Motor Launch crews and history.

RickW · **Joined:** Sat 21 Nov, 2009 3:29 pm **Posts:** 24

I have recntly come acros a set of family photos relating to one of the first Motor Launch squadrons and the mothership Hermione. I would like to get any history relating to them, in particular ML number6 crew. I have seen the Naval history forum, but wondered if anyone has anything else I could look at. Or if I can get hold of logs etc.
Many thanks

Joseph · **Joined:** Wed 12 Nov, 2008 3:21 pm **Posts:** 135

Hi,

A Book with a good overall view of the ML's from training to fighting is "The Motor Launch Patrol" by Gordon S Maxwell, it is a contemporary account penned by someone who was there.

Regards Charles

Dave Stowe · **Joined:** Mon 15 Sep, 2008 7:56 pm **Posts:** 1368

Rick

If I've read it right, a good place to start would be the the National Archive. I found two references among the 1131 in the ADM 53 Series and Ships Log:

Motor Launch No. 6
ADM 53/50968 and 53/50969
Period: March 1916 to 11 June 1916 and 12 June to 13 August 1916.

Good luck with the rest and the 'Hermione'
Dave

RickW · **Joined:** Sat 21 Nov, 2009 3:29 pm **Posts:** 24

Hello Charles, funnily enough, just ordered that book off ebay. Thanks for the NA tip Dave, will look into that.

Sin · **Joined:** Sun 11 Apr, 2010 8:03 pm **Posts:** 1

Hi Rick,

I'm very interested in ML's, and am in the process of logging crews. My interest, would you believe the coincidence, is in ML7, which was converted into a Thames passenger boat 'Tigris I' that my grandfather took to Dunkirk in 1940. However, I've got so caught up in the history of the ML's ever since.

I'm currently trying to get the two Ships' Logs for ML7 from The National Archives. I'd love to see the photos you have of ML6 and Hermione.

Cheers,
Sin

notmyrealname · **Joined:** Fri 28 May, 2010 8:14 pm **Posts:** 1

Sin

I came across your post while looking for information about Tigris I, prompted by seeing on television the other Little Ships at the Dunkirk Commemoration. I lived on this boat with my parents in the mid-fifties and was vaguely aware of its role in the Second World War, but had no idea it was connected with the First, nor had I ever heard of the Motor Launches. How sure are you that Tigris I really was ML7?
Did you know of this page on the ADLS site: http://www.adls.org.uk/t1/node/518 ?
I'm hoping to put together a little account of our time on the boat to add to the ADLS story when I have had time to talk to my mother and my sister about it, particularly to correct some of the dates. We may even have some photos, though they will be hard to locate.

Good luck with your research

David Seymour · **Posted:** Sat 29 May, 2010 8:44 am

Rick,
HMS Hermione's logs are also to be found at the NA in ADM 53.

HMS Hermione (one of eight Astraea class - 2nd Class cruisers) 4,360 tons, 339' 6"oa. 2 - 6", 8 - 4", 10 (or 8) - 6pdr, 1 - 3pdr, 4 - 18" TT aw. 19.5kts. Deck 2", CT 3", 6" gunshields 4.5", engine hatch 5". Complement 318. Built at Devonport dockyard - launched 7/11/1893, completed 14/1/1896, sold 25/10/1921, resold 18/12/1922 and became training ship Warspite until 1939 then sold 9/1940. (see J. J. Colledge, Ships of the Royal Navy Vol 1, 1969, and ed. R. Gardiner, Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1860 - 1905, 1979.).

Hope this helps,
David

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