West Coast Finds
Printed From: BMPT Forum
Category: General Discussion
Forum Name: Where Are Those Boats Now
Forum Description: Tell everybody where those old boats are
URL: http://www.bmpt.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=151
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 11:26pm
Topic: West Coast Finds
Posted By: Jim
Subject: West Coast Finds
Date Posted: 19 May 2006 at 7:48pm
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Just opened this one to put the finds the "Dog Boat" Topic was getting a bit long! Off to Girvin tomorrow to hunt down the MTB lying in the marina there, it might be one of three that lay in Irvine for years, Info and pics tomorrow (If its there!) Quick up date,went to Troon (Where three MTBs sat through the 80's to mid 90's think they were Ex Darks as Pioneer thought last seen by me 98/early 99) Was told of one at Girvin went there today 20th May but no joy it was sold from the harbour about 2 years ago. The good point a nice chap fixing a fishing boat says it was in quite good order when it was sold even though it sat for 3 or 4 years. He can't remember if she sailed under her own engines or what kind engines she had. He could tell me that her upper works were unchanged from her service/Build days with no modification and was a MTB. Have a number to phone the Marina boss at Troon on Monday for more info. The Hunt goes on,anyone help?
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Replies:
Posted By: coinnech
Date Posted: 21 May 2006 at 9:34pm
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Hi 4 MTB's used to be on the I also discovered the admiral’s barge of HMS hood that was off loaded on 1940 in the Clyde also I have the records and cutting lists of the shipwright that built it in 1916. the three remaining MTB went down to Irvine and Girvan this was mainly due to the proposed upgrade of the fourth and Clyde canal upgrade, this Basin was a haven for lots of boats from WWII. I identified the barge to a museum a they have still made no efforts to restore this important piece of navel history (No Money). I have now managed to get a hold of the last remaining MTRV that was build at Thorneycroft only five were built all the others have been lost I would appreciate any help I finding out any I will ask around with regards to the location of the MTB’s on the west coast of Scotland as My friend have been diving that coast since 1984 and have lots of information on all sorts of finds (U Boat included). Cheers
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Posted By: Pioneer
Date Posted: 21 May 2006 at 9:49pm
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Hello Cionnech ?? Welcome to the site - sounds as if we may on to finding that the Dark class is not extinct as first thought. I did hear myself that there were 2 rumoured to be off the West Coast of Scotland - sad to say that the 2 that were at Radio Beacons Malta have been 'broken' - confirmed by Dave Abbot - fingers crossed that you have some luck Regards ------------- Pioneer - Forum Moderator |
Posted By: Jim
Date Posted: 21 May 2006 at 10:05pm
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Hi Cionnech Is it your MTRV in the outer basin at bowling? is it the one that was at Dunoon? The remains of the Whale back are siting across in the outer basin where it was burned about 6 years ago, the other one that was sitting sunk in the inner lock next to the lock house was of a very early Design(might be pre warII)....sorry pioneer no Dark here,the story of an MTB being restored at Dumbarton a few years ago by the Skippers Daughter and moved to the Channel have substance, I spoke to a witness who was on the boat when it was out of the water in Sandpoint and spoke to her and was told the story...so did it go back down South? I can vouch for the witness,he's my boss at work also i saw her my self but never got close,pity....she was dehumidified in a plastic cover for months.....I know she was not cut up at Sandpoint....was in poor conditon..still done know if she left..or where to! But I understand the Troon Boats were Darks and at least one survives as it was sold in good order....the MTBs in Bowling were in the pool/lock till about 7 years ago and the Troon (not Irvine,sorry my mistake) were there up till 5 Years ago.. The River Cart MTB was she cut up three years ago? as she just vanished,I know she was sunk but where did she go?
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Posted By: coinnech
Date Posted: 21 May 2006 at 10:34pm
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No I now live in I used to track all the small boats at bowling from about 1980 as I used to do a lot of walking in the old Kilpatrick hills when I was younger. I understand from
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Posted By: Jim
Date Posted: 21 May 2006 at 10:51pm
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Hi Coinnech There is a MTRV (model unknown) in the outer basin at Bowling. I am told she came from Dunoon and worked for the Americans. the Design is Uk... There were also Two MTB's in the River Leven untill 10 years ago at what is called the "Pint" one was burned and cut up (my pal was the shafts) and one is still there as it would not burn as it was sunk! might be the second 2 from Bowling I stay in Balloch... I will photo the MTRV tomorrow and the remains of the "Whale back"...
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Posted By: Jim
Date Posted: 10 June 2006 at 11:32pm
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Just found out the Four (confirmed) MTB's that lay in Troon Marina for years were not even UK boats...Bummer.they were PTF Nasty class towed over from Norway...Details on the PTF site http://www.ptfnasty.com/index.html - http://www.ptfnasty.com/index.html Go to PTF's Today,then ENGLAND... sorry about the pic it is the only one i can get with the boats in Troon marina....
one is alive and well in Cornwall....pity thought it might have been a UK boat! The Boat that was sold in Girvin? Well the chap that owned these boats and broke the last two up never mentioned selling any other hulls. So The "Girvin boat" still could be a UK design/Build.still hunting that one! Jim |
Posted By: Jim
Date Posted: 12 June 2006 at 12:57am
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Hi All New Info on one of the Bowling Wrecks.... From the BBC of all people, a torpedo boat is to be raised in Bowling Harbour....Read and Watch the news report at. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4826004.stm - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4826004.stm Might be the "Whale Back" hull, (Not much left!)
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Posted By: pongo
Date Posted: 01 May 2007 at 12:06am
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Hi to everyone, this post relates to a Torpedo Recovery Vessel which is currently on blocks awaiting a chain saw. Built 1906 in Germany, served in both wars then with RN from 1945 as "VICTORINE". My information is that it is possibly related to the MTRV at Dunoon,mentioned in a previous post. This boat seems in fair condition externally, superstructure intact except for the wheelhouse(gone), engine(missing). The steel frames have rusted through. If anyone wants it - it's free. |
Posted By: Pioneer
Date Posted: 01 May 2007 at 9:34am
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Hello 'Pongo' Welcome aboard Where abouts is the 'Victorine'? ------------- Pioneer - Forum Moderator |
Posted By: pongo
Date Posted: 02 May 2007 at 11:32pm
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Hello Pioneer and thanks for the welcome! The "Victorine" is on hard standing at Goole Boathouse. The frames are u/s and hull alignment is therefore distorted. The owner sold the engine for scrap and the wheelhouse is missing. All in all anyone who fancies this boat will be taking on a hell of a job even though the timbers appear sound. There is a website which has picture of a very similar boat being operated by the USN on the River Rhine Patrol in 1948 during Exercise HARVEST. Type "Exercise HARVEST+RIVER RHINE" and you should end up seeing in one of the photo's, a TRV passing to port with the towing mast clearly visible. If there is any interest, I can take some photo's and email them to you Pongo  |
Posted By: Pioneer
Date Posted: 03 May 2007 at 9:00am
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Hello 'Pongo' Although I personally could not myself get involved with any 'refurb', there are many who visit this site who may just take up this challenge. Therefore any pictures that you can take of 'Victorine' to 'Post' up here may well just be the 'nudge' that finally saves her. If you have any difficulty in the posting of the images - give me a PM and I'll try and assist Regards
------------- Pioneer - Forum Moderator |