MGB85

MGB 86 I owned this vessel and it was moored in the Gravesend Kent (UK) canal basin.  The vessel was part of the lease/lend policy with the UK during the war, however it was never returned to the USA at the end of hostility's.It was purchased from a gentleman who lived in Welling Kent (UK) and was always 'Known' as the Dulux (paint manufacturer) test boat, this was not true, but it probably stemmed from the fact that it was all painted white on a regular basis.  The original engines had been removed and replaced with what I recall were a pair of Hudson Invader engines (Petrol) and a very unusual propulsion system which was made by Hotchkiss, this had two galvanised tunnels that came inside the hull with two fairly small props giving more of a water jet propulsion with then four fairly large directional rudders.  The vessel was exceptionally original even down to still having the I presume standard issue from USA ration pack, this was gold coloured tins stamped USN on the lids in a dot principal.  It had such things as corned beef, milk, chocolate, coffee and many more items.  The interior of the vessel was remarkable, it was also exceptionally watertight, I never ever had to pump it out.  I can only assume the on board generator had been changed as this had a BSA engine powering it.  The galley area was very well kitted out with electric hobs and fridge etc, all finished in a cream colour.  The wheelhouse was also it seems as it came into service, with switches marked BATTLE LAMPS.  It left the Gravesend basin on sale to a man from Barrow in Furness (UK) but as it seems he did not really have a whole lot of knowledge, he only ran on one engine as he had not taken the time to complete the work needed on the second one, it suffered engine failure when opposite the PLA isolation hospital near Gravesend (UK) and hit the sea wall.  The damage caused caused it to partially sink.  It was sold I understand although this could be wrong, for £1 by the PLA as salvage to a man from the Medway area, he patched it up and had it towed to Hoo Marina on the river Medway.  It was used as a houseboat for a while but suffered a fire one evening.  It did not sink but the superstructure was damaged.  The next part is the sad part, I then understand it was towed to an area in either Greenhithe or Swanscombe (near Gravesend AGAIN) where it was kept on a mud berth.  It seems the owner had some issues and went to prison (I do NOT know this is true, but I understand it is) and due to the offences, a party of people set the vessel alight as an act of retaliation, that it seems was the end really of MGB 86, a very sad day to see the end of a really great historic vessel.  In my head I can still walk through this little ship and remember all that I saw.