File:HMS Cattistock (1917) (51042650323).jpg

A model of the Hunt Class (Belvoir sub-class) fleet minesweeper HMS Cattistock at the Glasgow Transport Museum, 2 March 2007.

During WWI the Admiralty was somewhat taken by surprise by the German Navy’s huge programme of minelaying. Initially the urgent need for minesweepers was met by converting large numbers of commercial paddle steamers (with their shallow draught and good manoeuvrability) as well as the Admiralty commissioning quickly-built paddle minesweepers under the Emergency War Programme. But a more specialised ship was needed tailor-made for the task. The result was a new category of warship – the fleet minesweeper – and the first such class was the Hunt Class, 109 ships of which were launched in 1916-19 plus 6 completed as survey ships in 1919.

The class consisted of two groups: the 20 Hunt or Belvoir Class launched in 1916-17 and the Improved Hunt or Aberdare Class, 129 of which were ordered but of which 89 were launched and completed as minesweepers in 1918-19, 2 were cancelled whilst building and scrapped on the slipway, 32 were cancelled before construction had begun and 6 were completed as survey ships.

The original Hunt or Belvoir Class ships measured 231 ft x 28 ft x 8 ft and had a displacement of 750 tons. Their 1,800 ihp engines and 2 screws which gave them a speed of 16 kts. They were armed with 1 or 2x12 pdr guns. The Improved Hunt or Aberdare Class minesweepers had slightly different measurements of 231 ft x 28.5 ft x 8 ft with a displacement of 840 tons. Their engines were more powerful at 2,200 ihp which gave them a speed of 17 kts whilst their armament was improved with 1x4” and 1x12 pdr guns.

The Cattistock herself was built by the Clyde Shipbuilding Co., Port Glasgow being launched and completed in 1917. She was scrapped in 1923.