World War 2 In Review: Fairmile B: British Motor Launch

The Fairmile B motor launch (often abbreviated to 'ML') was a very numerous class of motor launch produced in kit form by British boat builder Fairmile Marine, and then assembled and fitted out by numerous boatyards during the Second World War to meet the Royal Navy's coastal operation requirements.

Design

While the Type A motor launch had been designed entirely for Fairmile by architect Norman Hart, the Type B design had come from Bill Holt, head of the Admiralty's DNC Boat Section. The hard-chine hull of the Type A had exhibited seakeeping and handling limitations, but Holt's round-bilged design for the Type B was found to be a far more seaworthy form.

Like all Fairmile boats, production of the Type B was based on total prefabrication so individual components could be contracted out to small factories for production and these arranged as kits that would be delivered in stages to various boatyards for assembly & fitting out on a 'just-in-time' basis. Accordingly, the detailed design work for the Type B was taken on by Fairmile and modified to suit their kit fabrication principle - they then also handled production of component parts.

Altogether approximately 650 boats were built between 1940 and 1945. Like the Type As, the Type Bs were initially intended as submarine chasers, so the boats were fitted with ASDIC (sonar) as standard.

Their main armament initially reflected their anti-submarine focus, with 12 depth charges, a single QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss gun forward, and one set of twin 0.303-in Lewis or GO machine guns (frequently increased in number by the crew); early boats often received a Holman projector amidships. A common upgrade to gun armament by 1942-43 in many early boats was to add an aft bandstand mounting for either a 2-pdr Rolls gun or a 20mm Oerlikon cannon. The specifications given are for the original 1940 British version.

As the war moved on, the vessels were adapted to other roles and the armament was modified and upgraded such as the replacement of the 3-pounder with one or more 20 mm Oerlikon cannon and removal of the ASDIC dome for more clearance as minesweepers. Some boats were configured as motor torpedo boats.

Boats

The Fairmile B type superseded the original Fairmile A type, which had been designed by Norman Hart.

First Batch (September 1939 Orders)

An initial batch of 24 of these (ML 101 to ML 124) was ordered by the Admiralty on 22 September 1939 from the Fairmile Marine company, of which the first eleven (plus the prototype ML 100) were completed to the Hart design (Fairmile 'A'); the remaining thirteen (ML 112 to ML 124) were completed to the new Fairmile B design. The first Fairmile B motor launch (actually ML 113 from Tough Bros, Teddington) was completed and delivered on 12 August 1940, with a further eleven from this first production batch entering service before the end of the year (the last of the batch to be completed - ML 123 -was delayed until 1941).

Second Batch (January 1940 Orders)

The Admiralty placed a massive order for a second batch of Fairmile Bs - 120 vessels in total - on 8 January 1940. These were numbered ML 125 to ML 244. Of these, 37 were delivered by the end of 1940 and the other 83 during the first half of 1941.

Third Batch (May 1940 Orders)

An order for a third batch, this time of 65 boats, was placed on 21 May 1940; these were numbered ML 245 to ML 309, and were all delivered during 1941, as were two extra units (ML 310 and ML 311) ordered on 28 June 1940 for Singapore to be assembled by the Singapore Harbour Board; this last pair were delivered to Singapore on 29 November 1941, only to be lost in February 1942 to the Japanese (who re-used ML 310 under the name Suikei 12).

Fourth Batch (August 1940 Orders)

The fourth batch of 24 boats was ordered on 28 July 1940 as ML 312 to ML 335. However, these were altered to be completed instead as Motor Gunboats, re-classed as Fairmile C motor gun boats, and the prefixes to their numbers changed from "ML" to "MGB", retaining the same numbers. In their place, a new batch of 50 Fairmile Bs was ordered on 21 August, and these became ML 336 to ML 367 (the last six of these for assembly by the Singapore Harbour Board) and ML 372 to ML 389.

Six days later another six were ordered, ML 368 and ML 369 to be built in Bermuda for the Royal Canadian Navy, ML 370 and ML 371 for assembly in Jamaica for Caribbean service, and ML 390 and ML 391 intended for assembly at Singapore, although this last pair was switched to Bombay Dockyard on 22 February 1942 following the fall of Singapore.

Later Batches (1941 to 1942 Orders)

Further batches followed, producing ML 392 onwards, many assembled in Overseas yards, with a final total of about 650 boats of this Type eventually assembly worldwide, including 60 in Canada.

All boats were essentially the same, although they could be adapted to serve in several roles by the expedient of having pre-drilled rails on their decks spaced to allow the fitting of various types of armaments. Although their armament initially reflected their main anti-submarine mission, nine of them were fitted with 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes taken from ex-US Town-class destroyers; they formed the 2nd ML Flotilla tasked with anti-invasion duty, until the threat had passed.

Service

During the Siege of Malta, they were used to sweep a narrow channel ahead of heavier minesweepers which widened the channel. The heavier minesweepers were initially the remnants of the Malta trawler force, then fleet minesweepers that arrived with a convoy from Gibraltar. The launches were able to pass over the mines whereas many trawler losses had been caused by the leading ship hitting a mine.

A number served in the St Nazaire Raid as assault transports, but their light construction meant that they suffered heavily; 12 B motor launches were lost in the action, out of 16 deployed.

During the Normandy landings a number of MLs were designated as navigation launches. These motor launches guided the landing craft onto the correct beaches. For this task the craft were fitted with splinter mats at the front for added protection. An Oerlikon 20 mm cannon was fitted amidships and a Bofors 40 mm gun was installed at the stern. Smoke canister apparatus was installed at the rear of the craft and the number of depth charges was reduced. See main picture above of ML303 in this configuration.

Many were built as rescue motor launches with small sickbays aft of the engine room coaming, and classified as RML (rescue motor launch). These were numbered in the series RML492 to RML500, and RML511 to RML553. Several more were converted to use as War Office ambulance launches with larger sickbays.

British Colonial or Commonwealth-built Fairmile B Motor Launches

Canadian Built Fairmiles

Originally designed for the Royal Navy (RN) by W.J. Holt of the British Admiralty and built by British boat builder Fairmile Marine, during the Second World War 88 Fairmile B motor launches, with slight modifications for Canadian climatic and operational conditions, were built in Canada for service with the RCN in home waters. The first thirty-six Canadian Fairmile B type were designated and painted up as CML 01-36 (coastal motor launch). Eight Canadian Fairmiles (Q 392-Q 399) were built by Le Blanc for the RN and were transferred under Lend-Lease to the US Navy. The US Navy used the Canadian-built Fairmiles as submarine chasers (SC1466-1473).

Other British Colonial or Commonwealth Built Fairmiles

At least two (ML 368 and ML 369) were built in the Imperial fortress colony of Bermuda, home to the base, dockyard and Admiralty house of the America and West Indies Station, by what was to become Burland, Conyers & Marirea, Ltd.

New Zealand ordered on 4 September 1941 twelve boats for assembly from the Fairmile kits by four separate boat builders in Auckland, of which the first two (MTB 403 and MTB 400) were delivered in October and November 1942 respectively and the following ten (MTB 401, MTB 402, and MTB 404 to MTB 411) during 1943. These were used in New Zealand waters and around the Solomon Islands, and included HMNZS Maori and Kahu (ii). All were sold in 1947 except for MTB 411 (which became the Kahu (ii)).

In Australia 35 boats entered service from October 1942. They were employed on routine patrols, convoy escorts, running special forces in and out of Japanese-held areas, in Papua New Guinea, boom defense patrols in harbors at home and abroad, courier operations, survey work, and raiding Japanese-held coasts. Of note the surrender of Japanese forces in the South West Pacific. On 10 September 1945, Rear-Admiral S. Sato, commanding officer of Kairiru and Muschu Islands, New Guinea, surrendered the Japanese forces on the islands to Major-General H. C. H. Robertson, commander of 6th Division on board the ML 805.

At least six boats (ML380-383,829 and 846) were built by South Africa and commissioned during November 1942. These were sent as the 49th Fairmile Flotilla (SANF) to Burma and deployed along the Arakan coast. The boats saw much action in support of ground forces and disrupting Japanese supply lines.

The Imperial Japanese Navy salvaged two that had been sunk and placed them in service.

A number of boats were built in Egypt by Thomas Cook & Son, who had a Cairo shipyard for constructing Nile tourist craft. Armament was fitted in Port Said. The first three to enter service in 1942 were MLs 355, 353 and 348. Post war they were often taken on as pleasure boats and a number of Fairmile Bs are on the National Register of Historic Vessels.

Fourteen Fairmile B were operated by the Italian Guardia di Finanza naval service, between 1947 and the 1980s.

References

Allied Coastal Forces of World War Two, Volume I : Fairmile designs and US Submarine Chasers - by John Lambert and Al Ross – 1990.

War at Sea - South African Maritime Operations during World War II : CJ Harris - 1991

Hudson, G. M. (2001). "Question 52/00: US Army Fairmile "B" Motor Launches". Warship International. XXXVIII (4): 335.

Fairmile 'B' Class Launches Accessed 28 November 2007

https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/14515.html ML347 built by Risdon Beazley Ltd NR Southampton became Eastern Princess at Great Yarmouth after the war and last heard of as a ferry in Skiathos

First Batch (September 1939 Orders)

Name	Ship Builder	Completed	Fate
ML 112	Woodnutt & Co., St Helens, Isle of Wight	22 September 1940	Sold on 27 February 1946.
ML 113	Tough Brothers, Teddington	12 August 1940	Sold in March 1946 as Pendennis.
ML 114	Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft	24 August 1940	For disposal in 1946.
ML 115	Solent Shipyard, Sareisbury Green, Hants.	18 September 1940	Sold in October 1946.
ML 116	A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire	14 September 1940	For disposal in April 1946.
ML 117	Lady Bee, Isleworth	26 October 1940	Sold in 1946, becoming yacht Savourna by 1959.
ML 118	Sussex Shipbuilding, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex	7 October 1940	Sold in 1946 as Marandis.
ML 119	Alexander Robertson, Sandbank.	12 September 1940	Lent to South African Navy 1945; for disposal later in 1945.
ML 120	Aldous Successors, The Shipyard, Brightlingsea	8 October 1940	Sold 1946 as Onetwenty.
ML 121	James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire	12 September 1940	Sold in Egypt ca. 1947.
ML 122	A. M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor, Gwynedd	16 October 1940	Lent to Royal Norwegian Navy from 13 December 1940 to 23 August 1941; for disposal in October 1945.
ML 123	Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall	May 1941	To Free French Navy as St Ronan from May 1941 to July 1942; sold 1946.
ML 124	A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire	13 November 1940	To Ship Target Trials in 1946; for disposal in October 1947.

Second Batch (January 1940 Orders)

Name	Ship Builder	Completed	Fate
ML 125	J. S. Doig (Grimsby), Grimsby Docks	9 November 1940	Lent to Royal Norwegian Navy from 23 December 1940 to 23 August 1941; for disposal in October 1945.
ML 126	James N. Miller & Sons, East Shore, St Monance, Fife	19 September 1940	Sunk 27 November 1943 after torpedo attack by U-boat.
ML 127	Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft	7 November 1940	Mined on 22 November 1940 in the Thames Estuary.
ML 128	P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore, Devon	October 1940	Lent to Royal Norwegian Navy from 13 December 1940 to 23 August 1941; for disposal in January 1946.
ML 129	Mashford Brothers, Cremyll Yard, Cremyll, Plymouth, Devon	14 October 1940	Sunk by bombing on 22 March 1942 off Algeria.
ML 130	Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall	9 October 1940	Sunk off Malta on 7 May 1942 by gunfire from E-boats.
ML 131	Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall	12 December 1941	Sold in March 1947.
ML 132	Itchenor Shipyard	9 November 1940	Became constructive total loss by bombing on 21 March 1942 at Bone (Annaba), Algeria, and interned on next day.
ML 133	Lady Bee, Isleworth	12 December 1940	Lost on 11 May 1943 by fire off west coast of Scotland.
ML 134	Solent Shipyard, Sarisbury Green	29 October 1940	For disposal in October 1946; became Egyptian Hamza.
ML 135	Dorset Yacht, Hamworthy	10 October 1940	Lent to South African Navy 1945; sold at Malta in November 1946.
ML 136	Alexander Robertson, Sandbank.	26 November 1940	Sold in Holland in March 1947, becoming Y861.
ML 137	Boat Construction Company, Falmouth, Cornwall.	26 November 1940	For disposal in October 1945.
ML 138	Aldous Successors, The Shipyard, Brightlingsea	19 November 1940	Lent to Royal Netherlands Navy from 10 November 1945 until 1953, then sold.
ML 139	Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall	17 December 1940	For disposal in October 1945.
ML 140	Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall	31 January 1941	For disposal in October 1945.
ML 141	Mashford Brothers, Cremyll Yard, Cremyll, Plymouth, Devon	23 December 1940	For disposal in October 1945.
ML 142	Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft	26 November 1940	Sold 1946, becoming Tregarth.
ML 143	Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall	13 February 1941	Lent to Royal Netherlands Navy from 10 November 1945 until 10 April 1946, then sold as Gay Tulip.
ML 144	Dorset Yacht, Hamworthy	12 November 1940	Sunk by mine on 22 September 1941 in the Channel.
ML 145	Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall	25 March 1941	Became ML(A)1 from July 1945, sold 1946.
ML 146	Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall	1 March 1941	For disposal in October 1945.
ML 147	Brooke Marine, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft	December 1940	Constructive tptal loss on 3 November 1944 off Portsmouth; for disposal in April 1945.
ML 148	Sussex Shipbuilding, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex	10 December 1940	Became ML(A)2 from July 1945, sold 1946.
ML 149	Vosper & Company, Portsmouth	20 February 1941	Became ML(A)3 from July 1945, sold 1946.
ML 150	Sheerness Dockyard	6 March 1941	Sold March 1948.
ML 151	Sheerness Dockyard	25 February 1941	For disposal in October 1945.
ML 152	P. K. Harris & Sons, New Quay Dry Docks, Appledore	18 December 1940	Became ML(A)4 from July 1945, for disposal in June 1946.
ML 153	H. J. Percival, Horning, Norfolk	19 January 1941	For disposal in July 1946, becoming yacht Ginasal.
ML 154	James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire	5 November 1940	Became ML2154, then Squirrel in 1956, taken to pieces in June 1958.
ML 155	Woodnutt, Bembridge, Isle of Wight	11 December 1940	Became ML2155, sold 1961.
ML 156	Wallasea Bay Yacht Yard, Rochford, Essex	18 December 1940	Scuttled at St Nazaire on 28 March 1942, salved and became ML2156, sold 1951.
ML 157	John I. Thorneycroft & Company, Hampton, London	9 October 1940	Sold February 1946.
ML 158	John I. Thorneycroft & Company, Hampton	5 May 1941	Sold 27 February 1946.
ML 159	James N. Miller & Sons, East Shore, St Monance, Fife	23 November 1940	Sold February 1946.
ML 160	Alexander Robertson, Sandbank.	27 December 1940	Bombed on 6 May 1942 at Brixham.
ML 161	Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall	10 April 1941	To Royal Netherlands Navy from 4 January 1945 to 28 August 1946; sold in 1946.
ML 162	A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire	3 December 1940	To Royal Netherlands Navy from 4 January 1945 to 10 April 1946; sold September 1946.
ML 163	Leo Robinson, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft	12 February 1941	Sold in 1947, becoming Armanda.
ML 164	Boat Construction Company, Falmouth, Cornwall.	18 December 1940	To Royal Netherlands Navy from 4 January 1945 to 10 April 1946; sold September 1946.
ML 165	Kris Cruisers, Riverside Yard, Isleworth, London.	10 December 1940	For disposal in October 1946.
ML 166	J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham	1 January 1941	To War Department as Hambledon in January 1945; for disposal in May 1947.
ML 167	J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham	January 1941	To War Department as Iffley in January 1945; for disposal in May 1947.
ML 168	William Weatherhead, Cockenzie	23 November 1940	For disposal in May 1946.
ML 169	William King, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex	27 November 1940	Lost by fire on 15 February 1942 at Gibraltar.
ML 170	Aldous Successors, The Shipyard, Brightlingsea	January 1941	For disposal in May 1946.
ML 171	Tough Brothers, Teddington	21 October 1940	To War Department as Richmond in June 1945; for disposal in May 1947.
ML 172	Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall	16 March 1941	For disposal in May 1946.
ML 173	Frank Curtis, Looe, Cornwall	17 January 1941	For disposal in May 1946.
ML 174	William Osbourne, Littlehampton	December 1940	For disposal in May 1946.
ML 175	James A. Silver, Rosneath, Dumbartonshire	20 January 1941	For disposal in May 1946.
ML 176	Solent Shipyard, Sarisbury Green	December 1940	For disposal in May 1946.
ML 177	Wallasea Bay Yacht Yard, Rochford, Essex	December 1940	Lost at St Nazaire on 28 March 1942.

Third Batch (May 1940 Orders)

Name	Ship Builder	Completed	Fate
ML 245	Sheerness Dockyard	14 July 1941	To Free French Navy as St Guenole from July 1941 to July 1942; sold 11 June 1947 at Singapore.
ML 246	Sheerness Dockyard	21 July 1941	To Free French Navy as St Ives from July 1941 to July 1942; to Burmese RNVR in November 1945; for disposal in January 1946.
ML 247	J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham	19 July 1941	To Free French Navy as St Alain from July 1941 to July 1942; to Burmese RNVR in November 1945; for disposal in January 1946.

Fourth Batch (August 1940 Orders)

Name	Ship Builder	Completed	Fate
ML 336	Boat Construction Company, Falmouth, Cornwall	12 September 1941	To Italian Navy on 3 December 1945.
ML 337	A. M. Dickie & Sons, Tarbert, Argyllshire	18 November 1941	Later renumbered ML 2337; sold 25 September 1956.
ML 338	Risdon Beazley, Clausentum Yard, Northam Bridge, Southampton	28 September 1941	Later renumbered ML 2338; sold 17 December 1955.

HMCS ML Q-050 sails past an iceberg, August 1, 1945. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4950984)

Launching of the first Fairmile of Royal Canadian Navy at Midland Boat Works, Midland, Ontario on August 28, 1941 and commissioned November 18, 1941.

ML Q-050 Fairmile Type B Motor Launch. The large black flag indicates Q-050 is conducting radio asdic contact training during anti-submarine exercises in May 1943. (RCN Photo) ML Q-050 was delivered to the RCN on 18 Nov 1941. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). In Jan & Apr 1944, Q-050 was listed as part of the 71st ML Flotilla. Her CO, Lt Beardmore, was listed as the SO 71st ML Flotilla on 10 Jan 1944. After the war, Q-050 was turned over to Marine Industries Limited, Montreal and became STANBA 1. She was later sold to Standard Oil of New Jersey.

ML Q-050 off St-Margaret’s Bay, Nova Scotia, March 2, 1943. (RCN Photo)

ML Q-050 off Gaspé, July 1, 1942. (RCN Photo)

St. John's Harbour, Newfoundland. Fairmiles Q050 and Q062, and corvette HMCS Wetaskiwin K175 outboard ships.

Minister of Munitions and Supply C.D. Howe and Capt. Joseph Heenan, Captain of the ML's, aboard ML Q050, March 9, 1942.

ML Q051 at Sarnia, Ontario. ML Q-051 was delivered to the RCN on 24 Nov 1941. In Feb 1944 and Jan 1945, Q-051 was listed as part of the 77th ML Flotilla, St. John’s, Newfoundland. On 3 Mar 1944, Q-051’s CO, LCDR Thomason was listed as the SO for the 77th ML Flotilla. After the Second World War Q-051 was registered as Radel II (RAD- stood for Radio, and EL- stood for Electronics. The National Research Council used former Q-051 as research vessel. She designed and tested Great Lakes freighter radar, the radar reflecting buoy system and was the first boat in the world to have underwater television. Information about her experiments, remains classified. She was later sold to Commander C. H. Hudson, Vancouver when she left government service.

HMCS ML Q-051 Fairmile Type B Motor Launch transiting the locks on the Great Lakes.

The launching of ML Q051 on 15 Sep 1941 at Midland, Ontario.

ML Q-051, 30 June 1941. (RCN Photo)

Free French Navy Fairmile B ML Q-052 Fairmile Type B Motor Launch, March 3, 1941. ML Q-052, delivered to the RCN on 31 Oct 1941. Q-052 served with the Free French Navy of St. Pierre et Miquelon on the South Coast of Newfoundland from 15 Jan 1943 until the end of the war. After the war, Q-052 was sold to General J. C. Escobar, Montreal and was later renamed Cyrius and La Marie-Jo.

ML Q-052.

HMC ML Q053 was a wooden Fairmile B Motor Launch (ML) upgunned submarine chaser delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) on November 17, 1941. Photo taken 5 January 1943. (DND Photo) Q053 was delivered to the RCN on 17 Nov 1941. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS SAMBRO, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). In Jun 1943, ML 053 distinguished herself by recovering, intact, two mines of a barrage laid by U-119 in the Halifax approaches. On 08 Jun 1943, Q053, following the minesweeper HMS BYMS 989, at 1815hrs, observed a floating mine. A tow line 90 yards long was attached to the mine and the mine was towed to Ketch Harbour. At 1930hrs the tow line was passed to a shore party and the mine was then hauled to the beach. At this point Lt George Henry Olaf Rundle, RCNR, assisted by OS John Gordon Lancien, RCNVR, removed the cover plate, the wiring was cut, and the detonator removed, at 2052hrs, once the mine was declared safe the shore party returned & removed the mine & detonator. In Jan 1944, Q053 was listed as part of the 71st ML Flotilla.

ML Q-053, Fairmile B Motor Launch, March 1, 1941. (DND Photo)

ML Q053.

ML Q-053 Fairmile B Motor Launch, March 1, 1941. (DND Photo)

ML Q-053 Motor Launch (on right) alongside ML Q-084. March 1, 1942. (DND Photo)

HMC ML Q053 Fairmile B Motor Launch, March 3, 1941. ML Q-053 was delivered to the RCN on 17 Nov 1941. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). In Jun 1943, ML 053 distinguished herself by recovering, intact, two mines of a barrage laid by U-119 in the Halifax approaches. On 8 Jun 1943, Q-053, following the minesweeper HMS Byms 989, at 1815hrs, she observed a floating mine. A tow line 90 yards long was attached to the mine and the mine was towed to Ketch Harbour. At 1930hrs the tow line was passed to a shore party and the mine was then hauled to the beach. At this point Lt George Henry Olaf Rundle, RCNR, assisted by OS John Gordon Lancien, RCNVR, removed the cover plate, the wiring was cut, and the detonator removed. At 2052hrs, once the mine was declared safe, the shore party returned and removed the mine and detonator. In Jan 1944, Q-053 was listed as part of the 71st ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force.

ML Q-054, October 17, 1942. (DND Photo)
ML Q-054 was delivered to the RCN on 17 Oct 1941. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). In Jan 1944, Q-054 was listed as part of the 71st ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force. This was the second Fairmile to terminate her naval service. The last commanding officer left this one on 6 Dec 1944. Q-082 was first and Q108 was third. The rest were terminated in the summer of 1945.

ML Q054 underway after fitting out.

ML Q054.

ML Q-055, November 6, 1941. (RCN Photo) ML Q-055 was delivered to the RCN on 06 Nov 1941. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). In Jan 1944 and Apr 1945, Q-055 was listed as part of the 71st ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force. She was sold in 1945.

ML Q055 under construction / fitting out.

Canadian Fairmile B motor launch ML Q-056 on November 10, 1941. ML Q-056 was delivered to the RCN on 23 Nov 1941. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). Q-055 was listed as part of the 71st ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force. Q-056 was sold to Creole Petroleum Corporation, Venezuela in 1945 and renamed Esso Ayacucho. She was broken up in 1957.

ML Q-057 Fairmile B Motor Launch, October 28, 1941. (DND Photo) Built by Minett-Shields Ltd., Bracebridge, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 28 Oct 1941. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS SAMBRO, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). She was paid off on 05 Jun 1945 and sold in 1957.

ML Q-057 Fairmile B Motor Launch, October 28, 1941. (DND Photo)

Fairmile B Motor Launch ML Q-057, October 28, 1941. (DND Photo) Built by Minett-Shields Ltd., Bracebridge, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 28 Oct 1941. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). Q-057 was listed as part of the 71st ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force. She was paid off on 5 Jun 1945 and sold in 1957.

ML Q-058. Built by Minett-Shields Ltd., Bracebridge, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 24 Nov 1941. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). In Jan 1944, Q-058 was listed as part of the 72nd ML Flotilla, Halifax M.L. Force. After the war she was sold to private interests in Toronto and renamed Katherine G. She destroyed in a fire in 1949.

Fairmile Motor Launch Q058, c. 1943.

ML Q-059. Built by Minett-Shields Ltd., Bracebridge, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 26 May 1942. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). In Jan 1945, Q-059 was listed as part of the 72nd ML Flotilla, Halifax M.L. Force. She was a “B” Type ML, Length: 112 ft, Beam: 17.9 ft, Draught: 4.9 ft, Complement: 3 officers, 14 men, Armament: three 20-mm. In 1946 she was sold to Consolidated Shipbuilding Corp., New York and renamed Rodco.

ML Q-060. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No.011213817) Royal Canadian Navy Fairmile Motor Launch Q-060 in Job’s Cove, Conception Bay in 1942. Fairmile Motor Launches patrolled Conception Bay and Bell Island Tickle to defend against German U-boat attacks. Fairmiles were often called Q-boats by Newfoundlanders. A shortage of larger steel warships, such as minesweepers and corvettes, forced the Royal Canadian Navy to use smaller wooden Fairmile Motor Launches to escort coastal convoys and patrol for German U-boats on the Atlantic coast of Canada and Newfoundland. ML Q-060 was built by Hunter Boats, Orillia, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 1 Nov 1941. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). In Feb 1944 and Jan 1945, Q-060 was part of the 72nd ML Flotilla, Halifax M.L. Force. Paid off on 20 Jun 1945, she was sold the same year to B. O. Bissette, St. John, Quebec. The crew called ML Q-060 the Mariposa Belle after a fictional Canadian town setting created by writer Stephen Leacock for a series of short stories.

ML Q-060.

Fairmile ML Q060.

ML Q-060 at the Wabana Iron Ore Mines ore loading pier, Bell Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, c. 1944-1945. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 5102277)

Model of ML Q060, nicknamed “Mariposa Bell” by her crew, on display at the Georgian Mall in North Barrie, Ontario. Bruce Walter photo, July 2025.

ML Q-061. Built by Hunter Boats, Orillia, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 11 Nov 1941. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). In Jan 1945, Q-061 was listed as part of the 72nd ML Flotilla, Halifax M.L. Force. Paid off on 19 Jun 1945, she was sold to Creole Petroleum Corp., Venezuela, and renamed Esso Concordia.

Fairmiles Q-093 (76th Fl), Q-061 (72nd Fl), Q-056 (71st Fl) and sub HMS Seawolf N47 and other ships at Halifax, c. 1944-1945.

ML Q-062. Built by Mac-Craft Ltd., Sarnia, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 18 Apr 1942. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). Q062 was a "B" Type ML, Displacement: 79 tons, Length: 112 ft, Beam: 17.9 ft, Draught: 4.9 ft, Speed: 20 kts, Complement: 3 officers, 14 men, Armament: 3-20mm. She served with the free French Navy out of St. Pierre et Miquelon (renamed Langlade V112) on the South Coast of Newfoundland from 15 Jan 1943, until the end of the war. After the was she was sold to Consolidated Shipbuilding Corp., New York. Q062 was re-acquired by the navy and became HMCS Wolf 762 in 1954. She was purchased by Orrville Gold in 1964 and was used as a break wall behind the Gold residence on the north shore of Lake Eire where it was destroyed by winter ice in the 1970s. Photographed on February 12, 1941.

ML Q-062.

ML Q-062, as HMCS Wolf 762 at Windsor, Ontario, with Detroit, Michigan in the background, ca. 1953. HMCS Wolf was a tender to HMCS Hunter.

ML Q-063 was built at Mac-Craft Ltd., Sarnia, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 18 Apr 1942. Q-063 was a “B” Type ML. On 15 Jan 1943, she was transferred to the Free French Navy and renamed Columbier V113. She served with the Free French Navy out of St. Pierre et Miquelon on the South Coast of Newfoundland until the end of the war. After the war she was sold to General J.C. Escobar, Montreal and renamed Cumbrae II. Her final disposition is unknown.

ML Q-064 was built by LeBlanc Shipbuilding Co., J.H., Weymouth, NS, she was delivered to the RCN on 18 Apr 1942. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). In Mar 1943, Q-064 rescued the flight crew of a Catalina flying boat that had crashed one mile offshore and was on fire. In Mar 1944 and Jan 1945, ML Q-064 was part of the 72 ML Flotilla, Halifax M.L. Force. On 6 Mar 1944, her CO, Lt Jarvis was listed as the SO of the 72 ML Flotilla. In 1947, she was sold and renamed Six-Four. She foundered in 1952.

ML Q064.

ML Q-064.

ML Q064 and ML Q080 alongside at unknown location.

ML Q-065 was built by LeBlanc Shipbuilding Co., J.H., Weymouth, NS, she was delivered to the RCN on 15 May 1942. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). Q-065 was a “B” Type ML, Displacement 79 tons, Length: 112 ft, Beam, 17.9 ft, Draught: 4.9 ft, Speed: 20 kts, Complement: 3 officers, 14 men, Armament: 3-20mm. In Jan 1944 and Mar 1945, Q-065 was listed as part of the 72nd ML Flotilla, Halifax M.L. Force. She was sold in 1946 to Eric W. Phillips, Toronto and renamed the Audrey A and then Nadine II. She caught fire in 1978 and was destroyed.

ML Q-065.

ML Q-066 was built at Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd., she was delivered to the RCN on 6 Mar 1942. Q-066 was a “B” Type ML. In Apr 1943 and Jan 1944 Q-066 was listed as part of the 75th ML Flotilla, British Columbia. Sold after the war to Finning Tractor & Equipment Company, Vancouver, she was renamed Earlmar. No longer on registers in 2010, her final disposition is unknown.

ML Q066.

ML Q-067 was built by Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd., she was delivered to the RCN on 27 Mar 1942. Q-067was a “B” Type ML. In Jan 1944 and Mar 1945, Q-067 was listed as part of the 75th ML Flotilla, British Columbia. Sold in 1946 to Coal Island Limited, Vancouver, she was renamed Stranger II. In 1966 she was destroyed by fire.

ML Q-068. (RCN Photo No. E-2536, via Comox Air Force Museum) ML Q-068 was built at A.C. Benson Shipyard, Vancouver, B.C., she was delivered to the RCN on 07 Aug 1942. Q-068 was a “B” Type ML. Sold in 1956 to Straits Towing & Salvage Company, Vancouver, Q-068 was renamed many times as Marine Freight No. 1, Miss Linda, Salvor, Sechelt Narrows and ST & S.

HMCS Q-068, a Fairmile Type B Motor Launch, 45 degrees on the bow, 23 March 1942. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3205782)

ML Q-069 was built by A.C. Benson Shipyard, Vancouver, B.C., she was delivered to the RCN on 28 Mar 1942. She was a “B” Type ML. In Jan 1944, Q-069 was listed as part of the 76 ML Flotilla, British Columbia. Sold in 1946 to Willard G. Weston, Vancouver, she was renamed Casa Mila and later Harwood. She foundered in a hurricane in 1978.

HMCS ML Q-070 Fairmile Type B Motor Launch, 23 March 1942. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3524563) ML Q-070 was built at Star Shipyards (Mercer’s) Ltd., New Westminster, BC, she was delivered to the RCN on 19 Mar 1942. In Jan 1944, Q-070 was listed part of the 75th ML Flotilla, British Columbia. Sold in 1945 to Marine Manufacturing Ltd., Vancouver, she was renamed many times as Coast Ranger, Gulf Ranger, Lachaina Lady, Machigonne, Noble Lady and Saracen III.

ML Q070.

HMCS ML Q-070 Fairmile Type B Motor Launch, 23 March 1942. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3524562)

HMCS ML Q-070 Fairmile Type B Motor Launch, 23 March 1942. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3524564)

ML Q070 in Esquimalt.

ML Q-071 was built at Star Shipyards (Mercer’s) Ltd., New Westminster, B.C., she was delivered to the RCN on 15 Apr 1942. Q-071 was a “B” Type ML. In Jan 1944, Q-071 was listed as part of the 75th ML Flotilla, British Columbia. Paid off on 11 Jul 1945, she was sold in 1946 to Gulf Lines Ltd., Vancouver. She was renamed Gulf Wing, later Troubadour III, Nimpkish Princess, Northland Princess, Kona Winds, Knight Time II and Troubadour III.

ML Q071.

ML Q-072 was built by Grew Boats Ltd., Penetanguishene, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 24 Nov 1941. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). In Apr 1944 and Mar 1945, Q-072 was listed as part of the 73rd Ml Flotilla, Saint John, NB. In Oct 1944, she had an explosion in her engine room. She was repaired and then later sold in 1945 to Acme Boat and Salvage Company, New York, USA.

ML Q-072.

Fairmile ML Q072 encountering her first storm en route to Toronto, November 1941.

Fairmile ML Q073 was built by Grew Boats Ltd., Penetanguishene, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 24 Nov 1941. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). In Feb 1944 and Mar 1945, Q-073 was listed a part of the 73rd FL Flotilla, Saint John, NB. She was sold in 1945 to ACME Boat and Salvage Company, New York.

ML Q-073.

ML Q-074 was built by Minett-Shields Ltd., Bracebridge, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 26 May 1942. Q-074 was a “B” Type ML. In Jun 1944 and Jan 1945, Q-074 was listed as part of the 77 ML Flotilla, St. Newfoundland. Paid off on 1 Jul 1945, she was sold later that year to George B. Burchell, Sydney, Nova Scotia, and renamed Aloma III.

ML Q-075 was built by Minett-Shields Ltd., Bracebridge, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 22 Jun 1942. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). Q-075 was a “B” Type ML, Displacement: 79 tons, Length: 112 ft, Beam: 17.9 ft, Draught: 4.9 ft, Speed: 20 kts, Complement: 3 officers, 14 men, Armament: 3-20mm. In Jan 1944 and 1945, Q-075 was listed as part of the 73rd ML Flotilla, Saint John, NB. After the war she was sold to ACME Boat and Salvage Company, New York.

Crew members of Q075 sitting on the depth charge launchers (Y-thrower). Photo taken through the shield of the stern Oerlikon.

ML Q-076 was built by Minett-Shields Ltd., Bracebridge, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 13 Jul 1942. She was a type “B” ML. In Feb 1944 and Mar 1945, Q-076 was listed as part of the 73rd ML Flotilla, Saint John, NB. Sold in 1945 to ACME Boat and Salvage Company, New York, USA., her final disposition is unknown.

ML Q-076.

ML Q-077 was built by Greavette Boats Ltd., Gravenhurst, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 02 Jun 1942. Q-077 was a “B” Type ML In Jan 1944 and Feb 1945, Q-077 was listed a part of the 73rd ML Flotilla, Saint John, NB. Sold in 1947 to Consolidated Shipping Corp., Sorel, Quebec, she was renamed Coastal Queen.

ML Q077, Saint John, New Brunswick, summer 1944.

ML Q-078 was built by Graevette Boats Ltd., Gravenhurst, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 2 Jun 1942. In Feb 1945, Q-078 was listed a part of the 73rd ML Flotilla, Saint John, NB. Sold in 1945 to George Elie Transport Tanker Company, Montreal, she was renamed Esso Cardinal. Her final disposition is unknown.

Sailors playing cards aboard the Fairmile Motor Launch ML Q-078 of the RCN, St. John’s, Newfoundland, 10 June 1943. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3238928)

Signaler aboard the Fairmile Motor Launch ML Q-078 at sea, 10 May 1943. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3575335)

ML Q079 in the slips in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia in 1943. ML Q-079 was built by Taylor and Sons, J.J., Toronto, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 27 May 1942. Q-079 was a “B” Type ML. In Apr 1945, Q-079 was listed as part of the 79th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force. She was sold 24 Oct 1945 by WAC to James L. Gillanders, Toronto and then in 1946 to Herbert E. Corbett, mining engineer, Oakville, Ontario, where she was renamed Lady Enit and Nancy Grace. Re-acquired by the RCN on 19 May 1949, she became PTC 779 and then later HMCS Raccoon 1954, international call sign CYQT, pendant 779 and radiotelephone “Incident M”. Her final disposition is unknown.

ML Q-079.

ML Q079.

ML Q-080 was built by Taylor and Sons, J.J., Toronto, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 17 Jun 1942. Q-080 was a “B” Type ML . In Apr 1944 and 1945, Q-080 was listed as part of the 79th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force. She was sold in 1945 to United Boat Service Corp., New York, USA, and re-named Quarterdeck, later Almeta Queen, and Cosa Grande. She was found abandoned 2007.

Colors on ML Q080.

Officers on ML Q080.

Crew of ML Q080.

ML Q-080.

ML Q080 iced up, showing winter conditions in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

ML Q-080.

Funnel art on ML Q080, Popeye kicking a U-boat.

ML Q-081 (possibly in refit as her mast has been removed). ML Q-081 was built by Honey Harbour Nav Co. Ltd., Midland, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 17 May 27 1942. Q-081 was a “B” Type ML. In Mar 1944, Q-081 was listed as part of the 79th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force. Her CO, Lt Stairs was listed as the SO of the 79th ML Flotilla in Apr 1944. Removed from service on 21 Jun 1945, she was sold in 1947 to Louis Levin, Montreal, Quebec. Renamed Esso Taparita, she was destroyed by fire in 1948.

ML Q-081.

ML Q-082 was built by Honey Harbour Nav. Co. Ltd., Midland, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 27 May 1942. Q-082 was a “B” Type ML. In Jan & Mar 1944, Q-082 was listed as part of the 79th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force. She was removed from service after having caught fire in 1944.

ML Q-082, pushed ashore in a December storm, aground on Prince Edward Island, Dec 1942. The grounding on PEI was described as pitch dark, gale, blizzard conditions. The captain ordered a member of the crew up the mast to search for land. At first light some men climbed up the embankment and walked toward the nearest village. Turned out the people in the town shunned technology and there were no telephones to report the location of the ship and her crew. The men were well treated with hot food and blankets.

ML Q-082, pushed ashore in a December storm, aground on Prince Edward Island, Dec 1942.

RCN Fairmile Q-083 escorting a submarine, c. 1945. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3205336) ML Q-083 was built by LeBlanc Shipbuilding Co., J.H., Weymouth, NS, she was delivered to the RCN on 25 May 1942. Q-083 was a “B” Type ML. In Apr 1944, Q-083 was listed as part of the 79th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force. She was sold in 1945 to Lorne Johnson, Montague, Prince Edward Island and renamed Lazy Mariner.

ML Q-083.

ML Q-084. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, PA 134191) ML Q-084 was built by LeBlanc Shipbuilding Co. J.H., Weymouth, N.S., she was delivered to the RCN on 18 Jun 1942. Q-084 was a Type “B” ML. In Jan 1944, Q-084 was listed as part of the 79th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force. She was sold in 1946 to R. E. Gamble, Toronto and was renamed Nelvana.

ML Q-085 was built by Hunter Boats, Orillia, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 13 Jun 1942. Q-085 was a “B” Type ML. In Mar 1944 and May 1945, Q-085 was listed as part of the 79th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force. She was sold in 1951 to United Boat Service Corp., New York, USA, and renamed Suzette No. 1.

ML Q-085 with other MLs at HMCS Fort Ramsay, Québec, ca 1944-1945. (DND Photo)

ML Q-086 was built by Taylor and Sons, J.J., Toronto, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 26 Oct 1942. In Apr 1944 and Mar 1945, Q-086 was listed as part of the 76th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force. Sold in 1946 to K.U. Gamble, Toronto, she was re-named Montery. ML Q-087 was built by Taylor and Sons, J.J., Toronto, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 9 Nov 1942. In Jan 1944 and Feb 1945, Q-087 was part of the 76th Ml Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force. Sold in 1948 to J.R. Trembly, Toronto, she was renamed Tzigane and Chief Tekerimat.

ML Q087. Built by Taylor and Sons, J.J., Toronto, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 09 Nov 1942. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). In Jan 1944 and Feb 1945, Q087 was part of the 76th Ml Flotilla. Sold in 1948 to J.R. Trembly, Toronto, she was renamed Tzigane and Chief Tekerimat.

ML Q087.

ML Q-088 was built by Taylor and Sons, J.J., Toronto, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 5 Oct 1943. Q-088 was a “B” Type ML. In Feb 1945, Q-088 was listed as part of the 77th ML Flotilla, St. Johns, Newfoundland. First CO served from 19 May 1943, and the last departed on 25 Jun 1945. After the war Q-088 was sold to W. F. Christie, Toronto and was renamed Eighty-Eight, Penetang Eighty-Eight, Midland Penetang Eighty-Eight and Olympia III. Reported burned.

ML Q088.

ML Q-089 was built by Greavette Boats Ltd., Gravenhurst, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 14 Oct 1942. In Jan 1944 and Mar 1945, Q-089 was listed as part of the 76th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force. Sold in 1949 to Northern Engineering and Supply Company, Fort William, Ontario, she was renamed Coastal Queen, and later Grand Commander and Corniche.

ML Q089.

ML Q-090 was built by Greavette Boats Ltd., Gravenhurst, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 19 Nov 1942. In May 1944 and Jan 1945, Q-090 was listed as part of the 78th ML Flotilla, Bermuda. She was sold in 1945 to Brian Newkirk in Toronto and renamed Louvicourt and Rosal.

ML Q-091 was built by Greavette Boats Ltd., Gravenhurst, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 17 May 1943. Q-091 was a “B” Type ML. In Jan 1944, Q-091 was listed as part of the 77th ML Flotilla, St. Johns, Newfoundland. Sold in 1946 to Wendel Graham, PEI, and re-named Nine-One.

ML Q-091.

ML Q-092 was built by Hunter Boats, Orillia, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 1 Nov 1942. In Feb 1944 and Jan 1945, Q-092 was listed a part of the 77th ML Flotilla, St. Johns, Newfoundland. Sold in 1947 possibly to Radium Chemicals of Vancouver and re-named Suzette No. 1.

ML Q092.

ML Q-093 was built by Hunter Boats, Orilla, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 2 Nov 1942. In Jan 1944 and Apr 1945, Q-093 was listed as part of the 76th Ml Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force. Sold in 1945, her final disposition is unknown.

ML Q-094 was built by Midland Boat Works, Midland, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 19 Nov 1942. In Feb 1944 and Feb 1945, Q-094 was listed a part of the 77th ML Flotilla, St. Johns, Newfoundland. She was sold in 1945 to G. A. Griffen, PEI, and renamed Ernest G. On 13 Aug 1948, Ernest G. caught fire, beached and became a total loss at North Sydney, Nova Scotia.

ML Q-094, bow Oerlikon 20-mm AA Gun, off the coast of Newfoundland, 1944. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4950983)

ML Q-094, off the coast of Newfoundland, 1944. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4950982)

Lt Albert Perry Morrow (second CO of Q094) with SLt Clarence Van Tighem (who became third CO of Q094).

Catalina flying boat flying over Q094.

ML Q-094.

ML Q094 with Q103 and Q076 following astern.

U-190 after surrendering. One of the escorts, Q095 in the background. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, PA 141636) ML Q-095 escorting U-190, May 1945. Built by Midland Boat Works, Midland, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 12 May 1943. Q-095 was a “B” Type ML. In Feb 1944 & 1945, Q-095 was listed a part of the 76th ML Flotilla. In Feb 1944, her CO, Lt Williams, was SO of the 76th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force. Paid off on 1 Jul 1945, she was sold later that year to Rudolphe Corbeil and was re-named renamed Rodco. She operated out of West Pubnico, Nova Scotia and was used to haul lobsters from Western Nova Scotia to Rockland, Maine.

Another view of U109 being excorted by ML Q095. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections photo AWNS-19450613-26-03.

ML Q-096 was built by Minett-Shields Ltd., Bracebridge, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 9 Nov 1942. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). In Apr 1945, Q-096 was listed as part of the 76th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force. Removed from service on 30 Jun 1945, she was later sold for civilian use.

ML Q-096.

ML Q-097 was built by Minett-Shields Ltd., Bracebridge, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 9 Nov 1942. In Jan 1944, Q-097 was listed as part of the 76th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force. Sold in 1945 to Gen Escobar, but as a re-sale when the boat returned to M.I.L Industries.

ML Q098 (center) with Q099 (right) and Q100 (left) on their launching day, 10 Oct 1942. ML Q-098 was built by Grew Boats Ltd., Penetanguishene, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 7 Nov 1942. In Jan 1944, Q-098 was listed as part of the 76th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force. Sold to Irene Sicard of Montreal, she was renamed Corite then Bic. In Jun 1947, former Q-098 was purchased by the Navire école de l’Institut maritime du Québec, fully equipped with radio, radar, sonar in interior communications equipment, for $25,000. On 28 Oct 1948 she was renamed Saint-Barnabé. She served the marine training school until Dec 1958. Her disposition after 1958 is unknown.

ML Q-099 was built by Grew Boats Ltd., Penetanguishene, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 7 Nov 1942. Q-099 was a “B” Type ML. In Feb 1944 and Mar 1945, Q-099 was listed as part of the 77th ML Flotilla, St. Johns, Newfoundland. Sold in 1948 to Joe Dunkleman, Tip-Top Tailors of Toronto, she was renamed Dipedon and later Donarvie II.

ML Q100 was built by Grew Boats Ltd., Penetanguishene, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 7 Nov 1942. In Jan 1945, Q100 was part of the 78th ML Flotilla, Bermuda. On 8 Apr 1945, Q100’s CO, Lt Dobson was listed as SO of the 78th ML Flotilla. She was sold in 1945 to Francis Farwell, Hamilton, Ontario.

ML Q100.

Fairmile Motor Launch. (RCN Photo)

Fairmile Motor Launch, with an RCN Rating using a Signal lamp, 1943. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4950863)

Fairmile Support Ship HMCS Provider (F100), 17 Jan 1943. (CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum Photo)

British ML303 during the invasion of Normandy on D-Day. With the motor launch ML 303 in the foreground, a large number of landing craft approach the beaches during the invasion of Normandy on D-Day. Several other large ships can be seen in the distance. June 6, 1944.

ML 117, Royal Navy. (Imperial War Museum photo FL 8598)

British Fairmile B motor launch.

British Motor Launch ML 207.

A painting depicting the upper deck of a Fairmile ship in 1944 by Australian official war artist Able Seaman Rex Julius. (National Archives of Australia photo 9544588)

Relaxing in the Mess of a Fairmile Ship in 1944 by Australian official war artist Able Seaman Rex Julius. Rex Julius (1914– 1944) was born in Sydney into an artistic family. His father, Henry Julius, was co-founder of the commercial art firm Smith & Julius and was known for his caricatures. Rex initially followed in his father’s footsteps as a commercial artist but, in 1940, he enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Rex trained in submarine detection, but the navy appointed him an official war artist in 1944 after senior officers saw a portfolio of his personal sketches. As an official war artist Julius was initially attached to the HMAS Rushcutter base in Sydney. His work in this posting was focused on the operations of the RAN's Fairmile B motor launches. Rex’s ‘Rushcutter’ sketches also feature members of the Women’s Royal Australian Navy (WRAN) going about their duties. His style is distinct, with strong outlines and bold shading. Several of the Fairmile sketches were published in the Australasian newspaper. Rex then travelled to New Guinea on board the corvette HMAS Lithgow and made a series of sketches during the voyage. These works were focused on the activities of the sailors, including while they were resting. On 19 May 1944 Julius died at Milne Bay in the Territory of Papua as the result of a throat abscess and gangrene. He is buried at Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery. Due to his short career as an official war artist and death at a young age, Rex’s work is not well known. Two of his paintings are in the Australian War Memorial's collection. The National Archives of Australia holds the sketchbooks from his period as an official war artist.

An unidentified Royal New Zealand Navy Class B Fairmile undertaking exercises in the Hauraki Gulf. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections photo 1370-297-10.

An unidentified Royal New Zealand Navy Class B Fairmile Q 408 undertaking exercises in the Hauraki Gulf. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections photo 1370-297-11.

Royal New Zealand Navy Class B Fairmile anti-submarine motor-boat Q 410. Launched in December 1942 and built by P Vos Ltd., at their slipway, at Auckland Harbour's Western Reclamation. After WWII, she was sold and renamed 'La Reta', She left for Rarotonga in May 1949 staying there for 2 years, before returning to Auckland and undertaking excursion work (fishing trips) from 1950 to 1965. In 1963 she was renamed Sayandra. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections photo 1370-297-08.

The gun emplacement on Royal New Zealand Navy Class B Fairmile anti-submarine motor-boat Q 410. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections photo 1370-297-09.

Royal New Zealand Navy Class B Fairmiles Q 409 (left) and Q 404 (right) with HMNZS Killegray (T174), a T160 class anti-submarine trawler, in the background at Devonport Naval Base. Q 409 was recommissioned in 1953 as HMNZS Māori (P3570) and in 1963 she became the Auckland-Waiheke ferry 'Iris Moana'. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections photo 1370-297-12.

Royal New Zealand Navy Class B Fairmile anti-submarine motor-boats undertaking exercises in the Hauraki Gulf. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections photo 1370-297-14.

Photo showing the cruiser H.MN.Z.S. Leander (left) exercising with a Fairmile launch and a Harvard aircraft in the Hauraki Gulf. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections photo AWNS-19451107-22-01.

The Fairmile Flotillas of the Royal New Zealand Navy, published in 1993, tells for the first time the story of New Zealand's Fairmile anti-submarine launches. Built hastily to defend New Zealand waters, they gained a second lease of life supporting American operations in the Solomons. 50 years later several survive as ferries and pleasure craft. New Zealand Ship and Marine Society.

HMC ML120 outbound from Halifax under full power. DND photo.

Motor Launch ML 1030 just after launching in Clynder, Scotland, October 1940.

Fairmile Q 408, Royal New Zealand Navy.

Model of Fairmile 'B' Class ML 155 (anti-submarine type). Imperial War Museum photo MOD 709.

Fairmiles ML's at sea off Beirut. Painting by Lieut Commander R Langmaid for the War Book of Pay Captain Ritchie. May 1943, Alexandria. Imperial War Museum photo A 17243.

Fairmile B Motor Launch Q131 alongside the headquarters ship HMS Bulolo off Gold assault area, 6 June 1944. In the background destroyers bombard enemy positions. Imperial War Museum photo A 23884.

World War 2 In Review

Fairmile B: British Motor Launch

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