MSI Ham Type Herstal-class inshore minesweeper, BNC M476 Merksem - Animo et Fortitudene

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The M476 Merksem was one of Belgium’s MSI-class inshore minesweepers built during the Cold War. Commissioned in February 1959, she was designed for clearing mines in rivers, estuaries, and shallow coastal waters. With a modest armament consisting of a twin 12.7 mm Browning HMG mount, Merksem was primarily a defensive and support vessel.

Like her sister ships, Merksem played an important role in NATO naval exercises and Belgian coastal defense duties. She was sponsored by the city of Merksem and represented one of the smaller, but vital, warships of Belgium’s post-war navy.

TL;DR: M476 Merksem was a Belgian MSI-class minesweeper with light armament and active Cold War service.

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History

History

Following the obsolescence of ex-WWII minesweepers, Belgium ordered sixteen domestically built MSI-class (AMI) shallow-water minesweepers from the Mercantile Marine Yard in Kruibeke.

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M476 Merksem was laid down on 5 April 1958 and commissioned on 6 February 1959. She carried the callsign ORHM and was sponsored by the city of Merksem.

Throughout her career she participated in coastal defense, patrols, and mine countermeasure training. One notable record is her presence at Tamise on 29 August 1968. Like her sisters, she also joined NATO exercises during the Cold War, although her individual voyages are less well documented than some other ships of the class.

One famous example of a situation where she was involved in can be seen in this video (in Dutch):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmNvXT0FXLs

Commanders included:

  • Paul G.V.L.J. Benoidt
  • Georges H.F.G. Laurent
  • Jozef J.F. Liekens
  • Frank Loones
  • Gaston Van Slembrouck

Merksem remained in service until the late 1980s/early 1990s before being retired and disposed of, in line with the rest of the MSI fleet.

Specifications

Displacement: 173 t (freshwater), 177 t (saltwater)
Length/Beam/Draught: 34.4 m / 6.65 m / 2.1 m
Propulsion: 2 × Nuove Reggiane diesels, 2 shafts, 1260 hp
Speed: 15 knots
Range: 2,300 nm @ 10 knots
Crew: 18 (2 officers, 7 petty officers, 9 sailors)

Armament Variants:

Version Weapons
Early 1 × twin 12.7 mm Browning HMG

Mine Warfare Gear: Acoustic, magnetic, and mechanical sweeps
Electronics: Decca 707 radar (1958–70), Decca 1216 (1970–92)
Construction: Wooden hull, non-magnetic fittings

Place in War Thunder

Regarding nations

The MSI-class, including M476 Merksem, would be perfect for the BeNeLux naval tree, or as a subtree within France, reflecting Belgium’s NATO partnership.

In-game, Merksem could appear as a low-BR coastal vessel. She would play as a lightly armed minesweeper, similar to other small Cold War support ships, but would provide variety and unique representation for Belgian naval history.

Pictures

Pictures

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1992 in Liege

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1992 in Liege

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Being scrapped in Ghent

Sources

Sources

Belgian Navy Forum. (n.d.). MSI mine sweeper inshore.
Masset, F., & Grimbergs, E. (2015). MSI M477 Oudenaarde. Ruimschoots, 15(3).
Anrys, H., De Decker de Brandeken, J.-M., & Eygenraam, P. (1992). De zeemacht. Tielt.
Hofkens, L. (2021). Eigendomsoverdracht M477 Oudenaarde. Ruimschoots.
Inventaris Onroerend Erfgoed 2025: M477 Oudenaarde.
NavSource Naval History. (2023). Mine Warfare Vessel Archive.
Belgian MSC/MSI Archive. (n.d.). Archived at: https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbelgian-msc-msi.doomby.com