Registration number 1610
Status Registered
adminnhs

Details

Function Leisure Craft
Subfunction Yacht
Location Sharpness
Vessel type Yacht - Motor
Current use Private use
Available to hire No
Available for excursions No

Construction

Builder Munroe, David & Sons, Blairmore
Built in 1913
Hull material Wood
Rig Square
Number of decks 1
Number of masts 2
Propulsion Motor
Number of engines 1
Primary engine type Diesel
Boiler type None
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam
9.67 feet (2.95m)
Depth
5.48 feet (1.67m)
Length: Overall
41.97 feet (12.80m)
Tonnage: Gross
15.00

History

MARJORIE was built in 1913 by David Monroe & Sons on the Clyde, as a ketch-rigged motor yacht, but was converted to a brig in 1938. Her hull is carvel built of pitch pine on oak frames, fastened with copper nails. She has a pointed bow with a plum straight stem and a cruiser stern. The current engine is an inboard four-stroke diesel with four cylinders. MARJORIE served in the First World War as a River Thames Pilot Boat, with her original Gardner paraffin engine and ketch steadying rig. Although MARJORIE’s own movements during the First World War appear to have been limited to the Thames, one of her subsequent owners had a very distinguished war, being awarded the Victoria Cross.

In 1938 MARJORIE was purchased by Vice-Admiral Richard Bell-Davies VC, CB, DSO, AFC, Croix de Guerre avec Palm and Legion d’Honneur, RN. He had served in The Royal Naval Air Service during the war. In 1915 Richard Bell-Davies was a 29-year old Squadron Commander in 3 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service.

On the 19th November 1915 he, along with Flight Sub-Lieutenant Gilbert Formby Smylie in a second plane, carried out an air attack on Ferrijik Railway Junction in Bulgaria. Flight Sub-Lieutenant Smylie's machine was received by very heavy fire and was brought down. The pilot planed down over the station, releasing all his bombs except one, which failed to drop, simultaneously at the station from a very low altitude.

He then continued his descent into the marsh. On alighting he saw the one unexploded bomb and set fire to his machine, knowing that the bomb would ensure its destruction. He then proceeded towards Turkish territory. At this moment he perceived Squadron-Commander Davies descending, and fearing that he would come down near the burning machine and thus risk destruction from the bomb, Flight Sub-Lieutenant Smylie ran back, and from a short distance exploded the bomb by means of a pistol bullet.

Squadron Commander Bell-Davies descended at a safe distance from the burning machine, landing his Sopwith Pup as near as possible to the stranded pilot. He held off a party of approaching Bulgarian troops with his revolver. Once Sub-Lieutenant Smylie had climbed into the cockpit with him, Bell-Davies took off and returned to the aerodrome.

It was a feat of airmanship that has seldom been equaled for skill and gallantry. On returning to base, the ground crew counted over 100 bullet holes in the plane. Bell-Davies was awarded the Victoria Cross and Smylie the Distinguished Service Cross in January 1916.

After buying MARJORIE in 1938 Bell-Davies re-rigged her and sailed her until 1939. She was laid up in Weymouth during the Second World War after being rammed and sunk. She was refitted in 1946, but a fire onboard three years later made a second re-fit and a new engine necessary. In 1966, she was inherited by his son, Vice Admiral Sir Lancelot Bell-Davies KBE and, between 1975 and 1981, she was taken to Belgium and Italy. In 2007 due to damage and general wear, MARJORIE was transported to Sharpness Shipyard and Dry Dock in Gloucestershire where she had an extensive refit lasting two years. She now sails the Bristol Channel and around the West Country. Ownership remains within the family, with Lady Bell-Davies, her son and two daughters.

MARJORIE was refitted in 1946, but a fire onboard three years later made a second re-fit and a new engine necessary. In 1966, she was inherited by his son Vice Admiral Sir Lancelot Bell Davies KBE and, between 1975 and 1981, she was taken to Belgium and Italy.

 In 2007 due to damage and general wear, MARJORIE was transported to Sharpness Shipyard & Drydock in Gloucestershire where she had an extensive refit lasting two years. She is now sails the Bristol Channel and West Country. Ownership remains within the Family with Lady Bell Davies, her Son and two Daughters.

 

Significance

1.      What is the vessel’s ability to demonstrate history in her physical fabric?

Evidence for designs, functions, techniques, processes, styles, customs and habits or uses and associations in relation to events and people.  How early, intact or rare these features are may impact on significance.

MARJORIE was built by David Munroe and Sons of Blairmore on the River Clyde in 1913.  Her construction was of pitch pine carvel planking on oak frames, fastened with copper nails. The main propulsion was an internal combustion Vertical 4 Cycle Petroleum/TVO engine built by L Gardner and Sons also in 1913. She was fitted with a Ketch steadying rig which, in the autumn of 1938, was converted to Brig rig and she continues to sail with this configuration today. The two masts and the timber spars were constructed to Vice Admiral Bell Davies’s design by Mowlens, with sails set from the deck rather than aloft.  Her sail configuration is traditional although Bending Sails and Crossing Yards were adapted by Vice Admiral Bell Davies according to his own recollections. Her engine has been renewed four times since new in 1913. The current engine is an inboard four-stroke diesel, made by Vetus (Hyundai), with four cylinders.  Despite several refits after various incidents (1945, 1949 and 2007), her form remains relatively unchanged although her bow was altered in 1979 to accommodate a modern anchor.

 2.      What are the vessel’s associational links for which there is no physical evidence?

Associations with people or places.  Off-ship research.

Little is known about MARJORIE’s early history, although she is believed to have been requisitioned for service as a Thames River patrol boat during the First World War 1914-18. Her previous, and possibly first, owner was Air Commodore Upfill-Brown (a member of the London Stock Exchange), but her most significant ownership came in 1938 when she was bought by Vice Admiral Bell Davies – one of the first naval pilots and one of only four to be awarded the VC.  He was the first man to land on an aircraft carrier, became a driving force in the development of strike warfare and was among the last cadets to be trained under sail. Bell Davies was actually sailing MARJORIE in summer 1939 when he received his joining instructions from the Admiralty and he did not see her again until 1945.   In the interim, MARJORIE was rammed and badly damaged by a launch from the Depot Ship MAIDSTONE although the yard managed to salvage her and get her sufficiently seaworthy for a return to Portsmouth in 1945.

MARJORIE is remarkable for having remained in the ownership of a single family for the majority of her life, with the Bell Davies family having now sailed her for the last 77 years. She is well documented with records including visitors books from 1938-2015, handwritten design notes by Richard Bell Davies, as well as builders’ invoices for work done.         

3.      How does the vessel’s shape or form combine and contribute to her function?

Overall aesthetic impact of the vessel, her lines, material she was built from and her setting.  Does she remain in her working environment?

MARJORIE has a pointed bow with a plum straight stem and a cruiser stern. Her current rig, whilst unusual for a vessel of her size, reflects the ownership of the Bell Davies family and their naval connections, giving her the unique look of a Nelson-era warship in miniature.  She continues to sail for the purpose for which she was built, remaining in private ownership as an operational vessel.

Source: NHS-UK team, 11 August 2015. 

This statement was developed as part of the Heritage Lottery funded First World War project. http://www.ww1britainssurvivingvessels.org.uk/

Sources

Roberts, Bob, Last of the Sailormen
Classic Boat: Revival of the Fittest, October 1999

Own this vessel?

If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk

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