ML 117

Current boat name

ML 117

Boat class

6837

Function

Military

Type

Length (m / ft)

9.75 / 32ft

Beam (m / ft)

2.34 / 7ft 8in

Leeward

Keel

Masts

1 Wood

Propulsion

Engine

Designer

Admiralty

Date of build

1913

Place of build

Lowestoft

Present use

Sailing

ML 117 was built as a 32ft Motor Boat for the Admiralty ( Contract No Ref.CP 4443/12) at the Harbour Road Works of J W Brooke & Co at Oulton Broad, Lowestoft in 1913 and despatched to the Royal Navy Torpedo Range at Loch Long, Strathclyde. It was fitted with a 45 hp Brooke Marine engine. ML 117 was decommissioned in 1934/35 and sold off as 'surplus'. About 1941 she was impounded for brandy-running and thereafter became known affectionately as 'SMUGGLER'. Her original engine was replaced with a Henry Meadows 'Power 4' Kittiwake engine for use on inland waterways. In 1984 she was recovered from a canal at Furness-Vale, Derbyshire and purchased by her present owner who started a major restoration. On refitting a Brooke 40-F/28/30 6 cylinder engine (fully restored by John Brooke) in 1994 it was found thar her engine beds matched those specified by her builders for the 65-F/10 marine engine as used by the RNAS for their seaplane tenders. It was thought that ML 117 was, therefore, a seaplane tender but there is no evidence to suggest that she ever served in that role. She is, however, a well restored and possibly the only surviving example of a Brooke Single Screw Launch (Admiralty Order CP 4443/12) of the period. GH March 2011 (Archive) Significance: May be the best surviving example of a large group of Brooke built launches, based on their 'Tireless' racing craft built pre WW1, that fulfilled various roles in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force for many years. GH March 2011.