HMS Ashton

Ship: HMS ASHTON
Pennant No: M1198
Laid Down: 14 October 1954
Built by: Whites Shipyard Ltd, Southampton
Completed: 15 April 58
Time to Build:42 Months
Commissioned: 3 July 58 for 108th Minesweeping Squadron (MSS) based Malta
Years Fully Operational: 13

Outline of Operational Career:

• Aug 58Passage to Malta
• 29 Aug-06 Sep 58First Cyprus Patrol (9 days)
• 1 Jan-05 Feb 59Second Cyprus Patrol (32 days)
• 29 May-30 Jun 59Third Cyprus Patrol (30 Days)
• 1959-1969Exercises and Visits in Mediterranean
• 1 Oct 62108th MSS renumbered as 7th MSS
• 31 Mar 697th MSS left Malta for Gibraltar
• 04 Apr 69Paid off to refit and reserve in Gibraltar
• 15 Apr 71Commissioned for 2 weeks post refit trials
• 28 Aug 72Commissioned for Fishery Protection Squadron

Significant Events:

• 3 Apr 64 Collision with SHAVINGTON while Team Sweeping
• 7 Dec 66 Recovery of survivors from MV HERAKLION
• Jan 68 At Trapani to assist after Sicilian earthquake

Paid Off: Late 1974
Disposal: 3 Aug 77 for breaking up at Blyth.