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HMS MEDUSA was launched as Harbour Defence Motor Launch (HMDL) 1387 in 1943. In May 1944 she took part in the practise assault carried out by American forces at Slapton Sands, Devon and served at D Day as a Navigation Leader marking the approach channels through minefields at Omaha Beach. Later in the war she patrolled off Scheveningen, Holland and then on to Ijmuiden which was still occupied by Germans who surrendered to her.
As the war ended she took a party of senior officers up the North Sea Canal to Amsterdam as part of the surrender process and was the first allied vessel to enter the city. After the war she was refitted at William Osborne’s Yard, Littlehampton, Sussex and redesignated as Fast Despatch Boat (FDB) 76. She became a training ship at Cardiff University Naval Division in 1946, transferred to Severn Division RNVR Unit in 1947, and moved to London Division RNVR Unit in 1949 and redesignated as Seaward Defence Motor Launch (SDML) 3516.
In 1952 she became a hydrographic survey vessel and in 1961 was named HMS MEDUSA and given the pennant number A353. She was paid off for disposal at Devonport in 1965 but her last day in service was marred by a fire in the forward accommodation which caused considerable damage. Sold by the RN in 1968, she was then moved to Portland and used as a private motor yacht for 4 years making 36 crossings of the English Channel.
A major restoration started in 1972 involving extensive repairs to the hull and rebuilding the superstructure. She made a number of trips in the late 1970s/early 1980s and, in 1985, she was handed over to Gosport Borough Council to become part of the ill fated Coastal Forces Museum and moved to Portsmouth where she was to have various moorings round the harbour. MEDUSA was present at the D Day 50th anniversary celebrations and visited both Omaha and Juno beaches. In 1997 she became training tender to the Southampton Unit of the Maritime Volunteer Service and in 2005 participated in the Fleet Review to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. She became the responsibility of the Medusa Trust.
In 2005 the Trust was awarded almost £1m by the Heritage Lottery Fund to fund a major refit to extend her operational life by 60 years. In 2008, she was part way through this refit and ashore at Hythe, Southampton Water being worked on by the Maritime Workshop as well as volunteers from the Medusa Support Group. Source; David Newberry, Advisory Committee, December 2008.
MEDUSA is the last HDML in original seagoing condition. She had a distinguished record in World War II and is the last surviving vessel to have been at Omaha beach on D Day. Visitors are able to experience at first hand what life was like on board a small vessel travelling to D Day and her speed, grace and power evoke strong memories, particularly for those who served in the Coastal Defence Force.
The Medusa Trust maintains an extensive archive of documents, photographs and records of all 480 HDMLs and their crews. It is to the great credit of all the owners and volunteers involved over the years that MEDUSA has survived for so long. 2008 saw her undergoing a major refit to ensure that she will remain fully seaworthy and to extend her life; this will enable her to travel further at home and abroad in order to tell her important story to a wider audience.
Vessel launched as HMDL 1387
Took part in practice assault undertaken by American forces at Slapton Sands, Devon
Served at D-Day as a Navigation Leader marking the approach channels through minefields at Omaha Beach
Refitted at William Osborne’s Yard, Littlehampton, Sussex and re-designated as Fast Despatch Boat (FDB) 76
Became a training ship at Cardiff University Naval Division
Transferred to Severn Division RNVR Unit
Moved to London Division RNVR Unit and redesignated as Seaward Defence Motor Launch (SDML) 3516
Operated as a hydrographic survey vessel
Re-named HMS MEDUSA
Paid off for disposal at Devonport, but her last day in service was marred by a fire in the forward accommodation, causing considerable damage
Sold by the Royal Navy and moved to Portland for use as a private motor yacht
Underwent major restoration involving extensive repairs to the hull and rebuilding the superstructure
Handed over to Gosport Borough Council for the Coastal Forces Museum and moved to Portsmouth
Present at the D Day 50th anniversary celebrations, visiting both Omaha and Juno beaches
Became training tender to the Southampton Unit of the Maritime Volunteer Service
Participated in the Fleet Review to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar
The Medusa Trust awarded almost £1 million by the Heritage Lottery Fund to fund a major refit to extend her operational life by 60 years
Undergoing refit ashore at Hythe, Southampton Water being worked on by the Maritime Workshop and volunteers from the Medusa Support Group
October: rededication ceremony, attended by The Princess Royal, to recognise the completion of the vessel’s refit
April: back at sea with the Royal Navy taking part in a fleet exercise with the 1st Patrol Boat squadron comprising ten Archer Class P2000 patrol boats
Vessel selected for Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant on 3 June 2012
Awarded National Historic Ships' Regional Flagship Winner.
A Project grant of £250 for being one of our Regional Flagship Winner 2015 was made from the Strategic Development Fund of National Historic Ship Uk
Was one of three winners of a £3,000 Haven Academy Award on 26 June, at a ceremony in London. The money enabled the boat's five-year restoration project to be complete in time for this year's Thames Pageant.
A grant was awarded to the Trust for £20,00 by the PRISM Fund
The Heritage Lottery Fund awarded £1,228,000 for completion of the restoration project
The Heritage Lottery Fund awarded £32,500 for a conditin survey
World Ship Society British Armed Forces Small Craft Historical Society, Survivors Register, 1998
Boyce, Mike, HDML 1387 Medusa, 5th Edition, The Medusa Trust, 1993
Classic Boat: HMS Medusa restored and refloated, May 2010
Classic Boat: RKJ awards restoration of HMS Medusa, August 2012
Classic Boat: London - RKJ awards restoration of HMS Medusa, August 2012
Fricker, David, Warship World: Medusa - the last HDML, pp22, Spring 1986
If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk
National Historic Ships UK acknowledges the financial support of its sponsors