Page 85 - KBHA BULLETIN 6

During 1942 - 43 German submarines and surface raiders were very active off the South

African coast, claiming 133 ships. The crash boats were involved in many operations

related to these sinkings, and were responsible for the saving of almost 600 lives around the
coast of South Africa, in the period 1939 to 1945.

At the end of the war the Motor Boat Section was reduced in size and the majority of boats

were sold. The proud tradition of the unit continued through its transfer to the Navy in
November 1969, until it was closed down in the mid 1980s.

Gordon’s Bay Harbour: The False Bay Base of Nos. 3 & 4 Flights

Facilities at Gordon’s Bay were initially totally inadequate. The weight of the boats varied

between 10 to 25 tons and they each came with their own cradles for slipping, which
weighed between 2 and 3½ tons. The rails on which these cradles would travel were too

steep, did not run far enough into the water, and the hauling gear was too frail.

Fuel tanks and refuelling systems had to be provided. The Merlin engines in Malmok
required 87 octane fuel while the other boats ran on 77 octane. Alterations were required to

the harbour itself as the boathouse was too low to accommodate a boat without dismantling

the mast. Additional external moorings were to be provided and then only boats under
maintenance would be accommodated in the boathouse.

Work began on the boat shed additions and soundings were made of the harbour and its
vicinity. Navigational hazards were then identified and marked on the charts. Some views

of the Gordon's Bay base at this time are shown in Figs. 3.11 & 3.12.

Capt. Crompton visited Langebaan, Velddrift, Saldanha Bay and Kalk Bay to inspect and
test various craft that had been offered as target service craft. None was fully suitable but

one, the MV Cannuck met most of the requirements. This vessel was found at Saldanha Bay

and belonged to the Saldanha Bay Canning Company. The boat was sailed to Cape Town
on 23 October where she was immediately slipped, cleaned and painted.

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