HMCS OSPREY

USS Osprey (AM–56), was a Raven-class minesweeper of the United States Navy, laid down on 28 June 1939 at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia; launched on 24 August 1940; sponsored by Ms. Margaret Kays; and commissioned on 16 December 1940.

On 3 April 1944, the minesweeper departed for England to take part in “Operation Overlord”. With other units of Minesweeper Squadron 7 (MinRon 7), she had successfully conducted sweeping operations off Tor Bay, England.

D-Day minus 1 – June 5 1944 at about 17.00hrs whilst sweeping South of the Isle of Wight the minesweeper USS Osprey hit a mine that blew a large hole in the forward engine room. Fires broke out and at 1815 the ship had to be abandoned.

Osprey sank soon after with the loss of six men. These were the first casualties of the D-Day invasion.