HMS gay archer
HMS GAY ARCHER WILL NO LONGER BE ATTENDING THE SHOW
HMS P1041 Gay Archer Motor torpedo boat was built in 1952 in
Porchester. Although built in response to the threat of the Korean
War, the 12 boats of the Gay class were built to a WW2
specification as a stop gap while the Dark Class were in
development.
She was originally based at HMS Hornet in Gosport, then later in
Auhuas Harbour in Denmark as part of number two flotila. She saw
active service from 1952 to 1962, before being retired to Troon in
Scotland where she was scheduled to be scrapped.
Purchased from the scrapyard and moved to Norwich in Cheshire
her then owner Frank Lunt began converting her into a house boat,
with the bridge and all traces of Naval history removed. She spent
nearly 25 years out of the water.
In 2004 Paul and Rhian Childs purchased the vessel for a nominal
£1; sold their house and possessions to fund her restoration back
to seaworthiness and stock configuration.
She made her way down the rivers Weaver and Mersey and down the
Bristol Channel and she now resides in Watchet in Somerset. This
journey in 2006 was her first journey in over 44 years and a
distance of over 340 miles.
Since then she has also had a complete refurbishment internally,
a 6 year labour of love. She now operates as a floating museum and
permanent reminder and tribute to the men and women of Coastal
Forces.
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