Canadian Fairmile B motor launch

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HMC ML Q050.jpg
HMC ML Q050 was the first of a series of wooden Canadian-built Fairmile B delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) on 18 November 1941
Class overview
BuildersSee builders
Operators
Built1941–1944
In service1941–1945
Completed88
General characteristics
Class and type Fairmile B motor launch
Displacement79 long tons (80  t)
Length112 ft (34 m)
Beam17 ft 0 in (5.18 m)
Draught4 ft 10 in (1.47 m)
PropulsionTwo 650  bhp (480  kW) Hall-Scott Defender petrol engines
Speed20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Range1,500 mi (1,300 nmi; 2,400 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement2 officers and 14 non-commissioned
Time to activate48 hours to reconfigure weapons
Sensors and
processing systems
ASDIC
ArmourWheelhouse plated

The Canadian Fairmile B was a motor launch built during the Second World War for the Royal Canadian Navy. They were adaptations of the British Fairmile B motor launch design incorporating slight modifications for Canadian climatic and operational conditions. Eighty-eight were built in Canada for service with the Coastal Forces of the Royal Canadian Navy in home waters, of which eight were supplied to the United States Navy.

Contents

They were known by their crews as "The Little Ships", "Little Fighting Ships", "Q-Boats", "MLs" or "Holy Rollers" (due to their violent pitching and tossing), [1]

History

In the spring of 1940 Canada's Naval Staff realized that the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) needed more vessels equipped with ASDIC sets for anti-submarine patrols in the St. Lawrence River and Pacific Coast. Learning "that the Admiralty was planning to build Type "B" Fairmile motor launches for such work in British waters", the RCN began to investigate the comparative advantages of building and employing the Fairmile B motor launch (ML) in Canadian waters. [2] By the end of 1940 with the first British Fairmile B motor launches completed, performance figures and a complete set of drawings and specifications were sent to Canada. [2] Although unimpressed with the trial results that showed that the Fairmile B was not quite maneuverable at slow speeds required for the ASDIC to work correctly, the need for more anti-submarine vessels was so great that the Naval Staff proceeded with the program. [2]

By April 1941, contracts for the first twenty-four Fairmile B boats was signed with seven builders in Ontario, three in British Columbia, and one in Nova Scotia for a "standard price for each vessel of $85,000 in the east and $76,000 in British Columbia." [2] It was expected that the twenty-four boats would be delivered by the end of 1941 but shortages of resources and components delayed builders efforts. As such, only thirteen Fairmiles built in the Great Lakes region were delivered in 1941; nine in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and four laid up at Sarnia and Toronto, Ontario, due to winter storms. Once in Halifax, only four of the Fairmiles could be kept operational due to a general shortage of naval personnel and all other available crews being prioritized to corvettes and minesweepers. [1] [2]

In July 1941 the Naval Staff let out another contract for twelve MLs in order to help provide for the defence of Newfoundland and adjacent waters. Intended for anti-submarine patrols at St. John's, Botwood, and at Red Bay on the Strait of Belle Isle, continuing material shortages delayed the commissioning of these vessels to May and June 1942. [2]

Design

Originally designated and painted up as 'Coastal Motor Launch' (CML) 01–36, the Canadian Fairmile B was built of double mahogany wood with an eight-inch (200 mm) oak keel. Based on a line of destroyer hulls, they arrived in prefabricated kits, ready to be assembled for the RCN by a number of different boatyards. [3] In contrast to the British built boats, the Canadian Fairmile was narrower, had a greater draught, and were slightly more powerful giving the Canadian boats a two- knot (3.7 km/h; 2.3 mph) speed advantage over the British boats. [4] As one former Fairmile Captain described them, "sheathed for operation in ice and displacing 100 tons, they were indeed veritable 'Little Fighting Ships'." [1] Crewed by two or three officers and 14 sailors, accommodation on the Fairmile B was thought to be "cramped but comfortable". [1]

Propulsion

With a fuel capacity of 2,320 gallons of 87 octane gasoline, the early Fairmiles (Q050 to Q111) were powered by two 650- horsepower (480  kW ) engines, could reach a speed of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) maximum, 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph) sea speed and had a range of 1,925 miles (1,673 nmi; 3,098 km) at 7.5 kn (13.9 km/h; 8.6 mph). Later versions (Q112 to Q129) were fitted with larger 700 hp (520 kW) engines able to achieve a top speed of 22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph) with an identical range. [1] [3] [4] [5]

Armament

A unique design feature of the Fairmile B was that with forty-eight hours notice each boat could be reconfigured to serve in a different role. Fitted with steel strips and tapped holes to ease equipment swaps, weapons and specialist gear such as torpedo tubes, mines, depth charges, and guns could be quickly stripped and attached to the boat. [6] In two days, a Fairmile could have its weapons and equipment reconfigured to serve as an escort, minesweeper, minelayer, navigation leader, coastal raider, patrol boat, ambulance or rescue launch. [6] Small arms for the crew were a 9 mm Sten submachine gun, two .303 rifles, and three .45 revolvers [1]

Each boat was equipped with sonar, radar and wireless telegraphy. [1]

Example armament combinations[ citation needed ]
ArmamentUpgunned sub chaserTorpedo boatAcoustic minesweeper
Aft2 x 20 mm Oerlikon -2 x 20 mm Oerlikon
Amidships1 x 20 mm Oerlikon-1 x 20 mm Oerlikon
Bridge wings2 x twin 0.303 in machine guns2 x twin 0.303 in machine guns2 x twin 0.303 in machine guns
Forward 3 pdr high-angle/low-angle gun 3 pdr high-angle/low-angle gun3 pdr high-angle/low-angle gun
Other12 depth charges

Holman Projector

Y-gun (4 reloads)

2 x 21 in torpedo tubes

Holman projector

14 depth charges
ArmamentMoored minesweeperRescue boatCanadian B type (final)
Aft1 x 20 mm Oerlikon1 x 20 mm Oerlikon1 x 20 mm Oerlikon
Amidships1 x 20 mm Oerlikon1 x 20 mm Oerlikon
Bridge wings2 x twin 0.303 in machine guns2 x twin 0.303 in machine guns
Forward3 pdr high-angle/low-angle gun2 pdr gun1 x 20 mm Oerlikon
Other6 depth charges

Y-gun (0 reloads)

6 depth charges14 depth charges

Y-gun (7 reloads)

Fairmile flotillas

During the Second World War the Canadian Fairmile B of the RCN played a vital role escorting shipping along the St. Lawrence River, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and between Newfoundland and the mainland of Canada. [7] Regularly deployed in flotillas of six "The Little Ships" relieved larger escort craft urgently needed elsewhere by carrying out anti-submarine patrols, port defence and rescue duties. [8] [9] Based out of shore establishments on the St. Lawrence River, Halifax, Saint John, Shelburne, Sydney and on the West Coast; at sea the RCN Fairmile Fleets were accompanied by two "mother ships" HMCS Preserver and HMCS Provider providing fresh water, fuel and medical services. [4]

Vessels in class

List of Canadian-built Fairmile B [3] [10] [11]
NamePennant #ShipbuilderLocationOrderedCompletedFlotilla
(December 1944)
NotesImage
ML 050 Q 050Midland Boat WorksMidland, Ontario3 January 194118 November 194171st Flotilla – Gaspé ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 001
Sold 1945 as Stanba I
HMC ML Q050.jpg
ML 051 Q 051Midland Boat WorksMidland, Ontario3 January 194124 November 194177th Flotilla – Halifax M.L. Force (SO)Originally designated and painted up as CML 002. Sold 1946 as Radel II. Abandoned 2004
ML Q051.jpg
ML 052 Q 052Taylor & Sons, J. J.Toronto, Ontario3 January 194131 October 1941Free French Navy – Newfoundland ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 003. To Free French 1943 as Gallantry (V 111) Returned to RCN and sold 1949 as Cyrius. Later La Marie-Jo, active
HMC ML Q052.jpg
ML 053 Q 053Taylor & Sons, J. J.Toronto ON3 January 194117 November 194171st Flotilla – Gaspé ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 004

Sold 1945 as Aloma III

Q053-0001.jpg
ML 054 Q 054Greavette Boats Ltd.Gravenhurst ON3 January 194117 October 194171st Flotilla – Gaspé ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 005

Sold 1945

ML-Q054.jpg
ML 055 Q 055Greavette Boats Ltd.Gravenhurst, Ontario3 January 19416 November 194171st Flotilla – Gaspé ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 006

Sold 1945

HMC ML Q055.jpg
ML 056 Q 056Greavette Boats Ltd.Gravenhurst, Ontario3 January 194124 November 194171st Flotilla – Gaspé Force (SO)Originally designated and painted up as CML 007

Sold 1945 as Esso Ayacucho

Scrapped 1957

ML-Q056.jpg
ML 057 Q 057Minett-Shields, Ltd.Bracebridge, Ontario3 January 194128 October 194171st Flotilla – Gaspé ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 008

Sold 1945

HMC ML Q057-2.jpg
ML 058Q 058Minett-Shields, Ltd.Bracebridge, Ontario3 January 194124 November 194172nd Flotilla – Sydney ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 009

Sold 1945 as Katherine G Burnt 1949

ML 059Q 059Minett-Shields, Ltd.Bracebridge, Ontario3 January 194126 May 194272nd Flotilla – Sydney ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 010

Sold 1946 as Rodco

ML 060Q 060Hunter BoatsOrillia, Ontario3 January 19411 November 194172nd Flotilla – Sydney Force (SO)Originally designated and painted up as CML 011

Sold 1945

ML 061Q 061Hunter BoatsOrillia, Ontario3 January 194111 November 194172nd Flotilla – Sydney ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 012

Sold 1945 as Esso Concordia

ML 062Q 062Mac-Craft Ltd.Sarnia, Ontario3 January 194118 April 1942Free French Navy – Newfoundland ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 013

To Free French 1942 as Langlade (V 112), reacquired 1954 as HMCS Wolf, breakwater 2003

ML 063Q 063Mac-Craft Ltd.Sarnia, Ontario3 January 194118 April 1942Free French Navy – Newfoundland ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 014

To Free French 1942 as Colombier (V 113), later Cumbrae II

ML 064Q 064LeBlanc Shipbuilding Co., J. H.Weymouth, Nova Scotia3 January 194115 May 194272nd Flotilla – Sydney ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 015

Sold 1947 as Six-Four, foundered 1952

ML 065Q 065LeBlanc Shipbuilding Co., J. H.Weymouth, Nova Scotia3 January 194115 May 194272nd Flotilla – Sydney ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 016

Sold 1946 as Nadine II, later Audrey A, burnt 1978

ML 066Q 066Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd.Vancouver, British Columbia3 January 19413 June 194275th Flotilla – Esquimalt ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 017

Sold 1946 as Earlmar, gone 2010

ML 067Q 067Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd.Vancouver, British Columbia3 January 194127 March 194275th Flotilla – Esquimalt ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 018

Sold 1946 as Stranger II, burnt 1966

ML 068Q 068A.C. Benson ShipyardVancouver, British Columbia3 January 19417 August 1942Flotilla unknownOriginally designated and painted up as CML 019

Sold 1946 as Salvor, later Marine Freight No. 1, Miss Linda

ML 069Q 069A.C. Benson ShipyardVancouver, British Columbia3 January 194128 March 194275th Flotilla – Esquimalt ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 020

Sold 1945 as Harwood, Casa Mia, lost in hurricane 1978

ML 070Q 070Star Shipyards (Mercer's) Ltd.New Westminster, British Columbia3 January 194114 March 194275th Flotilla – Esquimalt ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 021

Sold 1945 as Machigonne, later Gulf Ranger, Coast Ranger, Saracen III, Lahaina Lady, Noble Lady, active

ML 071Q 071Star Shipyards (Mercer's) Ltd.New Westminster, British Columbia3 January 194115 April 194275th Flotilla – Esquimalt Force (SO)Originally designated and painted up as CML 022

Sold 1946 as Gulf Wing, later Troubadour III, Nimpkish Princess, Northland Princess, Kona Winds, Knight Time II, sank 2015

ML 072Q 072Grew Boats Ltd.Penetanguishene, Ontario3 January 194124 November 194173rd Flotilla – New Brunswick Force (SO)Originally designated and painted up as CML 023

Sold 1945

ML 073Q 073Grew Boats Ltd.Penetanguishene, Ontario3 January 194124 November 194173rd Flotilla – New Brunswick ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 024

Sold 1945

ML 074Q 074Minett-Shields, Ltd.Bracebridge ON22 July 194126 May 194277th Flotilla – Halifax M.L. ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 025

Sold 1945 as Aloma III, later Terra Mar

ML 075Q 075Minett-Shields, Ltd.Bracebridge, Ontario22 July 194122 June 194273rd Flotilla – New Brunswick ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 026

Sold 1945

ML 076Q 076Minett-Shields, Ltd.Bracebridge ON22 July 194123 June 194273rd Flotilla – New Brunswick ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 027

Sold 1945

ML 077Q 077Greavette Boats Ltd.Gravenhurst, Ontario22 July 19412 June 194273rd Flotilla – New Brunswick ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 028

Sold 1947 as Coastal Queen

ML 078Q 078Greavette Boats Ltd.Gravenhurst, Ontario22 July 19412 June 194273rd Flotilla – New Brunswick ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 029

Sold 1945 as Esso Cardinal

ML 079Q 079Taylor & Sons, J. J.Toronto ON22 July 194127 May 194279th Flotilla – Gaspé ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 030

Sold 1945 as Nancy Grace, reacquired 1954 as HMCS Raccoon, sold later as Lady Enid

ML 080Q 080Taylor & Sons, J. J.Toronto, Ontario22 July 194117 June 194279th Flotilla – Gaspé ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 031

Sold 1945 as Quarterdeck, later Almeta Queen, Cosa Grande, abandoned 2007

ML 081Q 081Honey Harbour Nav. Co. Ltd.Midland, Ontario22 July 194127 May 194279th Flotilla – Gaspé Force (SO)Originally designated and painted up as CML 032

Sold 1947 as Esso Taparita, burnt 1948

ML 082Q 082Honey Harbour Nav. Co. Ltd.Midland ON22 July 194127 May 1942Quebec City, Quebec

No flotilla

Originally designated and painted up as CML 033

Sold 1945

ML 083Q 083LeBlanc Shipbuilding Co., J. H.Weymouth, Nova Scotia22-Jul 194125-May 194279th Flotilla – Gaspé ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 034

Sold 1945 as Lazy Mariner

ML 084Q 084LeBlanc Shipbuilding Co., J. H.Weymouth, Nova Scotia22 July 194118 June 194279th Flotilla – Gaspé ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 035

Sold 1946

ML 085Q 085Hunter BoatsOrillia, Ontario22 July 194113 June 194279th Flotilla – Gaspé ForceOriginally designated and painted up as CML 036

Sold 1951 as Suzette No. 1

ML 086Q 086Taylor & Sons, J. J.Toronto ON16 February 194226 October 194276th Flotilla – Newfoundland ForceSold 1946 as Monterey
ML 087Q 087Taylor & Sons, J. J.Toronto, Ontario16 February 19429 November 194276th Flotilla – Newfoundland ForceSold 1948 as Chef Tek8erimat, later Tzigane
ML 088Q 088Taylor & Sons, J. J.Toronto, Ontario16 February 19425 October 194377th Flotilla – Halifax M.L. ForceSold 1946 as Eighty-Eight, later Olympia III, burnt
ML 089Q 089Greavette Boats Ltd.Gravenhurst, Ontario16 February 194215 October 194276th Flotilla – Newfoundland ForceSold 1949 as Coastal Queen, later Grand Commander, Corniche
ML 090Q 090Greavette Boats Ltd.Gravenhurst, Ontario16 February 194219 November 194278th Flotilla – Newfoundland ForceSold 1945 as Louvicourt, later Rosal
ML 091Q 091Greavette Boats Ltd.Gravenhurst, Ontario16 February 194217 May 194377th Flotilla – Halifax M.L. ForceSold 1946 as Nine-One, sank 1955
ML 092Q 092Hunter BoatsOrillia, Ontario16 February 19422 November 194277th Flotilla – Halifax M.L. ForceSold 1947 as Suzette II
ML 093Q 093Hunter BoatsOrillia, Ontario16 February 19422 November 194276th Flotilla – Newfoundland ForceSold 1945
ML 094Q 094Midland Boat WorksMidland, Ontario16 February 194219 November 194277th Flotilla – Halifax M.L. ForceSold 1945 as Ernest G
ML 095Q 095Midland Boat WorksMidland, Ontario16 February 194212 May 194376th Flotilla – Newfoundland Force (SO)Sold 1945 as Rodco
ML 096Q 096Minett-Shields, Ltd.Bracebridge, Ontario16 February 19429 November 194276th Flotilla – Newfoundland ForceSold 1945 as Roseline, later Miss Kingston, Saint-Louis IV, La Santa Maria IV, active
ML 097Q 097Minett-Shields, Ltd.Bracebridge, Ontario16 February 194216 November 194276th Flotilla – Newfoundland ForceSold 1945
ML 098Q 098Grew Boats Ltd.Penetanguishene, Ontario16 February 19427 November 194276th Flotilla – Newfoundland ForceSold 1948 as Corita, later Le Saint-Barnabe
ML 099Q 099Grew Boats Ltd.Penetanguishene, Ontario16 February 19427 November 194277th Flotilla – Halifax M.L. ForceSold 1948 as Dipedon, later Donarvie II
ML 100Q 100Grew Boats Ltd.Penetanguishene, Ontario16 February 19427 November 194278th Flotilla – Newfoundland ForceSold 1945
ML 101Q 101Mac-Craft Ltd.Sarnia, Ontario16 February 19427 November 194278th Flotilla – Newfoundland ForceSold 1945 as Edmar, later Nellie D
ML 102Q 102Mac-Craft Ltd.Sarnia, Ontario16 February 194214 November 194277th Flotilla – Halifax M.L. ForceSold 1945 as Quetzal, later Curlew, Salissa M, Moondance, Enterprise II
ML 103Q 103Mac-Craft Ltd.Sarnia, Ontario16 February 194218 November 194278th Flotilla – Newfoundland Force (SO)Sold 1947 as One-O-Three, later Lady Simone, scrapped
ML 104Q 104Mac-Craft Ltd.Sarnia, OntarioOctober 19424 August 194370th M.L Flotilla (Detached to Royal Navy) – Bermuda (SO)Sold 1945, reacquired 1954 as HMCS Cougar, scrapped 1959
ML 105Q 105Mac-Craft Ltd.Sarnia, OntarioOctober 19425 September 194370th M.L Flotilla (Detached to Royal Navy) – BermudaSold 1948 as Duc d'Orleans, scrapped 2007
ML 106Q 106Grew Boats Ltd.Penetanguishene, OntarioOctober 194228 August 194370th M.L Flotilla (Detached to Royal Navy) – BermudaSold 1945, reacquired 1954 as HMCS Beaver, scrapped 1957
ML 107Q 107Grew Boats Ltd.Penetanguishene, OntarioOctober 19429 November 194370th M.L Flotilla (Detached to Royal Navy) – BermudaSold 1949 as Miss Chevrolet, later Lady Latour, burnt 1951
ML 108Q 108Midland Boat WorksMidland, OntarioOctober 194213 August 194370th M.L Flotilla (Detached to Royal Navy) – BermudaSold 1945 as Machigonne II
ML 109Q 109Hunter BoatsOrillia, OntarioOctober 194223 August 194370th M.L Flotilla (Detached to Royal Navy) – BermudaSold 1948 as Quetzal II, later Arara, Aruba
ML 110Q 110Minett-Shields, Ltd.Bracebridge, OntarioOctober 19428 July 194378th Flotilla – Newfoundland ForceSold 1949
ML 111Q 111LeBlanc Shipbuilding Co., J. H.Weymouth, Nova ScotiaOctober 19429 September 194378th Flotilla – Newfoundland ForceSold 1945, reacquired 1954 as HMCS Moose, sold 1956
ML 112Q 112Taylor & Sons, J. J.Toronto, OntarioOctober 194225 October 4382nd Flotilla – Sydney ForceTo RCMP 1945 as Fort Walsh, wrecked 1958
ML 113Q 113Taylor & Sons, J. J.Toronto, OntarioOctober 194220 November 194382nd Flotilla – Sydney ForceSold 1947 as Laverniere, sank 1947
ML 114Q 114Greavette Boats Ltd.Gravenhurst, OntarioOctober 194220 November 194382nd Flotilla – Sydney Force (SO)To RCMP 1945 as Fort Selkirk, resold 1946 as Amy May, burnt 1955
ML 115Q 115Mac-Craft Ltd.Sarnia, OntarioOctober 194216 November 194382nd Flotilla – Sydney ForceSold 1945 as Nelvana, later Outre Mer
ML 116Q 116Hunter BoatsOrillia, OntarioOctober 194216 November 194482nd Flotilla – Sydney ForceSold 1945, reacquired 1954 as HMCS Reindeer, burnt 1957
ML 117Q 117Grew Boats Ltd.Penetanguishene, OntarioOctober 194216 November 194382nd Flotilla – Sydney ForceTo RCMP 1945 as Fort Steele, resold 1946 as Nakomis, later Supertrader, Polar Clipper,
ML 118Q 118Midland Boat WorksMidland, OntarioOctober 19426 November 4382nd Flotilla – Sydney ForceSold 1945 as Franlis III
ML 119Q 119Minett-Shields, Ltd.Bracebridge, OntarioOctober 194216 November 194382nd Flotilla – Sydney ForceTo RCMP 1945 as Fort Pitt, resold 1946 as Sondra II, active
ML 120Q 120LeBlanc Shipbuilding Co., J. H.Weymouth, Nova ScotiaOctober 194227 January 194482nd Flotilla – Sydney ForceSold 1945 as Nelvana II, later Osceola, The Lady Galadriel, Independence, Maryland Independence
ML 121Q 121LeBlanc Shipbuilding Co., J. H.Weymouth, Nova ScotiaOctober 194217 April 194482nd Flotilla – Sydney ForceRetained 1945, intended to be HMCS Cataraqui but sold 1953 as Inshore Fisherman, later Denis D, scrapped 1977
ML 122Q 122Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd.Vancouver, British ColumbiaOctober 194217 May 1944Prince Rupert, British Columbia

No Flotilla

Sold 1945 as Malibu Tyee, later Nancy N. Seymour, Sogno d'Oro, active
ML 123Q 123Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd.Vancouver, British ColumbiaOctober 19426 October 1944Vancouver, British Columbia

No Flotilla

Sold 1945 as Malibu Marlin, later Toluca
ML 124Q 124Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd.Vancouver, British ColumbiaOctober 194230 June 1944Esquimalt, British Columbia

No Flotilla

Sold 1945, reacquired 1954 as HMCS Elk, resold 1954 as Teirrah, later Pacific Gold
ML 125Q 125Star Shipyards (Mercer's) Ltd.New Westminster, British ColumbiaOctober 194222-Jul-44Esquimalt, British Columbia

No Flotilla

Sold 1945 as Malibu Tillikum, later Yorkeen, Campana, Jornholm, Gulfstream II, laid up, to be scrapped
ML 126Q 126Star Shipyards (Mercer's) Ltd.New Westminster, British ColumbiaOctober 19428 July 1944Vancouver, British Columbia

No Flotilla

Sold 1945 as Princess Malibu
ML 127Q 127Star Shipyards (Mercer's) Ltd.New Westminster, British ColumbiaOctober 194227 September 1944Unallocated motor launch

Esquimalt, British Columbia

Sold 1945 as Chief Malibu
ML 128Q 128A.C. Benson ShipyardVancouver, British ColumbiaOctober 194229 July 1944Vancouver, British Columbia

No Flotilla

Sold 1945 as Princess Louise Inlet, burnt 1955
ML 129Q 129A.C. Benson ShipyardVancouver, British ColumbiaOctober 194216 October 1944Esquimalt, British Columbia

Unallocated motor launch

Sold 1945 as Malibu Inez, later Huntress, Viking, Island Adventures

Canadian Fairmile Bs in foreign service

French Free Forces Fairmiles

In February 1943, ML Q052, Q062 and Q063 were transferred to the Free French Forces and stationed at St. Pierre and Miquelon under the command of Flag Officer, Newfoundland. After the war, the French Fairmiles were returned to the RCN. [3]

United States

Eight Canadian Fairmiles (Q392 through Q399) were built by Le Blanc for the Royal Navy (RN) and were transferred under Lend-Lease to the United States Navy (USN) as US coastal protection had been depleted by transferring ships to the RN for convoy work. The USN used the Canadian-built Fairmiles as submarine chasers giving them the hull codes SC-1466 to SC-1473. [6]

Fairmile Bs built in Canada in service with the United States Navy
NamePennant #ShipbuilderLocationCompletedNotes
ML 392Q 392LeBlanc Shipbuilding Co., J. H.Weymouth, Nova Scotia26 September 1942To USN as SC-1466, to Mexico 1943
ML 393Q 39326 June 1942To USN as SC-1467, scrapped 1948
ML 394Q 3941 October 1942To USN as SC-1468, scrapped 1948
ML 395Q 39526 September 1942To USN as SC-1469, to Mexico 1943
ML 396 Q 39623 October 1942To USN as SC-1470 , later Panther (IX-105), scrapped 1947
ML 397Q 39723 October 1942To USN as SC-1471, to Mexico 1943
ML 398Q 3985 December 1942To USN as SC-1472, scrapped 1948
ML 399Q 3995 December 1942To USN as SC-1473, scrapped 1948

Surviving examples

Belgian excursion vessel Franlis III (Ex HMC ML Q118) in the port of Ostend (Belgium) Franlis III R01.jpg
Belgian excursion vessel Franlis III (Ex HMC ML Q118) in the port of Ostend (Belgium)

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HMCS Beacon Hill was a River-class frigate that served in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) as an ocean convoy escort during the Second World War. She fought primarily in the Battle of the Atlantic. In 1954 she was converted to a Prestonian-class frigate and served until 1957. She was named for Victoria, British Columbia, but because HMS Victorious was in service with the Royal Navy, the RCN, in an effort to avoid confusion, chose to honour the city by choosing another name associated with it.

The Bird-class patrol vessels were a class of seaward patrol vessels operated by the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) during the Cold War. The class derives its name from large birds found in Canada and was designed by the RCN as a replacement for the remaining Second World War-era Fairmile motor launches used for coastal patrol.

Convoy QS 33 was a trade convoy of merchant ships during the Second World War. It was one of the numbered QS Convoys from Québec to Sydney. The convoy was attacked in the early months of the Battle of the St. Lawrence, in the St. Lawrence River and Gulf of St. Lawrence, when German U-boats were making ad hoc forays deep into Canadian waters. The convoy was found on 6 September 1942 by U-165, which then destroyed two ships from the convoy while U-517 destroyed three.

HMCS <i>Preserver</i> (1941) World War II depot ship

HMCS Preserver was a depot ship of the Coastal Forces of the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II. Commissioned in July 1942, Preserver supported Canadian Fairmile B motor launches in Canadian and Newfoundland waters during the war.

HMC <i>ML Q050</i> First of a series of 80 Type B Fairmiles built for the RCN delivered on 18 November 1941

HMC ML Q050 was the first of a series of wooden Canadian-built Fairmile B motor launch (ML) boats delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) on 18 November 1941. Originally designed for the Royal Navy by W.J. Holt of the British Admiralty and built by British boatbuilder Fairmile Marine, during the Second World War 80 Fairmile B motor launches were built in Canada for service with the Coastal Forces of the RCN.

HMC <i>ML Q051</i> Canadian wooden upgunned submarine chaser

HMC ML Q051 was a wooden Canadian-built Fairmile B motor launch (M.L.) upgunned submarine chaser delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) on 24 November 1941. Originally designed for the Royal Navy by W.J. Holt of the British Admiralty and built by British boatbuilder Fairmile Marine, during the Second World War eighty Fairmile B motor launches were built in Canada for service with the Coastal Forces of the RCN.

HMC <i>ML Q052</i> Canadian wooden upgunned submarine chaser

HMC MLQ052 was a wooden Fairmile B motor launch (ML) upgunned submarine chaser delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) on 31 October 1941. Originally designed for the Royal Navy by W.J. Holt of the British Admiralty and built by British boatbuilder Fairmile Marine, during the Second World War eighty Fairmile B motor launches were built in Canada for service with the Coastal Forces of the RCN.

HMC <i>ML Q053</i> Canadian wooden upgunned submarine chaser

HMC MLQ053 was a wooden Fairmile B motor launch (ML) upgunned submarine chaser delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) on 17 November 1941. Originally designed for the Royal Navy by W.J. Holt of the British Admiralty and built by British boatbuilder Fairmile Marine, during the Second World War eighty Fairmile B motor launches were built in Canada for service with the Coastal Forces of the RCN.

HMC <i>ML Q054</i> Canadian wooden upgunned submarine chaser

HMC ML Q054 was a wooden Canadian-built Fairmile B motor launch (ML) upgunned submarine chaser delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) on 17 October 1941. Originally designed for the Royal Navy by W.J. Holt of the British Admiralty and built by British boatbuilder Fairmile Marine, during the Second World War eighty Fairmile B motor launches were built in Canada for service with the Coastal Forces of the RCN.

HMC <i>ML Q055</i> Canadian wooden upgunned submarine chaser

HMC ML Q055 was a wooden Canadian-built Fairmile B motor launch (ML) upgunned submarine chaser delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) on 6 November 1941. Originally designed for the Royal Navy by W.J. Holt of the British Admiralty and built by British boatbuilder Fairmile Marine, during the Second World War eighty Fairmile B motor launches were built in Canada for service with the Coastal Forces of the RCN.

HMC <i>ML Q056</i> Canadian ship

HMC MLQ056 was a wooden Canadian-built Fairmile B motor launch (ML) upgunned submarine chaser delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) on 23 November 1941. Originally designed for the Royal Navy by W.J. Holt of the British Admiralty and built by British boatbuilder Fairmile Marine, during the Second World War eighty Fairmile B motor launches were built in Canada for service with the Coastal Forces of the RCN.

HMC <i>ML Q057</i> Canadian wooden upgunned submarine chaser

HMC MLQ057 was a wooden Canadian-built Fairmile B motor launch (ML) upgunned submarine chaser delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) on 28 October 1941. Originally designed for the Royal Navy by W.J. Holt of the British Admiralty and built by British boatbuilder Fairmile Marine, during the Second World War eighty Fairmile B motor launches were built in Canada for service with the Coastal Forces of the RCN.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Heenan, RCNR (Ret), Captain Joseph A. (February 1962). "The Little Ships: Part One" (PDF). The Crowsnest. Vol. 14, no. 4. Royal Canadian Navy. pp. 11–16. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Tucker, Norman, Gilbert (1952). The Naval Service of Canada. King's Printer. p. 43.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. 1 2 3 4 Lambert and Ross, John and Al (1990). Allied Coastal Forces of World War II Vol 1: Fairmile designs and US submarine chasers. Conway Maritime Press. pp. 77–78. ISBN   0-85177-519-5.
  4. 1 2 3 "Radio Research Paper – Fairmile Radio Fit". jproc.ca. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  5. Joseph A. Heenan RCNR in Crowsnest gives the later engines as "Sterling Admiral engines of 850 hp" and making 24 knots
  6. 1 2 3 "Fairmile Type B Motor Launch". ww2ships.com. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  7. "Speed-Manoeuvreability-Power-Dependability" (PDF). The Crows Nest News of Canada's Navy. 3: 12. March 1945.
  8. "Fairmile Motor Launch". Juno Beach Centre. 1 April 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  9. "Naval Museum of Manitoba – Canadian Naval History". www.naval-museum.mb.ca. Retrieved 7 January 2020.[ permanent dead link ]
  10. "Patrol Craft Built in Canada in WWII". shipbuildinghistory.com. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  11. "Red List" (Part II) Minor War Vessels Abroad (PDF). Operations Division Naval Staff Admiralty. 16 December 1944. pp. 57–61. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.