Cybele-class mine destructor vessel
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Cybele-class mine destructor vessel |
| Builders | |
| Operators |  Royal Navy |
| Built | 1943-1944 |
| In service | 1944-1946 |
| Completed | 2 |
| Lost | 1 |
| Scrapped | 1 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 3,980 tonnes[1] |
| Length | 350 ft (110 m) |
| Beam | 60 ft (18 m) |
| Propulsion | None |
| Crew | 0 |
TheCybeleclasswas a class oftrimaranships, constructed by theRoyal NavyduringWorld War IIfor the purpose of clearingminefields.Referred to as Mine Destructor Vessels, two ships of the class,HMSCybeleandHMSCyruswere built in 1944; one was lost followingD-Day,while the other survived the war only to be scrapped shortly thereafter.
Design and development[edit]
Officially designated as mine destructor vessels,[2]theCybeleclass was a largetrimaranvessel,[3]constructed using asteellattice trussframework.[4]They were intended to be towed through minefields that usedpressure mines,creating apressure wavethat would detonate the mines; the open lattice construction of the ships would, according to the design, allow the blast to pass through the vessel without causing damage to it.[4]
The ships were constructed under conditions of the utmost secrecy;[5]they were originally referred to as 'Sterling craft',[4]then later designated as being part of theAlgerineclassof fleet minesweepers;[6]their design was stillclassifiedas late as the late 1960s.[7]
Operational history[edit]
Two ships of the class were ordered by the Admiralty, in September 1943. HMSCybelewas constructed byWilliam Denny and Brotherson theRiver Clyde,while HMSCyruswas built at theSwan Huntershipyards inWallsend.[1]Both ships were launched in January 1944; transferred toScott Lithgow,located on the lower Clyde, for completion andfitting out,the two vessels were commissioned in May of that year.[1]
Both ships of the class saw use duringOperation Overlord,theD-Dayinvasion of northern France; although the two vessels proved successful in operational service, when damaged they were difficult to control, being "as difficult to handle as a battleship".[8]Cyruswas wrecked in theSeine Estuaryin December 1944;[8] Cybelesurvived the war, being scrapped in October 1946.[2]
References[edit]
Citations[edit]
Bibliography[edit]
- Chesneau, Roger, ed. (1980).Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922-1946.London: Conway Maritime Press.ISBN0-85177-146-7.
- Colledge, J.J. (1969).Ships of the Royal Navy: A Historical Index, Volume one: Major Ships (excluding trawlers, drifters, tugs, etc.).Devon, England: David & Charles.ISBN978-0-7153-4353-1.
- Colledge, J.J.; Ben Warlow (2010).Ships of the Royal Navy: A Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy from the 15th Century to the Present.Newbury, England: Casemate.ISBN978-1-935149-07-1.
- Elliott, Peter (1979).Allied Minesweeping in World War 2.Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press.ISBN978-0-87021-904-7.
- Gardiner, Robert; D.K. Brown (2004).The Eclipse of the Big Gun: The Warship 1906-1945.Conway's History of the Ship. London: Conway Maritime Press.ISBN978-0-85177-953-9.
- Keegan, John(1977).Encyclopedia of World War II.New York: Gallery Books.ISBN978-1-902616-48-3.
- Preston, Antony(1976).An Illustrated History of the Navies of World War II.New York: Gallery Books.ASINB002DSNA0E.
- Preston, Antony (1987).History of the Royal Navy in the 20th century.New York: Presidio Press.ISBN978-0-86124-364-8.