They were of composite construction, that is, wood and non-ferrous metals, to give a low magnetic signature, important in a vessel that may be dealing with magnetically detonated mines. They displaced 164 tons fully laden, were armed with a Bofors 40 mm gun or an Oerlikon 20 mm gun and were powered by a pair of Paxman diesel engines.[1]
The class shared the same basic hull as their inshore minesweeper counterpart the and the inshore survey craft.
Unlike traditional minesweepers, they were not equipped for sweeping moored or magnetic mines. Their work was to locate individual mines and neutralise them. This was a new role at that point, and the class was configured for working in the shallow water of rivers, estuaries and shipping channels.
| Name | Hull No. | Completed | Out of service | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M2002 | 3 February 1954 | 1982 | To Woolworth Sea Cadet Corps | ||
| M2003 | 15 April 1954 | 1969 | Scrapped | ||
| M2004 | 22 September 1954 | 1966 | Sold | ||
| M2005 | 3 November 1954 | 1965 | Sold | ||
| M2006 | 12 September 1954 | 1959 | Scrapped | ||
| M2007 | 5 August 1954 | 1966 | Scrapped | ||
| M2008 | 29 June 1954 | 1966 | Scrapped | ||
| M2009 | 7 January 1955 | 1969 | Sold for scrap | ||
| M2010 | 5 May 1955 | 1982 | Sold | ||
| M2001 | 22 August 1955 | 1967 | Sold for scrap |