Motor Minesweeper MMS 173 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.
MS TAFTØY formerly Motor Mine Sweeper MMS 173
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.
Lady Mack. Motor Mine Sweeper MMS 173 as she looks today.
MMS 173, Built by J. W. & A. Upham, Brixham. Launched 21 November 1941. Completed May 1942. The Netherlands Navy acquired MMS 173 and named it after the Dutch island Textel.
In service until returned to the Royal Navy in November 1942. The reason the minesweeper was returned, was because she was fitted with a 500 hp Newbury diesel engine, whereas her sister ships all had Crossley diesels. Served with 136th and 140th Minesweeping flotillas. Placed on sale list November, 1945. May still be in existence today in Oslo.
On 6th May, 1942 MMS 173 was bombed and received minor damage.
Sunday, 12 November 1944. SANDY, Ronald L, Ordinary Telegraphist, RNPS, LT/JX 341809, DOWS. (Died of Wounds)
MMS 173
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
MS TAFTØY formerly Motor Mine Sweeper MMS 173
Thank you to Brgds, Markus Olof Ludvig Ljungqvist for the following information and photographs.
TROLLCRUISE AS www.trollcruise.no
It’s very true that MMS 173 is still going strong, although she doesn’t look the same today. She was rebuilt in the 80s for charter traffic in Norway, the previous owner installed three masts and a full rig on the old hull and the vision was to have a modern electrical winch operated sailing ship. That didn’t really work out, but she is still used as a charter boat under the name LADY MACK in the inner Oslo fjord. She’s actually the biggest wooden passenger-ship in Norway and takes 350 passengers. I’m the captain on board, so this comes from a valid source.
After the war she was sold to Norway and rebuilt several times. She was mainly used for fishing and as a cargo ship. She’s been named TAFTØY in the past. Today she is named the LADY MACK.
If you, your father or your grandfather have any additional information about this ship, crew lists, stories, photographs, please send copies of them to be added to our records and this website.
Thank you.
Contact: johntenthousand@yahoo.co.uk
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MS TAFTØY etter sjøsettingen ved Hellandsjøen slipp.
OFFICERS from Navy List June 1943.
Temp. Lieut. RNR, L. J. Barker. 24 March 43.
OFFICERS from Navy List June. 1944.
Temp. Lieut. RNR, L. J. Barker. 24 March 43.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, S. R. Linder. 24 Feb 43.
OFFICERS from Navy List January 1945.
Temp. Lieut. RNR, L. J. Barker. 24 March 43.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, S. R. Linder. 24 Feb 43.
OFFICERS from Navy List July 1945.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, K. P. Crampton. 26 April 45.