HMS
NIGER (4th M/S Flotilla) Minesweeping Reports
11th,
12th and 13th 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.
16th
October 1940
Area searched: QZS148 in vicinity of 54A Buoy
Ships: (1) NIGER, Speedwell, Sutton, Dundalk,
Fitzroy, Elgin, Hussar
(2) Queen Empress, Lorna Doone
Seven moored mines cut. Five detonated, one sank
and one exploded.
HMS
Dundalk was lost during these operations (mined) - towed but sank
near South Cutler Buoy.
17th October 1940
Fleet sweepers diverted to Gap X
Ships: NIGER, Speedwell, Selkirk and Fitzroy
Two drifting British mines were exploded –
camouflaged, 5 horns above water, moderately old.
Location 52° 11’N, 2° 14’ E and 52° 10’N, 2°
09’E
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.
5th November
1940
Area searched: QZS148 between Sunk and Barrow
Deep
Ships: NIGER, Speedwell, Sutton, Selkirk
Sweeping ahead of FS and FZ Convoys, no mines
found
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, ½ cable on the beam, sustaining minor damage.
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.
