More hyperlinks on this topic:
http://www.our-secret-war.org/Y_Service_%26_Bletchley_Park.html

http://www.iwm.org.uk/search/global?query=Y-Service&.x=9&.y=10

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y-stations

http://ystations.webs.com/militaryyservice.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/categories/c1176/

Jim

Hi guys
Hughie, I never knew such a station existed in our area although it certainly makes sense.

John, as CSO was so secret ("Top Secret" was NOT used by Britain which preferred "Most Secret"), I believe you would be hard pressed to locate much data; Official Secrets Act and the 100-year old rule!

Here's a link to another CSO Site:
http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/268068/details/bower+composite+signals+organisation+c+s+o+s+bowermadden+rdf+out+station+no+2+site/

Jim

In addition to Jim's contribution:
http://www.thehourlounge.com/thread/viewPDF/cso-saltcoats_69347_70209.pdf

http://ticktalk.shawwebspace.ca/pages/view/h_s_2_ship%E2%80%99s_chronometer/

[quote="Jim McCreadie"]It would appear there was an intercept station located at Saltcoats, Ayrshire which would have been ideally situated to intercept U-boat signals from the North Atlantic. [/quote]
Jim there was mention some time ago that there was such an intercept station located at the Saltcoats. From what I recall it was at the Saltcoats Pavilion.

Now this is interesting.

How would some-one go about finding out where this station was located?

JD.

Hi DannyBoy
What you are researching is NOT a ship but a signals intercept station. CSO means "Composite Signals Organisation" stations were the top-secret "Y-Service" of the British "Government Communications Head Quarters" [GCHQ] at Bletchley Park where the Nazi Enigma cyphers were broken. It would appear there was an intercept station located at Saltcoats, Ayrshire which would have been ideally situated to intercept U-boat signals from the North Atlantic. :hi:

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CFAQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehourlounge.com%2Fthread%2FviewPDF%2Fcso-saltcoats_69347_70209.pdf&ei=pUYBUJSoL5KjiQeD2MiTCA&usg=AFQjCNGPHji1JCB8GFV7b4gWd5k6gujj7Q&sig2=zjqGC2yCRRW-W4GqvXKmuA

http://ticktalk.shawwebspace.ca/pages/view/h_s_2_ship%E2%80%99s_chronometer/

Jim McCreadie
Fremantle (formerly Saltcoats)
Western Australia

Hello from Canada. We are from Scotland. That looks familiar I wonder if my dad would know . I will ask

OK thanks for that tip. Cheers,

:hi:
Danny Boy:
I'm sure someone on this site will be able to help you but failing that, you could always try the following site:
http://www.shipsnostalgia.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It's an excellent site for all topics Maritime AND very helpful.
Good Luck.

Hello from Canada! I am researching a ship of the Royal Navy and would like to know what a 1945 reference to "C.S.O. Saltcoats" means. Greatly appreciate if anyone has knowledge of this name and perhaps a story about it. Cheers,