HMS Welcome (J386)

HMS Welcome was a reciprocating engine-powered Algerine-class minesweeper built for the Royal Navy during the Second World War. She survived the war and was scrapped in 1962.

History
United Kingdom
Name: HMS Welcome
Ordered: 19 December 1942
Builder: Lobnitz & Co. Ltd, Renfrew
Laid down: 3 May 1944
Launched: 14 November 1944
Commissioned: 20 January 1945
Identification: Pennant number J386
Fate: Scrapped by 3 May 1962
General characteristics
Class and type: Algerine-class minesweeper
Displacement:
  • 1,030 long tons (1,047 t) (standard)
  • 1,325 long tons (1,346 t) (deep)
Length: 225 ft (69 m) o/a
Beam: 35 ft 6 in (10.82 m)
Draught: 12.25 ft 6 in (3.89 m)
Installed power:
Propulsion:
Speed: 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph)
Range: 5,000 nmi (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Complement: 85
Armament:

Design and description

The reciprocating group displaced 1,010–1,030 long tons (1,030–1,050 t) at standard load and 1,305–1,325 long tons (1,326–1,346 t) at deep load The ships measured 225 feet (68.6 m) long overall with a beam of 35 feet 6 inches (10.8 m). They had a draught of 12 feet 3 inches (3.7 m). The ships' complement consisted of 85 officers and ratings.[1]

The reciprocating ships had two vertical triple-expansion steam engines, each driving one shaft, using steam provided by two Admiralty three-drum boilers. The engines produced a total of 2,400 indicated horsepower (1,800 kW) and gave a maximum speed of 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph). They carried a maximum of 660 long tons (671 t) of fuel oil that gave them a range of 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).[1]

The Algerine class was armed with a QF 4 in (102 mm) Mk V anti-aircraft gun[2] and four twin-gun mounts for Oerlikon 20 mm cannon. The latter guns were in short supply when the first ships were being completed and they often got a proportion of single mounts. By 1944, single-barrel Bofors 40 mm mounts began replacing the twin 20 mm mounts on a one for one basis. All of the ships were fitted for four throwers and two rails for depth charges.[1]

Construction and career

Welcome was ordered on 19 December 1942 and was built by Lobnitz & Co. Ltd, Renfrew, Scotland. She was laid down on 3 May 1944 and launched on 14 November 1944 and displaced 860 tons. She was completed in 1945 and commissioned on 20 January 1945.

In May 1945, Welcome joined the 10th Minesweeping Flotilla, and sailed for the Far East in October 1945, returning to British waters in July 1946.[3] In September 1946, she was assigned to fishery protection duties in the Fishery Protection Squadron.[3][4] In 1953 she took part in the Fleet Review to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.[5] Welcome remained on fishery protection duties until December 1957, when she passed into the reserves.[3] She was scrapped on 3 May 1962.

References
  1. Lenton, p. 261
  2. Chesneau, p. 65
  3. Worth p. 43.
  4. Jane's Fighting Ships, 1955-56. p. 56.
  5. Souvenir Programme, Coronation Review of the Fleet, Spithead, 15th June 1953, HMSO, Gale and Polden

Bibliography
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