Ton-class minesweeper
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HMS Glasserton in 1987
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Ton class |
| Builders: | John I. Thornycroft & Company, Southampton |
| Operators: | |
| Preceded by: | Algerine class |
| Succeeded by: | River class |
| In service: | 1951–1994 (Royal Navy) |
| Completed: | 119 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Minesweeper |
| Displacement: | 440 long tons (447 t) |
| 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: |
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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.
The design of the class drew on lessons learnt in the Second World War when it had became apparent that minelaying in coastal waters was more effective than in the deep sea; the existing fleet minesweepers were not well suited to deal with this threat. Design started at the Naval Construction Department in the City of Bath in 1947 and the first ship was ordered in September 1950; the class eventually numbered 119 vessels. The lead constructor was John I. Thornycroft & Company, although Ton-class vessels were also built at fifteen other yards. They were diesel powered vessels of 440 tons displacement fully laden, largely constructed from aluminium and other non-ferromagnetic materials, the hull was composed of a double layer of mahogany planking. 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 they were gradually removed and an M2 Browning machine gun mounted midships. Sweeping equipment was provided for moored mines and magnetic mines.
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