HMS Appleton

Ship: HMS APPLETON
Pennant No:M1106
Laid Down: 2 Apr 54
Built by: Goole Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. Yard Number 482
Completed: 18 Mar 54
Time to Build: 35 Month
Commissioned: 23 Mar 1954 for 104th Squadron based Harwich
Years Fully Operational: 12

Outline of Operational Career:

• 10 May 54 Joined 104th MSS at Harwich
• 18 Oct 54 Paid off to Reserve.Crew to DARLASTON
• Jan 55-May 56 Long Refit at Chatham
• 14 May 56Commissioned as SO 105th MSS
• 25 Aug-2 Sep 56Passage to Malta with 105th MSS
• 27 Oct-3 Nov 56 1st Cyprus Patrol (8 days)
• 5-7 Nov 56 Operation MUSKETEER
• 9-16 Nov 56 2nd Cyprus Patrol (8 days)
• 17-20 Nov 56 Passage to Malta
• 23 Nov-2 Dec 56 Passage to UK. Paid off to Reserve
• 25 Mar 57 Commissioned for 100th MSS as SO
• 1-12 Sep 58 Passage to Malta to augment Inshore Flotilla for Cyprus Patrol
• 13 Sep-25 Nov 58 3rd Cyprus Patrol (66 days)
• 1-11 Dec 58 Passage to Portsmouth
• 10 Jun 59 9th MSS transferred base to Port Edgar
• 10 Aug 60 Paid off at Portsmouth for refit & reserve
• 25 June 62 Commissioned for 9th MSS as SO
• 20-31 Jul 62Passage to Malta for Work-up
• 29 Aug-7 Sep 62Passage to Aden for patrols
• 1-8 Jan 639th MSS transferred base to Bahrain
• 1963-65Patrols, exercises and visits in Gulf Area
• 2-28 Oct 65Passage Bahrain to Gibraltar
• 30 Oct 65Paid off at Gibraltar for refit and reserve
• 7 Feb 67Commissioned for operations off Aden
• 9-26 Feb 67Passage to Aden for local patrols
• 19 May 67Rejoined 9th MSS at Bahrain
• 2-18 Jun 67 Squadron patrols off Aden during 6 Day War
• 1968-Mar 1969 Patrols, exercises and visits in Gulf Area
• 23 Mar-7 Jun 69Passage Bahrain to UK round South Africa

Significant Events:

• Oct 54 Damaged in collision with dock wall at Harwich.
• 5- 6 Nov 56Op. MUSKETEER. S0 Influence Sweeping Group.
• Jan 58Fitted with partially enclosed bridge
• Sep-Nov 67Aden Patrol Ship during UK withdrawal. Last RN ship to leave Aden

Paid Off: 9 June 69

Disposal: 24 Sep 72 Sold for breaking up at Neath, S.Wales