Anne

Current boat name

Anne

Boat class

7286

Number

146394

Function

Sports and Leisure

Type

Length (m / ft)

9.14 / 30ft

Beam (m / ft)

2.72 / 8ft 11in

Leeward

Keel

Masts

1 Wood

Propulsion

Engine

Designer

Curtis F

Design date

1925

Date of build

1925

Place of build

Looe

Present use

Restoration

ANNE was designed and built in 1925 by Frank Curtis at Looe,as a twin engined motor cruiser for N Rylands- Mellor of Helford. Cornwall. By 1930 she had been sold to her second owner General Sir Fred Meyrick who had her refitted with more powerful Ailsa Craig LM4 petrol engines. General Meyrick died in the early 1930's and ANNE had several more owners before she was requisitioned by the Ministry of War Transport in January 1940. ANNE was involved in the Dunkirk evacuation and it is believed that she, together with a number of other small motor boats, was towed to Dunkirk where she was used to ferry troops from the beach to larger craft lying offshore. She was discharged from war service in September 1940. In 1970 she was damaged when dropped by crane but has been repaired. ANNE was bought by her present owner in October 2009 and has been extensively restored to as near to her original as built state as possible. Fortunately a short article on her build published by Motor Boat in 1925 includes plans of her layout. What is more important is that ANNE was found to have the same two Ailsa Craig engines that had been fitted by General Meyrick in 1931. These original engines were able to take here across to Dunkirk for the 2010 ADLS Reunion. The thoroughness of ANNE's restoration taking her back to her 'as built' state and the fact that she is still running on the engines originally fitted in 1931 makes her an important addition to the NSBR. To be auctioned with a share of the proceeds going to the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes. Nov 2012 GH (Picture courtesy of Classic Boat) She has since been sold. Her new owner is related to P J Darby who owned her prior to her war service and his intention is to return her to as near to the conditions she was prior to her war service. Documents relating to work done on her engines between 1969 and 2002 found. More detailed research required to establish her full history. Mar 2016 GH