Mines created a more persistent early World War I danger than unreliable torpedoes and could be laid by submarines with little exposure. The Royal Navy therefore wanted numerous specialist minesweepers rather than risking dreadnoughts in the task. The Acacia-class response used available cylindrical boilers, a single triple-expansion engine, modest guns, and no novel research. At roughly 1,200 tons, the ships were designed for 17 knots with a crew of 77 and carried two 12-pounder guns plus two 3-pounders. Different yards produced some variation in individual performance, but accepting that inconsistency allowed a simple design to enter mass production rapidly.
Chapter · 30:02-35:38
The Flower-class answer to World War I mines
The first Flower-class sloops paired a simple minesweeping mission with off-the-shelf machinery, weapons, and a hull suitable for rapid mass construction.