Minesweeping Trawlers, sweeping in the North Sea.
August 1914 to 1919. Served as a Minesweeper during WW1.
16 Aug 1940. Requisitioned by the Admiralty.
January 1941, ROYAL NAVY SHIPS, Nore Command, Sheerness, (Wildfire III, Queenborough)
Minesweeping trawlers (ungrouped) - BEN GLAS (Sk G E Craig RNR) at Blackwall repairing, EMILION (Ty Sk C Young RNR) at Sheerness, HEROINE (no CO listed) at Sheerness, LIBERIA (Ty Sk T F Bunce RNR) at Humber, WARDOUR (Sk C J Euston RNR) at Sheerness repairing
22 June 1941. Nore Command, Sheerness.
Minesweeping Group 122 - minesweeping trawlers ELSIE CAM at Thames, LIBERIA at Harwich, LYBIAN, MALACOLITE, both at Sheerness.
To find out more of the Liberia’s movements go to DRIFTERS AND TRAWLERS.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL. A DSM was awarded to Samuel George SKINNER, Engineman RNPS LT/KX101922, HMT Liberia (M/S) 1 Jan 43, for Minesweeping - DSM awarded 1943 New Year honours for gallantry or outstanding service in the face of the enemy, or for zeal, patience and cheerfulness in dangerous waters, and for setting an example of wholehearted devotion to duty, without which the high tradition of the Royal Navy could not have been upheld.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL. A DSM was awarded to Hiram Thomas Rideout, Seaman, LT/JX 246634 - HMT Liberia. 8 Jun 1944, DSM awarded for gallantry or outstanding service in the face of the enemy, or for zeal, patience and cheerfulness in dangerous waters, and for setting an example of wholehearted devotion to duty upholding the high tradition of the Royal Navy.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS, A DSC was awarded to Sub-Lieutenant W G Hewitt (Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve) serving on HMS Sutton, for gallantry displayed during the evacuation of British and Allied forces from Dunkirk ('Operation Dynamo') during late May, early June 1940. (Lieutenant on HMT Liberia in 1942.)
OFFICERS ON NAVY LIST Dec 39.
Not Listed.
OFFICERS ON NAVY LIST Aug 1940.
Not Listed.
OFFICERS ON NAVY LIST June 1941.
Temp. Skipper, R.N.R., T. F. Bunce, 20 Dec 40.
OFFICERS ON NAVY LIST June 1942.
Temp. Lieut., R.N.V.R., W. G. Hewett, DSC, 9 Mar 42
Temp. Sub-Lieut., R.N.V.R., W. B. Jakeman, 12 Jan 42.
OFFICERS ON NAVY LIST June 1943.
Temp., Lieut., R.N.V.R. E. H. Batt, 9 Jan 43.
OFFICERS ON NAVY LIST June 1944.
Temp., Lieut., R.N.V.R. E. H. Batt, 9 Jan 43.
OFFICERS ON NAVY LIST July 1945
Not on list.
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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
HMT Liberia
Wildfire III, Queenborough
Minesweeper Trawler Group 122.
HMT Liberia served in both the first and second World Wars as a minesweeper. Based at Wildfire III, Queenborough, she swept the sea lanes of the East Coast up as far as the Humber.
HMT Liberia, Minesweeping Trawler.
Type of Vessel: Steam Trawler, converted to Minesweeper.
Pennant: FY1826
Fishing Number: GY159 (Grimsby)
Year Constructed: 1906
Built by: Cochrane & Sons Shipbuilders Ltd. (Selby, U.K.)
Speed: 12 knots.
Gross Tons: 250 tons.
Length: 125 Feet.
Beam: 22 feet.
Depth: 12.4 feet
Armament: 1 12pdr AA gun, 2 .5" AA (1x2), 2 MG AA (2x1).
Fate: Scrapped in June 1961.