River class frigate
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For other naval ship classes of the same name, see River class.
 HMS Swale (K217) |
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Operators: | during World War II Royal Navy Royal Canadian Navy Royal Australian Navy
 .svg/22px-Flag_of_Burma_(1948-1974).svg.png){kind=small}         |
| Succeeded by: | Loch class |
| Subclasses: | RN group I, RN group II, RAN group I, RAN group II, RCN group |
| In commission: | 1942 |
| Planned: | 30 |
| Completed: | 151 |
| Cancelled: | 2 |
| Laid up: | 1 |
| Lost: | 5 World War II 2 Suez Crisis 10 expended |
| General characteristics RN group I | |
| Displacement: | 1,370 long tons (1,390 t/1,530 S/T) 1,830 L/T (1,860 t/2,050 S/T) (deep load) |
| Length: | 283 feet (86.26 m) p/p 301.25 feet (91.82 m)o/a |
| Beam: | 36.5 feet (11.13 m) |
| Draught: | 9 feet (2.74 m); 13 feet (3.96 m) (deep load) |
| Propulsion: |
2 x Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 2 shafts, reciprocating vertical triple expansion, 5,500 ihp (4,100 kW) |
| Speed: | 20 knots (37.0 km/h) 20.5 knots (38.0 km/h) (turbine ships) |
| Range: | 440 long tons (450 t/490 S/T) oil fuel; 7,200 nautical miles (13,334 km) at 12 knots (22.2 km/h) |
| Complement: | 107 |
| Armament: |
|
| General characteristics (RN group II) | |
| Range: | 646 long tons (656 t/724 S/T) oil fuel; 7,500 nautical miles (13,890 km) at 15 knots (27.8 km/h) |
| Notes: | Other info. as per RN group I |
| General characteristics (RCN group) | |
| Displacement: | 1,445 L/T (1,468 t/1,618 S/T) 2,110 L/T (2,140 t/2,360 S/T) (deep load) |
| Range: | 646 L/T (656 t/724 S/T) oil fuel; 7,500 nautical miles (13,890 km) at 15 knots (27.8 km/h) |
| Complement: | 157 |
| Armament: |
|
| Notes: | Other info. as per RN group I |
| General characteristics (RAN group I) | |
| Displacement: | 1,420 L/T (1,440 t/1,590 S/T) 2,020 L/T (2,050 t/2,260 S/T) (deep load) |
| Range: | 500 long tons (510 t/560 S/T) oil fuel; 5,180 nautical miles (9,593 km) at 12 knots (22.2 km/h) |
| Complement: | 140 |
| Armament: |
|
| Notes: | Other info. as per RN group I |
| General characteristics (RAN group II) | |
| Displacement: | 1,545 L/T (1,570 t/1,730 S/T) 2,185 L/T (2,220 t/2,447 S/T) |
| Complement: | 177 |
| Armament: |
|
| Notes: | Other info. as per RAN group I |
The River class frigate was a class of 151 frigates launched between 1941 and 1944 for use as anti-submarine convoy escorts in the North Atlantic.
The majority served with the Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy, with some serving in the other Allied navies; the Royal Australian Navy, the Free French Navy, the Royal Netherlands Navy and, post-war, the South African Navy. Ten ships built in Canada were assigned to the United States Navy to cover for a shortage of suitable convoy escorts until American built ships became available. In the event, only two were commissioned in the USN, the remaining eight were commissioned in the RN and RCN.
After World War II they found employment in many other navies the world over; several RCN ships were sunk as breakwaters.
Contents |
[edit] Design
The River class ships were designed by naval engineer William Reed to have the endurance and anti-submarine capabilities of the Black Swan class sloops, while being quick and cheap to build in civil dockyards using the machinery (eg reciprocating steam engines instead of turbines) and construction techniques pioneered in the building of the Flower-class corvettes.
The River class design was used as the basis for the United States Navys Tacoma class (known to the Royal navy as the Colony class frigate), and the hull design was later elaborated into the Loch class frigate, and subsequently the Bay class frigate.
[edit] Ships
[edit] Free French Navy
| Ship | Builder | Laid Down | Launched | Commissioned | Paid Off | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FFL Croix de Lorraine (K258) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 8 Mar 1943 | 25 Sep 1944 | 1961 | Formerly HMS Strule (K258). Transferred to the Free French Navy on 25 Sep 1944. | |
| FFL L'Aventure (K263) | W. Simons & Co., Renfrew | 30 Nov 1943 | 21 Jan 1944 | 1964 | Formerly HMS Braid (K263). Transferred to the Free French Navy on 21 Jan 1944. | |
| FFL L'Escarmouche (K267) | Blyth Shipbuilding & Drydock, Blyth | 30 May 1942 | 1 Jun 1943 | 3 Mar 1944 | 1960 | Formerly HMS Frome (K267). Transferred to the Free French Navy on 3 Mar 1944. |
| FFL La Découverte (K370) | Henry Robb Ltd., Leith | 18 Jun 1943 | Feb 1944 | 1959 | Formerly HMS Windrush (K370). Transferred to the Free French Navy in Feb 1944. | |
| FFL La Surprise (K292) | Blyth Shipbuilding & Drydock, Blyth | 17 Oct 1942 | 16 Aug 1943 | 1944 | 1964 | Formerly HMS Torridge (K292). Transferred to the Free French Navy in 1944. Transferred to Morocco in 1964 to serve as Royal Yacht Al Maouna. |
| FFL Tonkinois (K260) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 27 Aug 1942 | 15 Oct 1944 | 1961 | Formerly HMS Moyola (K260). Transferred to the Free French Navy on 15 Oct 1944. |
[edit] Royal Australian Navy
| Ship | Builder | Laid Down | Launched | Commissioned | Paid Off | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMAS Barcoo (K375) | Cockatoo Docks & Engineering Co., Sydney | 21 Oct 1942 | 26 Aug 1943 | 17 Jan 1944 | 21 Feb 1964 | Sold to N.W. Kennedy Ltd., Vancouver on 15 Feb 1972. Scrapped in Taiwan. |
| HMAS Barwon (K406) | Cockatoo Docks & Engineering Co., Sydney | 3 Aug 1943 | 12 Jan 1946 | 31 Mar 1947 | Sold for scrap on 17 Aug 1962. | |
| HMAS Burdekin (K376) | Walkers Ltd., Maryborough | 30 Jun 1943 | 27 Jun 1944 | 18 Apr 1946 | Placed in reserve. Stricken on 9 Nov 1960. Sold to Tolo Mining & Smelting Co. Ltd., Hong Kong on 21 Sep 1961. Scrapped in Japan. | |
| HMAS Diamantina (K377) | Walkers Ltd., Maryborough | 12 Apr 1943 | 6 Apr 1944 | 27 Apr 1945 | 21 Feb 1980 | Preserved as a museum ship at Queensland Maritime Museum |
| HMAS Gascoyne (K354) | Morts Dock & Engineering Co. Ltd., Sydney | 3 Jul 1942 | 20 Feb 1943 | 18 Nov 1943 | 1 Feb 1966 | Sold for scrap on 15 Feb 1972. |
| HMAS Hawkesbury (K363) | 24 Jul 1943 | 5 Jul 1944 | Placed in reserve in May 1947, recommissioned in July 1952. Placed in reserve on 14 Feb 1955. Sold for scrap on 15 Feb 1972. | |||
| HMAS Lachlan (K364) | Morts Dock & Engineering Co. Ltd., Sydney | 22 Mar 1943 | 25 Mar 1944 | 14 Feb 1945 | 5 Oct 1949 | Transferred to RNZN as HMNZS Lachlan (K364). Sold for scrap in Feb 1975. |
| HMAS Macquarie (K532) | Morts Dock & Engineering Co. Ltd., Sydney | 3 Mar 1945 | 7 Dec 1945 | Sold for scrap 5 Jul 1972. |
| Ship | Builder | Laid Down | Launched | Commissioned | Paid Off | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMAS Condamine (K698) | New South Wales State Dockyard, Newcastle | 30 Oct 1943 | 4 Nov 1944 | 22 Feb 1946 | 2 Dec 1955 | Served in the Korean War July 1952 - Apr 1953 and Mar 1955 - Nov 1955. Sold for scrap 21 Sep 1961. |
| HMAS Culgoa (K408) | Naval Dockyard Williamstown, Williamstown | 15 Jul 1943 | 22 Sep 1944 | 1 Apr 1947 | Sold for scrap on 15 Feb 1972. | |
| HMAS Murchison (K442) | Evans Deakin Ltd., Brisbane | 3 Mar 1945 | 7 Dec 1945 | Sold for scrap 5 Jul 1972. | ||
| HMAS Shoalhaven (K535) | Walkers Ltd., Maryborough | 18 Dec 1943 | 14 Dec 1944 | 2 May 1946 | 19 Dec 1954 | Placed in reserve in 1954. Sold for scrap in Jan 1962. |
[edit] Royal Canadian Navy
| Ship | Builder | Laid Down | Launched | Commissioned | Paid Off | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMCS Annan (K297) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 16 Mar 1942 | 12 Sep 1942 | Formerly HMS Annan (K297), transferred to RCN during construction. Transferred to USN during construction on 20 Jul 1942 as USS Natchez (PG-102). | ||
| HMCS Annan (K404) | Hall, Russell & Co., Aberdeen | 6 Oct 1943 | 29 Dec 1943 | 13 Jun 1944 | 20 Jun 1945 | Formerly HMS Annan (K404). Returned to RN on 20 Jun 1945. |
| HMCS Antigonish (K661) | Yarrows Ltd., Esquimalt | 2 Oct 1943 | 10 Feb 1944 | 4 Jul 1944 | 2 May 1946 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 301 on 12 Oct 1957. |
| HMCS Beacon Hill (K407) | Yarrows Ltd., Esquimalt | 16 Jul 1943 | 6 Nov 1943 | 16 May 1944 | 2 Jun 1946 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 303 on 21 Dec 1957. |
| HMCS Buckingham (K685) | Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon | 11 Nov 1943 | 28 Apr 1944 | 2 Nov 1944 | 16 Nov 1945 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 314 on 25 Jun 1954. |
| HMCS Cap de la Madeleine (K663) | Morton Engineering & Dry Dock Co., Quebec City | 5 Nov 1943 | 13 May 1944 | 30 Sep 1944 | 25 Nov 1945 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 317 on 7 Dec 1954. |
| HMCS Cape Breton (K350) | Morton Engineering & Dry Dock Co., Quebec City | 5 May 1942 | 24 Nov 1942 | 25 Oct 1943 | 26 Jan 1946 | |
| HMCS Capilano (K409) | Yarrows Ltd., Esquimalt | 18 Nov 1943 | 8 Apr 1944 | 25 Aug 1944 | 24 Nov 1945 | |
| HMCS Carlplace (K664) | Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon | 30 Nov 1943 | 6 Jul 1944 | 13 Dec 1944 | 13 Nov 1945 | Transferred to the Dominican Republic as Presidente Trujillo, later Mella. |
| HMCS Charlottetown (K244) | Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon | 26 Jan 1943 | 16 Sep 1943 | 28 Apr 1944 | 25 Mar 1947 | |
| HMCS Chebogue (K317) | Yarrows Ltd., Esquimalt | 19 Mar 1943 | 17 Aug 1943 | 22 Feb 1944 | 25 Sep 1945 | Torpedoed and badly damaged by U-1227 on 4 Oct 1944 while escorting convoy ONS-33. Towed to Port Talbot and declared a total loss. |
| HMCS Coaticook (K410) | Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon | 14 Jun 1943 | 26 Nov 1943 | 25 Jul 1944 | 29 Nov 1945 | |
| HMCS Dunver (K03) | Morton Engineering & Dry Dock Co., Quebec City | 3 May 1942 | 10 Nov 1942 | 11 Sep 1943 | 23 Jan 1946 | |
| HMCS Eastview (K665) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 26 Aug 1943 | 17 Nov 1943 | 3 Jun 1944 | 17 Jan 1946 | |
| HMCS Ettrick (K254) | John Crown & Sons Ltd., Sunderland | 31 Dec 1941 | 5 Feb 1943 | 29 Jan 1944 | 30 May 1945 | Formerly HMS Ettrick (K254). Returned to the RN on 30 May 1945. |
| HMCS Fort Erie (K670) | Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon | 3 Nov 1943 | 27 May 1944 | 27 Oct 1944 | 22 Nov 1945 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 312 on 17 Apr 1956. |
| HMCS Glace Bay (K414) | Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon | 23 Sep 1943 | 26 Apr 1944 | 2 Sep 1944 | 17 Nov 1945 | Transferred in 1946 to Chile as Esmeralda, later Bacquedano. |
| HMCS Grou (K518) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 1 May 1943 | 7 Aug 1943 | 4 Dec 1943 | 25 Feb 1946 | |
| HMCS Hallowell (K666) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 22 Nov 1943 | 28 Mar 1944 | 8 Aug 1944 | 7 Nov 1945 | Transferred in 1949 to Israel as Misnak later in 1952 sold to the Royal Ceylon Navy as HMCyS Gajabahu. |
| HMCS Inch Arran (K667) | Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon | 25 Oct 1943 | 6 Jun 1944 | 18 Nov 1944 | 28 Nov 1945 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 308 on 23 Aug 1954. |
| HMCS Joliette (K418) | Morton Engineering & Dry Dock Co., Quebec City | 19 Jul 1943 | 12 Nov 1943 | 14 Jun 1944 | 19 Nov 1945 | Transferred in 1946 to Chile as Iquique. |
| HMCS Jonquiere (K318) | Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon | 26 Jan 1943 | 28 Oct 1943 | 10 May 1944 | 4 Dec 1945 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 318 on 20 Sep 1954. |
| HMCS Kirkland Lake (K337) | Morton Engineering & Dry Dock Co., Quebec City | 16 Nov 1943 | 27 Apr 1944 | 21 Aug 1944 | 14 Dec 1945 | |
| HMCS Kokanee (K419) | Yarrows Ltd., Esquimalt | 25 Aug 1943 | 27 Nov 1943 | 6 Jun 1944 | 21 Dec 1945 | Transferred in 1950 to India as HMIS Bengal (K419). |
| HMCS La Hulloise (K668) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 10 Aug 1943 | 29 Oct 1943 | 20 May 1944 | 6 Dec 1945 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 305 on 9 Oct 1957. |
| HMCS Lanark (K669) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 25 Sep 1943 | 10 Dec 1943 | 6 Jul 1944 | 24 Oct 1945 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 321 on 15 Apr 1956. |
| HMCS Lasalle (K519) | Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon | 4 Jun 1943 | 11 Dec 1943 | 29 Jun 1944 | 17 Dec 1945 | |
| HMCS Lauzon (K371) | Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon | 2 Jul 1943 | 10 Jun 1944 | 30 Aug 1944 | 7 Nov 1945 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 322 on 12 Dec 1953. |
| HMCS Levis (K400) | Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon | 25 Feb 1943 | 26 Nov 1943 | 21 Jul 1944 | 21 Feb 1946 | Sunk as breakwater along east coast of Vancouver Island. |
| HMCS Longueuil (K672) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 17 Jul 1943 | 30 Oct 1943 | 18 May 1944 | 31 Dec 1945 | |
| HMCS Magog (K673) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 16 Jun 1943 | 22 Sep 1943 | 7 May 1944 | 20 Dec 1944 | Torpedoed and badly damaged by U-1227 on 14 Oct 1944 while escorting convoy ONS-33G in Gulf of St. Lawrence. Lost 65 feet (20 m) off the stern and 3 crew were killed. Towed to Quebec City and declared a total loss. |
| HMCS Matane (K444) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 23 Dec 1942 | 29 May 1943 | 22 Oct 1943 | 2 Nov 1946 | |
| HMCS Meon (K269) | A. & J. Inglis Ltd., Glasgow | 31 Dec 1942 | 4 Aug 1943 | 2 Jul 1944 | 23 Apr 1945 | Formerly HMS Meon (K269). Returned to the RN on 23 Apr 1945. |
| HMCS Monnow (K441) | Charles Hill & Sons Ltd., Bristol | 28 Sep 1943 | 4 Dec 1943 | 3 Aug 1944 | 11 Jun 1945 | Formerly HMS Monnow (K441). Returned to the RN on 11 Jun 1945. |
| HMCS Montreal (K319) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 23 Dec 1942 | 12 Jun 1943 | 12 Nov 1943 | 15 Oct 1945 | |
| HMCS Nene (K270) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 20 Jun 1942 | 9 Dec 1942 | 4 Jun 1944 | 11 Jun 1945 | Formerly HMS Nene (K270). Returned to the RN on 11 Jun 1945. |
| HMCS New Glasgow (K320) | Yarrows Ltd., Esquimalt | 2 Dec 1942 | 23 Jun 1943 | 23 Dec 1943 | 4 Nov 1945 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 315 on 30 Jan 1954. |
| HMCS New Waterford (K321) | Yarrows Ltd., Esquimalt | 17 Dec 1943 | 3 Jul 1943 | 21 Jan 1944 | 7 Mar 1946 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 304 on 31 Jan 1958. |
| HMCS Orkney (K448) | Yarrows Ltd., Esquimalt | 19 May 1943 | 18 Sep 1943 | 18 Apr 1944 | 22 Jan 1946 | Transferred in 1950 to Israel as Mivtakh later in 1952 sold to the Royal Ceylon Navy as HMCyS Gajabahu.. |
| HMCS Outremont (K322) | Morton Engineering & Dry Dock Co., Quebec City | 18 Nov 1942 | 3 Jul 1943 | 27 Nov 1943 | 5 Nov 1945 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 310 on 2 Sep 1955. |
| HMCS Penetang (K676) | Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon | 22 Sep 1943 | 6 Jul 1944 | 19 Oct 1944 | 10 Nov 1945 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 316 on 1 Jun 1954. |
| HMCS Port Colborne (K326) | Yarrows Ltd., Esquimalt | 16 Dec 1942 | 21 Apr 1943 | 5 Dec 1943 | 7 Nov 1945 | |
| HMCS Poundmaker (K675) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 29 Jan 1944 | 21 Apr 1944 | 17 Sep 1944 | 25 Nov 1945 | Transferred to Peru as Teniente Ferré. |
| HMCS Prestonian (K662) | Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon | 20 Jul 1943 | 22 Jun 1944 | 13 Sep 1944 | 24 Apr 1956 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 307 on 22 Aug 1953. |
| HMCS Prince Rupert (K324) | Yarrows Ltd., Esquimalt | 1 Aug 1942 | 3 Feb 1943 | 30 Aug 1943 | 15 Jan 1946 | Sunk as breakwater at Royston, British Columbia. |
| HMCS Ribble (K525) | Blyth Shipbuilding & Drydock, Blyth | 31 Dec 1942 | 10 Nov 1943 | 24 Jul 1944 | 11 Jun 1945 | Formerly HMS Ribble (K525). Returned to the RN on 11 Jun 1945. |
| HMCS Royal Mount (K677) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 7 Jan 1944 | 15 Apr 1944 | 25 Aug 1944 | 17 Nov 1945 | |
| HMCS Runnymede (K678) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 11 Sep 1943 | 27 Nov 1943 | 14 Jun 1944 | 19 Jan 1946 | |
| HMCS Saint John (K456) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 28 May 1943 | 25 Aug 1943 | 13 Dec 1943 | 27 Nov 1945 | |
| HMCS Sea Cliff (K344) | Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon | 20 Jul 1943 | 7 Aug 1944 | 26 Sep 1944 | 28 Nov 1945 | Transferred in 1946 to Chile as Covadonga. |
| HMCS Springhill (K323) | Yarrows Ltd., Esquimalt | 5 May 1943 | 7 Sep 1943 | 21 Mar 1944 | 1 Dec 1945 | |
| HMCS St. Pierre (K680) | Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon | 30 Jun 1943 | 1 Dec 1943 | 28 Aug 1944 | 22 Nov 1945 | Transferred in 1947 to Peru as Teniente Palacios, later Palacios. |
| HMCS St. Stephen (K454) | Yarrows Ltd., Esquimalt | 5 Oct 1943 | 6 Feb 1944 | 28 Jul 1944 | 30 Jan 1946 | |
| HMCS Ste. Therese (K366) | Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon | 18 May 1943 | 16 Oct 1943 | 28 May 1944 | 2 Nov 1945 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 309 on 21 Jan 1955. |
| HMCS Stettler (K681) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 31 May 1943 | 9 Oct 1943 | 7 May 1944 | 9 Nov 1945 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 311 on 2 Feb 1954. |
| HMCS Stone Town (K531) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 17 Nov 1943 | 28 Mar 1944 | 21 Jul 1944 | 13 Nov 1945 | Transferred to Department of Transport, serving as a weather monitoring ship in the North Pacific 1952-1967. Sold in 1968. |
| HMCS Stormont (K327) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 23 Dec 1942 | 14 Jul 1943 | 27 Nov 1943 | 9 Nov 1945 | Sold to Aristotle Onassis as yacht Christina. |
| HMCS Strathdam (K682) | Yarrows Ltd., Esquimalt | 6 Dec 1943 | 20 Mar 1944 | 29 Sep 1944 | 7 Nov 1945 | Transferred in 1950 to Israel as Misgav. |
| HMCS Sussexvale (K683) | Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon | 15 Nov 1943 | 12 Jul 1944 | 29 Nov 1944 | 16 Nov 1945 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 313 on 8 Aug 1955. |
| HMCS Swansea (K328) | Yarrows Ltd., Esquimalt | 15 Jul 1942 | 19 Dec 1942 | 4 Oct 1943 | 2 Nov 1945 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 306 on 14 Nov 1957. |
| HMCS Teme (K458) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 25 May 1943 | 11 Nov 1943 | 28 Feb 1944 | 4 May 1945 | Formerly HMS Teme (K458). Torpedoed and badly damaged by U-315 on 29 Mar 1945 off Lands End at 50-07N, 05-45W. Declared a total loss. |
| HMCS Thetford Mines (K459) | Morton Engineering & Dry Dock Co., Quebec City | 7 Jul 1943 | 30 Oct 1943 | 24 May 1944 | 18 Nov 1945 | |
| HMCS Toronto (K538) | Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon | 10 May 1943 | 18 Sep 1943 | 6 May 1944 | 27 Nov 1945 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 319 on 26 Nov 1953. |
| HMCS Valleyfield (K329) | Morton Engineering & Dry Dock Co., Quebec City | 30 Nov 1942 | 17 Jul 1943 | 7 Dec 1943 | 7 May 1944 | Torpedoed and sunk by U-548 on 7 May 1944 south of Cape Race at 46-03N, 52-24W. 125 crew were killed and 38 survivors were rescued by HMCS Giffard (K402). |
| HMCS Victoriaville (K684) | Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon | 2 Dec 1943 | 23 Jun 1944 | 11 Nov 1944 | 17 Nov 1945 | Placed in reserve. Recommissioned as a Prestonian class frigate with pennant 320 on 25 Sep 1959. |
| HMCS Waskesiu (K330) | Yarrows Ltd., Esquimalt | 2 May 1942 | 3 Apr 1943 | 16 Jun 1943 | 29 Jan 1946 | Transferred in 1950 to India as HMIS Hooghly (K330). |
| HMCS Wentworth (K331) | Yarrows Ltd., Esquimalt | 11 Nov 1942 | 6 Mar 1943 | 7 Dec 1943 | 10 Oct 1945 |
[edit] Royal Navy
| Ship | Builder | Laid Down | Launched | Commissioned | Paid Off | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMS Ballinderry (K255) | Blyth Shipbuilding & Drydock, Blyth | 6 Nov 1941 | 7 Dec 1942 | 2 Sep 1943 | 1945 | Transferred to Norway as Glomma 1946, scrapped 7 July 1961. |
| HMS Bann (K256) | Charles Hill & Sons Ltd., Bristol | 18 Jun 1942 | 29 Dec 1942 | 7 May 1943 | 5 Dec 1945 | Transferred to India as HMIS Tir (K256). |
| HMS Chelmer (K221) | George Brown & Co., Greenock | 29 Dec 1941 | 27 Mar 1943 | 29 Sep 1943 | Scrapped in Aug 1957. | |
| HMS Dart (K21) | Blyth Shipbuilding & Drydock, Blyth | 8 Sep 1941 | 10 Oct 1942 | 13 May 1943 | Sold for scrap in Nov 1956. Scrapped in 1957. | |
| HMS Derg (K257) | Henry Robb Ltd., Leith | 16 Apr 1942 | 7 Jan 1943 | 10 Jun 1943 | Transferred in 1951 to RNVR as drill ship Wessex, later Cambria. Scrapped in Sep 1960 at Cashmore. | |
| HMS Ettrick (K254) | John Crown & Sons Ltd., Sunderland | 31 Dec 1941 | 22 Feb 1943 | 11 Jul 1943 | Transferred to RCN on 29 Jan 1944 as HMCS Ettrick (K254). Returned to RN on 30 May 1945. Scrapped Jun 1953. | |
| HMS Exe (K92) | Fleming & Ferguson Ltd., Paisley | 11 Feb 1941 | 16 May 1941 | 19 Mar 1942 | 6 Aug 1942 | Placed in reserve 1946-1955. Sold for scrap on 20 Sep 1956. Scrapped at Preston. |
| HMS Itchen (K227) | Fleming & Ferguson Ltd., Paisley | 14 Jul 1941 | 29 Jul 1942 | 28 Dec 1942 | 23 Sep 1943 | Torpedoed and sunk by U-666 on 23 Sep 1943 at 53-25N, 39-42W. 227 crew were killed, including survivors from other ships rescued by Itchen. 3 survivors were rescued by HMCS St. Croix (I81). |
| HMS Jed (K235) | Charles Hill & Sons Ltd., Bristol | 27 Sep 1941 | 30 Jul 1942 | 30 Nov 1942 | Placed in reserve in 1946. Scrapped on 25 May 1957 at Milford Haven. | |
| HMS Kale (K241) | A. & J. Inglis Ltd., Glasgow | 22 Sep 1941 | 24 Jun 1942 | 4 Dec 1942 | Sold in Nov 1956 and scrapped in 1957 at Newport. | |
| HMS Ness (K219) | Henry Robb Ltd., Leith | 3 Sep 1941 | 30 Jul 1942 | 22 Dec 1942 | Sold for scrap in Sep 1956. | |
| HMS Nith (K215) | Henry Robb Ltd., Leith | 5 Sep 1941 | 25 Sep 1942 | 16 Feb 1943 | Transferred in Nov 1948 to Egypt as Domiat. | |
| HMS Ribble (K251) | W. Simons & Co., Renfrew | 29 Dec 1942 | 23 Apr 1943 | Transferred while under construction to the Netherlands as HNMS Johan Maurits van Nassau (K251). | ||
| HMS Rother (K224) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 26 Jun 1941 | 20 Nov 1941 | 3 Apr 1942 | Scrapped on 22 Apr 1955. | |
| HMS Spey (K246) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 18 Jul 1941 | 18 Dec 1941 | 19 May 1942 | Transferred in Nov 1948 to Egypt as Rashid. | |
| HMS Swale (K217) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 19 Aug 1941 | 16 Jan 1942 | 24 Jun 1942 | Transferred on 26 Jul 1945 to South Africa as HMSAS Swale (K217). Returned to RN in Jan 1946. Scrapped on 26 Feb 1955. | |
| HMS Tay (K232) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 10 Sep 1941 | 18 Mar 1942 | 5 Aug 1942 | Scrapped on 28 Sep 1956. | |
| HMS Test (K239) | Hall, Russell & Company, Aberdeen | 15 Aug 1941 | 30 May 1942 | 12 Oct 1942 | Transferred in 1946 to India as HMIS Neza (K239). Returned to the RN in Apr 1947. Scrapped on 25 Feb 1955. | |
| HMS Teviot (K222) | Hall, Russell & Company, Aberdeen | 4 Oct 1941 | 12 Oct 1942 | 30 Jan 1943 | Transferred on 10 Jun 1945 to South Africa as HMSAS Teviot (K222). Returned to RN in Jan 1946. Scrapped on 29 Mar 1955. | |
| HMS Trent (K243) | Charles Hill & Sons Ltd., Bristol | 31 Jan 1942 | 10 Oct 1942 | 27 Feb 1943 | Transferred in Apr 1946 to India as HMIS Kurki (K243). | |
| HMS Tweed (K250) | A. & J. Inglis Ltd., Glasgow | 31 Dec 1941 | 24 Nov 1942 | 28 Apr 1943 | 7 Jan 1944 | Torpedoed and sunk on 7 Jan 1944 by U-305 southwest of Ireland at 48-18N, 21-19W. Survivors were rescued by HMS Nene (K270). |
| HMS Waveney (K248) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 8 Oct 1941 | 30 Apr 1942 | 16 Sep 1942 | Scrapped in Dec 1957. | |
| HMS Wear (K230) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 16 Oct 1941 | 1 Jun 1942 | 24 Oct 1942 | Scrapped on 29 Dec 1957. |
| Ship | Builder | Laid Down | Launched | Commissioned | Paid Off | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMS Adur (K269) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 10 Mar 1942 | 22 Aug 1942 | Transferred to the USN before completion as USS Asheville (PG-101). | ||
| HMS Aire (K262) | Fleming & Ferguson Ltd., Paisley | 12 Jun 1942 | 22 Apr 1943 | 28 Jul 1943 | Transferred in 1946 to India as HMIS Tamar (K262). | |
| HMS Annan (K297) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 16 Mar 1942 | 12 Sep 1942 | Transferred to the RCN before completion as HMCS Annan (K297). | ||
| HMS Annan (K404) | Hall, Russell & Company, Aberdeen | 10 Jun 1943 | 29 Dec 1943 | Transferred to the RCN before completion as HMCS Annan (K404). Returned to RN on 20 Jun 1945. Transferred to Denmark on 27 Nov 1945 as Niels Ebbesen. | ||
| HMS Avon (K97) | Charles Hill & Sons Ltd., Bristol | 8 Jan 1943 | 19 Jun 1943 | 18 Sep 1943 | Transferred in 1949 to Portugal as Nuno Tristao. | |
| HMS Awe (K526) | Fleming & Ferguson Ltd., Paisley | 27 May 1943 | 28 Dec 1943 | 21 Apr 1944 | Transferred in 1949 to Portugal as Diogo Gomes. | |
| HMS Barle (K298) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 29 Apr 1942 | 26 Sep 1942 | 30 Apr 1943 | 27 Feb 1946 | Ordered by USN as PG-103. Transferred to RN before completion under the lend-lease program. Returned to USN on 27 Feb 1946 as PG-103. |
| HMS Braid (K263) | W. Simons & Co., Renfrew | 1 Dec 1942 | 30 Nov 1943 | 21 Jan 1944 | Transferred to the Free French Navy on 21 Jan 1944 as FFL L'Aventure (K263). | |
| HMS Cam (K264) | George Brown & Co., Greenock | 30 Jun 1942 | 31 Jul 1943 | 31 Jan 1944 | 22 Jun 1945 | Badly damaged during a coordinated depth charge attack on a possible submerged U-boat on 18 Jul 1944 off St. Catherine's Point, injuring 46 crew. Towed by HMCS Cape Breton (K350) to Yarmouth, then by tug to Portsmouth. Declared to be total loss and scrapped at Sunderland in Jul 1945. |
| HMS Cuckmere (K299) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 11 May 1942 | 24 Oct 1942 | 14 May 1943 | Ordered by USN as PG-104. Transferred to RN before completion under the lend-lease program. Torpedoed and badly damaged by U-223 off Algeria and was declared a total loss. Returned to the USN as PG-104 on 6 Nov 1946. | |
| HMS Deveron (K265) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 16 Apr 1942 | 12 Oct 1942 | 2 Mar 1943 | 1945 | Transferred in 1945 to India as HMIS Dhanush (K265). |
| HMS Dovey (K523) | Fleming & Ferguson Ltd., Paisley | 23 Mar 1943 | 14 Oct 1943 | 25 Feb 1944 | Scrapped 2 Nov 1955. | |
| HMS Evenlode (K300) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 28 May 1942 | 9 Nov 1942 | 4 Jun 1943 | Ordered by USN as USS Danville (PG-105). Transferred to RN before completion under the lend-lease program. Returned to the USN on 5 Mar 1946. | |
| HMS Fal (K266) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 20 May 1942 | 9 Nov 1942 | 2 Jul 1943 | 25 May 1947 | Loaned on 25 May 1947 to Burma. Transferred to Burma on 29 Aug 1948 as Mayu. |
| HMS Findhorn (K301) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 25 Aug 1942 | 5 Dec 1942 | 25 Jun 1943 | Ordered by USN as PG-106. Transferred to RN before completion under the lend-lease program. Returned to the USN on 20 Mar 1946. | |
| HMS Frome (K267) | Blyth Shipbuilding & Drydock, Blyth | 30 May 1942 | 1 Jun 1943 | Transferred on 3 Mar 1944 to the Free French Navy as FFL L'Escarmouche (K267). | ||
| HMS Glenarm (K258) | Henry Robb Ltd., Leith | 8 Mar 1943 | 30 Jul 1943 | 25 Sep 1944 | Renamed HMS Strule (K258) on 1 Feb 1944. Transferred on 25 Sep 1944 to the Free French Navy as FFL Croix de Lorraine (K258). | |
| HMS Halladale (K417) | A. & J. Inglis Ltd., Glasgow | 25 Jun 1943 | 28 Jan 1944 | 11 May 1944 | Sold on 1 Apr 1949 to Townsend Brothers as ferry Halladale, renamed Norden in 1962, then Turist Expressen in 1962. | |
| HMS Helford (K252) | Hall, Russell & Company, Aberdeen | 27 Jun 1942 | 6 Feb 1943 | 26 Jun 1943 | Scrapped on 29 Jun 1956. | |
| HMS Helmsdale (K253) | A. & J. Inglis Ltd., Glasgow | 13 Aug 1942 | 5 Jun 1943 | 15 Oct 1943 | Scrapped on 14 Nov 1957. | |
| HMS Helmsdale (K253) | A. & J. Inglis Ltd., Glasgow | 13 Aug 1942 | 5 Jun 1943 | 15 Oct 1943 | Scrapped on 14 Nov 1957. | |
| HMS Inver (K302) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 14 Sep 1942 | 12 Dec 1942 | 19 Jul 1943 | Ordered by USN as PG-107. Transferred to RN before completion under the lend-lease program. Returned to the USN on 4 Mar 1946. | |
| HMS Lagan (K259) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 7 Jan 1942 | 28 Jul 1942 | 21 Dec 1942 | 20 Sep 1943 | Torpedoed and badly damaged by U-270 on 20 Sep 1943 while escorting convoy ON-202. Towed to the United Kingdom and declared a total loss. Sold for scrap on 21 May 1946. |
| HMS Lochy (K365) | Hall, Russell & Company, Aberdeen | 23 Feb 1943 | 30 Oct 1943 | 8 Feb 1944 | Scrapped at Troon on 29 June 1956. | |
| HMS Lossie (K303) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 2 Oct 1942 | 30 Apr 1943 | 14 Aug 1943 | Ordered by USN as PG-108. Transferred to RN before completion under the lend-lease program. Returned to the USN on 26 Jan 1946. | |
| HMS Meon (K269) | A. & J. Inglis Ltd., Glasgow | 31 Dec 1942 | 4 Aug 1943 | 7 Feb 1944 | Transferred to RCN as HMCS Meon (K269). Returned to the RN on 23 Apr 1945. Scrapped on 14 May 1966. | |
| HMS Monnow (K441) | Charles Hill & Sons Ltd., Bristol | 28 Sep 1943 | 4 Dec 1943 | 11 May 1944 | Transferred to RCN on 3 Aug 1944 as HMCS Monnow (K441). Returned to the RN on 11 Jun 1945. Trasnferred in 1945 to Denmark as Holger Danske. | |
| HMS Mourne (K261) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 21 Mar 1942 | 24 Sep 1942 | 30 Apr 1943 | 15 Jun 1944 | Torpedoed and sunk by U-767 on 15 Jun 1944 in the English Channel at 49-35N, 05-30W. |
| HMS Moyola (K260) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 9 Feb 1942 | 27 Aug 1942 | 15 Jan 1943 | 15 Oct 1944 | Transferred on 15 Oct 1944 to the Free French Navy as FFL Tonkinois (K260). |
| HMS Nadder (K392) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 11 Mar 1943 | 15 Sep 1943 | 20 Jan 1944 | 1945 | Transferred in 1945 to India as HMIS Shamsher (K392). |
| HMS Nene (K270) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 20 Jun 1942 | 9 Dec 1942 | 8 Apr 1943 | Transferred to RCN on 4 Jun 1944 as HMCS Nene (K270). Returned to the RN on 11 Jun 1945. Scrapped in Aug 1955. | |
| HMS Odzani (K356) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 18 Nov 1942 | 19 May 1943 | 2 Sep 1943 | Scrapped in Jun 1957. | |
| HMS Parret (K304) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 6 Nov 1942 | 30 Apr 1943 | 31 Aug 1943 | Ordered by USN as PG-109. Transferred to RN before completion under the lend-lease program. Returned to the USN on 5 Feb 1946. | |
| HMS Plym (K271) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 1 Aug 1942 | 4 Feb 1943 | 16 May 1943 | Destroyed on 3 Oct 1956 off the Montebello Islands, Western Australia with the detonation of a 25kT nuclear bomb in the hull as part of Operation Hurricane, the first British nuclear test. | |
| HMS Ribble (K525) | Blyth Shipbuilding & Drydock, Blyth | 31 Dec 1942 | 10 Nov 1943 | Transferred on 24 Jul 1944 to RCN as HMCS Ribble (K525). Returned to the RN on 11 Jun 1945. Scrapped on 9 Jul 1957. | ||
| HMS Shiel (K305) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 26 May 1943 | 30 Sep 1943 | Ordered by USN as PG-110. Transferred to RN before completion under the lend-lease program. Returned to the USN on 4 Mar 1946. | ||
| HMS Taff (K637) | Charles Hill & Sons Ltd., Bristol | 14 Apr 1943 | 11 Sep 1943 | 7 Jan 1944 | Scrapped in Jun 1957. | |
| HMS Tavy (K272) | Charles Hill & Sons Ltd., Bristol | 17 Oct 1942 | 3 Apr 1943 | 3 Jul 1943 | Scrapped on 28 Sep 1956. | |
| HMS Tees (K293) | Hall, Russell & Company, Aberdeen | 21 Oct 1942 | 20 May 1943 | 28 Aug 1943 | Scrapped on 16 July 1956. | |
| HMS Teme (K458) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 25 May 1943 | 11 Nov 1943 | Transferred on 28 Feb 1944 to RCN as HMCS Teme (K458). Torpedoed and badly damaged by U-315 on 29 Mar 1945 off Lands End at 50-07N, 05-45W. Declared a total loss. Returned to the RN on 4 May 1945. Sold for scrap on 8 Dec 1945. | ||
| HMS Torridge (K292) | Blyth Shipbuilding & Drydock, Blyth | 17 Oct 1942 | 16 Aug 1943 | 6 Jun 1944 | Transferred on 6 Jun 1944 to the Free French Navy as FFL La Surprise (K292). | |
| HMS Towy (K294) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 3 Sep 1942 | 4 Mar 1943 | 10 Jun 1943 | Scrapped on 27 Jul 1956. | |
| HMS Usk (K295) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 6 Oct 1942 | 3 Apr 1943 | 14 Jul 1943 | Transferred in 1948 to Egypt as Abikir. | |
| HMS Windrush (K370) | Henry Robb Ltd., Leith | 18 Nov 1942 | 18 Jun 1943 | 3 Nov 1943 | Feb 1944 | Transferred in Feb 1944 to the Free French Navy as FFL La Découverte (K370). Currently beached as a fire training ship at Querqueville, France. |
| HMS Wye (K371) | Henry Robb Ltd., Leith | 18 Nov 1942 | 16 Aug 1943 | 9 Feb 1944 | Scrapped on 22 Feb 1955. |
[edit] Royal Netherlands Navy
| Ship | Builder | Laid Down | Launched | Commissioned | Paid Off | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HNMS Johan Maurits van Nassau (K251) | W. Simons & Co., Renfrew | 29 Dec 1942 | 23 Apr 1943 | 25 Jun 1943 | 1960 | Formerly HMS Ribble (K251). Transferred while under construction to the Netherlands. |
[edit] South African Navy
| Ship | Builder | Laid Down | Launched | Commissioned | Paid Off | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMSAS Swale (K217) | Smiths Dock Co., South Bank-on-Tees | 19 Aug 1941 | 16 Jan 1942 | 26 Jul 1945 | Jan 1946 | Formerly HMS Swale (K217). Returned to RN in Jan 1946. |
| HMSAS Teviot (K222) | Hall, Russell & Company, Aberdeen | 4 Oct 1941 | 12 Oct 1942 | 10 Jun 1945 | Formerly HMS Teviot (K222). Returned to RN in Jan 1946. |
[edit] United States Navy
| Ship | Builder | Laid Down | Launched | Commissioned | Paid Off | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USS Asheville (PG-101) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 10 Mar 1942 | 22 Aug 1942 | 1 Dec 1942 | 14 Jan 1946 | Formerly HMS Adur (K269). Transferred on 13 Jun 1946 to Argentina as Hercules. |
| USS Natchez (PG-102) | Canadian Vickers, Montreal | 16 Mar 1942 | 12 Sep 1942 | 16 Dec 1942 | 14 Jan 1946 | Formerly HMS Annan (K297). Transferred to RCN during construction as HMCS Annan (K297). Transferred to USN from RCN during construction on 20 Jul 1942. Sold 29 Jul 1947, resold 19 Mar 1948 to the Dominican Republic as Juan Pablo Doarte. |
[edit] Vessels lost in action
| Ship | Date | Fate |
|---|---|---|
| HMS Cam (K264) | 1944 | Mined. Towed to port and declared a total loss. |
| HMCS Chebogue (K317) | 4 Oct 1944 | Torpedoed and badly damaged by U-1227 while escorting convoy ONS-33. Towed to port and declared a total loss. |
| HMS Cuckmere (K299) | 11 Dec 1943 | Torpedoed and badly damaged by U-223 off Algeria. Towed to port and declared a total loss. |
| HMS Itchen (K227) | 23 Sep 1943 | Torpedoed and sunk by U-666 at 53-25N, 39-42W. |
| HMS Lagan (K259) | 20 Sep 1943 | Torpedoed and badly damaged by U-270. Towed to port and declared a total loss. |
| HMCS Magog (K673) | 14 Oct 1944 | Torpedoed and badly damaged by U-1223 while escorting convoy ONS-33G. Towed to port and declared a total loss. |
| HMS Mourne (K261) | 15 Jun 1944 | Torpedoed and sunk by U-767 at 49-35N, 05-30W. |
| HMS Teme (K458) | 29 Mar 1945 | Torpedoed and badly damaged by U-315. Towed to port and declared a total loss. |
| HMS Tweed (K250) | 7 Jan 1944 | Torpedoed and sunk by U-305 at 48-18N, 21-19W. |
| HMS Valleyfield (K329) | 7 May 1944 | Torpedoed and sunk by U-548 at 46-03N, 52-24W. |
[edit] Trivia
- HMS Plym (K271) was destroyed by the United Kingdom's first nuclear weapon in Operation Hurricane in 1952.
- A fictional River class frigate, HMS Saltash, appears in the novel The Cruel Sea by Nicholas Monsarrat. In the film version, this is replaced by a Castle class corvette, HMS Saltash Castle, as no River class vessel was available from the Royal Navy to play the part.
- HMCS Stormont (K327) was bought by Aristotle Onassis after the war and converted into the luxury yacht Christina O.
[edit] Bibliography
- British and Empire Warships of the Second World War, H T Lenton, Greenhill Books, ISBN 1-85367-277-7
- Royal Navy Frigates 1945-1983, Leo Marriot, Ian Allan, 1983, ISBN 0-7110-1322-5
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