Last of the Wooden Walls, edited by Rob Hoole
Last of the Wooden Walls, edited by Rob Hoole, subtitled 'An Illustrated History of the TON Class Minesweepers and Minehunters'
Published by Halsgrove in 2012, 160 pages. Large Hardback with Dust Jacket - c.21.5cm by 30cm (N6020)
Brand New Book
From the inside front fly leaf: TON's had a well-deserved reputation for rolling, even on wet grass, but despite this and the privations of life ill cramped conditions on board, the ships were very popular with all who served in them. Often unsung, certainly uncotntortable and sometimes in danger, the TONs went about their duties round the globe with the Royal Navy and in many other navies as well.
At the end of the Second World War it was generally accepted that the emphasis on mining had shifted from deeply laid moored mines to ground mines laid in the shallow approaches to ports and harbours. A design team was formed in Bath in 1947 and by 1949 had produced two designs of an advanced concept for inshore and coastal work. The onset of the Korean War and discovery of new, highly sensitive, Russian magnetic mines accelerated production of the non-magnetic Coastal Minesweeper. The result was a very sturdy and flexible craft, with a double mahogany hull over an aluminium frame, with non-magnetic fittings, capable of undertaking ocean passages, and able to sweep both moored and ground mines.
TONs saw action at Suez (twice), Cyprus, in the confrontation with Indonesia, the Persian Gulf and in Northern Ireland. In addition to minesweeping and mine hunting, they carried out roles as diverse as patrol craft for fishery protection duties and to counter piracy, illegal immigration, and terrorist gun-runners. They acted as gun platforms and diving tenders and were the mainstay of the Royal Naval Reserve.
Published in association with the TON Class Association this superbly illustrated volume will appeal to a wide-ranging service audience, from the ex-National Service junior rate to the First Sea Lord. It will also be of interest to readers who may wish to learn more about such an important part of our proud post-war maritime heritage...
At the end of the Second World War it was generally accepted that the emphasis on mining had shifted from deeply laid moored mines to ground mines laid in the shallow approaches to ports and harbours. A design team was formed in Bath in 1947 and by 1949 had produced two designs of an advanced concept for inshore and coastal work. The onset of the Korean War and discovery of new, highly sensitive, Russian magnetic mines accelerated production of the non-magnetic Coastal Minesweeper. The result was a very sturdy and flexible craft, with a double mahogany hull over an aluminium frame, with non-magnetic fittings, capable of undertaking ocean passages, and able to sweep both moored and ground mines.
TONs saw action at Suez (twice), Cyprus, in the confrontation with Indonesia, the Persian Gulf and in Northern Ireland. In addition to minesweeping and mine hunting, they carried out roles as diverse as patrol craft for fishery protection duties and to counter piracy, illegal immigration, and terrorist gun-runners. They acted as gun platforms and diving tenders and were the mainstay of the Royal Naval Reserve.
Published in association with the TON Class Association this superbly illustrated volume will appeal to a wide-ranging service audience, from the ex-National Service junior rate to the First Sea Lord. It will also be of interest to readers who may wish to learn more about such an important part of our proud post-war maritime heritage...
| Condition | New |