Echo class survey ship (1957)

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Echo-class survey ship
General characteristics
Displacement:	120 tons standard / 160 tons full
Length:	100 feet p/p (30.5 m) 106 feet 9 inch o/a (32.6 m)
Beam:	22 ft (6.7 m)
Draught:	6 ft 9 in (2.1 m)
Propulsion:	2 shaft Paxman diesels, 1,400 bhp
Speed:	14 kts
Range:	15 tons diesel fuel, 4.500 nm at 12 kts
Complement:	5 officers, 34 ratings (with accommodation for 4 / 18)
Armament:	none

The Echo class was a class of inshore survey vessel built for the British Royal Navy in 1958-59. The class was designed to operate in close waters such as harbour approaches, shipping lanes, rivers and estuaries. Together, the ships of this class formed the Royal Navy's Inshore Survey Squadron.^[1]

The class consisted of 3 ships, and were of composite (wood on metal frames) construction. They were based on the same basic hull as the Ham class minesweeper and the Ley class minehunter. They had a large superstructure with an open bridge on top. The engines were uprated to 1,400 bhp and a large superstructure was fitted. They were crewed by 5 officers and 34 ratings, with accommodation on board for 4 officers and 18 rates.

In the late 1960s, two Ham-class minesweepers, HMS Powderham and Yaxham were rebuilt as inshore survey vessels very similar to the Echos, although they could be identified by having an enclosed wheelhouse and a tripod mast. They were renamed Waterwitch and Woodlark, respectively.

All ships were sold out of service in 1985.

[edit] Ships

Echo (A70), built by J. Samuel White, Cowes, commissioned 12 September 1958, for sale, 1985
Enterprise (A71), built by W. M. Blackmore & Sons, Bideford, commissioned 1959, for sale, 1985
Egeria (A72), built by William Weatherhead & Sons, Cockenzie, commissioned 1959, for sale, 1985