ML 115 was part of an order for 13 B type Fairmile MLs placed by the Admiralty on the 22nd September 1939. The kit was shipped from the Fairmile Marine Co Ltd at Cobham Surrey to the Solent Shipyards Ltd Sarisbury Green Lower Swanwick Hampshire.
She was laid down on the 11th March 1940 and completed on the 18th September 1940.
By October 1940 ML 115 had joined several 'A' type MLs at Portland for training duties and remained at Portland in that role until February 1941. On the 14 January 1941 a fire damaged ML115 and so she then went to Southampton for some repairs.
See decorations.
Sailing then via the west coast to Ardrishaig and HMS Seahawk.
She remained based at Seahawk with a mixture of other small launches including a harbour defense launch and other MLs engaged on ostensibly anti submarine training until October 1944. HMS Seahawk paid off in October 1944 and ML 115 then moved to HMS Nimrod at Cambletown and probably joined with other vessels as part of the harbour defence force.
Throughout her service I believe ML 115 had the following armament:
Forward 3 Pounder Hotchkiss (Circa 1886)
Just rear of the engine room hatches 2 Twin Lewis .303 Machine guns
Some ? SMLE .303 Rifles
And to compliment the ASDIC she carried 12 Depth Charges
(The latter proved the best fishing method yet devised)
There is an indication from some photos she also had a Holman Projector.
HMML 115 paid off October 1946.
Fate. Sold to A.S. Woods.
She became yacht Vandia.
Official number 160163,homeport AYR, re-engined with General Motors.
Which would mean she sailed her home waters in retirement!
In recent times some of ML 115 has been recovered. The ships bell is now I believe with The Coastal Forces Heritage Trust.
The makers plaque was sold on ebay in Feb 2008 to an unknown.
If you have the plaque and read this please contact me.
