HMT Elk

HMT Elk was a 181-ton former fishing trawler built in 1902.[2] She served in the Royal Navy in World War II, until sunk without loss of life having hit a mine off Plymouth in November 1940.

History
United Kingdom
NameHMT Elk
BuilderCook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley
Yard number329
Launched21 August 1902
Commissioned1914
Decommissioned1918
Recommissioned1939
FateSunk by mine, 27 November 1940
General characteristics [1]
TypeNaval trawler
Tonnage
Length33.1 m (109 ft)
Beam6.4 m (21 ft)
PropulsionTriple expansion steam engine, 62 hp (46 kW), single screw
Sail planKetch-rigged
Complement10
Armament1 × 6-pounder gun

Ship history

Elk was built by Cook, Welton & Gemmell at Beverley, Yorkshire, launched on 21 August 1902, and first operated from Grimsby. During World War I she was hired by the Admiralty and served as a minesweeper from 1914 until 1918. She was then operated commercially under various owners at Grimsby, Hakin and Plymouth. Elk was hired by the Admiralty in November 1939 to serve as a danlayer (laying buoys in channels cleared by minesweepers) and was armed with one 6-pounder gun. HMT Elk was sunk by a mine south-east of Penlee Point, Cornwall on 27 November 1940. There were no casualties.[1]

The Elk was re-discovered by divers in 1981 upright on a sandy bed at 50°17.800′N 4°10.600′W in 30 metres (98 ft) of water with a drop-off in excess of 40 metres (130 ft).

See also

References
  1. "HMT Elk". Shipwrecks and History In Plymouth Sound. 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  2. Suzanne Hall; McDonald, Kendall (1996). Dive South Devon (Diver Guides). Underwater World Publications. pp. 192–193. ISBN 0-946020-24-8.


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