HMT Pine

[wheelnut6]

Has any one any info on a wreck off Selsea, HMT Pine a mine sweeping trawler. My uncle served on her during the war (he served on four trawlers and three were sunk) Nogi off Cromer Norfolk, Senitor Duvile sunk in america, pine and tango. The info I have on her is.

"HMT Pine (T/Lt. J. Hird, RNVR) was torpedoed and sunk on 31 January 1944 by a German motor torpedo boat in the English Channel south-east of Bognor Regis.
The wreck lies in 22 meter of water in position 50º43'05"N, 00º37'10"W."

[MattS]

Originally Posted by wheelnut6

Has any one any info on a wreck off Selsea, HMT Pine a mine sweeping trawler. My uncle served on her during the war (he served on four trawlers and three were sunk) Nogi off Cromer Norfolk, Senitor Duvile sunk in america, pine and tango. The info I have on her is.

"HMT Pine (T/Lt. J. Hird, RNVR) was torpedoed and sunk on 31 January 1944 by a German motor torpedo boat in the English Channel south-east of Bognor Regis.
The wreck lies in 22 meter of water in position 50º43'05"N, 00º37'10"W."

My log book says I have dived her some years ago but I have no recollection of it.

According to Dive Sussex and my log book HMS Pine lies in about 10m (not 22m). The wreckage is reported as broken and widely dispersed (which will be why I don't recall it).

HMS Pine 530 Tons, 164Ft Long. Torpedoed during an E-Boat 'pack' attack 40 miles (to the East) of the wreck's position, at 2:45am on Jan 31st 1944. HMS Pine was one of the early victims of the attack and lost 10 of her 25 crew. The steamers Emerald and Celeb Sprague were also sunk in the attack with the loss of all hands. HMS Pine survived the attack with a heavy list and was put under tow to Portsmouth but sank at 1:25pm, 6 miles from the Bill.

[Ron Young]

Trawler's name PINE
Construction STEEL
Type TRAWLER, MINE-SWEEPER
Date 1940
Description Yard Number: 753
Tree Class Minesweeper (trawler)

Lost 31 January 1944.
Torpedoed and sunk by E-boat about 2:45am South East of Beachy Head. Remained afloat with remainder of armament working. Taken in tow but rolled over and sank 90degrees 6 miles off Selsey Bill at 1:25pm. Ten lives lost.

Shipbuilder Hall Russell, Aberdeen Port No. T101
Shipowner Admiralty
Dimensions length 150' x breadth 27' 6" x depth 15'
101 tons

Cheers Ron

Can give you the names of men lost if you need them?

[wheelnut6]

dose any one know what the waters are like in that area and any boats that take divers out.
becouse my job takes me all over the UK Im down on Hayling Islandfor a couple of days before i go over to Plymouth in a couple of weeks time.
I may be able to dive on her one time i'm down that way.

[MattS]

Originally Posted by wheelnut6

dose any one know what the waters are like in that area and any boats that take divers out.
becouse my job takes me all over the UK Im down on Hayling Islandfor a couple of days before i go over to Plymouth in a couple of weeks time.
I may be able to dive on her one time i'm down that way.

The vis is variable. An average day is about 5m but at the moment it is bloody awful.

Wittering Divers and Mulberry Divers both run RHIB shuttles and might be prepared to take you.
It is not a very popular dive because it is so broken up.

[Ron Young]

Just a little more on PINE:
she was unbuttoning a section of convoy off Selsey Bil when they were set upon by three E-boat flotillas. Her bows were blown off by a torpedo, but she remained afloat with the remainder of her armament working until help arrived, but whilst in tow to Portsmouth she rolled over and sank.

Ron

[wheelnut6]

Thanks all for the info and thanks doc for the phone No got some more info on the rest of the ships

[Bottle Maker]

Great British Wrecks Vol3

Kendall McDonald

ISBN 0 946020 12 4

If you can get a copy of the above book it tells the story of the sinking.

Graham.