HMT Amethyst

HMT "Amethyst" was a naval trawler requisitioned by the Admiralty prior to the Second World War. She was sunk in the first years of the war.

"Amethyst" was built as the commercial trawler "Phyllis Rosalie" by Smith's Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees and was launched on 15 January 1934. [http://www.fleetwood-trawlers.connectfree.co.uk/phyllisrosalie.html History of "Phyllis Rosalie] ] Her first owners were the Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Co Ltd, based at Fleetwood. In 1935 she set a number of records for catches landed at Fleetwood, and was present at HM King George V's Silver Jubilee Spithead Review, representing the port of Fleetwood. She was sold later that year to the Admiralty, who had her converted into a anti-submarine warfare trawler with the addition of ASDIC and a 4 in gun. They classed her and a number of other trawlers as the Gem group, and the name "Amethyst" was selected.

She continued to serve during the Second World War, but on 24 November 1940, whilst under the command of T/Lt. the Hon. W.K. Rous, RNVR, she struck a mine in the Thames Estuary and sank. [ [http://www.royal-naval-reserve.co.uk/lost.htm Record of trawlers lost] ] There were no casualties, and the survivors were landed at Southend, where they were briefly arrested under the suspicion of being survivors from a sunken German craft.

ee also

*Commissioned Royal Navy warships named HMS|Amethyst

Notes

References

* [http://www.fleetwood-trawlers.connectfree.co.uk/phyllisrosalie.html History of the Phyllis Rosalie]
* [http://www.royal-naval-reserve.co.uk/lost.htm Record of trawlers lost, including HMT Amethyst]
* [http://www.teesbuiltships.co.uk/smiths/19301944/phyllisrosalie1934.htm Amethyst listed in ships launched from Smith's dock]