Restoring a rare Admirals Barge 45ft help wanted

J

Justin Anslow

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Hi i need help restoring the Grey Ghost. She is in a boat yard near Sheerness I will pay all expenses and i cook well. I will also let any who helps have use of her when she is back in the water.

Gray Ghost History.

Gray Ghost started life as the fifth of eight boats built by Kris Cruisers under Royal Navy contract CP8E/98406/40 4th Feb 1940 foe the MOD.

The boat was used for carrying depth charges and armed with a Lewis Gun.

She was carried on the Battle ship HMS Duke of York. When in use as a Picket Boat/ Admirals Barge.

She has twin Gardener 6LXB-180HP fitted in 1975 and only showing 184 hours, They are both in very good running order.

She has only had four owners since including the MOD. The previous owner in 1975 modified her to look like she does to day. Her small ship number SSR 00104. She is also on the National Historic ships register 2965.

I believe that she is one of only three left, One of her sister ship can be seen in the Chatham dock yard.

Thanks

Justin
 
Not that I am going to be any help to you, as I have enough wooden boats of my own to look after, but as with all these sort of posts, we would love to see some photos! Good luck with the restoration.
 
I had a look on National Historic Ships register but couldn;t find her.

I can't offer to help, but would love to know more, you can come here to advice too, collectively there is a lot of knowledge.
 
before that boat went to queenbourgh it was on the slipway at gillingham pier in the seventies
i remember my father showing me that boat many times,he absolutely loved her
superchip
 
Hi, here is a photo of National Historic Ships certificate. If any wants to come and see her they are more than welcome.

Thanks Justin
 
What sort of hull construction do they have? Is it plank on frame, or some sort of double diagonal system?

Erik, of this parish, spent considerable time and money on a 15ft ex navy 'Fast planing' 15ft launch. bottom was double diagonal, topsides, clinker. It is lovely, but he can't find a buyer.
So, what condition is the boat in? While I admire any restoration project, some are just too far gone. Not to mention that you are offering tea and biscuits for work..
 
IMAG0566.jpg

This old girl has plenty of life in her. the hull is solid apart the last 10ft and that only needs about 12 planks replacing. The frame is solid on the supper structure. It is mainly the decks that have gone. And to mention the tea and biscuits. I do not do them, I am a steak and beer man, you won't ever go hungry around me, I will also pay any expenses and let any one who helps me have free use of the boat including fuel
 
I've an idea that the boat building school in Boathouse 4 at Portsmouth Dockyard has one. That might be a source of information and advice. Also there might be students willing to help you practically.
 
Here is an old picture (taken in 1982) of a 45ft Picket Boat that was brought to St Dogmaels on the Teifi estuary in Pembrokeshire in the 1970s and then abandoned. She was painted bright red, had been used for fishing and was named rather optimistically 'Sea Harvester'.
This must have been another type to the one that is the subject of this thread as she was single screw, powered by a Gardner (I cannot remember if it was 4 or 6cyl) that was ruined when the boat repeatedly filled on each tide. She also had a 'Kitchen' rudder which was obviously typical for this type of vessel. Her construction was double-diagonal.
Not long after I took this picture the vessel was destroyed, unfortunately.IMG_1661.jpg
 
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