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[Jonny109]

Hello all
I’m currently researching the war record of minesweeper trawler HMS Adam and especially an incident which occurred on 22nd June 1943. At around 1am, it was hit by a bomb whilst moored at Prince of Wales pier in Dover. The bomb hit the bridge and started a fire, though the ship survived. I’m lucky enough to own the ships bell, which was heavily damaged by bomb splinters and kept as a souvenir by the skipper, John Cruikshank. Luckily no crew were killed, but several were injured including the captain.
I would be fascinated to know more about HMS Adam and it’s service with minesweeping group 61. If anyone could help or point me in the right direction research wise, that would be great.

Many thanks
Jon.

[PhiloNauticus]

You have clearly done a lot of research anyway, so much of this you probably already know, but I'll offer it anyway=

Adam was built in 1919 as Thomas Maloney by Cochranes at Selby, being one of the Mersey class of trawlers ordered by the Admiralty for the Royal Navy during WW1.  Saw no service with the Navy, being sold for commercial use to Thomas Hamling and Co. of Hull and renamed ST. NEOTS (H112)
324 tons (gr)     138ft 3in x 23ft 7in 
official number 139360
Taken over by Royal Navy 12 March 1940 and fitted for minesweeping.
To Polish concerns for commercial fishing 14 July 1944 and renamed Podlasie
 

The file containing the damage report is in the National Archives:
 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2754790

A photo of the crew in 1941:
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205140080

For some idea of what life was like as a minesweeping trawler, try to get a copy of “Trawlers Go to War” by Lund & Ludlam. 

Excerpts: 
“At Dover, eight former fishing trawlers from Hull, Grimsby and Fleetwood, together with a dozen assorted drifters, comprised the Dover Patrol. In the Channel front line, under constant attack from raiding aircraft and shellfire from the big guns of Calais, theirs was an eventful life of minesweeping, escorting convoys, rescuing ship survivors and ditched airman …” (L & L p168)

“We in the Yashima, Adam, Wigan and the other trawlers had our own routine at sea. Leaving harbour for sweeps or escort duties we would load all guns and keep the guns crews closed up ready for action. Only on ‘out-sweep and ‘in-sweep’ did they leave the guns to help, and then there was always someone standing by. These precautions were necessary as it was Jerry’s habit to pay us a sudden visit. Pairs of Me109s would sweep in low over the water, give a stick of bombs and zoom off…” (L & L p168)

Perhaps the RN Patrol Service association may help

http://rnpsa.co.uk/cms/

[Jonny109]

Thank you PhiloNauticus
There’s some very useful information there, especially the damage report in the National Archives, I will have to order a copy. Really appreciate your efforts on my behalf.

Best
Jon.