Times of Malta
1st June 1946 Page 6
8th Minesweeping Flotilla
Arduous Work in Dangerous Waters Since September 1944
By Our Naval Correspondent
The Eighth
minesweeping Flotilla, consisting of H.M.Ships Regulus (S.O.), Thisbe (2nd. S.O.), Coquette, Moon, Mary Rose, Providencce, Seabear, and Rowena with the exception of H.M.S. Rowena, were all built in Canada and had all arrived in the United Kingdom by the end of September, 1944.
Before all the ships had completed their "work up" period at Granton, H.M.S. Regulus and H.M.S. Providence were already sweeping off Gibraltar. On completion of this sweep they were joined by H.M.S. Rowena the only British built ship of the flotilla and proceeded to Malta, where they were quickly joined by H.M.S. Coquette.
These four ships commenced sweeping the large declared dangerous area off Malta on October 14 and by the end of this month all ships except H.M.S. Seabear had arrived in the Mediterranean. The sweeping of this area continued with little respite until December 9 and apart from a few obstructions, nothing was swept. It was possible, however, to declare a large expanse of water safe for navigation and the approaches to Malta became less hazardous.
The flotilla was now ordered to Taranto to clear the approaches to that port. Once again another large area of dangerous water confronted us. It was here that the flotilla swept its first mine.
APPROACHES TO GENOA:
In the meantime, H.M.S. Seabear had joined and once more the flotilla attacked the area off Malta. By the middle of April, 1945 the 12th Minesweeping Flotilla were all due for boiler cleaning and as it was expected to open up the approaches to Genoa at any moment the 8th Flotilla relieved them at Leghorn. A few days sweeping there, and then on to Genoa. A channel had just been opened to this port when the welcomed news of VE Day was received. The operation, however, continued and a few days later the 12th Flotilla again took over.
The flotilla now split up and prcoeeded to various Italian ports for boiler cleaning or refitting and needless to say to celebrate, their own VE Day.
FLOTILLA'S "LITTLE PET"
More sweeping off Leghorn followed and then back once again to the Flotilla's "Little Pet" the Malta Area. Sweeping was continued until VJ Day when we returned to Malta for the celebrations and at the same time received the news that we were to proceed to the Far East to join the British Pacific Fleet temporarily.
A few more days sweeping off Malta and the flotilla sailed for the Far East on August 25, 1945, boiler cleaning in various Levant ports en route, calling at Aden, Colombo and Singapore the flotilla began to arrive in Hong Kong by October 11.
FAR EAST:
The sweeping of Allied ground mines and the Japanese moored mines in the approaches to Hong Kong was soon commenced. As soon as the channels had been completed the flotilla proceeded to the Chinese port of Amoy to relieve an Australian Minesweeping Flotilla sweeping Japanese moored mines. Working in conjuction with American Minesweeping Flotillas a large area stretching from the mainland to Formosa was declared safe to shipping. It so happened that this task was completed just in time to allow the flotilla to spend the first peace-time Christmad in Hong Kong.
On December 22, 1945 the flotilla were at sea sweeping the in the renowned Pirates' lair, Bias Bay, and in two days had accounted for for every single mine reported by the Japanese. The 10th Flotilla had now arrived and the flotilla was ordered to return to the Mediterranean. A few more days sweeping of the Allied ground mines off Bias Bay and the preparations were made for the return journey.
The Senior Officer, Commander R.W.D. Thomson, D.S.C., R.N., was relieved by Commander D. Lampden, D.S.O., R.N., and the flotilla sailed on January 12, 1946 for Malta via Singapore, Penang, Trincomalee, Bombay, Aden and Suez.
BACK TO MALLTA:
The flotilla arrived back in Malta on March 11, 1946 having steamed some 19,895 miles since August 25, 1945. The flotilla are at present engaged on clearing a very extensive minefield to the north of Bizerta. This operation commenced on April 9 and is not expected to be completed until September next. Already a large area has been cleared of mines and with the amendment of the shipping route a saving of thousands of steaming hours yearly will result.
Bizerta is being used as the base for this operation although the flotilla returns to Malta every third week for replenishment of stores and general maintenance of the ships. Recently the ships' companies paraded on the quay at Bizerta and were inspected by Vice-Admiral L.M. Longaud, who is Commandant Marine, Bizerta.
NOTE: Thanks are due to Lawrence (Lol, Chippy) Chipchase (Tel; COQUETTE) for his copy of the photograph from the Times of Malta, my copy from their Archives being skewed during scanning. |
