HMS Belton was a Ton-class minesweeper of the Royal Navy, launched on 3 October 1955 at Doigs Shipyard, Grimsby.

Belton in 1959
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Belton
BuilderDoigs Shipyard, Grimsby
Launched3 October 1955
IdentificationPennant number: M1199
FateScrapped
General characteristics
Class and typeTon-class minesweeper
Displacement440 long tons (450 t)
Length153 ft (46.6 m)
Beam28.9 ft (8.8 m)
Draught8.2 ft (2.5 m)
Propulsion2 × Paxman Deltic 18A-7A diesel engines at 3,000 bhp (2,200 kW)
SpeedCruise 13 knots (24 km/h) on one engine. Max 16 knots (30 km/h) on both
Range2,500 nautical miles (4,600 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h)
Complement32
Armament1 x Bofors 40 mm gun

Belton joined the Fishery Protection Squadron in 1958,[1] and remained part of the Squadron in 1962.[2] Belton ran aground in Loch Maddy, North Uist in the Outer Hebrides on 23 October 1971.[3] She was eventually refloated and taken to Greenock in Scotland but was found to be beyond economical repair. Although she never put to sea under her own power again, it was not until 25 November 1974 that she was sold for disposal.[1]

Citations

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  1. ^ a b Worth 1986, p. 81.
  2. ^ Blackman 1962, p. 282.
  3. ^ "World's Naval News: United Kingdom". Warship International. Vol. IX, no. 1. March 1972. p. 11.

References

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  • Blackman, Raymond V. B. (1962). Jane's Fighting Ships 1962–63. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd.
  • Worth, Jack (1986). British Warships Since 1945: Part 4: Minesweepers. Liskeard, UK: Maritime Books. ISBN 0-907771-12-2.