Operational Seaplane Duties

Operations extended from Naval establishments at Lee-on-Solent, Gosport, Sheerness and Calshot to abroad in Russia and Basra, Iraq. Seaplanes were also highly active around Felixstowe, such as the S87 Salmson. Such seaplanes were endearingly known as ‘Folders’ as they were capable of folding their wings to enable effective space-saving, especially when operating from Aircraft Carriers.

The formation of the Royal Air Force (RAF) on 1st April 1918 required that an inventory of equipment (AMWO 124/1918), be acquired from the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) and Royal Flying Core (RFC). In addition to many flying boat and seaplanes, the equipment consisted of 213 assorted motor boats and sea-going vessels together with a varied selection of moorings for their use. This assembly comprised the very first RAF Marine Craft.

The task of reorganisation was, however, beset with difficulties from the onset. One of the earliest problems concerned launches used on naval vessels. As the RAF owned them, the Admiralty claimed that they should man them. Following an exchange of correspondence with ‘Equipment Marine’, the matter was settled when the craft concerned were temporarily returned to the Navy.

Equipment Marine was established by the RAF ‘Controller General of Equipment’, (CGE) to a take responsibility for marine craft. It was then required that a return of equipment and men be carried out in order to prepare a new marine craft establishment, (AM D22433). Unfortunately, the ensuing re-numbering programme left no positive identification as to the type of craft i.e. motorboat numbered MB 168 became RAF 168, (AMWO 367/1918), rendering the task of tracing the origin of craft using this method almost impossible.

The marine craft section became an integral part of the RAF on the 12th April 1918, and remained unchanged until 1947 when branch status was finally achieved (AMWO 1016/47). Marine craft trades were listed as; Deckhand, Driver (MB), and Motor Boat Coxwain - (AMWO 1483/28).

Confirmation was given by the chief of Air Staff for a peacetime force of 120 powered craft in June 1919 (AM Fiule SS33826), consisting of:

18 - 50ft motor boats
48 - 35/40ft motor boats
18 - stores vessels
20 - refuelling boats
16 - lighters
71 - pulling boats

It is interesting to note that the rank of Flight Lieutenant was originally a Naval one, and is still retained by the RAF Today. Many seaplane types were used throughout the First World War, placing a demand on the RNAS and RFC for their marine craft to carry out an ever-increasing variety of Fleet Activities.

1. AMWO 176/1920, emphasises the provision of small craft for the transportation of aircraft to
and from HM Ships.
2. Broadly speaking, the function of marine craft with the RAF can be divided as follows:-
i) Normal Seaplane Station Work :- This includes boats attending on seaplanes, towing and
refuelling seaplanes, transport of personnel and stores over short distances in harbours and
provision of lighters for overhauling large boat-type seaplanes.
ii) Transport of aircraft between HM Ships and RAF Stations
iii) Patrolling aerial routes
iv) Occasional Requirements
Such as transport of personnel and stores over short open sea distances, plus raising and
examining moorings.
3. Procedure: -
i) This will be carried out entirely by RAF marine craft and personnel.
ii) The RAF is responsible for providing and manning the necessary craft for the transport of
aircraft. In cases where power-propelled RAF Marine craft are not available an application for
towage is to be submitted to the Commander in Chief or Senior Naval Officer.

This was in accordance with Hugh M Trenchards’ White Paper of November 25th, 1919 which stated “… to secure economy and to give the units a corporate existence… aeroplanes will no longer be carried normally in capital ships… but will only be embarked when required to take part in Fleet exercises”. This practise continued for many years and later led to Marine Craft and personnel being detached to HM Ships in additional to squadron personnel who accompanied air-craft.

AMWO 597 of 1920, headed “Armament & Equipment” and sub-headed “Marine Craft” - Upkeep and Technical Equipment, by and large re-iterated preceding orders but with some additions. The most interesting being contained in paras. 10 & 11 respectively.

The former details Ambulance Stretchers “…. All 35ft and 40ft standard motorboats to be fitted in accordance with WO 177, 1920.”

This provided the first record of a specific requirement for motorboats to be equipped to carry injured personnel as a result of flying accidents.

Together with a sketch, it detailed the alterations to be made to accommodate a standard stretcher of 6’ 3ins by 1ft 11ins. The sketch appears to apply to a Brooke built ex - Admiralty standard motor-boat of which 32, numbered between 1112-1144, had been transferred from Naval sources. Equipped with a Brooke 6cyl.65F petrol engine, it was rated at 15 knots. Two stretchers wound have been accommodated in the aft well-deck, sheltered by a canvass hood.

The first recorded specific instruction for Stand-By Flying was contained in AMWO 1075/1920…”

1. At all units where large boat or sea-plane flying is carried out, or any other unit which is provided with motorboats where overseas flying is carried out, a motorboat will be detailed to stand-by in case of any accident occurring while flying is in progress.
2. This boat will be either under way in the flying area or standing by at the pier.
3. If standing by at the pier, the engine will be run for a few minutes before flying starts and at least once every hour in the summer and every half hour in winter.
4. During meal times reliefs must be arranged so that the boat is always in readiness while flying is in progress.

Marine craft Equipment Inventory

5. At least six fire extinguishes in addition to those normally carried and a set of breakdown tools must be carried in every emergency boat. The following is the list of breakdown tools…

(1) Wire cutters - 2 Large
4 small
(2) Axe 1 Large
1 Small
(3) Saw 1 Ordinary
1 hack (for metal)
2 hack-saw blades
(4) Hammer 1 Large
(5) Crowbar 1 Large
(6) Grappling Iron. 2 Prong
(7) Life Belts 2
(8) Heaving line 6 Fathoms

These can be drawn from stores and must be kept in a canvass hold-all or wooden box….”

Calshot
Divided into upper and Lower camps Calshot remained at the centre of seaplane activity throughout the First World War and for a long time afterwards.

The upper camp was for accommodation purposes whilst the lower camp consisted of workshops and slipways, including steps for launching Flying-boats and Seaplanes.