Ton class minesweeper

HMS Glasserton in 1987
Class overview
Name:	Ton class minesweeper
Builders:	John I. Thornycroft & Company, Southhampton
Operators:	Royal Navy  Argentine Navy  Royal Australian Navy  Ghana Navy  Indian Navy  Irish Naval Service  Royal Malaysian Navy  Royal New Zealand Navy  South African Navy
Preceded by:	Algerine-class minesweeper
Succeeded by:	River-class minesweeper
In service:	1951
Completed:	119
Retired:	1994 (Royal Navy)
General characteristics
Type:	Minesweeper
Displacement:	440 tons
Length:	152 ft (46 m)
Beam:	28 ft (8.5 m)
Draught:	8 ft (2.4 m)
Propulsion:	Originally Mirrlees diesel, later Napier Deltic, producing 3,000 shp (2,200 kW) on each of two shafts
Speed:	15 knots (28 km/h)
Complement:	33
Armament:	1 x Bofors 40 mm gun 1 x Oerlikon 20 mm cannon 1 x M2 Browning machine gun

The Ton class were coastal minesweepers built in the 1950s for the Royal Navy, but also used by other navies such as the South African Navy and the Royal Australian Navy. They were intended to meet the threat of seabed mines laid in shallow coastal waters, rivers, ports and harbours, a task for which the existing ocean-going minesweepers of the Algerine class were not suited.

Contents 1 Description 2 Ships 3 See also 4 References 5 Further reading 6 External links

Description

The design of the class was led by the shipyard John I. Thornycroft & Company, and drew on lessons learnt in the Korean War, and numbered 119 vessels. They were diesel powered vessels of 440 tons displacement fully laden, constructed of wood and other non-ferromagnetic materials. Their small displacement and shallow draft gave them some protection against pressure and contact mines, and allowed them to navigate in shallow inshore waters. Primary armament was one Bofors 40 mm gun, although the South African variants also had an Oerlikon 20 mm cannon behind the funnel. RN vessels also had the same but were gradually removed and an M2 Browning machine gun mounted midships. Sweeping equipment was provided for moored mines and magnetic mines.

Many of the class were converted to minehunters by the incorporation of active rudders and the installation of the Type 193 minehunting sonar and associated equipment, including a very welcome enclosed bridge (The exception being HMS Highburton who retained her open bridge until de-commissioning in the 1970's, this actually becoming a source of manliness to her crew when meeting other Ton crews). These vessels only retained mechanical "Oropesa" sweep capability.

The class served as patrol vessels in Borneo, Malaysia and Northern Ireland. The minehunters played a signifacant role in the Suez Canal clearance after the Yom Kippur war. They also provided the backbone of the UK's Fishery Protection Squadron (4th MCM).

It was originally planned to name the ships after insects, with names like Red Ant, Green Cockchafer and so on, but this plan was abandoned and the Royal Navy ships of the class were given names of British towns and villages ending in "-ton", hence the name of the class.

With the rundown of the Royal Navy fleet in the 1960s, many were sent to become base ships for the Royal Naval Reserve allowing reserve crews to get to sea for short periods without a lot of effort to organise a crew of significant size. Some of these had their names changed to reflect the RNR Division they were attached to.

The RNR vessels lasted until the introduction of the River-class minesweepers in 1984. The remainder of the RN ships paid off in the 1990s.

Ships

Royal Navy:

• Alcaston, launched 5 January 1953; sold to Australia in 1961 and renamed Snipe; broken up in 1985.
• Aldington, launched 15 September 1955; sold to Ghana in 1964 and renamed Ejura; broken up in 1979.
• Alfriston, launched 29 April 1953; broken up in 1988.
• Alverton, launched 18 November 1953; sold to Ireland in 1971 and renamed 'Banba
• Amerton, launched 16 March 1953; broken up in 1971.
• Appleton, launched 4 September 1953; broken up in 1972.
• Ashton (ex-Cheriton), launched 5 September 1956; broken up in 1977.
• Badminton, launched 14 October 1954; broken up in 1970.
• Beachampton, launched 29 June 1953; sold in 1985.
• Belton, launched 3 October 1955; broken up in 1974.
• Bevington, launched 17 March 1953; sold to Argentina in 1968 and renamed Tierra del Fuego.
• Bickington, launched 14 May 1952; broken up in 1988.
• Bildeston, launched 9 June 1952; broken up in 1988.
• Blaxton, launched 26 January 1955; sold to Ireland in 1970 and renamed Fola.
• Bossington (ex-Embleton), launched 2 December 1955; broken up in 1988.
• Boulston, launched 6 October 1952; broken up in 1975.
• Brereton, launched 14 March 1955; broken up in 1992.
• Brinton, launched 8 August 1952; sold in 1997.
• Bronington, launched 19 March 1953; became a museum ship in 1989.
• Burnaston, launched 18 December 1952; broken up in 1971.
• Buttington, launched 11 June 1953; broken up in 1970.
• Calton, launched 24 October 1953; broken up in 1968.
• Carhampton, launched 21 July 1955; broken up in 1970.
• Castleton, launched 26 August 1958; sold to South Africa in 1959 and renamed Johannesburg
• Caunton, launched 18 December 1952; broken up in 1970.
• Chawton, launched 24 September 1957; broken up in 1977.
• Chediston, launched 20 February 1953; sold to Australia in 1968 and renamed Curlew
• Chilcompton, launched 6 October 1953; sold in 1971.
• Chilton, launched 15 July 1957; sold to South Africa in 1958 and renamed East London.
• Clarbeston, launched 18 February 1954; broken up in 1987.
• Coniston, launched 9 July 1952; broken up in 1970.
• Crichton, launched 17 March 1953; broken up in 1987.
• Crofton, launched 7 March 1958; broken up in 1987.
• Cuxton, launched 9 November 1953; broken up in 1992.
• Dalswinton, launched 24 September 1953; broken up in 1973.
• Darlaston, launched 29 September 1953; sold to Malaysia 1960 and renamed Mahamiru.
• Derriton, launched 22 December 1953; broken up in 1970. The machinery and fittings were reconditioned and installed in the prototype Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) minehunter HMS Wilton (M1116) launched on 18 January 1972 and commissioned on 14 July 1974.
• Dilston, launched 15 November 1954; sold to Malaysia in 1964 and renamed Jerai.
• Dufton, launched 13 November 1954; broken up in 1977.
• Dumbleton, launched 8 November 1957; sold to South Africa in 1958 and renamed Port Elizabeth.
• Dunkerton, launched 8 March 1954; sold to South Africa in 1955 and renamed Pretoria.
• Durweston, launched 18 August 1955; sold to India in 1956 and renamed Kakinada.
• Edderton, launched 1 November 1953; converted to a survey vessel in 1964 and renamed Myrmidon; sold to Malaysia in 1969 and renamed Perantau.
• Essington, launched 26 September 1956; Purchased Malaysia 1964 and renamed Kinabalu.
• Fenton, launched 2 December 1955; broken up in 1968.
• Fiskerton, launched 12 April 1957; broken up in 1977.
• Fittleton, launched 26 September 1956; broken up in 1977.
• Flockton, launched 3 June 1954; broken up in 1969.
• Floriston, launched 26 January 1955; sold in 1968.
• Gavinton, launched 27 July 1953; broken up in 1991.
• Glasserton, launched 3 December 1953; broken up in 1988.
• Hazleton, launched 6 February 1954; sold to South Africa in 1955 and renamed Kaapstaad.
• Hexton, launched June 1954; sold to Malaysia in 1963 and renamed Ledang.
• Hickleton, launched 26 January 1955; sold to Argentina in 1971 and renamed Neuquen.
• Highburton, launched 2 June 1954; Scrapped1978.
• Hodgeston, launched 6 April 1954; broken up in 1988.
• Houghton, launched 22 November 1957; broken up in 1971.
• Hubberston, launched 14 September 1954; broken up in 1992.
• Ilmington, launched 8 March 1954; sold to Argentina 1967 and renamed Formosa.
• Invermoriston, launched 2 June 1954; converted to air-sea rescue vessel; broken up in 1971.
• Iveston, launched 14 October 1954; became a sea cadet training ship in 1993.
• Jackton, launched 28 February 1955; sold to Australia 1961 and renamed Teal.
• Kedleston, launched 21 December 1953; broken up in 1992.
• Kellington, launched 12 October 1954; Became a sea cadet training ship in 1993. Broken up in 2009.
• Kemerton, launched 27 November 1953; broken up in 1975.
• Kildarton (ex-Liston), launched 23 May 1955; sold in 1969.
• Kirkliston, launched 18 February 1954; broken up in 1991.
• Laleston, launched 18 May 1954; broken up in 1985.
• Lanton, launched 30 July 1954; broken up in 1970.
• Letterston, launched 26 October 1954; broken up in 1971.
• Leverton, launched 2 March 1955; broken up in 1972.
• Lewiston, launched 3 November 1959; broken up in 1986.
• Lullington, launched 31 August 1955; sold to Malaysia in 1966 and renamed Tahan.
• Maddiston, launched 27 January 1956; broken up in 1975.
• Maryton, launched 3 April 1958; broken up in 1969.
• Maxton, launched 24 May 1956; broken up in 1989.
• Monkton (ex-Kelton), launched 30 November 1955; sold in 1985.
• Nurton, launched 22 October 1956; broken up in 1995.
• Oakington, launched 10 December 1958; sold to South Africa in 1959 and renamed Mosselbaai.
• Oulston, launched 29 September 1953; sold to Ireland in 1971 and renamed Grainne.
• Overton, launched 28 January 1956; sold to India in 1956 and renamed Karwar.
• Packington, launched 3 July 1958; sold to South Africa in 1959 and renamed Walvisbaai, then sold to the Walt Disney Company to portray the R/V Belafonte in The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou.
• Penston, launched 9 May 1955; broken up in 1970.
• Picton, launched 20 October 1955; broken up in 1969.
• Pollington, launched 10 October 1957; broken up in 1987.
• Puncheston, launched 20 November 1956; broken up in 1977.
• Quainton, launched 10 October 1957; broken up in 1979.
• Rennington, launched 27 November 1958; sold to Argentina in 1967 and renamed Chaco
• Repton (ex-Ossington), launched 1 May 1956; sold in 1982.
• Roddington, launched 24 February 1955; broken up in 1972.
• Santon, launched 18 August 1955; sold to Argentina in 1967 and renamed Chubut.
• Sefton, launched 27 November 1958; broken up in 1978.
• Shavington, launched 25 April 1955; broken up in 1987.
• Sheraton, launched 20 July 1955; sold in 1997.
• Shoulton, launched 10 September 1954; broken up in 1981.
• Singleton, launched 18 November 1955; sold to Argentina in 1961 and renamed Ibis.
• Soberton, launched 20 November 1956; sold in 1993.
• Somerleyton (ex-Gamston), launched 1 July 1954; sold to Australia in 1961 and renamed Hawk.
• Stratton, launched 29 July 1957; sold to South Africa in 1959 and renamed Kimberley.
• Stubbington, launched 8 August 1956; broken up in 1989.
• Sullington, launched 20 July 1955; converted to a survey vessel in 1965 and renamed Mermaid; broken up in 1970.
• Swanston, launched 10 September 1954; sold to Australia in 1954 and renamed Gull.
• Tarlton, launched 18 November 1955; sold to Argentina in 1967 and renamed Rio Negro.
• Thankerton, launched 4 September 1955; sold to Malaysia in 1966 and renamed Brinchang.
• Upton, launched 15 March 1956; broken up in 1991.
• Walkerton, launched 21 November 1956; used as Dartmouth Training Ship (Britannia Royal Naval College) in 1970s; broken up in 1990.
• Wasperton, launched 28 February 1956; sold in 1986.
• Wennington, launched 6 April 1955; sold to India in 1956 and renamed Cuddalore.
• Whitton, launched 30 January 1956; sold to India in 1956 and renamed Cannanore.
• Wiston, launched 3 June 1958; broken up in 1982.
• Wlkieston, launched 26 June 1956; broken up in 1976.
• Wolverton, launched 22 October 1956; sold to Hong Kong in 1986 and converted to a floating restaurant; destroyed in a fire in 1991.
• Woolaston, launched 6 March 1958; broken up in 1980.
• Wotton, launched 24 April 1956; broken up in 1992.
• Yarnton, launched 26 March 1956; sold in 1986.

South African Navy:

• SAS Durban, M1499
• SAS East London, M1215 (ex HMS Chilton) - sold to Italian film company
• SAS Johannesburg, M1207 (ex HMS Castleton)
• SAS Kaapstad, P1557, M1210 (ex HMS Hazleton; ex HMS Blue Firefly)
• SAS Kimberley, M1210 (ex HMS Stratton)
• SAS Mosselbaai, M1213 (ex HMS Oakington)
• SAS Port Elizabeth, M1212 (ex HMS Dumbleton)
• SAS Pretoria, P1556, M1144 (ex HMS Dunkerton; ex HMS Golden Firefly) - museum ship in Hout Bay
• SAS Walvisbaai, M1214 (ex HMS Packington) sold to The Walt Disney Company
• SAS Windhoek, M1498

Royal New Zealand Navy:

• HMNZS Santon (M1178), 1965-1966, sold to Argentina and renamed ARA Chubat (M3) in 1967.
• HMNZS Hickleton (M1131), 1965-1966, sold to Argentina and renamed ARA Neuquen (M1) in 1967.

See also

• List of decommissioned ships of the South African Navy

References

Further reading

• Captain Richard Sharpe RN (ed), ed (1991). Jane's Fighting Ships 1991-92 (94th edition ed.). Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-0960-4. 

External links

Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Ton-class_minesweeper Ton-class minesweeper] at Wikimedia Commons

• Ton-Class Association
• Ton-class ships discussed in Portsmouth
• HMAS Curlew M1121, a history

Ton-class minesweeper  Royal Navy Alcaston · Aldington · Alfriston · Alverton · Amerton · Appleton · Ashton · Badminton · Beachampton · Belton · Bevington · Bickington · Bildeston · Blaxton · Bossington · Boulston · Brereton · Brinton · Bronington · Burnaston · Buttington · Calton · Carhampton · Castleton · Caunton · Chawton · Chediston · Chilcompton · Chilton · Clarbeston · Coniston · Crichton · Crofton · Cuxton · Dalswinton · Darlaston · Derriton · Dilston · Dufton · Dumbleton · Dunkerton · Durweston · Edderton · Essington · Fenton · Fiskerton · Fittleton · Flockton · Floriston · Gavinton · Glasserton · Hazleton · Hexton · Hickleton · Highburton · Hodgeston · Houghton · Hubberston · Ilmington · Invermoriston · Iveston · Jackton Kedleston · Kellington · Kemerton · Kildarton · Kirkliston · Laleston · Lanton · Letterston · Leverton · Lewiston · Lullington · Maddiston · Maryton · Maxton · Monkton · Nurton · Oakington · Oulston Overton · Packington · Penston · Picton · Pollington · Puncheston · Quainton · Rennington · Repton · Roddington · Santon · Sefton · Shavington · Sheraton · Shoulton · Singleton · Soberton · Somerleyton · Stratton · Stubbington · Sullington · Swanston · Tarlton · Thankerton · Upton · Walkerton · Wasperton · Wennington · Whitton · Wiston · Wlkieston · Wolverton · Woolaston · Wotton · Yarnton ·  Argentine Navy Chaco (ex-Rennington) · Chubat (ex-Santon) · Formosa (ex-Ilmington) · Neuquen (ex-Hickleton) · Rio Negro (ex-Tarlton) · Tierra del Fuego (ex-Bevington)  Royal Australian Navy Curlew (ex-Chediston) · Gull (ex-Swanston) · Hawk (ex-Somerleyton) · Ibis (ex-Singleton) · Snipe (ex-Alcaston) · Teal (ex-Jackton)  Ghana Navy Ejura (ex-Aldington)  Indian Navy Cannanore (ex-Whitton) · Cuddalore (ex-Wennington) · Kakinada (ex-Durweston) · Karwar (ex-Overton)  Irish Naval Service Banba (ex-Alverton) · Fola (ex-Blaxton) · Grainne (ex-Oulston)  Royal Malaysian Navy Brinchang (ex-Thankerton) · Jerai (ex-Dilston) · Kinabalu (ex-Essington) · Ledang (ex-Hexton) · Mahamiru (ex-Darlaston) · Perantau (ex-Edderton) · Tahan (ex-Lullington)  Royal New Zealand Navy Hickleton · Santon  South African Navy Durban · East London (ex-Chilton) · Johannesburg (ex-Castleton) · Kaapstaad (ex-Hazleton) · Kimberley (ex-Stratton) · Mosselbaai (ex-Oakington) · Port Elizabeth (ex-Dumbleton) · Pretoria (ex-Dunkerton) · Walvisbaai (ex-Packington) · Windhoek