Auk_class_minesweeper

Auk class minesweeper

The Auk class were Allied minesweepers serving with the United States Navy and the British Royal Navy during the Second World War. In total, there were 95 Auks built.

The Auk class displaced 890 tons on average, and had an approximate length of 220-225 feet. They could reach a maximum speed of about 18.1 knots. Auks were equipped with a single 3 inch gun, two 40mm Bofors, and eight 20mm Oerlikons.

Thirty-two minesweepers were ordered by the US (as BAM-1 to -32), intending them to be supplied to the Royal Navy under Lend-lease; 12 were retained for USN use and given names and "AM" hull classification prefix. Those transferred were given "J" pennant number prefixs and formed the Catherine class

Eleven minesweepers of the Auk class were lost in World War II, only one to enemy action — (USS Skill), torpedoed by U-593.

List of Auk class minesweepers

Royal Navy

To Turkey, March 1947. Renamed Erdemli. Stricken 1963.
Sunk 6 July 1944.
Damaged by mine, 21 July 1944.
To Turkey, March 1947. Renamed Edremit. Stricken 1973.
Returned to US, 1946. Sold to Greece 1947.
Returned to US, 1947. Scrapped 1947.
To Turkey, March 1947. Renamed Cesme. Stricken 1974.
Returned to US, 1946.
Returned to US, 1946. Sold to Greece.
Returned to US, 1946.
To Turkey, March 1947. Renamed Candarli. Became survey ship in 60s. Stricken 1986.
Returned to US, 1946.
Returned to US, 1946. Sold to Greece.
To Turkey March 1947. Renamed Edincik. Stricken 1974.
Returned to US, 1946.
Sunk 6 July 1944.
To Turkey March 1947. Renamed Ereğli. Stricken 1973
Sunk 8 July 1944
Returned to United States in 1946. Sold to Greece.
Returned to United States 1946, but laid up until 1956 in the UK. Broken up in Germany, 1956.
To Turkey, March 1947. Renamed Carsamba. Stricken 1985.
To Turkey, March 1947. Renamed Cardak. Stricken 1974.