Lot 960
A SECOND WORLD WAR SPECIAL FORCES COCKLE MK 7 TWO MAN SAILING CANOE.
A two man light alloy canoe in three sections with adjustable catamaran type alloy outriggers, with two original paddles, each in two sections, much original painted surface, residual elements of the rudder, seat bases, a cover for the front cockpit (in poor condition), bilge pump, a number of securing pins and mast cover. Each of the three sections of the canoe are marked with the manufacturers number WC47 and with a military identification number of WC217 to the exterior. WC47 suggesting it is an early production from the 200 or so Mk 7s that were made. A round bilge canoe designed to be an ocean-going craft manufactured in three sections with bulkheads, the centre section being 8' in length, the front and back each 5' making it a sizeable craft when assembled. Although designed to be carried by Submarines it seems likely that the majority travelled in Catalina or Sunderland aircraft. The sections weighing 26lbs, 63lbs and 28bls with a further 34lbs for the outriggers. Interestingly the outriggers which could be deployed to either side were filled with ping pong balls so that in the event of damage from enemy guns they would retain their buoyancy and the holes patched with chewing gum. It seems likely that this example retains the original balls.
The history of canoes during the Second World War of this type is best known through the heroic actions of the group of men who have become known as 'The Cockleshell Heroes'. Much of their use has been blanketed in secrecy for many years. The operation to design and manufacture the canoes began in 1941 and was categorised as 'Most Secret' during the War, the canoes were of vital importance and the Mark 7 were upgraded from 'first preference' to list 'A' being primarily used in the Eastern Theatre and South West Pacific.
Produced by the Ministry of Aircraft Production, these canoes were manufactured by Warwick Aviation in a material known as Brimabright (Duraluminium), built by qualified aero engineers with each component having the individual engineers own stamp of certification. Built to aircraft standards these canoes were built to exacting standards. The Mk 7 prototype was produced in 1944 with trials taking place at Hayling Island and Ceylon. Production began in 1945 with the craft seeing service in Ceylon and Burma and ceasing c1954 by which time they had been superseded by later models. This example was purchased by the vendor's Father who serving in the army at the time directly as army surplus. This explains the probably unique matching numbers on this craft, with the handful of others known probably having been purchased from scrap yards where the best example of each section was chosen giving them non matching numbers.
Purchased by the vendors father for duck hunting on the Somerset levels it is thought that it last saw active service collecting the post from a nearby post office during the floods of 2012.
I am very grateful to Quentin Rees, author of the definitive work on Second World War Canoes 'The Cockleshell Canoes British Military Canoes of World War Two' published by Amberley Publishing in 2008 for his assistance in identifying this canoe and cataloguing assistance. Mr Rees, who also wrote a definitive history of the Cockleshell Heroes, has described this example as 'a rare beast' and has generously offered to share his experience of restoring canoes of this type with the purchaser of this lot. Mr Rees further confirms that Mk 7 canoes are a delight to sail and paddle well. A level of experience that very few living share.
