Hunt Class MCMVs

Named after the famous Hunt Class Destroyers of the Second World War, the Hunt Class Mine Countermeasure Vessels (MCMVs) combine the roles of minehunting and minesweeping. Two units, Brecon and Ledbury, proved themselves in the 1982 Falklands Conflict whilst several of the class were also involved in mine countermeasures operations during and after the Gulf War (1991). Their secondary role as Patrol Ships have seen them operate in the Fishery Protection and Northern Ireland Squadrons.

The Hunt Class was envisaged as a sophisticated minesweeper designed principally to work in coastal and shallow water areas, such as the approaches to the River Clyde, where many of Britain's nuclear submarines are based. They replaced the long serving Ton Class, although in much smaller numbers, due to the expense (they cost £35 million each) and complexity of their design. It was therefore thought that they could possibly serve as flotilla leaders for groups of older minesweepers. Their design owed much to H.M.S Wilton, the worlds first 'plastic' warship as they were built of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) giving them the advantage of having a reduced magnetic signature whilst being strong enough to withstand shock from explosions. They were also designed with noise reduction features to avoid accidentally triggering mines. Although they have been criticised for being costly and for performing poorly in rough weather, when they entered service they were the most advanced mine warfare vessels on the naval scene and the world's largest Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) warships. The first vessel, Brecon, was ordered in April 1975 from the lead yard, Vosper Thornycroft, and entered service in 1980. Ten more units were built by Vosper Thornycroft and another two by Yarrow Shipbuilders on the Clyde.

Each Hunt Class ship has a displacement of 685 tons and is 57 metres long, with a breadth of 10 metres and a draught of 3 metres. They have a complement of 42 and for their secondary role as patrol ships they are armed with a 30 mm close range gun, positioned forward of the bridge. They are powered by two Deltic 9-59k diesel engines which give a speed of 15 knots while hydraulic bow thrusters allow for more careful maneuvering. The Hunt Class combine the role of minehunter and minesweeper and there are three ways they can neutralise mines: (1) towing wire sweeps in order to severe moored mines, so they rise to the surface and can then be destroyed by gunfire (2) using acoustic or influence sweeps to trigger mines on the seabed (3) identifying mines on the sonar and then using clearance divers to place charges on them. The Hunt Class also carry the Remote Control Mine Disposal System (RCMDS). This is a small, unmanned, remote control yellow submarine that can destroy underwater mines using explosives.

Hunt Class vessels were deployed to the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq war, to ensure allied shipping lanes remained clear of mines. The Hunt Class also played a major role in the 1991 Persian Gulf war. The mining of the United States Iwo Jima Class LPH U.S.S Tripoli and the Ticonderoga Class AGEIS Cruiser U.S.S Princeton, both on February 18th 1991, had highlighted the need for mine countermeasure support, as with an allied fleet that included eight American aircraft carriers the risk was too great. Not only was there a threat from recent mines laid by Iraq, but also mines left over from the Iran-Iraq war. Eight Royal Navy minesweepers were deployed to the Gulf and together with allied navies they disposed of over 1000 mines. Atherstone, Hurworth, Ledbury, Cattistock and Dulverton sailed with US Battleships Missouri and Wisconsin and LPH Tripoli as mine countermeasure escorts and soon after the cease-fire Cattistock was the first RN ship to enter Kuwait, sweeping the way for U.S Command Ship LaSalle. Brocklesby, Brecon and Bicester arrived after the war ended, but still had the important task of sweeping unfound mines. Bicester, a veteran of the Falklands Campaign, swept enough to gain the distinction of clearing more mines than any minesweeper since the Second World War. In total five Hunt Class vessels were awarded the battlehonour "Kuwait 1991: Atherstone, Cattistock, Dulverton, Hurworth, Ledbury.

Soon after the Labour Government swept to power the new Secretary of State for Defence, George Robertson, announced a wide ranging review of Britain's armed forces. One of the conclusions of this Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was a reduction in the minewarfare force from 25 vessels to 22. Rather than cancel existing orders for Sandown Class vessels, it was decided to decommission three older units instead. In due course it was announced that Berkley and Bicester would be transferred to Greece through Vosper Thornycroft, in order to help secure a contract between the Hellenic navy and the Southampton based shipbuilder.

In 1998 three Hunt Class vessels were assigned to the Northern Ireland Squadron to replace the River Class. Cottesmore, Brecon and Dulverton patrol the province's waterways and participate in counter terrorist operations in support of British Forces and the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). Before undertaking this role they underwent a brief conversion including the installation of davits, so they could carry two Pacific and one Arctic RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boats) and for security reasons their pennant numbers were painted out. Although their sweep gear was removed it can be reiftted if required.

Plans to upgrade the class with a Type 2193 hull mounted minehunting sonar have been delayed from 2001 to 2003.

Class Details:

Above: H.M.S Atherstone in heavy seas. (© Crown Copyright)

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© Written and researched by Jeremy Olver. Last updated 29th October 2000. Disclaimer.