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Source: ADM 199 184 Report
on clearing sweep 5th MSF.
From: The Senior Officer 5th
M/S Flotilla, HMS GOSSAMER
Date: 24th March 1940
To: Vice Admiral Commanding, Dover
Report on Clearance Operation
Submitted: Herewith is forwarded report on clearance operation
ordered by VA Dover’s 1107/21/3/40 and 1641/21/3/40 and carried
out on Good Friday 22nd March 1940. One mine was cut
and sunk by gunfire.
Sweepers: GOSSAMER, Harrier, Speedwell, Niger, Salamander
Danlayers: Grey Mist, Sargossa, Nantilias, Comfort.
Point of interest:-
The work could have been completed much more expeditiously and a
wider area covered with good danlayers. As it was, several hours
were wasted in sweeping water already covered and the flotilla had
to anchor off an unlighted coast in the dark, at 2030.
Of the 4 danlayers only two were capable of keeping up with the
flotilla at 9 knots. Dans were laid with only two pellets, and
consequently disappeared altogether when the tidal stream was at
it as maximum. On one occasion the wrong line of dans was
pointed.
While no doubt the danlayers worked hard and did their best
through a long day, it is desired to emphasise the necessity of a
permanent danlaying force attached to the flotilla.
The mine swept was marked ‘For Winston Churchill’.
No significance is now attached to the partings of sweeps reported
by signal. At the time an obstruction was suspected, but the wires
showed signs of having struck the bottom during a turn at reduced
speed.
R Ross
Commander
SO 5th M/S Flotilla
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From: The Senior Officer 5th
M/S Flotilla, HMS GOSSAMER
Date: 24th March 1940
To: Vice Admiral Commanding, Dover
Submitted: Herewith is forwarded report on clearance operation
ordered by VA Dover’s 1107/21/3/40 and 1641/21/3/40 and carried
out on Saturday 23rd March 1940.
Flotilla sailed at 0600 to carry out a clearance sweep. In the
absence of danlayers each ship sent 2 dans to Salamander before
weighing.
During the first lap visibility shut down to less than 1 cable.
Sweeps were got in and the force concentrated at the buoy. On the
weather lifting about noon a thorough search of the area in K
formation was decided upon. This was continued until 1740 and
resulted in the sweeping of four mines, widely scattered about the
area. It was submitted that the channel was unsafe until a proper
clearance could be carried out. This is proceeding on subsequent
days. Three mines were sunk by gunfire, one exploded by gunfire.
A large number of British H mines were also seen adrift and four
of these were sunk by gunfire.
R Ross
Commander
SO 5th M/S Flotilla
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From: The Senior Officer 5th
M/S Flotilla, HMS GOSSAMER
Date: 26th March 1940
To: Vice Admiral Commanding, Dover
Report of Clearance Operation on Easter
Sunday 24.3.40 and Monday
25.3.40.
Submitted: This clearance was delayed by thick fog until 1600 on
Sunday when sweeping was commenced and continued until 1900, vessels
anchoring in the vicinity for the night.
Sweep recommenced at 0900 on Monday which was the earliest that
tidal conditions permitted, and was continued until 1745. No further
mines were discovered, the area having been thoroughly searched the
previous day.
Danlaying yacht Sargasso was of great assistance, but Grey Mist who
was also detailed apparently proceeded to expend his ammunition on
floating mines and returned to Ramsgate to replenish it. He did not
appear at all. One sweeper had to be used for danlaying.
Sweepers: GOSSAMER, Niger
Danlayers: Salamander, Sargasso
Points of interest:-
Possible Anti-Sweeping Device
On Monday 25th Leda’s sweep was parted by an underwater
explosion. The explosion was slight but definite, and was followed
by a ring of bubbles on the surface, some 15 feet in diameter.
Two alternative suggestions are:
a) A mine whose main charge failed to fire.
b) An explosive cutting device.
Against a) no other mines in this field have exploded on being
swept.
Against b) the position was immediately danned by Salamander who was
following astern. It was re-swept at the end of the day and nothing
found.
Another peculiar occurrence for which no explanation is suggested,
was a parted sweep on the previous day. In this case the sweep was
found, on recovery, to have 80 fathoms missing, ie it had parted in
two places.
Asdic Contact
While at anchor during the night Niger obtained a doubtful contact.
One depth charge was dropped, after which it was considered the
contact was definitely non-sub. I consider Niger’s constant anti-sub
vigilance, especially after a hard day’s sweeping, is most
creditable. She is the only asdic vessel in the flotilla.
R
Ross
Commander
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From: The Senior Officer 5th
M/S Flotilla, HMS GOSSAMER
Date: 28th March 1940
To: Vice Admiral Commanding, Dover
Report of Clearance Operation on 26 March 1940
Sweepers: GOSSAMER, Niger, Leda
Danlayers: Salamander, Sargasso
Six mines cut. One detonated, five destroyed by gunfire.
Owing to very strong cross tide and lack of sufficient experienced
danlayers, this clearance cannot be considered 100%. During the
first lap no less than six mines were encountered and before
completing the lap the flotilla ran into thick fog. It was decided
to abandon sweeping for the day.
Of these six mines, only one detonated (close to GOSSAMER’s stern).
Another mine surfaced just clear of the disturbed water of the
first, some 10 or 20 seconds later. It appears probable that the
enemy’s intention was to part the sweep, thus causing the second
mine to be missed.
Pending further details of dip, it is observed that these 6 mines
were swept in a depth (by echo recorder) of 20-22 fathoms, with a
tide of at least 2 knots. Sweeps were running with 16 fathoms kite,
8 fathoms float wire. It was the top of high water.
R
Ross
Commander
SO 5th M/S Flotilla
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From: Flag Officer Commanding Dover
Date: 29th March 1940
To: Secretary of the Admiralty (for Director of Minesweeping)
Report on Clearing Sweep
The
(above) reports of Minesweeping operations carried out by the 5th
Minesweeping Flotilla during the period 22nd to 25th
March 1940 are forwarded.
With reference to the remarks of the Senior Officer 5th
Minesweeping Flotilla, parting of sweep wires following a slight
explosion were also reported in my signals times 1830 of 19th
March and 1042 of 26th March.
I
fully concur in his proposal that each Minesweeping Flotilla should
have a permanent force of danlayers attached to it. The arrival of an
additional flotilla at Dover has put a heavy strain on the available
danlayers, and has necessitated the magnetic sweepers working without
such assistance. It is suggested that such a policy would result in
increased efficiency and speed in sweeping operations, as officers
would soon get to know the particular methods used by their own
flotilla and would be able often to anticipate the Senior Officer’s
intentions.
B H
Ramsey
Vice Admiral |
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Source: ADM 199/184 Mine clearance sweep by Fifth MSF (Extracts)
Minesweeping Reports on Operations 29th March to 1st
April 1940 (extracts)
From: Senior Officer, 5th
M/S Flotilla, HMS GOSSAMER
Date: 31st March 1940
To: Vice Admiral
Commanding, Dover
Clearance sweep on 29th March 1940
SCZ 125 from Centre Line to 1 ˝ miles South between meridian 2° 00’
E and 2° 07’ E.
Sweepers: GOSSAMER, Harrier, Niger, Speedwell
Danlayers: Sargasso, Comfort, Nautilas
No mines were encountered till the signal for ‘in sweeps’ was about
to be hoisted in the SE corner of Area, when one was cut by second
ship. German type ‘Y’ moored mine, sunk by gunfire. Cross tide
sweeping was necessitated by the fact that only one danlayer was
available capable of the speed of the flotilla. There were several
partings but these are attributed to old wires and bad weather.
There was no evidence of any anti-sweeping devices.
R
Ross
Commander
S.O. 5th M/S Flotilla
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From: Senior Officer, 5th M/S Flotilla, HMS
GOSSAMER
Date: 1st April 1940
To: Vice Admiral Commanding, Dover
Minesweeping Report, Sunday 31st March 1940
Sweepers: GOSSAMER, Speedwell, Leda, Harrier
Danlayers: Sargasso, Grey Mist
Later assisted by Emperor of India as mine clearer.
This proved an interesting day. As the area to be swept included a
bank with 5 fathom patches running down the centre, ‘A’ sweep was
chosen. As the flotilla approached the 1st lap in ‘J’
formation a sudden fog descended and the visibility fell to ˝ cable.
It lifted just in time to show R buoy in correct position for the 1st
lap. This shows the advantage of having a qualified navigator (who
had joined the previous evening).
Five mines were cut. One exploded, the rest were destroyed by
gunfire.
Anti-Sweeping Devices
As was to be expected partings were frequent due to shallow patches.
One was also an undoubted explosive cutter, the mine belonging to
which was swept. Another slight explosion failed to part the sweeps
or bring up a mine.
Two hours of the afternoon were spent in reeling on new wires etc.,
while waiting for the tide to rise. One more lap was then completed
and a re-sweep made over a small piece missed owing to partings.
Danlaying.
A great improvement has been made now that Sargasso and Grey Mist
have got accustomed to working with the flotilla, but even these
vessels were unable to maintain sweeping speed in the existing
weather conditions. (Wind SW force 4)
R
Ross
Commander
S.O. 5th M/S Flotilla
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4th
November 1940
Area: QZS148 from 52 Buoy to position ‘X’
Sweepers: Harrier, Speedwell, Lydd, Elgin, Saltash
Mine disposal vessel: GOSSAMER
Two German anti-sweeping devices cut.
5th
November 1940
Area: QZS148 from position ‘O’ to position ‘Z’
Sweepers: Harrier,
GOSSAMER, Lydd, Saltash
Two German ‘X’ type moored mines swept and sunk. One German
anti-sweeping conical float cut.
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6th
November 1940
Area searched: QZS148 between 7 QZF and Aldeburgh Float.
Ships: Niger, Speedwell, Selkirk, Lydd, Harrier, Sutton, Saltash,
Elgin, GOSSAMER.
One mine in sweep. Elgin detonated mine, thought to be acoustic, ˝
cable on the beam, sustaining minor damage.
Source: ADM 199/184 HMS
Niger Minesweeping Reports Oct 1940 (Extracts)
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11th November 1940
Area searched: QZS148 between ??? and Aldeburgh Float.
Ships: Niger, Salamander, Selkirk, Lydd, Hussar, Saltash,
GOSSAMER.
Two
German moored mines swept, one detonated and one exploded.
Source: ADM 199/184 HMS Niger Minesweeping Reports Oct 1940 (Extracts) |
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