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 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 68, Built by Richard Ironworks, Lowerstoft. Launched 11 October 1941. Sunk 4 February 1945 off the Greek coast.
14th July, 1942. Detonated a mine and was seriously damaged. Time out of action, 6 week.
The men of MMS 68 received the following awards for their skill and bravery while minesweeping.
DSM (Distinguished Service Medal)
Thomas Arthur ALLEN, LT/KX131650, A/CPO Engineer. DSM, 5 Oct 43. Minesweeping - DSM awarded for courage and skill in many successful minesweeping operations in Mediterranean waters Dec 1942-May 1943.
MID (Mentioned in Despatches)
Frederick Charles PARHAM, LT/JX225666, Seaman. 5 Oct 43 MID. Minesweeping - MID awarded for courage and skill in many successful minesweeping operations in Mediterranean waters.
MMS 68 SUNK.
4th February, 1945. MMS 68 detonated a mine and sunk with the following lost.
BLACK, Robert, Stoker, RNPS, LT/KX 163357, MPK (Missing Presumed Killed)
CLIMPSON, Reginald E, Seaman, RNPS, LT/JX 210718, MPK
FORDER, Fred E, Seaman, RNPS, LT/JX 300903, MPK
GREGG, John T, Seaman, RNPS, LT/JX 281355, killed
HASKAYNE, Stanley, Seaman, RNPS, LT/JX 355462, MPK
JONES, George I, Engineman, RNPS, LT/KX 151604, MPK
LONGHURST, Albert F, Seaman, LT/JX 255536, MPK
MARR, Andrew S, 2nd Hand, RNPS, LT/JX 185405, MPK
MURRAY, Frank C V, Ty/Lieutenant, RNVR, MPK
RITCHIE, Andrew, 2nd Hand, RNPS, LT/JX 241770, MPK
ROGERS, John C, Steward, RNPS, LT/LX 29349, MPK
WARNER, Robert S, Ty/Sub Lieutenant, RNVR, MPK.
OFFICERS from Navy List August 1942.
Temp. Lieut., R.N.V.R., J. F. Foggitt. 11 Dec 41
Temp. Sub-Lieut., R.N.V.R., S. W. T. Mitchelmore. 13 Dec 41.
OFFICERS from Navy List June 1943.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, H. Ponking. 7 Sep 42.
Temp. Sub-Lieut. RNVR, S. W. T. Mitchelmore. 13 Dec 41.
OFFICERS from Navy List Dec. 1943.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, H. Ponking. DSC. (In Command) 7 Sep 42.
Temp. Sub-Lieut. RNVR, S. W. T. Mitchelmore. 13 Dec 41.
OFFICERS from Navy List June. 1944.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, H. Ponking. DSC. (In Command) 7 Sep 42.
OFFICERS from Navy List January 1945.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR. F. C. Murry (In Command) Oct 44. MPK (Missing Presumed Killed) when the MMS 68 sunk.
MMS 68
Watch this short video about the Wildfire III Minesweepers.
Minesweepers: https://youtu.be/aTsYiZFzv5M
Motor Minesweeper MMS 68 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.
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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