HMS Portisham (M2781)

History
Name:	HMS Portisham
Namesake:	Portisham
Builder:	Dorset Yacht Co.
Launched:	3 November 1955
Completed:	26 March 1956
Homeport:	Balbriggan
Identification:	Portisham
Fate:	Sold January 1989, currently, and hopefully long-term liveaboard while remaining largely seaworthy.
General characteristics
Class & type:	Ham-class minesweeper
Displacement:	120 tons sd
Beam:	21.5ft
Propulsion:	Originally, Paxman 12YHAXM, now Scania DS9 & Cummins L10
Speed:	14 kts
Range:	TBD
Complement:	2 - 6
Notes:	Pennant number(s): M2781 / IMS81

HMS Portisham was one of 93 ships of the Ham-class of inshore minesweepers.

Their names were all chosen from villages ending in -ham. The minesweeper was named after [Portesham] in Dorset. The spelling PORTISHAM is probably a legacy from the previous vessel of this name in service during WW2 and is spelt thus in all authoritative reference books.

After her sale in 1989 she was laid up and for sale in a boatyard in Essex. She was procured for conversion to a liveaboard ship by an Irish national in 2007 and is currently the second biggest private vessel under Irish Flag. Her home port is Balbriggan, Co Dublin. Under threat from Fingal County Council, who have lied on several counts in order to get a court order, initially, to have her removed and broken up, now to have the owner removed and the boat moved into storage. The owner doesn't believe that the state even has the authority to take possession of a vessel under these circumstances (unauthorised development under the Planning and Development act). That, along with the fact that she is the owner's home, means that he is defying the court order, and the county council, and is prepared to repel boarders by whatever means he feels is necessary.

References

• Blackman, R.V.B. ed. Jane's Fighting Ships various editions
• Colledge J.J. Ships of the Royal Navy various editions
• Cocker M.P. Mine Warfare Vessels of the Royal Navy (1993)

Ham-class minesweepers  Royal Navy Abbotsham Altham Arlingham Asheldham Bassingham Bedham Birdham Bisham Blunham Bodenham Boreham Bottisham Brantingham Brigham Bucklesham Cardinham Chelsham Chillingham Cobham Cranham Damerham Darsham Davenham Dittisham Downham Edlingham Elsenham Etchingham Everingham Felmersham Flintham Fordham Frettenham Fritham Georgeham Glentham Greetham Halsham Harpham Haversham Hildersham Hovingham Inglesham Isham Kingham Lasham Ledsham Littleham Ludham Malham Mersham Mickleham Mileham Neasham Nettleham Ockham Odiham Ottringham Pagham Petersham Pineham Polsham Popham Portisham Powderham Pulham Puttenham Rackham Rampisham Reedham Rendlesham Riplingham Sandringham Saxlingham Shipham Shrivenham Sidlesham Sparham Stedham Sulham Thakeham Thatcham Thornham Tibenham Tongham Tresham Warmingham Wexham Whippingham Wintringham Woldingham Wrentham Yaxham   Other operators  Royal Australian Navy Otter (ex-Popham) Porpoise (ex-Neasham) Seal (ex-Wintringham)  French Navy Armoise (ex-Wexham) Aubepine (ex-Rendlesham) Capucine (ex-Petersham) Dahlia (ex-Whippingham) Geranium (ex-Tibenham) Hibiscus (ex-Sparham) Hortensia (ex-Mileham) Jasmine (ex-Stedham) Jonquille (ex-Sulham) Myosotis (ex-Riplingham) Oeillet (ex-Isham) Pâquerette (ex-Kingham) Petunia (ex-Pineham) Tulipe (ex-Frettenham) Violette (ex-Mersham)  Ghana Navy Afadzato (ex-Ottringham) Yogada (ex-Malham)  Indian Navy Bassein (ex-Littleham) Bimlipatan (ex-Hildersham)  Libyan Navy Brak (ex-Harpham) Zuara (ex-Greetham)  Royal Malaysian Navy Jerong (ex-Boreham) Lanka Suka (ex-Bedham) Sri Johore (ex-Altham) Sri Perlis (ex-Asheldham) Todak (ex-Felmersham)  Royal Saudi Navy Al Saqr (ex-Bodenham) List of mine-countermeasure vessels of the Royal Navy

Portisham is currently berthed in Balbriggan, Co Dublin after total replacement of her propulsion machinery and a successful voyage from Pembroke Dock. Many thanks to the management of Pembroke Port for their faith and patience in allowing her to remain there for so long.