Ahven-class minesweeper
# Ahven-class minesweeper

The Ahven-class minesweepers (English: Perch) were a series of six minesweepers of the Finnish Navy. The ships were constructed in 1936–1937 at the Turun Veneveistämö Shipyard in Finland and saw service during World War II. The Ahven class was stricken in 1961.

## Description

The Ahven class were a series of minesweepers that had a standard displacement of 17 tonnes (17 long tons). They measured 17.2 metres (56 ft) long with a beam of 3.7 m (12 ft 2 in) and a draught of 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in). The vessels were powered by a diesel engine rated at 48 kilowatts (65 bhp) turning one propeller giving the minesweepers a maximum speed of 10.5 knots (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph). The Ahven class were armed with one 20 mm (0.8 in) gun mounted on the deck forward and had a complement of 8 officers and ratings.

## Ships in class

The six Ahven-class minesweepers were:

* Ahven – renamed to Ahven 1
* Kiiski – renamed to Ahven 2
* Muikku – renamed to Ahven 3
* Särki – renamed to Ahven 4
* Kuore – renamed to Ahven 5
* Lahna – renamed to Ahven 6

## Service history

All six vessels of the class were constructed by Turun Veneveistämö Shipyard in Finland and launched in 1936–1937. Designated a motor minesweeper, the Ahven class were later renamed and were stricken in 1961.

