Built in 1936 by the British Power Boat Company across Southampton Water at Hythe, High Speed Launch HSL 102 is out on the hard for some maintenance. One one of only twenty two examples of the 100 Class High Speed Launch, 64 feet in length, 19 tons with a maximum speed of 42 knots.
No 102 saw service during World War II operating on the north east coast of England. During a 2 month period in 1941 she rescued 38 airmen from the cold waters of the North Sea including two German bomber crews. As a result of those successful missions in July of the same year she was inspected by King George VI and the Princess Elizabeth, now Queen Elizabeth II.
Random Tugs 434
5 hours ago
it's beautiful! is it the age that makes these boats so lovely? did old boat builders have a better sense of design? or is it nostalgia (not for war, but for days when things were built well)? Will our few service launches puttering about today be as beautiful to people in 75 years? (will they last?)
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