Colonel Simms: Yachts Pots and Tanks 1974

my Rheem

How to Design a Motor Yacht

Traffic was almost non existent on Jumeirah Beach Road in 1974 so the drive from Port Rashid to Umm Sequiem took minutes only.
Lionel met me and took me to the "Rheem" He explained the Yacht was new. They'd only recently taken delivery from the builders, Camper Nicholsons in UK. Apparently his CO's requirements were simple.
He wanted to:-

Leave Umm Sequiem Harbour after Friday Lunch

Take Five Friends

Sail to his favourite fishing ground

Spend three hours fishing

Return to Umm Sequiem Harbour in time for Dinner.

When Camper and Nicholson's Naval Architect was told where the CO's favourite fishing ground was, he quickly came to a simple conclusion - the yacht would have to be fast, very fast in fact! More than 40 knots top speed to cover the distance in the time available.

That meant power - lots of it.

Power A Plenty!

Later, an engine room tour showed just how much power was needed. Engine room occupied about half of the 60 foot hull's space, filled with two 16 cylinder MAN diesel engines - the kind Navies use in their high speed patrol boats.
Over half the remaining hull space was devoted to the Owner's Suite with half of what was left providing two cabins for five friends. One cabin had two bunk beds - the other had two bunk beds plus another suspended over a lower bunk by four wires attached to the deck head.
Lionel said there'd been a problem with that bunk. On the first trip the wires had broken depositing the occupant of the top bunk onto the friend in the lower bunk. They were too seasick to complain!
Remaining hull space was the crew's quarters.

Rheem looked fast even when moored alongside. Its superstructure resembled a jet aeroplane - totally smooth and streamlined with no opening windows anywhere. Lionel said it had been developed in a wind tunnel.
An elaborate sunshade sheltered the Rheem's "open air" Control Station on top of the main cabin. Lionel said this was an add on. The Nakhuda complained he was not protected from the sun when he was driving.
Camper and Nicholson designed a sunshade then tested it in a wind tunnel to make it could withstand the wind loadings generated by the Yacht's high speed.

Taking the Test

The Nakhuda and his crew came to greet us with handshakes all round. None wore a uniform. I thought they had came from a Dhow. Lionel said the Yacht's crew WAS the crew from his CO's Fishing Dhow!
On board, we entered the main cabin through a door that would not have been out of place on the Space Shuttle. It led into the Rheem's Galley. Lionel explained the original modern European stainless steel cooker couldn't handle Rice Pots. The crew had replaced the original kitchen with a two ring gas cooker and gas bottle from Dubai Soukh. Now they could cook in their Rice Pots!
Crew made ready by tying down everything that was loose. Nakhuda hitched up his dishdasha, climbed the narrow ladder to the control station, settled into his futuristic driving seat, reached across to the equally futuristic control panel and started the engines.

The crew closed and locked the main cabin door. After a final check, the crew signalled the Nakhuda we were ready to go. I was told to sit down.
Rheem edged slowly out of Umm Sequiem Harbour,its engines rumbling. Nakhuda lined Rheem up into the onshore wind and sea then pushed the two throttle levers forward to their maximum. Rheem reared up. Engine noise increased from rumbling to deafening. Rheem catapulted forward at ever increasing speed. Outside the waves were about one and a half meters high. Rheem just bounced from one wave top to the next at 37 knots. It was impossible to stand up and impossible to sit down. A firm grip on the seat back didn't guarantee your staying in one place! With each bounce, Crew and passengers were lifted out of their seats then thrust back down again as Rheem hit the next wave. The noise made conversation impossible.
The Nakhuda, isolated in his control station, was oblivious to his Crew and Passengers' discomfort. He sat securely in his Formula 1 Racing Car Style seat tweaking his little steering wheel keeping Rheem on course while his crew and passengers hung on in desperation.

High Speed Torture

After thirty minutes of this high speed torture, the Nakhuda decided to head for home. He turned his steering wheel to "hard over". Rheem leaned alarmingly then skidded and bounced sideways across the waves at undiminished speed until it was pointing towards Umm Sequiem Harbour. Just before Umm Sequiem harbour entrance, the Nakhuda pulled the throttles back. Rheem slowed as quickly as it had accelerated - quickly! Passengers grabbed at anything to prevent being thrown to the deck by the rapid speed reduction.
Alongside there was a silence as the Nakhuda shut down Rheem's engines. The cabin door opened. We quickly disembarked. I shook hands with a smiling Nakhuda and his Crew.

They asked how I had enjoyed the trip.
I said it was an experience I would never forget - and I haven't!

Len Chapman remembers

Take a Tank to Deira

I worked for McDermotts in 1970s when McDermotts Yard was in Dubai Creek near Al Maktoum Bridge.
I knew Colonel Simms. He called me one morning to say he had a problem with one of Dubai Defence Force's Tanks. It needed a specialist welder and could I help?
I told Lionel I would be happy to help. Lionel said he would come straight away.
Lionel arrived shortly afterwards - in his Tank!
Lionel had driven this Tank from the Defence Roundabout on the Abu Dhabi Road along Dubai's Streets, over Al Maktoum Bridge to our yard on Dubai Creek. I arranged for his Tank to be repaired immediately.
Lionel then drove his Tank back to Dubai Defence Force Barracks near the Defence Roundabout.
Lionel had a great sense of humour! He was one of old Dubai's Characters!!

Paul Cunningham remembers