Ml577

[Stuart Humphrey]

I'm trying to find information on ML577, built by Fairmiles. The father of a relative of my wife is believed to have served on her although he was in the army/marines/commandos!. I can find info on many other ML's but not this one. I know that some were used by allied navy's but even those do not have this one.

[Doc Vernon]

HMS ML 577 (ML 577)

Motor Launch of the Fairmile B class

Navy	The Royal Navy
Type	Motor Launch
Class	Fairmile B
Pennant	ML 577
Built by	Johnson & Jago (Leigh on Sea, England, U.K.)
Ordered	18 May 1942
Laid down
Launched
Commissioned	5 Mar 1943
End service
History	Sold on 20 July 1956

the Fairmile was considered a “small” boat and were actually called the “Little Ships.” The eighty that were built in Canada varied slightly from the British Admiralty design and were 112-feet LOA on a relatively narrow 17-foot beam with a draft of 4-feet, 9-inches. They were built in Britain for the Royal Navy by Fairmile Marine, thus acquiring their name.

Records seem to vary, but the first batch of sixty were powered by twin 650 horsepower Hall Scott gasoline engines providing a top speed of about 23 MPH. Later models were outfitted with 850 horsepower Sterling Admiral engines thus increasing the top speed to about 25 MPH, a speed considered very fast in those days for a vessel of that size. Range was just under 2,000 miles at a cruising speed of about 10 MPH. It is possible that one Fairmile, ML 095 built in Midland, Ontario was fitted with twin V-12 supercharged Rolls Royce Merlin engines giving it a top speed of around 30 MPH

HM motor launches - YouTube


Not the one you want but just for interest sake.

Epic of the Motor Launches - Shipping Wonders of the World

[Stuart Humphrey]

Thanks for general information Doc, I'll send to wife's relative, however I would like to have more specific info on ML577 they know it exists as they have a "picky" of it. They have tried many different sites but are unable to find this particular one, got any idea.

[Doc Vernon]

Yes Stuart
It does Exist for sure (Well Did) as i recall reading about it somewhere, cant find the Site any longer, but will look again in case, if i do find anything wll post here!
Cheers

The first motor launches entered service in the First World War. These were five hundred and eighty 80-foot-long (24 m) vessels built by the US Elco company for the Admiralty, receiving the numbers ML-1 to ML-580. They served with the Royal Navy between 1916 and the end of the war, defending the British coast from German submarines.


HMS ML 577 (ML 577) of the Royal Navy - British Motor Launch of the Fairmile B class - Allied Warships of WWII - uboat.net You may already have this info, there are no Pics though!?

[Colin Wood]

Over 60 years ago, we had a book at home called 'Battle of the Narrow Seas' by I think Peter Scott. Fabulous pictures an narrative from a Captains point of view.