Award Winning 1912 Brooke Boat 26 / ML 117
as seen in racing livery at Beaulieu

Foreword

I am immensely proud to be the owner of one of the oldest Seaplane Tender’s in the known world today. “Smuggler” (as she is affectionately known), was purchased by my late father James P Clements
at Furness Vale in 1984. This was to be his retirement project, but when her renovation became too much of a personal challenge I took on the mantel until the time of Jim’s passing in 1986, just five years prior to her initial completion in 1991. 

At Windermere that same year“Smuggler ML 117” attended her first Classic Motor Boat event winning ‘First Prize’ award in the ‘People’s Favourite’ category and ‘Best in Class for the Best Pre-War Restoration’.
A further award followed at Windermere in 1997, where she took another ‘Best in Class award in the Best Pre-War Boat’ category.

My mother Joyce was present at both occasions and said that Jim would have been very proud of these achievements!  

ML 117 is today Powered with the only remaining Brooke 40-F28/30 ‘Hundred-series’ Marine Motor, developing 103 h.p. @ 2000 r.p.m. S/N L4407 was fully restored by John D.M. Brooke, Grandson of her original builder from all ‘Ex-Stock’ parts! This craft is representative of the many early Service Marine-craft built by the J.W. Brooke & Co.

Since those halcyonic days, B26 has shown herself to be a superb planing craft. On the plane at just Six-Knots, she is likened to Speed-boatTireless II”. The craft seen below was re-engined by John Brooke, the Grandson of her original builder. She was initially given three window lights per side as seen on the Torpedo range at Loch-long, but more recently removed the cabin to bring her back to her origins as a stunningly fast elequant Speedboat that is reminiscent of a bygone era.  

My family’s commitment to rebuilding “Smuggler” has taken many years and it is hoped that her immense speed and historic value will bring much pleasure to a great many people!

Robert J Clements.

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Brooke seaplane tender b26 / ml117

Seen at Buckler’s Hard (Beaulieu) 2006

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Brooke seaplane tender b26 / ml117

Starboard view on Main Deck with original Mk.1 Francis Searchlight at Beaulieu in 2006

Constructed at the Harbour Road Boat Works of John W Brooke & Company, Lowestoft, England, ML 117 was built boat No. 26 on Admiralty Contract Ref. CP 4443/12 before being despatched to the R.N. Torpedo Range at Loch Long, Strathclyde, Scotland on 24th April 1913. She remained in service until 1936 after which she was de-commissioned and sold off locally as ‘Surplus’.

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Brooke Hundred MARINE MOTOR
Re-Built by
John Brooke

Brooke 40-F 28/30 Hundred Marine Motor complete with Magneto, Electric Generator
& Starter Motor

Powered today by a Brooke 40F-28/30 ‘“Hundred” Marine Motor, Serial Number L4407 (rebuilt
by John Brooke in 1993), the only remaining engine of its kind, she remains the earliest complete example of a Brooke Seaplane Tender in existence.

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Brooke 103 h.p.

40-F/28/30
marine

motor

Bore……………………...…4 1/4”
Stroke………………….…...4 3/4”
Consumption of oil per hour 3/4 Pint
Length of Motor only….………42”
Diameter of tailshaft……….1 3/8”
O/D of three-bladed propellor16 1/2”
Width between Engine-bearer16 1/2”

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B26/117 at Beaulieu
in 2006

“Smuggler” seen here
in original flush deck livery
(port lights were a later addition)

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B26/117 in 2006

Smuggler’s Well-Deck with ample seating capacity for Six People…

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B26/117

in 2006

Connolly-hide Cushions to
contrast with herTeak Sole, Helm & Splash Coaming…

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View on B26/117 fore-deck at Beaulieu in 2006

Topside view of Stem / Anchor-chain Roller, Bollard Cleats, Engine-cooling Cowls, & Fore / Aft Hatch arrangements…

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View on AFT-deck
in 2006

Two Naval Phosphor-bronze Fuel-filler Caps, a Tiller Post & Tiller,
Two substantial Naval Cleats & Transom-mounted Stern Ligh
t.

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VIEW ON fore-DECK
In 2006

Including; Pennant Staff,
Head-stock / Anchor-Roller Assembly, Chain & Roller (with chain stowage below), FW’d fare-leads (Port & Starboard) and her Centre-line Bollard & Cleat.

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View Looking aft
in 2006

View on forward Port Quarter
prior to Varnishing, note also her
8-off Fender Cleats (4-off per side).

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Aft Deck Detail


without Tiller


IN 2006

Photograph on Port Side
Rear-Deck including
Sisal Fenders.

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Main FOUR PiEce Engine Hatch / 2006

Showing rear Mk 1 Francis Searchlight & Inlet Cooling-Cowl.

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deck detail ON
Rear Port Quarter
IN 2006

Rear Aft Deck Phosphor-Bronze Bollard Cleats, Engine Filler-Caps, Tiller, Post & Pattresses.

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internal DETAIL LOOKING TOWARDS THE bow (2006)

Showing refurbished Ship’s Head; Opening Port-Lights, Simpson- Lawrence Loo, Chain Locker,
Lights & Closet Door

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