Sollum:
The Sollum was originally laid down as the RCN Wedgeport (CN 155), a Bangor Class (also known as Ardrossan class) minesweeper under the 1940 War Build Program at Dufferin Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), Montreal-Loco Yard No. 26. The ship was one of 56 minesweepers constructed by Canadian shipbuilders for sale to Great Britain under the Lend-Lease program. Laid down 29 April 1941, launched 02 August 1941, and completed 21 April 1942 as the British ship HMS Wedgeport (J-139).

The Wedgeport was 665 GRT (672 BRT), 189 feet in length, 28.5 feet in beam, and 8.25 feet in draught. She was powered by two 3-drum small tube-type boilers and two triple-expansion engines connected to twin screws which generated 2,400 IHP, providing a top speed of 16-16.5 knots. Crew compliment ranged between 60 and 90 personnel and the ship was armed with a single 3-inch AA gun, two 20-mm AA guns, and 4 machine guns. ASW equipment for the class typically consisted of two Mk.II Depth Charge projectors (launchers), Four Depth Charge rails, and 40 depth charges.

The Bangor class minesweepers were known for their poor handling capabilities due to their small size and shallow draft, making them somewhat unstable. Due to their short hulls the ships tended to bury their bows when steaming into a head sea.
Views of Bangor Class ships
Throughout the life of the ship while in the service of the British Navy she had five commanding officers:

  • T/Lt. G.L. Fetherstonhaugh (RNVR) from 1 Apr 1942 until 23 Sept 1943 (Promoted to LCDR at some point     during this period.)

  • T/Lt. C.A. Creig (RNVR) from 23 Sept 1943 until 14 Feb 1944

  • Lt. John Morgan (RN) from 14 Feb 1944 until 16 Mar 1945 (Promoted to LCDR on 31 Dec 1944.)

  • T/Lt. T.N. Baker (RNR) 16 Mar 1945 until 1 Oct 1945

  • T/A/Lt.Cdr. Samuel Arthur Jarvis (DSC, RNR) 1 Oct 1945 until ???
    • The HMS Wedgeport sailed on a number of convoys throughout her career as convoy escort between 1942 and 1944. A compiled list of the ship's convoys can be found here.
    The HMS Wedgeport also participated in "Operation Neptune" which was the operation to clear German minefields off of the coast of Normandy as part of Operation Overlord, the D-Day invasion on 06 June 1944.

    Operation Neptune took place between 05 June and 30 June, with many of the ships involved continuing mine clearance in the area throughout the months of July and August 1944. The ship was assigned to Sweep Unit 1 of the Task Force 125.9 Mine Sweeper Group, Assault Group "U" under the command of CDR M.H. Brown (C.O., HMS Shippigan) which consisted of 8 minesweepers, 4 mine layers, and four DAN layers for the clearance of mines lying in the waters off of "Utah Beach".
    The ship survived the Second World War and was eventually sold to Egypt on 11 September 1946 where she was renamed the Sollum.
    The Sollum served in the Egyptian Navy until, when on 07 March 1953, during bad weather, the Sollum foundered and sank off of Alexandria with the loss of 54 lives. A passing ship, the M/V Czech of the Polish Shipping Lines, rescued 62 survivors of the sinking.
    The "M/V Czech" (formerly known as the "M/V California Express")
    Egypt
    sollum
    sollum
    M/V Czech
    Shipwrecks of Egypt Custom Products