---

 

ML.1-ML.4 (total 4), no other details

ML.5, based at Newlyn as of 20.5.17; Prize Money awarded to Lieutenant E I Sycamore RNVR, appointed to command on this date. See also ML 350 and 352 (with thanks to David Frost, great-great grandson, 10.6.2014)

ML.6-ML.10 (total 5), no other details

ML.11, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge (Ostend) 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.12-ML.15 (total 4), ML.12, ML.14 (and possibly ML13 and ML.15) were attached to HMS Cormorant at Gibraltar in 1918. (From the service record of Chief Motor Mechanic Richard S Clark, MB.2320, RNVR, with thanks to Michael Johnson, 20/6/14)

ML.16, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge (Ostend) 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.17, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge (Ostend) 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.18, included in the War Loss Section in Jane’s Fighting Ships, but lost after Armistice; 29 September 1919 presumably in North Sea area - ML.18, ML.62, ML.191 lost on passage from Norway, no other details (J/Cn/D)

ML.19, 31 January 1916 in North Sea area - destroyed by fire at Harwich (+J/C/Cn/D)

ML.20, no other details

ML.21, no other details

ML.22, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge (Ostend) 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.23, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge (Ostend) 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th); 4-5.17 - took part in salvage of motor engine ex-SS, Bethlehem* (lg30396)

ML.24-ML.29 (total 6), no other details

ML.30, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge (Ostend) 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.31-ML.37 (total 7), no other details

ML.38, Conway lists her as transferred to French Navy, but this appears to be a misprint for ML.380 (Cn)

ML.39, no other details

ML.40, 18 May 1916 in eastern Mediterranean - destroyed by fire in Suez Canal (+J/Cn/D)

ML.41-ML.50 (total 10), no other details

 


ML.51, no other details

ML.52, 29 November 1917 in English Channel area - destroyed by fire in Sandown Bay, Isle of Wight (+J/C/Cn/D)

ML.53-ML.54 (total 2), no other details

ML.55, 28 January 1918 in Thames Estuary area - destroyed by fire at yard of Messrs Wills and Packham, Sittingbourne, Kent (+J/Cn/D)

ML.56-ML.59 (total 4), no other details

ML.60, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge (Ostend) 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.61, no other details

ML.62, included in the War Loss Section in Jane’s Fighting Ships, but lost after Armistice; 29 September 1919 presumably in North Sea area - ML.18, ML.62, ML.191 lost on passage from Norway, no other details (J/Cn/D)

ML.63, no other details

ML.64, 10 June 1918 in North Sea area - destroyed by fire in Granton Harbour, Edinburgh (+J/Cn/D)

ML.65-ML.78 (total 14), no other details

ML.79, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.80, no other details

ML.81, Lt Hugh Hunter RNVR in command, served in North Sea, also possibly English Channel; early 1917 in North Sea area - damaged by a petrol fire at Aberdeen or possibly Peterhead, E Scotland (Dr A T Hunter MD of Canada, whose father was second in command)


ML.82, no other details

ML.83, served with ML.81

ML.84-ML.96 (total 13), no other details

ML.97, sold in a damaged condition, not known when, where and how damaged (Cn/D)

ML.98-ML.102 (total 5), no other details

ML.103, battle honour - Belgian Coast 1914-18 (Cn/th)

ML.104, no other details

ML.105, served in Dover Command, battle honours - Belgian Coast 1914-18, Zeebrugge (Ostend) 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.106, Commanded by Lieutenant-Commander Alfred Archie White RNVR, out of Anglesey during World War 1.  He and his wife both died February 1919 during the influenza epidemic and are buried in Southend, Essex, UK (with thanks to Michael Nancollas, his nephew, 31.7.2014)



ML.107-109 (total 3), no other details

ML.110, served in Dover Command, battle honours - Belgian Coast 1914-18, Zeebrugge 4.1918, war loss; 23 April 1918 in North Sea - lost in action during Raid on Zeebrugge (Cn/D/H/J/dp/th)

ML.111-ML.113 (total 3), no other details

ML.114-ML.548 series - 40 boats in this series were transferred to France and delivered 1916-17. They were numbered in the V for Vedette V.1-V.40 series. The British part of Conway's allocates them to a V.1-V.73 series, but V.41-73 covered three other classes of French ML's

ML.114, to French Navy (Cn)

ML.115-ML.117, 3 of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn)

ML.118-ML.120 (total 3), no other details

ML.121, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918, included in the War Loss Section in Jane’s Fighting Ships, but lost after Armistice; 22 December 1918 in English Channel - lost by collision off Seine Bank, France (J/Cn/D)

ML.122-ML.123 (total 2), no other details

ML.124-ML.125 (total 2), served in Baltic 1919, both towed out of Biorko Sound by patrol boats P.40 and P.38 respectively, on 15 December 1919 (Janet Lomas, 31.3.2013, Old Weather editor).

ML.126, no other details

ML.127, sold in a damaged condition, not known when, where and how damaged (Cn/D)

ML.128, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.129-ML.134 (total 6), no other details

ML.135, commanding officer was Canadian Lt G L Cassady (sic), awarded a DSC for his part in sinking a U-boat off Dartmouth in the summer of 1918. U-boat was probably UC.49, sunk in English Channel off Start Point, in 50.20N, 03.30E, on 8 August 1918, depth-charged by destroyer HM Opossum, joined by a number of ML's (Andy Hunter, Canada - see WW1Memoir-ML.htm; also Kemp's "U-boats Destroyed")

ML.136-ML.148 (total 13), no other details

ML.149, 10 September 1916 in central Mediterranean - destroyed by fire at Taranto, SE Italy (+J/Cn/D)

ML.150-ML.151 (total 2), no other details

ML.152, in Conway’s as lost after the Armistice; 2 January 1920 in Baltic - grounded on southern Oland island, Sweden (Cn/D)

ML.153-ML.190 (total 38), no other details

ML.191, included in the War Loss Section in Jane’s Fighting Ships, but lost after Armistice; 29 September 1919 presumably in North Sea area - ML.18, ML.62, ML.191 lost on passage from Norway, no other details (J/Cn/D) (for possible photograph - see WW1Memoir-ML.htm)

ML.192-ML.195 (total 4), no other details

ML.196, in Conway’s as lost after the Armistice, caught fire and sank, no other details (Cn/D). Believe commanded by Lieutenant S F Strang, entered Turkish harbour of Sivriji at night to search for possible damaged U-boat  ("The Motor Launch Patrol" by Gordon S Maxwell)

ML.197, 31 January 1917 in St George’s Channel - wrecked near Ballincourty/Ballinacourty Lighthouse, Co Waterford on SE Ireland coast (+J/Cn/D)
ML.198-ML.205 (total 8), no other details

ML.206 - the second British vessel to enter Tyre after ML.248, during the Palestine campaign ("The Motor Launch Patrol" by Gordon S Maxwell)

ML.207-ML.210 (total 4), no other details

ML.211, commanded by Canadian Lt John Hunter RNVR from 8 June 1917 until 9 January 1919, British waters (Andy Hunter)


ML.212-ML.222 (total 11), no other details

ML.223, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.224-228 (total 5), no other details

ML.229, motor launch, US Elco-built; sold in a damaged condition, not known when, where and how damaged (Cn/D) BUT (source?? - ML.229, one of 11 British ML’s on the Rhine. Almost destroyed by petrol explosion and fire in 1919. Probably not repaired)

ML.230, ML’s 230, 253, 255 being transported as deck cargo - normally 4 ML’s per ship - aboard collier INVERBERVIE 4,309grt, sailing Cardiff & Messina for Taranto with cargo of coal; 14 September 1916 in central Mediterranean - lost when INVERVERBIE (H/L/D - also spelt INVERBERVIE) torpedoed without warning by Austro-Hungarian submarine U.IV (U.4) and sunk in Gulf of Squillace, 17 miles S by W from Cape Rizzuto, Italy (te - in 38.55N, 16.15E; L - 15 miles SW of Cape Rizzuto) (Cn/D/H/J/L/te)

ML.231-ML.238 (total 8), no other details

ML.239, served in Dover Command, battle honours - Belgian Coast 1914-18, Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.240, no other details

ML.241, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.242-ML.246 (total 5), no other details

ML.247, 29 September 1918 in Atlantic off SW England - one of four ML’s which entered St Ives Bay for shelter during strong southerly gale, wind veered and "increased to hurricane force", threatening to blow them ashore. Two boats started engines and worked into deeper water, the local lifeboat went to the aid of the other two, one of which then managed to get started and entered St Ives Harbour, the other developed engine trouble one mile off Clodgy Point and drifted towards the rocks. By the time the lifeboat had been relaunched and reached ML.247, she had struck the rocks and blown up on Oar Rock, west of Clodgy Point, St. Ives (WI - in 50.13.10N, 05.29.42W); all but one crew lost in the explosion or probably drowned, one man washed ashore and saved by people on the beach. A further two hour search only revealed wreckage (+J/Cn/W/D)

ML.248, "the first British vessel to enter Tyre," during the Palestine campaign ("The Motor Launch Patrol" by Gordon S Maxwell)

ML.249, served in Dover Command (Cn/dp)

ML.250-ML.251 (total 2), no other details

ML.252, served in Dover Command, battle honours - Belgian Coast 1914-18, Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.253, ML’s 230, 253, 255 being transported as deck cargo - normally 4 ML’s per ship - aboard collier INVERBERVIE 4,309grt, sailing Cardiff & Messina for Taranto with cargo of coal; 14 September 1916 in central Mediterranean - lost with INVERVERBIE (H/L/D - also spelt INVERBERVIE) torpedoed without warning by Austro-Hungarian submarine U.IV (U.4) and sunk in Gulf of Squillace, 17 miles S by W from Cape Rizzuto, Italy (te - in 38.55N, 16.15E; L - 15 miles SW of Cape Rizzuto) (Cn/D/H/J/L/te)

ML.254, served in Dover Command, battle honours - Zeebrugge (Ostend) 4.1918, Ostend 5.1918, war loss; 10 May 1918 in North Sea - sunk to avoid capture during Raid on Ostend. VC-boat - Lt Geoffrey Drummond RNVR (Cn/D/H/J/dp/th)

ML.255, ML’s 230, 253, 255 being transported as deck cargo - normally 4 ML’s per ship - aboard collier INVERBERVIE 4,309grt, sailing Cardiff & Messina for Taranto with cargo of coal; 14 September 1916 in central Mediterranean - lost with INVERVERBIE (H/L/D - also spelt INVERBERVIE) torpedoed without warning by Austro-Hungarian submarine U.IV (U.4) and sunk in Gulf of Squillace, 17 miles S by W from Cape Rizzuto, Italy (te - in 38.55N, 16.15E; L - 15 miles SW of Cape Rizzuto) (Cn/D/H/J/L/te)

ML.256-ML.257 (total 2), no other details

ML.258, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.259-ML.261 (total 3), no other details

ML.262, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.263-271 (total 9), no other details

ML.272, served in Dover Command, battle honours - Belgian Coast 1914-18, Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.273, no other details

ML.274, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge (Ostend) 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.275, no other details

ML.276, served in Dover Command, battle honours - Belgian Coast 1914-18, Zeebrugge (Ostend) 4.1918, Ostend 5.1918, VC-boat - Lt Roland Bourke RNVR (3 battle honours + VC) (Cn/dp/th)

ML.277, no other details

ML.278, served in Dover Command, war loss; 15 January 1918 in Strait of Dover - wrecked on Dunkirk Pier (Cn/D/H/J/dp)

ML.279, served in Dover Command, battle honours - Belgian Coast 1914-18, Zeebrugge (Ostend) 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.280, served in Dover Command, battle honours - Belgian Coast 1914-18, Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp)

ML.281, no other details

ML.282, served in Dover Command, battle honours - Belgian Coast 1914-18, Zeebrugge 4.1918, VC-boat - Lt Percy Dean RNVR (Cn/dp/th)

ML.283, served in Dover Command, battle honours - Belgian Coast 1914-18, Zeebrugge (Ostend) 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.284, no other details

ML.285, British waters (Andy Hunter)


ML.286-ML.288 (total 3), no other details

ML.289, Albert Medal (George Cross)-boat - Deckhand Stanners RNR (Cn/dx)

ML.290-ML.294 (total 5), no other details

ML.295, 21.11.16 - salvage of Zwaluw (steamship or schooner) (lg30336)

ML.296-ML.298 (total 3), no other details

ML.299, 8.9.17 - salvage of ketch Annie (lg30428); 15.10.17 - reported by HMT Saxon, with ML.302 and ML.304 west of Caldey Island, Bristol Channel on hydrophone practice; 19.12.17 and 20.12.17 - reported by HMS Saxon in Swansea area (Log books, HMT Saxon)

ML.300, 19.10.17 - reported by HMT Saxon anchored in Mumbles Roads, Swansea (Log books, HMT Saxon)

ML.301, no other details

ML.302, 15.10.17 - reported by HMT Saxon, with ML.299 and ML.304 west of Caldey Island, Bristol channel on hydrophone practice (Log books, HMT Saxon)

ML.303, no other details

ML.304, 15.10.17 - reported by HMT Saxon, with ML.299 and ML.302 west of Caldey Island, Bristol channel on hydrophone practice; 29.9.17-16.11.17 - reported four times in this period in Cardiff-Swansea-Ilfracombe area by HMT Saxon (Log books, HMT Saxon)

ML.305 - "Based at Leith, patrolled Islands & Scapa Flow.  Would "put-up" on Isle of May. Able Seaman (or he may have been Coxswain) Herbert Stapleton mentioned in dispatches after raising the alarm when HM Queen Elizabeth (Admiral Beatty’s Flag Ship) caught fire." (with thanks to Brenda Duggan, grand-daughter of Herbert Stapleton)

ML.306-ML.307 (total 2), no other details

ML.308, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.309-ML.313 (total 5), no other details

ML.314, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th). Commanded by Lieutenant Gordon S Maxwell RNVR from c August 1916, sailed Portsmouth to Great Yarmouth for North Sea duties, then to Dover Patrol and based at Dunkirk. Paid off May 1919 and joined 200 other M.L.s lying up in the Hamble River  ("The Motor Launch Patrol" by Gordon S Maxwell)

ML.315-ML.344 (total 30), no other details

ML.345, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.346-ML.349 (total 4), no other details

ML.350, based at Newlyn as of 21.5.17; Prize Money awarded to Lieutenant E I Sycamore RNVR, appointed to command on this date. See also ML.5 and 352 (with thanks to David Frost, great-great grandson, 10.6.2014)

ML.351, no other details

ML.352, based at Newlyn as of 20.9.17; Prize Money awarded to Lieutenant E I Sycamore RNVR, appointed to command on this date. See also ML.5 and 350 (with thanks to David Frost, great-great grandson, 10.6.2014)

ML.352-ML.355 (total 4), no other details

ML.356, served in Dover Command, war loss; 11 April 1918 in Strait of Dover - sunk after collision off Dover, Kent. Albert Medal (George Cross)-boat - Lt A G Bagot RNVR (Cn/D/H/J/dp/th)

ML.357-ML.368 (total 12), no other details

ML.369, British waters (Andy Hunter)


ML.370-ML.379 (total 10), no other details

ML.380, one of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (believed misprinted as ML.38 in Conway) (Cn)

ML.381-389 (total 9), no other details

ML.390, one of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn)

ML.391, no other details

ML.392, one of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn)

ML.393, no other details

ML.394, possibly served in Dover Command before transfer as one of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn/dp)

ML.395, no other details

ML.396, one of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn)

ML.397, probably served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/th)

ML.398-ML.399 (total 2), no other details

ML.400, one of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn)

ML.401, no other details

ML.402, one of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn)

ML.403, war loss; 22 August 1918 in North Sea area - salvaging a German torpedo and blown up in Runswick Bay, near Whitby, Yorkshire, NE England (Cn/D/H/J)

ML.404, one of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn)

ML.405-412 (total 8), no other details

ML.413, 21 April 1918 in Strait of Gibraltar - sank German UB.71 with depth charges

ML.414-415 (total 2), no other details

ML.416, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.417, no other details

ML.418, identified as at Gallipoli as of May 1918 (Donald Carmichael) 

ML.419, no other details

ML.420, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.421, war loss; 6 April 1918 - wrecked in Seaford Bay, presumably Sussex, in English Channel (D - collision off Whitby, in the North Sea) (+J/Cn/D)

ML.422, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.423, no other details

ML.424, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918, war loss; 23 April 1918 in North Sea - lost in action during Raid on Zeebrugge (Cn/D/H/J/dp/th)

ML.425-428 (total 4), no other details

ML.429, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge (Ostend) 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.430, no other details

ML.431, war loss; 22 April 1917 in English Channel area - destroyed by accidental fire at Poole, Dorset (W - described as a 'B' Class motor launch, in Poole Harbour, around 50.42N, 02W) (Cn/D/H/J/W)

ML.432-433 (total 2), no other details

ML.434, in Conway’s as lost after the Armistice, caught fire on the Danube river, no other details (Cn/D)

ML.435-441 (total 7), no other details

ML.442, one of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn)

ML.443, no other details

ML.444, one of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn)

ML.445, no other details

ML.446, one of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn)

ML.447, no other details

ML.448, served in Dover Command, probably before transfer as one of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn/dp)

ML.449-ML.454, 6 of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn)

ML.455, no other details

ML.456, one of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn)

ML.457, no other details

ML.458-ML.460, 3 of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn)

ML.461, no other details

ML.462, one of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn)

ML.463, no other details

ML.464, one of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn)

ML.465, no other details

ML.466, identified as at Gallipoli as of May 1918 (Donald Carmichael)

ML.467-ML.468 (total 2), no other details

ML.469-ML.472, 4 of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn)

ML.473, no other details

ML.474, war loss; 23 July 1917 in Aegean Sea - hit by Turkish shell and destroyed by fire near Chios island, off W Turkish coast (Cn/D/H/J)

ML.475-ML.481 (total 7), no other details

ML.482, "Jack Dresser's ship. He married my Aunt Georgie. They had no children. He had a Cadillac agency in Montreal in the 30's" (Andy Hunter)


ML.483-ML.488 (total 6), no other details

ML.489, one of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series(Cn)

ML.490, no other details

ML.491-ML.493, 3 of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn)

ML.494-ML.510 (total 17), no other details

ML.511, served out of Portsmouth, commanded by Irish yachtsman Conor O'Brien (Jeffrey Charles referencing PRO archives)

ML.512, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge (Ostend) 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.513, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.514-520 (total 7), no other details

ML.521, in Conway’s as lost after the Armistice, caught fire and sank at Portsmouth, date not known (Cn/D)

ML.522-524 (total 3), no other details

ML.525, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.526, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.527-530 (total 4), no other details

ML.531, commanded by Canadian Lt Russell Odell RNVR, British waters (Andy Hunter)


ML.532, probably served in Dover Command, battle honours - Belgian Coast 1914-18, Zeebrugge (Ostend) 4.1918 (Cn/th)

ML.533, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.534, war loss;13 April 1917 in central Mediterranean - destroyed by fire at Taranto, SE Italy (Cn/D/H/J)

ML.535-537 (total 3), no other details

ML.538, served in Dover Command (Cn/dp)

ML.539, no other details

ML.540, ML’s 540, 541 being transported as deck cargo - normally 4 ML’s per ship - aboard cargo steamship HUNSTRICK 8151grt, sailing London for Salonica, also with government stores & troops; 8 June 1917 in Strait of Gibraltar - torpedoed by submarine and sunk 80 miles WNW of Cape Spartel, N tip of Morocco (L - 53 miles NW of) (Cn/D/H/J/L)

ML.541, ML’s 540, 541 being transported as deck cargo - normally 4 ML’s per ship - aboard cargo steamship HUNSTRICK 8151grt, sailing London for Salonica, also with government stores & troops; 8 June 1917 in Strait of Gibraltar - torpedoed by submarine and sunk 80 miles WNW of Cape Spartel, N tip of Morocco (L - 53 miles NW of) (Cn/D/H/J/L)

ML.542, no other details

ML.543-ML.544, 2 of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn)

ML.545-546 (total 2), no other details

ML.547-548, 2 of 40 to France, renumbered in V.1-V.40 series (Cn)

ML.549, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.550, no other details



ML.551, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge (Ostend) 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.552, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.553-554 (total 2), no other details

ML.555, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.556, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge (Ostend) 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.557, probably served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/th)

ML.558, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.559, no other details

ML.560, served in Dover Command, Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.561, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918, war loss; 21 October 1918 in North Sea - mined, sank off Ostend (Cn/D/H/J/dp/th)

ML.562, served in Dover Command, battle honour - Zeebrugge 4.1918 (Cn/dp/th)

ML.563-565 (total 3), no other details

ML.566, included in the War Loss Section in Jane’s Fighting Ships, but lost after Armistice; 22 December 1918 in English Channel - swamped off Cape Barfleur, France (J/Cn/D/J)

ML.567-580 (total 14), no other details



A total of 200 were sold in 1919, 127 in 1920, and all but 8 by 1924 (Cn)
 
 

---

 

C - "Ships of the Royal Navy", J J Colledge

Cn - "Conways All the World’s Fighting Ships 1906-21"
 
D - "British Warships 1914-1919" Dittmar & Colledge
 
H - "British Vessels Lost at Sea 1914-18", HMSO
 
J - "Jane’s Fighting Ships of World War 1", 1990 edition
 
L - "Lloyds War Losses"
 
W - "Shipwreck Index of the British Isles", R & B Larn
 
dp - "The Dover Patrol 1914-1918", R Humphreys
 
te - "British Merchant Ships Sunk by U-boats in the 1914-1918 War", A J Tennant
 
th - "Companion to the Royal Navy" by D A Thomas
 



1. Any book covering the 1918 Zeebrugge & Ostend Raids in any detail will describe the actions of the ML's that took part.

2. Principal bases for ML's in the Mediterranean were Gibraltar, Malta, Taranto, Gallipoli (Italy), Otranto, Mudros, Lemnos, Mitylene, Alexandria and Port Said  ("The Motor Launch Patrol" by Gordon S Maxwell)

 
Many of the photographs (click for enlargements) are courtesy of Andy Hunter MD of Ontario, Canada. See Canadian Lieutenant RNVR, in the Motor Launches 1916-19, in memory of his father John R Hunter 1892-1971, later Captain, OBE, RCNVR - seen below, left nearest camera with pipe.