NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Latona 1941

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate	Modification
Abdiel	M39	1881	White, Cowes	29.3.1939	23.4.1940	15.4.1941	sunk 10.9.1943	1st group
Latona	M76	1198	Thornycroft, Woolston	4.4.1939	20.8.1940	4.5.1941	sunk 25.10.1941	1st group
Manxman	M70, 1948- N70	568	A. Stephens, Linthouse	24.3.1939	5.9.1940	20.6.1941	minesweeper depot ship 1962	1st group
Welshman	M84	623	Hawthorn Leslie, Hebburn	8.6.1939	4.9.1940	25.8.1941	sunk 1.2.1943	1st group
Apollo	M01, 1948- N01	654	Hawthorn Leslie, Hebburn	10.10.1941	5.4.1943	12.2.1944	stricken 4.1961	2nd group
Ariadne	M65, 1948- N65	591	A. Stephens, Linthouse	15.11.1941	16.2.1943	9.10.1943	sold for BU 1963	2nd group

Technical data

Max speed, kts, kn	39.75
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
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
Electronic equipment	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

Standard scale images

Graphics

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 "Е" 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.