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MMS 216 and other Queenborough Minesweepers at Terneuzen on the Scheldt.
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.
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 216
MMS 216, Build by Philip, Dartmouth. Launched 10 November 1942. Completed February 1943. Sold 1947.
MMS 216 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.
The men of the MMS 216 received high praise and awards for their courage.
MID, Mentioned in Dispatches.
Leonard ANGELL, LT/MX107026, Leading Cook. 3 Apr 45. MID. Minesweeping - MID awarded for great gallantry and endurance in clearing the Scheldt estuary of mines Sep-Nov 1944.
MID, Mentioned in Dispatches.
T/A/Lt Cdr RNVR. Elgar Harold JEFFERY, 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 September to November 1944.
MID, Mentioned in Dispatches.
John Frederick Leonard LITCHFIELD, LT/KX131598, 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 September to November 1944.
MID, Mentioned in Dispatches.
William Edward TOWERSEY, LT/JX271030, Signalman. 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 the Navy List June 1943.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, E. H, Jeffery. 18 Jan 43.
Temp. Sub-Lieut. RNVR, S. G. Tuddenham. 18 Jan 43.
OFFICERS from the Navy List Dec. 1943.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, E. H. Jeffery. 18 Jan 43.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, S. G. Tuddenham. 18 Jan 43.
OFFICERS from the Navy List June. 1944.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, E. H. Jeffery. (In Command) 18 Jan 43.
Temp. sub-Lieut. RNVR, S. G. Tuddenham. 18 Jan 43.
OFFICERS from the Navy List January 1945.
Temp. Lieut. Com. RNVR, E. H. Jeffery. (Act) (In Command) 18 Jan 43.
Temp. sub-Lieut. RNVR, S. G. Tuddenham. 18 Jan 43.
OFFICERS from the Navy List July 1945.
Temp. Lieut. Com. RNVR, E. H. Jeffery. (Act) (In Command) 18 Jan 43.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, S. G. Tuddenham. 18 Jan 43.