This article by Stuart Osmer commemorates the 60th Anniversary of the presentation of the Ensign of HMS Rye to the town and its dedication in St Mary's Church, Rye, in 1946.

HMS RYE

Bangor Class Minesweeper

1941 - 1948

HMS Rye was a Turbine Type, Bangor Class Fleet Minesweeper, built by the Ailsa Shipbuilding Company Ltd., Troon , Scotland. She was launched on the 19th August 1940, completed in November 1941 and commissioned early 1942. After distinguished war service she was decommissioned in February 1946, sold 24th August 1948 and subsequently broken up at Purfleet.

Pennant No J76

14th & 17th Minesweeping Flotillas

Basic features: Displacement - 656 tons; Dimensions - 174 x 28.5 x 9.5 feet; Complement - 60; Armament - 1 x 3inch AA., 1 x 2 pdr., 2 x 20mm.AA., 4 x MG; Machinery - Geared Turbines, two shafts, SHP 2,400 = 16 knots. Two Admiralty small tube type boilers.

HMS Rye, under the command of Lt. J. A. Pearson was initially assigned for minesweeping training and sweeping duties off the east and then west coasts of Scotland. She was then ordered to Dover for sweeping duties in the Channel followed by attachment to an Atlantic convoy down to Gibraltar. At Gibraltar, Rye joined up with Speedy and Hebe, both Halcyon Class, and Hythe, Bangor Class, to be designated the 17th Minesweeing Flotilla under the command of Commander Jerome in Speedy. During 1942/3 she took part in many convoys between Alexandria, Port Said, Gibraltar and Malta. The two most significant were:-

1. June 1942 OPERATION HARPOON. This convoy consisted of six merchant ships with escorts and a large covering force of Capital ships. The convoy was repeatedly attacked by aircraft and Italian surface ships. Four merchant ships and a destroyer were sunk and two support warships badly damaged. During these actions the Rye shot down enemy aircraft. She also picked up survivors from the torpedoed SS Tanimbar and SS Chant. Rye and Hebe were ordered to sink the SS Kentucky, a tanker whose engines were out of action due to a near miss from bombs. Rye took off the crew, after which Rye and Hebe set the Kentucky on fire with gunfire. In the approaches to Malta, Hythe cut a mine, which surafced ahead of the Rye. Rye hit her on her bow. The mine bumped right down the side of the hull, but did not explode. She became known as "Lucky Rye".

2. August 1942 OPERATION PEDESTAL. The 17th MS Flotilla came out from Malta to meet the transports SS Melbourne Star, Port Clamers & Rochester Castle, damaged but able to steam, to escort them into Malta. At daybreak on 14th August the Rye and Ledbury, with motor launches, went out to join the destroyer Penn to bring in the seriously damaged SS Ohio, and they reached harbour the following day. Rye took part in towing the Ohio. The Brisbane Star made her own way in. The tanker Ohio was laden with fuel oil desperately needed by the defending aircraft in Malta. Only five merchant ships of the original 14 dispatched arrived in Malta, but the seige was lifted.