Boatbird
Well-known member
I was very interested in this boat when I found it, at the time I was living on a 1911 ex-Admiralty Harbour Steam Launch in Cyprus. I applied to the Admiralty for a copy of her service record (which I have... I hope... I think it survived the move anyway, a scanned copy is on the BMPT forum!) and got further information about her recently.
A 68' Type 3 (Hants and Dorset) Harbour Steam Launch- her sister ship is shown here
HSL 2625
She was built by the British Power Boat Company, Yard No not known
Taken on charge by the RAF 01.07.43
She was converted in the Middle East or Malta in 1949 He armaments were removed, turrets removed and re-classified as a Rescue Target Towing Launch and operated by the RAF Marine Branch. As she was either Malta based or somewhere in the Middle East she would have been painted white.(my emphasis- she was actually based in Cyprus)
Being built of wood and based in the Middle East a lot of wear and tear took place.
She was STRICKEN OFF CHARGE 27.11.59 at Xoros-Middle East
The boat has been in private hands since this date.
Whilst in private hands, she was apparently used for 'contraband' smuggling and while in the process of moving items she was, um, allegedly, shot at. As part of the punishment for her owner, she was towed ashore at Limassol where she still sits to this day, rotting in an area known as Billys Yard (between the Old and New Ports)
Also in the same area are a Higgins PT boat and a Scimitar class boat for reasons unknown- sadly, I didn't get a chance to return and look through all the debris.
The recent information I found out about her was linked to a person who worked on her! More information can be found via the BMPT forum (which I won't link just in case) and on this website here
First view- when we knew her to be a Navy boat due to the Everclear holes
Although seeing this was a bit of a shock- it does show the cross-planked mahogany hull very nicely
There were stairs up to the wheelhouse at one point- but sadly no more! There wasn't much floor either...
But it didn't stop me climbing onto the bow and taking an explore around the topside!
The fusebox was one of the few remaining identifiable pieces
Starboard side from the stern, you can see the white paint still on the wood in places
You can still see the distinctive 'target' mark on her bow- and by looking carefully this is how I managed to identify the ships number
Looking through wheelhouse from port to starboard sides
More photos can be found here
A 68' Type 3 (Hants and Dorset) Harbour Steam Launch- her sister ship is shown here
HSL 2625
She was built by the British Power Boat Company, Yard No not known
Taken on charge by the RAF 01.07.43
She was converted in the Middle East or Malta in 1949 He armaments were removed, turrets removed and re-classified as a Rescue Target Towing Launch and operated by the RAF Marine Branch. As she was either Malta based or somewhere in the Middle East she would have been painted white.(my emphasis- she was actually based in Cyprus)
Being built of wood and based in the Middle East a lot of wear and tear took place.
She was STRICKEN OFF CHARGE 27.11.59 at Xoros-Middle East
The boat has been in private hands since this date.
Whilst in private hands, she was apparently used for 'contraband' smuggling and while in the process of moving items she was, um, allegedly, shot at. As part of the punishment for her owner, she was towed ashore at Limassol where she still sits to this day, rotting in an area known as Billys Yard (between the Old and New Ports)
Also in the same area are a Higgins PT boat and a Scimitar class boat for reasons unknown- sadly, I didn't get a chance to return and look through all the debris.
The recent information I found out about her was linked to a person who worked on her! More information can be found via the BMPT forum (which I won't link just in case) and on this website here
First view- when we knew her to be a Navy boat due to the Everclear holes
Although seeing this was a bit of a shock- it does show the cross-planked mahogany hull very nicely
There were stairs up to the wheelhouse at one point- but sadly no more! There wasn't much floor either...
But it didn't stop me climbing onto the bow and taking an explore around the topside!
The fusebox was one of the few remaining identifiable pieces
Starboard side from the stern, you can see the white paint still on the wood in places
You can still see the distinctive 'target' mark on her bow- and by looking carefully this is how I managed to identify the ships number
Looking through wheelhouse from port to starboard sides
More photos can be found here
