The Charleston is a spy ship built in 1945 by the Berthon shipyards in Lymington for the Royal Navy. Converted for pleasure use after the war, it is now moored in the Mediterranean. In 2010, it was labeled BIP by the Maritime and River Heritage Foundation.
Ship Name: CHARLESTON
Year of Labeling: 2010
Renewed in: DATE OF 2019
Not Renewed in: DATE OF 2018
Previous Names (if any): CALIBAN
Registration Number: 11821/080
Registration No.: 257173
Registration District: NI Nice
Type, series, or local name: VEDETTE (MOTORYACHT)
Protected as Historical Monuments: no
Year of acquisition of the ship: 2012
Type: Maritime
Original use: Military
Mode of propulsion (originally): engine
Mode of propulsion (current): engine
Architect: Berthon yachts Lymington England for royal navy)
Builder: BERTHON LYMINGTON ENGLAND
Year of construction (or commissioning): 1945
Overall length: 23 m
Hull length: 23 m
Waterline length: 22 m
Beam: 5.84 m
Draught: 3 m
Air draft: 5.50 m (7.45 m with mast)
Displacement (in tons): 130 t
Administrative tonnage (in tons): 76.68 (gross) / 48.05 (net)
Hull: construction type, materials, special shapes... Classic + reinforcements: – Planking 85 mm Pichpin on oak frames (doubled in places) Total weight of the boat: 130 tons
Hull: current condition Good condition of the underwater works, average condition for above-water works.
Deck and superstructures: description, materials: Lattice deck in Pichpin (original) with a width of 120 mm, fixed with forged nails. Superstructures made of period plywood. (partially resin-coated on top) Lattice on the upper deck.
Deck and superstructures: current condition Deck partially restored, bulwarks in poor condition in places, superstructures in good condition except for partial corrosion on the part covering the engine room and the top of the chimney.
Rigging: type, mast, running rigging, standing rigging, materials: Signal mast (goniometer support, etc…)
Rigging: current condition Good condition
Sail area: description, surfaces, materials: None
Sail area: current condition: None
Accommodations: description, materials: Forepeak: Chain locker and various. - Forward area: 4 cabins (including one double) + toilets + bathroom + Smoking room. - Interior salon (in the forward part): Teak - Piloting station with compartment and watch berth: Teak - Kitchen (bonded laminate) - Galley (steel) - Aft area (teak/Pichpin/oak painted): storage space in the aft peak - 1 cabin with 4 berths – Bathroom with toilet and berth for the mechanic.
Accommodations: 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 Two-cylinder 22 hp diesel with manual start) for powering the compressor, generator (220v DC), and water pump for fire, etc… All the mechanics are original and in perfect working condition!!!
Human testimony: Boat ordered by the Royal Navy from Berthon yacht in 2 copies (sources Berthon).
Technical or conceptual testimony: – Classic planking – Mechanics requiring a mechanic on board for lubrication, oiling, and checking pressures and temperatures, checking grease and oil bearings of the propeller shaft. Innovative systems: – Very advanced hydraulic control systems for the time. – SESTREL autopilot system from the time with electromechanical control.
Event or past activity testimony: Spy boat of the English navy 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 any type of weather, hence the reinforced hull and deck.
Other remarkable elements: Many intact accessories.
Chronology of known owners, modifications, or important renovations: Admiralty (British Admiralty) Renovated in Portugal after the war for pleasure use. Has undergone very few modifications since and we still sail the traditional way (as far as the mechanics are concerned). The main engine was reconditioned in 1960. Has remained in Cannes since the post-war period until 1971 and then spent 33 years in St Cyprien (66) where we found it two years ago.
Classified as a heritage interest vessel in 2010
Note that this boat is aimed at a passionate and discerning audience taking into account that many works have been carried out, and that many are still to be planned.
