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ROYAL NAVY (UNITED KINGDOM)

ESCORTS   

"Modified RIVER" (Australian-built) frigates

Murchison 1945

Name No Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
Balmaine (RAN)   Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia --- --- --- cancelled
Bogam (RAN)   Newcastle DYd, Australia --- --- --- cancelled
Campaspe (RAN)   Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia --- --- --- cancelled
Condamine (RAN) K698 - F698 Newcastle DYd, Australia 10/1943 4/11/1944 2/1946 BU 9/1961
Culgoa (ex-Macquarie) (RAN) K408 - F408 Williamstown DYd, Australia 7/1943 22/9/1944 4/1947 BU 2/1972
Murchison (RAN) K442 - F442 Evans Deakin, Brisbane, Australia 6/1943 31/10/1944 12/1945 BU 9/1961
Murrumbidgee (RAN)   Melbourne DYd, Australia --- --- --- cancelled
Naomi (RAN)   Cockatoo DYd, Australia --- --- --- cancelled
Nepean (RAN)   Cockatoo DYd, Australia --- --- --- cancelled
Shoalhaven (RAN) K535 - F535 Walkers, Maryborough, Australia 12/1943 14/12/1944 5/1946 BU 1/1962
Warburton (RAN)   Evans Deakin, Brisbane, Australia --- --- --- cancelled
Williamstown (RAN)   Williamstown DYd, Australia --- --- --- cancelled
Wimmera (RAN)   Cockatoo DYd, Australia --- --- --- cancelled
Wollondilly (RAN)   Cockatoo DYd, Australia --- --- --- cancelled

 

 

 

Displacement standard, t

1537

Displacement full, t

2187

Length, m

86.3 pp 91.7 oa

Breadth, m

11.1

Draught, m

3.89 deep load

No of shafts

2

Machinery

VTE, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers

Power, h. p.

5500

Max speed, kts

19

Fuel, t

oil 610

Armament

2 x 2 - 102/45 QF Mk XVI HA, (3 - 5) õ 1 - 40/56 Bofors, 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog DCT, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (50)

Sensors

type 275, 277, 291 radars, sonars

Complement

177

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. Later Australian ships had improved armament. Order for 10 units cancelled.

Modernizations: 1950s, all: - (3 - 5) x 1 - 40/56; + 3 x 1 - 40/60 Bofors Mk 5, 2 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon

Naval service: No significant events.

      Murchison 1946

 

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