Hunt class minesweeper (1916)

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HMS Saltash in 1940. She has been re-armed with the 12 pounder forwards.
Hunt-class minesweeper The White Ensign of the Royal Navy.
General characteristics
Displacement: 710 tons
Length: 231 feet (70 m)
Beam: 28 feet 0 inches (Belvoir group); 28 feet 6 inches (Aberdare group).
Draught: 8 feet (2.4 m)
Propulsion: Yarrow-type boilers, Vertical triple-expansion engines, 2 shafts, 1,800 ihp (in Belvoir group) or 2,200 ihp (in Aberdare group).
Range: 140 tons coal
Speed: max 16 knots (30 km/h)
Complement: 73 men
Armament: 1x QF 4 inch forward
QF 12 pounder aft
2x twin 0.303 inch machine guns

The Hunt class minesweeper was a class of minesweeping sloop built between 1916 and 1919 for the Royal Navy. They were built in two discrete groups, the earlier Belvoir group designed by the Ailsa Shipbuilding Company and the subsequent (and slightly larger) Aberdare group designed by the Admiralty. They were classed as Fleet Minesweeping Sloops, that is ships intended to clear open water. The Belvoir group were named after British fox hunts. Those of the Aberdare group were originally named after coastal towns, watering places and fishing ports, some of which happened to be hunts by coincidence. However, all were soon renamed after inland locations to prevent confusion caused by the misunderstanding of signals and orders.

Contents

[edit] Design

These ships had twin screws and had forced-draught coal burning boilers, that is they burned pulverised coal in an artificially augmented airstream. One consequence of this was that they produced a lot of smoke, so much so that they were more usually referred to as Smokey Joes. Another was that if they were fed anything other than the Welsh Steam Coal they were designed for then the fuel consumption was enormous - one ship was bunkered with soft brown Natal coal and burnt 20 tons in a single day.

They had a shallow draught (8 feet, 2.43 metres). Armament was one QF 4 inch forward and a QF 12 pounder aft, plus two twin 0.303 inch machine guns. They were equipped for sweeping with Oropesa floats only, that is to cut the cables of moored mines.

[edit] Service

Six ships were completed as survey vessels, and the majority of the Aberdare group arrived too late to see service during the First World War. 35 were cancelled after the armistice. Interwar, 8 were sold out of service, one was sold to Siam, one was converted to an RNVR drillship and 52 were scrapped. The majority of the remainder spent the period from 1919 to 1939 in reserve around the world, with Malta and Singapore having most of them, so that on the outbreak of World War II there were still 27 available for service, to which a further two were requisitioned from mercantile service.

The 5th Minesweeping Flotilla, comprising Pangourne, Ross, Lydd, Kellet and Albury as well as the newer Halcyon-class Gossamer and Leda sailed from North Shields for Harwich late on 26 May 1940, reaching Harwich nearly 24 hours later. After coaling, the flotilla sailed for Dunkirk in the afternoon of 28 May, and was off the beach by about 21:30 hours the same day. At least 2 ships from the Flotilla (Ross and Lydd) were detailed to collect troops from the harbour mole. Ross alone took on board 353 men and 1 dog on this first night. The ships of the flotilla made a further 3 trips to Dunkirk in the following days, working at battle-stations virtually round the clock and returning to Margate for the last time from Dunkirk on Saturday, 1 June 1940. Sutton was also present at Dunkirk.

Five ships were lost during the war, and a further vessel, Widnes was beached in Suda Bay, Crete in May 1941 after being bombed by German aircraft. The Germans recovered and repaired the hull, pressing her into service as 12.V4. In October 1943, now known as Uj.2109, she was sunk by the destroyers Eclipse, Faulknor and the Greek Queen Olga.

[edit] Ships

[edit] Belvoir group

Twenty ships ordered in 1916:

[edit] Aberdare group

One hundred and twenty-nine ships were ordered to this Admiralty design between 1916 and November 1918, of which thirty-four were cancelled (among these, two - Battle and Bloxham - had been launched). Two more (unnamed) were projected to be ordered from Fleming and Fergusson, but these two were never actually ordered:

  • HMS Aberdare — built by Ailsa, launched April 1918, sold for scrapping 1946
  • HMS Abingdon — built by Ailsa, launched June 1918, sold for scrapping 1947
  • HMS Albury — built by Ailsa, launched November 1918, sold for scrapping 1947
  • HMS Alresford — built by Ailsa, launched January 1919, sold for scrapping 1947
  • HMS Appledore — built by Ailsa, launched 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Badminton — built by Ardrossan Dry Dock, launched March 1918, disposed of 1928
  • HMS Bagshot — built by Ardrossan Dry Dock, launched May 1918, paid off 1945, mined in tow off Corfu 1951
  • HMS Banchory — built by Ayrshire Shipbuilding Company, Irvine, launched May 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Barnstaple — built by Ardrossan Dry Dock, launched May 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Battle — built by Dundee Shipbuilding Company, Dundee, launched 1919, but cancelled October 1919 and sold (incomplete) for breaking up in March 1922.
  • HMS Blackburn (ex-Burnham) — built by Bow MacLachlan, launched August 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Bloxham (ex-Brixham) — built by Ayrshire Shipbuilding, launched 1919, but cancelled October 1919 and sold (incomplete) for breaking up 23 October 1923.
  • HMS Bootle (ex-Buckie) — built by Bow MacLachlan, launched June 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Bradfield — built by Ayrshire Shipbuilding, launched May 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Burslem (ex-Blakeney) — built by Ayrshire Shipbuilding, launched March 1918,disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Bury — built by Joseph R. Eltringham, South Shields, launched May 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Caerleon — built by Bow MacLachlan, launched December 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Camberley — built by Bow MacLachlan, launched December 1918, completed as tender to navigation school,
  • HMS Carstairs (ex-Cawsand) — built by Bow MacLachlan, launched 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Caterham — built by Bow MacLachlan, launched March 1919, completed as tender to navigation school
  • HMS Cheam — built by Eltringham, launched July 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Clonmel (ex-Stranraer) — built by Simons, launched May 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Craigie — built by Clyde Shipbuilding, launched May 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Cupar (ex-Rosslare) — built by McMillan, lost 1919
  • HMS Derby (ex-Dawlish) — built by Clyde Shipbuilding, launched August 1918, sold for scrapping 1946
  • HMS Dorking — built by Clyde Shipbuilding, launched September 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Dundalk — built by Clyde Shipbuilding, launched January 1919, mined off Harwich October 16, 1940, foundered under tow following day
  • HMS Dunoon — built by Clyde Shipbuilding, launched March 1919, mined and sunk off Great Yarmouth April 30, 1940
  • HMS Elgin (ex-Troon) — built by Simons, launched March 1919, mined and scrapped in 1945
  • HMS Fairfield — built by Clyde Shipbuilding, launched 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Fareham — built by Dunlop Bremner, launched June 1918, sold for scrapping 1948, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Fermoy — built by Dundee Shipbuilding, launched 1919, bombed by Italian aircraft off Valetta April 30, 1941 then May 4, 1941, written off as constructive total loss
  • HMS Faversham — built by Dunlop Bremner, launched July 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Ford (ex-Fleetwood) — built by Dunlop Bremner, launched October 1918, to mercantile service interwar, requisitioned September 1939 as salvage vessel HMS Forde, returned 1947
  • HMS Forfar — built by Dundee Shipbuilding, launched November 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Forres (ex-Fowey) — built by Clyde Shipbuilding, launched November 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Gaddesden — built by Eltringham, launched November 1917, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Gainsborough (ex-Gorleston) — built by Eltringham, launched February 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Goole (ex-Bridlington) — built by Ayrshire Shipbuilding, launched 1919, later hulked as RNVR drillship Irwell, scrapped 1962
  • HMS Gretna — built by Eltringham, launched April 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Harrow — built by Eltringham, launched July 1918, sold for scrapping 1947, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Havant — built by Eltringham, launched November 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Huntley (ex-Helmsdale) — built by Eltringham, launched January 1919, bombed and sunk by German aircraft off Mersa Matruh January 31, 1941
  • HMS Instow (ex-Ilfracombe) — built by Eltringham, launched April 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Irvine — built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Govan, launched December 1917, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Kendal — built by Fairfield, launched February 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Kinross — built by Fairfield, launched June 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Leamington (ex-HMS Aldborough) — built by Ardrossan Dry Dock, launched March 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Longford (ex-Minehead) — built by John Harkness and Sons, Middlesbrough, launched March 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Lydd (ex-Lydney) built by Fairfield, launched December 1918, sold for scrapping 1947, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Mallaig — built by Fleming and Ferguson, launched October 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Malvern — built by Fleming and Ferguson, launched February 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Marazion — built by Fleming and Ferguson, launched 1919, completed as submarine depot ship, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Marlow — built by Harkness, launched August 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Mistley (ex-Maryport) — built by Harkness, launched October 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Monaghan (ex-Mullion) — built by Harkness, launched May 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Munlochy (ex-Macduff) — built by Fleming and Ferguson, launched June 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Nailsea — built by A and J Inglis, Pointhouse, launched August 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Newark (ex-Newlyn) — built by Inglis, launched June 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Northolt — built by Eltringham, launched June 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Pangbourne (ex-Padstow) — built by Lobnitz, launched March 1918, sold for scrapping 1947
  • HMS Penarth — built by Lobnitz, lost 1919
  • HMS Petersfield (ex-Portmadoc) — built by Lobnitz, launched March 1919, completed as Admiral's yacht for South American rivers,
  • HMS Pontypool (ex-Polperro) — built by Lobnitz, launched June 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Prestatyn (ex-Porlock) — built by Lobnitz, launched November 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Repton (ex-Wicklow) — built by Inglis, launched 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Ross (ex-Ramsey) — built by Lobnitz, launched 1919, sold for scrapping 1947
  • HMAS Rugby (ex-Filey) — built by Dunlop Bremner, launched September 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Salford (ex-Shoreham) — built by Murdoch and Murray, launched April 1919, completed as tender to navigation school,
  • HMS Saltash — built by Murdoch and Murray, launched July 1918, sold for scrapping 1947
  • HMS Saltburn — built by Murdoch and Murray, launched October 1918, wrecked off Horse Sand Fort October 26, 1945 and written off as constructive total loss, sold for salvage and wrecked under tow 1946
  • HMS Selkirk — built by Murdoch and Murray, launched December 1918, sold for scrapping 1947
  • HMS Sherborne (ex-Tarbert) — built by Simons, launched June 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Shrewsbury — built by Napier and Miller, launched February 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Sligo — built by Napier and Miller, launched March 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Stafford (ex-Staithes) — built by Charles Rennoldson, South Shields, launched February 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Stoke (ex-Southwold) — built by Charles Rennoldson, launched June 1918, bombed and sunk by German aircraft off Tobruk May 7, 1941
  • HMS Sutton (ex-Salcombe) — built by Archibald McMillan and Son, Dumbarton, launched March 1918, sold for scrapping 1947
  • HMS Swindon — built by Ardrossan Dry Dock, launched 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Tiverton — built by Simons, launched September 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Tonbridge — built by Simons, launched November 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Tralee — built by Simons, launched December 1918, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Tring (ex-Teignmouth) — built by Simons, launched August 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Truro — built by Simons, launched April 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Wem (ex-Walmer) — built by Simons, launched 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Wexford — built by Simons, launched 1919, to mercantile service inter-war, requisitioned September 1939, to Royal Australian Navy as HMAS Doomba, to oil hulk 1947, scuttled 1976
  • HMS Weybourne — built by Inglis, launched February 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Widnes — (ex-Withernsea) built by Napier and Miller, launched June 1918, bombed by German aircraft in Suda Bay May 1941, beached and abandoned, salvaged as German escort Uj.2109 and sunk by destroyers October 17, 1943
  • HMS Yeovil — built by Napier and Miller, launched August 1918, disposed of inter-war

[edit] Survey ships

  • HMS Beaufort (ex-Ambleside) — launched 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Collinson (ex-Amersham) — built by Ailsa, launched 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Crozier (ex-Verwood, ex-Ventnor) — built by Simons, launched 1919, disposed of inter-war
  • HMS Fitzroy (ex-Pinner, ex-Portreath) — built by Lobnitz, launched 1919, converted to training ship 1939, minesweeper 1940, mined off Great Yarmouth May 27, 1942
  • HMS Flinders (ex-Radley) — built by Lobnitz, launched 1919, converted to accommodation ship 1940, sold for scrapping 1945
  • HMS Kellet (ex-Uppingham) — launched 1919 sold for scrapping 1945

[edit] References

v • d • e
United Kingdom naval ship classes of World War II
Aircraft carriers
Escort carriers
Battleships
Battlecruisers
Heavy cruisers
Light cruisers
C • Danae • Emerald • Leander • Arethusa • Town • Dido • Crown Colony • Minotaur
Destroyers
Town A • A • B • C & D • E & F • G & H • I • Tribal • J, K & N • Hunt • L & M • O & P • Q & R • S & T • U & V • W & Z • C (1943) • Battle • Weapon
Frigates
River • Captain A • Colony A • Loch • Bay
Corvettes
Sloops
24 • Hastings • Banff A • Shoreham • Grimsby • Bittern • Egret • Black Swan
Minesweepers
Hunt • Halcyon • Bangor • Auk A • Algerine
Submarines
H • L • Odin • Parthian • Rainbow • S • River • Grampus • T • U • P611 • V • Amphion • X • XE
Other
A - American built      •      X - Cancelled      •      C - Completed after the war