HMS NEMO (bit of a long shot)

[sheena58]

Hi,
I have a photo which was given to me years ago by an aged, now deceased great Aunt. It is of a group of 16 men in uniform. It has the following written on it:
"2nd World War, BL.SEA Naval officers HMS NEMO". and on the back "1940 at 6 Regent Street".
"BL.SEA" is Brightlingsea in Essex and I believe HMS NEMO was based there on some kind of support duty but not sure what.
The reason I'm posting is because these men are nothing to do with my family at all (I suspect the aged aunt may have had a 'fling' with one of them!) and I would love to be able to share it with anyone who may have a relative on there. I havn't got it scanned at present so can't post it but if anyone believes they may have had an ancestor on board the HMS NEMO during WW2 please give me a shout and I'll see what I can do. I have hung on to it for all these years because I know how much I treasure my old family photos and I hate to think there could be someone out there who would feel the same about this one.

Sheena

[Brian Mac]

Hello Sheena,
A timber built boat called Nemo arrived in the Artro estuary NW Wales about 10 years ago, sunk, then wrecked and just last week cleared away by the authorities.
Research has shown that Nemo came from Brightlingsea & Clacton: we have pictures of her as a pleasure boat in Clacton. Also, that she was commandeered as a 'Liberty Boat' during the war and took part in the Dunkirk evacuation.
Very happy to send 2 images of her on the east coast and another of the wreck in the Artro estuary.
Would be very interested to see your photo to check if this is the same boat: there is some question about Nemo & Nemo II, apparently both based in the same area; your photo may help to clear this up.
Sincerely,
Brian Mac

[seaweed]

HMS NEMO was not a ship but a shore base at Brightlingsea. Opened 11/06/1940 closed 09/1945.
Used by vessels of the Auxiliary Patrol part of the Royal Naval Patrol Service.

[Brian Mac]

Dear Rootschat Senior,

Many thanks for the information. This would confirm that Nemo II was the pleasure boat listed as a 'Liberty Boat' by the RN Nore Command based at Brightlingsea; took part n the Dunkirk evacuation; later a pleasure boat at Brightlingsea & Clacton.

Attached photo of wreck, river Artro estuary, January 2010

Thanks again,

Brian Mac

[t mo]

and what a sad end for a grand little craft  with such a history behind it .
trevor

[seaweed]

Dear Rootschat Senior,

Many thanks for the information. This would confirm that Nemo II was the pleasure boat listed as a 'Liberty Boat' by the RN Nore Command based at Brightlingsea; took part n the Dunkirk evacuation; later a pleasure boat at Brightlingsea & Clacton.

Attached photo of wreck, river Artro estuary, January 2010

Thanks again,

Brian Mac

She certainly has the cut of a vessel which could have been used as a Liberty boat.
Although not listed anywhere as a RN ship you may find details of her wartime movements in the Red Lists
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=311&CATLN=3&accessmethod=5

[Brian Mac]

Dear Seaweed,

Thanks for that.

Further info from the source recommended:

NORE COMMAND

(Flag C-in-C Vice Admiral Sir George H D’O Lyon KCB ashore at Chatham)
 
Sub-Areas - Humber, Yarmouth, Harwich, Nore

Brightlingsea

Base Ship - NEMO at Brightlingsea
Liberty Boats (civilian manned) - BRITANNIA, CLACTON GAZELLE, NEMO II, all at Brightlingsea, GRACE DARLING at West Mersey laid up

What we would like to find out is how she got from Essex to Gwynedd!

Brian Mac

[seaweed]

The National Maritime Muesum has the following photograph
NEMO II (Br) 50.6 1923
Passenger launch, motor
Newton D King and Reginald J Lawes, Clacton-on-Sea
G9664 (4S) B 1948 Under way at Clacton with the pier in the
background. A copy negative.
From the description I suggest its the same as the black and white image you have posted.
I have found reference to her being involved in the River Blackwater Barge races in the 1970's.
There is a Martime Museum in Brightlingsea but it is only open in the summer months. They may have the information you require. Also it may be worth getting in touch with Clacton Library and
http://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/pages/about-the-registers.html

[Brian Mac]

Dear Seaweed,

Many thanks for this further info.

Great to get the probable 1948 date for the B&W photo.

Will contact the Clacton library and the Brightlingsea Martime libraray in summer as suggested.

Brian Mac