HMS Abdiel (ML-1938)

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The Abdiel class minelayers marked a departure in doctrine for the Royal Navy. Previously all offensive minelaying was to be done by the destroyers and cruisers fitted for the task. It was determined that because the speed of aircraft had increased so much since WW1 (from 120mph to 300mph+) that the destroyers and cruisers acting at 30-35 knots were no longer fast enough to get to the laying point and home again in darkness. Enemy aircraft would be able to spot them and deduce a minelaying operation had been undertaken and would then be on the lookout for a new field. To get there and back in darkness required ships of over 40 knots. To this end a pair of minelaying 'cruisers' (they were more big destroyers) were laid down in 1935.

Another pair were laid down in 1938 and a final pair in 1940, a further pair had to be added in 1942 to make up for war losses to the class.

Armament layout showed where the RN thought the ships problems would come from, astern. With the DP 4.5" and 6 twin 40mm these ships were more than capable of taking care of themselves. Fastest ships in the fleet, no other Commonwealth ship bettered 40 knots.

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