WOW LOOK AT THISFairmile B Golden Galleon

Hello all,

 just a note to say that all timber from Golden Galleon has been burnt and all that is left is the shafts and ballast.  

Hi,

Indeed speaking to Keith at Newsons confirms she was bad, at least above the waterline as you say, not heard anything more from Steve about the Western Ladies, hope something will come from it, the "flying" squard of coastal forces rescuers may have to be deployed, only joking, you will? have your hands full with 506 perhaps others in the area could help as she is a local vessel so to speak.

John

A bit of the history of ‘The Golden Galleon’ –As ML 162, she was one of 9 ML’s built by Dickies Boatyard at Bangor Nth Wales (1940 – ’43) This Fairmile ‘B’ was completed in December 1940 and after her first commissioning, was based at Milford Haven for 2 years, moored alongside HMS Warrior.

ML 162 was first used primarily for anti-Submarine and Mine Laying duties in the Irish Sea. Unusually she was equipped with 2 Torpedo Tubes and carried eight Depth Charges. The Flotilla to which she was attached periodically undertook Escort duties ranging as far as Lands End as well as sea rescue missions.

At the end of 1942 she was transferred to Loch Linnihe Nr Fort William, Scotland and used in the training role for young Officers until she was handed over to the Royal Netherlands Navy in April 1945. Transferred back into the RN in 1946, put up for sale and on the Disposal List in April of that year.

Renamed ’The Golden Galleon’, she became a pleasure craft operating from Yarmouth carrying up to 50 passengers on trips to Scroby Sands but in later years plied a less popular route across Breydon Water and up the river towards Reedham.

ML 162 changed hands once more with the new owner intending to restore her back to naval configuration – forming a company called ‘Fairmile “B” Ltd’ registered in the Virgin Islands.

Moored for more than five years without any of the restoration work done being completed, she fell into serious disrepair although several attempts were made to secure her future.

The Broads Authority considered her to be a hazard to navigation and using powers under the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act (under the category of ‘An Abandoned Vessel’) – she was removed for breaking on the 2^nd November 2006 – a sad end to an historic vessel with a proud War time record