A synopsis of Trusty Star Service 9 April 41 - 10 June 42.
On Monday 10th.June,1940 Italy declared war on the allies and Malta found herself in the conflict of World war ll.
One of the main threats was the laying of sea mines; it was argued that if supplies could be prevented from reaching the island and if warships could not leave, than Malta would be defeated.
The first two minesweepers were the ABINGDON and the FERMOY, both build in 1918. These were known as “Smokey Joes” since they were coal burning and emitted an amount of thick, acid black smoke. None the less they were efficient ships. Their main job was to ensure that the channel to the Grand Harbour was kept clear.
On the night of the 15-16th.February,1941 the Luftwaffe laid magnetic and acoustic mines by parachute in the Grand Habour and Marsamxett, since the two Smoky Joes were not equipped to deal with this type of mines, the drifter PLOUGHBOY was used, which has been fitted with a magnetic skid sweep, the only one available.
Two other drifters “Girl Margaret and Justified” were were fitted with the SA Hammer and the magnetic skid. On 9th.April The drifter “ Trusty Star “was fitted with the proper equipment for sweeping magnetic mines, the LL cable towed behind the ship and supplied with electrical pulses.
Trusty Star had great success during April to keep the harbour open in spite of heavy minelaying operations by the Luftwaffe.
Repairing the Trusty Star.
On April 30th.1941 Abingdon was damaged when she put up an acoustic mine and the TRUST STAR was mined and sunk in the Grand Habour. She was to be raised and used again. The FERMOY, while in No 5 dock received a direct hit, which after inspection it was decided to be scrapped. This left the ABINGDON the only sweeper in Malta capable of sweeping contact mines.
Back in Action.
In early September, 1941 TRUSTY STAR was back in service after being salvaged, and put back in the minesweeping force. The situation was desperate as one can seen from a letter that Vice Ad.Ford wrote to AD.Cunningham on the 3rd.January,1942.
“ Minesweeping is now difficult, and they appear to be laying them everywhere. ABINGDON was machine-gunned in daylight, resulting in eight casualties. I am trying to sweep during the dark hours, until we get net defense I shall continue to be worried, especially for Marsamxett and the submarines.”
On the 27th.April TRUSTY STAR was damaged during a raid and three days later the trawler CORAL, also used as a minesweeper, was sunk in No 3 Dock.
On the night of 12th.- 13th. May, 1942 minesweeper BERYL and TRUSTY STAR were working outside the breakwater when they were missed by three torpedoes fired at them by the E-boats escorting mines layers.
At this time sweeping in the harbour was carried out by BERYL and TRUSTY STAR and the tug St. ANGELO with SWONA and the drifter EDDYmarking the swept channel with dan-buoys.
On 10th.June,1942 TRUSTY STAR hit a German mine about two miles to the south-east of St. Elmo.. and sunk: The records state:
She had accompanied the whaler Swona and trawler Beryl, to work to clear the minefields laid by German S-boats off the island acting as a Dan layer, laying buoys marking the boundary of the swept are until the Beryl brought up a mine nearby. She closed to sink it and after this had been completed, at 16.40 whilst proceeding back to the line of dan buoys a moored mine was sighted right ahead. Before any avoiding action could be taken she ran over the mine which exploded. [i]
But this time it was not possible to be raised again, thus ending a saga that lasted for 14 months battling with dead to keep the Grand Habour, and its entrance, safe.
[i] TNA PRO ADM.199/239 warsailors.com by David H.
Below, wreck photos of the Trusty Star.
and
Video on You Tube link below:
https://youtu.be/G74fGLlOeMI