HMS Aldington

Ship: HMS ALDINGTON
Pennant No:M1171
Laid Down:27 November 1953
Built by:Camper and Nicholson, Southampton Yard Number 793
Completed: 18 April 1956
Time to Build:29 Months
Commissioned:24 August 1956 For 108th Minesweeping Squadron based at Malta
Years Fully Operational:One year with RN.

Outline of Operational Career:

• 24 August-04 September 56 Passage to Malta, with PENSTON
• 20 September-14 November 56 First Cyprus Patrol (56 days)
• 15 November-21 December 56 At Port Said. Post landings support role
• January-June 57 Exercises and Visits in Central Mediterranean
• 17 March-24 April 57 Second Cyprus Patrol (39 days)
• 1 June 57 Exchanged Crews with DUFTON at Malta
• 07-18 June 57 Passage to UK. Paid off and Refit on arrival
• 1958-63 Reserve Fleet at Hythe then Gibraltar

Significant Events:

• 28 August 56 Damage to M/S winch shaft during exercise
• 6-16 September 56 Alloy winch shaft replaced with mild steel.
• 15 November 56 Arrived at Port Said.  Transferred to 104th MSS.
• 21-24 December 56 Passage to Malta with WOODBRIDGE HAVEN
• 06 March 57 In night collision with PENSTON. Damaged.
• May 57 Decision for ALDINGTON to return to UK
• 07-18 June Passage to UK

Paid off:19 June 57at Chatham for Refit & Reserve.
Disposal:August 1963. Sold to Ghana Navy as EJURA