OPERATION RHEOSTAT ONE - ROYAL NAVY MINESWEEPERS HELP CLEAR THE SUEZ CANAL [Allocated Title]

HMS Abdiel and three Ton Class minesweepers help in clearance work at Port Said.

LS from onboard HMS Bossington to HMS Abdiel and minehunters Wilton and Maxton moored near the old Suez Canal Co buildings in Port Said. A Gemini inflatable follows in Bossington's wake. The minehunter anchors, hoisting 'at anchor' balls to yardarm. Cut to LS of Bossington at anchor - in the midground is a marker buoy over a mine, and in the foreground the Gemini with men of the Fleet Clearance Diving Team - the inflatable wears flag 'A' (I am operating divers). Eventually an underwater explosion is set off, destroying the mine and buoy. A second countermine is set off, frightening off local seabirds and throwing up a dark mass of turbid water. Final sequence shows a diver onboard Bossington - he dons a special non-magnetic wet suit, attaches a safety line, and puts on a Mk 2 Clearance Diver's Breathing Apparatus.

16mm