Guestbook Volume 2

I was thrilled to find this site and to read the information regarding the “Ellinis”. I left Sydney on January 26,1973 and arrived in Southhampton on March 1,1973.

The photos bought back many visual memories and the descriptions were very accurate.

Thank you so much for this hard work.

Liz

Hello Ian,

Really good web site ! You spoke about the Boat "Black Panther", have you pictures ?

i'm the owner of a BPB Co Seaking from 1934, i search informations / pictures from pleasure craft build by the company at this time.

kind regards,

Vincent.

Wonderful pictures and splendid information. Thank you for bringing these ships alive for us.

Very interested to see your study of British Power Boat Co. My grandfather worked for them perhaps for the almost the whole of their existence. He seems to have gone there soon after they opened in 1927. He would have been 65 in 1942, but I do not know if, with the war on, he continued working. My father apprenticed there 1934–1941 as a draughtsman and his sister worked there as a tracer during the war.


I have a question for you. My gradfather's address in the Probate Calendar was Sprifield Avenue Holbury (Fawley), and the OS map* shows that although this was very rural at the time, Springfield Avenue and the short street connecting it to the A326 are lined by row houses. I am wondering if these were company houses for the BPB Co.? Have you any information on this?

* Email me a note and I can send you the map or its URL.

Do you have any information regarding the purchase of a boat by Sir Herbert Smith in 1932. I believe that he was a friend of T E Shaw (T E Lawrence) who designed the boat. Do you know the name of the boat and where it was used? Many thanks, Angela

Greetings Michael from 'way downunder', I need your help in the construction of some models for the 1/144th scale Special Interest Group. The theme for this year's scale model show at Telford in November is 'things numbered 144'.

To this end I am seeking info and photo's, if possible of the 71' 6" MGB 144 and the ASRL HSL 144. My plan is to build these models in 1/144th scale.

Thanking You,

Roger.

Bendigo, Australia.

I very much enjoyed exploring your website.

I am researching the British Power Boats "POWER" craft a 23 ft launch used as a seaplane tender. Some time ago I saw a picture of one of these owned by Air Service Training Ltd. I want to make a model of this and am trying to find if there are any drawings of hull lines which can be obtained and details of the colours these craft were painted.

Hi Mr Byard,

I omitted my email address previously, if you do have anything to share.

Thanks again!

Paul Wilson

Good morning Mr. Byard,

I have noted that you were a crew member of the SS Australis in the early 1970's. I am hoping that you may recall a name of another crew member. His name was Dimitrios Mendes (spelling? ). He was about 20 in 1971 and was on the southbound voyage which left Southhampton on 16 Apr 1971. Looking forward to a reply if this name is familiar. I realize that the crew was numerous, but we are looking for any information about him as he is related to a good friend of ours and I have been tasked to try to find out about him.

Thanks! Paul Wilson