Built of double mahogany (diagonally) with an eight-inch oak keel and based on a line of destroyer hulls, the Fairmiles arrived in prefabricated kits to be assembled for the RCN by 13 different boatyards.[3] In contrast to the British built boats, the Canadian Fairmiles were narrower, had a greater draught, and were slightly more powerful giving the Canadian boats a two knot speed advantage over the British boats.[4] With a fuel capacity of 2,320 gallons of 87 octane gasoline, the early Fairmiles (Q050 to Q111) were powered by two 650 hp engines, could reach a top speed of 20 knots (max), 16.5 knots sea speed and a range of 1925 miles at 7.5 knots. Later versions (Q112 to Q129) were fitted with larger 700 hp engines able to achieve a top speed to 22 knots (max), with a range of 1925 miles at 7.5 knots.[5][6][4] Crewed by two or three officers and 14 sailors, accommodation on the Fairmiles was thought to be "cramped but comfortable".[5]
Another unique design feature of the Fairmile B was that with 48 hours notice each boat could be reconfigured to serve in a different role. Fitted with steel strips and tapped holes to ease equipment swaps, weapons and specialist gear such as torpedo tubes, mines, depth charges, and guns could be quickly stripped and attached to the boat.[2] In two days, a Fairmile could have its weapons and equipment reconfigured to serve as an escort, minesweeper, minelayer, navigation leader, coastal raider, patrol boat, ambulance or rescue launch.[2] "Armament consisted of three 20mm Oerlikon guns, mounted forward, aft and amidships; two .303 machine-guns; one 9mm Sten gun; two .303 rifles; three .45 revolvers; and 20 depth-charges of 300 Ibs each, including eight fitted for the "Y" gun. Each boat was equipped with sonar, radar and WIT."[5]
The first thirty-six Canadian Fairmile B type were designated and painted up as CML 01-36 (coastal motor launch).[6]
Affectionately known as the little ships, little fighting ships, or Q-boats by their crews, during the Second World War the Fairmile B motor launches of the RCN played a vital role escorting shipping along the St. Lawrence River, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and between Newfoundland and the mainland of Canada. Regularly deployed in flotillas of six The Little Ships relieved larger escort craft urgently needed elsewhere by carrying out anti-submarine patrols, port defence and rescue duties.[7][8] Based out of shore establishments on the St. Lawrence River, Halifax, Saint John, Shelburne, Sydney and on the West Coast; at sea the RCN Fairmile Fleets were accompanied by two "mother ships" HMCS Preserver (F94) and HMCS Provider (F100) providing fresh water, fuel and medical services.[9]
Operational history
While she flew the White Ensign, ML Q050 was not a commissioned ship, but rather listed as a tender to escort depot ship HMCS Sambro.[10][1] From January to April 1944 ML Q050 was listed as part of the 71st ML Flotilla and her commanding officer Lt Alfred George Beardmore, RCNVR was assigned as the Senior Officer (S.O.) of the Flotilla. In December 1944, she was listed as part of the RCN North-West Atlantic Command Gaspé Force (Administered by N.O. i/c., Gaspé), 71st Motor Launch Flotilla.[11]
After the war, she was sold for C$7,900 in late 1945 by the War Assets Corporation (WAC) to Marine Industries Ltd. Sorel (MIL) and returned for resale to Consolidated Shipbuilding Ltd., Morris Heights, N.Y. In 1946 she was sold to Standard Oil Bahamas Ltd. (Bermuda) and renamed Stanba I (#176991) to be used for offshore geomagnetic surveying in the Bahamas.[10][1] Her final disposition is unknown.
Gallery
Launching of ML Q050, the first Fairmile of Royal Canadian Navy at Midland Boat Works, Midland, Ontario on August 28, 1941.
Minister of Munitions and Supply C.D. Howe and Capt. Joseph Heenan, Captain of the ML's, aboard ML Q050
^ abcHeenan, RCNR (Ret), Captain Joseph A. (1 February 1962). "The Little Ships"(PDF). The Crowsnest. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
^ abLambert and Ross, John and Al (1990). Allied Coastal Forces of World War II Vol 1: Fairmile designs and US submarine chasers. Conway Maritime Press. pp. 77–78. ISBN0-85177-519-5.
