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The Coastal Forces Heritage Trust
The Royal Navy has been a ‘blue water’ Navy for hundreds of years. But war demands innovation and imagination if you are to prevail over the enemy – and from the First World War onwards, small craft have played a vital role. The technical revolution of the early nineteen hundreds brought high performance engines, improved propeller design and the hydroplane hull to light, high speed craft, capable of launching torpedoes in shallow water. The crews of these vessels were often Reservists, called up for ‘hostilities’ and with a background as fishermen or recreational yachtsmen with day jobs as bakers, farm hands, solicitors…
They became some of the most decorated combatants in history… operating some of the most iconic craft afloat in the most extreme conditions.
Based in HM Naval Base in Portsmouth, the Coastal Forces Heritage Trust is a charity whose objectives are to record, support and celebrate the boats, the technology, the stories and the people who have shaped Coastal Forces for over a century.
That spirit of technical innovation, tactical flair, selfless bravery and the ‘call of the sea’ is still with us today. Help us to keep it alive!
Achievements of Coastal Forces
The First World War
The Royal Navy began experimenting with small coastal motor boats imported from the USA in 1915. Within a year, in close collaboration with legendary designed such as John Thornycroft and his daughter Blanche, British-built craft were proliferating. They served with distinction around the shallow North Sea coastline and were famously involved in the raids on Ostende and Zeebrugge. The boats were used to carry torpedoes and mines and carried Lewis guns for self defence. By the end of the war, some had even been converted into unmanned drones in collaboration with the fledgling RAF! And in 1919, the daring raid on Kronstadt during the Russian War brought Coastal Forces their first Victoria Cross…
Coastal forces made an enormous contribution to WW2 in every theatre of war:
- 900 actions resulting in 400 enemy vessels sunk – including some of the most famous raids of the Second World War
MGB 521 at speed of Portsmouth in 1945 - More torpedoes fired than the submarine service with a greater proportion of hits
- Vital intelligence gathered for D-Day
- Landing and retrieving agents on enemy coastlines
- 3000 decorations won including 4 Victoria Crosses
Achievements of the Trust
The work of the trust has helped keep the memory alive through:
- Night Hunters – Coastal Forces Museum in Priddy’s Hard, Gosport
Memorial plaques at each Coastal Forces base around the UK- A film archive of interviews with veterans
- A DVD including wartime footage and interviews
- A collection of historic material, photographs, letters, models and memorabilia
- A memorial room and annual Remembrance Service at HMS Hornet, Gosport
Coastal Forces Museum
The Night Hunters: the Royal Navy’s Coastal Forces at War
Opened in October 2021, our dedicated museum, located within the Royal Navy’s Explosion Museum at Priddy’s Hard, Gosport includes two WW2 wartime vessels, photos and exhibits. We owe it to veterans, families and the public to tell the story. Find out more and view the introductory video for an insight into the design, history and story of the historical museum.
Help Us Achieve Our Aims
The Coastal Forces Heritage Trust need materials, time and money.
If you would like to help and become involved, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Join the Friends of Coastal Forces
Please email: directorcoastalforces@outlook.com
A commentary from Lieutenant Commander Peter Scott RNVR
“I’d like to tell you a little about the light coastal forces, the small, fast ships…”
» Listen