TradBoat
Naval & Military Craft


This section of TradBoat is for Associations and restoration groups interested primarily in naval or military craft.  For period ships see our museums section.  As always on TradBoat there is no charge for inclusion here and we will be happy to include a description of your work and a link to your site.  Please, when asking to be included let us have a photograph (by email or land mail) to illustrate the piece, or a copy of your logo.  Email: tradboat@btinternet.com



The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships

Contact:   
Margaret Cormack, Secretary,
5 Finians Close, Honey Hill
Uxbridge, Middx UB10 9NW
Tel: 01895 254193 Fax: 01895 813788

The Dunkirk Little Ships have a number of events - the cruise to Dunkirk every five years (next 2000) and an Annual Commemorative Cruise at different venues each May Bank Holiday. About 150 boats active.
See also

Dunkirk Little Ships Restoration Trust

Contact: Jerry Lewis
The Cottage on the Lake
Hook Shore, Warsash
Southampton SO31 9HF

Tel: 01489 572775
Exists to find and arrange for restoration of Dunkirk Little Ships.


HMS "Belfast".

HMS Belfast
The Cruiser HMS "Belfast" was launched in 1938 and came to London river in 1971 after a distinguished wartime career.  Charts in the bridge area show the layout for the D-Day invasion, in which she played an important part. 

Venue: 
Belfast is moored alongside, upstream of tower Bridge, on the South Bank within a few paces of the the new London council building.

Opening hours: November - March 10.00 - 5.00 April - October 10.00 - 6.00 7 days a week last admission one hour before closing
Address:
Symons Wharf, Tooley Street, London SE1 2JH
Tel: 0171 407 9434 or 0171 735 8922 Fax: 0171 403 0719 


The Britannia Naval Research Association
PO Box 198 Oxford OX11 9ZX

Now coming into its second year (2003) the Association works to preserve naval heritage, vessels, artefacts and documentation, from the Elizabethan period to the present day.  Members receive a quarterly newsletter, ( a most interesting publication, Ed.) and a monthly a signals sheet of maritime events and details of progress in research.  The Association organises regular meetings of enthusiasts.  Their collection of drawings will also be of great interest to model makers and the association has model makers in its membership  

(The Association is very interested in tracing small naval craft, particularly rivercraft, and if you have a vessel like this, or know of one, do please get in touch with me at TradBoat  (info@tradboat.co.uk)  and I will pass your message along to the Association.  Charles Smith, Ed.)


British Armed Forces
Survivors Register

Contacts:
Philip Simons,
25 Greenways,
Highlands Road, Portslade,
Hove BN41 2BS

or

Nick Hall,
20 Longhurst,
Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 OTG

The British Armed Forces Survivors Register covers all vessels built for the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, War Dept, RASC, RCT, HM C&E, Fisheries Protection and also non military vessels such as RNLI lifeboats, Pilot Vessels, Lightships and Police boats, which still survive today whether as motor yachts, work boats, houseboats, clubhouses, museum exhibits and even hulks.  This currently has some 3500 vessels from 14ft - 180 ft and is compiled by Philip Simons and Nick Hall under the auspices of the World Ship Society British Armed Services Small Craft Historical Research Group.
(If you have a vessel that falls into the above categories or know of  interesting vessels on some out of the way moorings and would like to know more about them, please send details to Philip or Nick -  a photograph would be welcome, and an sae for return would be nice)  .

British Military Powerboat Trust
Husbands Shipyard Estate
Cracknore  Hard
Marchwood, Southampton
Hants SO40 4ZD

Tel:
023 8042 8443

A selection of boats has been assembled in the sheds of Husbands Shipyard.  The Trust was established to create a national exhibition centre which would demonstrate the innovation, development and history of twentieth century high speed military craft used by the RN, the RAF and the Army.  Amongst these are Naval Motor Gun Boat MGB81/MTB 416, the well known RAF Seaplane Tender ST102, a Thornycroft CMB and several craft under restoration.  There is a display of models, photographs and drawings together with a number of engines permanently on display(If you are modelling military powerboats, particularly of WWI and WWII, then this is a must.  Its on the right hand side of Southampton Water, about half way down, Ed.)