The Linnet class were the largest of a dozen specialized vessels known as "Indicator Loop Mine Layers" built for the Royal Navy immediately before and during the Second World War.

These vessels were designed to lay controlled mines, used in coastal defences, as well as anti-submarine indicator loops.

Similar vessels known as mine planters were operated by the US Army during the same era.

[1] Ships of the class had a displacement of 498 tons standard and a length of 145 ft 0 in (44.20 m) between perpendiculars.

They had two triple expansion engines which allowed the ship to have a maximum speed of 10.5 knots (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph).