A Y Alessie - a short pictorial history, spanning her 55 years of existence, we are indebted
to the Doubleday family for supplying information and a rare archive of pictures on the history of this vessel.
This vessel was used as a Barrage Balloon vessel during WWII, she had a considerable history as detailed below:
1909
Built by R
Date & Son, Kingsbridge, for A H Lanfear Snr. Ramsgate
1914 During the war ‘Alessie' ran up on to the shingle at Dungeness as the usual light was not showing but was refloated in a parlous condition.
Sold
to Brixham Owners who repaired her and she fished out of Brixham for many years.
1920
To 1930 .
Owned by W B Jackman
1924
21st
Sep. Owner Peter Bully
1930
19th
Nov. Converted to a Yacht by Mr Fry
1934
National
Oil Engine fitted
1940
Used as an
anchor for a barrage Balloon at
Part of Command Balloon Barrage: Trawlers - Alessie, Black Joke, Forsetti, Muriel Stevens, Pas De Loupe Ii, Revive, Snowfinch, Vigilant,
All At
1948
New set of
Sails by George Jackman
1950
Feb to Oct
1957. Owned by J M Doubleday
1953
14 May to 5
June,Glasson
Dock to Great
1960
Owner Mrs M
E Loxton,
1964
14th
Aug As a yacht Sank on the
When used as a balloon vessel the barrage balloon would normally have been flown from the masthead
BM. 381 Alessie, (ex R.189) B. J. Haddock, setting mainsail borrowed from
BM.258 "Seafarer"
1953 Lawson Horne (Friend of J M Doubleday)
Seen from the quay at Port St. Mary, Isle of Man 21st July 1951
Mr Joe Wills and Mr Manuel Maddick. Aboard "Alessie" BM.381 9th May 1920 Photo Comdr H O Hill RN
Silloth 1952/3
John M. Doubleday (skipper and Owner)
Interior- showing a bit of the galley and saloon. I can imagine many a Balloon Operator would have supped on hot cocoa here!
Illustration for a newspaper article May 1953: The Brixham Trawler is made ready for a trip to Great Yarmouth
"Alessie" and other vessels at sea
Picture bought by J M Doubleday on the quay.