Very Special Ships : Abdiel Class Fast Minelayers of World War Two

Very Special Ships is the first full-length book about the Abdiel -class fast minelayers, which were considered the fastest and most versatile to serve in the Royal Navy during World War II. This book spans the scope of the class from alpha to zulu as they operated in many roles, most famously as blockade runners to Malta, transporting items as diverse as ammunition, condensed milk, gold, and VIPs. To provide a complete picture of this important class of ships, Very Special Ships examines the origin and history of the minelayers, describes the design and construction of each ship in the class, details the operational history of the ships during World War II, and concludes with the post-war careers of the surviving ships. Very Special Ships is the first full-length book about the six Abdiel-class fast minelayers, the fastest and most versatile ships to serve in the Royal Navy in the Second World War. They operated not only as offensive minelayers - dashing into enemy waters under cover of darkness - but in many other roles, most famously as blockade runners to Malta. In lieu of mines, they transported items as diverse as ammunition, condensed milk, gold, and VIPs. Distinguished by their three funnels, the Abdiels were attractive, well-designed ships, and they were also unique - no other navy had such ships, and so they were sought-after commands and blessed with fine captains. To give the fullest picture of this important class of ships, the book details the origins and history of mines, minelayers, and minelaying; covers the origins and design of the class; describes the construction of each of the six ships, and the modified design of the last two; tells in detail of the operational careers of the ships in the second World War, when they played vital roles in the battle of Crete and the siege of Malta, plied the hazardous route to Tobruk, and laid mines off the Italian coast. The post-war careers of the surviving ships is also documented.Written to appeal to naval enthusiasts, students of World War II and modelmakers, the author tells the story of these ships through first-hand accounts, official sources, and specially- commissioned drawings and photographs. n588 Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources Very Special Ships is the first full-length book about the six Abdiel-class fast minelayers, the fastest and most versatile ships to serve in the Royal Navy in the Second World War. They operated not only as offensive minelayers – dashing into enemy waters under cover of darkness – but in many other roles, most famously as blockade runners to Malta. In lieu of mines, they transported items as diverse as ammunition, condensed milk, gold, and VIPs. Distinguished by their three funnels, the Abdiels were attractive, well-designed ships, and they were also unique – no other navy had such ships, and so they were sought-after commands and blessed with fine captains. To give the fullest picture of this important class of ships, the book details the origins and history of mines, minelayers, and minelaying; covers the origins and design of the class; describes the construction of each of the six ships, and the modified design of the last two; tells in detail of the operational careers of the ships in the second World War, when they played vital roles in the battle of Crete and the siege of Malta, plied the hazardous route to Tobruk, and laid mines off the Italian coast. The post-war careers of the surviving ships is also documented. Written to appeal to naval enthusiasts, students of World War II and modelmakers, the author tells the story of these ships through first-hand accounts, official sources, and specially- commissioned drawings and photographs. Title Page Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgements Preface Introduction Chapter 1: Mines, Minelaying and Minelayers: Origins to the Eve of the Second World War Chapter 2: Getting It Just Right – Designing the Abdiel Class Chapter 3: The Royal Navy Readies for Mine Warfare in the Second World War Chapter 4: The Abdiel Completes and Proves Her Worth: Home Waters and the Mediterranean, 1941 Chapter 5: The Latona Takes to the Water and Sails around the Cape, 1941 Chapter 6: Pawns of Coalition War – The Abdiel and Latona on the Tobruk Run, 1941 Chapter 7: The Manxman Enters the Fray: Malta Runs and a Disguise, 1941 Chapter 8: The Welshman Joins the Manxman: Laying Mines for the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, 1941–1942 Chapter 9: The Abdiel and then the Manxman to the Indian Ocean, 1941–1942 Chapter 10: The Welshman and the Manxman to Malta’s Rescue, 1942 Chapter 11: The Manxman, Welshman and Abdiel Wreak Havoc in the Mediterranean, 1942–1943 Chapter 12: Hard Times for Fast Minelayers in the Mediterranean, 1942–1943 Chapter 13: The Repeat Abdiels Take Shape, 1941–1943 Chapter 14: The Ariadne Completes and Shows the Flag in the Pacific, 1943–1945 Chapter 15: The Apollo Rounds Out the Six and Becomes a Yeoman Minelayer, 1944–1945 Chapter 16: War’s End Chapter 17: Peacetime Chapter 18: Epilogue and Honours Appendix: Plans, Camouflage and Models Notes Sources Colour plate section between pages 79 and 80 Mines, Minelaying And Minelayers: Origins To The Eve Of The Second World War -- Getting It Just Right: Desigining The Abdiel Class -- The Royal Navy Readies For Mine Warfare In The Second World War -- The Abdiel Completes And Proves Her Worth: Home Waters And The Mediterranean, 1941 -- The Latona Takes To The Water And Sails Around The Cape, 1941 -- Pawns Of Coalition War: The Abdiel And Latona On The Tobruk Run, 1941 -- The Manxman Enters The Fray: Malta Runs And A Disguise, 1941 -- The Welshman Joins The Manxman: Laying Mines For The Scharnhorst And Genisenau, 1941-1942 -- The Abdiel And Then The Manxman To The Indian Ocean, 1941-1942 -- The Welshman And The Manxman To Malta's Rescue, 1942 -- The Manxman, Welshman And Abdiel Wreak Havoc In The Mediterranean, 1942-1943 -- The Repeat Abdiels Take Shap, 1941-1943 --the Ariadne Completes And Shows The Flag In The Pacific, 1943-1945 -- The Apollo Rounds Out The Six And Becomes A Yeoman Minelayer, 1944-1945 -- War's End -- Peacetime -- Epilogue And Honours. Arthur Nicholson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.