The Minesweepers of the RAN - Introducing the ships
HMAS Snipe
HMAS Snipe (M-1102) was a Ton class
minesweeper built as HMS Alcaston for
the Royal Navy by John I. Thornycroft
and Company at Southampton and
launched on 4 September 1952. The ship
was purchased by the Royal Australian
Navy in 1961 and commissioned as HMAS
Snipe on 11 September 1962. HMAS
Snipe paid off on 3 June 1983.She was
sold in 1985 to be broken up.
HMAS Curlew
HMAS Curlew (M-1121) was a Ton
class minesweeper built by the
Montrose Shipyard in England and
commissioned as HMS Chediston. She
was purchased by the Royal Australian
Navy in 1961 and commissioned on 21
August 1962. HMAS Curlew paid off on
30 April 1990 and was sold on 17 June
1991. Now in private hands in
Tasmania.  Used during the filming of
"Paradise Road" (1997) and "The Thin
Red Line" (1998).
M1102 - HMAS Snipe
M1121 - HMAS Curlew
M1139 - HMAS Hawk
HMAS Hawk
HMAS Hawk (M-1139) was a Ton
class minesweeper built as HMS
Somerleyton for the Royal Navy by
Richards Ironworks at Lowestoft in
England, purchased by Australia in
1961 and commissioned into the
Royal Australian Navy on 18 July
1962. HMAS Hawk paid off on 7
January 1972.Sold in 1976 to be
broken up

For more photos of the Hawk and
her crew,
Click Here
HMAS Ibis
HMAS Ibis (M-1183) was a Ton class
minesweeper built as HMS Singleton for
the Royal Navy by the Montrose Shipyard
in Scotland, purchased by Australia in
1961 and commissioned into the Royal
Australian Navy on 7 September 1962.
HMAS Ibis paid off on 16 January
1968.Sold in 1985 to be broken up.

For more photos of the Ibis and her
crew
Click Here
M1183 - HMAS Ibis
HMAS Teal
HMAS Teal (M-1152) was a Ton class minesweeper built by Philip
and Son in England for the Royal Navy as HMS Jackton and
launched on 28 February 1955. The ship was purchased by the
Royal Australian Navy and commissioned as HMAS Teal on 30
August 1962. HMS Teal paid off on 14 August 1970. Sold in October
1977 to I.B. & G.I.Baker of Margate, Tasmania.  A press report in
February 1984 stated that  the ship had been bought at auction in
Sydney in December 1983 by Messrs Max Murray of Dover,
Tasmania, and John Buckpitt and Michael O'May, both of
Huon, Tasmania.  It was reported that she was to be converted
from a prawn
trawler to an abalone catch and fish process vessel.  She is now
believed  to be in service in Queensland waters with a tourist
operator, and as far as  we  know she is still somewhere in
Queensland.

For more photos of the Teal and her crew, Click Here
HMAS Gull
HMAS Gull (M-1185) was a Ton class
minesweeper built by J. S. Doig
Limited at Grimsby in England as HMS
Swanston for the Royal Navy,
purchased by Australia in 1961 and
commissioned into the Royal
Australian Navy on 19 July 1962.
HMAS Gull paid off on 7 November
1969.Sold in June 1976 to and broken
up in 1987.

For more photos of the Gull and her
crew,
Click Here
M1152 - HMAS Teal
M1185 - HMAS Gull
                          anchor colour to base colour here
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ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY
16th MINESWEEPING SQUADRON
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RAN 16th Minesweeping  Squadron Association.
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