History
Built by Alexander Stephen and Sons Ltd of Glasgow (Govan), Laid down 24 Mar 1939, commissioned 20th Jun 1941 one of six Abdiel class fast minelayers. With a design speed of 40 knots (I am reliably informed that she would do around 42) She could outrun just about anything afloat, used for mine laying and ammunition supply.
She saw action during "The Second Great Siege of Malta".
Aug 1941 Early in the month successfully carried reinforcements and supplies from Gibraltar to Malta.
Sept 1942 The South Africans participated in a large-scale operation aimed at capturing the southern half of Madagascar, while a company of Pretoria Highlanders occupied the small island of Nossi Be after a preliminary bombardment by HMS Manxman.
11 Nov 1942 made a similar dash from Alexandria to Malta.
1st Dec 1942 torpedoed and severely damaged by U375 off Oran, Algeria .Towed to Oran for temporary repairs and then to Gibraltar.
23rd June 1943 Towed to Loch Ewe by HMT Bustler in convoy SL.131/MKS.15 .
Repairs took until Apr 1945 to complete. The repairs were probably carried out on Tyneside at the Hawthorn and Lesley yard (see Bert Smith life on board section). She left Newcastle on the 17th of May for Chatham, after which she joined the British Pacific Fleet, arriving at Melbourne on 2nd August 1945.
June 1946 left for the U.K.
Dec 1947 left HMS Terror Singapore for Chatham arrived on 8th Jan 1948.
Sep 1949 Laid-up at Sheerness but re-commissioned in July 1951 and then stationed in the Med.
1953 She starred in the British film "Single-Handed" playing the German ship "Essen". Filmed on location around Malta (see links page).
Dec 1953 Laid-up at Malta.
Dec 1955 The rear gun mount was removed and quarters for the Admirals built in its place, the work carried out at Malta.
Re-commissioned Jan 1956
1956 During the "Suez Crisis" she was the first ship to re enter the Suez Canal. ( see John Hoodless and Tony Hills life on board section).
Jun 1957 She was "mothballed" at Malta. (see Tony Hills life on board section).
Jan 1958 Towed to Gibraltar for an extended refit.
H.M.S. Manxman was under refit at Gibraltar Dockyard from 27th February, 1958, to 15th January, 1960. The expenditure incurred was £270,000. Averaged over the period of the refit, about 20 per cent. of the Dockyard labour force was engaged in work on or in connection with the ship. Hanserd
Mar 1960 Sailed for Chatham.
Apr 1960 - Jan 1963 Major refit at Chatham as Minesweeper Support. She looses 2 of her 4 boilers this reduced her speed to about 26 knots. ( see "The Refit" John Bradford, Life section ) The question was asked as to 'why this work could not have been carried out at Gibraltar during the ship's extended refit there' Hanserd.
27th Apr 1963 Manxman runs aground off Douglas Isle of Man. ( see John Bradford's account, Life section, Run aground )
July 1963 HMS Manxman was in service as the support ship of the "6th Inshore Minesweeper Squadron" based at Sembawang (Singapore) deployed in Borneo during the confrontation with Indonesia. ( see John Bradford Life Section ).
Dec 1968 Sailed home from Singapore, arriving at Portsmouth dock yard.
5th May 1969 still at Portsmouth.
1969 Re-entered service at HM Dockyard, Devonport as a training ship for engineer officers.
18th May 1970 Major fire on board at Plymouth Sound ( see Geoff Wincott's account and photos. Photo section, Fire )
21st - 23 May 1970 Court of inquiry in to the fire.
Sept 1970 Paid off but watch is kept on board until 1st Oct.
She was towed to Newport 3rd October 1971 for braking up. The ships Bell is in the Valletta War Museum Malta.
If you can help fill in any of the gaps please contact the site.
