I have recently found out my grandfather Edward Payne was on board HMS Clinton during WW2, I was hoping if anybody could shed any light into this ship.... e.g. any info on the ship where it sailed any battles it was in I have had a look on the net myself but have come up blank. I would also dearly love to get hold of a picture of the ship to show my father, so if anybody could help in that area it would much appretiated. I also have 2 pictures of him on board a ship which I have attched to the post. Is this HMS Clinton? It says on the back of the photo that they were taken in Greece. Thanks in advance...
Hello, Welcome to the Forum, HMS CLINTON Pennant number J286 built by Toronto Shipbuilding Ltd. (Toronto, Ontario, Canada). Laid down 7 April 1942, launched 5 October 1942 and commissioned 25 August 1943. Returned to United States Navy in January 1947. There is a photo of the ship here: HMS Clinton From the photos you post it looks like the same ship. HMS Clinton was engaged in minesweeping operations in the Mediterranean, particularly around the island of Malta (5th Minesweeper Flottila). Regards Hugh
I know this is now 13 years later but I have just come across this page.... My father, Frederick Lack was also on the HMS Clinton between 1943 and 1947 - he returned it to the Canadians after its work clearing mines in the med. He operated and maintained the radar and radio systems. Sadly he passed away in 2016 at the grand old age of 89! I wonder if he is also in the photos from your grandfather Paynie?
Hi HMS Clinton (J286) Algerine Class Fleet Minesweeper 1162 tons Captain: Lt. Kenneth Arthur Gadd, DSC, RNR - part of 5th Minesweeping Flotilla (5 MSF) Task during liberation of Greece (Op Manna -13-15 Oct 44) - Sweep Channel C then Pireaus Anchorage. Departed Malta. During the clearance operations, HMS Larne, flagship of 5 MSF (under the command of Commander Jenkins) hit a mine and HMS Clinton assumed command of 5 MSF and rescued Commander Jenkins. Late HMS Clinton also hits mine and is badly damaged. Eventually recovered to Poros by RFA Salvestor. Hope this helps Gus
A couple of links that may be of interest: AM-328 Search the Collections | Canadian War Museum Regards Hugh
Of course the Algerines Association was setup for those work sailed on these vessels. Algerine Class Fleet Minesweepers I am sure everyone here knows about this and my father was a member until his death.
Maybe he dealt with these messages Lewis – nothing startling but includes information about her initial work-up arrangements. Royal Canadian Navy : movements of the HMS ships : C-5889. This reel has 5740 images - I think about 20 relate to Clinton - start here and page left.
Thanks so much for these. I am not sure where he joined the vessel. I realise it started life as a Canadian built vessel on a lease lend contract to the UK. I kn ow he did return it to Canada at the end of its lease and commented on sailing in the Great Lakes.
I can provide a little more information about Clinton as my father Lieut. Commander (acting) W.G.Carson was her CO from 23rd December 1945.. At that time they were clearing mines remaining in the waters around Malta. Clinton was made 5th flotilla dan layer,which was not popular with the crew but they soon became good at it. On 22nd October 1946 the destroyers Sumarez and Volage were mined in the Corfu channel and Clinton was ordered to proceed to Corfu to tow Volage back to Malta. Having safely returned Volage to Grand Harbour Malta,Clinton was decommissioned. My Dad was sad about this and they sailed via Falmouth where they joined four other Algerines to make the last Atlantic crossing to Norfolk Virginia to hand the ships back to the Americans
Hi Julia, Thanks so much for your comments. It seems your father was also on board when my father was working in the radio room. Your details correlate well with what I learned from my father when he was alive. Of course time has passed the people who worked on these minesweepers are no longer with us. Kind regards, Lewis
