MMS 15, Built by Wivenhoe Shipyard, Essex. Completed March 1941.
MMS 15 was transferred to the 101st Minesweeping flotilla at Plymouth.
Like many of the Wildfire III, Queenborough MMS 15 took part in “Operation Calendar Two”. Clearing the vital water way of the Scheldt Estuary of mines and opening up the port of Antwerp to resupply Allied troops with over stretched supply lines.
OFFICERS from Navy List August 1942.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, H. W. M. Haward, 31 May 42
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, I. O. Rogers. 21 Apr 42
OFFICERS from Navy List June 1943. Navy List.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, I. O. Rogers. (In Command) 21 Apr 42.
Temp. Act. Sub-Lieut. RNVR, J. W. Howland. 14 April 43.
OFFICERS from Navy List Dec. 1943. Navy List.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, I. O. Rogers. (In Command) 21 Apr 42.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, J. A. Stewart. 27 May 43.
OFFICERS from Navy List June. 1944.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, I. O. Rogers. (In Command) 21 Apr 42.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, J. A. Stewart. (act) 27 May 43.
OFFICERS from Navy List January 1945.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR. G. S. Thomas. (In Command) 26 Oct 44.
OFFICERS from Navy List July 1945.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, J. H. Morrison. 1 April 45
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, G. S. Thomas. 26 Oct 44.
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MMS 15
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 15 being launched. Her superstructure will be completed while floating allowing a new MMS to be started.
Motor Minesweeper 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 exploded the acoustic mine. 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 detonated the magnetic mine.
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.
MMS 15 the first Motor Minesweeper built the Wivenhoe Shipyard. Note the "Kanga" hammer (in the up position) on the bow used to detonate Acoustic mines.