Saunders Roe Minesweepers

[Dave Mills]

Saunders-Roe (Anglesey) Ltd launched their first Minesweeper in 1954 around the time they were starting to build the Dark Class FPB's.
The Minesweepers:

HMS Brenchley M2004 launched 19/7/54
HMS Brinkley M2005 launched 14/9/54
HMS Chailey M2009 launched 12/11/54
HMS Cradley M2010 launched 24/2/55
HMS Pulham M2721 launched Nov 55
HMS Rackham M2722 launched 27/4/56
HMS Reedham M2723 launched 20/11/58 (fitted with experimental stabilisers in 1959)

Saunders-Roe laminated the timber frames and there is plenty of photographic and cine film records of their manufacture. The construction is also featured in a number the company magazines "SARO Progress" during the 1950's. I have managed to find thirty-five of them and have scanned them at photo quality to DVD with an interactive (hyperlinked) index to the articles. These magazines cover a wide range of products including flying boats, buses, MTB/FPB's, Minesweepers, launches, landing craft etc. They also cover their Cowes, Isle of Wight, Eastleigh and Anglesey factories.
Anyone intersted may contact me via my website http://dave-mills.yolasite.com/saro---other.php (scroll to the bottom of the page)

[Dave Mills]

This selection of photos shows HMS BRENCHLEY M2004 outside Shop 1 hangar on the new "funicular" slipway. Alongside is sister vessel HMS BRINKLEY M2005. It appears that the unmarked M2004 was taken down the slipway for either pre-launch trials or simply to test the operation of the then untested new launching arrangements. The slipway was built to replace the old WW2 flying boat slip that became impractical for handling the later shipbuilding at the works.

[Dave Mills]

We now have some photos of HMS BRENCHLEY M2004 at her launching one fine summer day on the 19th July 1954.

[Pioneer]

Although strictly not Motor Launches - (though many minesweepers certainly carried the 'ML' pennant during their war time careers) - some of these later build craft were crewed by HM Coastal Forces personnel before this unique branch of the Senior Service disbanded in 1957.

[Dave Mills]

It would appear that Saunders-Roe came into RN vessel construction very near to the end of Coastal Forces existance. The Dark Class FPB's being a case in point with so many being cancelled before the contract was completed.
What was the reason for the change of plans for coastal defence? Could it have been a perceived reduction of risk to our shores by 1957. Although the Dark class have been scrapped I believe some old minesweepers may have survived. Does anyone known the whereabouts of any old (preferably Saunders-Roe) minesweepers please?