Name Golden Galleon

Formerly ML162, this Fairmile ‘B’ Motor was built in 1942 by A.M. Dickie & Sons, Bangor. It was equipped with two Hall Scott Defender Petrol engines on Lease/Lend from America, capable of driving the boats at a speed of 20 knots maximum for short periods or 16 3/4 knots continuous speed for long periods.

ML162 had an illustrious career during the Second World War, as not only did the crew have the distinction of having shot down six enemy aircraft and taken part in the sinking of a submarine, she was also mentioned as being highly commended for the part played in the D-Day invasion.

After the war, ML162 was transferred to the Royal Netherlands Navy where she continued in service for a further two years. She was then sold off and taken to Great Yarmouth for conversion to a passenger vessel. Emerging from the refit as GOLDEN GALLEON, she began her new career in 1952 taking as many as 150 tourists on excursions along the East Anglian coast and the Norfolk Broads. She continued in this role until the 1990s when her final owner, unable to keep pace with stringent safety regulations, left her to rot. The Broads Authority then stepped in to dispose of her and the work was carried out in January at St Olaves.