HMS Belton

Ship: HMS Belton
Pennant No: M1199
Laid Down: 23rd August 1954
Built By: J S Doig & Co, Grimsby
Completed: 31st May 1957
Time to Build: 33 Months
Commissioned: 12th March 1958 for Fishery Protection Squadron (FPS) based Port Edgar
Years Fully Operational: 14

Outline of Operational Career:

• 13 Mar 58 Joined Fishery Protection Squadron at Port Edgar
• 1958 – 71 Fishery Patrols round UK coast, interspersed with minesweeping operations, exercises and visits to UK and Northern European Ports.
• 1 Jan68 Fishery Protection Squadron became the 4th MCMS
• 23 Oct71 Driven aground in a gale while at anchor in Loch Maddy on west coast of Scotland.

Significant Events:

• Oct 1959 Involved in 18 day search for crashed Victor Bomber in Irish Sea
• 17 Oct 62 Present at Fleet Review by King Olav of Norway in the Forth
• May 63 Took part in Operation CLEAR ROAD based on Esjberg (live mines)
• June 63 Visit to Karlstadt on Lake Vanern, Sweden (150 miles form open sea)
• May 68 Took part in Operation NEW BROOM based on Borkum (live mines)
• May 70 CO (Lt Cdr B E Seath) made Vice Admiral of the Manx Herring Fleet
• Mar 71 i/c Operation ‘VARNE SWEEP’ (VLCC Route Location) off Dover

Paid Off: October 1971
Disposal: Sold to Davies & Newman Ltd on 25th November 1974 to be broken up at Gijon, North Spain

VILLAGE

There are four BELTONS in England, in Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Rutland and Norfolk.

The one in Lincolshire boasts Belton House a stately home,  3 miles North of Grantham and is mentioned in the Domesday book.

The one in Norfolk is 5 miles South West of  Great Yarmouth, where paleolithic remains have been found near Burgh Castle, site of a Roman coast watching watchtower. Also mentioned in the Domesday Book.

Both of these Beltons have been visited by different TONs ships' companies at different times, believing theirs was the village affiliated to TCA - perhaps the Commanding Officers had personal contacts in those areas ?