High Speed Launch (HSL) - 102

HSL 102 was one of the RAF 100 class High Speed Launches which joined the RAF fleet in 1937 to increase the operational range duties of the 200 class seaplane tenders. Built by The British Power Boat Company at Hythe, the 100 class HSLs were designed by Fred Cooper. The class were a stretched version of the 60ft MTB hull and the prototype was the format on which the RAF based their decision for a new type of high speed launch. The dimensions of the launch were 64ft loa with a beam of 14ft 6in, and powered by a trio of Power Napier Sea Lion engines.

The range was 500 miles at a speed of 35 knots. The two wing engines were inclined to drive directly to the outboard propeller shafts whilst the centre engine faced the opposite direction and transmitted via a Vee-drive to the centre propeller. This arrangement allowed for "cruising" on the centre engine only, a range extending economy measure which retained a high degree of maneuverability.

The accommodation included an Officer's wardroom / sickbay for four and forecastle bunks for eight crew. With target towing in mind, an after well was incorporated above the tiller mechanism, but this feature was deleted from later craft. The prototype, HSL 100, was launched in May 1936 and on trials surpassed all the parameters set by both the builders and the RAF.

The Air Ministry immediately placed further orders, with HSLs 101-114 ordered in stages in 1936 with deliveries commencing in 1937. Two Further 100 class HSLs were ordered in 1938 with HSLs 117 to 132 ordered in 1939. In the event, production of this type ceased after HSL 121 when the remaining 11 craft scheduled for completion in 1941, were switched to the BPB Whaleback design.

HSL 102 was ordered under contract CP8A/23424/36 and built by British Power Boat as Yard No. 1038. She began her service career at Donibristrle, Scotland where she was taken on charge on the 27th October 1937. The HSL was one of the many craft to be involved with Operation Dynamo rescuing Allied forces from the beaches at Dunkirk and on completion she was returned to the builders at Hythe in July 1940 for modifications. Repairs completed she was allocated to operate from Blyth with No.15 Air Sea Rescue Unit (ASRU) from April 1941. HSL 102 was subsequently transferred to operate from the seaplane base at Felixstowe with No. 26 ASRU from October 1941 and was listed as under repair by 85 Maintenance Unit (MU) located at Felixstowe from December that year. During 1942 the craft was based first at Newhaven with No. 28 ASRU and then returned to operate from Felixstowe once again.

During her time as an Air Sea Rescue Launch, she saved the lives of numerous "ditched" pilots from the sea. With the introduction of better craft towards the end of the war, some of the class were transferred to other duties. The RAF service of HSL 102 ended on the 4th March 1943 when she was transferred to the Admiralty to become Control and Target Towing Launch No. 12. With a strengthened stem she was employed towing gunnery targets. Post WWII the CT/12 (ex HSL 102) was surplus and like many other craft sold off in April 1946.

Little is known about HSL 102 after her sale from the Admiralty until she was spotted as a house boat in Dartmouth in 1993. At that time she was known simply as Excervus and from all accounts had been at Mill Creek for over 10 years. When Excervus was up for sale, Phil Clabburn purchased her and had her towed to Plymouth where she was lifted out and taken by road to Fawley, Southampton, the base of National Power PLC who generously provided the space and facilities for her restoration.

With the old house boat superstructure removed, by July 1994 her hull was being repaired. Over the following months areas of her double diagonal planking were renewed as were her bulkheads, frames and chine. New floor beams were laid and new bearers constructed. 60,000 screws were removed from the hull which, was then re-fastened. A completely new deck was added and a new wheelhouse was built from the original drawings. Once rebuilt, the hull was completely sheathed in grp, and to allow this to continue an "all-weather" Space Station Cover was erected over the whole craft. By April 1996 she emerged almost complete with her new looks which once again resembled her former HSL appearance. She was re-launched in July 1996.