Minesweepers: Bangor Class
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2020 5:14 am
The ill fated Bangor Class Minesweeper HMCS Guysborough.In March 1945,following completion of a refit, she was ordered to the United Kingdom. While en route, she was torpedoed.At 18:50 on March 17th 1945 Guysborough was hit by a G7es torpedo fired by U-868 off Ushant.The minesweeper had been sailing alone from Horta to Plymouth when she was hit.The torpedo struck the stern, which caused significant damage and a slight list to port, but the ship refused to sink. However, no casualties were suffered. U-868 fired a coup de grĂ¢ce which struck amidships on the starboard side of the ship at 19:35. Two members of the crew died in the explosion and several injured. The vessel settled slowly and sank after 35 minutes.Of the remaining crew, 49 died while awaiting rescue. 40 survivors were rescued by HMS Inglis 19 hours after the ship had been attacked with another picked up by HMS Loring while searching for the Submarine.