HMS Gleaner was a Halcyon-class minesweeper constructed for the Royal Navy in the 1930s, initially serving as a survey vessel before her wartime conversion. Displacing approximately 830 long tons at standard load and up to 1,350 long tons at deep load, she measured 245 feet 3 inches (74.8 meters) in length, with a beam of 33 feet 6 inches (10.2 meters) and a draught of 8 feet 9 inches (2.7 meters). Her propulsion system comprised two Parsons geared steam turbines powered by Admiralty three-drum boilers, generating 1,750 shaft horsepower, which enabled a maximum speed of 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h). Her fuel capacity allowed for a range of 6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km) at 10 knots, making her suitable for extended operational deployments. The crew complement consisted of 80 officers and ratings. Initially built as a survey vessel by William Gray & Company in Hartlepool, Gleaner was swiftly converted into a minesweeper at the outbreak of World War II. Her armament included two QF 4-inch (10.2 cm) anti-aircraft guns and eight .303-inch machine guns, with later modifications adding additional AA defenses such as Oerlikon 20 mm guns and quadruple Vickers .50 machine gun mounts. Her minesweeping gear could be replaced with around 40 depth charges, enhancing her escort capabilities. Notably, HMS Gleaner played a significant role in anti-submarine warfare. On 12 February 1940, she sank the German U-boat U-33 in the Firth of Clyde, employing depth charges and her deck gun. The capture of U-33 materials, including Enigma machine rotors VI and VII, contributed to Allied cryptanalysis efforts. Throughout her service, Gleaner was involved in rescue operations, notably saving 20 survivors from the merchant ship Astra II in August 1940 and 68 from the torpedoed Empire Tourist in March 1944. She was decommissioned and sold for scrap in 1950, marking a notable career in maritime warfare and rescue.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.