| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMS Halsham |
| Namesake | Halsham |
| Builder | Jones Slip |
| Launched | 22 September 1953 |
| Completed | 9 July 1954 |
| Fate | Sold 1981 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Ham-class minesweeper |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | |
| Beam | 21 ft 4 in (6.50 m) |
| Draught | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 14 knots (16 mph; 26 km/h) |
| Complement | 2 officers, 13 ratings |
| Armament | 1 × Bofors 40 mm L/60 gun or Oerlikon 20 mm cannon |
| Notes | Pennant number(s): M2633 / IMS35 |
HMS Halsham was one of 93 ships of the Ham class of inshore minesweepers of the Royal Navy. Their names were all chosen from villages ending in -ham. The minesweeper was named after Halsham in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
She was transferred from the Royal Navy to Royal Air Force duties in 1966 and renamed No.5002 (later No.5012) and converted to a research and trials vessel for Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough. By 1972, she was the only remaining RAF-operated marine asset, and to provide continued efficient management she was transferred to the Royal Corps of Transport's civilian fleet and renamed Richard George Masters.[1] Private Masters was the sole recipient of the Victoria Cross in the Royal Army Service Corps during the First World War.[2]
