Motor landing craft
Motor landing craft prints from 1942 | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Motor landing craft |
| Builders | J. Samuel White of Cowes |
| Operators | Royal Navy |
| Preceded by | Lighters and Horse Boats |
| Succeeded by | LCM (1) |
| Built | 1926–1938 |
| Completed | 9 |
| Lost | all (1939–1945) |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Landing craft |
| Displacement | 20 long tons (20,321 kg) |
| Draught | 4.5 ft (1.4 m) |
| Ramps | 1 |
| Propulsion | 1x Hotchkiss petrol engine, water jet propulsion |
| Speed | 5–6 kn (9.3–11.1 km/h; 5.8–6.9 mph) |
| Capacity | 10 long tons (10,160 kg) |
| Armament | None |
| Armour | None 1926. In 1936, bulletproof plate added to steering shelter |
The motor landing craft (MLC) was a vessel used in the 1920s and 30s. It was specifically designed to deliver a tank to shore and may be considered the predecessor of all Allied landing craft mechanised (LCM). The MLC also saw action in the first year of the Second World War. Its primary purpose was to ferry tanks, troops and stores from ships to shore. The craft derived from discussions of the Landing Craft Committee; the prototype was designed by J. Samuel White of Cowes.
Manufactured of steel, this shallow-draught, barge-like boat could ferry its cargo to shore at a speed of up to five knots. For a short journey, from shore to shore, the cargo could be rolled or carried into the boat over its ramp. On longer journeys, ship to shore, a derrick would lower the MLC into the sea from the transporting vessel. The derrick would then lower the vehicle or cargo load. Upon touching down on shore, soldiers or vehicles exited by the bow ramp.