HMS Middleton was built by Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd., Glasgow and launched on 4 July 1984 by Lady Blaker. She has a close affiliation with the town of Middleton in the Borough of Rochdale.

Some facts and information about our affiliated RN warship ~ HMS MIDDLETON (M34)

The Webmaster acknowledges the help and assistance of the Royal Navy for the information on this page. More information and pictures can be found on the HMS Middleton pages of the Royal Navy website.

HMS MIDDLETON is a Hunt Class Mine Countermeasure Vessel, the second ship to carry the name...

The Hunt Class are the largest warships ever constructed out of Glass Reinforced Plastic. Permanently fitted for the duel action functions of ‘Sweeping’ and ‘Hunting’ in one hull. They function as ‘Minesweepers’ in two ways. Destroying buoyant mines by sweeping them by cutting the mooring wires with a towed wire sweep and then blowing up the buoyant case on the surface. Dealing with ground mines (Bombs that sit on the sea bed listening for ship’s noise and magnetic signatures) by using influence sweeps which simulate noise and magnetic signature. As Minehunters they ‘hunt’ for mines with a high definition sonar and then destroy them using explosives placed either by the Mine Clearance Divers or by the Remote Controlled Mine Disposal System Vehicles. In addition, the 1 x 30mm, 2 x 20mm guns and two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) enable them to function in a Secondary Role as very potent patrol Craft. The Hunt class are often found supporting the Fishery Protection Squadron around UK waters.
 

A brief history of HMS MIDDLETON...

The Present HMS Middleton was launched in April 1983 at Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd, Glasgow. She was accepted into service on 4 July 1984. HMS Middleton is the seventh Hunt class mine countermeasures vessel (MCMV) to be built for the Royal Navy. She is a member of the Second Mine Countermeasures Squadron, based in Portsmouth. The ships hull and superstructure are built entirely from Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) to minimise the threat from magnetic mines. The Hunt class are the only RN ships capable of both mine hunting and mine sweeping operations. Mechanical or more advanced acoustic and magnetic sweeps are towed behind the ship to dispose of buoyant or influence mines. Alternatively advanced hull mounted sonar's are used to locate mines, which are then investigated and destroyed using the ship’s remote controlled mini submarines or her team of mine clearance divers. The ship therefore has the ability to counter all types of mine used in modern warfare.