Lin Watson, curator of Teignmouth and Shaldon Museum, writes:

Teignmouth and Shaldon Museum has received three special items belonging to the Morgan Giles shipyard from James Roberts, a director of Thomas Roberts Ltd of Winchester.

This firm bought Morgan Giles Ltd in 1962 and still holds its title. His father, John Roberts, who is well remembered by ex-employees, ran Morgan Giles in the 60s, but sadly died in a car accident in 1968.

James Roberts recently contacted the museum to ask if they would be interested in two model ships and other documents. When he brought them to the museum, I was very pleased to find that the large accurately constructed models were of Gay Charger and a Monaco 36 named Piccola, under Teign Corinthian Yacht Club.

HMS Gay Charger was a 71ft Vosper fast patrol boat built for the Admiralty at the Teignmouth yard in the early 50s. With sister ship HMS Gay Charioteer, she formed the escort of the Royal Yacht Britannia at the conclusion of the Queen's Commonwealth tour in 1954.

The museum holds a photo of her leading Britannia with Tower Bridge raised in the background.

In addition to the two models, Mr Roberts brought the original Job Book for the yard from 1920 onwards. This is a valuable local document as it lists every boat built from the beginnings of the yard, including the war years, until January 1969. This will enable the archivists at the museum to answer more accurately the inquiries received about Morgan Giles shipbuilding.

However, Piccola is not listed, so if anyone knows who it was built for or who owned it, please contact the museum.

The museum is giving a second showing of its Morgan Giles exhibition, including the new models, and digital copies of all the design plans will be displayed. This will run from Saturday, August 10, to Friday, August 30, Tuesdays to Saturdays 10am to 5pm, Sundays and bank holiday Monday from 2pm to 5pm.

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