LÉ Banba (CM11)
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| Career (Ireland) |  |
|---|---|
| Name: | LÉ Banba (CM11) |
| Namesake: | Banba |
| Launched: | Thornycroft, 24 March 1954 |
| Commissioned: | 23 February 1971 |
| Decommissioned: | 1984 |
| Fate: | Sold to Spanish interests for breaking |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Ton-class minesweeper |
| Displacement: | 360 tonnes |
| Length: | 42.67 m (140.0 ft) overall |
| Beam: | 8.4 m (28 ft) |
| Draught: | 2.49 m (8.2 ft) |
| Speed: | 28 km/h (17 mph) maximum |
| Complement: | 30 |
| Armament: | 40/60 mm Bofors 2 x 20 mm Oerlikon AA |
LÉ Banba (CM11) was a Ton-class minesweeper in the Irish Naval Service (INS). She was named after Banba, a legendary queen of the Tuatha Dé Danann and a poetic name for Ireland. The ship was the former HMS Alverton (M1129).
The name Banba was originally allocated to be borne by one of the six Flower class corvettes ordered in 1946, but only three were delivered and the name was not used. On 22 February 1971, the former Alverton was handed over to the INS, and commissioned on 23 February by Lt. Cdr. Deasy at Gibraltar
Following her commissioning, Banba, in company with Fola, worked up in the Western Mediterranean so that they could complete Harbour Acceptance Trials and Sea Acceptance Trials. On 20 March both ships left the Mediterranean for home, however on the way a storm blew up forcing them to take refuge in Lisbon. The two newest additions to the Navy finally arrived on 29 March 1971.
In 1984 The Banba was decommissioned and was sold to Spanish interests for breaking.
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