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WWII Spy Boat Replica Launched After 1.5 Years
8 May
Summary
- A replica of a WWII spy boat used for rescues has been built.
- The boat was used by the SOE to land spies in France.
- It was launched in Falmouth harbor for a new museum display.
A team of dedicated enthusiasts has spent the last year and a half constructing a replica of a remarkable World War Two spy boat. This 8m (25ft) vessel, known as the SN2, was originally used by the Special Operations Executive (SOE) for clandestine operations in France.
These surfboats were designed with a unique double-ended construction to navigate the challenging surf on Brittany's beaches. They enabled spies to secretly land, deliver vital supplies like weapons and explosives, and then quickly depart. The French Resistance would later be alerted to these hidden packages via coded BBC messages.
The SN2's most celebrated mission occurred on Christmas Day 1943, when one of these boats successfully rescued 16 Allied airmen, five French agents, and six sailors in two trips. This replica, recently launched in Falmouth harbour, will be featured in a new National Maritime Museum display.
Museum volunteers described the construction as fascinating, likening the SOE agents' bravery and ingenuity to that of James Bond. The boat's innovative cold-moulded, double diagonal construction represented cutting-edge technology for its time, producing a lightweight yet rigid form.
Sea trials are planned for the replica to recreate original testing conditions. The National Maritime Museum in Cornwall will host a display that highlights the county's significant links to the SOE's daring wartime activities.
