Question from a friend

[Robert George Young]

Hi George, good photo, I have seen many ships operational in the last war and I have always wondered what the rig on the bow was for, I heard once that it was for keeping mines of the hull ? I have no idea and would love an explanation.

[James Curry]

Is it possibly part of the frame work for early degaussing gear as you suggest to help to deflect mines from the ships hull?

[Doc Vernon]

A fixed rail was mounted on the ships bow on which a rocket-propelled sled was mounted.To this was fitted a Sea Hurricane which had a catapult reel mounted.The aircraft was secured for sea and the CAM would then join the convoy.When activated, the Hurricat was fired up and subsequently launched.As was the case with all early catapults, the launch forces were pretty significant, actually causing one Hurricat to disintegrate on launch during early testing.After August of 1941, with the introduction of more powerful catapults (!), long-range tanks were added to the Hurricat to expand its range of coverage.Most of the modified aircraft were assigned to the Fleet Air Arm, although the RAF retained and operated a few.

[Jim R Christie]

The frame is part of the rig for streaming paravanes.
Wires would be rigged each side, each one with a paravane attached with the idea being as the ship steamed on, the paravanes would stream outwards from the hull and the wire would cut the moorings of any mines. The mines would then float to the surface and then be destroyed by gunfire.

[Robert George Young]

Thank you Vernon

I’m seeing my friend in Portugal next month
He knew my father a lot better than me ��

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Thank you Jim ��

[William Kean]

I thought it was for mounting the gear to detonate acoustic mines, the gear was some kind of Hammer box containing a kangol hammer which would detonate the mine at a safe distance. Then again, I was a soldier, so could very well be wrong.