(Above) HSL 102 and MGB 81
Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust, which manages several of the attractions within Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, has acquired a pair of rare World War Two motorboats with the help of £580,000 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund.
One of the boats, MGB 81, was active during the US landing at Omaha Beach during D-Day and received the battle honour ‘Normandy 1944’. The other, HSL 102, is the only surviving example of the 100-class high-speed launch and was stationed at RAF Calshot during the Battle of Britain, retrieving shot down airmen from the sea.
When built HSL 102 was among the fastest boats of its type, earning it the sobriquet, the Spitfire of the Seas. But for their crew they were also very dangerous. With 3,000 gallons of fuel on board, the young sailors were effectively manning a massive petrol bomb. If hit in the fuel tank the vulnerable plywood boats simply exploded.
“These unique craft are a legacy to the heroism of those who crewed them during World War II,” said Peter Goodship, The Trust’s Chief Executive. “Both boats made significant contributions to the War effort and saved the lives of many sailors and airmen.”
Currently on display at Gunwharf Quays Marina in Portsmouth, plans are afoot to use the boats to help people experience what it was like for the crews driving at full speed. There are also plans to take people across to Priddy’s Hard and the revamped Explosion museum, where boats like 102 were based during World War 2.
Lt. James Shadbolt MBE, a veteran of Royal Navy's 8th Motor Gunboat Flotilla, said he was "delighted" the two motorboats will now be safe-guarded.
"Organisations like NHMF and other generous donors play such a vital role in protecting our precious heritage and those of us who particularly cherish these boats are very grateful," he said.
"It’s wonderful to know that future generations will be able to experience first-hand these extremely exciting machines just as we did as young men during the war."
Keep up to speed with the latest news about the Battle of Britain 70th anniversary at www.culture24.org.uk/battle-of-britain.
