HMS Birdham M2785, Builders : Jason Taylor, Built : 05/03/57
1957 -64 Operational Reserve at Rosneath
1964 Brought forward for RNXS
1980 Believed sold for conversion to a houseboat, presently lying at Suttons Wharf Boatyard, Rochford, Essex. (see photo)
She has been converted into a large house, mainly in the added superstructure and we have lived in her for ten years.
The main hull is in really quite good condition and seems to like the mud.
The engines, fore cabins and rear cabins are pretty much as they were.
We have had a few old crew members visit over the years.
John Greenwood 2021
In 1967 BIRDHAM, then operating with the RN Auxiliary Service [RNXS}, experienced a serious fire at sea when returning to the Clyde from a training exercise off Lochranza on the Island of Arran.
Sipper of the Birdham, Ian CROSBIE, Section Naval Auxiliary Officer, R.N. Auxiliary Service. was later awarded an MBE for Gallantry. The London Gazette for July 1968 reads as follows:
Mr. Crosbie was Skipper of the XSV "Birdham" during a training cruise when an electrical fire started in the engine room. Mr. Crosbie called anearby bulk carrier ship to his assistance and this vessel took off those members of "Birdham's" crew who were not required to fight the fire. Mr. Crosbie and four crew members then continued for four hours fighting the fire which was finally brought under control. The "Birdham" was then taken in tow and brought into Greenock eight hours after the fire had started. Mr. Crosbie displayed considerable courage in his handling of the fire in XSV "Birdham", which is a wooden ship and where there was a serious danger of fuel explosion. He put himself at risk, saved his ship and brought the vessel safely to port.
The Campbeltown lifeboat had been alerted and the RN had sent out a helicopter. The lifeboat then called in to Lochranza take the part-time Arran Fire Brigade on board. They had all been out on the golf course enjoying the sunny weather !
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