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BYMS 2029
British Yard Mine Sweeper 2029.
Nore Command, World War Two 1939 to 1945.
BRITISH YARD MINE SWEEPERS
BYMS’s were built in the United States and transferred the Royal Navy under the Lend-lease Programme. “British Yard Mine Sweepers” are so called because they were built to the same design as the US Navy’s “Yard Mine Sweepers”.
Crews for the BYMS’s would sail to the United States, often on the Queen Mary, which could sail unescorted because of her greater speed, to collect their vessel. They would then have the formidable task of sailing their small vessel back across the Atlantic Ocean, often in winter.
Thought to be the crew of BYMS 2029
BYMS 2029, Flotilla 150 in 1945.
Built by: Barbour Boat Works, New Bern, North Carolina, USA.
Laid down: 11 August 1941.
Launched: 17 January 1942.
Completed and transferred to Royal Navy 8 June 1942,
Reclassified: HMS J-829 later HMS BYMS-2029.
Assigned to the Nore Command in 1945, Flotilla 150. (Recorded as being at Pembroke in 1942 and 1943, at Lowestoft in 1944 but no flotillas given.)
Watch these short videos about the Wildfire III Minesweepers.
Minesweepers: https://youtu.be/aTsYiZFzv5M
D-day minesweepers: https://youtu.be/ZjlA5LxCAsg
Clearing the Scheldt: https://youtu.be/8ELsc9T3Lbw
The Relief of Holland: https://youtu.be/GghYEFHmOfY
MOVEMENTS.
8 June 42, Completed.
29 Aug 43 Norfolk, Virginia.
4 to 5 Sep 43, Boston.
9 to 13 Sep 43 Halifax.
15 Sep 43, St John’s. Crossed Atlantic Ocean from Canada to the U.K.
25 Sep 43 Belfast.
4 Oct 43, Fort William.
6 Oct 43 Inverness.
19 Oct 43, Tyne.
20 Jan 44, Sheerness.
20 Jan 44, Southend.
18 April 44 Lowestoft.
18 April to 12 May 44, Great Yarmouth.
No records yet found for movements between 12 May 44 and 13 May 45.
It is thought BYMS 2029 swept in the Mediterranean off Malta and Italy, as Kenneth Grant who served on her, was awarded a medal which shows he was involved in the Italy campaign.
13 May 45 Rosyth.
1946, at Pembroke.
12 Feb 47, Returned to USA.
Jan 1948 sold to Greece.
BYMS, British Yard Mine Sweeper were all built to the same design. The only variation was one of appearance in the number of exhaust stacks. Note, the drum on the stern for the LL cables used for sweeping magnetic mines. She also carried an Acoustic “hammer” on the bow to sweep acoustic mines.
OFFICERS ON THE NAVY LIST, June 1943,
Temp. Lieut, R. N. V. R., J. G. Reeve, 2 June 42.
OFFICERS ON THE NAVY LIST, June 1944.
Temp. Skipper Lieut. R.N.R. R. A. Cook (act) In command. 11 Mar 44
Temp. Skipper R.N.R. G. F. Winfield, 11 Mar 44.
OFFICERS ON THE NAVY LIST, July 1945,
Temp. Skipper Lieut. R.N.R. R. A. Cook (act) In command. 11 Mar 44
Temp. Skipper R.N.R. G. F. Winfield, 11 Mar 44