Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

HMS Wotton visits Ardrossan

From the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald dated Friday 20th March, 1964

A coastal minesweeper, HMS Wotton, with a complement of 27, is to pay an informal visit to Ardrossan from 29th April to 3rd May.

Ardrossan magistrates have been authorised to spend up to ?20 on entertaining her officers and crew.

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From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 8th May 1964

A coastal minesweeper of the Home Division of the Fishery Protection Squadron, HMS Wotton, named after the country town of Wotton-Under-Edge in the Cotswolds, last week paid an informal visit to Ardrossan.

When she arrived last Wednesday, her captain, Lieut. Commander N. D. Pasoe, R.N., called at the Council Chambers and his visit was subsequently returned by Provost William Currie, Bailie J. McManus and Mr. W.N. McDermont, Town Clerk.

EXCHANGE OF COURTESIES

This exchange of courtesies was followed by a reception, that night, aboard ship.
And for the entertainment of the crew, Ardrossan Academy R.F.C. had arranged a programme of sporting activities.
A darts competition, held in the Ingledene Hotel, Ardrossan, last Thursday evening, was won by the Navy who, however, succumbed to the Academicals in a keenly-contested football match at Laighdykes last Saturday afternoon.
Players were afterwards entertained to high tea in the Ingledene Hotel where they later enjoyed dancing.

Many people took the opportunity to inspect the ship when, on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, she was open to the public before leaving on Monday morning.

HMS Wotton's main duties are to protect the interests of British fishermen and to enforce the fishery laws around the coasts of Britain.
Built in Dartmouth in 1956, she was first commissioned at Hythe in April, 1958.

113,000 MILES

Since 1958 she has steamed 113,000 miles, nearly five times round the world.
Her duties have taken her to many countries in North-West Europe, including Eire, Norway, Holland, Germany, France, Denmark and Poland.
Patrols have resulted in the arrest and prosecution of 18 poachers and in the seizure of a great deal of illegal fishing gear including 80 lobster pots off the coasts of North Cornwall and several miles of long line off the Orkneys.
Six times winner of the John Hare Trophy for efficiency on patrol, HMS Wotton is, of course, primarily a mine-sweeper and, as such, has taken part in many N.A.T.O. exercises with Dutch, Belgian, French and American ships.