Air Sea Rescue Dumb Barges - called the 'Cuckoo'
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Air Sea Rescue Dumb Barges – called
the ‘Cuckoo’
JPEFeb2013 Page 1
Purpose The Admiralty saw the advantage of having recue vessels within the English Channel. These highly visible boats held emergency equipment such as: food, water, blankets, dry clothing. They had six bunks. They also contained a first aid box and a flag to indicate it was occupied. They were available to both British and German downed airman. They were built for the RAF and maintained by the Air Sea Rescue Services (ASRS) They were originally called ‘Sea Shanties’, the press then called them ‘Ocean Hostels’ but the official name was ‘Cuckoo’. Built In January 1941, the Air Ministry agreed to build 16 AST floats. Carrier Engineering Ltd, a private company of Wembley, were contracted to build all 16 Air Sea Rescue (ASR) vessels for deployment around the south coastline. They were made of welded mild steel plates (1/4”), using only flat stock plates. They had a steel superstructure and mast. Their watertight hulls were brightly painted in red and yellow bands. They had red crosses in white circles painted on either side and on the entrance top. The Red Cross objected to the use of the ‘red cross’ and thus on the 10th September 1941 the red cross was removed from the UK floats. JPEFeb2013 Page 2
ASR1 to ASR 16
Displacement: 10.8 tons
Hull dimensions: Length 32’ 02”
Beam 10’ 0”
Moulded Depth 6’ 0”
Draft 3’ 3”
They were not fitted with an engine as their function was as dumb barges moored at strategic
intervals around the coast. In particular under the flight paths of aircraft returning from bombing
raids.
They were designed to be easily boarded. They were fitted with bars extending below the surface to
give foot and hand holds, and the stern of the float was cut away so that a ladder over it hung
straight down and could be climbed easily.
The anchorage points were solidly constructed for chain shackles. The very heavy permanent
moorings were laid by specialist mooring vessels; the cables were then buoyed and left. Later the
Cuckoo was towed to position by a coastal forces craft and connected by shackles to the mooring
chain/chains.
As they were small, they could be transported by road to the nearest docks. When they arrived at
the coast the craft was rigged with its mask and retained on a trolley until towed to its permanent
mooring (in the pictures the Red Cross is still evident).
JPEFeb2013 Page 3Use: There was room for at least six-ditched aircrew. They were stocked with dry clean clothing, a cooking stove, food, fresh water, 6 dry comfortable bunks, medical kit, radio receiver, signal flares and rockets, cigarettes and books. There were sleeping bags, towels, washing gear, matches and playing cards. Both German and British rescue units checked the boat from time to time, though enemy airmen were immediately made prisoners of war. They were not found to be particularly useful as they were so close to land that aircraft in trouble could be spotted anyway. A few airmen were rescued, including a German survivor who had been shot down in the Channel. ASR craft 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8 were all moored in their permanent positions by 1st July 1941. No 4 and 9 were to being moored a few days later. Craft 10, 11 and 12 were to be delivered a few days later. By 5th August 1941, all were permanently moored. 22nd Actober 1941 reported ASR-2 was missing and 30th November 11 was missing. By 1st July 1942 no 2, 6 and 11 were confirmed lost with 12 reported missing. JPEFeb2013 Page 4
Modifications: ASR-5 was at Great Yarmouth and the inspection report 27.02.42 recommended all woodwork, including access hatches, should be eased to allow for possible swelling. In addition, the wedge fastening on the entrance door should be supplied with nonferrous wedges to prevent jamming. It was also noted the stern quarters formed a very sharp angle, which was a menace to boats tending the Cuckoo with supplies. The suggestion of large coir fendoffs to be fitted around the quarters. It was also noted it was hard to spot the crafts so a suggestion that a circular topmark be erected as high as was practicable possible. It was also recommended the forward ladders be removed as they were being damaged by vessels going alongside. JPEFeb2013 Page 5
Locations Craft Location Remarks ASR-1 Sheerness ASR-2 Sheerness Reported lost 22/10/41 ASR-3 Great Yarmouth Dry docked, withdrawn for repairs ASR-4 Harwich ASR-5 Grimsby Temporary withdrawn ASR-6 Great Yarmouth Reported lost 27/11/41 ASR-7 Grimsby ASR-8 Sheerness ASR-9 Dover ASR-10 Dover ASR-11 Dover Reported lost 30/11/41 ASR-12 Dover Reported lost but not confirmed ASR-13 Great Yarmouth ASR-14 Grimsby Dry docked, waiting re-mooring ASR-15 Norwich ASR-16 Sheerness ASR-17 Dover Ex-German ASR-22 Newhaven Ex-German ASR-23 Newhaven Ex-German ASR-NI Portsmouth Ex-German ASR-E5 Portsmouth Ex-German German Version: Germany developed deluxe buoys for flyers of the Luftwaffe brought down. The Rettungsboje (known as lobster pots) were constructed under the German Military of Air Navigation. These buoys were anchored far off shore and saved many lives that ship and coastal planes might have been too late to rescue. These were located almost halfway across the English Channel. Several were seen in the Channel from October 1940, but by Autumn 1941 they were scrapped at Cherbourg. They were square with a floor space of 43 sq. feet, with an 8ft cabin rising above the float. On the upper deck of the cabin, there was an oval turret 6 ft. high with a signal mast carrying a wireless antenna. Tube railings ran along the outer circumference below and above the water line. A ladder JPEFeb2013 Page 6
led up to the turret, which was a door opening into the cabin below. It was painted yellow above the water line, with Red Cross symbols on each side of the turret. It could house 4 personnel. Lights were generated by storage batteries, but kerosene lamps were also provided. Hot food could be prepared on an alcoholic stove. Cognac and cigarettes were provided to calm nerves. Depleted supplies were replaced by the recue vessels. Signally involved hoisting a black anchor ball with a red and yellow stripped flag on the mast during the day. At night red and white lights indicated that rescued men were on-board. Signal pistols, white-light parachute flares were also available. Other equipment included plugs for bullet holes and a water pump. A rope anchored the buoy to a fixed location, but was long enough to show drift indicating the direction of current to an aircraft in distress. During April 1941 five ex-German floats, which had drifted onto the British coast were placed in position where they might be of used by RAF aircrew off Portsmouth, Shoreham and Newhaven. Where are they now? Post war the crafts were very quickly removed as they posed a danger to shipping. Some were sunk at their locations. At least 2 were removed and converted to target craft. One was a static craft on mooring at Wyke Regis, Weymouth until the later 1960’s. One was modified with a gantry aft and a trellis array erected forward to assist radar signature. One ended up at the NATO depot at Fairlie in 1977, then it was shipped to RAF Hendon Museum, but was destroyed in situ as it proved very dangerous to carry out any restoration work owing to the fact it was full of expanded polystyrene. One was used for torpedo homing trials. JPEFeb2013 Page 7
The ASR-10 was converted into a yacht in the 1950’s, and was finally rescued from Battery Park,
Gourock. This can be viewed at the Scottish Maritime Heritage Association.
A second one was discovered in the 1970’s, very close to the Mulberry Harbour at a depth of 10-15
meters. Likely to be the ASR-12 which was reported lost, but this not confirmed.
Diving:
Mulberry: 50 44.63N 00 42.32W
Landing Craft: 50 37N 02 24.90W
Cuckoo: 50 44.724N 00 42.219W
There is a rope leading from the Far Mulberry to a WW2 Landing Craft and then onto the Cuckoo.
You are likely to see Tompot Blennies, Gobies, Lobsters and Crabs. These three are separated by a
sandy bottom (look out for rays, lobsters, cuttlefish, dogfish and a variety of anenomies). This dive
plan will take about 40 -45 mins to complete the full circuit.
Boats can be launched from Selsey, where there is a large car park, toilet facilities and a shop.
Sources:
German Lobster pot :
http://www.lonesentry.com/. and http://www.lonesentry.com/articles/ttt07/rescue-buoy.html
Cuckoo research:
Terry Holtham http://www.asrmcs-club.com/boatswebsite/terryh.html
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