MTB 219, or Motor Torpedo Boat 219 to give her her full title, was built in Portsmouth in 1941, one of a model built for speed for the purpose of defending Britain from the threat of German Invasion. During her military career, she was involved in a number of important sea battles and sunk the German destroyer SEEADLER on the 13th of May 1942.
After she was decommissioned she was used briefly by the Sea Scouts, before falling into the loving hands of Alasdair Campbell. Alasdair lived on MTB with his wife Carol on and off for over 40 years, during which time they raised a family and shared the boat with dozens of individuals from all walks of life. This legacy was continued when Alasdair passed MTB over to me in 2005, having decided against all reason and logic that a 24 year old showgirl with bad credit rating was the right person for the job.
MTB was 'condemned' in July 2012 after a routine survey and after nearly eight truly wonderful years on board I will in turn be passing her into the care of Paul Childs - a charity-funded, master restorer of antique military vehicles - as a donation to his floating museum in Watchet, Somerset.
The cost of the first stage of the restoration project comes to £10,000 and Paul has so far managed to raise approximately £5,000 with £5,000 still to find.
MTB has always had a knack for attracting the most extraordinary people to her. They have all been swept away by the strange magic that entirely eclipses all her other quirks...the cardboard walls, temperamental wiring, arctic Winters and vicious geese. I feel incredibly blessed to have collided with the much-missed Alasdair who gave me the opportunity to be part of her wonderful history.
I am sending this to all of the MTB 'Alumni', past and present and all of her many friends who have celebrated, crashed on the floor, BBQ'd, seen the sun set and rise from her deck, spilt drinks up the walls and (occasionally) fallen off the roof, if they would be interested in making a donation towards her final journey.
According to Paul in 6 years time MTB will be seaworthy again and has promised me a ride in her when she's ready, but in the meantime I will be arranging a party for all of MTB Alumni, friends and family on board in late July of this year. I hope very much that you will join me :)
With love and thanks,
Ruth x