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Original Text (Annotation: EPW000553 / 1327007)
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This may be the 40ft, Maldon-built "Grace Darling IV", - one of the first motor launches to operate from the Foreshore as pleasure-boats.
According to Walter Cook, Boatbuilder of Maldon, - 1920 was the first year for motor-boats as pleasure excursion craft at Southend, and he built the "Grace Darling IV" for C.E.Gundy for this work, [as a replacement for an earlier "sailing lifeboat"] while also noting in his Yard History that Hayward, Boatbuilder of Southend [does anyone know where Hayward had his Boatyard?] had orders from other Southend Companies for motor launches in this year. If this IS the Grace Darling IV, she was requisitioned for service in the D7unkirk evacuation, and is NOT listed as sunk. She may have been retained by the RN as a Harbour service tender and been expended during those duties by the navy; because the writer does not remember her being refitted and back on the Foreshore for the 1946 Summer Holiday Season. IF anyone has any more info. about either of these launches, please do contact this writer. '