SOMERSET NEWS: Firefighters called to pump out water from historic WW2 torpedo boat at Bridgwater Docks

FIREFIGHTERS have today (Sunday, February 1, 2015) been pumping out water from a historic Second World War torpedo boat which had only just been lowered into Bridgwater Docks.

The alarm was raised at just after 9.15am to the incident involving the 70-ft boat which had been placed into the Docks at Anson Way for testing earlier this week.

A spokesman for the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: “When we arrived at the scene we liaised with the owner and harbour master to confirm that the boat was taking on water.

“We quickly got to work setting up a light portable pump to assist in rebalancing the boat.”

By 11.45am the Fire Service reported that the historical torpedo boat – which has national importance – was free of water.

The boat – which was built in Portsmouth back in 1941 to defend Britain from the threat of a German invasion – has been restored by warship enthusiast Paul Childs, of Militaryboats.org.

Mr Childs told the BBC earlier this week that the restoration project had already cost him £30,000 – about 50 per cent of the overall expected cost.

The boat had been used as a houseboat for more than 50 years in London following the war, but had been condemned in 2012. The vessel was then given to Mr Childs in 2013 to restore.

More news to follow on this story.

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