HMS Salamander Mine Clearance 22 March 1940

Source ADM 199/184 Report on clearing sweep 5^th MSF.

From:       The Senior Officer 5^th M/S Flotilla, HMS GOSSAMER
Date:       24^th 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 22^nd March 1940. One mine was cut by gunfire.

Sweepers: Gossamer, Harrier, Speedwell, Niger, SALAMANDER
Danlayers: Grey Mist, Sargossa, Nautilas, 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 5^th M/S Flotilla

Source ADM 199/184 Report on clearing sweep 5^th MSF.

From:       The Senior Officer 5^th M/S Flotilla, HMS GOSSAMER
Date:       24^th 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 23^rd 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 5^th M/S Flotilla

Source ADM 199/184 Report on clearing sweep 5^th MSF.

From:       The Senior Officer 5^th M/S Flotilla, HMS GOSSAMER
Date:       26^th 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 25^th 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

SO 5^th M/S Flotilla

Source ADM 199/184 Report on clearing sweep 5^th MSF.

From:       The Senior Officer 5^th M/S Flotilla, HMS GOSSAMER
Date:       28^th 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 5^th M/S Flotilla

Source: ADM 199/184 HMS Niger Minesweeping Reports Oct 1940 (Extracts)

HMS Niger (4^th M/S Flotilla) Minesweeping Reports

11^th, 12^th and 13^th October 1940

Area searched: QZS148 between Lats 51°53’N and 52°08’N

Ships: Niger, Speedwell, SALAMANDER, Fitzroy, Elgin, Hussar

Two mines detonated and one exploded in sweep.

Sweeping ahead of FS and FN convoys, explosive cutter functioned.

28th October 1940

Area searched: QZS148 between 51°58’N and 52°08’N. 1½ miles either side of centre line.

Ships: (1) Niger, Speedwell, SALAMANDER, Sutton, Fitzroy, Elgin, Selkirk
(2) Queen Empress, Lorna Doone, Marmion

One moored mine detonated and two were sunk. Explosive cutters gave a lot of trouble, making it necessary to do our two laps again.

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.