HMS Alcaston

Ship: HMS ALCASTON
Pennant No:M1102
Laid Down: 2nd July 1951
Built by: J I Thorneycroft, Southampton. Yard Number 4136
Completed: 16th December 1953
Time to Build:29 Months
Commissioned: 5th January 1954 at Hythe for 104th MSS based at Harwich, as Senior Officer
Years Fully Operational: 3 with RN; 18 with RAN

Outline of Operational Career:

• 09 February 54 Arrived Harwich as first Ton in new 104th MSS
• February 54-May 56 Exercises and Visits in North European Waters
• 26 August-3 September 56 Passage to Malta
• 31 October 56 Sailed for Port Said for Operation MUSKETEER
• 24 December 56 Arrived Malta post Operation MUSKETEER
• 14-17 January 57 First (and only) Cyprus Patrol
• 04-13 February 57 Passage to UK (Devonport)

Significant Events:

• 24-28 November 55 First Ton Class Squadron visit to London
• 06 November 56 Operation MUSKETEER. Wire Sweeping Group. Second Ton to enter Port Said Outer Harbour

Paid Off: 14th February 1957
Disposal: Sold to RAN April 1961 and following refit at Blyth, 11th September 1961. Commissioned as HMAS SNIPE. Passage to Australia Oct to Dec 1961.

As HMAS SNIPE she participated in patrols and gun actions off the coasts of North Borneo and Malayan peninsula during Confrontation with Indonesia 1964-66