HMS Monkton

Ship: HMS MONKTON
Pennant No: M1155
Laid Down: 16th December 1953
Built by: Herd & Mackenzie, Buckie, Banff. Yard Number 124
Completed: 27th February 1957
Time to Build: 38 Months
Commissioned: April 1959 for Vernon Training Squadron (VTS) based Portsmouth
Conversion: to Patrol Vessel at Devonport for service in Hong Kong September & October 1971
Years Fully Operational: 26

Outline of Operational Career:

• May 1959 Arrived Portsmouth to join Vernon Squadron
• 1960-1965 Local exercises, and visits in N European waters
• 1 Oct 1962 Vernon Training Squadron renamed 5th MSS
• Dec 1965 Transferred to 1st MCMS based Port Edgar
• 1966-1968 Exercises and visits in North European waters
• 1 Jan 69 Transferred to Plymouth Command for SAR duties
• 1 Sep 71 Conversion to Patrol Craft at Devonport.
• Jan-Apr 72 Passage to Hong Kong in company
• 1972-85 Hong Kong Patrol Craft Squadron as P1055

Significant Events:

• Nov 62-Jul 63 Ships Company transferred to THAMES, then BEACHAMPTON due long term shaft defects
• May 1968 Operation NEW BROOM based Borkum
• Sep 1971 Conversion to Patrol Craft- Additional Bofors and Machine guns; some armour plating: Minesweeping gear removed

Paid Off: 17th April 1985
Disposal: 23rd May 1985. Sold to Hing Fat Metal Co for break up at Hong Kong