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| For the ASR role, boats had a four-berth sick-bay on the upper deck, stocked with first-aid equipment and medical supplies to deal with emergencies, stretchers and survivors' clothing which, if not fashionable, was practical. All this was under the supervision of a Sick Berth Attendant. Another four berths could be made up in the officers' cabin (Wardroom) and, should there be greater numbers, the crews' accomodation would have been available. It speaks well for the design and construction of these boats, wartime expedients though they were, that, adapted to a peacetime role, they were to be seen fifty years later in rivers and at seaside resorts giving pleasure cruises to holidaymakers. The petrol engines have been replaced with more economical and safer diesels. Bridges that were open in wartime are now enclosed and glazed, and there have been other modifications for the comfort of passengers. Buit the main structure remains as when built. The Fairmile Marine "B" was a remarkably robust, maneuverable and versatile design which, apart from when in foul weather, gave the crews, who lived aboard, a reasonable amount of comfort. Its shortcomings were its dependence on petrol as fuel, which was a liability both in action and in harbour with men living aboard, and its slow speed, which was satisfactory for many duties but which, for ASR, was a handicap when speed of reaching a search area might have meant a matter of life or death for someone. Some statistics Length. 112 ft. Beam. 17 1/2 ft. Draught. 4 1/2 ft. Tonnage. 100 approx. Propulsion. 2 Hall-Scott 650 hp "Defender" engines giving up to 2000 rpm. Cruising speed, 15 knots. 18 knots for up to 2 hours. 20 knots for twenty minutes. Range. With full tanks, 2500 gallons, 90 octane petrol, using 15 gal. per hour at cruising speed, about 700 miles. Armament. The original defensive selection of .5 Lewis, .303 Lewis and Oerlikon changed when a 2 pounder pom-pom replaced the .5s. For anti-submarine patrols there were six depth charges. For close combat with the enemy there were grenades and carbines and, if that lot did not put him off, there was a chemical smoke-making machine aft to cover our retreat. I don't think it was ever used. Crew. C.O. and 1st Lieut. (Exec.) Cox'n. Senior rating. Motor Mechanic. Next to Cox'n in seniority and responsible for everything that moved, apart from people. 2 Assistant Motor Mechanics. Rated as Stokers. 2 Telegraphists, keeping 24 hour watch. Sick Berth Attendant. Cook. Extra gunner in action. Seamen-Gunners. There were six. Total complement, 16. Don Mackintosh |
| RML History, page 2 |