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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
MMS 109, Built by John Morris, Gosport. Launched 30 April 1942, completed October 1942. Sold August 1956.
MMS 109 took part in Operation Calendar Two, clearing the Scheldt Estuary of mines and opening up the port of Antwerp to supply the Allied armies who by then had over extended supply lines reaching all the way back to the Normandy Landing Beaches.
BILL HUTCHINGS STORY. Click HERE.
The men of the MMS 109 received high praise and awards for their courage.
DSM, Distinguished Service Medal.
Henry Davis HORSLEY, LT/JX173086, PO. 3 Apr 45. DSM. Minesweeping - DSM awarded for great gallantry and endurance in clearing the estuary of the Scheldt of mines during the period of September to November 1944.
MID, Mentioned in Dispatches.
Henry SAVAGE, LT/KX108001, A/Chief Engineman, 3 Apr 45. MID. Minesweeping - MID awarded for great gallantry and endurance in clearing the estuary of the Scheldt of mines during the period of October to November 1944.
OFFICERS from Navy List June 1943.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, C. B. Radcliffe. 21 Sept 42.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, G. M. C. Warnes. 21 Sept 42.
OFFICERS from Navy List Dec. 1943.
Temp. Lieut. RNR, A. E. Rogers. (In Command) 21 Aug 43.
Temp. Act. Sub-Lieut. RNVR, T. A. R. Tait. 21 Aug 43.
OFFICERS from Navy List June. 1944.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, R. M. Johnston. (Act) 1 April 44.
Temp. Sub-Lieut. RNVR, T. A. R. Tait. 21 Aug 43.
OFFICERS from Navy List January 1945.
Lieut. Com., RNVR, R. M. Johnston. (Act) 1 April 44.
Temp. Sub-Lieut. RNVR, T. A. R. Tait. 21 Aug 43.
OFFICERS from Navy List July 1945.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, J. J. Challis (In Command) 14 March 45.
Temp. sub-Lieut. RNVR, T. A. R. Tait. 21 August 43.
MMS 109
Motor Minesweeper's were purpose built, wooden, shallow draft, minesweepers with both SA and LL sweeping capabilities. SA is Sweep Acoustic, a device similar to a Kanga Hammer which makes a loud thumping noise which explodes acoustic mines. LL (double L) is a pair of electric cables which are towed parallel to each other on floats and emit a strong electric pulse which generates a magnetic field which detonates magnetic mines.
Four Hundred and two Motor Minesweeper were built for the Royal Navy between 1940 and 1945.
Admiralty type; 1 to 118 and 123 to 313
Displacement 165 Tons
Length: 105 Feet (32 metres)
Beam: 23 Feet (7 metres)
Draft: 9 feet 6 inches. (2.9 Metres)
Engine: Diesel. 500 BHP.
Speed: 12.65 Miles per hour. (11 knots)
Complement: 20 Officers and men.
Armament: Two 20 mm Anti-aircraft guns
Two machine guns.
Motor Minesweeper MMS 109 would have looked the same as her sister ship, MMS 192. Note, the Acoustic “hammer” on the bow in the up position used to sweep for acoustic mines and the drum on the stern for the LL cables used to detonate magnetic mines.