MMS-class minesweeper
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (February 2013) |
 105 ft motor minesweeper
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Operators | |
| Subclasses | Template:Sclass- |
| Built | 1940–1945 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Minesweeper |
| Displacement | 240–250 long tons (244–254 t) |
| Length | |
| Beam | 23 ft (7.0 m) |
| Draught | 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) |
| Propulsion | Diesel engine, 375–425 bhp (280–317 kW) |
| Speed | 12 knots (14 mph; 22 km/h) |
| Complement | 20 |
| Armament |
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The British Royal Navy operated large numbers of small Motor Minesweepers (MMS) during the Second World War, in two major classes, the first with 105 ft (32 m) hulls (of which 294 were built) and the second with 126 ft (38 m) hulls (of which 102 ere built). Intended to counter magnetic influence mines in coastal waters, they had wooden hulls.
The coastal minesweepers had pennant numbers MMS1 to MMS312 and MMS1001 to MMS1090. They were nicknamed "Mickey Mouse".
Although the motor minesweepers lacked the power to tow sweeps for contact mines they were suitable for handling equipment for combating magnetic mines and some later models were fitted with an acoustic hammer on a retractable "A" frame over the bow for countering acoustic mines.
The motor minesweepers had limited use post-war so they were quickly disposed of. Three were transferred by Lend-Lease to the Soviet Navy.
References
Bibliography
- Lenton, H. T.; Colledge, J. J. (1973). Warships of World War II (2nd ed.). London: Ian Allan. ISBN 0-7110-0403-X.
- Melvin, Michael J. (1992). Minesweeper, The Role of the Motor Minesweepers in World War II. Worcester, UK: Square One Publishing. ISBN 1-872017-57-6.
- Worth, Jack (1984). British Warships Since 1945: Part 4: Minesweepers. Liskeard, UK: Maritime Books. ISBN 0-907771-12-2.
External links
