Porth Dinllaen
PORTH DINLLAEN: Temporary emergency flying boat haven
Location: On the west coast of the Lleyn Peninsula, (Penrhyn Llyn), in/near Morfa Nefyn which itself is about 7nm NW of Pwllheli
NOTES:
Taking the broadest possible view of British flying sites this location could hardly rank as an established flying site but I have included it because it serves so well to illustrate the sort of problems military pilots/aircrews encountered in those far off days. Unlike their civil airline contemparies, (which I expect the military held in lower regard?), the military flyers hadn’t it appears established, (or even thought about establishing?), when flight planning, to include suitable diversion airfields, or as in this case, proven safe havens regarding flying boat operations.
It could be pointed out that weather forecasting was still in its infancy, but they did have telephones and therefore advice regarding en route weather advice was available, if anybody in the RAF could be bothered enough to obtain it. Which clearly they weren't.
SO, THEY SET OFF
Thus it was that the crews of three Short Southamptons, (S1230, S1234 and S1235 based at CALSHOT, and a training squadron), departed from STRANREAR to fly to CALSHOT on the 24th Feburary 1933.
Encountering snow storms driven by gale force winds and after making little headway in almost zero visibility the pilots of S1230 and S1235 sought refuge in Yr Hen Borth, (the Old Harbour), at PORTH DINLLAEN. These landings were in extreme weather conditions and attempts were made to deliberately beach the aircraft. In trying to do so S1230 collided with a sea wall ending up partially submerged with its starboard wings folded back. Talk about flying into the unknown! But in those days this was very much the case for RAF aircrews.
There is another aspect though; S1235 was back in service in October 1934 and S1230 by April 1935. Most probably in the terms applied today both aircraft would be written off I suppose? In those days, and there are numerous accounts, the RAF mechanics and fitters were very gifted at restoring crashed aircraft back to flying condition.
WHAT BECAME OF S1234?
You are I am sure, as I am; might well be wondering - so what became of S1234? Did they make it to CALSHOT? As pointed out several times elsewhere, thank heavens I had the good sense to try and compile a ‘Guide’ as opposed to a ‘History'.
If anybody can kindly offer an answer, this advice will be most welcome.
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