Halcyon Class Ships
First Minesweeping Flotilla 1936

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1st MSF 1936
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HMS Halcyon - Halcyon Class Minesweeper HMS Halcyon - Halcyon Class Minesweeper

HMS Halcyon

Source: ADM 1/9085

Annual Report on the Progress of Minesweeping 1936

From: Senior Officer 1st MSF, HMS HALCYON at Portland

Date: 24th November 1936

To: The Captain F O & M, Portland Naval Base.

GENERAL NARRATIVE

1. On the occasion of the last annual report, the 1st MSF consisting of HALCYON, SKIPJACK, HARRIER, HUSSAR, SPEEDWELL and Dunoon were with the Fleet at Alexandria, SPEEDWELL having joined the Flotilla, newly commissioned on 30th October 1935. Attached to the Flotilla were Fareham and Aberdare from the 2nd MSF, also the trawler section of Liffey, Garry and Dee. The whole under command of Captain VAC Crutchley VC, DSC.

2. Fareham and Aberdare parted company to join 2nd MSF at Malta on 20th Dec 1935.

3. The Flotilla remained at Alexandria during the winter except for 10 days cruise to Famagusta, two sweepers and a trawler at a time during February.

4. HARRIER and HUSSAR were detached to the Suez Canal on the 30th March.

5. On the 16th April 1936 Captain Crutchley was relieved by Captain WPC Manwaring and the Flotilla sailed for England via Malta and Gibraltar, after HARRIER and HUSSAR had rejoined, on 28th  April, to give leave to the ship's companies.

6.   On arrival in Home Ports, ships of 1st MSF gave 35 day's leave to ship's companies, leave being given in one watch, and ships were docked and refitted.

7. On completion of this period the Flotilla assembled at Portland at 24 hours notice to return to the Mediterranean.

8. After a week the Flotilla went to normal notice, and normal Portland routine and training was gradually  resumed.

9. Summer leave of 14 days was given to each watch at the end of July and during August. During this period a conference was held in HMS Vernon to discuss proposed minesweeping trials to be carried out by 1st MSF.

10. These trials were carried out on return of the Flotilla to Portland and were completed by 29th Sept.

11.Since the return of the flotilla to England, Tiverton, Dunoon and Selkirk have been paid off into reserve, and NIGER and SALAMANDER have been commissioned and joined the Flotilla.

12. 1st MSF now comprises HALCYON, HARRIER, SPEEDWELL, HUSSAR, NIGER, SKIPJACK and SALAMANDER.

 

Harriear, Hussar, Dunoon Bristol

Harrier, Hussar and Dunoon, Bristol

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