HMS Halsham (M2633)

HMS Halsham was one of 93 ships of the Ham class of inshore minesweepers of the Royal Navy. Their names were all chosen from villages ending in -ham. The minesweeper was named after Halsham in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

History
United Kingdom
Name	HMS Halsham
Namesake	Halsham
Builder	Jones Slip
Launched	22 September 1953
Completed	9 July 1954
Fate	Sold 1981
General characteristics
Class and type	Ham-class minesweeper
Displacement	120 long tons (122 t) standard 164 long tons (167 t) full load
Length	100 ft (30 m) p/p 106 ft 6 in (32.46 m) o/a
Beam	21 ft 4 in (6.50 m)
Draught	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Propulsion	2 shaft Paxman 12YHAXM diesels 1,100 bhp (820 kW)
Speed	14 knots (16 mph; 26 km/h)
Complement	2 officers, 13 ratings
Armament	1 × Bofors 40 mm L/60 gun or Oerlikon 20 mm cannon
Notes	Pennant number(s): M2633 / IMS35

She was transferred from the Royal Navy to Royal Air Force duties in 1966 and renamed No.5002 (later No.5012) and converted to a research and trials vessel for Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough. By 1972, she was the only remaining RAF-operated marine asset, and to provide continued efficient management she was transferred to the Royal Corps of Transport's civilian fleet and renamed Richard George Masters.[1] Private Masters was the sole recipient of the Victoria Cross in the Royal Army Service Corps during the First World War.[2]