nearly sister-ship Jed 1944
| Name | No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Barcoo (RAN) | K375 - F174 | Cockatoo DYd, Australia | 10/1942 | 26/8/1943 | 1/1944 | BU 2/1972 |
| Barwon (RAN) | K406 - F402 | Cockatoo DYd, Australia | 5/1943 | 3/8/1944 | 1/1946 | BU 8/1962 |
| Burdekin (RAN) | K376 - F403 | Walkers, Maryborough, Australia | 1/1942 | 30/6/1943 | 6/1944 | BU 9/1961 |
| Diamantina (RAN) | K377 - F377 | Walkers, Maryborough, Australia | 4/1943 | 6/4/1944 | 4/1945 | survey vessel 1959, preserved 2/1980 |
| Gascoyne (RAN) | K354 - F354 | Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia | 7/1942 | 20/2/1943 | 11/1943 | survey vessel 1959, BU 2/1972 |
| Hawkesbury (RAN) | K363 - F363 | Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia | 8/1942 | 24/7/1943 | 7/1944 | BU 2/1972 |
| Lachlan (RAN) | K364 - F364 | Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia | 3/1943 | 25/3/1944 | 2/1945 | to New Zealand 10/1949 (Lachlan), BU 2/1975 |
| Macquarie (ex-Culgoa) (RAN) | K532 - F532 | Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia | 12/1943 | 3/3/1945 | 12/1945 | BU 7/1972 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
1310 - 1460 |
|
Displacement full, t |
1920 - 2180 |
|
Length, m |
86.3 pp 91.8 oa |
|
Breadth, m |
11.2 |
|
Draught, m |
3.61 - 3.89 deep load |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
VTE, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
5500 |
|
Max speed, kts |
20 |
|
Fuel, t |
oil 646 |
|
Armament |
Burdekin: 2 x 1 - 102/40 QF Mk XIX, 2 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon, (2 - 4) x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon , 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog DCT, 8 DCT, 2 DCR (150) Barcoo, Gascoyne, Hawkesbury: 2 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk XVI HA, 2 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon, (2 - 4) x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon , 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog DCT, 8 DCT, 2 DCR (150) Barwon, Diamantina, Lachlan: 2 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk XVI HA, (1 - 3) õ 1 - 40/56 Bofors, 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog DCT, 8 DCT, 2 DCR (150) Macquarie: 1 x 2 - 102/45 QF Mk XVI HA, 2 x 3 - 305 Squid DCT, 8 DCT, 2 DCR (54) |
|
Sensors |
type 272, 291 radars, sonars |
|
Complement |
140 |
Ship project history: Design of "River" class frigate is developed in 1941 when it became clear, that
for service in Atlantic escorts are required larger than "Flower" class
corvettes. Significantly increased dimensions have allowed to improve
seaworthiness and conditions of habitability of crew, to place additional
armament and to fit twin-shaft machinery (actually doubled
machinery of "Flower" class corvettes) and to
increase speed to 20kts. An exception made 5 ships which have received more
powerful turbine machinery.
Originally known as "twin-screw corvettes", "River" class ships, as well as
their predecessors, created on standards of merchant shipbuilding, but their
hulls had outlines more habitual for a warship, and its slenderness has
increased from 6 to 8. Thus the building technology, as well as corvettes,
as much as possible adapted for usage on the yards which do not have experience
of construction of combat ships.
The frigates were built also by Australia with a little differing from standard armament, consisting of two
single 102mm. Later Australian ships had improved armament. Order for 10 units cancelled.
Modernizations: 1944, Burdekin: - 2 x 1 - 102/40; + 2 x 1 - 102/45 QF
Mk XVI HA
1945, Barcoo, Hawkesbury: - 2 x 1 - 102/45, 2 x 2 - 20/70, (2 - 4) x 1 - 20/70, 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog DCT; + 1 x 2 - 102/45 QF Mk XVI HA, 1 x 1 - 40/56 Bofors, 2 x 3 - 305 Squid DCT, type 275 radar. DC stowage was decreased to 54.
Naval service: Diamantina was preserved in Brisbane.
Burdekin 1946
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-10