HMS Middleton (M34)

HMS Middleton in Portsmouth
History
United Kingdom
Name: HMS Middleton
Builder: Yarrow Shipbuilders, Glasgow
Launched: 27 April 1983[1]
Sponsored by: Lady Blaker
Commissioned: 4 July 1984[2]
Homeport: HMNB Portsmouth
Identification:
Status: Ship in active service
General characteristics
Class and type: Hunt-class mine countermeasures vessel
Displacement: 750 t (740 long tons; 830 short tons)[3]
Length: 60 m (196 ft 10 in)
Beam: 9.8 m (32 ft 2 in)
Draught: 2.2 m (7 ft 3 in)
Propulsion: 2x Caterpillar C32 ACERT Diesel.[4]
Speed: 17 kn (31 km/h; 20 mph)
Complement: 45 (6 officers & 39 ratings)
Sensors and
processing systems:		 Sonar Type 2193
Electronic warfare
& decoys:
  • SeaFox mine disposal system
  • Diver-placed explosive charges
Armament:

HMS Middleton is a Hunt-class mine countermeasures vessel of the British Royal Navy. She forms part of the Second Mine Countermeasures Squadron based in Portsmouth.

The ship was launched by Lord and Lady Blaker in 1983: Lady Blaker remains the patron of the ship.[5]

Operational history

In 2009, Middleton sailed for the Persian Gulf for a three-year deployment operating out of Bahrain, she returned to Portsmouth on 31 August 2012.[6]

In early 2013, Middleton entered refit in Portsmouth, the work package included replacing her 30-year-old Napier Deltic engines with new more fuel efficient Caterpillar C32 ACERT diesels. Following sea trials, Middleton rejoined the fleet in 2014[7] and took part in that autumn's Exercise Joint Warrior off Scotland.[8]

On 9 November 2015, Middleton sailed from Portsmouth for a second three-year deployment in the Persian Gulf.[9] Alongside sister ship HMS Chiddingfold, the two Hunt-class ships form half of the Royal Navy's minehunter force permanently deployed in the region.

Affiliations

References

  1. ↑ Navy News - HMS Middleton
  2. ↑ This is Middleton - HMS Middleton
  3. ↑ Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures Vessels - MCM, globalsecurity.org
  4. ↑ "The installation of two new engines marks a major milestone in the 12-month upgrade of Royal Navy minehunter HMS Chiddingfold". gov.uk. 2012-03-12. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
  5. ↑ "'Lucky' lady sees her ship off to the Gulf". Middleton Guardian.
  6. ↑ "HMS Middleton returns after three years". Portsmouth News.
  7. ↑ "New lease of life for HMS Middleton". royalnavy.mod.uk. 2014-08-07. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
  8. ↑ "Exercise Joint Warrior gets underway". royalnavy.mod.uk. 2014-10-08. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
  9. ↑ "HMS Middleton leaves Portsmouth for three years in the Gulf". royalnavy.mod.uk. 2015-11-10. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
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