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The Sinking of the ' H.M. Minesweeper Ouse'
Document M08044/41
Ouse sailed from Alexandria on 16/2/41 with S.A. it was ordered to sweep Tobruk Harbour. Ouse arrived on 18/2/41 too late to sweep that day. On the 19/2/41 the decision was taken to sweep as no Corvette was available to magnetically sweep the area, saying the 'Risk was Justified' despite the 3-4 fathoms in which depth the Ouse was degaussing would have been ineffective.
At 09.00hrs at 32deg 04 mins North and 023deg 59mins. East sweeping commenced. 10.39 a double explosion struck the ship, Ouse sank at once, 120 yds from B3 Buoy. Only 9 survived including the Captain, all craft in the area ordered to search. On 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th March diving operations were carried out in which the S.A. Gear was recovered, condition not good, the ship was completely wrecked. The 12 pounder Gun appeared to be in good condition and could be salvaged.
It appears that the normal course for sweeping was not followed in this case as time was of the essence but resulted in the death of several crew and my Uncle Walter Ellis aged 21. It was concluded that an Acoustic Mine was responsible, probably Italian.
Public Record Office File WH Case 7217
Crew Loss Details
Two Officers and 11 Ratings were killed, I have details of their Burial place or memorial. 9 crew members survived including the Captain,
Lt. J.E.Grice RN. I have no details of the 8 others.
Tobruk
The Harbour and Town was captured from the Italians in January 1941 by the British, hence the need to 'Sweep' the harbour, it changed hands several times before the end of the war.
Crew listing
Officers
Missing presumed killed
A/Sub-Lieut. E.P.Ede RNR : Mr J. Edwards, Gunner R.N.
Wounded
Sub-Lieut. W.V. Fitzmaurice RNR
Ratings
Missing Presumed Killed
Abrey, E.A.,Sto. 1st cl. ; Cole, H.B., Sto.1st cl.; Ellis, W.,Sto.1st cl.; Hooper,E., Sto.1st cl., R.F.R.; Horsley, W.T., Sto.P.O.; Kessel, J., Sigmn.; Senior, W., Act.Chief Mechanician; Williams, J.D., Act.Sto. P.O.; Woods, G., A.B.
Wounded
Copeland, A.V., A.B.; Hampson, E., A.B.; Western,P.E., Act. Ldg.Teleg.
Maltese
Missing Presumed Killed
Azzopardi,V., Assist.Ck.; Chetcutti, C.; A.B.
No survivors names available.
This is all the information I have so far but I wondered if there were any of the 9 survivors left that knew my Uncle or relatives that could give details of the incident or relate stories of the crew.
Very best wishes. Malcolm H. Ellis.
Photo of Walter Ellis included and his friend Jack Kessel.

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