This is from a family friend who is keen to find out about the history of his boat that he sails in the UK.
Would you be able to shed any light on this?
I mentioned sailing and boats (to my Mother) and a small clinker boat that I have had restored and now sail on the south coast from Poole!
She thought you might be curious and indeed maybe able to help with a bit of research that I am doing!
She is called Eastlight … On her bow is a series of markings included the military crows foot, HK 30, and a serial number of 505…
These state that she was built for the RN in their shipyard in HK in 1930.
We know some history from the 70s onwards, it is assumed that she was sold off by the navy in the 50’s and developed to some extent thereafter, like putting on the teak decking etc…
What I am trying to find out is what happened from 1930 to the 1950’s because we know there was quite a punchy war that went on between!!! I so wonder when and how she travelled from HK to UK and on which ship… I doubt it is possible to discover…
But do you think there is any way of finding out where exactly she was built in HK?!? It is just fun to find out the history of this fine old boat!!!
I do gather that the Japanese destroyed all British boats, large and small when they invaded… makes me think she must have come over before the war… who knows!