HMS Ready (J226) was an Algerine-class minesweeper powered by steam turbines, built during the Second World War. She was a relatively large vessel, measuring 225 feet (68.6 meters) in length overall with a beam of 35 feet 6 inches (10.8 meters). The ship displaced 850 long tons (860 tonnes) at standard load and up to 1,125 long tons (1,143 tonnes) at deep load. Her draft was 11 feet (3.4 meters). The vessel's crew comprised 85 officers and ratings. The propulsion system consisted of two Parsons geared steam turbines, each driving a single shaft, powered by two Admiralty three-drum boilers. This machinery produced 2,000 indicated horsepower (1,500 kW), enabling a maximum speed of 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph). The ship carried a fuel oil capacity of 660 long tons (671 tonnes), which allowed for a range of 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km; 5,800 miles) at a cruising speed of 10 knots. Armament on HMS Ready included a single QF 4-inch (102 mm) Mk V anti-aircraft gun and four twin-gun mounts for Oerlikon 20 mm cannons; however, due to shortages, she may have been fitted with some single mounts. By 1944, the ship’s armament was upgraded with single Bofors 40 mm mounts replacing some twin 20 mm guns. She was also equipped with four throwers and two rails for depth charges, reflecting her minesweeping and anti-submarine roles. Constructed by Harland & Wolff in Belfast, Ireland, she was ordered on 15 November 1940, laid down on 14 April 1942, launched on 11 January 1943, and commissioned on 21 May 1943. During her service, she notably captured the miniature submarine Biber 90 in December 1944, which was found with its crew dead from carbon monoxide poisoning, and towed it to Dover. Decommissioned in 1948, HMS Ready was sold to Belgium in 1951, where she was renamed Van Haverbeke (M902). She served until June 1960, was sold for scrap in March 1961, and subsequently dismantled. Her service highlights her role in wartime minesweeping operations and her post-war transfer exemplifies the common practice of reusing wartime vessels for peacetime naval duties.

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