Abdiel 1941
Manxman 1941
Ariadne 1963
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| 1st group | |||||||
| Abdiel | M39 | 1881 | White, Cowes | 29.3.1939 | 23.4.1940 | 15.4.1941 | sunk 10.9.1943 |
| Latona | M76 | 1198 | Thornycroft, Woolston | 4.4.1939 | 20.8.1940 | 4.5.1941 | sunk 25.10.1941 |
| Manxman | M70, 1948- N70 | 568 | A. Stephens, Linthouse | 24.3.1939 | 5.9.1940 | 20.6.1941 | minesweeper depot ship 1962 |
| Welshman | M84 | 623 | Hawthorn Leslie, Hebburn | 8.6.1939 | 4.9.1940 | 25.8.1941 | sunk 1.2.1943 |
| 2nd group | |||||||
| Apollo | M01, 1948- N01 | 654 | Hawthorn Leslie, Hebburn | 10.10.1941 | 5.4.1943 | 12.2.1944 | stricken 4.1961 |
| Ariadne | M65, 1948- N65 | 591 | A. Stephens, Linthouse | 15.11.1941 | 16.2.1943 | 9.10.1943 | sold for BU 1963 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
2650 Apollo, Ariadne: 2810 |
|
Displacement full, t |
3415 Apollo, Ariadne: 4100 |
|
Length, m |
122.1 pp 127.4 oa |
|
Breadth, m |
12.2 |
|
Draught, m |
4.65 deep load Apollo, Ariadne: 4.93 deep load |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
2 sets Parsons geared steam turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
72000 |
|
Max speed, kn |
39.75 |
|
Fuel, t |
oil 690 - 750 Apollo, Ariadne: oil 825 |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 1000(38) |
|
Armament |
3 x 2 - 102/45 QF Mk XVI, 1 x 4 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk VIII, 2 x 4 - 12.7/62, 100 - 156 mines Apollo, Ariadne: 2 x 2 - 102/45 QF Mk XVI, 2 x 2 - 40/56 Bofors Mk IV/VIII/IX, 6 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, 100 - 156 mines |
|
Sensors |
Abdiel, Latona, Manxman: type 286M radar Welshman: type 285, type 286M radars Apollo, Ariadne: type 272, type 282, type 285, type 291 radars |
|
Complement |
242 - 246 Apollo, Ariadne: 257 |
Project history: Very successful ships which have become fastest in Royal Navy in the Second World War (their speed at standard load exceeded 41kts). They were intended for offensive minelaying, therefore on them, as well as in a case with "Å" type cruisers, all has been sacrificed to speed.
On early design stages it was supposed to arm ships by 120mm single-purpose guns, but subsequently considered, that record speed will serve them as the best protection against the surface opponent. Instead of 120mm guns there were more light 102mm mounts that has allowed to decrease the upper weight. Mine stowage of Abdiel class has appeared insufficient for her displacement, but it was the payment for high speed. First three ships were built under 1938 Programme, Welshman under 1939 Programme, two more (2nd group), with a little changed armament structure and the increased fuel stowage under 1941 Programme.
Modernizations: 1941, Abdiel, Latona, Manxman, Welshman: + 4 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV
late 1941, Latona: + 2 x 1 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk VIII
1942, Abdiel, Manxman, Welshman: - 2 x 4 - 12.7/62, type 286M radar; + (2 - 3) x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, type 282, type 285, type 290 radars
1944, Ariadne: + 1 x 2 - 40/56 Bofors Mk IV/VIII/IX
early 1945, Apollo: + 1 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV
1945, Manxman: - 2 x 1 - 20/70; + 4 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV (4 twin and 4 single at all)
7/1945, Ariadne: - 6 x 2 - 20/70; + 5 x 1 - 40/56 Bofors Mk III
7/1945, Apollo: - 7 x 2 - 20/70; + 6 x 1 - 40/56 Bofors Mk III
1.1946, Manxman: 3 x 2 - 102/45 Mk XIX, 1 x 4 - 40/39 VII, 4 x 2 - 20/70 Mk V, 4 x 1 - 20/70 Mk III, 100 - 156 mines, type 282, type 285, type 290 radars
1.1946, Apollo: 2 x 2 - 102/45 Mk XIX, 2 x 2 - 40/60 Mk IV Hazemeyer, 6 x 1 - 40/60 Mk III, 100 - 156 mines, type 272, type 282, type 285, type 291 radars
1.1946, Ariadne: 2 x 2 - 102/45 Mk XIX, 3 x 2 - 40/60 Mk IV Hazemeyer, 5 x 1 - 40/60 Mk III, 100 - 156 mines, type 272, type 282, type 285, type 291 radars
1955, Manxman: - 1 x 2 - 102/45
Naval service: Abdiel class minelayers have become famous in days of war on Mediterranean, and not so much by minefields, how by supply delivery to the besieged Tobruk and Malta: sometimes, except them submarines could break only. Here the invaluable advantage highest speed of the ships and their covered mine deck was brought, on the deck it was possible to transport several hundreds tons of cargo.
All losses have fallen to Mediterranean: Latona 25.10.1941 has received hit of one bomb from German Ju 87 bomber off Libyan coast, the fire called by it has led to explosion of carried ammunition and the ship was sunk. Welshman was sunk by a torpedo from German submarine U617 1.2.1943 off Libyan coast. Abdiel was lost 10.9.1943 off Taranto, having stricken by a mine. Manxman was damaged by a torpedo in 1941 and has failed more than for 2 years.
Manxman was converted to depot ship for 16 coastal minesweepers. Half of boilers was removed. Armament consisted of 1 twin and 4 single 40/60-mm Bofors guns. She served as TS from 1968.
Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.
Latona 1941
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-15