Name Racecourse class Succeeded by Halcyon class | Operators Royal Navy Built 1916 & 1918 | |
 | ||
Completed 24 Racecourse class
8 Improved Racecourse class Displacement Racecourse-class 810 long tons (823 t)
Improved-class 820 long tons (833 t) | ||
The Racecourse-class minesweepers were 32 ships delivered to the Royal Navy during the First World War. They were built to two related designs as paddlewheel coastal minesweeping sloops under the Emergency War Programme. The vessels were reasonable sea-boats, but lost speed badly in a seaway when the paddle boxes tended to become choked with water. The class is also widely referred to as the Ascot class and Improved Ascot class.
Contents
Initial design
The original design was by the Ailsa Shipbuilding Company. The ships were completed between April and October 1916. Launch dates are shown below.
On this type the foremast is stepped before the fore bridges and have derricks abeam of the second funnel.
Improved Racecourse type
These paddle minesweepers were designed by the Admiralty, adapted from the Ailsa Company design for the first type. They were completed between January and June 1918. All were built under the Emergency War Programme.
The foremast on this type is stepped through the chart house, there are two high ventilators abaft fore funnel and no derricks abeam of the second funnel.