Ton class minesweeper
Encyclopedia
The Ton class were coastal minesweeper
s built in the 1950s for the Royal Navy
, but also used by other navies such as the South African Navy
and the Royal Australian Navy
. They were intended to meet the threat of seabed mines
laid in shallow coastal waters, rivers, ports and harbours, a task for which the existing ocean-going minesweepers of the Algerine class
were not suited.
, and drew on lessons learnt in the Korean War
, and numbered 119 vessels. They were diesel powered vessels of 440 tons displacement fully laden, constructed of wood and other non-ferromagnetic materials. Their small displacement and shallow draft gave them some protection against pressure and contact mines, and allowed them to navigate in shallow inshore waters. Primary armament was one Bofors 40 mm gun
, although the South African variants also had an Oerlikon 20 mm cannon
behind the funnel. RN vessels also had the same but were gradually removed and an M2 Browning machine gun mounted midships. Sweeping equipment was provided for moored mines and magnetic mines.
Many of the class were converted to minehunters by the incorporation of active rudders and the installation of the Type 193 minehunting sonar and associated equipment, including a very welcome enclosed bridge (The exception being HMS Highburton who retained her open bridge until de-commissioning in the 1970's, this actually becoming a source of manliness to her crew when meeting other Ton crews). These vessels only retained mechanical "Oropesa" sweep capability.
The class served as patrol vessels in Borneo
, Malaysia and Northern Ireland
. The minehunters played a signifacant role in the Suez Canal
clearance after the Yom Kippur war
. They also provided the backbone of the UK's Fishery Protection Squadron (4th MCM).
It was originally planned to name the ships after insects, with names like Red Ant, Green Cockchafer and so on, but this plan was abandoned and the Royal Navy ships of the class were given names of British towns and villages ending in "-ton", hence the name of the class.
With the rundown of the Royal Navy fleet in the 1960s, many were sent to become base ships for the Royal Naval Reserve
allowing reserve crews to get to sea for short periods without a lot of effort to organise a crew of significant size. Some of these had their names changed to reflect the RNR Division they were attached to.
The RNR vessels lasted until the introduction of the River-class
minesweepers in 1984. The remainder of the RN ships paid off in the 1990s.
South African Navy
:
Royal New Zealand Navy
:
Minesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
s built in the 1950s for the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, but also used by other navies such as the South African Navy
South African Navy
The South African Navy is the navy of the Republic of South Africa.-Formation:The South African Navy can trace its official origins back to the SA Naval Service, which was established on 1 April 1922....
and the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
. They were intended to meet the threat of seabed mines
Naval mine
A naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, an enemy vessel...
laid in shallow coastal waters, rivers, ports and harbours, a task for which the existing ocean-going minesweepers of the Algerine class
Algerine class minesweeper
The Algerine-class was a class of minesweepers of the Royal Navy and the Commonwealth. 110 ships of the class were launched between 1942 and 1944 and served in World War II....
were not suited.
Description
The design of the class was led by the shipyard John I. Thornycroft & CompanyJohn I. Thornycroft & Company
John I. Thornycroft & Company Limited, usually known simply as Thornycroft was a British shipbuilding firm started by John Isaac Thornycroft in the 19th century.-History:...
, and drew on lessons learnt in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, and numbered 119 vessels. They were diesel powered vessels of 440 tons displacement fully laden, constructed of wood and other non-ferromagnetic materials. Their small displacement and shallow draft gave them some protection against pressure and contact mines, and allowed them to navigate in shallow inshore waters. Primary armament was one Bofors 40 mm gun
Bofors 40 mm gun
The Bofors 40 mm gun is an anti-aircraft autocannon designed by the Swedish defence firm of Bofors Defence...
, although the South African variants also had an Oerlikon 20 mm cannon
Oerlikon 20 mm cannon
The Oerlikon 20 mm cannon is a series of autocannons, based on an original design by Reinhold Becker of Germany, very early in World War I, and widely produced by Oerlikon Contraves and others...
behind the funnel. RN vessels also had the same but were gradually removed and an M2 Browning machine gun mounted midships. Sweeping equipment was provided for moored mines and magnetic mines.
Many of the class were converted to minehunters by the incorporation of active rudders and the installation of the Type 193 minehunting sonar and associated equipment, including a very welcome enclosed bridge (The exception being HMS Highburton who retained her open bridge until de-commissioning in the 1970's, this actually becoming a source of manliness to her crew when meeting other Ton crews). These vessels only retained mechanical "Oropesa" sweep capability.
The class served as patrol vessels in Borneo
Borneo
Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is located north of Java Island, Indonesia, at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia....
, Malaysia and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. The minehunters played a signifacant role in the Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The Suez Canal , also known by the nickname "The Highway to India", is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Opened in November 1869 after 10 years of construction work, it allows water transportation between Europe and Asia without navigation...
clearance after the Yom Kippur war
Yom Kippur War
The Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War , also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War, was fought from October 6 to 25, 1973, between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria...
. They also provided the backbone of the UK's Fishery Protection Squadron (4th MCM).
It was originally planned to name the ships after insects, with names like Red Ant, Green Cockchafer and so on, but this plan was abandoned and the Royal Navy ships of the class were given names of British towns and villages ending in "-ton", hence the name of the class.
With the rundown of the Royal Navy fleet in the 1960s, many were sent to become base ships for the Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Naval Reserve
The Royal Naval Reserve is the volunteer reserve force of the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. The present Royal Naval Reserve was formed in 1958 by merging the original Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve , a reserve of civilian volunteers founded in 1903...
allowing reserve crews to get to sea for short periods without a lot of effort to organise a crew of significant size. Some of these had their names changed to reflect the RNR Division they were attached to.
The RNR vessels lasted until the introduction of the River-class
River class minesweeper
The River class was a class of minesweeper built for the British Royal Navy in the 1980s, designated Fleet Minesweepers .-Design:The Rivers were built with a traditional steel hull to a design based on a commercial offshore support vessel...
minesweepers in 1984. The remainder of the RN ships paid off in the 1990s.
Ships
Royal Navy:
- Alcaston, launched 5 January 1953; sold to Australia in 1961 and renamed SnipeHMAS SnipeHMAS Snipe was a Ton class minesweeper which served in the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy .-Construction:The ship was constructed by John I...
; broken up in 1985. - Aldington, launched 15 September 1955; sold to Ghana in 1964 and renamed Ejura; broken up in 1979.
- Alfriston, launched 29 April 1953; broken up in 1988.
- Alverton, launched 18 November 1953; sold to Ireland in 1971 and renamed 'Banba
- Amerton, launched 16 March 1953; broken up in 1971.
- Appleton, launched 4 September 1953; broken up in 1972.
- Ashton (ex-Cheriton), launched 5 September 1956; broken up in 1977.
- Badminton, launched 14 October 1954; broken up in 1970.
- Beachampton, launched 29 June 1953; sold in 1985.
- BeltonHMS Belton (M1199)HMS Belton Ton-class minesweeper of the Royal Navy, launched on 3 October 1955. The Belton ran aground in the Hebrides in October 1971. She was eventually re-floated and taken to Greenock in Scotland but was found to be beyond economical repair...
, launched 3 October 1955; broken up in 1974. - Bevington, launched 17 March 1953; sold to Argentina in 1968 and renamed Tierra del Fuego.
- Bickington, launched 14 May 1952; broken up in 1988.
- Bildeston, launched 9 June 1952; broken up in 1988.
- Blaxton, launched 26 January 1955; sold to Ireland in 1970 and renamed Fola.
- Bossington (ex-Embleton), launched 2 December 1955; broken up in 1988.
- Boulston, launched 6 October 1952; broken up in 1975.
- BreretonHMS Brereton (M1113)HMS Brereton was a Ton class minesweeper of the Royal Navy.Launched on 14 May 1953, she was renamed HMS St David in 1954 when she became a tender to the South Wales unit of the Royal Naval Reserve, which later became . She served as such until November 1961, when her named reverted to Brereton...
, launched 14 March 1955; broken up in 1992. - Brinton, launched 8 August 1952; sold in 1997.
- BroningtonHMS Bronington (M1115)HMS Bronington is a Ton-class minesweeper of the Royal Navy, launched on 19 March 1953. This mahogany-hulled minesweeper is one of the last of the "wooden walls" ....
, launched 19 March 1953; became a museum shipMuseum shipA museum ship, or sometimes memorial ship, is a ship that has been preserved and converted into a museum open to the public, for educational or memorial purposes...
in 1989. - Burnaston, launched 18 December 1952; broken up in 1971.
- Buttington, launched 11 June 1953; broken up in 1970.
- Calton, launched 24 October 1953; broken up in 1968.
- Carhampton, launched 21 July 1955; broken up in 1970.
- Castleton, launched 26 August 1958; sold to South Africa in 1959 and renamed Johannesburg
- Caunton, launched 18 December 1952; broken up in 1970.
- Chawton, launched 24 September 1957; broken up in 1977.
- Chediston, launched 20 February 1953; sold to Australia in 1968 and renamed CurlewHMAS CurlewHMAS Curlew was a Ton class minesweeper operated by the Royal Navy from 1953 to 1961, and the Royal Australian Navy from 1962 to 1991. During her Australian service, the ship operated off Malaysia during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation during the mid 1960s, then was modified for use as a...
- Chilcompton, launched 6 October 1953; sold in 1971.
- Chilton, launched 15 July 1957; sold to South Africa in 1958 and renamed East London.
- Clarbeston, launched 18 February 1954; broken up in 1987.
- Coniston, launched 9 July 1952; broken up in 1970.
- Crichton, launched 17 March 1953; broken up in 1987.
- Crofton, launched 7 March 1958; broken up in 1987.
- Cuxton, launched 9 November 1953; broken up in 1992.
- Dalswinton, launched 24 September 1953; broken up in 1973.
- Darlaston, launched 29 September 1953; sold to Malaysia 1960 and renamed Mahamiru.
- Derriton, launched 22 December 1953; broken up in 1970. The machinery and fittings were reconditioned and installed in the prototype Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) minehunter HMS Wilton (M1116)HMS Wilton (M1116)HMS Wilton was a prototype coastal minesweeper/minehunter for the Royal Navy. She was the first warship in the world to be constructed from glass-reinforced plastic. Her design was based upon the existing Ton class minesweepers, and she was fitted with equipment recovered from the scrapped HMS...
launched on 18 January 1972 and commissioned on 14 July 1974. - Dilston, launched 15 November 1954; sold to Malaysia in 1964 and renamed Jerai.
- Dufton, launched 13 November 1954; broken up in 1977.
- Dumbleton, launched 8 November 1957; sold to South Africa in 1958 and renamed Port Elizabeth.
- Dunkerton, launched 8 March 1954; sold to South Africa in 1955 and renamed Pretoria.
- Durweston, launched 18 August 1955; sold to India in 1956 and renamed Kakinada.
- Edderton, launched 1 November 1953; converted to a survey vesselSurvey vesselA survey vessel is any type of ship or boat that is used for mapping. It is a type of research vessel.-Role:The task of survey vessels is to map the bottom, benthic zone, full water column, and surface for the purpose of:* hydrography* general oceanography...
in 1964 and renamed Myrmidon; sold to Malaysia in 1969 and renamed Perantau. - Essington, launched 26 September 1956; Purchased Malaysia 1964 and renamed Kinabalu.
- Fenton, launched 2 December 1955; broken up in 1968.
- Fiskerton, launched 12 April 1957; broken up in 1977.
- FittletonHMS Fittleton (M1136)HMS Fittleton was a Ton class minesweeper of the Royal Navy. She was assigned to the Royal Naval Reserve and operated from HMS Sussex, but manned by members of both the Sussex division and the London division . She was sunk in a collision with HMS Mermaid on 20 September 1976 whilst on manoeuvres...
, launched 26 September 1956; broken up in 1977. - Flockton, launched 3 June 1954; broken up in 1969.
- Floriston, launched 26 January 1955; sold in 1968.
- Gavinton, launched 27 July 1953; broken up in 1991.
- Glasserton, launched 3 December 1953; broken up in 1988.
- Hazleton, launched 6 February 1954; sold to South Africa in 1955 and renamed Kaapstaad.
- Hexton, launched June 1954; sold to Malaysia in 1963 and renamed Ledang.
- HickletonHMNZS Hickleton (M1131)HMNZS Hickleton was a Ton class minesweeper that operated in the Royal Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy . She was named after a small village near Doncaster....
, launched 26 January 1955; sold to Argentina in 1971 and renamed Neuquen. - Highburton, launched 2 June 1954; Scrapped1978.
- HodgestonHMS Hodgeston (M1146)HMS Hodgeston was a Ton-class minesweeper which saw service with the Royal Navy during the Cold War. Built by Fleetlands Shipyard, she was launched on 6 April 1954 and broken up in 1988....
, launched 6 April 1954; broken up in 1988. - Houghton, launched 22 November 1957; broken up in 1971.
- Hubberston, launched 14 September 1954; broken up in 1992.
- Ilmington, launched 8 March 1954; sold to Argentina 1967 and renamed Formosa.
- Invermoriston, launched 2 June 1954; converted to air-sea rescue vessel; broken up in 1971.
- IvestonHMS IvestonHMS Iveston was a Ton-class minesweeper of the Royal Navy, formerly of the Second Mine Countermeasures Squadron. She has been decommissioned and now operates as the training ship T.S. Iveston. Iveston was built by Phillip & Son in Dartmouth and launched on 29 June 1955. In 1965, Iveston was...
, launched 14 October 1954; became a sea cadet training ship in 1993. - Jackton, launched 28 February 1955; sold to Australia 1961 and renamed TealHMAS TealHMAS Teal was a Ton class minesweeper operated by the Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy .-Construction:...
. - Kedleston, launched 21 December 1953; broken up in 1992.
- KellingtonHMS Kellington (M1154)HMS Kellington was a Ton-class minesweeper of the Royal Navy, launched on 12 October 1954 and named after the village of Kellington in North Yorkshire....
, launched 12 October 1954; Became a sea cadet training ship in 1993. Broken up in 2009. - KemertonHMS Kemerton (M1156)HMS Kemerton was a Ton-class minesweeper of the Royal Navy, launched on 27 November 1953 and named after the village of Kemerton in Worcestershire. She was put 'Operational Reserve' at Hythe from 1956 to 1962, before being sent to the Persian Gulf as part of the 9th Minesweeper Squadron. She was...
, launched 27 November 1953; broken up in 1975. - Kildarton (ex-Liston), launched 23 May 1955; sold in 1969.
- KirklistonHMS KirklistonHMS Kirkliston was a Ton-class minesweeper of the Royal Navy, built by Harland and Wolff and launched on 18 February 1954. In a brief episode from 1956 to 1960 she was temporarily renamed HMS Kilmorey and was assigned to the Ulster division Royal Naval Reserve .From 1962-1964 the Kirliston was...
, launched 18 February 1954; broken up in 1991. - Laleston, launched 18 May 1954; broken up in 1985.
- Lanton, launched 30 July 1954; broken up in 1970.
- Letterston, launched 26 October 1954; broken up in 1971.
- Leverton, launched 2 March 1955; broken up in 1972.
- Lewiston, launched 3 November 1959; broken up in 1986.
- Lullington, launched 31 August 1955; sold to Malaysia in 1966 and renamed Tahan.
- Maddiston, launched 27 January 1956; broken up in 1975.
- Maryton, launched 3 April 1958; broken up in 1969.
- Maxton, launched 24 May 1956; broken up in 1989.
- Monkton (ex-Kelton), launched 30 November 1955; sold in 1985.
- Nurton, launched 22 October 1956; broken up in 1995.
- Oakington, launched 10 December 1958; sold to South Africa in 1959 and renamed Mosselbaai.
- Oulston, launched 29 September 1953; sold to Ireland in 1971 and renamed Grainne.
- Overton, launched 28 January 1956; sold to India in 1956 and renamed Karwar.
- PackingtonHMS Packington (M1214)HMS Packington was a built by Harland & Wolff. On 20 September 1959 she was sold to the South African Navy and renamed the SAS Walvisbaai. She was retired in March 2001 and sold to the Walt Disney Company in 2003 to be used as the R/V Belafonte in the Wes Anderson film The Life Aquatic with Steve...
, launched 3 July 1958; sold to South Africa in 1959 and renamed Walvisbaai, then sold to the Walt Disney Company to portray the R/V Belafonte in The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou. - Penston, launched 9 May 1955; broken up in 1970.
- Picton, launched 20 October 1955; broken up in 1969.
- Pollington, launched 10 October 1957; broken up in 1987.
- Puncheston, launched 20 November 1956; broken up in 1977.
- Quainton, launched 10 October 1957; broken up in 1979.
- Rennington, launched 27 November 1958; sold to Argentina in 1967 and renamed Chaco
- Repton (ex-Ossington), launched 1 May 1956; sold in 1982.
- Roddington, launched 24 February 1955; broken up in 1972.
- SantonHMNZS Santon (M1178)HMNZS Santon was a Ton class minesweeper that operated in the Royal Navy, the Royal New Zealand Navy , and the Argentine Navy....
, launched 18 August 1955; sold to Argentina in 1967 and renamed Chubut. - Sefton, launched 27 November 1958; broken up in 1978.
- Shavington, launched 25 April 1955; broken up in 1987.
- Sheraton, launched 20 July 1955; sold in 1997.
- ShoultonHMS Shoulton (M1182)HMS Shoulton was a Ton-class minesweeper of the Royal Navy.She was launched on 10 September 1954. Shoulton was sold for scrapping on 2 February 1981 and was broken up in Blyth....
, launched 10 September 1954; broken up in 1981. - Singleton, launched 18 November 1955; sold to Argentina in 1961 and renamed Ibis.
- Soberton, launched 20 November 1956; sold in 1993.
- Somerleyton (ex-Gamston), launched 1 July 1954; sold to Australia in 1961 and renamed Hawk.
- Stratton, launched 29 July 1957; sold to South Africa in 1959 and renamed Kimberley.
- Stubbington, launched 8 August 1956; broken up in 1989.
- Sullington, launched 20 July 1955; converted to a survey vesselSurvey vesselA survey vessel is any type of ship or boat that is used for mapping. It is a type of research vessel.-Role:The task of survey vessels is to map the bottom, benthic zone, full water column, and surface for the purpose of:* hydrography* general oceanography...
in 1965 and renamed Mermaid; broken up in 1970. - Swanston, launched 10 September 1954; sold to Australia in 1954 and renamed GullHMAS GullHMAS Gull was a Ton class minesweeper that served in the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy .ConstructionThe ship was built by J. S. Doig Limited at Grimsby, England for the RN...
. - Tarlton, launched 18 November 1955; sold to Argentina in 1967 and renamed Rio Negro.
- Thankerton, launched 4 September 1955; sold to Malaysia in 1966 and renamed Brinchang.
- Upton, launched 15 March 1956; broken up in 1991.
- Walkerton, launched 21 November 1956; used as Dartmouth Training Ship (Britannia Royal Naval College) in 1970s; broken up in 1990.
- Wasperton, launched 28 February 1956; sold in 1986.
- Wennington, launched 6 April 1955; sold to India in 1956 and renamed Cuddalore.
- Whitton, launched 30 January 1956; sold to India in 1956 and renamed Cannanore.
- Wiston, launched 3 June 1958; broken up in 1982.
- Wlkieston, launched 26 June 1956; broken up in 1976.
- Wolverton, launched 22 October 1956; sold to Hong Kong in 1986 and converted to a floating restaurant; destroyed in a fire in 1991.
- Woolaston, launched 6 March 1958; broken up in 1980.
- Wotton, launched 24 April 1956; broken up in 1992.
- Yarnton, launched 26 March 1956; sold in 1986.
South African Navy
South African Navy
The South African Navy is the navy of the Republic of South Africa.-Formation:The South African Navy can trace its official origins back to the SA Naval Service, which was established on 1 April 1922....
:
- SAS Durban, M1499
- SAS East London, M1215 (ex HMS Chilton) - sold to Italian film company
- SAS Johannesburg, M1207 (ex HMS Castleton)
- SAS Kaapstad, P1557, M1210 (ex HMS Hazleton; ex HMS Blue Firefly)
- SAS Kimberley, M1210 (ex HMS Stratton)
- SAS Mosselbaai, M1213 (ex HMS Oakington)
- SAS Port Elizabeth, M1212 (ex HMS Dumbleton)
- SAS Pretoria, P1556, M1144 (ex HMS Dunkerton; ex HMS Golden Firefly) - museum ship in Hout BayHout BayHout Bay is the name of a coastal suburb of Cape Town, South Africa with a mix of neighbourhoods from the very rich to the very poor. It lies in a valley on the Atlantic Seaboard of the Cape Peninsula and is twenty kilometres south of the Central Business District of Cape Town...
- SAS Walvisbaai, M1214 (ex HMS PackingtonHMS Packington (M1214)HMS Packington was a built by Harland & Wolff. On 20 September 1959 she was sold to the South African Navy and renamed the SAS Walvisbaai. She was retired in March 2001 and sold to the Walt Disney Company in 2003 to be used as the R/V Belafonte in the Wes Anderson film The Life Aquatic with Steve...
) sold to The Walt Disney CompanyThe Walt Disney CompanyThe Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into... - SAS Windhoek, M1498
Royal New Zealand Navy
Royal New Zealand Navy
The Royal New Zealand Navy is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
:
- HMNZS Santon (M1178)HMNZS Santon (M1178)HMNZS Santon was a Ton class minesweeper that operated in the Royal Navy, the Royal New Zealand Navy , and the Argentine Navy....
, 1965-1966, sold to Argentina and renamed ARA Chubat (M3) in 1967. - HMNZS Hickleton (M1131)HMNZS Hickleton (M1131)HMNZS Hickleton was a Ton class minesweeper that operated in the Royal Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy . She was named after a small village near Doncaster....
, 1965-1966, sold to Argentina and renamed ARA Neuquen (M1) in 1967.