Ship: HMS SHOULTON
Pennant No: M1182
Laid Down: 17th March 1953
Built by: Montrose Shipbuilding Co Ltd
Completed: 16th November 1955
Time to Build: 32 months
Commissioned: 10th May 1957 for 51st (Trials) Minesweeping Squadron (MSS) based at Portland
Conversion: to Minehunting Trials Ship 1956-57
Years Fully Operational: 20

Outline of Operational Career:

  • 1957-1959 Initial Minehunting Equipment Trials
  • Aug 59-Jun 60 Deployment to USA and Canada for Minehunting System Evaluation Trials & Demonstrations
  • 1961-62 Exercises in Home Waters and Minehunting System Demonstrations to European Navies.
  • 1 Oct 62 1st Minehunting Squadron as SO based Port Edgar
  • 1963-66 Minehunting Trials and Exercises in European Waters
  • 1966-67 Conversion to Pump Jet Propulsion
  • 5 Apr 67 Recommissioned for Trials of New Equipment as Senior Officer 3rd MCMS based Portland
  • 1968-1978 Trials in UK Waters and European Port Visits including 58 Days Grenada Patrol 1973-77

Significant Events:

  • 17 Oct 62 Attended Fleet Review by King Olaf of Norway
  • Jun-Jul 63 Operation CABLEWAY off Borkum
  • May 1964 Located wreck of Dutch ship ‘De Liefede’ sunk 1711
  • Mar-Aug 68 Search for Air Lingus Viscount a/c. 94 days on task
  • Jan 72 First PAP Trials (automated mini submarine) based in Brest

Paid Off: 23rd November 1978
Disposal: 2nd February 1981 Sold to CK Booth at Blyth for break up