HMS Belton

Ship: HMS Belton
Pennant No: M1199
Laid Down: 23rd August 1954
Built By: J S Doig & Co, Grimsby
Completed: 31st May 1957
Time to Build: 33 Months
Commissioned: 12th March 1958 for Fishery Protection Squadron (FPS) based Port Edgar
Years Fully Operational: 14

Outline of Operational Career:

• 13 Mar 58 Joined Fishery Protection Squadron at Port Edgar
• 1958 – 71 Fishery Patrols round UK coast, interspersed with minesweeping operations, exercises and visits to UK and Northern European Ports.
• 1 Jan68 Fishery Protection Squadron became the 4th MCMS
• 23 Oct71 Driven aground in a gale while at anchor in Loch Maddy on west coast of Scotland.

Significant Events:

• Oct 1959 Involved in 18 day search for crashed Victor Bomber in Irish Sea
• 17 Oct 62 Present at Fleet Review by King Olav of Norway in the Forth
• May 63 Took part in Operation CLEAR ROAD based on Esjberg (live mines)
• June 63 Visit to Karlstadt on Lake Vanern, Sweden (150 miles form open sea)
• May 68 Took part in Operation NEW BROOM based on Borkum (live mines)
• May 70 CO (Lt Cdr B E Seath) made Vice Admiral of the Manx Herring Fleet
• Mar 71 i/c Operation ‘VARNE SWEEP’ (VLCC Route Location) off Dover

Paid Off: October 1971
Disposal: Sold to Davies & Newman Ltd on 25th November 1974 to be broken up at Gijon, North Spain