HMS Asheldham

Minesweeper of the Royal Navy

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into reserve.[4] The Ham class had proved too small to carry modern minesweeping equipment and most of the class were withdrawn from use or transferred to secondary roles.[2]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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Ham-class minesweepers
 Royal Navy
  • Abbotsham
  • Altham
  • Arlingham
  • Asheldham
  • Bassingham
  • Bedham
  • Birdham
  • Bisham
  • Blunham
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  • Boreham
  • Bottisham
  • Brantingham
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  • Fordham
  • Frettenham
  • Fritham
  • Georgeham
  • Glentham
  • Greetham
  • Halsham
  • Harpham
  • Haversham
  • Hildersham
  • Hovingham
  • Inglesham
  • Isham
  • Kingham
  • Lasham
  • Ledsham
  • Littleham
  • Ludham
  • Malham
  • Mersham
  • Mickleham
  • Mileham
  • Neasham
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  • Pagham
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  • Pineham
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  • Sparham
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  • Tibenham
  • Tongham
  • Tresham
  • Warmingham
  • Wexham
  • Whippingham
  • Wintringham
  • Woldingham
  • Wrentham
  • Yaxham
Other operators
 Royal Australian Navy
  • Otter (ex-Popham)
  • Porpoise (ex-Neasham)
  • Seal (ex-Wintringham)
 French Navy
  • Armoise (ex-Wexham)
  • Aubepine (ex-Rendlesham)
  • Capucine (ex-Petersham)
  • Dahlia (ex-Whippingham)
  • Geranium (ex-Tibenham)
  • Hibiscus (ex-Sparham)
  • Hortensia (ex-Mileham)
  • Jasmine (ex-Stedham)
  • Jonquille (ex-Sulham)
  • Myosotis (ex-Riplingham)
  • Oeillet (ex-Isham)
  • Pâquerette (ex-Kingham)
  • Petunia (ex-Pineham)
  • Tulipe (ex-Frettenham)
  • Violette (ex-Mersham)
 Ghana Navy
  • Afadzato (ex-Ottringham)
  • Yogada (ex-Malham)
 Indian Navy
  • Bassein (ex-Littleham)
  • Bimlipatan (ex-Hildersham)
 Libyan Navy
  • Brak (ex-Harpham)
  • Zuara (ex-Greetham)
 Royal Malaysian Navy
  • Jerong (ex-Boreham)
  • Lanka Suka (ex-Bedham)
  • Sri Johore (ex-Altham)
  • Sri Perlis (ex-Asheldham)
  • Todak (ex-Felmersham)
 Royal Saudi Navy
  • Al Saqr (ex-Bodenham)


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