Motor yachts
Ex. RNLB Guide of Dunkirk
(REF: 32521)£5000
Full specification
Wooden Ships Comments on Ex. RNLB Guide of Dunkirk
Ex. RNLB Guide of Dunkirk (ON826) is a 35’6” self-righting motor sailing lifeboat launched in 1940 and paid for by the Girl Guides Association. She was built by the Rowhedge Iron Works in Essex.
She was due to be called Girl Guide, but after her huge involvement in the Allied evacuations at Dunkirk, she was named Guide of Dunkirk.
She left the boatyard on June 1st 1940 and sailed straight for Dunkirk with a crew from Walton-on-the-Naze and Frinton-on-Sea, Essex. On her first trip she ferried many soldiers from the beaches out to larger waiting ships until she was badly damaged by machine gun fire and got a rope wrapped around the propeller. After being towed back to England stern first, she was repaired and went straight back to Dunkirk where she was heavily damaged again by shell fire.
The efforts of this boat and her crew saved countless lives under very heavy enemy fire.
In 1941, The Guide was stationed at Cadgwith, Cornwall and was named the Guide of Dunkirk in 1947. When the Cadgwith station was closed in 1963, the Guide was sold into private ownership in which she has remained ever since.
The boat is now laid up ashore where she has bee for some years. The boat is however in remarkably good condition and very complete with many original fittings and fixtures. Still with the boat is the complete rig, original compass and steering wheel along with many bronze fittings that have been carefully retained.
This is a project, but a very worthy project, a boat that deserves to be refitted and the history retained. The hull is in surprisingly good sound condition and the engine is a very good quality unit.
More information and photos on the National Historic Ships Register:
https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/2185/girl-guide
Length on Deck 35’6”
Beam 9’8”
Draft 2’9” (centreplate up)
Construction
Hull
Double diagonal mahogany planking all copper rivet fastened.
Bronze strap floors across the centreline all in very good condition.
Bronze centreplate.
Decks and Cockpit
Weather deck in a poor state with rivetted mahogany sole boards.
Superstructure
Small superstructure made from double diagonal mahogany which covers the engine space.
Bronze portlights set in the superstructure.
Rig
Original lug yawl rig is complete with sails and spars.
The main mast tabernacle needs replacing but is still with the boat to be used as a pattern for a new one.
Machinery
Engine
C-Power Marine Ltd Ford 4D 4 cylinder 72hp diesel engine.
Borg Warner Velvet Drive gearbox to a centreline fixed 3 blade bronze propeller set in a tunnel.
Engine has done very few hours and looks to be in good order.
Tanks
2 copper fuel tanks located under the weather deck either side of the engine space.
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Disclaimer:
These particulars have been prepared in good faith from information provided by the Vendors and are intended as a guide, Wooden Ships cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. The Purchaser should instruct his agent or surveyor to validate all details as necessary and satisfy himself with the condition of the vessel and its equipment.
