Motor Launch ML-286 facts for kids
Motor Launch of the same type drawn by Lieutenant Geoffrey Allfree
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Quick facts for kids Class overview |
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| Builders: | Elco |
| Operators: |  Royal Navy |
| Completed: | 580 |
| General characteristics ML.1-50 series | |
| Type | Motor Launch |
| Displacement | 37 tons |
| Length | 80 ft (24 m) |
| Draft | 4 ft (1.2 m) |
| Propulsion | 2× 220hp 4cyl petrol engine |
| Speed | 19 kn (35 km/h) |
| Complement | 8 |
| Sensors and processing systems |
Hydrophone |
| Armament |
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The Motor Launch ML-286 is a special boat that served in the First World War. It was built by a company called Elco. This boat was used by the Royal Navy to hunt for enemy submarines.
Later, in 1940, ML-286 became one of the brave Little Ships. These small boats helped rescue soldiers during the Dunkirk evacuation. Today, ML-286 is in poor condition. It rests on the banks of the River Thames near Isleworth Ait. It is the very last surviving Royal Naval 'Motor Launch' from the First World War. More than 550 of these boats were built.
Contents
ML-286's World War I Service
The first motor launches began serving in the First World War. There were 580 of these boats, each about 24 meters (80 feet) long. The American company Elco built them for the British Admiralty. They were given numbers from ML-1 to ML-580.
From 1916 until the end of the war, these boats helped the Royal Navy. They protected the British coast from German submarines. ML-286's first commander was Lieutenant Geoffrey Allfree. He was also a famous War artist.
Dunkirk Rescue and Life After War
After the First World War, the Ministry sold ML-286. It was first named Cordon Rouge. Later, in 1930, its name changed to Eothen. This was the name it had during the Dunkirk rescue.
After Dunkirk, the boat returned to Ramsgate. It was then towed to Teddington. The navy tried to use it again as a patrol boat on the Thames. However, it was not suitable for this job. So, in August 1940, it was given back to its owners.
Current Condition of ML-286
Today, Eothen (ML-286) is in very poor shape. It lies on the banks of the River Thames. Volunteers from the Thames Discovery Programme (TDP) are watching and recording its condition. This group is based at the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA).
See also
- Coastal Motor Boat
- Torpedo boat
- Harbour Defence Motor Launch
- Coastal Forces of the Royal Navy
