Vere
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The Motor Boat issue of 23rd October 1925 carried a two-page article about the conversion of the Vere, a naval pinnace built in 1905, into a handsome cabin cruiser. The strong seaworthy hull (with 31/2in. x 5in. solid oak frames planked in double diagonal teak) of the pinnace was retained and a teak and mahogany super-structure added for cruising comfort. Steel-covered rubbing bands were added to save her from damage when passing through locks. Inside, the 3 cabins were lined with tapestries. There were comfortable sleeping, cooking and washing facilities for six people. On the after deck there was room to lounge in deck chairs when the weather was kind and to launch the mahogany dinghy from its davits.
She had two engines of unequal power: a 25/30hp Sterling and a 10/12hp Universal as well as a 2hp generator. For added safety she had a foresail, a gaff-rigged main and a small mizzen - a total sail area of 195 sq. ft. But Capt. B.G. Fray, the owner who had her converted, added a 98 sq. ft. square sail for running before the wind. She was indeed, as the 1925 magazine article claimed, "fitted out regardless of expense."
Despite her many means of propulsion the Vere broke down twice on her first crossing to Dunkirk. There is a simple explanation for these breakdowns - of the Vere and many other ships. They simply weren't prepared for the sudden call into service. There was a war on and their owners, in many cases, had no chance to use their pleasure boats or to get them ready for the 1940 summer season. Rear-Admiral Taylor and his staff of the Small Vessels Pool at Sheerness had little time, staff and spares to repair and equip the hundreds of different ships that were wished on them. Consequently some craft did not even make it all the way down the river. Nevertheless, the Vere is credited with saving a total of 346 men and survived to spend most of her post-war years as a floating home for three different families.
One of her owners, N. Perfect, a schoolmaster, who inherited the Vere from his father, recalls his surprise when he carried out restoration work to her timbers and came across 2 German machine-gun bullets embedded in her frames.
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