HMS Spanker (J226)

HMS Spanker (J226) was a turbine engine-powered Algerine-class minesweeper during the Second World War. She survived the war and was sold to Belgium in 1953 as De Brouwer (M904).

De Brouwer (M904)
History
United Kingdom
NameSpanker
NamesakeSpanker
Ordered15 November 1940
BuilderHarland & Wolff, Belfast
Laid down22 September 1942
Launched20 April 1943
Commissioned20 August 1943
DecommissionedDecember 1947
IdentificationPennant number: J226
FateSold to Belgium, 1953
Belgium
NameDe Brouwer
NamesakeDe Brouwer
Acquired1953
Commissioned25 February 1953
Decommissioned1966
Stricken1966
IdentificationPennant number: M904
FateScrapped, 1967
General characteristics
Class and typeAlgerine-class minesweeper
Displacement
  • 1,030 long tons (1,047 t) (standard)
  • 1,325 long tons (1,346 t) (deep)
Length225 ft (69 m) o/a
Beam35 ft 6 in (10.82 m)
Draught12.25 ft 6 in (3.89 m)
Installed power
Propulsion
Speed16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph)
Range5,000 nmi (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Complement85
Armament

Design and description

The reciprocating group displaced 1,010–1,030 long tons (1,030–1,050 t) at standard load and 1,305–1,325 long tons (1,326–1,346 t) at deep load The ships measured 225 feet (68.6 m) long overall with a beam of 35 feet 6 inches (10.8 m). They had a draught of 12 feet 3 inches (3.7 m). The ships' complement consisted of 85 officers and ratings.[1]

The reciprocating ships had two vertical triple-expansion steam engines, each driving one shaft, using steam provided by two Admiralty three-drum boilers. The engines produced a total of 2,400 indicated horsepower (1,800 kW) and gave a maximum speed of 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph). They carried a maximum of 660 long tons (671 t) of fuel oil that gave them a range of 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).[1]

The Algerine class was armed with a QF 4 in (102 mm) Mk V anti-aircraft gun[2] and four twin-gun mounts for Oerlikon 20 mm cannon. The latter guns were in short supply when the first ships were being completed and they often got a proportion of single mounts. By 1944, single-barrel Bofors 40 mm mounts began replacing the twin 20 mm mounts on a one for one basis. All of the ships were fitted for four throwers and two rails for depth charges.[1]

Construction and career

Service in the Royal Navy

The ship was ordered on 15 November 1940 at the Harland & Wolff at Belfast, Ireland. She was laid down on 22 September 1942 and launched on 20 April 1943. She was commissioned on 20 August 1943.[3] She joined the 19th Minesweeper Flotilla.[4]

Spanker in the 1940s

Service in the Belgian Navy

Spanker was renamed De Brouwer and was commissioned on 25 February 1953.

On 3 May 1961, she visited Brest and later on the 14th, she left for Portsmouth.[5]

De Brouwer was decommissioned in 1963 and the ship was sold for scrap to Firma Heyghen, Ghent in 1967. Only until 1968, she was towed to the scrap yard.[5]

References

  1. Lenton, p. 261
  2. Chesneau, p. 65
  3. "HMS Spanker (J 226) of the Royal Navy - British Minesweeper of the Algerine class - Allied Warships of WWII - uboat.net". uboat.net. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  4. "HMS Spanker, minesweeper". www.naval-history.net. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  5. "Mouvements du M/F 904 De Brouwer". www.belgian-navy.be (in French). Retrieved 6 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

Bibliography

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