HMS Beachampton

Ship: HMS BEACHAMPTON
Pennant No: M1107
Laid Down: 9th April 1951
Built by: Goole Shipbuilding Co Ltd. Yard Number 483
Completed: 30th July 1954
Time to Build: 39 months
Commissioned: 29th July 1956 for Vernon Training Squadron (VTS) based Portsmouth
Years Fully Operational: 27

Outline of Operational Career:

• July 1956 Joined Vernon Training Squadron
• 31 Jan 59 Paid Off for Deltic engine conversion
• 13 Oct 60 Commissioned for Vernon Training Squadron
• Jan 65 Refit. Ships company transferred to HMS BADMINTON
• 26 Jul 65 Recommissioned for service in Persian Gulf
• Sept 65 Passage to Bahrain to join 9th MSS
• 1965–71 Patrols, Exercises & Visits in Gulf Area
• 14 Aug 71 Passage to Far East with HMS YARNTON
• 17 Sept 71 Arrived Hong Kong. Conversion to Patrol Craft
• Jun 72 Joined 6th Hong Kong Patrol Craft Squadron
• Jan 85 Relieved by HMS STARLING(PEACOCK Class)

Significant Events:

• 3 Mar 66 Grounded while on inshore patrol in Straits of Hormuz. Hull damage
• Sept 66 Bahrain to Gibraltar for refit. Returned to Bahrain February 1967
• Jan 69 Bahrain to Singapore for refit. Returned to Bahrain July 1969
• 28 Sept 75 During RAS with USA tanker supplied with AVGAS not diesel
• 2 Aug 79 Typhoon ‘Hope’. First Lieutenant received CinC’s Commendation for exceptional seamanship during 3 hour berthing

Paid Off: 4th January 1985
Disposal: Sold to Acorn Shipping of London on 10th May 1985 for breaking up at Hong Kong