HMS Clarbeston

Ship: HMS CLARBESTON
Pennant No:M1123
Laid Down: 12th March 1952
Completed: 18th February 1954
Built By: Richards Ironworks, Lowestoft. Yard Number 411
Time to Build: 23 months
Commissioned: March 1955
Years Fully Operational: 14

Outline of Operational Career:

• 31 Mar 55 Joined 104th MSS at Harwich
• 1955-56 Exercises and Visits in North European Waters
• 28 Aug 56 Deployed to Malta with 104th and 105th MSS
• 23 Oct 56 Sailed for UK escorting Inshore squadrons
• Dec 56 Paid off to Reserve Fleet, Hythe (to 1962)
• Feb 62 Re-commissioned as SO of 50th MSS based Portland.
• Oct 62 Transferred to 5th MSS (Vernon Squadron)
• 4 Mar 63 Paid off to Reserve
• 1964-65 Attached to 5th MSS but operating independently
• 23 Oct 65 Paid off to Reserve
• 8 Aug 66 Recommissioned as Plymouth Command CMS
• 1966-69 Independent operations in Plymouth Command.

Significant Events:

• 25 Nov 55 104th MSS Official Visit to London
• 26 May 67 R/V with 'Gipsy Moth. Escort to Plymouth
• Apr-May 68 Operation 'Tuskar Search for Aer Lingus Viscount in Irish Sea (based Rosslare)

Paid Off: 1 January 1969
Disposal: 1 July 1970- Sold to HK Vickers & Sons (Eng) for breaking up at Plymouth