The Charleston is a spy vessel built in 1945 by the Berthon shipyards in Lymington for the Royal Navy. Converted to pleasure boating after the war, it is now moored in the Mediterranean. In 2010, it was awarded the BIP label by the Maritime and Inland Waterways Heritage Foundation.
Ship Name: CHARLESTON
Labeling Year: 2010
Renewed in YEAR: 2019
Not renewed in YEAR: 2018
Former Names (if any): CALIBAN
French Registration Number: 11821/080
Registration Number: 257173
Port of Registration: NI Nice
Type, series, or local name: VEDETTE (MOTORYACHT)
Protected as a Historic Monument: no
Year of Acquisition: 2012
Type: Maritime
Original Use: Military
Original Propulsion: engine
Current Propulsion: engine
Architect: Berthon Yachts Lymington England for Royal Navy
Builder: BERTHON LYMINGTON ENGLAND
Year Built (or commissioned): 1945
Overall Length: 23 m
Hull Length: 23 m
Waterline Length: 22 m
Beam: 5.84 m
Draft: 3 m
Air Draft: 5.50 m (7.45 m with mast)
Displacement (in tonnes): 130 t
Gross Tonnage: 76.68 (gross) / 48.05 (net)
Hull: type of construction, materials, special shapes... Classic + reinforcements: – 85 mm Pichpin planking on oak frames (doubled in places) Total weight of the boat: 130 tonnes
Hull: current condition Good condition of the underwater hull, average condition for the exposed parts.
Deck and superstructures: description, materials Deck made of Pichpin strip planking (original) with 120 mm wide planks, fixed with forged nails. Superstructures made of vintage plywood (partially resin-coated on top). Open lattice on upper deck.
Deck and superstructures: current condition Deck partially restored, gunwales in poor condition in places, superstructures in good condition except partial corrosion on the section covering the engine room and top of the funnel.
Rigging: type, masts, running and standing rigging, materials Signaling mast (support for signal lamps, etc.)
Rigging: current condition Good condition
Sailplan: description, area, materials None
Sailplan: current condition None
Accommodation: description, materials Forepeak: anchor chain locker and miscellaneous. Forward cabin: 4 cabins (including one double) + toilet + bathroom + smoking room. Interior salon (forward section) teak. Pilot station with watch cabin and berth, teak. Galley (laminated riveted) pantry (steel). Aft cabin (teak/pichpin/painted oak): storage in the aft bow - 1 cabin with 4 berths – bathroom with toilet and bunk for the mechanic.
Accommodation: current condition Good condition
Engine(s): type, power, year – LISTER-BLACKSTONE (Type: EPVM4 160 hp Diesel with side valves and compressed air start) for propulsion. YEAR 1945. – LISTER (Type CD Twin-cylinder 22 hp diesel with manual start) for compressor drive, generator (220v DC), and fire pump, etc. All mechanics are original and in perfect working order!!!
Human testimony: Ship ordered by the Royal Navy from Berthon Yacht in 2 units (source Berthon).
Technical or conceptual testimony: – Classic planking – Mechanics require a mechanic on board at all times for lubrication, oiling, and checking pressures and temperatures, checking grease bearings and oil seals on the propeller shaft. Innovative systems: – Very advanced hydraulic control systems for the time. – Period SESTREL autopilot system with electromechanical control.
Event or obsolete activity testimony: British Navy spy boat produced in two copies by the BERTHON YACHT shipyard in LYMINGTON (England), designed for 24/7 surveillance missions in the Mediterranean. Designed not for speed but to withstand all kinds of weather, hence the reinforced hull and deck.
Other notable elements: Many intact accessories.
Ownership chronology, known major modifications or renovations Admiralty (British Navy) Re-fitted in Portugal after the war for pleasure use. Has undergone very few modifications since, and we still navigate traditionally (especially mechanically). The main engine was refurbished in 1960. It remained in Cannes from post-war until 1971, then spent 33 years in St Cyprien (66) where we found it two years ago.
Classified as a heritage interest vessel in 2010.
Please note that this boat is intended for a passionate and knowledgeable audience, taking into account that many works have been carried out and that many more are still to be expected.
