Q069

 

Fairmile Motor Launch

 

 

Fairmile ML Q069

RCN Photo # E-3305

Courtesy of the Comox RCAF Museum

Click on the above photo to view a larger image

 

Laid down: 12 Feb 1941

Launched: 04 Dec 1941

Delivered to the RCN: 28 Mar 1942

Removed from service: 24 Jun 1945

Fate: Foundered in a hurricane in 1978

 

Built by A.C. Benson Shipyard, Vancouver, B.C., she was delivered to the RCN on 28 Mar 1942. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). In Jul 1944 she was listed as part of the 75th ML Flotilla. She was a "B" Type ML, Displacement: 79 tons, Length: 112 ft, Beam: 17.9 ft, Draught: 4.9 ft, Speed: 20 kts, Complement: 3 officers and 14 men, Armament: 3-20mm. In Jan 1944, Q069 was listed as part of the 76 ML Flotilla. Sold in 1946 to Willard G. Weston, Vancouver, she was renamed Casa Mila and later Harwood. She foundered in a hurricane in 1978.

 

 

Photos and Documents

 

 

Commanding Officers

 

Ch/Skpr Francis William M. Drew, RCNR - 28 Mar 1942 - 15 Jun 1943

Lt Robert MacBain Francis, RCNVR - 16 Jun 1943 - 25 Oct 1943

Lt Henry W. Patterson, RCNVR - 26 Oct 1943 - 19 Sep 1944

Lt Edwin Utley Anderson, RCNVR - 20 Sep 1944 - 24 Jun 1945

 

 

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

 

 

 

Former Crew Members

 

Devlin, Gordon Ernest, SLt, RCNVR - 15 Feb 1943

 

Francis, Robert MacBain, Lt, RCNVR  - 11 May 1943

MacDonald, Robin Frank, Skpr, RCNR - 28 Mar 1942

 

Smith, Donald Alexander, SLt, RCNVR - 22 Jul 1944

Wiley, John Edward, SLt, RCNVR - 28 Mar 1942

 

Wright, John Allan, Lt, RCNVR - Jan 1944

 

 

Photos and Documents

 

Ron William on top of the bridge of MV Harwood - circa 1947-48

 

"I was a steward on board the HARWOOD IN 1947 AND 1948. She was a converted Fairmile – ML Q069 I am really pleased to send photos supporting how beautiful she was when she was totally refitted and coastal cruising in local waters and principally to cruising to an exclusive resort at the head of Princess Louisa Inlet and the Georgia Straight. We had four crew being skipper, cook, engineer and myself as steward. The skipper then was Captain Gadda who was a great skipper. We hosted well known dignitaries of which the Bronfman family of five was on board for one cruise. At that time she was owned by McLennan of United Distillers a major distillery in Vancouver British Columbia and the name Harwood comes from a product name of Rye they produced being "Harwood Rye".  My quarters were in the forward anchor hold and entry was via the anchor hatchway. Really quite nicely finished - great job."

 

Courtesy of Ron Williams

MV Harwood, former ML Q069 - circa 1947-48

 

Courtesy of Ron Williams

MV Harwood, former ML Q069 - circa 1947-48

 

Courtesy of Ron Williams

Carol Joy, daughter of Lt Henry Patterson and Louise (nee Skinner) Patterson is Christened on board ML Q069

 

Courtesy of Steve Patterson

 

 

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