HMS ENDURANCE A171 - some observations.

There has been mention of WHALERS (plural). I think it is now established herein that only ONE was carried not two and in that the Skytrex model is incorrect.

Kelvin kindly has shown photos of the Albatros and Trident versions which appear to be correct in the number of boats - ie THREE.

jeff has supplied a photo of his model of the Skytrex version which clearly shows the extra WHALER on the PORT side which is in error.

However all of the models shown are also incorrect as they depict the decks painted either WHITE or DARK GREY and they should be RED (except flight deck). This includes the top of the bridge and top of the hangar.

Tim Hudson has wrestled with the name of one of the boats. The THREE boats are named after the THREE boats that Shackleton ordered his 28 men to use to escape the ice. They are JAMES CAIRD, STANCOMB WILLS and DUDLEY DOCKER.

Thus appropriately the three boats in their NORMAL positions on Endurance were as follows.
Starboard forward on luffing davit gantry the 31ft Survey Boat 7102 JAMES CAIRD. Port forward on the opposite luffing gantry davit the 28ft General Service Launch 69101 STANCOMB WILLS. Starboard aft on the accommodation the 27ft Motor Whaler 7008 guess what named DUDLEY DOCKER.

In the 1986 refit, incidentally at Devonport, which Kelvin refers to - several changes were made, including as Kelvin mentions the extension to flight deck to better enable Lynx operations. The JAMES CAIRD boat was landed and sent to Ardrossan Sea Cadets who lovingly maintained her in her red/white colours and near original condition AND were allowed to continue to use her named as JAMES CAIRD. She was replaced with a fairly new 9metre Survey Boat especially articised which was issued to the ship on 22.7.86. The STANCOMB WILLS was also landed and refitted by the staff at the Devonport South Yard boathouse. (see photo). I took the photo of the boat outside the boathouse in July 1986 and clearly read the name off the transom. The whaler was replaced by a 26ft pacific rib, in same location, which was also especially procured with red rubber inflatable section. She was also named DUDLEY DOCKER.