HMS Sidlesham (M2729)
 Former minesweeper HMS Sidlesham (in use as TS Gerald Daniel) moored on Bosham Channel, Chichester Harbour, 11 February 2008 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name: | HMS Sidlesham |
| Namesake: | Sidlesham |
| Builder: | P. K. Harris |
| Launched: | 25 March 1955 |
| Completed: | 23 November 1955 |
| Fate: | Sold July 1967. |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Ham-class minesweeper |
| Notes: | Pennant number(s): M2729 / IMS66 |
HMS Sidlesham was one of 93 ships of the Ham-class of inshore minesweepers. Their names were all chosen from villages ending in -ham. This minesweeper was named after Sidlesham in West Sussex.
Current use
HMS Sidlesham was renamed TS Gerald Daniel, when it was permanently moored in Bosham Channel in Chichester Harbour, and used as a training centre for the Sussex Police. It was named after PC Gerald Daniel who was killed in service for the Sussex Police.
In 1985, the youth organisation "Christian Youth Enterprises" bought the centre and have since run it as an activity centre for young people and adults. In April 2007, she was moored in Chichester Harbour and in use as accommodation at a Youth Sailing Centre.
In 2010, Gerald Daniel, formerly HMS Sidlesham was purchased by a private individual and is now moored on the River Thames near Chelsea Harbour.
In January 2017, she was beached and abandoned at Battersea after taking on water. A posting on the Chiswick Pier Pictorial Facebook group noted that water was seen draining from her at low tide.
References
- Blackman, R.V.B. ed. Jane's Fighting Ships (1953)
