Query on "RAF high speed launch".

G'day all,

Having a mentally challenged day I first posted this in the 'Modelling' section (perhaps because I am beginning a model on one of the minesweeper trawlers involved in the rescue attempts to the 'Dunedin Star'), but on reflection think it needa a potentially wider readership ... ?

On researching references to various ships attending the stranding of the 'Dunedin Star' on the Namibian 'Skeleton Coast' in 1942 I came across a reference to a "RAF high speed boat' carried as deck cargo on this ship.  There is a not too good photograph of this in Jeff Dawson's book "Dead Reckoning" showing the bows of this boat in which one can see the RAF roundel and behind this the numerals '56' or '86'.  Another pic shows the boat stowed athwartships on the forward aft hatch (and aft of the deckhouse) but this is too indistinct to see any detail.

There is also a reference to this in John Marsh's book "Skeleton Coast" - the website has this:
SKELETON COAST by John H Marsh COPYRIGHT Chapter 23 -- rank: 939 ... had gone. A large highspeed R.A.F. crash launch, worth 16,000 Pounds sterling, which had been ... to the wreck without delay, together with a motor launch, to have another shot at saving the plane ...

Last Modified Date:	2012-07-20 12:00:32 SAST
Document Size:	18206
Document Path:	http://www.rapidttp.co.za/skeleton/1/chap23.html

Does anyone have any idea what 'high speed' RAF vessel this was?  It would, of course, have been smashed to pieces as the 'Dunedin Star' broke up in the months following her stranding.

Regards,
Robin