Larne Splash Target
WORLD WAR II
‘Larne Lough was one of the most important anti-submarine training bases and here the very latest techniques were being employed to train submarine hunters in the tricks of their trade. Training exercises were constantly employed with frigates, corvettes and other craft tearing through the water to make a ‘kill’, supported by aircraft ‘spotting’ overhead. Most of the towns’ people were unaware of the training as it was carried on in the darkness of night. Many were also not aware that a luxury yacht ‘Philante’ was a base for these operations.’
History of Larne and East Antrim
Felix McKillop
A recent donation of photographs and artefacts in 2022 brought to light a previously untold story from World War II in Larne.
Rosie Gordon’s family were based in Larne for a time during the Second World War, where they rented a house from Mrs Crawford in Ballygally. Rosie’s father, Lt Comm Albert Wesley ‘Bertie’ Anderson, V.D., of the Royal Navy Voluntary Reserve, was a gunnery officer on board the armed yacht, HMS Philante, in Larne, from February 1944 until January 1945.
While stationed in Larne, Bertie invented the ‘Larne Splash Target’. It consisted of a floating arrangement of flat boards, which, when towed by a very fast speedboat and then jerked by pulling a rope, would create an arc of spray. The gunners were able to fire at the arc of spray and could clearly see if their aim was successful. Prior to the invention of the target, plywood boats were constructed which was time consuming and expensive.
‘The Larne Target’ became used for gunnery practice throughout the Royal Navy and was also adopted by the US Navy. The Target is still in use today.
LARNE SPLASH TARGET - SURFACE TARGET
The Admiralty Manual of Seamanship 2021 has a section on the Larne Target.
In recent years the requirement to tow targets for surface or aircraft weapon practice has diminished. Consequently, the only such target the seaman is likely to be required to deploy is the Larne Target…
The Larne Target is a simple raft target measuring 1.5 x 1.3 metres, consisting of a centre and two wing scoop boards, a tie bar and a planing board. The target is very small and is difficult to sight or detect by radar. However, when towed, the scoops produce plumes of water, which are clearly visible and do show on radar.
The target is designed to be towed at speeds of up to 30 knots in good sea conditions.
SPLASH TARGET COXN!
The target has also been used as playful instruction for junior sailors on how to be a ‘Splash Target Coxn’. The idea being to sit on and steer the target while it is being towed 300-400 metres behind the ship, and indicate using red and green flags where the bullets have landed! Although a preposterous idea, innocent young sailors would often volunteer as there was a cash reward. Senior officers would have fun setting up the training event on the flight deck with a fire hose adding a touch of watery realism to the training. Everyone, including the volunteer coxn would have a good laugh and the volunteer would get showered with goodies for being a good sport!
LT COMM A W ANDERSON (1907-1986), RNVR
Lt Comm Albert Wesley ‘Bertie’ Anderson was commissioned into the Royal Naval Voluntary Reserve (Ulster Division) in 1932. He became a Lieutenant in 1935 and gained the rank of Lieutenant Commander in 1943. He left the Navy in 1946.
Bertie was Mayor of Londonderry from 1963 until 1968; Member of Parliament for the City of Londonderry from 1968 until 1972; and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Home Affairs, 1971-1972.
These photographs show Lt Comm Anderson on active service.
Lt Comm Anderson served as Gunnery Officer on the mine layer HMS Adventure from April 1942 until December 1943.
Just prior to this, Bertie was based at Londonderry Naval Base, HMS Ferret.
Bertie saw action in the North Atlantic, the North Sea and off the Norwegian coast and sailed three times from Milford Haven in South Wales taking Spitfire planes to Malta. These voyages were carried out totally unescorted. They were vital in aiding the defense of Malta and the war effort in the Mediterranean.
MEDALS WON BY LT COMM A W ANDERSON
The 1939-1945 Star
Awarded for service in the Second World War.
The Atlantic Star
Awarded to those who took part in the Battle of the Atlantic the longest continuous campaign of the Second World War.
The Africa Star
Awarded for service in North Africa between 10th June 1940 and 12th May 1943 during the Second World War.
The Italy Star
Awarded for service in the Italian Campaign from 1943 to 1945 during the Second World War.
War Medal (mentioned in dispatches)
All recipients of campaign stars also received the War Medal. Awarded for full-time service in the Armed Forces or the Merchant Navy for at least 28 days between 3rd September 1939 and 2nd September 1945.
A member of the armed forces is ‘mentioned in dispatches’ when their name appears in an official report by a superior officer, sent to high command, which describes their brave actions in the face of the enemy. The person receives a certificate and an oak leaf device to wear on the ribbon of the appropriate campaign medal.
The Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
A commemorative medal issued to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on 2nd June 1953.
Reserve Decoration - King George VI Version
Awarded to officers with at least fifteen years of service in the Royal Naval Reserve.
RNVR UNIFORM CUFFS AND BUTTONS
BELONGING TO LT COMM A W ANDERSON
The RNVR was known as the ‘Wavy Navy’ due to the wavy sleeve ‘rings’ or rank stripes the officers wore to distinguish them from their Royal Navy and Royal Navy Reserve counterparts.
MODEL OF THE LARNE SPLASH TARGET
This miniature scale model of the Larne Splash Target was made by local model maker George (Gerben) Bouma.
George also made the model of the MV Princess Victoria on display in the museum's Main Gallery.
LARNE NAVAL BASE - HMS RACER
FLAG FROM HMS RACER
ROYAL NAVY WHITE ENSIGN
This is one of the ensigns flown at Larne Naval Base during the Second World War.
Known as a ‘stone frigate’, Larne Naval Base, using the Service name of ‘HMS Racer’, was housed in the Olderfleet Hotel at Larne Harbour.
HMS Racer fulfilled a vital role in wartime naval operations, being sited at an important location covering operations in the Clyde and Irish Sea and the more distant approaches to the British Isles from the Atlantic and the North West.
WRNS PHOTO OF BETTY APSLEY
The Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) played a vital role in World War II.
Betty Apsley, from Larne, joined the WRNS in January 1940 at the age of 19. She served at HMS Racer where her duties included general office work and occasional employment as a stenographer. She subsequently rose to the rank of Chief Petty Officer and served in Wales and England before being demobbed in 1946.