Göteborg class destroyer


HMS Göteborg (J5)
Class overview
Operators:  Swedish Navy
Succeeded by: Visby-class destroyer
Built: 1933-1941
In commission: 1936-1968
Planned: 6
Completed: 6
Active: 0
Retired: 6
General characteristics
Type: Destroyer/Frigate
Displacement: 1,060-1,240 tons
Length: 92.7 m (304 ft)
Beam: 9 m (30 ft)
Draught: 3.8 m (12 ft)
Speed: 39 knots
Complement: 130
Armament: 3 x 120 mm canons, 4 x 25 mm bofors anti-air, 6 x 530 mm torpedo tubes
depth charges and mines

Göteborg class was a Swedish World War II destroyer class. Built 1936-1941 the class was designed as escort and neutral guard destroyers. In total six ships were constructed, HMS Göteborg, HMS Stockholm, HMS Malmö, HMS Karlskrona, HMS Gävle and HMS Norrköping. After World War II the destroyers, later rebuilt as frigates, continued to serve in the Swedish navy. The last ship was decommissioned in 1968.

History

In 1933 the Swedish government granted the construction of two new destroyers.[1] The destroyers were given names after Swedish coast towns and was because of this called Stadsjagare (City destroyers). The first ship was delivered in 1936 and the second in 1937. In 1936 two additional destroyers were ordered and after the war broke out a third pair was ordered as well.[2] In 1958-1963 three of the destroyers were rebuilt as frigates that included a change of armament. The first ship to be decommissioned was Göteborg in 1958. In the decade that followed all ships were decommissioned with the last in 1968.

The famous Swedish marine engineer Curt Borgenstam called the Göteborg class the most beautiful and well working destroyer class to have served in the Swedish navy.[3]

References

Sources