Fairmile Motor Launches were built for the Royal Navy by the Anglo-American Nile Transport Co in their Shubra Yard, Cairo. Following the launch and commissioning, the boats were taken in tow from Cairo to Port Said by way of the Ismalia Canal, a journey of three days. At the end of the Ismalia Canal the boats entered Lake Timsah and proceeded via the Suez Canal to Port Said for fitting out.
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| The keel is shown with part of the hull supports in position. (Imperial War Museum A15763) |
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| A general view of the work in progress. (Imperial War Museum A15766) |
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| Native labourers working on the bows, rivetting. (Imperial War Museum A15765) |
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| A native labourer driving home one of the thousands of copper nails used in the construction of these craft. (Imperial War Museum A15764) |
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| A dirty job! Natives man-handling chunks of mud for laying down the slipway. (Imperial War Museum A15769) |
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| Egyptian workers carving out large chunks of mud by hand to prepare the ground for laying down a slipway. Original Second World War caption issued with this photograph: Up to their thighs in mud are natives hewing out chunks of mud by hand prior to laying down a slipway. (Imperial War Museum A15770) |
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| Mrs Wilkinson, wife of Captain Wilkinson, RN, about to perform one of the launching ceremonies. (Imperial War Museum A15771) |
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| The Motor Launch being "Piped" down the slipway. (Imperial War Museum A15772) |
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| A Motor Launch enters the waters. Note the natives on the bows calling for the Blessings of Allah. (Imperial War Museum A15774) |
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| A general view of a launching ceremony. (Imperial War Museum A15775) |
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| The late Lord Moyne, right, Deputy Minister of State for the Middle East, watching one of the launching ceremonies. (Imperial War Museum A15773) |
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| A boat made fast alongside after launching. (Imperial War Museum A15776) |
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| The commissioning ceremony. The Commanding Officer, right, addresses his crew. (Imperial War Museum A15779) |
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| The commissioning ceremony. Officers salute the White Ensign. (Imperial War Museum A15778) |
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| The commissioning ceremony. The White Ensign is hoisted aft with the crew facing it while the officers salute. (Imperial War Museum A15777) |
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| After the commissioning ceremony the crew bring aboard cooking utensils, buckets etc. (Imperial War Museum A15780) |
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| Festooned with old car tyres (to prevent the sides being damaged) the Motor Launch leaves the shipyard on her journey from Cairo to Port Said. (Imperial War Museum A15781) |
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| A Motor Launch in the Sweet Water Canal en route. (Imperial War Museum A15789) |
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| In the Sweet Water Canal en route. (Imperial War Museum A15791) |
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| In the Sweet Water Canal en route. (Imperial War Museum A15790) |
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| Waiting for the bridge to open at Bilbeis. (Imperial War Museum A15785) |
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| The lock gates opening at Bilbeis. (Imperial War Museum A15786) |
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| Entering Bilbeis lock. (Imperial War Museum A15787) |
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| Maneuvering past barges on leaving the lock at Bilbeis. (Imperial War Museum A15788) |
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| An Indian sentry stands guard as the boat enters Shubra lock. (Imperial War Museum A15782) |
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| The boat in Shubra lock, the first of many locks on her journey from Cairo to Port Said. In the background is the River Nile. (Imperial War Museum A15783) |
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| Leaving one of the locks just outside Cairo. (Imperial War Museum A15784) |
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| Protecting the boats' side as she comes alongside at Port Said. (Imperial War Museum A15793) |
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| The Motor Launches safely berthed at Port Said. (Imperial War Museum A15794) |
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| Piecing together the awning. (Imperial War Museum A15768) |
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| Piecing together the awning. (Imperial War Museum A15767) |
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| Mounting the forward Gun at Port Said. (Imperial War Museum A15795) |
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| Lowering the after gun on board at Port Said. (Imperial War Museum A15797) |
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| Mounting the after gun at Port Said. (Imperial War Museum A15796) |
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| Arriving at Port Said. (Imperial War Museum A15799) |
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| The Motor Launch at speed during her acceptance trials at Port Said. (Imperial War Museum A15798) |
