944 as V103 in 1946.
ML 267 Solent Shipyard, Sarisbury Green 25 July 1941 To Free French Navy 1941; lost 28 March 1942 at St Nazaire.
ML 268 Dorset Yacht, Hamworthy. 17 July 1941 To Free French Navy 1941; lost 28 March 1942 at St Nazaire.
ML 269 William Weatherhead, Cockenzie 28 July 1941 Free French Navy April to August 1942 as Beniquet; to Burma RNVR October 1945; for disposal in December 1945.
ML 270 Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft 26 June 1941 Scuttled 28 March 1942 at St Nazaire.
ML 271 Boat Construction Company, Falmouth, Cornwall. 14 July 1941 To France 16 August 1944 as V102.
ML 272 Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea. 29 May 1941 For disposal at Freetown in November 1945.
ML 273 William Osbourne, Littlehampton 17 September 1941 To Italian Navy 24 January 1946.
ML 274 Johnson & Jago, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. 16 June 1941 For disposal at Freetown in November 1945.
ML 275 Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'ness 26 June 1941 For disposal in October 1945.
ML 276 Frank Curtis, Par, Cornwall 12 September 1941 For disposal in October 1945.
ML 277 J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham 13 July 1941 For disposal at Freetown in November 1945.
ML 278 Aldous Successors, The Shipyard, Brightlingsea 7 October 1941 For disposal at Freetown in November 1945.
ML 279 P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore July 1941 For disposal at Freetown in November 1945.
ML 280 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall September 1941 To Italian Navy 7 January 1946.
ML 281 Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft 19 July 1941 For disposal at Freetown in November 1945.
ML 282 Itchenor Shipyard 2 October 1941 Sold March 1946.
ML 283 H. J. Percival, Horning, Norfolk. 25 September 1941 To Italian Navy 10 December 1945.
ML 284 James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire 4 September 1941 Paid off 4 August 1945.
ML 285 Solent Shipyard, Sarisbury Green 18 September 1941 For disposal at Freetown in November 1945.
ML 286 J. S. Doig (Grimsby), Grimsby Docks 29 August 1941 For disposal in October 1945.
ML 287 Austins of East Ham Ltd, Twinn Wharf, Barking 23 August 1941 Lost by fire at Freetown 1 July 1944.
ML 288 Cardnel Brothers, Maylandsea, Tilthorne, near Chelmsford. 19 August 1941 Foundered off Hartlepool 11 October 1941.
ML 289 Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea. 15 August 1941 For disposal at Freetown in November 1945.
ML 290 Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft 18 September 1941 Sold at Freetown in October 1945.
ML 291 William Osbourne, Littlehampton 30 September 1941 For disposal in October 1945.
ML 292 Mashford Brothers, Cremyll Yard, Cremyll, Plymouth, Devon 30 October 1941 Constructive total loss by mine 19 June 19443; paid off 3 July 1945.
ML 293 Dorset Yacht, Hamworthy. 10 September 1941 Paid off in August 1945.
ML 294 John Sadd, Maldon, Essex 25 August 1941 For disposal in October 1945.
ML 295 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 21 October 1941 To Greece as Doliana 1946-1952; became ML 2295; sold 25 January 1956.
ML 296 Dorset Yacht, Hamworthy. 8 October 1941 For disposal at Freetown in November 1945.
ML 297 J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham 10 September 1941 For disposal in January 1946.
ML 298 Dorset Yacht, Hamworthy. 21 November 1941 Lost 28 March 1942 at St Nazaire.
ML 299 Lady Bee, Isleworth 4 December 1941 Laid up September 1946.
ML 300 William Weatherhead, Cockenzie 30 September 1941 For disposal in October 1945.
ML 301 Aldous Successors, The Shipyard, Brightlingsea 2 December 1941 Lost by explosion at Freetown on 9 August 1942.
ML 302 William King, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex 6 September 1941 To France 16 August 1944 as V104.
ML 303 James N. Miller & Sons, East Shore, St Monance, Fife 14 October 1941 Free French Navy April to August 1942; sold February 1946 at Trincomalee.
ML 304 P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore 8 October 1941 For disposal in October 1945.
ML 305 Johnson & Jago, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. September 1941 Sold at Freetown in January 1946.
ML 306 Solent Shipyard, Sarisbury Green 18 December 1941 Lost 28 March 1942 at St Nazaire, but recovered by Germans to become their RA9.
ML 307 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 7 November 1941 To Greece on loan as Doxaton 21 June 1945 to 1961; sold 7 April 1961.
ML 308 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 30 November 1941 Sold 1948 at Malta.
ML 309 J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham 16 November 1941 Sold 1946, becoming River Lady.
ML 310 Singapore Harbour Board 29 November 1941 Lost 15 February 1942 in Tjebia Islands, becoming Japanese Suikei 12.
ML 311 Singapore Harbour Board 29 November 1941 Lost 14 February 1942 by Japanese gunfire in Banka Strait.

Fourth batch (August 1940 orders)

[edit]

The fourth batch of 24 boats was ordered on 28 July 1940 as ML 312 to ML 335. However, these were altered to be completed instead as Motor Gunboats, re-classed as Fairmile C motor gun boats, and the prefixes to their numbers changed from "ML" to "MGB", retaining the same numbers.

In their place, a new batch of 120 Fairmile B boats was ordered under the 1940 Supplemental Programme, 76 to be assembled in the UK and 44 abroad. Most were ordered on 21 August, with 6 further boats ordered 6 days later; these became ML 336 to ML 455.

The first 12 (ML 336 to ML 347) were for assembly in UK boatyards, the next 14 (ML 348 to ML 361) for assembly at Cairo, the next four for assembly by the Singapore Harbour Board (ML 362 to ML 365), two for assembly at Dar-es-Salaam (ML 366 and ML 367), two at Bermuda for the Royal Canadian Navy (ML 368 and ML 369), two in Jamaica for Caribbean service (ML 370 and ML 371, also on 27 August), four at Singapore (ML 372 to ML 377, although four of these were destroyed on the stocks in January 1942, while the last pair was switched to Bombay Dockyard on 22 February 1942 following the fall of Singapore).

Name Ship Builder Completed Fate
ML 336 Boat Construction Company, Falmouth, Cornwall 12 September 1941 To Italian Navy on 3 December 1945.
ML 337 A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire 18 November 1941 Later renumbered ML 2337; sold 25 September 1956.
ML 338 Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton 28 September 1941 Later renumbered ML 2338; sold 17 December 1955.
ML 339 Wallasea Bay Yacht Station, Wallasea. 16 October 1941 Torpedoed by E-boat off Cromer 7 October 1942.
ML 340 Leo Robinson, Tewkesbury 19 January 1942 Sold April 1947 at Malta.
ML 341 Collins Pleasurecraft Company, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft 27 October 1941 To Greece on loan as Drama 26 July 1945-1960; sold 26 November 1962 to break up.
ML 342 Johnson & Jago, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. 10 October 1941 Became ML 2342; sold on 26 November 1962.
ML 343 John I. Thorneycroft & Company, Hampton, London October 1941 For disposal October 1945.
ML 344 Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft 22 October 1941 Sold 1946, becoming Glen Tor.
ML 345 Diesel Constructors, Isleworth, London 30 March 1942 Sold 1946, becoming yacht Warrior Geraint.
ML 346 James N. Miller & Sons, East Shore, St Monance, Fife November 1941 Sold 1946, becoming Merrie Golden Hind.
ML 347 Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton 17 October 1941 Sold January 1947, becoming yacht Venturer.
ML 348 Thomas Cook, Cairo 26 May 1942 Sold January 1947.
ML 349 Thomas Cook, Cairo 2 June 1942 To Italian Navy on 7 January 1946.
ML 350 Thomas Cook, Cairo 15 August 1942 Sold January 1947.
ML 351 Thomas Cook, Cairo September 1942 To Italian Navy on 14 January 1946.
ML 352 Anglo-American Nile Tourist Company, Cairo 9 June 1942 Sunk by bomb at Tobruk on 14 September 1942.
ML 353 Anglo-American Nile Tourist Company, Cairo 26 May 1942 Sunk by bomb at Tobruk on 14 September 1942.
ML 354 Anglo-American Nile Tourist Company, Cairo 19 May 1942 To Italian Navy 24 January 1946.
ML 355 Anglo-American Nile Tourist Company, Cairo 18 April 1942 To Italian Navy 10 December 1945.
ML 356 Anglo-American Nile Tourist Company, Cairo 10 July 1942 To Italian Navy 14 January 1946.
ML 357 Anglo-American Nile Tourist Company, Cairo 1 August 1942 Became ML 2357; to Bermondsey Sea Cadet Corps 1958; sold 1961.
ML 358 Anglo-American Nile Tourist Company, Cairo September 1942 Lost off Leros 12 November 1943.
ML 359 Anglo-American Nile Tourist Company, Cairo 31 October 1942 To Italian Navy 18 December 1946.
ML 360 Anglo-American Nile Tourist Company, Cairo December 1942 Became ML 2360; sold 18 March 1959.
ML 361 Anglo-American Nile Tourist Company, Cairo January 1943 Greek Karpathos in 1945.
ML 378 Belmont Dock, Kingston, Jamaica 3 November 1942 To Royal Canadian Navy in November 1942; sold 1945 in Trinidad.
ML 379 Belmont Dock, Kingston, Jamaica 31 October 1942 To Royal Canadian Navy in November 1942; sold 1945 in Trinidad.
ML 380 Louw & Halvorsen, Capetown September 1942 To Royal Indian Navy; sold 1947.
ML 381 Louw & Halvorsen, Capetown October 1942 Sold October 1945 at Bombay to BU.
ML 382 Louw & Halvorsen, Capetown November 1942 Sold October 1945 at Bombay to BU.
ML 383 Louw & Halvorsen, Capetown 28 November 1942 Sold October 1945 at Bombay to BU.
ML 384 Thomas Cook, Cairo December 1942 To Italian Navy on 18 December 1945.
ML 385 Thomas Cook, Cairo January 1943 Paid off at Alexandria on 16 June 1944.
ML 386 Anglo-American Nile Tourist Company, Cairo 27 April 1943 To Turkey on 2 July 1946 as AB1.
ML 387 Anglo-American Nile Tourist Company, Cairo 1 June 1943 Lost by internal explosion at Beirut on 5 March 1944.

Thirty-two units (ML 392 to ML 423 ) were ordered for Commonwealth forces, for assembly overseas. Eight units were ordered as ML 392 to ML 399 on 12 August 1941 for assembly in Canada (although these were all passed on to the United States Navy); twenty more units were ordered on 4 September 1941, twelve for assembly in New Zealand boatyards for the Royal New Zealand Navy (ML 400 to ML 411) and eight for assembly in Indian boatyards for the Royal Indian Navy (ML 412 to ML 419); and four more were ordered for assembly in Singapore, of which two (ML 420 and ML 421) were re-ordered on 12 January 1942, and two (ML 422 and ML 423) were re-ordered on 28 November 1941.

Name Ship Builder Completed Fate
ML 392 Le Blanc Shipbuilding, Weymouth, Nova Scotia 26 September 1942 To U.S.N. in December 1942 as SC 1466; for disposal 30 January 1948.
ML 393 Le Blanc Shipbuilding, Weymouth, Nova Scotia 26 September 1942 To R.C.N. in June 1942, then to U.S.N. in December 1942 as SC 1467; sold 1949.
ML 394 Le Blanc Shipbuilding, Weymouth, Nova Scotia 1 October 1942 To U.S.N. in December 1942 as SC 1468; for disposal 20 January 1948.
ML 395 Le Blanc Shipbuilding, Weymouth, Nova Scotia 26 September 1942 To U.S.N. in December 1942 as SC 1469; for disposal 30 January 1948.
ML 396 Le Blanc Shipbuilding, Weymouth, Nova Scotia 23 October 1942 To U.S.N. in December 1942 as SC 1470; sold 13 February 1947.
ML 397 Le Blanc Shipbuilding, Weymouth, Nova Scotia 23 October 1942 To U.S.N. in December 1942 as SC 1471; for disposal 30 January 1948.
ML 398 Le Blanc Shipbuilding, Weymouth, Nova Scotia 5 December 1942 To U.S.N. in December 1942 as SC 1472; for disposal 4 March 1948.
ML 399 Le Blanc Shipbuilding, Weymouth, Nova Scotia 5 December 1942 To U.S.N. in December 1942 as SC 1473; for disposal 21 April 1948.
ML 400 Bailey, Auckland, New Zealand 18 November 1942 To R.N.Z.N. on 1 April 1944 as Kahu; sold 1947, becoming Dolphin.
ML 401 Bailey, Auckland, New Zealand 1 April 1943 To R.N.Z.N.; sold 1947, becoming yacht Mahurangi.
ML 402 Bailey, Auckland, New Zealand November 1943 To R.N.Z.N.; sold 1947, becoming yacht Ngaroma.
ML 403 Associated Boat Builders, Auckland, New Zealand 21 October 1942 To R.N.Z.N.; sold 1947, becoming Tiare.
ML 404 Associated Boat Builders, Auckland, New Zealand 1 February 1943 To R.N.Z.N.; sold 1947, becoming Wailana.
ML 405 Associated Boat Builders, Auckland, New Zealand May 1943 To R.N.Z.N.; sold 1947, becoming Marlyn.
ML 406 Associated Boat Builders, Auckland, New Zealand July 1943 To R.N.Z.N.; sold 1947, becoming Rodney Farry.
ML 407 Shipbuilders Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 8 March 1943 To R.N.Z.N.; sold 1947, becoming yacht Deborah Bay.
ML 408 Shipbuilders Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 8 August 1943 To R.N.Z.N.; sold 1947, becoming yacht Karamana.
ML 409 Shipbuilders Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand August 1943 To R.N.Z.N.; sold 1947, becoming Iris Moana; re-purchased 1953 retaining name (1961 ML 3570 or Maori); sold 1963.
ML 410 Voss Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand January 1943 To R.N.Z.N.; sold 1947, becoming yacht La Reta.
ML 411 Voss Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 20 December 1943 To R.N.Z.N. as ML 3571; renamed Kahu (ii) 1953, then Philomel 1961; sold 1965, becoming ferry.
ML 472 Solent Shipyard, Sarisbury Green 17 April 1942 For disposal in October 1945.
ML 473 William Weatherhead, Cockenzie 3 February 1942 For disposal in October 1945.
ML 474 India General Navigation, Calcutta 22 April 1943 To Royal Indian Navy; sold 1947.
ML 475 India General Navigation, Calcutta 10 May 1943 To Royal Indian Navy; sold 1947.
ML 476 Garden Reach, Calcutta 4 April 1942 To Royal Indian Navy; sold 1947.
ML 477 Garden Reach, Calcutta December 1942 To Royal Indian Navy; sold 1947.

Fifth batch (1941 Programme orders)

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Forty boats were ordered on 27 August 1941. The first twenty-three of these (ML 478 to ML 500) were for the Royal Navy, while seventeen ((RML 511 to RML 527) were rescue launches for the Royal Air Force (the numbers 501 to 510 were allocated to large MTBs). An additional forty-eight boats were ordered on 28 November 1941 under a 1941 Supplementary Programme. Twenty-six of these were rescue launches for the RAF (RML 528 to RML 553) while another twenty-two boats (ML 554 to ML 575) were also ordered for the Navy.

Name Ship Builder Completed Fate
ML 478 Thomson & Balfour, Bo'ness January 1942 Greek Kalini (or Eleptheron) on loan in July 1946; sold 7 April 1946.
ML 479 Collins Pleasurecraft Company, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft 1 April 1942 Sold 1946 in Trinidad.
ML 480 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 6 February 1942 For disposal in April 1946 at Malta.
ML 481 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 9 April 1942 Sold 1946 in Trinidad.
ML 482 Austins of East Ham Ltd, Twinn Wharf, Barking 26 February 1942 Sold 1946 in Trinidad.
ML 483 James N. Miller & Sons, East Shore, St Monance, Fife February 1942 Lent to Greek Navy 1946; for disposal in 1964.
ML 484 Solent Shipyard, Sarisbury Green 5 May 1942 Sold 1945 in Trinidad.
ML 485 Cardnel Brothers, Maylandsea, Tilthorne, near Chelmsford. 30 March 1942 Sold 1945 in Trinidad.
ML 486 Johnson & Jago, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. 10 March 1942 Sold 1945 in Trinidad.
ML 487 Johnson & Jago, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. 13 April 1942 Sold 1945 in Trinidad.
ML 488 Lady Bee, Isleworth 28 March 1942 To Hounslow Sea Cadet Corps in June 1946.
ML 489 James N. Miller & Sons, East Shore, St Monance, Fife 1 March 1942 Became ML 2489, sold 1961.
ML 490 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall 17 March 1942 For dispoal in October 1945.
ML 491 Boat Construction Company, Falmouth, Cornwall. May 1942 Became ML 2491, sold 7 April 1961.
ML 492 Aldous Successors, The Shipyard, Brightlingsea 13 May 1942 Sold 1946, became Pride of Paignton.
ML 493 Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall May 1942 Became ML 2493, sold 1956.
ML 494 Thomson & Balfour, Victoria Saw Mills, Bo'ness 19 March 1942 For disposal in September 1945.
ML 495 William Weatherhead, Cockenzie May 1942 Chelsea Sea Cadet Corps Loyalty by 1957.
ML 496 Lady Bee, Isleworth 2 July 1942 Sold 20 January 1959.
ML 497 Southampton Steam Joinery, Southampton July 1942 Sold 1947.
ML 498 Risdon Beazley, Northam Bridge 15 April 1942 Became Sea Eagle 1955; to Derry Sea Cadet Corps in November 1957; sold 20 September 1963.
ML 499 Risdon Beazley, Northam Bridge May 1942 Sold 4 March 1946.
ML 500 A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire July 1942 Sold 20 April 1946.

Sixth batch (1942 orders)

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Further batches followed, producing ML 576 onwards, many assembled in Overseas yards, with a final total of about 650 boats of this Type eventually assembly worldwide, including 60 in Canada.

Twenty-five more boats (ML 576 to ML 600) were ordered on 18 May 1942.

All boats were essentially the same, although they could be adapted to serve in several roles by the expedient of having pre-drilled rails on their decks spaced to allow the fitting of various types of armaments. Although their armament initially reflected their main anti-submarine mission, nine of them were fitted with 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes taken from ex-US Town-class destroyers; they formed the 2nd ML Flotilla tasked with anti-invasion duty, until the threat had passed.

Service

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During the Siege of Malta, they were used to sweep a narrow channel ahead of heavier minesweepers which widened the channel. The heavier minesweepers were initially the remnants of the Malta trawler force, then fleet minesweepers that arrived with a convoy from Gibraltar. The launches were able to pass over the mines whereas many trawler losses had been caused by the leading ship hitting a mine.[2]

A number served in the St Nazaire Raid as assault transports, but their light construction meant that they suffered heavily; 12 B motor launches were lost in the action,[3] out of 16 deployed.[4]

During the Normandy landings a number of MLs were designated as navigation launches. These motor launches guided the landing craft onto the correct beaches. For this task the craft were fitted with splinter mats at the front for added protection. An Oerlikon 20 mm cannon was fitted amidships and a Bofors 40 mm gun was installed at the stern. Smoke canister apparatus was installed at the rear of the craft and the number of depth charges was reduced.[5] See main picture above of ML303 in this configuration.

Many were built as rescue motor launches with small sickbays aft of the engine room coaming, and classified as RML (rescue motor launch). These were numbered in the series RML492 to RML500, and RML511 to RML553.[6] Several more were converted to use as War Office ambulance launches with larger sickbays.

  • HMC ML Q055 1941. Large black flag indicates ASDIC contact.
    HMC ML Q055 1941. Large black flag indicates ASDIC contact.
  • British ML303 during the invasion of Normandy on D-Day
    British ML303 during the invasion of Normandy on D-Day
  • HMC ML Q055 1941
    HMC ML Q055 1941

British Colonial or Commonwealth-built Fairmile B motor launches

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Canadian built Fairmiles

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Main article: Canadian Fairmile B motor launch
The Canadian Fairmile HMC ML Q054 in 1942

Originally designed for the Royal Navy (RN) by W.J. Holt of the Admiralty and built by British boat builder Fairmile Marine, during the Second World War, 88 Fairmile B motor launches, with slight modifications for Canadian climatic and operational conditions, were built in Canada for service with the RCN in home waters.[7] The first thirty-six Canadian Fairmile B type were designated and painted up as CML 01 to 36 (coastal motor launch).[8] Eight Canadian Fairmiles (Q392 – Q399) were built by Le Blanc for the RN and were transferred under Lend-Lease to the US Navy. The US Navy used the Canadian-built Fairmiles as submarine chasers (SC1466–1473).[9]

Other British Colonial or Commonwealth built Fairmiles

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At least two (ML 368 and ML 369) were built in the Imperial fortress colony of Bermuda, home to the base, dockyard and Admiralty house of the America and West Indies Station, by what was to become Burland, Conyers & Marirea, Ltd.[10][11]

New Zealand ordered twelve boats on 4 September 1941, for assembly from the Fairmile kits by four boat builders in Auckland, of which the first two (MTB 403 and MTB 400) were delivered in October and November 1942 respectively and the following ten (MTB 401, MTB 402, and MTB 404 to MTB 411) during 1943. These were used in New Zealand waters and around the Solomon Islands, and included HMNZS Maori and HMNZS Kahu (Kahu (II). All were sold in 1947 except for MTB 411 (which became Kahu [II]).

In Australia 35 boats entered service from October 1942. They were employed on routine patrols, convoy escorts, running special forces in and out of Japanese-held areas, in Papua New Guinea, boom defence patrols in harbours at home and abroad, courier operations, survey work and raiding Japanese-held coasts. Of note the surrender of Japanese forces in the South West Pacific. On 10 September 1945, Rear-Admiral S. Sato, commanding officer of Kairiru and Muschu Islands, New Guinea, surrendered the Japanese forces on the islands to Major-General H. C. H. Robertson, commander of the 6th Division on board ML 805.[12]

At least six boats (ML380–383, 829 and 846) were built by South Africa and commissioned during November 1942. These were sent as the 49th Fairmile Flotilla (SANF) to Burma and deployed along the Arakan coast. The boats saw much action in support of ground forces and disrupting Japanese supply lines.

The Imperial Japanese Navy salvaged two that had been sunk and placed them in service.

A number of boats were built in Egypt by Thomas Cook & Son, who had a Cairo shipyard for constructing Nile tourist craft. Armament was fitted in Port Said. The first three to enter service in 1942 were ML 355, 353 and 348.[13] Post war they were often taken on as pleasure boats and a number of Fairmile Bs are on the National Register of Historic Vessels.

Fourteen Fairmile B were operated by the Italian Guardia di Finanza naval service, between 1947 and the 1980s.

Surviving examples

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Four currently survive in the United Kingdom, two of which are in excellent condition. One is RML497. Many others of the type are known to survive around the world, some still in commercial service as tour boats.

  • Fairmile B boat ML535 served with the 63rd ML Flotilla 1942-44. The picture shows her in 1962 after conversion to a ferry MV Western Lady
    Fairmile B boat ML535 served with the 63rd ML Flotilla 1942-44. The picture shows her in 1962 after conversion to a ferry MV Western Lady
  • HMNZS Kahu, FML411, was used post war ferrying passengers at Auckland in New Zealand
    HMNZS Kahu, FML411, was used post war ferrying passengers at Auckland in New Zealand
  • Surviving Fairmile B, RML497 at Brixham in England, prior to restoration to her wartime appearance
    Surviving Fairmile B, RML497 at Brixham in England, prior to restoration to her wartime appearance

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Angus Konstam, British Motor Gun Boat 1939–45[permanent dead link] Osprey Publishing Limited 2010, ISBN 978-1-84908-077-4 (p.15)
  2. ^ A leaf upon the sea : a small ship in the Mediterranean, 1941-1943, Gordon W. Stead, University of British Columbia Press Vancouver 1988, ISBN 9780774802994, p.114
  3. ^ Naval-History.net Royal Navy Vessels Lost at Sea, 1939-45 - by Date: January 1942 – December 1943 (Entry for 28 March)
  4. ^ History of War - St. Nazaire, Raid on, (Operation Chariot), Part One
  5. ^ Malcolm George Wright, British and Commonwealth Warship Camouflage of WWII Seaforth Publishing 2014, ISBN 978-1848322530 (p.137)
  6. ^ Lenton and Colledge. Warships of World War II. Ian Allan. pp. 523–530.
  7. ^ Heenan, RCNR (Ret), Captain Joseph A. (1 February 1962). "The Little Ships" (PDF). The Crowsnest. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  8. ^ Lambert and Ross, John and Al (1990). Allied Coastal Forces of World War II Vol 1: Fairmile designs and US submarine chasers. Conway Maritime Press. pp. 77–78. ISBN 0-85177-519-5.
  9. ^ "WW2Ships.com: Fairmile Type B Motor Launch". www.ww2ships.com. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  10. ^ "HMCS ML 368 (ML 368)". uboat.net. Guðmundur Helgason. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  11. ^ "HMCS ML 369 (ML 369)". uboat.net. Guðmundur Helgason. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Patrol boats". The Navy Contribution to Australian Maritime Operations: RAN Doctrine 2 - 2005. Royal Australian Navy. 9 January 2024. ISBN 978-0-642-29615-3. Archived from the original on 26 September 2008.
  13. ^ Searle, G. W. At Sea Level Book Guild 1994 pp. 47–48 ISBN 0863328970

References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fairmile B Motor Launches.
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