HMS Powderham (M2720)

History
Name:	HMS Powderham
Namesake:	Powderham
Builder:	J. Samuel White
Launched:	27 November 1958
Completed:	22 May 1960
Fate:	Became survey vessel Waterwitch, 1964. Sold 1986
General characteristics
Class and type:	Ham-class minesweeper
Notes:	Pennant number(s): M2720 / IMS57

HMS Powderham 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 Powderham in Devon.

In 1960 she was selected to be converted to an inshore survey vessel and was renamed HMS Waterwitch. For a while she was manned by civilian Port Auxiliary Service personnel and was named PAS Waterwitch.

In Dec 1998 she was operated by a voluntary, non profit making group of ex Royal Navy and Merchant Navy personnel, who with the co-operation of participating local authorities and other interested organisations offered a shipboard training facility for disadvantaged young people.

References

• Blackman, R.V.B. ed. Jane's Fighting Ships (1953)