I recall a story my father, Eric Clubb, told me of an incident on HMS Rushen Castle when he was First Lieutenant, which has been recently confirmed by former Leading Seaman John Turner – this is not mentioned in Colin Warwick’s book, “Really Not Required”. 

In WWII convoy escorts deployed a fairly primitive system for “foxing” acoustic torpedoes.  Short pieces of metal pipe, each on their own short lanyard, were attached to a steel wire cable, which was paid out over the stern of the ship and towed along.  The resultant noise of the pipes "chattering" together was greater than that of the ship’s engines and would therefore be more likely to attract an acoustic torpedo – at least that was the theory (for more information on "foxers" see "Convoy OS.93/KMS.67: Reports of Proceedings, 2 November 1944").

Eric told me that on one occasion (apparently when Rushen Castle was senior ship on a convoy crossing the Bay of Biscay) the “foxing gear” had snagged on something.  He went down to the stern of the ship to investigate but could not see anything so he ordered that it was winched in.

As he was looking over the side he suddenly realised the “foxing gear” had snagged a contact mine which was now being winched out of the water!  As the ship rolled, the horns of the mine, which would cause it to detonate if touched, were swaying within inches of the ship’s hull. 

Eric said at that moment he was transfixed with horror.  Former Leading Seaman Turner jokes that his own reaction was a strong desire to run towards the bow of the ship as quickly as possible!  However a quick thinking Petty Officer immediately grabbed an axe and hacking through the steel cable released the “foxing gear” and with it the mine, which sank slowly back out of sight, dragged under by its sinker.

Who was this imperturbable individual?  I would love to know.  He certainly saved my father’s life, not to mention the ship and probably many more lives along with it.