HMS Coniston

Ship: HMS CONISTON
Pennant No: M1101
Laid Down: 14th June 1950
Completed: 17th March 1953
Built By: John I Thorneycroft Ltd. Yard Number 4135
Time to Build: 33 months
Commissioned: 18th March 1953

Outline of Operational Career:

• 1953-54 First of Class Sea Trials based HMS VERNON
• 13 Jul 54 Arrived Harwich to join 104th MSS
• 1954-56 Exercises and Visits in North European Waters
• 25 Aug 56 Sailed with 104th MSS for Malta and Work up
• 6 Nov 56 Took part in Operation MUSKETEER
• 21 Dec 56 Returned to Portsmouth
• 1 May 57 Joined new 100th MSS, based HMS VERNON
• 1957-58 Exercises and visits in North European waters
• 1 Sept 58 Deployed to Malta for Cyprus Patrols
• 12 Dec 58 Returned to Portsmouth for 100th MSS
• 1 Jun 59 100th MSS transferred to Port Edgar
• 1960-61 Refit at Chatham. To reserve Hythe, then Gibraltar

Significant Events:

• 6 Nov 1956 Operation MUSKETEER. Stand-by Danlayer

Paid Off: March 1960
Disposal: 28 Jan 70, sold to Metrec of Newhaven for break up.

VILLAGE

In Cumbria, on Coniston Water, in the Lake District, 20 miles West of Kendal. Also in Australia, Tasmania, Canada and USA.

Name from Old Norse for Kings Town (Kong). Norse raiders from Ireland settled in Cumbria in Saxon times, during Danish occupation of eastern England.

In mediaevail times local copper and slate mines were exploited.

Famous for attempts on water speed record by Donald Campbell in Bluebird who was killed there in 1967.  

First village affiliated with TCA, thanks to Tony Quick and Chris Green, who both served in her at Suez in 1956.