Designed & Maintained By Carol Gingell
© C.Gingell 2007 - all photographs, personal stories and written articles on this site are copyright and should not be reproduced anywhere else without the permission of the copyright owner and Broadland Memories.
This ex military motor torpedo boat was identified as being MTB-653 and has been
labelled as being taken at Horning in 1951. This proved to be a bit of a mystery
as it seemed such a large vessel to have on the Northern Rivers. Thanks to various
people contacting me, it has been established that the picture was indeed taken at
Horning, on a section of the River Bure between Cockshoot Dyke and F.B.Wilds site
(now Waterside Marine). The MTB was used as a liveaboard at Horning during the 1950s
and early 1960s, residing at what was to become the new F.B.Wilds boatyard. The superstructure
would have been removed to allow passage underneath the bridges at Great Yarmouth
and Acle and enable the boat to get up to Horning. When Wilds began work on creating
their new mooring basin, the MTB was moved, eventually ending up on the Southern
Rivers at Norwich. Pictorial evidence from c1973 shows it moored on the Wensum. What
happened to MTB-653 after this time is still unclear.
Another ex-Admiralty Fairmile D, believed to be MTB-740 moored at Norwich in 1951.
MTB-740 was used by the local Sea Cadet Corps from 1946.
“Moss Rose” from Easticks of Acle on Malthouse Broad in 1951.
Malthouse Broad in 1951 - “Moss Rose” can be seen in the centre of the picture.
Margaret Bell pictured at Hickling in 1952.
John Bell, also seen at Hickling in 1952.
The sailing cruiser “Freedom” from Applegates yard at Potter Heigham moored in Hunter’s
dyke at Womack in 1953.
“Nimbus” from Johnsons of St. Olaves pictured in front of Brooms yard at Brundall
in 1954.
Another picture of “Nimbus” from 1954, moored at St. Olaves..
The coaster passing through the swing bridge at Reedham in 1954.
A large coaster pictured approaching Reedham in 1954.
Acle road bridge pictured in 1955.
More of Adrian Bell’s photographs.
