MMS.113, J 613. Built by Wivenhoe Shipyard Ltd., Wivenhoe, England. Commissioned 25 Sep 1941.
5 June 1944, (and rest of June) MMS 113 swept inshore off the Normandy (D-day) beaches.
14 June 1944. MMS 113 was damaged by a mine requiring 2 months in repairs.
14 June 44 PICKTHALL, Albert, Seaman, RNPS, LT/JX 403610, killed.
On the 8th November 1945 she was handed over to the Director of Small Craft Disposal to be sold off.
DSM, Distinguished Medal.
George Thomas BATCHELOR, LT/KX111559. Engineman. 3 Apr 45. MID. Minesweeping - DSM awarded for great gallantry and endurance in clearing the Scheldt estuary of mines Sep-Nov 1944.
MID. Mentioned in Dispatches.
James McKenzie BROWN, L/KX130868. Engineman. 4 Sep 45. MID. Minesweeping - MID awarded for courage and determination while serving in HM Minesweepers in clearing a passage into Rotterdam, Yjmuiden and Den Helder thereby making possible the swift relief of Holland.
MID. Mentioned in Dispatches.
Reginald Clarence TAYLOR, LT/JX351585, Telegraphist, 3 Apr 45. MID. Minesweeping - MID awarded for great gallantry and endurance in clearing the estuary of the Scheldt of mines during the period of October to November 1944.
Like many of the Wildfire III, Queenborough minesweepers, MMS 113 took part in the D-day landings and “Operation Calendar Two” clearing the vital waterway of the Scheldt Estuary of mines and opening up the port of Antwerp to resupply Allied troops.
OFFICERS from Navy List December 1942
(Rank. Name, Date joined ship.)
Temp. Lieutenant. RNR. A. E. Blackburn, DSC, 13 Sep 1941
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. A. J. Boss. Sep 41.
OFFICERS from Navy List June 1943
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. D. H. Hackett. 19 May 43
Temp. Sub Lieutenant. RNVR. L. A. Gay. 3 Dec 42.
OFFICERS from Navy List June 1944
Temp. Lieutenant. RNVR. D. H. Hackett. 19 May 43
Temp. Sub Lieutenant. RNVR. F. N. H. Chalk. 18 Oct 43.
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.
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Watch these short videos about the Wildfire III Minesweepers.
Minesweepers: https://youtu.be/aTsYiZFzv5M
D-day minesweepers: https://youtu.be/ZjlA5LxCAsg
Clearing the Scheldt: https://youtu.be/8ELsc9T3Lbw
The Relief of Holland: https://youtu.be/GghYEFHmOfY
How the MMS 113 looked during WW2.
MMS 113
The sad remains of MMS 113 in Portsmouth Harbour.
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 explodes acoustic mines. 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 detonates magnetic mines.
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.