HMT Saturn when operating as the fishing Vessel Macedonian, out of Grimsby.
HMT Saturn
Wildfire III, Queenborough
Minesweeper Trawler Group 120
HMT Saturn served in both WW1 and WW2. During WW1 she served as a Minesweeper. Requisitioned in November 1939 the Saturn was at first converted to an Auxiliary Patrol Vessel operating out of Yarmouth. In 1940 she was again converted to a Minesweeper and based at Wildfire III, Queenborough. With the approach of D-day, the Allied invasion of German occupied Europe, she was converted to a fuel carrier (knows as Esso’s.) Fuel Carrier such as the Saturn were used to refuel the thousands of vessels on station at the D-day beaches and the tanks and vehicles on shore. They would become redundant when PLUTO (Pipe Line Under The Ocean) was completed and operating.
Type of Vessel: Minesweeper Trawler. (Steel built)
Pennant: FY. 823
Fishing Number: GY976 out of Grimsby
Other Names: Macedonian, Commander Lindern.
Year Constructed: 1916
Built by: Goole Ship Building Co.
Built at: Goole, Near Hull.
Owner: White Sea & Grimsby.
Engine: 76 HP
Gross Tons: 230 tons
Length: 120 feet
Beam: 22 feet
Depth:12.1 feet
Armament: 1 x 6 pounder Anti-Aircraft
Fate: Survived WW2 and scrapped in February 1961
1916 to 1919, Minesweeper in WW1.
1939 to 1945, Minesweeper in WW2. (Also an Auxiliary Patrol Vessel and Fuel Carrier.)
November 1939. Requisitioned and converted to an Auxiliary Patrol Vessel.
June1940, ROYAL NAVY SHIPS, Nore Command, Yarmouth.
Minesweeping trawlers - ATHENIAN (Sk J Cowie RNR) fitting out at Yarmouth, BEN TORC (Ty Sk T Meadow RNR) fitting out North Woolwich, BLIGHTY (Sk P R S Besford RNR) at Liverpool, CHARLES DORAN (Ty Sk R R Snape RNR) fitting out at Milford Haven, CLOTHILDE (Ty Sk A G Freeman RNR) at Yarmouth, CONQUISTADOR (Ty Sk D W Catchpole RNR) fitting out South Shields, CONTENDER (Ty Sk A E Kettless RNR) at Yarmouth, COTSMUIR (Ty Sk L Oliver RNR) at Harwich, DOROTHY LAMBERT (Ty Sk G S Wright RNR) at Harwich, FONTENOY (Ty Sk J C Coaker RNR) fitting out at Pembroke, IRVANA (Sk J L Borrett RNR) fitting out at Milford Haven, MADDEN (Ty Sk S Amos RNR) at Harwich, PRINCESS MARY (Ty Sk C E Parker RNR) at Yarmouth, ONETOS (Ty Sk T W McLean RNR) at Yarmouth, SATURN (Ty Sk H C Watson RNR) at Yarmouth.
June 1940: The Saturn was converted to a minesweeper and shortly after based at Wildfire III, Queenborough.
2 Feb 42, C. G. C. COOMBE took Command of HMT SATURN (Minesweeping Group 120 based at Sheerness) as a Temporary Skipper R.N.R. with a seniority of 9 Jan 1940.
June 1942, ROYAL NAVY SHIPS, Nore Command, Sheerness.
Minesweeping Group 120 - minesweeping trawlers SATURN at London paid off in refit to comp 17 Jan, SUNLIGHT at Humber.
March 1944, The Saturn was converted to a Fuel Carrier.
December 1945, Returned to owners.
To find out more of the Saturn's movements go to DRIFTERS AND TRAWLERS.
MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES and DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL. A MID and a DSM was awarded to Horace Broderick LAITY, 2nd Hand R.N.R., LT/X574C, HMT Saturn (HMT Asama MMS9, BYMS 2022) 3 Sep 40 MID, 8 Jun 44 DSM, for Minesweeping.
MID awarded for bravery, skill and enterprise in minesweeping operations off the Coasts of Holland, Belgium and France.
DSM awarded in King's Birthday Honours 1944 for gallantry and outstanding service in the face of the enemy, or for zeal, patience and cheerfulness in dangerous waters.
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST Dec, 39
Not on list.
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST July 40
Temp. Skipper R.N.R., H. C. Watson, 16 May 40.
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST June 41
Temp. Skipper R.N.R., H. C. Watson, 16 May 40.
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST June 42
Temp. Skipper R.N.R., C. G. C. Coombe 2 Feb 42.
Temp. Skipper R.N.R., A. J. Bean(act) 2 Feb 42.
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST June 43
Temp. Skipper R.N.R., C. G. C. Coombe 2 Feb 42
Temp. Skipper R.N.R., A. J. Bean(act) 2 Feb 42.
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST June, 44
Temp. Skipper R.N.R., J. E. Harris, 31 Mar 44.
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST June 45
Not on list
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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Watch these short minesweeping videos.
Minesweepers: https://youtu.be/aTsYiZFzv5M
A Bad Day in December 1940: https://youtu.be/Lw2pW31qH4s