HMT Bracklyn

Bracklyn was a British steam fishing trawler. Completed in 1914, it was almost immediately requisitioned as a minesweeper by the Royal Navy to take part in the First World War. It ran aground at Great Yarmouth in 1916, but was towed off and re-floated by a tug. In May 1917, the ship was mined by a U-boat and sank, killing the crew.

History
NameBracklyn
OwnerThe Brooklyn Fishing Company Ltd., Fleetwood
Port of registryFleetwood, England
BuilderJ. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co., Aberdeen
Yard number401[1]
Launched22 April 1914
CompletedMay 1914
In service1914
IdentificationFD2[1]
FateRequisitioned by Royal Navy as a minesweeper, December 1914
History
 Royal Navy
NameHMT Bracklyn
OperatorRoyal Navy
AcquiredDecember 1914
In service1914–1917
IdentificationNo.1978[1]
FateSunk by mine off Great Yarmouth, 11 May 1917
General characteristics [1][2]
Tonnage
Length125.8 ft (38.3 m)
Beam23.4 ft (7.1 m)
Height13.2 ft (4.0 m)
PropulsionT.3-cylinder by J. Abernethy and Co., Aberdeen
Crew10 (1917)

Construction and design

Bracklyn (Official Number 13688), a steel fishing trawler, was constructed in Aberdeen by J. Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co. for The Brooklyn Fishing Company Ltd., Fleetwood.[1][3] The trawler measured 303 gross register tons (GRT) and 122 net register tons (NRT) and featured a length of 125.8 ft (38.3 m), a beam of 23.4 ft (7.1 m), and a height of 13.2 ft (4.0 m).[1] Bracklyn was launched on 22 April 1914 and was completed a month later in May, being registered by her owners in Fleetwood on 28 May 1914.[1]

History

First World War service

In December 1914, seven months after her registration, Bracklyn was requisitioned by the Royal Navy for service in the First World War, becoming a minesweeper.[1] On 28 March 1916, the warship and four other civilian ships ran aground on Corton Beach, Great Yarmouth during a period of bad weather.[1] When the weather cleared, Bracklyn was towed off the beach by the tug Lowestoft, assisted by the lifeboat Kentwell.[1] The following year, on 11 May 1917, Bracklyn sank at 52.7°N 2.166667°E / 52.7; 2.166667 after striking a mine laid by SM UC-1 three days earlier.[1][2][4] The entire crew of ten were killed in action.[1]

References
  1. "S.T. Bracklyn FD2". The Bosun's Watch. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  2. "Bracklyn". uboat.net. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  3. "Aberdeen Ships | Bracklyn". Aberdeen Built Ships. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  4. "Bracklyn (1136888)". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
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