Sanson
Minesweeping Trawler
Wildfire III, Queenborough
Minesweeper Trawler Group 121
HMT Samson saw service as a Minesweeper in both the first and second World Wars. A robust, seaworthy vessel which between the wars fished in the Atlantic Ocean off of the Faroes and Iceland.
1914-1919, World War 1 Minesweeper. Admiralty numbers 1863 hired trawler.
November 1939, Requisitioned and converted to minesweeper.
22 June 1941. Sanson was known to be with Nore Command.
January 1942, ROYAL NAVY SHIPS, Nore Command, Sheerness, Wildfire III, Queenborough.
Minesweeping Group 121 - minesweeping trawlers BEN GLAS, FENTONIAN, SANSON, all at Sheerness, TOCSIN at London.
June 1944, converted to fuel carrier. (On D-day and after many of the smaller vessel were re-fuelled by Trawler Fuel carriers.)
September 1946, returned to owner.
MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES. A MID in the New Year Honours 1941 was awarded to Temp. Skipper Edward Syrette, Commanding Officer Minesweeping Trawler HMS Kurd 1940, Commanding Officer HMS Sanson 11 Dec 1940 to February 1941.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS. A DSC was awarded to Temp. Skipper. R.N.R., A. Wood.
June 42 MID (Mentioned in Despatches).
Jan 43 DSC (Distinguished Service Cross).
Dec 45 MID (Mentioned in Despatches).
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST Dec, 39
Not Listed.
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST July 40
Temp. Skipper R.N.R. P. S. Aynton, 2 Dec 39
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST June 41
Skipper. R.N.R., E. Syrett, 11 Dec 40
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST June 42
Temp. Skipper. R.N.R., A. Wood, 18 May 41
Temp. Skipper. R.N.R., G. Wilson, (Act) 21 July 41
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST June 43
Temp. Skipper. R.N.R., R.N.R., A. Wood, DSC., 18 May 41.
Temp. Skipper. R.N.R., A. E. Blogg, 30 Dec 42
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST June, 44
Temp. Skipper. R.N.R., J. A. S. Plant., (In Command) April 44
OFFICER ON NAVY LIST June 45
Not on List
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Type of Vessel: Armed Trawler, Minesweeper.
Pennant: FY 901
Fishing Number: GY295
Owners: Standard Steam Fishing owned by Japan Steam Fishing Co. Grimsby.
Year Constructed: 1907
Built by: Cook, Welton & Gemmill
Built at: Beverley, U.K.
Engine: 69 H.P.
Gross Tons: 231tons.
Length: 120 feet.
Beam: 22 feet.
Depth: 11.7 feet.
Armament:
Fate: Scrapped in 1957.
Watch these short minesweeping videos.
Minesweepers: https://youtu.be/aTsYiZFzv5M
A Bad Day in December 1940: https://youtu.be/Lw2pW31qH4s
More about Trawler and Drifter Minesweepers, HERE
HMT Sanson with Acustic mining apparatus on the bow, in the up position.