Watch this short minesweeping video. Minesweepers: https://youtu.be/aTsYiZFzv5M
HMT Sunlight. She can be seen flying the Stars and Stripes (America Flag) when she was loaned to the US Navy and was named UST Thomas Graham.
HMT Sunlight
Auxiliary Patrol Vessel, Minesweeper and Wreck Dispersal Vessel.
Wildfire III, Queenborough.
Minesweeper Trawler Group 120.
HMT Sunlight was a Strath Class Trawler built to Admiralty specifications to be used as a minesweeper in World War One. For a short time during WW1 she joined the US Navy and flew the Stars and Stripes.
During World War Two the Sunlight served as Auxiliary Patrol Vessel (Possibly as a Boom defence vessel), a Minesweeper and finally as a Wreck Disposal Vessel where she blew the tops off sunken ships with obsolete mines.
HISTORY
September 1918. Completed and named Thomas Graham.
May 1919. On temporary loan to US navy for minesweeping in North Sea.
August 1919. Returned to Royal Navy.
1921. Sold and renamed Sunlight and operated as a fishing vessel out of Grimsby, England.
1927. Sold to R. W. Catcheside of North Shields, England and renamed Tynemouth Abbey.
November 1939. Requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted to an Auxiliary Patrol Vessel.
May 1940. Converted to a Minesweeper.
June 1940, Nore Command, Sheerness. Wildfire III, Queenborough.
Minesweeping trawlers - ARCTIC HUNTER (Ty Sk G W Moore RNR) at Sheerness, BERVIE BRAE (Ty Lt L Lake Rtd RNR) at Lowestoft, DAROGAH (Ty Sk A G Edwards RNR) at Sheerness, GEORGETTE (Sk S Duffield RNR) at Lowestoft, NORSE (Ty Sk C S Larter RNR) at Sheerness, SUNLIGHT (Ty Sk A A Hindes RNR) at Sheerness.
January 1941, Nore Command, Sheerness. Wildfire III, Queenborough.
Minesweeping Group 121 - minesweeping trawlers DAROGAH (Ty Sk J Harrison RNR), FENTONIAN (Sk F P Hamilton RNR), NORSE (Ty Sk J T Salter RNR), SUNLIGHT (Sk R Stephenson RNR) repairing, all at Sheerness.
January 1942, Nore Command, Sheerness. Wildfire III, Queenborough.
Minesweeping Group 120 - minesweeping trawlers SATURN at London paid off in refit to comp 17 Jan, SUNLIGHT at Humber.
April 1944. The Sunlight was converted to a wreck dispersal vessel and based at Grimsby.
July 1944. Returned to owner.
15 January 1953. Ran aground and wrecked on the Spur of Murkle, 5 miles east of Thurso, Scotland.
To find out more of the Sunlight's movements go to DRIFTERS AND TRAWLERS.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS. A DSC was awarded to Skipper R.N.R., A. A. Hindes.
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST Dec. 39
Not on List.
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST July 40
Not on List. ( but it is thought Temp Skipper A . A. Hindes RNR was in command)
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST June 41
On list but no officers. ( but it is thought Skipper R. Stephenson RNR was in command)
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST June 42
Temp. Skipper, R.N.R., A. A. Hindes, DSC, 8 May 40
Temp. Skipper, R.N.R., P. S. Farmery, 9 Jan 42
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST June 43
Temp. Skipper, R.N.R., R. Turner, 30 Dec 42
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST June, 44
Temp. Skipper, R.N.R., J. Herd, (In Command) 31 March 44.
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST June 45
Temp. Skipper, R.N.R., F. B. Warman, (In Command) 4 Feb 45.
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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Type of Vessel: Minesweeper Steam Trawler.
Pennant: FY763.
Other Names: Thomas Graham. Tynemouth Abbey.
Year Constructed: 6 Jun 1918 (Launched) September 1918 (Completed).
Built by: Scott & Sons Ltd.
Built at: Bowling, Scotland.
Owner: Harrow-Baxter Steam Fishing Co.
Engine: 1 Shaft Reciprocating (VTE) 430 IHP
Speed: 10.5 knots.
Gross Tons: 203 tons.
Length: 115.6
Beam: 22.2
Depth: 12.2
Compliment: 18 Officers and men.
Armament: 1 x 3 inch. 24 mines WW1. 1 x 12 pounder WW2.
Fate: Survived WW2. Run aground and wrecked in 1953.