The Mersey class was a class of Admiralty naval trawlers built for the Royal Navy (or other government institutions) prior to the First World War. Admiralty meant they were built for military service as opposed to conversions of existing boats. The majority of the vessels were built to a standard design but a few included in the class were built differently.
Some were completed as fishing vessels rather than for military service. Many went on to be used in various roles during World War II.
Design The Mersey-class trawlers were purpose-built to a standard Admiralty design intended for patrol, anti-submarine and minesweeping roles. HMT John Quilliam, delivered in June 1917, was the first of the standard completions.
Propulsion was a three-cylinder triple expansion steam engine, powered from a single boiler, and delivering nominal 87 horsepower (600 indicated horsepower)
The smallest of the non-standard ships measured in length with a beam.
Armament 1x QF 12-pounder 12 cwt naval gun: John Edmund, John Highland, John Jacobs, John Johnson, John Pasco, John Quilliam, John Welstead, John Yule, Richard Bulkeley, Richard Colliver, Robert Double, Robert Drummond, Samuel Jameson, Thomas Jarvis, Thomas Johns, Thomas Whipple, William Doak, William Honnor, William Inwood, William Jackson, William Johnson, William Ram 1 × QF 12-pdr 12 cwt gun and mechanical minesweeping gear: Cornelius Buckley, William Abrahams, Andrew King, George Andrew, Henry Cramwell, Henry Ford, Isaac Chant, James Buchanan, Lewis Roatley, Michael Clements, Robert Barton, Robert Bookless, Thomas Atkinson, Thomas Bailey, Thomas Thresher, William Jones, William Rivers 2 × QF 12-pdr 12 cwt gun and mechanical minesweeping gear: William Westenburgh 1x QF 4-inch gun, 1 × QF 12-pounder 12 cwt, 1x depth-charge thrower (also known as "bomb thrower"): Fraser Eaves 1 × QF 12-pdr 12 cwt gun, 1x depth-charge thrower: George Bligh, James Adams, John Ebbs, John Felton, John Jefferson, Lewes Reeves, Nicholas Dean, Samuel Dowden, Thomas Cornwall 1x QF 6-pounder Hotchkiss: Richard Jewell 1 × QF 4-inch gun: Thomas Jago
Ships of class Records for steam trawler "Lord Mersey" says she was built by Cochrane as a prototype for the Mersey class naval trawlers. She was launched 11 October 1916 (probably 1915), 137.8 foot long and 326 tons. She was completed in February, 1916 and requisitioned for minesweeping in April, 1916.
For the Mersey-class the HMT prefix meant "His Majesty’s Trawler" but HMT was also used for vessels taken into Sea Transport Service as transports ("Hired Military Transport", though often referred to as “His Majesty’s Troopship”) and His Majesty's Tug. +Standard MerseyNameAdmiralty numberLaunch dateShipbuilderNotesFate354922 May 1917 Cochrane 138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1x QF 12-pounder 12 cwt naval gun Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless.
Renamed Moy September 1920. Sold January 1946, renamed Coral Island 1947.HMT Alexander Macbeth424114 July 1919 CochraneCompleted as fishing vessel. Sold 1919, renamed John W. Johnson.HMT Andrew Jewer38444 December 1918 Cochrane138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × QF 12-per 12 cwt gun Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Gunnery tender. Renamed Nith September 1920, Excellent June 1922. Sold 1946, renamed Malvern.HMT Andrew King354519 April 1917 Cochrane 138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × 12-pdr. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Hydrophone vessel, then minesweeper. Renamed Ouse September 1920.Mined 20 February 1941 off Tobruk.HMT Benjamin Hawkins38587 February 1920Goole SBCompleted as fishing vessel. Sold 17 October 1919. Delivered February 1920, named Frobisher. Purchased June 1933 as boom defence vessel, renamed Fastnet.HMT Charles Adair35517 June 1917 CochraneArmament: 1 × QF 12-per 12 cwt gun. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Hydrophone vessel. Sold 1923, renamed Sleaford 1924. Served as French Saint Benoit in WWIIHMT Charles Hammond383026 February 1918 Cochrane 138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × QF 12-per 12 cwt gun. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless.Sunk 2 November 1918 in collision with destroyer HMS Marksman off Kirkcaldy.HMT Christopher Dixon35634 September 1917 CochraneTo Irish Government 1922, same name. Served as Lord Gainford in WWII.HMT Daniel Fearall35712 November 1917 Cochrane 138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × QF 12-per 12 cwt gun, 1x Depth-charge thrower and mechanical minesweeping gear: Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Training ship. Renamed Stour September 1920, Pembroke September 1922, Stour 1939. Sold July 1946, renamed Storesse 1947.HMT Daniel Mcpherson424216 August 1919 CochraneCompleted as fishing vessel Sold 1919, renamed Lord Halifax.HMT Daniel Munro423920 June 1919 CochraneSold 1919, renamed Estrella do Norte and served as such in WWII.HMT Degara Lerosa42376 June 1919CochraneSold 1919, renamed James Johnson. Served as Greek Axios in WWII.HMT Edward Druce373630 July 1918Goole SB 138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × QF 12-per 12 cwt gun Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Hydrophone vessel. Sold 1920, renamed Girard and served as such in WWII.HMT Edward Mcguire 4251 17 May 1919 CochraneCompleted as fishing vessel. Sold 1920, renamed Cape St. Vincent. Served as Korowa (RAN) in WWII.HMT Edward Williams 35478 May 1917 Cochrane 138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × QF 12-pdr 12 cwt gun, 1x Depth-charge thrower and mechanical minesweeping gear: Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Minesweeper. Sold 1922, renamed Cape Trafalgar 1923 and served as such in WWII.HMT Fraser Eaves 35672 October 1917 Cochrane138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: × 4 in, 1 × 12-pdr AA, 1 × 7.5 in BT. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Renamed Doon September 1920. Sold 1946, renamed Donesse.HMT George Andrew 355623 Jul 1917 Cochrane138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × 12-pdr AA. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Minesweeper. Sold 1921, renamed Lord Astor. Served as Cranefly in WWII.HMT George Bligh 354224 February 1917 Cochrane138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × 12-pdr, 1 × 7.5 in BT. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Sold 1921, same name. Became fisheries research vessel. Served in WWII.HMT George Brown 354810 May 1917 Cochrane138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × QF 12-per 12 cwt gun. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Renamed William Dogherty December 1919. Sold 1922, renamed Rosedale Wyke.HMT George Fenwick 356810 January 1918 CochraneSold 1923, renamed Cape Otway. Served as Greek Strymon in WWIIHMT George Westphall 35757 February 1918 Cochrane138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × QF 12-per 12 cwt gun. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Sold 1921, renamed Estelle Yvonne. Lost 1923.HMT Henry Cramwell 370524 December 1918 Lobnitz 138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × 12-pdr. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. MinesweeperSold 1922 to Spain, renamed Xauen.HMT Henry Ford 356918 October 1917 Cochrane 138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × 12-pdr. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Minesweeper. Renamed Boadicea II February 1919, Henry Ford February 1920. Sold 1921, renamed Duperre and served as such for France in WWII.HMT Henry Lancaster 42318 Apr 1919 Cochrane138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: usually 1 × 12-pdr & BT. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Marker buoy vesselSold August 1921, same name. Served as Longtow in WWII.HMT Henry Marsh 425331 May 1919 CochraneCompleted as fishing vessel. Sold 1920, renamed Springbok.HMT Isaac Chant 37041 October 1918 Lobnitz138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × 12-pdr. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Minesweeper. Renamed Colne September 1920. Sold 1949.HMT James Adams 35557 July 1917 Cochrane138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × 12-pdr AA, 1 × 7.5 in BT. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Sold 1920 renamed Pilote 5 and served as such for Belgium in WWII.HMT James Buchanan 356518 September 1917 CochraneArmament: 1 × 12-pdr AA. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Hydrophone vessel, then minesweeper.Sold 1922, renamed Stoneferry. Served as Force in WWII.HMT James Caton 370326 August 1918 LobnitzArmament: 1 × 12-pdr AA. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Minesweeper.Sold 1921, renamed Emilie Pierre. Served as French St. Pierre d'Alcantara in WWIIHMT James Hayes 385927 June 1919Goole SB 138 × 23 × 13 ft. Completed as fishing vessel. Sold 1919, renamed Viscount Grey. Stranded 11 February 1920, total loss.HMT James Hulbert 37999 Sep 1919 LobnitzSold 1919, renamed M. J. Reid. Served as Jean Frederic in WWII.HMT James Jones 38429 Nov 1918 Cochrane138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × QF 12-per 12 cwt gun:. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Renamed Cherwell September 1920. Sold 1948 with same name.HMT James Ludford 42321 May 1919 Cochrane138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: usually 1 × 12-pdr & BT. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Served as marker buoy vesselMined 14 December 1939 off the Tyne.HMT James Mansell 423826 June 1919 CochraneCompleted as fishing vessel.Sold 1919, renamed Snorri Sturluson, James Mansell 1922.HMT James Mcdonald 42449 September 1919 CochraneSold 1919, renamed Grand Fleet. Served as Barbara Robertson in WWII.HMT James Mclaughlin 42501 May 1919CochraneSold 1919, renamed General Birdwood and served as such in WWII.HMT James Wright 357615 February 1918 Cochrane138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × QF 12-per 12 cwt gun:. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Sold 1921, renamed Lord Ancaster. Served as Loch Moidart in WWII.HMT James Young 42358 May 1919 CochraneCompleted as fishing vessel. Sold 1919, same name.HMT Jeremiah Lewis 423425 February 1918 Cochrane138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: usually 1 × 12-pdr & BT. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Sold 1920, renamed Field Marshal Robertson.HMT John Cormack35624 September 1917Cochrane138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × QF 12-per 12 cwt gun:. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Sold 1922, renamed Lord Pirrie. Served as Chiltern in WWII.HMT John Cottrell44631 November 1919Goole SBCompleted as fishing vessel. Sold 1919, renamed St. Endellion. Served as Blighty in WWII.HMT John Dunn374127 February 1918Ferguson138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × QF 12-per 12 cwt gun:. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Hydrophone vessel. Sold 1923, same name. Served as Florence Brierley in WWII.HMT John Dutton373917 January 1918Ferguson138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × QF 12-per 12 cwt gun:. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless.Sold 1921, later renamed Karlsefni.HMT John Ebbs35662 October 1917Cochrane138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × 12-pdr, 1 × 3.5 in BT. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Hydrophone vessel. Sold 1920, renamed Pilote 4. Served as Belgian ship A4 in WWII.HMT John Edmund373822 October 1918Goole SB 138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × 12-pdr. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Renamed Foyle 9.1920. Loaned September 1921 to June 1934 to South African Navy as Sonneblom. Sold 1946, renamed Cramond Island.HMT John Felton35701 Nov 1917Cochrane138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × 12-pdr AA, 1-6in BT. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Sold 1920, same name.HMT John Highland379723 September 1918Ferguson138 × x 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × 12-pdr. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Sold 1920, renamed Ocean Ensign.HMT John Jacobs383315 April 1918CochraneSold 1922, renamed Castlenau and served as such in WWII.HMT John Jefferson383423 April 1918CochraneHydrophone vessel. Sold 1920, renamed St. Amant. Served as Lady Enid in WWII.HMT John Johnson383219 April 1918Cochrane138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × 12-pdr. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Sold 1922, renamed Cloughton Wyke and served as such in WWII.HMT John Mann42456 September 1919CochraneCompleted as fishing vessel. Sold 1920, renamed Earl Haig. Purchased 1933, renamed Barnet. Sold 1947. In 1950 employed by salvors of off Penzance.HMT John Pasco354419 April 1917Cochrane138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × 12-pdr. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless. Escort. Sold 1922, renamed Arin Bjorn Hersir.HMT John Quilliam354112 February 1917Cochrane138 × 23 × 13 ft. Armament: 1 × 12-pdr. Crew: 15, up to 18 with wireless.