home

fighting ships of the world

ROYAL NAVY (UNITED KINGDOM)

ESCORTS   

"LOCH" frigates

Loch Morlich 1944

Loch Killin 1945

 

Displacement standard, t	1435
Displacement full, t	2260
Length, m	87.2 pp 93.6 oa
Breadth, m	11.8
Draught, m	3.76 deep load
No of shafts	2
Machinery	VTE, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers Loch Arkaig, Loch Tralaig: Parsons geared steam turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers
Power, h. p.	5500 Loch Arkaig, Loch Tralaig: 6000
Max speed, kts	19.5 Loch Arkaig, Loch Tralaig: 20
Fuel, t	oil 724
Endurance, nm(kts)	7000(15)
Armament	1 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk V HA, 1 x 4 - 40/39 pompom, (2 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon) (earlier ships) or (4 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon) (later ships), 2 x 3 - 305 Squid DCT, 2 DCT, 1 DCR (15) Loch Veyatie and incomplete ships: 1 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk XXI, 1 x 4 - 40/39 pompom, 4 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 2 x 3 - 305 Squid DCT, 2 DCT, 1 DCR (15) SAN ships: 1 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk XXI, 1 x 4 - 40/39 pompom, 6 x 1 - 40/56 Bofors, 2 x 3 - 305 Squid DCT, 2 DCT, 1 DCR (15)
Sensors	type 277, 291 radars, sonars
Complement	177

Ship project history: War on Atlantic demanded the increasing number of escorts. For reduction of terms of building the design of "River" class frigate has been recycled under a section method of building. Now shipbuilding yards only assembled the ships from already ready sections in weight to several tens the tons made at the inland plants. At designing the basic thrust became on adaptability to manufacture of production, frequently even to the detriment of other qualities. Transition to a longitudinal hull framing system and wide use of welding became basic difference from "River" class. For building simplification the unprecedented decision, forbidding to bring in the design after completing of a lead frigate any changes which could influence rates of building of the subsequent ships of a class was accepted.

As well as "River", these ships first of all formed as anti-submarine, but them it was possible to equip with more perfect Squid ASW rocket launcher. Air defence possibilities have simultaneously considerably improved also by installing of the quadruple 40mm pom-pom.

Only 28 ships were completed from 110 ordered frigates of "Loch" class on an original design. Besides, two more, Loch Assynt and Loch Torridon were completed as a depot ships Derby Haven and Woodbridge Haven respectively, 26 ships were completed as AA frigates of "Bay" class. The order for building of 54 more units has been cancelled.

Modernizations: 1944 - 1945, earlier ships: + 2 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon

1945, Loch Craggie, Loch Eck, Loch Glendhu: - 4 x 2 - 20/70; + 2 x 1 - 40/56 Bofors, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon

early 1950s, Loch Alvie, Loch Fada, Loch Fyne, Loch Insh, Loch Killisport, Loch Lomond, Loch Ruthven, Loch Tralaig, Loch Veyatile: - 1 x 1 - 102/45, 4 x 2 - 20/70, 2 x 1 - 20/70, type 277 radar; + 1 x 2 - 102/45 Mk 19, 4 x 1 - 40/60 Bofors Mk 5, type 277Q radar.

1955, Good Hope; 1962, Transvaal: as dispatch / training ships: - 1 x 1 - 102/45; + 1 x 2 - 102/45 Mk 19 and flight deck for helicopter.

Naval service: Two ships were completed as depot ships for small minesweepers and attack craft. Their full displacement was 2160 t and armament consisted of 2 40/56 Bofors guns.

 

Custom Search

© Ivan Gogin, 2008-10