Name MTB 102

The Vosper MTBs were originally a private venture, designed by Commander Peter du Cane, CBE. Eventually, over 300 were built, but initially, the Admiralty had to be persuaded of their worth. MTB 102 was the prototype, built in 1937. She had a wooden hull, with double diagonal mahogany planking and was powered by three Italian Isotta Fraschini petrol engines, each of 1000 hp, which gave her an impressive 48 knots and, in addition, for manoeuvring at slow speed, two Vosper V8 auxiliaries. She became the smallest and fastest warship of the Royal Navy. Commander C W S Dreyer DSO, DSC RN was given command of MTB 102 in March 1940.

On 26 May they received their sailing orders to proceed with all speed to Dover. At the time they had no machine gun mounted, so they borrowed a Vickers K O 303 from HMS VERNON and rigged it between torpedo tubes. On 27 May they were ordered to Dunkirk, arriving 28 May, and helping a few hundred soldiers to get away. They were ordered back to Dover with about 30 soldiers and a message for Admiral Ramsay. Next morning at 6am they were called to return to Dunkirk and report to Admiral Wake-Walker on the destroyer KEITH in Dunkirk Roads. They arrived just as KEITH was hit by bombs and began to list. They took off Admiral Wake-Walker and his staff. In the course of the next eight days MTB 102 made a total of eight crossings in her role as the Admiral's flagship. On the last night MTB102 was present at the blocking of Dunkirk Harbour and was the third last vessel to leave.

In 1943, MTB 102 was transferred to the army's 615 Water Transport company, RASC, renamed VIMY and used as a high speed 'staff car' on the Solent. She was chosen to take Churchill and General Eisenhower on a secret outing in the Solent to view the armada of ships for the D-Day landings.

After the war she was sold and converted to private cruising. Her first civilian owner installed less thirsty Perkins diesel engines. Her next owner had plans to convert her to a houseboat, but she was saved by a local scout group from Brundall, Norfolk. Keslo Films wanted an MTB for their film 'The Eagle has Landed' in 1976 and offered to refurbish her for their purpose and then return her to the Scout group.

In 1977, she went to Holland to feature in the Dutch film 'Soldier of Orange'. In 1983 major work was carried out on her decks and hull by Fred Newson of Oulton Broad, and two years later, Perkins of Peterborough generously provided a pair of turbo-charged V8 engines. Two new gearboxes and propellers were fitted.

In August 1995, on the way to VJ Day celebrations, MTB 102 suffered a major seizure of the port engine and was forced to return to Norfolk. Due to the cost of repair, the Trustees of the Norwich Area Scout Council handed her over to the MTB 102 Trust in April 1996 and a new engine was ordered and fitted in June. A second engine was ordered and fitted at Easter 1997. With these she attended events around the East and South coasts. A generous sponsor donated two 10ltr Cummins diesels which were worked on to increase power output and in 2002 MTB 102 was re-engined again with these 600hp units.

In 2005 MTB 102 was commanded by the then CinC Fleet, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, to take part in the International Fleet Review and was honoured to be part of the fast frigate sail past for HM The Queen. A new boatshed and marina at Newsons Boatyard was officially opened on the 7 December 2006 by Lady Anne Wake-Walker and MTB 102. Lady Anne cut the ribbon and MTB 102 glided into the shed on the cradle to take up residence for the next three months. Whilst on the slip MTB 102 was repaired, modified and had a complete paint job ready for 2007. MTB 102's 70th Anniversary was held in 2007, starting at HMS HORNET (Gosport) with the Coastal Forces Veterans Association and their ceremony to lay up their colours. MTB 102 also visited Deal, Ramsgate, Sandwich and Dover in May 2007 and Brightlingsea in June.

MTB 102 continues to take part in Maritime events and in 2010 led the flotilla of the Dunkirk Little Ships to Dunkirk and finished the year at the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships Annual Vets Cruise on the Thames. She goes into 2011 as the little ship of the Commodore ADLS.

Source: Paul Brown, Historic Ships: The Survivors (Amberley, 2010) and MTB 102 Trust, updated Mar 2011.