The following are
extracts from this substantial and very detailed document
which is held at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. They
have been chosen for general interest rather than any specific
understanding of the construction:
Specification for building a minesweeper
of the 1937 programme
Bramble, Britomart, Speedy & Sphinx
Economy of weight
in this vessel is of the utmost importance. It is desired, in
order to save weight, to utilise electric welding extensively
as a substitute for riveting.
Water tanks – the
work of finally cleaning out the fresh water tank and
preparing them for filling is to be carried out by healthy men
of clean habits, wearing clean overalls and rubber shoes.
Messing and
sleeping accommodation
is to be provided for the full complement + 7˝ per cent.
CPO’s, PO’s, ERA’s
and Stewards
– separate living spaces to be provided, enclosed with light,
dwarf bulkheads. Each space is to be self contained and fitted
out complete with mess tables with turned wooden legs, stools
with cushions, pedestal kit lockers, mess racks, ditty box
rack, bread locker, bookshelf and sleeping billets suitable
for the number of occupants. The mess tables in the CPO’s and
ERA’s mess spaces are to be made longer than required for
actual messing so as to provide room for keeping engine room
accounts and for general writing purposes.
ERA's Mess on HMS Sharpshooter
Seamen and
Stoker’s mess spaces
– the messing accommodation is wherever possible to be based
on an allowance of 24 inches per man. Hammock hooks and bars
for berthing the crew and for 7˝ % supernumeries are to be
fitted. Berths are to be not less than 10 feet long and spaced
24” where possible.
Armament
Two 4" QF, Mark V
guns on 4" HA MkIII mountings and one 0.5" ‘M’ mounting will
be supplied by the Admiralty. The 4" guns are to be mounted so
as to give a depression of 5 degrees through as great an angle
of training as possible. Four Lewis guns on two double
mountings are to be fitted to the forecastle deck.
Depth Charges
When fitted as a
minesweeper the depth charge armament will consist of four
depth charges. Two chutes, one on each quarter, are to be
supplied … to take one charge each. The alternative depth
charge armament will consist of 15 charges, two throwers and
three chutes. The additional chute is to be provided and
fitted in a readily portable manner.
Boats to be
carried
25 foot motor boat
x 1; 27 foot whalers x 2; 14 foot dinghies x 1; Pattern 20
lifeboats x 2.
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