Dates: 1944 -
HMS Squirrel (J301)
"ALGERINE" Class Minesweeper
The ship was laid down on 20th August 1943 as Job Number 3333 (Yard No 1142) and launched on 20th April 1944 as the 12th RN ship to carry the name.
The name had been used by a Discovery Vessel lost near the Azores in 1583 whilst returning from an expedition led by Sir Humphrey Gilbert to set up the first English colony in North America at St Johns Newfoundland.
The name was last used by a Coastguard Vessel sold in 1921.
Building of this ship was completed on 16th August 1944.
Battle Honours
LOUISBERG 1758
QUEBEC 1758
Heraldic Data
Badge : On a Field Blue a Plate charged with a Squirrel sejant holding a nut proper.
Her Motto
Assiduitate : By diligence .
Service History
1944
August
Commissioned for service in 6th Minesweeping Flotilla and Contractors trials.
16th Build completion.
Passage to Tobermory for work-up on completion of acceptance trials.
September On completion of work-up at Toberroory took passage to join Flotilla.
Joined HM Minesweepers LIGHTFOOT, MELTTA, POSTILLION and LARNE for minesweeping
Operations off Belgian coast.
Deployed as HQ ship for BYMS type minesweepers carrying out clearance of mines preventing use of ports in Belgium and Holland.
October
Mine clearance duties in continuation with BYMS
November
Nominated for transfer to 7th Minesweeping Flotilla for service in East Indies.
Relieved in 6th Flotilla by HM Minesweeper PELORUS.
December
Under refit at Barry , Glamorgan at commercial shipyard prior to foreign service.
1945
January
On completion rejoined Flotilla for minesweeping operations in Channel area.
February
Flotilla deployment in continuation
March
Deployed with HM Minesweeper FANCY to tow Floating Dock during passage to India.
Sustained serious weather damage in Bay of Biscay.
Returned to Plymouth after Floating Dock was sunk in storm.
Repair arranged in London at Canning Town commercial shipyard.
April
Under repair.
May
Sailed from London to Falmouth.
9th
At Falmouth.
13th
Took passage from Falmouth to join Flotilla in Ceylon.
June
Passage in Mediterranean and Red Sea.
July
Arrived at Trincomalee and joined Flotilla.
Operations in support of the planned allied landings in Malaya
Deployed with HM Minesweepers PLUCKY,PINCHER,VESTAL and RIFLEMAN.
19th
Sailed from Trincomalee with Flotilla as part of Force 63 for LIVERY.
24th
Commenced sweeping operations on arrival off Pukhet Island.
During fourth lap of the operation ship was unable to turn into swept water when HM Minesweeper PLUCKY detonated a mine in her sweep.
Ship then struck another mine and sustained major damage to forward structure killing seven of ships company. She took on heavy list due to flooding after two and a half hours. Abandoned and ships’company taken off.
Sunk by gunfire of Force 63 ships.
