HMS Mariner (J380)

HMS Mariner was a reciprocating engine-powered Algerine-class minesweeper built for the Royal Navy during the Second World War. She survived the war and was sold to Myanmar in 1958 as Yang Myo Aung.

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Mariner.

History
United Kingdom
Name:	HMS Mariner
Builder:	Port Arthur Shipbuilding Company, Port Arthur, Ontario, Canada
Laid down:	26 August 1943
Launched:	9 May 1944
Commissioned:	23 May 1944
Identification:	Pennant number J380
Fate:	Sold to the Burmese Navy on 18 April 1958
Burma
Name:	Yang Myo Aung
Acquired:	18 April 1958
Fate:	Laid up and deleted in 1982
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:	2 × Admiralty 3-drum boilers 2,400 ihp (1,800 kW)
Propulsion:	2 shafts 2 vertical triple-expansion steam engines
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:	1 × QF 4 in (102 mm) Mk V anti-aircraft gun 4 × twin Oerlikon 20 mm cannon

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

She was built by the Port Arthur Shipbuilding Company at Port Arthur, Ontario, Canada, launched on 9 May 1944 and commissioned on 23 May 1944. In 1954 Mariner was on patrol in the North Sea as a fishery protection vessel, checking trawlers nets, and giving aid to any of the trawlers should they need it.

She was sold to the Burmese Navy and was reactivated at HM Dockyard Sheerness. She was handed over to Burma in the pools of London on 18 April 1958 and renamed Yang Myo Aung. She was fitted as a minelayer, carrying eight mines in each side.[3]

She served in the Burmese Navy until 1982.

References

1. Lenton, p. 261
2. Chesneau, p. 65
3. Raymond V B Blackman (ed.). Jane's Fighting Ships 1963-4,. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd. p. 28.

Bibliography

• Chesneau, Roger, ed. (1980). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-146-7.
• Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
• Lenton, H. T. (1998). British & Empire Warships of the Second World War. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-048-7.