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Pulp RN Launch

Page history last edited by Michael 14 years, 3 months ago

back to the Sea Transportation page

 

The 45' long launch is the largest boat carried on large cruisers, battleships, and aircraft carriers of the Royal Navy. It has a crew of 18 men nominally, and can carry up to 140 men when used as a lifeboat; 50 men would be a good figure to use for landing and boarding parties. Harbour picket boats would be similar.

 

They can be fitted with a 3-pdr. Q.F. Mark I Gun, or 4 mountings for double Lewis guns. When outfitted with the machine guns, crew are as follows:

 

  • coxswain, with pistol
  • gunner's mate, with pistol
  • 4 ratings, firing the Lewis guns; also equipped with rifles
  • 4 ratings, as loaders, with rifles
  • 1 shipwright, with pistol
  • 1 signalman, with pistol
  • 2 engine room ratings, with pistols

 

Equipment carried:

 

  • 8 Lewis guns
  • 4 double mountings
  • 12 magazine carrier boxes (8 magazines each)
  • spare parts bag for MGs
  • cleaning rods
  • quarter-case of rifle ammunition
  • boat's magazine
  • 2 hand axes
  • 6 water carriers, 9 gallons each
  • 2 biscuit boxes, 30 lbs. biscuits each
  • boats, boatswain's, carpenter's and surgical tool bags
  • lantern and candles
  • boat compass
  • flare pistol and 12 cartridges

 

The "boat's magazine" consists of:

 

  • 204 rounds of pistol ammunition in a leather pouch
  • 1 lb. of slow match
  • 1 key for metal-lined cases
  • 2 signal rockets
  • 2 common port-fires
  • 2 short lights

 

Notice the lack of lifejackets and life preservers.

 

The petrol engine can drive the boat at about 12 knots top speed. Best range is 80 miles at 8 knots.

 

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