Gee Bee | National Historic Ships

Registration number 2590

Status Archived

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Details

Function Service Vessel

Subfunction Tender

Location South Ferriby

Vessel type Seaplane Tender

Archive reason More information required

Current use Unknown

Available to hire No

Available for excursions No

Info required Yes

Construction

Builder Thornycroft, J I & Co Ltd, Hampton

Built in 1940

Hull material Wood

Number of decks 1

Propulsion Motor

Dimensions

Length: Overall

39.90 feet (12.16m)

Depth

4.49 feet (1.37m)

Tonnage: Gross

13.00

History

GEE BEE was built as an RAF Seaplane Tender No 475 by Thornycroft at their Hampton Launch Co. at Platts Eyot on the Thames as yard number 2524 in 1941.

Bought by Mike Mitchell in 1987, from Gilbert Powell who told him that the GEE BEE had been utilised in the Scottish Lochs during the war. The vessel had been kept for many years in a shed at the Port of Blyth, Northumberland.

Mitchell sailed the GEE BEE to the River Tyne, where it was moored at Davy Bank, Wallsend, and restored over a number of years. The rear cabin was removed and both Perkins 6354 diesel engines were renewed. She was equipped with navigation and sonar systems. The GEE BEE was used for pleasure, exploring wrecks and sea fishing by Mitchell and his family. In 1996, GEE BEE moved to St Peters Marina in Newcastle upon Tyne. She was sold in April 1998 to a man who took the boat to Bridlington.

We are currently lacking information on this particular vessel. If you have any information on this vessel, past or present, please contact us.

Key dates

1940
Built by Thornycroft at their Hampton Launch Company at Platts Eyot on the River Thames as a Seaplane Tender. Later converted to a Range Safety Launch
2000
She was sold and converted her into a Houseboat
2012
She was sold to her present owner
1987-1998
Owned by Mike Mitchell at Wallsend, River Tyne, restored and used for family pleasure trips and sea fishing.