I do not know to what "the boats" refers. I may be able to furnish some additional information. I have been on board the GORLESTON. But first, before the GORLESTON, she was the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter ITASCA. You will be able to find out more as she was instrumental in the search for Amelia Ehrhart. How I came to be on board was when I was stationed in the Coast Guard Receiving Station at the Coast Guard yard in Portsmouth, Virginia, across the river from Norfolk, Virginia. With time off, I went aboard three or four ships tied beam to beam. On the last one on the river side I went into the wheel house also called the bridge. There was no one on board any of them as they were already decommisioned, and no crew. There were charts and various articles in disaray. In the flag locker there were all the signal flags ready to be hoisted up the yard. I have a British ensign still rolled and tied securely ready to go aloft. She was the ITASCA/GORLESTON. The next stage was my assignment to the Coast Guard ocean tug CARRABASSET. Immediately we were assigned the task of towing the ITASCA/GORLESTON. I assisted in working the towline to the bow bridle. We were not far in the river when tide, current, wind and other factors caused the line to fowl our screw(propeler). After repairs we continued and I stood my watch at the wheel, taking her up the Chesapeak Bay to Curtis Bay, Maryland.
I hope this helps in your quest for information. In return I would like to have from you any information you may have of her time in the ROYAL NAVY.