Reproduced with permission from the Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums


Reproduced with permission from the Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums


A demonstration of the 25ft fast launches by John Thornycroft & Co on the Thames at Dagenham on the morning of the 20th of February 1939.


I spotted this little fellow aboard HMS Prince of Wales, presumably a replacement after a few of her boats were destroyed when she engaged the German battleship Bismarck? It has no rear cabin and resembles a 20 ft Fast Tender as in this Vospers add. Comparing the length to that of the Bofors emplacement that is about 25ft long leads to the conclusion this is a 25ft fast motor boat without a rear cabin.

"MIDDIES" OF THE ROYAL NAVY. NOVEMBER 1943, ABOARD HMS CUMBERLAND, AT FLEET ANCHORAGE. LIFE ABOARD FOR THE MIDSHIPMEN OF THE ROYAL NAVY; JUNIOR NAVAL OFFICERS WHO HAVE HAD A COURSE AT A NAVAL COLLEGE AND ARE STILL STUDYING THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF SEAMANSHIP.
“MIDDIES” OF THE ROYAL NAVY. NOVEMBER 1943, ABOARD HMS CUMBERLAND, AT FLEET ANCHORAGE. LIFE ABOARD FOR THE MIDSHIPMEN OF THE ROYAL NAVY; JUNIOR NAVAL OFFICERS WHO HAVE HAD A COURSE AT A NAVAL COLLEGE AND ARE STILL STUDYING THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF SEAMANSHIP. © IWM (A 16669)