Minesweepers
HMS Bronington M1115
The final warship of the Birkenhead trio was HMS Bronington M1115, a Ton Class Minesweeper of the Royal Navy. Launched on 19th March 1953, HMS Bronington was one of the Royal Navy's last wooden hulled minesweepers, and was powered by twin Paxman Deltic 18A-7A diesel engines which generated 3,000bhp. Famous for being commanded by HRH Prince Charles during 1976, she had a displacement of 440 tons and could reach a speed of 16 knots, but despite being preserved, she was later moved to the Vittoria Basin at Birkenhead Docks, where on 17th March 2016 she sank at her moorings, and was tragically subsequently scrapped.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F40k6yvLlxg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F40k6yvLlxg
HMS Hurworth M39
Powered by Napier-Deltic diesel engines that generate 3540shp with a maximum speed of 15 knots, HMS Hurworth M39 is a 750 ton Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures Ship (MCMV) and we see her as she arrives at Devonport at Artillery Tower near Devil's Point. Normally based at Portsmouth, I understand Hurworth was visiting Devonport in connection with other warships deployed from two NATO maritime groups which arrived in Devonport on Friday 3rd March 2017 for for an informal port visit and an opportunity to take part in Royal Navy’s renowned Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g15HrgE5bKc
HMS Middleton M34
HMS Middleton M34, a 'Hunt' class mine countermeasures ship, leaves Portsmouth Naval Base as she heads out into the Solent whilst heading from base to sea on 10th December 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2n02wnWccw
HMS Ramsey M110
HMS Ramsey M110 is a Sandown Class Mine Counter Measures Vessel (MCMV) and is normally based at Faslane, and we see her as she passes Western Kings Battery, Stonehouse, as she leaves Devonport Naval Base on 13th March 2017 in glorious spring sunshine. HMS Ramsey was built by Vosper Thornycroft and commissioned in September 2000, and like all her sister minehunters, is fitted with a glass reinforced plastic hull for her minehunting role and is equipped with Paxman Valenta 6RP200E diesels engines which generate 1523shp. Interestingly, Paxman Valenta engines were originally fitted to BR's High Speed Train fleet when they were introduced in 1976. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q815M5S8a2M