Allied Warships

Cruiser minelayers

Abdiel class

6 ships


The minelayer HMS Manxman (M 70) of the Royal Navy.

Technical information

TypeCruiser minelayer
Displacement2650 BRT 
Length418 feet 
Complement242 men 
Armament

First group:
6 4" AA guns (3x2)
4 2pdr AA (1x4)
8 .5" AA (2x4)
160 mines

Second group:
4 4" AA guns (2x2)
4 40mm AA (2x2)
12 20mm AA (6x2)
160 mines 

Max speed40 knots
EnginesGeared turbines, 2 shafts 
Power72000 SHP 
Notes on class

This was the main British minelayer (or warship minelayers as opposed to auxiliary minelayers).

This class was built in two groups. The ships and their armament differed considerably.

They were very fast at 40 knots and could do the Gibraltar to Malta run overnight and were used to supply fuel & food to the island. 


All ships of the Abdiel class


Royal Navy Royal Navy (more on Royal Navy)

HMS Abdiel (M 39) Lost on 10 Sep 1943
HMS Latona (M 76) Lost on 25 Oct 1941
HMS Manxman (M 70)
HMS Welshman (M 84) Lost on 1 Feb 1943

2nd Group


Royal Navy Royal Navy (more on Royal Navy)

HMS Apollo (M 01)
HMS Ariadne (M 65)


6 Cruiser minelayers of the Abdiel class. 3 of them were lost.

Full wartime service history on this vessel.

See all Cruiser minelayer classes.


Abdiel class ships hit by U-boats (2)

1 Dec 1942HMS ManxmanDamagedU-375
1 Feb 1943HMS WelshmanSunkU-617

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