HMS Asheldham

History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Asheldham
NamesakeAsheldham
BuilderPhilip and Son
Launched9 September 1953
Completed9 September 1954
FateTransferred to Malaysia, 1 April 1959
NotesPennant number(s): M2604 / IMS04
Malaysia
NameKD Sri Perlis
Acquired1 April 1959
Fatebroken up 1967[1]
General characteristics [2]
Class and typeHam-class minesweeper
Displacement
  • 120 long tons (122 t) standard
  • 159 long tons (162 t) full load
Length
  • 100 ft (30 m) p/p
  • 106 ft 6 in (32.46 m) o/a
Beam21 ft (6.4 m)
Draught5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 shaft Paxman diesels
  • 1,100 bhp (820 kW)
Speed14 knots (16 mph; 26 km/h)
Complement15
Armament1 × Bofors 40 mm L/60 gun

HMS Asheldham was one of 93 ships of the Ham class of inshore minesweepers.

Their names were all chosen from villages ending in -ham. The minesweeper was named after Asheldham in Essex.

HMS Asheldham (Pennant number M2604) was a member of the first series of Ham-class minesweepers, with composite wood and aluminium construction. It was built by Philip and Son of Dartmouth, Devon and was completed on 9 September 1953.[2][3]

Asheldham served as part of the 232nd Mine Sweeper Squadron at Harwich in Essex from 1954 to 1956, after which it was placed into reserve.[4] The Ham class had proved too small to carry modern minesweeping equipment and most of the class were withdrawn from use or transferred to secondary roles.[2]

The ship was transferred to the Royal Malayan Navy on 1 April 1958, being renamed Sri Perlis.[5] Following transfer, Sri Perlis' 40mm Bofors gun and minesweeping gear was removed and replaced by three 20 mm Oerlikon cannon,[6] although the minesweeping gear was later re-fitted, with the ship retaining a single Oerlikon gun.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Ham Class Minesweepers". www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk.
  2. ^ a b c Gardiner and Chumbley, 1995, p. 541.
  3. ^ Worth 1986, p. 123.
  4. ^ Worth 1986, pp. 2, 125.
  5. ^ Worth 1986, p. 125.
  6. ^ Blackman 1960, p. 82.
  7. ^ Blackman 1962, p. 162.

Sources

  • Blackman, Raymond V.B., ed. Jane's Fighting Ships 1952–1953. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1953.
  • Blackman, Raymond V. B. (1960). Jane's Fighting Ships 1960–61. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd.
  • Blackman, Raymond V. B. (1962). Jane's Fighting Ships 1962–63. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd.
  • Gardiner, Robert; Chumbley, Stephen (1995). Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, Maryland, USA: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-132-7.
  • Worth, Jack (1986). British Warships Since 1945: Part 4: Minesweepers. Liskeard, UK: Maritime Books. ISBN 0-907771-12-2.


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