HMS Lanton

Ship: HMS LANTON
Pennant No: M1159
Laid Down: 27th November 1953
Built by: Harland & Wolff, Belfast. Yard Number 1520
Completed: 10th March 1955
Time to Build: 16 months
Commissioned: 25th April 1955 as Air Training Target Ship based Devonport
Years Fully Operational: 6 Years

Outline of Operational Career:

• 1955-56 Air Training Target Ship, Plymouth
• 1957 Refit (Sheathing) then Reserve at Hythe
• Oct 1958 Towed to Aden by Tug CAUTIOUS, then Reserve
• Jul 1961 Commissioned at Aden. Passage to Singapore
• 23 Apr 62 Recommissioned for service with 120th MSS
• 16 May 62 Arrived at new base port Hong Kong.
• 1 Oct 62 120th MSS renamed 8th MSS
• 1964-1966 Carried out 10 patrols off Tawau, Sabah
• Jan-Mar 67 Returned to UK with DUFTON & PENSTON

Significant Events:

• Sep 64 Hit by Indonesian shell off Sabah
• 23 Mar 65 Ran aground off Tawau and lost propellor. Towed back to Hong Kong by RFA GOLD RANGER

Paid Off: May 1967
Disposal: 4th April 1970. Sold to Bakkerzonen of Bruges for BU