HMS CYRUS

[Nighttrucker]

This is a very long shot but has anyone seen or know of the existence of a Photograph or drawing of the mine destructor vessel HMS CYRUS or her sister ship HMS CYBELE ?CYRUS was Built by Swan Hunters YN1709 1943 Scott Lithgow also claim to have built CYRUS.
CYBELE was Built at Dumbarton by Dennys
Both vessels were built under strict security and classed as Algerine class minesweepers Rumour has it that they some type of Remote controlled Trimaran
CYRUS was wrecked in Seine bay December 1944.
Any help would be appreciated
Regards
Dave

[Whickham]

As far as I can see she is not listed in Miramar. Colledge lists her as a minesweeper "Algerine" class, ordered Swan Hunter 1943, transferred Scotts 02/1944 & cancelled 09/1944.

[magoonigal]

Cocker gives a better explanation but no picture.............

Mine Destructor Hull.
Also known as "Stirling Craft", in fact only two were built, being named CYBELE and CYRUS. These names were taken from the list of the 'Algerine' Class and were given as security cover. CYBELE and CYRUS were operational experimental towed sweeps built as an attempt to combat the pressure or 'Oyster' mine.
Specification.
Displacement: 3,980 tons (deadweight 1,950 tons)
Dimensions: 359 x 60 x 30 but with a pump-out facility to reduce the draught to 16ft.

Steering was by remote electrical control as a Stirling Craft was unmanned. Construction was in Steel to form a bouyant triangular and T-shaped sectional framework, secured together forming the dimensions shown.

CYBELE. Completed by Denny in 1943.
CYRUS. Completed by Swan Hunter in 1944.

CYRUS broke her tow in the Seine Estuary when sweeping for pressure mines on 5th December 1944.
CYBELE was subjected to underwater detonations and was tested to destruction before she was finally broken-up in 1946 at Troon.

Mine Warfare Vessels of the Royal Navy 1908 To Date. M. P. Cocker.

[magoonigal]

Original builders were to be Scotts (Greenock) but they were transferred to Denny and Swans. Completed May 1944.

They had no engines and were to operate under tow with no crew.

BUT no pictures

[Whickham]

So that explains why there is no mention in Miramar, not a ship as far as they are concerned. Colledge seems to have it the wrong way round and all over the place.

[Whickham]

As Nighttrucker said in his original message, she was YN 1709 at Swans.

Tyne and Wear archives appear to hold the following documents:
General arrangement (modification)
Midship section (buoyancy chambers)
Midship section (girders and bracing)
Plate lines plan
Shell expansion plan
Shipbuilders work
Arrangement of ballast
Hydrostatic curves

[Nighttrucker]

Thanks for the reply's will have to see if Tyne & Wear archives can be of help.
Cheers Dave

[Ian Buxton]

The late Jim Colledge got it right later on with a correction – I’m not sure which edition. As an ex Denny man, I pointed out to him that CYBELE was not an Algerine minesweeper.
BTW although later editions have appeared of Ships of the Royal Navy, they seem to concentrate only on new ships, rather than correcting info on older ships.