Naval trawler
Naval trawlers are vessels built along the lines of a fishing trawler but fitted out for naval purposes; they were widely used during the First and Second World Wars. Some—known in the Royal Navy as "Admiralty trawlers"— were purpose-built to ...
s were purpose-built or requisitioned and operated by the
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against F ...
(RN), mainly during World Wars
I and
II. Vessels built to
Admiralty
Admiralty most often refers to:
*Admiralty, Hong Kong
*Admiralty (United Kingdom), military department in command of the Royal Navy from 1707 to 1964
*The rank of admiral
*Admiralty law
Admiralty can also refer to:
Buildings
* Admiralty, Traf ...
specifications for RN use were known as Admiralty trawlers. All trawlers operated by the RN, regardless of origin, were typically given the prefix HMT, for "His Majesty's Trawler".
Summary
First World War
The trawler
Viola
The viola ( , also , ) is a string instrument that is bow (music), bowed, plucked, or played with varying techniques. Slightly larger than a violin, it has a lower and deeper sound. Since the 18th century, it has been the middle or alto voice of ...
, built in 1906 at Hull and requisitioned September 1914 is the oldest surviving steam trawler in the world. She is currently beached at
Grytviken
Grytviken ( ) is a settlement on South Georgia in the South Atlantic and formerly a whaling station and the largest settlement on the island. It is located at the head of King Edward Cove within the larger Cumberland East Bay, considered the b ...
in South Georgia, though there are currently plans to return her to Hull.
Second World War
Requisitioned trawlers
There were also 215 trawlers of no specific class
These were commercial trawlers that the Admiralty requisitioned. The Royal Navy classified requisitioned trawlers by manufacturer, although such classes were more diverse than traditional naval classifications. Seventy-two requisitioned trawlers were lost.
See also
*
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare (ASW, or in older form A/S) is a branch of underwater warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, submarines, or other platforms, to find, track, and deter, damage, or destroy enemy submarines. Such operations are t ...
*
Auxiliary Patrol
The Auxiliary Patrol was an antisubmarine patrols initiative by the British to help combat German submarine operations in the early stages of World War I. It was under the command of the Admiral of Patrols at the Admiralty and was the pioneer of ...
*
List of mine countermeasure vessels of the Royal Navy
Active ships
* s
** HMS ''Ledbury'' (M30)
** HMS ''Cattistock'' (M31)
** HMS ''Brocklesby'' (M33)
** HMS ''Middleton'' (M34)
** HMS ''Chiddingfold'' (M37)
** HMS ''Hurworth'' (M39)
* s
** HMS ''Penzance'' (M106)
** HMS ''Pembroke'' (M ...
*
Minesweepers of the Royal New Zealand Navy
Commissioned minesweepers and danlayers of the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) from its formation on 1 October 1941 to the present. The RNZN was created two years into World War II. For coherence this article covers the war years from the start, and ...
*
Royal Naval Patrol Service
The Royal Naval Patrol Service (RNPS) was a branch of the Royal Navy active during both the First and Second World Wars. The RNPS operated many small auxiliary vessels such as naval trawlers for anti-submarine and minesweeping operations to pro ...
* ''
Vorpostenboot
''Vorpostenboot'' (plural ''Vorpostenboote''), also referred to as VP-Boats, flakships or outpost boats, were German patrol boats which served during both World Wars. They were used around coastal areas and in coastal operations, and were tasked w ...
'', the German equivalent to the trawlers of the Royal Navy
Footnotes
References
* Cocker, M P (1993) ''Mine Warfare Vessels of the Royal Navy - 1908 to date.'' Airlife Publishing.
*
*
* Lund, Paul and Ludlam, Harry (1971) ''The Trawlers go to War''
* Lund, Paul and Ludlam, Harry (1978) ''Out Sweeps! - The Story of the Minesweepers in World War II.'' New English Library Ltd
* McKee, Alexander (1973) ''The Coal-Scuttle Brigade : The splendid, dramatic story of the Channel convoys.'' New English Library ASIN B000RTAX2Y
RNPS Book list{{refend
External links
The Loss of HMT Cap d'AntiferThe Loss of the RutlandshireHM Trawler OrfasyMemorial site to a trawler skipperHMS Almond Memorial Site History of the Royal Navy