Harbour Marine Services
Incorporating Southwold & Ipswich Boatyards
Harbour Marine Services
Incorporating Southwold & Ipswich Boatyards
Silvergare or Silver Charm as she was first registered in 1938 is a ‘Silver’ class motor yacht built by James A Silver Ltd at Roseneath on the Clyde. Built as a timber hulled motor yacht, she was typical of a class of vessels that combined handsome lines and practical utility.
During the late 1930s boats of this type proved ideally suited to local Scottish boat work, particularly mine-watching and patrol duties in the narrow and congested waters of the Upper Clyde. Their shallow draught and reliable engines allowed them to operate where larger naval vessels could not. The Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Clyde River Patrol was unusual in that it permitted civilian owners to serve aboard their own craft. Many owners were older than the standard draft age but they possessed the intimate local knowledge of the rivers ever changing sandbanks, and channels. Silver Charm and others like her were fitted with basic naval equipment and were tasked with guarding the approaches to the Glasgow shipyards which were vital to Britain’s war effort.
Since this time Silvergare has spent the majority of her life cruising Scottish waters. She has had one major refit in her lifetime and has now come to HMS following a significant period of time out of the water for some major hull repairs and a new deck.
The forward deck has been removed and the planking is being replaced.
With the outer planking removed we were able to closely inspect the original frames and fastenings to determine the extent of repairs required.
After many years out of the water Silvergare arrived to HMS and was put into shed 2 to dry out and for us to begin the next phase of her restoration. Initially the deteriorated planking was removed to allow a full inspection of the hull structure and framing.
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