Renascent LT288
Built: 1926
Built by: Fellows & Co. Great Yarmouth.
Gross tons: 100
Length: 85.7 feet
Width: 19.7 feet
Depth: 10.2 feet.
Wooden Built.
HMS Renascent was a Lowestoft fishing drifter, which was requisitioned by the Navy in November 1939 as a Minesweeper, pennant LT288. She was hired for £37. 10. 0d a month. She survived World War Two and was returned to her owner in January 1946. She was sold to Norway in 1946 and foundered in October 1946 80 miles from Lowestoft. On the 28 October 1946, while sailing from Lowestoft, Suffolk, United Kingdom to Kristiansand in southern Norway the Renascent sprang a leak and sank in the North Sea. Four crew picked up by the Fishing Vessel Grackle (H224)
Watch these short videos.
Minesweepers: https://youtu.be/aTsYiZFzv5M
Dunkirk a Legend is Born: https://youtu.be/nPD7-guKKWI
The Renascent when she was a fishing vessel.
22 November 1939 to early 1940. The Renascent was one of the vessels (with Evening Primrose, John Alfred, Sea Holly and Sweet Promise) which formed part of an experimental flotilla following the successful retrieval of a German magnetic mine. This flotilla was fitted with various apparatus in an attempt to explode the new magnetic mines.
Renascent is listed as being a Dunkirk between 26 May and 4 June 1940, but other than this little is known about her activities during that time. The Renascent would have certainly been sweeping the sea routes through the mine barrier. There were three of these Route “Z” 39 miles long and probably swept by minesweepers from Dover, Route “X” 55 miles long and Route “Y” 87 miles long. Wildfire 3, Queenborough, minesweepers would have been sweeping “X” and “Y” routes.
At night German bombers were dropping parachute mines off the Dunkirk coast and minesweepers would have swept almost up to the beaches.
To be mentioned in the list of vessels which were at the Dunkirk evacuation Renascent would have pick up troops from the beach, from the mole and probably from sunken ships. There were a lot of sunken ships. On June the first alone, 31 ships were sunk and another 11 others seriously damaged. The Renascent would have taken the troops to Ramsgate along the “X” route and would have probably done this several times
While at Dunkirk and travelling there and back the Renascent would have been in ever present danger of attack by Luftwaffe planes, bombing and strafing. As she neared the beaches she would have been in range of shore batteries. She would have witnessed ships around her bombed and sunk and her anti-aircraft gun would have been used on many occasions.
In all some 665 vessels took part in the Dunkirk Evacuation of these 233 were lost and a further 61 put out of action.
The troops she rescued would have had undying gratitude to this gallant little vessel and her heroic crew.
The Renascent is recorded as being in the Nore Command at Sheerness (Wildfire III, Queenborough) in January 1941, and 1942.
ROYAL NAVY SHIPS, JANUARY 1941.
Sheerness
Minesweeping drifters - BOY ALAN (Skipper E H Crowe DSC R.N.R), FORERUNNER (Skipper S F Wilson R.N.R), GIRL NANCY (civilian crew) repairing, ITCHEN (no CO listed), PLUMER (Ty Skipper J E C Wright R.N.R), RENASCENT (Skipper R E Hannaford R.N.R), all at Sheerness
NORE COMMAND 1942
Sheerness
Minesweeping Drifters - ARCADY, GIRL NANCY on general service duties, GILT EDGE, RENASCENT, all at Sheerness
MID. Mentioned in Despatches
Honours and Awards—New Year Honours List, 1943. Skipper Richard Edward Hannaford, W.S.2941, R.N.R., H.M.S. “Renascent”. Mentioned in Despatches for, “Minesweeping. For gallantry and skill in minesweeping operations off the coast of France.
OFFICERS from Navy List August 1940
(Rank. Name, Date joined ship.)
Skipper RNR. R. E. Hannaford. 1 Dec. 39
OFFICERS from Navy List June 1941
Skipper RNR. R. E. Hannaford. 1 Dec. 39
OFFICERS from Navy List June 42.
Skipper RNR. R. E. Hannaford. 1 Dec. 39
OFFICERS from Navy List June 43
Skipper RNR. W. Bruce. 2 Sept 42
OFFICERS from Navy List June 44
Chief Skipper RNR. W. Bruce. (Act.) 2 Sept 42
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
RETURN TO SHIP DATABASE
click here
RETURN TO FRONT PAGE
click here
Painting of Renascent (LT288) by George Race at the Lowestoft and East Suffolk Maritime Museum.
RENASCENT
Minesweeping Drifter based at HMS Wildfire III Queenborough.
Dunkirk Veteran.