Aberdare (Hunt) Class Minesweeper. Formerly designated N23 but renumbered J23 for duties when stationed at Malta. Sailed to Alexandria from Singapore in May 1940. August 1940 - Repairs undertaken here & then sailed to Malta in to team up with HMS Fermoy for minesweeping duties. Along with HMS Fermoy were the first minesweepers stationed at Malta during WWII. In early April 1942 heavy raids in the dockyard area caused damage to the ship & she was near missed at the foot of Bighi naval hospital on the 4th whilst waiting to enter Kalkara Creek which caused her to break her back. Later beached in Bighi Bay & declared a total loss. Scrapped in 1950.

Recommended Links

http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-22MS-OldHunt-Abingdon.htm	Naval History homepage. This site shows a more detailed diary of events in the ships history.
http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/6512.html	U Boat.net. A great site.

Some photos on the net show photos of J62 as HMS Abingdon. This ship is actually HMS Saltash.