German minesweepers used for sweeping First World War mines on the North Sea according to the Dutch newspaper Heldersche Courant dated Tuesday 15 July 1919

An item reported that the rough weather in the past days forced German minesweepers to enter the roads of Nieuwediep, Netherlands. The ships were used for sweeping the mines laid in the First World War on the North Sea. It were 14 large mine sweepers and 3 torpedo boats. The ships sighted damaged and somehow in disorder. One of the 3 minesweepers lying in the harbour seemed to have machinery problems. On Monday morning was a short trial made. The cut equipment used for the mines comparable with the one used by the Royal Netherlands Navy was since 1917 used by the German navy. Since then was minesweeping less dangerous. When asked replied the German crew that they had at least work until 1920. The German minesweepers were especially built for minesweeping. Length 50 metres, draught 2,5 metres and a displacement of 500 tons. Total horsepower of the two engines was 1.700 hp. The armament consisted of 1-7,5cm on the poop and 1-8,8cm gun aft. Their crew numbered 50-60 men; the men served original on board several ships within the German navy. The flotilla commanded by oberleutnant Olff had as homeport Wilhemshaven, Germany and usual was fuel and water loaded at Emden, Germany. The torpedo boats were rebuilt and used to accommodate the chiefs of the flotilla’s and the half flotilla’s and further more to transport a storage fuel oil.