How she started, and her new name
Malta, 1940...“Good morning Major Halford, you sent for me?” “Why yes, Leftenant Jeffries, please sit down. I want to discuss something with you. How are your men doing in the maintenance squadron?” “Quite well actually, considering what we have to work with. We’ve just received our first Hurricanes, and we’re getting on with getting them ready, the Gladiators are..well, they’re tired sir, worn out. The men have done a good job keeping them in operational shape, but, there’s a lack of spares...” Jeffries shrugged. “We’re doing the best with what we have sir.”
Halford smiled. “Jeffries, don’t think I don’t know how your boys have had it, you and your men have done a commendable job keeping our aircraft operational. What I meant was, how is their morale? I’m asking because I may have a rather different job for a few of them..and you. You see, our latest intel is showing that the Germans are going to help Mussolini in his attempt to take Malta. Seems the powers that be back home greatly underestimated the importance of this little island. We are being reinforced, with Hurricanes, aircrew, and aircraftsmen, but we are sorely lacking in any sort of air/sea rescue service. We have one old flying boat, and a seaplane tender that’s doing good to make 10 knots. We sorely need one of the new high speed rescue launches the RAF Marine branch uses, but they are in short supply. They’re keeping most of them close to home, as many people in Parliament, Churchill included, feel that the Luftwaffe is going to attack England as a prelude to invasion.”
Halford paused. “We’re going to have to go it on our own. Jeffries, I want you to go down to the docks and take a look at a boat there..take a couple of your men. She’s not much to look at right now, it was a cabin cruiser that belonged to a local who had ties to the Axis. He’s incarcerated, and some of the locals tried to burn the boat in response to his..transgressions. We were able to salvage it, and are considering commandeering it for our own use. See if she has any value as a rescue launch...if she can be refitted and used for the job in a timely manner.”
Both men stood. “We’ll have a look at her first thing tomorrow sir.” Jeffies replied. With that, both men saluted, and Jeffies left the Majors office, wondering just what the devil he had gotten into.
A few days later Jeffries was back in the Major’s office. Halford asked “Have you any news for me Jeffries?” “Yes sir, I do. We went down and gave the boat in question a good looking over..you were right she’s pretty beat up topside. However, the hull looks to have sustained very little damage, if any...and there’s one more thing..looks like she was a rum runner built in the US before the war. She’s out fitted with a Hall-Scott Invader engine. One or two of my men have marine backgrounds, and according to them that engine is quite a powerhouse. I think she’ll do well as a rescue launch sir.”
Jeffries was clearly excited, he continued..”I’ve taken the liberty of getting her up in dry dock, and a few of my men have volunteered what free time they have to get her up and running. We’re going to need supplies though, wood for a new superstructure, some sort of fittings for lights, supplies for a small galley/first aid station..also, we need some sort of defense..an anti aircraft gun of some sort.”
Halford thought for a second..”I have a friend in the RN, he told me that a cruiser intercepted an Italian cargo vessel that had material for the German Army in Africa. Among the items listed was a 20mm 4 barrel flak gun. It would have to be modified for marine use, and crewed differently due to space..could your men fit it?”
Jeffries smiled..”Major, I think I have some of the best riggers and fitters in the RAF. I see no problem sir, none at all.”
“Good” said Halford..”Good. Get to work on her, I’ll have the gun to you within the week. You think you can round up a crew?” Jeffries mused a bit, and responded..”don’t see that as a problem, I’ve already had a few of my men volunteer to crew her...and I have some experience with this type of craft, my parents had a quick little launch that I used to wreak havoc in when I was younger. Almost got in trouble several times in her..”
Halford laughed, then went on.”Good! Then that’s settled. Jeffries, I know that you washed out in pilot training due to your middle ear, vertigo and all that. You’re a good man, and have discharged your duties with distinction. Would you like to take on command of this launch, and do what’s needed to pluck our boys out of the water and get them to safety?”
Jeffries enthusiastically replied,”Yes sir!! Would be my honor.”
“Well then,” Halford replied,”that’s settled it.except for one thing. What would you name her? She’s a one off, so it’s only fitting..”
“Aphrodite!!...I’ll name her Aphrodite.” “Why Aphrodite Jeffries?” Halford asked, with a bemused look on his face.
Jeffries went on..”because, if I was a downed airman, wondering what was to become of me, and saw her approaching...well, sir, I’d think at that moment she was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.”
“Carry on then...skipper”
“Thank you sir!!”
The Aphrodite went on to serve 2 years before she was replaced by a “proper” high speed launch. In that time she rescued several airmen, and also combatants and civilian sailors from stricken vessels. She also shot down or fought off several Axis aircraft including 2 ME110s, an SM79, one Macchi C200, and a Dornier flying boat, among others. No one knows what became of her after the war.
She certainly runs well in the water, very responsive.
Nice job.
Martin555.