In 1944 my Dad served on HMS ANTWERP. I have read the article on this site of ANTWERP service for 1944 and see she was Convoy Escort and then an Air Sea Rescue Ship for Operation Dragoon. I would like to know if there is a more comprehensive reading about ANTWERP's history in 1944?
My Dad took a few photos, one of HMS ANTWERP, and one of a group of 9 men and a dog. On the back of this photo my Dad has written "HMS Antwerp - Sweepers". I am wondering why "sweepers" were on board ANTWERP ? - if anyone can help me with my research, I would be very grateful.
HMS ANTWERP
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Seagull
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Re: HMS ANTWERP
I would suggest that the 'sweepers' were maybe a team whos job was to go onboard derelicts (apparently abandond ships) to search for any remaining crew members left after a ship was abandoned due to enemy action. It would make sense to have a dog to help with the search.
That would make sense in it's role as a convoy escort as they provided rescue and medical back up to the merchant ships in a convoy.
Alan
That would make sense in it's role as a convoy escort as they provided rescue and medical back up to the merchant ships in a convoy.
Alan
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jwealleans
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Re: HMS ANTWERP
In the Napoleonic Royal Navy, 'sweepers' were the lowest ranked seamen, the ones who couldn't climb rigging and help with sails, so they were given the most menial jobs. Did the rank remain after the job disappeared (if it did?). According to that unimpeachable source, Wikipedia, the USN at least still uses the term.
Re: HMS ANTWERP
Thanks for replies to my post which has clarified some things - I was a bit confused earlier because I thought Sweepers worked on Minesweeper Vessels and ANTWERP is not a Minesweeper. According to HMS ANTWERP history on this site, she did have a fire on board in the storeroom area which lasted 5 hours, so might this be a reason for why the "Sweepers" were on board? My Dad was after checking an Ordinary Seaman on ANTWERP at the time, and was on board to take the picture of the Sweepers and their dog. Would an OS also be doing Sweeper duties as in deck cleaning duties etc?
Last edited by Welshie on Wed Mar 06, 2024 9:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Seagull
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Re: HMS ANTWERP
The term sweepers is not one I have come across in relation to a merchant ship.
Regarding warships, the only time I have seen it used was in WW2 in relation to British aircraft carriers. After kamikaze attacks a team was set up to clear the deck quickly of debris so that flying operations could continue. The call on the ship would be "Sweepers man your brooms". They would mostly be aircraft handling crew and any other spare hands available who were not manning guns etc.
An ordinary seaman is a junior rank (both RN and merchant navy) and describes someone with basic training and qualifications. On the deck side they would do most of the cleaning duties of whatever type.
The term 'sweeper' as used on the photograph appears to be a term relating to a very specific duty. Hence I think it was related to the Anterp's convoy duties. I cannot think of any time it would be used to describe ordinary cleaning duties.
With a major fire lasting 5 hours the ship's crew would put it out maybe with some external help. The ship's crew would clean it up if at sea and if in port or near port it maybe done by shore labour, but again more likely by the ship's own crew. However I cannot conceive of what use a dog would be.
Alan
Regarding warships, the only time I have seen it used was in WW2 in relation to British aircraft carriers. After kamikaze attacks a team was set up to clear the deck quickly of debris so that flying operations could continue. The call on the ship would be "Sweepers man your brooms". They would mostly be aircraft handling crew and any other spare hands available who were not manning guns etc.
An ordinary seaman is a junior rank (both RN and merchant navy) and describes someone with basic training and qualifications. On the deck side they would do most of the cleaning duties of whatever type.
The term 'sweeper' as used on the photograph appears to be a term relating to a very specific duty. Hence I think it was related to the Anterp's convoy duties. I cannot think of any time it would be used to describe ordinary cleaning duties.
With a major fire lasting 5 hours the ship's crew would put it out maybe with some external help. The ship's crew would clean it up if at sea and if in port or near port it maybe done by shore labour, but again more likely by the ship's own crew. However I cannot conceive of what use a dog would be.
Alan
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