HMS Pelorus (J291)

HMS Pelorus in 1943
Career (United Kingdom)
Name: HMS Pelorus
Builder: Lobnitz of Renfrew, Scotland
Laid down: 8 October 1942
Launched: 18 June 1943
Commissioned: 7 October 1943
Fate: Sold, 1947
Career (South Africa)
Name: HMSAS Pietermaritzburg
Namesake: Pietermaritzburg
Builder: Lobnitz & Co. Ltd. Renfrew, Scotland
Acquired: 1947
Renamed: SAS Pietermaritzburg
Nickname: PMB
Fate: Scuttled in 1994
General characteristics
Class and type:Algerine-class minesweeper
Tons burthen:850 tons
Length:225 ft (69 m)
Speed:16.5 knots (30.6 km/h)
Complement:85
Armament:
  • 1 x 4" AA gun
  • 4 x 20mm guns (4x1)
Notes:Led D-Day invasion

HMS Pelorus (J291) was an Algerine-class minesweeper, built by Lobnitz of Renfrew, Scotland and launched on 19 June 1943. While equipped with minesweeping gear, she was primarily assigned to convoy escort duty in the Atlantic. In 1944, she led the D-Day invasion of Normandy.

In 1947 the ship was sold to the South African Navy and renamed HMSAS Pietermaritzburg (and later SAS Pietermaritzburg). Still afloat well into the 1990s, many people wished to turn the ship into a maritime museum, but instead she was scuttled on 12 November 1994 to make an artificial reef at Miller's Point near Simon’s Town, South Africa.

Anchor winch on the wreck

The wreck settled upright on the sand and remained fully intact for a number of years. During storms in 2006, the wreck was badly damaged and broke into three parts. However there are still a few places for divers to penetrate, therefore still making it a good wreck to dive. It houses abundant marine life and is a safe haven for a many species of fish. Maximum depth is 22 metres (72 ft) on the sand. The wreck and surrounding 300m has been declared a South African National Heritage Site on 23 August 2013.[1]

The Pelorus displaced 850 tons and had a crew complement of 85 men. Her armament consisted of a single 4" antiaircraft gun, and four 20 mm guns. She was powered by reciprocating engines generating 2000 shp driving two shafts.

SAS Pietermaritzburg display at the Naval Museum, Simonstown

References

  1. ↑ "National Heritage Resources Act (25/1999): Declaration as a National Heritage Site" (PDF). Government Gazette 578 (36776). 23 August 2013.

External links

Coordinates: 34°13′12″S 18°28′12″E / 34.22000°S 18.47000°E