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The crew's messroom and the engine-room are directly accessible from the wheel house, wherein
the navigator is in complete control of launch and engine movements. Engine starting and control
mechanism is fitted alongside the steering wheel and all relevant information concerning fuel stocks and
machinery behaviour is shown by a group of instruments on a panel before the navigator.
The superstructure is designed to offer a minimum of wind resistance and the bow flare is capable
of diverting appreciable quantities of storm water. A main mast, hinged to a tabernacle, carries a
derrick and lifting gear by which stretcher cases can be landed.
The cockpit is large enough to receive a stretcher case and afford sufficient space for the two
stretcher bearers awaiting its descent. Protected accommodation is provided for eight sitting patients
beneath a portable arrangement of spars and awning. There are no steps between the cockpit and
saloon, a factor which obviates stumbling when carrying a stretcher case. The saloon, normally
arranged for the inspector's use, can be quickly converted into an ambulance room. It is fully exposed
to the cockpit by opening two sliding doors, and by removing the table top, engaging hinge supports
which are normally secreted behind the settee backs, accommodation is provided for three stretcher
cases.
The toilet and galley lie immediately forward of the saloon. /There is an internal gangway from
forward to aft, which is an advantage in bad weather.
Electric lighting, both fixed and portable, is installed and the circuit draws its supply from a
battery which also serves to start the engines, feed the searchlight and electric horn. Radiators are
heated by paraffin and pressure-paraffin stoves are used in the galley.
The crew consists of a navigator, deckhand and boy, whose accommodation lies forward of the
wheelhouse and takes the form of a furnished messroom.
Generally, the equipment of the launch is considered to be very satisfactory and she carries an
illuminated sign of recognition for night work.
m.l. "Alfred Robertson," Commissioned 1938.
Reg. tonnage 12.37. Main engine h.p. 140.
Length 57.0 ft. Fuel consumption 16.2 lbs./hr.
Breadth 11.0 ft. Aux. engine h.p. 10.0.
Draught 5.0 ft. Fuel consumption 2.0 lbs. /hr.
Max. speed 9.7 knots. Lub. oil per year 18.0 galls.
This launch is based on "Uplees" at Greenwich moorings. She is allocated to the Middle River
district sanitary inspector and, being of robust construction, is suitable for this stretch of the river
about which lie numerous small craft and traffic at dock entrances. As the river becomes more
narrow, these conditions are accentuated and the launch is subjected to intermittent rough treatment.
This steel vessel with a single screw, driven by a diesel engine, adequate tumble-home, stiffened
bulwarks and a stout rubbing strake is quite able to fend off small craft, including barges, without
sustaining hull damage. She is fitted with a diesel engine generator set to supply electric power for
heating, lighting and cooking. The same unit can supply starting air for the main engine and drive
an emergency water service pump.
From forward to aft she has the construction of forepeak, crew's messroom, engine-room, saloon
and afterpeak. A coal burning stove is fitted in the messroom for emergency heating and cooking.
The saloon can accommodate two stretcher or six seated patients. At one time, moving a stretcher
case in and out of the saloon was like an acrobatic feat for the stretcher bearers, because the tilted
stretcher could only be admitted to the saloon by way of a small scuttle hatch over a steep flight of
steps. To obviate this hazard a suitable mast, derrick and hand-operated winch have been erected
and an extended aperture cut into the saloon superstructure with two sliding scuttle hatch tops.
This arrangement allows a stretcher case to be lowered into or lifted from the saloon by a harness
at any angle and discharged overside with ease and causing no discomfort to the patient.
Thus, in an emergency, the "Alfred Robertson" is able to relieve the "Howard Deighton" at
Gravesend.
The launch is employed by the sanitary inspector for boarding a variety of vessels moored at
buoys and wharves.
She is manned by a navigator, engineer, deckhand and a boy, and is normally moored each
night on " Uplees " under the watchful eye of the shipkeeper.
m.l. " Frederick Whittingham," Commissioned 1934.
Reg. tonnage 4. Max. speed 8.2 knots.
Length 29.5 ft. Engine h.p. 60.0.
Breadth 8.75 ft. Fuel consumption 10 lbs./hr.
Draught 3.0 ft. Lub. oil consumption 10 galls. /year.
She is smaller than her sister vessels and is presently at the disposal of the sanitary inspector
and rodent inspector to whom she renders regular daily service in the Upper River and Middle River
districts. Being of shallow draught, of strong construction and very susceptible to the helm makes
this relatively small launch suitable for work among congested craft and navigation in the creeks.
The Upper River district is comparatively shallow at low water level, is spanned by several lowlying
bridges and is considerably used for barge towing traffic and houseboat moorings. In order to
negotiate the low bridges, the masts of all the launches have been made collapsible and due attention
has been paid to the height of funnels and superstructures. From Greenwich to Westminster the
launch is able to operate at all states of the tide, but beyond that to Teddington the district is
navigable only at certain states of the tide.
She has a single screw propelled by a diesel engine. All the operating gear is located in the wheelhouse.
thus the performance of the launch is completely controlled by the navigator.
No electric machinery is installed—the lighting, cooking and heating is dependent on paraffin
equipment, while starting the engine and pumping is done by hand gear.
This is a sturdy steel craft, capable of taking reasonable punishment from lighters, etc., though
it is generally agreed that her lines, low freeboard and high superstructure combine to give a rather
clumsy appearance. Modifications have been made externally and internally to overcome this latter
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