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FIGHTING SHIPS OF THE WORLD
UNITED KINGDOM
MINE WARFARE SHIPS
"TON" coastal minesweepers (CONISTON) (1953 - 1960)
Photo
Crichton 1980
Ships
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 |
Technical data
| 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 |
Standard scale images
Bossington 1957
Soberton 1990
Sheraton 1990
Coniston 1963
Houghton 1970
Bildeston 1979
Alfriston 1979
Beachampton 1979
Graphics
Crichton 1980
Gavinton 1980
Yarnton 1980 Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.
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.
