MMS 26, Built by Frank Curtis, Par, Cornwall. Completed August 1941. Sold in 1949.
Transferred to the 110th Minesweeping Flotilla, Nore Command.
10 October 1941. TOOLE, James H, Ordinary Seaman, RNPS, LT/JX 284055, DOWS, (Died of wounds)
Like many of the Wildfire III, Queenborough MMS 26 took part in “Operation Calendar Two”. Clearing the vital water way of the Scheldt Estuary of mines and opening up the port of Antwerp to resupply Allied troops with over stretched supply lines.
MID. (Mentioned in Despatches)
Thomas BARTLAN, C/MX97159, Wireman, 3 Apr 45, MID. Minesweeping - MID awarded for great gallantry and endurance in clearing the Scheldt estuary of mines Sep-Nov 1944.
OFFICERS from Navy List August 1942.
Temp. Lieut., R.N.V.R., L. T. Wilding, 1 July 42.
Temp. Sub-Lieut., R.N.V.R., C. Hustler, 18 Nov 41.
OFFICERS from Navy List June 1943. Navy List.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, D. L. Owen. 30 Nov 42.
Temp. Sub-Lieut. RNVR, W. L. Akeroyd. Nov 42.
OFFICERS from Navy List Dec. 1943.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, D. L. Owen. 30 Nov 42.
Temp. Sub-Lieut. RNVR, W. L. Akeroyd. Nov 42.
OFFICERS from Navy List June. 1944.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, D. L. Owen. 30 Nov 42.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, W. L. Akeroyd. Nov 42.
OFFICERS from Navy List January 1945.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, D. L. Owen. 30 Nov 42.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, W. L. Akeroyd. Nov 42.
OFFICERS from Navy List July 1945.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, D. L. Owen. (In Command) 30 Nov 42.
Temp. Lieut. RNVR, W. L. Akeroyd. Nov 42.
Motor Minesweeper MMS 26 would have looked the same as her sister ship, MMS 192. Note, the Acoustic “hammer” on the bow in the up position used to sweep for acoustic mines and the drum on the stern for the LL cables used to detonate magnetic mines.
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 exploded the acoustic mine. 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 detonated the magnetic mine.
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.
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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MMS 26
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