The British Military Powerboat Trust and the merger with the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust 2009
The British Military Powerboat Trust (BMPT) was formed in 1999, and secured premises at the Husbands Shipyard sheds, Marchwood, Southampton.
The object was to create a centre of excellence covering the restoration of military powerboats, and display these both on the water, as well as in a museum scenario....
The British Powerboat Company existed at hythe near southampton from before WW2. During the war the company built fast attack craft, and here is the story of one employed there, during that time. Should you have any comments, or know of anyone else who could add their history, please click on the links to contact either Tony Martin or Richard Hellyer.
Coastal Motorboat Heritage Trust.
As our website has not been updated for a while, we have asked the BMPTeam for assistance in this respect.
See our latest news about MGB 81 and HSL 102, RASC 34 Garth, and our Chatham Trip (we were regrettably unable to undertake this trip, due to adverse weather conditions).
Memories of RAF Marine Craft.
Here is a personal history from one who served in RAF Marine craft - click for PDF.
There are surely, many reading this who must have tales to tell?
By recording them, we can keep history alive for those who have no idea
what went on so long ago.
Please let me know if you would like to add your history to these pages.
Richard. Click here to send an email
After many years searching, we are finally able to offer you a place to find us.
Whilst we are no longer the British Military Powerboat Trust as you will have known us, we are now merged with, and part of the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust.
This is situated in the Historic Dockyard Portsmouth, and may be found from the link on the Home page. Our boats are added to the expanding boat collection at the Historic Dockyard, and we hope that you will come and visit the Dockyard and experience all the historic attractions contained within its ancient walls.
Thank you all for your support, and of this website, and we hope that you will continue to use it. We will be adding the PNBPT newsletters, as well as the boats in the PNBPT collection, to Yardarm.
ST1502 berthed at Shed 4, with the masts of HMS Victory visible top left.
Many have asked if the website will continue after the Trust has closed down...
Thanks to the expertise of our web provider Forest Design we have been able to change to British Military Powerboat Team, so the BMPT, and www.bmpt.org will remain in active service for as long as you all make use of the site.
My direct email will remain as is (click here), and any suggestions or news items should be posted on the appropriate Forum discussion module.
The motto "use it or lose it" will be the motivator, so it is up to you. Many thanks for all the support so far, and I hope the site will continue to give good service for a while yet. Richard Hellyer.
On the 11th July, ST1502 attended the Regimental Family Day at Marchwood. The boat took out a number of service families for a trip on the Solent. Here our Chairman Peter baillie, our president Julian Lewis MP, Colonel Ed Newman, crew Joshua Armstrong and Terry Ford prepare for their trip. It was miserable weather day, as was the previous Family Day, but still enjoyed by many.
With the loss of our BMPT shed facility at Marchwood, we were very lucky to have been offered a home for the RASC Humber, by one of our members.
George Black took ownership of the boat and her correct launching trailer, and bore the cost of having her removed by road to his large farm shed in Norfolk. She has been well looked after there for a number of years, and has now been moved to a boatyard for renovation to active service. George has had her removed from his farm to the MTB102 Trust/Newsons Boatyard in Lowestoft.
The photographs show her exiting the farm, and arriving in the boatyard. The twin photo shows her in Hong Kong. George advises that she will retain her original blue hull colour. The intention is to get her fit to float, then launch her to the new pontoons at Newsons. Here the 2 Perkins S6 engines bought from the PNBPT in Portsmouth will be fitted. We look forward to seeing her in full flight on the water again, in company with MTB102, and eventually ST477.
FMD5004, a 16ft Fast Motor Dinghy, was delivered by road to the PNBPT on the 9th July 2009. Brian patterson was on hand to receive the boat from Richard Hellyer.
FMD5004 served on the Daring class destroyer HMS Dainty, and on retirement from the ship, was allocated to serve in the Portsmouth Dockyard for many years.
Retired from the Royal Navy, she went into private ownership, before being offered to the BMPT. She has been partly restored. It is hoped that her restoration can be continued in Portsmouth.
On the 7th May 2009, FMB43957 (Ark Royal) was delivered by road to the Historic Dockyard Portsmouth.
Brian Patterson of the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust was on hand to receive the boat from Richard Hellyer and David Ross.
Historic Navy Boat Saved
From Sinking
Click here for the full story >>>
News Brief
As you will see from the attached release, the EGM went very well. We needed to have a 100% return of the postal votes to allow these to be counted on the day, and as we did not achieve this, we had to use the floor vote as the deciding vote. This vote was 100% in favour of the merger, and we are now starting the move to Portsmouth.
Please be advised that the BMPT Ltd final Annual General Meeting is called for 1100 on Saturday 25th July 2009.
We are extremely fortunate in that the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust has offered to host this event, which will be held within the Historic Dockyard. As we will be catering for those Members and their partners attending, could we ask that you advise us if you will be joining us on the day.
We enclose herewith free All-Inclusive tickets to all the Historic Dockyard attractions, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, The Mary Rose, the Royal Naval Museum, Action Stations as well as Harbour Tours, so why not consider making an overnight stop in Portsmouth.
We enclose a brochure covering the Royal Maritime Club, about 5 minutes walk from the Historic Dockyard. Please ring the Club for availability and costs, which are extremely reasonable for bed and breakfast.
There is a pay car park about 5 minutes walk from the Club.
Whilst this may be the final day of the BMPT Ltd, it is the beginning of a new life for both our Membership as well as our boats. We are confident that the boats will be well looked after and available for many thousands to see, well into the future, something we have been unable to achieve on our own.
The merger will allow all our Members to join the PNBPT Volunteers, and so be able to continue working with and on the boats. If you would like to join, please ask us for a form. We enclose a PNBPT Volunteers News Letter for your perusal.
It is sincerely hoped that the very popular web site will be continued for those who use it so often, from all over the world. We will let you know how this progresses in due course.
The Board wishes to thank all the Members for their continued support over the years, without which support we could not have survived for such a long time.
THANK YOU ALL...
As the BMPT closes down, Membership will automatically be discontinued. We respectfully request therefore, that all Members should terminate their standing orders to the Trust, with immediate effect please.
Along with all the Trusts assets, any funds we have left will be handed over to the PNBPT, with instructions that these funds are to be used for the upkeep of the boats passed over to the PNBPT for their onward care.
We have just added a new link to a sister website - PT728 - in the USA who are involved in the restoration of 4 WWII era PT boats. Click here for links page.
RASC Coquet (Royal Army Service Corps.)
A rare opportunity to take part in a round Britain voyage in a fully restored and
re- engined classic ex-Military vessel.
I am seeking crew willing to help run the boat, and would be keen to take any
interested people who are prepared to share the experience as well as the expenses.
Early days 1945
Old wheelhouse
Found again
Today
Download PDF here to read more on RASC Coquet (Royal Army Service Corps.)
The 2nd MTB Flotilla.
Escape from Hong Kong.
Christmas day, 1941.
This article came to me from Richard Hide in Hong Kong.
Richard has approved that I should put it up on the BMPT web site, and I thank him for this, as it tells of a fascinating part of our Coastal Forces history, a long way from home, a long time ago.
Since I set up the original “Escape from Hong Kong” site some 12 years ago I have had a number of 2nd and 3rd generation escapees contact me/each other.
The one legged Admiral Chan Chak’s twin sons have become family friends and we are planning a Museum exhibition next year, 2009, at the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence.
We are also organising a re-enactment of the escape next Christmas, hopefully coinciding with the opening of the Museum exhibition.
This is the most complete account of the escape, as they were all sworn to secrecy, and many took it to their graves.
I have quite a number of diary accounts which put the meat on the bones so to speak, as well as the official reports.
There are a few books published covering the escape: “Escape from the Blooded Sun” by Freddie Guest published in 1956. “Mediterranean MTB’s at War” by L.C. Reynolds and H.F. Cooper 9ISBN 07509922745); “Hong Kong Full circle 1939-1945” by Alexander Kennedy (500 copies privately printed in 1969).
What I have not covered are the events of 19th December 1941 when MTB’s 07 and 09, Ashby & Kennedy attacked the Japanese landing craft in Kowloon harbour. They came under intense fire from both Hong Kong Island as well as the Kowloon side, ships and aircraft. They found that their wash was their best deterrent, turning over the landing craft.
07 was hit from an aircraft, taking out one of her three V8 engines and killing the Leading Stoker.
The Telegraphist was sent below to take his place, when he was also killed, and the 2nd engine knocked out.
Kennedy on 09 noticed that 07 had slowed, then stopped, as her 3rd engine died. He came in under heavy fire and towed 07 out.
My father was the Acting Stoker PO. in 07.
MTBs 12 and 27 were lost in the action.
Officially they lost all hands, until a lone survivor of 12, living in Birmingham, contacted me. Alf was on the conning tower when they took a direct hit. He woke up on the beach tied up with barbed wire.
08 blew up on the slip in Aberdeen when the Japs were bombing HMS Thracian, Kilbee the C/O went to 10 as 1st Officer, but was ordered off at the point of escape.
I got to know Laurence Kilbee as he lived close to me, but sadly he passed away two years ago.
The only know escapee still alive is Admiral, then Lt-Commander Henry Hsu, the Admiral’s ADC. Henry had a very distinguished career after the war and lives in Taipei. As well as being a member (now honorary) of the IOC, he was also an MP in Taiwan, and head of the Taiwan Red Cross.
To read the full story, visit Richard Hides site.. www.mwadui.com
For those of you who need a very efficient website, and associated site services, we at BMPT have been very lucky to have chosen Forest Design to attend to this work for us, for many a year. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Forest Design and the very efficient team involved, for looking after our interests so well.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT -
MTB 102 TRUST
Patron: First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, GCB. Reg. Charity No 1114950. Reg. Company No 3272289
The MTB102 Trust wishes to announce that it has taken over Newsons Boatyard at Lowestoft with effect from today, 3rd November 2008.
This is a major step forward for the Trust and is intended to provide a permanent home for MTB102 and similar vessels, some of which are already waiting in the wings.
The Trust intends to continue to run the yard as a traditional wooden boat repair facility with the present highly skilled and dedicated staff and build it into the UK Centre of Excellence in this field.
We have plans in place to renew the out dated western pontoons to the standard of the new eastern pontoons providing eleven new berths and to pile the main quay head to improve boat hard standings. Hopefully this will be completed by next spring.
As this is a major financial undertaking for the MTB102 Trust, we hope that you can be of assistance to us in promoting this venture and helping with fund raising either directly or indirectly by introduction to the right people in the right place.
There have been many attempts in the past by various organisations to secure the future of historic wooden military vessels, some of which we have been involved with, some not. We now feel that the steps we are taking are the right ones to achieve the desired result.
The British Military Powerboat Trust and the merger with the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust 2009
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