HMS Rye (J76)
| Career (United Kingdom) |  |
|---|---|
| Name: | HMS Rye |
| Builder: | Ailsa Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Troon, Scotland |
| Laid down: | 27 November 1939 |
| Launched: | 19 August 1940 |
| Commissioned: | 20 November 1941 |
| Fate: |
Sold on 24 August 1948 Scrapped at Purfleet in September 1948. |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Bangor-class minesweeper |
| Displacement: | 656 tons |
| Length: | 174 ft (53.0 m) |
| Beam: | 28.5 ft (8.7 m) |
| Draught: | 8.25 ft (2.5 m) |
| Propulsion: | Two Admiralty 3-drum water tube boilers two shafts coupled to steam turbines 2,000 shp (1,500 kW) |
| Speed: | 16 knots (30 km/h) |
| Complement: | 60 |
| Armament: |
|
| Notes: | Badge: On a Field per Pale Red and Blue, a demi-lion passant, Gold langued and armed Blue conjoined to the hulk of a ship White. |
HMS Rye was a Bangor class minesweeper that saw service in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. She was built by the Ailsa Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. in Troon, Scotland and commissioned in 1941. Her pennant number was J 76.
Service (1939-1945)
Rye served in the Mediterranean Sea based in Malta as part of the 14th/17th Minesweeper Flotilla. She took part in the Malta Convoys, notably Operation Harpoon during which she rescued 84 survivors from the SS Chant, and in Operation Pedestal during which she was one of the ships that rescued the SS Ohio. The Rye's captain, Iain Pearson, was awarded a bar to his DSC for service during the Malta Convoys.
After the Mediterranean, Rye returned to Home waters and served with the 14th M/S Flotilla based in Plymouth. She was part of Operation Neptune, the naval component of Operation Overlord (D-Day). The flotilla participated in minesweeping operations from 5–30 June, initially clearing paths through the German minefields to the invasion beaches, and subsequently clearing wider areas to allow transport and supply vessels to operate in safety.
Postwar
Rye was decommissioned on 24 August 1948. She was scrapped at Purfleet in Essex in September 1948. Her ensign is laid up in St Mary's parish church in the town of Rye, East Sussex.
The Rye and District Sea Cadets maintain the traditions of HMS Rye.
Crewmembers
Known crewmembers of HMS Rye:
- Bober, Les – LSBA, sick berth attendant.
- Jaques, Stan – AB, ASDIC operator.
- Miller, Dennis – SLt.
- Murgatroyd, George – WO Engineer.
- Parkin, Philip – Lt RNVR, 1st Lieutenant
- Pearson, J. A. – A/Lt Cdr RNR, DSC and bar, captain HMS Rye.
- Prior, Rowland – leading rating, led the naval party from Rye that went aboard the Ohio (13 August 1942) to secure a tow.
- Steinhausen, Lionel – Lt RNVR, navigator.
Sources
- Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8. OCLC 67375475.
- Warships of World War II, by H. T. Lenton & J. J. Colledge, pub. Ian Allen Ltd.
- Malta Convoy, by P. Shankland & A. Hunter, pub. Collins (1961).
External links
- HMS Rye (J 76) - uboat.net
- Minesweeping at Malta
- Rye & District Sea Cadets, HMS Rye
- Operation Harpoon, 15 June, 1942
- WWII Awards for RN Minesweeping
- HMS Rye record at Clydebuilt Ships Database
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