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Class Fairmile B;Pennant ML 121;Built by James A. Silver Ltd. (Roseneath, Scotland, U.K.). Ordered 22 Sep 1939. Commissioned 12 Sep 1940. Displacement: 73 tons; Dimensions: 112 x 18.25 x 11.25; Machinery: 2 Shafts; Hall Scott 12 cyl petrol engines; BHP 1200 = 20 Knots; Bunkers: Petrol 2300 gallons + 2700 gallons (deck tanks); Armament: 1 x 3pdr; 2 x .303 AA machine (2 x 1) guns; Complement: 16 History: Sold ca. 1947.The 3rd Motor Launch Flotilla, - ML.121, ML.126, ML.129, ML.130, ML.132, ML.134, ML.135, ML.168, were all at Gibraltar by January 1942. They were later joined by MLs 459 and 462. On 12th March MLs 126 and 130 left Gibraltar and arrived safely in Malta at breakfast time on the 17th. Two more MLs, 129 and 132, left the rock that evening. However, they never reached Malta and after being 4 days overdue they were given up as lost. It was later found out that, after covering almost 1000 miles, they were attacked by Italian bombers of Cape Bon. ML 129 was badly damaged and sank. ML 132 which was also badly damaged picked up the survivors and decided to enter Bone, which was in Vichy French hands. They asked, under International law, to stay for 24 hours to effect repairs. The French refused and the crew were interned. With the loss of the two boats the Admiralty decided to send the rest of the 3rd Flotilla to Malta via the Cape route. However, in May the Flotilla were ordered to remain at Gibraltar to wait for a chance to get through. On 12th June at 01:20 MLs 121, 134, 135, 168, 459 and 462 departed Gibraltar to join Convoy WS19Z ( Opertaion Harpoon) as escorts to the oiler KENTUCKY which was also escorted by HEBE, SPEEDY, HYTHE, and RYE. The MLs, which had been fitted with Oropesa sweeps, arrived safely at Malta where they undertook minesweeping tasks. On 13th August 1942 the 3rd Flotilla were ordered to sea to carry out a sweep of searched channels with orders to rendezvous with Force X and take over escort of merchant vessels, at 1500. It had by this time been ascertained that the latter consisted of ROCHESTER CASTLE, MELBOURNE STAR, and PORT CHALMERS, with the DORSET and tanker OHIO, both severely damaged. The PENN, LEDBURY, and BRAMHAM were standing by the two damaged ships. Two M.L.s landed wounded at Sliema and then proceeded with the 17th Minesweeping Flotilla to assistance of DORSET and OHIO. The former was reported sunk at 2020. At 2100, RYE reported that she was assisting PENN to tow OHIO with 2 M.L.s as A/S screen. At 0630, on 14th August, ML 168 arrived back at Malta with 68 survivors on board. 15th August - At 0800, OHIO in tow of PENN and BRAMHAM followed by LEDBURY entered Grand Harbour. The sweepers and MLs entered Marsamxett. In 1943 the 3rd Flotilla took part in the Salerno and Pantelleria, Sicily landings.
Sources: Wikipedia. British and Empire Warships of WW2 by HT Lenton. Flag 4 by Dudley Pope. http://www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/14283.html. http://www.unithistories.com/units_brit ... orces.html. http://www.naval-history.net/xDKWW2-4101-26RNHome.htm.
http://www.naval-history.net/xDKWD-Malta1942a.htm.
Information Mr P Crichton.