- Yes
- No
- (independent) BeNeLux tree
- France: BeNeLux subtree
- British tech tree (as M904 De Brouwer (i))
- other
- no/negative
The M904 De Brouwer (i) was a Belgian Navy Algerine-class minesweeper, transferred from the Royal Navy in 1953 (ex-HMS Spanker, J226/M226). Unlike the triple-expansion Algerines, she was powered by steam turbines and armed with four single 40 mm Bofors instead of Oerlikons, giving her a stronger AA role.
During her Belgian service (1953–1961), she undertook Congo deployments, NATO patrols, long-distance escort voyages, and ceremonial duties, including the Congo independence celebrations in 1960. She remained in reserve until 1966 and was scrapped the following year.
History
History
- 22 Sep 1942 – keel laid at Harland & Wolff, Belfast.
- 20 Apr 1943 – launched as HMS Spanker (J226).
- 20 Aug 1943 – commissioned into Royal Navy, serving in WWII.
- 1943–1949 – operated as J226 Spanker; redesignated M226 in 1949.
- 02 Mar 1953 – transferred to Belgium as M904 De Brouwer; arrived at Ostend on 12 March.
- 25 Jun 1953 – official baptism ceremony at Ostend, with Mlle Monique de Brouwer as sponsor.
1953 – First deployment to Congo, escorting tug Valcke. Route included Falmouth, Tenerife, Freetown, Matadi, and Boma. Returned alone to Ostend in October.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozIZOVaIrAQ
1954 – Stationed in Bas-Congo from June to September; numerous African ports visited, including Boma, Loanda, Pointe-Noire.
1955 – Another Congo cruise; later scientific/oceanographic operations at Banane, then return to Belgium. Ended the year in drydock at Ghent.
1956–1958 – Shorter patrols and dockyard maintenance in Bruges, Ostend, and Antwerp.
1959 – Large NATO task group deployment with Kamina, Artevelde, and US/Belgian escorts. Extensive voyage: Lisbon, Las Palmas, Freetown, Matadi, and Loanda. Returned to Belgium Dec 1959.
1960 – Fisheries patrol at Reykjavik (March–April). In August, deployed to Congo again for independence ceremonies, escorting Kamina with Dufour, Lecointe and De Moor. Stationed at Banane during the Matadi crisis, avoiding direct involvement in the clashes.
1961 – Final operational year: visits to Gibraltar, Brest, Portsmouth, Bremerhaven, Cowes, and Falmouth. Decommissioned on 28 Oct 1961 at Zeebrugge.
1962–1966 – In reserve at Zeebrugge as “F904 De Brouwer.”
- Dec 1967 – sold for scrap at Van Heyghen, Ghent.
The ship logged 96,684 nautical miles under Belgian colors, serving as a symbol of Belgium’s postwar overseas presence.
Specifications
Shipyard: Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast (UK)
Laid down: 22 Sep 1942 — Launched: 20 Apr 1943 — Commissioned: 20 Aug 1943
Displacement: 940 t (light) / 1,225 t (combat load)
Dimensions: 69 m length × 10.8 m beam × 3.0 m draught
Propulsion: 2 steam turbines, 2,000 hp, 2 shafts
Speed: 16.5 knots max / 12 knots cruising
Range: 4,000 nm at 10 knots
Crew: ~107 (7 officers, 37 NCOs, 63 sailors)
Radars: Types 271, 242, 253Armament (Belgian fit)
Weapon Mounts Notes 1 × 102 mm/50 Mk XIX DP single main gun 4 × 1 40 mm Bofors single AA 4 × ASW mortars — depth-charge throwers 2 × DC rails — stern
Place in War Thunder
In-game, De Brouwer would represent the Bofors-armed turbine -powered Algerine-ships:
- Better AA defense with the 40 mm’s, but lacking advanced ASW weapons.
- Historical deployments give her relevance as a “colonial/NATO patrol” ship.
A natural fit for Rank II or III in a BeNeLux or French subtree, complementing the other Belgian Algerines, but also not excluded as a British event/premium vehicle.
Pictures
Pictures
- HMS Spanker in Royal Navy service (1943).
Baptism of De Brouwer at Ostend (1953).https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozIZOVaIrAQ
Congo deployments, 1953–1960.
Sources
Sources
Marine Belge. (n.d.). M904 De Brouwer. Retrieved Aug 26, 2025, from https://www.marinebelge.be
Chesneau, R. (Ed.). (1980). Conway’s All the World’s Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich: Conway Maritime Press.
Brown, D. K. (1990). Nelson to Vanguard: Warship Design and Development 1923–1945. Naval Institute Press.
Macpherson, K., & Barrie, R. (2002). The Ships of Canada’s Naval Forces 1910–2002. Vanwell Publishing.