HMS MERSHAM M 2709 Built 14.1.55 P.K.Harris
1955 Transferred to France as VIOLETTE M773
TCA Chairman Peter Harrison recalls enjoying a typical French excellent extended lunch aboard this vessel when visiting Bayonne in SCYLLA in 1975.
At that time VIOLETTE and two other IMS had been transferred from the French Navy to the Maritime Division of the Gendarmerie National and were engaged in policing French waters but quite seperate from the Coastguard, as Patrol Craft. This one was mainly engaged in catching Spanish fishermen in French waters.
Peter and the First Lieutenant of SCYLLA had met the C.O. of the patrol craft at an RPC and were invited to lunch by him.
The tiny IMS wardroom was aft, entered via a vertical ladder from the upper deck, while the galley was forward, in the crew accommodation.
French hospitality is renowned and the cramped space made no difference: Ricard (pastis/anisette) as an Aperitif, followed by fresh caught fish with local white wine, rare Steak with a side salad and a deep red wine from nearby Bordeaux, followed by strong cheese and Apple Tarte Tatin.
It was heading towards 18.00 before the courtesies of negotiating the ladder and gangway had to be observed.