Naval History and Heritage Command

A former name retained.

John Fitzgerald, a British trawler, was leased by the Navy and commissioned 30 May 1919. She immediately commenced minesweeping operations off Kirkwall Bay, Orkney Islands, Scotland. The Kirkwall minesweepers were responsible for clearing the western half of the Northern Mine Barrage, laid down in the north during the World War I, to protect the harbors of the United Kingdom. After sighting and sinking numerous mines, John Fitzgerald decommissioned 12 August 1919 and was returned to her owners.