Show the Inshore Minesweepers historyHide the Inshore Minesweepers history

Two Minesweepers were built by Morgan Giles, HMS Tresham (M2736) in 1953 and HMS Polsham (M2792) ordered in 1955. Both of these were part of the third series of 'Ham' class minesweepers which were slightly larger than the second series, otherwise identical. All of the three series of 'Ham' boats were named after villages ending in -ham.

The eighty three 'Ham' class vessels were part of a NATO programme to counter the mines, which it was believed would be laid by the Soviet Union in western European coastal and inshore waters in the event of a war. The 'Ham' class vessels were considered to be excellent sea boats and very sturdy, but after a few years service many were re-roled as diving tenders, torpedo recovery and degaussing vessels.

HMS Tresham's keel was laid down on 10th July 1953, the 103rd vessel to be built by Morgan Giles for the Admiralty, and the largest built in Teignmouth up to that time. She was launched on 11th October 1954 by Lady Heathcote-Amory, sister of Mr D.G. Heathcote-Amory MP for Tiverton and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. The blessing was given by the Venerable W. Westall, Archdeacon of Exeter. The launch ceremony was attended by a crowd of some five hundred people. She was handed over to the Royal Navy on Monday 11th November 1955. At the handing over ceremony the senior officer accepting the vessel on behalf of the Royal Navy said: 'This is the finest and best turned out vessel of this class we have yet seen. She is the closest to the original plans and has been delivered absolutely on schedule'.

The second 'Ham' class minesweeper built by Morgan Giles, HMS Polsham was launched on 13th October 1958 by Lady Rayner, wife of Brig. Sir Ralph Rayner, High Sheriff of Devon. The Rev. L.A.E. Horsfield, vicar of Shaldon, performed the religious service. She was completed in 1960 and served in the Royal Navy for only a relatively short period, being sold to the Port of London Authority in 1967. She was converted for use as a survey vessel and renamed MAPLIN after a sandbank on the north shore of the Thames estuary.