9 gaffers made their way to Boathouse 4 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard on a sunny April morning.
We admired CMB4R, a ‘fully operational’ replica of an extraordinary idea from the first World War. It dropped a forward facing torpedo over the stern and then had to get out of the way as the torpedo continued towards its target.
I think we all managed to avoid buying the immaculate, bargain priced, Paul Gartside dinghy at the entrance, then it was on to the main event…
HSL 102. ‘High Speed Launch, class 100, no. 2’ is the only such air-sea rescue launch to survive. After warnings about how wet we would get, how to stand and that they don’t go back for hats, 3 distinctly un-gafferish engines grumbled into life and we made our way out through the harbour entrance. It was slightly surprising when we paused in front of the ferry, but it was just for the crew to draw breath.
The engines roared, the Solent sparkled, and we arced across past Ryde. 64ft long, 13.5 tons and many horsepower, we weren’t even shaking up the Solent much for others. The Solent forts came up in no time and then on to Bembridge.
Time for a look below, where the varnish gleams thanks to many volunteers and everybody who wanted to, got to drive. Then back to base, giving a wide berth to a Shrimper enjoying the sunshine. Despite the warnings, not a drop of Solent came aboard.
Thank you to Jeremy for organising a great morning out. I wouldn’t trade my gaffer in for her but it’s quite an experience and definitely recommended. You can book individual places, or charter as a group… Just don’t think about the fuel consumption!
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