Record of Actions
in the Aegean Sea
Research:
Boats such as ML357 were deemed too small by the Royal Navy to retain the ships log; thus making accurate research difficult.
Much of the history of the boat has been directly relayed by surviving crews, relatives, and online references. Research is still on-going & visitors are encouraged to add to this resource where appropriate.
ML357 was the first Royal Navy vessel to enter the Athens Port of Piraeus in October 1944 (Image: Courtesy of Imperial War Museum)
1942
August 1940: ML357 ordered by Royal Navy
August 1942: completed and launched by Anglo-American Nile Tourist Company, Cairo, Egypt.
1943
Online Sources
September 1943: Took part in Operation “Gander”; a passage from Cyprus to the small Greek island of Castelrosso, lying just off the Turkish coast - carrying LRDG (Long Range Desert Group) forces. This was a British Special Forces operation in which a small Commando party was landed on the island to take advantage of Italy’s armistice with the Allies (before the Germans could seize control). The landing party of Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Section (SBS) personnel was transported from Haifa in Palestine, in Motor Launches ML349 and ML357, and paved the way for a later larger occupying force under Operation “Accolade”. On arrival, both MLs are fired on by the Italians although the general surrender has taken place 3 days before. Fire is not returned due to orders to avoid hostile acts. Two army officers are landed and negotiate with the Italians who cease fire and both vessels enter harbour. The island is then secured.
“TSLt Moore RANVR served on 357 from 7 Jan to 26 Feb 1943 and again 3 May to 16 Dec 1943. David's claim to fame is that he had the top of his scalp slightly parted by a bullet as they came into Castelrosso in Sept 1943”
Part of the 42nd ML/MGB Flotilla, operating in the Aegean and Adriatic Seas quite often doing clandestine work with the LRDG and Greek Sacred Sqn as well as some runs to and from occupied Crete.
C.O.s (commanding officers) in 1943; 1st Lt: R.L. Jones, 1st Lt A.H. Doughay
Various references to ML357 being delayed “at Beirut” (1) corroborated with crew photographic evidence.
(1) Beirut was the location of the training centre for LRDG (Long Range Desert Group), thus strengthening the link between the boat and the SOE (Special Operations Executive)
1944
Online Sources
February 1944: Sank caique (2) off Cape Krio, Turkey, taking 7 prisoners
April 1944: References to a “Crete Run” to land arms & ex-govnor general of Crete. Took off 19 prisoners.
May 1944: Sank caique off Greek island of Halki.
June 1944: Attacked & bombarded a searchlight on Greek island of Kos
June 1944: References to a “Saxos Run” to land 10 GSS (General Security Service) and stores.
June 1944: Battle with shore battery on Greek island of Nisyros; sustaining 5 hits & 2 enemy casualties.
July 1944: Sank schooner off Greek island of Kalimno
July 1944: Attacked enemy convey off Nisyros, consisting of 2,000-ton merchant vessel, escorted by 4 German “E” boats (3), sustaining one hit, one “E” Boat badly damaged.
August 1944: Attacked and bombarded small Greek island of Plati
August 1944 : Attacked enemy trawler or destroyer and five other boats off Greek island of Piscopi. Sustained shrapnel hits and lost contact in bad visibility.
September 1944: Capture & sinking of a Greek caique.
September 1944: involved in liberation & surrender of Mitilini (Mytilene), the capital of the Greek island of Lesbos
September 1944: Official entry into the Greek island of Khios on evacuation of the enemy.
September 1944: References to a “Saxos Run” to land 6 GSS (General Security Service) with stores & equipment.
October 1944: First Royal Navy ship to enter the Athens Port of PIRAEUS
November 1944: Captured large & heavily armoured caique at Naxos and escorted to Greek island of Syra (Syros) where occupants were disarmed.
“Late 1944 at H.M.S. Mosquito (RN forces base, Alexandria) and was on her way to the med, when picked up a cork mine and suffered stern damage , crew abandoned her and spent 3 weeks on island before being picked up , they thought she was lost , but was salvaged and towed to mosquito again . History after that unknown..” (source tba)
(2) Frequently used covertly by the Axis forces to smuggle weapons and supplies, a caïque is a traditional fishing boat usually found among the waters of the Ionian or Aegean Sea.
(3) German “E” boats were fast torpedo attack boats. Fast (in excess of 34 knots) and heavily armoured, their range also exceeded British ML’s and American PT boats.
1945-present
Online Sources
Post war: Survived the war and returned to UK. Boat re-numbered ML 2357 by Royal Navy.
1958: Loaned to Bermondsey Sea Cadet Corps, London, by RN.
1961: Boat decommissioned and sold by RN as houseboat “Jamaica Moon” with exact history & location unknown until 2007.
1970’s: Photographic evidence of boat being left “abandoned” in Flag Creek, Brightlingsea.
2007: Boat relocated to present location in St Osyth Creek, Essex. Variety of private owners, including a Radio Caroline DJ.
2017: Under new ownership & under-going extensive repairs & refit as private houseboat/design studio.