HMS KirkIiston
Ship Number
1518
Vessel Type
Ton Class Minesweeper
Built
Belfast
Launch Date
February 18, 1954
Delivered
August 21, 1954
Owner
Admiralty
Weight
360 grt
BP Length
140 feet
Breadth
27-4 feet
No. of Screws
Twin
Speed (approx)
15 knots
Propulsion
2 x Mirrlees Diesels @ 2500 hp
Official No.
Registered
Fate
Scrapped
HMS KirkIiston

Pennant No. M1157
 
Diesel powered vessels of 440 tons displacement fully laden, constructed of wood and other non-ferromagnetic materials.
 
In August 1956 she was renamed Kilmorey as tender to Ulster division RNR (Royal Naval Reserve). July 1960 she reverted back to Kirkliston again.
During 1962-64 she was the first of fifteen to be converted to a minehunter. Her sweep reel aft was removed and she then had active rudders fitted, as well as minehunting sonar installed in the hull. This conversion enabled her to carry out minehunting as her primary role as well as minesweeping and patrol duties etc.
 
On Monday 2nd December 1985 Kirkliston sailed from Portsmouth on her final voyage to Rosyth, flying her paying off pennant. A few days later she finally paid off.
 
Kirkliston was then sold on Sunday 20th of October 1991 to be 'broken up' in Bruges during 1992. A sad fate that has inevitably come to the majority of the other "wooden walls" of her class.