WWII British Paddler Minesweeper

[tiger.tim]

Several years ago at a model boat show, I saw a paddle minesweeper. It was an interesting model and I was determined that I made something similar myself. I spent quite a while talking to the creator and made a lot of notes unfortunately I promptly lost them along with several other items on the train coming home. I think the show was the Model engineering at London and was probably about 15 to 20 years ago (pre Alexandra Palace) as I didn't have a digital camera then. The boat was a coastal paddle steamer that had been converted to use as a minesweeper during WWII. The boat was full of detail and seemed to bristle with armaments etc. I have the name Dave Watson ( could be totally wrong, most probably am) in my mind but that is as far as it goes. If anyone knows the boat or can provide details of anything similar I would be most grateful if they could let me know. Any suggestions as to where I could get plans from or any references to pictures would be wonderful as I would love to build something similar. Many thanks Tim

[R.G.Y.]

 A DANGEROUS OCCUPATION. & ON ADMIRALTY SERVICE.  Two good books on Paddlers at war. One on each world war.
Both by CHRIS COLLARD.  Sorry I have always drawn me own plans so I can't help with this . Apart from looking in the download section on this site. If there is nothing there. Search in google for X LIST PLANS you will fined The Duchess of Fife which will give you the lines for a suitable hull. Geoff

[tiger.tim]

Many thanks for a prompt reply Geoff.  The reason I posted the question was that the builder was very specific about the boat he had built and I was working on the assumption that some plans existed for this boat. I could kick myself now as at the time I had all the details from him but left them with some models that I had bought on the train coming home. Iy seems that using the books you suggest I need to make a boat based on photos and research (and imagination) rather than from detailed plans. Once again many thanks Tim

[mjt60a]

I suppose you could obtain plans for a paddler that was converted to a minesweeper/anti-aircraft ship for wartime then look at photos showing the adaptations, colour sceme etc. such as 'emperor of india' (picture on ebay - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/COSENS-Paddle-Steamer-Emperor-of-India-War-time-/190795791165?pt=UK_Collectables_Nautical&hash=item2c6c50bb3d - but there must be some in the books mentioned) article/plan in downloads - model boats april 1966, i believe... (don't think it shows hull lines though so maybe not the best example**...)
orrrr....  make one of the 'ascot' type ships?... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Atherstone_(1916)

*edit - for some reason the link brings up a page saying 'did you mean etc... ' and a link to the correct page - which has exactly the same web address! so I don't know what's going on there 
**a better example might be HMS goatfell - ps Caledonia, There are definately plans for it, as I have some - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HMS_Goatfell_WWII_IWM_FL_13495.jpg

[tiger.tim]

Many thanks for the reply Mick. I'll followyour advice though colour schemes for wartime are a bit difficult to work out when camouflaged. I think I'll have to make a generic wartime paddler.

[greateastern]

these are the ps that were requisitioned from 1939 on. There are drawings for many of these paddlers and pictures as well. some drawings on this site in the downloads area. have a look.
HMS Ambassador
HMS Brighton Belle
HMS Brighton Queen
HMS City Of Rochester
HMS Devonia
HMS Duchess Of Fife
HMS Duchess Of Rothesay
HMS Emperor Of India
HMS Essex Queen
HMS Glen Avon
HMS Glen More
HMS Glen Usk
HMS Goatfell
HMS Gracie Fields
HMS Helvellyn
HMS Jeannie Deans
HMS Kylemore
HMS Laguna Belle
HMS Lorna Doone
HMS Marmion
HMS Medway Queen
HMS Mercury
HMS Oriole
HMS Plinlimmon
HMS Princess Elizabeth
HMS Queen Empress
HMS Queen Of Kent
HMS Queen Of Thanet
HMS Ravenswood
HMS Ryde
HMS Sandown
HMS Scawfell
HMS Skiddaw
HMS Snaefell
HMS Southsea
HMS Thames Queen
HMS Waverley
HMS Westwood Ho
HMS Whippingham

check here for a little more info. Click on a ship name, then armament etc.
http://navalhistory.flixco.info/H/259911x53056/8330/a0.htm

[djcf]

Hi Tim,

When I was researching/buying plans for PS Fair Maid of 1915, from the Mitchell library in Glasgow, I'm sure there were plans showing her wartime minesweeper fit out, she was taken over by the admiralty whilst on the stocks, and sunk 1916. They also have drawings of the 1899 Waverley in wartime fit out.
 I live close to Glasgow, and after making an appointment, I went to the Mitchell and spent a morning looking at plans, I could have spent weeks! You really have to go in person and see what you can find.
If you were to choose a certain vessel, you never know what plans you may turn up, as some certainly exist.

In the book STEAMERS OF THE FORTH vol. 2 by Ian Brodie ISBN
1 84033 3081 there is a plan of Duchess of Buccleuch as a minesweeper, over two pages, which may help you.
regards,
Clark

[PeeWee]

Hi Clark,

Thank you for your last post as I was thinking of making my 1889 Waverley as a minesweeper.  do you know if the library are able to copy plans from an email.phone request?  or do you have to visit in person?

regards
Ian

[djcf]

Hi Ian,
When i was researching, I got in contact with the Mitchell, and told them what ship I was interested in. They then arranged to have the plans available for me to view at my appointment. There were about ten large rolls of plans for me to go through...everything from lines down to plumbing fittings and everything in between, it took me hours to go through them all, but it was fun! I picked out what i needed and collected them about a week later.
I don't know if they will search through a ships plans for you but its worth asking, however if you are ever in the Glasgow area its worth making an appointment, I found the staff helpful and prices very reasonable.
Clark

[greateastern]

here is the link to the national archives in Scotland. Click on search, enter ship name and it will indicate where plans are if they exist. I have ordered plans by email from California so no problem with not being there in person.
http://www.nas.gov.uk/onlineCatalogue/
here is a link to the full list of plans at the 2 archives which I put on this site.
http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=4780.msg23022#msg23022
click on the  attachment at the bottom of my post..