HMS Maxton

Ship: HMS MAXTON
Pennant No: M1165
Laid Down: 23rd May 1955
Built by: Harland & Wolff, Belfast. Yard Number 1526
Completed: 19 February 1957
Time to Build: 21 Months
Commissioned: 4th July 1958 for 104th Minesweeping Squadron (MSS) based Malta (PENSTON crew)
Conversion: to Deltic Engined Minehunter at Devonport 1964 to March 1966
Years Fully Operational: 27 years

Outline of Operational Career:

• Jul 58 Deployed to Malta.
• 24 Jan 59 Damage Repair Malta. Ships Company to SANTON.
• 25 Jun 59 Recommissioned for 104th MSS.
• 01 Oct 59 Transferred to 108th MSS
• 1958-1961 9 Cyprus Patrols. Damaged in collision with HMS UNDAUNTED
• Apr 62 Paid off at Devonport. Reserve at Hythe.
• 11 Mar 66 Recommissioned as Minehunter for Far East
• 30Jun-26 Aug 66 Passage to Singapore. Joined 6th MCMS (1 Nov 66)
• 1966-69 Exercises and Visits in South China Sea
• 25 Aug 69 6th MCMS became 6th Patrol Craft Squadron (PCS)
• 13 Oct 69 Joined 6th PCS based Hong Kong
• 1969-71 Local Exercises and Patrols based Hong Kong
• Oct-Dec 71 Passage to UK on relief by YARNTON
• 1972-73 Long Refit Rosyth, then joined 1st MCMS Port Edgar
• Mar-Nov 74 Operation RHEOSTAT–Clear Explosives Suez Canal
• 1975-83 Operations and Exercises in UK Waters, except:
• Jul 78 Deployment to Gibraltar for EDATS Trials
• Aug-Sep 79 Deployment to Portugal & Spain with 1st MCMS
• 1 Jan 84 Transferred to newly formed 3rd MCMS based Rosyth
• Apr to Jun 84 Deployment to Mediterranean (Corfu) with SHERATON
• Mar 85-Mar 86 Transferred temporarily to Sussex Div RNR

Significant Events:

• 24 Dec 58 Collision with HMS UNDAUNTED south of Larnaca, Cyprus. Damage Starboard side above waterline.
• Sep-Oct 68 Deployment to Australia for Exercises with RAN
• 15 Jun 74 First ship to pass through Suez Canal since 1967
• 25-30 Sep 76 Involved in FITTLETON Salvage Operations
• Apr-Sep 82 CO and Crew members transferred to STUFT Trawlers for deployment to Falklands

Paid Off: 19th August 1988
Disposal: 17th April 1989: Sold for Break-up by Franciscomata SA at El Ferrol