The 105ft wooden motor minesweeper J.315 proceeds down the river Colne after completion, flying the white ensign and commissioned to serve in sweeping magnetic, acoustic and othe types of mine. These plain looking little ships, in large numbers and manned by "Hostilities Only" crews performed difficult and dangerous work in keeping channels open for warships and merchant vessels, mainly but not exclusively around Britain. Their work continued for a couple of years after the cessation of hostilities in the clearance of the many minefields around the British and European coasts. [JL]
Plate.49 in SWW.