The Inshore Patrol Flotilla (SIS and SOE) in Helford maintained and trained on a variety of small boats. It is clear from the Logbook that many of the recruits did not have good experience of handling small boats and this was an essential part of their training. A document from July 1943 summarises some of the craft. It concentrates on the canoes which also being tested at Helford.1
Canoe Mark 1
Collapsible canoe constructed with skeleton timber framework and fabric skin. Normally constructed to carry two men and approximately 400 lbs of gear or stores but can be built with accommodation for three men if required. Dimensions 17 ft x 3 ft 1 in OA. Beam cane be reduced to 2’ 5½“ by deflation of the stabilizing rube for passing the craft through a submarine torpedo hatch. Will stow in the torpedo racks of a submarine when assembled – or can be dismantled and packed in stowage bags for transport in aircraft or overland. Total weight 125 lbs. Propelled by paddles. Used mainly for reconnaissance from S/Ms.
Canoe Mark 1 Rigid
Light round bilge canoe constructed of plywood to carry two men and in reasonably calm water 700 lbs of gear and stores. Dimensions 17 ft 4 ins x 2 ft 9 ins x 1 ft 6 ins. Total weight 100 lbs. Propelled by paddles. Designed for carrying on deck of Coastal Forces craft for small raids and sabotage.
Canoe Mark II
This craft is constructed with a flat rigid bottom, rigid gunwale and flexible canvas folding sides, supported by internal struts. When rigged the height from keel to gunwhale [sic] is 16½ inches and 7 inches when folded. Carries two men and approximately 200 lbs of stores. Dimensions 15 ft 1 inch x 2 ft 4½ inches. Can be passed through the torpedo hatch and stowed nested or operationally rigged in the racks of a S/M. Total weight 90 lbs. Propelled by paddles. Has been used for operations on enemy coats but is designed mainly for harbour defence and similar duties in sheltered waters. It is not as seaworthy as Canoe Mark I.
Canoe Mark III
Rigid round bilge canoe with catamaran floats for provide additional stability and buoyancy and a short mast and light sail for long sea passages in suitable weather. This craft is very seaworthy and has been used under sail in a sea of scale 5. The hull is 17 ft 4 ins x 2ft 5½ ins and the catamaran floats are attached to sliding and floating outriggers which can be adjusted for stability or folded over the deck of the craft for stowage. With outriggers folded the craft can be passed through the torpedo hatch of a S/M and stowed in torpedo racks. A crew of 2 men can be carried and up to 600 lbs of gear and stores. It is propelled by paddles and over long distances an average speed of 2 ½ to 3 knots can be maintained without undue fatigue. The floats reduce the speed by approximately 10% but in calm weather can be lifted clear of the water. Total weight is 130 lbs to 140 lbs with sailing gear. Two watertight compartments are provided for’d and aft of the centre 8 ft cockpit and are fitted with covered hatches to permit the stowage of gear. These craft are used for training of canoeists, reconnaissance in heavy weather or surf and the duties of the SBS.
Canoe Mark V
This craft was designed for special reconnaissance duties where a minimum silhouette is essential. It carries a crew of one in a prone position with his head for’d (as shewn in photograph A) or on his back with head amidships. When a low silhouette is unnecessary the crew can sit (as in photographs B and C). The craft is electrically propelled and rudder and speed controls can be operated from either of the three positions. A two speed control is fitted. Maximum speed is 3.7 knots with an endurance of 4 hours and minimum speed is 2.3 knots with 9 hours endurance. At minimum speed the craft is completely silent at 20 feet distance and at full speed a slight hum can be heard up to 80 ft. Special batteries are fitted and are detachable in 4 sections each having an automatic connecting device wot enable batteries to be shipped or removed in the dark without manipulating terminals. The electrical propulsion gear is built into a hull of similar construction and dimensions to the Canoe Mark III. It has catamaran floats and sliding outriggers and can be passed though a S/M hatch. The batteries can be jettisoned and the canoe paddled in case of emergency. A crew of two men can be carried if necessary but under these conditions the craft trims by the bow and is very wet in a head sea. Total weight of hull with mechanical propulsion gear and fittings is 366 lbs and the detachable batteries weigh 240 lbs or 60 lbs each section. 200 lbs of stores can be carried with one man or 50 lbs with a crew of two.
Cockle Mark IV
Collapsible assault boat constructed similarly to Canoe Mark II. Carries 10/12 fully equipped men when propelled with oars or paddles but is not normally provided with oars or rowlocks. Can be fitted with a stern bracket for propulsion by 10 HP or 22 HP outboard motor when speeds of 4 to 6½ knots can be obtained. This boat is light and easy to handle but is unpopular amongst Naval personnel as it is reputed to be unseaworthy unless well laden and towed or mechanically propelled. Dimensions are 17 feet x 5 ft 3½ ins x 2 ft 1½ ins. Total weight 350 lbs. This boat with minor modifications has been adopted by the War Office as Infantry Assault Boat Mark III to carry 20 fully equipped men when towed or fitted with an outboard motor.
Surf Boat2
A sturdy double ended clinker built round bilge craft especially designed for landing and launching through surf. Carries seven men with equipment. Dimensions 14 ft 3 ins x 5 ft 0 ins x 2 ft 0 ins. Propelled by paddles or oars. Total weight 300 lbs. Used for special duties.
Dory 18 feet3
Specially designed and constructed to be carried in Coastal Forces craft for small scale raids. Lightly constructed of plywood with reinforced flat bottom for landing on rocks or boulders. Carries twelve men with equipment and 360 lbs stores as normal crew and load. Propelled by paddles or with 8 men can be propelled by oars. Total weight 460 lbs.
Dory 18 feet – Engined
For operations with longer sea passages and to prevent fatigue in landing parties the 18 feet boat has been fitted with a 10 HP petrol engine. Hull dimensions are similar to item 8. Total weight including engine and the normal complement of fuel is 1200 lbs. Maximum speed 6½ knots.
22 feet Dory4
Originally designed for small scale raids from Coastal Forces Craft but due to its weight of 960 lbs requires special davits. Carries 20 men and stores according to weather conditions. Dimensions 22’0” x 5’9” x 2’6½”. Propelled by oars or paddles. A very seaworthy boat, strongly constructed and suitable for rock landings.
Cow Boat
An inflatable boat to carry 12 men and stores to a total weight of 3,500 lbs or 20 men with equipment but 12 only using paddles. Dimensions inflated 23’0” x 6’4” x 2’0” and deflated and packed in valise – 11’4” x 2’4” x 10”. Total inflation capacity 125 cub ft. Weight 240 lbs. Constructed in 6 independent compartments.
Intruder Boat
A smaller inflatable boat to carry 6 men and 500 lbs stores to a total weight of 1750 lbs, propelled by paddles. Dimensions inflated 12’0” x 5’0” x 1’8” and deflated and packed 3’0” x 1’4” diam. Inflation capacity 36 cub feet. Weight 120 lbs. Constructed in 6 independent compartments and fitted with m/c gun pockets, detachable floor boards, towing painter, anchor and mooring rope with 2 CO2 bottles for inflation.
Other Existing Types
The craft described above are the main types in production. Others for special requirements are the Kayak and Canadian Canoe and the FBE Mark III. The 32ft Goatley Boat is a large edition of Cockle IV and has been developed as a store carrying boat with a load capacity of 10 tons. When carrying 8 tons it has a draught of 18” and freeboard 26”. Length 32 ft. Beam 11 ft.
A Prototype 6 man rigid service canoe is under construction. This will be a light boat to be carried on the deck of Coastal Forces Craft and hoisted inboard from sea level without using davits or derrick. It will have a load capacity of 1500 lbs and arrangements will be provided in construction for fitting an outboard motor to give a speed of 3½ knots laden for a distance of 20 miles. Normally it will be propelled by paddles or oars at an average speed of 2½ knots.
IJW/BMC
24th July 1943
A note on nomenclature: work on these archives suggests a code for the boat names: PD stands for praam dinghy, CN for Camper and Nicholson designed/built and SN for (Warington) Smyth/Nicholson designed and built.