Ship: HMS YARNTON
Pennant No: M1196
Laid Down: 21st October 1954
Built by: William Pickersgill & Sons, Sunderland. Yard Number 350
Completed: 16th January 1957
Time to Build: 27 months
Commissioned: 11th May 1957 for 100th Minesweeping Squadron (MSS) based Portsmouth
Conversion: to Patrol Craft at Hong Kong July to December 1973 (Part Conversion in Oct-Nov 71)
Years Fully Operational: 26

Outline of Operational Career:

  • Jun 57 Joined 100th MSS
  • 1-12 Sep 58 100th MSS deployed to Malta for Cyprus Patrols
  • 18 Sep-25 Nov 58 First (and only) Cyprus Patrol
  • 1-11 Dec 58 100th MSS returned to Portsmouth
  • 1959-1964 Exercises and Visits in North European Waters
  • 10 Jun 59 100th MSS transferred base to Port Edgar
  • 1 Oct 62 100th MSS renumbered 2nd MSS
  • 18 Jan 65 2nd MSS paid off to man 11th MSS at Singapore
  • Aug 65 Recommissioned at Port Edgar for 2nd MSS
  • Jan-Oct 66 Long Refit at Chatham
  • 17 Oct 66 Sailed from UK to join 9th MCMS at Bahrain
  • 16 Nov 66 Arrived Bahrain. 4 months repairs post cyclone.
  • 1967 -1971 Patrols, Exercises and Visits in Gulf/Indian Ocean
  • 3 Jun-19 Sep 67 Deployments to Aden during and after 6 Day War
  • 22 Jul-23 Dec 68 Deployment to Singapore for refit
  • 1 Oct 70–29 Apr 71 Deployment to Singapore for refit
  • 14 Aug 71 9th MCMS disbanded. YARNTON to Hong Kong
  • 17 Sep 71 Joined 6th Patrol Craft Squadron at Hong Kong
  • 1972-84 Local patrols, exercises and visits in S E Asia.

Significant Events:

  • 9-30 May 63 Took part in Op CLEAR ROAD based Esjberg
  • 17 Jun-11 Jul 63 Took part in Op CABLE WAY based Den Helder
  • 9-26 Sep 63 Took part in Op ICE SCOTT based Iceland
  • 16-25 Apr 64 Took part in Op CLEAR ROAD 2 based Den Helder
  • 9-10 Nov 66 Encountered cyclone in Arabian Sea. Bad damage.
  • 16-27 Jan 70 Dhofar Coast Patrol during insurgency
  • 9 Jan 72 Assisted QUEEN ELIZABETH 1 fire at Hong Kong
  • 31 Jul 77 H K Squadron awarded Wilkinson Sword of Peace

Paid Off: 12th November 1984
Disposal: 1986. Sold to Pounds of Portsmouth for local disposal in Hong Kong