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Port Edgar
On the Firth of Forth |
HMS Lochinvar - 1962
© Copyright: Brien Towler, Currimundi, Queensland, Australia Photograph taken: 1962
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HMS Lochinvar 1962 |
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Thank you to Brien Towler for sending me three photographs taken at Port Edgar in 1962. The photograph above is of a group of RN minesweepers, including M1187, HMS Upton, one of 6 ton class minesweepers bought by the Australian Govt. in 1962 ***, and berthed at HMS Lochinvar, Port Edgar, on the Firth of Forth, until October 1962 when they departed for Australia. *** But see 'Reply 1' below The red hull of the ship on the left, flying the Union Jack, shows it to be an inshore minesweeper. The ships with the grey hulls in this photo are coastal minesweepers. Here are the other two photos that Brien sent to me:
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Brien wrote: "In 1962 I was sent to the UK as a member of the RAN (Royal Australian Navy) and during this time I spent a lot of time at HMS Lochinvar, waiting for our ship, SNIPE, to be finished. HMS Lochinvar was a Shore Establishment at Port Edgar, South Queensferry." Brien added: "I never thought to take a photo of the depot from outside the gate, something that I now regret." Brian Towler, Currimundi, Queensland, Australia: June 2007 |
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Port Edgar Photo |
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QUESTION Do you know of any photograph of the depot, taken from outside the gate? If so, please please e-mail me and I'll pass on the news to Brien. Thank you. - Peter Stubbs, June 8, 2007 |
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ANSWER Thank you to Roger Rose who found a photo of the Port Edgar depot from outside the gates. Unfortunately, for copyright reasons, I'm not able to reproduce this photo on the web site. However, I can pass on Roger's advice on where to find the photo. His advice worked well for me. Roger wrote: "If you Google 'Scran-Fishery Protection Squadron', you'll see the picture." Roger Rose: November 15, 2008 |
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Funny Story Roger added: "Here is a funny story from Lochinvar. The base hosted many minesweepers and minehunters. All these ships had divers on board (to de-fuse mines, etc) Most ships carried 2 Gemini type RIBs, which were powered by Johnson outboards. Now, all naval establishments had huge static water tanks, primarily for fire-fighting. The tank near to the workshops in Lochinvar was very handy for testing these outboard motors on load (with their props in some water). Sailors everywhere are familiar with an industrial detergent called 'Teepol' After lengthy discussions in the 'Stag' or 'Forth', it was decided to empty several of these five gallon containers of 'Pusser's Fairy Liquid' into the said tank, then sit back and watch the commotion." Roger Rose: November 15, 2008 |
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Question 1. Trevor Brown |
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Thank you to Trevor Brown who replied: |
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HMS Upton "Please, forgive me if I have misread this page, but it says, above, that HMS Upton was one of six MCM vessels sold to the Australians in 1962'. I have happy memories of HMS Upton. I was a Midshipman serving in Upton for 6 months around 1969-70, before joining at submarines as a Midshipman. The Commanding Officer of Upton, at that time was Lt John Brigstocke RN, later 2nd Sea Lord. We were the last open- bridged, commissioned warship in the fleet. I well remember ploughing up and down past the Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth. We also did a ‘Meet The Navy’ recruiting cruise around the UK coast and had a terrific time." Am I right? Did I imagine all this? Or have I simply read the comments above wrongly? No doubt you will let me know." Trevor Brown: February 13, 2011 |
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Any Other Information? I am not familiar with HMS Upton so am not able to reply to Trevor's comments above . Perhaps somebody else will be able to provide further comments on this topic. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: February17, 2011 |
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Reply 1. John Stevenson Trinity, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to John Stevenson who replied: |
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HMS Upton Not sold to Australian Navy "HMS UPTON was never sold to the Australian Navy. The vessel finished her operational life at Rosyth before being scrapped in 1991. I have double checked and confirmed this. John Stevenson, Trinity, Edinburgh: February 18, 2011 |
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John added: |
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HMS Upton "Here is the basic information that I have on file for her:"
Type: TON CLASS
COASTAL MINESWEEPER History: 1956 . August /December Took part in Operation 'Musketeer' with 105th Minesweeping Squadron (MSS). “Operaton Musketeer” was the Anglo/French/Israeli plan for the invasion of Egypt to capture the Suez Canal 1957 /65 Part of 100MSS 1963 May Took part in operation “ Clear Road” 1966 5th January. Arrived Port Edgar to join Mine Countermeasures Squadron (MCMS) 1968 August Took part in operation “New Broom “ 1969 July . Took part in the “Western Fleet Review” at Torbay 1970 /72 To 2 MCMS as training Minesweeper 1973 10th September . Arrived Rosyth to join 1st MCMS 1975 Allocated to “Tyne Division Royal Naval Reserve “ ( 10 MCMS) and re-named HMS NORTHUMBRIA
1976
1sr January. To
“North East Group RNR “ 1977 28th June. Took part in “Fleet Review” at Spithead 1980-83, To 1 MCMS as training vessel at Rosyth 1984 1st April . Part of the “Fishery Protection Squadron” based at Rosyth 1991 Scrapped John Stevenson, Trinity, Edinburgh: February 18, 2011 |
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Recollections 1. Harry Burn County Durham, England |
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Thank you to Harry Burn who wrote: |
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HMS Upton "I served on HMS Upton from 1971 until 1973. I was pleased to read your history and report of the ship. I joined her at Lochinvar, then we were transferred down to Portsmouth for about 18 months, then back up to Lochinvar where I left her, being drafted to HMS Excellent." Harry Burn, County Durham, England: January 17, 2012 |
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Recollections 2. Jim (Ben) Lyon |
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Thank you to Jim (Ben) Lyon who wrote: |
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Minesweepers "This is just to set the record straight on the 6 Ton class minesweepers that were sold to the Australian Navy in 1961. They were:
I was stationed at Lochinvar during the early-1960s and come from Edinburgh originally. I was brought up in Stenhouse, but now live in Perthshire.The names for these sweepers came from villages throughout the UK ending in 'ton'. About 119 built, all told.I hope this helps."Jim (Ben) Lyon: January 14, 2014: Perthshire, Scotland |