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The Launch Service(Details of the management structure are still being researched) |
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Page contents: |
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In 1848 the number of Revenue Cruizers & Revenue Launches around the coast of the United Kingdom amounted to 69. The list can be seen by selecting the 'button' on the right. |
A comprehensive catalogue of all HMC&E launches - since 1920, and cutters - since 1946, was published by the World Ship Society's Small Craft Group - HM Customs & Excise Cutters & Launches - Class Directory compiled by Philip Simmons.
The Launch Service supplied transportation to Waterguard officers to and from vessels at anchor, underway or to any wharf that was inaccessible by road - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Service was managed by a Technical Branch from the Custom House in Lower Thames Street, London, with the local day to day management of the launches and their crews laid to the Waterguard stations they operated from.
The Launches were crewed by professional seamen with a Mate-in-Charge to handle the vessel and navigate, and an Engineer Mechanic 1 who was responsible for the efficient running of the main and auxiliary engines, winches etc. and the general cleanliness of the engine room.
Additionally the Mate-in-Charge was also responsible for a daily log of the patrol and the Engineer Mechanic 1 was responsible for the ordering of any stores that were needed for the efficient running of the vessel. A daily log was kept of any additional oil added - or of repairs - to the engines, and the taking on of bunkers or stores.
The crew of the larger launches was augmented by an Engineer Mechanic 2, or Deckhand, who was responsible for the general cleanliness of the vessel and the handling of ropes when going alongside ships or wharves - and the making of tea!
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In April 1920, Mr H Travis of the Royal Dockyard, Woolwich, prepared a 'History of the Introduction and Development of Motor Boats in the Waterguard Service of HM Customs & Excise'. A copy of that 'history' can be seen by selecting the 'button' on the right. |
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In September 1965, the 1937 edition of the Launch Service Instructions was superseded by a new edition. The instructions were for the guidance of all personnel who had any duties connected with the Service. A copy of the 1965 edition can be seen by selecting the 'button' on the right. (Warning - 5.16Mb!) |
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A list of HMC&E Vessels that were in use at 1 September 1963 can be seen by selecting the 'button' on the right. |
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On 17 March 1922, the 'Motorboat' included an article entitled 'Motor Vessels for Customs Service' describing two Cruisers, the 'Albatross' and the 'Osprey', with single and twin screw machinery respectively. The article can be seen by selecting the 'button' on the right. |
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Two 45 foot cruisers built by Vospers of Portsmouth in 1922 - only one shown. Although identical in all other respects, the Albatross had twin screw machinery fitted and the Osprey was fitted with single screw machinery. |
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Described as a 'Customs & Excise Lunch Tug' when these images were taken c1936. |
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Seen here c2010, she was constructed in 1966 by Dunston on the Humber, she served in Liverpool, transporting Boarding staff and rummage crews to arriving vessels until the early 1970's. She was constructed with a heavy displacement steel hull of 3/8 plate, with a single bronze propeller and a light alloy superstructure above deck level. Accommodation comprised of an upper level wheelhouse and wheelhouse deck aft, 2 cabins at deck level and a large cabin forward with a galley, a bow chain locker, a lazarette with the steering gear compartments aft. She was sold to the MOD c1974.
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Left - Patrolling in the River Mersey. Righ - In Canning Graving Dock, Liverpool - c1920. |
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HMCL 'Nimble' - 1906 Patrolling off the River Medina estuary. |
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A list of HMC&E Vessels that were once stationed at Dartmouth can be seen by selecting the 'button' on the right. |
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A list of HMC&E Vessels that were once stationed at Gravesend - and elsewhere - compiled by Ivor Davis can be seen by selecting the 'button' on the right. |
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HMCL Atalanta 'Patrolling' in Lerwick harbour.
© Shetland Museum and Archives |
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HMCL Lapwing - c1911
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HMCL Swift - c1911
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HMCL Ranger - c1970 At Princess Royal Pier |
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HMCL 'Lady Primrose' - 1919 This is reputedly the Ryde based Customs sailing launch, Lady Primrose, after breaking away from her mooring and hitting Ryde Pier in 1919. She was declared a wreck and her engine was later fitted to HMCL Nimble, the Cowes launch.
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A replacement for the Lady Primrose? |
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Hull Customs Launch - circa 1908 Patrolling the River Humber.
Photograph of a painting which hung in the CPOs office at Minerva Pier, Hull before re-organisation in 1972. |
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HMCL Falcon Limehouse Reach, Rochester, Kent in the early 1970's.
The Launch crew: 'Nobby' Foweraker - Mate in Charge & Len Hyatt - Engineer The Boarding Officers: Dave Hirst & Paul Dobson POs. |
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HMCL Viper
Left : Liverpool circa 1959 at work on the Mersey Right: Boarding crew, Brian Jones PO, Ivor Morgan PO and Jim Kendrick APO, with the Launch Crew |
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HMCL Endeavour & HMCL Endurance
Liverpool River Station craft laid up outside Wellington Dock Waterguard station in about 1972 awaiting their fate. |
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The more modern vessel, the Endeavour, may still be in service somewhere but the Endurance was scrapped. She was rarely used in the latter years of her service in Liverpool. The mates in charge at the end of their active service were Peter Fife and Robby Dale with crewmen R Morley and Tommy Maher, who received a 'Humane Certificate' for saving a man on one night shift whilst transporting Errol Whitehead PO and Dave Smallshaw APO on a boarding job.
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HMCL Dauntless Gravesend - 1970s |
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HMCL Panther, HMCL Eider & HMCL Albatross Moored inside North Woolwich Pier - circa 1970 |
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HMCL Panther Woolwich River Station - Boarding - circa 1970 |
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Alan Cobb & 'Daisy' Adams HMCL Albatross stationed at the 'Harpy' in the early 1970's. Engineer Mechanic and Mate-in-Charge |
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Launches were often sold when they became surplus to HMC&E requirements. HMCLs Avocet, Curlew and Gannet, all 37 foot 6 inch J Hinks & Co built vessels, were sold to private individuals for restoration and HMCLs Avocet and Curlew were still in service in 2009.
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Ex HMCLs Gannet & Curlew Ex HMCL Gannet on the River Medway - 1999. Ex HMCL Curlew in the Thames estuary - December 2008 |
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The full story of HMCL Avocet after her Customs service can be seen by selecting the 'button' to the right. |
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