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fighting ships of the world

ROYAL NAVY - UNITED KINGDOM

MINE WARFARE SHIPS

"TON" coastal minesweepers (CONISTON) (1953 - 1960)

Bossington 1957

Coniston 1963

Houghton 1970

Bildeston 1979

Alfriston 1979

Beachampton 1979

Soberton 1990

Sheraton 1990

 

Name

No

Yard No

Builder

Laid down

Launched

Comp

Fate

Coniston (ex-Red Ant)

M1101

4135

Thornycroft, Woolston

14.6.1950

9.7.1952

18.3.1953

BU 1.1970

Alcaston (ex-Blue Ant)

M1102

4136

Thornycroft, Woolston

2.7.1951

5.1.1953

5.1.1954

to Australia 5.1962 (Snipe)

Alfriston (ex-Green Ant), 5.1954- Warsash, 1958- Alfriston, 1961- Kilmorey, 1975- Alfriston

M1103

4137

Thornycroft, Woolston

17.8.1951

29.4.1953

1.5.1954

BU 12.1988

Alverton (ex-Golden Ant), 6.1954- Thames, 2.1962- Alverton

M1104

 

Camper & Nicholson, Gosport

25.6.1951

18.11.1952

8.6.1954

to Ireland 11.1970 (Banba)

Mersey (ex-Amerton, ex-Red Aphis), 10.1959- Amerton, 1960- Clyde, 1971- Amerton

M1105

 

Camper & Nicholson, Gosport

9.7.1951

16.3.1953

9.10.1954

BU 8.1971

Appleton (ex-Blue Aphis)

M1106

482

Goole SB

2.4.1951

4.9.1952

23.3.1954

sold 9.1972

Beachampton (ex-Green Aphis)

M1107, 1971- P1007

483

Goole SB

9.4.1951

29.6.1953

29.7.1956

sold 3.1985

Bevington (ex-Golden Aphis)

M1108

 

White, Southampton

13.9.1951

17.3.1953

10.4.1954

to Argentina 1967 (Tierra del Fuego)

Curzon (ex-Bickington, ex-Red Bee), 1960- Killiecrankie, 1974- Bickington

M1109

 

White, Southampton

21.9.1951

14.5.1952

3.10.1954

BU 8.1988

Bildeston (ex-Blue Bee)

M1110

 

Doig, Grimsby

18.5.1951

9.6.1952

28.4.1953

BU 8.1988

Edderton (ex-Green Bee)

M1111

 

Doig, Grimsby

18.5.1951

1.11.1952

16.3.1954

survey vessel Myrmidon 4.1964

Boulston (ex-Golden Bee), 1961- Warsash

M1112

 

Richards IW, Lowestoft

1.6.1951

6.10.1952

29.4.1954

BU 10.1974

St. David (ex-Brereton, ex- Red Beetle), 11.1961- Brereton

M1113

406

Richards IW, Lowestoft

25.9.1951

14.3.1955

9.7.1954

BU 11.1992

Brinton (ex-Blue Beetle)

M1114

853

Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley

30.5.1951

8.8.1952

9.3.1954

sold 12.1997

Humber (ex-Bronington, ex-Green Beetle), 1959- Bronington

M1115

854

Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley

30.5.1951

19.3.1953

4.6.1954

sold 9.1988, museum ship

Burnaston (ex-Golden Beetle)

M1116

 

Fleetlands, Gosport

3.5.1951

18.12.1952

3.3.1954

BU 3.1971

Venturer (ex-Buttington, ex-Red Butterfly), later Buttington, 2.1962- Thames

M1117

 

Fleetlands, Gosport

26.11.1951

11.6.1953

4.6.1954

BU 5.1970

Calton (ex-Blue Butterfly)

M1118

71

Wivenhoe, Colchester

18.2.1952

24.10.1953

4.1.1955

BU 6.1968

Carhampton (ex-Green Butterfly)

M1119

72

Wivenhoe, Colchester

9.11.1953

21.7.1955

19.11.1956

BU 6.1970

Caunton (ex-Golden Butterfly)

M1120

 

Montrose SYd

28.1.1952

20.2.1953

6.4.1954

BU 4.1970

Montrose (ex-Chediston, ex-Red Centipede), 10.1957- Chediston

M1121

 

Montrose SYd

30.4.1952

6.10.1953

10.12.1954

to Australia 8.1962 (Curlew)

Chilcompton (ex-Blue Centipede)

M1122

122

Herd & McKenzie, Buckie

1.9.1951

23.10.1953

1954 // 13.6.1962

sold 11.1971

Clarbeston

M1123

 

Richards IW, Lowestoft

12.3.1952

18.2.1954

3/1955

BU 6.1970

Clyde (ex-Crichton), 1961- St. David, 1976- Crichton

M1124

 

Doig, Grimsby

21.4.1952

17.3.1953

18.6.1954

BU 4.1987

Cuxton

M1125

 

Camper & Nicholson, Gosport

23.7.1952

9.11.1953

1954 // 10.1975

BU 4.1992

Dalswinton, 1962- Montrose

M1126

 

White, Southampton

26.3.1952

24.9.1953

19.1.1955

sold 11.1972

Darlaston

M1127

 

Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley

30.9.1952

25.9.1953

12.10.1954

to Malaysia 5.1960 (Mahamiru)

Derriton, 1955- Killiecrankie, 1960- Derriton

M1128

4152

Thornycroft, Woolston

1952

22.12.1953

1954

sold 2.1971

Oulston

M1129

4153

Thornycroft, Woolston

1953

20.7.1954

1955

to Ireland 11.1970 (Grainne)

Highburton

M1130

4154

Thornycroft, Woolston

1953

2.6.1954

21.4.1955

BU 7.1978

Hickleton

M1131

4155

Thornycroft, Woolston

1954

26.1.1955

1955

to Argentina 1967 (Neuquen)

Blaxton

M1132

4156

Thornycroft, Woolston

1954

26.1.1955

1955

to Ireland 11.1970 (Fola)

Bossington (ex-Embleton)

M1133

4157

Thornycroft, Woolston

1954

2.12.1955

11.12.1956

sold 11.1988

Essington

M1134

 

Camper & Nicholson, Gosport

1954

9/1954

1955

to Malaysia 1964 (Kinabalu)

Fenton

M1135

 

Camper & Nicholson, Gosport

1954

10.3.1955

1955

BU 1968

Fittleton, 1961- Curzon, 1975- Fittleton

M1136

 

White, Southampton

1953

3.2.1954

1954

collision 20.9.1976

Flockton

M1137

 

White, Southampton

1953

3.6.1954

1954

BU 7.1969

Floriston

M1138

 

Richards IW, Lowestoft

1954

26.1.1955

1955

sold 5.1968

Somerleyton (ex-Gamston)

M1139

 

Richards IW, Lowestoft

1954

1.7.1954

1955

to Australia 7.1962 (Hawk)

Gavinton

M1140

 

Doig, Grimsby

1953

27.7.1953

14.7.1954

BU 10.1991

Glasserton

M1141

 

Doig, Grimsby

1953

3.12.1953

31.12.1954

training hulk 1983

Hazleton

M1142

 

Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley

1953

6.2.1954

1954

to South Africa 1955 (Kaapstaad)

Hexton

M1143

 

Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley

1953

19.6.1954

1955

to Malaysia 10.1963 (Ledang)

Dunkerton

M1144

491

Goole SB

1953

8.3.1954

1954

to South Africa 8.1955 (Pretoria)

Dufton

M1145

492

Goole SB

1954

13.11.1954

1955

BU 6.1977

Northumbria (ex-Hodgeston), 1960- Hodgeston, 1961- Venturer, 1975- Hodgeston

M1146

 

Fleetlands, Gosport

1953

6.4.1954

17.12.1954

BU 9.1988

Hubberston

M1147

 

Camper & Nicholson, Gosport

1954

14.9.1954

14.10.1955

BU 5.1992

Ilmington

M1148

 

Camper & Nicholson, Gosport

1953

8.3.1954

1954

to Argentina 1967 (Formosa)

Badminton (ex-Ilston)

M1149

 

Camper & Nicholson, Gosport

1954

14.10.1954

1955

BU 4.1970

Invermoriston

M1150

 

Dorset Yacht, Poole, Poole

1954

2.6.1954

1955

BU 7.1971

Iveston

M1151

 

Philip, Dartmouth

1954

1.6.1954

29.6.1955

Sea Cadets TS 8.1993

Jackton

M1152

 

Philip, Dartmouth

1954

28.2.1955

1955

to Australia 8.1962 (Teal)

Northumbria (ex-Kedleston), 1955- Kedleston

M1153

348

Pickersgill, Sunderland

1953

21.12.1953

2.7.1955

BU 4.1992

Kellington

M1154

349

Pickersgill, Sunderland

1954

12.10.1954

4.11.1955

Sea Cadets TS 8.1993

Monkton (ex-Kelton)

M1155, 1971- P1055

124

Herd & McKenzie, Buckie

1954

30.11.1955

1956

sold 4.1985

Kemerton

M1156

1517

Harland & Wolff, Belfast

1953

27.11.1953

1954

sold 10.1971

Kilmorey (ex-Kirkliston), 1960- Kirkliston

M1157

1518

Harland & Wolff, Belfast

1953

18.2.1954

21.8.1954

BU 10.1991

Laleston

M1158

1519

Harland & Wolff, Belfast

1953

18.5.1954

1954

sold 12.1984

Lanton

M1159

1520

Harland & Wolff, Belfast

1953

30.7.1954

1955

BU 4.1970

Letterston

M1160

1521

Harland & Wolff, Belfast

1954

26.10.1954

1955

sold 6.1971

Leverton

M1161

1522

Harland & Wolff, Belfast

1954

2.3.1955

1955

sold 8.1971

Kildarton (ex-Liston)

M1162

1523

Harland & Wolff, Belfast

1954

23.5.1955

1955

BU 7.1969

Lullington

M1163

1524

Harland & Wolff, Belfast

1955

31.8.1955

1956

to Malaysia 4.1966 (Tahan)

Maddiston

M1164

1525

Harland & Wolff, Belfast

1955

27.1.1956

1956

sold 10.1974

Maxton

M1165

1526

Harland & Wolff, Belfast

1955

24.5.1956

19.2.1957

BU 4.1989

Nurton, 1958- Montrose, 1961- Nurton, 1972- Killiecrankie, 1974- Nurton

M1166

1527

Harland & Wolff, Belfast

1955

22.10.1956

21.8.1957

sold 4.1995

Repton (ex-Ossington)

M1167

1528

Harland & Wolff, Belfast

1956

1.5.1957

1958

sold 8.1982

Dilston (ex-Pilston)

M1168

 

Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley

1953

15.11.1954

1955

to Malaysia 1964 (Jerai)

Penston

M1169

 

Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley

1954

9.5.1955

1955

BU 1.1970

Picton

M1170

 

Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley

1954

20.10.1955

1956

BU 7.1969

Aldington (ex-Pittington)

M1171

 

Camper & Nicholson, Gosport

1954

15.9.1955

1956

to Ghana 1964 (Ejura)

Thankerton

M1172

 

Camper & Nicholson, Gosport

1955

4.9.1956

1957

to Malaysia 5.1966 (Brinchang)

Pollington, 10.1959- Mersey, 1975- Pollington

M1173

 

Camper & Nicholson, Gosport

1956

10.10.1957

5.9.1958

BU 4.1987

Puncheston

M1174

 

Richards IW, Lowestoft

1955

20.11.1956

1957

sold 5.1972

Quainton, 4.1960- Northumbria, 1972- Quainton

M1175

 

Richards IW, Lowestoft

1956

10.10.1957

1958

sold 8.1979

Rennington

M1176

 

Richards IW, Lowestoft

1957

27.11.1958

1959

to Argentina 1967 (Chaco)

Rodington

M1177

 

Fleetlands, Gosport

1954

24.2.1955

1955

sold 5.1972

Santon

M1178

 

Fleetlands, Gosport

1954

18.8.1955

1956

to Argentina 1967 (Chubut)

Sefton

M1179

 

Fleetlands, Gosport

1954

15.9.1954

1955

BU 7.1968

Shavington

M1180

 

White, Southampton

1954

25.4.1955

1.3.1956

BU 4.1987

Sheraton

M1181

 

White, Southampton

1954

20.7.1955

24.8.1956

sold 12.1997

Shoulton

M1182

 

Montrose SYd

1954

10.9.1954

1955

BU 2.1981

Singleton

M1183

 

Montrose SYd

1954

18.11.1955

1956

to Australia 9.1962 (Ibis)

Sullington

M1184

 

Doig, Grimsby

1953

7.4.1954

1954

survey vessel Mermaid 4.1965

Swanston

M1185

 

Doig, Grimsby

1953

1.7.1954

1955

to Australia 7.1962 (Gull)

Tarlton

M1186

 

Doig, Grimsby

1954

10.11.1954

1955

to Argentina 1967 (Rio Negro)

Upton

M1187

4160

Thornycroft, Woolston

1955

15.3.1956

24.7.1956

BU 10.1991

Walkerton

M1188

4161

Thornycroft, Woolston

1955

21.11.1956

10.1.1958

BU 12.1990

Wasperton

M1189, 1971- P1089

 

White, Southampton

1955

28.2.1956

1956

sold 1986

Wennington

M1190

 

Doig, Grimsby

1954

6.4.1955

1955

to India 8.1956 (कुड्डलौर [Cuddalore])

Whitton

M1191

 

Fleetlands, Gosport

1955

30.1.1956

1956 // ---

to India before completion (कण्णनौर [Cannanore])

Wilkieston

M1192

 

Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley

1955

26.6.1956

1957

BU 9.1976

Wolverton

M1193, 1971- P1093

 

Montrose SYd

1955

22.10.1956

1957

sold 6.1985

Woolaston, 9.1969- Thames, 1975- Woolaston

M1194

126

Herd & McKenzie, Buckie

1957

6.3.1958

1958

sold 11.1980

Wotton

M1195

 

Philip, Dartmouth

1955

24.4.1956

8.6.1957

Sea Cadets TS 2.1986

Yarnton

M1196, 1971- P1096

350

Pickersgill, Sunderland

1955

26.3.1956

1957

sold 1986

Overton

M1197

 

Camper & Nicholson, Gosport

1955

28.1.1956

28.8.1956 // ---

completed for India (कारवाड़ [Karwar])

Ashton (ex-Cheriton)

M1198

 

White, Itchen

1955

5.9.1956

1957

BU 6.1977

Belton

M1199

 

Doig, Grimsby

1954

3.10.1955

1956

BU 10.1974

Soberton

M1200

 

Fleetlands, Gosport

1955

20.11.1956

17.9.1957

BU 7.1998

Durweston

M1201

 

Dorset Yacht, Poole, Poole

1954

18.8.1955

1956

to India 8.1956 (काकीनाड़ा [Kakinada])

Maryton

M1202

 

Montrose SYd

1957

3.4.1958

1959

BU 7.1969

Dartington

M1203

 

Philip, Dartmouth

1955

2.10.1956

1957

BU 2.1970

Stubbington

M1204

 

Camper & Nicholson, Gosport

1955

8.8.1956

30.7.1957

BU 9.1989

Wiston

M1205

73

Wivenhoe, Colchester

1957

3.6.1958

1959

BU 8.1982

Fiskerton

M1206

 

Doig, Grimsby

1956

12.4.1957

1958

sold 1971

Castleton

M1207

 

White, Southampton

1956

26.8.1957

1958

to South Africa 1958 (Johannesburg)

Lewiston

M1208

144

Herd & McKenzie, Buckie

1958

3.11.1959

16.6.1960

target 12.1985

Chawton

M1209

 

Fleetlands, Gosport

1956

24.9.1957

1958

sold 7.1977

Stratton

M1210

 

Dorset Yacht, Poole, Poole

1956

29.7.1957

1958

to South Africa 1958 (Kimberley)

Houghton

M1211

 

Camper & Nicholson, Gosport

1956

22.11.1957

1958

BU 1.1971

Dumbleton

M1212

1555

Harland & Wolff, Belfast

1956

8.11.1957

1958

to South Africa 10.1958 (Port Elizabeth)

Oakington

M1213

1584

Harland & Wolff, Belfast

1957

10.12.1958

1959 // ---

completed for South Africa (Mosselbaai)

Packington

M1214

1585

Harland & Wolff, Belfast

1957

3.7.1958

1959 // ---

completed for South Africa (Walvisbaii)

Chilton

M1215

 

Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Beverley

1956

15.7.1957

1958

to South Africa 1958 (East London)

Crofton, 5.1969- Warsash, 1975- Crofton

M1216

4173

Thornycroft, Woolston

1957

7.3.1958

26.8.1958

BU 4.1987

 

Displacement standard, t

360

Displacement full, t

425

Length, m

42.7 pp 46.3 oa

Breadth, m

8.80

Draught, m

2.50 max

No of shafts

2

Machinery

M1101 - 1129, 1141, 1158: 2 Mirrlees diesels

M1130 - 1140, 1142 - 1157, 1159 - 1216: 2 Napier Deltic diesels

Power, h. p.

M1101 - 1129, 1141, 1158: 2500

M1130 - 1140, 1142 - 1157, 1159 - 1216: 3000

Max speed, kts

15

Fuel, t

diesel oil 45

Endurance, nm(kts) 3000(8)

Armament

1 x 1 - 40/60 Mk 7, 1 x 2 - 20/70 Mk 9, LL mechanical/magnetic/acoustic minesweeping gear

Electronic equipment

type 978 radar

Complement

29

Project history: During the Korean War it was learned that Russian magnetic influence mines could defeat degaussing, making the steel-hulled Algerine class 'fleet' sweepers obsolete and raising fears of a mining offensive against European ports. To counter this threat, in 1951 a massive programme of 118 coastal minesweepers was authorized, backed up by inshore sweepers for working in estuaries. The ships were launched during 1952-59. The original plan was to name all coastal minesweepers after insects, with distinguishing colours for differing equipment fits, but eventually names of villages ending in 'ton' were adopted.

   The design called for an aluminium-framed, wooden planked hull with non-magnetic fittings, capable of undertaking ocean passages, and the result was a sturdy craft. Early members of the class had an open bridge and the lead-ship Coniston had no top to her funnel and a short lattice mast, but subsequent vessels had a double-finned funnel top and covered bridges were progressively introduced. The last major external change was to revert to a tripod mast, for a new radar.

Modernizations: 1964-1970, M1110, 1112, 1114, 1115, 1128, 1130, 1133, 1140, 1141, 1147, 1151, 1153, 1154, 1157, 1165, 1166, 1181, 1182: were converted to minehunters: - sweeping gear; + type 193 sonar, 2 inflatable boats, 4 divers, Sperry Towed Acoustic Generator (TAG) on some

late 1971, P1007, 1055, 1089, 1093, 1096: were converted to coastal patrol craft: - 1 x 2 - 20/70, sweeping gear; + 1 x 1 - 40/60 Mk 7

Naval service: Fittleton was sunk in collision with survey vessel Mermaid off Dutch coast 20.9.1976. Many served as RNVR/RNR tenders, being renamed as rivers.

Crichton 1980

Gavinton 1980

Yarnton 1980

Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.

© Ivan Gogin, 2015