HMS BRITOMART

HMS Britomart (J22) was a Halcyon class minesweeper. She was launched at Devonport Dockyard on the 23rd August 1938 and commissioned one year later on the 24th August 1939. She was adopted by Clowne, Barlborough, Creswell and Whitwell villages when they raised over £62,000 to build the hull of a large minesweeper during a Warship Week in February 1942. Britomart was unfortunately sunk after a friendly fire incident and 21 sailors lost their lives. We are currently researching the family histories of these sailors.

Background

Warship Weeks were British National savings campaigns during the Second World War with the aim of a Royal Navy warship being adopted by a civil community. During the early parts of the war, the Royal Navy not only had lost many capital ships but was facing increasing pressure to provide escorts for convoys in the Atlantic. While there was not a shortage of sailors, ships sunk by enemy action had to be replaced. Under this programme, Barlborough, Clowne, Creswell and Whitwell raised money to build the hull of a large minesweeper and in recognition of this the villages adopted HMS Britomart. This is the story of HMS Britomart.

Britomart Launched 23rd August 1938

Ceremony By Miss Helen Mildmay

Six weeks after a sister-ship, the minesweeper Britomart was yesterday launched from No. 4 slip at Devonport Dockyard. The ceremony performed by the Hon. Helen Mildmay, in the presence of spectators, who include the Commander-in- Chief (Adml. the Hon. Sir Reginald Drax), the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, and Sir Montague Eliot, was completed within fifteen minutes of its commitment.

Britomart, seventh warship to bear that name since the beginning of the 19th century, entered the Hamoaze to an accompaniment provided by the sirens of half a dozen Dockyard craft, which were “keeping” and “clear water” area.

SHIPS DRESSED OVERALL.

Ships throughout the port were dressed overall. A reminder of this fact was provided by the aircraft carrier Hermes, moored in midstream, just beyond the closed area, and visible from the launching platform.

The Commander-in-Chief was saluted on arrival by a guard of honour and the band of the R.N. Barracks, Devonport. Mounting the launching platform, he joined a group consisting of Miss Mildmay, the Admiral-Superintendent of the Dockyard (Vice-Adml. A.LSnagge) and the manager of the Constructive Department (Mr. A.Nicholls). A short service conducted by Rev.W.Gill, chaplain of the Royal Dockyard, preceded the launching. Accompanying the hymn rendered was the band of Plymouth Divine Royal Marines. The service ended, the chaplain surrendered his place before the bows of the warship to Miss Mildmay, who was carrying a bouquet of pink carnations presented to her by Julia Merry, the grand-daughter of the Constructive Manager.

THREE FLAGS

A bugle was sounded by a naval rating near the platform, and in the well of the slip a party of Dockyardmen swung sledge-hammers to release the chocks securing the dog shores. Their work was completed in less than a minute. Cradles in the greased slipways, Britomart , gleaming in a new coat of paint, wore three flags – Admiralty flag on her ensign staff, the White Ensign at the peak, and the Union Jack at her jack-staff. These fluttered in a stiff breeze which drove deaths of mist across the heights of Mount Edgecombe as the final preparations were completed and men doubled from the well at the sound of a bell.

Naming the ship, Miss Mildmay lifted from the stem a garland in which was secured a bottle. Wine flowed down the ship’s side as she allows the container to splinter against the hull. The launching trigger was secured by a rope led to the launching platform. This Miss Mildmay severed with one blow with a mallet upon a chisel held by the Constructive Manager.

DOWN TO THE WATER

For a fraction of a second the ship’s movement was imperceptible. Then she sped with increasing momentum to the water. Cheers from the group of spectators surrounding the ship almost overwhelmed the melody of “Rule Britannia,” played by the R.M Band. The sip becoming water-borne, her way checked by drag chains, and she was towed by tugs to North Yard for fitting out. As workmen in boats rowed to her sides, Admiral-Superintendent called for cheers for Miss Mildmay. These given, Miss Mildmay reciprocated by claiming a similar acclamation for the men who had built the ship.

Britomart, sixth “Halcyon” class minesweeper constructed at Devonport will be completed next year. She will displace about 875 tons, be capable pf a speed of seventeen knots, and mount two 4in. guns. She will cost the nation in the region of £160,000.

November 1941

TARGET £62,450

CLOWNE RURAL DISTRICT WARSHIPS WEEK

Meetings of representatives from Barlborough, Clowne, Whitwell and Creswell have been held under the chairmanship of Mr. L. Henton, of Creswell, and decisions have been reach that the area should organise a Warship Week during February 13-21st February, 1942. The target is to be £62,450 – the price of the hull of a large minesweeper. The total cost of a large minesweeper is £136,485, and the committee is to try to raise at least this sum before the end of the Winter Campaign, March 28th, 1942.

The Admiralty will allow the area to adopt a ship, and if the hull is paid for during the “Week” a plaque similar to the one in the ship will be allocated to the area. All contributions paid through the war savings groups, banks and post offices in the are will count towards the objective.

February 1942

Clowne to Adopt Mine-sweeper

Clowne Rural Area’s Warship Week opens to-morrow (14th February 1942) with a target of £62,450, the cost of a hull of a large minesweeper. If Clowne realises its aims, the area will adopt the minesweeper, HMS Britomart

Provided they can raise sufficient money during Warship Week, Clowne Rural Council are to adopt the mine-sweeper Britomart which last week shot down a enemy raider.

The following table show the sailors that were killed/(died later) on the 23rd August 1944. Two sailors were severely wounded and died later, and are buried in their home towns while the remaining 19 sailors are commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial

1. Died on the 31st August 1944, and buried in Newport Cemetery ↩︎
2. Died on the 10th September 1944, and buried in Bootle Cemetery ↩︎