Name HMS Nuthatch

44320, formally a Medium Speed Picket Boat (MSPB) of a John Thornycroft design, (HMS) Nuthatch was built by the British Power Boat Company at Hythe Southampton in 1944, a motor launch of timber construction of double diagonal mahogany and originally fitted with twin Gardner engines 6LWs rated at 64hp. She was delivered in Nov. 1944 to the Maintenance Commander at the Royal Naval Barracks, Devonport. In 1946 in Special Military Branch Acquaint (SMBA) she was renamed and commissioned HMS Nuthatch as the Nominal Depot Ship for the Royal Naval Air Station Anthorn. In 1950 she was the Chief of Staff Barge and was fitted out as an Admirals Barge thus. In 1958 she was taken onto the Devonport Naval Dockyard Port Auxiliary Service for accounting purposes only and was moored at Mount Wise for staff officers use. She left service in 1982. She has now been re engined with twin turbo ford Sabre engines rated at 220hp and is currently being rebuilt as a private leisure craft on the river Thames.