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Round Table Class minesweeper

Between the years of 1942 and 1943 eight minesweepers were built, all being named after the Knights of the Round Table. All of this class of minesweeper were based on the well proven trawler hull design 'Star of Orkney' which was built before the war by Hall Russell of Aberdeen. The armaments were a 12 pounder HA/LA gun with a bore of 3 inches, a maximum range of 11,800 yardsat 40 degrees, and a ceiling of 19,000 feet at 70 degrees. A 20 mm Oerlikon gun was also carried with a fire rate of 465 to 480 rounds per minute from a sixty round magazine. Two pair of twin mounted Lewis guns, which could be stowed in lockers when not required, were mounted on the bridge deck. These had a calibre of 0.303 with a fire rate of 950 to 1000 rounds per minute. Also stowed aft was a quantity of depth charges complete with launching equipment.

All eight of the Round Table Class minesweepers survived the war and were sold out of service and conserved to conventional steam trawlers. Sir Lancelot, pennant number T228, was built by John Lewis and Co. and was completed in 1942. It survived the war yearsunscathed and then under the same name took up duty as a fishery protection vessel. In 1962 it was sold on to become the 'Hair-el-din-Barbarossos' and was still in service until 1981. The other minesweepers in this class were the 'Sir Agravaine', 'Sir Galahad', Sir Gareth', 'Sir Geraint', 'Sir Kay', 'Sir Lamorack' and 'Sir Tristan'.

	Round Table Class
      Displacement: 440 tons
      Armament: 1-12 pdr AA, 1-20mm AA, 2-M guns&
      Complement: 35