Algerine Sweepers

The history of the Royal Navy's 'Algerine' class Fleet Minesweepers in World War Two. They led the way!

[Algerine Sweepers @AlgerinesAssoc]

This account - which focused on the Algerine class of minesweeper- is now ‘dormant’ whilst I focus on my latest project: an attempt to chronicle the full range of RN minesweeping efforts in WW2. Please ’chop’ to @Sweepers3945 & follow if you’re not already there!! 👍⚓️ Nick

[Algerine Sweepers @AlgerinesAssoc]

#OTD 1943 Portsmouth remains closed to all major traffic from the East & West due to E-Boat mining. The Bangors (class pic) of the 16th MSF are sailed immediately from Falmouth to assist #Sweepers80

[Algerine Sweepers @AlgerinesAssoc]

The BYMS gave excellent service in UK, N European, Med &Far East. Inshore sweepers, the hulls had reduced capability in open waters, but - with modifications over the duration of the war - they boasted a genuine (weather permitting) combined LL/SA/Oropesa capability. 👇👇👇👍👍

[Algerine Sweepers @AlgerinesAssoc]

#Adrift #OTD1942 further relief for the sweeper force starts with the arrival of brand new, coastal ‘Yard Minesweepers’ (YMS) from the USA under Lend Lease. Those 150 transferred to British ownership were classed as BYMS. Source: https://t.co/pFWgFe6LVa #Sweepers80

[Algerine Sweepers @AlgerinesAssoc]

@leary_rosemary Hi Rosemary - this account is ‘dormant’ so there won’t be any updates... We’re already in touch with each other on @Sweepers3945 so feel free to DM me again on that one if you have a query about D-Day sweeping ops. Nick.

[Algerine Sweepers @AlgerinesAssoc]

An account of the minesweeping effort on the 5th/6th June from one of the crew of HMS RIFLEMAN (7th Minesweeping Flotilla). #DDay75

[Project Vernon @VernonMonument]

@Sweepers3945 As evidenced in 'Home Waters' here: https://t.co/eAM9H059rj

[The Minesweepers’ Victory @Sweepers3945]

The threat - and the potential - of the sea mine had been fully demonstrated in the First World War, where (spectacular successes in the Dardanelles aside) its use by protagonists had mainly been in the North Sea and Channel #Sweepers Pic sourced at https://t.co/YClnKsdAvg

[The Minesweepers’ Victory @Sweepers3945]

“Out Sweeps” will be piped on 1st August ..... #Sweepers

[Algerine Sweepers @AlgerinesAssoc]

@SNMCMG2 @SM_Difesa @BulgariaNATO @MApNRomania @TSKGnkur @RoyalNavy Always good to see MCM being executed in a professional manner. You & your readers may be interested in @Sweepers3945 which is about to go ‘live’ with a day-by day account of the Royal (& other) Navy’s fight against the global mine threat during the Second World War 👍⚓️

[Algerine Sweepers @AlgerinesAssoc]

On which sad note... I’m now closing down this feed in order to focus on my project to capture the full breadth & depth (sorry!) of the war versus the Axis mine threat in WW2. Thanks to all my followers & your support over the past 4 years - come & join me on @Sweepers3945 #RN

[Algerine Sweepers @AlgerinesAssoc]

HMS VESTAL having been abandoned, she is then sunk by gunfire and torpedo by destroyer HMS RACEHORSE. She is the last RN casualty of the Second World War #Algerines #RN

[Algerine Sweepers @AlgerinesAssoc]

HMS VESTAL having been abandoned, she is then sunk by gunfire and torpedo by destroyer HMS RACEHORSE. She is the last RN casualty of the Second World War #Algerines #RN

[Algerine Sweepers @AlgerinesAssoc]

But during p.m. raids, HMS VESTAL is hit & sunk by a kamikaze aircraft. 20 crew members are killed/missing. Survivors – some of whom later died - are transferred to BB HMS NELSON by RNI sweeper PUNJAB (Bangor class).

[Algerine Sweepers @AlgerinesAssoc]

OTD 1945 The 7thMSF is under kamikaze attack at end of Op LIVERY off Phuket, 24 mines having been swept since HMS SQUIRREL’s loss on the 24th during this diversion operation. Morning attacks on the force are unsuccessful...... #Algerines #RN #WW2

[Algerine Sweepers @AlgerinesAssoc]

@HooleRob Mike Riley - the AAWO who was running the show in the Ops Room at the time - was a top guy. We were PWOs together in HMS ANDROMEDA

[Algerine Sweepers @AlgerinesAssoc]

Although this deals primarily with the coastal missile threat during Desert Storm, there’s also some detail on the mine threat and the activities of the RN’s Hunt class #DesertStorm #SeaDenial https://t.co/48ebzB7ViB

[Algerine Sweepers @AlgerinesAssoc]

Supporting destroyer HMS ROTHERHAM sent aid in attempt to attempted stop flooding, but unsuccessful. HMS SQUIRREL sunk by gunfire 3 hrs after mine strike & survivors transferred to heavy units HMS NELSON & HMS SUSSEX

[Algerine Sweepers @AlgerinesAssoc]

OTD 1945 Op LIVERY - HMS SQUIRREL (7th MSF) mined & sunk off Phuket, Thailand. 7 killed, 3 Officers & 14 ORs injured. Previous detonation had destroyed PLUCKY’s sweep wire immediately ahead of her & SQUIRREL did not get into swept water in sufficient time #Algerines #RN #WW2

[Algerine Sweepers @AlgerinesAssoc]

@HMSChiddingfold Good luck to the new CO and crew. 👍⚓️

[Algerine Sweepers @AlgerinesAssoc]

OTD 1944 HMS HOUND & ORESTES (18th MSF) part of night search and recovery of 21 survivors from destroyer HMS ISIS, sunk while patrolling off the Normandy beachheads #Algerines #RN #NEPTUNE

[Algerine Sweepers @AlgerinesAssoc]

OTD 1944 First units of 5thMSF arrive at Gibraltar as the Flotilla deploys for operations in the Med #Algerines #RN