HMT Elk (1902) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 Royal Navy |
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| Name | HMT Elk |
| Builder | Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley |
| Yard number | 329 |
| Launched | 21 August 1902 |
| Commissioned | 1914 |
| Decommissioned | 1918 |
| Recommissioned | 1939 |
| Fate | Sunk by mine, 27 November 1940 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Naval trawler |
| Tonnage |
|
| Length | 33.1 m (109 ft) |
| Beam | 6.4 m (21 ft) |
| Propulsion | Triple expansion steam engine, 62 hp (46 kW), single screw |
| Sail plan | Ketch-rigged |
| Complement | 10 |
| Armament | 1 × 6-pounder gun |
HMT Elk was a ship that started its life as a fishing boat. It was built in 1902 and weighed 181 tons. Later, it joined the Royal Navy and helped during World War II. Sadly, the Elk hit an underwater mine and sank in November 1940. Luckily, no one on board was hurt.
Contents
The Story of HMT Elk
Building and Early Life
The Elk was built by a company called Cook, Welton & Gemmell. This happened in a town called Beverley in Yorkshire, England. The ship was launched into the water on August 21, 1902. When it was first finished, the Elk worked as a fishing trawler from a port called Grimsby.
Serving in Two World Wars
The Elk had an important role in both World War I and World War II.
World War I Service
During World War I, the British Navy (called the Admiralty) hired the Elk. From 1914 to 1918, it worked as a minesweeper. A minesweeper is a ship that clears dangerous underwater mines from the sea.
Commercial Work Between Wars
After World War I ended in 1918, the Elk went back to being a commercial ship. It was owned by different companies and worked from ports like Grimsby, Hakin, and Plymouth.
World War II Service
In November 1939, when World War II began, the Admiralty hired the Elk again. This time, it became a danlayer. A danlayer is a ship that places special buoys (floating markers) in the water. These buoys help other ships know where it's safe to go, especially in channels that minesweepers have cleared. The Elk was also given one 6-pounder gun for defense.
The Sinking of HMT Elk
On November 27, 1940, HMT Elk was working near Penlee Point in Cornwall. It hit an underwater mine and sank. Even though the ship was lost, everyone on board survived, and there were no injuries.
Rediscovering the Wreck
Many years later, in 1981, divers found the wreck of the Elk. It was sitting upright on the sandy seabed. The wreck is about 30 metres (98 ft) deep, but there's a drop-off nearby that goes down more than 40 metres (130 ft). Its location is 50°17.800′N 4°10.600′W / 50.296667°N 4.176667°W.
