At the beginning of World War 2 the Admiralty listed Morgan Giles Limited as one of companies capable of carrying out new construction and repair work to naval craft. Just before the outbreak of war a new shed was built on an old site that had been used in Mansfield's time for hauling up trading vessels. This was large enough to take vessels of 100ft.
Later in the war the old building at the south end of the yard was pulled down and another large shed erected with an upper floor where smaller boats could be built. The local house 'Misterton' was taken over for offices including the drawing offices.
The first contracts for six 16ft trawler lifeboats and four 32ft naval cutters came soon after war broke out, quickly followed by six 35ft Fast Launches. Very soon more Admiralty contracts came in, over 100 vessels were built in the yard during the War, many more repaired and refitted, partcularly RAF Air/Sea rescue launches, MTB's, MGB's and MFV's.
Anne Woodley Forewoman shown here in 1945A number of the work force were called up to serve in HM Forces, particularly during the latter stages of the war, a number of females were recruted to replace them. Over 150 men and women were kept in full time employment throughout this time. One female in particular was Anne Woodley employed as Forewoman of the female employees.
Early contracts also included four Harbour Defence Motor Launches, a very successful design that was used in all areas of operation. Another order for four Assault Landing Craft, powered by Ford V8 engines, sub-contracted from Thornycroft as part of an order to them in June 1940 for 81 of these vessels which were beyond the capacity of the Thornycroft facilities. Additionally four fast motor pinnaces that are reported to be fine boats with speeds of some 20 knots, no less than fifty of these types were built at the yard.
Five 60ft pinnaces were built for the Royal Navy. These boats were originally designed as torpedo recovery craft and were fitted with a large derrick, but some were used for different and secret purposes. The most important work that came to the yard during the war was an order for eight Vosper type 70 foot Motor Torpedo Boats. They were powered by three Packard 1500 BHP engines. They had two torpedo tubes mounted forward and a power operated gun turret aft. On trials they achieved a speed of 40 knots. The first MTB was ready for trials in 1942 and the last of the eight in February 1944. There was a flotilla of MTBs based at Kingswear which also came to the yard for refits. Two of these, MTB 95 & 96 were Morgan Giles boats and were manned by Free French crews. The 1st Lieutenant on MTB 96 was Philippe de Gaulle, son of General de Gaulle.
MTB 96 Kingswear based Flotilla manned by Free French Forces
Throughout the war years the yard carried out refits for Admiralty craft and many RAF Air Sea Rescue launches. The Admiralty installed a new slipway to the South of the big shed. It was the type by which a cradle ran on rails and was worked by a power winch. The slipway was used chiefly by B-type Fairmile Motor Launches and Vosper D-type MTBs but also some fishing vessels.
There were other lesser overhauls and refits, an old Brixham trawler called Seaplane was brought to the yard to be converted and fitted out for cable laying with a large winch and roller forward. In 1944 two HDMLs came to the yard to be fitted with a great quantity of top secret equipment, after D-Day they came back to the yard to have it all removed.
The last war contract came for two 61½ foot MFVs. By this time the war was going well and it was planned that if the war ended before completion they would be turned over to the fisheries. Both were sent to Scotland.
Valiant with White Ensign after Admiralty requisitionAs previously mentioned the Lady Cable built in 1924 took part in the evacuation of Dunkirk, as did the Sheldrake built at the yard as Adria in 1935. On 31st May 1940 Morgan Giles received a communication from the local Coastguard Officer appealing for all suitable craft to proceed to Dover at once. Frank Morgan-Giles took this task upon himself and six boats were considered suitable for the task, these were made ready with fuel and crew. Two of these were stood down by the Naval Officer in charge but four proceeded, the Heron used to tow the clay barges from Kingsteignton, the Valiant, a 35ft passenger launch owned by Morgan Giles (later requisitioned by the Admiralty), Meteor a 32ft launch owned by J Broom of The Strand and Eclipse, a 35ft motor launch owned by a Torquay resident and in the yard for repair. Regretably none of these vessels reached Dover. The Heron blew an exhaust gasket and was towed into Weymouth by Meteor. Both were stood down and ordered to return. Valiant reached Yarmouth to refuel and was ordered to return and Eclipse reported to the guardship off Weymouth and was detained and later ordered to return. All the hard work to ready hese boats to help with the evacuation was in vain.
Bomb Damage 1943Teignmouth was heavily bombed during World War 2 due to the importance of the docks, he railway and the Morgan Giles Shipyard. Mostly daylight hit and run raids. The Yard was only affected on one occasion. On Sunday afternoon of 10th January 1943 bombs fell on the adjacent Powderham Terrace and the blast caused damage to the yard. All the office and workshop windows were blown out, telephone and electricity cables were down and the area was full of rubble. Robin Morgan-Giles and his father saw the attack from Shaldon and immediately crossed over on the ferry. Robin recalls how he was stationed by the entrance gates guarding the valuable equipment and stores that were lying about in the road.
Admiralty wartime 61ft MFVThe last wartime order from the Admiralty was for two 61ft MFV's, shown here. Ordered in December 1944 they were not used for the war effort and were sent to Scotland to be used for their original purpose, fishing.
For a period over 150 hands were employed to assist the war effort. It is appropriate to pay tribute to the efforts of all the men and women who worked at Morgan Giles during the war years achieving far higher production than could ever have been achieved in peacetime while maintaining a very high standard of workmanship.
