Completed on 22nd
June 1939, HMS Bramble (J11) immediately took part in the salvage operations for HMS
Thetis (submarine). She started the war minesweeping in Home Waters and
was hit by bombs off Harwich in February 1941. After refit, she carried
out convoy escort duties in the Western Approaches. In October 1941 she
sailed with other Halcyons for Archangel, taking part in eleven convoys
and carrying out many other duties while in Russian waters. On 31st
December 1942 while returning from a search for stragglers of Convoy JW51B
she met the German battleship Hipper and was badly damaged, later being
sunk by the German destroyer Eckholdt. Eight officers and 113 ratings were
lost.
Note: On 26th January 1945 a new
Algerine Class minesweeper named HMS Bramble (J273) was launched. The
similar appearance of the two ships can sometimes lead to confusion.
Similarly there were also Algerines called Niger (Sept 1945) and
Skipjack (April 1944).
See also
www.naval-history.net
