HDML 1015: The HDML 1015 was a 54 Grt. Harbor Defense Motor Launch (HDML) built at M.W. Blackmore & Sons, Bideford, N. Devon, UK. for the British Royal Navy. One of 486 of this vessel type built during WWII, she was launched on 24 February 1941, with a length of 22 meters, beam of 4.9 meters, and a draught of 1.5 meters fully loaded. Propulsion was provided by two Gardner 8L3 diesel engines providing 204 bhp to twin shafts for a top speed of 12 knots, with a range of 2000 miles at 10 knots cruising speed. Design criteria required that the boat have a turn radius of that of a surfaced submarine. This resulted in the installation of two large rudders and the keel ending 13-feet from the boat's stem. Crew compliment was 2 officers, 2 petty officers, and 6 ratings. Harbor Defense Motor Launches (HDML's) Armament for the HDML's was typically twin 20mm Oerlikon guns, twin Vickers "K" machine guns, and 6 depth charges. As well as any assortment of small arms which the boat's crews could procure on their own. The HDML's were designed in 1939 for the British Admiralty by J.W. Holt to fill a need for economical, mass-produced, small boats which could be utilized for initially for harbour defense, but later saw service as rescue craft, minesweepers, convoy escorts, and special operations. These boats were initially built by British Yacht builders, with many of the later craft being built in other British Commonwealth countries. Basic construction of these vessels was a double-layer wooden semi-displacement hull (mahogany on earlier boats, larch on later boats when lumber supplies became scarce) of "Carvel" construction. The outer layer being 3/4-inch thick and inner layer being 5/8-inches thick. The decks were constructed using The boats had flared bows to throw the bow wave away from the boat and to provide lift when moving through the water resulting in greater fuel economy and speed. Constructed with a rounded chine (no bilge keel) however, they tended to roll heavily in mild sea conditions. The rounded chine coupled with the shortened keel tended to make these boats difficult to maintain on a steady course. The boats were divided into 6 watertight compartments so that in case of a hull breach the vessel would remain afloat with any single compartment flooded. The ribs, frames, and longitudinals were all oversized in order to add strength and stability to the hull. The layout of these boats, from bow to stern, had the chain locker locted at the bow. A small sea toilet and wash basin was located in the forepeak aft of the chain locker which was for use by the 6 ratings berthed in the fore cabin aft of the forepeak. The fore cabin also contained a coal-fired stove for heat and cooking by the ratings. Aft of the fore cabin were storage compartments on the port and starboard sides with a passage way between them which led to the engine compartment. Located on the port side just aft of the engine room was berthing for the 2 petty officers where they had their own toilet and wash basin. On the starboard side, and just aft of the engine room and across from the Petty Officer's head was the Radio Room. The next compartment aft is the wardroom, which was "roomy" by comparison with the other crew accommodations. The wardroom contained the ship's safe, wine and spirit locker, a small foot bath, and a coal-fired stove for heat. The 2 officers were berthed at the extreme aft end of the ship. The aft-most compartment was the steering gear room and magazines. The boat's main steering station and helm were located amidships above the engineroom. Located beneath this was the chartroom which contained a chart table, a "casual" berth, Navigation Switchboard, engine control indicators, and the secondary conning station. Boats were initiall shipped to foreign stations onboard ships. However, later in the war when cargo space became scarce, many of these vessels made their own was as far a Iceland, Gibralter, and the Mediterannean. Boats serving in the Med. and in tropical waters had their hulls sheathed in copper below the waterline to prevent damage by Toredo Navalis (wood boring worms). After launching, the HDML 1015 departed Devon in March 1941 to Clyde (Holy Loch) via Hamble, Appledore, and Holyhead for transport via ship to the Mediterannean. While enroute, the boat collided with a bouy while departing Appledore without suffering serious damage. In May 1941 the HDML 1015 was placed onboard the S.S. Belpareil and departed on the 31st as part of Convoy OB-329 for Suez via Durban, South Africa. The convoy is dispersed on 05 June and the S.S. BelPareil steamed independently to Suez via Freetown, Capetown, Mombasa, Aden, Massawa, and Port Sudan, as well as other ports. Arriving at Suez 18 August 1941, the HDML 1015 is offloaded The HDML 1015 then joined the 102nd Motor Launch Flotilla at Alexandria, Egypt on 01 January 1942. This flotilla consisted of the motor launches ML 1012, ML 1017, ML 1023, ML1038, ML1039, and ML 1051. In October 1943 the HDML 1015 was lost in heavy weather near Alexandria. No other information has been located this vessel's loss. References: http://medlibrary.org/medwiki/Harbour_Defence_Motor_Launch http://www.hmsmedusa.org.uk/index.html http://www.naval-history.net/WW2BritishLossesbyArea08.htm http://www.westernladyferry.com/Chp1FairFewMiles.PDF http://www.warsailors.com/singleships/belpareil.html The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II     (By Chris Bishop)