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sarinda - HARBOUR DEFENCE LAUNCH (ML 1392)

17/9/2013

43 Comments

 
Picture
Seen in Liverpool on 4 September 2013 Sarinda was built as Harbour Defence Launch (HDML) ML 1392 by Berthon Boats, Lymington. She was ordered on 11 September 1942 and completed on 20 December 1943.

She has a length of 21.95m, 4.57m beam, 1.40m draft with Gross Tonnage of 59.

The HDML was designed by W J Holt at the Admiralty in early 1939 and ML 1392 is one of 486 HDMLs constructed mainly by yacht builders in the UK as well as other Allied countries.

Originally her complement would have been 10 personel and she would have typically been armed with a QF-2 pdr main gun, 20mm Oerlikon AA Cannon and 0.303 vickers machine guns located either side of the bridge. She would have also carried 6 to 8 depth charges on her aft deck. As the QF-2-pounder guns were not particularly accurate, possibly because of the boats' tendency to roll many were replaced by another 20 mm Oerlikon gun.

Engines on this type of vessel varied but her diesel engine and single propeller would make between 11 and 12.5 knots.

As part of the 149th ML Flotilla she was a navigation leader at Gold Beach during the D-day landings in June 1944. On 6 March 1945, she captured a Biber type German midget submarine off Breskens in the Scheldt estuary.

After the war, she continued in service as the fast despatch boat FDB 73.
Picture
In October 1947, she was transferred to HM Customs & Excise and renamed  
Valiant.

In the 1960's she was sold and became the motor yacht Frol-Pejo and by the mid 1970's she had been renamed Sarinda.

A total rebuild as a luxury motor yacht was started in 1979 and completed by a new owner after she was sold in 1987.
43 Comments
Christian Sheppard link
20/11/2013 12:20:18 pm

This is how Sarinda looked at the end of WWII;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25721684@N00/9239632070/in/set-72157632269542118

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Shan Merritt
19/6/2014 11:16:34 pm

My father (Sub Lt Dennis Merritt) was in charge of HDML 1392 in WW2 and I have a number of photos of the vessel and her crew from wartime. I would love to hear from any of the old crew or their descendants.

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Rick Foley
31/1/2021 06:15:28 pm

Shan,
This looks to be an old post. But, hopefully this message gets through. A young couple is restoring this vessel and posting videos on youtube. I'm sure they would love any information you have. Their channel is:"Ship Happens". the link is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGYfor_-g_k8ib-rBzXOLWg

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Rick Foley
1/2/2021 01:36:25 am

Sorry. I did not realize that recent posts are at the bottom of the page. I see the new owner Gemma is on this comment chain. Thanks for providing your input. Good to see history preserved. Cheers.

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Paul Platt
19/4/2015 10:06:19 am

HI there

We have just aquired this vessel and like-wise would like to know about its history. we have lots of logged information on -board including photographs and ships log.

Our plan is to restore it its moored in Heswall on the Wirral if you would like to popdown and take a look sometime drop me an email.

Cheers

Paul

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Shan Merritt
19/4/2015 04:40:34 pm

Hi Paul
I am away on holiday but on return will try to contact you with info and photos. I am so pleased to hear that ML1392 is to be restored and my father would be delighted.
Regards
Shan Merritt

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Alan Watson link
4/5/2015 12:28:43 pm

Hi Paul,

Medusa is ML1387 and is at Gosport still pretty much as built and seaworthy. I have a pretty complete set of drawings and other info on construction should you need it plus happy to share what we did,

Regards, Alan

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Shan Merritt
25/7/2015 02:08:33 am

Hi Paul
Are you interested in the wartime photos of ML1392? I gave some to the previous owner but he wasn't really interested and might have passed them on to you. You can phone me on 01404 812733.
Cheers
Shân Merritt (daughter of 1392's Lt Cmdr)

Reply
Rod Waite link
19/7/2016 10:12:13 am

Hello Paul - how nice to see Sarinda again! I'm the guy that completed her re-build at Woolston in 1987, giving her two new Caterpillar engines and drive lines, and fitting her out for charter. She was the Sponsor's boat at Cowes Week, 1989. But I must say she looked much prettier when I had her! Beautiful sea-boat, had some adventurous rides round from Southampton (season base) to Bristol (home base) - but was made an offer I couldn't refuse in 1990. Love to know how you're getting on with her. I have some photos of my (major!) renovation work if that interests you.

Best regards

Rod Waite

Reply
John Peer link
24/8/2020 08:55:55 am

Hi Paul, do you stil own Sarinda?

We owned and fitted her out for 8 years (1990 -1998)
If you want I can send you Info and pics.

Regards
John Peer

Reply
Trevor Lewis
9/5/2016 07:21:53 pm

Sarinda is now moored at Port Penrhyn, Bangor, North Wales.
Date 8 May 2016

Reply
Rod Waite link
19/7/2016 01:22:42 pm

Just a note on Steve's original write-up - Sarinda was always a twin-screw boat, originally with two Gardner 8L3B diesel engines, long gone when I bought her. Two re-built 8L3Bs would have cost £280,000 ... so I had a pair of Caterpillars instead at a mere £34,000 each.

Rod

Reply
Lorna Matheson
10/8/2016 03:05:16 pm

Was astonished to find Sarinda still had the same name :)
I worked on her when she was cruising the Caledonian Canal in the 70's. She was bought by my friend's father, Alan Clegg who had been head of seamanship at the Outward Bound School in Burghead Moray. Her name is an amalgamation of his daughters' names Sarah and Linda. He more or less did the refit himself and we could accommodate about 8 passengers. We were based in Inverness and cruised through the canal out to the west coast. In 1976 he headed to France for a cruise through the French canals. From the time we left Inverness the weather was not kind and we eventually arrived in Cherbourg about a month behind schedule. Unfortunately things did not improve, whilst leaving port to head to Le Havre, we hit a submerged wall and had to be rescued. Fortunately Sarinda was not badly injured, and was floated off the next day,but ended up in the drydock to have her hull repaired. That was the last time I saw her and it was the end of my sailing days :( From what I remember she was a twin screw with 2 Leyland 125s at the time. I would like to have posted a photo but I don't have them to hand.

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Linda matheson
10/8/2016 04:18:13 pm

I have lots of photos Lorna will try to post xx

Reply
Lorna Matheson
10/8/2016 04:29:32 pm

Reply
Frank Yates
19/5/2018 07:43:37 pm

Sarinda now appears to have been dumped on the marsh at Heswall. Local story is that harbour dues were not being paid at Penrhyn so she was sailed away on a high tide and has apparently been abandoned.
Propellors are well encased in mud and it will take a major effort to move her. Locals think she has been left to rot.

Reply
Lorna Matheson
19/5/2018 09:35:57 pm

So sad to hear this news :(

Reply
Shan Merritt
20/5/2018 07:33:38 am

What a very sad end to a ship that served this country so well in WW2. May her soul join those of her crew.

I wonder whether the Medusa Trust would want to retrieve any items of equipment to use on ML 1387? (If there's any original stuff left after the rather ugly conversion to cruising use.)

I have photos of the original engines and armament, as well as the crew and the mini sub, plus many others of course of 1392 and other wartime ships.

Reply
Frank yates
20/5/2018 09:58:17 am

Here you are. Photo taken yesterday.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/49561411@N02/28354085788/in/datetaken-public/

Reply
Matt
28/5/2018 01:52:30 pm

Hi frank she hasn’t been abandoned like you say she moored at heswall for the time being and we will spin her round in September on the big tides also we have some big plans on the horizon for her and she runs like a dream and the mooring fees at penrhyn we’re paid

Reply
lindam1954@Google mail.com
3/8/2018 11:51:18 pm

So glad to hear Sarinda is cared for. I was extremely upset at the prospect of her being abandoned and left to rot. She was a huge part of our lives. Would love to hear of her in the future.

Simon
21/9/2018 03:39:28 pm

Been looking at this yacht for some time when iam down in heswall as it’s such a beautiful ship,thought I would google it today to find out more about it.wow such a history so good to hear its being saved as I also thought it was abandoned.would love to see it being re-floated and turned around

Mike
27/7/2020 09:29:42 am

Yes Frank, sadly left to rot with all the other unsightly wrecks on Heswall Beach. See "The Boat Graveyard" on Utube !

Reply
Matt
21/9/2018 11:16:51 pm

Yes she turned around ready for the Dday memorial in July be good to see some people send us off and if you’re ever down the shore we always around the yard just ask we don’t mind telling you about it

Reply
Martin Weston
11/6/2019 02:06:55 pm

Hi there,
Its good to see things moving in the right direction last year, is there an update on her?

Reply
Steve
26/12/2019 08:20:32 pm

Good evening everyone i think I've gone nuts but just about to purchase an almost derelict HDML (no 1257) She's in a bad way but looking at what can be done with the Sarinda has definitely made up my mind to go for it come what may any ideas or advice is very much welcomed

Reply
Shân Merritt
27/12/2019 07:21:44 am

The best place to find info about the HDMLs is the website www.hmsmedusa.org.uk where you can see the fully restored ML1387 (now known as HMS Medusa) and see the history of all the known MLs. They also have full plans and would probably be willing to offer advice etc.
I hope you will be able to preserve your acquisition and enjoy doing the restoration or whatever. Well done!

Reply
Mo Gorrie
2/5/2020 11:13:34 am

Sarinda is now for sale. If you have an interest please email maureengorrie@hotmail.com

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Mohammad Dookhee
11/1/2021 07:56:14 pm

Dear maureen

Did you receive my email about sarinda.

Regards

Reply
James Howgego
2/1/2021 03:46:18 pm

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313360197983

For sale here...

Cheers James

Reply
Michael Byrne
2/1/2021 04:27:30 pm

When was she last surveyed for marine insurance purposes ?

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Mohammad Dookhee
9/1/2021 02:39:29 pm

Is there any technical drawings of the boat ?

Reply
Gemma
12/1/2021 07:33:39 pm

Hi All, I'm now the new owner of the Sarinda, if anyone has any information or history for this boat could you please get in touch! Would love to find out as much as I can!
shiphappens1392@gmail.com
Cheers!

Reply
Graham
21/1/2021 08:55:29 pm

Hi,
I've just been watching your your tube video. Good luck with your new venture, you are definitely on a journey! Dreams take people in many exciting directions. When I was young I took risks without knowing about them.
As an experienced boat owner. I have some tips.
Please. please
know your financial position if you abandon her. Will you be charged to dispose of her? This could bankrupt you. I am assuming you will not be able to get insurance. If you can possibly get third party and salvage you should push to get it.
Be very careful about moving her. If she sinks you will be billed massive amounts of money to salvage her, it will probably bankrupt you. Ditto if she breaks her mooring in a gale
On an old boat like this fire is a real risk, if you sleep on board make sure you have a fire/smoke alarm. if she did burn she could kill you, or you may be billed for salvage and removal of toxic chemicals/diesel.

I say this with a heavy heart as you have clearly set your heart on her. You could make it work if you have a huge budget, professional advice and about ten years of time.
You are correct that she could make a lovely holiday home/static houseboat.

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Thomas Hetherington
26/1/2021 12:49:49 am

Graham is spot on with his assessment of the purchase of the boat, sadly this purchase will be a nightmare for the both of you.

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john read
28/1/2021 09:20:15 am

Well Gemma i hope you prove the naysayers wrong yes its a big undertaking and a ton or work i'm sure when the covid is on its way out put out the feelers i'm sure that there are talented and experienced people out there that will be willing too lend a hand to get the old gal back too former glory i cant wait too see the ongoing restoration via you tube best of luck.

Reply
Gemma Robins
31/1/2021 08:00:46 pm

Thanks for your comments John, alot of work to do by we will see it through xx

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Peter
29/8/2022 03:57:27 pm

If you can dream it you can do it ! Succes !

John Reynolds
31/1/2021 09:04:00 pm

Good luck to you, you seem dedicated and focused! Here's to success

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Dmk
4/6/2021 09:52:11 pm

And so here we are 4/6/21, much work started and good progress made. Has inspired many, myself included as to the possibilities if hard work is done. I have no doubt that Gemma and Simon will achieve their dreams and get her seaworthy again. Big band of followers cheerleading and offering support. So far so good

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Michael Robinson
7/7/2021 02:24:10 am

She is an amazing boat and a huge following with amazing support https://youtu.be/-OJ49hGWfyU

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Sean Patterson
13/9/2021 01:18:52 am

If only more old boats had people worth the drive and heart to make them seaworthy again. She’ll be a sight to see when she’s done. Follow them on YouTube, ShipHappens. It’s very interesting to see how she’s come already.

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Art Nelson
24/4/2022 07:16:30 pm

Yes, watch. This couple is really banging out some nice work on the old girl. ML1392 is gonna shine again, no doubt.

Reply



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    Author

    My interest in ships and the sea started back in 2006 when I worked for a couple of years  on the banks of the River Mersey. I have since been on a couple of cruises around the Med and in the Far East and have started to take more interest in researching and photographing some of the ships and other vessels seen on my travels.

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