ALL THE WORLD S

CONWAY’S
ALL THE
WORLD’S
FIGHTING
SHIPS
1922-1946
Thi s volume forms part of an important new series of
reference books, which will eventually cover the whole
history of iron and steel warships, from the first ironclad
to the present day. The series involves both a major
revaluation of published information and the wide-scale
use of unpublished sources now becoming available for
the first time. With the advantage of hindsight it will be
possible to put this detailed and reliable data into its
proper historical context, and the introductions and class
notes aim to give the reader a deeper understanding of
why, as well as how and when, naval developments took
place. This information is complemented by extensive
! illustration, with photos and/or accurate standard-scale
; drawings for most classes. Each volume covers a logical
period in a degree of detail and completeness hardly
matched by a whole library of previously published naval
i books.
The series was launched with the 1860-1905 volume,
covering the ironclad and predreadnought era, and was
enthusiastically received by naval-minded readers,
librarians and book-reviewers. Some of these comments
are set out below:
“Conway’s All the World’s Fighting Ships 1860-1905 must
, rank with the all-time great naval reference books . . .
the size and originality of the undertaking is immediately
apparent.” The Navy
“The importance of this book cannot be over-estimated,
for it fills a huge void in naval knowledge . . .” Defence
“Now and again a really superlative book comes along,
one that stands apart from the rest either because of its
authoritative content or sheer quality of printing and
packaging. Conway’s World’s Fighting Ships fills all these
conditions.” Scale Models
“. . . all the thoroughness and attention to detail we have
come to expect from Conway Maritime . . . excellent
value.” Ships Monthly
“For anyone studying 19th century navies this book is
\ essential reading and very enjoyable too.”
The Naval Architect

The book was also nominated by the Library Association

for the McColvin Medal for the outstanding reference
book of the year, and chosen by the US Naval Institute
■' Proceedings as one of the ‘Notable Naval Books of 1979’.

. £30.00 net UK only

 NOV J g 1985 ^
o aec

SAN FRANCISCO
PUBLIC LIBRARY

ttlSTORY DEPARTMENT

REFERENCE book

Not to be taken from the Library

 CONWAY’S
ALL THE WORLD S
FIGHTING
SHIPS
■
mi ■
mm mT
mm 'Hr
» i
M *awm m Jm
mM. Atm
Symbolising the changes in sea-
power between 1922 and 1946, the «
British battlefleet of the 1930s (top)
is contrasted with the aircraft car¬
riers of US Task Force 38 at Ulithi i1
towards the end of the war.
By courtesy of Larry Sowinski
ALL THE WORLD S

1922-1946

CONWAY MARITIME PRESS

Editorial Director
ROBERT GARDINER
Editor
ROGER CHESNEAU
Contributors
PRZEMYSLAW BUDZBON (Soviet Union, Poland)
N J M CAMPBELL (Great Britain)
NORMAN FRIEDMAN (United States of America)
JOHN ROBERTS (Italy, Western Europe, the Mediterranean, the
Middle and Far East, and Minor Naval Forces, except Cuba, the
Dominican Republic and Ecuador)
ROBERT L SCHEINA (Latin America, including the Minor Naval
Forces excepted above)
ERWIN SIECHE (Germany)
IAN STURTON (Japan)
MAREK TWARDOWSKI (Eastern Europe, except Poland - in
association with Boris Lemachko)
KARL-ERIK WESTERLUND (Scandinavia)
Line drawings
By Przemyslaw Budzbon, Andrzej M Jaskula, John Roberts, Adam
Smigielski and Marek Twardowski
Book design
By David Mills and Barry Kemp
REF
f359.32,0769,1922-46

Conway's All the

world's fighting

8. T. PUBLIC LIBRARY

First published in 1980 by Conway Maritime Press Ltd,

2 Nelson Road, Greenwich, London SE10 9JB
ISBN 0 85177 146 7
© 1980 Conway Mariume Press Ltd
Typeset by Sunset Phototype Ltd, Barnet
Artwork by Letterspace, Barnet
Printed in the UK by Page Bros (Norwich) Ltd
Bound by Dorstel Press Ltd, Harlow
 Contents
Foreword
Abbreviations

GREAT BRITAIN (including Empire Forces)

Introduction 2
The Royal Navy in 1922 7
Capital ships 14
Monitors 17
Aircraft carriers 17
Cruisers 26
Cruiser-minelayers 36
Destroyers 37
Escort destroyers 45
Submarines 47
Sloops 55
Frigates 58
Other escorts 62
Coastal forces 67
Amphibious warfare ships 72
Miscellaneous vessels 78
Auxiliary warships 81

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Introduction 86
The US Navy in 1922 90
Capital ships 97
Aircraft carriers 100
Cruisers 112
Destroyers 124
Destroyer escorts 135
Submarines 141
Patrol frigates 148
Minelayers 149
Minesweepers and patrol craft 150
Submarine-chasers 152
PT boats 154
Gunboats 155
Seaplane tenders 156
Amphibious warfare ships 158
US Coast Guard 164

JAPAN
Introduction 167
The Japanese Navy in 1922 171
Capital ships 178
Aircraft carriers 179
Cruisers 186
Destroyers 192
Submarines 199
Escorts, patrol boats 205
Minelayers 207
Minesweepers 209
Submarine-chasers 210
Miscellaneous vessels 211

GERMANY
Introduction 218
The German Navy in 1922 222
Capital ships 224
Aircraft carriers 226
Cruisers 227
Destroyers 232
Ex-enemy destroyers 236
Torpedo-boats 237
Submarines 239
Escorts 245
Minesweepers 245
Commerce raiders 246
S-Boats 248
Motor minesweepers 250
Miscellaneous vessels 252
Fighter direction ships 254

FRANCE
Introduction 255
The French Navy in 1922 257
Capital ships 259
Aircraft carriers 261
Cruisers 262
Destroyers 267
Torpedo-boats 271
Submarines 272
Escorts 276
Coastal craft 278

ITALY
Introduction 280
The Italian Navy in 1922 284
Capital ships 289
Aircraft carriers 290
Cruisers 291
Destroyers 298
Torpedo-boats, destroyer escorts 302
Submarines 304
Coastal forces 312
Miscellaneous vessels 316

SOVIET UNION
Introduction 318
The Soviet Navy in 1922 322
Capital ships 325
Cruisers 326
Flotilla leaders 329
Destroyers 330
Submarines 332
Escorts 338
Guardships 339
Minesweepers 340
Motor torpedo-boats 341
Submarine-chasers 343
Miscellaneous vessels 344

EASTERN EUROPE
Poland 347
Estonia 351
Latvia 353
Czechoslovakia 354
Hungary 355
Yugoslavia 355
Romania 359
Bulgaria 362

SCANDINAVIA
Finland 363
Sweden 368
Norway 377
Denmark 381

WESTERN EUROPE
Belgium 385
The Netherlands 385
Portugal 396

THE MEDITERRANEAN
Spain 398
Greece 404
Turkey 406
Egypt 409

THE MIDDLE AND FAR EAST

Persia 409
Siam 410
China 411
Manchukuo 414

LATIN AMERICA
Mexico 414
Colombia 415
Venezuela 415
Brazil 416
Paraguay 418
Uruguay 419
Argentina 419
Chile 422
Peru 423
 MINOR NAVAL FORCES
Albania
Austria
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Eire
Iceland
Iraq
Foreword
This volume is the second of a series begun by Conway’s All the World’s
Fighting Ships 1860-1905, which dealt with a period for which there
was little existing published material. Therefore it was only necessary
to explain how - rather than why - the subject was covered. For the
1922-46 period there are already many reference books on warships,
and so a few words about the aims of this volume are in order.
Available published works fall into three basic categories, all of
which have some positive disadvantages from the point of view of the
student or enthusiast:
1. Yearbooks and annuals. These have virtually no access to primary
sources; they are also subject to security restrictions and, often, inten¬
tionally misleading official information put out for propaganda pur¬
poses. Yearbooks naturally concentrate on what is new, and so there is
rarely any incentive to correct data in retrospect.
2. Pocket-books on navies or ship types. These are little more than
fleet-lists, with no space to devote to the design background or general
naval developments.
3. Monographs and detailed studies. This category contains many fine
works of extreme importance in their own right, but by no means all
navies and ship types have benefited from such studies (very few of the
smaller navies have been covered, and even US cruisers are still without
a definitive technical history). Therefore, even if an avid enthusiast
could afford to collect all available books, there would still be gaps in
their coverage.
Consequently the first aim of this book is to provide, in a single
manageable volume, all the information that would otherwise require
almost a library of naval reference works.
The second aim concerns the quality of the information: each volume
of this series involves a major revaluation of published information with
the advantage of hindsight, as well as the wide-scale use of unpublished
sources, many of them available only recently.
No warship is merely a collection of data, and this book’s third aim is
to back the bare technical details, wherever possible, with notes on the
history and rationale of the design. Judgements on the quality of a ship
can only be made with reference to her designer’s intentions, and
similarly the policy of a navy cannot be understood outside the political
and economic context in which it operated. These factors are covered in
the introduction to each country.
SCOPE
The period covered is from the Washington Treaty to the end of the
wartime building programmes. In some ways this volume is more
comprehensive than its predecessor. The concern is still predominantly
withfighting ships, but the exclusions have been less rigid. Riverine and
lake vessels have been included, as have many very small craft, such as
MTBs, and even special attack craft like Italian ‘chariots’ or Japanese
‘Shinyo’ suicide boats, the criterion for inclusion being their relative
historical importance. This has also dictated the inclusion of some
purpose-built auxiliaries (many of which have interesting technical
features) as well as significant conversions from warships. In many
424
424
424
425
425
425
425
425
cases, the vessels of non-naval government agencies (coastguard, army,
police or fishery protection services) have been omitted, or relegated to
the Minor Naval Forces section at the end of the book. All important
designs and uncompleted warships have been included.
NEW FEATURES
Compared with the 1860-1905 volume, the most obvious new feature is
the greatly expanded notes and illustrations to the tables of ships extant
at the beginning of the period. This was necessary because the
Washington Treaty forced the major powers to extensively rebuild
many capital ships in lieu of new construction, while the pace of
technological advance during the war years meant that older ships had
to be more frequently, and more radically, refitted. These develop¬
ments belong here rather than the 1906-21 volume which will cover the
details of the ships as built.
Apart from more detailed coverage, this volume has much new
material to offer, in both text and illustration. For example, Eastern
European sources have been widely used for those countries now in the
Communist bloc, while many previously unpublished photos have
been provided by a collector in the USSR. Many of the smaller navies
have been adequately covered for the first time; this is particularly true
of countries like Finland, which suffered from war-inspired security
restrictions on the release of information. However, new information is
not confined to the small or obscure navies: the US section contains for
the first time succinct design histories of all significant warship classes
entirely compiled from official records, while even the much-studied
Royal Navy affords a few surprises, such as the projected cruiser
designs of 1939-45, or the ‘oil-drum’ protective systems of the armed
merchant cruisers.
ORGANISATION
The major naval powers - those with a modern battlefieet - come first.
Thereafter countries are grouped geographically, to facilitate compari¬
sons between neighbouring navies. Finally there is a short section
outlining minor naval forces, few of which have any claim to being real
navies. Dominion and Commonwealth navies are to be found under
‘Great Britain’, usually under the British classes to which most of them
belonged.
The order within each country is standard: a general introduction,
followed by a statement of its fleet in 1922, then the post-1922 classes in
type and chronological order. The type-divisions are conventional
(Capital Ships, Aircraft Carriers, Cruisers, etc) in descending order of
importance, but where a classification is very general (such as Coastal
Forces) each class heading may be followed by a more precise designa¬
tion (such as MTB, MGB or ML).
ILLUSTRATIONS
Classes of ship of cruiser size and upwards are usually represented by
both a photograph and a line drawing; wherever possible these are
complementary - representing either different sister-ships, or the same
ship before and after alterations. The emphasis on appearance changes
is carried into the captions for both types of illustrations which are
dated whenever and as accurately as possible.
The line drawings, which were specially commissioned for this book,
are reproduced to 1/1250 scale, except for a few clearly marked as
1/1500 which would otherwise have been too large to print horizon¬
tally. Efforts have been made to obtain unpublished photos, but a clear
representative shot has been preferred over a poor but unique one.
the Italian Navy, Boris Lemachko, Jerzy Micinski, Bernard Millot, the
Ministry of Defence (London), Musee de la Marine (Paris), Jacques
Navarret, F C van Oosten of the Netherlands Navy Historical Branch,
Norman Polmar, Antoni Ratajczak, G von Rauch, John Roberts,
Robert L Scheina, Larry Sowinski, Lt Cdr Tamura, the US Coast
Guard, the US Navy, P A Vicary, Karl-Erik Westerlund and Wright &
Logan. Photos are credited after each caption; all uncredited photos are
from the Conway Picture Library Collection.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS NOTE
For help with photographs we are indebted to the following individuals Any correspondence incorporating additions or modifications to the
and organisations: A D Baker III, Arrigo Barilli, C W Beilstein, John information in this book should be directed to Conway Maritime Press
Bowen, P Budzbon, the Danish Navy, Aldo Fraccaroli, Jean Havet, Ltd, 2 Nelson Road, London SE10 9JB.
Robert Gardiner

Abbreviations
AA, anti-aircraft
AAW, anti-aircraft warfare
AEW, Airborne Early Warning
AMGB, armoured motor gunboat
AP, armour-piercing
approx, approximately
Apr, April
AS, anti-submarine
ASW, anti-submarine warfare
ATW, ahead-throwing weapon
Aug, August
aw, above water
BDE, British destroyer escort
bhp, brake horsepower
BL, breech-loading
BM, (including) breech mechanism
BPB, British Power Boats
brt, British registered tons
BTH, British Thompson Houston
BU, broken up
c, circa
cal, calibre (usually expressed after
an oblique stroke following the
bore diameter, eg ‘ 16in/43’)
CIC, Combat Information Centre
C in C, Commander-in-Chief
cm, centimetre(s)
CMB, coastal motor boat
CNO, Chief of Naval Operations
Co, Company
comm, commissioned
comp, completed
conv, converted
Corp, Corporation
crh, calibre radius head
CT, conning tower
CTL, constructive total loss
cu, cubic
cwt, hundredweight
cyl, cylindrical (of boilers);
cyhnder(s) (of engines)
DC, depth charge/s)
DCT, depth-charge thrower
DE, destroyer escort
Dec, December
disp, displacement. Note that for
submarines, two figures
separated by an oblique stroke
indicate surface/submerged
values; this system applies also to
figures for range (endurance) and
speed.
DNC, Director of Naval
Construction
DP, dual-purpose
DYd, Dockyard
EEC, English Electric Company
F, Fahrenheit LCS, Landing Craft, Support pp, between perpendiculars
Feb, February LCS(L), Landing Craft, Support psi, pounds per square inch
FNFL, Forces Nationales (Large)
Fran^aises Libres (Free French LCS(M), Landing Craft, Support QF, quick-firing
Forces) (Medium)
FRAM, Fleet Rehabilitation and LCS(S), Landing Craft, Support RAN, Royal Australian Navy
Modernisation (Small) RCMP, Royal Canadian Mounted
fs, feet per second LCT, Landing Craft, Tank Police
ft, foot; feet LCT(R), Landing Craft, Tank RCN, Royal Canadian Navy
FY, Fiscal Year (Rocket) RIM, Royal Indian Marine
LCV, Landing Craft, Vehicle RIN, Royal Indian Navy
gal, gallon(s) LCV(P), Landing Craft, Vehicle RN, Royal Navy
GM, metacentric height (distance (Personnel) RNVR, Royal Naval Volunteer
between G, or centre of gravity, LP, low pressure Reserve
and M, metacentre) LSC, Landing Ship, Carrier RNZN, Royal New Zealand Navy
GMSA, German Minesweeping LSF, Landing Ship, Fighter RPC, Remote Power Control
Administration Direction rpg, rounds per gun
grt, gross registered tons LSD, Landing Ship, Dock
LSG, Landing Ship, Gantry S, South
HA, high-angle LSH(L), Landing Ship, SAN, South African Navy
HDML, harbour defence motor Headquarters (Large) SAP, semi-armour-piercing
launch LSI, Landing Ship, Infantry SB, Shipbuilders, Shipbuilding
HM, His/Her Majesty’s LSI(H), Landing Ship, Infantry SE, single-ended
HMS, His/Her Majesty’s Ship (Hard) Sept, September
hp, horsepower LSI(L), Landing Ship, Infantry shp, shaft horsepower
HP, high pressure (Large) SNO, Senior Naval Officer
HQ, headquarters LSI(M), Landin Ship, Infantry sq, square
(Medium) STAAG, Stabilised Tachymetric
I, Island LSI(S), Landing Ship, Infantry Anti-Aircraft Gun
ihp, indicated horsepower (Small) std, standard
in, inch(es) LSM, Landing Ship, Medium STS, Special Tensile Steel
inc, including LSS, Landing Ship, Stern Chute sub, submerged
LST, Landing Ship, Tank
t, ton(s). Long tons are used
Jan, January LSV, Landing Ship, Vehicle
throughout.
JMSDF, Japanese Maritime m, metre/s) TB, torpedo-boat
Self-Defence Force Mar, March TE, triple expansion
MA/SB, motor anti-submarine TNT, trinitrotoluene
KC, Krupp Cemented boat TS, training ship
kg, kilogram(s) max, maximum TT, torpedo tube(s)
kt(s), knots MG, machine gun(s)
kW, kilowatts MGB, motor gunboat UDT, Underwater Demolition
Mk, Mark Team
LA, low-angle ML, motor launch US, United States
lb, pound(s) mm, millimetre(s). Note that USCG, United States Coast Guard
LCA, Landing Craft, Assault calibres etc usually expressed as USCGC, United States Coast
LCF, Landing Craft, Flak centimetres have for convenience Guard Cutter
LCG, Landing Craft, Gun all been given in millimetres USA, United States of America
LCG(L), Landing Craft, Gun MMS, motor minesweeper USN, United States Navy
(Large) Mod, Model USS, United States Ship
LCG(M), Landing Craft, Gun MT, military transport USSR, Union of Soviet Socialist
(Medium) MTB, motor torpedo-boat Republics
LCI(G), Landing Craft, Infantry
(Gun) nm, nautical miles VC, vertical compound
LCI(L), Landing Craft, Infantry No(s), Number/s) VT, variable time (proximity)
(Large) Nov, November VTE, vertical triple expansion
LCI(S), Landing Craft, Infantry N Yd, Navy Yard
(Small) W, West
LCM, Landing Craft, Mechanical oa, overall Wks, Works
LCP, Landing Craft, Personnel Oct, October wl, waterline
LCP(R), Landing Craft, Personnel
pdr, pounder(s) yd(s), yard(s)
(Rocket)
Great Britain
AND EMPIRE FORCES
THE EFFECTS OF THE WASHINGTON TREATY
Although the British Empire had reached its greatest extent by about
1920, Great Britain was still exhausted and impoverished by the
1914-18 War and heavily in debt to the United States, which had
become the most powerful industrial and financial country in the
world. In these circumstances the acceptance of naval parity with the
USA was clearly a correct decision. Nor were the limitations of ships’
individual displacements under the Washington Treaty undesirable,
namely 35,000 tons standard for capital ships, 27,000 tons for aircraft
carriers (two could be 33,000 tons), 10,000 tons for other war vessels,
the calibre of guns being limited at 16in for capital ships and 8in for
others with some limitations on the number of guns exceeding 6in in
aircraft carriers. Britain was allowed to build two new battleships,
Nelson and Rodney - which, if much reduced from the cancelled
48,000-ton battlecruisers, were at least the most powerful in the world
for over a decade - and retained 18 battleships and 4 battlecruisers until
the new ships were completed, at which time 4 battleships would be
scrapped. The life of capital ships was fixed at 20 years, and no further
new ships of this type were to be laid down by Britain, USA or Japan
until November 1931. It was permitted to add 3000 tons of bulges
and/or extra deck protection to existing ships and to complete the
re-armouring of Renown. The total capital ship replacement tonnage
was fixed at 525,000 tons standard displacement (no fuel or reserve feed
water but otherwise fully armed and equipped) for Britain and the
USA, 315,000 tons for Japan and 175,000 tons for France and Italy. As
there were few existing aircraft carriers, total tonnage was fixed at
135,000, 81,000 and 60,000 tons respectively. The Washington Treaty
was to remain in force until the end of 1936. One perhaps unforeseen
consequence of this Treaty was rivalry in 10,000-ton 8in cruisers, a type
which might otherwise have been uncommon. It should be stated that
Britain and the USA (with the possible exception of the Lexington and
Saratoga), always complied scrupulously with Treaty limits of dis¬
placement but Japan, Italy and later Germany did not.
In international relations and diplomacy the 1920s and early 1930s
might be called the period of the League of Nations, under the Coven¬
ant of which an international dispute should be settled by negotiation
and arbitration, and if that failed by collective economic sanctions and
ultimately by collective military action against the aggressor. Unfortu¬
nately the League was crippled from the start by the United States’
refusal to join, and in reality any action against an aggressor outside
Europe would mean action by the Royal Navy probably on its own. The
League was also pledged to general progressive disarmament, and its
aims, which had great popular support in Britain, were irreproachable
in an ideal world of countries ruled by pacific and well-intentioned
men. In the 1930s, when the Japanese militarists and Adolf Hitler took
control and Mussolini became aggressive, there was in Britain a
numerous, highly vocal body of opinion which clamoured for action in
support of the League, together with opposition to any attempt to build
up British naval forces - a dichotomy in which logic was absent.
It would seem that throughout the 1920s and early 1930s economic
factors would have been just as effective as treaties in limiting the
replacement of obsolescent British ships, and it is interesting to note
that one of the most persistent and savage attacks on the Naval Esti¬
2
mates by a Chancellor of the Exchequer was that by Winston Churchill
on those of 1925-26. A potent means of financial restriction was the
Ten Year Rule originated in August 1919 to the effect that no great war
in which the British Empire would be engaged need be expected for the
next ten years. This became automatically self-perpetuating in 1929
and was not finally cancelled until November 1933. During this period
British naval strength was assessed as that necessary to defeat the
Japanese fleet in the Western Pacific, but the development of Hong
Kong was prohibited under the Washington Treaty, and it was decided
in 1923 that a new naval base should be constructed on the Johore
Strait, Singapore. Work progressed slowly and was suspended by the
Labour Governments of 1924 and 1929-31, but when war came there
was a base with possibly adequate coast defence batteries against attack
from the south, although the problem of providing sufficient air and
land defences against an overland attack from the north was never
solved which, with persistent underestimates of Japanese efficiency,
led to the disasters of 1941-42.
In 1922-23 the net naval estimates were just under £65 million, but
from 1923-24 to 1929-30 they were between £56 and 58 million except
in 1925-26 at £60.5 million, the average number borne being about
100,000. The building programmes which escaped cancellation were
not large, as shown by the following:
1922- 23 2 battleships, 1 minelayer
1923- 24 1 submarine
1924- 25 5 8in cruisers, 2 destroyers
1925- 26 4 8in cruisers
1926- 27 3 8in cruisers, 6 submarines
1927- 28 1 8in cruisers, 9 destroyers, 6 submarines, 2 sloops
1928- 29 9 destroyers, 4 submarines, 4 sloops
1929- 30 1 6in cruiser, 5 destroyers, 3 submarines, 4 sloops
THE LONDON NAVAL CONFERENCE
The Wall Street crash of 1929 was the forerunner of world-wide depres¬
sion and financial crisis, and the London Naval Conference of 1930 was
able to achieve further limitations in naval strength. An attempt by
Britain to reduce capital ship limits to 25,000 tons and 12in guns failed,
but it was agreed not to lay down any replacement ships until 1937 and
to reduce existing numbers to 15 for Britain and USA and 9 for Japan.
Aircraft carrier limits were unchanged except for the inclusion of
vessels under 10,000 tons, which were not so considered under the
Washington Treaty. Cruisers were divided into ships with guns of over
6.1in and those with 6.1in or less, and the old staff requirement of a
total of 70 cruisers for the British Empire was reduced to 50. The
United States’ preference for 8in cruisers was recognised and the quota
of tonnage for the larger cruisers agreed as USA 180,000, Great Britain
146,800 and Japan 108,400, with 143,500, 192,200 and 100,450 for the
smaller type. It was permissible to build 10,000-ton cruisers with 6. lin
guns if desired. Destroyer quotas were 150,000 tons for Britain and
USA and 105,000 for Japan, with individual limits of 1500 tons and 5in
guns, though 16 per cent of the quota might be 1850 tons. For sub¬
marines the quotas were 52,700 tons for Britain, the USA and Japan,
with limits of 2000 tons and 5. lin guns although three vessels might be
up to 2800 tons with 6. lin guns. Neither France nor Italy agreed to this
Renown, Hood amd Valiant during the
Jubilee Exercises, June 1935
treaty, which was to expire with that of Washington at the end of 1936.
The relatively low quotas obtained by Japan were probably a factor
in the rise of militarist elements which led to the invasion of Manchuria
in September 1931, landings at Shanghai in January 1932, notice to
quit the League of Nations in February 1933 and abrogation of the
Washington Treaty in August 1934. Without the USA, the League
(which in effect meant the British navy) was powerless to intervene.
Nearer home, Germany, which had been admitted to the League in
1926, saw the appointment of Adolf Hitler as Chancellor in January
1933. Withdrawal from the general Disarmament Conference con¬
vened at Geneva in 1932, and notice to quit the League, followed in
October 1933; in May 1935 the Versailles Treaty was repudiated, the
Franco-Soviet treaty of mutual assistance signed that month giving a
convenient opportunity. Meanwhile Italy had begun to plan an attack
on Abyssinia in 1933: the necessary ‘border incident’ took place in
December 1934 and Abyssinia submitted the dispute to the League in
March 1935. Moreover in the spring of 1934, after Britain had ceased
war debt repayments, the US Congress passed the Johnson Act pro¬
hibiting loans to any country in default to the USA.
This was the gloomy background to the financial difficulties of Great
Britain. Large pay cuts in 1931, combined with bungling of their
announcement, caused a mutiny in eight ships of the Atlantic Fleet at
Invergordon, and in one with the North American and West Indies
Squadron. The cuts were quickly restored in part, but they should
never have been made on the original scale. The net naval estimates fell
to £51.5 to £52 million for 1930-31 and 1931-32, and to £50.5 million
for 1932-33, and then rose to £53.5 million in 1933-34, £56.5 in
1934-35 and £60 million in 1935-36. The average number borne,
which was 95,000 in 1930-31, fell to a little below 90,000 for 1932-33
and 1933-34, and rose to 94,000 in 1935-36. It should be noted that the
estimates and personnel for 1935-36 do not include a supplementary
estimate for £4.85 million and provision for 101,000 to be borne. The
uncancelled building programmes were:
1930- 31 3 6in cruisers, 9 destroyers, 3 submarines, 4 sloops
1931- 32 3 6in cruisers, 9 destroyers, 3 submarines, 2 sloops, 2
minesweepers
1932- 33 3 6in cruisers, 9 destroyers, 3 submarines, 2 sloops, 2
minesweepers
1933- 34 3 6in cruisers, 9 destroyers, 3 submarines, 3 sloops, 1 patrol
vessel, 2 minesweepers
1934- 35 1 aircraft carrier, 4 6in cruisers, 9 destroyers, 3 submarines,
2 sloops, 2 patrol vessels, 2 minesweepers.
1935-36 3 6in cruisers, 9 destroyers, 3 submarines, 1 sloop, 2 patrol
vessels, 3 minesweepers; 7 ‘Tribal’ class destroyers were later added
One of the cruisers of the 1931-32 Programme and two from that of
1932-33 were transferred to Australia.
For some time preparations had been under way for a further naval
disarmament conference so that a new treaty could replace Washington
and London when these expired at the end of 1936. Matters moved
slowly, and in June 1935 a bilateral agreement was signed with Ger¬
many allowing the latter 35 per cent of British tonnage in all categories
except for submarines, where the figure was 45 per cent with the right
to parity if needed. It looked likely in the second half of 1935 that the
League might impose sanctions against Italy if she attacked Abyssinia
in earnest, and the Mediterranean Fleet was placed on a war footing.
Sanctions (but not oil sanctions) followed the attack on Abyssinia in
October 1935, and though no help could be looked for from France,
there is no doubt that the reinforced Mediterranean Fleet would have
quickly dealt with the Italian Navy if the latter had attacked, although
very little would have been available for use elsewhere. It is regrettable
that money was not found for strengthening the defences of Malta, and
providing underground submarine pens in the Malta cliffs. In these
circumstances the unrealistic Second London Naval Conference
opened in December 1935. The resultant treaty was signed in March
1936 and limited capital ships to 35,000 tons and 14in guns, aircraft
carriers to 23,000 tons and 6. lin guns, cruisers to 8000 tons and 6. lin
guns and submarines to 2000 tons and 5.lin guns. There were several
escape clauses which nullified these limits, and as Japan left the confer¬
ence and Germany did not take part, only Britain, USA and France of
the major naval powers signed the treaty, though Italy announced her
intention to accede in 1938. Britain kept to the limits until Lion and
Temeraire of the 1938-39 Programme - which were never built.
THE BUILD-UP TO WAR
The Abyssinian War was over by mid-1936 and the Mediterranean
Fleet returned to normal, while in March 1936 Germany reoccupied
the demilitarised Rhineland; in November 1936 the Rome-Berlin axis
was announced and in 1937, the year in which Japan began the attempt
to conquer all China, Italy left the League of Nations. Meanwhile, in
July 1936, a particularly savage civil war broke out in Spain and lasted
until the spring of 1939. Italy, Germany and Russia used it as a testing
ground on land and in the air, but only Italy intervened to any great
extent at sea. The Royal Navy carried out non-intervention patrols and
the saving of refugees. In August 1937 the Italian submarine Iride
3
GREAT BRITAIN
narrowly missed the destroyer Havock with a torpedo. Asdic contact
was obtained but not held, and a deliberate attack failed to sink the
Iride. It is a pity that this did not lead to the excessive confidence in
asdic being questioned. Improbable as it seemed, Franco’s victory was
the best possible result for Britain as he was clever enough to avoid
entering the Second World War on the German side and the great
danger of a Marxist Spain was avoided. It is not necessary to relate the
story of the Munich Agreement, the breaking up of Czechoslovakia,
the guarantee given to Poland by Britain, the Russo-German pact and
the other events which preceded the outbreak of the Second World
War; it must be noted however that although relations between the
British and US Navies were generally excellent and far better than in
the 1920s, the various Neutrality Acts would have made the wartime
purchase of arms very difficult, and it was not until November 1939
that these were repealed in so far that war materiel could be bought for
cash and transported in British ships.
Although Britain was now committed to re-armament, the Treasury
continued to restrict naval expenditure, and the estimates for 1936-37
were only £70 million though increased by supplementaries to £81
million. In 1937-38 they were £78 million, with a further £27 million
from the Defence Loans Act of 1937 which provided for up to £400
million from the Consolidated Fund being spent on the Navy to the end
of 1941-42. In 1938-39 the estimates were £96 million, including
supplementaries with £30 million from the Defence Loans Act, while
for 1939^-0 these figures were £69.5 and £80 million, with a further
£28.5 million from the £500 million Vote of Credit provided two days
before war broke out. The average number borne rose from 100,000 in
1936-37 to 107,000 in 1937-38, 118,000 in 1938-39 and 161,000 in
1939-40.
The building programmes were as follows (as previously, only ships
actually completed are included):
1936- 37 2 battleships, 2 aircraft carriers, 2 6in cruisers, 5 5.25in
cruisers, 18 destroyers, 8 submarines, 2 sloops, 1 patrol vessel, 3
minesweepers
1937- 38 3 battleships, 2 aircraft carriers, 5 6in cruisers, 2 5.25in
cruisers, 15 destroyers, 7 submarines, 3 sloops, 3 patrol vessels, 4
minesweepers
1938- 39 1 aircraft carrier, 4 6in cruisers, 3 5.25in cruisers, 3 fast
minelayers, 3 submarines; also 1 aircraft maintenance ship, later light
fleet carrier
1939- 40 (excluding First War Emergency Programme) 1 aircraft
carrier, 2 6in cruisers, 1 fast minelayer, 16 destroyers, 20 escort des¬
troyers, 2 sloops, 56 corvettes, 20 minesweepers
The battleships of the 1938-39 and 1939-40 Programmes, 2 in
each year, were never built. Although much larger than previous pro¬
grammes, the above were considerably smaller than was desirable as
the dreaded prospect of having to fight Japan, Italy and Germany at the
same time gradually became more real.
Certain problems were neglected in the years of peace, largely due to
over-strict financial control. Oil and ammunition reserves were allowed
to run down, as was manufacturing capacity for guns and armour plate,
in particular design facilities for new gun mountings. The problems of
trade defence and the special vessels necessary such as small escort
aircraft carriers, were neglected, though other escorts began to be
provided in the 1939-40 Programme. As previously mentioned, much
should have been done to improve Malta. Little had been done to
modernise Rosyth, placed at 12 months’ notice in 1928, and the
defences of Scapa Flow were entirely inadequate. Rights to use Bere-
haven, Queenstown and Lough Swilly in the Irish Free State were
abandoned in April 1938, though there was no great pressure to do so.
It was never possible to have an integrated Imperial naval defence as the
Dominions were jealous of their autonomy, and though Australia had 2
8in cruisers built in the 1920s (to which 3 modern 6in ships originally
built for Britain were added, as well as various other vessels) and New
Zealand maintained 2 6in cruisers, Canada and South Africa would do
very little.
All these omissions were secondary to the failure to provide adequate
naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm suffered badly under the divided
control of the Navy and Air Force, and was a favourite target for
Treasury cuts. Britain fell far behind the USA and latterly also Japan in
numbers and quality of aircraft, and though naval control was restored
in 1937-38 there was a serious shortage of trained personnel; in addi¬
4
tion, the types of aircraft which the Royal Navy required were often
unsatisfactory, and there was little realisation of the importance of
single-seat fighters, the tendency being to burden such aircraft with an
observer. Shore-based aircraft intended for operations over the sea
remained an RAF responsibility.
Completed ships in the navies of the British Empire at the outbreak
of the Second World War comprised 12 battleships, 3 battlecruisers, 7
aircraft carriers, 15 8in cruisers, 22 modern 6in cruisers, 27 older
cruisers, 2 monitors, 1 minelayer, 184 destroyers, 57 submarines, 32
sloops, 6 patrol vessels and 47 minesweepers (a few older sloops and
patrol vessels are excluded). Of ships over 10,000 tons standard, only 2
battleships and 1 aircraft carrier had been laid down since the First
World War.
WORLD WAR II
It is not intended to describe here the naval operations of the Second
World War. Fortunately, the British army was thrown out of France in
1940 and Britain was able to fight a traditional maritime war instead of
the continental land war of 1914-18. After the USA had been brought
in by the Japanese attack of December 1941, the Allies were able to plan
and carry out a joint return to Europe where and when this was most
advantageous. On the whole, the Royal Navy was able to deal effec¬
tively with those of Germany and Italy from 1939 to 1941, without
France from mid-1940 onwards. By far the most dangerous part of
these enemies’ naval forces were the German U-boats and aircraft, but
the real menace of naval aircraft was not shown until the Japanese
attacks of 1941. Although in November 1939 Churchill as First Lord
promised Australia and New Zealand that if it came to the choice the
Far East would be given priority over the Mediterranean, there was no
chance of this being made effective. As it turned out the USA was able
to protect Australia and New Zealand, and after the great American
victory at Midway in June 1942, the Japanese naval menace assumed
manageable proportions. The last great naval danger was the U-boat
campaign of 1942 and the first 5 months of 1943, which also ended in a
great victory, but for Britain and America jointly.
Opinions will always vary as to whether the Royal Navy obtained its
fair share of the war effort. Excessive precautions were taken against
invasion long after it had ceased to be practicable for Germany, and
there were seldom if ever enough carrier- or shore-based naval aircraft.
From 1939 to 1941 Britain was also wasteful of her scarce naval
resources. The important aircraft carriers Courageous and Glorious were
virtually thrown away, attempts were made to intervene at too many
places in Norway, the futile Dakar expedition should never have
occurred, and the sending of troops to mainland Greece should have
been replaced by firmly establishing forces in Crete. Subsequently it is
doubtful if too much effort was not spent on sending supplies to North
Russia and even as late as the autumn of 1943 operations in the Aegean
were continued in the absence of air cover, by that time obvious to
anyone as an essential. A vital lesson which emerges from the war, and
confirms that of the First World War, is that merchant shipping must
be convoyed. Though seldom expressed in this way, the advantages
were very simple: the convoy is live bait and attracts the submarine
quarry to the killer ships and aircraft of the convoy escort.
The total of the officers and men of the Royal Navy and Royal
Marines reached 778,000 at the end of June 1944 with 73,500 Wrens
and 12,000 Merchant Navy personnel under special agreements. Even
so, there were so many of the smaller and auxiliary warships that it was
difficult to man some of the larger vessels.
Wartime building programmes concentrated on smaller ships, and
some of the battleships and aircraft carriers of the prewar programmes
were delayed in completion, most unfortunately in the case of the
latter. A very large and somewhat unrealistic programme of aircraft
carriers was planned after the early Japanese successes, but the largest
carriers were never built and the others were reduced in number.
Details of the various programmes, comprising only ships eventually
completed, were:
War Emergency 6 5.25in cruisers, 16 destroyers, 36 escort des¬
troyers, 24 submarines, 60 corvettes, 16 minesweepers (10 of the
corvettes were Canadian-built)
1940-41 1 battleship, 1 monitor, 32 destroyers, 30 escort destroyers,
44 submarines, 18 sloops, 27 frigates, 25 corvettes, 50 minesweepers
(of which 20 were Australian-built and 12 Canadian)
 Introduction

1941 42 5 6in cruisers, 1 monitor, 2 fast minelayers, 40 destroyers,
52 submarines, 9 sloops, 19 frigates, 3 corvettes, 15 minesweepers
1942- 43 2 fleet aircraft carriers, 15 light fleet aircraft carriers (of
which 2 became aircraft maintenance ships), 1 6in cruiser, 40 des¬
troyers, 36 submarines, 16 frigates, 14 corvettes, 10 minesweepers
1943- 44 4 light fleet aircraft carriers, 13 destroyers, 16 submarines,
50 frigates, 17 corvettes, 24 minesweepers (of which 19 were
Canadian-built)
1944- 45 7 destroyers
In addition to the above programmes, 8 destroyers, 4 submarines and 4
corvettes building for foreign navies were taken over. Many of the ships
in the above programmes were built very slowly and 2 fleet aircraft
carriers, 13 light fleet aircraft carriers, 1 battleship, 4 6in cruisers, 51
destroyers, 19 submarines, 4 sloops, 20 frigates and 2 minesweepers
were not completed until after the war. The very large number of minor
and auxiliary warships, mercantile conversions and landing craft are
not included in the outlines of the War Programmes. There was consid¬
erable switching of vessels between the British, Australian and Cana¬
dian navies, and the Australian Navy’s building programmes for the
war totalled 3 destroyers, 12 frigates and 36 minesweepers, all built in
Australia. The Canadian Navy’s programmes totalled 8 destroyers, 60
frigates, 112 corvettes and 76 minesweepers; of these, 4 destroyers and
15 corvettes were built in Britain and the rest in Canada. The Indian
Navy was increased by 6 sloops built in Britain and by 17 minesweep¬
ers, 9 built in Britain, 4 in Australia and 4 in India.
American Lend-Lease supplied 38 escort aircraft carriers, 107 fri¬
gates, 22 corvettes and 37 minesweepers, of which 8 frigates, 7 corvet¬
tes and 15 minesweepers were built in Canada. These were all new
ships, and in addition 50 older destroyers, 9 submarines and 10 Coast
Guard cutters (sloops) were supplied. It may be noted that 2
Canadian-built frigates and 8 corvettes were supplied to the USN, as
were 10 British-built corvettes which had seen some service. American
policy towards Britain had altered very much since the days of the
Neutrality Acts, even before the USA found itself at war. In July 1940
the exchange of the 50 destroyers for the lease of British bases in the
western hemisphere was agreed in principle, though not ratified until
September. In April 1941 British warships could refit in US dockyards,
in July US forces relieved the British garrison in Iceland, in September
1941 the USN was allowed to escort convoys in the Atlantic, and in
November US merchant ships were allowed to be armed and to enter
war zones.
In addition to the Royal Navy’s part in the defeat of the U-boats and
in the North African and European landings, such actions as the night
attack on Taranto, the Battle of Cape Matapan and the sinking of the
Bismarck and Scharnhost were famous victories.
Losses were very heavy and for the British Empire were as follows for
major ships (constructive losses are generally omitted as in many cases
the ships could have been repaired if worthwhile):
1939 1 battleship, 1 aircraft carrier, 3 destroyers, 1 submarine, 1
AMC
1940 1 aircraft carrier, 3 cruisers, 37 destroyers, 24 submarines, 3
sloops, 2 corvettes, 4 minesweepers, 9 AMCs
1941 2 battleships, 2 battlecruisers, 1 aircraft carrier, 1 escort carrier,
10 cruisers, 1 fast minelayer, 1 monitor, 23 destroyers, 11 submarines,
3 sloops, 8 corvettes, 4 minesweepers, 4 AMCs
1942 2 aircraft carriers, 1 escort carrier, 13 cruisers, 49 destroyers, 20
submarines, 6 sloops, 11 corvettes, 9 minesweepers, 1 AMC
1943 1 escort carrier, 2 cruisers, 2 fast minelayers, 17 destroyers, 14
submarines, 1 sloop, 1 frigate, 5 corvettes, 8 minesweepers
1944 4 cruisers, 18 destroyers, 6 submarines, 2 sloops, 9 frigates, 8
corvettes, 9 minesweepers
1945 2 destroyers, 1 submarine, 1 sloop, 1 frigate, 4 corvettes, 5
minesweepers
By 1946 the Royal Navy was only a small fraction of the strength of
the US Navy, with no prospect of ever gaining equality again, and a
new era had begun for Britain.
WEAPONS
Guns British naval guns were generally designed for long accuracy
life and good regularity and not for extreme performance. Wire wind¬
ing was still used for the 16in Mk I and for most 8in Mk VIIIs, but from
the 6in Mk XXIII onwards medium guns were built with an ‘A’ tube,
jacket and breech ring, heavy guns having an inner ‘A’ tube as well
which was added to smaller ones on relining. Some 4in QF Mk Vs had
loose liners, but loose barrels became standard for most guns from
5.25in down, and designs were prepared for loose barrel 16in and 14in
weapons. The accompanying table gives data for most of the guns
introduced between 1922 and 1946 down to 4in.

BRITISH NAVAL GUNS 1922^*6

Bore/Length/Mark Weight (tons)/BM Projectile (lb) Muzzle Velocity (fs)* Range (yds)*/at Remarks
elevation
BL guns
16in/45/II, III 118.7 2375 c2485 c40,600/40° Never mounted
afloat
16in/45/I 108 2048 2586 39,100/40° Mk I rifling
2614 39,800/40° Mk II rifling
15in/42/I 100 1938 2458 33,550/30° Old gun, new
projectile
14in/45/VII 79/79.6 1590 2483 38,550/40°
8in/50/VIII 17.2 256 2805 30,650/45°
6in/50/XXIII 6.9 112 2758 25,500/45°
6in/50/XXII 9 100 2960 25,800/45°
QF guns
5.25in/50/I 4.3 80 2678 23,500/45°
4.7in/45/XII 3.24 50 2650 16,970/40° All 4.7in:
actual bore
4.724in
4.7in/50/XI 3.35 62 2538 21,300/45°
4.7in/45/IX 2.97 50 2650 17,200/45°
3.09 50 2457 16,450/45°
4.7in/40/VIII
2.76/3.31 55 2449 21,150/45° All 4.5in QF:
4.5in/45/I, III-V
actual bore
4.45in
0.7 35.8 1791 12,080/30°
4in/33/XXIII
2.01/1.52 35.9 2660 19,850/45°
4in/45/XVI, XXI

* Muzzle velocities are all new gun 80°F charge temperature, and ranges are these muzzle velocities.

5

New versions were built of several older guns. Sometimes a new
mark was given, as in the 4.7in BL Mk II, 4in QF Mk XXII, the last
variant of the Mk XII, and 12pdr/12cwt Mk V or, as in the 4in QF Mk
V and 3in/20cwt Mk I, letters or asterisks were added to the existing
numeral. Among the more unusual guns were the 4in QF Mk XIX
made in large numbers for anti-submarine use with a muzzle velocity of
only 1290fs though 40.Seal long, and the 4.5in/8cwt produced at the
end of the war for coastal forces, 18.9cal and firing a 1441b shell at
1500fs.
The standard light AA guns in 1939 were the 40mm 2pdr Mk VIII
and the 0.5in MG. The latter was of little use and it was not easy to
increase the muzzle velocity of the 2pdr from 2040fs, though
2320-2400fs was attained. Trials in that year showed the superiority of
the Swiss 20mm Oerlikon and Swedish 40mm Bofors, which had a
muzzle velocity of 2810-2890fs, and arrangements were made to man¬
ufacture both in Britain. The Bofors was by far the best of the wartime
light AA weapons, but the air-cooled version is not recorded in a British
warship before mid-1941, and none of the various water cooled marks
until November 1942.
Projectiles tended to become heavier for a given calibre and of better
shape as shown if the ranges of the 4.7in Mk IX and 4.5in in the table
are compared. AP shell was vastly improved on that of 1914—18 but was
not entirely satisfactory at highly oblique impact. Starshell was found
to need improvement, and shells containing dyes to give coloured
splashes for easy identification were long absent, as were proximity
(VT) fuzes, most of the early production going to the USN. Although
the performance of many guns would have been increased if tubular
propellant had more widely replaced cord, the quality of propellant was
enormously improved over that of 1914-18 and the loss of ships from
spontaneous explosions eliminated. Anti-flash precautions were gener¬
ally satisfactory, and the loss of Hood was not due to the causes that had
blown up three battlecruisers at Jutland.
Many gun mountings suffered from initial troubles, largely attribut¬
able to shortage of design and development staff and facilities for some
of the component parts. Requirements could also be too ambitious, the
8in twin mounting being a well-known example. The British lagged in
BRITISH TORPEDOES 1922-46
Torpedo Weight (lb) Explosive (lb)
24.5in Mk I* 5287 742
2lin Mk VII* 4106 740
21in Mk VIII 3353 750
2 lin Mk IX 3731 750
18in Mk XII 1548 388
* Oxygen enriched
6
Warspite and other ships of the British
Fleet at Gibraltar about 1938
introducing Remote Power Control (RPC), and the only stabilised
triaxial mounting in service was the Hazemeyer Bofors, first seen in
Britain on a Dutch ship in 1940 and built by a Dutch subsidiary of the
German Siemens firm. Surface fire control was as good in the British
Navy as in any, but a most unfortunate error was made in adopting an
AA control system in which course and speed of the target were
estimated, and not as in the USA and Germany a tachymetric one with
movement in range, bearing and elevation measured against a stabilised
basis.
Torpedoes Although for a time torpedoes with oxygen enriched air
were in vogue, the development of the highly efficient Brotherhood
burner cycle engine caused a return to natural air well before the war,
and except for the Japanese torpedoes which used pure oxygen, British
ones had the best performance of any. There were seldom enough
modern torpedoes and they were not issued to older ships. Details of
various British torpedoes of the period are given in the table.
The 24.5in torpedo was fitted in Nelson and Rodney only, except that
it was tried in Vivien and Vanoc in the 1920s; the 21in Mk VII was in
some 8in cruisers; the 21in Mk VIII was for submarines; the 21in Mk
IX was carried by cruisers and destroyers; and the 18in Mk XII was for
aircraft. Later versions of the Mks VIII and IX used in the war had
respectively 8051b and 8101b of explosive and could do 5700yds at 45kts
and 11,000yds at 41kts, while the 18in Mk XVII of 1944, weighing
18661b, had 6001b of explosive and a range of 2500yds at 40kts. Neither
the electric 2 lin Mk XI nor any British homing torpedo entered service
during the war, though some aircraft used the slow American acoustic
torpedo known as the Mk 24 mine or as ‘Fido’ against submarines. As
in most navies, non-contact pistols gave much trouble initially.
Mines The Royal Navy was in a far better position regarding mines in
1939 than in 1914. Over 170,000 were laid during World War II in
protective fields and over 60,000 in enemy waters, of which two-thirds
were laid by aircraft. The Admiralty were responsible for all mines, and
the development of a new magnetic mine was authorised in May 1936, a
small trial order being placed in July 1939. The first were laid by
aircraft in April 1940, the first acoustic mines in September 1942 and
combined acoustic/magnetic in April 1943. It was possible to lay in 30ft
Range (yds)/Speed (kts) Date introduced
15,000/35 or 1924
20,000/30
16,000/33 1926
5000/444 or 1927
7000/40
10,000/40 or 1930
14,000/35
1500/40 1936

of water from 15,000ft and in 12ft from 200ft. Moored mines could be
laid from ships in up to 1000 fathoms, although the endurance of the
thin mooring rope was low, and most were laid in 100 fathoms or less
with few beyond 300 fathoms. The mine could be at up to 300ft below
the surface.
ASW weapons The tracking of submerged submarines by asdic
(sonar) proved to be much more difficult than had been thought and, as
only direction and not depth was indicated and contact was lost at
100-150yds when the submarine passed under the asdic beam, there
was a large degree of uncertainty in dropping depth charges over the
stern. The standard Mk 7 DC had a 2901b amatol charge with a 20ft
hull-splitting radius against a |in hull, while an aluminised minol
charge increased this to 26ft. The rate of sinking was 7-10fs, increased
to 16.5 in the heavy DC which had a 1401b weight attached, and the
initial 5-charge pattern was increased to a 10- or 14-charge one with 5 or
9 of the DCs heavy. The Mk 10 DC with a 1 -ton charge was fired from a
destroyer’s 21in TT or later dropped over the stern of ‘Captain’ class
Introduction/The Royal Navy in 1922
output of about 500kW, as did the air and surface target indicating
Type 293 first fitted in late 1943.
For main battery fire control the 50cm Type 284 was first fitted to
Nelson in June 1940 and was very successful, being later replaced by the
10cm Type 274. Other 50cm gunnery sets were Types 282 for close-
range AA introduced in early 1941, 283 for main battery blind fire AA
barrages fitted from late 1942 and 285 for long-range A A and also as an
air and surface warning unit for small ships. Type 275 was a 10cm
replacement for 285, introduced in 1945.
In conclusion the experiences of Duke of York in the night action
against Scharnhorst may be noted. The Type 273 detected the latter at
45,500yds, while the Type 284 initially detected the target at 34,000yds
and could hold for bearing at 25,800yds. Radar spotting on shell
splashes was limited to 21,500yds or less.

THE ROYAL
frigates. To allow the attacking ship to get clear of the effects of the
burst at 220ft, two buoyancy chambers limited the sinking rate to 6fs.
This type was introduced in March 1942, and the Mk 10*, with only one
buoyancy chamber sinking at 2 lfs and bursting at 600ft, in April 1943

NAVY in 1922
but neither were much used. A better method of attack was to fire
suitable projectiles ahead of the attacking ship while still in sound
contact, and it is unfortunate that the various howitzers and mortars of
1918 were not developed between the wars.
Hedgehog, which underwent sea trials in Westcott at the end of 1941
and was ready for service in January 1942, was a spigot mortar with 24
spigots in groups of 6, angled to give a 120ft diameter circle about 200 BATTLESHIPS
yds ahead of a stationary ship. The 7in diameter bomb weighed 651b
and had a 351b charge of Torpex, an aluminised cyclonite explosive. Name Launched Disp Fate
(deep load)
Sinking speed was about 22fs. A hit had to be scored, and Hedgehog
did not achieve a kill until November 1942. It was much better in Lord Nelson class
AGAMEMNON 23.6.1906 17,683t Target ship. Sold
relatively shallow waters than in the Atlantic. About 35 ships whose
24.1.27
forward gun was needed had a split version, with 12 spigots on either Colossus class
side coupled together. This was not satisfactory until April 1943. COLOSSUS 9.4.1910 23,086t Disarmed 1922-23.
By far the best weapon was Squid, a triple 12in mortar firing a 3901b Sold July 1928
bomb with a 2071b minol charge and a sinking speed of about 42fs. The Orion class
MONARCH 30.3.1911 25,870t Expended 20.1.25
pattern was a triangle of 120ft side at about 275yds mean range ahead of
THUNDERER 1.2.1911 25,870t Sold Dec 1926
the ship. The bombs had time fuzes and all three were set the same, and King George V class
if two Squids were mounted (as was usual), the two patterns were AJAX 21.3.1912 26,630t Sold 9.11.26
normally set 60ft apart in depth. The new depth-determining Type 147 CENTURION 18.11.1911 26,595t Target ship 1927.
Scuttled 9.6.44
asdic was essential to Squid as the fuzes were set automatically from the
KING GEORGE V 9.10.1911 26,740t Sold Dec 1926
depth recorder while the mortars were fired automatically by the asdic Iron Duke class
range recorder. Squid was ordered from the drawing board in 1942, sea BENBOW 12.11.1913 30,380t Sold March 1931
trials in Ambuscade were in May 1943, and the first production unit was EMPEROR OF INDIA 27.11.1913 30,380t Expended 1.7.31
IRON DUKE 12.10.1912 30,380t Gunnery TS 1931.
in Hadleigh Castle completed in September 1943. It was usually limited
Sold 2.3.46
to new ships, and, apart from Ambuscade, the only destroyer to have MARLBOROUGH 24.10.1912 30,380t Sold 27.6.32
Squid in the war was Escapade in January 1945. By the end of the war Queen Elizabeth class
between 60 and 70 ships had been fitted, while over 500 had Hedgehog. BARHAM 31.12.1914 33,590t Sunk 25.11.41
The first Squid success was by Loch Killin on 31 July 1944. MALAYA 18.3.1915 33,530t Sold 20.2.48
QUEEN ELIZABETH 16.10.1913 34,050t Sold 19.3.48
VALIANT 4.11.1914 33,910t Sold 19.3.48
RADAR WARSPITE 26.11.1913 33,670t Sold 12.7.46
It would require a whole book to deal adequately with the development Royal Sovereign class
of radar, and only the briefest outline can be given here. An experimen¬ RAMILLIES 12.9.1916 36,140t Sold 20.3.48
RESOLUTION 14.1.1915 32,820t Sold 5.5.48
tal set was fitted to the minesweeper Saltburn in late 1936 but was not
REVENGE 29.5.1915 32,820t Sold 1948
satisfactory, and it was not until August 1938 that a prototype air ROYAL OAK 17.11.1914 31,250t Sunk 14.10.39
warning set, known as Type 79Y, working on a 7m wave length with a ROYAL SOVEREIGN 29.4.1915 32,700t Sold 5.4.49
pulse output of 15-20kW, was fitted to Sheffield. A second set was soon
fitted to Rodney, and in mid-1939 a Type 79Z of 70-90kW was installed Queen Elizabeth class
By late 1926 all these ships had 4-4in QF Mk VAA (4x 1) replacing 2-3in, and
in the AA cruiser Curlew. This developed into the Type 279, which was
they also underwent large refits as follows: Warspite 1924-26, Queen Elizabeth
replaced gradually by the Type 281 on 3|—4m with a 350kW output, 1926-27, Malaya 1927-29, Valiant 1929-30 and Barham 1931-34. The funnels
and first fitted at the end of 1940 to Dido. In smaller ships a widely used were trunked into one and bulges fitted, increasing beam to 104ft (31,67m) with
air warning set was Type 291 on 1.5m introduced in 1941. Precise deep load displacement 35,060-35,710 tons (excluding 815 tons water protec¬
tion) in the first four and speed 23.5kts. In Barham the middle deck was
indication of a target needed shorter wavelengths, and the generation of
increased to 5in on the flat over magazines, and the 6in casemates enclosed by
adequate power in the microwave region was solved by the develop¬ ljin rear walls, so that deep load displacement was 35,970 tons or 36,785 tons
ment of the resonant cavity magnetron in 1940. The first 10cm surface with water protection. A single 8-barrelled pompom was added to Valiant and
warning set, Type 271, was fitted to the corvette Orchis in May 1941 two to Barham, both ships also having a catapult installed and 2 TT removed.
and was highly successful. Types 272 and 273 were used in larger ships, The other three ships had 2 TT removed in 1930-31, while Valiant had a second
8-barrelled pompom in 1936 and Queen Elizabeth two in 1935. In 1938 Barham
and latterly 3cm sets were used in some destroyers, submarines and had the remaining 2 TT removed and the 4in guns replaced by 8-4in QF Mk
coastal forces craft. Other 10cm sets used later in the war were the Type XVI (4x2), whilst in April 1940 a further 16-2pdr pompoms (2x8) were added.
277 combined air and surface warning plus height-finder introduced in Barham sank in about 5 minutes from 3 torpedoes fired by U331 but on a
late 1943 and replaced by Types 294 and 295. All these had a pulse previous occasion had withstood a single torpedo.

7
GREAT BRITAIN
All except Barham underwent second reconstructions. Malaya was taken in
hand at Devonport between October 1934 and December 1936. The middle
deck was increased to 5in over magazines and to 3Jin over engine rooms, and the
CT was replaced by a smaller one with 5in max. The AA armament was now
8-4in QF Mk XVI (4x2), 16-2pdr pompoms (2x8), the last 2 TT were Valiant in 1931 By courtesy of John Roberts
removed and a cross-deck catapult added with hangars for two aircraft. The
catapult was removed and the hangars converted to other uses in late 1942 when
16-2pdr pompoms (2x 8) were added, followed by 4-4in QF Mk XVI (2 x 2) in
January 1943. In September 1943 the 12-6in guns and the battery armour were
removed, 2in plating being fitted over the ports. By mid-1944, 45-20mm
Oerlikons were mounted and deep load displacement had risen to 37,710 tons
including water protection. During the war Malaya withstood one torpedo.
Warspite’s second reconstruction, at Portsmouth from March 1934 to March
1937, was more radical, and data was now:

Displacement: 36,450 tons deep load including 815 tons water in protection
compartments. Warspite as reconstructed, July 1937 By courtesy of John Roberts
Dimensions: Unchanged except 33ft lin (10.08m) mean deep load draught
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 6 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, Queen Elizabeth in May 1946
80,000shp = 23.5kts, 3501 tons oil
Armour: Changed as follows - battery 2in, CT 3in-2in, middle deck 5in over
magazines, 3Jin over engine and boiler rooms, main deck 3|in over forward belt
Armament: 8—15in/42 Mk I (4x2, 30° elevation), 8-6in/45 Mk XII, 8^1in QF
Mk XVI AA (4x2), 32-2pdr pompom (4x8)
There was a cross-deck catapult and hangars for 2 aircraft, but the aircraft
equipment was removed in 1943.
Warspite was hit by a FX1400 guided AP bomb on 16.9.1943 and near-missed
by another, and was never fully repaired though patched up as a bombardment
ship with 6 usable 1 Sin, no 6in, 8^4in AA, 40 pompoms (5x8) and 35-20mm.
She was again patched up after a ground mine explosion on 13.6.1944 but her
speed was reduced to 15.5kts.
Valiant’s reconstruction at Devonport from March 1937 to November 1939
and Queen Elizabeth’s at Portsmouth from August 1937 to December 1940 with
a further month at Rosyth, were the most complete of any of the class, and Royal Sovereign class
resulted in the following new data: Modifications to this class were not so extensive as to the Queen Elizabeths.
Displacement: Valiant (1939) 36,513 tons deep load including 815 tons water Royal Oak was refitted in late 1922-24 and bulged, altering beam and deep load
protection; Queen Elizabeth (1944) 38,450 tons draught to 102ft lin x 31ft 6in mean (21.11 x 9.60m) at 33,240 tons. She was
Dimensions: Unchanged except Valiant (1939) 32ft lOin (10.01m) mean deep again refitted in 1934—36 when the main deck was increased to 5in over
load draught, Queen Elizabeth (1944) 34ft 6in (10.52m) magazines and 3|in over engine rooms. In the rest of the class the bulges were
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 8 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, lightened by removing crushing tubes and wood and cement filling, and in 1942
80,000shp = 23.5kts, Valiant 3393, Queen Elizabeth 3366 tons oil the main deck over magazines was increased by 2in in Royal Sovereign, Resolu¬
Armour: Changed as follows - battery nil, HA mountings 2in-lin, CT 3in-2in, tion and Ramillies. The A A armament had been altered to4—4in QF Mk V (4x1)
middle deck 5in over magazines, 3jin over engine and boiler rooms, main deck in all by late 1928 and the 2 forecastle deck 6in removed. In 1931-38Resolution
3iin-2fin over forward belt had 5-4in A A with an experimental twin mounting, but all were re-armed with
Armament: 8—15in/42 Mk I (4x2, 30° elevation), 20-4.5in/45 QF Mk I or III 8-4in QF Mk XVI (4x2) in 1936-39. The four surviving ships had 4—6in
(10x2), 32-2pdr pompom (4x8) removed in 1942-43. Revenge had one 8-barrelled pompom in December 1931,
Aircraft equipment, removed in 1943, was as Warspite. and by the outbreak of war all had two, while two 4-barrelled mountings were
Queen Elizabeth’s close-range AA armament was increased by at least added in 1941-42 and up to 42 Oerlikons were mounted in 1944—45. The TT
54-20mm Oerlikons, and Valiant at one time had 47, while in 1946 the latter had were reduced to 2 in 1931-34 and removed in 1938-39 except in Royal Oak,
56-2pdr pompoms (7x8). Both ships were badly damaged by ‘human tor¬ where they were replaced by 4 TT (above water) in 1934-36. A catapult was
pedoes’ on 19.12.1941 and Queen Elizabeth, which had by far the worst damage, fitted to all except Revenge, but only Resolution retained one after 1939. Deep
was out of service until June 1943. Valiant was again seriously damaged by the load displacements eventually reached 33,560-35,390 tons. Royal Oak was sunk
collapse of a floating dock on 8.8.1944. by three torpedoes from U47 but Resolution and Ramillies each survived one.

Royal Sovereign as the Soviet Arkangelsk being handed back at Portsmouth, 8.2.1949
 Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 8 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
BATTLECRUISERS 120,000shp = 30.75kts, 4613 tons oil
Armour: Barbette sides ‘A’ 6in main to upper deck, ‘B’ 6in main to forecastle
Name Launched Disp Fate deck, box protection to 4.5in guns and TT 2Jin-lin, CT 3in-2in, main deck 5in
(deep load) over 4.5in magazines, 2|in over boiler rooms, 2fin over forward belt, lower deck
Indefatigable class 3Jin by after belt bulkhead, boiler uptake longitudinal bulkheads removed
AUSTRALIA 25.10.1911 21,350t Scuttled 12.4.24 Armament: 6—15in/42 Mk I (3x2, 30° elevation), 20-4.5in/45 QF Mk I or III
Lion class (10x2), 24—2pdr pompom (3x8), 8-21in TT aw
LION 6.8.1910 30,945t Sold 31.1.24 One cross-deck catapult was fitted, with hangars for 2 aircraft. The aircraft
Tiger class equipment was removed in 1943, although the catapult was also not carried from
TIGER 15.12.1913 35,710t Sold 7.3.32 November 1940 to October 1941. A quadruple pompom was added in
Renown class December 1943 and 64-20mm by 1944. The TT were removed in April 1945.
RENOWN 4.3.1916 32,730t Sold 19.3.48 By 1944, for reasons which are not clear, deep load displacement had risen to
REPULSE 8.1.1916 37,490t Sunk 10.12.41 38,395 tons.
Courageous class Repulse had 2-4in BL Mk IX and 2-3in A A replaced by 4-4in QF Mk V A A
COURAGEOUS 5.2.1916 22,690t Converted (4x l)in November 1924, and was reconstructed at Portsmouth from April 1933
1924-28 to May 1936. Alterations were:
GLORIOUS 20.4.1916 22,690t Converted Displacement: 38,300 tons deep load
1924-30 Dimensions: 32ft 2in (9.80m) mean deep load
Hood class Machinery: Unchanged, 28.3kts
HOOD 22.8.1918 46,680t Sunk 24.5.41 Armour: Main deck over magazines 5fin, for 20ft abaft ‘Y’ 4|in, over engine
rooms 3|in continued to side, lower deck over forward magazines 4Jin, crushing
Tiger class tubes removed from bulges
Tiger’s AA guns were finally changed to 4-4in QF Mk V (4x 1) in March 1929. Armament: 15in unchanged, 12-4in BL Mk IX (4x3), 4-4in QF Mk XV AA
Fuel was reduced to 300 tons coal and 3300 tons oil. (2x2), 4-4in QF Mk V AA, 16-2pdr pompom (2x8), 8-21in TT aw
There was one cross-deck catapult, and hangars for 2 aircraft. The 4in Mk XV
Renown class were replaced by 2-4in Mk V in February 1939, and a third 8-barrelled pompom
Renown’s first reconstruction was undertaken at Portsmouth from May 1923 to replaced a 4in triple in November 1940, while 8-20mm Oerlikons were added in
August 1926 and comprised the following alterations: 1941. Repulse was sunk by 5 torpedoes from Japanese aircraft.
Displacement: 37,150 tons deep load
Dimensions: Beam 102ft 4in (31.19m) x 31ft 3in (9.53m) mean deep load Courageous class
Machinery: Unchanged, 30.25kts Both ships were converted into fleet aircraft carriers. See main tables.
Armour: Belt 9in, lower edge 2in, main deck 4in over magazines, 2|in-lin over
boiler rooms, 3in over engine rooms, continued to side over deck slope at Hood class
4in-2)in, main deck slope 4in by magazines, lower deck 4in-3|in over Hood was never reconstructed, and modifications were largely confined to the
magazines beyond ‘A’ and ‘Y’, longitudinal bulkheads by boiler uptakes 2in, A A armament. The 4in Mk V A A guns were increased to 6 in December 1937
bulges fitted and to 8 in June 1938 when 2-5.5in were removed, but in June-August 1939
Armament: 15in unchanged, 15-4in BL Mk IX (5x3), 4-4in QF Mk V AA 8-4in Mk XVI (4x2) were mounted, all the 4in Mk V removed and the 2-5.5in
(4x1). replaced. Finally in April all the 5.5in were removed and 6-4in Mk XVI (3 x 2)
One 4in triple was removed in March 1932, an 8-barrelled pompom mounted in added. During the 1929-31 refit 2-8 barrelled pompoms were mounted, a
May 1932 and a second briefly from January to May 1936, whilst a catapult was catapult added (removed in June 1932), and oil fuel increased to 4615 tons. A
fitted in May 1933. However, in September 1936 Renown was taken in hand at third 8-barrelled pompom was added in December 1937 and the 2 submerged
Portsmouth for a second, more drastic reconstruction, completed 2.9.1939. TT removed, while 5 UP rocket projectors were mounted in May 1940, deep
Alterations were: load displacement being now 48,360 tons. Hood was blown up by one or more
Displacement: 36,080 tons deep load 15in shells from Bismarck.

iI';.: ,
MONITORS
. Launched Disp
Name Fate
(deep load)
Gorgon class
GORGON 9.6.1914 5746t Target ship.
BU 1928
Abercrombie class
ABERCROMBIE 15.4.1915 6150t BU 1927
HAVELOCK 29.4.1915 6150t BU 1927
ROBERTS 15.4.1915 6150t Target ship.
BU 1936
Lord Clive class
LORD CLIVE 10.6.1915 5683t BU 1927
Marshal Ney class
MARSHAL SOULT 24.8.1915 6900t BU 1946
Erebus class
EREBUS 19.6.1916 8450t BU 1947
TERROR 18.5.1916 8450t Sunk 24.2.41

Hood in 1937
9
GREAT BRITAIN
Marshal Soult was a base ship from 1940, her 4in guns were removed in 1937 and
her 15in turret in 1940. The former 4in BL Mk IX and 3in HA in Erebus and CRUISERS
Terror were replaced in 1939-40 by 6-4in QF Mk V HA, and in 1940 the upper
Name Launched Disp Fate
deck was increased from 2in to 4in on the flat over 15in magazines and machin¬
ery, while the main deck aft was thickened by lin to 2Jin-2in. When sunk by
(deep load)
bomb near-misses Terror had 7-20mm, while the light AA in Erebus finally Boadicea class
comprised 3 quadruple 2pdr, 1 single 2pdr, 1 single 40mm Bofors and BOADICEA 14.5.1908 3915t BU 1926
15-20mm. Deep load displacement rose to about 9400 tons in Terror and 9800 Bristol class
tons in Erebus, though oil fuel was reduced by 90 tons. GLASGOW 30.9.1909 5656t BU 1927
Weymouth class
DARTMOUTH 14.12.1910 5790t BU 1930
AIRCRAFT CARRIERS WEYMOUTH 18.11.1910 5770t BU 1928
YARMOUTH 12.4.1911 5875t BU 1929
Name Launched Disp Fate Chatham class
(deep load) BRISBANE (RAN) 30.9.1915 6000t BU 1936
CHATHAM (RNZN) 19.11.1911 6005t BU 1926
ARK ROYAL 5.9.1914 7400t Sold 1946
DUBLIN 30.4.1912 5955t BU 1926
PEGASUS 9.6.1917 3300t BU 1931
MELBOURNE (RAN) 30.5.1912 5945t BU 1928
ARGUS 2.12.1917 15,750t BU 1946
SOUTHAMPTON 16.5.1912 5945t BU 1926
VINDICTIVE 17.1.1918 12,095t BU 1946
BU 1929
SYDNEY (RAN) 29.8.1912 5990t
EAGLE 8.6.1918 26,800t Sunk 11.8.42
Birmingham class
HERMES 11.9.1919 13,700t Sunk 9.4.42
BIRMINGHAM 7.5.1913 5920t BU 1931
LOWESTOFT 23.4.1913 6000t BU 1931
Ark Royal was renamed Pegasus 21.12.34. She was used mostly as a depot ship,
ADELAIDE (RAN) 27.7.1918 6 lOOt BU 1949
but a catapult was fitted in 1938 and she was re-armed with 4—3in/20cwt HA in
Arethusa class
1940. A fighter catapult ship 1941-43, she was sold into mercantile service after
AURORA (RCN) 30.9.1913 4410t BU 1927
the war. Argus had bulges added in 1925-26, and in 1937-38 she was fitted to
PENELOPE 25.8.1914 441 Ot BU 1924
operate Queen Bee target aircraft, but returned to operational service in the war.
Caroline class
The flight deck was extended to 570ft and armament comprised 4—4in QF Mk V
CAROLINE 29.9.1914 4733t RNVR drill ship
HA and 13-20mm. Vindictive was converted back to a. Hawkins class cruiser in
1924
1923-25,with an armament of 6-7.5in, 3-4in HA, 4—3pdr saluting, 2-2pdr
CARYSFORT 14.11.1914 4733t BU 1931
pompoms and 6-21in TT (4 aw, 2 sub). A hangar, and for a time a compressed
CLEOPATRA 14.1.1915 4733t BU 1931
air catapult, were in the ‘B’ gun position. She was demilitarised as a training ship BU 1934
COMUS 16.12.1914 4733t
in 1936-37 and was converted to a repair ship in 1939-40. Eagle’s 5-4in HA
CONQUEST 20.1.1915 4733t BU 1930
were reduced to 4 in 1933, the gun between the funnels being replaced by 2pdr
CORDELIA 23.2.1914 4733t BU 1923
pompoms (1x8). A second 8-barrelled pompom was added in 1937, and by 1942
Calliope class
there were also 12-20mm. Petrol capacity was increased in 1942 to 17,750gal.
CALLIOPE 17.12.1914 46951 BU 1931
Eagle was sunk by 4 torpedoes from U73. Hermes was sunk by dive-bombers
CAMBRIAN 3.3.1916 4800t BU 1934
from Japanese aircraft carriers. A few 20mm guns may have been added by the
CANTERBURY 21.12.1915 4800t BU 1934
time she was lost. Furious was under reconstruction 1922-25 and is described in
CASTOR 28.7.1915 4800t BU 1936
the main tables.
CHAMPION 29.5.1915 4695t BU 1934
CONSTANCE 12.9.1915 4800t BU 1936
Eagle in 1935 MoD
Centaur class
CENTAUR 6.1.1916 4870t BU 1934
CONCORD 1.4.1916 4870t BU 1935
Caledon class
CALEDON 25.11.1916 5150t BU 1948
CALYPSO 24.1.1917 5150t Sunk 12.6.1940
CARADOC 23.12.1916 5150t BU 1946
Ceres class
CARDIFF 12.4.1917 5290t BU 1946
CERES 24.3.1917 5302t BU 1946
COVENTRY 6.7.1917 5240t Sunk 14.9.42
CURACOA 5.5.1917 5320t Collision 2.10.42
CURLEW 5.7.1917 5230t Sunk 26.5.40
Carlisle class
CAIRO 19.11.1918 521 Ot Sunk 12.8.42
CALCUTTA 9.7.1918 5235t Sunk 1.6.41
CAPETOWN 28.6.1919 5180t BU 1946
CARLISLE 9.7.1918 5236t Constructive
loss 9.10.43.
BU 1948
COLOMBO 18.12.1918 5240t BU 1948
Hawkins class
EFFINGHAM 8.6.1921 12,170t Wrecked 17.5.40
FROBISHER 20.3.1920 12,300t BU 1949
HAWKINS 1.10.1917 12,not BU 1947
‘D’ class
DANAE 26.1.1918 5780t BU 1948
DAUNTLESS 10.4.1918 5820t BU 1946
DELHI 23.8.1918 5800t BU 1948
DESPATCH 24.9.1919 5930t BU 1946
DIOMEDE 29.4.1919 5850t BU 1946
DRAGON 29.12.1917 5730t Scuttled as
breakwater 8.7.44
DUNEDIN 19.11.1918 5800t Sunk 24.11.41
DURBAN 29.5.1919 5800t Scuttled as
breakwater 9.6.44
‘E’ class
EMERALD 19.5.1920 9106t BU 1948
ENTERPRISE 23.12.1919 9435t BU 1946

Birmingham class
Adelaide was refitted in 1938-39, the removal of two coal-fired boilers causing a
reduction to 23,500shp = 24.3kts. Max oil fuel was 1420 tons. The TT were
removed and guns altered to 8-6in and 3-4in HA and later to 7-6in, 2-4in HA
and 6-20mm.

10

Centaur class
No 2 6in gun was removed from Centaur in 1925 and from Concord in 1929.
Caledon class
Calypso was torpedoed by an Italian submarine. Caledon was converted to an AA
cruiser in 1942-43, the forward superstructure being altered to accommodate a
second twin 4in forward. The new armament was 6-4in QF Mk XVI (3x2), 2
twin and 4 single 40mm Bofors and 15-20mm. The twin Bofors were in triaxial
mountings. Deep load displacement was given as 5320 tons, including 200 tons
ballast
Ceres class
Coventry and Curlew were converted to AA cruisers in 1935-36 and armed with
10-4in QF Mk V (10X 1) and one 8-barrelled 2pdr pompom (though Coventry
initially had 2 such mountings). Both ships had 2-4in removed in 1939-40 and a
third appears to have been removed from Coventry in 1942. She was scuttled
after bomb damage, and Curlew was sunk by near-misses. Deep load displace¬
ments on conversion were 5468 tons (Coventry) and 5355 tons (Curlew). Curacoa
was converted in 1939-40 and had 8^tin QF Mk XVI (4x2), with 1 quadruple
and 2 single 2pdr pompoms and later also 5-20mm. With 200 tons ballast, deep
load displacement was 5403 tons.
The Royal Navy in 1922
19-20mm. Four fixed above-water TT were removed from both ships in
1943-44. Effingham was reconstructed in 1937-38 and re-armed with 9-6in BL
Mk XII on 30° mountings, 4-4in QF Mk V HA and 4-2lin fixed above-water
TT. In 1939-40, 8-4in QF Mk XVI (4x2) replaced the earlier 4in, and two
8-barrelled 2pdr pompoms and a catapult were added. During reconstruction 2
boilers were removed and the remaining 8 trunked into one funnel. Oil fuel was
increased to 2620 tons, and shp reduced to 58,000 = 29.75kts. Deep load
displacement was 12,514 tons in 1938.
‘D’ class
Diomede and Dunedin were loaned to the RNZN from 1924—25 until 1937 and
Dragon and Danae (as Conrad) to Poland 1943-44 and 1944—46. Delhi was
converted to an AA cruiser at New York N Yd in 1941, her 1942 armament
being5—5in/38 US, 8-2pdr pompom(2x4)and 8,later 10-20mm. By 1945 deep
load displacement had risen to 6400 tons. One 6in was removed from Danae,
Dragon and Durban in 1942-43, and the first two had their 4in QF Mk V
replaced by a twin 4in QF Mk XVI and 2 quadruple 2pdr pompoms added. By
early 1944 only Despatch and Durban retained TT. Dunedin was sunk by 2
torpedoes from U124 and Dragon was damaged by a Marder.
‘E’ class
The original 4x3 TT were increased to 4 x 4 in 1929 and a catapult was added to
Emerald in 1934 and to Enterprise in 1936. These were retained until 1944.
Enterprise had 1 quadruple 2 pdr pompom added in 1940 and a second in 1943,
whilst Emerald had two in late 1942. Both had 8 TT removed in 1941-42, and 16
or 18-20mm were eventually added. By 1945 deep load displacement had risen
to 10,350 tons in Emerald and 10,220 tons in Enterprise.

L-.

FLOTILLA LEADERS
i

Name Fate Name Fate

Marksman class: launched 1915, 1861t, (Abdiel 1945t) deep load
ABDIEL BU 1936 NIMROD BU 1926
Improved Marksman class: launched 1916-17, 1912t deep load
ANZAC (RAN) BU 1935 SAUMAREZ BU 1931
GRENVILLE BU 1931 SEYMOUR BU 1930
Shakespeare class: launched 1917-20, 2000t deep load
BROKE Sunk 8.11.42 SPENSER BU 1936
KEPPEL BU 1945 WALLACE BU 1945
SHAKESPEARE BU 1936
Scott class: launched 1918-19, 2055t deep load
Curlew about 1938 MACKAY BU 1949
BRUCE Expended
22.11.39 MALCOLM BU 1945
Carlisle class CAMPBELL BU 1947 MONTROSE Collision
Cairo and Calcutta were converted to AA cruisers 1938-39 and Carlisle in
10.6.1944,
1939-40. All had 8-4in QF Mk XVI (4x2) and one quadruple 2pdr pompom,
BU 1946
Cairo later having 2 single 2pdrs also and Carlisle 10-20mm. As converted, deep
DOUGLAS BU 1945 STUART BU 1947
load displacements were 5215 tons (Cairo) and 5391 tons (Carlisle), the latter
including 200 tons ballast. Bombs caused the loss of Calcutta and Carlisle, and Shakespeare class
Cairo was scuttled after a torpedo hit from an Italian submarine. Colombo,
Wallace was converted in 1938-39 to an A A destroyer with 4-4in QF Mk XVI
converted in 1942-43, had 6-4in QF Mk XVI (3x2), 2 twin and 4 single 40mm
(2x2) and eventually 1 quadruple and 2 single 2pdr pompoms, 4—20mm and 30
Bofors and 10-20mm, the twin Bofors being in triaxial mountings.
DC. Deep load displacement was 2145 tons and oil fuel 409 tons. Broke and
Keppel became escorts in 1941-42 with 3 later 2-4.7in, l-3in HA, 2 single
Hawkins class 2pdrs, 6-2lin TT, Hedgehog and 70-98 DC. Broke was sunk by coastal bat¬
In Hawkins 2-A'm QF Mk V HA replaced the 3in at the end of 1924 and 2 more
teries at Algiers and it was intended to convert Keppel to a long range escort in
were added in 1927. In 1929-30 she was converted to oil fuel only, 2 coal-fired 1944, but it is not certain if this was completed. Deep load displacement was to
boilers being removed and oil capacity increased to 2740 tons. The 7.5in were be 2280 tons, with 2-4.7in, 5-20mm, Hedgehog, 140 DCs, 25,000shp = 28kts
removed under the London Treaty in 1936 but replaced in 1939, and in 1945 her and 575 tons oil.
armament was 7-7.Sin, 4-4in QF Mk V HA, 2 quadruple and 2 single 2pdr
pompoms and 9-20mm. Deep load displacement had risen to 13,160 tons. Scott class
Frobisher was used as a training ship in 1932-37 with 6 and later 5-7.5in and the Stuart was transferred to the RAN in 1933. All were converted to escort
rest were removed in 1937. She was not re-armed until 1942, then mounting destroyers in 1942—44. Typical armament was 3 later 2-4.7in, l-3in HA, 2
5-7.5in, 5^4in QF Mk V HA, 4 quadruple 2pdr pompoms, and 7, later single 2pdr pompoms and 2-20mm (or 5-20mm), 6-21in TT and 18-70 DCs,
Frobisher about 1944 with a deep load displacement of 2185-2235 tons. A twin 6pdr/10cwt in ‘A’
position was mounted in Campbell, Mackay and Montrose against E-boats.
Hedgehog appears to have been installed in Malcolm only. The first 4.7in QF
Mk IX was tried in Mackay in 1928-29.

DESTROYERS
Name Fate Name Fate
Australian ‘I’ class: launched 1910-15 , 75Ot deep load
HUON Expended TORRENS Expended
9.4.30 24.11.30
PARRAMATTA BU 1929 WARREGO BU 1929
SWAN BU 1929 YARRA BU 1929
Thorny croft ‘M’ class: launched 1916, 1130t deep load
PATRICIAN (RCN) BU 1929 RAPID BU 1927
PATRIOT (RCN) BU 1929 READY BU 1926

11
GREAT BRITAIN

Name Fate Name Fate Name Fate Name Fate

Yarrow later ‘M’ class: launched 1916-17, 1008-105It deep load VECTIS BU 1936 VIVACIOUS BU 1948
RELENTLESS BU 1926 SYBILLE BU 1926 VEGA BU 1948 VIVIEN BU 1948
RIVAL BU 1926 TRUCULENT BU 1927 VELOX BU 1947 VORTIGERN Sunk
SABRINA BU 1926 TYRANT BU 1938 VENDETTA Scuttled 15.3.1942
Admiralty ‘R’ class: launched 1916—17 , 1200—1244t deep load 2.7.1948
RADSTOCK BU 1927 SKILFUL BU 1926
RAIDER BU 1927 SORCERESS BU 1927
Admiralty ‘W class: launched 1917-18, 1490t deep load
REDGAUNTLET BU 1927 SPRINGBOK BU 1926 BU 1948
VOYAGER Wrecked WESTMINSTER
REDOUBT BU 1926 STARFISH BU 1928
23.9.1942
RESTLESS BU 1936 STORK BU 1927
RIGOROUS WAKEFUL Sunk WHIRLWIND Sunk
BU 1926 STURGEON BU 1926
ROB ROY 29.5.1940 5.7.1940
BU 1926 SYLPH BU 1927
ROCKET BU 1926 TANCRED BU 1928
WALKER BU 1946 WHITLEY Sunk
ROMOLA BU 1930 TARPON BU 1927 19.5.1940
ROWENA BU 1937 TELEMACHUS BU 1927
WALPOLE Damaged WINCHELSEA BU 1945
SABLE (ex-Salmon) BU 1927 TEMPEST BU 1937
6.1.45,
SABLE BU 1937 TENACIOUS BU 1928
BU 1945
SARPEDON BU 1926 TETRARCH BU 1934
WALRUS BU 1938 WINCHESTER BU 1946
SATYR BU 1926 THISBE BU 1936
WARWICK Sunk WINDSOR BU 1949
SCEPTRE BU 1926 THRUSTER BU 1937
20.2.1944
SHARPSHOOTER BU 1927 TORMENTOR BU 1929,
WATCHMAN BU 1945 WOLFHOUND BU 1948
wrecked
SKATE TORRID BU 1937, WATERHEN Sunk WRESTLER Constructive
BU 1947
wrecked 29.6.1941 loss
6.6.1944,
Thomycroft ‘R’ class: launched 1916-17, 1208t deep load
RETRIEVER BU 1930 BU 1944
BU 1927 TAURUS
ROSALIND BU 1926 TEAZER BU 1931 WESSEX Sunk WRYNECK Sunk
Modified ‘R’ class: launched 1916-17, 1225—1242t deep load 24.5.1940 27.4.1941
TOWER BU 1928 UNDINE BU 1928 WESTCOTT BU 1946
TRENCHANT BU 1928 URCHIN BU 1930 Thomycroft ‘V’ and ‘W’ classes: launched 1917-18, 1512t deep load
ULSTER BU 1928 URSA BU 1926 VICEROY BU 1948 WOLSEY BU 1947
UMPIRE BU 1930 URSULA BU 1929 VISCOUNT BU 1947 WOOLSTON BU 1947
Admiralty ‘S’ class: launched 1918-20,, 1225t deep load Admiralty Modified ‘W class: launched 1918-19, 1508t deep load
SABRE BU 1945 SPLENDID BU 1931 VANSITTART BU 1946 WHITSHED BU 1948
SALADIN BU 1947 SPORTIVE BU 1936 VENOMOUS BU 1947 WILD SWAN Sunk
SARDONYX BU 1945 STALWART (RAN) BU 1937 17.6.1942
SCIMITAR BU 1947 STEADFAST BU 1934 VERITY BU 1947 WITHERINGTON BU 1947,
SCOTSMAN BU 1937 STERLING BU 1932 Wrecked
SCOUT BU 1946 STORMCLOUD BU 1934 VETERAN Sunk WIVERN BU 1947
SCYTHE BU 1931 STRENUOUS BU 1932 26.9.1942
SEABEAR BU 1931 STRONGHOLD Sunk VOLUNTEER BU 1948 WOLVERINE BU 1946
4.3.1942 WANDERER BU 1946 WORCESTER BU 1946
SEAFIRE BU 1936 STURDY Wrecked WHITEHALL BU 1945 WREN Sunk
30.10.1940 27.7.1940
SEARCHER BU 1938 SUCCESS (RAN) BU 1937 Thomycroft Modified ‘W class: launched 1919, 1530t deep load
SEAWOLF BU 1931 SWALLOW BU 1936 WISHART BU 1945 WITCH BU 1946
SENATOR BU 1936 SWORDSMAN (RAN) BU 1937
SEPOY BU 1932 TACTICIAN BU 1931 Admiralty ‘R’ class
SERAPH BU 1934 TARA BU 1931 Skate, after serving as a minelayer and then a magnetic minesweeper, became an
SERAPIS BU 1934 TASMANIA (RAN) BU 1937 escort destroyer with 1—4in, l-12pdr HA, 4-20mm and 70 DCs. Deep load
SERENE BU 1936 TATTOO (RAN) BU 1937 displacement was 1360 tons.
SESAME BU 1934 TENEDOS Sunk
5.4.1942 Admiralty ‘S’ class
SHAMROCK BU 1936 THANET Sunk Thracian, beached and captured 16.12.41, served as the Japanese P101
27.1.1942 1942-45. Thanet and Stronghold were sunk by Japanese warships and Tenedos by
SHARK BU 1931 THRACIAN BU 1947 bombers from aircraft carriers. The survivors mostly ended their days as escort
SHIKARI BU 1945 TILBURY BU 1931 destroyers with l-4in, l-12pdr HA, 4-20mm and 40-70 DC; deep load dis¬
SIKH BU 1927 TINTAGEL BU 1932 placement was 1385-1400 tons.
SIMOOM BU 1931 TRIBUNE BU 1931
SIRDAR BU 1934 TRINIDAD BU 1932 Thomycroft ‘S’ class
SOMME BU 1932 TROJAN BU 1936 Torbay and Toreador were transferred to the RCN as Champlain and Vancouver
SPARROWHAWK BU 1931 TRUANT BU 1931 in 1928.
SPEAR BU 1926 TRUSTY BU 1936
SPINDRIFT BU 1936 TURBULENT BU 1936 Admiralty ‘V’ class
Thomycroft ‘S’ class: launched 1918-19, 1240t deep load Vampire and Vendetta were transferred to the RAN in 1933. Valentine, Valorous,
TORBAY BU 1937 TOURMALINE BU 1931 Vanity, Vega, Verdun, Vimiera and Vivien were converted to AA destroyers
TOREADOR BU 1937 1938-40 with 4-4in QF Mk XVI (2x2); later 4-20mm were added. The DC
Yarrow ‘S’ class: launched 1918-19, 1060t deep load outfit was usually 30-45, and deep load displacement 1665-1710 tons, oil fuel
TOMAHAWK BU 1928 TURQUOISE BU 1932 being reduced to 325 tons. Vanessa, Vanoc, Vanquisher, Velox, Versatile, Vesper,
TORCH BU 1929 TUSCAN BU 1932 Vidette and Vimy were converted to long-range escorts 1941-44: the fore boiler
TUMULT BU 1928 TYRIAN BU 1930 room was adapted to take extra oil so that shp became 15,000 = 25kts and oil fuel
Admiralty ‘V’ class: launched 1917-18 , 1480—1523t deep load 445 tons; deep load displacement was 1690-1775 tons; and armament comprised
VALENTINE Sunk VENETIA Sunk 2-4in QF Mk V, 5-20mm, Hedgehog and 110 DCs. Vivacious became a short-
15.5.1940 19.10.1940 range escort with the loss of l-4in and 3 TT, while Vampire, Vendetta, Venetia
VALHALLA BU 1931 VENTUROUS BU 1936 and Vortigem were little altered except that l-12pdr HA was optional to one set
VALKYRIE BU 1936 VERDUN BU 1946 of TT, and 33 DCs were carried. Valentine and Vampire were sunk by bombs,
VALOROUS BU 1947 VERSATILE BU 1948 Venetia and Vimiera by mines, and Vortigem by an E-boat torpedo.
VAMPIRE Sunk VESPER BU 1947
9.4.1942 Vega as converted to an AA escort
VANESSA BU 1949 VIDETTE BU 1947
VANITY BU 1947 VIMIERA Sunk
9.1.1942
VANOC BU 1946 VIMY BU 1948
(■ex-Vancouver)
VANQUISHER BU 1948 VIOLENT BU 1937

12
 The Royal Navy in 1922
Admiralty ‘W class
Voyager and Waterhen were transferred to the RAN in 1933. Westminster, Name Fate Name Fate
Whitley, Winchester, Wolfhound and Wryneck were converted to AA destroyers'
K9 BU 1926 K22 BU 1926
(as ‘V’ class) 1938-40; Walker, Warwick, Watchman, Westcott, Winchelsea and
K12 BU 1926
Wrestler were converted to long-range escorts (as ‘V’ class) 1942—43; and Walpole
‘K26’ class: launched 1919, 2140t/2530t
and Windsor became short-range escorts with a final anti-E-boat armament of
K26 BU 1931
2^hn, 2-6pdr/10 cwt, 3-2pdr pompom, 2-20mm, 3—21in TT and 20 DCs.
‘LI’ class : launched 1917-18, 891t/1074t
Voyager, Wakeful, Waterhen, Wessex and Whirlwind were little altered except for
LI BU 1930 L5 BU 1931
33 DCs and, in Voyager and Waterhen, an optional 3in and 12pdr HA. Waterhen,
L2 BU 1930 L6 BU 1935
Wessex, Whitley and Wryneck were sunk by bombs, Warwick and Whirlwind by
L3 BU 1931 L7 BU 1930
U-boats and Wakeful by an E-boat, and Walpole and Wrestler were damaged by
L4 BU 1934 L8 BU 1930
mines.
‘L9’ class: launched 1918-19, 914t/1089t
L9 BU 1927 L20 BU 1935
Thomycroft ‘V’ and ‘W’ classes
Lll BU 1932 L21 BU 1939
Viceroy, Wolsey and Woolston were converted to AA destroyers 1938-41, differ¬
L12 BU 1932 L22 BU 1935
ing from the Admiralty ‘Vs’ in having 331 tons of oil and an additional 2 single
L14 BU 1934 L23 Foundered
2pdr pompoms. Viscount was converted to a long-range escort in 1941, with
1946
16,400shp = 26kts, 450 tons oil and armament as other ‘Vs’ except 140 DCs.
L15 BU 1932 L24 Collision
Deep load displacements were 1750-1785 tons.
14.1.1924
L16 BU 1934 L25 BU 1935
Admiralty Modified ‘W’ class
L17 BU 1934 L26 BU 1946
Vansittart, Venomous, Verity, Volunteer, Wanderer and Whitehall were converted
L18 BU 1936 L27 BU 1946
in 1942-43 to long-range escorts, with 2^1.7in, 5-20mm, Hedgehog, 110 DCs;
L19 BU 1937 L33 BU 1932
shp and fuel were as in Admiralty ‘Vs’, and deep load displacements were
‘LS0’ class: launched 1918-19, 960t/1150t
1730-1760 tons. Wren and Wild Swan retained their original armament, apart
L52 BU 1935 L56 BU 1938
from l-12pdr HA in place of 3 TT, and the remaining 6 became short-range
L53 BU 1938 L69 BU 1939
escorts, Whitshed, Wivem and Worcester having a twin 6pdr/10cwt. Typical final
L54 BU 1938 L71 BU 1938
armaments were 2-4.7in, 2-6pdr/10cwt, 3-2pdr pompom, 2-20mm, 3 TT, 20
‘M’ class: launched 1917-18, 1594-1633t/1946t
DC (Wivem) and 2-4.7in, l-12pdr HA, 4-20mm, 3 TT, Hedgehog and 70 DC Ml Collision M3 BU 1932
(Wolverine). Deep load displacements were 1675-1720 tons. Wild Swan and
12.11.1925
Wren were sunk by bombs and Veteran by a U-boat.
M2 Lost
26.1.1932
Thomycroft Modified ‘W’ class
‘R’ class: launched 1918, 410t/503t
Both these vessels were converted to short-range escorts, Wishart having R4 BU 1934 R10 BU 1929
3-4.7in, l-12pdr HA, 4—20mm and 98 DC, with a deep load displacement of
1690 tons.
K26 had 4-18in beam TT removed in 1929. One 4in gun was removed in
1925-26 fromL54,LS6,L69 andL77, and fromL53 in 1935. The 12in gun was
Vansittart as a long-range escort 1943 removed from M2 in October 1925, and she was fitted with a compressed air
catapult and carried a small seaplane. M3’s 12in and 3in guns were removed in
July 1927, and she was converted to a minelayer with wet stowage for 100 mines.
Surface displacements for M2 and M3 were given as 1788 and 1745 tons
respectively.

SLOOPS
Name Fate Name Fate

Flower class: (Acacia type): launched 1915, 1275t deep load

BLUEBELL BU 1930 LABURNUM Lost Feb 1942
DAFFODIL BU 1935 LILY BU 1930
DAHLIA BU 1932 MAGNOLIA BU 1932
SUBMARINES FOXGLOVE BU 1946 MALLOW (RAN) Expended
1.8.1935
Name Fate Name Fate HOLLYHOCK BU 1930 VERONICA BU 1935
Flower class (Azalea type): launched 1915, 1287t deep load
‘C’ class: launched 1913, 312t/373t
CLEMATIS BU 1931 HELIOTROPE BU 1935
CC1 (RCN) BU 1925 CC2 (RCN) BU 1925
Flower class (Arabis type): launched 1915-16, 1350t deep load
‘E’ class: launched 1916, 667t/807t
CORNFLOWER Sunk MARGUERITE (RAN) Expended
E48 BU 1928
15.12.1941 1.8.1935
‘G’ class: launched 1915, 703t/837t BU 1930
CROCUS ROSEMARY BU 1947
G4 BU 1928
CYCLAMEN BU 1932 SNAPDRAGON BU 1934
‘HI’ class: completed 1918, 364t/434t DELPHINIUM BU 1933 VALERIAN Foundered
CH14 (RCN) BU 1925 CHI5 (RCN) BU 1925
22.10.1926
‘H2I’ class: launched 1917-19, 438t/504t GERANIUM (RAN) Expended VERBENA BU 1933
H21 BU 1926 H32 BU 1944
24.4.1935
H22 BU 1929 H33 BU 1944
GODETIA BU 1937 WALLFLOWER BU 1931
H23 BU 1934 H34 BU 1945
LOBELIA Hulked 1924 WISTARIA BU 1931
H24 BU 1934 H43 BU 1944
(Newfoundland)
H25 BU 1929 H44 BU 1945
LUPIN BU 1947
H26 BU 1928 H47 Collision
Flower class (Aubrietia type): launched 1916-17, 1450t deep load
9.7.1929
CORNWALLIS (RIM) BU 1946 HEATHER BU 1932
H27 BU 1935 H48 BU 1935
Flower class (Anchusa type): launched 1917-18, 1493t deep load
H28 BU 1944 H49 Sunk
BRYONY BU 1938 HAREBELL BU 1939
18.10.1940
CHRYSANTHEMUM RNVR 1938 SWEETBRIAR BU 1927
H29 BU 1927 H50 BU 1945
ELPHINSTONE (RIM) Wrecked WINDFLOWER BU 1927
H30 BU 1935 H51 BU 1924
29.1.1925
H31 Sunk H52 BU 1927
24.12.1941 Other sloops comprised Clive (RIM), Lawrence (RIM), Dwarf and Thistle
‘J’ class: launched 1915--17, 1204t/1820t (gunboats) and Espiegle.
J1 (RAN) BU 1924 J4 (RAN) BU 1924
J2 (RAN) BU 1924 J5 (RAN) BU 1924
Also operated by the Royal Navy in 1922 were 6 P-boats, 8 PC-boats, the
J3 (RAN) BU 1926 J7 (RAN) BU 1929
minelayer Princess Margaret, 4 other minelayers (ex-‘M’ class monitors, of which
‘K’ class: launched 1916-17, 1980t/2566t 2 were not converted until 1925), 3 early ‘Hunt’ and 59 later ‘Hunt’ class
K2 BU 1926 K14 BU 1926
minesweepers (5 of the latter operating as survey vessels), 7 Ascot class paddle
K6 BU 1926 K15 BU 1924
minesweepers, 12 ‘Insect’ class, 4 Fly class and 6 older river gunboats, 8 MLs
K8 BU 1923 K16 BU 1924
and 8 40ft, 20 55ft and 3 70ft CMBs.

13
GREAT BRITAIN
CAPITAL SHIPS
These ships resembled the revolution¬
ary ‘G3’ battlecruisers cancelled under
the Washington Treaty, but their
speed had to be reduced drastically
to comply with the 35,000t standard
displacement limit, and unfortunate¬
ly they came out well under this.
The three 16in turrets were forward,
and 40° elevation was provided, whilst
the 6in turrets with 60° elevation were
aft on either beam, the middle ones
also superfiring. Four of the 4.7in
were forward of the 6in and a deck
higher, the other two being on the
quarterdeck. The torpedo tubes were
forward, discharging at a small angle
to the keel line, and equipment for
oxygen enrichment of the torpedoes’
air was provided.
The armour belt was internal and
inclined at 15° to the vertical. It
extended from the fore 16in to the
after 6in barbette and at 33ft 6in
draught from the middle deck 6ft 6in
above to 5ft 9in below water. The
thickness was 14in abreast the main
armament and 13in elsewhere with a
12in-7in forward bulkhead between
the middle and platform decks and a
lOin one aft between the middle and
lower decks. The funnel uptakes
extended to the main deck. The main
turrets had 16in faces, llin-9in sides,
9in rears and 7 .jin roofs, but the sec¬
ondary guns had only ljin-lin and
the 4.7in had nothing until shields
were added during the war. The
armour deck at the belt upper edge
was 6?in over the magazines and 3|in
over the machinery, whilst the lower
deck aft was 4jin ending in a 4in stern
bulkhead. These deck thicknesses are
for armour only and do not include
the jin plating underneath. The
internal bulges were designed to with¬
stand a 7501b TNT charge and amid¬
ships comprised an empty outer
chamber, a water filled buoyancy
chamber, a ljin torpedo bulkhead
about 12ft inboard and a com¬
partment to limit flooding from a
strained torpedo bulkhead. Meta-
T
NELSON class
Displacement: 33,313t (Rodney 33,730t) standard; 41,250t extra deep load with buoyancy spaces filled
Dimensions: 660ft pp, 710ft oa x 106ft X 28ft lin mean, 33ft 6in mean at 41,250t
201.16, 216.40 X 32.31 x 8.56, 10.21m
Machinery: 2-shaft Brown-Curtis geared turbines, 8 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 45,000shp = 23kts. Oil 3805t
(Rodney 3770t)
Armour: Belt 14in-13in, bulkheads 12in-4in, funnel uptakes 9in-7in, barbettes 15in-12in, turrets 16in-7?in,
CT 14in-6jin
Armament: 9-16in/45 Mk I (3x 3), 12-6in/50 Mk XXII (6x2), 6-4.7in/40 QF Mk VIIIHA (6x 1), 8-2pdr pompom
(8x 1), 4—3pdr saluting, 2-24.5in TT sub
Complement: 1314; 1361 as flagship
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
NELSON Armstrong 28.12.1922 3.9.25 Aug 1927 BU 1948
RODNEY Cammell Laird 28.12.1922 17.12.25 Nov 1927 BU 1948
centric height was 11ft at 41,250t with but only Nelson was taken in hand in added in September 1941, and two
a stability range of 81°. There were 1937-38 and alterations were limited more 8-barrelled mountings in Feb¬
four boiler rooms located abaft the to 3in-2fin armour on the lower deck ruary 1942. Nelson also received 4
two engine and two gearing rooms, forward and 4in to extend the forward quadruple US 40mm Bofors mount¬
the total length being 138ft. Tactical bulkhead to the hold. ings in November 1944 and there is a
diameter was 670yds. An aircraft catapult was fitted on record of a single Army Bofors being
The design was based on the Rodney’s ‘X’ turret roof in 1936 and installed briefly in the spring of 1942.
heaviest armament and best magazine removed in 1942-43. It had always The number of 20mm Oerlikon guns
protection possible on the displace¬ been intended that 8-barrelled 2pdr eventually reached between 60 and 70
ment, and the very limited area of side pompoms should form the chief close in each ship, and 4 UP rocket mount¬
armour had to be accepted. Unfortu¬ range A A armament, but these were ings were fitted in Nelson during
nately the 16in guns and mountings not available until 1931 when one was 1940-41. As usual, displacement rose
gave considerable trouble initially and mounted in each ship, replacing the during the ships’ careers: just before
the rate of fire from the 6in and 4.7in eight single guns. A second she was torpedoed Nelson displaced
mountings, both of which were 8-barrelled mounting was added in 43,300t at a draught of 35ft 3in for¬
power-worked, was much slower than 1935-36 and a third in 1938-39. Nel¬ ward and 34ft 6in aft, and in 1945 the
had been expected. These defects son received two more in June 1940 figure was 44,054t. Rodney displaced
were gradually corrected and when and a sixth in January 1942, whilst 43,140t in 1945.
Rodney and Bismarck engaged in 1941 Rodney had a quadruple mounting
the former quickly gained the upper
hand with some help from King
George V. Rodney was not hit in this
action, but Nelson was twice damaged
i
by ground mines during the war, and >h
an Italian 18in airborne torpedo
which hit abreast the torpedo body
room in September 1941 caused no
less than 3750t of water to enter the
ship. After this the torpedo installa¬
tion was removed from Nelson. Vari¬
ous proposals were made for increas¬
ing the depth of the belt and for
Nelson, 11.9.1933
improving the secondary armament,
 Capital ships

This class were built to the London

Treaty limits of 35,OOOt standard and
14in guns, though additions during
construction and the lapsing of the
treaty resulted in them being over the
old limit. The design was more con¬
ventional than that of Nelson, with a
much greater area of armoured side,
less protection to the main armament
which was not concentrated forward,
and much greater shp due to
improvement in machinery weights.
The 14in mountings allowed 40° ele¬
vation and were arranged with the
quadruples forward and aft and the
twin superfiring forward. The 5.25in,
which served as anti-destroyer and
heavy A A guns, had 70° elevation and
were in two groups on each beam,
with a fixed athwartships catapult
between the groups and the inner
mounting superfiring in each group.
The armour belt was external and
not inclined, except where it followed
the slope of the hull. It was taken to
the main deck between the 14in bar¬
bettes and was 15in tapering to 5iin at
the lower edge abreast the magazines,
and 14in tapering to 4iin abreast the
machinery. There were 12in fore and
lOin aft bulkheads at the ends of this
belt, and the lower strake of the belt
was continued for about 40ft at either
end with a thickness of 13in-l lin tap¬
ering to 5iin at the lower edge. Bet¬
ween end barbettes the belt was
exceptionally deep and at 32ft 6in
mean draught extended from 10ft
above to 13ft below water. The main
turrets had 13in faces, 9in-7in sides,
7in rears and 6in roofs but the 5.25in
had only 2in-lin protection and the
previous heavy CT was replaced by a
light one high up on the signal deck.
The main deck had 6in armour over
the magazines and 5in elsewhere,
while the lower deck forward had
5in-2jin to the foremost watertight
bulkhead and 4|in aft to the steering
gear where it was increased to Sin end¬
ing in a 4in stern bulkhead. During
KING GEORGE V class
Displacement: 36,727t standard; 42,076t deep load
Dimensions: 700ft pp, 745ft oa x 103ft X 29ft mean, 32ft 7in mean at 42,076t
213.36, 227.07 x 31.39 X 8.84, 9.93m
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 8 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 110,000shp = 28kts. Oil 3700t, later
4030t
Armour: Belt 15in^fjin, bulkheads 12in-4in, barbettes 13in-llin, turrets 13in-6in, CT 4iin-2in
Armament: 10—14in/45 Mk VII (2x4, 1x2), 16-5.25in/50 QF Mk I (8x2), 32-2pdr pompom (4x8), 2 aircraft
Complement: 1422
Name Builder Laid down Launched
KING GEORGE V Vickers-Armstrong, 1.1.1937 21.2.39
Tyne
PRINCE OF WALES Cammell Laird 1.1.1937 3.5.39
DUKE OF YORK (ex-Anson) John Brown 5.5.1937 28.2.40
ANSON (ex-J ellicoe) Swan Hunter 20.7.1937 24.2.40
HOWE (ex-Beatty) Fairfield 1.6.1937 9.4.40
construction l|in splinter protection King George V when engaging Bis¬
was added to the sides and crowns of marck, and also in Duke of York
the 14in and 5.25in magazines. The against Schamhorst two and half years
amidships protection against tor¬ later. The 5.25in turrets were
pedoes was a development of that in cramped and too slow-firing to be
Nelson, the two outer chambers of the ideal AA weapons, and 20-4.5in
latter being replaced by a three- would probably have been better. The
compartment sandwich of which the armour protection against heavy
middle compartment was filled with shells was never seriously tested in
oil and the other two left empty. action, though it is interesting to note
When required for fuel the oil was that in spite of the deep belt a 15in
replaced by seawater. The protective shell from Bismarck hit Prince of
bulkhead was increased to ljin and Wales far below the belt lower edge. It
the system was designed to withstand is however essential to explain how
a 10001b TNT charge. The designed Prince of Wales was sunk by a prob¬
metacentric height was 6.1ft at light able total of 1 3301b and 3 4501b tor¬
and 8.1ft at deep load. Each propeller pedo warheads charged with the type
shaft was driven by an independent of explosive used by the Germans in
unit of two boilers and a set of tur¬ World War I. The 3301b explosion
bines, though the boilers could be broke off the ‘A’ bracket of the port
cross-connected if necessary. The outer shaft which was seriously bent
units driving the outer shafts were with the loss of the propeller, the tur¬
located forward of those driving the bines driving this shaft were not stop¬
inner. Unfortunately a small tactical ped immediately, and the flooding
diameter was not among the Staff directly or indirectly caused by the
Requirements and it amounted to rotating bent shaft effectively dis¬
930yds. abled the ship. Subsequently three
Although the 14in mountings were torpedoes with 4501b charges hit the
of more orthodox design than the 16in starboard side, one of which bent the
in Nelson, they gave considerable outer shaft wedging the propeller
trouble in both Prince of Wales and between the inner shaft and the hull,
Comp Fate
11.12.40 BU 1957
31.3.41 Sunk 10.12.41
4.11.41 BU 1957
22.6.42 BU 1957
29.8.42 BU 1957
but it should be noted that the ship
capsized to port.
The aircraft catapult was removed
from the four surviving ships in
1943-45, and there was a great
increase in close-range AA armament
during the war. The original 4
8-barreIled pompoms were increased
to 6 in the last three ships as com¬
pleted, and eventually the four sur¬
vivors each had 8, with 6 quadruple
pompoms in all but King George V, 2
quadruple 40mm Bofors in all and 2
single Bofors in King George V and 14
in Howe. The greatest number of
20mm Oerlikons appears to be 65. UP
rocket mountings were in the first two
ships for a time initially, and Prince of
Wales when lost had 5 8-barrelled and
1 quadruple pompom with a single
Bofors and probably about 10 Oer¬
likons.
Displacement rose and stability fell
as additional weights were carried,
and as completed Howe at extreme
deep load was 44,5 lOt with GM 7.25ft
and a stability range of 65A°, whilst the
corresponding displacement for
Anson in 1945 was 45,360t.

LION class
Displacement: 40,550t standard; 46,300t deep load
Dimensions: 740ft pp, 785ft oa x 104ft x 30ft mean, 33ft 6in mean at 46,300t
225.55, 239.26 x 31.70 x 9.14, 10.21m
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 8 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 130,000shp = 30kts. Oil 3720t
Armour: Belt 15in-5)in, bulkheads 13in-4in, barbettes 15in-12in, turrets 15in-6in, CT 4|in-2in
Armament: 9-16in/45 Mk II or III (3x3), 16-5.25/50 QF Mk I (8x2), 48-2pdr pompom (6x8), 2 aircraft
Complement: 1680 as fleet flagship

15
GREAT BRITAIN
This class were to have been built
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
under the escalation clause of the
London Treaty which allowed LION Vickers-Armstrong, 4.7.1939 - - -
45,000t and 16in guns, and were far Tyne
nearer the Navy’s requirements than TEMERAIRE Cammell Laird 1.6.1939 — — -

the King George V. It does not appear CONQUEROR John Brown - - -

to have been realised that Japan, Rus¬
sia and Germany had already started
or were about to lay down ships
approaching or exceeding 60,000t,
and British political thinking of the
day kept the Lion class to near
40,000t. In general layout and
appearance they would have resem¬
bled the King George V but with a
transom stern. The 16in guns and
mountings were different from those
in Nelson, being designed for a 23751b
instead of a 20481b shell. The armour
belt was a uniform 15in between bar¬
bettes with a 5Jin lower edge, and at
33ft 6in mean draught extended from
lift above to 12ft below water. The
THUNDERER
lower strake was continued as in King
George V. The main turrets had 15in
faces, 10in-7in sides, 7in rears and 6in
roofs; deck, underwater and other
protection was as in King George V
except where indicated above, with
the addition of 2in between the lower
deck and inner bottom below the
citadel bulkheads. The turbines and
boilers were arranged as in King
George V.
Other wartime needs forced the
suspension and then cancellation of
this class, but under the 1945 Prog¬
ramme it was intended to lay down the
Fairfield - -
Lion and Temeraire to a new design in
1946 for completion by 1952. Full
details of this design have not been
found, but the upper limits were
50,000t standard with dimensions of
840ft x 118ft, and figures of 56,500t
deep load and 810ft x 115ft x 34ft 3in
mean at this displacement have been
quoted. The armament would have
comprised 9-16in/45 Mk IV guns in a
new type of triple mounting designed
to have a firing interval of 20 seconds
per gun instead of the usual 30, with
24-4.5in/45 QF Mk V guns and 10
6-barrelled Bofors mountings. Oil
-
fuel capacity would probably have
been between 5000 and 6000t and
speed about 29kts. The increased
beam would have allowed much
improved torpedo protection prob¬
ably against a 20001b TNT charge.
The project seems to have been aban¬
doned because 12in deck armour was
found to be necessary against possible
AP bombs, and this would have
required a much larger ship. The
economic condition of Britain would
in any case have forced the cancella¬
tion of these ships.

This ship’s origins go back to an early

1939 project for utilising the 15in tur¬
rets from Courageous and Glorious in a
30kt ship for the Far Eastern fleet.
The sacrifice in using these venerable
turrets was less than might appear as
they were a reliable and satisfactory’
design which could be modernised
and given 30° elevation with thicker
face and roof plates, and the 15in gun
was only about 30fs down in muzzle
velocity compared with a new British
design. The one serious fault was that
the turrets were designed for a ship
with shell rooms below the
magazines, and for the contrary
arrangement, which was now stan¬
dard practice, it was necessary to have
the magazine handing rooms on the
lower deck above the shell rooms with
fixed hoists from the magazines
below. Although outwardly of differ¬
ent appearance, Vanguard resembled
King George V in many ways.
The 5.25in guns were in improved
mountings and there was no provision
for aircraft. The belt was reduced to
14in abreast the magazines and 13in
elsewhere with a uniform 4jin lower
edge, and the lower strake was con¬
tinued for some distance at 13in-llin
VANGUARD
Displacement: 44,500t standard; 51,420t deep load
Dimensions: 760ft pp, 814ft 4in oa x 108ft x 30ft 9iin mean, 34ft lOin mean at 51,420t
231.64, 248.20 x 32.92 x 9.38, 10.62m
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 8 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 130,000shp = 30kts. Oil 4423t
Armour: Belt I4in-4lin, bulkheads 12in-4in, barbettes 13in-llin, turrets 13in-6in, CT 3in-lin
Armament: 8-15in/42 Mk I (4x2), 16-5.25in/50 QF Mk I (8x2), 73-40mm Bofors (10x6, 1x2, llxl), 4-3pdr
saluting
Complement: 1893
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
VANGUARD John Brown 2.10.1941 30.11.44 9.8.46 BU 1960
with a 4Jin lower edge. The main tur¬ bulkhead, and the compartment Vanguard had a transom stern and a
rets had 13in faces, 9in-7in sides, llin bulkheads outboard of this were taken marked sheer forward, which made
rears and 6in roofs. The main deck to the middle deck instead of ending her a much better seaboat than previ¬
armour was 6in over the magazines at the lower deck. At the most favour¬ ous British battleships. Tactical
and 5in over the machinery, and the able position the system was designed diameter at full speed was 1025yds.
lower deck was 5in-2|in forward and to stand 13001b TNT. At deep load As often happened, weights increased
4)in-2jin aft. The 5.25in guns had metacentric height was 8.2ft with a during construction and 770t had to
2Jin-lJin and there was more splinter stability range of 68°. The main be added to the upper deck structure
protection than in King George V, machinery was arranged as in King to meet the resultant higher stresses.
including 2Jin-2in on the sides bet¬ George V, and on the mile at 45,720t
ween the middle and lower decks Vanguard developed 136,000shp =
beyond the heavy belt and extending 31.57kts. As a result of war experi¬
nearly to bow and stern. The torpedo ence there were 4 diesel and 4
protection was similar to that in King turbine-driven dynamos instead of 2
George V with a lfin-IJin protective and 6 respectively.

Vanguard in May 1947

16
 Monitors/Aircraft carriers

MONITORS
Abercrombie as completed

These ships were a development of

the World War I Erebus class, Roberts ROBERTS class
being built to utilise the 15in turret
from Marshal Soult whilst Abercrom¬ Displacement: 7973t (Abercrombie 8536t) standard; 9150t (Abercrombie 9717t) deep load
bie had one of the standby turrets orig¬ Dimensions: 373ft 4in oa x 89ft 9in X 13ft 6in (Abercrombie 14ft Sin) mean deep load
inally intended for Furious if the lat¬ 113.79 x 27.36 x 4.11 (4.39)m
ter’s 18in were failures. This turret Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 4800shp = 12.5kts. Oil 4911
was brought up to date and the Armour: Belt 5in-4in, barbette 8in, turret 13in-5in, (Abercrombie 13in-6in) CT 3in-2in
mountings in both ships elevated to Armament: 2-15in/42 Mk I (1x2), 8-4in/45 QF Mk XVI AA (4x2), 16-2pdr pompom (1x8, 2x4)
30°. The 4in guns were on the upper Complement: 442/460
deck in Roberts and on the shelter
deck in Abercrombie. The belt sloped Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
outwards along the top of the bulge
ROBERTS John Brown 30.4.1940 1.2.41 27.10.41 BU 1965
and ran between main and lower
ABERCROMBIE V ickers-Armstrong, 26.4.1941 31.3.42 5.5.43 BU 1954
decks from well forward of the bar¬
Tyne
bette to the mainmast. The turret had
a 13in face, 1 lin sides and rear and 5in steering gear. The sandwich-type damage was caused), while Abercrom- Roberts had 8 single 40mm Bofors
or 6in roof, the armour deck at main bulge was 17ft wide amidships with a bie was twice damaged by moored added in July 1945 and the greatest
deck level was 4in-2in with a greater liin protective bulkhead, and the sys¬ contact mines, on the second occasion number of 20mm Oerlikons in either
area of 4in in Abercrombie, and in both tem was designed to stand a 10001b striking two of them. As a result her ship appears to have been 20.
ships there was a 6in-4in glacis and charge. wartime career was much less active
raised deck over the 15in magazine During the war Roberts was hit by 2 than that of Roberts. The deep load
which also had ljin splinter protec¬ 11001b bombs which her armour displacement rose to about 9500t in
tion. The lower deck was 3in over the withstood (although considerable Roberts and 9900t in Abercrombie.

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

Originally designed as a light battle¬

cruiser but first completed as a FURIOUS fleet aircraft carrier
makeshift aircraft carrier, Furious was
Displacement: 22,450t standard; 27,165t deep load
rebuilt with a lower hangar at the level
of the previous forecastle deck and an Dimensions: 735ft pp, 786ft 5in oa x 90ft lin over bulges x 28ft lin mean deep load
224.02, 239.70 x 27.46 x 8.56m
upper hangar and flight deck above. A
short flying-off deck was built over Machinery: 4-shaft Brown-Curtis geared turbines, 18 Yarrow smalltube boilers, 90,000shp = 30kts. Oil 3830t
the bows, and the upper hangar Armour: Belt 3in
opened on to this. There was no island Armament: 10—5.5in/50 Mk I (10x 1), 2-4in/45 QF Mk V HA (2x 1), 4—2pdr pompom (4x 1), 4—3pdr saluting, 36
until a small one was added in 1939, aircraft
and the boiler uptakes were led aft to Complement: 1218
discharge either side of the round-
down or lower hangar; this was an Name Reconstruction Yard Fate
unsatisfactory arrangement and one FURIOUS June 1922-31.8.25 Devonport DYd BU 1948
not repeated in British fleet carriers as
it led to problems with escaping heat
and also meant that insufficient work¬ to stand 4401b TNT. A third 4in HA 8-barrelled pompoms were increased were deepened to improve stability,
shop space was available, so that part gun was added in 1931-32 and the 4 to three. A fourth was added in April which increased extreme deep load
of the lower hangar had to be thus single pompoms were replaced by 2 1941 and subsequently up to 15 20mm displacement to 28,495t and GM from
used. The short forward flight deck 8-barrelled mountings. Oerlikons. In spite of her unsatisfac¬ 2.5 to 4.9ft. Her general condition
was disused before 1939 and the main In 1939 Furious was completely tory features Furious gave good ser- deteriorated and she was taken out of
flight deck, which was 9 lift wide, had re-armed with 12—4in/45 QF Mk XVI 1 vice during the war, and emerged vir¬ operational service in September
a usable length of 530ft, increased to HA in twin mountings, and the tually unscathed. In 1942 her bulges 1944.
596ft in 1943. The hangars measured
550ft lower, 520ft upper x 50ft x
15ft; the two cruciform lifts were 46ft
X 47ft, the forward one taking
12,5001b and the after 14,0001b and
both serving either hangar. Petrol
stowage, at 20,800gal, was limited.
The flight deck was lin steel and the
total of other deck protection 2in max.
The original bulges had been
increased in height to improve stabil¬
ity but the system was only designed

Furious, 11.9.1933 m
GREAT BRITAIN

This class were rebuilt from light

battlecruisers and were in many COURAGEOUS class fleet aircraft carriers
respects similar to Furious but dif¬
Displacement: 22,500t standard; 27,560t (Glorious 27,400t) deep load
fered in having an island and funnel
Dimensions: 735ft pp, 786ft 7in oa x 90ft 6in over bulges X 27ft llin-28ft mean deep load
on the starboard side of the flight
224.02, 239.75 x 21.58 x 8.51-8.53m
deck. The short forward flight deck
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 18 Yarrow smalltube boilers, 90,000shp = 30kts. Oil 3685t (Glorious
was given up in 1935-36 and the main
3450t)
flight deck (which had the same
Armour: Belt 3in
usable dimensions as in Furious) had
Armament: 16-4.7in/40 QF Mk VIII HA (16x1), 4—2pdr pompom (4x 1), 4-3pdr saluting, 48 aircraft
two catapults fitted which could
launch 80001b at 56kts or 10,0001b at Complement: 1216
52kts. The upper and lower hangars
were both 550ft long and did not have Name Reconstruction Yard Fate
to be used for workshop space, whilst COURAGEOUS June 1924-5.5.28 Devonport DYd Sunk 17.9.39
the two lifts were slightly larger at 46ft GLORIOUS Feb 1924-10.3.30 Rosyth and Sunk 8.6.40
x 48ft. Petrol stowage was increased Devonport DYds
to 34,500gal. Deck protection was
similar to that of Furious, and the
ships were bulged largely for stability
reasons, as the original beam was only
81ft. The system was designed to
stand 4401b of TNT. The single pom¬
pons were replaced by 3 8-barrelled
ones in June 1935 in Glorious and a
year later in Courageous, and the two
ships could distinguished by the
much longer after round-down in
Glorious.
Both were sunk by weapons against
which their protection gave no
defence, Courageous being hit by 2
torpedoes with 6601b charges from
U29 and sinking in 15 minutes, whilst
Glorious was caught unawares by
Schamhorst and Gneisenau and sunk
by llin shells in about 70 minutes.

Courageous as reconstructed

This famous ship was the first large

aircraft carrier to be laid down as such
for the Royal Navy. There was a high
continuous flight deck 56ft above the
deep load waterline with an unusually
long stern overhang, and an island
and funnel to starboard. The flight
deck was an integral part of the hull
structure, serving as the upper
strength deck, and had a usable area
of 720ft X 95ft. It was provided with
two catapults that could launch
12,0001b at 66kts. There were two
hangars measuring 568ft upper, 452ft
lower x 60ft x 16ft, and three rectan¬
gular lifts, two measuring 45ft x 22ft
and one 45ft x 25ft. These each had
two platforms, of which the upper one
travelled between the flight deck and
upper hangar, and the lower one bet¬
ween the two hangars. This meant
that it took three movements to trans¬
fer an aircraft from flight deck to
lower hangar. Petrol stowage was
lOOjOOOgal.
ARK ROYAL fleet aircraft carrier
Displacement: 22,000t standard; 27,720t deep load
Dimensions: 685ft pp, 800ft oa x 94ft 9in wl x 27ft 9in mean deep load
208.78, 243.83 x 28.88 x 8.46m
Machinery: 3-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 6 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 102,000shp = 31kts. Oil 4620t
Armour: Belt 4jin, bulkheads 3in-2Jin
Armament: 16-4.5in/45 QF Mk I HA (8x2), 32-2pdr pompom (4x8), 4-3pdr saluting, 60 aircraft
Complement: 1580
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
ARK ROYAL 16.9.1935
Cammell Laird 13.4.37 16.11.38 Sunk 14.11.41
The belt was taken to the lower the side amidships. The system was from blast effects could fire across the
hangar deck abreast the funnel, to the designed to withstand a 7501b charge flight deck. Two more 8-barrelled
upper deck fore and aft of this and to but trials while Ark Royal was build¬ pompom mountings were added in
the lower deck by the foward and after ing showed that the bulkhead stiffen¬ May 1941.
4.5in magazines; there was a 3jin ers had to be modified. There were 3 Ark Royal gave excellent service in
armour deck at the various levels of boiler and 3 engine rooms, and it the first two years of the war though
the belt upper edge and over the steer¬ should be noted that the tactical there were never enough aircraft for
ing gear. There was sandwich-type diameter was undesirably large at her full outfit to be carried. She was
underwater protection with a 1 jin 1010yds. The 4.5in guns were in sunk by a single torpedo from U81
protective bulkhead 13ft 4iin from open-backed mountings and apart which hit very deep on the starboard

18
side and bottom abreast the starboard
boiler room making a hole 130ft x
30ft and causing violent vertical oscil¬
lations with an immediate 10° list.
Flooding spread and eventually
reached the middle and then the port
boiler room via the smoke ducts
which had no baffles and were taken
across the ship too low down. Electric
power failed as there were no diesel
dynamos, and after 14 hours the ship
capsized.

Ark Royal in 1940

This class were the first aircraft car¬

riers with fully armoured hangars to
be built for any navy, and an examina¬
tion of the armouring shows that resis¬
tance to 6in shells or to a destroyer’s
guns at close range was considered at
least as important as that to bombs.
The weight of armour permitted only
one hangar, and the flight deck was
38ft above deep load waterline. There
was the usual island and funnel, and
the flight deck had an effective length
of 620ft in Illustrious and 670ft in the
other two, later increased to 740ft in
all by reducing the round-downs. The
width remained at 95ft, and there was
a single catapult capable of launching
11,000-14,0001b at 66kts. The hangar
measured 458ft x 62ft x 16ft and the
two rectangular lifts (which could
take 14,0001b) 45ft x 22ft. Petrol
stowage was 50,540gal, which was
inconveniently insufficient for the
52-54 aircraft it was found possible to
carry in 1944—45 using a permanent
deck park with outrigger stowage.
The belt amidships was taken to the
hangar deck, to the flight deck only on
the starboard side abreast the island,
and to the upper deck for the last 30ft
forward and aft. The hangar side
armour was complete and extended
well beyond the belt ends, merging
with the belt only by the island, and
the flight deck was 3in over the hangar
armour and ljin at the ends and below
the island. The lifts were not
armoured. The hangar deck was lin
ILLUSTRIOUS class fleet aircraft carriers
Displacement: 23,000t standard; 28,620t deep load designed; 29,110-29,240t service
Dimensions: 673ft pp, 753ft 3in oa x 95ft 9in wl x 28ft 6in mean at 29,200t
205.12, 229.58 x 29.18 x 8.69m
Machinery: 3-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 6 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, lll,000shp = 30.5kts. Oil 4840t
Armour: Belt 4jin, hangar side 4|in, bulkheads 4jin-2jin, flight deck 3in
Armament: 16-4.5in/45 QF Mk III HA (8x2), 48-2pdr pompom (6x8), 33 aircraft
Complement: 1229; up to 1997 later
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
ILLUSTRIOUS Vickers-Armstrong, 27.4.1937 5.4.39 25.5.40 BU 1956
Barrow
VICTORIOUS Vickers-Armstrong, 4.5.1937 14.9.39 15.5.41 BU 1969
Tyne
FORMIDABLE Harland & Wolff 17.6.1937 17.8.39 24.11.40 BU 1953
and there were 3 boiler and 3 engine on 10.1.41 Illustrious survived 7 bomb armoured flight deck, and though the
rooms. The 4.5in guns were in low- hits and a near-miss, mostly 11001b only bomb that hit Victorious on
crowned ‘between decks’ mountings; with delayed-action fuzes, though the 12.8.42 bounced off the armour, the
the light AA armament was altered only 22001b went through the unarmoured part of the flight deck
during the war, Illustrious eventually armoured flight deck and burst about and the lifts attracted more hits in
having 40-2pdr (5x8), 3-40mm 10ft above the hangar deck. While at total than the armoured part. Both
Bofors (3x1) and 52-20mm Oer- Malta there was a further hit as well as Formidable and Victorious were twice
likons, whilst Formidable had several near-misses, one of which dis¬ hit by Kamikazes, the worst damage
48-2pdr (6x8), 12 Bofors (12x1) and abled the port machinery through being in Formidable where the flight
34 Oerlikons and Victorious 40-2pdr shock damage. As a result Illustrious deck was holed by the bomb released
(5x8), 21 Bofors (2x4, 2x2, 9x1) was out of action for IO5 months, as shortly before the crash and an
and 45 Oerlikons. was Formidable for 6 months after two armour splinter cut several steam
The vertical armouring was not 22001b bomb hits on 26.5.41 when off pipes in the centre boiler room.
tested by gunfire during the war, but Scarpanto. Neither of these hit the
'

outside the citadel where it formed the

hangar floor and 3in-2|in between the
hangar walls and the belt, whilst the
lower deck was 3in aft. Underwater
protection was similar to Ark Royal’s
but improved in detail, and the
designed GM at deep load was 8.26ft.
Tactical diameter was about 1050yds,

Illustrious in 1953

By courtesy of John Roberts

GREAT BRITAIN

Originally intended as the fourth ship

of the Illustrious class, Indomitable was
altered while building to accommo¬
date more aircraft at the price of 3in
less armour on the hangar sides. The
flight deck had effective dimensions
of 680ft x 95ft, later lengthened to
745ft, and was raised by 14ft to
accommodate a second hangar. The
catapult could launch
12,500-14,0001b at 66kts. The new
upper hangar measured 458ft x 62ft
x 14ft, and the after part of the origi¬
nal hangar was retained as the lower
hangar with dimensions of 168ft X
62ft x 16ft. The forward lift was
increased to 45ft x 33ft, the after one
remaining at 45ft X 22ft, and both
could take 14,0001b. Petrol stowage
was 75,1 lOgal and it was found poss¬
ible to operate 56 aircraft. The 3in
armoured flight deck was retained but
there were some alterations in the
decks outside this area, the lower gal¬
lery deck being 2|in-2in over the
magazines, and the lower or upper
INDOMITABLE fleet aircraft carrier
Displacement: 23,000t standard; 29,730t deep load
Dimensions: 673ft pp, 753ft 1 lin oa x 95ft 9in wl x 29ft mean deep load
205.12, 229.78 x 29.18 x 8.84m
Machinery: 3-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 6 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, lll,000shp = 30.5kts. Oil 4500t
Armour: Belt 4|in, hangar side Hin, bulkheads 3in-ljin, flight deck 3in
Armament: 16-4.5in/45 QF Mk III HA (8x2), 48-2pdr pompom (6x8), 45 aircraft
Complement: 1392; up to 2100 later
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
10.10.41 BU 1955
INDOMITABLE Vickers-Armstrong, 10.11.1937 26.3.40
Barrow
hangar deck Hin over machinery bombs on 12.8.42, both hits being the protective bulkhead. Indomitable
spaces. Indomitable had only 24—2pdr near the lifts and not on armour while heeled 12|° and flooding occurred in
(3x8) when completed, and did not one near-miss caused an 8° heel. She the uptake space on the main deck but
mount her full number until April was out of action for 6 months, and on counterflooding and a calm sea pre¬
1942. In April 1944 12^10mm Bofors 16.7.43 was hit by an airborne tor¬ vented a fate similar to that of Ark
(2 x 4,2 x 2) were added and at the end pedo abreast the after end of the port Royal, although the carrier was out of
of the war she also mounted 13 single boiler room. The burst was on the action for 8) months.
Bofors and 36 Oerlikons. lower edge of the belt armour, the
Indomitable was hit twice and corner of a 4)in face hardened plate
near-missed three times by 11001b broke and armour fragments holed

This class were a further development

of Illustrious with a flight deck of 760ft IMPLACABLE class fleet aircraft carriers
effective length, 50ft above the deep Displacement: 23,450t standard; 32,1 lOt deep load
load waterline. The catapult could
Dimensions: 673ft pp, 766ft 4in oa x 95ft 9in wl x 28ft 1 lin mean deep load
launch 16,0001b at 66kts or 20,0001b
205.12, 233.57 x 29.18 x 8.81m
at 56kts, and both the forward lift
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 8 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 148,000shp = 32kts. Oil 4690t (.Indefatig¬
which measured 45ft x 33ft and the
able 48 lOt)
45ft X 22ft after one could take
Armour: Belt 4|in, hangar side 2in, bulkheads 3in-2in, flight deck 3in
20,0001b. The upper hangar meas¬
Armament: lb-4.5in/45 QF Mk III HA (8x2), 44-2pdr pompom (5x8, 1x4), 60 aircraft
ured 458ft x 62ft x 14ft and the lower
hangar, which was aft, 208ft x 62ft x Complement: 1585; up to 2300 later
14ft. The clear height of only 14ft
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
prevented the powerful Vought Cor¬
sair single-seat fighter from being IMPLACABLE Fairfield 21.2.1939 10.12.42 28.8.44 BU 1955
accommodated. Petrol stowage was INDEFATIGABLE John Brown 3.11.1939 8.12.42 3.5.44 BU 1956
94,650gal, which was low for the 81
aircraft that could be carried with a
deck park. The armour belt was not 4-shaft machinery, there being four designs. The light AA guns were The only war damage was to Inde¬
taken above the lower hangar deck, engine and four boiler rooms, and the increased by 8-2pdr (2x4), 4 single fatigable from a Kamikaze plus 5501b
and for much of its length only to the smoke ducts from the two port boiler 40mm Bofors and 51 Oerlikons in bomb striking the flight deck at the
main deck, there being no upper rooms were taken across the ship Implacable and by 10 single Bofors base of the island with no very serious
deck. The 3in flight deck was retained higher up than in the previous and 40 Oerlikons in Indefatigable. results.
with 2)-Hin on the lower hangar deck
over the machinery spaces, while the
magazines had separate 3in-2in
crowns. Underwater protection
resembled that of Illustrious. It was
just possible to accommodate the

Implacable about 1953

By courtesy of John Roberts

20

Although this class fall outside the
period of this volume as completed,
their original design is important to
the wartime development of aircraft
carriers. The flight deck was 795ft x
102ft 6in clear abreast the island and
55ft above the deep load waterline,
and there were two catapults capable
of launching 30,0001b at 75kts. The
two rectangular lifts were each 54ft x
44ft and could also take 30,0001b,
while the upper and lower hangars
each had a clear height of 17ft 6in and
a combined floor areas of 52,100 sq ft,
much greater than in former
armoured flight deck carriers and
only 480 sq ft less than in the previous
Ark Royal. Petrol stowage was rela¬
tively limited at 103,300gal. The
flight deck was to have 4in armour on
lin steel, the lower hangar deck was
2)in-ljin and magazines and steering
gear had 4fin-2in vertical and 4in
This class were ordered in July 1943
but it was not expected that any would
be laid down before the first half of
1945, and under the 1945 programme
it was decided to proceed with Malta
and New Zealand for completion in
1950-51 and to defer the other two.
The end of the war and financial con¬
siderations caused all to be cancelled.
The design was much altered: one of
the early projects was for a ship with 5
shafts and an armoured flight deck
and hangars, but this was abandoned;
it was eventually decided to depart
from previous British practice in the
interests of rapid operation of aircraft
and to use an open hangar in which
engines could be run up. The flight
deck of lin steel measured 909ft x
136ft and there was the usual star¬
board island and funnel with a second
island abaft it to accommodate the
larger radar antennae. There were two
centreline lifts 54ft x 46ft and two
deck edge ones 56ft x 35ft, and they
and the two catapults were designed
for aircraft of 30,0001b. The flight
deck, which was 51ft lOin above the
Though built as an aircraft mainte¬
nance ship, Unicom also served as an
aircraft carrier. The flight deck was
646ft X 80ft with a catapult able to
launch 12,500-14,0001b at 66kts, and
there were upper and lower hangars
each with a clear height of 16|ft. The
forward lift was 46ft X 33ft and the
after one 46ft x24ft, each taking
Aircraft carriers
EAGLE class fleet aircraft carriers (original design)
Displacement: 36,800t standard; 46,000t deep load
Dimensions: 720ft pp, 803ft 9in oa x 112ft 9in wl x 31ft lin mean deep load
219.45, 244.97 x 34.37 x 9.47m
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 8 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 152,OOOshp = 32kts. Oil 7490t
Armour: Belt 4jin, hangar side ljin, bulkheads 4iin-Hin, flight deck 4in
Armament: 16—4.5in/45 QF Mk III HA (8x2), 64—2pdr pompom, 78 aircraft
Complement: 2740
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
EAGLE (ex-Audacious) Harland & Wolff 24.10.1942 19.3.46 1.10.51 BU 1978
EAGLE Vickers-Armstrong, 19.4.1944 — - Cancelled
Tyne Jan 1946
ARK ROYAL Cammell Laird 3.5.1943 3.5.50 25.2.55 Stricken 1979
horizontal protection. The under¬ possibly 20001b. A tactical diameter of items to be altered and late 1945 fig¬
water protection was a modification of about 720yds was anticipated, and oil ures were 64-40mm Bofors (8x6,
the previous sandwich with oil fuel, fuel capacity was much greater than in 2x2, 12x1) and 18 Oerlikons.
(replaceable by sea water) in the two previous carriers. The light A A Audacious was renamed Eagle in
outer compartments and was armament, which originally included January 1946.
designed to stand a 12001b charge and 60 Oerlikons, was among the first
MALTA class fleet aircraft carriers
Displacement: 46,900t standard; 56,800t deep load
Dimensions: 820ft pp, 916ft 6in oa x 115ft 8in wl X 34ft 6in mean deep load
249.93, 279.34 x 35.35 x 10.52m
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 8 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 200,000shp = 32.5kts. Oil about 7500t
Armour: Belt and bulkheads 4)in-l)in
Armament: 16-4.5in/45 QF Mk V HA (8x2), 55-40mm Bofors (8x6, 7x1), 81 aircraft
Complement: 2780/3535
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
MALTA John Brown - Cancelled Jan 1946
GIBRALTAR Vickers-Armstrong, - Cancelled Oct 1945
Tyne
NEW ZEALAND Harland & Wolff - Cancelled Jan 1946
AFRICA Fairfield - Cancelled Oct 1945
deep waterline was not a strength nally been intended that the deck protection was similar to that in the
deck, this function being taken by the below the hangar deck was to have 6in Eagle class and occupied 21ft a side
hangar deck. The hangar area was armour but objections were raised on with expectations of standing a 20001b
about 57,000 sq ft with a clear height the grounds that a bomb which hit charge. The 4.5in guns of the faster
of 17ift. There were four boiler and would be bursting in a confined space, firing Mk V pattern were to be in Mk
four engine rooms divided into two and the armour was raised to the han¬ VII mountings similar to the Mk VI
groups with that for the outer shafts gar deck except at the sides, probably widely used since the war but with a
forward. The magazines and steering with some reduction in thickness for larger 14ft diameter roller path.
had box protection, and it had origi¬ stability reasons. The underwater
Unicorn 1945
UNICORN light fleet aircraft carrier
Displacement: 14,750t standard; 20,300t deep load
Dimensions: 564ft pp, 646ft oa X 90ft wl X 24ft mean deep load
171.90, 196.90 x 27.43 x 7.32m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 40,000shp = 24kts. Oil 3157t
Armament: 8—4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (4x2), 16-2pdr pompom (4x4), 35 aircraft
Complement: 1200
21
GREAT BRITAIN
20,0001b. Petrol stowage was
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
36,000gal. Unicom resembled a short,
high flight deck fleet carrier, with a UNICORN Harland & Wolff 29.6.1939 20.11.41 12.3.43 BU 1959
starboard island and funnel. There
were two engine and two boiler rooms

This class were of much lighter

appearance than the Unicom and COLOSSUS class light fleet aircraft carriers
larger fleet carriers. The flight deck 13,190t {Theseus, Triumph, Warrior 13,350t) standard; 18,040t (Theseus, Triumph, Warrior 18,300t)deep
Displacement:
had effective dimensions of 690ft x load
80ft with a catapult capable of launch¬
Dimensions: 630ft pp, 693-695ft oa X 80ft wl x 23ft 3in mean deep load
ing 14,0001b at 66kts, and the two lifts 192.02, 211.22-211.83 x 24.38 x 7.09m
were each 45ft x 34ft and could take
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 40,000shp = 25kts. Oil 3196t
15,0001b. The single hangar meas¬
Armament: 24-2pdr pompom (6x4), {Ocean 31-2pdr pompom (6x4, 7x1)), 37 aircraft
ured 445ft x 52ft x 17ift clear, and
Complement: 1300
petrol stowage was 98,600gal. Ocean
was originally fitted as a night fighter
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
carrier for 32 single-seat fighters.
There was no armour except for mant¬ COLOSSUS Vickers-Armstrong, 1.6.1942 30.9.43 16.12.44 To France 1946
lets round the aircraft torpedo war¬ Tyne
heads, and, except in the machinery GLORY Harland & Wolff 27.8.1942 27.11.43 2.4.45 BU 1961
spaces where the two boiler and two OCEAN Stephen 8.11.1942 8.7.44 8.8.45 BU 1962
engine rooms were disposed en eche¬ VENERABLE Cammell Laird 3.12.1942 30.12.43 17.1.45 To Holland 1948
lon, no major longitudinal watertight VENGEANCE Swan Hunter 16.11.1942 23.2.44 15.1.45 To Brazil 1956
bulkheads. The transverse watertight THESEUS Fairfield 6.1.1943 6.7.44 9.2.46 BU 1962
bulkheads were arranged so that the TRIUMPH Hawthorn Leslie 27.1.1943 2.10.44 9.5.46 Repair ship 1964
ship would survive two complete sec¬ WARRIOR Harland & Wolff 12.12.1942 20.5.44 14.3.46 To Argentina 1958
tions being flooded by a torpedo hit on PERSEUS (ex-Edgar) Vickers-Armstrong, 1.6.1942 26.3.44 19.10.45 Completed as
the line of a bulkhead. The earlier Tyne aircraft main¬
ships had up to 32 Oerlikons before tenance ship
these were replaced by between 12 PIONEER {ex-Mars) Vickers-Armstrong, 2.12.1942 20.5.44 8.2.45 Completed as
and 21 single 40mm Bofors in mid- Barrow aircraft main-
1945. Within their obvious limita¬ tenance ship
tions these were satisfactory ships and
gave economical service in the post¬
war years. Warrior was loaned to
Canada from 1946 to 1948 and Ven¬
geance to Australia from 1952 to 1955.
On transfer to other navies. Colossus,
Venerable, Vengeance and Warrior
were renamed Arromanches, Karel
Doorman, Minas Gerais and Indepen¬
dence respectively.

Perseus, 17.10.1952

MoD

As originally designed very similar to

the Colossus class but with reduced MAJESTIC class light fleet aircraft carriers (original design)
fuel and petrol stowage of 75,000gal to
Displacement: 14,000t standard; 17,780t deep load
compensate for strengthened decks
Dimensions: 630ft pp, 695ft oa x 80ft x 23ft mean deep load
and fittings to operate heavier air¬
192.02, 211.83 x 24.38 x 7.01m
craft. Magnificent was loaned to
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 40,000shp = 25kts. Oil 3000t
Canada from 1948 to 1957. Hercules,
Majestic, Powerful and Terrible were Armament: 24-2pdr pompom (6x4), 19-40mm Bofors (19x 1), 37 aircraft
renamed Vikrant, Melbourne, Complement: 1300
Bonaventure and Sydney respectively
on transfer. Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
HERCULES Vickers-Armstrong, 12.10.1943 22.9.45 4.3.61 To India 1957
Tyne
LEVIATHAN Swan Hunter 18.10.1943 7.6.45 BU incomplete
1968
MAGNIFICENT Harland & Wolff 29.7.1943 16.11.44 21.5.48 BU 1965
MAJESTIC Vickers-Armstrong, 15.4.1943 28.2.45 8.11.55 To Australia
Barrow 1955
POWERFUL Harland & Wolff 27.11.1943 27.2.45 17.1.57 To Canada 1952
TERRIBLE Devonport DYd 19.4.1943 30.9.44 5.2.49 To Australia
1948

22
Magnificent in Feb 1957
MoD

An enlargement of the Colossus and

Majestic classes with considerably CENTAUR class light fleet aircraft carriers (original design)
higher speed and able to operate
Displacement: 18,3lOt standard; 24,000t deep load
30,0001b aircraft. The catapult was to
launch this weight at 75kts; the two Dimensions: 650ft pp, 737ft oa x 90ft wl x 24ft 8in mean deep load
198.12, 224.63 x 27.43 x 7.52m
lifts each measured 54ft x 44ft, while
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 76,000shp = 29.5kts. Oil 4000t
the hangar had 17ft 6in clear height,
Elephant was renamed Hermes in Armament: 8—4.5in/45 QF Mk III HA (4 x 2), 34-40mm Bofors (2x6, 11x2), 42 aircraft
November 1945. Complement: 1390

Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate

ALBION Swan Hunter 23.3.1944 6.5.47 26.5.54 Stricken 1972
ARROGANT Swan Hunter - _ _
Cancelled Oct 1945
BULWARK Harland & Wolff 10.5.1945 22.6.48 4.11.54 Extant 1980
CENTAUR Harland & Wolff 30.5.1944 22.4.47 1.9.53 BU 1972
HERMES (ex-Elephant) Vickers-Armstrong, 21.6.1944 16.2.53 18.11.59 Extant 1980
Barrow
HERMES Cammell Laird - _ _
Cancelled Oct 1945
MONMOUTH Fairfield - — _
Cancelled Oct 1945
POLYPHEMUS Devonport DYd - - - Cancelled Oct 1945

Audacity 1941

Formerly the German merchant ship

Hannover of 5537t gross, captured in AUDACITY escort aircraft carrier
the West Indies in February 1940.
Displacement: 11,000t deep load
The flight deck measured approxi¬
Dimensions: 467ft 3in oa x 56ft 3in wl x ?m
mately 460ft x 60ft, and there was no 142.41 x 17.14 x ?
hangar or lift, the aircraft being
Machinery: 1-shaft diesel, 5200bhp = 15kts
parked aft on the flight deck. Petrol
Armament: l-4in/45 QF Mk V HA, l-6pdr, 4-2pdr pompoms (4x 1), 4-20mm, 6 aircraft
stowage was 10,000gal. Audacity was
Complement: ?
torpedoed by 17757, the first torpedo
stopping the ship, and two more
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
which hit 70 minutes later causing her
to break up and sink. AUDACITY Bremer Vulcan ? 29.3.1939 June 1941 Sunk 21.12.41

Originally laid down as a fast cargo

ship, Activity had a starboard island
and a flight deck of 492ft effective Displacement: 11,800t standard; 14,250t deep load
length. The hangar had a clear height
Dimensions: 512ft oa X 66ft 5in x 25ft lin mean deep load
of 2 lft and the lift was 42ft X 20ft and 156.05 x 20.24 x 7.65m
could take 10,0001b. Petrol stowage
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel, 12,000bhp = 18kts. Oil 2000t
was limited at 20,000gal.
Armament: 2^1in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (1x2), 24-20mm, 11 aircraft
Complement: 700

Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate

ACTIVITY Caledon 1.2.1940 30.5.42 14.10.42 Sold Apr 1946

23
GREAT BRITAIN

Pretoria Castle about 1944

Originally a Union Castle liner of

17,392t gross, Pretoria Castle was PRETORIA CASTLE escort aircraft carrier
taken up as an armed merchant Displacement: 19,650t standard; 23,450t deep load
cruiser in October 1939, purchased in
Dimensions: 592ft oa X 76ft 4in wl x 29ft 2in mean deep load
July 1942 and converted to a trials 180.44 X 23.27 x 8.89m
carrier by Swan Hunter. The flight
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel, 16,000bhp = 18kts. Oil 2430t
deck had an effective length of 550ft
Armament: 4-4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (2x2), 28-20mm. Aircraft complement varied
with a catapult capable of launching
Complement: ?
14,0001b at 66kts, and the lift meas¬
ured 45ft x 34ft and could take
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
15,0001b. The hangar had a clear
height of 17ft 6in and petrol stowage PRETORIA CASTLE Harland & Wolff ? 12.10.1938 9.4.43 Sold 26.1.46
was 74,000gal.

Converted from fast cargo ships, this

class had a flight deck of 495ft effec¬
tive length with a starboard island. Displacement: 13,445t (.Nairana 13,825t) standard; 16,830t (.Nairana 17,21 Ot) deep load
The lift was 45ft x 34ft and could take
Dimensions: 524ft oa X 68ft wl x 25ft 2in (Nairana 25ft 8in) mean deep load
15,0001b and the hangar had a clear 159.71 x 20.73 x 7.67 (7,82)m
height of 17ft 6in. Petrol stowage was
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel, 10,700bhp = 16kts. Oil 1655t
over two and a half times that o{Activ¬
Armament: 2-4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (1x2), 16-2pdr pompom (4x4), 16-20mm, 18 aircraft
ity at 52,000gal. Nairana was lent to
the Netherlands from 1946 to 1948 Complement: 700-728
under the name of Karel Doorman.
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate

VINDEX Swan Hunter 1.7.1942 4.5.43 3.12.43 Sold 1947

NAIRANA John Brown ? 20.5.43 12.12.43 Sold 1948

Similar to the Vindex class except as

indicated above. CAMPANIA escort aircraft carrier
Displacement: 12,450t standard; 15,970t deep load
Dimensions: 540ft oa x 70ft wl x 22ft lOin mean deep load
164.59 x 21.34 x 6.96m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel, 10,700bhp = 16kts. Oil 2230t
Armament: 2-4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (1x2), 16-2pdr pompom (4x4), 16-20mm, 18 aircraft
Complement: 700

Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate

CAMPANIA Harland & Wolff 12.8.1941 17.6.43 7.3.44 BU 1955

The majority of British escort aircraft

carriers were obtained on Lend-Lease ARCHER escort aircraft carrier
from the USA. They had been con¬
verted from mercantile hulls in vari¬ Displacement: 10,220t standard (with seawater ballast); 12,860t deep load
ous stages of construction or from Dimensions: 492ft wl X 69ft 6in wl x 21ft lOin mean deep load
completed ships in the earlier cases. 149.96 x 21.18 x 6.65m
Archer, converted from the Mor- Machinery: 1-shaft diesel, 8500bhp = 16.5kts. Oil 1362t
macland by Newport News, had a Armament: 3^1in/50 US Mk 9 (3x1), 15-20mm, 16 aircraft
flight deck of 438ft effective length Complement: 555
with a small starboard island. The
hangar was below the after part of the Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
flight deck and had a clear height of ?
ARCHER Sun 14.12.1939 17.11.41 To mercantile
18ft 9in. The lift was 38ft x 34ft and
service 1945
took 12,0001b and the catapult could
launch 70001b at 60.8kts. Petrol stow¬ were added in February 1943 with the
age was drastically reduced from 20mm reduced to 14. A great amount
87,500 to 36,000gal. The 4in/50 guns of ballast was required and this ini¬
were replaced by 4in QF Mk V HA in tially comprised 1800t concrete and
August 1942; 4-40mm Bofors (2x2) lOOOt sea water.

24
 Aircraft carriers

Converted from the Rio Hudson, Rio

Parana and Rio de Janeiro respec-
t vely by Bethlehem (Staten Island),
Displacement: 10,366t (Biter later 12,850t) standard; 15,125t (Biter later about 15,300t) deep load
Atlantic Basin and Tietjen-Laird. A
fourth ship, Charger, was retained by Dimensions: 492ft oa x 69ft 6in wl X 25ft 2in (Biter later 25ft 5in) mean deep load
the USN. The flight deck had an 149.96 x 21.18 x 7.67 (7.75)m
effective length of 410ft (later 442ft), Machinery: 1-shaft diesel, 8500bhp = 16.5kts. Oil 30611 (.Biter later 1308t oil and 1097t cargo)
and the hangar below the after part a Armament: 3-4in/50 US Mk 9 (3x 1), 19-20mm, 15 aircraft
clear height of 16ft. There was a star¬ Complement: 555
board island and the lift and catapult
were as in Archer except that the lift Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
measured 42ft x 34ft. Petrol stowage AVENGER Sun ? 27.11.1940 2.3.42 Sunk 15.11.42
was 75,000 reduced to 36,000gal, and 'BITER Sun ? 18.12.1940 1.5.42 To France
ballast initially amounted to about
9.4.45
1930t. The 4in/50 guns were replaced DASHER Sun ? 12.4.1941 1.7.42 Sunk 27.3.43
by 4in QF Mk V HA in August-Sep-
tember 1942 in Biter and in October
1942 in Dasher. was sunk by an accidental petrol better petrol safety precautions, of the next batch of Lend-Lease car¬
Avenger was hit by a torpedo from explosion attributed by the British to together with extra ballast, as the Brit¬ riers, which caused a dispute between
U15S abreast the bomb room which lack of safety precautions and by the ish disliked the American practice of the two navies in August 1943. Biter
exploded, and the ship broke up and Americans to lack of British experi¬ filling empty fuel tanks with sea was renamed Dixmude on transfer to
sank within 3 minutes, while Dasher ence with bulk petrol. Provision of water, delayed the operational service France.

An improvement on previous Lend-

Lease escort carriers with a longer ATTACKER class escort aircraft carriers
hangar of 18ft clear height and two
Displacement: 10,200t standard; 14,170t deep load
lifts each 42ft X 34ft and taking
Dimensions: 491ft 7in-496ft lin oa x 69ft 6in wl x 23ft 7in mean deep load
14,0001b. The flight deck had an
149.91-151.20 x 21.18 x 7.19m
effective length of 438ft (later
Machinery: 1- shaft geared turbines, 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers, 8500shp = 18.5kts. Oil 3018—3160t
increased to 450ft), and there was a
starboard island with a funnel well Armament: 2- 4in/50 US Mk 9 (2x1), 8^I0mm Bofors (4x2), (Searcher 16-40mm Bofors (8x2)), 10 to 35-20mm,
18 to 24 aircraft
abaft it discharging at about flight
deck level. There was one catapult Complement: 646
capable of launching 70001b (Pursuer
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
10,0001b) at 60.8kts, and petrol stow¬
age, originally 151,500gal, was ATTACKER Western Pipe 17.4.1941 27.9.41 10.10.42 To USA 5.1.46
reduced to 41,000-52,800gal. Ballast BATTLER Ingalls 15.4.1941 4.4.42 15.11.42 To USA 12.2.46
was originally about 1040t. In Battler CHASER Ingalls 28.6.1941 15.1.42 9.4.43 To USA 12.5.46
the 4in/50 guns were replaced by 3 FENCER Western Pipe 5.9.1941 4.4.42 20.2.43 To USA 21.12.46
(later 2) 4in QF Mk V HA in January HUNTER Ingalls 15.5.1941 22.5.42 11.1.43 To USA 29.12.45
1943, and Pursuer, Striker and Fencer PURSUER Ingalls 31.7.1941 18.7.42 14.6.43 To USA 12.2.46
had respectively 4, 6 and 7 single RAVAGER Seattle-Tacoma 11.4.1942 16.7.42 26.4.43 To USA 27.2.46
Bofors added in July 1945, with a SEARCHER Seattle-Tacoma 20.2.1942 20.6.42 8.4.43 To USA 29.11.45
reduction to 4—20mm in Striker. STALKER Western Pipe 6.10.1941 5.3.42 30.12.42 To USA 29.12.45
STRIKER Western Pipe 15.12.1941 7.5.42 29.4.43 To USA 12.2.46
TRACKER Seattle-Tacoma 3.11.1941 7.3.42 31.1.43 To USA 29.11.45

Battler date unknown A late-war view of Trumpeter By courtesy of John Roberts

Emperor 1944

Trouncer and Trumpeter were com¬

pleted by Commerical Iron Works
and Rajah, Slinger and Speaker by
Willamette Iron and Steel. Generally
similar to the previous class, but with
a more powerful catapult launching
85001b at 73.8kts. The flight deck
remained at 438ft in some, and petrol
stowage was reduced to 36,000gal
AMEER class escort aircraft carriers
Displacement: ll,400t standard; 15,390t deep load
Dimensions: 495ft 3in-496ft 8in oa x69ft 6in wl x 25ft 5in mean
150.49-151.38 x 21.18 x 7.75m
Machinery: 1- shaft geared turbines, 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers, 8500shp = 18kts. Oil 3160t
2— 5in/38 US Mk 12 (2x1), 16-40mm Bofors (8x2), 27 to 35-20mm, 18 to 24 aircraft
Armament:
Complement: 646

25
GREAT BRITAIN
except in Begum (34,860), Emperor Comp Fate
Name Builder Laid down Launched
(48,000) and Slinger (50,480t). The
5in guns were in mountings allowing AMEER Seattle-Tacoma 18.7.1942 18.10.42 20.7.43 To USA 17.1.46
27° elevation and were not HA. Arbi- ARBITER Seattle-Tacoma 26.4.1943 9.9.43 31.12.43 To USA 3.3.46
ter had 4 single Bofors added in ATHELING Seattle-Tacoma 9.6.1942 7.9.42 1.8.43 To USA 6.12.46
May-July 1945, and Trouncer had BEGUM Seattle-Tacoma 3.8.1942 11.11.42 3.8.43 To USA 4.1.46
14in August 1945 with a reduction in EMPEROR Seattle-Tacoma 23.6.1942 7.10.42 6.8.43 To USA 12.2.46
20mm to 7. EMPRESS Seattle-T acoma 9.9.1942 30.12.42 13.8.43 To USA 28.1.46
Slinger was damaged by a ground KHEDIVE Seattle-Tacoma 22.9.1942 27.12.42 23.8.43 To USA 26.1.46
mine which exploded under the NABOB Seattle-Tacoma 20.10.1942 9.3.43 7.9.43 Constructive loss
engine room in 17 fathoms on 5.2.44, 22.8.44
and was out of action for 8J months. PATROLLER Seattle-Tacoma 27.11.1942 6.5.43 25.10.43 To USA 13.12.46
Nabob was torpedoed by U354 in the PREMIER Seattle-Tacoma 31.10.1942 22.3.43 3.11.43 To USA 12.4.46
vicinity of one of the bomb rooms, PUNCHER Seattle-Tacoma 21.5.1943 8.11.43 5.2.44 To USA 16.1.46
and 150ft of her side was open to the QUEEN Seattle-Tacoma 12.3.1943 31.7.43 7.12.43 To USA 31.10.46
sea, but she was later able to steam RAJAH Seattle-Tacoma 17.12.1942 18.5.43 17.1.44 To USA 13.12.46
1090nm to port at lOkts under her RANEE Seattle-Tacoma 5.1.1943 2.6.43 8.11.43 To USA 21.11.46
own power. She was not considered REAPER Seattle-Tacoma 5.6.1943 22.11.43 21.2.44 To USA 20.5.46
worth repairing and the same was the RULER Seattle-Tacoma 25.3.1943 21.8.43 22.12.43 To USA 29.1.46
case with Thane, immobilised by a SHAH Seattle-Tacoma 13.11.1942 21.4.43 27.9.43 To USA 6.12.45
damaged shaft from a torpedo fired by SLINGER Seattle-Tacoma 25.5.1942 15.12.42 11.8.43 To USA 27.2.46
U482 near the Clyde Lightvessel. It SMITER Seattle-Tacoma 10.5.1943 27.9.43 20.1.44 To USA 6.4.46
would appear that protection had SPEAKER Seattle-Tacoma 9.10.1942 20.2.43 20.11.43 To USA 27.7.46
been much improved compared with THANE Seattle-Tacoma 23.2.1943 15.7.43 19.11.43 Constructive loss
Avenger. 15.1.45
TROUNCER Seattle-Tacoma 1.2.1943 16.6.43 31.1.44 To USA 3.3.46
TRUMPETER Seattle-Tacoma 25.8.1942 15.12.42 4.8.43 To USA 6.4.46

Empire MacAlpine as completed

MERCHANT AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
Also operated during World War II were bulk carriers sailing under the Red
Ensign with a flight deck and an additional naval complement to operate and
maintain the aircraft carried. All were returned to normal merchant service from
1945.
Grain carriers Empire MacAlpine, Empire MacKendrick, Empire MacAndrew,
Empire MacDermott, Empire MacRae, Empire MacCallum. Launched
December 1942-January 1944. Gross tonnage 7950-8250, 1-shaft diesel,
3300bhp = 12.5kts, l-4in/40 QF Mk IV or l-12pdr/12cwt, 2-40mm Bofors
(2x 1), 4—20mm, 4 aircraft. Flight deck 400ft effective length, lift 42ft x 22ft
(10,0001b), hangar 24ft clear height, petrol 5000gal.
Oil tankers Empire Mackay, Empire MacColl, Empire MacMahon, Empire
MacCabe (launched May-July 1943); Acavus, Adula, Alexia, Amastra, Ancylus,
Gadila, Macoma, Miralda, Rapana (converted 1942-44). Gross tonnage
7999-9249, 1-shaft diesel, 3300-4000bhp = ll-13kts, l-4in/40 QF Mk IV,
2-40mm Bofors (2x1), 4—20mm or 8-20mm, 3 aircraft. Flight deck 450ft
effective length, no lift or hangar, petrol 5000gal. Gadila and Macoma operated
under the Dutch mercantile flag.

CRUISERS
Kent 1944

This class of seven ships included two

-Australia and Canberra - which were KENT class
built for the Australian Navy. The
ammunition spaces were fairly well Displacement: 9750-9870t (finally about 10,900t) standard; 13,400-13,540t (finally 14,490-14,910t) deep load
protected with 4in cemented armour Dimensions: 590ft pp, 630-633ft oa x 68ft 4in x 20ft 6in (finally 22ft—22ft 7in) mean deep load
on the most vulnerable areas and 179.83, 192.02-192.93 x 20.83 x 6.25 (6.71-6.88)m
3in-lin on the platform deck above, Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons (Berwick, Australia, Canberra Brown-Curtis) geared turbines, 8 Admiralty 3-drum
but otherwise there was only lin side boilers, 80,000shp = 31,5kts. Oil 3200-3400t
plating and a ljin lower deck protect¬ Armour: Box protection to ammunition spaces 4in-lin, side lin, turrets and ring bulkheads lin
ing the machinery spaces and ljin-lin Armament: 8-8in/50 Mk VIII (4x2), 4-4in/45 QF Mk V HA (4x1), 4—3pdr saluting, 4—2pdr pompom
for the steering gear. There was a one 8-2lin TT aw (2x4)
compartment bulge 5)ft wide out¬ Complement: 685-710
board of the wings amidships. The 8in
guns were in mountings of novel Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
design with 70° elevation and shell BERWICK Fairfield 15.9.1924 30.3.26 15.2.28 BU 1948
and charge were rammed in one oper¬ CORNWALL Devonport DYd 9.10.1924 11.3.26 8.5.28 Sunk 5.4.42
ation. The two Australian ships dif¬ CUMBERLAND Vickers-Armstrong, 18.10.1924 16.3.26 23.1.28 BU 1959
fered in having oxygen-enriched Mk Barrow
VII torpedoes while the rest had Mk KENT Chatham DYd 15.11.1924 16.3.26 22.6.28 BU 1948
Vs. A catapult with one aircraft was SUFFOLK Portsmouth DYd 30.9.1924 16.2.26 31.5.28 BU 1948
fitted in 1931-32 but Australia did not AUSTRALIA John Brown 26.8.1925 17.3.27 24.4.28 BU 1955
have one until 1935 and Canberra not CANBERRA John Brown 9.9.1925 31.5.27 10.7.28 Sunk 9.8.42
until late 1941. They were not handy

26
 Cruisers
ships, Kent’s tactical diameter being
1040yds at 14kts.
All the class except Canberra were
reconstructed between 1935 and
1939. A 4jin cemented armour belt
extending for 6ft below the lower deck
was added in way of the machinery
spaces and transmitting station, and
4in internal armour was added to the
sides of the boiler room fan compart¬
ments. To save weight the first ships
reconstructed, Cumberland and Suf¬
folk , were cut down one deck abaft ‘ Y’
turret. Aircraft were increased to 3
with an athwartships catapult and
hangar except in Kent and Australia,
and the TT were removed as they
were later in Australia. In Cumberland
the 4in HA guns were altered to 2
single Mk V and 2 twin Mk XVII and
in Suffolk to 6 Mk XVII; both ships
Canberra as completed
exchanged these for 8 Mk XVI (4x2)
in 1939, while the other four had this 1945, while Australia, refitted after from the after engine room to the accounts say that she was also twice
armament on reconstruction. The 4 the Kamikaze damage of January stern, and had to be beached at Scapa torpedoed, but if so it is unlikely that
single 2pdr pompoms were replaced 1945, had ‘X’ 8in turret removed and after steaming at 15kts for 22\ hours. she would have survived as long. A
by 2 quadruples in Cumberland and 10 twin and 8 single 40mm Bofors Her repairs took 10 months; Kent’s single 9.4in shell just above the belt
Suffolk and by 2 octuples in Berwick, added. The unreconstructed Can¬ took a year, after a torpedo from an pmCumberland’s main machinery out
Cornwall and Kent, while Australia berra appears to have had 2 eight- Italian aircraft had removed the star¬ of action at Dakar from loss of feed
had 1 quadruple replaced by 2 octuples barrelled pompoms in June 1942. The board inner shaft and ‘A’ bracket. On water, but Berwick’s 4iin belt and 4in
in October 1942. Catapults and air¬ 3pdr saluting guns were all removed the other hand Australia survived a magazine armour each deflected an
craft were removed from surviving early in the war. total of six Kamikazes. Canberra 8in shell from the Admiral Hipper,
ships from June 1942, and in Febru¬ Cornwall was sunk in 12 minutes by received over 20 8in to 4.7in shell hits though one of the lightly protected
ary 1943 Suffolk had eight-barrelled nine 250 to 5501b bombs and six at Savo Island in 3 minutes or less and turrets was put out of action as also
pompoms instead of 2 quadruples, near-misses, all boiler and engine was completely disabled and aban¬ against Italian 8in cruisers previously.
Berwick having the reverse change in rooms being put out of action. Suf¬ doned after 5 hours when listing 30°
October 1943. These two and Cumber¬ folk, hit by a 11001b bomb with three and with fires out of control. She was
land and Kent had 12 to 16 20mm in 5501b near-misses, was out of action scuttled 2 hours later. American

This class resembled the Kents but

had no bulges. All had Mk VII tor¬ LONDON class
pedoes. A catapult with one aircraft Displacement: 9830-9850t (finally 10,575—11,015t) standard; 13,315t (finally 14,280—14,580t) deep load
was installed in 1932-33, and in 1937 Dimensions: 595ft pp, 630-633ft oa x 66ft x 20ft 9in (finally 22ft 3in-22ft 8in) mean deep load
the 4 single pompoms were replaced 181.35, 192.02-192.93 x 20.12 x 6.32 (6.78-6.91)m
by 4 more 4in Mk V HA .Shropshire Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 8 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 80,000shp = 32.3kts. Oil 32lOt (later
had previously mounted a quadruple 3000-3043t)
pompom instead of two singles for a
Armour: Box protection to ammunition spaces 4in-lin, side lin, turrets and ring bulkheads lin
short time in 1934—35. London was
Armament: 8-in/50 Mk VIII (4x2), 4-4in/45 QF Mk V HA (4x 1), 4—3pdr saluting, 4—2pdr pompom (4x 1), 8-2 lin
reconstructed between December TT aw (2x4)
1938 and March 1941 and much
Complement: 700
altered in appearance, somewhat
resembling the Fiji class; unfortu¬ Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
Name
nately the weight added overstressed
the hull and considerable trouble was DEVONSHIRE Devonport DYd 16.3.1926 22.10.27 18.3.29 BU 1954
experienced until it was strengthened. LONDON Portsmouth DYd 23.2.1926 14.9.27 31.1.29 BU 1950
A 3|in NC belt was added in way of SHROPSHIRE Beardmore 24.2.1927 5.7.28 12.9.29 BU 1955
the machinery spaces for 8ft below the SUSSEX Hawthorn Leslie 1.2.1927 22.2.28 19.3.29 BU 1950
lower deck, and aircraft increased to 3
with a hangar and athwartships
catapult. The 4in Mk Vs were had 16 pompoms (2x8) in March had 8-4in Mk XVI (4x2) instead of octuple pompoms were added with a
replaced by 8-4in Mk XVI (4x2) and 1941 and her previous 4in replaced by the Mk Vs, and 2 octuple pompoms further increase to a total of 48 pom¬
16-2pdr pompoms (2 x 8) were added. 8 Mk XVI (4x2) in February 1942; were added. ‘X’ 8in turret and the TT poms (6x8) and 14—20mm in 1945.
All had their catapults and aircraft the ship was transferred to the RAN were removed in August 1944, and 2
Sussex as completed
removed in 1943, and torpedoes were in 1943 as a replacement for Canberra.
changed to Mk IX in 1943^14; salut¬ The TT were removed in 1945, and
ing guns were removed early in the according to some accounts 15 single
war. London had 6 single 40mm Bofors were added, though the
Bofors and 20-20mm added by the records give 21-20mm.
end of the war. Of the other ships, In September 1940 Sussex was hit
Devonshire had 12 pompoms (3x4) by a 5501b bomb which burst in the
added in March 1941 and in 1943-44 starboard thrust block compartment
‘X’ 8in turret was removed, the 4in when laying in York Hill Basin on the
Mk Vs were replaced by 8-4in Mk Clyde after a refit. A disastrous fire
XVI (4x2) and the pompoms involved the whole after part of the
increased to 24 (6x4), while in 1945 ship and she was out of action for 21
there were also 40-20mm. Shropshire months. On her return to service she

27
These ships resembled the London
class, the most important differences NORFOLK class
being improvements to the turrets Displacement: 9925-9975t (Norfolk finally about 10,900t) standard; 13,425t (Norfolk finally 14,600t) deep load
and shell supply. A catapult was fitted
Dimensions: 595ft pp, 633ft—635ft 5in oa x 66ft x 20ft llin (Norfolk finally 22ft 8in) mean deep load
in 1932, though both ships carried a
181.35, 192.93-193.67 x 20.12 x 6.37 (6.91)m
seaplane in 1931. The 4in Mk Vs and
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 8 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 80,000shp = 32.3kts. Oil 321 Ot (later
single pompoms were replaced by
3005t)
8-4in QF Mk XVI (4x2) and 16-2pdr
Armour: Box protection to ammunition spaces 4in-lin, side lin, turrets and ring bulkheads lin
pompoms (2x8) in 1937. The 3pdr
Armament: 8-8in/50 Mk VIII (4x2), 4-4in/45 QF Mk V HA (4x1), 4-3pdr saluting, 4—2pdr pompom (4x1),
saluting guns were removed early in
8-2 lin TT aw (2x4)
the war, and prior to her loss Dorset¬
shire had 9-20mm added. Norfolk had Complement: 710
her catapult and aircraft removed in
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
1943, and during a long refit in 1944
‘X’ 8in turret was removed, the DORSETSHIRE Portsmouth DYd 21.9.1927 29.1.29 30.9.30 Sunk 5.4.42
8-barrelled pompoms were replaced NORFOLK Fairfield 8.7.1927 12.12.28 30.4.30 BU 1950
by 6 quadruple and the Mk VII tor¬
pedoes by Mk IX. By the end of the HA magazine exploded, which doubt¬ and 3 torpedoes of which 2 hit and path and overboard without explod¬
war 10 single Bofors and 22-20mm less accounted in part for her rapid finally sank the German ship. Norfolk ing, while the other travelled across
had been added. sinking. Both ships took part in the also took part in the action in which the ship and burst near the far side
Dorsetshire was sunk in about 8 final action with the Bismarck, Nor¬ Schamhorst was sunk, and was herself above the lower deck.
minutes by 10 hits from 250—5501b folk expending 527 8in shells and 8 hit by 2 1 lin shells, one of which went
bombs and several near misses. The torpedoes and Dorsetshire 254 shells through ‘X’ ring bulkhead and roller

A smaller version of the previous clas¬

ses, with reduced freeboard amid¬ YORK
ships and aft. The 8in turrets and shell
Displacement: 8250t standard; 10,350t deep load
supply were as in Norfolk but reduced
Dimensions: 540ft pp, 575ft oa x 57ft x 20ft 3in mean deep load
from 8 guns to 6, and Mk VII tor¬
164.59, 175.25 x 17.37 x 6.17m
pedoes were carried. A catapult and
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 8 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 80,000shp = 32.3kts. Oil 1900t
aircraft were installed in 1931. The 2
single pompoms were removed in Armour: Box protection to ammunition spaces 4in-lin, side 3in, turrets and ring bulkheads lin
October 1933 and replaced by 2 and Armament: 6-8in/50 Mk VIII (3x2), 4—4in/45 QF Mk V HA (4x1), 4-3pdr saluting, 2-2pdr pompom (2x1),
possibly 6 singles in February 1941. 6-2lin TT aw (2x3)
Armour was as in Norfolk except that Complement: 623
there was a 3in belt 8ft deep covering
the machinery spaces, and the lower Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
deck above the belt was slightly YORK Palmer 16.5.1927 17.7.28 1.5.30 Abandoned
increased to ljin. The saluting guns 22.5.41
were removed early in the war. York
was hit by an explosive motor boat boiler rooms and the forward engine (2 11001b) and many near-misses over
carrying a 6601b charge on 26.3.1941 room. She was beached at Suda Bay a period of a month. The wreck was
which immediately flooded both and completely wrecked by 3 bombs scrapped in 1952.

28
 Cruisers

Exeter 1942

Similar to York but with 1ft more

beam and vertical funnels. The 8in EXETER
guns were in similar turrets but had Displacement: 8390t standard; 10,490t (later about ll,000t) deep load
50° elevation instead of 70°. Port and
Dimensions: 540ft pp, 575ft oa X 58ft X 20ft 3in (later 21ft lin) mean deep load
starboard catapults with 2 aircraft
164.59, 175.25 x 17.68 x 6.17 (6.43)m
were installed 4 to 5 months after
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 8 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 80,000shp = 32kts. Oil 1900t
completion and the 2pdrs were
Armour: Box protection to ammunition spaces 4in-lin, side 3in, turrets and ring bulkheads lin
removed in September 1933. Exeter
Armament: 6-8in/50 Mk VIII (3x2), 4-4in/45 QF Mk V HA (4x 1), 4—3pdr saluting, 2-2pdr pompom (2x 1),
took part in the famous action against
6-2lin TT aw (2x3)
the Admiral Graf Spee when she was
Complement: 630
hit by seven 1 lin shells and splinters
from several shorts, and put out of
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
action with no 8in guns able to fire.
She did not return to service for 14 EXETER Devonport DYd 1.8.1928 18.7.29 23.7.31 Sunk 1.3.42
months; then her secondary and
lighter guns comprised 8-4in QF Mk
XVI (4x2) and 2 8-barrelled pom¬ increased to 70°. At the Java Sea battle of the Nachi class an 8in burst in the was abandoned and scuttled, but
poms, the Mk VII torpedoes were an 8in hit in the after boiler room forward boiler room causing a serious before the latter could take effect she
replaced by Mk IX and, according to reduced speed to 16kts, and two days fire and loss of all steam power. was sunk by a torpedo from a Japan¬
some accounts, the 8in elevation later when engaging the four cruisers Further hits followed and the Exeter ese destroyer.

Surrey class (probable appearance if

completed)

Originally to have been built under

the 1928-29 Programme for comple¬ SURREY class
tion by May 1932, this class would Displacement: 10,000t standard; 12,664t deep load
have resembled 4-turret versions of Dimensions: 570ft pp, 600ft oa x 64ft x 21ft 6in mean deep load
the Exeter in appearance, but with the 173.73, 182.87 x 19.51 x 6.55m
forecastle deck continued to ‘X’ tur¬ Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 6 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 60,000shp = 30kts. Oil 2450t
ret. The ships were never laid down,
Armour: Box protection to ammunition spaces 5|in-3in, belt and bulkheads 5|in, turrets, trunks and ring
and work on them was suspended on bulkheads lin
23.8.1929. The belt covering the
Armament: 8-8in/50 Mk VIII (4x2), 4—4in/45 QF Mk V HA (4x 1), 4—3pdr saluting, 16-2pdr pompom (2x8),
machinery spaces would have 8-2lin TT aw (2x4), 2 aircraft
extended 9ft below the lower deck
Complement: 653
which here had 2Jin armour on Jin
plating, while the closing bulkheads Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
extended for a further 5ft. There was
ljin protection to the steering gear, NORTHUMBERLAND Devonport DYd - - - Cancelled 14.1.30
and the platform deck over the SURREY Portsmouth DYd - — - Cancelled 14.1.30
ammunition spaces was to have 3in
armour. Most of the defects in the
protection of previous 8in cruisers added to the turrets, the armour
were remedied at the price of 30kts remained entirely inadequate. There
speed, but though lin trunks were would have been two catapults.

Exeter prewar Ajax as completed

GREAT BRITAIN

Orion 1943

This class were the only single-

funnelled cruisers to be built for the LEANDER class
Royal Navy since the 1880s. The 6in
Displacement: 6985-7270t standard; 9000-9280t (later 9460-9740t) deep load
mountings allowed 60° elevation but
Dimensions: 522ft pp, 554ft 6in oa x 55ft 8in {Leander 55ft 2in) x 19ft-19ft 8in (later 19ft 1 lin-20ft 5in) mean deep
the guns had hand ramming unlike
load
those in Nelson and Rodney. The 4in 159.10, 169.01 x 16.97 (16.81) x 5.79-5.99 (6.07-6.22)m
Mk Vs were replaced by 8 Mk XVIs
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 6 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 72,000shp = 32.5kts. Oil 1680—1785t
(4x2) in 1937 except in Achilles which
Armour: Box protection to ammunition spaces 3|in-lin, belt 3in on lin, bulkheads liin, turrets, trunks and ring
did not have the latter until her refit of bulkheads lin
1943-44. The belt was taken to the
Armament: 8-6in/50 Mk XXIII (4x2), 4-4in/45 QF Mk V HA (4x 1), 4-3pdr saluting, 8-2lin TT aw (2x4) 1
upper deck by the 3 boiler rooms to aircraft
protect uptakes and fans; it only
Complement: 570
covered the machinery spaces and
there was a ljin deck above with Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
liin-ljin over the steering gear and
2in-lin over the box protection. As in ACHILLES Cammell Laird 11.6.1931 1.9.32 6.10.33 To India 1948
subsequent cruisers of the period the AJAX Vickers-Armstrong, 7.2.1933 1.3.34 12.4.35 BU 1949
torpedoes were Mk IX, and as usual Barrow
the saluting guns were removed early LEANDER Devonport DYd 8.9.1930 24.9.31 24.3.33 BU 1949
in the war, the catapult and aircraft NEPTUNE Portsmouth DYd 24.9.1931 31.1.33 23.2.34 Sunk 19.12.41
from Ajax and Orion in 1941, and ORION Devonport DYd 26.9.1931 24.11.32 18.1.34 BU 1949
from Leander and Achilles in 1943.
Ajax, Neptune and Orion had 2 18-20mm in 1945 in this class. Lean¬ ship of limited value in the Pacific her ses, and an 1 lin shell which hit Ajax
4-barrelled 2pdr pompoms added in der , completing long repairs at the end repairs took 25 months. Ajax was hit put ‘X’ turret out of action and par¬
1941-2 as well as 3 singles in Neptune, of the war, also had ‘X’ turret by a 11001b bomb in the middle boiler tially jammed ‘Y’. Leander and Achil¬
and Ajax had 8 40mm Bofors (2x4) removed and later a quadruple and 3 room and Orion by one on ‘A’ roof and les were loaned to the New Zealand
instead of the quadruple pompoms in single Bofors added. another on the bridge. Both were out Navy from its formation on 1.10.1941
August 1943. During her refit in Neptune sank slowly after striking 3 of action for about 9 months. Ajax and until 1945 and 1946 respectively.
1943-44 Achilles had ‘X’ 6in turret or 4 moored mines, but Leander sur¬ Achilles took part in the action with Achilles was renamed Delhi in Indian
removed, and 4 quadruple 2pdr pom¬ vived a 24in torpedo at the Battle of the Admiral Graf Spee, firing 732 and service.
poms were added followed by 5 single Kolombangara which put 2 boiler 1242 6in shells respectively. Both
Bofors in 1945. There were also up to rooms out of action, though being a were hit by splinters from near mis¬

Hobart 1940

This class differed from the Leanders

in having the machinery arranged on PERTH class
the unit system with the two boiler
Displacement: 6830—7105t standard; 8850—9150t (Hobart later 9420t) deep load
and two engine rooms alternated to
Dimensions: 522ft pp, 562ft 3in oa x 56ft 8in x 18ft 6in-19ft (later 19ft 7in) mean deep load
give two self-contained units of which
159.10, 171.37 x 17.27 x 5.64-5.79 (5.97)m
the forward drove the outer shafts.
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 72,000shp = 32.5kts. Oil 1765—1837t
The 4in Mk Vs were retained in Syd¬
(Hobart later 1553t)
ney but replaced by 4 twin Mk XVIs in
Armour: Box protection to ammunition spaces 3|in-lin, belt 3in on lin, bulkheads l|in, turrets, trunks and ring
Hobart and Penh in 1938-39. Hobart
bulkheads lin
had 2 quadruple 2pdr pompoms
Armament: 8-6in/50 Mk XXIII (4x2), 4-4in/45 QF Mk V HA (4x1), 4-3pdr saluting, 8-2lin TT aw (2x4),
added in December 1941 and 3 twin
1 aircraft
40mm Bofors on triaxial mountings in
Complement: 570
September 1944. There were also
10-20mm. ‘X’ turret, the catapult and
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
the aircraft were apparently retained
until the end of the war. HOBART (ex-Apollo) Devonport DYd 15.8.1933 9.10.34 13.1.36 BU 1962
Sydney was completed for the PERTH (ex-Amphion) Portsmouth DYd 26.6.1933 27.7.34 6.7.36 Sunk 1.3.42
Australian Navy, Hobart transferred SYDNEY (tx-Phaeton) Swan Hunter 8.7.1933 22.9.34 24.9.35 Sunk 19.11.41
on 29.9.1938 and Perth on 25.7.1939.
Sydney was sunk in a mutually fatal
action with the raider Kormoran. ‘A’
and ‘B’ turrets were put out of action
by a torpedo, and there were several
5.9in shell hits. She was last seen
burning furiously. Perth was lost in
the Sunda Straits battle from three
torpedoes and a number of shells from
8in downwards. Hobart was hit aft by
a shallow-running torpedo in July
1943, and was out of service for 17
months.

Apollo as completed

30
This class generally resembled Perth
but lacked ‘X’ turret, and were an
attempt to build the smallest possible
useful cruiser. The deck was lin over
the belt and steering gear and there
was 2in-lin over the ammunition
spaces. An unfortunate feature was
that the 4in HA guns were a consider¬ Penelope on builder’s trials 31.8.1936
able distance from their magazines.
Catapults and aircraft were removed
in 1940-41, and the 4in Mk Vs were
replaced by 4 twin Mk XVIs in
Galatea in December 1940 and in
Arethusa in September 1941. All had 2
quadruple 2pdr pompoms in
1940-41, replaced by 2 40mm quad¬
ruple Bofors in Arethusa in 1943-44,
and also finally 8 to 11 20mm.
In spite of their obvious weaknesses
this class gave good service in Euro¬
pean waters. Galatea was hit by three ARETHUSA class
torpedoes from U5S7 and sank in
three minutes, while Penelope was hit Displacement: 5220-5270t standard; 6665—6715t (later 7180-7400t) deep load
by one from U410 when steaming at Dimensions: 480ft pp, 506ft oa x 51ft x 16ft 6in (later 17ft 7in—18ft lin) mean deep load
26kts, and a second 16 minutes later 146.30, 154.22 x 15.54 x 5.03 (5.36-S.51)m
sank her at once. In this case the hits Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 64,000shp = 32.3kts. Oil 1250—1325t
had been by the after engine and (later 1115-1150t)
boiler rooms, but when Arethusa was Armour: Box protection to ammunition spaces 3in-lin, belt 2Jin, bulkheads lin, turrets lin
hit by an airborne torpedo in Armament: 6-6in/50 Mk XXIII (3x2), 4—4in/45 QF Mk V HA (4x 1) (Aurora,Penelope 8—4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA
November 1942 ‘A’ and ‘B’ turrets (4x2)), 2-3pdr saluting (not Penelope), 6-21in TT aw (2x3), 1 aircraft (not Aurora)
were put out of action with flooding Complement: 500
for 100ft and a serious fire. She was,
however, got back to port though Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
remained out of service for 12j ARETHUSA Chatham DYd 25.1.1933 6.3.34 23.5.35 BU 1950
months. Aurora also survived a non- AURORA Portsmouth DYd 23.7.1935 20.8.36 12.11.37 To China 1948
contact mine and later a 11001b bomb; GALATEA Scotts 2.6.1933 9.8.34 14.8.35 Sunk 14.12.41
the ship was named Chung King in PENELOPE Harland & Wolff 30.5.1934 15.10.35 13.11.36 Sunk 18.244
Chinese service.

navies. The 6in triple mountings

Displacement: 9100t standard; 11,350t (later 12,190t) deep load
allowed 45° elevation and there were
Dimensions: 558ft pp, 591ft 6in oa x 61ft 8in x 20ft 4in (later 21ft 6in) mean deep load
no upper cordite hoists, the charges 170.07, 180.28 x 18.79 x 6.20 (6.55)m
being passed to the gunhouse via
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 75,000shp = 32kts. Oil 1925—2070t
hand-ups. As in the previous 6in
Armour: Box protection to ammunition spaces 4|in-lin, belt 4jin, bulkheads 2|in, turrets lin, trunks and ring
cruisers the guns had hand ramming.
bulkheads 2in-lin
The ring bulkheads extended down¬
Armament: 12-6in/50 Mk XXIII (4x 3), 8-4in/45 QF Mk XVIHA (4x 2), 4-3pdr saluting, 8-2pdr pompom (2x4),
wards for two decks so that only that
6-2lin TT aw (2x3), 3 aircraft
of ‘Y’ reached the platform deck.
Complement: 748
There was a hangar abaft the bridge
for two aircraft and an athwartships
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
catapult (not fitted in Sheffield until
May 1938) which was removed in BIRMINGHAM Devonport DYd 18.7.1935 1.9.36 18.11.37 BU 1960
1943-44. The belt was raised to the GLASGOW Scotts 16.4.1935 20.6.36 9.9.37 BU 1958
upper deck in way of the boiler rooms NEWCASTLE Vickers-Armstrong, 4.10.1934 23.1.36 5.3.37 BU 1959
as in Perth, but was more extensive Tyne
along the waterline though it did not SHEFFIELD Vickers-Armstrong, 31.1.1935 23.7.36 25.8.37 BU 1967
cover the 6in ammunition spaces. The Tyne
latter had a 2in-lin deck above them SOUTHAMPTON John Brown 21.11.1934 10.3.36 6.3.37 Sunk 11.1.41

and ljin-Hin over the steering gear.
Tactical diameter was 780yds at
14kts. ‘X’ 6in turret was removed in
1944-45, and Birmingham had 4
40mm quadruple Bofors added in
November 1944, while Glasgow dur¬
ing her 1944-45 refit had 4 quadruple
and 4 single 2pdr pompoms added.
Sheffield does not appear to have had 4
quadruple and 10 single Bofors until
1946. The final number of 20mm Oer-
likons ranged from 19 to 27.
Southampton was hit by two or poss¬
ibly three 5501b bombs which caused
violent fires in the after superstruc¬
ture and the forward boiler room. The
fires got out of hand and with all water
and power lost, she was abandoned
and sunk by a torpedo from Gloucester
and four from Orion. Glasgow, New-

31
GREAT BRITAIN
castle and Birmingham were torpedoed
and Sheffield struck a contact mine,
but in all cases the damage was well
forward or aft. The worst damaged
was Glasgow, hit in December 1940
by two airborne torpedoes, one right
forward and the other aft. The two
inner shafts were seriously damaged
and jammed, and the ship’s back was
broken; however, she was eventually
able to steam at 16kts. Her repairs
took 9 months.

Slightly enlarged Southampton^ differ¬

ing as above, the most important GLOUCESTER class
advance being the improved protec¬
Displacement: 9400t standard; ll,650t (later 12,330t) deep load
tion to the turrets. The deck over the
Dimensions: 558ft pp, 591ft 6in oa x 62ft 4in x 20ft 7in (later 21ft 6in) mean deep load
machinery spaces was increased
170.07, 180.28 x 19.00 x 6.27 (6.55)m
slighdy to 1 jin-ljin. Manchester had 3
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 82,500shp = 32.3kts. Oil 1950-2lOOt
40mm single Bofors and 5-20mm
Armour: Box protection to ammunition spaces 4)in-lin, belt 4iin, bulkheads 2iin, turrets 4in-2in, trunks and
added by the date of her loss, and
ring bulkheads 2in-lin
Liverpool in the course of a very pro¬
Armament: 12-6in/50 Mk XXIII (4x 3), 8-4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (4x2), 4-3pdr saluting, 8-2pdr pompom (2 x4)
tracted refit (1943-45) had the
6-2lin TT aw (2x3), 3 aircraft
catapult and ‘X’ turret removed and
her light AA guns increased to 6 quad¬ Complement: 800
ruple and 4 single 2pdr pompoms, 7
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
40mm single Bofors and 5-20mm.
Gloucester was sunk by at least four GLOUCESTER Devonport DYd 22.9.1936 19.10.37 31.1.39 Sunk 22.5.41
heavy bombs and three near-misses, LIVERPOOL Fairfield 17.2.1936 24.3.37 2.11.38 BU 1958
while Manchester, which was out of MANCHESTER Hawthorn Leslie 28.3.1936 12.4.37 4.8.38 Sunk 13.8.42
action for 9 months after an airborne
torpedo hit aft, was scuttled following
* . I
a MTB torpedo hit by the after engine
room which left only one shaft in
operation. Liverpool was hit by an air¬
borne torpedo forward in October
1940 and the explosion of 5700gal of
petrol on top of the floodwater caused
the bow eventually to break off. She
was out of action for a year, and in
June 1942 another airborne torpedo
which hit by the after engine room
disabled all the shafts but one.
Repairs and a subsequent refit lasted
until July 1945.

Liverpool in Mar 1950

Originally intended to displace 10,000

tons standard, these cruisers differed
considerably from the Southampton
type. The 6in triple turrets allowed
45° elevation and ramming was by
hand, but the endless chain shell and
cordite hoists were direct to the gun-
house with no break at the working
chamber. The after turrets were
raised, with ‘Y’ at forecastle deck
level. The shell rooms for the 6in were
above the magazines so that their
crowns were formed by the lower
deck and all the ring bulkheads
extended to this level. Unfortunately
although the AA armament was
increased, the 4in magazines were
well forward of the guns and ammuni¬
tion supply was unsatisfactory. There
was an athwartships catapult and
hangar abaft the bridge. Box protec¬
tion to ammunition spaces was given
up in this class, and replaced by
extending the belt fore and aft. Hori¬
EDINBURGH class
Displacement: 10,550t standard; 13,175t (.Belfast later 14,900t) deep load
Dimensions: 579ftpp, 613ft 6inoa X 63ft 4in (Belfast later 66ft 4in) X 2 lft Sin (Belfast later 23ft 2in) mean deep load
176.47, 186.99 x 19.30 (20.22) x 6.48 (7.06)m
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 80,000shp = 32.5kts. Oil 2250t (later
1990t)
Armour: Belt 4iin, bulkheads 2Jin, turrets 4in-2in, ring bulkheads 2in-lin
Armament: 12—6in/50 Mk XXIII (4x3), 12-4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (6x2), 4—3pdr saluting, 16-2pdr pompom
(2x8), 6-2lin TT aw (2x3), 3 aircraft
Complement: 850
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
BELFAST Harland & Wolff 10.12.1936 17.3.38 3.8.39 Preserved 1971
EDINBURGH Swan Hunter 30.12.1936 31.3.38 6.7.39 Sunk 2.5.42
zontal protection was 3in over large cruisers, which were abandoned magnetic mine below the forward
ammunition spaces, 2in over the under the revised treaty limit of 8000 engine room in November 1939 which
machinery which was further aft than tons) with power loaded quadruple broke the ship’s back and fractured all
in Southampton, and 2in-l iin over the 6in turrets with the shell and charge the machinery feet. She did not
steering gear. Tactical diameter was rammed in one operation, but design return to service until October 1942,
640yds at 12kts. Consideration was work was suspended in January 1937. having been bulged during these
given to arming this class (or the next Belfast was badly damaged by a repairs and her beam increased by 3ft.

32
 Cruisers
She was refitted between August 1944
and April 1945 when the catapult and
4-4in were removed and light AA
increased by 4 quadruple and 4 single
2pdr pompoms, with 14-20mm,
while in July 1945 5 single Bofors
replaced 6-20mm. Edinburgh had her
2 8-barrelled pompoms replaced by 2
quadruples in February 1942 and had
also 6-20mm. She was hit by 2 tor¬
pedoes from U456 on 30 April 1942,
one by the foremast and one aft which
wrecked the steering gear and carried
away the starboard inner ‘A’ bracket.
Later the stern abaft ‘Y’ turret broke
off, but two days later, when attacked
by three large destroyers, Edinburgh
sank one of them. One torpedo, how¬
ever, hit on the opposite side (port) to
the first two and Edinburgh was aban¬
doned and sunk by a torpedo from
Foresight.

This class were designed as anti¬

aircraft cruisers with semi-automatic DIDO class
5.25in guns on power loaded mount¬
Displacement: 5600t standard; 6850t (later 7210—7515t Charybdis, Scylla 6975t) deep load
ings allowing 70° elevation, but the
Dimensions: 485ft pp, 512ft oa x 50ft 6in x 16ft 9in (later 17ft 6in-18ft 2in, Charybdis,Scylla 17ft) mean deep load
slow delivery of the turrets resulted in
147.82, 156.05 x 15.39 x 5.11 (5.33-5.54, 5.18)m
a variation in armament. Bonaventure
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 62,000shp = 32.2kts. Oil 1042-1 lOOt
lacked ‘X’ and Dido and Phoebe ‘Q’,
while Scylla and Charybdis had 4.5in Armour: Side 3in, bulkheads lin
in open backed shields. The 3in side Armament: 10—5.25in/50 QF Mk I (5x2) (Bonaventure,Dido, Phoebe 8-5.25in + l-4in QF Mk V as starshell gun,
armour covered the machinery spaces Charybdis 8-4.5in/45 QF Mk III (4x2) + l-4in QF Mk V, Scylla 8-4.5in/45 QF Mk III (4x2)), 8-2pdr
pompom (2x4), 6-2 lin TT aw (2x3)
with a lin deck above and over the
steering gear, and there was a 2in deck Complement: 480-530
over the combined magazines and
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
shell rooms. The turrets had only iin
plating. Tactical diameter was 600yds ARGONAUT Cammell Laird 21.11.1939 6.9.41 8.8.42 BU 1955
at 14kts. BONAVENTURE Scotts 30.8.1937 19.4.39 24.5.40 Sunk 31.3.41
Bonaventure and Naiad had their CHARYBDIS Cammell Laird 9.11.1938 17.9.40 3.12.41 Sunk 23.10.43
original armament when lost, while CLEOPATRA Hawthorn Leslie 5.1.1939 27.3.40 5.12.41 BU 1958
Hermione had 5-20mm added and DIDO Cammell Laird 20.10.1937 18.7.39 30.9.40 BU 1958
Charybdis 10, the latter’s 4in being EURYALUS Chatham DYd 21.10.1937 6.6.39 30.6.41 BU 1959
removed. Dido had ‘Q’ turret HERMIONE Stephen 6.10.1937 18.5.39 25.3.41 Sunk 16.6.42
mounted, replacing her 4in, in Sept¬ NAIAD Hawthorn Leslie 26.8.1937 3.2.39 24.7.40 Sunk 11.3.42
ember 1941, but Phoebe remained a PHOEBE Fairfield 2.9.1937 25.3.39 30.9.40 BU 1956
4-turret ship though her 4in was SCYLLA Scotts 19.4.1939 24.7.40 12.6.42 BU 1950
removed in 1942. ‘Q’ turret was SIRIUS Portsmouth DYd 6.4.1938 18.9.40 6.5.42 BU 1956
removed from Cleopatra, Argonaut
and Euryalus in 1943—44. A third
quadruple pompom was added to Sirius had 5 single Bofors in 1944 and Ambra, Naiad and Hermione by one other hand, Phoebe twice survived a
Phoebe in 1942 and to Argonaut, Argonaut 7 in 1945. These last two each from U565 and U205 respec¬ single torpedo and Cleopatra once,
Euryalus and Scylla in 1944. Phoebe ships retained only 4—20mm while the tively, and Charybdis by two from T23 while Argonaut survived two at oppo¬
and Cleopatra had their pompoms rest had from 13 to 18. and T27. Scylla was badly damaged site ends of the ship. Dido, Cleopatra
replaced by 3 quadruple 40mm Bofors Bonaventure was sunk by two tor¬ by a ground mine in June 1944 and and Sirius survived hits by single
in 1943 and 1944 respectively, while pedoes from the Italian submarine never completely repaired; on the bombs of between 550 and 11001b.

Sirius in Aug 1947

GREAT BRITAIN

These vessels were more compact

than previous 6in ships and consid¬ FIJI class
ered in October 1941 to be the best
Displacement: 8530t standard; 10,450t (later 10,830—11,090t) deep load
pattern for future cruisers. The belt
Dimensions: 538ft pp, 555ft 6in oa x 62ft X 19ft lOin (later 20ft 4in-20ft 9in) mean deep load
protected the 6in ammunition spaces
163.98, 169.31 x 18.90 x 6.04 (6.20-6.32)m
and was here 3iin reduced to 3?in by
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 72,500shp = 31.5kts. Oil 1613—1700t
the machinery where it was taken to
Armour: Belt 32in-3?in, bulkheads 2in-ljin, turrets 2in-lin, ring bulkheads lin max
the upper deck. The armour deck was
2in over the belt with ljin-Hin over Armament: 12—6in/50 Mk XXIII (4x3) (Ceylon,Newfoundland, Uganda 9-6in/50 Mk XXIII (3x3)) 8-4in/45 QF
Mk XVI HA (4x2), 8-2pdr pompom (2x4) (Ceylon,Newfoundland, Uganda 12-2pdr pompom (3x4)),
the steering gear, and there was l|in
6-2lin TT aw (2x3), 2 aircraft
on the transom stern. Except for their
armour, the 6in turrets and ammuni¬ Complement: 730; 920 war
tion spaces were as in the Edinburgh
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
class but the after turrets were one
deck lower and the HA ammunition BERMUDA John Brown 30.11.1939 11.9.41 21.8.42 BU 1965
supply was much improved. Tactical CEYLON Stephen 27.4.1939 30.7.42 13.7.43 To Peru 1959
diameter was 750yds at 14kts. FIJI John Brown 30.3.1938 31.5.39 17.5.40 Sunk 22.5.41
Catapults and aircraft were not fitted GAMBIA Swan Hunter 24.7.1939 30.11.40 21.2.42 BU 1968
to Fiji or Kenya-, Nigeria’s was JAMAICA Vickers-Armstrong;, 28.4.1939 16.11.40 29.6.42 BU 1960
removed in October 1941 and the rest Barrow
of the class landed theirs between late KENYA Stephen 18.6.1938 18.8.39 27.9.40 BU 1962
1942 and 1944. ‘X’ turret was MAURITIUS Swan Hunter 31.3.1938 19.7.39 1.1.41 BU 1965
removed from Bermuda and Jamaica NEWFOUNDLAND Swan Hunter 9.11.1939 19.12.41 20.1.43 To Peru 1959
in 1944—45 and from Mauritius and NIGERIA Vickers-Armstrong, 8.2.1938 18.7.39 23.9.40 To India 1957
Kenya later in 1945. The first three Tyne
had their light AA armament TRINIDAD Devonport DYd 21.4.1938 21.3.40 14.10.41 Sunk 15.5.42
increased to 5 quadruple 2pdr pom¬ UGANDA Vickers-Armstrong, 20.7.1939 7.8.41 3.1.43 BU 1961
poms with 4 single pompoms in Ber¬ Tyne
muda and Jamaica, later reinforced in
these two by 4 and 2 single Bofors a serious fire, and a near-miss which considerably damaged and out of ser¬ ship was transferred to Canada on
respectively. In Kenya the original blew in the starboard patch, and had vice for 101 months. Uganda was hit 21.10.1944 and renamed Quebec-,
pompoms were replaced by 5 twin and to be abandoned and scuttled by three by a FX1400 guided AP bomb which Gambia was loaned to New Zealand
8 single 40mm Bofors. A quadruple torpedoes. Of the other ships Kenya passed through the ship and burst from 1944 to 1946. Ceylon, New found-
Bofors mounting was added to New¬ was torpedoed near the stem, New¬ under the after engine room, wreck¬ land and Nigeria were renamed
foundland in May 1944 and two to foundland on the rudder and Nigeria ing this and putting three shafts out of Coronel Bolognesi, Almirante Grau and
Uganda in October, while Nigeria had by the foremast, the last named being action. Repairs took 13i months. The Mysore on transfer to Peru and India.
4 single Bofors in 1945. Between 6 and
24 20mm are shown as mounted at the
end of the war.
In September 19407'yi was hit by a
torpedo from U32 which flooded the
forward boiler room. She was back in
service in 6 months and was later sunk
by one bomb hit and three near-
misses. Two of the latter caused the
forward engine and boiler rooms to
flood rapidly, and Fiji was abandoned
with a heavy list and capsized in about
5 hours. Trinidad was hit by one of her
own torpedoes which misran, on 29
March 1942. This blew a hole 45ft x
20ft in the port side abreast the bridge
and one 10ft X 7ft in the starboard
side, but she reached the Kola inlet
and was patched. On her return she
was hit by a heavy bomb which caused
Kenya in Oct 1949

Similar to the Dido class (of which

they are sometimes considered mem¬ BELLONA class
bers), these ships differed in the ab¬
Displacement: 5950t standard; 7350-7410t deep load
sence of rake to funnels and masts and
Dimensions: 485ft pp, 512ft oa X 50ft 6in x 17ft 9in-17ft llin mean deep load
in that only 8-5.25in were ever
147.82, 156.05 x 15.39 x 5.41-S.46m
mounted. Black Prince had 2 single
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 62,000shp = 32kts. Oil 1042-1100t
Bofors added in 1944 and 6 more in
1945, while at that time 16 to 22 Armour: Side 3in, bulkheads lin
20mm were mounted. Spartan was hit Armament: 8-5.25in/50 QF Mk I (4x2), 12-2pdr pompom (3x4), 6-21in TT aw (2x3)
by a Hs 293 guided bomb which Complement: 530
caused damage so great that she sank

34
 Cruisers
in about I4 hours. Bellona was lent to
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
New Zealand from 1948 to 1956,
Black Prince from 1948 and Royalist BELLONA Fairfield BU 1959
30.11.1939 29.9.42 29.10.43
from 1956. Diadem became Babur in BLACK PRINCE BU 1962
Harland & Wolff 2.11.1939 27.8.42 20.11.43
Pakistani service. DIADEM To Pakistan 1956
Hawthorn Leslie 15.12.1939 26.8.42 6.1.44
ROYALIST Scotts 21.3.1940 30.5.42 10.9.43 BU 1968
SPARTAN Vickers-Armstrong, 21.12.1939 27.8.42 10.8.43 Sunk 29.1.44
Barrow

Similar to the Fiji class with three

turrets, but with 1ft more beam,
increased fuel oil, heavier AA arma¬
ment and no arrangements for air¬
craft. Ontario had 8 single pompoms Displacement: 8800t standard; ll,130t (Swiftsure later ll,240t, Ontario ll,480t) deep load
added just before completion (and Dimensions: 538ft pp, 555ft 6in oa x 63ft X 20ft 8in (later 20ft 10in-21ft 2in) mean deep load
transfer to the RCN) which were soon 163.98, 169.31 x 19.20 x 6.30 (6.35-6.45)m
changed to 4 pompoms and 4 single Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 72,500shp = 31.5kts. Oil 1850t
40mm Bofors, while 5wiftsure had 13 Armour: Belt 3|in-3Jin, bulkheads 2in-ljin, turrets 2in-lin, ring bulkheads lin max
single Bofors added in 1945, replacing
Armament: 9-6in/50 Mk XXIII (3x3), 10-4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (5x2), 16-2pdr pompom (4x4), 6-2lin TT aw
22-20mm, Ontario retaining 6 of the (2X3)
latter. The increased beam improved
Complement: 855; 960 war
stability and increased the deep load
GM from barely 3fft in the Fijis to Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
4—4fft. A third ship named Bel-
lerophon was laid down at John Brown ONTARIO (ex-Minotaur) Harland & Wolff 20.11.1941 29.7.43 25.5.45 BU 1960
on 1.10.1941 but was altered to the SWIFTSURE Vickers-Armstrong, 22.9.1941 4.2.43 22.6.44 BU 1962
Tiger class on the stocks. Tyne

Only Superb was completed to the

original design as Tiger, Blake and
TIGER class (original data)
Defence (the last renamed Lion in 1957 Displacememt: 8885t standard; ll,560t deep load
and completed by Swan Hunter) were Dimensions: 538ft pp, 555ft 6in oa x 64ft x 21ft lin mean deep load
altered after the war. Hawke was can¬ 163.98, 169.31 x 19.51 x 6.43m
celled in 1945 and Bellerophon was to Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 72,500shp = 31.5kts. Oil 1900t
be built as one of the Neptune class. Armour: Belt 3|in-3Jin, bulkheads 2in-l|in, turrets 2in-lin, ring bulkheads lin max
Superb resembled the Swiftsure but
Armament: 9-6in/50 Mk XXIII (3x3), 10-4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (5x2), 18-2pdr pompom (4x4,2 x 1), 8-40mm
had a beam of 64ft which increased Bofors (8x1), 6-2 lin TT aw (2x3)
the deep load metacentric height to
Complement: 867
about 4ift. Protection was similar
with the addition of 3in plates to the Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
downtakes, and the 6in mountings
allowed 45° while those in the other BELLEROPHON Vickers-Armstrong, - - - -
ships would have been Mk XXIV (ex-Blake, ex-Tiger) Tyne
elevating to 60°. Superb originally had BLAKE (ex-Tiger, Fairfield 17.8.1942 20.12.45 8.3.61 Extant 1980
10-20mm guns in addiuon to the ex-Blake)
armament quoted. DEFENCE Scotts 24.6.1942 2.9.44 20.7.60 BU 1975
HAWKE Portsmouth D Yd Sept 1943 - - -

SUPERB Swan Hunter 23.6.1942 31.8.43 16.11.45 BU 1960

TIGER John Brown 1.10.1941 25.10.45 18.3.59 Extant 1980
(ex-Bellerophon)
Superb in Oct 1947
GREAT BRITAIN
PROJECTED DESIGNS 1939-45
Although nothing more novel than a modified Fiji or Dido was actually built
during the war, consideration was given to numerous projects varying in main
armament from 9-9.2in to 6-5.25in. Of these only two types had some possibil¬
ity of being built. The first was a large 8in cruiser of which it was hoped to
include 4 in the 1940 Supplementary Programme, then in the 1941 Programme,
and which was abandoned after a hope that one might be laid down in 1942.
Details would have been as follows:
Displacement: 16,100t possibly 18,740t standard; c20,200t deep load (more
if standard 18,740t)
Dimensions: 650ft pp, 670ft wl x 80ft x c24ft mean deep load (larger if
standard 18,740t)
198.12, 204.21 x 24.38 x 7.32m
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
110,000 (possibly 120,000)shp = 32|kts. Oil 3500t
Armour: Belt 4|in, bulkheads 4in, turrets ?6in-2in, ring bulkheads
?3in
Armament: 9-8in/50 Mk IX or X (3x3), 16-4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA
(8x2), ?16-2pdr pompom (4x4), possibly 12-4in (6x2),
48-2pdr (12x4), 6-2lin TT aw (2x3), 3 aircraft
Complement: ? ‘Buster’. There were also to be 28-20mm. The 6in guns had similar ballistics to
A prototype 8in Mk IX gun was ordered but it was altered to the lighter Mk X
during construction and never completed. The 4|in belt would have been taken
to the upper deck between ‘A’ and ‘Y’ turrets, with 2in on this deck over the belt
reinforced by 2in (or in the 18,740-ton ship 3in) over the ammunition spaces at
platform level. Further armour details taken from the 18,740-ton design include
lin on the side beyond the belt ends and on the transom stern, an armoured
lower deck abaft ‘Y’ turret (thickness not given) and, in addition to the 4in
bulkheads at ‘A’ and ‘Y’ turrets, several 2in-lin longitudinal and transverse
bulkheads in way of the ammunition spaces. Particular attention was to be paid
to good seakeeping - there was a long forecastle deck - and the tactical diameter
was to be small.
The second type which might have been built, owed much of its general
conception to United States experience in the 1942-43 campaign in the Solomon
Islands. The 1944 Programme included five large 6in cruisers, to be named
Centurion, Edgar, Mars, Minotaur and Neptune, to which the suspended Bel-
lerophon (originally of the Tiger class) was to be added. None of the five was ever
ordered and all were cancelled in 1946. They were to be known as the Neptune
class:
Displacement: 15,350t standard; cl8,700t deep load
Dimensions: 655ft wl x 76ft x c24ft mean deep load
199.64 x 23.16 x 7.32m
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
108,000shp = 32|kts. Oil 2850t
Armour: Belt 4in, belt ends ljin, bulkheads 4in, turrets ?4in-2in, ring
bulkheads ?2in
Armament: 12—6in/50 QF Mk 5 HA (4x3), 12-4.5in/45 QF Mk 5 HA
(6x2), 20—40mm Bofors (10x2), 16-2lin TT aw (4x4)
Complement: 1050
The 6in guns would have been in Mk 25 mountings with 80° elevation, the 4.5in
in the well known Mk 6, and the Bofors in the triaxial mounting known as
the USN 47cal Mk 16 introduced in the Brooklyn class, but the US triple
mountings allowed 40° or 60° elevation and the only previous HA 6in triple was
that in the French battleship Richelieu. This had not been successful, and it may
be noted that postwar British cruiser designs had HA 6in in twin mountings.
The armour deck was ljin but it is not clear whether the platform deck was also
armoured over ammunition spaces. There were armoured longitudinal and
transverse bulkheads to ammunition and machinery compartments, and in
appearance they would have generally resembled the Southampton class. The
large number of TT should be noted.

CRUISER-MINELAYERS

The first British warship to be com¬

pleted with a transom stern - which ADVENTURE
was found to be unsuitable for
Displacement: 6740t standard; 8370t deep load
minelayers as the mines, when drop¬
Dimensions: 500ft pp, 520ft (later 539ft) oa x 59ft x 17ft 2in mean deep load
ped into dead water caused by the
152.39, 158.49 (164.28) x 17.98 x 5.23m
stern, swung back and broke their
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines plus diesel-electric machinery for cruising, 6 Yarrow boilers, 40,000shn
horns on it .Adventure was thus rebuilt
= 28kts. Oil 1500t
with a cruiser stern, and transom
Armour: Side lin
sterns were not reintroduced until the
Fiji class cruisers. The lin side was in Armament: 4—4.7in/40 QF Mk VIII HA (4x 1), 4-3pdr saluting, 4-2pdr pompom (4x 1), 280 mines
way of the machinery spaces with a Complement: 395
lin deck above and there were bulges
similar to those in the Kent class. The Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
4 single pompoms were replaced by an ADVENTURE Devonport DYd 29.11.1922 18.6.24 5.5.27 BU 1947
8-barrelled mounting in 1938, and
7-20mm were later added. Adventure
was twice damaged by ground mines
during the war and was converted to a
repair ship in 1944.

Abdiel 1943

A successful class of fast minelayers,

also used for such duties as running ABDIEL class
special cargoes of ammunition to
Malta. Apollo and Ariadne differed Displacement:
from the rest in having only 4-4in and Dimensions:
2 (.Ariadne 3) twin Bofors instead of
the 2pdrs. These twin Bofors were on Machinery:
triaxial mountings, but in Ariadne
they were replaced by US biaxial Armament:
mountings in July 1945 when 5 single Complement:
Bofors also replaced 10-20mm.
2650t standard; 4000t actual deep load later
400ft 6in pp, 418ft oa x 40ft x 14ft 9in mean deep load
122.07, 127.40 x 12.19 x 4.50m
2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 72,000shp = 39.75kts. Oil 690-750t
(Apollo, Ariadne 825t)
6-4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (3x2), 4-2pdr pompom (1x4), 100-156 mines.
242-246

36
 Cruiser-minelayers /Destroyers
Apollo retained the triaxial mount¬
ings, and eventually 6 single Bofors Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
replaced 14-20mm. The rest of the ABDIEL White 29.3.1939 23.4.40 15.4.41 Sunk 10.9.43
class had up to 8-20mm. Abdiel was APuLLO Hawthorn Leslie 10.10.1941 5.4.43 12.2.44 BU 1962
sunk by a ground mine, Latona was ARIADNE Stephen 15.11.1941 16.2.43 9.10.43 BU 1965
scuttled after a 2501b bomb in the LATONA Thornycroft 4.4.1939 20.8.40 4.5.41 Sunk 25.10.41
engine room caused a serious fire and MANXMAN Stephen 24.3.1939 5.9.40 20.6.41 BU 1971
explosion among the munitions she WELSHMAN Hawthorn Leslie 8.6.1939 4.9.40 25.8.41 Sunk 1.2.43
was carrying, and Welshman was tor¬
pedoed by U617. Manxman survived
a torpedo abreast the engine room but
was out of service for over 2 years.

Latona during trials

By courtesy of John Roberts

DESTROYERS . Ambuscade 1942

AMAZON AMBUSCADE
Displacement: 1352t standard; 1812t (later 1980t) deep load Displacement: 1173t standard; 1585t (later 1820t) deep load
Dimensions: 311ft 9in pp, 323ft oa x 31ft 7in X 12ft 7in (later 13ft 5in) Dimensions: 307ft pp, 322ft oa x 31ft lin x 11ft 4in (later 12ft 6in) mean
mean deep load deep load
95.02, 98.45 x 9.63 x 3.84 (4.09)m 93.57, 98.14 x 9.47 x 3.45 (3.81)m
Machinery: 2-shaft Brown-Curtis geared turbines, 3 Yarrow boilers, Machinery: 2-shaft Brown-Curtis geared turbines, 3 Yarrow boilers,
39,500shp = 37kts. Oil 428t 33,000shp = 37kts. Oil 381t
Armament: 4—4.7in/45 BL Mk I (4x 1), 2-2pdr pompom (2x 1), 6-21in Armament: 4-4.7in/45 BL Mk I (4x 1), 2-2pdr pompom (2x 1), 6-21in
TT (2x3) TT (2x3)
Complement: 138 Complement: 138

Name Builder Launched Fate Name Builder Launched Fate

AMAZON Thornycroft 27.1.1926 BU 1948 AMBUSCADE Yarrow 15.1.1926 BU 1946

A prototype destroyer to a Thorny croft design laid down in early 1925 and
completed in 1926. The 4.7in mountings allowed 30° elevation and had small
shields which gave no splinter protection to the gun crews’ legs. The torpedoes
were Mk IV. In November 1939, 50 tons of ballast were added and for a time a
3in HA gun replaced 3 TT. As an escort destroyer in 1943-44, she was armed
with 2-4.7in, 4-20mm, 6-21in TT and 95 DC, and in August 1944 she became a
target ship for flying training.
A Yarrow-designed prototype laid down in late 1924 and completed in 1926.
Other designs were submitted by Denny, Hawthorn Leslie and White. The
original armament was identical to that in Amazon. During the war Ambuscade
had 3TT replaced by a 12pdr HA, and as an escort destroyer in early 1943 had 65
tons of ballast added and a Squid mounted, with 2-4.7in and no TT. Her final
armament in this role was 3-4.7in, l-12pdr, 2-2pdr, 2-20mm, 3-21in TT and
70 DC, and she was eventually used as a target ship as Amazon.

Amazon on trials
ft

Achates as an escort 1942

‘A’ and ‘B’ classes

Displacement: 1337—1360t (Keith 1400t) standard; 1747—1815t (Keith 1821t)
(later 1930-1990t) deep load
Dimensions: 312ft (Saguenay, Skeena 309ft) pp, 323ft (Saguenay, Skeena
320ft) oa x32ft 3in (Saguenay, Skeena 32ft 6in) x 12ft 3in
(later 12ft 8in-13ft lin) mean deep load
95.10 (94.18), 98.45 (97.53) x 9.83 (9.91) x 3.73
(3.86-3.99)m
Bulldog as completed
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons (Acasta, Achates, Basilisk, Beagle Brown-
Curtis) geared turbines, 3 Admiralty 3-drum (Anthony, Ardent
Yarrow, Acheron, Saguenay, Skeena Thornycroft) boilers,
34,000shp = 35.25kts(Saguenay,Skeena 32,000shp = 35kts)
Oil 380t
Armament: 4-4.7in/45 QF Mk IX (4x 1), 2-2pdr pompom (2x 1), 8-21in
TT (2x4)
Complement: 138 (Keith 175)

37
GREAT BRITAIN
Name Builder Launched Fate

ACASTA John Brown 8.8.1929 Sunk 8.6.40

ACHATES John Brown 4.10.1929 Sunk 31.12.42
ACHERON Thornycroft 18.3.1930 Sunk 17.12.40
ACTIVE Hawthorn Leslie 9.7.1929 BU 1947
ANTELOPE Hawthorn Leslie 27.7.1929 BU 1946
ANTHONY Scotts 24.4.1929 BU 1948
‘C’ and ‘D’ classes
ARDENT Scotts 26.6.1929 Sunk 8.6.40 Displacement: 1375-1400t standard; 1865-1942t (later 2040-2100t) deep
ARROW Vickers- 22.8.1929 Damaged 4.8.43, load
Armstrong, never repaired Dimensions: 317ft 9in pp, 329ft oa x 33ft x 12ft 5in (later 13ft—13ft 4in)
Barrow mean deep load
KEITH Vickers- 10.7.1930 Sunk 1.6.40 96.85, 100.28 x 10.06 x 3.78 (3.96^4.06)m
Armstrong, Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Admiralty 3-drum {Kem¬
Barrow penfelt Yarrow) boilers 36,000shp = 36kts. Oil 461-473t
BASILISK John Brown 6.8.1930 Sunk 1.6.40 Armament: 4—4.7in/45 QF Mk IX (4x1), l-3in HA, 2-2pdr pompom
BEAGLE John Brown 26.9.1930 BU 1946 (2x 1) (not in Dainty, Decoy, Delight, Duchess), 8-21in TT
BLANCHE Hawthorn Leslie 29.5.1930 Sunk 13.11.39 (2x4)
BOADICEA Hawthorn Leslie 23.9.1930 Sunk 13.6.44 Complement: 145 {Kempenfelt, Duncan 175)
BOREAS Palmers 18.7.1930 To Greece 1944
BRAZEN Palmers 25.7.1930 Sunk 20.7.40 Name Builder Launched Fate
BRILLIANT Swan Hunter 9.10.1930 BU 1947 KEMPENFELT White 29.10.1931 Wrecked 10.11.45
BULLDOG Swan Hunter 6.12.1930 BU 1946 Portsmouth DYd 30.9.1931 BU 1946
COMET
SAGUENAY Thornycroft 11.7.1930 Collision, then CRESCENT Vickers- 29.9.1931 Collision
TS 1943 Armstrong, 25.6.40
SKEENA Thornycroft 10.10.1930 Wrecked 25.10.44 Barrow
CRUSADER Portsmouth DYd 30.9.1931 Sunk 14.9.42
Saguenay and Skeena were built for Canada. The 4.7in QF Mk IX was intro¬ CYGNET Vickers- 29.9.1931 BU 1947
duced in this class and the 30° mountings had shields extending to near the deck. Armstrong,
An unsuccessful 60° CP XIII mounting was tried in Bulldog. The torpedoes were Barrow
Mk V, and Mk IV in the two Canadian ships; these were later changed to Mk IX DUNCAN Portsmouth DYd 7.7.1932 BU 1945
in the RCN ships, the ‘B’ class and the surviving ‘As ’ .Acheron differed from the Fairfield 3.5.1932 Sunk 24.2.41
DAINTY
rest in having boilers with 500psi pressure instead of 275-300psi. Most of the DARING Thornycroft 7.4.1932 Sunk 18.2.40
ships had l-3in HA replacing 4 TT in 1940, and later the majority of the DECOY Thornycroft 7.6.1932 BU 1946
survivors were re-armed as escort destroyers. Bulldog for example having DEFENDER Vickers- 7.4.1932 Sunk 11.7.41
2-4.7in, 6-20mm, 4-21in TT, Hedgehog and 125 DC, while Boadicea had
Armstrong,
l-3in HA and 2-6pdr Hotchkiss for use against E-boats instead of the Hedgehog
Barrow
and 20mm. 2.6.1932 Sunk 29.7.40
DELIGHT Fairfield
The classes were laid down in 1928-29 and completed in 1930-31. Arrow was Sunk 27.4.41
DIAMOND Vickers- 8.4.1932
damaged by the explosion of an ammunition ship. Acasta and Ardent were sunk Armstrong,
by the Schamhorst and Gneisenau (the Schamhorst herself being torpedoed by
Barrow
Acasta), Achates was sunk by Admiral Hipper, Acheron and Blanche by mines,
DIANA Palmers 16.6.1932 Collision
Boadicea by an airborne torpedo and the others by bombs. Boreas became the
22.10.40
Greek Salamis.
DUCHESS Palmers 19.7.1932 Collision
12.12.39
‘A’ class leader
Slightly enlarged versions of the ‘B’ class with increased fuel and a 3in HA gun.
Displacement: 1540t standard; 2012t deep load Kempenfelt and Duncan were fitted as leaders. Torpedoes were Mk V in Kempen¬
Dimensions: 332ft pp, 343ft oa x 33ft 9in x 12ft 4in mean deep load felt, Mk IV in the ‘C’ class and Mk IX in the ‘Ds’, the others later having this
101.19, 104.54 x 10.29 x 3.76m also. A 5.lin/50 QF was tried in Kempenfelt but proved too heavy, and a
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, quadruple 2pdr pompom was successfully tried in Crusader in 1935-36. The 3in
39,000shp = 35kts. Oil 425t gun was removed from the ‘C’ class in 1936-38 and remounted instead of 4 TT in
Armament: 5-4.7in/45 QF Mk IX (5x1), 2-2pdr pompom (2x 1), 8-2lin 1940-41. The surviving ships were later converted to escort destroyers with a
TT (2x4) typical armament of 3^L7in, 6-20mm, 4-2 lin TT, Hedgehog and 125 DC. The
Complement: 185 two classes were laid down in 1930-31 and completed in 1932-33. Comet,
Crescent, Crusader and Cygnet were transferred to Canada in 1937-38 becoming,
Name Builder Launched Fate respectively, Restigouche, Fraser, Ottawa and St Laurent, Kempenfelt (renamed
CODRINGTON Swan Hunter 7.8.1929 Sunk 27.7.40 Assiniboine) in 1939, Diana {Margaree) in 1940 and Decoy {Kootenay) in 1943.
Ottawa and Daring were sunk by U-boats and the rest by bombs.
Larger than the rest of the ‘A’ class with an additional 4.7in gun. The torpedoes
were Mk V, later replaced by Mk IX. Shortly before her loss by bombing, 4 TT
were replaced by l-3in HA. For a destroyer she was an unhandy ship with a full ‘E’ and ‘F’ classes
speed tactical diameter of 980yds, 380yds up on the class average. Displacement: 1350—1405t standard; 1886—1940t (later 2025-2095t) deep
Codrington as completed load
Dimensions: 318ft 3in pp, 329ft oa x 33ft 3in x 12ft 6in (later 13ft—13ft
i 2in) mean deep load
97.00, 100.28 x 10.13 x 3.81 (3.96^4.01)m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons {Fortune, Foxhound Brown Curtis) geared
turbines, 3 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 36,000shp = 36kts. Oil
471t
Armament: 4—4.7in/45 QF Mk IX (4x 1), 8—21in TT (2x4). See notes
Complement: 145

Name Builder Launched Fate

ECHO Denny 16.2.1934 To Greece 1944
;" Wn iiiii»>»ii ViTI< i 7i MlflW'WWB'Wi illlllIBi"
ECLIPSE Denny 12.4.1934 Sunk 24.10.43
Kempenfelt in Sept 1933
ELECTRA Hawthorn Leslie 15.2.1934 Sunk 27.2.42
ENCOUNTER Hawthorn Leslie 29.3.1934 Sunk 1.3.42
ESCAPADE Scotts 30.1.1934 BU 1947
ESCORT Scotts 29.3.1934 Sunk 11.7.40
ESK Swan Hunter 19.3.1934 Sunk 31.8.40
EXPRESS Swan Hunter 29.5.1934 BU 1956
FAME Vickers- 28.6.1934 To Dominican
Armstrong, Republic 1949
Tyne
FEARLESS Cammell Laird 12.5.1934 Sunk 23.7.41
 Destroyers

Express prewar as a minelayer

Name Builder Launched Fate Name Builder Launched Fate

FIREDRAKE Vickers- 28.6.1934 Sunk 16.12.42 GALLANT Stephen 26.9.1935 Constructive
Armstrong, loss 5.4.42
Tyne GARLAND Fairfield 24.10.1935 To Netherlands
FORESTER White 28.6.1934 BU 1947 1947
FORESIGHT Cammell Laird 29.6.1934 Sunk 12.8.42 GIPSY Fairfield 7.11.1935 Sunk 21.11.39
FORTUNE John Brown 29.8.1934 BU 1946 GLOWWORM Thornycroft 22.7.1935 Sunk 8.4.40
FOXHOUND John Brown 12.10.1934 BU 1948 GRAFTON Thornycroft 18.9.1935 Sunk 29.5.40
FURY White 10.9.1934 Constructive GRENADE Stephen 12.11.1935 Sunk 29.5.40
loss 21.6.44 GREYHOUND Vickers- 15.8.1935 Sunk 22.5.41
Armstrong,
Similar to the ‘C’ and ‘D’ classes with an improved hull form and 3 boiler rooms Barrow
instead of 2. The 4.7in guns would elevate to 40° if the gun well covers were GRIFFIN Vickers- 15.8.1935 BU 1946
lowered, but AA defence was limited to the nearly useless 0.5in MG. The Armstrong,
torpedoes were Mk IX. In all but Escort l-3in HA and between 1 and 4 20mm Barrow
later replaced 4 TT. The surviving ships finally became escort destroyers with HASTY Denny 5.5.1936 Sunk 15.6.42
7>—4.7\n, 6-20mm, 4—21in TT, Hedgehog and 125 DC as a rule, though HAVOCK Denny 7.7.1936 Wrecked 6.4.42
Escapade had 2-4-.7in, 6—20mm, 4—21in TT, Squid and 60 DC and Express and HEREWARD Vickers- 10.3.1936 Sunk 29.5.41
Esk, fitted as minelayers, carried 2-4.7in, no TT and 60-72 mines. The ‘E’ and Armstrong,
‘F’ classes were laid down in 1933 and completed in 1934-35; Express, Fortune Tyne
and Foxhound were transferred to Canada in 1943-44, becoming, respectively, HERO Vickers- 10.3.1936 BU 1946
Gatineau, 5askatchewan and Qu’Appelle. Fame ran aground at high speed on the Armstrong,
Durham coast in 1940 and was burnt out, but was salved and rebuilt at Tyne
Chatham. Of the losses. Eclipse, Esk and Fury were mined, Escort and Firedrake HOSTILE Scotts 24.1.1936 Sunk 23.8.40
torpedoed by submarines and Fearless and Foresight by aircraft, whilst Electra HOTSPUR Scotts 23.3.1936 To Dominican
and Encounter were sunk in action with the Japanese. Echo was renamed Republic 1948
Navarinon and Fame became Generalisimo on transfer. HUNTER Swan Hunter 25.2.1936 Sunk 10.4.40
HYPERION Swan Hunter 8.4.1936 Sunk 22.12.40
ICARUS John Brown 26.11.1936 BU 1946
ILEX John Brown 28.1.1937 BU 1948
IMOGEN Hawthorn Leslie 30.10.1936 Collision 16.7.40
IMPERIAL Hawthorn Leslie 11.12.1936 Sunk 29.5.41
IMPULSIVE White 1.3.1937 BU 1946
INTREPID White 17.12.1936 Sunk 26.9.43
ISIS Y arrow 12.11.1936 Sunk 20.7.44
IVANHOE Y arrow 11.2.1937 Sunk 1.9.40

This group were slightly smaller than the ‘E’ and ‘F’ classes due mainly to the
omission of cruising turbines. The ‘Gs’ had 4.7in mountings as in the ‘Es’ and
Displacement: 1460—1495t standard; 2009-2049t (later 2200t) deep load ‘Fs’, but those in the rest could elevate to 40° without a gun well. A twin
Dimensions: 332ft pp, 343ft oa X 33ft 9in x 12ft 6in (later 13ft 3in) mean mounting with 4.7in/45 QF Mk XII was tried in Hereward. Many were later
deep load fitted with 1—3in HA in place of half the TT, and most of the ‘Is’ were at times
101.19, 104.54 x 10.29 x 3.81 (4.04)m employed as minelayers with 2-4.7in and all TT replaced by 60 mines. To
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, increase stability the quintuple TT in the ‘Is’ were later converted to quadruple.
38,000shp = 36.75kts. Oil 471t They and the ‘Gs’ and ‘Hs’ had Mk IX torpedoes. The usual DC outfit was
Armament: 5—4.7in/45 QF Mk IX (5x1), 8-21in TT (2x4) 40-45. Some were later converted to escort destroyers, typically with 2 or
Complement: 175 3-4.7in, 6-20mm, 4—2lin TT, Hedgehog and 125 DC.
The ‘G’, ‘H’ and ‘I’ classes were laid down in 1934-36 and completed in
Name Builder Launched Fate 1936-38. Of the losses, Glowworm was sunk by the. Admiral Flipper, Hunter by
German destroyers, Grafton by a U-boat, Hasty by an E-boat, Hereward by an
EXMOUTH Portsmouth DYd 7.2.1934 Sunk 21.1.40
airborne torpedo, Gipsy, Hostile, Hyperion, Isis and Ivanhoe by mines and the
FAULKNOR Yarrow 12.6.1934 BU 1946
rest by bombs. Griffin and Hero were transferred to the RCN, being renamed
Ottawa and Chaudiere respectively; Garland and Hotspur were renamed Marnix
Enlarged versions of the flotilla destroyers, with 5^1.7in and a slightly higher
and Trujillo respectively when sold.
speed. Exmouth was torpedoed by a U-boat and Faulknor (which was not
converted to an escort) had, with 40 tons of ballast and a complement of 201, a
final armament of 3-4.7in, l-3in HA, 1 quadruple 2pdr pompom, 6-20mm,
8-2lin TT and 38 DC.
Ex-Turkish destroyers
Displacement: 1370t standard; 1890t (later 2080t) deep load
Dimensions: 312ft pp, 323ft oa x 33ft 6in x 12ft 5in (later 13ft 4in) mean
deep load
95.10, 98.45 *10.21 x 3.78 (3.96)m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
34,000shp = 35.5kts. Oil 443
Armament: 4—4.7in/45 QF Mk IX (4x1), 8-21in TT (2x4)
Complement: 145

Name Builder Launched Fate

Displacement: 1335—1370t standard; 1854—1890t (later 1980-2095t) deep
load INCONSTANT Vickers- 24.2.1941 To Turkey 1946
(ex-Muavenet) Armstrong
Dimensions: 312ft pp, 323ft oa x 33ft x 12ft 5in (later 13ft—13ft 4in) mean
Barrow
deep load
95.10, 98.45 x 10.06 x 3.78 (3.96^l.06)m ITHURIEL Vickers- 15.2.1940 Constructive
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Admiralty 3-drum (,Hyper¬ (ex-Gayret) Armstrong, loss 28.11.42
ion 2+1 Johnson) boilers, 34,000shp = 36kts. Oil 443-461t Barrow
Armament: 4—4.7in/45 QF Mk IX (4x 1), 8-21in TT (2x4), (Glowworm,
T class 10-2 lin TT (2x5)) As the ‘Gs’, ‘Hs’ and ‘Is’, but Mk IV torpedoes were carried from the beginning.
Ithuriel was damaged beyond repair as a result of bombing. Inconstant reverted
Complement: 145
to her original name in Turkish service.

39
GREAT BRITAIN

Cossack as completed
Ex-Brazilian destroyers
Displacement: 1400t standard; 1930t (later 2020-2030t) deep load
Dimensions: 312ft pp, 323ft oa x 33ft x 12ft 9in (later 13ft lin—13ft 3in)
mean deep load
95.10, 98.45 x 10.06 x 3.89 (3.99-4.04)m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
34,000shp = 35kts. Oil 443t
Armament: 3-4.7in/45 QF Mk IX (3x 1), 8-2lin TT (2x4)
Complement: 145

Name Builder Launched Fate TRIBAL class

HARVESTER (ex-//andy,Vickers- 29.9.1939 Sunk 11.3.43 Displacement: 1854t standard designed; 1959t actual; 2519t (later 2710t)
tx-Jurua) Armstrong, deep load
Barrow Dimensions: 355ft 6in pp, 377ft oa x 36ft 6in (RCN 37ft 6in) x 13ft (later
HAVANT (ex-Javary) White 17.7.1939 Sunk 1.6.40 13ft 8in) mean deep load
HAVELOCK White 16.10.1939 BU 1946 108.35, 114.91 x 11.13, 11.43 x 3.96 (4.16)m
(ex-Jutahy) Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
HESPERUS (cx-Hearty, Thornycroft 1.8.1939 BU 1946 44,000shp = 36.25-36.5kts. Oil 505-516t
ex-Juruena) Armament: 8-4.7in/45 QF Mk XII (4x2), 4-2pdr pompom (1x4),
HIGHLANDER Thornycroft 17.10.1939 BU 1947 4—2 lin TT (1x4). See notes
(tx-J aguaribe) Complement: 190-250
HURRICANE Vickers- 29.9.1939 Sunk 24.12.43
(ex-Japarua) Armstrong, Name Builder Launched Fate
Barrow AFRIDI Vickers- 8.6.1937 Sunk 3.5.40
Armstrong,
Generally similar to the ‘Gs’, ‘Hs’ and ‘Is’, except Whitehead torpedoes known Tyne
as Mk Xs were fitted, these being later replaced by the Mk I Vs. 110 DC were ASHANTI Denny 5.11.1937 BU 1949
carried. Harvester and Hurricane were sunk by U-boats, Havant by bombs. BEDOUIN Denny 21.12.1937 Sunk 15.6.42
Grenville in July 1936 COSSACK Vickers- 8.6.1937 Sunk 27.10.41
Armstrong,
Tyne
% ESKIMO Vickers- 3.9.1937 BU 1949
Armstrong,
Tyne
GURKHA Fairfield 7.7.1937 Sunk 9.4.40
MAORI Fairfield 2.9.1937 Sunk 12.2.42
MASHONA Vickers- 3.9.1937 Sunk 28.5.41
Armstrong,
Tyne
MATABELE Scotts 6.10.1937 Sunk 17.1.42
MOHAWK Thornycroft 5.10.1937 Sunk 16.4.41
NUBIAN Thornycroft 21.12.1937 BU 1949
PUNJABI Scotts 18.12.1937 Collision 1.5.42
SIKH Stephen 17.12.1937 Sunk 14.9.42
SOMALI Swan Hunter 24.8.1937 Sunk 24.9.42
‘G’, £H’ and T class leaders TARTAR Swan Hunter 21.10.1937 BU 1948
ZULU Stephen 23.9.1937 Sunk 14.9.42
Displacement: 1455-1456t (Inglefield 1544t) standard; 2033-2053t (Inglefield ARUNTA (RAN) Cockatoo 30.11.1940 Foundered 13.2.69
2081t, later 2270t) deep load BATAAN (RAN) Cockatoo 15.1.1944 BU 1958
Dimensions: 326ft (Grenville 319ft) pp, 337ft (Grenville 330ft) oa x 34ft WARRAMUNGA (RAN)Cockatoo 6.2.1942 BU 1963
(Grenville 34ft 6in) x 12ft 9in (Inglefield later 13ft 6in) mean ATHABASKAN (RCN) Vickers- 18.11.1941 Sunk 29.4.44
deep load
Armstrong,
99.36 (97.23), 102.72 (100.58) x 10.36 (10.52) x 3.89
(4.1l)m Tyne
HAIDA (RCN) Vickers- 25.8.1942 Preserved
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Admiralty 3-drum (Gren¬
ville 3 Yarrow) boilers, 38,000shp = 36.5kts. Oil 470t Armstrong, 1964
Tyne
Armament: 5-4.7in/45 QF Mk IX (5x1), 8-21 in TT (2x4), (Inglefield
HURON (RCN) Vickers- 25.6.1942 BU 1965
10—2lin TT (2x5))
Armstrong,
Complement: 178
Tyne
IROQUOIS (RCN) Vickers- 23.9.1941 BU 1966
Name Builder Launched Fate
Armstrong,
GRENVILLE Yarrow 15.8.1935 Sunk 19.1.40 Tyne
HARDY Cammell Laird 7.4.1936 Sunk 10.4.40 ATHABASKAN (RCN) Halifax 14.5.1946 BU 1969
INGLEFIELD Cammell Laird 15.10.1936 Sunk 25.2.44 CAYUGA (RCN) Halifax 28.7.1945 BU 1964
MICMAC (RCN) Halifax 18.9.1943 BU 1964
Enlarged versions of the ‘G’, ‘H’ and ‘I’ flotilla destroyers with an extra 4.7in NOOTKA (RCN) Halifax 26.4.1944 BU 1964
gun. The TT in Inglefield were later converted to quadruples, and 50 tons
permanent ballast added. Her final armament appears to have been 4-4.7in, This class were quite distinct from previous British designs, and were intended
l-3in HA, 4—20mm, 8-2lin TT and 38 DC. She was sunk by an HS 293 glider to engage heavily armed destroyers such as the Fubuki class. A strongly raked
bomb; Grenville was mined and Hardy lost in action with German destroyers. stem was introduced, adding 10ft to the forecastle deck. The 4.7in (of which the
RAN and first 4 RCN ships had only 6) were in 40° twin mountings with open
Tartar, 31.11.1941 MoD
backed shields, and it was found necessary to replace ‘X’ by two 4in Mk XVI HA
in the British units, except for Afndi, Gurkha and Mohawk (already sunk). The
last 4 Canadian units were fitted with 8^tm QF Mk XVI (4x2) and 4 to 6-40mm
from the beginning. During the war DCs were increased from 30 to 46 and
finally the survivors had 2-40mm and/or 8 to 12-20mm added. Torpedoes were
Mk IX. Some extra stiffening had to be worked in, and tactical diameter was too
great, averaging 815yds at 33kts.
The British ships were laid down in 1936-37 and completed in 1938-39, while
the Australian and Canadian vessels were begun in 1939-44 and completed in
1942—48. The Canadian ‘Tribals’ displaced 1927 tons standard nominal (2745
tons deep load). Of those lost, Mohawk and Athabaskan were torpedoed by
destroyers, Cossack, Matabele, Somali by U-boats and Bedouin by an aircraft
after gunfire damage. Sikh was sunk by shore batteries and the remaining five by
bombs.
 Destroyers

‘J’, ‘K’ and ‘N’ classes ‘L’ and lM’ classes

Displacement: 1690t standard designed; 1760—1773t actual; 2330-2384t Displacement: 1920—1935t standard; 2660-2725t (later 2810-2840t) deep
(later 2540—2555t) deep load load
Dimensions: 339ft 6inpp, 356ft 6inoa x 35ft 8in X 13ft 8in-13ft lOin (later Dimensions: 345ft 6in pp, 362ft 6in oa x 36ft 9in x 14ft 3in-14ft 5in (later
14ft 3in) mean deep load 14ft 10in) mean deep load
103.48, 108.66 x 10.87 x 4.16, 4.22, (4.34)m 105.31, 110.49 x 11.20 x 4.34^4.39 (4.52)m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
40,000shp = 36kts. Oil 464t 48,000shp = 36kts. Oil 537t
Armament: 6-4.7in/45 QF Mk XII (3x2), 4—2pdr pompom (1x4), Armament: 6-4.7in/50QF Mk XI (3x2), 4—2pdr pompom (1x4), 8-2 lin
10-21in TT (2x5) TT (2x4). See notes
Complement: 183-218 Complement: 190-226

Name Builder Launched Fate Name Builder Launched Fate

JACKAL John Brown 25.10.1938 Sunk 12.5.42 GURKHA (ex-Larne) Cammed Laird 8.7.1940 Sunk 17.1.42
JAGUAR Denny 22.11.1938 Sunk 26.3.42 LAFOREY Y arrow 15.2.1941 Sunk 30.3.44
JANUS Swan Hunter 10.11.1938 Sunk 23.1.44 LANCE Yarrow 28.11.1940 Constructive loss
JAVELIN John Brown 21.12.1938 BU 1949 9.4.42
JERSEY White 26.9.1938 Sunk 2.5.41 LEGION Hawthorn Leslie 26.12.1939 Sunk 26.3.42
JERVIS Hawthorn Leslie 9.9.1938 BU 1949 LIGHTNING Hawthorn Leslie 22.4.1940 Sunk 12.3.43
JUNO Fairfield 8.12.1938 Sunk 21.5.41 LIVELY Cammed Laird 28.1.1941 Sunk 11.5.42
JUPITER Yarrow 27.10.1938 Sunk 27.2.42 LOOKOUT Scotts 4.11.1940 BU 1948
KANDAHAR Denny 21.3.1939 Sunk 20.12.41 LOYAL Scotts 8.10.1941 BU 1948
KASHMIR Thornycroft 4.4.1939 Sunk 23.5.41 MAHRATTA Scotts 28.7.1942 Sunk 25.2.44
KELLY Hawthorn Leslie 25.10.1938 Sunk 23.5.41 (ex-Marksman)
KELVIN Fairfield 19.1.1939 BU 1949 MARNE Vickers- 30.10.1940 To Turkey
KHARTOUM Swan Hunter 6.2.1939 Internal Armstrong, 1959
explosion Tyne
23.6.40 MARTIN Vickers- 12.12.1940 Sunk 10.11.42
KIMBERLEY Thornycroft 1.6.1939 BU 1949 Armstrong,
KINGSTON White 9.1.1939 Constructive loss Tyne
11.4.42 MATCHLESS Stephen 4.9.1941 To Turkey
KIPLING Y arrow 19.1.1939 Sunk 11.5.42 1959
NAPIER Fairfield 22.5.1940 BU 1956 METEOR Stephen 3.11.1941 To Turkey
NEPAL (ex-Norseman) Thornycroft 4.12.1941 BU 1956 1959
NESTOR Fairfield 9.7.1940 Sunk 15.6.42 MILNE Scotts 30.12.1941 To Turkey
NIZAM John Brown 4.7.1940 BU 1955 1959
NOBLE Denny 17.4.1941 To Netherlands MUSKETEER Fairfield 2.12.1941 BU 1955
1942 ORKAN (ex-Myrmidon) Fairfield 2.3.1942 Sunk 8.10.43
NOBLE (ex-Piorun, John Brown 7.5.1940 BU 1955
ex-Nerissa) Enlarged versions of the ‘J’ class with a heavier gun armament, the 4.7in Mk XI
NONPAREIL Denny 25.6.1941 To Netherlands being considerably more powerful than the Mks IX and XII. They were in
1942 weatherproof mountings allowing 50° elevation, but delays occurred and four of
NORMAN Thornycroft 30.10.1940 BU 1958 the class - Gurkha, Lance, Legion and Lively had 8-4in QF Mk XVIH A (4 x 2).
A 4in QF Mk V HA was an alternative armament to 4 TT in all the 4.7in ships
Jervis, Kelly and Napier were fitted as leaders, and the last named with Nestor, except Loyal, and by the end of the war 6 to 10-20mm were mounted. The
Nizam and Norman were manned by the Australian Navy during the war and reversion to quadruple TT was to save topweight, and it was also thought that 8
Piorun by the Polish. This class marked the introduction of longitudinal framing torpedoes were sufficient. The usual DC outfit was 110 in the 4in ships and 45 in
as standard practice in British destroyers, though it had been tried in the Ardent the others.
launched by Denny in 1913. They were also the first to have a single funnel since The ‘L’ and ‘M’ classes were laid down in 1938-40 and completed in 1940-42
the Fervent and Zephyr of 1895. The 4.7in mountings were as in the ‘Tribals’, except for Mahratta which had to be rebuilt on another berth when Scotts was
and in all except Juno, Kandahar and Khartoum, a 4in QF Mk V HA gun was an bombed in 1941 and did not complete until 1943. Laforey and Milne were fitted
alternative to one set of TT. The usual DC outfit was 45. Jervis for a time had as leaders, and Orkan was manned by the Polish Navy. Lightning was torpedoed
one quadruple and one quintuple TT mounting, and as in subsequent des¬ by an E-boat, Lance, Legion and Lively were bombed, and the other five were
troyers the torpedoes were Mk IX. Up to 4 single Bofors or 10-20mm were sunk by U-boats. Marne, Matchless, Meteor and Milne were renamed Maresal
added by the end of the war. Fevzi Cakmak, Kilic Ali Pasa, Piyale Pasa and Alp Arslan in Turkish service.
The ‘J’ and ‘K’ classes were laid down in 1937-38 and completed in 1939,
Lookout, 16.10.1945
dates for the ‘Ns’ being 1939 and 1940-42. The explosion in Khartoum origi¬
nated from a burst torpedo air vessel, Jaguar was torpedoed by a U-boat and
Janus by an aircraft, Jersey, Jupiter and Kandahar were mined and the remaining
seven were lost from bombing. Noble and Nonpareil became the Dutch Van
Galen and Tjerk Hiddes in 1942.

Jackal, 7.5.1939

41
GREAT BRITAIN

Onslaught 1942 Rocket 1943

‘Q’ and ‘R’ classes

Displacement: 1540-1550t standard; 2220-2270t (later 2365-2430t) deep Displacement: 1705—1725t standard; 2425-2480t deep load
load Dimensions: 339ft 6inpp, 358ft 3inoa x 35ft 8in x 13ft 10in-14ft lin mean
Dimensions: 328ft 9in pp, 345ft oa x 35ft x 13ft 6in (later 13ft llin-14ft deep load
2in) mean deep load 103.48, 109.19 x 10.87 x 4.22^4.29m
100.20, 105.15 x 10.67 x 4.11 (4.24^4.32)m Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 40,000shp = 36.75kts. Oil 588t
40,000shp = 37kts. Oil 472t Armament: 4-4.7in/45 QF Mk IX (4x 1), 4-2pdr pompom (1x4), 8-21in
Armament: 4—4in/45 QF Mk V HA (4x1), 4-2pdr pompom (1x4), TT (2x4)
8-2 lin TT (2x4). See notes Complement: 175-225
Complement: 176-212
Name Builder Launched Fate
Name Builder Launched Fate
QUADRANT Hawthorn Leslie 28.2.1942 BU 1963
OBDURATE Denny 19.2.1942 BU 1964 QUAIL Hawthorn Leslie 1.6.1942 Sunk 18.6.44
OBEDIENT Denny 30.4.1942 BU 1962 QUALITY Swan Hunter 6.10.1941 BU 1958
OFFA Fairfield 11.3.1941 To Pakistan QUEENBOROUGH Swan Hunter 16.1.1942 BU 1975
1949 QUENTIN White 5.11.1941 Sunk 2.12.42
ONSLAUGHT Fairfield 9.10.1941 To Pakistan QUIBERON White 31.1.1942 BU 1972
(cx-Palhfinder) 1951 QUICKMATCH White 11.4.1942 BU 1972
ONSLOW John Brown 31.3.1941 To Pakistan QUILLIAM Hawthorn Leslie 29.11.1941 To Netherlands
(ex-Pakenham) 1949 1945
OPPORTUNE Thornycroft 21.1.1942 BU 1955 RACEHORSE John Brown 1.6.1942 BU 1949
ORIBI (ex-Observer) Fairfield 14.1.1941 To Turkey RAIDER Cammell Laird 1.4.1942 To India 1949
1946 RAPID Cammell Laird 16.7.1942 For disposal
ORWELL Thornycroft 2.4.1942 BU 1965 1979
PAKENHAM Hawthorn Leslie 28.1.1941 Sunk 16.4.43 REDOUBT John Brown 2.5.1942 To India 1949
(ex-Onslow) RELENTLESS John Brown 15.7.1942 BU 1971
PALADIN John Brown 11.6.1941 BU 1962 ROCKET Scotts 28.10.1942 BU 1967
PANTHER Fairfield 28.5.1941 Sunk 9.10.43 ROEBUCK Scotts 10.12.1942 BU 1969
PARTRIDGE Fairfield 5.8.1941 Sunk 18.12.42 ROTHERHAM John Brown 21.3.1942 To India 1949
PATHFINDER Hawthorn Leslie 10.4.1941 Constructive
(ex-Onslaught) loss 11.2.45 The ‘Q’ and ‘R’ classes had a ‘J’ hull modified by a transom stern, ‘J’ machinery
PENN Vickers- 12.2.1941 BU 1950 and increased fuel capacity with the same armament as the 4.7in gunned ‘Os’. A
Armstrong, 4in QF Mk V HA was alternative armament for one set of TT, but was never
Tyne mounted in service. By the end of the war light AA guns were increased by 2 to 4
PETARD (ex-Persistent) Vickers- 27.3.1941 BU 1967 single Bofors and 4 to 6-20mm or by 8-20mm. The DC outfit was also increased
Armstrong, from 45-70 to 70-130. Stability was greater than in most destroyers with a
Tyne calculated GM of 3.16ft at 2412 tons. The ships were laid down in 1940-41 and
PORCUPINE Vickers- 10.6.1941 Constructive completed in 1942-43. Quiberon and Quickmatch were transferred to Australia in
Amstrong, loss 9.12.42 1942 and Quadrant, Quality and Queenborough in 1945. Quilliam and Rotherham
Tyne were fitted as leaders. Quentin was torpedoed by an aircraft and Quail, mined on
15.11.43, sank under tow for repairs. Quilliam became the Dutch Banckert, and
A smaller utility design with ‘J’ class machinery in a slightly reduced ‘J’ hull. Raider, Redoubt and Rotherham were renamed Rana, Ranjit and Rajput by
Onslow and Pakenham were fitted as leaders. Obedient, Obdurate, Opportune and India.
Orwell were intended as minelayers with 3-4in guns and up to 60 mines. Four
ships - Offa, Onslaught, Onslow and Oribi - were fitted with 4.7in guns, the
same 40° mountings as the ‘H’ class, and all 16 ships had an alternative of a 4in
Mk V HA gun un place of 4 TT. This was always mounted in the ‘O’ class and
initially in most of the ‘Ps ’.Petard was re-armed in early 1945 with 4-4in,QF Mk
XVI HA (2x2) and by that time 4 to 8-20mm were mounted. The usual DC
outfit was 70. The above classes were laid down in 1939-41 and completed in
1941-42. Pakenham was scuttled after gunfire damage from two Italian
torpedo-boats. Partridge and Porcupine were torpedoed by U-boats and Panther
and Pathfinder bombed. Offa, Onslaught and Onslow were renamed Tariq,
Tughril and Tippu Sultan on transfer to Pakistan; Oribi became the Turkish
Displacement: 1710— 1730t standard nominal; 1780— 181 Ot actual;
Gayret.
2505—2545t deep load
Obdurate postwar By courtesy of John Roberts Dimensions: 339ft 6in pp, 362ft 9in oa x 35ft 8in x 14ft 2in-14ft 4in mean
deep load
103.48, 110.56 x 10.87 x 4.32^4.37m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
40,000shp = 36.75kts. Oil 588t
Armament: 4—4.7in/45 QF Mk IX (4x 1), 2-40mm Bofors (1x2), 8—21in
TT (2x4)
Complement: 180-225

Name Builder Launched Fate

SAUMAREZ Hawthorn Leslie 20.11.1942 BU 1950
SAVAGE Hawthorn Leslie 24.9.1942 BU 1962
SCORPION Cammell Laird 26.8.1942 To Netherlands
(exSentinel) 1945
SCOURGE Cammell Laird 8.12.1942 To Netherlands
1946
SERAPIS Scotts 25.3.1943 To Netherlands
1945
SHARK Scotts 1.6.1943 Sunk 6.6.44
SUCCESS White 3.4.1943 To Norway 1943
SWIFT White 15.6.1943 Sunk 24.6.44
TROUBRIDGE John Brown 23.9.1942 BU 1970

42
 Destroyers

Name Builder Launched Fate Name Builder Launched Fate

TEAZER Cammell Laird 7.1.1943 BU 1965 MYNGS Vickers- 31.5.1943 To Egypt 1955
TENACIOUS Cammell Laird 24.3.1943 BU 1965 Armstrong,
TERMAGANT Denny 22.3.1943 BU 1965 Tyne
TERPSICHORE Denny 17.6.1943 BU 1966 ZAMBESI Cammell Laird 21.11.1943 BU 1959
TUMULT John Brown 9.11.1942 BU 1965 ZEALOUS Cammell Laird 28.2.1944 To Israel 1955
TUSCAN Swan Hunter 28.5.1942 BU 1966 ZEBRA (ex-Wakeful) Denny 8.3.1944 BU 1959
TYRIAN Swan Hunter 27.7.1942 BU 1965 ZENITH (ex-Wessex) Denny 5.6.1944 To Egypt 1955
GRENVILLE Swan Hunter 12.10.1942 For disposal ZEPHYR Vickers- 15.7.1943 BU 1958
1979 Armstrong,
ULSTER Swan Hunter 9.11.1942 Accommodation Tyne
ship 1979 ZEST Thornycroft 14.10.1943 BU 1970
ULYSSES Cammell Laird 22.4.1943 BU 1970 ZODIAC Thornycroft 11.3.1944 To Israel 1955
UNDAUNTED Cammell Laird 19.7.1943 Sunk as target CAVENDISH John Brown 12.4.1944 BU 1967
1978 (ex-Sibyl)
UNDINE Thornycroft 1.6.1943 BU 1965 CAESAR (ex-Ranger) John Brown 14.2.1944 BU 1967
URANIA Vickers- 19.5.1943 BU 1971 CAMBRIAN Scott s 10.12.1943 BU 1971
Armstrong, (ex-Spitfire)
Barrow CAPRICE (exSwallow) Y arrow 16.9.1943 For disposal
URCHIN Vickers- 8.3.1943 BU 1967 1979
Armstrong, CARRON (ex-Strenuous) Scotts 28.3.1944 BU 1967
Barrow CARYSFORT White 25.7.1944 BU 1970
URSA Thornycroft 22.7.1943 BU 1967 (ex-Pique)
HARDY John Brown 18.3.1943 Sunk 30.1.44 CASSANDRA Y arrow 29.11.1943 BU 1967
VALENTINE John Brown 2.9.1943 BU 1971 (ex-Tourmaline)
(ex-Kempenfelt) CAVALIER (ex-Pellew) White 7.4.1944 Preserved
VENUS Fairfield 23.2.1943 BU 1972
VERULAM Fairfield 22.4.1943 BU 1972 Generally similar to the ‘S’ to ‘W’ classes but with improved fire control and
VIGILANT Swan Hunter 22.12.1942 BU 1965 4.5in guns. The latter had a lower muzzle velocity than the 4.7in Mk IX but the
VIRAGO Swan Hunter 4.2.1943 BU 1965 shell was heavier and of much reduced air resistance. Elevation was 55°, and in
VIXEN White 14.9.1943 BU 1965 addition to the twin triaxial Bofors most ships had 4 single 2pdr pompoms, the
VOLAGE White 15.12.1943 BU 1976 exceptions being Myngs with a single Bofors, 2-2pdr, 2-20mm, Zebra 2-2pdr,
KEMPENFELT John Brown 8.5.1943 To Yugoslavia 2-20mm, and Zambesi, Zest, Zodiac andCassandra 6 to 8-20mm. The DC outfit
(ex-Valentine) 1956 was 70 or 130 in the ‘Zs’ and 80 or 130 in the ‘Cas’. The ships were laid down in
WAGER John Brown 1.11.1943 To Yugoslavia 1942-43 and completed in 1944-45. Myngs and Cavendish were fitted as leaders.
1956 The two Egyptian transfers were renamed El Qaher and El Fareh respectively;
WAKEFUL (ex-Zebra) Fairfield 30.6.1943 BU 1971 the Israeli vessels became Elath and Yaffa.
WESSEX (ex-Zenith) Fairfield 2.9.1943 To South Africa
1950
WHELP Hawthorn Leslie 3.6.1943 To South Africa ‘Ch’, ‘Co’ and ‘Cr’ classes
1953
Displacement: 1710—1730t standard nominal; 2510—2535t deep load
WHIRLWIND Hawthorn Leslie 30.8.1943 Sunk as target 19
Dimensions: 339ft 6in pp, 362ft 9in oa x 35ft 8in x 14ft 3in-14ft 5in mean
WIZARD Vickers- 29.9.1943 BU 1967 deep load
Armstrong, 103.48, 110.56 x 10.87 x 4.34-4.39m
Barrow Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
WRANGLER Vickers- 30.12.1943 To South Africa 40,000shp = 36.75kts. Oil 588t
Armstrong, 1956 Armament: 4-4.5in/45 QF Mk IV (4x 1), 2-40mm Bofors (1x2), 4-2 lin
Barrow TT (1x4)
Complement: 186-222
Generally similar to the ‘Q’ and ‘R’ classes but with ‘Tribal’ class bows to make
them less wet forward. The 4.7in were in improved mountings with 55° eleva¬ Name Builder Launched Fate
tion and better ammunition supply, and most of the ships had a triaxial twin
CHAPLET Thornycroft 18.7.1944 BU 1965
Bofors replacing the quadruple pompom. Savage had an experimental 4.5in/45
CHARITY Thornycroft 30.11.1944 To Pakistan 1958
Mk III/IV armament with the two forward guns in an enclosed 80° twin
CHEQUERS Scotts 30.10.1944 BU 1966
mounting, and the two after in single 55° ones. Scorpion, Volage, Wessex and
(ex-Champion)
Whelp had 4—2pdr pompoms (1x4) instead of Bofors, whilst Sawage and Swift
CHEVIOT Stephen 2.5.1944 BU 1962
had only 20mm. The light A A armament at the end of the war was usually
CHEVRON Stephen 23.2.1944 BU 1969
increased by 1 to 5 single Bofors and up to 12-20mm, and the DC outfit was 70
CHIEFTAIN Scotts 26.2.1945 BU 1961
or 130.
CHILDERS Denny 27.2.1945 BU 1963
The above classes were laid down in 1941-42 and completed in 1943-44.
CHIVALROUS Denny 22.6.1945 To Pakistan 1954
Saumarez, Troubridge, Grenville, Hardy and Kempenfelt were fitted as leaders.
COCKADE Y arrow 7.3.1944 BU 1964
Svenner (ex-Shark, transferred to Norway 1944) was torpedoed by a fleet TB,
COMET Y arrow 22.6.1944 BU 1962
Hardy by a U-boat and Swift was mined. Valentine (ex-Kempenfell) and Vixen
COMUS Thornycroft 14.3.1945 BU 1958
became the Canadian Algonquin and Sioux. The three Dutch transfers were
CONCORD Thronycroft 14.5.1945 BU 1962
named Kortenaer, Evertsen and Piet Hein respectively, Success became the
(ex-Corso)
Norwegian Stord and the two Yugoslavian units were renamed Kotor and Pula
CONSORT Stephen 19.10.1944 BU 1961
and the South African ships^an van Riebeeck, Simon van der Stel and Vrystaat.
CONSTANCE Vickers- 22.8.1944 BU 1956
Armstrong,
Tyne
CONTEST White 16.12.1944 BU 1960
COSSACK Vickers- 10.5.1944 BU 1961
Armstrong,
Tyne
CREOLE White 22.11.1945 To Pakistan 1958
CRESCENT (RCN) John Brown 20.7.1944 BU 1971
CRISPIN White 23.6.1945 To Pakistan 1958
(ex-Craccher)
Displacement: 1710—1730t standard nominal; 2510—2575t deep load 6.8.1945 To Norway 1946
CROMWELL Scotts
Dimensions: 339ft 6in pp, 362ft 9in oa X 35ft 8in x 14ft 3in-14ft 6in mean (ex-Cretan)
deep load CROWN Scotts 19.12.1945 To Norway 1946
103.48, 110.56 x 10.87 x 4.34^1.42m
CROZIERS Yarrow 19.9.1944 To Norway 1946
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 5.10.1944
CRUSADER (RCN) John Brown BU 1965
40,000shp = 36.75kts. Oil 588t
CRYSTAL Y arrow 12.2.1945 To Norway 1946
Armament: 4-4.5in/45 QF Mk IV (4x1), 2-40mm Bofors (1x2), (Cap¬
rice 4—2pdr pompom (1x4)), 8-2 lin TT (2x4)
Similar to the ‘Ca’ class but with only 4 TT to compensate for the weight of RPC
Complement: 186-222 gear for the 4.5in. The twin Bofors were in a triaxial mounting, except in

43
GREAT BRITAIN
Chivalrous, Comus, Concord, Creole, Crispin, Cromwell and Crown which had a
simpler biaxial mounting. In all the class additional light AA comprised 2 single
2pdr pompoms or Bofors with 2-20mmor else 6-20mm only. The DC outfit was
48, 70 or 108. The above classes were laid down in 1943—44 and completed in
1945-46. Contest was the first British destroyer with an all-welded hull. The four
units taken over by Pakistan were renamed Shah Jehan, Taimur, Alamgir and
Jahangir respectively, whilst the Norwegian vessels were renamed Bergen, Oslo,
Trondheim and Stavanger.
Consort in 1949

BATTLE class (2nd group)

Displacement: 2380-2400t standard; 3400-3420t deep load
Dimensions: 355ft pp, 379ft oa x 40ft 6in x 15ft 4in mean deep load
108.20, 115.52 x 12.34 x 4.67m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
50,000shp = 35.75kts. Oil 727t, diesel fuel 40t
Armament: 4-4.5in/45 QF Mk III (2 x 2), 1-4.5in/45 QF Mk IV, 8-40mm
Bofors (3x2, 2x1), 10-2lin TT (2x5)
Complement: 281-306

Name Builder Launched Fate

AGINCOURT Hawthorn Leslie 29.1.1945 BU 1974

AISNE Vickers- 12.5.1945 BU 1970
Armstrong,
Tyne
ALAMEIN Hawthorn Leslie 28.5.1945 BU 1964
BARROSA John Brown 17.1.1945 BU 1978
CORUNNA Swan Hunter 29.5.1945 BU 1975
BATTLE class (1st group) DUNKIRK Stephen 27.8.1945 BU 1965
JUTLAND Stephen 20.2.1946 BU 1965
Displacement: 2315—2325t standard; 3290-3300t deep load
(ex-Malplaquet)
Dimensions: 355ft pp, 379ft oa x 40ft 3in x 15ft 2in mean deep load John Brown 30.4.1945 BU 1978
MATAPAN
108.20, 115.52 x 12.27 x 4.62m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers
Similar to the previous class but with 3in more beam, 10 TT and an additional
50,000shp = 35.75kts. Oil 727t, diesel fuel 40t
4.5gun as a main armament of only 4—4.Sin in ships of this size had been
Armament: 4-4.5in/45 QF Mark III (2x2), 8-40mm Bofors (4x2)
criticized. The single 4.5in was in a 55° mounting, and the 3 twin Bofors
8-2lin TT (2x4). See notes
comprised 2 STAAG units and a biaxial mounting. A US Mk 37 director was
Complement: 247-308
fitted in this class, and as completed the DC were replaced by a Squid mounted
aft. Although laid down in 1943-44, they were not completed until 1946-48.
Name Builder Launched Fate
Agincourt,Alamein, Corunna and Jutland were fitted as leaders. Eight units were
ARMADA Hawthorn Leslie 9.12.1943 BU 1965 cancelled: Albuera (Vickers-Armstrong, Tyne), Belleisle and Omdurman (Fair-
BARFLEUR Swan Hunter 1.11.1943 BU 1966 field), Mons (Hawthorn Leslie), Namur, Navarino and San Domingo (Cammell
CADIZ Fairfield 16.9.1944 To Pakistan 1957 Laird) and Oudenarde (Swan Hunter); of these all but Omdurman, Mons and San
CAMPERDOWN Fairfield 8.2.1944 BU 1970 Domingo had been launched. A further eight of a modified type were also
FINISTERRE Fairfield 22.6.1944 BU 1967 cancelled. These would have had 41ft beam and 4-4.5in/45 Mk V guns, and
GABBARD Swan Hunter 16.3.1945 To Pakistan 1957 were the original Jutland and Poictiers (Hawthorn Leslie), River Plate (Swan
GRAVELINES Cammell Laird 30.11.1944 BU 1961 Hunter), St Lucia (Stephen), Somme (Cammell Laird), Talavera and Trin-
HOGUE Cammell Laird 21.4.1944 BU 1962 comalee (John Brown) and Waterloo (Fairfield). Jutland,Poictiers, Talavera and
LAGOS Cammell Laird 4.8.1944 BU 1967 Trincomalee had been launched. Two of this modified type, Anzac and Tobruk,
ST JAMES Fairfield 7.6.1945 BU 1961 were built in Australia but not laid down until the second half of 1946 and
ST KITTS Swan Hunter 4.10.1944 BU 1962 completed in 1950-51. Standard displacement was 2440 tons, deep load 3450
SAINTES Hawthorn Leslie 19.7.1944 BU 1972 tons, and they differed in a light AA armament of 12 Bofors in 3 STAAG and 6
SLUYS Cammell Laird 28.2.1945 To Iran 1967 single mountings.
SOLEBAY Hawthorn Leslie 22.2.1944 BU 1967
TRAFALGAR Swan Hunter 12.1.1944 BU 1970
VIGO Fairfield 27.9.1945 BU 1964

This class, laid down in late 1942toearly 1944 and completed in September 1944 WEAPON class
to December 1946, were larger than previous destroyers and of longer range,
being intended for operations in the Pacific. Armada, Barfleur, St James, Displacement: 1965—1980t standard nominal; 2825t deep load
Saintes, Solebay and Trafalgar were fitted as leaders. The bows were similar to Dimensions: 341ft 6in pp, 365ft oa X 38ft x 14ft 8in mean deep load
those of the ‘Tribal’ class, and Denny stabilisers were fitted in Camperdown and 104.09, 111.25 x 11.58 x 4.41m
Finisterre. The 4.5in twin mountings allowed 80° elevation and were both Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Foster Wheeler boilers,
forward, while a 4in was fitted to Armada, Barfleur, Camperdown, Hogue and 40,000shp = 34kts. Oil 620t
Trafalgar for use as a starshell gun. In the later ships of the class 4 Bofors in twin Armament: 6-4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (3x2), 6-40mm Bofors (2x2,
STAAG units were mounted instead of 8 in twin triaxial mountings. In most the 2x1), 10-2lin TT (2x5)
light AA armament was supplemented by 6 single Bofors but in the first six to be Complement: 255-286
completed the additional guns varied from 4 single Bofors and 2 single pompoms
in Finisterre to 2 pompoms and 2-20mm in Armada. The original DC outfit was Name Builder Launched Fate
60. In 1947 2-4.5in of the faster firing Mk V pattern, in an improved mounting, BATTLEAXE Yarrow 12.6.1945 BU 1964
were tried in Saintes. The two vessels transferred to Pakistan were renamed BROADSWORD Y arrow 5.2.1946 BU 1968
Khaibar and Badr respecitvely, and Sluys became the Iranian Artemiz. CROSSBOW Thornycroft 20.12.1945 BU 1972
SCORPION White 15.8.1946 BU 1971
St James, 4.11.1946 (■zx-Tomahawk,
zx-Centaur)

Originally intended as fleet anti-submarine escorts, these destroyers were of

novel appearance, and had two boiler and two engine rooms alternately
arranged. The twin Bofors were in STAAG mountings, and it was originally
intended that 50 to 150 DCs would be carried, but as completed these and ‘B’ 4in
mounting in Battleaxe and Broadsword, or ‘Y’ in Crossbow and Scorpion, were
replaced by 2 Squids. The class were laid down in 1944 and completed in
1947-48. Cancelled ships were Carronade, Claymore, Dirk, Grenade, Halberd
and Poniard (Scotts), Culverin, Howitzer and Longbow (Thornycroft), Cutlass
and Dagger (Yarrow), Musket and Sword (ex-Celt) (White) and Rifle and Spear
(Denny). Of these, Carronade, Culverin and Cutlass had been launched.

44
 Destroyers/Escort destroyers

ESCORT
DESTROYERS
Scorpion in Oct 1947
HUNT class (Type 1)
Displacement: lOOOt standard; 1420—1450t deep load
Dimensions: 264ft 2|in pp, 280ft oa x 29ft x 12ft 6in mean deep load
80.S3, 85.34 x 8.84 x 3.81m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
‘G’ class design 1946 19,000shp = 28kts. Oil 240t
Armament: 4-4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (2x2), 4—2pdr pompom (1x4)
Complement: 147

Name Builder Launched Fate

ATHERSTONE Cammell Laird 12.12.1939 BU 1957

BERKELEY Cammell Laird 29.1.1940 Sunk 19.8.42
BLENCATHRA Cammell Laird 6.8.1940 BU 1957
‘G’ class BU 1968
BROCKLESBY Cammell Laird 30.9.1940
Displacement: 1995t standard; 2740t designed deep load CATTISTOCK Yarrow 22.2.1940 BU 1957
Dimensions: 341ft 6in pp, 365ft oa x 39ft 6in x 14ft 2in mean deep load CLEVELAND Y arrow 24.4.1940 Wrecked 28.6.57
104.09, 111.25 x 12.04 x 4.32m COTSWOLD Yarrow 18.7.1940 BU 1957
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Foster Wheeler boilers, COTTESMORE Y arrow 5.9.1940 To Egypt 1950
40,000shp = 33.75kts. Oil 586t EGLINTON Vickers- 28.12.1939 BU 1956
Armament: 4—4.5in/45 QF Mk V (2x2), 6-40mm Bofors (2x2, 2x1), Armstrong,
10-21in TT (2x5) Tyne
Complement: ? EXMOOR Vickers- 25.1.1940 Sunk 25.2.41
Armstrong,
This class would have been similar to the ‘Weapons’ but with 18in more beam Tyne
and a heavier main armament. All were cancelled and names would have been: FERNIE John Brown 9.1.1940 BU 1956
Gael and Gallant (Yarrow), Gauntlet and Glowworm (ex-Gift) (Thornycroft), GARTH John Brown 14.2.1940 BU 1958
Gift {ex-Glowworm, ex-Guinivere) and Guernsey (Denny) and Grafton and HAMBLEDON Swan Hunter 12.12.1939 BU 1957
Greyhound (White). HOLDERNESS Swan Hunter 8.2.1940 BU 1956
LIDDESDALE Vickers- 19.8.1940 BU 1948
Armstrong,
Tyne
MENDIP Swan Hunter 9.4.1940 To China 1948
DARING class MEYNELL Swan Hunter 7.6.1940 To Ecuador 1954
PYTCHLEY Scotts 13.2.1940 BU 1956
Displacement: 2610t (designed), 2830t (actual) standard; 3360t (designed), QUANTOCK Scotts 22.4.1940 To Ecuador 1954
3580t (actual) deep load Sunk 3.8.44
QUORN White 27.3.1940
Dimensions: 366ft pp, 390ft oa X 43ft X 13ft 7in mean deep load SOUTHDOWN White 5.7.1940 BU 1956
111.55, 118.87 x 13.11 x 4.14m
TYNEDALE Stephen 5.6.1940 Sunk 12.12.43
Machinery: 2-shaft double-reduction geared turbines, 2 Forster Wheeler WHADDON Stephen 16.7.1940 BU 1959
(Daring, Decoy, Delight, Diana Babcock & Wilcox) boilers,
54,000shp = 34.75kts. Oil 590t
Originally designed for 6-4in guns (and this number were issued for Atherstone,
Armament: 6-4.5in/45 QF Mk V (3x2), 6-40mm Bofors (3x2), 10-21in
Femie and Hambledon), but it was found that the first ship was dangerously
TT (2x5)
unstable and that a serious error had been made in the calculations. They were
Complement: 278-330 accordingly ballasted and 2^4in removed. Denny fin stabilisers were a feature of
this class, but these, though reducing the roll, gave a quick jerky motion. All
Name Builder Launched Fate
except Exmoor and possibly Tynedale had 2pdr pompom added against E-boats,
DAINTY White 16.8.1950 BU 1972 usually as a bow chaser. In 1945Meynell had the quadruple pompom replaced by
DARING Swan Hunter 10.8.1949 BU 1971 a twin biaxial Bofors, and the armament of the class included 2-20mm. The DC
DECOY (ex-Dragon) Yarrow 29.3.1949 To Peru 1970 outfit was 50. All were laid down in 1939 and completed in 1940-41. Of the
DEFENDER Stephen 27.7.1950 BU 1972 losses,Berkeley was bombed, and Exmoor torpedoed by an E-boat, Tynedale by a
(■ex-Dogstar) U-boat and Quom by a Marder. When sold, Cottesmore was renamed Ibrahim el
DELIGHT Fairfield 21.12.1950 BU 1971 Awal, Mendip became Lin Fu, and Meynell and Quantock became Presidente
(ex-Disdain, ex-Ypres) Velasco Ibarra and Presidente Alfaro respectively.
DIAMOND John Brown 14.6.1950 Tender 1979
DIANA (ex-Druid) Yarrow 8.5.1952 To Peru 1970 Femie as finally completed with 4-4in guns
DUCHESS Thornycroft 9.4.1951 For disposal
1979

When the drawings were sealed in February 1945 this class incorporated the
latest ideas in fleet destroyers, but their construction was greatly delayed, as
they were laid down in 1945—49 and completed in 1952—54. The beam/depth
ratio was larger than in previous destroyers, and metacentric height was about
3.2ft at light and 3.5ft at deep load. Tactical diameter was 500-560yds at full
speed. The turbines were designed by Pametrada in five of the class, but in
Diamond only the LP were of this type, the HP being Brown BTH, and Decoy
and Diana had Yarrow EEC HP and LP. Steam conditions were 650psi and
850°F. The 4.5in were in 80° mountings, the Bofors in two STAAG, and one
biaxial and a Squid was mounted in place of 70 DC. Eight of the class were
cancelled: Danae (ex-Vimiera) (Cammell Laird), original Decoy and original
Delight (Vickers-Armstrong, Tyne), Demon (Swan Hunter), Dervish (White),
Desire and original Diana (Hawthorn Leslie) and Desperate (John Brown). Three
ships of a slightly modified type, Vampire, Vendetta and Voyager, were built in
Australia but not laid down until 1949-52 and completed in 1957—59. A fourth,
Waterhen, was cancelled. Decoy and Diana were renamed Ferre and Palacios in
Peruvian service. Duchess was transferred to the RAN in 1964.

45
GREAT BRITAIN

Name Builder Launched Fate

AIREDALE John Brown 12.8.1941 Sunk 15.6.42

ALBRIGHTON John Brown 11.10.1941 To Germany 1958
ALDENHAM Cammell Laird 27.8.1941 Sunk 14.12.44
Bicester 1942 18.11.1941 BU 1957
BELVOIR Cammell Laird
BLEAN Hawthorn Leslie 15.1.1942 Sunk 11.12.42
BLEASDALE Vickers- 23.7.1941 BU 1956
HUNT class (Type 2) Armstrong,
Displacement: 1050t standard; 1580—1625t deep load Tyne
Dimensions: 264ft 2|in pp, 280ft oa x 31ft 6in x 12ft 5in mean deep load BOLEBROKE Swan Hunter 5.11.1941 To Greece 1942
80.53, 85.34 x 9.60 x 3.78m BORDER Swan Hunter 3.2.1942 To Greece 1942
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, CATTERICK Vickers- 22.11.1941 To Greece 1946
19,000shp = 27kts. Oil 265t (Avon Vale,Bramham, Cowdray Armstrong,
328t) Barrow
Armament: 6-4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (3x2), 4-2pdr pompom (1x4) DERWENT Vickers- 22.8.1941 BU 1947
Complement: 168 Armstrong,
Barrow
Name Builder Launched Fate EASTON White 11.7.1942 BU 1953
EGGESFORD White 12.9.1942 To Germany 1958
AVON VALE John Brown 23.10.1940 BU 1958 Cammell Laird 16.3.1942 To Norway 1942
ESKDALE
BADSWORTH Cammell Laird 17.3.1941 To Norway 1946 Cammell Laird 5.1.1942 To Norway 1946
GLAISDALE
BEAUFORT Cammell Laird 9.6.1941 To Norway 1952 3.2.1942 Constructive
GOATHLAND Fairfield
BEDALE Hawthorn Leslie 23.7.1941 To India 1953 loss 24.7.44
BICESTER Hawthorn Leslie 5.9.1941 BU 1956 27.4.1942 To France 1942
HALDON Fairfield
BLACKMORE Stephen 2.12.1941 To Denmark 1952 18.12.1941 To Greece 1942
HATHERLEIGH Vickers-
BLANKNEY John Brown 19.12.1940 BU 1959
Armstrong,
BRAMHAM Stephen 29.1.1942 To Greece 1943
Tyne
CALPE Swan Hunter 28.4.1941 To Denmark 1952 2.4.1942 BU 1958
HAYDON Vickers-
CHIDDINGFOLD Scotts 10.3.1941 To India 1953
Armstrong,
COWDRAY Scotts 22.7.1941 BU 1959
Tyne
CROOME Stephen 30.1.1941 BU 1957 Stephen 14.4.1942 Sunk 12.12.43
HOLCOMBE
DULVERTON Stephen 1.4.1941 Sunk 13.11.43 Stephen 12.5.1942 Sunk 23.10.43
LIMBOURNE
ERIDGE Swan Hunter 20.8.1940 Constructive Swan Hunter 5.3.1942 BU 1956
MELBREAK
loss 29.8.42 Swan Hunter 13.4.1942 To Greece 1942
MODBURY
EXMOOR (ex-Burton) Swan Hunter 12.3.1941 To Denmark 1953 17.3.1942 Sunk 3.12.42
PENYLAN Vickers-
FARNDALE Swan Hunter 30.9.1940 BU 1962
Armstrong,
GROVE Swan Hunter 29.5.1941 Sunk 12.6.42
Barrow
HEYTHROP Swan Hunter 30.10.1940 Sunk 20.3.42 13.6.1942 Damaged 11.11.43
ROCKWOOD Vickers-
HURSLEY Swan Hunter 25.7.1941 To Greece 1943
Armstrong,
HURWORTH Vickers- 10.4.1941 Sunk 22.10.43
Barrow
Armstrong, 23.11.1942 BU 1959
STEVENSTONE White
Tyne
TALYBONT White 3.2.1943 BU 1961
LAMERTON Swan Hunter 14.12.1940 To India 1953
TANATSIDE Yarrow 30.4.1942 To Greece 1946
LAUDERDALE Thornycroft 5.8.1941 To Greece 1946
WENSLEYDALE Yarrow 20.6.1942 Collision
LEDBURY Thornycroft 27.9.1941 BU 1958 Nov 1944
MIDDLETON Vickers- 12.5.1941 BU 1957
Armstrong,
Similar to the Type 2 ‘Hunts’ but with 2 torpedo-tubes replacing 2-4in guns.
Tyne
Most of the later ships had extra oil fuel instead of stabilisers. A 2pdr pompom as
OAKLEY Vickers- 30.10.1940 Sunk 16.6.42
bow chaser was mounted in Albrighton, Bleasdale, Eskdale, Glaisdale, Steven-
Armstrong,
stone and La Combattante. Belvoir, Easton and Melbreak had 2 single Bofors
Tyne
added and up to 6-20mm were carried. Torpedoes were Mk IX, and 30 or 70 DC
OAKLEY (ex-Tickham) Y arrow 15.1.1942 To Germany 1958
were carried. The ships were laid down in 1940-41 and completed in 1942-43.
PUCKERIDGE White 6.3.1941 Sunk 6.9.43
Rockwood was damaged by an Hs 293, Airedale was sunk by bombing, Blean and
SILVERTON White 4.12.1940 BU 1959
Holcombe were torpedoed by U-boats, Eskdale and Penylan by E-boats and
SOUTHWOLD White 29.5.1941 Sunk 24.3.42
Limboume by German destroyers, and the rest were lost from mines. Wen-
TETCOTT White 12.8.1941 BU 1956
sleydale and Rockwood were not repaired after their mishaps. Units transferred
WHEATLAND Y arrow 7.6.1941 BU 1959
to Greece were renamed Pindos, Adrias (constructive total loss 22.10.43), Hast¬
WILTON Y arrow 17.10.1941 BU 1959
ings, Kanaris, Miaoulis and Adrias respectively; Norway’s pair became Eskdale
ZETLAND Y arrow 7.3.1942 To Norway 1954
(sunk 14.4.43) and Narvik-, West Germany renamed her ships Raule and
Brommy, and Haldon became La Combattante (sunk 23.2.45).
Originally to have been Type 1, but given 2ft 6in more beam before launching or
for the later units laying down. Avon Vale,Bramham and Cowdray had extra oil
fuel in place of stabilisers. A 2pdr pompom as bow chaser was mounted in Avon
Vale, Bedale, Cowdray, Lamerton and Lauderdale. Two single Bofors are
recorded in Beaufort and Exmoor and up to 4—20mm were carried. The DC outfit Talybonl as completed
was 30 or 60. Laying down was in 1939-41 and completion in 1941-42. Bedale,
Oakley (i) and Silverton transferred to the Polish flag and were renamed Slazak,
Kujawiak and Krakowiak respectively. Dulverton was sunk by an HS 293 glider
bomb, Eridge was torpedoed by an Italian assault craft, Grove, Heythrop and
Puckeridge were torpedoed by U-boats and the other three losses were mined.
The three Norwegian transfers were renamed (in the order given in the table)
Arendal, Haugesund and Tromso', the Indian vessels became Godavari, Ganga
and Gomati; those transferred to Denmark became Esbem Snare, Rolf Krake and
Valdemar Sejr; the Greek units were renamed Themistocles, Kriti and Aigaion;
and Oakley (ii) became the West German Gneisenau.

HUNT class (Type 3)

Displacement: 1050t standard; 1545—1590t deep load
Dimensions: 264ft 2 (in pp, 280ft oa x 31ft 6in X 12ft 3in mean deep load
80.53, 85.34 x 9.60 x 3.73m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
19,000shp = 27kts. Oil 265-328t
Armament: 4—4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (2x2), 4-2pdr pompom (1x4),
2-2lin TT (1x2)
Complement: 168

46
 Escort destroyers/Submarines

Ex-US destroyers

50 US destroyers, launched 1917-20, were delivered to Britain from September

1940 in exchange for 99-year leases of sites for bases in the West Indies and
Displacement: 1175t standard; 1700t (Brissenden 1750t) deep load
British Guiana. Typical armament of surviving ships in 1945 was l-4in/50 QF
Dimensions: 276ft pp, 296ft oa x 33ft 4in, 34ft lOin over rubbers, X lift USN Mk 9, l-12pdr/12cwt HA, 3 or 4-20mm, 3—2lin TT with Mk II tor¬
6in—11ft 9in mean deep load
pedoes, and 60 or 80 DC. The ships concerned were Annapolis (RCN) (ex-
84.12, 90.22 x 10.16, 10.62 x 3.51, 3.58m
Mackenzie), Bath (ex-Hopewell), Belmont (exSatterlee), Beverley (ex-Branch),
Machinery: 2- shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
Bradford (ex-McLanahan), Brighton (ex-Cowell), Broadwater (ex-Mason),
19,000shp = 26kts. Oil 271t (Brissenden 342t)
Broadway (ex-Hunt), Burnham (ex-Aulick), Burwell (ex-Laub), Buxton (ex-
Armament: 6-4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (3x2), 4-2pdr pompom (1x4),
3- 2lin TT (1x3) Edwards), Cameron (ex-Welles), Campbeltown (ex-Buchanan), Caldwell (ex-
Hale), Castleton (ex-Aaron Ward), Charlestown (ex-Abbot), Chelsea (ex-
Complement: 170
Crowninshield), Chesterfield (ex-Welbom C Wood), Churchill (ex-Hemdon), Clare
Name (ex-Abel P Upshur), Columbia (RCN) (ex-Haraden), Georgetown (ex-Maddox),
Builder Launched Fate
Hamilton (RCN) (ex-Kalk, ex-Rogers), Lancaster (ex-Philip), Leamington (ex-
BRECON Thornycroft 27.6.1942 BU 1962 Twiggs), Leeds (ex-Conner), Lewes (ex-Conway, ex-Craven), Lincoln (ex-
BRISSENDEN Thornycroft 15.9.1942 BU 1965 Yamall), Ludlow (ex-Stockton), Mansfield (ex-Evans), Montgomery (ex-Wickes),
Newark (ex-Ringgold), Newmarket (ex-Robinson), Newport (ex-Sigoumey),
These two ships, laid down in 1941 and completed in 1942-43, were a Thorny- Niagara (RCN) (ex-Thatcher), Ramsey (ex-Meade), Reading (ex-Bailey), Rich¬
croft design with a long forecastle deck giving them a markedly different mond (ex-Fairfax), Ripley (ex-Shubrick), Rockingham (ex-Swasey), Roxburgh
appearance from other ‘Hunts’. Brissenden had extra oil fuel instead of stabilisers (ex-Foote), St Albans (ex-Thomas), St Clair (RCN) (ex-Williams), St Croix
and mounted a 2pdr pompom as a bow chaser and 8-20mm, while Brecon in (RCN) (ex-McCook), St Francis (RCN) (ex-Bancroft), St Mary’s (ex-Doran,
1945 had 2 single 40mm Bofors and 2-20mm. The torpedoes were Mk IX and ex-Bagley), Salisbury (ex-Claxton), Sherwood (ex-Rodgers, ex-Kalk), Stanley
both ships carried 30 DC. (ex-McCalla), Wells (ex-Tillman).

SUBMARINES —1
Oberon 1937

XI OBERON
Displacement: 2425t standard; 2780t/3600t normal Displacement: 131 It standard; 1598t/183It normal
Dimensions: 363ft 6in oa x 29ft lOin x 15ft 9in mean normal load Dimensions: 269ft 8in oa x 28ft x 15ft 6in mean normal load
110.79 x 9.09 x 4.80m 82.19 x 8.53 x 4.72m
Machinery: 2-shaft Admiralty and 2 ex-U126 diesels plus electric motors, Machinery: 2-shaft Admiralty diesels plus electric motors,
7000bhp/2400shp = 19.5kts/8kts. Oil 452t 2950bhp/1350shp = 13.75kts/7.5kts. Oil 186t
Armament: 6-2lin TT (bow; 12 torpedoes), 4-5.2in/42 QF Mk I (2x2) Armament: 8-2 lin TT (6 bow, 2 stern; 16torpedoes), 1 -Ain/40 QF Mk IV
Complement: 110 (later Mk XII)
Complement: 54
Name Builder Launched Fate
Name Builder Launched Fate
XI Chatham DYd 16.6.1923 BU 1937
OBERON (ex-Ol) Chatham DYd 24.9.1926 BU 1945
An experimental cruiser submarine with a gun armament and fire control
intended to engage a destroyer. She approached more nearly the double-hulled A prototype overseas patrol submarine of the saddle-tank type, laid down in
type than previous British submarines, and the pressure hull plating was lin 1924 and completed in 1927. The pressure hull plating was fin and design depth
thick, the designed depth limit being 350ft and the test depth 200ft. Fuel limit 500ft with test depth 200ft. Nearly all the fuel was carried in riveted
stowage was mostly external, only 40.5t being within the pressure hull. The external tanks and, as in other submarines of the time, leakage was a problem
surface machinery comprised 2 main diesels each of 3000bhp, and 2 auxiliaries until welded tanks were installed during refits. The torpedoes were originally
from U126, each of 1200bhp, which drove the battery-charging generators. Mark IV, but Mk VIII were carried later. Designed speeds were 15kts/9kts but
These generators could also drive the motors direct in which case the latter these were never attained. Oberon was laid up in 1944.
developed lOOObhp each. The total surface power was thus 8000bhp, but the
auxiliary diesels never achieved their designed output so that shaft revolutions,
and hence those of the main diesels, were limited and lOOOhp lost. XI was laid OXLEY class
down 2.11.21, completed 23.9.25 and, bedevilled by machinery troubles, was
Displacement: 1354t standard; 1636t/1872t normal
laid up in December 1933. Her torpedoes were Mk IV.
Dimensions: 275ft oa x 27ft 7|in x 15ft 8|in mean normal load
83.82 x 8.42 x 4.79m
Machinery: 2-shaft Vickers diesels plus electric motors, 31 OObhp/1350shp
XI as completed = 15kts/8.5kts. Oil 195t
Armament: 8-2 lin TT (6 bow, 2 stern), l-4in/40 QF Mk IV (later Mk
XII)
Complement: 55

Name Builder Launched Fate

OTWAY Vickers- 7.9.1926 BU 1945
Armstrong,
Barrow
OXLEY Vickers- 29.6.1926 Sunk
Armstrong, 10.9.39
Barrow

Laid down in 1925 and completed in 1927 for the Royal Australian Navy, this
class were transferred to Britain in 1931. They were a Vickers design, similar to
the Oberon, but with some improvements in hull form giving a higher speed. A
20mm gun was later added to Otway. Oxley was accidentally torpedoed by HMS
Triton.

47
 Rover as completed
ODIN class
Displacement: 1475t standard; 178lt/2038t normal
Dimensions: 283ft 6in oa x 29ft llin x 16ft lin mean normal load
86.41 x 9.12 x 4.90m
Machinery: 2-shaft Admiralty diesels plus electric motors,
4520bhp/1390shp = 17.5kts/8kts. Oil 174t
Armament: 8-21inTT (6 bow, 2 stern; 14 torpedoes), l-4in/40QF MkIV
(later Mk XII)
Complement: 53

Name Builder Launched Fate

ODIN Chatham DYd 5.5.1928 Sunk 13.6.40

OLYMPUS Beardmore 11.12.1928 Sunk 8.5.42
ORPHEUS Beardmore 26.2.1929 Sunk 19.6.40
OSIRIS Vickers- 19.5.1928 BU 1946
Armstrong,
Barrow
OSWALD Vickers- 19.6.1928 Sunk 1.8.40 Perseus as completed
Armstrong,
Barrow
OTUS Vickers- 31.8.1928 Scuttled
RAINBOW class
Armstrong, 1946 Displacement: 1475t standard; 1763t/2030t normal
Barrow Dimensions: 287ft 2in oa x 29ft llin x 16ft lin mean normal load
87.53 x 9.72 x 4.90m
Improvements on the Oberon, particular attention being paid to reaching a Machinery: 2-shaft Admiralty diesels plus electric motors,
higher speed. They were laid down in 1927 and completed in 1929-30. The 4640bhp/1670shp = 17.5kts/8.8kts. Oil 158t
pressure hull plating was fin, and design depth limit 500ft with test depth 300ft, Armament: 8-2lin TT (6 bow, 2 stern; 14 torpedoes), l-4.7in/45 QF Mk
though Otus at least went to 360ft, and it was found that some hull stiffening aft IX. See notes
was required. Virtually all the oil was in external tanks and these also needed Complement: 53
stiffening. Orpheus differed from the others in having Vulcan clutches. No spare
torpedoes were carried for the stern TT; the outfit comprised Mk I Vs and later Name Builder Launched Fate
Mark VIIIs. A 20inm Oerlikon was added during the war to surviving boats. Of
the losses, Olympus was mined, and Odin, Orpheus and Oswald were sunk by RAINBOW Chatham DYd 14.5.1930 Sunk 15.10.40
REGENT Vickers- 11.6.1930 Sunk 18.4.43
Italian destroyers.
Armstrong,
Barrow
REGULUS Vickers- 11.6.1930 Sunk ?6.12.40
PARTHIAN class
Armstrong,
Displacement: 1475t standard; 1760t/2040t normal Barrow
Dimensions: 289ft 2in oa x 29ft llin x 15ft llin mean normal load ROVER Vickers- 11.6.1930 BU 1946
88.14 x 9.12 x 4.85m Armstrong,
Machinery: 2-shaft Admiralty diesels plus electric motors, Barrow
4640bhp/1635shp = 17.5kts/8.6kts. Oil 159t
Armament: 8-2 lin TT (6 bow, 2 stern; 14 torpedoes), l-4in/40 QF Mk IV Royalist (Beardmore) and Rupert (Cammell Laird) were cancelled. This class,
(later Mk XII) laid down in 1929 and completed 1930-32, were similar to the Parthians, but
Complement: 53 internal rearrangements saved 2ft in length, external plating was increased from
Jin to iin max with welded fuel tanks, the TT were strengthened and the gun
Name Builder Launched Fate platform and bridge lowered. The diesels were later rated at 4100bhp, but the
reason for this reduction is not known. From 1931 gun armament was changed
PANDORA Vickers- 22.8.1929 Sunk 1.4.42
to l-4in/40 QF Mk XII (which Rainbow carried originally). Rainbow had high
(ex-Python) Armstrong,
capacity batteries, and by 1945 Rover had a 20mm gun added and could take 18
Barrow
M2 mines instead of her torpedoes. Rainbow was sunk by an Italian submarine
PARTHIAN Chatham DYd 22.6.1929 Sunk 10.8.43
and Regent and Regulus were probably mined.
PERSEUS Vickers- 22.5.1929 Sunk 6.12.41
Armstrong,
Barrow
PHOENIX Cammell-Laird 3.10.1929 Sunk 16.7.40
POSEIDON Vickers- 21.6.1929 Collision
Armstrong, 9.6.31
Barrow
PROTEUS Vickers- 23.7.1929 BU 1946
Armstrong,
Barrow Displacement: 1850t (Thames 1830t) standard; 2206t/2723t (Thames
2165t/2680t) normal
Similar to the Odin class, but with an altered bow shape, laid down in 1928 and Dimensions: 345ft oa x 28ft 3in x 15ft llin (Thames 15ft 7iin) mean
completed in 1930-31. All had Vulcan clutches and Parthian high capacity normal load
batteries. Output on all vessels was later reduced to 4340bhp/1635bhp. The 105.15 x 8.61 x 4.85 (4.76)m
torpedoes carried were Mk VIII, which was standard in all further British Machinery: 2-shaft Admiralty supercharged diesels plus electric motors
submarines of the period. Perseus carried l-4.7in/40 QF Mk X up to 1933 in 10,000bhp/2500shp = 22kts (Thames 22.5kts)/10kts. Oil 202t
place of the 4in gun. Surviving boats later in the war had a 20mm Oerlikon {Thames 216-224t)
added and could take 18 M2 mines, layable from the TT, instead of their Armament: 6-21in TT (bow; 12 torpedoes), l-4in/40 QF Mk XII
torpedoes. Pandora was bombed at Malta, Parthian and Perseus mined and Complement: 61
Phoenix sunk by an Italian torpedo-boat.

48
 Submarines

Name Builder Launched Fate

PORPOISE
THAMES Vickers- 26.1.1932 Sunk 23.7.40
Displacement: 1500t standard; 1768t/2053t normal
Armstrong,
Barrow Dimensions: 289ft oa x 29ft lOin X 15ft lOiin mean normal load
SEVERN 88.09 x 9.09 x 4.84m
Vickers- 16.1.1934 BU 1946
Armstrong, Machinery: 2-shaft Admiralty diesels plus electric motors,
3300bhp/1630shp = 15.5kts/8.75kts, Oil 155-190t
Barrow
CLYDE Vickers- Armament: 6-21in TT (bow; 12 torpedoes), 1—4.7in/45 QF Mk IX, 50
15.3.1934 BU 1946
mines
Armstrong,
Complement: 59
Barrow

Name Builder Launched Fate

Combined fleet and patrol type submarines laid down in 1931-33 and completed
in 1932-35. It was originally intended to build 20 of the class but the policy was
changed. They approached the double-hull type with a pressure hull of
‘keyhole’ section and plating reduced to fin to save weight, giving a designed
diving depth of 300ft and test depth of 200ft. The external fuel tanks were
welded, which prevented the leakage problems of previous classes. The turbo¬
superchargers were driven by 2 400bhp auxiliary diesels via generators, and
motors and increased the bhp of the main engines from 8000 to 10000. Severn
and Clyde differed from Thames in various details and had buoyancy tanks in the
superstructure to improve stability; in addition, Thames carried l-4.7in/45 QF
Mk IX until replaced by the 4in/40 in 1935. A 20mm gun was added to Severn
and Clyde, and they could take 12 M2 mines as an alternative to torpedoes.
Thames is believed to have been lost on a mine.
Severn about 1939
PORPOISE Vickers- 30.8.1932 Sunk 16.1.45
Armstrong,
Barrow
This minelayer, laid down in 1931 and completed in 1933, was of saddle-tank
type with a hull form similar to the Parthian class. The 4.7in gun was replaced by
a 4in/40 QF Mk XII in 1934. The mines were carried in the superstructure on an
endless chain, the general layout resembling that of the converted M3, but the
excessively slow diving of the latter was avoided by careful design of the mine
casing. Designed diving depth was 300ft and test depth 200ft, whilst the fuel was
mainly in external welded tanks. In addition to the 50 mines of conventional
type, 12 M2 mines could later be carried in place of the 12 torpedoes. Porpoise
was sunk by Japanese aircraft.
Grampus 1939

GRAMPUS class
Displacement: 1520 standard; 1810t/2157t normal
Dimensions: 293ft oa x 25ft 6in x 16ft 10in mean normal load
89.30 x 7.77 x 5.13m
Machinery: 2-shaft Admiralty diesels plus electric motors,
3300bhp/1630shp = 15.75kts/8.75kts. Oil 119— 1471
Armament: 6-21in TT (bow; 12 torpedoes), 1—4in/40 QF Mk XII, 50
mines
Complement: 59

Name Builder Launched Fate

GRAMPUS Chatham DYd 25.2.1936 Sunk 16.6.40

NARWHAL Vickers- 29.8.1935 Sunk 30.7.40
Armstrong,
Barrow
RORQUAL Vickers- 21.7.1936 BU 1946
Armstrong,
Barrow
CACHALOT Scotts 2.12.1937 Sunk 30.7.41
SEAL Chatham DYd 27.9.1938 Captured 5.5.40

Usually classed with the Porpoise, these five boats approached the double-hull
. t type, with a pressure hull shaped to include the principal fuel tanks. They were
laid down in 1933-36 and completed in 1936-39, while P411-P413, which
would have differed in having a circular section pressure hull, ordered from
Sturgeon, 29.3.1933 Scotts 13.1.41, were cancelled in September 1941. Stability was increased from
that of Porpoise as was the reserve of buoyancy, and armament was the same
apart from the later addition of a 20mm gun in Rorqual. Diving depth figures
SWORDFISH class were also the same but fuel capacity was reduced. Grampus and Cachalot were
sunk by Italian TBs, Narwhal doubtfully by a German aircraft, and Seal was
Displacement: 640t standard; 730t/927t normal
damaged by a mine before capture.
Dimensions: 202ft 6in oa x 24ft x lift llin mean normal load
61.12 x 7.32 x 3.63m
Machinery: 2-shaft Admiralty diesels plus electric motors,
1550bhp/1440shp = 13.75kts/lOkts. SHARK class
Armament: 6-2lin TT (bow; 12 torpedoes), l-3in/20cwt Displacement: 670t standard; 768t/960t normal
Complement: 38 Dimensions: 208ft 8in oa x 24ft x lift lOin mean normal load
63.60 x 7.32 x 3.61m
Name Builder Launched Fate Machinery: 2-shaft Admiralty diesels plus electric motors,
BU 1946 1550bhp/1440shp = 14kts/10kts (Sunfish 1900bhp/1440bhp
STURGEON Chatham DYd 8.1.1932
= 15kts/lOkts). Oil 39t
SWORDFISH Chatham DYd 10.11.1931 Sunk
Nov 1940 Armament: 6-21in TT (bow; 12 torpedoes), l-3in/20cwt
15.11.1932 Sunk 7.1.40 Complement: 39
SEAHORSE Chatham DYd
STARFISH Chatham DYd 14.3.1933 Sunk 9.1.40
Name Builder Launched Fate
Sturgeon was lent to the Netherlands asZeehond 11.10.43-14.9.45. This class, of SEALION Cammell Laird 16.3.1934 Scuttled 3.3.45
saddle-tank type and intended for training and patrols in confined waters, were SHARK Chatham DYd 31.5.1934 Sunk 6.7.40
laid down in 1930-31 and completed in 1932-33. Internal arrangements were SALMON Cammell Laird 30.4.1934 Sunk 9.7.40
complicated and they were initially not very successful. The original 3in gun was SNAPPER Chatham DYd 25.10.1934 Sunk 12.2.41
HA in Swordfish and Sturgeon and on a disappearing mounting which was found SEAWOLF Scotts 28.11.1935 BU 1945
to have little advantage and added a good deal of topweight. The designed diving SPEARFISH Cammell Laird 21.4.1936 Sunk 1.8.40
depth was 300ft, test depth was 200ft and the fuel tanks were internal. Seahorse SUNFISH Chatham DYd 30.9.1936 Sunk 27.7.44
and Starfish were sunk by German minesweepers or trawlers, whilst Swordfish STERLET Chatham DYd 22.9.1937 Sunk 16.4.40
was lost off Ushant for unknown reasons.

49
GREAT BRITAIN
This class, laid down in 1933-36 and completed in 1934—38, were improved and
simplified versions of the Swordfish class with the pressure hull lengthened
amidships. Diving depth was unchanged. In Seawolf and Sunfish 12 M2 mines
were later carried as an alternative to the torpedoes. Sterlet was sunk by German
ASW craft, Shark by German minesweepers and aircraft, Spearfish by a U-boat,
and Salmon probably by a mine. Sunfish, loaned to Russia 1944 asBl, was sunk
accidentally by British aircraft en route. Snapper was lost for unknown reasons
in the Bay of Biscay. Sealion was scuttled as an asdic target.
Salmon about 1938
in the external tanks. Trials in Tetrarch were not very satisfactory and ljkts was
lost in surface speed, which was already considered rather low (even though
Triton made 16.29kts on trials), so the requirement was cancelled. ‘Snort’ gear
based on the German schnorkel, which enabled the diesels to be run at low
power while at periscope depth, was successfully tried in Truant in 1945. It may
be remarked that this was a Dutch invention of 1927, and submarines fitted with
it came into the hands of the British and German navies in 1940. Of those lost,
Thunderbolt was sunk by an Italian corvette, Tarpon by German trawlers. Thistle
by U4, Triton, Triumph, Tigris, Talisman and Tetrarch probably by mines and
Triad from an unknown cause off the coast of Libya. Truant was wrecked on her
way to the breakers.

Undine as completed

UNDINE class (‘U’ class prewar programmes)

Displacement: 540t standard; 630t/730t normal
Dimension: 191ft oa x 16ft lin x 15ft 2in max normal load
58.22 x 4.90 x 4.62m
Machinery: 2-shaft Paxman-Ricardo diesels (electric drive) plus electric
motors, 615bhp/825shp = 11.25kts/10kts. Oil 38t
Armament: 6-2lin TT (4 bow, 2 external; 10 torpedoes), l-3in/20cwt.
See notes
Complement: 27

Triumph 1939 Name Builder Launched Fate

UNDINE Vickers- 5.10.1937 Sunk 7.1.40

TRITON class (‘T’ class prewar programmes) Armstrong,
Barrow
Displacement: 1090t (Triton 1095t) standard; 1326t/1575t (Triton UNITY Vickers- 16.2.1938 Collision 29.4.40
1331t/1585t) normal Armstrong,
Dimensions: 275ft (Triton 277ft) oa, x 26ft 7in x 14ft 8in, 15ft max normal Barrow
load URSULA Vickers- 16.2.1938 BU 1950
83.82 (84.43) x 8.10 x 4.47, 4.Sim Armstrong,
Machinery: 2-shaft Vickers (Tigris, Torbay Admiralty, Tribune, Tarpon, Barrow
Tuna MAN, Thunderbolt, Trident, Taku, Talisman Sulzer)
diesels, 2500bhp/1450shp = 15.25kts/9kts. Oil 132t (Trident,
Torbay later 178t max) This class, laid down in 1937 and completed in 1938, were intended as replace¬
ments of the ‘H’ class for training and local patrols. They were distinguished by
Armament: 10-21inTT (6 bow, 4 external), l-4inQF MkXII. See notes
electric drive when surfaced, the main motors being driven from the diesel-
Complement: 59
powered generators, and were of single-hull type with an operational depth limit
Name Builder Launched Fate of 200ft. The external TT were in the bows and resulted in a bluff form which
was not very satisfactory in a seaway. On trials Undine made 12.45kts surfaced
TRITON Vickers- 5.10.1937 Sunk 18.12.40 and 8.58kts submerged. Ursula had only 8 torpedoes to compensate for the
Armstrong, weight of the 3in gun, which only she carried, and she could subsequently carry
Barrow 6 M2 mines as an alternative. Undine was sunk by German minesweepers;
THUNDERBOLT Cammell Laird 29.6.1938 Sunk 14.3.43 Ursula was loaned to the USSR as B4 from 1944 to 1949.
(ex-Thetis)
TRIBUNE Scotts 8.12.1938 BU 1947
TRIDENT Cammell Laird 7.12.1938 BU 1946 ‘T’class (War Emergency and 1940 programmes)
TRIUMPH Vickers- 16.2.1938 Sunk 14.1.42
Displacement: 1090t standard; 1327t/1567— 1575t normal
Armstrong,
Dimensions: 273ft 3in-275ft oa x 26ft 7in x 14ft 7in-14ft lOin max normal
Barrow
load
TAKU Cammell Laird 20.5.1939 BU 1946
83.28-83.82 x 8.10 x 4.44-4.52m
TARPON Scotts 17.10.1939 Sunk 14.4.40
Machinery: 2-shaft Vickers (Tempest, Thom, Thrasher Sulzer, Traveller,
THISTLE Vickers- 25.10.1938 Sunk 10.4.40
Trooper Admiralty) diesels plus electric motors,
Armstrong, 2500bhp/1450shp = 15.25kts/9kts. Oil 129-132t (Tactician,
Barrow Tally Ho, Tantalus, Tantivy, Taurus later 215t max)
TIGRIS Chatham DYd 31.10.1939 Sunk 10.3.43 Armament: 11—2lin TT (6 bow, 5 external; 17 torpedoes), l-4in/40 QF
TRIAD Vickers- 5.5.1939 Sunk Oct 1940 Mk XII
Armstrong, Complement: 61
Barrow
TRUANT Vickers- 5.5.1939 Wrecked Name Builder Launched Fate
Armstrong, Dec 1946
Barrow TEMPEST Cammell Laird 10.6.1941 Sunk 13.2.42
TUNA Scotts 10.5.1940 BU 1946 THORN Cammell Laird 18.3.1941 Sunk 6.8.42
TALISMAN Cammell Laird 29.1.1940 Sunk 16.9.42 THRASHER Cammell Laird 28.11.1940 BU 1947
TETRARCH Vickers- 14.11.1939 Sunk Oct. 1941 TRAVELLER Scotts 27.8.1941 Sunk 8.12.42
Armstrong, TROOPER Scotts 5.3.1942 Sunk 10.10.43
Barrow TRUSTY Vickers- 14.3.1941 BU 1947
TORBAY Chatham DYd 9.4.1940 BU 1945 Armstrong,
Barrow
Thetis sank during trials 1.6.39 but was raised and reconditioned by Cammell TURBULENT Vickers- 12.5.1941 Sunk 14.3.43
Laird and renamed Thunderbolt. This class, laid down in 1936-38 and com¬ Armstrong,
pleted in 1938-41, were built as patrol submarines instead of further units of the Barrow
Thames class. They were of saddle-tank type with Jin pressure hull plating and P311 (ex- Vickers- 5.3.1942 Sunk 31.12.42
an operational depth limit of 300ft. Of the external TT, two were originally in Tutankhamen) Armstrong,
the bows and two amidships firing forward, but to improve sea- and depth¬ Barrow
keeping the two bow TT were later removed from Thunderbolt and Triumph. TACTICIAN Vickers- 29.7.1942 BU 1963
Eventually in 7 of the surviving boats - Tribune, Trident, Taku, Tigris, Truant, Armstrong,
Tuna and Torbay - the midships TT were altered to fire aft and an external stern Barrow
tube was added. The torpedo outfit was respectively 16, 14 or 17 and subse¬ TALLY HO Vickers- 23.12.1942 BU 1967
quently 18 M2 mines could be carried as an alternative. A 20mm Oerlikon gun Armstrong,
was later added to surviving boats. Fuel was in internal tanks, but an extra 46 Barrow
tons could be carried in adapted main tanks in Trident and Torbay. The 3 boats of TANTALUS Vickers- 24.2.1943 BU 1950
the 1938 programme. Talisman, Tetrarch and Torbay, had welded framing and Armstrong,
were intended to carry 6 or possibly 8 mines port and starboard in vertical wells Barrow

50
 Submarines

Name Builder Launched Fate Name Builder Launched Fate

TANTIVY Vickers- 6.4.1943 Sunk 1951 TEREDO Vickers- 27.4.1945 BU 1965

Armstrong, Armstrong,
Barrow Barrow
TAURUS Vickers- 27.6.1942 BU 1960 TERRAPIN Vickers- 31.8.1943 Damaged 19.5.45
Armstrong, Armstrong,
Barrow Barrow
TEMPLAR V tckers- 26.10.1942 Sunk 1950 THOROUGH Vickers- 30.10.1943 BU 1961
Armstrong, Armstrong,
Barrow Barrow
TRESPASSER Vickers- 29.5.1942 BU 1961 THULE Devonport DYd 22.10.1942 BU 1962
Armstrong, TIPTOE Vickers- 25.2.1944 BU 1975
Barrow Armstrong,
TRUCULENT Vickers- 12.9.1942 Collision Barrow
Armstrong, 12.1.50 TIRELESS Portsmouth DYd 19.3.1943 BU 1968
Barrow TOKEN Portsmouth DYd 19.3.1943 BU 1970
TRADEWIND Chatham DYd 11.12.1942 BU 1955
Improvements in detail on the Triton class, laid down in 1939-42 and completed TRENCHANT Chatham DYd 24.3.1943 BU 1963
in 1941—43. All had welded framing, a 20mm gun and 5 external TT disposed as TRUMP Vickers- 25.3.1944 BU 1971
in the altered units of the Triton class; 18 M2 mines, laid successfully from TT in Armstrong,
August 1941 during trials in Trusty, could be carried instead of torpedoes. The Barrow
first seven given above belonged to the War Emergency Programme and they TUDOR Devonport DYd 23.9.1942 BU 1963
and P311 were 275ft long with 132 tons oil in internal tanks; the rest had the bow TABARD Scotts 21.11.1945 BU 1968
external TT moved 7ft aft to fine the bow, and are listed as 273ft 3in with 3 tons THERMOPYLAE Chatham DYd 27.6.1945 BU 1970
less oil. In five of the 1940 Programme boats an additional 86 tons of oil could be TOTEM Devonport DYd 28.9.1943 To Israel 1964
stowed in modified main tanks. These converted tanks were riveted but were TRUNCHEON Devonport DYd 22.2.1944 To Israel 1968
later replaced by welded ones. The 4in gun was later changed to a Mk XXII in TURPIN Chatham DYd 5.8.1944 To Israel 1965
Trusty, Tally Ho and Templar. Tempest was sunk by an Italian TB and the other
five war losses are believed to have been mined. Taurus served as the Dutch Further developments of the 1940 Programme ‘Ts’ laid down in 1941-44 and
Dolfijn 1948—53; Tantivy and Templar were expended as asdic targets. completed in 1943—46. Taciturn, Talent (ex-Tasman), Tapir, Tam, Teredo, Tip¬
toe, Trump, Tabard, Thermopylae, Totem, Truncheon and Turpin had welded fin
Truncheon as completed pressure hull plating and an operational depth limit of 350ft though they were
test-dived to 400ft. All except possibly Tam could carry 86 tons additional fuel
-O' : in external tanks which in most cases were welded initially. Three boats were
transferred to the Netherlands, Talent being renamed Zwaardvisch, Tapir
becomingZeehond (1948) and Tam becoming Tijgerhaai. Totem, Truncheon and
‘T’ class (1941 and 1942 Programmes) Turpin were transferred to Israel 1964—68, receiving the names Dakar, Dolphin
Displacement: 1090t standard; 1319—1327t/157It normal and Leviathan respectively.
The armament was as in the 1940 Programme ‘Ts’ except that all but Zwaard¬
Dimensions: 273ft 3in-273ft 6in oa x 26ft 7in x 14ft 8in-14ft lOin max
visch are listed with 12 instead of 18 M2 mines though the torpedo outfit remains
normal load
83.28-83.36 x 8.10 x 4.47^.S2m at 17. The reason for this is not known, but such additional items as more
air-conditioning equipment and improved radar had made the boats difficult to
Machinery: 2-shaft Vickers (Thule, Tireless, Token, Tradewind, Trenchant,
Tudor, Thermopylae, Totem, Truncheon, Turpin Admiralty) trim in the fresher and less dense waters to be found near the mouths of large Far
diesels plus electric motors, 2500bhp/1450shp = Eastern rivers where minelaying was most likely, and some reduction in load
15.25kts/9kts. Oil 129-132t, 215-218t max was desirable. Talent (ii) (Scotts), Theban and Threat (Vickers-Armstrong,
Armament: 11—2lin TT (6 bow, 5 external; 17 torpedoes), l-4in/40 QF Barrow) of the 350ft-depth boats were cancelled, as were Thor and Tiara
Mk XII (Talent (iii), Tapir, Tam, Teredo, Tabard, Therm¬ (Portsmouth DYd) of the 300ft which had been launched 18.4.1944. Terrapin
opylae Mk XXII) was badly damaged by Japanese depth charges and not considered worth
Complement: 61 repairing.

Name Builder Launched Fate

TACITURN Vickers- 7.6.1944 BU 1971

Armstrong,
Barrow
TALENT (i) Vickers- 17.7.1943 To Netherlands
Armstrong, 1943 ‘S’ class (War Emergency/1941 Programmes)
Barrow
TALENT (iii) Vickers- 13.2.1945 BU 1970 Displacement: 715t standard; 842t (Safari, Scotsman, Sea Devil 814t)/990t
(ex-Tasman) Armstrong, normal
Barrow Dimensions: 217ft oa x 23ft 9in xl3ft 10in-14ft 8in max normal load
21.8.1944 BU 1966 66.14 x 7.24 x4.22-4.47m
TAPIR Vickers-
Armstrong, Machinery: 2-shaft Admiralty (P222, Seraph, Shakespeare Vickers)
Barrow diesels plus electric motors, 1900bhp/1300shp =
To Netherlands 14.75kts/9kts. Oil 67t (Safari,Scotsman,Sea Devil, 45t, later
TARN Vickers- 29.11.1944
85—92t max in most)
Armstrong, 1945
Armament: 7-2lin TT (6 bow, 1 external; 13 torpedoes), l-3in/20cwt
Barrow
(Scotsman, Scythian, Sea Devil l-4in/40 QF Mk XII). See
TELEMACHUS Vickers- 19.6.1943 BU 1961
notes
Armstrong,
Complement: 48
Barrow

Truculent at the end of the war

 - . *
_
T-
' •. " : • . ••• - •- -
"?“**■ ■»■■■-cr-' . -
■' t

■'- -• S .
: . -- : ;T-' - ::...
Storm about 1944

Saga as completed
Name Builder Launched Fate

SAFARI Cammell Laird 18.11.1941 Lost 8.1.46

SAHIB
‘S’ class (1942 and 1943 Programmes)
Cammell Laird 19.1.1942 Sunk 24.4.43
SARACEN Cammell Laird 16.2.1942 Sunk 14.8.43 Displacement: 715t standard; 814t (Sturdy, Stygian 842t)/990t normal
SATYR Scotts 28.9.1942 BU 1962 Dimensions: 217ft oa x 23ft 9in x 13ft 1 lin—14ft lin (Sturdy, Stygian 14ft
SCEPTRE Scotts 9.1.1943 BU 1949 8in) max normal load
P222 Vickers- 20.9.1941 Sunk 12.12.42 66.14 x 7.24 x 4.24^4.29 (4.47)m
Armstrong, Machinery: 2-shaft Admiralty diesels plus electric motors,
Barrow 1900bhp/1300shp = 14.75kts/9kts. Oil 45t 85t max {Sturdy,
SEADOG Cammell Laird 11.6.1942 BU 1948 Stygian 67t, 92t max)
SEA NYMPH Cammell Laird 29.7.1942 BU 1948 Armament: 6-2 lin TT (bow; 12 torpedoes), l-4in/40 QF Mk XII
SEA ROVER Scotts 18.2.1943 BU 1949 {Seneschal, Sentinel, Spearhead, Sanguine Mk XXII, Sturdy,
SERAPH Vickers- 25.10.1941 BU 1965 Stygian, Subtle l-3in/20cwt). See notes
Armstrong, Complement: 48
Barrow
SHAKESPEARE Vickers- 8.12.1941 BU 1946 Name Builder Launched Fate
Armstrong, SEA SCOUT Cammell Laird 24.3.1944 BU 1966
Barrow SELENE Cammell Laird 24.4.1944 BU 1961
SIBYL Cammell Laird 29.4.1942 BU 1948 SENESCHAL Scotts 23.4.1945 BU 1960
SICKLE Cammell Laird 27.8.1942 Sunk 14.6.44 SENTINEL Scotts 27.7.1945 BU 1962
SIMOOM Cammell Laird 12.10.1942 Sunk 15.11.43 SIDON Cammell Laird 4.9.1944 Target 1957
SIRDAR Scotts 26.3.1943 BU 1965 SLEUTH Cammell Laird 6.7.1944 BU 1958
SPITEFUL Scotts 5.6.1943 BU 1963 SOLENT Cammell Laird 8.6.1944 BU 1961
SPLENDID Chatham DYd 19.1.1942 Sunk 21.4.43 SPEARHEAD Cammell Laird 2.10.1944 To Portugal
SPORTSMAN Chatham DYd 17.4.1942 Lost 24.9.52 1948
SCOTSMAN Scotts 18.8.1944 BU 1964 SPRINGER Cammell Laird 14.5.1945 To Israel 1958
SCYTHIAN Scotts 14.4.1944 BU 1960 STURDY Cammell Laird 30.9.1943 BU 1958
SEA DEVIL Scotts 30.1.1945 BU 1965
STYGIAN Cammell Laird 30.11.1943 BU 1949
SHALIMAR Chatham DYd 22.4.1943 BU 1950
SUBTLE Cammell Laird 27.1.1944 BU 1959
SPARK Scotts 28.12.1943 BU 1949
SUPREME Cammell Laird 24.2.1944 BU 1950
SPIRIT Cammell Laird 20.7.1943 BU 1950 SAGA Cammell Laird 14.3.1945 To Portugal 1948
STATESMAN Cammell Laird 14.9.1943 BU 1961
SANGUINE Cammell Laird 15.2.1945 To Israel 1958
STOIC Cammell Laird 9.4.1943 BU 1950
SCORCHER Cammell Laird 18.12.1944 BU 1962
STONEHENGE Cammell Laird 23.3.1943 Sunk 20.3.44
SPUR Cammell Laird 17.11.1944 To Portugal
STORM Cammell Laird 18.5.1943 BU 1949
1948
STRATAGEM Cammell Laird 21.6.1943 Sunk 22.11.44
STRONGBOW Scotts 30.8.1943 BU 1946
Generally similar to the 1941 programme ‘S’ class, this group were laid down in
STUBBORN Cammell Laird 11.11.1942 Sunk as
1942-44 and completed in 1943—45. As will be seen from the above data, Sturdy
target 1946
and Stygian resembled 1941 Programme boats, and they had an operational
SURF Cammell Laird 10.12.1942 BU 1949
depth limit of 300ft as against 350ft in the rest which had welded pressure hull
SYRTIS Cammell Laird 4.2.1943 Sunk 28.3.44
plating. The torpedo outfit was 13 in Sturdy, Stygian and Subtle, which had an
extra, external stern tube; 12 M2 mines could be carried by all boats as an
Improved and enlarged developments of the Shark class with welded framing,
alternative load. A 20mm gun was later mounted. Selene, Solent and Sleuth were
originally intended for North Sea operations, laid down in 1940-43 and com¬
subsequently converted to high speed target submarines on the lines of Seraph.
pleted in 1942-45, Sea Rover and Sirdar being completed by Vickers-
Sidon suffered an internal explosion 16.6.55, caused by concentrated hydrogen
Armstrong, Barrow. Safari, P222, Scotsman, Scythian and Sea Devil (and later
peroxide used in experimental torpedoes. Spearhead, Saga and Spur were
Strongbow) were not fitted with the external TT. The last two to be launched,
renamed Neptuno, Nautilo and Narval in Portuguese service; Springer and
Sea Devil and Scotsman resembled the boats of the 1942 Programme, and with
Sanguine were renamed Tanin and Rahav by the Israelis.
thicker welded pressure hull plating had an operational depth limit of 350ft
compared with 300ft for the remainder. Of the normal fuel, 45 tons was in
internal tanks, but in all except Safari, Scotsman and Sea Devil this was
increased to 67 tons by converting part of two main tanks. It could be sup¬ 2_ Usurper 1943
plemented by a further 40 tons in Scotsman and Sea Devil or by 25 tons in most of
the boats with 67 tons by using more of the main tanks for fuel. The torpedo
outfit was 12 if there was no external stern tube, and alternatively 12 M2 mines
‘U’ class (War Emergency and 1940 Programmes and 1941
could be carried. A 20mm gun was later added to several of the class. Seraph was ‘short hull’)
converted at Devonport in July/September 1944 to a high speed target with a
Displacement: 540t standard; 630t (later 646t)/732t normal
cleaned-up hull and casing, higher capacity batteries, up-rated motors and ‘T’
class propellers which had a coarser pitch. On trials she attained 1647hp = Dimensions: 196ft lOin {Unbeaten, Unique, Upholder, Upright, Usk, Utmost
191ft, Undaunted, Union, Urchin, Urge 192ft 4in) oa X 16ft
12.52kts at periscope depth and 16.75kts surfaced. Sceptre, Satyr and Statesman
lin x 14ft lOin—15ft 3in max normal load
were later converted in a similar way. Sahib, Saracen and P222 were sunk by
59.99 (58.22, 58.62) x 4.90 x 4.52^4.65m
Italian torpedo-boats or corvettes, Splendid by a German and Stratagem by a
Machinery: 2-shaft Paxman-Ricardo or Paxman diesels plus electric
Japanese destroyer, and Sickle, Simoom and Syrtis probably by mines, whilst
motors, 615bhp/825shp = 11.25kts/10kts. Oil 38t, later 55t
Stonehenge was lost for unknown reasons in the Malacca Straits. Satyr, Spiteful,
Armament: 4-21in TT (bow; 8 torpedoes), l-12pdr/12cwt
Sportsman and Statesman were transferred to France in 1951-52, being renamed
Complement: 31-33
Saphir, Sirene, Sibylle and Sultane respectively.

52
 Submarines

Name Builder Launched Fate Name Builder Launched Fate

UMPIRE Chatham DYd 30.12.1940 Collision 19.7.41 UNSEEN (ex-PS 1) Vickers- 16.4.1942 BU 1949
UNA Chatham DYd 10.6.1941 BU 1949 Armstrong,
UNBEATEN Vickers- 9.7.1940 Sunk 11.11.42 Barrow
Armstrong, UNSHAKEN Vickers- 17.2.1942 BU 1946
Barrow
(ex-P54) Armstrong,
UNDAUNTED Vickers- 20.8.1940 Sunk 13.5.41 Barrow
Armstrong, UPROAR (ex- Vickers- 27.11.1940 BU 1946
Barrow Ullswater, ex-P3l) Armstrong,
UNION Vickers- 1.10.1940 Sunk 20.7.41 Barrow
Armstrong, UREDD (ex-P41) Vickers- 24.8.1941 Sunk 24.2.43
Barrow Armstrong,
UNIQUE Vickers- 6.6.1940 Sunk 23.10.42 Barrow
Armstrong, UNIVERSAL Vickers- 10.11.1942 BU 1946
Barrow (ex-P57) Armstrong,
UPHOLDER Vickers- 8.7.1940 Sunk 14.4.42 Tyne
Armstrong, UNSPARING Vickers- 28.7.1942 BU 1946
Barrow (ex-P55) Armstrong,
UPRIGHT Vickers- 21.4.1940 BU 1946 Tyne
Armstrong, UNSWERVING Vickers- 19.7.1943 BU 1949
Barrow Armstrong,
URCHIN Vickers- 30.9.1940 BU 1949 Tyne
Armstrong, UNTIRING Vickers- 20.1.1943 Sunk as
Barrow (ex-Upstart) Armstrong, target 1957
URGE Vickers- 19.8.1940 Sunk 28.4.42 Tyne
Armstrong, UPSTART (ex- Vickers- 24.11.1942 Sunk as
Barrow Untiring, ex-P65) Armstrong, target 1957
USK Vickers- 7.6.1940 Sunk 28.4.41 Barrow
Armstrong, USURPER (ex-P56) Vickers- 24.9.1942 Sunk 3.10.43
Barrow Armstrong,
UTMOST Vickers- 20.4.1940 Sunk 24.11.42 Tyne
Armstrong UTHER .Vickers- 6.4.1943 BU 1950
Barrow Armstrong,
P32 Vickers- 15.12.1940 Sunk 18.8.41 Tyne
Armstrong, VANDAL (ex-P64) Vickers- 23.11.1942 Sunk 24.2.43
Barrow Armstrong,
P33 Vickers- 28.1.1941 Sunk 23.8.41 Barrow
Armstrong, VITALITY Vickers- 8.12.1942 BU 1946
Barrow (ex-Untamed, ex-P58) Armstrong,
P36 Vickers- 28.4.1941 Sunk 1.4.42 Tyne
Armstrong, VARANGIAN Vickers- 4.3.1943 BU 1949
Barrow Armstrong,
P38 Vickers- 9.7.1941 Sunk 23.2.42 Tyne
Armstrong, VARNE Vickers- 22.1.1943 To Norway 1943
Barrow Armstrong,
P39 Vickers- 23.8.1941 Sunk 26.3.42 Barrow
Armstrong, VOX Vickers- 23.1.1943 BU 1949
Barrow Armstrong,
P47 Vickers- 27.7.1942 To Netherlands Barrow
Armstrong, 1942
Barrow These boats were developments of the Undine class and were laid down in
P48 Vickers- 15.4.1942 Sunk 25.12.42 1939-43 and completed in 1940-43. Untamed was renamed when salved follow¬
Armstrong, ing her loss on trials 30 May 1943. There were no external TT in this class; 6 M2
Barrow mines could later be carried instead of torpedoes. Oil fuel was later increased by
P52 Vickers- 11.10.1942 BU 1958 using two of the main tanks to give a total of 55 tons, and the 12pdr gun was
Armstrong, replaced by l-3in/20cwt. The bows were reshaped and lengthened in later units
Barrow to improve behaviour in a seaway when surfaced and at periscope depth Several
ULTIMATUM Vickers- 11.2.1941 BU 1949 of the class operated with great success from Malta but losses were heavy. U nion,
(itx-P34) Armstrong, Upholder, Utmost,P38 andP48 were sunk by Italian TBs, Usurper by a German
Barrow anti-submarine vessel. Undaunted, Urge, Usk,P32,P33 and Uredd probably by
ULTOR (ex-P53) Vickers- 12.10.1942 BU 1946 mines, P36 and P39 by aircraft at Malta and Unbeaten accidentally by British
Armstrong, aircraft, whilst Unique and Vandal were lost for unknown reasons to the west of
Barrow Gibraltar and in the Firth of Clyde. Several boats were transferred to foreign
UMBRA (ex-P35) Vickers- 15.3.1941 BU 1946 navies: Urchin became the Polish Sokol, later P97; P47 became the Dutch
Armstrong, Dolfijn in 1942; P52 (ex-Polish Dzik) served in the Danish Navy 1946-57 as
Barrow Springeren ; Unbroken and Unison went to Russia as B2 and S3 and served
UNBENDING Vickers- 12.5.1941 BU 1950 1944-49; Uredd and Vame were transferred to Norway in 1941 and 1943
(ex-P37) Armstrong, respectively, the latter being renamed Ula\ and Untiring and Upstart served as
Barrow the Greek Xifias and Amfitriti 1945-52. France received Vox, renaming her
UNBROKEN Vickers- 4.11.1941 BU 1950 Curie, as which she served 1943-46 before returning to Britain as P67.
(ex-P42) Armstrong,
Barrow
UNISON (ex-P43) Vickers- 5.11.1941 BU 1950
Armstrong,
Barrow
UNITED (ex-P44) Vickers- 18.12.1941 BU 1946
Armstrong,
Barrow ‘U’ class (1941 long hull and 1942 Programmes)
UNRIVALLED Vickers- 16.2.1942 BU 1946
(ex-P45) Armstrong, Displacement: 545t standard; 658—662t/740t normal
Barrow Dimensions: 204ft 6in oa x 16ft lin x 15ft 3in max normal load
UNRUFFLED Vickers- 19.12.1941 BU 1946 62.33 x 4.90 x 4.65m
(ex-P46) Armstrong, Machinery: 2-shaft Paxman diesels plus electric motors 615bhp/825shp =
Barrow 11.25kts/10kts. Oil 55t
UNRULY (ex-P49) Vickers- 28.7.1942 BU 1946 Armament: 4-2lin TT (bow; 8 torpedoes), l-3in/20cwt
Armstrong, Complement: 33
Barrow

53
GREAT BRITAIN

Name Builder Launched Fate P611 class (iex-Turkish)

VAMPIRE Vickers- 20.7.1943 BU 1950 Displacement 624 standard; 683t/856t normal
Armstrong, 201ft 7in oa x 22ft 4in X lift lOin max normal load
Dimensions:
Barrow 61.44 X 6.81 x 3.61m
VELDT Vickers- 19.7.1943 BU 1958 2-shaft Vickers diesels plus electric motors, 1200bhp/780shp
Machinery:
Armstrong, = 13.7kts/8.4kts. Oil 34t
Barrow 5-2lin TT (4 bow, 1 external; 9 torpedoes), l-4in/40 QF
Armament:
VENTURER Vickers- 4.5.1943 To Norway 1946 Mk XX
Armstrong,
Complement: 35
Barrow
VIGOROUS Vickers- 15.10.1943 BU 1949 Builder Launched Fate
Name
Armstrong,
P611 Vickers- 19.7.1940 To Turkey 1942
Barrow
VIKING Vickers- 5.5.1943 To Norway 1946 (ex-Oruc Reis) Armstrong,
Armstrong, Barrow
Barrow P612 Vickers- 20.7.1940 To Turkey 1942
VIRTUE Vickers- 29.11.1943 BU 1946 (ex-Murat Reis) Armstrong,
Armstrong, Barrow
Barrow P614 Vickers- 19.10.1940 To Turkey 1945
VISIGOTH Vickers- 30.11.1943 BU 1950 (e.x-Burak Reis) Armstrong,
Armstrong, Barrow
Barrow P615 Vickers- 1.11.1940 Sunk 18.4.43
VOX Vickers- 28.9.1943 BU 1946 (ex-Uluc Ali Reis) Armstrong,
Armstrong, Barrow
Barrow
UPSHOT Vickers- 24.2.1944 BU 1949 This class were saddle-tank boats with internal fuel tanks and a depth limit of
Armstrong, 328ft (100m), laid down in 1939 and completed in 1941—42. P611 andP612 were
Barrow only commissioned for delivery to Turkey. The torpedo outfit in P614 and P615
URTICA Vickers- 23.3.1944 BU 1950 comprised 8 of the standard Mk VIII for the bow tubes and a Whitehead Mk X
Armstrong, for the external stern tube. P615 was sunk by U123. The Turkish names were
Barrow re-instated on delivery.
VAGABOND Vickers- 19.9.1944 BU 1950
Armstrong,
Tyne
VARIANCE Vickers- 22.5.1944 To Norway 1944
Armstrong,
Barrow
VARNE Vickers- 24.2.1944 BU 1958
Armstrong,
Tyne
VENGEFUL Vickers- 20.7.1944 BU 1958
Armstrong,
Barrow
VINEYARD Vickers- 8.5.1944 BU 1950
Armstrong,
Barrow
VIRULENT Vickers- 23.5.1944 BU 1961
Armstrong, Alderney in Jan 1950
Tyne
VIVID Vickers- 15.9.1943 BU 1950
Armstrong,
Tyne ‘A’ class
VOLATILE Vickers- 20.6.1944 BU 1958
Displacement: 1120t standard; 1385t/1620t normal
Armstrong,
Tyne Dimensions: 279ft 3in oa x 22ft 3in x 17ft lin max normal load
85.11 x 6.78 x 5.21m
VORACIOUS Vickers- 11.11.1943 BU 1946
Armstrong, Machinery: 2-shaft Vickers (Acheron, Aeneas, Affray ,Alaric, Artemis, Art¬
ful Admiralty) supercharged diesels plus electric motors,
Tyne
4300bhp/1250shp = 18.5kts/8kts. Oil 165t, 219t max
VORTEX Vickers- 19.8.1944 BU 1958
Armament: 10—2lin TT (4 bow, 2 stern, 4 external), l-4in/40 QF Mk
Armstrong,
XXII. See notes
Barrow
Complement: 61
VOTARY Vickers- 21.8.1944 To Norway 1946
Armstrong,
Name Builder Launched Fate
Tyne
VULPINE Vickers- 28.12.1943 BU 1959 ACHERON Chatham DYd 25.3.1947 BU 1972
Armstrong, AENEAS Cammell Laird 25.10.1945 BU 1972
Tyne AFFRAY Cammell Laird 12.4.1945 Lost 17.4.51
ALARIC Cammell Laird 18.2.1946 BU 1971
This class, laid down in 1942-43 and completed in 1943-45, were a further ALCIDE Vickers- 12.4.1945 BU 1972
development of the ‘U’ type with the stern lengthened to give an easier angle of Armstrong,
approach of water to the propellers in order to reduce noise and also a further Barrow
fining of the bows. The hull had welded framing and the riveted plating was ALDERNEY Vickers- 25.6.1945 BU 1972
increased from |in to jin so that the operational depth limit was increased to Armstrong,
300ft. Cancellations were Ulex, Upas, Utopia, Veto, Virile, Visitant at Barrow, Barrow
and Unbridled, Upward, Vantage, Vehement, Venom, Verve and 8 unnamed units ALLIANCE Vickers- 28.7.1945 Extant 1980
at Vickers-Armstrong, Tyne. Venturer, Viking, Variance and Votary were Armstrong,
renamed Utstein, Utvaer, Utsira and Uthaug in Norwegian service; Veldt served Barrow
in the Greek Navy 1944-57 as Pipinios, Vengeful 1945-57 as Delfin, Virulent AMBUSH Vickers- 24.9.1945 BU 1971
1946-58 asArgonaftis and Volatile 1946-58 as Triaina; and Vineyard and Vortex Armstrong,
went to France in 1944, serving as Doris and Morse until 1947, when the latter Barrow
was transferred to Denmark as Saelen. Denmark also received Vulpine, renam¬ AMPHION (ex- Vickers- 31.8.1944 BU 1971
ing her Storen, and she and Saelen saw service until 1958. Anchorite) Armstrong,
Barrow
ANCHORITE (ex- Vickers- 22.1.1946 BU 1970
Amphion) Armstrong,
Barrow

54
 Submarines/Sloops

Name Builder Launched Fate

ANDREW Vickers- 6.4.1946 BU 1977
Armstrong,
Barrow
ARTEMIS Scotts 26.8.1946 BU 1972
ARTFUL Scotts 22.5.1947 BU 1969
ASTUTE Vickers- 30.1.1945 BU 1970
Armstrong,
Barrow
AURIGA Vickers- 29.3.1945 BU 1971
Armstrong,
Barrow
AUROCHS Vickers- 28.7.1945 BU 1967
Armstrong,
Barrow

This class, laid down in 1943-45 and completed in 1945-48, were designed for
operations against the Japanese and had better habitability than previous boats.
None was completed in time for war service and many were cancelled -Abelard
and Acasta (Portsmouth DYd); Ace and Achates (Devonport DYd); Adept
(Chatham DYd); Agate, Aggressor, Agile, Aladdin and Alcestis (Cammell Laird);
Asgard, Assurance and Astarte (Scotts); Andromache, Answer, Antaeus, Antagon¬
ist, Anzac, Aphrodite, Approach, Arcadian, Ardent, Argosy and Atlantis
(Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow); and Admirable, Adversary, Asperity, Austere,
Awake and Aztec (Vickers-Armstrong, Tyne). Of these, Ace and Achates had
been launched in 1945, and were used for ship target trials. These two, plus
Abelard and Acasta, would have had 6cyl Admiralty supercharged diesels due to
supply difficulties for the 8cyl type, and would have been about lkt slower with
3400bhp. A further 20 boats were projected at the end of 1944, but orders were
never placed. The ‘A’ class approached the double hull type and the circular
section welded pressure hull of Jin plating allowed a design depth of 500ft and
test depth of 600ft. It should be noted that they could operate at 500ft, the same
figure quoted for Oberon to Rainbow representing an emergency maximum
(some damage was to be expected if these exceeded the test depth of 200-300ft).
Of the fuel 60 tons was in internal and 105 tons in external tanks, while an extra
54 tons could be carried in the main tanks. A 20mm Oerlikon was mounted and
the four external TT comprised 2 bow and 2 stern. The torpedo outfit was 20
with 6 reloads for the internal bow tubes and 4 for the stern ones. Alternatively
18 M2 mines could be carried. The 4in Mk XXII was later removed, several
boats receiving a 4in/33 QF Mk XXIII in its place. All were intended to have
‘snorts’ though these were not always fitted initially. Compared with previous
British submarines, diving time, radar arrangements and sound insulation of
auxiliary machinery were much improved. It was found that in certain sea
conditions the first boats had a very undesirable rolling motion, and it was
necessary to separate the port and starboard main tanks, to relocate the external
fuel tanks and to fit a bow buoyancy tank. Excessive vibration of the periscopes
had also to be corrected.
The following US submarines served in the Royal Navy under Lend-Lease:
PS 11 (ex-USN R3), PS12 (ex-K/7), PS14 (ex-R19), P5S1 (Polish Jastrzab,
ex-525), P552 (ex-57), PS53 (ex-527), P554 (ex-522), PSS (ex-524) and PSS6
(ex^S29). The following captured German and Italian submarines were also
employed: Graph (ex-U570'), P711 (ex-X2, ex-Galileo Galilei), P712 (Greek
Matrozos, ex-Perla), P714 (French Narval, ex-Bronzo).
X25 about 1944
X craft midget submarines (launched 1942-45)
Displacement: (X) 26.9t/29.7t, (XT) 26.7t/29.8t, (XE) 30.3t/33.6t
Dimensions: (X) 51ft 7|inoa,(XT) 51ft 4iin,(X7?) 53ft liin x 5ft 9Ain less
side charges x (X) 7ft 4|in max,(XT) 6ft liin,(XT) 7ft ljin
15.74, 15.66, 16.19 x 1.77 x 2.25, 2.11, 2.17m
Machinery: 1-shaft Gardner diesel plus electric motors, 42bhp/30shp =
6-6.6kts/5-6kts. Oil(X) 24341b, (XT) 11341b, (XE) 21481b
Complement: 4
Class: X3-X10, X20-X25, XT1-XT6, XE1-XE9, XE11,XE12
Originating from a small submarine for river use under development for the
army by Commander Varley in 1939, the prototype X3 and X4 were built by
Varley Marine with assistance from Portsmouth DYd, the other X and XT boats
by Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow and the XE boats by Broadbent Markham of
Chesterfield and Marshall of Gainsborough. The XEs were intended for use
against the Japanese, and were more habitable than the Xs, while the XTs were
for training only. The two side charges (X,XE craft only), which had clockwork
time fuzes, each contained about 2 tons of explosive and were placed under the
bottom of the ship attacked. It was possible for a diver to leave and return to the
submerged craft. The depth limit of the X craft itself was 300ft, and they were
towed to near the target by ‘S’ or‘T’ class submarines. Great damage was done to
the Tirpitz and to the Takao by these craft. X5-X10 were lost during the former
operation and X22 and XE11 in collisions. The surviving units were mostly
stricken in 1945 butXT?7,XE8,XE9 andX7j72 lasted until 1952-53, andX24 is
preserved as a museum exhibit. XE10 was cancelled.

SLOOPS Sandwich as completed

BRIDGEWATER class
Displacement: 1045t standard; 1600t deep load
Dimensions: 266ft 4in oa x 34ft lin X 12ft 3in mean deep load
81.18 x 10.39 x 3.73m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
2000shp = 16.5kts. Oil 282t
Armament: 2-4in/45 QF Mk V (2x1), 2-3pdr saluting
Complement: 100

Name Builder Launched Fate

BRIDGEWATER Hawthorn Leslie 14.9.1928 BU 1947

SANDWICH Hawthorn Leslie 28.9.1928 Sold 1946

This class, laid down in 1928 and completed in 1929, were the first replacements
for the ‘Flower’ sloops of World War I and were intended for foreign service and
also for minesweeping. During the Second World War their use as anti¬
submarine escorts was given priority, and the 1939 outfit of 15 DCs was
increased to *0 and then to 80. One and later both 4in guns were HA; one gun
was removed in 1943 and the 3pdrs earlier in the war, and 2 or 4-20mm had been
added by 1943.
GREAT BRITAIN
Further developments of the Bridgewater class (with a longer hull), laid down in
HASTINGS class 1929-31 and completed in 1931-33. One and later both of the 4in guns were HA.
Shoreham had only one 4in gun in 1933-34, and the after gun was temporarily
Displacement: 1045t standard; 1640t deep load
removed from others when serving as C in C’s yachts on foreign stations. During
Dimensions: 266ft 4in oa X 34ft lin X 12ft 6in mean deep load
the war the 3pdrs were reduced to two and then removed, up to 6-20mm were
81.18 x 10.39 x 3.81m
added (.Shoreham having l-2pdr and 3-20mm), and the DC outfit increased
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
from 15 to 40 and then to 90. Only Fowey appears to have had Hedgehog.
2000shp = 16.5kts. Oil 312t
Dundee was torpedoed by a U-boat; Rochester had her 4in removed in early 1945
Armament: 2-4in/45 QF Mk V (2x 1), 2-3pdr saluting
and became tender to the Navigation school. Fowey andShoreham were sold into
Complement: 100 mercantile service, and Falmouth became the RNVR Calliope in 1952.
Name Builder Launched Fate

FOLKESTONE Swan Hunter 12.2.1930 BU 1947

HASTINGS Devonport DYd 10.4.1930 BU 1946
PENZANCE Devonport DYd 10.4.1930 Sunk 24.8.40
SCARBOROUGH Swan Hunter 14.3.1930 BU 1949
Wellington as completed
Laid down in 1929 and completed in 1930-31, these ships were generally similar
to the preceding class, with one of the 4in guns HA. Hastings stranded on a reef
off Suakin in 1935 and when repaired was on fishery protection duties in
1937-38 and temporarily armed with l-4in/40 QF Mk IV; Scarborough and
Folkestone were disarmed as surveying ships in 1938-39. They were re-armed
with l-4in QF Mk V HA in late 1939, Folkestone having a second one for a time
in 1942-43 and Scarborough a 12pdr HA during late 1941 to 1942. The other two
ships had 2-4in QF Mk V HA during the war. As with other sloops the 3pdrs
were removed and eventually 4 to 8-20mm were mounted. The DC outfit was
increased as in the Bridgewater class, and Folkestone and Scarborough had GRIMSBY class
Hedgehogs fitted. Hastings alone could carry 18 to 22 mines. The only loss,
Penzance, was torpedoed by a U-boat. Displacement: 990t (RAN 1055-10701) standard; 1480-15lOt deep load
Dimensions: 266ft 3in oa X 36ft x 9ft 1 lin—10ft lin mean deep load
81.15 x 10.97 x 3.02-3.07m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
2000shp = 16.5kts {Parramatta, Warrego 2200shp =
16.85kts). Oil 347t (RAN 317t)
Armament: 2-4.7in/45 QF Mk IX (2x1), l-3in/20cwt HA, 4-3pdr salut¬
ing. See notes
Complement: 100

Name Builder Launched Fate

ABERDEEN Devonport DYd 22.1.1936 BU 1949

DEPTFORD Chatham DYd 5.2.1935 BU 1948
FLEETWOOD Devonport DYd 24.3.1936 BU 1959
GRIMSBY Devonport DYd 19.7.1933 Sunk 25.5.41
LEITH Devonport DYd 9.9.1933 To Denmark
1949
Scarborough prewar LONDONDERRY Devonport DYd 16.1.1935 BU 1948
LOWESTOFT Devonport DYd 11.4.1934 Sold 1946
WELLINGTON Devonport DYd 29.5.1934 Master Mariners’
HINDUSTAN HQ ship 1947
Displacement: 1190t standard PARRAMATTA (RAN) Cockatoo 18.6.1939 Sunk 27.11.41
Dimensions: 296ft 4in oa x 35ft x 10ft 1 lin mean deep load SWAN (RAN) Cockatoo 28.3.1936 Sold 1964
90.32 x 10.67 x 3.33m WARREGO (RAN) Cockatoo 10.2.1940 BU 1966
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, YARRA (RAN) Cockatoo 28.3.1935 Sunk 4.3.42
2000shp = 16.25kts. Oil 320t
Armament: 2-4in/40 QF Mk IV (2x1), 4—3pdr saluting In these ships, laid down in 1933—39 and completed in 1934—40, more considera¬
Complement: 119 tion was given to the convoy escort role and the armament was increased from
that in previous classes. Aberdeen,Swan and Yana had 3-4in/45 QF Mk V HA
Name Builder Launched Fate (3x 1); Panamatta and Wanego were fitted with 3-4in/45 QF Mk XVI (1x2,
lxl) and Fleetwood 4 of these guns (2x2). Lowestoft only had 1-4.7in from late
HINDUSTAN Swan Hunter 12.5.1930 BU 1951 1935 to early 1937, and Aberdeen (which never carried the 3pdrs) 2-4in HA until
August 1939. Grimsby Londonderry and Lowestoft had their 4.7 and 3in replaced
A lengthened version of the Hastings class with extra tropical fittings, laid down by 4-4in QF Mk XVIs during 1939, while Swan had this armament in 1944;
for India in 1929 and completed in 1930. The 4in guns were replaced by Panamatta and Wanego had the after single 4in replaced by a twin in 1941 and
2-4in/45 QF Mk V in 1943 and at the end of the war she had 2-20mm and 1943 respectively. The 3in HA in Deptford, Leith and Wellington and l-4in in
Hedgehog fitted. She saw service with the Pakistani Navy from 1948. Aberdeen were replaced by Hedgehog in 1943, and this was also added to
Lowestoft and Fleetwood. The 3pdrs were removed during the war and 2 to
6-20mm added, the DC outfit rising from 15 to 90 or to 40 in RAN ships. Earlier
SHOREHAM/repeat SHOREHAM class in the war Grimsby and Lowestoft are listed as being able to carry 40 mines.
Grimsby was sunk by bombs, Panamatta by a U-boat and Yana by Japanese
Displacement: 1105t (repeats 1060t) standard; 1590t (repeats 1515t) deep
load cruisers and destroyers. Leith and Lowestoft were sold into mercantile service in
1946, although Leith was later transferred to Denmark as Galathea.
Dimensions: 281ft 4in oa x 35ft x 10ft 6in—11ft lin mean deep load
85.75 x 10.67 x 3.20, 3.38m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers.
2000shp = 16.5kts. Oil 287-358t
INDUS
Armament: 2-4in/45 QF Mk V (2x 1), 4—3pdr saluting Displacement: 1190t standard
Complement: 100 Dimensions: 296ft 4in oa x 35ft 6in x 10ft 9in mean deep load
90.32 x 10.82 x 3.28m
Name Builder Launched Fate Machinery: As Grimsby class except 2000shp = 16.25kts. Oil 341t
BIDEFORD Devonport DYd 1.4.1931 BU 1949 Armament: 2-4.7in/45 QF Mk IX (2x1), 4—3pdr saluting
FOWEY Devonport DYd 4.11.1930 Sold 1946 Complement: 119
ROCHESTER Chatham DYd 16.7.1931 BU 1951
SHOREHAM Chatham DYd 22.11.1930 Sold 1946 Name Builder Launched Fate
DUNDEE Chatham DYd 20.9.1932 Sunk 15.9.40 INDUS Hawthorn Leslie 24.8.1934 Sunk 6.4.42
FALMOUTH Devonport DYd 19.4.1932 BU 1968
MILFORD Devonport DYd 11.6.1932 BU 1949 A more heavily armed version of Hindustan, laid down for India in 1933 and
WESTON Devonport DYd 23.7.1932 BU 1947 completed in 1935. She was sunk by bombs from Japanese aircraft.

56
 Sloops

Hind 1944

BLACK SWAN class

Displacement: 1300t standard; 1770—1945t deep load
Dimensions: 299ft 6in oa x 37ft 6in x 10ft llin-llft 8in mean deep load
91.29 x 11.43 x 3.33-3.56m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
4300shp = 19.75kts. Oil 403-428t
Armament: 6-4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (3x2), 4-2pdr pompom (1x4)
Complement: 180

Name Builder Launched Fate

BLACK SWAN Y arrow 7.7.1939 BU 1956

ERNE Furness 5.8.1940 BU 1965
FLAMINGO Y arrow 18.4.1939 To Germany
Enchantress as the Admiralty yacht
1959
IBIS Furness 28.11.1940 Sunk 10.11.42
BITTERN class
These ships were developments of Egret, 7ft longer and |kt faster, and were laid
Displacement: 1190t {Enchantress 1085t) standard; 1790t (Enchantress 1650t) down in 1938-39 and completed in 1939-41. Denny-Brown stabilisers were
deep load fitted to all four. From 4 to 8-20mm guns were added during the war as well as
Dimensions: 282ft oa X 37ft x lift 5in (Enchantress 10ft lOin) mean deep Hedgehog, and the DC outfit was increased from 40 to 110. Black Swan could
load carry 34 mines. Ibis, the only loss, was sunk by an airborne torpedo. Erne
85.95 x 11.28 x 3.48 (3.30)
became the RNVR Wessex in 1952; Flamingo was renamed Graf Spee in German
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons (Enchantress Brown-Curtis) geared turbines, 2 service.
Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 3300shp = 18.75kts. Oil 393t
Armament: 6-4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (3x2), 2-3pdr saluting. See notes
Complement: 156 (Enchantress 128) Modified BITTERN class
Name Builder Launched Fate Displacement: 1300—1340t standard; 1735—1758t deep load
Dimensions: 292ft 6in oa x 37ft 6in x 10ft 1 lin mean deep load
BITTERN White 14.7.1937 Sunk 30.4.40 89.15 x 11.43 x 3.33m
ENCHANTRESS John Brown 21.12.1934 Sold 1946
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
(ex-Bittem)
3600shp = 19kts. Oil 370t
STORK Denny 21.4.1936 BU 1958
Armament: 6-4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (3x2). See notes
Complement: 195
Faster and more heavily armed than previous sloops, these vessels were laid
down in 1934—36 and completed in 1935-38. Denny-Brown stabilisers were
Name Builder Launched Fate
fitted in Bittern. Stork was completed as a surveying ship and not armed as above
until 1939. Enchantress served originally as Admiralty yacht and her armament JUMNA Denny 16.11.1940 Extant 1980
was 2-4.7in and 4—3pdrs, although a third gun was mounted until May 1936. SUTLEJ Denny 1.10.1940 Extant 1980
She had a 3in/20cwt HA added in December 1940, and at the end of the war also GODAVARI Thornycroft 21.1.1943 Sold 1959
had 4-20mm and a DC outfit of 60. A prototype of the split version of Hedgehog NARBADA Thornycroft 21.11.1942 BU 1959
was tried in her in July 1942 but was not satisfactory. Stork in 1945 had, in
addition to 6-4in, Hedgehog and 90 DC. Bittern was bombed by German aircraft These four sloops were built for the Indian Navy and were generally similar to
and scuttled by a torpedo. Enchantress was sold into mercantile service. Egret but with a different armament. They were laid down in 1940-41 and
completed in 1941 or 1943. The last pair were fitted with 2-2pdr pompoms, and
later additions in all vessels comprised 4 or 6-20mm (and Hedgehog in Sutlej
only), whilst 80-88 DCs were carried if on anti-submarine duties. Jumna and
Sultej were used as surveying vessels from 1957 and 1955; the other two were in
Pakistani service, Godavari as Sind and Narbada as Jhelum, from 1948.

Modified BLACK SWAN class

Displacement: 1350—1490t standard; 1880—1950t deep load
Dimensions: 299ft 6in oa x 38ft 6in x lift 2in-llft 6in mean deep load
91.29 x 11.73 x 3.40-3.50m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
4300shp = 19.75kts. Oil 390t
Displacement: 1250t standard; 1790t deep load
Armament: 6-4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (3x2). See notes
Dimensions: 292ft 6in oa x 37ft 6in x lift 2in mean deep load
89.15 x 11.43 x 3.40m Complement: 192 (Cauvery, Kistna 219)
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
Name Builder Launched Fate
3600shp = 19.25kts. Oil 370t
Armament: 8^4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (4x2), 2-3pdr saluting ACTAEON Thornycroft 25.7.1945 To Germany
Complement: 188 1958
ALACRITY Denny 1.9.1944 BU 1956
Name Builder Launched Fate AMETHYST Stephen 7.5.1943 BU 1957
CHANTICLEER Denny 24.9.1942 Constructive loss
AUCKLAND Denny 30.6.1938 Sunk 24.6.41
18.11.43
(ex-Heron)
CRANE Denny 9.11.1942 BU 1965
EGRET White 31.5.1938 Sunk 27.8.43
CYGNET Cammell Laird 28.7.1942 BU 1956
PELICAN Thornycroft 12.9.1938 BU 1958
HART Stephen 7.7.1943 To Germany
1959
Laid down in 1937 and completed in 1938—39, this class were slightly larger and
HIND Denny 30.9.1943 BU 1958
faster versions of Bittern with two more 4in guns. As with other sloops, the 3pdrs
KITE Cammell Laird 13.10.1942 Sunk 21.8.44
were removed during the war, and by 1943 2-20mm had been added. ‘X’ 4in
LAPWING Scotts/ 16.7.1943 Sunk 20.3.45
mounting was removed in 1942-43 in Pelican and Egret and the former had a
Stephen
quadruple 2pdr pompom added in January 1944. By the end of the war she also
LARK Scotts 28.8.1943 Constructive
had 4-20mm, whilst the earlier war outfit of 40 DC had been increased to 120.
loss 17.2.45
Auckland was sunk by bombing and Egret was blown up by a Hs 293 guided
MAGPIE Thornycroft 24.3.1943 BU 1959
bomb.

57
GREAT BRITAIN

Name Builder Launched Fate

MERMAID Denny 11.11.1943 To Germany

1959
MODESTE Chatham DYd 29.1.1944 BU 1961
NEREIDE Chatham DYd 29.1.1944 BU 1958
OPOSSUM Denny 30.11.1944 BU 1960
PEACOCK Thornycroft 11.12.1943 BU 1958
PHEASANT Y arrow 21.12.1942 BU 1963
REDPOLE Yarrow 25.2.1943 BU 1960
SNIPE Denny 20.12.1945 BU 1960
SPARROW Denny 18.2.1946 BU 1958
STARLING Fairfield 14.10.1942 BU 1965
Amethyst about 1949
WHIMBREL Yarrow 25.8.1942 To Egypt 1949
WILD GOOSE Y arrow 14.10.1942 BU 1956
WOODCOCK Fairfield 26.11.1942 BU 1955
WOODPECKER Denny 29.6.1942 Sunk 27.2.44
WREN Denny 11.8.1942 BU 1956
CAUVERY (RIN) Yarrow 15.6.1943 Extant 1980
KISTNA (RIN) Yarrow 22.4.1943 Extant 1980

The final class of wartime escort sloops and with 1ft more beam than Black
Swan. They were laid down in 1941-44 and completed in 1942-46. A further 5
ships, Nonsuch and Nymphe (Chatham), Partridge (Thornycroft), and Waterhen
and Wryneck (Denny) were cancelled. All the class had Denny-Brown stabilisers
of varying types. Light AA armament varied: Cygnet, Kite and Woodpecker had
8-2pdr pompoms (2x4), Kite having only 4 originally; Actaeon, Modeste,
Nereide, Opossum, Redpole, Snipe, Sparrow, Whimbrel and Woodcock had
4-40mm Bofors (2x2). In addition, Modeste was fitted with 4, later 2, single
Bofors and Actaeon, Nereide, Opossum, Snipe and Sparrow had 2 single Bofors.
In 1945 the pompoms in Cygnet were exchanged for one and in 1947 for two twin
Bofors, whilst Amethyst, Hart, Magpie, Mermaid, Peacock, Starling, Wild Goose
and Wren had two twin Bofors added in 1944—45. Triaxial mountings were in Fishguard (ex-USCGC Tahoe) USCG
Amethyst, Hart, Redpole, Starling, Whimbrel and Woodcock only. In 1945 two,
possibly three, single Bofors were added to Redpole and two to Kistna. Up to Ex-US Coast Guard cutters
6-20mm were also carried in ships with Bofors or pompoms and 10 in those
without. The normal DC outfit was 110 but an additional 50 in the Bofors The following ex-US Coast Guard cutters were used by the Royal Navy: Banff
magazine in place of these guns could be carried. Hedgehogs were apparently (ex-Saranac), Culver (ex-Mendota), Fishguard (ex-Tahoe), Gorleston (ex-Itasca),
fitted only in Amethyst, Hart, Magpie and Pheasant. All five losses were due to Hartlant (ex-Pontchartrain), Landguard (ex-Shoshone), Lulworth (ex-Chelan),
U-boats. Actaeon was renamed Hipper on transfer to Germany, Hart became Sennen (ex-Champlain), Totland (ex-Cayuga) and Walney (ex-Sebago). Culver
Scheer andMermaid was renamed Schamhorst. Chanticleer was hulked as the base was sunk by a U-boat 31.1.42 and Hartland and Walney by gunfire at Oran
ship Lusitania after being written off, whilst Lark was used by the Russians as 8.11.42. By the end of the war typical armament was 1^4in/45 QF Mk V HA,
Neptun from 1945. The Egyptian ship was renamed El Malek Parouq. Cauvery is 1—3in/50 US HA, 2-2pdr pompom, 4—20mm, Hedgehog and 100 DC. These
now known as Kaveri. ships were transferred under Lend-Lease April-June 1941.

FRIGATES
RIVER class (British- and earlier Canadian-built) Name Builder Launched Fate

Displacement: 1310—1460t standard; 1920—2180t deep load CUCKMERE Canadian Vickers24.10.1942 To USA 1946
Dimensions: 301ft 4in oa x 36ft 8in x lift lOin—12ft 9in mean deep load (ex-USA)
91.84 X 11.18 x 3.61-3.89m DART Blyth 10.10.1942 BU 1957
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 5500ihp = 20kts DERG Robb 7.1.1943 BU 1960
(Cam, Chelmer, Ettrick, Halladale, Helmsdale 2-shaft Parsons DEVERON (RIN Smiths Dock 12.10.1942 To Pakistan
geared turbines, 6500shp = 21kts. Oil 440t (646t in later
Dhanush 1945) 1948
ships)
DOVEY (ex- Fleming & 14.10.1943 BU 1955
Armament: 2-4in/40 QF Mk XIX (2x 1), Hedgehog, 126 later 150 DC
Lamboume) Ferguson
Complement: 140 ETTRICK (RCN Crown 5.2.1943 BU 1953
1944-45)
Name Builder Launched Fate
EVENLODE (ex- Canadian Vickers9.11.1942 To USA 1946
AIRE (TAMAR Fleming & 22.4.1943 Wrecked 20.12.46 USN Danville)
Mar-Dec 1946) Ferguson EXE Fleming & 19.3.1942 BU 1956
ANNAN (RCN Hall Russell 29.12.1943 To Denmark Ferguson
1944-45) 1945 FAL Smiths Dock 9.11.1942 To Burma 1948
AVON Hill 19.6.1943 To Portugal FINDHORN Canadian Vickers5.12.1942 To USA 1946
1949 (ex-USN)
AWE Fleming & 28.12.1943 To Portugal FROME Blyth 1.6.1943 To France 1944
Ferguson 1949 HALLADALE Inglis 28.1.1944 Sold (mercantile)
BALLINDERRY Blyth 7.12.1942 BU 1961 1949
BANN (RIN Tir 1945) Hill 29.12.1942 TS 1948, HELFORD Hall Russell 6.2.1943 BU 1956
extant 1979 HELMSDALE Inglis 5.6.1943 BU 1957
BARLE (ex-USN) Canadian Vickers26.9.1942 To USA 1946 INVER (ex-USN) Canadian VickerslS. 12.1942 To USA 1946
BRAID Simons 30.11.1943 To France 1944 ITCHEN Fleming & 29.7.1942 Sunk 22.9.43
CAM George Brown 31.7.1943 BU 1945 Ferguson
CHELMER George Brown 27.3.1943 BU 1957 JED Hill 30.7.1942 BU 1957

58
 Frigates

Name Builder Launched Fate The above ships, laid down in 1941-43 and completed in 1942—44, were
intended as ocean-going anti-submarine escorts, for which purpose they were
KALE Inglis 24.6.1942 BU 1957 much superior to the smaller ‘Flower’ corvettes. They were built according to
LAGAN Smiths Dock 28.7.1942 Constructive First Class mercantile practice with scantlings based on those of lightly built
loss 20.9.43, warship designs. Except in the 5 turbine ships, the engines were as in the
BU 1946 ‘Flower’ class but two sets were fitted. Oil fuel was limited to 440t in 24 of the
LOCHY Hall Russell 30.10.1943 BU 1956 first British-built ships, but the omission of minesweeping gear and a re¬
LOSSIE (ex-USN) Canadian Vickers29.4.1943 To USA 1946 allocation of compartments allowed 646t in the remainder. The 8 RN ships
MEON (RCN 1944-45) Inglis 4.8.1943 BU 1966 built in Canada were originally intended for the USN with Asheville (ex-Nadur)
MONNOW (RCN Hill 4.12.1943 To Denmark and Natchez (ex-Annan) but were transferred under Lend-Lease. In Helms¬
1944-45) dale, Hedgehog was later replaced by Squid and DCs reduced to 54. The light
1945
MOURNE Smiths Dock 24.9.1942 Sunk 15.6.44 A A armament of 4 to 6-20mm was later increased to 12 in some, while in 1945
MOYOLA Smiths Dock 27.8.1942 To France 1944 Inver had a twin 40mm Bofors as well as 2 singles, Meon and Usk had 3 singles,
NADDER (RIN Smiths Dock 15.9.1943 To Pakistan Awe, Bann, Halladale, Helford,Jed, Kale, Ness, Nith, Tay, Teviot 2 singles,
Shamsher 1944) 1948 and Barle and Taff 1 single. Previously Rather and Spey are recorded as mount¬
NENE (RCN 1944-45) Smiths Dock 9.12.1942 BU 1955 ing 2 single 2pdr pompoms, and Deveron, Moume and Towy 1 or 2-6pdr
NESS Robb 30.7.1942 Hotchkiss. When refitted in 1945 many of the Canadian-built RCN ships had
BU 1956
NITH Robb 25.9.1942 their 2^1in Mk XIX guns replaced by 4in Mk XVI in a twin mounting for¬
To Egypt 1948,
ward. All losses were caused by U-boats.
sunk 31.10.56
ODZANI Smiths Dock 19.5.1943 BU 1957
PARRET (ex-USN) Canadian Vickers29.4.1943 To USA 1946
PLYM Smiths Dock 4.2.1943 RNVR drillship
1948, expended
RIVER class (later Canadian-built)
3.10.52
RIBBLE Name Builder Launched Fate
Simons 23.4.1943 To Netherlands
1943 ANTIGONISH Canadian YarrowlO.2.1944 Sold 1967
RIBBLE (ex- Blyth 10.11.1943 BU 1957 BEACON HILL Canadian Yarrow6.11.1943 Sold 1968
Duddon) (RCN BUCKINGHAM (ex- Davie SB 28.4.1944 BU 1966
1944-45) Royal Mount)
ROTHER Smiths Dock 20.11.1941 BU 1955 CAP DE LA Morton 13.5.1944 BU 1966
SHIEL (ex-USN) Canadian Vickers26.5.1943 To USA 1946 MADELEINE
SPEY Smiths Dock 18.12.1941 To Egypt 1948 CAPILANO Canadian Yarrow8.4.1944 Sold (mercantile)
STKULE (ex- Robb 8.3.1943 To France 1944 1947
Glenarm) CARLPLACE Davie SB 6.7.1944 To Dominican
SWALE Smiths Dock 16.1.1942 BU 1955 Republic 1946
TAFF Hill 11.9.1943 BU 1957 CHARLOTTETOWN GT Davie 16.9.1943 Sunk as
TAVY Hill 3.4.1943 BU 1955 breakwater 1948
TAY Smiths Dock 18.3.1942 BU 1956 CHEBOGUE Canadian Yarrow 16.8.1943 Constructive
TEES Hall Russell 20.5.1943 BU 1955 loss 4.10.44,
TEME (RCN 1944-45) Smiths Dock 11.11.1943 Constructive BU 1948
loss 29.3.45, COATICOOK Davie SB 25.11.1943 Sold and wrecked
BU 1946 in tow 1947
TEST (RIN Neza Hall Russell 30.5.1942 BU 1955 EASTVIEW Canadian Vickersl7.11.1943 Sunk as
1946-47) breakwater 1948
TEVIOT Hall Russell 12.10.1942 BU 1955 FORT ERIE GT Davie 27.5.1944 BU 1966
TORRIDGE Blyth 16.8.1943 To France 1944 (ex-La Tuque)
TOWY Smiths Dock 4.3.1943 BU 1956 GLACE BAY G T Davie 26.4.1944 To Chile 1946
TRENT (RIN Kukri Hill 10.10.1942 Survey vessel (■ex-Lauzon)
1946) Investigator 1951 HALLO WELL Canadian Vickers28.3.1944 Sold (mercantile)
TWEED Inglis 24.11.1942 Sunk 7.1.44 1945; to Israel
USK Smiths Dock 3.4.1943 To Egypt 1948, 1950
scuttled 1956 INCHARRON Davie SB 6.6.1944 Sold 1966,
WAVENEY Smiths Dock 30.4.1942 BU 1957 BU 1970
WEAR Smiths Dock 1.6.1942 BU 1957 JOLIETTE Morton 12.11.1943 To Chile 1946
WINDRUSH Robb 18.6.1943 To France 1944 JONQUIERE G T Davie 28.10.1943 Sold 1967
WYE Robb 16.8.1943 BU 1955 KIRKLAND LAKE Morton 27.4.1944 BU 1947
ANNAN (RCN) Canadian Vickersl2.9.1942 To USA 1942 (ex-St Jerome)
CAPE BRETON Morton 24.11.1942 Sunk as KOKANEE Canadian Yarrow27.11.1943 Sold (mercantile)
(RCN) breakwater 1948 1945
DUNVER (ex- Morton 10.11.1942 Sunk as LA HULLOISE Canadian Vickers29.10.1943 BU 1966
Verdun) (RCN) breakwater 1948 LANARK Canadian VickerslO. 12.1943 BU 1966
GROU (RCN) Canadian Vickers7.8.1943 BU 1948 LA SALLE Davie SB 12.11.1943 Sunk as
MATANE (ex- Canadian Vickers29.5.1943 Sunk as breakwater 1948
Stormont) (RCN) breakwater 1948 LAUZON (ex- GT Davie 10.6.1944 Sold 1963
MONTREAL (RCN) Canadian Vickers 12.6.1943 BU 1948 Glace Bay)
NADUR (ex-Adur) Canadian Vickers22.8.1942 To USA 1942 LEVIS GT Davie 26.11.1943 Sunk as
(RCN) breakwater 1948
NEW GLASGOW Canadian Yarrow5.5.1943 Sold 1967 LONGUEUIL Canadian Vickers30.10.1943 BU 1948
(RCN) MAGOG Canadian Vickers22.9.1943 Constructive
NEW WATERFORD Canadian Yarrow3.7.1943 BU 1968 loss 14.10.44,
(RCN) BU 1947
OUTREMONT (RCN) Morton 3.7.1943 BU 1966 ORKNEY Canadian Yarrow 18.9.1943 Sold (mercantile)
PORT COLBORNE Canadian Yarrow21.4.1943 BU 1948 1947; to Israel
(RCN) 1950
PRINCE RUPERT Canadian Yarrow3.2.1943 Sunk as PENETANG (ex- Davie SB 6.7.1944 To Norway 1956
(RCN) breakwater 1948 Rouyn)
ST CATHERINE’S Canadian Yarrow6.12.1942 Weather ship POUNDMAKER Canadian Vickers21.4.1944 To Peru 1947
(RCN) 1950 PRESTONIAN (ex- Davie SB 22.6.1944 To Norway 1956
ST JOHN (RCN) Canadian Vickers25.8.1943 BU 1948 Beauhamois)
STORMONT (RCN) Canadian Vickers 14.7.1943 Sold (mercantile) ROYAL MOUNT Canadian Vickers 15.4.1944 BU 1947
1947 (ex-Alvington)
SWANSEA (RCN) Canadian Yarrow 19.12.1942 BU 1968 RUNNYMEDE Canadian Vickers27.11.1943 BU 1948
VALLEYFIELD Morton 17.7.1943 Sunk 7.5.44 ST PIERRE Davie SB 1.12.1943 To Peru 1947
(RCN) ST STEPHEN Canadian Yarrow6.2.1944 Weather ship 1947
WASKESIU (RCN) Canadian Yarrow 6.12.1942 Sold (mercantile) STE THERESE Davie SB 16.10.1943 Sold 1967
1947 SEA CLIFF Davie SB 8.7.1944 To Chile 1946
WENTWORTH (RCN) Canadian Yarrow6.3.1943 BU 1948 (■ex-Megantic)

59
GREAT BRITAIN

Name Builder Launched Fate

SPRINGHILL Canadian Yarrow7.9.1943

STETTLER Canadian VickerslO.9.1943
STONETOWN Canadian Vickers28.3.1944
STRATHADAM Canadian Yarrow20.3.1944

SUSSEXVALE Davie SB 12.7.1944

(ex-Valdonan)
THETFORD MINES Morton 30.10.1943
1946
LOCH class
TORONTO (ex- Davie SB 18.9.1943 To Norway 1956
Giffard) Displacement: 1435t standard; 2260t deep load
VICTORIAVILLE G T Davie 23.6.1944 Diving tender Dimensions: 307ft oa x 38ft 7in x 12ft 4in mean deep load
Granby 1967, 93.57 x 11.76 x 3.76m
stricken 1974 Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 5500ihp =
19.5kts, (Loch Arkaig, Loch Tralaig 2-shaft Parsons geared
These vessels were similar to earlier units of the class except in their gun turbines, 6000shp = 20kts). Oil 724t
armament of 2—4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (1x2). The light A A comprised Armament: l-4in/45 QF Mk V HA (Loch Veyatie Mk XXI), 4-2pdr
8-20mm and most had l-12pdr/12cwt HA also; according to British records pompom (1x4), 2 Squid, 15 DC. See notes
this was in Antigonish, Glace Bay ,Hallowell,Joliette, Kirkland Lake, Kokanee, Complement: 114
Lauzon, Longueuil, Orkney, Poundmaker, Sea Cliff and Thetford Mines, but it
was also in many others. All were RCN laid down in 1943-44 and completed in Name Builder Launched Fate
1944. There were 20 named cancellations: Alexandria, Hardrock, Tisdale
LOCH ACHANALT Robb 23.3.1944 To New Zealand
(Canadian Vickers), Foster, Henryville, Lingabar, Merrittonia, Plessiville, Ran-
(ex-Naver) (RCN 1948, BU 1966
ney Falls, St Romauld, Sussexvale (first) (G T Davie), Le Havre, Northumber¬
1944-45)
land, Pesaquid, Wulastock (Canadian Yarrow), St Agathe,St Edouard, Shipton,
LOCH ACHRAY Smiths Dock 7.7.1944 To New Zealand
Westbury, Westville (Davie SB). Both losses were due to U-boats.
1948, BU 1967
LOCH ALVIE Barclay Curie 14.4.1944 BU 1965
(RCN 1944-45)
LOCH ARKAIG Caledon 7.6.1945 BU 1960
Barcoo as completed
LOCH CRAGGIE Harland & Wolff23.5.1944 BU 1963
LOCH DUNVEGAN Hill 25.3.1944 BU 1960
LOCH ECK Smiths Dock 25.4.1944 To New Zealand
1948, BU 1966
LOCH FADA John Brown 14.12.1943 Sold 1968
LOCH FYNE Burntisland 24.5.1944 BU 1970
LOCH GLENDHU Burntisland 18.10.1944 BU 1957
RIVER class (Australian-built) LOCH GORM Harland & Wolff8.6.1944 Sold 1961
LOCH INSH Robb 10.5.1944 To Malaysia
Name Builder Launched Fate 1964
LOCH KATRINE Robb 21.8.1944 To New Zealand
BARCOO Cockatoo 26.8.1943 BU 1972 1949, BU 1967
BARWON Cockatoo 3.8.1944 BU 1962 LOCH KILLIN Burntisland 29.11.1943 BU 1960
BURDEKIN Walker 30.6.1943 BU 1962 LOCH KILLISPORT Harland & Wolff6.7.1944 BU 1970
DIAMANTINA Walker 6.4.1944 Survey vessel LOCH LOMOND Caledon 19.6.1944 BU 1968
1959, extant LOCH MORE Caledon 3.10.1944 BU 1963
1979 LOCH MORLICH Swan Hunter 25.1.1944 To New Zealand
GASCOYNE Morts Dock 20.2.1943 Survey vessel 1959, (RCN 1944-45) 1949, BU 1961
BU 1972 LOCH QUOICH Blyth 2.9.1944 BU 1957
HAWKESBURY Morts Dock 24.7.1943 BU 1962 LOCH RUTHVEN Hill 3.6.1944 BU 1966
LACHLAN Morts Dock 25.3.1944 To New LOCH SCAVAIG Hill 9.9.1944 BU 1959
Zealand 1949, LOCH SHIN Swan Hunter 23.2.1944 To New Zealand
stricken 1974
1948, BU 1961
MACQUARIE Morts Dock 3.3.1945 BU 1962 LOCH TARBERT Ailsa 19.10.1944 BU 1959
(ex-Culgoa) LOCH TRALAIG Caledon 12.2.1945 BU 1963
LOCH VEYATIE Ailsa 8.10.1945 BU 1965
All RAN, laid down in 1942-43 and completed in 1943-46. Similar to other GOOD HOPE (ex- Blyth 5.7.1944 Stricken 1976
‘Rivers’ except in gun armament. This comprised 2—4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA Loch Boisdale) (SAN)
(2x1), Burdekin originally having 2-4in/40 QF Mk XIX (2x1). The light A A NATAL (ex- Loch Swan Hunter 19.6.1944 Expended 1972
comprised 6 to 8-20mm and later 1 to 3-40mm single Bofors. Cree) (SAN)
TRANSVAAL (ex- Harland & Wolff2.8.1944 Stricken 1976
Loch Ard) (SAN)
Modified RIVER class (Australian-built) DERBY HAVEN Swan Hunter 14.12.1944 Completed as
Displacement: 1537t standard; 2187t deep load (ex-Loch Assynt) depot ship; to
Dimensions: 301ft oa x 36ft 6in x 12ft 9in mean deep load Iran 1949
91.74 x 11.13 x 3.89m WOODBRIDGE Swan Hunter 13.1.1945 Completed as
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 5500ihp = 19kts. HAVEN (ex-Loch depot ship,
Oil 610t Torridon) BU 1965
Armament: 4-4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (2x2), Hedgehog, 50 DC
Improved ‘Rivers’ with much superior anti-submarine armament, and with
Complement: 177
hulls designed for prefabrication. They were laid down in 1943-44 and com¬
Name Builder Launched Fate pleted in 1944—46, Loch Fada being the lead ship. Fitting out was concentrated
at Hendon Dock and Dalmuir Basin on the Wear and Clyde. 26 were con¬
CONDAMINE Newcastle 4.11.1944 BU 1962 verted to ‘Bay’ class frigates with a heavier AA armament while under con¬
CULGOA (ex- Williamstown 22.9.1944 BU 1972 struction, and 54 were cancelled: Lochs Affric, Clunie, Ericht (Ailsa), Awe,
MacQuarie) Enock, Eye, Eynort, Goil, Houm, Inchard, Kirkaig, Laro, Lurgain, Ronald,
MURCHISON Evans Deakin 31.10.1944 BU 1962 Sheallag, Shiel, Stemster, Striven, Smart, Swin, Tummel, Vanavie (Harland &
SHOALHAVEN Walker 14.12.1944 BU 1962 Wolff), Badcall, Caroy, Knockie, Linnhe, Ryan, Scridain, Tilt (Pickersgill),
Creran, Doine, Glashan, Harray, Ken, Linfem, Minnick, Ossian, Skaig,Stenness
These four, all RAN, were laid down in 1943 and completed in 1945-46, and (Smiths Dock), Earn, Skerrow (Hill), Erisort (Barclay Curie), Garve, Maberry
had a 4in armament similar to that of the ‘Bay’ class. The light AA guns (Hall Russell), Griam, Kirbister, Lyon (Swan Hunter), Kishom, Nell, Odaim
initially comprised 6 to 8-20mm, and later up to 5-40mm single Bofors. A (Robb), Tanna, Urigill, Vennachar, Watten (Blyth). Most if not all of these
further 10 vessels were cancelled: Balmain, Campaspe (Morts Dock), Bogam would have had a 4in Mk XXI gun. Up to 10-20mm were carried, but only 4
(Newcastle), Murrumbidgee (Melbourne), Naomi, Nepean, Wimmera, Wollon- in those later fitted with 2 Bofors (Loch Craggie, Loch Eck,Loch Glendhu) and
dilly (Cockatoo), Warburton (Evans Deakin) and Williamstown (Williamstown). none in those with 6 Bofors (Good Hope, Transvaal, Natal).

60
 Frigates
This class had improved anti-aircraft and less effective anti-submarine arma¬
ment than the ‘Lochs’. They were laid down in 1944 and completed in 1945-46
except for Morecambe Bay and Mounts Bay (completed in 1949 by White and
Thornycroft respectively) and the four survey vessels completed in 1948-50.
Hollesley Bay (ex-Loch Famich) (Smiths Dock) was cancelled. Of those com¬
pleted as frigates, Carnarvon, Cawsand, Enard, Largo, St Austell, Start, Tre-
madoc, Whitesand and Wigtown Bay had four single Bofors, and Burghead,
Cardigan, Morecambe, Mounts, Padstow, Porlock, St Brides and Veryan Bay
two. These had respectively 2 and 6-20mm, while the two ships without single
Bofors had 8-20mm.

CAPTAIN class (first group) (ex-US ‘GMT’ class)

Mounts Bay about 1949
Class (US number/name): Bayntun (BDE1), Bazely (BDE2), Berry (BDE3),
Blackwood (BDE4), Burges (BDE12), Capel (DE266 Wintle), Cooke (DE267
Dempsey), Dacres (DE268 Duffy), Domett (DE269 Eisner), Drury ex-Cockbum
BAY class (BDE46), Foley (DE270 Gillette), Gardiner (DE274 O’Toole), Garlies (DE271
Displacement: 1600t standard; 2420t deep load Fleming), Goodall (DE275 Reybold), Goodson (DE276 George), Gore (DE277
Dimensions: Herzog), Gould (DE272 Lovering), Grindall (DE273 Sanders), Hoste ex-Mitchell
307ft oa x 38ft 7in x 12ft 9in mean deep load
93.57 x 11.76 x 3.89m (DE521 ),Inglis (DE525),Inman (DE526), Keats (DE 278 Tisdale), Kempthome
Machinery: (DE279 Trumpeter), Kingsmill (DE280), Lawford (DE516), Lawson (DE518),
2-shaft VTE, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 5500ihp =
19.5kts. Oil 730t Loring (DE520), Louis (DE517), Manners (DE523), Moorsom (DE522), Moun-
Armament: sey (DE524), Pasley ex-Lindsay (DE519).
4—4in/45 QF Mk XVI HA (2x2), 4—40mm Bofors (2x2)
(also 2 or 4 single 40mm Bofors except in Bigbury Bay, Ex-Evarts class diesel-electric frigates delivered under Lend-Lease in
Widemouth Bay), Hedgehog, 50 DC 1943-44. Blackwood, Capel, Goodall and Gould were sunk by U-boats on
Complement: 157 15.6.44, 26.12.44, 29.4.45 and 1.3.44 respectively and Lawford, serving as an
LSH, by an aerial torpedo on 8.6.44, while Goodson and Manners were never
Name Builder Launched Fate repaired after damage by U-boats. Armament typically comprised 3-3in/50 US
HA, 9 to 15-20mm, Hedgehog and 160 DC, but a twin 40mm Bofors is also
BIGBURY BAY (ex- Hall Russell 16.11.1944 To Portugal recorded in Bayntun, Bazely, Berry, Blackwood, Burges and Drury. At the end
Loch Carloway) 1959 of 1944 it was approved to carry 2 Mk 10* DCs, and as these each weighed
BURGHEAD BAY (ex- Hill 3.3.1945 To Portugal 30501b 16 other DCs had to be landed.
Loch Harport) 1959
CARDIGAN BAY (ex- Robb 28.12.1944 BU 1962
Loch Laxford)
CARNARVON BAY (ex-•Robb 15.3.1945 BU 1959
Loch Maddy)
CAWSAND BAY (ex- Blyth 26.2.1945 BU 1959
Loch Roan)
ENARD BAY (ex- Smiths Dock 31.10.1944 BU 1957
Loch Bracadale)
LARGO BAY (ex- Pickersgill 3.10.1944 BU 1958
Loch Fionn)
MORECAMBE BAY Pickersgill 1.11.1944 To Portugal
(ex-Loch Heilen) 1961
MOUNTS BAY (ex- Pickersgill 8.6.1945 To Portugal
Loch Kilbimie) 1961
PADSTOW BAY (ex- Robb 24.8.1945 BU 1959
Loch Coulside)
PORLOCK BAY (ex- Hill 14.6.1945 To Finland
Loch Sea forth, 1962

\mttt i
ex-Loch Muick)
ST AUSTELL BAY Harland & Wolff 18.11.1944 BU 1959
(ex-Loch Lydoch)
ST BRIDES BAY Harland & Wolff 16.1.1945 BU 1962
(ex-Loch Achilty) Bentinck about 1944
START BAY (ex- Harland & Wolff 15.2.1945 BU 1958
Loch Arklet)
TREMADOC BAY (ex- Harland & Wolff29.3.1945 BU 1959 CAPTAIN class (second group) (ex-US ‘TE’ class)
Loch Amish)
VERYAN BAY (ex- Hill 11.11.1944 BU 1959 Class (US number/name): Affleck (DE71 Oswald), Aylmer (DE72 Harmon),
Loch Swannay) Balfour (DE73 McAnn), Bentinck (DE52 Bull), Bentley (DE74 Ebert), Bicker-
WHITESAND BAY Harland & Wolffl6.12.1944 BU 1956 ton (DE75 Eisele), Bligh (DE76 Liddle), Braithwaite (DE77 Straub), Bullen
(ex-Loch Lubnaig) (DE78), Byard (DE55 Donaldson), Byron (DE79), Calder (DE58 Formoe),
WIDEMOUTH BAY Harland & Wolffl9.10.1944 BU 1957 Conn (DE80), Cosby ex-Reeves (DE94), Cotton (DE81), Cranstoun (DE82),
(ex-Loch Frisa) Cubitt (DE83), Curzon (DE84), Dakins (DE85), Deane (DE86), Duckworth
WIGTOWN BAY (ex- Harland & Wolff26.4.1945 BU 1959 (DE61 Gary), Duff (DE64 Lamons), Ekins (DE87), Essington (DE67), Fitzroy
Loch Garasdale) (DE88), Halsted (DE91 Reynolds), Hargood (DE573), Holmes (DE572),
ALERT (ex- Blyth 10.7.1945 Completed as Hotham (DE574), Narbrough (DE569), Redmill (DE89), Retalick (DE90),
Dundrum Bay, despatch vessel, Riou (DE92), Rowley (DE95), Rupert (DE96), Rutherford (DE93), Seymour
ex-Loch Scamadale) BU 1971 (DE98), Spragge (DE563), Stayner (DE564), Stockham (DE97), Thombrough
SURPRISE (ex- Smiths Dock 14.3.1945 Completed as (DE565), Torrington (DE568), Trollope (DE566), Tyler (DE567), Waldegrave
Gerrans Bay, despatch vessel, (DE570), Whittaker (DE571).
ex-Loch Canon) BU 1965 Ex-Buckley class turbo-electric vessels delivered under Lend-Lease in
COOK (ex- Pickersgill 24.9.1945 Completed by 1943—44. Bickerton and Bullen were sunk by U-boats on 22.8.44 and 6.12.44
Pegwell Bay, Devonport DYd respectively, and 8 were not repaired after damage by U-boats (Affleck, Red-
ex-Loch Mochrum) as survey vessel mill), E-boats (Halsted, Trollope), ground mines (Dakins, Ekins), small contact
DALRYMPLE (ex- Pickersgill 12.4.1945 Completed by mine (Duff) and torpedo or floating mine which ignited Hedgehog propellant
Luce Bay, Devonport DYd (Whittaker). Typical armament was 3-3in/50 US HA, 8 to 10-20mm,
ex-Loch Glass) as survey vessel; Hedgehog and 160 DCs, but Bentinck, Braithwaite, Byard, Calder, Curzon,
to Portugal 1966 Duckworth, Duff and Essington had a twin 40mm Bofors for their main light
DAMPIER (ex- Smiths Dock 15.5.1945 Completed by AA, supplemented later by 7 single Bofors in Calder, Duckworth and Essington,
Heme Bay, Chatham DYd as while Cubitt had 2 singles only. A 2pdr pompom as an anti-E-boat bow chaser
ex-Loch Eil) survey vessel was added to many in 1944 and at the end of that year it was approved to carry
OWEN (ex- Hall Russell 19.10.1945 Completed by 2 Mk 10* DCs, which could be done without reducing other armament.
Thurso Bay, Chatham DYd as Hotham was retained by Britain until 1956 and was used for gas turbine
ex-Loch Muick) survey vessel experiments.

61
GREAT BRITAIN

COLONY class (ex-US Tacoma class) Bryony 1942 as a minesweeper

Class (US number): Anguilla ex-Hallowell (PF72), Antigua ex-Hammond

(PF73), Ascension ex-Hargood (PF74), Bahamas ex-Hotham (PF75), Barbados FLOWER class corvettes (launched 1940-42)
ex-Halsted (PF76), Caicos ex-Hannam (PF77), Cayman ex-Harland (PF78),
Displacement: 1170t (900t—111 Ot actual in 1945) standard; 925t
Dominica ex-Harman (PF79), Labuan ex-Gold Coast, ex-Harvey (PF80), Mont¬ (1245-1390t) deep load
serrat ex-Hornby (PF82), Nyasaland ex-Hoste (PF83),Papua ex-Howett (PF84),
Dimensions: 205ft (some 208ft 4in) oa x 33ft 2in x 13ft 7in—15ft 9in
Perim ex-Sierra Leone, ex-Phillimore (PF89), Pitcairn ex-Pilford (PF85), St mean deep load
Helena ex-Pasley (PF86), Sarawak ex-Patton (PF87), Seychelles ex-Peard 62.48(63.50) xlO.11x4.14^4.80m
(PF88), Somaliland ex-Popham (PF90), Tobago ex-Hong Kong, ex-Holmes Machinery: 1-shaft VTE, 2 cyl (some 2 Admiralty 3-drum) boilers,
(PF81), Tortola ex-Peyton (PF91), Zanzibar ex-Prowse (PF92). 2750ihp = 16.5kts. Oil 230t (Meadowsweet later 308t, Bal¬
Delivered under Lend-Lease in 1944. None was lost. Armament at the end sam, Godetia, Potentilla, Tamarisk 337t)
of the war comprised 3-3in/50 US HA, 4-40mm Bofors (2x2), 4 to 10-20mm, Armament: l-4in/45 BL Mk IX (4in/40 QF Mk XIX in some), 40 DC
Hedgehog and 64 DCs. (later Hedgehog, 72 DC). See notes
Complement: 85-109

OTHER
Class:
Ailsa - Acanthus (to Norway 1942), Aconite (to France as Aconit 1941)
Blyth - Anemone, Arbutus (i)
G Brown - Alyssum (to France as Alysse 1941), Asphodel, Aubrietia, Auricula,
Balsam (ex-Chelmer), Bellwort, Borage

ESCORTS Cook, Welton & Gemmell - Azalea, Begonia (to USN as Impulse 1942)
Crown - Burdock, Campion, Godetia (ii) (ex-Dart). Heliotrope (to USN as Sur¬
prise 1942), Hollyhock
Ferguson - Honeysuckle, Hydrangea, Jasmine
Fleming & Ferguson - Amaranthus, Bluebell, Campanula, Clover, Jonquil,
Larkspur (to USN as Fury 1942), Monkshood, Montbretia (to Norway 1941),
Tamarisk (ex-Ettrick) (to Greece as Tompazis 1943)
Grangemouth - Candytuft (to USN as Tenacity 1942), Carnation (to Holland as
Frisio 1943-45), Celandine
Kittiwake 1939 Hall - Coltsfoot, Hyderabad (ex-Nettie), Lavender, Lobelia (to France 1941),
Poppy
Hall Russell - Coriander (ex-Iris) (to France as Commandante Detroyat 1942),
KINGFISHER class patrol vessels (launched 1935-38) Loosestrife, Marguerite, Marigold, Mignonette
Displacement: 510—530t standard; 740-745t deep load Harland & Wolff - Abelia, Alisma, Anchusa, Arabis (i) (to USN as Saucy 1942,
RN Snapdragon (ii) 1945), Armeria, Aster, Bergamot, Bryony, Buttercup (to
Dimensions: 243ft 3in oa x 26ft 6in x 8ft mean deep load
74.14 x 8.08 x 2.44m Norway 1942), Calendula (to USN as Ready 1942), Camellia, Chrysanthemum
(to France as Commandante Drogou 1942), Clarkia, Cowslip, Eglantine (to
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
3600shp = 20kts. Oil 160-172t Norway 1941), Erica, Freesia, Fritillary, Genista, Gentian, Gloxinia, Heartsease
(ex-Pansy) (to USN as Courage 1942), Heather, Hibiscus (to USN as Spry 1942),
Armament: l-4in/45 QF Mk V (later HA), 30-60 DC
Hyacinth (to Greece as Apostolis 1943), Kingcup, Mallow (to Yugoslavia as
Complement: 60
Nada 1944), Orchis, Peony (to Greece as Sakhtouris 1943), Periwinkle (to USN
as Restless 1942), Picotee, Pimpernel, Rhododendron, Vervain (ex-Broom). Can¬
Class:
celled: Gloriosa, Harebell, Hemlock, Ivy, Ling, Marjoram
Fairfield - Kingfisher Hill - Clematis, Columbine, Convolvulus, Lotus (i) (to France as Commandante
Stephen - Mallard, Puffin d’Estienne d’Orves 1942), Meadowsweet, Mimosa (to France 19^2), Rockrose,
Thorny croft - Kittiwake, Sheldrake Saxifrage
Yarrow - Widgeon Inglis - Coreopsis (to Greece as Kriezis 1943), Crocus, Oxlip, Pennywort,
Spiraea, Starwort
Lewis - Cyclamen, Dahlia, Dianella (ex-Daffodil), Myosotis, Narcissus, Sundew
SHEARWATER class patrol vessels (launched 1939) (to France as Roselys 1941)
Philip - Nigella, Pentstemon
Particulars ns Kingfisher class except 580t standard, 233ft 3in oa x 25ft 6in x Robb - Delphinium, Dianthus, Lotus (ii) (ex-Phlox), Petunia, Pink, Polyanthus
8ft 9in mean deep load (71.09 x 7.77 x 2.67m), 132t oil. Simons - Gardenia, Geranium, Potentilla (to Norway 1942-44), Primrose,
Primula, Ranunculus (to France as Renoncule 1941), Rose (to Norway 1941),
Class: Salvia, Snapdragon (i), Violet, Woodruff
Denny - Guillemot, Pintail Smith’s Dock - Gladiolus, Godetia (i), Samphire, Snowdrop, Snowflake (ex-
White - Shearwater Zenobia), Stonecrop, Sunflower, Sweetbriar, Thyme, Tulip, Verbena, Veronica
The Kingfisher and Shearwater classes were intended as a new version of the (to USN as Temptress 1942), Vetch, Wall flower, Zinnia. Also ex-French vessels
First World War P and PC boats for use as coastal escorts. They were not Fleur de Lys (ex-La Dieppoise), La Bastiaise, La Malouine, Nasturtium (ex-La
considered suitable for 1939-45 quantity production. Shearwater had a 12pdr Paimpolaise)
added and most had 2-20mm eventually. Pintail was mined 10.6.41 and Puf¬
fin, moderately damaged when a midget submarine’s torpedo exploded when Canadian yards (All RCN, 10 lent by RN as indicated):
rammed 26.3.45, was not repaired. The rest were disposed of 1946-50. Burrard - Agassiz, Chilliwack, Trail, Wetaskiwin (ex-Banff)
Canadian Vickers - Chambly, Chicoutimi, Dauphin, Eyebright (to RCN
1941-45), Lethbridge, Mayflower (to RCN 1941-45), Saskatoon, Trillium (to
RCN 1941-45)
Canadian Yarrow — Albemi, Edmundston, Nanaimo, Timmins, Vancouver (ex-
Kitchener)
Collingwood - Barrie, Battleford, Collingwood, Drumheller, Galt, Halifax,
Moose-Jaw, Orillia, The Pas, Woodstock
Davie SB - Baddeck, Brandon, Buctouche, Hepatica (to RCN 1941-45), Pictou,
Rimouski, Shediac, Snowberry (to RCN 1941-45), Spikenard (to RCN 1940),
Windflower (to RCN 1940)
G T Davie - Kitchener (ex-Vancouver), Levis, Lunenburg, Shawinigan
Kingston - Charlottetown, La Malbaie (ex-Fort William), Napanee, Prescott,
Sudbury
Marine Industries - Arrowhead (to RCN 1941—45), Bittersweet (to RCN
Clematis in late 1940 1941—45), Calgary,Camrose,Dunvegan,Fennel (to RCN 1941—\5),Fredericton,
Regina, Sherbrooke, Sorel
KIL class patrol vessels Midland - Brentford, Midland
Morton - Arvida, Louisburg (i), Matapedia, Summerside, Ville de Quebec (ex-
Class: Kilbimie, Kilbride, Kilchattan, Kilchrenan, Kildary, Kildwick, Kilham, Quebec)
Kilkenzie, Kilkhampton, Kilmalcolm, Kilmarnock, Kilmartin, Kilmelford, Kil- Port Arthur - Algoma, Cobalt, Kamsack, Kenogami, Morden, Oakville, Port
mington, Kilmore (ex-BECl-15, ex-USN PCE827-841 in order as given). Arthur, Rosthem, Weybum
Ex-USN PCE842 class patrol vessels supplied under Lend-Lease. No war St John - Amherst, Moncton, Sackville
losses. Victoria - Dawson, Dundas, Kamloops, New Westminster, Quesnell

62

This class of readily built escorts had its origins in a sketch design of Smith’s
Dock based on their whalecatcher Southern Pride but lengthened by 30ft.
Many modifications were made under construction if possible, or as the oppor¬
tunity offered. These included extending the forecastle, and in some altering
the hull section forward above lwl to give more sheer and flare. Bilge keels
were deepened, bridges improved, and splinter protection, increased electric
power and steam heating and artificial ventilation in living spaces were pro¬
vided. 10 RCN corvettes (Calgary, Charlottetown, Fredericton, Halifax, Kitch¬
ener, La Malbaie, Port Arthur, Regina, Ville de Quebec and Woodstock) were
208ft 4in (63.50m) oa, and they and 5 others (Brentford, Midland, New West¬
minster, Timmins and Vancouver) had watertube boilers. There was consider¬
able variation in armament from the standard given above. Delphinium, Erica,
Hyacinth, Peony and Salvia had a 12pdr or 3in/20cwt AA in place of the 4in
gun, while at one time Gloxinia (and possibly Mimosa, Primula, Samphire and
Snapdragon) had a 3in or 12pdr in addition to the 4in. Mallow had l-4in and
2-6pdr Hotchkiss in 1945, and earlier more than 30 ships were so armed.
Light AA by 1945 usually comprised l-2pdr and 2 to 4-20mm, or 3 to
6-20mm only. Losses were heavy: Alyssum 8.2.42, Arbutus 5.2.42, Asphodel
9.3.44, Bluebell 17.2.45, Gladiolus 16.10.41, Mimosa 9.6.42, Montbretia
18.11.42, Picotee 12.8.41, Polyanthus 20.9.43, Salvia 24.12.41, Vervain
20.2.45, Zinnia 23.8.41, Fleur de Lys 14.10.41, Charlottetown 11.9.42, Levis
19.9.41, Regina 8.8.44, Shawinigan 25.11.44 and Spikenard 11.2.42 (due to
U-boats); Samphire 30.1.43 (Italian submarine); Auricula 5.5.42, Erica 9.2.43,
Orchis constructive total loss 21.8.44, Pink constructive total loss 27.6.44, La
Bastiaise on trials 22.6.40, Albemi 21.8.44 and Weybum 22.2.43 (mines);
Mangold 9.12.42 and Louisburg 6.2.43 (aerial torpedoes); Hollyhock 9.4.42
(bombed and blew up); Snapdragon (i) 19.12.42 (near-missed by bombs); and
Gardenia 9.11.42, Godetia (i) 6.9.40, Rose 26.10.44 and Windflower 7.12.41
(collision). The survivors were disposed of or converted to other uses from
1945 to 1956.
Charlock 1944
Modified FLOWER class corvettes (launched 1942-44)
Displacement: 980-1000t standard; 1350—1370t deep load
Dimensions: 205ft (some 208ft 4in) oa x 33ft 2in x 14ft 3in-14ft 6in
mean deep load
62.48 (63.50) x 10.11 x 4.34-4.42m
Machinery: 1-shaft VTE, 2 cyl (some 2 Admiralty 3-drum) boilers,
2750ihp = 16.5kts. Oil 337t
Armament: l-4in/45 BL Mk IX (4in/40 QF Mk XIX in Canadian-built),
Hedgehog, 72 DC
Complement: 109
Class:
G Brown - Arabis (ii). Arbutus (ii) (both to RNZN 1944—48)
Crown - Bugloss (to RIN as Assam 1945-48), Mimico (ex-Bulrush) (RCN)
Ferguson - Burnet (to RIN as Gondwana 1945), Charlock (to RIN as Mahratta
1946-47), Forrest Hill (ex-Ceanothus) (RCN)
Hall -Betony (to RIN as Sind 1945), Giffard (ex-Buddleia) (RCN). Cancelled:
Balm
Inglis - Longbranch (ex-Candytuft (ii)) (RCN)
Canadian yards:
Collingwood — Comfrey (to USN as Action 1943), Cornel (to USN as Alacrity
1943), Dittany (ex-USN Beacon), Fergus (ex-RCN Fort Francis) (RCN), Guelph
(RCN), North Bay (RCN), Owen Sound (RCN), Smilax (ex-USN Tact), Stance
(ex-USN Vim). Cancelled: Ingersoll (RCN)
Kingston — Belleville (RCN),Flax (to USN ns Brisk 1943), Frontenac (RCN),
Honesty (ex-USN Caprice), Peterborough (RCN), Rosebay (ex-USN Splendor),
Smiths Falls (RCN), Trentoman (RCN). Cancelled: Listowel (RCN), Renfrew
(RCN)
Midland — Cobourg (RCN), Linaria (ex-USN Clash), Lindsay (RCN), Parry
Sound (RCN), Strathroy (RCN), Thorlock (RCN), West York (RCN), Whitby
(RCN), Willowherb (ex-USN- Vitality). Cancelled: Meaford (RCN)
Morton - Asbestos (RCN), Atholl (RCN), Beauhamois (RCN), Hawkesbury
(RCN), Lachute (RCN, Louisburg (ii) (RCN), Mandrake (to USN as Haste
1943), Merrittonia (ex-RCN Pointe Claire) (RCN), Milfoil (to USN ns Intensity
1943), Musk (to USN as Might 1943), Nepeta (to USN as Pert 1943), Norsyd
(RCN), Privet (to USN as Prudent 1943), Riviere du Loup (RCN), St Lambert
(RCN), Stellarton (RCN). Cancelled: Brampton (RCN), Simcoe (RCN).
As indicated above, 7 were transferred to Britain under Lend-Lease while 8
remained in the USN. This class incorporated the improvements gradually
introduced in the earlier ‘Flowers’, including increased oil fuel. The
Canadian-built RCN ships had watertube boilers and they and the British-built
Forrest Hill, Giffard, Longbranch and Mimico were 208ft 4in (63.50m) oa.
Light AA consisted of 3 to 8-20mm with a 2pdr pompom in some. Trentoman
was torpedoed by a U-boat 22.2.45 and Memttonia wrecked 30.11.45, the rest
were disposed of 1945-52.
Other escorts
Hadleigh Castle 1943
CASTLE class corvettes (launched 1943-44)
Displacement: 1060t standard; 1590—1630t deep load
Dimensions: 252ft oa x 36ft 8in X 13ft 6in-13ft 9in mean deep load
76.81 x 11.18 x 4.11-4.19m
Machinery: 1-shaft VTE, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 2750ihp =
16.5kts. Oil 480t
Armament: 1—4in/40 QF Mk XIX, 1 Squid, 15 DC
Complement: 120
Class:
Ailsa - Tintagel Castle, Huntsville (ex-Wolvesey Castle) (RCN)
Austin - Amberley Castle. Cancelled: Appleby Castle, Tonbridge Castle
Barclay Curie - Berkeley Castle
Blyth - Knaresborough Castle, Launceston Castle, Coppercliff (ex-Hever Castle)
(RCN)
G Brown -Alnwick Castle-, rescue ship Barnard Castle. Cancelled: Here Castle,
Caldecot Castle, Norwich Castle
Caledon - Carisbrooke Castle, Dumbarton Castle, Hurst Castle
Crown - Famham Castle, Hedingham Castle (ex-Gorey Castle). Cancelled:
Oswestry Castle, Pendennis Castle, Rhuddlan Castle
Ferguson - Tillsonburg (ex-Pembroke Castle) (RCN); rescue ships Rayleigh
Castle, York Castle. Cancelled: Thombury Castle
Fleming & Ferguson -Allington Castle (ex-Amaryllis), Lancaster Castle; rescue
ships Maiden Castle, Scarborough Castle. Cancelled: Alton Castle, Warkworth
Castle
Harland & Wolff - Oxford Castle, Pevensey Castle, Amprior (ex-Rising Castle)
(RCN), Petrolia (exSherbome Castle) (RCN)
Inglis - Oakham Castle, Humberstone (ex-Norham Castle, ex-Totnes Castle)
(RCN). Cancelled: Calshot Castle, Dover Castle, Dudley Castle
Lewis - Bamborough Castle, Caistor Castle, Denbigh Castle. Cancelled: Mon¬
mouth Castle
Pickersgill - Leeds Castle, Morpeth Castle, Bowmanville (ex-Nunnery Castle)
(RCN)
Robb - Flint Castle, Hespeler (ex-Guildford Castle) (RCN), Orangeville (ex-
Hedingham Castle) (RCN)
Smith’s Dock - Hadleigh Castle, Kenilworth Castle, Kincardine (ex-Tamworth
Castle) (RCN), Leaside (ex- Walmer Castle) (RCN), St Thomas (ex-Sandgate
Castle) (RCN)
Swan Hunter - Portchester Castle, Rushen Castle, Shrewsbury Castle (Nor¬
wegian Tunsberg)
Canadian yards (All cancelled):
Collingwood -Bodiam Castle, Bolton Castle, Bramber Castle, Bridgnorth Castle,
Brough Castle, Chepstow Castle, Chester Castle, Clare Castle, Clavering Castle,
Clitheroe Castle, Corfe Castle, Comet Castle, Cowes Castle, Dhyfe Castle
Kingston - Aydon Castle, Barnwell Castle, Beeston Castle, Bowes Castle,
Devizes Castle, Egremont Castle
Midland - Canterbury Castle, Carew Castle, Christchurch Castle, Clun Castle,
Colchester Castle, Cowling Castle, Cromer Castle,Dunster Castle, Wigmore Castle
Morton - Criccieth Castle, Fotheringay Castle, Helmsley Castle, Mailing Castle,
Malmesbury Castle, Raby Castle, Trematon Castle, Tutbury Castle
Five of these vessels were completed as convoy rescue ships, as indicated
above. This class were a considerable improvement on the ‘Flowers’, the
increased length, originally proposed by William Reed of Smith’s Dock, mak¬
ing them more suitable for Atlantic weather conditions, and the anti¬
submarine armament being rendered more effective by the installation of
Squid. Light AA varied from 4 to 10-20mm. Three were sunk: Hurst Castle on
1.9.44 and Denbigh Castle on 13.2.45 by U-boats, and Tunsberg (ex-Shrewsbury
Castle) by a mine on 12.12.44. The remaining RN ships were disposed of
between 195 5 and 1961; the RCN vessels were mostly sold for mercantile service
in 1947, and all had gone by 1949.
HALCYON class minesweepers (launched 1933-39)
Displacement: 785-815t standard; 1330t deep load
Dimensions: 245ft 6in oa x 33ft 6in x 10ft 3in mean deep load
74.83 x 10.21 x 3.12m
Machinery: 2- shaft geared turbines (Halcyon, Harrier, Hussar, Skipjack,
Speedwell VC; Niger, Salamander VTE), 2 Admiralty
3- drum boilers, 1750shp = 17kts (1770ihp = 16.5kts;
2000ihp = 17kts). Oil 264t (223t; 223t)
Armament: 2-4in/45 QF Mk V (1 HA, later 2x1 HA, finally 1 HA
only); 40 DC as escorts
Complement: 80
Class:
Ailsa - Franklin, Jason
J Brown - Halcyon, Skipjack
Caledon - Scott
Devonport DYd - Bramble, Britomart, Hebe, Leda, Seagull, Sharpshooter
63
GREAT BRITAIN

Skipjack in 1940 Whitehaven during the war By courtesy of John Roberts

Grays - Gleaner, Hazard (RCN), Outarde (RCN), Ungava (RCN)

Hamilton - Gossamer, Speedwell, Speedy, Sphinx
Thorny croft - Harrier, Hussar
White - Niger, Salamander
Franklin, Gleaner, Gossamer, Jason and Scott were completed as surveying
vessels but converted to minesweepers in 1939. The first five ships were
remarkable in having 3-cylinder VC engines with poppet valves operated by
rotary camshafts with enclosed forced lubrication, and Seagull was the first
all-welded ship to be completed for the Royal Navy. From 4 to 8-20mm guns
were eventually added. Losses were heavy: Bramble 31.12.42 (gunfire German
destroyers); Leda 20.9.42 (U-boat); Hebe 22.11.43 (mine); and Gossamer
24.6.42, Skipjack 1.6.40 and Sphinx 3.2.40 (bombs). Four were accidentally
lost, Niger on a British moored magnetic mine 5.7.42, Britomart and Hussar
lost and Salamander constructive loss from rocket-firing Typhoons 27.8.44.
The others, except for Franklin, Scott, Seagull and Shackleton (exSharpshooter)
which became surveying ships, were disposed of 1946-50.
BANGOR class (diesel-engined) minesweepers (launched
Port Arthur - Bayfield (to RCN 1941—45), Blairmore (RCN), Fort William
(RCN), Kenora (RCN), Kentville (RCN), Milltown (RCN), Mulgrave (RCN)
Prince Rupert - Clayoquot (RCN), Courtenay (RCN), Kelowna (RCN), Quat-
sino (RCN)
Indian yards (All RIN):
Garden Reach - Bihar, Deccan, Malwa, Oudh
Hong Kong yards - (All completed by Japanese)
Hong Kong & Whampoa - Lantan (ex-Beaulieu), Lyemun (ex-Looe)
Taikoo - Taitam (ex-Portland), Waglan (exSeaford)
Similar to the diesel-engined Bangor class but enlarged to accommodate
boilers and VTE engines. Chedabucto, Clayoquot, Cowichan, Mahone, Mal¬
peque, Minas, Miramichi, Nipigon, Quatsino, Quinte, Ungava and Wasaga had
4in guns. Light AA eventually comprised l-2pdr pompom and/or 1 to
3-20mm. Losses were: Clayoquot 24.12.44 and Guysborough 17.3.45 (U-boats);
Cromer 9.11.42, Felixstowe 18.12.43 and Mulgrave constructive loss 8.10.44
(mines); and Chedabucto 21.10.43 (collision). Most of the survivors were dis¬
posed of between 1946 and 1950, but numerous RCN ships remained until
1957-59 and a few RIN vessels beyond those dates.

1940-42)
BANGOR class (turbine-engined) minesweepers
Displacement: 590t standard; 690t deep load
Dimensions: 162ft oa x 28ft x 9ft 4in mean deep load (launched 1940-42)
49.38 x 8.S3 x 2.84m
Displacement: 605t standard; 780t deep load
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels, 2000bhp = 16.5kts. Oil 65t
Dimensions: 174ft oa x 28ft 6in x 9ft 8in mean deep load
Armament: l-3in/20cwt HA (RCN l-12pdr/12cwt HA, Melville 53.04 x 6.69 x 2.95m
1—4in/40 QF Mlc IV); 40 DC as escorts
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
Complement: 60 2000shp = 16.5kts. Oil 150t
Armament: l-3in/20cwt HA, (Cromarty, RIN ships l-12pdr/12cwt HA);
Class: 40 DC as escorts
Denny - Bridlington, Bridport Complement: 60-87
Harland & Wolff - Bangor, Blackpool
Canadian yards (All RCN): Class:
Davie SB - Digby, Granby, Lachine, Melville, Noranda, Truro Ailsa - Beaumaris, Bootle, Boston, Clacton, Dornoch, Hythe (ex-Banff), Pol-
Marine Industries - Brockville, Esquimalt, Transcona, Trois Rivieres ruan, Rye
Smaller than the Halcyon class and found to be cramped for magnetic or
Blyth - Ardrossan, Brixham, Cromarty, Dunbar, Greenock (to RIN as Baluchi¬
acoustic minesweeping gear. Lack of diesel manufacturing capacity limited the
stan 1942), Hartlepool (to RIN as Kathiawar 1942)
numbers built. Most had 1 to 3-20mm added. Esquimalt was sunk by a U-boat
Hamilton - Harwich (to RIN as Khyber 1942), Ilfracombe, Llandudno, Middles-
16.4.45 and the four RN ships disposed of in 1946, while some of the RCN
borough (to RIN as Kumaon 1942), Newhaven (to RIN as Carnatic 1942),
vessels lasted until 1961 or later, either with that service or the RCMP.
Padstow (to RIN as Rohilkand 1943), Rothesay, Tenby
Philip - Whitehaven, Worthing
Stephen - Lyme Regis (ii) (ex-Sunderland), Poole
Similar to other Bangors but with geared turbines. Hythe was sunk by a
BANGOR class (VTE-engined) minesweepers (launched
U-boat 11.10.43 and Clacton and Cromarty by mines on 31.12.43 and 23.10.43
1940 44) respectively. The survivors were disposed of 1947-50 except for Rohilkand and
two RIN vessels which went to Pakistan, these lasting until 1956-61.
Displacement: 656-688t standard; 825—875t deep load
Dimensions: 180ft oa x 28ft 6in x 9ft 9in-10ft 3in mean deep load (prop¬
eller tips to lift 8in-12ft 3in)
54.86 x 6.69 x 2.97-3.12, (3.56-3.73)m
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 2400ihp =
16.5kts. Oil 150t
Armament: l-3in/20cwt HA or l-12pdr/12cwt HA (some l-4in/40 QF
Mk IV); 40 DC as escorts
Complement: 60-87
BATHURST class minesweepers (launched 1940-43)
Class: Displacement: 650-790t standard
Blyth - Blyth, Peterhead Dimensions: 186ft 2in oa x 31ft 2in x 9ft lOin mean deep load
Lobnitz - Bude, Clydebank (to RIN as Orissa 1942), Cromer, Eastbourne, Felix¬ 56.74 x 9.SO x 3.00m
stowe, Fraserburgh, Lyme Regis (i) (to RIN as Rajputana 1942), Rhyl, Romney, Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 2 3-drum boilers, 1550-2000ihp = 15—16kts.
Seaham, Tilbury (to RIN as Konkan 1942) Oil 124—153t
Robb - Sidmouth, Stornoway
Armament: l-4in/45 BL Mk IX or l—4in/40 QF Mk XIX or 1—4in/45
Canadian yards: QF Mk XVI HA or l-12pdr/12cwt HA, l^fOmm Bofors or
Burrard - Bellechasse (RCN), Chedabucto (RCN), Minas (RCN), Miramichi l-2pdr pompom in some, 12 to 40 DC (up to 82 DC as
(RCN), Quinte (RCN), Wasaga (RCN) escorts)
Canadian Vickers - Drummondville (RCN), Grandmere (RCN), Medicine Hat Complement: 80-90
(RCN), Red Deer (RCN), Swift Current (RCN), Vegreville (RCN)
Dufferin - Burlington (RCN), Fort York (ex-Mignan), Gananoque (RCN), Class: (Australian yards)
Georgian (RCN), Goderich (RCN), Nipigon (RCN), Parrsborough, Port Hope Broken Hill -Gawler (ex-Gambier), Kalgoorlie, Pirie, Whyalla (ex-Glenelg)
(RCN), Qualicum, Sarnia (RCN), Shippigan, Stratford (RCN), Tadoussac, Cockatoo - Bathurst, Bendigo, Cessnock, Glenelg (RAN), Goulbum, Wollon¬
Thunder (RCN), Wedgeport, Westmount (RCN) gong, Bengal (RIN), Madras (RIN)
North Vancouver - Canso (to RCN 1942-45), Caraquet (to RCN 1942-45), Evans Deakin - Ararat (RAN), Broome, Bunbury (RAN), Bundaberg (RAN),
Chignecto (RCN), Cowichan (RCN), Guysborough (to RCN 1942),Ingonish (to Fremantle (RAN),Gympie (RAN),Ipswich, Kiama (RAN), Launceston, Parkes
RCN 1943-45), Lockeport (to RCN 1942^-5), Mahone (RCN), Malpeque (RAN), Townsville (RAN)

64
 Other escorts
Morts Dock - Armidale (RAN), Bumie, Colac (RAN), Deloraine (RAN), Serene (ex-RCN Leaside), Skipjack (ex-RCN Solebay, ex-USN), Thisbe (ex-
Dubbo (RAN),Inverell (RAN),Latrobe (RAN),Lismore, Lithgow (RAN), MiZ- USN), Truelove (ex-USN), Welfare (ex-USN)
dura (RAN), Wagga (RAN), Warmambool (RAN), Bombay (RIN), Punjab Toronto - Antares (ex-USN), Aries (ex-USN), Clinton (ex-USN), Friendship
(RIN) (ex-USN), Regulus (ex-RCN Longbranch). Cancelled: Nicator, Niger (i), Non¬
Newcastle - Strahan (RAN) pareil, Nox, Odin
Poole & Steele - Cootamundra (RAN), Cowra (RAN), Geraldton ,Junee (RAN), Of the 62 Canadian-built ships completed, 19 were built for the RN, 16
Kapunda (RAN), Katoomba (RAN), Wallaroo (RAN) transferred from the RCN and 15 from the USN under Lend-Lease, leaving 12
Walkers - Bowen (RAN), Cairns, Gladstone (RAN), Maryborough, Rockhamp¬ in the RCN. Similar to other Algerines except in having VTE engines. The 12
ton (RAN), Tamworth, Toowoomba RCN ships were used as escorts, not as minesweepers. Light A A comprised 4
Williamstown - Ballarat, Benalla (RAN), Castlemaine (ex-Castle Harbour) to 8-20mm in ships without Bofors. Losses were all due to mines: Hydra
(RAN), Echuca (RAN), Geelong (RAN), Horsham (RAN), Shepparton (RAN), (constructive loss) 10.11.44, Prompt (constructive loss) 9.5.45 and Regulus
Stawell (RAN) 12.1.45. Most of the remainder were disposed of in the late 1950s and 1960s.
Cancelled: Assam (RIN), Gondwhana (RIN), Sind (RIN), to be built at Garden
Reach, India.
The 20 ships built for the RN were all lent to the RAN in the war, and were CATHERINE class (ex-US Auk class) minesweepers
generally similar to the Bangor class but with shorter forecastles. 2-20mm were
usually mounted if a Bofors or pompom were carried, and 3-20mm if these Class (US number/name): Catherine (BAM9), Cato (BAM10), Chamois
were absent. Armidale was torpedoed by Japanese aircraft 1.12.42 and Geelong (BAM12), Chance (BAM13), Combatant (BAM14), Cynthia (BAM15), Elfreda
and Wallaroo lost in collisions on 18.10.44 and 20.6.43 respectively. The rest (BAM 16, ex-Overseer AM321), Fairy (BAM25), Florizel (BAM26), Foam
were sold or otherwise disposed of from 1946 onwards, with a few surviving to (BAM27), Frolic (BAM28), Gazelle (BAM17), Gorgon (BAM18), Grecian
the late 1960s or 1970s. (BAM19), Jasper (BAM29), Magic (BAM20), Pique (ex-Celerity) (BAM11),
Pylades (BAM21), Steadfast (BAM31), Strenuous (Vital AM129), Tattoo
(BAM32), Tourmaline (Usage AM130).
ALGERINE class (turbine-engined) minesweepers Supplied under Lend-Lease. Akbar, Alice, Amelia, Amity, Augusta, Blaze,
Brutus, Buffalo (BAM1-8), Errant, Espoir, Exploit (BAM22-24) and Sepoy
(launched 1941-44)
(BAM30) were retained by USN. Losses were Cato 6.7.44, Magic 6.7.44 and
Displacement: 940-980t standard; 1225—1265t deep load Pylades 8.7.44 from Marders, and Chamois (constructive loss) 21.7.44 from a
Dimensions: 225ft oa x 35ft 6in x 10ft 3in-10ft 6in mean deep load, 11ft mine.
9in over propellers
68.58 x 10.82 x 3.12-3.20, 3.58m
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
2000shp = 16.5kts. Oil 235t
Armament: l-4in/45 QF Mk V HA, 4—40mm Bofors (4x1) in Hare, Basset 1937
Jewel, Liberty, 92 DC as escorts
Complement: 85-138 war
BASSET class trawlers (launched 1935-38, RIN
Class:
1941-44)
Blyth - Brave, Fancy
Displacement: 521—560t standard; 725—775t deep load
Harland & Wolff - Acute (ex-Alert), Alarm, Albacore, Algerine, Cadmus,
Dimensions: 160ft 6in-164ft oa x 27ft lin-27ft 8in x 10ft 7in—11ft 2in
Chamaeleon, Cheerful, Circe, Espiegle, Fantome, Hare, Jewel, Liberty, Loyalty mean deep load
(ex-Rattler), Mutine, Onyx, Pickle, Pincher, Plucky, Ready, Recruit, Rifleman, 48.92-49.99 x 8.25-8.43 x 3.23-3.40m
Rinaldo, Rosario, Spanker, Squirrel, Vestal. Cancelled: Marmion (i), Moon (i) Machinery: 1-shaft VTE, 1 cyl boiler, 850-950ihp = 12.5—13kts. Coal
A satisfactory type of minesweeper, larger and more spacious than the Ban¬ 180—196t (Mastiff 129t oil)
gor class. They were often used as anti-submarine escorts. Shortage of capacity Armament: l-4in/40 QF Mk IV or l-12pdr/12cwt HA, 4 later 25 DC
for manufacturing turbine blading limited the number of the Algerines so
Complement: 33 (RIN 48)
engined. Those without Bofors had 4 to 8-20mm, usually the latter. Losses
were: Loyalty 22.8.44 (U-boat); Algerine 15.11.42 (Italian submarine);Fantome
Class:
constructive loss 20.5.43 and Squirrel 24.7.45 (mines); Alarm constructive loss
Robb - Basset, Mastiff
2.1.43 (bombs); and Vestal 26.7.45 (Kamikaze). Most of the surviving ships
Canadian yards (All RCN):
were disposed of in the 1960s.
Burrard - Comox
Canadian Yarrow - Nanoose (ex-Nootka)
Collingwood - Fundy
ALGERINE class (VTE-engined) minesweepers Morton - Gaspe
Indian yards (All RIN; 25 cancelled, 4 destroyed on stocks at Rangoon):
(launched 1942-45) Alcock Ashdown - Karachi, Lucknow
Burn - Ahmedabad, Cochin (ex-Multan), Cuttack, Rampur (ex-Barisal), Shil¬
Displacement: 950—1030t standard; 1235—1325t deep load
long
Dimensions: 225ft oa x 35ft 6in x 10ft 2in-10ft 9in mean deep load, 12ft
Garden Reach - Amritsar, Madura, Poona, Travancore
7in-13ft lin over propellers
68.58 x 10.82 x 3.10-3.28, 3.84-3.99m Hooghlie - Agra, Berar, Calcutta, Patna
Scindia - Multan (ex-Cochin, ex-Kolaba)
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 2400ihp =
16.5kts. Oil 230-239t Shalimar - Baroda, Lahore, Nasik
Basset was the successful prototype for most of the subsequent trawlers built
Armament: l-4in/45 QF Mk V HA, 4-40mm Bofors (4x 1) in Courier,
Jaseur,Lioness,Serene, Wave, Welcome', 90-92 DC as escorts for the Navy; the second ship, Mastiff, was distinct in having oil firing. These
two and the RCN ships had 4in guns, though Basset later had a 12pdr. Up to
Complement: 85-138 war
3-20mm were mounted. The only loss, Mastiff, was mined in 1939 and the rest
were disposed of 1945-50.
Class:
Fleming & Ferguson - Cockatrice Rattlesnake in Jan 1952
Lobnitz - Bramble, Fierce, Fly, Hound, Hydra, Lame (ii), Lennox (ii), Niger (ii)
(ex-Disdain), Orestes, Pelorus, Rattlesnake, Rowena, Stormcloud, Sylvia, Tan¬
ganyika, Waterwitch, Wave, Welcome. Cancelled: Fireball, Gabriel, Happy
Return
Simons - Cancelled: Lame(i), Lennox (i)
Canadian yards:
Port Arthur - Border Cities (RCN), Fort Francis (RCN), Kapuskasing (RCN),
Lysander (ex-RCN Hespeler), Mariner (ex-RCN Kincardine), Marmion (ii) (ex-
RCN Orangeville), Middlesex (RCN), New Liskeard (RCN), Orcadia, Oshawa
(RCN), Ossory, Pluto, Polaris, Portage (RCN), Pyrrhus, Rockcliff (RCN),
Romola, Rosamund, St Boniface (RCN), Sault Ste Marie (ex-The Soo) (RCN),
Wallaceburg (RCN), Winnipeg (RCN). Cancelled: Styx
Redfern — Arcturus (ex-USN), Coquette (ex-RCN Bowmanville), Courier (ex-
RCN Amprior), Felicity (ex-RCN Coppercliff), Flying Fish (ex-RCN Tillson-
burg), Golden Fleece (ex-RCN Humberstone), Gozo (ex-USN), Jaseur, Laertes,
Lightfoot (ex-USN), Lioness (ex-RCN Petrolia), Maenad, Magicienne,
Mameluke, Mandate, Marvel, Mary Rose (ex-RCN Toronto), Melita (ex-USN),
Michael, Minstrel, Moon (ii), (ex-RCN Mimico), Myrmidon, Mystic, Nenssa,
Octavia (ex- USN), Persian (ex-USN), Postillion (ex-USN), Prompt (ex-RCN
Huntsville), Providence (ex-RCN Forrest Hill), Seabear (ex-RCN St Thomas),

65
GREAT BRITAIN

TREE, DANCE, SHAKESPEARIAN and ISLES class

trawlers (launched 1939-1944)
Displacement: 545t standard; 770t deep load
Dimensions: 164ft oa x 27ft 8in x lift lin mean deep load
49.99 x 8.43 x 3.38m
Machinery: 1-shaft VTE, 1 cyl boiler, 850ihp = 12.25kts. Coal 183t
Armament: 1—4in/45 BL Mk IX or l-12pdr/12cwt HA, 30 DC
Complement: 35-40

Class: Tui postwar By courtesy of John Roberts

Ardrossan - Acacia, Almond, Cotillion, Coverley, Coll, Gairsay, Gorregan,
Graemsay, Jura, Kintyre, Mincarlo (Norwegian Tromoy 1944-46)
G Brown - Damsay KIWI class trawlers (RNZN) (launched 1941)
Cochrane - Ash, Bay, Fandango, Foxtrot, Celia, Coriolanus, Fluellen, Canna,
Displacement: 600t standard; 825t deep load
Copinsay, Cumbrae, Eday (Norwegian Tromoy 1944), Fara, Fetlar, Fiona,
Dimensions: 156ft pp x 30ft 3in x lift 6in mean deep load
Foula, Gillstone, Grain, Hellisay, Hermetray, Imersay, Lingay, Longa, Oronsay,
47.55 x 9.22 x 3.51m
Orsay, Ronaldsay, Ronay, Rysa, Shapinsay, Sluna, Vatersay
Machinery: 1-shaft VTE, 1 cyl boiler, lOOOihp = 14kts. Oil 220t
Cook, Welton & Gemmell - Birch, Blackthorn, Gavotte, Hornpipe, Hamlet,
Horatio, Juliet, Laertes, Ailsa Craig, Annet, Arran, Balta, Benbecula, Bern, Armament: l-4in/45 BL Mk IX, l-2pdr pompom, 40 DC
Blackbird (exSheppey), Bressay, Brora, Bruray (Portuguese PI 1943), Bryher, Complement: 35
Calvay, Colsay, Crowlin, Dabchick (ex-Thomey), Egilsay, Ensay, Fame,
Flatholm, Fuday, Ganilly, Gulland, Gweal (ex-Broreray), Hanneray, Harris Class:
(ex-Gilsay), Hascosay, Hayling (Portuguese P3 1943), Hildasay, Hoxa, Hoy, Robb - Kiwi, Moa, Tui
Inchcolm, Killegray (RNZN), Kittem, Lindisfame, Lundy, Mewstone, Minalto, These ships resembled corvettes in appearance and differed from most traw¬
Mull, Heave, Pladda, Rosevean, Sandray ,Scalpay ,Scaravay, Scarba (RNZN), lers in being oil- and not coal-fired. Moa was sunk by bombing in 1943 but
Sheppey (ex-Raasay), Shillay, Skokholm, Stonechat (RCN), Sursay, Tahay, Kiwi was not sold until 1963 and Tui until 1969.
Tocogay, Trodday, Ulva, Vaceasay, Vallay, Whalsay (Portuguese P4 1943),
Whitethroat (RCN), Wiay
Crown — Earraid (ex-Gruna), Filla, Gruinard (Portuguese P7 1943)
Ferguson - Juniper, Mangrove (Portuguese P2 1943), Mazurka, Minuet, Portuguese-type wooden hull trawlers (launched
Biggal, Hunda, Unst
1941-43)
Fleming & Ferguson - Bardsey, Cava, Eriskay (Portuguese P8 1943), Kerrera
(Norwegian Oksoy 1944) Displacement: 500t standard; 615-640t deep load
Goole SB - Chestnut, Deodar, Morris Dance, Pirouette, Macbeth, Ophelia, Dimensions: 129ft—133ft 9in pp x 27ft 2in-27ft 9in x 12ft 4in—11ft lOin
Burra, Bute, Fiaray, Mousa, Rousay, Ruskholm, Sanda (RNZN), Shiant (Nor¬ mean deep load
wegian Jeloy 1944), Tiree 39.32-40.17 x 8.28-8.46 x 3.76-3.61m
Hall - Orfasy, St Kilda Machinery: 1-shaft diesel, 500bhp = llkts, Oil 56—65t
Hall Russell - Olive, Pine, Polka, Quadrille, Othello, Stroma Armament: l-12pdr/12cwt HA, 25 DC
Inglis - Elm, Fir, Rumba, Sarabande, Romeo, Rosalind, Oxna, Stronsay, Complement: 30
Switha
Lewis — Caldy, Foulness, Grassholm, Inchkeith (RNZN), Inchmamock, (Nor¬ Class:
wegian Karmoy 1944), St Agnes, Skomer, Steepholm, Trondra, Westray A Monica - Prong (ex-Port Stanley), Proof (ex-Port Royal), Property (ex-
Robb - Hazel, Hickory, Saltarelo, Sword Dance, Skye, Staffa, Wallasea P onrush)
Smiths Dock - Rowan, Walnut, Whitethorn, Wistaria, Tango, Two Step (ex- M Monica - Prophet (ex-Portobello), Protest (ex-Port Patrick), Prowess (ex-
Tarantella), Valse, Veleta, Islay Provost, ex-Portreath)
Canadian yards (Those indicated loaned to RCN):
Collingwood - Anticosti (RCN), Baffin (RCN), Caitiff (RCN), Campobello,
Miscou (ex-Bowell, ex-Campenia) (RCN)
G T Davie - Dochet, Flint, Gateshead, Herschell Portuguese-type steel hull trawlers (launched 1941-42)
Kingston - Ironbound (RCN), Liscomb (RCN)
Midland — Magdalen (RCN), Manitoulin (RCN), Porcher (ex-Procher), Pros¬ Displacement: 452t standard; 564-586t deep load
pect, Texada Dimensions: 149ft oa x 25ft Sin x lift 5in—11ft 9in mean deep load
This group, which were a development of the Basset class, comprised 20 45.41 x 7.75 x 3.48, 3.58m
‘Tree’, 20 ‘Dance’, 12 ‘Shakespearian’ and 145 ‘Isles’ class, of which 16 were Machinery: 1-shaft diesel, 560bhp = 11.5kts. Oil 80t
Canadian-built. Only the ‘Dance’ class had a 4in gun, while there were up to 3 Armament: l-12pdr/12cwt HA, 25 DC
or 4-20mm with 6 eventually in Annet, Bressay, Damsay, Fiaray, Foulness and Complement: 30
Lindisfame. ‘Isles’ class trawlers given ‘Bird’ names were used as controlled
minelayers. Losses were: Juniper 1940 (gunfire); Laertes 1942 and Jura, Orfasy Class:
and Stronsay 1943 (submarine); Horatio 1943 and Pine and Wallasea 1944 Alfeite - Probe (ex-Portaferry), Proctor (ex-Portisham, ex-Portadown). Cancel¬
(MTB); Colsay 1944 (human torpedo); Gairsay 1944 (explosive motor boat); led: 2 units
Chestnut and Hickory 1940, Almond and Ash 1941, Rysa 1943, Gamilly 1944 Uniao Fabril - Prodigal (ex-Porthleven), Product (ex-Port Jackson), Professor
and Coriolanus 1945 (mines); and Brora and Fiona 1941, Sword Dance and (ex-Portmadoc), Promise (ex-Port Natal). Completed as mercantile: 2 units.
Canna 1942, Campobello 1943 and Hildasay 1945 (accident). Most of the The vessels of these two types were known as the Professor class, and were
remaining vessels had been disposed of by 1950, though a few survived well distinct from other trawlers built for the British navy in having diesel engines.
into the 1960s. Light AA comprised 3-20mm. All were sold in 1946.
The ‘Isles’ class trawler Lundy as a wreck disposal ship in 1949
 Other escorts/Coastal forces

Brazilian-type trawlers
Grenadier 1942
Six building in Brazil, transferred to that navy in 1942.

MILITARY class trawlers (launched 1942-44)

CASTLE class trawlers (RNZN) (launched 1941-44) Displacement: 830t standard; 1190t deep load
Displacement:
Dimensions: 193ft oa x 30ft x 14ft lOin mean deep load, 18ft lOin max
447t light; 625t deep load
58.83 x 9.14 x 4.52, 5.74m
Dimensions: 125ft pp X 23ft 6in X 14ft max deep load
Machinery: 1-shaft VTE, 1 cyl boiler, lOOOihp = 12.5kts. Coal 280t
38.10 x 7.76 x 4.27m
Armament: l-4in/40 QF Mk XIX, 65 DC
Machinery: 1-shaft VTE, 1 cyl boiler, lOkts. Coal
Complement: 40
Armament: l-12pdr/12cwt HA, 4 DC
Complement: 42
Class:
Cook, Welton & Gemmell - Bombardier, Coldstrearner, Fusilier, Grenadier,
Class:
Guardsman, Home Guard, Lancer, Royal Marine, Sapper
Mason - Manuka, Waikato. Cancelled: Waiau
Based on a mercantile type of the builders with a marked sheer forward and
Patent Slip - Awatere
the machinery further aft than usual. They were the largest trawlers built for
Seager - Rimu, Tawhai
the Navy during the war, and make an interesting comparison with the
Senior Foundry - Hinau
‘Flower’ class corvettes. From 4 to 6-20mm were carried, with 8 in Fusilier,
Stevenson & Cook - Aroha, Hautapu, Maimai, Pahau, Puriri, Waiho, Waima, Lancer and Sapper. All were sold in 1946.
Waipu. Cancelled: Waiiti, Waikaka, Waikanae
In many ways repeats of the First World War ‘Castle’ class and of rather In addition to the trawlers specially built for naval service, there were a very
old-fashioned appearance. Some were composite-hulled, and one 20mm gun
large number of ex-mercantile vessels employed during the war. Although
was carried. Puriri was mined in 1941 and the rest sold 1946-47 except Hinau
slow, most trawlers were highly seaworthy for their size, and were employed as
and Rimu which survived until 1955.
convoy escorts, auxiliary patrol vessels, minelayers, minesweepers and for
many other purposes. Altogether there were 25 naval survivors of the First
World War programmes, 20 purchased in 1935, 1 in 1936, 20 in 1939 and over
1300 requisitioned between 1939 and 1945. These last include vessels for the
Dominion navies and those originally of foreign ownership such as French or
Belgian. A considerable number had originally been First World War naval
vessels.
Whalers included 6 completing in 1939 which were taken over, and nearly
200 requisitioned during the war, but on the whole the trawler type was
HILLS class trawlers (launched 1941) preferred. There were also 24 Admiralty drifters left from 1918 and about 550
Displacement: 750t standard; 1005t deep load requisitioned.
Dimensions: 182ft 4in oa x 28ft 3in x 13ft 7in mean deep load, 17ft 2in
max
55.57 x 8.61 x 4.14, 5.23m
Machinery:
Armament:
Complement:
1-shaft VTE, 1 cyl boiler, 970ihp = 12.25kts. Coal 2lOt
l-12pdr/12cwt HA, 55 DC
35
COASTAL
Class:
Cook, Welton & Gemmell - Birdlip, Bredon, Butser, Duncton, Dunkery, Inkpen,
Portsdown, Yestor
Based on builder’s mercantile Barnett of 1937, this class had a marked sheer
forward. There were 3-20mm guns as light AA. U-boats sank Bredon in 1943
FORCES
Note: The classifications MTB (motor torpedo-boats), MGB (motor gunboats)
and Birdlip in 1944, while the rest were sold 1945-46. and MA/SB (motor anti-submarine boats) eventually merged into one, referred
to as MTB. Unless otherwise noted, all were hard-chine wooden-hulled boats.

MTB 1-12, 14-19 (launched 1936-39)

ROUND TABLE class trawlers (launched 1941-42)
Displacement: 18t standard
Displacement: 440t standard; 590t deep load
Dimensions: 60ft 4in oa x 13ft lOin x 2ft lOin mean deep load
Dimensions: 137ft oa x 23ft 9in x 12ft 8in mean deep load 18.39 x 4.22 x 0.86m
41.76 x 7.24 x 3.86m
Machinery: 3-shaft Napier petrol engines, 1650bhp = 35.3-38kts trials.
Machinery: 1-shaft VTE, 1 cyl boiler, 600ihp = 12kts. Coal lOOt Petrol 960gal
Armament: l-12pdr/12cwt HA, 4 DC Armament: 2-18in TT (bow) (originally 2 stern troughs), 4 MG, could
Complement: 35 take 6 DC
Complement: 9
Class:
Hall Russell - Sir Galahad, Sir Gareth, Sir Kay, Sir Lamorack British Power Boats 60ft type. MTB1 was ex-MTB7,7 ex-73 and 19 ex-7. The
Lewis - Sir Agravaine, Sir Geraint, Sir Lancelot, Sir Tristram first RN MTB since the First World War. 10 were lost 1939-41 and the others
Based on Hall Russell’s mercantile Star of Orkney of 1936 and smaller than became motor attendant craft or target service boats.
most naval trawlers with a noticeably high funnel. One 20mm gun was carried. MTB 100 was converted in 1940 from the experimental MMS51 - a motor
They were all sold 1946-47. minesweeper built in 1938. She resembled the above but was 60ft oa X 13ft 3in
(18.29 x 4.04m) and had 6 MGs.

MTB 19 as completed with stern troughs MoD

FISH class trawlers (launched 1941-43)

Displacement: 590t standard; 830t deep load
Dimensions: 161ft 6in oa x 25ft 2in x 13ft 3in mean deep load
49.23 x 7.67 x 4.04m
Machinery: 1-shaft VTE, 1 cyl boiler, 700ihp = 11.25kts. Coal 197t
Armament: l-12pdr/12cwt HA, 40 DC
Complement: 35

Class:
Cochrane - Bonito, Bream, Corncrake (ex-M acker el). Grayling, Grilse, Herring,
Mullet, Pollack, Redshank (ex-Turbot), Whiting
Based on Cochrane’s mercantile Gulfoss of 1929. There were 3-20mm as
light AA. Corncrake and Redshank were controlled minelayers; the former
foundered in 1943 and Herring was lost in a collision the same year. Redshank
lasted until 1957, the rest having been sold in 1946.

67
GREAT BRITAIN

MTB332-343 (launched 1941) (ex-RCN)

Displacement: 22.4t standard?
Dimensions: 60ft oa X 13ft 3in
18.29 x 4.04m
Machinery: 2-shaft Packard petrol engines, 2400bhp = 40kts. Petrol
960gal
Armament: 4—0.Sin MG, 12 DC or 4 mines
MGB75 (later MTB413) about 1942 By courtesy of John Roberts
Complement: 12

BPB 60ft type. These do not appear to have been in active service for long. No MTB412-418, 430-432, 434-500, 502-509, 519-522
TT are listed. One was lost in 1942.
(launched 1942-45)
Displacement: 37-46t standard; 46-53t deep load
MA/SB 1-5 (launched 1938-39) Dimensions: 71ft 9in oa x 20ft 7in x 4ft 21in-4ft 6in mean deep load
21.87 x 6.27 x 1.28-1.37m
Displacement: 19t standard
Machinery: 3-shaft Packard petrol engines, 3600-4050bhp = 38-40kts
Dimensions: 60ft oa x 13ft llin x 2ft lOin mean deep load
trials. Petrol 2740gal
18.29 x 4.24 x 0.86m
Armament: 2-18in TT (bow), l-6pdr/7cwt Mk II or l-2pdr pompom, 2
Machinery: 2-shaft Napier petrol engines, llOObhp = 27.5-30.9kts to 4—20mm, 4-0.303in MG, 2 DC
trials. Petrol 740gal
Complement: 12-17
Armament: 4 MG, 10 DC
Complement: 9 British Power Boat type. MTB412-418 were originally numbered in the
range MGB74-81, and MTB430-432 , 434-500 in that of MGB107-176.
BPB 60ft type. These were essentially 2-shaft versions of MTB1 with DC and MTB418,436,437 and 453 were transferred to the Netherlands 1943—44 and
no TT. One was lost in 1941 and the rest became Air/Sea Rescue Craft. 459-466,485,486 and 491 to the RCN. War losses totalled 21. The original
armament as MGB was l-2pdr pompom, 2-20mm, 2 MG and 2-4 DC, but
this was much increased as MTB. MTB509 and 520 had the 6pdr later
MA/SB22-39 (launched 1941) replaced by a 4.5in/8cwt. This class were excellent sea boats and more heavily
Displacement: 23t standard; 28-3It deep load armed than earlier units.
Dimensions: 63ft oa x 16ft 6in x 3ft 4in-3ft 6|in mean deep load
19.20 x 5.03 x 1.02-1.08m
Machinery: 3-shaft Napier petrol engines, 1650bhp = 33kts or 2-shaft MTB71, 72 (launched 1940)
Packard, 2400bhp = 40kts. Petrol 1083gal
Displacement: 25t standard
Armament: l-20mm (in some), 2-0.5in MG, 2-0.303in MG, 10 DC
Dimensions: 61ft oa x 15ft 4in x 3ft lin mean deep load
Complement: 9 18.59 x 4.67 x 0.94m
Machinery: 2-shaft Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines, 2300bhp = 41kts.
BPB 60ft type. Larger than the first MA/SB. One was lost in 1941 and the rest Petrol 1172gal
became air/sea rescue craft. Armament: 2-18in TT (bow), 2-0.5in MG, 2-0.303in (or 6-0.303in
MG); could take 6 DC
Complement: 10
MGB40-45 (ex-MA/SB) (launched 1940)
Displacement: 24t standard Vosper 61ft type. Originally building for Norway and taken over; two others
were delivered to Norway as MTB5 and MTB6. See under Norway for illustra-
Dimensions: 63ft oa x 16ft 5in
tion.
19.20 x 5.00m
Machinery: 2-shaft Rolls-Royce petrol engines, 2200bhp = 40kts
Armament: l-20mm, 2-0.5in MG, 2-0.303in MG, 2 DC
MTB20-23, 29-30, 69-70, 218-221 (launched 1939-41)
Complement: 10
Displacement: 3 2-3 51 standard
BPB 60ft type. Originally building for Norway and Sweden as MTBs but Dimensions: 71ft 9in oa x 16ft 4in (MTB218-221 72ft 7in x 17ft lin) x
taken over. MGB44 and 45 became the Polish S2 and S3. 3ft 4in-3ft 8in mean deep load
21.87 x 4.98(22.12 x 5.21) x 1.02-1.12m
Machinery: 3-shaft Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines, 3450bhp =
MGB6-21, 46, 50-67 (ex-MA/SBs) (launched 1939-41) 42.5^45kts trials (MTB218-221 Hall Scott, 1800bhp =
27.3-30.2kts, later Packard, 3600bhp). Petrol 1210-1904gal
Displacement: 28-30t standard; 32—38t deep load Armament: 2-2lin TT (bow), 2-0.5in MG, 2-0.303in MG (or
Dimensions: 70ft oa x 19ft lOin x 3ft 1 iin—3ft 1 ljin mean deep load 10-0.303in MG), 8 DC or 4 mines
21.34 x 5.05 x 0.95-1.21m Complement: 10
Machinery: 3-shaft petrol engines: MGB6-21 originally Napier
(1650bhp = 27kts), later Packard (3600bhp = 38kts); others Vosper 72ft type. MTB20, 21 and 23 sold to Romania in 1940,29 and 30 built
Rolls-Royce (3300bhp = 36.7kts). Petrol 2156-2350gal
as replacements, and 69,70 and 218-221 built for Greece and taken over. Four
Armament: l-20mm, 2 to 4—0.Sin MG, 1 to 4—0.303in MG (MGB46 were lost in 1942.
3-20mm); 2 DC (12-14 as A/S)
Complement: 9-12
MTB31-40, 57-66, 73-98, 222-245, 347-362, 380-395,
British Power Boats 70ft type. MGB46, later MTB433, was originally for
Holland and 50-67 for France. A total of 6 were lost 1941-44. 523-537 (launched 1940-45)
MGB61, a British Power Boat 70ft ex-MA/SB By courtesy of John Roberts Displacement: 35—39.4t standard; 43.5-47t deep load
Dimensions: 72ft 7in (MTB380 on, 73ft) oa x 19ft 2in (MTB347 on 19ft
Sin) x 3ft 8in-4ft 2in mean deep load
22.12 (22.25) x 5.84 (5.92) x 1.12-1.27m
Machinery: 3-shaft Packard petrol engines, 3600-4050bhp = 37-40kts.
Petrol 2510-2577gal. See notes
Armament: See notes
Complement: 12-13

Vosper 73ft type. MTB534-536 were cancelled and 33,37,39 and40 were lost
incomplete. Other losses totalled 20. MTB90-92,94,96,98,227 and 239 were
loaned to France, and 222, 229, 231, 235, 236 and 240 to the Netherlands.
MTB380 on differed in being flush-decked. MTB31-34 had Isotta-Fraschini
engines, and when the supply dried up Hall Scott engines were installed in
others of the earlier boats until Packards were available. The earliest armament
was 2-21in TT (bow), 2-0.Sin MG and 2-0.303in MG, with the ability to take
4 DC or 4 mines. A 20mm was then added and the guns next changed to
3-20mm and 2 MG with 2-21in TT and 2 DC. MTB380-395 had 4-18in TT,

68
2-20mm, 4 MG and 2 DC, while the last group sacrificed 2 TT for a
6pdr/7cwt, which was replaced by a 4.5in/8cwt in MTBS28. The boats of this
type were most successful and reliable.
Experimental Vosper boats included the 68ft MTB102 with 3 Isotta-
Fraschini engines built in 1937; the stepped 70ft MTB103 with 2 Packards
built in 1940; MTB379, the prototype for the 380 series; and the 100ft
MGB5I0 of 1943.

MTB24, 25, 28, 49-56 (launched 1939-41)

Displacement: 37t standard; 43t deep load
Dimensions: 74ft 3in oa x 16ft 7in {MTB49-56 75ft 9in x 17ft) x 3ft 3Jin
MTB102, a Vosper experimental craft, in Feb 1938 By courtesy of John Roberts
mean deep load
22.63 x 5.05 (23.09 x 5.18) x 1.00m
Machinery: 3-shaft Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines, 3450bhp = 42.7kts
trials (later Packard, 3600bhp, but MTB49-56 2-shaft
t-..
Thornycroft, 2600bhp = 25.3-30kts trials). Petrol
1850-2000gal
Armament: 2- 21 in TT (bow), 2-0.5in MG, 2-0.303in MG, (later
3- 20mm, 2-0.303in MG), 4—6 DC or 4 mines
Complement: 10-12

Thornycroft 75ft type. Very strongly built but MTB49-56 were too slow and
were later used as target-towing boats for the War Office. One was lost in 1941.
Smaller Thornycroft boats, mostly stepped and of 44 to 60ft oa wereMTB26
and27 (acquired from China),67 and 68 (from Finland),213-217 and327-33/
(from the Philippines) and the experimental MTB104-107 and 344-346. Los-
ses totalled 11.

MTB41-48, 201-212, 246-257 (launched 1940-43) MTB89, an early Vosper 73ft boat, about 1940 MoD

Displacement: 37-40.5t standard; 43.6-49t deep load

Dimensions: 72ft lin-72ft 7in oa x 18ft 2in-19ft 2in x 3ft 11 gin—4ft l|in
mean deep load
21.97-22.12 x 5.54-5.84 xl.21-1.26m
Machinery: 3-shaft Hall-Scott petrol engines, 2700bhp = 28-29.5kts
trials (later Sterling, 3600bhp = 36kts). Petrol 2000-2543gal
Armament: 2-21in TT (bow), 2-0.5in MG, 2-0.303in MG (later also
l-20mm or 3-20mm, 4—0.303in MG), 2^1 DC or 4 mines
Complement: 12

White 72ft type, essentially modified Vosper boats. MTB41-48 were lighter
than the others. Losses in the war amounted to 8.

MTB424—429 (launched 1944)

Displacement: 39t standard; 47t deep load MTB50, a Thornycroft 75ft boat, on trials By courtesy of John Roberts
Dimensions: 71ft 6in oa x 18ft x 4ft lin mean deep load
21.79 x 5.49 x 1.24m
Machinery: 3-shaft Sterling petrol engines, 3600bhp = 39.5kts. Petrol
2300gal
Armament: 2-18in TT, l-6pdr/7cwt Mk II, 2-20mm, 4 MG
Complement: 17

White type. To Poland on completion as S5-10. Less like Vosper boats than
the preceding, with the heavier gun armament of most of the later MTBs.

MGB47, 48 (ex-MA/SB) (launched 1940)

Displacement: 35t standard; 40t deep load
Dimensions: 75ft oa x 16ft 8in x 3ft 10|in mean deep load
22.56 x 5.08 x 1.18m
Machinery: 3-shaft Packard petrol engines, 3600bhp = 41kts MGBS01 as completed 1942 MoD
Armament: l-20mm, 4—0.5in MG, 4—0.303in MG, 2 (or as A/S 12) DC
or 4 mines MTB208, a White 72ft type, in 1940
Complement: 12

White 75ft type. Built for Poland and requisitioned. MGB48 later became
Polish SI.
Other White boats comprised MTB 101, an experimental 67ft hydrofoil built
in 1939 and lost from hydrofoil failure in 1942, and MA/SB49, a 60ft boat,
formerly Bulldog of the India Store Department.

MGB501 (launched 1942)

Displacement: 95t deep load
Dimensions: 110ft wl x 19ft 6in x 4ft lin mean deep load
33.53 x 5.94 x l.24m
Machinery: 3-shaft Packard petrol engines, 3600bhp = 30.3kts. Petrol
5000gal
Armahent: 2-2lin TT, 2-2pdr pompom (or l-2pdr, l-20mm), 4-0.5in
MG, 12 DC
Complement: 21

Camper & Nicholson 117ft type. An experimental prototype round bilge craft
with steel frames. Lost in 1942.

69
A blockade runner conversion of an MGB502 type boat

MGB502-509 (later 2002-2009) (launched 1942)

Displacement: 86.5t standard; 102.5t deep load
Dimensions: 117ft 3in oa x 19ft lin X 4ft 3iin mean deep load
35.74 x 5.82 x 1.31m
Machinery: 3-shaft Paxman diesel, 3000bhp = 27.4—28kts. Oil 500gal
Armament: l-6pdr Hotchkiss, l-2pdr pompom, 4-20mm, 2 DC
(.MGB509 2-6pdr/7cwt Mk II, 2-20mm, 4-0.5in MG,
4—0.303in MG, 2 DC)
Complement: 21

Similar to MGB501 but with diesel engines and originally built for Turkey.
Only 502,503 and 509 were completed as MGBs, the others being converted to
mercantile blockade runners for traffic with Sweden. One MGB was lost.

MTB/MGB511-518 (later 2011-2018) (launched 1944)

Displacement: 93t standard; 113t deep load
Dimensions: 117ft oa x 22ft 2in x 4ft 3Jin mean deep load
35.66 x 6.76 x 1.31m
Machinery: 3-shaft Packard petrol engines, 4050bhp = 33kts
(MTB/MGBS11-513, 3600bhp = 31kts). Petrol 5190gal MTB2018 (tx-MGBS 18) in Oct 1948 By courtesy of John Roberts
Armament: 4—18in TT, 2-6pdr/7cwt Mk II, 4—20mm, 4 MG, 2 DC
Complement: 30

A further development of MGB501. MTB/MGB2014, 2017 and 2018 had

l-6pdr replaced by a 4.5in/8cwt.

MGB312-335 (launched 1941)

Displacement: 69t standard; 75t deep load
Dimensions: 110ft oa x 17ft 5in x 5ft 8in mean deep load
33.53 x 5.31 x 1.73m
Machinery: 3-shaft Hall-Scott petrol engines, 2700bhp = 27kts. Petrol -4
1800gal
Armament: 2-2pdr pompom (1 pompom, l-2pdr Mk XIV in a few),
4-0.5in MG, 4-0.303in MG (later 6-20mm, 4-0.303in MG),
4 DC
Complement: 16 A Fairmile ‘C’ type, MGB333 MoD

Fairmile 110ft Type ‘C’ (modified Type ‘A’ MLs). War losses totalled 5.

MTB601-800, 5001-5029 (launched 1942-44)

Displacement: 102t (90t as MGB) standard; 118t (107t as MGB) deep load
(as MGB90 and 107)
Dimensions: 115ft oa x 21ft 3in X 4ft 8in-4ft llin mean deep load
35.05 x 6.48 x 1.42-1.50m
Machinery: 4-shaft Packard petrol engines, 4800bhp = 29kts. Petrol
5000gal (inc 2000gal in emergency tanks)
Armament: See notes
Complement: 14-30

Fairmile 115ft Type ‘D’. MTB601-695 were originally classed as MGBs but
late in the war only 11 boats were so rated. Of the 5000 series,
MTB5001-5003, 5005, 5007-5010, 5013, 5015 and 5020 were completed as Two Fairmile ‘D’ type MTBs about 1943
MTBs and the rest cancelled or converted to long range rescue craft for the
RAF. Altogether 40 of the type were so converted. MTB726, 727, 735, 736, MGB2001 (launched 1943)
743-746 , 748 and 797 were transferred to the RCN in 1944 and some others
Displacement: 80t standard; 97t deep load
were manned by Norway. As MGBs, the original armament was l-2pdr pom¬
pom, 2-20mm, 4—0.5in MG, 4—0.303in MG and 2 DC, to which 2-2 lin TT Dimensions: 115ft oa x 21ft 3in x 4ft 5Jin mean deep load
35.05 x 6.48 x 1.36m
were later added, but the last 11 MGBs finished with l-6pdr Hotchkiss,
l-2pdr pompom, 4—20mm, 4 MG and 2 DC. As MTBs the eventual armament Machinery: 4-shaft Bristol petrol engines, 6600bhp = 30kts. Petrol
5000gal (inc 2000gal in emergency tanks)
was 2-18in or 21in or 4—18in TT, 2-6pdr/7cwt Mk II (or in some 1 and a 6pdr
Hotchkiss or 2pdr pompom), 2 to 3-20mm, 4-0.5in MG, 4—0.303in MG and 2 Armament: l-6pdr Hotchkiss, l-2pdr pompom, 2-20mm, 4—0.5in MG,
4—0.303in MG, 4 DC
DC; as an alternative, 6-10 mines could be carried, and some had no TT and
32 DC. The gun records show a total of 171 boats with a 6pdr/7cwt at some Complement: ?
time in their careers. MTB5007 and 5008 had a 6pdr/7cwt replaced by a
4.5in/8cwt. War losses in this successful if rather slow type were heavy and Fairmile 115ft Type ‘F’. The high bhp in this boat does not appear to have
totalled 39. given high speed.

LEND-LEASE BOATS Vosper type: MTB275-306, 363-378 , 396-411. Losses: 6.

The following MTB/MGBs built in the USA were supplied under Lend-Lease
(RN numbers are given):
Elco type: MTB259-268,307-326, MGB82-93. Losses: 11 MTBs, 2 MGBs.
Higgins type: MTB419-423, MGB68—73, 100—106, 177—192. Losses: none.
USN types: MTB269-271,273 , 274. Losses: none
Also MTB258, a BPB type built in England as private speculation and
acquired by USN.
Two French MTBs were towed to England in 1940 and numbered MGB98
and 99. Both were lost.

70
Denny steam gunboats (launched 1941-42)
Displacement: 175t (later 205t) standard; 255t deep load
Dimensions: 145ft 8in oa X 23ft 4in x 4ft 7in, later 5ft 8in mean deep load
44.40 x 7.11 x 1.40, 1.73m
Machinery: 2-shaft Metrovick geared turbines, 1 Foster Wheeler or
Lamont boiler 7200-8000shp = 34kts (later 30kts). Oil 50t
(inc 30t in auxiliary tanks)
Armament: See notes
Complement: 27

Class:
Denny - SGB7, SGB8 (Grey Wolf)
Hawthorn Leslie - SGB5 (Grey Owl), SGB6 (Grey Shark)
Thorny croft - SGB1, SGB2 (both cancelled)
White — SGB9 (Grey Goose)
Yarrow - SGB3 (Grey Seal), SGB4 (Grey Fox)
A steel-hulled, round-bilged gunboat intended to overcome the disadvan¬
tages of the noisy MTB/MGB engines. Unfortunately their machinery was
extremely vulnerable and, after the addition of fin armour to the sides of the
machinery spaces and the installation of a heavier armament, speed suffered.
Except for SGB7, lost in 1942, they were given names in 1944. They were
originally armed with 2-2pdr pompom, 4-0.5in MG and 2 bow 21in TT, but
the gun armament was later increased by a 3in/20cwt HA, a 2pdr Mk XIV in
some, and 2 or 3-20mm, and then all 2pdrs were replaced in most by a
6pdr/7cwt Mk II with no 0.5in MG and up to 7-20mm; 2 DCs were carried,
and for minelaying 8 to 10 mines. Finally they were converted to wave-making
’sweepers for pressure mines and armed with 4-20mm only. A further 50, to
ML 1368, an HDML MoD
be numbered SGB10-50 and 351-359, were never ordered.

Admiralty harbour defence motor launches (launched

Fairmile Type ‘A’ motor launches (launched 1940) 1940-44)
Displacement: 66t standard Displacement: 44-46t standard; 52—54t deep load
Dimensions: 110ft oa x 17ft 5in x 5ft 6in mean deep load Dimensions: 72ft oa X 15ft lOin x 4ft 7in mean deep load
33.53 x 5.31 x 1.68m 21.95 x 4.83 x 1.40m
Machinery: 3-shaft Hall-Scott petrol engines, 1680bhp / 25kts. Petrol Machinery: 2-shaft Gardner, Gleniffer or Thornycroft diesels, 260-
1200gal 330bhp = 11—12kts. Oil 1650gal
Armament: l-3pdr Hotchkiss (later also 1 to 3-20mm), 12 DC, 6-9 Armament: See notes
mines as minelayers Complement: 10
Complement: 16
Numbered ML1001-1600, though the highest in a completed craft is believed
Numbered ML100-111. Hard-chine wooden-hulled craft which suffered from to have been 1494. ML1109-1120 and 1261-1268 were RIN, 1183-1194 and
a large turning circle and short range. They were converted to minelayers in 1348-1351 RNZN, 1321-1329, 1340-1347 and 1352-1359 RAN, and
1942. Losses totalled 4. 1197-1208 SAN; 26 HDMLs were also transferred to France. Wooden
round-bilge launches of excellent seagoing performance for their size. A single
2pdr Mk XI or XII (converted from sub-calibre guns) was originally mounted,
Fairmile Type ‘B’ motor launches (launched 1940-44) but later a 2pdr pompom or 3pdr Hotchkiss, or in a few a 40mm Bofors, and
often a 20mm or in some 2-20mm only, were installed; 8 DCs could be carried.
Displacement: 75.5t standard; 85.6t deep load War losses totalled 56.
Dimensions: 112ft oa x 18ft 4in x 4ft 9in mean deep load Conversions included anti-submarine launches 1-20 for dealing with midget
34.75 x 5.59 x 1.45m submarines and manned torpedoes in the Normandy invasion, and fast
Machinery: 2-shaft Hall-Scott petrol engines, 1120bhp = 18kts. Petrol despatch boats 10-81.
2300gal There were also 4 Thornycroft motor launches built in 1939 for the Straits
Armament: See notes Settlements RNVR. These were 14—16kt craft. One was lost and the others
Complement: 16 were numbered ML1102-1104 after the HDMLs of these numbers had been
lost, and were manned by the Burma RNVR.
Numbered ML112-311,336-500,511-600,801-933,4001^004 and 050-129
(ex-001-080). ML050-129 were RCN, 390,391,412-421,436-441,474-477,
843 , 844 and 872 RIN, 400-411 RNZN, 424^431 and 801-827 RAN, and Thornycroft motor minesweepers (launched 1937)
829-832 and 846-857 SAN; 492-500 and 511-553 were completed as rescue
MLs. A total of 11 were transferred to France, while 8 not included above were Displacement: 52t standard
built for the USN. A highly successful round-bilged wooden-hulled design of Dimensions: 75ft oa x 14ft 4in x 5ft max deep load
excellent seakeeping qualities and used for many varied duties including anti¬ 22.86 x 4.37 x 1.52m
submarine, minesweeping and minelaying. A single 3pdr Hotchkiss was most Machinery: 3-shaft Thornycroft petrol engines, 1500bhp = 15kts
often mounted but many had a 6pdr Hotchkiss, a 2pdr pompom, a 2pdr Mk Armament: None
XIV or a 40mm Bofors, with in addition 1 to 3-20mm. Some had 2-2pdr, or a Complement: 11
6pdr or 3pdr and a 2pdr. A Y-gun DC thrower was later carried, with up to 20
DC or 8-9 mines. In 1940 2-21in TT taken from ex-USN destroyers were Numbered MMS1 and 2. Considerably smaller than subsequent MMSs, these
fitted to 60 of the earlier launches for anti-invasion work. War losses were were wooden-hulled and were disposed of in 1939 to Turkey as Kavak and
heavy, amounting to 75. Canak.

71
GREAT BRITAIN

Admiralty motor minesweepers (launched 1940-44) Admiralty motor minesweepers (launched 1943-45)
Displacement: 255t standard; 295t deep load Displacement: 360t standard; 430t deep load
Dimensions: 119ft 4in oa x 23ft 5in x 8ft 9in mean deep load Dimensions: 140ft oa x 27ft llin x 10ft 4in mean deep load
36.37 x 7.14 x 2.67m 42.67 x 8.51 x 3.15m
Machinery: 1-shaft diesel, 375-500bhp = 10-1 lkts. Oil 24-26t Machinery: 1-shaft diesel, SOObhp = lOkts. Oil 54t
Armament: l-20mm and/or 2-0.5in MG (2-20mm in some) Armament: 2-20mm (4-20mm in a few)
Complement: 20 Complement: 21

Designated MMS1-118,123-312 and RCN Coquitlam, Cranbrook, Daerwood,
Kalamalka, La Vallee, Llewellyn, Lloyd George, Revelstoke, Rossland and St
Joseph. A successful wooden-hulled minesweeper design. Nos 129-132 and
154 were built for the RIN. Transfers comprised 5 to Holland, 3 to Russia, 7 to
France, 1 to Greece and 9 to Belgium. Nos 141,142 and 238-241 were named
Burfin, Cottel, Fichot,Jude, Quirpon and St Barbe as danlayers in 1944. Of the
original 318 MMSs, 23 were cancelled and 34 lost in the war.
MMS1001-1090 and RCN Alder Lake, Ash Lake, Beech Lake, Birch Lake,
Cedar Lake, Cherry Lake, Elm Lake, Fir Lake, Hickory Lake, Larch Lake,
Maple Lake, Oak Lake, Pine Lake, Poplar Lake, Spruce Lake and Willow Lake.
Larger than the previous class, and with a short forecastle. The RCN MMSs,
apart from 6 cancelled, were transferred to Russia (as were 2 others), while 9
went to Holland and 2 to Norway. Other than the RCN, of the 90 original
boats 4 were cancelled and 1 lost during the war.

Other MMS included Nos 119-122 built in Newfoundland 1941^42 and

requisitioned. They were between the two ‘Admiralty’ classes in size but speed
was 9kts. They were named Emberley, Oderin, Marticot and Merasheen as
danlayers in 1942. 152 US YMSs (motor minesweepers) were supplied under
Lend-Lease, of which 10 were transferred to Greece. Their RN numbers ran
from 2001 to 2284. War losses totalled 8, including 2 Greek boats.

AMPHIBIOUS WARFARE
SHIPS
■ . -':

Glenroy at the end of the war Wright & Logan

LSI(L) Landing Ship Infantry (Large)

Name Gross tons/built Speed (kts)/oil (t) Armament Military load

ARD PATRICK 7526/1939 14/976 1-4.7in Mk V, l-12pdr 18 LCA, 2 LCP(R), 800 troops
EL HIND 5319/1938 14/? 1-4.7in Mk V ?
GLENEARN 9784/1938 18/1512 (diesel) 6-4in Mk XVI 24 LCA/LCS(M), 3 LCM, 1089 troops
GLENGYLE 9919/1939 18/1382 (diesel) 6-4in Mk XVI 24 LCA/LCS(M), 3 LCM, 708 troops
GLENROY 9809/1938 18/1382 (diesel) 6-4in Mk XVI 24 LCA/LCS(M), 3 LCM, 1098 troops
KANIMBLA (RAN) 10,985/1936 16.5/781 (diesel) l-4in Mk XVI, 2-3in 10 LCA, 1381 troops
KARANJA 9890/1930 17/1700 l-6in Mk VII, l-3in 9 LCP(L), 2 LCS(M), 2 LCM, 1500 troops
KEREN 9890/1930 17/1700 l-6in Mk VII, l-3in 9 LCA, 1 LCS(M), 2 LCP(L), 2 LCM, 1296 troops
MANOORA (RAN) 10856/1935 16/704 (diesel) 2-4in Mk XIX, 2-3in 8 LCA, 4 LCM(l), 1228 troops
PERSIMMON 8244/1943 14/689 (diesel) l-4in Mk XIX, 1-I2pdrl8 LCA, 1 LCM, 1631 troops
WESTRALIA (RAN) 8108/1929 15.5/879 (diesel) 3-4in Mk XIX ?LCs, 933 troops
13 ships supplied under 6711-7080/1943 14/676 l-4in Mk XIX, 1-I2pdrl8 LCA, 2 LCV(P), 1 LCS(M)/LCM, 898-1458 troops
Lend-Lease

Numerous merchant vessels, with varying degrees of conversion, were emp¬
loyed as landing ships during the war; only those which were at some time
classed as naval vessels are included in this and the following tables.
The diesel fuel for Gleneam includes 640t as ballast and for Glengyle and
Glenroy 662t. All had light A A armaments of 2pdr or 40mm and/or 20mm
guns. The most effective conversions were the 3 ‘Glens’ which had luffing
davits able to handle 3 LCAs, while the usual gravity davits only took one. The
3 RAN ships were former AMCs. Names were altered in Ard Patrick (ex-
Lamont, ex-Clan Lamont), Keren (ex-Hydra, ex-Kenya) and Persimmon (ex-
Pampas, ex-Parramatta). The Lend-Lease ships were not ex-USN but US
Maritime Commission C1-S-AY1 type ships made available to the Ministry of
War Transport; their RN names Were Cicero, Donovan, Galteemore, Ormonde,
Rocksand, Sainfoin, Sansovino, Sefton, Silvio, Sir Hugo, Sir Visto, Empire
Broadsword and Empire Javelin. Four LSI(L)s were lost: Karanja (bombed
12.11.42), El Hind (fire 14.4.44), Empire Broadsword (mined 2.7.44) and
Empire Javelin (torpedoed by U-boat 28.12.44). Most of the rest were returned
in 1946.

72
 Amphibious warfare ships

LSI(M) and (S) Landing Ship Infantry (Medium) and (Small)

Name Gross tons/built Speed (kts)/oil (t) Armament Military load
PRINCE BAUDOUIN 3219/1933 22/135 (diesel) 2-12pdr 8 LCP(L)/LCA/LCS(M), 384 troops
PRINCE CHARLES 2950/1930 20.5/323 2-12pdr 8 LCP(L)/LCA/LCS(M), 270 troops
PRINCE DAVID 6892/1930 20.7/1443 4—4in Mk XVI 8 LCA, 538 troops
PRINCE HENRY 6893/1930 21.5/1409 4-4in Mk XVI 8 LCA, 538 troops
PRINCE LEOPOLD 2950/1929 21/280 2-12pdr 8 LCP(L)/LCA/LCS(M), 255 troops
PRINCE PHILLIPE 2938/1939 22/129 (diesel) 2-12pdr ?
PRINS ALBERT 2938/1937 22/129 (diesel) 2-12pdr 8 LCP(L)/LCA/LCS(M), 350 troops
PRINSES ASTRID 2950/1929 21/285 2-12pdr 8 LCP(L)/LCA/LCS(M), 247 troops
PRINSES BEATRIX 4136/1939 22/295 (diesel) 2-12pdr 6 LCA/LCS(M), 2 LCM(l), 396 troops
PRINSES JOSEPHINE 2950/1930 21/285 2-12pdr 8 LCP(L)/LCA/LCS(M), 210 troops
CHARLOTTE
QUEEN EMMA 4136/1939 22/295 (diesel) 2-12pdr 6 LCA/LCS(M), 2 LCM(l), 372 troops

Prince David and Prince Henry were former AMCs and had 40mm and 20mm
light AA, while the rest had 2pdr and 20mm and could carry 6 DC. The
landing craft were handled by gravity davits. Prince Phillipe was lost in a
collision 15.7.41 and Prince Leopold sunk by a U-boat 29.7.44. The rest were
returned or offered for sale in 1945—46.

Primes Astrid as an LSI(S)

MoD

LSI(H) Landing Ship Infantry (Hand)

Name Gross tons/built Speed (kts)/oil (t) Armament Military load

BRIGADIER 2294/1928 21/101 l-12pdr 6 LCA

DUKE OF WELLINGTON 3743/1935 20/120 (coal) l-12pdr 6 LCA, 420 troops
INVICTA 4178/1939 22/120 (coal) l-12pdr 6 LCA, 450 troops
ISLE OF GUERNSEY 2143/1929 18/? 1—4in Mk XIX 6 LCA, 393 troops
ISLE OF THANET 2701/1925 24/? l-4in Mk XIX 6 LCA, 424 troops
LAIRDS ISLE 1783/1911 21/? — 6 LCA, 420 troops
ROYAL SCOTSMAN 3288/1936 16/200 (diesel) l-12pdr 6 LCA, 485 troops
ROYAL ULSTERMAN 3244/1936 16/194 (diesel) - 6 LCA, 485 troops
ST HELIER 1952/1925 17/146 - 6 LCA, 420 troops
ULSTER MONARCH 3791/1929 17/170 (diesel) l-12pdr 6 LCA, 580 troops

These ships carried their LCAs under hand-operated radial davits or project¬
ing spurs, hence (H) in the type classification. All had 2pdr and/or 20mm as
light AA. The above armaments are taken from the gun records and differ in
some cases from those usually quoted. Names were changed in Brigadier (ex-
Worthing), Duke of Wellington (ex-Duke of York) and Laird’s Isle (ex-Riviera).
All were returned in 1945-46.

Daffodil as an LSS 1942

Ulster Monarch as an LSI(H) MoD

LSS Landing Ship, Stern Chute

Name Gross tons/built Speed (kts)/oil (t) Military load

DAFFODIL 2678/1917 11.5/279 13 LCM(l) or 9 LCM(3) plus 50 MT vehicles of 7i tons, 105 troops
PRINCESS IRIS 2683/1917 11.5/279 13 LCM(l) or 9 LCM(3) plus 50 MT vehicles of 7\ tons, 100 troops

Former train ferries with mean deep load draughts of 9ft 8in and 10ft 4in Their armament was 4 single 2pdr and 5-20mm. Daffodil was sunk by a mine
respectively and able to carry locomotives and rolling stock as an alternative 18.3.45 and Princess Iris returned in 1946.
load. For a short calm passage 14 LCM(l) or 11 LCM(3) could be carried.

73
GREAT BRITAIN

LSG Landing Ship, Gantry

Name Deep load/built Speed (kts)/oil (t) Armament Military load

DERWENTDALE 16,750/1941 11.7/728 (diesel) 1-4.7in Mk V 15 LCM(l), 268 troops

DEWDALE 16,750/1941 11.7/728 (diesel) 1-4.7in Mk V 15 LCM(l), 257 troops
ENNERDALE 16,798/1941 11/1450 1-4.7in Mk V 15 LCM(l), 266 troops

RFA oil tankers converted while building. The gantries were designed to hoist to 23ft with LCMs on deck to provide sufficient freeboard. It was intended to
LCM(l)s with a load of lOt. Light AA comprised 3-2pdr and also 6-20mm convert them to carry 3000t fresh water. They were disposed of in 1959-60.
except in Ennerdale. The deep load mean draught was 27ft 6in but was limited

LSC Landing Ship, Carrier

Name Gross tons/built Speed (kts)/oil (t) Armament Military load

EMPIRE CHARMAIN 7512/1942 11.5/? (diesel) l-4in BL Mk VII 21 LCM, 323 troops
EMPIRE ELAINE 7512/1942 11.5/1179 (diesel) 1—4in BL Mk VII 21 LCM, 323 troops

Heavy cargo ships handling the deck-stowed LCMs with large derricks. On
passage Empire Charmain could stow 30 LCMs and Empire Elaine 26. It does Bachaquero, one of the tankers converted to LSTs MoD
not appear that the former was ever a naval ship.

LSD Landing Ship, Dock

Four of these specially built ships were provided under Lend-Lease. They
were Eastway (ex-Battleaxe, ex-LSD9, ex-BAPMl), Highway (ex-Claymore,
ex-LSDIO, ex-BAPM2), Northway (ex-Cutlass, ex-LSD 11, ex-BAPM3),
Oceanway (ex-Dagger, ex-LSD 12, ex-BAPM4). They were returned to the
USN in 1946-47.

LST Landing Ship, Tank

Name Gross tons/built Speed (kts)/oil (t) Military load

BACHAQUERO 6455/1937 10/850 18-40t or 22—25t tanks or 33 MT, 207 troops

MISOA 6455/1937 10/910 18-40t or 22-25t tanks or 33 MT, 192 troops
TASAJERA 5679/1938 8.25/660 18-40t or 22-25t tanks or 33 MT, 207 troops

Converted from shallow-draught oil tankers trading from Lake Maracaibo.

They had an articulated bow ramp and could not beach in such shallow water
as LST(2)s. They were armed with 2-4in smoke mortars and 11 to 26-20mm,
while Bachaquero also had 3-2pdr. All were returned in 1945.

LST(l) Landing Ship, Tank Mk I (BOXER class -

launched 1942)
Displacement: 3616t designed (on arrival); 5970t deep load
Dimensions: 390ft pp x 49ft x 18ft 5in max deep load (on arrival 5ft fore,
13ft aft)
118.87 x 14.94 x 5.61 (1.52, 3.96)m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Foster Wheeler boilers,
7000shp = 16.25kts. Oil 1728t
Armament: 2^fin smoke mortars, 12-20mm, 1 LCM/LCS, 13—40t or
20-25t tanks, 27-3t lorries
Complement: 169; 193 troops

Class:
Harland & Wolff - Boxer, Bruizer, Thruster
Specially built ships with the funnel to starboard to give a clear tank deck
and with a bow ramp and extension 145ft long and capable of taking 40t tanks;
the lorries were stowed on the upper deck. The ships were not suitable for
mass production and could not beach in sufficiently shallow water. Boxer
became a fighter direction ship in 1944, a radar TS in 1947 and was scrapped in
1958, while Bruizer was sold in 1947 and Thruster became the Dutch Pelikaan.

LST(2) Landing Ship, Tank Mk II

The famous USN LST made available under Lend-Lease. A total of 115 were
supplied of which 14 were lost in the war and the balance returned in 1945-47.
In RN service they were usually armed with l-12pdr HA and 6-20mm.

LST(3) Landing Ship, Tank Mk III (launched 1944-45)

Displacement: 2300t light; 4980t deep load LST3043 one of the first batch of LST(3)s MoD
Dimensions: 347ft 6in oa x 55ft 3in x 12ft 5in mean deep load
105.92 X 16.84 x 3.79m British-built ships were numbered 3001 to 3045, of which 3004,3005, 3018,
3023, 3030, 3032-3034, 3039 and 3045 were cancelled or completed as mer¬
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 5500ihp =
13.5kts. Oil 1400t chant ships; Canadian-built ships were numbered 3501 to 3537, of which 3521,
4-40mm Bofors (2x2), 6-20mm (or 10-20mm only), 15—40t 3526-3531, 3533 and 3535-3537 were cancelled or not completed as LSTs.
Armament:
or 20—25t tanks, 14—3t lorries Owing to lack of welding facilities and of diesel engines, these ships were
heavier than the LST(2)s. Many received names in 1947, often those of
Complement: 118-190; 170-62 troops
Lend-Lease escort carriers, and a few survived into the 1970s.

74
 Amphibious warfare ships

LSH(L) Landing Ship, Headquarters, Large An LCT(l) as completed

These ships had extensive communications equipment and comprised the

LCT(l) Landing Craft, Tank Mk I (launched 1940-41)
former AMC Bulolo, OBVs Hilary and Largs, LSI(L) Keren and also Lothian
{ex-City of Edinburgh), of 8036t gross, built in 1938, 16kts speed and 1402t oil Displacement: 372t loaded
fuel. Lothian mounted 4-4in Mk XVI and 20-20mm, but the armament of the Dimensions: 152ft oa x 29ft x 4ft 4jin mean loaded
others was reduced and finally comprised 5^10mm, 1 l-20mm {Bulolo), l-3in, 46.33 x 8.84 x 1.33m
4-2pdr, 13-20mm (Hilary), l-3in, 2-2pdr, 14-20mm {Largs), or 8-40mm, Machinery: 2-shaft Hall-Scott petrol engines, 840bhp = lOkts. Petrol
14—20mm {Keren). 3650gal
Armament: 2-2pdr pompom, 2-20mm; 3—40t or 6-20t tanks
Complement: 12

Numbered / to 3d, these were of cellular steel construction and could be

divided into 4 sections for transport as they were only short range. 15 were lost
in the war.

An important feature of landings as their success depended on air superiority.

The specially equipped ships were the former LST(l) Boxer, 3 LST(2)s, (Nos
13, 216 and 217), the convoy escort Antwerp, auxiliary AA vessels Palomares
and Ulster Queen and also Stuart Prince, a 1948t gross 12kt coal-burner with
400t bunker capacity, built in 1940 and eventually armed with 24-20mm.
Boxer had 2 quadruple pompoms and 12-20mm, Ulster Queen 4-4in Mk XVI,
2 quadruple pompoms, 10-20mm and 14 DC, while Palomares had 4 quadru¬
ple pompoms and 12-20mm only. LST216 was lost in 1944 and Palomares,
mined 24.1.44, was out of action for 14 months.

LCI(L) Landing Craft, Infantry, Large

A total of 220 were provided under Lend-Lease, of which 20 were altered to
LCH for local HQ services; 10 were lost during the war. The usual British
armament was latterly l-2pdr pompom and 3-20mm.

LCI(S) Landing Craft, Infantry, Small (launched 1943)

Displacement: 1lOtloaded
Dimensions: 105ft lin oa x 21ft Sin x 3ft 6|in mean loaded
32.03 x 6.53 x 1.08m
Machinery: 2-shaft Hall-Scott petrol engines, 840bhp = 14.5kts. Petrol
4000gal
Armament: 2 to 8-2 0mm
Complement: 17; 102 troops
An LCI(S) as completed MoD
Numbered 501 to 600, later 2501 to 2600, these were wooden-hulled Fairmile
‘H’ type vessels protected with fin steel applied as ‘scales’. Unlike the
LCI(L)s, they were only short range craft. 8 were lost during the war.

LCS(L)2 Landing Craft, Support, Light Mk II

A further 10 LCI(S)s were converted to support craft and numbered 251 to
260. They were armed with l-6pdr/7cwt Mk V in a Valentine tank turret,
2-20mm, and a 4in smoke mortar. Loaded displacement was 116t and com¬
plement 25.
LCS(L)257, a Landing Craft Support, Light Mk II MoD

An LCT(2) as completed MoD

LCT(2) Landing Craft, Tank Mk II (launched 1942-43)

Displacement: 460t loaded
Dimensions: 159ft 1 lin oa x 31ft x 5ft 4in mean loaded
48.74 x 9.45 x 1.63m
Machinery: 3-shaft Napier petrol engines, 1050bhp = llkts. Petrol
8800gal. See notes
Armament: 2-2pdr pompom, 2-20mm; 3—40t or 7—20t tanks
Complement: 12

Numbered 100 to 172, these were larger 3-shaft versions of the LCT(l),
though some had 2 shafts with Paxman diesels giving 860bhp = 9kts, and later
units had 3-shaft Paxman diesels producing 1500bhp = llkts. Fuel was
increased in both these to 10,800gal. War losses totalled 19.

75
 LCF(2)1 as completed

LCF(2) Landing Craft, Flak Mk II LCT(5) Landing Craft, Tank Mk V

Two LCT(2)s converted to AA craft. No 1 is given as 455t light and mounted A total of 172 were supplied under Lend-Lease, of which 29 were lost in the
4-4in QF Mk XVI (2 x 2) and 3-20mm with a complement of 81, while No 2 is war.
listed as 369t light and had 8 single 2pdr pompoms and 4-20mm. Both were of
the 3-shaft diesel type and both were lost in the war.
LCT(6) Landing Craft, Tank Mk VI
LCT(R)(2) Landing Craft, Tank (Rocket) Mk II Only 2 supplied under Lend-Lease.

These retained their original numbers and had a false deck with 792-5in
rockets electrically fired in salvos at a fixed range of 3500yds. Their comple¬ LCT(8) Landing Craft, Tank Mk VIII (launched
ment was 17 or 18 and loaded displacement 515t.
1945-47)
Displacement: 8 lOt loaded
LCT(3) Landing Craft, Tank Mk III (launched 1941-44) Dimensions: 225ft oa x 38ft x 4ft 9in mean loaded
68.58 x 11.58 x 1.45m
Displacement: 640t loaded
Machinery: 2-shaft Paxman twin diesels, 1760bhp = 11.9kts. Fuel
Dimensions: 192ft oa x 31ft x 5ft Sin mean loaded 22,600gal
58.52 x 9.45 x 1.65m
Armament: 3-20mm; 8-30t tanks
Machinery: 2-shaft Paxman diesels, lOOObhp = 10.5kts. Fuel 6200gal.
Complement: 22; 42 troops
See notes
Armament: 2-2pdr pompom, 2-20mm; 5-40t or 11—30t tanks
Designed by Thornycroft for the Far East and larger and more habitable than
Complement: 12
previous LCTs. They saw no operational service in the war. Numbers were to
have been 4001-4200, but most were never completed.
Numbered 300 to 499 and 7001 to 7150, and basically an LCT(2) with a 32ft
LCT4039 in June 1948 By courtesy of John Roberts
section added amidships. They divided into 5 sections for transport. Later
units had 2-shaft Sterling petrol engines (lOOObhp = 10.85kts) and fuel was
reduced to 5760gal petrol. 31 were lost in the war.

LCF(3) Landing Craft, Flak Mk III

Diesel-engined LCT(3)s converted to AA craft. Loaded displacement was
515t. Nos 3-6 had 8 single 2pdr pompoms and 4—20mm with a complement of
68 and 7-18 4 single pompoms and 8-20mm with a complement of 76. War
losses were 2 of the second group.

LCT(R)(3) Landing Craft, Tank (Rocket) Mk III

LCT(3)s fitted with a false deck and mounting 1044—5in rockets or 936 if
tropicalised. Loaded displacement was 560t and complement 17 or 18. Origi¬
nal numbers were retained. One was lost in the war.

LCG(L)(3) Landing Craft, Gun (Large) Mk III LCT(3)398 in 1944 MoD

Diesel engined LCT(3)s converted to gunboats and displacing 500t loaded.

Three retained their original numbers. They were armed with surplus guns for
destroyers, Nos 1-20 having 2 single 4.7in QF Mk IX and Nos 21, 22, 26, 424,
426 and449 2 single 4.7in BL. All had 2 to 4—20mm and a complement of45—48.
Nos 5-5, 424, 426 and 449 were lent to the USN. 4 were lost in the war.

LCT(4) Landing Craft, Tank Mk IV (launched 1942-45)

Displacement: 640t loaded
Dimensions: 187ft 3in oa x 38ft 8in x 4ft 5jin mean loaded
57.07 x 11.79 x 1.36m
Machinery: 2-shaft Paxman diesels, lOOObhp = lOkts. Fuel ll,400gal
Armament: 2-20mm; 6—40t or 9-30t tanks
Complement: 12

Originally of lighter construction and greater beam than previous LCTs but
later strengthened. They were numbered 500-1364. War losses totalled 39.
LCT(R)425, a converted Mk III LCT MoD

LCF(4) Landing Craft, Flak Mk IV

LCT(4)s converted to A A craft. Displacement loaded was 5 lOt and comple¬
ment 76 with 4 single 2pdr pompoms and 8-20mm. Diesel fuel was 3100gal
but 11,400 for the Far East. Numbers were 19-46, and 3 were lost in the war.

LCG(L)939, as converted from an LCT(4)

LCG(L)(4) Landing Craft, Gun (Large) Mk IV

These were converted from LCT(4)s and retained their original numbers.
Displacement loaded was 570t and complement 47-48. They were armed with
2-4.7in BL and 7-20mm, and differed from LCG(L)(3)s in that the 4.7in were
superfiring. Diesel fuel was as in LCF(4)s. Serial numbers were 680,681,687,
764,811,831,893,939,1007 and 1062 of which 687,811 and 893 were lent to
the USN. War losses amounted to 3.

76
 Amphibious warfare ships

LCG(M)(1) Landing Craft, Gun (Medium) Mk I

(launched 1944)
Displacement: 380t loaded
Dimensions: 154ft 6in oa x 22ft 4in x 6ft lOiin mean loaded
47.09 x 6.81 x 2.10m
Machinery: 2-shaft Paxman diesel, lOOObhp = 11.75kts. Fuel 9780gal
(13,820gal if ballast tank used)
Armament: 2-25pdr Mk II or 2-17pdr Mk III, 2-20mm
Complement: 31

Designed by John Brown’s to provide gun support with army weapons,

namely the 25pdr field gun-howitzer or the 17pdr anti-tank gun. They had 2in
max protection and could be flooded to ground in a known position and fire
from map references. The guns were in turrets and ‘echelonned’ forward.
Numbers ran from 101 to 200 but from the gun records 25pdrs were only
mounted in Nos 103,108-121,125-129,132,133,143-148, ISO and 175-190 An LCG(M)(1) with armament as designed
and 17pdrs in 101,102,104-107,122-124 and 191-196. Nos 101 and 102 were
lost.
A Mk II version for the Far East was ordered but saw no service. Numbers
wer to be 501-524, and 2-25pdr guns were issued for Nos 513, 514,516 and
517. There was also to be a rocket version called LCS(R) - Landing Craft,
Support (Rocket) - and numbered 1-30, but only the prototype was com¬
pleted. 504-5in rockets were carried.

MINOR LANDING CRAFT

Landing ships carried a variety of landing craft, the most important of which
are listed below:
LCA (Landing Craft Assault): 11—13Jt, 4lift oa, able to carry 35 troops. 2030
built 1940-44. LCS(M) was an LCA with a 4in smoke mortar. MoD
LCA365, a later type with forward coxwain’s position, 1944
LCP (Landing Craft Personnel): LCP(2) and LCP(S) 3|t-5|t, c420 British-
built 1941-43; LCP(L) and LCP(R) 10ft, 1200 US-built 1940-43. Able to
carry up to 30 troops.
LCV and LCV(P) (Landing Craft Vehicle (and Personnel)): 11—1 lit, 36ft oa,
able to carry 36 troops or a 3t vehicle. c700 US-built 1942-43.
LCM (Landing Craft Mechanised): The basic varieties used by the Royal
Navy were LCM(l) - 36t, 48|ft oa, able to carry one 16t tank or 100 troops - of
which 600 were British-built in 1940-44; LCM(3) - 52t, 50ft oa, able to carry
one 30t tank or 60 troops - of which 650 were US-built in 1942-44; and the
LCM(7) - 63t, 60?ft oa, able to carry one 40t tank - of which 150 were
British-built in 1943—44.
An LCM(l) as built MoD

LCS(M)47 as completed 1943

An LCM(3) on trials MoD

The Thornycroft-designed LCM(7)

LCP(L)s during exercises in June 1943
GREAT BRITAIN

MISCELLANEOUS
VESSELS
ALBATROSS seaplane carrier
Displacement: 4800t standard; 6350t deep load
Dimensions: 443ft 9in oa x 61ft, 77ft 9in over sponsons x 17ft 3in mean
deep load
135.25 x 18.59, 23.70 x 5.26m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Yarrow boilers, 12,000shp
= 21kts. Oil 942t
Armament: 4-4.7in/40 QF Mk VIII HA, 4—2pdr pompom (4x1),
4—3pdr saluting, 9 aircraft
Complement: 450

Name Builder Launched Fate

ALBATROSS Cockatoo 23.2.1928 Sold 1946

Albatross prewar MoD

Albatross was laid down for the Royal Australian Navy 5.5.26 and completed in
January 1929. She was later transferred to Britain and commissioned in the
RN 29.9.38. The hangar forward could accommodate 9 aircraft, though ini¬
tially 6 single-engined Seagull amphibian flying boats were carried, and later 6
to 9 Walrus. Petrol stowage was 8300gal. The original compressed air catapult
was replaced by one of the explosive powered type in December 1940. Albat¬
ross was converted to a repair ship in 1943, her lighter guns being changed to
8-2pdr pompom (2x4) and 6-20mm. She was hit by a Dackel slow pattern-
running torpedo on 11.8.44 and was not repaired during the war. She was sold
into mercantile service after the war.

TERN class river gunboats (launched 1927-28)

Displacement: 262t standard
Dimensions: 168ft oa x 27ft x 4ft 3in mean deep load
51.21 x 8.23 x 1.30m
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 2 Yarrow boilers, 1370shp = 14kts.
Oil 60t
Armament: 2-3in/20cwt HA (2x 1)
Complement: 55

Class:
Yarrow - Seamew, Tern.
Designed for Chinese rivers with better accommodation than previous
types. Tern was scuttled at Hong Kong 19.12.41 and Seamew scrapped in
1947.

Tern on builder’s trials

PETEREL class river gunboats (launched 1927)
Displacement: 3 lOt standard
Dimensions: 185ft oa x 29ft x 4ft 3in mean deep load
56.39 x 8.84 x 1.30m
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 2 Yarrow boilers, 2250shp = 16kts. =z_ Sandpiper as completed
Oil 78t
Armament: 2-3in/20cwt HA (2x1)
Complement: 55 SANDPIPER river gunboat (launched 1933)
Displacement: 185t standard
Class: Dimensions: 167ft 4in oa X 30ft 8in x 2ft lin mean deep load
Yarrow - Gannet, Peterel. 51.00 x 9.35 x 0.63m
Similar to the Tern class but larger and faster. Peterel was sunk at Shanghai Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 1 Admiralty 3-drum boiler, 600ihp =
8.12.41 and Gannet transferred to China in 1942. 11.25kts. Oil 26t
Armamept: 1-3.7in howitzer, l-6pdr Hotchkiss
Complement: 35
N

Thornycroft-built. A gunboat designed for very shallow waters. Transferred to

IT1 PUTT. HIT"! -dlnh^ China in 1942.
a iMssggtn Tq T Falcon as completed

FALCON river gunboat (launched 1931) ROBIN river gunboat (launched 1934)
Displacement: 372t standard Displacement: 226t standard
Dimensions: 150ft oa x 28ft 9in x 6ft mean deep load Dimensions: 156ft 3in oa x 26ft 8in X 3ft 6in mean deep load
45.12 x 8.76 x 1.83m 47.63 x 8.13 x 1.07m
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 1 Admiralty 3-drum boiler, 800ihp =
2250shp = 15kts. Oil 89t 12.75kts. Oil 4It
Armament: 1-3.7in howitzer, 2-6pdr Hotchkiss Armament: 1-3.7in howitzer, l-6pdr Hotchkiss
Complement: 55 Complement: 35

Built by Yarrow. Shorter and of deeper draught than the preceding, and one of Built by Yarrow. Of deeper draught than Sandpiper and with a higher speed.
the few warships with a howitzer as main armament. Falcon was transferred to Served as a boom depot ship at Hong Kong in 1941 and scuttled there
China in 1942. 25.12.41.

78
 Miscellaneous vessels

SCORPION river gunboat (launched 1937)

Displacement: 700t standard Plover as completed

Dimensions: 208ft 9in oa X 34ft 8in x 6ft mean deep load

63.63 x 10.57 x 1.83m
PLOVER coastal minelayer (launched 1937)
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
4500shp = 17kts. Oil 136t Displacement: 805t standard; 1020t deep load
Armament: 2-4in/45 QF Mk V (2x1), 1-3.7in howitzer, 2-3pdr saluting Dimensions: 195ft 3in oa x 37ft 6in x 10ft mean deep load
Complement: 93 59.51 x 11.43 x 3.05m
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 1400ihp = 14.75kts. Oil 116t
Intended to serve as SNO’s ship on the Yangtze, Scorpion had better accom¬ Armament: l-3in/20cwt HA, 100 mines
modation but a much weaker armament than the ‘Insect’ class of 1915. The 4in Complement: 69
guns were on 30° mountings. She was to have become an ASW vessel with 20
DC but was sunk by a Japanese destroyer 13.2.42. Built by White. A purpose-built (Denny) coastal minelayer, not scrapped until 1969. The 3in
was mounted aft and a 20mm forward, though prewar she only had 2 MGs.
Plover laid over 15,000 mines during the war.

There were also the smaller purpose-built controlled minelayers Linnet,

Redstart and Ringdove (498t, launched 1938), and M1-M8 (346t, launched
1939-44).
Dragonfly as completed

DRAGONFLY class river gunboats (launched 1938-39) MEDWAY submarine depot ship (launched 1928)
Displacement: 14,650t standard; 18,362t deep load with water protection
Displacement: 625t standard; 715t deep load
Dimensions: 580ft oa x 85ft 4in X 23ft 2in mean deep load as above
Dimensions: 196ft 6in oa x 33ft 8in x 6ft 2in mean deep load
176.78 x 26.01 x 7.06m
59.89 x 10.26 x 1.88m
Machinery: 2-shaft MAN diesels, 8000bhp = 15.5kts. Oil 6lOt (plus
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
1880t for submarines)
3800shp = 17kts. Oil 90t
Armament: 4—4in/45 QF Mk V (4x1)
Armament: 2—4in/45 QF Mk V (2x1), 1-3.7in howitzer. See notes
Complement: 400
Complement: 74

Class:
Thornycroft - Dragonfly, Grasshopper
White - Cancelled: Bee
Yarrow - Locust, Mosquito
Generally similar to Scorpion but smaller. The 4in were on 30° mountings.
Dragonfly and Grasshopper were bombed and sunk by Japanese aircraft
14.2.42. Locust and Mosquito were not completed until 1940 and had a quadru¬
ple 2pdr pompom in place of the howitzer. Mosquito was bombed and sunk
1.6.40, while Locust, whose later armament included 3-20mm and 20 DC,
became an HQ ship in 1944.
The 4 Iranian gunboats Chahhaaz, Charogh, Karkas and Simorgh were cap¬
tured in 1941 and served in the RIN until 1946 under the names Hira, Nilam,
Moti and Lai respectively.
Guardian as completed
The majority of depot/repair ships were converted merchant vessels and are
excluded from this section. Eight specially built ships with a powerful A A
armament for their time and some with special underwater protection are
however described.
Medway was designed to tend 18 ‘O’ and ‘P’ class submarines, increased to
21 in war. Built by Vickers-Armstrong (Barrow), she carried 144-2 lin tor¬
pedoes and 3 spare 4in/40 QF Mk IV guns of which 2 were originally mounted
as part of her armament. Internal bulges, generally similar to those in Nelson,
were provided with a total of 1374t water filling and a l|in torpedo bulkhead
located 13ft inboard amidships and inclined sharply outwards above water.
The upper deck was l|in amidships. Unfortunately Medway’s topweight was
considerably less than the builders had calculated and at deep load her GM was
over 13ft. To avoid possible damage to submarines alongside her bilge keels
were originally only 12in and she is recorded as rolling 42° each way with a
period of 9 seconds and the loss of her main topmast. Subsequently the bilge
keels were increased to 36in. Medway was sunk by 2 or possibly 3 torpedoes
from U372 on 30.6.42. A slightly smaller submarine depot ship, of the same
general type but turbine propelled, was to be built at Chatham under the
1928-29 programme and to be named Maidstone, but this vessel was cancelled
in 1929.
Medway on builder’s trials

GUARDIAN netlayer (launched 1932)

Displacement: 2860t standard; 3665t deep load
Dimensions: 338ft oa x 53ft x 13ft lOin mean deep load
103.02 x 16.15 x 4.22m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
6500shp = 18kts. Oil 734t
Armament: 2^41 n/45 QF Mk V HA (2x1) (later 2 QF Mk XVI HA
(1X2))
Complement: 181

The first specially built netlayer, not scrapped until 1962. The later twin 4in
mounting was located aft and 14-20mm were subsequently added. Built at
Chatham.

PROTECTOR netlayer (launched 1936)

Displacement: 2820t standard; 3610t deep load
Dimensions: 338ft oa x 53ft X 13ft 9in mean deep load
103.02 x 16.15 x 4.19m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
9000shp = 20kts. Oil 707t
Armament: 1—4in/45 QF Mk V (later 2 QF Mk XVI HA (1x2))
Complement: 190

A faster version of Guardian, built by Yarrow, and surviving until 1970. She
was hit by an airborne torpedo 11.8.41 and was out of action for 4 years. The
original 4in gun was on a 30° mounting aft and was later replaced by the twin
HA, while 7-20mm were finally added.

79
GREAT BRITAIN

RESOURCE fleet repair ship (launched 1928)

Displacement: 12,300t standard; 15,580t deep load with water jackets of
underwater protection full
Dimensions: 534ft oa x 83ft 3in X 22ft llin mean deep load as above
162.76 x 25.37 x 6.98m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Yarrow boilers, 7500shp
= 15.5kts. Oil 1035t (plus 430t for other ships)
Armament: 4-4in/45 QF Mk V HA (4x 1)
Complement: 581

Underwater and deck protection in this repair ship were similar to those in
Medway, but GM did not exceed 9.1ft. In 1945 her light AA armament com¬
prised 4 single 2pdr pompoms and 10-20mm. Resource, built by Vickers-
Armstrong (Barrow), was scrapped in 1954.

Resource on builder’s trials

Woolwich as completed

Built by Fairfield, and longer and of considerably less beam and draught than
WOOLWICH destroyer depot ship (launched 1934) the preceding, Woolwich had no special torpedo protection. The upper deck
was lin over the machinery and the platform 2in over the ammunition spaces.
Displacement: 8750t standard; 10,200t deep load
Light A A is given in 1945 as 2-2pdr pompoms and 4-20mm. Woolwich carried
Dimensions: 608ft oa X 64ft x 16ft 6in mean deep load
72-2lin torpedoes and 200 DCs for her destroyers and was scrapped in 1962.
185.31 x 19.51 x 5.03m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
6500shp = 15.25kts. Oil 1112t
Armament: 4—4in/45 QF Mk V HA (4x 1)
Complement: 666

Class: Forth, Maidstone

MAIDSTONE class submarine depot ships (launched The armament was much increased in this class with twin 4.5in fore and aft,
1937-38) and on the shelter deck amidships on either beam. The quadruple pompoms
were supplemented by 4—20mm, and 117-2 lin torpedoes were carried for
Displacement: 8900t standard; ll,815t {Forth 11,965t) deep load submarines. There was no special torpedo protection, but the upper deck was
Dimensions: 531ft oa x 73ft x 20ft 2in (Forth 20ft 4in) mean deep load lin between the end 4.5in except where covered by the lin shelter deck, and
161.84 x 22.25 x 6.15 (6.20)m there was apparently 2in max over ammunition spaces on the platform deck.
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons {Forth Brown-Curtis) geared turbines, 4 Both ships were built by John Brown. Maidstone was for disposal in 1978 and
Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 7000shp = 17kts. Oil llOOt (plus Forth in 1979.
1200t diesel for submarines)
Armament: 8-4.5in/45 QF Mk I HA (4x2), 8-2pdr pompom (2x4)
Complement: 1167

Maidstone in Oct 1948 By courtesy of John Roberts

80
 Miscellaneous vessels/Auxiliary warships

Class (builder): Hecla (John Brown), Tyne (Scotts)

TYNE class destroyer depot ships (launched 1940) Special torpedo protection was re-introduced in this class with an internal
Displacement: ll,000t standard; 14,000t deep load sandwich bulge and a Hin torpedo bulkhead 10ft inboard. The middle deck
was armoured with 2in NC and there were 3in cast steel rings round the
Dimensions: 621ft 2in oa x 66ft x 20ft 7in mean deep load
189.33 x 20.12 x 6.27m ammunition hoist openings in the deck. The 4.5in twin mountings were in
superfiring pairs fore and aft. Hecla had had 6-20mm added when lost, while
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
Tyne eventually had 15. Each stowed 80-2lin torpedoes and 150 DCs for their
7500shp = 17kts. Oil 1200t (plus 2000t for destroyers)
destroyers. GM was 3.8ft at deep load. Hecla was mined on 15.5.42 and was
Armament: 8-4.5in/45 QF Mk III HA (4x2), 8-2pdr pompom (2x4)
out of action for 18 weeks, and on 11.11.42 she was sunk by 5 torpedoes from
Complement: 818
U505. Tyne was disposed of in 1973.

Displacement: 12,700t standard; 16,500t deep load also armoured in the same way as in Tyne. Her armament differed in having 4
quadruple pompoms with 6-20mm, and 117-2lin torpedoes were carried for
Dimensions: 658ft oa x 70ft 6in x 21ft 3in mean deep load
200.55 x 21.49 x 6.48m submarines. GM was increased to 6.2ft at deep load. Adamant was scrapped in
1970.
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
8000shp = 17kts. Oil 131 Ot (plus 1200t diesel for sub¬
marines)
Armament: 8-4.5in/45 QF Mk III HA (4x2), 16-2pdr pompom (4x4)
Complement: 1273

AUXILIARY WARSHIPS

Athene 1942

Class (builder): Engadine (Denny), Athene (Greenock, completed John

ATHENE class aircraft transports (launched 1940-41) Brown)
Mercantile hulls acquired and completed as aircraft transports. The
Displacement: 10,890t (Engadine 10,650t) deep load
magazines were protected by l|in sides and 2in crowns. From 7 to 10-20mm
Dimensions: 487ft 8in oa x 63ft x 19ft llin-20ft 3in mean deep load
were eventually mounted and 16-20 aircraft could be transported with folded
148.64 x 19.20 x 6.07-6.17m
wings or 40 Hurricanes with the wings removed. Stowage was provided for
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE and LP turbine, 8300hp = 17kts. Oil 980t
28,500gal aviation fuel. The ships were returned to mercantile service in 1946
Armament: l-4.7in/45 BL Mk I, l-4in/45 QF Mk V HA, 4-2pdr pom¬ and scrapped 1962-63.
pom (4x 1)
Complement: ?

ARMED MERCHANT CRUISERS

Name Gross tons/built Speed (kts)/oil (t) Guns/elevation/AA Fate

ALAUNIA 14,030/1925 15/1619 8-6in Mk VII/20°/2-3in Repair ship 1944

ALCANTARA 22,209/1926 19/2680 8-6in Mk VII/2072-3in Troopship 1943
ANDANIA 13,950/1921 15/1847 8-6in Mk VII/1472-3in Sunk 15.6.40
ANTENOR 11,174/1925 15/1170 6-6in Mk VII/20°/2-3in Troopship 1942
ARAWA 14,462/1922 15/1712 7-6in Mk VH/20°/2-3in Troopship 1941
ASCANIA 14,013/1925 15/2200 8-6in Mk VII/20°/2-3in Troopship 1942
ASTURIAS 22,048/1925 19/2710 8-6in Mk VII/20o/2-3in Laid up damaged Apr 1944

81
GREAT BRITAIN

Name Gross tons/built Speed (kts)/oil (t) Guns/elevation/AA Fate

AURANIA 13,984/1924 15/1591 8-6in Mk VII/20°/2-3in Repair ship Artifex 1942

AUSONIA 13,912/1921 15/1586 8-6in Mk VII/14°/2-3in Repair ship 1942
BULOLO 6500/1938 15/624 (diesel) 7-6in Mk VII/20°/2-3in HQ ship 1942
CALIFORNIA 16,792/1923 16/2713 8-6in Mk VII/20°/2-3in Troopship 1942
CANTON 15,700/1938 19/1318 8-6in Mk XII/20°/2-3in Troopship 1944
CARINTHIA 20,277/1925 16.2/2270 8-6in Mk VII/20°/2-3in Sunk 7.6.40
CARNARVON CASTLE 20,063/1926 18/1420 (diesel) 8-6in Mk VII/20°/2-3in Troopship 1944
CARTHAGE 14,182/1931 18/1288 8-6in Mk VII/20°/2-3in Troopship 1943
CATHAY 15,225/1925 16/1340 8-6in Mk VII/20°/2-3in Troopship 1942
CHESHIRE 10,520/1927 15/794 (diesel) 6-6in Mk VII/20°/2-3in Troopship 1943
CHITRAL 15,346/1925 16/1850 7-6in Mk XII/3073-4in Mk V Troopship 1944
CILICIA 11,137/1938 16.5/1052 (diesel) 8-6in Mk XII/20°/2-3in Troopship 1944
CIRCASSIA 11,137/1937 16.5/1015 (diesel) 8-6in Mk XII/20°/2-3in Troopship 1942
COMORIN 15,241/1924 16/1390 8-6in Mk VII/20°/2-3in Sunk 6.4.41
CORFU 14,170/1931 17/1380 8-6in Mk VII/20°/2-12pdr Troopship 1944
DERBYSHIRE 11,650/1935 16/740 (diesel) 6-6in Mk XII/20°/2-3in Troopship 1942
DUNOTTAR CASTLE 15,007/1936 16/1372 (diesel) 7-6in Mk XII/20°/2-3in Troopship 1942
DUNVEGAN CASTLE 15,007/1936 16/1372 (diesel) 7-6in Mk XII/20°/2-12pdr Sunk 28.8.40
ESPERANCE BAY 14,204/1922 15/1701 7-6in Mk VII/20°/2-3in Troopship 1941
FORFAR 16,402/1920 16/1728 8-6in Mk VII/20°/2-3in Sunk 2.12.40
HECTOR 11,198/1924 15/1180 6-6in Mk VII/20°/2-3in Sunk 5.4.42
JERVIS BAY 14,164/1922 15/1859 7-6in Mk VII/20°/2-3in Sunk 5.11.40
KANIMBLA 10,985/1936 16.5/781 (diesel) 7-6in Mk VII/20°/2-3in LSI(L) 1943
LACONIA 19,695/1922 16.5/1895 8-6in Mk VII/14°/2-3in Troopship 1941
LAURENTIC 18,724/1927 16.5/3536 (coal) 7-5.5in/2573-4in Mk V Sunk 4.11.40
LETITIA 13,475/1925 15/1760 8-6in Mk VII/2072-3in Troopship 1941
MALOJA 20,914/1923 16/2725 8-6in Mk VII/2072-3in Troopship 1941
MANOORA (RAN) 10,856/1935 16/704 (diesel) 7-6in Mk VII/2072-3in LSI(L) 1942
MONOWAI (RNZN) 10,852/1924 19/1560 8-6in Mk VII/20°/2-3in Troopship 1943
MONTCLARE 16,314/1922 17/1965 7-5.5in/2573-4in Mk V Depot ship 1942
MOOLTAN 20,952/1923 17/2876 8-6in Mk VII/2072-3in Troopship 1941
MORETON BAY 14,193/1921 15/1701 7-6in Mk VII/20°/2-3in Troopship 1941
PATROCLUS 11,314/1923 15/3073 (coal) 6-6in Mk XII/2072-3in Sunk 4.11.40
PRETORIA CASTLE 17,160/1938 19.5/1332 (diesel) 8-6in Mk XII/2072-12pdr Escort carrier 1942
QUEEN OF BERMUDA 22,575/1933 20/2300 7-6in Mk XII/2072-3in Troopship 1943
RAJPUTANA 16,644/1925 17/2100 8-6in Mk VII/2072-3in Sunk 13.4.41
RANCHI 16,738/1925 18/1885 8-6in Mk VII/2072-3in Troopship 1943
RANPURA 16,688/1925 17/2250 8-6in Mk VII/2072-3in Repair ship 1944
RAWALPINDI 16,697/1925 17/2100 8-6in Mk VII/207- Sunk 23.11.39
SALOPIAN 10,515/1926 15/794 (diesel) 6-6in Mk VII/2072-3in Sunk 13.5.41
SCOTSTOUN 17,046/1925 16/2495 8-6in Mk VII/2072-3in Sunk 13.6.40
TRANSYLVANIA 16,923/1925 16/2378 8-6in Mk VII/2072-3in Sunk 10.8.40
VOLTAIRE 13,245/1923 14.5/1430 8-6in Mk VII/207- Sunk 4.4.41
WESTRALIA (RAN) 8108/1929 15.5/879 (diesel) 7-6in Mk VII/2072-3in LSI(L) 1943
WOLFE 16,418/1921 16.5/1728 7-6in Mk XII/20°/2-12pdr Depot ship 1941
WORCESTERSHIRE 11,402/1931 15/696 (diesel) 6-6in Mk VII/2072-3in Troopship 1943
PRINCE DAVID (RCN) 6892/1930 21.5/1470 4-6in Mk VII/2072-3in LSI(M) 1943
PRINCE HENRY (RCN) 6893/1930 21.5/1470 4—6in Mk VII/2072-3in LSI(M) 1943
PRINCE ROBERT (RCN) 6892/1930 21.5/1470 4—6in Mk VII/20°/2-3in A A vessel 1943

The above, except the last three, were commissioned in 1939-40; Kanimbla were sunk by U-boats, Hector by bombs, Jervis Bay by Admiral Scheer, Rawal¬
went to the RAN 1941. A further ship, Rimutaka (16,575t/1923) was returned pindi by Schamhorst and Voltaire by the raider Thor which had previously got
in 1939. The three RCN vessels were commissioned later in 1940. Some names the better of a brush with Alcantara and severely mauled Carnarvon Castle, her
were changed on taking up: Forfar (ex-Montrose), Salopian (exShropshire), 6-5.9in guns ranging to 20,000yds as against 14,200 for her opponents. The
Scotstoun (ex-Caledonia) and Wolfe (ex-Montcalm). The range of their arma¬ remaining loss, Comorin, was due to a fire which caused her to be scuttled.
ment was severely limited and, except for Chitral which could reach 18,500yds
and the two 5.5in ships a little over 16,000, none could exceed 15,500yds; the
Rawalpindi fining out as an AMC By courtesy of John Bowen
majority with 6in Mk VIIs without high velocity charges only ranged to
14,200yds and the three with 14° mountings to 11,900. Various attempts were
made to improve this, 2-6in Mk VIIs being replaced by 6in Mk XIIs on 30°
mountings in Alcantara (December 1940), Ausonia (May 1941) and Monowai
(June 1942), while 4 guns were so replaced in Ranpura (November 1941). All
6in Mk VIIs were replaced by 6-6in Mk XII/300 in Asturias (October 1942), by
8 in Carthage (June 1942) and by 9 in Corfu (January 1943). In Canton the 6in
Mk XIIs were increased to 9 in August 1942 and supercharges issued which
gave 19,500yds at 20° with 1001b 6crh shells. In 1941-42 the 6in Mk VII in
Alcantara, Carnarvon Castle, Cheshire and Worcestershire had 1121b 6crh shells
which with special charges gave 17,500yds at 20°. The AA armament was also
improved, Canton and Corfu having 4—4in Mk XVIs in 1942-3, while 2-2pdr
pompoms were added to Alaunia, Canton, Cathay, Cilicia, Dunottar Castle,
Queen of Bermuda and Worcestershire, and the number of 20mm reached 10 in
Canton. Catapults with one or two seaplanes were fitted to Alcantara, Asturias,
Canton, Pretoria Castle and Queen of Bermuda in 1941, and to Cilicia and Corfu
in 1943. To preserve the waterplane and increase buoyancy if torpedoed,
empty oil drums were packed on the between decks; the completeness of this
varied widely, but its efficacy is shown by the Forfar, Salopian and Patroclus
taking respectively 5, 6 and 7 torpedoes to sink. In addition to these Andania,
Carinthia, Dunvegan Castle, Laurentic, Rajputana, Scotstoun and Transylvania

82
 Auxiliary warships

Chitral about 1940 By courtesy of John Bowen Canton before the funnel was cut down By courtesy of John Bowen

OCEAN BOARDING VESSELS

Name Gross tons/built Speed (kts)/oil (t) Guns/AA Fate
ARIGUANI 6746/1926 14/2159 (coal) 2-6in Mk XI/l-3in Catapult ship 1941, accommodation
ship 1942
CAMITO 6833/1915 15.5/2322 (coal) 2-6in Mk XI/l-12pdr Sunk 6.5.41
CAVINA 6907/1924 15.75/2172 (coal) 2-6in Mk XI/l-12pdr Returned 1942
CORINTHIAN 3151/1938 14.5/996 (coal) 2-6in Mk XI/l-12pdr TS 1943
CRISPIN 5051/1935 14.5/692 (coal) 2-6in Mk XI/l-12pdr Sunk 3.2.41
HILARY 7403/1931 15.5/1975 (coal) 2-6in Mk XI/l-3in HQ ship 1943
LADY SOMERS 8194/1929 16/1235 2-6in Mk VII/l-3in Sunk 15.7.41
LARGS 4504/1938 17/778 (diesel) 2-6in Mk XI/l-3in HQ ship 1942
MALVERNIAN 3133/1937 14/956 (coal) 2-6in Mk XI/l-12pdr Sunk 19.7.41
MANISTEE 5368/1920 13.5/? (coal) 2-6in Mk XI/l-12pdr Sunk 24.2.41
MAPLIN 5824/1932 17/1197 2-6in Mk XI/? Catapult ship 1941, returned 1942
MARON 6487/1930 15.2/622 (diesel) 2-6in Mk XI/l-12pdr Returned 1942
MARSDALE 4890/1940 14.5/705 2-6in Mk XI/l-12pdr Returned 1942
PATIA 5355/1922 13.5/? (coal) 2-6in Mk XI/l-3in Catapult ship 1941, sunk 27.4.41
REGISTAN 5886/1930 14.5/770 2-6in Mk XI/l-3in Returned 1941
TORTUGUERO 5285/1921 13.5/? (coal) See notes Returned 1942

Commissioned in 1940-41. Camito had served as an escort ship in the First had l-3in AA added while light AA in some amounted to 2-2pdr pompoms
World War. Tortuguero is often listed with 2-6in guns but there is no record of and/or 4—20mm. The range of the 6in guns did not exceed 14,200yds. Malver-
any 6in issued to her. As catapult ships l-6in was removed and a rocket nian was sunk by bombing and the others by submarines.
catapult added with one adapted Hurricane fighter or two in Maplin; the latter

ARMED BOARDING VESSELS AUXILIARY PATROL VESSELS

These comprised 12 screw ships taken up in 1939-40. Gross tonnage varied
widely: Vandyck was 13,241, Chakdina, Chakla and Chantala 3033-3129,
Fiona and St Tudno 2190-2326, Goodwin, King Orry, Laird’s Isle and Mona’s
Isle 1570-1877, Discovery 1062, and Fratton 757. Launching dates varied from
1905 to 1929, and King Orry had performed similar services in 1914-18. The
usual armament was 2^4in/40 QF Mk IV, sometimes with a 12pdr HA, while
Discovery, Fratton and Goodwin appear to have only had the latter. Chakdina
had her 4in replaced by 2-3in A A in 1941 and originally had one as well as the
4in. Goodwin and Mona’s Isle became auxiliary AA vessels in 1941. Losses
were Chakdina, Chakla, Chantala, Fiona, Fratton, King Orry and Vandyck.
CONVOY ESCORTS
Only two ships were so classed, Antwerp and Malines of 2957 and 2980t gross,
built in 1920-21 and hired in late 1940. They were armed with l-4in/45 QF
Mk V HA, with 4-2pdr (4x 1) in Antwerp, and operated in the Mediterranean.
Malines was sunk in July 1942 but salved in early 1943 and was re-armed in
1945, while Antwerp became a fighter direction ship in 1944 and was returned
in 1945.
There are believed to have been 89 of these, requisitioned 1939-42 and varying
from tugs to coastal passenger vessels. They were mostly employed in the Far
East, 36 being RN, 13 RAN, 3 RCN and 37 RIN. Kedah and Siang Wo were
respectively 2499 and 2595t gross, and 19 were between 1020 and 1820 - Ban
Hong Liong, Bhadravati (RIN), Giang Bee, Goodwin (ex-AA, ex-ABV),Haideri
(RIN), Irrawadi (RIN), Kelanan, Kudat, Mata Hari, Netravati (RIN), Parvati
(RIN), Princess Marie Jose, Rauh, Sonavati (RIN), Sophie Marie (RIN), Tung
Wo, Victoria Marie (RIN), Vyner Brooke and Wilcania (ex-Wyrallah) (RAN).
Of these , Siang Wo, Giang Bee, Kudat, Mata Hari, Parvati, Rauh, Sophie
Marie, Tung Wo and Vyner Brooke were lost, as were (it is believed) 11 of the
smaller vessels. The heaviest guns mounted were 1 or 2-4in. Two vessels were
former RN patrol gunboats sold in 1920 -Hashemi (ex-Kildorough) (RIN) and
Indira (ex-Kildysart) - while the sloop Pansy, also sold in 1920, retained her old
name in the RIN.

83
GREAT BRITAIN

SPECIAL SERVICE VESSELS

Name Decoy name Gross tons/built Speed (kts/oil (t) Guns/2 lin TT

BEAULY LOOE 1030/1924 11/? (coal) 4—4in Mk IV/2

BOTLEA LAMBRIDGE 5119/1917 14/1482 (coal) 7-4in Mk IV/4
CAPE HOWE PRUNELLA 4443/1930 13.5/? (coal) 7-4in Mk IV/4
CAPE SABLE CYPRUS 4398/1936 13.5/853 (coal) 7-4in Mk IV/4
CITY OF DURBAN BRUTUS 5945/1921 15/540+936 coal 9-4in Mk IV/4
KING GRUFFYD MAUNDER 5072/1919 15/1325 (coal) 7-4in Mk IV/4
ORCHY ANTOINE 1090/1930 11/? (coal) 4—4in Mk IV/2
WILLAMETTE VALLEY EDGEHILL 4702/1928 15/898 (diesel) 9-4in Mk IV/4

Also known as ‘freighters’ or as decoy ships, the above were updated versions
of the First World War Q-ships and in addition to the above guns and TT
carried DCs. They were armed in October 1939-March 1940 but achieved no
success and were withdrawn as decoy ships in early 1941. Cape Howe and
Willamette Valley were sunk by U-boats 21.6.40 and 29.6.40 respectively.
Botha, Cape Sable, City of Durban and King Gruffyd served as AMCs until
1941-42, but as their 4in guns on 20° mountings only ranged to 9500yds they
would have depended on torpedoes for any success, and they were all returned
by mid-1942.
The old patrol vessel PCI4 also served as a decoy under the name of Chats-
grove, and the French steamer Le Rhin of 2456t gross, 9.5kts, built in 1920,
was used for various activities asFidelity. When sunk by U43S on 30.12.42 she
appears to have been operating as an aircraft decoy ship mounting 4-4in QF
Mk XVI (2x2) and 4—2pdr pompoms (4x1), as well as 2-75mm, l-37mm,
and possibly 2-25mm French guns. It is not clear whether she still had the
4-21in TT and 2 seaplanes with which she was credited, although MTB105
was on board at the time. Thanks at least in part to the Admiralty’s net defence
for merchant ships, it took 5 torpedoes to sink her.

SEA-GOING AUXILIARY AA VESSELS

Name Gross tons/built Speed (kts)/oil (t) Guns/light AA Fate

ALYNBANK 5151/1925 12/577 (diesel) 8-4in Mk XVI/8-2pdr Blockship 9.6.44

FOYLEBANK 5582/1930 12/? (diesel) 8-4in Mk XVI/8-2pdr Sunk 4.7.40
PALOMARES 1896/1937 16/136 (diesel) 6-4in Mk XVI/8-2pdr Fighter direction ship 1943
POZARICA 1893/1937 16/136 (diesel) 6-4in Mk XVI/8-2pdr Sunk 13.2.43
PRINCE ROBERT 6892/1930 21.5/1470 10-4in Mk XVI/8-2pdr Mercantile 1948
SPRINGBANK 5155/1926 12/400 (diesel) 8—4in Mk XVI/8-2pdr Sunk 27.9.41
TYNWALD 2376/1936 21/292 6-4in Mk XVI/8-2pdr Sunk 12.11.42
ULSTER QUEEN 3791/1929 18/170 (diesel) 6-4in Mk XVI/8-2pdr Fighter direction ship 1943

Prince Robert (RCN) was the former armed merchant cruiser converted in
1943, while the rest dated from 1940-41. All had their 4in guns in HA twin
mountings, and their 2pdr pompoms in two quadruple ones. Later Prince
Robert also had 4 single 40mm Bofors and 9-20mm, while others had up to
6-20mm. Springbank had an athwartships catapult fitted in March 1941 and
carried a Fulmar fighter. With their powerful AA armament these ships made
valuable convoy escorts. Springbank was sunk by a U-boat, Tynwald by an
Italian submarine or perhaps mined, Foylebank was sunk by bombs and
Pozarica, hit by an airborne torpedo on 29.1.43, capsized from the effect of
demolition charges used to remove underwater wreckage at the stern.
AUXILIARY MINESWEEPERS
Apparently 86 in number, including 4 former auxiliary patrol vessels. Of this
total 44 were RN, 20 RAN, 5 RCN, 9 RNZN and 8 RIN. They were
requisitioned in 1939-42 and during the war 2 RN vessels were transferred to
the RAN and 3 RAN units to the USN. Gross tonnage varied from 44 to 1746,
Kai, Kalavati (RIN), Orara (RAN) and Pangkor being over lOOOt. Losses
totalled 24, of 91 to 927t gross. A 12pdr was often mounted, though some had
l-4in. The ‘Hunt’ class minesweeper Wexford, sold in 1921, became the RAN
Doomba in 1939.

Thames Queen 1940

COASTAL AUXILIARY AA VESSELS PADDLE MINESWEEPERS

These comprised 6 screw (Conqueror, Coronation, Goodwin (ex-ABV), Kampar,
Mona’s Isle (ex-ABV) and Queen Eagle) and 26 paddle vessels (Aristocrat,
Balmoral, Bournemouth Queen, Crested Eagle, Emperor of India, Glen Avon,
Glen Usk,Glen More, Goatfell, Golden Eagle,Helvellyn,Jeannie Deans, Laguna
Belle, Loma Doone, Plinlimmon, Princess Elizabeth, Queen Empress, Ravens-
wood, Royal Eagle, Ryde, Sandown, Scawfell, Skiddaw, Thames Queen, West¬
ward Ho! and Whippingham); 20 of the latter were ex-minesweepers. They
varied from 350 to 3044t gross and were mostly well below lOOOt. The usual
armament was 2 to 6 single 2pdr pompoms plus MGs, but in many the latter
were replaced or reinforced by 2 to 6-20mm. A few had l-12pdr and 2-2pdr,
and the largest, the ex-dredger Coronation, had 2-3in/20cwt and 2-2pdr. Four
were lost: Kampar, Crested Eagle, Glen Avon and Helvellyn.
A total of 39 vessels requisitioned in 1939 (one in 1941) for work in British
coastal waters. They varied between 235 and 825t gross and some dated back
to the 1890s. As many as 20 became auxiliary coastal AA vessels in 1940-42,
mostly in the latter year. Two, Queen of Kent and Queen of Thanet, were the
former purpose-built RN minesweepers Atherstone and Melton sold in 1927.
Losses as minesweepers totalled 10: Brighton Belle, Brighton Queen, City of
Rochester, Devonia, Grade Fields, Marmion, Mercury, Snaefell, Southsea and
Waverley, the 27 not named above were Ambassador, Duchess of Fife, Duchess
of Rothesay, Emperor of India, Essex Queen, Glen Avon, Glen More (ex-Glen
Gower), Glen Usk, Goatfell, Helvellyn, Jeannie Deans, Kylemore, Laguna Belle,
Loma Doone, Medway Queen, Oriole, Plinlimmon, Princess Elizabeth, Queen
Empress, Ravenswood, Ryde, Sandown, Scawfell, Skiddaw, Thames Queen,
Westward Ho! and Whippingham. A 4in/40 QF Mk IV is recorded in Ryde and
Southsea, but otherwise the heaviest gun was a 12pdr.

84
 Auxiliary warships

MINE DESTRUCTOR VESSELS
These comprised 10 ships of 1597-2314t gross requisitioned in 1939-40 for use
against magnetic mines. A 300t electro-magnet was carried in the bows, but
the field from this was too near the ship and it was superseded by the much
lighter and highly efficient LL-sweep. The usual armament comprised a 12pdr
and MGs. The 10 ships were Andelle, Borde, Burlington, Bushwood, Corbrae,
Corbum, Corfield, Queenworth, Springdale and Springtide. Of these, Corbum,
Cor field and Queenworth were lost in 1940-41 and the rest later converted to
minesweeper maintenance ships or to deperming vessels.
Two specially built ships, Cybele and Cyrus, were ordered in September
1943 for use against German pressure or ‘oyster’ mines. They had no engines
and were to operate under tow with no crew. Displacement was 3980t and
dimensions 350ft pp x 60ft (106.68 x 18.29m). Laid down by Denny and
Swan Hunter respectively, they were launched in January 1944 and completed
by Scotts in May. Cybele was expended in tests and scrapped in 1946, while
Cyrus was wrecked in December 1944.

AUXILIARY MINELAYERS
Name Gross tons/built Speed (kts)/oil (t) Guns/mines Fate
AGAMEMNON 7593/1929 15.5/1191 (diesel) 2-4in Mk V/530 Amenities ship 1944
BUNGAREE (RAN) 3155/1937 11/573 (coal) 2-4in Mk IV, l-12pdr/467 Returned 1946
HAMPTON 2839/1934 16.5/130 (coal) l-12pdr/270 Transport 1940
KUNG WO 4636/1921 15/? See notes Sunk 14.2.42
MENESTHEUS 7493/1929 15.5/1191 (diesel) 2-4in Mk V/410 Amenities ship 1944
PORT NAPIER 9600/1940 2-4in Mk V/550 Sunk 27.11.40
PORT QUEBEC 5936/1939 16/? (diesel) 2-4in Mk V/548 Repair ship Deer Sound 1944
PRINCESS VICTORIA 2197/1939 19/? (diesel) l-12pdr/244 Sunk 19.5.40
SHEPPERTON 2839/1935 16.5/130 (coal) 2-12pdr/270 Constructive loss 5.5.41
SOUTHERN PRINCE 10,917/1929 17/1874 (diesel) 2-4in Mk V/562 Accommodation ship 1945
TEVIOTBANK 5087/1938 15/490 (coal) l-12pdr/272 Returned 1944

Taken up in 1939-40 except for Bungaree (which from her gun records was not
armed until 1942) and Kung Wo (acquired in the Far East in 1941). The
armament of the latter is not certain but is thought to have been l-4in BL Mk
IX or QF Mk IV. The 4in QF Mk IVs in Bungaree were replaced by 2-4in Mk
V’s in February 1944. These guns were in single HA mountings in all, as were
the 12pdrs. Light A A in the 4in-gunned ships comprised 2-2pdr pompoms
and 4 to 8-20mm, except that Southern Prince had 14-20mm only. They were
intended to operate under cover of the main fleet and most were employed in
such operations as laying the Northern Barrage. Port Napier was destroyed by
fire, Princess Victoria mined and Shepperton and Kung Wo lost from bombing.

ARMED YACHTS
Counting only vessels of over lOOt TM, at least 138 were commissioned in the
RN, 4 in the RAN and 22 in the RCN of which 15 were bought in the USA in
1940. One, Conqueror, became a coastal A A vessel and is noted in that classifi¬
cation, while the rest were used as ASW vessels, auxiliary patrol, SNO’s ships
for minesweepers, armed boarding vessels and for many other purposes. A
total of 28 are believed to have been lost. It was unusual for more than one
12pdr or occasionally two to be mounted in the larger yachts, though Surprise
apparently had three, but several had a 4in BL Mk IX or QF Mk IV. The armed yacht Viva II served in the AS By courtesy of John Roberts
role until sunk on 8.5.1941

85
United States
of America
The United States emerged from World War I with an extremely
powerful but relatively unbalanced fleet and a new strategic orienta¬
tion; both circumstances were to shape US naval development from
then until World War II. The imbalance resulted from the prewar
disposition of Congress to fund capital ship but not cruiser construc¬
tion; nor were enough destroyers built before the United States entered
World War I. Even the massive 1916 expansion programme called for
ten battleships and six battlecruisers, but only ten light cruisers for a
navy whose only other modern light cruisers were three small ‘scouts’
completed in 1908. Indeed, the cruiser shortage had been so great
before the war that US destroyers, then somewhat larger than the world
average, were frequently used as scouts, a role for which they were far
too small. Nor were there specialised flotilla leaders. The 1916 pro¬
gramme called for 50 new destroyers, but the general shortage of US
destroyers brought forth a series of very large war programmes which
ultimately produced a nearly uniform class of 267 ‘flush-deckers’, a
fleet so massive that it discouraged attempts to build new destroyers for
over a decade. As in the case of the large World War II programme, the
destroyer design had to be frozen for production reasons, and so could
not reflect wartime lessons; the ‘flush-decker’ fleet, then, was obsoles¬
cent upon completion.
Thus for the decade following World War I the US Navy built large
‘treaty’ cruisers which began to fill the gap in its fleet; however, this gap
remained as late as the outbreak of war in 1941, and helps to explain the
immense cruiser programme of World War II. In addition it developed
the new technology of aircraft carriers, and it modernised its existing
battleships under the terms of the Washington Treaty. Destroyer
construction did not start until the 1930s when, with the ‘flush-
deckers’ very obviously wearing out, Congress was persuaded to pur¬
chase new ships. As for submarines, the 1916 programme authorised 58
coastal craft and 9 ‘fleet boats,’ the latter perhaps equivalent in theory
to the large British ‘K’ class of World War I. In fact although the coastal
boats were built at once, the nine larger ships, designated the ‘V’ class,
were not; their design and construction stretched out over more than a
decade, and they bridged the gap between World War I technology and
the beginnings of the very successful World War II ‘fleet boats.’
Submarine construction in numbers did not begin until the 1930s,
somewhat later than the resumption of destroyer building.
One important element of US sea power did not appear in standard
tables of fleet strength: the large force of patrol aircraft, which, sea-
based, were expected to provide a mobile naval air force to supplement
the carrier aircraft operating with the battle fleet. Before World War II
it was assumed that air bases would be relatively difficult to build, so
that a naval force operating far from the United States would have to
employ aircraft capable of operating from sheltered waters in its vicin¬
ity. To this end the United States developed large flying boats, and a
large force of tenders to service them. Budgetary restrictions kept this
force small until the late 1930s, but it is well to keep in mind that from
the early 1920s onwards the Navy retained a permanent list of US-flag
merchant ships together with conversion plans - including plans for
seaplane tenders, as well as for aircraft carrier conversions of fast liners.
This planning experience was probably valuable when large numbers
of auxiliaries had to be converted during World War II.
From 1919 onwards, this fleet was directed primarily at Japan,
which the US Navy perceived as the next probable naval enemy. Prior
to World War I the main strength of the US Navy was in the Atlantic,
86
and from the Navy’s point of view the most probable war scenario was a
German attempt to seize bases in the New World, an eventuality
codenamed ‘Black’. Japan (‘Orange’) was the next most probable
enemy, with the war scenario an attempt to seize the Philippines, a US
possession since 1899. With the elimination of the ‘Black’ fleet in 1918,
there was some consideration given the possibility of war with Britain
(‘Red’) in consequence of trade rivalry, but far more attention went to
the problems of an ‘Orange’ war, in which the US fleet would have to
advance across the Pacific towards a decisive engagement in Japanese
home waters. After World War I the island chains of the Central Pacific
were mandated to Japan, and it had to be assumed that they would be
fortified; at the least, the Japanese would be able to base submarines
and aircraft in them, and so reduce the US fleet en route to its surface
battle. The only US possessions in the area were Guam and Wake; quite
early it became evident that any extended campaign in the Western
Pacific would require the seizure of temporary bases, and that an
elaborate fleet train of tenders of various types would be required if
they were to be utilised. Even logistics would be a serious problem, as
every gallon of fuel oil would have to be transported from the United
States over several thousand miles of potentially dangerous ocean.
With the signing of the Washington Treaty in 1922, the Japanese
were fixed in the strength of the their battle line relative to that of the
United States, but naval aircraft (not carriers) and submarines were not
limited, and clearly the mandated islands might be used as bases for
both, to even the odds prior to a decisive battle. Both Japanese and US
strategists recognised this possibility, and it was responsible for a US
emphasis on anti-aircraft and anti-submarine weapons within the battle
fleet, an emphasis somewhat unusual in the early 1930s. On the other
hand, US strategists tended to play down convoy operations, partly
because the very large fleet of ‘flush-deckers’ appeared to be sufficient
for any such requirements. Such dependence made the transfer of fifty
‘flush-deckers’ to the Royal Navy in 1940 particularly painful, even
though these ships were considered quite obsolete; by that time many
‘flush-deckers’ had been broken up under the terms of the London
Treaty of 1930.
As aircraft carriers developed, the outline of the ‘Orange’ war
changed, and more and more emphasis came to be placed on the events
prior to the ultimate battle fleet engagement. The US Navy came to see
in its large, fast carriers the cores of powerful raiding and sea control
forces, and it began to suspect that the Japanese would use their
powerful heavy cruisers in a similar raiding role, attacking the necessar¬
ily long sea lines of communication in the Pacific. Considerations of
raiding warfare, perhaps carried on even by the three Japanese battle¬
cruisers, led, in the 1930s, to the design of fast battleships (Iowa class)
and then of very large cruisers (Alaska class); with the destruction of
much of the battle fleet at Pearl Harbor it became clear that such
formations, suitably concentrated into task forces, could replace the
traditional battle fleet entirely.
One important element of the ‘Orange’ war was the requirement to
seize islands as forward bases for the fleet; from the early 1930s
onwards the US Marine Corps experimented with the technique of
amphibious assault, and during the late 1930s designs for specialised
assault ships were proposed. At least in theory, such assaults differed
very considerably from their later European counterparts, in that many
fewer troops had to be transported over infinitely greater distances.
Moreover, in a navy limited by treaty in its carrier fleet, air support was

a considerable problem; for a time it appeared that the best means for
such support would be Marine scout bombers on pontoons, brought to
the battle area by seaplane tenders.
There was little interest in Atlantic warfare or, indeed, in World
War I-style ASW until the late 1930s, when most destroyers were fitted
with depth charge racks and planning for a new fleet of patrol craft (110ft
sub-chasers and what would become the 173ft PC) began. As the
European situation worsened, naval planners began to concentrate on
the possibility of Axis penetration of Latin America, and the defence of
the Canal Zone. An Atlantic Squadron and then an Atlantic Fleet were
established, and the President announced a Neutrality Zone in the
Western Atlantic, to be patrolled by the newest destroyers. By 1940
close liaison with the Royal Navy had been established, to the point
where a visit that year to Britain by two senior US naval constructors,
Admiral Mills and Captain Cochrane (who would soon become Chief of
BuShips), had considerable impact on the emerging US naval pro¬
gramme. With the advent of Lend-Lease, warship designs adapted to
British requirements, such as the destroyer escort, were begun. Most of
these ships were taken over for US service after Pearl Harbor; that they
had been begun much earlier was extremely fortunate. British
requirements were responsible for the designs of the largest of the
specially-built amphibious craft, the LST and LSD, as well as for the
origin of the 180ft PCE/minesweeper and the Liberty Ship.
Meanwhile the Maritime Commission, established in 1936 to revital¬
ise the US merchant marine, was producing a variety of standardised
freighter and passenger ship designs, and was preparing for mass
production. Most of the naval auxiliaries which made the Pacific war
possible were converted from the products of these assembly lines;
some had quasi-combatant roles. Moreover, the mass production
facilities built up by the Maritime Commission produced specialised
naval vessels, particularly the Casablanca class escort carriers, the
Tacoma class frigates, and many LSTs.
The immense US naval expansion actually began in 1940, when it
appeared possible that Britain might be defeated and that the United
States would have to fight a two-ocean war quite alone. In the interest of
rapid production, designs already in production were for the most part
frozen, over some naval objections. These ships no longer conformed to
treaty restrictions, but they had been developed from designs produced
under treaty limits, and so did not fully realise the possibilities of the
post-treaty period; the Cleveland class light cruisers were particularly
unfortunate in this respect. Indeed, by the end of the war nearly all US
warships might best be characterised as badly overloaded, somewhat
topheavy, and severely cramped; but they proved effective, and the
assembly line methods (particularly extensive welding) employed in
their construction produced surprisingly few defective ships. Indeed,
many of these ‘short service’ craft, particularly the smaller ones, saw
long US and then foreign service; many still exist.
From a numerical point of view, the new navy of the 1940 expansion
did not appear in great numbers until 1943; until then, it was the treaty
navy which blocked Japanese expansion and began the counter¬
offensive in the Pacific, and which fought the opening phases of the US
end of the Battle of the Atlantic. A few light cruisers and even the first
Essex class fleet carrier were commissioned during 1942, but carrier
task force operations did not begin in earnest until mid-1943, and
tactics were not really well fixed until late that year. The immense new
fleet train was ready for the extended Fast Carrier Task Force opera¬
tions of 1944-45, which in a sense recalled the ‘Orange’ War Plan ideas
of the 1930s, in much altered form.
By this time the survivors of the prewar battle fleet had to be
relegated to a secondary role, if only because they had not nearly the
speed to keep up with the fast carriers; they saw employment mainly in
amphibious operations, although they did have the distinction of fight¬
ing the last capital ship action in history, at Surigao Strait in October
1944. If one adopts the ‘high-low’ characterisation of the spectrum of
warships, as advocated by Admiral Zumwalt, one might see the new
ships of the Fast Carrier Task Force.as the high end; by the end of the
war Task Force 58 might consist almost entirely of post-treaty ships.
The ‘low-end’ counterpart to this force was the amphibious Seventh
Fleet: old, slow battleships, some of them reconstructed quite com¬
pletely; escort carriers, some of them with air groups comparable to
those of the new fast light carriers, but not nearly the same speed (and
with a primary shore support function, rather than an anti-ship role);
Introduction
and even destroyer escorts rather than destroyers in many cases, as the
lower-speed amphibious formations did not require expensive fast
escorts. The ASW forces in the Atlantic were composed very largely of
these ‘low-end’ ships, whose main sophistication was in their ASW
weapons and sensors. For that they were admirably equipped and quite
effective. Such employment of escort carriers, by the way, differs
markedly from British policy during the same period; but the Royal
Navy had to use its older battleships for everything, and so could afford
slow carriers in the first line.
From a technical point of view, the emphasis in Pacific warfare was
an emphasis on very long steaming endurance, but rough-water sea¬
keeping was of secondary importance: US warships, for example, often
had far less freeboard than did their British contemporaries, and suf¬
fered accordingly in postwar North Atlantic exercises. Moreover,
design practice early in the war, which emphasised additions to AA
batteries and to A A ammunition stowed near those batteries, tended to
reduce freeboard yet more, so that ships designed to an appropriate
freeboard standard became quite wet as built. The big destroyers were
notorious in this regard, and in the Sumners and Gearings, the forward
gunhouses had to be reinforced against sea damage.
The drive to long endurance, on the other hand, led to an extremely
successful high-pressure boiler system, which had exactly the effect
desired. Moreover, US ships often had far greater bunker capacities
than did their foreign contemporaries, a point of great consequence in
high speed task force operations in enemy waters, where ‘topping off
was a potentially dangerous operation. The operations of the British
Eastern Fleet in 1945 off Japan make a great contrast to the operations
of the US Task Force 58, particularly in the frequency of fuellings
required.
The US Fleet prewar - Maryland class battleships off the California coast
THE DESIGN PROCESS
For the period 1922-46, US warships were designed to meet staff
requirements (Characteristics) formulated by a senior naval board (the
General Board); clauses of these documents are often cited in the
paragraphs describing individual classes below. The General Board
constantly asked how new ships would fit the ‘Orange’ War Plan, and
indeed their fitness was often tested by the wargames of the Naval War
College. Characteristics were developed after Hearings attended by,
among others, representatives of the War College, the office of the
Chief of Naval Operations, the War Plans Division, the Fleet Training
Division, and the technical Bureaux which designed the ships and their
equipment: Aeronautics, Construction and Repair (amalgamated with
Engineering in 1940 to form the Bureau of Ships), Engineering, and
Ordnance. These last organisations were totally independent, respons¬
ible only to the civilian Secretary of the Navy; their lack of co¬
ordination occasionally produced unfortunate results, such as the
extreme overweight of new destroyers in 1939-41. In theory the Gen¬
eral Board submitted its Characteristics for approval by the civilian
Secretary, and the Bureau of Construction and Repair (later Ships)
designed ships to suit. In fact, however, others sometimes intervened.
87
 -
UNITED STATES
President Franklin D Roosevelt in particular took a very personal
approach to his navy, and his influence is legendary. He was certainly
responsible for the light carriers and also the escort carriers; he is often
credited with the Alaskas, but that is very difficult to prove. He was
responsible for the construction of the 110ft sub-chasers, perhaps
largely because of his experience with similar craft in 1917-18 as
Assistant Secretary of the Navy. During the war the President often
intervened in naval construction programmes on the basis of personal
approaches made to him; for example, such an approach appears to
have been responsible for the Tacoma class frigate programme as well as
for the Casablancas. It is also possible that the President’s relations
with individual chiefs of Naval Operations enabled them to circumvent
the findings of the General Board; such may have been the case in the
1936 decision in favour of a slower, more heavily armed battleship
rather than the fast type favoured by the Board. Certainly the Presi¬
dent’s support of Admiral King as CNO made it easier for him to move
the Characteristics function over to his own organisation (in the form of
the Ship Characteristics Board, or SCB) at the end of the war.
Unlike the Royal Navy, the US Navy generally did not permit
civilian builders to produce designs for its ships. There were excep¬
tions, particularly for detail work, at times of heavy pressure on the
Navy designers, such as during the expansion of the 1930s and during
World War II. In addition, Gibbs & Cox did much of the machinery
design for many US destroyers of the late 1930s. The role of the civil
firms expanded during wartime. For example, Gibbs & Cox was
responsible for the redesign of the Atlanta class (Juneau), and George C
Sharp designed the Casablanca class. The Electric Boat Company had
designed many US submarines before World War I, but the Navy had
then decided in favour of in-house design, and Electric Boat unsuccess¬
fully proposed several alternative submarine designs during the 1930s;
only the small Mackerel was built to its plans. Perhaps the most interest¬
ing exception to the general rule against civilian designs was the con¬
struction of torpedo boats (PTs) to a variety of competing private
designs.
BUILDING PROGRAMMES
In US practice, Congress authorises ships and then may or may not
appropriate the funds to build them. Moreover, ships are referred to by
the fiscal year in which they are authorised; for example, fiscal year
(FY) 1935 (or 35) was the year between 1 July 1934 and 30 June 1935.
Typically the planning for a programme would begin two years before,
since the Naval Bill would have to be presented in the autumn before
the end of the Fiscal Year, ie about the end of the previous calendar
year. For most of the history of the Navy, Congress has funded new
construction on a year-to-year basis; the Navy has tried to gain approval
of multi-year programmes, and has generally tried to plan in terms of
such programmes, whatever it has actually received. Of course, the
authorisation of a large building programme has never ensured the
realisation of that programme; the period between the wars is a good
illustration of this truth.
The true beginning of this period is the 1916 expansion programme,
authorising a large new fleet (part of which remained uncontracted for
in 1921): nine large submarines (‘V-boats’) and twelve destroyers
(DD348-359). The submarines were gradually built, but in view of the
large number of existing destroyers Congress was unwilling to build
more. Attention was directed, rather, to the modernisation of the
existing coal-burning battleships, which were in poor condition (Act of
18 December 1924) and to the conversion of the Lexington and
Saratoga. There was also the problem of the cruiser deficiency: the Act
of 18 December 1924 also instructed the President to lay down eight
cruisers prior to 1 July 1927, ie in FY25-27. These became the Pen¬
sacola and Northampton classes. Their construction still left the US fleet
grossly deficient in modern cruiser strength, but interest in a second
Cruiser Bill waned during preparations for a new disarmament confer¬
ence, at Geneva, in 1927. With the failure of the conference, a new bill
was introduced, and it became law in February, 1929: it called for the
construction of fifteen cruisers, five each in FY29, 30 and 31, as well as
a carrier for the FY30 programme. Meanwhile all but the five latest
oil-burning battleships were rebuilt, under the FY28, 29 and 30 pro¬
grammes.
The new cruiser programme fell foul of the London Treaty of 1930,
which limited the United States to eighteen heavy cruisers (one of
88
which could not be laid down until after 1 January 1935), and of the
Great Depression, which dried up government funds. In fact eight of
the fifteen cruisers were ordered as planned, which left two more under
the London limit; for a time one of the eight was planned as a flight-
deck cruiser, but that was dropped when Naval War College analysis
suggested that the semi-cruiser scheme would be ineffective. By late in
FY30 matters were sufficiently bleak that new construction program¬
mes began to dry up; money was spent to lay down eight of the twelve
destroyers authorised in World War I but nothing more.
President Roosevelt entered office in 1933, convinced that a large
Navy was vital, and that national recovery required large public works
- which could include a naval programme. In fact the regular FY34
programme included only four 1850-ton destroyers and one more
heavy cruiser (CA44), but under the National Industrial Recovery Act
the President ordered four large light cruisers (CL40-43), two carriers
(’Yorktown and Enterprise), 20 destroyers (DD360-379), four sub¬
marines (SS172—175), and two gunboats (Erie and Charleston).
The next year Congress passed a revolutionary act, the Vinson-
Trammell Act, which provided a ‘blanket’ authorisation of sufficient
new construction to maintain an under-age Navy up to treaty limits, ie
up to total tonnage limits in carriers, battleships, cruisers, destroyers,
and submarines. No longer would Congress authorise individual ships
on a year-by-year basis. The new total tonnage limits did sometimes
have peculiar consequences; for example, at first there was only 20,400
tons available for CV9, which became the Essex - and additional carrier
tonnage was required as she grew to 26,500 and then 27,500 tons on the
drawing board. The Vinson-Trammell Act was intended to authorise
an eight-year programme of 102 ships, but in fact it justified far more,
as the tonnage limits were extended by later legislation. The actual
FY35 programme was rather less ambitious: four cruisers (the last of
the eighteen 8in ships, CA45, and CL46-48), as well as fourteen
destroyers (DD380-393) and six submarines (SS 176-181). An addi¬
tional carrier (CV7) was built the following year using FY35 funds. By
the end of the next (FY36) programme (CL49 and 50, DD394—408 and
SS 182-187) all allowable cruiser tonnage had been consumed, and the
Navy was on the brink of a new battleship programme, as the long
‘building holiday’ ended.
The 1936 London Treaty removed total tonnage limits, but the 1934
Act was not amended to reflect new ones. However, with the worsening
world situation, the President asked, in January 1938, for a 20 per cent
increase in tonnage limits, which became the basis for a Second Vinson
Act that May. The increases, to be spread over ten years, would amount
to 3 battleships, 2 carriers, 9 light cruisers, 23 destroyers, and 9
submarines - puny figures compared to the expansion soon to occur.
In fact the FY37 programme was rather small, in view of the mass of
new construction filling the yards: it consisted only of destroyers, no
longer limited to 1500 tons (DD409-420) and submarines
(SS 188—193). FY38 included the first two new battleships (BB55 and
56), additional destroyers (DD421-428) and submarines (SS57 and
58), two light cruisers (CL51 and 52), eight destroyers (DD429-436),
and six submarines (SS 198-203), as well as a prototype fleet mine¬
sweeper (AM55). However, in answer to the President’s call for
emergency addidons, a Deficiency Bill added two more 35,000-ton
battleships (BB59 and 60), two more light cruisers (CL53 and 54),
another minesweeper, a large seaplane tender (AV4), two small ones
(AVP10 and 11), and a cruiser minelayer (CM5, Terror). A carrier,
which became Hornet (CV8), was to be laid down the next fiscal year
with FY39 funds. This programme showed two peculiarities. First, in
order to speed producdon, CV8 was built to the design begun in 1932
for CV5 and 6. Second, although the design of a 45,000-ton battleship
was already well under way, Congress specified its two additional ships
as 35,000-tonners, and the Navy was glad to build repeat South
Dakotas,.
By this time it was apparent that war was approaching, and that
speed in construction would be very important; the Secretary of the
Navy began to require that new ships duplicate existing prototypes
wherever possible. For FY40 the destroyers (DD437-444) duplicated
the earlier DD423 type, and the submarines (SS204-211) also dupli¬
cated the earlier class. This programme also included two battleships
(BB61 and 62) and two light cruisers (CL55 and 56).
In October 1939 the General Board called for a one-third increase in
authorised tonnage (by 684,000 tons); however, this Act was not law

until 14 June 1940, and then called only for an increase of 167,000 tons.
Then France fell, and on 19 July a second Act (the ‘Two-Ocean Navy
Bill) became law: it provided for a 70 per cent increase in total
combatant tonnage: 200,000 tons of new carriers (79,500 for the earlier
Act), 420,000 of cruisers (68,500), 250,000 of destroyers (none), 70,000
of submarines (21,000) - and 3 85,000 of battleships (none). There were
to be two further increases in wartime: a total of 150,000 tons in
December 1941, and 1.9m tons (versus 1.4m for the Second Vinson
Act) in July, 1942 (500,000 tons each of carriers and cruisers, 900,000
of destroyers and escorts). These Acts more than covered the immense
1941 and war programmes.
The proposed FY41 programme amounted only to two battleships
(BB63 and 64), a carrier of new design (CV9), two cruisers (CL57 and
58), and the usual small groups of destroyers and submarines
(DD445-452 - a new design - and SS212—219). However, in May the
Secretary of the Navy announced a further programme: BB65 and 66,
CV10—15, CA68—71, CL59—67, DD453—464 (repeat Bensons),
DD465-482, (Fletchers, including six with catapults), DD483 to 497
(repeat Bensons), and 28 submarines. This was already a massive
programme, but on 26 July 1940 the President approved still more: five
Montanas, the six Alaskas, CA72-75, CV16-19, CL76-100,
DD498-648 and SS248-284. This was, by and large, the fleet which
fought the Pacific War. For FY42, which began in mid-1941, little
more was sought: ultimately only two carriers (CV20 and 21), two
cruisers CL 101 and 102, replacing two cancelled for production
reasons, 60 destroyers (DD649-708) and 23 more submarines
(SS285-307) were ordered late in 1941 before construction program¬
mes were reorganised for the war effort in mid-1942. By this time there
was little urgency in new construction, as the building yards were well
occupied, with Lend-Lease as well as US orders. For example, the first
destroyer escorts were already under construction.
The war programmes were drawn up partly on the basis of yard
capacity rather than specific requirements. In some cases very large
numbers of ships were ordered from several yards simultaneously in
the hope that rather smaller numbers might become available in time;
for example, at one point 1005 destroyer escorts were on order in the
hope that 260 might become available during 1943. Similar considera¬
tions determined part of the landing craft programme, and there were
constant conflicts between different programmes, particularly those
involving diesel engines. In any case, in August 1942 the President
approved a 690-ship, two-year programme: 10 Essexs (CV31-40), 4
larger carriers (CVB41^14, one of which was later disallowed), 17
heavy and 16 light cruisers, three Sin cruisers (CL 119-121), 100 des¬
troyers (DD709-808), 420 of the new destroyer escorts, and 120 sub¬
marines. In October, 80 destroyer escorts were added, some of this
effort being obtained at the expense of the five Montanas and CB3-6;
later 24 escort carriers per year were added, and still later 50 Casablan-
The US Fleet at the end of the war - an Independence and an Essex class carrier
ahead of a line of battleships
Introduction
cas. More escorts were added almost continuously in the effort to get
some of them in time to reduce the German submarine fleet; and the
landing craft programme created more problems. In effect this pro¬
gramme covered FY43 and 44.
On 27 May 1943 the President approved another, 413-ship pro¬
gramme: one CB was reinstated, and there were to be 3 fleet carriers
(CV45-47), 4 heavy and 7 light cruisers (numbers 139-149), 82 des¬
troyers (DD809-890), 110 submarines, and 205 destroyer escorts -
which were almost immediately cancelled. Continuing programmes for
light carriers (2 per year, CVL48 and 49) and escort carriers (8 per year)
were also established. This was the last major programme to be
approved in its entirety. An 84-ship programme was submitted early in
1945, calling for two more CVBs, six fleet carriers, 12 escort carriers, 4
heavy and 6 light cruisers, 36 destroyers and 18 submarines. These
ships are often quoted as cancelled on 22 March 1945; that is the day the
President disapproved all but the escort carriers.
Of the ships ordered under the two war programmes, the only ones
cancelled in numbers were the cruisers still building at the end of the
war, many destroyer escorts, and many submarines (1944): by 1944 it
had become evident that those already in service were proving quite
sufficient for the task at hand, and that Japanese ASW forces were far
less efficient than had been expected.
BATTLESHIP RECONSTRUCTIONS
The United States emerged from the Washington Treaty with a combi¬
nation of what it considered relatively obsolete coal-burning battleships
and twelve oil-burners incorporating the most modern ‘all or nothing’
protection against plunging shellfire. However, only the five most
recent ships also incorporated a modern underwater protective system,
and only these ships had guns which might elevate beyond the former
standard of 15°. The treaty permitted the reconstruction of existing
battleships to provide them with enhanced defence against air attack (ie
with more deck armour - which would also improve their resistance to
plunging shellfire) and against underwater attack; however, no major
modification to gun mountings was permitted. The US Navy immedi¬
ately planned major refits of all but the last five battleships, to
incorporate modern underwater protection by replacing existing prop¬
ulsion with the turbo-electric system introduced in the Tennessee s. In
fact this ambitious programme was not proceeded with, but large scale
work was done on the old coal-burners after a series of engineering
casualties in the 1923-24 Winter Manoeuvres highlighted their prob¬
lems. Plans were also made to increase gun elevation (ostensibly to
match modifications made by Britain and France) but these were
cancelled after Britain protested, and in fact such plans were revived
only in 1941 (when they were cancelled again, this time in view of the
urgency of other projects). The reconstructions of the first seven
oil-burners, which followed, were more complete and did include
higher gun elevations; but the entire reconstruction programme was
halted by the Depression and so did not include the five latest dread¬
noughts. Plans for their reconstruction, and for extensive refits of the
Nevadas andPennsylvanias, were underway in 1941 but were cancelled
by the outbreak of war; the reconstructions actually carried out in
wartime were extemporised and bore no great resemblance to prewar
plans.
Throughout the prewar period, a distinction was drawn between the
former coal-burners and the later ships; the oldest ships were generally
assigned to the Scouting Fleet (later as a training squadron), the new to
the Battle Force, with New York and Texas first assigned to the Battle
Force and then relegated to training duty after the Scouting Fleet was
modernised and amalgamated with the Battle Fleet in the 1930s. In fact
the oldest ships were saved from scrapping only by the outbreak of war
in 1941. At that time a new distinction was being drawn, between the
old 2 lkt battle line and the new fast battleships suitable for carrier
operations. Unlike Britain, the United States soon possessed enough
fast battleships to be able to avoid any tactical combination between fast
and slow battleships; the latter were generally assigned to shore bom¬
bardment duty, although they did fight the last battleship engagement
of history, at Surigao Strait.
There was some considerable debate during 1942-43 as to the value
of the extensive reconstructions proposed for the 2 lkt battleships sunk
or damaged at Pearl Harbor; ultimately rather austere conversions were
carried out on Nevada and Pennsylvania, but much more work was
89
UNITED STATES

done on California, West Virginia and Tennessee, which emerged as
quite modern in all but their speed. The other two turbo-electric
battleships, Maryland and Colorado, were little altered, except that the
former, badly damaged by a Kamikaze, was partially rebuilt in 1945.
Similarly, Idaho received a new secondary battery in 1944-45.
WAR MODIFICATIONS
Perhaps the greatest US naval deficiency prior to the outbreak of war
was the absence of light anti-aircraft weapons: US warships, particu¬
larly destroyers, were unusually well equipped with 5in dual-purpose
guns (by world standards), but the 1. lin machine gun, the US counter¬
part to the British 2pdr, had proven difficult to produce, and few were
in service. In 1940 a special Board under then Rear Admiral (later
CNO) E J King recommended emergency measures. All large ships
would be fitted with four quadruple l.lin guns, with single locally-
controlled 3in/50 weapons as an interim battery; many ships, including
some of the battleships at Pearl Harbor, still mounted these weapons at
the outbreak of war. The l.lin and its companion the0.50cal machine
gun were already considered obsolete, and by the end of 1940 the US
Navy had fixed upon the twin 40mm Bofors gun as a replacement for
the former, and the 20mm Oerlikon to replace the latter weapon. At
first the improvement to destroyer AA batteries was to be limited to
machine guns, but by early 1941 US assessments of British experience
in Norway had suggested that a pair of twin Bofors would be a wise
replacement for one of five 5in guns. In fact production of the 40mm
was relatively slow, some destroyers not receiving their final A A bat¬
teries until 1944, although all larger ships had been re-armed by
mid-1943.
Although the twin Bofors was about the weight of the quadruple
l.lin it replaced, most ships ultimately received quadruple Bofors
instead. One of the remarkable developments of the war was the
proliferation of such weapons far beyond the limits declared by the
naval constructors - on the basis of such considerations as the blast of
larger weapons, ammunition supply, and avoidance of sea damage. For
example, in battleships, turret-top Bofors guns, considered wholly
impractical before the war, were common by 1945. Indeed, the prolif¬
eration of light AA weapons, often governed only by available deck
space, was a major factor in the overweight and topheaviness of virtu¬
ally all US warships by the end of the war.
The general effect of these and other modifications was a vast
increase in complements (which led both to crowding and to greater
loads of stores) and in displacement; the latter was due not only to
additions of battery and other equipment, but also to the fact that US
designs typically provided for far more magazine volume than was
required to stow the prewar ‘standard’ allowance. All this volume was
put to use in wartime, with consequent great increase in ammunition
weight. By 1945 many ships were in a critical stability condition, and
many cruisers had one catapult removed to reduce topweight. Immedi¬
ately after the war AA batteries were reduced (not least to save expen¬
sive manpower) and in many cases one or two rangefinders from low
turrets were removed.
Concomitants of the growth of AA firepower were the requirements
for good overhead vision for the captain; for good splinter protection
both for the bridge and for AA weapons on deck; and for AA fire
control, often in the form of small local directors such as the Mk 51.
The new guns also required clear arcs of fire, and consequently bridge
wings were cut back in most ships. Open bridges were built on top of
the former superstructures, particularly in cruisers; however, the same
influence can be seen in the bridges of the later Fletchers, and of the
Sumners, and Gearings. In virtually all cases the extensive glassed-in
bridge areas of prewar ships were plated over, and scuttles were sealed.
In many cruisers internal aviation fuel lines (from tank to fuelling point
near a catapult) were removed from the hull and relocated outboard, to
reduce the fire hazard.
Wartime developments in ASW were perhaps less visible. Des¬
troyers, which before the war had been fitted only with a pair of depth
charge tracks aft, received first Y-guns and then K-guns; the latter
were side projectors. The US Navy followed the Royal Navy in adopt¬
ing the Hedgehog depth charge mortar, but did not fit it in modern
destroyers, preferring to reserve it for specialised escorts from ‘flush-
deckers’ down through PCEs and fleet minesweepers. Smaller craft
were fitted with an equivalent rocket projector, Mousetrap, which had
the virtue of eliminating the heavy recoil of the mortar.
The great wartime technical development was radar, which sprouted
throughout the fleet as early as 1940, and which substantially altered
the appearance of all classes of US warships. Less visible modifications
associated with its advent were the construction of radar (equipment)
rooms and, perhaps far more importantly, of Combat Information
Centres (CICs) in which information from radars and from other
sources could be correlated to give the fullest possible picture of a
developing situation. CICs also functioned as fighter control centres,
and the radar outfits of some large ships - later of radar picket des¬
troyers and escorts as well - were designed as much to facilitate fighter
control as shipboard gunnery.

THE US NAVY IN 1922

BATTLESHIPS
No Name Launched Disp Fate No Name Launched Disp Fate
(normal*) (normal*)
Florida class New Mexico class
BB30 FLORIDA 12.5.1910 21,825t BU 1931 BB40 NEW MEXICO 23.4.1917 32,000t BU 1948
BB31 UTAH 23.12.1909 21,825t Target 1931, BB41 MISSISSIPPI 25.1.1917 32,000t Test ship 1948,
lost 1941 BU 1956
Wyoming class BB42 IDAHO 30.6.1917 32,000t BU 1948
BB32 WYOMING 25.5.1911 26,000t TS 1931, BU 1948 California class
BB33 ARKANSAS 14.1.1911 26,000t Expended 1946 BB43 TENNESSEE 30.4.1919 32,300t BU 1959
BB44 CALIFORNIA 20.11.1919 32,300t BU 1960
Texas class Maryland class
BB34 NEW YORK 30.10.1912 27,000t Expended 1948 BB45 COLORADO 22.3.1921 32,600t BU 1959
BB35 TEXAS 18.5.1912 27,000t Memorial 1948 BB46 MARYLAND 20.3.1920 32,600t BU 1959
BB47 WASHINGTON 1.9.1921 32,600t Expended 1924
Nevada class
BB48 WEST VIRGINIA 19.11.1921 32,600t BU 1961
BB36 NEVADA 11.7.1914 27,500t Expended 1948
* ‘Normal’ displacement includes two-thirds fuel plus all ammunition.
BB37 OKLAHOMA 23.3.1914 27,500t Sunk 7.12.41
This list does not include the pre-dreadnoughts, sold off under the Washington
Pennsylvania class
Treaty of 1921, nor the transitional South Carolina and Michigan (16,000t,
BB38 PENNSYLVANIA 16.3.1915 31,400t Expended 1948
8-12in) and Delaware and North Dakota (20,000t, 10—12in); the latter pair were
BB39 ARIZONA 19.6.1915 31,400t Sunk 7.12.41
retained in service until the completion of the Colorado and West Virginia, then
discarded in 1924. North Dakota became a target and was scrapped in 1931.

90

Wyoming at Norfolk N Yd, 6.6.1942
USN
New York at Norfolk N Yd, 1.2.1942 USN
Florida, Wyoming and Texas classes
These six ships were built to a single basic design; in fact the 12in Arkansas and
the 14in New York were parallel design projects. All were reconstructed in the
mid-1920s, the objections being primarily better protection (deck and under¬
water); in addition all were to be converted to burn oil fuel. Data became:
Displacement: CFlorida) 21,986t standard, 27,726t full load; (Arkansas)
26,066t standard, 30,610t full load; {Texas) 27,000t standard,
31,924t full load
Dimensions: (BB30-31) 510ft wl, 521ft 6in oa x 106ft x 31ft 8in {155.44,
158.95 x 32.30 x 9.65m); (BB32-33) 554ft wl, 562ft oa x
106ft x 29ft 1 lfin full load {168.86, 171.29 x32.30 x 9.73m);
(BB34-35) 565ft wl, 573ft oa x 106ft x 30ft 2in full load
(772.27, 174.65 x 32.30 X 9.79m)
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons turbines (BB34-35 2-shaft VTE), 4 (BB34—35
6) boilers, 28,000shp (BB34-35 28,100ihp) = 21kts
Armour: Deck armour and anti-torpedo protection were the only addi¬
tions. In all, 3.5in was added to the second deck between the
end barbettes with local strengthening, plus 1.75in on the
third deck fore and aft and atop the conning tower and turret
roofs. 1.25in was added over boilers (except in BB34, 35) and
0.75in over engines (except BB30, 31)
Armament: (BB30, 31) 10-12in/45, 12-5in/51, 8-3in/50 AA; (BB32, 33)
12—12in/50, 16-5in/51, 8-3in/50 AA; (BB34, 35) 10-14in/50
(5x2), 16—5in/51, 8-3in/50 AA
Complement: (BB30, 31) 1171; (BB32, 33) 1242; (BB34, 35) 1290
The original design called for a thin watertight ‘splinter deck’ at about the
waterline, separating the main belt from an upper belt; upon reconstruction a
3.5in deck was added to cover the upper belt, as in the later oil-burning
batdeships, and 1.75in was added to the third deck fore and aft of the main belt,
in areas where there was already some considerable protection (eg 1.5in already
forward in the two Floridas). Turret and conning tower roofs, already doubled
up during or just after World War I, were reinforced with an additional layer of
1.75in STS. The 3.Sin deck armour consisted of two layers, only one of which
was STS; however, Utah had two layers of STS, the upper layer reduced to
1.25in; in all cases this deck was increased by another layer of 1.25in STS over
the boilers. Moreover, in the later four ships the original upper deck had already
been thickened by lin STS over magazines, so that there the total thickness was
3.5in.
All six ships were reboilered with oil-fired boilers taken from the scrapped
batdeships and batdecruisers originally ordered under the 1916 Programme;
New York and Texas had six boilers, the others four. One important factor in this
reboilering was that it reduced the volume of the boiler rooms so that the
effective depth of torpedo protection added by the bulges was considerably
increased.
An essential objective of modernisation was the provision of aircraft, using a
catapult on a midships turret; this required the elimination of the mainmast.
However, the Forces Afloat demanded two fire control positions, one of which
was mounted on a dwarf tripod aft in the Arkansas and New York classes; the
Utahs had to make do with only the foremast position. Only in the latter pair
were new fire controls fitted, together with new tripod foremasts: the weight of
the new system required a new mast in any case.
The US Navy in 1922
Advantage was taken of modernisation to re-site the hull secondary batteries,
which had been quite wet. However, the new bulges did not improve sea-going
performance, and the ships remained wet; they also tended to be quite stiff.
Moreover, Texas and New York apparently performed poorly at sea due to their
reciprocating engines; they showed particularly severe torsional vibrations, bad
enough to threaten to crack their propeller shafts, at the standard fleet cruising
speed of about 12-14kts.
Florida was discarded under the 1930 London Treaty and Utah was converted
into a target ship; Wyoming was converted into a training ship, her side armour
and some of her guns being removed. Late in the 1930s Utah was used to test the
new US anti-aircraft guns and fire control systems; she was sunk while serving in
this capacity at Pearl Harbor. Projects to convert Wyoming first into an
expeditionary force support ship and then back into a battleship failed, and she
spent the war as a combination training ship and A A experimental unit.
The three remaining units were little modernised during World War II;
Arkansas was given a new tripod foremast and new bridgework in 1942, and all
three received additional A A weapons. In 1945 they retained their 6—5in/51 and
10—3in/50; Arkansas had 9 quadruple 40mm, her half-sisters 10; she had 28
single 20mm, whilst they had 44 and 1 twin 20mm gun as well.
Nevada at Norfolk N Yd, 8.11.1944
Nevada, Pennsylvania and New Mexico classes
The seven battleships of the Nevada, Pennsylvania and New Mexico classes were
deficient, at the end of World War I, only in underwater protection and in the
maximum elevation of their heavy guns; their reconstruction was carried out
under the FY28, FY30, and FY31 programmes respectively. Data became:
Displacement: {Oklahoma) 29,067t standard; 31,706t full load; {Pennsyl¬
vania) 33,384t standard; 35,929t full load; {New Mexico)
33,420t standard, 36,157t full load
Dimensions: (BB36, 37) 575ft wl, 583ft oa x 108ft x 29ft 8in full load
{175.26, 177.70 x 32.91 x 9.04m)-, (BB38, 39) 600ft wl, 608ft
oa x 106ft 3in x 30ft 3in full load {182.88,185.32 x 32.38 x
9.19m); (BB40-42) 600ft wl, 624ft oa x 106ft 3in X 31ft full
load {182.88, 190.19 x 32.38 x 9.44m)
Machinery: (BB36, 37) 2-shaft Parsons turbines {Oklahoma VTE), 6
Bureau Express boilers, 25,000ihp = 20.5kts; (BB38, 39)
4-shaft Curtis turbines, 6 Bureau Express boilers, 33,375shp
= 2lkts; (BB40-42) 4-shaft Westinghouse turbines, 6 (BB40
4) Bureau Express boilers, 40,000shp = 22kts
Armour: Armour was added on the second (protective) deck: 1,75in in
BB38 and 39, 2in in the others, as well as underwater protec¬
tion in all
Armament: 12—14in/50 (4x3) (BB36, 37 10-14in/45; BB38, 39 45 cal),
12—5in/51, 8—5in/25 AA
Complement: (BB36) 1374; (BB39) 1052; (BB41) 1443
In each case work included an increase of gun elevation to 30°; apparently
Britain and France no longer opposed such improvements. The usual new sets
of boilers were fitted to increase the depth of underwater protection to be
provided by bulges. New machinery was also fitted in several cases: Nevada
received the geared turbines originally fitted experimentally to the scrapped
North Dakota, and machinery originally ordered for the scrapped battleship
Washington was split between Arizona and Pennsylvania. The three New Mexicos
received entirely new geared turbines. Armour was added to the heavy deck, 2in
in the Nevadas and New Mexicos, 1.75in in the Pennsylvanias. These figures do
not of course indicate the extent to which the new multi-layered decks were not
the equal of single thicknesses; the figures quoted do not give equivalent thick¬
nesses. In the four older ships the former rather wet hull secondaries were
replaced by a deckhouse arrangement similar to that built into the New Mexicos,
with 8-5in/25 AA and 2—5in/51 SP guns in open mounts above the deckhouse.
As the Pennsylvanias and New Mexicos had originally been very similar, this
reconstruction made them a nearly homogeneous class. The principal difference
was in appearance: the Nevadas and Pennsylvanias were fitted with tripod
masts, but those originally planned for the later ships were replaced with tower
bridges, justified primarily on the basis of resistance to blast and to shellfire.
Both Arizona and Oklahoma were sunk at Pearl Harbor; Nevada was badly
damaged and Pennsylvania, the long-time flagship of the US fleet, much less so.
In fact she operated for some considerable time during 1942, before being
refitted at Mare Island. Both of these reconstructions involved the replacement
of the former mixed secondary battery by 16—5in/38 in twin gunhouses, the
addition of large numbers of light AA guns, the elimination of the tripod
mainmast in favour of a squat tower, and the removal of the conning tower to
save weight. The former two-tiered fire control position on the tripod was cut to
91
one by the elimination of the secondary control position (and the installation of quadruple 40mm, as well as 39 single, 8 twin, and 1 quadruple 20mm. Her sister
two Mk 37 directors for the 5in guns). Maryland, damaged by a Kamikaze, was refitted in 1945 with 8 twin 5in/38 in
The three New Mexicos were little altered, except in detail. Idaho ended the standard gunhouses, as well as 11 quadruple 40mm, 20 twin and 1 quadruple
war with a new secondary battery of 10-5in/38 in enclosed single mounts, fitted 20mm.
after battle damage; in 1945 she also had 10 quadruple 40mm and 43 Oerlikons. Tennessee and West Virginia both had 10 quadruple 40mm; California had 14.
Mississippi was refitted at her captain’s insistence at Pearl Harbor following Tennessee had 43 single 20mm, California 40 twin; West Virginia, 58 single, 1
Kamikaze damage; at the end of the war she had no 5in/51, but 16—5in/25, 13 twin, and 1 quadruple 20mm.
quadruple 40mm, and 40-20mm. New Mexico was far less extensively altered,
Tennessee in May 1943 USN
and in 1945 had 6—5in/51, 8-5in/25, 10 quadruple 40mm, and 46 Oerlikons.
Of the two earlier ships, Nevada ended the war with 10 quadruple 40mm guns
and 5 single and 20 twin 20mm, the fruits of a programme of AA improvement
through the replacement of single by twin mounts. Pennsylvania also had 10
quadruple 40mm, but she had 27 single and 22 twin 20mm.

California and Maryland classes

California, Tennessee and West Virginia were among the most modern of the
prewar fleet; with the Colorado and Maryland they formed the ‘Big Five’,
homogeneous except for their main batteries. Prewar modernisation plans were
deferred first because of the Depression and then because the ships were too
urgently needed; however, it was planned to fit them with bulges to restore
buoyancy and so to lift their belts out of the water, given the extra weight they
had accumulated since completion. This work was actually carried out on
Colorado and Maryland', the former was under refit at the time of Pearl Harbor.
Even with the bulges, armoured freeboard was considered 2j-3ft below the
optimum for gun engagements; the much wider bulges fitted to the three ships
rebuilt in wartime were a more radical attempt to restore this freeboard. As
reconstructed, California, Tennessee and West Virginia had the following charac¬
teristics:
Displacement: ('Tennessee) 34,858t standard; 40,345t full load
Dimensions: 600ft wl, 624ft oa x 114ft x 33ft lin full load
182.88, 190.20 x 34.75 x 10.08m
Machinery: 4-shaft turbines, 8 Bureau Express boilers, 29,500shp =
20.5kts. Oil 4700t, range 12,100nm at 15kts
Maryland prewar
Armour: 3in added to second (protective) deck over magazines, 2in
elsewhere, conning tower replaced by 5in structure from
Brooklyn class cruisers
Armament: 12—14in/50 (West Virginia 8-16in/45), 16-5in/38 (8x2),
40-40mm (10x4), 43-20mm (as fitted to Tennessee 1943)
Complement: 2375
Tennessee was slightly damaged at Pearl Harbor and operated for some time in
nearly her original configuration, but both California and West Virginia clearly
required major reconstruction. Tennessee actually served as the prototype; the
scheme was based on that adopted for Nevada but included the provision of new
main battery directors (Mk 34 diverted from light cruisers being converted to
light carriers) on modern-style tower masts. In addition, the heavy conning
towers removed were replaced by light ones taken from Brooklyn class cruisers.
The principal addition of armour was 3in of STS over the magazines and 2in
elsewhere; the turret tops were also reinforced.
At the end of the war these five ships varied greatly in their light batteries.
Only Colorado retained her prewar 5in/5Is (8) and 5in/25s; she also had 8

-DC^L-

West Virginia 1945

California 1939

92
 The US Navy in 1922
AIRCRAFT CARRIER
DESTROYERS
No Name Launched Disp Fate No Name Fate*
(normal)
Paulding class: launched 1909-12, 742t
CV1 LANGLEY 1922* 12,700t Seaplane tender DD22 PAULDING CG17 1924, BU 1934
* ~ , 1937, lost 1942 DD23 DRAYTON BU 1935
Date of completion as carrier; originally built as fleet collier. DD24 ROE CG18 1924, BU 1935
DD25 TERRY CG19 1924, BU 1935
DD26 PERKINS BU 1935
ARMOURED CRUISERS DD27 STERETT BU 1935
DD28 McCALL CG14 1924, BU 1935
No Name Launched Disp Fate DD29 BURROWS CG10 1924, BU 1935
(normal) DD30 WARRINGTON BU 1935
DD31 MAYRANT BU 1935
CA2 ROCHESTER 2.12.1891 8200t Stricken 1938, DD32 MONAGHAN CG15 1924, BU 1935
(ex-Saratoga, sunk as DD33 TRIPPE CG20 1924, BU 1935
ex-New York) blockship 1941 DD34 WALKE BU 1935
CA4 PITTSBURGH 22.8.1903 13,680t BU 1932 DD35 AMMEN CG8 1924, BU 1935
(iex-Pennsylvania)
DD36 PATTERSON CG16 1924, BU 1935
CA5 HUNTINGTON 18.4.1903 13,680t BU 1930 DD37 FANNING CG11 1924, BU 1935
(ex-West Virginia)
DD38 JARVIS BU 1935
CA7 PUEBLO 25.4.1903 13,680t BU 1931 DD39 HENLEY CG12 1924, BU 1935
(ex-Colorado)
DD40 BEALE CG9 1924, BU 1935
CA8 FREDERICK 12.9.1903 13,680t BU 1930 DD41 JOUETT CG13 1924, BU 1935
(ex-Maryland)
DD42 JENKINS BU 1935
CA9 HURON (ex- 21.7.1904 13,680t BU 1930
South Dakota)
CA11 SEATTLE (ex- 18.3.1905 14,500t BU 1946 Cassin class: launched 1912-15, 1036t
Washington) DD43 CASSIN CGI 1924, BU 1934
CA12 CHARLOTTE (ex-- 6.10.1906 14,500t BU 1930 DD44 CUMMINGS CG3 1924, BU 1934
North Carolina) DD45 DOWNES CG4 1924, BU 1934
CA13 MISSOULA 5.12.1906 14,500t BU 1930 DD46 DUNCAN BU 1935
(ex-Montana) DD47 AYLWIN BU 1935
St Louis Class DD48 PARKER BU 1935
CA18 ST LOUIS 6.5.1905 9700t BU 1930 DD49 BENHAM BU 1935
CA19 CHARLESTON 23.1.1904 9700t BU 1930 DD50 BALCH BU 1935
DD51 O’BRIEN BU 1935
DD51 NICHOLSON
PROTECTED CRUISERS DD53 WINSLOW
BU 1936
BU 1936
No Name DD54 McDOUGAL CG6 1924, BU 1934
Launched Disp Fate
DD55 CUSHING BU 1936
New Orleans class DD56 ERICSSON CG5 1924, BU 1934
CL22 NEW ORLEANS 4.12.1896 3430t BU 1930 Tucker class: launched 1915-16, lllOt
(ex-Amazonas) DD57 TUCKER CG23 1926, BU 1937
CL23 ALBANY (ex- 14.1.1899 3430t BU 1930 DD58 CONYNGHAM CG2 1924, BU 1934
Almirante Abreu) DD59 PORTER CG7 1924, BU 1934
Olympia class DD60 WADSWORTH BU 1936
OLYMPIA 5.11.1892 5865t Memorial 1957 DD62 WAINWRIGHT CG24 1926, BU 1934
Denver class DD63 SAMPSON BU 1936
CL16 DENVER 21.6.1902 3200t Sold 1933 DD64 ROWAN BU 1939
CL17 DES MOINES 20.9.1902 3200t Sold 1930 DD65 DAVIS CG21 1926, BU 1934
CL18 CHATTANOOGA 7.3.1903 3200t Sold 1930 DD66 ALLEN BU 1946
CL19 GALVESTON 23.7.1903 3200t Sold 1933 DD67 WILKES CG25 1926, BU 1934
CL20 TACOMA 2.6.1903 3200t Lost 1924 DD68 SHAW CG22 1926, BU 1934
CL21 CLEVELAND 28.9.1901 3200t Sold 1930
Caldwell class: launched 1917-18, 1020t
LIGHT CRUISERS DD69 CALDWELL BU 1936
DD70 CRAVEN To Britain 1940, scuttled 1946
No Name Launched Disp Fate DD71 GWIN Sold 1939
DD72 CONNER To Britain 1940, BU 1947
Chester class DD73 STOCKTON To Britain 1940, BU 1945
CL1 CHESTER* 26.6.1907 3750t BU 1930 DD74 MANLEY AG28 1938, APD1 1940, BU 1946
CL2 BIRMINGHAM 29.5.1907 3750t BU 1930
CL3 SALEM 27.7.1907 3750t BU 1930
Omaha class Wickes class: launched 1917-19, 1090t
CL4 OMAHA 14.12.1920 7050t BU 1946 DD75 WICKES To Britain 1940, BU 1945
CL5 MILWAUKEE 24.3.1921 7050t To USSR 1944, DD76 PHILIP To Britain 1940, BU 1947
BU 1949 DD78 EVANS To Britain 1940, BU 1945
CL6 CINCINNATI 23.5.1921 7050t BU 1946 DD79 LITTLE APD4 1940, lost 1942
CL7 RALEIGH 25.10.1922 7050t BU 1946 DD80 KIMBERLY BU 1937
CL8 DETROIT 29.6.1922 7050t BU 1946 DD81 SIGOURNEY To Britain 1940, BU 1947
CL9 RICHMOND 29.9.1921 7050t BU 1947 DD82 GREGORY APD3 1940, lost 1942
CLIO CONCORD 15.12.1921 705 Ot BU 1947 DD83 STRINGHAM APD6 1940, BU 1946
CL11 TRENTON 16.4.1923 7050t BU 1947 DD84 DYER Sold 1936
CL12 MARBLEHEAD 9.10.1923 7050t BU 1946 DD85 COLHOUN APD2 1940, lost 1942
CL13 MEMPHIS 17.4.1924 7050t BU 1947 DD86 STEVENS Sold 1936
* Chester was renamed York in 1928.

Milwaukee 1942

93
UNITED STATES

No Name Fate* No Name Fate*

DD87 McKEE Sold 1936 DD168 MADDOX To Britain 1940, to USSR 1944, BU
DD88 ROBINSON To Britain 1940, BU 1945 1949
DD89 RINGGOLD To Britain 1940, BU 1947 DD169 FOOTE To Britain 1940, to USSR 1944, BU
DD90 McKEAN APD5 1940, lost 1943 1952
DD91 HARDING Sold 1936 DD170 KALK (ex-Rodgers) To Canada 1940, BU 1945
DD92 GRIDLEY Sold 1939 DD171 BURNS DM11 1920, BU 1932
DD93 FAIRFAX To Britain 1940, to USSR 1944, BU DD172 ANTHONY DM12 1920, expended 1937
1949 DD173 SPRISTON DM13 1920, expended 1937
DD94 TAYLOR Stricken 1938, BU 1945 DD174 RIZAL DM14 1920, BU 1932
DD95 BELL Sold 1939 DD175 MACKENZIE To Canada 1940, BU 1945
DD96 STRIBLING DM1 1920, expended 1937 DD176 RENSHAW BU 1936
DD97 MURRAY DM2 1920, BU 1936 DD177 O’BANNON Sold 1936
DD98 ISRAEL DM3 1920, sold 1939 DD178 HOGAN DMS6 1940, target 1945
DD99 LUCE (cx-Schley) DM4 1920, BU 1936 DD179 HOWARD DMS7 1940, BU 1946
DD100 MAURY DM5 1920, sold 1931 DD180 STANSBURY DMS8 1940, BU 1946
DD101 LANSDALE DM6 1920, sold 1939 DD181 HOPEWELL To Britain 1940, lost 1941
DD102 MAHAN DM7 1920, sold 1931 DD182 THOMAS To Britain 1940, to USSR 1944, BU
DD103 SCHLEY APD14 1943, BU 1946 1949
DD104 CHAMPLIN Expended 1936 DD183 HARADEN To Canada 1940, BU 1945
DD105 MUGFORD BU 1936 DD184 ABBOT To Britain 1940, BU 1947
DD106 CHEW BU 1946 DD185 BAGLEY To Britain 1940, BU 1945
DD107 HAZELWOOD 1X36 1930, BU 1936
DD108 WILLIAMS To Canada 1940, foundered 1946 Clemson class: launched 1918-21, 1190t
DD109 CRANE BU 1946 DD186 CLEMSON AVP17 1939, AVD4 1940, APD31
DD110 HART DM8 1920, BU 1932 1944, BU 1946
DD111 INGRAHAM DM9 1920, expended 1937 DD187 DAHLGREN BU 1946
DD112 LUDLOW DM10 1920, BU 1931 DD188 GOLDSBOROUGH AVP18 1939, AVD5 1940, APD32
DD113 RATHBURNE APD25 1944, BU 1946 1944, BU 1946
DD114 TALBOT APD7 1942, BU 1946 DD189 SEMMES CG20 1932, AG24 1935, BU 1946
DD115 WATERS APD8, 1942, BU 1946 DD190 SATTERLEE To Britain 1940, lost 1942
DD116 DENT APD9 1942, BU 1946 DD191 MASON To Britain 1940, lost 1941
DD117 DORSEY DMS1 1940, lost 1945 DD193 ABEL P UPSHUR CG15 1930, to Britain 1940, BU
DD118 LEA BU 1945 1945
DD119 LAMBERTON AG21 1932, DMS2 1940, BU 1947 DD194 HUNT CG18 1930, to Britain 1940, BU
DD120 RADFORD Target 1936 1947
DD121 MONTGOMERY DM17 1931, lost 1944 DD195 WELBORN C WOOD CG19 1930, to Britain 1940, BU
DD122 BREESE DM18 1931, BU 1946 1947
DD123 GAMBLE DM15 1930, lost 1945 DD196 GEORGE E BADGER CG16 1930, AVP16 1939, AVD3
DD124 RAMSAY DM16 1930, BU 1946 1940, APD33 1944, BU 1946
DD125 TATNALL APD19 1943, BU 1946 DD197 BRANCH To Britain 1940, lost 1943
DD126 BADGER BU 1945 DD198 HERNDON CGI7 1930, to Britain 1940, to
DD127 TWIGGS To Britain 1940, to USSR 1944, BU USSR 1944, lost 1945
1951 DD199 DALLAS BU 1945
DD128 BABBITT BU 1946 DD206 CHANDLER DMS9 1940, BU 1946
DD130 JACOB JONES Lost 1942 DD207 SOUTHARD DMS10 1940, lost 1945
DD131 BUCHANAN To Britain 1940, lost 1942 DD208 HOVEY DMS11 1940, lost 1945
DD132 AARON WARD To Britain 1940, BU 1947 DD209 LONG DMS12 1940, lost 1945
DD133 HALE To Britain 1940, BU 1944 DD210 BROOME BU 1946
DD134 CROWNINSHIELD To Britain 1940, to USSR 1944, BU DD211 ALDEN BU 1945
1949 DD212 SMITH THOMPSON Lost 1936
DD135 TILLMAN To Britain 1940, BU 1945 DD213 BARKER BU 1945
DD136 BOGGS AG19 1931, DMS3 1940, BU 1946 DD214 TRACY DM19 1937, BU 1946
DD137 KILTY AG20 1931, DD137 1932, APD15 DD215 BORIER Lost 1943
1943, BU 1946 DD216 JOHN D EDWARDS BU 1945
DD138 KENNISON BU 1946 (ex-Stewart)
DD139 WARD (ex-Cowell) APD16 1943, lost 1944 DD217 WHIPPLE BU 1946
DD140 CLAXTON To Britain 1940, BU 1944 DD218 PARROTT Lost 1944
DD141 HAMILTON DMS18 1941, BU 1946 DD219 EDSALL Lost 1942
DD142 TARBELL BU 1945 DD220 MacLEISH BU 1946
DD143 YARNALL To Britain 1940, to USSR 1944, BU DD221 SIMPSON BU 1946
1952 DD222 BULMER BU 1947
DD144 UPSHUR BU 1947 DD223 McCORMICK BU 1946
DD145 GREER BU 1945 DD224 STEWART Lost 1942, returned 1945, expended
DD146 ELLIOT DMS4 1940, BU 1946 1946
DD147 ROPER APD20 1943, BU 1946 DD225 POPE Lost 1942
DD148 BRECKINRIDGE BU 1946 DD226 PEARY Lost 1942
DD149 BARNEY BU 1946 DD227 PILLSBURY Lost 1942
DD150 BLAKELY . BU 1945 DD228 FORD BU 1947
DD151 BIDDLE BU 1946 DD229 TRUXTUN Lost 1942
DD152 DUPONT BU 1947 DD230 PAUL JONES BU 1947
DD153 BERNADOU BU 1945 DD231 HATFIELD BU 1947
DD154 ELLIS BU 1947 DD232 BROOKS APD10 1942, lost 1945
DD155 COLE BU 1947 DD233 GILMER APD11 1942, BU 1946
DD156 J FRED TALBOTT BU 1946 DD234 FOX BU 1946
DD157 DICKERSON APD21 1943, lost 1945 DD235 KANE APD18 1943, BU 1946
DD158 LEARY Lost 1943 DD236 HUMPHREYS APD12 1942, BU 1946
DD159 SCHENCK BU 1946 DD237 McFarland AVD14 1940, BU 1946
DD160 HERBERT APD22 1943, BU 1946 DD238 JAMES K PAULDING BU 1939
DD161 PALMER DMS5 1940, lost 1945 DD239 OVERTON APD23 1943, BU 1945
DD162 THATCHER To Canada 1940, BU 1946 DD240 STURTEVANT Lost 1942
DD163 WALKER Lost 1941 DD241 CHILDS AVP14 1938, AVD1 1940, BU 1946
DD164 CROSBY APD17 1943, BU 1946 DD242 KING BU 1946
DD165 MEREDITH BU 1936 DD243 SANDS APD13 1942, BU 1946
DD166 BUSH BU 1936 DD244 WILLIAMSON AVP15 1938, AVD2 1940, BU 1946
DD167 COWELL To Britain 1940, to USSR 1944, BU DD245 REUBEN JAMES Lost 1941
1949 DD246 BAINBRIDGE BU 1945

94
 The US Navy in 1922

No Name Fate DD327 PRESTON BU 1932

DD328 LAMSON BU 1931
DD247 GOFF BU 1945 DD329 BRUCE BU 1932
DD248 BARRY APD29 1944, lost 1945 DD330 HULL BU 1931
DD249 HOPKINS DMS13 1940, BU 1946 DD331 MacDONOUGH BU 1931
DD250 LAWRENCE BU 1946 DD332 FARENHOLT BU 1931
DD251 BELKNAP AVD8 1940, APD34 1944, lost 1945 DD333 SUMNER BU 1934
DD252 McCOOK To Canada, lost 1943 DD334 CORRY BU 1930
DD253 McCALLA To Britain 1940, lost 1941 DD335 MELVIN BU 1931
DD254 RODGERS (ex-Kalk) To Britain 1940, BU 1945 DD336 LITCHFIELD BU 1946
DD255 OSMOND INGRAM AVD9 1940, APD35 1944, BU 1946 DD337 ZANE DMS 14 1940, BU 1946
(ex-Ingram) DD338 WASMUTH DMS15 1940, lost 1942
DD256 BANCROFT To Canada 1940, lost 1945 DD339 TREVER DMS 16 1940, BU 1946
DD257 WELLES To Britain 1940, lost 1940 DD340 PERRY DMS 17 1940, lost 1944
DD258 AULICK To Britain 1940, BU 1947 DD341 DECATUR BU 1945
DD259 TURNER Water barge 1937, BU 1947 DD342 HULBERT AVP19 1939, AVD6 1940, BU 1946
DD260 GILLIS AVD12 1940, BU 1946 DD343 NOA APD24 1943, lost 1944
DD261 DELPHY Lost 1923 DD344 WILLIAM B PRESTON AVP20 1939, AVD7 1940, BU 1946
DD262 McDERMUT BU 1932 DD345 PREBLE DM20 1937, BU 1946
DD263 LAUB To Britain 1940, BU 1947 DD346 SICARD DM21 1937, BU 1946
DD264 McLANAHAN To Britain 1940, BU 1946 DD347 PRUITT DM22 1937, BU 1946
DD265 EDWARDS To Britain 1940, BU 1946
DD266 GREENE (ex-Anthony) AVD13 1940, APD36 1944, lost *In the ‘fates’ column, CG followed by a number is the Coast Guard designation
1945 of a ship employed against rum-runners during Prohibition. Other designators
DD267 BALLARD AVD10 1940, BU 1946 (APD, AVD, AG) indicate alternative use as an auxiliary; almost all the old
DD268 SHUBRICK To Britain 1940, BU 1945 destroyers were redesignated as miscellaneous auxiliaries (AG) at the end of
DD269 BAILEY To Britain 1940, BU 1945 World War II and so are not noted.
DD270 THORNTON AVD11 1940, BU 1945
DD271 MORRIS BU 1936
DD272 TINGEY BU 1936
DD273 SWASEY To Britain 1940, lost 1944
DD274 MEADE To Britain 1940, BU 1947
DD275 SINCLAIR 1X37 1930, BU 1935
DD276 McCAWLEY BU 1931
DD277 MOODY Sold 1931
DD278 HENSHAW BU 1930
DD279 MEYER BU 1932
DD280 DOYEN BU 1930
DD281 SHARKEY BU 1931
DD282 TOUCEY BU 1931
DD283 BRECK BU 1931
DD284 ISHERWOOD BU 1931
DD285 CASE BU 1931
DD286 LARDNER BU 1931
DD287 PUTNAM Sold 1931
DD288 WORDEN Sold 1931
DD289 FLUSSER BU 1931
DD290 DALE Sold 1931
DD291 CONVERSE BU 1931
DD292 REID BU 1931
DD293 BILLONGSLEY BU 1931
DD294 CHARLES AUSBURN BU 1931
(ex-Aushum)
DD295 OSBORNE Sold 1931
DD296 CHAUNCEY Lost 1923
DD297 FULLER Lost 1923 ‘Flush-deckers’
DD298 PERCIVAL BU 1931 Although these ships were all completed by 1922, some were so extensively
DD299 JOHN FRANCIS BURNES BU 1931 modified between the wars as to be worthy of mention. A total of 169 units,
(ex-Swasey) including four of the prototype series (DD69-74 type) remained after the loss of
DD300 FARRAGUT BU 1931 twelve units and the disposal of 93 others. In addition,Semmes (DD189) became
DD301 SOMERS BU 1931 a sonar test ship; Childs and Williamson became prototype fast seaplane tenders
DD302 STODDERT 1X35 1930, AG18 1931, BU 1935 (AVP14 and 15 and then AVD1 and 2 in 1940), and Manley became the
DD303 RENO BU 1931 prototype fast transport (AG28, then APD1 in 1940) in 1938. Ultimately four¬
DD304 FARQUHAR BU 1932 teen ships became AVDs; eighteen were converted to fast minesweepers (DMS)
DD305 THOMPSON BU 1931 to join eight ships already converted to fast minelayers (DM). The APDs proved
DD306 KENNEDY BU 1931 extremely useful in the Pacific, and a total of 26 ships were converted in wartime
DD307 PAUL HAMILTON BU 1931 to join six prewar units. The wartime total included six former AVDs (which
(ex-Hamilton) became APD31-36); APD26-28 and 30 were cancelled. Later APDs were all
DD308 WILLIAM JONES BU 1932 former destroyer escorts. Data for APD flush-deckers became:
DD309 WOODBURY Lost 1923
Displacement: (Greene) 1315t standard; 1793t full load
DD310 S P LEE (ex-Branch) Lost 1923
DD311 NICHOLAS Lost 1923 Dimensions: 314ft oa x37ft X 12ft 4in full load
95.71 x 11.28 x 3.16m
DD312 YOUNG Lost 1923
BU 1931 Machinery: 2-shaft turbines, 2 boilers, 13,000shp = 22-24kts max (trial
DD313 ZEILIN
BU 1931 27.6kts). Oil 429t
DD314 YARBOROUGH
BU 1931 Armament: (1945) 3-3in/50, 2-40mm, 5-20mm, 4 DC projectors, 2 DC
DD315 LA VALETTE
Expended 1935 racks, 4 LCP(L) or LCP(R), 144 troops, no cargo
DD316 SLOAT
DD317 WOOD BU 1930 Complement: 101
DD318 SHIRK BU 1931
The major deletion in flush-decker ranks was the transfer of fifty to Britain,
DD319 KIDDER BU 1930
which left just 71 available as destroyers in the autumn of 1941; another unit,
DD320 SELFRIDGE BU 1931
Expended 1935 Dahlgren, although retaining destroyer status, served as a propulsion test ship.
DD321 MARCUS
BU 1931 Of the 71, 13 served as destroyers in the Asiatic Fleet, but the remainder were
DD322 MERVINE
BU 1931 considered second-line types suitable for conversion to escort status.
DD323 CHASE
The escort conversion included the replacement of all 4in and 3in guns by
DD324 ROBERT SMITH BU 1931
6-3in/50, two of them replacing the two after triple torpedo tubes. A total of
DD325 MULLANY BU 1931
6-20mm and six DC projectors were also to be fitted. Of 37 conversions
DD326 COGHLAN BU 1931
authorised, only 27 could be carried out before the outbreak of war (DD118,

95
UNITED STATES

126,128,130, 142, 144,145,147, 152-5,157-60,199, 210,220, 221,223,229, SS126 S21 To Britain SS138 S33 Sold 1946
239, 240, 245, 246 and 341). The remaining ships, includingDahlgren, were to 1942,
retain their 4in guns, but surrender the two after torpedo tubes in favour of six scuttled
DC throwers and 6-20mm guns (DD106, 109, 113-116, 125, 137-9, 148-51, 1946
156,164, 215, 231-6, 242, 243, 247, 248 and 250). The same re-armament was SS127 S22 To Britain SS139 S34 Sold 1946
effected in surviving Asiatic Fleet units, and in Allen (DD66), the sole survivor 1942,
of earlier destroyer classes. In addition, many units had one boiler removed for BU 1945 SS140 S35 Expended
increased fuel stowage; in effect they were reduced to 25kts. By the end of the 1946
war very few of the surviving ‘flush-deckers’ had all four boilers: most had been SS128 S23 Sold 1946 SS141 S36 Lost 1942
reduced, therefore, to three funnels. SS129 S24 To Britain SS142 S37 Scuttled
Nine of the AVDs reverted to destroyer status late in 1943; they were not 1942, 1945
re-armed, but rather retained only two 4in guns and two boilers (two had been target 1947
removed to provide aircraft fuel stowage). Six later became APDs, but two SS130 S25 To Poland SS143 S38 Scuttled
remained as destroyers unul all the ‘flush-deckers’ began to leave active service. 1941, 1945
In 1943 it was decided to fit twelve units with Hedgehog as an experiment, at lost 1942
the same time that Mousetrap was fitted to twelve Bensons - ten 3in conversions SS131 S26 Lost 1942 SS144 S39 Lost 1942
(DD118, 126, 128, 142, 144, 145, 220, 223, 246 and 341: the cost was two DC SS132 S27 Lost 1942 SS145 S40 Sold 1946
projectors and one or two 20mm guns, for a total of four) and two 4in ships SS133 S28 Lost 1944 SS146 S41 Sold 1946
(DD109 and 187, the latter the Dahlgren with only two 4in guns). ‘S’ class (second group);: launched 1923-24, 906t normal
At the end of hostilities in the Atlantic all were to be discarded, with the SS153 S42 Sold 1946 SS156 S45 Sold 1946
exception of a few to be retained for training. These, too, were stricken soon SSI54 S43 Sold 1946 SS157 S46 Sold 1946
after the war. SS155 S44 Sold 1946 SS158 S47 Sold 1946
‘S’ class (third group): launched 1919 , 800t normal
SS106 S2 BU 1931
‘S’ class (fourth group): launched 1918-21, 875t normal
SS107 S3 BU 1937 SSI16 Sll Sold 1945
SUBMARINES SS109 S4 Lost 1927 SSI17 S12 Sold 1945
SS110 S5 Lost 1920 SS118 S13 Sold 1945
No Name Fate No Name Fate
SS111 S6 BU 1937 SSI 19 S14 Sold 1945
SSI12 S7 BU 1937 SS120 S15 Sold 1946
‘H’ class: launched 1913 and 1918, 358t standard
SSI13 S8 BU 1937 SS121 S16 Scuttled 1945
SS29 H2 (ex- BU 1931 SS148 H5 BU 1931 55114 S9 BU 1937 SS122 S17 Scuttled 1945
Nautilus) SS149 H6 BU 1931 55115 S10 BU 1936
SS30 H3 (ex- BU 1931 SS150 H7 BU 1931 ‘S’ class (fifth group): launched 1921, 903t normal
Garfish) SS151 H8 BU 1931 SS159 S48 Sold 1946 SS161 S50 BU 1931
SS147 H4 BU 1931 SS152 H9 BU 1931 SS160 S49 Sold 1931 SS162 S51 Lost 1925
‘K’ class: launched 1913-14, 392t surface
SS32 K1 (ex- BU 1931 SS35 K4 (ex-Walrus) BU 1931
Haddock) SS36 K5 BU 1931
SS33 K2 (ex- BU 1931 SS37 K6 BU 1931
Cachalot) SS38 K7 BU 1931
SS34 K3 (ex-Orca) BU 1931 SS39 K8 BU 1931
‘L’ class: launched 1915 -16, 450t surface
SS41 L2 BU 1932 SS46 L7 Sold 1925
GUNBOATS
SS42 L3 BU 1932 SS48 L8 Sold 1925 No Name Launched Disp Fate
SS44 L5 Sold 1925 SS49 L9 BU 1932
SS45 L6 Sold 1925 SS51 Lll BU 1932 PG9 HELENA 30.1.1896 1397t Sold 1932
‘T class: launched 1918 -19, 1107t surface PG16 PALOS 23.4.1914 190t Sold 1937
SS52 T1 (ex-AAl, BU 1930 SS60 T2 (ex-AA2) BU 1930 PG19 SACRAMENTO 21.2.1914 1140t Merchant ship
ex-Schley) SS61 T3 (ex-AA3) Fermina 1947
B U1930 PG20 MONOCACY 27.4.1914 190t Scuttled 1939
‘N’ class: launched 1916-17, 340t surface PG21 ASHEVILLE 4.7.1918 1270t Lost 1942
SS53 N1 BU 1931 SS55 N3 BU 1931 PG22 TULSA 25.8.1922 1270t Tacloban 1944,
SS54 N2 BU 1931 sold 1946
‘O’ class: launched 1917 -18, 52It surface PG38 ELCANO 28.1.1884 620t Expended 1928
SS62 01 Stricken 1938 SS71 O10 BU 1946 PG39 PAMPANGA Feb 1888 243t Expended 1928
SS63 02 BU 1945 SS72 Oil BU 1930 PG40 QUIROS 24.1.1895 350t Expended 1923
SS64 03 BU 1946 SS73 012 Merchant PG42 VILLALOBOS 1896 350t Expended 1928
SS65 04 BU 1946 ship 1930,
SS66 05 Lost 1923 scuttled 1931 The US Navy also operated 50 ‘Bird’ class minesweepers (AMI-54;
SS67 06 BU 1946 SS74 013 BU 1930 AMI 1-12 and 49-50 were cancelled in 1918). Launched 1918-19, these tug-
SS68 07 BU 1946 SS75 014 BU 1930 type vessels displaced 950t, were armed with 2-3in, and had a top speed of
SS69 08 BU 1946 SS76 015 BU 1930 14kts. Nine were reclassified as seaplane tenders (AVP1-9) 1936, six as sub¬
SS70 09 Lost 1941 SS77 016 BU 1930 marine rescue ships (ASR1-6) 1929, seven as salvage ships (ARSl^l, 11-12
‘R’ class: launched 1917-19, 510—530t normal 1941, ARS32 1942), seventeen as fleet mgs (AT131-145 1942, and 168-169
SS78 R1 Sold 1946 SS93 R16 Sold 1945 1944; AT132 became ARS32), and one as a net tender (YNg20 1940). Of the
SS79 R2 Sold 1946 SS94 R17 To Britain remainder, AM4 was lost in 1928, AM6 in 1923, AM8 in 1925 and AM37 in
SS80 R3 BU 1948 1942, 1937.
SS81 R4 Sold 1946 BU 1945 The Coast Guard operated four Gresham class cutters (launched 1897-98,
SS82 R4 Sold 1946 SS95 R18 Sold 1946 1190t, 4—6pdr, 14.5kts): Gresham (sold 1947), Manning (sold 1930), Algonquin
SS83 R6 Sold 1946 SS96 R19 To Britain (sold 1931) and Onondaga (sold 1924); the four Tampa class cutters (launched
SS84 R7 Sold 1946 1942, 1921, 1980t, 2-5in, 2-3in, 15kts): Tampa, Haida, Mojave and Modoc (all sold
SS85 R8 Scuttled lost 1942 1948); and also the following vessels: Seminole (860t, 4-6pdr, sold 1937),
1936 SS97 R20 Sold 1946 Tuscarora (launched 1902,739t, 2-6pdr, sold 1937),Snohomish (launched 1908,
SS86 R9 Sold 1946 SS98 R21 BU 1930 879t, 2-lpdr, 12.5kts, sold 1934), Acushnet (as Snohomish, naval tug 1936),
SS87 RIO Sold 1946 SS99 R22 BU 1930 Seneca (launched 1508, 1445t, 13kts, 4—6pdrs, sold 1940), Yamacraw (launched
SS88 Rll Sold 1946 SS100 R23 BU 1930 1908,1082t, 13kts, 4-6pdr, sold 1935), Unalga (launched 1912,1180t, 12.5kts,
SS89 R12 Lost 1943 SS101 R24 BU 1930 3-6pdr, sold 1947), Ossipee (launched 1915, 964t, 12.7kts, 4-6pdr, sold 1946)
SS90 R13 Sold 1946 SS102 R25 BU 1930 and Tallapoosa (as Ossipee).
SS91 R14 Sold 1946 SS103 R26 BU 1930
SS92 R15 Lost 1941 SS104 R27 BU 1930
‘S’ class (first group): launched 1918--22, 854t normal
SS105 SI To Britain SS134 S29 To Britain
1942, 1942,
BU 1946 sold 1949
SS123 S18 Sold 1946 SS135 S30 Sold 1946
SS124 S19 Sold 1946 SS136 S31 Sold 1946
SS125 S20 Sold 1946 SS137 S32 Sold 1946

96

CAPITAL SHIPS
The two North Carolina s were the first
battleships the US Navy built after
the expiration of the Washington
Treaty ‘building holiday’. As such
they were the outgrowth of a long and
tortuous process of design evolution,
which began not with fast battleships
but rather with an updated version of
the traditional US type, concentrating
on firepower and protection at the
expense of speed. In 1935, however,
the US Navy General Board decided
that it would be useful at least to
explore the type being built abroad, ie
a fast but well-armed and well-
protected ship. What decided the
issue in favour of the fast ship was the
need to operate carrier task forces; at
one point it was suggested that two
fast battleships combine with each of
the two big carriers (Saratoga and Lex¬
ington) to form a task group. The
threat presented by the three 26kt
Kongos was also an important factor.
The General Board therefore
approved a 30kt, 9-14in gun ship,
protected against Min fire, using
much the same arguments that would
later be made in favour of the Iowas.
At virtually the last minute, however,
the Chief of Naval Operations
rejected this design, preferring a more
traditional 27kt type, armed with
11—14in guns (later 12, in quadruple
turrets), and it was his design which
was ultimately adopted.
Although 16in guns had figured in
the earliest sketch designs, the Lon¬
don Treaty of 1936 limited new bat¬
tleships to Min guns, and it was this
latter calibre which determined both
the battery and the protection
Capital ships
NORTH CAROLINA class
Displacement: (Washington) 37,484t standard; 44,377t full load
Dimensions: 714ft 6in wl, 728ft 9in oa x 108ft 4in x 32ft lljin full load
217.78, 222.12 x 33.01 x 10.04m
Machinery: 4-shaft General Electric turbines, 8 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 121,000shp = 28kts. Oil 6260t, range
17,450nm at 15kts
Armour: Belt 12in-6.6in on 0.75in STS backing, armour deck 5.5in-5in with 1.45in weather deck and
0.62in-0.75in splinter deck, bulkheads llin, barbettes 14.7in-16in, turrets 16in face, 7in roof, 9.8in
side, 11.8in rear, CT 14.7in-16in with 7in roof
Armament: 9—16in/45 (3x3), 20-5in/38 (10x2), 16-1.lin (4x4), 12-0.5in (12x1), 3 aircraft
Complement: 1880
Launched Comm Fate
No Name Builder Laid down
BB55 NORTH CAROLINA New York N Yd 27.10.1937 13.6.40 9.4.41 Preserved 1961
BB56 WASHINGTON Philadelphia N Yd 14.6.1938 1.6.40 15.5.41 Sold 24.5.61
designed into the new ships; they 27001b shell actually adopted), the 8 twin and one quadruple mount.
were to be immune against Min North Carolina immunity zone was North Carolina herself was refitted
(15001b) shells between 20,000 and only 21,000-27,000yds over maga¬ and employed briefly postwar as a
30,800yds (reduced on the inner edge zines, and 23,200-26,000yds over training ship, unique among the US
to 19,000 against barbettes, and machinery (as of November 1937). treaty battleships.
extended to 33,000 against Both ships entered service just
magazines). The design made specific before the outbreak of war, although
allowance for replacing the new quad¬ they were not fully effective until
ruple Min turret with a triple 16in early 1942, due in part to severe pro¬
turret, in the event that an escalator peller vibration difficulties. Washing¬
clause in the London Treaty had to be ton was the only modern US battleship
invoked; this latter referred to Japan¬ to engage an enemy capital ship: she
ese acceptance of the Min limit. sank the Japanese battlecruiser
Japan, as it turned out, refused to Kirishima on the night of 13-14
agree to this limitation, and the US November 1942.
government invoked the escalator It appears in retrospect that from an
clause, so that in fact all the new US operator’s point of view the North
battleships were armed with the 16in Carolina design was superior to the
gun. What such invocation could not later, more cramped, South Dakota.
do was change the armour distribu¬ At the end of the war each ship had 15
tion, which was basic to the design. quadruple 40mm mounts; North
Carolina had, in addition, 20 single North Carolina at Norfolk N Yd, 3.6.1942
Thus against the 22501b 16in shell
(which was less effective than the and 8 twin 20mm, her sister 63 single, By courtesy of AD Baker III
97
 V .
UNITED STATES
The four South Dakotas were an
attempt to achieve effective protec¬
tion against 16in shellfire on a dis¬
placement limited to 35,000 tons by
the London Treaty, without any sac¬
rifice of the speed achieved in the
North Carolina design. It was also
important to protect them against
underwater hits, which were expected
at very long range; ultimately an
immune zone (against the 22501b 16in
shell) of 18,000 to 30,000yds was
required. The design solution was a
combination of very steeply sloped
internal side armour and a heavy
armoured deck; in order to save
weight the length of the vitals was
reduced as far as possible, and some
considerable cramping of upper-
works (such as blast interference be¬
tween secondary guns and light AA)
was accepted; even when these ships
were being designed in 1937, the Gen¬
eral Board considered them poten¬
tially uncomfortable. The steeply
sloped belt, no thicker than that of the
North Carolinas, was continued into
the armoured bulkhead of the torpedo
protection, a novel system which had
not been tested when the ships were
laid down. Subsequent caisson exper¬
iments suggested that it was not
entirely satisfactory, but by then not
only the four South Dakotas but also
thelowas had received it. Yet another
unusual feature was the ‘tunnel’ stern,
in which the two outboard propellers
were encased in massive skegs, with
the two inboard units revolving in the
tunnel thus formed. Among the func¬
98
SOUTH DAKOTA class
Displacement: (South Dakota) 37,970t standard; 44,519t full load
Dimensions: 666ft wl, 680ft oa x 108ft 2in x 35ft lin full load
202.99, 207.26 x 32.96 x 10.69m
Machinery: 4-shaft General Electric turbines, 8 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 130;000shp = 27.5kts. Oil 6959t, range
15,000nm at 15kts
Armour: Belt 12.2in on 0.875in STS, lower belt 12.2in-lin on 0.875in STS, armour deck 5.75in-6in with 1.5in
weather deck and 0.625in splinter deck, bulkheads llin, barbettes 11.3in-17.3in, turrets 18in face,
7.25in roof, 9.Sin side, 12in rear, CT 16in with 7.25in roof
Armament: 9-16in/45 (3x3), 20-5in/38 (10x2), 12-1.lin (3x4), 12-0.5in as designed, 3 aircraft. See notes
Complement: 1793
No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
BB57 SOUTH DAKOTA New York SB 5.7.1939 7.6.41 20.3.42 Sold 25.10.62
BB58 INDIANA Newport News 20.11.1939 21.11.41 30.4.42 Sold 6.9.63
BB59 MASSACHUSETTS Bethlehem, Quincy 20.7.1939 23.9.41 12.5.42 Preserved 1965
BB60 ALABAMA Norfolk N Yd 1.2.1940 16.2.42 16.8.42 Preserved 1964
tions of the skegs were torpedo pro¬ two more 35,000-ton battleships, and South Dakota but against the new
tection for the propellers on the other these were ordered as Massachusetts 27001b shell, which the Bureau
side, and hydrodynamic refinements and Alabama, even though at that claimed had more effectiveness than
which permitted enough hull volume time work was already well advanced an 18in shell of more conventional
abreast the after magazines to provide on the Iowa design. form.
sufficient torpedo protection there. As much as had been sacrificed in All four ships were withdrawn from
South Dakota was unique in that she order to bring these ships to an service immediately after World War
was fitted as a Force Flagship, with an acceptable standard of protection II, although Massachusetts was refit¬
extra conning tower level; as top- against 16in fire, in 1939 the Bureau ted for further service. Her refit
weight compensation, she received of Ordnance developed a new 27001b included considerable reductions in
only 8 twin 5in/38 mounts, although 16in shell which required, once more, automatic weapons, presumably inci¬
she had 20-1. lin (5x4) compared a new standard of protection: it was dent to a reduction in operating per¬
with her half-sisters. Originally only estimated that the South Dakota sonnel. None of the four had seen
she and Indiana were authorised immune zone would shrink to really arduous service, and through
under the FY39 Naval Appropria¬ 20,500-26,400yds, as would that of the 1950s a variety of schemes to util¬
tions Act; designs for thelowas were the Iowa. In effect the Montana began ise their hulls was proposed. For
begun under the designation ‘BB59’. as an attempt to design a ship, un¬ example, for a short time it was sug¬
However, a Deficiency Appropria¬ limited by Treaty, which would have gested that one of these ships, rather
tions Act of 25 June 1938 authorised roughly the characteristics of the than a cruiser, become the first US
fleet missile ship. South Dakota (and
North Carolina) class hulls were also
proposed as satellite-launching ships,
as fast replenishment ships, and as
helicopter assault ships - none of
which appeared to be particularly
economical. There was even a brief
study of what it would take in the way
of boost power to bring one of these
ships up to the new fleet speed of
33kts, but that proved astronomically
expensive.
In August 1945 BB58 and 60 each
had 12 quadruple 40mm mounts,
BB57 17 and BB59 18. They also had,
as 20mm batteries: 72 single (BB57);
48 single plus 4 twin (BB58); 31
single, 1 twin and 1 quadruple
(BB59); and 56 single (BB60).
South Dakota on 23.2.1943
By courtesy of A D Baker III
 Capital ships

The four Iowas were the largest and

fastest battleships completed for the IOWA class
US Navy during World War II; in
Displacement: (Iowa) 48,1 lOt standard; 57,540t full load
principle they were South Dakotas
lengthened for higher speed, the Dimensions: 860ft wl, 887ft 3in oa x 108ft 2in X 36ft 2Jin full load
262.13, 210.43 x 32.96 x 11.02m
increased displacement being used
also to pass from 45 to 50cal 16in Machinery: 4-shaft General Electric turbines, 8 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 212,000shp = 32.5kts. Oil 762It, range
15,000nm at 15kts
guns. In view of the past US prefer¬
ence for protection instead of high Armour: Belt 12.lin on 0.875in STS, lower belt 12.lin—1.6in on 0.875in STS, armour deck 6in with 1.5in
weather deck and 0.625in splinter deck, bulkheads 11.3in, barbettes 11.6in-17.3in, turrets 19.7inface,
speed, 10,000 tons seems a very high
7.25in roof, 9.5in side, 12.0in rear, CT 17.5in with 7.25in roof
price to pay for the jump from 27 to
Armament: 9-16in/50, 20-5in/38 (10x2), 80-40mm (20x4), 49-20mm, 3 aircraft. See notes
33kts. However, the motivation,
which parallelled that for the original Complement: 1921
30kt North Carolina design, was the
No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
need for ships to form fast carrier task
forces. US prewar stategists expected BB61 IOWA New York N Yd 27.6.1940 27.8.42 22.2.43 Extant 1980
Japan to form such task forces out of BB62 NEW JERSEY Philadelphia N Yd 16.9.1940 7.12.42 23.5.43 Extant 1980
her carriers and her large heavy cruis¬ BB63 MISSOURI New York N Yd 6.1.1941 29.1.44 11.6.44 Extant 1980
ers, for attack upon US lines of com¬ BB64 WISCONSIN Philadelphia N Yd 25.1.1941 7.12.43 16.4.44 Extant 1980
munication to the Western Pacific BB65 ILLINOIS Philadelphia N Yd 6.12.1942 — — Cancelled 11.8.45
prior to a decisive battle near the BB66 KENTUCKY Norfolk N Yd 6.12.1942 20.1.50 — Sold for BU
home islands; they felt that any fast Sept 1958
carriers assigned to action against
such task forces would have to be of each. Wartime modifications Her sister Kentucky was suspended oeuvrable for their great length,
covered by heavy units capable, for included some extensions to the and ultimately launched to clear the thanks, perhaps, to their twin-rudder
example, of defeating the three bridgework and major additions of building dock at Norfolk; during the design. However, the long, narrow
Japanese Kongo class battlecruisers light anti-aircraft weapons; surely an 1940s and 1950s she was redesigned bow adopted for high speed made
which might well be detached from unexpected dividend of the great several times as a missile-launching them somewhat wet, as did their
the Japanese Battle Force as cover for length adopted for high speed was the batdeship (BBG), but ultimately she limited freeboard due to large weight
the carriers - which indeed occurred ease with which light weapons could was scrapped instead. Of her four sis¬ increases both during construction
in 1941. be added without interfering with the ters, all but Missouri (training ship) and due to wartime additions of anti¬
Design work began in 1938, after arcs of fire of 16in and 5in guns. In were laid up before the Korean War; aircraft weapons. They were the only
rumours of Japanese 46,000-ton 1945, Iowa had 19 and her sisters 20 they were then reactivated, and US battleships fast enough to keep up
battleships led the United States, Bri¬ quadruple 40mm mounts. Their served for a time as fire support ships with fast carriers and proved useful as
tain, and France to agree to invoke the 20mm batteries varied: Iowa had 52 and Force Flagships before again specialised flagships in a postwar
Escalator Clause of the 1936 London single mounts, New Jersey 41 single being consigned to reserve in world in which there were no longer
Treaty, to raise the limit on displace¬ and 8 twin, Missouri 49 single, and 1955-57. New Jersey alone was reacti¬ targets suitable for battleship
ment from 35,000 to 45,000 tons; in Wisconsin 47 single and 2 twin. The vated (and refitted) for fire support engagement. However, they were
fact the Iowas as built exceeded the extra mounts in Iowa were atop No 2 duty off Vietnam, 1967-69. expensive to operate and so were soon
latter limit. The existence of three turret in place of the 40mm. By all accounts the four/ozwzs were withdrawn from service.
Kongos (the refit of the training ship Illinois was cancelled in 1945; her comfortable, fast ships, capable of
Hiei was apparently unsuspected as engines were later installed in two making their somewhat extraordinary Wisconsin at Philadelphia, 7.6.1944
late as 1940) set a lower limit of three Fast Replenishment Ships (AOE). designed speed and unusually man¬ USN
Iowas, with a fourth as insurance
against the unavailability of any one of
them, and similarly against require¬
ments in the Atlantic. Indeed, in 1940
it was expected that battleship con¬
struction would soon revert to the
more traditional heavy type, and the
first studies of what would become the
Montana were made under the desig¬
nation ‘BB65’. However, on 19 July
1940 Congress passed a very large
emergency construction programme,
and the Secretary of the Navy decided
that a large part of it would simply
duplicate the latest classes already on
order, as a means of saving time. Thus
two more battleships, BB65 and 66,
were ordered as Iowas rather than as a
new class.
Only four out of the six ships were
ever completed, and they served in
the Fast Carrier Task Force in the
latter part of the war. Iowa was built
with an enlarged conning tower; to
balance its topweight, she was never
fitted with a quadruple Bofors gun on
No 2 turret. Ironically, although she
was thus designed as a Force Flag¬
ship, in fact her sisters also proved
quite suitable for that role, New Jersey
serving as Fifth Fleet flagship in 1945.
Iowa’s 20mm and 40mm outfit dif¬
fered from her sisters’: she carried 60

99
UNITED STATES

The Montanas are the clearest proof

that the Iowa design was a departure
from normal American practice: slow
ships (by the standards of their day)
protected against the new 27001b 16in
shell, and provided with extra
weapons largely on the basis of the
extra displacement required to pro¬
vide that protection. The design pro¬
cess was a long one, extended by the
1940 decision to build two repeat
Iowas instead of ships of a new design.
At first an 18in gun scheme was con¬
sidered, but quite early twelve
16in/50 (at first in quadruple turrets,
to save length) were adopted, with
protection against the 27001b shell.
The design was not feasible until the
outbreak of war had removed the
45,000-ton limit; then it grew very
rapidly to the figure shown.
The final design showed a reversion
to the externally armoured, bulged
hull form of the North Carolina s and
the adoption of a new 5in/54 secon¬
dary gun in twin enclosed mountings.
The former change was adopted
because of a strong feeling that the
more steeply sloped internal armour
would be extremely difficult both to
fit and also to repair after battle dam¬
age; moreover, damage to the skin of
the ship would cause local flooding. In
a ship of very greatly increased dis¬
placement and beam, it would be
possible to accept the heavier external
belt. However, the resulting ship
would not be able to pass through the
existing locks of the Panama Canal.
This last was no serious limitation
MONTANA class
Displacement: 60,500t standard; 70,500t full load
Dimensions: 890ft wl, 925ft oa x 121ft x 36ft 8in full load
271.27, 281.94 x 36.88 x 11.17m
Machinery: 4-shaft turbines, 8 boilers, 172,000shp = 28kts full load. Oil 7300t, range 15,000nm at 15kts
Armour: Belt 16.1in-10.2in on lin STS, internal belt 7.2in-lin, armour deck 6in-7.35in with 2.25in weather
deck and 0.62in-0.75in splinter deck, bulkheads 15.3in, barbettes 18in-21.3in, turrets 22.5in face,
9.15in roof, lOin side, 12in rear, CT 18in with 7.25in roof
Armament: 12—16in/50 (4x3), 20-5in/54 (10x2), 32-40mm (8x4), 20-20mm (20x 1), 3 aircraft
Complement: 2149
No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
BB67 MONTANA Philadelphia N Yd - _ _ Cancelled 21.7.1943
BB68 OHIO Philadelphia N Yd - — - Cancelled 21.7.1943
BB69 MAINE New York N Yd - — - Cancelled 21.7.1943
BB70 NEW HAMPSHIRE New York N Yd - — - Cancelled 21.7.1943
BB71 LOUISIANA Norfolk N Yd - - Cancelled 21.7.1943
because money had already been They were suspended at Presidential expired, and large amounts of money
appropriated for a third set of locks direction in April 1942, owing to an for new construction became avail¬
quite wide enough for a Montana to apparent steel shortage; the same able, it also became obvious that time
pass through. As for the new secon¬ reason was given for cancellation of was very short and that it was far bet¬
dary gun, it had been designed to pro¬ the new Panama Canal locks. The ter to build ships for which plans were
vide more stopping power against des¬ General Board was later to claim that in existence, than to build the (far
troyers; some loss in rate of fire ‘this shortage was more a matter of more effective) ones which had yet to
against aircraft was acceptable. The proper distribution and priority be designed in detail - hence the deci¬
new twin 5in/54 was specified for sev¬ assignments rather than an actual sion in favour of repeat Iowas for
eral wartime projects, including (at shortage’, but all five ships were BB65 and BB66. Similar decisions
one time) the Midways and a new finally cancelled on 21 July 1943. were made for cruisers and for des¬
anti-aircraft cruiser; ultimately it was The Montana design was one of a troyers. However, the design work
superseded by the now-familiar Mk generally ill-fated generation of US which produced the Montana s was not
42 automatic (single-barrel) version. warship designs produced just as totally wasted; for example, the
Although the General Board Treaty restrictions were given up: machinery arrangement adopted for
thought in terms of four ships (one they included new large 8in and 6in the Midways was quite similar to
division) in fact five were authorised cruisers, a new 7500-ton anti-aircraft theirs.
under the Act of 19 July 1940; all were cruiser - and the Alaska s. All died
to have been built in Navy Yards. because just as the Treaty limits

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
The US Navy was fascinated with the possibilities offered by the
aircraft carrier almost from its inception; carrier designs were studied
as early as 1918, with the assistance of a British constructor, later DNC,
S V Goodall. Langley was converted from the collier Jupiter as an
experiment, and showed the potential of carriers in early fleet prob¬
lems. By 1926 naval aircraft were considered so important that the
Ranger was designed almost entirely on the basis of a study of the
maximum number of aircraft which could be maintained at sea, given
the tonnage limits of the Washington Treaty. Moreover, from the early
1920s onwards it was clear that, in an ‘Orange’ war, treaty carrier
tonnage would be insufficient. Plans were therefore prepared for the
conversion of liners to second-line carriers, although until the late
1920s there were no US liners fast enough really to be satisfactory in
this role. This programme included the design and construction of
some long lead time mobilisation items, such as lifts, in the mid-1930s,
and even the design of a liner (P-4P) specially designed for emergency
conversion to a carrier in 1938.
The emergency conversion programme was not dropped until 1940,
when the abatement of treaty restrictions and the size of the new
construction programme appeared to make such lash-ups redundant.
However, it was also apparent that the new carriers would not be
available until about 1944 or 1945; the President became interested in
emergency measures that would bring some light aircraft to sea for such
secondary duties as ASW. He was also interested in flight-deck ships
for aircraft transport (eg for Lend-Lease delivery). These two features
were fused in the escort carriers, many of which functioned more as
aircraft ferries for front-line carrier task forces. Escort carrier
development also benefited from British experience both in prewar
planning and in the conversion of the Empire Audacity, US prewar
conversion plans had been rather more grandiose. In addition, the
success of the initial conversion {Long Island) inspired the President to
see in the large fleet of Cleveland class cruiser hulls a resource for the
production of emergency fleet carriers. His first proposals, in mid-
1941, were resisted by the technical bureaux, but a much more austere
design, prepared on the basis of escort carrier practice, was proceeded
with early in 1942 and proved quite successful.
As for the fleet carriers, their role underwent considerable develop¬
ment between wars. From the early 1930s onwards the big carriers
often combined with heavy cruiser escorts to form independent strike
groups; experience in this type of operation was important in the
formation of small carrier task groups early in World War II, and of
course to the formation of the Fast Carrier Task Force which broke the
Japanese fleet in the great battles of 1944. The pattern for fleet carriers
was set with the prewar Yorktown (CV5) class and developed into the
mass-production Essex. From this point of view the armoured-deck
Midways were an anomaly inspired by the success of British

100
 Aircraft carriers

armoured-deck carriers: they were very expensive to build, and it
turned out that their large flight decks could accommodate a rather
unwieldy air group.
Perhaps the most important wartime development in carrier opera¬
tions was the rise of the catapult. Modern hydraulic catapults first
appeared in the Yorktowns, but were little used prewar, partly in view
of their low power. However, the small escort carriers were so slow that
they required catapults to launch their torpedo-bombers, and their
success in such operations led to increased use of flight deck catapults
(which by now were far more powerful) on board the fleet carriers. By
the end of the war a large proportion of all operational take-offs was by
catapult; such a practice permitted a much larger area of the flight deck
to be filled with ready aircraft than hitherto, and the aircraft could take
off with heavier loads. Catapults also increased the value of the escort
carriers as aircraft ferries: Army fighters were, in 1945, built with
catapult fittings as a matter of routine, and launched from escort
carrier-ferries. This practice recalls the prewar concept of the Marine
scout bombers being launched from seaplane tenders to operate out of
advanced bases, and it had roughly the same virtue of permitting rapid
deployment. In a sense the flying-off ferry concept was first tested in
the delivery runs to Malta, eg by the US fleet carrier Wasp.

These two converted batdecruisers

were the first US fleet carriers, and
experience with them was responsible
for the design of the Yorktown class of
the early 1930s. There were serious
proposals for large carriers even
before the Washington Treaty pre¬
sented the Navy with this pair of big,
fast hulls; one such proposal was for a
carrier built from material assembled
for the battlecruiser Ranger, the least
advanced of the six authorised in
1916. As finally completed, both
ships were armed with 8in guns rather
than with the 6in originally contemp¬
lated, presumably because of the
imminent emergence of 8in ‘treaty
cruisers’ capable of running them
down at night or in bad weather. Plans
to provide torpedo tubes were not,
however, implemented.
For many years both ships were
carried on Navy lists as 33,000-
tonners ‘exclusive of equipment for
defence against air and submarine
attack,’ in reference to the Washing¬
ton Treaty provision that existing cap¬
ital ships could be refitted for defence
LEXINGTON class
Displacement: (Lexington 1936) 37,68It standard; 43,055t full load
Dimensions: 850ft wl, 888ft oa X 105ft 5in x 33ft 4in
259.08, 270.66 x 32.12 x 10.15m
Machinery: 4-shaft General Electric turbines, 16 Yarrow boilers, 180,000shp = 33.25kts. Oil 2400-3600t, range
10,500nm at 15kts
Armour: Belt 7in-5in with 1.25in deck over 0.75in STS, CT 2in with 2in roof. No protection for 8in guns
Armament: 8-8in/55 (4x2), 12-5in/25 (12x 1), 48-0.5in, 63 aircraft. See notes
Complement: 2327
No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
CV2 LEXINGTON Bethlehem, Quincy 8.1.1921 3.10.25 14.12.27 Sunk 8.5.42
CV3 SARATOGA New York SB 25.9.1920 7.4.25 16.11.27 Expended 25.7.46
against such attack, adding up to 3000 gradually lost as weight was added - deck-edge lift. The aircraft comple¬
tons of diplacement; in fact the two not to mention additions of weight ment indicated in the table is for 1936
big carriers exceeded 35,000 tons. due to considerable numbers of new and at that time comprised 18 fight¬
By 1941 the SP main battery light AA guns. ers, 40 bombers and 5 utility
seemed outdated, and plans were After her last refit in the spring of machines; petrol stowage was 137,450
made to replace it with 5in DP guns; 1945 Saratoga mounted 8 single and 4 US gallons in 1942.
Lexington when sunk was without her twin 5in/38, 25 quadruple 40mm, and
8in guns but also without the 5in/38 16 single 20mm. She was far larger
DP weapons which were to have than an Essex, but actually carried
replaced them. Her sister was refitted fewer planes due to her relatively
Saratoga in Puget Sound, 15.5.1945
at about the same time, and she was uneconomical design, which included
also bulged to restore buoyancy a closed hangar and precluded a By courtesy of A D Baker III

101
The first US carrier built from the
keel up as such, Ranger was designed RANGER
almost without operational experi¬ Displacement: 14,575t standard; 17,577t full load
ence with carriers; her displacement
Dimensions: 730ft wl, 769ft oa x 80ft lin wl, 109ft 6in max X 22ft Sin full load
was limited so as to extract the max¬ 222.50, 234.39 x 24.40, 33.37 x 6.83m
imum air fleet from a Washington Machinery: 2-shaft turbines, 6 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 53,500shp = 29.25kts. Oil 1567—2350t, range 10,000nm
Treaty limit of 69,000 tons of new at 15kts
carrier construction. Ranger was orig¬
Armour: Side and bulkheads 2in (over magazines only), deck lin
inally designed with a flush deck, but
Armament: 8—5in/25 (8x 1), 76 aircraft. See notes
in the course of construction it
became apparent that even the Complement: 1788
aviators required an island. This and
No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
other changes added greatly to her
tonnage, and she far exceeded her CV4 RANGER Newport News 26.9.1931 25.2.33 4.7.34 Sold for BU
designed 13,800 tons. However, the 28.1.47
original flush deck design shows in
her hinged funnels, a feature not
Ranger in late 1944 as a training carrier USN
repeated until the abortive post-
World War II flush-deck attack car¬
riers. Ranger was designed entirely
without passive protection, but was
armed with eight 5in/25 AA guns.
Her original air group comprised 36
bombers, 36 fighters and 4 utility air¬
craft. Petrol stowage was 135,840 US
gallons.
On trials. Ranger made 54,63 lshp
= 29.9kts at 16,169t. In service she
was relatively unsuccessful; in 1939,
for example, in connection with
proposals for new small carriers, her
captain testified that she often pitched
too much for flying operations, while
the larger carriers remained effective.
Her major World War II service was
limited to the North African opera¬
tion and a carrier raid on Norway in
1943 in company with the British
Home Fleet, after which Ranger was
relegated to training operations, with
5in guns removed as weight compen¬
sation for new radars. A project to
bulge her was abandoned in view of
her low speed and small size.
In 1945, as a training carrier,
Ranger participated in the earliest
trials of Airborne Early Warning
(AEW) radar aircraft, which have
nowadays become essential in carrier
operations. By that time she was down
to a battery of 47-20mm, with no
40mm or 5in guns at all.
Enterprise late 1943

These were in a sense the first modern

US carriers, the prototypes of the YORKTOWN class
classic .Essexs of World War II. Unlike
Displacement: (Enterprise) 19,875t standard; 25,484t full load
Ranger, they were designed in the
Dimensions: 770ft wl, 809ft oa, 824ft 9in over flight deck x 83ft 2in wl, 109ft 6in max x 25ft lliin full load
light of experience with both large and
234.69, 246.58, 251.38 x 25.34, 33.37 x 7.90m
small carriers (Lexington and Saratoga
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons turbines, 9 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 120,000shp = 32.5kts. Oil 2754—4360t, range
on the one hand, Langley on the other)
12,000nm at 15kts
and represented a compromise solu¬
Armour: Belt 4in-2.5in over 0.75in STS, armour deck 1.5in, bulkheads 4in, CT 4in with 2in roof
tion: the tonnage remaining after
Ranger would go into two ships of Armament: 8—5in/38 (8x 1), 16-1.lin (4x4), 24—0.5in (24x 1), 96 aircraft. See notes
about 20,000 tons each and one more Complement: 2175 (1942)
small carrier. This solution was par¬
ticularly attractive because the Gen¬ No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
eral Board considered groups of two CV5 YORKTOWN Newport News 21.5.1934 4.4.36 30.9.37 Sunk 7.6.42
carriers tactically useful. Another fac¬ CV6 ENTERPRISE Newport News 16.7.1934 3.10.36 12.5.38 Sold for BU
tor in the design was a demand for 1.7.58
protection, which parallelled CV8 HORNET Newport News 25.9.1939 14.12.40 20.10.41 Sunk 24.10.42
increased interest in cruiser protec-

102

tion (see the New Orleans class). As in
the case of the Ranger, the aviators
wanted a flush deck, but in fact they
could not have both high speed
(which meant a great deal of smoke to
disperse) and folding funnels. Once a
big funnel had been accepted, the
aviators were willing to accept also a
bridge and a flying control position;
the latter had, indeed, been found
extremely useful and would soon be
installed on the .Ranger, already under
construction.
For a time an armoured flight or
hangar deck was considered, but not
enough armour could be provided for
this to be useful; armour then, was
limited to a side belt and a deck cover¬
ing it, intended to protect against
cruiser (6in) fire between 10,000 and
20,000yds at a 60° target angle. Tor¬
pedo protection was limited to 4001b
TNT; the battleships built later were
designed to resist 7001b. There were
three catapults, two on the flight deck
and one double athwartships on the
hangar deck. The air group in 1938
consisted of 18 fighters, 36 torpedo-
bombers, 37 dive-bombers and 5 util¬
ity machines. Aviation fuel capacity
was 177,950 US gallons. On trials,
Yorktown reached 120,517shp =
33.53kts at 22,963t.
Hornet (CV8) was built as a repeat
Yorktown to avoid delays attendant on
a new design. She was lost within a
year of her completion, and by 1943
only the much-damaged Enterprise
remained in existence. By this time
she was greatly overweight, and in a
large refit in the autumn of 1943 she
was bulged to restore sufficient
buoyancy and stability. She fought in
nearly all the US carrier battles of the
Pacific War, and was to have been
Aircraft carriers
preserved as the symbol of US naval
operations in World War II; however,
Enterprise was broken up in 1957.
These must have been among the
very first US warships designed to
incorporate the new quadruple 1. lin
machine gun. At the end of the war,
Enterprise had, in addition to her
8-5in/38,11 quadruple 40mm, 8 twin
40mm, and 16 twin 20mm. She was
then operating as a night-fighter car¬
rier, with a reduced air group optim¬
ised for night protection of the Task
Force.

Wasp was the last US carrier to be

severely limited by treaty; she was WASP
designed to consume the tonnage left
Displacement: 14,700t standard (designed); 18,450t full load
over from the two 20,000-ton carriers
Dimensions: 690ft wl, 720ft oa x 81ft 7in wl, 100ft max x 23ft 3in full load
Yorktown and Enterprise and was
210.31, 219.45 x 24.86, 30.48 x 7.08m
unfortunate in that the Forces Afloat
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons turbines, 6 Yarrow boilers, 70,000shp = 29.5kts. Oil 1602t, range 12,500nm at 15kts
wanted roughly the same characteris¬
Armour: Belt 0.625in STS (backing for future installation of heavier belt), armour deck 1.25in
tics on no more than 14,500 tons. The
solution adopted was a modified Armament: 8—5in/38 (8x1), 16-1.lin (4x4), 24-0.Sin (24x1), 76 aircraft. See notes
Ranger, in which both improved sta¬ Complement: 2167
bility and improved protection were
sought. There was no hope of obtain¬ No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
ing underwater protection, but there CV7 WASP Bethlehem, Quincy 1.4.1936 4.4.39 25.4.40 Sunk 15.9.42
was an armoured deck; this anti¬
shellfire protection would be com¬
pleted, in wartime, by the addition of catapults (2 flight deck, 2 double ath- tion of one of the first quadruple
external belt armour. Some transverse wartships on the hangar deck), and 40mm guns shortly before the ship
stability was bought by the adoption 162,000 US gallons aviation fuel could was lost.
of an unusual asymmetrical hull form, be carried. War modifications were
which balanced the weight of the limited, but did include the installa-
island superstructure. Wasp in 1942

The first design studies included

efforts to use the hangar deck for
flying-off operations, to increase the
rate at which aircraft could be
launched; this was rejected, but two
transverse catapults were installed,
together with two on the flight deck.
In addition, with the end of treaty
restrictions in 1939, efforts were made
to increase speed through increased
engine power. However, it does not
appear that the planned side armour
was fitted; quite possibly the demands
of other new ships, such as the new
light cruisers, were considered more
pressing.
Wasp’s air group in 1942 consisted
of 27 fighters, 37 bombers and 12
torpedo-bombers. There were four
UNITED STATES

These ships were the core of the US

Fast Carrier Task Force which won ESSEX class
the Pacific war, and they formed the
basis of the postwar carrier fleet as Displacement: (Essex) 27,208t standard; 34,88It full load
well. They were essentially enlarged, Dimensions: 820ft wl, 888ft (CV9-13, 16-18, 20, 31 872ft) oa x 93ft wl, 147ft 6in max x 27ft 6in full load
improved Yorktowns, freed of treaty 249.93, 270.66 (265.78) x 28.34, 44.95 x 8.38m
restrictions, with four more 5in/38 Machinery: 4-shaft Westinghouse turbines, 8 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 150,000shp = 32.7kts. Oil 4758—6330t,
(and all starboard guns in twin gun- range 15,000nm at 15kts
houses to free flight deck space); new Armour: Belt 4in-2.5in, hangar deck 2.5in, armour deck over belt 1.5in
high pressure boilers (symbolised by a Armament: 12—5in/38 (4x2, 4x 1), 32^I0mm (8x4), 46-20mm (46x 1), 91 aircraft. See notes
much shrunken funnel despite a con¬ Complement: 2682
siderable increase in power); a new en
ichelon machinery arrangement; bet¬ No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
ter underwater protection (5001b
CV9 ESSEX Newport News 28.4.1941 31.7.42 31.12.42 Stricken 15.6.75,
TNT); more powerful catapults; and
BU
a second armoured deck, on the han¬
CV10 YORKTOWN Newport News 1.12.1941 21.1.43 15.4.43 Stricken 1.6.73,
gar deck level, to detonate armour-
(ex-Bon Homme Richard) preserved
piercing bombs before they reached
CV11 INTREPID Newport News 1.12.1941 26.4.43 16.8.43 Decommissioned
the vitals below, covered by the origi¬
15.3.74, in
nal armour deck. Against non¬
reserve 1980
armour-piercing bombs, the hangar
CV12 HORNET Newport News 3.8.1942 30.8.43 29.11.43 Decommissioned
deck would protect the entire hull
(ex-Kearsarge) 26.6.70, in
structure; for example, it prevented
Kamikazes from penetrating into the reserve 1980
CV13 FRANKLIN Newport News 7.12.1942 14.10.43 31.1.44 Stricken 1.10.64,
hull proper. As in the Yorktowns and
Wasp and Ranger, the hangar and BU
CV14 TICONDEROGA Newport News 1.2.1943 7.2.44 8.5.44 Stricken 16.11.73,
flight deck were built on as a super¬
(ex-Hancock) BU
structure. From an aircraft handling
CV15 RANDOLPH Newport News 10.5.1943 29.6.44 9.10.44 Stricken 15.6.73
point of view, they repeated the exper¬
CV16 LEXINGTON Bethlehem, Quincy 15.9.1941 26.9.42 17.2.43 Active as CVT
iment begun in the Wasp by incor¬
(ex-Cabot) 1980
porating a large deck-edge lift; in
CV17 BUNKER HILL Bethlehem, Quincy 15.9.1941 7.12.42 20.5.43 Stricken 1.11.66,
practice this worked so well that in
1945 carrier commanders were asking BU
CV18 WASP (ex-Oriskany) Bethlehem, Quincy 18.3.1942 17.8.43 24.11.43 Stricken 1.7.72,
that the forward centreline lift be
replaced by a second deck-edge lift BU
CV19 HANCOCK Bethlehem, Quincy 26.1.1943 17.8.43 15.4.44 Stricken, 31.1.76,
further forward. In contrast to the
(ex-7'iconderoga) BU
Yorktowns, the original Essex design
CV20 BENNINGTON Newport News 15.12.1942 26.2.44 6.8.44 Decommissioned
also incorporated six rather than four
quadruple 1. lin machine guns; these 15.1.70, in
were replaced by 40mm guns in the reserve 1980
CV21 BOXER Newport News 13.9.1943 14.12.44 16.4.45 Stricken 1.12.69,
design phase, and even the first ships
had far heavier light batteries. BU
CV31 BON HOMME New York N Yd 1.2.1943 29.4.44 26.11.44 Decommissioned
The original design called for three
RICHARD 2.7.71, in
catapults, two on the flight deck and
one athwartships on the hangar deck; reserve 1980
CV32 LEYTE Newport News 21.2.1944 23.8.45 11.4.46 Stricken 1.6.69,
later (in the design phase) one of the
(ex-Crown Point) BU
two on the flight deck had to be sup¬
CV33 KEARSARGE New York N Yd 1.3.1944 5.5.45 2.3.46 Stricken 1.5.73,
pressed because of overweight. How¬
ever, the hangar deck catapult proved BU
CV34 ORISKANY New York N Yd 1.5.1944 13.10.45 25.9.50 Decommissioned
less than useful, and ultimately all
ships had two flight deck units. As 30.9.76, in
completed, CV9 carried no flight deck reserve 1980
CV35 REPRISAL New York N Yd 1.7.1944 — —
Cancelled 12.8.45
catapults, CV16 had one and
CV36 ANTIETAM Philadelphia N Yd 15.3.1943 20.8.44 28.1.45 Stricken 1.5.73,
CV10-13, 17 and 18 had one flight
deck and one double athwartships BU
CV37 PRINCETON Philadelphia N Yd 14.9.1943 8.7.45 18.11.45 Stricken 30.1.70,
catapult. The 1942 aircraft comple¬
(ex-Valley Forge) BU
ment, quoted in the table, comprised
CV38 SHANGRI LA Norfolk N Yd 15.1.1943 24.2.44 15.9.44 Decommissioned
36 fighters, 37 dive-bombers and 18
torpedo-bombers. Aviation fuel 30.7.71, in
capacity was 240,000 US gallons. reserve 1980
CV39 LAKE CHAMPLAIN Norfolk N Yd 15.3.1943 2.11.44 3.6.45 Stricken 1.12.69,
The major war modification was a
considerable increase in light AA BU
CV40 TARAWA Norfolk N Yd 1.3.1944 12.5.45 8.12.45 Stricken 1.6.67,
weapons. As of 1940, it was planned
to put four multiple machine guns BU
CV45 VALLEY FORGE Philadelphia N Yd 7.9.1944 18.11.45 3.11.46 Stricken 15.1.70,
(ultimately quadruple 40mm) on the
island superstructure, with two more BU
CV46 IWO JIMA Philadelphia N Yd 29.1.1945 — _
Cancelled 12.8.45
on the port sponsons which carried
CV47 PHILIPPINE SEA Bethlehem, Quincy 19.8.1944 5.9.45 11.5.46 Stricken 1.12.69,
open 5in mounts, and one more at
(ex-Wright) BU
each end. Early ships were completed
with eight quadruple 40mm; this soon
rose to ten, with one more aft and one cost of the lower forward 40mm starboard side at hangar deck level; CV12 had 10; CV10, 11, 16-18, and
on the former catapult sponson to mount, but on the other hand most and two more on the flight deck level, 31 had 17, and the others (except
port. Units under construction were mounted a second quadruple 40mm on the port side aft, for a total of 17 or CV13, under refit) had 18. 20mm bat¬
modified with dipper bows to take an in the port catapult sponson. In many 18 mounts. The ‘ultimate’ battery teries varied very widely; CV16 had
additional mount forward. By the lat¬ cases, two more were mounted on the called for 18 quadruple 40mm and 35 30 twins plus five of the new power-
ter part of the war, many ships had hangar deck aft on the starboard side; twin 20mm. In fact at the end of the operated quadruple 50cal machine
had their bridgework extended at the three more abreast the island on the war CV9 and 38 had 11 40mm mounts; guns, and CV18 had 29 twins plus six

104
 Aircraft carriers
of the new weapons. The others had
20mm only: 61 single in CV9 and 10;
37 single and 19 twin in CV11; 35
single in CV12; 35 twin in CV14, 17,
21 and 32; 56 single in CV15; 59 single
in CV19; 60 single in CV20; 56 single
in CV31; 23 single and 16 twin in
CV36; and 7 single and 53 twin in
CV38.
On trials, Intrepid reached
150,000shp = 32.73kts at 32,346t.
CV50-55 were cancelled 27.4.1945
and Oriskany was suspended in 1946
for redesign for jet operation; she was
not completed until 1950. Most of her
sisters were reconstructed along simi¬
lar lines.

In 1942 it appeared that the United

States Navy would not be able to get INDEPENDENCE class
any new fleet carriers before 1944, the
Displacement: (Independence) 10,662t standard; 14,75It full load
planned date for the completion of
Dimensions: 600ft wl, 622ft 6in oa x 71ft 6in wl, 109ft 2in max x 24ft 3in full load
Essex. As an emergency measure the
182.88, 189.74 x 21.79, 33.27 x 7.39m
President ordered the Navy to convert
Cleveland class cruisers to carriers, a
Machinery: 4-shaft General Electric turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 100,000shp = 31 6kts. Oil 2633t, range
13,000nm at 15kts
measure he had advocated since
Armour: Belt 5in on 0.63in STS, bulkheads 5in, armour deck over belt 2in (no belt in CVL22, 23)
August 1941. The Bureau of Ships
Armament: 24-40mm (2x4, 8x2), 22-20mm, 30 aircraft. See notes
had objected that he would get only a
mediocre carrier and that in any case Complement: 1569
good carriers could be had almost as
No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
fast; indeed, the Essex was actually
completed in December 1942, before CVL22 INDEPENDENCE New York SB 1.5.1941 22.8.42 1.1.43 Expended 29.1.51
any of the new light carriers had (ex-CL59 Amsterdam)
entered service. However, the first CVL23 PRINCETON New York SB 2.6.1941 18.10.42 25.2.43 Sunk 24.10.44
three were commissioned between (ex-CL61 Tallahassee)
then and the completion of the second CVL24 BELLEAU WOOD New York SB 11.8.1941 6.12.42 31.3.43 To France
Essex; the remaining six, as well as (ex-CL76 New Haven) Sept 1953
five Essex s, were completed during CVL25 COWPENS (ex-CL77 New York SB 17.12.1941 17.1.43 28.5.43 Sold for BU
the rest of 1943. Each light carrier Huntington) 1.11.59
displaced about a third as much as a CVL26 MONTEREY New York SB 29.12.1941 28.2.43 17.6.43 Stricken 1.6.70,
fleet carrier and could operate about (ex-CL78 Dayton) BU
half her air group; at one time it was CVL27 LANGLEY (tx-Crown New York SB 11.4.1942 22.5.43 31.8.43 To France
proposed that light carriers supply Point, ex-CL85 Jan 1951
combat air patrol support for a pair of Fargo)
fleet carriers whose air groups would CVL28 CABOT (ex-CL79 New York SB 13.3.1942 4.4.43 24.7.43 To Spain 30.8.67
be devoted instead to offensive Wilmington)
strikes. CVL29 BATAAN (ex-CL99 New York SB 31.8.1942 1.8.43 17.11.43 Sold for BU
The actual conversion was very Buffalo) 1.9.59
simple and was adapted from escort CVL30 SAN JACINTO New York SB 26.10.1942 26.9.43 15.12.43 Stricken 1.6.70,
carrier practice. The cruiser hull was (ex- Reprisal, BU
bulged for stability; it was necessary, ex-CLIOO Newark)
therefore, to replace the ‘Class A’
armour of the cruiser with ‘Class B’,
which could be welded to the new experience with the first escort car¬ none of the later light carriers had any On trials, San Jacinto made
bulge. Delays in providing the latter riers led to the provision of CVE-type weapon more powerful than the 104,805shp = 31.74kts at 14,220t.
caused the first two ships to be com¬ island well forward. Initial plans also 40mm. There was 1 flight deck The light carriers were considered
pleted with no side armour at all. Ini¬ called for 5in guns fore and aft, but catapult, and in 1942 the air group successful but badly cramped, and all
tial plans called for no island and a only the first ship was so fitted; after consisted of 12 fighters, 9 bombers passed from service soon after the end
ship control position under the for¬ trials she received quadruple 40mm and 9 torpedo-bombers; 120,000 US of the war. Two were recommissioned
ward edge of the flight deck, but guns in these positions instead, and gallons aviation fuel could be stowed. and refitted as ASW carriers, and two
others were transferred to France; the
remainder were never recommis¬
sioned postwar.
In 1945, CVL22-24 and 29 all had 2
quadruple and 10 twin 40mm guns,
plus 4-20mm. CVL25, 27 and 28 had
9 twin mounts and 5 twin 20mm;
CVL26 had 9 twin 40mm and 8 twin
20mm; and CVL 30 had 9 twin 40mm
and 22 single 20mm.

Belleau Wood shortly after commissioning,

18.4.1943

USN

105
UNITED STATES

These very large carriers were

inspired by US interest in British MIDWAY class
armoured flight deck carriers; the lat¬
ter, however, in contrast to contem¬ Displacement: (Midway) 47,387t standard; 59,901t full load
porary US carriers, had little protec¬ Dimensions: 900ft wl, 968ft oa x 113ft wl, 136ft max x 34ft 6in full load
tion below the flight deck. The great 274.32, 295.04 x 34.44, 41.45 x 10.51m
size of the Midways resulted from an Machinery: 4-shaft Westinghouse turbines, 12 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 212,000shp = 33kts. Oil 6003-10,032t,
attempt to provide an armoured flight range 15,000nm at 15kts
deck in addition to an armoured han¬ Armour: Belt 7.6in (7in starboard side) with 2in STS above belt to hangar deck, flight deck 3.5in, hangar deck
gar and protective (over belt) decks. 2in, armour deck over belt 2in STS, bulkheads 6.3in
Once this kind of weight had been Armament: 18—5in/54 (18x1), 84-40mm (21x4), 68-20mm (34x2), 137 aircraft. See notes
accepted, it was easy to require in Complement: 4104
addition protection against 8in rather
than 6in cruiser fire; after all, the No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
main Japanese cruiser force mounted CVB41 MIDWAY Newport News 27.10.1943 20.3.45 10.9.45 In service 1980
the heavier rather than the lighter CVB42 FRANKLIN D New York N Yd 1.12.1943 29.4.45 27.10.45 Stricken 1.10.77,
weapon, and in 1942, when the Mid¬ ROOSEVELT BU
way s were designed, it was still consi¬ (ex-Coral Sea)
dered that the carrier might fall victim CVB43 CORAL SEA Newport News 10.7.1944 2.4.46 1.10.47 In service 1980
to cruisers attacking at night or in bad CVB44 — - — - — Cancelled 11.1.1943
weather. Thus the Characteristics CVB56 — — — — — Cancelled 28.3.1945
ultimately adopted required protect¬ CVB57 - Cancelled 28.3.1945
- - - -
ion against 8in/55 heavy shells by the
combination of protective deck and
belt between 15,000 and 22,000yds. large ships, which he felt would not be complement quoted in the table riers large enough to operate many
Torpedo protection was finally on a ready in time for war operations; he relates to 1945 and comprises 73 types of jet fighter and, perhaps more
battleship scale, and the machinery went so far as to require the General fighters and 64 bombers. Stowage importantly, the new strategic
was minutely compartmented as in Board to ask operational commanders capacity for 350,000 US gallons avia¬ bomber, the AJ Savage. At present
the abortive Montana class. The new whether they would not in fact prefer tion fuel was provided. Trial figures the two surviving Midways are the
carrier also employed the 5in/54 DP an equivalent tonnage of much smal¬ for Coral Sea are 215,520shp = sole World War II ships remaining in
gun originally planned for the Mon¬ ler ships (he appears to have had 33.03kts at 58,600t. front-line US service.
tanas , albeit in single mounts escort carriers in mind). At first only In 1945 there was a general feeling
arranged along the sides of the hull, to two ships were approved, and then a that such large carriers were a mis¬
avoid encroachment on the flight third, but CVB44 was cancelled on take, that they were too expensive and
deck. 11.1.43. Two more ships, CVB56 and that their very large air groups were
At first four ships, CVB41-44, 57, were to have been included in the too large for efficient operation, given
were planned. However, the Presi¬ abortive 1945 programme, but were current tactics. However, for a time Midway working up, 20.10.1945
dent was sceptical of the value of such cancelled on 28.3.1945. The aircraft after the war they were the only car¬ By courtesy of A D Baker III
 Aircraft carriers

In 1943 Admiral King ordered a con¬

tinuing programme of two light car¬ SAIPAN class
riers per year to replace expected
Displacement: 14,500t standard (designed); 17,800t trial
wastage; the two new ships would be
Dimensions: 664ft wl, 683ft 7in oa x 76ft 8in wl, 108ft max x 27ft max
ready by December 1945, by which
202.38, 208.35 x 23.36, 32.91 x 8.22m
time he estimated that two of the orig¬
Machinery: 4-shaft General Electric turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 120,000shp = 33kts. Oil 2400t max,
inal light carriers would have been
range 13,000nm at 15kts
lost. The new ships were to be based
Armour: Belt 4in on 0.63in STS backing, bulkheads 4in, armour deck 2.5in
on the Baltimore class hull; no heavy
cruisers would be converted, but the Armament: 40-40mm (5x4, 10x2), 32-20mm (16x2), 48 aircraft. See notes
use of a hull already in production Complement: 1821
would, it seemed, make for a simpler
design. Ultimately in fact, an entirely No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
new hull was designed, without the CVL48 SAIPAN New York SB Stricken 15.8.75,
10.7.1944 8.7.45 14.7.46
bulge of the earlier Independence class. BU
Protection was generally on the scale CVL49 WRIGHT New York SB 21.8.1944 1.9.45 9.2.47 Stricken 1.12.77
of the larger Essex, and thus rep¬
resented a decrease as compared with ordered, the war had ended. On trials,
the Baltimore; the flight deck was Saipan achieved 119,247shp =
strengthened to take 20,0001b air¬ 32.26kts at 17,490t. The aircraft car¬
craft; and a new island, similar to that ried comprise 36 fighters and 12
of the Commencement Bay class escort torpedo-bombers, for which 140,000
carriers, was provided. The anti¬ US gallons aviation fuel could be
aircraft battery was strengthened, but stowed. The two ships were rather
not to the point of providing 5in guns. cramped for jet operations, and were
Only two ships were built; by the laid up in the mid-1950s after terms as
time another pair might have been training carriers.

The first of a long line of US escort

carriers, Long Island was converted LONG ISLAND, CHARGER escort aircraft carriers
from the cargo ship Mormacmail in
Displacement: (Charger) 11,800t standard; 15,126t full load
1941; at first her role was to be aircraft
transport, but quite soon she was Dimensions: 465ft wl, 492ft oa x 69ft 6in wl, 102ft (Charger 111ft 2in) max x 25ft 2in full load
141.73, 149.96 x 21.18, 31.08 (33.88) x 7.66m
classed as a combatant. The conver¬
sion work benefited somewhat from Machinery: (Charger) 1-shaft diesel, 8500bhp = 16.5kts. Oil 1365—3061t
British experience with the Empire Armament: 3—4in (LongIsland 1 —4in, 2—3in/50), 10-20mm (Long Island 4—0.Sin), 36 (LongIsland 16) aircraft. See
Audacity, converted at about the same notes
time, and indeed subsequent US con¬ Complement: 856
versions were transferred to the Royal
No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
Navy. Long Island was originally a
diesel-powered C-3 cargo ship, and CVE1 LONG ISLAND Sun ? 11.1.1940 2.6.41 Sold 1949
her captain considered her far too (ex-Mormacmail)
slow; consequently future US C-3 CVE30 CHARGER (ex-BAVG4, Sun ? 1.3.1941 3.3.42 Sold 1947
conversions were made from steam- ex-Rio de la Plata)
powered ships. One of the British
diesel C-3s, Charger, was however
retained by the US Navy as a training USN
ship. Unlike Long Island (and Empire
Audacity) she and the British C-3 con¬
versions all had small island supers¬
tructures. They could be disting¬
uished from later US escort carriers
by the absence of funnels. >

Each ship had a flight deck

catapult. Long Island’s, capacity was
'
10 observation and 6 bomber aircraft, '

and her aviation fuel bunkerage was

100,000 US gallons; Charger had .::
stowage for 90,000 US gallons. In
1944 Long Island was modified as an
aircraft transport; her flight deck was
made lighter, since it would no longer
have to take landing loads, and her
catapult was replaced by a more pow¬
erful type, as she would fly off the
aircraft she was carrying. By that time
many Army fighters were being built
with temporary catapult fittings for
precisely such delivery. At the end of
the war Long Island carried two
3in/50, one 5in/38, and 20 twin
20mm.
107
UNITED STATES

These steam-powered successors to

the original Long Island incorporated
a longer flight deck with two rather
Displacement: (Nassau) 9393t standard; 13,891t full load
than one lift. In February 1942 it was
Dimensions: 465ft wl, 495ft 8in oa x 69ft 6in wl, 111ft 6in max x 23ft 3in full load
decided to add an island, as in the first
141.73, 151.08 x 21.18, 33.99 x 7.09m
British diesel ships. Twenty ships
Machinery: 1- shaft Allis-Chalmers turbine, 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers, 8500shp = 16.5kts. Oil 1746-3420t, range
were converted, of which ten were
26,300nm at 15kts
assigned to the Royal Navy; thePrince
Armament: 2— 5in/51, 4-40mm, 10-20mm, 28 aircraft. See notes
William, of the next series (hulls
31-54), was also of this type. Com¬ Complement: 890
pared to the specially built Casablanca
No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
type, they were slower but had a
greater cruising radius and greater CVE9 BOGUE (ex- Seattle-Tacoma ? 15.1.1942 26.9.42 BU Nov 1960
cargo and fuel capacity; in 1943 they Steel Advocate)
were described as above average in CVE11 CARD Seattle-Tacoma p 21.2.1942 8.11.42 BU 1971
habitability and quite manoeuvrable, CVE12 COPAHEE (ex- Seattle-Tacoma ? 21.10.1941 15.6.42 BU May 1961
even with only a single screw. How¬ Steel Architect)
ever, their merchant ship origins CVE13 CORE Seattle-Tacoma ? 15.5.1942 10.12.42 BU 1971
showed in the cambered and sheered CVE16 NASSAU Seattle-Tacoma ? 4.4.1942 20.8.42 BU June 1961
hangar deck, which sometimes made CVE18 ALTAMAHA Seattle-Tacoma ? 22.5.1942 15.9.42 BU 1961
aircraft handling difficult in rough CVE20 BARNES Seattle-Tacoma ? 22.5.1942 20.2.43 BU Feb 1960
weather. In addition, the Royal Navy CVE21 BLOCK ISLAND Seattle-Tacoma ? 6.6.1942 8.3.43 Sunk 29.5.44
considered their survivability insuffi¬ CVE23 BRETON Seattle-Tacoma ? 27.6.1942 12.4.43 BU 1972
cient and rebuilt escort carriers which CVE25 CROATAN Seattle-Tacoma ? 3.8.1942 28.4.43 BU 1971
it received via Lend-Lease. There was CVE31 PRINCE WILLIAM Seattle-Tacoma 18.5.1942 23.8.42 9.4.43 BU Mar 1961
one catapult, and the air group con¬
sisted (1942) of 16 fighters and 12
torpedo-bombers. Aviation fuel
capacity was 90,000 US gallons.
In 1943 a revised design, 35ft
longer and with better underwater
protection, was worked out, but
instead the repeat Sangamon was
chosen for the FY44 programme as
the Commencement Bay class. The
value of the Bogues shows in their
postwar retention as aircraft trans¬
ports.
In 1945 these ships were armed
with 2-5in/38, 10 twin 40mm, and 27
(25 in CVE11) single 20mm.

Displacement: (Sangamon) 10,494t standard; 23,875t full load

Dimensions: 525ft wl, 553ft oa x 75ft wl, 105ft 2in max X 30ft 7in full load
160.02, 168.55 x 22.86, 32.05 x 9.32m
Machinery: 2-shaft General Electric turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 13,500shp = 18kts. See notes
Armament: 2—5in/51, 8-40mm (4x2), 12-20mm, 31 aircraft. See notes
Complement: 1080 (1945)

No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate

CVE26 SANGAMON (ex-A028, Federal, Kearny 13.3.1939 4.11.39 25.8.42 BU 1960
ex-Esso Trenton)
CVE27 SUWANNEE (ex- Federal, Kearny ? 4.3.1939 24.9.42 BU June 1962
A033, ex-Markay)
CVE28 CHENANGO (ex-A031, Sun ? 1.4.1939 19.9.42 BU July 1962
ex-Esso New Orleans)
CVE29 SANTEE (ex-A029, Sun ? 4.3.1939 24.8.42 BU May 1960
ex-Seakay)

Bogue on 20.6.1943 USN Santee at Norfolk N Yd, 11.9.1942 USN

 Aircraft carriers

In mid-1942 Henry J Kaiser, who was

already mass-producing merchant CASABLANCA class carriers
ships, proposed to build a hundred
Displacement: (Liscombe Bay) 8188t standard; 10,902t full load
auxiliary carriers within a year by
similar methods. At this time the Dimensions: 490ft wl, 512ft 3in oa x 65ft 2in wl, 108ft lin max x 20ft 9in full load
149.35, 156.14 x 19.86, 32.94 x 6.32m
President was much impressed with
the urgent need for more carriers, and Machinery: 2-shaft Skinner Unaflow turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 9000shp = 19kts. Oil 2228t, range
the result was fifty Casablancas. They
10,200nm at 15kts
were smaller than the Bogues and Armament: l-5in/38, 8-40mm (4x2), 12-20mm, 27 aircraft. See notes
more cramped, but they were also Complement: 860
faster and could carry more aircraft;
No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
the 1943 air group comprised 9 fight¬
ers, 9 bombers and 9 torpedo- CVE55 CASABLANCA Kaiser, 3.11.1942 5.4.43 8.7.43 BU 1947
bombers. Aviation fuel capacity was (ex-Alazon Bay, Vancouver
100,000 US gallons. In August 1943 ex-Ameer)
the US Navy decided to retain all the CVE56 LISCOME BAY Kaiser, 9.12.1942 19.4.43 7.8.43 Sunk 24.11.43
Casablancas for itself and to transfer Vancouver
to the Royal Navy all the new Bogue s CVE57 ANZIO (ex- Kaiser, 12.12.1942 1.5.43 27.8.43 BU Mar 1960
then being completed. Cora/ Sea, ex- Vancouver
All were laid up at the end of the Alikula Bay)
war, and in postwar analyses of future CVE58 CORREGIDOR Kaiser, 17.12.1942 12.5.43 31.8.43 BU 1960
escort carrier requirements they were (ex-Anguilla Vancouver
always considered too small to be use¬ Bay)
ful for anything but helicopters. CVE59 MISSION BAY Kaiser, 28.12.1942 26.5.43 13.9.43 BU Jan 1960
However, they appear to have oper¬ (ex-Atheling) Vancouver
ated quite successfully in the Pacific, CVE60 GUADALCANAL (ex- Kaiser, 5.1.1943 5.6.43 25.9.43 BU Jan 1960
their duties including the amphibious Astrolabe Bay) Vancouver
support role; it was these ships which CVE61 MANILA BAY (ex- Kaiser, 15.1.1943 10.7.43 5.10.43 BU Feb 1960
fought the action off Samar. Bucareli Bay) Vancouver
The standard battery in 1945 was CVE62 NATOMA BAY Kaiser, 17.1.1943 20.7.43 14.10.43 BU Feb 1960
1—5in/38, 8 twin 40mm and 20 single (ex-Begum) Vancouver
20mm. CVE63 ST LO (ex-Midway, Kaiser, 23.1.1943 17.8.43 23.10.43 Sunk 25.10.44
ex-Chapin Bay) Vancouver
CVE64 TRIPOLI (ex- Kaiser, 1.2.1943 2.9.43 31.10.43 BU Jan 1960
Didrickson Bay) Vancouver
CVE65 WAKE ISLAND (ex- Kaiser, 6.2.1943 15.9.43 7.11.43 BU 1947
Dolomi Bay) Vancouver
CVE66 WHITE PLAINS (ex- Kaiser, 11.2.1943 27.9.43 15.11.43 BU Aug 1959
Elbour Bay) Vancouver
CVE67 SOLOMONS (ex- Kaiser, 19.3.1943 6.10.43 21.11.43 BU 1947
Nassuk Bay, ex- Vancouver
Emperor)
CVE68 KALININ BAY Kaiser, 26.4.1943 15.10.43 27.11.43 BU 1947
Vancouver
CVE69 KASAAN BAY Kaiser, 11.5.1943 24.10.43 4.12.43 BU Mar 1960
Vancouver
CVE70 FANSHAW BAY Kaiser, 18.5.1943 1.11.43 9.12.43 BU 1959
Vancouver
CVE71 KITKUN BAY Kaiser, 31.5.1943 8.11.43 15.12.43 BU 1947
Vancouver
CVE72 TULAGI (ex- Kaiser, 7.6.1943 15.11.43 21.12.43 BU 1947
Fortaleza Bay) Vancouver
CVE73 GAMBIER BAY Kaiser, 10.7.1943 22.11.43 28.12.43 Sunk 25.10.44
Vancouver
CVE74 NEHENTA BAY Kaiser, 20.7.1943 28.11.43 3.1.44 BU June 1960
(ex-Khedive) Vancouver
CVE75 HOGGATT BAY Kaiser, 17.8.1943 4.12.43 11.1.44 BU May 1960
Vancouver
CVE76 KADASHAN BAY Kaiser, 2.9.1943 11.12.43 18.1.44 BU June 1960
Vancouver
CVE77 MARCUS ISLAND Kaiser, 15.9.1943 16.12.43 26.1.44 BU June 1960
(ex-Kanalku Vancouver
Bay)
CVE78 SAVO ISLAND Kaiser, 27.9.1943 22.12.43 3.2.44 BU June 1960
(ex-Kaita Bay) Vancouver
CVE79 OMMANEY BAY Kaiser, 6.10.1943 29.12.43 11.2.44 Sunk 4.1.45
Vancouver
CVE80 PETROF BAY Kaiser, 15.10.1943 5.1.44 18.2.44 BU Sept 1959
Vancouver
CVE81 RUDYERD BAY Kaiser, 24.10.1943 12.1.44 25.2.46 BU 1960
Vancouver
CVE82 SAGINAW BAY Kaiser, 1.11.1943 19.1.44 2.3.44 BU Apr 1960
Vancouver
CVE83 SARGENT BAY Kaiser, 8.11.1943 31.1.44 9.3.44 BU Sept 1959
Vancouver
CVE84 SHAMROCK BAY Kaiser, 15.11.1943 4.2.44 15.3.44 BU Nov 1959
Vancouver

109
UNITED STATES

No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate

CVE85 SHIPLEY BAY Kaiser, 22.11.1943 12.2.44 21.3.44 BU Jan 1961

Vancouver
CVE86 SITKOH BAY Kaiser, 23.11.1943 19.2.44 28.3.44 BU 1961
Vancouver
CVE87 STEAMER BAY Kaiser, 4.12.1943 26.2.44 4.4.44 BU 1959
Vancouver
CVE88 CAPE ESPERANCE Kaiser, 11.12.1943 3.3.44 9.4.44 BU Jan 1961
('ex-Tananek Vancouver
Bay)
CVE89 TAKANIS BAY Kaiser, 16.12.1943 10.3.44 15.4.44 BU Nov 1960
Vancouver
CVE90 THETIS BAY Kaiser, 22.12.1943 16.3.44 21.4.44 Sold 1965
Vancouver
CVE91 MAKASSAR STRAIT Kaiser, 29.12.1943 22.3.44 29.4.44 Stricken 1.9.58,
(ex-Ulitaka Bay) Vancouver target
CVE92 WINDHAM BAY Kaiser, 5.1.1944 29.3.44 3.5.44 BU Feb 1961
Vancouver
CVE93 MAKIN ISLAND Kaiser, 12.1.1944 5.4.44 9.5.44 BU 1947
(ex-Woodcliff Vancouver
Bay)
CVE94 LUNGA POINT Kaiser, 19.1.1944 11.4.44 14.5.44 BU Nov 1960
(ex-Alazon Bay) Vancouver
CVE95 BISMARCK SEA Kaiser, 31.1.1944 17.4.44 20.5.44 Sunk 21.2.45
(ex-Alikula Bay) Vancouver
CVE96 SALAMAUA (ex- Kaiser, 4.2.1944 22.4.44 26.5.44 BU 1947
Anguilla Bay) Vancouver
CVE97 HOLLANDIA Kaiser, 12.2.1944 28.4.44 1.6.44 BU Nov 1960
(ex- Astrolabe Vancouver
Bay)
CVE98 KWAJALEIN (ex- Kaiser, 19.2.1944 4.5.44 7.6.44 BU Jan 1961
Bucareli Bay) Vancouver
CVE99 ADMIRALTY Kaiser, 26.2.1944 10.5.44 13.6.44 BU 1947
ISLANDS
(ex-Chapin Bay) Vancouver
CVE100 BOUGAINVILLE Kaiser, 3.3.1944 16.5.44 18.6.44 BU 1960
(ex-Didrickson Bay) Vancouver
CVE101 MATANIKAU (ex- Kaiser, 10.3.1944 22.5.44 24.6.44 BU Nov 1960
Dolomi Bay) Vancouver
CVE102 ATTU (ex- Elbour Kaiser, 16.3.1944 27.5.44 30.6.44 BU 1949
Bay) Vancouver
CVE103 ROI (ex-Alava Kaiser, 22.3.1944 2.6.44 6.7.44 BU 1947
Bay) Vancouver
Sargent Bay in mid 1944 CVE104 MUNDA (ex- Kaiser, 29.3.1944 8.6.44 8.7.44 BU Oct 1960
Tonowek Bay) Vancouver
USN

110
 Aircraft carriers
These were the most successful of the
escort carriers. The four Sangamons
were converted from fleet oilers, and Gilbert Islands 1945
consequently had much longer flight
decks than the C-3 and Casablanca
types. Conversion was actually some¬
what delayed in view of the shortage
IQ-] i i ri *i. i i I i i "i jTf=l
of tankers in 1942, and in fact propos¬
als to convert their sister-ships had to
be dropped for the same reason.
Instead hulls 31-54 were repeat C-3
conversions, all but the first (Prince
William) going to the Royal Navy; in COMMENCEMENT BAY class escort aircraft carriers
their place the US Navy retained all of
Displacement: (Commencement Bay) 18,908t standard; 21,397t full load
the Casablancas. However, for the
Dimensions: 525ft wl, 557ft lin oa X 75ft wl, 105ft 2in max x 27ft llin full load
1944 Programme a modified Sanga¬
160.02, 169.90 x 22.86, 32.05 x 8.50m
mon was ordered as the Commencement
Machinery: 2-shaft Allis-Chalmers turbines, 4 Combustion Engineering boilers, 16,000shp = 19kts. Oil 1789t (see
Bay class.
notes)
Perhaps the most notable feature of
Armament: 2-5in/38, 36-40mm (3x4, 12x2), 20-20mm, 33 aircraft. See notes
these classes was their huge oil capac¬
Complement: 1066
ity, retained from the original tanker
configuration. The Sangamons could
No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
carry 12,876t oil as cargo (which could
be used as fuel); in 1945 they were CVE105 COMMENCEMENT Todd-Pacific, 23.9.1943 9.5.44 27.11.44 Stricken 1.4.71
rated for 4780t fuel, plus ballast, for BAY Tacoma
23,900nm at 15kts. Even when not (ex-St Joseph Bay)
using the cargo tanks, they had a very CVE106 BLOCK ISLAND Todd-Pacific, 25.10.1943 10.6.44 30.12.44 BU June 1960
long radius of action. The engine-aft (exSunset Bay) Tacoma
configuration shows in the location of CVE107 GILBERT ISLANDS Todd-Pacific, 29.11.1943 20.7.44 5.2.45 Stricken 15.10.76
the after elevator well forward of that (ex-St Andrews Tacoma
in other escort carriers. In the repeat Bay)
class the engine spaces were further CVE108 KULA GULF (ex- Todd-Pacific, 16.12.1943 15.8.44 12.5.45 BU 1971
subdivided and some tanks converted Vermillion Bay) Tacoma
permanently to salt water ballast, but CVE109 CAPE GLOUCESTER Todd-Pacific, 10.1.1944 12.9.44 5.3.45 Stricken 1.4.71
considerable oil capacity remained. (ex-Willapa Bay) T acoma
The repeat design also incorporated a CVE 110 SALERNO BAY Todd-Pacific, 7.2.1944 26.9.44 19.5.45 BU 1962
revised island similar to that in the (ex-Winjah Bay) Tacoma
contemporary Saipans, and a more CVE111 VELLA GULF (ex- Todd-Pacific, 7.3.1944 19.10.44 9.4.45 BU 1971
powerful catapult, the H4C (replacing Totem Bay) T acoma
the H2 of the earlier ships, and also CVE112 SIBONEY (ex- Todd-Pacific, 1.4.1944 9.11.44 14.5.45 BU 1971
installed in CVE25 and 31-54). Frosty Bay) Tacoma
The new ships were also faster; they CVE 113 PUGET SOUND Todd-Pacific, 12.5.1944 30.11.44 18.6.45 BU 1962
replaced the single 5in/51 of their (ex-Hobart Bay) Tacoma
predecessors with 2-5in/38. A second CVE 114 RENDOVA (ex- Todd-Pacific, 15.6.1944 28.12.44 22.10.45 BU 1971
catapult was added, as well as futher Mosser Bay) Tacoma
bulkheading. CVE115 BAIROKO (ex- Todd-Pacific, 25.7.1944 25.1.45 16.7.45 BU Jan 1961
The Sangamons were employed in Portage Bay) Tacoma
the Pacific during the early shortage CVE116BADOENG STRAIT Todd-Pacific, 18.8.1944 15.2.45 14.11.45 BU 1972
of fleet carriers, and all participated in (ex-San Alberto T acoma
the North African invasion, where Bay)
they flew off P-40s. They were the CVE 117 SAIDOR (ex- Todd-Pacific, 29.9.1944 17.3.45 4.9.45 BU 1971
only escort carriers capable of operat- Saltery Bay) Tacoma
ing the F6F Hellcat, and at the end of CVE 118 SICILY (ex- Todd-Pacific, 23.10.1944 14.4.45 27.2.46 BU Mar 1961
the war the Sangamons and Com- Sandy Bay) Tacoma
mencement Bays were the only escort CVE119 POINT CRUZ (ex- Todd-Pacific, 4.12.1944 18.5.45 16.10.45 BU 1971
carriers considered capable of operat- Trocadero Bay) Tacoma
ing postwar AS W aircraft; some of the CVE 120 MINDORO Todd-Pacific, 2.1.1945 27.6.45 4.12.45 BU Sept 1960
latter class were rebuilt for ASW and T acoma
remained active for a decade postwar. CVE121 RABAUL Todd-Pacific, 29.1.1945 14.7.45 30.8.46 BU 1972
Others operated Marine air support Tacoma
units during the Korean War. CVE 122 PALAU Todd-Pacific, 19.2.1945 6.8.45 15.1.46 BU 1960
In 1945 xhe Sangamons were armed Tacoma
with 2-5in/38, 2 quadruple 40mm, 10 CVE123 TINIAN Todd-Pacific, 20.3.1945 5.9.45 30.7.46 BU 1971
twin 40mm, and 21 (19in CVE29) Tacoma
single 20mm. By way of comparison, CVE 124 BASTOGNE Todd-Pacific, 2.4.1945 Cancelled
the Commencement Bay class had Tacoma 11.8.45
2-5in/38, 3 quadruple and 12 twin CVE125 ENIWETOK Todd-Pacific, 20.4.1945 _ — Cancelled
40mm, and 20 single 20mm. Tacoma 11.8.45
CVE 126 LINGAYEN Todd-Pacific, 1.5.1945 — — Cancelled
Tacoma 11.8.45
CVE 127 OKINAWA Todd-Pacific, 22.5.1945 Cancelled
Kula Gulf on 1.10.1950 Tacoma 11.8.45
USN
UNITED STATES
CRUISERS
The US Navy ended World War I with a varied assortment of cruisers,
only three of which, th e Birmingham class ‘scouts’, could in any way be
considered modern: by 1918 they were both too small and too slow to
function effectively in tactical combination with the new ‘flush-decked’
destroyers. The ten Omahas, then under construction, were fast
enough, although later they would be criticised as too lightly built and
over-armed. Beyond these ships there were the survivors of the ten
large (pre-dreadnought sized) prewar armoured cruisers, as well as
some ships which dated back to the 1890s, two large ‘semi-armoured
cruisers’, and eight small protected cruisers, six of them designed
primarily as gunboats (Cleveland class). Most were laid up, but the
Clevelands served in the Special Service Squadron in the Caribbean,
and some of the big armoured and semi-armoured cruisers made roomy
flagships: Seattle served as Flagship US Fleet 1923-27 (she was relieved
by the battleship Texas)-, Huron and then Pittsburgh (1927-31; relieved
by Houston) as Flagship Asiatic FleetPittsburgh as Flagship US Naval
Forces Europe; Rochester as Flagship Destroyer Squadrons Scouting
Fleet (then Special Service Squadron, 1927, and ultimately Receiving
Ship Manila); and Charleston served as Flagship Destroyer Squadrons
Battle Fleet (decommissioned 1923). These elderly ships survived until
the London Treaty of 1930; in fact Seattle and Rochester remained as
receiving ships throughout World War II. Of the Birminghams, only
the name ship of the class was in service in 1922, as Flagship Special
Service Squadron, and she was soon laid up.
None of the elderly ships could fill the two essential cruiser roles:
fleet support in combination with destroyers, both for defence against
hostile destroyers and for torpedo attack on an enemy battle line; and a
combination of independent operations and ‘strategic scouting’ - dis¬
tant cruising in hostile waters, raiding, and protecting the long lines of
communication across the Pacific. The advent of the 8in cruiser made it
impossible to assign such tasks to 6in ships such as the Omahas, and in
view of the grave shortage of modern US cruisers serious proposals to
modernise some of the armoured cruisers were made in 1922 and again
in 1929. In fact the eighteen 8in ships ultimately built by the United
States were all assigned the distant operations role, which was com¬
bined with the role of support for detached carrier operations; by the
outbreak of World War II such operations had come rather to resemble
the later Task Force strike pattern. The chief defect of the 8in gun was
its low rate of fire - about 3 rounds per gun per minute compared to 9 or
10 for the 6in - so that at night or in bad weather the 8in cruiser might
do poorly, especially against fast-moving targets such as destroyers.
Consequently it was US policy to assign 6in cruisers to the direct
support role: in the prewar fleet organisation, the 6in cruisers were
concentrated in the Battle Force, the 8in units in the Scouting Force.
Both types were provided with extensive aircraft facilities for indepen¬
dent operations; it was argued, for example, that a ship hunting com¬
merce raiders would have to depend upon her scout aircraft for her
information. It should be noted that US design practice required a
covered hangar for cruiser aircraft, but not for battleship spotting
planes. In addition, the US Navy tended to favour very large cruisers in
view of the distances over which it expected to fight.
The latter policy was challenged by the terms of the London Treaty
of 1936, which restricted further cruiser construction to 8000 tons and
the 6in gun. After a long and painful study of alternative designs, there
were two chief contenders: an 8000-ton 6in design employing a new
twin dual-purpose weapon, and a 6000-ton design armed entirely with
Sin guns. The second type had relatively few supporters, but won out
when the Bureau of Ordnance admitted that it could not produce its
new gun in time: any design with a mixed battery of 6in and 5in guns
was clearly unsatisfactory. This was the origin of the four Atlantas; for
the next ships the new 6in twin weapon was again proposed, and in fact
plans for a ship with five such mounts were drawn. However, difficul¬
ties in remaining within the treaty limit delayed completion of the
design and then the outbreak of war ended the limits. The new ships
were built as modified versions of the last 10,000-ton 6in cruisers.
112
Meanwhile a new study of the cruiser programme was begun by the
General Board; it shaped the very large World War II building pro¬
gramme.
By this time proposals for a 12in-gun ‘super-cruiser’ had been cir¬
culating within the Navy for some time. Such a ship would be ideal for
the traditional 8in-gun cruiser roles, and moreover would be able to
crush existing 8in ships. It was argued that any Japanese attempt to
outmatch her would deplete the Japanese battle fleet; a US fast battle¬
ship would of course be better, but those would be in short supply.
Moreover, at this time the concept of the carrier strike force was
becoming more and more important, so much so that a memorandum
by the War Plans Division observed that the carrier programme should
determine the character of the cruiser programme. This concept was
the origin of the Alaska class. Quite possibly no Baltimore class heavy
cruisers would have been built, had there not been severe constraints of
shipyard space and industrial resources; the papers of 1939-40 clearly
indicate that 8in cruisers were considered very much a second-class
investment. The great needs were for ships to support fast carriers, and
for ships to support the Battle Fleet; for the second function, a 6in
cruiser was required. As for the Atlantas, the major commanders afloat
had little use for them; most refused, for example, to support a pro¬
posed enlarged Atlanta armed with 5in/54 guns. Clevelands, or better
yet a more powerful 6in design, were greatly favoured, and this feeling
shows in the size of the Cleveland programme.
In fact the Alaskas were the sole survivors of a series of cruiser
designs of 1940, which included enlarged (and better-protected) 8in
and 6in cruisers, both killed off by a decision to repeat existing classes
as far as possible in the interest of numbers of ships. This explains the
main features of the large FY41 programme, but does leave some
question as to why a further division of the unpopular Atlantas
(CL95-98) was ordered. One suspects that, given the size of the prog¬
ramme and the desire to have ships in numbers as soon as possible
(given the great need for cruisers) these four ships were ordered, using
slipways which in any case were too small to take Clevelands.
War experience favoured the Cleveland decision, in that the existing
heavy cruisers fared badly in the Solomons partly because of their low
rate of fire. However, the light cruisers had not the reach required to
counter Japanese torpedo tactics, and the old argument that short range
was quite enough in conditions of poor visibility was largely invalid in
an age of radar. By 1943 the Bureau of Ordnance had perfected not
merely the 6in DP gun but also an automatic 8in weapon, which would
permit construction of a true dual-pupose cruiser: a ship capable both
of long-range fire and of the destruction of fast-moving targets such as
destroyers; theDes Moines class was ordered. Of course, by the time it
materialised the situation had changed beyond recognition and there
was no longer much need for anti-ship fire.
At the end of the war, then, the United States operated a large force
of 6in and 8in cruisers, of which the former were almost all retired in
1948-50, perhaps because of the far greater efficacy of 8in fire in shore
bombardment. The surviving Sin ships did not fare much better; in any
case, their value had been questioned as early as 1940, on the theory
(which proved correct) that modern battleships would be at least as
effective as A A platforms. However, in wartime the A A cruisers were
effective enough for a new design to be started in 1944. It was aban¬
doned the next year on the theory that destroyers could do the same job,
possibly quite as well, at a much lower unit cost - and a greater net
survivability.
War modifications to existing prewar cruisers were extensive, and
were generally concerned with AA actions: open-topped conning posi¬
tions were built on top of the former bridgework, bridge windows were
plated in, bridge wings were cut away to clear arcs of fire, many
additional AA weapons were mounted, and conning towers were
removed as weight compensation. Several of the earliest heavy cruisers
were extensively rebuilt. However, the Omahas, which were not too
much older, were little altered, partly in view of their worn-out state
 Cruisers
(due to their light construction); they had been considered briefly for
conversion to A A cruisers in 1941.
US cruisers, except for the Alaska class ‘large cruisers’, were num¬
bered consecutively regardless of the distinction between light and
heavy cruisers. At first the Omahas and the 8in ‘treaty cruisers’ were
classified as ‘light cruisers’ in view of their light protection compared to
that of the old armoured cruisers. Later a distinction was drawn
between ‘heavy cruisers’ (CA) with 8in guns and ‘light cruisers’ (CL)
with 5in and 6in guns; in a few cases light cruisers were actually larger
than some heavy cruisers. The 5in ships were sometimes also described
as anti-aircraft cruisers (CL A A).

These ships, the first of the US treaty

cruisers, emphasised firepower in
their designs: protection was limited
to that effective against destroyers
(5in fire), which would, it was
thought, be their chief adversaries. It
was expected that their own 8in guns
would outrange those of 6in cruisers,
and that it would be impossible to
provide protection useful against 8in
fire at the short ranges at which such
fire might be effective. However, dur¬
ing the construction of thePensacolas,
it became evident that they would be
able to accommodate director fire
control, and so would be able to fight
at ranges at which protection against
8in fire might indeed be possible -
hence the New Orleans design. They
were not designed for any specific
immune zone, but later calculations
showed that machinery and
magazines would have been proof
against 5. lin/50 fire outside 8000yds.
However, the belts over both would
have been penetrable by an 8in/50
shell, such as the Japanese employed,
at 24,000yds; the deck over magazines
would have been penetrable beyond
16,000 and that over the machinery,
beyond 13,000, which figures suggest
PENSACOLA class
Displacement: (Salt Lake City) 9097t standard; 11,512t full load
Dimensions: 570ft wl, 585ft 8in oa x 65ft 3in x 19ft 6in full load
173.74, 178.51 x 19.89 x 5.94m
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons turbines, 8 White-Forster boilers, 107,000shp = 32.5kts. Oil 1411-2116t, range
10,000nm at 15kts
Armour: Belt 2.5in over machinery with lin deck, 4in side and 1.75in deck over magazines, barbettes 0.75in,
gunhouses 2.5in face, 2in top, 0.75in side and rear
Armament: 10—8in/55 (2x3, 2x2), 4-5in/25 (4x1), 6-21in TT (2x3), 4 aircraft
Complement: 631
No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
CA24 PENSACOLA New York N Yd Oct 1926 25.4.29 6.2.30 Sunk 10.11.48
CA25 SALT LAKE CITY New York SB June 1927 23.1.29 11.12.29 Sunk 25.5.48
just how shocking the success of = 32.78kts at 10,524t on trial. As ers, received bridge modifications
director fire proved to be. Protection built the ships were somewhat wet including the fitting of a new open
of the gunhouses and the barbettes and, until the addition of deep bilge bridge. In 1945Pensacola was refitted
(the latter penetrable at all ranges by keels, they were considered bad rol¬ along lines similar to those followed in
8in fire) was even less impressive. One lers. Prewar modifications included the surviving Northamptons; her tall
other protective feature, inherited also the elimination of the TT (which foremast was cut down. The star¬
from the Omaha class light cruisers, ended up aboard destroyer escorts) board catapult was landed as a
was the arrangement of alternating and the addition of four 5in/25 AA topweight-saving measure.
fire and engine rooms, which did guns as well as the emergency AA At the end of the war Pensacola had
assure some resistance to single improvements of 1941. At that time 7 and her sister 6 quadruple 40mm.
machinery hits, either shell or tor¬ the massive mainmasts were cut She had twin 20mm guns; her sister
pedo. down, and during the war they, in had 20 single mounts.
Salt Lake City achieved 107,746shp company with other US heavy cruis¬

Pensacola as completed

.
fw

' ■: : " '■

UNITED STATES

These ships resulted from a General

Board query (February 1926) as to the NORTHAMPTON class
result of sacrificing one or two 8in
Displacement: (Northampton) 9006t standard; ll,420t full load
guns while providing bulkheads to
Dimensions: 582ft wl, 600ft 3in oa X 66ft lin x 19ft 5in full load
divide up the two large fire rooms of
177.40, 182.96 x 20.14 x 5.92m
the earlier ships, as well as a forecastle
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons turbines, 8 White-Forster boilers, 107,000shp = 32.5kts. Oil 1417—2108t, range
(for seakeeping) and better aircraft
10,000nm at 15kts
facilities; it was felt that the earlier
Armour: Belt 3in over machinery with lin deck, 3.75in side and 2in deck over magazines, barbettes 1.5in,
ships might well be overgunned
gunhouses 2.5in face, 2in roof, 0.75in side and rear
(none, however, had yet been com¬
Armament: 9—8in/55 (3x3), 4-5in/25 (4x1), 6-21in TT (2x3), 4 aircraft
missioned). Design studies showed
Complement: 6t7 (CA29, CA30 734-748 plus staffs)
that in fact the 3-turret 9-gun design
accepted was superior, for example in
No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
weight, to an alternative 4-turret
8-gun type. For a time it appeared CA26 NORTHAMPTON Bethlehem, 12.4.1928 5.9.29 May 1930 Sunk 1.12.42
that some sacrifice in side armour pro¬ Quincy
tection would be required, but in fact CA27 CHESTER New York SB 6.3.1928 3.7.29 June 1930 BU Nov 1929
these ships gained slightly in protec¬ CA28 LOUISVILLE Puget Sound 4.7.1928 1.9.30 Mar 1931 BU 1960
tion. All came out quite light, but that N Yd
appears not to have been suspected at CA29 CHICAGO Mare Island 10.9.1928 10.4.30 Mar 1931 Sunk 30.1.43
the time of design. Trial figures (for N Yd
Chicago) were 107,780shp = 32.5kts CA30 HOUSTON Newport News 1.5.1928 7.9.29 June 1930 Sunk 1.3.42
at ll,062t. CA31 AUGUSTA Newport News 2.7.1928 1.2.30 Jan 1931 BU Apr 1960
These cruisers were not designed to
any standard of immune zone, but a
1933 US Navy study showed that they additional accommodation secured by
would be proof against 5.1in (des¬ an extension of the forecastle aft to the
Chicago off Mare Island, 20.12.1942 USN
troyer) fire outside 7000yds two catapults. Prewar modifications
(magazines) or 8000yds (machinery). included the removal of the TT,
However, against 6in/50 fire they which ultimately went to destroyer
would be limited to a band between escorts, and the addition of four more
10,000 and 21,000yds (magazines); 5in/25 AA guns. War modifications
the belt over their machinery would proceeded in two major stages: first,
resist such fire beyond 13,000yds, but the foremast was cut down, the
on the other hand the deck over the bridgework simplified, and an open
machinery would be penetrable at bridge fitted; relatively late in the war
that range. There would be no the three surviving units had the
immunity at all against 8in/50 fire: the mainmast replaced by a lattice for¬
belt over the magazines would be ward of the second funnel; the after
penetrated at 24,000yds, the deck at superstructure became a base for
13,000. This kind of disparity was one 20mm guns and for the main and sec¬
strong argument in favour of a consis¬ ondary directors. At the end of the
tent specification by immune zone, as war CA27 and 28 each had 5 quadru¬
in the New Orleans class of 1929. ple 40mm guns and 13 twin 20mm;
Three ships, Augusta, Chicago, and CA31 had 4-quadruple and 4 twin
Houston, were built as flagships, with 40mm, as well as 20 single 20mm.

These two ships were the survivors of

what was to have been a class of five, PORTLAND class
CL (later CA) 32-36: the others were
built to a new design emphasising pro¬ Displacement: (Indianapolis) 10,258t standard; 12,755t full load
tection. When the CL32 design was Dimensions: 592ft wl, 610ft oa x 66ft x 21ft full load
approved in 1929, it was no more than 180.44, 185.93 x 20.12 x 6.40m
a Northampton with a slightly longer Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons turbines, 8 Yarrow boilers, 107,000shp = 32.5kts. Oil 1417—2125t, range 10,000nm at
hull and no bulbous bow; it was 15kts
throught that the latter feature might Armour: Belt 2.25in over 0.75in STS over machinery with 2.5in deck, 5.75in over magazines with 2.125in deck,
cause pounding in a fast cruiser. Very barbettes 1.5in, gunhouses 2.Sin face, 2in roof, 0.75in side and rear
soon it became obvious that the Armament: 9—8in/55 (3x3), 8-5in/25 (8x1), 8-0.5in (8x1), 4 aircraft
Northamptons were extemely fight and Complement: 807 (Indianapolis, alternate fleet flagship, 917)
that there might be considerable ton¬
nage available for extra protection, No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
but the design was very nearly frozen CA33 PORTLAND Bethlehem, Quincy 17.2.1930 21.5.32 23.2.33 BU Dec 1959
and little could be done. Extra armour CA35 INDIANAPOLIS New York SB 31.3.1930 7.11.31 15.11.32 Sunk 29.7.45
was applied in the form of a second
layer on top of the machinery and
much thicker magazines, but the lat¬
ter still suffered from the defect that
they extended above the waterline.
This feature had been introduced in
view of the danger of underwater
explosion, but was criticised as the
danger of 8in fire became more evi¬
dent. Immune zones were not
specified at the time of design, but
calculations made in 1933 showed the
magazines protected between 12,000
and 20,500yds (aft) and between
12,000 and 23,000yds (forward)
against 8in/50 fire; however, the belt
over the engines could be penetrated
at 24,000yds whereas the deck over
them was penetrable beyond
16,000yds. Moreover, the gunhouses
for the 8in guns duplicated those of
earlier ships, and so were easily
penetrable at all realistic ranges.
However, it was estimated that the
magazines could be immune to
5. lin/50 fire at all ranges, and that the
machinery would be immune beyond
6000yds.
Trials figures for Indianapolis were
108,317shp = 32.86ktsat 11,144t. In
the course of design the TT of the
earlier ships were eliminated and the
secondary battery doubled; the
bridgework was enlarged (both ships
were flagships, partly because the
New Orleans design was so tight that
none of the new-design ships could be
so fitted) and the tripod foremast con¬
siderably lowered. The mainmast was
also far lighter than in the previous
class, searchlights and the after con¬
ning position being built up around Indianapolis in July 1945
the second funnel, to clear arcs of fire USN
for the eight AA guns aft. War mod¬
ifications included the simplification
of the bridgework, with a new open
bridge built on top of the forward
superstructure; the mainmast was
eliminated in favour of a lattice struc¬
ture forward of the second funnel.
This reconstruction, completed in
both ships by May 1943, was the pro¬
totype for Northampton class refits
later in the war.
Indianapolis served as Fifth Fleet
Flagship, and had the unfortunate
distinction of being the last major US
war loss of World War II. At that time
her surviving sister had 4 quadruple
and 4 twin 40mm guns, as well as 12
single 20mm.

These seven ships link the Wichita

and wartime American heavy cruisers
with their very lightly protected fore¬
bears. By the late 1920s there was
growing apprehension concerning the
light protection of the large cruisers
under construction, whose director-
controlled 8in guns might well prove
effective even at high speed and at
great range. However, the Bureau of
Construction and Repair maintained
that a 10,000-ton ship of high speed
armed with 8in guns could not be well
protected. Not until the first US
treaty cruisers were completed did it NEW ORLEANS class
become obvious that they were about
1000 tons below the treaty limit. In Displacement: (New Orleans) 10,136t standard; 12,463t full load
1929 the US Navy began a fifteen- Dimensions: 578ft wl, 588ft oa x 61ft 9in x 22ft 9in full load
cruiser programme, to consist of three 116.18, 179.22 x 18.82 x 6.93m
groups: CL (later CA) 32-36, 37-41 Machinery: 4 shaft Westinghouse turbines, 8 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 107,000shp = 32.7kts. Oil 1241—1861t,
and 42-46. This programme would be range 10,000nm at 15kts
interrupted by a combination of the Armour: Belt 5in-3.25in on 0.75in STS with 2.25in deck over machinery, 4in-3in side and 2.25in deck over
magazines, barbettes 5in (6in in CA37, 38, 5.5inin CA39,44), turrets 6in face, 2.25in roof, 1.5in side
London Treaty of 1930 and the Great
Depression, but in 1929 the General Armament: 9—8in/55 (3x3), 8-5in/25 (8x1), 8-0.5in (8x1), 4 aircraft
Board approved a design very similar Complement: 868
to the previous Northampton class for
No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
CL32-36, with the hope that the next
group might be built to much the New York N Yd 14.3.1931 12.4.33 18.4.34 BU Oct 1959
CA32 NEW ORLEANS
same design, in the interests of Puget Sound 1.9.1930 16.12.33 1.6.34 Sunk 9.8.42
CA34 ASTORIA
minimising delays. That was not to N Yd
be. MINNEAPOLIS Philadelphia N Yd 27.6.1931 6.9.33 20.6.34 BU July 1960
CA36
There was considerable pressure New York SB 3.9.1931 15.11.33 17.8.34 BU July 1959
CA37 TUSCALOOSA
within the Navy for a better-protected Mare Island 9.9.1931 9.3.33 23.4.34 BU May 1961
CA38 SAN FRANCISCO
cruiser, and the Bureau of Construc¬
N Yd
tion and Repair had to admit that by Bethlehem, 15.11.1933 19.6.35 9.6.36 Sunk 9.8.42
CA39 QUINCY
accepting some internal cramping
Quincy
(and ultimately by abandoning the en Bethlehem, 2.1.1934 21.5.36 24.2.37 Sunk 9.8.42
CA44 VINCENNES
echelon machinery arrangement) a
Quincy
better-protected ship might be

115
UNITED STATES

achieved. In fact, ultimately, it
proved possible to replace the former
lightly-protected gunhouse mounting
of the 8in guns by a true turret, for a
Minneapolis on 15.9.1941
great advance in protection. At this
time the Bureau of Ordnance con¬
vinced the General Board to shift from
Characteristics written in terms of
specific armour thicknesses to ones
written in terms of an immune zone:
for the new cruiser, this was to be
12,000-24,000yds at a target angle of
60° (against the 8in 2601b shell). At
first the new design was to apply only
to CL37—41, but of the five previous
ships, three (CL32,34 and 36) were to
be built in navy yards and so the cost
of a new design would be minimised
in their case. They were, therefore,
built to the new design; CL33 and 35
were built as planned, but given extra
armour on the basis of weight savings
discovered in the earlier ships. Of the
next group of cruisers, CA37 and 38
were slightly modified, incorporating
a new lightweight 8in gun. By the
time they had been laid down it was
clear that theNeze Orleans design was
uncomfortably close to the treaty
limit, and when quadruple l.lin
machine guns were requested for the
next ship, CA39, rigorous weight¬
saving, including some reduction in
protection, was necessary. The last
ship of the class, CA44 (Vincennes),
repeated the CA39 design. On trials,
the name ship made 110,503shp =
32.47kts at ll,179t.
For a class intended specifically for
high survivability, the record of three
ships sunk in a few minutes in a
cruiser battle off Guadalcanal seems
disappointing, although others of the
class showed great ruggedness in
combat. Wartime modifications were
reltatively minor: the bridgework was
reduced, the armoured conning tower
eliminated, and an open bridge fitted;
one crane (and, much later, one of the
two catapults) was landed, and light
A A weapons considerably multiplied.
Thus, in August 1945, the four sur¬
viving ships of this class had six quad¬
ruple 40mm and a variety of 20mm
batteries: 14 twin in CA32, 8 twin in
CA36,28 single in CA37 and 26 single
in CA38. In CA36 at least there were
plans to add a twin 40mm mount on
No 2 8in mount, but these were never
carried out.

The United States signed the London

Treaty of 1930, which severely BROOKLYN class
limited further 8in cruiser construc¬
Displacement: (Savannah) 9767t standard; 12,207t full load
tion, partly because it appeared that a
ship with twelve 6in guns could be Dimensions: 600ft wl, 608ft 4in oa x 61ft 9in x 22ft 9in full load
182.88, 185.42 x 18.82 x 6.93m
built on 10,000 tons with protection
actually superior to that of a heavy Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons turbines, 8 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 100,000shp = 32.5kts. Oil 1321—1982t, range
10,000nm at 15kts
cruiser; such a ship might be able to
overwhelm the 8in cruiser through its Armour: Belt 5in on 0.625in STS, armour deck 2in, barbettes 6in, turrets 6.5in face, 2in roof, 1.25in side and
rear, CT 5in, with 2.25in roof
much higher rate of fire. However,
Armament: 15-6in/47 (5x3), 8—5in/25 (8x1) (St Louis, Helena, 8—5in/38 (4x2)), 8-0.5in, 4 aircraft
development of the New Orleans
design produced a much better pro¬ Complement: 868
tected heavy cruiser, and in fact the
No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
Brooklyns marked a reversion to
firepower at some expense in protec¬ CL40 BROOKLYN New York N Yd 12.3.1935 30.11.36 18.7.38 To Chile 1951
tion. This class also introduced the CL41 PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia 28.5.1935 17.11.36 28.7.38 To Brazil 1951,
hangar sunk into the hull aft which N Yd stricken 1973
would be a feature of subsequent CL42 SAVANNAH New York SB 31.5.1934 8.5.37 30.8.38 BU Feb 1960
American cruisers, as well as a system CL43 NASHVILLE New York SB 24.1.1935 2.10.37 25.11.38 To Chile 1951
of longitudinal framing intended to CL44 PHOENIX New York SB 15.4.1935 12.3.38 18.3.39 To Argentina
reduce hull weights. They had a new 1951
rapid-firing 6in gun which employed CL47 BOISE Newport News 1.4.1935 3.12.36 1.2.39 To Argentina
semi-fixed ammunition. Two
1951
catapults were installed. CL48 HONOLULU New York N Yd 10.9.1935 26.8.37 7.9.38 BU Jan 1960
Apparently the main factor which CL49 ST LOUIS Newport News 10.12.1936 15.4.38 Dec 1939 To Brazil 1951,
convinced the General Board to stricken 1975
specify fifteen 6in guns was the CL50 HELENA New York N Yd 9.12.1936 28.8.38 14.12.39 Sunk 6.7.43
attache report that the Japanese
Mogamis would mount fifteen 6.1in nah’s trials figures were 95,879shp = bulged and re-armed with twin ruple and 6 twin 40mm. CL40,41,42
guns on 8500 tons (March 1933). 33.33kts at ll,601t. 5in/38s. All others were to have been and 48 each had 10 twin 20mm; CL43
Ultimately an immune zone against War modifications followed the similarly reconstructed, but only had 9. The others retained only single
6in shell-fire of 8000-23,000yds (60° usual pattern of bridge alterations, the Honolulu received the full refit; in 20mm: 19 in CL46, 18 in CL47 and 8
target angle) was specified; this con¬ removal of the conning tower, and the addition,Philadelphia was bulged but in CL49.
siderable zone resulted from armour fitting of many automatic AA not re-armed.
improvements in the course of detail weapons. However, with the advent Light AA batteries varied consider¬
design bought, in many cases, by of German guided missiles in 1944, it ably at the end of the war. All but
weight-saving in the hull. In fact the appeared that the 5in/25 was no CL46 and 47 (which had 4 twin Philadelphia on 9.5.1945
Savannah suffered serious bow dam¬ longer adequate, and Savannah was 40mm) had a combination of 4 quad¬ USN
age in a 1939 storm, which suggested
that perhaps the weight-saving had
been excessive.
The seven Brooklyns retained the
machinery arrangement of their heavy
cruiser predecessors, but the last two
ships, Helena and St Louis, had alter¬
nating engine and boiler rooms, and
5in/38 rather than 5in/25 secondaries;
their weapons, moreover, were
mounted in twin gunhouses and their
superstructures rearranged. Savan-

116

This ship was a heavy-cruiser version
of theBrooklyns, and the direct ances¬
tor of the wartime Baltimores. Under
the 1930 London Treaty, the United
States was permitted to lay down one
heavy cruiser in 1934 and one in 1935.
The 1934 ship, Vincennes, was largely
a repeat version of the previous heavy
cruiser; but for 1935 the Bureau of
Construction and Repair and the
Bureau of Engineering proposed a
new design based on Brooklyn, which
would have the superior aft aircraft
arrangement (which would permit a
better secondary battery arrange¬
ment), better stability and freeboard,
increased steaming radius, and better
protection, as the new ship might
have the same deck protection as
Quincy and yet have an extra 200 tons
to be expended in protection. In fact it
turned out that using this tonnage was
skating rather close to the 10,000-ton
limit, so much so that at first Wichita
entered service without two of her
5in/38 secondary guns. However, she
also benefited from improved protec¬
tion, and received a new 8in turret in
which the guns were mounted further
apart to cure a serious dispersion
problem being encountered in exist¬
ing heavy cruisers. The 5in/38 gun
was specified during construction;
Wichita was far enough along that the
twin mount was not practicable for
Wichita prewar
Cruisers
WICHITA
Displacement: 10,589t standard; 13,015t full load
Dimensions: 600ft wl, 608ft 4in oa x 61ft 9in x 23ft 9in
182.88, 185.42 x 18.82 x 7.24m
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons turbines, 8 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 100,000shp = 33kts. Oil 1323—1984t, range
10,000nm at 15kts
Armour: Belt 6in-4in on 0.63in STS, deck 2.25in, barbettes 7in, turrets 8in face, 2.75in roof, 3.75in side, 1.5in
rear, CT 6in with 2.25in roof
Armament: 9-8in/55, 8-5in/38 (8x 1), 8-0.5in (8x1), 4 aircraft
Complement: 929
No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
CA45 WICHITA Philadelphia N Yd/ 28.10.1935 16.11.37 16.2.39 BU Nov 1959
New York SB
her, and in fact the topweight of the duced a new longer AP shell which 12,000yds, given a 60° target angle
two last 5in/38 in open mounts had to was expected to penetrate the Wichita and the new shell.
be balanced by 200 tons of pig iron in belt at 15,700yds and the Vincennes at Wichita was little altered during
her bottom. The arrangement of sec¬ 18,000; however, it would have a flat¬ World War II. In the late 1940s it was
ondary guns adopted survived in the ter trajectory and would not penetrate planned to convert her into a guided
Baltimores, which had twin gun- their deck armour inside 22,300yds. missile cruiser, but two Baltimore
houses in place of the original six The newer shell had the virtue of class hulls were selected instead. In
single weapons of the Wichita. There permitting firing at a lower muzzle August, 1945 she was armed with 4
were 2 catapults. velocity and so greatly increasing gun quadruple and 4 twin 40mm, and 18
Wichita employed 6.4in ‘Class A’ life, a critical problem with the previ¬ single 20mm. The Bureau of Ord¬
side armour, compared to the 5.5in ous very high muzzle velocities emp¬ nance wanted to re-arm her with 6
‘Class B’ of Vincennes, which made loyed. This newer shell was the one twin 5in/38, but it is not clear whether
her immune to 8in AP fire at 10,000 for which immune zones were calcu¬ this plan was ever seriously reviewed,
rather than at 16,400yds (90° target lated in the Baltimore s and in later even though it was listed in the official
angle); the decks of both ships could ships. For comparison with earlier Armament Summary.
be penetrated at 22,000yds or beyond. types, Wichita would have been
In 1939 the Bureau of Ordnance pro¬ immune to belt penetration beyond
By courtesy of A D Baker III
117
 V •

UNITED STATES
These ships, the smallest of modern
US cruisers, are also surely the most
overrated, particularly as regards
speed: they never made 40kts, and
San Juan 1942
indeed on trials the name ship did not
touch 34kts at full power (75,871shp
= 33.27kts at 7404t) - which should
have been no surprise given the design
speed of 33kts. They resulted from a
long period of re-examination of US
cruiser requirements, begun as the
1936 London Treaty forbade much
further construction of the traditional
US large cruiser. Moreover, in a legal ATLANTA class
sense they were replacements for the Displacement: (Atlanta) 6718t standard; 8340t full load
Omahas, which had served through¬ Dimensions: 530ft wl, 541ft 6in oa x 53ft 2in x 20ft 6in
out the post-WWI period as destroyer 161.55, 165.05 x 16.21 x 6.25m
leaders. The 5in design was evolved Machinery: 2-shaft Westinghouse turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 75,OOOshp = 32.5kts. Oil 1360t, range
alongside a series of designs employ¬ 8500nm at 15kts
ing a new twin DP 6in/47 gun, and
Armour: Belt and bulkheads 3.75in, armour deck 1,25in, gunhouses 1.25in, deck over magazines (underwater)
was adopted at least in part due to 1.25in
delays in the design of the latter
Armament: 16—5in/38 (8x2), 16-1.lin (4x4), 16-40mm (8x2), 8-20mm, 8-21in torpedo tubes (2x4), see notes
weapon.
Complement: 623
Ultimately the rationale adopted
was that a new small cruiser should
No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
work with destroyers, and should be
effective in AA and in anti-destroyer CL51 ATLANTA Federal, Kearny 22.4.1940 6.9.41 1942 Sunk 13.11.42
protection of the flanks of the battle CL52 JUNEAU Federal, Kearny 27.5.1940 25.10.41 1942 Sunk 13.11.42
line. The 6000-ton displacement came CL53 SAN DIEGO Bethlehem, 27.3.1940 26.7.41 10.1.42 BU Dec 1960
from a limit due to the tonnage avail¬ Quincy
able for replacement of over-age ships CL54 SAN JUAN Bethlehem, 15.5.1940 6.9.41 28.2.42 BU 1962
plus unused Treaty tonnage; the ships Quincy
as designed were slightly overweight. CL95 OAKLAND Bethlehem, San 13.7.1941 23.10.42 Dec 1942 BU 1962
Protection was scaled against a 5.1in Francisco
AP projectile (60° target angle), for an CL96 RENO Bethlehem, San 12.8.1941 23.12.42 1943 BU 1962
immune zone of 6000-16,000yds. Francisco
The 5in/38 battery was somewhat CL97 FLINT (ex-Spokane) Bethlehem, San 23.10.1942 25.1.44 31.8.44 BU 1966
unusually arranged, with two mounts Francisco
in the waist, so that the broadside was CL98 TUCSON Bethlehem, San 23.11.1942 3.9.44 3.2.45 Stricken 1966
seven rather than eight twin mounts. Francisco
Some of the papers in the General CL119 JUNEAU Federal, Kearny 15.9.1944 15.7.45 15.2.46 BU Mar 1961
Board file on this class suggest that the CL 120 SPOKANE Federal, Kearny 15.11.1944 22.9.45 17.5.46 Sold for BU
waist guns were to be used for star- 17.5.73
shell firing. CL121 FRESNO Federal, Kearny 12.2.1945 5.3.46 27.11.46 BU 1966
After the original programme of
four ships, four more (CL95 to 98)
were ordered as part of the very large considerable additional splinter pro¬ example, the Atlantas were designed pleted with eight twin 40mm as well as
naval expansion programme of 1940. tection. As in other classes, wartime with three quadruple 1.1 in, added a sixteen 20mm, for example. In 1945 it
They differed from the original group increases in light AA weapons fourth on the fantail and later replaced was decided that the TT would be
in having open bridges and additional increased topweight to a dangerous all with twin 40mm. The repeat ships landed to reduce topweight, and this
light AA weapons in place of the two extent, so much so that drastic reduc¬ began with a total of six twin 40mm was actually done in Oakland and Tuc¬
waist 5in gunhouses; there was also tions became necessary in 1945. For but received far more: Reno com¬ son.
As in the Clevelands and Balti¬
more's, in 1942 the Bureau of Ships
proposed a modified design which
would reduce topweight by lowering
some guns (in this case by lowering
Nos 2 and 5 mounts to the main deck
level, and Nos 3 and 4 to the 01 level),
reduce superstructure profile, and
improve watertight integrity; more
light AA would be accommodated
(four quadruple and six twin 40mm).
CL119-121 were ordered to the new
design, and completed postwar; the
main change as compared to the war¬
time plan was the elimination of the
TT. When the question of additional
repeat A t/anras was raised in 1944, the
General Board sought an improved
design with 5in/54 guns; this ship was
actuallly designed and was very nearly
ordered in 1945 and again postwar.
The Atlantas were unique among
wartime US cruisers in having sonar
and a respectable depth-charge bat¬
_ tery; however, they were not nearly
manoeuvrable enough to use such
weapons effectively, and the latter
— )_—
were removed as weight compensa¬
JasaKgJ
tion. After some action in the Sol¬
omons, most of their duty was in AA
» If ■ screening of fast carrier formations,
apparently quite successfully.
,

Flint at San Francisco, 1.12.1944

Mir-** USN

118
 Cruisers

These were the most numerous of US

wartime cruisers, perhaps the most CLEVELAND class
numerous of all time. Of a grand total
Displacement: (Biloxi) ll,744t standard; 14,13It full load
of 52 ordered, 29 were completed as
Dimensions: 600ft wl, 610ft lin oa x 66ft 4in x 24ft 6in full load
cruisers (including 2 to a modified
182.88, 185.95 x 20.22 x 7.41m
design) and 9 as light aircraft carriers.
Machinery: 4 shaft General Electric turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 100,000shp = 32 ,5kts. Oil 1507-21001,
So massive a production run was due
range ll,000nm at 15kts
not to excellence of design but rather
Armour: Belt 5in-3.5in, armour deck 2in, bulkheads 5in, barbettes 6in, turrets 6.5in face, 3in top, 3in side, 1.5in
to the decision, in 1940, to go ahead
rear, CT 5in with 2.25in roof
with repeat versions of existing ships
Armament: 12-6in/47 (4x3), 12—5in/38 (6x2), 28-40mm (4x4, 6x2), 10-20mm (10x1), 4 aircraft. See notes
in the interest of numbers. In fact the
Complement: 1285
original decision to build ships of this
design was made in order to get ships
No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
as fast as possible: in 1939 CL55 and
56 were to be 8000-tonners (limited by CL55 CLEVELAND New York SB 1.7.1940 1.11.41 June 1942 BU Feb 1960
the London Treaty of 1936) armed CL56 COLUMBIA New York SB 19.8.1940 17.12.41 June 1942 BU 1960
with five twin 6in/47 DP guns, the CL57 MONTPELIER New York SB 2.12.1940 12.2.42 Sept 1942 BU 1960
weapons ultimately mounted aboard CL58 DENVER New York SB 26.12.1940 4.4.42 Oct 1942 BU Nov 1960
the Worcesters about ten years later. It CL59 AMSTERDAM New York SB 1.5.1941 22.8.42 — Converted to
proved extremely difficult to produce CVL 1942
an acceptable design within the limit, CL60 SANTA FE New York SB 7.6.1941 10.6.42 Nov 1942 BU 1960
but with the advent of war the treaty CL61 TALLAHASSEE New York SB 2.6.1941 18.10.42 - Converted to
limit could be discarded. The General CVL 1942
Board favoured a new design, an CL62 BIRMINGHAM Newport News 17.2.1941 20.3.42 Jan 1943 BU Dec 1959
anti-aircraft cruiser armed with a new CL63 MOBILE Newport News 14.4.1941 15.5.42 Mar 1943 BU 1960
5.4in weapon (which ultimately CL64 VINCENNES Bethlehem, 7.3.1942 17.7.43 21.1.44 Expended 1966
became the 5in/54), but accepted a 0ex-Flint) Quincy
Helena modified for heavier dual- CL65 PASADENA Bethlehem, 6.2.1943 28.12.43 8.6.44 Stricken 1.12.70
purpose firepower instead. Ulti- Quincy
mately, modifications quite distorted CL66 SPRINGFIELD Bethlehem, 13.2.1943 9.3.44 9.9.44 Sold for BU
the original design; for example. Quincy 31.7.78
much longer engineering spaces were CL67 TOPEKA Bethlehem, 21.4.1943 19.8.44 23.12.44 Stricken 1.12.73
adopted. However, the limitations Quincy
inherent in the prewar treaty-limited CL76 NEW HAVEN New York SB 11.8.1942 6.11.42 — Converted to
hull continued to plague the new CVL 1942
ships, and the Clevelands were badly CL77 HUNTINGTON New York SB 17.12.1941 17.1.43 — Converted to
top-heavy by the end of World War CVL 1942
II. It did not help that they had been CL78 DAYTON New York SB 29.12.1941 28.2.43 — Converted to
designed to take advantage of the CVL 1942
weight to be saved by adopting CL79 WILMINGTON New York SB 13.3.1942 4.4.43 — Converted to
aluminium deckhouses, whereas the CVL 1942
wartime aluminium shortage made it CL80 BILOXI Newport News 9.7.1941 23.2.43 21.8.43 BU 1962
necessary to use steel instead. Trials CL81 HOUSTON (ex- Newport News 4.8.1941 19.6.43 Dec 1943 BU 1960
figures (Biloxi) were 103,505shp = Vicksburg)
31.93kts at 14,000t.

119
 Vt •

UNITED STATES

From CL64 onwards, the ships had Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
No Name

PROVIDENCE Bethlehem, Quincy 27.7.1943 28.12.44 15.5.45 Sold for BU 31.7.78

conning position below, and without CL82
the conning tower formerly used; a CL83 MANCHESTER Bethlehem, Quincy Sept 1944 5.3.46 Oct 1946 BU 1961
similar design was adopted for the CL84 BUFFALO Federal, Kearny - - - Cancelled 16.12.40
Baltimore class heavy cruisers. In CL85 FARGO New York SB 11.4.1942 22.5.43 - Converted to
mid-1942 the Bureau of Ships pro- CVL 1942
posed a modified design, in which the CL86 VICKSBURG (ex- Newport News 26.10.1942 14.12.43 12.6.44 BU Sept 1964
turrets, 5in gunhouses, and 40mm Cheyenne)
guns were all lowered, both to lower CL87 DULUTH Newport News Nov 1942 13.1.44 Sept 1944 BU 1961
the centre of gravity and to shorten CL88 _ Federal, Kearny - - - Cancelled 16.12.40
the ammunition hoists; the super- CL89 MIAMI Cramp 2.8.1941 12.8.42 28.12.43 BU 1962
structure would be redesigned to clear CL90 ASTORIA (ex- Cramp 6.9.1941 6.3.43 17.5.44 Stricken 1.11.69
arcs of AA fire (including the provi- Wilkes-Barre)
sion of a single funnel); main trans- CL91 OKLAHOMA CITY Cramp 8.3.1942 20.2.44 22.12.44 Stricken 15.12.79
verse bulkheads were made intact up CL92 LITTLE ROCK Cramp 6.3.1943 27.8.44 17.6.45 Stricken 22.11.76,
to the second deck; and the hangar aft preserved
was halved in size both to improve CL93 GALVESTON Cramp 20.2.1944 22.4.45 25.5.46 Stricken 21.12.73
watertight integrity and to increase CL94 YOUNGSTOWN Cramp - - - Cancelled 12.8.45
accommodation, the latter partly to CL99 BUFFALO New York SB 31.8.1942 1.8.43 - Converted to
compensate for the transfer of the 5in CVL 1942
handling rooms from the superstruc- CL 100 NEWARK New York SB 26.10.1942 26.9.43 - Converted to
ture to the hull. A parallel plan for the CVL 1942
Baltimore class was also submitted. CL101 AMSTERDAM Newport News 3.3.1943 25.4.44 8.1.45 Stricken 2.1.71
These changes preceded the entrance
of any Cleveland into service; they CL102 PORTSMOUTH Newport News 28.6.1943 20.9.44 25.6.45 Stricken 1.12.70
were based on general war experience.
In August 1942 it was decided that CL103 WILKES-BARRE New York SB 14.12.1942 24.12.43 1.7.44 Expended May
although CL103-105 would have to 1972
be completed to the existing design, CL 104 ATLANTA New York SB 25.1.1943 6.2.44 3.12.44 Expended 1965
CL106-118 could be built to the new CL105 DAYTON New York SB 8.3.1943 19.3.44 7.1.45 BU 1962
one. In fact, CL112-115 were cancel- CL106 FARGO New York SB 23.8.1943 25.3.45 9.12.45 Stricken 1.3.70
led in 1944 because of interference CL 107 HUNTINGTON New York SB 4.10.1943 8.4.45 23.2.46 BU June 1962
with other construction, including the CL 108 NEWARK New York SB 1942 - - Hull BU 1949
Worcesters, and CL 108— 111 and CL109 NEW HAVEN New York SB Aug 1941 - - Cancelled 12.8.45
116-118 were all cancelled at the end CL110 BUFFALO New York SB 1942 - - Cancelled 12.8.45
of the war. Newark (CL 108) was CL111 WILMINGTON Cramp 1941 - - Cancelled 12.8.45
completed to the launching stage and CL112 VALLEJO New York SB - - - Cancelled 5.10.44
employed in underwater explosion CL113 HELENA New York SB - - - Cancelled 5.10.44
tests; only Fargo and Huntington were CL114 — New York SB - - - Cancelled 5.10.44
ever completed to the 1942 design. CL115 ROANOKE New York SB - - - Cancelled 5.10.44
AA armament varied considerably CL116 TALLAHASSE Newport News 2.6.1941 - - Cancelled 12.8.45
from ship to ship: CL55 and 56 car- CL117 CHEYENNE Newport News 1941-42 - - Cancelled 12.8.45
ried 8-40mm (4x2) and 13-20mm CL118 CHATTANOOGA Newport News - - - Cancelled 12.8.45
(13x1); CL57 and 58 had 24-^tOmm
(4x4, 4x2) and 17-20mm (17x1),
CL60, 64-66, 80 and 81 had countermeasures adopted in 1945:: in were later rebuilt as missile cruisers 90‘1 rather than a 60° target angle -
24-40mm (4x4, 4x2) and 21-20mm many ships one of the two catapults and plans to utilise the other hulls 9400-21,700yds against the 1051b 6in
(21x1); CL62 and 63 had 28^-Omm was removed, and in some the range¬ were made through the 1950s and shell. At this time the Bureau of Ord¬
(4x4, 6x2) and 21-20mm (21x1); finder of No 1 turret was removed as early 1960s, probably the most spec¬ nance had a new 1301b shell, which
and CL 106 and 107 carried 28-40mm well, not to mention severe restric¬ tacular involving the Atlanta, which was far more destructive, but an
(6x4, 2x2) and 21-20mm (21x1). tions on ready-use AA ammunition was used for simulated nuclear blast attempt to pass to larger light cruisers
Other ships were as given in the table. and even on radar and countermeas¬ experiments. protected against it failed on produc¬
Perhaps the clearest indication of ures gear. All but Manchester (CL83) Protection generally corresponded tion grounds.
the topweight problem in these ships had been laid up by the outbreak of with that of the Helena, except that
is the drastic character of the the Korean War in 1950, but six ships the immune zone was specified for a

These standard heavy cruisers shared

a common ancestry - and appearance
- with the slightly earlier Clevelands;
they began as ‘improved Wichitas’, ie
as improved versions of the heavy
cruiser version of the Brooklyn class

from which the Clevelands were

evolved. However, enough time was BALTIMORE class
taken in their design for the hull to
grow considerably, so that they did Displacement:
not suffer from the sort of topweight Dimensions:
disease which afflicted the smaller
Clevelands. Armour was improved Machinery:
only slightly over that of the Wichita,
most of the extra tonnage going Armour:
instead into hull strength, stability,
and extra DP and AA weapons; the Armament:
Baltimore s were credited with an Complement:
immune zone (90° target angle) of
(Baltimore) 14,472t standard; 17,03It full load
664ft wl, 673ft 5in oa x 70ft lOin x 24ft full load
202.39, 205.26 x 21.59 x 7.32m
4-shaft General Electric turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 120,000shp = 33kts. Oil 1200-2250t,
range 10,000nm at 15kts
Belt 6in-4in, armour deck 2.5in, barbettes 6.3in, turrets 8in face, 3in roof, 3.75in-2in sides, 1.5in rear,
CT 6in with 3in roof, side over magazines (underwater) 3in with 2.5in deck
9—8in/55 (3x3), 12—5in/38 (6x2), 48-40mm (11x4, 2x2), 24-20mm, 4 aircraft. See notes
2039

120
 Cruisers
15,700-24,000yds (2601b shell).
When the ships were being designed, No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
the Bureau of Ordnance was introduc¬
CA68 BALTIMORE Bethlehem, 26.5.1941 28.7.42 15.4.43 Stricken 15.2.71
ing a new series of super-heavy shells,
Quincy
that for 8in weighing 3351b. Against
CA69 BOSTON Bethlehem, 30.6.1941 26.8.42 30.6.43 Stricken 1.11.73
this projectile, the immune zone
Quincy
would shrink to 19,600-21,100yds. A
CA70 CANBERRA (ex- Bethlehem, 3.9.1941 19.4.43 14.10.43 Stricken 31.7/78
much larger ship was required if the
Pittsburgh) Quincy BU
old immune zone were to be restored
CA71 QUINCY (ex- Bethlehem, 9.10.1941 23.6.43 15.12.43 Stricken 1.10.73
in the face of the new shell, but such a
51 Paul) Quincy
course was rejected in 1940 due to the
CA72 PITTSBURGH Bethlehem, 3.2.1943 22.2.44 10.10.44 Stricken 1.7.73
same considerations which prompted
(ex-Albany) Quincy
continuation of Cleveland production.
CA73 ST PAUL (ex- Bethlehem, 3.2.1943 16.9.44 17.2.45 Sold for
As in the case of the Clevelands, a
Rochester) Quincy BU 31.7.78
modified design was prepared and
CA74 COLUMBUS Bethlehem, 28.6.1943 30.11.44 8.6.45 Stricken 9.8.76,
adopted in 1942; it became the Oregon
Quincy BU
City sub-class. Of ships ordered after
CA75 HELENA (ex- Bethlehem, 9.9.1943 28.4.45 4.9.45 Stricken 1.1.74
the first group of CA68-75,
Dei Moines) Quincy
CA130-136 were repeat Baltimores
CA122 OREGON CITY Bethlehem, 8.4.1944 9.6.45 16.2.46 Stricken 1.11.70
because design work for the new ships
Quincy
was behind schedule and would have
CA123 ALBANY Bethlehem, 6.3.1944 30.6.45 15.6.46 Extant 1980
retarded them. CA134 was later re¬
Quincy
ordered as the first of a new Newport
CA124 ROCHESTER Bethlehem, 29.5.1944 28.8.45 20.12.46 Stricken 1.10.74
News class with 8in rapid-fire guns.
Quincy
CA122-124 became the Oregon City
CA125 NORTHAMPTON Bethlehem, 31.8.1944 27.1.51 7.3.53 Stricken 1.12.77
class, and CA126-129, 137 and 138
Quincy
were cancelled at the end of the war.
CA126 CAMBRIDGE Bethlehem, — — Cancelled 12.8.45
CA125, Northampton, became a
Quincy
prototype fleet flagship.
CA127 BRIDGEPORT Bethlehem, - - - Cancelled 12.8.45
On trials, Boston recorded
Quincy
118,536shp = 32.85kts at 16,570t.
CA128 KANSAS CITY Bethlehem, — - — Cancelled 12.8.45
CA68-71 carried 12x4 40mm,
Quincy
CA72-75 had 22, CA130-133, 135
CA129 TULSA Bethlehem, — - - Cancelled 12.8.45
and 136 28 (14x2) and CA122-124 20
Quincy
(10x2) 20mm compared with data
CA130 BREMERTON New York SB 1.2.1943 2.7.44 29.4.45 Stricken 1.10.73
given in the table. There were 2
CA131 FALL RIVER New York SB 12.4.1943 13.8.44 1.7.45 Stricken 9.2.71
catapults, and only 2 aircraft were in
CA132 MACON New York SB 14.6.1943 15.10.44 26.8.45 Stricken 1.11.69
fact carried in all but CA68-71.
CA133 TOLEDO New York SB 13.9.1943 6.5.45 27.10.46 Stricken 1.1.74
Unlike the Clevelands, the Balti¬
CA135 LOS ANGELES Philadelphia N Yd 28.7.1943 20.8.44 22.7.45 Stricken 1.1.74
mores remained in service after World
CA136 CHICAGO Philadelphia N Yd 28.7.1943 20.8.44 10.1.45 Extant 1980
War II, some serving as flagship/fire
CA137 NORFOLK Philadelphia N Yd - — — Cancelled 12.8.45
support ships in Vietnam. Five
CA138 SCRANTON Philadelphia N Yd - - - Cancelled 12.8.45
became missile cruisers.

Columbus off New York, 6.7.1945 By courtesy of A D Baker III

Albany in June 1946 as completed USN

121
UNITED STATES

Although these large cruisers are

often considered capital ships (in view ALASKA class
of their main batteries and their gen¬
Displacement: (Alaska) 29,779t standard; 34,253t full load
eral appearance) in fact they were
simple developments of US cruiser Dimensions: 791ft 6in wl, 808ft 6in oa x 91ft lin x 31ft lOin full load
doctrine and requirements; they were 241.25, 246.43 x 27.76 x 9.70m
in effect, heavy cruisers finally unen¬ Machinery: 4-shaft General Electric turbines, 8 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 150,000shp = 33kts. Oil 3619t, range
12,000nm at 15kts
cumbered by the Treaty limits of 8in
guns and a maximum displacement of Armour: Belt 9in-5in, armour deck 3.8in-4in with 1.4in weather deck and 0.625in splinter deck, barbettes
llin-13in, turrets 12.8in face, 5in roof, 5.25in-6in side, 5.25in rear, CT 10.6in with 5in roof
10,000 tons. They are often described
as white elephants, since by the time Armament: 9—12in/50 (3x3), 12-5in/38 (6x2), 56-40mm (14x4), 34-20mm
two out of the six originally ordered Complement: 1517
finally appeared in 1944 the tactical
concepts which had inspired them No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
had been completely superseded. CB1 ALASKA New York SB 17.12.1941 15.8.43 17.6.44 BU July 1961
However, that is not to deny their CB2 GUAM New York SB 2.2.1942 12.11.43 17.9.44 BU Aug 1961
validity in the context of 1940, when CB3 HAWAII New York SB 20.12.1943 11.3.45 — BU Jan 1960
nearly all senior US commanders CB4 PHILIPPINES New York SB — — — Cancelled 24.6.1943
afloat enthusiastically supported a CB5 PUERTO RICO New York SB — _ _ Cancelled 24.6.1943
‘super-cruiser’, to replace the exist¬ CB6 SAMOA New York SB - - - Cancelled 24.6.1943
ing 8in type. It is often said, too, that
these ships were imposed on the Navy
by President Roosevelt, but such
statements are at best difficult to ver¬
ify. What is clear is that a 12in cruiser
project surfaced in the Bureau of Con¬
struction and Repair as early as 1938,
and that the President may well have
inspired it on the basis of his notions
of foreign ‘batdecruiser’ and ‘super¬
cruiser’ development. Later discus¬
sions always began with the 12in ship,
often designated CA2 to distinguish it
from a conventional heavy cruiser
(CA1) as one alternative in a spectrum
of possible future cruisers.
Cruiser practice shows in the provi¬
sion of one rather than two rudders
(which, unfortunately, ensured a very
large tactical diameter) and in the
requirement for enclosed stowage for
aircraft. This latter was responsible
for the unusual aircraft arrangement:
hull depth aft was too restricted to
permit a hangar in the conventional
location there. However, it should be
noted that the abortive light and
heavy cruiser designs of 1940, which
were related to this one, also showed
aircraft amidships; the Bureau of
Aeronautics flirted briefly with this
idea, but ultimately rejected it. In
1945—46 there were proposals to
remove the two catapults and replace
them with an additional pair of twin
5in/38 gunhouses; a single catapult
(no hangar) was to be fitted on the
fantail.
Alaska at Philadelphia N Yd, 30.7.1944 USN
The 12in/50 guns were a new
design and, because they were unique practice. The original Characteristics of larger sister for Northampton. They
among wartime US ships, they were specified the protection of machinery were expensive to maintain, and a
the most expensive heavy US guns of spaces only against 8in (cruiser) fire, poor substitute for a battleship;
their period. The initial Alaska design but in view of the positioning of the moreover, in the postwar naval world,
called for eight guns in two triple and 5in magazines in way of these spaces, even a Baltimore could quite over¬
one twin turret, and the design finally the designers had to provide uniform power any Soviet cruiser, so that there
adopted (three triples) was justified in protection against 12in fire there too. were no more potentially hostile 8in
part because it would simplify turret Neither ship was modified during cruisers to overwhelm - not to men¬
production. Armour was designed to the war, and both were laid up soon tion that, with a plenitude of carriers,
assure immunity against the 12in afterwards. Hawaii was retained surface commerce raiders presented
11401b shell between 18,000 and incomplete, at first for conversion to a rather less of a threat than prewar
24,000yds at target angle of 60° - a missile ship; later she was very nearly planners had imagined.
requirement typical of prewar cruiser converted to a command ship, a kind

122
 Cruisers

These three ships were the culmina¬

tion of wartime US cruiser design. As
soon as the Bureau of Ordnance per¬
fected the automatic 6in/47 DP gun
on which it had been working since
1937, it realised that the same princi¬
ples could be applied to triple the rate
of fire of the 8in gun; detailed weight
estimates for twin and triple turrets
became available in July, 1943 and a
new cruiser to mount these weapons
was almost immediately designed and
ordered as the next class. Such
weapons would overcome the great
defect of existing 8in guns - excess¬
ively slow fire - so slow that it was
almost impossible to hit fast Japanese
ships in night actions; at the same
time they would greatly outrange the
existing fast-firing 6in weapons.
At first a twin installation in Oregon
City hulls was contemplated, on the
theory that these ships might not even
be delayed by the change; however,
the General Board was already dis¬
satisfied with existing heavy cruiser
designs and felt that by demanding a
completely new ship with triple tur¬
rets it would provide the postwar fleet
with at least some satisfactory cruis¬
ers; otherwise the war might end with
nothing but an inadequate six-gun
ship under construction. New fea¬
tures not connected directly with the
guns included a unit machinery
arrangement similar to that in battle¬
ships and unique among US cruisers,
and a separate ‘bomb deck’ to
improve protection against bombing
DES MOINES class
Displacement: (.Des Moines) 17,255t standard; 20,934t full load
Dimensions: 700ft wl 716ft 6in oa x 75ft 4in X 26ft full load
213.36, 218.39 x 22.96 x 1.92m
Machinery: 4-shaft General Electric turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 120,000shp = 33kts (at 19,930t). Oil
3006t, range 10,500nm at 15kts
Armour: Belt 6in-4in, deck 3.5in plus 0.75in and lin weather deck, bulkheads 5in-4in, barbettes 6.3in, turrets
8in face, 4in roof, 3.75in-2in sides, 1.5in rear, armoured pilot house 6.5in-5.5in
Armament: 9—8in/55 (3x3), 12—5in/38 (6x2), 24-3in/50 (12x2), 24-20mm (12x2), 4 aircraft (not carried as
completed)
Complement: 1799
No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
CA134 DES MOINES Bethlehem, 28.5.1945 27.9.46 17.11.48 In reserve 1980
Quincy
CA139 SALEM Bethlehem, 4.6.1945 25.3.47 9.5.49 In reserve 1980
Quincy
CA140 DALLAS Bethlehem, Cancelled 6.6.46
Quincy
CA148 NEWPORT NEWS Newport News 1.10.1945 6.3.47 29.1.49 Stricken 1978
(not counted in computation of the order to ensure that some of the new However, he was overruled and later
immune zone against the 8in 2601b twin DP 6in/47 mounts were sent to CA140 and 141, which were little
shell - 15,700-28,000yds). sea. A late-war (1945) programme, advanced, were cancelled.
As the decision to pass to a new which would have added CA150-153, The three ships completed appear
class was made in mid-1943, the next was never approved by the President, to have been successful, Newport
cruisers to be ordered were leaving, at the end of the war, eight News serving as a flagship and fire
CA139-142 and CL143-149. In prospective members of the Des support ship until she was decommis¬
October, 1943 CA134 was added to Moines class. CA142, 143 and 149 sioned in 1975. The new 8in rapid-fire
the new class (Des Moines) to bring it were all suspended, although materi¬ gun appears to have worked well in
to five ships; the question was also als for them were held pending a deci¬ service, the sole exception being a tur¬
asked whether CL143, 148 and 149 sion as to their fate. Indeed, Admiral ret explosion in Newport News in
were shifted to the new heavy cruiser King argued strongly for their com¬ 1972, which completely disabled No 2
design, but CL 144, 145, 146 and 147 pletion on the theory that a mount. On trials, Des Moines
were retained as units of a new 6in DP homogeneous group of eight such achieved 125,630shp = 32.66kts at
cruiser class (Worcester) largely in ships would be extremely valuable. 20,532t.

These very large ‘light cruisers’ were

designed to mount the twin 6in/47 WORCESTER class
automatic DP gun originally prop¬
Displacement: (Worcester) 14,700t standard (design); 17,997t full load
osed by the Bureau of Ordnance as
Dimensions: 664ft wl, 679ft 6in oa X 70ft 8in x 24ft 9in full load
early as 1937, and intended for the
202.39, 207.11 x 21.54 x 7.54m
Cleveland as originally designed, in
Machinery: 4-shaft General Electric turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 120,000shp = 33kts. Oil 2400t, range
1939. The project was revived in
8000nm at 15kts
1941, with General Board Charac¬
Armour: Belt 5in-3in with 3.5in armour deck and lin weather deck, bulkheads 4in, barbettes 5in, turrets 6.5in
teristics calling for twelve 6in DP
face, 4in roof, 2in-3in side and rear
guns, no 5in secondary battery, pro¬
Armament: 12-6in/47 (6x2), 24-3in/50 (11x2, 2x1), 12-20mm (6x2)
tection limited to a very thick deck
(up to 6 or 7in) and a speed of at least Complement: 1401
33kts. Later the Board accepted con¬
No Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
ventional side protection comparable
to that of the Clevelands, and by the CL144 WORCESTER New York SB 29.1.1945 4.2.47 25.6.48 Stricken 1.12.70
time the design had been completed
early in 1944 the Chief of the Bureau CL145 ROANOKE New York SB 15.5.1945 16.6.47 4.4.48 Sold for BU
of Ships saw it as an effective replace¬ 22.2.72
ment for the now seriously overloaded CL 146 VALLEJO New York SB - - - Cancelled 11.8.1945
Clevelands. He observed, too, that not CL147 GARY New York SB - - - Cancelled 11.8.1945
even the new 5in/54 DP weapon

123
 •

UNITED STATES

would suffice against the guided mis¬

siles being introduced by the Germans
and, presumably, the Japanese; the
big 6in with a proximity fuze might
well be not merely useful, but abso¬
lutely necessary. However, the suc¬
cess of the 6in/47 design inspired the
Bureau of Ordnance to develop an
automatic 8in/55, which was suitable
for heavy cruisers not much larger
than the Worcesters; the General
Board at one point recommended that
all seven new light cruisers contemp¬
lated (CL 143-149) be re-ordered as
large heavy cruisers. Ultimately pro¬
duction delays in the 8in gun and the
need to send at least a few 6in DP
weapons to sea modified this decision,
so that four ships were ordered as
6in/47DP light cruisers: CL144—147,
of which only two were ultimately
completed.
Protection was to ensure immunity
against the 6in 1051b shell between
Roanoke late in her career USN by courtesy of Norman Palmar
9300 and 28,000yds (90° target angle);
against 10001b SAP bombs dropped above the principal armoured deck, as quartet of floatplanes aft with their guns and 20-20mm; both ships were,
from any altitude; and against 12in in batdeships and some heavy cruis¬ catapults; these were never, however, however, armed exclusively with the
10001b AP bombs dropped from ers. On trials Worcester made installed, although the hangar and new 3in/50 gun as completed.
below 7500ft. Bomb protection 122,096shp = 32.81kts at 16,940t. crane were. Similarly, the original
included a separate ‘bomb deck’ The design included the usual design included 12 quadruple 40 mm

DESTROYERS
Before World War I, the US fleet was overbalanced in favour of
battleships and against cruisers and destroyers. However, a major
element of the US response to the German U-boat offensive was a very
large destroyer-building programme. A specialised ASW destroyer was
proposed, but, unlike the destroyer escort of twenty years later, it was
not built, since ships of the existing design could be duplicated far more
rapidly. The result was a vast fleet of ‘flush-deckers’; in 1919 the
United States had, built and building, the largest fleet of modern
destroyers in the world. Postwar scrappings eliminated only the twenty
earliest destroyers. Of the earlier classes, many of the 750-ton ‘flivvers’
and the broken-deck ‘thousand-tonners’ were transferred to the Coast
Guard for service against ‘rum-runners’ attempting to evade Prohibi¬
tion. All had raised forecastles and so were better sea boats than the
‘flush-deckers’; it is interesting that they were retained until the mid
1930s, although mass scrapping of the later boats (as a consequence of
the London Treaty) began in 1931. In any case more than half of the
large US destroyer fleet of the 1920s and 1930s was retained out of
commission at any one time, and studies of convoy and ASW require¬
ments above the needs of the battle fleet usually concluded that
recommissioning existing destroyers would be better than building
specialised ASW ships. This view was not too different from that
prevailing after World War II, when the United States again possessed
a large fleet of modern destroyers (and, this time, escorts) well beyond
the needs of the active navy.
In some important ways the ‘flush-deckers’ were obsolescent even
before they began to appear in numbers in 1919. The British ‘V & W’
class set a new standard for destroyer design, and the US ships had
inadequate firepower to match it, particularly since the forward gun
was useless in a head sea. However, the vast size of the existing fleet
made it difficult for the Navy to ask Congress for new construction;
even a scheme for the reconstruction of existing units was rejected
because of the expense entailed. Thus new US destroyers did not begin
to appear until the mid-1930s. They did, however, show emphases not
present in other navies: all had DP main batteries with special DP fire
controls to match, and all had provision for depth charges. The latter
were not generally mounted in peacetime, partly because treaty limits
on displacement encouraged strict peacetime limits. Thus wartime
standard displacements were far greater than peacetime figures, partly
because they incorporated far greater ammunition loads.
As the new destroyers began to enter service in greater and greater
numbers, it became possible to assign ‘flush-deckers’ to alternative
duties. Some had already been converted into fast minelayers, and
indeed the first generation of such conversions was replaced during the
1930s. Others became fast minesweepers (DMS), light seaplane ten¬
ders (AVD), and fast transports (APD); these conversions still retained
ASW weapons and were sometimes used for ASW operations in war¬
time. Perhaps as importantly, a programme of conversions roughly
comparable to the British ‘Wairs’ was carried out. It is described in
greater detail below.
At first the destroyers benefited little from the King Board AA
recommendations; they were to receive only additional 0.50cal guns.
However, in 1941 a much more sweeping programme, to fit twin
Bofors guns to all destroyers which could take them, was begun. By
1944 all the prewar 5-gun destroyers had surrendered one 5in gun in
favour of a pair of twin 40mm guns. Of the 4-gun, 16-tube type, only
the Gridleys could not take at least one twin 40mm; they alone of the
prewar destroyers never received this weapon. It is noteworthy that,
unlike the Royal Navy, the US Navy preferred to surrender guns rather
than torpedo tubes in order to increase light AA batteries: one reason
why was the character of the Pacific War, in which there were frequent
night surface engagements as late as mid-1943. In fact US destroyers
participated in the last major surface action of the war, the Battle of
Surigao Strait, in which a division of Fletchers delivered a text-book
torpedo attack to sink the Japanese battleship Fuso; others severely
damaged her sister Yamashiro.
By that time, however, it was clear that in the closing stages of the
Pacific War air defence would be the most important task of the
destroyers. Orders were given to convert 12 (ultimately 24) of the new
Gearings to radar pickets, and at the same time plans were drawn for
emergency A A refits of most of the modern destroyers; these generally
envisaged replacement of all torpedo tubes (except one bank in Fletch¬
ers, Sumners, Gearings) by Bofors guns. However, the need for des¬
troyers was so urgent that there could be no question of mass refits: the
big AA refits were to be done only on a ‘not to delay’ basis, either during
scheduled overhauls or else following severe damage.

124
Monaghan on 30.5.1937 USN

FARRAGUT class
Displacement: (•Farragut) 1358t standard; 2064t full
Dimensions: 334ft wl, 341ft 3in oa x 34ft 3in x lift 7in
101.80, 104.01 x 10.44 x 3.53m
Machinery: 2-shaft Curtis turbines, 2 Yarrow boilers, 42,800shp =
36.5kts. Oil 200-600t, 6500nm at 12kts
Armament: 5—5in/38 (5x1), 4-0.5jm, 8-2lin TT (4x2)
Complement: 160

No Name Builder Launched Fate

DD348 FARRAGUT Bethlehem, 15.3.1934 BU 1947 ...... :
(cx-Smith, Quincy
Selfridge in April 1944 as rebuilt USN
ex-Farragut)
DD349 DEWEY (ex- Bath Iron Wks 28.7.1934 BU 1947 other navies. Attempts to convince Congress to authorise such ships failed
Phelps, ex- because of the mass of newly completed destroyers; all through the 1920s the
Dewey) General Board considered a series of abortive leader designs. Finally, however,
DD350 HULL New York N Yd 31.1.1934 Sunk 18.12.44 eight ships, limited in displacement to 1850 tons by the London Treaty of 1930,
DD351 MAC- Boston N Yd 22.8.1934 BU 1947 were procured. The original design called for six single 5in/38, but it proved
DONOUGH possible to substitute eight twin single purpose mounts. The result rather resem¬
DD352 WORDEN Puget Sound 27.10.1934 Sunk 12.1.43 bled a light cruiser. Trials figures (name ship) were 47,271shp = 37.17kts at
N Yd 2180t.
DD353 DALE New York N Yd 23.1.1935 BU 1947 It was a very tight design, and studies just before the outbreak of war showed
DD354 MONAGHAN Boston N Yd 9.1.1935 Sunk 18.12.44 that a considerable reduction in battery would be necessary should dual-purpose
DD355 AYLWIN Philadelphia 10.7.1934 BU 1947 weapons be desired. Modernisation plans ultimately called for two twin and one
N Yd single DP 5in/38, plus two twin and one quadruple 40mm and 6-20mm; both
TT banks would be retained. Modernisation came late in the war; most of these
With these eight ships the US Navy set the pattern for its prewar destroyers. A ships spent much of the war with No 3 twin 5in mount replaced by light AA; for
high forecastle was adopted in view of the extreme wetness of the ‘four-stackers’, example, Moffett had a quadruple 40mm there, as well as 3 twin 40mm and
and these ships also introduced the DP 5in/38 gun, which armed all subsequent 6-20mm. By 1944 only Selfridge retained all four gunhouses. DD357, 358, 359
US destroyers of the prewar and war period. This weapon was controlled by a and 360 were rebuilt; DD362 ended the war half-converted at Charleston. Of
new DP director, the Mk 33, which made these and later US destroyers effective the refitted ships, DD 357, 359 and 360 had the emergency AA modification of
AA as well as anti-destroyer ships. ASW gear was limited to a sonar and a 1945, in which all TT were landed and two quadruple 40mm added; the 20mm
listening device; the fantail was strengthened for depth-charge racks but none battery was reduced to two twin mounts. In 1945 DD358 and 359 were con¬
was fitted as part of the allowance which made up the standard displacement. In verted into radar pickets as AG126 and 127, for service with the Operational
the interest of weight saving, moreover, shields were provided only for Nos 1 Development Force; it appears that only Winslow (AG127), saw much service of
and 2 guns: they were considered primarily as weather protection. In fact all this type, and she was laid up in 1950.
these ships were built well under the London Treaty 1500-ton limit, which freed
some displacement for the enlargement of later ships, when, in 1936, the limit
was shifted from one on individual ships to a limit on total destroyer tonnage.
Farragut’s trials figures were 46,266shp = 38.59kts at 1594t. As in other
MAHAN class
5-gun prewar destroyers, war modifications included the replacement of one 5in Displacement: (Mahan) 1488t standard; 2103t full load
gun by a pair of twin Bofors, as well as considerable additions of depth charges Dimensions: 334ft wl, 341ft 4in oa x 35ft Sin x 12ft 4in full load
and 20mm machine guns. The ‘ultimate’ battery, reached by 1944, was 2 twin 101.80, 104.04 x 10.67 x 3.76m
40mm, 5-20mm, plus 4 K-guns and 2 depth-charge racks. Machinery: 2-shaft General Electric turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boil¬
ers, 49,000shp = 36.5kts. Oil 201-522t, range 6500nm at
12kts
PORTER class_ Armament: 5—5in/38 (5x1), 4-0.5in, 12-2in TT (3x4)
Complement: 158
Displacement: (Phelps) 1834t standard; 25971 full load
Dimensions: 372ft wl, 381ft lin oa x 37ft x 13ft full load No Name Builder Launched Fate
113.39,116.15 x 11.28 x 3.96m
Machinery: 2-shaft turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 50,000shp = DD364 MAHAN Bethlehem, 15.10.1935 Sunk 7.12.44
37kts. Oil 235—635t, range 6500nm at 12kts Staten I
Armament: 8—5in/38 (4x2), 8—1.lin (2x4), 2—0.5in, 8—21in TT (2x4) DD365 CUMMINGS Bethlehem, 11.12.1935 BU 1947
Staten I
Complement: 194
DD366 DRAYTON Bath Iron Wks 26.3.1936 BU 1947
No Name Builder Launched Fate DD367 LAMSON Bath Iron Wks 17.6.1936 Expended 2.7.46
DD368 FLUSSER Federal, Kearny 28.9.1935 BU 1948
DD356 PORTER New York SB 12.12.1935 Sunk 26.10.42
DD369 REID Federal, Kearny 11.1.1936 Sunk 11.12.44
DD357 SELFRIDGE New York SB 18.4.1936 BU 1947 DD370 CASE Boston N Yd 14.9.1935 BU 1948
DD358 McDOUGAL New York SB 17.7.1936 Stricken 1949
DD371 CONYNGHAM Boston N Yd 14.9.1935 Expended 2.7.48
DD359 WINSLOW New York SB 21.9.1936 Stricken 1957
DD372 CAS SIN Philadelphia 28.10.1935 BU 1948
DD360 PHELPS Bethlehem, 18.7.1935 BU 1947 N Yd
Quincy DD373 SHAW Philadelphia 28.10.1935 BU 1946
DD361 CLARK Bethlehem, 15.10.1935 BU 1946
N Yd
Quincy DD374 TUCKER Norfolk N Yd 26.2.1936 Sunk 4.8.42
DD362 MOFFETT Bethlehem, 11.12.1935 BU 1947 Norfolk N Yd 22.4.1936 BU 1948
DD375 DOWNES
Quincy DD376 CUSHING Puget Sound 31.12.1935 Sunk 13.11.42
DD363 BALCH Bethlehem, 24.3.1936 BU 1946 N Yd
Quincy DD377 PERKINS Puget Sound 31.12.1935 Sunk 29.11.43
N Yd
In 1922 the United States possessed the largest destroyer fleet in the world, but DD378 SMITH Mare Island 20.2.1936 BU 1947
few light cruisers to ‘lead’ destroyer flotillas, and no programme of new con¬ N Yd
struction which might produce specialised ‘leaders such as those common in

125
UNITED STATES

Drayton on trials in July 1936 USN

No Name Builder Launched Fate

BAGLEY class
DD379 PRESTON Mare Island 22.4.1936 Sunk 14.1.42
N Yd Displacement: (Bagley) 1646t standard; 2245t full load
DD380 DUNLAP Bethlehem, 18.4.1936 BU 1948 Dimensions: 334ft wl, 341 ft 4in oa X 35ft 6in x 12ft lOin full load
Staten I 101.80, 104.04 x 10.82 x 3.91m
DD381 FANNING Bethlehem, 18.9.1936 BU 1948 Machinery: 2-shaft General Electric turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boil¬
Staten I ers, 49,000shp = 38.5kts. Oil 337-504t, range 6500nm at
12kts
These ships are significant for later US warship development because they Armament: 4—5in/38, 4—0.5in, 16-21in TT (4x4)
introduced what were, for the time, extreme steam conditions; their boilers, Complement: 158
suitably developed and enlarged, powered most of the warships whose long
endurance was so important for Pacific warfare. At the same time it proved No Name Builder Launched fate
possible to add four more TT at no loss in gun battery: a quadruple tube was
DD386 BAGLEY Norfolk N Yd 3.9.1936 BU 1947
substituted for No 3 gun of the Farragut, which in turn was moved aft to the
DD387 BLUE Norfolk N Yd 27.5.1937 Sunk 22.8.42
shelter deck, and length was conserved by moving the two waist tubes out to
DD388 HELM Norfolk N Yd 27.5.1937 BU 1947
either beam. The total broadside thus remained unchanged, but there were
now, in effect, four reload torpedoes. Another major innovation was the provi¬ DD389 MUGFORD Boston N Yd 31.10.1936 Expended 22.3.48
sion of gun crew shelters for the superimposed weapons fore and aft. In the last DD390 RALPH Boston N Yd 31.10.1936 Expended 8.3.48
two ships built to this basic design, Dunlap and Fanning, both forward guns TALBOT
were mounted in fully enclosed gunhouses, as in later ships, and consequently DD391 HENLEY Mare Island 11.1.1937 Sunk 3.10.43
there was no need for a forward gun crew shelter. On trials, Mahan made 44,477 N Yd
shp = 37.8kts at 1749t. DD392 PATTERSON Puget Sound 6.5.1937 BU 1947
Two ships of this class, Cassin and Downes, were almost completely destroyed N Yd
at Pearl Harbor; their machinery and main batteries were installed on new hulls DD393 JARVIS Puget Sound 6.5.1937 Sunk 9.8.42
built at Mare Island. They were unique in having only two banks of torpedo N Yd
tubes, both on the centreline, and had Admiralty-style bridgework. Three very
similar ships were built for the Brazilian Navy, their weapons apparently The Mahan class represented, in effect, an attempt to achieve maximum des¬
supplied by the United States: Greenhalgh, Maris E Barros, and Marcilio Dias. troyer gun battery at the possible expense of torpedo battery; it was alleged, for
As refitted in 1943-44, these ships had 4—5in, 2 twin 40mm, and 5 (8 before example, that the raised centreline torpedo tube might well be ineffective in
40mm fitted) 20mm. Further increases were planned in 1945: in January the two combat. Before any Mahans had been completed to test this view, a new
destroyer class was designed, trading one gun for a fourth bank of torpedo tubes.
waist TT were to be removed, and the twin Bofors replaced by quadruple
mounts. Only DD367 was so refitted; in June, as part of the emergency AA refit The resulting ship still had a broadside of only eight tubes, but by 1936 it
programme, the third TT was to be removed, and 2 twin 40mms mounted appeared that torpedoes could be set to turn through wide angles after launch, so
between the funnels. There would also be 4 twin 20mm. In fact only Shaw was that a single ship could fire all sixteen torpedoes in a single heavy salvo.
so refitted; she proved badly top-heavy, and had to have her No 3 5in gun These ships fall into two groups: Bethlehem Steel built four Gridleys (DD380,
landed. 382, 400 and 401) and the Navy Yards built eight Bagleys (DD386-393). It
appears that the former were much flimsier, perhaps for higher speed (for which
bonuses were paid); they alone of modern US destroyers received no 40mm guns
in wartime, only (ultimately) 8-20mm. All ships has 2 DC racks. Trials figures
were47,265shp = 38.99ktsat 1774t (Gridley), and 47,191shp = 36.8ktsat 1969t
(Blue). In 1945 all four Gridleys lost two TT banks upon re-assignment to the
Atlantic Fleet. The Bagleys, on the other hand, were fitted with a twin Bofors
aft, plus 6-2 0mm, without loss of other armament, prior to the emergency A A
refit programme of 1945, when all four TT banks would have been removed.
The emergency battery envisaged, 2 quadruple and 2 twin Bofors, and 2 twin
20mm, was not fitted to any of these ships.

GRIDLEY class Mugford in Feb 1945 USN

Displacement: (Gridley) 1590t standard; 2219t full load

Dimensions: 334ft wl, 340ft lOin oa X 35ft lOin x 12ft 9in full load
101.80, 103.89 x 10.67 x 3.89m
Machinery: 2-shaft Bethlehem turbines, 4 Yarrow boilers, 50,000shp
38.5kts. Oil 194—525t, range 6500nm at 12kts
Armament: 4-5in/38 (4x1), 4-0.5in 16-21in TT (4x4)
Complement 158

No Name Builder Launched Fate

DD380 GRIDLEY Bethlehem, 1.12.1936 BU 1947
Quincy
DD382 CRAVEN Bethlehem, 25.2.1937 BU 1947
Quincy
DD400 McCALL Bethlehem, San 20.11.1937 BU 1948
Francisco
DD401 MAURY Bethlehem, San 14.2.1938 BU 1946
Francisco

126
 Destroyers

No Name Builder Launched Fate

DD397 BENHAM Federal, Kearny 16.4.1938 Sunk 15.11.42

DD398 ELLET Federal, Kearny 11.6.1938 BU 1947
DD399 LANG Federal, Kearny 27.8.1938 BU 1947
DD402 MAYRANT Boston N Yd 14.5.1938 Expended 4.4.48
DD403 TRIPPE Boston N Yd 14.5.1938 Expended 3.2.48
DD404 RHIND Philadelphia 28.7.1938 Expended 22.3.48
N Yd
SOMERS class DD405 ROWAN Norfolk N Yd 5.5.1938 Sunk 10.9.43
Displacement: (Sampson) 2047t standard; 2767t full load DD406 STACK Norfolk N Yd 5.5.1938 Expended 24.4.48
Dimensions: DD407 STERETT Charleston 27.10.1938 BU 1947
372ft wl, 381ft oa x 36ft 1 lin x 12ft 5in full load
113.39, 116.13 x 11.25 x 3.78m N Yd
DD408 WILSON Puget Sound 12.4.1939 Expended 8.3.48
Machinery: 2-shaft General Electric turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boil¬
ers, 52,000shp = 37kts. Oil 230-627t, range 7500nm at 15kts N Yd
Armament: 8—5in/38 (4x2), 8-1.lin (2x4), 2-0.5in, 12-21in TT
These ships were simple derivatives of the Bagley s with three rather than four
Complement: 294
boilers: hence the much less prominent trunked uptakes. All four guns were
No Name mounted on base-ring mountings, where previously only Nos 1 and 2 had been
Builder Launched Fate
so mounted. It is perhaps worth noting that these ships, and indeed all the new
DD381 SOMERS Federal, Kearny 13.3.1937 BU 1947 classes back to the Mahans, had been designed in the almost total lack of
DD383 WARRINGTONFederal, Kearny 15.5.1937 Sunk 13.9.44 operational experience with modern destroyers; by 1935, when the Benhams
DD394 SAMPSON Bath Iron Wks 16.4.1937 BU 1946 were in the design stage, complaints as to the flimsiness of the Farraguts were
DD395 DAVIS Bath Iron Wks 30.7.1938 BU 1947 beginning to be heard. On trials, Benham reached 49,250shp = 37.9ktsat 2038t.
DD396 JOUETT Bath Iron Wks 24.9.1938 BU 1946 Some of the Benhams were the earliest of the US ‘fleet’ destroyers to be
assigned to Atlantic escort duty in 1940; they were refitted for ASW service, and
These five ships were modified versions of the Porter class, with a single funnel two after banks of tubes removed as space and weight compensation for a Y-gun,
and three rather than two banks of TT: they had the most powerful torpedo depth charges and light A A weapons. Later even the Pacific Fleet units were
broadside in the US Navy when completed. They were also extremely top- similarly modified, all surviving vessels ultimately receiving a pair of twin 40mm
heavy; initial wartime modifications included the removal of one bank of tubes aft, as well as 4-20mm. Three units (DD399, 407 and 408) received the 1945
as well as No 3 gunhouse. The ultimate battery envisaged matched that of the emergency A A modification, surrendering their remaining pair of TT in favour
Porters, except that No 2 position was to be occupied by a twin rather than a of two more twin 40mm; each single 20mm was replaced by a twin mount.
quadruple 40mm gun - a measure of their lesser reserve of stability. Only two
ships, DD395 and 396, were rebuilt, and both ultimately received the
emergency AA refit as well, with a total of 14-40mm guns and 2 twin 20mms.
Trials figures (Somers) were 51,525shp = 39.4kts at 2139t. SIMS class
Displacement: (Sims) 1764t standard; 2313t full load
Dimensions: 341ft wl, 348ft 4in oa x 36ft x 12ft lOin full load
103.94, 106.17 x 10.97 x 3.91m
Machinery: 2-shaft Westinghouse turbines, 3 Babcock & Wilcox boilers,
50,000shp = 35kts. Oil 298-459t, range 6500nm at 12kts
Armament: 5—5in/38, 4-0.5in, 8-2lin TT (2x4)
Complement: 192

No Name Builder Launched Fate

DD409 SIMS Bath Iron Wks 8.4.1938 Sunk 7.5.42

DD410 HUGHES Bath Iron Wks 17.6.1939 Expended 16.10.48
DD411 ANDERSONFederal, Kearny 4.2.1939 Expended 1.7.46
DD412 HAMMANN Federal, Kearny 4.2.1939 Sunk 6.6.42
DD413 MUSTIN Newport News 8.12.1938 Expended 18.4.48
DD414 RUSSELL Newport News 8.12.1938 BU 1947
DD415 O’BRIEN Boston N Yd 20.10.1939 Sunk 19.10.42
DD416 WALKE Boston N Yd 20.10.1939 Sunk 14.11.42
DD417 MORRIS Norfolk N Yd 1.6.1939 BU 1947
DD418 ROE Charleston 21.6.1939 BU 1947
N Yd
DD419 WAINWRIGHT Norfolk N Yd 1.6.1939 Expended 2.7.48
DD420 BUCK Philadelphia 22.5.1939 Sunk 9.10.43
N Yd

In 1936 the Chief of Naval Operations completed a review of US destroyer

design. At the same time the new London Naval Treaty shifted the limit on
destroyer tonnage from a limit per ship (retaining, however, an upper limit of
USN 3000 tons) to a limit on total tonnage; however the need for large numbers of
Jouelt at New York in 1939
destroyers, and a desire to avoid a radical shift which would require a long design
period, made it advisable not to exceed the old 1500-ton limit by very much: the
Sims class was designed to displace 1570 tons, although in fact all came out quite
heavy. A reappraisal of the destroyer’s role in the standard U S scenario of a fight
across the Pacific led to restoration of the fifth 5in gun, and in fact the Mahan
arrangement was repeated. However, as ships were completed grossly over¬
weight (in some cases they were 120 tons over in light condition), the Bureau of
Construction and Repair proposed a variety of revisions including mounting two
banks of tubes on the centreline, thus eliminating one of the waist banks. The
broadside was unchanged, and in fact now the after bank of tubes could be used
in more severe weather. This was accepted in September 1939, and many ships
were completed to the new standard. The tubes thus made surplus were instal¬
led on board the new Atlanta class A A cruisers. 2 DC racks (10 charges) were
carried.
BENHAM class__ One important source of overweight in these ships was the engineering plant;
there had been poor communication between the overall designers, in the
Displacement: (Benham) 16571 standard; 2250t full load
Bureau of Construction and Repair, and the machinery designers, in the Bureau
Dimensions: 334ft wl, 340ft 9 in oa x 35ft 6in x 12ft lOin
of Engineering. Consequently these two organisations were merged into the
101.80, 103.86 x 10.82 x 3.91m
New Bureau of Ships in 1940; that still left an independent Bureau of Ordnance
Machinery: 2-shaft Westinghouse turbines, 3 Babcock & Wilcox boilers,
50,000shp = 38.5kts. Oil 194-484t, range 6500nm at 12kts responsible for armour, guns and gun mountings. In effect these ships, as
redesigned, were the prototypes for the large series of Benson-Livermore class
Armament: 4—5in/38, 4—0.5in, 16—21in TT (4x4)
destroyers. They introduced the new Mk 37 Gun Fire Control System, which
Complement: 184 for the first time in a destroyer required a computer room below decks, but

127
UNITED STATES

Roe in 1943

USN

DD454 ELLYSON Federal, Kearny 25.7.1941 To Japan 19.10.54,

which was to be extremely successful during World War II. Sims achieved
to Taiwan 1970
45,340shp = 35.4kts at 2220t on trials.
DD455 HAMBLETON Federal, Kearny 26.9.1941 Stricken 1.6.71
The entire class served in the Atlantic prior to the outbreak of war; modifica¬
DD456 RODMAN Federal, Kearny 26.9.1941 To Taiwan 28.7.55,
tions for escort work included the elimination of No 3 Sin gun in favour of a
expended 1976
Y-gun and automatic weapons, and later all received a pair of twin 40mm in the
former No 3 position; they also had 4—20mm. Three were refitted in 1945: DD457 EMMONS Bath Iron Wks 23.8.1941 Sunk 6.4.45
DD413,414 and 417. They received two more twin 40mm in lieu of their tubes; DD458 MACOMB Bath Iron Wks 23.9.1941 To Japan
in DD414, two single 20mm were replaced by twins. 19.10.54,
to Taiwan 1970
DD459 LAFFEY Bethlehem, San 29.11.1941 Sunk 13.11.42
Francisco
DD460 WOOD- Bethlehem, San 29.11.1941 To Italy 25.5.51
WORTH Francisco
DD461 FORREST Boston N Yd 14.6.1941 BU 1946
DD462 FITCH Boston N Yd 14.6.1941 Stricken 1.7.71
DD463 CORRY Charleston 28.7.1941 Sunk 6.6.44
N Yd
DD464 HOBSON Charleston 8.9.1941 Sunk 27.4.52
N Yd
DD483 AARON WARDFederal, Kearny 22.11.1941 Sunk 7.4.43
BENSON/GLEAVES class
DD484 BUCHANAN Federal, Kearny 22.11.1941 To Turkey 28.4.49,
Displacement: (Niblack) 1839 standard; 2395t full load stricken 1976
Dimensions: 341ft wl, 348ft 4in oa x 36ft lin X 13ft 2in full load DD485 DUNCAN Federal, Kearny 20.2.1942 Sunk 12.10.42
103.94, 106.17 x 11.00 x 4.01m
DD486 LANSDOWNE Federal, Kearny 20.2.1942 To Turkey 28.4.49,
Machinery: 2-shaft Westinghouse turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, stricken 1973
50,000shp = 35kts. Oil 302-453t, range 6500nm at 12kts
DD487 LARDNER Federal, Kearny 20.3.1942 To Turkey 28.4.49,
Armament: 5—5in/38, 6-0.5in, 10-21in TT (2x5). See notes stricken 1974
Complement: 208 DD488 McCALLA Federal, Kearny 20.3.1942 To Turkey 28.4.49,
stricken 1973
No Name Builder Launched Fate Stricken 1.7.68,
DD489 MERVINE Federal, Kearny 3.5.1942
DD421 BENSON Bethlehem, 15.11.1939 To Taiwan BU
Quincy 26.2.54, DD490 QUICK Federal, Kearny 3.5.1942 Stricken 15.1.72
stricken 1975 DD491 FARENHOLT Bethlehem, 19.11.1941 Stricken 1.6.71
DD422 MAYO Bethlehem, 26.3.1940 Stricken 1.12.70 Staten I
Quincy DD492 BAILEY Bethlehem, 19.12.1941 Stricken 1.6.68,
DD423 GLEAVES Bath Iron Wks 9.12.1939 Stricken 1.11.69, Staten I BU
preserved DD493 CARMICK Seattle-Tacoma 8.3.1942 Stricken 1.7.71
DD424 NIBLACK Bath Iron Wks 18.5.1940 Stricken 31.7.68 DD494 DOYLE Seattle-Tacoma 17.3.1942 Stricken 1.12.70
BU DD495 ENDICOTT Seattle-Tacoma 5.4.1942 Stricken 1.11.69,
DD425 MADISON Boston N Yd 20.10.1939 Stricken 1.6.68 BU
DD426 LANSDALE Boston N Yd 20.10.1939 Sunk 20.4.44 DD496 McCOOK Seattle-Tacoma 30.4.1942 Stricken 15.1.72
DD427 HILARY P Charleston 14.12.1939 To Taiwan 26.2.54, DD497 FRANKFORD Seattle-Tacoma 17.5.1942 Stricken 1.6.71
JONES N Yd stricken 1975 DD598 BANCROFT Bethlehem, 31.12.1941 Stricken 1.6.71
DD428 CHARLES F Puget Sound 16.5.1940 Stricken 1.6.68, Quincy
HUGHES N Yd target DD599 BARTON Bethlehem, 31.1.1942 Sunk 13.11.42
DD429 LIVERMORE Bath Iron Wks 3.8.1940 Expended 1950 Quincy
(ex-Grayson) DD600 BOYLE Bethlehem, 15.6.1942 Stricken 1.6.71
DD430 EBERLE Bath Iron Wks 14.9.1940 To Greece Apr 1951, Quincy
stricken 1972 DD601 CHAMPLIN Bethlehem, 25.6.1942 Stricken 2.1.71
DD431 PLUNKETT Federal, Kearny 9.3.1940 To Taiwan 16.2.59, Quincy
stricken 1975 DD602 MEADE Bethlehem, 15.2.1942 Stricken 1.6.71
DD432 KEARNY Federal, Kearny 9.3.1940 Stricken 1.6.71 Staten I
DD433 GWIN Boston N Yd 25.5.1940 Sunk 13.7.43 DD603 MURPHY Bethlehem, 29.4.1942 Stricken 1.11.70,
DD434 MEREDITH Boston N Yd 24.4.1940 Sunk 15.10.40 Staten I BU
DD435 GRAYSON Charleston 7.8.1940 Stricken 1.6.71 DD604 PARKER Bethlehem, 12.5.1942 Stricken 1.7.71
(tx-Livermore) N Yd Staten I
DD436 MONSSEN Puget Sound 16.5.1940 Sunk 13.11.42 DD605 CALDWELL Bethlehem, San 15.1.1942 Sold for BU
N Yd Francisco 4.11.66
DD437 WOOLSEY Bath Iron Wks 12.2.1941 Stricken 1.7.71 DD606 COGHLAN Bethlehem, San 12.2.1942 Stricken 1.7.71
DD438 LUDLOW Bath Iron Wks 11.11.1940 T o Greece 21.1.51, Francisco
stricken 1972 DD607 FRAZIER Bethlehem, San 17,3.1942 Stricken 1.7.71
DD439 EDISON Federal, Kearny 23.11.1940 Stricken 1.4.66 Francisco
DD440 ERICSSON Federal, Kearny 23.11.1940 Stricken 1.6.70 DD608 GANSEVOORT Bethlehem, San 11.4.1942 Stricken 1.7.71
DD441 WILKES Boston N Yd 31.5.1940 Stricken 1970 Francisco
DD442 NICHOLSON Boston N Yd 31.5.1940 To Italy 15.1.51 DD609 GILLESPIE Bethlehem, San 8.5.1942 Stricken 1.7.71
DD443 SWANSON Charleston 2.11.1940 Stricken 1970 Francisco
N Yd DD610 HOBBY Bethlehem, San 4.6.1942 Stricken 1.7.71
DD444 INGRAHAM Charleston 15.2.1941 Sunk 22.8.42 Francisco
N Yd DD611 KALK Bethlehem, San 18.7.1942 Stricken 1.6.68,
DD453 BRISTOL Federal, Kearny 25.7.1941 Sunk 12.10.43 Francisco BU

128
 Destroyers

No Name Builder Launched Fate The last destroyers designed and built prewar, these were also the only ones to
survive the wave of scrapping at the end of World War II; many were transferred
DD612 KENDRICK Bethlehem, 2.4.1942 abroad after 1945, but none now survives. They were derived from the Sims
Stricken 1.5.66,
San Pedro class first by passing from three to four (smaller) boilers arranged en echelon
target
DD613 LAUB Bethlehem, 28.4.1942 (hence the two funnels) and then by adopting quintuple TT, two banks on the
Stricken 1.7.71
San Pedro centreline. The Bensons were officially 1620-ton destroyers, although in fact all
DD614 MACKENZIE Bethlehem, 27.6.1942 were far heavier. The very similar Gleaves class, officially ten tons heavier, could
Stricken 1.7.71
San Pedro be distinguished by round rather than flat-sided funnels; both groups are listed
DD615 McLANAHAN Bethlehem, together here, the Benson class consisting of DD421, 422, 425-428, 459, 460,
7.9.1942 Stricken 1.7.71
491, 492, and 598-617, the Gleaves class of DD 423, 424, 429-444, 453-458,
San Pedro
DD616 NIELDS 461-464, 483-497, 618-641 and 645-648. In fact a more fundamental distinc¬
Bethlehem, 1.10.1942 Stricken 5.9.70,
Quincy tion could be drawn between the original 10-tube 5-gun ships of the 1937-39
BU
DD617 ORDRONAUX Bethlehem, Programmes (DD421-444) and later units (DD453 onwards) ordered with
9.11.1942 Stricken 1.7.71
4—5in guns, 4—40mm (2x2), 7-20mm (7x1), 5-2 lin TT (1x5), and 4 or 6 DCT s
Quincy
DD618 DAVISON and 2 DC racks as ultimately armed (other arrangements were used until the
Federal, Kearny 19.7.1942 Stricken 15.1.72
DD619 EDWARDS 40mm guns became available in some cases). At first DD453-464, ordered in
Federal, Kearny 19.7.1942 Stricken 1.7.71
DD620 GLENNON mid-1940, were to have been the last of these ‘small’ destroyers, but in fact
Federal, Kearny 26.8.1942 Sunk 10.6.44
DD621 JEFFERS Federal, Kearny 26.8.1942 production continued as a means of keeping up destroyer deliveries as produc¬
Stricken 1.7.71
DD622 MADDOX Federal, Kearny 15.9.1942 tion of the much larger Fletchers began. Indeed, further (slightly enlarged)
Sunk 10.7.43
DD623 NELSON Federal, Kearny 15.9.1942 Bensons were very nearly ordered for the FY42 programme as a ‘sea control’
Stricken 1.3.68,
type.
BU
DD624 BALDWIN Seattle-Tacoma 14.6.1942 During 1941 the Navy ordered the elimination of unnecessary curves in super¬
Stranded 16.4.61,
structures as a time-saver in production; all ten ships built at Seattle-Tacoma
scuttled
(DD493^197 and 624—628) and the last ten built by Federal at Kearny
DD625 HARDING Seattle-Tacoma 28.6.1942 BU 1947
(DD618-623) and 645-648) had square-faced bridges with directors on their
DD626 SATTERLEE Seattle-Tacoma 17.7.1942 Stricken 1.12.70
pilot houses rather than on pedestals. Trials figures (.Livermore) were 50,400shp
DD627 THOMPSON Seattle-Tacoma 10.8.1942 Stricken 1.7.71
= 37.58kts at 2073t.
DD628 WELLES Seattle-Tacoma 7.9.1942 Stricken 1.3.68,
There were many variations in battery; 4-gun ships for a time mounted one
BU
quadruple l.lin machine gun and a 20mm gun aft in place of the assigned
DD632 COWIE Boston N Yd 27.9.1941 Stricken 1.12.70
battery of two twin Bofors atop the after deckhouse. Of the first series, ships had
DD633 KNIGHT Boston N Yd 27.9.1941 Stricken 1.6.67,
five guns and one TT bank for a time, but by late in the war four guns and ten
target
tubes were standard. All tubes were of course eliminated in those ships modified
DD634 DORAN Boston N Yd 10.12.1941 Stricken 15.1.72
for maximum AA battery in 1945. In 1943, twelve of the later units (DD493,
DD635 EARLE Boston N Yd 10.12.1941 Stricken 1.12.69,
609, 620, 622, 623, 635, 637-689 and 646-648) were each fitted with three
BU
Mousetrap ahead-throwing ASW rocket launchers. The experiment proved a
DD636 BUTLER Philadelphia 12.2.1942 BU 1948
failure, but this was the only such installation in wartime modern US destroyers;
N Yd
only destroyer escorts and the old ‘flush-deckers’ ever received Hedgehog in
DD637 GHERARDI Philadelphia 12.2.1942 Stricken 1.6.71
wartime.
N Yd
Ultimately the standard 10-tube AA battery was 2 twin 40mm and 4—20mm,
DD638 HERNDON Norfolk N Yd 5.2.1942 Stricken 1.7.71
with provision in DD421^428 and 431 for temporary removal of one bank of
DD629 SHUBRICK Norfolk N Yd 18.4.1942 BU 1947
tubes in favour of four more 20mm. Ships of both groups received the 1945
DD640 BEATTY Charleston 20.12.1941 Sunk 6.11.43
refits, which left them with 2 quadruple and 2 twin 40mm, and 2 twin 20mm.
N Yd
Twelve Atlantic Fleet Bensons (DD454-458,461,462,464,621,625,636 and
DD641 TILLMAN Charleston 20.12.1941 Stricken 1.6.70,
637) were converted into destroyer minesweepers (DMS19-30) in 1944; their
N Yd BU
TT and No 4 gun were removed. Twelve more (DD489,490,493-496,618,627
DD645 STEVENSON Federal, Kearny 11.11.1941 Sold for BU
and 632-635) followed in 1945 as DMS31-42. Twelve of these DMSs were the
Apr 1970
only Bensons retained in active service after the war.
DD646 STOCKTON Federal, Kearny 11.11.1941 Stricken 1.7.71
DD647 THORN Federal, Kearny 28.2.1943 Stricken 1.7.71
DD648 TURNER Federal, Kearny 28.2.1943 Sunk 3.1.44

Livermore about 1944 USN

ttS

129
 V •

UNITED STATES

DD515 ANTHONY Bath Iron Wks 20.12.1942 To W Germany

17.1.58
DD516 WADSWORTH Bath Iron Wks 10.1.1943 To W Germany
6.10.59
DD517 WALKER Bath Iron Wks 31.1.1943 To Italy 2.7.69,
stricken 1977
DD518 BROWNSON Bethlehem, 24.9.1942 Sunk 26.12.43
Staten I
FLETCHER class DD519 DALY Bethlehem, 24.10.1942 Stricken 1.12.74
Staten I
Displacement: (Fletcher) 2325t standard; 2924t full load
DD520 ISHERWOOD Bethlehem, 24.10.1942 To Peru 15.12.60
Dimensions: 369ft lin wl, 376ft 5in oa x 39ft 7in x 13ft 9in full load
Staten I
112.50, 114.73 x 12.07 x 4.19m
DD521 KIMBERLY Bethlehem, 4.2.1942 To Taiwan 1.6.67
Machinery: 2-shaft General Electric turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boil¬
Staten I
ers, 60,000shp = 38kts (at 2550t). Oil 492t, range 6500nm at
DD522 LUCE Bethlehem, 6.3.1943 Sunk 3.5.45
15kts
Staten I
Armour: Side 0.75in, deck over machinery 0.5in
DD526 ABNER READ Bethlehem, San 18.8.1942 Sunk 1.11.44
Armament: 5-5in/38, 4-1. lin (1x4), 4-20mm, 10-2 lin TT
Francisco
Complement: 273 DD527 AMMEN Bethlehem, San 17.9.1942 BU 1961
Francisco
No Name Builder Launched Fate
DD528 MULLANY Bethlehem, San 10.10.1942 To Taiwan 6.10.71
DD445 FLETCHER Federal, Kearny 3.5.1942 Stricken 1.8.67, (■ex-Beatty) Francisco
BU DD529 BUSH Bethlehem, San 27.10.1942 Sunk 6.4.45
DD446 RADFORD Federal, Kearny 3.5.1942 Stricken 15.7.69, Francisco
BU DD530 TRATHEN Bethlehem, San 22.10.1942 Expended 1.11.72
DD447 JENKINS Federal, Kearny 21.6.1942 Stricken 2.7.69, Francisco
BU DD531 HAZELWOOD Bethlehem, San 20.11.1942 Stricken 1.12.74
DD448 LA Federal, Kearny 21.6.1942 Stricken 1.2.74 Francisco
VALLETTE DD532 HEERMANN Bethlehem, San 5.12.1942 To Argentina
DD449 NICHOLAS Bath Iron Wks 19.2.1942 Stricken 30.1.70, Francisco 1.8.61,
BU stricken 1977
DD450 O’BANNON Bath Iron Wks 14.3.1942 Stricken 30.1.70, DD533 HOEL Bethlehem, San 19.12.1942 Sunk 25.10.44
BU Francisco
DD451 CHEVALIER Bath Iron Wks 11.4.1942 Sunk 7.10.43 DD534 McCORD Bethlehem, San 10.1.1943 Expended 1.11.72
DD452 PERCIVAL Federal, Kearny - Cancelled 7.1.46 Francisco
DD465 SAUFLEY Federal, Kearny 19.7.1942 Stricken 1.9.66, DD535 MILLER Bethlehem, San 7.3.1943 Stricken 1.12.74
target Francisco
DD466 WALLER Federal, Kearny 15.8.1942 Stricken 15.7.69, DD536 OWEN Bethlehem, San 21.3.1943 Stricken 15.4.73
target Francisco
DD467 STRONG Bath Iron Wks 17.5.1942 Sunk 5.7.43 DD537 THE Bethlehem, San 4.4.1943 Preserved 1974
DD468 TAYLOR Bath Iron Wks 7.6.1942 To Italy 2.7.69 SULLIVANS Francisco
DD469 DE HAVEN Bath Iron Wks 28.6.1942 Sunk 1.2.43 (ex-Putnam)
DD470 BACHE Bethlehem, 27.7.1942 Stricken 1.3.68 DD538 STEPHEN Bethlehem, San 28.4.1943 Stricken 1.12.72
Staten I POTTER Francisco
DD471 BEALE Bethlehem, 24.8.1942 Stricken 1.10.68 DD539 TINGEY Bethlehem, San 28.5.1943 Stricken 1.11.65,
Staten I Francisco target
DD472 GUEST Boston N Yd 20.2.1942 To Brazil 5.6.59, DD540 TWINING Bethlehem, San 11.7.1943 To Taiwan 6.10.71
stricken 1978 Francisco
DD473 BENNETT Boston N Yd 16.4.1942 To Brazil 15.12.59, DD541 YARNALL Bethlehem, San 25.7.1943 To Taiwan 10.6.68
stricken 1978 Francisco
DD474 FULLAM Boston N Yd 16.4.1942 Expended 7.7.62 DD544 BOYD Bethlehem, 29.10.1942 To Turkey 1.10.69
DD475 HUDSON Boston N Yd 3.6.1942 Stricken 1.12.72 San Pedro
DD476 HUTCHINS Boston N Yd 20.2.1942 BU 1948 DD545 BRADFORD Bethlehem, 12.12.1942 To Greece 27.9.62
DD477 PRINGLE Charleston 2.5.1942 Sunk 16.4.45 San Pedro
N Yd DD546 BROWN Bethlehem, 21.2.1943 To Greece 27.9.62
DD478 STANLY Charleston 2.5.1942 Stricken 1.12.70 San Pedro
N Yd DD547 COWELL Bethlehem, 18.3.1943 To Argentina
DD479 STEVENS Charleston 24.6.1942 Stricken 1971 San Pedro 17.8.71
N Yd DD550 CAPPS Gulf SB 31.5.1942 To Spain 15.5.57
DD480 HALFORD Puget Sound 29.10.1942 Stricken 1.5.68, DD551 DAVID W Gulf SB 4.7.1942 To Spain 15.5.57,
N Yd BU TAYLOR stricken 1978
DD481 LEUTZE Puget Sound 29.10.1942 BU 1947 DD552 EVANS Gulf SB 4.10.1942 BU 1947
N Yd DD553 JOHN D Gulf SB 15.11.1942 BU 1970
DD482 WATSON Federal, Kearny - Cancelled 7.1.46 HENLEY
DD498 PHILIP Federal, Kearny 13.10.1942 Stricken 1.10.68, DD554 FRANKS Seattle-Tacoma 7.12.1942 Stricken 1.12.74
BU DD555 HAGGARD Seattle-Tacoma 9.2.1943 BU 1946
DD499 RENSHAW Federal, Kearny 13.10.1942 Stricken 14.1.70, DD556 HAILEY Seattle-Tacoma 9.3.1943 To Brazil 20.7.61
BU DD557 JOHNSTON Seattle-Tacoma 25.3.1943 Sunk 24.10.44
DD500 RINGGOLD Federal, Kearny 11.11.1942 To W Germany DD558 LAWS Seattle-Tacoma 22.4.1943 Stricken 15.4.73
14.7.59, stricken DD559 LONGSHAW Seattle-Tacoma 4.6.1943 Sunk 18.5.45
1972 DD560 MORRISON Seattle-Tacoma 4.7.1943 Sunk 3.5.45
DD501 SCHROEDER Federal, Kearny 11.11.1942 Stricken 1.10.72 DD561 PRICHETT Seattle-Tacoma 31.7.1943 To Italy 10.1.70,
DD502 SIGSBEE Federal, Kearny 7.12.1942 Stricken 1.12.74 stricken 1975
DD503 STEVENSON — — Cancelled DD562 ROBINSONSeattle-Tacoma 28.8.1943 Stricken 1.12.74
DD504 STOCKTON - - Cancelled DD563 ROSS Seattle-Tacoma 10.9.1943 Stricken 1.12.74
DD505 THORN - - Cancelled DD564 ROWE Seattle-Tacoma 30.9.1943 Stricken 1.12.74
DD506 TURNER — — Cancelled DD565 SMALLEY Seattle-Tacoma 17.10.1943 BU 1966
DD507 CONWAY Bath Iron Wks 16.8.1942 Stricken 15.11.69, DD566 STODDARDSeattle-Tacoma 19.11.1943 Expended 1.6.75
BU DD567 WATTS Seattle-Tacoma 31.12.1943 Stricken 1.2.74
DD508 CONY Bath Iron Wks 16.8.1942 Stricken 2.7.69, DD568 WREN Seattle-Tacoma 29.1.1944 Stricken 1.12.74
target DD569 AULICK Consolidated, 2.3.1942 To Greece 21.8.59
DD509 CONVERSE Bath Iron Wks 30.8.1942 To Spain 15.7.59 Orange
DD510 EATON Bath Iron Wks 20.9.1942 Stricken 2.7.69 DD570 CHARLES Consolidated, 6.3.1942 To W Germany
DD511 FOOTE Bath Iron Wks 11.10.1942 Stricken 1.10.72 AUSBURNE Orange 12.4.60, BU
DD512 SPENCE Bath Iron Wks 27.10.1942 Sunk 18.12.1944 1967
DD513 TERRY Bath Iron Wks 22.11.1942 Stricken Apr 1974 DD571 CLAXTON Consolidated, 1.4.1942 To W Germany
DD514 THATCHER Bath Iron Wks 6.12.1942 BU 1948 Orange 15.12.59

130
 Destroyers

Kidd at Hunter’s Point in July 1945 USN

No Name Builder Launched Fate DD658 COLAHAN Bethlehem, 3.5.1943 Stricken 1.8.66,
— —
Staten I target
DD572 DYSON Consolidated, 15.4.1942 To W Germany DD659 DASHIELL Federal, Kearny 6.2.1943 Stricken 1.12.74
Orange 17.2.60 DD660 BULLARD Federal, Kearny 28.2.1943 Stricken 1.12.72
DD573 HARRISON Consolidated, 7.5.1942 To Mexico DD661 KIDD Federal, Kearny 28.2.1943 Stricken 1.12.74
Orange Aug 1970
DD574 JOHN Consolidated, 7.5.1942 To Mexico DD662 BENNION Boston N Yd 4.7.1943 Stricken 15.4.71
RODGERS Orange Aug 1970 DD663 HEYWOOD L Boston N Yd 6.10.1943 To Japan 10.3.59,
DD575 McKEE Consolidated, 2.8.1942 Stricken 1.10.72 EDWARDS BU 1976
Orange DD664 RICHARD P Boston N Yd 6.10.1943 To Japan 10.3.59,
DD576 MURRAY Consolidated, 16.8.1942 BU 1966 LEARY BU 1976
Orange DD665 BRYANT Charleston 29.5.1943 Stricken 1.6.68
DD577 SPROSTON Consolidated, 31.8.1942 Stricken 1.10.68, N Yd
Orange BU DD666 BLACK Federal, Kearny 28.3.1943 Stricken 21.9.69
DD578 WICKES Consolidated, 13.9.1942 Expended 1.11.72 DD667 CHAUNCEY Federal, Kearny 28.3.1943 Stricken 1.10.72
Orange DD668 CLARENCE K Federal, Kearny 18.4.1943 To Turkey 14.1.67
DD579 WILLIAM D Consolidated, 27.9.1942 Sunk 10.6.45 BRONSON
PORTER Orange DD669 COTTEN Federal, Kearny 12.6.1943 Stricken 1.12.74
DD580 YOUNG Consolidated, 11.10.1942 Stricken 1.5.68, DD670 DORTCH Federal, Kearny 20.6.1943 To Argentina
Orange BU 1.8.61,
DD581 CHARRETTE Boston N Yd 3.6.1942 To Greece 15.6.59 stricken 1977
DD582 CONNER Boston N Yd 18.7.1942 To Greece 15.9.59 DD671 GATLING Federal, Kearny 20.6.1943 Stricken 1.12.74
DD583 HALL Boston N Yd 18.7.1942 To Greece 9.2.60 DD672 HEALY Federal, Kearny 4.7.1943 Stricken 1.12.74
DD584 HALLIGAN Boston N Yd 19.3.1943 Sunk 26.3.45 DD673 HICKOX Federal, Kearny 4.7.1943 To S Korea
DD585 HARADEN Boston N Yd 19.3.1943 Expended 1.11.72 15.11.68
DD586 NEWCOMB Boston N Yd 4.7.1943 BU 1947 DD674 HUNT Federal, Kearny 1.8.1943 Stricken 1.12.74
DD587 BELL Charleston 24.6.1942 Expended 1.11.72 DD675 LEWIS Federal, Kearny 1.8.1943 To Brazil 2.8.67
N Yd HANCOCK
DD588 BURNS Charleston 8.8.1942 Expended 1.11.72 DD676 MARSHALL Federal, Kearny 29.8.1943 Stricken 12.7.69,
N Yd BU
DD589 IZARD Charleston 8.8.1942 Stricken 1.5.68, DD677 McDERMUT Federal, Kearny 17.10.1943 Stricken 1.4.65,
N Yd BU BU
DD590 PAUL Charleston 7.4.1943 Stricken 1.5.68, DD678 McGowan Federal, Kearny 14.11.1943 To Spain 31.11.60
HAMILTON N Yd BU DD679 McNAIR Federal, Kearny 14.11.1943 Stricken 1.12.74
DD591 TWIGGS Charleston 7.4.1943 Sunk 16.6.45 DD680 MELVIN Federal, Kearny 17.10.1943 Stricken 1.12.74
N Yd DD681 HOPEWELL Bethlehem, 2.5.1943 Stricken 2.1.70
DD592 HOWORTH Puget Sound 10.1.1943 Expended 8.3.62 San Pedro
N Yd DD683 PORTER- Bethlehem, 13.6.1943 Expended 1.3.75
DD593 KILLEN Puget Sound 10.1.1943 Stricken 1.1.63, FIELD San Pedro
N Yd target 1967 DD683 STOCKHAM Bethlehem, San 25.6.1943 Stricken 1.12.74
DD594 HART (ex- Puget Sound 25.9.1944 Stricken 15.4.73 Francisco
Mansfield) N Yd DD684 WEDDER- Bethlehem, San 1.8.1943 Stricken 1.10.69,
DD595 METCALFE Puget Sound 25.9.1944 Stricken 2.1.71 BURN Francisco BU
N Yd DD685 PICKING Bethlehem, 1.6.1943 Expended 1.3.75
DD596 SHIELDS Puget Sound 25.9.1944 To Brazil 1.7.72 Staten I
N Yd DD686 HALSEY Bethlehem, 30.6.1943 To S Korea 27.4.68
DD597 WILEY Puget Sound 25.9.1944 Stricken 1.5.68, POWELL Staten I
N Yd BU DD687 UHLMANN Bethlehem, 30.7.1943 Stricken 15.7.72
DD629 ABBOT Bath Iron Wks 17.2.1943 Stricken 1.12.74 Staten I
DD630 BRAINE Bath Iron Wks 7.3.1943 To Argentina DD688 REMEY Bath Iron Wks 25.7.1943 Stricken 1.12.74
1.8.61 DD689 WADLEIGH Bath Iron Wks 7.8.1943 To Chile
DD631 ERBEN Bath Iron Wks 21.3.1943 To S Korea 1.5.63 July 1962
DD642 HALE Bath Iron Wks 4.4.1943 To Colombia DD690 NORMAN Bath Iron Wks 28.8.1943 Stricken 15.4.73
Dec 1960, SCOTT
stricken 1973 DD691 MERTZ Bath Iron Wks 11.9.1943 Stricken 1.10.70
DD643 SIGOURNEY Bath Iron Wks 24.4.1943 Stricken 1.12.74 DD792 CALLAGHAN Bethlehem, 1.8.1943 Sunk 28.7.45
DD64 STEMBEL Bath Iron Wks 8.5.1943 To Argentina 1.8.61 San Pedro
DD649 ALBERT W Charleston 29.5.1943 Stricken 14.4.71 DD793 CASSIN Bethlehem, 12.9.1943 Stricken 1.12.74
GRANT N Yd San Pedro
DD650 CAPERTON Bath Iron Wks 22.5.1943 Stricken 1.12.74 DD794 IRWIN Bethlehem, 31.10.1943 To Brazil 10.5.68,
DD651 COGSWELL Bath Iron Wks 5.6.1943 To Turkey 1.10.69 San Pedro extant 1980
Bath Iron Wks 28.6.1943 Stricken 20.1.70, DD795 PRESTON Bethlehem, 12.12.1943 To Turkey
DD652 INGERSOLL
BU San Pedro 15.11.69
DD653 KNAPP Bath Iron Wks 10.7.1943 Stricken 6.3.72 DD796 BENHAM Bethlehem, 30.8.1943 To Peru 8.10.61
DD654 BEARSS Gulf SB 25.7.1943 Stricken 1.12.74 Staten I
JOHN HOOD Gulf SB 25.10.1943 Stricken 1.12.74 DD797 CUSHING Bethlehem, 30.9.1943 To Brazil 20.7.61,
DD655
DD656 VAN VAL- Gulf SB 19.12.1943 To Turkey 28.2.67 Staten I extant 1980
KENBURGH DD798 MONSSEN Bethlehem, 30.10.1943 BU 1964
DD657 CHARLES J Bethlehem, 3.4.1943 Stricken 1970 Staten I
Staten I DD799 JARVIS Seattle-Tacoma 14.2.1944 To Spain 3.11.60
BADGER

131
UNITED STATES

No Name Builder Launched Fate DD703 WALLACE Federal, Kearny 14.6.1944 To S Korea
L LIND Dec 1973
DD800 PORTER Seattle-Tacoma 13.3.1944 Stricken 1.10.72 DD704 BORIE Federal, Kearny 4.7.1944 To Argentina
DD801 COLHOUN Seattle-Tacoma 10.4.1944 Sunk 6.4.45 1.7.72
DD802 GREGORY Seattle-Tacoma 8.5.1944 Stricken 1.5.66, DD705 COMPTON Federal, Kearny 17.9.1944 To Brazil 27.9.72
training ship DD706 GAINARD Federal, Kearny 17.9.1944 Stricken 1970
DD803 LITTLE Seattle-Tacoma 22.5.1944 Sunk 3.5.1945 DD707 SOLEY Federal, Kearny 8.9.1944 Stricken 13.2.70,
DD804 ROOKS Seattle-Tacoma 6.6.1944 To Chile BU
July 1962 DD708 HARLAN R Federal, Kearny 17.12.1944 Stricken 1.7.72
DICKSON
This was by far the largest class of US destroyers, and the first to break DD709 HUGH PURVIS Federal, Kearny 17.12.1944 To Turkey 15.2.72
completely with design practices which had been built up under the London DD722 BARTON Bath Iron Wks 10.10.1943 Stricken 1.10.68,
Treaty of 1930. The great jump in displacement, to an official figure of 2100 BU
tons, permitted them to mount a multiple machine gun (at first the quadruple DD723 WALKE Bath Iron Wks 27.10.1943 Stricken 1.2.74
l.lin weapon) as well as 5-5in/38 and 10 TT; moreover, it guaranteed enough DD724 LAFFEY Bath Iron Wks 21.11.1943 Expended 29.3.77
reserve buoyancy and stability to permit retention of all 5in guns and TT even as DD725 O’BRIEN Bath Iron Wks 8.12.1943 Stricken 18.2.72
the AA battery increased to 5 twin 40mm and 7-20mm. The flush deck hull DD726 MEREDITH Bath Iron Wks 21.12.1943 Sunk 9.6.44
added strength, but reduced internal hull volume, so that the new design was DD727 DE HAVEN Bath Iron Wks 9.1.1944 To S Korea
perceived as somewhat cramped even before the ships were laid down. Most Dec 1973
older Navy men regard the Fletchers as the most satisfactory of US destroyers, DD728 MANSFIELD Bath Iron Wks 29.1.1944 To Argentina June
far better than the overweight Sumners which succeeded them (and whose 1974 for
construction was interleaved with theirs). spares, BU 1978
As in the case of the Bensons, the Navy ordered a simplified superstructure DD729 LYMAN K Bath Iron Wks 12.2.1944 Stricken 1.4.74
wherever possible to speed production; the new bridge design also increased the SWENSON
overhead view available to the captain; this modification applied to DD518-522, DD730 COLLETT Bath Iron Wks 5.3.1944 To Argentina
526-541, 544-547, 554-568, 581-591, 594-597, 629-644, 649-691 and Apr 1974
792-804. Most gaps in the numerical series of Fletchers are due to repeat DD731 MADDOX Bath Iron Wks 19.3.1944 To Taiwan 6.7.72
Bensons, but there were also a few cancellations (DD523-525, 542, 543 and DD732 HYMAN Bath Iron Wks 8.4.1944 BU 1970
548-549 on 16 December 1940) as well as abortive experimental ships (DD452 DD733 MANNERT Bath Iron Wks 23.4.1944 Sunk 12.4.45
and 482, for experimental engineering plants, and 503-506, which would have L ABELE
been light destroyers). Of the ships completed, six were to have had a catapult in DD734 PURDY Bath Iron Wks 7.5.1944 Stricken 2.7.73
place of No 3 gun and No 2 TT bank, with 2-40mm (1x2) and 8-20mm DD741 DREXLER Bath Iron Wks 3.9.1944 Sunk 28.5.45
(DD476-481) but in fact only three (DD477, 479 and 480) were so modified, DD744 BLUE Bethlehem, 28.11.1943 Stricken 1.2.74
and they proved disappointing, although at least one saw combat in this form. Staten I
All ships were fitted with 6 DCTs and 2 DC racks. On trials, Stembel reached DD745 BRUSH Bethlehem, 28.12.1943 To Taiwan 2.12.69
60,000shp = 35. lkts at 2800t. Staten I
The Fletchers ran through several configurations of light AA, most notably 3 DD746 TAUSSIG Bethlehem, 25.1.1944 To Taiwan 6.5.74
twin 40mm plus 10 (11 in high-bridge ships) 20mm and then 5 twin 40mm plus Staten I
7-20mm; the two additional twin 40mm were added forward of the bridge. DD747 SAMUEL N Bethlehem, 23.2.1944 To Taiwan 2.12.69
Some ships were modified for increased AA firepower in 1945, one TT bank MOORE Staten I
being removed and two twin Bofors replaced by two quadruple mounts. Some DD748 HARRY E Bethlehem, 24.3.1944 BU 1970
Fletchers withdrawn from reserve during the Korean War were similarly mod¬ HUBBARD Staten I
ified. In 1945-47 nearly all ships of this class were reduced to reserve, but many DD752 ALFRED A Bethlehem, 3.8.1944 Stricken 1.2.74
were reactivated upon the outbreak of the Korean War, 39 being converted into CUNNING¬ Staten I
a new 4-gun, 5-tube, 3in/50 configuration. HAM
DD753 JOHN R Bethlehem, 1.9.1944 Stricken 2.7.73
PIERCE Staten I
DD754 FRANK E Bethlehem, 3.10.1944 Sunk in
EVANS Staten I collision 2.6.69
DD755 JOHN A Bethlehem, 1.11.1944 Stricken 1.4.74
BOLE Staten I
DD756 BEATTY Bethlehem, 30.11.1944 Stricken Aug 1972
Staten I
DD757 PUTNAM Bethlehem, San 26.3.1944 Stricken 6.8.73
Francisco
ALLEN M SUMNER class DD758 STRONG Bethlehem, San 23.4.1944 To Brazil 31.10.73
Francisco
Displacement: (Blue) 2610t standard; 3218t full load
DD759 LOFBERG Bethlehem, San 12.8.1944 Stricken 1.4.74
Dimensions: 369ft wl, 376ft 6in oa x 40ft lOin x 14ft 2in full load Francisco
112.48, 114.76 x 12.45 x 4.32m
DD760 JOHN W Bethlehem, San 30.9.1944 To Taiwan 6.5.74
Machinery: 2-shaft General Electric turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boil¬ THOMASON Francisco
ers, 60,000shp = 36.5kts. Oil 379-504t, range 3300nm at DD761 BUCK Bethlehem, San 11.3.1945 To Brazil 16.7.73
20kts
Francisco
Armament: 6-5in/38 (3x2), 12-40mm (2x4, 2x2), ll-20mm, 10-21in
DD762 HENLEY Bethlehem, San 8.4.1945 Stricken 2.7.73
TT. See notes
Francisco
Complement: 336
DD770 LOWRY Bethlehem, 6.2.1944 To Brazil 29.10.73
No Name San Pedro
Builder Launched Fate
DD774 HUGH W Bethlehem, 16.7.1944 BU 1947
DD692 ALLEN M Federal, Kearny 15.12.1943 Stricken 15.8.73 HADLEY San Pedro
SUMNER DD775 WILLARD Bethlehem, 29.8.1944 To Colombia
DD693 MOALE Federal, Kearny 16.1.1944 To Greece KEITH San Pedro 1.7.72,
July 1972 stricken 1977
DD694 INGRAHAM Federal, Kearny 16.1.1944 To Greece DD776 JAMES C Bethlehem, 1.10.1944 To Brazil 16.7.73
July 1971 OWENS San Pedro
DD695 COOPER Federal, Kearny 9.2.1944 Sunk 3.12.44 DD777 ZELLARS Todd-Pacific, 19.7.1944 To Iran Mar 1971
DD696 ENGLISH Federal, Kearny 27.2.1944 To Taiwan 11.8.70 Seattle
DD697 CHARLES S Federal, Kearny 13.3.1944 To Chile 8.1.74 DD778 MASSEY Todd-Pacific, 19.8.1944 Stricken 17.9.73
SPERRY Seattle
DD698 AULT Federal, Kearny 26.3.1944 Stricken 16.7.73 DD779 DOUGLAS Todd-Pacific, 30.9.1944 To Chile 8.1.74
DD699 WALDRON Federal, Kearny 26.3.1944 To Colombia H FOX Seattle
30.10.73 DD780 STORMES Todd- Pacific, 4.11.1944 To Iran Mar 1971
DD700 HAYNS- Federal, Kearny 15.4.1944 To Taiwan 12.5.70 Seattle for spares
WORTH DD781 ROBERT K Todd-Pacific, 5.12.1944 To Venezuela
DD701 JOHN W Federal, Kearny 21.5.1944 Stricken 12.8.70, HUNTING- Seattle 31.10.73
WEEKS BU TON
DD702 HANK Federal, Kearny 21.5.1944 To Argentina DD857 BRISTOL Bethlehem, 29.10.1944 To Taiwan 22.9.69
1.7.72 San Pedro

132
 Destroyers

In October 1941 the Bureau of Ships proposed a new destroyer design based on DD717 THEODORE E Federal, Kearny 20.10.1945 Stricken 1.4.75
its new twin enclosed 5in/38, the same weapon already in production for heavier CHANDLER
ships. One great advantage claimed over the Fletcher was reduced crowding DD718 HAMNER Federal, Kearny 24.11.1945 In reserve 1980
along the centreline, which might make it easier to mount additional light A A DD719 EPPERSON Federal, Kearny 22.12.1945 To Pakistan
weapons. At the same time the General Board began to work towards a new 29.4.77
heavy destroyer of higher speed, which early in 1942 was proposed as a 2500- DD720 CASTLE Federal, Kearny 1946 Sold incomplete
tonner; the Bureau of Ships proposal, employing a hull similar to that of the Aug 1955
Fletcher and essentially the same machinery, was to be an ‘interim’ type. In fact DD721 WOODROW R Federal, Kearny 1946 Sold incomplete
more of these ‘interim’ ships were ordered than of any other US destroyer THOMPSON Aug 1955
design, although many were built to a modified design as Gearings. DD742 FRANK KNOX Bath Iron Wks 17.9.1944 To Greece 30.1.71
Trials produced figures of 61,657shp = 32.99kts at 3086t (Moale). In a sense DD743 SOUTHER- Bath Iron Wks 5.10.1944 In reserve 1980
xheSumners were the victims of all that added centreline space, in that the Forces LAND
Afloat were able to demand more and more A A weapons (ultimately 2 quadruple DD763 WILLIAM C Bethlehem, San 21.5.1945 In reserve 1980
and 2 twin 40mm and 1 l-20mm) which in turn contributed to a severe over¬ LA WE Francisco
weight problem; in the end the ships could not attain the speeds of their DD764 LLOYD Bethlehem, San 5.10.1945 To Taiwan
predecessors, and at the same time required more power to remain at cruising THOMAS Francisco 12.10.72
speed, so that their range proved inadequate. These problems were evident in DD765 KEPPLER Bethlehem, San 24.6.1946 To Turkey
the first units completed in 1943, and they were responsible for the Gearing Francisco 30.6.72
design. There was one other problem. The ships were designed with an DD766 LANSDALE Bethlehem, San 20.12.1946 BU incomplete
Admiralty-style (partly closed) bridge, which proved very unpopular in service; Francisco 1959
early units had to be refitted, although a division of Sumners fought at Nor¬ DD767 SEYMOUR D Bethlehem, San 24.2.1947 BU incomplete
mandy with the original closed bridge. 6 DCTs and 2 racks were fitted. OWENS Francisco 1959
In 1944 twelve ships (DD 735-740,749-751 and 771-773) were completed as DD768 HOEL Bethlehem, San - Cancelled
destroyer-minelayers, capable of carrying up to 120 mines each; they were not Francisco Sept 1946
fitted with TT but had 4 DCTs and 8-20mm. As the US Navy had by then DD769 ABNER READ Bethlehem, San Cancelled
shifted to using aircraft for mining enemy waters, it is not clear whether any of Francisco Sept 1946
these ships ever operated as a minelayer, although four were severely damaged DD782 ROWAN Todd-Pacific, 29.12.1944 To Taiwan
on AA picket duty off Okinawa. Seattle 18.12.75
DD783 GURKE Todd-Pacific, 15.2.1945 To Greece
Seattle 17.3.77
DD784 McKEAN Todd-Pacific, 31.3.1945 In reserve 1980
Seattle
DD785 HENDERSON Todd-Pacific, 28.5.1945 In reserve 1980
Seattle
DD786 RICHARD B Todd-Pacific, 7.7.1945 To Taiwan
ANDERSON Seattle 10.6.77
DD787 JAMES E Todd-Pacific, 4.8.1945 To Taiwan
KYES Seattle 18.4.73
DD788 HOLLISTER Todd-Pacific, 9.10.1945 Stricken 31.8.79
Seattle
DD789 EVERSOLE Todd-Pacific, 8.1.1946 To Turkey
Seattle 11.7.73
DD790 SHELTON Todd-Pacific, 8.3.1946 To Taiwan
Seattle 18.4.73
DD791 SEAMAN Todd-Pacific, 20.5.1946 BU incomplete
Strong at San Francisco, 2.5.1945 USN Seattle 1962
DD805 CHEVALIER Bath Iron Wks 29.10.1944 To South Korea
5.7.72
DD806 HIGBEE Bath Iron Wks 12.11.1944 Stricken 15.7.79
DD807 BENNER Bath Iron Wks 30.11.1944 Stricken 1.2.74
DD808 DENNIS J Bath Iron Wks 20.12.1944 Stricken 2.7.73
Southerland as a radar picket 1945 BUCKLEY
DD817 CORRY Consolidated, 28.7.1945 In reserve 1980
Orange
DD818 NEW Consolidated, 18.8.1945 To South Korea
Orange 23.2.77
DD819 HOLDER Consolidated, 25.8.1945 To Ecuador
Orange 1.9.78
DD820 RICH Consolidated, 5.10.1945 Stricken 15.12.77,
Orange BU
DD821 JOHNSTON Consolidated, 19.10.1945 In reserve 1980
Orange
GEARING class DD822 ROBERT H Consolidated, 9.11.1945 In reserve 1980
McCARD Orange
Displacement: (Goodrich) 2616t standard; 3460t full load DD823 SAMUEL B Consolidated, 30.11.1945 Stricken 2.11.70,
Dimensions: 383ft wl, 390ft 6in x 40ft lOin x 14ft 4in full load ROBERTS Orange BU
116.74, 119.03 x 12.45 x 4.37m DD824 BASILONE Consolidated, 22.12.1945 Stricken 1.11.77,
Machinery: 2-shaft General Electric turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boil¬ Orange BU
ers, 60,000shp = 36.8kts. Oil 740t, range 4500nm at 20kts DD825 CARPENTER Consolidated, 28.12.1945 In reserve 1980
Armament: 6-5in/38 (3x2), 12-40mm (2x4, 2x2), ll-20mm, 10-2lin Orange
TT DD826 AGERHOLM Bath Iron Wks 30.3.1946 Stricken 1.12.78,
Complement: 336 target
DD827 ROBERT A Bath Iron Wks 15.7.1946 Stricken 1.10.79
No Name Builder Launched Fate
OWENS
Federal, Kearny 18.2.1945 Stricken 2.7.73 DD828 TIMMERMAN Bath Iron Wks 19.5.1951 BU 1959
DD710 GEARING
Federal, Kearny 18.3.1945 To Spain 31.8.72 DD829 MYLES C FOX Bath Iron Wks 13.1.1945 Stricken 1.10.79
DD711 EUGENE A
DD830 EVERETT F Bath Iron Wks 28.1.1945 To South Korea
GREENE
Federal, Kearny 15.4.1945 Stricken 22.10.69, LARSON 23.2.77
DD712 GYATT
BU DD831 GOODRICH Bath Iron Wks 25.2.1945 BU 1978
To Iran 13.1.75 DD832 HANSON Bath Iron Wks 11.3.1945 To Taiwan
DD713 KENNETH D Federal, Kearny 17.6.1945
for spares 18.4.73
BAILEY
To South Korea DD833 HERBERT J Bath Iron Wks 25.3.1945 To Taiwan
DD714 WILLIAM R Federal, Kearny 8.7.1945
1.7.78 THOMAS 6.5.74
RUSH
Federal, Kearny 29.7.1945 Stricken 1.12.76 DD834 TURNER Bath Iron Wks 8.4.1945 Stricken 26.9.69,
DD715 WILLIAM M
BU
WOOD
Federal, Kearny 31.8.1945 To Pakistan DD835 CHARLES P Bath Iron Wks 22.4.1945 Stricken 1.10.79
DD716 WILTSIE
29.4.77 CECIL

133
UNITED STATES

No Name Builder Launched Fate DD874 DUNCAN Consolidated, 27.10.1944 Stricken 1.9.73
Orange
DD836 GEORGE K Bath Iron Wks 13.5.1945 Sunk as target DD875 HENRY W Consolidated, 8.11.1944 To Brazil 3.12.73,
MACKENZIE 17.10.76 TUCKER Orange extant 1980
DD837 SARSFIELD Bath Iron Wks 27.5.1945 To Taiwan DD876 ROGERS Consolidated, 20.11.1944 In reserve 1980
1.10.77 Orange
DD838 ERNEST G Bath Iron Wks 14.6.1945 To Taiwan DD877 PERKINS Consolidated, 7.12.1944 To Argentina
SMALL Feb 1971 Orange 15.1.73,
DD839 POWER Bath Iron Wks 30.6.1945 To Taiwan extant 1980
1.10.77 DD878 VESOLE Consolidated, 29.12.1944 Stricken 1.12.76
DD840 GLENNON Bath Iron Wks 14.7.1945 Stricken 1.10.76, Orange
BU DD879 LEARY Consolidated, 20.1.1945 To Spain
DD841 NOA Bath Iron Wks 30.7.1945 To Spain 31.10.73 Orange 31.10.73
DD842 FISKE Bath Iron Wks 8.9.1945 In reserve 1980 DD880 DYESS Consolidated, 26.1.1945 In reserve 1980
DD843 WARRINGTON Bath Iron Wks 27.9.1945 Stricken 1.10.72 Orange
DD844 PERRY Bath Iron Wks 25.10.1945 Stricken 2.7.73 DD881 BORDELON Consolidated, 3.3.1945 To Iran 1.2.77,
DD845 BAUSSELL Bath Iron Wks 19.11.1945 Stricken 30.5.78, Orange for spares
target DD882 FURSE Consolidated, 9.3.1945 To Spain
DD846 OZBOURN Bath Iron Wks 22.12.1945 Stricken 1.6.75 Orange 31.8.72
DD847 ROBERT L Bath Iron Wks 5.1.1946 Stricken 30.9.74 DD883 NEWMAN K Consolidated, 17.1.1945 In reserve 1980
WILSON PERRY Orange
DD848 WITEK Bath Iron Wks 2.2.1946 Stricken 17.9.68, DD884 FLOYD B Consolidated, 31.3.1945 Stricken 2.7.73
target PARKS Orange
DD849 RICHARD E Bath Iron Wks 2.3.1946 To South Korea DD885 JOHN R Consolidated, 14.4.1945 Stricken 27.7.79
KRAUS 30.10.72 CRAIG Orange
DD850 JOSEPH P Bethlehem, 26.7.1945 Stricken 2.7.73 DD886 ORLECK Consolidated, 12.5.1945 In reserve 1980
KENNEDY Jr Quincy Orange
DD851 RUPERTUS Bethlehem, 21.9.1945 To Greece, DD887 BRINKLEY Consolidated, 26.5.1945 To Brazil 3.12.73
Quincy 10.7.73 BASS Orange
DD852 LEONARD F Bethlehem, 4.1.1946 To Taiwan DD888 STICKELL Consolidated, 16.6.1945 To Greece
MASON Quincy 10.3.78 Orange 1.7.72
DD853 CHARLES H Bethlehem, 15.3.1946 To Turkey DD889 O’HARE Consolidated, 22.6.1945 To Spain 31.10.73
ROAN Quincy 21.9.73 Orange
DD858 FRED T Bethlehem, 28.1.1945 Stricken 15.9.70, DD890 MEREDITH Consolidated, 28.6.1945 Stricken 29.6.79
BERRY San Pedro BU Orange
DD859 NORRIS Bethlehem, 25.2.1945 To Turkey
San Pedro 7.7.74 These were the ultimate development of the wartime US destroyer: they were
DD860 McCAFFERY Bethlehem, 12.4.1945 Stricken 30.9.73 Sumners lengthened by 14ft to increase fuel capacity and, at the same time,
San Pedro reduce wavemaking resistance and so restore some speed. Indeed, they were
DD861 HARWOOD Bethlehem, 22.5.1945 To Turkey often referred to as ‘long-hull Sumners’. A total of 116 ships was ordered, with 36
San Pedro 17.12.71, more (DD891-926) included in a 1945 programme vetoed by the President that
Sunk 22.7.74 March. Of the ships actually ordered, 93 were completed to the original design,
DD862 VOGEL- Bethlehem, 15.1.1945 In reserve 1980 and another four (DD719, 824, 825 and 827) were completed postwar to a
GESANG Staten I modified design as prototype ASW escorts. Another unit, Timmerman, was
DD863 STEINAKER Bethlehem, 13.2.1945 In reserve 1980 completed to a modified destroyer design as a test ship for very high power,
Staten I lightweight (100,000shp) machinery, but proved unsuccessful. Five others
DD864 HAROLD J Bethlehem, 14.3.1945 To Egypt 6.10.79 remained incomplete for a decade after the war, their completion frequently
ELLISON Staten I considered. On trials, Forrest R oyal achieved 65,464shp = 33.82kts(full load)at
DD865 CHARLES R Bethlehem, 12.4.1945 Stricken 12.12.74 3195t. DC armament was 6 throwers and 2 racks.
WARE Staten I In January 1945 Admiral King ordered the conversion of twelve ships
DD866 CONE Bethlehem, 10.5.1945 In reserve 1980 (DD742, 743, 805-808, 829 and 873-877) to radar pickets, a tripod mainmast
Staten I replacing the forward TT bank. In May another dozen were designated:
DD867 STRIBLING Bethlehem, 8.6.1945 Stricken 1.7.76, DD830-835 and 878-883. By this time the emergency AA refit programme was
Staten I target underway, replacing the after bank of tubes with a third quadruple 40mm.
DD868 BROWNSON Bethlehem, 7.7.1945 Stricken 30.9.76, Radar pickets thus lost all their TT, with their near-sisters reduced to a single
Staten I BU bank. The pickets were important enough for US-style carrier task force tactics
DD869 ARNOLD J Bethlehem, 6.8.1945 To Greece for a further twelve to be converted postwar, under the FY52 programme
ISBELL Staten I 4.12.73 (DD711-714, 784, 817, 838, 842, 863, 870, 888 and 889).
DD870 FECHTELER Bethlehem, 19.9.1945 Stricken 11.9.70, All the Gearings remained in service after 1945. Many were converted into
Staten I BU specialised ASW ships to test tactics against the new fast submarines it was
DD871 DAMATO Bethlehem, 21.11.1945 To Egypt 6.10.79 assumed the Russians would soon have in quantity, and at the end of the 1950s
Staten I all the Gearings were subject to FRAM reconstruction. In 1980 a few USN ships
DD872 FORREST Bethlehem, 17.1.1946 To Turkey still remain in reserve, the sole survivors of the immense World War II destroyer
ROYAL Staten I 27.3.71 programme.
DD873 HAWKINS Consolidated, 7.10.1944 Stricken 1.10.79
(■ex-Beatty) Orange Gearing on 2.5.1945 as completed

By courtesy of A D Baker III

 Destroyer escorts

DESTROYER ESCORTS
‘GMT’ class DE44 DONALDSON Puget Sound 1.8.1943 BU Aug 1946
Displacement: N Yd
{Brennan) 1192t standard; 1416t full load
DE45 ANDRES Philadelphia 24.7.1942 BU Feb 1946
Dimensions: 283ft 6in wl, 289ft 5in oa x 35ft 2in x 10ft lin full load
86.41, 88.22 x 10.72 x 3.07m
N Yd
DE47 DECKER Philadelphia 24.7.1942 To China Aug
Machinery: 2-shaft General Motors diesels, 6000bhp = 19.5kts. Oil
N Yd 1945,
131—197t, range 6000nm/12kts. Trials (Andres) 5870shp =
20.95kts at 1436t Sunk Nov 11
Armament: DE48 DOBLER Philadelphia 24.7.1942 BU July 1946
3-3in/50, 4-1.lin (1x4), 9-20mm, 1 Hedgehog, 8 DCT, 2
DC racks N Yd
Complement: 156 DE49 DONEFF Philadelphia 24.7.1942 BU Jan 1947
N Yd
No Name Builder Launched Fate DE50 ENGSTROM Philadelphia 24.7.1942 BU Jan 1947
N Yd
DE5 EVARTS Boston N Yd 7.12.1942 BU July 1946 DE256 SEID Boston N Yd 22.2.1943 BU Feb 1947
DE6 WYFFELS Boston N Yd 7.12.1942 To China DE257 SMARTT Boston N Yd 22.2.1943 BU Aug 1946
Aug 1945 DE258 WALTER S Boston N Yd 22.2.1943 BU Aug 1946
DE7 GRISWOLD Boston N Yd 9.1.1943 BU Jan 1947 BROWN
DE8 STEELE Boston N Yd 9.1.1943 BU Jan 1947 DE259 WILLIAM C Boston N Yd 22.2.1943 BU May 1947
DE9 CARLSON Boston N Yd 9.1.1943 BU Dec 1946 MILLER
DE10 BEBAS Boston N Yd 9.1.1943 BU Feb 1947 DE260 CABANA Boston N Yd 10.3.1943 BU June 1947
DE11 CROUTER Boston N Yd 26.1.1943 BU Dec 1946 DE261 DIONNE Boston N Yd 10.3.1943 BU July 1947
DEB BRENNAN Mare Island 22.8.1942 BU Aug 1946 DE262 CANFIELD Boston N Yd 6.4.1943 BU July 1947
N Yd DE263 DEEDE Boston N Yd 6.4.1943 BU July 1947
DEB DOHERTY Mare Island 29.8.1942 BU Dec 1946 DE264 ELDEN Boston N Yd 6.4.1943 BU July 1947
N Yd DE265 CLOUES Boston N Yd 6.4.1943 BU June 1947
DE15 AUSTIN Mare Island 25.9.1942 BU Feb 1947 DE301 LAKE Mare Island 18.8.1943 BU Jan 1947
N Yd N Yd
DE16 EDGAR G Mare Island 26.9.1942 BU Apr 1947 DE302 LYMAN Mare Island 19.8.1943 BU Jan 1947
CHASE N Yd N Yd
DEB EDWARD C Mare Island 21.10.1942 BU Feb 1947 DE303 CROWLEY Mare Island 22.9.1943 BU Jan 1947
DALY N Yd N Yd
DE18 GILMORE Mare Island 22.10.1942 BU Mar 1947 DE304 RALL Mare Island 23.9.1943 BU Apr 1947
N Yd N Yd
DEB BURDEN R Mare Island 20.11.1942 BU Mar 1947 DE305 HALLORAN Mare Island 14.1.1944 BU Apr 1947
HASTINGS N Yd N Yd
DE20 LE HARDY Mare Island 21.11.1942 BU Jan 1947 DE306 CONNOLLY Mare Island 15.1.1944 BU June 1946
N Yd N Yd
DE21 HAROLD C Mare Island 18.12.1942 BU Feb 1947 DE307 FINNEGAN Mare Island 22.2.1944 BU June 1946
THOMAS N Yd N Yd
DE22 WILEMAN Mare Island 19.12.1942 BU Feb 1947 DE308 CREAMER Mare Island 23.2.1944 Cancelled
N Yd N Yd Sept 1944
DE23 CHARLES R Mare Island 18.1.1943 BU Mar 1947 DE309 ELY Mare Island 10.4.1944 Cancelled
GREER N Yd N Yd Sept 1944
DE24 WHITMAN Mare Island 19.1.1943 BU Feb 1947 DE310 DELBERT W Mare Island 11.4.1944 Cancelled
N Yd HALSEY N Yd Sept 1944
DE25 WINTLE Mare Island 18.2.1943 BU Aug 1947 DE311 KEPPLER Mare Island — Cancelled
N Yd N Yd Mar 1944
DE26 DEMPSEY Mare Island 19.2.1943 BU May 1947 DE312 LLOYD Mare Island - Cancelled
N Yd THOMAS N Yd Mar 1944
DE27 DUFFY Mare Island 16.4.1943 BU Aug 1947 DE313 WILLIAM C Mare Island — Cancelled
N Yd LAWE N Yd Mar 1944
DE28 EMERY (ex- Mare Island 17.4.1943 BU Aug 1947 DE314 WILLARD Mare Island - Cancelled
Eisner) N Yd KEITH N Yd Mar 1944
DE29 STADTFIELD Mare Island 17.5.1943 BU Aug 1947 DE315 - Mare Island - Cancelled
N Yd N Yd Mar 1944
DE30 MARTIN Mare Island 18.5.1943 BU July 1947 DE527 O’TOOLE Boston N Yd 2.11.1943 BU Mar 1946
N Yd DE528 JOHN J Boston N Yd 2.11.1943 BU Feb 1946
DE31 SEDERSTROM Mare Island 15.6.1943 BU Feb 1948 POWERS
(ex- Gillette) N Yd DE529 MASON Boston N Yd 17.11.194? BU Apr 1947
DE32 FLEMING Mare Island 16.6.1943 BU Feb 1948 DE530 JOHN M Boston N Yd 17.11.1943 BU Mar 1946
N Yd BERMINGHAM
DE33 TISDALE Mare Island 28.6.1943 BU Mar 1948
N Yd
DE34 EISELE Mare Island 29.6.1943 BU Feb 1948
Engstrom at Philadelphia, 2.7.1943 USN
N Yd
DE35 FAIR Mare Island 27.7.1943 Sold June 1947
N Yd
DE36 MANLOVE Mare Island 28.7.1943 BU Mar 1948
N Yd
DE37 GREINER Puget Sound 20.5.1943 BU Mar 1947
N Yd
DE38 WYMAN Puget Sound 3.6.1943 BU June 1947
N Yd
DE39 LOVERING Puget Sound 18.6.1943 BU Jan 1947
N Yd
DE40 SANDERS Puget Sound 18.6.1943 BU June 1947
N Yd
DE41 BRACKETT Puget Sound 1.8.1943 BU June 1947
N Yd
DE42 REYNOLDS Puget Sound 1.8.1943 BU May 1947
N Yd
DE43 MITCHELL Puget Sound 1.8.1943 BU Jan 1947
N Yd

135
UNITED STATES

DE202 EICHEN- Charleston 22.7.1943 Stricken 1.12.72

BERGER N Yd
DE203 THOMASON Charleston 23.8.1943 Stricken June 1968.
N Yd BU
DE204 JORDAN Charleston 23.8.1943 BU July 1947
N Yd
DE205 NEWMAN Charleston 9.8.1943 BU 1966
N Yd
DE206 LIDDLE Charleston 9.8.1943 Stricken Apr 1967
N Yd BU
DE207 KEPHART Charleston 6.9.1943 To S. Korea
N Yd Aug 1967
DE208 COFER Charleston 6.9.1943 BU 1968
N Yd
DE209 LLOYD Charleston 23.10.1943 BU 1968
N Yd
DE210 OTTER Charleston 23.10.1943 Stricken Nov 1969,
N Yd BU
DE211 JOSEPH C Charleston 11.11.1943 Stricken Nov 1969,
HUBBARD N Yd BU
DE212 HAYTER Charleston 11.11.1943 To S Korea
N Yd Dec 1966
DE213 WILLIAM T Charleston 27.11.1943 BU 1966
POWELL N Yd
DE214 SCOTT Philadelphia 3.4.1943 BU 1967
N Yd
‘TE’ class DE215 BURKE Philadelphia 3.4.1943 To Columbia
N Yd June 1968
Displacement: (Joseph C Hubbard) 1432t standard; 1823t full load
DE216 ENRIGHT Philadelphia 29.5.1943 To Ecuador
Dimensions: 300ft wl, 306ft oa x 37ft x lift 3in full load N Yd 14.7.67
91.44, 93.27 x 11.28 x 3.43m
DE217 COOLBAUGH Philadelphia 29.5.1943 Stricken 1.7.72
Machinery: 2-shaft General Electric turbines, 2 boilers, 12,000shp = N Yd
23kts. Oil 359t, range 6000nm at 12kts. Trials (Buckley): Stricken Sept 1968.
DE218 DARBY Philadelphia 29.5.1943
12,200shp = 23.7kts at 1673t.
N Yd BU
Armament: 3-3in/50, 4— l.lin (1x4), 8-20mm, 2-21in TT (1x3), 1 J DOUGLAS Philadelphia 29.5.1943 Stricken Jan 1970,
DE219
Hedgehog, 8 DCT, 2 DC racks
BLACKWOOD N Yd BU
Complement: 186 DE220 FRANCIS M Philadelphia 29.5.1943 Stricken 1.7.72
ROBINSON N Yd
No Name Builder Launched Fate
DE221 SOLAR Philadelphia 29.5.1943 Lost 30.4.46
DE51 BUCKLEY Bethlehem, 9.1.1943 Stricken June 1968, N Yd
Hingham BU DE222 FOWLER Philadelphia 3.7.1943 BU 1966
DE53 CHARLES Bethlehem, 16.2.1943 Stricken Sept N Yd
LAWRENCE Hingham 1964, BU DE223 SPANGEN- Philadelphia 3.7.1943 BU 1966
DE54 DANIEL T Bethlehem, 23.2.1943 To Chile 1.12.66 BERG N Yd
GRIFFIN Hingham DE575 AHRENS Bethlehem, 21.12.1943 BU 1967
DE56 DONNELL Bethlehem, 13.3.1943 Sold for BU Hingham
Hingham Apr 1946 DE576 BARR Bethlehem, 28.12.1943 Stricken 1960,
DE57 FOGG Bethlehem, 20.3.1943 Stricken Jan 1965, Hingham BU
Hingham BU DE577 ALEXANDER Bethlehem, 28.12.1943 Stricken May 1970.
DE59 FOSS Bethlehem, 10.4.1943 Stricken Jan 1965, J LUKE Hingham BU
Hingham BU DE578 ROBERT I Bethlehem, 30.12.1943 Stricken June 1968.
DE60 GANTNER Bethlehem, 17.4.1943 To Taiwan PAINE Hingham BU
Hingham May 1966 DE633 FOREMAN Bethlehem, 1.8.1943 Stricken Jan 1965,
DE62 GEORGE W Bethlehem, 8.5.1943 To Taiwan San Francisco BU
INGRAM Hingham July 1967 DE634 WHITEHURST Bethlehem, 5.9.1943 Stricken July 1969
DE63 IRA JEFFERY Bethlehem, 15.5.1943 Stricken 1960, San Francisco BU
Hingham BU DE635 ENGLAND Bethlehem, 26.9.1943 BU Nov 1946
DE65 LEE FOX Bethlehem, 29.5.1943 BU 1966 San Francisco
Hingham DE636 WITTER Bethlehem, 17.10.1943 BU Nov 1946
DE66 AMESBURY Bethlehem, 5.6.1943 Stricken 1960, San Francisco
Hingham BU DE637 BOWERS Bethlehem, 31.10.1943 To Philippines
DE68 BATES Bethlehem, 6.6.1943 Sunk 25.5.45 San Francisco Apr 1961, BU
Hingham 1966
DE69 BLESSMAN Bethlehem, 19.6.1943 To Taiwan DE638 WILLMARTH Bethlehem, 21.11.1943 BU 1968
Hingham July 1967 San Francisco
DE70 JOSEPH E Bethlehem, 26.6.1943 To Chile 1.12.66, DE639 GENDREAU Bethlehem, 12.12.1943 Stricken 1.12.72
CAMPBELL Hingham stricken 1973 San Francisco
DE153 REUBEN Norfolk N Yd 6.2.1943 Stricken June 1968, DE640 FIEBERLING Bethlehem, 2.4.1944 Stricken 1.3.72
JAMES BU San Francisco
DEI 54 SIMS Norfolk N Yd 6.2.1943 Stricken 1960, BU DE641 WILLIAM C Bethlehem, 29.12.1943 Stricken 1.3.72
DE155 HOPPING Norfolk N Yd 10.3.1943 BU 1966 COLE San Francisco
DEI 56 REEVES Norfolk N Yd 22.4.1943 Stricken 1960, BU DE642 PAUL G Bethlehem, 12.3,1944 BU 1970
DE157 FECHTELER Norfolk N Yd 22.4.1943 Sunk 4.5.44 BAKER San Francisco
DE158 CHASE Norfolk N Yd 24.4.1943 Sold for BU DE643 DAMON M Bethlehem, 18.4.1944 Stricken 1.3.72
Nov 1946 CUMMINGS San Francisco
DEI 59 LANING Norfolk N Yd 4.7.1943 Stricken 1.3.75 DE644 VAMMEN Bethlehem, 21.5.1944 Expended Feb
DE160 LOY Norfolk N Yd 4.7.1943 BU 1966 San Francisco 1971
DE161 BARBER Norfolk N Yd 20.5.1943 To Mexico DE665 JENKS Dravo, Pitts¬ 11.9.1943 BU 1968
17.2.69 burgh
DEI 98 LOVELACE Norfolk N Yd 4.7.1943 Stricken 1967, DE666 DURIK Dravo, Pitts¬ 9.10.1943 BU 1967
target burgh
DE199 MANNING Charleston 1.6.1943 Stricken 30.7.68, DE667 WISEMAN Dravo, Pitts¬ 6.11.1943 Stricken 15.4.73
N Yd BU burgh
DE200 NEUENDORF Charleston 1.6.1943 Sunk as target DE675 WEBER Bethlehem, 1.5.1943 Stricken 1960
N Yd July 1967 Quincy BU
DE201 JAMES E Charleston 22.7.1943 Stricken June 1968, DE676 SCHMITT Bethlehem, 29.5.1943 To S Korea
CRAIG N Yd BU Quincy May 1967

136
 Destroyer escorts

No Name Builder Launched Fate

DE231 HODGES Charleston 9.12.1943 Stricken 1.12.72
DE677 FRAMENT N Yd
Bethlehem, 28.6.1943 Sold 1961 DE579 RILEY Bethlehem, 29.12.1943 To Taiwan
Quincy
DE678 HARMON Hingham 10.7.68
Bethlehem, 25.7.1943 BU 1967 DE580 LESLIE L B Bethlehem, 8.1.1944 Stricken 15.1.72
Quincy
DE679 GREENWOOD Bethlehem, KNOX Hingham
21.8.1943 BU 1967 DE581 McNULTY Bethlehem, 8.1.1944 Stricken 11.2.72
Quincy
DE680 LOESER Hingham
Bethlehem, 11.9.1943 Stricken Sept 1968, DE582 METIVIER Bethlehem, 12.1.1944 Stricken June 1968,
Quincy BU
DE681 GILLETTE Hingham BU
Bethlehem, 25.9.1943 Stricken 1.12.72 DE583 GEORGE A Bethlehem, 12.1.1944 Stricken Jan 1965,
Quincy
DE682 UNDERHILL Bethlehem, JOHNSON Hingham BU
15.10.1943 Sunk 24.7.45 DE584 CHARLES J Bethlehem, 15.1.1944 Stricken June 1968,
Quincy
DE683 HENRY R KIMMEL Hingham target
Bethlehem, 30.10.1943 Stricken Dec 1969, DE585 DANIEL A Bethlehem, 15.1.1944 Stricken Jan 1965,
KENYON Quincy BU JOY Hingham BU
DE693 BULL Defoe, Bay City 25.3.1943 To Taiwan DE586 LOUGH Bethlehem, 22.1.1944 Stricken Nov 1969,
Aug 1966 Hingham BU
DE694 BUNCH Defoe, Bay City 29.5.1943 BU 1965 DE587 THOMAS F Bethlehem, 22.1.1944 Stricken 1.12.72
DE695 RICH Defoe, Bay City 22.6.1943 Sunk 8.6.44 NICKEL Hingham
DE696 SPANGLER Defoe, Bay City 15.7.1943 Stricken 1.3.72 DE588 PEIFFER Bethlehem, 26.1.1944 Stricken Jan 1966,
DE697 GEORGE Defoe, Bay City 14.8.1943 BU 1970
DE698 Hingham target
RABY Defoe, Bay City 4.9.1943 Stricken June 1968, DE589 TINSMAN Bethlehem, 29.1.1944 Stricken 15.5.72
BU Hingham
DE699 MARSH Defoe, Bay City 25.9.1943 Stricken 15.4.73 DE684 DE LONG Bethlehem, 23.11.1943 Stricken July 1969,
DE700 CURRIER Defoe, Bay City 14.10.1943 Stricken Jan 1966, Quincy target
target DE685 COATES Bethlehem, 9.12.1943 Stricken Feb 1970,
DE701 OSMUS Defoe, Bay City 4.11.1943 Stricken 1.12.72 Quincy BU
DE702 EARL V Defoe, Bay City 24.11.1943 BU 1968 DE686 EUGENE E Bethlehem, 23.12.1943 Stricken June 1968,
JOHNSON
ELMORE Quincy BU
DE703 HOLTON Defoe, Bay City 15.12.1943 Stricken 1.11.72 DE706 HOLT Defoe, Bay City 15.2.1944 To S Korea
DE704 CRONIN Defoe, Bay City 5.1.1944 Stricken June 1970, 19.6.63
BU DE707 JOBB Defoe, Bay City 4.3.1943 Stricken Nov 1969,
DE705 FRYBARGER Defoe, Bay City 25.1.1944 Stricken 1.12.72 BU
DE789 TATUM Consolidated, 7.8.1943 BU 1960 DE708 PARLE Stricken July 1970,
Defoe, Bay City 25.3.1944
Orange BU
DE790 BORUM Consolidated, 14.8.1943 Stricken 1965, BU DE709 BRAY Defoe, Bay City 15.4.1944 Expended 26.3.63
Orange
DE791 MALOY Consolidated, 18.8.1943 BU 1966
Orange ‘WGT class
DE792 HAINES Consolidated, 26.8.1943 Stricken 1960, BU DE339 JOHN C Consolidated, 11.12.1943 Stricken June 1970,
Orange BUTLER Orange BU
DE793 RUNELS Consolidated, 4.9.1943 Stricken 1960, BU DE340 O’FLAHERTY Consolidated, 14.12.1943 Stricken 1.12.72
Orange Orange
DE794 HOLLIS Consolidated, 11.9.1943 Stricken 15.9.74 DE341 RAYMOND Consolidated, 8.1.1944 Stricken 1972
Orange Orange
DE795 GUNASON Consolidated, 16.10.1943 Stricken 1.9.73 DE342 RICHARD W Consolidated, 11.1.1944 Stricken 15.3.72
Orange SUESENS Orange
DE796 MAJOR Consolidated, 23.10.1943 Stricken 1.12.72 DE343 ABER¬ Consolidated, 14.1.1944 Stricken May 1967,
Orange CROMBIE Orange target
DE797 WEEDEN Consolidated, 27.10.1943 Stricken June 1968, DE344 OBERRENDER Consolidated, 18.1.1944 Sunk 9.5.45
Orange BU Orange
DE798 VARIAN Consolidated, 6.11.1943 Stricken 1.12.72 DE345 ROBERT Consolidated, 22.1.1944 Sunk as target
Orange BRAZIER Orange Jan 1968
DE799 SCROGGINS Consolidated, 6.11.1943 Stricken Jan 1965, DE346 EDWIN A Consolidated, 25.1.1944 Stricken 1.12.72
Orange BU HOWARD Orange
DE800 JACK W Consolidated, 18.12.1943 Stricken 1.8.72 DE347 JESSE Consolidated, 29.1.1944 Stricken 1.1.68,
WILKE Orange RUTHER¬ Orange target
FORD
DE348 KEY Consolidated, 12.2.1944 Stricken 1.3.72
Orange
DE349 GENTRY Consolidated, 15.2.1944 Stricken 15.1.72
Orange
DE350 TRAW Consolidated, 12.2.1944 Sunk as target
Orange Aug 1968
gffffl £J„n
DE351 MAURICE J Consolidated, 19.2.1944 Stricken 1.5.66,
MANUEL Orange target
‘TEV’ and ‘WGT’ classes DE352 NAIFEH Consolidated, 29.2.1944 Sunk as target
Orange July 1966
Displacement: (Riley) 1430t standard; 181 It full load DE353 DOYLE C Consolidated, 4.3.1944 Stricken 1.12.72
Dimensions: 300ft wl, 306ft oa X 37ft X lift 2in full load BARNES Orange
91.44, 93.27 x 11.28 x 3.40m DE354 KENNETH M Consolidated, 7.3.1944 Stricken 1972
Machinery: 2-shaft General Electric (‘WGT’ class, Westinghouse) tur¬ WILLETT Orange
bines, 12,000shp = 23kts. Oil 348t (‘WGT’ class 347t), range DE355 JACCARD Consolidated, 18.3.1944 Sunk as target
6000nm at 12kts Orange Nov 1967
Armament: 2-5in/38 (2x1), 4-40mm (2x2), 10-20mm, 3-21in TT DE356 LLOYD E Consolidated, 21.3.1944 Stricken 15.1.72
(1x3), 1 Hedgehog, 8 DCT, 2 DC racks ACREE Orange
Complement: 156 DE357 GEORGE E Consolidated, 8.4.1944 Stricken 1.12.72
DAVIS Orange
No Name Builder Launched Fate
DE358 MACK Consolidated, 11.4.44 Sunk as target
‘TEV’ class
Orange Jan 1966
DE224 RUDDEROW Philadelphia 14.10.1943 Stricken Nov 1969, DE359 WOODSON Consolidated, 29.4.1944 Stricken 1.7.65,
N Yd BU Orange BU
Philadelphia 14.10.1943 Stricken June 1968, DE360 JOHNNIE Consolidated, 2.5.1944 Stricken 1972
DE225 DAY
N Yd target HUTCHINS Orange
DE230 CHAFFEE Charleston 27.11.1943 Sold for BU DE361 WALTON Consolidated, 20.5.1944 Stricken Sept 1968,
N Yd June 1948 Orange BU

137
UNITED STATES

DE440 McCOY Federal 22.2.1944 To Portugal

No Name Builder Launched Fate
REYNOLDS 7.2.57
DE441 WILLIAM Federal 7.3.1944 Stricken 1.12.72
DE362 ROLF Consolidated, 23.5.1944 Stricken 1.12.72
Orange SEIVERLING
DE363 PRATT Stricken 15.3.72 DE442 ULVERT M Federal 7.3.1944 Sunk as target
Consolidated, 1.6.1944
MOORE July 1966
Orange
DE364 ROMBACH Consolidated, 6.6.1944 Stricken 1.3.72 DE443 KENDALL C Federal 19.3.1944 Stricken 15.1.72
Orange CAMPBELL
DE365 McGINTY Consolidated, 5.8.1944 Stricken Sept 1968, DE444 GOSS Federal 19.3.1944 Stricken 1.3.72
Orange BU DE445 GRADY Federal 2.4.1944 Stricken June 1968,
DE366 ALVIN C Consolidated, 8.8.1944 Stricken Sept 1968, BU
COCKRELL BU DE446 CHARLES E Federal 23.4.1944 Stricken Sept 1968,
Orange
DE367 FRENCH Consolidated, 17.6.1944 Stricken 15.5.72 BRANNON BU
DE447 ALBERT T Federal 16.4.1944 Stricken Sept 1968,
Orange
DE368 CECIL J Consolidated, 1.7.1944 Stricken 1.7.67, HARRIS BU
DE448 CROSS Federal 4.7.1944 Stricken 1.7.66,BU
DOYLE Orange target
DE369 THADDEUS Consolidated, 26.8.1944 Stricken Sept 1967, DE449 HANNA Federal 4.7.1944 Stricken 1.12.72
PARKER Orange BU DE450 JOSEPH E Federal 6.8.1944 Stricken July 1970,
DE370 JOHN L Consolidated, 29.8.1944 Stricken Nov 1970, CONNOLLY BU
WILLIAMSON Orange BU DE451 WOODROW R Federal — Cancelled
DE371 PRESLEY Consolidated, 19.8.1944 Stricken June 1968, THOMPSON June 1944
Orange BU DE452 STEINAKER Federal — Cancelled
DE372 WILLIAMS Consolidated, 22.8.1944 Sunk as target June 1944
Orange July 1967 DE508 GILLIGAN (ex- Federal 22.2.1944 Stricken 1.3.72
DE373 WILLIAM C Consolidated, — Cancelled Donaldson)
LA WE Orange June 1944 DE509 FORMOE Federal 2.4.1944 To Portugal
DE374 LLOYD Consolidated, — Cancelled 7.2.57
THOMAS Orange June 1944 DE510 HEYLIGER Federal 6.8.1944 Stricken 1.4.66,
DE375 KEPPLER Consolidated, — Cancelled BU
Orange June 1944 DE531 EDWARD H Boston N Yd 7.10.1943 Stricken 1.7.72
DE376 KLEINSMITH Consolidated, “ Cancelled ALLEN
Orange June 1944 DE532 TWEEDY Boston N Yd 7.10.1943 Stricken July 1969,
DE377 HENRY W Consolidated, — Cancelled target
TUCKER Orange June 1944 DE533 HOWARD F Boston N Yd 8.11.1943 Stricken 15.5.72
DE378 WEISS Consolidated, ~ Cancelled CLARK
Orange June 1944 DE534 SILVERSTEIN Boston N Yd 8.11.1943 Stricken 1.12.72
DE379 FRANCOVICH Consolidated, — Cancelled DE535 LEWIS Boston N Yd 7.12.1943 Sunk as target
Orange June 1944 Jan 1966
DE402 RICHARD S Brown SB, 16.11.1943 Stricken June 1968, DE536 BIVIN Boston N Yd 7.12.1943 stricken 30.6.68
BULL Houston BU DE537 RIZZI Boston N Yd 7.12.1943 Stricken 1972
DE403 RICHARD M Brown SB, 17.11.1943 Stricken June 1968, DE538 OSBERG Boston N Yd 7.12.1943 Stricken 1972
ROWELL Houston BU DE539 WAGNER Boston N Yd 27.12.1943 BU 1978
DE404 EVERSOLE Brown SB, 3.12.1944 Sunk 28.10.44 DE540 VANDIVIER Boston N Yd 27.12.1943 Stricken 1.11.74
Houston DE541 SHEEHAN Boston N Yd 27.12.1943 Cancelled
DE405 DENNIS Brown SB, 4.12.1943 Stricken 1.12.72 Jan 1946
Houston DE542 OSWALD A Boston N Yd 27.12.1943 Cancelled
DE406 EDMONDS Brown SB, 17.12.1943 Stricken 15.5.72 POWERS Jan 1946
Houston DE543 GROVES Boston N Yd 1944 Cancelled
DE407 SHELTON Brown SB, 18.12.1943 Sunk 3.10.44 Sept 1944
Houston DE544 ALFRED • Boston N Yd 1944 Cancelled
DE408 STRAUS Brown SB, 30.12.1943 Sunk as target WOLF Sept 1944
Houston May 1966 DE545 HAROLD J Boston N Yd — Cancelled
DE409 LA PRADE Brown SB, 31.12.1943 Stricken 15.1.72 ELLISON June 1944
Houston DE546 MYLES C FOX Boston N Yd — Cancelled
DE410 JACK MILLER Brown SB, 10.1.1944 Stricken June 1968, June 1944
Houston BU DE547 CHARLES R Boston N Yd — Cancelled
DE411 STAFFORD Brown SB, 11.1.1944 Stricken 15.3.72 WARE June 1944
Houston DE548 CARPELOTTI Boston N Yd — Cancelled
DE412 WALTER C Brown SB, 19.1.1944 Stricken June 1968, June 1944
WANN Houston BU DE549 EUGENE A Boston N Yd — Cancelled
DE413 SAMUEL B Brown SB, 20.1.1944 Sunk 25.10.44 GREENE June 1944
ROBERTS Houston DE550 GYATT Boston N Yd — Cancelled
DE414 LE RAY Brown SB, 28.1.1944 Stricken 15.5.72 June 1944
WILSON Houston DE551 BENNER Boston N Yd — Cancelled
DE415 LAWRENCE C Brown SB, 29.1.1944 Stricken 1.12.72 June 1944
TAYLOR Houston DE552 KENNETH D Boston N Yd — Cancelled
DE416 MELVIN R Brown SB, 7.2.1944 Stricken 1.7.72 BAILEY June 1944
NAWMAN Houston DE553 DENNIS J Boston N Yd — Cancelled
DE417 OLIVER Brown SB, 8.2.1944 Stricken 15.3.72 BUCKLEY June 1944
MITCHELL Houston DE554 EVERETT F Boston N Yd — Cancelled
DE418 TABBERER Brown SB, 18.2.1944 Stricken 1.7.72 LARSEN June 1944
Houston
DE419 ROBERT F Rudderow in July 1944 USN
Brown SB, 19.2.1944 Stricken 1.7.72
KELLER Houston
DE420 LELAND E Brown SB, 28.2.1944 Stricken 1.12.72
THOMAS Houston
DE421 CHESTER T Brown SB, 29.2.1944 Stricken 1972
O’BRIEN Houston
DE422 DOUGLAS A Brown SB, 8.3.1944 Sunk as target
MUNRO Houston Jan 1966
DE423 DUFILHO Brown SB, 9.3.1944 Stricken 1.12.72
Houston
DE424 HAAS Brown SB, 20.3.1944 Stricken July 1966
Houston BU
DE438 CORBESIER Federal 13.2.1944 Stricken 1.12.72
DE439 CONKLIN Federal 13.2.1944 Stricken Oct 1970,
BU

138
 Destroyer escorts
Kretchmer 1944

DE188 O’NEILL Federal, Newark 14.11.1943 To Holland

Oct 1950
DEI 89 BRONSTEIN Federal, Newark 14.11.1943 To Uruguay
May 1952
‘DET’ and ‘FMR’ classes DE190 BAKER Federal, Newark 28.11.1943 To France
(ex-Raby) Mar 1952
Displacement: (.Edsall) 1253t standard; 1602t full load
DE191 COFFMAN Federal, Newark 28.11.1943 Stricken 1.7.72
Dimensions: 300ft wl, 306ft oa x 36ft 7in x 10ft 5in full load DE192 EISNER Federal, Newark 12.12.1943 To Holland
91.44, 93.27 x 11.15 x 3.20m
May 1951
Machinery: 2-shaft Fairbanks Morse (‘DET’ class General Motors) diesel, DE193 GARFIELD Federal, Newark 12.12.1943 To Greece
6000bhp = 21kts. Oil (’FMR’ class) 320t, range 10,800nm at Jan 1951
THOMAS (ex-
12kts. Trials: (Levy) 5150shp = 20.2kts at 1525t
William G Thomas)
Armament: 3-3in/50,2-40mm(1 x 2),8or 10-20mm,3-21inTT(l x 3),
1 Hedgehog, 8 DCTs, 2 DC racks DEI 94 WINGFIELD Federal, Newark 30.12.1943 To France
Complement: 186 Sept 1950
DE195 THORNHILL Federal, Newark 30.12.1943 To Italy Jan 1951,
No Name Builder Launched
stricken 1976
Fate
DEI 96 RINEHART Federal, Newark 9.1.1944 To Holland
‘DEV class June 1950
DE99 CANNON Dravo, 25.5.1943 To Brazil DEI 97 ROCHE Federal, Newark 9.1.1944 Expended 11.3.46
Wilmington Dec 1944 DEu39 BANGUST Western Pipe & 6.6.1943 To Peru
DE100 CHRISTO- Dravo, 19.6.1943 To Brazil Steel, Feb 1952
PHER Wilmington Dec 1944 San Pedro
DE101 ALGER Dravo, 8.7.1943 To Brazil DE740 WATERMAN Western Pipe & 20.6.1943 To Peru
Wilmington Mar 1945, Steel, Oct 1951
stricken 1964 San Pedro
DE102 THOMAS Dravo, 31.7.1943 To China DE741 WEAVER Western Pipe & 4.7.1943 To Peru
Wilmington Oct 1948 Steel, Oct 1951
DE103 BOSTWICK Dravo, 30.8.1943 To China San Pedro
Wilmington Dec 1948 DE742 HILBERT Western Pipe & 18.7.1943 In reserve 1972
DEI 04 BREEMAN Dravo, 4.9.1943 To China Steel,
Wilmington Oct 1948 San Pedro
DE105 BURROWS Dravo, 2.10.1943 To Holland DE743 LAMONS Western Pipe & 1.8.1943 In reserve 1972
Wilmington June 1950, Steel,
BU 1968 San Pedro
DEI 12 CARTER Dravo, 29.2.1944 To China DE744 KYNE Western Pipe & 15.8.1943 In reserve 1972
Wilmington Dec 1948 Steel,
DE113 CLARENCE Dravo, 22.3.1944 To France San Pedro
L EVANS Wilmington Mar 1952, DE745 SNYDER Western Pipe & 29.8.1943 Stricken 1.8.72
BU 1960 Steel,
DE162 LEVY Federal, Newark 28.3.1943 Stricken 1.8.73 San Pedro
DE163 McConnell Federal, Newark 28.3.1943 Stricken 1.10.72 DE746 HEMMINGER Western Pipe & 12.9.1943 To Thailand
DE164 OSTERHAUS Federal, Newark 18.4.1943 Stricken 1.11.72 Steel, July 1959
DE165 PARKS Federal, Newark 18.4.1943 Stricken 1.7.72 San Pedro
DEI 66 BARON Federal, Newark 9.5.1943 To Uruguay DE747 BRIGHT Western Pipe & 26.9.1943 To France
May 1952 Steel, Nov 1950
DE167 ACREE Federal, Newark 9.5.1943 Stricken 1.7.72 San Pedro
DE168 AMICK Federal, Newark 27.5.1943 To Japan DE748 TILLS Western Pipe & 3.10.1943 Stricken Sept 1968,
June 1955, Steel, target
to Philippines San Pedro
13.9.76 DE749 ROBERTS Western Pipe & 14.11.1943 Stricken Sept 1968,
DEI 69 ATHERTON Federal, Newark 27.5.1943 To Japan Steel, BU
June 1955, San Pedro
to Philippines DE750 MCCLELLAND Western Pipe & 28.11.1943 In reserve 1972
13.9.76 Steel,
DE170 BOOTH Federal, Newark 21.6.1943 To Philippines San Pedro
15.12.67 DE751 GAYNIER Western Pipe & 1943 Cancelled Sept
DE171 CARROLL Federal, Newark 21.6.1943 Stricken Jan 1965, Steel, 1944
BU San Pedro
DEI 72 COONER Federal, Newark 25.7.1943 Stricken 1.7.72 DE752 CURTIS W Western Pipe & 1943 Cancelled Sept
DE173 ELDRIDGE Federal, Newark 25.7.1943 To Greece W HOWARD Steel, 1944
Jan 1951 San Pedro
DEI 74 MARTS Federal, Newark 8.8.1943 To Brazil DE753 JOHN J Western Pipe & 1943 Cancelled Sept
Mar 1945 VAN BUREN Steel, 1944
DE175 PENNEWILL Federal, Newark 8.8.1943 To Brazil San Pedro
Aug 1944 DE763 CATES Tampa SB 10.10.1943 To France
DEI 76 MICKA Federal, Newark 22.8.1943 BU 1967 Nov 1950
DEI 77 REYBOLD Federal, Newark 22.8.1943 To Brazil DE764 GANDY Tampa SB 12.12.1943 To Italy
Aug 1944 Jan 1951,
DE178 HERZOG Federal, Newark 5.9.1943 To Brazil stricken 1971
Aug 1944 DE765 EARL K Tampa SB 13.2.1944 In reserve 1972
DEI 79 McANN Federal, Newark 5.9.1943 To Brazil OLSEN
Aug 1944 DE766 SLATER Tampa SB 13.2.1944 To Greece
DEI 80 TRUMPETER Federal, Newark 19.9.1943 Stricken 1.8.73 Mar 1951
DE181 STRAUB Federal, Newark 19.9.1943 Stricken 1.8.73 DE767 OSWALD Tampa SB 25.4.1944 In reserve 1972
DEI 82 GUSTAFSON Federal, Newark 3.10.1943 To Holland DE768 EBERT Tampa SB 11.5.1944 To Greece
Oct 1950 Mar 1951
DE183 SAMUEL S Federal, Newark 3.10.1943 To France DE768 NEAL A Tampa SB 4.6.1944 Stricken June 1968
MILES Aug 1950 SCOTT
DEI 84 WESSON Federal, Newark 17.10.1943 To Italy DE770 MUIR Tampa SB 4.6.1944 To S Korea 1956,
Jan 1951 stricken 1977
DE185 RIDDLE Federal, Newark 17.10.1943 To France DE771 SUTTON Tampa SB 6.8.1944 To S Korea 1956,
Aug 1850 stricken 1977
Federal, Newark 31.10.1943 To France DE772 MILTON Tampa SB 1944 Cancelled
DE186 SWEARER
Sept 1950 LEWIS Sept 1944
Federal, Newark 31.10.1943 To Holland DE773 GEORGE M Tampa SB 1944 Cancelled
DE187 STERN
May 1951 CAMPBELL Sept 1944

139
UNITED STATES

Launched Fate DE255 SELLSTROM Brown SB, 12.5.1943 Stricken Jan 1965,
No Name Builder
Houston BU
Cancelled DE316 HARVESTON Consolidated, 22.5.1943 Stricken Jan 1966,
DE774 RUSSELL Tampa SB 1944
Sept 1944 Orange target
M COX
DE317 JOYCE Consolidated, 26.5.1943 Stricken 1.12.72
‘FMR’ class
DE129 EDSALL Consolidated, 1.11.1942 Stricken June 1968, Orange
DE318 KIRKPATRICKConsolidated, 5.6.1943 Stricken 1.8.74,
Orange BU
Orange target
DE130 JACOB JONES Consolidated, 29.11.1942 Stricken Dec 1970
DE319 LEOPOLD Consolidated 12.6.1943 Lost 10.3.44
Orange
DE131 HAMMANN Consolidated, 13.12.1942 Stricken 1.10.72 Orange
DE320 MENGES Consolidated, 15.6.1943 Stricken Jan 1971
(■ex-Langley) Orange
DE132 ROBERT E Consolidated, 3.1.1943 BU 1967 Orange
DE321 MOSLEY Consolidated, 26.6.1943 Stricken Jan 1971
PEARY Orange
DE133 PILLSBURY Consolidated, 10.1.1943 Stricken Jan 1965, Orange
DE322 NEWELL Consolidated, 29.6.1943 Stricken 23.9.68,
Orange BU
Stricken Dec 1970 Orange BU
DE134 POPE Consolidated, 12.1.1943
DE323 PRIDE Consolidated, 3.7.1943 Stricken Jan 1971
Orange
DE135 FLAHERTY Consolidated, 17.1.1943 BU 1966 Orange
DE324 FALGOUT Consolidated, 24.7.1943 Stricken 1.6.75
Orange
DE136 FREDERICK Consolidated, 24.1.1943 Sunk 24.4.45 Orange
DE325 LOWE Consolidated, 28.7.1943 Stricken Sept 1968
C DAVIS Orange
DE137 HERBERT Consolidated, 19.1.1943 Stricken 1.7.72 Orange
DE326 THOMAS J Consolidated, 21.8.1943 To Tunisia
C JONES Orange
GARY (ex-Gary) Orange 27.10.73
DE138 DOUGLAS L Consolidated, 24.1.1943 Stricken 1.10.72
HOWARD Orange DE327 BRISTER Consolidated, 24.8.1943 Stricken 23.9.68,
DE139 FARQUHAR Consolidated, 13.2.1943 Stricken 1.10.72 Orange BU
Orange DE328 FINCH Consolidated, 28.8.1943 Stricken 1.2.74,
DEMO J R Y Consolidated, 7.3.1943 Stricken Dec 1970 Orange target
BLAKELY Orange DE329 KRETCHMER Consolidated, 31.8.1943 Stricken 30.9.73
DE141 HILL Consolidated, 28.2.1943 Stricken 1965, Orange
Orange target DE330 O’REILLY Consolidated, 2.10.1943 Stricken Jan 1971
DE142 FESSENDEN Consolidated, 9.3.1943 Expended 1965 Orange
Orange DE331 KOINER Consolidated, 5.10.1943 Stricken Sept 1968,
DE143 FISKE .Consolidated, 14.3.1943 Sunk 2.8.44 Orange BU
Orange DE332 PRICE Consolidated, 30.10.1943 Stricken 1.8.74,
DE144 FROST Consolidated, 21.3.1943 Stricken Jan 1965, Orange target
Orange BU DE333 STRICKLAND Consolidated, 2.11.1943 Stricken 1.12.72
DE145 HUSE Consolidated, 23.3.1943 Orange
Orange DE334 FORSTER Consolidated, 13.11.1943 To S Vietnam
DE146 INCH Consolidated, 4.4.1943 Stricken 1.10.72 Orange 25.9.71
Orange DE335 DANIEL Consolidated, 16.11.1943 Stricken 15.1.71
DE147 BLAIR Consolidated, 6.4.1943 Stricken 1.12.72 Orange
Orange DE336 ROY O HALE Consolidated, 20.11.1943 Stricken 1.8.74,
DE148 BROUGH Consolidated, 10.4.1943 Stricken Jan 1965, Orange target
Orange BU DE337 DALE W Consolidated, 22.12.1943 Stricken Jan 1971
DE149 CHATELAINE Consolidated, 21.4.1943 Stricken 1.8.73 PETERSON Orange
Orange DE338 MARTIN H Consolidated, 29.12.1943 Stricken Jan 1966,
DE150 NEUNZER Consolidated, 27.4.1943 Stricken 1972 RAY Orange BU
Orange DE382 RAMSDEN Consolidated, 24.5.1943 Stricken 1.8.74,
DE151 POOLE Consolidated, 8.5.1943 Stricken 2.1.71 Orange target
Orange DE383 MILLS Consolidated, 26.5.1943 Stricken 1.8.74
DEI 52 PETERSON Consolidated, 15.5.1943 Stricken 2.1.71 Orange
Orange DE384 RHODES Consolidated, 29.6.1943 Stricken 1.8.74,
DE238 STEWART Brown SB,, 22.11.1942 Stricken 1.10.72 Orange target
Houston DE385 RICHEY Consolidated, 30.6.1943 Stricken June 1968,
DE239 STURTEVANT Brown SB, 3.12.1942 Stricken 1.12.72 Orange target
Houston DE386 SAVAGE Consolidated, 15.7.1943 Stricken 1.6.75,
DE240 MOORE Brown SB, 21.12.1942 Stricken 1.8.73 Orange target
Houston DE387 VANCE Consolidated, 16.7.1943 Stricken 1.6.75,
DE241 KEITH (ex- Brown SB, 21.12.1942 Stricken 1.11.72 Orange target
Scott) Houston DE388 LANSING Consolidated, 2.8.1943 Stricken 1.2.74,
DE242 TOMICH Brown SB, 28.12.1942 Stricken 1.11.72 Orange target
Houston DE389 DURANT Consolidated, 3.8.1943 Stricken 1.4.74,
DE243 J RICHARD Brown SB, 6.1.1943 Stricken Jan 1971, Orange target
WARD (ex- Houston BU DE390 CALCATEKRA Consolidated, 16.8.1943 Stricken 2.7.73
James R Ward) Orange
DE244 OTTER- Brown SB, 19.1.1943 Stricken 1.8.74, DE391 CHAMBERS Consolidated, 17.8.1943 Stricken 1.3.74,
STETTER Houston target Orange target
DE245 SLOAT Brown SB, 21.1.1943 Stricken Jan 1971 DE392 MERRILL Consolidated, 29.8.1943 Stricken 2.4.72
Houston Orange
DE246 SNOWDEN Brown SB, 19.2.1943 Stricken Sept 1968, DE393 HAVERFIELD Consolidated, 30.8.1943 Stricken June 1969,
Houston BU Orange BU
DE247 STANTON Brown SB, 21.2.1943 Stricken Dec 1970 DE394 SWENNING Consolidated, 13.9.1943 Stricken 1972
Houston Orange
DE248 SWASEY Brown SB, 18.3.1943 Stricken 1.11.72 DE395 WILLIS Consolidated, 14.9.1943 Stricken 1972
Houston Orange
DE249 MARCHAND Brown SB, 20.3.1943 Stricken Dec 1970 DE396 JANSSEN Consolidated, 4.10.1943 Stricken 1972
Houston Orange
DE250 HURST Brown SB, 14.4.1943 To Mexico 1.10.73 DE397 WILHOITE Consolidated, 5.10.1943 Stricken July 1969,
Houston Orange BU
DE251 CAMP Brown SB, 16.4.1943 To S Vietnam 20.7.70 DE398 COCKRILL Consolidated, 29.10.1943 Stricken 1.8.73
Houston Philippines 1975 Orange
DE252 HOWARD D Brown SB, 26.4.1943 Stricken Jan 1965, DE399 STOCKDALE Consolidated, 30.10.1943 Stricken 1972
CROW Houston BU Orange
DE253 PETTIT Brown SB, 28.4.1943 Stricken 1.8.73 DE400 HISSEM Consolidated, 26.12.1943 Stricken 1.6.75,
Houston Orange target
DE254 RICKETTS Brown SB, 10.5.1943 Stricken 1.11.72 DE401 HOLDER Consolidated, 27.11.1943 Lost 11.4.44
Houston Orange

140

Although nominally divided into six classes, the destroyer escorts built by the
United States during World War II were actually variants of a single design, and
so are all treated together here. They originated in a series of design studies for
escort vessels ordered by the General Board in 1940; a major factor in US interest
was the success of the British Hunt class, particularly after the Mills-Cochrane
mission to the Royal Navy. Early projects were dropped in view of the small
saving they represented compared to a much more capable conventional des¬
troyer; moreover, destroyers were already in production and so could be had
sooner. What saved the concept was British interest in light second-rate des¬
troyers. On 23 June 1941 the British Supply Council in North America asked the
Secretary of the Navy to release some escort destroyers, and a long-term
programme of 100 units was raised. The principal changes requested were a
dual-purpose main battery (three 3in/50 rather than two single-purpose 4in/50)
and a triple torpedo tube, against surface raiders; the latter would be provided
out of stocks released by escort conversions of exisdng ‘flush-deckers’, although
later new production was required. The bridge was a British type, with the conn
one level above the helm. Despite Bureau of Ships arguments that repeat
destroyers could be delivered far more readily, the President approved the
production of 50 British destroyer escorts (BDE) on 15 August 1941.
These ships were to have been powered by geared turbines, for a speed of
24kts. However, gear-cutting presented a production bottleneck, and diesel
engines of submarine type had to be substituted; they added 3Jft on length and
130 tons. Moreover, landing craft orders squeezed diesel production; the origi¬
nal design had called for eight 1500hp diesels, four driving through electric
motors and four through small gears. Now the geared diesels were eliminated, at
a cost of 4|kts. Ships of this type were ‘short hulls’ or ‘GMTs’, for ‘GM Tandem’
(diesel) drive. The next propulsive system to be explored was turbo-electric: the
original horsepower was retained, but the hull had to be lengthened; it turned
out that the lengthening balanced off the increase in displacement and the speed
of these TE units was about 24kts. The longer hull was standardised for ease of
production; other propulsive alternatives explored were a geared turbine using
relatively small gears (‘WGT’), the original diesel-electric system in a long hull
(‘DET’), and a geared diesel drive (‘FMR’, for reduction geared, also half
power).
Orders, of course, greatly exceeded the original fifty: at its peak, the DE
programme envisaged the completion of 1005 units - 105 ‘GMTs’, 154 ‘TEs’,
252 ‘TEVs’ (‘TEs’ with 5in guns), 293 ‘WGTs’, 116 ‘DETs’ and 85 ‘FMRs’.
Many of these were ordered specifically to ensure the completion of 260 units
during 1943; in fact over 300 were delivered that year. Mass cancellations began
in the autumn of 1943: 305 in September and October, another 135 in 1944, and
2 in 1946. Many DEs were converted to fast light transports (APD); 44 ‘TEs’
and 51 ‘TEVs’, against a programme of 50 of each. There was also a programme
for twenty conversions to radar pickets, of which only seven were completed, at
the end of the war (DE51, 57, 153, 213, 223, 577 and 578). Many others were
SUBMARINES
Before 1919 US submarine design emphasised underwater perfor¬
mance and quick diving; in consequence, US submarines were gener¬
ally unseaworthy on the surface - incapable, for example, of traversing
the North Atlantic unescorted. The performance of the German sub¬
marines was thus a considerable shock. The German concept was to
emphasise surfaced performance, regarding the submarine as a sub¬
mersible torpedo-boat which might use her submersibility as a means
of concealment, for example during an approach to a target. However,
she would depend upon her surface performance for true mobility.
These concepts shaped US submarine development in the postwar
period, and are responsible for the characteristics of the large US ‘fleet
boats’ of World War II. In fact the hull form of the Argonaut was based
directly on German practice, and the Cachalots were based on the
German U135 design of World War I. For some considerable time, too,
US submarines were powered by diesels built under a German licence,
although the new generation of lightweight diesels introduced in the
1930s was of entirely domestic origin.
The other major factor in US submarine development was the expec¬
tation of Pacific warfare: the submarine fleet would be required both to
interfere with Japanese operations in waters inaccessible to the US
surface fleet, and to provide vital strategic intelligence - both of which
functions it carried out very effectively in the war. Such operations
required a long cruising radius and long endurance on station, both of
which militated against small submarines of the type built by other
navies during the 1930s.
No account of the US submarine force can be complete without
mention of its misfortunes due to poorly functioning torpedoes; the
torpedo problem was not really solved until 1943, after which the
submarine force proved so successful that the programme for new
tonnage was cut back in 1944: boats already in operation were begin¬
ning to run out of targets. Submarines sank the bulk of Japanese
Destroyer escorts/Submarines
converted in the 1950s as part of the North American air defence system.
DE armament varied greatly during the war. The original design embodied
space and weight reservations for the installation of two enclosed 5in/38 in place
of the 3in/50, and the ‘TEVs’ and ‘WGTs’ were completed to this standard. At
one time it was planned to convert all DEs as weapons became available, but this
programme was abandoned for the ‘GMTs’; these ships were the only DEs
which never mounted torpedo tubes. Ironically, too, the Royal Navy, which had
originally specified tubes, asked that they be deleted from DEs transferred to it.
On the other hand, it was the Royal Navy which specified the installation of
Hedgehogs, with which all DEs were fitted.
Externally, all but the ‘TEVs’ and ‘WGTs’ had the original high British-style
bridge, similar, incidentally, to that of the 180ft minesweeper/PCE - another
class built originally to an Admiralty requirement. In the ships designed for 5in
guns, a lower bridge was employed, similar to that originally installed in the
Sumner class destroyers and in a few destroyer reconstructions; it, too, was
derived to some extent from contemporary British practice. This type of bridge
was not installed in 3in ships converted to 5in guns - USS Camp, following an
April 1945 collision, and 11 out of a projected 40 ‘TEs’ (DE217-219, 678-680,
696-698 and 700-701; the ‘TE’ conversions were carried out in the autumn of
1945). Nor was it installed in the radar picket ‘TEs’, which received a pair of 5in
guns as well as a new CIC and a heavy radar mainmast. In many ships the triple
TTs were removed, replaced on refit by four Army model single Bofors guns.
Moreover, a few late-production ships were completed without the tubes: six
‘WGTs’ (DE448—450. 510, 537 and 538) had a single quadruple 40mm aft, 3
twin 40mm, and 10 single 20mm. In four ‘TEs’ (DE575-578), four Army type
40mm replaced the triple tubes.
Osterhaus 1943 as completed USN
merchant tonnage destroyed by US forces in the Pacific, and thereby
severely hampered Japanese operations. For example, the Japanese
main fleet was based in the then Dutch East Indies in 1944 not for
strategic reasons but because it was at the source of its oil; tanker traffic
was too uncertain for the fleet to be able to operate from home waters.
Wartime modifications were extensive, generally involving the addi¬
tion of light AA weapons, the replacement of light deck guns by heavier
ones (culminating in the installation of the ‘wet’ 5in/25 single-purpose
gun), and large increases in the number of‘limber’ (free-flooding) holes
to improve diving time; a relatively slow dive was the legacy of the US
emphasis on surfaced performance. Radar, both for air search and for
surface search and fire control, was installed, as well as a wide variety of
sonars, including special mine-detection sets which permitted US
submarines to penetrate the AS W mine barrages of the Sea of Japan and
so operate in Japanese home waters. Later in the war there were also
homing torpedoes for anti-escort operations, analogous to the German
BARRACUDA class
Displacement: 2119t/2506t
Dimensions: 325ft wl, 334ft 6in oax 27ft 7in X 15ft 2in
99.06, 101.96 x 8A1 x 4.62m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel plus electric motors, 6200bhp = 18.7kts/9kts
Armament: 6-21 in TT (4 bow, 2 stern), 1—5in/51
Complement: 85
No Name Builder Launched Fate
SS163 BARRACUDA Portsmouth N Yd 17.7.1924 BU 1945
(ex-V7)
SS164 BASS (ex-U2) Portsmouth N Yd 27.12.1924 Scuttled 14.7.45
SS165 BONITA Portsmouth N Yd 9.6.1925 BU 1945
141
UNITED STATES
The first post-WWI submarines, these fast fleet boats were the first of nine
(V1-V9) authorised as part of the big 1916 programme. They were about twice
the size of the surviving ‘S’ class boats, and were even larger than the three
wartime‘T’ class boats broken up under the London Treaty of 1930. However,
as they were being designed, interest within the Navy shifted towards very
long-range cruiser submarines of relatively modest speed, modelled (in theory)
on the German cruisers of World War I. This led to the design of the much larger
minelayer Argonaut (V4) and of the two heavy-gun cruisers Narwhal and
Nautilus, V5 and V6. Nomenclature demands some explanation: when all US
submarines were distinguished only by a letter and a number, these were
‘V-boats’. In 1931 the submarines were named and at the same time were given
new letter-number combinations based on their names, in this case B1 to B3.
However, these three submarines were also at one time designated SF (fleet
submarines) 4 to 6; Argonaut was SF7, and the two Narwhals SF8 and 9. The
large, relatively unsuccessful‘T’ class was numbered SF1-3 under this system.
Propulsion was by two direct-drive diesels plus two others driving through
motor-generators (‘composite system’) and much of the increase in size com¬
Narwhal in April 1943 refitted with external TT USN
pared to the earlier ‘S’ class can be traced to the requirement for high speed to
keep up with the battle fleet; range was 6000nm at 1 lkts (surfaced). They were
designed to dive to 200ft (pressure hull axis). The 5in gun was replaced by a 3in
weapon in 1928. The three ‘Bs’ were not particularly successful, and they were NARWHAL class
laid up for some time prior to the outbreak of war. They were partly re-engined
Displacement: 2987t/3960t
prewar, the original Sulzer generating diesels being replaced by MAN units of
Dimensions: 355ft wl, 371ft oa x 33ft 3in X 16ft 1 lin
higher power. War service was limited to training, and plans to convert them to
108.21, 113.08 x 10.13 x 5.16m
transport submarines (APS2-4) were abandoned; all were stricken 10 March
1945. Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 5633bhp/1600shp
17.44kts/8kts (trials)
Armament: 6-21in TT (4 bow, 2 stern), 2-6in/53, 2-0.3in
ARGONAUT
Complement: 89
Displacement: 2878t/4045t
Dimensions: 360ft wl, 381ft oa x 33ft 8in x 16ft No Name Builder Launched Fate
109.73, 116.13 x 10.26 x 4.88m
SSI 67 NARWHAL Portsmouth 17.12. 1927 BU 1945
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 3175bhp/2200shp =
(ex-U5) N Yd
13.65kts/7.43kts (trials)
SS168 NAUTILUS Mare Island 15.3.1930 BU 1945
Armament: 4-2lin TT (bow), 2-6in/53, 2-0.3in, 60 mines
(ex-V6) N Yd
Complement: 86
These two ships were cruiser submarine equivalents of the Argonaut, with a pair
No Name Builder Launched Fate
of stern tubes in place of her two minelaying tubes. They were the largest US
SS166 ARGONAUT Portsmouth 10.11.1927 Lost 10.1.43 submarines until the advent of the nuclear submarine Nautilus thirty years later.
(ex-V4) N Yd Characteristics required a maximum speed of 17kts on the surface, and omitted
the aircraft called for in the cruiser-minelayer. Both ships were re-engined with
This large submarine, originally numbered V4, was unique among US types in Fairbanks-Morse diesels in 1940-41 and their composite powerplants replaced
that she was designed specifically as a minelayer. Her design evolved from the by the diesel-electric type used in more modern fleet boats. Range was
series of long-range cruiser studies begun in 1919. Characteristics of 11 April 18,000nm at 10kts/50nm at 5kts.
1923 called for ability ‘to withstand pressure for operating at 300ft’ and an Much of their war service was devoted to the transport of raiding parties. The
endurance of 90 days with a radius of not less than 6000nm at lOkts (normal fuel) major war alteration was the addition of four external TT, two forward and two
and not less than 18,000nm at lOkts (maximum fuel). The relative lack of under the raised gundeck amidships.
interest in speed shows in a note that ‘if vibration speeds are found to be
absolutely unavoidable, they shall be confined between 11 and 13kts’; continu¬
ous reliable sea speed was to be 15kts on the surface. These characteristics also
called for fitting to carry one observation aircraft, and for two mine tubes aft as
well as four bow TT.
The cruiser studies included much larger ships, and concentrated on surface
armament (two 6in/53 cruiser guns in Argonaut, but 7in and even 8in types in the
larger studies), aircraft and mines. This series began in 1919 and by October
1920 some schemes showed displacements as great as 20,500 tons. This was far
too great a jump from the previous figure of about 2000, and when the Bureau of
Displacement: 1688t/2215t
Construction and Repair resumed its studies in 1922 it returned to the original
Dimensions: 319ft 3in oa x 27ft llin x 13ft lin
ideas of 1919 for a far simpler craft; a Design History notes that ‘at this time a
97.31 x 8.51 x 3.99m
great many of the problems pertaining to larger sizes of submarines had already
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 3500bhp/1750shp =
been worked out on submarines VI to V3 and many of the devices installed on
17kts/8kts
American submarines as a result of war experience had been tried out on S48 to
Armament: 6-2lin TT (4 bow, 2 stern), 1—4in/50, 4-0.3in
51. In the meantime additional information had been obtained from German
sources and many plans of larger German submarines were available for exami¬ Complement: 63
nation and study ... the Bureau of Engineering had by this time practically
No Name Builder Launched Fate
determined to make MAN diesel engines the standard type for propelling
machinery on American submarines’. The hull was also of German origin: SS169 DOLPHIN Portsmouth 8.3.1932 BU 1946
initially, it was to have duplicated that of VI, but the Commander of the Control N Yd
Force (Rear-Admiral M M Taylor) asked that the US bulbous bow type be
compared to the German type, and the latter proved far superior. Argonaut was This relatively unsuccessful submarine marked the beginning of a trend away
converted to a transport submarine (renumbered APS1) and with Nautilus from the large cruiser submarines and towards a more modest long-range type.
carried Marine raiders to Makin Island on 17-19 August 1942. Range was By the end of 1927 it appeared that any new submarine would be required to
18,000nm at 10kts/50nm at 5kts. operate in the Western Pacific, over 300nm from base; it would, therefore,

Argonaut at Mare Island, 18.7.1942

USN

142
 Submarines
require an endurance of about 12,000nm and 60 to 90 days. Speed would be
relatively unimportant, but handiness and a good torpedo battery would be PORPOISE class
valuable: reliability, habitability, and torpedo battery would be far more impor¬
tant than surface speed, especially as the submarine would probably be operat¬ Displacement: 1316t standard; 1934t submerged
ing very much on her own, away from the battle fleet. A War Plans Division Dimensions: 289ft wl, 301ft oa x 24ft 1 lin x 14ft lin
memorandum suggested that displacement be held below 1600 tons and that 88.09, 91.75 x 7.59 x 4.29m
reliable sea speed be set at 12—14kts, with a maximum under favourable condi¬ Machinery: 2-shaft diesel-electrics plus electric motors, 4300shp/2085shp
tions of 15—17. The torpedo battery would duplicate that of the previous class = 19kts/lOkts
(including three reloads per tube) but the gun battery might be reduced to a Armament: 6-21in TT (4 bow, 2 stern), l-3in/50, 2-0.5in, 4—0.3in
single 5in weapon. War Plans saw the new boat as a prototype, but wanted the Complement: 54
Navy to continue to build cruiser submarines meanwhile in view of the back¬
wardness of the US submarine fleet. In fact, funds were short enough to prohibit No Name Builder Launched Fate
such a programme: instead, the last three of the 1916 boats, V7 to V9, were to be 55172 PORPOISE Portsmouth 20.6.1935 BU 1957
of the new type (actually V8 and V9 were completed to an even smaller design). N Yd
Design features included a small conning tower, closer in size to that of an ‘S’ 55173 PIKE Portsmouth 12.9.1935 BU 1957
class boat than to that of the previous cruisers. As in previous classes, drive was N Yd
composite, which the General Board favoured as a step on the way to an
all-electric system (as was, in fact, ultimately adopted). Contrary to the initial
recommendations of the War Plans Division, Dolphin carried only 18 torpedoes
and a 4in deck gun; she could not quite make the desired cruising radius either,
range being 6000nm at 10kts/50nm at 5kts. She was employed mainly for -J_ ^-
Tarpon 1944
training during World War II, and in retrospect it is interesting that about ten
years later fleet boats of much the same displacement had so much better
military qualities.
SHARK class
Displacement: 1315t standard; 1968t submerged
Dimensions: 290ft wl, 298ft oa x 25ft lin x 15ft lin
88.39, 90.83 X 7.64 x 4.60m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel-electrics plus electric motors, 4300shp/2085shp
= 19.5kts/8kts
Armament: 6-21in TT (4 bow, 2 stern), l-3in/50, 2-0.5in, 4-0.3in
Complement: 54

No Name Builder Launched Fate

55174 SHARK Electric Boat 21.5.1935 Lost 11.2.42

55175 TARPON Electric Boat 4.9.1935 Lost 26.8.57

Cuttlefish prewar Pompano as completed

-L-CT'T ?

CACHALOT class PERCH class

Displacement: 1120t standard; 1650t submerged Displacement: 1330t standard; 1997t submerged
Dimensions: 265ft wl, 271ft lin oa x 24ft 9in x 14ft Dimensions: 292ft 6in wl, 300ft 6in oa x 25ft 2in x 15ft 2in
80.77, 82.88 x 7.54 x4.27m 89.16, 91.59 x 7.67 x 4.62m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 2770bhp/1600shp = Machinery: 2-shaft diesel-electrics plus electric motors, 4300shp/2366shp
17kts/8kts = 19.25kts/8kts
Armament: 6-21in TT (4 bow), l-3in/50, 3-0.5in, 4—0.3in Armament: 6-21in TT (4 bow, 2 stern), l-3in/50, 2-0.5in, 4-0.3in
Complement: 51 Complement: 54

No Name Builder Launched Fate No Name Builder Launched Fate

55170 CACHALOT Portsmouth 19.10.1933 BU 1947 55176 PERCH Electric Boat 9.5.1936 Lost 3.3.42
N Yd 55177 PICKEREL Electric Boat 7.7.1936 Lost Apr 1943
55171 CUTTLEFISH Electric Boat 21.11.1933 BU 1947 55178 PERMIT Electric Boat 5.10.1936 BU 1957
(tx-Pinna)
These two units, the last of the ‘V-boats’, were somewhat stunted by the overall 55179 PLUNGER Portsmouth 8.7.1936 BU 1957
submarine tonnage limitation of the 1930 London Treaty. A major factor in N Yd
their design was the unfavourable comparison between the best of the German 55180 POLLACK Portsmouth 15.9.1936 BU 1947
boats of World War I, U135, and Dolphin; it seemed that on 1200 tons it should N Yd
be possible to attain an operating depth of 250ft (compared to 185ft in the 55181 POMPANO Mare Island 11.3.1937 Lost Aug 1943
German submarine), three months and 16,000nm (but at 7kts) endurance, plus
the usual 6-tube battery (with 14 or even 15 reloads), and a surface speed of
17kts. In fact matters were considerably simplified by the acceptance of a The first four boats of these classes, of two distinct designs, were financed by the
two-diesel powerplant (to shafts or generators for recharging), and the final National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933; characteristics substantially repeated
Characteristics called for two quick reloads per tube, and a total of 16 torpedoes. those of the Cachalots, except that displacement was increased to 1300 tons to
The gun was reduced to a 3in/50, typical of US submarines up to World War II. reduce crowding in the machinery spaces. As in Cachalot, endurance was
Final Characteristics called for an endurance of ll,000nm at lOkts, including reduced from the previous 90 to 75 days. Increased size made possible increased
allowances for battery charging, fouling and average sea states; this, with a engine power, and surface speed specified rose from 16.5 to 18.8 kts.
submerged range of 50nm at 5kts, was achieved. The Bureau of Engineering later noted that by this time it was clear that a total
The argument in favour of relatively small units was that the point of the redesign of submarine engines was in order if submarines were to meet the
submarine programme was to maintain in the probable operating area (the severe speed and flexibility requirements of the General Board, if torsional
Western Pacific) ‘the maximum number of potential torpedo hits and the vibration problems associated with direct diesel drive were to be eliminated, and
maximum service of information to the Commander in Chief. It would be about if the dependence on foreign licences inherent in the use of MAN engines were
3900nm each way, for a cruise of 33 days, or a total of 75 per patrol. At the same to be removed. A high speed diesel with electric drive was selected ‘so as to
time the United States would be permitted to build, by December 1936, a total benefit from the Railroad Dieselization Program (which had been initiated by
of 25,100 tons over the V7-V9 (assuming, incorrectly, that V8 and V9 would the Navy) - and as the only way to obtain the flexibility and reliability of
duplicate V7); in addition, 14,830 tons of replacements could be laid down in multiple engines’ (Bureau of Engineering memorandum, February 1939). With
1937-39. A requirement sometimes stated for forty boats would consume this system a submarine could proceed at high speed on the surface using three
48,000 tons even on a unit displacement as low as 1200; but to go much below the of her four engines, while she charged her batteries on the fourth; performance
Cachalot design would be to give up the long endurance absolutely necessary. under the former direct drive system would have been limited (in a later boat) to
Innovations included extensive welding and the first US Torpedo Data (Fire 13J rather than 18kts in this condition. These classes introduced air-
Control) Computer. Both boats were refitted during World War II, receiving conditioning. Five boats had two external tubes added forward after the out¬
superstructures similar to those of wartime fleet boats; their war patrols were break of war (SS172, 173, 175, 177 and 178). All survivors had their superstruc¬
unsuccessful and they were employed for training. tures remodelled. Range for all boats was ll,000nm at 10kts/50nm at 5kts.

143
UNITED STATES
There were actually two very similar sub-classes, of which the second
(SS188—197) was slightly larger. One of these ships, Squalus, sank in a cele¬
brated 1939 accident, reportedly as a consequence of a defective main induction
hatch; she was raised, renamed Sailfish, and recommissioned in 1940. War
modifications followed those in other prewar and early-war submarines, includ¬
ing considerable reductions in superstructure.
Tautog on 15.5.1940 as completed USN

Sturgeon on 22.8.1938 as completed USN

SALMON class
Displacement: 1449t standard; 22lOt submerged
TAMBOR class
Dimensions: 300ft wl, 308ft oa x 26ft 2in x 15ft 7in
91.44, 93.88 x 7.98 x 4.75m Displacement: 1475t standard
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels (composite drive) plus electric motors, Dimensions: 302ft 6in wl, 307ft 2in oa X 27ft 3in X 15ft
5500shp/2660shp = 21kts/9kts. See notes 92.20, 93.63 x 8.31 x 4.57m
Armament: 8-2lin TT (4 bow, 4 stern), l-3in/50, 2-0.5in, 2-0.3in Machinery: 2-shaft diesel-electrics, plus electric motors, 5400shp/
Complement: 59 2740shp = 20kts/8.75kts
Armament: 10-21in TT (6 bow, 4 stern), 1—3in/50, 2-0.5in
No Name Builder Launched Fate Complement: 60
SS182 SALMON Electric Boat 12.6.1937 BU 1946
No Name Builder Launched Fate
SS183 SEAL Electric Boat 25.8.1937 BU 1957
SS184 SKIPJACK Electric Boat 23.10.1937 Sunk 16.10.48 SS198 TAMBOR Electric Boat 20.12.1939 BU Mar 1960
SS185 SNAPPER Portsmouth 24.8.1937 BU 1948 SS199 TAUTOG Electric Boat 27.1.1940 BU 1960
N Yd SS200 THRESHER Electric Boat 27.3.1940 BU 1948
SS186 STINGRAY Portsmouth 6.10.1937 BU 1947 SS201 TRITON Portsmouth 25.3.1940 Lost 15.3.43
N Yd N Yd
SS187 STURGEON Mare Island 15.3.1938 BU 1948 SS202 TROUT Portsmouth 21.5.1940 Lost 29.2.44
N Yd N Yd
SS203 TUNA Mare Island 2.10.1940 Expended 25.9.48
N Yd
SS206 GAR Electric Boat 7.11.1940 BU 1959
SS207 GRAMPUS Electric Boat 23.12.1940 Lost 5.3.43
4k SS208 GRAYBACK Electric Boat 31.1.1941 Lost 27.2.44
Snron 1944 --
_—7
. r .....^jwrrrrrrr-' SS209 GRAYLING Portsmouth 4.9.1940 Lost 9.9.43
N Yd
SS210 GRENADIER Portsmouth 29.11.1940 Lost 22.4.43
SARGO and SEADRAGON classes N Yd
SS211 GUDGEON Mare Island 25.1.1941 Lost Apr 1944
Displacement: 1450t standard N Yd
Dimensions: 302ft 6in wl, 310ft 6in oa x 26ft lOin x 16ft 8in
92.20, 94.64 x 8.18 x 5.08m For the submarines of the FY39 programme two TT were added forward, at a
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels (composite drive; diesel-electric inSeadragons) cost of about 15 tons. The 6-tube salvo had been debated for some years, and the
plus electric motors, 5500shp (Seadragons 5200shp)/2740shp Submarine Conference rejected it in 1935 largely in the belief that it would
= 20kts/8.75kts
require an advance in displacement to 1750 tons. In 1937 it became obvious that
Armament: 8-21in TT (4 bow, 4 stern), 1—3in/50, 2-0.5in, 2-0.3in so great a sacrifice would not be needed, and the major units afloat voted
Complement: 59 unanimously for 6 forward tubes, in an improved Sargo design. Torpedo
capacity remained unchanged, and diesel-electric propulsion was reintroduced.
No Name Builder Launched Fate In these boats all torpedoes were carried internally, 16 forward and 8 aft. Each
SS188 SARGO Electric Boat 6.6.1938 BU 1947 torpedo reload rack could hold two mines, for a total capacity of 40 mines plus 4
SS189 SAURY Electric Boat 20.8.1938 BU 1947 torpedoes. 'Diving depth was 250ft, but this equated to a collapse depth of 500ft;
SS190 SPEARFISH Electric Boat 29.10.1938 BU 1947 range was as for the Salmons,. The Gar class (FY40) was also designed to operate
SS191 SCULPIN Portsmouth 27.7.1938 Lost 19.11.43 at 250ft, but two boats were to be tested at 300ft, and the next class was designed
N Yd for operation at 300ft.
SS192 SQUALUS Portsmouth 14.9.1938 BU 1948
N Yd
SS193 SWORDFISH Mare Island 1.4.1939 Lost Jan 1945
N Yd
SS194 SEADRAGON Electric Boat 21.4.1939 BU 1948
SS195 SEALION Electric Boat 25.5.1939 Lost 25.12.41
Marlin 1943 --1 - Q ,.L~7
SS196 SEARAVEN Portsmouth 21.6.1939 Expended 11.9.48
N Yd
SS197 SEAWOLF Portsmouth 15.8. 1939 Lost 3.10.44
N Yd
MACKEREL, MARLIN
Displacement: 825t (Marlin 800t) standard; 940t (910t) normal surfaced;
These submarines reverted to direct drive via hydraulic couplings, as it was 1190t (1165t) submerged
feared that flooding might disable an all-electric system such as had been Dimensions: 243ft lin oa (Marlin 238ft 1 lin) x 22ft lin (21ft 8in) x 14ft
introduced in the Porpoise class - which had not yet been completed when these (13ft) normal
boats were laid down. The Seadragons, SS193—197, reverted to diesel-electric 74.09 (72.82) x 6.73 (6.60) x 4.27 (3.96)m
reduction gear drive and in fact no later US ‘fleet submarine’ employed the Machinery: 2-shaft diesels, 1680bhp (Marlin 1700shp) = 16.2kts (Marlin
earlier composite system. The reversion saved some length, which went into a 16.5kts) surfaced
double battery capacity as well as into longer TT. Two tubes were added aft, for Armament: 6-2lin TT, l-3in/50, 2-0.5in, 2-0.3in
a total of eight (and 24 torpedoes, 12 forward, 8 aft, and 4 externally). As an Complement: 42
alternative, 32 mines (to be laid via the TT) could be carried, half in the after
torpedo room. Characteristics called for a speed of 17kts on the surface on three No Name Builder Launched Fate
engines, and 8fkts underwater for one hour. Endurance was to be 1 l,000nm at
55204 MACKEREL Electric Boat 28.9.1940 BU 1947
lOkts with a 30 per cent power reserve for battery charging, and these boats were
55205 MARLIN Portsmouth 29.1.1941 BU 1946
to be able to operate at 2kts underwater for 48 hours with air-conditioning and
N Yd
auxiliary machinery operating.

144
 Submarines
These two small submarines were built largely at the instance of Admiral T C
Hart, the General Board’s submarine expert, who feared that the ‘fleet boats’ SS244 CAVALLA Electric Boat 14.11.1943 Preserved 1969
were becoming too large, and who looked forward to replacements for the many SS245 COBIA Electric Boat 28.11.1943 Preserved 1970
SS246 CROAKER Electric Boat 19.12.1943 Preserved 1976
‘S’ class boats about to become over-age. They were justified as ‘patrol’ or coast
SS247 DACE Electric Boat 25.4.1943 To Italy 1955
defence units, but met very great resistance on the part of the submariners, who
SS248 DORADO Electric Boat 23.5.1943 Lost 12.10.43
felt that a 1500-ton ‘fleet boat’ could do quite as much, but could also function in
SS249 FLASHER Electric Boat 20.6.1943 BU 1963
the all-important Western Pacific. Ultimately two boats were built under the
SS250 FLIER Electric Boat 11.7.1943 Lost 13.8.44
FY39 programme, one (SS204) to an Electric Boat Company design, and the
SS251 FLOUNDER Electric Boat 22.8.1943 Stricken 1960
other to a Navy in-house design; after the war Electric Boat built six modified
SS252 GABILAN Electric Boat 19.9.1943 Stricken 1960
Mackerels for Peru, with ‘guppy’ sails and a deck gun. Mackerel had direct drive,
SS253 GUNNEL Electric Boat 17.5.1942 Stricken 1959
Marlin diesel-electric through motor-generators. Designed depth was 250ft, and
SS254 GURNARD Electric Boat 1.6.1942 Stricken 1960
there were 6 TT and 12 torpedoes. Although the Board of Inspection and Suryey
SS255 HADDO Electric Boat 21.6.1942 BU 1959
was very favourably impressed with these small submarines, neither saw effec¬
SS256 HAKE Electric Boat 17.7.1942 Stricken 19.3.67
tive war service and both were discarded. The need which Hart forsaw for large
SS257 HARDER Electric Boat 19.8.1942 Lost 24.8.44
numbers of boats to protect the Hawaiian Islands, the US coast and the Canal
Zone never really materialised. SS258 HOE Electric Boat 17.9.1942 Stricken 1960
SS259 JACK Electric Boat 16.10.1942 To Greece 1958
SS260 LAPON Electric Boat 27.10.1942 To Greece 1957
Argonaut, Tench class, as completed SS261 MINGO Electric Boat 30.11.1942 BU 1971
SS262 MUSKAL- Electric Boat 13.12.1942 To Brazil 1957
LUNGE
SS263 PADDLE Electric Boat 30.12.1942 To Brazil 1957
SS264 PARGO Electric Boat 24.1.1943 BU 1961
SS265 PETO Manitowoc 30.4.1942 BU 1961
Barbero, Balao class, as completed
SS266 POGY Manitowoc 23.6.1942 Stricken 1959
:nr»Z7 SS267
SS268
POMPON
PUFFER
Manitowoc 15.8.1942 Stricken 1960
Manitowoc 22.11.1942 BU 1961
SS269 RASHER Manitowoc 20.12.1942 Stricken 20.12.71
SS270 RATON Manitowoc 24.1.1943 Expended 12.9.69
GATO, BALAO and TENCH classes SS271 RAY Manitowoc 28.2.1943 Stricken 1960
Displacement: 1526t (Balao class 1525t, Tench class 1570t) standard; 18lOt SS272 REDFIN Manitowoc 4.4.1943 Sold for BU 1971
(Tench class 1845t) normal; 241 Ot (Balao, Tench classes 2415t) SS273 ROBALO Manitowoc 9.5.1943 Lost 26.7.44
submerged SS274 ROCK Manitowoc 20.6.1943 Stricken 1969
Dimensions: 311ft 9in (Tench class 311ft 8in) oa x 27ft 3in x 15ft 3in SS275 RUNNER Portsmouth 30.5.1942 Lost June 1963
{Tench class 15ft 5in) normal N Yd
95.02 (95.00) x 8.31 x 4.65 (4.70)m SS276 SAWFISH Portsmouth 23.6.1942 Stricken 1960
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel-electrics plus electric motors, 5400shp/2740shp N Yd
= 20.25kts/8.75kts SS277 SCAMP Portsmouth 20.7.1942 Lost 16.11.44
Armament: 10—2lin TT (6 bow, 4 stern), 1—3in/50, 2-0.Sin, 2-0.3in. See N Yd
notes SS278 SCORPION Portsmouth 20.7.1942 Lost Feb 1944
Complement: 60 (peace); 80 (war) N Yd
SS279 SNOOK Portsmouth 15.8.1942 Lost April 1944
No Name Builder Launched Fate N Yd
SS280 STEELHEAD Portsmouth 11.9.1942 Stricken 1960
Gato class
N Yd
SS212 GATO Electric Boat 21.8.1941 Stricken 1960
SS281 SUNFISH Mare Island 2.5.1942 Stricken 1960
SS213 GEENLING Electric Boat 20.9.1941 Stricken 1960
N Yd
SS214 GROUPER Electric Boat 27.10.1941 Sold for BU 1970
SS282 TUNNY Mare Island 30.6.1942 Expended 19.6.69
SS215 GROWLER Electric Boat 22.11.1941 Lost 8.11.44
N Yd
SS216 GRUNION Electric Boat 22.12.1941 Lost 30.7.1942
SS283 TINOSA Mare Island 7.10.1942 Lost 1961
SS2x7 GUARDFISH Electric Boat 20.1.1942 Expended 1961
N Yd
SS218 ALBACORE Electric Boat 17.2.1942 Lost 7.11.44
SS284 TULLIBEE Mare Island 11.11.1942 Lost 26.3.44
SS219 AMBERJACK Electric Boat 6.3.1942 Lost 16.2.43
N Yd
SS220 BARB Electric Boat 2.4.1942 To Italy 1955
SS221 BLACKFISH Electric Boat 18.4.1942 Stricken 1959 Balao class
SS222 BLUEFISH Electric Boat 21.2.1943 Stricken 1959 SS285 BALAO Portsmouth 27.10.1942 Stricken 1963
SS223 BONEFISH Electric Boat 7.3.1943 Lost 18.6.45 N Yd
SS224 COD Electric Boat 21.3.1943 Preserved 1975 SS286 BILLFISH Portsmouth 12.11.1942 Sold for BU
SS225 CERO Electric Boat 4.4.1943 Sold for BU 16.9.70 N Yd Jan 1971
SS226 CORVINA Electric Boat 9.5.1943 Lost 16.11.43 SS287 BOWFIN Portsmouth 7.12.1942 Preserved 1.8.79
SS227 DARTER Electric Boat 6.6.1943 Lost 24.10.44 N Yd
SS228 DRUM Portsmouth 12.5.1941 Preserved 1968 SS288 CABRILLA Portsmouth 24.12.1942 Sold for BU
N Yd N Yd June 1972
SS229 FLYING FISH Portsmouth 9.7.1941 BU 1960 SS289 CAPELIN Portsmouth 20.1.1943 Lost Dec 1943
N Yd N Yd
SS230 FINBACK Portsmouth 25.8.1941 BU 1959 SS290 CISCO Portsmouth 24.12.1942 Lost 28.9.43
N Yd N Yd
SS231 HADDOCK Portsmouth 20.10.41 Stricken 1959 SS291 CREVALLE Portsmouth 22.2.1943 Sold for BU
N Yd N Yd Jan 1971
SS232 HALIBUT Portsmouth 3.12.1941 BU 1947 SS292 DEVILFISH Cramp 30.5.1943 Expended 14.8.68
N Yd SS293 DRAGONET Cramp 18.4.1943 Expended 1961
SS233 HERRING Portsmouth 15.1.1942 Lost 1.6.44 SS294 ESCOLAR Cramp 18.4.1943 Lost Oct 1944
N Yd SS295 HACKLEBACK Cramp 30.5.1943 Sold for BU 4.12.68
SS234 KINGFISH Portsmouth 2.3.1942 Stricken 1960 SS296 LANCETFISH Cramp 15.8.1943 BU 1958
N Yd SS297 LING Cramp 15.8.1943 Preserved 1972
SS235 SHAD Portsmouth 15.4.1942 Stricken 1960 SS298 LIONFISH Cramp 7.11.1943 Preserved 1972
N Yd SS299 MANTA Cramp 7.11.1943 Expended 16.7.69
SS236 SILVERSIDES Mare Island 26.8.1941 Preserved 1973 SS300 MORAY Cramp 14.5.1944 Expended 18.6.70
N Yd SS301 RONCADOR Cramp 14.5.1944 Stricken 1.12.71
SS237 TRIGGER Mare Island 22.10.1941 Lost 28.3.45 SS302 SABALO Cramp 4.6.1944 Preserved 1973
N Yd SS303 SABLEFISH Cramp 4.6.1944 Sold for BU 29.7.71
SS238 WAHOO Mare Island 14.2.1942 Lost 12.10.43 SS304 SEAHORSE Mare Island 9.1.1943 Sold for BU 4.12.68
N Yd N Yd
SS239 WHALE Mare Island 14.3.19r2 Stricken 1960 SS305 SKATE Mare Island 4.3.1943 Sunk 16.10.48
N Yd N Yd
SS240 ANGLER Electric Boat 4.7.1943 Stricken 15.12.71 SS306 TANG Mare Island 17.8.1943 Lost 24.10.44
SS241 BASHAW Electric Boat 25.7.1943 Stricken 1969 N Yd
SS242 BLUEGILL Electric Boat 8.8.1943 Expended 2.12.70 SS307 TILEFISH Mare Island 25.10.1943 To Venezuela 1960
SS243 BREAM Electric Boat 17.10.194 Expended 8.11.69 N Yd

145
UNITED STATES

No Name Builder Launched Fate SS366 HAWKSBILL Manitowoc 9.1.1944 To Holland 1953
SS367 ICEFISH Manitowoc 20.2.1944 To Holland 1953
SS308 APOGON (ex- Electric Boat 10.3.1943 Sunk 26.7.46 SS368 JALLAO Manitowoc 12.3.1944 Stricken 26.6.74
Abadejo) SS369 KETE Manitowoc 9.4.1944 Lost Mar 1945
SS309 ASPRO (ex- Electric Boat 7.4.1943 Stricken 1962 SS370 KRAKEN Manitowoc 30.4.1944 To Spain 24.10.59
Acedia) SS371 LAGARTO Manitowoc 28.5.1944 Lost 3.5.45
SS310 BATFISH (ex- Electric Boat 5.5.1943 Preserved 1972 SS372 LAMBREY Manitowoc 18.6.1944 BU 1971
Acoupa) SSe73 LIZARDFISH Manitowoc 16.7.1944 To Italy 5.3.66
SS311 ARCHERFISH Electric Boat 28.5.1943 Expended 16.10.68 SS374 LOGGERHEAD Manitowoc 13.8.1944 Sold for BU
SS312 BURRFISH (ex- Electric Boat 18.6.1943 Stricken 31.7.69 Aug 1969
Amillo) SS375 MACABI Manitowoc 19.9.1944 BU 1971
SS313 PERCH Electric Boat 12.9.1943 Stricken 1.12.71 SS376 MAPIRO Manitowoc 9.11.1944 To Turkey 1960
SS314 SHARK Electric Boat 17.10.1943 Lost 24.10.44 SS377 MENHADEN Manitowoc 20.12.1944 To Spain 1971
SS315 SEALION Electric Boat 31.10.1943 Stricken 1977 SS378 MERO Manitowoc 17.1.1945 To Turkey 20.4.60
SS316 BARBEL Electric Boat 14.11.1943 Lost 4.2.1945 SS379 NEEDLEFISH Manitowoc — Cancelled
SS317 BARBERO Electric Boat 12.12.1943 Stricken 1.7.64 29.7.1944
SS318 BAYA Electric Boat 2.1.1944 Stricken 30.10.72 SS380 NERKA Manitowoc - Cancelled
SS319 BECUNA Electric Boat 30.1.1944 Preserved 1976 29.7.1944
SS320 BERGALL Electric Boat 12.12.1944 To Turkey 17.10.58 SS381 SAND LANCE Portsmouth 25.6.1943 To Brazil 1963
SS321 BESUGO Electric Boat 27.2.1944 To Italy 1966 (ex-Ojanco, N Yd
SS322 BLACKFIN Electric Boat 12.3.1944 To Greece 1972 ex-Orca)
SS323 CAIMAN (ex- Electric Boat 30.3.1944 To Turkey SS382 PICUDA (ex- Portsmouth 12.7.1943 To Spain 1.10.72
Blanquillo) July 1972 Obispo) N Yd
SS324 BLENNY Electric Boat 9.4.1944 Stricken 15.8.73, SS383 PAMPANITO Portsmouth 12.7.1943 Preserved 1975
target N Yd
SS325 BLOWER Electric Boat 23.4.1944 Lost 3.4.53 SS384 PARCHE Portsmouth 24.7.1943 Sold for BU
SS326 BLUEBACK Electric Boat 7.5.1944 To Turkey 1948 N Yd July 1970
SS327 BOARFISH Electric Boat 21.5.1944 To Turkey 1948 SS385 BANG Portsmouth 30.8.1943 To Spain l.x0.72
SS328 CHARR (ex- Electric Boat 18.6.1944 Stricken 20.12.71 N Yd
Bocaccio) SS386 PILOTFISH Portsmouth 30.8.1943 Sunk 16.10.1948
SS329 CHUB (ex- Electric Boat 18.6.1944 To Turkey 1948 N Yd
Bonaci) SS387 PINTADO Portsmouth 15.9.1943 Sold for BU 20.1.69
SS330 BRILL Electric Boat 25.6.1944 To Turkey 1948 N Yd
SS331 BUGARA Electric Boat 2.7.1944 Lost 1.6.71 SS388 PIPEFISH Portsmouth 12.10.1943 Sold for BU 20.1.69
SS332 BULLHEAD Electric Boat 16.7.1944 Lost 6.8.45 N Yd
SS333 BUMPER Electric Boat 6.8.1944 To Turkey 1950 SS389 PIRANHA Portsmouth 27.10.1943 Sold for BU 11.8.70
SS334 CABEZON Electric Boat 27.8.1944 Sold for BU N Yd
28.12.71 SS390 PLAICE Portsmouth 15.11.1943 To Brazil 1963
SS335 DENTUDA (ex - Electric Boat 10.9.1944 Sold for BU N Yd
Capidoli) 20.1.69 SS391 POMFRET Portsmouth 27.10.1943 To Turkey 3.5.72
SS336 CAPITAINE Electric Boat 1.10.1944 To Italy 5.3.66 N Yd
SS337 CARBONERO Electric Boat 15.10.1944 Stricken 1.12.70 SS392 STERLET (ex- Portsmouth 27.10.1943 Expended 31.1.69
SS338 CARP Electric Boat 12.11.1944 Stricken 20.12.71 Pudiano) N Yd
SS339 CATFISH Electric Boat 19.11.1944 To Argentina SS393 QUEENFISH Portsmouth 30.11.1943 Expended 1963
7.1.71 N Yd
SS340 ENTEMEDOR Electric Boat 17.12.1944 To Turkey SS394 RAZORBACK Portsmouth 27.1.1944 To Turkey
(ex-Chickwick]) 24.8.73 N Yd 17.11.70
SS341 CHIVO Electric Boat 14.1.1945 To Argentina SS395 REDFISH Portsmouth 27.1.1944 Expended 6.2.69
7.1.71 N Yd
SS342 CHIPPER Electric Boat 4.2.1945 Stricken 1.10.71 SS396 RONQUIL Portsmouth 27.1.1944 To Spain 1.7.71
SS343 CLAMAGORE Electric Boat 25.2.1945 Preserved 1979 N Yd
SS344 COBBLER Electric Boat 1.4.1945 To Turkey SS397 SCABBARD- Portsmouth 27.1.1944 To Greece 26.2.65
21.11.73 FISH N Yd
SS345 COCHINO Electric Boat 20.4.1945 Foundered 26.8.49 SS398 SEGUNDO Portsmouth 5.2.1944 Stricken 8.8.70
SS346 CORPORAL Electric Boat 10.6.1945 To Turkey N Yd
21.11.73 SS399 SEA CAT Portsmouth 30.11.1944 Stricken 2.12.68
SS347 CUBERA Electric Boat 17.6.1945 To Venezuela 1972 N Yd
SS348 CUSK Electric Boat 28.7.1945 Stricken 24.9.69 SS400 SEA DEVIL Portsmouth 28.2.1944 Expended 1965
SS349 DIODON Electric Boat 10.9.1945 Sold for BU N Yd
June 1972 SS401 SEA DOG Portsmouth 28.3.1944 Stricken 2.12.68
SS350 DOGFISH Electric Boat 27.10.1945 To Brazil 28.7.72 N Yd
SS351 GREENFISH Electric Boat 21.12.1945 To Brazil 19.12.73 SS402 SEA FOX Portsmouth 28.3.1944 To Turkey
(ex-Doncella) N Yd Dec 1970
SS352 HALFBEAK Electric Boat 19.2.1946 Stricken 1.7.71 SS403 ATULE Portsmouth 6.3.1944 To Peru 31.7.74
(ex-Doty) N Yd
SS353 DUGONG Electric Boat — Cancelled SS404 SPIKEFISH Portsmouth 26.4.1944 Stricken 1.5.63
23.10.1944 (ex-Shiner) N Yd
SS354 EEL Electric Boat — Cancelled SS405 SEA OWL Portsmouth 7.5.1944 Sold for BU 3.6.71
23.10.1944 N Yd
SS355 ESPADA Electric Boat — Cancelled SS406 SEA POACHER Portsmouth 20.5.1944 To Peru 1.7.74
23.10.1944 N Yd
SS356 JAWFISH (ex- Electric Boat - Cancelled SS407 SEA ROBIN Portsmouth 25.5.1944 Sold for BU 3.6.71
Fanegal) 29.7.1944 N Yd
SS357 ONO (ex- Electric Boat — Cancelled SS408 SENNET Portsmouth 6.6.1944 Stricken 2.12.68
Friar) 29.7.1944 N Yd
SS358 GARLOPA Electric Boat - Cancelled SS409 PIPER Portsmouth 26.6.1944 Stricken 1.7.70
29.9.1944 (ex-Awa) N Yd
SS359 GARRUPA Electric Boat - Cancelled SS410 THREADFIN Portsmouth 26.6.1944 To Turkey 15.8.73
29.7.1944 (exSole) N Yd
SS360 GOLDRING Electric Boat - Cancelled SS411 SPADEFISH Mare Island 8.1.1944 Sold for BU
29.9.1944 N Yd Oct 1969
SS361 GOLET Manitowoc 1.8.1943 Lost 14.6.44 SS412 TREPANG (ex- Mare Island 8.1.1944 Expended 16.9.69
SS362 GUAVINA Manitowoc 29.8.1943 Expended 14.11.67 Sen orita) N Yd
SS363 GUITARRO Manitowoc 26.9.1943 To Turkey 1954 SS413 SPOT Mare Island 19.5.1944 To Chile 1962
SS364 HAMMER¬ Manitowoc 24.10.1943 To Turkey 1954 N Yd
HEAD SS414 SPRINGER Mare Island 3.8.1944 To Chile 1961
SS365 HARDHEAD Manitowoc 12.12.1943 To Greece 26.7.72 N Yd

146
 Submarines
No Name Builder Launched Fate SS488 SARDA Portsmouth 24.8.1945 BU 1965
N Yd
SS415 STICKLEBACKMare Island 1.1.1945 Lost 29.5.58 SS489 SPINAX Portsmouth 20.11.1945 Stricken 11.10.69
N Yd N Yd
SS416 TIRU Mare Island 16.0.1947 Stricken 1.7.75 SS490 VOLADOR Portsmouth 17.1.1946 To Italy 18.8.72
N Yd N Yd
Tench class SS491 POMPANO Portsmouth - Cancelled
SS417 TENCH Portsmouth 7.7.1944 To Peru for N Yd 12.8.1945
N Yd spares 16.10.76 SS492 GRAYLING Portsmouth - Cancelled
SS418 THORNBACK Portsmouth 7.7.1944 To Turkey 24.8.7 N Yd 12.8.1945
N Yd SS493 NEEDLEFISH Portsmouth - Cancelled
SS419 TIGRONE Portsmouth 20.7.1944 Expended N Yd 12.8.1945
N Yd 25.10.75 SS494 SCULPIN Portsmouth - Cancelled
SS420 TIGRANTE Portsmouth 9.8.1944 Stricken 1.10.73 N Yd 12.8.1945
N Yd SS516 WAHOO Mare Island - Cancelled
SS421 TRUTTA (ex- Portsmouth 18.8.1944 To Turkey June N Yd 7.1.1946
Tomatate) N Yd 1972 SS522 AMBERJACK Boston N Yd 15.12.1944 To Brazil 17.10.73
SS422 TORO Portsmouth 23.8.1944 BU 1965 SS523 GRAMPUS Boston N Yd 15.12.1944 To Brazil 8.7.72
N Yd SS524 PICKEREL Boston N Yd 15.12.1944 To Italy 18.8.72
SS423 TORSK Portsmouth 6.9.1944 Preserved 1972 SS525 GRENADIER Boston N Yd 15.12.1944 To Venezuela
N Yd 15.5.73
SS424 QUILLBACK Portsmouth 1.10.1944 Stricken 23.3.73 SS526 DORADO Boston N Yd - Cancelled
0ex-Trembler) 29.7.1944
SS425 TRUMPET- Cramp 13.5.1945 To Brazil 15.10.7; SS527 COMBER Boston N Yd — Cancelled
FISH 29.7.1944
SS426 TUSK Cramp 8.7.1945 To Taiwan SS528 SEA Boston N Yd - Cancelled
18.10.73 PANTHER 29.7.1944
SS427 TURBOT Cramp - Cancelled SS529 TIBURON Boston N Yd — Cancelled
12.8.1945 29.7.1944
SS428 ULUA Cramp — Cancelled
12.8.1945 These slightly improved Gars of the FY41 and war programmes were the US
SS429 UNICORN Cramp — Cancelled ‘fleet boats.’ The basic design was lengthened slightly for improved stability,
29.7.1944 and for subdivision of the engine rooms into two compartments with a
SS430 VANDACE Cramp — Cancelled pressure-proof watertight bulkhead between them. The size of auxiliary ballast
29.7.1944 tanks was increased to compensate for the range of variation in weights inciden¬
SS431 WALRUS Cramp - Cancelled tal to 24 torpedoes or 40 mines. The longer and more stable hull made possible
29.7.1944 the installation of 2000 rather than 1600bhp diesels, but in fact the more
SS432 WHITEFISH Cramp - Cancelled powerful engines planned for FY42 and later boats were never installed. How¬
29.7.1944 ever, more powerful generators were fitted for this later upgrade. Some units
SS433 WHITING Cramp - Cancelled had electric motors coupled directly to the propeller shafts (SS343—352,
29.7.1944 365-367, 377, 405-410, and all units from SS415 onwards). The Gatos were
SS434 WOLFFISH Cramp - Cancelled designed to operate at 300ft; weight saved in subsequent units went into heavier
29.7.1944 hull construction, and all boats from SS285 onwards were designed for opera¬
SS435 CORSAIR Electric Boat 3.5.1946 BU 1964 tion at 400ft. In 1945 it was claimed that the latest units (SS475 group) had a
SS436 UNICORN Electric Boat 1.8.1946 BU incomplete collapse depth of 750ft and an operating depth of 450ft, and could stow a total of
1958 28 torpedoes. Range was ll,000nm at 10kts/96nm at 2kts.
SS437 WALRUS Electric Boat 20.9.1946 BU incomplete War modifications to the earlier boats included considerable reductions in
1958 their bridgework, in part to permit them to mount 20mm and 40mm light AA
SS475 ARGONAUT Portsmouth 1.10.1944 To Canada 1968 guns on a ‘cigarette deck’ fore and aft. As in the previous classes, these boats
N Yd were at first armed with a single 3in/50 abaft the conning tower; their Charac¬
SS476 RUNNER Portsmouth 17.10.1944 BU 1963 teristics called for a mounting adaptable to larger weapons, and 4in/50 and
N Yd ultimately 5in/25 guns were installed. Later-construction boats were completed
SS477 CONGER Portsmouth 17.10.1944 Sold for BU with alternative gun mount positions fore and aft of the conning tower, and some
N Yd June 1964 boats mounted two 5in/25s late in the war; a few boats had rockets for shore
SS478 CUTLASS Portsmouth 5.11.1944 To Taiwan 12.4.7 bombardment. Specifically, SS285-291 were equipped with l-4in/50, l-40mm
N Yd and 2-0.5in; SS292-312 had 1—5in/25, l-40mm and 2-0.5in; and SS313-352,
SS479 DIABLO Portsmouth 1.12.1944 Sunk Dec 1971 365-378, 381—426, 435, 475-490 and 522-525 were fitted with l-5in/25,
N Yd l-40mm and l-20mm.
SS480 MEDREGAL Portsmouth 15.12.1944 Expended Aug All earlier boats were disposed of at the end of World War II, but most of the
N Yd 1970 very successful Gatos were retained, many being rebuilt as ‘guppies’ or as ‘fleet
SS481 REQUIN Portsmouth 1.1.1945 Stricken 20.12.71 snorkels’; some remain in foreign service, and for the first two postwar decades
N Yd they comprised the bulk of the US submarine force.
SS482 IREX Portsmouth 26.1.1945 Sold for BU 13.9.7
N Yd
SS483 SEA Portsmouth 2.3.1945 To Brazil 27.3.73
LEOPARD N Yd
SS484 ODAX Portsmouth 10.4.1945 To Brazil 28.7.72
N Yd
SS485 SIRAGO Portsmouth 11.5.1945 Stricken 1.6.72
N Yd
SS486 POMODON Portsmouth 12.6.1945 Sold for BU
N Yd 28.12.71 Gato in Nov 1944
SS487 REMORA Portsmouth 12.7.1945 To Greece 29.10.7
USN
N Yd

147
UNITED STATES

PATROL FRIGATES
ASHEVILLE and TACOMA classes
Displacement: 1509t (.Natchez 1412t) standard; 2238t (Long Beach 2230t) full
load
Dimensions: Asheville class: 283ft wl, 301ft 6in x 36ft 6in x 13ft 2in full
load
86.25, 91.90 x 11.13 x 4.01m
Tacoma class: 285ft 6in wl, 303 ft 1 lin oa x 37ft 6in X 12ft 8in
87.02, 92.63 x 11.43 x 3.86m
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 3 boilers, 5500ihp = 20kts. Oil 674t (Tacoma
class 768t), range 9500nmat 12kts (Tacoma class-unofficial)
Armament: 3-3in/50, 4-40mm (2x2), 9-20mm (4—20mm in Ashevilles,
2-3in/50, 4-40mm, 4-20mm in weather ships), 1 Hedgehog,
8 DC projectors, 2 DC racks
Complement: 190 (weather ships 176)

No. Name Builder Launched Fate Peoria in 1945 USN

PFl ASHEVILLE (ex- Canadian 22.8.1942 To Argentina

PF28 EMPORIA Walter 30.8.1943 To France
HMS Adur) Vickers June 1946
Butler, Mar 1947
PF2 NATCHEZ (ex- Canadian 12.9.1942 To Dominican Superior
HMS Annan) Vickers Republic PF29 GROTON Walter 14.9.1943 To Colombia
July 1947 Butler, Mar 1947
PF3 TACOMA Kaiser, 7.7.1943 To S Korea Superior
Richmond Oct 1951 PF30 HINGHAM Walter 27.8.1943 BU 1947
PF4 SAUSALITO Kaiser, 20.7.1943 To S Korea Butler,
Richmond 1953 Superior
PF5 HOQUIAM Kaiser, 31.7.1943 To S Korea PF31 GRAND RAPIDS Walter 10.9.1943 BU 1947
Richmond Oct 1951 Butler,
PF6 PASCO Kaiser, 17.8.1943 To Japan 1953 Superior
Richmond PF32 WOONSOCKET Walter 27.9.1943 To Peru
PF7 ALBUQUERQUE Kaiser, 14.9.1943 To Japan 1953 Butler, Sept 1948
Richmond Superior
PF8 EVERETT Kaiser, 29.9.1943 To Japan PF33 DEARBORN (ex- Walter 27.9.1943 Sold July 1947
Richmond Mar 1953 Toledo) Butler,
PF9 POCATELLO Kaiser, 17.10.1943 Sold Sept 1947 Superior
Richmond PF34 LONG BEACH Consolidated 5.5.1943 To Japan 1953
PF10 BROWNSVILLE Kaiser, 14.11.1943 Sold Sept 1947 Steel,
Richmond San Pedro
PF11 GRAND FORKS Kaiser, 27.11.1943 Sold May 1947 PF35 BELFAST Consolidated 20.5.1943 Lost 17.11.48
Richmond Steel,
PF12 CASPER Kaiser, 27.12.1943 Sold May 1947 San Pedro
Richmond PF36 GLENDALE Consolidated 28.5.1943 To Thailand
PF13 PUEBLO Kaiser, 20.1.1944 To Dominican Steel, 1951
Richmond Republic San Pedro
Sept 1947 PF37 . SAN PEDRO Consolidated 11.6.1943 To Japan 1953
PF14 GRAND ISLAND Kaiser, 19.2.1944 To Cuba June Steel,
Richmond 1947 San Pedro
PF15 ANNAPOLIS American 16.10.1943 To Mexico PF38 CORONADO Consolidated 17.6.1943 To Japan
SB, Lorain Nov 1947 Steel, Jan 1953
PF16 BANGOR American 6.11.1943 To Mexico San Pedro
SB, Lorain Nov 1947 PF39 OGDEN Consolidated 23.6.1943 To Japan 1953
PF17 KEY WEST American 29.12.1943 Sold May 1947 Steel,
SB, Lorain San Pedro
PF18 ALEXANDRIA American 15.1.1944 BU 1947 PF40 EUGENE Consolidated 6.7.1943 To Cuba
SB, Lorain Steel, June 1947
San Pedro
PF19 HURON American 3.7.1943 Sold 1948 PF41 EL PASO Consolidated 16.7.1943 Sold Oct 1947
Cleveland
Steel,
PF20 GULFPORT American 21.8.1943 BU 1947
San Pedro
Cleveland PF42 VAN BUREN Consolidated 27.7.1943 BU 1947
PF21 BAYONNE American 11.9.1943 To Japan 1953
Steel,
Cleveland
San Pedro
PF22 GLOUCESTER Walter 12.7.1943 To Japan 1953 PF43 ORANGE Consolidated 6.8.1943 Sold Sept 1947
Butler, Steel,
Superior San Pedro
PF23 SHREVEPORT Walter 15.7.1943 BU 1947 PF44 CORPUS Consolidated 17.8.1943 Sold Oct 1947
Butler, CHRISTIE Steel,
Superior San Pedro
PF24 MUSKEGON Walter 25.7.1943 To France PF45 HUTCHINSON Consolidated 27.8.1943 To Mexico
Butler, Mar 1947 Steel, Nov 1947
Superior San Pedro
PF25 CHARLOTTES- Walter 30.7.1943 To Japan PF46 BISBEE Consolidated 7.9.1943 To Colombia
VILLE Butler, Jan 1953 Steel, Feb 1952
Superior San Pedro
PF26 POUGHKEEPSIE Walter 12.8.1943 To Japan 1953 PF47 GALLUP Consolidated 17.9.1943 To Thailand
Butler, Steel, Oct 1951
Superior San Pedro
PF27 NEWPORT Walter 15.8.1943 To Japan 1953 PF48 ROCKFORD Consolidated 27.9.1943 To S Korea
Butler, Steel, Nov 1950
Superior San Pedro

148
 Patrol frigates/Minelayers
No Name Builder Launched Fate PF70 EVANSVILLE Leatham D 27.11.1943 To Japan
PF49 MUSKOGEE Smith SB, Oct 1953
Consolidated 18.10.1943 To S Korea
Superior
Steel, Nov 1950 PF71 NEW BEDFORD Leatham D 29.12.1943 Sold Nov 1947
San Pedro
PF50 CARSON CITY Smith SB,
Consolidated 13.11.1943 To Japan
Steel, Superior
Apr 1953 PF93 LORAIN (ex- American SB,18.3.1944 To France
San Pedro
PF51 BURLINGTON Roanoke) Lorain Mar 1947
Consolidated 7.12.1943 To Colombia PF94 MILLEDGEVILLEAmerican SB,5.4.1944 Sold Apr 1947
Steel, 1953 {ex-Sitka) Lorain
San Pedro
PF52 PF95 STAMFORD American SB,- Cancelled
ALLENTOWN Froemming, 3.7.1943 To Japan Lorain Dec 1943
Milwaukee Apr 1953
PF53 PF96 MACON American SB,- Cancelled
MACHIAS Froemming, 22.8.1943 To Japan 1953 Lorain Dec 1943
Milwaukee
PF54 PF97 LORAIN (ex- American SB,- Cancelled
SANDUSKY Froemming, 5.10.1943 To Japan 1953 Sitka) Lorain Dec 1943
Milwaukee
PF55 BATH PF98 VALLEJO American SB,- Cancelled
Froemming, 14.11.1943 To Japan Lorain Dec 1943
Milwaukee Dec 1953
PF56 PF99 ORLANDO American SB, 1.12.1943 Sold Nov 1947
COVINGTON Globe, 15.7.1943 To Ecuador Cleveland
Superior Aug 1947 PFl 00 RACINE American SB,15.3.1944 Sold Dec 1947
PF57 SHEBOYGAN Globe, 31.7.1943 To Belgium Cleveland
Superior Mar 1947
PF58 PF101 GREENSBORO American SB,9.3.1944 Sold Feb 1948
ABILENE (ex- Globe, 21.8.1943 To Holland Cleveland
Bridgeport) Superior May 1947 PFl 02 FORSYTH American SB,20.5.1944 To Holland
PF59 BEAUFORT Globe, 9.10.1943 BU 1947 Cleveland July 1947
Superior
PF60 CHARLOTTE Globe, 10.10.1943 To mercantile These ships, modelled on the British ‘River’ class, were the Maritime Commis¬
Superior service 1948 sion’s attempt to reduce the shortage of ocean escorts. Its yards could not build
PF61 MANITOWOC Globe, 30.11.1943 To France to naval specifications; instead, the ‘River’, already adapted to mercantile
Duluth Mar 1947 standards, was further adapted to US prefabricated building methods and the
PF62 GLADWYNE (ex- Globe, 7.1.1944 To Mexico British powerplant replaced by a US-type triple expansion reciprocating engine.
Worcester) Duluth Nov 1947 The result, although externally quite similar to the destroyer escort, was con¬
PF63 MOBERLY (ex- Globe, 26.1.1944 Sold Dec 1947 sidered decidedly inferior. It had a much larger turning circle, and its hull
Scranton) Duluth structure showed many more discontinuities and hence was considered far
PF64 KNOXVILLE Leatham D 10.7.1943 To Dominican weaker, particularly in the face of underwater explosions. The frigates were also
Smith SB, Republic Sept criticised as very hot below decks, perhaps due to their British design origin,
Superior 1947 with its emphasis on North Atlantic operations.
PF65 UNIONTOWN Leatham D 7.8.1943 To Argentina Two ‘Rivers’ were obtained from Canada to serve as prototypes; they became
{ex-Chattanooga) Smith SB, June 1946 PFl and 2 in a new series. Apother hundred were ordered from the Maritime
Superior Commission; four were cancelled (PF95-98). PF72-92 were transferred to the
PF66 READING Leatham D 28.8.1943 To Argentina Royal Navy, which named them after British colonies; the remainder were
Smith SB, June 1946 manned by the US Coast Guard. PF17, 18,20,23,24,28-33,40,41,66-69,71,
Superior 93,94 and 99-102 operated as weather ships, with a balloon hangar replacing the
PF67 PEORIA Leatham D 2.10.1943 To Cuba after 3in/50 gun. Many were transferred to other navies in this form, and
Smith SB, June 1947 operated postwar as part of the international North Atlantic weather organisa¬
Superior tion. In addition, Asheville (PFl) served as trials ship for Squid, which the US
PF68 BRUNSWICK Leatham D 6.11.1943 BU 1947 Navy was considering for adoption, in 1944.
Smith SB, In 1945, 28 units were transferred to the Soviet fleet. When returned these
Superior were laid up in Japan, but at the outbreak of the Korean War they were
PF69 DAVENPORT Leatham D 8.12.1943 Sold June 1946 recommissioned for the US and Korean navies; others went to Japan. All other
Smith SB, frigates were discarded at the end of the war, as they were inferior to the
Superior destroyer escorts in everything but cruising endurance.

MINELAYERS
Terror 1943

after the outbreak of war to lay coastal fields. In addition, in 1944-45 the Army
TERROR (launched 6.6.1941) transferred eight coastal mineplanters (ACM1-3 and 5-9) built in 1942. War¬
time minelaying operations were carried on by aircraft, destroyers and sub¬
Displacement: 5875t standard; 8640t full load marines; although only Argonaut had been designed for this task, all submarines
Dimensions: 440ft wl, 454ft lOin oa x 60ft 2in x 19ft 7in full load were equipped to lay mines through their torpedo tubes. The destroyer
134.11, 138.63 x 18.34 x 6.00m minelayers comprised eight ‘flush-deckers’ (see 1922 table) and the following
Machinery: 2-shaft General Electric turbines, 4 boilers, ll,000shp - Sumners converted during building: DM23 Robert H Smith (ex-DD735, Bath
18kts. Oil 1834t, range 10,000nm at 15kts Iron Wks, launched 25.5.44, stricken 26.2.71), DM24 Thomas E Fraser (ex-
Armament: 4—5in/38 (4x1), 8-0.5in, 900 mines 00736, Bath Iron Wks, 10.6.44, stricken 1.11.70), DM25 Shannon (ex-
Complement: 481 DD737, Bath Iron Wks, 24.6.44, stricken 1.11.70), DM26 Harry F Bauer
(ex-DD738, Bath Iron Wks, 9.7.44, stricken 15.8.71), DM27 Adams (ex-
Terror was the only US minelayer really well suited to operations in forward DD739, Bath Iron Wks, 23.7.44, stricken 1.12.70), DM28 Tolman (ex-DD740,
areas. CM1 and 2 were cruisers converted during World War I and no longer Bath Iron Wks, 13.8.44, stricken 1.12.70), DM29Henry A Wiley (ex-DD749,
available upon the outbreak of war; CM3 and 4 were converted coastal passenger Bethlehem Staten I, 21.4.44, stricken 15.10.70), DM30 Shea (ex-DD750,
ships, in existence in 1941 but never used as minecraft (Oglala, CM4, was sunk Bethlehem Staten I, 20.5.44, stricken 1972), DM31 J William Ditter (ex-
at Pearl Harbor and then raised as a repair ship; Aroostook, CM3, was redesig¬ DD751, Bethlehem Staten I, 4.7.44, BU 1946), DM32 Lindsey (ex-DD771,
nated a cargo ship, AK44). CM8-12 were coastal passenger ships converted Bethlehem San Pedro, 5.3.44, stricken 1.10.70), DM33 Gwin (ex-DD772,

149
UNITED STATES
Bethlehem San Pedro, 9.4.44, to Turkey 22.10.71) and DM34 Aaron Ward
(ex-DD773, Bethlehem San Pedro, 5.5.44, BU 1946).
Terror (CM5) was the only minelayer built for the purpose by the US Navy; she
is most interesting because of the varied uses to which the same basic design was
put: netlayer, special transport, and, postwar, mine countermeasures ship. One
key to this versatility was the capacious mine deck aft, which was totally
enclosed. Its six tracks were designed to accommodate 648 Mk VI mines, with
another 478 on tracks stowed on the first and second platforms, and about 70
more as cargo on special tracks amidships on the mine deck; access between hold
MINESWEEPERS
& PATROL CRAFT
Minesweepers are included with patrol craft because, in several impor¬
tant cases, both types used a common design, and in addition the fleet
minesweepers often served in wartime as ASW escorts and indeed were
designed to incorporate important ASW capabilities. Both series
derived from World War I forebears: the ‘Bird’ class minesweepers,
which were essentially large fleet tugs, formed the bulk of the US Mine
Force between the wars, and its advancing age prompted the design of
the Raven class, the large fleet mineweeper of the Second World War.
British Lend-Lease requirements led to the design of the 180ft Admir¬
able class which supplemented the Ravens and their successors the
Auks. There was actually a specialised ASW variant of the Admirable,
the PCE; ironically, only this version was transferred to the Royal
Navy. As for the larger craft, they were equipped for ASW, and in the
1950s a number were converted as pure ASW craft for transfer to small
navies. Wartime requirements also led to the purchase of numerous
trawlers for conversion to minesweepers, and to the construction of a
large series of wooden coastal minesweepers (YMS). Only the Navy-
built fleet ’sweepers and the YMSs are described in detail here, because
only they were heavily enough armed to operate as combatants outside
US harbours. Some YMSs were completed instead as escorts (PCS).
During World War I the US Navy built two classes of ASW craft:
110ft ‘sub-chasers’ (SC) and much larger ‘Eagle-boats’ (PE) built on a
mass-production basis by Ford and roughly comparable to the British
‘P-Boats.’ In 1937 efforts began to design an Eagle-boat replacement;
in peacetime it would train reservists, and in wartime it might free
destroyers from coastal ASW tasks. The President, who had been
involved in the earlier programme for 110ft sub-chasers, felt that the
165ft steel type envisaged was too expensive, and that upon mobilisa-
Raven on 12.4.1941 USN
RAVEN and AUK class minesweepers (launched 1940-45)
Displacement: 81 Ot (Auk class 890t) standard; 1040t (Auk class 1250t) full
load
Dimensions: 215ft wl, 220ft (Auk class 221ft 2in) oa x 32ft 2in x 9ft 4in
(Auk class 10ft 9in) full load
65.54, 67.06 (67.41) x 9.80 x 2.84 (3.28)m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel (Auk diesel-electric), 2880shp = 18kts. Oil
200t, range 6370nm at 16.5kts
Armament: 2-3in/50, 4—20mm, 1 Hedgehog, 4 DC projectors, 2 DC
racks. See notes
Complement: 105
150
and mine deck was by two lifts. Later mines were somewhat larger, and total
capacity is usually given as 800 or 875. The mine hold and mine deck area were
protected against splinters. When the question of a new minelayer was first
raised, speeds from 16.5 to 25kts were considered, but the higher range was
rejected because of cost. The speed chosen, 18kts, was a compromise figure
somewhat above that demanded of fleet auxiliaries. Construction was to warship
rather than auxiliary standards: for example, there was a double bottom extend¬
ing around the sides, as in a cruiser, and it was proposed that the wing tanks be
kept filled to the waterline in wartime.
tion it might be well to have some design which could be built in small
boatyards; the World War II submarine-chaser (SC) was the result.
The 165ft type evolved into a 173ft PC; some were completed as
minesweepers, then converted into PCs.
The various patrol craft - PCEs, PCs, PCSs and SCs - all formed a
single numerical sequence, although in fact they represented vastly
differing capabilities. Many were transferred to overseas navies, and
many still exist in the smaller navies; a few PCs and PCEs were built
postwar to modified plans, for overseas navies, and the World War II
SC design also formed the basis for some postwar construction. War¬
time modifications were relatively minor, being concerned mostly with
the introduction of ahead-firing weapons. Hedgehog was proposed for
both PCs and PCEs, but its deck recoil was too heavy for anything short
of the PCE; it was also fitted to Admirable and Auk class minesweepers.
For the smaller types, a rocket-propelled ASW bomb - Mousetrap -
was evolved: it was fitted in all SCs, PCs and PCSs.
For the minesweepers, the single great development of the war was
the influence mine, acoustic or magnetic, which required a great
increase in electric power for specialised sweeping devices. All units
converted for minesweeping required additional, rather powerful
generators, and the Auk class differed from its pre-war design pre¬
decessor, the Raven, primarily in the replacement of geared diesel by
diesel-electric drive, the latter providing generator capacity without
any excessive increase in ship size.
At the end of the war, reported advances in Japanese mine technol¬
ogy led to a demand for ‘mine locators’ (what would now be called
‘minehunters’) and several landing craft were converted for this pur¬
pose; they were redesignated AMC(U).
Class (fate):
Norfolk NYd (AM55-AM57)-Raven (stricken 1967), Osprey (lost 5.6.44), Auk
(discarded 1959)
Defoe, Bay City (AM58-AM61) - Broadbill (stricken 1.7.72), Chickadee (to
Uruguay 1966), Nuthatch (expended Dec 1967), Pheasant (stricken 1.12.66)
General Engineering (AM62-AM65, AM100-AM103, AM314-AM320,
AM340): Sheldrake (stricken 30.6.68),Skylark (lost 28.3.45),Starling (stricken
1.7.72), Swallow (lost 22.4.45), Heed (stricken 1.3.67), Herald (stricken
1.7.72), Motive (expended 1968), Oracle (stricken 1.12.66), Champion (ex-
Akbar) (stricken 1.7.72), Chief (ex-Alice) (stricken 1.7.72), Competent (ex-
Amelie) (stricken 1.7.72), Defense (ex-Amity) (stricken 1.7.72), Devastator (ex-
Augusta) (stricken 1.7.72), Gladiator (ex-Blaze) (stricken 1.7.72), Impeccable
(ex-Brutus) (stricken 1.7.72), Ardent (ex-Buffalo) (stricken 1.7.72)
Pennsylvania Shipyard (AM104-AM107) - Pilot (stricken 1.7.72), Pioneer
(stricken 1.7.72), Portent (mined 22.1.44), Prevail (sold for BU 10.1.64)
Winslow Marine (AM108-AM111)-Pursuit (stricken \ .7.60),Requisite (strick¬
en 1964), Revenge (ex-Right) (sold for BU 6.10.67), Sage (stricken 1.7.72)
American SB, Lorain (AMI 12-AMI 15, AM383-AM386) - Seer (to Norway
1962), Sentinel (lost 12.7.43), Staff (sold for BU 17.11.67), Skill (lost 25.9.43),
Surfbird (decommissioned 18.2.70), Sprig (stricken 1.7.72), Tanager (stricken
1972), Tercel (stricken 1.7.72)
American SB, Cleveland (AM116-AM119, AM387-AM390) - Speed (to S
Korea 1967), Strive (to Norway 1959), Steady (to Taiwan 1968), Sustain (to
Norway 1959), Toucan (to China 1964), Towhee (stricken 1.5.69), Waxwing (to
China 1965), Wheatear (stricken 1.7.72)
John H Mathias (AM120-AM122) -Sway (to Mexico 19.9.72),Swerve (mined
9.7.44), Swift (stricken 1.7.1972)
Savannah Machine & Foundry Co (AM123-AM125, AM371-AM378)-Sym6o/
(stricken 1.7.72), Threat (stricken 1.7.72), Tide (mined 7.6.44), Minivet (mined
29.12.45), Murrelet (to Philippines 1965), Peregrine (stricken 1.2.69), Pigeon
(sold for BU 6.10.67), Pochard (sold for BU 17.11.67), Ptarmigan (to S Korea
July 1963), Quail (sold for BU 17.11.67), Redstart (to China 1965)

Gulf SB, Madisonville (AM126-AM131, AM341, AM379-AM382) - Token
(sold for BU 17.11.67), Tumult (stricken 1967), Velocity (stricken 1.7.72), Vital
(BU 1956), Usage (to Britain 1943),Zeal (stricken 1967),Dextrous (tx-Sepoy) (to
S Korea 1967), Roselle (stricken 1.7.72), Ruddy (to Peru 1960), Scoter (stricken
1.7.72), Shoveller (to Peru 1960)
Associated (AM321—AM324) — Overseer (ex-Elfreda) (to Turkey 1947), Spear
(ex-Errant) (stricken 1.7.72), Triumph (ex-Espoir) (to Norway 1961), Vigilance
(cx-Exploit) (to Philippines 1967)
These 220ft minesweepers were the first new ones ordered by the US Navy
since the Birds of World War I. They were intended to serve also as minelayers,
with a capacity for 80 mines, and this requirement led in turn to a larger design
than might otherwise have been required. There was also provision for carrying
depth charges, although there were no DC projectors, so that the minesweeper
could not lay an effective pattern. However, she was to have sonar, and in that
sense could be an effective ASW craft.
After the first two had been ordered, it became evident that magnetic mines
would have to be swept; it would be impossible to accommodate the requisite
540kW diesel generator, and so diesel-electric drive was adopted instead, with
arrangements permitting some power to be diverted to the magnetic sweep gear.
The hull had to be redesigned and displacement considerably increased, but this
Auk class visually resembled its parent Raven design and both are usually
brought together.
The original Characteristics required a battery of 2-3in/50 DP guns and four
0.50cal machine guns. In wartime, DC projectors were fitted, and Hedgehog
installation in the 220ft and 180ft ’sweepers was considered second in priority
only to that in destroyer escorts. In 1944 the standard armament was 2-3in/50
(one scheduled for replacement by two single 40mm), 8-20mm, four projectors,
two stern DC racks, and a Hedgehog just abaft the forward 3in gun. In 1945
some vessels had l-3in, 2—40mm (2x 1), 8—20mm; all were designed to stow 80
mines as minelayers.
Although the 180ft type was simpler to build, production of the 220ft type
continued through the war; the programme consisted of AM55-65, (66-80 were
ex-trawlers, 81-99 PC hulls), 100-131, 314-341, and 371-390. Of the gaps in
this series, 132-135 were ex-trawlers, 136-165 were 180-footers, 166-213 were
cancelled in April 1942, 214-311 were 180-footers, 312 and 313 were never
contracted for, 342-350 were not assigned, 351-366 were 180-footers, and
367-370 were 180-footers cancelled in 1944. In addition AM332-333 and
336-339 were cancelled in 1943. Of the 1942 series, at least some were to have
been Algerine class minesweepers built in Canada; of 15 originally ordered, 9
were transferred to the Royal Navy and 6 more cancelled and then re-ordered for
the Royal Navy.
Several units were modified postwar as ASW escorts for service in Allied
navies; they were considered somewhat superior to PCEs. However, ASW
equipment was removed from active minesweepers, all of which were suffering
from severe overweight by the end of World War II.
ADMIRABLE class minesweepers and PCE class escorts
(launched 1942-44)
Displacement: 850t trial (PCE design)
Dimensions: 180ft wl, 184ft 6in oa X 33ft lin x 9ft
54.86, 56.24 x 10.08 x 2.74m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel, 2000bhp = 15.lkts trial (14.3kts sustained).
Oil 140t, range 8500nm at 12kts
Armament: (PCE) l-3in/50, 6-40mm (3x2), 4-20mm, 1 Hedgehog, 4
DC projectors, 2 DC racks
Complement: 96
Class (fate):
Tampa SB (AM136-151, AM214-AM221) - Admirable (to USSR July 1945),
Adopt (to USSR July 1945), Advocate (to USSR June 1943), Agent (to USSR July
1943), Alarm (to USSR Aug 1953, Alchemy (to USSR Aug 1943),Apex (to USSR
Aug 1943), Arcade (to USSR Aug 1943), Arch (to USSR Sept 1943), Armada (to
USSR Sept 1943), Aspire (to USSR Sept 1943), Assail (to USSR Oct 1943),
Astute (to USSR July 1945), Augury (to USSR July 1945),Barrier (to USSR July
1945), Bombard (to USSR July 1945), Crag (ex-Craig) (to Mexico 1962), Cruise
(stricken 1.7.72), Deft (BU Jan 1959), Delegate (to China May 1946), Density
(discarded 1960),Design (discarded 1960),Device (to Mexico 1962),Diploma (to
Mexico 1962)
Willamette Iron & Steel (AM152—AM165, AM351-AM360) - Bond (to USSR
Aug 1945), Buoyant (sold May 1946), Candid (to USSR Aug 1945), Capable (to
USSR Aug 1945), Captivate (to USSR Aug 1945), Caravan (to USSR Aug 1945),
Caution (to USSR Aug 1945), Change (discarded 1960), Clamour (discarded
1959), Climax (discarded 1959), Compel (discarded 1959), Concise (discarded
1959), Control (discarded 1958), Counsel (stricken 1.7.72), Adjutant (cancelled
Nov 1945), Bittern (cancelled Nov 1945), Breakhom (cancelled Nov 1945),
Cariama (cancelled Nov 1945), Chukor (cancelled Nov 1945), Creddock (to
Burma 1967), Dipper (sold Jan 1961), Dotterel (cancelled Nov 1945), Drake
(stricken 1.7.61), Driver (cancelled Nov 1945)
American SB, Lorain (AM222-AM231, AM255-AM266) - Disdain (to USSR
May 1945), Dour (to Mexico 1962), Eager (to Mexico 1962), Elusive (to China
Minesweepers & patrol craft
May 1946), Embattle (to China May 1946), Embroil (cancelled June 1944),
Enhance (cancelled June 1944), Equity (cancelled June 1944), Esteem (cancelled
June 1944), Event (cancelled June 1944), Jubilant (to Mexico 1962), Knave (to
Mexico 1962), Lance (to China Aug 1945), Logic (to China Aug 1945), Lucid (to
China Aug 1945), Magnet (to China Aug 1945), Mainstay (discarded 1959),
Marvel (to USSR May 1945) Measure (to USSR May 1945), Method (to USSR
May 1945), Mirth (to USSR May 1945), Nimble (to China June 1948)
Puget Sound Bridge (AM232-AM237, AM361-AM370) - Execute (to Mexico
1962),Facility (to Mexico 1962),Fancy (to USSR May 1945),Fixity (sold 1949),
Flame (cancelled June 1944), Fortify (cancelled June 1944), Dunlin (discarded
1946), Gadwall (sold 1968), Gavia (to China May 1946), Greylag (stricken
1.10.67),Harlequin (to Mexico 1962),Harrier (discarded 1959)Hummer (cancel¬
led June 1944), Jackdaw (cancelled June 1944), Mednck (cancelled June 1944),
Minah (cancelled June 1944)
Commercial Ship Repair (AM238-AM245, AM294-AM301) - Garland (dis¬
carded 1960), Gayety (to Vietnam June 1962), Hazard (sold for BU 22.10. 68),
Hilarity (to Mexico 1962), Inaugural (discarded 1961), Illusive (cancelled June
1944), Imbue (cancelled June 1944), Impervious (cancelled June 1944), Salute
(lost 8.6.45),Saunter (sold April 1945),Scout (to Mexico 1963),Scrimmage (sold
1962), Scuffle (to Mexico 1963), Sentry (to Vietnam July 1962), Serene (to
Vietnam Aug 1963), Shelter (to Vietnam Aug 1963)
Savannah Machine & Foundry Co (AM246-AM254) - Implicit (to China June
1948), Improve (sold 1948), Incessant (sold 1949),Incredible (sold 1959), Indica¬
tive (to USSR May 1945),Inflict (lost 24.4.53),Instill (to Mexico 1962), Intrigue
(to Mexico 1962), Invade (to Mexico 1962)
Gulf SB, Madisonville (AM267-AM282) - Notable (discarded 1946), Nucleus
(to USSR May 1945), Opponent (discarded 1960), Palisade (to USSR May 1945),
Penetrate (to USSR May 1945), Peril (to USSR May 1945), Phantom (to China
June 1948), Pinnacle (to China June 1948), Pirate (lost 12.10.50), Pivot (to
China Aug 1948), Pledge (lost 12.10.50), Project (to Philippines May 1948),
Prime (to China May 1946), Prowess (to Vietnam 1970), Quest (to Philippines
June 1948), Rampart (to USSR May 1945)
General Engineering (AM283-AM293) - Ransom (to Mexico 1963), Rebel (to
Mexico 1963), Recruit (to Mexico 1963), Reform (to China June 1948), Refresh
(to China June 1948), Reign (discarded 1959), Report (discarded 1963), Reproof
(completed as merchant ship Harcourt Malcolm 1947), Risk (completed as
merchant ship George Gamblin 1947), Rival (cancelled June 1944), Sagacity
(cancelled June 1944)
Associated SB (AM302-AM311) - Signet (cancelled June 1944), Skirmish (to
Dominican Republic 1959),Scarry (txSkurry) (stricken 1.5.67),Spectacle (sold
May 1947), Specter (stricken 1.1.12), Staunch (stricken 1.4.61), Strategy (sold
for BU 1969), Strength (hulked 1968), Success (to Mexico 1963), Superior (to
Mexico 1962)
Pullman Standard Car, Chicago - PCE821-PCE866
Albina, Portland - PCE867-PCE890
Willamette Iron & Steel - PCE891-PCE934
The Ravens were relatively complex and difficult to build, partly because of
their dual minesweeping/minelaying function. In the spring of 1940 the Bureau
of Ships began to investigate an alternative single-purpose design, to emphasise
‘excellent seakeeping qualities permitting the minesweepers to sweep and keep
station in all kinds of weather; second, simplicity of design to permit production
in large numbers with minimum cost in time and money’. The result was the
180ft Admirable, which in slightly modified form served also as the PCE escort.
Changes in favour of mass production included the abandonment of electric
drive in favour of a pair of diesels plus a 540k W generator, as in the modified
PCs; hull design was also simplified, with the double-bottom of the earlier ship
abandoned in favour of a hull deepened amidships for greater freeboard and
girder strength. It was expected that even the lead ship might be built faster than
a Raven IAuk, for no more than two-thirds the cost of the more complex design.
However, by the time the new design was ready, there was no immediate
requirement for more US minesweepers; the design was, therefore, offered to
the Royal Navy. Its bridge was modified to reflect British practice, and therefore
resembled that of the contemporary destroyer escort, also intended for British
use. However, the Admiralty rejected it on the ground that the Bangor of similar
size was inadequate; the British wanted (and got) Ravens instead. The Bureau
now modified its minesweeper into an escort to meet British staff requirements.
Meanwhile, the US Navy, too, needed more escorts, and it appeared, in the
autumn of 1941, that the need to use PC engines in other classes would preclude
production of more PCs (beyond 122 on order) until after January 1944; it
appeared that none of the other engines available would fit the PC hull.
Although this prediction ultimately proved false, it inspired a suggestion to
accept the slow 180ft hull as a substitute PC, and in November the District Craft
Board suggested that thirty units be ordered as coastal minesweepers (AMc)
plus another twenty as PCs (reclassified PCE); others were ordered as escorts for
the Royal Navy. The 180-footer was considered quite inferior to the 173ft PC
because of the staff requirement for a 22kt speed in a sub-chaser; ultimately,
however, it proved far more seaworthy and hence a far better convoy escort/cor¬
vette. Similarly, the AMcs were reclassified as fleet sweepers (AM) before
completion.
War programmes comprised a total of 174 minesweepers (AM136-165,
214—311, 351-366 and 391—420) of which the last series (which was cancelled)
was to have replaced units transferred to other navies. They were to have had no
Hedgehogs, as weight compensation for a more powerful anti-aircraft battery.
AM227-231,236, 237, 243-5 and 290-3 were all cancelled in 1944, and 351-5,
358 and 359 in November 1945. In addition AM214 and 215 were completed as
Sperrbrechers, to sweep magnetic mines using special coils around their hulls;
and AM359 was completed as a degaussing vessel (YDG11).
PCE827-841 were all transferred to the Royal Navy as the ‘Kil’ class. In
151

UNITED STATES
mid-1943 PCE842-866 and 935-946 were ordered modified to a convoy rescue
configuration, PCER, but only thirteen (848-860) were so completed. Others
were modified for plane guard and weathership duty off Hawaii: 882, 884-6,
897-900 and 902-4 in 1944, and842,844-7,870,871,874,880,881 and893-6.
in mid-1945. PCE876,879 andSSJ became degaussing ships (YDG8-10); 878
was converted into a drill minelaying and recovery ship (ACM4) for the Pacific
Fleet. PCE901 was converted into a transport (AG72) to support Navy activities
on San Clemente Island off the California coast. Six, including 873 and 877,
became amphibious control craft (PCEC).
The choice of the PCE as an interim ASW craft was ironic, in that production
took considerably longer than expected and PCs were built with alternate
engines. PCE861-6, 887-90, and 905-960 were cancelled; of the latter, 905-9
became AM232-6 and 911-920 became AM351-60, reflecting the higher prior¬
ity placed on minesweepers for assault, rather than slow escorts.
CIVILIAN CRAFT TAKEN OVER FOR PATROL AND
MINESWEEPING
By 1940 it was clear that large numbers of patrol and minecraft would be needed
well before the large programme in hand could produce them; the only other
source of such craft was the civilian fleet, particularly, in the case of minecraft,
the fishing fleet. Thus twenty steel trawlers became AM66-81 and AM132-135;
ten more were taken over by the Coast Guard. They are not described in detail
because, unlike the other AMs, they could not be used for convoy or offensive
operations. In addition, wooden fishing vessels were taken over as coastal
sweepers (AMcl-35, 56-60, 111-112 and 149); of these. Goshawk, AMc4, later
became AM79. The Navy also built a large series of what amounted to Tuna
dippers, 97ft long and armed with a pair of 0.50cal machine guns: AMc36-55
and 61-110. AMcl 13-142 were re-ordered as the first series of 180ft steel
minesweepers, AM136-165; 143-148 and 200-202 were reclassified as yard
patrol craft (YP381-389), and 150-199 were re-ordered as coastal transports
(APcl-50).
SUBMARINE-CHASERS
PC597 1943
PC (173ft) class
Displacement: (.PC1084, 1945) 414t standard; 463t full load
Dimensions: 170ft wl, 173ft 8in oa x 23ft 2in x 7ft 9in full load
51.82, 52.93 x 7.06 x 2.36m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel, 2880bhp = 19kts (18.2kts sustained). Oil 49t,
range 4800nm at 12kts. Trial (PC461): 21.16kts (displace¬
ment not given, but much closer to 300t than above figures)
Armament: 1—3in/50, l-0mm, 2 Mousetrap, 2 DC projectors, 2 DC racks
Complement: 59
Class:
Albina, Portland - PCS69-PCS72, PC578-PC582, PC815-PC820,
PC1077-PC1082
Brown, Houston - PC565-PC578, PC608-PC611, PC12S1-PC1254
Commercial Iron Wks, Portland - PC596-PC599, PC776-PC814,
PC1586-PC1592
Consolidated SB, New York - PC483-PC487, PCS63, PCS64,
PC600-PC603, PC1191-PC1210, PC1237-PC1240, PC1264, PC1265,
PC1S46-PC1SS9
Defoe, Bay City - PC451, PC452, PC471-PC482, PC542-PCS49,
PC583-PC587, PCI 119-PCI 166
Dravo, Pittsburgh - PC490-PC494, PCS73, PC592-PC595,
PC1593-PC1597
Dravo, Wilmington - PC495, PC574-PC577
Gibbs Gas Engine, Jacksonville - PC612-PC61S, PCI 181-PCI 190
Jakobson, Oyster Bay - PC1598, PC1599
Jeffersonville - PC559-PC562, PC624-PC627
Geo Lawley, Neponset - PC461-PC470, PC616-PC619, PC1083-PC1118
Luders Marine, Stamford - PC556-PC558, PC604-PC607, PC1211-
PC1120, PC1255-PC1259
Nashville Bridge - PC620-PC623, PC1241-PC1250, PC1600, PC 1601
Penn-Jersey, Camden - PC 1221 -PC1224, PC1602, PC1603
Leatham D Smith SB, Sturgeon Bay-PC496,PC550,PC551 ,PC588-PC591,
PC821-PC825, PCI 171-PC1180, PC122S-PC1230, PC1260-PC1263,
PC1560-PC1585
Sullivan, Brooklyn - PC488, PC489, PC552-PC555, PC1167-PCU70,
PC1231-PC1236
Of the many large ASW craft (PCs, PCSs and PCEs) built by the US Navy
during World War II, these were the only ones designed for the purpose, and
even they were closely connected with the large minesweeper programme. Their
152
G
V
Admirable in 1943 USN
Commandeered yachts served in a variety of roles, depending upon their size;
many were redesignated several times in wartime. Twelve were classified as
gunboats (PG52-61, 72 and 85); three became MTB tenders (AGB) and one a
surveying ship (AGS); Dauntless (PG61) served as Admiral King’s ‘flagship’,
berthed at the Washington Navy Yard, through the war. The largest of these
converted ships, Vixen (PG53), served as Flagship Submarines Atlantic Fleet.
Somewhat smaller yachts served as ‘patrol yachts’ (PY10-32) and those smaller
still as coastal patrol yachts (PYcl-52); the distinction between these two series
is not clear in retrospect. At a further remove, many cabin cruisers became yard
patrol craft (YP).
The first eleven yachts taken over were, instead, classified in the PC category:
PC454—460, 509-510, 523 and 826; all were later renumbered in the PYc
(46-52), PY (18, ex-PC459) and YP (ex-510 and 523) series; 457 was lost as a PC.
The district patrol craft series included many Coast Guard craft taken over at
the end of Prohibition in 1934—36, as well as numerous ex-yachts and some
Navy-built 75ft craft (at least YP78-82, 242-246 and 583-591); in addition there
was a series of 128-footers, YP618-646. Gaps in this sequence suggest the
number of civilian craft taken over: only about 69 craft were taken over from the
Coast Guard, most of them standard 75-footers.
development began with 1938 Characteristics calling for a replacement for the
ageing World War I Eagle-boat. They were to serve as coastal escorts, sub¬
hunters off bases and focal points, units for the development of submarine/sub¬
chaser tactics, and also as ASW cover for the fleet during sorties and entrance to
bases. A speed of 22kts was intended to provide a lOkt margin over the typical
convoy, and the endurance of 3000nm at 12kts was set by the requirement to
escort such a convoy from San Diego to Balboa in the Canal Zone. Two were
ordered under the 1938 experimental programme: one diesel-powered 165ft
long and with a forecastle (PC451), and one steam powered, 173ft long and with
a flush deck (PC452). The Bureau of Construction and Repair argued in favour
of steam on the theory that it provided greater power and hence could drive a
larger vessel at 22kts; existing (submarine-type) diesels of about 1500bhp each
would limit size and hence payload. This problem was only exacerbated by the
President’s suggestion that two rather than one 3in/50 be carried, a suggestion
possibly inspired by criticism to the effect that many submarines, surfaced,
could outshoot a ‘sub killer’ armed only with a single weapon. The Bureau chose
the longer flush-decked hull, with diesel power; the experimental steam plant of
452 was still proving troublesome as late as 1944. It announced this decision in
July 1940, with PC451 in service and showing great promise on trials; many
critics in the fleet derided the ships actually built as wet, due to their flush¬
decked hull form, and slow on trial. The Bureau’s reply was essentially that the
forecastle boat, although drier, would be even slower if loaded as deeply as the
173ft type actually adopted. In November 1940, with coastal yards unable to
build more minesweepers of the standard Auk type, the Bureau of Ships decided
to use the same (PC452) hull for a minesweeper, with a pair of 900hp diesels and
a 540kW diesel generator for magnetic sweeping; eighteen were built on the
Great Lakes. These boats were never entirely satisfactory and in 1944 were
converted to sub-chasers. However, they were not re-engined, and their speed
was, therefore, limited to 17kts: they became PCI586-1603.
There were relatively few war modifications. Hedgehog was to have been
fitted, but it would have replaced the forward 3in/50; instead, Mousetrap,
originally a temporary measure, was made permanent, with no loss of gun
battery. However, in most units the after 3in/50 was replaced by a single 40mm
gun. In addition 24units were converted toPGMsin 1944 (PGM 9-32), with one
3in/50 forward, a twin 40mm aft, six 20mm, one 60mm trench mortar, two
0.50cal machine guns, and two smokescreen generators. Another 35 were
converted to amphibious control craft, PC(C).
Although the PCs in general did not make their designed 22kts, they did carry
wartime loads far heavier than those initially envisaged, and after all they were
the only units of the sea-going patrol fleet capable even of approaching this
required speed. By mid-war they were no longer very badly needed, as the
submarine war had shifted to mid-Atlantic and they were competing with
landing craft for diesel power. PC1092-1118 and 1570-1585 were cancelled.

SC (110ft) class
Displacement: (SC633, 1944) 121t standard; 136t full load
Dimensions: 107ft 6in wl, 110ft lOin oa x 17ft x 6ft 2in full load
32.77, 33.78 x 5.18 x 1.88m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel, 2400bhp = 21kts. Oil 18t, range 1500nm at
12kts
Armament: (SC1474) l-40mm, 3-20mm, 2 Mousetrap, 2 DC projectors,
1 DC rack
Complement: 27
Class:
American Car & Foundry - SC449
Walter E Abrams, Halesite - SC672, SC673, SC678-SC681, SC1333-SC1340
American Cruiser, Detroit - SC511, SCS12, SC658, SC659, SC682-SC687
Annapolis Yacht - SC521, SC522, SC688-SC691, SC1309-SC1314
Burger, Manitowoc - SC660, SC661, SC1059, SC 1060
Calderwood, Manchester-SC692 ,SC693 ,SC1358-SC1361 ,SC1502 ,SC1503
Dachel-Carter, Benton Harbor - SC664, SC665
Daytona Beach - SC668, SC669, SC694-SC697, SC1302-SC1308,
SC1484-SC1487
Delaware Bay, Leesburg - SC648, SC649, SC698-SC703, SC1325-SC1328
Dingle Boat, St Paul - SC1000-SC1002
Donovan, Burlington - SC1029, SC1030, SC1504-SC1506
Dooleys Basin, Fort Lauderdale -SC710, SC711
Elizabeth City - SC515-SCS18, SC638-SC641, SC704-SC709,
SC1276-SC1287, SC1488-SC1491
Fellows & Stewart, Wilmington - SC1003-SC1012, SC1370-SC1375
Fisher, Detroit - SC499, SC500, SC662, SC663, SC712—SC721,
SC1347-SC1350
Gulf Marine Ways, Galveston - SC1057, SC 1058
Harbor Boat, Terminal Island - SC722-SC729
Harris & Parsons, Greenwich - SC 1061, SC1062, SC1321-SC1324,
SC1507-SC1509
Hiltebrant, Kingston - SC674, SC765, SC730-SC733
Inland Waterways, Duluth - SC670, SC671, SC1059, SC1060
Island Docks, Kingston - SC996-SC999
Geo W Kneass, San Francisco - SC990-SC995
Thomas Knutson, Halesite - SC1498-SC1501
A1 Larson, Terminal Island -SC734, SC735
Liberty, Brooklyn - SC736, SC737
Mathis Yacht, Camden - SC507, SC508, SC524-SC529, SC630-SC635,
SC1023-SC1028, SC1067SC1072
John E Matton, Waterford - SC985SC989
Peterson Boat, Sturgeon - SC536-SC539, SC642-SC6AS, SC1031-SC1038,
SC1517SC1520
Julius Peterson, Nyack - SC652, SC653, SC738-SC743, SC1315-SC1320
Perkins & Vaughan, Wickford - SC1065, SC1066, SC1298-SC1301,
SC1510-SC1516
Peyton, Newport Beach - SC772SC775, SC1362-SC1365
Quincy Adams, Quincy - SC513, SC514, SC628, SC629, SC744-SC751,
SC1266-SC1275, SC1474-SC1479
Rice Bros, E Boothbay - SC503, SC504, SC1039-SC1046, SC1314-SC1346,
SC1480-SC1483
Robinson Marine, Benton Harbor — SC540, SC541, SC646, SC647,
SC752SC759
W A Robinson, Ipswich - SC676, SC677, SC760-SC767, SC1288-SC1297
Seabrook Yacht - SC501, SC502, SC768-SC771
Submarine-chasers
SC724 in 1942
USN
Simms Bros, Dordnestcr-SC977-SC980,SC1329^SC1332,SC1492-SC149S
Snow, Rockland - SC656, SC657
John Trumpy, Gloucester - SC1073-SC1076
Ventnor - SC1047-SC1052
Victory, Holland -SC1063, SC1064
Vineyard, Milford - SC519, SC520, SC636, SC637, SC981-SC984,
SC1351-SC1354, SC1496, SC 1497
Weaver, Orange -SC666, SC667
Westergard, Rockport - SC497, SC498, SC530, SCS31, SC650, SC651,
SC654, SC655
Wilmington Boat - SC1053-SC1056, SC1366-SC1369
The fleet of 110ft submarine-chasers built in World War II was directly
descended from a similar fleet built in 1917-18; Franklin D Roosevelt had
expedited the construction of the earlier fleet as Assistant Secretary of the Navy
and, as President, was much struck by the potential for building many such craft
in boatyards, in 5 to 8 weeks, in the event of mobilisation. Formal Characteris¬
tics of 1937 called for operation in coastal and harbour waters, and the protection
of fleet anchorages; they were to carry one 3in/23 gun (in preference to a 1. lin
automatic weapon also suggested), and 14 depth charges. Endurance would be
1500nm at 12kts, half the standard for the PC. Although the General Board
wanted a speed of 22kts, as in the PC, it was willing to settle for far less, as
commercially available petrol engines were to be used, to facilitate mass produc¬
tion in wartime. Similarly, the 110ft length was chosen because a longer (120ft)
boat would have required sawn rather than bent frames.
Three experimental boats were built under the 1938 programme: SC449
(Luders), SC450 (Elco), and SC453 (Bureau of Ships); the last was adopted
for mass production. It had a new hull form, based on that of the World War I
sub-chaser but steel-reinforced amidships to take far more powerful ‘pancake’
diesels and beamier, with hull lines flattened aft for decreased resistance at full
speed. The Bureau claimed that she could reach 22kts, and that her hull form
would show its superiority over a more conventional one up to 24kts. The
wheelhouse was aluminium rather than steel.
In fact the high-power diesel did not prove very readily adaptable to mass
production, and of a total of 435 completed, 231 had two 500hp rather than
1200hp diesels, and consequently could make only 16kts. Nor could these
wooden boats be readily produced, partly because of a relative dearth of US
wooden boatbuilders by 1941. Quantity deliveries were not made until 1943-44,
and by then coastal ASW craft were not so badly needed: 37 were cancelled in
August 1943. About 200 were transferred to Allied navies, 8 were converted to
motor gunboats to harass Japanese small craft traffic in the South-West Pacific,
and 35 were converted to SC(C)s, ‘control’ and communications relay craft for
amphibious operations. As production was not sufficient in 1942, eight Cana¬
dian Fairmile ‘B’ motor launches were acquired under ‘reverse Lend-Lease’;
they became SC1466-1473. In 1945 a total of 72 were transferred to the Coast
Guard for air-sea rescue (AVR).
Armament was to have been 1—3in/23, 2-0.50cal machine guns, and depth
charges. However, during 1942 the Mousetrap ASW weapon was developed,
and all SCs mounted it forward. In addition, gun armament was increased; in
1943 the ‘ultimate’ battery was specified as 1—3in/50 DP (which had been
rejected as far too heavy in the 1937 studies), 3-20mm, two DC throwers, and
DC racks. A year later the standard was l-40mm forward, with the balance of
the armament as in 1943. Most boats were so armed by 1945, although five boats
had a 3in/23, as did one of the surviving Fairmiles. The PGMs had one 3in/23 or
40mm forward, one 40mm aft, four twin 0.50cal machine guns, one 60mm
mortar and one multi-barrel bazooka. This modification included a considerable
reduction in the height of the bridgework, and the addition of light splinter
protection.
153
 J M Martinac, Tacoma — YMS 125-YMS128, YMS216-YMS221,
YMS277-YMS278
Mojean & Ericson, Tacoma - YMS222-YMS225, YMS426-YMS429,
YMS479
Henry B Nevins, New York - YMS1-YMS11, YMS308-YMS312,
YMS397-YMS404
Northwestern, Bellingham - YMS285, YMS286
Rice Bros, E Boothbay - YMS12-YMS17, YMS303-YMS307
Frank L Sample, Boothbay Harbor - YMS104-YMS106, YMS226-YMS234
San Diego Marine - YMS 113-YMS116, YMS 143-YMS146, YMS475,
YMS476
PCS class submarine-chasers and YMS class motor mine¬ Seattle SB - YMS334-YMS341
sweepers (launched 1942-45) South Coast, Newport Beach - YMS88-YMS93, YMS259-YMS264,
YMS317-YMS319, YMS449-YMS4S2
Displacement: (PCS140S, 1944) 25It standard; 278t full load Stadium, Cleveland - YMS76-YMS83, YMS23S-YMS240,
Dimensions: 130ft wl, 136ft oa x 24ft 6in x 7ft 9in full load YMS389-YMS392, YMS414-YMS417, YMS460, YMS461
39.62, 41.45 x 7.47 x 2.36m William F Stone, Cleveland - YMS299-YMS302
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel, 800bhp = 14. lkts (trial) Tacoma Boat - YMS 129-YMS132, YMS241-YMS246, YMS297, YMS298,
Armament: (PCS) l-3in/50, l-40mm, 2-20mm, 2 Mousetrap, 4 DC pro¬ YMS430-YMS433, YMS477, YMS478
jectors, 2 DC racks Weaver, Orange - YMS66-YMS75, YMS247-YMS2S8, YMS371-YMS374
Complement: 57 (YMS 60) Western, Tacoma - YMS 133, YMS 134, YMS 147-YMS 150
Wheeler, Brooklyn - YMS42-YMS53
Astoria Marine - PCS 1464, PCS 1465 These small minesweepers, nominally intended for harbour protection (the
Ballard, Seattle - PCS1457, PCS 1458 ‘Y’, or Naval District, designator originally meant ‘Yard’) actually made long
Bellingham Iron Wks - PCS 1461-PCS1463 overseas voyages and swept for invasion forces. They were inspired by the
Burger, Manitowoc - PCS 1423, PCS 1424, PCS 1449, PCS 1450 contemporary British 105ft motor minesweeper, and originally were to have
Colberg, Stockton - PCS1402-PCS1404 been built on 110ft sub-chaser hulls. However, with the advent of magnetic
Dachel-Carter, Benton Harbor - PCS 1417-PCS 1420 mines they required considerable enlargement to accommodate a third diesel to
Gibbs Gas Engine, Jacksonville - PCS 1429-PCS1440 power a magnetic sweep. Wooden construction was adopted for simplicity, as in
Greenport Basin - PCS 1405-PCS1412 the case of the smaller sub-chasers; the requirement for non-magnetic hulls did
Harbor Boat, Terminal I - PCS 1441 -PCS 1444 not arise until after World War II. However, it was necessary to provide for
Hiltebrant, Kingston - PCS1425-PCS1428 particularly strong hull construction against the effects of nearby ground mine
Robert Jacob, New York - PCS 1388-PCS1395 detonations. There were three sub-classes: YMS1-134 had two funnels,
Mojean & Ericson, Tacoma - PCS 1455, PCS 1456 135-445 had one, and 446-481 had none visible. Eighty more, of the first series,
San Diego Marine - PCS 1445-PCS1448 were laid down for the Royal Navy as BYMS1-80, many others being transfer¬
South Coast, Newport Beach - PCS1396-PCS1401 red from the later series. Others went to the French, Norwegian, and Soviet
Stadium, Cleveland - PCS1413-PCS1416 Navies.
William F Stone, Oakland - PCS 1421, PCS 1422 Although the YMS could make only 15kts, and the requirement for a sub¬
Tacoma Boat - PCS 1451-PCS1454 chaser was a speed of 22kts, the shortage of such craft was so severe that the
Western, Tacoma - PCS 1459, PCS 1460 construction of one hundred sub-chasers on YMS hulls was ordered in June
Wheeler, Brooklyn - PCS 1376-PCS1387 1942. It appeared that the elimination of the 540kW magnetic sweeping diesel
would buy a 50 per cent increase in endurance (to 3000nm at 12kts) as well as a
Associated, Seattle - YMS287-YMS296 second 3in/50 gun, 52 depth charges, and a Hedgehog. In fact this was far too
Astoria Marine - YMS100-YMS103, YMS135-YMS142, YMS422-YMS425 ambitious; the YMS conversions, which were designated PCS to distinguish
Ballard, Seattle - YMS326-YMS333 them from the PC and the AM conversion (PCE), in the end had only a single
Bellingham Iron Wks - YMS269-YMS276, YMS342-YMS34S, YMS410- 3in/50, a 40mm gun, and the Mousetrap rocket projector.
YMS413, YMS480, YMS481 Not surprisingly, many, after completion, were released for subsidiary
Burger, Manitowoc - YMS 107-YMS 112, YMS155-YMS162 duties. In any case the PCS appeared only after the need for coastal escorts had
Campbell, San Diego - YMS151-YMS154 largely subsided. Only ninety numbers were assigned {PCS 1376-1465) of
Colberg, Stockton - YMS94-YMS99 which 31 were cancelled; of the 59 built, 5 had been laid down as YMSs, while
Dachel-Carter, Benton Harbor - YMS 163-YMS170 many of the cancelled PCSs were built as YMSs. In 1944, 22 PCSs were refitted
Gibbs Gas Engine, Jacksonville - YMS54-YMS65, YMS346-YMS357, as sonar training ships, with a Hedgehog in place of the 3in/50 gun forward:
YMS464-YMS472 PCS1377, 1378, 1380-87, 1392, 1417, 1423, 1424, 1426, 1431, 1441, 1442,
Henry C Grebe, Chicago - YMS84, YMS85, YMS 171-YMS182, YMS279, 1445, 1446, 1448 and 1449. Thirteen more were converted to PCS(C)s for
YMS280, YMS405-YMS409, YMS418-YMS421 control of landing craft, a small deckhouse replacing their after 40mm guns:
Greenport Basin - YMS20-YMS31, YMS 183-YMS194, YMS375-YMS382, 1379,1389,1390,1391,1402,1403, 1418,1421, 1429,1452, 1455,1460 and
YMS453-YMS459 1461. There were also five YMS conversions (38, 176, 311,389 and 390) but
Harbor Boat, Terminal I - YMS 117-YMS120, YMS313-YMS316, these proved unsatisfactory and were discontinued. Two units (PCS 1464 and
YMS393-YMS396, YMS473, YMS474 1465) were completed as mine location and recovery craft, for use in fleet
Herreshoff, Bristol - YMS 18, YMS 19 anchorages; they were intended to recover enemy air-laid mines which might be
Hiltebrant, Kingston - YMS32-YMS38, YMS195-YMS206, YMS442- unsweepable by existing techniques (AMc203, 204); this programme also
YMS445, YMS462, YMS463 included the conversion of four coastal minesweepers (AMc86, 88, 97 and 98).
Robert Jacob, New York - YMS39-YMS41, YMS207-YMS215, In a PCS it required the removal of the after 40mm gun and one 20mm, and the
YMS358-YMS362, YMS438-YMS441, YMS446-YMS448 relocation of the other 20mm to the pilot house roof. Nine units became survey
Kruse & Banks, North Bend - YMS 121-YMS 124, YMS265-YMS268 ships (AGS6-14): PCS1458,1388,1396,1404, 1457, and YMS195,242, 262
A1 Larson, Terminal I - YMS86, YMS87, YMS320-YMS325 and 263. Finally YMS344 and 480 became mobile degaussing ships, YDG6 and 7.

PT BOATS
Elco, Higgins, Vosper and Huckins types
Class:
Elco - PT20-PT68, PT103-PT196, PT314-PT367, PT372-PT383,
Displacement: 54t (Vosper type 44.9t) full load PT486-PTS63, PT565-PT624, PT731-PT790
Dimensions: Elco type: 80ft x 20ft 8in X 5ft 3in Higgins - PT71-PT94, PT197-PT2S4, PT265-PT313, PT450-PT485,
24.38 x 6.30 x 1.60m PT62S-PT660, PT791-PT808
Higgins type: 78ft 6in x 20ft lin x 5ft 3in Vosper - PT368-PT371, PT384-PT449, PT661-PT730
23.93 x 6.12 x 1.60m Huckins - PT9S-PT102, PT255-PT264
Vosper type: 72ft 6in X 19ft 3in X 5ft 6in US interest in modern MTBs dates from the mid-1930s, when it became
22.10 x 5.87 x 1.68m apparent that the type was being revived in overseas navies such as the Royal
Machinery: 3-shaft petrol engines, 4050bhp = 39kts (1 hour rate, Vosper Navy; the United States had previously imported Thornycroft-type CMBs, and
type 3375bhp = 38.75kts). Petrol 3000gal (Higgins type of course many such craft had been employed by rum-runners during the late
2850gal, Vosper type 2960gal), range 500nm at 20kts (Vosper 1920s and early 1930s. Prototypes were ordered under the same experimental
type 570nm at 20kts)
authorisation of 1938 which produced the prototype SC and PC designs; among
Armament: See notes them was a British Hall-Scott craft which became PT9 and, ultimately, the
Complement: 17 (Vosper type 10-12) prototype of US PTs. It became a pattern boat for PT 10-19 and also for

154
PTCl 12', the latter were ASW versions ordered as stop-gaps in view of the
impending shortage of PC and SC hulls; all 23 were ultimately turned over to the
Royal Navy, and PTC 13-36 were completed as PT33^14 and 57-68 {PTC 37-60
were built for Lend-Lease). Of low-numbered boats, PT1-8 were unsuccessful
experimental types. PT10-19 were 70ft Elco (Electric Boat Co) craft; they were
enlarged to 77ft to provide space for four rather than two torpedoes, and Elco
went on to build PT20-68; the craft was then again enlarged to the 80ft type
which became standard in wartime: PT103-196,314-367,372-383,486-553,
565-624,731—760 and 761—790. Higgins of New Orleans produced a modified
version of the original British boat, a 78-footer, PT70', it became the prototype
of the other major US class: PT71-94, 197-254, 265-313,450-485, 625-660
and 791-808. In addition there was a Huckins type {PT95-102 and 255-264)
which was generally relegated to training; and there was the standard British
Vosper type, generally built for Lend-Lease (PT368-371, 384^149 and
661-730-, of these at least 384-399 went to the RN and 400^199 and 661-687 to
the Soviet Union; the United States also built BPT21-68 for Lend-Lease).
Many Elco and Higgins boats were transferred under Lend-Lease, and at the
end of the war PT623-24, 761-790 and 797-808 were all cancelled.
During the war Higgins produced a prototype lightweight ‘Hellcat’, which
the Navy acquired as PT564. Although it showed greatly improved perform¬
ance, it could not carry heavy gun battery; by that time (1944) PT boats were
frequently employed more as gun- than as torpedo-boats.
The original PT battery was 4—21in torpedoes in tubes, necessary to keep
gyros aligned, and two twin 0.50cal guns. During the war, the tubes were
eliminated and aircraft torpedoes in racks substituted; ultimately many boats
had, in addition, one 40mm right aft and one 37mm aircraft gun right forward
(1944); still later many were fitted with a pair of 12-tube 4.5in rocket launchers
GUNBOATS
Before World War II, the United States operated two classes of gun¬
boats, both intended for peacetime duties: river craft (PR) on the
Yangtze in China, and sea-going units for the Special Service Squadron
in the Caribbean. The latter were influenced by a clause in the London
Treaty of 1930 which permitted ships of up to 2000 tons armed with
guns of up to 6in calibre, ie the Erie and Charleston. For its part the
Royal Navy used the same clause to build ASW/AAW
escorts, the sloops; that the United States did not is an indication of a
lack of interest in coastal trade protecuon (ie convoy AAW) in the US
Navy of the early 1930s. The four river gunboats built between the wars
were the only US combatants of their time to be built abroad, by the
Kiangnan Dock & Engineering Co of Shanghai.
In wartime, the gunboat category expanded to include ships more
properly considered escorts, the ‘Flower’ class corvettes obtained
under ‘reverse Lend-Lease.’ The patrol frigates (PF) were also origi-
ERIE class (launched 1936)
Displacement: 2000t standard; 2339t trial (design)
Dimensions: 308ft wl, 328ft 6in oa x 41ft 3in x lift 4in standard (design)
93.88, 100.13 x 12.57 x 3.45m
Machinery: 2-shaft turbines, 2 boilers, 6200shp = 20kts. Oil 489t, range
8000nm at 12kts
Armour: Belt 3.5in, deck 1.25in over machinery, lin over magazines,
side 2.875in over forward magazines, 3in-2in over after
magazines, CT 4in with 1.25in roof
Armament: 4—6in/47 (4x1), 16-1.lin (4x4), 1 aircraft
Complement: 236
Class (builder, fate): PG50Z?ne (New York NYd, lost 12.11.42), PG51 Charles¬
ton (Charleston, sold 25.3.48)
Erie and Charleston were imaginative attempts to combine peacetime and
wartime missions in the one class of surface combatants not limited by the
London Treaty of 1930: ‘sloops’ of up to 2000 tons, with speeds of up to 20kts,
and armed with guns of 6. lin or lesser calibre. Given the battle-line speed of
about 20kts, and usually less, such ships might well be designed to replace
screening cruisers in wartime. They would also be useful in coastal or convoy
ASW, and so might free destroyers (whose numbers were limited by treaty) for
other duties. In the convoy role, their 6in guns would be a useful counter to
converted merchant raiders, considered a major problem before World War II,
when it was assumed that submarines would not carry on unlimited commerce
PT588, an Elco type, in Oct 1944
(Army type), replacing the two forward torpedoes; in 1945 it was intended to use
5in spin-stabilised rockets instead of the 4.5in. Most boats carried a portable
60mm mortar as well, and in many cases the two twin 0.50s of the earlier boats
were replaced by single 20mm guns. In other cases it appears that a 20mm
forward supplemented the two twin 0.50s (Elco class, which had a longer
forecastle); 2 single 0.50cal weapons were also carried, and there were 2 DCs.
Vosper boats (1945) had 2 torpedo tubes, l-20mm, 2-0.5in MG and 4 DCs in
chutes. A few boats were fitted with an experimental power-driven quadruple
20mm mount (Elco Thunderbolt) aft. This increase in gun armament indicates
the transformation of the PT role from torpedo attack to the destruction of
Japanese inter-island barge traffic, largely by gunfire; PTs often also attacked
shore targets, particularly with their rockets.
The postwar US evaluation was that they were useful but not cost-effective,
and all were sold. A squadron of four new PTs, 809-812, was built for evalua¬
tion, and indeed was the bridge to more recent fast fighting craft, such as the
PTFs of the 1960s.
nally included in the gunboat category. Closer to true gunboats were
small patrol craft (SC and PC) converted to motor gunboats (PGM) to
harass Japanese coastal traffic in the South Pacific, and to support
amphibious operations; they are described under their original desig¬
nations. There were also landing craft converted to gunboats for
amphibious fire support: LCI(G), (M) and (R); LCS(L)(3); and
LSM(R). Once again, all are described under the LCI(L) and LSM.
As for the prewar gunboats, one on the Yangtze fled up-river from
the Japanese and was turned over to the Chinese Government; one was
captured at Shanghai; three fled to the Philippines; and Panay had
already been sunk by Japanese bombers in 1937, in a famous incident
which very nearly led to war at that time. Erie was torpedoed in 1942,
but her sister Charleston survived the war on the Alaskan station. She
carried out patrol and escort missions, but also was able to employ her
6in guns to support the Aleutian landings in 1943.
warfare since such warfare had been outlawed. Minelaying was another possible
wartime duty. In peaceume, the United States required gunboats with impress¬
ive firepower and relatively limited draught for operadons in the Caribbean and
in Central America, where the Marines repeatedly intervened to keep the peace.
Peaceume cruising also required considerable habitability, which made it dif¬
ficult to provide military features within a hull limited by treaty, and the
requirement to save weight accounts for the unusual hull form actually adopted.
Relatively little power was required to have a 2000-ton ship at 20kts- on trials
Erie developed 5940shp = 20.4kts at 228 It— and in fact the power requirement
could be reduced by cutting waterline length (and wetted area - at this speed
resistance was largely fricdonal). However, the wartime role demanded a long
fantail for depth-charge racks, depth-charge projectors, and perhaps mine rails.
A long bow was required to keep the forward 6in gun dry; hence the pronounced
clipper bow and the apparently old-fashioned counter stern. Both peace and war
missions required a scout aircraft, but the designers were unable to find space or
weight for a catapult, and had to settle for a crane and a stowage space amid¬
ships; the aircraft would have to take off directly from the water. The gun
mounts were the final example of weight saving apparent in the design: there
was not enough weight for power loading or for fully-enclosed shields, and in
fact 6in elevation had to be limited. This class introduced the new 6in/47 gun
with its powder enclosed in a cartridge; had there been no such gun, the old
5in/51 would have been selected in preference to the more awkward 6in/53 of
earlier ships, with its bag ammunition.
The wartime role demanded protection, but once again the treaty limit
precluded very much. As in the carrier Wasp, the solution adopted was to fit
internal protection, including deck armour, and to make provision for a belt to
be fitted upon the suspension of treaty limits in wartime. It does not, however,
appear that this was ever done in either case. Indeed, Charleston, the surviving
ship, was little modified in wartime.
155
 negotiate the twists of the river, and the farther up-river she would be able to
penetrate. However, as the Design History notes, ‘It is important as a factor in
American influence in China that these vessels outclass in smartness of finish
and appearance the gunboats of all other nationalities’.
In fact the group of six boats was divided into three classes: Wake and Tutuila
of 150ft,Panay and Oahu of 180ft (as originally designed, and as all were to have
been), and Luzon and Mindanao of 198ft. Only Tutuila avoided capture by
SLs
steaming up-river to Chunking; she was turned over to the Chinese in March
1942. Panay was sunk in 1937, and Wake was captured by the Japanese at
Shanghai on the outbreak of war. The three larger boats withdrew to the
Philippines, where two were scuttled and Luzon was lost.

TEMPTRESS class
Panay on trials 30.8.1928 USN Displacement: 1375t full load
Dimensions: 190ft wl, 205ft (PG62-71 205ft 2in) oa x 33ft x 14ft 7in max
57.91, 62.48 (62.54) x 10.06 x 4.45m
Machinery: 1-shaft VTE, 2 boilers, 2750ihp = 16.5kts. Oil 337t
Armament: (1945) 2-3in/50 (PG62-71 1—4in/50, l-3in/50), 4-20mm, 1
Hedgehog, 4 DC projectors, 2 DC racks
WAKE class river gunboats Complement: 90 (PG62-71 87)
Displacement: 370t
Dimensions: 150ft wl, 159ft 5in oa x 27ft lin x 5ft lin mean Class (fate):
45.72, 48.59 x 8.25 x 1.55m Smiths Dock (PG62) - Temptress (ex-HMS Veronica) (lost Jan 1947)
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 2 Tnornycroft boilers, 1950ihp = 14.5kts Crown (PG63) - Surprise (ex-HMS Heliotrope) (to China 1947)
Armament: 2—3in/23 Harland & Wolff (PG64-PG67, PG70) - Spry (ex-HMS Hibiscus) (sold 1947),
Complement: 70 Saucy (ex-HMS Arahis) (sold 1947), Restless (ex-HMS Periwinkle) (sold 1947),
Ready (ex-HMS Calendula) (sold 1948), Courage (ex-HMS Heartsease, ex-
Class (fate): PR3 Wake (ex-Guam) (to China 1946), PR4 Tutuila (to China Mar Pansy) (lost Dec 1958)
1942). Cook Welton (PG68) - Impulse (ex-HMS Begonia) (sold 1946)
Fleming & Ferguson (PG69) - Fury (ex-HMS Larkspur) (sold 1946)
Grangemouth (PG71) - Tenacity (ex-HMS Candytuft) (sold 1947)
PANAY class river gunboats Collingwood (PG86-PG88, PG97-PG99) - Action (ex-HMS Comfrey) (sold
1952), Alacrity (ex-HMS Cornel) (sold 1948), Beacon (ex-HMS Dittany) (sold
Displacement: 450t 1956), Splendor (ex-HMS Rosebay) (sold 1950), Tact (ex-HMS Smilax) (to
Dimensions: 180ft wl, 191ft lin oa X 28ft lin x 5ft 3in Argentina 1946), Vim (ex-HMS Statice) (sold May 1947)
54.86, 58.24 x 8.56 x 1.60m Kingston (PG89, PG90)-Brisk (ex-HMS Flax) (sold 1955), Caprice (ex-HMS
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 2 Thornycroft boilers, 2250ihp = 15kts Honesty) (sold Dec 1946)
Armament: 2-3in/50 Midland (PG91) - Clash (ex-HMS Linaria) (sold 1948), Vitality (ex-HMS Wil-
Complement: 70 lowherb) (sold May 1947)
Morton (PG92-PG96) - Haste (ex-HMS Mandrake) (sold 1949), Intensity (ex-
Class (fate): PR5 Panay (lost 12.12.37), PR6 Oahu (lost 6.5.42). HMS Milfoil) (sold 1956), Might (ex-HMS Musk) (sold 1957), Pert (ex-HMS
Nepeta) (sold 1956), Prudent (ex-HMS Privet) (to Italy 1949)
Early in 1942 the US Navy had a large ASW programme in progress, but
LUZON class river gunboats almost no ASW craft in commission; it was desperate for complete or almost
complete hulls. British-built corvettes were transferred as the ‘gunboats’
Displacement: 560t PG62-71, and fifteen more were ordered in Canada as PG86-100, of which
Dimensions: 198ft wl, 210ft 9in oa x 31ft lin X 5ft 7in seven (PG88, 90, 91 and 97-100) were turned over to the Royal Navy upon
60.35, 64.24 x 9.47 x 1.70m completion. The principal difference between British- and Canadian-built ships
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 2 Thornycroft boilers, 3150ihp = 16kts was in the gun battery: one 4in/50 forward in the former, with a 3in/50 aft, and
Armament: 2-3in/50 two 3in/50 in the latter. Externally, the later series had a raised gun/Hedgehog
Complement: 70 platform forward, whereas in the ex-British ships both were much closer to deck
level. All these ships began, of course, with British weapons and radars, and
Class (fate): PR7 Luzon (lost 3.2.45), PR8 Mindanao (lost 5.5.42). were gradually refitted to US standards.
Six river gunboats for service on the Yangtze were authorised under the Similarly, the US Navy ordered ten Canadian frigates as PG101-110; only two
programme for FY25: four of 180ft length, and two of 200ft. The reasoning were retained, and they became the prototype frigates, PF1 and 2; PG111-210
behind this distinction is unclear, as several experienced river gunboat com¬ were reclassified as PF3-102 (see under ‘Frigates’). PG72 and 85 were ex¬
manders observed that the shorter the boat, within limits, the better she would yachts; numbers 73-84 were not used.

SEAPLANE TENDERS
Before World War II the US Navy faced the twin problems of a large
requirement for air support in its progress across the Pacific, and a
severe treaty and legislative limitation on the number of aircraft carriers
it could build. It appeared, moreover, that there would be no easy way
to construct island bases for land aircraft. Although seaplanes and
floatplanes suffered some considerable loss of performance as com¬
pared to their land-based counterparts, then, they might well be the
only aircraft available in forward areas, apart from those assigned to
task forces. Prewar Navy programmes therefore included several types
of seaplane tender. At first, the primary distinction was between ships
intended to operate two full squadrons of patrol aircraft (AVs) and
those, limited in draught so that they could operate out of small
harbours, which might operate only a single squadron of twelve seap¬
lanes (AVPs, descended from converted minesweepers and destroyers,
AVDs). In each case the tender was intended to provide quarters for
aircrew as well as repair facilities, which in the larger tenders might
include stowage for spare wings and even hulls. Both AVs and AVPs
had to be well armed, since they would constitute the shore defence of a
patrol plane base. In addition, in 1940 the Marines developed a new
concept: they would fit their scout bombers with floats, and use them to
defend newly-acquired bases. The scout bombers would be trans¬
ported to their bases by ‘seaplane carriers’, which would deliver them
by catapult, as that would be far quicker than crane. In fact the concept
of a separate ‘seaplane carrier’ was rejected, but the Currituck class was
designed to incorporate a larger hangar and a flush-decked catapult.
However, it soon became apparent that airstrips would not be too
difficult to build and, moreover, that the escort carriers would provide
numerous landplane ferries; the ‘seaplane carrier’ concept was aban¬
doned entirely and the Curritucks were employed as conventional seap¬
lane tenders.
The primary role of their aircraft was reconnaissance, with bombing
and torpedo attack as secondary functions. Despite the rise of land-
based naval reconnaissance aircraft, they were maintained through the
war and in fact new patrol seaplanes were developed postwar, tenders

156

being modified to handle them. Their great advantage was their mobil¬
ity; an airstrip for a big bomber was far more difficult to build than was
one to handle a carrier-type single-engined aircraft.
The prewar seaplane tender force consisted of three large units: AV1
(Wright) a ‘Hog Island’ cargo ship converted in 1921, AV2 (Jason) a
collier stricken in 1936, and AV3 (Langley), originally the first US
carrier, de-rated and cut down in 1937, plus fourteen former flush¬
decked destroyers converted in 1938-40 (forward boilers replaced by
fuel tanks for seaplanes, all tubes removed, and former 4in SP guns
replaced by two 3in/50s; they were redesignated AVD1-14; nine
reverted to destroyers 1943), and nine former minesweepers of the
World War I ‘Bird’ class (AVP1-9, ex-AMl, 10, 18, 19,23,27,34,41,
51).
. !-«■
Curtiss on 8.10.1940 USN
CURTISS class (launched 1940)
Displacement: 12,053t trial
Dimensions: 508ft wl, 527ft 4in oa x 69ft 3in X 21ft 4in max
154.84, 160.73 x 21.11 x 6.50m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers,
12,000shp = 18kts. Oil 2164t
Armament: 4-5in/38, 10-0.Sin MG
Complement: 1195
Class (builder, fate): AV4 Curtiss (New York SB, discarded 1963), AV5
Albemarle (New York SB, helicopter repair ship 1965).
Norton Sound 1945
CURRITUCK class (launched 1943-44)
Displacement: 14,000t trial; 15,092t max
Dimensions: 520ft wl, 540ft 5in oa x 69ft 3in x 22ft 3in max
158.50, 164.72 x 21.11 x 6.78m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers,
12,000shp = 19.2kts. Oil 2324t
Armament: 4—5in/38, 8-1.lin (2x4), 4-0.5in MG
Complement: 1247
Class (builder, fate): AV7 Currituck (Philadelphia N Yd, stricken 1.4.71),
AV 11 Norton Sound (Todd, San Pedro, extant 1980 as guided missile trials ship),
AV12 Pine Island (Todd, San Pedro, stricken 1.2.71), AV13 Salisbury Sound
(ex-Puget Sound) (Todd, San Pedro, discarded 1970s).
The large Curtiss and Currituck class fleet seaplane tenders were designed to
service up to two full squadrons, and to carry out minor repairs on their
quarterdecks. As such, they had bomb and aviation fuel capacities (Curtiss class
269,620, Currituck class 278,000 US gallons) comparable to those of carriers, but
no protection to match. All that could be done for the Curtiss class was to provide
a four-layer torpedo protection system over the machinery, and to try to keep
aviation fuel tanks well below the waterline. A 1941 proposal to provide 2in STS
over much of the third deck in the later Curritucks, at the expense of 2ft 6in more
beam, was rejected at a late stage.
The two groups differed largely in that the latter were redesigned with more
deck area aft (and a flush-decked H-5 catapult) to enable them to carry Marine
Corps dive bombers with floats, for advanced base operation; the use of a single
funnel similarly reflects an attempt to increase hangar space for stowage. As an
alternative, the War Plans Division foresaw the use of these ships as mobile
bases for coastal patrol aircraft; however, like the Marine Corps scheme, this one
was not carried through, and the Currituck s performed as conventional tenders.
Seaplane tenders
BARNEGAT class (launched 1941-45)
Displacement: (Matagorda) 2040t standard; 255 It full load
Dimensions: 300ft wl, 310ft 9in oa x 41ft lin x 12ft Sin full
91.44, 94.72 x 12.52 x 3.78m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel, 6080bhp = 20kts. Oil 260t, range 6000nm at
12kts
Armament: 2—5in/38 (2x1), 4-0.5in (design)
Complement: 367 (including aviation unit)
Class:
Puget Sound N Yd (AVP10-AVP13) - Bamegal, Biscayne, Casco, Mackinac
Boston N Yd (AVP21, AVP22) - Humboldt, Matagorda
Lake Washington (AVP23-AVP26, AVP33-AVP55) - Absecon, Chincoteague,
Coos Bay, Half Moon,Barataria,Bering Strait, Castle Rock, Cook Inlet, Corson,
Duxbury Bay, Gardiners Bay, Floyds Bay, Greenwich Bay, Hatteras, Hempstead,
Kamishak,Magothy, Matanzas,Metomkin, Onslow, Orca,Rehoboth,San Carlos,
Shelikof, Suisun, Timbalier, Valcour
Associated (AVP29-AVP32) - Rockaway, San Pablo, Unimak, Yakutat
These small seaplane tenders, capable of handling one squadron each, were
intended to operate out of small harbours and atolls; special emphasis was placed
on shallow draught and consequently on weight-saving. In wartime they were
also used to escort groups of larger tenders (A Vs) and therefore had considerable
ASW armament, and sonar; these features were also considered necessary for
ships which might well operate independently in contested waters. Aviation fuel
stowage was 80,000 US gallons.
The gap between AVP-13 and A VP-21 is explained by the redesignation of
AVP14-20 as AVD (destroyers) 1-7 in 1940. In view of the very large numbers
on order, some were considered surplus as early as 1943, and AVP27,28,56 and
57 were completed as MTB tenders (AGP6-9). In addition AVP23 was con¬
verted into a catapult training ship for cruiser and battleship aviators, using
surplus equipment from cancelled Cleveland class cruisers. AVP42-47 were
cancelled in April 1943, victims of the strong demand for diesel engines for
escorts and for amphibious craft.
The battery originally envisaged was 2-5in/38, but by 1942 the assigned
‘ultimate’ battery was four of these weapons (with 8-20mm and, in many cases,
two DC racks). In fact, few ever mounted so heavy a battery, although in 1944
many retained two 5in/38 and in some No 2 gun was being moved aft to cover the
blind spot there. At that time there were two standard batteries: 1—5in/38, 1
quadruple and 2 twin 40mm, and 6-20mm; or 2-5in and 4-20mm. Coos Bay
(AVP25) was unique, late in the war, in having Mousetrap, as well as 2-5in/38.
In 1945, with US forces nearing Japan, three ships (AVP21, 22 and 29) were
selected for conversion to press ships at Philadelphia, New York, and Boston;
they were to have been redesignated AG 121-123. This work was cancelled on 24
August 1945 and they were reconverted to A VPs.
The AVPs combined very long range, thanks to their diesel-electric plants,
with good habitability and seaworthiness; in 1948-49, eighteen (including two
former AGPs) were transferred to the Coast Guard.
San Carlos on 30.3.1944 USN
TANGIER, POCOMOKE, and KENNETH WHITING
class
Displacement: 11,760t (Kenneth Whiting class 12,000t) trial
Dimensions: 492ft oa x 69ft 6in X 23ft 9in max
149.96 x 21.18 x 7.24m
Machinery: 1-shaft turbine, 2 boilers, 8500shp = 16kts (Pocomoke
9350shp = 17kts). Oil 1309t (Pocomoke 1313t, Kenneth Whit¬
ing 1556t)
Armament: (1945) 1—5in/38, 4-3in/50 DP, 8-40mm (4x2), 15-20mm
(Kenneth Whiting 12^10mm, 2x2, 2x4, 16-20mm)
Complement: 1075 (Kenneth Whiting 1077)
157
UNITED STATES
Class (builder, fate): AV8 Tangier (ex-Sea Arrow) (Moore, sold 1963), AV9
Pocomoke (ex-Exchequer) (Ingalls, discarded 1961), AV10 Chandeleur (Western
Pipe, stricken 1.4.71), AM\A Kenneth Whiting (Todd, Tacoma, discarded 1961),
AV15 Hamlin (Todd, Tacoma, discarded 1961), AV16 St George (Todd,
Tacoma, discarded 1963), AV17 Cumberland Sound (Todd, Tacoma, BU 1964),
AV18 Townsend (Todd, Tacoma, cancelled Aug 1945), AV19 Calibogue (Puget
Sound N Yd, cancelled Oct 1944), AV20 Hobe Sound (Charleston N Yd,
cancelled Oct 1944)
The big tenders, built to Navy standards, were too expensive for mass
production; as in other cases, standard Maritime Commission C-3 hulls were
substituted. Two acquired from shipping lines became Tangier (AV8) and
AMPHIBIOUS
WARFARE SHIPS
The large US amphibious fleet derived from two very different streams
of development. The first, an indigenous one, was concerned with
relatively small operations, either in the Caribbean, where prewar the
US Marines had an important peacekeeping mission, or else in the
island chains of the Pacific, where the function of a landing would be to
secure a base for fleet support in the fleet’s movement across the Pacific
towards Japan. In the latter case troops and their equipment would
have to be transported over very great distances and then landed
without any opportunity to regroup. Transports and cargo ships, then,
would have to be ‘combat-loaded’, with that materiel to be landed first
most accessible; this would be relatively low-density loading. The
Marines and the US Army therefore concentrated on developing,
between the wars, a series of small landing craft which could be carried
on the davits of converted transports: this effort culminated in the
wartime LCVP and LCM. There was also a series of artillery and tank
lighters, too large for davit stowage, which could be carried, empty, on
deck and then launched by crane.
For most of the prewar period it had to be assumed that wartime
transports would be converted merchant ships, perhaps with heavier
booms and davits and defensive weapons. However, late in the 1930s
the Maritime Commission began design work on a specialised Marine
Corps transport, which would incorporate a stern ramp to permit
quicker loading of lighters normally carried on deck. Two such craft
were built, as the ‘attack transports’ Doyen and Feland, each capable of
carrying a battalion of the Marine Expeditionary Force. At the time of
their design, it was pointed out that the new minelayer Terror appeared
to offer more internal space for vehicles, albeit at some increase in
displacement; in 1943 two minelayers and four netlayers derived from
Terror were modified and completed as LSVs (Landing Ships Vehicle).
However, no further ramped ships were built in view of the large
number of beaching ships and craft developed as a direct consequence
of the other major element in US amphibious development, the
requirement for European operations, which came into existence only
after the United States began to supply Britain under Lend-Lease.
A European invasion would require a density of tanks and other
vehicles so great as to be far beyond the capacity of any system of
lighters and converted merchant ships, or even ramped ships such as
theDoyens. The Royal Navy improvised beaching Tank Landing Ships
from Lake Maracaibo shallow-draught tankers, but clearly a large force
would be needed for any major landing, and a recourse was therefore
had to the United States. Two major types were envisaged: a Tank
Landing Craft (Atlantic) capable of crossing the ocean under its own
power, and beaching to supply tanks and vehicles at the far side; and a
much smaller Tank Landing Craft, which would be unable to cross the
Atlantic but might be carried across in another new type of ship, in
effect a powered floating drydock or ‘TLC Carrier’. These ships
became, respectively, the LST, the LCT, and the LSD. The LCT
158
Tangier as completed
Pocomoke (AV9); others, AV10 (C3-S1-B1) and AV14-20 (modified
C3-S-Als), were built to Navy accounts (of which AV19-20 were cancelled in
November 1944 and AV18 in August 1945). Conversion generally involved the
elimination of cargo masts aft and the substitution of the characteristic seaplane
tender flush deck, with a heavy crane capable of hoisting a large patrol bomber
aboard. In thePocomokes this crane was right aft; in the Kenneth Whiting (AV14)
class, forward against the superstructure, leaving space for a second 5in/38 aft.
Aviation fuel capacity actually exceeded that of the specially built ships:
312,000gal as against 278,000 for a Currituck, 269,000 for Curtiss and 291,000 for
Pocomoke. Chandeleur (AV10) was considered a separate class, intermediate
between AV9 and 14.
proved useful enough to prompt development of versions of greater
range, in effect intermediate between it and the LST: these evolved
into the LSM. In all of these designations, ‘S’ denoted a ship, and ‘C’ a
craft which could be carried aboard ship; for example, an LCT, empty,
was often carried in chocks on board an LST, which could launch it by
heeling over.
The other major wartime amphibious craft was the LCI(L), intended
only to land infantry. It originated in a requirement for a ‘raiding’ craft
for Commando operations and for raids such as the one at Dieppe; the
LCI(L) was limited to infantry. The basic hull form proved so useful
that many were converted for a variety of support tasks.
As for larger ships, most US attack transports and cargo ships were
developments of the mass production ‘Victory’ and C-3 class hulls;
others were specialised designs, but none except the first two had the
prewar stern ramp. Some were converted from merchant ships taken
over by the Navy; their ‘attack’ status derived from the provision for
launching beaching craft from their davits.
By 1943 the need for close-in support at the beach itself had pro¬
duced the first of a series of specialised support craft, which are
described separately below. Most were converted from landing craft,
but there were also ‘motor gun boats’ (PGMs) converted from SC and
PC hulls.
Finally, amphibious warfare required a degree of detailed command
and control not previously appreciated. The U S Navy built a number of
specialised command ships (AGCs); in effect, these were the first
combatant ships in history whose ‘main batteries’ were mounted on
other ships, and which, therefore, were valuable principally because of
their command facilities, radios, and fighter-control radars. The need
for such units was so acute that in 1944 the large Coast Guard cutters of
the Bibb class, which had served as convoy flagships in the Atlantic,
were all converted to the AGC role, as was the light seaplane tender
Biscayne. On a more detailed level, control and communications craft
were required to operate with the beaching craft, and large numbers of
landing craft as well as patrol and minecraft were converted for this
role. Many appear never to have been redesignated. No destroyer
escorts were converted, although three became control craft (DECs)
postwar.
APPALACHIAN and MOUNT McKINLEY classes
command ships (launched 1943-45)
Displacement: 13,910t trial
Dimensions: 435ft wl, 459ft 3in (Mount McKinley class 459ft 2in) oa x 63ft
x 24ft max
132.59, 139.98 (139.96) x 19.20 x 7.32m
Machinery: 1- shaft turbine, 2 boilers, 6600shp = 17kts. Oil 4240t
Armament: 2- 5in/38, 8-40mm (4x2), 20-20mm (10x2)
Complement: 507 + 368 HQ personnel (Mount McKinley 622 + 441)
 The attack transport Fremont on 13.2.1944 USN

BAYFIELD class attack transports

Displacement: 16,lOOt full load
Dimensions: 465ft wl, 492ft oa X 69ft 6in x 26ft 6in full load
141.73, 149.96 x 21.18 x 8.08m
Machinery: 1-shaft General Electric turbine, 2 boilers, 8500shp = 18kts.
Oil 1282t
Armament: (1945) 24-26 LCVPs, 2 LCM(3)s, 5500t cargo, 1500 troops,
2-5in/38, 8-40mm (4x2), 24-20mm (12x2)
The command ship Eldorado in Nov 1944 USN Complement: ?

Class (fate): Class: Bayfield, Bolivar, Callaway, Cambria, Cavalier, Chilton, Clay, Custer,
Federal, Kearny (AGC1-AGC3) - Appalachian (BU 1960), Blue Ridge (BU Du Page, Elmore, Fayette, Fremont, Henrico, Knox, Lamar, Leon, Alpine,
1961), Rocky Mount (discarded 1960) Barnstable, Burleigh, Cecil, Dade (ex-Lorain), Medocino, Montour, Riverside,
Moore (AGC5) - Catoctin (ex-Mary Whitridge) (BU 1960) Westmoreland, Hansford (ex-Gladwin), Goodhue, Goshen, Grafton
North Carolina SB (AGC7-AGC17) - Mount McKinley (ex-Cyclone) (discarded (APA33-APA48, APA92, APA93, APA95, APA96, APA99-APA102,
1960s), Mount Olympus (ex-Eclipse) (discarded 1961), Wasatch (ex-Fleetwing) APA104, APA106-APA109)
(BU 1961), Auburn (ex-Kathay) (BU 1961), Eldorado (ex-Monsoon) (discarded
1960s),.Estes (ex-Moming Star) (discarded 1960s),Panamint (ex-Northem Light)
(BU 1961), Teton (ex-Witch of the Wave) (BU 1961), Adirondack (BU 1961),
Pocono (discarded 1960s), Taconic (discarded 1960s)
These ships provided both headquarters and air control facilities for the
amphbious assault; they were so important that in 1944 the six surviving
‘Treasury’ class Coast Guard cutters were withdrawn from Atlantic convoy
service and converted into additional AGCs. The light seaplane tender Biscayne
(AGC18, ex-A VP 11) was similarly converted in 1943. All other AGCs were built
on cargo ships hulls. Ancon (AGC4) was a former transport and before that had
been a Panama Rail Road liner; she served at Sicily, Salerno, Normandy and
Okinawa. Wartime units built for the purpose split into two classes:
Appalachian (AGC1-3 and 5, on C2-S-B1 hulls, comparable to AKA53-100)
and Mount McKinley (AGC7-17, on C2-S-AJ1 hulls). In each case the conver¬
sion entailed building up the hull one full deck height between the forward and
after kingposts; a new lattice mast was stepped on the superstructure to carry a
big air search radar. In addition, many units carried a height-finding radar for
fighter control on top of one leg of the forward kingpost.
The converted Coast Guard cutters retained their Coast Guard designations,
but for a time Duane was designated AGC6, which accounts for the gap in the
series above.
Adair in 1944 USN

DOYEN class attack transports (launched 1942) WINDSOR and FUNSTON classes attack transports
Displacement: 6720t full load Displacement: 13,200t full load
Dimensions: 405ft wl, 414ft 6in oa x 56ft x 18ft 6in Dimensions: 450ft wl, 473ft lin oa X 66ft x 25ft max
123.45, 126.34 x 17.07 x 5.64m 137.16, 144.20 x 20.12 x 7.62m
Machinery: 2-shaft Westinghouse turbines, 2 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, Machinery: 1-shaft Bethlehem turbine, 2 Babcock & Wilcox boilers,
8000shp = 19kts. Oil 1772t 8000shp = 17.5kts
Armament: (1945) 16 LCVPs, 1100 troops, 4-3in/50, 4-40mm (2x2), Armament: (1945) 24 LCVPs, 2 LCMs, 1 LCP(L), 1 LCP(R), 3895t
8-20mm cargo, 1468 troops, 2-5in/38, 8-40mm (4x2), 24—20mm
Complement: 472 (12x2)
Complement: 466
Class: Windsor class - Windsor (APA55), Leedstown (ex-Wood) (APA56), Adair
Class: Doyen (APA1 ),Feland (APA11).
(APA91), Dauphin (APA97), Dutchess (APA98), Queens (APA103), Shelby
(APA105 );Funston class - Frederick Funston (APA89), James O’Hara (APA90),
Griggs (APA110), Grundy (APA111), Guilford, (APA112), Stika (APA113),
HARRIS and DICKMAN classes attack transports (‘Hog Hamblen (APA114), Hampton (APA115), Hannover (APA116)
Islanders’) (launched 1940-42)
isplacement: 21,300t full load ORMSBY and SUMTER classes attack transports
Dimensions: 534ft wl, 535ft 2in oa x 72ft (Dickman class 72ft 4in) x 30ft Displacement: 12,775t (Sumter 13,900t) full load
6in (Dickman class 30ft 3in) max
Dimensions: Ormsby class: 435ft wl, 459ft 3in oa x 63ft x 24ft full load
162.77, 163.12 x 21.95(22.05) x 9.30 (9.22)m
132.59, 139.98 x 19.20 x 7.32m
Machinery: 2-shaft Bethlehem turbines, 8 boilers, 12,000shp = 17.5kts Sumter class: 445ft wl, 468ft 9in x 63ft x 23ft 3in
(Dickman 10,000shp = 16.7kts). Oil 4449t 135.64, 142.88 x 19.20 X 7.09m
Armament: (1945) 33 (Harris 22) LCVPs, 2-4 LCM(3)s, 399It cargo, Machinery: 1-shaft General Electric turbine, 2 boilers, 6000shp =
1650-1900 troops, 4-3in/50, 6-40mm (1 x 2, 1 x4), 20-20mm 16.5kts. Oil 1380t (Sumter class 12351)
(10x2)
Armament: (1945) 26 LCVPs, 2 LCM(3)s, 1500 (Sumter class 1650)
Complement: 693 troops, 2-5in/38, 8-^lOmm (4x2), 28-20mm (14x2) (Sumter
class 20-20mm, 10x2)
Class: Harris class -Harris (ex-President Grant) (APA2), Hunter Liggett (ex-/3an Complement: 524 (Sumter class 449)
America) (APA14), TaskerHBliss (ex-President Cleveland) (AP42),Hugh L Scott
(ex-President Pierce) (AP43); Dickman class - Joseph T Dickman (ex-President Class: Ormsby class - Ormsby (APA49), Pierce (APA50), Sheridan (APA51);
Roosevelt) (APA13), Henry T Allen (ex-President Jefferson) (APA15), Sumter class - Sumter (APA52), Warren (APA53), Vayne (APA54), Baxter
J Franklin Bell (ex-President McKinley) (APA16), American Legion (APA17) (APA94)

159
HASKELL class attack transports (‘Victory’ hull)
Displacement: 14,800t full load
Dimensions: 436ft 6in wl, 455ft oa x 62ft x 24ft max
133.05, 138.69 x 18.90 x 1.32m
Machinery: 1-shaft Westinghouse turbine, 2 Babcock & Wilcox boilers,
8500shp = 16.5kts. Oil 1177t
Armament: (1945) 21-22 LCVPs, 2 LCM(3)s, 1-2 LCP(L)s, 1 LCP(R),
2900t cargo, 1561 troops, 1—5in/38, 12-40mm (1x4, 4x2),
10-2 0mm
Complement: 536
Class: Haskell (APA117), Hendry (APA118), Highlands (APA119), Hinsdale
(APA120),Hocking (APA121), Kenton (APA122), Kittson (APA123),La Grange
(APA124), Lanier (APA125),St Mary’s (APA126), Allendale (APA127), Arenac
(APA128), Marvin H McIntyre (ex-Arlington) (APA129), Attala (APA130),
Bandera (APA131),Barnwell (APA132),Beckham (APA133),Bland (APA134),
Bosque (APA135), Botetourt (APA136), Bowie (APA137), Braxton (APA138),
Broadwater (APA139), Brookings (APA140), Buckingham (APA141), Clearfield
(APA142), Clermont (APA143), Clinton (APA144), Colbert (APA145), Collings¬
worth (APA 146), Cottle (APA147), Crockett (APA148), Audubon (APA149),
Bergen (APA150), La Porte (APA151), Latimer (APA152), Laurens (APA153),
Lowndes (APA 154), Lycoming (APA155), Mellette (APA 156), Napa (APA157),
Newberry (APA158), Darke (APA159), Deuel (APA160), Dickens (APA161),
Drew (APA162), Eastland (APA163), Edgecombe (APA164), Effingham
(APA165),FondduLac (APA166),Freestone (APA167),Gage (APA 167), GaWa-
tin (APA168), Gosper (APA169), Granville (APA170), Grimes (APA171), Hyde
(APA173),Jerauld (APA174),Karnes (APA175),Kershaw {AY AM 6), Kingsbury
(APA 177), Lander (APA 178), Lauderdale (APA 179), Lavaca (APA 180), Oconto
(APA187), Olmsted (APA188), Oxford (APA189), Pickens (APA190), Pondera
(APA191), Rutland (APA192), Sanborn (APA193), Sandoval (APA194),
Lenawee (APA195), Logan (APA196), Lubbock (APA197), McCracken
(APA198), Magoffin (APA199), Marathon (APA200), Menard (APA201),
Menifee (APA202), Meriwether (APA203), Sarasota (APA204), Sherburne
{AY A205), Sibley (APA206), Mifflin (APA207), Talladega (APA208), Tazewell
(APA209), Telfair (APA210), Missoula (APA211), Montrose (APA212), Moun¬
trail (APA213), Natrona (APA214), Navarro (APA215), Neshoba (APA216),
New Kent (APA217), Noble (APA218), Okaloosa (APA219), Okanogan
(APA220), Oneida (APA221), Pickaway (APA222), Pitt (APA223), Randall
(APA224), Bingham (APA225), Rawlins (APA226), Renville (APA227), Rock¬
bridge (APA228), Rockingham (APA229), Rockwell (APA230), Saint Croix
(APA231), San Saba (APA232), Sevier (APA233), Bollinger (APA234), Bot¬
tineau (APA235), Bronx (APA236), Bexar (APA237), Dane (APA238), Glynn
(APA239)
ANDROMEDA class attack cargo ships (C2-S-B1)
Displacement: 13,905t full load
Dimensions: 435ft wl, 459ft 3in oa x 63ft x 26ft max
132.59, 139.98 x 19.20 x 1.92m
Machinery: 1 shaft General Electric turbine, 2 Combustion Engineering
boilers, 6000shp = 16.5kts. Oil 1553t
Armament: (1945) 15-16 LCVPs, 8 LCM(3)s, 1 LCP(L), 4450t cargo,
l-5in/38, 8-40mm (4x2), 12-20mm
Complement: 404
Class -.Andromeda (AKA15), Aquarius (AKA 16), Centaurus (AKA17 ),Cepheus
(AKA18), Thuban (AKA19), Virgo (AKA20), Achemar (AKA53), Algol
(AKA54), Alshain (AKA55), Ameb (AKA56), Capricomus (AKA57), Chara
(AKA58), Diphda (AKA59), Leo (AKA60), Muliphen (AKA61), Sheliak
(AKA62), Theenim (AKA63), Tolland (AKA64),Shoshone (AKA65),Southamp¬
ton (AKA66), Starr (AKA67), Stokes (AKA68), Suffolk (AKA69), Tate
(AKA70), Todd (AKA71), Caswell (AKA72), New Hanover (AKA73), Lenoir
(AKA74), Alamance (AKA75), Torrance (AKA76), Towner (AKA77), Trego
(AKA78), Trousdale (AKA79), Tyrrell (AKA80), Valencia (AKA81), Venango
(AKA82), Vinton (AKA83), Waukesha (AKA84), Wheatland (AKA85), Wood¬
ford (AKA86), Duplin (AKA87), Uvlade (AKA88), Warrick (AKA89),
Whiteside (AKA90), Whitley (AKA91), Wyandot (AKA92), Yancey (AKA93),
Winston (AKA94), Marquette (AKA95), Mathews (AKA96), Merrick (AKA97),
Montague (AKA98), Rolette (AKA99), Oglethorpe (AKA100), Ottawa
(AKA101),Prentiss (AKA102), Rankin (AKA 103),Seminole (AKA104),Skagit
(AKA105), Union (AKA106), Vermilion (AKA107), Washburn (AKA108)
160
GILLIAM class attack transports and ARTEMIS class
attack cargo ships
Displacement: 6800t (Artemis class 6740t) full load
Dimensions: 400ft wl, 426ft oa x 58ft x 15ft 6in
121.92, 129.85 x 11.68 x 4.12m
2-shaft Westinghouse turbines, 2 Babcock & Wilcox boilers,
Machinery:
6000shp = 18kts. Oil 1475t (Artemis class 1400t)
Armament: (1945) 13 LCVPs 1 LCP(L), 1032t cargo, 849 troops,
l-5in/38, 8^10mm (4x2), 10-20mm (Artemis class 11—13
LCVPs, 2 LCM(3)s, 1 LCP(L), 900t cargo, 12-20mm)
Complement: 283 (Artemis class 303)
Class: Gilliam class - Gilliam (APA57), Appling (APA58), Audrain (APA59),
Banner (APA60),Barrow (APA61), Berrien (APA62), Bladen (APA63),Bracken
(APA64), Briscoe (APA65), Brule (APA66), Bruleson (APA67), Butte (APA68),
Carlisle (APA69), Carteret (APA70), Catron (APA71), Clarendon (APA72),
Cleburne (APA73), Colusa (APA74), Cortland (APA75), Crenshaw (APA76),
Crittenden (APA77), Cullman (APA78), Dawson (APA79), Elkheart (APA80),
Fallon (APA81), Fergus (APA82), Fillmore (APA83), Garrard (APA84), Gas¬
conade (APA85), Geneva (APA86), Niagara (APA87), Presidio (APA88);
Artemis class - Artemis (AKA21), Athene (AKA22), Aurelia (AKA23), Birgit
(AKA24), Circe (AKA25), Corvus (AKA26), Devosa (AKA27), Hydrus
(AKA28), Lacerta (AKA29), Lumen (AKA30), Medea (AKA31), Mellena
(AKA31), Ostara (AKA32), Pamina (AKA33), Polana (AKA34), Renate
(AKA35), Roxane (AKA36), Sappho (AKA37), Sarita (AKA38), Scania
(AKA39), Selinur (AKA40), Sidonia (AKA41), Sirona (AKA42), Sylvania
(AKA43), Tabora (AKA44), Troilus (AKA45), Turandot (AKA47), Valeria
(AKA48), Vanadis (AKA49), Veritas (AKA50), Xenia (AKA51), Zenobia
(AKA52).
Unlike conventional freighters (AKs) and transports (APs) attack transports
(APA/AKA) were designed to unload their cargoes over the side into landing
craft which they carried; in a sense their beaching craft were their main bat¬
teries. This distinction was recognised in February 1943 with the redesignation
of many ships from AP to APA; examples are noted below. AKAs were ‘combat
loaded,’ so that the materiel needed first in an assault was most accessible. This
was relatively inefficient, but not so much as the loading of vehicles in beaching
craft aboard an LSD. Moreover, AKAs and APAs were quite fast compared to
an LST or LSD.
The first two, Doyen (APA1, ex-AP2) and Feland (APA11, ex-AP18) were
designed with Caribbean operations in mind. Most others were conversions.
World War I emergency-built ‘Hog Islanders’ split into two classes: Harris
(APA2, 3, 12 and 14 with near-sisters AP42 and 43) and Dickman (AP13 and
15-17; APA15 became AG90 in 1945). APA4 and 5 (of which APA4 was lost in
1943) were former Grace Liners built in 1928. APA 6-9 were former Baltimore
Mail Liners of 1918-19. APA10 and 22-24, the Harry Lee group, were former
American Export Liners. All remaining APAs were built under Maritime
Commission auspices, as part of a large programme begun in 1936 to rebuild the
US merchant marine. APA18-20, 29 and 30, and AP103 and 104 were C3As
built prewar for American President Lines; they constituted the President
Jackson class. The Arthur Middleton Class (APA25-27, C3P) had been built for
the American-South Africa Line; the Crescent City class (APA21,28,31 and 32,
and AP105, C3 Delta) for the Delta Line.
With these prewar-designed specialised classes in service, production of
attack transports shifted to standardised types: C3-S-A2 (Bayfield class:
APA33-48,92-93,95-96,99-102,104, and 106-109); C3-S-A3 (Windsor class:
APA55-56, 91,97-98, 103 and 105); C3-S1-A3 (Funston class: APA89-90 and
110-116); C2-S-B1 (Ormsby class: APA49-51); C2-S-E1 (Sumter class:
APA52-54 and 94). The Gilliam class were specially designed as attack trans¬
ports and cargo ships and were rather smaller than the other types listed here
(Maritime Commission special design S4-SE2-BD1: APA57-88 as well as
AKA21-52). The bulk of US attack transports were redesigned Victory Ships
(VC—2—S-AP5s): APA 117—247, of which 181—186 and 240-247 were cancelled.
Attack cargo ships were far less numerous. None pre-dated the Maritime
Commission; they fell into Arcturus (AKA1, 6-8 and 11; AF11 similar, all C2),
Procyon (C2: AKA2—4 and 12—14),Fomalhaut (Cl: AKA5, soon reclassified as
AK22), Alhena (modified C2: AKA9), Almaak (C3-E: AKA 10), Andromeda
(C2-S-B1: AKA15-20, 53-68 and 88-100; very similar were the C2-S-AJ3:
AKA64—87 and 101-108), and Artemis (S4-SE2-BE1: AKA21-52) classes.
AKA109-111 of the C2-S-B1 class were cancelled in 1945. The later ships of the
AJ3 class were sometimes called the Rankin class postwar; in wartime they were
included with the other C2s.

Laning as APD55 (ex-DE159) on 8.8.1945 USN
APD37 series light transports (launched 1943-45)
Displacement: 0Crosley, TEV) 1725t standard; 2114t full load
Dimensions: 300ft wl, 306ft oa x 37ft x 12ft 7in full load
91.44, 93.27 x 11.28 x 3.84m
Machinery: 2-shaft turbine, 2 boilers, 12,000shp = 23.6kts. Oil 347t,
range 5000nm at 12kts
Armament: l-5in/38, 6-40mm (3x2), 6-20mm, 2 DC racks, 4 LCVPs,
162 troops, deck cargo aft plus petrol stowage for vehicles
Complement: 203
Class: Yokes (ex-DE668), Pavlic (ex-DE669), Odum (ex-DE670), Jack C
Robinson (ex-DE671), Bassett (ex-DE672), John P Gray (ex-DE673), Crosley
(ex-DE226), Cread (ex-DE227), Ruchamkin (ex-DE228), Kirwin (ex-DE229),
Kinzer (ex-DE232), Register (ex-DE233), Brock (ex-DE234), John Q Roberts
(ex-DE235), William M Hobby (ex-DE236), Ray K Edwards (ex-DE237),
Arthur L Bristol (ex-DE281), Truxton (ex-DE282), Upham (ex-DE283),Ringness
(ex-DE590), Knudson (ex-DE591), Rednour (ex-DE592), Tollberg (ex-DE593),
William J Pattison (ex-DE594), Myers (ex-DE595), Walter B Cobb (ex-DE596),
Earle B Hall (ex-DE597), Hany L Corl (ex-DE598),Be/et (ex-DE599), Julius A
Raven (ex-DE600), Walsh (ex-DE601), Hunter Marshall (ex-DE602), Earhart
(ex-DE603), Walter S Gorka (ex-DE604), Rogers Blood (ex-DE605), Francovich
(ex-DE606), Joseph M Auman (ex-DE674), Don O Woods (ex-DE721), Beverly
W Reid (ex-DE722), Kline (ex-DE687), Raymond W Herndon (ex-DE688),
Scribner Diachenko (ex-Alex Diachenko, ex-DE690), Horace A Bass (ex-DE691),
Wantuck (ex-DE692), Gosselin (ex-DE710), Begor (ex-DE711), Cavallaro (ex-
DE712), Donald W Wolf (ex-DE713), Cook (ex-DE714), Walter X Young (ex-
DE715), Balduck (ex-DE716), Burdo (ex-DE717), Kleinsmith (ex-DE718),
Weiss (ex-DE719), Carpellotti (ex-DE720). (APD69-APD74, APD87-
APD136).
In addition to the vessels listed above, APDs also comprised the converted
‘flush-deckers’ APD1-36 (see 1922 table) and some ‘TE’/‘TEV’ series con¬
verted after completion as DEs (APD37-68, 75-86 and 139).
APDs were intended to land raiding parties and, in the case of some of the
ex-destroyer escorts, to support the underwater demolition teams (UDTs)
which cleared beach obstacles. Some destroyer or DE sound gear was retained,
as well as some ASW weapons, and the ships had a secondary role of escorting
amphibious groups; their 4in and 5in guns also provided close support of
landings.
The destroyer escort conversions were better arranged and had provision for a
deck load of cargo and vehicles aft. ‘TE’ and ‘TEV’ conversions differed only in
bridge configuration, the ‘TEs’ retaining their original high bridges. Three
APDs were converted as flagships: APD55 and 86 for UDTs and APD63 as
flagship of an APD division. In APD55 a twin Bofors replaced the cargo crane
aft; in the other two this was a quadruple mounting.
LSV class landing ships (launched 1942-43)
Displacement: 5875t (LSV3-6 5625t) standard
Dimensions: 440ft wl, 455ft 6in (LSV3-6 451ft 3in) oa x 60ft 3in X 20ft
134.11, 138.84 (137.54) x 18.36 x 6.10m
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, ll,000shp = 20.3kts
Armament: See notes
Complement: 564
Class: Willamette Iron & Steel (LSVl,2)-Catt&t7/ (ex-CM6), Ozark (ex-CM7).
Ingalls (LSV3-6) - Osage (ex-AN3), Saugus (ex-AN4), Monitor (ex-ANl),
Montauk (ex-AN2)
In 1940, when the first attack transports were being designed. Terror was
proposed as an alternative solution, with more space for vehicles on about the
same displacement; moreover, plans already existed. This proposal was shelved,
but a modified Terror was ordered as a netlayer (AN); although it was far larger
than required (the British Protector, 3695t full load, was the model), it had the
great advantage that plans already existed — and it did have that large cargo space
aft, fully enclosed. The design was modified to omit the STS protective plating
of the minelayer and the stern cut down to permit net handling aft. About 4ft
was cut from their bows for net and buoy handling forward, and they had single
rather than twin funnels. Four were ordered, as AN1—4, under the 1940
programme; the same programme also included two repeat Terrors, CM6 and 7.
In 1943 all four netlayers and the two repeat Terrors were redesigned as vehicle
transports, with a ramp aft to permit them to unload amphibious vehicles from
the capacious decks there. The former minelayers retained the four single 5in/38
of their original designs; the ex-netlayers had a twin mount aft in place of two
singles, but in wartime this was replaced by a single 5in/38. Typical loads were
(ex-CM6 and 7) 44 DUKW amphibious trucks and 800 troops; (ex-AN 1 and 2)
Amphibious warfare ships
19 LVT amphibious tractors, 29 DUKW, 800 troops; (ex-AN3 and 4) 21 LVTs,
31 DUKWs, 800 troops. All carried 14 LCVPs on deck and in davits, and all had
a large crane aft. All were laid up in 1946; LSV6 was renamed Galileo and
redesignated a net carrier (AKN). These ships were again redesignated mine
countermeasures ships in 1955, and Catskill and Ozark were actually converted
for this role in the mid-1960s.
f
Monitor (LSV5) in 1944
USN
LSD class landing ships
Displacement: 4032t light; 7930t sea-going
Dimensions: 454ft wl, 457ft 9in oa xx 72ft 2in x 15ft lOin sea-going
138.38, 139.52 x 22.00 x 4.83m
Machinery: 2-shaft Skinner Uniflow (LSD13-27, 2-shaft turbines); 2
boilers, 7400ihp = 15.4kts (LSD 13-21, 25-27 7000shp,
LSD22-24 9000shp = 15.6kts). Range 7400nm at 15kts
Armament: 3 LCT(5)s or (61s or 2 LCT(3)s or (4)s or 14 LCM(3)s or 1500t
cargo or 41 LVTs or 47 DUKWs, l-5in/38, 12^10mm (2x2,
2x4), 16-20mm. With temporary decks up to 92 LVTsor 108
DUKWs
Complement: 254
Class:
Moore, Oakland (LSD1-LSD8) - Ashland, Belle Grove, Carter Hall, Epping
Forest, Gunston Hall, Lindenwald, Oak Hill, White Marsh
Newport News (LSD13-LSD19) - Casa Grande (ex-HMS Portway, ex-Spear),
Rushmore (ex-HMS Swashway, ex-Sword), Shadwell (ex-HMS Waterway, ex-
Tomahawk) Cabildo, Catamount, Colonial, Comstock
Boston N Yd (LSD20, LSD21, LSD26, LSD27) - Donner, Fort Mandan,
Tortuga, Whetstone
Gulf SB (LSD22-LSD24) - Fort Marion, Fort Snelling, Point Defiance
Philadelphia N Yd (LSD25) - San Marcos.
Perhaps the most unusual of the specialised amphibious craft of World War II
was the Landing Ship Dock or LSD, a kind of self-propelled drydock capable of
moving pre-loaded beaching craft over long distances. Like the LST and LCT,
it originated in a British Staff Requirement, in this case for a ‘TLC carrier’,
although at first it was designated a ‘truck transport’ and the emphasis appears
to have been on the ability to carry large numbers of vehicles plus large beaching
craft to move them on to the beach. The original specification called for a
flooding deck aft to take either two of the large British LCTs or three of the new
US type LCT(S), with tanks aboard. Optional loads included fourteen
LCM(3)s each with one medium tank (the LCT could carry five) or cargo;
detachable decks could be fitted to carry vehicles, with ramps permitting
loading into landing craft. One unusual feature of the original requirement was
the high speed specified, 17kts, with an endurance of 8000nm at 15kts.
There were two wartime classes: LSD 1-8 had Skinner Uniflow reciprocating
steam engines, whereas LSD9-27 had steam turbines. The original British
requirement was for seven, and ultimately LSD9-15 were to have been transfer¬
red, but the last three were retained for US service.
San Marcos (LSD25) on 22.4.1945
USN
161
UNITED STATES
LST class landing ships
Displacement: 1625t light; 2366t beaching (500t load); 4080t sea-going
(1675t load)
Dimensions: 316ft wl, 328ft oa x 50ft x 3ft llin forward, 9ft lOin aft
(beaching condition)
96.32, 99.98 x 15.24 x 1.19, 3.00m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel, 1800bhp = 12. lkts at 3960t. Range 24,OOOnm
at 9kts
Armament: (1945) 7-40mm, 12-20mm interim (8-40mm (2x2, 4x1),
12-20mm ultimate battery), 163 troops
Complement: 111
Class: LST 1-LST 1152.
The ‘Large Slow Target’ is surely the best-remembered of the alphabet soup
of World War II amphibious craft. Developed initially in response to the British
request for an Atlantic Tank Carrier capable of bringing tanks from US factories
directly on to foreign beaches, the Landing Ship Tank proved extremely adapt¬
able and surprisingly durable: some survive in navies even today. The basic
requirement called for a capacity of about twenty 25-ton tanks or equivalent
vehicles, some of which might be stowed on the weather deck, with an elevator
or, in later units, a ramp down on to the main (tank) deck for exit via the bow
ramp. Sustained speed was to have been lOkts, but in fact the LSTs were
generally slower, and this was the primary complaint against them. Required
endurance, 5000nm, was greatly exceeded in practice. The original requirement
called for the capability to carry one LCT (complete) ‘either as deck cargo or in
the hold. This is necessary in order to solve the problem of transporting the
shallow draught TLC (LCT) from America to the United Kingdom’.
There were great variations from ship to ship. For example, some had only
two davits, others six, all carrying LCVPs. By late in the war many had 7-40mm
and 12 single 20mm, but all were scheduled for 2 twin and 4 single 40mm (with
two Mk 51 directors), and the 12-20mm single mounts. A total of 1152 ships
were built; the series from LST542 onwards had less payload and a heavier
battery, plus a 4000gal per day distilling plant and other added deadweight.
Ships from LST513 onwards (except 531) had a ramp rather than an elevator
from weather to tank decks.
Many were transferred to the Royal Navy, which built its own LST as the
Mk 3, with frigate-type steam machinery replacing the US diesel type. The
United States, too, tried to build a steam LST (to achieve better speed) and this
appeared postwar asLST1153. The US LST was generally referred to as a Mk 2,
with the original British ship-type LST designated Mk 1.
A total of 83 were converted to or completed as auxiliaries: battle damage
repair ships (ARB 1-12), motor torpedo boat tenders (AGP4-5, 10-11 and
14-20), aircraft engine repair ships (ARVE/ARVA3-6), salvage craft tenders
(ARST1-3), landing craft repair ships (ARL1-41; ARL4z^l7 were cancelled in
August 1945), stores issue ships (AKS16-19, later APB) and self-propelled
barracks ships (APB35—48, some never designated LST in the first place, but all
built on LST hulls).
LSM class
LSM class landing ships
Displacement: 520t light; 743t landing; 1095t sea-going
Dimensions: 196ft 6in wl, 203ft 6in oa x 34ft 6in x 3ft 6in forward, 7ft aft
(beaching condition)
59.89, 62.03 x 10.52 x 1.07, 2.13m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel, 2800bhp = 13.2kts at 928t. Range 4900nm at
12kts
Armament: 5 medium or 3 heavy tanks or 6 LVT or 9 DUKW, 48 troops,
2-40mm (1x2), 4—20mm
Complement: 60
Class: LSM1-187, LSM200^W0, LSM413-500, LSM537-588.
LSM(R) class fire support ships
Displacement: 783t (LSM(R)196-199 826t,LSM(R)401^12,501-536 994t)
Dimensions: 196ft 6in wl, 203ft 6in oa x 34ft 6in x 5ft 6in
(LSM(R) 196-199 5ft 9in LSM(R)401^fl2,501-536 6ft 9in)
59.89, 62.03 X 10.52 x 1.68(1.75, 2.06)m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel, 2800bhp = 13kts. Range 4900nm at 12kts
(LSM(R)401-412, 501-536 3000nm at 12kts)
Armament: l-5in/38, 2-40mm, 3-20mm, 105 rocket launchers
(LSM(R)196-199, 85 rocket launchers, LSM(R)401-412,
501-536, 4—40mm (2x2), 8-20mm (4x2), 4—4.2in mortars,
20 rocket launchers)
Complement: 81 (LSM(R)401^f12, 501-536 143)
162
Class: LSM(R)188—LSM(R)199, LSM(R)401—LSM(R)412, LSM(R)501—
LSM(R)S36.
Early in 1943 the Bureau of Ships began studies of an ocean-going tank
lighter, intermediate in size between the LST and LCT, and with higher speed,
to permit tactical combination with the fast LCI(L); ‘it was recognized that such
a type would be considerably larger than LCT6 and would therefore have to be
capable of making long ocean voyages under its own power ... the landing
displacement of the new type LCT ... is nearly three times that of the LCT6,
whereas the tank cargo carried is 165 tons as compared with 150 tons for the
LCT6. This results primarily from the requirement for higher speed, but also
from the fact that the new type LCT requires greater freeboard, greater
strength, and provision for carrying the tank crews in order to be a satisfactory
type for long ocean voyages. . . The new type LCT not only has greater
freeboard, but has watertight deckhouse structure built along each side of the
tank deck to provide additional reserve buoyancy and improved stability at large
angles. The resulting craft therefore should be satisfactory for long ocean
passages, except in extreme storm conditions. Since the cargo deck is open, only
non-perishable cargo should be carried on long voyages. Rapid self-drainage of
this space is necessary and would be provided. . . For loads, such as trucks, with
less density than tanks, the deck area becomes the determining factor in the load
that can be carried. For the new type LCT, the deck area available for ferrying
vehicles is about twice that of LCT-6. . .’ (Bureau of Ships memo on the
preliminary design, 28 August 1943). The result of this discussion was soon
redesignated LSM (Landing Ship Medium) instead of LCT(7). It became a
priority item in the 1944 and 1945 amphibious programmes, and ultimately a
total of 558 were ordered, but LSM188-199 were converted to support ships
(rocket), or LSM(R), with a single enclosed 5in gun aft and four 4.2in mortars,
plus between 85 and 105 rockets. Forty-eight more units were redesigned as
LSM(R)401^112 and 501-536; they had their superstructures moved right aft,
with the 5in gun forward, and carried 10 automatic rocket launchers in place of
the simple rails of the earlier emergency conversions. They also had two rather
than one twin 40mm gun. Finally, four units, LSM549-522, became salvage
lifting vessels, ARS(D)s, in 1945.
LCI(L)463 1943 1
LCI(L) class large landing craft
Displacement: 194t (LCI(L)3S1-1098 209t) light; 238t (258t) landing; 387t
(38 5t) full load
Dimensions: 153ft wl, (LCI(L) 351-1098 159ft) 158ft 6in oa x 23ft 8in x
2ft 8in (2ft lOin) forward, 5ft (5ft 3in) aft (beaching condition)
46.63 (48.46), 48.31 x 7.21 x 0.81 (0.86), 1.52 (1.60)m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel, 2320bhp = 15.5kts. Oil 120t, range 8700nm at
12kts (LCI(L) 351-1098 llOt, 8000nm at 12kts)
Armament: 188 troops or 75t cargo (sea-going) (LCI(L) 351-1098 209
troops), 4—20mm (LCI(L) 351-1098 5-20mm)
Complement: 24 (LCI(L)351-1098 29)
Class: LCI(L)1-LCI(L)1139.
The Landing Craft Infantry (Large), which was the basis for numerous
specialised amphibious types, was itself designed as a large raiding craft for
commando operations. An Admiralty Staff Requirement of 30 April 1942 called
for 300 craft, each to carry 200-250 troops (no cargo) at 20kts (not less than 14)
with an endurance of 500nm at 15kts. These craft had to be built in the United
States in view of the saturation of British building capacity, but they would be
too large to cross the Atlantic as deck cargo: they had to be able to cross on their
own, given extra fuel stowage. They were to beach, and to land troops from
gangways: no elaborate bow doors would be required, and this would permit
them to utilise a more ship-like form that that of the LST, and consequently to
achieve better speed. The basic design was fixed by May 1942 at 153ft length, a
modified PC hull form having been considered and then rejected. By that time it
was designated a special transport (APY) and design files noted that ‘the vessel is
to be of such arrangement that it can be adapted to the transporting of packaged
cargo which is susceptible of manhandling’; ultimately a capacity of 75 tons of
cargo was provided.
LCI(L)1-3S0 had low, square-cut, conning towers; LCI(L)351-1098 had tall
round ones, as in the LSM; of the latter series, 641-657, 691-716, 762-780,
782-821,866-884,1024—1033, and 1033—1098 had bow doors and conventional
ramps rather than gangways. Many were converted for specialised duties:
LC(FF)s (49 converted) as flotilla flagships for LCIs, LCI(G)s and LC(L)s;
LCI(M)s (42 converted) for pre-landing barrage, with a single 40mm gun and
3-4.2in chemical mortars; LCI(R) for rocket bombardment, with 6-5in rocket
launchers in place of the mortars (36 converted); LCI(G) (86 converted) with six
optional batteries: 2-40mm, 3-20mm, 6-0.50cal MGs and 10 Mk 7 rocket
launchers; 3-40mm, 2-20mm, 5-0.50cal MGs and 8 Mk 1 rocket launchers;

2^t0mm, 4—20mm and 10 Mk 7 rocket launchers; l-40mm, l-3in/50 gun,
4—20mm and 10—0.50cal MGs; or 1—40mm, 3—20mm and 24 rocket launchers.
In addition, a series of 130 support ships, LCS(L) (3)s, were built on new
LCI(L) hulls completely rearranged internally; they mounted a 3in/50 or a twin
40mm on the bow, two more twin 40mm (one in No 2 position, one aft), plus
4—20mm and 10 Mk 7 rocket launchers, and were in effect small shallow-
draught gunboats suitable for close-in fire support as well as for interdicting
inter-island barge traffic.
The first LCI(L) was completed on 9 October 1942 and production ended in
October 1944, by which time these relatively inflexible, cramped craft were no
longer necessary. LCS(L) completions extended between 20 June 1944 and
March 1945, most coming in the autumn of 1944. Five were converted to
underwater object locators, AMC(U)7-11, in 1945.
LCT(5) and LCT(6) class landing craft
Displacement: 283t (LCT(6) 309t) landing
Dimensions: 105ft wl, 114ft 2in(LCT(6) 119ft lin)oa x 32ft 8in x 2ft lOin
(3ft 7in) forward, 4ft 2in (4ft) aft
32.00, 34.80(36.30) x 9.96 x 0.86 (1.09), 1.27 (1.22)m
Machinery: 3-shaft diesel, 675bhp = 8kts. Range 1200nm at 7kts
Armament: 4 medium or 3 heavy tanks or 150t cargo, 2-20mm
Complement: 11 (LCT(6) 13)
Class: LCT1-LCT146S.
The Landing Craft, Tank was the largest of all US shipborne amphibious
craft; it could be carried only by an LST, on deck, and then launched broadside,
empty. Alternatively, the LCT could be carried in sections, each weighing less
than 50 tons, which were buoyant and so could be bolted together in the water.
The class originated with a British request for a US version of a Thornycroft
design for a tank lighter about 100ft long, capable of carrying heavy and medium
tanks; the Admiralty Staff Requirement of November 1941 called for a capacity
of six 10-ton trucks or three 50-ton tanks or six 27-ton medium tanks, two
abreast. They were to serve primarily as point-to-point lighters for a European
invasion mounted from the United Kingdom, and were not expected to be
seaworthy enough for an Atlantic crossing; in fact one important function of the
LSD was to transport loaded LCTs over great distances.
The US LCT design based broadly on the Admiralty requirement was ready
within a month of receipt of the Admiralty requirement, and production was
very rapid. The initial design was designated Mk V, as there were already four
types of much larger British tank transports, roughly comparable to the later US
LSM. The initial production LCT(5) was followed by an enlarged LCT(6),
designed to perform a secondary function as a causeway between an LST and the
shore: it had a detachable stern plate, with a lip beneath it for the LST ramp to
engage; the LCT(5) superstructure was split in half to permit vehicles to run the
entire length of the craft. 500 LCT(5)s were succeeded by 965 LCT(6)s all being
completed between 29 June 1942 and 22 December 1944. Postwar survivors
were reclassified LCU (for Utility) and additional craft of the same type were
built under several postwar programmes.
The LCTs were the smallest US landing craft to receive numbers in their own
right, as LCT1-1465. They began with the designator YTL, for yard (ie local, or
short-range) tank lighter. LCT Mk 7 became the LSM, the Landing Ship,
Medium, and LCT(8) was a British type unrelated to the US designs. Six
LCT(6)s were converted to underwater object locators, AMC(U) 1-6, in 1945.
LCV, LCVP, LCM(3), LCP(L)/LCP(R) type shipborne
landing craft
Displacement: LCVP 8t light; LCM(3) 23.2t light, 52t full load; LCP 8t
loaded
Dimensions: LCV, LCVP: 36ft oa X 10ft 6in x 2ft 2in forward, 3ft aft
(light)
10.97 x 3.20 x 0.66, 0.91m
LCM: 50ft oa x 14ft lin x 3ft forward, 4ft aft (light)
15.24 x 4.29 x 0.91, 1.22m
LCP: 36ft 8in x 10ft lOin x 3ft 6in (loaded)
11.18 x 3.30 x 1.07m
Machinery: LCV: 1-shaft diesel (225bhp) or petrol (250hp) engine = 9kts.
Range 102nm at 9kts
LCVP: 2-shaft diesel, 220-450bhp = 8kts loaded. Range
850nm at 6.25kts
LCP: 1-shaft diesel or petrol engine, 150-250(b)hp = 8kts
loaded. Range 50nm at 8kts (petrol), 130nm at 8kts (diesel)
36 troops or 60001b vehicle, 2-0.3in (LCVP, LCM 1 tank or
Armament:
26.8t cargo or 60 troops, 2-0.5in; LCP 36 troops or
6700-81001b cargo, 2-0.3in)
Complement: 3 (LCM 4)
The earliest US efforts in amphibious development were devoted to specialised
boats which, carried in the davits of transports, could negotiate surf and beach
on target shores. All were designed for loading after launch, troops clambering
down nets into boats, and vehicles being loaded (relatively slowly) by boom. The
first US surf boats were designed by the Eureka (Higgins) company of New
Orleans; experiments began in 1936 with a 28ft type based on a 1926 design used
by trappers. The Marines contracted for a 32ft version to carry 24 troops
Amphibious Warfare Ships
(September 1940) and the Admiralty ordered a slightly larger type, 36ft 8in
long, to carry a full British platoon. This LCP(L) or landing craft, personnel
(large) was the basis for later US craft: 2140 were built during the war. Its main
defect was the difficulty experienced by heavily loaded men attempting to leap
the 4ft or more over its bow, and it was superseded by a ramped version, the
LCP(R), 2572 of which were built in wartime. Both were wooden, and proved
vulnerable to beach obstacles in landings in 1942.
These boats could carry only troops, but the troops would need vehicles, at
least light tanks, when they came ashore. The LCP(R) was redesigned with a
large armoured ramp as the LCV, capable of carrying such tanks; 2366 were
built. A modified, armoured, armed, version, the LCVP, was the standard small
landing craft of World War II: 22,492 were built in wartime. It could carry 3
tons of vehicles or 36 men.
By December 1941 it had become evident that medium rather than light tanks
would be required for amphibious assaults, and a 50ft craft was designed. The
Bureau of Ships proposed a flat-decked lighter, but Higgins’ design for an
enlarged LCVP was procured instead as the LCM(3); earlier marks denoted
British types. A total of 8631 were built, and they were the largest craft carried in
davits. The need to carry still heavier tanks led to the LCT design, which had to
make sea passages under its own power. However, a modified LCM, the Mk 6,
was built with an extra 6ft section inserted: it was required to carry the 30-ton
Sherman tank. It could not be carried in davits, and had to travel in sections or in
the well deck of an LSD: a total of 2513 were built. Mks 4 and 5 were British
types, as was the Mk 7; the Mk 8 was the postwar US LCM.
The other principal means of ship-to-shore transport used in landings was the
amphibious vehicle, the DUKW truck or the LVT tractor. The LSVs were
designed specifically to launch such vehicles from their ramps aft, to permit
particularly quick reinforcement of the beach; the Marines even developed
amphibious trailers for them, and both were sometimes used for close fire
support, one version of the LVT mounting a self-propelled howitzer turret with
a 75mm gun and another mounting a light tank turret with a 37mm anti-tank
gun. DUKWs sometimes came ashore in initial assaults with 105mm howitzers
aboard.
■ ■■
LCS(L)45 on 22.5.1946 USN
LCS(L)(3) class fire support craft
Displacement: 250t light, 387t full load
Dimensions: 153ft wl, 158ft oa x 23ft 8in x 5ft 7in full load
46.63, 48.16 x 7.21 x 1.70m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel, 2320bhp = 15.5kts. Oil 76t, range 5500nm at
12kts
Armament: 1—3in/50, 4—40mm (2x2), 4—20mm, 10 rocket launchers
Complement: 71 .
Class: LCS(L)1-LCS(L)130.
LCS(S) class fire support craft
Displacement: 9.8t (LCS(S)(2) 10.3t)
Dimensions: 36ft 8in oa x 10ft lOin x 3ft 6in
11.18 x 3.30 x 1.07m
Machinery: 1-shaft petrol engine, 250hp = 12kts. Range 115nm at 12kts
(LCS(S)(2) 1-shaft diesel, 225bhp = 11.5kts. Range 135nm at
ll.Skts)
Armament: See notes
Complement: 6
The earliest US close support craft for landings was a converted LCP(L)
designated LCS(S), for Landing Craft Support (Small), a comparison with
larger British types. It could be carried in the davits of an attack transport, and
was armed primarily with rockets and smoke pots, the first to silence machine
gun fire on the beach, the second to provide cover. There were two marks:
(LCS(S)(1) had 2-0.50cal or 3-0.30cal or 1-0.50 and 2-0.30cal machine guns
plus two rocket launchers; Mk 2 had 1-0.50, 2-0.30, and two 12-rocket laun¬
chers. Both had light armour on their bridges, and a total of 558 was delivered.
Amphibious commanders liked them, and particularly favoured the fact that
163
UNITED STATES
they could be carried aboard transports, but wanted more powerful weapons,
such as 20mm guns. Meanwhile the Bureau of Ships proceeded with its
LCS(L)(3) design based on the LCI(L) hull (and described under that heading).
The Bureau also studied a number of other alternatives, including a modified
version of the LCC control craft (which was not proceeded with), a PCS (with an
armoured pilot house and one twin 40mm rather than one single aft, not built), a
modified 173ft PC (built as a PGM and described under the PC), a modified SC
(PGM - see under SC), a modified PT (unofficially modified in the field as a
barge destroyer, but not for amphibious operations), and, finally, an LCT(5)
fitted as a gun or flak ship. The latter might have been transported on the deck of
an LST, but the Bureau did ‘not consider the launching of an LCT(5) converted
to LCG or LCF from the deck of an LST to be a practicable operation’. Similar
conversions in British service were practicable in view of the short distances
US COAST GUARD
The United States is unusual in having a second military sea force, the
Coast Guard, which in peacetime is part of the civil government (in
1922-46 under the jurisdiction of the Treasury Department) but in war
becomes part of the Navy; in fact the Coast Guard fell under naval
jurisidiction on 1 November 1941. Peacetime tasks are the enforcement
of maritime law (including laws against smuggling) and assistance to
life and property on the sea; the latter includes the International Ice
Patrol and the operation of harbours. Indeed, the Coast Guard was
formed in 1915 by the amalgamation of the Revenue Cutter Service,
formed in 1790, and the Lifesaving Service; in 1939 the Lighthouse
Service merged with the first two.
The Coast Guard fleet included a wide range of‘cutters’, the largest
of which were similar to Navy gunboats, as well as motor launches for
harbour and coastal operations, and a fleet of buoy tenders. This fleet
grew spectacularly during the 1920s in the face of an explosion of
smuggling (‘rum-running’) brought on by Prohibition. In 1924 the
Navy transferred twenty destroyers (numbered CGI-20 in Coast
Guard service-see 1922 table): 13 of the 750-ton type and 7 ‘thousand-
tonners’; five more ‘thousand tonners’ (CG21-25) were added in 1926,
and six ‘flush-deckers’ became CGI5-20 in 1930, replacing six of the
earliest ships. At the same time there was a massive patrol boat pro¬
gramme, which at its peak produced 203 74ft llin boats, numbered
between CGI00 and CG302; 51 of them were transferred to the Navy
upon the expiration of Prohibition, and formed the core of the YP
force. There were also thirteen 99ft 8in boats (210 tons), which were
named; some of these, too, went into the Navy district patrol force
during the 1930s. However, the Coast Guard retained its larger ‘cut¬
ters’, which performed valuable ASW service in wartime. The ‘Treas¬
ury’ class also served as amphibious command ships. Moreover, the
new generation of Coast Guard motor launches, most notably the
83-footers, were employed in European waters.
In addition, the Coast Guard provided a large pool of trained person¬
nel, who manned a total of 30 destroyer escorts, 75 frigates, 22 trans¬
ports, 9 attack transports, 15 cargo ships, 5 attack cargo ships, 18 petrol
tankers, 76 LSTs, 28 LCIs, and 33 smaller Navy craft, as well as 288
Army vessels. At the end of the war the Coast Guard took over many
sub-chasers as it attempted to develop a long-range search and rescue
branch to deal with aircraft lost at sea, and apparently for a time
operated the weather ships converted in 1944—45.
LAKE (250ft) class Coast Guard cutters (launched
1927-31)
Displacement: 1662t trial, 2075t full load
Dimensions: 239ft wl, 250ft oa x 42ft X 12ft llin trial
72.85, 76.20 x 12.80 x 3.94m
Machinery: 1-shaft General Electric turbine, 2 Babcock & Wilcox boilers,
3350shp = 17kts. Oil 300t
Armament: 1—5in/51, 1—3in/ 50, 2-6pdr
Complement: 97
164
from British ports to the invasion beaches in Europe. By October 1943 it had
been decided that fire support requirements might best be met by a combination
of a small craft which might be carried on board transports (the LCS(S)) and a
sea-going craft preferably combining the functions of a gunboat (LCG) and an
AA craft (LCF, or Landing Craft, Flak) - the LCS(L)(3). A destroyer escort
conversion with three 5in/38s looked extremely promising but was ultimately
rejected, as was a conversion of the 180ft PCE.
Meanwhile the Forces Afloat converted many existing LCI(L)s to support
craft (as described under LCI(L)). These conversions extended beyond the end
of the LCS(L) programme; for example, in June 1945 Admiral King ordered the
conversion of additional LCI(G)s to bring the fleet of 207 ships (125 LCS(L)s
and 82 LCI(G)s) up to a total of 400.
Class (fate):
Bethlehem, Quincy (WPG45—WPG49) — C/te/an (to Britain 1941 ),Pontchartrain
(to Britain 1941), Tahoe (to Britain 1941),Champlain (to Britain 1941 ),Mendota
(to Britain 1941)
General Engineering (WPG50-WPG53) - Itasca (to Britain 1941), Sebago (to
Britain 1941), Saranac (to Britain 1941), Shoshone (to Britain 1941)
United Dryock (WPG54) - Cayuga (to Britain 1941)
These ten turbo-electric units were direct successors to four Tampa class
cutters completed in 1921-22; there were differences in the electrical systems of
the two groups of five. They introduced a new hull form: the Tampas had been
designed in 1916 with the plumb bow and counter stern of previous ships, but
ice patrol in the North Atlantic showed that the latter feature was undesirable:
heavy seas coming up under the counter caused severe shocks. In this design,
therefore, a slightly raking stem and a cruiser stern were adopted, together with
some increase in power. All were transferred to the Royal Navy under Lend-
Lease. See also under Great Britain.
Northland during the war
NORTHLAND Coast Guard cutter (launched 5.2.1927)
Displacement: 1785t trial
Dimensions: 200ft wl, 216ft 7in oa x 39ft x 13ft 8in trial
60.96, 66.02 x 11.89 x 4.17m
Machinery: 1- shaft diesel, lOOObhp = 11.5kts
Armament: 2- 6pdr, 1-lpdr, 1 aircraft
Complement: 107
This ice-reinforced cutter (built by Newport News) was designed as a successor
to the Bear, for Arctic service; she was an early example of largely welded hull
construction, with diesel-electric propulsion. Bilge keels were not fitted in view
of the likelihood of ice damage; another unusual feature was the provision, at
first, of sails as insurance against ice damage to the single propeller. The latter
were removed in 1936. In wartime Northland (WPG49) was armed: she carried,
at the end of the war, two single 3in/50, 4—20mm, two depth charge racks and
two K-guns, and was equipped with sonar as well as air and surface search radar.
_
TREASURY class Coast Guard cutters (launched 1936-37)
Displacement: 2350t trial
Dimensions: 308ft wl, 327ft oa x 41ft x 12ft 6in trial
93.88, 99.67 X 12.50 x 3.81m
Machinery: 2-shaft Westinghouse turbines, 2 Babcock & Wilcox boilers,
5250shp = 19kts. Oil 561t, range 9500nm at llkts
Armament: 2—5in/51, 2-6pdr, 1-lpdr, 1 aircraft
Complement: 123
 Bibb about 1942
USN

Class (fate): Class (fate):

Charleston N Yd (WPG31) - Bibb (in service 1980)
Philadelphia N Yd (WPG32, WPG33, WPG35, WPG37) — Campbell (in service
1980),Duane (in service 1980),Ingham (in service 1980), Taney (inservice 1980)
New York N Yd (WPG34, WPG36) - Alexander Hamilton (sunk 30.1.42),
Spencer (engineering training school 23.1.74)
These seven large cutters were perhaps the most successful built by the Coast
Guard, at least up to the present series. Design requirements included a speed of
20kts and space on deck aft for both an aircraft and a large towing bitt well
forward of rudders and propellers. The aircraft had to be carried in a hangar.
Originally the Coast Guard planned to enlarge the very successful ‘Lake’ class,
increasing beam to add deck area and increasing length ot 316ft for extra speed.
The Coast Guard vessel was of conventional transverse-framed single-screw
design; however, at the same time the Navy was designing the Erie class to a
similar specification, with the new longitudinal framing and twin screws. Its
design was adapted for Coast Guard use: the new 327ft cutter retained the hull
framing, basic lines, and compartmentation of the gunboat, but used heavier
scantlings and was altered in stem, stern, and skeg form to reflect Coast Guard
requirements; in addition the superstructure was cut down to provide a long
open quarterdeck.
The class was originally to have included ten ships; three were apparently
switched to the later Owasco class when the latter was ordered in 1941. Origin¬
ally, all seven vessels carried 2-5in/51 forward, plus 2-6pdr and 1-lpdr. How¬
ever, in 1941 the aircraft was landed and replaced by a third 5in/51; in 1941, for
example, Duane had 3-5in and 3 single 3in/50, as well as DC racks and K-guns;
by that time these ships were being used as ASW escorts in the North Atlantic.
Armament varied in wartime. For example, in 1942 Bibb showed 3in guns in
‘A’, ‘C’, ‘P’ and ‘X’ positions, and 5in/51 in ‘B’ and ‘Q’. Perhaps the most
powerful battery carried was four 5in/38 in enclosed mounts (eg Taney, 1944).
Through 1944 their principal employment was as convoy flagships. However,
that autumn all six surviving units were converted as amphibious flagships
(AGC), with their superstructures built up amidships for additional accommo¬
dation; one or two additional pole masts were stepped. Batteries were sharply
reduced. Duane was cut to 2 quadruple 40mm, 3 twin 40mm (one forward, two
superfiring aft), and 8-20mm. Her sisters had two open merchant ship type
5in/38, as well as 3 twin 40mm and 4 or 8 (Ingham, Spencer) 20mm. So important
was the AGC conversion that 1850-ton destroyers were withdrawn from Pacific
service to replace the big ‘cutters’ as convoy flagships, and their reconstruction
delayed accordingly. All six returned to their Coast Guard configurations post¬
war.
Western Pipe, San Pedro (WPG39-WPG44, WPG64-WPG68) - Owasco (sold
7.10.74), Winnebago (sold 7.10.74), Chautequa (decommissioned 1.8.73),
Sebago (ex-Wachusett) (decommissioned 29.2.72), Iroquois (sold 1.6.65),
Wachusett (ex-Huron) (sold 18.11.74), Escanaba (ex-Otsego) (decommissioned
28.6.73) , Winona (decommissioned 31.5.74), Klamath (decommissioned
1.5.73) , Minnetonka (ex-Sunapee) (decommissioned 31.5.74), Androscoggin
(sold 7.10.74)
Coast Guard Yd, Curtis Bay (WPG69, WPG70) - Mendota (decommissioned
1.11.73) , Ponchartrain (ex-Okeechobee) (decommissioned 19.10.73)
The odd number of these vessels built, thirteen, reflected a requirement to
replace three over-age units (which were originally to have been replaced by the
‘Treasury’ class) and then to replace ten units transferred to Britain (‘Lake’
class). Although they were authorised in July, 1941, they had a low priority and
none was laid down prior to the summer of 1943; completions began in the late
spring of 1945 and none actually saw war service.
They reverted to turbo-electric drive and presented a rather foreshortened,
almost topheavy appearance. The superstructure was broken into two blocks to
accommodate an aircraft, a requirement dropped (in part at Navy insistence)
soon after the outbreak of war. The other major wartime change was the
inclusion of a super-firing Hedgehog forward. There were also six K-guns and a
pair of DC racks aft; like the larger ‘Treasury’ type, they were considerably
reduced in armament after the end of hostilities. They appear not to have been
nearly as satisfactory in service: the last 255-footer was decommissioned in 1974,
whereas six years later five ‘Treasury’ class vessels remain active.
Northwind (WAG278) as
WIND class Coast Guard cutters (icebreakers) (launched
1942-43)
Displacement: 6515t full load
Dimensions: 269ft oa x 63ft 6in x 25ft 9in max
81.99 x 19.36 x 7.85m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel, 12,000bhp = 16.8kts trial. Oil 1370t, range
50,000nm at llkts
Armament: 4—5in/38 (2x2), 12-40mm (3x4), 6-20mm, 1 Hedgehog, 6
DC projectors, 2 DC racks, 1 aircraft
Complement: 316

Eastwind showing postwar modifications USCG

Pontchartrain on 4.9.1945 USCG

OWASCO class Coast Guard cutters (launched 1944-45)

Displacement: 2010t full load
Dimensions: 255ft oa x 43ft x 16ft full load
77.72 x 13.11 x 4.88m
Machinery: 1-shaft Westinghouse turbine, 2 Foster Wheeler boilers,
4000shp = 19kts. Oil 390t, range 12,200nm at 12kts
Armament: 4—5in/38 (2x2), 8-40mm (2x4), 4-20mm, 1 Hedgehog, 6 DC
projectors, 2 DC racks
Complement: 276
UNITED STATES

Class: WAG278 Northwind, WAG279 Eastwind, WAG280 Southwind,

WAG281 Westwind, WAG282 Northwind.
These icebreakers were built by Western Pipe, San Pedro, both for Navy and
for Coast Guard service; their armament matched that of the 255ft cutters. At
least the Navy units, and possibly all, were designed to provide iceward protec¬
tion during the Murmansk run, as noted by an internal Navy memo to reduce
their armament upon conclusion of the war in Europe. By that time three of the
Coast Guard units (WAG278, 280 and 281) had been supplied to the Soviet
Union under Lend-Lease, and they were returned in 1949. The two Navy units
were completed only after the war. Northwind (ii) and Westwind are still in
service.
Equipment included an aircraft (generally a J2F) carried on a platform abaft
the funnel and handled by crane. All were completed with bow propellers, but
these proved impractical in service near Greenland and were removed, the
spaces for their machinery being converted to cargo holds. The Coast Guard
units may have been designed specifically to supply US bases established in
Greenland in 1941.
Qass
Mathis (WPC100, WPC108) - Argo (sold 1955), Galatea (to Dominican
Republic 1948)
Lake Union (WPC101, WPC102, WPC105) - Ariadne (decommissioned
23.12.68), Atalanta (sold Dec 1954), Cyane (sold Dec 1954)
Bath Iron Wks (WPC103, WPC104, WPC106, WPC109, WPC110, WPC114,
WPC115)-Aurora (decommissioned 17.1.68), Calypso (ex-AG35) (sold 1955),
Daphne (sold 1955), Hermes (sold May 1958), Icarus (to Dominican Republic
1948), Perseus (sold 1962), Thetis (to Dominican Republic 1948)
Manitowoc (WPC107, WPC113)-Dione (discarded 1970s),Pandora (discarded
1959)
Marietta : WPC 111, WPC112, WPC116) - Nemesis (decommissioned 20.11.64),
Nike (discarded 1970s), Triton (sold 16.1.69)
Unlike the later ‘A’ type, these units were a direct consequence of Coast
Guard experience during Prohibition, and indeed were intended to counter
improvements in ‘rum-runner’ cargo ship effectiveness against trailing tactics
by the earlier 125ft class. They were ,thus, roughly comparable to the later Navy
PCs (and indeed may have inspired the original designation of the PC as a ‘165ft
sub-chaser’) whereas the ‘A’ class was more comparable to the 180ft PCE.
Of eighteen built, one (Electro) was transferred to the Navy as the Presidential
yacht Mayflower. Icarus, unassisted, actually sank a German submarine. The
prewar battery of 1—3in/23 and 2-lpdr machine guns was increased, in wartime,
to 2-3in/50, 2-20mm, 2 depth-charge racks, 2 K-guns and Mousetrap. The
Coast Guard classed these units as WPCs and the ‘A’ class as WPGs, or
gunboats.

Harriet Lane 1944 _t ____L

A wartime view of Algonquin USCG

ALGONQUIN (165ft ‘A’) class Coast Guard cutters
(launched 1932-34)
Displacement: 1005t full load
Dimensions: 150ft wl, 165ft oa x 36ft x 12ft 3in full load
45.72, 50.29 x 10.97 x 3.73m
Machinery: 1- shaft Westinghouse turbine, 2 Foster Wheeler boilers,
1500shp = 12.5kts. Oil 156t, range 3300nm at lOkts
Armament: 2- 3in/50
Complement: 61 (98 in 1945)
Class (fate):
Pusey & Jones (WPG75, WPG76, WPG78) - Algonquin (BU 1948), Comanche
(sold 1949), Mohawk (sold Nov 1948)
Defoe, Bay City (WPG77, WPG79, WPG80) - Escanaba (lost 13.6.1943),
Onondaga (sold Dec 1954), Tahoma (sold 1955).
Replacements for obsolete ‘tugboat’-type cutters developed from the Tallapoosa
class launched in 1915, which was the first flush-decked type with good
freeboard, the Algonquins were further intended to operate in severe ice condi¬
tions, with plating doubled around the bow, a cut-away forefoot, short length
and medium draught. Wartime additions to armament were 2-20mm guns, 2
DC racks, 4 K-guns, and Mousetrap (all but Onondaga).
ACTIVE (125ft) class Coast Guard cutters (launched
1926-27)
Displacement: 232t trial
Dimensions: 120ft wl, 125ft oa x 23ft 4in x 7ft
36.58, 38.10 x 7.11 x 2.13m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel, 600bhp = 13.3kts
Armament: (1945) 1—3in/23 DP (none in Ewing Morris), 2-20mm, 2 DC
racks, 2 Mousetrap
Complement: 38 (46 in 1945)
Class (fate): Active, (extant 1980), Agassiz (decommissioned 13.10.69), Alert
(sold 28.10.1969), Antietam (lost 14.9.44), Bonham (sold 1959), Boutwell (sold
1964), Cahoone (discarded 1970s), Cartigan (discarded 1970s), Colfax (ex-
Montgomery) (sold 1956), Crawford (sold 1947), Diligence (sold 1964), Dix (sold
1948), Ewing (decommissioned 23.6.67), Founce (sold 1964), Frederick Lee
(discarded 1970s), General Greene (decommissioned 15.11.68), Harriet Lane
(sold 1949),Jackson (lost 14.9.44), Kimball (decommissioned 31.12.68),Legate
(discarded 1970s), Marion (sold 1963), McLane (decommissioned 31.12.68),
Morris (decommissioned 7.8.70), Nemaha (sold 1958), Pulaski (sold 1957),
Reliance (sold June 1948), Rush (sold 1964), Tiger (sold 1948), Travis (sold
1963), Vigilant (sold 1956), Woodbury (sold 1963), Yeaton (decommissioned
18.7.69), Cuyahoga (deleted 1978), (WPC125-WPC157).
The construction of these craft was a consequence of Prohibition: although
the small motor launches were able to compete with rum-running craft in close
coastal waters, it soon became apparent that it would be necessary to trail the
foreign cargo carriers supplying the coastal craft, to prevent cargo transfer. The
design emphasised seaworthiness and cruising radius, and they were powered
by twin diesels of the highest power available, with mechanical clutches and
reversing gear; direct reversing engines were precluded by the degree of fast
manoeuvring expected. In World War II they were classed as sub-chasers
(WSC), although they were in fact considerably slower than the new 110ft
wooden type. By the end of hostilities their original single 3in/23 had been
joined by 2-20mm guns, 2 depth-charge tracks aft, and Mousetrap. Only Ewing
Morris had no 3in gun. All were built by New York SB.

COAST GUARD LAUNCHES

Under Prohibition, the Coast Guard built up a very large force of coastal craft,
most notably the 203 74ft 1 lin motor launches, which at that time represented
the largest US postwar building programme. The Navy transferred 19 World
Nemesis postwar USCG War I sub-chasers to the Coast Guard, and the Coast Guard also built a variety of
speedboats and fast ‘picket boats’. Most of these craft had no ASW function.
However, from 1941 onwards, the Coast Guard built 230 83ft patrol boats,
THETIS (165ft ‘B’) class Coast Guard cutters (launched
which did serve abroad; they were armed with l-20mm gun, 4 depth charge
1931-34) tracks, and Mousetrap, and thus were perhaps roughly equivalent to the British
Displacement: 334t trial HDMLs. There were also nine 80ft (1937) and six 78ft (1929-31) motor
launches, which were presumably design predecessors of the 83ft type.
Dimensions: 160ft 9in wl, 165ft oa x 23ft 9in x 7ft 8in trial
49.00, 50.29 x 7.24 x 2.34m Originally all of these craft were numbered in a CG series; however, in
2-shaft diesel, 1340bhp = 16kts wartime they were renumbered in a five-digit series of which the first two were
Machinery:
the length: thus the 74ft 1 lin boats became 74300-74351; the 78ft CG400-405
Armament: (1945) 2-3in/50, 2-20mm, 2 DC racks, 2 DC projectors, 2
became 78300-78305; the 80ft CG406-414 became 80300-80308; and the 83ft
Mousetrap
CG450—489, 491—499 and 600—634 became 83300—83383, whereas later 83ft
Complement: 50 (75 in 1945)
boats became simply 83384-83529.

166
Japan
In 1853 and 1854, Commodore Perry interrupted Japan’s 250 years of
self-imposed isolation, and forced her to sign trade and consular
agreements. The intrusion of these unwanted interlopers, backed as
they were by overpowering force, was reluctantly agreed to, but was
also deeply resented, their presence being contrary to Japan’s most
fundamental religious and social beliefs; an unwritten, and apparently
very far-fetched, national programme was accordingly formulated in
the 1860s (and passed down to later generations), providing for the
gradual elimination of the occidental powers from their colonies and
privileges in the Far East, and for the creation of an Asian empire under
Japanese hegemony.
The independence of Japan itself was saved by the internal reforms
that followed the 1868 Meiji Restoration, and the 1894-95
Sino-Japanese War ended Chinese interference in Korea. The wars of
1904—05 and 1914-18 removed Russian and German influence in the
Orient; Japan’s plans for China were shown by the merciless ‘21
Demands’ of 1915, while her ‘8-6’ and ‘8-8’ naval construction pro¬
grammes matched the United States’ huge 1916 programme ship for
ship. From the Russo-Japanese War onwards, Japan made exceptional
sacrifices, in both money and human lives, to protect her interests, for
example spending in 1921 32 per cent of her entire national revenue on
naval purposes, 17.5 per cent on new construction alone. In 1920 and
1921, America was advised repeatedly through diplomatic channels
that fortification of the naval base of Cavite, in the Philippines, would
be treated as a casus belli; after the costly efforts to oust the Russians
from Port Arthur, Japan had no intention of allowing another powerful
fortress to be built on her doorstep.
JAPAN AND THE NAVAL TREATIES
The post-World War I Pacific arms race was of short duration, being
ended in 1921-22 by the Washington Conference and subsequent
Treaty limiting naval armaments, which set a 5-5-3 ratio for the capital
ships of Britain, America and Japan. Japan’s interests were seemingly
jeopardised by the lower figure, and by the termination of the 1902
Anglo-Japanese Treaty of Alliance, also prescribed in the Washington
‘package’, but two factors safeguarded her security. Britain and
America had Atlantic and Mediterranean commitments, so neither
would find it easy to assemble an overwhelming force in the Orient, and
associated with the Naval Limitations Treaty was the Four-Power
Treaty, which, by prohibiting the development of fortified bases in the
Western Pacific, Philippines and China Sea east of Singapore, pro¬
tected Japan from the ready advance of a hostile American fleet.
Japan’s external policy in the 1920s was milder than in earlier years,
and at home some effort was made to curb spending on armaments.
The spirit of the League of Nations and the peaceful outcome of the
ruinous arms race put militarism into temporary eclipse. Certain irrit¬
ants, however, remained. The lower capital ship ratio suggested an
inferiority that offended national pride, and the summary ending of the
Anglo-Japanese Treaty rankled. Relations with the United States,
since 1915 never more than cordial, were not improved by the racial
slurs implicit in the 1924 American Immigration Act. The rise of the
Kuomintang threatened the rebirth of China and a rival Oriental
nationalism. From 1929 the worldwide depression provided an
economic spur to renewed Japanese militarism, which was manifested
in an unpleasant process of‘government by assassination’, and a more
active prosecution of the national programme. Manchuria was invaded
and became a client-state. Within the Government and armed forces, a
struggle took place between the conservative ‘Strike-North’ faction,
favouring an all-out war on Soviet Russia, and the more radical and
ultimately victorious ‘Strike-South’ faction, which proposed seizing
Japan’s sources of oil and raw materials in Malaya and the East Indies.
The 1930 London Conference, called because of a looming arms race
in cruisers, established total tonnage limits for cruisers, destroyers and
submarines (for which the Washington Treaty had limited only indi¬
vidual displacements and gun calibres). The 10-10-7 ratio for British,
American and Japanese cruisers was acceptable to Japan, but the Naval
Staff was much less happy with its 52,700 tons of submarines, the same
as for Britain and America, as this would allow too few of the large boats
necessary. Her subsequent attitude to naval disarmament was cynical
in the extreme: in 1934, preparing for yet another conference, she
proposed firstly a common upper limit for the British, American and
her own navies, ie that all three, irrespective of national commitments,
should be the same size, and secondly that all ‘offensive’ naval
weapons, meaning aircraft carriers and submarines, should be
abolished. Such unrealistic proposals received no support from other
countries, and at the end of the year Japan gave notice of termination of
the 1922 Washington Treaty. Following definite rejection of the com¬
mon limit proposals in January 1936, Japan withdrew from the second
London Conference and, the 1922 and 1930 Treaties expiring on 31
December 1936, thereafter refused to agree to qualitative or quan¬
titative limits proposed by other powers, or to give details of her own
construction plans.
JAPANESE NAVAL STRATEGY
The ‘Strike-South’ plans provided for a sudden pre-emptive attack
south; the slender American, British, French and Dutch forces in the
area would be swept aside or annihilated. Japan’s conquests, her man¬
dated islands, and the US islands of Wake and Guam, would be
strongly fortified, so that Britain, or more particularly America, would
be deterred by the cost in lives and materials from attempting re¬
conquest. In time, America would always be able to outbuild Japan,
and to offset this Japan emphasised technical developments - new
torpedoes, dive bombers, long range scouting and attack submarines -
to keep ahead. If Japan’s strike south was not followed by a quick
peace, the loss of Wake and Guam would delay an American fleet
advancing to relieve or re-take the Philippines; the US ships would be
decimated and their crews exhausted by constant air and torpedo
attack, and on arrival in the Far East would face the Japanese Fleet,
close to its bases, fresh for battle, equal or only slightly inferior in
numbers, and with individually superior ships.
In accordance with this strategy, and following the national tradi¬
tion, the Japanese Navy concentrated all on the offensive, on preparing
for big spectacular battles leading to the final crushing blow. As
resources were limited, no balanced plan could be made for a long or a
defensive war. The capital ship actions of Tsushima and Jutland were
studied exhaustively, but commerce warfare was not, as it did not fit
into the romantic Japanese concept of war; the lessons of the 1914—18
U-boat campaigns were ignored. Japanese submarines were intended
to locate and attack battlefleets, and not to prey on the long American
lines of communication. Similarly, defence against submarines was
neglected, and the Japanese merchant ships, unconvoyed, were sup¬
posed to fend for themselves.
In summary, Japanese war plans fatally underestimated American
resolve and resources. The fanatical courage, extraordinary disregard
for death, and other warrior attributes of the Samurai, together with
the huge territorial gains of the early months of the war, proved
unavailing against the products of overwhelming industrial power.
DESIGN PRACTICE
Japanese design and construction techniques followed western (mainly
British) practice up to 1914; it should be remembered that the first
home-built battleships were only begun in 1905. The last warship
constructed outside Japan, the battlecruiser Kongo, was delivered in
1913, and the last major warship machinery in 1920. As Japan wished -
even after 1918 - to keep up with the latest technological advances,
co-operation with the Royal Navy and British armament companies
167
JAPAN
continued, although on a more limited scale than hitherto. The
1921-23 Semphill Mission helped to train the first Japanese naval
airmen, and assisted in designing the aircraft carrier Hosho. In 1923,
Japan was authorised to buy plans of the large German submarine
cruisers U183-U190, designed but not built during the war, and in the
year following one 8in gun and mounting were ordered from the
Elswick Ordnance Co, samples of the latest AP projectiles from Had-
fields, and new battleship fire control equipment from Barr & Stroud.
Co-operation with Britain faded in the late 1920s, as Japan became
reluctant to trade full details of her later designs and equipment on a
reciprocal basis. Her naval constructors, thenceforth working alone,
had nothing comparable with the British wealth of data, accumulated
from wartime battle experience and from the extensive trials of the
immediate postwar period, to assist in designing new ships for the
1930s. Furthermore, a reluctance to attempt ab initio design calcula¬
tions meant that the parameters of new types were obtained by the
second-rate ‘trial-and-error’ process of scaling up from existing ships.
Japan, having a smaller fleet and fewer resources than her rivals,
necessarily aimed in the inter-war years for better weapons and indi¬
vidual ship-for-ship superiority. She was successful with certain
weapons, as will be discussed below, but the design of superior war¬
ships by constructors with less experience and data to draw on was an
impossible task. The constructors were handed down specifications for
new ships (in Britain, ‘Staff Requirements’) which simply could not be
attained on the displacements stipulated by the naval treaties. Success¬
ful warship design is a compromise among the conflicting demands of
offence (usually guns, torpedoes and aircraft), defence (armour and
anti-torpedo protection), and speed. To increase two of these is inevit¬
ably to reduce the third. Japanese constructors made ingenious
attempts to save weight, by sacrificing habitability and sometimes
freeboard, but, in attempting to produce ships which were ahead on all
counts, cut too many corners; the ships were often overweight, by
much more than the margin usually allowed, or of the correct weight
but thoroughly unsatisfactory, with insufficient structural strength or
stability. In the second case, extensive reconstructions were required,
from which there emerged splendid ships, indeed superior to foreign
counterparts, but now very far above the displacement limits, a minus
point which naturally did not feature in contemporary accounts. This
method of producing superior ships lacks elegance and a proper
appreciation of economy in design; in retrospect, it would have been
better, if more dishonest, to have designed ships of greater displace¬
ment from the beginning, and to have built them in just one step.
In preparing for war, no attempts were made to plan mass-
production methods for escorts or other ship types, or to arrange for
necessary improvisations in construction when particular materials
were likely to be in short supply.
JAPANESE WARSHIP TYPES
The different Japanese ship types will now be discussed in turn.
Battleships. The ten older battleships, completed between 1913 and
1921, were very thoroughly modernised before 1941, being given
better protection against air and torpedo attack, increased elevation for
main batteries, augmented AA armament and, in many cases, length¬
ened hulls to take advantage of more powerful machinery. As recon¬
structed, they were considerably faster than the older American ships,
but like contemporary British ships, which they resembled, had
inferior protection; armour thicknesses were less and distribution pre¬
dated the ‘all-or-nothing’ scheme introduced in the Nevada.
Pride of place in the Japanese Fleet went to the giant new Yamato and
Musashi, which entered service soon after Pearl Harbor. In these
63,000t ships, designed between 1934 and 1937, and begun in the latter
year, Japan produced the largest and most powerful battleships ever
built, far exceeding the treaty restrictions. In the West, nothing was
known of these ships until almost the end of the war, as the mist of
secrecy around post-1936 Japanese construction became for the
Yamatos an all-enveloping fog.
Aircraft carriers and naval aviation. In naval aviation, the Japanese
were at first behind Britain both technically and operationally, but
during the 1920s made rapid advances, since they were ready learners
and imitators of western techniques and equipment. As in America, the
168
Naval Air Service was an integral part of the navy, so was not plagued
with the problems of divided control faced by the British Fleet Air
Arm. By about 1936, Japan was roughly level with America in general
development, and well ahead of Britain in carrier aircraft design. In the
early 1930s, a larger number of small carriers was preferred to a few big
ones, but later in the decade Japan, like Britain and America, turned to
larger ships.
In December 1941, Japan led the British and American navies in
ship-based air power, having ten carriers (six large, four small) against
the American eight, of which only three were in the Pacific. As might
be expected, the Japanese carriers emphasised offence, carrying the
largest number of aircraft at high speeds, with good AA armament, but
only very limited protection. Little consideration was given to damage
control until the carriers’ vulnerability was shown at Midway. The
Zero (‘Zeke’) fighters, ‘Kate’ torpedo bombers and other aircraft in
service in 1941 were superior to their American counterparts, but
newer types were hardly in the pipeline, and would not enter service
until too late, in 1944-45. The aircrews were superbly trained, but men
lost in the heavy fighting in 1942 were never adequately replaced;
petrol was insufficient for proper flight training, so that successive
batches of Japanese aviators were increasingly unable to meet
American airmen on level terms.
Cruisers. Japan was the first country to start building cruisers up to
the Washington Treaty limits (the four Nachis were announced late in
1922), and was quickly followed by Britain and America. The 18 heavy
cruisers in service in December 1941 were magnificently aggressive
ships, fast, heavily armed with guns and torpedoes, and adequately
protected. The first 12 exceeded designed displacements by around
lOOOt apiece, possibly because of poor control of weights as a way of
getting round treaty restrictions; having long slim hulls and very high
horsepower, they were easily able to take later increases of torpedo and
AA armament, stability being maintained by added bulges, with little
reduction in speed. The Mogami class, which followed, had serious
problems. Designed to impossible specifications (15-6.1 in guns and
152,000shp for 37kts on only 8500t), the name ship lacked stability,
and was unable to train her turrets properly because her hull had been
deformed by defective welding. Returned to dockyard hands for
repairs, strengthening, and the fitting of bulges, Mogami emerged at
ll,200t, a displacement more appropriate to her size and power.
The backbone of Japan’s light cruiser force in December 1941 was
the elderly 5500-ton class, the most recent dating from 1925. The
Agano class, which joined the fleet during the war, were fast and heavily
armed with torpedoes, suiting them for the standard Japanese light
cruiser role of destroyer leader, but to western eyes the guns armament
was weak and protection insufficient.
Destroyers. Perhaps the most original Japanese efforts in warship
construction were in their destroyers, the twenty-four ships of the
Fubuki class (‘Special Type’), completed 1928-32, leading the world’s
navies in design and armament. For the first time, destroyers carried
5in guns in twin enclosed turrets, which in later units of the class
elevated to 75°, making them dual-purpose weapons. The 24in tor¬
pedo, with a 50 per cent larger warhead than the 21in weapon standard
in other major navies, was introduced in Japanese destroyers (and
cruisers) during the 1920s; the existence of this large weapon was not
made public. Propulsion was by compressed air (Type 90), but be¬
tween 1928 and 1933 first an oxygen-enriched and then a fully oxygen-
fuelled torpedo was developed. The oxygen-fuelled ‘Long Lance’ Type
93 torpedo of 1933 could run at 49 kts for 22,000yds, more than three
times the range of the 21in American model, and proved a nasty
surprise for Allied admirals in the Java Sea and many later battles.
Like the cruisers, many torpedo craft were unstable or too lightly
constructed, the best-known incident being the capsizing of the
torpedo-boat Tomozuru in a March 1934 storm. Remaining afloat, she
was towed into port keel up, righted, and re-built, rejoining the fleet
some 15 per cent heavier, two knots slower, and with lighter armament.
Similar changes were made to other torpedo-boats and the destroyers of
theHatsuharu and Shiratsuyu classes, which had also been designed for
maximum performance on severely restricted displacement. Even the
‘Special Type’ destroyers had their weaknesses; in September 1935 the
Hatsuyuki lost her bows up to the bridge in a typhoon, resulting in a
general strengthening of hulls, ballasting and reduction of upper-
works.
 Introduction

JAPANESE SUBMARINE CLASSES

Class Japanese Description Translation Series Observations

A Ko-gata A-Model I Al, 2, M - HQ submarines
B Otsu-gata B-model I Bl, 2, 3, 4 - scout submarines
C (old) -
Ha Cl, 2, 3 - Vickers type (British ‘C’ class)
C (new) Hei-gata C-model I Cl, 2, 3, 4 - attack submarines
D Tei-gata D-model I Dl, 2 - transport submarines
J Jun(yo) sen(suikan) Cruiser submarine I Jl, 1M, 2, 3
K Kai(gun) chu Medium Navy design RO Kl, 2, 3, 4 (old), 5, 6 (new)
KD Kai(gun) dai Large Navy design I KD1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6a, 7
KRS Kirai sen(suikan) Minelaying submarine I
KS Kai(gun) sho Small Navy design RO
KT Kai(gun) toku chu Medium special Navy design RO Old type
L -
RO LI, 2, 3, 4 - old Vickers type (British ‘L’ class)
SH Sen(suikan) ho Support submarine I
ss Sen(suikan) yuso sho Small supply submarine Ha
ST Sen(suikan) taka Fast submarine I
STo Sen(suikan) toku Special submarine I Very large cruiser submarines
STS Sen(suikan) taka sho Small fast submarine Ha

Submarines. As mentioned earlier, the Japanese had a highly
developed and unique concept of submarine warfare; squadrons of
large submarines would operate as part of the battle fleet, to locate and
sink enemy battle forces. For long distance reconnaissance numerous
submarines carried small catapult-launched seaplanes, which ranged as
far as the US west coast. Convoys and merchant ships were regarded as
very subsidiary targets, for which few torpedoes were allocated.
From 1919, experiments started with large submarines, at first to
British and German designs, to find the type best suited to Japanese
needs. The resulting boats were very long-range, but not very handy,
and had inferior habitability, equipment and weapons to American
equivalents. Following the expiry of the Naval Treaties in December
1936, many more submarines were laid down, the larger boats includ¬
ing three highly specialised types: the A-type, or headquarters sub¬
marine, the B-type intended for scouting and the C-type, or attack
submarine, to which the D-type (transport submarine) was added
during the war, when constant air attack prevented the supply and
reinforcement of the southern islands by surface ships. In 1945, three
huge submarines of the ‘STo’ class, each carrying 3 aircraft and
designed to combine the functions of the A, B and C types, entered
service, but they were too late to be tested in action. Midget submarines
to ambush the advancing US battle fleet and attack it in its bases were
developed from 1931.
Other ship types. The four large, fast seaplane carriers, each able to
carry 24 aircraft, or 12 aircraft and 12 midget submarines, were another
peculiarly Japanese concept. As the naval warfare for which they were
designed did not develop, two were converted into conventional light
aircraft carriers.
The fleet train expanded in the 1930s as Japan prepared to move
south. Large merchant ships were adopted for ready conversion to
seaplane carriers, transports, depot ships and the like. The China
incident caused the construction of large numbers of patrol boats,
gunboats and small transports, and also landing craft for amphibious
attacks. These were modelled on civilian fishing boats, and could be
lowered from the decks of large transports.
Personnel. In action, of course, it is very often the men behind the
guns, and not differences in the paper specifications of the ships, that
count. Although conscription was introduced to the Japanese Navy
after 1930, and living conditions aboard ship were hard and cramped,
the Japanese sailor was dedicated, well-trained and efficient. Intensive
battle practice was carried out under realistic combat conditions in
remote and stormy areas of the North Pacific, and paid off handsomely
in the early months of the war. The training in night work, and
excellent vision of look-outs, went a long way towards offsetting the
Japanese lack of radar.
divided into the war, is well known; tactically, the attacks were of
dubious value, as the American aircraft carriers were not in port, and
the shore installations and fuel tanks were left intact; strategically, the
operation was hardly necessary, as the American War Plan was for the
battle force to fight its way towards the Philippines, straight for the
decisive battle for which Japan had long been preparing.
The initial conquests to March 1942 were unexpectedly easy, and led
to a euphoric feeling of invincibility, the so-called ‘victory disease’,
with the result that, instead of consolidating her gains, Japan tried to
extend her defensive perimeter: the conquest of another broad swathe
from the Aleutians through Midway and the Gilberts to the Solomons
and New Guinea was planned, making the island part of her empire
more far-flung, and increasing demands on the navy, merchant ship¬
ping and the limited stocks of fuel.
In May 1942 came the Coral Sea battle, the first of many Pacific
actions between carrier-borne aircraft, in which the opposing ships
never sighted each other. The battle, Japan’s first setback, checked her
movement south, and showed that the American carrier threat was not
to be despised. The Midway operation was intended to draw them into
battle and overwhelm them, after which a peace could be patched up.
At Midway, however, Japan’s striking sword broke at the hilt; she lost
very heavily in carriers, planes and trained men, and was immediately
afterwards plunged into the campaign of attrition for the Solomons. At
the end of 1942, after one year of war, Japanese and American naval
losses were roughly comparable (each had lost two battleships, four
large carriers and two light cruisers; Japan had also lost two small
carriers, four heavy cruisers and 21 destroyers to America’s five heavy
cruisers and 26 destroyers), but Japan had nothing to match the huge
American construction programme, which by then was turning out
unprecedented numbers of ships and aircraft at unheard-of rates.
Japanese replacements, whether of ships, aircraft or men, were of lower
quality; thus for the splendid carriers lost at Midway were substituted
inferior and slower ships, converted liners, depot ships and the like.
The new carrier air groups, much less skilled than those destroyed,
were thrown into the hopeless defence of Rabaul in 1943 and again
Destroyers of the Japanese Fleet in review, Dec 1928, with Mutsuki class vessels in the
foreground and ‘Special Type’ destroyers beyond

THE JAPANESE NAVY AT WAR, 1941-45

Between 7 and 11 December 1941, Japan attacked Malaya, Hong
Kong, the Philippines, Guam, Wake and Pearl Harbor. Although the
outbreak of hostilities was not unexpected, the number and scale of
Japanese assaults came as a shock to the Allied powers. Most important
navally was the Pearl Harbor operation, which, although it crippled the
American battleship force, was much less profitable to Japan than it
might have been. Its political ineptitude, in bringing America un¬

169
JAPAN
wiped out; the second hasty and painful rebuilding took another six
months, and turned out still poorer and worse-trained aircrews.
The American counter-offensive had two prongs: in the south-west
Pacific, almost two years of heavy fighting in the Solomons and along
the north coast of New Guinea broke the Bismarck Barrier and isolated
Rabaul, while in the Central Pacific a carefully prepared invasion fleet,
protected by massive new carrier task forces, advanced through the
Gilbert and Marshall Islands to the Marianas. The attack on Saipan
(June 1944) drew out the Japanese Fleet, and in the Battle of the
Philippine Sea, described by Morison as the ‘greatest carrier action of
all time’, it was finally stripped of its naval air arm; in the first day of the
battle, Japan lost 300 planes to America’s 30, leading to the derisive
description ‘the Marianas Turkey Shoot’ for the air fighting.
From June 1944 the American carrier forces rampaged far and wide,
covering the Philippine landings and sweeping unchecked from Saigon
and the South China Sea to Formosa and Japan. The remnants of the
Imperial Navy, without air cover, were crushed at Leyte Gulf in a futile
and ill-coordinated attempt to check the American invasion, and in
April 1945 a last suicidal sortie by the giant battleship Yamato failed
some 200 miles short of its goal, Okinawa.
The American and Japanese submarine operations, which made an
interesting contrast in style and effectiveness, should also be men¬
tioned. American submarines from 1943 operated freely and success¬
fully against Japanese communications, sinking cargo ships, trans¬
ports, warships and the tankers carrying precious fuel from Borneo and
Sumatra to the homeland. Japanese anti-submarine operations were
ineffective; the escorts were too few, and better at detecting than killing
submarines. Japanese submarines were less active operationally than
US submarines, and much less enterprising than German U-boats; they
failed dismally in their part of the Pearl Harbor attack and in the
reconnaissance before Midway, and only briefly in 1942 were they used
successfully in their planned role against the American battle fleet.
Badly handled, and vulnerable because of their size, they began to
suffer heavy losses when properly equipped AS vessels started arriving
in the Pacific in the first half of 1944.
NOTES
Displacements. The normal displacement (in British or long tons =
1016kg) used for Japanese warships designed before the Washington
Treaty was the displacement of the ship ready for sea, but with 25 per
cent of the fuel, 75 per cent of the ammunition, one-third to two-thirds
of stores and lubricating oil, and without reserve feed water. The
standard displacement (in long tons) introduced for comparative pur¬
poses in the Washington Treaty was the displacement qf the ship ready
for sea, with full stores, ammunition and complement, but without
fuel, lubricating oil or reserve feed water. From 1920, Japanese war¬
ships were designed using the trial displacement (in metric tons, or
tonnes, = 1000kg). This was the displacement of the ship ready for sea,
with two-thirds of the full load of fuel, ammunition, stores, lubricating
oil and reserve feed water.
The Japanese Fleet in Chinese waters, Feb 1941
It follows from these definitions that the difference between full load
and standard displacement should be greater than the total oil fuel
carried, and the difference between trial and standard displacements
should be roughly twice the difference between the full load and trial
displacement. However, discrepancies can be found for certain classes,
possibly because Japanese calculations of standard displacements were
frequently perfunctory and sometimes (as for many prewar cruisers
and destroyers) intentionally misleading. Ships often exceeded design
displacement figures; if known, the actual figures have been put in the
notes, but the distinction is not always apparent. Unexpectedly large
differences between full load and trial displacements can sometimes be
explained if the former figure is for the completed ship and the latter for
the ship as designed. (All displacements have been converted to long
tons.)
Gun calibres. The Japanese practice, from about 1917, of
rounding-off exact gun calibres to the nearest centimetre has caused
problems for compilers. For example, the exact metric equivalent of
three inches is 7.62cm, but the calibre of the standard 3in/40 AA gun
was frequently approximated in official lists to 8cm; this approximate
figure is sometimes reconverted to its exact equivalent, 3.15in, and the
gun listed, erroneously, as being of 3.1in or 3.2in calibre.
The precise calibres of certain cruiser guns have presented similar
but less tractable complications. Recent reference books state that the
larger pre-World War I cruisers had the Elswick pattern 8in
(20.3cm)/45 gun, the early Treaty cruisers a 7.9in(20.0cm)/50 gun
derived from this, and the later Treaty cruisers a further development,
an 8in (20.3cm)/50 weapon. This double change of calibre is inherently
unlikely, and it would not be surprising to find that all the Treaty
cruisers, and the aircraft carriers Akagi and Kaga, had the same
weapon, the apparent differences resulting from the rounding-off just
mentioned. The calibre of this weapon is given as 8in, which is more
probable from the balance of evidence.
The main armament of light cruisers changed about 1914 from an
Elswick pattern 6in (15.2cm)/50 gun to a Japanese 5.5in (14.0cm)/50.
The 1931 Programme Mogami class introduced a new 6.1in
(15.5cm)/60 gun, used in the definition of light cruisers in the London
Naval Treaty, and subsequently also fitted in the Yamato class'battle-
ships (1937) and the light cruiser Oyodo (1939 Programme). However,
the gun listed for the Agano class light cruisers, also of the 1939
Programme, is a new 5.9in (15.0cm)/50 or 6in (15.2cm)/50 weapon.
The addition of a 5.9in gun to the existing 6.1in and 6in (old) guns
would seem to produce an excessive and undesirable multiplicity of
similar calibres, with complications of ammunition manufacture and
storage; the new gun was therefore probably of 6in calibre. There is still
some uncertainty in this, as the re-arming of the Mogami class with 8in
guns at the time the Aganos were building would have made many spare
6. lin guns available; future investigators may well show the Agano?,,
6in/50 weapons to be non-existent, the actual guns being the estab¬
lished 6.1in/60s.
 The Japanese Navy in 1922

THE JAPANESE NAVY

in 1922
Fuso 1939

BATTLESHIPS Fuso class.

In 1927-28 the foremast was rebuilt and 6-3in/40 AA guns added. Both ships
Name Launched Disp Fate subsequently underwent major reconstruction, Fuso between 1930 and 1933,
(normal) and Yamashiro between 1930 and 1935, with the following alterations: hull
lengthened aft, new machinery, improved horizontal and anti-torpedo protec¬
Second class coast defence ships tion, elevation of main armament increased (from 30° to 43°), augmented AA
MISHIMA 22.8.1894 4200t Depot ship 1928. armament and addition of aircraft facilities. Full details of the improved protec¬
{ex-Admiral Seniavin) Sunk as target tion (which almost certainly included thicker armour on the barbettes and turret
1936 roofs) are not known, but deck protection over vitals was increased to 7in, and
OKINOSHIMA 12.5.1896 4200t Hulked 1922. the total weight of armour went up from 8588t to 12,199t. The fore funnels were
{ex-General- BU 1939 removed, and towering pagoda bridges replaced the previous built-up tripods.
Admiral Graf Apraksin) Following experience with Fuso, Yamashiro differed slightly: the dead angle for
First class coast defence ships ‘C turret was forward instead of aft, allowing a larger bridge, and the catapult
FUJI 31.3.1896 12,533t Training hulk was moved from this turret to the quarterdeck. Data was now:
1922. BU 1948 Displacement: 34,700t standard; 38,536t trial
SHIKISHIMA 1.11.1898 14,850t Hulked 1923. BU
Dimensions: Changed as follows-689ft wl, 698ft oa x 100ft 6in x 31ft 9in
1948 210.00, 212.75 X 30.64 x 9.69m
ASAHI 13.3.1899 15,200t Depot and repair
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 6 boilers, 75,000shp = 24.7kts. Oil
ship 1923. 5 lOOt
Sunk 25.5.42
Armour: Changed as follows - deck 3.8in (middle deck), 2in (upper
SUWO (cx-Pobieda) 24.5.1900 13,500t Hulked 1922. deck). See notes above
BU 1946
Armament: 12—14in/45 (6x2), 14-6in/50 (14x1), 8-5in/40 DP (4x2),
HIZEN (ex-Retvizan) 23.10.1900 12,700t Target. Sunk 1924 16-25mm AA, 3 aircraft
MIKASA 8.11.1900 15,140t Museum ship 1923
Complement: 1396
IWAMI (ex-Orel) 19.7.1902 cl5,000t Target. Sunk 1924
Battleships The light AA armament was increased to 20-25mm in 1941, and to 37-25mm in
KASHIMA 22.3.1905 16,400t BU 1923 June 1944. A post-Midway proposal, to convert these ships to hybrid
KATORI 4.7.1905 15,950t BU 1923 battleship-carriers on the same lines as Hyuga and Ise (‘X’ and ‘Y’ turrets
SATSUMA 15.11.1906 19,350t Target. Sunk 1924 replaced by flight deck, hangar, lift and catapults), was dropped after the
AKI 15.4.1907 19,800t Target. Sunk 1924 aircraft and pilot losses in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Both ships were sunk
Kawachi class in the Battle of Surigao Strait, part of the Leyte Gulf operations: Fuso went
SETTSU 30.3.1911 21,433t Target ship 1924. down after taking two torpedo hits from US destroyers, and Yamashiro from
BU 1947 four destroyer torpedoes and numerous 16in and Min shells.
Fuso class
FUSO 28.3.1914 30,600t Sunk 25.10.44 Ise class
YAMASHIRO 3.11.1915 30,600t Sunk 25.10.44 In 1926-28 the foremast was rebuilt, and 1-2 aircraft added. Both ships under¬
Ise class went major reconstruction, Ise between 1935 and 1937, and Hyuga between
ISE 112.11.1916 31,260t Sunk 18.7.45 1934 and 1936, being altered similarly to the Fuso class. The total weight of
HYUGA 27.1.1917 31,260t Sunk 24.7.45 armour increased from 9525t to 12,644t. Data was now:
Nagato class Displacement: 35,800t {Hyuga 36,000t) standard; 39,535t {Hyuga 39,03It)
NAGATO 9.11.1919 33,800t Expended 29.7.46 trial
MUTSU 31.5.1920 33,800t Lost 8.6.43 Dimensions: Changed as follows - 700ft wl, 708ft oa x 104ft x 30ft 2in
Kaga class 213.36, 215.80 x 31.70 x 9.21m
KAGA 17.11.1921 39,900t Converted 1923-28 Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines,'8 boilers, 80,000shp = 25.3kts. Oil
TOSA 18.12.1921 39,900t Target. Sunk 5313t
9.2.25 Armour: Changed as follows - deck 3.8in (middle deck), 2in (upper
deck). See notes for Fuso class
Armament: 12—14in/45 (6x2), 16-5.5in/50 (16x1), 8-5in/40 DP (4x2),
20-25mm AA, 3 aircraft
Yamashiro, Sept 1928 Complement: 1376
As a result of the carrier losses at Midway, both were converted in 1943 into
hybrid battleship-carriers; ‘X’ and ‘Y’ turrets were removed, and a hangar and
flight deck built on to the quarterdeck. The 22 seaplanes were to be launched by
catapult, and recovered from the sea by crane, as the deck was much too short
for landing. The 5.5in armament was removed and the A A armament increased.
Data now became:
Displacement: 35,350t standard; 38,065t trial
Dimensions: Changed as follows - length 720ft 5in oa, draught 29ft 7in
219.62, 9.03m
Machinery: Unchanged except 4249t oil
Armament: 8—14in/45 (4x2), 16-5in/40 DP (8x2), 57-25mm AA, 22
aircraft
Complement: 1463
The light AA armament was increased to 104—25mm AA in June 1944, and 6
28-barrelled rocket launchers added in September 1944. The two catapults were
removed in October, and no aircraft were aboard in the Leyte Gulf operations.
Both were sunk in shallow water at Kure by US aircraft, and were broken up
after the war.

171
Nagato class
The appearance of this class was altered in 1924, when the forefunnel was
trunked aft, the adoption of a clinker screen (1921) having failed to keep smoke
away from the massive heptapodal foremast. Both ships underwent major
reconstruction between 1934 and 1936, being altered similarly to the Fuse class;
however, unlike the three earlier classes, the machinery was not increased in
power, although the ships were reboilered and the turbines slightly uprated.
Deck protection over machinery and magazines was increased, and additional
armour added to the barbettes above and below the main deck; the turret roofs
were probably made thicker. The total weight of armour went up from 10,396t
to 13,032t. Data was now:
Displacement: 39,120t standard; 42,753t trial
Dimensions: Changed as follows - 725ft 4in wl, 738ft Oin oa x 108ft 2in x
31ft 2in
221.07, 224.94 x 32.96 x 9.49m
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 10 boilers, 82,000shp = 25kts. Oil
5600t
Armour: Belt 11.8in, deck2.7in (main), 5in (middle), barbettes 11.8in
+ 4.9in (above deck), 3in + 8.4in (below deck), turrets 14in,
conning tower 14.6in-3.8in
Armament: 8-16.lin/45 (4x2), 18-5.5in/50 (18x1), 8-5in/40 DP (4x2)
20-25mm AA, 3 aircraft
Complement: 1368

Nagato about 1928

Mutsu 1938

The light AA armament in Nagato was increased to 68-25mm in June 1944, two
5.5in being removed, and to 98-25mm in 1945, when trial displacement reached
42,893t. There was one catapult. Mutsu was accidentally destroyed in the Inland
Sea by an internal explosion, probably originating in a magazine. Nagato
survived the war, although considerably damaged, and was used as a target in
the Bikini A-bomb tests.
Kaga class
The construction of these battleships (26.5kts, llin belt, 10-16in guns) was
suspended soon after they were launched, and they were cancelled under the
terms of the Washington Treaty. Kaga was completed as an aircraft carrier and
is described in a later section; Tosa was used as a target for torpedoes and diving
shells, the results being used to design the protection of the Yamato class.
Kii class
Four high-speed battleships of the Kii class (Kii, Owari, No 11, No 12: 42,600t
normal, 29.7kts, 11.5in belt, 10-16in guns) were cancelled at the same time as
the Kaga class. The builders had been selected but no keels laid; in appearance,
they would have been almost identical with the Amagi class battlecruisers.

172
 The Japanese Navy in 1922

BATTLECRUISERS
Name Launched Disp Armament changes to Kongo and Haruna during the war were as follows: in
Fate
1943, the light AA armament was increased to 34-25mm; in 1944 radar was
(normal)
added, and the secondary and light armament became 8-5in, 12-5in/40 DP
Kongo class (6x2), 34-25mm AA. In October 1944 the light A A armament was 100-25mm,
KONGO 18.5.1912 27,500t Sunk 21.11.44 and in Haruna in 1945 118-25mm, with some depth charges.
HIEI 21.11.1912 27,500t Sunk 13.11.42 Kongo blew up and sank two hours after being hit by one torpedo from the US
KIRISHIMA 1.12.1913 27,500t Sunk 15.11.42 submarineSealion. Hiei, crippled by over 50 shell hits of 8in calibre downwards
HARUNA 14.12.1913 27,500t Sunk 28.7.45 in the first Battle of Guadalcanal, was finished off by four airborne torpedoes.
Amagi class Kirishima was totally disabled by gunfire from USS Washington in the second
AMAGI 41,200t BU 1923 Battle of Guadalcanal (she was hit by 9 16in and over 40 5in shells, at only
AKAGI (22.4.1925) 41,200t Converted 1923-27 8400yds range), and had to be scuttled. Haruna, sunk in shallow water near
ATAGO -
41,200t BU 1923 Kure by US aircraft, was broken up in 1946.
TAKAO (ex-Ashitaka) - 41,200t BU 1923

Kongo class Amagi class

The class underwent major reconstruction, following which they were reclass¬ The construction of these battlecruisers (30kts, lOin belt, 10-16in guns) was
ified as battleships, as follows: Kongo 1929-31, Kirishima 1927-30, Haruna suspended before they were launched, and they were cancelled under the terms
1927-28. All three were reboilered, the forefunnel being removed and the of the Washington Treaty. Akagi was completed as an aircraft carrier and is
second enlarged and heightened, while bulges were fitted and the horizontal described in a later section; the others were demolished on their slipways.
protection greatly strengthened (the total weight of armour was increased from Four battlecruisers or fast battleships (Nos 13-16, 47,500t normal, 30kts,
6502t to 10,313t). The elevation of the main armament was increased from 33° to Bin belt, 8-18in guns) were cancelled at the same time as the Akagi class. No
43°. Data was now: names or builders had been selected, and no keels were laid.
Displacement: 29,330t standard; 31,785t normal
Dimensions: Unchanged except 95ft 3in beam and 28ft 4in draught
29.04, 8.65m
Machinery: Changed as follows - 10 boilers (Haruna 16), 25.9kts. Oil ARMOURED CRUISERS
3292t, coal 266It
Armour: Changed as follows - middle deck 4.7in over magazines, 3.2in Name Launched Disp Fate
over machinery, barbettes and turret roofs increased by 3in (normal)
Armament: 8—14in/45 (4x2), 16-6in/50 (16x1), 4-3in/40 AA (Kongo
7-3in), 4—21 in TT sub, 3 aircraft Asama class
ASAMA 22.3.1898 9700t Training ship 1937.
Complement: 1118
BU 1947
Hiei was reconstructed and demilitarised as a training ship between 1929 and TOKIWA 6.7.1898 9700t Converted 1928-29
1932. Her main characteristics became: standard displacement 19,500t on Yakumo class
draught 20ft 9in (6.30m), output 13,800shp = 18kts with only 11 of the 36 YAKUMO 8.7.1899 9850t BU 1947
boilers, no armour belt, armament 6-14in/45 (3x2), 16-6in/50 (16x1), Adzuma class
4—3in/40 AA. The 6in guns were subsequently removed. ADZUMA 24.6.1899 9456t Hulk 1941,
All four ships underwent further reconstruction as follows: Kongo 1935-37, BU 1946
Hiei (remilitarised) 1936-40, Kirishima 1934—36, Haruna 1933-34. The hull was Izumo class
rebuilt aft, increasing the length, and the machinery completely renewed, the IZUMO 19.9.1899 9750t Sunk 28.7.45
original power being more than doubled. The AA armament was increased, 419 IWATE 29.3.1900 9750t Sunk 25.7.45
extra tons of armour worked into the barbettes, and a catapult installed. Hiei's Kasuga class
fire control arrangements and bridge structure layout served as a model for the KASUGA 22.10.1902 7628t Hulked 1942,
Yamato class. Data now became: sunk 18.7.45
Displacement: Kongo 31,720t, Hiei 32,350t, Kirishima 31,980t, Haruna NISSHIN 9.2.1903 7698t Discarded 1935,
32,156t standard; Kongo 35,740t, Hiei 36,400t, Haruna sunk as target
36,023t trial 1936
Dimensions: Changed as follows - length 720ft 6in wl, 738ft 7in oa, Ikoma class
draught 31ft llin IKOMA 9.4.1906 13,750t BU 1923
219.61, 222.05, 9.72m Kurama class
Machinery: Changed as follows- 8 boilers {Hiei,Haruna 11), 136,000shp KURAMA 21.10.1907 14,636t BU 1923
= 30.5kts. Oil 6330t IBUKI 21.11.1907 14,636t BU 1923
Armament: 8—14in/45 (4x2), 14-6in/50 (14x1), 8-5in/40 DP (4x2),
4-40mm AA, 8—13.2in AA (wO-25mm AA in 1936), 3 aircraft Asama class
Complement: 1437 Rated as first class coast defence ships. Asama underwent armament changes
like Yakumo's, the main deck 6in guns being removed by 1937. Tokiwa, rebuilt
Hiei about 1928 as a minelayer, is described in a later section.

Yakumo
Rated as a first class coast defence ship. Yakumo was used for training from
1921. In 1924, 4-3in QF and 12-47mm QF guns, and three 18in TT were
removed, and replaced by l-3in AA; following a further refit in 1930-33, the
armament was 4—8in/45, 12-6in QF, 4-3in QF, l-3in AA, no TT, and perfor¬
mance after reboilering was 7000ihp = 16kts. In 1945 the 8in turrets were
replaced by 5in DP guns on bandstands, the final armament being 4-6in QF
(4x 1), 4-5in/40 DP (2x2), l-3in AA, 12-25mm AA, with speed about 9kts.

Adzuma
Rated as a first class coast defence ship, Adzuma had been used for training from
1914. Armament changes in 1924 were as in Yakumo, and after a further refit in
1930 she carried 4—8in/45, 8-6in QF, 4—3in QF, l-3in AA, 2—18in TT;
performance after reboilering was 9400ihp = 16kts.

173
JAPAN

Kitakami 1941

Nagar a 1943

Izumo class LIGHT CRUISERS

Rated as first class coast defence ships. Iwate was used for training from 1923,
Name Launched Disp Fate
but Izumo served as Flagship of Naval Forces in China from 1932 to 1942, only
becoming a training ship in 1943. Armament changes in 1924 were as in (normal)
Yakumo, but with one 18in TT removed. After refits in 1930-31, Izumo was Tenryu class
armed with 4—8in/45, 8-6in, 4-3in QF, 1—3in AA, no TT, and Iwate with TENRYU 11.3.1918 3948t Sunk 18.12.42
4—8in/45, 8-6in, 2-3in QF, 3-3in AA, 3 MG, no TT; performance after TATSUTA 29.5.1918 3948t Sunk 13.3.44
reboilering was 7000ihp = 16kts. In 1944-45 the 8in turrets were replaced by Kuma class
5in DP guns on bandstands, the final armament being 4—6in QF (4x 1)14-5in/40 KUMA 14.7.1919 5500t Sunk 11.1.44
DP (2x2), l-3in AA (Iwate 3-3in AA), 14-25mm AA (Iwate 9-25mm AA), 10.2.1920 5500t Sunk 25.10.44
TAMA
2-13.2mm AA (not in Iwate) with speeds around 12kts. Both ships, sunk in KITAKAMI 3.7.1920 5500t BU 1946
shallow water at Kure by US aircraft, were broken up postwar. 15.7.1920 5500t Sunk 19.7.44
OI
KISO 14.12.1920 5500t Sunk 13.11.44
Kasuga class
Nagara class
These ships, rated as first class cruisers, were used for training from 1927. In NAGARA 25.4.1921 5570t Sunk 7.8.44
1924, 2-3in QF and the 47mm QF were removed, and replaced by l-3in AA. ISUZU 29.10.1921 5570t Sunk 7.4.45
After a further refit in 1932,Kasuga’s armament was 1—10in/45,2—8in/45 (1x2), 16.2.1922 5570t Sunk 18.8.44
NATORI
4-6in/40 QF (4x 1), 4—3in QF, l-3in AA, 4-18in TT. Kasuga, sunk in shallow 15.2.1922 5570t Sunk 25.10.42
YURU
water at Yokosuka by US aircraft, was broken up postwar. KINU 29.5.1922 5570t Sunk 26.10.44
ABUKUMA 16.3.1923 5570t Sunk 26.10.44
IkomalKurama class
These three ships, re-rated as first class cruisers in 1921 (previously battlec¬
ruisers), were discarded in accordance with the Washington Treaty.

Tenryu class
This class, and later ships in this section, were rated as second class cruisers. The
PROTECTED CRUISERS
pole foremast was replaced by a tripod in 1930-31, and 2-13.2mm A A were
Name Launched Disp Fate added in 1939, but the class was not otherwise modernised. Both ships were
(normal) victims of US submarine torpedoes, the boats being Albacore and Sandlance
respectively.
Chitose class
CHITOSE 23.1.1898 4760t Discarded 1928.
Sunk as target
19.7.31
Niitaka class Kuma class
NIITAKA 15.11.1902 3366t Lost in storm A flying-off platform for an aircraft was installed forward in 1927, with a hangar
26.8.22 in the bridge. The platforms were removed about 1935, when Kuma and Tama
TSUSHIMA 15.12.1902 3366t Hulked 1930. were fitted with a tripod mainmast, and a catapult for an aircraft between Nos 5
Sunk 1944 and 6 5.5in guns. Eight 24in TT replaced the original 2lin TT in 1940.
Tone class In 1941, Kitakami and Oi were rebuilt as torpedo cruisers, in a most unusual
TONE 24.10.1904 41 OOt Discarded 1931. conversion. Nos 5, 6 and 7 5.Sin guns were removed; 200ft sponsons, extending
Sunk as target from the first funnel to the mainmast, increased overall beam from 47ft 3in
1933 (14.4m) to 57ft 3in (17.45m), and supported ten quadruple 24in TT, easily the
Chikuma class heaviest torpedo battery ever mounted afloat. Data became: displacement 5870t
CHIKUMA 1.4.1911 5000t Discarded 1931 standard, and armament 4—5.5in/50 (4x 1), 8-25mm AA, 40-24in TT (10x4).
HIRADO 29.6.1911 5000t Discarded 1939. Oi was further rearmed in 1943, the remaining 5.5in guns being replaced by
BU 1947 4—5in/40 DP (2x2, fore and aft), and 28-25mm AA being added. Torpedo
YAHAGI 3.10.1911 5000t Hulked 1940. cruisers became doubtful bargains as the possibility of a fleet action faded after
BU 1947 Midway, so in 1942-43 Kitakami was converted into a fast transport, with
armament 4-5in/40 DP (2x2), 18-25mm AA, 8-24in TT (2x4), and 6(?) 14m
Daihatsu landing craft. In January 1944 she was hit in the aft engine room by a
Chitose British submarine torpedo, and was rebuilt as a Kaiten (suicide submarine)
This ship was rated as a second class cruiser. l-3in AA replaced 2-3in QF in carrier; data was then: displacement 5640t standard, 6960t trial, armament
1924. 4-5in/40 DP (2x2), 67-25mm AA, 8 Kaiten, 18 DCs, and performance with the
two turbines and two shafts remaining 35,000shp = 23kts. Nos 5 and 7 5.Sin
Niitaka class guns in Tama and Kiso were replaced by 2-5in/40 DP (1 x 2) in July 1944, when
Rated as second class coast defence ships. In 1924, l-3in A A replaced 2-3in QF the light A A armament was increased to 44-25mm and 6-13.2mm.
in Tsushima; this ship was sunk at Yokosuka, probably by US aircraft. Kuma was sunk by torpedoes from the British submarine Tally Ho off
Penang; Tama, damaged in the Battle of Cape Engano, was finished off by 3
Tone and Chikuma classes torpedoes from the US submarine^aWao. Kitakami was used postwar as a repair
The four ships were rated as second class cruisers. The Chikuma class was ship for repatriation transports before being scrapped. Oi was torpedoed and
reboilered in 1924, 6 boilers replacing the original 16, and 2-3in/40 AA were sunk by the US submarine Flasher, whereas Kiso was a victim of US carrier
added. 2-3in QF were removed from Hirado and Yahagi around 1932. aircraft in Manila Bay.

174
 The Japanese Navy in 1922

Nagara class Kaba class

This class was completed with a flying-off platform forward and a hangar in the KABA 6.2.1915 665t Sold 1931
bridge, but no aircraft was carried (except briefly by Yura and Abukuma in MATSU 5.3.1915 665t Sold 1931
1926-27) until a catapult was added to the platform in about 1927. Abukuma was KASHIWA 14.2.1915 665t Sold 1931
repaired with a bow like Naka’s after colliding withKitakami in 1930. Between KATSURA 4.3.1915 665t Sold 1931
1931 and 1936 the pole mainmast was replaced by a tripod, and the catapult KAEDE 20.2.1915 665t Sold 1931
moved aft, between nos 5 and 6 5.Sin guns. In 1943, nos 5 and 7 5.5in guns were KIRI 28.2.1915 665t Sold 1931
replaced by 2-5in / 40 DP (1x2), when the light A A armament was augmented to KUSUNOKI 5.3.1915 665t Sold 1931
22-25mm and 2-13.2mm; the torpedo battery was reportedly increased to UME 27.2.1915 665t Sold 1931
24-24in TT. The displacement of the surviving units increased to 6050t by June SAKAKI 15.2.1915 665t Sold 1931
1944, with 36—25mm AA and speed reduced to 33.4kts. Isuzu was re-armed as SUGI 16.2.1915 665t Sold 1931
an anti-aircraft cruiser in 1944, with an armament of 6-5in/40 DP (3x2), Momo class
38-25mm AA, 8-24in TT (4x2). MOMO 12.10.1916 835t Sold 1940
All were war losses. Three were sunk by US submarine torpedoes: Nagara KASHI 1.12.1916 835t Sunk 10.10.44
(sunk by Croaker), Isuzu (Chan and Gabilan), and Natori {Hardhead). Yuru, HINOKI 25.12.1916 835t Sold 1940
crippled by Marine aircraft off Guadalcanal, was sunk by Japanese destroyers, YANAGI 24.2.1917 835t Hulked 1940.
whereas Kim and Abukuma were despatched by US aircraft in the retreat from BU 1947
the Leyte Gulf Battle. Enoki class
ENOKI 5.3.1918 850t Minesweeper No 10
1930. Sold 1938
NARA 28.3.1918 850t Minesweeper No 9
1930. Sold 1938
DESTROYERS (THIRD CLASS) TSUBAKI 23.2.1918 850t Sold 1932
KUWA 23.2.1918 850t Sold 1932
Name Launched Disp Fate
KEYAKI 15.1.1918 850t Sold 1932
(normal)
MAKI 28.12.1917 850t Sold 1932
Asakaze class Mona class
ASAKAZE 28.10.1905 38 It Minesweeper 1923. MOMI 10.6.1919 850t Hulked 1932
Sold 1928 KAYA 10.6.1919 850t Sold 1939
WAKABA 25.11.1905 38 It Minesweeper 1923. NIRE 22.12.1919 850t Tender 1940.
Sold 1928 BU 1948
USHIO 18.6.1905 38 It Minesweeper 1923. NASHI 26.8.1919 850t Sold 1939
Sold 1928 TAKE 26.8.1919 850t Tender 1940.
NENOHI 30.8.1905 38 It Minesweeper 1923. BU 1947
Sold 1928 KAKI 20.10.1919 850t Tender 1940.
KISARAGI 6.9.1905 38 It Minesweeper 1923. BU 1947
Sold 1928 KURI 19.3.1920 850t Sunk 8.10.45
KAMIKAZE 15.7.1905 38 It Minesweeper 1923. TSUGA 17.4.1920 850t Sunk 15.1.45
Sold 1928 FUJI 27.11.1920 850t Patrol Boat No 36
HATSUSHIMO 13.5.1905 3811 Minesweeper 1923. 1939. BU 1947
Sold 1928 KIKU 13.10.1920 850t Patrol Boat No 31
YUGURE 17.11.1905 38 It Minesweeper 1923. 1939. Sunk
Sold 1928 30.3.44
HARUKAZE 25.12.1905 38 It Minesweeper 1923. AOI 9.11.1920 850t Patrol boat No 32
Sold 1928 1939. Sunk
YAYOI 7.8.1905 38 It Sold 1925 23.12.41
OITE 10.1.1906 38 It Sold 1925 HAGI 29.10.1920 850t Patrol boat No 33
HIBIKI 31.3.1906 38 It Minesweeper 1923. 1939. Sunk
Sold 1928 23.12.41
HATSUYUKI 8.3.1906 38 It Minesweeper 1923. SUSUKI 21.2.1921 850t Patrol Boat No 34
Sold 1928 1939. Sunk
YUDACHI 26.3.1906 38 It Minesweeper 1923. 3.7.44
Sold 1928 ASHI 3.9.1921 850t Tender 1940.
NOWAKI 25.7.1906 38 It Sold 1924 BU 1947
MIKAZUKI 26.5.1906 38 It Sold 1928 TSUTA 9.5.1921 850t Patrol Boat No 35
SHIGURE March 1906 38 It Sold 1925 1939. Sunk
HATSUHARU 12.5.1906 3811 Sold 1925 2.9.43
HAYAKAZE April 1906 38 It Sold 1925 WARABI 28.9.1921 850t Lost 24.8.1927
3811 Sold 1928 HASU 8.12.1921 850t BU 1946
SHIRATSUYU 12.2.1906
3811 Sold 1928 HISHI 30.5.1921 850t Patrol Boat No 37
SHIRAYUKI 19.5.1906
Sold 1925 1939.
MATSUKAZE 23.12.1906 38 It
Constructive
NAGATSUKI 15.12.1906 38 It Minesweeper No 11
total
1926. Sold 1930
Sold 1925 loss 24.1.42
YUNAGI 22.8.1906 3811
Sold 1925 SUMIRE 14.12.1921 850t Tender 1940,
UZUKI 20.9.1906 3811
Minesweeper No 10 BU 1948
MINAZUKI 5.11.1906 38 It
1926. Sold 1930 YOMOGI 14.3.1922 850t Patrol Boat No 38
Sold 1925 1939. Sunk
HAYATE 22.5.1906 3811
Minesweeper No 12 25.11.44
KIKUZUKI 18.4.1907 3811
1926. Sold 1930 TADE 15.3.1922 850t Patrol Boat No 39
3811 Minesweeper No 8 1939. Sunk
URANAMI 8.12.1907
1926. Sold 1930 23.4.43
38 It Minesweeper No 1 Wakatake class
ISONAMI 21.11.1908
1926. Sold 1930 WAKATAKE (No 2) 24.7.1922 900t Sunk 30.3.1944
Minesweeper No 9 KURETAKE (No 4) 21.10.1922 900t Sunk 30.12.1944
AYANAMI 20.3.1909 38 It
1926. Sold 1930 SANAE (No 6) 15.2.1923 900t Sunk 18.11.1943
SAWARABI (No 8) 1.9.1923 900t Lost 5.12.1932
ASAGAO (No 10) 4.11.1922 900t BU 1948
The units converted to minesweepers were rearmed with 2-4.7in/45 and
YUGAO (No 12) 14.4.1923 900t Patrol Boat No 46
2-3in/40 guns.
1942. Sunk
10.11.44 10.11.44
DESTROYERS (SECOND CLASS) 23.9.1922 900t Sunk 20.12.43
FUYO (No 16)
Name Launched Disp Fate KURUKAYA (No 18) 19.3.1923 900t Sunk 10.5.44
(normal)

Sakura class Momo class

SAKURA 20.12.1911 605t Sold 1931 Kashi served in the Manchukuo Navy as Hai Wei between 1937 and 1943. She
TACHIBANA 27.1.1912 605t Sold 1931 was renamed Kaii when returned to Japan for use as a convoy escort.

175
JAPAN
Enoki class Umikaze class
The units converted to minesweepers were rearmed with 2-4.7in/45 guns and 2 As converted to minesweepers, displacement was 1030t standard, armament
MGs. l^L7in/40, 4-3in and speed 24kts.

Momi class Minekaze class

Nine ships, as listed above, were converted to patrol boats in 1939; data became:
displacement 1162t trials, armament 2-4.7in/45, 6-25mm AA, 60 DCs, and
performance with one boiler removed 1200shp = 18kts. All except No 31 had
sterns modified in 1941 so they were able to carry and launch one 46ft Daihatsu
landing craft with 150 troops. The light A A armament of No 31 was increased to
8-25mm in 1941.
Nire, Take,Kaki,Ashi andSumire, disarmed in 1939, were re-rated as tenders
in 1940; data became: displacement 755t standard, armament 1 or 2-4.7in/45,
2-21in TT and performance with two boilers removed 9000shp = 14kts. Used
for training, four were renamed in 1944-45 as follows: Tomariura No 1 (ex-Nire),
Osu (tx-Kaki), Tomariura No 2 (ex-Ashi), Mitaka (exSumire). Warabi was lost
by collision with the cruiser Jintsu, several were lost during the war, while Kun
hit a mine postwar.
Yakaze was refitted in 1937 as control ship for the radio-controlled target ship
Settsu, with one or two 4.7in guns and all torpedo tubes removed. In 1939-40,
Nakakaze and Shimakaze were converted to patrol boats, characteristics becom¬
ing: displacement 1700t trials, armament 2-4.7in, 10-25mm AA, 2-21inTT, 16
DCs, and performance with one boiler removed 19,250shp = 20kts. In 1941
they were modified to carry and launch two Daihatsu landing craft with 250
troops, the 4.7in gun aft being removed. Unconverted ships had hulls streng¬
thened, ballast added and oil fuel capacity reduced in 1937/9. Speeds fell to
34.5-36kts, and displacements increased to 1552—1692t. Towards the end of the
war surviving units were used as Kaiten carriers and aircraft rescue ships, with
one or two 4.7in guns and up to 20-25mm AA. Ten of this class were war losses:
Tachikaze to US carrier aircraft, Nadakaze to a British submarine, and the other
eight to US submarines.

Wakatake class Kamikaze class

Originally numbered, the names being assigned in 1928. Five further units were
cancelled following the Washington Treaty. Yugao was converted to a patrol
boat in 1939-40, data becoming: displacement 1130t trials, armament
2-4.7in/45, 8-25mm AA, 60 DCs, and performance with one boiler removed
10,000shp = 18kts. Wartime armament of the unconverted ships was
2^1.7in/45, 6-25mm AA, some 13.2mm AA, 4—21in TT (Asagao 2-21in TT),
36-48 DCs. Sawarabi capsized and sank in heavy weather in 1932, six were war
losses (five to US submarines, Wakatake to US carrier aircraft), and Asagao
survived, heavily damaged.
Launched as numbered units, names not being assigned until 1928. Two further
ships of this class were cancelled following the Washington Treaty. Following
1941-42 reconstructions, the data became: displacement 1523t normal, arma¬
ment 34-.7in/50 DP, 10-25mm AA, 4—21in TT (2x2). The light AA in surviv¬
ing units became 13 to 20-25mm and 4—13.2mm by June 1944, with speed down
to 35kts. Seven of the class became war losses; Hay ate was sunk by shore
batteries in the first attack on Wake Island, Hatakaze and Oite were victims of
carrier aircraft, and the other four went down to US submarine torpedoes.

DESTROYERS (FIRST CLASS)

Name Launched Disp Fate SUBMARINES
(normal) In 1922, Japanese submarines were numbered in sequence, but between 1924
and 1927 they were re-numbered according to size in three series, the ‘Ha’ series
Umikaze class for third class submarines (under 500 tons), the ‘RO’ series for second class
UMIKAZE 10.10.1910 1150t Minesweeper No 7 submarines (500-1000 tons) and the ‘I’ series for first class submarines (over
1930. Sold 1936 1000 tons). Numberings in these series continued until 1945.
YAMAKAZE 21.1.1911 1150t Minesweeper No 8
1930. Sold 1936
Urakaze class
URAKAZE 16.2.1915 907t Hulked 1936.
Sunk 18.7.45 SUBMARINES (THIRD CLASS)
Amatsukaze class
AMATSUKAZE 5.10.1916 1227t Sold 1935 Number Launched Disp Fate
ISOKAZE 5.10.1916 1227t Sold 1935 (surface)
TOKITSUKAZE 27.12.1916 1227t Hulked 1935.
Cl class - Vickers type
BU 1948
HAMAKAZE Hal (ex-No 8) 19.5.1908 286t Sold 1928
30.10.1916 1227t Sold 1935
Kawakaze class Ha2 (ex-No 9) 19.5.1908 286t Sold 1928
KAWAKAZE C2 class - Vickers type
10.10.1917 1130t Sold 1934
TANIKAZE Ha3 (ex-No 10) 4.3.1911 291t Sold 1928
20.7.1918 1130t Hulked 1935.
Ha4 (ex-No 11) 18.3.1911 291t Sold 1928
BU cl946
Minekaze class Ha5 (ex-No 12) 27.3.1911 2911 Sold 1928
MINEKAZE 8.2.1919 Vickers - Kawasaki type
1345t Sunk 10.2.44
SAWAKAZE 7.1.1919 Ha6 (ex-No 13) 18.7.1912 304t Sold 1928
1345t BU 1948
OKIKAZE '3.10.1919 Schneider-Laubeuf type
1345t Sunk 10.1.43
HAKAZE 21.6.1920 Ha9 (ex-No 14) 8.7.1918 529t Sold 1928
1345t Sunk 23.1.43
YAKAZE 10.4.1920 HalO (ex-No 15) 7.4.1914 457t Sold 1928
1345t Target 1942,
C3 class - Vickers type
BU 1948
NADAKAZE Ha7 (ex-No 16) 15.3.1916 290t Sold 1928
26.6.1920 1345t Patrol Boat No 2
Ha8 (ex-No 17) 15.3.1916 290t Sold 1928
1939.
Sunk 25.7.45
SHIMAKAZE 31.3.1920 1345t Patrol Boat No 1 The original No 14 became the French Armide in 1915; the No 14 listed above
was built as a replacement.
1939.
Sunk 13.1.43
AKIKAZE 14.12.1920 1345t Sunk 3.11.44
SHIOKAZE 22.10.1920 1345t BU 1948
YUKAZE 28.5.1921 1345t BU 1947 SUBMARINES (SECOND CLASS)
HOKAZE 12.7.1921 1345t Sunk 6.7.44 Number Launched Disp Fate
TACHIKAZE 31.3.1921 1345t Sunk 17.2.44
NOKAZE 1.10.1921 1345t Sunk 20.2.45 (surface)
NAMIKAZE 24.6.1922 1345t To China 1947 as Fiat-Laurenti type
Shen Yang. BU ROl (ex-No 18) 28.7.1919 717t Sold 1930
NUMAKAZE 25.2.1922 1345t Sunk 19.12.43 R02 (ex-No 21) 22.11.1919 717t Sold 1930
Kamikaze class KU3 (ex-No 31) 10.3.1921 740t Sold 1930
KAMIKAZE (No 1) 25.9.1922 1400t Wrecked 7.6.46. R04 (ex-No 32 ) 22.6.1921 740t Sold 1930
BU R05 (ex-No 33) 17.9.1921 740t Sold 1930
ASAKAZE (No 3) 8.12.1922 1400t Sunk 23.8.44 K1 class
HARUKAZE (No 5) 18.12.1922 1400t BU 1947 ROll (ex-No 19) 15.10.1917 735t Sold 1931
MATSUKAZE (No 7) 30.10.1923 1400t Sunk 7.6.44 ROl2 (ex-No 20) 1.12.1917 735t Sold 1931
HATAKAZE (No 9) 15.3.1924 1400t Sunk 12.1.45 K2 class
OITE (No 11) 27.11.1924 1400t Sunk 17.2.44 R013 (ex-No 22) 31.3.1919 755t Hulked 1931.
HAYATE (No 13) 23.3.1925 1400t Sunk 11.12.41
BU 1948
ASANAGI (No IS) 21.4.1924 1400t Sunk 22.5.44 R014 (ex-No 23) 26.8.1919 755t Sold 1932
YUNAGI (No 17) 23.4.1924 1400t Sunk 25.8.44 ROl5 (ex-No 24) 14.10.1920 755t Sold 1931

176
 The Japanese Navy in 1922
LI class - Vickers type
R051 (ex-No 25) 25.10.1919 902t Sold 1940
RIVER GUNBOATS
R052 (ex-No 26) 9.3.1920 902t Sold 1932 Name Launched Disp Fate
L2 class - Vickers type
(normal)
R053 (ex-No 27) 6.7.1920 902t Sold 1938
R054 (ex-No 28) 13.10.1920 902t Sold 1939 SUMIDA 26.6.1903 126t Sold 1935
R055 (ex-No 29) 10.2.1921 902t Sold 1939 FUSHIMI 5.8.1906 180t Sold 1935
R056 (ex-No 30) 11.5.1921 902t Sold 1940 TOBA 7.11.1911 250t To China 1945
K3 class as Yang Chi
R016 (ex-No 34) 24.2.1921 755t Sold 1932 Seta class
R017 (ex-No 35) 25.3.1921 755t Sold 1936 SETA 30.6.1922 340t To China 1945
R018 (ex-No 36) 28.12.1920 755t Hulked 1936. as Chang Teh
BU 1948 KATATA 16.7.1922 340t BU c 1946
R019 (ex-No 37) 22.4.1921 755t Sold 1936 HIRA 14.3.1923 340t Constructive
RO20 (ex-No 38) 26.10.1920 755t Sold 1932 total loss
R021 (ex-No 39) 26.10.1920 755t Sold 1932 26.11.44. BU
R022 (ex-No 40) 15.10.1921 755t Sold 1932 HOZU 19.4.1923 340t Constructive
R023 (ex-No 41) 25.10.1921 755t Sold 1932 total loss
R024 (ex-No 42) 8.12.1919 755t Sold 1932 26.11.44. BU
R025 (ex-No 43) 17.7.1920 755t Sold 1936
K4 class Toba’s 2—3in/28 guns were replaced by 2-3in/40 AA cl935, and the light
R026 (ex-No 45) 18.10.1921 770t Hulked 1940. armament from 1940 was 3-25mm AA, 1-13.2mm AA. The guns were removed
BU 1948 in 1945 for use ashore.
R027 (ex-No 58) 22.7.1922 770t Hulked 1940. The armament of the Seta class c 1940 was 2-3in/40 AA, 6-25mm AA. The
BU 1947 25mm AA were subsequently replaced by 5-13.2mm AA inSeta andKatata; the
R028 (ex-No 62) 13.4.1922 770t Hulked 1940. guns were removed from these ships in 1945 for use ashore. Hira and Hozu,
BU 1948 reduced to wrecks by Chinese aircraft on the Yangtse in 1944, were broken up
L3 class — Vickers type later.
R057 (ex-No 46) 3.12.1921 889t BU 1946
R058 (ex-No 47) 2.3.1922 889t BU 1946
R059 (ex-No 57) 28.6.1922 889t BU cl946
KT class MINELAYERS
R029 (ex-No 68) 5.12.1922 665t Sold 1936
Name Launched Disp Fate
RO30 (ex-No 69) 18.1.1923 665t BU 1947
R031 (ex-No 70) Feb 1923 665t Scuttled 5.4.46 (normal)
R032 (ex-No 71) 19.3.1923 665t BU 1947 KATSURIKI 5.10.1916 2000t Converted 1936
TSUGARU (ex-Pallada) 26.8.1899 673 It Discarded 1922.
K4 class Sunk as target
Five further units of this class. Nos 63-67, were cancelled in 1922. 1924
ASO (ex-Bayan) 12.6.1900 7726t Discarded 1930.
L3 class Sunk as target
These boats were used for training from 1941 1932

KT class Katsuriki was rearmed with 2-3in/40 A A guns in 1931. Employed on surveying
RO30-RO32 were used for training from 1940. duties from 1936, she was re-rated as a survey ship in 1942, and sunk by a US
submarine 21.9.44. The above two ex-Russian cruisers were fitted for minelay¬
ing and rated as minelayers in 1920.
GUNBOATS There were also the Natsushima, Sokuten, Toshima, Kuroshima, Ashikazi,
Katoku, Kurokami, Katashima, Ento, Enoshima, Kurosaki, Ninoshima,
Name Launched Disp Fate Washizaki. These 420t tender-type minelaying (and minesweeping) vessels were
(normal) launched between 1911 and 1920. They were rearmed in 1941/2, when the
armament became 1—3in/40 AA, 120 mines; one or two 13.2mm AA were added
Second class in 1944/5.
UJ1 14.3.1903 620t Sold 1932
The old 3rd class destroyers Marakumo and Yugure (launched 1898-99) were
SAGA 4.10.1912 785t Sunk 22.1.45
removed from the effective list in 1921 and rerated as depot ships for mine¬
ATAKA (ex-Nakoso) 11.4.1922 880t To China 1945
sweepers and torpedo boats; they were also fitted for minesweeping. Their fates
as An Tung
are not known.
First class
CHIHAYA 26.5.1900 1243t BU cl939
YODO 18.11.1907 1250t Converted 1927
MOGAMI 25.3.1908 1350t Sold 1928
MOTOR TORPEDO-BOATS
Saga was rearmed during the 1930s, the armament becoming 1—4.7in/45,
3-3in/40 AA, 6 MG; she was sunk by US aircraft at Hong Kong. Thomycroft built four 55ft CMBs for Japan in 1920. Nos 615 and one other,
Ataka was refitted with a tripod foremast and rearmed in 1937, the armament number unknown, were later used for training, and sold c 1939; the third boat,
becoming 1—4.7in/45,2-3in/40 AA, 8-13.2mm AA, 2-7.7mm MG. Bulges were No 1149, still existed at Kure as a tender in 1945. The fate of the fourth boat,
added to improve stability, increasing the displacement to 1094t and the beam to number unknown, is uncertain.
32ft lin
Chihaya was used as a TS from 1927.
Used for surveying duties from 1927, Yodo was hulked in 1940 and broken up
postwar. Only 2-3in guns were fitted from 1927.

177
JAPAN

CAPITAL SHIPS
Yamato 1945
NB. 1/1500 scale

The ultimate battleships, with the

greatest displacement, biggest guns YAMATO class
and heaviest armour of all time.
Yamato and Musashi were ordered in Displacement: 62,315t standard; 67,123t trial; 69,990t full load
the 1937 3rd Supplementary Pro¬ Dimensions: 800ft 6in pp, 839ft 1 lin wl, 862ft 9in oa x 121ft lin X 34ft lin
gramme, the second pair in the 1939 244.00, 256.00, 263.00 X 36.90 x 10.40m
4th Supplementary Programme. Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 12 boilers, 150,000shp = 27kts. Oil 6300t
Their history, even in the design Armour: Belt 16. lin, deck 9. lin-7.9in, barbettes 21.5in-2in, turrets 25.6in-7.6in, conning tower 19.7in-l 1.8in
stage, consisted of a series of super¬ Armament: 9-18.lin/45 (3x3), 12-6.lin/60 (4x3), 12-5in/40 DP (6x2), 24-25mm AA, 4-13.2mm AA, 7 aircraft
latives; no fewer than 23 different pro¬ Complement: 2500
jects were considered before plans
were finalised. Yamato and Shinano Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
were built in new or enlarged docks,
whereas Musashi was launched from a YAMATO Kure N Yd 4.11.1937 8.8.40 16.12.41 Sunk 7.4.45
MUSASHI Mitsubishi, 29.3.1938 1.11.40 5.8.42 Sunk 24.10.44
conventional slipway at a record
35,737t. Special precautions, includ¬ Nagasaki
SHINANO Yokosuka N Yd 4.5.1940 (8.10.44) (19.11.44) Converted 1942-44
ing a 408t camouflage net for Musashi,
No 111 Kure N Yd 7.11.1940 — BU incomplete
were needed to keep their building
secret. A heavy-lift ship, Kashino, was 1942
constructed to transport 18.1 in guns
and mountings to the shipyards. 150-25mm in 1945. The data for dismantled in the building dock. No the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, part of
Protection was designed to give Musashi were 36-25mm in 1943, 797, of similar type, proposed in the the Leyte Gulf operations, and
immunity against 18in shells between 54-25mm early in 1944,115-25mm in 1942 5th Supplementary Programme, Yamato by between 9 and 13 tor¬
22,000 and 33,000yds, and against a April 1944 and 130-25mm in July was cancelled before being named or pedoes and 6 bombs while approach¬
It bomb dropped from 15,000ft. 1944. ordered. Two further ships, No 798 ing Okinawa.
Below the belt (inclined at 20° to the The construction of Shinano and and 799, with 6-20in guns and prob¬
vertical) was a 7.9in-3in anti-torpedo No 111, which would have had mar¬ ably 18in side armour, were also
bulkhead (14° inclination) which ginally thinner armour than the first proposed and cancelled in 1942.
extended to the outer bottom along pair and a modified AA armament, Neither completed ship had an
machinery spaces, but was carried was suspended in December 1941 and opportunity of justifying her exis¬
under the magazines fore and aft as cancelled in 1942. Shinano, about 50 tence, as both perished under the fury
extra protection against mines. The per cent complete, was completed as of American air attacks after brief
connection of the belt to this bulkhead an aircraft carrier (described later), careers. Musashi was sunk by between
was weak, and the inboard bulkheads but No 111 ,30 per cent complete, was 10 and 19 torpedoes and 17 bombs in Yamato on trials 30.10.1941
inelastic, so that the anti-torpedo pro¬
tection fell below expectations. Each
triple turret had a total revolving
weight of 2530t, and the range at 45°
elevation with a 32201b AP projectile
was 45,960yds, rate of fire being 1.5-2
rounds per gun per minute. There
were two catapults.
The designed displacement figures
listed above were exceeded, actual
figures being 63,000t (approx) stan¬
dard, 68,010t trial, 71,659t full load.
The 6-6. lin guns amidships were
removed in 1943, to make room for an
additional 12—5in/40 DP (6x2),
although these were only fitted in
Yamato. The light AA armament in
this ship was increased to 36-25mm in
1943, 98-25mm in April 1944,
113-25mm in July 1944 and

The design of this type was begun in

1939, and tests on the 12.2in (31cm)
gun and the proposed underwater
protection system were carried out in
1940-41. Plans were finalised in 1941,
but in 1942, when more details of the
US Alaska class became known, the
proposed main armament was altered
to 9-14.2in (36cm) in three triple tur¬
rets (B65 type). The construction of
two ships, Nos 795 and 796, to this
design was approved in the 1942
Programme, but they were never
named, ordered or laid down, because
B64 type
Displacement: 32,000t standard; 34,800t trial
Dimensions: 787ft 5in wl, 802ft 6in oa x 89ft 3in x 28ft lOin
240.00, 244.60 x 27.20 x 8.80m
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 8 boilers, 160,000shp = 33.0kts. Oil 4545t
Armour: Belt 7Jin, deck 5in
Armament: 9-12.2in/50 (3x3), 16—3.9in/65 AA (8x2), 12-25mm AA, 8-13.2mm AA, 8-24in TT, 3 aircraft
Complement:
of more important wartime priorities. battlecruisers (cf Alaska class), and in
The ships would have been rated as appearance would have been less mas¬
‘super A-type (ie heavy) cruisers’, not sive Yamato s.

178
 Aircraft carriers

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
Hosho was laid down as the naval oiler
Hiryu, but conversion into an aircraft HOSHO
carrier was ordered in 1920. The
Displacement: 7470t standard; 9330t trial; 10,000t full load
revised design was prepared with the
Dimensions: 510ft pp, 541ft 4in wl, 551ft 5in oa x 59ft lin x 20ft 3in
aid of the British Semphill Technical
155.45, 165.00, 168.10 x 18.00 x 6.17m
Mission, and Hosho was fitted out in
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 12 boilers, 30,000shp = 25kts. Oil 2695t, coal 940t
the Yokosuka N Yd. The flight deck
was 519ft x 74ft 6in. The small star¬ Armament: 4—5.5in/50 (4x1), 2-3in/40 AA (2x1), 2 MG, 26 aircraft
board side island and tripod mast Complement: 550
were removed in 1923 after trials; the
funnels, which were hinged to lie Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
horizontally during flying operations, HOSHO Asano, Tsurumi 16.12.1919 13.11.21 16.12.22 BU 1947
were fixed in the upright position in
1934. The flight deck was lengthened
aft in 1944, to give an overall length of
579ft 5in (176.60m).
Hosho underwent various changes
in armament; the 2-3in AA were
replaced by 8-25mm AA (4x2) in
1941, and the 4—5.5in guns by a
further 8-25mm (4x2) in 1942. The
aircraft complement was reduced to
21 in 1934, and 11 in 1942. She was
used for training during the war, and
by 1945 armament was 6-25mm AA
(3x2) only. She was scrapped after
the war following use as a repatriation
transport. Construction of a sister
ship, Shokaku, was cancelled because
of the Washington Treaty. Hosho about 1928

Akagi 1942

Akagi was laid down as a 41,200t bat¬

tlecruiser of the ‘8-8’ programme; AKAGI
construction was suspended in Feb¬
Displacement: 26,900t standard; 33,821t trial (after 1938 36,500t standard; 40,650t trial; 42,750t full load)
ruary 1922, and conversion to an air¬
Dimensions: 771ft Oin pp, 816ft 8in wl, 855ft 4inoa x 95ft x 26ft 6in (after 1938 821ft 5in wl, 855ft 2inoa x 102ft 9in
craft carrier began on 19.11.1923.
x 28ft 7in)
Conversion of a second battlecruiser, 235.00, 249.00, 260.10 x 29.00 x 8.07m (250.36, 260.67 x 31.32 x 8.71m)
Amagi, was cancelled when this ship
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 19 boilers, 131,200shp = 31kts. Oil 3900t, coal 2100t. (After 1938 133,000shp
was wrecked on the stocks by the 1923 = 31.2kts. Oil 6000t)
earthquake; the battleship Kaga was
Armour: Belt lOin, deck Pin, casemates Pin, turrets ?lin
converted instead. The official stan¬
Armament: 10—8in/50 (2x2, 6x1), 12-4.7in/45 AA (6x2), 22 MG, 60 aircraft (after 1938 6-8in/50 (6x1),
dard displacement is listed above, but
12-4.7in/45 AA (6x2), 28-25mm AA, 91 aircraft)
the actual figure was c30,000t. There
Complement: 2000
were two hangars, with the flush
flight deck 624ft x 100ft on top Launched Comp
Name Builder Laid down Fate
mainly for landings; two flying-off
platforms forward enabled planes to AKAGI Kure N Yd 6.12.1920 22.4.25 25.3.27 Sunk 5.6.42
take off from the hangar decks. The
boiler uptakes led to two funnels on two funnels were replaced by a single
the starboard side, the larger curving long downward curved stack, still to
downwards and the smaller upwards, starboard. Akagi’s flight deck and
both below flight deck level. hangars were wrecked by bombs from
Akagi was taken in hand for a com¬ US dive-bombers at the Battle of
plete reconstruction at Sasebo N Yd Midway; uncontrollable fires were
between 1935 and 1938. The hangars started, and the ship was abandoned
were lengthened by about 80ft, the and scuttled.
flying-off platforms removed, and the
flight deck extended almost the full
length of the ship (817ft 6in x 100ft).
The aircraft complement was
increased to 91, although 72 was the
operational maximum. A small island
was fitted to port amidships, the 8in
turrets were removed, and the two
lifts increased to three. A 4ft wide
bulge either side increased stability
Akagi as completed
and underwater protection, and the

179
JAPAN

The Kaga was laid down and

launched as a 39,900t battleship of the KAGA
‘8-8’ programme; construction was 26,900t standard; 33,161t trial (after 1935 38,200t standard; 41,869t trial; 43,650t full load)
Displacement:
suspended in February 1922, and
Dimensions: 715ft lin pp, 754ft 5in wl, 782ft 6in oa x 97ft x 26ft (after 1935 788ft 5in wl, 812ft 6in oa x 106ft 7in x
conversion to an aircraft carrier in
31ft lin)
place of the battlecruiser Amagi began 218.00, 230.00, 238.50 x 29.60 x 7.93m (240.30, 247.65 x 32.50 x 9.48m)
in 1923. The official standard dis¬ 4-shaft geared turbines, 12 boilers, 91,000shp = 27.5kts. Oil 3600t, coal 1700t. (After 1938 8 boilers,
Machinery:
placement is listed above, but the 127,400shp = 28.34kts. Oil 5300t)
actual figure was c30,000t. Hangar, Belt 1 lin, deck Pin, casemates Plin, turrets Pin
Armour:
flight-deck and flying-off platforms
Armament: 10—8in/50 (2x2, 6x1), 12-4.7in/45 AA (6x2), 22 MG, 60 aircraft (after 1938 10-8in/50 (10x1),
followed the same pattern as the 16-5in/40 DP (8x2), 22-25mm AA, increased to 30-25mm in 1941, 90 aircraft)
Akagi, although the flight deck was
Complement: 1340 (after 1938 2016)
shorter (562ft x 100ft). Funnel
arrangement differed, the boiler Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
Name
uptakes being trunked aft along the
outside of the upper hangar deck to KAGA Kawasaki, Kobe 19.7.1920 17.11.21 31.3.28 Sunk 4.6.42
outlets over the quarterdeck, an
unsatisfactory arrangement.
The Kaga was taken in hand for a tion of bulges to improve stability
complete reconstruction at Sasebo N increased the beam by 9ft 6in, and the
Yd between 1934 and 1935. The hull long trunked boiler exhausts were
was lengthened aft by 34ft, the han¬ replaced by a single downward curved
gars were extended forward, the funnel to starboard. The 8in turrets
flying-off platforms removed, and the were removed, and the guns replaced
flight deck extended the full length of in four additional casemates aft. Hit
the ship (815ft 6in x 100ft). The air¬ by 4 bombs from U S dive-bombers at
craft complement was increased to 90, the Battle of Midway, uncontrollable
although 81 was the operational max¬ fires wrecked Kaga's flight deck and
imum, and this figure was reduced to hangars; abandoned, she sank when
66 in 1942. A small island was added the aviation fuel tanks exploded.
to starboard, forward of amidships,
and a third lift was fitted. The addi- Kaga as completed

Ryujo, built under the 1927 Pro¬

gramme, was planned with a single RYUJO
hangar, but to double the aircraft Displacement: 8000t standard; 9990t trial (after 1936 10,600t standard; 12,53It trial; 13,650t full load)
complement a second hangar was
Dimensions: 548ft 7in pp, 575ft 5in wl, 590ft 4in oa x 66ft 8in x 18ft 3in (after 1936 beam 68ft 2in x 23ft 3in)
added without enlarging the ship, 167.00, 175.39, 179.90 x 20.32 x 5.56m (20.78 x 7.08m)
which turned out to be lightly built,
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 6 boilers, 65,000shp = 29kts. Oil 2490t
overloaded and unstable. The flight
Armour: Light protective plating along machinery and magazine spaces
deck measured 513ft 6in X 75ft 6in.
In a reconstruction between 1934 and Armament: 12-5in/40 DP (6x2), 24 MG, 48 (operational max 37) aircraft (after 1936 8-5in/40 DP (4x2), 4-25mm,
increased to 22-25mm in 1942, 24-13mm AA)
1936, the armament was reduced, the
hull strengthened and extra bulges Complement: 600 (after 1936 924)
added. The forecastle was raised a
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
deck in 1940 to improve seakeeping.
Ryujo was sunk by 4 bombs and a RYUJO Yokohama Co, 26.11.1929 2.4.31 9.5.33 Sunk 24.8.42
torpedo in the Battle of the Eastern Yokohama
Solomons.

Ryujo 9.9.1934
 Aircraft carriers
Soryu, built under the 1931-32 Sup¬
plementary Programme, was the SORYU
model for nearly all the later Japanese
Displacement: 15,900t standard; 18,500t trial; 19,800t full load
carriers: fast, lightly built, and
intended to deliver blows but not Dimensions: 688ft 9in pp, 728ft 2in wl, 746ft 6in oa x 69ft llin x 25ft
receive them. The flight deck was 210.00, 222.00, 221.SO x 21.30 X 1.62m
711ft 6in x 85ft 4in, and the two han¬ Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 8 boilers, 152,000shp = 34.5kts. Oil 3670t
gars were served by three lifts. The Armour: Belt 1.8in, deck lin (machinery), 2.2in (magazines)
small island was to starboard, and just Armament: 12—5in/40 DP (6x2), 28-25mm AA, 71 (operational max 63) aircraft
abaft two funnels discharged almost Complement: 1100
horizontally just below flight deck
level. Soryu was hit by 3 bombs from Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
US dive-bombers in the Battle of
SORYU Kure N Yd 20.11.1934 23.12.35 29.12.37 Sunk 4.6.42
Midway, burst into flames, and blew
up when the fires reached the aviation
fuel tanks.
Soryu on trials, 22.1.1938, when she made 34.9kts

Hiryu (1931-32 Supplementary Prog¬

ramme) was a slightly enlarged and HIRYU
modified Soryu; the beam was
Displacement: 17,300t standard; 19,930t trial; 21,900t full load
increased by lm for a 20 per cent
Dimensions: 688ft 9in pp, 731ft 9in wl, 745ft llin x 73ft 3in x 25ft 9in
increase in oil capacity, the protection
210.00, 222.93, 221.40 x 22.32 x 1.84m
was strengthened and the forecastle
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 8 boilers, 153,000shp = 34.3kts. Oil 4400t
raised by a deck. The flight deck was
711ft 6in x 88ft 6in, and as in Soryu Armour: Belt 3.5in (machinery), 5.9in (magazines), deck lin (machinery), 2.2in (magazines)
the two hangars were served by three Armament: 12-5in/40 DP (6x2), 31-25mm AA, 73 (operational max 64) aircraft
lifts. The island was almost amidships Complement: 1101
and to port (the second and last
Japanese carrier with this arrange¬ Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
ment) where it pardy balanced the HIRYU Yokosuka N Yd 8.7.1936 16.11.37 5.7.39 Sunk 5.6.42
two horizontally-discharging funnels
to starboard. Hiryu was hit by 4
bombs from US dive-bombers in the
Battle of Midway, wrecking flight
deck and hangars; she had to be aban¬
doned and scuttled, the last of the 4
Japanese carriers sunk in the Battle.
Zuikaku 1944

Approved in the 1937 3rd Sup¬

plementary Programme, Shokaku and SHOKAKU class
Zuikaku were enlarged and much
Displacement: 25,675t standard; 29,330t trial; 32,105t full load
improved Hiryus, most of the extra
Dimensions: 774ft 6in pp, 820ft 3in wl, 844ft lOin oa x 85ft 4in x 29ft lin
displacement being used to increase
236.06, 250.00, 251.50 x 26.00 x 8.81m
armour thickness, although there was
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 8 boilers, 160,000shp = 34.2kts. Oil 4100t
still no protection for the 794ft 6in X
Armour: Belt 1.8in (machinery), 6.5in (magazines); deck 3.9in (machinery), 5.lin (magazines)
95ft flight deck or the double hangars.
These ships were considered the most Armament: 16-5in/40 DP (8x2), 42-25mm AA, 84 (operational max 72) aircraft
successful Japanese carriers. To help Complement: 1660
prevent the disastrous fires which
occurred in other carriers at Midway, Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
the air spaces around the aviation fuel SHOKAKU Yokosuka N Yd 12.12.1937 1.6.39 8.8.41 Sunk 19.6.44
tanks were filled with concrete (1942). ZUIKAKU Kawasaki, Kobe 25.5.1938 27.11.39 25.9.41 Sunk 25.10.44
Armament changes were as follows:

181
JAPAN
1943, 70-25mm AA; July 1944
(.Zuikaku), 96-25mm AA, 6 28-
barrelled rocket launchers. Wartime
reports of a third ship of this class,
Ryukaku, sunk in the Battle of the
Coral Sea, were erroneous; Ryukaku
never existed, the ship lost being the
much smaller Shoho.
Shokaku, having survived extensive
damage at the Battle of the Coral Sea
(May 1942; 2 bombs) and Santa Cruz
(Oct 1942; 6 bombs) was sunk by 3
torpedoes from the US submarine
Cavalla in the Battle of the Philippine
Sea. Zuikaku was sunk by 6 torpedoes
and 7 bombs from US aircraft in the
Battle of Cape Engano, part of the
Leyte Gulf operations. i, 23.8.1941, shortly after completion

These ships were conversions from

submarine support ships, the original ZUIHO class
names being Takasaki and Tsurugisaki
Displacement: ll,262t standard; 13,730t trial; cl4,200t full load
respectively. Tsurugisaki, completed
Dimensions: 607ft pp, 660ft 9in wl, 671ft llin oa x 59ft 9in x 21ft 9in
as a support ship on 15.1.39, was con¬
185.02, 201.45, 204.80 x 18.20 x 6.64m
verted 1941^42, whereas Takasaki
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 4 boilers, 52,000shp = 28kts. Oil c2600t
was taken over for conversion while
fitting out. The original diesel motors Armament: 8-5in/40 DP (4x2), 8-25mm AA, 30 aircraft
were replaced by destroyer boilers Complement: 785
and turbines. The single hangar,
served by two lifts, was topped by a Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
flight deck 590ft 6in x 75ft 6in, leng¬ ZUIHO Yokosuka N Yd 20.6.1935 19.6.36 27.12.40 Sunk 25.10.44
thened in Zuiho in 1943 to 631ft llin. SHOHO Yokosuka N Yd 3.12.1934 1.6.35 26.1.42 Sunk 7.5.42
Armament changes in Zuiho were as
follows: 1943, 48-25mm AA; 1944,
68-25mm AA, 8-28 barrelled rocket
launchers. Zuiho was sunk by bombs
and torpedoes from US aircraft in the "T-
Battle of Cape Engano. Shoho was
sunk by 11 bombs and up to 7 tor¬
pedoes in the Battle of the Coral Sea,
the first Japanese carrier loss.

Shoho, on 20.12.1941 shortly before com-

missoning
Jm

182
 Aircraft carriers

Ryuho 1944

Ryuho was originally built as the sub¬

marine support ship Taigei, com¬ RYUHO
pleted 31.3.35, and taken in hand for
Displacement: 13,360t standard; 15,060t trial; cl6,700t full load
conversion and renaming in 1941.
The diesel motors were replaced by Dimensions: 647ft 5in pp, 689ft wl, 707ft 4in oa x 64ft 3in x 21ft lOin
197.32, 210.00, 215.60 x 19.58 x 6.67m
destroyer-type boilers and turbines.
The single hangar had two lifts and Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 4 boilers, 52,000shp = 26.5kts. Oil c2900t
was topped by a flight deck 607ft X Armour: Deck 0.4in
75ft 6in, lengthened in 1944 to 650ft. Armament: 8-5in/40 DP (4x2), 38-25mm AA, 31 aircraft
Armament changes were as follows: Complement: 989
1943, 42-25mm AA, 6-13.2mm AA;
1944,61-25mm AA, 28-13.2mm AA, Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
6 DCs. Ryuho was an unsuccessful RYUHO Yokosuka N Yd 12.4.1933 16.11.33 28.11.42 BU 1946
conversion, with a weak hull, poor
internal subdivision, and a real speed severely damaged by US aircraft at

Junyo 1945

These ships were begun as the

27,500grt, 24kt, NYK Line pas¬ JUNYO class
senger liners Kashiwara Maru and
Izumo Maru, taken over in 1940 while Displacement: 24,140t standard; 26,523t trial; c28,300t full load
on the stocks, renamed and con¬ Dimensions: 675ft lOin pp, 706ft 4in wl, 719ft 6in oa x 87ft 7in x 26ft 9in
verted. They were the first Japanese 206.00, 215.30, 219.30 x 26.70 x 8.15m
carriers with the funnel included in Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 6 boilers, 56,250 shp = 25.5kts. Oil c2800t
the island structure; it was angled Armour: Almost nil
outboard to carry smoke away from Armament: 12-5in/40 DP (6x2), 24-25mm AA, 53 aircraft
the flight deck. Two hangars were fit¬ Complement: 1187-1224
ted, with two lifts, and a flight deck
690ft x 89|ft. Although intended for Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
service with the fleet, they were not as
JUNYO Mitsubishi, 20.3.1939 26.6.41 5.5.42 BU 1947
good as the purpose-built ships; the
Nagasaki
water-tight subdivision was poor, the
HIYO Kawasaki, Kobe 30.11.1939 24.6.41 31.7.42 Sunk 20.6.44
hangars cramped for height, and the
sea speed only about 22-23kts.
Armament changes were as follows: damaged, to be used as a repatriation
1943, 40-25mm AA, July 1944 transport before going to the ship-
(Junyo) 76-25mm AA, 6 28-barrelled breakers. Hiyo was sunk by a US air¬
rocket launchers. Junyo survived the borne torpedo in the Battle of the
war, although twice severely Philippine Sea. Taiho 1944

TAIHO
Displacement: 29,300t standard; 33,660t trial; 37,720t full load
Dimensions: 780ft lOin pp, 830ft lin wl, 855ft oa x 90ft llin x 31ft 6in
238.00, 253.00, 260.00 x 27.70 x 9.59m
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 8 boilers, 160,000shp = 33.3kts. Oil 5700t
Armour: Belt 2.2in (machinery), 5.9in (magazines), flight deck 3.lin, lower hangar deck 4.9in
Armament: 12—3.9in/65 AA (6x2), 51-25mm AA, 84 (operational max 53) aircraft
Complement: 1751

Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate

TAIHO Kawasaki, Kobe 10.7.1941 7.4.43 7.3.44 Sunk 19.6.44

Approved in the 19394th Supplemen¬
tary Programme, Taiho was a mod¬
ified Shokaku, with an armoured
flight deck (the first Japanese carrier
so protected, and probably suggested
by the experience of HMS Illustrious
in Jan 1941). Compared with
Shokaku, one deck was omitted to
maintain stability, and the hull plat¬
ing was extended at the bow to the
844ft x 98ft 6in flight deck. The fun¬
nel was included in the island struc¬
ture and was angled outboard, as in
Junyo. Taiho was armed with the new
twin 3.9in A A mounting, also fitted in
the Akitsuki class destroyers. Two
further slightly enlarged ships prop¬
osed in the 1942 Programme (Nos
801,802), and five more in the 1942
Supplementary Programme (Nos
5021-5) were never begun. Taiho was
hit by one torpedo from the US sub¬
marine Albacore in the Battle of the
Philippine Sea, and blew up when
petrol vapour, having spread through
the ship because of inept damage con¬
trol, ignited.

183
Built as seaplane carriers under the
1931-32 Supplementary Programme, CHITOSE class
the original completion dates being ll,190t standard; 13,43It trial; cl5,300t full load
Displacement:
25.7.38 and 15.12.38 respectively.
Dimensions: 570ft lOin pp, 610ft wl, 631ft 7in oa x 68ft 3in X 24ft 8in
Taken in hand during the war for 174.00, 185.93, 192.50 x 20.80 x 7.51m
conversion to aircraft carriers, Chitose 2-shaft geared turbines plus diesel motors, 4 boilers, 44,000shp/12,800bhp = 28.9kts. Oil c3000t
Machinery:
by Sasebo N Yd in 1943-44 and
Armament: 8-5in/40 DP (4x2), 30-25mm AA, 30 aircraft
Chiyoda by Yokosuka N Yd in
1942—43, beam being increased by 6ft Complement: c800
7in. The flight deck, 590ft 6in x 75ft Fate
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp
6in, covered a single hangar which
was served by two lifts. The A A CHITOSE Kure N Yd 26.11.1934 29.11.36 1.1.44 Sunk 25.10.44
armament was increased to 48-25mm CHIYODA Kure N Yd 14.12.1936 19.11.37 31.10.43 Sunk 25.10.44
A A in July 1943. Both ships sank after
bomb damage in the Battle of Cape
Engano.
Shinano 1944
N B. 1/1500 scale

Shinano was laid down as the third

Yamato class battleship, but construc¬ SHINANO
tion was suspended in Dec 1941, and
Displacement: 62,000t standard; 66,984t trial; 71,890t full load
after the Battle of Midway she was
converted into a carrier. The single Dimensions: 800ft 6in pp, 839ft 1 lin wl, 872ft 8in oa x 119ft lin x 33ft lOin
244.00, 256.00, 266.00 x 36.30 x 10.30m
hangar, served by two lifts, was built
at forecastle deck level, and was Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 12 boilers, 150,000shp = 27kts. Oil 8900t
covered by an armoured flight deck, Armour: Belt 8.lin, flight deck 3.lin, hangar deck 7.5in
839ft 1 lin x 131ft 3in. The full Armament: 16—5in/40 DP (8x2), 145-25mm AA, 12 28-barrelled rocket launchers, 47 aircraft
battleship deck and underwater pro¬ Complement: 2400
tection was retained, but the belt
armour was halved in thickness. The Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
funnel arrangement was as in Junyo
SHINANO Yokosuka N Yd 4.5.1940 8.10.44 19.11.44 Sunk 29.11.44
and Taiho. Intended as a support ship
for carrier task forces, Shinano carried
reserve aircraft, fuel and ordnance, The biggest aircraft carrier of the Shinano was not fully complete when damage control, she remained afloat
but only a limited number of her own war (and first exceeded in standard hit by 4 torpedoes from the US sub¬ for 7 hours, a tribute to the under¬
aircraft (hangar capaicity was about displacement by the nuclear-powered marine Archerfish. With poor water¬ water defence system.
70 planes). USS Enterprise, launched 1960), tight integrity and a crew untrained in

The Unryu class carriers, approved in

the 1941-42 War Construction Pro¬ UNRYU class
gramme, were of Hiryu type, but with Displacement: 17,150t {Amagi 17,460t, Katsuragi 17,260t) standard; 19,780t {Amagi, Ikoma 20,120t, Katsuragi
a larger island on the starboard side 19,880t, Kasagi 20,020t) trial; Unryu c22,400t, Amagi c22,800t, Katsuragi 22,534t full load
and two lifts in place of three. The Dimensions: 679ft 2in pp, 731ft 8in wl, 746ft lin oa x 72ft 2in x 25ft 9in {Katsuragi, Aso 25ft 6in)
flight deck was 711ft 6in x 88ft 6in, 207.00, 223.00, 227.40 x 22.00 x 7.85{7.76)m
exceptKatsuragi, 703ft 9in X 88ft 6in. Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 8 boilers, 152,000shp = 34kts {Katsuragi, Aso 104,000shp = 32kts). Oil 3670t
Cruiser-type machinery was fitted in
Armour: Belt 1.8in (machinery), 5.9in (magazines); deck lin (machinery), 2.2in (magazines)
all except Katsuragi and A so, which
Armament: 12—5in/40 DP (6x2), 51-25mm AA {Amagi, Katsuragi 89-25mm AA), 65 {Katsuragi, Kasagi, Aso 64;
had less powerful destroyer boilers
Ikoma 53) aircraft
and turbines, with some loss in speed.
Complement: 1595 {Katsuragi, Aso 1500)
Six 28-barrelled rocket launchers
were added to the armament in
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
1944 45. One further ship of this type
proposed in the 1942 Programme {No UNRYU Yokosuka N Yd 1.8.1942 25.9.43 6.8.44 Sunk 19.12.44
800) and ten more in the 1942 Sup¬ AMAGI Mitsubishi, Nagasaki 1.10.1942 15.10.43 10.8.44 'Sunk 24.7.45
plementary Programme {Nos 5002, KATSURAGI Kure N Yd 8.12.1942 19.1.44 15.10.44 BU 1947
5005, 5008-15) were never begun. KASAGI Mitsubishi, Nagasaki 14.4.1943 19.10.44 BU 1947
Unryu was sunk by two torpedoes ASO Kure N Yd 8.6.1943 1.11.44 BU 1947
from the US submarine Redfish in the IKOMA Kawasaki, Kobe 5.7.1943 17.11.44 BU 1947
East China Sea. Amagi, sunk in shal¬
low water at Kure by US aircraft
bombs, was broken up after the war,
as were Katsuragi (after use as a repat¬
riation transport) and the three
incomplete ships.

Katsuragi on trials, about Oct 1944

By courtesy of Lt Cdr Tamura

184
 Aircraft carriers

Ibuki design

Ibuki was laid down and launched at

Kure as a heavy cruiser of modified IBUKI
Mogami type; her construction was
Displacement: 12,500t standard; 14,570t trial
suspended after launching, and con¬
version to an aircraft carrier, with Dimensions: 616ft 2in pp, 650ft 9in wl, 672ft 7in oa x 69ft 7in x 20ft 8in
flight deck 672ft 5in x 75ft 6in, a 187.80, 198.35, 205.00 x 21.20 x 6.31
single hangar and two lifts, com¬ Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 4 boilers, 72,000shp = 29kts
menced at Sasebo N Yd in November Armament: 4—3in/60 AA, 48-25mm AA, 6 28-barrelled rocket launchers, 30 DCs, 27 aircraft
1943. The conversion was never com¬ Complement: 1015
pleted, as construction was stopped in
March 1945 with the ship about 80 per Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
cent complete. IBUKI Kure N Yd 24.4.1942 21.5.43 BU 1947

Chuyo 1943

These ships were converted passenger

liners, the mercantile names being TAIYO class escort aircraft carriers
Kasuga Mam ,Yawata Mam andNitta
Displacement: 17,830t standard; 19,700t trial
Mam. Yawata Maru and Nitta Mam
were completed as 17,100grt, 22.2kt Dimensions: 551ft 2in pp, 569ft llin wl, 591ft 4in oa X 73ft lOin x 25ft 5in (Taiyo 26ft 3in)
NYK Line ships, and were converted 168.00, 173.70, 180.24 x 22.50 x 7.74(8.00)m
to escort carriers in 1942 by Kure N Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 4 boilers, 25,200shp = 21kts
Yd. Kasuga Mam was taken over for Armament: 8-5in/40 DP (Taiyo 6-4.7in/45 AA), 8-25mm AA, 27 aircraft
conversion at Sasebo N Yd in May Complement: 850 (Taiyo 747)
1941 while fitting out. Although
comparable with allied escort carriers, Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
the Taiyo class were used as aircraft }
TAIYO Mitsubishi, 19.9.1940 15.9.41 Sunk 18.8.44
transports and for flight training. The
Nagasaki
flight deck was 564ft 3in X77ft. The }
UNYO Mitsubishi, 31.10.1939 31.5.42 Sunk 16.9.44
light A A armament mounted in 1943
Nagasaki
was 22-25mm AA, 5-13.2mm AA in ?
CHUYO Mitsubishi, 20.5.1939 25.11.42 Sunk 4.12.43
Chuyo, and 24—25mm AA in Taiyo
Nagasaki
and Unyo. In July 1944, the last two
were armed with 4—5in/40 DP (2x2),
64—25mm AA, 10-13.2mm AA. All
three were victims of US submarine
torpedoes, from Rasher, Barb and Kaiyo on trials, 15.11.1943, when she
made 52,600shp = 23.7kts
Sailfish respectively.

This ship was originally the

12,755grt, 21.5kt, OSK passenger
liner Argentina Mam, used as a troop
transport from December 1941 and
taken over for conversion to an escort
carrier in December 1942 (her sister-
ship Brazil Mam, also earmarked for
conversion, was sunk in August 1942 KAIYO escort aircraft carrier
before work could begin). Destroyer-
Displacement: 13,600t standard; 16,483t trial
type boilers and turbines replaced the
original diesel motors, and she was Dimensions: 508t 6in pp, 523ft 7in wl, 546ft 5in oa x 71ft lOin x 26ft 5in
155.00, 159.59, 166.55 x 21.90 x 8.04m
used as an aircraft transport and for
flight training. The light A A arma¬ Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 4 boilers, 52,000shp = 23kts
ment was increased in July 1944 to Armament: 8-5in/40 DP (4x2), 24—25mm AA, 24 aircraft
44-25mm, and a number of 28- Complement: 829
barrelled rocket launchers were instal¬
led, along with 8 depth charges. Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
Kaiyo, severely damaged by US air¬ ? 9.12.1938 BU 1948
KAIYO Mitsubishi, 23.11.43
craft in Beppu Bay at the end of the
Nagasaki
war, was broken up in situ.

185
JAPAN
Shinyo was originally the 18,184grt
2lkt NDL (German) passenger liner SHINYO escort aircraft carrier
Schamhorst, purchased in February Displacement: 17,500t standard; 20,586t trial
1942 and converted by Kure N Yd
Dimensions: 606ft 11 in pp, 621ft 3in oa x 84ft x 26ft lOin
1942—43. Some of the steel used in the 185.00, 189.36 x 25.60 x 8.18m
conversion came from No 111, the
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 4 boilers, 26,000shp = 22kts
fourth (cancelled) unit of the Yamato
Armament: 8-5in/40 DP (4x2), 30-25mm AA, 33 aircraft
class. The flight deck was 590ft 6in x
80ft 6in, and the light A A armament Complement: 942
was increased early in 1944 to
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
42-25mm, and in July 1944 to
50-25mm. Shinyo was torpedoed and SHINYO Deschimag, ? 14.12.1934 15.12.43 Sunk 17.11.44
sunk by the US submarine Spadefish. Bremen
The Kamakawa Maru (cx-Chichibu
Maru) a NYK passenger liner
requisitioned as a transport in 1941 was
to have been converted to an escort
carrier but was sunk on 28.4.43.

Shinyo on trials, 1.11.1943

CRUISERS Jintsu 1941

The Sendai class, approved in the

1921-22 Estimates, were similar to SENDAI class
the Nagara class, but with an Displacement: 5195t standard; 5595t normal; 71 OOt full load
improved arrangement of boilers, the
Dimensions: 500ft pp, 520ft wl, 534ft 9in oa x 48ft 5in x 16ft lin
uptakes leading to four instead of 152.40, 158.53, 163.03 x 14.17 x 4.91m
three funnels. The actual normal dis¬
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 12 boilers, 90,000shp = 35.2kts. Oil lOlOt, coal 570t
placement was 5900t. The hull of
Armour: Belt 2.5in, deck l.lin
Kako, cancelled under the terms of
the Washington Treaty, was Armament: 7—5.5in/50 (7x1), 2-3in/40 AA (2x1), 2 MG, 8-24in TT (4x2), 80 mines
demolished on the slipway. The ships Complement: 450
were completed with a flying-off plat¬
form forward and a hangar in the Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
bridge, but no aircraft was carried NAKA Mitsubishi, 10.6.1922 24.3.25 30.11.25 Sunk 17.2.44
until a catapult was added to the plat¬ Yokohama
form in 1929 .Jintsu was repaired with SENDAI Mitsubishi, 16.2.1922 30.10.23 29.4.24 Sunk 2.11.43
a bow like Naka’s after colliding with Nagasaki
the destroyer Warabi in 1927. All had JINTSU Kawasaki, Kobe 4.8.1922 8.12.23 31.7.25 Sunk 13.7.43
the pole mainmast replaced by a KAKO Sasebo N Yd 15.2.1922 - - Cancelled 17.3.22
tripod in 1934, when the catapult was
moved aft, between nos 6 and 7 5.5in to become 7-5.5in/50 (7x1), 2-5in/40 actions in the Solomons fighting. Sen¬ and torpedoes from light cruisers and
guns. The seventh gun was re-si ted DP, 44—25mm AA, 6-13.2mm AA. dai, heavily hit by 6in gunfire in the destroyers in the Battle of Kolomban-
further aft (the change in position Naka was sunk by US carrier air¬ Battle of Empress Augusta Bay, was gara.
being less in Naka than in the others). craft off Truk in the Carolines and the finished off by carrier aircraft,
The armament was modified in 1943, other two were victims of surface whereas Jintsu was crushed by gunfire
Naka in 1934
 Yubari on builder’s trials

This ship was originally proposed

under the 1917 Programme as a small YUBARI
cruiser with experimental machinery,
Displacement: 2890t standard; 3141t normal
to be named Ayase. As finally
approved, in the 1921-22 Estimates, Dimensions: 435ft pp, 447ft lOin wl, 455ft 8in oa x 39ft 6in x lift 9in
132.59, 136.50, 138.90 x 12.04 x 3.58m
she was designed by Captain Hiraga
Machinery: 3-shaft geared turbines, 8 boilers, 57,750shp = 35.5kts. Oil 830t, coal lOOt
for a heavy armament and high speed
on the smallest possible displacement; Armour: Belt 2.3in, deck lin, gunhouses lin
gun and torpedo broadsides, speed Armament: 6-5.5in/50 (2x2, 2x1), l-3in/40 AA, 2 MG, 4-24in TT (2x2), 34 mines
and endurance were the same as for Complement: 328
the 5500t cruisers, on only 58 per cent
of their displacement (as designed). Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
The side armour, fitted internally and YUBARI Sasebo N Yd 5.6.1922 5.3.23 31.7.23 Sunk 28.4.44
slightly inclined, contributed to the
longitudinal strength, an innovation values as completed being 3387t stan¬ increased in 1924, and shields fitted to TT (2 x 2); speed had by then fallen to
also incorporated in Kako and later dard, 3560t normal, 4075t trial and the TT in 1927. The single 5.5in guns about 32kts. Yubari was hit by a tor¬
heavy cruisers. The designed dis¬ 4400t (approx) full load, and trial were removed in 1943, when the pedo from US submarine Bluegill on
placement figures (listed in the table) speed with 57,990shp was only armament became 4— 5.5in/50 (2x2), 27 April 1944 and sank the next day.
were considerably exceeded, actual 34.8kts. The funnel height was 12-25mm AA, 8-13.2mm AA, 4-24in

Kako 1939

These ships, the first heavy cruisers

built to Washington Treaty restric¬ FURUTAKA class
tions, were hurriedly authorised in Displacement: 71 OOt standard; 8450t trial
1922 under the 1922-29 Programme
Dimensions: 580ft Oin pp, 602ft 2in wl, 607ft 6in oa x 51ft 9in x 18ft 3in
to compensate the builders for capital 176.78, 183.53, 185.17 x 15.77 x 5.56m
ships cancelled under the Treaty. To
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 12 boilers, 102,000shp = 34.5kts. Oil 1400t, coal 400t
save weight without sacrificing lon¬
Armour: Belt 3in, deck 1.4in, gunhouses lin
gitudinal strength, the hull was flush
Armament: 6-8in/50 (6x1), 4-3in/40 AA (4x1), 2MG, 12-24in TT (6x2), 1 aircraft
decked with a characteristic wavy
sheer line, which allowed for a Complement: 625
designed freeboard of 28ft at the bows
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
and 15ft aft. The designed displace¬
ment figures above were nevertheless FURUTAKA Mitsubishi, 5.12.1922 25.2.25 31.3.26 Sunk 11.10.42
exceeded; actual displacements were Nagasaki
8lOOt standard, 9433t trial. In KAKO Kawasaki, Kobe 17.11.1922 10.4.25 20.7.26 Sunk 10.8.42
1932-33, the 3in AA guns were
replaced by 4—4.7in/45 A A (4x1), Kako in 1930
8-13.2mm A A added, and the launch¬
ing platform replaced by a catapult.
The single gunhouses were an
uneconomical arrangement, and
when taken in hand for reconstruc¬
tion, Furutaka by Kure N Yd in
1937-39 and Kako by Sasebo N Yd in
1936-37, the 8in guns were rear¬
ranged in twin turrets (lin armour),
the fixed torpedo tubes replaced by
rotating mountings, and bulges fitted.
Displacement was increased to 8700t
standard, 10,341t trial, with a beam of
55ft 7in (16.93m) and draught of 18ft
5in (5.61m). The speed fell to 33kts
and the revised armament was
6—8in/50 (3x2), 4-4.7in/45 AA
(4x1), 8-25mm AA, 4—13.2mm AA
and 8-24in TT (2x4), with 1 catapult
and 2 aircraft.
Both ships were sunk in the heavy
fighting for Guadalcanal, Furutaka by
gunfire and a torpedo from US
cruisers in the Battle of Cape
Esperance, and Kako by the US sub¬
marine S44.

187
 JAPAN

n.rf^,
Aoba 1945

The Aoba class, approved in the

1922-29 Programme, were improved AOBA class
Furutakas, with 8in guns in twin tur¬ Displacement: 7100t standard; 8760t trial
rets and a heavier secondary arma¬
Dimensions: 582ft 3in pp, 602ft 4in wl, 607ft 6in oa x 51ft llin x 18ft 9in
ment; they were the first Japanese 177.48, 183.58, 185.17 x 15.83 x 5.71m
cruisers with catapults. Designed dis-'
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 12 boilers, 102,000shp = 34.5kts. Oil 1800t, coal 450t
placement figures were handsomely
Armour: Belt 3in, deck 1.4in, turrets lin
exceeded, the actual standard dis¬
Armament: 6-8in/50 (3x2), 4-4.7in/45 AA (4x1), 2 MG, 12-24in TT (6x2), 1 aircraft
placement being 8300t. 8-13.2mm AA
were added in 1932. Both ships were Complement: 625
modernised by Sasebo N Yd 1938—40,
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
when bulges were fitted and the fixed
TT replaced by 8-24in TT (2x4) in AOBA Mitsubishi, 4.2.1924 25.9.26 20.9.27 Sunk 28.7.45
rotating mountings. Displacement was Nagasaki
increased to 9000t standard, 10,65It KINUGASA Kawasaki, Kobe 23.1.1924 24.10.26 30.9.27 Sunk 14.11.42
trial, with a beam of 57ft 9in (17.60m)
and draught of 18ft 7in (5.66m). The
speed fell to 33kts, the revised light AA and the remaining quadruple mount
armament was 8-25mm and resited on the centreline.
4—13.2mm, and 2 aircraft were carried. Aoba, sunk by US aircraft at Kure
During the war, the light AA arma¬ in shallow water, was broken up in
ment of Aoba was increased to 1948. Kinugasa was sunk by US
15-25mm in May 1944, and 42-25mm carrier-borne aircraft in the Battle of
in July 1944; 4-24in TT were removed Guadalcanal.

This class, approved in the 1922-29

Programme, were the first heavy NACHI class
cruisers ordered to the displacement
limits of the Washington Treaty. The Displacement: 10,000t standard; 13,120t trial (actual)
inclined side armour was thicker than Dimensions: 631ft 2in pp, 661ft lin wl, 668ft 6in oa x 56ft llin x 19ft 4in
in the Aoba class, and underwater 192.39, 201.50, 203.76 x 17.34 x 5.90m
protection comprised a triple hull and Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 12 boilers, 130,000shp = 35.5kts. Oil 2470t
an arched longitudinal bulkhead. The Armour: Belt 3.9in, deck 1.4in, turrets lin, turret bases 3in
standard displacement as published is Armament: 10-8in/50 (5x2), 6-4.7in/45 AA (6x1), 2 MG, 12-24in TT (4x3), 2 aircraft
listed above; the actual figure was Complement: 773
10,980. All four ships were extensively
refitted 1934-36, when the 4.7in guns Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
were replaced by 8-5in/40 DP (4x2),
MYOKO Yokosuka N Yd
4—13.2mm A A added, the fixed TT 25.10.1924 16.4.27 31.7.29 Scuttled 8.7.46
NACHI Kure N Yd
replaced by 8-24in TT (2x4) in rotat¬ 26.11.1924 15.6.27 26.11.28 Sunk 5.11.44
HAGURO Mitsubishi,
ing mounts and a second catapult 16.3.1925 24.3.28 25.4.29 Sunk 16.5.45
installed. The class was further mod¬ Nagasaki
ASHIGARA Kawasaki, Kobe
ernised in 1940-41, when the fight AA 11.4.1925 22.4.28 20.8.29 Sunk 8.6.45

188

armament was increased, the TT
armament doubled, the bridge and
foremast modified, and bulges fitted to
maintain stability. Displacement was
increased to 13,000t standard, 14,743t
trial, with a waterline length of 661ft
9in (201.70m), beam 68ft (20.73m) and
draught 20ft 9in (6.32m). The speed
fell to 33.8kts, and the revised arma¬
ment was 10-8in/50 (5x2), 8-5in/40
DP (4x2), 8-25mm AA, 4-13.2mm
AA and 16-24in TT (4x4), with 2
catapults and 3 aircraft. During the
war the fight AA armament was
increased to 24-25mm in May 1944,
and to 52-25mm in July 1944, when
the TT armament was halved (2x4).
Myoko, laid up unrepaired at Sin¬
gapore after being torpedoed in the
Leyte Gulf Battle and again by US
submarineBergall in December 1944,
was scuttled in the Malacca Straits
after the war. Nachi was sunk by US
carrier-borne aircraft in Manila Bay,
Cruisers
Haguro by 8 torpedoes from British
destroyers in a classic action off
Penang, and Ashigara by 5 torpedoes
from HM submarine Trenchant near
the Banka Strait.

The Takao class, approved in the

1927-31 Programme, were improved TAKAO class
Nachis, the main alterations being a
Displacement: 9850t standard; 12,78It trial
more massive bridge structure, TT at
Dimensions: 631ft 8in pp, 661ft 8in wl, 668ft 6in x 59ft 2in x 20ft lin
upper deck level in rotating instead of
192.54, 201.67, 203.16 x 18.03 x 6.11m
fixed mountings, and an upright sec¬
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 12 boilers, 130,000shp = 35.5kts. Oil 2570t
ond funnel. They were the first
cruisers since the Tenryu class to have Armour: Belt 3.9in (machinery), 4.9in (magazines), deck 1.4in, turrets lin
bridge protection. The main arma¬ Armament: 10—8in/50 (5x2), 4-4.7in/45 AA (4x1), 2-40mm (2pdr) AA, 8-24in TT (4x2), 3 aircraft
ment could be elevated to 70°, giving Complement: 773
limited use against aircraft. The stan¬
dard displacement as published is Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
fisted above; the actual figure was Yokosuka N Yd 28.4.1927 12.5.30 31.5.32
TAKAO Sunk 31.7.45
ll,350t. Takao and Atago were exten¬ Kure N Yd 28.4.1927 16.6.30 30.3.32 Sunk 23.10.44
ATAGO
sively modernised in 1939-40, with MAYA Kawasaki, Kobe 4.12.1928 8.11.30 30.6.32 Sunk 23.10.44
the addition of bulges, an enlarged CHOKAI Mitsubishi, 26.3.1928 5.4.31 30.6.32 Sunk 25.10.44
bridge structure and doubling of the Nagasaki
secondary armament and torpedo bat¬
tery. Displacement increased to
13,400t standard, 14,604t trial, with a the attackers being Darter and Dace after the war, she was scuttled
waterline length of 661ft 9in respectively. Takao survived two tor¬ 27.10.46 in the Malacca Straits.
(201.70m), beam 68ft (20.73m) and pedoes from Darter on the same Chokai was sunk by dive-bombing
draught 20ft 9in (6.32m). The speed occasion, and returned to Singapore, attacks, with some help from des¬
fell to 34.2kts and the revised arma¬ where she was sunk in shallow water troyer gunfire, in the Battle of Samar
ment was 10—8in/50 (5x2), 8-5in/40 by explosive charges from the British during the Leyte Gulf operations.
DP (4x2), 8-25mm AA, 4-13.2mm midget submarine XE3. Refloated
A A and 16-24in TT, with 2 catapults
and 3 aircraft. Changes to Maya and Takao on trials, 31.3.1932, when she made 139,500shp=35.5kts at 12,175t
Chokai were less extensive: the 4.7in
A A were replaced by 8-5in/40 DP
(4x2), and 4-13.2mm AA were
added. Maya was severely damaged
by US aircraft at Rabaul in November
1943, ‘C’ turret being demolished,
and was rebuilt with the following
revised particulars: trial displacement
13,140t, armament 8—8in/50 (4x2),
12-5in/40 DP (6x2), 30-25mm AA, 2
aircraft. During the war, the fight A A
armament in the other three units was
increased to 26-25mm in March 1944,
and 60-25mm (Maya 66-25mm) in
July 1944, with some DCs.
Atago and Maya were each sunk by
four torpedoes from US submarines
in the Leyte Gulf Battle preliminaries,

189
JAPAN

Kumano 1944

The Mogamis, approved in the 1931

Supplementary Programme, were MOGAMI class
designed as light cruisers (8500t stan¬
Displacement: 8500t standard; 10,993t trial
dard, 6.1in guns), although larger
Dimensions: 620ft lin pp, 646ft 4in wl, 661ft lin oa x 59ft lin x 18ft lin
than many heavy cruisers. The trials
189.00, 197.00, 201.50 x 18.00 x 5.50m
of Mogami and Mikuma showed up
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 10 boilers, 152,000shp = 37kts. Oil 2163t
welding defects in the hull, doubtful
stability and distortions preventing Armour: Belt 3.9in (machinery), 4.9in (magazines), deck 2.4in-1.4in, turrets lin
training of turrets. Both were rebuilt Armament: 15-6.lin/60 (5x3), 8-5in/40 DP (4x2), 4-40mm (2 pdr) AA, 12-24in TT (4x3), 3 aircraft
1936-38 with strengthened hulls and Complement: 850
bulges to improve stability; the
revised characteristics were: ll,200t Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
standard and 13,230t trial displace¬ MOGAMI Kure N Yd 27.10.1931 14.3.34 28.7.35 Sunk 25.10.44
ment, dimensions 616ft 2in pp, 649ft MIKUMA Mitsubishi, 24.12.1931 31.5.34 29.8.35 Sunk 6.6.42
lOin wl x 63ft x 19ft 4in (187.80, Nagasaki
198.06 x 19.20 x 5.90m), speed SUZUYA Yokosuka N Yd 20.11.34 31.10.37 Sunk 25.10.44
11.12.1933
35kts and light AA armament KUMANO Kawasaki, Kobe 5.4.1934 15.10.36 31.10.37 Sunk 25.11.44
8-25mm and 4-13.2mm (replacing
4—40mm). Suzuya and Kumano were 30-25mm AA in January 1944, and to the unnamed No 301 was cancelled the Battle of Midway. Suzuya was
completed with these modifications. 50-25mm AA in July 1944. Two units and demolished on the slip shortly sunk by carrier-borne aircraft bombs
All four ships were re-armed as heavy of a slightly modified Mogami class, after construction started. in the Battle of Samar, and Kumano,
cruisers by Kure N Yd in 1939-40, approved in the 1941 Programme, Mogami, damaged by gunfire in the damaged in this battle and disabled
with an additional bulge, the modified were laid down in 1942. Ibuki was Battle of Surigao Strait, was subsequently by submarine attacks,
characteristics being: 12,400t stan¬ converted to an aircraft carrier while despatched by US torpedo-bombers. was finished off by aircraft bombs in
dard and 13,668t trial displacement, under construction (see above), and Mikuma was sunk by US aircraft in Dasol Bay, Philippines.
dimensions 649ft 7in wl x 66ft 3in x
19ft 5in (198.00 x 20.20 x 5.90m),
speed 34.9kts and main armament
10—8in/50 (5x2). Mogami, heavily
damaged by US aircraft at Midway,
underwent repairs and a third recon¬
struction at Kure N Yd in 1942-43:
‘X’ and ‘Y’ turrets were replaced by a
flight deck over the aft third of the
ship, and 11 seaplanes were to be car¬
ried with 2 catapults (because of shor¬
tages, the actual complement was 6
planes, and on occasion only 2 were
carried). The displacement fell to
12,206t standard and 13,670t trial on
19ft 4in (5.89m) draught, the speed
rose to 35kts, and the light A A arma¬
ment was increased to 30-25mm.
During the war, the light AA arma¬
ment of Suzuya and Kumano was
increased to 20-25mm in 1943, to
Mogami on trials, 20.3.1935. At full load (12,669t) she made 154,266shp=36kts

Tone 1945

Approved in the second 1932 Sup¬

plementary Programme, Tone and TONE class
Chikuma were designed as light
Displacement: 11,215t standard; 13,1 lOt trial; 15,200t full load
cruisers (8500t standard, 12-6. lin
Dimensions: 620ft 5in pp, 649ft 7in wl, 661ft lin oa x 60ft 8in x 21ft 3in
guns in four triple turrets). The naval
189.10, 198,00, 201.50 X 18.50 x 6.47m
treaties expired while they were being
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 8 boilers, 152,000shp = 35kts
built, enabling them to be completed
Armour: Belt 3.9in (machinery), 4.9in (magazines), deck 2.5in-1.2in, turrets lin
as heavy cruisers. The main arma¬
ment was concentrated forward, to Armament: 8-8in/50 (4x2), 8-5in/40 DP (4x2), 12-25mm AA, 12-24in TT (4x3), 6 aircraft
keep the quarterdeck clear for the Complement: 850
extensive aircraft arrangements, as
these very successful ships were Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
intended as the ‘eyes’ of the cruiser TONE Mitsubishi, 1.12.1934 21.11.37 20.11.38 Sunk 24.7.45
force. Only 5 aircraft were actually
Nagasaki
carried. The side armour was inclined CHIKUMA Mitsubishi, 1.10.1935 19.3.38 20.5.39 Sunk 25.10.44
outboard at 30° to the vertical, and a
Nakasaki
thinner extension to the double bot¬
tom formed the anti-torpedo bulk¬ Tone, sunk in shallow water near bombs and a torpedo in the Battle of
head. The light A A armament was Kure by US aircraft, was broken up in Samar.
increased to 57-25mm in June 1944. 1948. Chikuma was sunk by aircraft

190
 Cruisers

Kashii in July 1941

This class was ordered under the 1937

and 1939 Supplementary Programme KATORI class
as training cruisers; used during the
Displacement: 5890t standard; 6180t trial
war as administrative flagships of
Dimensions: 405ft 2in pp, 425ft 9in wl x 52ft 4in x 18ft lOin
submarine fleets, escort squadrons,
123.50, 129.77 x 15.95 x 5.75m
etc. The armament was altered as fol¬
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines plus diesel motors, 3 boilers, 8000hp = 18kts
lows in 1943: 4-5.5in/50 (2x2),
6-5in/40 DP (3x2), 20-25mm AA, Armour: Deck 2in
no TT; by July 1944 the catapult had Armament: 4—5.5in/50 (2x2), 2-5m/40 DP (1x2), 4-25mm AA, 4-21in TT (2x2), 1 aircraft
been removed, and the light A A Complement:
armament became 30-25mm,
8-13.2mm, with 100 DCs. Four Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
further ships. Nos 815-8 (5800t), KATORI 24.8.1938 Sunk 17.2.44
Mitsubishi, 17.6.39 20.4.40
proposed in the 1942 Programme,
Yokohama
were cancelled before being named or KASHIMA Mitsubishi, 6.10.1938 25.9.39 31.5.40 BU 1947
ordered. Yokohama
Katori was damaged by US aircraft KASHII Mitsubishi, 30.5.1940 14.2.41 5.12.41 Sunk 12.1.45
near Truk, and finished off by Yokohama
cruisers and destroyers, and Kashii by KASHIWARA Mitshubishi, 23.8.1941 - — Cancelled 1941,
US aircraft in the China Sea. Kashima Yokohama BU
survived the war to be used on repat¬
riation duties before being scrapped.
Kashiwara was cancelled and disman¬
tled on the slipway before being
launched.

This class was built under the 1939

4th Replenishment Programme as
lightly protected, fast leaders for des¬
troyer squadrons. The armament was
originally planned as 8-6in guns, only
6 TT and no aircraft. The light AA AGANO class
armament was increased to 46-25mm Displacement: 6652t standard; 7590t trial; 8534t full load
by 1944, to 52-25mm in surviving
Dimensions: 531ft 6in pp, 564ft 4in wl, 571ft 2in oa x 49ft lOin x 18ft 6in
units in March 1944 and to 61-2 5mm 162.00, 172.00, 174.10 x 15.20 x 5.63m
in July 1944. The aft set of TT in
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 6 boilers, 100,000shp = 35kts. Oil 1405t
Sakawa may have been removed by
Armour: Belt 2.2in (machinery), 2in (magazines), deck 0.7in, turrets lin
1945.
Agano was torpedoed near Truk by Armament: 6-6in/50 (3x2), 4-3in/65 AA (2x2), 32-25mm AA, 8-24in TT (2x4), 16 DCs, 2 aircraft
the US submarine Skate; Noshiro was Complement: 730
sunk by carrier-borne aircraft in the
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
retreat from the Battle of Samar;
Yahagi succumbed to bomb and tor¬ AGANO Sasebo N Yd 18.6.1940 22.10.41 31.10.42 Sunk 17.2.44
pedo hits during the Yamato’s last sor¬ NOSHIRO Yokosuka N Yd 4.9.1941 19.7.42 30.6.43 Sunk 26.10.44
tie; and Sakawa survived the war to YAHAGI Sasebo N Yd 11.11.1941 25.10.42 29.12.43 Sunk 7.4.45
be expended in the Bikini atomic SAKAWA Sasebo N Yd 21.11.1942 9.4:44 30.11.44 Expended 2.7.46
bomb tests.
JAPAN
These ships were built as the Chinese
Ning Hai and Ping Hai respectively. Ex-Chinese light cruisers
Japanese help with the construction of
Displacement: 2500t normal
Ping Hai having ended in 1933, she
Dimensions: 350ft Oin pp, 360ft Oin oa x 29ft Oin x 13ft Oin
was launched and completed with
106.68, 109.73 x 11.89 x 3.96m
assistance from a German mission.
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 9500shp = 22.2kts
Ning Hai was captured by Japanese
Armour: Deck lin, turrets lin
units in the Yangtze River on
Armament: 6—5.5in/50 (3x2), 6-3in AA (6x1) (Ping Hai 3-3.5in AA, 3x1), 8 MG, 4-21in TT (2x2), 2 aircraft
13.12.37 and subsequently handed
(never carried)
over to the Wang Ching-Wai (Nank¬
ing pro-Japanese puppet) Govern¬ Complement: 340
ment. Ping Hai, sunk in shallow Comp Fate
Name Builder Laid down Launched
water in the Yangtze on 23.9.37, was
raised, repaired and also handed over. IOSHIMA Harima Co, Harima 1930 10.10.31 1932 Sunk 19.4.44
In 1943-44, both were taken over by YASOSHIMA Kiangnan, 9.7.1931 29.9.35 18.6.36 Sunk 25.11.44
the Japanese Navy, refitted and Shanghai
renamed. The main armament of
Ioshima became 6-5in/40 DP; the
armament of Yasoshima was appar¬
ently 3-5in/40 DP (1x2, lxl),
arranged as in the Matsu class des¬
troyers, and 20-25mm AA and 4—21in
TT. Ioshima was torpedoed and sunk
off Honshu by the US submarine
Shad, Yasoshima by US carrier air¬
craft in Luzon.

Oyodo, approved in the 1939 4th

Replenishment Programme, was
planned as a flagship for scouting
submarine flotillas; the main arma¬
ment was forward and a very large
(45m) catapult for six E15K recon¬
naissance seaplanes was installed aft. '*ZZZ
The type of warfare planned was By courtesy of Lt Cdr Tamura
hardly practicable by 1943, and the
aircraft were not ready, so Oyodo was
completed with a normal 18m OYODO
catapult, offset to port, and carried
Displacement: 8164t standard; 10,252t trial; 11,433t full load
only 2 planes. The 6.1in guns were
Dimensions: 590ft 7in pp, 620ft lin wl, 630ft 3in oa x 54ft 6in x 19ft 6in
from the Mogami class; the light AA
180.00, 189.00, 192.10 x 16.60 x 5.95m
armament was increased to 52-25mm
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 6 boilers, 110,000shp = 35kts
in 1945. Eight further ships of the
Armour: Belt 2in, deck 1.4in, turrets lin
type (‘Niyodo’ ie ‘Oyodo No 2’, of the
1939 Programme, Nos 810-814 of the Armament: 6-6.lin/60 (2x3), 8-3.9in/65 AA (4x2), 12-25mm AA, 2 aircraft
Complement: ?
1942 Programme and Nos 5037-38 of
the 1942 Modified Programm) were
never begun. Oyodo, sunk in shallow Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
water at Kure by US aircraft, was OYODO Kure N Yd 14.2.1941 2.4.42 28.2.43 Sunk 28.7.45
broken up in 1948.

DESTROYERS
SATSUKI (No 27) Fujinagata, 25.3.1925 Sunk 21.9.44
Osaka
MINADSUKI (No 28) Uraga, Tokyo 25.5.1926 Sunk 6.6.44
FUMIDSUKI (No 29) Fujinagata, 16.2.1926 Sunk 18.2.44
Osaka
NAGATSUKI (No 30) Ishikawajima, 6.10.1926 Sunk 6.7.43
MUTSUKI class Tokyo
KIKUDSUKI (No 31) Maizuru N Yd 15.5.1926 Sunk 4.5.42
Displacement: 1315t standard; 1445t normal MIKADSUKI (No 32) Sasebo N Yd 12.7.1926 Sunk 28.7.43
Dimensions: 320ft Oin pp, 328ft 9in wl x 20ft x 9ft 9in MOGH1DSUKI (No 33) Uraga, Tokyo 28.4.1927 Sunk 24.10.43
97.54, 100.20 x 9.16 x 2.96m YUDSUKI (No 34) Fujinagata, 4.3.1927 Sunk 12.12.44
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 4 boilers, 38,500shp = 37.2kts. Oil Osaka
420t
Armament: 4-4.7in/50 DP (4x 1), 2-7.7mm MG, 6-24in TT (2x3), 18 The Mutsuki class, approved in the 1923 Programme, laid down 1924-26 and
DCs completed between Dec 1925 and Oct 1927, was an improved Kamikaze class,
Complement: 150 with 24in TT instead of 2 lin; the class was fitted for minelaying and minesweep¬
ing. Originally known by numbers only, the names were assigned in 1928. All
Name Builder Launched Fate were refitted as fast transports in 1941-42, data becoming: displacement 1590t
standard, 1883t trial, armament 2-4.7in/50 DP, 10-25mm AA, 6-24in TT, 36
MUTSUKI (No 19) Sasebo N Yd 23.7.1925 Sunk 25.8.42
KISARAGI (No 21) Maizuru N Yd DCs, with speed down to 33.9kts. The light A A armament in surviving units
5.6.1925 Sunk 11.12.41
was increased in June 1944 to 20-25mm and 5-13.2mm. All were war losses,
YAYOI (No 23) Uraga, Tokyo 11.7.1925 Sunk 11.9.42
many being destroyed in the Solomons fighting in 1942-43. Udzuki was tor¬
UDZUKI (No 25) Ishikawajima, 15.10.1925 Sunk 12.2.44
pedoed by US PT boats, Minadsuki by US submarine and the remainder were
Tokyo
sunk by shore-based or carrier aircraft.

192
 Destroyers

FUBUKI class
Displacement: 1750t standard; 2057t trial
Dimensions: 367ft Oin pp, 378ft 3in wl, 388ft 6in oa x 34ft x 10ft 6in
111.86, 115.30, 118.41 x 10.36 x 3.20m
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 4 boilers, 50,000shp = 38kts Oil
500t
Armament: 6-5in/50 DP (3x2), 2-13mm AA, 9-24in TT (3x3), 18 DCs
Complement: 197

Name Builder Launched Fate

FUBUKI (No 35) Maizuru N Yd 15.11.1927 Sunk 11.10.42
Inazuma in Feb 1939
SHINONOME (No 36) Sasebo N Yd 26.11.1927 Sunk 18.12.41
USUGUMO (No 37) Ishikawajima, 26.12.1927 Sunk 7.7.44
Tokyo AKATSUKI class
SHIRAKUMO (No 38) Fujinagata, 27.12.1927 Sunk 16.3.44 Displacement: 1680t standard; 1950t trial
Osaka
Dimensions: 350ft Oin pp, 371ft 9in wl x 34ft X 10ft 9in
ISONAMI (No 39) Uraga, Tokyo 24.11.1927 Sunk 9.4.43 106.68, 113.30 x 10.36 x 3.28m
SHIRAYUKI (No 40) Yokohama Co, 20.3.1928 Sunk 3.3.43
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 3 boilers, 50,000shp = 38kts. Oil
Yokohama
475t
HATSUYUKI (No 41) Maizuru N Yd 29.9.1927 Sunk 17.7.43
Armament: 6-5in/50 DP (3x2), 2-13mm AA, 9-24in TT (3x3), 14 DCs
MIYUKI (No 42) Uraga, Tokyo 26.6.1928 Lost 29.6.34
MURAKUMO (No 43) Complement: 197
Fujinagata, 27.9.1927 Sunk 12.10.42
Osaka
Name Builder Launched Fate
URANAMI (No 44) Sasebo N Yd 29.11.1928 Sunk 26.10.44
SHIKINAMI (No 45) Maizuru N Yd 22.6.1929 Sunk 12.9.44 AKATSUKI Sasebo N Yd 7.5.1932 Sunk 13.11.42
AYANAMI (No 46) Fujinagata, 5.10.1929 Sunk 15.11.42 HIBIKI Maizuru N Yd 16.6.1932 To USSR 1947 as
Osaka IPritky. BU 1963
ASAGIRI (No 47) Sasebo N Yd 18.11.1929 Sunk 28.8.42 IKAZUCHI Uraga, Tokyo 22.10.1931 Sunk 14.4.44
SAGIRI (No 48) Uraga, Tokyo 23.12.1929 Sunk 24.12.41 INAZUMA Fujinagata, 25.2.1932 Sunk 14.5.44
YUGIRI (No 49) Maizuru N Yd 12.5.1930 Sunk 25.11.43 Osaka
AMAGIRI (No 50) Ishikawajima, 27.2.1930 Sunk 23.4.44
Tokyo The Akatsuki class, comprising the last 4 units of the ‘Special Type’, was
OBORO (No 51) Sasebo N Yd 8.11.1930 Sunk 16.10.42 approved in the 1927 Programme, laid down in 1930 and completed between
AKEBONO (No 52) Fujinagata, 7.11.1930 Sunk 13.11.44 Aug 1932 and March 1933. Hibiki was the first welded Japanese warship. The
Osaka reduced number of boilers meant the first funnel was thinner than in the Fubuki
SAZANAMI (No 53) Maizuru N Yd 6.6.1931 Sunk 14.1.44 class. All were rebuilt in 1935-37 to improve stability and hull strength, data
USHIO (No 54) Uraga, Tokyo 17.11.1930 BU 1948 becoming: displacement 1980t standard, 2264t trial, speed 34kts, oil fuel
490-500t and complement 221. ‘X’ turret was removed in 1941—42 to allow more
TheFubuki class, or ‘Special Type’, destroyers were approved in the 1923 (Nos AA guns; the armament became 4-5in/50 DP (2x2), 14—25mm, 4—13mm AA,
35-39), 1926 (Nos 40-43) and 1927 (Nos 44—54) Programmes, laid down 36 DCs. By June 1944 the light AA armament in surviving units was 22-25mm
1926-30 and completed between March 1928 and Aug 1932. Known originally and 10-13mm, and in 1945 Hibiki had 28-25mm AA.
by numbers, the names were assigned in 1928. When introduced, the ‘Special Akatsuki was sunk by gunfire from US cruisers and destroyers near Guadal¬
Type’ were the best armed destroyers afloat; the twin enclosed turrets elevated canal, whereas Inazuchi and Inazuma were victims of US submarine torpedoes.
to 40° in Nos 35—44 and 75° in the intermediate group, Nos 45-54. The
seaworthiness was improved by eliminating the well-deck in front of the bridge.
All were rebuilt in 1935-37 to improve stability and hull strength, data becom¬
ing: displacement 2090t standard, 2389t trial, speed 34kts, oil fuel 490-500t and
complement 215-221. ‘X’ turret was removed in surviving units in 1943-44 to
make room for more AA guns; the armament became 4-5in/50 DP (2x2),
14-25mm AA, 4-13.2mm AA, 36 DCs, with complement 238-250. The light
AA armament was increased in June 1944 to 22-25mm and 10-13.2mm.
Miyuki was sunk prewar in a collision with the destroyer Inazuma. Eighteen
ships were war losses; Shinonome and Amagiri were mined, Fubuki, Ayanami HATSUHARU class
and Yugiri were sunk in action with US surface ships, Sagiri was torpedoed by a Displacement: 1490t standard; 1650t trial; 1802t full load
Dutch and Usugumo, Shirakumo, Isonami, Shikinami and Sazanami by
Dimensions: 339ft 7in pp, 346ft lin wl, 359ft 3in oa x 32ft lOin x 9ft 1 lin
American submarines, and the remaining 7 went down to land- or carrier-based 103.50, 105.50, 109.50 x 10.00 x 3.03m
aircraft.
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 3 boilers, 42,000shp = 36.5kts. Oil
500t
Armament: 5—5in/50 DP(2x2, lxl),2-13mm AA, 9-24inTT (3x3), 14
Ayamami at Yokohama, 5.9.1931 DCs
Complement: 200

Name Builder Launched Fate

HATSUHARU Sasebo1 N Yd 27.2.1933 Sunk 13.11.44

NENOHI Uraga, Tokyo 22.12.1932 Sunk 4.7.42
HATSUSHIMO Uraga, Tokyo 4.11.1933 Sunk 30.7.45
WAKABA Sasebo N Yd 18.3.1934 Sunk 24.10.44
YUGURE Maizuru N Yd 6.5.1934 Sunk 20.7.43
ARIAKE Kawasaki, Kobe 23.9.1934 Sunk 28.7.43

TheHatsuharu class, approved in the 1931 Programme, laid down 1931-33 and
completed between September 1933 and March 1935, were designed for max¬
imum performance on a displacement restricted by the 1930 London Treaty.
The ships were smaller than the preceding classes, but had the same heavy TT
armament and the added topweight of a superfiring 5in gun on the forecastle, so
that stability was suspect; after the Tomozuru capsized, the Hatsuharu and
Nenohi (the only units complete) were rebuilt, with one set of TT suppressed
and the superfiring gun moved to upper deck level aft. The displacement rose to
1715t standard, 2066t trial, and speed fell to 33.3kts. The other ships in the class
were modified similarly while building. Because of the torpedo reload arrange¬
ments, the second funnel was offset slightly to starboard of the centreline. With
‘X’ turret removed in 1942-43, the armament became 4—5in/50 DP (2x2), 13 to
21-25mm AA, 4—13.2mm AA, 36 DCs.
All were war losses; Nenohi was torpedoed by a US submarine, Hatsushimo
was mined, and the remaining four were sunk by land- or carrier-based aircraft.

193
 The Asashio class, approved in the 1934 Programme, laid down 1935-37 and
completed between August 1937 and June 1938, were larger than the two
preceding classes, and marked the end of Treaty restrictions. The distribution
of the main armament reverted to that of the ‘Special Type’, and the class set a
pattern for later Japanese fleet destroyers. The new, advanced steam turbines
were at first unreliable, and defective steering caused poor manoeuvrability, but
Displacement: l685t standard; 1950t trial problems were ironed out by Dec 1941. As in earlier types, ‘X’ turret was
Dimensions: 339ft 7in pp, 352ft 8in wl x 32ft 6in x lift 6in removed in 1943-44 and replaced by more light AA guns, the armament
103.50, 107.50 x 9.90 x 3.50m becoming 4-5in/50 DP (2x2), 12-25mm AA. The light AA armament was
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 3 boilers, 42,000shp = 34kts. Oil increased by June 1944 to 28-25mm and 4-13.2mm with 36 DCs, on a dis¬
500t placement of 2000t standard, 2370t trial and 2635t full load.
Armament: 5-5in/50 DP (2x2, lxl),2-13mm AA, 8-24in TT (2x4), 16 All were war losses; Oshio and Arare were victims of US submarine torpedoes,
DCs Michishio, Yamagumo, Minegumo and Asagumo were sunk in action with US
Complement: 180 surface ships (3 in the Battle of Surigao Strait), and the remaining 4 went down
to US land- or carrier-based aircraft.
Name Builder Launched Fate

SHIRATSUYU Sasebo N Yd 5.4.1935 Sunk 15.6.44

SHIGURE Uraga, Tokyo 18.5.1935 Sunk 24.1.45
MURASAME Fujinagata, 20.6.1935 Sunk 6.3.43
Osaka
YUDACHI Sasebo N Yd 21.6.1936 Sunk 13.11.42
SAMIDARE Uraga, Tokyo 6.7.1935 Sunk 25.8.44
HARUSAME Uraga, Tokyo 21.9.1935 Sunk 8.6.44
YAMAKAZE Uraga, Tokyo 21.2.1936 Sunk 25.6.42
KAWAKAZE Fujinagata, 1.11.1936 Sunk 6.8.43
KAGERO class
Osaka Displacement: 2033t standard; 2450t trial
UMIKAZE Maizuru N Yd 27.11.1936 Sunk 1.2.44 Dimensions: 364ft 2in pp, 381ft 3in wl, 388ft 9in oa x 35ft 5in x 12ft 4in
SUZUKAZE Uraga, Tokyo 11.3.1937 Sunk 26.1.44 111.00, 116.20, 118.50 x 10.80 x 3.76m
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 3 boilers, 52,000shp = 35kts
Th^Shiratsuyu class, approved in the 1931 (first 6 units) and 1934 Programmes, Armament: 6-5in/50 DP (3x2), 4-25mm AA, 8-24in TT (2x4), 16 DCs
laid down 1933-35 and completed between August 1936 and August 1937, were Complement: 240
very similar to the rebuilt Hatsuharu class, but with quadruple TT instead of
triples. ‘X’ turret was removed in 1942-43 to allow more AA guns; the arma¬ Name Builder Launched Fate
ment became 4—5in/50 DP (2x2), 13 to 21-25mm AA, 4—13.2mm AA, 8-24in
TT, 36 DCs on 2042t trial displacement. KAGERO Maizuru N Yd 27.9.1938 Sunk 8.5.43
All were war losses; Shiratsuyu was sunk in collision with a tanker, Harusame KUROSHIO Fujinagata, 25.10.1938 Sunk 7.5.43
by US aircraft, Murasame, Yudachi and Kawakaze in action with US surface Osaka
ships and the remaining 5 by US submarine torpedoes. OYAHIO Maizuru N Yd 29.11.1938 Sunk 8.5.43
HATSUKAZE Kawasaki, Kobe 24.1.1939 Sunk 2.11.43
NATSUSHIO Fujinagata, 23.2.1939 Sunk 8.2.42
Osaka
YUKIKAZE Sasebo N Yd 24.3.1939 To China 1947
as Tan Yang
HAYASHIO Uraga, Tokyo 19.4.1939 Sunk 24.11.42
MAIKAZE Fujinagata, 15.3.1941 Sunk 17.2.44
Osaka
ISOKAZE Sasebo N Yd 19.6.1939 Sunk 7.4.45
ASASHIO class SHIRANUI Uraga, Tokyo 28.6.1938 Sunk 27.10.44
Displacement: 1961t standard; 2330t trial AMATSUKAZE Maizuru N Yd 19.10.1939 Sunk 6.4.45
TOKITSUKAZE Uraga, Tokyo 10.11.1939 Sunk 3.3.43
Dimensions: 364ft 2in pp, 377ft 4in wl, 388ft oa x 33ft llin x 12ft lin
111.00, 115.00, 118.26 x 10.35 x 3.69m URAKAZE Fujinagata, 19.4.1940 Sunk 21.11.44
Osaka
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 3 boilers, 50,000shp = 35kts. Oil
500t HAMAKAZE Uraga, Tokyo 25.11.1940 Sunk 7.4.45
NOWAKI Maizuru N Yd 17.9.1940 Sunk 26.11.44
Armament: 6-5in/50 DP (3x2), 4-25mm AA, 8-24in TT (2x4), 16 DCs
ARASHI Maizuru N Yd 22.4.1940 Sunk 7.8.43
Complement: 200
HAGIKAZE Uraga, Tokyo 18.6.1940 Sunk 7.8.43
TANIKAZE Fujinagata, 1.11.1940 Sunk 9.6.44
Name Builder Launched Fate
Osaka
ASASHIO Sasebo N Yd 16.12.1936 Sunk 4.3.43
OSHIO Maizuru N Yd 19.4.1937 Sunk 20.2.43 TheKagero class, approved in the 1937 (first 15 units) and 1939 (last 3 units)
MICHISHIO Fujinagata, 15.3.1937 Sunk 25.10.44 Programmes, laid down 1937-39 and completed between November 1939 and
Osaka June 1941, were very similar to the preceding Asashio class (but without their
ARASHIO Kawasaki, Kobe 26.5.1937 Sunk 4.3.43 ‘wrinkles’) and were regarded as ideal fleet destroyers. ‘X’ turret was removed in
NATSUGUMO Sasebo N Yd 26.5.1937 Sunk 12.10.42 1943-44 and replaced by more light AA guns, the armament becoming 4-5in/50
YAMAGUMO Fujinagata, 24.7.1937 Sunk 25.10.44 DP (2x2), 14—25mm AA, 36 DCs. The light AA was increased by June 1944 to
Osaka 18 to 24—25mm and 4-13.2mm. Hamakaze was the first Japanese destroyer with
MINEGUMO Fujinagata, 4.11.1937 Sunk 5.3.43 radar (1943).
Osaka Seventeen of the class were war losses: Kuroshio to mines, Natsushio, Urakaze
ASAGUMO Kawasaki, Kobe 5.11.1937 Sunk 25.10.44 and Tanikaze to US submarine torpedoes, Hatsukaze, Maikaze, Nowaki, Arashi
ARARE Maizuru N Yd 16.11.1937 Sunk 5.7.42 and Hagikaze to US surface ships and the other 8 to land- or carrier-based
KISUMI Uraga, Tokyo 18.11.1937 Sunk 7.4.45 aircraft.
 Destroyers
removed, and 10 more 25mm AA added; the light AA armament was increased
by June 1944 to 28-25mm and 4—13.2mm. Sixteen ships of this type (Nos
733-748, 2750t standard) planned in the 1942 Programme were never begun.
Shimakaze was sunk by US carrier aircraft off Cebu, Philippines.

YUGUMO class
Akitsuki class 1945
Displacement: 2077t standard; 2480t trial
Dimensions: 366ft pp, 383ft lOin wl, 391ft oa X 35ft 5in x 12ft 4in
111.55, 117.00, 119.17 x 10.80 x 3.76m
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 3 boilers, 52,000shp = 35kts
Armament: 6-5in/50 DP (3x2), 4-25mm AA, 8-24in TT (2x4), 36 DCs
Complement: 228
AKITSUKI class
Name Builder Launched Fate Displacement: 2701t standard; 3430t trial; 3700t full load
YUGUMO Maizuru N Yd Dimensions: 413ft 5in pp, 433ft lin wl, 440ft 3in oa x 38ft lin x 13ft 7in
16.3.1941 Sunk 6.11.43
AKIGUMO 126.00, 132.00, 134.20 x 11.60 x 4.15m
Uraga, Tokyo 11.4.1941 Sunk 11.4.44
KAZEKUMO Uraga, Tokyo Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 3 boilers, 52,000shp = 33kts. Oil
26.9.1941 Sunk 8.6.44
MAKIKUMO 1097t
Fujinagata, 5.11.1941 Sunk 1.2.43
Osaka Armament: 8-3.9in/65 DP (4x2), 4-25mm AA, 4-24in TT (1x4), 72
MAKINAMI (Suzutsuki 34) DCs
Maizuru N Yd 27.12.1941 Sunk 25.11.43
TAKANAMI Uraga, Tokyo Complement: 300
16.3.1942 Sunk 1.12.42
NAGANAMI Fujinagata, 5.3.1942 Sunk 11.11.44
Name Builder Launched Fate
Osaka
TAMANAMI Fujinagata, 20.12.1942 Sunk 7.7.44 AKITSUKI Maizuru N Yd 2.7.1941 Sunk 25.10.44
Osaka TERUTSUKI Mitsubishi, 21.11.1941 Sunk 12.12.42
SUZANAMI Uraga, Tokyo 12.3.1943 Sunk 11.11.43 Nagasaki
ONAMI Fujinagata, 31.8.1942 Sunk 25.11.43 SUZUTSUKI Mitsubishi, 9.3.1942 BU 1948
Osaka Nagasaki
FUJINAMI Fujinagata, 20.4.1943 Sunk 27.10.44 HATSUSUKI Maizuru N Yd 3.4.1942 Sunk 25.10.44
Osaka NIITSUKI Mitsubishi, 29.6.1942 Sunk 6.7.43
KISHINAMI Uraga, Tokyo 19.8.1943 Sunk 4.12.44 Nagasaki
HAYANAMI Maizuru N Yd 19.12.1942 Sunk 7.6.44 WAKATSUKI Mitsubishi, 24.11.1942 Sunk 11.11.44
KIYONAMI Uraga, Tokyo 17.8.1942 Sunk 20.7.43 Nagasaki
OKINAMI Maizuru N Yd 18.7.1943 Sunk 13.11.44 SHIMOTSUKI Mitsubishi, 7.4.1943 Sunk 25.11.44
HAMANAMI Maizuru N Yd 18.4.1943 Sunk 11.11.44 Nagasaki
ASASHIMO Fujinagata, 18.7.1943 Sunk 7.4.45 FUYUTSUKI Maizuru N Yd 20.1.1944 BU 1948
Osaka HANATSUKI Maizuru N Yd 10.10.1944 BU 1948
KIYOSHIMO Uraga, Tokyo 29.2.1944 Sunk 26.12.44 YOITSUKI Uraga, Tokyo 25.9.1944 To China 1947
HAYASHIMO Maizuru N Yd Nov 1943 Sunk 26.10.44 as Fen Yang,
AKISHIMO Fujinagata, 5.12.1943 Sunk 13.11.44 BU 1963
Osaka HARUTSUKI Sasebo N Yd 3.8.1944 To USSR 1947 as
(?) Pospeschny,
The Yugumo class, ordered in the 1939 (first 12 units) and 1941 (16 units, of BU?
which only 8 were built) Programmes, laid down 1940-42 and completed NATSUTSUKI Sasebo N Yd 2.12.1944 BU 1948
between September 1941 and May 1944, closely resembled theKagero class, but MOCHITSUKI Sasebo N Yd - BU 1945
had an improved bridge and increased elevation for the main armament (75°,
against 55°). Radar was installed from 1943, when 2-25mm AA were added. ‘X’ The Akitsuki class, ordered in the 1939 (first 6 units) and 1941 (10 units, of
turret was removed in 1943-44, and replaced by light A A guns, the gun which only 6 were completed) Programmes, laid down 1940-43 and completed
armament becoming 4-5in/50 DP (2x2), 15-25mm AA. From June 1944 the between June 1942 and August 1945, were planned originally as fast A A escorts
light AA armament was 15 to 28-25mm and 4-13.2mm, but in some units ‘Y’ for carrier task forces; the design was amended to include one set of TT, DCTs
turret was replaced by the standard 5in/40 DP mounting, the gun armament and DCs, and proved very successful. The light AA armament was increased
then being 2-5in/50 DP, 2-5in/40 DP, 12-25mm AA. The names selected for during the war, to 15-25mm by 1943, 29-25mm and 4—13.2mm in June 1944
the eight units proposed in the 1941 Programme but later cancelled were and to between 40 and 51-25mm in 1945. Mochitsuki was dismantled on the
Umigiri, Yamagiri, Tamgiri, Kawagiri, Taekaze, Kiyokaze, Satokaze zndMura- stocks from March 1945, and the last 3 units of the 1941 Programme (Kiyotsuki,
kaze. Eight more ships proposed in the 1942 Supplementary Programme (Nos Otsuki and Hatsuki, were never begun. Further units proposed during the war
5041-8) were never begun. (Nos 770-85 of the 1942 Programme, Nos 5061-83 of the 1942 Supplementary
All the completed ships were war losses; Makikumo to mines, Akigumo, Programme) were also never begun.
Kazekumo, Tamanami, Kishinami and Hayanami to US submarine torpedoes, Six of the class were war losses: Shimotsuki to a US submarine, 2 (Akitsuki,
Yugumo, Makinami, Takanami and Onami to US surface ships, Kiyoshimo to PT Wakatsuki) to US carrier aircraft, and the other 3 to US surface ships (Terutsuki
boats and aircraft, and the other 9 to land- or carrier-based aircraft. to PT boats).

Harulsuki in Feb 1945

By courtesy of Lt Cdr Tamura

SHIMAKAZE_
Displacement: 2567t standard; 3000t trial
Dimensions: 395ft 4in pp, 413ft 5in wl X 36ft 9in x 13ft 7in
120.50, 125.00 x 11.20 x 4.14m
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 3 boilers, 75,000shp = 39kts
Armament: 6—5in/50 DP (3x2), 6—25mm AA, 15—24in TT (3 X 5), 18 DCs
Complement: ?

Name Builder Launched Fate

SHIMAKAZE Maizuru N Yd 18.7.1942 Sunk 11.11.44

Shimakaze, approved in the 1939 Programme and built between August 1941
and May 1943, was the prototype of a new heavy destroyer, with advanced
machinery producing 50 per cent more power than earlier types; her best
recorded performance was 79,240shp = 40.9kts. In 1944 ‘X’ turret was

195
JAPAN

ESCORT DESTROYERS

TACHIBANA class
Displacement: 1262t standard; 1506t trial Displacement: 1289t standard; 1555t trial
Dimensions: 302ft 4in pp, 321ft 6in wl, 328ft lin oa X 30ft 8in x 10ft lOin Dimensions: 302ft 4in pp, 321ft 6in wl, 328ft lin oa x 30ft 8inx lift lin
92.15, 98.00, 100.00 x 9.35 x 3.30m 92.15, 98.00, 100.00 x 9.35 x 3.37m
Machinery: 2- shaft geared turbines, 2 boilers, 19,000shp = 27.8kts Machinery: 2- shaft geared turbines, 2 boilers, 19,000shp = 27.8kts
Armament: 3- 5in/40 DP (1x2, lxl), 24-25mm AA, 4-24in TT (1x4), Armament: 3- 5in/40 DP (1x2, lxl), 24—25mm AA, 4—24in TT (1x4),
36 DCs 60 DCs
Complement: ? Complement: ?

Name Builder Launched Fate Name Builder Launched Fate

MATSU Maizuru N Yd 3.2.1944 Sunk 4.8.44 TACHIBANA Yokosuka N Yd 14.10.1944 Sunk 14.7.45
MOMO Maizuru N Yd 25.3.1944 Sunk 15.12.44 NIRE Maizuru N Yd 25.11.1944 BU 1948
TAKE Yokosuka N Yd 28.3.1944 To UK, BU 1947 TSUTA Yokosuka N Yd 2.11.1944 To China 1947
UME Fujinagata, 24.4.1944 Sunk 31.1.45 as Hua Yang.
Osaka Hulked
KUWA Fujinagata, 25.5.1944 Sunk 3.12.44 HAGI Yokosuka N Yd 27.11.1944 To UK 1947. BU
Osaka KAKI Yokosuka N Yd 11.12.1944 To USA 1947. BU
MAKI Maizuru N Yd 10.6.1944 To UK, BU 1947 SHII Maizuru N Yd 13.1.1945 To USSR 1947
KIRI Yokosuka N Yd 27.5.1944 To USSR 1947 NASHI Kawasaki, Kobe 17.1.1945 Sunk 28.7.45
SUGI Fujinagata, 3.7.1944 To China 1947 SUMIRE Yokosuka N Yd 27.12.1944 To UK 1947.
Osaka as Hui Yang Target 1947
MOMI Yokosuka N Yd 16.6.1944 Sunk 5.1.45 ENOKI Maizuru N Yd 27.1.1945 Sunk 26.6.45
HINOKI Yokosuka N Yd 4.7.1944 Sunk 7.1.45 KUSUNOKI Yokosuka N Yd 18.1.1945 To UK 1947. BU
KASHI Fujinagata, 13.8.1944 To USA 1947. ODAKE Maizuru N Yd 10.3.1945 To USA 1947. BU
Osaka BU 1948 HATSUZAKURA Yokosuka N Yd 20.2.1945 To USSR 1947
KAYA Maizuru N Yd 30.7.1944 To USSR 1947 KABA Fujinagata, 27.2.1945 To USA 1947. BU
KAEDE Yokosuka N Yd 25.7.1944 To China 1947 Osaka
as Hen Yang. HATSUYUME Maizuru N Yd 25.5.1945 To China 1947
Hulked as Hsin Yang
SAKURA Yokosuka N Yd 6.9.1944 Sunk 11.7.45 YAEZAKURA Yokosuka N Yd 17.3.1945 BU incomplete
NARA Fujinagata, 12.10.1944 BU 1948 1945
Osaka TOCHI Yokosuka N Yd 28.5.1945 BU incomplete
TSUBAKI Maizuru N Yd 30.9.1944 BU 1948 1945
KEYAKI Yokosuka N Yd 30.9.1944 To USA 1947. YADAKE Yokosuka N Yd 1.5.1945 BU incomplete
Target 1947 1945
YUNAGI Fujinagata, 25.11.1944 BU 1947 KATSURA Fujinagata, 23.6.1945 BU incomplete
Osaka Osaka 1945
WAKARAKURA Fujinagata, - BU 1945
The Matsu class, approved in the 1942 Supplementary Programme, was laid Osaka
down 1943-44 and completed between April 1944 and January 1945. Designed AZUSA Yokosuka N Yd _ BU 1945
for simplicity and rapid construction, they were analogous to the American SAKAKI Yokosuka N Yd — BU 1945
destroyer escorts, but much more heavily armed. The 6-21in TT in a sextuple KUZU Yokosuka N Yd — BU 1945
mounting originally proposed were dropped, and a quadruple 24in mounting HISHI Maizuru N Yd - BU 1945
installed. The light A A armament was increased to 28 or 29-25mm by 1945. The
two sets of machinery were arranged in separate units to prevent a single hit The Tachibana class, approved in the 1942 Supplementary Programme (first 13
immobilising the ship. 11 further units were cancelled in 1944 before construc¬ units) and 1943-44 Programme (20 units, of which only one was completed),
tion began. Seven of the class were war losses: Momo to a US submarine, Sakura were laid down 1944-45 and completed between January and June 1945. They
to a mine, Ume and Momi to US aircraft, and the other 3 to US surface ships. were very similar in design to the Matsu class, but had a simplified hull, without
tumblehome or curves (except at the bow and stern). The Tachibanas could be
distinguished from the Matsus by the modified foremast and narrower fore¬
funnel. 9 units listed above were dismantled in 1945 while still incomplete, 4
after launching and 5 on the stocks; the other units of the 1943-44 Programme
were never begun, neither were 80 more proposed in the 1944-45 Programme.
Tachibana and Nashi were sunk by US carrier aircraft; Nashi was raised in 1955,
repaired, and used by the JMSDF for radar trials. Enoki, mined in shallow
water, was salved after the war and scrapped.
Momo in June 1944

§
 Torpedo boats/Submarines

TORPEDO-BOATS
TOMOZURU class
Displacement: 535t standard; 65It trial; 737t full load
Dimensions: 254ft 3in pp, 259ft 2in wl, 269ft oa x24ft 3in x 8ft 2in Kiji 1945
11.SO, 19.00, 82.00 X 1.40 X 2.50m
Machinery: 2- shaft geared turbines, 2 boilers, ll,000shp = 30kts. Oil
150t OTORI class
Armament: 3- 5in/50 DP (1x2, lxl), l-40mm AA, 4-2lin TT (2x2) Displacement: 840t standard; 945t trial; 1040t full load
Complement: 113 Dimensions: 278ft lOin pp, 284ft 9in wl, 290ft 4in oa x 26ft lOin x 9ft lin
85.00, 86.80, 88.50 x 8.18 x 2.16m
Name Builder Launched Fate Machinery: 2- shaft geared turbines, 2 boilers, 19,000shp = 30.5kts
TOMOZURU Maizuru N Yd 1.10.1933 Sunk 24.3.45 Armament: 3- 4.7in/45 (3x1), l-40mm AA, 3-21in TT (1x3)
CHIDORI Maizuru N Yd 1.4.1933 Sunk 24.12.44 Complement: 113
MANAZURU Fujinagata, 11.7.1933 Sunk 1.3.45
Osaka Name Builder Launched Fate
HATSUKARI Fujinagata, 19.12.1933 BU cl946 OTORI Maizuru N Yd 25.4.1935 Sunk 12.6.44
Osaka KASASAGI Osaka IW, Osaka28.10.1935 Sunk 26.9.43
HIYODORI Ishikawajima, 25.10.1935 Sunk 17.11.44
Th eTomozuru class, approved in the 1931 Programme, were laid down 1931-33 Tokyo
and completed between November 1933 and November 1934. As designed, they HAYABUSA Yokohama Co, 28.10.1935 Sunk 24.9.44
were practically small destroyers, but turned out to be dangerously unstable Yokohama
because of excessive topweight. Tomozuru capsized in heavy weather while HATO Ishikawajima, 25.1.1937 Sunk 16.10.44
running trials 12.3.34, but was brought into port and righted. The class was Tokyo
rebuilt with a lighter armament and about 60t of permanent ballast, data SAGI Harima Co, 30.1.1937 Sunk 8.11.44
becoming: displacement 600t standard, 758t trial, 815t full load, speed 28kts Harima
and armament 3-4.7in/45 (3x1), 1-7.7mm, 2-21in TT (1x2). In 1942, ‘Y’ KARI Mitsubishi, 20.1.1937 Sunk 16.7.45
4.7in gun was removed, and the light AA armament increased to 10-25mm, Yokohama
with provision for 48 DCs. Tomozuru and Manazuru were sunk by US carrier KIJI Tama, Okayama 26.1.1937 To USSR 1947
aircraft, and Chidori by a US submarine.
The Otori class, approved in the 1934 Programme, laid down in 1934-36 and
completed between October 1936 and September 1937, were an enlarged
Tomozuru class. In 1944, ‘Y’ 4.7in gun was removed, and the light AA armament
increased to 1 l-25mm, with provision of 48 DCs; standard displacement was
increased to 1043t. Eight further ships of this class were cancelled, and replaced
by submarine chasers Nos 4—11. Seven of the class were war losses, Otori,
Hayabusa, Hato to US carrier aircraft and the other 4 to US submarines.

Chidori after reconstruction, 2.12.1936

SUBMARINES
KD1 class KD2 class
Displacement: 1390t standard; 1500t/2430t Displacement: 1390t standard; 1500t/2500t
Dimensions: 285ft 5in pp, 300ft oa x 28ft lOin x 15ft lin Dimensions: 310ft 4in pp, 330ft lOin oa x 25ft lin x 16ft lOin
81.00, 91.44 x 8.81 x 4.60m 94.60, 100.85 x 1.64 x 5.14m
Machinery: 4-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 5200bhp/2000shp = Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 6800bhp/200shp =
20kts/10kts 22kts/10kts
Armament: 8-2lin TT, l-4.7in/45, l-3in/40 Armament: 8-2lin TT, l-4.7in/45, l-3in/40
Complement: 60 Complement: 60

Number Builder Launched Fate Number Builder Launched Fate

151 (ex-No 44) KureNYd 29.11.1921 Sold 1941 152 (ex-No 57) KureNYd 12.6.1922 BU 1948

This first class submarine, approved in the 1919 Programme and built between
1921 and June 1924 as No 44, was renumbered in 1924. Mainly experimental,
the design, based on British plans, was notable for its long range: 20,000nm at
lOkts/lOOnm at 4kts. 151 was used for training from 1930; in 193^ the machin¬
ery was reduced to 2 shafts and 2 diesel motors, and the 3in gun was removed.
This first class submarine, approved in the 1920 Programme and built between
1922 and May 1925 as No 57, was renumbered in 1925. The design of this second
large experimental boat closely followed the German U139-, compared with 75/,
surface range was halved, but submerged endurance was unchanged. Five
further units of this type, Nos 52-56, were cancelled in 1922 following the
Washington Treaty. 752, used for training from 1940, was renumbered7752 in
May 1942. Disarmed and laid up in July 1942, she was scrapped postwar.

197
JAPAN

KD5 class
Displacement: 1575t standard; 1705t/2330t
Dimensions: 296ft 1 lin pp, 313ft wl, 320ft 6in oa x 26ft 1 lin x 15ft 5in
90.50, 95.40, 97.70 x 8.20 x 4.70
KD3a class Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 6000bhp/18shp =
Displacement: 1635t standard; 1800t/2300t 20.5kts/8.2kts
310ft pp, 330ft oa X 26ft 2in x 15ft lOin Armament: 6-21in TT, l-3.9in/50, 1-13.2mm
Dimensions:
94.49, 100.58 x 7.98 x 4.83m Complement: 70-82
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 6800bhp/1800shp =
Number Builder Launched Fate
20kts/8kts
Armament: 8-2lin TT, l-4.7in/45 Kure N Yd 2.6.1931 Sunk 27.6.45
165
Complement: 64 166 Sasebo N Yd 2.6.1931 Sunk 17.7.44
167 Mitsubishi, Kobe 7.4.1931 Lost 29.8.40
Number Builder Launched Fate

153 (ex-No 64) Kure N Yd 5.8.1925 BU 1948 Further first class submarines, these vessels were approved in the 1927-31
154 (ex-No 77) Sasebo N Yd 15.3.1926 BU cl946 Programme, laid down in 1929 and completed between August and December
155 (ex-No 78) Kure N Yd 2.9.1925 BU c 1946 1932. They were very similar to the KD4 class, and had the same surface and
158 Yokohama N Yd 3.10.1925 Scuttled 1.4.46 submerged endurance, but differed in gun armament. 167 sank accidentally
during fleet manoeuvres and was never refloated. 165 and 766 were renumbered
Approved in the 1923-28 Programme, these first class submarines were laid 1165 and 1166 in May 1942; 1166 was torpedoed by the British submarine
down in 1924—25 and completed between March and December 1927. The Telemachus, and 1165, converted into a Kaiten carrier on the same lines as the
design was based on the experimental 75/ and 152, owing more to the latter. earlier ‘KD’ boats, was lost while on a Kaiten mission.
Range was 10,000nmat 10kts/90nmat 3kts. All were relegated to training duties
between March and July 1942, and in May all were renumbered, 153 becoming 165 in 1932
1153 etc. 1158 was converted into a Kaiten carrier in 1945, 2 Kaiten suicide
submarines replacing the 4.7in gun. All four survived the war, 1158 to be
scuttled by the US Navy and the others to be broken up.

KD3b class
Displacement: 1635t standard; 1800t/2300t
Dimensions: 308ft 5in pp, 324ft 6in wl, 331ft 4in oa x 25ft 1 lin x 16ft lin
94.00, 98.90, 101.00 x 7.90 x 4.90
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 6800bhp/1800shp =
20kts/8kts
Armament: 8-2lin TT, l-4.7in/45
Complement: 79

Number Builder Launched Fate

KD6a class
Displacement: 1400t standard; 1785t/2440t
156 Kure N Yd 23.3.1928 Scuttled 1.4.46
157 Kure N Yd 1.10.1928 Scuttled 1.4.46 Dimensions: 322ft lOin pp, 336ft 7in wl, 343ft 6in oa x 26ft 1 lin x 15ft
98.40, 102.60, 104.70 x 8.20 x 4.58m
159 Yokosuka N Yd 25.3.1929 Scuttled 1.4.46
160 Sasebo N Yd 24.4.1929 Sunk 17.1.42 Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 9000bhp/1800shp =
163 23kts/8.2kts
Sasebo N Yd 28.9.1927 BU 1940
Armament: 6-2lin TT, l-3.9in/50 (777-/73 l-4.7in/45), 1-13.2mm
The KD3b class, approved in the 1923-28 Programme, laid down in 1926-27 Complement: 60-84
and completed between March 1929 and March 1930, closely resembled the
KD3a class, with only slight differences in the shape of bow, stern and conning Number Builder Launched Fate
tower. 163 was sunk in collision with 160 on 2 February 1939, raised in January 168 Kure N Yd 26.6.1933 Sunk 27.7.43
1940 and scrapped; 160 was sunk by a British destroyer in the Java Sea. The 169 Mitsubishi, Kobe 15.2.1934 Sunk 4.4.44
three surviving units were renumbered in May 1942,156 becoming 1156 etc, 170 Sasebo N Yd 14.6.1934 Sunk 10.12.41
and were used for training from July 1942. They were converted into Kaiten 171 Kawasaki, Kobe 25.8.1934 Sunk 1.2.44
carriers in 1945, 2 Kaitens replacing the 4.7in gun, and were scuttled by the US 172 Mitsubishi, Kobe 20.6.1935 Sunk 10.11.42
Navy after the war. 173 Kawasaki, Kobe 20.6.1935 Sunk 27.1.42

First class submarines, approved in the 1931 Programme, laid down in 1932-34
and completed between July 1934 and Janauary 1937, these were enlarged
versions of the KD5 type, the extra displacement being used to increase surface
KD4 class speed and fuel capacity. Surface range was 14,000nm at lOkts, submerged
Displacement: 1635t standard; 1720t/2300t endurance almost unchanged at 65nm at 3kts. 170 was sunk in the Pearl Harbor
Dimensions: 298ft 7in pp, 313ft wl, 320ft 6in oa x 25ft 7in x 15ft lOin operations, and 173 was torpedoed by the US submarine Gudgeon. The remain¬
91.00, 95.50, 97.70 x 7.80 x 4.83m ing units were renumbered in May 1942, 168 becoming 1168 etc. 1171 was
Machinery: modified as a transport in 1942, the gun and some spare torpedoes being
2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 6000bhp/1800shp =
20kts/8.5kts removed to enable a 46ft Daihatsu landing craft, vehicles or stores to be carried
Armament: 6-2lin TT, l-4.7in/45 on deck. The last four units of the class were sunk in the Solomon and Central
Complement: 58 Pacific areas.

Number Builder Launched Fate

KD6b class
161 Mitsubishi, Kobe 12.11.1927 BU 1942
162 Mitsubishi, Kobe 29.11.1928 Scuttled 1.4.46 Displacement: 1420t standard; 1810t/2564t
164 Kure N Yd 5.10.1929 Sunk 17.5.42 Dimensions: 322ft lOinpp, 336ft 7in wl, 344ft 6inoa X 26ft 1 lin x 15ft lin
98.40, 102.60, 105.00 x 8.20 x 4.60m
These vessels were almost identical in appearance with the preceding KD3b Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 9000bhp/1800shp =
class, but slightly shorter and with two fewer torpedo tubes. Range was 23kts/8kts
10,800nm at 10kts/60nm at 3kts. Approved in the 1923-28 Programme, the Armament: 6-21in TT, l-4.7in/45, 4-13.2mm
boats were laid down 1926-28 as first class submarines and completed between Complement: 60-84
April 1929 and August 1930.161 was sunk in a collision on 6 October 1941,
raised in February 1942 and scrapped. 162 was renumbered 1162 in May 1942, Number Builder Launched Fate
and used for training from July 1944; like the other older submarines, she was
174 Sasebo N Yd 28.3.1937 Sunk 12.4.44
converted into a Kaiten carrier in 1945,2 Kaitens replacing the 4.7in gun. 164 is
175 Mitsubishi, Kobe 16.9.1936 Sunk 4.2.44
believed to have been torpedoed by the US submarine Triton.

198
 Submarines

These two units, laid down in 1934-35 and completed in December 1938 and II as completed
September 1937, were almost identical with the KD6a class. They were
approved in the 1934 Programme and rated as first class submarines. Surface
range was 10,000nm at 16kts, but the submerged endurance was unchanged.
They were renumbered 1174 and 1175 respectively in May 1942.1174, like 1171,
was modified as a transport in 1943, the gun being removed etc. Both were sunk
by US forces in the Central Pacific area.

1176 about 1942 1

,f .. ,, *** . 1 * U.,AM i A . MMrafr ^ \ *

KD7 class
Displacement: 1630t standard; 1833t/2602t
Dimensions: 323ft 6in pp, 336ft 7in wl, 346ft 2in oa x27ft lin x 15ft lin
JIM class
98.60, 102.60, 105.50 x 8.25 x 4.60m Displacement: 2080t standard; 2243t/2921t
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 8000bhp/1800shp = Dimensions: 308ft 5in pp, 308ft 7in wl, 319ft 1 lin oa x29ft 9in X 16ft 2in
23.1kts/8kts 94.00, 94.06, 97.50 x 9.06 x 4.94m
Armament: 6-21in TT, 1—4.7in/45, 2-25mm Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 6000bhp/2600shp =
Complement: 88 18kts/8kts
Armament: 6-2lin TT, 1—5.5in/40, 1 aircraft
Number Builder Launched Fate Complement: 93
*
176 7.6.1941 Sunk 16/17.5.44
* Number Builder Launched Fate
177 20.12.1941 Sunk ?3.10.44
*
178 24.2.1942 Sunk P28.5.43 15 Kawasaki, Kobe 19.6.1931 Sunk 19.7.44
* 16.7.1942 Lost 14.7.43
179
180 * 7.2.1942 Sunk 26.4.44 A first class submarine, approved in the 1928-31 Programme, laid down in 1930
181 * 2.5.1942 Sunk ? 16.1.44 and completed in July 1932.15 was very similar to the J1 class, but adapted for
*
182 30.5.1942 Sunk ?1.9.43 long-range scouting, a hangar and catapult replacing the 5.5in gun aft. The
* 21.1.1943 Sunk 28/29.4.44
183 hangar was in two sections, and contained a dismantled seaplane, which could
184 * 12.12.1942 Sunk ?19.6.44 be assembled on the catapult when required - a time-consuming process during
185 * 16.9.1943 Sunk P22.6.44 which the submarine was exposed to attack. Performance figures were as for the
J1 class. The 5.5in gun was temporarily replaced by l-5in/40 DP between
*Sources give conflicting information, Kure N Yd, Yokosuka N Yd, Kawasaki February and July 1936. The hangar and catapult were removed in 1940 and
(Kobe) and Mitsubishi (Kobe) all being quoted. replaced by a second 5.5in/40 gun, the vessel then becoming an attack sub¬
marine. 15 was sunk by an American DE east of Guam.
These first class submarines, approved in the 1939 Programme, laid down from
1940 and completed between August 1942 and September 1943, were very
similar to the KD6 classes. Surface range was 8000nm at 16kts, and submerged J2 class
endurance 50nm at 5kts. All were renumbered in May 1942,776 becoming 1176
etc. 1176,1177 and 1181 were modified as transports in 1942-43 on the same Displacement: 1900t standard; 2243t/3061t
lines as/777.1179 foundered on a training exercise in 1943; refloated in 1957, Dimensions: 302ft 2in pp, 314ft wl, 323ft 2in oa x 29ft 9in x 17ft 5in
her hull was used by the JMSDF for test purposes. The remainder of the class 92.10, 95.70, 98.50 x 9.06 x 5.31m
were sunk by US forces in the north, central and south-west Pacific areas; the Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 8000bhp/2600shp =
dates of some successful attacks are uncertain. 20kts/7.5kts
Armament: 6-21in TT, l-5in/40 DP, 1-13.2mm AA, 1 aircraft
1176 on 31.7.1942
Complement: 97

Number Builder Launched Fate

16 Kawasaki, Kobe 31.3.1934 Sunk P14.7.44

This first class submarine was approved in the 1931 Programme, laid down in
1932 and completed in May 1935; she was almost identical with 15, but had a
modified gun armament and more powerful machinery. The surface range was
reduced to 20,000nm at lOkts, but the submerged endurance was unchanged at
60nm at 3kts. 16 was sunk in the Saipan area, possibly by an American attack on
J1 class the day given.

Displacement: 1970t standard; 2135t/2791t

Dimensions: 308ft 5in pp, 308ft 2in wl, 319ft 1 lin oa x 30ft 3in x 16ft Sin
94.00, 93.93, 97.50 x 9.22 x 5.00m
Machinery: 2-shaft MAN diesels plus electric motors, 6000bhp/2600shp
= 18kts/8kts
Armament: 6-2lin TT, 2-5.5in/40
Complement: 92

Number Builder Launched Fate

18 on 12.4.1939
11 (ex-No 74) Kawasaki, Kobe 15.10.1924 Sunk 29.1.43
12 (ex-A/o 75) Kawasaki, Kobe 23.2.1925 Sunk 7.4.44
13 (ex-7Vo 76) Kawasaki, Kobe 8.6.1925 Sunk 9/10.12.42
14 Kawasaki, Kobe 22.5.1928 Sunk 25.12.42 J3 class
Displacement: 223It standard; 2525t/3538t
These first class submarines were approved in the 1923-28 Programme, laid
Dimensions: 340ft 7inpp, 350ft llinwl, 358ft 7inoa x 29ft lOin x 17ft 3in
down in 1923-26 and completed between March 1926 and December 1929, and
103.80, 106.95, 109.30 x 9.10 x 5.26m
were based on the plans of the German U142 type (U-cruisers). The first three
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel plus electric motors, 11,200bhp/2800shp =
boats were renumbered on completion. The surface range was very impressive,
23kts/8kts
24,400nm at lOkts, but the submerged endurance was similar to that of the
Armament: 6-21in TT, l-5.5in/40, 2-13.2mm AA, 1 aircraft
smaller KD boats, 60nm at 3kts. The upper hull and conning tower were lightly
protected. Oxygen-fuelled Type 95 21in torpedoes replaced compressed air Complement: 100
models in 1939-41. II and 12 were modified as transports in 1942-43, the aft
Number Builder Launched Fate
5.5in gun and some spare torpedoes being removed to enable a 46ft Daihatsu
landing craft, vehicles or stores to be carried on deck. All four units were sunk in 17 Kure N Yd 3.7.1935 Sunk 22.6.43
the south-west Pacific area, II, 13 and 14 while supplying beleaguered island 18 Kawasaki, Kobe 20.7.1936 Sunk 31.3.45
bases.

199
JAPAN

Approved in the 1934 Programme, these first class submarines were laid down
in 1934-35 and completed between March 1937 and December 1938. They were
built to a Japanese cruiser submarine design, developed mainly from the KD3
and KD4 classes, but with aircraft arrangements as in 75 and 76. Surface range
was 14,000nm at 16kts, submerged endurance the same as for the earlier J boats.
In 1943 2-25mm AA replaced 1-13.2mm AA, and 18 was modified as a Kaiten
carrier in 1944 45,4 Kaitens replacing the hangar and catapult. Both were sunk
by American forces, 77 in the Aleutians, and 18 near Okinawa.
A first class submarine, approved in the 1941 War Programme, laid down in
1942 and completed in April 1944. She differed from the A1 class in having less
powerful machinery, and lower surface and submerged speeds. The weight and
space saved was used to increase oil fuel capacity; surface range was increased to
22,000nm at 16kts, but submerged endurance was only slightly improved at
75nm at 3kts. There was one catapult. 7/2 was lost in the Central Pacific area,
but the exact cause and date are uncertain.
114 1945

121 1930

KRS class AM class

Displacement: 1142t standard, 1383t/1768t Displacement: 2620t standard; 3603t/4762t
Dimensions: 269ft wl, 279ft 6in oa x 24ft 8in x 14ft 6in Dimensions: 355ft 8in pp, 373ft oa x 38ft 5in X 19ft 4in
82.00, 85.20 x 7.52 x 4.42m 108.40, 113.70 x 11.70 x 5.89m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 2400bhp/1100shp = Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 4400bhp/600shp =
14.5kts/7kts 16.7kts/5.5kts
Armament: 4-2lin TT, 1—5.5in/40, 42 mines Armament: 6-2 lin TT, 1—5.5in/40, 7-25mm AA, 2 aircraft
Complement: 51-70 Complement: cl 14

Number Builder Launched Fate Number Builder Launched Fate

121 {tx-No 48) Kawasaki, Kobe 30.3.1926 BU cl946 113 Kawasaki, Kobe 1944 Sunk 16.7.45
122 {tx-No 49) Kawasaki, Kobe 8.11.1926 Sunk 10.6.45 114 Kawasaki, Kobe 1944 BU cl946
123 {tx-No 50) Kawasaki, Kobe 19.3.1927 Sunk P29.8.42 115 Kawasaki, Kobe 12.4.1944 BU incomplete
124 Kawasaki, Kobe 12.12.1927 Sunk 20.1.42 1945
11 Kawasaki, Kobe 10.6.1944 BU incomplete
These submarines were approved in the 1919 Programme, laid down 1924—26 1947
and completed between March 1927 and December 1928. They were practically
identical to the ex-German 7725 (Japanese 01, BU 1928) and served as first class These vessels were laid down in 1943 under the 1941 War Programme as first
minelayers. The first three were renumbered when launched. Range was class submarines; 113 and 114 were completed in December 1944 and March
10,500nm at 8kts/40nm at 4.5kts. All were renumbered in 1939,72/ becoming 1945. The largest Japanese submarines built before the STo class, they were
1121 etc. In 1940 they were refitted for refuelling reconnaissance seaplanes, planned as advanced headquarters (A-type) submarines, but were modified to
petrol tanks being added on deck. 1123 was sunk off Guadalcanal, 1124 in the operate as scouting units with the STo class. The hangar was built slightly to
East Indies. The other two were used for training from 1943, 1122 being starboard of the centreline and pardy under the conning tower, which was offset
torpedoed by the US submarine Skate. to port. One catapult was fitted. The machinery was still less powerful than in
the A2 class, and the range slightly reduced, being 21,000nm at 16kts/60nm at
A1 class as completed I
3kts. Two large hollow tubes extending upwards from the conning tower
formed a primitive schnorkel. Three further units of this class proposed in the
1942 Modified Programme (Nos 5094—96) were never begun. 113 was sunk by
—-■".- -. - ...—- US forces off the Japanese coast, and 114 was scrapped postwar. The construc¬
tion of 7/5 and II was halted while they were fitting out, and their hulls were
demolished, II postwar after sinking in a storm in September 1945.
A1 class
Displacement: 2434t standard; 2919t/4149t
Dimensions: 355ft 8in pp, 367ft 5in wl, 373ft oa x 31ft 4in x 17ft 7in
108.40, 112.00, 113.70 x 9.55 x 5.36m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 12,400bhp/2400shp =
23.5kts/8kts
Armament: 6-21in TT, l-5.5in/40, 2-25mm AA, 1 aircraft
B1 class
Complement: 114
Displacement: 2198t standard; 2589t/3654t
Number Builder Launched Fate Dimensions: 335ft 1 linpp, 350ft 9in wl, 356ft 7inoa x 30ft 6in x 16ft lOin
102.40, 106.92, 108.70 x 9.30 x 5.14m
19 Kure N Yd 20.5.1939 Sunk 11 or
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 12,400bhp/2000shp =
15.6.43
23.6kts/8kts
110 Kawasaki, Kobe 20.9.1939 Sunk 4.7.44
Ill Kawasaki, Kobe Armament: 6-2lin TT, l-5.5in/40, 2-25mm AA, 1 aircraft
28.2.1941 Sunk after 11.1.44
Complement: 101
The design of these first class submarines-which were approved in the 1937 and
1939 Programmes, laid down 1938-39 and completed between February 1941 Number Builder Launched Fate
and May 1942 - was developed from the J3 class, with extra communication 115 Kure N Yd 7.3.1939 Sunk 10.11.42
equipment so they could act as headquarters ships for submarine flotillas; the 117 Yokosuka N Yd 19.7.1939 Sunk 19.8.43
hangar and catapult were in front of the conning tower for the first time, with the 119 Mitsubishi, Kobe 16.9.1939 Sunk 25.11.43
5.5in gun aft. Surface range was 16,000nm at 16kts, whilst submerged 121 Kawasaki, Kobe 24.2.1940 Sunk ?27 or
endurance was 60nm at 3kts. Two further units proposed in the 1943 Pro¬
29.11.43
gramme were never begun. 79 was sunk by US forces in the Aleutians, 110 near 123 Yokosuka N Yd 24.11.1939 Sunk P26.2.42
Saipan, and Ill was reported missing near Samoa. 125 Mitsubishi, Kobe 8.6.1940 Sunk ?3 or
20.9.43
126 Kure N Yd 10.4.1940 Sunk 24.10.44
127 Sasebo N Yd 6.6.1940 Sunk 12.2.44
A2 class 128 Mitsubishi, Kobe 18.12.1940 Sunk 17.5.42
Displacement: 2390t standard; 2934t/4172t 129 Yokosuka N Yd 29.9.1940 Sunk 26.7.44
130 Kure N Yd 17.9.1940 Sunk 13.10.42
Dimensions: 355ft 8in pp, 367ft 5in wl, 373ft oa x 31ft 4in x 17ft 8in
108.40, 112.00, 113.70 x 9.55 x 5.39m 131 Yokosuka N Yd 13.3.1941 Sunk 13.6.43
132 Sasebo N Yd 17.12.1940 Sunk 24.3.44
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 4700bhp/1200shp =
17.7kts/6.2kts 133 Mitsubishi, Kobe 1.5.1941 Sunk 13.6.44
134 Sasebo N Yd 24.9.1941 Sunk 13.11.43
Armament: 6-21in TT, l-5.5in/40, 2-25mm AA, 1 aircraft
135 Mitsubishi, Kobe 24.9.1941 Sunk 22.11.43
Complement: 114
136 Yokosuka N Yd 1.11.1941 Scuttled 1.4.46
Number Builder Launched 137 Kure N Yd 22.10.1941 Sunk 19.11.44
Fate
138 Sasebo N Yd 15.4.1942 Sunk 12.11.44
112 Kawasaki, Kobe 1943 Sunk after 5.1.45 139 Sasebo N Yd 15.4.1942 Sunk P26.ll.43
 Submarines

Approved in the 1937 and 1939 Programmes, these first class submarines were
laid down between 1938 and 1940 and completed between September 1940 and
April 1943. The design was developed from the KD6 class as a specialised
scouting type, and was generally an improved but slightly smaller A1, with the
hangar moulded into the conning tower. Surface range was 14,000nm at 16kts
and submerged endurance 96nm at 3kts. From 1941 several units were modified
as attack submarines, a second 5.5in gun replacing the hangar and catapult. 136
and 137 were refitted as Kaiten carriers in 1944, when the 5.5in gun and the
aircraft facilities were removed; 136 carried six Kaitens, and 137 four. This
relatively large class saw extensive service in the different war theatres, includ¬
ing blockade-running to occupied France, and only one survived the war.
Almost all were sunk by US forces, but 127 was sunk by British destroyers near
Addu Atoll, and 134 was torpedoed by the British submarine Taurus off Penang.
converted to Kaiten carriers in 1944, the 5.5in gun and aircraft facilities being
replaced by four Kaitens (six Kaitens in 1945). 158 sank the US cruiser
Indianapolis on 29 July 1945; it is not clear whether Kaitens were used in this
attack. 18 further units proposed in the 1941 Programme (162,164-166') and
1942 Modified Programme (Nos 5101-5114) were never begun.
Eighteen B4 class submarines (Nos 5115-5132), similar to the B3 class but
with more powerful machinery to give a surface speed of 22.5kts, were proposed
in the 1942 Modified Programme but never begun.

115 on trials, 15.9.1940 Cl class

Displacement: 2184t standard; 2554t/3561t
Dimensions: 340ft 7in pp, 350ft 1 lin wl, 358ft 7in oa x 29ft lOin x 17ft 7in
103.80, 106.95, 109.30 x 9.10 x 5.35m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 12,400bhp/200shp =
23.6kts/8kts
Armament: 8-21in TT, l-5.5in/40, 2-25mm AA
Complement: 101

Number Builder Launched Fate

116 Mitsubishi, Kobe 28.7.1938 Sunk 19.5.44

118 Sasebo N Yd 12.11.1938 Sunk 11.2.43
120 Mitsubishi, Kobe 25.1.1939 Sunk 3.9.43
122 Kawasaki, Kobe 23.12.1938 Sunk 5.10. or
4.11.42
B2 class 124 Sasebo N Yd 12.11.1939 Sunk 10 or
11.6.43
Displacement: 2230t standard; 2624t/3700t
Dimensions: 335ft 1 lin pp, 350ft 9in wl, 356ft 7in oa x 30ft 6in x 17ft lin These first class submarines were laid down in 1937-38 under the 1937 Prog¬
102.40, 106.92, 108.70 x 9.30 x 5.20m ramme and completed between March 1940 and October 1941. The design was
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 11,000bhp/2000shp = developed from the KD6 class as a specialised attack class, and was generally
23.5kts/8kts similar to the A1 and B1 classes, but without the aircraft facilities. Range was
Armament: 6-21in TT, l-5.5in/40, 2-25mm AA, 1 aircraft 14,000nm at 16kts/60nm at 3kts. They carried a Type A midget submarine on
Complement: 101 deck aft for the Pearl Harbor attack. 116 was modified as a transport submarine
in 1943, the 5.5in gun and some spare torpedoes being replaced by a 46ft
Number Builder Launched Fate Daihatsu landing craft, or vehicles, stores and other equipment. All were sunk
by US forces in the Pacific theatre (116 by the DE England).
140 Kure N Yd 1942 Sunk between
29.11.43 and
3.12.43
141 Kure N Yd 1943 Sunk 28.11.44 C2 class
142 Kure N Yd 1943 Sunk 23.3.44
143 Sasebo N Yd 1943 Sunk 15.2.44 Displacement: 2184t standard; 2557t/3564t
144 Yokosuka N Yd 1943 Sunk 29.4.45 Dimensions: 340ft 7inpp, 350ft 1 lin wl, 358ft 7inoa x 29ft lOin x 17ft 7in
145 Sasebo N Yd 1943 Sunk 28.10.44 103.80, 106.95, 109.30 x 9.10 x 5.35m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 11,000bhp/2000shp =
These first class submarines were almost identical in design with the B1 class, 23.5kts/8kts
and had the same surface and submerged ranges. They were approved in the Armament: 8-2lin TT, l-5.5in/40, 2-25mm AA
1941 War Programme, laid down in 1942, and completed between July 1943 and Complement: 101
January 1944. As in the B1 class, some units were modified as attack submarines
with a second 5.5in gun replacing the hangar and catapult. 144 was modified as a Number Builder Launched Fate
Kaiten carrier in 1944, 4 Kaitens being fitted in place of the 5.5in gun and 146 Sasebo N Yd 1943 Sunk after
aircraft facilities. All were sunk by US forces, mainly in the Central Pacific and 27.10.44
Philippine areas. Eight further units proposed in the 1942 Programme (Nos 147 Sasebo N Yd 1943 Scuttled 1.4.46
702-9) were never begun. 148 Sasebo N Yd 1943 Sunk 23.1.45

These first class submarines were almost identical in design with the Cl class,
and had the same surface and submerged ranges, but were not fitted to carry
midget submarines. They were laid down in 1942 under the 1941 War Pro¬
gramme and completed between February and September 1944.147 and 148
were converted to Kaiten carriers in 1944, the 5.5in gun being replaced by four
Kaitens (six Kaitens in 1945). 148 was sunk by US forces near Yap while on a
B3 class Kaiten operation. Nine further units of the this class, 149-151 of the 1941 War
Displacement: 2140t standard; 2607t/3688t Programme and Nos 710-713 of the 1942 Programme, were cancelled before
Dimensions: 335ft 1 lin pp, 350ft 9in wl, 356ft 7in oa x 30ft 6in x 7ft construction began.
102.40, 106.92, 108.70 x 9.30 x 5.19m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 47 OObhp/1200shp =
17.7kts/6.5kts
6-2lin TT, l-5.5in/40, 2-25mm AA, 1 aircraft
C3 class
Armament:
Complement: 101 Displacement: 2095t standard; 2564t/3644t
Dimensions: 335ft llinpp, 350ft 9in wl, 356ft 7inoa x 30ft 6in x 16ft lOin
Number Builder Launched Fate 102.40, 106.92, 108.70 x 9.30 x 5.12m
Sunk 28.10.44 Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 4700bhp/1200shp =
154 Yokosuka N Yd 1943
17.7kts/6.5kts
156 Yokosuka N Yd 1943 Sunk 18.4.45
Scuttled 1.4.46 Armament: 6-2lin TT, 2-5.5in/40, 2-25mm AA
158 Yokosuka N Yd 1944
Complement: 101
These first class submarines, laid down in 1942/3 under the 1941/2 War Prog¬
Number Builder Launched Fate
ramme and completed between March and September 1944, were very similar to
the preceding B1 and B2 classes, but with much less powerful machinery, giving 152 Kure N Yd 1943 Sunk 24.6.44
lower surface and submerged speeds. The weight and space saved was used to 153 Kure N Yd 1943 Scuttled 1.4.46
increase fuel oil capacity: surface range increased to 21,000nm at 16kts and 155 Kure N Yd 1943 Sunk P28.7.44
submerged endurance was slightly up at 105nm at 3kts. 156 and 158 were

201
JAPAN

These first class submarines were laid down in 1942 under the 1941-42 War First class submarines, laid down in 1943 under the 1942 Programme, and
Programme and completed between December 1943 and April 1944. The design completed in January 1945 (1351), these vessels were designed as mobile supply
was generally similar to the preceding Cl and C2 classes, but utilised a Bl-3 bases for seaplanes and flying boats. The 390t of cargo included 365t of aviation
class hull and, following the trend shown in the A3 and B3 classes, had much less fuel, fresh water, bombs and torpedoes. The armament originally planned was
powerful machinery, giving lower surface and submerged speeds. The weight l-5.5in/40 and 4-25mm AA, but 5.5in guns were in short supply, so the trench
and space saved was used to increase fuel oil capacity; surface range was mortars were fitted instead, and the number of A A guns increased. Range was
increased to 21,000nm at 16kts and the submerged endurance improved con¬ 13,000nm at 14kts/100nm at 3kts. 1351 was sunk by a US submarine in the East
siderably, to 105nm at 3kts. 153 was converted to a Kaiten carrier in 1944, the Indies, and 1352 by US air attack. 1353, of the same class, and three very similar
5.5in gun aft being replaced by four Kaitens (six Kaitens in March 1945). 152 but slightly enlarged units were never begun.
was sunk by US forces near the Azores while blockade-running, and 155 near
Tinian. Seventeen further units of this class, 157 and 159 of the 1941-42 War
Programme and 15 of the 1942 Modified Programme, were cancelled before
construction began.
Twenty-five C4 class submarines (Nos 5156-80), similar to the C3 class but
with more powerful machinery to give a surface speed of 20.5kts and only one
1361 as completed
5.5in gun, were proposed in the 1942 Modified Programme but never built.

D1 class
Displacement: 1440t standard; 1779t/2215t
Dimensions: 231ft 4in pp, 239ft 6in wl, 241ft 2in oa X 29ft 2in X 15ft 7in

.A. ST class 1944

Machinery:

Armament:
70.50, 73.00, 73.50 x 8.90 x 4.76m
2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 1850bhp/1200shp =
13kts/6.5kts
l-5.5in/40, 2-25mm AA

ST class Complement: 60

Displacement: 1070t standard; 1291t/1450t Number Builder Launched Fate

Dimensions: 249ft 4in pp, 257ft 7in wl, 259ft 2in oa x 19ft x 17ft 1 lin
1361 Kure N Yd 1943 Sunk 30.5.45
76 00. 78 30. 79 00 X 5 80 X 5.46m
1362 Mitsubishi, Kobe 1943 Sunk 13 or
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 2750bhp/5000shp =
18 1 45
15.8kts/19kts
1363 Kure N Yd 1943 Lost 29.10.45
Armament: 4-2lin TT, 2-25mm AA
1364 Mitsubishi, Kobe 1943 Sunk 15 or
Complement: 31 16.9.44
1365 Yokosuka N Yd 1944 Sunk 28.11.44
Number Builder Launched Fate
1366 Mitsubishi, Kobe 1944 Scuttled 1.4.46
1201 Kure N Yd 1944 To USA 1945 1367 Mitsubishi, Kobe 1944 Scuttled 1.4.46
1202 Kure N Yd 1944 Scuttled 1946 1368 Yokosuka N Yd 1944 Sunk 27.2.45
1203 Kure N Yd 1944 To USA 1945 1369 Yokosuka N Yd 1944 BU cl946
1204 Kure N Yd 16.12.1944 Sunk incomplete 1370 Mitsubishi, Kobe 1944 Sunk 26.2.45
22.6.45 1371 Mitsubishi, Kobe 1944 Sunk 24.2.45
1205 Kure N Yd 15.2.1945 BU incomplete 1372 Yokosuka N Yd 1944 Sunk 18.7.45
1948
1206 Kure N Yd 26.3.1945 BU incomplete The D1 class laid down in 1943 under the 1942 Modified Programme and
1946 completed between May and November 1944, were designed as transport
submarines, to run supplies, troops and equipment to beleaguered island gar¬
These first class submarines were developed from the experimental submarine risons in the south-west Pacific and Philippine areas. Rated as first class sub¬
No 71, and were Japan’s first attempt at producing true submarines (as opposed marines they were originally planned to carry 2-2lin TT, but these were
to submersibles). There were laid down in 1944 under the 1943-44 Programme, removed after trials with 1361. Two 13m landing-craft were carried in wells on
and completed between February and May 1945. The hull and conning tower the deck aft, and two large rubber boats could also be used for landing. There
were streamlined, extensive use of prefabrication and electric welding cut was capacity for 82t cargo and 110 men. Surface range was 15,000nm at lOkts
building times to about ten months, and the battery capacity was increased; the and submerged endurance 120nm at 3kts. In 1944—45 1361,1363,1366-1370
ships, the first operational type with a schnorkel or ‘Guppy’, compared well with and 1372 were converted to Kaiten carriers, the 5. Sin gun being replaced by five
the German Type XXIs. Surface range was 5800nm at 14kts; submerged Kaitens. Eight of the class were sunk by US forces in the Pacific theatre; 1363
endurance was 135nm at 3kts, or 17nm at 19kts followed by 36nm at 3kts. Only was accidentally mined while underway postwar. 92 further units of this class,
three of the class were completed; four units were broken up postwar (1205, proposed in the 1943-44 Programme, were never begun.
1206, also 1207 and 1208, construction of which had been suspended in 1945
while on the stocks), and 91 further units were never begun (1209-1223 of the
1943-44 Programme, and 76 more boats projected in the 1944-45 Programme).

D2 class
Displacement: 1660t standard; 1926t/2240t
Dimensions: 232ft 1 lin pp, 241ft 2in wl, 242ft 9in oa x 29ft 2in x 16ft 7in
71.00, 73.50, 74.00 x 8.90 x 5.05m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 1750bhp/1200shp =
13kts/16.5kts
Armament: 1—5.5in/50, 2-25mm AA
Complement: 60
SH class
Number Builder Launched Fate
Displacement: 2650t standard; 3512t/4290t
Dimensions: 351ft lin pp, 360ft 1 lin wl, 364ft 2in oa X 33ft 4in x 20ft 2in 1373 Yokosuka N Yd 1944 Sunk 14.8.45
107.00, 110.00, 111.00 x 10.15 x 6.14m 1374 Yokosuka N Yd — BU incomplete
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 3700bhp/1200shp = 1945
15.8kts/6.3kts
Armament: 4-2lin TT, 2-3in trench mortars, 7-25mm AA These first class submarines, laid down in 1944 under the 1943-44 Programme
Complement: 90 and completed in April 1945 (1373), were slightly enlarged modifications of the
D1 class, with the same surface range and slightly less submerged endurance,
Number Builder Launched Fate lOOnm at 3kts. One landing craft, 150t petrol and llOt cargo could be carried.
1373 was torpedoed and sunk by the US submarine Spikefish as hostilities were
1351 Kure N Yd 1944 Sunk 14.7.45
ending; the incomplete hull of 1374 was demolished on the stocks from April
1352 Kure N Yd 23.4.1944 Sunk incomplete
1945. The 1943-44 Programme also included 1375-1378 and a further 140
22.6.45
projected units, but none of these was ever begun.

202
 Submarines
1400 1945
K5 class
Displacement: 700t standard; 940t surface
Dimensions: 234ft 7in wl, 248ft 4in oa x 22ft x 12ft llin
71.SO, 75.70 x 6.70 x 3.95m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 2900bhp/1200shp =
19kts/8.2kts
STO class
Armament: 4—21 in TT, l-3in/40 AA, 1-13.2mm AA
Displacement: 3530t standard; 5223t/6560t Complement: 42
Dimensions: 380ft 7in pp, 394ft wl, 400ft 3in oa X 39ft 4in x 23ft
116.00, 120.10, 122.00 x 12.00 X 7.02m Number Builder Launched Fate
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 7700bhp/2400shp = R033 Kure N Yd 10.10.1934 Sunk 29.8.42
18.7kts/6.5kts
R034 Mitsubishi, Kobe 12.12.1935 Sunk 5.4.43
Armament: 8-21 in TT, 1—5.5in/50, 10-25mm AA, 3 aircraft
Complement: 144
Second class submarines, laid down in 1933-34 under the 1931 Programme and
completed in October 1935 and May 1937, these units were based on the earlier
Number Builder Launched Fate
Kl-4 and KT medium submarine designs, with much improved performance.
1400 Kure N Yd 1944 Scuttled 1946 Surface range was 8000nm at 12kts and submerged endurance 90nm at 3.5kts.
1401 Sasebo N Yd 1944 Scuttled 1946 R033 was sunk by an Australian destroyer near Port Moresby and R034 by an
1402 Sasebo N Yd 1944 Scuttled 1.4.46 American destroyer in the Solomons.
1403 ?Kure N Yd - Cancelled 1945
1404 Kure N Yd 7.7.1944 Sunk incomplete
28.7.45
1405 Kawasaki, Kobe - BU incomplete
R046 1944
1945

Laid down in 1943^44 under the 1942 Modified Programme and completed K6 class
between December 1944 and July 1945, these first class units were the largest
submarines of their day. The design was based on a proposal by Admiral Displacement: 960t standard; 1115t/ 1447t
Yamamoto for a submarine-launched bombing attack on the Panama Canal Dimensions: 251ft pp, 259ft 2in wl, 264ft lin oa x 23ft 2in x 13ft 4in
locks; the original proposal was for a surface displacement of 4550t and an 76.50, 79.00, 80.50 x 7.05 x 4.07m
aircraft capacity of two bombers, subsequently increased as above. Range was Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 4200bhp/1200shp =
30,000nm at 16kts/60nm at 3kts. The aircraft facilities were arranged as in the 19.7kts/8kts
AM class, with a hangar below and to starboard of the conning tower, which was Armament: 4—2lin TT, l-3in/40 AA, 2-25mm AA
offset to port. There was one catapult. 1402 was redesigned while building and Complement: 54
completed as a supply tanker, able to carry a large quantity of oil fuel. 1403 and
12 further units 1406-1417, were cancelled in 1945, before the keels were laid (it Number Builder Launched Fate
is possible, but not confirmed, however, that the hull of 1403 was irreparably
R035 Mitsubishi, Kobe 4.6.1942 Sunk ?25.8.43
damaged in an air raid soon after being laid down), and 1405, laid down in
R036 Mitsubishi, Kobe 14.10.1942 Sunk 13.6.44
September 1944, was demolished on the slip in 1945.
R037 Mitsubishi, Kobe 30.6.1942 Sunk 22.1.44
R038 Mitsubishi, Kobe 24.12.1942 Sunk after
19.11.43
L4 class R039 Sasebo N Yd 6.3.1943 Sunk 2.2.44
Displacement: 988t standard; 996t/1322t RO40 Mitsubishi, Kobe 6.3.1943 Sunk 16.2.44
R041 Mitsubishi, Kobe 5.5.1943 Sunk ?23.3.45
Dimensions: 243ft pp, 250ft oa x 24ft 3in x 12ft 4in
74.07, 76.20 x 7.38 x 3.77m R042 Sasebo N Yd 25.10.1942 Sunk 10/11.6.43
R043 Mitsubishi, Kobe 5.6.1943 Sunk 26.2.45
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 2400bhp/1600shp =
16.5kts/9kts R044 Tamano, 1943 Sunk 16.6.44
Tamano
Armament: 6-2lin TT, l-3in/40 AA, 1 MG
R045 Mitsubishi, Kobe 1943 Sunk P30.4.44
Complement: 47-60
R046 Mitsubishi, Kobe 1943 Sunk ?25.4.45
R047 Tamano, 1943 Sunk P26.9.44
Number Builder Launched Fate
T amano
RO60 (ex-No 59) Mitsubishi, Kobe 22.12.1922 Lost 29.12.41 R048 Mitsubishi, Kobe 1943 Sunk P14.7.44
R061 (ex-No 72) Mitsubishi, Kobe 19.5.1923 Sunk 31.8.42 R049 Tamano, 1943 Sunk ?5.4.45
R062 (ex-No 73) Mitsubishi, Kobe 19.9.1923 BU cl946 Tamano
R063 (ex-No 84) Mitsubishi, Kobe 24.1.1924 BU c 1946 RO50 Tamano, 1943 Scuttled 1.4.46
R064 Mitsubishi, Kobe 19.8.1924 Sunk 12.4.45 Tamano
R065 Mitsubishi, Kobe 25.9.1925 Sunk 4.11.42 R055 Tamano, 1944 Sunk 7.2.45
R066 Mitsubishi, Kobe 25.10.1926 Sunk 17.12.41 Tamano
R067 Mitsubishi, Kobe 18.3.1926 BU cl946 R056 (zx-R075) Tamano, 1944 Sunk P9.4.45
RO68 Mitsubishi, Kobe 23.2.1925 BU cl946 Tamano

Second class submarines, laid down between 1921 and 1924 under the 1921-28
Programme and completed between September 1923 and July 1927, these boats
were the final Japanese version of the British ‘L’ class submarine design. They
were slightly larger than the units of the L3 class, and had two more torpedo
tubes. The first four units were renumbered in 1924. Range was 5500nm at
10kts/80nm at 4kts. R062-R064, R067 and RO68 were used for training from
1942. Five of the class were sunk during the war, RO60 by shipwreck on
Kwajalein, RO66 in a collision with R062, and the other three by action of US
forces.
The K6 second class submarines, laid down 1941-43 under various 1940-42
Programmes and completed between March 1943 and November 1944, were
enlarged and improved versions of the K5 class. The final Japanese medium
submarine design, they had a range of 5000nm at 16kts/45nm at 5kts. The 3in
gun was added during construction, the original plans not providing for any
guns. Only one of the class survived the war, the remainder being victims of
action by US forces in the Pacific theatre. 61 further units of this class approved
in the 1941 and 1942 Modified Programmes (R051-R054, RO70-RO74,
R076-R079 and R0200-R0227), together with nine units (Nos 715-723)
proposed in the 1942 Programme, were never begun.

RO68 on 29.10.1925
JAPAN

Number Builder Launched Fate

HA101 Kawasaki, Tanagawa 1944 BU cl946

KS class as completed
HA 102 Mitsubishi, Kobe 1944 BU cl946
HA103 Mitsubishi, Kobe 1944 Scuttled 1.4.46
KS class HA104 Kawasaki, Tanagawa 1944 BU c 1946
Displacement: 525t standard; 601t/782t HA 105 Mitsubishi, Kobe 1945 Scuttled 1.4.46
HA 106 Kawasaki, Tanagawa 1944 Scuttled 1.4.46
Dimensions: 188ft 4in pp, 194ft 1 lin wl, 199ft lOin oa x 19ft 8in x 11ft 6in
51.40, 59.40, 60.90 x 6.00 x 3.51m HA 107 Kawasaki, Tanagawa 1945 Scuttled 1.4.46
HA108 Kawasaki, Tanagawa 1945 Scuttled 1.4.46
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 1100bhp/760shp =
14.2kts/8kts HA 109 Mitsubishi, Kobe 1945 Scuttled 1.4.46
HA110 Kawasaki, Tanagawa 1945 Lost incomplete
Armament: 4-2lin TT, 2-25mm AA
16.4.46
Complement: 38
HA111 Mitsubishi, Kobe 1945 Scuttled 1.4.46
HA 112 Mitsubishi, Kobe 1945 BU incomplete
Number Builder Launched Fate
cl 946
ROIOO Kure N Yd 6.12.1941 Sunk 25.11.43
RO101 Kawasaki, Kobe 17.5.1942 Sunk 15.9.43 Third class submarines, laid down in 1944 45 under the 1943^44 Programme
RO102 Kawasaki, Kobe 17.5.1942 Sunk 14.5.43 and completed between November 1944 and August 1945. They were small
RO103 Kure N Yd 6.12.1941 Sunk after 28.7.43 transport submarines, to supply isolated island garrisons, and could carry 60t or
RO104 Kawasaki, Kobe 11.7.1942 Sunk 23.5.44 103m3 cargo. They were built to a simplified design, and extensive use of
RO105 Kawasaki, Kobe 11.7.1942 Sunk 31.5.44 prefabrication and electric welding reduced construction time to about five
RO106 Kure N Yd 30.5.1942 Sunk 22.5.44 months. Range was 3000nm at lOkts 146nm at 2-3kts. All twelve units were
RO107 Kure N Yd 30.5.1942 Sunk P12.7.43 scrapped or scuttled after the war, except Hal 10, which sank after springing a
RO108 Kawasaki, Kobe 26.10.1942 Sunk 26.5.44 leak. 88 further units proposed in the 1944 45 Programme (Hal 13-Ha200)
RO109 Kawasaki, Kobe 1942 Sunk P29.4.45 were never begun.
RO110 Kawasaki, Kobe 1943 Sunk 11.2.44
ROlll Kawasaki, Kobe 1943 Sunk P10.6.44
R0112 Kawasaki, Kobe 1943 Sunk 11.2.45
R0113 Kawasaki, Kobe 1943 Sunk 12.2.45
R0114 Kawasaki, Kobe 1943 Sunk 17.6.44
R0115 Kawasaki, Kobe 1943 Sunk ?31.1.45
R0116 Kawasaki, Kobe 1943 Sunk 24.5.44
R0117 Kawasaki, Kobe 1943 Sunk 17.6.44
STS class as completed

Laid down in 1941-42 under the 1940 and 1941 Programmes and completed
between August 1942 and January 1944, these second class submarines were STS class
small medium boats intended for use in coastal waters. The planned armament
was replaced by l-3in AA; surface range was 3500nm at 12kts and submerged Displacement: 320t standard, 377t/440t
endurance 60nm at 3kts. Nine further units of this class, approved in the 1942 Dimensions: 164ft pp, 173ft llin oa x 13ft lin x lift 3in
Programme, were never begun. All were war losses, many being sunk in the 50.00, 53.00 x 4.00 x 3.44m
central and south-west Pacific areas and in the Philippines. Five of this class and Machinery: 1- shaft diesel plus electric motors., 400bhp/1250shp =
one larger boat were credited to the US DE England, operating with an escort 10.5kts/13kts
group, in only eight days (.R0104-R0106, RO108, R0116 and 116). Armament: 2- 2lin TT, 1-7.7mm MG
Complement: 22

No 71 Number Builder Launched Fate

Displacement: 195t standard, 213t/240t HA201 Sasebo N Yd 1945 Scutded 1.4.46

Dimensions: 140ft 5in oa x 10ft 10in X 10ft 2in HA202 Sasebo N Yd 1945 Scuttled 1.4.46
42.80 x 3.30 x 3.10m HA203 Sasebo N Yd 1945 BU 1948
Machinery: 1-shaft diesel plus electric motors, 300bhp/1800shp = HA204 Sasebo N Yd 1945 Lost 29.10.45
13. lkts/21.3kts HA205 Sasebo N Yd 1945 BU c 1946
Armament: 3-18in TT HA206 Kawasaki, Tanagawa 10.7.1945 Lost incomplete
Complement: 11 25.8.45
HA207 Sasebo N Yd 1945 Scutded 5.4.46
Number Builder Launched Fate HA208 Sasebo N Yd 1945 Scuttled 1.4.46
HA209 Sasebo N Yd 1945 BU 1946
71 Kure N Yd 1938 BU 1940 HA210 Sasebo N Yd 1945 Scutded 5.4.46
HA 211 Kawasaki, Tanagawa 24.4.1946 BU incomplete
A small experimental submarine, laid down in 1937 under the 1937 Third 1946
Reinforcement Programme and completed in August 1938, designed to test new HA212 Kawasaki, Kobe 25.6.1945 BU incomplete
propulsion machinery and for a high submerged speed. The original plans
cl 946
provided for German Daimler-Benz diesel motors, intended performance HA213 Mitsubishi, Kobe 29.7.1945 BU incomplete
figures being 1200bhp/1800hp = 18kts/25kts, with a surface range of 3830nm at cl946
12.5kts and a submerged endurance of 35nm at 7kts. However, Japanese HA214 Mitsubishi, Kobe 15.8.1945 BU incomplete
machinery had to be used, resulting in the reduced power and speed listed in the
cl946
table; the actual surface range was only 2200nm at 12kts, whilst submerged HA215 Sasebo N Yd 15.6.1945 Scuttled
endurance was 38nm at 7kts. No 71 was scrapped after being used for extensive incomplete
trials; the data gained was used in the design of the high-speed wartime ST and 5.4.46
STS classes. HA216 Sasebo N Yd 1945 Scuttled 5.4.46
HA217 Sasebo N Yd 26.6.1945 Scutded
incomplete
5.4.46
HA218 Sasebo N Yd 2.7.1945 BU incomplete
1946
HA219 Sasebo N Yd 12.7.1945 Scuttled
SS class as completed
incomplete
5.4.46
SS class HA221 Kawasaki, Kobe 4.8.1945 BU incomplete
cl 946
Displacement: 370t standard; 429t/493t HA228 Sasebo N Yd 18.7.1945 Scuttled
Dimensions: 138ft 5in pp, 144ft 4in wl, 146ft oa x 20ft x 13ft 3in incomplete
42.20, 44.00, 44.50 x 6.10 x 4.04m
5.4.46
Machinery: 1-shaft diesel plus electric motors, 400bhp/150shp = HA229 Sasebo N Yd 27.7.1945 BU incomplete
10kts/5kts
1946
Armament: l-25mm AA HA230 Sasebo N Yd 1946 BU incomplete
Complement: 21 1946

204
 Submarines/Escorts/Patrol boats

Laid down from March 1945 under the 1943-44 Programme, and completed
from May 1945, these third class submarines were derived from the experimen¬ Yu 1001 class (built 1944-45)
tal No 71. Intended to protect the Japanese islands against the advancing
Displacement: 392t surface
Americans, they had high underwater speed, good manoeuvrability and
schnorkels. Although built as rapidly as possible, only ten were completed by Dimensions: 160ft 9in oa x 16ft 5in x 8ft 9in
49.00 x 5.00 x 2.67m
the end of the war, and none was used operationally. Surface range was 3000nm
Machinery: 1-shaft diesel plus electric motors, 700bhp/?shp = 12kts/?kts
at lOkts, and the submerged endurance lOOnm at 2kts. All units, whether
complete or not, were scrapped or scuttled after the war, except Ha204, which Complement: ?
was wrecked, and Ha206, which sank in a storm; the hulls of two incomplete
boats were launched after the war to clear the slips. 16 further units (Ha220, Class: Yul001-Yul0l4
Ha222-Ha227, Ha231-Ha238 and Ha246) were broken up on the stocks post¬ As Yul class. Yul007, YulOll, Yul013 and Yul014 survived the war and
war (it is not certain that Ha234 and Ha236 were ever begun, although material were scrapped in 1947-48; the fates of the other ten units are not known.
was assembled for their construction), and another 50 units were never begun Construction of a further (Yu2001) class began in 1945, but details are not
(Ha239-Ha245 ,Ha247-Ha279, and ten unnumbered units projected in 1945). available; little progress was probably made.

Yul class (built 1943-44)

Displacement: 273t/370t EX-GERMAN AND ITALIAN SUBMARINES
Dimensions: 129ft 7in pp, 134ft 2in oa x 12ft lOin x 9ft 8in
39.50, 40.90 x 3.9 x 2.95m Eight ex-German and Italian submarines, as follows, were operated by the
Machinery: 1-shaft diesel plus electric motors, 400bhp/75shp = Japanese Navy between 1943 and 1945: RO500 (ex-7757 7, transferred to Japan
10kts/5kts
in July 1943 and used for trials, BU 1946); RO501 (ex-777224, transferred soon
Armament: l-37mm AA after completion, sunk 13.5.44 by an American DE off the Azores en route for
Complement: 13 Japan); 1501,1502,75775 and/57?6 (ex-U181, U862, U219 and 77795, seized in
May 1945 after the surrender of Germany, serving briefly in the Japanese Navy,
Class: Yul-Yul2 and scuttled or BU 1946—47); and 1503 (ex-UIT24, ex-Commandante Capellini,
The Japanese Army designed, built and operated two classes of small trans¬ scuttled 15.4.46) and 1504 (ex-77/7’25, ex-Luigi Torelli, scuttled 16.4.46). The
port submarines, roughly comparable with the Navy’s SS class, to help supply two Italian boats were in Japanese ports at the time of the Italian surrender; they
beleaguered island garrisons in the south-west Pacific. 40t cargo could be were seized and turned over to the Germans until May 1945, when they were
carried. YulO and Yul2 survived the war, and were scrapped in 1947; the fates incorporated into the Japanese Navy. For full details of all these vessels see
of the other ten units are not known. under Germany and Italy.

ESCORTS, PATROL BOATS

ETOROFU class (Improved Type A) escorts (launched
1942-43)
Displacement: 870t standard; 1004t trial
Dimensions: 237ft lOin pp, 250ft wl, 255ft oa x 29ft lOin x 10ft
SHIMUSHU class (Type A) escorts (launched 1939-40) 72.50, 76.20, 77.72 x 9.10 x 3.05m
Displacement: 860t standard; 1004t trial Machinery: 2- shaft diesels, 4200bhp = 19.7kts
Dimensions: 237ft lOin pp, 250ft wl, 255ft oa x 29ft lOin x 10ft Armament: 3— 4.7in/45 (3x1) (.Kanju 2-4.7in/45 (2x1)), 4-25mm AA, 36
72.50, 76.20, 77.72 x 9.10 x 3.05m DCs
Machinery: 2- shaft diesels, 4200bhp = 19.7kts Complement: 147
Armament: 3- 4.7in/45 (3x1), 4-25mm AA, 12 DCs
Class (builder, fate): Etorofu (Hitachi, Sakurajima, to USA 1947, BU), Oki
Complement: 150
(Uraga, Tokyo, to China 1947 as Ku An), Sado (Tsurumi, Yokohama, sunk
22.8.44), Matsuwa (Mitsui, Tamano, sunk 22.8.44), Fukue (Uraga, Tokyo, to
Class (builder, fate): Shimushu (Mitsui, Tamano, to USSR 1947), Hachijo
UK 1947, BU), Tsushima (Tsurumi, Yokohama, to China 1947 as Lin An),
(Sasebo N Yd, BU 1948),Kunashiri (Tsurumi, Yokohama, lost 4.6 A6),Ishigaki
Mutsure (Hitachi, Sakurajima, sunk 2.9.43) Wakamija (Mitsui, Tamano, sunk
(Mitsui, Tamano, sunk 31.5.44)
23.11.43),Kan;'M (Uraga, Tokyo, sunk 15.8.45), Hirado (Hitachi, Sakurajima,
These general-purpose escorts, built between 1938 and 1941, were the pro¬
sunk 12.9.44), Amakusa (Hitachi, Sakurajima, sunk 9.8.45), Manju (Mitsui,
totypes for the war construction escort programme. The anti-submarine arma¬
Tamano, BU 1946), Kasado (Uraga, Tokyo, BU 1948), Iki (Mitsui, Tamano,
ment was increased to 24 DCs in 1942, and 60 DCs and a 3in DCT in 1943; the
sunk 24.5.44).
light AA armament was increased to 15-25mm in 1943. Kunashiri was wrecked
These ships, built between 1942 and 1944, were slightly improved versions of
while on repatriation duties postwar. Four further units of this type proposed in
theShimushu class, and carried more depth charges. The anti-submarine arma¬
the 1942 Programme (Nos 790-793) were never begun.
ment was increased to 60 DCs and a 3in DCT in 1943, and the light A A
armament to 15-25mm (Kanju 21-25mm). Kanju was sunk by Soviet and
Amakusa by US aircraft, and the other six units sunk were torpedoed by US
submarines.
Elorofu in May 1943
JAPAN
Nomi as completed
MIKURA class (Type B) escorts (launched 1943-44)
Displacement: 940t standard; 1004t trial
Dimensions: 237ft lOin pp, 254ft 3in wl, 258ft 5in oa x 29ft lOin x 10ft
72.50, 77.50, 78.77 x 9.10 x 3.06m
Machinery: 2- shaft diesels, 4200bhp = 19.5kts
Armament: 3- 4.7in/45 (1x2, 1x 1), 4-25mm AA, 120 DCs
Complement: cl50
Class (builder, fate): Mikura (Tsurumi, Yokohama, lost about 2.5.45),Miyake
(Tsurumi, Yokohama, BU 1948), Awaji (Hitachi, Sakurajima, sunk 2.6.44),
Kurahashi (Tsurumi, Yokohama, to UK 1947, BU), Nomi (Tsurumi,
Yokohama, sunk 15.4.45), Chiburi (Tsurumi, Yokohama, sunk 12.1.45),
Yashiro (Hitachi, Sakurajima, to China 1947 as Cheng An), Kusagaki (Tsurumi,
Yokohama, sunk 7.8.44).
These ships, built between 1942 and 1944, were improved versions of the
Type A ships, and designed as anti-submarine rather than general purpose
ships. The construction time was between six and twelve months. In 1944 45
the light AA armament was increased to 14, and later 18-25mm (.Miyake
16-25mm). There was 1 3in DCT. Chiburi was sunk by US carrier aircraft,
Mikura by causes unknown, and the other three units lost were torpedoed by US
submarines.
UKURU class (Improved Type B) escorts (launched
1944—45)
Displacement: 940t standard; 1004t trial
Dimensions: 237ft lOin pp, 254ft 3in wl, 258ft 5in oa x 29ft lOin x 10ft
72.50, 77.50, 78.77 x 9.10 x 3.06m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels, 4200bhp = 19.5kts
Armament: 3-4.7in/45 (1x2, 1x1), 6-25mm AA, 120DCs
Complement: c 150
Class (builder, fate): Ukuru (Tsurumi, Yokohama, to JMSDF 1948), Hiburi
(Hitachi, Sakurajima, sunk 22.8.44), Shonan (Hitachi, Sakurajima, sunk
25.2.45), Dai to (Hitachi, Sakurajima, lost 16.11.45), Okinawa (Tsurumi,
Yokohama, sunk 30.7.45), Kume (Hitachi, Sakurajima, sunk 28.1.45), I kuna
(Hitachi, Sakurajima, to JMSDF 1948), Shinnan (Uraga, Tokyo, to JMSDF
1948), Yaku (Uraga, Tokyo, sunk 23.2.45), Aguni (Tsurumi, Yokohama, BU
1948), Mokuto (Hitachi, Sakurajima, sunk 4.4.45), Inagi (Mitsui, Tamano,
sunk 9.8.45), Uku (Sasebo N Yd, to USA 1947, BU), Chikubu (Uraga, Tokyo,
to JMSDF 1948), Habushi (Mitsui, Tamano, to USA 1947, BU), Sakito
(Hitachi, Sakurajima, BU 1947), Kuga (Sasebo N Yd, BU 1948), Oga (Mitsui,
Tamano, sunk 2.5.45), Kozu (Uraga, Tokyo, to USSR 1947),Kanawa (Mitsui,
Tamano, to UK 1947, BU), Shiga (Sasebo N Yd, to JMSDF 1948), Amami
(Tsurumi, Yokohama, to UK 1947, BU),Hodaka (Uraga, Tokyo, to USA 1947,
BU 1948),Habuto (Hitachi, Sakurajima, to UK 1947, BU),/zw (Maizuru N Yd,
BU c 1946), Takane (Mitsui, Tamano, BU 1947), Ikara (Uraga, Tokyo, BU
c\946),Shisaka (Hitachi, Sakurajima, to China 1947 as Hui An), I kino (Uraga,
Tokyo, to USSR 1947), Otsu (Hitachi, Sakurajima, BU 1948), Urumi (Uraga,
Tokyo, BU c 1946), Mur otsu (Uraga, Tokyo, BU c 1946), Tomoshiri (Sakurajima,
Osaka, BU unlaunched 1947).
These ships, built in 1944 45, were very similar to the.Mikura class, but with
a simplified hull form, and with construction simplified by prefabrication
techniques building times were as low as 4-5 months. They were constructed in
three series. Nos 310-339 of the 1941 Programme (Ukuru class), Nos 5251-5284
Shonan in July 1944
206
of the 1942 Modified Programme (Yaku class), and Nos 4701^4721 of the
1943_44 Programme (Inagi class). The light AA armament was increased in
1944 45 to 16 and later 20-25mm. There was 1 3in DCT. Eight of the class were
war losses; Makuto was mined, Okinawa and Inagi were sunk by US aircraft and
five units were US submarine victims. Daito was mined postwar.
30 further numbered units were cancelled in 1944 (18 numbers between 5251
and 5284 of the Yaku class, and 12 numbers between 4701 and 4721 of the Inagi
class), together with an additional 79 unnumbered units proposed in the
1944-45 Programme.
Type C escorts (launched 1944 45)
Displacement: 745t standard; 797t trial
Dimensions: 206ft 8in pp, 216ft 6in wl, 221ft 5in oa x 27ft 7in X 9ft 4in
63.00, 66.00, 67.50 x 8.40 x 2.90m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels, 1900bhp = 16.5kts
Armament: 2-4.7in/45, 6-25mm AA, 120 DCs
Complement: 136
Class (fate): No 1 (sunk 6.4.45), No 3 (sunk 9.1.45), No 5 (sunk 21.9.44), No 7
(sunk 14.11.44), No 9 (sunk 14.2.45), No 11 (sunk 10.11.44), No 13 (sunk
14.8.45) ,No 15 (sunk 6.6.44),No 17 (sunk 12.1.45),No 19 (sunk 12.1.45),No
21 (sunk 6.10.44), No 23 (sunk 12.1.45), No 25 (sunk 3.5.35), No 27 (to UK
1947,BU),No29 (BU 1948),No37 (sunk 14.4.45),No33 (sunk28.3.45),No35
(sunk 12.1.45), No 37 (to USA 1947, BU), No 39 (sunk 7.8.45), No 41 (sunk
9.6.45) ,No43 (sunk 12.1.45),No45 (BU 1948),No47 (sunk 14.8.45),No49 (to
USA 1947, BU),No5/ (sunk 12.1.45),No53 (sunk 7.2.45),No55 (to UK 1947,
BU), No 57 (BU 1947), No 59 (BU1947), No 6/ (BUc 1946), No 63 (BU 1948),
No 65 (sunk 14.7.45), No 67 (to China 1947 as YingKu),No 69 (sunk 16.3.45),
No 71 (to USSR 1947), No 73 (sunk 16.4.45), No 75 (lost after 23.8.45), No 77
(to USSR 1947), No 79 (to USSR 1947), No81 (to China 1947 as Mukden),No83
(BU incomplete 1948), No 85 (to China as Shin An), No 87 (to USA 1947, BU),
No 89 ((BU incomplete 1947), No 95 (BU 1948), No 97 (BU incomplete 1947),
No 105 (to USSR 1947), No 107 (to China 1947 as Chao An), No 205 (to China
1947 as Chang An), No 207 (to USA 1947, BU), No 2/3 (sunk 18.8.45), No 215
(to China 1947 as Liao Hai), No 217 (to UK 1947, BU),No 2/9 (sunk 15.7.45),
No 22/ (to USSR 1947), No 223 (BU incomplete 1947), No 225 ((BU 1948), No
227 (to USSR 1947).
The Type C escorts (kaibokan) were laid down from September 1943 under
the 1943-44 Programme and completed between March 1944 and the end of the
war. The design was a smaller and simplified version of Type B and extensive
use was made of prefabrication techniques and electric welding; the hull was
without sheer or camber, and the fittings very austere, enabling construction
time to be reduced to between three and eight months. The class received odd
numbers, in sequence. Building yards were as follows (the builders of particular
units are generally not known): Mitsubishi, Kobe; Kyowa, Osaka; Nihonkai,
Toyama; Tsurumi, Yokohama; Maizuru N Yd; Naniwa, Osaka; Niigata. The
light AA armament was increased in 1944—45 to 12 and later 16-25mm. The
hulls of six more units were demolished on the slipways in 1945 (Nos 93,101,
109,117,229,235). 67 further units were cancelled in 1944 before construction
began (Nos 91,99,103,111,113,115,119-203,209,211,231,233,237-263), as
were another 168 projected in the 1944 45 Programme (No 265 onwards).
No 17 on 13.4.1944
Type D escorts (launched 1944-45)
Displacement: 740t standard; 925t trial
Dimensions: 213ft 3in pp, 223ft lin wl, 228ft oa x 28ft 2in x 10ft
65.00, 68.00, 69.50 x 8.60 x 3.05m
Machinery: 1-shaft geared turbine, 2 boilers, 2500shp = 17.5kts
Armament: 2-4.7in/45, 6-25mm AA, 120 DCs
Complement: 160

Class (fate): No 2 (BU 1948), No 4 (BU 1948), No 6 (sunk 13.8.45), No 8 (to UK
1947, BU), No 10 (sunk 27.9.44), No 12 (to USA 1947, BU), No 14 (to China
1947 as Chi Nan), No 16 ((to UK 1947, BU), No 18 (sunk 29.3.45), No 20 (sunk
29.12.44), No 22 (to USA 1947, BU), No 24 (sunk 28.6.44), No 26 (to USA
1947, BU), No 28 (sunk 14.12.44), No 30 (sunk 28.7.45), No 32 (to UK 1947,
BU),No34 (to USSR 1947),No36 (to USA 1947, BU),No38 (sunk25.11.44),
No40 (toChina 1947 asChengAn),No42 (sunk 10.1.45),No44 (to USA 1947,
BU),No 46 (sunk 17.8.45),No 48 (to USSR 1947),No 50 (BU 1948),No 52 (to
USSR 1947),No54 (sunk 15.12.44),No 56 (sunk 17.2.45),No58 (to USA 1947,
BU),No 60 (to UK 1947, BU), No 62 (BU 1948), No 64 (sunk 3.12.44), No 66
(sunk 13.3.45), No 68 (sunk 24.3.45), No 72 (sunk 1.7.45), No 74 (sunk
14.7.45) , No 76 (to USSR 1947), No 78 (to USSR 1947),No 52 (sunk 10.8.45),
No84 (sunk 29.3.45),No 702 (toUSSR 1947),No 704 (toChina 1947 asTaiAn),
No 106 (to USA 1947, BU),No 772 (sunk 18.7.45),No 776 (BUc 1946),No 775
(to China 1947 as Chieh 12), No 124 (BU 1948), No 726 (to UK 1947, BU), No
130 (sunk 29.3.45), No 132 ((BU 1948), No 134 (sunk 6.4.45), No 138 (sunk
2.1.45) , No 742 (to USSR 1947), No 744 (sunk 2.2.45), No 750 (to USA 1947,
BU), No 754 (to UK 1947, BU), No 756 ((to UK 1947, BU), No 158 (to USA
1947, BU),No 760 (to UK 1947, BU),No 756 (sunk 2.4.45),No 790 (BU 1948),
No 792 (to China 1947 as Tung An), No 194 (to China 1947 as Chieh 6), No 196
(to USSR 1947),No 795 (to China 1947 asChieh 14),No 200 (BU 1948),No 202
(BU 1947), No 204 (BU 1948).
The Type D escorts (kaibokan) were laid down from October 1943 under the
1943—44 Programme and completed between March 1944 and the end of the
war. The design was very similar to Type C, but because of a shortage of diesel
motors, turbine machinery was installed, slightly increasing maximum speed
but greatly reducing endurance (4500nm instead of 6500nm, at 16kts). The
building time was between four and nine months. The class received even
numbers, in sequence. Building yards were Mitsubishi, Nagasaki; Kawasaki,
Kobe; Ishikawajima, Tokyo (a complete list of the builders of particular units is
not available). As with the Type C units, the light AA armament was increased
in 1944 45 to 12 and later 16-25mm, and there was 1 3in DCT. The hulls of Nos
70,80 and 722 were demolished on the slipways in 1945. 72 further units were
cancelled in 1944 before construction began (Nos 86-100,108,110,114,120,
128,136,140, 146,148, 752, 162-184, 188 and 206-286), as were another 60
projected in the 1944-45 Programme (No 288 onwards).
No 8 in Feb 1944
MINELAYERS
TOKIWA (launched 1898)
Displacement: 9240t standard
Dimensions: 408ft pp, 442ft oa x 67ft X 24ft 4in
124.36, 134.72 x 20.42 x 7.43m
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 18,000ihp = 21.3kts
Armour: Belt 7in-3.5in, deck 2in, turret 6in, casemates 6in
Armament: 2-8in/45 (1x2), 8-6in/40 (8x1), 2-3in, l-3in AA, 200-300
mines
Complement: ?
This old armoured cruiser was converted 1928—29, losing her after 8in turret and
lower deck 6in guns; actual speed after rebuilding was about 16kts. She was
refitted in 1940, when the armament became 4-6in/40 (4x1), l-3in AA,
2-40mm AA, 35-25mm AA, 200-300 mines, 80 DCs, with a further reduction
in speed to 12kts. Sunk in shallow water at Ominato by US aircraft 8.8.45,
Tokiwa was broken up postwar.
Escorts/Patrol boats/Minelayers
OTHER VESSELS
To help overcome the shortage of escorts, two purpose-built target ships were
taken over and refitted in 1945. Hitachi (launched 1943, 1641t standard) was
re-armed as an escort with 2-4.7in/45, 28-25mm AA guns and 36 DCs. Her
performance with 2-shaft geared turbines was 4400shp = 19.3kts. She was
scrapped in 1947. Ohama (lauched 1944, 2670t) was taken over while building
and armed with 2—4.7in/45, 32-25mm AA guns and 36 DCs. Her performance
with destroyer-type 2-shaft geared turbines was 52,000shp = 32.5kts. She was
sunk by U.S. aircraft 10.8.45.
In the late 1930s and early 1940s, thirteen obsolete destroyers were converted
into patrol boats; details of the conversions are given in the 1922 table. All except
one of the destroyers were given numbers instead of names. The vessels mod¬
ified were:
Momi class No 31 (ex-Kiku), No 32 (ex-Aoi), No 33 (ex-Hagi), No 34 (ex-
Susuki),No 35 (ex-Tsuta),No 36 (ex-Fuji), No 37 (ex-Hishi),No 38 (ex-Yomogi)
and No 39 (ex-Tade)
Wakatake class No 46 (ex-Yugao)
Minekaze class No 1 (ex-Shimakaze), No 2 (ex-Nadakaze) and Sawakaze
Nine ex-Allied ships served as patrol boats in the Japanese Navy (full details
of all except No 105 can be found in the appropriate sections of the different
navies):
No 101 The ‘S’ class destroyer Thracian was beached at Hong Kong on
25.12.41; taken over by the Japanese, she was repaired, and entered service on
25.11.42. Her armament was apparently unchanged, but boiler power was
reduced, and her performance became 10,000shp = 25kts. Reclassified as a
training ship in March 1944, she was returned to Britain after the war and
broken up at Hong Kong.
No 102 The Semmes class destroyer Stewart (DD224) was captured, badly
damaged, in a Soerabaia drydock. She was re-armed and extensively altered,
with a tripod foremast and the first funnel trunked into the second, and entered
service on 15.6.43. The data became: displacement 1515t trial, armament
2-3in/40 AA, 2-13.2mm AA (1944: 2-3in/40 AA, 16-25mm AA, 72 DCs),
28,500shp = 26kts, complement cl 20. No 102 was returned to the USA after the
war, and was scuttled off San Francisco after use as a target.
No 103 The US Bittern class minesweeper Finch was sunk at Bataan by Japan¬
ese artillery on 11.4.42. She was salvaged, repaired, re-armed with 2-3in/40 AA
and 48 DCs, and entered service on 1.4.43. No 103 was sunk by US aircraft.
No 105 (ex-Arayat). The origin of this 1200t US ship is obscure, and further
particulars are not known. She was sunk by a US PT boat on 29.11.44.
No 107 The old US tug Genesee (ex-Monocacy), scuttled at Corregidor on
5.5.42, was salvaged, repaired and re-armed with 2-3in/40 AA and 48 DCs, and
entered service on 20.4.44. She was sunk by US aircraft.
No 104, No 108 These two Dutch gouvemementsmarine patrol vessels were
scuttled at Tjilatjap and Tandjong Priak respectively in March 1942. Formerly
Valk and Arend, they were salvaged, repaired and re-armed with l-3in/40 AA,
8-25mm AA, 2-13.2mm AA and 48 DCs, and they entered service on 31.1.44
and 31.7.44. No 104 was accidentally mined 24.8.45; No 108 was sunk by US
aircraft 28.3.45.
No 106 The Dutch destroyer Banckert, scuttled at Soerabaia in March 1942,
was salvaged and refitted by the Japanese. She was re-armed with 2-3in/40 AA,
12-25mm AA, 24 DCs and 2—46ft landing craft, but work, except on the
engines, was incomplete in August 1945. No 106 was sunk as a target in the
Madura Straits in September 1949.
No 109 The Dutch gouvemementsmarine patrol vessel Fazant, scuttled at
Tandjong Priak in March 1942, was salvaged, repaired, and re-armed with
l-3in/40 AA and 48 DCs, and entered service on 15.10.44. No 109 was returned
to the Netherlands in 1946, and became the Indonesian Kartika in 1951. She was
sold in 1954.
SHIRATAKA (launched 1929)
Displacement: 1345t standard; 1516t trial
Dimensions: 259ft lOin pp, 275ft 7in wl x 37ft llin x 10ft 2in
79.20, 84.00 x 77.55 X 3.10m
Machinery: 2-shaft TE, 2 boilers, 2000ihp = 16kts
Armament: 3-4.7in/45 (3x1), 1 MG, 100 mines
Complement: ?
Shirataka, built 1927-29 under the 1923 Programme by Ishikawajima, Tokyo,
was a dual-purpose minelayer/netlayer, being fitted to carry six anti-submarine
nets. She was refitted as an escort in 1943-44, the minelaying equipment being
replaced by 36 DCs, and was torpedoed by a US submarine on 31.8.44.
207
JAPAN

ITSUKUSHIMA (launched 1929)

Displacement: 1970t standard; 2047t trial
Dimensions: 328ft lin pp, 341ft 2in wl x 38ft lOin x 10ft 7in
100.00, 104.00 x 11.83 x 3.22m
Machinery: 3-shaft diesels, 3000bhp = 17.0kts
Armament: 3-5.5in/50 (3x1), 2-3in/40 AA, 300 mines, 2 DCs Shirataka as completed
Complement: 235

Itsukushima, built 1928-29 by Uraga, Tokyo, under the 1923 Programme, was SARUSHIMA (launched 1933)
the first Japanese diesel-engined surface ship; her design was said to be inspired
Displacement: 566t standard; 574t trial
by the British cruiser-minelayer Adventure. She was also equipped for netlaying.
Dimensions: 219ft lOin pp, 229ft 8in wl x 24ft 7in x 6ft lin
She was refitted in 1944, when the armament became 3-5.5in/50,2-25mm AA,
67.00, 70.00 x 7.49 x 1.8Sm
6-13.2mm AA and 400 mines on a standard displacement of 2330t, and was
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels, 2100bhp = 18.0kts
torpedoed 7.10.44 by a Dutch submarine.
Armament: 2-3in/40 AA (2x1), 1-13.2mm AA, 120 mines
Complement: ?

Sarushima, built 1933-34 under the 1931 Programme, was a slightly modified
Kamone class light minelayer/netlayer. She was refitted as an escort in 1943^14,
when the minesweeping gear was replaced by 36 DCs. Built by Mitsubishi,
Yokohama.
KAMOME class (launched 1929)
Displacement: 450t standard; 502t trial
Dimensions: 206ft 8in pp, 214ft llin wl X 23ft 7in X 6ft 1 lin
63.00, 65.50 x 7.20 x 2.10m OKINOSHIMA (launched 1935)
Machinery: 2-shaft TE, 2 boilers, 2500ihp = 19kts
Displacement: 4400t standard; 4920t trial
Armament: l-3in/40 AA, 1-13.2mm AA, 120 mines
Dimensions: 370ft 9in pp, 391ft 4in wl x 51ft 8in x 18ft
Complement: 56 113.00, 119.29 x 15.74 x S.49m
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 4 boilers, 9000shp = 20kts
Class (builder, fate): Kamome (Osaka, Osaka, sunk 27.4.44), Tsubame (Mit¬
Armament: 4—5.5in/50 (2x2), 2-3in/40 AA, 500 mines, 1 aircraft
subishi, Yokohama, sunk 1.3.45)
These ships, built 1928-29 under the 1923 Programme, were light Complement: ?
minelayer/netlayers for coastal and inshore use. They were refitted as escorts in
1943—44, when the minesweeping gear was replaced by 36 DCs. The construction of this large cruiser-minelayer was approved in the 1931
Programme, and she was built by Harima between 1934 and 1936. When not
minelaying, she could be used as a long-range escort. Okinoshima was torpedoed
by a US submarine 11.5.42.

YAEYAMA (launched 1931)

Displacement: 1135t standard; 1358t trial
Dimensions: 280ft 6in pp, 292ft wl x 34ft 1 lin X 9ft 4in
85.50, 89.00 x 10.65 x 2.84m
Machinery: 2-shaft TE, 2 boilers, 4800ihp = 20kts
Armament: 2—4.7in/45, 2 MG, 185 mines TSUGARU (launched 1940)
Complement: 150
Displacement: 4000t standard; 4330t trial
Dimensions: 372ft 8in pp, 397ft wl, 408ft 6in oa x 51ft 3in X 16ft 2in
Yaeyama, built 1930-32 under the 1927 Programme at Kure N Yd, was another
113.60, 121.00, 124.50 x 15.61 x 4.92m
minelayer/netlayer, and also the first all-welded Japanese warship. She was
refitted as an escort in 1943—4-4, the minelaying equipment being replaced by 36 Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 4 boilers, 9000shp = 20kts
DCs, and was sunk by US carrier-based aircraft on 24.9.44. Armament: 4—5in/40 DP (2x2), 4—25mm AA, 600 mines, 1 aircraft
Complement: ?

Built at Yokosuka N Yd 1939-41 under the 1937 Programme, this vessel was an
improved but slightly smaller Okinoshima, and was torpedoed by a US sub¬
marine on 29.6.44. Two further units planned in the 1942 Programme (Nos 898
and 899) were never begun.
Natsushima as completed

NASAMI class (launched 1933-34)

Displacement: 450t standard; 502t trial
Dimensions: 219ft lOin pp, 229ft 8in wl x 24ft 7in x 6ft 3in
SOKUTEN, HARASHIMA and AJIRO classes
67.00, 70.00 x 7.50 x 1.90m (launched 1938-43)
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels, 2300bhp = 19kts
Displacement: 720t standard; 738t trial
Armament: 2-3in/40 AA (2x1), 1-13.2mm AA, 120 mines
Dimensions: 228ft pp, 241ft 2in wl, 247ft 8in oa x 25ft 9in x 8ft 6in
Complement: ?
69.50, 73.50, 75.50 x 7.85 x 2.60m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels, 3500bhp (Sokuten class 3600bhp) = 20kts
Class (builder, fate): Nasami (Harima, Aioi, sunk 1.4.44), Natsushima
Armament: 2^t0mm AA (Hiroshima and Ajiro classes l-3in/40 AA),
(Ishikawajima, Tokyo, sunk 22.2.44)
2-13.2mm AA, 120 mines
These ships, built 1932-34 under the 1931 Programme, were light
Complement: 100
minelayers/netlayers, very similar to the Kamone class.

208
 Minelayers / Minesweepers

Class (builder, fate): Sokuten class — Sokuten (Mitsubishi, Yokohama, sunk Class (builder, fate): Hatsutaka (Harima, Aioi, sunk \6.5A5),Aotaka (Harima,
25.7.44), Shirakami (Ishikawajima, Tokyo, sunk 3.3.44), Naryu (Mitsubishi, Aioi, sunk 26.9.44), Wakatake (Harima, Aioi, to UK 1937 as Laburnum).
Yokohama, sunk 16.2.45), Kyosai (Ishikawajima, Tokyo, to UK 1947, BU), These ships were approved in the 1937 and 1939 Programmes, and built
Ukishima (Ishikawajima, Tokyo, sunk 16.11.43); Hirashima class - Hirashima between 1938 and 1941. They were designed as multi-purpose minelayers/net-
(sunk 27.7.43), Hoko (sunk 29.8.43), Ishikazi (to USA 1947, BU), Takashima layers/escorts, and in 1943-44 their escort capabilities were increased by sub¬
(lost 10.10.44), Saishu (Sasebo N Yd, to China 1947 as Yung Ching), Niizaki stituting 36 DCs for the minelaying equipment. A fourth unit, Asadori, pro¬
(BU 1947), Yurijima (sunk 14.1 A5),Nuwashima (BUcl946),Maeshima (CTL posed in the 1942 Programme, was cancelled before construction began, as was
18.10. 44), Moroshima (never begun); Ajiro class -Ajiro (Hitachi, Innoshima, an improved unit (No 819) from the same programme. Laburnum served in the
sunk 1.10.44). Malayan Navy at Singapore until scrapped in 1956.
These ships were approved and built as follows: Sokuten class, 1937 Pro¬
gramme, built 1937-40, Hirashima class, 1939 Programme, built 1939-42,
Ajiro, 1941 Programme, built 1943. The Hirashima class were built by Tsurumi,
Yokohama (3 units), Mitsubishi, Yokohama (2), Mitsui, Tamano (2), Hitachi,
Sakurajima (2) and Sasebo N Yd (1), but the builders of individual ships are not
known. They were designed as multi-purpose light minelayers/netlayers/es-
corts. In 1943—44 the radius of action was improved by using water ballast tanks
for storing oil fuel, and their performance as escorts was increased by substitut¬
ing 36 DCs for the minelaying equipment. The light A A armament was
augmented in 1944, 6-25mm replacing 2-13.2mm. 13 other units of the Ajiro
class (nos 461—473) were cancelled before construction began, as were 8 more
KAMISHIMA class (launched 1945)
proposed in the 1942 Programme (nos 850-857), and 12 of an improved type
planned in the 1942 Modified Programme (nos 5421-5432). Displacement: 766t standard; 787t trial
Dimensions: 228ft pp, 240ft 6in wl, 244ft Sin oa x 25ft 9in x 8ft 6in
69.50, 83.30, 74.50 x 7.85 x 2.60m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels, 1900bhp = 16.5kts
HATSUTAKA class (launched 1939-44) Armament: 2-40mm AA, 13-25mm AA, 120 mines, 36 DCs
Complement: ?
Displacement: 1608t standard; 1860t trial
Dimensions: 270ft 8in pp, 283ft lOin wl, 298ft 3in oa x 37ft lin x 14ft 5in
82.50, 86.50, 90.90 x 11.30 x 4.40m Class (builder, fate): Kamishima (Sasebo N Yd, to USSR 1947), Awashima
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 3 boilers, 6000shp = 20kts (Sasebo N Yd, to USA 1947, BU).
This class of light minelayers was designed for rapid construction. 9 units
Armament: 4-^lOmm AA (Wakatake (2-3in/40 AA), 4-25mm AA, 360
mines were planned in the 1943-44 Programme, and 11 more were projected in the
1944 45 Programme, but only two from the first group were built, priority
Complement: ?
being given to the construction of Koryu and Kaiten midget submarines.

HATSUSHIMA class cablelayers/minelayers (launched

1940-41)
Displacement: 1564t standard; 1670t trial
Dimensions: 225ft 5in pp, 230ft wl, 262ft 3in oa x 35ft 5in x lift 7in
68.70, 70.00, 79.93 x 10.80 x 3.53m
Machinery: 2-shaft TE, 2 boilers, 2300ihp = 14kts
Armament: l-3in/40 AA, 2-13.2mm A A, 12 mines
Complement: ?

Class (builder, fate): Hatsushima (Kawasaki, Kobe, sunk 28.4.45), Tsurushima

(Kawasaki, Kobe, to civilian use 1945),Odate (Harima, Harima, sunk 27.3.45),
Tateishi (Harima, Harima, sunk 21.3.45).
These ships were intended as cablelayers, with subsidiary netlaying and
minelaying capabilities. In 1943—44, however, they were refitted as minelayers-
/escorts, the armament becoming l-3in/40 AA, 6-25mm AA and 120 mines plus
Hatsutaka on 31.10.1939 DCs.

MINESWEEPERS
Wl 1944

Wl class (launched 1923-24) W5 class (launched 1928)

Displacement: 615t standard; 691t trial Displacement: 620t standard; 706t trial
Dimensions: 235ft pp, 243ft 9in wl, 250ft 2in oa x 26ft 4in x 7ft 6in Dimensions: 236ft 3in pp, 246ft lin wl, 252ft 7in oa x 27ft lin x 7ft 5in
71.63, 74.30, 76.26 x 8.03 x 2.29m 72.00, 75.00, 77.00 x 8.25 x 2.25m
Machinery: 2-shaft TE, 3 boilers, 4000ihp = 20kts Machinery: 2-shaft TE, 3 boilers, 4000ihp = 21kts
Armament: 2—4.7in/45 (2x1), l-3in/40 AA Armament: 2—4.7in/45 (2x1), l-3in/40 AA, 1 MG
Complement: 92 Complement: 87

Class (builder, fate): Wl (Harima, Harima, sunk 10.8.45), W2 (Mitsui,
Tamano, sunk 1.3.42), W3 (Hitachi, Sakurajima, sunk 9.4.45), W4 (Sasebo N
Yd, scuttled 13.7.46).
This class were suitable for use as minesweepers or escorts; the minesweeping
equipment was removed from Wl, W3 and W4 in 1944, when they were refitted
with l-4.7in/45 (aft), 5-25mm AA and 36 DCs.
Class (builder, fate): W5 (Mitsui, Tamano, sunk 4.11.44), W6 (Hitachi,
Sakurajima, sunk 26.12.41)
These two ships were slightly enlarged versions of the Wl class. W5 was
refitted as an escort in 1944, when the armament became l-4.7in/45(aft),
5-25mm AA, 36 DCs.

209
JAPAN

Class (builder, fate): W7 (Mitsui, Tamano, sunk 15.4.44), W8 (Uraga, Tokyo,

scuttled 13.7.44), W9 (Maizura N Yd, sunk 2.2.42), W10 (Ishikawajima,
Tokyo, sunk 10.12.41), Wll (Uraga, Tokyo, sunk 28.3.45), W12 (Ishikawa¬
jima, Tokyo, sunk 6.4.45).
This class closely resembled the preceding Wl 7 class; W7 ,W8,W11 and W12
W13 as completed were modified as escorts in 1943-44, when the after 4.7in gun was removed, the
light AA armament increased to 9-25mm AA, and the minesweeping gear

W13 class (launched 1933-44)

Displacement: 500t standard; 55It trial
Dimensions: 226ft 4in pp, 236ft 3in wl, 242ft 9in oa x 26ft 1 lin x 6ft 9in
69.00, 72.00, 74.00 x 8.20 x 2.07m
Machinery: 2-shaft TE, 2 boilers, 3200ihp = 20kts
Armament: 2-4.7in/45 (2x1), 2-13.2mm AA
W19 class (launched 1941-44)
Complement: ?
Displacement: 648t standard; 743t trial
Class (builder, fate): W13 (Fujinagata, Osaka, sunk 12.1.42), W14 (Hitachi, Dimensions: 220ft lOinpp,233ft llinwl, 237ft lOinoa x 25ft 9in x 8ft7in
Sakurajima, sunk 12.1.42), W15 (Fujinagata, Osaka, sunk 5.3.45), W16 (Mit¬ 67.30, 71.30, 72.50 x 7.85 x 2.61m
sui, Tamano, sunk 11.9.43). Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 2 boilers, 3850shp = 20kts
These vessels were rebuilt in 1935 to improve stability; the funnel and bridges Armament: 3^t.7in/45 (3x1), 2-25mm AA
were cut down, and permanent ballast added. Data became: 691t standard, 787t Complement: ?
trial, speed 18kts. The minesweeping gear in W15 was replaced by 36 DCs in
1944, and the light AA armament increased to 5-25mm. WI3 and W14 were Class (fate): W19 (constructive total loss 10.12.41), W20 (sunk 4.5.45), W21 (to
both sunk by shore batteries in the attack on Tarakan, Borneo. USA 1947, BU), W22 (sunk 11.11.44), W23 (to USSR 1947), 1^24 (sunk
15.7.45) , W25 (sunk 4.7.44), W26 (sunk 17.2.44), W27 (sunk 10.7.45), W28
(sunk 29.8.44), W29 (sunk 7.5.45), W30 (sunk 11.11.44), W33 (sunk 9.8.45),
W34 (sunk 21.5.45), W38 (sunk 20.11.44), W39 (sunk 20.7.45), W41 (sunk
4.1.45) .
W17 class (launched 1935) The ships of this class were almost identical with the W7 class; the builders
Displacement: 578t standard, 696t trial included Harima, Harima (4 units), Ishikawajima, Tokyo (2), Mitsubishi,
Dimensions: 220ft lOin pp, 229ft 8in wl, 237ft lOin oa x 25ft 9in x 8ft 3in Yokohama (2) and Fujinagata, Osaka (2), but the builders of individual units are
67.30, 70.00, 72.50 x 7.85 x 2.52m not known. In all except 1^79 and W26, the minesweeping gear was replaced by
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 2 boilers, 3200ihp = 19kts 36 DCs, and the light A A armament increased to 9-25mm (1944). A further 63
Armament: 2-4.7in/45 (2x1), 2-13.2mm AA units were never begun: W31, W32, W35-W37, W40, W42-W88, and Nos
Complement: ? 820-9.

Class (builder, fate): W17 (Hitachi, Sakurajima, BU 1947), W18 (Mitsui, Twenty-two old destroyers were modified as minesweepers between 1923 and
Tamano, sunk 26.11.44). 1930; details of the modifications are given in the 1922 tables. Twelve of the
Very similar to the preceding class. They were modified as escorts in the same destroyers retained their names, but ten were given numbers. The vessels
way as other minesweepers in 1943-44, the minesweeping gear being replaced modified were: Asakaze class - Asakaze, Wakaba, Ushio, Nenohi, Kisaragi,
by 36 DCs and the light AA armament increased to 5-25mm.
Kamikaze, Hatsushimo, Yugure, Harukaze, Hibiki, Hatsuyuki, Yudachi, No 7
('ex-Isonami), No 8 (ex-Uranami), No 9 (ex-Ayanami), No 10 (ex-Minazuki), No
11 (ex-Nagatsuki) and No 12 (ex-Kikuzuki); Enoki class-No 9 (ex-Nara) and No
10 (ex-Enoki); Umikaze class - No 7 (ex-Umikaze) and No 8 (ex-Yamakaze).
W7 class (launched 1938-39) Two British minesweepers, full details of which will be found in the British
Displacement: 630t standard; 738t trial section, were also taken over. W101 (ex-Tailam, ex-Portland) and W102 (ex-
Dimensions: 220ft lOinpp,233ft llinwl,237ft lOinoa x 25ft9in x 6ft7in Waglan, ex-Seaford), were captured at Hong Kong in December 1941 while
67.30, 71.30, 72.50 x 7.85 x 2.00m building, and completed to a slightly modified design, with a raked funnel and
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 2 boilers, 3850shp = 20kts Japanese guns. The revised particulars were: 667t trial displacement, 2200ihp =
15.8kts, armament l-4.7in/45, 8-25mm AA, 36 DCs, complement c60. W101
Armament: 3-4.7in/45 (3x1), 2-25mm AA
was sunk by US aircraft off Cape Padaran; W102 was returned to Great Britain
Complement: 88
in 1947 and scrapped.

SUBMARINE-CHASERS
CH3 (built 1935-36)
Displacement: 270t standard; 280t trial
Dimensions: 173ft 1 lin pp, 180ft 5in wl x 18ft 4in X 7ft 2in
53.00, 55.00 x 5.60 x 2.18m
Machinery: 2500bhp = 20kts
Armament: 2-40mm AA
Complement: 45

Ch2 1935
During the war, 3—25mm AA, 1 DCT and 36 DCs were added to the armament.
Ch3 was scuttled after the war.

CHI class (built 1933-34)

CH51 class (built 1936-37)
Displacement: 266t standard; 276t trial
Dimensions: 203ft 5in pp, 210ft wl x 19ft 4in X 4ft 8in Displacement: 170t standard; 172t trial
62.00, 64.00 x 5.90 x 1.43m Dimensions: 141ft 9in pp, 146ft wl X 15ft 9in x 5ft 7in
Machinery: 3400bhp = 24kts 43.20, 44.50 x 4.80 x 1.70m
Armament: 2-40mm AA, 2-7.7mm MG Machinery: 3000bhp = 23kts
Complement: 45 Armament: l-40mm AA, 18 DCs
Complement: ?
Class: Chi, Ch2
These two ships were reconstructed to improve stability in 1935, after the Class: Ch51, Ch52
capsizing of the Tomozuru; data became: displacement 376t standard, 400t full These ships were re-rated as auxiliary submarine-chasers in 1942, when depth
load, speed 21kts. In 1944, 3-25mm AA replaced the 2 MG, and a DCT and 36 charge capacity was increased to 20-30 DCs, and as tugs in 1944. Both survived
DCs were added. Ch2 was a war loss and Chi was scuttled postwar. the war.

210
 Submarine chasers/Miscellaneous vessels

Class: Chl3-Ch27
CH53
In 1944, 3-25mm AA were added to the armament of surviving units. Chl5,
Displacement: 170t standard; 177t trial Chl9, Ch20, Ch21 and Ch23 were broken up after the war, and the remainder
Dimensions: 141ft 9in pp, 146ft wl x 15ft 9in X 5ft 8in were war losses.
43.20, 44.50 x 4.80 x 1.73m
Machinery: 3000shp = 23kts
Armament: l^fOmm AA, 18 DCs
Complement: ?

ChS3 was a near sister to ChSl and Ch52, and like them was re-rated as an
auxiliary submarine-chaser in 1942, when the depth charge capacity was
increased to 20-30 DCs, and as a tug in 1944. Ch53 survived the war.

CH4 class (built 1937-39)

Displacement: 29It standard; 304t trial
Dimensions: 177ft 2in pp, 182ft lin wl x 18ft 4in x 7ft lin
54.00, 55.50 x 5.60 x 2.15m
Machinery: 2600bhp = 20kts
Armament: 2-40mm AA, 36 DCs
Complement: ?

Class: Ch4-Chl2
CH28 class (built 1941-44)
In 1944 45,3-25mm AA were added to the armament of this class. Ch3,Ch4,
Ch5 and Ch9 survived the war; Ch3 and ChS were scuttled by the Allies, Ch4 Displacement: 420t standard; 435t trial
was scrapped and Ch9 was transferred to China as Fu Ling. The other units were Dimensions: 152ft 7in pp, 160ft 9in wl x 22ft x 8ft 7in
war losses. 46.50, 49.00 x 6.70 x 2.63m
Machinery: 1700bhp = 16kts
Armament: l-3in/40 AA, 2-13.2mm AA, 36 DCs
CHI3 class (built 1939-42) Complement: ?

Displacement: 438t standard; 453t trial

Class: Ch28-Ch89
Dimensions: 152ft 7in pp, 160ft 9in wl x 22ft x 9ft
46.50, 49.00 x 6.70 x 2.75m In 1944, 3-25mm AA were added to the armament of surviving units. Ch38,
Ch41 ,Ch42,Ch44,Ch47, Ch49,Ch51 ,Ch52 and Ch56 survived the war; Ck41
Machinery: 1700bhp = 16kts
was scuttled by the Allies, Ch42,Ch44,Ch47, Ch52 and Ch56 were scrapped,
Armament: l-3in/40 AA, 2-13.2mm AA, 36 DCs
Ch51 sank in a storm, Ch38 was transferred to Russia and Ch49 to China as Ya
Complement: ?
Lung. Ch59, Ch62 and Ch64-Ch89 were never begun.

MISCELLANEOUS
VESSELS
Hashidate as completed

—n i -0- ' "01= |

r.. • ••• ~—
boats. Nanshin was never finished (the remains were broken up c 1946) because
HASHIDATE class gunboats (launched 1939-40) she was cannibalised for materials and spare parts; her proposed armament was
4—4.7in/45 and 8-25mm AA. Nankai, completed with 3-3in/40 AA, 4—25mm
Displacement: 999t standard; 10921 trial AA, was sunk by a submarine in the Java Sea 16.7.45.
Dimensions: 249ft 4in pp, 257ft 7in wl x 31ft lOin x 8ft Okitsu (ex-Lepanto). The light minelayer Lepanto was scutded at Shanghai on
76.00, 78.50 x 9.70 x 2.45m 9.9.43 following the Italian surrender. She was salvaged, refitted as a gunboat
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 2 boilers, 4600shp = 19.5kts (700t displacement, l-3in/40 AA, 8-25mm AA, 36 DCs, complement 184) and
Armament: 3-4.7in/45 (1x2, lxl), 4-25mm AA incorporated in the Japanese Navy on 1.3.44. She was transferred to China as
Complement: 170 Sien Ning 1946.

Class (builder, fate): Hashidate (Sakurajima, Osaka, sunk 22.5.1944), Uji

(Sakurajima, Osaka, to China 1945 as Chang Chi). ATAMI class river gunboats (launched 1929)
These ships were built 1939—41 for service against China. The light AA
armament was increased to 9—25mm during the war, and depth charges were Displacement: 206t standard; 225t normal
added. Hashidate was torpedoed by a US submarine. Dimensions: 148ft 7in pp, 148ft 7in wl X 20ft 8in x 3ft
45.30, 45.30 x 6.30 x 0.92m
The following ships, full details of which will be found in the appropriate Machinery: 2-shaft triple expansion, 2 boilers, 1300ihp = 16.7kts
sections of the different navies, also served in the Japanese Navy as gunboats: Armament: l-3in/40 AA, 6 MG
Nanyo (ex-Lyeman, cx-Looe). This British Bangov class minesweeper was taken Complement: 77
over at Hong Kong in December 1941 while building, and completed as a
gunboat (2-4.7in/45). The displacement listed (1200t) is however much greater Class (builder, fate): Atami (Fujinagata, Osaka, to China 1946 as Yung Ping),
than the 672t of the Bangors, suggesting a very drastic revision of the original Futami (Fujinagata, Osaka, to China 1946 as Yung An).
design, a case of mistaken identity, or a typographical error. N anyo was sunk by These ships were approved in the 1927 Programme and built between 1928
US aircraft 23.12.43 in the Formosa Straits. and 1930. The light AA armament was increased about 1940, 5-25mm guns
Nanshin (ex-Ram) and Nankai (ex-Regulus). Dutch gouvemementsmanne replacing the 6 MG, and in 1945 both ships were disarmed, the guns being taken
minelayers, taken over by the Japanese while building, and modified as gun¬ for use ashore.

211
JAPAN

FUSHIMI class river gunboats (launched 1939) TSUKUSHI survey ship (launched 1941)
Displacement: 304t standard; 344t trial; 368t full load Displacement: 1400t standard; 1575t trial
Dimensions: 159ft lin pp, 164ft wl x 32ft 2in x 4ft 2in Dimensions: 260ft 2in pp, 272ft 4in wl x 34ft 9in x lift lOin
48.50, 50.00 x 9.80 x 1.26m 79.30, 83.00 x 10.60 x 3.60m
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 2 boilers, 2200shp = 17kts Machinery: 3-shaft diesels, 5700bhp = 19.7kts
Armament: l-3in, 2-25mm AA Armament: 4—4.7in/45 AA, 1 aircraft
Complement: 64 Complement: ?

Class (builder, fate): Fushimi (Fujinagata, Osaka, to China 1946 asKiangHsi),
Sumida (Fujinagata, Osaka, to China 1946 as Nan Chang).
These ships were approved in the 1937 Programme and built between 1938
and 1940. The light AA armament was increased to 8-25mm in 1942—43, but in
1945 both ships were disarmed, the guns being taken for use ashore.
This heavily armed survey ship built by Mitsubishi, Yokohama, was designed
for use in enemy-held areas; she was mined off the coast of New Ireland 4.11.43.
Two further units, No 847 and Miho, No 5418, were never begun.

NOTORO seaplane carrier

KOTAKA river gunboat (launched 1930)
Displacement: 14,050t standard
Displacement: 50t standard; 61.7t trial
Dimensions: 455ft 8in pp x 58ft x 26ft 6in
Dimensions: 98ft 5in pp, 100ft lin oa x 16ft lin x 2ft lin 138.88 x 17.68 x 8.08m
30.00, 30.50 x 4.90 x 0.64m
Machinery: 2-shaft TE, 4 boilers, 5850ihp = 12kts
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels, 540bhp = 15.5kts
Armament: 2-4.7in/45, 2-3in/40 AA, 10 aircraft
Armament: 5 MG
Complement: 155
Complement: ?

Name Builder Launched Fate

This tiny gunboat, approved in the 1927 Programme and built by Mitsui,
Tamano, in 1929-30 for service on the upper Yangtze river, was sunk by NOTORO Kawasaki, Kobe 3.5.1920 BU 1947
Chinese aircraft 31.5.44 while in use as a communications ship. Her wartime
armament was 3-7.7mm MG. Notoro was originally built as an oiler of the Shiretoko class in 1919-20; she was
converted into a seaplane carrier and aircraft transport in 1924. The seaplanes
The following ex-enemy river gunboats were taken over by the Japanese were handled by derricks and stowed on the former well decks, which had been
during World War II: covered by a light platform. Reconverted into an oiler in 1942, Notoro survived
Tatara (ex-Wake, ex-Guam) and Karatsu (ex-Luzon). The US Wake was cap¬ the war and was broken up in 1947.
tured by the Japanese at Shanghai on 8.12.41. Her warume armament of 2-3in,
l3-25mm AA guns was removed in 1945 for use ashore. She was transferred to
China in 1946 as Tai Yuan. Luzon, another US river gunboat, was sunk by
Japanese batteries at Corregidor on 5.5.42 but raised, repaired, and incorpo¬
rated in the Japanese Navy on 1.8.42; she was scuttled before the American
reoccupauon of Manila.
Suma (ex-Moth). The Briush gunboat Moth, scutded at Hong Kong on KAMO I seaplane carrier
12.12.41, was raised, repaired and incorporated in the Japanese Navy on 1.7.42. Displacement: 17,000t standard; 19,240t trial
She was mined 19.3.45 in the Yangtze river. Dimensions: 488ft 6in pp, 496ft oa x 67ft X 27ft 8in
Maiko (ex-Macau). Macau, taken over by Japan in 1943 because of Portugal’s 148.90, 151.18 x 20.42 x 8.43m
alignment with the Aides, was incorporated in the Japanese Navy on 15.8.43. In
Machinery: 2-shaft electric drive turbines, 2 boilers, 9000shp = 15kts
1946 she was transferred to China as Wu Feng.
Armament: 2-5.5in/50, 2-3in/40 AA, 12 aircraft
Narumi (ex-Ermanno Carlotto). The Italian gunboat Ermanno Carlotto, scuttled
Complement: ?
at Shanghai on 9.9.43 following the Italian surrender, was incorporated in the
J apanese N avy on 15.10.43. Her armament was removed in 1945 for use ashore.
Name Builder Launched Fate
She, too, was transferred to China in 1946, receiving the name Kiang Kun.
KAMOI New York Co, 8.6.1922 Sunk 5.4.45
Camden

Kamoi, like Notoro, was originally an oiler, and was built 1921-22 in the United
States; she underwent conversion to a seaplane carrier on similar lines in
A type coastal escorts (built 1945) 1932-33. Her maximum capacity was 22 seaplanes. Reconverted into an oil-
tanker in 1943, Kanoi was sunk by US aircraft in Hong Kong harbour; her hull
Displacement: 278t standard; 277t trial was demolished after the war.
Dimensions: 150ft lOin pp, 159ft lin wl X 17ft 9in x 7ft 9in
46.00, 48.50 x 5.40 x 2.36m
Machinery: 800bhp = 15kts
Armament: l^lOmm AA, 6-25mm AA; 60 DCs or 4 DCs and 2 Kaiten
Complement: ?
CHITOSE class seaplane carriers
These A type coastal escorts, with steel hulls, were designed for mass produc¬
tion, but the only two laid down (No 1 and No 2), although launched, were Displacement: 11,023t standard; 12,350t trial
incomplete in August 1945. Dimensions: 570ft lOin pp, 603ft 4in wl x 61ft 8in x 23ft 8in
174.00, 183.90 x 18.80 x 7.21m
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines plus diesel motors, 4 boilers,
44,000shp/12,800bhp = 29.0kts
Armament: 4—5in/40 DP (2x2), 12-25mm AA, 24 aircraft
Complement: ?

B type coastal escorts (built 1945) Name Builder Launched Fate

Displacement: 280t standard; 285t trial
CHITOSE KureNYd 29.11.1936 Converted 1943
Dimensions: 114ft lOin pp, 123ft wl x 20ft X 8ft
CHIYODA KureNYd 19.11.1937 Converted 1942
35.00, 31.50 x 6.09 x 2.45m
Machinery: 800bhp = 12.5kts
These ships, laid down 1934—35 under the 1931 Programme and completed in
Armament: l-40mm AA, 6-25mm AA; 60 DCs or 8 DCs and 1 Kaiten
July and December 1938, were the first Japanese purpose-built seaplane
Complement: carriers. The seaplane handling area amidships was covered by a large platform,
supported on pillars which also carried the diesel uptakes. There were four
These B type coastal escorts were designed with wooden hulls, and were even catapults. The sterns of both ships were altered in 1941 so that they could carry
simpler in construction than the A type. 22 units within the sequence No and launch 12 midget submarines, the seaplane capacity being halved. They
101-157 were laid down in 1945, but none was launched before the Japanese were converted into conventional light aircraft carriers in 1942-43 (see above),
surrender. Another 78 units planned were never begun. to help offset the heavy carrier losses in the 1942 campaigns.

212
Chitose on trials 18.7.1938

MIZUHO seaplane carrier SHIMANE MARU class aircraft transports

Displacement: 10,929t standard; 11,960t trial (launched 1944—45)
Dimensions: 570ft lOin pp, 602ft 4in wl x 61ft 8in x 23ft 3in Displacement: 1 l,800t standard; 14,270t trial
174.00, 183.60 x 18.80 x 7.08m
Dimensions: 492ft lin pp, 502ft wl, 526ft 7in oa x 65ft 7in x 29ft lOin
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels, 15,200bhp = 22kts 150.00, 153.00, 160.50 x 20.00 x 9.10m
Armament: 6-5in/40 DP (3x2), 12.25mm AA, 24 aircraft Machinery: 1-shaft geared turbines, 2 boilers, 8600shp = 18kts
Complement: >
Armament: 2-4.7in/45, 52-25mm AA, 12 aircraft, 16 DCs

Name Complement: ?
Builder Launched Fate

MIZUHO Kawasaki, Kobe 16.5.1938 Sunk 2.5.42 Class (builder, fate): Shimane Maru (Kawasaki, Kobe, sunk 24.7.45), Otakisan
Maru (Kawasaki, Kobe, sunk incomplete 25.8.45).
Mizuho, laid down in 1937 under the 1937 Programme and completed in These ships, begun as 1TL type standard tankers, were taken over in 1944 for
February 1939, was very similar to the Chitose class but with less powerful conversion. The design, generally resembling Allied escort carriers or merchant
machinery. Four catapults were fitted. She was able to carry and operate midget aircraft carriers, provided for a flight deck 508ft x 75ft, with a single lift to the
submarines from the beginning; when transporting twelve of these, the seaplane hangar below. The overall length above is that of the unconverted tanker design.
capacity was halved. Mizuho was torpedoed by a US submarine. Shimane Maru, although intended as a convoy escort, could not be used because
of shortage of aircraft, pilots and fuel; plans were in hand to convert her to a
coal-burning freighter when she was sunk by US aircraft. The incomplete hull of
NISSHIN seaplane carrier Otakisan Maru was mined postwar. Similar conversions for three other tankers,
Nos 14 and 16 of the 1TL type and one of the 3TL type, planned in 1944—45
Displacement: 11,317t standard; 12,300t trial never began.
Dimensions: 570ft lOin pp, 616ft lOin wl x 64ft 8in x 23ft
174.00, 188.00 x 19.70 x 7.00m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels, 47,000bhp = 28kts
Armament: 6-5.5in/50 (3x2), 18-25mm AA, 20 aircraft YAMASHIRO MARU class aircraft transports
Complement: ?
(launched 1944)
Name Builder Launched Fate Displacement: 10,100grt; 15,613t trial
NISSHIN Kure N Yd 30.11.1939 Sunk 22.7.43 Dimensions: 485ft 7in pp, 516ft 6in oa x 66ft 1 lin x 29ft 6in
148.00, 157.43 x 20. 40 x 9.00m
Nisshin, laid down in 1938 under the 1937 Programme and completed in Machinery: 1-shaft geared turbine, 2 boilers, 4500shp = 15kts
February 1942, was a faster and heavier armed Mizuho; she was fitted for Armament: 16-25mm AA, 8 aircraft, 120 DCs
minelaying, carrying 700 mines and 12 seaplanes as an alternative to 20 sea¬ Complement: 221
planes. There were two catapults. Her stern was altered in the same way as the
Chitose class in 1942, to enable her to operate 12 midget submarines. Nisshin was Class (builder, fate): Yamashiro Maru (Mitsubishi, Yokohama, sunk 17.2.45),
sunk by US aircraft in the south-west Pacific area. Two slightly larger ships of Chigusa Maru (Yokohama, Yokohama, completed 1949 for civilian use).
this type proposed in the 1942 Programme (Nos 863 and 864) were never begun. These ships, begun as 2TL type standard tankers, were chartered by the
Japanese Army in 1944 for an even simpler conversion than the Shimane Maru
SEAPLANE TENDERS (EX-MERCHANT SHIPS) class. The flight deck was much shorter (410ft x 75ft), and the 8 aircraft were
Nine merchant ships were taken over between 1937 and 1942 and adapted as stowed aft, as there was no hangar or lift. Yamashiro Maru was never used
seaplane carriers. The 8 seaplanes carried were launched from two catapults on operationally; she was sunk by US aircraft before plans to convert her to a
the well deck aft and recovered by derrick. Single 6in guns were fitted at bow coal-burning freighter could be implemented. Chigusa Maru was incomplete in
and stern, and 2—13.2mm AA in the bridge wings. The list of ships, which August 1945.
ranged between 6000 and 9000grt, was as follows: KaguMaru, KamikawaMa.ru,
Kimikawa Maru, Kinugasa Maru, Kiyokawa Maru, Kunikawa Maru, Sagara
Maru,Sanuki Maru,Sanyo Maru. Kamikawa Maru was lost as a seaplane tender
in May 1943; the others were re-converted to transports 1941—43. AKITSU MARU class landing ships with flight decks
(launched 1941-42)
Displacement: ll,800t standard
Dimensions: 471ft 7in pp x 64ft x 25ft 9in
143.75 x 19.50 x 7.86m
AKITSUSHIMA flying-boat tender (launched 1941) 2-shaft geared turbines, 4 boilers, 7500shp = 20kts
Machinery:
Displacement: 4650t standard; 4900t trial Armament: 2-3in/40 AA, 10-3in field guns, 20 aircraft
Dimensions: 357ft 7in pp, 370ft 9in wl, 387ft oa x 51ft lOin x 17ft 9in Complement: p
109.00, 113.00, 117.95 x 15.80 x 5.40m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels, 8000bhp = 19kts Class (builder, fate): Akitsu Maru (Harima, Harima, sunk 15.11.44), Nigitsu
Armament: 4-5in/40 DP, 10-25mm AA, 1 large flying boat Maru (Harima, Harima, sunk 12.1.44)
Complement: ? These passenger liners were taken over by the Japanese Army in 1944 while
on the stocks, and modified as landing ships, the 20 landing craft carried being
Akitsushima, laid down by Kawasaki, Kobe, in 1940 under the 1939 Programme launched through stern doors. The bridge and funnel were moved to starboard,
and completed in April 1942, was designed to handle and operate a single large to allow the installation of a 403ft x 74ft flight deck for flying off the ship’s
flying boat. She was sunk by US carrier aircraft 24.9.44. Construction of three aircraft. The single lift was at the after end of this deck. Plans to remove Akitsu
sister-ships, one named Chihaya, plus six of smaller and one of larger type, never Maru’s stern derrick and extend the flight deck to allow landings were never put
into effect. Both ships were torpedoed by US submarines.
began.

213
JAPAN
This class, designed and begun for the Japanese Army, were taken over by the
KUMANO MARU landing ship with flight deck Navy in 1942; in appearance they resembled civilian coasters, with machinery
aft. Their bows were strengthened; when carrying out landings, they would be
(launched 1944) run on to the beach, and vehicles landed through bow doors and down a hinged
Displacement: 8000t standard; 10,330t trial ramp. In 1944-45 the 20mm AA were replaced by 25mm AA. Five further units,
Dimensions: 465ft 9in pp, 501ft oa x 64ft 3m x 23ft numbers not known, were being built in August 1945; four were broken up on
141.96, 152.70 x 19.58 x 7.00m the stocks, and the fifth completed for civilian use.
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 4 boilers, 10,000shp = 19kts
Armament: 8-3in/40 AA, 6-25mm AA, 8 to 37 aircraft
Complement: } T101 class landing ships (launched 1944)
Displacement: 950t standard; 994t trial
Kumano Maru, begun as an M type standard freighter, was taken over by the 236ft 3in pp, 246ft lin wl, 264ft oa X 29ft lOin X 9ft 6in
Dimensions:
Japanese Army while building and modified as a landing ship. The 12 56ft and 72.00, 75.00, 80.47 x 9.10 x 2.89m
13 46ft landing craft were launched through hinged stern doors. A flight deck,
Machinery: 3-shaft diesels, 1200bhp = 13.5kts
360ft lOin X 70ft 6in, allowed the take-off of the aircraft carried, the exact
Armament: l-3in/40 AA, 6-25mm AA
number depending on the type of plane and the number of landing craft carried.
This ship was reconverted to a regular freighter after the war and returned to Complement: 90
civilian use.
Class (fate): T101 (sunk 28.10.44), T102 (sunk 26.10.44), T127 (sunk 24.9.44),
T128 (sunk 4.6.44), T149 (constructive total loss 12.1.45, BU cl946), T150
(sunk 27.7.44)
SHINSHU MARU landing ship (launched 1935) This Navy class was on the same lines as early Allied LST types, the vehicles
Displacement: 9000t standard; 11,800t trial carried being landed on the beach from the drawbridge-type bow. Shortage of
Dimensions: 492ft 2in pp x 72ft 2in x 26ft 9in diesel motors caused most of the planned ships to be completed with geared
150.00 x 22.00 x 8.16m turbines (see T103 class). In May 1944 the light A A armament was increased to
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 8000shp = 19kts 8-25mm, and 12 DCs were added; the light AA armament was further increased
Armament: 5 to 8-3in/40 AA, 20 aircraft to 21-25mm in surviving units in September 1944.
Complement: ?

Shinshu Maru, designed and built by Harima for the Japanese Army, was the
world’s first purpose-built landing ship. Twenty landing craft could be
launched through stern doors, and heavy items of equipment could be dis¬
charged into lighters from large ports on either side amidships. Shinshu Maru
was sunk in shallow water by a stray Japanese torpedo in the Java landings,
1.3.42. She was raised and repaired in 1943, and finally sunk 5.1.45 by US
aircraft off Formosa.

Displacement: 1500t standard; 1770t trial

Dimensions: 292ft pp, 308ft 5in wl, 315ft oa x 33ft 5in x lift lOin
89.00, 94.00, 96.00 x 10.20 x 3.60m
Machinery: 1- shaft geared turbine, 2 boilers, 9500shp = 22kts
Armament: 2- 5in/40 DP (1x2), 15-25mm AA
Complement: ?

Class (fate): 77 (sunk 27.7.44), T2 (sunk 5.8.44), T3 (sunk 14.9.44), T4 (sunk

4.8.44) , T5 (sunk 14.9.44), T6 (sunk 25.11.44), T7 (sunk 27.12.44), T8 (sunk
24.12.44) , T9 (to USA 1947, BU), T10 (sunk 25.11.44), Til (sunk 7.12.44),
T12 (sunk 13.12.44), T13 (to USSR 1947), T14 (sunk 15.1.45), T1S (sunk
17.1.45) , T16 (to China 1947 as Wu I), T17 (sunk 2.4.45), T18 (sunk after
18.3.45) , T19 (to UK 1947, BU), T20 (lost 25.9.46), T21 (sunk 10.8.45), T22
(BU incomplete 1946)
These ships were built between 1943 and 1945 as high-speed, well-armed
landing ships to support isolated island garrisons in the south-west Pacific area.
The design was simple and straightforward, and the 5 landing craft carried were
launched by rails from the stern. The escort and ASW capabilities of the class
were increased in May 1944, when 4 DCTs and 42 DCs were added, and from
September 1944, when the light AA armament was increased to 26-25mm and
5-13.2mm. Surviving units were adapted in 1944-45 to carry 2 Koryu or 6
Kaiten midget submarines, the cargo capacity being reduced. The construction
of 24 further units of this class (T23-T46) was cancelled in 1945.
SS class landing ships (launched 1942-44)
Displacement: 933t trial
Dimensions: 193ft 7in pp, 206ft 9in oa x 31ft 6in X 9ft 2in
59.00, 63.02 x 9.60 x 2.80m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels, llOObhp = 13.5kts
Armament: l-3in/40 AA, 4-20mm AA, 4-7.7mm AA, 1 mortar
Complement: ?
Class (fate): SSI (ex-Koryu Maru, sunk 13.1.45), SS2 (ex-Banryu Maru, sunk
13.9.44) , SS3 (ex-Kairyu Maru, sunk 27.3.44), SS4 (sunk 1944), SS5 (sunk
30.11.44) , SS6 (sunk 4.12.44), ), SS7 (to civilian use 1946), SS8 (sunk), SS9
(sunk 4.12.44), SS10 (sunk), SS11 (sunk 1945), SS12 (to civilian use 1945),
SS13 (to civilian use 1945), SS14 (sunk), SSI5 (sunk), SS16 (lost April 1946),
SS17 (sunk 5.6.45),SS18^SS20 (to civilian use 1945-46),SS21 (sunk 1.6.45),
SS22 (sunk 8.8.45)
T103 class landing ships (launched 1944—45)
Displacement: 870t standard; 1004t trial
Dimensions: 236ft 3in pp, 246ft lin wl, 264ft oa x 29ft lOin x 9ft 8in
72.00, 75.00, 80.47 X 9.10 x 2.94m
Machinery: 1-shaft geared turbine, 2 boilers, 2500shp = 16kts
Armament: l-3in/40 AA, 6-25mm AA
Complement: 90
Class (fate): T103 (sunk 4.7.44), T104 (sunk 13.12.44), T105 (sunk 11.10.44),
T106 (ex-SB/20, sunk 15.12.44), T107 (ex-SB123, sunk 5.1.45), T108 (ex-
SB/25, BUc 1946), 77/0 (to UK 1947, BU), Till (sunk 24.11.44), 77/2 (sunk
5.11.44) , T113 (sunk 25.11.44), 77/4 (sunk 17.2.45), 7'//5 (BU c 1946), T129
(sunk 14.8.44), T130 (sunk 4.7.44), T131 (constructive total loss 12.1.45, BU
cl946), 7732 (sunk 27.12.44), 7733 (sunk 4.8.44), T134 (sunk 4.10.44), 7735
(sunk 18.10.44), T136 (sunk 18.10.44), T137 (to USSR 1947), T138 (sunk
26.10.44) , 7739 (sunk 6.11.44), 7740 (sunk 12.1.45), 774/ (sunk 25.11.44),
7742 (sunk 25.11.44), T143 (sunk 8.2.45), 7744 (BUcl946), T145 (ex-SBUS,
constructive total loss 4.4.45), T146 (ex-SB118, sunk 28.4.45), T147 (ex-
SB112, to UK 1947, BU), T151 (sunk 23.11.44), 7752 (sunk 2.8.44), 7753 (BU
1947), T154 (sunk 5.1.45), T157 (sunk 24.12.44), T158 (sunk 10.10.44), T159
(sunk 12.12.44), 7760 (sunk 24.11.44), 776/ (sunk 25.11.44), T172 (to China as
Lu Shan 1947), 7773 (sunk 22.5.45), T174 (BU 1948), T175 (lost incomplete
18.9.45), T176 (lost incomplete 18.9.45); SB101-SB106 (BU 1947), SB107
(sunk Mar 1945),SB108^SB111 (BU 1947-48), SB112 (to Navy as T147 1945),
SB113 (sunk 28.7.45), SB114 (BU cl947), SB115 (to Navy as 7745 1945),
SB116 (BU 1947), SB117 (BU 1947),SB118 (to Navy as T146 1945),SB119
(BU 1947), SB120 (to Navy as T106 1944), SB121 (BU 1947), SB122 (BU
1947), SB123 (to Navy as T107 1944), SB124 (BU 1947), SB 125 (to Navy as
7705 1944), SB126 (BU 1947), SB127 (BU incomplete 1947), SB128 (BU
incomplete 1947)

214
 Miscellaneous vessels

The 7703 class was a turbine-powered version of the 7707 class, identical
apart from machinery arrangements and a taller, thinner funnel. Army vessels
were prefixed ‘SB’. The armament changes during the war were the same as for
the 7707 class. The following numbers in the Navy sequence were not used:
7709,7776-T126,T148,T1S5,T156,T162,T163,7766-7777 and7777-T203
(the ships which would have had these numbers were either handed over to the
Army, or cancelled). T164 and T16S were cancelled in 1945 while on the stocks.
Six of the Army ships were handed over to the Navy in 1944-45 and renum¬
bered.

In addition to the above, the following cargo vessels were requisitioned while
under construction and converted into landing ships: Mayasan Maru, Tamatsu T2 of the T1 class
Maru, Takatsu Maru, Kibitsu Maru, Hyuga Maru, Settsu Maru and Tokitsu
Maru. All were sunk or irreparably damaged during the war, except Settsu Maru
and Tokitsu Maru which were converted for civilian use after the war. T1 class motor torpedo boats (built 1941)
Displacement: 17t standard; 20.5t full load
T151 on 20.4.1944
Dimensions: 60ft oa x 14ft lin x 2ft 2in
18.30 x 4.30 x 0.65m
Machinery: 1860bhp = 38.5kts
Armament: 2-18in torpedoes (or 6 DCs), 2-7.7mm MG
Complement: 7

This class was designed on similar lines to the 19-metre experimental boat built
in 1940 and comprised six boats, Nos 7-6. Nos 2-6 were war losses, and No 7
was scrapped after the war.

T23, T25 and T31-T39 classes motor torpedo boats

(built 1943-45)
Displacement: 20t standard; 24-25.2t full load
Dimensions: 59ft lin oa x 14ft lin x 2ft 2in-2ft 5in
18.00 x 4.30 x 0.65-0.74m
Machinery: 530bhp = 17kts (T25, T32 lOOObhp = 21.5kts, T31 800bhp
= 20kts, T33 900bhp = 21kts, T34, T38 1400bhp = 27.5kts,
T35 1840bhp = 35kts, T36 800bhp = 21.5kts, T37 1200bhp
= 25kts, T39 1440bhp = 27kts)
Armament: 2-18in torpedoes, l-25mm AA or 1-13.2mm AA
LANDING CRAFT Complement: 7
The standard Japanese landing craft was the 14m (46ft) Daihatsu (naval designa¬
tion; the army designation was LB-D), 3229 of which were built between 1935 The standard Japanese MTB type. The multiplicity of classes was due to the
and 1945. The displacement was 20-21.4t, on dimensions47ft llin x lift x 2ft different machinery installations, which also accounted for the slightly different
6in (14.60 x 3.35 x 0.75m), and the performance 60-150bhp = 7.5-8.5kts. draughts and full load displacements. The 238 units completed were produced
The armament was 2-7.7mm MG (2 or 3-25mm AA in later versions), ten tons in the following sequences: T23: 201-207, 401-410, 451-456; T25: 468,
of cargo could be carried, and there was a crew of 12. Many Daihatsu were 484-488; T31:208-240; T32:301-308; T33:500-505; T34: 757-765; T35.-469,
adapted as anti-submarine patrol craft, with 2-25mm AA and 4 DCs or 482, 483, 494-499, 801-937, 529-537; T36: 477-750, 470-773; T37: 327-?
1-13.2mm AA and 2-21in torpedoes. T38: 241-286,457-467,506,528 and T39: 474-737. At least 34 were sunk or
Various other types, with broadly similar characteristics, were developed irreparably damaged during the war: 402,453 (T23); 279, 220, 222, 223, 225,
from the Daihatsu during the war: 228,232,233,236,239 (T31);500 (J33);482,483,493,496,498,805,806,810,
Type Naval Army Number 812-814,820,823 (T35);476,428 (T36);247,245-247,249-251,254,256,258
designation designation built (T38). The remainder were surrendered, and scrapped in 1946-48.

10m Shohatsu SB-C 20

13m Chuhatsu — ?3
15m Moku Daihatsu — 1140
17m Toku Daihatsu N-L-BD 163

ARMED MERCHANT CRUISERS

Thirteen fast cargo liners and freighters, of between 5000 and 11,000grt and
with speeds of 16.5-21kts, were taken over in 1941—42 and converted into armed
merchant cruisers for commerce raiding. The armament fitted varied: 4 to 8
guns of4.7in, 5.5in or 6in calibre were carried and some ships had seaplanes, TT
or a minelaying capability. The ships converted were the Atkoku Maru, Akagi
Maru, Asaka Maru, Awata Maru, Bangkok Maru, Gokoku Maru, Hokoku Maru,
A T38 type MTB at speed, in June 1944
Kinryu Maru, Kiyozumi Maru, Kongo Maru, Noshiro Maru, Saigon Maru and
Ukushima Maru.
The guns carried were behind fixed shields, and could not be concealed, so
that the ships could not be disguised when raiding. Because of this, and because T14 of the T51 type in June 1944
Allied counter-measures had become relatively effective by 1942—43, the raiding
campaign was unsuccessful. Hokoku Maru was sunk in a celebrated action with
the Indian minesweeper Bengal and the Dutch (mercantile) tanker Ondina on
11.11.42; Akagi Maru and Kongo Maru were sunk by US carrier aircraft, and the
remainder were converted to transports in 1942—43.

19-metre motor torpedo boat (built 1940)

Displacement: 18.7t standard
Dimensions: 62ft 4in oa x 14ft lin x 3ft 1 lin
19.00 x 4.30 x 1.20m
Machinery: 1860bhp = 35kts
Armament: 2-18in torpedoes, 17.7mm MG
Complement: }

This experimental boat underwent comparative trials with the ex-Chinese No 7

and the Italian-built MAS (motor gunboat) No 7 in 1940. Her fate is unknown.

215
JAPAN

T14 class motor torpedo boats (built 1944—45) H35 and H38 classes motor gunboats (built 1943-44)
Displacement: 14.5t full load Displacement: 25t standard (H38 24.8t)
Dimensions: 49ft 2in oa x 12ft x 2ft Dimensions: 59ft lin oa x 14ft lin x 2ft Sin
15.00 x 3.65 x 0.62m 18.00 x 4.30 x 0.74 (H38 0.73)m
Machinery: 920bhp = 33.0kts Machinery: 1840bhp = 34kts (H38 1400bhp = 27kts)
Armament: 2-18in torpedoes, l-25mm AA or 1-13.2mm AA Armament: 3-2 5 mm A A
Complement: 7 Complement: 7

These boats were smaller than the standard type and had a better performance. These two classes had the same hulls and machinery as the T35 and T38 classes
47 boats were completed: Nos 538-5S5, 839-848 and 871-889, of which 549, of motor torpedo-boats. The two types were interchangeable, ie the gunboats
869-877, 879 and 883 were war losses, and the remainder broken up after the could land their four depth charges and the triple 25mm mounting, and be fitted
war, together with the incomplete 890-894. Nos 895-900 were never begun. with 2-18in torpedoes and one 25mm or 13.2mm gun instead. The boats of the
H35 class were numbered in the ranges 27—32 and 201—207, of which at least
one, No2S, was a war loss; theH38 boats were in the ranges 10-26 and51-100 of
which ten, Nos 10, 11, 19, 20, 25, 52, 55, 61, 62 and 67 were war losses;
surviving units were broken up after the war. Three further boats of this type
were used in training Kaiten (human torpedo) pilots. They carried no arma¬
T15 class motor torpedo boats (built 1944—45)
ment, and their fates are unknown.
Displacement: 15t full load
Dimensions: 49ft lOin oa x 12ft 6in x 2ft lin
15.20 x 3.80 x 0.64m
Machinery: 920bhp = 35kts
Armament: 2-18in torpedoes, l-25mm AA or 1-13.2mm AA H61 class motor gunboats (built 1944 - 45)
Complement: 7 Displacement: 25.6t standard
Dimensions: 62ft 4in x 14ft 4in x 2ft 5in
The T15 class was very similar to the T14 class. 29 boats are known to have been 19.00 x 4.38 x 0.73m
built, Nos 1001-1008 and 1011-1031, of which 1013 was a war loss, and the Machinery: 600bhp = 17.5kts
remainder broken up after the war. Armament: 3-25mm AA
Complement: 7

The boats of this class had diesel motors, and were much slower than earlier
types. Like the H35 and H38 classes, they could double as motor torpedo-boats,
carrying 2-18in torpedoes instead of the gun and DC armament. The boats of
T51 class motor torpedo boats (built 1942-45) the H61 class were numbered in the ranges 33-46,101-124 and 218-245, but
Displacement: 75t standard (No 10 80t); 84.2 full load (No 10 90t) not all these were completed (only 105 boats of the H2, 35, 38 and 61 classes
Dimensions: 106ft 3in oa x 16ft 5in x 3ft 8in combined were completed). Nos. 33-36,41,46,102,106,113,222 and 223 were
32.40 x 5.00 x 1.11m war losses, and the remainder were broken up after the war.
Machinery: 3600bhp = 29kts
Armament: 2-18in torpedoes, 3-25mm AA
Complement: 18

These large boats, based on the German S-boats, were intended as division boats
19m type motor launches (built 1936-38)
for the smaller standard craft. 8 DCs were carried, rising to 12 if no torpedoes Displacement: lOt (approx) standard
were fitted. 8 boats were completed, Nos 10-17, of which 10 and 12 were war Dimensions: length 62ft 4in 19.00m
losses and the remainder scrapped after the war, together with the incomplete 18
Machinery: ?bhp = 19kts
and 19. Nos 20-27 and 5441-5458 were never begun.
Armament: 1-7.7mm MG
Complement: ?

About 48 boats of this type, numbered from No 3537, were built. No details of
CAPTURED MOTOR TORPEDO BOATS the fates of individual boats are known.
Full details of the following boats will be found in the appropriate sections of the
different navies.
Ex-Chinese The Chinese motor torpedo boats Nos 1 and 2 were captured at
Canton in 1938. Incorporated in the Japanese Navy in 1939, they were used for
training; their fates are unknown. 15m type motor launches (built 1938-39)
Ex-Dutch The Dutch motor torpedo boats TMIII and 4-21 were scuttled at Displacement: lOt (approx) standard
Soerabaia in March 1942; salvaged, they were repaired and incorporated in the Dimensions: 49ft 2in x 10ft lOin X 1ft 1 lin
Japanese Navy after renumbering: 101 (ex-TMIII), 102 (ex-TM4), 103 (ex- 15.00 x 3.30 x 0.60m
TM6), 104 (ex-TM8), 105 (ex-TM9), 106 (ex-TMlO), 107 (cx-TMll), 108 Machinery: 120bhp = llkts
ex-TM12), 109 (ex-TM13), 110 (tx-TM.14), 111 (ex-TAf/5), 112 (ex-TM5), 113
Armament: 1-13.2mm AA or l-7.7mm MG
(ex-TM7),l 15 (ex-TM16), 116 (ex-TM17), 117 (ex-TM18), 118 (ex-TM19), 119 ?
Complement:
(<tx-TM20), 120 (cx-TM21). The exact correspondence of the renumbering is
not certain. Nos 102,109-113 and 115-117 were war losses, and 103-108 were
About 40 of this type were built for general duties on Chinese rivers; numbers
broken up after the war; the fates of 101 and 118-120 are uncertain.
Ex-Philippine The Philippine motor torpedo boat QIII, scuttled at Corregidor carried were 1035-1038 and others. Some boats had ordinary machinery and
in May 1942, was salvaged and incorporated in the Japanese Navy as No 114. propellers, others had aircraft engines with the propellers in the air. Details of
She was a war loss. the fates of individual boats are not available.

251 type motor launches (built 1940-44)

HI and H2 classes motor gunboats (built 1940, 1942-43)
Displacement: 26t standard
Displacement: 26t standard (H2 24.7t) Dimensions: 59ft x lift 6in X 2ft 4in
Dimensions: 59ft lin oa x 14ft 9in x 2ft 8in (H2 3ft lin) 18.00 x 3.50 x 0.70m
18.00 x 4.50 x 0.82 (0.93)m Machinery: 300bhp = llkts
Machinery: 1840bhp = 33kts (H2 2100bhp = 33.5kts) Armament: 2-13.2mm AA
Armament: 2-20mm AA, 2-7.7mm MG Complement: ?
Complement: 8
Around 80 boats of this type were built for general duties on Chinese rivers;
The HI class boat, No 1, was the prototype, an ex-Italian MAS, built in Italy in numbers carried were 1164-1173, 1179-1180, 1357-1366 and others. The
1940 and used for comparative trials; Nos 2-9 of the H2 class were built in Japan steering position and machinery were protected by bullet-proof plating (0.2in),
in 1942^43. 2 DCs were carried. Nos 1,3,4, 5,7 and 8 were war losses; the and the propellers were in tunnels. Details of the fates of individual boats are not
others were broken up after the war. available

216
 Miscellaneous vessels
The Koryu type had a more powerful diesel motor/generator than the B and C
SHINYO type suicide craft (built 1944-45) types, for quicker battery recharging, and were generally larger and more
Displacement: 1.35—2.15t seaworthy. The surface range was lOOOnm at 8kts and the submerged endurance
Dimensions: 16ft 9in-21ft 4in oa x 5ft 6in-6ft lin x 1ft lin-lft 2in 125nm at 2.5kts. The boats could be used as suicide craft, when an explosive
5.10-6.50 x 1.61-1.86 x 0.33-0.36m charge would replace the torpedoes. Hall, the prototype, was completed in
Machinery: 62-134bhp = 20-28kts January 1945; the use of mass production techniques reduced building time to 2
Armament: months, and it was planned to have 570 boats ready by September 1945.
1—13.2mm AA (Shinyo 5 only), 2—4.7in rockets
However, a shortage of materials and Allied bombing reduced this figure to 115
Complement: 1 (Shinyo 5 2)
(by August) which could be carried into action on the T1 class landing ships (2
Koryu). All remaining boats, whether completed or not, were scrapped after the
These motorboats, the surface equivalent of Kamikaze aircraft, were built in
war.
large numbers from early 1945; the monthly rate was 400-600 boats by the end
of the war, and total production was around 6000. The rockets on either quarter
were designed to spoil the enemy gunners’ aim, and an explosive charge of TNT
- which could be replaced by two depth charges - was in the bow. These boats,
KAIRYU type midget submarines 1945
and the Japanese Army versions (Maru-Ni and K-gata-tei types) had few succes¬ Displacement: 18.94t surface, 18.97t submerged
ses.
Dimensions: 56ft 8in x 4ft 3in x 4ft 3in
11.28 x 1.30 x 1.30m
Machinery: 1-shaft diesel plus electric motor, 85bhp/80bhp =
A type midget submarines (built 1934-42) 7.5kts/10kts
Displacement: Armament: 2-18in torpedoes
45.3t submerged
Dimensions: Complement: 2
78ft Sin oa x 6ft lin x 6ft lin
23.90 x 1.85 x 1.85m
Machinery: The Kairyu type, for local defence, was a reduced A type, with side fins (the
1- shaft electric motor, 600hp (submerged) = 19-24kts
prototype S-Kanamono boat was an actual A type, modified); the two torpedoes
Armament: 2- 18in TT
carried were slung on either side below the hull. The boats could be used as
Complement: 2
suicide craft, when a 600kg (13201b) explosive charge would replace the tor¬
pedoes. The surface range was 450nm at 5kts and the submerged endurance
This class comprised numbers/,2 (1934), Hal and Ha2 (1936), Ha3-Ha52 and 36nm at 3kts. These boats could be built in 30 days; production began in
Ha54-Ha61 (1938-42), the first two built without, and the others with, conning February 1945, and it was planned to have 760 ready by September 1945;
towers. They were designed for use in a fleet action or for attacking defended however, the actual figure by August was 212 boats. All Kairyu boats, whether
harbours (submerged endurance was 17nm at 19kts or 80nm at 2kts), and could completed or not, were scrapped after the war.
be launched from the large seaplane carriers and the Cl class submarines; their
operations included the attacks on Pearl Harbor, Sydney and Diego Suarez
(Madagascar). The remaining A type boats were relegated to training as new
midget submarine classes were developed.

B and C types midget submarines (built 1943—44)

Displacement: 49t submerged
Dimensions: 81ft 8in oa x 6ft 2in x 6ft 2in
24.90 x 1.88 x 1.88m
Machinery: 1-shaft diesel plus electric motor, 40bhp/600shp =
6.5kts/18,5kts
Armament: 2-18in TT
Complement: 3

The main problem of the A type boats was the lack of a diesel motor/generator
for recharging batteries during an operation; this was remedied in the one B type
boat, Ha53, which was the prototype for the 15 C type, Ha62-Ha76. The
surface range was 350nm at 6.5kts, and the submerged endurance 120nm at
4kts; these boats could be carried on the T1 class landing ships. The A Type 1 Kaiten aboard Kitakami 26.2.1945
M-Kanamono type was a minelaying version of the C type, carrying four mines
instead of two torpedoes; one boat of this type was built in 1944-45.

KAITEN 1 type human torpedoes (built 1944—45)

C type midget No 69 aboard the landing ship TS, 17.8.1944
Displacement: 8.2t submerged
Dimensions: 48ft 5in x 3ft 3in x 3ft 3in
14.15 x 1.00 x 1.00m
Machinery: 550bhp = 30kts
Armament: -
Complement: 1

These craft were based on the body of a Type 93 torpedo and about 400 were
built. They were for last-ditch coastal defence, and were also carried in specially
adapted surface ships and submarines. They were fitted with a 1550kg (34101b)
warhead. In early versions an escape hatch enabled the pilot to escape once he
had set the craft on a collision course, but later versions were without the hatch,
and were thus analogous to the Shinyo motor boats and Kamikaze aircraft.

KAITEN 2 and 4 types human torpedoes (built 1945)

Displacement: 18.lt submerged (Kaiten 4 18t)
Dimensions: 54ft lin x 4ft 5in x 4ft 5in
16.50 x 1.35 x 1.35m
Machinery: 1500bhp = 40kts
D type (KORYU) midget submarines (built 1944-45) Armament: -
Complement: 2
Displacement: 58.4t submerged
Dimensions: 86ft lin oa x 6ft 8in x 6ft 7in
The Kaiten 2 was powered by a special hydrogen peroxide engine, but shortages
26.25 x 2.04 x 2.00m
and Allied bombing prevented more than a few being built; the Kaiten 4 reverted
Machinery: 1-shaft diesel plus electric motor, 150bhp/500shp =
to the standard liquid oxygen engine, but had a larger warhead, 1800kg (39601b)
8kts/16kts
as against 1550kg (34101b). The total output of Kaiten 2 and 4 is believed to have
Armament: 2-18in TT
been only about 20 craft (the Kaiten 3 was an experimental craft which was not
Complement: 5 put into production).

217
Germany
The evolution of the post-WWI navy of the German Republic reflected
the political complications that accompanied the rebirth of the entire
nation at that time. The Vorlaufige Reichsmarine (‘interim’ German
Navy) was established by law on 16 April 1919 under the command of
Vice-Admiral von Trotha. Before really defining the future role of the
navy he faced his first big problem. Backed by von Trotha and believ¬
ing that the German people - angry about the strong terms of the
Versailles T reaty - would agree with his decision that ‘the honour of the
navy’ must be saved, Vice-Admiral Ludwig von Reuter, on 21 June
1919, ordered the scuttling of all German ships interned at Scapa Flow.
As compensation, the Allies demanded that further warships be deli¬
vered, and the optimists among the German leadership had to abandon
the belief that the ceded vessels could be used to form the core of a new
navy; the naval terms of the Versailles Treaty and the pronouncements
of the Allied Military Control Commission remained unchanged. All
that was left to Germany were the elements of a thoroughly antiquated
coast-defence force: 8 pre-dreadnoughts (including 2 in reserve) which
had been withdrawn from active service during World War I, 8 light
cruisers (2 reserve), 16 destroyers and 16 torpedo-boats (4 of each in
reserve). New construction was severely limited in terms of displace¬
ment, armament and launching schedules; submarines were strictly
forbidden (as was military aviation), and many coastal fortifications
had to be dismantled. However, the limit on personnel was much more
important than all these materiel restrictions, since the Reichsmarine
was allowed to comprise a maximum of only 15,000 officers and men.
EARLY DEVELOPMENTS
In the early postwar years, great numbers of ex-imperial Navy sailors
and officers were fighting in the Marinefreikorps in what was virtually a
civil war against the insurgent Communists and radical Socialists, this
‘red army’ also being partially composed of ex-sailors. The Marine-
freikorps later became the famous .Brigade Rode and Brigade Loewenfeld;
theseBrigaden were later disbanded and the ex-naval personnel concen¬
trated in the Brigade Erhardt. The problem of what to do with this ‘grey
navy’ was an important one, since were they to be counted as naval
personnel there would be little room left for ‘real’ sailors to man the
ships. A revolt against the Versailles Treaty was planned, and on 13
March 1920 the Brigade Erhardt occupied Berlin during the Kapp-
Liittwitz uprising. Navy counter-riots at Kiel and Wilhelmshaven were
among the many factors that led to the establishment of a Socialist
government.
The Socialists were naturally suspicious of w>n Trotha and strong
pressure-groups demanded that he be relieved of duty; they had their
way, and in October 1920 he was replaced by Admiral Paul Behnke.
The task facing the new head of the Reichsmarine was to consolidate the
navy, build a fresh structure of authority, and train a new generation of
naval officers. The Bildungsinspektion (Training Department) under
Rear-Admiral Erich Raeder thus became the vital element in a tiny
naval administration.
It is a significant fact that the aims of the Reichsmarine were not
imposed by the government or by the ministry of the Reichswehr, but
defined by the navy itself; they were set forth in a September 1920
memo by Rear-Admiral William Michaelis:
1 The imposition of authority and the laws of the state in coastal areas
2 The control of territorial waters along the German coast
3 The prevention of piracy in German waters
4 The defence of the coasts against annexation by other coastal states
nearby
5 The control of coastal sealanes, especially those to East Prussia
6 The carrying out of courtesy visits overseas ‘to demonstrate the
standards of efficiency and the attitudes of the whole nation’
7 The provision of security against a blockade by smaller Baltic
countries
8 The carrying out of ‘cultural duties’ such as hydrographic survey,
fishery protection and oceanography
Nevertheless, at the end of the period of the Vorlaufige Reichsmarine
(31 March 1921), conservative forces and the former high-ranking
officers of the Imperial Germany Navy had quickly established them¬
selves, either in the Army or in the administration; by a law of 31 March
1921 the Reichswehr was founded, together with the Reichsmarine, both
services being composed of regular soldiers. In the years under Behnke
the duties of the Reichsmarine were close to those defined by Michaelis.
In October 1923 the crew of the cruiser Hamburg put down a Commun¬
ist uprising in the city of the same name.
The first overseas visits, in the early 1920s, were restricted to North
Sea and Baltic ports by budgetary considerations, the first world cruise
not taking place until 1927-28. Old, worn-out ships were gradually
modernised, concentrating mainly on the installation of new boilers
since the existing ones had long since become unsafe to operate; higher
speeds could thus be reached faster, although the 17—18kts maximum
was still far too slow. The first new vessel of any size — the cruiser
Emden - was laid down in 1921 but because of the muddled political
situation and the country’s economic condition took four years to
build.
THE RISE OF RAEDER
In 1924 Vice-Admiral Hans Zenker became Behnke’s successor,
remaining in office until 1928. An evaluation of possible conflicts with
Poland showed that her ally, France, could be the future naval enemy,
so German naval strategy had as its primary tasks the free flow of
German North Sea shipping and the repulse of any French task force
that might enter the Baltic. It was believed that Britain and the United
Tirpitz fitting out
in 1940
States would remain neutral in a development such as this. The con¬
struction of new ships in the early 1930s for the Reichsmarine - light
cruisers, destroyers and torpedo-boats, even the Schamhorst and Hip-
per classes - must be seen in this context.
The second aspect of German naval strategy arose from the simple
question of what was to happen with the training cruisers deployed
overseas if a conflict broke out. A steadily growing school of young
naval officers claimed that these units should not return but carry out
disruptive operations against French interests overseas; thus was born
the strategy of long-range commerce raiding using surface vessels.
The leadership of the Reichsmarine was not entirely in tune with the
Reichstag, and their acceptance of the Weimar Republic was relatively
cool. On the other hand, the German political parties had something of
a love-hate relationship with regard to the armed forces. For example,
the ‘Panzerschiff question’ was an important issue in the 1928 Reichstag
elections, the German Socialist Party (SPD) campaigning under the
slogan ‘Food not P anzerkreuzer’. The opinions of the German naval
leadership concerning the Volkerbund were similarly significant. As the
terms of the Versailles Treaty were basically incorporated into the
Volkerbund laws, the German militarists regarded them as an instru¬
ment imposed by the victorious Allies to keep Germany in her place.
Even so, unlike the Army, the Navy regarded participation in the
Volkerbund as useful for naval re-armament and Germany’s acceptance
as one of Europe’s major powers.
This first decade of the new republic was a time of social movement;
the high-ranking officers from the old Imperial German Navy began to
retire or otherwise left the service and a generation of new, technocratic
officers appeared. The Reichsmarine was interested in taking part in any
talks about worldwide armament reductions (which would imply the
acceptance of Germany as one of the major naval powers), but at the
same time the secret development of ‘forbidden’ weapons was initiated.
Steps were taken to found a naval air arm (various activities were going
on in Sweden) and to keep up to date with submarine development (by
setting up a foreign-based design bureau). One of the people involved
in these activities was Kapt z S Lohmann, the head of the Seetransport-
abteilung (Ocean Transport Department), who had a sound economic
background and good contacts with shipping companies. His depart¬
ment began to co-ordinate clandestine developments with and orders
for industry. He managed to conceal the nature of his activities by
creating a chain of fictitious firms across Europe, taking his money
from the Ruhrfonds (a secret fund subscribed to by the Ruhr industries)
and by selling surplus stocks of wartime military equipment, including
old ships. However, after the collapse of one of the country’s largest
companies, Phoebus AG, a Berlin newspaper quickly uncovered the
fact that Lohmann had been engaged to create a powerful propaganda
and advertising instrument to further Germany’s naval adventures.
Although public opinion dismissed the whole thing as the ‘Phoebus
affair’, and despite the fact that Lohmann retired and died in 1928, the
Reichsmarine was acutely embarrassed. To avoid such happenings in
future, the surreptitious re-armament programme was removed from
the official budget and financed by a secret ‘B-Budget’ known only to a
handful of people.
At a more public level, the ‘pocket-battleship’ quarrel (Panzer-
schiffsfrage) became one of the most controversial issues of German
domestic policy, characterised by an overwhelming Socialist rejection
of this type of ship. In this situation the Reichsmarine needed a new C in
C with a fresh outlook - a candidate acceptable to all parties. This was
to be Erich Raeder. Soon after World War I, this ‘right-hand man’ of
von Trotha was considered to have a very important future. Following
the Kapp-Liittwitz uprising his superiors managed to ‘hide’ him unul
1922 in the Naval Historical Library. During this period he wrote two
volumes of the official German World War I naval history concerning
surface raider operations. These books show very clearly his preference
for a worldwide commerce raiding system carried out by surface units,
a doctrine which was fostered by his experience of witnessing the High
Seas Fleet lying impotent for most of the war, inactive in harbour and
unable to change the course of events, and one which formed his later
naval strategy. Chief of Staff to Admiral Hipper during the early years
of World War I, he was head of the Training Department from 1922
until 1924; in 1925 he became chief of the Baltic Station, one of the
three top positions in the Reichsmarine. The leadership of this sober-
minded professional with a strict moral code was characterised by his
painstaking attention to detail and his authoritarian outlook. He did
have political leanings but insisted on keeping the Navy out of political
arguments and maintaining good relationships with all political fac¬
tions within the Weimar Republic. He was cautious enough not to push
forward too energetically the Reichsmarine’s enthusiasm for a prog¬
ramme of new ships to replace the older units: Panzerschiff ‘B’ (the later
Admiral Scheer) was not accepted by the Reichstag until 1931, and the
Schiffbauersatzplan (replacement construcuon programme) not until
1932. The latter called for the build-up of a new German naval force
(Phase I 1930-36, Phase II (secret) 1936-43) and was innocuously
referred to as the Umbauplan (rebuilding plan), but it was in fact the
first official step to renege on the terms of the Versailles Treaty by the
government, although the financial viability of the programme was
very uncertain owing to the economic crisis.
The 1932 Geneva disarmament conference (to which Germany was
invited for the first time) achieved no positive results towards a halt in
international naval arms development, the delegates focussing mainly
on questions concerning land forces. In 1933 the National Socialist
German Labour Party (NSDAP) obtained a majority in the Reichstag,
and Adolf Hitler became chancellor. Hitler’s political aims were
219
GERMANY
centred around a clear rejection of the terms of Versailles and the
re-arming of the Army and Navy to re-establish Germany as a world
power, but he quickly realised that a massive military build-up would
provoke both the Soviet Union and Great Britain, and this explains his
wish to get a naval agreement with the latter, to ‘have his back free’ for
the struggle with Communism. He also tried to use his influence in the
design of capital ships.
The 1935 Anglo-German Naval Agreement established the ‘35 per
cent formula’: Germany was allowed to build 35 per cent of the British
warship tonnage in aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers, destroyers,
etc; in submarine tonnage, 45 per cent could be built as a first stage,
with parity to follow at a later date. In the ensuing years Britain tried to
keep arms reduction talks going with all the naval powers, but nothing
significant was ever achieved. On 28 April 1939 Hitler repudiated the
Anglo-German naval agreement completely.
NEW STRATEGIES
In the years from 1933 to 1937 the overall Reichsmarine (Kriegsmarine
from 21 May 1935) strategy changed to one involving primarily Atlan¬
tic warfare; France was regarded as the future enemy. During the
Spanish Civil War, Germany was a member of the international Non-
Intervention Committee (NIC), and units of the Kriegsmarine carried
out patrol duties. German naval aid to Franco was on a far smaller scale
than that provided by the Luftwaffe or the Heer; it consisted only of
some one dozen advisers training Spanish sailors and helping in naval
administration and development, the patrolling units of the Kriegs¬
marine NIC detachment remaining neutral.
Hitler showed great interest in all naval questions, knowing astonish¬
ing details out of reference books by heart. He was demanding a
battleship force because he needed powerful ships for his aggressive
policy and as a strong lever in international politics. During the crisis in
May 1938 it became evident to the German naval hierarchy for the first
time that Hitler believed that a naval confrontation with Britain was
possible. He ordered the battleships ‘F’ and ‘G’ (Bismarck and Tirpitz)
to be finished ahead of schedule, the submarine programme to be
accelerated, the battlecruisers Schamhorst and Gneisenau to be upgun-
ned, and the construction of six ‘H’ class battleships to be completed
with all despatch. Raeder had a different opinion as to how Britain
might be defeated: he knew that the only chance would be extensive
commerce raiding on the high seas. This would require more ‘pocket-
battleships’, long-range light cruisers, scouts (Spahkreuzer) and sub¬
marines; a mighty battle fleet would be as useless as it had been in
World War I because Britain would again blockade the North Sea.
During internal discussions within the Navy, this original concept was
modified in order to accommodate Hitler’s battleship ambitions, and
thus was born the ‘Z-Plan’ - although in its intitial version it was
rejected by theFiihrer. He countered Raeder’s opposition by threaten¬
ing the appointment of a civilian overlord for the whole programme of
naval construction, just as he had appointed Dr Fritz Todt to show the
‘lazy’ Army how the NSDAP wanted those programmes to be man¬
aged. The final ‘Z-Plan’ was adopted on 1 March 1939 and consisted of
the following ships, which would remain in commission until 1948
(figures in parentheses give the numbers of ships to be commissioned,
or under construction, in 1939): 4 aircraft carriers (2); 8 battleships (4);
5 battlecruisers (2); 8 heavy cruisers (8, including the ‘pocket-
battleships’); 13 light cruisers (9); 22 scouts (-); 68 destroyers (30); 90
torpedo-boats (36); 249 submarines (129); 302 small fighting vessels
(187); 10 mineships/minelayers (3); and 909 auxiliaries (123). (It must
be pointed out that German sources and books differ surprisingly in the
figures for the ‘Z-Plan’; the figures given here are based on the projects
quoted in this book.) The plan overruled the contention of Donitz and
his sympathisers that the real ‘equalisers’ in a war with Britain would be
the submarines and that U-boat production should be given top prior¬
ity.
Shortly before World War II the situation within the Kriegsmarine
was therefore schismatic. Hitler, who in his early political career had
criticised the Imperial German Navy’s concept of a vast battle fleet as
being only a source of Communist-inspired mutinies, and now sanc¬
tioned a huge fleet as a political instrument. The Kriegsmarine, believ¬
ing in the strategy of long-range surface commerce raiding, had to live
with a naval construction programme not only consisting of a powerful
surface fleet, but also including a medium-sized submarine arm. It is
220
questionable whether a task force composed of a carrier, H class
battleships, ‘P’ class cruisers and scouts could have operated success¬
fully without any base and being supplied only from ships.
The acceleration of this ambitious building programme created an
acute shortage of materials (especially high-grade steel) and dockyard
personnel. In addition there arose a fierce struggle and deteriorating
relationships among the three services as each strove for priority treat¬
ment - one must keep in mind that at the same time the German panzer
divisions were forming, and Goring was rapidly building up his bomber
fleet. The creation of an operational naval air arm was also being
jeopardised by Goring’s insistence that ‘everything with wings belongs
to me’. In 1939, all the capital ships in commission had had their design
characteristics heavily interfered with by political requirements, only
two genuine battleships were in the final stages of fitting out, and the
construction of the carrier was being delayed by technical problems and
the lack of interest shown by the Luftwaffe.
Remaining in the background through all this discussion about
warship details and naval programmes amongst technicians, militarists
and politicians was a man working to build up and train the nucleus of
the future German submarine fleet - Karl Donitz. When he became
commander of the U-boat arm in 1935 he had no precise orders from
the Naval High Command (Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine, or OKM),
and was able to assume personal responsibility for its running, thereby
developing the famous Rudeltaktik. Dontiz regarded the submarine as a
torpedo-carrying vessel operating on the surface, attacking at night and
being able to dive in case of emergency. He believed that the Allied
convoy system would be quickly reintroduced in the event of a war with
Britain, and championed the method of operating submarines in strong
‘wolfpacks’ (Rudel). However, in August 1939 only 51 German U-boats
were operational - far too few to operate in packs, since only one-third
of the boats could be in action at any one time, another third being on
their outward or homeward voyages and the remaining third being in
port under refit.
WORLD WAR II
When war with Poland was declared on 1 September 1939, the Kriegs¬
marine had taken its precautions: the ‘pocket-battleship’ Admiral Graf
Spee had left Germany on 21 August 1939, destination South Atlantic,
and her sister-ship Deutschland had left on the 28th, destination North
Atlantic; between 19 and 21 August, 21 submarines had sailed to take
up waiting positions around the British Isles, commanded by men who
would soon become famous - Prien, Schepke, Kretschmer, Schultze,
Schuhardt and others. After the declaration of war by France and Great
Britain, the Kriegsmarine surface raiders, after a three-week standby,
began to carry out their duties. Naval operations against Poland were
only a minor part of that particular Blitzkrieg. In the North Sea,
destroyers covered by light cruisers laid mine barrages.
The OKM carried out its programme of surface commerce raiding
very audaciously with its small numbers of ships, anxious to reverse the
reputation for cowardice that built up around the Imperial German
Navy in World War I. This led, of course, to spectacular losses of ships
engaged on raiding missions: Admiral Graf Spee had to be scuttled in
the Rio de la Plata estuary after battle damage and a slick propaganda
exercise by the British that convinced her commander that he was
heavily outgunned. During the attack on Norway the Germans had
suffered ship losses that might be considered acceptable in view of the
value of the objective, but it was nevertheless impossible to replace
these ships during the war. The brand new cruiser Bliicher was sunk in
the narrows near Oslo, the light cruisers Konigsberg and Karlsruhe were
lost off central Norway, and at Narvik half the German destroyer force
had to be scuttled. Bismarck was sunk in 1941 after an unlucky torpedo
hit had smashed her rudders.
After the loss of Bismarck the Allies began systematically to hunt
down and sink the widespread network of German supply ships; com¬
merce raiding with capital ships was brought to an end. Hitler feared
the loss of more capital ships and also anticipated an Allied invasion of
Norway, so he ordered most of them there to form a ‘fleet in being’;
however, vast quantities of oil were being transferred to Italy, so
cutting down the activities of German capital ships anyway. At the
same time, the U-boats were gaining incredible victories, convincing
Hitler that capital ships were completely outdated instruments of sea
power.

The German Fleet at Kiel about 1937
The final clash on this question came after the convoy battle near
Bear Island, the German Operation ‘Rainbow’, on 31 December 1942
and 1 January 1943. The heavy cruisers Admiral Hipper and Liitzow
made an attempt to intercept the eastbound convoy JW-51B and ran
into its British cruiser escort. Hipper was badly damaged and the
destroyer Z/6 (Friedrich Eckhold) sunk; during the battle, the recon¬
naissance submarine U354 radioed ‘I see only red’. Hitler believed that
the whole convoy was burning and that he could awaken the German
nation on the first day of the new year with a special announcement
claiming an important victory. Owing to a chain of unfortunate events,
communications being disrupted by bad weather, and the task force
commander observing strict radio silence, the impatient Hitler did not
receive the first garbled reports until the afternoon. When he realised
that nothing had been achieved and, on the contrary, that Hipper had
been damaged and one of the destroyers lost, he exploded with one of
his most startling outburts of the entire war. All capital ships had to be
scrapped immediately, as they only consumed manpower and repair
facilities and led to a loss of prestige after every action. Erich Raeder
now fought his last battle as C in C of the German Navy. He prepared an
exhaustive memo, pointing out the fleet’s role as deterrent; he sought to
demonstrate how small the profit really was when men, guns and
materiel belonging to the Navy were used in the Westwall fortifications.
As a final salvo, he observed that ‘the paying-off of large surface units
will be a victory gained by our enemies without any effort on their part’.
Hitler insisted that his order was irrevocable, and Raeder resigned on
30 January 1943. Karl Donitz, the only admiral Hitler considered to
have made a significant contribution to the war at sea, through his work
as head of the U-boat arm, was installed as his successor. One of the
first things Donitz realised on taking up supreme command was that
the surface fleet must not be sacrificed as Hitler wanted. By all means,
he argued, it could be cut down, but it must not be scrapped. Within
three weeks he had succeeded where Raeder had failed, and the fleet
got its reprieve. But the time for great doings by German capital ships
was over; the remaining vessels acted only as training units and as the
‘fleet in being’, and were later destroyed one after the other by Allied
attacks. At the end of the war only two major surface ships were
operational — the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen and the light cruiser
Niirnberg. Submarine warfare reached its peak in 1943; from then on
the U-boats were hunted remorselessly by the Allies, and all attempts to
regain the intitiative by developing new types came too late.
The allocation of the surviving units of the Kriegsmarine and of
merchant ships after the war proved to be a very delicate problem.
Russian opinion was very simple - Stalin wanted one-third of all
German ships, as the Soviet Union’s naval forces were ill-equipped.
The Americans were not interested in acquiring German fighting units
(the US Navy had by 1945 rapidly developed into the world’s leading
seaborne force) but they did wish to inspect and study German innova¬
tions and techniques. The main British interest lay with the U-boats;
Britain wanted to study them, take over all the useful innovations, and
then destroy the vessels to remove once and for all this instrument of
naval power that had so nearly decided the war. But both Western allies
needed a large amount of merchant tonnage for the planned invasion of
m
ijr. h
Japan. Britain, moreover, suggested that France should also get a
portion of the German ships. The discussions at the Potsdam Confer¬
ence in July turned out to be very difficult: Stalin was very determined,
Roosevelt was sick, and Churchill was not to remain British Prime
Minister for very much longer. The final document, signed on 1
August 1945, was a fair compromise which accommodated all opinions.
The Soviet Union got one-third of all surviving German warships and
would get one-third of the German merchant tonnage after hostilities
with Japan had been concluded. She would fit out the new Polish Navy
with ships from her own yards. The United States and Great Britain
proposed that all German merchant shipping be placed under the
control of the Combined Shipping and Adjustment Board and the
United Maritime Authority until the end of the war with Japan. Britain
would supply warships from her own inventory to the new navies of
France, Belgium and the Netherlands. A further US proposal was that
at least all riverine and coastal vessels should remain German property,
because she feared that in the event of a complete breakdown of
German postwar industry she would have to pay war reparations to the
Soviet Union indirectly via her Marshall Aid Plan.
Three general features of the equipment of large German naval
fighting units were very similar in all ships, and so they are not covered
in great detail in the individual class notes:
Shipboard aircraft All German capital ships were equipped with
floatplanes to be launched by catapults. From 1934 light cruisers and
the ‘pocket-battleships’ carried the Heinkel He 60 biplane. From 1938
it was planned to replace the outdated He 60 by the new Heinkel He
114, but this aircraft did not meet the requirements satisfactorily,
serving only on board Gneisenau in 1938. The last He 114s were carried
on board the raiders Atlantis, Widder and Pinguin. From 1939 the
Arado Ar 196 floatplane became the standard equipment for large
German warships.
Close-range anti-aircraft weapons The Kriegsmarine, in common
with all other navies at the time, grossly underestimated the menace of
attack from the air, and ships were armed only with the 20mm C30
single and the semi-automatic 37mm/83 C30 twin before the war.
During the early war years, a ‘navalised’ version of the Army’s
famous 20mm quadruple mounting was introduced - the 20mm C38M
(‘M’ = Marine). These weapons were located in former searchlight
positions, on special sponsons or on turret roofs. The older type 37mm
was subsequently replaced by the fully-automatic 37mm/83 M42
(Modell 1942). In 1944, 20mm singles were generally replaced by the
20mm C38 in M44 shielded twin mountings. In addition, the Swedish
40mm/70 Bofors 28 was introduced in 1944 in small numbers on board
capital ships and destroyers. None of these weapons was radar-
controlled. By the end of hostilities a few ships had been armed with
launchers for unguided 73mm Fohn rockets, but more powerful close-
range AA weapons (30mm and 55mm) were still at the development
stage.
Radar equipment In 1934 the Kriegsmarine was showing keen inter¬
est in the first radar sets developed by GEMA, a company specially
221
GERMANY
established for the purposes of producing such equipment. From
1938/39, several large vessels were fitted with the Seetakt set working
on an 80cm wavelength. During the opening stages of the war this
radar, useful only for navigation and detection, was the standard set
carried by German capital ships. Its significant antenna (‘mattress’) was
installed in front of the rangefinder cupolas. Developments with enemy
radar systems led to a tactical misinterpretation in respect of active
radar by the German authorities: as well as ‘radio silence’, they also
adopted ‘radar silence’ (Funkmesstille), claiming that it was too danger¬
ous to use detectable radar beams and relying on their superior optical
rangefinding devices. So a great number of passive radar detection
systems were developed — Metox, Naxos, etc. Late in the war, Hohent-
wiel was introduced; this consisted of a smaller, independent ‘mattress’
installed above the Seetakt antenna. Towards the end of 1944, the
Berlin, a system copied from the British H2S set and working on the
incredible wavelength of 9cm, became available, but this was installed
only on board Prinz Eugen and three destroyers.
In general terms, it can be said that before the war and during the
first two years of hostilities Germany possessed superior radar equip¬
ment; later in the war German scientists were unable to come to terms
with shorter wavelengths and so could not keep in step with enemy
radar developments.

THE GERMAN NAVY in 1922

1921-32. In 1932 she was converted into a cadet training ship: she was given 8
new boilers, the redundant boiler rooms being used as dormitories; one funnel
was removed; a heavy, tubular mast was installed; and the TT were removed.
Schlesien, which served 1927-34, was modified along similar lines in 1936. The
secondary armament of both ships was reduced to 12-150mm in 1931 and
10-150mm in 1935, and was removed altogether in 1939. AA armament was 2 to
4-88mm/45 C13 in 1927,4-37mm and 4-20mmin 1936,6-105mm in 1937, and
10-40mm/70 Bofors 28 and 22-20mm C38 in 1944. Schleswig-Holstein was
bombed by the RAF on 18.12.44 whilst undergoing a refit at Deutsche Werke,
Gotenhafen; she was decommissioned 25.1.45 and broken up in situ. Schlesien
was mined off Usedom Island on 3.5.45 and scuttled off Swinemtinde two days
later. The wreck was broken up between 1952 and 1957.

CRUISERS
Name Launched Disp (std) Fate

Gazelle class
NIOBE* 18.7.1899 2617t To Yugoslavia
1925
NYMPHE* 21.11.1899 2617t BU 1932
THETIS 3.7.1900 2617t BU 1930
BATTLESHIPS AMAZONE 6.10.1900 2617t BU 1954
MEDUSA 5.12.1900 2617t BU 1948-50
Name Launched Disp (std) Fate
ARCONA 22.10.1902 2617t BU 1948-50
Braunschweig class Bremen class
BRAUNSCHWEIG 20.12.1902 13,000t Stricken 13.3.31 HAMBURG 25.7.1903 3220t BU 1956
ELSASS 26.5.1903 13,000t Stricken 31.3.31 BERLIN 22.9.1903 324 It Scuttled 1947
HESSEN 18.9.1903 13,000t To USSR 1946
13,000t Stricken 5.4.29 * Reserve
PREUSSEN* 30.10.1903
LOTHRINGEN* 27.5.1904 13,000t Stricken 31.3.31
Deutschland class Gazelle class
HANNOVER 29.9.1905 12,983t BU 1944-46 These prewar light cruisers were modernised in the early 1920s and used as
SCHLESIEN 28.5.1906 12,983t Scuttled 5.5.45 training ships. All were armed with 10-105mm/40(5x2)and 2-450mmTT sub.
SCHLESWIG- 7.12.1906 12,983t Sunk 18.12.44 Niobe was sold to Yugoslavia in 1925, was renamed Dalmacija, and served as a
HOLSTEIN training cruiser. In 1941 she was captured by the Italians and commissioned as
Cattaro, but in 1943 she was taken over with other units of the Italian fleet by
* Reserve Germany, reverting to her original name. She was torpedoed by the British
These eight units formed the backbone of the depleted German Navy in 1922, MTB267 at Silba Island, ‘cannibalised’ by Yugoslav partisans and broken up in
but since service strength was restricted to 15,000 men only four of the six active situ 1947-49. Nymphe and Amazone were modernised in the early 1920s, when
vessels could be operational at any given time. they were given new bows, increasing length oa to 356ft 7in. Nymphe served
1924—29 and Amazone 1920-29, but both were stricken 31.3.31. Amazone
Braunschweig class continued in use as an accommodation hulk at Kiel and as such survived World
The secondary armament was reduced in this class and most of the 88mm guns War II. Thetis was in service during the 1920s before being stricken 31.3.31.
were removed. Braunschweig served 1922-26 and Elsass 1924-30. Hessen was in Arcona and Medusa were stricken 1929-30 but survived to be converted into
service 1925-34 but in 1935-36 was converted into a radio-controlled target floating AA batteries in 1942. They were re-armed with 4-105mm/65 C33
ship, having 4 new automatic Navy oil-burning boilers installed, thereby (2x2), l-105mm/45 C32, 2-37mm/83 and 4-20mm. Their machinery was
increasing output to 18,000ihp and speed to 20 kts. She was ceded to the Soviet removed, but displacement rose slightly to 3090t max. Both ships were scuttled
Union in 1946 and renamed Tsel; her ultimate fate is unknown. Preussen and 3.5.45 and later scrapped.
Lothringen, in reserve, were disarmed and used as F-boat tenders from 1918-19.
After Preussen was scrapped, a 200ft midships section was retained and used as a Bremen class
target for explosives tests; this section, nicknamed ‘SMS Vierkant’ (lit: ‘even The two surviving units of this class had been re-armed in 1920, with 10 (Berlin
keel’), was scuttled at Wilhelmshaven in April 1945. 8) 105mm/45 and 2-500mm TT aw; Berlin was modernised 1921-22 and fitted
with a new bow which increased length to 362ft lOin wl, 373ft 4in oa. Both
Deutschland class vessels were used as accommodation ships at Kiel from 1935-36. Hamburg was
Hannover served 1921-27 and was stricken in 1935. Her planned conversion to a bombed and sunk in late 1944, raised in 1949 and broken up two years later;
radio-controlled target ship was not proceeded with. Schleswig-Holstein served Berlin was scuttled in the Skagerrak in 1947 loaded with poison gas shells.

222
 The German Navy in 1922

DESTROYERS MINESWEEPERS (launched 1916-19, 515-690t)

Name Launched Disp (std) Fate Name Service Fate
VI 11.9.1911 670t Stricken 27.3.29 M28 Trial ships Pelikan 11.3.29; GMSA 1945
V2 14.10.1911 670t Stricken 18.11.29 MS28 1940
V3 15.11.1911 670t Stricken 18.11.29 M50 R-boat tender Brommy 26.11.37; Sunk 15.6.44
V5 25.4.1913 670t Stricken 18.11.29 M5501940
V6 28.2.1913 670t Stricken 27.3.29 M60 Trials ship Hecht 29.8.38; R-boat tender GMSA 1945
G7 7.11.1911 660t To USSR 1945 Hille 1939; MS60 1940
G8 21.12.1911 660t To Great Britain 1945 M61 Mined 26.7.40
G10 15.3.1912 660t Scuttled 5.5.45 M66 Trials ship Stortebecker 26.11.37; GMSA 1945
Gil 23.4.1912 660t Sunk 3.4.45. MS66 1940
S18 10.8.1912 650t Stricken 31.3.31 M72 MS72 1940 GMSA 1945
S19 17.10.1912 650t Stricken 31.3.31 M75 M575 1940 Capsized 2.3.45
S23 29.3.1913 650t To USSR 1945 M81 Trials ship Nautilus 11.3.29; M581 1940 GMSA 1945
M82 Tender Jagd 11.3.29; MS82 1940 GMSA 1945
M84 M584 1940 Sunk 30.11.44
M85 Mined 1.10.39
TORPEDO-BOATS M89 Mined 26.7.40
M96 Hospital ship 1921 Capsized 15.3.22
Name Launched Disp (std) Fate M98 MS98 1940 GMSA 1945
T139
M102 MS02 1940 GMSA 1945
12.11.1906 533t BU after WWII
T141
M104 M504 1940 Sunk 9.4.45
7.2.1907 533t BU 1933
M107 R-boat tender Von der Groeben 1939; Sunk 15.6.44
T143 6.4.1907 533t Stricken 10.5.27
T144*
M507 1940
27.4.1907 533t Stricken 8.10.28
M108 Gunnery training ship Delphin 2.6.28; To USSR 1945
T146 27.6.1907 533t Stricken 8.10.28
M508 1940
T148* 11.9.1907 533t Stricken 8.10.28
Ml 09 Trials ship Johann Wittenberg 29.8.38; GMSA 1945
T149 19.10.1907 533t Stricken 16.5.27
Sundewall 2.12.38; MS09 1940
T151 14.9.1907 558t To USA 1945, BU 1946
M110 MS 10 1940 GMSA 1945
T152* 11.10.1907 558t Stricken 31.3.31
Mill MS11 1940 Mined 3.11.41
T153 13.11.1907 558t To USA 1945, BU 1946
Ml 13 U-boat tender Acheron 20.6.36; MS 13 GMSA 1945
T154 19.12.1907 558t Stricken 8.10.28
1940
T155* 28.1.1908 558t Scuttled 22.4.45
M115 Trials ship Arkona 1.10.35; M515 1940 Mined 22.5.44
T156 29.2.1908 558t Scuttled 3.5.45
Ml 17 M517 1940 GMSA 1945
T157 29.5.1908 558t Mined 22.10.43
M122 M522 1940 Bombed 20.3.45
T158 23.10.1908 558t To USSR 1945
Ml 26 R-boat tender Alders 1939; M526 1940 GMSA 1945
T168 16.3.1911 665t Stricken 11.1.27
M129 Trials ship Otto Braun 29.8.38; Mined 2.12.41
T175* 24.2.1910 700t Stricken 23.9.26
MS29 1940
T185* 9.4.1910 650t To USSR 1945
M130 AA TS Fuchs 12.5.28; MS30 1940 GMSA 1945
T190* 12.4.1911 666t To USA 1946
M132 Sunk 13.11.39
T196 24.5.1911 660t To USSR 1945
M133 Tender Wacht 11.3,28; R-boat tender Collision 9.5.42
* Reserve Raule 24.8.39; M533 1940
M134 Tender Frauenlob 11.3.28; R-boat tender GMSA 1945
Jungingen 1938; MS34 1940
M135 Tender Hela 5.2.23; Gazelle 2.1.39; To USSR 1945
The Treaty of Versailles permitted the Reichsmarine to possess 12 destroyers and M535 1940
12 torpedo-boats, plus a number of vessels as material reserve for ‘cannibalis¬ M136 U-boat tender Havel 29.8.38 Mined 26.7.40
ing’. The destroyer force consisted of the first group of ocean-going torpedo- M138 Fishery protection vessel Zieten 1923; Ran aground 26.1.45
boats of the Imperial German Navy built in the years 1911-13. In terms of R-boat tender Nettelbeck 2.5.39;
contemporary destroyer development, these boats were too obsolete to match M538 1940
any foreign destroyers and in the Reichsmarine they were always Listed as M145 M54S 1940 GMSA 1945
Torpedoboote. In 1921-23 they were reboilered and fitted with 2-105mm/45; the M146 Tender Taku 26.8.33; R-boat tender Bombed 17.6.44
‘G’ series were lengthened and displacement in all boats rose by about 15 per Von der Lippe 1939; M546 1940
cent. The boats retained their prewar prefix letter indicating the builder: ‘V’ for M157 M.557 1940 Foundered 23.12.41
A G Vulcan, ‘S’ for Schichau and ‘G’ for Germaniawerft. Most of the worn out
vessels were scrapped in the late 1930s, but in 1937 the remaining units were After the First World War it was incumbent upon the Germans to clear the
reclassified, receiving the abbreviation letter ‘T’ (for Torpedoboot) and a new North Sea and Baltic of all mines, and so the German minesweeper flotillas
number, G10 becoming T110, Gil becoming Till and so on. G7/T107 was remained intact, but of course disarmed, after the Armistice. Most of the boats
ceded to the Soviet Union in 1945, becoming Porashayushtshiy; S23IT 123 also were sold either for scrapping or to foreign navies and private owners in the early
went to the USSR, having served throughout the war (as the radio control ship 1920s, but some of the remaining boats, inactive for a period, were adapted for
for the target Hessen) under the name Komet. various purposes in the late 1920s and early 1930s. There were differences in
The torpedo-boat force consisted of older, smaller torpedo-boats built in the hull length, superstructure appearance, armament, etc, but in 1940 all were
years 1906-07. In the Reichsmarine these boats had their old prefix letters reclassified as minesweepers, adding the prefix ‘5’ to their former pennant
replaced by ‘T’. T151-T158, T185, T190 and T196 were modernised at numbers. The boats that survived the second conflict served once more in the
Wilhelmshaven in the early 1920s, receiving remodelled bridge layouts and German Minesweeping Administration (GMSA) after 1945. In the late 1940s
funnels. The older boats were scrapped in the late 1930s; the more serviceable they were sold to private owners, most of them being converted for harbour and
units were used for various auxiliary duties and were either re-armed or dis¬ riverine use.
armed. T139 and T141 were converted to radio control ships in 1927 under the
names Pfeil and Blitz; T153 became the rangefinder training ship Eduard There were also the gunnery tenders Drache and Hay and the oceanographic
Jungmann in 1938. T158 became the Russian Prosorlim in 1945. survey ship Meteor in service in 1922.

223
GERMANY

CAPITAL SHIPS

Although the two ships of the Bis¬

marck class are regarded by many as BISMARCK class
representing the epitome of German
Displacement: 41,700t (Tirpitz 42,900t) standard; 50,900t (Tirpitz 52,600t) deep load
battleship design and construction,
they were a political compromise in so Dimensions: 792ft 4in wl, 813ft 8in oa x 118ft lin x 28ft 6in, 34ft 9in max
241.50, 248.00 x 36.00 x 8.70, 10.60m
far as Hitler did not want to provoke
Machinery: 3-shaft Blohm & Voss (Tirpitz Brown-Boveri) geared turbines, 12 Wagner boilers, 138,000shp = 29kts
the British, with whom he had con¬
cluded an agreement in 1935. At this Armour: Belt 12Jin-10|in, deck 2in, armoured deck 4|in-3Jin, slopes 4in, torpedo bulkhead ljin, main turrets
time, France was regarded as the 14{in-7in, secondary turrets 4in-ljin, CT 14in-2in
potential enemy on the continent, and Armament: 8-380mm/47 C34 (4x2), 12-150mm/55 C28 (6x2), 16-105mm/65 C32 (8x2), 16-37mm/83 C30
one whose navy needed to be balanced (8x2), 12-20mm C30, 4-6 aircraft
by battleship construction. Complement: 2092 (Tirpitz 2608)
Bismarck and Tirpitz, the first
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
genuine German battleships laid
down since World War I, exhibited BISMARCK Blohm & Voss, 1.7.1936 14.2.39 24.8.40 Sunk 27.5.41
many features of the last battleship Hamburg
design of the Imperial Navy, the TIRPITZ Wilhelmshaven 20.10.1936 1.4.39 25.2.41 Sunk 12.11.44
Baden class. The armour arrangement N Yd
followed closely that of Baden, with
thicker horizontal and somewhat Both vessels were sunk by the Brit¬ carried 6-533mm torpedo tubes in
thinner vertical protection. Internal ish. Bismarck was hunted down and triple mountings (removed from the
sub-division was extensive, although sunk by British battleships on 27.5.41 cruiser Leipzig), and from that date
the major compartments were larger during her first commerce raiding sor¬ her AA armament was steadily
than those of Baden to obviate the tie, after her rudder had been jammed increased up to 40-20mm C38 in
problems of cramped conditions, by an airborne torpedo. Tirpitz played single and quadruple mountings. She
Bismarck in early 1941
especially in the boiler rooms. The an important role as part of the ‘fleet was sunk by RAF Lancasters at her
main armament generally complied in being’ in Norway. From 1942 she berth off Haakoy Island near Tromso. By courtesy of Antony Preston
with accepted international practice
in calibre and number, and in charac¬
teristics the weapons were very simi¬
lar to contemporary Italian and
French 15in naval guns. Speed and
radius of action were inferior to those
of the preceding Schamhorst class.
The extremely broad beam of 118ft
was adopted for reasons of stability; as
a result, the ships were steady gun
platforms even in heavy seas. One of
the outstanding features was the opti¬
cal rangefinder equipment. However,
Tirpitz’s original radar was never
updated and she retained her two
Seetakt sets until the end.
The class were built to Tirpitz’s
request for the best possible internal
protection and stability rather than
too heavy an armament. The official
displacement figure of 35,000 tons
came from calculations arising out of
the Anglo-German Naval Agreement;
the real figures were a military secret
and not until the war was over did it
become known that the official figure
had been exceeded by so wide a mar¬
gin.

224

When Hitler adopted the ‘Z-Plan’ on
1 January 1939, the six units of the ‘H’
class were to be the heart of this
ambitious programme. Not only
would these huge battleships provide
tough opposition for British capital
ships, they would also serve as a useful
‘fleet in being’ and act as a valuable
political instrument. Hitler wanted
this battleship fleet to be completed
within six years, and so a number of
unprecedented steps had to be taken:
the naval building programme was
accorded top priority over Luftwaffe
and Army requirements; full respon¬
sibility for the whole programme was
given to a single person, Rear-
Admiral Werner Fuchs, who was to
have great powers of authority; and
Blohm und Voss was chosen to have
overall responsibility for the design,
construction, orders for materials and
personnel requirements concerning
all six ships.
The ‘H’ class was designed to the
same general principles as the preced¬
ing Bismarck class. The two weak
points of the design might have been
the torpedo tubes and the aircraft
arrangements. Underwater torpedo
tubes were stipulated - the first time
Much more than any other capital
ship of any other navy, the two units
of the Schamhorst class were a com¬
promise of political, military and
technical requirements. Hitler’s orig¬
inal conception was a ship possessing
the same armament and speed as the
‘pocket-battleships’ but having a dis¬
placement of 19,000 tons, the increase
being taken up by superior protec¬
tion; the Kriegsmarine’s viewpoint was
that such a vessel, carrying only six
280mm guns, would be an ill-
balanced design - at the very least a
third triple turret was required, even
though this would raise the displace¬
ment figure to 26,000 tons. Hitler
rejected this idea because he did not
want to draw criticism from Great
Britain by breaking the Versailles
Treaty; he did not appear to realise
that the construction of an ‘unsink-
able’ commerce raider such as he had
advocated would provoke Britain
much more than the construction of a
relatively straightforward battle¬
cruiser which, with a main calibre of
only 280mm, would be inferior to all
the British battleships in commission
in 1934. The Navy’s arguments were,
however, reluctantly accepted, and
the ships were designed with three
triple turrets; the German naval pro¬
gramme, published after the Anglo-
German Naval Agreement of 1935,
therefore contained ‘two Panzerschiffe
of 26,000 tons with 280mm guns’.
The Kriegsmarine regarded the vessels
as a reply to the French Dunkerque
class.
The Anglo-German Naval Agree¬
ment allowed a maximum calibre of
Capital Ships
‘H’ class
Displacement: 55,453t standard; 62,497t deep load
Dimensions: 872ft wl, 911ft 5in oa x 122ft x 33ft 6in
265.80, 277.80 x 37.20 x 10.20m
Machinery: 3 shafts, 12 MAN double-acting 2-stroke 9cyl diesels, 165,000bhp = 30kts
Armour: Belt llfin-7in, deck 3jin-2in, armoured deck 4fin-4in, torpedo bulkhead lfin, armoured bulkheads
8fin, main turrets 15iin-5in, secondary turrets 4in-l|in, CT 15Jin
Armament: 8-406mm/47 (4x2), 12-150mm/55 C28 (6x2), 16-105mm/65 C33 (8x2), 16-37mm/83 C33 (8x2),
24-20mm C38 (6x4), 6-533mm TT sub, 4 aircraft
Complement: 2600 (estimated)
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
‘H’ Blohm & Voss, 15.7.1939 BU 1939
Hamburg
T A G Weser, Bremen 15.8.1939 BU 1939
‘K’ ?
‘L’ ?
‘M’ p
‘N’
since World War I that such an both ‘H’ and ‘J’ ceased on 10 October were installed in concrete bunkers at
obsolete feature was incorporated. 1939. They were later scrapped on Trondesnes securing the Vestfjord
The catapult was sited directly under slip to provide materials and man¬ leading to Narvik.
the gun barrels of ‘D’ turret and power for the submarine building Further designs derived from the
would probably have given rise to programme. Only a few of the 406mm ‘H’ class led finally to the ‘H44’ study,
serious problems in any engagement. guns were manufactured. Three an enormous vessel with a displace¬
Owing to the outbreak of war the formed the famous Batterie Lin- ment of 141,500 tons and a main
‘Z-Plan’ was cancelled, and work on demann at Cap Blanc Nez, and four armament of 508mm (20in) guns.
SCHARNHORST class
Displacement: 34,841t standard; 38,900t deep load
Dimensions: 741ft 5in wl, 753ft llin oa X 98ft Sin X 27ft, 32ft 6in max
226.00, 229.80 x 30.00 x 8.23, 9.91m
Machinery: 3-shaft Brown-Boveri (Gneisen.au Germania) geared turbines, 12 Wagner boilers, 165,000shp = 32kts
Armour: Belt 13fin-6jin, torpedo bulkhead lfin, deck 2in, armoured deck 3in, slope 4in, main turrets 14in-6in,
secondary turrets 5)in-2in, gunshields 2in, CT 13fin-4in
Armament: 9-280mm/54.5 C28 (3x3), 12-150mm/55 C28 (4x2, 4x1), 14-105mm/65 C33 (7x2), 16-37mm/83 C33
(8x2), 8-20mm C30, 3-4 aircraft
Complement: 1669-1840
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
SCHARNHORST Wilhelmshaven 16.5.1935 30.6.36 7.1.39 Sunk 26.12.43
D Yd
GNEISENAU Deutsche Werke, 3.5.1935 8.12.36 21.5.38 Scuttled 28.3.45
Kiel
16in, and Hitler soon had second removed in 1938-39, when Scham¬ Hook of Holland and the other six in
thoughts, ordering the ships to be horst received a new tripod mainmast. Norway; the 150mm secondary
equipped with 380mm (15in) guns; Close-range armament was increased armament was used, in at least one
but as the 280mm triple turret was during the war, Schamhorst receiving instance, as a railway gun, complete
readily available and the development an additional 24-20mm C38 and with turret. Later in the war the ship
of a new 15in turret would take some Gneisenau 12-20mm C38. Schamhorst was towed to Gotenhafen (Gdynia)
years, he agreed that the two vessels was also later fitted with 6-533mm where she was scuttled as a harbour
should have llin weapons initially torpedo tubes (2x3) removed from blockship in 1945. The wreck was
because he urgendy needed capital the light cruiser Numb erg. broken up in situ by a Polish company
ships for his political ideals. The ships Plans to upgun both ships were still from 1947 to 1951. Schamhorst was
would be upgunned at the earliest alive at the beginning of World War sunk 26.12.43 (during an attempt to
possible opportunity. The 380mm II. When Gneisenau was badly intercept convoy JW-55B) by the bat¬
twin turret was later to be used for the damaged following an RAF raid in tleship Duke of York and the cruisers
Bismarck class - which was therefore Kiel during the night of 26/27 Belfast, Jamaica and Norfolk.
tied to this mounting as other navies November 1942 it was decided to
were settling on 16in as the ideal bat¬ reconstruct the ship to take 380mm
tleship calibre. guns. This plan was, however, aban¬
In the winter of 1938-39, each ship doned in 1943 and she remained idle
was refitted with a clipper bow, without her bow section forward of
increasing overall length to 770ft 8in ‘A’ turret. The main armament was
(234.90m). Two catapults were origi¬ used for coastal batteries: three
nally fitted, but that on ‘C’ turret was 280mm guns were installed near the
225
Schamhorst as completed

‘P’ class
Displacement: 30,500t standard; 35,720t max
Dimensions: 807ft wl, 841ft 6in oa x 98ft 5in x 31ft 6in, 34ft 6in max
246.00, 256.50 x 30.00 x 9.60, 11.20m
Machinery: 3 shafts. 8 MAN double-acting 2-stroke 24cyl diesels (outer shafts) plus 1 Brown-Boveri geared turbine,
4 Wagner boilers (central shaft), 116,000bhp = 27kts (outer shafts only), 176,000hp = 33.4kts (all
Designs for these three battlecruisers three)
started in 1937, in parallel to designs Armour: Belt 7in-4in, torpedo bulkhead lfin, deck 2in, armoured deck 3in, main turrets 8]in-2in, secondary
for an improved ‘pocket-battleship’ turrets 5jin, CT 7fin-3in
which was later rejected. The class Armament: 6-380mm/47 C34 (3x2), 6-150mm/48 (3x2), 8-105mm/65 C33 (4x2), 8-37mm/83 C33 (4x2),
were incorporated into the ‘Z-Plan’ in 20-20mm C38, 6-533mm TT aw, 4 aircraft
1939, the same year it was planned to Complement: 1965
lay them down. The ships were
designed to act as long-range mer¬ Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
chant raiders (action radius 14,000nm
‘O’ Deutsche Werke, - - - -
at 19kts) that would have forced Great
Kiel
Britain to give each of her convoys
‘P’ Wilhelmshaven - — — —
strong battleship escort. Because of
D Yd
the outbreak of war the keels were
‘Q’ Germaniawerft, -
never laid; in fact only ‘Q’ was
Kiel '
ordered, on 8 August 1939.

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

After 1933, the Reichsmarine took its

first tentative steps towards the build¬
ing of an aircraft carrier. The ‘carrier
gap’ was an obvious shortcoming in
the naval inventory, but the restric¬
tions of the Versailles Treaty meant
that any project had to start from
scratch. Basic research was under¬
taken by Ing Wilhelm Hadeler, a
member of the Kriegsmarine’s Con¬
struction Department, and his task
was further complicated by the rapid
technological strides taking place in
military aviation during the 1930s and
the heated discussions concerning
carrier design generally. The lack of
experienced pilots, too, posed serious
problems.
In 1933-34, Hadeler presented his
first sketch designs for a ship of
22,000 tons with a speed of 35kts and
accommodation for 50 aircraft. Fol¬
lowing the Anglo-German Naval
Agreement, Germany decided to
build two carriers each with a dis¬
placement of 19,250 tons, amounting
GRAF ZEPPELIN class
Displacement: 26,93It (1937), 28,090t (1939) standard
Dimensions: 820ft 2in wl x 103ft 4in over bulges x 23ft 7in
250.00 x 31.50 x 7.20m
Machinery: 4-shaft Brown-Boveri geared turbines, 16 La Mont boilers, 200,000shp = 35kts
Armour: Belt 3jin, deck ljin, flight deck fin, casemates ljin
Armament: 16-150mm/55 C28 8x2), 12-105mm/65 C33 (6x2), 22-37mm/83 C33 (11x2), 28-20mm C38 (?xl)
and C38M (?x4), 41-43 aircraft
Complement: 1760 excluding flying personnel (estimated)
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
GRAF ZEPPELIN Deutsche Werke, 28.12.1936 8.12.38 ?BU 1947
Kiel
‘B’ Germaniawerft, ? BU 1940
Kiel
to 35 per cent of British carrier ton¬ Construction Department, but assis¬ defending herself against surface
nage. tance from the Luftwaffe, who dis¬ ships and should therefore be
The design studies were given to played little enthusiasm for the pro¬ armoured along lines similar to those
Deutsche Werke (Kiel) AG, who set ject and were unable to specify exactly of a heavy cruiser. This approach was
up a special design bureau. Specifica¬ their requirements or the aircraft to be also adopted by the Kriegsmarine; later
tions for the ship’s fighting embarked, was singularly lacking. studies suggested that a carrier should
capabilities were drawn up in close The general opinion of the day was also be able to defend herself against
co-operation with the Kriegsmarine’s that a carrier should be capable of night attacks by destroyers, so

226

16-150mm guns were incorporated.
After a fruitless visit by a German
officer to HMS Furious during the
1935 Navy Week, some useful details
of Japanese carrier design were
gleaned by a team sent to inspect
Akagi, and these confirmed that the
German vessel was proceeding along
the right lines.
The keel of carrier ‘A’ was laid on
the slip which had become free after
the launching of the battlecruiser
Gneisenau. In the meantime, models
of the electrically-operated lifts,
which could be tested under
simulated ship movements, were
built, while the Luftwaffe constructed
a working model of the arrestor sys¬
tem at Travemiinde, carrying out
2500 test landings. As a ship of such
huge vertical dimensions would be
vulnerable to wind pressure, two
retractable Voith-Schneider propel¬
lers were fitted at the bow to assist
manoeuvring. In order to minimise
the danger of aviation fuel fires, all
non-liquid-filled parts of the fuelling
system were filled with dry gas, and
all petroleum pipes were surrounded
by tubes containing a highly pressur¬
ised inert gas. There was a sprinkler
system in all the hangars, but no foam
extinguishing system. The height of
the funnel was limited by the
requirement that the ship should be
able to negotiate the Belt bridge near
Fredericia, although later design
studies showed that it was impossible
to make all the necessary masts,
antennae and aerials retractable, and
this limit was abandoned. The origi¬
nal straight stem was altered to one of
‘clipper’ configuration in 1939. It was
planned to equip Graf Zeppelin with
the Me 109T (= Trdger), a shipboard
version of the standard Messerschmitt
Me 109 fighter, and the Ju 87G, a
‘navalised’ derivative of the Junkers
Ju 87 dive bomber. Original specifica¬
tions called for 8-10 Me 109s, 13 Ju
87Gs and 20 Fieseler Fi 167 aircraft;
these were subsequently modified to
12 Bf 109Fs and 30 Ju 87Gs.
By the outbreak of World War II
the ship was 85-90 per cent complete,
with commissioning anticipated by
mid-1940. However, in order to
divert resources to the U-boat build¬
ing programme, construction was
suspended around May of that year. A
resumption was ordered on 13 May
1942; despite the fact that many of its
features were by now obsolescent, the
ship was towed to Kiel, where new
asymmetrical bulges were fitted to
compensate for additional equipment
Aircraft carriers /Cruisers
installed on the bridge, thereby reduc¬
ing speed to 33.8kts. Construction
was again halted on 30 January 1943,
and three months later Graf Zeppelin
was towed to Stettin. She was scuttled
by the Germans in January 1945 but
was raised by the Russians in 1946.
The carrier was taken in tow to
Leningrad on 27 September 1947 but
never reached her destination, prob¬
ably being sunk by a mine en route.
The construction of carrier ‘B’ pro¬
ceeded extemely slowly; it was
envisaged that any modifications
required in the light of operational
experience with her sister-ship could
be incorporated during the building
period. However, work was halted in
March 1940 and she was scrapped on
slip.

During World War II the Kriegs-

marine had contemplated completing SEYDLITZ
the French carriers Joffre and Pain-
Displacement: 18,000t designed
leve and converting the passenger lin¬
ers Europa, Potsdam and Gneisenau to Dimensions: 654ft 6in wl, 711ft 1 lin oa x 105ft flight deck x 25ft llin
199.50, 217.00 x 32.00 x 7.90m
aircraft carriers, but in the event only
one conversion was actually begun. In Machinery: 3-shaft Deschimag turbines, 12 Wagner boilers, 130,000shp = 32kts
June 1942 the Hipper class cruiser Armour: Belt l?in
Seydlitz was about 90 per cent com¬ Armament: 10-105mm/50 C33 (5x2), 8-37mm/83 C39 (4x2), 24-20mm, 18 aircraft
plete at the Deschimag works in Bre¬ Complement: ?
men but Hitler, impressed by the
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
reflecting on the loss of Bismarck, SEYDLITZ Deschimag, 29.12.1936 19.1.39 Scuttled 10.4.45
agreed on 26 August 1942 that the
Bremen
ship should be completed as a carrier.
She was stripped of all her superstruc¬ carrier construction should be halted, when the Russians took the city. It is have had an aircraft complement of 10
ture and armament, ‘B’ and ‘C’ turrets the hull was towed to Konigsberg in probable that the hull was refloated, Bf 109Gs and 8 Ju 87Ds.
being installed near Lorient as coastal 1943 where it lay until the end of the towed to Leningrad, and scrapped.
batteries. After Hitler’s order that war; it was scuttled on 10 April 1945 Completed as a carrier, Seydlitz would

CRUISERS
Admiral Scheer 1945

The terms of the Treaty of Versailles

allowed Germany to build warships
with a maximum displacement of
10,000 tons with a maximum gun
calibre of 280mm (llin). It was gues¬
sed that within these limits only
coast-defence ships for Baltic opera¬
tions similar to the Swedish Sverige
class could be built. In the years
immediately following World War I,
the economic situation prevented any
ambitious projects being undertaken,
and a new capital ship could only be
considered when such new tech¬
nologies as diesel propulsion and elec¬
tric welding had been developed.
When a capital ship did emerge, it was
a remarkable vessel: a ‘pocket-
battleship’. More accurately, the
design represented a heavily armed,
thinly protected long-range merchant
raider which would be stronger than
any other faster ship and faster than
any other stronger vessel - with the
exceptions of the British battlecruis¬
ers Hood, Renown and Repulse. They
were a real threat to the commercial
traffic of any potential enemy, and if
all the permitted eight units of the
class had been built the three British
DEUTSCHLAND class
Displacement: ll,700t standard; 15,900—16,200t deep load
Dimensions: 596ft lin wl, 610ft 3in oa x 70ft lOin x 19ft, 24ft 3in max
181.70, 186.00 x 21.60 x 5.80, 7.40m
Machinery: 3 shafts. 8 double-acting 2-stroke 9cyl MAN diesels, 54,000bhp = 28kts
Armour: Belt 3in-2Jin, deck ljin, torpedo bulkhead lfin-ljin, main turrets 5fin-3iin, shields fin, CT 6in
Armament: 6-280mm/54 C28 (2x3), 8-150mm/55 C28 (8x1), 6-105mm/65 C33 (3x2), 8-37mm/83 C30 (4x2),
6-20mm C30 (6x1), 8-533mm TT (2x4), 2 aircraft
Complement: 619-1150
Builder Laid down Launched
Name Comm Fate
DEUTSCHLAND Deutsche Werke, 5.2.1929 19.5.31 1.4.33 Scuttled
Kiel 4.5.45
ADMIRAL SCHEER Wilhelmshaven 25.6.1931 1.4.33 12.11.34 Sunk 9.4.45
N Yd
ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE Wilhelmshaven 1.10.1932 30.6.34 6.1.36 Scuttled 17.12.39
N Yd
ships would have been insufficient to ships) in Germany; however, in 1940 British intelligence work had con¬
match them. The Washington Naval they were reclassified as heavy cruis¬ vinced her commander that a superior
Treaty did not allow Britain to build ers. During World War II all three British force was awaiting this depar¬
further battlecruisers, however, so units successfully carried out their ture. After this fiasco Hitler ordered
France was persuaded to lay down the tasks as commerce raiders: Deutsch¬ the. Deutschland to be renamed Liitzow
two units of the Dunkerque class. land sank 6962 tons of shipping, Graf to avoid any possibility of a ship bear¬
To avoid any complications in the Spee 50,089 tons and Admiral Scheer ing the symbolic name ‘Germany’
interpretation of the Versailles 137,223 tons. Admiral Graf Spee was being sunk. All carried 6-88mm/45
Treaty, the Deutschland class were scuttled on 17 Dec 1939 in the Rio de C32 (3x2) from 1934 to 1939, and
described as Panzerschiffe (armoured la Plata estuary after some successful from 1945 Liitzow’s AA armament

227
GERMANY
was increased to 26-20mm C38 in
single and quadruple mountings. She
had a new, curved bow fitted in 1940
and a high funnel cap added in 1942.
She was scuttled on 4 May 1945 at
Swinemiinde after heavy damage
inflicted by near-misses from RAF
‘Tallboy’ bombs. The wreck was
broken up in the 1960s. Admiral
Scheer was modified in appearance
during the war with a curved bow, a
funnel cap and a remodelled forward
superstructure, and had her close-
range armament increased to
4—40mm/70 Bofors 28 (4x1) and
10-20mm C38 in single and quadru¬
ple mountings. She was sunk on 9
April 1945 at Kiel by RAF ‘Tallboys’.
The capsized wreck was partially
scrapped and later ‘buried’ by build¬
ing a new quay.
The units ‘D’ and ‘E’ of this class
were later redesigned to match the
French Dunkerque and Strasbourg,
becoming the battlecruisers Schar-
nhorst and Gneisenau.

When it became evident in 1934 that

the restrictions of the Versailles
Treaty would be relaxed, the Reichs-
marine had already built six of its per¬
mitted eight light cruisers. In the sub¬
sequent Anglo-German Naval
Agreement, Germany was allowed to

build five heavy cruisers each of

10,000 tons displacement and carry¬ HIPPER class (first group)
ing 203mm (8in) guns - so-called
Displacement: 14,050t standard; 18,200t deep load
‘Treaty cruisers’. The London Naval
Agreement precluded the building of Dimensions: 638ft 5in wl, 665ft 8in oa x 69ft lOJin x 19ft, 25ft llin max
heavy cruisers until 1 January 1943,
194.60, 205.90 x 21.30 x S.80, 1.90m
but as an exception Germany was to Machinery: 3-shaft Blohm & Voss (Bliicher Deschimag) geared turbines, 12 La Mont (Bliicher Wagner) boilers,
132,000shp = 32.5kts
be allowed to build three ‘Treaty
cruisers’, plus two others (which were Armour: Belt 3|in-ljin, deck Hin-|in, torpedo bulkhead fin, main turrets 6Jin-2jin, CT 6in-2in
in the planning stage) provided they Armament: 8-203mm/60 C34(4x2), 12-105mm/65 C33 (6x2), 12-37mm/83 C34(6x2), 8-20mm C30, 12-533mm
were reduced to 150mm (5.9in) guns. TT (4x3), 3 aircraft
Russia gave notice of her intention to Complement: 1600
build seven cruisers with a 180mm
(7in) main armament for the Baltic Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
Fleet; Germany promptly upgunned ADMIRAL HIPPER Blohm & Voss, 6.7.1935 6.2.37 29.4.39 Scuttled May 1945
her two 150mm cruisers to 203mm, to Hamburg
a design virtually identical to their BLUCHER Deutsche Werke, 15.8.1936 8.6.37 20.9.39 Sunk 9.4.40
three forerunners. So the go-ahead for Kiel
the construction of ‘Treaty cruisers’
by Germany turned out to be a politi¬
cal decision too: according to the
Washington Treaty it was impossible
to build further ‘pocket-battleships’,
because a main armament larger than
203mm calibre required a displace¬
ment of 17,500 tons. On the other
hand, the old light cruisers were no
match for the new Russian, French
and British light cruisers.

In Germany, many authorities

argued against the usefulness of these HIPPER class (second group)
heavy cruisers because their radius of
action was only 6800nm against the Displacement: 16,974t standard; 19,042t deep load
Deutschlands’ 12,000, which effec¬ Dimensions: 654ft 6in wl, 679ft ljin oa x 70ft 6in x 21ft 8in, 23ft 7jin max
tively prevented them from carrying 199.50, 201.10 x 21.50 x 6.60, 1.20m
out long-range commerce raiding Machinery: 3-shaft Deschimag (Prinz Eugen Brown-Boveri) geared turbines, 9 Wagner (.Prinz Eugen La Mont)
missions. The sophisticated high- boilers, 132,000shp = 32.5kts
pressure steam propulsion system of Armour: As First group
these vessels proved to be the source Armament: As first group
of a great deal of trouble, and it is Complement: 1600
significant that the US Navy crew that
brought Prinz Eugen from Balboa to Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
Pearl Harbor after the war, although
PRINZ EUGEN Germaniawerft, 23.4.1936 22.8.38 1.8.40 Sunk 22.12.46
trained by Kriegsmarine personnel,
Kiel
were unable to maintain the SEYDLITZ Deschimag, Bremen 29.12.1936 19.1.39 - See carrier
machinery properly; a complete
section
breakdown occurred, and the cruiser
LUTZOW Deschimag, Bremen 2.8.1937 1.7.39 - Sold 1940
had to be taken in tow.

228

Admiral Hipper could be disting¬
uished from her sisters by her straight
stem and funnel cap. She made two
sorties against convoys W-55A and
SLS-64, sinking 61,000 tons. Her AA
armament was augmented in 1945 by
the addition of a number of 40mm/70
Bofors 28 and 20-20mm C38 in single
and quadruple mountings. The ship
was heavily damaged by RAF bomb¬
ing in April 1945 whilst in drydock at
Deutsche Werke, Kiel; on 2 May
1945 the ship was scuttled by
explosive charges; in 1946 she was
refloated and towed to Heikendorf
Bay, where she was broken up in
1948-49.
Bliicher acted as lead ship for Task
Force 5 invading Oslo. On board were
900 men of the 163rd Infantry
Division with weapons, ammunition,
equipment and supplies, together
with a large number of Gestapo offi¬
cials who were to take up positions in
the Norwegian administration. Dur¬
ing the attempt to break through the
Drobak Narrows on 9.4.40, the ship
was shelled at short range (500yds) by
the 280mm and 150mm Oscarsborg
shore batteries and was later hit by
two torpedoes fired from the Kaholm
battery. The wreck still lies at a depth
of 35 fathoms and contains a good deal
of oil, giving rise to fears of pollution.
Prinz Eugen accompanied Bismarck
on the latter’s break-out into the
Atlantic, but escaped; she later
returned in company with Schamhorst
and Gneisenau from Brest to Ger¬
many. Her A A armament in 1945
comprised 17-40mm/70 Bofors 28
(17x1), 4-20mm C38 (2x2) and
24—20mm C38 (6x4). During the
Potsdam Conference she was ceded to
the United States and selected as a
target for the Operation ‘Crossroads’
A-bomb tests. She survived both test
‘Able’ on 1.7.46 and test ‘Baker’ on
25.7.46, remaining afloat without
structural damage, although con¬
taminated. She was towed to Kwa-
jalein Atoll and decommissioned
29.8.46. On 21 December of that year
she took on a 35° list to starboard due
to minor damage at the stern. Salvage
crews could not be brought in but to
prevent Prinz Eugen sinking she was
towed to Enubuj Reef where she cap¬
sized the following day. The wreck
still lies at position 167°41'E 08°44'S.
The US Navy refused permission for
her to be scrapped in order to prevent
radium-contaminated material enter¬
ing the world steel market.
Seydlitz and Liitzow were the origi¬
nal light cruisers referred to above and
were initially designed to carry
12-150mm/50 C28 (4x 3) guns. Seyd¬
litz was about 90 per cent complete
when it was decided to convert her
into a carrier; for further details see
carrier section. Liitzow was sold to the
Cruisers
Soviet Union in January or February
1940, the name thus becoming free for
the ‘pocket-battleship’ Deutschland.
In April 1940 the ship was towed to
Leningrand and renamed Petropav-
lovsk; small parts of the superstruc¬
ture, ‘A’ turret and ‘D’ turret (minus
its barrels) were installed. She acted as
a floating battery during the siege of
Leningrad in the winter of 1941 and
fired 676 shells. She was herself shell¬
ed by German batteries, and
after 53 hits she foundered and was
beached, although it proved possible
to refloat her in September 1942. In
1943 she was renamed Tallinn and
served again as a floating battery.
From 1945 to 1956 she was an
accommodation ship on the Neva
River and was subsequently scrap¬
ped.

Admiral Hipper as completed

Prim Eugen about 1941

The Treaty of Versailles allowed

postwar Germany to possess eight
light cruisers of 6000 tons, of which
only six could be in service at any one
time. These old cruisers could be
replaced after 20 years, counted from EMDEN
their launch dates. The obsolete Displacement: 5600t standard; 6990t deep load
World War I light cruisers Niobe
Dimensions: 493ft 9in wl, 508ft lOin oa x 46ft llin x 19ft, 21ft 8in max
(launched 1899), Thetis (1900), Med¬ 150.50, 155.10 x 14.30 x 5.80, 6.60m
usa (1900), Arcona (1902), Nymphe 2-shaft Brown-Boveri geared turbines, 4 coal-fired plus 6 oil-fired Navy boilers, 45,900shp = 29.4kts
Machinery:
(1899) and Amazone (1900) were
Armour: Belt ljin, deck fin, gunshields 2in, CT 4in-2in
therefore replaced by, respectively,
Armament: 8-150mm/55 C16 (8x1), 3-88mm/45 C32 (3x1), 4-20mm C30, 4-533mm TT (2x2)
Emden, Konigsberg, Karlsruhe, Koln,
Leipzig and Numb erg. Complement: 650
For the first new light cruiser,
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
Emden, the displacement limit was no
problem, since this ship was built to a EMDEN Wilhelmshaven 8.12.1921 7.1.25 15.10.25 Scuttled 3.5.45
design that followed closely the most N Yd
recent World War I light cruisers.
The ship was not, however, of great 16-150mm/55 C28 (8x2) was earlier
fighting value and served principally proposed. AA weapons were
as a training ship for junior officers increased to 4— 37mm/83 C33 (2x2)
and cadets, making several cruises and 7-20mm in 1945. She served for a
before the war. In 1933-34 she was period as a training ship in the Baltic,
reboilered with 10 oil-burners, with her last duty being to return the coffin
output increased slightly to 46,500shp of Feldmarschall Hindenburg from
= 29.4kts. the Tannenberg Memorial at Hohen-
Emden did not take part in any stein in East Prussia. She was heavily
major operations during World War damaged by RAF bombing at
II - except the assault on Norway. Deutsche Werke, Kiel, and scuttled
Her 150mm C16 guns were ex¬ on 3.5.45 at Heikendorf Bay. The
changed for 150mm/50 C36 (8x1) in wreck was broken up on the spot in
1942, although an armament of 1949. Emden in the early 1930s

229
GERMANY
The three ‘K’ class cruisers rep¬
resented a completely fresh design
and incorporated the newly developed
electric welding techniques and the
new 150mm (5.9in) triple turret. The
two after turrets were offset from the
centreline and could fire at maximum
(40°) elevation on all bearings. For the
first time, both steam and diesel
machinery were installed: the diesels
were located in the unoccupied space
beside the shaft tunnels and each
worked over a Vulcan gearbox; each
propulsion system could only work
individually, so giving the ships a
diesel cruising speed of lOkts and a
turbine ‘dash’ speed of 32kts.
Before the war these cruisers were
used extensively as training ships for
cadets, and each made several world
cruises. Karlsruhe suffered some
damage due to structural weaknesses
in her hull plating during her world
cruise, and was refitted and strength¬
ened at San Diego in April 1936; this
increased her beam (to 54ft 5(in), her
draught, and her displacement (to
8350 tons). From 1934, all three ves¬
sels carried 533mm torpedo tubes,
and from 1935-36 a tripod mainmast.
From 1940 the 88mm battery was
altered to 4 twin 76cal C32; in 1942
Koln had her catapult and two of her
triple torpedo tubes landed, and her
‘K’ class
Displacement: 6650t standard; 8130t deep load
Dimensions: 554ft 5in wl, 570ft lOin oa x 50ft 2in x 18ft 3in, 20ft 7in max
169.00, 174.00 x 15.30 x 5.56, 6.28m
Machinery: 2-shaft Navy geared turbines, 6 Navy boilers plus 2 double-acting 4-stroke lOcyl MAN diesels, 1800bhp
= lOkts (diesels only), 65,000shp = 32kts (turbines)
Armour: Belt 2fin-2in, deck liin-fin, torpedo bulkhead (in, turrets ljin, CT 4in-Hin
Armament: 9-150mm/60 C28 (3x3), 2-88mm/45 C32 (2x1) (Koln 4-88mm/45 C32), 8-37mm/83 C30 (4x2),
8-20mm C30 (8x1), 12-500mm TT (4x3), 2 aircraft
Complement: 850
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
KONIGSBERG Wilhelmshaven 12.4.1926 26.3.27 17.4.29 Sunk 10.4.40
N Yd
KARLSRUHE Deutsche Werke, 27.7.1926 20.8.27 6.11.29 Sunk 9.4.40
Kiel
KOLN Wilhelmshaven 7.8.1926 23.5.28 15.1.30 Sunk 30.4.45
N Yd
after control position was enlarged. action. She was decommissioned and Sea minelaying sorties and was after¬
Konigsberg undertook minelaying broken up in situ in 1943. Karlsruhe wards engaged in the assault on Nor¬
sorties in the North Sea after the out¬ was used as a minelayer in the North way, forming part of Task Force 3
break of World War II. During the Sea during the early war years, and for against Bergen. From 1940 until 1942
assault on Norway she was assigned to the Norwegian campaign was she conducted operations in the Baltic
Task Force 3 for the invasion of assigned to Task Force 4 for the and until 1943 was part of the
Bergen. She was damaged by shore invasion of Kristiansand and Arendal. ‘standby’ force in Norway. She
batteries during the landing opera¬ She was torpedoed by HM submarine became a training ship for cadets in
tions and remained at Bergen for local Truant at position 58°04'N 08°04'E on the Baltic in 1944 and undertook
defence purposes while the rest of the 9.4.40. Owing to heavy internal escort duties to Norway. On 3.3.45,
force returned to Germany. On damage she had to be sunk some during a refit at Wilhelmshaven Navy
10.4.40 she was bombed by RN hours later by the German torpedo- Yard, she was bombed by the RAF,
Skuas, set on fire and put out of boat Greif. Koln also undertook North settling on the bottom with her super¬
structure above water. On 6 April she
was decommissioned, although she
was later used as a local defence bat¬
tery. Koln was scrapped in 1946.
Karlsruhe in 1932
Niimberg about 1937
 Light cruisers

Leipzig about 1934

Leipzig 1944
The two light cruisers Leipzig and
Niimberg do not form a homogeneous
class although each had machinery
which utilised both diesel and steam IjSzCLy-. v
propulsion. The centre shaft was dri¬
ven by the diesels which operated via a
common gearbox: at cruising speed,
when only the centre shaft was in LEIPZIG
operation, the outer shafts were
turned at idling speed by small elec¬ Displacement: 6515t standard; 8250t deep load
tric motors; for high speed runs both Dimensions: 533t 9iin wl, 581ft oa x 53ft 2in x 16ft, 18ft 8in max
systems could be used simultane¬ 168.80, 177.10 x 16.20 x 4.88, 5.69m
ously, the centre screw having vari¬ Machinery: 3 shafts. Navy geared turbines, 8 Navy boilers, 60,000shp = 31kts (outer shafts) plus 4 double-acting
able pitch blades to give optimum 2-stroke 7cyl MAN diesels, 12,400bhp = 18kts (central shaft), 32kts (all three)
operating results. The two ships dif¬ Armour: Belt 2in-llin, deck fin, turrets lfin-fin, CT 4in-lfin
fered in respect of superstructure lay¬ Armament: 9-150mm/60 C28 (3x3), 2-88mm/45 (2x1), 8-37mm/83 C30 (4x2), 12-500mm TT (4x3)
out and armament. Leipzig had a Complement: 850
superstructure similar to that of the
‘K’ class cruisers, while Niimberg had Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
a distinctive block-shaped forward
LEIPZIG Wilhelmshaven 28.4.1928 18.10.29 8.10.31 Scuttled 16.12.46
superstructure and a searchlight plat¬
form around the funnel. N Yd
From 1935 to 1944Leipzig carried a
catapult (2 aircraft); from 1936 she
was fitted with 6-88mm/76 (3x2).
Her torpedo tubes were exchanged for
533mm models in 1934, halved in
number in 1941, and removed
altogether in 1944. From 1936 she
carried a mainmast instead of antenna
spreaders. Leipzig undertook
minelaying sorties in the North Sea
following the outbreak of World War
II. During a minelaying sortie with
Niimberg on 13 December 1939 she
was torpedoed amidships by HM NURNBERG
submarine Salmon; whilst returning Displacement: 6520t standard; 8380t deep load
she was attacked a second time by HM Dimensions: 557ft 9in wl, 594ft lOin oa x 53ft lOin x 16ft lin, 21ft max
submarine Ursula, but two of the 170.00, 181.30 x 16.40 X 4.90, 6.40m
three torpedoes intended for the dam¬ Machinery: As Leipzig, except Parsons geared turbines, max speed 32kts
aged cruiser hit the sloop F9 instead.
Armour: Belt 6in-fin, deck fin, turrets 3fin-fin, CT 4in-l ‘,in
Laid up for some weeks and decom¬
Armament: 9-150mm/60 C28 (3x3), 8-88mm/76 (4x2), 8-37mm/83 C30 (4x2), 8-20mm C30, 12-533mm TT
missioned for repairs at Kiel, she was
(4x3), 2 aircraft
converted into a training ship, losing
Complement: 896
No 2 engine room (which became a
dormitory) and halving the number of
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
boilers, thus reducing the maximum
speed to 24kts. Leipzig operated in her NURNBERG Deutsche Werke, 1934 6.12.34 2.11.35 To USSR 1946
new role in the Baltic from 1942 until Kiel
1943. Her armament was increased to
4—40mm/70 Bofors 28 (4x1) and she served as accommodation ship for was only damaged around the bows; the Baltic from 1944 until the end of
16-20mm C38 (twins and quadruples) the German Minesweeping Administ¬ owing to her refit she did not take part the war. After the war the ship was
in 1944. On 15 October of that year ration. On 20.7.46 she was scuttled at in the Norwegian campaign. From ceded to the Soviet Union by the
she was rammed by the heavy cruiser position 57°53'N 06°13'E, laden with 1941 until 1942 she was a cadet train¬ Potsdam Conference and handed over
Prinz Eugen off the Hela Peninsula, poison gas shells. ing ship in the Baltic, her two after in January 1946. Renamed Admiral
while drifting to recouple her engines, Niimberg was also used for minelay¬ torpedo tube mountings being Makarov, the cruiser was observed in
and almost split in two. The wide¬ ing sorties in the North Sea after the removed. After a period as part of the the Baltic until 1953, probably being
spread damage amidships was only outbreak of war. She was torpedoed ‘fleet in being’ in Norway, she was scrapped in the years immediately fol¬
temporarily patched up. After the war on the same occasion as Leipzig but again used as a cadet training ship in lowing.

231
GERMANY
Little information exists concerning
the ‘M’ class cruisers. They would ‘M’ class
have had a combined steam turbine/
Displacement: 7800t designed; 10,400t deep load
diesel propulsion like their fore¬
Dimensions: 584ft wl, 600ft 4in oa x 55ft 9in x 17ft 9in designed, 24ft max
runners Niimberg and Leipzig, and,
178.00, 183.00 x 17.00 x 5.40, 7.30m
although having basically the same
Machinery: 3 shafts. Wagner geared turbines, 4 Wagner boilers, 100,000shp (outer shafts) plus 4 double-acting
dimensions and displacement as the
2-stroke 12cyl MAN diesels, 16,500bhp (central shaft) = 35.5kts (all three)
triple-turreted cruisers, they would
Armour: Belt 2in-l|in, deck ljin-jin, turrets 3jin-fin, CT 4in-jin
have only carried twin turrets of the
Armament: 8-150mm/55 C28 (4x2), 4-88mm/76 (2x2), 8-37mm/83 C33 (4x2), ?-20mm, 8-533mm TT (2x4), 2
type fitted as Bismark’s secondary
aircraft
armament. In superstructure and
armament layout they would have Complement: 920
resembled more the Spahkreuzer
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
(scout cruiser) Spl class (see below).
‘M’ Deutsche Werke, 1938 - - BU 1941-43
Kiel
‘N’ Wilhelmshaven 1939 — — BU 1941-43
N Yd
‘O’ Germaniawerft, 1939 — — BU 1941-43
Kiel
‘P’ Germaniawerft, — — — _
Kiel
‘Q’ Schichau, Danzig - - - -
‘R’ Deutsche Werke,
Kiel “

DESTROYERS
When it became clear that the limits imposed by the Treaty of Versail¬ sponsons for additional AA weapons, this being referred to as the
les would be relaxed, the Reichsmarine could begin to consider its first ‘Barbara’ configuration. From 1940 all German destroyers received
designs for a real destroyer* that would match contemporary vessels in operational radar sets of the FuMO 21 type, later replaced by an
other navies. The strategic concept behind this new type only improved version (FuMO 25) on Z4,5, 6, 10, 14, 15, 20, 25, 28, 29,
embraced North Sea and Baltic operations: the vessels were not origi¬ 33-36, 39 and 43. A few boats had their aft searchlight removed and
nally designed for oceanic warfare, but nevertheless they operated in all replaced by a FuMO 21 Hohentwiel: Z5,10,14,15,20, 25,28, 29,31
sea conditions around the far-flung coastline of Nazi-occupied Europe. and 39. Z4 and Z28 had an additional Hohentwiel antenna above the
The development of a high-pressure steam propulsion unit was a standard Seetakt antenna. All boats had passive detection sets of the
difficult problem. A test ship for this innovative system was the Blohm Metox type. All destroyers and torpedo-boats were equipped for
& Voss-built HAPAG freighter Uckermark, which was the first ship to minelaying.
be fitted with Benson boilers; the Navy’s first high-pressure steam
propulsion experimental ship was the aviso Grille. After further *The Treaty of Versailles permitted the Reichsmarine to operate 12 destroyers,
but the Reichsmarine referred to these vessels as torpedo-boats.
developments the escorts FI-F10 were equipped with competitive
boiler systems from Benson and La Mont, whilst the gunnery training
ship Brummer was fitted with Wagner boilers. Nevertheless, despite
great efforts to perfect a system, German destroyers often suffered from
problems with their sophisticated machinery. It must be pointed out
that the machinery fitted in the war-built boats never achieved its full
potential owing to the lack of high quality construction materials for
boilers, steam pipes, tubes, etc. The boats therefore never reached
their design speeds. 1934 type
The German Navy entered World War II with 21 operational des¬ Displacement: 1625t standard; 3156t deep load
troyers. The loss of ten units at Narvik in April 1940 resulted in severe Dimensions: 381ft 6in wl, 391ft 5in oa X 37ft x 13ft lin
reprisals for the destroyer forces. Later in the war, newly-built ships 116.30, 119.30 X 11.30 x 4.00m
Machinery: 2-shaft Wagner geared turbines, 6 Wagner boilers, 70,000shp
came into operational service only very slowly - many were commis¬
= 38.2kts
sioned before being fully worked up. The first 22 boats bore the names Armament: 5-127mm/45 C34 (5x1), 4-37mm/83 C30, 4-20mm C30,
of honoured naval personnel from World War I; the wartime destroyers 8-533mm TT (2x4)
had no names with the exception of Hermes, operating in the Mediter¬ Complement: 315 {Zl 338)
ranean. In peacetime German destroyers had their flotilla number and
Name Builder Launched Fate
their tactical disposition within the flotilla painted as white numbers on
the hull. These were removed after the outbreak of war, but many Zl Deutsche Werke, Kiel 18.8.1935 Sunk 22.2.40
Zl Deutsche Werke, Kiel 18.8.1935 Sunk 13.4.40
vessels had their real pennant number, or the abbreviated letters of
Z3 Deutsche Werke, Kiel 30.11.1935 Sunk 22.2.40
their name, painted on the bridge, although this was only shown at sea. Z4 Deutsche Werke, Kiel 30.11.1935 To Britain 1945
In harbour the digits were covered with canvas or with metal shields for
security reasons, and very few pictures show this little-known feature. The 1934 type was the first destroyer design of the Kriegsmarine and all further
Because of the growing threat posed by aircraft, A A armament was types evolved from it in basic layout and armament and engine disposition. The
ships were laid down between October 1934 and January 1935 and commis¬
steadily increased. The older, semi-automatic 37mm/83 C30 twin was
sioned in early 1937. Soon after completion, additional plating was worked in to
gradually replaced by the new fully-automatic 37mm/83 M42. Many of stiffen the hulls, and the bow was extended by 1ft. After 1938 a new enclosed
the 20mm C30s were replaced by 20mm C38s on twin M44 mountings bridge was fitted. Z4 (Richard Beitzen) carried a tripod mast from 1940, higher
or on the famous C38M quadruple mounting. From 1944 onwards the funnel caps from 1943 and a clipper bow from 1944. Zl (Leberecht Maass) and
Z3 (Max Schultz) were sunk during an erroneous air attack by German He 111
first 40mm/70 Bofors 28 appeared on board destroyers and heavier
bombers north-west of Borkum. Z2 (Georg Thiele) foundered at Rombaksfjord;
units, where they replaced the 37mm twins. Later in the war the
she was finally broken up in 1963. Z4 was ceded to the Royal Navy in 1945,
mounting in !Q’ position was removed from some boats and replaced by brought to England in the summer of the same year and broken up in 1947.

232
 Destroyers

crew and later as an accommodation ship at Southampton before being broken

up at Sunderland in 1949. Zll (Bemd von Amim) foundered at Rombaksfjord
and was broken up in 1962; Zll (Erich Giese) also foundered at Rombaksfjord
and her wreck still lies there; Z13 (Erich Koellner) was sunk after being shelled
off Djupvik. Z14 (Friedrich Ihn) was transferred to the Soviet Union after the
war, being renamedPospeshnyi; she saw service in the Baltic and was scrapped in
the 1950s. Z1S was also ceded to the USSR and was renamed Pylkij; she served
in the Baltic from 1946 until 1956, was disarmed and used as an accommodation
ship until 1958 and was scrapped 1960-62. Z16 (Friedrich Eckoldt) was sunk by
gunfire from HMS Sheffield during an attack on convoy JW-51B.

Displacement: 1625t standard; 3110—3165t deep load

Dimensions: 381ft 6in wl, 397ft oa x 37ft x 13ft lin
116.30, 121.00 x 11.30 x 4.00m
Machinery: 2-shaft Wagner (Z9-Z16 Blohm & Voss) geared turbines,
Wagner (Z9-Z16 Benson) boilers, 70,000shp = 38.2kts
Armament: As 1934 type
Complement: 315

Name Builder Launched Fate

1936 type
Z5 Deschimag, Bremen 24.3.1936 To France 1946 Displacement: 181 It standard; 3415t deep load
Z6 Deschimag, Bremen 22.4.1936 To France 1946
Zl Dimensions: 393ft 8in wl, 404ft 2in (Z10-Z11 410ft lin) oa x 38ft 8in x
Deschimag, Bremen 16.7.1936 Sunk 2.5.42
13ft lin
Z8 Deschimag, Bremen 15.9.1936 Sunk 25.1.42 120.00, 123.20(125.00) x 11.80 x 4.00m
Z9 Germaniawerft, Kiel 27.3.1936 Sunk 13.4.40 Machinery: As 1934 type except 70,000shp = 40kts
Z10 Germaniawerft, Kiel 14.5.1936 To Britain 1946
Armament: As 1934 type except 7-20mm C30 (7x1)
Zll Germaniawerft, Kiel 8.7.1936 Sunk 13.4.40
Z12 Complement: 313 (Z20 330)
Germaniawerft, Kiel 12.3.1937 Sunk 13.4.40
Z13 Blohm & Voss, Hamburg 18.3.1937 Sunk 13.4.40
Name Builder Launched Fate
Z14 Blohm & Voss, Hamburg 5.11.1935 To USSR 1946
Z15 Blohm & Voss, Hamburg 24.9.1936 To USSR 1946 Z17 Deschimag, Bremen 19.8.1937 Sunk 13.4.40
Z16 Blohm & Voss, Hamburg 21.3.1937 Sunk 31.12.42 Z18 Deschimag, Bremen 1.12.1937 Sunk 13.4.40
Z19 Deschimag, Bremen 22.12.1937 Sunk 13.4.40
The 1934A type destroyers were slightly improved versions of, and some 6ft Z20 Deschimag, Bremen 15.6.1938 To USSR 1946
longer than, the 1934 type. They were laid down between March 1935 and Z21 Deschimag, Bremen 2.8.1938 Sunk 10.4.40
January 1936 and were completed between 1937 and 1939. There were slight Z22 Deschimag, Bremen 20.9.1938 Sunk 10.4.40
variations in configuration. The steam pipes on the funnel uptakes differed
according to the machinery fitted; from 1943 Z5 (Paul Jacobi) had a clipper Laid down in 1936-37 and commissioned in 1938-39, the 1936 type destroyers
bow; from 1941 Z6 (Theodor Riedel) had a tripod mast and in 1942 her funnel were further examples of slightly improved ‘ 1934s’. Z20-Z22 featured a clipper
caps were lowered. Z5’s armament was increased in 1944 to 2-40mm/70 Bofors bow, as indeed did all subsequent German destroyers. Most of the boats of this
28 (4x 1), 8-20mm C38 (2 x 4), 4-37mm/83 M42 (2 x 2) and 4-20mm C38 (2 x 2); type were lost at Narvik. Z17 (Diether von Roeder) was lost there, and the wreck
Z6 was altered along similar lines. Both Z10 (Hans Lody) and Z1S (Erich still lies within the harbour. Z18 (Hans Lildemann) was sunk on the same day at
Steinbrinck) were modified to ‘Barbara’ standards in 1944-45, the former receiv¬ Rombaksfjord; her wreck is still there. Z/9 (Hermann Kiinne), which foundered
ing 12-37mm/83 M42 (6x2) and the latter 14—37mm/83 M42 and 4—20mm at Herjangsfjord, was broken up between 1960 and 1963. Z20 (Karl Galster) was
(1x4). ceded to the USSR after the war; renamedProtshnyj, she saw service in the Baltic
Z5 was handed over to the Royal Navy in 1945; she was transferred to the and was probably scrapped in the 1950s. Both Z21 (Wilhelm Heidkamp) and Z22
French Navy at Cherbourg on 2 February 1946 and renamed Disaix-, refitted at (Anton Schmitt) were sunk at Narvik, where their wrecks still lie.
Brest in 1946/7 and equipped with US-manufactured radar, she saw active
Leberecht Maass (Zl), probably running trials
service and was used for weapons trials from 1947 to 1949. She was broken up in
1951. Z6 was transferred to Great Britain after World War II and was also
handed over to the French Navy at Cherbourg on 2 February 1946, being
renamed Kleber (D603); she was refitted and modernised at Cherbourg from
1948 to 1951 with US-manufactured radar and German-style ‘Barbara’ installa¬
tions. She served from 1951 in the Mediterranean, was placed in reserve from
1953 to 1957 and was sold for scrapping in autumn 1958. Z7 (Hermann
Schoemann) was shelled and damaged by the cruiser Edinburgh during an attack
on convoys PQ-15 and QP-11, and was scuttled with depth charges. Z8 (Bruno
Heinemann) was sunk on en route to France after striking a mine off Calais. Z9
(Wolfgang Zenker) foundered at Rombaksfjord and was broken up in 1960. Z10
was ceded to Great Britain after the war; transferred to Portsmouth on 7 January
1946 and renamed R38, she served as a trials ship with a mixed Anglo-German

Karl Galster (Z20) as commissioned

233
GERMANY
As the C38 twin turret was delayed by production difficulties, the class was
completed with a single 150mm mounting on a ‘bandstand’ in ‘A’ position; when
the turret became available it replaced the single gun in Z23, Z24, Z25 and Z29.
Experience proved the 150mm gun to be less than satisfactory since the ammun¬
ition had to be handled as separate shells and powder-cartridges as against the
single cartridge of the old 127mm weapon. Moreover, at 97 tons the twin turret
was so heavy that the boats’ sea-going capabilities suffered.
The class were laid down between November 1938 and April 1940 and
commissioned between September 1940 and November 1941. Z28 was towed to
Deschimag, Bremen, for final outfitting; as a staff destroyer she featured a
revised superstructure aft, giving rise to the nickname ‘pullman car’. Z30
1936A type carried a flying deck over her torpedo tubes for a period, this being removed in
1942-43. Z25 andZ29 were modified to ‘Barbara’ standards, with 12-37mm/83
Displacement: 3605t {Z2S-Z27 3543t,Z28 3519t,Z29-Z30 3597t) deep load
M42 in single and twin mountings and 18-20mm C38 in M44 twin and C38M
Dimensions: 399ft llin wl, 416ft 8in oa x 39ft 4in x 12ft lOin—15ft 2in
quadruple mountings.
121.90, 127.00 x 12.00 x 3.92-4.62m
Z23 was damaged by RAF bombing at La Pallice on 12 August 1944;
Machinery: As 1934 type except 70,000shp = 38.5kts
decommissioned nine days later, she was eventually broken up in 1948. Z24 was
Armament: 4—150mm/50 C36 (4x1), 4-37mm/83 C30 (2x2), 5-20mm bombed by the RAF off Le Verdon and, although she managed to reach
(Z28 7-20mm) C30 (5x1), 8-533mm TT (2x4). See notes
harbour, capsized at her berth. Z25 was transferred to Great Britain after the
Complement: 321 war. On 2 February 1946 she was handed over to the French Navy at Cherbourg
and renamed Hoche (D602). In reserve 1949-51, she was then refitted and
Name Builder Launched Fate
modernised with a single 150mm gun in ‘A’ position, a German-type ‘Barbara’
Z23 Deschimag, Bremen 14.12.1939 BU 1948 AA configuration, French-type 550mm torpedo tubes, US-manufactured radar,
Z24 Deschimag, Bremen 7.3.1940 Sunk 24.8.44 Hedgehog, etc. On 16 October 1953 she recommissioned as a fast escort at
Z25 Deschimag, Bremen 16.3.1940 To France 1946 Toulon and was used as an ASW trials ship. Decommissioned on 28 August
Z26 Deschimag, Bremen 2.4.1940 Sunk 29.3.42 1956, she was finally stricken on 2 January 1958 and broken up between 1961
Z27 Germaniawerft, Kiel 1.8.1940 Sunk 28.12.43 and 1962. Z26 was sunk during a German attack on convoy PQ-13 by gunfire
Z28 Germaniawerft, Kiel 20.8.1940 Sunk 6.3.45 from the cruiser Trinidad and the destroyers Fury and Eclipse. Z21 was sunk in
Z29 Germaniawerft, Kiel 15.10.1940 Scuttled 16.12.46 battle with the cruisers Glasgow and Enterprise during an attempt to assist home
Z30 Germaniawerft, Kiel 8.12.1940 To Britain 1945 the blockade-runner Alsterufer. Z28 was sunk following RAF bombing at the
Sassnitz Roads; she was broken up in shallow water in 1950. Z29 was at
The 1936A type was an enlarged version of the 1936 type, designed to carry a Wesermiinde for refitting at the end of the war, and was ceded to the USA; she
heavier armament of 5-150mm. These boats are often referred to as the ‘Narvik’ was scuttled in the Skagerrak loaded with poison gas ammunition. Z30 was
class, which is incorrect; the assumption comes from the fact that some of these decommissioned on 14 May 1945 at Oslo following mine damage; ceded to Great
boats formed the 8th Destroyer Flotilla (‘Narvik’) between 1 December 1940 Britain in 1945, she was towed to Rosyth, after which she was used for explosive
and August 1944. trials and sunk.

Z38 as the Nonsuch in Dec 1945

group differed from the earlier designs in having a curved cap on the forward
funnel. Originally the group should only have comprised Z31-Z34, but after the
cancellation of the 1938B type destroyers the group was enlarged to include
Z37-Z42 although in the event only Z37-Z39 were built.
Both Z32 and Z38 were towed to Deschimag, Bremen, for final outfitting.
Z31 was completed with a single 150mm gun in ‘A’ position; in 1943-44 a twin
turret was installed; and in 1945, following battle damage, a 105mm/45 C32 was
fitted. Z29 was converted to ‘Barbara’ configuration in the spring of 1945,
carrying 14-37mm/83 M42 in single and twin mountings and 13-20mm C38.
Z33 and Z34 received A A guns from the foundered Liitzow in April 1945:
4-40mm/70 Bofors, 2-37mm/83 M42 1X2,4-20mm C38M (1 x4) and 4-20mm
M44 (2x2)
Z31 was transferred to the Royal Navy after the end of the war. She was
1936A (Mob) type handed over to the French Navy at Cherbourg on 2 February 1946, and entered
Displacement: 2603t standard; 3597t deep load service under the nameMarceau. She was refitted and modernised between 1948
and 1950: a single 150mm gun was installed in ‘A’ position, and US-
Dimensions: 399ft llin wl, 416ft 8in oa x 39ft 4in x 13ft lin
121.90, 127.00 x 12.00 x 4.00m manufactured radar and AA weapons were fitted. She served for a further three
years and after a period in reserve was sold for scrapping in 1958. However, she
Machinery: 2-shaft Wagner geared turbines, 6 Wagner boilers, 70,000shp
= 38.5kts continued to be used for some time as a floating jetty at Brest, not being finally
broken up until the 1960s. Z32 was shelled by the RCN destroyers Haida
Armament: 5-150mm/50 C36 (1x2, 3x1), 2-37mm/83 M42 (1x2),
10-20mm C38 (2x4, 2x1), 8-533mm TT (2x4) and Huron during the Allied invasion of Barfleur and was driven ashore at the lie
de Bas. Z33 was ceded to Great Britain in 1945; in the summer of 1945 she was
Complement: 321
handed over to the Russians and renamed Provomyj, and after service in the
Name Builder Baltic was scrapped in 1960-62. Z34 was heavily damaged following a Russian
Launched Fate
torpedo hit on 16 April 1945; ceded to the USA after the war, she was, however,
Z31 Germaniawerft, Kiel 15.5.1941 To France 1946 scuttled in the Skagerrak loaded with poison gas ammunition on 24 March 1946.
Z32 Germaniawerft, Kiel 15.8.1941 Beached 8.6.44 Z37 was scuttled at Bordeaux and the wreck broken up in 1949. Z38 was
Z33 Germaniawerft, Kiel 15.9.1941 To USSR 1946 transferred to the Royal Navy and renamed Nonsuch (R40) in the autumn of
Z34 Germaniawerft, Kiel 5.5.1942 Scuttled 26.3.46 1945; later known as D107, she was decommissioned in 1949 and sold for
Z37 Germaniawerft, Kiel 24.2.1941 Scuttled 24.8.44 scrapping. Z39 also went to the Royal Navy but on 11 July 1945 was handed over
Z38 Germaniawerft, Kiel 5.8.1941 To Britain 1946 to the US Navy at Plymouth; transferred to Boston, she was used for trials and in
Z39 Germaniawerft, Kiel 2.12.1941 To USA 1946 autumn 1945 was redesignated DD939. In late 1947 she was sold to France and
towed to Casablanca, being hulked there from 1949 to 1951. She was then towed
Commissioned between April 1942 and August 1944, the boats of the 1936A to Toulon and cannibalised for the French ex-German destroyers Kleber, Hoche
(Mob) type were part of a wartime (mobilisation) building programme. The and Marceaw, the remnants were scrapped in 1964.

234
 Destroyers

Z43 on trials

1936B type
Displacement: 2527t standard; 3507t deep load
Dimensions: 399ft llin wl, 416ft 8in oa x 39ft 4in X 12ft 6in
121.90, 127.00 x 12.00 x3.80m
Machinery: 2-shaft Wagner geared turbines, 6 Wagner boilers, 70,000shp
= 38kts
1936C type
Armament: 5-127mm/50 C34 (5x1), 8-37mm/83 M42 (4x2), 16-20mm
C38 (3x4, 2X2) 8-533mm TT (2x4) Displacement: 303It standard; 3594t deep load
Complement: 313 Dimensions: 398ft 7in wl, 414ft oa x 40ft x 13ft lin
121.50, 126.20 X 12.20 x 4.00m
Name Builder Launched Fate Machinery: 2-shaft Wagner geared turbines, 6 Wagner boilers, 70,000shp
= 38kts
Z35 Germaniawerft, Kiel 20.10.1942 Mined 12.12.44
Armament: 6-128mm/45 or /50 C41M (3x2), 6-37mm/83 M42 (3x2),
Z36 Germaniawerft, Kiel 15.5.1943 Mined 12.12.44
6-20mm C38, 8-533mm TT (2x4)
Z43 Germaniawerft, Kiel P.9.1943 Scuttled 3.5.45
Complement: 320
Z44 Deschimag, Bremen 20.1.1944 Sunk 29.7.44
Z45 Deschimag, Bremen - Bombed on slip
Name Builder Launched Fate

Owing to the unfortunate experiences with the 150mm gun, these vessels were Z46 Deschimag, Bremen BU on slip 1946
armed with the traditional 127mm/50 C34 single weapon. Z35 and Z36 were Z47 Deschimag, Bremen BU on slip 1946
towed to Deschimag, Bremen, for final outfitting. During a minelaying opera¬ Z48
tion north-east of Reval in the Gulf of Finland, they both ran on to the German Z49
Seeigel mine barrage and were lost. Z43 was scuttled in Geltinger Bay; she Z50
foundered in shallow water and was broken up in 1953. Z44 was bombed by the
RAF at Deschimag’s outfitting basin at Bremen and foundered, being broken The design of the 1936C type followed closely the standard German destroyer
up in 1948. Z4S was damaged by bombing whilst still on her slip and was broken layout, the only new feature being the adoption of the successful 128mm
up in 1946. dual-purpose gun. Owing to bomb damage and a shortage of materials, con¬
struction work on Z46 and Z47, begun in 1943, proceeded very slowly and was

Displacement: 6300t standard

Dimensions: 531ft 6in wl, 554ft 5in oa x 52ft 6in X 16ft 1942 type
162.00, 169.00 x 16.00 x 4.90m
Machinery: 3 shafts. 2 geared turbines, 4 Wagner boilers 80,000shp (outer Displacement: 2330t standard; 2632t deep load
shafts) plus 4 MAN double-acting 2-stroke diesels, Dimensions: 354t 4in wl, 375ft oa x 36ft x 13ft lin
32,000bhp (central shaft) = 36kts (all three) 108.00, 114.30 x 11.00 X 4.00m
Armament: 6-150mm/48 (3x2), 2-88mm (1x2), 12-20mm C38 (3x4), Machinery: 3 shafts. 6 V double-acting 2-stroke diesels (4 on central shaft,
10-533mm TT (2x5) 1 each on outer shafts), 57,120bhp = 36kts
Complement: 520 estimated Armament: 4—127mm/45 C34 (4x 1), 8-37mm/83 M42 (4x2), 12-20mm
C38 (3x4), 6-533mm TT (2x3)
Name Builder Launched Fate Complement: 235

SP1 Germaniawerft, Kiel BU on slip 1943

Name Builder Launched Fate
SP2
SP3 Z51 Deschimag, Bremen 1944 Sunk 21.3.45

Design studies for a large destroyer with light armour date back to 1938. After
the cancellation for the 1938B type destroyers (Z40-Z42), three scout destroyers
were planned with the designation ‘Spahkreuzer 1—3’ (scout cruisers 1-3). The
first unit, Spl, was laid down at Germaniawerft, Kiel, in 1941, but was scrapped
on slip in 1943 in order to transfer material and manpower to other construction.
This unit was to be a trials ship to gain experience with diesel propulsion; the
layout of the superstructure resembled that of the standard German destroyer
design. Laid down in 1943, the vessel was launched in 1944 but was sunk whilst
outfitting during a bomb attack and was scrapped in situ in 1946-48.

235
GERMANY

^N~

The 1944 type was the most modern of all German destroyer designs. It would
1944 type have been diesel-powered and armed with a new generation of weapons. The
most important of these was the newly developed 128mm/45 C41M dual-
Displacement: 3170t standard; 3703t deep load purpose gun, which was a navalised version of the very successful 128mm/50
Dimensions: 413ft 5in wl, 433ft 5in oa x 41ft 4in x 14ft lin Flakzwilling 40, one of the best German AA guns. It is not clear today whether
126.00, 132.10 x 12.60 x 4.30m this gun would have been semi- or fully automatic. After 1941 A A crews
Machinery: 2 shafts. 8 MAN double-acting 2-stroke diesels, 76,000bhp = requested a medium calibre AA gun to counter the low-level attacks of armoured
37.5kts estimated tactical fighters, as the classic 20mm and 37mm weapons were proving in¬
Armament: 6-128mm/50 or /45 C41M (3x2), 3-55mm, 14-30mm, adequate. The 55mm Flak (Gerat 58) was developed, but was rejected by both
8-533mm TT (2x4) Hitler and Speer, so only a few prototypes were built. Little information is
Complement: 308 available on this gun. For close-range defence it was planned to introduce a new
30mm gun (not identical to the 30mm/103 C38 rejected by the Army). The main
Name Builder Launched Fate armament would have been radar-controlled from two USN-style optical/elec¬
- BU on slip tronic range-finder cupolas. Because of bomb damage and shortages of materials
Z52 Deschimag, Bremen
Deschimag, Bremen BU on slip the construction of these vessels - which were laid down in 1943 - was halted and
Z53
Z54 Deschimag, Bremen BU on slip the assemblies were scrapped on slip.
Z55 Deschimag, Bremen BU on slip
Z56 Deschimag, Bremen - BU on slip

Ex-Enemy
Destroyers
This French destroyer was laid down in 1939 but her construction was taken
ZHl over by Germany after the fall of France. The superstructure and armament
were redesigned to conform to German requirements, but the vessel’s comple¬
Displacement: 1922t standard; 2228t deep load
tion was disrupted by French sabotage, construction was abandoned and she
Dimensions: 344ft 6in wl, 351ft oa x 34ft 9in x 9ft lOin was stricken in 1943 before she could be launched.
105.00, 107.00 x 10.60 x 3.00m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons turbines, 3 Yarrow cyl boilers, 45,000shp =
37.5kts
Armament: 5-120mm (2x2,1 x 1), 4-37mm/83 C33 (2x2), 4-20mm C38
(2x2), 8-533mm TT (4x2)
Complement: 230

Name Builder Launched Fate ZG3

ZHl (ex-Gerard Rotterdam 9.5.1940 Sunk 8.6.44 Displacement: 1414t standard; 2088t deep load
Callenburgh) Droogdock Dimensions: 323ft 2in wl, 332ft oa x 34ft lin x 9ft lOin
Maatschappij/Blohm 98.50, 101.20 x 10.40 x 3.00m
& Voss Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons turbines, 3 Yarrow boilers, 34,000shp =
32kts
The Dutch Isaac Sweers class destroyer Gerard Callenburgh, laid down in 1931, Armament: 4—127mm/45 C34 (4x1), 4-37mm/83 C30 (2x2), 4-20mm
was scuttled in May 1940 at Rotterdam following unsuccessful attempts to tow C38 (4x 1), 8-533mm TT (2x4)
her to England. She was refloated by the Germans and completed at Hamburg H
Complement: 215
years later, although commissioning (as ZHl) was delayed owing to a shortage of
trained personnel. The original Dutch main armament was retained, but the AA Name Builder Launched Fate
and torpedo mountings were of German design. The catapult and floatplanes
planned by the Dutch were never fitted. In October 1943 the vessel finally ZG3 (ex-Vasilefs Yarrow 3.3.1938 Scuttled 7.5.43
arrived at Bordeaux as an operational unit. ZHl was torpedoed and sunk by the Georgios)
RN destroyers Tartar and Ashanti during the invasion of Barfleur.
The Greek destroyer Vasilefs Georgios, a British ‘G’/‘H’ class design laid down in
1937 and commissioned into the Greek Navy 15.2.39, was scuttled at the
Scaramanga State Yard, Salamis, on 20.4.41, following the German conquest of
ZF2 Greece, but, having only superficial damage, was raised and refitted for Kriegs-
marine service asZG3 (Hermes). She became the only major German surface unit
Displacement: 2070t standard; 2910t deep load in the Mediterranean, and served in the escort role for about a year. Commis¬
Dimensions: 363ft lOin wl, 371ft oa x 36ft 5in x 9ft lOin sioned first on 21 March 1942 and again on 22 August of that year, she was
110.90, 113.10 x 11.10 x 3.00m immobilised by near-misses during an RAF bombing raid on 30.4.43 at La
Machinery: 2-shaft Rateau-Chantiers de Bretagne turbines, 4 Indret boil¬ Goulette, Tunis, and scuttled a week later. She was broken up in situ in 1944-45.
ers, 58,000shp = 37kts
Armament: 5-127mm/45 C34 (1x2, 3x1), 4-37mm/83 C33 (2x2), After the capitulation of Italy, a number of Italian units (some of which were
10-20mm C38, 8-533mm TT (2x4) themselves ex-Yugoslavian) were taken over by the Kriegsmarine and designated
Complement: 245 Torpedoboot Ausland (= foreign torpedo-boat). However, by the standards of the
day, these were destroyers in all but name. The vessels concerned were TAM
Name Builder Launched Fate (ex-Turbine), TA1S (ex-Francesco Crispi), TA31 (ex-Dardo), TA32 (ex-Premuda,
ZF2 (ex-L’Opiniatre) A C de la Gironde,- BU on slip ex-Dubrovnik), TA33 (ex-Corsaro, ex-Squadrista), TA43 (ex-Sebenico, ex-
Bordeaux Beograd) and TA44 (ex-Antonio Pigafetta). For full details see under Italy and
Yugoslavia.

236
 Torpedo-boats

TORPEDO-BOATS
Class: Wolf, litis, Jaguar, Leopard, Lucks, Tiger
Built at Wilhelmshaven N Yd, laid down 1926-27 and commissioned 1928-29.
As with the 1923 type, the TT were renewed with 533mm mountings in 1931,
and from 1943-44 8-20mm C38 were carried. Leopard and Lucks were used for
weapons trials in 1934, being fitted with 3-127mm/45 C34, which were later
adopted as destroyer armament.
All six units were lost during the war: Tiger was sunk 27.8.39 following a
Displacement: 924t standard; 1290t deep load collision with Z3 east of Bornholm; Leopard was sunk 30.4.40 in a collision with
Dimensions: 281ft 2in wl, 287ft 9in oa x 27ft 8in x 9ft 2in, 12ft max the minelayer Preussew, Lucks was torpedoed 26.7.40 by HM submarine Sword¬
85.70, 87.70 x 8.43 x 2.81, 3.65m fish ; Wolf was mined and sunk off Dover on 8.1.41; litis went down off Boulogne
Machinery: 2- shaft Vulcan geared turbines, 3 Navy boilers, 24,829shp = after being torpedoed by British MTBs, 13.5.42; and Jaguar was bombed and
33.6kts sunk at Le Havre on 15.6.44.
Armament: 3- 105mm/45 C16 (3x1), 2-20mm, 6-500mm TT (2x3)
Complement: 127

Class: Mowe, Greif, Seeadler, Albatros, Kondor, Falke

These small vessels were intially classified as destroyers but after the launch of
the first 1934 type destroyers were redesignated torpedo-boats. They were built
at Wilhelmshaven N Yd, laid down 1924—25 and commissioned 1926-28, and
were based on the Imperial German Navy’s S113 and B114 designs. Mowe
originally featured a rounded stern; the rest of the class had transom sterns. In
1931 the new 533mm TT were fitted and in 1936 the funnels were shortened, the 1935 type (launched 1938-39)
after control position and superstructure enlarged, and the main armament
altered to 3-105mm/45 C28 or C32 (3x1). AA armament was augmented to Displacement: 844t (75-772 839t) standard; 10881(75-772 1082t) deep load
7-20mm C38 (1x4, 3x1) in 1944. Dimensions: 269ft 8in wl, 276ft 7in oa x 28ft 3in x 7ft 8in, 9ft 8in max
During the war these vessels served as ‘maids of all work’, and all six were 82.20, 84.30 x 8.62 x 2.33, 2.94m
casualties: Albatros was sunk on 10.4.40 following a gunnery duel at Bolaer- Machinery: 2-shaft Wagner geared turbines, 2 Wagner boilers, 31,OOOshp
ne/Oslofjord; Seeadler foundered 13.5.42 off Boulogne after being torpedoed by = 35.5kts
British MTBs; Greif was bombed and sunk 24.5.44 whilst being transferred Armament: l-105mm/45 C34, l-37mm/83 C33, 5 to 8-20mm C38,
from Cherbourg to Le Havre; and Mowe, Falke and Kondor were all sunk at Le 6-533mm TT (2x3)
Havre during air raids, on 15.6.44, 24,6.44 and 28.6.44 respectively. Complement: 119

Greif in the early 1930s Class: 77-772

Laid down in 1937 and commissioned 1939-40, these boats and the 1937 type
are often erroneously referred to as the ‘Elbing’ class, owing to the fact that
T1-T4,T9 and T10 were built there by Schichau. The rest of the class were built
by Deschimag at Bremen. A clipper bow was fitted during the war to improve
sea-going performance, thereby increasing overall length to 285ft 9in (87.1m),
and a tripod mast and a bow sponson (l-37mm) were also installed. The unique
fixed V-shaped radar antenna was later replaced by the standardSeetakt system,
and some vessels received 1 to 2-40mm/70 Bofors 28 in place of the aft TT bank.
The straightforward design, with its flush-decked hull and boxy superstructure,
proved very successful, and the boats were used as escorts, sub-chasers and
minelayers in offshore waters.
77 was sunk by bombing during repairs at Deutsche Werke, Kiel, 10.4.1945.
T2 was sunk by bombs during repairs at Deschimag, Bremen, 29.7.44; though
refloated later that year, she was scrapped in 1945. T3 was sunk by bombing at
Le Havre 19.9.40 but was raised in 1941 and recommissioned; she was subse¬
quently mined north of the Hela Peninsula 14.3.45. T4 was ceded to the USA in
1945 but was handed over to the Danish Navy 18.6.48; however, she never
commissioned and was scrapped in 1951. T5 was mined north of the Hela
Peninsula 14.3.45 and T6 met a similar fate east of Aberdeen 7.11.40. 77, like
1924 type (launched 1927-28) T2, was sunk by bombs at Deschimag 29.7.44, and although refloated in 1944,
Displacement: 933t standard; 1320t deep load was broken up soon afterwards. T8 and T9 were scuttled 3.5.45 at the Strander
Dimensions: 292ft wl, 303ft lOin oa x 28ft 4in x 9ft 3in, lift 6in max Bucht. T10 sank after having been bombed at Deutsche Werke’s dock at
89.00, 92.60 x 8.65 x 2.83, 3.52m Gotenhafen (Gdynia) 18.12.44. Til was transferred to Great Britain in 1945; on
Machinery: 2- shaft geared turbines, 3 Navy boilers, 25,160shp = 34.6kts 2.2.46 she was handed over to the French Navy at Cherbourg and renamed Bir
3- 105mm/45 C28 (3x1), 2-20mm, 6-500mm TT (2x3) Hakeim. She served in the French Navy until stricken 8.10.51, being subse¬
Armament:
quently broken up. T12 was ceded to the USSR in 1945; she was renamed
Complement: 127
Podvishnyj, stricken in 1957 and later broken up.

Lucks about 1938

237
T20 as the French Baccarat in 1946
By courtesy of Jean Navarett
/yrq
T13 1944
1937 type (launched 1939-41)
Displacement: 853t standard; 1098t deep load
Dimensions: 269ft wl, 279ft 6in oa x 29ft lin x 8ft 3in, 10ft 4in max
82.00, 85.20 x 8.87 x 2.51, 3.14m
Machinery: 2-shaft Wagner geared turbines, 4 Wagner boilers, 32,000shp
= 35.5kts
Armament: As 1935 type
Complement: 119
Class: T13-T21
Built by Schichau at Elbing and commissioned in 1941. Very similar to the
1935 type but with an enlarged bridge. Tripod masts and 37mm bow sponsons
were fitted to surviving boats late in the war, some receiving the 40mm Bofors as
in the previous class.
773 was sunk by bombs in the Skagerrak 10.4.45, whilst escorting Hansa.
T14 was handed over to the USA after the war, but transferred to the French
Navy in 1947. Renamed Dompaire, she saw service until 8.10.51 when she was
stricken and sold for scrapping. T15 was sunk by bombs whilst undergoing
repairs at Deutsche Werke, Kiel, on 13.12.43. T16 suffered heavy bomb
damage whilst escorting Hansa, but managed to reach Frederikshaven, there
being decommissioned 13.4.45 and broken up. T17 was ceded to the USSR in
1946 and renamed Porivystyj. In 1952 she was handed over to the East German
Seepolizei, being renamed Rosa Luxembourg, and was finally broken up in 1957.
T18 was sunk in the Baltic 17.9.44 following Russian bombing. 779 was
transferred to the USA in 1945; although handed over to the Danish Navy in
January 1947, she was never commissioned, being broken up in 1951. T20 was
ceded to Great Britain in 1945; on 2.2.46 she was handed over to the French
Navy at Cherbourg, renamed Baccarat, and finally stricken 8.10.51 and sold for
scrap. T21, transferred to the USA after the war, was scuttled in the Skagerrak
16.12.46 loaded with poison gas ammunition.
Class: T22-T36
Built by Schichau at Elbing, these vessels were enlarged and improved
versions of earlier classes. They were in effect destroyer escorts, and they served
successfully in this role during World War II. From T25 onwards, additional
20mm sponsons were fitted forward of the bridge. T31-T36 featured a simp¬
lified hull construction forward.
T22, T30 and T32 were lost on a German minefield due to navigational errors
on 18.8.44 in the Gulf of Finland whilst on a minelaying sortie. T23, ceded to
Great Britain, was handed over to the French Navy on 2.2.46 and renamed
L’Alsacien (T07). Refitted 1948-49, she saw service until 1952 as D604; she was
then placed in reserved, stricken 9.6.54 and sold for scrapping. T24 was sunk by
RAF bombers whilst acting as guardship at Le Verdon, 24.8.44. 775 and T26
were sunk 28.12.43 by the RN cruisers Glasgow and Enterprise during an
attempt to bring home the blockade-runner Alsterufer. T27 was scuttled after
heavy battle damage and torpedo hits during an action with MTBs off the coast
of Brittany 29.4.44. T28 was given up to Great Britain and, like T23, was handed
over to the French at Cherbourg on 2.2.46; renamed Le Lorrain (TO 8), she was
later refitted, the 105mm gun at ‘A’ position being replaced by superstructure.
Reclassified D605, she apparently served as a cadet training or ASW trials ship,
being stricken 21.7.59 and sold for scrap. T29 was sunk by British cruisers and
destroyers off Brittany on 26.4.44. T31 was torpedoed 20.6.44 in the Gulf of
Finland by Russian MTBs. T33 was transferred to the USSR in 1946; renamed
Primemyj, she was broken up in 1960. T34 was mined east of Arkona on
20.11.44 during gunnery training. T35 was handed over to the USA in 1945 and
redesignated DD935; in 1947 she was sold to France and “cannibalised’ for the
French ex-German torpedo-boats Le Lorrain and L’Alsacien. T36 was mined and
bombed at Swinemiinde (Swinoujscie) 4.5.45.
1940 type
Displacement: 193It standard; 2566t deep load
Dimensions: 360ft lOin wl, 375ft 8in oa x 37ft lin x 10ft 8in, 12ft 6in max
110.00, 114.50 x 11.30 x 3.24, 3.81
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Yarrow watertube boilers,
45,000shp = 34.8kts
Armament: 4—127mm/45 C34 (4x1), 4-37mm/83 M42 (2x2), 8-20mm
C38 (2x4), 8-533mm TT (2x4)
Complement: 231

775 1944 Class: T61-T72

Laid down in 1941 at Wilton Fijenoord, Schiedam (T61 ,T62,T67, T68) and
at Rotterdam Droogdook Maatschappij (T63 ,T64 ,T69 ,T70), and in 1942 at De
1939 type (launched 1941-44) Schelde, Vlissingen (T65, T66, T71, T72), these vessels were designed around
Displacement: 1294t standard; 1754t deep load the machinery already available for the Dutch destroyers Tjerk Hiddes and
Dimensions: 318ft 3in wl, 334ft 8in oa x 32ft lOin x 8ft 6in, 10ft 7in max Philips van Almonde, whose hulls had been gutted. These designs were in fact
97.00, 102.00 x 10.00 x 2.60, 3.22m genuine destroyers which were to be built in Dutch yards. T61, T63 and 765,
Machinery: 2-shaft Wagner geared turbines, 4 Wagner boilers, 29,000shp the only three to be launched (1944), were towed to Germany for final outfitting,
= 32.5kts but 7*6/ was sunk by an airborne torpedo on 12.9.44 off the Dutch coast. All the
Armament: 4—105mm/45 C34 (4x1), 4-37mm/83 M42 (2x2), 7 to other vessels remained in the Netherlands, T66 being destroyed on slip by
12-20mm C38, 6-533mm TT (2x3) bombing in 1944. The remaining boilers and turbines were used in the Dutch
Complement: 206 postwar destroyers Holland, Gelderland, Noordbrabant and Zeeland, which were
once more designed to suit existing machinery.

238

Displacement: 1493t standard; 2155t deep load
Dimensions: 334ft 8in wl, 347ft 9in oa X 35ft lin x 9ft 8in, 12ft 2in max
102.00, 106.00 x 10.70 x 2.94, 3.72m
Machinery: 2-shaft Wagner geared turbines, 4 Wagner boilers, 40,000shp
= 34kts
Armament: 4-105mm/45 L44B (4x 1), 4-37mm/83 M42 (2x2), 8-20mm
C38 (1x4, 2x2), 6-533mm TT (2x3)
Complement: 210
Class: T37-TS1
The 1941 type torpedo-boats were improved and enlarged 1939 types and
would have featured an optical/electronic rangefinder similar to that developed
for the 1944 type destroyers. T40-T50 were destroyed on slip at Elbing during
the German evacuation of East Prussia in May 1945. T37-T39 were almost
complete at the end of the hostilities but were scuttled, being finally broken up
in 1946.
SUBMARINES
Although the Treaty of Versailles specifically forbade Germany to
possess any submarines, a design bureau was set up at The Hague in
1922: the N V Ingenieurskantoor voor Scheepsbouw (IvS), under the
management of Dr Ing Hans Techel and Korv Kapt (ret) Hans Blum.
The work of the IvS ensured that Germany did not fall behind in
contemporary submarine development and helped her to enter the
export market. Export efforts met with little success initially, however,
so the Navy had to bring in additional money for guarantees via
specially founded commercial organisations.
The First World War UBIII and UCIII types were further
developed, and in 1926-27 the IvS received a contract for two 505t/620t
boats for Turkey. These were built at Fijenoord, Rotterdam, and
became the Birindgi Inonii, and Ikindgi Inonii, which were tested by
German ex-submarine personnel in 1928. In 1926 a contract was signed
with Finland. The IvS designed the Vetehinen, the Vesihiisi and the
Iku-Tursu, trials being conducted, again in the presence of German
ex-submarine officers, in 1930. In 1926-27 a deal was offered to Spain
which included a submarine developed from the ‘Project 51a’, which
had been designed late in the war. This became the 745t/965t sub¬
marine El, which was, however, not bought by Spain owing to the fall
of the Spanish monarchy in 1931; the vessel was subsequently sold to
Turkey. From 1924 Finland showed great interest in a tiny 99t/136t
coastal submarine; after some delay, this was built in 1930 as Saukko. A
larger, follow-up type (Project Lilliput) was a 250t coastal submarine-
this was the Finnish Vesikko, which worked up in 1933-34 with a
Finnish crew and German advisers. Later, the first nucleus crews of the
secret German submarine crew training programme learnt their trade
on board this boat, which was the forerunner of the German Type IIA
submarine.
These events involved the preparation of a great number of designs
which also could meet the requirements of a future German submarine
force, and thus it was possible to begin the construction of submarines
very quickly when the National Socialist party came to power and
revoked the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
Orders for materials and preliminary construction started in 1934 in
secret - Hitler needed ‘political freedom’ for his negotiations with
Great Britain and France. In January 1935 Germaniawerft, Kiel, was
ordered to send all stored material to Deschimag, Bremen, so that the
construction of the Type IA boats could begin the following month.
The Type IA was an improved design derived from the Spanish E1, but
only two units -U25 and U26- were built, the design being superseded
Torpedo boats/ Submarines
Ex-ENEMY TORPEDO-BOATS
Following the fall of France, a number of French torpedo-boats in various stages
of construction were taken over by the Kriegsmarine. However, owing to
sabotage and bomb damage these vessels were never commissioned. They were
scuttled during the German withdrawal. The boats concerned were TA1 (ex-Le
Fier), TA2 (ex-L’Agile), TA3 (ex-L’Alsacien), TA4 (ex-L’Entreprenant), TA5
(ex-Le Farouche) and TA6 (ex-Le Corse). Two Norwegian torpedo-boats under
construction at the Horten State Yard were also taken over-774 7 (ex-/) and TA8
(ex-//) - but, like the French vessels, these were never completed. A large
number of Italian torpedo-boats (TA9-TA13 being ex-French torpilleurs legers)
were handed over to Germany on 5.4.43. These comprised TA9 (ex-Bombarde),
TA10 (ex-La Pomone), TA11 (ex-L’Iphigenie), TAW (ex-Baliste), TA13 (ex-La
Bayonnaise), TA16 (ex-Castelfiardo), TA17 (ex-San Martino), TA18 (ex-
Solferino), TAW (ex-Calatafini), TA20 (ex-Audace, ex-Kawakaze), TA21 (ex-
Insidioso), TA22 (ex-Guiseppe Missori), TA23 (ex-Impavido), TA24 (ex-Arturo),
TA25 (ex-Intrepido), TA26 (ex-Ardito), Ta27 (ex-Auriga), TA28 (ex-Arturo),
TA29 (ex-Eridano), TA30 (ex-Dragone), TA3S (ex-Guiseppe Dezza), TA36 (ex-
Stella Polaris), TA37 (ex-Gladio), TA38 (ex-Spada), TA39 (ex-Daga), TA40
(ex-Pugnale), TA41 (ex-Lancia), TA42 (ex-Alabarda), TA45 (exSpica), TA46
(ex-Fionda), TA47 (ex-Balestra), TA48 (ex-Yugoslavian 13, ex-Austro-
Hungarian 78T) and TA49 (ex-Lira). See under France, Norway and Italy for
further details.
by the Type VII. The second design grew out of the Finnish Vesikko
and became the small Types IIA, IIB, IIC and IID coastal submarines.
Because of stockpiled construction material they were commissioned
only four months after having been laid down. Designs for the follow¬
up Types III to VI were stopped when the specifications for the
standard ocean-going Type VII U-boats were adopted in 1934. After
Germany’s formal announcement of her intention to re-arm (25.3.35),
ten Type VIIA submarines were laid down and commissioned within
ten months. Further improvements led to the Types VIIB and VIIC.
The latter became the ‘workhorse’ of the Kriegsmarine, operating in the
famous ‘wolf-pack’ tactics against Allied convoys from 1939 to 1943.
In March 1943 came the first real setback for German U-boat war¬
fare. Today we know that it was caused mainly by the successful
breaking of the German ‘Code M’ by British ‘Ultra’ cryptologists, plus
the extensive use of HF/DF and surface radar by Allied ASW vessels.
All efforts to revive aggressive U-boat warfare were centred around the
modification of existing vessels, little attention being given to their
inherent technical weaknesses: improved and increased A A armament,
the removal of the 88mm gun, the installation of passive radar sets of
the Metox and Naxos types and, finally, the installation of a schnorkel
and Hohentwiel radar and the fitting of new torpedoes with new homing
devices (acoustic Zaunkomg, direction-finding LUT and searching
FAT). But even with these technological innovations the out-dated
Type VIIC could not match the advanced Allied ASW techniques.
Further variants of the standard Type VII design led to the Type
VIID minelayer and the Type VIIF torpedo transport. In 1935 the
German Navy issued a requirement for a long-range submarine. This
was developed from the Type IA and became the Types IXA, IXB,
IXC and IXC/40, and the enlarged submarine cruisers of the Types
IXD-1 and IXD-2. The last two types of conventional German U-boat
were the big Type XB submarine minelayer and the Type XIV supply
submarine (nicknamed ‘milch-cow’).
In 1943 it became more and more obvious that the U-boat in its
present form would not be able to match Allied ASW techniques. In
particular, surfacing to recharge batteries and to renew the air supply
turned out to be an extremely hazardous business as Allied maritime
aircraft equipped with ASW radar were patrolling a steadily increasing
area of ocean. Since the early 1930s the German engineer Hellmuth
Walter had been working on a circuit motor which would function
independently of atmospherically derived oxygen. In the so-called
‘cold system’ Walter turbine highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide
239
GERMANY
(90 per cent H2O2) was to be the oxygen-producing substance, thus
enabling conventional fuel to be used. The technological problem was
the handling of the peroxide - which is extremely unstable. Early
designs of high-speed submarines with a Walter propulsion system date
back to 1933, but it was not until 1939-40 that the first experimental
80t submarine V80 was built. This steamlined ‘fish’ reached sub¬
merged speeds of 28.1kts.
The next step was the development of a 320t experimental boat
(V300) which was to reach 25kts on 4000shp produced by a Walter
turbine of the ‘hot system’. This system, via a catalyst, produced high
pressure steam and oxygen by ‘burning’ the peroxide.
After further design changes the Type V300 610t experimental
submarine U791 was built in 1943. The next developments were the
Wa201 designs (U792 and U793 - 277t/294t; bow torpedo tubes;
9kts/25kts) and Wk202 (U794 and U795 - 236t/259t; 2 bow tubes;
8.5kts/24kts). However, in contrast to the feverish rate at which vast
numbers of the well-tried conventional boats were built, the develop¬
ment of an entirely new propulsion system, and the experiments with
streamlined hulls which complemented it, proceeded very slowly, the
whole Walter programme having been accorded a low priority. Thus in
1943 - by which time conventional submarines were being completely
outclassed - the development of new U-boats was so far behind that it
was reckoned to be two years before any long-range Walter-propelled
submarines could be used operationally. In an attempt to alleviate the
problem, it was decided to marry the conventional U-boat powerplant
to the new streamlined hull forms; the result was the Type XXI
electro-boat, whose ‘8’-shaped internal hull provided enough room to
treble the battery capacity, so boosting underwater speed to 15kts. To
help counter recent Allied successes, other innovations were incorpo¬
rated into the design: six bow tubes with a mechanical fast-reload
system; ‘creeping engines’ to facilitate silent escape at 5kts; a retract¬
able schnorkel with modern ECM devices; two remotely controlled
30mm AA twin mountings; and new underwater sound detection
devices with accurate plotting and tracking systems and displays.
Everything possible was done to make the first boats operational by
November 1944; Speer organised the mass production of 20 boats per
month by assembling prefabricated sections. However, during initial
trials in the Baltic it was discovered that the capabilities of the new
submarine were so different from those of the old U-boat that entirely
new handling and attacking techniques had to be developed and evalu¬
ated. In the last days of the war dozens of these boats lay ready in
Norway awaiting their orders; but the submarines which might have
made a comeback and inflicted casualties at the 1942 level stayed in
harbour. Only U2S11 and U3008 made a sortie - which was broken by
the war’s end. Germany was also developing the small Type XXIII
coastal electric submarine. Following top-priority construction in
bomb-proof bunkers, these boats became operational in small numbers
in 1944-45.
It is typical of the strange mixture of efficiency and muddle which
characterised the war effort of the Third Reich that the obsolescent
Type VIIC U-boat was still being constructed in great numbers at the
same time as the new advanced types were being entrusted to the skills
of ‘diluted’ labour. In 1945 several new submarines types were in the
design or experimental stage (including the revolutionary Walter Type
XVIIB), but the disintegration of the Nazi regime put an end to all
these programmes.
During World War II three German submarines were captured by
the Allies. The first was U110 (Type IXB), which on 9.5.41 was forced
to surface after having been chased by Aubretia, Bulldog and Broadway.
Vital secret material - including Schliisselmaschine M, the German
naval Enigma code machine - was captured. The U-boat sank on
Type IA (launched 1936)
Displacement: 848t/967t*
Dimensions: 237ft 6in oa x 20ft 4in x 14ft lin
72.40 x 6.20 x 4.30m
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 MAN diesels plus 2 electric motors,
1540bhp/500shp = 17.8kts/8.3kts
Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow sub, 2 stern sub; 14 G7e torpedoes),
l-105mm/45 C32, l-120mm C30
Complement: 43
240
10.5.41 whilst under tow by HMS Bulldog. The second was U570
(Type VIIC) which was captured on 27.8.41 by British aircraft. It was
impressed into the Royal Navy as Graph but was wrecked in 1944. The
third U-boat to be captured was U50S (Type IX) which was taken on
4.6.44 by a US ASW force led by USS Guadalcanal. She was commis¬
sioned in the USN as Nemo. Since 1954 she has been on display as a
museum ship outside the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.
The German U-boat arm commissioned 1149 German plus 21 cap¬
tured (British, Turkish, Dutch, French and Italian) units, so the total
figure of fighting boats was 1170 (not including the eight experimental
Walter vessels); 630 boats were lost in action, 42 were lost by accident,
81 were lost in German or German-occupied harbours through enemy
action (bombs and mines) and 215 boats were scuttled by their crews at
the end of the war (after Donitz’s famous ‘Rainbow’ order); 38 boats
were decommissioned during the war because of irreparable damage
and 11 boats were interned in neutral harbours or sold to foreign navies.
After the German capitulation U181, U862, U219 and U195 were
commissioned into the Imperial Japanese Navy as 1501,1502,1505 and
1506. 153 boats were surrendered to the Allies after the ‘Rainbow’
order was revoked; 116 of them were scuttled in the North Atlantic
during Operation ‘Deadlight’.
Some boats survived for experimental purposes: Great Britain
received Meteorite (ex-UI407, Type XVIIB), N41 (ex-U30l7, Type
XXI) N35 (ex-172326, Type XXIII) and others; France got Mille
(ex-U471, Type VIIC),Blaison (ex-U123, Type IXB), Bouan (ex-U510,
Type IXC),Laubie (ex-17766, Type VIIC),RolandMorillot (ex-U25l8,
Type XXI) and U2326 (Type XXIII). the last two coming via the Royal
Navy. Norway took into service Knerter (ex-U4706, Type XXIII),
Kya (ex-U926, Type VIIC), Kaura(ex-U995, Type VIIC - this boat is
now displayed as a museum ship near Kiel) and Kynn (ex-U1202, Type
VIIC/41); Poland raised U1308 (Type VIIC/41) and U2344 (Type
XXIII); East Germany raised U923 (type VIIC); the Federal German
Navy put into service the raised boats Wilhelm Bauer (ex-U2540, Type
XXI\Hecht (ex-U2367) andHai (ex-U2365), both Type XXIII; Spain
finally took over the already purchased U573 (Type VIIC) as G7;
Canada got U190 (Type IXC/40); the United States received U234
(Type XB), U997 (Type VIIC), U3008 and U2513 (both Type XXI);
and the Soviet Union received, via Great Britain, U1057, U1058,
U1064, U1305 (all Type VIIC), U1231 (Type IXC), U2529, U3035,
U3041, U3515 (all Type XXI), U2353, U2529 (Type XXIII) and
probably others including many prefabricated hull sections. Most of
the innovations discovered in these boats and the information yielded
by the documents captured during the Allied Operation ‘Paperclip’
have been incorporated in today’s submarines and in current underwa¬
ter technology. French experiments with the Roland Morillot had a
strong influence on the design of the first six postwar French sub¬
marines of theNarval class. Great Britain tried to develop the Walter
propulsion system but this became quickly outdated with the advent of
nuclear power. US experiments with U3008 led to the GUPPY (Greater
Underwater Propulsion Power) programme, and the study of the Ger¬
man Ursel documents led to the Regulus programme. (In 1945 Ger¬
many undertook trials with a launching container for a V2, which was
to have been towed by submarine to the US coast. The first tests were
made under the codename Ursel by U1163). After experiments with
Type XXI boats, the Soviet Union developed her ‘W’ class submarine,
over 200 of which were built. Other developments were used for more
peaceful purposes. For example, at the end of the war, German scien¬
tists were developing a synthetic rubber coating to be glued on to
submarine hulls to absorb Asdic echoes. The material proved unsuit¬
able for this purpose, but it became today’s Neoprene.
Type IA as completed
Class: U25, U26
Built by Deschimag, Bremen. Both lost 1940.
’'Displacement figures for U-boats were normally quoted in cubic metres. A
cubic metre of clear water weighs 1000kg or 1 tonne; 1 tonne = 0.9842 long tons.
 Submarines

^7 Type IIA as completed

Type IIA (launched 1935) Type IIC (launched 1938-39)

Displacement: 250t/298t Displacement: 286t/336t
Dimensions: 134ft 2in oa x 13ft 5in x 12ft 6in Dimensions: 144ft oa x 13ft 5in x 12ft 6in
40.90 x 4.10 x 3.80m 43.90 x 4.10 x3.80m
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 MWM diesels plus 2 electric motors, Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 MWM diesels plus 2 electric motors,
350bhp/180shp = 13kts/6.9kts 350bhp/205shp = 12kts/7kts
Armament: 3-533mm TT (bow sub; 6 torpedoes), l-20mm C30 Armament: As Type IIA
Complement: 25 Complement: 25

Class: U1-U6 Class: US6-U63

Built by Deutsche Werke, Kiel. U1, U2 and (75 were war losses; the rest were Built by Deutsche Werke, Kiel. (756 and U63 were war casualues, U59 was
surrendered in 1945. surrendered in May 1945, and the remaining vessels were scuttled in May 1945.

U9 on trials

Type IID (launched 1940)

Displacement: 309t/358t
Dimensions: 144ft 4in oa x 16ft x 12ft 9in
'' <'.,7 A •- 7 ' . 44.00 x 4.90 x 3.90m
■: ■,
Machinery: As Type IIC except 12.7kts/7.4kts
t
Armament: As Type IIA
Complement: 25

Class: U137-U152
Built by Deutsche Werke, Kiel. Three boats -U138, U144 and U147 - were
lost at sea during the war; of those that survived, U143, U145, U149 and U1S0
surrendered and the rest were scuttled by the Germans.

Type VIIA 1940

Type IIB (launched 1935-40) Type VIIA (launched 1936-37)

Displacement: 275t/324t Displacement: 616t/733t
Dimensions: 140ft oa x 13ft 5in x 12ft 6in Dimensions: 211ft 7in oa x 19ft x 14ft 5in
42.70 x 4.10 x 3.80m 64.50 x 5.80 x 4.40m
Machinery: As Type IIA Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 diesels plus 2 electric motors, 1160bhp/375shp =
Armament: As Type IIA 16kts/8kts
Complement: 25 Armament: 5-533mm TT (4 bow sub, 1 stern aw; 11 torpedoes),
l-88mm/45 C35, l-20mm C30
Class: U7-U24, U120, U121 Complement: 44
The main group were launched 1935-36 by Germaniawerft and Deutsche
Werke, the last pair early 1940 by Flenderwerft. U18 and U24 were scuttled in Class: U27-U36
1944 but salvaged by the Russians and used postwar. U21 was scrapped in Built by Deschimag and Germaniawerft. U29 and U30 were scuttled at the
February 1945; U8, U14, (7/7, U120, and (7/2/ were scuttled and U10 and end of the war; the rest were war losses.
Ull surrendered at the end of the war; the remaining boats were lost from
various causes during the war.

An unidentified Type VIIC boat returning to a French port

%
GERMANY

Type VIIB as completed

Type VIIB (launched 1938-41) Type VIIC/41 (launched 1943-44)

Displacement: 741t/843t Displacment: 747t/847t
Dimensions: 218ft 2in oa x 20ft 4in X 15ft 5in Dimensions: 220ft 6in X 20ft 4in x 15ft 9in
66.56 x 6.20 x 4.70m 67.26 x 6.26 x 4.80m
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 diesels plus 2 electric motors, 1400bhp/375shp = Machinery: As Type VIIC
17.2kts/8.8kts Armament: As Type VIIC
Armament: 5-533mm TT (4 bow sub, 1 stern sub; 14 torpedoes), Complement: 44
l-88mm/45 C35, l-20mm C30
Complement: 44 Class: U292-U300, UU01-U1220, U1271-U1404
70 units completed and commissioned; U1111-U1130, U1133-U1160,
Class: U45-U55, U73-U76, U83-U87, U99-U102 U1173-U1190, U1211-U1220, U1280-U1300 and U1309-U1404 were cancel¬
Built by Germaniawerft, Vulcan and Flenderwerft. Around 1944, surviving led before being laid down. More than half the completed boats survived the
boats had their 88mm guns removed, their conning towers enlarged to ‘winter war, U293-U29S, U298, U299, U1102-U1105, U1108-U1110, U1163,
garden’ configuration to ship a 37mm/83 C30U, passive radar installed and a C/7765, C/7777, C/7794, C/7797, C/7795, U1202, U1203, U1271, U1272,
schnorkel fitted. All were war losses except U101, which was surrendered after C/7275, U1301, U130S and U1307 being surrendered and C/7767, C/7732,
the war and C/46, U48 and U52 which were scuttled in May 1945. U1161, C/7762, C/7765, U1170, U1192, UU93, UU96, U1204, C/7265,
U1207, U1209, U1277, U1303, U1304, U1306 and U1308 being scuttled by
their crews in May 1945. After the war C/7262 served 1948-61 in the Norwegian
Navy as Kynn and U1305 became the Soviet 554.

Type VIIC 1940-43

Type VIIC/42
Displacement: 983t/1082t
Type VIIC 1943 Dimensions: 225ft 5in x 22ft 8in x 16ft 9in
65.76 x 6.96 x 5.10m
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 MAN diesels plus 2 electric motors,
2200bhp/375shp = 18.6kts/7.6kts
Armament: 5-533mm TT (4 bow sub, 1 stern sub; 16 torpedoes),
8-20mm C38 (1x4, 2x2)
U441 Type VIIC as ‘U-Flak I’
Complement: 45

Class: C/699, C/766, U783-U790, U913-U918, U937-U942, U1069-U1080,

U1093-U1100, C/77 75—C/7 726, U1147-U1152, U1215-U1220, U1286-
Type VIIC 1944-45
U1297, U1313-U1318, U1339-U1350, U1423-U1434, U1440-U1463,
U1805-U1822, U1901-U1904, C/2667 -U2004, U2101-U2104, U2301-
U2318
Type VIIC (launched 1940-44) 176 units ordered but none commissioned. Design features included an
Displacement: 749t/851t enlarged conning tower with sponsons at two levels to mount the additional AA
guns; a retractable Hohentwiel radar antenna; and a schnorkel.
Dimensions: 220ft 2in X 20ft 4in x 15ft 9in
67.10 X 6.20 x 4.80m
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 diesels plus two electric motors, 1400bhp/375shp
= 17kts/7.6kts
Armament: 5-533mm TT (4 bow sub, 1 stern sub), l-88mm/45 C35,
l-20mm C30
Complement: 44

Class:U69-U72, U77-U82, U88-U98, U132-U136, U201-U212,

U221-U232, U235-U291, U301-U329, U331-U458, U46S-U486,
U551-U790, U807-U840, U901-U10S8, U1063-U1080
Laid down at various yards; 593 units were completed and commissioned.
U474, U769, U770, U996, U1011 and U1012 were bombed on slip and written Type VIID 1944
off; U1026-U1031 were scuttled incomplete at the end of the war; and U39S,
U684-U700, U723-U730, U780-U790, U807-U820, U823, U824,
U829-U840, U909-U920, U931-U950, U1032-U10S0 and U1066-U1080 Type VIID (launched 1941)
were cancelled.
Alterations late in the war followed those detailed for the Type VIIBs. Most Displacement: 950t/1063t
were lost from various causes during the course of the war; some were scuttled at Dimensions: 252ft 3in X 21ft X 16ft 5in
the end of hostilities: U71, U230, U267, U290, U316, U323, U339, U349, 76.96 X 6.46 X 5.00m
U351, U370, U382, U397, U428, U466, U474, U47S, U552, US54, U560, Machinery: As Type VIIC
U596, U612, U704, U708, U717, C/727, U733, U746, U748, C/756, C/522, Armament: As Type VIIC, plus 15 Type SMA mines
C/527, C/525, U903, U904, U922, U924, U929, C/955, C/963, C/967, C/979, Complement: 44
C/999, C/7667, C/7676, U1025, U1026, U1028-U1030 and C/7656; and a large
number were surrendered: C/225, C/244, C/245, U249, C/255, C/256, C/262, Class: U213-U218
U276, U278, C/257, C/297, U293, U294, U29S, U298, U299, U310, U312, Minelayer variant of Type VIIC. Built by Germaniawerft, Kiel. All lost in
U313, C/375, C/3/5, U324, U328, U345, U363, U368, U369, U427, C/477, action except C/275 which was surrendered in May 1945.
C/457, C/453, C/455, C/555, C/637, C/665, C/656, C/772, C/7/6, U720, U739,
U7S8, U760, U764, C/766, C/773, C/775, C/776, C/775, C/779, C/525, C/526,
U901, U907, U926, U928, U930, U9S3, U9S6, C/965, C/975, C/977, U978,
C/955, U991-U995, U997, U1002, U1004, U1005, U1009, U1010, U1019, Type VIIF (launched 1943)
U1022, U1023, U10S2, U1054, U10S7 and C/7655. U428-U430 served as
57-53 and U746-U750 as S4^S9 in the Italian Navy during 1943. C/477 and Displacement: 1067t/1162t
C/766 were taken over by France in 1945 and served until the early 1960s asMille Dimensions: 254ft 7in x 23ft llin X 16ft
and Laubie\ U570 was captured during the war by the Royal Navy and served as 77.66 X 7.36 x 4.90m
Graph until wrecked in 1944; U573 was interned by Spain in 1943 and was Machinery: As Type VIIC
commissioned m that country’s service as G7; and U923 was raised after the war Armament: As Type VIIC, plus stowage for 27 torpedoes
by the East Germans and recommissioned by them, serving until 1954. U926 Complement: 46
and C/995 became the Norwegian Kya and Kaura, and remained in service until
the early 1960s; the latter is now preserved at Kiel. U10S7, U1058 and C/7664 Class: U1059-U1062
were taken over by the Soviet Union in 1945 and saw service as 557,552 and 553 Torpedo supply version of Type VIIC. Built by Germaniawerft, Kiel. C/7667
until about 1963. was surrendered in May 1945; the other three units were war casualties.

242
 Submarines

. "fcA:
Type IXD-1 (launched 1941-42)
Displacement: 1585t/1771t
Type IXA (launched 1938-39) Dimensions: 287ft 5in X 24ft 7in X 17ft 9in
87.60 x 7.50 x 5.40m
Displacement: 1016t/1135t
Machinery: 2 shafts. 6 Daimler-Benz diesels plus 2 electric motors,
Dimensions: 251ft x 21ft 4in x 15ft 5in 1500bhp/500shp = 20.8kts/6.9kts. See notes
76.50 x 6.50 x 4.70m
Armament: As Type IXB. See notes
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 MAN diesels plus 2 electric motors, Complement: 57
2200bhp/500shp = 18.2kts/7.7kts
Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow sub, 2 stern sub; 22 torpedoes), Class: U180, U195
l-105mm/45 C32, l-37mm/83 C30, l-20mm C30
Built by Deschimag, Bremen, Converted to submarine freighters, when the
Complement: 48
original S-boat type diesels were replaced by 2 Germania diesels (1400bhp =
15.8kts), the torpedo tubes removed, and gun armament altered to l-37mm/83
Class: U37-U44
C30U and 4—20mm C38 (2x2). As transports these boats could carry 252 tons of
Built by Deschimag, Bremen. All lost during the war except U37 and U38 freight. U180 was mined in 1944; U195 became the Japanese 1506 in 1945 but
which were scuttled by their crews in May 1945.
was surrendered in August that year.

IXD2 1944-45

Type IXB (launched 1939-40) Types IXD-2 and IXD/42 (launched 1941-44)
Displacement: 1034t/1159t Displacement: 1590t/1775t
Dimensions: 251ft x 22ft 4in X 15ft 5in Dimensions: 287ft 5in oa x 24ft 7in x 17ft 9in
76.50 x 6.80 x 4.70m 87.60 x 7.50 x 5.40m
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 MAN diesels plus 2 electric motors, Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 MAN diesels plus 2 MWM diesel generators plus 2
2200bhp/500shp = 18.2kts/7.3kts electric motors, 2200 + 580bhp/500shp = 19.2kts/6.9kts
Armament: As Type IXA Armament: As Type IXC
Complement: 48 Complement: 57

Class: U64, C/65, U103-U111, U122-U124
Built by Deschimag, Bremen. The 105mm gun was removed from surviving
units in 1944 and AA armament was increased to l-37mm/83 C30,2-20mm C38
(1x2). All lost during the war except U123 which surrendered and saw service
as the French Blaison 1947-51.
Class: U177-U179, U181, U182, U196-U200, U847-U852, U859-U864,
U871-U876 (Type IXD-2); U883-U888, U895-U900, U1531-U1542 (Type
IX D/42)
Built by Deschimag, Bremen. The Type IXD/42 was a slightly improved
version of the Type IXD-2, but only one unit- U883 - was commissioned. U181
and U862 were transferred to Japan in 1945 and redesignated 1501 and 1502
respectively; both were surrendered in August 1945 and subsequently scuttled.
At the end of the war in Europe, U861, U873-U875 and U883 were surrendered
to the Allies, and U852 and U876 were scuttled by their crew. The other units
were sunk or otherwise lost during the war.

Type IXC (launched 1940-42)

Displacement: 1102t/1213t
Dimensions: 252ft X 22ft 4in x 15ft Sin
76.80 x 6.80 x 4.70m
Machinery: As Type IXB
Armament: As Type IXB
Complement: 48

Class: U66-U68, U12S-U131, U1S3-U166, U171-U176, U501-U524

53 units, built by Deschimag, Bremen, except U161-U166 (Seebeckwerft,
Bremerhaven) and U501-U524 (Deutsche Werft, Hamburg). Wartime mod¬ Type XB (launched 1941-43)
ifications were as for Type IXB. All but five were lost through various causes
Displacement: 1735t/2143t
during the war. U155, U510 and US 16 were surrendered to the Allies in May
Dimensions: 294ft 7in X 30ft 2in x 15ft 5in
1945, U510 subsequently serving as the French Bouan 1945-58. U505 was 89.80 X 9.20 x 4.70m
depth-charged and captured by US forces and entered USN service as the Nemo
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 Germania diesels plus 2 electric motors,
in 1944; she is now preserved at Chicago. U511 was transferred to Japan in 1943 2100bhp/550shp = 16.4kts/7kts
as the R0500, surrendered in 1945 and sunk in 1946.
Armament: 2-533mm TT (stern sub), l-105mm/45 C32, l-37mm/83
C30U, l-20mm C30, 66 Type SMA mines
Complement: 52

Class: U116-U119, U219, U220, U233, U234

Built by Germaniawerft, Kiel. U219 was transferred to Japan as/505 in 1945,
Type IXC/40 (launched 1942-44) being subsequently surrendered and scrapped, and U234 was also surrendered,
in May 1945. The other six boats were war casualties.
Displacement: 1126t/1237t
Dimensions: 252ft x 22ft 8in x 15ft 5in
76.80 x 6.90 x 4.70m
Machinery: As Type IXB Type XIV (launched 1941-42)
Armament: As Type IXB
Displacement: 16611/19011
Complement: 48
Dimensions: 220ft 2in x 30ft lOin x 21ft 4in
Class: U167-U170, U183-U194, U525-U550, U801-U806, U841-U846, 67.10 x 9.40 x 6.50m
U8S3-U859, U865-U870, U877-U881, U1221-U1262, U1501-U1530 Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 Germania diesels plus 2 electric motors,
1400bhp/375shp = 14.4kts/6.3kts
Built by Deschimag except U167-U170, U801-U806 (Seebeckwerft, Bre¬
merhaven) and U525-U550, U1221-U1235 (Deutsche Werft, Hamburg); Armament: 2-37mm/83 C30 (2x1), l-20mm C30
U1236-U1262 were either cancelled or bombed on slip. Wartime additions were Complement: 53
as for Type IXB. U188 and U1234 were scuttled in May 1945and U170,U190,
U530, U532, U539, U541, U802, U805, U806, U868, U1228 and Class: U459-U464, U487-U500, U2201-U2204
U1230-U1233 were surrendered at the end of hostilities, U1231 serving with Submarine tankers with a capacity of 432 tons of oil. Only ten (U459-U464,
the Soviet Navy as N25 until 1960. The other completed units were war U487-U500), laid down by Deutsche Werke, Kiel, were actually commis¬
casualties. sioned; all these were war losses.

243
GERMANY 2— Type XXI as completed

V80 (launched 19.1.40) Type XXI (launched 1944-45)

Displacement: 72t/75t Dsiplacement: 1595t/1790t
Dimensions: 72ft 2in oa X 6ft llin X 10ft 6in Dimensions: 251ft 8in oa x 21ft 8in x 20ft 8in
22.00 X 2.10 x 3.20m 76.70 x 6.60 x 6.30m
Machinery: 1-shaft Walter turbine, 2000shp = 28kts Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 MAN diesels plus 2 electric motors and 2 ‘creeping’
Armament: None electric motors, 2000bhp/2500 + 113shp = 15.6kts/17.2kts,
5kts
Complement: 4
Armament: 6-533mm TT (bow sub; 23 torpedoes), 4-20mm XX. See
notes
Placed in reserve 1942; scuttled early 1945.
Complement: 57

Class: U2501-U3044, U3S01-U3695

U791 (launched 1942) Allocated to Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, (U2501-U2761), Deschimag, Bre¬
men (U3001-U3061) and Schichau, Danzig (U3501-U3695). However, only
Displacement: 600t/645t
121 units were commissioned: U2501-U2546, U2548-U2551, U3001-U3035,
Dimensions: 170ft llin oa x 13ft lin x 18ft U3037-U3041, U3044 and U3501-U3530, U2S47, U2550, U2552, U3036,
52.10 x 4.00 x 5.50m U3042 and U3043 were bombed on slip prior to launching, U2553-U2761 and
Machinery: 1-shaft. 2 MWM diesels plus 2 Walter turbines and 2 electric U3531-U3695 were in various stages of construction when the war ended and
motors, 150bhp/2180 + 75shp = 9.3kts/19kts
U2762-U3000 were not laid down.
Armament: 2-533mm TT (bow sub; 6 torpedoes) The original design called for 30mm AA guns but these weapons were not
Complement: 25 mounted because of the complexity of the system and the fact that they were not
readily available. Radar equipment was impressive with a Hohentwiel
E X-V300. (FuM061) or Hohentwiel U1 (FuM065) set and Samos (.FuMB4), Cypem II
(.FuMB9),Borkum (FuMB10),Fliege (FuMB24) andMiicke (FuMB25) passive
detection sets, all situated on retractable antenna masts.
Of the completed boats, U2S03, U2509, U2514-U2516, C/252/, C/2525,
Type Wa201 (launched 1943-44)
C/2524, U2S30, U2532, U2S34, U2537, U2542, U3003, U3007, U3028,
Displacement: 273t/289t U3030, U3032, U3S05, U3508, U3S12, C/55/9, U3520 and C/5525 were lost
Dimensions: 127ft llin oa x 10ft lOin x 14ft lin through enemy action or accident and the remainder were either surrendered or
39.00 X 3.30 X 4.30m scuttled by their crews at the end of the war. U2540 was salvaged and renamed
Machinery: 1- shaft. 2 Deutz diesels plus 2 (U973 1) Walter turbines and 1 Wilhelm Bauer. U3008 was transferred to the USA in 1945 and was sunk as a
electric motor, 210bhp/2500 + 77shp = 9kts/25kts target in 1954. C/2529, U3035, U3515 and U3041 were transferred to the Soviet
Armament: 2- 533mm (short) TT (4 torpedoes) Union and served as N27-N30 1945-63; in addition, a further 20 or 30 boats
Complement: 12 under construction at the war’s end were probably completed by the Russians.

Class: U792, U793

Built by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg. Both were scuttled at Kiel in May 1945
but were subsequently raised and transferred to the Royal Navy.
Type XXIII (launched 1944-45)
Displacement: 230t/254t
Type Wk202 (launched 1943-44) Dimensions: 113ft lOin oa x 9ft lOin x 12ft 2in
34.70 x 3.00 x 3.70m
Displacement: 232t/255t
Machinery: 1-shaft. 1 MWM diesel plus 1 electric motor and 1 ‘creeping’
Dimensions: 113ft 6in oa x lift 2in x 15ft electric motor, 580bhp/580 + 35shp = 15kts/22kts, 5kts
34.60 x 3.40 x 4.60m
Armament: 2-533mm TT (bow sub; 2 torpedoes)
Machinery: 1-shaft. 1 Deutz diesel plus 2 (C/795 1) Walter turbines and 1
Complement: 14
electric motor, 210bhp/2000 + 77shp = 9kts/24kts
Armament: 2-533mm (short) TT (4 torpedoes)
Class: U2321-U2500, U4001-U4120, U4701-U4891
Complement: 12
Construction of this class was scheduled for Deutsche Werft at Hamburg
(U2321-U2331, U2334-U2371, U4001-U4120), at Toulon (U2372-U2400), at
Class: U794-U800
Genoa (U2401-U2430), at Monfalcone (U2431-U2445) and at Nikolayev/Linz
Built by Germaniawerft. U794 and U795 were scuttled incomplete at the end
(U2446-U2460), and by Germaniawerft at Kiel (C/2352, U2333,
of World War II. The construction of U796 was stopped in May 1944;
U4701-U4712). Only U2321-U2371 and U4701-U4712 (63 units) were com¬
U797-U800 were cancelled. missioned. U2372-U2377 and U2378-U2400 were in the final stages of assem¬
bly by May 1945, and the remaining boats were cancelled. C/2525, U2331,
U2338, U2340, U2342, U2344, U2355, U2359, U2367, U4708 and U4709
Type XVIIB (launched 1944-45) were lost through enemy action or by accident, and the remaining commissioned
Displacement: 307t/332t vessels were either scuttled or surrendered at the cessation of hostilities. U2344
was salvaged after the war by Poland and served for a short period before being
Dimensions: 136ft 2in oa x 10ft lOin x 14ft lin
41.50 x 3.30 x 4.30m broken up; U2365 and U2367 were also salved, serving as Hai and Hecht until
Machinery: 1956. U2353 was in service as the Soviet N31 1945-63.
1- shaft. 1 Deutz diesel plus 1 Walter turbine and 1 electric
motor, 210bhp/2500 + 77shp = 8.5kts/21.5kts
Armament: 2- 533mm (short) TT (4 torpedoes)
Complement: 19
CAPTURED SUBMARINES
Class: U1405-U1409
Contracted to Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, but only the first three boats of this The following is a list of submarines taken over by the Kriegsmarine during
type were completed, the rest being scrapped on slip or cancelled. All three World War II. For further details see under the relevant navy.
completed, the rest being scrapped on slip or cancelled. All three completed Ex-British UB (ex-Seal)
units were scuttled in May 1945, but U1406 and U1407 were salvaged, the
former being transferred to the USA and the latter serving with the Royal Navy Ex-Dutch UD1 (ex-OS), UD2 (ex-O/2), UD3 (ex-025), UD4 (ex-026), UD5
1946-49 as Meteorite. (ex-027)

Ex-French UF1 (ex-L’Africaine), UF2 (ex-La Favourite), UF3 (ex-L’Astrde)

Type XVIIG Ex-Italian UIT1 (ex-RlO), UIT2 (ex-/?//), UIT3 (ex-R12), UIT4 (ex-/?7),
UIT5 (ex-R8), UIT6 (ex-R9), UIT7 (ex-Bario), UIT8 (ex-Litio), UIT9 (ex-
Displacement: 309t/340t
Sodio), UIT10 (ex-Potassio), UIT11 (ex-Rame), UITI2 (ex-Ferro), UIT13
Dimensions: 129ft 7in oa x lift 2in x 15ft 5in (ex-Piombo), UIT14 (ex-Zinco), UIT15 (ex-Sparide), UIT16 (ex-Murena),
39.50 x 3.40 x 4.70m
UIT17 (ex-CM2), UIT18 (ex-CM3), UIT19 (ex-Nautilo), UIT20 (ex-Grongo),
Machinery: As Type XVIIB UIT21 (ex-Giuseppe Finzi), UIT22 (ex-Alphino Bagnolini), UIT23 (ex-
Armament: As Type XVIIB Reginaldo Giuliani), UIT24 (ex-Commandante Capellini), UIT25 (ex-Luigi
Complement: 19 Torelli)
Ex-Norwegian C/C/ (ex-B5), UC2 (ex-B6)
Class: U1081-U1092
To be built by Germaniawerft, Kiel, but all cancelled. Ex-Turkish UA (ex-Batiray)

244
 Escorts / Minesweepers

ESCORTS

‘F’ class (launched 1935)

Displacement: 712t standard; 1028t deep load A prewar view of F6
Dimensions: 241ft 2in wl, 249ft 4in x 28ft lOin x 8ft 6in, 10ft 7in max
73.50, 76.00 x 8.80 x 2.59, 3.24m flush-decked configuration to give extra accommodation; renamed as Libelle
Machinery: 2-shaft Brown-Boveri geared turbines, 2 La Mont (F7, F8 (later Jagd), Hai and Konigin Luise respectively, these three vessels served
Benson) boilers, 14,000shp = 28kts mainly as tenders.
Armament: 2-105mm/45 C32 (2x1), 4-37mm/83 C30 (2x2), 4-20mm FI served in the GMSA (German Minesweeping Administration) after 1945
C30 (4xl) and was transferred to France in 1947 where she was subsequently broken up;
Complement: 121 F2 went to Great Britain after the war and was sunk off Scapa Flow in 1946; F3
was sunk by bombing at Kiel 3.5.45; F4 was broken up in 1945;F5 was mined
Class: F1-F10 in the Baltic 29.1.45; F6 was sunk by bombs at Wilhelmshaven 30.3.45 ;F7 was
Built by Germaniawerft (F1-F6) and Blohm & Voss (F7, F8), and at ceded to the USSR in 1945, becoming the target ship V225; F8 went to Great
Wilhelmshaven N Yd (F9,FI0), these so-called ‘fleet escorts’ served as experi¬ Britain in 1945 and in 1950 was scrapped in the Netherlands; F9 was torpedoed
mental ships to gain experience with the new high-pressure steam boilers and by HM submarine Ursula near Heligoland 14.12.39, and F10, having been
with hull structures designed for future destroyers. Their sophisticated transferred to the USA after the war, was broken up in the Netherlands in 1950.
machinery gave so much trouble that the vessels never became operational in
their intended role; they were also poor sea boats. Accordingly, F1-F4 and F6 A new class of fast escorts/gunboats was planned in 1941: G1-G24. G1 was the
were lengthened to 255ft 3in (77.80m) wl, 263ft lin (80.30m) oa, increasing only vessel actually laid down, at Stiilckenwerft, Hamburg, but she was scrap¬
deep load displacement to 1147t. FI, F3 and F6 were also converted to a ped on slip in 1943.

MINESWEEPERS
propellers; all other German M-boats had conventional 2-shaft propulsion.
1935/1939 (Mob) type (launched 1937-41) From 1943 a reinforced ice-cutting stem was fitted and AA armament was
increased to 6-20mm C38 towards the end of the war. The 1935 type was built
Displacement: 682t (M2S onwards 685t) standard; 874t (Af25 onwards 878t) under licence for foreign navies - the Spanish Bidasoa class and the Romanian
deep load Demokratija - but the vessels were complex to construct.
Dimensions: 218ft 6in wl, 224ft 5in oa x 27ft lOin x 8ft 8in
66.60, 68.40 x 8.50 x 2.65m
Machinery: 2-shaft Lenz SE, 2 Wagner boilers, 3200shp = 18.3kts
Armament: 2-105mm/45 C32 (2x1), 2-37mm/83 (2x1), 2-20mm C30
Complement: 95-113

Class: M1-M39, M8I-M85, M101-M104, M131-M133, M151-M156,

M201-M206, M251-M256
The 1935 type minesweepers - and indeed their successors - proved to be
extremely well designed and suited to a variety of tasks, including escort, ASW,
AA cover and minelaying. Russian naval intelligence referred to them as ‘small 1940 type (launched 1941-44)
M-type destroyers’! There were 69 commissioned units of the 1935/1939 (Mob)
type, built at a number of yards. Ml and M2 were fitted with Voith-Schneider Displacement: 543t standard; 775t deep load
Dimensions: 189ft wl, 204ft 5in oa x 27ft lOin x 6ft lOin, 9ft 2in max
57.60, 62.30 x 8.50 x 2.10, 2.80m
Machinery: 2-shaft Bauer-Wach VTE with exhaust turbine, 2 Navy
water-tube boilers, 2400shp = 16.8kts
Armament: l-105mm/45 C32, l-37mm/83 C30, 7-20mm C38 (1x4,
3xl)
Complement: 68-80

Class: M261-M267, M271-M279, M291-M294, M301-M308, M321-M330,

M341, M348, M361-M378, M381-M389, M401-M408, M411-M416,
M421-M428, M431-M438, M441-M446, M451-M456, M459-M463,
M467-M471, M47S-M476, M483, M484, M486, M489, M495, M496
This class, comprising 127 units built at various yards, were simplified,
coal-burning versions of the 1935 type. Some of the surviving vessels were
re-armed during the war with 2-105mm C32 (2 x 1), 3 or 4—40mm/70 Bofors 28
in single mountings and 8-20mm C38. Degaussing equipment was fitted from
A prewar view of one of the first group of
1943.
1935 type minesweepers

245
GERMANY
1943 type (launched 1944-45)
Displacement: 582t standard; 821t deep load
Dimensions: 207ft wl, 222ft 5in oa x 29ft 6in X 6ft 3in, 8ft lOin max
63.10, 67.80 x 9.00 x 1.90, 2.70m
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE + 2 Bauer-Wach exhaust drive turbines, 2 Navy
watertube boilers, 2400shp = 16.7kts
Armament: 2-105mm/45 Flak L44 (2x1), 2-37mm/83 M42 (2x1),
8-20mm C38 (1x4, 2x2), l-73mm Fohn rocket projector
Complement: 107
COMMERCE RAIDERS
During the Second World War, as in the First, the German Navy
employed commerce raiders. These were merchant ships armed with
obsolete 150mm guns removed from ships of the Imperial Navy; only
during the latter stages of the war was it decided to equip new vessels
with up-to-date weapons and radar. However, in contrast to their
outdated main armament the crews of these ships were the best sailors
to be found in the Kriegsmarine.
On being impressed into the Navy, all ex-merchant ships were
allotted a simple number: Schiff 1 ,Schiff2 and so on. Those converted
to raiders held their old pennant numbers for security reasons, but were
also given an additional Handels-Stdr-Kreuzer (‘commerce-disruption
cruiser’) or HSK designation and a pennant number. The commander
of the vessel was furthermore given the right to name the ship according
to his wishes. All three systems were in use at the same time; in
addition, British Intelligence allotted their own code letters to the
ships: for example, Orion was ‘Raider A’ and Atlantis ‘Raider C’.
In the early stages of the war these raiders operated very successfully,
but attempts to send out better-equipped ships after 1943 failed. The
ships returned to Germany and were reconverted for other duties such
as troop transport and fighter direction.
ATLANTIS
Displacement: 17,600t/7862grt
Dimensions: 488ft lOin wl, 508ft 6in oa x 61ft 4in x 28ft 6in
149.00, 155.00 x 18.70 x 8.70m
Machinery: 1-shaft. 2 MAN double-acdng 6cyl diesels, 7600bhp = 16kts
Armament: 6-150mm/45 C06 (6x1), l-75mm/35, 2-37mm/83 C30
(1x2), 4—20mm C38 (2x2), 4-533mm TT (4x 1), 92 mines, 2
aircraft
Complement: 351
246
Class: M601-M666, M801-M813
From 1943, all orders for 1940 type M-boats were converted into orders for
the 1943 type. This design was essentially an enlarged 1940 type - and a coal
burner - and incorporated the lessons learnt during wartime operations. The
boats were to be assembled from seven prefabricated sections produced by
subcontractors spread across Europe: Korneuburg/Vienna, Toulon, Rostock
and Konigsberg. There were four standard versions: a minesweeper; a sub¬
chaser with an additional 7x21 depth charges; a torpedo-boat with 2-533mm
TT in fixed deck tubes; and a torpedo training vessel. Only M601-M612 and
M801-M806 (18 units) were commissioned; M613-M616 and M807-M813
were incomplete at the end of the war, and the rest were in various stages of
prefabrication.
After the war, most of the surviving minesweepers, of all types, formed the
German Minesweeping Administration to clear both the North Sea and the.
Baltic. They were sold soon afterwards.
The East German minesweepers of the Krake and Habicht classes show a
strong resemblance to the old M-boat design, and other navies such as those of
Romania and Bulgaria used the design postwar.
ORION
Displacement: 15,700t/702 lgrt
Dimensions: 462ft 7in wl, 485ft 7in oa x 61ft x26ft llin
141.00, 148.00 x 18.60 x 8.20m
Machinery: 1-shaft Blohm & Voss geared turbine, 4 boilers, 6200shp =
13.5kts
Armament: 6-150mm/45 C06 (6x1), l-75mm/35, 4—37mm/83 C30
(2x2), 4—20mm C38 (2x2), 6-533mm TT (2x3), 228 mines,
1 aircraft
Complement: 376
Orion (= HSK1 = Schiff 36, British designation ‘Raider A’) was the former
freighter Kurmark. Laid down in 1930 by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, she was
commissioned 9.12.39, and disguised to resemble the Dutch TS Beemsterdijk,
Soviet SS Sovet, Japanese SS Maebasi Maru and similar vessels. Her I50mm
guns probably originated from Schleswig-Holstein, whilst her 75mm
Schneider-Creuzot weapon, as on other raiders, was ex-Polish. One Arado Ar
196A-1 was carried unul February 1942, when it was replaced by a Japanese
Nakajima floatplane. She was the slowest of all the German raiders.
Orion sank 5 ships (totalling 33,340grt) and was pardy responsible for the loss
of 5 others (41,138grt). From 1942 she was used as a repair ship, on 12.1.44
became the gunnery training ship Hector, and in March 1945 became a cadet
training ship, reverung to her former name Orion. She was bombed by RAF
aircraft on 4.5.45 north of Swinemtinde, foundered, and was broken up in 1952.
Atlantis 1940
Built by Vulcan, Bremen, laid down in 1937 and commissioned 30.11.39,
Atlantis (= HSK2 = Schiff 16, British designadon ‘Raider C’) was the former
freighter MS Goldenfels\her layout resembled the Norwegian MS Knute Nelson,
Soviet MS Kim, Japanese Kasii Maru and Dutch MS Abbekerk. Her 150mm
guns were taken from the pre-dreadnought Schlesien. Two Heinkel He 114B
floatplanes were carried. Having sunk or captured 22 vessels totalling
145,968grt, Atlantis was herself sunk by gunfire from the cruiser Devonshire in
the South Atlantic on 23.11.41.
 Commerce raiders

Stier 1942

WIDDER STIER
Displacement: 16,800t/7851grt Displacement: 1 l,000t/4778grt
Dimensions: 475ft 9in wl, 498ft 8in oa x 59ft 9in x 27ft 3in Dimensions: 406ft lOin wl, 439ft 8in oa x 56ft 9in x 23ft 8in
145.00, 152.00 x 18.20 x 8.30m 124.00, 134.00 x 17.30 x 7.20m
Machinery: 1-shaft Blohm & Voss geared turbine, 4 boilers, 6200shp = Machinery: 1 shaft. 1 MAN 2-stroke 7cyl diesel, 3750bhp = 14kts
14kts
Armament: 6-150mm/48 (6x1), 2-37mm/83 C30 (1x2), 4-20mm C38
Armament: 6-150mm/45 (6x1), l-75mm/35, 4-37mm/83 C30 (2x2), (2x2), 2-533mm TT sub (2x1), 2 aircraft
4—20mm C38 (2x2), 4-533mm TT (2x2), 2 aircraft
Complement: 324
Complement: 364
MS Cairo was laid down by Germaniawerft, Kiel, in 1936 and commissioned as
Laid down by Howaldswerke, Kiel, in 1929 and commissioned as the armed Stier (= HSK6 = Schiff 23) in 1942, probably on 10 May. Designated ‘Raider J’
merchant cruiser HSK3 (Schiff 21), on 12.9.1939, Widder was the former TS by the British, she carried two Ar 231 floatplanes. She was responsible for the
Neumark and was known to British Intelligence as ‘Raider D’. She was fitted loss of 4 ships (30,728grt) but had a relatively short career, being sunk in action
with 150mm guns from Deutschland class battleships and carried HE 114B with the US Liberty ship Stephen Hopkins in the South Atlantic on 27.9.42.
floatplanes. In appearance she resembled the Swedish SS Narvik and the
Spanish SS Neptune.
Widder was responsible for the loss of 10 ships totalling 58,644grt during her
180 day sortie. From 1941 to 1945 she was employed as a repair ship, and after
the war was ceded to Great Britain under the name TS Ulysses. Transferred back
to Germany in 1950 as the TS Fenchenheim, she was beached near Bergen
9.10.55, foundered, and was broken up the following year.

KOMET
Displacement: 7500t/3287grt
Dimensions: 357ft 7in wl, 377ft 3in oa x 50ft 2in x 21ft 4in
109.00, 115.00 x 15.30 x 6.50m
Machinery: 1 shaft. 2 MAN 2-stroke 6cyl diesels, 3900bhp = 14.8kts
THOR
Armament: 6-150mm/45 (6x1), l-60mm/18, 2-37mm/83 C30 (1x2),
Displacement: 9200t/3862grt 4—20mm C38 (2x2), 6-533mm TT (2x2 aw, 2 sub), 1 MTB,
Dimensions: 380ft 7in wl, 400ft 3in oa x 54ft 9in x23ft 4in (26ft 7in after 2 aircraft
arming) Complement: 269
116.00, 122.00 x 16.70 x 7.l0(8.10)m
Machinery: 1-shaft AEG geared turbine, 2 La Mont boilers, 6500shp = This vessel, the former MS Ems, was the smallest but best-equipped German
18kts armed merchant cruiser. She was built by Deutschewerft, Hamburg, being laid
Armament: 6-150mm/45 (6x1), l-37mm/83 C30, 4-20mm C30 (2x2), down in 1937 and commissioned as HSK7 (Schiff 45) 2.6.40. The layout
4—533mm TT (2x2), 1 aircraft resembled that of the Japanese MS Tokyo Maru, the Russian SS Denev and the
Complement: 345 Portuguese MS Sao Thome. Komet’s 150mm guns originated from Deutschland
class battleships; her 60mm weapon was an obsolete landing gun in service with
Originally the freighter TS Santa Cruz, Thor (= HSK 4 = Schiff 10) was laid the Imperial Navy. Her original speed was 16kts. Aircraft equipment comprised
down at Deutsche Werke, Hamburg, in 1938 and commissioned as a commerce 2 Ar 196A-ls; the MTB was one of the LS (leichtes Schnellhoot) series of midget
raider on 15.3.40. As with Widder, her 150mm weapons originated from torpedo-boats carried by commerce raiders, Komet’s boat being LS2 (Meteorit).
Deutschland class battleships. Her layout resembled that of the Yugoslavian SS After breaking through to Kamchatka via the Arctic passage, Komet sank 10
Vir. vessels (21,378grt) returning to Norway 9.7.40. Attempting a breakout via the
Known to the British as ‘Raider E’, she undertook two raiding sorties in English Channel for a second sortie, she was sunk by MTB236 on 14.10.42 with
World War II: on the first she sank 12 ships (96,541grt) and on the second sank the loss of all hands.
or captured 10 (55,587grt). Following an explosion on board the German supply
ship Uckermark at Yokohama 30.11.42, Thor, lying alongside, was burnt out and
became a total loss.

PINGUIN MICHEL
Displacement: 17,600t/7766grt Displacement: 10,900t/4740grt
Dimensions: 485ft 7in wl, 508ft 6in oa x 61ft 4in x 28ft 6in Dimensions: 406ft lOin wl, 433ft oa x 55ft lin x 24ft 3in
148.00, 155.00 x 18.70 x 8.70m 124.00, 132.00 x 16.80 x 7.40m
Machinery: 1 shaft. 2 MAN double-acting 6cyl diesels, 7600bhp = 16kts Machinery: 1 shaft. 2 MAN 2-stroke diesels, 6650bhp = 16kts
Armament: 6-150mm/45 (6x 1), l-75mm/35, l-37mm/83 C30, 4-30mm Armament: 6-150mm/45 C13 (6x1), l-105mm/45 C32, 4-37mm C30
C38 (2x2), 4-533mm TT (2x2), 300 mines, 2 aircraft (2x2), 4—20mm C38 (2x2), 6-533mm TT (2x2 aw, 2x1
Complement: 401 sub), 1 MTB, 2 aircraft
Complement: 406
Disguised to resemble the Russian SS Pechora, the Greek MS Knossos and the
Norwegian MS Tamerlane, Pinguin (= HSK5 = Schiff 33) was laid down by A G This vessel, the former MS Bonn (ex-Polish MS Bielsko) was laid down in 1939
Weser at Bremen in 1936 and commissioned by theKriegsmarine 6.2.40. She was by Danziger Werft and commissioned as HSK9 (= Schiff 28) on 17.9.41. Her
formerly MS Kandelfels, and was known to British Intelligence as ‘Raider F’. 150mm and 20mm weapons were taken from Widder, she carried two Ar 196A-3
Her main armament was taken from Deutschland class pre-dreadnoughts; her aircraft, and her MTB LS4 was named Esau. Known to British Intelligence as
two He 114B floatplanes were replaced by a single Ar 196A-1 in March 1941. ‘Raider H’ Michel sank 15 vessels (99,368grt) on her first, 373-day raid, return¬
During a 357-day, 59,188nm sortie in World War II she sank 26 vessels ing to Yokohama 1.3.43; on her second, 149-day sortie she sank only 3 ships
totalling 136,642grt. She met her end in the Indian Ocean on 8.5.41, sunk by (27,632grt) before being torpedoed by the US submarine Tarpon in the North
gunfire from the cruiser Devonshire-, 341 men were lost. Pacific 17.10.43.

247
GERMANY

Kormoran 1941

Coronel (= SchiffU), the former MS Togo, was laid down by Vulcan, Bremen,
KORMORAN in 1938 and commissioned by the Kriegsmarine in December 1942. Attempting
to break out via the English Channel, she was bombed and damaged off Dunkirk
Displacement: 19,900t/8736grt
on 7.2.43. She returned to Germany and was converted into a fighter direction
Dimensions: 515ft wl, 538ft oa x 66ft 3in x 27ft 10in
157.00, 164.00 x 20.20 x 8.50m ship (see below).
Machinery: 2 shafts. 4 Krupp-Germaniawerft 4-stroke 9cyl diesels, plus 2
Siemens Schuckert 4600 kV electric motors, 16,000bhp =
18kts
Armament: 6-150mm/45 C13 (6x 1), l-75mm/35, 4-37mm (1x2, 2x1),
5-20mm C30 (5x1), 6-533mm TT (2x2 aw, 2x1 sub), 360
mines, 1 MTB, 2 aircraft
Complement: 400 - (Schiff 5)
Displacement: 19,200t/9138grt
Kormoran (= HSK8 = Schiff 41), the former MS Steiermark, was laid down at
Dimensions: 475ft 9in wl, 502ft oa x 65ft llin x 28ft 6in
the Germaniawerft yard, Kiel, in 1938 and commissioned on 9.10.40. Her
145.00, 153.00 x 20.10 x 8.70
appearance resembled that of the Russian TP Viacheslev Molotov and the
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 double-acting 2-stroke 6cyl diesels, 9000bhp =
Japanese MS Sakito Maru and MS Kinka Maru, and she was known to British
17kts
Intelligence as ‘Raider G’. Diesel-electric machinery was installed. Her single
Armament: 8-150mm/48 (8x1), 2-105mm/45 C32 (2x1), 8-40mm/70
75mm Schneider-Creuzot was landed before she undertook her first sortie; her
Bofors 28 (8x1), 36-20mm C38, 4-533mm TT (4x1), 1
37mm weapons consisted of two 83cal C30 guns in a twin mounting and 2 single
MTB, 1 aircraft
Army anti-tank guns. Two Ar 196A-1 floatplanes were carried, whilst the MTB
Complement:
was designated LS3.
Kormoran sank or captured 11 ships totalling 68,274grt in a 350-day sortie.
Laid down for the Glen Line as Glengarry in 1939 by Burmeister & Wain,
She was caught off Shark Bay, Western Australia, but the cruiser Sydney on
Copenhagen, Schiff 5 never became operational owing to bomb damage at
11.11.41 and after an exchange of fire both vessels went down.
Hamburg, where she was fitting out at the Blohm & Voss yard. Her designed
armament was believed to include an Fa 330 Bachstelze (rotary-wing kite).
Schiff 5 was later named Hansa and served as a cadet training ship in the
CORONEL Baltic. She was handed back to the British in 1945, under the name Empire
Displacement: 12,700t/5042grt Humber-, the following year she was returned to her original owners, and
Dimensions: 416ft 8in wl, 439ft 7in oa x 58ft 9in x 25ft llin reverted to her original name. She was subsequently (1971?) broken up.
127.000, 134.00 x 17.90 x 7.90m
Machinery: 1-shaft. 1 double-acting 2-stroke 8cyl diesel, 5 lOObhp = 16kts
Armament: 6-150mm/48 (6x 1), 6-40mm/70 Bofors 28 (6x 1), 8-20mm
C38, 3 aircraft
Complement: 350

boats, experimental boats and hydrofoils were constructed and tested:

S-BOATS
The Versailles Treaty did not make it clear whether the Reichsmarine
Typ eKobra, Type Schlitten, Type Wal, Type Hydra, TypeNo 1, Type
No 2, Type No 3 and the hydrofoils TS1-TS6, VS5-VS8, VS 10 and
VS11.

SI (built 1930)
was allowed such an essentially offensive weapon as the MTB, and the
Displacement: 39t standard; 50t deep load
first studies were carried out in secret but supported by Kapt z S
Dimensions: 87ft x 13ft 9in x 3ft 6in
Lohmann and his Seetransportabteilung. During 1923-26 6 ex-imperial 26.80 x 4.20 x 1.06m
LM type boats LM20-LM23, LM27, LM28 were purchased, and in Machinery: 3-shaft Daimler-Benz petrol engines, 2700bhp = 34.2kts
1926 Abeking & Rasmussen delivered the experimental boat AT (17.40 Armament: 2-500mm TT, l-20mm
x 3.40 X 1.16m.; 1600bhp = 40kts), based on the British Thornycroft Complement: 18
55ft CMB type. Liirssen built the competitive trials boat Liir (21.00 x
Built by Liirssen, Vegesack. Sold to Spain 1938.
3.60 x 1.28m; 1350 = 33.5kts) and the Caspar Werft at Travemiinde
built theNarwal (21.30 x 4.06 X 0.90m; 1125bhp = 34.8kts). In 1929
all these boats were redesignated U-Boots-Zerstdrer (submarine- S2 group (built 1932)
destroyers) and renamed UZ11-UZ18. Most advances came from the Displacement: 46ft standard, 58t deep load
Liirssen Werft, all successful S-Boat designs coming from this firm in Dimensions: 91ft 8in x 13ft 9in x 3ft 6in
close collaboration with the Reichsmarine’s K-Amt (design depart¬ 27.95 x 4.20 x 1.06m
ment). Based on the successful design of the fast yacht Oheka II, built Machinery: 3-shaft Daimler-Benz petrol engines, 3300shp = 33.8kts
Armament: 2-500mm TT, l-20mm
for an American, and the Liir, Liirssen built the first German MTB in
Complement: 18
1930, originally christened UZ16, later renamed Wl and finally
designed as SI in 1932. Further designs show a continuing improve¬ Class: S2^S5
ment from group to group. All the German S-Boats had two fixed bow Built by Liirssen, Vegesack. To Spain 1938 asLTl 1 ,LT12 ,LT14 andLT/5.
TT plus two spare torpedoes, but in the S700 group it was planned to
install all four torpedoes ready to fire, two in fixed bow tubes and two in S6 group (built 1933-34)
fixed stern tubes. TheKriegsmarine commissioned 249 S-Boats (exclud¬
Displacement: 80t standard, 95t deep load
ing ex-Italian, LS, coastal and experimental boats); 157 were lost or Dimensions: 106ft 3in x 16ft x4ft
scuttled. The surviving 92 were distributed as follows: 30 to USA, 34 to 32.40 x 4.90 x 1.21m
Britain, 28 to USSR. The western Allies transferred most of their boats Machinery: 3-shaft MAN diesels, 3960bhp = 35kts
into the OMGUS stock of surplus war material. From OMGUS Nor¬ Armament: 2-533mm TT, l-20mm
way bought 15 boats, Denmark 14. Most of the boats were used for Complement: 21
coastal or riverine duties by their later private owners and subsequently
Class: S6-S9
scrapped. The Kriegsmarine also used the riverine S-Boats Built by Liirssen. The first operational diesel boats, with improved hull-form
KM1-KM36. In the second half of the war a great number of trial from S7 onwards.

248
 S-boats

S10 group (built 1934—35)

Displacement: 78t standard, 92t deep load
Dimensions: 106ft 3in x 16ft x 4ft
32.40 x 4.90 x 1.21m
Machinery: 3-shaft Daimler-Benz diesels, 3960bhp = 35kts
Armament: 2-533mm TT, l-20mm
Co nplement: • 21

Class: S10^S13
Built by Ltirssen, Vegesack.

One of the first ‘schnellboote’, S4 shortly after commissioning

S14 group (built 1936-38) S30 group (built 1939-41)

Displacement: 92it standard, 114t deep load Displacement: 8It (S54S61 82t) standard; lOOt (S54S61 102t) deep load
Dimensions: 113ft 7in x 16ft 9in x 4ft 9in Dimensions: 107ft 6in X 16ft x 4ft
34.62 x 5.10 x 1.44m 32.76 x 4-.90 x 1.21m
Machinery: 3-shaft MAN diesels, 6150bhp = 37.5kts Machinery: 3-shaft Daimler-Benz diesels, 3960bhp = 36kts
Armament: 2-533mm TT, l-20mm Armament: 2-533 TT, 2-20mm (2x1)
Complement: 21 Complement: 16

Class: S14S17 Class: S30S37, S54S61

Built by Ltirssen, Vegesack. The last class with MAN diesels which were Built by Ltirssen, Vegesack. Similar to the S10 group, and utilising engines
rejected in favour of the more reliable Daimler-Benz engines. ordered for export.

S38 group (built 1939-43)

S18 group (built 1938-39) Displacement: 92)t standard; 115t deep load
Displacement: 92Jt standard; 115t deep load Dimensions: 114ft 8in x 16ft 9in x 5ft
34.94 x 5.10 x 1.52m
Dimensions: 113ft 7in x 16ft 9in X 4ft 9in
34.62 x 5.10 x 1.44m Machinery: 3-shaft Daimler-Benz diesels, 6000bhp = 39.5kts
{S101-S135, S137, S138 38.5kts)
Machinery: 3-shaft Daimler-Benz diesels, 6000bhp = 39.5kts
Armament: 2-533mm TT, 2-20mm
Armament: 2-533mm TT, l-20mm
Complement: 21
Complement: 21
Class: S38^S53, S62S99, S101-S135, S/37, S138 (S1S9^S166 were never
Class: S18S25
completed)
Generally similar to 514 series. Built by Ltirssen, Vegesack.
Built by Ltirssen, Vegesack except forS/0/-S/33, S159-S166 (Schlichting,
Travemiinde). S73, S78 and S125-S126 transferred to Spain as LT21-LT25
1943. From S67 an armoured bridge (panzerkalotte) was adopted. Armament
was increased to a maximum of 3-20mm and l-40m (or 37mm, or 4-20mm).

S26 group (built 1940)

Displacement: 92jt standard; 115t deep load
114ft 8in x 16ft 9in x 5ft
S100 group (built 1943-45)
Dimensions:
34.94 x 5.10 x 1.52m Displacement: lOOt (S171^S218 105t, S219-S500 107t); 117t (112t, 124t)
Machinery: 3-shaft Daimler-Benz diesels, 6000bhp = 39.5kts deep load
Armament: 2-533mm TT, 2-20mm (2x1) Dimensions: 114ft 8in x 16ft 9in x 5ft
Complement: 21
34.94 x 5.10 x 1.52m
Machinery: 3-shaft Daimler-Benz diesels, 7500bhp = 42kts (.S170,S208,
S301-SS00 9000bhp = 45kts)
Class: S26S29
Built by Ltirssen, Vegesack. Wartime developments of the S18 group, and Armament: 2-533mm TT, l-40mm, l-20mm. See notes
the first with TTs enclosed in the forecastle. Complement: 21

Boats of the S38 group surrendering in 1945

GERMANY
(ex-MS34),SA3 (ex-MS36),SA4 (ex-MS51),SAS (ex-MS63),SA6 (ex-MS71),
Class: S100, S136, S139-S1S0, S167-S500
Built by Liirssen, Vegesack, except S187-S194, S219-S300 (Schlichting,
SA7 (ex-MS76)
Travemtinde). Improved S38 type, with increased firepower and further super¬ Ex-Yugoslavian S2 (ex-Velebit), S3 (ex-Dinara), S4 (ex-Triglav), SS (ex-
charging. Armament varied as in the S38 type, but the proposed fitting of Rudnik). These four vessels saw service with the Italian Navy before being taken
6-30mm/103 was never carried out, as the weapon was not ready in time. over by Germany.
S229-S243,S308-S328 were not completed, and S244S300, S329-S500 were
not laid down. SMS was transferred to Spain in 1943 as LT26.
LSI group (built 1942-45)
Displacement: ilit
S701 group (built 1944—45)
Dimensions: 41ft 3in X 10ft 9in x 2ft 9in
Displacement: 107t standard; 114t deep load 12.57 x 3.27 x 0.83m
Dimensions: 114ft 8in x 16ft 9in x 5ft Machinery: See notes
34.94 x 5.10 x 1.52m Armament: 2^450mm TT, l-20mm. See notes
Machinery: 3-shaft Daimler-Benz diesels, 7500bhp = 42kts Complement: 6
Armament: 4—533mm TT, 6-30mm
Complement: 23 Class: LS1-LS20
These vessels were designed as midget torpedo-boats. However, it proved
Class: S701-S800 impossible to produce the planned 450mm torpedoes in time, so a passive
Part of an ambitious programme of prefabricated construction, but only armament of 3 Type TMB magnetic mines, which could be slipped over the
S701-S709 completed, probably with the usual 20mm and 40mm AA. Built by stern, was substituted. Propulsion was by means of 2 Junkers 850bhp diesels but
Danziger Waggonfabrik. these caused so many problems that LS2 (on board the commerce raider Komet)
was out of service for considerable periods. Eventually the Daimler-Benz 12cyl
lightweight diesel became available; this was installed in LS2, which was taken
CAPTURED MOTOR TORPEDO-BOATS on board Kormoran where she operated satisfactorily. LS2 had a modified
The following were taken over by the Kriegsmarine during World War II. For minelaying system, each of the 2 mines being discharged through vertical tubes.
further details see under the relevant navy. LS4 was the first boat to be equipped with 450mm torpedoes, although she only
carried 2. This boat was embarked on the commerce raider Michel.
Ex-British RA9 (ex-ML306), RA10 (ex-MTB314)

Ex-Bulgarian SI (ex-F5) KS group (built 1945)

Ex-Dutch S/51 (ex-TMS4), S/52 (cx-TM5S), S153 (ex-TMS6), S/54 (ex- Displacement: 13t
TM57),S15S (ex-TM58),S156 (ex-TM59),S157 (ex-TM60),S158 (ex-TM61), Dimensions: 43ft 9in x lift 6in X 2ft 9in
S201 (ex-TMS2), S202 (ex-TM53) 13.33 x 3.50 x 0.83m
Ex-Italian SS01 (ex-MAS566), SS02 (ex-MASS67), SS03 (ex-MASS68), S504 Machinery: 2-shaft petrol engines, 1500bhp = 33kts
(ex-MASS69), SSOS (ex-MAS570), SS06 (ex-MAS574), SS07 (ex-MAS575), Armament: 2-5 33mm TT
S508 (ex-MASS2S), S509 (ex-MAS549), SSW (ex-MASSSl), SS11 (ex- Complement: 6
AL4S557), S5/2 (ex-MAS55J), S601 (ex-MAS423), S602 (ex-MAS430), S603
0ex-MAS431), S62/ (ex-MAS561), S622 (ex-MASSSO), S623 (cx-MAS5S4), Class: KS201-KS220
S624 (ex-MAS424), S625 (tx-MAS437), S626 (ex-MASS02), S627 (ex- Only KS201, KS202, KS212, KS213, KS21S, KS219 and KS220 were
MASS04), S628 (ex-Af/LS'505), S629 (ex-AT4S55S), SA/ (ex-MS 16), SA2 completed. Riverine S-boats.

MOTOR MINESWEEPERS
A prewar view of R8, one of the first class of
motor minesweepers

R1 group (launched 1929-34)

Displacement: 60t (R1 45t, R8 63t)
Dimensions: 85ft 3in x 14ft 6in x 4ft
26.00 X 4.41 x 1.21m
Machinery: 2-shaft MWM diesels, 700bhp = 17kts
Armament: l-20mm
Complement: 18

Class: R1-R16
Built by Abeking & Rasmussen (Lemwerder), Schlichting (Travemtinde) and
Liirssen (Vegesack). Later re-armed with 4—20mm (2x2).

R17 group (launched 1934-38)

Displacement: 115t
Dimensions: 121ft 6in x 18ft x 4ft 3in
37.00 x 5.50 x 1.30m
Machinery: 2-shaft MAN diesels, 1800bhp = 21kts
Armament: 2-20mm (2x1)
Complement: 34

Class: R17-R24
Built by Abeking & Rasmussen (Lemwerder) and Schlichting (Travemtinde).
Later fitted with 4—20mm (2x2). All boats had Voith-Schneider instead of
conventional propellers.

R17, R18 and R19 running trials

250
A wartime view of an unidentified R-boat employed in a minelaying role

R25 group (launched 1938-39) R218 group (launched 1943-45)

Displacement: llOt Displacement: 140t
Dimensions: 116ft 3in x 18ft 3in X 4ft 6in Dimensions: 128ft 6in x 18ft 9in x 5ft
35.40 x 5.60 x 1.40m 39.20 x 5.70 x 1.50m
Machinery: 2-shaft MAN diesels, 1800bhp = 21kts Machinery: 2-shaft MAN diesels, 2500bhp = 2lkts
Armament: 2-20mm (2x 1) Armament: l-37mm
Complement: 34 Complement: 38

Class: R25-R40 Class: R218-R300

Built by Abeking & Rasmussen (Lemwerder) and Schlichting (Travemiinde). Built by Burmester (Burg Lesum and Swinemtinde) and Schlichting
4—20mm (2x2) added during the war. (Travemiinde). R271, R291-R300 unfinished; R277-R287 cancelled. Com¬
pleted vessels had up to 6-20mm added during the war.

R41 group (launched 1939-43)

Displacement: 125t
Dimensions: 124ft x 19ft x 4ft 6in
37.80 x 5.80 x 1.40m R301 group (launched 1942-45)
Machinery: 2-shaft MAN diesels, 1800 bhp = 20kts
Displacement: 160t standard; 177Jt deep load
Armament: l-37mm
Dimensions: 134ft 6in x 19ft 9in x 6ft
Complement: 34 41.00 x 6.00 x 1.80m
Machinery: 2-shaft MAN diesels, 3750bhp = 24kts
Class: R41-R129
Armament: l-37mm, 3-20mm
Built by Abeking & Rasmussen (Lemwerder) and Schlichting (Travemiinde).
Complement: 38
Up to 6-20mm added. R141-.rl50 had Voith-Schneider propellers.
Class: R301-R312
These were built by Abeking & Rasmussen (Lemwerder). 2-533mm TT were
added during the war, and the boats were redesignated escort minesweepers
R130 group (launched 1943-45) GR301-GR312.
Displacement: 150t
Dimensions: 134ft 9in x 19ft x 5ft 3in
41.10 x 5.80 x 1.60m
Machinery: 2-shaft MAN diesels, 1800bhp = 19kts
Armament: l-37mm
Complement: 38 R401 group (launched 1943-45)
Displacement: 140t
Class: R130-R1S0
Dimensions: 128ft 6in x 18ft 9in x 5ft
Built by Abeking & Rasmussen (Lemwerder). Up to 6-20mm added.
39.20 x 5.70 x 1.50m
R141-R150 had Voith-Schneider propellers.
Machinery: 2-shaft MAN diesels, 2550bhp = 22.5kts
Armament: l-37mm, 6-20mm (3x2)
Complement: 38
R151 group (launched 1940-43)
Class: R401-R448
Displacement: 125t R425-R427 were uncompleted and boats iromR428 onwards were never laid
Dimensions: 116ft 3in x 18ft 3in x 4ft 6in down. Built by Abeking & Rasmussen (Lemwerder).
35.40 x 5.60 x 1.40m
Machinery: 2-shaft MAN diesels, 1800bhp = 2lkts
Armament: l-37mm Other motor minesweepers that saw service with the Kriegsmarine were the
Complement: 34 ex-Dutch vessels RA51-RA56 (125t), ex-French RA1-RA8, ex-British RA9
andRAlO, and ex-ItalianRA251-RA268 andRD101 -RD149. RA101-RA105
Class: R1S1-R217 (70t) and RA106-RA112 (80t) were built in Dutch yards to German order and
Built by Burmester (Burg Lesum). Up to 6-20mm added. RA201-RA204 (35t) were constructed in Norwegian yards.

251
GERMANY

MISCELLANEOUS
VESSELS
A prewar view of Bremse

BREMSE gunnery training ship/minelayer (launched

24.1.31)
Displacement: 1435t standard; 1870t deep load
Dimensions: 318ft 3in wl, 341ft 2in oa x 31ft 2in x 6ft 7in
97.00, 104.00 x 9.50 x 2.80m
Machinery: 2-shafts. 4 double-acting 2-stroke MAN diesels, 26,000bhp =
27kts
Armament: 4—127mm/45 C34 (4x1), 8-20mm C30, 350 mines Saar about 1937

Complement: 192

Laid down in 1930. In basic layout this vessel resembled a World War I light SAAR U-boat tender (launched 5.4.34)
cruiser. Trials ship for diesel machinery installed in Deutschland.-, sunk 6.9.41.
Displacement: 2710t standard; 3250t deep load
Dimensions: 311ft 8in wl, 331ft 4in oa x 44ft 3in x 14ft lin, 15ft max
95.00, 101.00 x 13.50 x 4.30, 4.60m
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 MAN 4-stroke diesels, 4800bhp = 18.3kts
Armament: 3-105mm (3x1), 8-20mm C30 (8x1)
A prewar view of the first Brummer
Complement: 228 + 253

Commissioned 1.10.34, Saar was the accommodation ship for the German
ComSubEast. In 1944 her AA armament was increased to 4—40mm/70 Bofors 28
and 16-20mm C38 (4x4). Transferred to France in 1945 and renamed Gustav
Zede, she was stricken in 1970.

BRUMMER gunnery training ship /minelayer (launched WILHELM BAUER class U-boat tenders (launched
29.5.35) 1938-40)
Displacement: 2410t standard; 3010t deep load Displacement: 4700t (Otto Wiinsche 5000t) standard; 5600t (Otto Wiinsche
Dimensions: 354ft 4in wl, 370ft 9in oa x 44ft 3in X 10ft 6in, 13ft 9in max 5900t) deep load
108.00, 113.00 x 13.50 x 3.20, 4.20m Dimensions: 413ft 5in (Otto Wiinsche 433ft lin) wl, 436ft 4in (Otto Wiinsche
Machinery: 2-shaft Wagner geared turbines, 2 Wagner boilers, 10,000shp 456ft) oa x 52ft 6in x 14ft 5in, 15ft 9in max
= 20kts 126.00 (132.00), 133.00 (139.00) x 16.00 x 4.40, 4.80m
Armament: 4—105mm/65 C33 (2x2), 2-88mm/45 C35 (2x l),4-37mm/83 Machinery: 2 shafts. 4 MAN 2-stroke diesels, 12,000bhp = 20kts (Otto
C30 (2x2), 450 mines Wiinsche 13,800bhp = 21.5kts)
Complement: 182 (480 as TS) Armament: 4-105mm (Otto Wiinsche 2-105mm) C33 (2/1x2),
2-37mm/83 C33 (1x2), l-40mm/70 Bofors 28, 12-20mm
C38
Laid down 1934 by Deschimag, Bremen. Resembled contemporary German
tenders in general layout. Sunk 14.4.40. Complement: 310 + 440

Class (commissioned, fate): Wilhelm Bauer (30.4.40, bombed at Travemiinde

8.4.45 and later BU), Waldemar Kophamel (21.10.40, to USSR as Kuban 1945),
BRUMMER gunnery training ship /minelayer (launched Otto Wiinsche (8.11.43, to USSR asPecora 1945). All built by Howaldtswerke,
Kiel.
21.12.32)
Displacement: 1596t standard; 1860t deep load Other U-boat tenders in service with the Kriegsmarine were converted merchant
Dimensions: 308ft 5in wl, 318ft 3inoa x 37ft 9in x lift lOin, 13ft lin max ships: Donau (ex-Nicea, 4620t, launched 19.12.21, commissioned 27.10.36,
94.00, 97.00 x 11.50 x 3.60, 4.00m 4—37mm -I- 4—20mm, later ammunition ship Flensburg, sunk by internal
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 Laval geared tubines, 3 watertube boilers plus 2 explosion 14.6.45); Weichsel (ex-Syra, 5200t, launched May 1923, commis¬
4-stroke Sulzer diesels, 6000shp = 21kts sioned 7.4.37, l-88mm + 4-37mm, transferred to Great Britain 1945, then
Armament: 4—127mm/45 C34 (4x1), 2-37mm/83 C33 (1x2), 4-20mm Russian Donee 1947); Isar (ex-Puma, 4560t, launched 23.10.30, commissioned
C38, 280 mines 25.7.43, l-88mm + 4-37mm AA + 10-20mm AA, to USSR as Neman 1946);
Complement: 168 Lech (ex-Panther, 4560t, launched 23.10.30, commissioned 10.6.39, l-88mm +
4-37mm + 10-20mm, to USA 1946, Italy 1948 and Israel 1949, BU 1963); and
Ex-N orwegian OlavTryggvason, laid down at Horten NYdinl931.T ook name Erwin Wassner (ex-Gran Canaria, 6080t, launched 29.1.38, commissioned Jan
of previous Brummer after that ship had been lost. Scuttled at Kiel 1945. 1939, 4—37mm -I- 6-20mm, bombed at Kiel 24.7.44).

252
 Miscellaneous vessels

TSINGTAU S-boat tender (launched 6.6.34) GRILLE Admiralty yacht (launched 15.12.34)
Displacement: 1980t standard; 2490t deep load Displacement: 2560t standard; 3430t deep load
Dimensions: 288ft 9in wl, 310ft oa x 44ft 3in x 13ft lin Dimensions: 377ft 3in wl, 442ft 1 lin oa (not including bowsprit) x 44ft 4in
88.00, 94.50 x 13.50 x 4.00m x lift 2in, 13ft 9in max
Machinery: 2 MAN 4-stroke diesels, 4100bhp = 17.5kts 115.00, 135.00 x 13.50 x 3.40, 4.20m
Armament: 2-88mm/45 C16 (2x1), 8-20mm C30 (8x1) Machinery: 2- shaft Blohm & Voss geared turbines, 2 Benson boilers,
Complement: 149 + 251 22,000shp = 26kts
Armament: 3- 127mm/45 C34 (3x1), 4-37mm/83 C33 (2x2), 4-20mm
Built by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, laid down 1933 and commissioned 24.9.39. C30 (4xl)
Her main armament was later replaced by 4-88mm/76 (2x2). Ceded to Great Complement: 248
Britain in 1945, she was scrapped in 1950.
Grille was the first ship in the Kriegsmarine to test the high-pressure steam
machinery that was scheduled for use in German destroyers. Laid down in
March 1934 at the Blohm & Voss yard in Hamburg, she commissioned on
19.5.35 and served in peacetime as an Admiralty yacht during fleet reviews and
visits by VIPs. During the war she was used as a minelayer up to February 1942.
She was decommissioned in July 1942 and was used as a staff ship at Narvik for
TANGA S-boat tender (launched 4.12.37) the C in C and ComSub Arctic. After the war Grille was transferred to Great
Britain and then in 1947 to the USA, where she was sold to private owners. She
Displacement: 2190t standard; 2620t deep load
was broken up in 1951.
Dimensions: 314ft 1 lin wl x 44ft 3in x 12ft 2in, 13ft 5in max
96.00 x 13.50 x 3.70, 4.10m
Machinery: 2 MAN 4-stroke diesels, 4100bhp = 17.5kts
Armament: 2-100mm, 2-30mm, 4—20mm
Complement: 225

Built by Neptun, Rostock, laid down in 1936 and commissioned 21.1.39. Her
guns were of unknown origin, probably not German. Transferred to the USA in
1947, she became the Danish Aegir in 1948 and was scrapped in 1967.

Hela 1940

HELA fleet tender (launched 22.12.39)

Displacement: 2113t standard; 2520t deep load
Dimensions: 303ft 6in wl, 327ft 5in oa x 41ft 8in x 11ft 6in, 13ft lin max
92.50, 99.80 x 12.70 x 3.50, 4.00m
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 MAN 4-stroke diesels, 4700bhp = 19.3kts
Armament: 2-105mm/45 C32 (2xl), l-37mm/83 C30, 2-20mm C30
Complement: 259

ADOLF LUDERITZ class S-boat tenders (launched Feb Laid down 1937 by Stulckenwerft, Hamburg, in 1937 and commissioned
16.10.40. Her machinery was originally installed in MS Athen. In 1946 she was
1939) transferred to the USSR and renamed Angara.
Displacement: 2900t standard; 3600t deep load
Dimensions: 374ft wl, 47ft 7in x 14ft lin
114.00 x 14.50 x 4.30m
Machinery: 4 MAN double-acting 4-stroke diesels, 12,400bhp = 23kts CASTOR icebreaker/AA training ship (launched 15.10.40)
Armament: 2-105mm (2x1), 6-37mm/83 C33 (3x2) Displacement: 5150t standard; 627It deep load
Complement: 225 Dimensions: 272ft 4inwl, 295ft 3inoa x 68ft 1 lin x 19ft 8in, 22ft 4in max
83.00, 90.00 x 21.00 x 6.00, 6.80m
Class (commissioned, fate): Adolf Liideritz (11.6.40, to USSR as Pajsherd Machinery: 3-shaft VTE, 4 Wagner watertube boilers, 9600ihp = 15kts
1946), Carl Peters (6.1.40, mined 14.5.45). Armament: l-105mm/45 C32, 4-37mm/83 M42 (2x2), 16-20mm C38
Laid down in 1938 by Neptun, Rostock. Armament altered in 1941 to
Complement: 390
4-105mm/50 C33 (2x2), l-40mm/70 Bofors 28, 6-37mm/83 C33 (3x2),
8-20mm C38 (4x2).
Built by Schichau, Danzig, laid down in 1938 and commissioned 15.10.40.
Armament originally planned was 4-105mm/45 C32 (4x1). Castor was mined in
the Baltic 15.3.45 but was raised in 1951 and was transferred to the Soviet Union
under the name of Peresvet. A sister-ship, Pollux, was planned but not laid
down.

GUSTAV NACHTIGAL class S-boat tenders (launched

1940)
Displacement: 3 lOOt standard; 3700t deep load MISCELLANEOUS EX-ENEMY VESSELS
Dimensions: 374ft wl x 48ft 3in x 19ft 8in
114.00 x 14.70 x 6.00m
Following the capitulation of Belgium and the Netherlands, a number
Machinery: 1 Blohm & Voss diesel, 3800bhp = 17kts
of miscellaneous vessels were taken over, classified as Kanonenboote
Armament: 3-105mm/45 C32 (3x1), 6-37mm/83 M42 (3x2), 10-20mm
C38 (gunvessels) and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine in 1942-43:
Complement: ?

Class (builder, commissioned, fate): Gustav Nachtigal (Deutsche Werke, Name Disp (std) Armament Fate
Antwerp, 13.5.44, to Great Britain 1945, Belgium 1951), Hermann von Wiss- K1 (ex-Dutch) 12001 4—120mm, 4—37mm, Bombed 5.5.45
mann (Cockerill, Antwerp, 16.12.43, torpedoed 15.6.44). 12-20mm
Laid down in 1937 and 1939 as Polish cargo vessels and captured after the fall K2 (ex-Dutch) 1200t 4-120mm, 4—37mm, Torpedoed
of Poland. 12-2 0mm 9.10.44,
raised and BU
There were also the R-boat tenders Von der Groeben (M507, ex-M107), Alders K3 (ex-Dutch) 1200t 4-120mm, 4-37mm, Dutch Van Speyk
(M526, ex-M126), Raule (M533, tx-M133),Jungingen (MS34, ex-M134), Net- 12-20mm 1945, BU 1960
telbeck (M538, tx-M138), Von der Lippe (M546, ex-M146), Brommy (M550, K4 (ex-Belgian 1640t 3-105mm, 4-37mm, Belgian Artvelde
ex-M50) and Hille (M560, ex-M60). These vessels were all ex-minesweepers and Lorelei) 10-20mm 1945, BU 1954
are noted on an earlier page.

253
GERMANY
After the fall of France a number of small fighting vessels under
construction in that country were also taken over. These were commis¬
sioned into the Kriegsmarine in 1942-43 as Schnelle Geleitboote (fast
escorts) - all were 1372t standard, 1760tdeep load,and armed with2to
3-105mm, 4-37mm and 10 to 14-20mm. SG3 (ex-Uranus) was
returned to France in 1945 as Beautemps Beaupre, SG2 (ex-5aturnus)
was sunk by bombs in January 1944, SGI (ex-Jupiter) was sunk by
bombs in August 1944 andSG4 (ex-Merkur) re-entered French service
as La Perouse in 1945.
A further 25 French units were taken over as fast escorts, but only a
few of them were genuine warships (corvettes and avisos), the rest being
armed auxiliaries (cablelayers, hydrographic ships, tenders,
minelayers and coastal steamers). They were armed with 2-105mm,
2-37mm and 2 to 6-20mm. SG14 (ex-Matelot Leblanc) was sunk by
FIGHTER DIRECTION
SHIPS
Togo 1943
The origin of German fighter direction ships lay in the need to provide
distant early warning of enemy air activity for the Luftwaffe transport
aircraft supplying Rommel’s Afrika Korps - British fighters were
causing such heavy losses that the ability of the ground forces to mount
an efficient campaign was being seriously threatened.
The first ship designated for conversion to a fighter direction ship
was the Vichy French MS St Odette (ex-Gran). Renamed Odysseus, she
was, however, torpedoed on 28.12.42 by HM submarine Ursula before
any work could be carried out. The next ship was the Kreta (ex-Ile de
Beaule), which was captured by the Germans at Marseilles 18.1.43. By
August 1943 the conversion work was finished, but as the ship was
preparing for trials the capitulation of Italy brought about a fundamen¬
tal change in the strategic situation. Kreta served as troop transport for
the German evacuation of Corsica. Whilst covering a minelaying opera¬
tion she was torpedoed in the Strait of Bonifacio on 21.9.43 by HM
submarine Unseen.
Two faster ships were next converted, the Italian destroyers Premuda
(ex-Dubrovnik) and Corsaro. Both got a Freya Al set in place of the
mainmast. When the ships were ready in summer 1944, however,
bombing 24.8.43; SG15 (ex-Rageot de la Touche) was torpedoed off
Genoa 25.5.44; SG21 (ex-Chamois) was sunk by gunfire off Toulon
15.8.44; SG22 (tx-Commandant Riviere) was sunk May 1945; and
SG23 (ex-La Batailleuse) was scuttled at Genoa 25.4.45. Two further
units, SG16 (tx-Admiral Senes) and SG17 (ex-Enseigne Ballande) were
not commissioned. See also under France.
In addition to the above, a number of ex-Dutch and ex-Danish sloops
and some ex-Italian corvettes were taken over during World War II,
together with minelayers and minesweepers from various enemy navies
and a few Dutch and Danish coast defence vessels.
Other types in service with the German Navy between 1922 and 1946
included torpedo recovery vessels, the 280t corvetteMZ1, minelayers,
auxiliary minesweepers, ferries, trawlers and miscellaneous transports.
Allied air supremacy over the Mediterranean was so complete that they
were rendered impotent. Both ships were reconverted into destroyers
(see under destroyers).
The situation in Germany was different. The only gap in the line of
coastal early warning Freya stations was in the Danish Belt. Here
British night bombers penetrated the German skies undetected and
mined the Belt waters too. So it was decided to put into service a night
fighter direction/lead ship. The choice fell on the commerce raider
Coronel. She was armed with 3-105mm/45 C32 (3x1), 2-40mm/70
Bofors 28,4-37mm/83 M42 (4x 1), 20-20mm C38 (5x4) and 4—73mm
Fohn rocket projectors and fitted out with a Freya 1800cm radar system
(tracking radius 75 miles) forward and a Wurzburg-giant FuMG6S
53.6cm/600MC system (radius 56 miles) aft. Reverting to the name
Togo, the ship recommissioned 18.10.43 with a complement of 357 and
operated in the Danish Sund and in the Baltic, being used towards the
end of the war as a troop and refugee transport. She was ceded to the
USA in 1946 and later transferred to Norway under the name Svalbard.
She survives today as the freighter Lacasielle, registered in Panama.
Surrendered U-boats being prepared for scuttling (Operation Deadlight) in Dec 1945
France
During the First World War French industry was so badly disrupted
by the occupation of her north eastern Departments that very little naval
construction was possible. Thus France could not take full advantage
of technical advances made during the war. Furthermore, the activities
of the Navy were overshadowed by the Army, and even after 1918 the
lingering fear of German militarism ensured that the Army would have
first call on the national defence budget.
FRANCE AND THE NAVAL TREATIES
The lack of a coherent naval policy as well as a full-blown economic
crisis in the early postwar years prevented any new construction for
some time. During the Washington Conference (Nov 1921-Feb 1922)
France made it clear that she resented being treated as the equal of
Italy, since the French colonial empire was so much larger, but the
limit of 175,000t of battleships and 60,000t of aircraft carriers was far
beyond her economic power and the stipulation was more a blow to
national pride than actual plans. However, France refused to be bound
by the Treaty beyond the end of 1936, and rejected the Anglo-
American initiative to restrict submarine warfare.
Nothing of importance to the French Navy was agreed at Geneva in
1927 or London in 1930, but at the 1932-33 Geneva Disarmament
Conference, Germany revoked the military clauses of the Treaty of
Versailles and eventually withdrew from the Conference altogether.
This revived the fear of the old enemy, and in January 1935 France
followed the Japanese lead in denouncing the Washington Treaty. A
naval agreement was worked out between Britain and Germany in June
1935 allowing the latter 420,000t instead of the Versailles total of
108,000t. One further attempt at a treaty was made in London in 1936,
but little was achieved, and Japan and Italy withdrew.
THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE FRENCH NAVY
The building up of a modern naval force took place against this hostile
background of treaty restraints, frequent political crises and rapid
changes of government, not to mention the economic depression of the
late 1920s and early 1930s. Luckily for the French Navy competent
Ministers of Marine like George Leygues and Francois Petrie often
survived government changes and gave policy a certain consistency.
The first funds for the ‘modernisation’ of the Navy were voted in 1922
and provided for 3 Duguay Trouin class light cruisers, 6 contre-torpilleurs
(large destroyers, or flotilla leaders) of the Jaguar class, 12 Bourrasque
class destroyers, 6 Requin class large submarines, 6 Ariane class coastal
submarines and the conversion of the Beam to an aircraft carrier. Nine
more submarines were authorised in 1923. Problems were experienced
with most of these designs since the Naval Construction Corps had
been given few design opportunities during the previous decade, but on
the whole the programme was a creditable achievement.
In 1924 the French Navy attempted to get approval for an ambitious
plan that would provide the Washington limits in capital ships and
carriers, 360,000t of flotilla craft and 96,000t of submarines by 1943.
This was refused in parliament, however, and only 2 Duquesne class
heavy cruisers, 6 L’Adroit class destroyers, and 2 Redoutable class
1500-tonne ocean-going submarines were authorised. Thereafter, in
every year following 1924 the Navy was compelled to seek approval for
individual annual budgets, although the totals of the rejected 1924
Programme remained the ultimate goal. This produced fluctuations in
the tonnages authorised from year to year, according to political and
economic considerations; in some years, such as 1928 and 1936, very
little was ordered, and in 1933 nothing at all, and most years were well
short of the 40,000t that was required annually to carry out the 1924
Programme.
Nevertheless construction went ahead, albeit sporadically, the
1925-31 Programmes authorising 5 heavy cruisers, 24contre-torpilleurs,
8 destroyers and 55 submarines. These types in general were consider¬
able improvements over the first postwar generation of French war¬
ships, and as the Naval Construction Corps gained more experience,
they began to manifest consistent, and in many ways traditional,
French design characteristics - concern with speed, and with the
requirements of commerce warfare, an extreme example of the latter
being the submarine cruiser Surcouf. In an attempt to acquire sub¬
marine construction experience rapidly, the 600-tonne and 630-tonne
boats were designed by individual yards in response to a general
specification, but it is indicative of the trend towards standardisation in
the late 1930s that the final class was built to an official design.
France’s early postwar efforts were concentrated on cruisers and
flotilla craft, but a new fast capital ship was first proposed in 1927. The
concern with commerce warfare was still paramount since this pro¬
posal, designated a croiseur de combat (battlecruiser), was designed to
out-gun Treaty cruisers and to attack convoys that might be escorted by
slow battleships. However, in 1929 Germany laid down the first of the
‘pocket-battleships’, and France responded with the Dunkerque in
1931. The tonnage and main armament calibre - both below Washing¬
ton limits - were also affected by current discussions with Britain and
Italy on reducing the size of future capital ships. Despite the constric¬
tion in size, the Dunkerque design set a number of important trends: it
was a step towards the later fast battleships, although only armoured on
a battlecruiser scale; it foreshadowed the later concern with underwater
protection in the armour scheme; and it introduced the concept of a DP
secondary armament, although the mounting was too complex and
never gave satisfactory service.
These new fast battleships required screening forces, and the first of
the La Galissonniere class were authorised in the same year, but ade¬
quate destroyers proved problematical. It took nearly 5 years to finalise
a design that would have a service speed of 33-34kts, but such was the
pace of construction that only 6 of these Le Hardi class vessels were
completed when France surrendered in 1940.
Smaller destroyers, or torpedo-boats, were also built in the 1930s,
but these 600-tonne craft were very overweight as completed and lacked
even adequate stability, although they were fast. The potential value as
escorts, however, was severely limited by the lack of asdic.
In 1935 the first 35,OOOt capital ships were ordered in France; the
Richelieu class were a response to the Italian Littorio class, 2 of which
had been under construction for a year. However, re-armament really
got underway in 1938 with a supplementary budget approved on 2 May
and a second on 4.3.39. With the 1937 and 1938 estimates this provided
for 2 battleships, 2 aircraft carriers, 3 light cruisers, 4 contre-torpilleurs,
6 destroyers, 14 light destroyers, 21 submarines, 16 minesweeping
sloops, 3 colonial sloops and 4 seaplane tenders, as well as submarine
chasers and MTBs. Apart from the aircraft carriers, of which French
designers had little experience, they were all modern designs, compar¬
able with any foreign contemporaries.
By 1939 the French fleet had been successfully reconstructed,
although the numbers - and in a few cases the designs - fell short of
what the Navy felt was necessary. In some instances, such as the
contre-torpilleurs or the Surcouf, the ships were highly original, but there
were a number of areas in which the French Navy was poorly prepared
for modern warfare. One was the lack of an adequate light AA weapon;
the Mod 33 37mm gun designed to replace the semi-automatic Mod 25
did not enter service before the outbreak of war. This inadequacy was
common enough in other navies, but the lack of anti-submarine
equipment, and in particular the few flotilla craft fitted with asdic, is
less easy to explain.
THE FRENCH NAVY IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR
Few ships of the big 1938-39 re-armament programmes were destined
to see much combat. Indeed, the involvement of the French Navy in
the Second World War gave little opportunity to test her warships
against their intended enemies. Up to the Armistice on 22.6.40, French
ships operated alongside the Royal Navy, and played a prominent part,
255

for example in the Dunkirk evacuation, but after the surrender France
was to find herself in a ‘no man’s land’ between her previous enemy and
her erstwhile ally.
However, before the German occupation many ships escaped to, or
were already in, British or French colonial ports. These included the
incomplete Richelieu (to Dakar), Jean Bart (to Casablanca), Courbet
and Paris (at Portsmouth), Lorraine (at Alexandria), Bretagne, Prove¬
nce, Dunkerque and Strasbourg (at Mers-el-Kebir), and Beam (at
Martinique). Also in British ports (including Alexandria) were 4 cruis¬
ers, 2 contre-torpilleurs, 11 destroyers, 9 submarines, 16 escorts, and 23
smaller craft; in French colonial ports were 10 light cruisers, 14 contre-
torpilleurs, 27 destroyers, 46 submarines, 31 escorts, and 25 other
vessels. During the German advance, incomplete vessels which could
not escape either under tow or their own power were destroyed or
sabotaged where they lay - in Cherbourg, Le Havre, Brest and a
number of smaller ports.
However, after the French surrender Britain continued the fight. In
Britain the ultimate fate of the French ships was a source of acute
anxiety, and despite French good faith, it seemed that Germany was
not to be trusted and might well commandeer some if not all of the
French fleet. Therefore the difficult, and still controversial, decision
was taken to remove as many French ships as possible from potential
German control. On 3.7.40 French ships in British ports were seized,
and at Mers-el-Kebir the main French squadron, which had refused
what amounted to an ultimatum to surrender, was attacked and put out
of action. A pre-emptive strike was also carried out against Dakar at the
same time.
These attacks soured Anglo-French relations for the rest of the war,
but nevertheless a small Free French Naval Force (FNFL) was set up
on the same day as the attacks. France, now under the Vichy Govern¬
ment, responded by recalling many warships from the colonial ports to
Toulon, which was in the Free Zone (not occupied by the Germans).
Many of these ships saw little service, but there were still active French
naval forces in French African and Indo-Chinese ports. Indeed, a
French squadron defeated a Thai naval force in the Gulf of Siam in
January 1941, in a battle to resist Japanese-backed claims on Cambo¬
dian territory.
The FNFL grew from 2700 men in November 1940 to only 5314 in
August 1943, but they participated in the second attack on Dakar in
September 1940, and a number of ships were particularly successful in
individual operations, the submarine Rubis being the best-known.
British and FNFL forces attacked Vichy-controlled Syria in June 1941,
resulting in a number of French ships sunk or damaged, and in May
1942 in the wake of the Japanese victories further East, Britain seized
Diego Suarez in Madagascar. However, the heaviest French losses
were incurred in opposing the Anglo-American landings in Algeria and
Morocco, fierce fighting developing around Algiers, Oran and Casa¬
blanca. An armistice was signed in November 1942, but the Germans
responded rapidly by invading Tunisia and occupying the Free Zone of
mainland France. They seized a number of ships at Bizerta, most of
which were turned over to the Italians and later scuttled or sunk, but
before they could reach Toulon the majority of the French fleet was
scuttled on 27.11.42.
Eventually an Algerian Government was set up and ships which had
been interned or laid up in colonial ports joined FNFL units in fighting
256
A Courbet class battleship and an Aigle and a
L’Adroit class destroyer at Villefranche
before the war
By courtesy of Bernard Milbt
alongside the Allies. Many ships were refitted in the USA, and the
small trickle of new ships transferred to the FNFL from 1940 onwards
was increased to include 6 American DEs and 8 British frigates, as well
as 3 British submarines, and a large number of minesweepers and
submarine-chasers. Thereafter the French Navy took an active part in
the war in the Mediterranean and on the Atlantic coast. Richelieu
served with the British East Indies Fleet, and after the end of the war in
Europe a number of French ships were actively employed in Indo-
China.
NOTES
Armament. In the following tables, gun calibres are given as approxi¬
mations in Imperial measures, with the calibre and Model (Mod + the
last 2 figures of the year, eg Mod 25 = Model 1925). They were actually
known under the following designations: 380mm (15in), 340mm
(13.4in), 330mm (13in), 203mm (8in), 155mm (6.1in), 152mm (6in)
Mod 30 and 36, 138.6mm (5.5in) Mod 24, 27, 29 and 34, 130mm
(5.1in) Mod 19, 22 and 35, 100mm (3.9in) Mod 30 and 36, 100mm AA
(3.9in) Mod 25,27 and 31,90mm AA (3.5in) Mod 26,75mm (3in) Mod
28, 75mm AA (3in) Mod 22-27. Torpedoes were 550mm (21.7in) and
400mm (15.7in), the former calibre having three variants, 1923 Model
DT for destroyers, 1924 Model V for submarines, and 1929 Model D
for cruisers and larger surface craft. The 400mm existed in two models,
the DAR type for aircraft and MTBs, and the 1926 Model V for
submarines. The French Navy used the following light AA weapons:
37mm in twin or single mountings (the much-improved Mod 33 was
still undergoing trials when France surrendered), single and twin
Hotchkiss 25mm, twin and quadruple Hotchkiss 13.2mm heavy MGs,
and 8mm Hotchkiss, 7.5mm MAC and Darne MGs in a variety of
mountings.
Builders. In the following tables shortened versions of French building
yards are given. Their full titles and locations are as follows:
Ateliers et Chantiers de St-Nazaire-Penhoet, at St-Nazaire or Grand
Quevilly
Ateliers et Chantiers de la Loire, at St-Nazaire or Nantes
Ateliers et Chantiers de Bretagne, at Nantes
Ateliers et Chantiers Dubigeon, at Nantes
Forges et Chantiers de la Mediterranee, at La Seyne or Le Havre
Ateliers et Chantiers de La Seine-Maritime (also known as Chantiers
Worms), at Le Trait
Ateliers et Chantiers Augustin-Normand, at Le Havre
Chantiers Navals Frangais (C N F), at Caen
Ateliers et Chantiers de France, at Dunkerque
Forges et Chantiers de la Gironde, at Bordeaux
Dyle et Baccalan, at Bordeaux
Chantiers Maritime du Sud Ouest, at Bordeaux
Ateliers et Chantiers de Provence, at Port-de-Bouc
Chantiers de Normandie, at Fecamp
Schneider, at Chalons-sur-Saone
Societe Provengale de Construction Navales (S P C N), at La Ciotat
Chantiers Navals de La Pallice, at La Pallice
All French naval dockyards are prefaced ‘Arsenal de . . .’
 The French Navy in 1922

THE FRENCH NAVYinl922

CAPITAL SHIPS and extensively reconstructed between 1932 and 1935. This involved improved
internal protection, new oil-burning, small-tube boilers, and new 13.4in guns
Name Launched Disp (std) Fate (originally intended for the cancelled Normandie class) and augmented AA
armament, the submerged TT and 8-5.5in guns being removed. Lorraine’s
Republique class
rebuilding went one stage further, the centre 13.4in turret being replaced by a
PATRIE 17.12.1903 13,965t TS. Condemned
hangar for 4 aircraft, and a catapult.
1927
Bretagne blew up at Mers-el-Kebir under the fire of British battleships, which
Danton class
also so damaged the Provence that she sank in shallow water. She was raised and
VOLTAIRE 16.1.1909 18,850t Condemned 1935
repaired at Toulon where she was scuttled, although she was salved by the
DIDEROT 19.4.1909 18,850t Condemned 1936
Germans in July 1943. Lorraine was interned by the British at Alexandria from
CONDORCET 20.8.1909 18,850t Sold for BU
June 1940 to May 1943 when she joined the FNFL and served in the Mediterra¬
14.12.45
nean. Between 1945 and 1953 she was a training ship and finally a hulk, being
Courbet class
stricken on 17.2.53.
COURBET 23.9.1911 22,189t Scuttled 9.6.44
OCEAN 22.9.1911 22,189t Sold for BU
ARMOURED CRUISERS
14.12.45
PARIS 28.9.1912 22,189t Sold for BU Name Launched Disp Fate
21.12.55 (normal)
FRANCE 7.11.1912 22,189t Foundered 26.8.22
Bretagne class LATOUCHE
BRETAGNE 21.4.1913 21,838t Sunk 3.7.40 TREVILLE Oct 1892 4700t Stricken 1926
PROVENCE 20.4.1913 21,838t Scuttled 27.11.42, POTHUAU Sept 1895 5374t Stricken 1929
BU 1949 JEANNE D’ARC June 1899 ll,029t Stricken 1934
LORRAINE 30.9.1913 21,838t BU 1954 GUEYDON Sept 1899 9548t Stricken 1942
MONTCALM Mar 1900 9177t Hulked 1933
Danton class DESAIX Mar 1901 7547t Stricken 1927
All three vessels served as training ships from 1927. Condorcet was scuttled by CONDE Mar 1901 10,233t Stricken 1933
the Germans at Toulon in August 1944 but was subsequently refloated. MARSEILLAISE Jan 1900 945 8t Stricken 1929
JULES FERRY Aug 1902 12,379t Stricken 1927
Courbet class
VICTOR HUGO Mar 1904 13,108t Stricken 1930
With the exception of France (wrecked on an uncharted rock in Quiberon Bay),
JULES MICHELET Aug 1905 13,105t Stricken 1937
this class were refitted 1926-29. The major modifications were the trunking of
ERNEST RENAN Apr 1906 13,504t Stricken 1931
the two forward funnels into a single uptake, replacing the pole foremast with a
EDGAR QUINET Sept 1908 13,847t Wrecked 9.1.30
tripod, enlarging the bridgework, fitting improved fire control gear, increasing
WALDECK ROUSSEAU4.3.1908 13,995t Hulked 1936
the elevation of the main armament guns to give a range of 23,000yds compared
with previous 14,500yds and increasing AA armament to 7-3in and 2-45mm.
Courbet was also reboilered at La Seyne in 1929 with small-tube boilers origi¬ LIGHT CRUISERS
nally ordered for the cancelled Normandie class battleships.
Name Launched Disp Fate
Ocian was renamed Jean Bart in 1936 and disarmed in 1938 for service as a
training ship. On 7.3.44 she was damaged by bombs during an Allied air raid (normal)
and on 15.3.44 was used for explosives trials by the Germans and sank. Subse¬ CASSARD May 1896 3890t Stricken 1924
quently salvaged, she was finally broken up during 1946-47 at Toulon. Courbet COLMAR 14.11.1908 4350t Stricken 1927,
and Paris became training ships in 1939 and were taken over by the RN on BU 1929
3.7.40; Courbet was subsequently transferred to the FNFL and served as an AA MULHOUSE 4.11.1911 4550t BU 1935
guardship while Paris was used as an accommodation ship. Courbet was STRASBOURG 25.4.1914 4900t BU 1944
expended as part of the Normandy breakwater while Paris was returned to METZ 18.12.1915 5300t BU 1936
France and towed to Brest in August 1945 where she served as a pontoon from
1950 until sold. The last four were ex-German taken over in 1920. Their former names were
Bretagne class Kolberg, Stralsund, Regensburg and Konigsberg respectively. The small 3500t
The range of the main armament was increased in 1921-23 by increasing the Austrian Novara of 1913 was taken over at the same time and renamed Thion-
elevation from 18° to 23°, and all were converted to partial oil-firing in 1927-30, ville.

Lorraine at the end of the war

By courtesy of Bernard Millot

257
FRANCE
CLAYMORE 14.3.1906 3 lOt Stricken 19.3.26
DESTROYERS
CARQUOIS 26.6.1907 3 lOt Stricken 29.11.30
Name Launched Disp Fate TRIDENT 5.12.1907 3 lOt Stricken 13.11.31
MASSUE 19.9.1908 3 lOt Stricken 30.3.27
(normal)
GLAIVE 10.9.1908 320t Stricken 13.3.32
450-tonnes POIGNARD 3.7.1909 320t Stricken 3.5.26
SPAHI 30.5.1908 440t Stricken Dec 1927 23.9.1907 320t Stricken 3.5.26
SAPE
MAMELUCK 10.3.1909 440t Stricken Feb 1927 FANFARE 19.12.1907 320t Stricken 28.4.25
T AXTQnTTFMFT ?n inono 44.Hr Stricken Dec 1928
CAVALIER 9.5.1910 440t Stricken Oct 1927 In 1922 there were also the small lOOt coastal TBs310,315,321,324,321,328,
ENSEIGNE HENRY 12.5.1911 440t Stricken June 1927
330, 332, 336, 337, 339, 349, 368. Few survived beyond 1930 and all were
ASPIRANT HERBER 30.4.1912 440t Stricken July 1930
stricken by 1937.
850 tonnes
BOUCLIER 29.6.1911 835t Stricken 15.2.33
CASQUE 25.8.1910 835t Stricken 26.3.26
CIMETTERRE 13.4.1911 835t Stricken 10.7.26
CAPITAINE MEHL 20.4.1912 835t Stricken 10.7.26
SUBMARINES
COMMANDANT BORY 14.9.1912 835t Stricken 29.7.26 Launched Disp Fate
Name
COMMANDANT (surface/sub)
RIVIERE 2.10.1912 835t Stricken June 1933
DEHORTER 18.4.1912 835t Stricken 1933 BRUMAIRE 29.4.1911 395t/550t Stricken 1930
FRANCIS GARNIER 1.10.1912 835t Stricken 10.2.26 EULER 12.10.1912 395t/550t Stricken cl923
BISSON 12.9.1912 835t Stricken June 1933 NEWTON 20.5.1912 395t/550t Stricken 1926
COMMANDANT CURIE 18.7.1912 395t/550t Stricken 1928
LUCAS 11.7.1914 835t Stricken June 1933 LE VERRIER 31.10.1912 395t/550t Stricken 1925
PROTET 15.10.1913 835t Stricken 1933 CLORINDE 2.10.1913 415t/570t Stricken Jan 1926
MANGINI 31.3.1913 835t Stricken 1934 CORNELIE 29.10.1913 415t/570t Stricken Dec 1926
MAGON 19.4.1913 835t Stricken 16.2.26 GUSTAVE ZEDE 20.5.1913 840t/1050t Stricken 1937
ENSEIGNE ROUX 13.7.1915 835t Stricken 1938 NERIEDE 9.5.1914 840/ 1050t Stricken 1935
MECANICIEN AMPHITRITE 9.6.1914 415t/610t Stricken Sept 1935
PRINCIPAL 15.5.1915 835t Stricken 1936 ARTEMIS 14.10.1914 415t/61 Ot Stricken 1927
LESTIN ATALANTE 14.4.1915 415t/610t Stricken 1931
ENSEIGNE GABOLDE 23.4.1921 835t Stricken 1938 ARETHUSE 20.4.1916 415t/610t Stricken 1927
Ex-Argentinian ARARANTE 11.11.1915 415t/610t Stricken 1925
AVENTURIER 18.2.1911 930t Stricken 1938 ASTREE 6.12.1915 415t/610t Stricken 1928
INTREPIDE 25.9.1911 930t Stricken 1937 ANDROMAQUE 13.2.1915 415t/610t Stricken 1931
TEMERAIRE 8.12.1911 930t Stricken 1936 BELLONE 8.7.1914 530t/790t Stricken 1935
opiniAtre 1911 930t Stricken 1933 GORGONE 23.12.1915 530t/790t Stricken 1935
Japanese Kaba type HERMIONE 15.3.1917 530t/790t Stricken 1935
ALGERIEN 1917 675t Stricken 1936 DAPHNE 25.10.1915 635t/890t Stricken Feb 1935
ANNAMITE 1917 675t Stricken 1933 DUPUY DE LOME 9.9.1915 830t/1290t Stricken July 1935
ARABE 1917 675t Stricken 1936 SANE 27.1.1916 830t/1290t Stticken July 1935
BAMBARA 1917 675t Stricken 1933 FULTON 1.4.1919 870t/1250t Stricken July 1935
HOVA 1917 675t Stricken 1936 JOESSEL 21.7.1919 870t/1250t Stricken April 1935
KABYLE 1917 675t Stricken 1936 LAGRANGE 31.5.1917 920t/1320t Stricken July 1935
MAROCAIN 1917 675t Stricken 1935 ROMAZOTTI 31.3.1918 920t/1320t Stricken 1937
SAKALAVE 1917 675t Stricken 1936 LAPLACE 12.8.1919 920t/1320t Stricken July 1935
SENEGALAIS 1917 675t Stricken 1936 REGNAULT 25.6.1924 920t/1320t Stricken 1937
SOMALI 1917 675t Stricken 1935 MAURICE CALLOT 26.3.1921 930t/1300t Discarded 1936
TONKINOIS 1917 675t Stricken 1936 PIERRE CHAILLEY 19.12.1922 885t/1190t Stricken cl937
TOUAREG 1917 675t Stricken 1935 Requisitioned boats
Ex-Austrian (taken over in! 1920) ARMIDE July 1915 460t/670t Stricken July 1932
MATELOT LEBLANC 1916 1050t Stricken 1936 AMAZONE Aug 1916 460t/670t Stricken July 1932
(ex-Dukla) ANTIGONE Oct 1916 460t/670t Stricken Aug 1935
Ex-German (taken over in 1920) O’BYRNE 22.5.1919 340t/520t Stricken July 1935
PIERRE DURAND HENRI FOURNIER 30.9.1919 340t/520t Stricken July 1935
(ex-V79) 18.4.1916 925t Stricken 1933 LOUIS-DUPETIT-
BUINO (ex-V130) 20.11.1917 925t BU 1934 THOUARS May 1920 340t/520t Stricken July 1935
CHASTANG (ex-S133) 1.9.1917 92 Ot Stricken 1934 Ex-German boats
VESCO (ex-Sl34) 25.8.1917 920t Stricken 1935 ROLAND MORILLOT 14.12.1915 265t/290t Discarded 1925
MAZARE (exSl35) 27.10.1917 920t Stricken 1935 (ex-UB26)
DELIGNY (ex-5739) 24.11.1917 920t Stricken 1934, VICTOR REVEILLE 9.4.1916 750t/830t BU 1933
BU 1935 (ex-U79)
RAGEOT DE JEAN AUTRIC 16.5.1917 798t/1000t BU 1937
LA TOUCHE (ex-U105)
(ex-H146) 23.1.1918 990t BU 1935 LEON MIGNOT 11.10.1917 798t/1000t BU 1935
DELAGE (ex-H147) 13.3.1918 990t BU 1935 (ex-U108)
AMIRAL SENES RENE AUDRY 4.4.1918 1165t/15 lOt BU 1937
(ex-Sl 13) 31.1.1918 2060t Stricken 1936 (ex-U119)
HALBRONN 3.12.1917 1150t/2500t BU 1935
The French-built Argentinian vessels were requisitioned in August 1914. The (ex-U139)
Kaba type were built in Japan because of disruptions to the French shipbuilding PIERRE MARRAST 20.4.1918 820t/1000t BU 1937
industry caused by the war. They were repeats of a design already in service with (ex-U162)
the Japanese Navy. JEAN ROULIER 6.9.1918 820t/ lOOOt Stricken 1935
(ex-U166)
TRINITE-
SCHILLEMANS 29.4.1918 520t/640t BU 1935
TORPEDO-BOATS (ex-UB94)
CARISSAN 29.7.1918 520t/640t BU 1935
Name Launched Disp Fate (ex-UB99)
(normal) JEAN CORRE 26.10.1918 525t/650t BU 1936
13.2.1892 not Stricken 10.11.25
(ex-UB155)
GRONDEUR
MISTRAL 4.5.1901 115t Stricken 18.4.28
SIROCCO 20.2.1901 115t Stricken 5.5.25
All the requisitioned boats were taken over while building. Armide was ex-
SIMOUN 23.3.1901 115t Stricken 20.4.25
Japanese, the next pair ex-Greek, and the remaining three ex-Romanian. Of the
AUDACIEUX 29.8.1900 115t Stricken Feb 1923
uerman boats, UB26 was captured on 5.4.16, but the remainder were taken
MORTIER 23.3.1906 3 lOt Stricken 30.3.27
over in 1918-19.

258
 The French Navy in 1922/Capital Ships

SLOOPS EflNAL Aug 1919 850t BU Dec 1946

VAUQUOIS Aug 1919 850t Mined 18.6.40
Name Launched Disp Fate LES EPARGES Sept 1919 850t Scuttled 27.11.42
(normal) CALAIS Nov 1919 850t Sold for BU
QUENTIN 25.11.46
ROOSEVELT Dec 1916 585t BU 1955 BAPAUME 1919 850t BU 1937
(<ex-Flamant) EPERNAY 1919 850t BU 1934
DUBOURDIEU Apr 1918 453t NANCY 1919 850t BU 1938
Sunk 8.11.42
DU CHAFFAULT Sept 1918 453t Stricken 1938 TOUL 1919 850t BU 1935
DUMONT 6.11.1918 VIMY 1919 850t BU 1935
453t Renamed Enseigne
D’URVILLE Henry 19.10.29. CRAONNE 1919 850t BU 1935
Hulked 1940 LIEVIN 1920 850t BU 1935
DU COUEDIC July 1919 453t Stricken 1939 LUNEVILLE 1920 850t BU 1935
DUPERRE Dec 1918 453t MONTDEMENT 1920 850t BU 1935
Stricken 1933
VILLE D’YS June 1917 112 It MONTMIRAIL 1920 850t BU 1933
BU 1945
0ex-Andromeda) PERONNE 1920 850t BU 1935
SCARPE 31.10.1917 604t REMIREMONT 1920 850t BU 1936
Stricken cl936
SUIPPE April 1918 REVIGNY 1920 850t BU 1937
604t BU 1953
ANCRE April 1918 VITRY LE FRANCOIS 1920 850t BU 1935
604t Stricken cl936
AILETTE March 1918 BACCARAT 1921 850t BU 1933
492t Sold for BU
BETHUNE 1921 850t BU 1934
14.10.41
ESCAUT 1918 492t Stricken cl936
MARNE 25.11.1916 601t Scuttled 10.3.45 MINESWEEPERS
AISNE 1917 566t BU 1938
MEUSE 1917 566t BU 1938 There were large numbers of minesweepers (ex-ASW gunboats). Of the Ardent
YSER Jan 1917 566t Scuttled 27.11.42 class, the remaining vessels were Agile, Alert, Ardent, Audacieux, Batailleuse,
SOMME March 1917 566t Sold for BU Belliqueuse, Capricieuse, Curieuse, Dedaigneuse, Emporte, Etourdi, Eveille,
14.10.41 Gracieuse, Impetueuse, Inconstant, Malicieuse, Moqueuse, Sans Souci and
OISE 12.10.1917 566t BU 1938 Tapageuse. Of 266t, all were built in 1916-17 and all, except Dedaigneuse
ALDEBARAN 19.5.1916 1250t Stricken mid-1930s (scuttled 27.11.42), Htourdi (BU 1941) and Tapageuse (BU 1944), had been
BELLATRIX 29.5.1916 1250t Stricken mid-1930s stricken by 1938.
ALGOL 17.6.1916 1250t Stricken mid-1930s Other ex-ASW gunboats converted to minesweepers were: theLuronne (1917,
ALTAIR 6.7.1916 1250t Stricken mid-1930s 266t) and the 315t Friponne class ships of 1916-17, Diligente, Engageante,
ANTARES 4.9.1916 1250t Stricken mid-1930s Surveillante (the first was stricken in 1938 and the others BU in 1946); and the
CASSIOPEE 10.2.1917 1250t Stricken mid-1930s 457t Conqudrante and Vaillante of 1917 (the former was sunk on 14.4.41, and the
REGULUS 19.3.1917 1250t Stricken mid-1930s latter was condemned in 1932).
ARRAS July 1918 850t BU Feb 1946 Purpose-built minesweepers included the 360t Granit class of 1918-19,
YPRES (ex-Dunkerque) July 1918 850t BU Apr 1942 Granit, Mica, Porphyre, only the first surviving until the war. Of the similar
REIMS July 1918 850t BU 1938 Pyrite, Quartz and Meulieure of 1919, only the last served during World War II,
LAFFAUX (ex-Verdun) 1918 850t BU 1938 being wrecked on 25.4.41.
TAHURE March 1918 850t Sunk 24.9.44
BELFORT March 1919 850t Sold for BU SUBMARINE-CHASERS
22.11.46
AMIENS May 1919 850t Sold for BU At this date there were still 41 of the US-built type in service, along with 15
13.10.49 French-built craft. By 1939 only 8 (Ch2S, 51,56,58,74,81,95 and 98) of the
COUCY June 1919 850t Sold for BU 25.2.46 former were in commission, and 4 (Chl06,107, 111 and 112) of the latter were
LASSIGNY July 1919 850t Stricken 21.10.41 serving in the Far East.

CAPITAL SHIPS

Sometimes classed as battlecruisers,

these vessels initiated the general DUNKERQUE class
trend towards fast battleship designs
Displacement: 26,500t standard; 30,750t (Strasbourg 31,400t) normal; 35,500t deep load
among the major European navies.
Intended as an answer to the German Dimensions: 685ft 8in pp, 703ft 9in oa x 102ft x 28ft 6in
Deutschland class, they were given a 209.00, 214.50 x 31.08 x 8.70m
high speed and comparatively light Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 6 Indret boilers, 112,500shp = 29.5kts. Oil 6500t
protection - the latter being only Armour: Main belt 9|in-5fin, decks 5in-liin, turrets 13(in-6in, torpedo bulkhead ljin, secondary turrets 3iin,
intended to defeat the German llin CTlOlin
AP shell with which the Deutschland Armament: 8-13in/50 Mod 33 (2x4), 16-5.lin/45 Mod 35 DP (3x4, 2x2), 8-37mm AA (4x2), 32-13.2mm AA
(and later Schamhorst) class were (8x4), 2 aircraft
armed. Dunkerque was provided Complement: 1431
under the 1931 Programme andS'tras-
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
bourg under the 1934 Programme as
replacements for the battleships DUNKERQUE Arsenal de Brest 24.12.1932 2.10.35 Apr 1937 Scuttled 27.11.42
France (lost in 1922) and Ocian (dis¬ STRASBOURG A C de St-Nazaire- 25.11.1934 12.12.36 Dec 1938 Scuttled 27.11.42
armed 1938) respectively, according Penhoet
to current treaty requirements. In

259
FRANCE
outline the design was based on the
British Nelson class with the entire
main armament forward, a tower
bridge structure and internal side pro¬
tection. The original designed dis¬
placement was 26,500t standard,
33,000t deep load. During 2-hour
full-power trials, Dunkerque made
31.06kts with 135,585shp and,during
8-hour full-power trials, 30.75kts
with 114,050shp. Strasbourg achieved
similar results. The main armour belt
was inclined at 21° and was intended
to resist llin AP shells at normal
inclination down to 18,000yds range.
The underwater protection consisted
of air and fuel compartments bounded
on the inboard side by the torpedo
bulkhead and outboard by a com¬
partment filled with a rubber-based,
water-excluding compound. The
quadruple turret design was originally
evolved for the cancelled battleships
of the Normandie class and provided
the 13in guns with 35° elevation giv¬
ing a maximum range of 32,800yds.
The turrets were spaced well apart to
avoid the possibility of a single shell or
torpedo neutralising them both and to
minimise mutual intereference due to
blast effect. Ammunition stowage
allowed for 800 rounds of 13in, 7865
rounds of 5.1in and 20,200 rounds of
37mm. One catapult was fitted.
Prior to the French surrender the
two ships were employed mainly in
covering Atlantic convoys against
interference by raiders. Both were at
Mers-el-Kebir (Oran) in April 1940
where Dunkerque was heavily dam¬
aged by gunfire from the British fleet
and, 3 months later, by torpedo air¬
craft from Ark Royal. Strasbourg
escaped and moved to Toulon where
she was joined by Dunkerque, after
temporary repairs, in February 1942.
Both were scuttled at Toulon (.Dun¬
kerque in dry dock) in November 1942
but Strasbourg was salvaged by the
Italian Navy in the following year.
She was returned in 1944 and sunk
during an Allied bombing raid on
Toulon on 18.8.44. She was salvaged
again in 1945 and, after service as an
experimental hulk for underwater
tests, was sold for scrapping in May
1955. The wreck of theDunkerque was
removed from the dry dock in 1945
and was eventually sold for scrap in
1958.

The first 2 were authorised in 1935

and the remaining pair in 1938, and
were designed to carry 8-15in,
15-6in, 8-37mm and 24-13.2in. The
armament of the first two was subse-
quendy altered owing to the exigen¬
cies of war, while more substantial
changes were made to the design of
the uncompleted pair. They followed
the general design of the Dunkerque
class with a high proportion (37 per
cent) of displacement given over to
protection (against 15in shellfire).
The 380mm (1935 pattern) main
armament fired a 19381b shell at bet¬
ween 1 and 2 rounds per minute to a
range of 50,000yds at 35° elevation.
Magazine capacity was originally
832-15in and 2800-6in, but in 1943
this became 650-15in, 3000-6in and
6500-3.9in. The Richelieu’s machin¬
ery was built by A C de la Loire, St-
Nazaire, and Jean Bart’s by F C de
l’Atiantique.
Richelieu was 95 per cent complete
when France surrendered and she
proceeded to Dakar, where she was
damaged during the British attack. In
1942 she joined the Allies and was sent
to the USA for a major refit, emerging
in October 1943 with radar added,
aircraft and catapults removed, and
the 37mm and 13.2mm AA replaced
by 56-40mm (14x4) and 48-20mm
(48 x 1). This increased displacement
by 3000t, 500t of which was increased
bunkerage. Range was
5500/2500/1800nm at 18/26/32kts
and during postwar trials she reached
179,000shp = 32.5kts. Richelieu was
employed with the British Eastern
Fleet in 1944-45 and later off French
Indo-China. She paid off in 1959 and
was hulked at Brest as an accommoda¬
tion ship.
Jean Bart was an estimated 77 per
cent complete when France was over¬
run, but she escaped to Casablanca in
RICHELIEU class
Displacement: 35,000t standard; 43,293t (Jean Bart 46,500t) normal; 47,548t (Jean Bart 49,850t) deep load
Dimensions: 794ft pp, 813ft 2in oa x 108ft 3in (Jean Bart 116ft 3in over bulges) X 31ft 7in (Jean Bart 30ft 3in)
242.00, 247.85 x 33.00 (35.43) x 9.63 (9.22)m
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 6 Indret boilers, 150,000shp = 30kts (Jean Bart 165,000shp = 32kts).
Oil 6796t (Jean Bart 6476t)
Armour: Main belt 13iin-9fin (fore bulkhead 15in-9fin), longitudinal torpedo bulkhead 2in-lJin, main deck
6|in-6in, lower deck 2in-l|in, main turrets 17jin-6|in, secondary turrets 5in-2|in. Jean Bart had 426ft
external bulges
Armament: (Richelieu in 1940) 8-15in/45 Mod 35 (2x4), 9-6in/55 Mod 36 DP (3x3), 12-3.9in/45 Mod 31 AA
(6x2), 8-37mm AA (4x2), 16-13.2mm AA (4x4), 3 aircraft
Complement: 1670 (Richelieu in 1943), 2134 (Jean Bart as flagship)
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
RICHELIEU Arsenal de Brest 22.10.1935 17.1.39 July 1940 BU 1964
JEAN BART A C de St-Nazaire- Jan 1939 6.3.40 Jan 1949 BU 1970
Penhoet
CLEMENCEAU Arsenal de Brest 17.1.1939 1943 — Hull sunk 27.8.44
GASCOIGNE A C de St-Nazaire- — Cancelled
Penhoet
June 1940 under her own power. Only built in dry dock and was only 10 per
the forward 15in turret was mounted cent complete in June 1940. The
and it was late 1942 before this was in incomplete hull was floated out in
any condition to fire. At the time of 1943 and later bombed by Allied air¬
the US invasion of North Africa Jean craft, on 27.8.44. The design incorpo¬
Bart also carried 8-90mm (4x2), rated some modifications to the sec¬
5-37mm(2x2, lxl) and 22-13.2mm ondary armament (12-6in) and A A
(4x2, 14x1) AA; during this attack guns, with aircraft facilities deleted.
the ship was badly damaged and the Gascoigne was to have had the main
work of completion did not begin armament turrets mounted one for¬
until 1946 at Brest, although various ward and one aft. She was never laid
proposals for make-shift completion down. Two sisters were approved in
(with one main turret or as an aircraft April 1940 - although they may have
carrier) were put forward during the been built to a new design - but were
latter stages of the war. Sea trials not begun.
began on 16.1.49 when she obtained
162,855shp = 31.84kts over 6 hours,
and 176,030shp = 32.13kts for 2
hours. In May 1955 she was finally
completed with 8—15in/45 (2x4),
9-6in (3x3), 24-3.9in AA (12x2),
28-57mm (14x2), 20-20mm (20x 1).
She was stricken in January 1961, and
hulked at Toulon.
Clemenceau, like her sisters, was Richelieu at Cherbourg in Aug 1946

260
 Aircraft carriers

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
A carrier was authorised in 1922 and it
was decided to convert this vessel BEARN
from the incomplete hull of a Nor¬
Displacement: 22,146t standard; 28,400t full load
mandie class battleship, work starting
in August 1923. The flight deck was Dimensions: 559ft 9in pp, 599ft oa x 89ft (115ft 6in over flight deck) x 30ft 6in
590ft 9in long with 3 electric lifts (two 170.60, 182.60 x 27.13 (35.20) x 9.30m
50ft square and one 27ft x 40ft) to the Machinery: 4 shafts. 2 turbines, 6 Normand du Temple boilers, 22,500shp (inner shafts), plus 2 sets reciprocating
engines, 15,000ihp (outer shafts) = 21.5kts. Oil 2160t
406ft 9in hangar, beneath which were
further workshops and storage for Armour: Main belt 3Jin, flight deck lin, main deck lin, lower deck 2fin, casemates 2|in
partly dismantled aircraft. There was Armament: 8-6. lin / 55 Mod 21 (8x 1), 6-3in AA (6x 1), 8-37mm AA (8x1), 16 MGs, 4-21 Jin TT sub, 40 aircraft
originally a retractable charthouse Complement: 875
forward. Petrol stowage, under inert
gas, was 3530 cu ft, with 530 cu ft of Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
oil. Because of the limited flight deck Sold for BU
BEARN F C de la Jan 1914 Apr 1920 May 1927
area only a quarter of the aircraft 31.3.67
Mediterranee,
complement could be ranged at once.
La Seyne
Radius was 6000nm at lOkts.
Beam was completely refitted at La Beam prewar By courtesy of Bernard Millot
Seyne during 1935, but by the out¬
break of war was too slow for fleet
carrier duties. She was demilitarised
at Martinique in May 1942, but joined
the FNFL on 30.6.43. She was con¬
verted to an aircraft transport in the
USA 1944 45 and emerged in March
1945 with an all-American armament
of 4—5in/38 DP (4x1), 24-40mm
(6x4) and 26-20mm (26x1).
She served as an accommodation
ship for submarine crews at Toulon
for many years before being sold to
Italian shipbreakers.

These ships belonged to the 1938

Programme and were the final result JOFFRE class
of extensive studies undertaken from
Displacement: 18,000t standard; 20,000t normal
1931 onwards. The designers had
Dimensions: 748ft pp, 774ft 3in oa x 80ft 9in (113ft 2in over flight deck) x 21ft 8in
access to British design experience
228.00, 236.00 x 24.60 (34.50) x 6.60m
and opted for a double-storied han¬
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 8 Indret boilers, 125,000shp = 33kts
gar. However, to increase the size of
Armour: Main belt 4in, longitudinal bulkheads lin-Lin, main deck l|in-2fin (over magazines)
the upper hangar, which was rather
small on some of the early British Armament: 8-5.lin/45 Mod 35 DP (4x2), 8-37mm AA (4x2), 24-13.2mm AA (6x4), 40 aircraft
ships, it was taken the full width of the Complement: 1251
hull to the port side. Painleve was
never laid down; the construction of a Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
third carrier was approved in April JOFFRE A C de St-Nazaire- 26.11.1938 - Construction
1940 but this project was also cancel¬ Penhoet abandoned
led. The flight deck measured 656ft June 1940
3in x 91ft 9in (200 x 28m) and was PAINLEVE A C de St-Nazaire- - Cancelled
offset to port to compensate for the Penhoet
island superstructure on the starboard
side. The flight deck was provided
with 9 arrestor wires and 2 lifts. The of Joffre and Painleve was authorised,
air group would have comprised 25 the Naval Staff had contemplated the
torpedo-bomber and 15 fighter air¬ possible conversion of the heavy
craft. Radius was 7800nm at 20kts or cruisers Duquesne and Tourville into
3000nm at 33kts. Before the building light aircraft carriers in 1935.
, - i ick*r
Joffre as designed 1938
-
A TT1

nr =7

Authorised under the 1926 Pro¬

gramme, Commandant Teste was COMMANDANT TESTE seaplane tender
designed to act as a tender and trans¬
Displacement: 10,000t standard; 11,500t full load
port for seaplanes as well as a reserve
Dimensions: 512ft 9in pp, 547ft llin oa, x 88ft 7in x 22ft 9in
from which aircraft supplies could be
156.30, 167.00 x 27.00 x 6.93m
drawn by cruisers which carried
Machinery: 2-shaft Schneider-Zoelly geared turbines, 4 Loire boilers, 21,000shp = 20.5kts. Coal 720t, oil 290t
planes. This vessel was fitted out with
repair and maintenance shops and had Armour: Main belt 2in, main deck (over machinery) liin
a hangar measuring 275ft X 88ft 6in x Armament: 12-3.9in/45 Mod 27 AA (12x1), 8-37mm AA (8x1), 12-13.2mm AA (6x2), 26 aircraft
23ft (84.00 x 27.00 x 7.00m). Air¬ Complement: 686
craft were launched by 4 catapults and
recovered by 5 cranes of between 5t Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
and 12t capacity. A stern ramp was COMMANDANT TESTE F C de la Gironde May 1927 12.4.29 1932 BU 1950
also fitted to receive the aircraft. The

261
FRANCE
catapults were of the Penhoet 3-ton proposals to convert her either to a
type. Of the Loire small-tube boilers, fast transport for troops and equip¬
2 of them were coal-fired, and the ment or to a training carrier with a
other 2 burned oil. Radius was 502ft flight deck and 12 aircraft were
6000nm at lOkts and on trials an aver¬ put forward. However, both projects
age speed of 21.77kts was maintained were cancelled and she was used as a
for 3 hours. At the beginning of the store ship for US equipment, being
war the ship carried one squadron of finally sold on 15.5.50.
torpedo-carrying Latecoere 298 float¬
planes and one squadron of Loire-
Nieuport 130 flying boats. She was
not damaged during the British attack
on Mers-el-Kebir but was scuttled at
Commandant Teste prewar
Toulon to avoid capture by the Ger¬
mans. After she was raised in 1946, By courtesy of Bernard Millot

ARROMANCHES DIXMUDE escort aircraft carrier

The British light fleet carrier Colossus The US-built British escort carrier action in Indo-China in 1946-48. She
was transferred to the French Navy as Biter was transferred to the French was paid off in 1956, and after har¬
the Arromanches in August 1946 (see Navy as the Dixmude in April 1945. bour service was returned to the US
British section for full details). She She was mainly employed ferrying Navy in 1966 for disposal.
was paid off in 1974. aircraft from the USA, but was in

CRUISERS Primaguet 1937

The first major French design after

the First World War was generally
considered successful and seaworthy.
Authorised in 1922, this class adopted
a calibre that was already in service
DUGUAY TROUIN class
with the French Army, namely the
6.1in gun, which fired 4-56.5kg shells Displacement: 7249t standard; 7880t normal; 9350t full load
per minute to a maximum range of Dimensions: 575ft lin pp, 595ft 9in oa X 56ft 5in X 17ft
21,600m at 35° elevation, a perform¬ 175.30, 181.60 x 17.20 x 5.20m
ance superior to the old marks of 7.6in Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 8 Guyot boilers, 100,000shp = 33kts. Oil 1500t
gun. The enclosed gunhouses were Armour: Main deck Jin, turrets lin, CT lin, box citadel (magazines and steering gear) Jin
reportedly gas-tight, with forced ven¬
Armament: 8-6. lin/55 Mod 21 (4x2), 4-3in/60 Mod 22 A A (4x1), 4-13.2mm AA, 12-21.7in TT (4x3), 2 aircraft
tilation. Originally 24 torpedoes were
Complement: 578
carried, the 12 spares being stowed in
a magazine. Protection, however, was Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
slight, although there were 16 water¬
tight bulkheads and double skin plat¬ DUGUAY TROUIN Arsenal de Brest 4.8.1922 14.8.23 10.9.26 BU 29.3.52
ing abreast the machinery. LAMOTTE-PICQUET Arsenal de Lorient 17.1.1923 21.3.24 1.10.26 Sunk 12.1.45
Trials results (6 hours at full com¬ PRIMAGUET Arsenal de Brest 10.8.1923 21.5.24 1.9.26 Beached 8.11.42
plement of fuel and stores) for the
three ships were 116,235,115,100 and
116,849shp = 33.6, 33.04 and Duguay Trouin about 1946 By courtesy of Bernard Millot
33.06kts respectively, but they
proved economical steamers being
able to maintain 30kts at half power
for 24 hours. Radius was 4500/
3000/900nm at 15/20/33kts.
Primaguet was given a large refit at
Lorient in 1937 and in 1942 had
2-25mm AA (2x1) and 16-13.2mm
A A (4x4) added. In 1943 the TT and
catapult were removed from Duguay
Trouin and 15 single 20mm and 3 twin
13.2mm A A guns added; by the end
of the war her AA armament was
comprised of 6-40mm and 20-20mm,
all in single mountings.
Duguay Trouin was disarmed at
Alexandria in 1940 but rejoined the
Allies 30.5.43. Lamotte-Picquet was
based in French Indo-China in 1940
and took part in the battle at Koh-
Chang on 17.1.41, in which a number
of Thai vessels were sunk and dam¬
aged. She was bombed by US Navy
aircraft near Saigon. Primaguet was
disabled during the Allied landings in
North Africa and although beached
became a total loss.

262
 Cruisers

Authorised under the 1924 Prog¬

ramme, these were the first French DUQUESNE class
‘Treaty’ cruisers. In many respects
Displacement: 10,000t standard; 11,640t normal; 12,200t full load
enlarged versions of the Duguay
Trouin class with an improved hull Dimensions: 607ft pp, 626ft 8in oa x 62ft 4in x 20ft 9in
185.00, 191.00 x 19.00 x 6.32m
form, they were, like their predeces¬
sors, good steamers and could main¬ Machinery: 4-shaft Rateau-Bretagne geared turbines, 9 Guyotdu Temple boilers, 120,000shp = 33.75kts.Oil 1820t
tain 30kts at half power. Duquesne Armour: Main belt lin, turrets lin, CT lin, box citadel (magazines and steering gear) lin
maintained 131,770shp = 34.12kts Armament: 8-8in/50 Mod 24 (4x2), 8-3in/60 Mod 22 AA (8x1), 8-37mm AA (4x2), 12-13.2mm AA, 6-21.7in
(35.3kts max) during a 4-hour trial TT (2x3), 2 aircraft
and Tourville 126,919shp = 33.22kts Complement: 605
(34.13kts max) over 6 hours at normal
displacement. Range was Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
4500/1900nm at 15/30kts. Boiler and DUQUESNE Arsenal de Brest 30.10.1924 17.12.25 1928 BU July 1955
engine rooms were arranged alter¬ TOURVILLE Arsenal de Lorient 14.4.1925 24.8.26 1928 BU Mar 1962
nately. The 1924 model 8in/50 fired a
127kg shell to a maximum range of
31,000m at 4 rounds per minute.
There was one catapult.
Protection was still scanty, the total
weight being barely 430t. Both
rejoined the Allies in 1943, when their
AA armament was altered during
refits in the USA to 8-40mm and
16-20mm, all in single mountings.
Both were paid off in 1950 and hulked
before going to the breakers.

Tourville at the end of the war

By courtesy of Bernard Millot

Suffren postwar By courtesy of Bernard Millot

One of these cruisers was ordered in exchange for 6-21.7in TT, the air¬
each year from 1925 to 1928. They craft and catapult.
were modified Tourvilles with 2kts Suffren was interned at Alexandria
sacrificed for better protection, but from June 1940 until joining the Allies
each showed slight improvements on 30.5.43. After the war she served
over the preceding ship, and no two in the Far East and was finally paid off
were identical in design or appear¬ on 27.12.62, became an accommoda¬
ance. Machinery weight-saving in the tion ship and was renamed Ocean in
last three allowed more armour, the 1964. The other 3 were scuttled at
total weight rising from 95 It in Suf- Toulon, although Foch and Dupleix
fren, through 1374t in the next pair, to were raised in 1943, the former to be
1533t in Dupleix. After Suffren the scrapped and the latter destroyed by
vertical armour was sited inside the Allied bombing.
hull, allowing a reduction in the deck
plating from 50mm to 20mm and pro¬
viding 60mm-54mm armour over the
whole length of the machinery com¬ Dupleix 1937
partments. Additional protection to
the after boiler and engine rooms was
provided by a 64ft coal-filled space
between the hull and the internal tor¬
pedo bulkhead. The coal was orig¬
inally carried to fire two small boilers
intended to increase the range by SUFFREN class
2000nm at 1 lkts, but the boilers were
not fitted to the last pair of ships, Displacement: 9938t standard; 11,290t normal; 12,780t full load
although they reportedly kept the coal Dimensions: 607ft pp, 637ft 2in (Suffren 643ft, Dupleix 636ft 6in) oa x 63ft 4in (Suffren 65ft 7in, Colbert 63ft 7in) x
protection. Radius was 5300 (.Suffren 24ft (Foch 24ft 7in, Dupleix 23ft 7in)
4600)/3700nm at 15/20kts. On a 185.00, 194.20 (196.00, 194.00) x 19.3 (20.00, 19.4) x 7.34 (7.5, 7.2)m
4-hour trial Suffren averaged Machinery: 3-shaft Rateau-Bretagne geared turbines, 9 Guyot du Temple boilers, 90,000shp = 3lkts. Oil 1800t
100,089shp = 32.51kts and of the (plus 640t coal in Suffren and Colbert)
remainder Colbert achieved Armour: Main belt 2|in-2in (Suffren 2in), longitudinal bulkheads lin (Suffren only), upper and main decks
99,575shp = 31.27kts for 6 hours at lin-fin (Suffren, Dupleix lin), turrets lin, CT llin
11,426t and 105,722shp = 33.06kts Armament: 8-8in/50 Mod 24 (4x2), 8-3.5in/50 Mod 26 AA (Suffren 3in) (8x1,Dupleix 4x2), 8-37mm AA (4x2),
12-13.2mm (3x4), 12-21.7in TT (4x3) (Suffren only), 3 (Suffren 2) aircraft
for 1 hour. All except Suffren had
their AA armament increased during Complement: 605 (Suffren 602) peace; 752 (Suffren 773) war
1941-42; Colbert received 6-37mm
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
(6x1), 20-13.2mm (4x4, 2x2) and
4—8mm (4x1); Foch and Dupleix SUFFREN Arsenal de Brest May 1926 3.5.27 1930 BU 1974
added 8-37mm (4x2), 20-13.2mm COLBERT Arsenal de Brest June 1927 20.4.28 1931 Scuttled 27.11.42
(4x4,2x2) and 7 (Dupleix 3) 8mm. In FOCH Arsenal de Brest June 1928 24.4.29 1931 Scuttled 27.11.42
1943 Suffren was armed with DUPLEIX Arsenal de Brest Oct 1929 9.10.30 1932 Scuttled 27.11.42
8-40mm, and 20-20mm, all singles,

263
FRANCE

This unarmoured minelaying cruiser

was authorised under the 1925 Prog¬
ramme. She served most of the latter
stages of her career as a gunnery train¬
ing ship at Toulon, but early in 1939 PLUTON
she was converted into an officer cadet
Displacement: 4773t standard; 6500t full load
training cruiser and renamed La Tour
Dimensions: 472ft 5in pp, 500ft 4in oa x 51ft 2in x 17ft
d’Auvergne, by which name she is bet¬
144.00, 152.SO x 15.60 x 5.18m
ter known. She attained 56,000shp =
Machinery: 2-shaft Breguet geared turbines, 4 small-tube boilers 57,000shp = 30kts. Oil 1200t
30.6kts on trials, with a maximum of
Armament: 4-5.5in/40 Mod 27 (4x 1), 4-3in/60 AA (4x 1), 2-37mm AA (2x1), 12-13.2mm AA (3x4), 290 mines
31.6kts. She was lost following an
accidental mine explosion at Casa¬ Complement: 424
blanca, and the wreck was con¬
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
demned on 24.2.40. In April 1940
there was a short-lived proposal to PLUTON Arsenal de Lorient Apr 1928 10.4.29 Apr 1931 Sunk 13.9.39
build a light cruiser to replace her.

Jeanne d’Arc in the USA 1943

By courtesy of Bernard Millot

Authorised under the 1929 Prog¬

ramme as a purpose-built training
ship for midshipmen, without the
speed of a genuine cruiser. She was
the only other ship armed with the
6.1 in/55 guns of the Duguay Trouin
class, and although the original design
provided for 2 catapults she was com¬
pleted without any, the seaplanes JEANNE D’ARC
being handled by crane. Radius was
5200/3200nm at 11/2lkts, and on Displacement: 6496t standard; 7291t normal; 8950t full load
3-hour full-power trials she attained a Dimensions: 525ft pp, 557ft 9in oa x 58ft x 21ft
160.00, 170.00 x 17.70 x 6.40m
maximum of 27.84kts and a mean of
27.03kts at 39,000shp; maximum Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Penhoet boilers, 32,500shp = 25kts. Oil 1400t
cruising speed at full load was 23kts. Armour: Box citadel (for magazines) fin, CT lin, protective deck and fight plating to gunhouses
At the fall of France she was in Armament: 8-6.lin/55 Mod 21 (4x2), 4-3in/60 AA (4x1), 4-37mm AA (2x2), 12-13.2mm AA, 2-21.7in TT
Martinique, which joined the Allies (2x1), 2 aircraft
on 3.6.43. Following a refit in which Complement: 505 + 156 midshipmen and 20 instructional officers (peace); 648 (war)
the TT and aircraft were removed and
the fight AA replaced by 6-40mm and Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
20-20mm (all singles), she took part
JEANNE D’ARC A C de St-Nazaire- 1928 14.2.30 Sept 1931 BU 1966
in Mediterranean operations. She was
Penhoet
scrapped at La Seyne.

Authorised in 1930, this vessel was

the last and best French ‘treaty’ ALGERIE
cruiser, and one of the most outstand¬
Displacement: 10,000t standard; 11,1 OOt normal; 13,900t full load
ing examples of the type in any navy.
A radical departure from the widely Dimensions: 590ft 6in pp, 610ft 1 lin oa x 65ft 7in x 20ft 2in
criticised ‘tin-clad’ heavy cruisers, she 180.00, 186.20 x 20.00 x 6.15m
was built in response to the Italian Machinery: 4-shaft Rateau-Bretagne geared turbines, 6 Indret boilers, 84,000shp = 3lkts. Oil 3186t
Zara class. Armour weight totalled Armour: Main belt 4fin, transverse bulkheads 2fin, longitudinal bulkheads Din, main deck 3in (midships) lin
2657t (compared with 1553t in the (ends), turrets 3fin (faces) 2jin (sides and roofs), CT 3fin-2jin
preceding Dupleix) and it was better Armament: 8-in/50 Mod 24 (4x2), 12-3.9in/50 Mod 31 AA (6x2), 8-37mm AA (4x2), 16-13.2mm AA, 6-21.7in
distributed; emphasis was placed on TT (2x3), 3 aircraft
protection against aerial bombs and Complement: 748
underwater attack, an extensive tor¬
pedo bulkhead being separated from Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
the main belt by oil and coal bunkers. ALGERIE Arsenal de Brest 13.3.1931 21.5.32 1934 Scuttled 27.11.42
The bulkhead extended from the bot-

264

tom of the hull to the armoured deck
and included the barbettes. The main
armament and ammunition trunking
was also adequately protected for the
first time.
Power was reduced compared to
the Suffren class, but the improved
hull form meant no loss of speed. Dur¬
ing 3-hour trials Algerie made
52,000/59,400/66,OOOshp = 29/30/
30.67kts and 27.4kts over 24 hours.
At 12,000t the results were 85,190shp
= 31.71ktsover 6 hours, a maximum
of 93,230shp = 33.2kts, and an aver¬
age of 32.93kts for 1 hour. Radius was
8700nm at 15kts.
The range of the main armament
was increased by improved shell
design. The two catapults were of a
new explosive-propelled rather than
compressed air type. In 1940-41 light
AA armament was increased by
8-37mm (2x4) and 20-13.2mm, the
tripod mainmast and aircraft equip¬
Cruisers
ment being removed, and in early
1942 she was fitted with radar, with an
improved set following later in the
year. Algerie was scuttled at Toulon,
but raised on 18.3.43 and scrapped.

Authorised under the 1930 pro¬

gramme, Emile Berlin was originally EMILE BERTIN
envisaged as an improved Pluton, but
Displacement: 5886t standard; 6530t normal; 8480t full load
in the final design cruiser characteris¬
Dimensions: 547ft llin pp, 580ft 8in oa x 52ft 6in x 21ft 8in
tics took prcedence over those of
167.00, 177.00 x 16.00 x 6.60m
minelaying. In fact, the ship did pre¬
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 6 Penhoet boilers, 102,OOOshp = 34kts. Oil 1360t
war service as a flagship for a squad¬
Armour: Box citadel lin (magazines), main deck lin, CT lin (sides) lin (hood)
ron of 12 super-destroyers of the
Malin and Mailli Brize classes. The Armament: 9-6in/50 Mod 30 (3x3), 4-3.5in/50 AA (1x2, 2x1), 8-37mm AA (4x2), 8-13.2mm AA (4x2),
new 1930 model 6in triple mounting 6-21.7in TT (2x3), 2 aircraft, 200 mines
was introduced with this ship; this Complement: 567 peace; 711 war
gun fired a 54.3kg shell to a range of
21,500m. She was lightly built and in Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
1935 the hull below the turrets was fiMILE BERTIN A C de St-Nazaire- Aug 1931 9.5.33 1934 BU Oct 1959
strengthened to permit salvo firing. Penhoet
However, she was very fast, trials
results being 108,026/117,099/
137,908shp = 36.73/37.29/39.66kts
over 8 hours/1 hour/an average of 3
runs. Furthermore the trials were car¬
ried out in bad weather. Radius was
3600/1100nm at 15/33kts. Based at
Martinique after June 1940, she was
extensively refitted in the USA during
1944-45 when the 37mm and 13.2mm
were replaced by 4—3.5in (2x2),
16-40mm (4x4) and 20-20mm
(20x 1), and the TT, catapult and air¬
craft removed.
Emile Benin postwar By courtesy of Bernard Millot

Essentially much improved Emile

Bertins, with additional protection
against 6in shellfire, these ships were
widely regarded as the most success¬
ful French cruiser design, and com¬
pared favourably with contemporary
foreign types for speed and seaworth¬
LA GALISSONNIERE class
iness. The basic design was modified Displacement: 7600t standard; 8214t normal; 9100t full load
during construction which resulted in Dimensions: 564ft 3in pp, 588ft llin oa X 57ft 4in x 17ft 7in
extended building times, and the last 172.00, 179.50 x 17.48 x 5.35m
4 (1932 Programme) differed in Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons (Gloire,Jean de Vienne,Marseillaise Rateau-Bretagne) geared turbines, 4 Indret boilers,
details from the first pair (1931 Prog¬ 84,OOOshp = 31kts. Oil 1569t
ramme). Designed for 97,600shp = Armour: Main belt 4in (bulkheads 2iin), longitudinal bulkheads fin, main deck ljin, turrets 4in (faces) 2in
32|kts, on trials they all exceeded (sides, backs and roofs), CT 3fin (sides) 2in (hood)
expectations with over 100,OOOshp = Armament: 9-6in/50 Mod 30 (3x3), 8-3.5in/50 AA (4x2), 8-37mm AA (4x2), 12-13.2mm AA, 4-21.7in TT
35-36kts. For example, La Galisson- (2 x 2), 4 aircraft
niere achieved 96,OOOshp = 35.42kts Complement: 540 peace; 764 war
over 8 hours and Marseillaise 35.39kts
for 1 hour. Fuel consumption was Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
low, giving a radius of 7000/
LA GALISSONNIERE Arsenal de Brest 27.10.1931 18.11.33 31.12.35 Scuttled 27.11.42
6800/5500/1650nm at 12/14/18/
JEAN DE VIENNE Arsenal de Lorient Dec 1931 31.7.35 15.4.37 Scuttled 27.11.42
34kts. A feature of these ships was the
MARSEILLAISE A C de la Loire, 1933 17.7.35 25.10.37 Scuttled 27.11.42
long, clear quarterdeck to facilitate
Nantes
the operation of aircraft which were
GLOIRE F C de la Gironde 1933 28.9.35 4.12.37 Sold for BU Jan
housed in a hangar abaft the second
1958
funnel; a single catapult was fixed to
MONTCALM F C de la 1933 26.10.35 4.12.37 BU 1970
the top of the after 6in turret.
Mediterranee,
Except for Marseillaise and Mont¬
La Seyne
calm, all ships had l-37mm AA,
GEORGES LEYGUES A C de St-Nazaire- 1933 24.3.36 4.12.37 Sold for BU Nov
2-25mm (1x2) and 4—13.2mm (2x2)
Penhoet 1959
added in 1941. After being scuttled,

265
FRANCE
The remaining three were refitted in (16x1). Radar was also fitted. A though full load displacement had
La Galissonniere was refloated by the
the USA in 1943, the hangar and air¬ further refit was carried out in 1945 reached 10,850t. They had active
Italian Navy in 1943 but was bombed
craft equipment being removed and when the ships acquired a lattice fore postwar careers; Montcalm survived
by Allied aircraft on 18.8.44 before
the light AA armament replaced by topmast to carry new radar. At this as an accommodation ship at Toulon
she could be refitted. Jean de Vimne
24—40mm (6x4) and 16-20mm time, they could still make 32kts even from 1958 to 1970.
suffered the same fate on 24.11.43.

De Grasse as designed _W—

The first of these ‘improved La Galis¬

sonniere’ class was ordered in 1937 and DE GRASSE class
the other pair in 1938 but only the first Displacement: 8000t standard
was laid down. They were faster and
Dimensions: 570ft lOin pp, 578ft 5in oa X 59ft x 18ft 2in
had modified aircraft arrangements, 174.00, 176.30 x 18.00 x 5.54m
with two catapults and the hangar
Machinery: 2-shaft Rateau-Bretagne geared turbines, 4 Indret boilers, 110,000shp = 33kts.
amidships. Little work was done on
Armour: ?
De Grasse during the war, construc¬
tion only resuming in 1946, but this Armament: 9-6in/50 (3x3), 6-3.5in/50 AA (3x2), 5-25mm AA (5x1), 8-13.2mm AA (1x4, 2x2), 6-21.7in TT
(2x3), 4 aircraft
was soon stopped to consider a
modernised design. She was finally Complement: 580
completed as an A A cruiser in 1956.
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate

DE GRASSE Arsenal de Lorient Nov 1938 11.9.46 3.9.56 BU 1976

CHATEAURENAULT F C de la — - Cancelled
Mediterranee,
La Seyne
GUICHEN F C de la Gironde - — — Cancelled

Projected heavy cruisers

The construction of three vessels

reportedly to be known as the At Louis
class, was approved on 1.4.1940.
Nominally replacements for the
Duguay Trouin class, their design was
an improved Algerie, with an overall
length of 663ft, 14,470t standard
(17,620t full load) and 9-8in guns.

266
 Destroyers

DESTROYERS

CHACAL class GUEPARD class

Displacement: 2126t standard; 2400-2500t normal; 2950-3050t full load Displacement: 2436t standard; 2700t normal; 3200t full load
Dimensions: 392ft 9in pp, 415ft 1 lin oa x 37ft 2in x 13ft 5in Dimensions: 403ft lOin pp, 427ft 2in oa x 38ft 7in X 15ft 4in
119.70, 126.78 x 11.32 x 4.10m 123.10, 130.20 x 11.76 x 4.68m
Machinery: 2-shaft Rateau-Bretagne (Leopard, Lynx Breguet) geared tur¬ Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons (Lion, Vauban Zoelly) geared turbines, 4
bines 5 du Temple boilers, 50,000shp = 35kts. Oil 530t Yarrow or Penhoet vertical boilers, 64,000shp = 35)kts. Oil
Armament: 5- 5.lin/40 Mod 19 (5x1), 2-3in/50 Mod 22 AA (2x1), 572t
6- 21.7in TT (2x3) Armament: 5-5.5in/40 Mod 23 (5x1), 4-37mm AA (2x2), 4-13.2mm
Complement: 195 AA (2x2), 6-21.7in TT (2x3)
Complement: 230
Name Builder Launched Fate
Name Builder Launched Fate
JAGUAR Arsenal de 17.11.1923 Sunk 23.5.40
Lorient GUEPARD Arsenal de 19.4.1928 Scuttled 27.11.42
LYNX A C de la Loire, 24.2.1924 Scuttled 27.11.42 Lorient
St-Nazaire VALMY A C de St- 19.5.1928 Scuttled 27.11.42
TIGRE A C de Bretagne 2.8.1924 BU 1954 Nazaire-Penhoet
CHACAL A C de St- 27.9.1924 Sunk 24.5.40 VERDUN A C de la Loire, 4.7.1928 Scuttled 27.11.42
Nazaire-Penhoet St-Nazaire
LEOPARD A C de la Loire, 29.9.1924 Wrecked 27.5.43 BISON Arsenal de 29.10.1928 Sunk 3.5.40
St-Nazaire Lorient
PANTHERE Arsenal de 27.10.1924 Scuttled 9.9.43 LION A C de France 5.8.1929 Scuttled 27.11.42
Lorient VAUBAN A C de France 1.2.1930 Scuttled 27.11.42

This class was built under the 1922 Programme and represented a new type of
super-destroyer, although they were always known as contre-torpilleurs in
France. They were inspired by British and German wartime experience with big
flotilla leaders, one of which (the 2500t ex-German SI 13) served in the postwar
French Navy as thc Admiral Senes. However in 1917 France had also studied an
indigeneous design for a 35kt vessel with 3500nm range and an armament of
4-5.5in guns and 6 TT, so the Jaguar class was not entirely foreign in inspira¬
tion. They were superior to almost all flotilla craft when completed and were
designed to operate in fast divisions of 3 ships, 36 such vessels being planned by
1940.
Despite lack of recent experience with high-powered machinery, the design¬
ers produced a reliable installation, 34kts being possible for long periods at full
load. On trials Tigre was the fastest at 55,200/57,200shp = 35.93/36.7kts for 8
hours/1 hour at 2418/2304t. Radius was 3300/2900/1000/600nm at 13|/16/
28/35kts.
The 5. lin gun was a completely new design, firing a 70/lb shell to a maximum
range of 20,300yds. It was a powerful weapon with a good range, but the
hand-worked rotating breech mechanism kept the rate of fire to about 4 or 5
rounds per minute. The AS armament was originally 30-2201b DCs for the four
mortars, and 16-4401b DCs for the two racks. In 1939 it was decided to re-arm
them with twin 3.9in guns as AA vessels, but the project was cancelled. By the
outbreak of war, sonar had been added and No 3 gun replaced with 8-13.2mm
(2x4). Leopard served with the FNFL and had 2 boilers and the forefunnel
removed to be replaced with 780t more bunkerage increasing the range to
4200nm at 13kts. Light A A was also increased and the ship recommissioned in
March 1942. She was lost by stranding off Tobruk. Tigre was captured by the
Italians before she could be scuttled and was briefly designated FR23; she
underwent a refit similar to Leopard’s on her return to the French Navy on
28.10.43. Jaguar was torpedoed by the German motor torpedo-boats S21 and
S23 off Dunkerque; Lynx was raised on 21.1.44 and scrapped; Chacal was
bombed off Boulogne; Panthere was taken over by the Italian Navy as the FR22
and finally scuttled at La Spezia in 1943.
The first of three classes of generally similar 2400 tonne designs, Bison,Guepard
and Lion were ordered under the 1925 Programme and the other three in the
following year’s appropriation. They were more heavily armed, more powerful
and faster than their predecessors. The new 5.Sin gun fired a heavy 40.4kg shell
but the rate of fire was only 5-6 rounds per minute. Furthermore all the 2400
tonnes suffered from poor fire control arrangements, and although the gun had a
theoretical range of 19,000m, observation of the fall of shot over 13,000m was
almost impossible with the single 3-metre coicidence rangefinder fitted. The
principal AA weapon was the semi-automatic 1925 model 37mm with a rate of
fire of 30 rounds per minute. AS warfare was of minor importance in the
contre-torpilleur rationale, but this class was fitted with 4 Thornycroft DCTs and
2 racks for 24-4401b DCs.
All except Guepard achieved around 40kts at standard displacement and
352-36)kts during 8-hour trials. Light AA armament was increased in 1940,
usually by an extra 25mm and a few 8mm MGs. Bison was bombed off Norway,
and the remainder were scuttled at Toulon. However, all except Vauban were
raised during 1943; Guepard was later sunk by Allied bombing on 11.3.44;
Valmy and Lion served as the Italian FR24 and FR21, being finally scuttled at
Genoa in 1945 and La Spezia on 9.9.43 respectively.
Bison prewar

Chacal prewar Muses de la Marine

267
FRANCE

VAUQUELIN class
Displacement: 244It standard; 2660t normal; 3140t full load
Dimensions: 410ft 7in pp, 424ft 2in oa x 38ft lOin x 16ft 4in
122.40, 129.30 x 11.84 x 4.91m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons (Cassard Rateau-Bretagne, Vauquelin Zoelly)
geared turbines, 4 Yarrow or Penhoet vertical boilers,
64,000shp = 36kts. Oil 585t
Armament: 5—5.5in/40 Mod 27 (5x1), 4-37mm AA (2x2), 4-13.2mm
(2x2), 7-21.7in TT (1x2, 2x2), 50 mines
AIGLE class Complement: 230
Displacement: 2441t standard; 2660t normal; 3410t full load
Name Builder Launched Fate
Dimensions: 401ft 7in pp, 421ft 7in (last pair 424ft 2in) oa x 38ft lOin x
16ft 4in VAUQUELIN A C de France 29.3.1931 Scuttled 27.11.42
122.40, 128.50 (129.30) x 11.84 x 4.97m CASSARD A C de Bretagne 8.11.1931 Scuttled 27.11.42
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons (Aigle Zoelly, Gerfaut, Epervier Rateau- MAILLE BREZE A C de St- 9.11.1931 Blew up 30.4.40
Bretagne) geared turbines, 4 Yarrow or Penhoet vertical boil¬ Nazaire-Penhoet
ers, 64,000shp (last pair 68,000shp) = 36kts. Oil 580t A C de la Loire, 14.11.1931 Scuttled 27.11.42
KERSAINT
Armament: 5-5.5in/40 Mod 27 (5x1), 4-37mm AA (2x2), 4-13.2mm St-Nazaire
AA (2x2), 6-(last pair 7-)21.7in TT (2x3; 1x3, 2x2) A C de la Loire, 7.12.1931 Scuttled 27.11.42
TARTU
Complement: 230 St-Nazaire
CHEVALIER PAUL F C de la 21.3.1932 Sunk 16.6.41
Name Builder Launched Fate
Mediterranee,
AIGLE A C de France 19.2.1931 Scuttled 27.11.42 La Seyne
GERFAUT A C de Bretagne 14.6.1930 Scuttled 27.11.42
ALBATROS A C de la Loire, 27.6.1930 BU 9.9.59 Ordered under the 1928-29 Programme, these were an improved version of the
St-Nazaire previous class. The Thornycroft DCTs were not fitted, the facility to carry
VAUTOUR F C de la 26.8.1930 Scuttled 27.11.42 50-11001b mines being preferred to AS capability. On trials they made between
Mediterranee, 39.83kts (Chevalier Paul) and 42.85kts (Cassard) at standard displacement, an
Le Havre average of between 37.03kts (Kersaint) and 39.19kts (Maille Breze) for 8 hours.
EPERVIER Arsenal de 14.8.1931 Beached 9.11.42 Most of the 2400 tonnes could maintain 36-37kts at full load in wartime condi¬
Lorient tions. Radius was the same as for the Aigle class.
MILAN Arsenal de 13.10.1931 Beached 8.11.42 During the 1940 AA additions, Cassard received 4-37mm (4x 1) rather than
Lorient the standard l-25mm and several MGs .Mailli Brtzd sank at Greenock following
the accidental explosion of one of her torpedoes; Chevalier Paul was torpedoed
Ordered under the 1927 Programme, this class introduced the new faster-firing by a British aircraft off Syria; the remainder were scuttled at Toulon.
(12-15 rounds per minute) semi-automatic 1927 model of the 5.5in gun,
although the rate of fire was achieved at the expense of maximum range, since
elevation was reduced to 28°. Magazine stowage on all the 2400 tonnes was
140rpg of 5.5in and a total of 2400 of 3in. This class was among the first of the La Fantasque as completed
contre-torpilleurs to receive the more effective stereoscopic rangefinders (one
5-metre and one 4-metre) after 1936. Only Aigle failed to make 40kts at standard
displacement on trials, Epervier being fastest at 41.9kts; 8-hour trials gave an
average of-between 37.2kts (Aigle) and 40.01kts (Gerfaut). All could maintain
about 37kts at full load. Radius was 3650/750nm at 18/37kts. The last pair were
fitted with a mix of experimental high pressure boilers of different designs.
During the 1940 AA armament additions, Gerfaut received two extra 37mm
singles and three twin 13.2mm instead of the l-25mm and MGs added to the LE FANTASQUE class
others. Albatros was beached during the Allied landings in North Africa but
Displacement: 2569t standard; 2724—2800t normal; 3200-3400t full load
raised on 17.7.43 and converted to a gunnery training ship with her 2 forward
Dimensions: 411ft 5in pp, 434ft 4in oa x 40ft 6in x 16ft 5in
boilers and funnels removed, speed reduced to 24|kts and an armament of
125.40, 132.40 x 12.45 x 5.01m
3-5.5in, 2-3in AA and 1—40mm. The three scuttled at Toulon were raised in
1943 but were bombed and sunk by Allied aircraft. The last pair were disabled Machinery: 2-shaft Rateau-Bretagne (L’Indomptable, Le Malin, Le
Triumphant Parsons) geared turbines, 4 Penhoet (Le Terrible
during the North Africa landings; lipervier was salved in October 1946 and
Yarrow Loire) vertical boilers, 74,000shp = 37kts. Oil 580t
scrapped.
Armament: 5—5.5in/45 Mod 29 (5x1), 4-37mm AA (2x2), 4-13.2mm
A A, 9-21.7in TT (3x3), 50 mines
Milan during the Spanish Civil War By courtesy of Jacques Navarret
Complement: 210

Name Builder Launched Fate

LE MALIN F C de la 17.8.1933 BU Feb 1964

Mediterranee,
La Seyne
LE TERRIBLE CNF 30.11.1933 BU June 1962
L’lNDOMPTABLE F C de la 7.12.1933 Scuttled 27.11.42
Mediterranee,
La Seyne
L’AUDACIEUX Arsenal de 15.3.1934 Sunk 7.5.43
Lorient
LE FANTASQUE Arsenal de 15.3.1934 Stricken 2.5.57
Lorient
LE TRIOMPHANT A C de France 16.4.1934 Stricken Dec 1954

Ordered under the 1930 Programme, these ships were a considerable improve¬
ment over the2400 tonnes. The new 1929 model 45 calibre 5.5.in gun was more
powerful than the Mod 27 and had a range of 20,000m at the maximum elevation
of 30°. A theoretical rate of fire of 12 rounds per minute was possible, and full
director control was provided for the first time in contre-torpilleurs. However, the
greatest advance was in the machinery. For the whole of their careers they were
Vauquelin 1939 the fastest flotilla craft afloat, being able to maintain 37kts at full load. Trials
results at standard displacement varied from 42.71kts (Le Fantasque) to
45,03kts (Le Terrible) at 96,419/94,240shp, although L’Audacieux developed the
most power at 101,876shp. Results from 8-hour trials were between 92,364shp
= 40.49kts (Le Fantasque) and 86,443shp = 42.93kts (Le Terrible) at
2822/2853t. Radius was 4000/3000/2500/840nm at 15/21/24/40kts. They all
suffered recurring machinery defects, but the Rateau turbines proved more
robust than the Parsons machinery. The facility for laying 50 11001b mines was

268
 Destroyers
fitted later in their careers; the two DC racks carried 16 4401b charges.
Le Triomphant served in the FNFL from June 1940 and had No 4 5.5in gun
replaced by a British 4in AA, and two single 2pdrs and 8 MGs were also added
along with asdic and Type 290 radar. L’Audacieux was badly damaged on
23.9.40 at Dakar by the cruiser Australia, but was repaired only to be sunk by
Allied bombers at Bizerta; the hull was broken up in August 1947. The remain¬
ing units had 2-37mm (1x2) and 2 MGs added in 1941-42, and all four
surviving ships, including Le Triomphant, were refitted in the USA between
February 1943 and April 1944; the AA armament became 8-40mm (1 x4,2x2)
and 10-20mm, although Le Triomphant had only 6—40mm and no 20mm.
Bunkerage was increased to 730t and the ships were re-rated as light cruisers
although they still did not possess the range of real cruisers.

Marceau (ex-Z31) shortly after the war By courtesy of Jacques Navarret

Le Terrible at the end of the war
Ex-German destroyers
TheDesaix (ex-ZS) Kldber (cx-Z6),Hoche (ex-Z25) and Marceau (ex-Z31) were
taken over in February 1946, after a brief period in Royal Navy hands from May
1945 (see German section for details). Desaix was paid off in 1949 and scrapped
in 1951; Kldber was paid off in 1956 and broken up in 1958; and the other pair
were scrapped in 1956.
By courtesy of Bernard Millot

MOGADOR class BOURRASQUE class

Displacement: 2884t standard; 3500-3600t normal; 4018t full load Displacement: 1319t standard; 1500t normal; 1900t full load
Dimensions: 429ft 9in pp, 451ft lin oa X 41ft 7in x 15ft Dimensions: 326ft 6in pp, 347ft x 31ft 9in x 14ft lin
131.00, 131.50 x 12.67 x 4.51m 99.53, 105.77 x 9.64 x 4.30m
Machinery: 2-shaft Rateau-Bretagne geared turbines, 4 Indret vertical Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons (Orage, Ouragan Rateau-Bretagne, Tomade,
boilers, 92,000shp = 39kts. Oil 710t Tramontane, Trombe, Typhon Zoelly) geared turbines, 3 du
Armament: 8—5.5in/45 Mod 34 (4x2), 4-37mm AA (2x2), 4-13.2mm Temple boilers, 33,000shp = 33kts. Oil 345t
AA (2x2), 10-21.7in TT (2x3, 2x2), 40 mines Armament: 4-5.lin/40 Mod 19 (4x1), 2-37mm AA (2x1), 2-13.2mm
Complement: 264; 284 as flagship AA, 6-21.7in TT (2x3)
Complement: 142
Name Builder Launched Fate
Name Builder Launched Fate
VOLTA A C de Bretagne 26.11.1936 Scuttled 27.11.42
MOGADOR Arsenal de 9.6.1937 Scuttled 27.11.42 TYPHON F C de la Gironde 22.5.1924 Scuttled 9.11.42
Lorient SIMOUN A C de St- 3.6.1924 Sold for BU
Nazaire-Penhoet 17.2.50
Ordered under the 1936 Programme, these very powerful ships were let down ORAGE CNF 30.8.1924 Sunk 23.5.40
by the unreliable mountings for the main armament. The 1934 model was fitted TRAMONTANE F C de la Gironde29.11.1924 Beached 8.11.42
in an enclosed gunhouse but proved too complex and delicate, and the usual rate OURAGAN CNF 6.12.1924 Sold for BU 7.4.49
of fire was 6 rounds per minute. On trials Mogador averaged 104,925shp = CYCLONE F C de la 24.1.1925 Scuttled 18.6.40
41.27ktsand 118,320shp = 43.45kts for 8 hours/1 hour at3513/3098t,and Vo/ra Mediterranee,
42.09kts (8 hours) and 42.88kts (1 hour) at 3168/3112t. Radius was Le Havre
4000/3000nm at 18/20kts. After battle damage at Mers-el-Kebir Mogador had TEMPETE A C Dubigeon 21.5.1925 BU Feb 1950
No 3 turret removed and 4—37mm (2x2) and 8-13.2mm AA fitted; Volta had MISTRAL F C de la 6.6.1925 BU Feb 1950
her AA armament changed to 2-37mm (1x2) 2-25mm (1x2), 8-13.2mm and Mediterranee,
8-8mm MGs. After being scuttled at Toulon both were raised in mid-1943 and Le Havre
scrapped. TORNADE Dyle et Baccalan 12.3.1925 Sunk 8.11.42
Three improved vessels were authorised on 2.5.38 (Desaix, Hoche, Kldber) BOURRASQUE A C de France 5.8.1925 Sunk 30.5.40
and a fourth (Marceau) on 12.4.39. A further 6 (2 reportedly to be named .Bayard SIROCCO A C de St- 3.10.1925 Sunk 31.5.40
and Bruix) were authorised on 1.4.40, but all were cancelled before work had Nazaire-Penhoet
begun. They would have had a stronger hull, a larger radius of action, the ability TROMBE FCde la Gironde29.12.1925 BU Feb 1950
to raise steam more quickly and an improved A A and AS armament, with only 6
TT. Rated as torpilleurs d’escadre to differentiate them from the contre-torpilleurs, the
Bourrasque class of the 1922 Programme was the first French postwar standard
Volta about 1938 Mustle de la Marine destroyer design. In machinery terms they were somewhat disappointing: on
trials at less than normal displacement none exceeded 34.5kts, Orage for exam¬
ple averaging 32.57kts on her 8-hour trials. 30kts was the best sea speed fully
loaded, and the radius was only 2300nm at 14kts, far less than the designed
3000nm at 15kts.
The armament was powerful by contemporary standards but the low rate of
fire (4—5 rounds per minute) destroyed the advantage of a heavier shell. The A A
armament was originally l-3in and 2-8mm, but was altered in the 1930s to that
quoted above. Later No 3 gun was removed in some ships to improve stability
and after 1940 most French-controlled ships had l-25mm and 2-13.2mm AA
added and a TT mounting removed. In 1943 the A A armament was further
altered to l-40mm and 3-20mm. Mistral served in the Royal Navy as a gunnery
training ship and was re-armed with 4-4in AA (2x2), l-12pdr, and 3-20mm,
with one bank of TT removed. The original AS armament was weak, with no
asdic, only 2 throwers for 2201b DCs and racks for 20 4401b DCs, but DC
stowage was improved in surviving units after 1943.

269
FRANCE
Typhon was expended as a blockship at Oran; Orage was bombed off Mameluck 1942
Boulogne; Tramontane was damaged off Oran by HMS Aurora and beached;
Cyclone was torpedoed by the German S24 and later scuttled at Brest; Tomade - cJL J
SMI Aav . V
was sunk by HM Ships Aurora and Calpe off Oran; Bourrasque was mined and
J...
finished off by German shore batteries near Nieuport; and Sirocco was tor¬
pedoed by the German S23 and S26.
LE HARDI class
Displacement: 1772t standard (last four 2215t); 1982t (last four 2562t) nor¬
mal; 2577t (last four 2929t) full load
Dimensions: 366ft 2in (last four 389ft lin) pp, 384ft 6in oa (last four ?) x
L’ADROIT class 36ft 5in (last four 39ft) X 13ft 9in
111.60(118.60), 117.20 x 11.10(11.88) x 4.20m
Displacement: 1378t standard; 1500t normal; 2000t full load Machinery: 2-shaft Rateau-Bretagne (Casque, Sirocco, Mameluck, Le
Dimensions: 331ft pp, 351ft 8in oa x 32ft 3in x 14ft lin Timeraire Parsons) geared turbines, 4 Sural-Norguet boilers,
100.90, 107.20 x 9.84 x 4.30m 58,OOOshp = 37kts, (last four 62,000shp = 35kts). Oil 470t
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons (L’Adroit, L’Alcyon, Frondeur Zoelly, Armament: 6- 5. lin/45 (3x2), 2-37mm AA (2x1), 4-13.2mm AA (2x2),
Fougueux Rateau-Bretagne) geared turbines, 3 du Temple 7- 21.7in TT (1x3, 2x2), 1 Ginocchio towed AS torpedo
boilers, 34,000shp = 33kts. Oil 340t Complement: 187
Armament: 4-5.lin/40 Mod 24 (4x1), 2-37mm AA (2x1), 2-13.2mm
AA, 6-21.7in TT (2x3) Name Builder Launched Fate
Complement: 142
LE HARDI A C de la Loire, 4.5.1938 Scuttled 24.4.45
Name Builder Launched Fate Nantes
FOUDROYANT F C de la 28.7.1938 Scuttled Aug 1944
L’ALCYON F C de la Gironde26.6.1926 Sold for BU 10.6.52 (ex-Fleuret) Mediterranee,
LA PALME A C Dubigeon 30.6.1926 Scuttled 27.11.42 La Seyne
LE MARS CNF 28.8.1926 Scuttled 27.11.42 L’ADROIT F C de la 26.10.1938 BU 1944
LA RAILLEUSE A C Dubigeon 9.9.1926 Lost by accidental (ex-Epie) Mediterranee,
explosion La Seyne
24.3.40 CASQUE F C de la 2.11.1938 Sunk 27.4.44
LE FORTUNE CNF 15.11.1926 Sold for BU 31.8.50 Mediterranee,
L’ADROIT A C de France 1.4.1927 Sunk 21.5.40 La Seyne
BRESTOIS Dyle et Baccalan 18.5.1927 Sunk 8.11.42 LANSQUENET F C de la Gironde20.5.1939 BU Sept 1958
BORDELAIS F C de la Gironde23.5.1927 Scuttled 27.11.42 MAMELUCK A C de la Loire, 12.8.1939 BU 1958
BOULONNAIS CNF 1.6.1927 Sunk 8.11.42 Nantes
FORBIN F C de la 17.7.1928 Sold for BU SIROCCO F C de la 14.11.1939 Expended 28.10.44
Mediterranee, 10.11.52 (ex- Le Corsaire) Mediterranee,
Le Havre La Seyne
FOUGUEUX A C de Bretagne 4.8.1928 Sunk 8.11.42 BISON F C de la 14.12.1939 Scuttled 27.11.42
FOUDROYANT Dyle et Baccalan 24.4.1929 Sunk 1.6.40 (ex-Le Flibustier) Mediterranee,
BASQUE A C de la Seine- 25.5.1929 Sold for BU La Seyne
Maritime 10.12.52 L’lNTREPIDE F C de la 26.4.1941 Construction
FRONDEUR CNF 20.6.1929 Sunk 8.11.42 Mediterranee, abandoned
La Seyne April 1941
Improved Bourrasques with a modified 5. lin gun (although rate of fire was still LE TEMERAIRE F C de la 7.11.1941 Construction
only 5-6 rounds per minute), the first 6 were ordered under the 1924 Pro¬ Mediterranee, abandoned
gramme, the ‘B’ names in 1925 and the ‘F’ names in 1927. They were refitted La Seyne Nov 1941
and modified as the Bourrasque class. La Palme and Le Mars were raised and L’AVENTURIER F C de la Gironde20.4.1947 BU May 1960
scrapped after being scuttled at Toulon; La Railleuse was sunk at Casablanca L’OPINlATRE F C de la Gironde- Construction
following the explosion of one of her torpedoes; L’Adroit and Foudroyant were
abandoned
bombed off Dunkerque; Brestois, Boulonnais, Fougueux andFrondeur were sunk
July 1943
in action with US ships off Casablanca during the North African landings.

La Railleuse prewar

By courtesy of Jean Havel

270

Although authorised in 1932, the design was not finalised until 1934 and Le
Hardi was not laid down until 1936. The new fast capital ships of the Dunkerque
class required destroyers that could maintain 34-35kts at full load, which this
class easily achieved. Le Hardi, the only unit to be given full trials because of the
war, averaged 61,119shp = 38.69kts for 8 hours at 2429t and made 39.09kts for
1 hour. Radius was 3100/1900/1000nm at 10/25/35kts. The 5.1in gun was the
same as mounted in the Dunkerque, but in a twin semi-automatic enclosed
mounting. This had a rate of fire of 14—15 rounds per minute but with a
maximum elevation of 30° it had no AA capability. It was also complex and
unreliable, and provision for A A - and AS with only 8 2201b DCs (1 rack) -
warfare generally was inadequate. Four were renamed in April 1941 to com¬
memorate ships lost in 1940; Lansquenet was to have been renamed Cyclone at
this time. During 1941 units in commission had 2-25mm (2x1), 4-13.2mm
(2x2) and 5-8mm AA added.
All were scuttled at Toulon on 27.11.42, but salved in 1943 by the Italians. Le
Hardi served briefly as the FR37, was then taken over by the Germans, and
finally scuttled at Genoa. Foudroyant became theF7?36, but was captured by the
Germans and scuttled as a blockship at Toulon. L’Adroit served as the FR33,
then in the German Navy before being returned in May 1944. Casque was
Destroyers/T orpedo-boats
bombed by Allied aircraft after being raised. Lansquenet became the Italian
FR34, then the German TA34, was scuttled at Genoa on 24.4.45 but was raised
and returned to France on 19.3.46, but was never erpaired. Mameluck was
bombed by Allied aircraft on 6.8.44 and not repaired. Sirocco served as FR32,
but was taken over by the German Navy and used as a blockship at Genoa.
Flibustier was only 75 per cent complete when scuttled, but served briefly in the
Italian (FR35) and German navies before being used as a blockship at Toulon.
The last four were to have been completed to an improved AA design with a
DP version of the 5. lin gun and 8-13.2mm AA and only 6 TT and no AS
equipment. However ,L’ Opiniatre actually received the LA version of the 5. lin,
an additional 4—3.9in (2x2) AA and AS equipment. The construction of all four
was abandoned during the war, the hulls being scrapped around 1945, except for
L’Aventurier which was used as a mooring pontoon for some time.
Three improved vessels, with a new 5.lin DP gun, were authorised on
28.4.40, but they were never ordered. Late in May 1940 France considered the
purchase of 24 of the US Benson class destroyers, but the USA was never
approached. There was also an August 1942 project for a 33kt, 2000t destroyer
armed with 4 or 6-4.7in AA, plus an ATW of the Hedgehog type; this project
was also stillborn.

TORPEDO-BOATS

La Bayonnaise about 1937 By courtesy of Jacques Navarret

The 1930 London Naval Conference allowed unlimited numbers of warships up

LA MELPOMENE class to 600t standard for ‘coast defence’ and this class was designed to exploit this
provision. They were intended principally for Mediterranean operations, and
Displacement: 680t standard; 760t normal; 895t full load
were originally to have been designated ‘escorts’, with an armament of 2-3in
Dimensions: 249ft 4in pp, 264ft 9in oa x 26ft lin x 10ft lin
(2x 1) and 4—15.7in (400mm) TT. As built they were overweight, and conse¬
76.00, 80.70 x 7.96 x 3.07m
quently lacked stability and were very poor seaboats, but they made 36.5kts at
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons or Rateau-Bretagne geared turbines, 2 Indret
boilers, 22,000shp = 34.5kts. Oil 170t standard tonnage on trials, and between 34.14kts and 35.5kts over 8 hours at
normal displacement, 32kts being possible at full load. The radius was some¬
Armament: 2-3.9in/40 Mod 30 (2x1), 4-13.2mm AA (2x2), 2-21.7in
what less than designed at 1000/650nm at 20/25kts. There was 1 DC rack.
TT (1x2), 1 towed Ginocchio AS torpedo
Branlebas, La Melpomene, La Flore, L’Incompris, La Cordeliere and Bouclier
Complement: 105
were in British ports in 1940. Only Branlebas, which capsized while serving in
the Royal Navy, Bouclier which was Polish-, then Dutch- and finally FNFL-
Name Builder Launched Fate
manned, and La Melpomene saw much service; of the other six, La Pomone,
LA MELPOMENE A C de Bretagne 24.1.1935 SoldforBU 15.5.50 L’lphigenie andBombarde were captured at Bizerta on 8.12.42 and served first in
LA POMONE A C de la Loire, 25.1.1935 Scuttled 27.9.43 the Italian Navy (as FR42 ,FR43 and FR41 respectively) and after May 1943 in
Nantes the German Navy (as TA10, TA11 and TA9). TA10 was disabled by HMS
LA FLORE A C de Bretagne 5.3.1935 SoldforBU 31.8.50 Eclipse and scuttled off Rhodes; TA11 was sunk in Piombino harbour by Italian
L’lPHIGENIE A C de la Loire, 18.4.1935 Sunk 10.9.43 tanks; and TA9 was bombed by US aircraft off Toulon. The remaining three
Nantes were scuttled at Toulon, La Bayonnaise and Baliste serving as the Italian FR44
LA BAYONNAISE C Maritimes du 28.1.1936 Scuttled 25.8.44 and FR45 and then the German TA13 and TA12, the latter being sunk by Allied
Sud Ouest aircraft.
BOMBARDE A C de la Loire, 23.3.1936 Sunk 23.8.44
Nantes
L’lNCOMPRISE A C de la 14.4.1936 Sold for BU LE FIER class
Seine-Maritime 31.8.50
Scuttled 27.11.42 Displacement: lOlOt standard; 1337t full load
LA POURSUIVANTE A C de France 4.8.1936
A C Augustin- 9.9.1936 Sold for BU Dimensions: 295ft 3in pp, 311ft 8in oa x 30ft lOin X 10ft 8in
LA CORDELIERE
17.2.50 90.00, 95.00 x 9.40 x 3.25m
Normand
A C de France 17.3.1937 Sunk 22.8.43 Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons or Rateau-Bretagne geared turbines, 3 Indret
BALISTE
Foundered boilers, 30,800shp = 33kts. Oil 290t
BRANLEBAS A C Augustin- 12.4.1937
Normand 14.12.40 Armament: 4-3.9in AA/40 Mod 30 (2x2), 8-13.2mm AA (4x2),
9.8.1937 Sold for BU, 4-21.7in TT (2x2)
BOUCLIER A C de la
Seine-Martime 31.8.50 Complement: 136

271
FRANCE
This class was designed to overcome the deficiencies of the Melpomene class,
Name Builder Launched Fate which were largely due to tonnage restrictions. Designed radius was
LE FIER A C de Bretagne 12.3.1940 Scuttled 2000/1300nm at 10/20kts plus 5 hours at 90 per cent of full power. The first
incomplete seven were captured in the early stages of construction, and attempts were made
11.8.44 by the Germans to complete them as the TA1, TA2, TA4, TAS, TA3 and TA6
L’AGILE A C de Bretagne 23.5.1940 Scuttled respectively (Le Breton being abandoned) but none was ever completed. They
incomplete would have had 3-4. lin AA, 2-37mm AA, 9-20mm and 6-2 lin TT in German
11.8.44 service. Le Tunisien, Le Normand, Le Parisien, Le Provenqal, Le Saintongeais, Le
L’ENTREPRENANT A C de la Loire, 25.5.1940 BU incomplete Niqois and Le Savoyard were cancelled, as were further design studies based on
Nantes 1944 this type for a planned 18 and later 24 vessels.
LE FAROUCHE A C de la Loire, 19.10.1940 Scuttled
Nantes incomplete
11.8.44
L’ALSACIEN A C de la Loire, 1942 BU incomplete
Nantes 1944
LE CORSE A C de la Loire, 4.4.1942 Scuttled Ex-British HUNT class escort destroyer
Nantes incomplete
11.8.44 La Combattante (ex-HMS Haldon) was transferred to the FNFL on 15.12.42 on
LE BRETON A C de la Loire, — Construction completion (see British section for details). She had an active career and was
Nantes abandoned finally sunk by a Seehund midget submarine (KU330) on 23.2.45 off the South
June 1940 Falls Bank. The transfer of two other units proposed in July 1943 did not take
place.
Alsacien, ex-German T23, postwar By courtesy of Bernard Millot

Ex-German torpedo-boats
In February 1946 France took over from the Royal Navy the ex-German TBs
Til, T20, T23 and T28 renaming them Birhakeim, Baccarat, Alsacien and
Lorrain (see German sections for details). The first pair were discarded in 1949
and scrapped, and the others were paid off and broken up 1955-56.

Ex-American destroyer escorts

Six Cannon class (ex-DE 106-111) were transferred to France during Janu-
ary-April 1944 to become the Sinigalais, Algerien, Tunisien, Marocain, Hova
and Somali respectively (see US section for details). All were returned to the US
Navy in May 1964, except Somali which became an experimental vessel in 1956
and was renamed Arago in 1968.

SUBMARINES could not be reloaded at sea. With the reloads for the internal TT a total of 16
REQUIN class torpedoes could be carried. All had major refits to hull and machinery between
1935 and 1937.
Displacement: 947t standard; 1150t normal; 1441t submerged
> Requin, Dauphin, Phoque and Espadon were seized by the Germans at Bizerta
Dimensions: 256ft 8in pp x 22ft 5in x 16ft 8in
on 8.12.42, and later commissioned by the Italians as FR113, FR11S, FR111
78.25 x 6.84 x 5.10m
and FR114 respectively; Souffleur was sunk by HM submarine Parthian-, and
Machinery: 2 shafts. Sulzer or Schneider diesels plus electric motors,
Caiman was raised after scuttling at Toulon but was later bombed.
2900bhp/1800shp = 15kts/9kts. Oil 116t (+51t in ballast
tanks)
Armament: 10-21.7in TT (4 bow, 2 stern ,2x2 external), 1-3.9in/40 Mod Requin prewar By courtesy of Jean Havel
25,2-8mm MG (2x 1)
Complement: 51

Name Builder Launched Fate

REQUIN Arsenal de 19.7.1924 Scuttled 9.9.43

Cherbourg
SOUFFLEUR Arsenal de 1.10.1924 Torpedoed 25.6.41
Cherbourg
MARSOUIN Arsenal de Brest 27.12.1924 BU Feb 1946
DAUPHIN Arsenal de 2.4.1925 Scuttled 15.9.43
Toulon
NARVAL Arsenal de 9.5.1925 Mined 15.12.40 SIRENE class
Cherbourg
MORSE Arsenal de 11.11.1925 Mined 16.6.40 Displacement: 609t normal; 757t submerged
Cherbourg Dimensions: 209ft 1 lin pp X 17ft lin x 14ft lin
PHOQUE Arsenal de Brest 16.3.1926 Sunk 28.2.43 64.00 x 5.20 x 4.30m
ESPADON Arsenal de 28.5.1926 Scuttled 13.9.43 Machinery: 2 shafts. Sulzer diesels plus electric motors, 1300bhp/1000shp
Toulon = 14kts/7jkts. Oil 60t
CAIMAN Arsenal de 3.3.1927 Sunk 11.3.44 Armament: 7-21.7in TT, l-3in/35, 2-8mm MG (2x1)
Cherbourg Complement: 41

Ordered under the 1922 and (last 3) 1923 Programmes, these were the first Name Builder Launched Fate
ocean-going submarines designed in France after World War I, and benefited
SIRENE A C de la Loire, 6.8.1925 Sunk 1944
from a study of the big U-boats taken as reparations. These large boats were
Nantes
rated first class and were intended for colonial service, long-range operations
NAIADE A C de la Loire, 20.10.1925 Sunk 24.11.43
against commerce, and scouting operations for the fleet. They were double¬
Nantes
hulled and designed to operate at 250ft (80m); but they suffered from poor
GALATEE A C de la Loire, 18.12.1925 Sunk June 1944
handling characteristics and inadequate surface speed. Designed endurance was
Nantes
30 days, actual radius being 7700/6400/3000nm at 9/12/15kts surfaced, or 70nm
NYMPHE A C de la Loire, 1.4.1926 BU 1938
at 5kts submerged. They had the usual French external TT in twin mounts in
Nantes
the casing; they could be remotely trained submerged or on the surface, but

272
 Submarines

Name Builder Launched Fate

REDOUTABLE Arsenal de 24.2.1928 Sunk 11.3.44

Sirene 1927
Cherbourg
Under the 1922 Programme a requirement was promulgated for a 600 tonne VENGEUR Arsenal de 1.9.1928 Scuttled 27.11.42
second class or sea-going type submarine and this and the following two classes Cherbourg
were the result, although the designs varied between builders. They were all ARCHIMEDE CNF 6.9.1930 Sold for BU 19.2.52
manoevrable and well-armed, but they were cramped internally, with poor FRESNEL A C de St 8.6.1929 Sunk 11.3.44
conditions for the crew. These double-hulled Loire-Simonot types had an Nazaire-Penhoet
unnecessarily complex arrangement of TT with 2 in the bow plus 2 fixed HENRI POINCARE Arsenal de 10.4.1929 Scuttled 9.9.43
external forward, a twin external training mount abaft the CT and 1 fixed Lorient
external aft, with a total of 13 torpedoes. Galatee made 14.3kts on trials and was MONGE F C de la 25.6.1929 Sunk 8.5.42
the fastest of the 600 tonnes. They had a maximum operational depth of250ft and Mediterranee,
a range of 3500/2300nm at 9/13kts on the surface or 75nm at 5kts submerged. La Seyne
The first three were scuttled at Toulon on 27.11.42 but were raised, only to be PASCAL Arsenal de Brest 19.7.1928 Sunk 11.3.44
sunk by Allied air attack. PASTEUR Arsenal de Brest 19.7.1928 Scuttled 18.6.40
PONCELET Arsenal de 10.4.1929 Scuttled 8.11.40
Lorient
ACHILLE Arsenal de Brest 28.5.1930 Scuttled 18.6.40
AJAX Arsenal de Brest 28.5.1930 Sunk 24.9.40
ACTEON A C de la Loire, 10.4.1929 Sunk 8.11.42
Ariane 1927 Nantes
ACHERON A C de la Loire, 6.8.1929 Sunk 24.11.43
Nantes
ARIANE class ARGO A C Dubigeon 11.4.1929 Sold for BU
26.4.46
Displacement: 626t normal; 787t submerged
PROTEE F C de la 31.7.1930 Sunk 29.12.43
Dimensions: 216ft 6in pp X 20ft 4in X 13ft 6in Mediterranee,
65.98 x 6.20 x 4.10m
La Seyne
Machinery: 2 shafts. Normand-Vickers diesels plus electric motors, PEGASE A C de la Loire, 28.7.1930 Sold for BU
1250bhp/1000shp = 14kts/7Jkts. Oil 60t
Nantes 10.6.50
PERSEE CNF 23.5.1931 Sunk 23.9.40
Name Builder Launched Fate
PHENIX A C Dubigeon 12.4.1930 Lost in accident
ARIANE A C Augustin- 6.8.1925 Scuttled 9.11.42 15.6.39
Normand PROMETHEE Arsenal de 1930 Lost in accident
ONDINE A C Augustin- 8.5.1925 Lost in Cherbourg 8.7.32
Normand collision 3.10.28 Second Series
EURYDICE A C Augustin- 31.5.1927 Sunk 22.6.44 L’ESPOIRE Arsenal de 18.7.1931 Scuttled 27.11.42
Normand Cherbourg
DANAE A C Augustin- 11.9.1942 Scuttled 9.11.42 LE GLORIEUX A C de St 29.11.1931 Sold for BU
Normand N azaire-Penhoet 27.10.52
LE CENTAURE Arsenal de Brest 14.10.1932 Sold for BU
A Normand-Fenaux type, also ordered under the 1922 Programme, this class 19.6.52
was considered the most successful of the 600 tonne designs. They were com¬ LE HEROS Arsenal de Brest 14.10.1932 Sunk 7.5.42
pleted with 3.9in guns; in other details and performance they resembled the LE CONQUERANT A C de la Loire, 26.6.1934 Sunk 13.11.42
Sirene class. Eurydice was scuttled at Toulon (but raised and later bombed by Nantes
Allied aircraft) and the other two surviving boats at Oran. LE TONNANT F C de la 15.12.1934 Scuttled 15.11.42
Mediterranee,
La Seyne
Third Series
AGOSTA Arsenal de 30.4.1934 Scuttled 18.6.40
Cherbourg
SFAX A C de la Loire, 6.12.1934 Sunk 19.12.40
Nantes
CASABIANCA A C de la Loire, 2.2.1935 Sold for BU
Nantes 12.2.52
BEVEZIERS Arsenal de 14.10.1935 Sunk 5.5.42
CIRCE class Cherbourg
OUESSANT Arsenal de 30.11.1936 Scuttled 18.6.40
Displacement: 615t normal; 776t submerged Cherbourg
Dimensions: 204ft llin pp x 20ft 4in x 13ft lin SIDI FERRUCH Arsenal de 9.7.1937 Sunk 11.11.42
62.48 x 6.20 x 3.99m Cherbourg
Machinery: 2 shafts. Schneider diesels plus electric motors,
1250bhp/1000shp = 14kts/7ikts. Oil 60t

Name Builder Launched Fate

CIRCE Schneider 29.10.1925 Scuttled 6.5.43 Le Glorieux postwar By courtesy of Bernard Millot
CALYPSO Schneider 15.1.1926 Sunk 30.1.43
THETIS Schneider 30.6.1927 Scuttled 27.11.42
DORIS Schneider 25.11.1927 Torpedoed 9.5.40

Schneider-Laubeuf type, also authorised in 1922; other details and performance

asSirene class. The first two were captured at Bizerta on 8.12.42 by the Germans
and Circe was allocated to the Italian Navy as the FR117 and later scuttled;
Calypso was finally sunk in an air raid, and Doris by U9 in the North Sea.

REDOUTABLE class
Displacement: 1384t standard; 1570t normal; 2084t submerged
Dimensions: 301ft lOin pp x 302ft lOin oa x 26ft llin x 15ft 5in
92.00, 92.30 x 8.20 x 4.70m
Machinery: 2 shafts. Sulzer or Schneider diesels plus electric motors,
6000bhp (second series 7200, third series 8000bhp)/2000shp
= 17kts (second series 19, third series 20kts)/10kts. Oil 95t
Armament: 9-21.7in TT, 2-15.7in TT, l-3.9in/40 Mod 25, 2-13.2mm
AA (1x2)
Complement: 61

273
FRANCE
Ocean-going or first class submarines of 1500 tonnes, this class was a consider¬
able improvement over the preceding Requin class. The first two were author¬
ised in 1924, with 7 following in 1925, 5 each in 1926 and 1927, and improved
second series of 6 boats in 1928-29, with a final, third series of 6 in 1930.
Double-hulled boats with a maximum operational depth of 250ft, they had fine
seakeeping and handling characteristics as well as high speed on the surface,
although diving time at 45-50 seconds was rather slow. They were considered
highly successful and the diesel engines (and consequently surface speeds) were
successively increased in the second and third series boats. After 1941 the range
could be increased in some boats by using some ballast tanks for oil fuel,
10,000/4000nm at 10/ 17kts being possible, or lOOnm at 5kts submerged. The
external TT comprised 2-21.7in and 2-15.7in in a single quadruple mounting
aft (replaced in some boats in 1942 with 3-21.7in), and a triple 21.7in mount
abaft the CT. Internally, there were 4-21.7in in the bow, with a total of
11—21.7in and 2-15.7in torpedoes. AA armament in surviving boats was
increased after 1942.
Redoutable, Vengeur, Fresnel, Henri Poincare, Pascal, Acheron and L’Espoire
Surcouf in the mid 1930s By courtesy of Jacques Navarret
were scuttled at Toulon, although some were raised but sunk later by Allied
bombing. Pasteur, Achille, Agosta and Ouessant were scuttled at Brest. Monge,
Poncelet, Ajax,Acteon, Per see, Le Her os, Le Conquerant, Le Tonnant, Beveziers
and Sidi Ferruch were lost during Allied attacks on French colonial possessions.
SURCOUF
Protee was probably depth-charged by German patrol vessels; Pegase was paid
off at Saigon in Sept 1941 and later broken up there; Sfax was torpedoed by Displacement: 2880t standard; 3250t normal; 4304t submerged
mistake by U37 after the surrender of France. Dimensions: 360ft lOin oa x 29ft 6in x 23ft lOin
110.00 x 9.00 x 7.25m
Machinery: 2 shafts. Sulzer diesels plus electric motors, 7600bhp/3400shp
= 18|kts/10kts. Oil 280t
Armament: 8-21 Jin TT, 4-15.7in TT, 2-8in/50 Mod 24 (1 x2), 2-37mm
AA (2x1), 4—13.2mm AA (2x2), 1 aircraft
Complement: 118

Name Builder Launched Fate

SURCOUF Arsenal de 18.10.1929 Sunk in collision

Cherbourg 18.2.42

Authorised under the 1926 Programme, Surcouf was designed for long range
commerce warfare, with an endurance of 90 days, the designed radius being
10,000/6800nm at 10/13ikts or 70/60nm at 5/4)kts submerged; maximum oper¬
ational depth was 250ft and she could dive in 2 minutes; she made 19kts on
trials. For her role as raider she was fitted with a compartment for prisoners, a
boarding launch (later removed) and a small Besson MB411 floatplane complete
with hangar abaft the CT. TheTT were disposed as follows: 4-21.7in bow, and
externally 4-21 Jin (1x4) in the casing aft, with 14 torpedoes; and 4-15 Jin TT
Perle about 1938 By courtesy of Jacques Navarret
(1x4) externally in a second traversing mount (with 8 torpedoes), the smaller
torpedoes being fast but short-range (1550yds) weapons intended to be used
against merchant shipping. Surcouf was the only French submarine to carry
SAPHIR class reloads for external TT.
The 8in guns were the same model as fitted in heavy cruisers and were carried
Displacement: 76It normal; 925t submerged in a watertight turret. They had a maximum range of 30,000yds at 30° elevation,
Dimensions: 212ft 9in pp x 216ft 2in oa x 23ft 7in x 14ft lin a rate of fire of 2-3 rounds per minute and could open fire 2\ minutes after
64.85, 65.90 x 7.20 x 4.30m surfacing. Maximum effective range, however, was 13,000yds, dictated by the
Machinery: 2 shafts. Normand-Vickers diesels plus electric motors, 13ft rangefinder. Technically Surcouf was a successful boat, but she had no
1300bhp/1000shp = 12kts/9kts. Oil 95t opportunity for employment against enemy merchant shipping. She was sunk in
Armament: 3-21.7in TT, 2-15.7in TT, 1-3/35 Mod, 28, 2-13.2mm AA the Gulf of Mexico in a collision with the US merchant ship Thomson Lykes.
(1x2), 32 mines
Complement: 42

Name Builder Launched Fate

SAPHIR Arsenal de 20.12.1928 Scuttled 15.9.43

Toulon
TURQUOISE Arsenal de 16.5.1929 Scuttled 6.5.43
Toulon
NAUTILUS Arsenal de 21.3.1930 Sunk 31.1.43
Toulon ARGONAUTE class
RUBIS Arsenal de 30.9.1931 Stricken 10.4.49 Displacement: 630t normal; 798t submerged
Toulon
Dimensions: 208ft pp x 21ft x 13ft lOin
DIAMANT Arsenal de 18.5.1933 Scuttled 27.11.42 63.40 x 6.40 x 4.24m
Toulon
Machinery: 2 shafts. Schneider-Carel diesels plus electric motors,
PERLE Arsenal de 30.7.1935 Sunk in error 1300bhp/1000shp = 14kts/9kts. Oil 65t
Toulon 8.7.44
Armament: 6-21.7in TT, 2-15 Jin TT, l-3in/35 Mod 28, 1 MG
Complement: 41
Double-hulled medium displacement minelaying submarines, two being
authorised in 1925, and one in each year 1926-29. The simple and safe
Name Builder Launched Fate
Normand-Fenaux system of vertical external mine-tubes made them highly
successful minelayers - in fact Rubis in FNFL service was the most successful ARGONAUTE Schneider 23.5.1929 Sunk 8.11.42
minelaying submarine of the war - but in other respects they were not outstand¬ ARETHUSE Schneider 8.8.1929 Sold for BU Mar
ing boats. Maximum operational depth was 250ft and they had a range of 1946
7000/4000nm at 72/12kts, or 80nm at 4kts submerged. The TT comprised ATALANTE Schneider 5.8.1930 Sold for BU Mar
2-21.7in in the bow with 4 torpedoes, and an external triple mount aft with 1946
2-15.7in and 1-21.7in TT. LA VESTALE Schneider 25.5.1932 Sold for BU 14.8.46
The first three were captured at Bizerta on 8.12.42, the first pair being taken LA SULTANE Schneider 5.8.1932 Sold for BU
over by the Italians as the FR112 and FR116, but all three were scuttled or sunk 26.12.46
in that port during 1943. Rubis operated very successfully with the FNFL,
sinking 14 merchant ships and 10 small warships, and although decommis¬ Authorised under the 1926 (2 boats), 1927 (1 boat) and 1929 (2 boats) Program¬
sioned was still used as a sonar target at Toulon in 1957. Diamant was raised after mes, this class was the first of the 630 tonne (second class) type, which was
being scuttled, but the hulk was bombed in 1944. Perle was mistakenly bombed developed from the 600 tonnes. As with the previous type, a number of builders
by British aircraft. produced their own designs to a single specification, this class being a

274
 Submarines
Schneider-Laubeuf design. The 630 tonnes had improved transverse stability
submerged (but the same operational depth) and superior habitability. Radius MINERVE class
was slightly extended at 4000/2500nm at 10/13kts, or 85nm at 5kts submerged.
Displacement: 662t normal; 856t submerged
On all the privately designed boats of this type the TT were disposed: 3-21,7in
Dimensions: 223ft 5in pp x 18ft 5in x 13ft 3in
in the bow, a twin external traversing mount aft plus one fixed external aft (7
68.10 x 5.62 x 4.03m
torpedoes) and a twin 15.7in external mount aft. Argonaute was depth-charged
off Oran. Machinery: 2 shafts. Normand-Vickers diesels plus electric motors,
1800bhp/1230shp = 14|kts/9kts. Oil 60t
Armament: 6-21.7in TT, 3-15.7in TT, l-3in/35 Mod 28,2-13.2mm AA
(2xl)
Complement: 42

Name Builder Launched Fate

Oreade 1932
IRIS A C Dubigeon 23.9.1934 Sold for BU
1.2.50
MINERVE Arsenal de 23.10.1934 Wrecked 19.9.45
DIANE class Cherbourg
VENUS A C de la 6.4.1935 Scuttled 27.11.42
Displacement: 57It normal; 809t submerged
Seine-Maritime
Dimensions: 211ft 4in pp x 20ft 4in x 14ft lin
JUNON A C Augustin- 15.9.1935 Sold for BU
64.40 x 6.20 x 4.30m
Normand 6.12.54
Machinery: 2 shafts. Normand-Vickers diesels plus electric motors, PALLAS A C Augustin 25.8.1938 Scuttled 9.11.42
1400bhp/1000shp - 14kts/9kts. Oil 65t
-Normand
CERES A C de la 9.12.1938 Scuttled 9.11.42
Name Builder Launched Fate
Seine-Maritime
DIANE A C Augustin- 13.5.1930 Scuttled 9.11.42
Normand An official French Admiralty design based on the 630 tonne type, representing a
MEDUSE A C Augustin- 26.8.1930 Beached 10.11.42 change of policy away from competing private designs and towards greater
Normand standardisation. They were authorised in 1930, except the last two which were
ANTIOPE A C de la 19.8.1930 Sold for BU built under the 1936 Programme. An increased but simplified TT armament
Seine-Maritime 26.4.46 was arranged as follows: 4—21.7in forward and 2 aft, with a triple traversing
AMPHITRITE A C Augustin- 20.12.1930 Sunk 8.11.42 15.7in mount abaft the CT; there were no reloads. Range and operational depth
Normand were the same as the Argonaute class. Iris was interned in Spain from 1942-45;
AMAZONE A C de la Seine- 28.12.1931 Sold for BU 26.4.46 Junon and Minerve served with the FNFL from 1940; Vinus was scuttled at
Maritime Toulon and the remaining pair at Oran.
ORPHEE AC Augustin- 10.11.1931 Sold for BU 15.4.46
Normand
OREADE A C de la 23.5.1932 Sunk 8.11.42
Seine-Maritime AURORE class
LA SYBILLE A C de la 28.1.1932 Sunk 11.11.42
Displacement: 893t normal; 1170t submerged
Seine-Maritime
LA PSYCHE A C Augustin- 4.8.1932 Sunk 8.11.42 Dimensions: 235ft 7in pp, 241ft 2in oa x 21ft 4in x 13ft 9in
71.80, 73.50 x 6.50 x 4.20m
Normand
Machinery: 2 shafts. Sulzer or Schneider diesels plus electric motors,
3000bhp/1400shp = 14fkts/9kts. Oil 85t
A Normand-Fenaux variant on the 630 tonne specification, built by Normand
themselves and by A C de la Seine-Maritime (also known as Chantiers Worms) Armament: 9~21.7in TT, l-3.9in/40 Mod 36, 2- 13.2mm AA (2x 1)
under the 1926 (2 boats), 1927 (3 boats), 1928 (2 boats) and 1929 (2 boats) Complement: 44
Programmes. Apart from the data above, they were similar to the Argonaute
class. Diane was scuttled at Oran; Meduse, Amphitrite, Oreade and La Psyche Name Builder Launched Fate
were sunk during the Allied invasion of North Africa; and La Sybille was AURORE Arsenal de 26.7.1939 Scuttled 27.11.42
probably torpedoed in error by U173 off Morocco. Toulon
LA CREOLE A C Augustin- 8.6.1940 Sold for BU July
Normand 1961
ORION class LA FAVORITE A C de la 5.11.1942 Sunk 6.7.44
Seine-Maritime
Displacement: 558t normal; 787t submerged LA BAYADERE A C Augustin- - BU on slip 18.6.40
Dimensions: 219ft pp x 20ft 4in x 14ft 5in Normand
66.75 x 6.20 x 4.40m L’AFRICAINE A C de la 7.12.1946 BU 1963
Machinery: 2 shafts. Sulzer diesels plus electric motors, 1400bhp/ Seine-Maritime
lOOOshp = 14kts/9kts. Oil 65t L’ASTREE A C Dubigeon 3.5.1946 Sold for BU
Dec 1965
Name Builder Launched Fate
L’ANDROMEDE A C Dubigeon 17.11.1949 Sold for BU
ORION A C de la Loire, 21.4.1931 BU Apr 1943 Dec 1965
Nantes L’ARTEMIS A C Augustin 28.7.1942 BU 1967
ONDINE A C Dubigeon 4.5.1931 BU Apr 1943 -Normand

Loire-Dubigeon 630 tonne design ordered under the 1928 Programme. Other A much improved development of the 630 tonne type, with an operational depth
details are as Argonaute class. Both were cannibalised for spares for Minerve and of 330ft. Armament was increased both in the calibre of deck gun and TT which
Junon and finally broken up in Britain. were disposed 4 forward, 2 aft, and a triple external mount amidships. Radius

Junon postwar with deck gun removed By courtesy of Bernard Millot

275
 rt Enlarged and improved versions of the Saphir class minelayers, Emeraude was
authorised in 1937, and Agate, Corail and Escarbouche in 1938. Only the first was
laid down and she was destroyed on the slip 23.6.40, the remainder being
cancelled. They would have had a range of 5600nm at 12kts or 90nm at 4kts
submerged.

PHENIX class
Displacement: 1056t normal; 1252t submerged
La Creole with postwar modifications By courtesy of Bernard Millot
Dimensions: 245ft 8in pp x 21ft x 12ft lOin
74.90 x 6.40 x 3.90m
was 5600/2250nm at 10/15kts or 85nm at 5kts submerged. They were ordered
Machinery: 2 shafts. Sulzer diesels plus electric motors, 4200bhp/1400shp
under the 1934 (1 boat), 1937 (4), and 1938 (10) Programmes, but only Aurore = 18kts/9kts. Oil 12It
was complete by June 1940; she was scuttled at Toulon. La Criole was towed to
Armament: 10-21.7in TT, l^lOmm AA, l-20mm AA
the UK and completed postwar; La Favorite, L’Africaine, L’AstrSe and
L’Andromede were taken over by the Germans as UF2 ,UF1, unnamed and UF3 Complement: 45
respectively, but only UF2 was commissioned. Except La Favorite they were
A development of the Aurore class with a lengthened hull and improved equip¬
completed to a modified design postwar, as was L’Artimis. The construction of
ment for tropical service, one (Phinix) was authorised in 1939 and a further 12 in
L’Andromaque,L’Antigone,UArmide,UHermione,La Gorgone,La Clorinde and
1940. They would have been named Brumaire, Flordal, Frimaire, Fructidor,
La Comdie was abandoned or cancelled.
Germinal, Messidor, Nivose, Pluvidse, Prairal, Thermidor, Vendemaire and Ven-
tose, but were all cancelled.
ROLAND MORILLOT class
Displacement: 1817t normal; 2416t submerged Ex-Italian ACCIAIO class
Dimensions: 336ft 3in oa x 27ft 3in x 14ft llin
102.50 x 8.32 x 4.50m The second class submarine Bronzo (see Italian section for details) was captured
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels plus electric motors, 12,000bhp/2300shp = by the Royal Navy on 12.7.43, transferred to the French Navy on 29.1.44,
22kts/9kts. Oil 95t renamed Narval, and used as an asdic TS. She was sold for scrapping in Jan
Armament: 10-21.7in TT, 2-15.7in TT, l-3.9in/40 Mod 36, 2-13.2mm 1949.
AA (1x2)
Complement: 70
Ex-British U and V classes
These first class boats were ordered in 1934 (1), 1937 (1) and 1938 (3) with a
further 8 authorised in 1940. They were greatly improved versions of the 1500 The maintenance of French-built submarines in the UK was problematical, so 1
tonne type which with a further 85t of fuel in the ballast tanks had a range of ‘U’ class and 2 ‘V’ class submarines were transferred from the Royal Navy to the
10,000nm at lOkts. Only Roland Morillot, La Pray a and La Martinique had been FNFL. Vox became Curie on 1.5.43 and was returned on 17.9.46; Vineyard
laid down by the outbreak of war - all three at the Arsenal de Cherbourg - and became Doris on 30.6.44 and was returned on 18.11.47; and Vortex became
they were destroyed on the slip on 18.6.40, and La Guadaloupe, La Reunion and Morse on 15.12.44 and was returned on 17.9.46.
the eight other unnamed units were cancelled.

Ex-German Type XXI

EMERAUDE class
U2518, taken over by the Royal Navy in 1945, was transferred to France in
Displacement: 862t normal; 1119t submerged
1946, and renamed Roland Morillot in 1947. She was broken up in 1968.
Dimensions: 236ft 3in pp, 238ft 6in oa x 24ft lin x 13ft 6in
72.00, 72.70 x 7.36 x 4.10m
Machinery: 2 shafts. Schneider diesels plus electric motors, 2000bhp/
1270shp = 15kts/9kts Ex-German type XXIII
Armament: 4—21.7in TT, l-3.9in/40 Mod 36, 2-13.2mm AA (1x2), 40
mines In 1946 U2326 was transferred from the Royal Navy, which had taken over the
Complement: 43 boat in 1945, but she was lost in an accident off Toulon on 6.12.46. She had not
been renamed.

ESCORTS
BOUGAINVILLE class colonial sloops
Displacement: 1969t standard; 2156t normal; 2600t full load
Dimensions: 321ft 6in pp, 340ft 3in oa x 41ft 8in x 14ft 9in
98.00, 103.70 x 12.70 x 4.50m
Machinery: 2 shafts Burmeister & Wain or Sulzer diesels, 3200bhp =
15jkts. Oil 297t
Armament: 3-5.5in/40 Mod(3x 1), 4-37mm AA (4x 1), 6 MGs, 50 mines,
1 aircraft
Complement: 139 peace; 183 war

Name Builder Launched Fate

DUMONT D’URVILLE A C Maritime 21.3.1931 Sold for BU

du Sud Ouest 26.3.58
BOURGAINVILLE F C dela Gironde 21.4.1931 Sunk 9.11.40
SAVORGNAN DE A C Maritime 18.6.1931 Sold for BU
BRAZZA du Sud Ouest 20.3.57
D’ENTRECASTEAUX A C de Provence 22.6.1931 Sold for BU
19.10.48
RIGAULT DE F C de la Gironde 18.9.1932 Sunk 4.7.40
GENOUILLY
AMIRAL CHARNER A C Maritime 1.10.1932 Scuttled 10.3.45
du Sud Ouest
D’IBERVILLE A C Maritime 23.9.1934 Scuttled 27.11.42
D’Entrecasteaux before the war By courtesy of Jacques Navarret
du Sud Ouest

276

LA GRANDIERE A C de Provence 22.6.1939 Sold for BU
{ex-Ville D’Ys) 23.11.59
BEAUTEMPS F C de la Gironde 20.6.1939 Scuttled
BEAUPRE incomplete
24.6.40
LA PEROUSE F C de la Gironde - Cancelled
Designed for colonial service, principally in the tropics, with an emphasis on
habitability, all had flagship facilities and light bullet-proof plating to control
positions. On trials they averaged between 17.2kts {Dumont D’Urville) and
18.3kts {Savorgnan de Brazza) and Amiral Chamer reached a maximum of
18.9kts. In their designed role they proved efficient and reliable, having a radius
of 13,000/7600nm at 8J/14kts. Modifications to the light AA armament were
made to surviving units by 1944.
The Vichy-manned Bougainville was sunk by her FNFL sister Savorgnan de
Brazza off Libreville; Rigault de Genouilly was torpedoed by HM Submarine
Pandora off Algiers; Amiral Chamer was scuttled in Indo-China; Ville D’Ys was
renamed on 1.4.40; D’Entrecasteaux was damaged beyond repair by British
forces at Diego Suarez in May 1942.
The last three were intended as surveying vessels, but in 1939 a revised sloop
design was prepared with 6-3.9in AA, 4-37mm and 4-20mm; it was never
implemented.
Commandant Bory postwar By courtesy of Bernard Millot
ELAN class minesweeping sloops (launched 1938-40)
Displacement: 630t standard; 750t normal; 895t full load
Dimensions: 242ft 2in pp, 256ft llin x 28ft 6in x 10ft 9in
73.81, 78.30 x 8.70 x 3.28m
Machinery: 2 shafts. Sulzer diesels, 4000bhp = 20kts. Oil lOOt
Armament: (As designed) 2-3.9in/60 (1x2) AA, 8-13.2mm (1x4, 2x2)
Complement: 88; war 106
Class (builder, fate): Elan (Arsenal de Lorient, sold for BU 26.3.58),
Commandant Bory (A C de France, sold for BU 17.2.53), Commandant Delage (A
C de France, sold for BU 18.10.60), Commandant Duboc (A C Dubigeon, BU
July 1963), Commandant Riviere (A C de Provence, sunk as Italian FR52
28.5.43; hulk sold for BU 9.8.46), La Capricieuse (A C Dubigeon, BU Sept
1964), La Moquese (Arsenal de Lorient, BU Oct 1965), Commandant Domine,
{cx-La Rieuse, A C Dubigeon, BU Oct 1960), L’Impetueuse (A C de France,
scuttled 7.8.44), La Curieuse (Arsenal de Lorient, scuttled Aug 1944), La
Batailleuse (A C de Provence, scuttled 25.4.45), La Boudeuse (A C de France,
sold for BU 15.4.58), La Gracieuse (A C de Provence, sold for BU 11.9.58).
Although designed for minesweeping they were never so employed, and all
received make-shift armaments, including 2 DCT and 1 DC rack. Some were
taken over by the RN, and eventually the FNFL, and were given British 4in AA
(1x2) and single 2pdrs; others served briefly in the Italian and German navies.
CHAMOIS class minesweeping sloops (launched 1938-39,
1942-44)
Class (fate): The following were built by the Arsenal de Lorient - Chamois
(sunk as German SG21 15.8.44), Chevreuil (to Tunisia as Destur Oct 1959),
Gazelle (sold for BU 8.3.61), Annamite (BU 1967), La Surprise, (ex Bamharo,
sunk 8.11.42). The following were built by A C Provence and launched in
1942—44: Matelot Leblanc (sunk as German SG14 24.8.44), Rageot de la Touche
(sunk as German UJ2229 22.5.44), Amiral Series (scuttled as German SG16
21.8.44), Enseigne Ballande (scuttled as German SG17 20.8.44).
Three of this class authorised in 1938 were cancelled, and the construction of
12 of the 1939 Programme was abandoned, although 4 were eventually com¬
pleted to a modified design postwar. Details were as for theElan class, but with a
raised forecastle.
Escorts
-*
By courtesy of Bernard Millot
FLOWER class corvettes (launched 1940)
Apart from different calibre guns (1-3.9in, 4-13.2mm A A), these were identical
to the British ‘Flower’ class (see British section for details). The four vessels
were ordered from Smiths Dock, Middles borough, in 1939 and were La Bas-
tiase, La Dieppoise, La Malouine and La Paimpolaise; the first was mined during
her trials on 22.6.40, and the remainder were taken over by the RN after the fall
of France. An order for a further 18 was divided between British and French
yards. The British order was never fulfilled, but four of the French vessels were
completed by the Germans as PAI-4 {ex-Arquebuse, Hallebarde, Sabre and
Poignard, respectively); they were all sunk by RAF aircraft in 1944, except PA4
which was expended as a blockship in April 1945.
Between 1941 and 1943 8 ‘Flowers’ were transferred to the FNFL. They
were: Aconit, Alysse, Commandant Ditroyer, Commandant Drogou, Renoncule,
Roselys, Lobilia, Mimosa (respectively ex-Aconite, Alyssum, Coriander, Chrysan¬
themum, Ranunculus, Sundew, Lobelia and Mimosa). Alysse and Mimosa were
torpedoed on 10.2.42 and 9.6.42 respectively, and the rest were returned to the
RN in 1945 and rapidly sold.
ex-British RIVER class frigates
Six ‘Rivers’ were transferred to the FNFL in 1943-44 (see British section for
details). They were L’Aventure {ex-Braid), Croix de Lorraine {ex-Strule), La
Decouverte (ex-Windrush), L’Escarmouche (ex-Frome), La Surprise {ex-Torridge)
and Tonkinois {ex-Moyola). They were retained by the postwar French Navy and
all were scrapped in 1961-62, except La Surprise which became the Moroccan
Maouna in 1964.
Ex-German M35 type fleet minesweepers
Fifteen ex-German M35 type vessels were taken over from the RN and US Navy
in 1946-47 (see German section for details). In German service they had been
numbered M4, M9, M12, M21,M24, M28, M35, M38, M81, M85, M202,
M20S andM251-M2S3', M9 was renamed Somme, M24 Ailette and the remain-
derMeuse, Bapaume, Oise, Lafraux, Yser, Craonne, Belfort, Peronne, Avere and
Vimy respectively. Five were returned to Germany in 1957 and the rest broken
up.
Ex-German M40 type fleet minesweepers
Thirteen ex-German M40 type minesweepers were taken over at the same time
as the M35 type. These were ex-M275, M277, M404, M424, M432 {Suippe),
M434, M442 {Marne), M452 {Aisne), M454, M475, M476 and M49S (3 were
renamed and the French names are given in brackets). Most were discarded by
the mid-1950s.
Ex-Allied wooden minesweepers
Between 1944 and 1946 the RN transferred 14 wooden minesweepers to the
French Navy; 8 were MMS(l) type (see British section for details) and were
renumbered D361-D368 and 6 were MMS(2) type. All were returned in
October 1947. The US Navy also transferred 31 of the YMS type (see American
section of details) during the same period, the vessels being renumbered D202,
D301, D311-D318, D321-D327, D331-D338 and D351-D356. They were
retained for postwar service, except D202 which was mined on 25.10.44.
277
FRANCE

COASTAL CRAFT
CH3 1936
4-
CH14 about 1943 A.
All were scrapped in the 1950s and early 1960s, except L’Ardent (lost in
collision 7.7.44), L’Enjoue (torpedoed by U870 9.1.45) and Goumier (Moroccan
pjCte SrWBv+a. -
Agadir 1965).

CHI-4 submarine-chasers (launched 1933-34) Ex-American SC type submarine-chasers

Displacement: 148t standard; 180t full load The US Navy transferred 52 of these vessels to France in 1943-44. (See
Dimensions: 157ft 8in X 18ft x 6ft 3in American section for details.) They becameCH5, CH6, CH51, CH52, CH61,
48.05 x 5.50 x 1.90m CH62, CH71, CH72, CH81-CH85, CH91-CH96, CH101-CH107,
Machinery: 2 shafts. Sulzer or MAN diesels, 2400bhp = 20kts CH111-CHI 16, CH121-CH126, CH131-CH136 and CH141-CH146. Only
Armament: l-3in, 2-8mm MG 38 were in service in 1951 and only 7 in 1966.
Complement: 41

Built by A C de Bretagne. The main armament was the Army 1897 Model field
gun; the AS armament (4 DCT, 1 DC rack) was as fitted in 1940, the rack
carrying 6-2201b DCs. CHI and CH4 were bombed at Toulon in 1944 by Allied
aircraft while in German hands; the others were broken up in 1945 and 1948.

CH5-21 submarine-chasers (launched 1939-41)

Displacement: 107t standard; 114t normal; 137t full load
Dimensions: 116ft 6in pp, 121ft 9in oa x 18ft 7in x 6ft 5in
35.50, 37.10 x 5.66 x 1.95m
Machinery: 2 shafts. MAN diesels, 1130bhp = 15)kts. Oil 5)t
Armament: l-3in, 2-8mm MG
Complement: 23

These were built by A C de France (CH5-CH8), F C de la Mediterranee, Le

Havre (CH9-CH12 and CH17-CH21), and A C de la Seine-Maritime
CH13-CH15, and were basically similar to the preceding class. Apart from CH9 CHI 14 (ex-SC526) at the end of the war By courtesy of Jean Havel
which was bombed at Dunkerque on 21.5.40, the first 15 vessels served in the
RN, CH5-CH8 being lost and the remainder being transferred to the FNFL in
1943. CH16 was scuttled on 18.6.40, and CH17-CH21 served in the German
Navy as RA6, RA7, RA1, RA2 and RA8 respectively. Most surviving vessels Ex-British FAIRMILE type motor launches
were scrapped in the early 1950s.
Fairmile ‘B’ types (see British section for details). ML267 and ML268 were
FNFL-manned for the St-Nazaire raid, as were ML123, ML245-ML247 bet¬
CH41—48 wooden-hulled, submarine-chasers ween July 1941 and July 1942. ML205,ML182,ML269 andML303 also served
from May-August 1942; ML244, ML266, ML271 and ML302 were transferred
(launched 1939-42) in January 1943 and with the Canadian-built Fairmile ‘A’ typesML052,ML062
Displacement: 126t standard; 160t full load and ML063 were renamed St Rowan, St Guenole, St Yves, St Alain, Galantry,
Dimensions: 122ft 8in oa x 18ft 2in x 7ft lOin Langlade and Colombier respectively.
37.40 x 5.53 x 2.40m Also transferred in 1943 were 23 British HMDLs, renumbered VP1-VP16,
VP21-VP27, VP31, VP32, VP41 and VP42 and 5 ex-American launches.
Other details as preceding class. CH47 and CH48 were never completed. The
first three served in the RN and then the FNFL and were scrapped c 1950;
CH44-CH46 served in the German Navy asRA4,RA3 and RA5 respectively. VTB8, VTB9 MTBs (launched 1935)
Displacement: 2 It
Dimensions: 61ft lOin oa x 16ft lin x 4ft
18.85 X 4.90 x 1.23m
Machinery: 2 shafts. Lorraine petrol engines, 2200bhp = 46kts
Armament: 2-15.7in TT (2x1)

Built by A C de la Loire. VTB8 was lost in an accident 7.8.39; VTB9 served in

the FNFL until laid up in 1944. The older VTB1-VTB3 were still in service in
1939 but only used for training. VTB10 of 1936 was similar to VTB8 but her
Hispano-Suiza engines were unreliable and she never served actively.

VTB11-VTB14 MTBs (launched 1939, 1941)

Displacement: 28t
Dimensions: 65ft 7in oa x 13ft
Cimeterre (ex-PC1250) postwar By courtesy of Bernard Millot 20.00 x 3.96m
Machinery: 2 shafts. Lorraine petrol engines, 2200bhp = 45kts
Armament: 2-15.7in TT (2x1), 2-7.5mm MG

Ex-American PC type coastal escorts (launched 1944)
In 1943 32 PCs were allocated to the French Navy and transferred between
March and November 1944 (see American section for details). They were
PC471-PC475, PC480-PC482, PC542, PC543, PC545, PC546, PC550,
PC551, PC556, PC557, PC559, PC562, PC591, PC621, PC626-PC627,
PC1226, PC1227, PC1235, PC1248-PC12S0 and PC1560-PC1562, becom¬
ing respectively L’Eveille, Le Ruse, L’Ardent, L’Indiscret, Le Resolu, L’Emporte,
L’Effronte,L’Enjoue, Tirailleur,Le Vontaire,Goumier,Franc Tireur,Le Vigilant,
Mameluck, Carabiniere, Dragon, Voltigeur, L’Attentif, Spahi, Fantassin, Gre¬
nadier,Lansquenet, Cavalier,Legionnaire,Lancier,Hussard,Sabre,Pique, Cime¬
terre, Coutelas, Dague and Javelot.
Built by A C de la Loire, VTB11 and VTB12 were taken over incomplete by the
RN in June 1940 and put in to service as MGB98 and MGB99. There were 6
DCs. VTB13 was completed in 1941 with 1-12.7mm AA, and VTB14 was not
finished until 1945 and then as an ASRL. The planned construction of the
round-bilge but otherwise similar VTB15-VTB22 (2-12.7mm AA) was cancel¬
led.
VTB23-VTB40 were ordered from British Power Boat as motor anti¬
submarine boats, but were taken over by the RN and completed as
MGB50-MGB67.
Vosper MTBs 90-92,94,96,98,227 and 239 were loaned to the FNFL; they
were returned to the RN in February 1946. Two German boatsS307 andS305
were taken over incomplete in 1944; both were broken up in 1950.

278
 Miscellaneous vessels

MISCELLANEOUS
VESSELS La Perouse, ex-Sans Peur, in 1954
By courtesy of John Roberts

SANS SOUCI class seaplane tenders (launched 1940-41) Armed merchant cruisers
Displacement: 1372t standard (1760t full load as completed)
Name Gross Requisitioned Fate
Dimensions: 295ft 3in pp, 311ft 8in oa X 38ft 7in x 10ft 6in
Tonnage
90.00, 95.00 x 11.76 x 3.20m
Machinery: 2 shafts, Sulzer diesels, 4200bhp = 18kts. Oil 256t ARAMIS 17,537 6.9.1939 Paid off 1.8.40
Armament: l-3in AA COLOMBIE 13,390 11.11.1939 Paid off 7.9.40
KOUTOUBIA 8790 Sept 1939 Paid off 5.9.40
Class (fate): Sans Souci (became German Uranus, SG3, in 1943; returned in VILLE D’ORAN 10,172 Sept 1939 Paid off 1.10.40
1945 and completed as survey vessel Beautemps Beaupre), Sans Peur (became EL DJEZAIR 5818 Oct 1939 Paid off 17.10.40
German Merkur,SG4, in 1942; returned in 1945 and completed as survey vessel EL MANSOUR 5818 10.10.1939 Paid off 17.10.40
La Perouse),Sans Pareil (became German Jupiter, SGI, in 1942; sunk 6.8.44 by EL KANTARA 5079 Sept 1939 Paid off 15.10.44
Allied aircraft). Sans Reproche (became German Satumas, SG2, in 1940; CHARLES PLUMIER 4504 3.9.1939 Paid off 22.10.40
bombed still incomplete January 1944). VICTOR 4504 Sept 1939 Sunk 6.5.42
These vessels were captured incomplete by the Germans who converted them SCHOELCHER
to gunboats with 2 or 3-4. lin AA, 4— 37mm and 10 to 14—20mm, although only BARFLEUR 3259 Nov 1939 Armed transport
Jupiter was completed. 1944
ESTEREL 3100 Oct 1939 Paid off 2.11.40
QUERCY 3100 4.9.1939 Paid off 15.11.40
CAP DES PALMES 3081 1941 Returned 1947

The river gunboat
Argus as completed
River gunboats
For service in her Indo-China colonies, France employed the following river
gunboats: Argus and Vigilante (218t, 2-3in, 2-37mm, 4—8mm) launched at
Toulon in 1922; Francis Gamier (639t, 2-3.9in, l-3in, 2-37mm, 4—8mm)
launched by C N F in December 1927; and Mytho and Tourane (95t, l-3in,
l-47mm, 2-8mm and 1 mortar) launched at Saigon in 1933 and 1936 respec¬
tively. They were all sunk or scuttled in 1945.
Built in the 1930s and armed with between 5 and 8-5.5in or 5.9in guns, and
usually 2-3in A A and whatever light AA could be found. One further vessel, the
Mexique was intended for conversion but the necessary alterations were too
extensive. Victor Schoelcher was paid off on 15.10.40 but taken up again on
27.11.41 and renamed Bougainville-, she was sunk by RN aircraft at Diego
Suarez.
France also operated 15 smaller ex-merchantmen as ‘auxiliary sloops’ and
some 60 trawler-type vessels as auxiliary patrol vessels, as well as 5 armed
yachts. Over 480 units, mostly of the trawler type, also served as auxiliary
minesweepers.
The armed merchant cruiser Quercy in May 1946
By courtesy of John Roberts

279
Italy
The end of the First World War and the defeat of the Central
Powers removed Italy’s principal adversary, the Austro-Hungarian
Empire, leaving the country with no immediate external threat.
This, combined with a financial crisis and the retrenchment that
always follows a war, resulted in the cancellation of the 4 Caracciolo
class battleships, laid down in 1915, and the proposed repair of the
battleship Leonardo da Vinci. However, four scouts (Leone class)
and 14 destroyers (Palestro, Curtatone and Generali classes), ordered
during the war but not begun due to material shortages, were laid
down during 1919-22. The fleet at this time was in a poor state.
The naval war in the Adriatic had been largely one of small craft,
with the main force acting as a ‘fleet in being’, and the inactivity of
a major secuon of the Navy had reduced morale and efficiency. A
large part of the Fleet was obsolete and although there were five
dreadnoughts of fairly recent design and a good number of newly
constructed scouts and destroyers there were no modern cruisers.
This situation was however remedied somewhat by the acquisidon
of ex-Austrian and German light cruisers in 1920.
COLONIAL AMBITION
The political unrest in Italy during the immediate postwar years re¬
solved itself late in 1922 when the Fascists under Benito Mussolini
came to power. Following the elections of 1924 Mussolini systemat¬
ically reduced all opposition to his rule and before the end of the
decade had converted Italy from a democradc state into a dictator¬
ship. The effect on the Navy was substantial since Mussolini’s
strong belief in the need to expand Italy’s colonial empire and an
economic policy which involved high government spending on
public works and armaments etc necessarily involved the mainte¬
nance of a strong fleet. On the debit side, however, the political
allegiance of the officers of the Fleet was often as important, if not
more so, than their professional ability, which led to bad choices of
command and affected the competence and loyalty normally
expected of an officer corps.
RIVALRY WITH FRANCE
Italy’s principal naval rival was France, with whom she came into
early conflict over the expansion of Italy’s North African colony of
Libya. Italy’s entry into the First World War had been largely
gained by promises from Britain and France to increase the size of
this colony; Britain handed over a section of Egypt in 1925 but
France not only refused to hand over any land but also gained con¬
trol of Tunisia, over which Italy had hoped to extend her influence.
These conflicts of interest reinforced the naval rivalry between the
two countries: France saw the Italian Navy as a threat to her lines
of communication with North Africa whilst Italy saw the French
Navy as a direct challenge to her power and ambitions.
At Washington in 1922 the two countries had agreed to parity in
strength for battleships and cruisers but not smaller vessels. Italy
was willing to accept parity in these latter but France was not,
arguing that she must provide for the defence of her Atlantic sea¬
board as well as in the Mediterranean. As the Italian Navy was not
at this time of equal strength to that of France, and needed a sub¬
stantial construction programme to correct the situation, the threat
of having to compete with expansions in the French destroyer and
280
submarine fleet further aggravated relations between the two coun¬
tries.
Between 1923 and 1933 Italy laid down 18 cruisers, 36 destroyers
and 49 submarines while France laid down 14 cruisers, 46 des¬
troyers and 55 submarines. Neither country found satisfaction in
these figures, Italy failing to gain parity and France failing to pro¬
vide sufficient reserve for the Atlantic. At the London Naval Con¬
ference in 1930 France again refused to accept demands for parity
in destroyers and submarines and, in the case of the latter (on
which Italy was actually willing to accept a complete ban), wished
to greatly expand her construction programme. This again seriously
threatened Italy’s ability to compete, and both countries ultimately
refused to ratify the Treaty. To a certain extent all this political
wrangling was academic as the Depression had seriously curtailed
the ability to spend money on armaments and between 1932 and
1936 warship construction was comparatively light. This was in
part due to the revival of battleship construction, the expense of
which necessarily limited the programmes for smaller ships. In
1933 Italy began to reconstruct the two Cavour class battleships -
converting them from vessels bordering on obsolescence to fast,
first class battleships - and in the following year began work on the
two new battleships of the Littorio class. To France this was a
major threat and prompted a reply in the shape of the Richelieu
class. At about this time, however, Italy’s rivalry with France
cooled a little as Mussolini had found a new area for expansion in
Africa - Abyssinia.
ABYSSINIA AND SPAIN
In January 1935 the disagreement over the Libyan/French North
African border was settled when a token strip of land between
these colonies, plus a small section of French Somaliland, was
handed over to Italy. A few months later, in July 1935, the Italian
Fleet was mobilised and moved to the Eastern Mediterranean and
Red Sea to cover the transport of troops and supplies to the Italian
colony of Eritrea, whence Abyssinia was invaded in October 1935.
During the Spanish Civil War, which began in July 1936, the
Fascist forces of General Franco received substantial help from
both Germany and Italy. Part of this included a brief and distaste¬
ful submarine campaign by Italy on behalf of the Franco forces. In
1937 the submarines Archimede, Torricelli, I ride and Onice were
transferred to Franco. In the case of the first two the transfer
seems genuine as they remained in Spanish hands, but in the latter
two cases the Italian crews remained aboard and the two vessels
returned to Italy after only a short time. An untidy submarine
campaign began in August 1937 and one French and one Spanish
ship were torpedoed on the 13th and 15th respectively. On the 17th
the British Admiralty authorised counter-attacks if British vessels
were similarly molested by ‘pirate’ submarines and, on the 31st, the
destroyer Havock, narrowly missed by a torpedo, depth-charged
her attacker — the hide - which escaped with minor damage.
Shortly after this, following a general international uproar, Musso¬
lini called off the campaign. This was the only occasion prior to the
war that Mussolini was forced to withdraw by international press¬
ure - albeit applied indirectly. The Italian Navy did not care for
this use of their resources.

NAVAL EXPANSION
The late 1930s brought a return to an extensive programme of new
construction. Between 1935 and 1940 two more Littorio class battle¬
ships were laid down, the remaining pair of old battleships were
taken in hand for reconstruction, and 12 cruisers, 16 destroyers, 60
submarines and several smaller vessels were ordered. This came
close to providing parity with France, but the Mediterranean situa¬
tion was now beginning to change as a result of Germany’s rise to
power.
Mussolini initially regarded Hitler as a serious threat to his own
position and this was, in part, the cause of the improved relations
with France in 1935. Subsequently, however, the two Fascist states
came together to form the Rome-Berlin Axis in 1936. From this
point on Mussolini was following rather than leading events and, in
attempting to keep pace with his German counterpart, led his coun¬
try into a war for which the majority of Italians had no enthusiasm.
The British were disturbed by the expansion of the Italian Navy,
which upset the balance of naval power in the Mediterranean,
together with other irritations such as the laying down of two bat¬
tleships before the Second London Naval Conference, the events of
the Spanish Civil War, Abyssinia and the new accord with Ger¬
many. As a result the possibility of a war in which Britain and
France combined against Italy had to be taken into account; in
such a situation the Italian Navy and Mussolini’s valued African
colonies would have stood little chance. Thus, although Italy
invaded Albania in April 1939 in order that Mussolini might extend
his influence into the Balkans before Hitler extended his power too
far south, she did not enter the war in September 1939.
In 1940, however, with France on the brink of collapse and the
apparent prospect of Britain’s early defeat, the possibilities for a
successful Mediterranean war must have seemed to Mussolini to
have great advantages. With no naval rival in the Mediterranean he
could expand his North African empire, and by joining Hitler he
could ensure that Italy gained a share of the spoils - an opportunity
which, if not taken, might result in Italy becoming a satellite of the
new German Empire.
Italy declared war on 11 June 1940 and France was finally defeat¬
ed in the following month. Soon afterwards the French Fleet
ceased to have any serious effect on the situation and, with only the
British Mediterranean Fleet to face, the prospects for a naval war
were much more equitable.
WAR OPERATIONS
Despite her paper advantage the Italian strategic approach seems to
have been based on the necessity to keep her fleet intact as far as
possible. The Navy was charged with the passive role of protecting
the supply lines to North Africa, and the main battle fleet was
ordered to avoid action with the British for its own sake. Thus the
battle fleet took up a defensive role in the central Mediterranean
where it could be protected from interference by shore-based air¬
craft while offensive action was to be taken by aircraft and sub-
Oriani en route to surrender, Sept 1943
Introduction
marines. The effect of Italian aircraft had, however, been over¬
estimated. Their principle method of attack were high level bomb¬
ing and torpedo attack. The former proved too inaccurate to be
effective while the latter, although more successful, involved flying
low and straight, making the ideal target for AA fire which, at high
angles against manoeuvring targets, was close to useless. The sub¬
marines were no more successful: losses in the early months of the
war were heavy and continued to be so.
The first naval action of the war involving major units was the
Battle of Calabria in which the battleships Cesare and Cavour with
16 cruisers encountered 3 British battleships and 5 cruisers while
the latter were covering a convoy. Initially the Italians ignored their
order to avoid action and, so as to draw the British away from the
convoy and towards Italian aircraft, approached the British Fleet.
Unfortunately, Cesare was hit almost immediately at a range of
26,400yds by a lucky shot from Warspite. The Italians turned away
and retired, although whether this was a direct result of the hit is
not clear. Whatever the cause the object had now been achieved
and retirement was justified by the doctrine then in operation. As
planned, Italian aircraft arrived on the scene as the ships drew
away with the British Fleet in pursuit, but not only did they fail to
hit any of the enemy ships but they proceeded to bomb their own
vessels as well. This action provided the British with a considerable
advantage in morale and more than any other event set the seal on
the oft-repeated opinion that the Italian Fleet preferred to run
rather than fight. It is an unfair judgement as the Italians proved
quite capable of fighting with as much courage as anybody else
when given the opportunity. The real faults lay in poor strategic
thought, misdirection from high levels and, on the part of many
officers afloat, an unwillingness to take favourable opportunities for
attack if they conflicted with their operational orders. There were
also lesser problems in that the Italians were entering a war without
recent combat experience and no major fleet battle to their credit
since Lissa in 1866; the British, on the other hand, had been at war
for almost a year, making an adjustment which is not easy to carry
out overnight, and were highly developed in the art of fleet actions
as a result of the experience gained, and since developed, at Jutland
in 1916.
It seems likely that Mussolini wished to keep his fleet intact to
maintain his strength when the war was over. Whatever the reason,
Italy’s best opportunity to gain command of the sea occurred in the
first months of the war. The Italian battle fleet during
August-November 1940 outnumbered the British fleet, possessed
more modern ships, and had the tactical advantage of faster battle¬
ships. A well-planned fleet action at this time might have given
them success at sea followed by victory in North Africa. Instead,
their ships were tied to Taranto where, on 11 November 1940, tor¬
pedo aircraft from the carrier Illustrious (the one advantage the Brit¬
ish Fleet possessed) sank the battleship Cavour and heavily dam¬
aged Littorio and Duilio. There followed, on 28 March 1941, the
Battle of Matapan in which the only remaining operational battle-
By courtesy of John Roberts
 ITALY
jtatk
The cruiser Muzio Allendolo about 1940
ship, Vittorio Veneto, was torpedoed and damaged and three of the
powerful Zara class cruisers, the most important units in the fleet
after the battleships, were lost. If the truth of the old maxim that
attack is the best form of defence was ever realised by the Italian
high command, they had lost the chance of applying it and never
again had the opportunity to gain full control of the Mediterranean.
Shortly after Matapan the battles for Greece and Crete brought
heavy losses to the Britih Fleet and at Alexandria in December
1941 Queen Elizabeth and Valiant were sunk by Italian human tor¬
pedoes. This general neutralisation of both battle fleets during
1940-41 initiated a period in which the Italians attempted to stop
supplies to Malta and the British attempted to stop supplies to
North Africa. In these operations, together with a multitude of
minor actions around the Mediterranean, the Italian Navy showed
its true fighting spirit, although the balance of success was very
much in favour of the Allies. Italian destroyers and escorts fought
many fierce defensive actions whilst protecting supply ships and the
losses on the run to North Africa were extremely high. In this war
of attrition both sides lost heavily in warships, merchant ships, men
and material, but Italy’s ability to replace these losses was limited
and her chances of continuing the war gradually wore down. From
1941 the Germans took more and more of the burden of the war in
the Mediterranean and, with the Allied invasion of North Africa
late in 1942, any opportunity the fleet had of affecting the outcome
faded. Reaction against what had always been an unpopular war
grew in 1943 and brought the downfall of Mussolini and the Italian
surrender in September. The main body of the Fleet surrendered
to the Allies shortly afterwards, and although some units served
with Allied forces the majority remained inactive for the rest of the
war. German reaction was the immediate occupation of Italy and,
as the majority of naval building and repair work had been shifted
to northern yards to avoid Allied air raids, a large number of
Italian warships fell into their hands.
WARSHIP DESIGN
One of the main reasons for the low success record of the Italian
Fleet during the war was the quality of their ships and equipment
together with the lack of ship/aircraft co-operation and radar.
Design policy from the 1920s onwards was based on the production
282
Italian Navy
of high-speed ships to provide a qualitative advantage over foreign
vessels. France adopted a similar approach, and the competition
between the two nations resulted in the search for ever greater
speeds at the expense of other ship qualities. Much effort was put
into the production of lightweight high power machinery and
means of weight-saving in hull structures and other shipboard
equipment. The result was thoroughbreds of somewhat tempera¬
mental nature which when finely tuned and in good condition pro¬
duced exceptional results, but when subjected to heavy work lost
performance dramatically. It should be said, however, that, with a
few exceptions, the very high speeds obtained on trial were not the
result of running ships at very light displacement. The majority of
trials were at standard displacement, at which both Italian and
most foreign design speeds were quoted, which is slightly above a
ship’s normal light displacement and includes no fuel or reserve
feed water. Thus to carry fuel for a trial some other weights needed
to be sacrificed such as ammunition stores etc, to keep to the cor¬
rect displacement. Running trials very light had no value as the
resultant figures would not provide accurate information for subse¬
quent designs or prove that the ship could meet its design require¬
ments - the primary purpose of trials. The real reason for the very
high trial speeds obtained was excessive forcing of the machinery.
This was particularly so during builders’ trials in the late 1920s as
at that time the Italian Government was paying 1,000,000-lire bon¬
uses for every lkt in excess of the design speed. This resulted in
the builders going to extremes, and in many cases over-stressing
the machinery installation, and in the early 1930s the practice was
stopped. The high speeds did of course have propaganda value as
well and in this respect some published speeds were those achieved
during only a short period of the trial run. Distortion also resulted
when a very high speed maintained for a minimal part of a lengthy
trial served to push up the mean speed for the overall trial. In ser¬
vice with ships operating at average displacements, subject to foul¬
ing, bad weather and machinery wear, speeds were much less. In
fact the war demonstrated that British ships, with much lower
design speeds, were usually faster in practice and had machinery of
much greater reliability.
Weight-saving which involved light hull structures, the use of
welding and general reductions in fittings, resulted in compara-
 Introduction

tively poor habitability levels and a lowering of structural strength. NOTES

However, this last was more acceptable under Mediterranean condi¬ Machinery: Horsepower is Italian horsepower, which was meas¬
tions where rough weather, although by no means rare, was much ured slightly differently from standard shp and produced a figure
less frequent and severe than in, say, the Arctic or North Atlandc. slightly higher. The hp and speed given in the tables are as
The Mediterranean also provided the advantage of being a limited designed. Sea speeds are maximum achieved under normal war
sphere of operation which did not require vessels of high endurance conditions.
and consequently provided savings in the space and weight devoted Armament: Armaments given in the table are as designed. The
to fuel compartments when compared with the ships of the deep- lengths of Italian guns, in calibres, were again measured slightly
ocean navies. differently from those of other countries; the German 150mm/45
All the designs of the 1920s for cruisers, destroyers and sub¬ for example became the Italian 150mm/43.
marines suffered from stability problems, mainly as a result of Builders: In the tables that follow, shortened versions of Italian
restricting beam to assist in the maintenance of high speeds, but shipyards are given. Their full titles and locations are:
experience with these vessels produced substantial improvements in R Arsenale, La Spezia
the designs of the following decade. In general the cruisers initially Ansaldo, Genoa
sacrificed protection to obtain high speeds except for the excellent Ansaldo, Sampierdarena
Zara class in which a lower speed was accepted to provide good Ansaldo, Sestri Ponente
protection and showed that Italy’s designers were quite capable of Baglietto, Varazze
producing well-balanced designs when given the opportunity. The Breda, Porto Marghera
development of the light cruiser showed a general trend towards Bacini e Scali Napoletani, Naples
better protection and lower speeds as war approached, and the later R Cantieri di Castellammare di Stabia
vessels of the ‘Condottieri’ series were again well-balanced ships. Cantieri del Tirrero, Genoa
Destroyer development, with the exception of the ‘Navigatori’ Cantieri del Tirrero, Riva Trigoso
class, was one of gradual improvement of the same basic design Cantieri Navali del Quarnaro, Fiume
(culminating in the ‘Soldati’ class), and apart from the high speed Cantieri Navali Riuniti, Ancona
the result was ships of no particular merit. In lesser craft Italy Cantieri Navali Riuniti, Palermo
showed little prewar interest in escort vessels, which cost her dearly Cantieri Navali Triestini, Monfalcone
during the war, but a strong interest in submarines and light Cantieri Odero Terni Orlando, Leghorn
forces. Italy’s submarine fleet at the outbreak of war was much Cantieri Odero Terni Orlando, Muggiano
larger than Germany’s and potentially a serious threat to the Brit¬ Cantieri Odero Terni Orlando, Sestri Ponente
ish, but the results obtained were not spectacular and the force Cantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico, Monfalcone
never operated as efficiently or successfully as Hitler’s U-boats. In Cantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico, Trieste
light forces, with which Italy had gained her most important naval Caproni, Milan
successes in the First World War, the Italians showed their great Celli, Venice
flair for operations of individual bravery. Their MAS-boats, special Cerusa, Voltri
attack motor-boats, and particularly their human torpedoes Costruzioni Meccaniche e Aeronautiche, Marina di Pisa
achieved much but, with the exception of the attack on Alexandria Costruzioni Navali e Aeronautiche, Rome
in December 1941, did little to affect the trend of the war. Migliari, Savona
Above all the Italian Navy’s greatest problems related to aircraft. Navalmeccanica, Castellammare di Stabia
Before the war reliance had been placed on co-operation between Officine e Cantieri Partenopei, Naples
the Navy and land-based aircraft for both fleet air defence and air Orlando, Leghorn
strikes, and consequently no need was seen for aircraft carriers. Odero, Sestri Ponente
Aircraft were carried on board cruisers and battleships, but these Polli, Chioggia
were intended for reconnaissance and spotting, although during the Picchiotti, Limite sull’Arno
war several ships were equipped with fighters. The war soon Pattison, Naples
demonstrated that the reliance on shore based aircraft was a mis¬ SACIN, Venice
take, but the attempt to correct this by the conversion of two mer¬ Stabilimento Tecnico Triestino, Trieste
chant vessels to aircraft carriers came too late to affect the situa¬ SVAN, Venice
tion. Italian ships also suffered, like those of all other nations in Tosi, Taranto
1939, from a lack of effective AA weapons, and although some
improvements were made during the war the problem remained
Andrea Doria and Caio Dulio lying off
and worsened as Allied air power over the Mediterranean streng¬ Malta, Sept 1943
thened. By courtesy of John Roberts
ITALY

THE ITALIAN NAVY in 1922 give 27° elevation for a range of 31,000yds. The modernisation increased the
BATTLESHIPS deep displacement to 29,032 tons and the draught, at normal load, to 34ft
lin (10.39m). On trials Cavour made 28.08kts with 93,433shp and Cesare
Name Launched Disp Fate
28.25kts with 93,490shp.
(full load) On completion of this refit the Cesare carried 2 aircraft catapults but
Regina Elena class these were removed after trials. Both vessels had their 13.2mm MG
NAPOLI 10.9.1905 13,774t Stricken 1926 replaced by 12-20mm/65 A A (6x2) during the early years of the war and
REGINA ELENA 11.6.1904 13,807t Stricken 1923 Cesare had a further 4 (2x2) added in 1942. Cavour was sunk by aerial tor¬
ROMA 21.4.1907 13,772t Stricken 1927 pedoes at Taranto in November 1940 and when salvaged had her armament
VITTORIO 12.10.1904 13,914t Stricken 1923 removed except for the 37mm/54 AA guns — a further 4— 37mm/54 (2x2)
EMANUELE were added on the quarterdeck for her transfer to Trieste for repair and
Dante Alighieri class reconstruction. When refitted she was to have mounted 12-135mm/45
DANTE ALIGHIERI 20.8.1910 21,260t Stricken 1928 (6x2), in place of the 120mm, 12-65mm/64 AA (12x1) in place of the
Cavour class 100mm and 13-20mm/65 AA (5x2, 3x1) guns, a second director on the
CONTE DI CAVOUR 10.8.1911 23,868t Sunk 15.2.45 bridge and radar but was scuttled on the Italian surrender in 1943. The
GIULIO CESARE 15.10.1911 24,4 lOt ?Sunk 29.10.55 wreck was captured and raised by the Germans but was sunk again during
LEONARDO 14.10.1911 24,288t Sold 22.3.23 an air raid on Trieste. The ship was refloated in 1947 and scrapped
DA VINCI 1950-52. Cesare was renamed Zll after the war and on 15.12.48 was trans¬
Doria class ferred to Russia as part of war reparations. The Russians renamed her
ANDREA DORIA 30.3.1913 24,340t BU 1961 Novorossiisk and, although probably sunk by a mine in the Black Sea, it has
CAIO DUILIO 24.4.1913 24,301t BU 1957 also been reported that she was broken up in 1955 (it is perhaps a case of
confusion in that she may have been damaged by a mine and subsequently
Cavour class scrapped).
Leonardo Da Vinci was sunk by internal explosion in 1916 and salvaged in
1919. A planned reconstruction of the vessel did not materialise. Daria class
During the 1920s a fixed aircraft catapult was fitted on the forecastles of An aircraft catapult was added on the forecastles of both ships in the mid-
Cavour and Cesare, their foremasts were replaced by derrick stumps and a 1920s and they were taken in hand for complete reconstruction 1937-40,
new quadruped foremast fitted forward of the forefunnel. Both underwent Doria at Trieste and Duilio at Genoa. Modifications closely followed those in
major reconstruction 1933-37, Cavour at Trieste and Cesare at Genoa. The the Cavour class, the midship structure and machinery compartments being
original machinery was taken out and replaced by a two-shaft geared tur¬ gutted and the midships turret and secondary battery removed to allow the
bine installation driven by eight boilers providing a nominal 75,000shp at fitting of the same type and arrangement of machinery, underwater protec¬
27kts; forcing provided 93,000shp for 28kts. Oil fuel stowage was 2472t, tion, sub-division and superstructure. The forecastle deck was extended aft
giving an endurance of 6400nm at 13kts. Internally, the ships were rebuilt to the mainmast and made flush with the side and the overall length
to include the Pugliese underwater protection system, more extensive sub¬ increased to 613ft 2in by additions to bow and stern, but the speed was
division and a unit machinery arrangement in which the port engine room slightly less at 75,000shp = 26kts (normal) and 87,000shp = 27kts (forced).
was aft and the starboard engine room forward of the boiler rooms. Exter¬ The protection was modified as in Cavour except that the barbettes were
nally, a new superstructure was fitted, and new sections were added to bow not altered, they already being slightly thicker than in the earlier class. The
and stern, increasing the overall length to 611ft 6in (186.38m), the latter main guns were also modified as in Cavour but the remaining armament
assisting in the speed improvement by increasing the length-to-beam ratio. was altered to 12-135mm/45 (4x3) mounted forward abreast the bridge,
The deck over machinery was increased to 80mm and over the magazines 10-90mm/50 AA (10x1) amidships, 15-37mm/54 AA (6x2 + 3x1) and
to 100mm thickness and the barbette armour to 280mm, while various other 16-20mm/65AA (8x2), all recently-introduced weapons. On completion of
minor improvements were made to the protection, including a new, 260mm reconstruction the deep displacements were 28,882t (Doria) and 29,391t
CT and 25mm torpedo bulkheads. The secondary gun battery and its case¬ (Duilio) with normal draught at 28ft 3in (8.58m). War modifications were
mate armour were removed and the embrasures plated in to give the ships few and consisted mainly of the addition of 4—37mm/54 AA (2x2) guns and
flush sides to forecastle level. A new secondary battery of 12-120mm/50 radar; 4 of the 20mm (2x2) were removed in 1944.
(6x2) was mounted amidships, on the forecastle deck, and the original light Duilio was damaged by a single 18in torpedo at Taranto in November
and A A weapons replaced by 8-100mm/47 (4x3), 12-37mm/54 (6x2) and 1940 but was repaired, at Genoa, by May 1941. She was under refit from
12-13.2mm MG (6x2). The midships triple 305mm/46 gun mounting was March 1942 until the Italian surrender, when both ships transferred to
removed and the remaining 10 guns of the main armament were bored out Allied control. They were returned in 1944 and employed as training ships
and refined to 320mm/43.8 calibre while the mountings were modified to in the postwar fleet; Duilio was flagship of the CinC Italian Navy 1947-49.

Conte di Cavour prewar

 Caio Duilio at Malta, 12.9.1943

By courtesy of John Roberts

ARMOURED CRUISERS PROTECTED CRUISERS

Name Launched Disp Fate Name Launched Disp Fate
(full load) (full load)

Garibaldi class Lombardia class

FRANCESCO 23.4.1902 7972t TS 1924, stricken PUGLIA 22.9.1898 3050t Discarded 22.3.23
FERRUCCIO 1.4.30 Calabria class
VARESE 6.8.1899 7972t TS, stricken CALABRIA 20.9.1894 2660t Discarded
4.1.23 13.11.24
Pisa class Libia class
PISA 15.9.1907 10,433t TS, stricken LIBIA 11.11.1912 4395t Discarded 11.3.37
28.4.37 Campania class
San Giorgio class CAMPANIA 23.7.1914 3137t Discarded 11.3.37
SAN GIORGIO 27.7.1908 1 l,122t Scuttled 22.1.41
SAN MARCO 20.12.1908 11,713t Target 1935,
sunk cl944
SCOUTS (see also Torpedo Vessels)
San Giorgio was reconstructed at R Arsenale, La Spezia (La Spezia Naval Name Launched Disp Fate
Yard) 1937-38 for service as a coast defence ship. Her boilers were reduced (full load)
to 8 and converted to oil fuel only, with stowage for the latter of 1300t.
Two of her funnels were removed and the remaining pair fitted with caps, Agordat class
the topmasts were reduced, and some additional superstructure was fitted. AGORDAT 11.10.1899 1505t Discarded 4.1.23
The main and secondary armament remained unaltered but the other guns Quarto class
were replaced by 8— 100mm/47 (4x2) and 14—13.2mm (7x2) AA. On com¬ QUARTO 19.8.1911 3388t Discarded 5.1.39
pletion of this refit standard displacement was 9470t and full load ll,500t. Nino Bixio class
In 1940 she transferred to Tobruk to serve as AA guardship for which an NINO BIXIO 30.12.1911 4075t Discarded 15.3.29
additional 2-100mm/47 (1x2), mounted on the forecastle, and 12-20mm/65 MARSALA 24.3.1912 4075t Discarded
(6x2) A A were fitted. She was scuttled at Tobruk. 27.11.27
San Marco was converted to a radio-controlled target 1931-35, with all
her armament and most of her superstructure removed. The number of
boilers was reduced and the remainder converted to oil fuel only, providing TORPEDO CRUISER
13,000shp for a maximum 18kts. Displacement was 8600t standard, 8966t
full load. She was captured by the Germans on the Italian surrender and Name Launched Disp Fate
was found sunk, with upper part above water, at R Arsenale, La Spezia, at (full load)
the end of the war.
TRIPOLI 25.8.1886 955t Discarded 4.3.23

San Giorgio 1940

285
ITALY
was scuttled at La Spezia when Italy surrendered but was subsequently
EX-ENEMY LIGHT CRUISERS (transferred 1920) raised by the Germans. Sunk during an air raid in October 1943, she was
again salvaged but was finally sunk in another air attack. The wreck was
Name Launched Disp Fate
broken up after the war.
(full load) In 1928-29 Ancona was fitted with a fixed centreline aircraft catapult on
Ex-Austrian the forecastle deck, which entailed the extension of the stem into an exagg¬
VENEZIA (ex-Saida) 26.10.1912 4350t Discarded 11.3.37 erated clipper bow. She was laid up at Taranto in 1932.
BRINDISI 23.11.1912 4350t Discarded 11.3.37 Ban was rebuilt 1934-35 for colonial service at R Arsenale, La Spezia,
(itx-Helgoland,) when the number of boilers were reduced, the remainder converted to oil
Ex-German fuel only and the forward funnel and TT removed. After refit the machin¬
TARANTO 24.8.1911 5840t Sunk 23.9.44 ery produced 21,000shp for 24.5kts and displacement was 3248t standard,
(■ex-Strassburg) 5220t full load. War modifications included the addition of 6-20mm/65 AA.
ANCONA 15.10.1913 6280t Discarded 11.3.37 Early in 1943 she began conversion into an A A cruiser, but before comple¬
(ex-Graudenz) tion she was sunk during an air raid on Leghorn. Salvage work was begun
BARI (ex-Pillau) 11.4.1914 5170t Sunk 28.6.43 . but, on the Italian surrender, the vessel was sabotaged to prevent her use
by the Germans, who subsequently scrapped the wreck.
Taranto was reconstructed 1936-37 for colonial service, the forward funnel In all the above-mentioned light cruisers the original AA weapons were
being trunked into the second. War modifications included the addition of replaced by Italian 76mm/40 AA guns.
8-20mm/65 AA (4x2) to the existing 7-150mm and 2-75mm AA guns. She

TORPEDO VESSELS/SCOUTS (reclassified as des¬ DESTROYERS (reclassified as torpedo-boats 1929

troyers 1938) except where noted)
Name Launched Disp Fate Name Launched Disp Fate
(full load) (full load)

Poerio class Lampo class (reclassified as torpedo-boats 1921)

GUGLIELMO PEPE 17.9.1914 1012t To Spain as EURO 27.8.1900 350t Discarded 1924
Teruel 1938 STRALE 19.5.1900 350t Discarded 1924
ALESSANDRO 4.8.1914 1012t To Spain as Nembo class (reclassified as torpedo-boats 1921)
POERIO Huesca 1938 AQUILONE 16.10.1902 380t Discarded 1923
Mirabello class ESPERO 9.7.1904 380t Discarded 1923
CARLO MIRABELLO 21.12.1915 2000t Mined 21.5.41 ZEFFIRO 14.5.1904 380t Discarded 1924
AUGUSTO RIBOTY 24.9.1916 2000t BU 1951 Soldato class (reclassified as torpedo-boats 1921)
Aquila class ARTIGLIERE 18.1.1907 405t Discarded 1923
AQUILA 26.7.1916 1705t To Spain as BERSAGLIERE 2.10.1906 405t Discarded 1923
Mehlla 1939 CORAZZIERE 11.12.1909 405t Discarded 1928
FALCO 16.8.1919 1730t To Spain as GRANATIERE 27.10.1906 405t Discarded 1927
Ceuta 1939 LANCIERE 28.2.1907 405t Discarded 1923
Leone class ALPINO 27.11.1909 417t Discarded 1928
LEONE 1.10.1923 2300t Wrecked 1.4.41 CARIBINIERE 12.10.1909 417t Discarded 1925
PANTERA 18.10.1923 2300t Scuttled 4.4.41 FUCILIERE 21.8.1909 417t Discarded 1932
TIGRE 7.8.1923 2300t Scuttled 4.4.41 PONTIERE 3.1.1910 417t Discarded 1929
Ascaro class (reclassified as torpedo-boat 1921)
Mirabello class ASCARO 6.12.1912 407t Discarded 1930
Riboty had 6-20mm AA added and four of her 8- 102mm guns removed in Indomito class
1943. She was officially granted to Russia as a war reparation but was never IMPAVIDO 22.3.1913 758t Discarded 1937
transferred, being broken up in Italy. INDOMITO 10.5.1912 758t Discarded 1937
INSIDIOSO 30.9.1913 758t Sunk 5.11.44
IRREQUIETO 12.12.1931 758t Discarded 1937
Ardito class
ARDENTE 15.12.1912 778t Discarded 1937
ARDITO 20.10.1912 778t Discarded 1931
Animoso class (never reclassified)
ANIMOSO 13.7.1913 827t Discarded 1923
Pilo class
GIUSEPPE CESARE 25.5.1915 885t Discarded 1953
ABBA
GIUSEPPE DEZZA 26.10.1915 885t Scuttled 3.5.45
GIUSEPPE MISSORI 20.12.1915 885t Scuttled 3.5.45
ANTONIO MOSTO 20.5.1915 885t Discarded 1958
IPPOLITO NIEVO 24.7.1915 885t Discarded 1938
FRATELLI CAIROLI 12.11.1914 885t Mined 23.12.40
Leone class ROSOLINO PILO 24.3.1915 885t Discarded 1954
Ordered in 1917 but construction was delayed due to shortage of steel and SIMONE 11.9.1915 885t Mined 24.4.41
other materials. SCHIAFFINO

286
 The Italian Navy in 1922

Name Launched Sirtori class

Disp Fate
Acerbi was sunk in an air attack on Massawi and Giordano Orsini was scuttled
at the same place. Sirtori was damaged by German aircraft on 14.9.43 and
Audace class sunk at Corfu to avoid capture. Stocco was sunk by German aircraft off Corfu.
AUDACE 27.9.1916 1152t Sunk 1.11.44
Sirtori class La Masa class
GIOVANNI ACERBI 14.2.1917 837t Sunk Apr 1941 During the Second World War Carini and La Masa had their 76mm AA
VINCENZO 23.4.1917 837t Scuttled 8.4.41 guns, 3 of their 4-102mm guns and 2 TT removed and 8-20mmAA and a
GIORDANO ORSINI triple 533mm TT mounting added. The rest of the class had both 76mm guns
GIUSEPPE 24.11.1916 837t Scuttled 25.9.43 and 1 or 2 of the 102mm guns removed and 6-20mm A A added. A few also
SIRTORI had 2 of their 450mm TT removed. Farina is believed to have been mined in
FRANCESCO 5.6.1917 837t Sunk 24.9.43 the central Mediterranean. Media was sunk in an air attack on Catania har¬
STOCCO bour - the wreck was raised in 1952 and subsequently scrapped. Bassini was
La Masa class sunk in an air attack on Naples, and Cosenz was scuttled at Lagosta following
ANGELO BASSINI 28.3.1918 837t Sunk 28.5.43 damage received in an air attack earlier the same day. Masa was scuttled at
GIACINTO CARINI 7.11.1917 837t Discarded 31.12.58 Naples while under repair. Carini and Fabrizi were reclassified as minesweep¬
ENRICO COSENZ 6.6.1919 837t Scuttled 27.9.43 ers 1952-53.
NICOLA FABRIZI 8.7.1918 837t Discarded 1.2.57
GIUSEPPE 12.3.1919 837t Sunk 4.5.41 Palestro class
LA FARINA Reclassified as torpedo-boats 1938. During the war Martino and Solferino had
GIUSEPPE 6.9.1917 837t Scuttled 11.9.43 two of their 102mm and both 76mm guns removed and 6-20mm AA added.
LA MASA Ccmfienza was lost in collision with an AMC and Palestro was torpedoed by
GIACOMO MEDICI 6.9.1918 837t Sunk 16.4.43 the submarine Osiris. The remaining pair were captured by the Germans on
Palestro class Italy’s surrender and renamed TA17 and TA18 respectively. TA17 was lost in
CONFIENZA an air raid and TA18 was sunk by the destroyers Termagant and Tuscan.
18.12.1920 890t Sunk 20.11.40
PALESTRO 23.3.1919 890t Sunk 22.9.40 Generali class
SAN MARTINO 8.9.1920 890t Sunk 12.10.44 Three of the class were scutded at La Spezia on Italy’s surrender; Montanari
SOLFERINO 28.4.1920 890t Sunk 19.10.44 and Papa were salvaged by the Germans but not repaired. The former was
Generali class scutded again on 4.10.44 and the latter was used as a blockship at Oneglia.
GENERALE 23.4.1921 800t Mined 22.8.42
ANTONIO CANTORE
GENERALE 18.2.1922 800t Scuttled 9.9.43
ANTONINO CASCINO
GENERALE 7.8.1921 800t Mined 28.3.41
ANTONIO CHINOTTO
GENERALE 4.10.1922 800t Scutded 9.9.43
CARLO MONTANARI
GENERALE 24.12.1919 800t Scutded 9.9.43
ACHILLE PAPA
GENERALE 23.5.1921 800t Mined 31.1.43
MARCELLO PRESTINARI
Calatafimi as completed By courtesy of John Roberts
Curtatone class (reclassified as torpedo-boats 1938)
CALATAFIMI 17.3.1923 925t Sunk 9.8.44 Curtatone class
CASTELFIDARDO 4.6.1922 925t Sunk 2.6.44 During 1942-43 the 76mm AA guns and original TT were removed and
CURTATONE 17.3.1922 925t Mined 20.5.41 6-20mm AA guns and 2-533mm TT added. Castelfidardo and Calatafimi
MONZAMBANO 6.8.1923 925t Discarded 15.4.41 were captured by the Germans on 9.9.43, and later renamed TA16 and TA19.
Ex-German destroyers The former was sunk by aircraft off Heraklion and the latter by the Greek
PREMUDA (ex-V/76) 2.3.1918 2060t Discarded 1937 submarine Pipinos.
CESARE ROSSAROL 15.12.1914 1374t BU 1939
(ex-B97)
ARDIMENTOSO 25.5.1916 920t Discarded 1937
TORPEDO-BOATS
(ex-6'63) Name Launched Disp Fate
Ex-Austrian destroyers (transferred 1920) (full load)
ZENSON (ex-Balaton) 1912 837t Discarded 1923
MUGGIA (ex-Csepel) 1912 837t Foundered 15.3.29 Saffo class
POLA (ex-Orjen) 1913 837t Renamed Zenson SAGITTARIO 31.5.1905 2 lOt Discarded 1923
1931. Discarded SIRIO 13.5.1905 2 lOt Discarded 1923
1937 SPICA* 15.7.1905 2 lOt Discarded 1923
FASANO (ex-Tatra) 1912 837t Discarded 1923 Pegaso class
GRADO (ex-Triglav) 1917 837t Discarded 1937 PALLADE 1.6.1906 207t Discarded 1923
MONFALCONE 1917 866t Discarded 1939 PEGASO 12.8.1905 207t Discarded 1923
(ex-Uszok) PROCIONE* 16.12.1905 207t Discarded 1924
CORTELLAZZO 1917 866t Discarded 1939 CALIPSO 26.4.1909 207t Discarded 1927
(ex-Lika) CALLIOPE 27.8.1906 213t Discarded 1924
CANOPO 28.2.1907 213t Discarded 1923
Indomito class CASSIOPEA* 5.7.1906 213t Discarded 1927
Insidioso was discarded in 1938 but brought back into naval service after the CIGNO 9.5.1906 213t Discarded 1923
outbreak of war. In 1941 she was refitted and re-armed with l-102mm/45, CLIMENE* 15.5.1909 213t Discarded 1926
4-20mmAA and 2-13.2mm MG and variously employed as an AS target for CLIO 26.11.1906 213t Discarded 1927
training and as an escort vessel. She was captured by the Germans in 1943 AIRONE* 13.5.1907 213t Discarded 1923
and renamed TA21; she was sunk by an aerial torpedo. ALBATROS 22.1.1907 213t Discarded 1923
ALCIONE* 23.9.1906 213t Discarded 1923
Pilo class ARDEA 10.1.1907 213t Discarded 1923
Apart from Nievo and early war losses, alterations included the removal of ARPIA* 22.8.1907 213t Discarded 1923
half the TT, 3 of the 5-102mm guns and the fitting of 6-20mm AA. Cairoli ASTORE 22.6.1907 213t Discarded 1923
was sunk off Libya and Schiaffino off Cape Bon. Dezza was scuttled at Fiume Orione class
on 16.9.43 but was refloated and repaired by the Germans as TA3S. She was ORFEO 23.4.1907 217t Discarded 1923
mined off Pola on 17.8.44 but was again refloated. Missori was also captured ORIONE 29.3.1906 217t Discarded 1923
in 1943 being renamed TA22. Mosto and Cesare Abba were reclassified as
minesweepers in 1953. * Fitted for minesweeping 1917-18

Audace
Employed as control vessel for target ship San Marco 1937—40 and had her
TT removed. In 1942 all but 2 of her 102mm guns and both 40mm A A were
removed and 6-20mm AA added. She was captured by the Germans at Ven¬
ice on 12.9.43 and renamed TA20. She was sunk by the escort destroyers
Avon Vale and "Wheatland off Zara.
There were also the coastal torpedo boats 1PN-4PN, 6PN-12PN,
33PN-35PN, 37PN and 38PN (launched 1911-13, 136t full load, dis¬
carded 1925-32); 130S-160S and 180S-240S (1911-12, 132t, discarded
1925-30); 2SAS-31AS (1912-13, 136t, discarded 1923-32); 32AS (1913,
140t, discarded 1923); 39RM (1915, 156t, discarded 1923); 40PN-45PN
(1916, 165t, discarded 1927-32); 460S-510S (1916, 154t, discarded

287
ITALY
1931-32); 52AS-57AS (1916, 154t, discarded 1932-34); 580L-630L (1916, GUNBOATS
154t, discarded 1931-32); and 64PN, 6SPN, 67PN and 69PN-71PN
(1917-18, 154t, discarded 1929-32). The ex-Austrian Francesco Rismondo Name Launched Disp Fate
(launched 1910, 108t, captured 1917) was disarmed in 1920 and employed
BRONDOLO 4.12.1909 115t Discarded 1934
in subsidiary duties before being finally discarded in 1925.
SEBASTIANO 20.7.1912 863t Scuttled 12.9.43
CABOTO
ERMANNO 9.6.1918 215t Scuttled 9.9.43
CARLOTTO
SUBMARINES (SEA-GOING) Ex-Austrian gunboat
MARECHIARO 1904 1200t Renamed Aurora
Name Launched Disp Fate
(ex-Taurus) 1927.
(surface) Sunk 11.9.1943
Provana class
AGOSTINO 18.11.1917 750t Discarded 1.5.28 Sebastiano Caboto was salvaged by the Germans but later bombed and sunk
BARBARIGO off Rhodes by British aircraft. The river gunboat Carlotto, scuttled at Shan-
GIACOMO NANI 8.9.1918 750t Discarded 1.8.35 ghai, was raised by the Japanese and commissioned as Narumi. In 1945 she
ANDREA PROVANA 27.1.1918 750t Discarded 21.1.28 was transferred to China and renamed Kiang Kun. Marechiaro was sunk by
SEBASTIANO 7.7.1918 750t Lost 6.8.25 German S-boats off Ancona. She served as an Admiralty yacht.
VENIERO

ESCORT GUNBOATS
SUBMARINES (OCEAN-GOING) Name Launched Disp Fate
Name Launched Disp Fate ALESSANDRO 1922 206t Discarded 1939
(surface) VITTURI
ERNESTO 11.3.1922 206t Discarded 1950
Micca class GIOVANNINI
ANGELO EMO 23.2.1919 825t Discarded 1.10.30 ANDREA BAFILE 1922 206t Discarded 1939
LUIGI GALVANI 26.1.1918 825t Discarded 1.1.38 TOLOSETTO 1922 206t Discarded 1939
LORENZO 29.9.1918 825t Discarded 21.1.28 FARINATI
MARCELLO CARLO 1922 206t Discarded 1939
PIETRO MICCA 3.6.1917 825t Discarded 2.6.30 DEL GRECO
LAZZARO 26.7.1919 825t Discarded 10.4.37 EMANUELE RUSSO 1922 206t Lost 29.3.23
MOCENIGO
TORRICELLI 16.1.1918 825t Discarded 1.10.30 Russo sank at Naples after a fire.

MINESWEEPERS
SUBMARINES (COASTAL)
Name Launched Disp Fate
Name Launched Disp Fate
RD4 27.2.1916 193t Sunk 29.1.43
(surface)
RD6 26.10.1916 193t To Yugoslavia
ARGONAUTA 5.7.1914 250t Discarded 29.3.28 19.8.47
‘F’ class RD7 28.9.1916 212t Sunk 15.6.42
FI 2.4.1916 260t Discarded 2.6.30 RD9 2.2.1917 212t Captured 9.9.43
F2 4.6.1916 260t Discarded 1.2.29 RD11 31.5.1917 212t Wrecked 1931
F5 12.8.1916 260t Discarded 20.7.29 RD12 2.7.1917 212t Sunk 2.5.1943
F6 4.3.1917 260t Discarded 1.8.35 RD13 2.7.1917 193t Scuttled 9.9.43
F7 23.12.1916 260t Discarded 1.2.29 RD16 29.3.1917 198t To Yugoslavia
F9 24.9.1916 260t Discarded 1.8.28 1948
F10 19.10.1916 260t Discarded 2.6.30 RD17 22.4.1917 198t Captured 9.9.43
F12 30.11.1916 260t Discarded 20.7.29 RD18 17.5.1917 198t Sunk 5.5.43
F13 20.5.1917 260t Discarded 1.8.35 RD20 14.7.1917 198t Sunk 11.4.43
F14 23.1.1917 260t Lost 6.8.28 RD21 26.11.1917 198t To Yugoslavia
F15 27.5.1917 260t Discarded 28.5.29 1948
F16 19.3.1917 260t Discarded 1.5.28 RD22 31.12.1917 198t Sunk 25.10.43
F17 3.6.1917 260t Discarded 1.11.29 RD23 21.1.1918 198t Sunk 5.5.43
F18 15.5.1917 260t Discarded 1.10.30 RD24 4.3.1918 198t Capsized
F19 10.3.1918 260t Discarded 2.6.30 18.2.43
F20 17.3.1918 260t Discarded 1.7.35 RD25 4.4.1918 198t To Yugoslavia
F21 19.5.1918 260t Discarded 1.10.30 1948
RD26 15.5.1918 198t Captured
‘N’ class
Sept 1943
N1 6.9.1917 270t Discarded 1.10.30
RD27 16.9.1918 197t To Yugoslavia
N2 26.1.1918 270t Discarded 1.5.28
1948
N3 27.4.1918 270t Discarded 1.8.35 RD28 18.7.1918 197t To Yugoslavia
N4 6.10.1918 270t Discarded 1.8.35
1948
N5 18.11.1917 270t Discarded 10.7.29
RD29 28.8.1918 197t To Yugoslavia
N6 20.9.1918 270t Discarded 1.8.35
1948
‘H’ class RD30 22.10.1918 197t Sunk 26.12.42
16.10.1916 355t RD31 30.12.1917 179t Sunk 20.1.43
HI Discarded 23.3.47
19.10.1916 355t RD32 8.2.1919 179t Discarded 1956
H2 Discarded 23.3.47
H3 26.4.1917 355t RD33 20.3.1919 179t Capsized 22.1.43
Discarded 10.4.37
RD34 12.5.1919 179t Discarded 1965
H4 17.4.1917 355t Discarded 23.3.47
H6 23.4.1917 355t RD35 17.7.1919 179t Captured 13.9.43
Scuttled cl944
24.5.1917 RD36 11.8.1919 179t Sunk 20.1.43
H7 355t Discarded 1.10.30
H8 24.5.1917 RD37 2.10.1919 179t Sunk 20.1.43
355t Sunk 5.6.43
RD38 28.8.1919 198t Sunk 18.5.43
‘X’ class RD39 27.7.1919 200t Sunk 20.1.43
X2 25.4.1917 397t Laid up 16.9.40 RD40 16.10.1919 200t Discarded 1955
X3 29.12.1917 397t Laid up 16.9.40 RD41 12.12.1919 200t Discarded 1953
RD42 5.2.1920 200t Sunk 5.5.43
‘H’ class RD43 12.4.1920 200t Capsized 22.1.43
H6 was captured by the Germans on 14.9.43. H8 was sunk in an air raid at RD44 6.6.1920 200t Sunk 5.5.43
La Spezia but was salvaged and employed for battery charging. RD46 29.5.1920 209t Discarded 1923

288
 The Italian Navy in 1922/Capital ships

Name Launched Disp Fate MONITOR

RD47 30.8.1920 209t Discarded 1923 Name Launched Disp Fate
RD48 21.1.1921 209t Discarded 1923
RD49 24.11.1921 209t Captured 9.9.43 FAA DI BRUNO 30.1.1916 2809t Discarded 1924
RD51 9.10.1919 315t Discarded 1922
RD55 16.2.1923 209t Sunk 25.5.43 Re-designated GM194 after being stricken, Di Bruno survived until the Sec¬
RD56 14.3.1923 209t Sunk 9.1.43 ond World War and was used as a harbour defence vessel at Genoa
RD57 6.3.1923 209t Sunk 5.5.43 1940-43.
Ex-German minesweepers
METEO (ex-M119) 22.6.1918 517t Renamed Vieste MAS-BOATS
1927, BU 1945 These comprised MASl (launched 1915, 12.3t, discarded 1928); MAS2
ABASTRO (ex-M120) 24.7.1918 517t Renamed Cotrone (1915, 12.3t, discarded 1922); MAS4, 5, 8, 9, 11-13, 15, 16 (ex-22), 17 and
1927 (later 19-21 (1916-17, 15.75t, discarded 1922-27 except MAS15 which was pre¬
Crotone), sunk served as museum exhibit); MAS23, 24, 26, 29-31,34-41,44-48 and 50-52
Sept 1941 (1916-17, 11.6t, discarded 1922-29 except MAS34 which foundered
27.4.25); MAS53-57 (1917, 11.2t, discarded 1926-29); MAS58, 59, 61 and
RD4, RD12, RD18, RD25, RD36, RD37 , RD42 and RD43 were under the 62 (1917, 12.3t, discarded 1922-26); MAS63-66 , 70-75 , 78 , 81-87, 89 (ex-
control of the Coast Guard. RD6, RD16, RD21, RD25 and RD27-29 were 88) and 90 (1917-18, 4It, discarded 1922-29 except MAS66 which was
transferred to Yugoslavia as war reparations. RD7 was torpedoed by a sub¬ wrecked 19.9.23); MAS92 (1917, 11.3t, discarded 1934); MAS94 (1917,
marine and RD9 and RD17 were seized by the Germans at Piraeus; RD26, 11.3t, discarded 1937); MAS95 (1917, 11.3t, discarded 1929); MAS96
RD35 and RD49 were also taken by the Germans, the last being scuttled by (1917, 11.3t, preserved); MAS103, 104(ex-109), 108 and 110-114 (1918,
them in 1945. RD12 was sunk by aircraft off Cape Bon; RD18, RD20, 4It, discarded 1922-29 except MAS108 sunk 18.11.25); MAS115-124,
RD30, RD42, RD44 and RDS5-57 were also sunk by aircraft. RD31, 126-133 and 136-139 (1918, 18.7t, discarded 1922-28 except MAS133 sunk
RD36, RD37 and RD39 were sunk off Zara by the British destroyers Kel¬ 1.6.27); MAS 141-143 and 145-157 (1917-18, 11.8t, discarded 1922-34
vin and Javelin. except MAS151 wrecked 27.5.27 and MAS152 foundered 27.6.22);
MAS158-165 (1918-19, 12t discarded 1925-29); MAS168-17S (1917-18,
12t, discarded 1922-25); MAS176-200 (1918, 12t, discarded 1922-38);
MAS201 and 202 (1917-18, 11.8t, discarded 1922); MAS203 (1917, 12t,
discarded 1922); MAS204-217 (1918, 13t, discarded 1922 except MAS212
discarded 1939, MAS208 sunk 1934 raised and discarded, MAS204 , 206,
210, 213 and 216 scuttled at Massawa 8.4.41); MAS218, 219, 222-225 and
228-230 (1918-19, 12t, discarded 1926-37 except MAS223 sold to Spain
MINELAYERS 1937); MAS233-239 and 241-252 (1918-19, 19t, discarded 1922-29);
Name Launched
MAS253, 255-258, 260, 262-263, 265-267, 269-272, 274-285, 287-295 and
Disp Fate
297-320 (1918, 41t, discarded 1922-29 except MAS262 sunk 28.9.27 raised
BRONDOLO 4.12.1909 115t Discarded 1934 and discarded and MAS265 destroyed by petrol explosion 14.9.27);
MARGHERA 29.3.1909 lilt Discarded 1934 MAS303, 305-307, 309, 311, 312, 314-316 and 296 (ex-310) (1918, 43t,
Ex-Austrian minelayers discarded 1922-29); MAS318 (1914-17, 19.6t, discarded 1926); MAS319
ALBONA (ex-MT130) 20.7.1918 128t Discarded postwar and 320 (1919, 12t, discarded 1928 and 1931); MAS325 and 326 (1918, 12t,
LAURANA (ex-MT131) 24.8.1918 128t Sunk 20.2.45 discarded 1926 and 1929); MAS327-334, 344, 346-347, 352-357, 368-372
ROVIGNO (ex-MT132) 28.9.1918 128t Discarded postwar and 374 (1918-20, 43t, discarded 1922-29 except MAS332 sunk 23.3.29
later raised and discarded and MAS354 lost by fire 19.5.25); MAS377, 381,
Initially classed as minesweepers and numbered RD58, RDS9 and RD60 383-393 , 395 and 396 (1918-19, 42t, discarded 1922-29); MAS397^100
until 1921, all three ex-Austrian vessels served operationally in World War (1918-24, 29.6t, discarded 1935); MAS401^10 (1918-24, 28t, discarded
II. 1928); and MAS415-422 (1918-24, 19t, discarded 1927-38).

CAPITAL SHIPS

Design work on these ships began in

1930 under the direction of Umberto LITTORIO class
Pugliese. They were the first capital
Displacement: 40,724t (Veneto 40,517t, Roma 40,992t) standard; 45,236t (Veneto 45,029t, Roma 45,485t) full load
ships to be built by Italy since the
First World War and the first battle¬ Dimensions: 735ft pp, 780ft (Roma, Impero 789ft 6in) oa x 107ft Sin x 31ft 5in mean at standard load
224.05, 237.76(240.68) x 32.82 x 9.60m
ships to be laid down by a major naval
power since 1922.They contained Machinery: 4-shaft Belluzo geared turbines, 8 Yarrow boilers, 128,200hp = 30kts. Oil 4140t
many novel features, initiated the Armour: Belt 280mm + 70mm, bulkheads 210mm-70mm, decks 162mm-45mm, funnel uptakes 105mm,
prewar development of the fast battle¬ barbettes 350mm-280mm, turrets 350mm-200mm, secondary turrets 280mm-70mm, CT
260mm-60mm
ship, and were primarily intended as
an answer to the French Strasbourg Armament: 381mm/50 Mod 34 (3x3), 12-152mm/55 Mod 34/35 (4x3), 4-120mm/40 Mod 91/92 (4x1),
12-90mm/50 Mod 38/39 AA (12x1), 20-37mm/54 AA (8x2, 4x1), 16-20mm/65 AA (8x2)
class. Although the initial intention
may have been to keep to the existing Complement: 1830-1950
international limit of 35,000t it can
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
safely be assumed that by 1934, when
Littorio and Vittorio Veneto were IMPERO Ansaldo, Genoa 14.5.1938 15.11.39 - BU incomplete
authorised, the designed displace¬ 1948-50
ment was at least 40,000t as even at LITTORIO Ansaldo, Genoa 28.10.1934 22.8.37 6.5.40 BU 1948-55
this figure the completed ships can be ROMA CRDA, Trieste 18.9.1938 9.6.40 14.6.42 Sunk 9.9.43
seen to be substantially overweight. VITTORIO VENETO CRDA, Trieste 28.10.1934 22.7.37 28.4.40 BU 1948-51
In contrast, the main armament was
restricted to 381mm calibre, instead ordnance manufacturing plant. To 885kg AP shell at 2800fs, giving a weighed 1560t and magazine stowage
of the 406mm allowed by treaty, due compensate for this a long, 50cal, high maximum range of 46,800yds at 35° was provided for 74rpg (55 AP, 19
to the limitations of existing Italian velocity design was adopted, firing a elevation. The 381mm triple turrets HE). The 152mm/55 secondary guns

289
 * .
ITALY
were carried in triple mountings
weighing 133t and providing 45° max¬
imum elevadon. The 120mm guns
were old Armstrong weapons carried
for firing starshell but the AA guns,
like the main and secondary, were all
of new design.
The side armour, designed to
defeat 15in AP at 17,500yds and
beyond, was sloped at 11° and layered
from outboard as follows: 70mm hard
faced steel to decap AP shells/250mm
gap/280mm KC armoured belt/50mm
wood backing/25mm skin
plating/140cm gap/36mm splinter
screen; a second, lin, splinter screen
was positioned further inboard but
sloped in the opposite direction where
it also served to deflect projectiles
from above. The belt was 12ft 4in
high, of which 5ft was below the load
waterline, and closed by 70mm bulk¬
heads fore and aft, beyond which was
a waterline belt of 60mm forward and
125mm aft. The magazines were pro¬
tected by a 162mm armoured main
deck and 210mm-100mm bulkheads
while, between these, the main deck
over the machinery reduced to 110mm
and, at the sides over the wing com¬
partments, to 90mm. A 45mm fore¬
castle, and 70mm side above the belt,
served to provide fuze initiation and
decapping of bombs and shells. Aft,
the steering and one of the auxiliary
machinery rooms were protected by a
105mm lower deck, 210mm after
bulkhead and 100mm forward bulk¬
head, the latter forming the lower sec¬
tion of the 70mm after bulkhead of the
citadel. The 381mm barbettes were
350mm thick above the forecastle and
280mm below while the turrets had
350mm faces and 200mm sides and
roofs. The secondary turrets were
exceptionally well protected with
350mm faces, 130mm-75mm sides,
150mm roofs and 150mm-100mm
barbettes. The central bridge tower
was protected from main deck to
director with 50mm to 130mm plates
and had a central communication tube
of 200mm-160mm thickness. The
underwater protection system,
developed by Pugliese, was particu¬
larly original; from the base of the belt
AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
The passenger liner Roma (32,583t
gross, launched 1926) was taken over
on Italy’s entry into the war for con¬
version into an auxiliary aircraft car¬
rier but in January 1941 it was decided
to carry out a much more extensive
rebuilding which resulted in the pro¬
duction of a first class carrier showing
little resemblance to her mercantile
origin. She was taken in hand in July
1941 and work began in November.
The superstructure was removed and
the internal structure rebuilt, to
accommodate new machinery and
improve sub-division. The bow was
lengthened to provide a better hull
form and bulges added for torpedo
protection and improved stability.
Protection was limited to a 600mm
thick reinforced concrete cladding to
the hull side, within the bulges, and
80mm plating on the ammunition and
290
m' L .
. ;r-
r --
- . ; :*r~ r* ■ - ‘ —- r.
___
' r '2zZ ?•%-: .•- ; ?- ' ^S^£r-' SjSS
’
Vittorio Veneto on trials, 1940
a 40mm torpedo bulkhead extended
inboard before curving downward to
meet the outer bottom. Within the
space formed by this bulkhead and
the void double bottom was a liquid-
filled compartment containing a void
longitudinal drum of 380cm diameter
with 6mm walls. In the event of a
torpedo hit the drum was designed to
collapse, absorbing the majority of the
force of detonation, while the curved
torpedo bulkhead arrested the
remaining blast and splinters. This
system, designed to resist 7721b
TNT, is said not to have performed as
well as expected due to insufficient
care in the construction of the com¬
partments. As defence against explo¬
sions under the hull the area between
the wing compartments was protected
by a Ferrati triple bottom with outer
liquid and inner void spaces.
The turbines were divided between
two engine rooms separated by four
boiler rooms, the after turbines driv¬
ing the centre and the forward tur¬
bines the wing shafts. Endurance was
4700nm at 14kts. Six turbo and 3
diesel generators provided a total
power output of 4050kW. On trials
Littorio made 137,649hp = 31.3kts at
41,122t and Veneto 132,771hp =
31.4kts at 41,472t; their maximum
continuous sea speed was 28kts. To
improve the speed they were designed
with bulbous bows, but these were
found to cause vibration and wetness
AQUILA
Displacement: 23,130t standard; 28,350t full load
Dimensions: 680ft pp, 759ft 2in oa x 96ft 7in x 24ft mean; flight deck 709ft 7in x 83ft
207.30, 211.60 x 29.40 x 7.31; 216.20 x 25.30m
Machinery: 4-shaft Belluzzo geared turbines, 8 Thornycroft boilers 151,000hp = 30kts. Oil 3600t
Armament: 8-135mm/45 (8x 1), 12-65mm/64 AA (12x 1), 132-20mm/65 (22x6), 51 aircraft
Complement: 1165 + 243 air personnel
Name Conversion
AQUILA (ex-Roma) 1941-43
aviation fuel compartments. The
machinery, originally ordered for the
cruisers Paolo Emilio and Comelio
Silla of the ‘Capitani Romani’ class,
was arranged in four compartments
each containing two boilers and one
set of turbines and separated into two
equal groups by a midship compart¬
; >*.
_ - *-
and the bow was modified and length¬
ened 6ft to reduce these problems.
In the second pair, Impero and
Roma (provided under the 1938 Prog¬
ramme), the sheer forward was
increased adding 6ft to the freeboard
at the stem and further increasing the
length. A 68ft catapult was mounted
on the quarterdeck and 3 reconnais¬
sance aircraft could be carried; in
1942 some of these were replaced by
fighters. War modifications included
the addition of 12-20mm/65 (6x2) in
Littorio and Roma (in the latter case
before completion) and 16-20mm/65
(8x2) in Veneto. Littorio was the first
Italian battleship fitted with radar,
receiving a Gufo EC3 in September
1941; it was later replaced by an
improved version and eventually
became fully operational at the end of
1942. Veneto and Roma were fitted
with Gufo, and Littorio received a sec¬
ond set, in 1943.
Littorio was hit by 3 torpedoes at
Taranto on 11 November 1940, two
on the starboard side forward and one
on the port side aft; she was under
repair until April 1941. She subse¬
quently received minor damage in the
Battle of Sirte in March 1942 and in
air attacks in June 1942 and April
1943. On 30 July 1943, 5 days after
the overthrow of Mussolini, she was
renamed Italia. Veneto was hit by an
aerial torpedo, on the port side abaft
‘Y’ turret, during the Battle of Mata-
Yard
Ansaldo, Genoa
ment. Armament was originally to
have been 8-152mm/55, 12-90mm/
50 AA and 104-37mm/54 AA guns
but this was later revised to that given
above. The 135mm guns were origi¬
nally ordered for ships of the ‘Capitani
Romani’ class. The hangar was 160m
x 18m and could accommodate 26 Re
■ ■*- S~ ~- 7.
■ v*a£%5j^
.'
• - ** L~L~ >-*— '■ ■ *S,T ShTii?-
Italian Navy
pan in March 1941, and was under
repair until August 1941. Two
months later she was torpedoed by the
submarine Urge, on the port side
abreast ‘Y’ turret, and was again out
of action until March 1942. Veneto
and Roma received minor bomb dam¬
age during air raids on La Spezia in
June 1943. While on route to Malta to
surrender on 9 September 1943, Italia
and Roma were hit by German glider
bombs. Roma was hit twice, the first
bomb striking amidships, passing
through the ship and exploding under
the bottom, and the second hitting
abreast the bridge and detonating the
forward magazines with the result
that the ship broke in two and sank. In
Italia a single bomb passed through
the deck and side and exploded in the
sea, causing heavy damage to the hull
forward of‘A’ turret. The incomplete
Impero was captured by the Germans
and used as a target but was sunk in an
air attack on 20 February 1945. She
was raised in 1947 and towed to Ven¬
ice for scrapping. The surviving pair
returned to Italy in 1946 but in 1947
were assigned, as war reparations, to
the USA (Italia) and UK (Veneto) who
ordered their scrapping. A consider¬
able amount of disarming and equip¬
ment stripping took place before the
ships began breaking up proper in the
early 1950s.
Fate
Scuttled Apr 1945
2001 aircraft although this number
could be increased by suspending a
further 15 from the hangar roof and
parking 10 on the flight deck. A
folding-wing version of the Re 2001
was under development which would
have further increased the aircraft
stowage to 66. The flight deck had
two catapults (of German type) for¬
ward and two lifts (abreast the fore
and aft ends of the island superstruc¬
ture). At the time of Italy’s surrender
Aquila, which had been renamed in
February 1942, was virtually com¬
plete but was sabotaged to prevent her
use by the Germans who seized the
vessel shortly afterwards. She was
damaged in an air raid on 16.6.44 and
by ‘Chariots’ on 19.4.45 and was then
scuttled by the Germans at Genoa.
She was salvaged in 1946, towed to La
Spezia and, after some discussion on
rebuilding her, scrapped 1951-52.

Aquila laid up at Genoa, 1945

The passenger liner Augustus (1927,

30,418t gross, diesel engines,
28,000bhp = 18kts) was taken over in
1942 for conversion into an auxiliary
aircraft carrier. The proposed altera¬
tions were not extensive being limited
to removing the superstructure and
adding a hangar, flight deck and
bulges (abreast the machinery). No
superstructure was to be fitted above
SPARVIERO (ex-Falco, ex-Augustus)
the flight deck which would extend
from the stem to about 18m forward
of the stern. Intended armament was
6-152mm (6x1), 4—102mm (4x1)
and light A A weapons. She was ini¬
tially renamed Falco but this was later
altered to Sparviero. Apart from the
removal of the superstructure little
work was done on the ship before she
was seized by the Germans in Sep¬
tember 1943. She was scuttled
5.10.44.

CRUISERS
m , _ . _ ( " -Oil-

Thes6, the first of Italy’s 8in gun

‘treaty’ cruisers, were provided under TRENTO class
the 1924—25 Programme. They were
Displacement: 10,344t (Trieste 10,339t) standard; 13,334t (Trieste 13,326t) full load
designed to the 10,000t treaty limit
but exceeded this figure on comple¬ Dimensions: 623ft 4in pp, 646ft 2in oa x 67ft 7in X 22ft 4in mean deep
tion due no doubt to the difficulties of
190.00,196.96 x 20.60 x 6.80m
keeping weights strictly to the design Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 12 Yarrow boilers, 150,000hp = 36kts. Oil 2214t
figure during construction. Designed Armour: Belt 70mm, bulkheads 60mnwf0mm, decks 50mm-20mm, barbettes 70mm-60mm, turrets 100mm,
for very high speed at the expense of CT 100mm-40mm, communciation tube 70mm-60mm
protection, they were among the fas¬ Armament: 8-203mm/50 Mod 24 (4x2), 16-100mm/47 AA (8x2), 4—40mm/39 AA (4x1), 4—12.7mm MG,
test of the first generation 10,000t 8-533mm TT aw (4x2)
cruisers and were initially classified as Complement: 723 (as built); 781 (war)
light cruisers although they were later
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
redesignated heavy cruisers to distin¬
guish them from the ‘Condottieri’ 6in TRENTO OTO, Leghorn 8.2.1925 4.10.27 3.4.29 Sunk 15.6.42
gun vessels. Protection to the hull TRIESTE STT 22.6.1925 24.10.26 21.12.28 Sunk 10.4.43
consisted of a box citadel extending
from 26ft 3in (8m) forward of ‘A’ tur¬
ret to 16ft 6in (5m) abaft ‘Y’ turret, power at normal loading was stiffening was subsequendy fitted. tion, giving a maximum range of
with 70mm sides closed at the top by a 120,000hp, which would be sufficient Maximum sea speed was 3 lkts and 30,000yds, and fired a 113kg shell at 3
50mm deck and at the ends by 60mm for about 34kts. On 8-hour full-power endurance, at 16kts, 4160nm. rounds per minute. The turrets were
upper and 50mm (forward) and trials Trento achieved 35.6kts at A fixed aircraft catapult was fitted reported to be poorly arranged and
40mm (aft) lower bulkheads. There 313rpm with 146,975hp on ll,027t on the centreline forward and a han¬ some alterations were later made to
was no protection forward but aft the and Trieste 35.65kts at 295rpm with gar (for 2 aircraft) provided under the improve the rate of fire. The
lower deck was 20mm on flat and 142,761hp on ll,145t. Trials revealed forecastle forward of ‘A’ turret; 3 air¬ 100mm/47 were old, 1910 model,
30mm on slope. The barbettes and excessive vibration in the tripod mast craft could be carried. The 203mm/50 Austrian guns fitted in new DP
communication tube were 70mm and control tops and some additional guns were provided with 45° eleva¬ mountings providing 85° max eleva-
above and 60mm below the upper
deck. The CT had 100mm walls,
40mm floor and 50mm roof and was
surmounted by a director with 80mm
walls and a 60mm roof.
The machinery was given a unit
arrangement with 8 boilers forward in
two boiler rooms, then the forward
engine room driving the wing shafts,
then the after boiler room with 4 boil¬
ers and finally the after engine room
driving the centre shafts. Designed

Trento as completed
ITALY
tion. They were used on a large
number of Italian ships and were sub¬
sequently augmented and replaced by
new 100mm/47 Mod 31 guns of the
same general design. The two after¬
most 100mm/47 mounts (2x2) and
the 12.7mm MG were removed
1937-38 and replaced by 8-37mm/54
AA (4x2) and 8-13.2mm MG (4x2).
Trento had 4—20mm/65 AA (4x1)
added in 1942 and Trieste 8-20mm/65
(8x1) by 1943. Funnel caps were also
added to both ships.
Both vessels took part in the Battle
of Matapan in March 1941 and Trento
saw action at Calabria in July 1940 and
in the Second Battle of Sirte in March
1942. Trento was torpedoed and sunk
by HM submarine Umbra during the
Malta convoy operations of June
1942. Trieste was torpedoed and badly
damaged by HM submarine Utmost
while covering a convoy in November
1942 but was able to reach Messina.
She was sunk in an air raid on La
Maddalena, Sardinia.

Designed to meet a desire for better

balanced vessels than the Trento class, ZARA class
the Zara class sacrificed high speed
Displacement: ll,680t (Fiume 11,326t, Gorizia ll,712t, Pola ll,545t) standard; 14,300t (Fiume 13,944t, Gorizia
for greatly improved protection. Orig¬
14,330t, Pola 14,133t) full load
inal requirements were for a 200mm
Dimensions: 547ft 5in wl, 557ft 2in oa x 62ft lOin x 21ft 1 lin mean at full load
belt, good deck protection, a speed of
179.60, 182.80 x 20.62 x 7.20m
32kts and, of course, 8-8in guns. It
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 8 Thornycroft (Fiume Yarrow) boilers, 95,000hp = 32kts. Oil 2362t
was soon realised that these could not
(Gorizia 2313t, Pola 2283t)
be provided within the existing
Armour: Belt 150mm-100mm, bulkheads 120mm-90mm, decks 70mm-20mm, barbettes 150mm-120mm,
10,000t limit and it was decided that a
turrets 150mm-120mm, CT 150mm-70mm, communication tube 120mm-100mm
higher displacement would have to be
accepted. Some attempt was, how¬
Armament: 8-203mm/53 Mod 29(4x2), 16-100mm/47AA (8x2), 4 to6-40mm AA (4-6x 1), 8-13.2mm AA (4x2)
ever, made to limit the excess by Complement: 841 (as built)
reducing the requirement for side
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
protection to 150mm, omitting TT,
reducing the superstructure and FIUME STT 29.4.1929 27.4.30 23.11.31 Sunk 29.3.41
abandoning the flush deck of Trento GORIZIA OTO, Leghorn 17.3.1930 28.12.30 23.12.32 Sunk 26.6.44
for a short forecastle and stepped hull POLA OTO, Leghorn 17.3.1931 5.12.31 21.12.32 Sunk 29.3.41
design. It was also decided to utilise ZARA OTO, Muggiano 4.7.1929 27.4.30 20.10.31 Sunk 29.3.41
the two-shaft, lightweight machinery
plant of the ‘Condottieri’ type light
cruisers, which weighed only 1400t to port, Nos 3 and 4 boiler rooms (2 96,274hp at 263rpm on 1 l,005t. Max¬ MG (4x2) fitted. During 1940
compared with the Trento’s 2330t. boilers each), after engine room with imum sea speed was 29kts. Pola dif¬ 2-120mm/15 guns (2x1) were
Despite these efforts the designed turbine to port and auxiliaries and No fered from the other units of the class mounted abreast the conning tower
displacement was still 1500t above the 5 boiler room (1 boiler) to starboard. in having an enlarged bridge struc¬ for use as starshell weapons, but these
limit. Zara and Fiume were provided Normal machinery power was ture, which extended aft and faired were replaced in Gorizia by
under the 1928-29 Programme, 76,000hp with designed overload to into the forefunnel, and no ‘flutes’ in 4—37mm/54 AA (2x2) in 1942. In
Gorizia under the 1929-30 Pro¬ 95,000hp for 32kts at 270rpm. On the forecastle side plating. The 1943 Gorizia had her 13.2mm MGs
gramme and Pola under the 1930-31 contractors trials, run at an average of 203mm Mod 29 guns fired a 125kg removed and 14—20mm/65 added
Programme. The ships were origi¬ 120,000hp (except Pola) on ll,000t shell at about 3| rounds per minute (6x2, 2x1). During the Battle of
nally classed as light cruisers, then displacement, speeds of 33kts (Fiume) and, with 45° elevation and a muzzle Matapan Pola was torpedoed by Brit¬
armoured cruisers (to distinguish to 35.2kts (Zara) were recorded. Pola velocity of 3080fs, had a maximum ish aircraft; Zara and Fiume were
them from the Trento class), and however was tried after the practice of range of 34,400yds. Shell stowage was detached to assist but, overtaken at
finally heavy cruisers. Citadel protect¬ excessive forcing was stopped and provided for 157rpg for the main night by the British Fleet, were sunk
ion consisted of a 150mm belt, taper¬ achieved 34.2kts with only armament. Aircraft arrangements by battleship gunfire and destroyer
ing to 100mm at the lower edge, 106,560hp. On official full power were similar to those in Trento, with a torpedoes while Pola was both scut¬
extending from the fore side of ‘A’ trials Zara achieved 33.87kts with fixed catapult forward and a hangar tled and torpedoed by destroyers.
barbette to the aft side of‘Y’ barbette, 97,900hp at 270rpm on ll,280t; for two aircraft beneath the forecastle. Gorizia was captured by the Germans
covered by a 70mm main deck and Fiume 32.17kts with 100,320hp at In the late 1930s the two after 100mm following the Italian surrender but
closed at the ends by 120mm (upper) 283rpm on ll,375t; Gorizia 33.9kts gun mountings, the 40mm and the was later sunk by Italian-manned
and 90mm (lower) bulkheads. Bar¬ with 106,060hp at 266rpm on 12.7mm guns were removed and ‘Chariots’ at La Spezia, the wreck
bettes were 150mm above the upper 10,865t; and Pola 33.7kts with being broken up in 1946.
deck and 140mm below and the com¬
munication tube 120mm above and
100mm below (‘B’ barbette 120mm
below upper deck, 140mm below A
forecastle deck). The conning tower
had 150mm walls, 70mm floor and
80mm roof and was surmounted by a
director with 120mm walls and a
95mm roof. Fuze initiation was pro¬
vided by a 20mm upper deck and
30mm sides above the belt and the
steering gear was protected by a
20mm lower deck and 30mm sides.
There was no protection forward. At
2700t the weight of protection was
three times that provided in the Trento
class.
The unit machinery was arranged,
from forward, as follows: No 1 boiler
room (2 boilers), forward engine room
with turbine to starboard and aux¬
iliaries and No 2 boiler room (1 boiler)

Fiume on 5.8.1933

By courtesy of John Roberts

292
 Cruisers

Ordered under the 1929-30 Pro¬

gramme, the Bolzano brought a BOLZANO
return to the high speed and light
Displacement: 10,890t standard; 13,665t full load
armour of the Trento class, with which
Dimensions: 615ft 6in pp, 646ft oa X 67ft 7in x 17ft 4in mean at full load
she is often included as a half-sister.
187.60, 196.90 x 20.60 x 6.80m
Basically she was a combination of the
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 10 boilers, 150,000hp = 36kts. Oil 2224t
Trento design (with improved com-
partmentation and stability), the Armour: Belt 70mm, bulkheads 60mm-50mm, decks 50mm-20mm, barbettes 70mm-60mm, turrets 100mm,
CT 100mm-40mm, communication tube 70mm-60mm
armament and the stepped hull of the
Zara class, and the superstructure of Armament: 8-203mm/53 Mod 29 (4x2), 16-100mm/47 AA (8x2), 4-M0mm/39 AA (4x 1), 8-13.2mm MG (4x2),
8-533mm TT aw (4x2)
Pola. Protection was the same as that
in Trento except that the citadel ter¬ Complement: 725 (as built)
minated at the forward edge of ‘A’
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
barbette. She had boilers of higher
power than Trento, which allowed for BOLZANO Ansaldo, Genoa 11.6.1930 31.8.32 19.8.33 Sunk 21.6.44
a reduction in their number, and the
machinery was arranged from for¬ placement of 10,847t. In the late submarines Triumph in 1941 and bridge structure and forward turrets
ward as follows: 6 boilers in 3 boiler 1930s the two aftermost twin Unbroken in 1942. Following the lat¬ and splitting the forefunnel to trunk-
rooms/forward engine room/4 boilers 100mm/47 gun mountings were ter she was taken in hand for repair at out at each side of the flight deck.
in 2 boiler rooms/after engine room. replaced by 4-37mm/54 (2x2), and in La Spezia and during 1942-43 pro¬ Nothing came of this proposal and on
In order to accommodate a revolving 1942 the 13.2mm guns were replaced posals were made for her conversion Italy’s surrender the ship was cap¬
aircraft catapult on the centreline by 4—20mm/65 AA (4x 1). She was hit into a cruiser-carrier with a flight tured by the Germans; she was sunk at
amidships, the uptakes from the after by three shells during the action off deck running from the after funnel to La Spezia by ‘Chariots’, launched
boilers were angled aft in order to Calabria and was torpedoed by the the bow. This entailed removing the from the Italian MTB MS74.
increase the distance between the
funnels. Electrical machinery, pro¬
viding a total output of 1080kW, was
the same as that provided in the Zara
class. On trials she made 36.81kts at
333rpm with 173,772hp on a dis-

Bolzano as completed

Alberico da Barbiano 1932

Provided under the 1927-28 Pro¬

gramme, these ships were Italy’s first
postwar light cruiser design. They 5110t (Barbiano 5155t, Colleoni 5170t, Bande Nere 5130t) standard; 6844t mean full load
Displacement
were built mainly to counter the large
Dimensions: 525ft pp, 555ft 5in oa x 50ft lOin x 17ft 9in mean at full load
French destroyers of the Jaguar, Lion 160.00, 169.30 x 15.50 x 5.30m
and Aigle classes, and were of the 2-shaft Belluzzo geared turbines, 6 Yarrow boilers, 95,000hp = 36.5kts. Oil 1230t
Machinery:
classic scout cruiser type intended to
Armour: Belt 24mm + 18mm, bulkheads 20mm, decks 20mm, turrets 23mm, CT 40mm-25mm, communica¬
overtake and destroy even the fastest
tion tube 30mm
destroyers. They did however, sac¬
Armament: 8-152mm/53 Mod 26 (4x2), 6-100mm/47 AA (3x2), 8-37mm/54 AA (4x2), 8-13.2mm AA (4x2),
rifice too much for their high speed,
4—533mm TT (2x2)
being given very light armour which
Complement 520
even their intended victims could eas¬
ily penetrate, although in theory they Laid down Launched Comp Fate
Name Builder
could have used the longer range of
their own guns to keep out of trouble. ALBERCIO DA BARBIANO Ansaldo, Genoa 16.4.1928 23.8.30 9.6.31 Sunk 13.12.41
They were also lightly built generally, AMBERTO DI GIUSSANO Ansaldo, Genoa 29.3.1928 27.4.30 5.2.31 Sunk 13.12.41
of short endurance, and very cramped BARTOLOMEO COLLEONI Ansaldo, Genoa 21.6.1928 21.12.30 10.2.32 Sunk 19.7.40
and uncomfortable ships which GIOVANNI DELLE CCS 31.10.1928 27.4.30 Apr 1931 Sunk 1.4.42
proved to be wet and lacking in stabil¬ BANDE NERE
ity. The stability problem was par-

293
ITALY
1
daily due to the hull tumblehome,
which was not repeated in later ships.
A considerable amount of weight sav¬
ing was made with the design by the
use, among other things, of welding,
minimal habitability requirements
and lightweight machinery. The latter
was remarkable for providing such a
high power, on only 2 shafts and with
only 6 boilers - a system used again in
the much larger Zara class. All boilers
were placed on or near the centreline,
due to the narrow hull, and from for¬
ward the machinery was arranged as
follows: 2 boiler rooms each with 2
boilers/midship compartment/for¬
ward engine room (driving starboard
shaft)/after boiler room with 2
boilers/after engine room (driving
port shaft). On trials Barbiano
maintained 39.6kts for 8 hours with
Albencoda Barbiano at Venice in Sept 1934 Aldo Fraccaroli Collection
112,760hp; her usually reported
42.05kts on trial was maintained for 5670t (Bande Nere). Sea speed was to lower deck level abreast ‘A’, ‘X’ carried, one stowed on the deck and
only 32 minutes with 123,479hp on 30kts. and ‘Y’ magazines. The 152mm/53 one on the catapult. Bande Nere was
a displacement of 5500t - a remark¬ Hull protection was provided over guns had a maximum range of sunk off Stromboli by the submarine
able result nevertheless, particularly the length of the machinery and 24,700yds at 45° elevation and fired a Urge, Colleoni off Crete by the cruiser
as she was above standard dis¬ magazine compartments only, con¬ 1051b shell at a muzzle velocity of Sydney and the destroyers Hyperion
placement. Figures for the other sisting of a 24mm side with 18mm 2790fs; maximum rate of fire was 5 and Ilex, and Guissano and Barbiano
ships of the class were 102,088hp = longitudinal splinter bulkhead rounds per minute. All except Guis- off Cape Bon by the destroyers Leg¬
38.5kts on 5700t (Giussano), inboard, closed by 20mm decks and sano were equipped for minelaying. A ion , Maori, Sikh and Isaac Sweers.
119,177hp = 39.9kts on 548Ot (Col- end bulkheads. Deck and side single fixed catapult was fitted on the
leoni) and 101,231hp = 38.2kts on protection stepped down from main forecastle and two aircraft could be

Luigi Cadorna as completed

Provided under the 1929-30 Pro¬

gramme, these ships were essentially
repeats of the Giussano class with Displacement: 5232t (Diaz 5321t) standard; 7001t (Diaz 7080t) full load
improved stability. Compared with Dimensions: 525ft pp, 555ft 5in oa x 50ft lOin X 18ft mean at full load
the earlier class they had no tumble- 160.00, 169.30 x 15.SO x 5.50m
home (which increased the area of Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 6 Yarrow boilers, 95,000hp = 36.5kts. Oil 121 It
accommodation space as well as Armour: Belt 24mm + 18mm, bulkheads 20mm, decks 20mm, turrets 23mm, CT 40mm-25mm, communica¬
improving stability), a reduced bridge tion tube 30mm
structure, a lowered forward director Armament: 8-152mm/53 Mod 29 (4x2), 6-100mm/47 AA (3x2), 2-40mm/39 AA (2x1), 8-13.2mm AA (4x2),
and no after control position. They 4—533mm TT (2x2)
also had new model 152mm guns with Complement: 544
more spacious gunhouses, a slight
rearrangement of the positions of the Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
100mm and TT mountings amid¬
ships, and the mainmast mounted LUIGI CADORNA CRDA, Trieste 19.9.1930 30.9.31 11.8.33 Stricken 1.5.51
forward of the funnel to allow for the ARMANDO DIAZ OTO, Muggiano 28.7.1930 10.7.32 29.4.33 Sunk 25.2.41
fitting of a fixed aircraft catapult on
the after shelter deck (angled forward
from the centreline to the starboard
deck edge abreast the after funnel); 2
aircraft were carried. They were fitted
for employment as minelayers and
could carry between 84 and 138 mines
depending on the type. On trials in
1933 Cadorna made 38. lkts with
112,930hp on a displacement of 5815t
and Diaz 39.7kts with 121,407hp on
5443t. In 1938 the 40mm AA guns
were removed and 8-20mm/65 AA
(4x2) added. In 1943 Cadorna had
her catapult and 13.2mm MGs
removed and 4-20mm/70 AA (4x1)
added, and in 1944 her TT were also
removed. Diaz was torpedoed by HM
submarine Upright while covering a
convoy to Tripoli.

Luigi Cadorna at La Spezia about 1937

Aldo Fraccaroli Collection

294
 Cruisers

Muzio Attendolo 1935

Provided under the 1930—31 Pro¬

gramme, these ships represented an MONTECUCCOLI class (‘Condottieri’ type - third group)
improvement on the earlier ‘Condot-
tieri’ types being 200t larger to allow Displacement: 7405t standard; 8853t (.Attendolo 8848t) full load
for a major increase in the level of Dimensions: 546ft 1 tin (.Attendolo 545ft 3in) pp, 597ft 9in oa x 54ft 6in x 19ft 8in mean at full load
protection. The armour layout was 166.70 (166.20), 182.20 x 16.60 x 6.00m
basically the same as that of the Machinery: 2-shaft Belluzo geared turbines, 6 Yarrow boilers, 106,000hp = 37kts. Oil 1297t (Attendolo 1275t)
Cadorna class but with thicknesses Armour: Belt 60mm + 25mm, bulkheads 40mm-20mm, decks 30mm-20mm, barbettes 50mm-30mm, turrets
generally increased and no step down 70mm, CT 100mm-40mm, communicadon tube 30mm
of the citadel abreast the magazines. Armament: 8-152mm/53 Mod 29 (4x2), 6-100mm/47 AA (3x2), 8-37mm/54 AA (4x2), 8-13.2mm AA (4x2),
The belt was 60mm and the longitud¬ 4-533mm TT (2x2)
inal splinter bulkhead 25mm (30mm Complement: 588 (as designed); 650 (war)
abreast magazines), while the main
deck was 30mm thick between the Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
bulkheads and 20mm at the edges. RAIMONDO Stricken 1.6.64
Ansaldo, Genoa 1.10.1931 2.8.34 30.6.35
Two additions were made to the side MONTECUCCOLI
protection compared with the MUZIO ATTENDOLO 10.4.1931 9.9.34 7.8.35 Sunk 4.12.42
CRDA, Trieste
Cadorna: the side above the belt and
the platform between the bottom edge compared with 575t in Cadorna. paired. Like Bolzano they carried an were carried. On trials Montecuccoli
of the belt and the longitudinal Armament and machinery were the aircraft catapult on the shelter deck reached 38.7kts with 126,099hp on a
splinter bulkhead were increased to same as in Cadorna except that the amidships which necessitated trunk¬ displacement of 7020t and Attendolo
20mm thickness, the latter complet¬ latter was sull further advanced in ing the after boiler uptakes aft, to pro¬ 36.8kts with 123,330hp on 7082t. In
ing a longitudinal armoured box along power-to-weight ratio, its layout vide sufficient room between the fun¬ 1943 Montecuccoli had her aircraft
each side at the waterline. Taking omitted the compartment between nels, and grouping the 100mm A A gear, TT and 13.2mm guns removed
both belt and bulkhead into account, the forward engine room and forward guns abaft the after funnel to keep the and 12-20mm added. Attendolo was
this system gave protection from 8in boilers, and all boilers (except the two midships area clear. The catapult lost during an air attack on Naples.
shellfire beyond 22,000yds and 6in forward) were separated into indi¬ could train over a limited arc to launch Montecuccoli was converted to a cadet
shellfire beyond 14,000yds, at zero vidual compartments instead of being from either side of the ship; 2 aircraft training ship after the war.
inclination; however, the decks were
only proof against 8in inside
19,500yds and 6in inside 16,500yds,
giving no immunity zone against 8in
and only a narrow one against 6in.
The Montecuccoli class also differed in
having a protective deck fore and aft
of the citadel, this being 50mm thick
above the weather decks and
45mm-30mm thick below. The com¬
plex bridge structure of earlier types
was abandoned in favour of a simple
circular conning tower, surmounted
by the main director, with only one
external platform (at its base). The
main conning position was protected
by 100mm walls, 30mm roof and
25mm floor and the rest of the tower
by 50mm-40mm plates. Weight
devoted to protecuon was about 1350t
Rmmondo Montecuccoli on 7.10.1950 By courtesy of John Roberts

Eugenio di Savoia 1940

Provided under the 1931-33 Pro¬

gramme, these vessels were enlarged DUCA D’AOSTA class (‘Condottieri’ type - fourth group)
versions of the Montecuccoli class with Displacement: 8317t (Savoia 8610t) standard; 10,374t (Savoia 10,672t) full load
the same armament and slightly more 563ft 7in pp, 613ft 2in oa x 57ft 5in x 21ft 4in mean full load
Dimensions:
powerful machinery (partially to 171.80, 186.90 x 17.SO x 6.50m
compensate for the increased size) and 2-shaft Parsons (.Savoia Belluzo) geared turbines, 6 Yarrow boilers, 110,000hp = 36.5kts. Oil 1653t
Machinery:
improved protection to give reason¬
Armour: Belt 70mm + 35mm, bulkheads 50mm-30mm, decks 35mm-30mm, barbettes 70mm-50mm, turrets
able, but still inadequate, zones of
90mm, CT 100mm-25mm, communication tube 30mm-20mm
immunity against cruiser guns. The
Armament: 8-152mm/53 Mod 29 (4x2), 6-100mm/47 AA (3x2), 8-37mm/54 AA (4x2), 12-13.2mm AA (6x2),
arrangement of the armour was basic¬
6-533mm TT (2x3)
ally the same but with the belt
Complement: 578 (as designed); 694 (war)
increased to 70mm, splinter bulkhead
to 35mm and main deck to 35mm Laid down Launched Comp Fate
Name Builder
amidships and 30mm at the edges.
Proportional increases were made EMANUELE FILIBERTO OTO, Leghorn 29.10.1932 22.4.34 13.7.35 To USSR 2.3.49
with the other areas of protection DUCA D’AOSTA
except for the tower bridge which was EUGENIO DI SAVOIA Ansaldo, Genoa 6.7.1933 16.3.35 16.1.36 To Greece 1.7.51
the same as that in the previous class.

295
ITALY
The machinery was of the same design
but slightly rearranged with the boil¬
ers in two equal groups of three distri¬
buted alternately with the engine
rooms. This arrangement produced
the main external difference from the
Montecuccoli class as the funnels were
of equal size. Other variations
included larger bridge platforms,
heavier mainmast and more space
between the second funnel and after
reparations, Aosta being taken over by Emanuele Filiberto Duca d’Aosta in 1937
turrets. On trials Aosta made 37.35kts 13.2mm guns were removed and
with 127,924hp on a displacement of 12-20mm added. Both ships saw sub¬ Russia and renamed Stalingrad, and
7671t and Savoia 37.33kts with stantial war service and were often later Kerch, before being discarded in
121,380hp on 8300t. Maximum sea employed to run essential supplies to the late 1950s and the Savoia going to
speed was 34kts. North Africa. They were transferred Greece as Helle unul 1964 when she
In 1943 the aircraft gear, TT and to other countries after the war, as war also was discarded.

Provided under the 1932-33 Pro¬

gramme, the Ahruzzi class introduced
ABRUZZI class (‘Condottieri’ type - fifth group)
the second, and final, major change in Displacement: 9440t (Garibaldi 9050t) standard; ll,575t (Garibaldi 11,117t) full load
the development of the ‘Condotueri’ Dimensions: 563ft 7in pp, 613ft 6in X 62ft x 22ft 4in mean at full load
type and were the best balanced 171.80, 187.00 x 18.90 x 6.80m
design of the enure group. By accept¬ Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 8 Yarrow boilers, 100,000hp = 34kts. Oil 1700t
ing a lower speed and increased size it Armour: Belt 100mm + 30mm, bulkheads 100mm + 30mm-30mm, decks 40mm-30mm, barbettes
was possible to provide a heavier 100mm-30mm, turrets 135mm, CT 100mm-30mm, communication tube 30mm, funnel uptakes
armament and a substanual increase 50mm-20mm
in protection, placing them on equal Armament: 10-152/55 Mod 36 (2 x 3,2 x 2), 8-100mm/47 A A (4 x 2), 8-37mm/54 A A (4 x 2), 8-13.2mm A A (4 x 2),
terms with the majority of foreign 6in 6-533mm TT (2x3)
cruisers. Compared with the Aosta. Complement: 640 (as designed); 692 (war)
class they were about lOOOt heavier
and had 4ft 7in more beam, improved Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
stability and, of course, more guns
LUIGI DI SAVOIA DUCA OTO, Muggiano 28.12.1933 21.4.36 1.12.37 Stricken 1.4.61
and armour, but they were about
DEGLI ABRUZZI
2Jkts slower. The arrangement of
GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI CRD A, Trieste Dec 1933 21.4.36 20.12.37 Stricken Jan 1972
armour, although basically following
that of the previous class, included
some novel features. The side armour superstructure. The ships were increased beam) allowed them to be In 1943-44 the 13.2mm guns were
consisted of a ‘de-capping’ belt of equipped for minelaying and could fitted two abreast in four rooms, one removed and 10-20mm/65 AA (5x2)
30mm thickness with an inner con¬ carry between 80 and 108 mines boiler room being positioned forward added. Ahruzzi also had a radar set
cave belt of 100mm KC which joined depending on type. Two catapults of the forward engine room and the added, the aerial being fitted on a new
the 30mm side at the bottom and were provided, with one aircraft for remainder betwen the two engine lattice mast abaft the conning tower.
almost joined it at the top. The tops of each, mounted abreast the funnel rooms. On trials Ahruzzi made In 1945-46 the aircraft gear and TT
the 100mm belts were closed by a amidships and capable of limited 34.8kts with 103,990hp on a light dis¬ were removed. On Italy’s surrender
40mm main deck and the ends by training to launch off the bow. Eight placement of 8500t and Garibaldi both came under Allied control but
bulkheads of similar construction to rather than the usual six boilers were made 33.6kts with 104,030hp on a they were returned after the war.
the belt except that both plates were provided but these were of smaller nominal displacement of 10,120t. Garibaldi was reconstructed as a
vertical. The sides above the belt were dimensions which (together with the Maximum sea speed was 31kts. guided missile cruiser 1957-61.
20mm and the upper deck 15mm at
the edges and 10mm down the centre.
Barbettes were 100mm but reduced to
90, 50 or 30mm in areas shielded by
other armour. The CT was con¬
structed in a similar manner to that in
Aosta except that the roof of the main
conning position was increased to
70mm. The funnel uptakes were pro¬
tected, for the first time in this type,
between the main and upper decks.
The main armament consisted of ten
of the new 152mm/52 guns, also fitted
in the Littorio class, which fired a
1101b shell up to a maximum range of
27,000yds, at 45° elevation, at a rate of
4-5 rounds per minute. An additional
twin 100mm A A mounting was also
provided, the guns being in a four-
cornered arrangement abreast the

Giuseppe Garibaldi in 1946

296
 Cruisers
Slightly improved versions of the
Abruzzi class, ordered under the COSTANZO CIANO class (‘Condottieri’ type - sixth group)
1939-40 Programme but suspended
in June 1940 and never begun owing Displacement: 9615t standard; ll,810t full load
to the need to concentrate available Dimensions: 620ft oa x 62ft 4in x 22ft 7in mean at full load
resources on smaller warships. They 189.00 x 19.00 x 6.90m
would have been of similar appear¬ Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 8 boilers, 115,000hp = 33kts
ance to the previous class but with a Armour: Belt 100mm, deck 45mm, turrets 140mm, CT 140mm
bridge structure modelled on that of Armament: 10-152mm/55 Mod 36 (2x3, 2x2), 8-90mm/50 AA (8x1), 8-37mm/54 AA (4x2), 12-20mm/65 AA
the Littorio class and the modernised (6x2), 6-533mm TT (2x3), 2 DC throwers
batdeships. Other variations included Complement: ?
the provision of thicker deck protect¬
ion, higher power machinery to com¬ Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
pensate for increased size, a modified _ _
COSTANZO CIANO _
AA battery to include new 90mm and
VENEZIA (ex-Luigi Rizzo) • - - -
20mm mountings, and a proposal to
carry 4 instead of 2 aircraft. The
proposed name for the second vessel
was altered in 1940.

Scipicme Africano 1944

In this class a return was made to the

original ‘Condottieri’ idea of produc¬ ‘CAPITANI ROMANI’ class
ing a ‘destroyer of destroyers’. The
Displacement: 3686t standard; 5334t full load
ships were intended primarily to
counter the large French destroyers of Dimensions: 455ft pp, 468ft lOin oa X 47ft 3in x 16ft mean full load
the Fantasque and Mogador classes 138.70, 142.90 x 14.40 x 4.90m
and, as those ships had design speeds Machinery: 2-shaft Belluzo (Augusto, Magno Parsons) geared turbines, 4 Thornycroft boilers, 110,000hp = 40kts.
Oil 1387t
of 39-40kts, the exceptionally high
speed of 41kts was specified for the Armament: 8-135mm/45 Mod 38 (4x2), 8-37mm/54 AA (8x 1), 8-20mm/70 AA (4x2), 8-533mm TT (2x4)
new design. To allow for the construc¬ Complement: 418 (as designed)
tion of a reasonable number, and keep
costs down, design displacement was Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
limited to 3400t with only fight ATTILIO REGOLO OTO, Leghorn 28.9.1939 28.8.40 14.5.42 Transferred to
splinter protection to the machinery, France 1948
guns and control positions. In effect CAIO MARIO OTO, Leghorn Sept 1939 17.8.41 - Scuttled cl944
the resulting vessels were little more CLAUDIO DRUSO CT, Riva Trigoso Sept 1939 — — BU on stocks
than very large, fast destroyers 1941-42
although they had a distinctive cruiser CLAUDIO TIBERIO OTO, Leghorn 28.9.1939 - - BU on stocks
profile with a flush deck and two fun¬ 1941—42
nels. Detailed design resulted in a CORNELIO SILLA Ansaldo, Genoa 12.10.1939 28.6.41 — Sunk July 1944
slight increase in displacement and GIULIO GERMANICO CCS 3.4.1939 26.7.41 19.1.56 BU 1971
abandonment of the machinery pro¬ OTTAVIANO AUGUSTO CNR, Ancona 23.9.1939 28.4.41 — Sunk 1.11.43
tection, splinter plating being pro¬ PAOLO EMILIO Ansaldo, Genoa 12.10.1939 - - BU on stocks
vided for the bridge (15mm) and gun 1941-42
turrets (20mm) only. The machinery POMPEO MAGNO CNR, Ancona 23.9.1939 24.8.41 4.6.43 TS 1964
was arranged in two separate groups SCIPIONE AFRICANO OTO, Leghorn 28.9.1939 12.1.41 23.4.43 Transferred to
each consisting of 2 boilers and 1 tur¬ France 1948
bine, one group forward and one aft ULPIO TRAIANO CNR, Palermo 28.9.1939 30.11.42 — Sunk 3.1.43
separated by a small auxiliary VIPSANIO AGRIPPA CT, Riva Trigoso Oct 1939 — BU on stocks
machinery room amidships. All boil¬ 1941-42
ers were in individual compartments.
No trials appear to have been run, as Palermo. Mario was completed as a scutded by the Germans, the former ini tally and then destroyer leaders.
those units completed did so after the hulk for use as a fuel depot in January at La Spezia and the latter, on Regolo and Africano were transferred
outbreak of war, but they are reported 1943 and, with the incomplete Silla, 28.9.43, at Castellammare. In 1947 to France in 1948 under the terms of
to have reached 41kts in service with¬ Augusto and Germanico, was seized by Germanico was salvaged and, together the peace treaty and renamed
out difficulty. Sea speed was 36kts, an the Germans after the surrender. Silla with Magno, was completely refitted Chateaurenault and Guichen respec¬
excellent figure which would have and Augusto were sunk in Allied air and modernised 1951-55. They were tively; they were discarded in 1962
allowed sufficient margin for both raids, at Genoa and Ancona respec¬ renamed San Marco and San Giorgio and 1961 respectively, when they
running down destroyers and escap¬ tively. Mario and Germanico were respectively being classified ‘scouts’ became training hulks.
ing from cruisers. The 135mm guns Pompeo Magno at Malta in Sept 1943 By courtesy of John Roberts
were fitted in twin turrets providing
45° elevation, giving a range of
21,400yds, and a rate of fire of 6
rounds per minute. They also carried
a new type quadruple TT (with the
tubes in two vertical pairs instead of
the more usual side-by-side arrange¬
ment) and 24 DCs, and were equip¬
ped for minelaying (114—130 mines
depending on type).
Of the three units completed,
Africano carried a short pole mast on
her after director, Regolo a pole mast
abaft her second funnel and Magno no
mast. All three were fitted with a
tripod foremast to support the aerial
of an EC/3 radar set but only Regolo
and Africano were actually fitted with
the equipment. Work on Druso,
Tiberio, Agrippa and Emilio ceased in
June 1940. Traiano was sunk by
‘Chariots’ while fitting-out at
ITALY

Etna class as redesigned for Italian service

These two vessels were ordered by

Siam in 1938 and were originally to ETNA class
have mounted 6-152mm (3x2), Displacement: 5900t standard
6-76mm AA (6x1), and 8-13.2mm 462ft 7in pp, 504ft 7in oa x 47ft 6in X 19ft 6in
Dimensions:
(4x2) guns, 6-533mm TT (2x3) and 141.00, 153.80 x 14.47 x 5.95m
an aircraft catapult amidships. Work 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 boilers, 40,000hp = 28kts.
Machinery:
on the vessels was stopped in
Armour: Belt 60mm, deck 35mm-20mm
December 1941 and they were taken
Armament: 6-135mm/45 Mod 38 (3x2), 10-65mm/64 (10x1), 20-20mm/65 (10x2)
over by the Italian Government on
6.8.42 and renamed. The design was Complement: 580
modified to that of an AA cruiser with
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
new guns and the TT and catapult
omitted. The bridge was moved ETNA (ex-Taksin) CRDA, Trieste 23.9.1939 28.5.42 -
further aft, necessitating a raked fun¬ VESUVIO (ex-Naresuan) CRDA, Trieste 26.8.1939 6.8.41 —
nel, the superstructure was remodel¬
led and the mainmast omitted. Work on the two vessels recom¬
Machinery was arranged on the unit menced but proceeded very slowly
system with 3 boilers in separate com¬ owing to wartime shortages of mater¬
partments, 2 forward of the forward ial and labour and on the surrender
engine room and the third between they were only 60 per cent complete; EX-FRENCH CRUISERS
the two engine rooms. Protection con¬ they were seized by the Germans on Jean de Vienne and La Galissoniere, scuttled at Toulon in November 1942, were
sisted of a 60mm belt with 20mm 10.9.43 who carried on the construc¬ taken over by the Italian Navy, refloated in the following year and redesignated
splinter bulkheads inboard covered tion for a short period and then scut¬ FR11 andFR12 respectively. Plans were drawn up to repair and refit them for
by a 20mm deck. Between the splinter tled the ships at Trieste. They were Italian service, and work was begun, but very little progress was made on the
bulkheads the deck increased to salvaged after the war and scrapped in ships before the surrender. Both vessels were seized by the Germans and later
35mm. 1949. sunk in Allied air raids. For details of these ships see under France.

DESTROYERS
Nazario Sauro as completed

SELLA class SAURO class

Displacement: 955t standard; 1457t full load Displacement: 1040t standard; 1575t full load
Dimensions: 270ft 9in pp, 278ft 6in x 28ft 2in x 8ft lOin Dimensions: 294ft wl, 295ft lOin oa x 30ft 2in x 9ft 6in
82.50, 84.90 x 8.60 x 2.70m 89.60, 90.16 x 9.20 x 2.90m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons (Crispi Belluzzo) geared turbines, 3 Thorny- Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Thornycroft boilers,
croft boilers, 36,000hp = 35kts. Oil 250t (normal) 36,000hp = 35kts. Oil 230t (normal)
Armament: 3-120mm/45 (lxl, 1x2), 2-40mm/39 AA (2x1), 2-13.2mm Armament: 4—120mm/45 (2x2), 2-^10mm/39 AA (2x 1), 2-13.2mm MG,
MG, 4—533mm TT (2x2), 2 DC throwers 6-533mm TT (2x3)
Complement: 120 (peace); 152 (war) Complement: 155 (war)

Name Builder Launched Fate Name Builder Launched Fate

FRANCESCO CRISPI Pattison 12.9.1925 Scuttled 12.10.44 CESARE BATTISTI Odero 11.12.1926 Scuttled 3.4.41
QUINTINO SELLA Pattison 25.4.1925 Sunk 11.9.43 DANIELE MANIN CNQ 15.6.1925 Sunk 3.4.41
BETTINO RICASOLI Patuson 29.1.1926 Sold Mar 1940 FRANCESCO NULLO CNQ 14.11.1925 Sunk 21.10.40
GIOVANNI Pattison 24.6.1926 Sold Mar 1940 NAZARIO SAURO Odero 12.5.1926 Sunk 3.4.41
NICOTERA
Modified versions of the Sella class with beam increased to compensate for the
Improved versions of the wartime Palestro and Curtatone designs in which larger addiuonal topweight of triple TT and two twin 120mm mountings. Apart from
size and improved machinery design was utilised to provide a heavier armament this and a slightly larger hull these ships were generally similar to the previous
(120mm guns and 533mm TT in place of 102mm guns and 450mm tubes) and class and they differed little from them in appearance. They did, however, have
higher speed (35 instead of 32kts). They were of similar appearance to the earlier shorter funnels (the second being cut down more than the first), an additional
ships except that the funnels were taller (later cut down), the after gun mounting rangefinder platform between the TT and a slightly larger bridge structure. The
was raised on a small deck-house and the forecastle extended slightly further aft. armament type and layout of these ships became standard for all Italian des¬
The arrangement of the main armament was somewhat unusual with a twin troyers, up to and including the Soldati class, with the exception of the
mounting aft and a single forward but in 1929 the latter was replaced by another ‘Navigatori’ class. They were laid down in 1924 and completed in 1927 (Sauro
twin mounting. Machinery power was increased from the 22,000hp of the 1926). Like the Sella class all exceeded design power and speed on trial, one
Palestro/Curtatone class to 36,000hp, but this was generally exceeded on trials achieving over 37kts, but later proved unreliable; sea speed was 31kts. All four
when speeds of 38kts or more were recorded at light displacements. This were lost in the Red Sea, Manin and Sauro being bombed by British aircraft,
performance was not maintained in service, however, and the machinery proved Nulla sunk by the destroyer Kimberley and Batdsti scuttled off the coast of
troublesome and unreliable. The best sea speed obtainable by 1940 was 33kts. Arabia.
Crispi is reported to have been re-engined in 1937. Ricasoli and Nicotera were
sold to Sweden and renamed Puke and Psilander respectively; their new owners
found them equally troublesome and they were stricken in 1947. During the
Second World War the two remaining vessels had their 40mm AA guns replaced
by 4—20mm/70 AA and had 2 DC throwers added. Sella was torpedoed by the
German S-boats S54 and S61 off Venice. Crispi was taken over by the Germans
in September 1943 and renamed TA15; she was bombed and sunk at Candia
8.3.44, refloated but later scuttled.
Bettino Ricasoli as completed

By courtesy of John Roberts

298 m
 Destroyers
groups, each consisting of 2 boilers and one turbine. As usual the design
performance was greatly exceeded on trial: Pigafetta reached 41.57kts with
65,530hp on a light displacement of 1862t but still made 39.58kts with 60,600hp
during a 6-hour trial at standard displacement. Mosto is reported to have
touched 45kts with 71,000hp for short periods. The machinery proved reliable
but was still subject to deterioration by time and use and best wartime sea speed
was around 32kts (less in modified units - see below). The armament was the
TURBINE class same as that provided in the standard Italian destroyers except for the fitting of a
Displacement: 1070t standard; 1670t full load third twin 120mm mounting, forward of the second funnel. The guns them¬
Dimensions: 299ft 6in pp, 305ft 9in oa x 30ft 2in x 9ft lOin selves were new 120mm/50 Mod 26 guns which fired a 501b shell to a maximum
91.30, 93.20 x 9.20 x 3.00m range of 24,000yds at 45° elevation compared with 48.51b to 21,000yds for the
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Thornycroft boilers, earlier 45cal guns. The new gun was capable of firing at 6 rounds per minute
40,000hp = 36kts. Oil 270t (normal) and, with minor variations through various models up to 1940, was used in all
Armament: 4—120mm/45 (2x2), 2-40mm/39 AA (2x1, 2-13.2mm MG Italian destroyers up to and including theSoldati class. All except Recco were
(1x2), 6-533mm TT (2x3) equipped for minelaying and could carry between 86 and 104 mines depending
Complement: 142 (peace); 179 (war) on type. Generally the class was successful, being among the most valuable and,
during the war, hard working of Italy’s torpedo-vessels, but they were ‘wet’,
Name Builder Launched Fate rolled rather badly in heavy weather and their reserve of stability was small.
During the early 1930s, in order to reduce these problems, the bridge and
AQUILONE Odero 3.8.1927 Mined 17.9.40 funnels were shortened, a pole mast replaced the tripod, the oil fuel stowage was
BOREA Ansaldo, Genoa 28.1.1927 Sunk 17.9.40 modified and the centre TT was removed from each mounting. Shortening the
ESPERO Ansaldo, Genoa 31.8.1927 Sunk 28.6.40 funnels seems to have caused problems with smoke interference, as funnel caps
EURO CT, Riva Trigoso7.7.1927 Sunk 1.10.43 were also added. During 1939—40 all except Recco and Usodimare had their hulls
NEMBO CT, Riva Trigoso27.1.1927 Sunk 20.7.40 widened by 3ft 3in (lm) to improve stability and seakeeping, the latter also being
OSTRO Ansaldo, Genoa 2.1.1928 Sunk 20.7.40 assisted by the provision of a raised clipper bow adding 6ft 6in (2m) to the oa
TURBINE Odero 21.4.1927 Sunk 15.9.44 length. The additional space was utilised to increase the oil stowage to 680t and
ZEFFIRO Ansaldo, Genoa 27.5.1927 Sunk 5.7.40 the centre TT were reinstated. The overall effect was to raise displacement to
2125t standard (2888t full load) and reduce speed to 27-28kts. During 1933-34
Repeats of the Sauro class (except for a slight increase in length and higher an additional 4— 13.2mm MG (2x2) were fitted and during 1940-42 the 40mm
powered machinery for an additional lkt in design speed), laid down in 1925 and guns were removed and 7 (Recco, Pancaldo and Pigafetta 9) 20mm A A and 2 DC
completed 1927-28. On trials the design power was greatly exceeded and Euro throwers added. During 1942-42 Pigafetta and Pancaldo had their after TT
achieved 38.9kts on 4-hour full-power and Turbine, in a mile run with 51,214hp, mounting replaced by 2-37mm/54 AA (2x1). Pancaldo and Malocello were
reached 39.5kts. Best sea speed was 33kts. Early war modifications included the fitted with an EC3 and a German Seetakt radar set respectively, the aerials being
removal of the 40mm guns and the addition of about 8-20mm AA and 2 DC fitted above the bridge.
throwers. Turbine later had one TT mounting removed and 2-37mm/54 AA Da Mosta was sunk off Tripoli by the cruisers Aurora and Penelope and the
(2x 1) added. Nembo ,Ostro andZeffiro were sunk by Briush airborne torpedoes. destroyer Lively. Verazzio, Pessagno and Usodimare were torpedoed by the
Borea and Euro were bombed, the former by British and the latter by German submarines Unbending, Turbulent and Alagi, the latter being in error. Pancaldo
aircraft. Turbine was seized by the Germans in September 1943, renamed TAM, was sunk by an aerial torpedo in Augusta harbour on 10.7.40 but was salvaged,
and was later sunk by US aircraft at Salamis. repaired at Genoa and recommissioned in December 1941. She was later sunk by
Giovanni da Verazzano 1942 aircraft at Tunisia. Tarigo was sunk by gunfire in action with the destroyers
Jervis, Nubian, Janus and Mohawk but torpedoed and sank the last before goi ng
down. Da Noli and Vivaldi were damaged by German shore batteries off
Sardinia, the former then hitting a mine and sinking and the latter being sunk by
German aircraft the following day. Zeno and Pigafetta were scuttled at Trieste
after the Italian surrender; the latter was salvaged by the Germans and became
TA44 on 14.10.44 but was lost during an air raid on Trieste.

Displacement: 1900t standard; 2580t full load

Dimensions: 346ft 3in pp, 352ft oa x 33ft 5in x lift 2in
105.50, 107.30 x 10.21 x 3.40m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons (CNQ-built ships Belluzzo, CNR-built ships
Tosi) geared turbines, 4 Odero (CNQ-built ships Yarrow)
boilers, 50,000hp = 38kts. Oil 630t
Armament: 6-120mm/50 (3x2), 2-40mm/39 AA (2x1), 4-13.2mm MG
Displacement: 1205t standard; 2116t full load
(2x2), 6-533mm TT (2x3)
Dimensions: 302ft 6in pp, 315ft 5in oa x 32ft x 10ft 4in
Complement: 173 (peace); 224 (war)
92.20, 96.15 x 9.75 x 3.15m
Name Builder Launched Fate Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Thornycroft boilers,
44,000hp = 38kts. Oil 630t.
ALVISE DA MOSTO CNQ 1.7.1929 Sunk 1.12.41
Armament: 4—120mm/50 (2x2), 2-40mm/39 AA (2x 1), 4-13.2mm MG
(ex-Alvise Cadamosto) (2x2), 6-533mm TT (2x3)
ANTONIO DA NOLI CT, Riva Trigoso21.5.1929 Mined 9.9.43
Complement: 156 (peace); 185 (war)
NICOLOSO CNR, Ancona 5.1.1930 Stricken 15.7.54
DA RECCO Name Builder Launched Fate
GIOVANNI CNQ 15.12.1928 Sunk 19.10.42
DI VARAZZANO DARDO Odero 6.9.1930 Scuttled 24.4.45
LANZEROTTO Ansaldo, Genoa 14.3.1929 Mined 24.3.43 FRECCIA CT, Riva Trigoso3.8.1930 Sunk 8.8.43
MALOCELLO SAETTA Ct, Riva Trigoso 17.1.1932 Mined 3.2.43
LEONE PANCALDO CT, Riva Trigoso5.2.1929 Sunk 30.4.1943 STRALE Odero 26.3.1931 Wrecked 21.6.42
EMANUELE CNR, Ancona 12.8.1929 Sunk 29.5.42
PESSAGNO Ordered in 1928, laid down in 1929 and completed in 1932 (Freccia 1931), this
ANTONIO CNQ 10.11.1929 Sunk 17.2.45 class were designed to provide a fleet destroyer with the speed and range
PIGAFETTA necessary to keep station with Italy’s new cruisers. The design was basically an
LUCA TARIGO Ansaldo, Genoa 9.12.1928 Sunk 16.4.41 enlarged Turbine with wider beam utilised for additional oil stowage, giving a
ANTONIOTTO Odero 12.5.1929 Sunk 8.6.42 range of 4600nm at 12kts, and higher powered machinery for a speed equal to
USODIMARE that of the ‘Navigatori’ class. Although the general layout followed that of earlier
UGOLINI VIVALDI Odero 9.1.1929 Sunk 10.9.43 classes they were of more streamlined appearance due to the adoption of a single
NICOLO ZENO CNQ 12.8.1928 Scuttled 9.9.43 funnel, a larger streamlined bridge structure, and a clipper bow (except in Dardo
and Strale, the first to complete, which retained the vertical stem). On trials
Ordered in 1926 and laid down 1927-28, the ‘Navigatori’ class were constructed speeds of 38-39kts were obtained but the class proved a failure in its original
to counter the large French destroyers of the Jaguar and Guepard classes. They purpose as the machinery could not maintain this performance under service
were smaller than their French rivals but had an almost comparable armament conditions; during the war the ships were mainly employed as convoy escorts.
and a 2-3kt advantage in design speed. The design was evolved from the scout They were also poor seaboats and were low on stability, particularly with oil fuel
type and, although ordered as destroyers, they were reclassed as scouts prior to partially consumed, and to correct these problems bilge keels and 90t of perma¬
completion during 1929-31. They reverted to the designation ‘destroyer’ in nent ballast were added. Provision was also made for filling empty oil tanks with
1938. The machinery layout was advanced for a destroyer type of this period, seawater (causing contamination problems) which, with the ballast, reduced
being on the unit system with alternate engine and boiler rooms arranged in two them to a sea speed of 30kts. Armament was the same as in the Turbine class

299
ITALY
except for the provision of the new 50cal 120mm gun and the fitting of twin improvement at 32kts. The armament was identical to that of the Folgore I Frec¬
13.2mm MG. During 1939-40 the 13.2mm and 40mm guns were replaced by 5 cia classes. War modifications included the addition of 6 to 12-20mm AA, 4 DC
or 6--20mm/65 AA and 2 DC throwers were added. During 1942-43 the after TT throwers and a 120mm/15 starshell gun (not fitted in all ships), and the removal
mounting was replaced by 2-37mm/54 AA (2x 1) and 6-20mm/70 AA (3x2) of the 40mm AA and 13.2mm MG. Grecale, and possibly Maestrale, had her
were added except in Strale which ran aground on the coast of Tunisia in 1942. after TT and the midships rangefinder replaced by 2-37mm/54 AA (2x1).
Freccia was lost during an air raid at Genoa and Dardo, captured by the Germans Libeccio was torpedoed by the submarine Upholder, and Scirocco sank in the
and renamed TA31, was scuttled at the same location. storm which followed the Second Battle of Sirte. Maestrale was scuttled at
Genoa on 9.9.43 and then salvaged by the Germans who partially repaired her
before scuttling her again. Grecale survived the war to be modernised as an AS
escort 1952-53 and converted to a command vessel 1959-60.
FOLGORE class
Displacement: 1220t standard; 2100t full load
Dimensions: 309ft 5in wl, 315ft lin oa x 30ft 2in x 10ft lOin
94.30, 96.05 x 9.20 x 3.30m
Machinery: 2-shaft Belluzzo geared turbines, 3 Thornycroft boilers,
44,000hp = 38kts. Oil 510t
Armament: 4—120mm/50 (2x2), 2^l0mm/39 AA (2x 1), 4-13.2mm MG
(2x2), 6-533mm TT (2x3), 2 DC throwers
Complement: 156 (peace); 185 (war)

Name Builder Launched Fate

BALENO CNQ 22.3.1931 Foundered 17.4.41

FOLGORE OCP 26.4.1931 Sunk 2.12.42
FULMINE CNQ 2.8.1931 Sunk 9.11.41
LAMPO OCP 26.7.1931 Sunk 30.4.43

Laid down in 1929-30 and completed in 1932, the Folgore class were modified
Frecrias with beam reduced to that of the Turbine class to improve their chances
of holding the required high speed; this entailed sacrificing the greater oil
stowage of Freccia, and endurance was consequently reduced to 3600m at 12kts.
The modification was not a success and little discernible improvement in speed
resulted while the faults of Freccia were retained. Modifications to improve
stability and sea-keeping were similar to those in the earlier class. War modifica¬
tions also followed those of theFreccia class but only Lampo and Folgore received
the late additions to AA. All four were sunk in action with British surface ships
but Lampo, lost 16.4.41, was salvaged in August 1941, repaired and recommis¬
sioned in May 1942, being bombed and sunk by aircraft a year later. ORIANI class
Displacement: 1675t standard; 2254t full load
h
Dimensions: 333ft 4in pp, 350ft oa x 33ft 7in x lift 2in
101.60, 106.70 x 10.15 x 3.42m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 3-drum boilers, 48,000hp
= 38kts. Oil 520t
Armament: 4-120mm/50 (2x2), 8-13.2mm MG (4x2), 6-533mm TT
(2x3), 2 DC throwers
Complement: 157 (peace); 206 (war)

Name Builder Launched Fate

VITTORIO ALFIERI OTO, Leghorn 20.12.1936 Sunk 28.3.41

GIOSUE CARDUCCI OTO, Leghorn 28.10.1936 Sunk 28.3.41
VINCENZO OTO, Leghorn 19.9.1936 Sunk 9.8.43
GIOBERTI
ALFREDO ORIANI OTO, Leghorn 30.7.1936 To France 8.8.48

Repeats of the Maestrale but with installed power increased to improve practical
speed. Trials showed not great advance on the earlier class, a little over 39kts
being reached, but sea speed showed a lkt improvement at 33kts. The four
Fulmine prewar Italian Navy
vessels of the class were laid down in 1936 (Oriani 1935) and completed in 1937,
demonstrating the high speed with which OTO usually built their ships. Early
MAESTRALE class war modifications included the addition of about 8-20mm/65 AA and the
Displacement: 1615t standard; 2207t full load removal of the 13.2mm guns. During 1942-43 the surviving pair had their after
Dimensions: 333ft 4in pp, 350ft oa x 33ft 7in x 10ft lOin TT mounting replaced by 2-37mm/54 (2x1), and 4-20mm/70 AA (2x2),
101.60, 106.70 x 10.15 x 3.31m 1-120mm/15 starshell gun and 2 DC throwers were added. Oriani was also fitted
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 3-drum boilers, 44,000hp with a German radar set. Alfieri and Carducci were sunk during the Battle of
= 38kts. Oil 520t Matapan and Gioberti was torpedoed by the submarine Simoon. Oriani was
Armament: 4—120mm/50 (2x2), 2-40mm/39 AA (2x1), 4-13.2mm MG transferred to France as a war reparation and renamed D’Estaing-, she was
(2x2), 6-533mm TT (2x3), 4 DC throwers deleted from the French Navy list in 1954.
Complement: 153 (peace); 190 (war)

Name Builder Launched Fate

GRECALE CNR, Ancona 17.6.1934 Stricken 31.5.64

LIBECCIO CT, Riva Trigoso 4.7.1934 Sunk 9.11.41
MAESTRALE CNR, Ancona 5.4.1934 Scuttled Apr 1945
SCIROCCO CT, Riva Trigoso 22.4.1934 Foundered 23.3.42

Following earlier problems, great care was exercised in the design calculations
for this class, which were laid down in 1931 and completed in 1934, and the ‘SOLDATI’1 class
result was an efficient if unspectacular design which provided a sound basis for Displacement: 1690—1820t standard; 2250-2500t full load
future development and ultimately resulted in the successful ‘Soldati’ design. Dimensions: 333ft 4in pp, 350ft oa x 33ft 7in x lift 6in
Basically they were enlarged Freccias but with the stability faults corrected, by 101.60, 106.70 x 10.15 x 3.50m
increasing the beam and careful attention to weight distribution. Length was Machinery: 2-shaft Belluzzo (OTO-built ships Parsons) geared turbines, 3
also increased to provide a finer hull form, with the same length-to-beam ratio as Yarrow boilers, 48,000hp = 38kts. Oil 517t
the Folgore class, in order to retain the high speed without higher powered Armament: 4 or 5-120mm/50 (2x2 + lxl in some) 12-13.2mm MG
machinery. The machinery plant was also more efficient and, although trial (4x2, 4x 1), 6-533mm TT (2x3), 2 DC throwers
speeds were not much greater than in the earlier ships, at around 38-39kts Complement: 165 (designed); 206 (war)
(Libeccio touched 41.3kts but only for a short period) sea speed showed a 2kt

300
 Destroyers

Name Builder Launched Fate Squadrista (renamed Corsaro in July 1943) and Carrista were captured incom¬
plete by the Germans in September 1943 and renamed TA33 and TA34 respec¬
First group tively; the former was towed to Genoa, where she was lost in an air raid, and the
ALPINO CNR, Ancona 18.9.1938 Sunk 19.4.43 latter, whose bow and stern had previously been cannibalised to repair other
ARTIGLIERE OTO, Leghorn 12.12.1937 Sunk 12.10.40 ships of the class, was broken up. The majority of the surviving vessels were
ASCARI OTO, Leghorn 31.7.1938 Mined 24.3.43 transferred as war reparations, Artigliere (ex-Nera) and Fuciliere going to Russia
AVIERE OTO, Leghorn 19.9.1937 Sunk 17.12.42 as Z12 and Z20 (discarded 1958), and Legionario, Mitragliere and Velite to
BERSAGLIERE CNR, Palermo 3.7.1938 Sunk 7.1.43 France asDuchaffault (discarded 1954), Jurien La Graviere (discarded 1956) and
CAMICIA NERA OTO, Leghorn 8.8.1937 To USSR 21.2.49 Duperrt (discarded 1961). Caribiniere and Granatiere were retained in Italian
CARABINIERE CT, Riva Trigoso23.7.1938 Stricken 1965 service and converted to AS vessels 1953-54.
CORAZZIERE OTO, Leghorn 22.5.1938 Sunk 4.9.44
FUCILIERE CNR, Ancona 31.7.1938 To USSR 17.1.50
GENIERE OTO, Leghorn 27.2.1938 Sunk 1.3.43
GRANATIERE CNR, Palermo 24.4.1938 Stricken 1958
LANCIERE CT, Riva Trigosol8.12.1938 Foundered
23.3.42
Second group
BOMBARDIERE CNR, Ancona 23.3.1942 Sunk 17.1.43
COMANDANTI MEDAGLIE D’ORO class
CARRISTA OTO, Leghorn —
BU on stocks Displacement: 2067t standard; 2900t full load
CORSARO OTO, Leghorn 16.11.1941 Mined 9.1.43 Dimensions: 396ft oa x 40ft 4in x lift lOin
LEGIONARIO OTO, Leghorn 16.4.1941 To France 120.70 x 12.30 x 3.60m
15.8.48 Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 3 boilers, 60,000hp = 35kts
MITRAGLIERE CNR, Ancona 28.9.1941 To France Armament: 4-135mm/45 (4x 1), 12-37mm/54 AA (12 x 1), 6-533mm TT
15.7.48 (2x3)
SQUADRISTA OTO, Leghorn 12.9.1942 Sunk 4.9.44 Complement: 272
VELITE OTO, Leghorn 31.8.1941 To France
24.7.48 Designed to incorporate war experience, these ships were basically enlarged
‘Soldati’ class vessels with substantially increased AA capability and improved
stability. The initial design followed closely the ‘Soldati’ layout with 5-135mm
guns (2x2, lxl) but this was subsequently modified to four single DP mount¬
ings, in a superfiring arrangement fore and aft - the first use of a true A A main
armament in an Italian destroyer. The 135mm/45 guns, the heaviest weapons of
an Italian destroyer design, were the same as those fitted in the Doria and
‘Romani’ classes but new mountings were to be provided. These were backed up
by 12-37mm AA, two in the bridge wings, two abreast the foremast on the
forecastle deck, two abaft the funnel, one on the platform between the TT and
two abreast it on the upper deck, and three at the forward end of the after
superstructure. No provision was made for 20mm guns, but Gufo radar, with
aerials on the forward director, and a secondary director, on the after super¬
structure, were to be fitted. To compensate for the additional topweight of this
armament and the additional structure, and to increase the internal volume for
machinery and magazines, beam was increased by 7ft (2.15m) and length by 46ft
(14m), keeping the length-to-beam ratio to about 9.8:1 compared with 10.5:1 in
the ‘Soldatis’. Installed power was raised to 60,000hp but specified speed was
only 35kts, representing a new policy of giving maximum nominal speed rather
than the excessive figure expected on forced power trials. The machinery was
arranged as in the‘Soldatis’, with 2 boiler rooms and one engine room except in
Esposito which was to be of modified design with alternate engine and boiler
rooms on the unit system which necessitated the provision of two funnels. 20
vessels of this class were ordered and a further 4 projected, but only 9 were laid
down and none was completed. Those laid down were Comandante Baroni,
Comandante Borsini and Comandante Margottini (by OTO, Leghorn); Coman¬
Carabinieri about 1950
dante Botti and Comandante Ruta by CRDA, Trieste; Comandante Casana and
Comandante Dell’anno by CNR, Ancona; and Comandante de Cristofaro and
Having developed a good basic fleet destroyer design with the Maestrale/Oriani
Comandante Roscana by CT, Riva Trigoso. The last-named was laid down in
classes, 12 of the same type were ordered in 1936 and another 7 in 1940,
1942 and the remainder in 1943. The vessels not laid down were Comandante
providing the largest destroyer class ever ordered for the Italian Navy. The first
Corsi, Comandante Esposito, Comandante Fiorello, Comandante Giannattasio,
group were laid down in 1937 and completed during 1938-39 and the second
Comandante Milano and Comandante Novaro ordered from CRDA, Trieste;
were laid down in 1940-41 and completed, with the exception of Squadrista and
Comandante Fontana, Comandante Moccagatta and Comandante Rodocanacchi
Carrista, in 1942. As originally designed they were no more than repeats of the
from OTO, Leghorn; and Comandante Giobbe and Comandante Giorgis from
Oriani class, with machinery of the same type but slightly improved efficiency
CT, Riva Trigoso. All units under construction were seized by the Germans in
(sea speed 34-35kts), but subsequent alterations to the armament resulted in a
September 1943 and later broken up on the stocks except for Cristofaro and
number of variations from the model. In the first group a 120mm/15 starshell
Toscano which were badly damaged during Allied air raids and Margottini which
gun was mounted on the platform between the TT except in Carabiniere which
was launched by the Germans and later found at La Spezia in two halves.
carried a fifth 120mm/50. This latter arrangement was adopted in all the second
group except Velite which carried the 120mm/15 gun. During 1941—42 Ascari,
Nera, Geniere and Lanciere also had a 120mm/50 fitted in place of their
120mm/15. The designed close range AA armament of 13.2mm MG was gradu¬
ally supplanted by twin and single 20mm AA guns, initially 8 (4x2) and, by
1943, 10 to 12 in number. During 1942—43 Carabiniere, Granatiere, Legonario,
Fuciliere and Velite had their after TT replaced by 1 or 2 single 37mm/54 AA; the
latter pair also had their 120mm/15 gun replaced by a 37mm/54 AA. A second
director was mounted abaft the funnel in Alpino and on the after superstructure EX-ENEMY DESTROYERS
in Carabiniere, Ascari, Aviere and Lanciere', this was removed from all during The Yugoslav Dubrovnik, Beograd and Ljubljana were captured on 17.4.41,
1940-41. Initially 2 DC throwers were fitted but this was later increased to 4. refitted, repaired, and commissioned in the Italian Navy in January, August and
Velite and Fuciliere were fitted with Gufo radar and Legionario received a October 1942 respectively as thePremuda ,Sebenico andLubiana. The first two
German set. The class saw extensive war service, proving capable of efficient were seized by the Germans in September 1943 and the last-named was lost on
operation with the fleet and in company with torpedo-boats, and of absorbing 1.4.43. For other details see under Yugoslavia and Germany.
substantial damage without loss; their main weakness, as with the majority of Eleven French destroyers, scuttled at Toulon in 1942, were taken over by the
prewar destroyers, was inadequate AA defence. Three were lost in air raids, Italian Navy, redesignated with FR numbers and salvaged. These vessels were:
Alpino at La Spezia, Bersagliere at Palermo, and Geniere which sank in Palermo FR21 (ex-Lion), FR24 (ex-Valmy), FR22 (ex-Pant here), FR23 (ex-Tigre),
harbour after a bomb had damaged the drydock she was in. Nera, renamed FR31 (ex-Trombe), FR32 (ex-Le Siroco), FR33 (ex-L’Adroit), FR34 (ex-
Artigliere in 1943, was sunk by gunfire and torpedo by the cruisers Ajax and Lansquenet),FR35 (ex-Le Bison),FR36 (ex-Le Foudroyant) andLeHardi which
York, whilst Corsaro was sunk by 2 mines and Ascari by 3, both off Bizerta. was unofficially renamedFR37. Only two completed repairs,FR21 andFR32,
Aviere and Bombardiere were torpedoed by the submarines Splendid and United which commissioned in January 1943. In September 1943FR21 andFR22 were
off Bizerta and Marettimo respectively. Laniere capsized in a storm 120nm east scuttled and the remainder captured by the Germans while under repair or en
of Malta after the Second Battle of Sirte. Corazziere was scuttled at Genoa 9.9.43 route to be repaired, except for FR22 and FR31 which were returned to the
and later refloated by the Germans, but was subsequently lost in an air raid. French in October 1943. For full details see under France.

301
ITALY

TORPEDO-BOATS,
DESTROYER ESCORTS
ALBATROS
In the early 1930s the Italian Navy decided to replace its old torpedo-boats with
new vessels of 600t displacement on the basis that there were no international
Displacement: 334t standard; 490t full load treaty limitations on the numbers of vessels that could be built at or below this
Dimensions: 231ft 3in oa, 22ft 7in x 5ft 7in figure. The result was theSpzca series, handsome vessels resembling miniature
70.50 x 6.90 x 1.71m Freccia class destroyers. They were of excellent design but little tactical value as,
Machinery: 2-shaft Belluzzo geared turbines, 2 3-drum boilers, 4300bp = like the French, the Italians had failed to appreciate that the destroyer had
24.5kts rendered such vessels obsolete. They were of greater value as escort vessels but
Armament: 2-450mm TT, 2-102mm/35 (2x 1), 2-13.2mm MG (2x1), 4 AA (and AS) armament was limited by considerations of topweight and the
DC throwers Italian Navy does not seem to have considered removing the TT or other
Complement: 52 equipment to provide additional such weapons; however, they did make moder¬
ately good AS vessels. Their vulnerability is well demonstrated by the fact that
Name Builder Launched Fate seven were lost in action with surface vessels (Airone, Ariel, Vega, Lupo, Cigno,
Perseo and Castore) while aircraft claimed another eight and the mine and
ALBATROS CNR, Palermo 27.5.1934 Sunk 27.9.41
submarine torpedo only three each. They did however have superficial advan¬
tages in the 1930s as these small vessels were relatively cheap and could be built
Albatros was laid down in 1931 and completed in 1934 as a submarine-chaser but
in larger numbers than destroyers, and their short range and limited seakeeping
was recalssified as a torpedo-boat in 1938. Two 37mm/54 AA (2 x 1) were added
qualities were less important to a central Mediterranean navy than to one
to her armament in the late 1930s. She sank the British submarine Phoenix in
committed to deep ocean service. The machinery was arranged in 3 compart¬
July 1940 but was herself sunk by a British submarine (Upright) off Sicily.
ments - 2 boiler rooms and 1 engine room - and at 15kts provided an endurance
of 1800nm. On trials over 37kts was achieved by many of the class but post¬
completion additions had increased displacements by around 250t by 1940
which, with general wear and tear, reduced maximum speeds to 30kts; sea speed
was 26 to 29kts. Three torpedo dispositions were orginally provided in the class.
Vega 1936 The Spica group and Climene and Centauro were fitted with a single tube on each
beam and a twin on the centreline; the remainder of the Climene group, the
SPICA class Perseo group and the CNQ-built vessels of the Alcione group had two single
tubes on each beam; the remainder of the Alcione group mounted two twin tubes
Displacement: Spica group: 620t standard; 885t full load on the centreline. The latter arrangement had the obvious advantage of provid¬
Climene group: 640t standard; 995t full load
ing a full broadside of four torpedoes and between 1939 and 1941 all the vessels
Perseo group: 630t standard; 985t full load
Alcione group: 670t standard; 1030t full load of the class were converted to this standard.
War modifications included the replacement of some or all of the 13.2mm MG
Dimensions: 246ft pp, 263ft 4in-269ft oa x 26ft 1 lin (.Alcione group 26ft)
x 9ft 3in—10ft 2in full load by twin 20mm/65 mountings, the normal arrangement being 6-20mm (3x2)
75.00, 80.40-82.00 x 8.20 (7.92) x 2.82-3.09m and 2-13.2mm (1x2). During 1941-42 a further 2 DC throwers were added,
Machinery: 2-shaft Tosi geared turbines, 2 Yarrow boilers, 19,000hp = with stowage for 40 DC, and later several units received German sonars. All
34kts. Oil 207t were equipped for minelaying, carrying 18-28 mines depending on type. Spica
Armament: 4—450mm TT (2x1, 1x2, or 4x1, or 2x2), 3-100mm/47 and Astore were sold to Sweden in 1940 and renamed Romulus and Remus
(3x 1), 4-40mm/39 (2x2, Spica group only), 8 (Spica group respectively. Pleidi was beached after an Italian aircraft had crashed on her and
4), 13.2mm MG (4 or 2x2), 2 DC throwers subsequently foundered after being hit by a bomb. Andromeda, Canope,Polluce,
Complement: 99 (peace); 120 (war) Centauro, Antares and Pallade were sunk by aircraft and Alcione, Climene and
Lince were torpedoed by submarines, the last being aground at the time. Circe
Name Builder Launched Fate was lost in an accidental collision with a merchantman and Partenope and Lira
were scuttled. The latter was salvaged by the Germans and renamed TA49 but
Spica group
was later destroyed in an air raid on La Spezia while under repair. The surviving
ASTORE BSN 22.4.1934 Sold 1940
SPICA BSN 11.3.1934 Sold 1940 units were modernised during 1950-53.
Climene group
CANOPO CT, Riva Trigosol.10.1936 Sunk 3.5.41
CASSIOPEA CT, Riva Trigoso22.11.1936 Discarded 31.10.59
CASTORE CNA, Ancona 27.9.1936 Sunk 2.6.43
CENTAURO CNR, Ancona 19.2.1936 Sunk 4.11.42
CIGNO CNR, Ancona 24.11.1936 Sunk 16.4.43
CLIMENE CNR, Ancona 7.1.1936 Sunk 28.4.43
Perseo group
ALDEBARAN Ansaldo, Genoa 14.6.1936 Mined 20.10.41
ALTAIR Ansaldo, Genoa 26.7.1936 Mined 20.10.41
ANDROMEDA Ansaldo, Genoa 28.6.1936 Sunk 17.3.41
ANTARES Ansolda, Genoa 23.12.1936 Sunk 28.5.43 Displacement: 840t standard; 1575t full load
PERSEO CNQ 9.10.1935 Sunk 4.5.43 Dimensions: 270ft 6in pp, 293ft oa x 31ft 9in x 12ft 3in full load
SAGITTARIO CNQ 21.6.1936 Discarded 1.7.64 82.50, 89.30 x 9.69 x 3.74m
SIRIO CNQ 14.11.1935 Discarded 31.10.59 Machinery: 2-shaft Tosi geared turbines, 2 3-drum boilers, 16,000hp =
VEGA CNQ 21.6.1936 Sunk 10.1.41 28kts. Oil 520t
Alcione group Armament: 6-450mm TT (2x3), 2-100mm/47 (2x1), 8-13.2mm MG
AIRONE Ansaldo, Genoa 23.1.1938 Sunk 12.10.40 (4x2), 6 DC throwers
ALCIONE Ansaldo, Genoa 23.12.1937 Sunk 11.12.41 Complement: 154 (peace); 168 (war)
ARETUSA Ansaldo, Genoa 6.2.1938 Discarded 1.8.58
ARIEL Ansaldo, Genoa 14.3.1938 Sunk 12.10.40 Name Builder Launched Fate
CALIPSO Ansaldo, Genoa 29.9.1937 Mined 5.12.40
CALLIOPE Ansaldo, Genoa 16.4.1938 Discarded 1.8.58 PEGASO BSN 8.12.1936 Scuttled 11.9.43
CIRCE Ansaldo, Genoa 29.6.1938 Sunk 27.11.42 PROCIONE BSN 31.1.1937 Scuttled 9.9.43
CLIO Ansaldo, Genoa 3.4.1938 Discarded 31.10.59 ORIONE CNR, Palermo 21.4.1937 Discarded 1.1.65
CNQ 3.10.1938 ORSA CNR, Palermo 21.3.1937 Discarded 1.7.64
LIBRA Discarded 1.4.64
LINCE CNQ 15.1.1938 Sunk 4.11.44
Similar to the British ‘Hunt’ class in design and appearance, the Pegaso class
LIRA CNQ 12.11.1937 Sunk 4.11.44
were basically an enlarged Spica design modified to give greater endurance, but
LUPO CNQ 7.11.1937 Sunk 2.12.42
less speed, for escort work. When originally designed in 1935 they were rated as
PALLADE BSN 19.12.1937 Sunk 5.8.43
escort vessels, but at the time of completion in 1938 they were re-rated as escort
PARTENOPE BSN 31.1.1937 Scuttled 11.9.43
torpedo-boats. They were about 200t larger than Spica but had a lighter gun
PLEIADI BSN 5.9.1937 Foundered
armament and, as they were not required as attack vessels, less powerful
14.10.41
24.10.1937 machinery. The space and weight made available by these changes was utilised
POLLUCE BSN Sunk 4.9.42
to increase the oil fuel stowage (giving an endurance of 5000m at 14kts) and the

302
 Torpedo-boats, destroyer escorts
AS armament. They still, however, carried two pairs of TT, one on each beam,
and lacked an effective A A armament. Design speed was reached on trial
without difficulty but not greatly exceeded, and sea speed was good at 27kts. To
reduce wetness forward they employed a modified bow design with a knuckle at
upper deck level. War modifications were not extensive apart from the substitu¬ Ariete as completed
tion of 8 to 11—20mm A A for the original 13.2mm MG. Pegaso and Procione were
scuttled on the Italian surrender, the former at Majorca and the latter at La
Spezia. The surviving pair were reconstructed as AS frigates 1953-54. ARIETE class
Displacement: 745t standard; lllOt full load
Dimensions: 266ft lin pp, 274ft oa x 28ft 3in x 10ft 4in
81.10, 83.50 x 8.62 x 3.15m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 3-drum boilers, 22,000hp
CICLONE class = 31.5kts. Oil 2lOt
Armament: 6-450mm TT (2x3), 2-100mm/47 (2x1), 10-20mm/65
Displacement: 910t standard; 1625t full load (3x2, 4x1), 2 DC throwers
Dimensions: 270ft 8in pp, 287ft lOin oa x 32ft 6in x 12ft 4in Complement: 150
82.50, 87.75 x 9.90 x 3.77m
Machinery: 2-shaft Tosi or Parsons geared turbines, 2 Yarrow boilers, Name Builder Launched Fate
16,000hp = 26kts. Oil 442t (normal)
ALABARDA CRDA, Trieste 7.5.1944 Sunk 21.3.45
Armament: 4-450mm TT (2x2), 2-100m/47 (2x 1), 8-20mm/70 (4x2), ARIETE Ansaldo, Genoa 6.3.1943 To Yugoslavia
4 DC throwers
1949
Complement: 177 ARTURO Ansaldo, Genoa 27.3.1943 Sunk 18.3.45
Name AURIGA Ansaldo, Genoa 15.4.1943 Sunk 9.6.44
Builder Launched Fate
BALESTRA CNQ 4.10.1947 To Yugoslavia
ALISEO Navalmeccanica 20.9.1942 To Yugoslavia 1948
1949 DAGA CRDA, Trieste 15.7.1943 Scuttled
ANIMOSO Ansaldo, Genoa 15.4.1942 To USSR 1949 16.10.44
ARDENTE Ansaldo, Genoa 27.5.1942 Sunk 12.1.43 DRAGONE Ansaldo, Genoa 14.8.1943 Sunk 15.6.44
ARDIMENTOSO Ansaldo, Genoa 27.6.1942 To USSR 1949 ERIDANO Ansaldo, Genoa 12.7.1943 Sunk 18.3.45
ARDITO Ansaldo, Genoa 16.3.1942 Sunk 15.6.44 FIONDA CNQ 31.1.1943 To Yugoslavia
CICLONE CRDA, Trieste 1.3.1942 Mined 8.3.43 1948
FORTUNALE CRD A, Trieste 18.4.1942 To USSR 1949 GLADIO CRDA, Trieste 15.6.1943 Sunk 7.10.44
GHIBLI Navalmeccanica 28.2.1943 Scuttled 25.4.45 LANCIA CRDA, Trieste 7.5.1944 Scuttled May 1945
GROPPO Navalmeccanica 19.4.1942 Sunk 25.5.43 PUGNALE CRDA, Trieste 1.8.1943 Scuttled 4.5.45
IMPAVIDO CT, Riva Trigoso24.2.1943 Mined 25.4.44 RIGEL Ansaldo, Genoa 22.5.1943 Sunk 4.9.44
IMPETUOSO CT, Riva Trigoso20.4.1943 Scuttled 11.9.43 SPADA CRDA, Trieste 1.7.1943 Scuttled 13.10.44
INDOMITO CT, Riva Trigoso6.7.1943 To Yugoslavia SPICA CNQ 30.1.1944 Sunk 13.4.45
1949 STELLA POLARE CNQ 1.4.1944 Mined 18.3.44
INTREPIDO CT, Riva Trigoso8.9.1943 Sunk 21.6.44
MONSONE Navalmeccanica 7.6.1942 Sunk 21.6.44 A modified Spica design intended to provide convoys with protection against
TIFONE CRDA, Trieste 31.3.1942 Scuttled 7.5.43 surface attack. They were larger than the Spica class and carried a heavier TT
URAGANO CRDA, Trieste 3.5.1942 Mined 3.2.43 and A A armament but one less 100mm gun. Machinery power was increased to
compensate for the increased size and dimensions but speed, which was not as
These vessels, slightly modified repeats of the Pegaso class, were laid down important in these ships, was slightly less. Endurance was 1500nm at 16kts.
1941-42 and completed 1942-43. They were about 70t heavier than the .Pegaso Forty-two units were projected in 1942 but shortages of material and labour
and about 8in (0.21m) beamier which, as they had the same machinery, resulted meant that only 16 could be laid down. The intended AA armament was
in a 2kt loss of speed; fuel stowage was also reduced, giving a range of about 2-37mm/54 (2x1) and 12-20mm/65 (2x2, 8x1) but shortage of suitable
4000nm at 14kts. These modifications improved stability and allowed for some weapons resulted in Ariete, the only vessel to enter service with the Italian Navy,
increases in the AA and AS armament and the fitting of a director on the bridge carrying the guns given in the above table. The remaining 15 vessels were seized
in place of an open rangefinder. They were built as part of the attempt to correct by the Germans in September 1943 and renamed as follows: TA24 (ex-Arturo),
the deficiency of escorts and were intended primarily to protect traffic to North TA27 (ex-Auriga), TA28 (cx-Rigel), TA29 (ex-Eridano), TA30 (ex-Dragone),
Africa. Six of the class (Animoso, Ghibli, Impavido, Indomito, Intrepido and TA36 (ex-Stella Polare), TA37 (ex-Gladio), TA38 (ex-Spada), TA39 (tx-Daga),
Monsone) were fitted with a third 100mm/47 gun on the after centreline AA TA40 (ex-Pugnale), TA41 (ex-Lancia), TA42 (ex-Alabarda), TA45 (ex-Spica),
platform, the displaced twin 20mm mounting being replaced by 2-20mm AA TA46 (ex-Fionda) and TA47 (ex-Balestra). All except the last two were com¬
(2x 1) on the quarterdeck. General A A additions included 1 or 2 single 20mm on pleted by the Germans with a variety of AA weapons and in most cases a radar
the quarterdeck and 2 single 20mm on the forecastle, giving a maximum of 12 in set. Average AA armament was 12-20mm AA, which included quadruple, twin
some ships. Ardente was lost in collision with the destroyer Grecale and Groppo and single mounts.
and Monsone were bombed at Messina and Naples respectively. On the Italian TA27, TA28 and TA42 were sunk by aircraft at Portoferraio, Genoa and
surrender Impetuoso, Tifone, Impavido, Ghibli and Intrepido, the last-named still Venice respectively. TA40 and TA41 were badly damaged in an air raid on
completing, were scuttled at Majorca, at Tunisia, off Elba, at La Spezia and at Trieste on 20.2.45 and were later scuttled. TA39 was mined in the Aegean and
Trigoso respectively. Impavido, Intrepido and Ghibli were salvaged by the TA38 was mined and bombed at Volos; both were then scuttled. TA24 and
Germans, the first two being renamed TA23 and 77125. Ardito was also seized, TA29 were lost in action with the destroyers Meteor and Lookout in the Gulf of
becoming TA26, and she and TA2S were later sunk by US PT boats. TA23 was Genoa and TA37 in action with the destroyers Termagant and Tuscan in the Gulf
lost off Capriera and Ghibli never completed repairs being scuttled at La Spezia of Salonika. TA30 and TA45 were torpedoed by British MTBs. The incomplete
at the end of the war. The surviving vessels were transferred as war reparations, TA46 and TA47 were damaged by bombs while on slip on 20.2.45. In 1948 they
Indomito and Aliseo going to Yugoslavia as Triglav and Biokovo respectively and were taken over for completion by Yogoslavia who renamed them Velebit and
the remainder to Russia (new names unknown). Ucka respectively but only the latter vessel was finished. Ariete was also transfer¬
red to Yugoslavia, being renamed Dumitar.
Ciclone as completed Italian Navy
ITALY
EX-ENEMY TORPEDO-BOATS
Six Yugoslavian torpedo boats, 77, T3 and TS-T8, were captured in April 1941,
all being commissioned under the Italian flag with names unchanged. T3 and TS
were fitted with 2-76mm/30 AA (2x 1) in place of their original 66mm weapons
in 1942, but these vessels were otherwise little altered. After the Italian surren¬
der T6 was scuttled and T8 was sunk by German aircraft; T3 was seized by the
Germans and redesignated TA48, but she was later sunk. 77 and 77 were
returned to the Yugoslavs on 7.12.43; for further details see under Yugoslavia.
The French torpedo-boats Bombarde, La Pomone and L’lphigenie, captured
by the Germans at Bizerta, were transferred to the Italian Navy on 28.12.42 and
renamed FR41 ,FR42 and FR43 respectively. Early in 1943 they were returned
to the Germans who again renamed them TA9, TA10 and TA11 respectively.
For further details see under France.

SUBMARINES
However, she took a long time to dive, was unhandy when submerged and could
not reach her designed speed (19kts/10kts). Range was 5000nm at 9kts/80nm at
4kts. She was employed on a few operational patrols early in the war but, in
Balilla 1940 mid-1940, suffered a battery explosion and was laid up the following year.

BALILLA class
Displacement: 1427t/1874t Galileo Ferraris 1934
Dimensions: 283ft 9in oa x 25ft 7in x 15ft 5in
86.50 x 7.80 x 4.70m
Machinery: 2-shaft Fiat diesels plus 2 Savigliano electric motors,
ARCHIMEDE class
4900bhp/2200hp = 16kts/17kts. Oil 140t Displacement: 970t/1239t
Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern; 16 torpedoes), l-120mm/27, Dimensions: 231ft 4in oa X 22ft 6in x 13ft 6in
2-13.2mm MG (2x1) 70.50 x 6.87 x 4.12m
Complement: 77 Machinery: 2-shaft Tosi diesels plus 2 Marelli electric motors,
3000bhp/l lOOhp = 17kts/8kts. Oil lOOt
Name Builder Launched Fate
Armament: 8-533mm TT (4 bow, 4 stern; 16 torpedoes), 2-100mm/43
BALILLA OTO, Muggiano 20.2.1927 Laid up 28.4.41 (2x1), 2-13.2mm MG (2x1)
DOMENICO OTO, Muggiano 19.9.1927 Laid up 15.4.41 Complement: 55
MILLELIRE
ANTONIO SCIESA OTO, Muggiano 12.8.1928 Scuttled 12.11.42 Name Builder Launched Fate
ENRICO TOTI OTO, Muggiano 14.4.1928 Laid up 1.4.43 ARCHIMEDE Tosi 10.12.1933 To Spain 1937
GALILEO FERRARIS Tosi 11.8.1934 Sunk 25.10.41
Laid down in 1925 and completed in 1928 (Sciesa 1929), these boats were GALILEO GALILEI Tosi 19.3.1934 Captured 19.6.40
designed by their builders to meet a Navy request for a cruiser submarine EVANGELISTA Tosi 27.5.1934 To Spain 1937
capable of operating in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean from Italy’s African TORRICELLI
colonies, necessitating a high endurance and reasonable surface speed; U120, a
German U E11 type transferred toltalyatthe end of World War I, provided the A Cavallini partial double-hull design, laid down in 1931 and completed
basis for the design. The result was a double-hulled boat which, for the time, 1934—35. Basically an enlarged version of the sea-going Settembrini class with
was very strongly constructed, allowing a maximum diving depth of 350ft greater range (10,500nm at 8kts/105nm at 3kts) and stowage for 16, instead of
(Millelire actually reached 400ft on trials in May 1930). The class had a number 12, torpedoes to make the boats suitable for ocean service. Archimede and
of other innovatory features including an auxiliary Fiat diesel of 425hp for Torricello were secretly transferred to Spain and renamed General Sanjurjo and
economic cruising at 7kts, giving a range of 13,000nm, and for battery recharg¬ General Mola. Galilei was captured by the British armed trawler Moonstone in
ing. This feature was not repeated in later vessels and one assumes it was either a
the Red Sea and employed by the RN as the training boatX2; she was scrapped
failure or took up too much space. Stability was rather poor and the designed
in 1946. Ferraris was damaged by an aircraft while attacking convoy HG74 out of
speed of 17.5kts/8.9kts was not realised in the completed boats. The torpedoes
Gibraltar and, unable to dive, was sunk by the British escort destroyerLamerton.
comprised 2 reloads for each bow tube and 1 for each stern tube, and all boats
except Sciesa carried 4 mines. The original 120mm gun was carried in a shielded Domenico Millelire as completed
mounting in the forward section of the conning tower but in 1934 this was
replaced by a 120mm/45 deck gun. The boats carried out a few offensive patrols
during 1940-41 (Toti sank the British submarine Rainbow 15.10.40) but they
were too big to operate effectively in the Mediterranean and Balilla and Millelire
were laid up while the remaining pair operated as supply submarines to North
Africa. Sciesa was damaged by US aircraft on 6.9.42, beached at Tobruk and
scuttled two months later.

ETTORE FIERAMOSCA
Displacement: 1530t/2094t
Dimensions: 275ft 6in oa x 27ft 3in x 16ft 9in
83.97 x 8.30 x 5.11m
Machinery: 2-shaft Tosi diesels plus 2 Marelli electric motors,
5200bhp/2300hp = 15kts/8kts. Oil 150t

4—13.2mm MG (2x2)
Complement: 78 Ettore Fieramosca prewar

Name Builder Launched Fate

ETTORE Tosi 15.4.1929 BU 1946

FIERAMOSCA

Italy’s second cruiser submarine design, by Bernardis, laid down in 1926 and
completed in 1930, was intended to have its operational effectiveness improved
by carrying a seaplane for scouting. A hangar was incorporated into its large
conning tower but the necessary aircraft was never built and the hangar was
removed in 1931; at the same time her 120mm/27 gun was replaced by a
120mm/45. She was of single-hull construction with external bulges, which
arrangement was intended to give better stability than in the Balilla class.

304
 Submarines
r
Otaria 1940
a lower designed speed but actual speed was slightly higher than in the earlier
ships at 16.8kts/4.7kts, although this was still below the required figure. The
GLAUCO class space and weight gained provided for the addition of 2 TT, a second 120mm gun
Displacement: 1054t/1305t and a substantial increase in fuel stowage, giving an endurance of 13,400nm at
8kts without the need of an auxiliary diesel as in Balilla. Endurance submerged
Dimensions: 239ft 6in oa x 23ft 3in x 16ft lOin
73.00 x 7.20 x 5.12m was 80nm at 4kts and the diving limit 330ft. The torpedoes carried gave one
reload for each tube. Calvi was scuttled in the Atlantic after being heavily
Machinery: 2-shaft Fiat diesels plus 2 CRDA electric motors,
3000bhp/1200hp = 17kts/8kts damaged by Lulworth and other British escorts. In 1943 the remaining pair were
converted to carry supplies to and from Japan but Tazzoli was lost in the Bay of
Armament: 8-533mm TT (4 bow, 4 stern; 14 torpedoes), 2-100mm/47
(2x 1), 2-13.2mm MG (2x 1) Biscay on her first trip out from causes unknown. Finzi was seized by the
Complement: 58 Germans in September 1943 and taken into their service as UIT21; she was
employed as an operational unit in the North Atlantic and scuttled at Bordeaux.
Name Builder Launched Fate
GLAUCO CRDA, 5.1.1935 Scuttled 27.6.41
Monfalcone
Foca 1940
OTARIA CRDA, 20.3.1935 Discarded 1.2.48
Monfalcone
FOCA class
Ordered as Delfin and Espadarte by Portugal and laid down in 1931 but cancelled
shortly afterwards. In 1932 the Italian Government took over the contracts and Displacement: 1305t/1625t
work was restarted, the two vessels entering service with the Italian Navy in Dimensions: 271ft lOin oa x 23ft 6in x 17ft lin
October 1935 and January 1936 respectively. Both saw service in the North 82.85 x 7.17 x 5.20m
Atlantic during 1940-41. Glauco was scuttled west of Gibraltar after being Machinery: 2-shaft Fiat diesels plus 2 Ansaldo electric motors,
heavily damaged by the destroyer Wishart. Otaria was employed to run supplies 2880bhp/1250hp = 16kts/8kts
to North Africa and on Mediterranean patrols during 1941-43. Armament: 6-21in TT (6 bow; 8 torpedoes), l-100mm/43, 4—13.2mm
MG (2x2), 36 mines
Complement: 60
PIETRO MICCA Name Builder Launched Fate
Displacement: 1545t/1940t
ATROPO Tosi 20.11.1938 Discarded 23.3.47
Dimensions: 296ft 3in oa x 25ft 3in X 17ft 5in 26.6.1937 Lost Oct 1940
FOCA Tosi
90.30 x 7.70 x 5.30m
ZOEA Tosi 5.12.1937 Discarded 23.3.47
Machinery: 2-shaft Tosi diesel plus 2 Marelli electric motors,
3000bhp/150hp = 15.5kts/8.5kts
Italy’s last minelaying submarines, laid down 1936-37 and completed 1937-39,
Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern; 10 torpedoes), 2-120mm/45 were a Cavallini design derived from the Archimede and Glauco classes and about
(2x 1), 4—13.2mm MG (2x2), 20 mines
half-way between them in size. Maximum diving depth was 330ft and endurance
Complement: 72 8500nm at 8kts/ 106nm at 4kts. Torpedo armament was sacrificed to provide two
Name Builder Launched Fate mine chutes at the stern. The original 100mm/43 gun was mounted in a shielded
position in the after section of the conning tower but was later replaced by a
PIETRO MICCA Tosi 31.3.1935 Sunk 29.7.1943
100mm/45 gun mounted on the casing forward of the tower. Foca was lost from
an unknown cause during a minlaying operation off Haifa.
Laid down in 1931 and completed in 1935, the Micca was Italy’s largest prewar
submarine. She was designed by Cavallini as a cruiser/minelayer of similar size
to the British Porpoise class but with only 40 per cent of their mine load, and less Veniero 1942
speed, although the gun armament was heavier. Endurance was 12,000nm at
8kts/80nm at 4kts. She carried out a few minelaying operations in 1940 and
several supply runs during 1941-42. She was torpedoed by the British sub¬
marine Trooper in the Straits of Otranto. Commandante Cappelim 1939

MARCELLO class
Displacement: 1043t/1290t
Dimensions: 239ft 6in oa x 23ft 7in x 16ft 8in
73.00 x 7.19 x 5.10m
Machinery: 2-shaft CRDA (Cappellim, Di Bruno,Mocenigo, Veniero Fiat)
diesels plus 2 CRDA electric motors, 3600bhp/1100hp =
17.4kts/8kts. Oil 108t
Armament: 8-533mm TT (4 bow, 4 stern; 16 torpedoes), 2-100mm/47
(2x 1), 4-13.2mm MG (2x2)
Complement: 57
Name Builder Launched Fate

BARBARIGO CRDA, 13.6.1938 Lost June 1943

Monfalcone
DANDOLO CRDA, 20.11.1937 Discarded 23.3.47
Monfalcone
EMO CRDA, 26.6.1938 Scuttled 10.11.42
Monfalcone
MARCELLO CRDA, 20.11.1937 Sunk 22.2.41
Monfalcone
MOCENIGO CRDA, 20.11.1937 Sunk 13.5.43
CALVI class Monfalcone
Displacement: 1525t/2028t MOROSINI CRDA, 28.7.1938 Lost 1943
Monfalcone
Dimensions: 276ft 7in oa x 25ft 3in x 17ft lin
84.30 x 7.70 x 5.20m NANI CRDA, 16.1.1938 Sunk 7.1.41
2-shaft Fiat diesels plus 2 San Giorgio electric motors, Monfalcone
Machinery:
4400bhp/1800hp = 17. lkts/7.9kts. Oil 249t PROVANA CRDA, 16.3.1938 Sunk 17.6.40
8-533mm TT (4 bow, 4 stern; 16 torpedoes), 2-120mm/47 Monfalcone
Armament:
(2x1), 4-13.2mm MG (2x2) VENIERO CRDA, 12.2.1938 Lost 7.6.42
Monfalcone
Complement: 77
COMANDANTE OTO, Muggiano 14.5.1939 Scuttled 15.4.46
Name Builder Launched Fate
CAPPELLINI
PIETRO CALVI OTO, Muggiano 31.3.1935 Scuttled 15.7.42 COMANDANTE OTO, Muggiano 18.6.1939 Lost Nov 1940
GIUSEPPE FINZI OTO, Muggiano 29.6.1935 Scuttled 20.8.44 FAA DI BRUNO
ENRICO TAZZOLI OTO, Muggiano 14.10.1935 Lost May 1943
A Bernardis design with a partial double-hull and internal ballast tanks. The
Designed by the builders, laid down in 1932 and completed 1936 (Calvi 1935). first eight were laid down in 1937 and completed in 1938; the last pair, laid down
Improved and updated versions of Balilla with slightly wider beam and better in 1938 and completed in 1939, are often listed as a separate class but differed
hull form for improved stability. Less powerful machinery was provided giving only in internal detail. These boats proved very manoeuvrable under water but,

305
ITALY
like most of their predecessors, were lacking in transverse stability which was British submarine Thunderbolt in the Bay of Biscay. The remaining pair were
not helped by the large conning tower. Diving limit was 330ft and endurance converted to transport submarines in 1943 to carry valuable materials to and
7500nm at 9.4kts/120nm at 3kts or 80nm at 4kts. Design speeds were exceeded from Japan. Guiliani was siezed by the Japanese at Singapore and Bagnolim by
in trials, Provana achieving 18.24kts/8.5kts. The torpedoes carried provided the Germans at Bordeaux on 10.9.43 and incorporated in the German Navy as
one reload for each tube. Nani was sunk by the British corvette Anemone, UIT23 and UIT22 respectively. The former vessel was torpedoed by the British
Marcello by convoy escorts and Bruno from an unknown cause in the North submarine Tally Ho in the Straits of Malacca and the latter was sunk by a S A AF
Atlantic. Provana was rammed by the French sloop La Curieuse off Oran and 0ff the Cape of Good Hope en route for Japan.
Emo was brought to the surface by the British armed trawler Lord Nuffield and
scuttled to avoid capture. Morosini was lost in the Bay of Biscay and Veniero in
the western Mediterranean, probably by aircraft attack. Mocenigo was sunk by
bombs during an air raid on Cagliari. In 1943 Barbarigo and Cappellini were
converted to transports to carry supplies to and from Japan; the former was sunk
by aircraft in the Bay of Biscay on her first trip out and the latter was seized by
the Japanese at Sabang in September 1943 following the Italian surrender. She
was handed over to the Germans to become UIT24 and re-armed with a German
105mm gun. She was re-taken by the Japanese in 10.5.45 and renumbered 1503,
surrendered to the USN at Kobe on 2.9.45 and finally scuttled at Kii Suido.

The launch of Capilano Tarantini in July 1940

BRIN class
Displacement: 1000t/ 1245t —c Maggiore Baracca 1940
Dimensions: 237ft 8in x 21ft llin x 14ft 1 lin
12.41 x 6.68 x 4.54m
Machinery: 2-shaft Tosi diesels plus 2 Ansaldo electric motors, MARCONI class
3400bhp/1300hp = 17.3kts/8kts
Armament: 8-533mm TT (4 bow, 4 stern; 14 torpedoes), l-120mm/43, Displacement: 1175t/1465t
4—13.2mm MG (4x 1) Dimensions: 251ft oa X 22ft 4in x 15ft 6in
16.50 x 6.81 x 4.12m
Complement: 58
Machinery: 2-shaft CRDA diesels plus 2 Marelli electric motors,
Name Builder Launched Fate
3600bhp/1500hp = 17.8kts/8.2kts. Oil 118t
ARCHIMEDE Tosi 5.3.1939 Sunk 16.4.43 Armament: 8-533mm TT (4 bow, 4 stern; 12 torpedoes), l-100mm/47,
BRIN Tosi 3.4.1938 Discarded 1.2.48 4—13.2mm MG (2x2)
GALVANI Tosi 22.5.1938 Sunk 24.6.40 Complement: 57
GUGLIELMOTTI Tosi 5.3.1939 Sunk 17.3.42 Name Builder Launched Fate
TORRICELLI Tosi 26.3.1939 Scuttled 23.6.40
MAGGIORE OTO, Muggiano 21.4.1940 Sunk 8.9.41
A Tosi partial double-hull design derived from the Archimede class. The first 3 BARACCA
units were laid down in 1936 and completed in 1938; the final pair were laid MICHELE BIANCHI OTO, Muggiano 3.12.1939 Sunk 5.7.41
down in 1937 to replace the two Archimede class ships transferred to Spain and, LEONARDO CRDA, 16.9.1939 Sunk 24.5.43
to maintain the secrecy of the transfer, were built surreptitiously and given the DA VINCI Monfalcone
names of the earlier vessels. They completed in 1939. Diving limit was 360ft. ALESSANDRO OTO, Muggiano 18.2.1940 Lost Sept 1941
The 120mm/43 gun, fitted in a shielded position in the after section of the MALASPINA
superstructure, was replaced by a 120mm/47 on the deck forward in the early GUGLIELMO CRDA, 30.7.1939 Lost Oct 1941
years of the war. Galvani was sunk by the British sloop Falmouth off the Persian MARCONI Monfalcone
Gulf and Torricelli was scuttled after a short engagement with the British LUIGI TORELLI OTO, Muggiano 6.1.1940 Scuttled Apr 1946
destroyers Kandahar, Khartoum and. Kingston and the sloop Shoreham in the Red
Sea. Guglielmotti was torpedoed by the British submarine Unbeaten off Calabria A Bernadis design derived from the Marcello class, laid down 1938-39 and
and the Archimede was sunk by a US Catalina off Brazil. Brin surrendered to the completed in 1940. Compared with the earlier class beam was reduced and
Allies in 1943 and was employed as an AS training target 1944—45. length increased, and more powerful electric motors provided for a slight
improvement in speed. Diving limit was the same but the conning tower was
smaller and one less gun was carried to compensate for the lower stability of the
new hull dimensions. Endurance was 10,500nm at 8kts/l lOnm at 3kts or 80nm
at 4kts. Bianchi was torpedoed by the British submarine Tigris in the Bay of
Biscay and Baracca was rammed by the British escort destroyer Groome west of
Gibraltar. Malaspina and Marconi were lost from unknown causes in the North
Atlantic. Da Vinci was to be converted to carry a CA midget submarine on her
casing, forward of the conning tower, in 1942 but this proposal was cancelled.
V"
She was sunk by the British destroyer Active and frigate Ness off Cape Finis-
Brin about 1940 Aldo Fraccaroli Collection terre. Torelli was converted to a transport submarine in 1943 and proceeded to
Singapore where she was seized by the Japanese on 10.9.43 following the Italian
surrender; she was transferred to Germany as UIT25 but later returned to the
LIUZZI class Japanese as 1504 and surrendered to the USN at Kobe 2.9.45 who sank her off
Displacement: 1148t/1460t Kobe.
Dimensions: 249ft 8in x 22ft llin x 14ft llin
16.10 x 6.98 x 4.55m
Machinery: 2-shaft Tosi diesels plus 2 Ansaldo electric motors, CAGNI class
2500bhp/1500hp = 18kts/8kts. Oil 35t
Displacement: 1653t/2136t
Armament: 8-533mm (4 bow, 4 stern; 12 torpedoes) l-100mm/47,
Dimensions: 288ft 5in oa x 25ft 5in X 18ft 9in
4—13.2mm MG (2x2)
81.90 x 7.76 x 5.12m
Complement: 58
Machinery: 2-shaft CRDA diesels plus 2 CRDA electric motors,
Name Builder Launched Fate 4370bhp/1800hp = 17kts/8.5kts
ALPINO BAGNOLINI Tosi 28.10.1939 Sunk 11.3.44 Armament: 14—450mm TT (8 bow, 6 stern; 36 torpedoes), 2-100mm/47
(2x 1), 4—13.2mm MG (2x2)
REGINALDO Tosi 3.12.1939 Sunk 14.2.44
Complement: 85
GIULIANI
CONSOLE GENERALETosi 17.9.1939 Scuttled 27.6.40 Name Builder Launched Fate
LIUZZI
AMMIRAGLIO CRDA, 20.7.1940 Discarded 1.2.48
CAPITANO Tosi 7.1.1940 Sunk 15.12.40
CAGNI Monfalcone
TARANTINI
AMMIRAGLIO CRDA, 16.10.1940 Scuttled 11.12.41
CARACCIOLO Monfalcone
Laid down 1938-39 and completed 1939-40 as an enlarged Brin design with
AMMIRAGLIO CRDA, 31.8.1940 Sunk 14.3.42
improved stability, more powerful machinery and a lighter gun mounted on the
MILLO Monfalcone
deck forward of the conning tower. Range was 1 l,300nm at 8kts/108nm at 3kts.
AMMIRAGLIO CRDA, 6.6.1940 Sunk 5.1.42
Liuzzi was scuttled to avoid capture following an action with the British des¬
SAINT-BON Monfalcone
troyers Dainty, Defender and Ilex off Crete. Tarantini was torpedoed by the

306
 Submarines
x~ Pier Capponi 1940

MAMELI class
Displacement: 810t/993t
Dimensions: 211ft llin oa x 21ft 4in X 14ft lin
64.60 x 6.51 x 4.30m
Machinery: 2-shaft Tosi diesels plus 2 CGE electric motors,
3000bhp/1100hp = 15kts/7.5kts. Oil 48t
Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern; 10 torpedoes), l-102mm/35,
2-13.2mm MG (2x 1)
Complement: 49
Ammiraglio Millo, 1941 Italian Navy
Name Builder Launched Fate
The Cagni class, laid down in 1939 and completed in 1941, were designed for
extended operations against ocean trade routes and carried an exceptionally PIER CAPPONI Tosi 19.6.1927 Sunk 31.3.41
large torpedo complement to match their high endurance; to maximise the GIOVANNI DA Tosi 1.4.1928 Discarded 1.2.48
number of tubes and reloads the 450mm type were employed, instead of the PROCIDA
standard 533mm, which was considered sufficient for use against merchantmen. GOFFREDO MAMELI Tosi 9.12.1926 Discarded 1.2.48
Their large conning towers were replaced by smaller, German-style structures (iex-Masaniello)
while they were fitting out. Endurance was 13,500m at 9kts and their capability TITO SPERI Tosi 25.5.1928 Discarded 1.2.48
for long operations can be judged from Cagni’s first South Atlantic patrol which
lasted 4£ months during 1942-43. Her second patrol began in June 1943 and Designed by Cavallini and Tosi, these vessels were the prototypes for several of
ended when she surrendered at Durban on 20.9.43. Initially however their large Italy’s sea-going submarines and the first postwar vessels of the type. Laid down
size was utilised to carry supplies to North Africa but they were far from suitable in 1925 and completed in 1929, they benefited from war experience and the
for Mediterranean waters and three were lost. Saint-Bon and Millo were tor¬ examination of ex-German boats and, like the first ocean-going types, set new
pedoed by the British submarines Upholder off Sicily and Ultimatum in the records for strength and diving ability. They were designed for a diving depth of
Ionian Sea respectively, and Caracciolo was scuttled to avoid capture following 330ft, but Mameli reached 380ft during diving trials in March 1929. They also
damage by the British escort destroyerFamdale off Bardia. Cagni was employed handled well when submerged but were low on stability, and to correct this
by the Allies as a training boat 1943-44. external bulges were added after completion, reducing their speed from
17.2kts/7.7kts as designed to 15kts/7.25kts. Endurance was 3500nm at
8kts/65nm at 4kts. Reload torpedoes were provided only for the bow tubes.
Capponi was torpedoed off Stromboli by the British submarine Rorqual. In 1942
ROMOLO class the three remaining vessels were re-engined with Tosi diesels of 4000bhp,
Displacement: 2155t/2560t raising the surface speed to a respectable 17kts.
Dimensions: 283ft lOin oa x 25ft 9in X 17ft 6in
86.50 x 7.86 x 5.34m
Machinery: 2-shaft Tosi diesels plus 2 Marelli electric motors,
2600bhp/900hp = 14kts/6.5kts Vettor Pisani 1942
Armament: 2-450mm TT (bow - not in all units), 3-20mm/65 AA (3x 1) L

Complement: 63 PISANI class

Name Builder Launched Fate Displacement: 866t/1040t
REMO Tosi 28.3.1943 Sunk 15.7.43 Dimensions: 223ft 9in x 20ft x 16ft 2in
68.20 x 6.09 x 4.93m
ROMOLO Tosi 21.3.1943 Sunk 18.7.43
R3 Tosi 7.9.1946 BU cl947 Machinery: 2-shaft Tosi diesels plus 2 CGE electric motors,
R4 3000bhp/l lOOhp = 15kts/8.2kts. Oil 70t
Tosi 30.9.1946 BU c 1947
R5 Tosi - BU on slip Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern), l-102mm/35, 2-13.2mm MG
(2X1)
R6 Tosi - BU on slip
R7 CRDA, 21.10.1943 Sunk 25.5.44 Complement: 48
Monfalcone Name Builder Launched Fate
R8 CRDA, 28.12.1943 Sunk 20.4.44
Monfalcone GIOVANNI BAUSAN CNT 24.3.1928 Laid up 16.4.42
R9 CRDA, 27.2.1944 Sunk 16.3.45 MARCANTONIO CNT 26.12.1927 Laid up 16.4.42
Monfalcone COLONNA
R10 OTO, Muggiano 12.7.1944 Scuttled 24.4.45 DES GENEYS CNT 14.11.1928 Laid up 16.4.42
Rll OTO, Muggiano 6.8.1944 Scuttled 24.4.45 VETTOR PISANI CNT 24.11.1927 Laid up 23.3.47
R12 OTO, Muggiano 29.9.1944 Scuttled 24.4.45
A Bernadis design, laid down 1925-26 and completed in 1929, developed in
Laid down in 1942-43, these were the last and largest of Italy’s ocean-going parallel with the Mameli class. They had a higher designed speed of
submarines. Designed by Cavallini and Tosi, they were specifically intended to 17.25kts/8.75kts, with the same machinery, and oil fuel stowage greatly
transport special cargoes, such as rubber, to and from Japan. They had a increased to give a 30 per cent improvement in surface endurance - 5000nm at
carrying capacity of 600t and mounted only a token armament. As they were not 8kts. Submerged endurance was 108nm at 4kts. Like the Mameli class, they
required as attack vessels the machinery was of comparatively low power, suffered from low transverse stability, and external bulges were added, reducing
the speeds to 15kts/8.2kts. Their low speed and age made them of little value
providing sufficient but not spectacular speeds. Endurance was 12,000nm at
9kts/90nm at 4kts. Only Remo and Romolo were completed, both were lost during World War II and all but one were laid up in 1942. Bausan was converted
for use as a floating oil tank, Geneys was used to charge batteries and Colonna was
within days of each other and only a few weeks after entering service. The
former was torpedoed by the British submarine United in the Gulf of Taranto scrapped in 1943.
and the latter bombed by aircraft off Augusta. R3 and R4 were delivered
incomplete to the Navy on 14.11.46 and the construction of RS and R6 was
suspended on 8.1.44. R7-R12 were seized by the Germans and renumbered
UIT4,5, 6,1,2 and 3 respectively. UIT4-6 were sunk in air raids on Monfal-
BANDIERA class
cone while fitting out and the remainder were scuttled at the end of the war. All Displacement: 925t/1080t
six were salvaged in 1946 and broken up 1947-48 except Rll and R12 which Dimensions: 212ft 9in x 22ft 3in x 16ft
were converted to floating oil depots. 69.80 x 7.30 x 5.26m
Machinery: 2-shaft Fiat (CNT boats Tosi) diesels plus 2 Savigliano elec¬
The launch of Romolo at Taranto, 21.3.1943 Aldo Fraccaroli Collection tric motors, 3000bhp/1300hp = 15kts/8kts
Armament: 8-533mm TT (4 bow, 4 stern; 12 torpedoes), l-102mm/35,
2-13.2mm MG (2x 1)
Complement: 53
Name Builder Launched Fate

FRATELLI CNT 7.8.1929 Discarded 1.2.48

BANDIERA
LUCIANO MANARA CNT 5.10.1929 Discarded 1.2.48
CIRO MENOTTI OTO, Muggiano 29.12.1929 Discarded 1.2.48
SANTORRE OTO, Muggiano 22.10.1929 Scuttled 20.1.43
SANTAROSA
ITALY
Designed by Bernadis in 1927, laid down in 1928 and completed in 1929, these
were an enlargedPisani design with higher submerged speed, two more TT and
slightly higher endurance. As with the previous vessels, stability was low and
bulges were added to the hull, reducing the designed speeds of 17.5kts/9kts.
Endurance was 4750nm at 8.5kts/60nm at 4kts. They proved to be poor seaboats
and tended to plunge into oncoming waves so the bow was modified shortly after
completion to give higher freeboard at the stem and improve buoyancy forward.
In 1942 the large conning tower was replaced by a smaller one, of similar design
to that in German boats, inMonara (and possibly others) and the 102mm gun in
Menotti was replaced by a 100mm/47 model. The class were used as supply
vessels to carry materiel to North Africa from 1941. In 1942 they became
training vessels except Santarosa which continued as a supply boat until she
grounded near Tripoli on 19.1.43. She was torpedoed by the British MTB260
on the following day and was later scuttled.

Squalo 1940

SQUALO class
Displacement: 920t/1125t
Dimensions: 212ft 9in oa x 22ft x 15ft lOin
69.80 x 7.21 x 5.19m
Machinery: 2-shaft Fiat diesels plus 2 CRD A electric motors, Luciano Manara in Sept 1943 as reconstructed By courtesy of John Roberts
3000bhp/1300hp = 15kts/8kts
Armament: 8-533mmTT(4bow,4stern), l-102mm/35, 2-13.2mm MG
(2X1)
Complement: 53

Name Builder Launched Fate

DELFINO CRDA, 27.4.1930 Lost 23.3.43

Monfalcone
NARVALO CRDA, 15.3.1930 Sunk 14.1.43
Monfalcone
SQALO CRDA, 15.1.1930 Laid up 1.2.48
Monfalcone
TRICHECO CRDA, 11.9.1930 Sunk 18.3.42
Monfalcone
SETTEMBRINI class
Half-sisters to xheBandiera class from which they differed little, having the same
initial faults and modifications. Squalo and possibly others had a smaller con¬ Displacement: 938t/1135t
ning tower fitted during 1942-43. Tricheco was torpedoed off Brindisi by the Dimensions: 226ft 8in oa x 21ft 8in x 14ft 7in
British submarine Upholder; Narvalo was scuttled off Tripoli to avoid capture 69.11 x 6.61 x 4.45m
after being brought to the surface by the British destroyer Pakenham, escort Machinery: 2-shaft Tosi diesels plus 2 Ansaldo electric motors,
destroyer Hursley and an aircraft; and Deffino was accidentally lost off Taranto. 3000bhp/1400hp = 17.5kts/7.7kts
Armament: 8-533mm TT (4 bow, 4 stern; 12 torpedoes) l-102mm/35,
2-13.2mm MG (2x1)
BRAGADIN class Complement: 56
Displacement: 965t/1068t Name Builder Launched Fate
Dimensions: 235ft 7in oa x 20ft 2in x 16ft 4in
71.50 x 6.15 x 4.98m LUIGI Tosi 28.9.1930 Sunk 15.11.44
SETTEMBRINI
Machinery: 2-shaft Tosi diesels plus 2 Marelli electric motors,
1500bhp/1000hp = 11.5kts/7kts. Oil 41t RUGGIERO SETTIMO Tosi 29.3.1931 Stricken 23.3.47
Armament: 4-533mm TT (bow; 6 torpedoes), l-102mm/35, 2-13.2mm
MG (2X1), 16-24 mines A Cavallini/Tosi type based on their earlier Mameli design but modified to
improve stability, provide two more torpedo tubes aft and give a higher endur¬
Complement: 55
ance. As no post-completion modifications were necessary to correct stability
Name Builder Launched Fate they achieved their design speed in service. Endurance was 9000nm at
8kts/80nm at 4kts. Settembrini was sunk accidentally in the Western Atlantic by
MARCANTONIO Tosi 21.7.1929 Stricken 1.2.48
the US escort destroyer Frament.
BRAGADIN
FILIPPO Tosi 30.3.1930 Stricken 1.2.48
CORRIDONI Velella 1937

Slow, single-hull, sea-going minelayers designed by Bernadis, laid down in 1927

and completed in 1931. As first completed they were found to have a tendency to ARGO class
dip into a head sea and a modified, raised bow was fitted. Two mine tubes were
Displacement: 780t/ lOOOt
fitted aft but their position was found unsatisfactory and in 1935 the stern was
rebuilt, the tubes being moved to the extreme stern. Endurance was 9000nm at Dimensions: 207ft 4in x 22ft 9in x 14ft 7in
63.15 x 6.93 x 4.46m
8kts/72nm at 4kts. They were not employed as minelayers during the war, being
used on supply runs until surrendered to the Allies in 1943. Machinery: 2-shaft Fiat diesels plus 2 CRDA electric motors,
1500bhp/800hp = 14kts/8kts
Marcantonio Bragadin about 1941 Aldo Fraccaroli Collection Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern; 10 torpedoes), l-100mm/47,
4-13.2mm MG (4x 1)
Complement: 46
Name Builder Launched Fate

ARGO CRDA, 27.11.1936 Scuttled 11.9.43

Monfalcone
VELELLA CRDA, 12.12.1936 Sunk 7.9.43
Monfalcone

Originally ordered by Portugal in 1931 but later cancelled, the contracts for
these two vessels being taken over by the Italian Government and work recom¬
mended in 1936, these boats were completed in 1937. They were based on a
Cavallini design and were of partial double-hull construction and, apart from the
larger size, resembled the standard Italian 600t type. Vellella was torpedoed by
the British submarine Shakespeare and Argo was scuttled at Monfalcone.

308
 Medusa 1941

ARGONAUTA class
Displacement: 650t/800t
Dimensions: 201ft 9in X 18ft 8in X 15ft 5in
61.50 x 5.70 x 4.70m
Machinery: 2-shaft CRDA (Jalea, Jantina Fiat, Salpa, Serpente Tosi) hide prewar Italian Navy
diesels plus 2 CRDA {Salpa,Serpente Marelli) electric motors,
1200bhp/800hp = 14kts/8kts
Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern; 12 torpedoes), l-102mm/35,
PERLA class
2-13.2mm MG Displacement: 680t/844t
Complement: 44
Dimensions: 197ft 6in oa x 21ft 2in x 15ft 5in
60.18 x 6.45 x 4.70m
Name Builder Launched Fate
Machinery: 2-shaft Fiat {Corallo, Diaspro and Turchee CRDA, Ambra,
ARGONAUTA CRDA, 19.1.1931 Sunk 28.6.40 Malachite Tosi) diesels plus 2 CRDA {Ambra, Malachite
Monfalcone 2.5.1931 Sunk 28.9.41 Marelli) electric motors, 1200bhp/800hp = 14kts/7.5kts. Oil
FISALIA CRDA, 80t
Monfalcone 15.6.1932 Discarded 1.2.48 Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern), l-100mm/47, 2 or 4—13.2mm
JALAE OTO, Muggiano MG (2x1 or 2x2)
JANTINA OTO, Muggiano 16.5.1932 Sunk 5.7.41 Complement: 45
MEDUSA CRDA, 10.12.1931 Sunk 30.1.42 Name Builder Launched Fate
Monfalcone
SALPA Tosi 8.5.1932 Sunk 27.6.41 AMBRA OTO, Muggiano 28.5.1936 Scuttled 9.9.43
SERPENTE Tosi 28.2.1932 Scuttled 12.9.43 BERILLO CRDA, 14.6.1936 Sunk 2.10.40
(ex-N autilus) Monfalcone
CORALLO CRDA, 2.8.1936 Sunk 13.12.42
Laid down in 1929-30 and completed in 1932—33, these were the first of the Monfalcone
Bernadis 600t type. Being smaller than earlier classes they were cheaper, could DIASPRO CRDA, 5.7.1936 Stricken 1.2.48
be built in greater numbers and were much better suited to the shallow, clear Monfalcone
waters of the Mediterranean. They were not, moreover, excessively inferior in GEMMA CRDA, 21.5.1936 Sunk 6.10.40
offensive power having only shghtly less speed (following the alterations to the Monfalcone
larger vessels) and, although mounting two fewer TT, still carrying 12 tor¬ I RIDE OTO, Muggiano 30.7.1936 Sunk 22.8.40
pedoes, giving a reload for each tube. Endurance was 5000nm at 8kts/74nm at MALACHITE OTO, Muggiano 15.7.1936 Sunk 9.2.43
4kts, and diving limit was 260ft. Three were sunk by British ‘T’ class sub¬ ONICE OTO, Muggiano 15.6.1936 Stricken 23.3.47
marines: Salpa off Solium by Triumph, Jantina in the Aegean by Torbay and PERLA CRDA, 3.5.1936 BU 1954
Medusa by Thom in the Adriatic. Fisala was sunk by the British corvette Monfalcone
Hyacinth off Haifa and Argonauta by British aircraft. Serpente was scuttled at TURCHESE CRDA, 19.7.1936 Stricken 1.2.48
Ancona following the surrender. During the war Medusa and Serpente were Monfalcone
fitted with smaller conning towers to reduce their silhouettes.
Laid down in 1935 and completed in 1936, these boats were the third 600t type
Sirena with original conning tower 1940
and virtually repeats of the previous Sirena class. During 1940-42 Ambra and
hide were modified to carry 3 and 4 human torpedoes respectively. Stowage was
provided in tubes fitted fore and aft of the conning tower and the deck gun was
SIRENA class removed. During 1942—43 Ambra,Corallo,Diaspro,Malachite,Onice,Perla and
Turchese had smaller conning towers fitted. In 1937 hide and Onice were
Displacement: 680t/837t transferred to Spain as Gonzalez Lopez and Aquilar Tablada respectively but
Dimensions: 197ft 6in oa x 21ft 2in x 15ft 5in kept their Italian crews and were returned to Italy shortly afterwards. Berillo was
60.18 x 6.45 x 4.70m scuttled to avoid capture after being brought to the surface by the British
Machinery: 2-shaft Fiat diesels plus 2 CRDA electric motors {Diamante, destroyers Havock and Hasty off Egypt. Cor alio was sunk in the western
Rubino, Smeraldo and Topazio Tosi diesels/Marelli motors), Mediterranean by the British sloop Enchantress. Gemma was torpedoed in error
1200bhp/800hp = 14kts/7.7kts. Oil 80t by the Italian submarine Tricheco and Malachite was torpedoed by the Dutch
Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern; 12 torpedoes), l-100mm/47, submarine Dolfin off Sardinia, hide was torpedoed by Swordfish aircraft from
4—13.2mm MG the carrier Eagle near Tobruk while preparing her first human torpedo attack.
Complement: 45 Ambra was scuttled at La Spezia, and Perla was captured by the British corvette
Hyacinth off Beirut on 9.7.42 and transferred to Greece as the Matrozos.
Name Builder Launched Fate

AMETISTA OTO, Muggiano 26.4.1933 Scuttled 12.9.43

ANFITRITE CRDA, 5.8.1933 Sunk 6.3.41
Monfalcone
DIAMANTE Tosi 21.5.1933 Sunk 20.6.40 ADUA class
GALATEA CRDA, 5.10.1933 Stricken 1.2.48
Displacement: 680t/844t
Monfalcone
NAIADE CRDA, 27.3.1933 Sunk 14.12.40 Dimensions: 197ft 6in oa x 21ft 2in x 15ft Sin
60.18 x 6.45 x 4.70m
Monfalcone
NEREIDE CRDA, 25.5.1933 Sunk 13.7.43 Machinery: 2-shaft Fiat (CRDA built boats CRDA, Tosi-built boats Tosi)
diesels plus 2 Marelli (CRDA built boats CRDA) electric
Monfalcone
motors, 1200bhp/800hp = 14kts/7.5kts. Oil 80t
ONDINA CRDA, 2.12.1933 Sunk 11.7.42
Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern), l-100mm/47,2 or 4-13.2mm
Monfalcone
MG (2xl or 2x2)
RUBINO CNQ 29.3.1933 Sunk 29.6.40
26.1.1933 Scuttled 9.9.43 Complement: 45
SIRENA CRDA,
Monfalcone Name Builder Launched Fate
SMERALDO Tosi 23.7.1933 Lost Sept 1941 CRDA,
ADUA 13.9.1936 Sunk 30.9.41
TOPAZIO CNQ 15.5.1933 Sunk 12.9.43 Monfalcone
ZAFFIRO OTO, Muggiano 28.6.1933 Sunk June 1942 CRDA,
ALAGI 15.11.1936 Stricken 23.5.47
Monfalcone
Second of the Bernadis 600t type, laid down in 1931 and completed during CRDA, 18.10.1936 Sunk 4.9.44
ARADAM
1933-34. Shghtly larger than the earlier Argonauta class with more beam and less Monfalcone
length and a 100mm instead of a 102mm gun, but otherwise similar with the ASCIANGHI OTO, Muggiano 5.12.1937 Sunk 23.7.43
same torpedo stowage and endurance. During 1942—43 the large conning tower CRDA, 27.9.1936 Scuttled 28.12.43
AXUM
was replaced by a smaller type (similar to those in German submarines) in Monfalcone
Ametista, Nereide, Ondina, Sirena, Topazio and Zaffiro. Three were sunk by OTO, Muggiano 22.5.1938 Sunk May 1944
BEILUL
British destroyers: Anfitrite by Greyhound in the Aegean, Nereide by Echo and 22.11.1936 Sunk 12.8.42
DAGABUR Tosi
Ilex off Augusta and Naiade (scuttled) after being brought to the surface by
DESSIE Tosi 22.11.1936 Sunk 28.11.42
Hereward and Hyperion. Ondina was sunk off Beirut by the SAN escorts Protea
DURBO OTO, Muggiano 6.3.1938 Sunk 18.10.40
and Southern Maid, and Diamante by the British submarine Parthian off Tob¬
GONDAR OTO, Muggiano 3.10.1937 Sunk 30.9.40
ruk. Three were sunk by aircraft: Rubino in the Ionian Sea, Topazio ;n error by
LAFOLE OTO, Muggiano 10.4.1938 Sunk 20.10.40
the RAF off Sardinia and Zaffiro off Algeria. Smeraldo was lost in the central
MACALLE OTO, Muggiano 29.10.1936 Wrecked 15.6.40
Mediterranean from an unknown cause and Ametista and Sirena were scuttled at
NEGHELLI OTO, Muggiano 7.11.1937 Sunk 19.1.41
Ancona and La Spezia respectively after Italy surrendered.

309
ITALY

Name Builder Launched Fate

SCIRE OTO, Muggiano 6.1.1938 Sunk 10.8.1942

TEMBIEN OTO, Muggiano 6.2.1938 Sunk 2.8.41
UARSCIEK Tosi 19.9.1937 Sunk 15.12.42
UEBI SCEBELI Tosi 3.10.1937 Sunk 29.6.40

Repeats of the Perla class, forming the fourth of the 600t classes, laid down
1936-37 and completed 1936-38. Three other units of this class, the original
Ascianghi, Gandar and Neghelli, were sold to Brazil prior to launching. Adua,
Alagi, Gondar, Scire and Tembien were refitted with smaller conning towers
during the war. During 1940-41 Gondar and Scire were modified to carry 3
human torpedoes in canisters fore and aft of the superstructure, the 100mm gun
being removed; both were lost in their first attacks with these weapons, Gandar
being scuttled off Alexandria after being damaged by aircraft and the British
destroyers Diamond and Stuart and Scire sunk by the armed trawler Islay off
Haifa (Scire’s wreck was broken up in 1963). Nine others of the class were sunk FLUTTO class (Type 1)
by British destroyers: Durbo, scuttled to avoid capture after damage from the
Firedrake, Wrestler and aircraft east of Gibraltar; Scebeli, similarly scuttled after Displacement: 930t/1093t
attacks by Dainty and Ilex SW of Crete; Lafole, by Gallant, Griffin and Hotspur Dimensions: 207ft 4in x 22ft 1 lin x 16ft
north of Melilla ;Neghelli, by Greyhound in the eastern Mediterranean; Adua, by 63.15 x 6.98 x 4.87m
Gurkha and Legion off Algeria; Dessie, by Quiberon and Quentin off Bone; Machinery: 2-shaft Fiat diesels plus 2 CRDA electric motors;
Dagabur, rammed by Wolverine off Algiers; Uarsciek, scuttled to avoid capture 2400bhp/800hp = 16kts/8kts
after attacks by Petard and the Greek Olga; and Ascianghi, by Eclipse and Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern; 12 torpedoes), l-100mm/47.
Laforey off Sicily. In addition, Tembien was rammed off Tunis by the British 2-20mm/70 AA (2x 1)
cruiser Hermione. Macalle was wrecked on a shoal in the Red Sea and Axum was Complement: 50
scuttled after running aground on the Greek coast. Beilul was seized by the
Germans at Monfalcone on 9.9.43 and sunk there during an air raid. Name Builder Launched Fate

CERNIA Tosi — Laid up 6.1.44

DENTICE Tosi - Laid up 6.1.44
Acciaio 1941 Sunk 11.7.43
FLUTTO CRDA, 19.11.42
Monfalcone
GORGO CRDA, 31.1.1942 Sunk 21.5.43
ACCIAIO class Monfalcone
Displacement: 697t/850t GRONGO OTO, Muggiano 6.5.1943 Sunk 4.9.44
Dimensions: 197ft 6in oa x 21ft 2in x 15ft 8in MAREA CRDA, 10.12.1942 To USSR 1949
60.18 x 6.44 x 4.78m Monfalcone
Machinery: 2-shaft Fiat diesels plus 2 CRDA electric motors, MURENA OTO, Muggiano 11.4.1943 Sunk 4.9.44
1400bhp/800hp = 14kts/7.7kts. Oil 78t NAUTILO CRDA, 20.3.1943 Sunk 9.1.44
Armament: 6 (Tosi-built ships 4) 533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern), Monfalcone
l-100mm/45, 1 or 2-20mm/70 AA (1, 2x1) or 2 or SPARIDE OTO, Muggiano 21.2.1943 Sunk 6.9.44
4-13.2mm MG (2x 1 or 2x2) SPIGOLA Tosi - BU on slip 1948
Complement: 45 TRITONE CRDA, 3.1.1942 Sunk 19.1.43
Monfalcone
Name Builder Launched Fate Discarded 1.8.67
VORTICE CRDA, 23.2.1943
ACCIAIO OTO, Muggiano 20.7.1941 Sunk 13.7.43 Monfalcone
ALABASTRO CRDA, 18.12.1941 Sunk 14.9.42
Monfalcone The Flutto class design was a combination of war experience and an expansion of
ARGENTO Tosi 22.2.1942 Sunk 3.8.43 the 600t type. Compared with the latter vessels they carried the same armament
ASTERIA CRDA, 25.6.1941 Sunk 17.2.43 but more powerful diesels giving a 2kt increase in surface speed. They also
Monfalcone carried 12 torpedoes, giving a reload for each tube, and had better diving and
AVORIO CRDA, 6.9.1941 Sunk 8.2.43 underwater handling qualities. Endurance was 5400nm at 8kts/80nm at 4kts.
Monfalcone Grongo and Murena were fitted with cylinders for carrying human torpedoes and
BRONZO Tosi 28.9.1941 Captured 12.7.43 surrendered their deck guns. Flutto was sunk by the British MTB640, 651
COBALTO OTO, Muggiano 20.7.1941 Sunk 12.8.42 610 in the Straits of Messina. Gorgo was sunk by the US destroyer Nields off
GIADA CRDA, 10.7.1941 Discarded 1.1.66 Algeria and Tritone was sunk by the British destroyer Antelope and the RCN
Monfalcone corvette Port Arthur off Bougie. Work on Cernia ,D entice and Spigola stopped in
GRANTO CRDA, 7.8.1941 Sunk 9.11.42 1943. Grongo, Murena and Sparide were scuttled at La Spezia and Nautilo at
Monfalcone Venice in September 1943, but all were refloated by the Germans who redesig¬
NICHELIO OTO, Muggiano 12.4.1942 To USSR 1949 nated them UIT20, UITI6, UIT15 and UIT19 respectively; all four were sunk
PLATINO OTO, Muggiano 1.6.1941 Discarded 1.2.48 in harbour in Allied air raids. Murena and Sparide were salvaged and broken up
PORFIDO CRDA, 23.8.1941 Sunk 6.12.42 but Nautilo was refloated and refitted by the Yugoslavs to become Sava. Marea
Monfalcone was transferred to Russia as a war reparation and Vortice, used as the battery-
VOLFRAMIO Tosi 9.11.1941 Sunk 1944 charger PVI 1948-51, was later rebuilt as a training boat, being reinstated in the
Italian Navy list in 1952.
The last of the Bernadis 600t type, laid down 1940-41 and completed 1941-42,
these vessels were basically repeats of the Adua/Perla class with a smaller
conning tower to improve stability and reduce silhouette, and more powerful
FLUTTO class (Type 2)
diesel engines. The Tosi-built ships had even more powerful diesels, at the Displacement: 913t/l 113t
expense of the two stern tubes, which raised their designed surface speed to Dimensions: 210ft 7in oa x 22ft llin x 16ft 2in
14.7kts. They also had Marelli or Ansaldo electric motors. As completed the 64.19 x 6.98 x 4.93m
class achieved 15kts or more on the surface, but submerged speed was generally Machinery: 2-shaft Fiat diesels plus 2 CRDA electric motors,
below expectations. Three were torpedoed by Briush submarines: Acciaio by 2400bhp/800hp = 16kts/8kts
Unruly ,Granito by Saracen off Sicily and Porfido by Tigris off Bone. Three were Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern), l-100mm/47, 2-20mm AA
scuttled to avoid capture when damaged by surface ships: Argento south of Sicily (2xl)
by the US destroyer Buck, Asteria off Bougie by the British escort destroyers Complement: 50
Easton and Wheatland, and Avorio off Bougie by the RCN corvette Regina.
Alabastro was sunk off Algeria by aircraft and Cabalto was rammed by the Name Builder Launched Fate
British destroyer Ithuriel off Bizerta. Bronzo was captured by the British mine¬
ALLUMINIO OTO, Muggiano - BU on slip
sweepers Boston, Cromarty, Poole and Seeham and was redesignated P714; in
ANTIMONIO OTO, Muggiano - BU on slip
1944 she was transferred to the French Navy, renamedNarval and employed for
BARIO CRDA, 23.1.1944 Scuttled 1.5.45
training until scrapped in 1948. Volfiamio, scuttled at La Spezia on 8.9.43, was
salvaged by the Germans but later sunk in an air raid on the port. Nichelio was Monfalcone
CROMO CRDA, BU on slip
transferred to Russia as a war reparation in 1949 (new name unknown); she was
discarded in the late 1950s or early 1960s. Giada remained in the Italian Navy, Monfalcone
FERRO CRDA, Destroyed on
being employed as the battery-charger PV2 1948-50 and then reinstated on the
list as a training vessel after being rebuilt 1951-53. Monfalcone slip 1.5.45

310
 Submarines
Name Builder Launched Fate Name Builder Launched Fate
FOSFORO OTO, Muggiano - BU on slip CC1 Caproni - BU incomplete
LITIO CRDA, 19.2.1944 Scuttled 1.5.45 CC2 Caproni - -

Monfalcone CC3 Caproni -

MANGANESE OTO, Muggiano - BU on slip
PIOMBO CRDA, Destroyed on A Caproni design to meet the same specification as the CM class. CC1 was laid
Monfalcone slip 1.5.45 down in 1943 but never completed, 2 and 3 may never have been started but if so
POTASSIO CRDA, Destroyed on did not progress to any extent. A further 34 were ordered but none was laid
Monfalcone slip 1.5.45 down.
RAME CRDA, Destroyed on
Monfalcone slip 1.5.45
SILICIO OTO, Muggiano - BU on slip
SODIO
CA class (Type I) (launched 1937-38)
CRDA, 16.3.1944 Scuttled 1.5.45
Monfalcone Displacement: 13.3t/ 16.lt
ZINCO CRDA, Destroyed on Dimensions: 32ft lOin oa x 6ft 5in x 5ft 3in
Monfalcone slip 1.5.45 10.00 x 1.96 x 1.60m
ZOLFO OTO, Muggiano - BU on slip Machinery: 1- shaft MAN diesel plus 1 Marelli electric motor, 60bhp/25hp
= 6.25kts/5kts
Laid down 1942-43, these vessels were, apart from a slight increase in length, Armament: 2- 450mm TT
repeats of the Flutto Type 1. 24 were ordered but 9 were never laid down, Complement: 2
Amianto and Magnesio (ordered from Tosi) and Cadmio, Tndio, Mercuno, Oro,
Ottone, Rutenio and Vanadio (ordered from CRDA Monfalcone). A further 12 Class: CA1, CA2
units of the same design, but designated as Flutto Type 3, were ordered in 1943 Built secretly by Caproni, these midgets were designed by the builders and
but none was laid down. The units laid down were building in northern yards, to aroused sufficient interest in the Italian Navy to gain two orders. In 1941 a plan
avoid enemy air raids, and consequently all were seized by the Germans in was put forward for their use in attacks on the US East Coast in which they were
September 1943. Bario, Litio, Sodio, Potassio, Rame, Ferro, Piombo and Zinco to be transported across the Atlantic on the deck of an ocean-going submarine.
were earmarked for completion as UIT7 to UIT14 respectively and the remain¬ For this purpose they were modified during 1941-42 to carry 8—2201b (100kg)
ing 7 were scrapped on the slips. None was completed by the Germans; the three charges, the TT and the diesel engines being removed. In this condition speed
launched units were scuttled while fitting out and the remainder blown up on was 7kts/6kts, displacement 11.8t/13.8t and the crew increased to 3. The
the slip. Lito was later raised and broken up but Bario was salvaged in 1945 and submarine Leonardo Da Vinci was modified to carry CA2 which was transported
subsequently rebuilt, entering service with the Italian Navy as Pietro Calvi in to Bordeaux for the purpose but the operation was never carried out. CA1 was
1961. scuttled at La Spezia in September 1943 and CA2, still at Bordeaux, was scuttled
by the Germans in 1944. The later vessel was salvaged in 1949 and later
scrapped.

CA class (Type II) (launched 1942-43)

Displacement: 12.6t/13.8t
Dimensions: 34ft 3in x 6ft 3in x 6ft
10.47 x 1.90 x 1.83m
Machinery: 1-shaft Marelli electric motor, 25hp = 7kts/6kts
Armament: 8-100kg charges, 20-2kg charges
Complement: 3

Class: CA3, CA4

Slightly enlarged versions of the CA Type I incorporating the modifications
for attacks on harbour shipping already carried out in the earlier pair during
CMl at Taranto, 23.8.1947 Aldo Fraccaroli Collection
1941—42. Built by Caproni, both were scuttled at La Spezia 9.9.43.

CM class
Displacement: 90t/l 12t
Dimensions: 108ft lin oa x 9ft 6in x 9ft
32.9S x 2.89 x 2.11m
Machinery: 2 shaft Fiat-Spa diesels plus 2 CRDA electric motors,
600bhp/120hp = 14kts/6kts
Armament: 3-450mm TT
Complement: 8

Name Builder Launched Fate

CMl CRDA, 5.9.1943 Discarded 1.2.48

Monfalcone
CM2 CRDA, ? Scuttled Apr 1945
Monfalcone
CM3 CRDA,
CB3 in 1942 By courtesy of John Roberts
Monfalcone

A builder’s design to meet a wartime requirement for a small submarine to CB class (launched 1942-43)
provide local defence for important harbours and other coastal areas likely to be
Displacement: 35.4t/44.3t
attacked by surface forces. CM3 was never laid down and orders for a further 16
were cancelled before construction started. CMl and 2 were seized by the Dimensions: 49ft 2in x 9ft lOin x 6ft 8in
14.99 x 3.00 x 2.0Sm
Germans in September 1943 and renumbered UFPll and 18. UIT 17 was
Machinery: 1- shaft Isotta-Fraschini diesel plus 1 Brown-Boveri electric
completed in January 1945 and retrieved by the Italians shortly afterwards.
motor, 80bhp/50bhp = 7.5kts/7kts
UIT 18 was damaged on the slip during an air raid in May 1944 but was later
launched - perhaps only for scuttling. She was salvaged in 1950. Armament: 2- 450mm torpedoes or 2 mines
Complement: 4

CC class Class: CB1-22

These vessels, which were much larger than the earlier CA type, were
Displacement: 98t/l 15t
designed for coast defence and the protection of harbours, the torpedoes (or
Dimensions: 108ft 3in x 8ft lOin x 7ft 2in mines) being carried externally. 72 were ordered in total but only 22 were laid
33.00 X 2.10 x 2.18m
down, by Caproni. CB1-6 were completed in 1941 and CB7-12 in 1943. The
Machinery: 2 shaft Fiat diesels plus 2 CRDA electric motors, remainder, laid down in 1943, were captured incomplete by the Germans in
700bhp/120hp = 16kts/9kts
1943. CBl^l and CB7 were transferred to Romania at the end of 1943 and
Armament: 3-450mm TT, 2-13.2mm MG (2x1) scuttled in the Black Sea in August 1944. CB5 was sunk by Russian aircraft at
Complement: 8 Yalta in June 1942 and CB13-22 were transferred by the Germans to their

311
ITALY
puppet Fascist Government in northern Italy; the completed CB7, which they
also captured and transferred, was cannibalised to complete CB13 which was
sunk in an air raid on Pola on 23.3.45. CBM, 15 and 17 (renumbered CB6) were
also sunk in air raids. CB16 was captured by British forces after running
aground in October 1944. CB18 was sunk off Pesaro in March 1945, but was
later raised and broken up. CB21 was accidentally sunk in a collision in April
1945. CB19 was scrapped in 1947; the fate of CB20 is uncertain but she may
have been taken by the Yugoslavs. CB22, damaged at Trieste, was salvaged after
the war and put on exhibition at Trieste War Museum.
EX-ENEMY SUBMARINES
The Yugoslav Osvetnik and Smeli were captured at Cattaro in April 1941 and
incorporated in the Italian Navy ns Francesco Rismondo and Antonio Baiamonti
respectively. Both were scuttled in September 1943;Hrabri was also captured
but not incorporated and was scrapped in 1941. For full details see Yugoslavia.
Nine French submarines captured at Bizerta by the Germans in December
1942 were transferred to the Italian Navy. They wee renamed as follows,FR111
(,ex-Phoque), FR112 (ex-Saphir), FR113 (ex-Requin), FR114 (ex-Espadon),
FR115 (ex-Dauphin), FR 116 (ex-Turqumse) andFA/77 (ex-Circe), plus Calypso
and Nautilus which were not renamed. FT? 7 7 7, 113,114 and 115 were taken in
hand for conversion to transport submarines but only the first-named was
completed, FR113 being scuttled and 114 and 115 sunk by the Germans in
September 1943. FR111 was sunk by aircraft off Cape Passaro on 28.2.43.
FR112 was converted for battery charging at Naples in 1943. The remainder
never left Bizerta, Nautilus and Calypso being sunk in an air raid on 31.3.43 and
FR116 and 777 scuttled on 6.5.43. Another French submarine,Henri-Poincare,
scuttled at Toulon in 1942, was raised by the Italians and towed to Genoa for
repairs where she was scuttled again in September 1943. For further details see
under France.

COASTAL FORCES Generally similar to SVAN430 type; built by Baglietto and commissioned 1932.
MAS423 class (SVAN fast type) (launched 1929) Range was lOOnm at 40kts. MAS431 was captured by the Germans in Sep¬
tember 1943 and renumbered S603. She was sunk in November 1943.
Displacement: 13t
Dimensions: 52ft 6in x 10ft 8in x 4ft 4in
16.00 x 3.25 x 1.32m
Machinery: 2-shaft Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines, 1500hp = 40kts
MAS438 class (Baglietto type) (launched 1934)
Armament: 2-450mm torpedoes, 2-6.5mm MG, 6 DCs Displacement: 40t
Complement: 9 Dimensions: p
Machinery: Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines, 2000hp = 32kts
Class: MAS423-426 Armament: l-76mm/40, 2 MG (2x 1)
Built by SVAN and based on First World War SVAN designs, their appear¬ Complement: ?
ance being generally reminiscent of the CMB type with a turtle-back deck as far
aft as the cockpit. As with all Italian MAS-boats, the DCs were small 50kg Class: MAS438-441
weapons; primative hydrophones were also fitted. MAS424 blew up at La These sub-chasers resembled motor launches, or cabin cruisers, having a low
Spezia 26.2.35 following a petrol fire and MAS423, scuttled at Pola in Sep¬ forecastle, no turtle back and a substantial wheelhouse amidships. They were
tember 1943, was salvaged by the Germans; renumbered S604 she was lost in the employed as AS vessels during the war and were renumbered AS25-28. AS26
Adriatic in 1944. MAS425 was lost by accident in 1937 and MAS426 was (ex-439) was lost off Cape Miseno 5.8.46 and AS27 (ex-440) was handed over to
stricken in 1943. Russia as a war reparation 6.7.49. MAS438 and 441 were stricken in 1950.

MAS427 class (SVAN type) (launched 1925)

Displacement: 3 It (MAS429 30t)
STEFANO TURR experimental MTB (launched
Dimensions: 78ft 9in (MAS429 72ft 3in) x 13ft lin x 4ft 3in 9.5.1936)
24.00(22.00) x 4.00 x 1.30m
Displacement: 58t standard; 63t full load
Machinery: 3-shaft Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines, 1200hp = 26kts
(MAS429 28kts) Dimensions: 105ft oa x 19ft 6in x 2ft lOin
32.00 x 5.95 x 0.86m
Armament: 2-450mm TT, l-76mm, 2-6.5mm MG, 10 DCs
Machinery: 4-shaft Fiat diesels, 3000hp = 34kts
Complement: 11
Armament: 4—450mm torpedoes, 3-13.2mm MG (3x 1), 1-6.5mm MG,
12 DCs
Class: MAS427-429
Complement: 16
Large slow type compared with other Italian MASs of the period, built by
SVAN and commissioned between 1925 and 1927. Range was 300nm at full
Laid down in 1935 by CMA and completed in 1937 to a Baglietto design.
speed. MAS427 was lost in an accident in 1929, and the other two were stricken
Constructed of aluminium alloy. Not successful, maximum speed being under
in 1937 and 1938 respectively.
30kts. Range was 750nm at 25kts. Laid up 1941 and scrapped 1946-47.

MAS430 class (SVAN fast type) (launched 1929-34)

Displacement: 14t (MAS430 13.5t, MAS437 18.5t)
MAS424 (Baglietto fast type) (launched 24.10.1937)
Dimensions: 52ft 6in (MAS437 57ft Sin) x 10ft 8in (MAS437 lift 8in) x Displacement: 2 It
4ft lin Dimensions: 54ft 2in x 13ft llin x 3ft 1 lin
16.00 (17.50) x 3.25(3.56) X 1.25m 16.50 x 4.25 x 1.20m
Machinery: 2-shaft Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines, 1500hp = 40kts. See Machinery: 2-shaft Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines, 1500hp = 40kts
notes Armament: 2-450mm torpedoes, 1-6.5mm MG (13.2mm from 1940), 6
Armament: 2-450mm torpedoes, 2-6.5mm MG, 6 DCs DCs
Complement: 13 (MAS430 9) Complement: 8 (10 from 1940)

Class: MAS430-437 Built by Baglietto. Named424 to replace the earlier424 lost in 1937. Range was
SVAN-built, slightly broader versions of the MAS423 type. Machinery 350nm at 40kts. She was scuttled in Secptember 1943 but later salvaged by the
installations varied: MAS430 had 2-shaft Fiat petrol engines, and MAS433 and Germans and renumbered S624 (SA17 1945). She was scuttled again in May
MAS434 were similarly refitted in 1938-39; MAS437 had 2-shaft Fiat diesels. 1945.
Power output was the same for all, and range was 125nm at 36kts (lOOnm at
40kts for MAS437). MAS435 and 436 were transferred to Spain 1937, and 430
and 437 were seized by the Germans in September 1943 and renumbered S602
MAS451 class (Baglietto fast type) (launched 1940)
and S625 (SA18 in 1945); 430 was scuttled in 1944 and 437 sunk May 1945.
MAS432 was stricken 1943 and 433 and 434 in 1949. Displacement: 24t
Dimensions: 59ft x 15ft 8in x 5ft lin
18.00 x 4.78 x 1.56m
MAS431 (Baglietto fast type) (launched 1931) Machinery: 2-shaft Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines, 2200hp = 42kts
Displacement: 15.5t Armament: 2-450mm torpedoes, 1-13.2mm MG, 6 DCs
Dimensions: 52ft 6in x 12ft 1 lin x 4ft lin Complement: 11
16.00 x 3.95 x 1.25m
Machinery: 2-shaft Fiat petrol engines, 1500hp = 41kts Class: MAS451,452
Armament: 2—450mm torpedoes, 2-6.5mm MG,- 5 DCs Entered service in Jan and Feb 1941. They also had two 80hp Alfa Romeo
Complement: 7 petrol engines for cruising, and range was either 330nm at 42kts or 836nm at
8kts on cruising engines only. Both were sunk by aircraft off Malta on 26.7.41.

312
MAS4S1 in Feb 1941 Italian Navy

MAS 501 class (Baglietto fast type) (launched 1936-37)

Displacement: 21.5t
Dimensions: 55ft 9in x 14ft 5in x 4ft 3in
17.00 x 4.40 x 1.30m
Machinery: 2-shaft Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines, 2000hp = 44 kts. Fuel
1.25t
Armament: 2-450mm torpedoes, 1-13.2mm MG, 6 DCs MAS505 in 1941 Aldo Fraccaroli Collection
Complement: 9
steel construction. MAS552 was sunk by aircraft on 30.4.43, MAS553 was
scuttled in September 1943, salvaged by the Germans and renumberedS512 in
Class (builder): MASS01, MAS515-518 (Picchiotti), MAS502-509, April 1945. MAS554 was captured by the Germans at Venice in September 1943
MAS511-512 (Baglietto), MAS510, MAS513, MAS514, MAS525 (CRDA, and renumbered 5623; scuttled in April 1945, she was refloated and broken up
Monfalcone), MAS519-522 (Celli), MAS523, MAS524 SACIN) shortly afterwards.
First group of the Baglietto-designed 500 series which became the standard
type for all future MAS boats. With a hard-chine double-stepped hull they Note: There was also an experimental 19t craft numbered MAS557 originally
proved capable of reaching speeds of up to 47kts. MAS525 had a metal hull. built by OTO at the end of the First World War and taken into service in 1939 to
MAS506, 508 and 511 were sold to Sweden in 1940. MAS512 was wrecked test the new 450mm torpedoes. These were launched tail-first over the stern and
24.1.42 and MAS501 and 503 were bombed and sunk in an air raid on La became the system used in MTS-type assault craft. This boat was striken in 1941
Maddalena on 10.4.43. MAS507 and 509 were lost following a fire on 12.8.44, before the new MAS551 came into service.
MAS502 and 504 were captured by the Germans at Voltri on 8.9.43 and MAS539 at Piraeus, 14.12.1941 Aldo Fraccaroli Collection
renumbered S626 and S627. The former was lost in March 1944 and the latter
was sunk by the destroyer Grenville off Anzio on 25.3.44. MAS505 was surren¬
dered to the Germans on 10.4.44; renumberedS628 she was scuttled at Genoa in
May 1945. MAS523 became MTS523 in 1944 and had her original armament
replaced by 3-20mm/65 AA (3x 1). 524 was sold to Sweden in 1940. 513 ran
aground near Cephalonia in 1942 and became a total loss. 518 and 525 were
scuttled in September 1943 but the latter was salvaged in 1946 and repaired for
use as a harbour craft. 522 was surrendered to the Germans but in 1944 was sunk
by aircraft in the Aegean. In 1949 518 was transferred to Russia as a war
reparation and the remainder were discarded between 1945 and 1950 (some
continued to serve as harbour craft).

MAS526 class (Baglietto fast type) (launched 1938-39)

Displacement: 25.2t
Dimensions: 61ft 4in x 15ft 5in X 4ft 1 lin
18.70 x 4.70 x 1.50m
Machinery: 2-shaft Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines, 2000/2300hp =
42-44kts. Fuel 1.25t
Armament: 2-350mm torpedoes, 1-13.2mm MG or l-20mm/65 AA, 6
DCs
Complement: 10

Class (builder): MAS526-535 (Baglietto),MAS536-539,MAS545 (Picchiotti),

MAS540-544 (Celli), MAS546-550 (CRDA, Monfalcone)
This second group of the 500 series were lengthened versions of theMA55ti/
type. They had two 70hp Alfa Romeo (or 50hp Cararo) cruising petrol engines,
giving a range of 1 lOOnm at 6kts, as opposed to 360nm at full speed with main
engines. In 1944 MAS540 and 545 had their entire armament replaced with
3-20mm AA (3x 1). MAS550 was constructed with a metal hull, displaced 2It
and was slightly narrower and faster. MAS526-529 were transferred to Finland
on5.6.43and became.//-A. MAS534 was sunk by German aircraft during a raid
on Leros on 26.9.39; 530,532,533,535,548 and 539 were also lost in air raids
during 1943.537 was sunk by surface ships in the Aegean on 4.9.40,536 was lost
after collision with a tug on 7.7.43,546 was mined on 21.2.44 and 541 lost from
unknown cause in March 1944. MAS531,542,549,550 and557 were seized by
the Germans in September 1943; the first named, transferred to the Fascist
Government in northern Italy, was sunk off Provence on 11.12.44. The remain¬
der became S601, S509 (later SA12),S622 (later SA21) and S501 (later SA13);
S601 was sunk by aircraft in the Aegean in 1944 andS509 and 510 were scuttled
in April 1945. MAS543 was transferred to France in 1949and renumbered V782
(BU 1955) and the remainder were discarded 1949-50 when547 joined the Coast
V

Guard and 538 and 545 became harbour craft.

MAS551 type (launched 1941)

Displacement: 27.8t
Dimensions: 61ft 4in X 15ft lin x 4ft 7in
18.70 x 4.60 x 1.40m
Machinery: 2-shaft Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines, 2300hp = 43kts. Fuel
1.25t
Armament: 2-450mm torpedoes, l-20mm AA, 10 DCs
Complement: 13 MAS555 type (launched 1941)
Class (builder): MAS551 (CNA), MAS552-554 (CRDA, Monfalcone) Class (builder): MAS555-557 , 571-573 (Picchiotti); MAS558-560, 514-576
This third group of the 500 series was generally similar toMAS526 type but of (Celli); MAS561-570 (Baglietto)

313
ITALY
Repeats of the MAS526 type, but with a wooden hull and consequently 4in
more beam, the last 11 boats forming a heavier fourth group of the 500 series.
560 , 563 , 564 , 571,573 and 576 were bombed and sunk in air raids during
1942-43. MAS572 was lost in collision with MAS566 in the Black Sea on
12.5.43 and 555 was scuttled in September 1943. Seven, operating in the Black
sea, were transferred to Germany in May 1943 and renumbered as follows: S501
(ex-566), S502 (ex-567), S503 (ex-568), S504 (ex-569), S505 (ex-570), S506
(ex-574) andS507 (ex-575). All were transferred to Romania in August 1943 and,
scuttled in August 1944. A further 6 were captured by the Germans at the end of
1943: AfA5557,55<8 and 567 were renumbered 5577, S629 and 5627 respec¬
tively , MAS556 and 562 were transferred to the Fascist Government of northern
Italy and MAS559 was scuttled at Leros in November 1943. The rest were
scuttled in April 1945 except562 which was recaptured by US PT boats in April
1944 and returned to the Italian Navy; she was discarded in 1950 but continued
in service as a harbour craft.
A fifth group of 30 improved 500 series MAS-boats was cancelled in Sept
1943.
MAS570 and sister boats of the Black Sea flotilla in April 1943 Italian Navy
MS Type 1 MTBs (launched 1942)
Displacement: 62.4t full load
Dimensions: 91ft lOin x 14ft lin x 5ft lin
28.00 x 4.30 x 1.55m
Machinery: 3-shaft Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines, 3450hp = 32kts. Fuel
9t
Armament: 2-533mm TT, 1 or 2-20mm/65 Breda AA (1 or 2x1),
2-6.5mm MG, 6 to 8 DCs
Complement: 19
Class: MS 11-16, 21-26, 31-36
Ordered June 1941 and all built by CRDA, Monfalcone. Slower, but larger
and more seaworthy than the MAS boats, which they superseded, these
composite-built vessels were copies of the German-built Yugoslav S-boats cap¬
tured in 1941. Built specifically for operations in the Sicilian Narrows, they
could carry two spare torpedoes, although they did not receive their designed
gun armament. Range was 850nm/250nm at 12kts/32kts. M572,73,14,15,22,
23 and 25 were sunk by aircraft 1942-43. MS21 was scuttled after receiving
mine damage on 25.9.43,MS26 was wrecked on 9.10.43 andMS33 was sunk by
German land artillery on 3.11.43. MS16, 34, 36 and 32 were scuttled in
September 1943 but the first three were salvaged by the Germans and renum-
bered .S'A 7, SA2 and SA3 respectively; they were scuttled again in May 1945.
M535 was transferred to France in 1948 and broken up in 1953. MSI I, MS24
and MS31 served postwar as MV 611,612 and 613 and later as MS471,472 and
473; the first-named was discarded in 1965 but the remaining pair survived into
the late 1970s.
MS Type 2 MTBs (launched 1942-43)
Displacement: 67t
Dimensions: 91ft lOin X 14ft lin x 5ft lin
28.00 x 4.30 x 1.60m
Machinery: 2-shaft Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines, 3450hp = 31kts. Fuel
9t
Armament: 2-533mm TT, 2^t50mm torpedoes, 2 to 4-20mm/65 Breda
AA, 2-8mm MG, 8 DCs
Complement: 19
Class: MSS1-56, 61-66, 71-76
Ordered June 1942 from CRDA, Monfalcone. Repeats of MS Type 1 except
for the addition of 2-450mm torpedoes and their launching gear (as well as two
spare 533mm torpedoes), adding slightly to draught and displacement, and
consequently reducing speed. Unlike the MAS-boats, the MS type carried
100kg DCs. MS74 and 75 were modified to carry various types of small assault
314
craft (2 SLC or 2 MTR or 1 MTM or 1 MTSM) which were launched over the
stern and involved clearing all obstructions from the after section of the deck.
MS62 was sunk in an air attack on 12.7.43 and 66 was lost in action with surface
forces on 3.8.43. On the Italian surrender M5557,64 and 76 were seized by the
Germans and renumbered SA4-7 respectively; SA6 was broken up and the
remainder scuttled in May 1945. The Germans also took MS74 and 75 but
transferred them to the Fascist Government in northern Italy; both were
returned to the Navy in 1945. MS52, 53, 61, 65 and 75 were transferred to
Russia in 1949 and the remainder discarded between 1954 and the late 1970s.
A total of 44 improved MS (third and fourth series) boats, and nine vessels
based on the German S38 type, were cancelled in September 1943.
EX-ENEMY COASTAL CRAFT
The Yugoslavian Orjen, Velebit, Dinara, Triglav, Suvobor and Rudnik
(German-built S-boats) were captured in April 1941 and incorporated in the
Italian Navy as MS41D-46D respectively. MS41 and 45 were scuttled in
September 1943 but the remainder were taken by the Germans becoming S2
(ex-MS42D), S3 (ex-MS43D), S4 (ex-MS44D) and 55 (ex-MS46D). All four
were sunk at Salonika in October 1944.
The British-built Uskok and Cetnik were also captured from Yugoslavia in
April 1941 being renamed MAS ID and MAS2D. ID foundered in the Adriatic
on 19.4.42 and 2D, renumbered MS47 in 1942, was discarded on 1.9.43. For
further details see under Yugoslavia.
VAS Type 1 AS MLs (launched 1942)
Displacement: 68t
Dimensions: 91ft lOin x 14ft lin x 4ft 5in
28.00 x 4.30 x 1.35m
Machinery: 3 shafts. 2 Fiat petrol engines plus 1 Carraro petrol engine,
1500hp/300hp = 20kts. Fuel 11.5t
Armament: 2-450mm torpedoes, 1 or 2-20mm/65 AA (1 or 2x1),
2-6.5mm MG, 26 DCs
Complement: 26
Class (builder): VAS201-208 (Baglietto), VAS209-214 (Picchiotti),
VAS215-220 (Navalmeccanica), VAS221-230 (Celli)
Construction of a large number of AS launches began in 1941 and extended to
three types of basically similar specification. The Italians classed them as Vedette
Antisommergibili, equivalent to the British classification MA/SB (or HDML) or
the US sub-chaser but, unlike their foreign contempories, they carried tor¬
pedoes to allow coastal attacks against surfaced submarines. They were also
based on the Yugoslavian S-boats, the first 14 being wooden and the remainder
composite. They had a range of 300nm at 19kts on main engines, or 1 lOOnm at
12kts on the auxiliary, centre-shaft engine. As with the MS type the intended
armament could not be fitted until 1943 because of shortages of 20mm guns, and
2-6.5mm MGs were usually carried in lieu of the forward 20mm.
VAS202, 212, 213, 216, 229 and 230 were sunk in air raids during 1943.
VAS223 was wrecked on 5.5.43 and VAS208, 214,219 and 220 were sunk by
German land artillery on 11.9.43. VAS206 was beached after catching fire in
February 1944 and became a total loss. VAS203, 205, 207, 225 and 226 were
scuttled in September 1943. VAS209, 210, 215, 217, 218, 221 and 227 were
seized by the Germans in September 1943 and were later lost or scuttled except
218 which was returned to the Navy in 1945. The surviving boats were discarded
in 1953 and 1957.
VAS237 at Venice, 26.6.1947 Aldo Fraccaroli Collection
 Coastal forces

A modified MTM with narrower beam so as to be suitable for carriage in

VAS Type 2 AS MLs (launched 1942-43) submarines.

Class (builder): VAS231-236 (Baglietto), VAS237-VAS238 (Costaguta),

VAS239-VAS242 (Navalmeccanica), VAS243-VAS24S (Soliente),
VAS246-248 (Celli)
MTS type motor-boats
Repeats of the Type 1 VAS except for a different machinery installation. This Displacement: 1.7t
class had one 1150hp Isotta Fraschini petrol engine on the central shaft (for Length: 23ft 6in x 6ft 1 lin x 1ft 8in
16kts), and two 300hp Carraro engines on the wing shafts (for 14kts), giving a 7.15 x 2.10 x 0.50m
top speed of 21.5kts on all engines. Range was increased at 440nm at 20kts or Machinery: 1- shaft Alfa Romeo petrol engine, 90hp = 28kts
1260nm at 14kts (wing shafts only). All were composite-built and Armament: 2- 4 5 Omm torpedoes
VAS231-VAS236 were completed as minesweepers. Complement: 2
VAS231 was sunk by aircraft,234 by S-boats and244 by MTBs during 1943.
VAS247 was scuttled in September 1943 after receiving action damage. Developed in 1939, these were in effect miniature MTBs, MTS standing for
VAS236, 239 , 240 , 241, 242 and 243 were captured by the Germans and Motoscafi di Turismo, Siluranti (torpedo-carrying touring boat). Based on the
renumbered RA261,262 and265^S respectively. VAS238 was also captured but MTM, they were enlarged to carry two men and 2 torpedoes which, as the
not renumbered. All were later scuttled except 240 and 241 which were engine was not changed, resulted in a 5kt loss in design speed. They were
returned. designed by Baglietto with a V-section wooden hull, from which the torpedoes
were dropped over the stern, tail first, as in World War 1 CMBs. Four were built
and ran successful trials in 1940 but, although they had a range of 90nm, in
VAS Type 3 AS MLs (launched 1942-43) practice they proved of little value as they were too slow and too small to operate
Displacement: 90t effectively.
Dimensions: 111ft lOin x 16ft 5in x 6ft llin
34.10 x 5.00 x 2.10m
Machinery: See notes MTSM type motor-boats
Armament: 2-450mm torpedoes (or l-37mm/54), 1 or 2-20mm/65, Displacement: 3t
2-6.5mm MG
Dimensions: 27ft 6in x 7ft 3in x 2ft
8.40 x 2.20 x 0.60m
Class (builder): VAS301-312 (Ansaldo, Genoa)
Machinery: 2 Alfa Romeo petrol engines, 190hp = 32kts
Ansaldo-designed steel round-bilge craft. VAS301-VAS304 were completed
Armament: l-450mm torpedo, 2 DCs
with three 350hp Fiat deisels for 18kts and a range of 900nm at 14kts. The
remainder were to have had Ansaldo diesels but these proved unsausfactory Complement: 2
before development was complete, and so were fitted with the same installation
as the Type 2 VAS, for a top speed of 19kts and a range of lOOOnm at 13kts. These were designed by Baglietto in 1941 to overcome the defects of the MTS
(‘M’ standing for Modificati) by improving hull form and increasing size (for
The entire class was captured by the Germans in September 1943 and renum¬
seaworthiness) and engine power (for speed). The latter however could only be
bered RA2S4 , 257 , 256 , 255 , 252 , 251, 253 , 263 , 258 , 264 , 259 and 260
achieved by adding a second engine which absorbed space leaving only sufficient
respectively. 307 to 312 were still fitting out. RA256 and 257 were sunk in air
room for one torpedo. The depth charges were to drop alongside surface ship
raids in March and August 1944 respectively. RA255,251 and 259 were sunk in
hulls. Over 100 were built during 1941-43. Some were modified to carry 3 skin
action off Genoa in August 1944. The remainder were scuttled in April 1945.
A further 24 of an improved type were cancelled in Sept 1943. divers in place of the torpedo. Range was 200nm. MTSM228 torpedoed the
British escort destroyer Eridge on 29.8.42.

MAT explosive motor-boat

MTSMA type motor boats
Displacement: 0.94t
Length: 15ft 6in Displacement: 3.65t
4.74m Dimensions: 28ft lOin x 7ft 7in x 2ft 4in
Machinery: 1-shaft Alfa Romeo petrol engine, 90hp = 32kts 8.80 x 2.32 x 0.70m
Armament: l-330kg charge Machinery: 2 Alfa Romeo petrol engines, 190hp = 29kts
Complement: 1 Armament: l^!50mm torpedo, 1 Breda MG, 2 DCs
Complement: 2
A Baglietto stepped-hull design for an explosive motor-boat small enough to be
flown to its operational area by a Savoia S55 seaplane. On being set towards its A modified MTSM design with size increased to provide 250nm range, larger
target the crewman abandoned over the stern leaving the MAT to hit, split open DCs (70kg instead of 50kg) and a smoke canister. 100 were ordered in 1943 and
and drop its charge, which detonated at set depth or, when reaching the seabed, many were under construction when Italy surrendered, several falling into
alongside the enemy hull. Two prototypes were built; they were tested in 1936 German hands.
and proved satisfactory. Carrying them in a seaplane, however, did not prove
practical. In 1940 a modified version was tested against the Quarto and caused
extensive damage to its target which sank immediately. MTL type motor boats
Displacement: 7t
MTM explosive motor-boat Length: 31ft 2in
9.5m
Displacement: It Machinery: 1 petrol engine plus 1 electric motor, 22hp/8hp = 5kts/4kts
Dimensions: 18ft 4in x 6ft 6in Armament: 2 SLC
5.60 x 1.90m
Machinery: 1-shaft Alfa Romeo petrol engine, 95hp = 33kts Designed in 1941. Intended to carry 2 SLCs and their crews to Malta for attacks
Armament: 1-3 00kg charge on shipping. Range was 60nm with the petrol engine and 40nm with the electric
Complement: 1 motor which was intended to provide a silent approach.

An enlarged MAT of which 16 were ordered in 1938 and 12 in 1939. Trials with
the first units demonstrated the need for improvements in the hull and machin¬ SMALL ATTACK CRAFT
ery and the second group were suspended while the first 6 were modified. The R boat: small oar-propelled boat 4 x 0.8m carrying 200kg charge intended for
step in the hull was omitted, the weak fabric deck covered with marine ply and attacks on Gibraltar from the Olterra. Four were built but were not used
the engine position modified. Results being satisfactory, work went ahead and operationally.
all were completed by early 1941. Six of these craft, launched from the des¬ SLC: Human torpedo, code-namedMaiale (Pig), designed in 1935. Developed
troyers Crispi and Sella, sank the British cruiser York and damaged a tanker at from a standard 533mm torpedo with a detatachable 220kg warhead, later
Suda Bay on 25.3.41. increased to 250kg, it weighed 600kg, was 6.7m long and carried a crew of 2
divers. Driven by an electric motor, it had a range of 15nm at 2-3kts and 4nm at
4-5kts. 11 had been built by the outbreak of war and a large number were
MTR reduced explosive motor-boat constructed during 1940-43. The tanker Olterra, interned at Algerciras in June
1940, was employed as a secret base for these weapons from which to carry out
Displacement: It attacks on Gibraltar. They were the most successful of Italy’s special assault
Dimensions: 20ft x 5ft 3in craft and sank or damaged over 180,000t of shipping. Their most spectacular
6.10 x 1.60m
success was the sinking of the battleships Valiant and Queen Elizabeth in
Machinery: 1-shaft Alfa Romeo petrol engine, 95hp = 29kts Alexandria harbour on 18.12.1941.
Armament: l-300kg charge SSB: Modified version of the SLC designed and constructed at La Spezia naval
Complement: yard to carry a 300kg warhead.

315
ITALY

MISCELLANEOUS
VESSELS
ERITREA colonial sloop
Displacement: 2165t standard; 3068t full load
Dimensions: 285ft 5in pp, 317ft llin oa X 43ft 7in X 15ft 5in
87.00, 96.90 x 13.30 x 4.70m
Machinery: 2-shaft Fiat diesels plus diesel electric drive, 7800bhp +
1300hp = 20kts. Oil 320t
Armament: 4— 120mm/45 (2x2), 2—40mm/39 (2x1), 4-13.2mm MG
GIUSEPPE MIRAGLIA seaplane carrier
(4xl)
Displacement: 4880t Complement: 234
Dimensions: 377ft pp x 49ft x 17ft
115.00 X 15.00 x 5.20m Name Builder Launched Fate
Machinery: Parsons geared turbines, 8 Yarrow boilers, 12,000hp = 21kts.
ERITREA CCS 28.9.1936 To France 1948
Oil 430t
Armament: 4-102mm A A (4x1), 20 aircraft
Designed in 1934 as a result of Italy’s colonial expansion and intended to show
Complement: 180 the flag in peacetime and serve as an escort in war. She was ordered on 8.5.35
and completed 10.2.37. The machinery arrangement was somewhat unusual
Name Converted Yard Fate
with a diesel and electric motor connected to each shaft which could be used
GIUSEPPE MIRAGLIA 1924-27 La Spezia ? independently or together. Power for the electric motors was provided by a pair
(ex- Cilia de Messina) of diesel-driven generators carried in a separate compartment forward of the
main engine room, the Marelli electric motors being fitted on a third compart¬
A former merchant ship (launched 20.12.23) converted to a seaplane carrier at ment abaft the main engine room; intermediate compartments separated all
La Spezia to accommodate 4 large and 16 small aircraft. The superstructure was three main machinery rooms. Range was 6950m at 11.8kts with electric motors
built up flush with the sides and extended fore and aft to form hangars. Aircraft only, 5000m at 15.3kts on diesels only and 6120m at 13.3kts with both in
catapults were mounted on the centreline above the forecastle and poop to which operation. Maximum speed, with diesels only, was 18kts at a continuous max¬
aircraft could be transferred from the flat hangar roofs. Aircraft were recovered imum rating of 7000hp. Eritrea was equipped for minelaying and in 1940-41 her
through doors in the hangar sides by means of gantries mounted above the 40mm guns were replaced by 4-37mm/54 AA (2x2). She surrendered to the
doors. After completion this vessel was used extensively for catapult launching Allies at Colombo in September 1943 and was transferred to France as the
experiments. During the Second World War she was classed as an aircraft Francis Gamier on 12.2.48 (stricken 1966). A second vessel of this type, to be
transport but was mainly employed on training duties in home waters. She was named Etiopia, was projected but not built.
surrendered at Malta in 1943 where she served as a depot ship for Italian
auxiliaries and submarines.

DIANA sloop
Displacement: 1735t standard; 2550t full load Danaide 1943
Dimensions: 356ft lOin pp, 373ft 6in oa x 38ft 4in x lift 6in
108.75, 113.90 x 11.70 x 3.50m
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 4 3-drum boilers, 30,000hp = 32kts
GABBIANO class corvettes
Armament: 2-102mm/35 (1x2), 6-20mm/65 Displacement: 660t standard; 728t full load
Complement: ? Dimensions: 192ft llin pp, 211ft oa x 28ft 7in x 8ft 4in
58.80, 64.35 x 8.71 x 2.53m
Name Builder Launched Fate Machinery: 2-shaft fiat diesels, 3500bhp = 18kts. Oil 64t
DIANA CNQ 20.5.1940 Sunk 29.6.42 Armament: l-100mm/47, 7-20mm/65 or 70 AA (2x2, 3x1) 2-450mm
TT (not in all units), 10 DC throwers
Designed as a Government Yacht/despatch vessel. Employed as a fast transport Complement: 110
during the war until torpedoed by HM submarine Thrasher. In July 1941 she
Name Builder Launched Fate
transported 11 motor boats (9MT, 1MTSM and 1MTL) to the Central Mediter¬
ranean for an attack on Malta. ALCE OTO, Leghorn 27.5.1942 Scuttled 24.4.45
Diana in March 1942 Italian Navy ANTILOPE OTO, Leghorn 9.5.1942 Sunk 16.8.44
APE Navalmeccanica 22.11.1942 Stricken 1965
ARDEA Ansaldo, Genoa —
Scuttled 24.4.45
ARTEMIDE CRDA, 10.8.1942 Scuttled 24.4.45
Monfalcone
BAIONETTA Breda 5.10.1942 Stricken Jan 72
BERENICE CRDA, 20.5.1943 Sunk 9.9.43
A Monfalcone
BOMBARDA Breda 31.8.1942 Stricken rl975
\ CALABRONE
CAMOSCIO
Navalmeccanica
OTO, Leghorn
27.6.1943 Scuttled 29.8.44
9.5.1942 Sunk 17.8.44
CAPRIOLO OTO, Leghorn 5.12.1942 Scuttled 24.4.45
CARABINA Breda 31.8.1943 Sunk Feb 1944
CAVALLETTA Navalmeccanica 3.12.1942 BU on slip cl944
CERVO OTO, Leghorn — Scuttled 24.4.45
CHIMERA CRDA, Trieste 30.1.1943 Stricken c 1975
CICALA Navalmeccanica 27.6.1943 Scuttled 3.5.44
CICOGNA Ansaldo, Genoa 12.10.1942 Wrecked 24.7.43
CLAVA Breda Destroyed on
slip cl944
COCCINIGLIA Navalmeccanica — Suspended
incomplete

316
 Miscellaneous vessels
EX-ENEMY VESSELS CLASSED AS CORVETTES
Name Builder Launched Fate
The French La Batailleuse, Commandant Riviere, Chamois, L’Impetueuse, La
Curieuse and Degaigneuse were taken over by the Italian Navy as FR51-FRS6.
COLUMBRINA Breda 7.12.1942 Sunk 27.3.44 The first two were captured at Bizerta in December 1942 and the remainder,
CORMORANO Cerusa 20.9.1942 Stricken Jan 1972 scuttled at Toulon in 1942, were salvaged in 1943. FR52 was bombed and sunk
CRISALIDE Navalmeccanica 8.12.1947 Stricken Jan 1972 in an air raid on Leghorn on 28.5.43 and FRS1 was scuttled at La Spezia in
DANAIDE CRD A, Trieste 21.10.1942 Stricken cl970 September 1943. The latter vessel was salvaged by the Germans and renamed
DAINO OTO, Leghorn —
Scuttled 24.4.45 SG23 but was scuttled again at Genoa on 25.4.1945. The remainder were seized
DRIADE CRD A, Trieste 7.10.1942 Stricken 1966 by the Germans while under repair in September 1943. FRS3 becam eSG21 and
EGERIA CRDA, - Scuttled Sept 1943 was sunk in an air raid on Toulon on 15.8.44. For further details see under
Monfalcone
France.
EURIDICE CRDA, 12.3.1944 Sunk incomplete
Monfalcone 25.5.44
EUTERPE CRDA, 22.10.1942 Scuttled 24.4.45
OSTIA class minelayers (launched 1925-27)
Monfalcone
FARFALLA Navalmeccanica 4.1.1948 Stricken Jan 1972 Displacement: 615t standard; 850t full load
FENICE CRDA, Trieste 1.3.1943 Stricken 1965 Dimensions: 204ft X 28ft 6in x 8ft 6in
FLORA CRDA, Trieste 1.12.1942 Stricken cl970 62.18 x 8.69 x 2.59m
FOLAGA Ansaldo, Genoa 14.11.1942 Stricken 1965 Machinery: 2-shaft TE, 2 watertube boilers, 1500hp = 15kts. Oil 75t
GABBIANO Cerusa 23.6.1942 Stricken Jan 1972 Armament: 2-102mm/35, l-76mm AA, 80 mines
GAZZELLA OTO, Leghorn 9.5.1942 Mined 5.8.43 Complement: 66
GRILLO Navalmeccanica 21.3.1943 Scuttled 3.5.44
GRU Ansaldo, Genoa 23.12.1942 Stricken cl970 Class (builder): Azio (CNR, Ancona), Dardanelli (CNT), Legnano (CNR,
IBIS Ansaldo, Genoa 12.12.1942 Stricken Jan 1972 Ancona), Lepanto (CNR, Ancona), Milazzo (CNT), Ostia (CNT)
LIBELLULA Navalmeccanica —
BU on slip Ordered 1924. Also fitted for minesweeping. The CNT vessels were coal-
LUCCIOLA Navalmeccanica 21.3.1943 Scuttled 13.9.43 fired, the remainder oil-fired. Dardanelli and Milazzo were sold to Venezuela in
MARANGONE Ansaldo, Genoa 16.9.1943 Sunk 3.3.44 1938 and renamed General Urdaneta and GeneralSoublette. Lepanto, scuttled at
MAGGIOLINO Navalmeccanica Suspended Shanghai in September 1943, was salvaged by the Japanese in February 1944
incomplete and renamed Okitsu. After the war she became the ChineseHsien Ning.Azio and
MELPOMENE CRDA, 29.8.1943 Sunk 1.11.44 Legnano were discarded postwar, Ostia was a war loss.
Monfalcone
MINERVA CRDA, 5.11.1942 Stricken cl970
Monfalcone
FASANA class minelayers (launched 1924-26)
PERSEFONE CRDA, 21.9.1942 Scuttled 24.4.45
Monfalcone Displacement: 6 lOt standard
POMONA CRDA Trieste 18.11.1942 Stricken 1965 Dimensions: 192ft pp x 32ft x 5ft 8in
PROCELLARIA Cerusa 4.9.1942 Mined 31.1.43 58.52 x 9.75 x 1.73m
RENNA OTO, Leghorn 5.12.1942 Sunk 4.9.44 Machinery: 2-shaft diesels, 700bhp = lOkts
SCURE Breda — Scuttled 24.4.45 Armament: l-76mm AA, 54 mines
SCIMITARRA Breda 16.9.1942 Stricken Jan 1972 Complement: ?
SFINGE CRDA, Trieste 9.1.1943 Stricken cl975
SIBILLA CRDA, Trieste 10.3.1943 Stricken Jan 1972 Class: Buccari, Durazzo, Fasana, Pelagosa
SPINGARDA Breda 22.3.1943 Sunk 1.11.44 Built by CCS. Could also be used for minesweeping. Durazzo was sunk by the
STAMBECCO OTO, Leghorn - Scuttled 24.4.45 British submarine Safari 17.8.43, Buccari and Pelagosa were sunk at Naples in
STROLAGA Ansaldo, Genoa — Scuttled 24.4.45 1943, and Fasana was discarded postwar.
TUFFETTO Ansaldo, Genoa 25.8.1943 Scuttled 24.4.45
TERSICORE CRDA, 16.10.1943 Sunk 20.4.44
Monfalcone VEDETTA class minesweepers (launched 1937)
URANIA CRDA, 21.4.1943 Stricken Jan 1972
Monfalcone Displacement: 70t
VESPA Navalmeccanica 22.11.1942 Scuttled 24.4.45 Dimensions: 85ft 6in x 14ft x 4ft 3in
ZAGAGLIA Breda - ?BU on slip 1945 26.06 x 4.27 x 1.30m
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel, 400bhp = 12kts
A wartime design for small, cheap AS escort that could be constructed quickly Armament: l-76mm
and in large numbers. Successful ships with adequate qualities for Mediterra¬ Complement: }
nean operations. Range was 3000nm at 15kts. Two auxiliary electric motors of
150hp each were fitted to allow silent AS search at 6kts (max 16nm endurance). Class: Vedetta, Vigilante
Carabina and Bombarde (modified by the Germans) were not fitted with these Probably discarded postwar.
motors. Berenice was sunk by German shore artillery off Trieste. The majority of
the class were seized by the Germans shortly after the Italian surrender, the
following completed vessels being renamed: UJ6082 ex-Antilope, UJ6081 ex- RD1 minesweeper (launched 1938)
Camoscio (both sunk by the US destroyer Endicott), Uj2221 ex-Vespa, Uj2226
tx-Artemide. Vessels completed by the Germans were Uj608S ex-Renna, Uj20S Displacement: 188t
ex-Colubrina, Uj207 ex-Carabina, Uj2223 ex-Marangone (all lost in air attacks), Dimensions: 109ft 6in x 21ft 8in x 7ft 4in
UJ208 ex-Springarda, Uj202 ex-Melpomene (both lost in action with British 33.38 x 6.60 x 2.24m
escort destroyers Awn Vale and Wheatland), Uj6083 ex-Capriolo, UJ6084 ex- Machinery: 1-shaft diesel, 450bhp = lOkts
Alce, UJ2222 ex-Tuffetto and Uj206 ex-Bombarda (last named was scuttled April Armament: l-76mm
1945 but later salvaged and repaired). The construction of the following vessels Complement: ?
was continued by the Germans but not completed: Uj204 ex-Euridice, Uj203
ex-Tersicore (both lost in air raids), Uj2224 ex-Stroglago, Uj2225 ex-Ardea, Built by CNR, Ancona. Probably discarded postwar.
UJ6087 ex-Daino, Uj6086 ex-Cervo, Uj6088 ex-Stambecco and UJ209 ex-Scure.
In addition, Persefone, Euterpe and Egeria, scuttled by the Italians in September GUNBOATS
1943, were salvaged and renumbered UJ2227,2228 and 20/ but all were scuttled Italy had no true gunboats apart from the Sebastiano Caboto launched in 1912,
again before repairs were complete. Grillo, Cicala and Calabrone were also taken but classified a multitude of auxiliary craft under this title. All were purchased
by the Germans but not renumbered. Libellula, Cavalletta and Clava were merchant vessels, mainly trawlers, either dating from World War I or
broken up or destroyed on the slip by the Germans. Crisalide andForfalla were requisitioned during World War II.
scuttled by the Germans in April 1945 but were salvaged after the war and The Yugoslavian gunboat Beli Orao was captured in April 1941 and incor¬
re-entered service with the Italian Navy in 1952-53. porated in the Italian Navy as Alba. For full details see under Yugoslavia.

OTHER EX-ENEMY VESSELS

The 6 Yugoslavian minelayers of the Galeb class were captured in April 1941 and
incorporated in the Italian Navy under new names. The 5 Yugoslavian mine
tenders of the Malinska class were also captured by Italy in April 1941 and
incorporated in the Navy under new names. For full details of all these units see
under Yugoslavia.

317
Soviet Union
After seven years of continuous struggle Russia emerged in 1921 heav¬
ily wounded, disorganised and with a considerable loss of territory, but
united again under strong new rulers. Because of the weakness of their
position the Bolsheviks had to abandon the ‘export’ of revolution; the
time gained would be used for reconstructing the administration,
building up the economy - along Marxist lines - and reorganising the
armed forces.
The New Economic Policy had to be introduced in the spring of 1921
to put the country on a strong footing (even at the cost of the Marxist
doctrine) and stimulate trade with other countries. The political and
economical advantages of co-operation between a defeated Germany
and an excommunicated Soviet Russia had inaugurated a formal
friendship and gave the Soviets much-wanted links with the highly
developed German industry. Those enterprises, together with consid¬
erable aid from other sources, helped the Soviets to bring a halt to
starvation and initiate competitive industrial production. On 30
December 1922 the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was officially
founded.
THE RESTORATION OF THE NAVY
After two revolutions and a civil war the Russian Navy had practically
ceased to exist. The Soviets had been left without a single vessel in the
Black Sea, the Arctic or the Far East; only in the Baltic did an
embryonic fleet survive, albeit in a wretched condition and without
serious military potential. The dockyards and other facilities were
wrecked byond repair, and the crews were hampered by political
agitation and by shortages of all kinds. The naval rebellion at Kron¬
shtadt in March 1921 led to crews being selected entirely on political
rather than professional grounds.
The Tenth Party Congress in 1921 decided to rebuild the Navy. Any
new construction was beyond the capabilities of existing industry, so it
was decided to utilise all the most valuable and modern units already
available. Old, damaged, immobilised or unfinished warships amount¬
ing to 75 per cent of the Red Navy’s total tonnage had been retired and
sold to German shipbreakers during 1922-23. The necessary renova¬
tions at harbours and dockyards were made during 1921 and it was
possible to recommission some ships the following year. By the end of
1922 18 ships on the Baltic were operational again including the dread¬
nought Marat and the training ship Okean (renamed Komsomolec in the
same year).
In 1924 the Soviet Navy had 1 battleship, 1 cruiser, 8 destroyers and
9 submarines in service again with the Baltic Fleet and 1 cruiser, 2
destroyers and 2 submarines on the Black Sea, totalling 90,000 tons.
The year was marked by the death of Lenin followed by the seizure of
power by Stalin. A hard line was adopted with regard to internal affairs,
and the reorganisation of the armed forces was begun.
Soviet industrial production improved very slowly. By 1926 it had
achieved no more than 75 per cent of its prewar level. These results
were achieved thanks mainly to the strenuous efforts of the whole
Soviet people, and encouraged thoughts of a return to naval shipbuild¬
ing in the Soviet Union. By 1926 3 battleships had been recommis¬
sioned, together with 1 cruiser, 13 destroyers and 14 submarines,
amounting to 139,000 tons.
318
THE 1926 NAVAL PROGRAMME
In 1925 a five-year plan for mercantile shipbuilding was approved and
production of the first Soviet-designed cargo vessels was begun in the
Baltic Yard at Leningrad. The first timber carrier, Tovarishch Krasin
(3535dwt), was ready by 1927.
Work on the first naval programme had been initiated in 1925. The
six-year naval programme, calling for the building of 12 submarines, 18
guard vessels and 36 MTBs, as well as the modernisation of 2 cruisers, 4
destroyers and several other units, had been approved by the Council
for Work and Defence on 26 November 1926. Although the necessary
funds were provided, the practical realisation even of such a small
programme involved difficulties of a technical nature. The Soviets had
to overcome the shortage of experienced naval engineers and skilled
workmen, a deficiency in technology, and problems caused by the low
quality of Soviet industrial products. The capacity of Soviet industry
proved to be inadequate for building modern warships in a reasonable
time. The laying down of the first six 400t guardships, planned for 13
August 1927, had to be suspended until May-July 1928 because the
builder - the Zhdanov Yard in Leningrad - had no slipways available
(the construction of these slipways had begun only at the end of 1927).
The production of the hull sections had, however, begun in 1927, but
this had to be stopped for a time because of the need continually to
strengthen them. These and other miscalculations had also been made
during the design and construction of submarines. More promising
were the MTBs, which were designed after the careful examination of
British CMBs, a few of which had been captured in 1920.
Of the 1926 Programme, 2 cruisers, 4 destroyers and 1 river monitor
had been commissioned and 6 MTBs of the Sh4 class had been com¬
pleted by the end of 1928. The 8 Uragan class guardships and 6
submarines of the ‘D’ class had been laid down; one - Dekabrist - had
been launched by this date. By now the Soviet Navy had 3 battleships, 2
cruisers, 11 destroyers, 9 submarines and 6 brand-new MTBs in the
Baltic and 2 cruisers, 5 destroyers, 5 submarines and 2 MTBs in the
Black Sea. The battleship Parizhskaya Kommuna and the cruiser Pro-
fintem were transferred from the Baltic to the Black Sea Fleet in 1930 to
maintain a balance with the Turks who had undertaken repairs to the
battlecruiser Yavuz Sultan Selim.
THE FIRST FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMME
Because of the problems with the 1926 Programme and in order to
co-ordinate the naval programmes with the newly introduced five-year
plan embracing the whole of the Soviet economy, it was decided to
lengthen the building times authorised in 1926. On 4 February 1929
the new programme was approved by the Council for Work and
Defence, sanctioning all the ships of the 1926 Programme plus 3 flotilla
leaders, 3 large, 3 medium and 4 coastal submarines, about 16 MTBs
and 2 river monitors. The modernisation of 3 battleships and comple¬
tion of 1 old cruiser to a modified design was also planned.
To avoid a collapse of the programme adequate funds were provided
for the necessary reorganisation and expansion of the shipbuilding
industry. To cope with such an enlarged programme new designs were
needed, but Soviet naval architects had little experience. Various over¬
tures were made to gain technical assistance from abroad, but these met
Marat in the mid 1930s Boris I.emachko Collection

with little success, although it is probable that some French assistance

was utilised during the design stages of the Leningrad class flotilla
leaders. The submarine design bureau was more fortunate since it
could carry out an examination of the British submarine L55, which
was refloated by the Soviets in 1928.
Japanese military activity in China brought up the question of the
defence of the Soviet provinces in the Far East during the early 1930s -
the Soviet Union had no front-line warships there except the river craft
of the Amur Flotilla. In view of this it was decided to expand the first
five-year programme to include some warships for this theatre. In 1931
an additional 12 submarines of the ‘Shch’ class had been ordered and,
in the absence of anything better, 24 of the ‘M’ class, despite the latter’s
unsuitability for the Pacific. A total of 3 flotilla leaders, 53 sub¬
marines* , 4 guard vessels and 2 river monitors had thus been laid down
during the first five-year plan.
By mid-1933, 6 ‘D’ class submarines, 7 Uragan class vessels and
about 55 Sh4 class MTBs had appeared as a result of both the 1926 and
the first five-year programmes. The cruiser Krasnyi Kavakz had also
been completed to a modified design, and 1 destroyer, the submarine
L55 and 2 river monitors had been recommissioned.

THE SECOND FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMME

The first five-year programme was not an outstanding success. Despite Action stations aboard the cruiser Voroshilov Author’s Collection
the fact that 30 ships over and above those planned had been begun,
only a few of them were completed in time. The first Soviet-designed A considerable amount of design work had to be done, of course, in
warships formed the basis for a discussion about future Soviet naval order to realise such an ambitious programme and to build reasonable
strategy. Because Soviet forces were scant and consisted largely of ships. It was possible to utilise some of the experience gained during the
MTBs, the ‘mosquito fleet’ war policy had been regarded as the best earlier programme, but foreign aid was far more valuable. The Soviets
had at last been successful in obtaining the latter, having forged some
one for the Soviet Navy. This had a lot in common with Admiral Aube’s
useful links with the Italian shipbuilding industry. However, the
nineteenth century Jeune Ecole but was adapted for the needs of
choice of Italian designs indicated how little interest was shown by the
modern warfare. Soviet naval doctrine was to be concentrated around
Soviet Navy towards operations on the high seas at that time: on the
submarines, light surface forces and naval aviation, together with mine
other hand, Italian shipbuilding had a good reputation in the early
barrages defended by coastal artillery. The Soviet war plan called for
1930s and shipbuilding costs in Italy were lower than elsewhere in
the Navy to defend the wings of the great land forces, causing as much
Europe. The Italians were involved in drawing up the designs for the
discomfort to enemy shipping as possible.
Kirov class cruisers and the Type 7 destroyers, as well as submarines
The new stage in the reform of the armed forces was initiated by the
and smaller craft. To promote the flotilla leader programme (the Lenin¬
abolition of the Revolutionary War Council in 1934. The cadre system
grad class proved to be failures), one ship of this type was ordered from
had been introduced, and the ranks were restored on 22 September
the OTO Yard in Livorno, further units being built in Soviet yards.
1935. To achieve greater control over the commanding officers, the
Submarine development also received a fillip. The Ingenieurskantoor
operational and political command were divided, and political commis¬
voor Scheepsbouw in The Hague (founded by the Germans there, since
sars were reintroduced in 1937.
submarine building was forbidden in Germany) worked out the design
The second five-year programme of naval shipbuilding was
of a medium submarine for the Soviet Navy - presumably allowing
approved by the Council for Work and Defence on 11 July 1933. It was
Soviet engineers to parucipate - which was used to develop ‘S’ class
planned to complete 12 flotilla leaders, 20 destroyers, about 355 sub¬
submarines and influenced the design of later types.
marines, about 194 MTBs and 4 river monitors, to be in service on 1
A total of 4 cruisers, 4 flotilla leaders (one of which was ordered in
January 1938. The huge number of submarines was soon reduced to
Italy), 46 destroyers, 151 submarines, 6 guardships, 27 minesweepers
171, so about 157 boats had to be completed during the second five-year
and 9 river monitors, plus a considerable number of smaller boats, had
plan. The actual number of ships authorised in 1933 is estimated to be
been laid down under the second five-year programme. It is significant
at least 4 cruisers, 9 flotilla leaders, 49 destroyers, around 155 sub¬
that with the exception of the flotilla leaders almost all the vessels were
marines, around 248 MTBs and 4 river monitors.
laid down on schedule. The list of ships completed in this period was
not so impressive however: 2 Leningrad class flotilla leaders, 1 destroyer
*One additional boat was built from public subscriptions. (Bodryi), 11 Uragan class guard vessels, 6 Tral class minesweepers, 2

319
SOVIET UNION
Aktivnyi class and 2 Zheleznyakov class river monitors, and the big
minelayer Marti converted from the old Imperial yacht - a total of 25
surface units. The submarine programme was quite a different matter,
since a total of 137 boats had been completed: 10 ‘L’ class minelayers, 3
of the ill-fated ‘F class fleet boats, 3 ‘S’ class, 69 ‘Shch’ class and 52
coastal boats of the ‘M’ class. To the above figures 176 MTBs mainly of
the G5 class must be added, as well as some sub-chasers of theM02 and
M04 Types and Types 1124 and 1125 armoured motor gunboats.
the Bismarck class battleships and modern submarines. The Germans
did sell the incomplete cruiser Ltitzow — and German technical staff
were despatched to Leningrad in order to help complete this ship and
render assistance during the construction of two others in Soviet yards
— but this acquisition was purely political and pushed through by Stalin
personally against the advice of his naval officers.
On 1 January 1939 the composition of the Soviet Navy was as
follows:

Arctic Baltic Black Pacific Total

THE THIRD FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMME
Although only a small number of ships of the 1933-38 Programme had Sea
been completed, the results of the two previous five-year plans were Battleships - 2 1 - 3
satisfactory enough for the Soviet leaders. There were 162 warships - 1 4 5
Cruisers —

under construction on 1 January 1938 and a large number of these Flotilla leaders - 1 2 - 3
vessels was scheduled for compleuon during the following two or three 3 12 9 2 26
Destroyers
years. The shipbuilding industry had not been able fully to meet its Submarines 7 56 31 70 164
targets, but it had proved that such programmes were possible. There were also 263 MTBs and 14 river monitors. The growth was
The long disputes that had taken place during the late 1920s between noticeable but not considerable, as by the beginning of 1939 the Rus¬
the ‘small navy’ advocates and the ‘big navy’ adherents were resolved a sians had planned to have in service 3 battleships, 7 cruisers, 12 flotilla
decade later by Stalin himself, who decided to expand the Soviety Navy leaders, around 66 destroyers, 221 submarines and 308 MTBs. Many of
to match the strength of the traditional naval powers. His decision was these ships had been laid down during the second five-year plan and
undoubtedly influenced by the end of the battleship ‘holidays’, the not were still fitting out. During 1939-40 3 battleships, 2 large cruisers and
wholly successful London Naval Conference of 1936* and the intensive 9 cruisers were laid down, and the keel-laying ceremony of the fourth
naval re-armament being undertaken by the great powers. The opposi¬ battleship was scheduled for 28 November 1940.
tion of high-ranking naval officers and some party members was over¬
come by the purges of 1937-39.
WORLD WAR II
By the end of 1937 the People’s Commissariat of the Navy had been
The prospect of Soviet involvement in a European war brought about a
organised to deal with the work relating to the naval re-armament
general re-armament of the forces. The large tank and aircraft pro¬
programme, although preliminary studies concerning battleship build¬
grammes were begun but these caused a shortage of steel, and sacrifices
ing in the Soviet Union had begun in the mid-1930s. However, the
had to be made in the shipbuilding programme. On 19 October 1940 it
Naval Staff had been compelled to recommend that, as Soviet industry
was decided to suspend the construction of the new capital ships (the
was not able to build such large ships, various foreign yards should be
fourth battleship Sovyetskaya Rossiya had not yet been laid down) and
consulted; this brought about some interesting designs and resulted in
continue the building of submarines and light surface forces. At the
the permission of the US government being given to order a 45,000-ton
time of the German invasion 5 capital ships, 9 cruisers, 4 flotilla leaders,
battleship in a US yard.
26 destroyers, 88 submarines, 21 guardships, 45 minesweepers and 10
The Eighteenth Party Congress accepted the large re-armament
river monitors had been laid down.
programme both of the Navy and the Army. The large ten-year naval
During the 3| years of the third five-year plan the Soviet Navy had
shipbuilding estimate had been worked out and, using these figures,
been considerably enlarged by the commissioning of 74 surface war¬
the programme had been drawn up for the third five-year plan. It was
ships - 4 Kirov class cruisers, 4 Leningrad class flotilla leaders, the
intended to have in service by 1943 a total of 19 battleships, 20 cruisers,
flotilla leader Tashkent (built in Italy), 24 Type 7 and 5 Type 7U
18 flotilla leaders, 145 destroyers (all new), 341 submarines, 514 MTBs
destroyers, 32 Tral class minesweepers and 4 Zheleznyakov class river
and 44 river monitors. However, this huge programme, calling for the
monitors. In addition, 63 submarines were commissioned - 6 ‘K’ class,
authorisation of 16 battleships, 17 cruisers, 11 flotilla leaders, 100
9 ‘L’ class minelayers, 14 ‘S’ class, 8 ‘Shch’ class and 26 coastal boats of
destroyers and approximately 131 submarines over five years, had not
the ‘M’ class.
been approved officially, but it was used as a basis for a series of
It is difficult now to discover whether or not the Soviets were able to
one-year programmes authorised by the Party Central Committee and
bring to fruition their colossal programme. The two last columns of the
the Council of the People’s Commissaries of the Soviet Union. All the
accompanying table, for example, indicate an evident reduction in the
ships had to be built in the Soviet Union and therefore the battleship to
destroyer programme.
be built in the USA was not ordered. A programme such as this
inevitably had its effect on the Soviet economy; huge capital investment
in heavy industry resulted in the total neglect of consumer goods. Laid down Commis- Under In Total Planned
between sioned construc¬ service 3 + 4 on
To simplify production as much as possible the ships had to be 1927 and by tion on 22.6.41 1.1.43
ordered in large series - and only a few basic designs were approved for 22.6.41 22.6.41 22.6.41
production: 2 for the capital ships, 2 for the cruisers, 2 for the des¬ 1 2 3 4 5 6
troyers, 5 for the submarines, 2 for the MTBs, etc. The new designs
Capital 5 - 5 3 8 19
were drawn up and this time the Soviet naval architects were able to
ships
solve their problems satisfactorily, even though much foreign aid was Cruisers 141 4 10 7 17 20
still needed, particularly during the design stages of the battleships and Floulla ll2 7 4 7 11 18
cruisers. leaders
Destroyers 72 303 41 47 88 1454
In the 1939 German-Soviet pact gave the Soviets some technical
Submarines 298 2063 91 210 300 3414
assistance but the Germans were reluctant to part with the drawings for Guardships 39 18 21 22 ?
43
Minelayers l5 1 - 18 18 p
River 21 8 13 20 33 44
monitors

Total 533 312 219 334s 518 587+

*The Soviet Union was a signatory to the 1936 Treaty, but was affected
1 1 purchased in Germany
neither quantitively nor qualitively since (a) she was allowed to build 2 1 ordered in Italy
two 16in-gunned battleships and seven heavy cruisers; (b) there were 3 1 lost incomplete
no restrictions on the size of Pacific Fleet; and (c) despite the Treaty 4 Includes replacement boats
5 Conversion
limitations the Council for Work and Defence authorised in 1938 four
6 In addition, 477 small motor boats, 85 AMGBs, about 300 MTBs, 2 B02 type
59,150-ton battleships and four large cruisers - at least half of these
large sub-chasers and about 90 small sub-chasers and minesweeping launches
units for deployment in European waters. had been built prior to the German invasion.

320
 Introduction
The Winter War with Finland gave the Northern and Baltic Fleets and as a result the fighting efficiency of the ships was greatly reduced.
the opportunity to prove their combat efficiency, but although about From June 1941 until May 1943 over 16,000 officers and 373,000 men
ten times stronger than the Finnish Navy these forces were unable to were transferred from the Navy to the Army. Moreover, too centralised
influence the course of the conflict. The Soviet Navy was in general not a command restricted the freedom of the task group commanders at
prepared for combat during the winter months - even the ships of the sea. On the other hand, Soviet surface forces played an important part
Black Sea Fleet usually remained in harbour during winter. The poor in the defence of Odessa and Sevastopol, and the guns of the ‘steel
training programme and the purges of the late 1930s meant that the fortress’ - which is how the Baltic Fleet may best be described -
Soviet Navy was hampered by low standards of seamanship and unpro¬ enabled Leningrad to be successfully defended and played an import¬
fessional officers, and during the opening stages of the war with Ger¬ ant role during the 1944 operations around this city.
many the Baltic and Black Sea Fleets were decimated. The composition The whole burden of the surface war at sea was carried by the
of the Soviet Navy on 22.6.41 was as follows: ‘mosquito fleet’. Minesweepers, MTBs, sub-chasers, adapted fishing
trawlers, tugs and other auxiliary vessels were used in all environments
Arctic Baltic Black Pacific Total - the open sea, lakes and rivers - and for all sorts of duties throughout
Sea the war, suffering heavy losses but enjoying considerable success.
The river flotillas should be mentioned because of their great influ¬
Battleships — 2 1 — 3
ence on the outcome of the land campaigns. Although often impro¬
Cruisers - 2 5 — 7
vised, these units fought well, enabling the carrying of vital cargoes to
Flotilla leaders - 2 3 2 7
be continued and the transfer of numerous warships via the inland
Destroyers 8 17 11 11 47
waterways to be carried out.
Submarines 15 65 44 86 210
Submarines also played a vital role during the war although, again,
Guardships 7 7 2 6 22
losses were heavy. Suffering from technical shortcomings, particularly
Minelayers 1 6 3 8 18
with the earlier classes of boats, and from inadequately trained crews,
Minesweepers 2 33 15 30 80
and decimated by the German-Finnish mine barrages and the light
MTBs 2 48 84 135 269
forces in the mouth of the Gulf of Finland, the submarines of the Baltic
Sub-chasers 15 15 28 19 77
Fleet were not able to impede the U-boat crew training programme
Almost one-third of these forces (50 per cent of the MTBs) remained carried out by the Germans in the central Baltic - in fact it was only the
inactive during the hostilities as they belonged to the Pacific Fleet strength of the Soviet land offensive that enabled the submarines and
which - in contrast to the other fleets - was composed mainly of modern light forces to operate in this area at all. Russian submarines were,
units. A few attempts had been made to reinforce the Northern and however, used with greater effectiveness in flanking operations in the
Black Sea Fleets with some of these ships, but the distances which had Arctic.
to be covered made this impossible on a large scale. The Soviets claimed 614 warships and 676 merchantmen of 1586grt
The Soviet Navy had a negligible influence on the course of the war sunk by the Navy during the war. 66.2 per cent of the number of
with Germany; the struggle was decided by events on land. The Soviet warships was said to be sunk by naval aircraft, 8.6 per cent by surface
Navy had no great water obstacles on the way to Germany and so there forces (principally MTBs) and 5.5 per cent by the submarines; for
was no need for large-scale amphibious operations. However, numer¬ merchant shipping the figures are 50.4, 2.8 and 29.2 per cent respec¬
ous small landings were undertaken, first to slow the German advance tively. This gives 33 warships and 157 merchant vessels (462,313grt)
and later against German-held shores. During the largest of these (25 allocated to the submarines, but Western sources give 28 warships and
December 1941-2 January 1942), small ships of the Black Sea Fleet and 108 merchantmen (254,525grt). At least 89 Soviet submarines were lost
the Azov Flotilla successfully transported 42,000 men through the in action, many of them with all hands; a total of 107 submarines were
Kerch Narrows. lost from all causes.
Vitually every Soviet naval operation was conducted by small units
only. The larger Soviet surface units - superior to the Axis forces, CONCLUSION
especially on the Black Sea - were unable to show their strength. After At the beginning of the war 219 warships of various sorts were under
the heavy losses incurred during withdrawals and evacuations in the construction in Soviet yards; of this figure, 5 destroyers and 6 sub¬
Baltic in 1941 and in the Black Sea in 1942 the Russians were not willing marines ran acceptance trials and were subsequently commissioned. In
to risk the surviving units, whose maintenance, in blockaded Lenin¬ addition, 9 destroyers and 23 submarines had been completed and
grad or in small Caucasian harbours, was neglected. Naval crews were commissioned by the end of 1941, and the cruiser Petropavlovsk (ex-
enlisted for fighting ashore - a task which they undertook gallantly - Liitzow) was completed as a floating battery. During 1941-42 the

Prosorlivyi, ex-German T158 in Soviet service Jerzy Micinski Collection

SOVIET UNION
Soviets lost all their yards on the Black Sea, while the yards in Lening¬ M411 ,M415 ,M423 ,M425 ,M431 ,M437 ,M443 ,M446,M456,M461,
rad were forced to abandon or suspend work on large ships because of M467, M470, M484,M496, M508, M530, M535, M560 (Germany);
the blockade. The yards in the Far East were unable to produce W23 (Japanese)
warships without supplies from European Russia. Soviet yards did not MTBs: MAS440, MAS516, MAS519, MS52-MS53, MS61, MS65,
lay down any large units between 1942 and 1945, although 2 destroyers, MS75 (Italian); Sll, S16, S24, S50, S65, S81,S82, S86, S99,S101,
29 submarines, 4 guardships and 8 minesweepers, as well as 15 large S109,S110,S113,S118,S123,S132,S135,S175,S204,S209,S211,
sub-chasers (B02 type), which were begun before the war, were com¬ S214, S219, S222, 5227, S704, S707-S709, S628 (German)
pleted. The production of small boats, however, was expanded thanks MLs:ME40, VAS245, VAS248 (Italian); R23, R28, R53, R63, R65,
mainly to the engines supplied by the USA under Lend-Lease. At least R87, R90, R103, R105, R107, R113, R121-R123, R149, R234,
880 small boats were built - about 180 of which were MTBs. R238, R245, R254, R257, R258, R262, R263, R265, R269, R270,
The Russians produced 32 designs for small warships and motor R288, R289, R409-R423, R302, R303, R305, R307, R308,
boats, 42 for auxiliary units and 7 for submarines during the war. None R310-R312, RA111, R112 (German); Ch38 (Japanese).
of the submarines was introduced during the war, although a small
Soviet shipbuilding yards
submarine type developed from the XV Series and incorporating vari¬
The major Russian shipbuilders were as follows:
ous improvements resulting from combat experience had been author¬
Baltic
ised for production immediately after the war (‘M’ class). The design of
Ordzhonikidze Yd, Leningrad
a large submarine type began in 1944 and this new boat (‘Whiskey’
Marti Yd, Leningrad
class) went into production in 1950 after improvements inspired by the
Zhdanov Yd, Leningrad
German Type XXI U-boat had been introduced. The improved
Baltic SB, Reval
Ognevoi class design also appeared postwar as the ‘Project 30bis’ of the
Sudomekh Wks, Leningrad
Skoryi class.
Izhora Wks, Leningrad
Work on the Chapayev class cruisers (evidently to an improved
Petrozavod Wks, Leningrad
design), and on destroyers and submarines laid down before the war,
Shipbuilding Wks, Leningrad
was resumed during the closing stages of hostilities. At the end ol the
war 5 cruisers, 11 destroyers, 24 submarines, about 5 guardships and White Sea
11 minesweepers were under construction. All of these entered service 402 Yd, Molotovsk
between 1946 and 1950.
Black Sea
The Lend-Lease supplies of ships, engines, torpedoes, mines and
Sevastopol DYd
ammunition, plus radar and asdic equipment, played a significant role
Marti Yd, Nikolayev
in the postwar development of the Soviet Navy. Records indicate that
Nikolayev DYd
the Soviet Navy received 28 frigates, 67 minesweepers, 202 MTBs, 140
61 Kommunar Yd, Nikolayev
sub-chasers, 3 naval icebreakers and 53 landing craft,* and 1 battle¬
Russud SB, Nikolayev
ship, 1 cruiser, 9 destroyers and 4 submarines were temporarily trans¬
ferred by the United Kingdom and USA to the Soviet Union in 1944 in Far East
place of the war booty claimed by the Soviets from Italy in 1943. Dalzavod Yd, Vladivostok
The composition of the Soviet Navy at the end of the war was as Komsomolsk Yd
follows: Diomedes Inlet Yd, Vladivostok

Others
Arctic Baltic Black Pacific Total
Krasnaya Sormovo Yd, Gorki
Sea
Leninskaya Kuznica Yd, Kiev
Battleships 1 1 1 — 3 Zelyenodolsk Yd
Cruisers 1 2 4 2 9 Ural Machine Wks
Flotilla leaders 1 2 - 1 4
Destroyers 16 11 10 12 49
Submarines 23 25 46 79 173
MTBs c30 cl06 c48 c204
In September 1945 the Soviet Union began work on a new naval
c388

armament programme: at least 20 cruisers, 75 destroyers, 90 frigates

THE SOVIET
and 300 submarines were laid down during the first decade of peace.

* Information about Lend-Lease was not widely publicised in the

Soviet Union.
NAVY in 1922
BATTLESHIPS
NOTES
Ships awarded to the Soviet Union as a result of the post-WWII Name Launched Disp (std) Fate
treaties and conferences Gangut class
Battleship: Giulio Cesare (Italian) GANGUT 7.10.1911 23,000t BU 1959
MARAT 9.9.1911 23,000t Constructive
Coast defence battleships: Vainamdinen (Finnish), Hessen (German)
(ex-Petropavlovsk) total loss
Cruisers: Duca d’Aosta (Italian), Niimberg (German)
23.9.41
Destroyers and torpedo-boats: Animoso, Ardimentoso, Artigliere, For¬ PARIZHSKAYA KOM- 29.6.1911 23,000t BU 1957
tunate, Fuciliere (Italian); Blitz, Erich Steinbrinck, Friedrich Ihn, Karl MUNA (ex-Sevastopol)
Galster, Komet, T12, T17, T33, T107, T158, T18S, T196, Z33 (Ger¬ POLTAVA 10.7.1911 23,000t Discarded 1925
Imperator Alexander II class
man); Haruzuki, Hatsuzakura, Hibiki, Kaya, Kiji, Kiri, Shii (Japan¬
ZARIA SVOBODY July 1887 9244t Discarded 1925
ese).
(ex-Imperator Alex¬
Submarines: Marea, Nichelio (Italian); U10S7, U1058, U1064, ander II)
U1231, U1305, U2353, U2529, U3035, U3041, U3S15 (German) Imperator Pavel I class
Escort vessels: F7 (German); Ikino, Kozu, Shimushu, 34,48, 52, 71, ANDREI PERVO- 20.10.1906 17,125t BU 1925
SWANNI
76, 77-79, 102, 105, 142, 196, 221,227 (Japanese)
RESPUBLIKA 7.9.1907 17,125t BU 1923
Minelayers: Kamishima, Katashima (Japanese) {ex-Imperator Pavel /)
Minesweepers: M3 ,M7 ,M 17 ,M29,M30,M34 ,M151 ,M 155 ,M203, Chesma class
M204, M254-M256, M265, M267 ,M279,M291, M323, M324 ,M327, CHESMA (ex-Tango, May 1886 10,960t BU 1923
M330, M341 ,M342, M348, M369 ,M377, M386,M401, M405-M407, ex-Chesma)

322
 The Soviet Navy in 1922

Gangut class
Kajul class
These vessels — the first Russian dreadnoughts — had been authorised in 1908 by Pamiat Mercuriya was the sole survivor of a class of four first class cruisers built
Tsar Nikolai II for deployment with the Baltic Fleet. They saw little action under the 1895 Programme for the Black Sea Fleet. She was very active in
during the First World War, and in 1917—18 came under Bolshevik control, but 1914—17, flew the Ukrainian flag for a short period, and was captured by the
owing to a lack of maintenance and trained crews only Petropavlovsk could be Germans in 1918 and then returned to the ‘Whites’. Seized by the Bolsheviks
commissioned with the Red Navy (November 1918). After the Civil War all again in November 1920 at Sevastopol, she was repaired, renamed Komintem
were in desperate need of repairs; Marat (ex- Petropavlovsk from 13.3.21), being 6.3.23 and commissioned with the Red Navy 1.5.23. She was in a poor condition
in the best condition, was, however, recommissioned in 1922, followed by by the end of the 1920s but by 1932 had been completely overhauled. In 1936-37
Parizhskaya Kommuna (ex-Sevastopol from 31.3.21) in 1923. The latter was some experiments with flying boats were carried out, the third funnel having
quickly taken in hand for a refit; she was recommissioned again on 17.9.25 with been removed for this purpose. She was used as a training cruiser after 1939.
a clipper bow, her forefunnel raised and curved aft, an additional rangefinder Involved in the Soviet defence of Sevastopol in 1942, she was damaged by
and augmented AA armament. Oktyabrskaya Revoluciya (ex-Gangut from 7.7.25) bombers at Novorossisk 2.7.42 and then sailed to Poti where she was again
was recommissioned 23.3.26 and only Frunze (ex-Poltava) remained inactive on bombed on 16.7.42. She was decommissioned, stripped of all her armament,
account of her damaged condition. Used as a stationary barracks in Leningrad, and expended as a breakwater in the Khopi estuary. The wreck was raised
Frunze was cannibalised in piecemeal fashion for spare parts; the hulk was towed around 1958 and scrapped.
to Kronshtadt in 1941 and expended as a blockship, and she was scrapped in
1956. Parizhskaya Kommuna was transferred to the Black Sea 1929-30. DESTROYERS
After their 1930s modernisation, all three battleships appeared with the
clipper bow, an additional forecastle deck added, their forefunnels heightened Name Launched Disp (std) Fate
and curved aft, an enlarged bridge, improved fire control, heavy masts, and
Donskoi Kazak class
cranes for handling seaplanes or light MTBs. The mixed-firing boilers originally
TURKMENEC 1905 500t TS 1979
fitted were replaced by oil-fired units, Oktyabraskaya Revoluciya being re¬
STAVROPOLSKIY
engined with the turbines probably intended for the battlecruiser Izmail. Parizh¬
UKRAINA 1904 500t BU 1950s
skaya Kommuna was fitted with bulges. Both battleships of the Baltic Fleet
VOISKOVOI 1904 500t BU 1950s
undertook shore bombardment during the Winter War with Finland in
Gaydamak class
1939-40. Shortly before the German invasion some 120mm guns were removed
GAYDAMAK 1905 570t BU 1926
(2 from Oktyabrskaya Revoluciya, 4 from Parizhskaya Kommuna, ? from Marat)
RUSHAL (ex-Ussuriyec) 1905 570t Discarded 1930s
together with the large cranes and seaplanes so that the AA armament could be
SLADKOV (ex-Vsadnik) 1905 570t Discarded 1930s
augmented to 6—3in/55 and 36-13.2mm (,Parizhskaya Kommuna 16-13.2mm)
ZHELEZNYAKOV 1905 570t Discarded 1930s
MG. After the outbreak of war all three ships were used as floating batteries,
(ex-Amurec)
their crews being reduced by one-third and some 120mm guns removed for
KARL LIBKNECHT 1905 570t Discarded 1930s
ground defence.
(ex-Finn)
Marat was damaged 23.9.41 by bombers from Stukageschwader 2 in Kron¬
YAKOV SVERDLOV 1905 570t Discarded 1930s
shtadt; the forward part of the hull as far back as the forefunnel was submerged,
(ex-Emir Bukharskiy)
but as the rest of the hull remained above water the ship was used as a gun
General Kondratyenko class
battery. After the war she was towed to Leningrad and reclassified as the
KONSTRUKTOR 1905 615t PStricken 1957
artillery ship Volkhov. Oktyabrskaya Revoluciya was heavily damaged by Ger¬
(ex-Sibirskiy Strielok)
man bombers in Kronshtadt 21.9.41; towed to Leningrad for repairs, she was
POGRANICHNIK 1905 615t BU 1925
again bombed 4.4.42. However, she was serviceable once more by November
Norvik class - Type I
1942 and took part in the Soviet offensive off Leningrad in 1944. Her armament
NOVIK 1911 1280t Mined 28.8.41
by now consisted of 12-12in, 10-120mm, 6-3in AA, 10-0.5in MG, 89-0.3in
Norvik class - Type II
MG and 4—450mm TT, and she carried a crew of 1411. By the end of the war she
BYSTRYI* 1914 lllOt Sunk 21.9.41
had received 8-6in AA in twin mounts, 16-37mm AA with protective shields
Novik class - Type III
and Type 279 air warning radar supplied by the British. She was used as a
IZIASLAV 1914 1350t Sunk 8.8.41
training ship after the war. Parizskaya Kommuna was employed 1941-42 in
PRIAMYSLAV* 1915 1350t Mined 28.8.41
coastal bombardment duty but following bomb damage was withdrawn to Poti
Novik class - Type IV
and remained there until the end of hostilities in the Black Sea. In 1944 she had
KAPITAN BELLI* 1915 1260t BU 1950s
12-12in, 12-120mm, 6-3in AA, 12-37mm AA and 14—0.Sin MG, with a crew of
LENIN 1914 1260t Scuttled 24.6.41
1546. British Type 290/291 air warning radar was installed. She became a
(ex-Kapitan Izlmetiev)
training ship after the war.
KAPITAN KERN* 1915 1260t BU 1950s
GARIBALDI 1914 1260t BU 1950s
(ex-Leytenant Ilyin)
Novik class - Type V
DESNA 1915 1260t Mined 24.8.41
CRUISERS STALIN (ex-Samson) 1915 1260t BU cl953
ZABIYAKA 1915 1260t BU cl953
Name Launched Disp (std) Fate
VOLODARSKIY 1915 1260t Mined 28.8.41
Diana class (ex-Pobyeditiel)
AURORA May 1900 673 It Preserved ZINOVYEV (ex-Azard) 1916 1260t Mined 28.8.41
Kajul class Novik class - Type VI
PAMIAT MERKURIYA June 1903 6645t Constructive ZANTE* 1916 1326t BU 1950s
(■ex-Kajul) total loss KORFU* 1916 1326t To Bulgaria 1949
16.7.42 LEVKAS* 1916 1326t Stranded 10.4.42
Rurik class
RURIK 17.11.1906 15,190t BU 1930 * Incomplete

Diana class Petrovskiy (ex-Korfu) in the 1930s Authors Collection

Aurora was built under the 1895 programme as a first class cruiser for the Baltic
Fleet and re-armed with 14-130mm guns during her 1916-17 refit. Her crew
played a significant role in the Bolsheviks’ seizure of power in Russia. Recom¬
missioned with the Red Navy 23.3.23 as a cadet training cruiser, she was laid up
from about 1931 at Kronshtadt and Leningrad. She was stripped of her main
armament in 1941, and was subsequently damaged by German bombers and
scuttled to avoid capsizing. Raised in 1944, she was repaired and preserved at a
permanent anchorage on the Neva 2.11.48.
 v •
SOVIET UNION

These nine units were the only Soviet World War I torpedo-boats to survive into
the 1930s; 41 others, though still in existence in 1922, were sent for scrapping
shortly after that year. Tochnyi and Tviordyi were renamed Potapienko and Lazo
respectively in 1923, whilst Artiemyev and Martynov were used as training
vessels.

SUBMARINES
Name Launched Disp Fate

Donskoi Kazak class ‘Bubnov’ type

Seven vessels of this class were actually on strength in 1922 but Donskoi Kazak POLITRUK (ex-Nierpa) 1913 645t/790t Discarded 1930s
(damaged in 1916), Steriegushchiy, Strashnyi and Zabaikalec were scrapped that LEOPARD c 1915 650t/780t Discarded cl936
year. Turmenec Stavropolskiy, transferred to the Caspian, was renamed Altfatyer PANTIERA c 1915 650t/780t Discarded 1941
and reclassified as a gunboat with a new armement of 3-4in, 2^15 mm AA, RYS c 1915 650t/780t Sunk 13.9.34
2- 37mm AA and 2-0.3in MG. She still exists as a training unit. Ukraina and TIGR c 1915 650t/780t BU cl937
Voiskovoi, renamed Bakinskiy Rabochiy and Markin respectively, were similarly TUR c 1915 650t/780t Discarded 1938
re-armed; they were scrapped in the 1950s. VOLK c 1915 650t/780t Discarded cl937
YAGUAR cl915 650t/780t Discarded cl936
General Kondratyenko class ZMIEYA c 1915 650t/780t Lost 5.9.34
Of the original four vessels in this class one, Okhotnik, was sunk in 1917, whilst YORSH c 1916 650t/780t Sunk 22.5.31
General Kondratyenko was broken up in 1922. Konstruktor was used in experi¬ AG class
AG25 * 355t/433t Sunk 4.11.43
ments from 1925 and recommissioned in 1941 with 3-100mm (3x1), 2-37mm
(2x1), 2-20mmand MGs. Her bows were destroyed in a German airraid but she KAMANEV {ex-AG26) * 355t/433t Discarded 1943
LUNAKHARSKIY * 355t/433t Discarded
was repaired with a shortened bow and reclassified as a gunboat. She was
employed as a guardship from 8:5.45. {ex-AG24) June 1946
TROCKIY (ex-AG23) * 355t/433t Discarded 1941
Novik class
Fifty-four destroyers had been laid down between 1910 and 1915 around the * Assembled 1916-23 from sections delivered from the USA.
design of Novik - in 1914 the most powerful and fastest destroyer in the world.
Having a powerplant imported from the A G Vulcan Yard in Stettin, she reached ‘Bubnov’ type
37.3kts on trials, although her sister-ships could not quite match her perfor¬ Most of these submarines were renamed in the early 1920s: Leopard became
mance. All carried a considerable TT armament, but the guns grouped on the Krasnoarmeyec (B4), Pantiera became Komissar (B2), Rys became Bolshevik
main deck aft were difficult to operate in a rough sea. Thirty of these units were (B7), Tigr became Kommunar (B6), Tur became Tovarishch (B3), Volk became
commissioned prior to the Bolshevik Revolution, but only 9 remained in service Batrak (Bl), Yaguar became Krasnoflotyec (B8), Zmieya becameProtletariy (B6)
after the Civil War; 8 had been cancelled in 1914, 8 were scrapped in 1923, 6 and Yorsh became Rabochiy. Five other units of the class extant or partly
were completed during 1923-28 and 2 more were raised and repaired in 1928. completed in 1922 were scrapped in the years immediately following.
Though of generally similar appearance, they were divided into 6 sub-groups
known as the Types I-VI. Unfortunately they proved to be of limited fighting AG class
value during the Second World War. These four units were joined in 1930 by a fifth, Metallist (A5, ex-AG21) which
Novik herself was renamed Yakov Sverdlov in 1931 and by 1941 was armed had been scuttled at Sevastopol in 1919 but was raised in 1928. The inevitable
with 4—4in/45 (4x 1), l-3in/55 AA, l-37mm/67 AA, 2MGs and 9-450mm TT name changes took place: AG2S became Marxist (A3), Kamanev was renamed
(3x3), and could carry 60 mines. Bystryi, damaged in 1919, was repaired and Polirabotnik (A4), Lunakharsky became Kommunist (A2) and Trockiy took the
recommissioned as Frunze in 1928. She was re-armed along similar lines. names Nyezamozhnyi and then Shakhtior (Al). Armament by World War II was
Iziaslav was renamed Karl Marx in 1923, whilst Priamyslav was completed as 4—450mm TT (bow), l-45mm/46 and 2-0.3in MG. All served on the Black Sea.
Kalinin in 1927; both were re-armed as above, although Karl Marx had only two
triple banks of TT.
Of the Type IV vessels, Kapitan Belli and Kapitan Kern were completed in
1927-28 as Karl Libknecht and Rykov respectively. All four ships were armed RIVER MONITORS
with 4-4in/45 (4x 1), 2-45mm/46 AA (2x1), 2-37mm/67 AA (2x 1), 3-0.5in
Name Launched Disp Fate
MG (3x 1), 9-450mmTT and 50 mines by 1941, and 2-20mm and up to9-0.3in
MG were added during World War II. Garibaldi was renamed Trockiy soon after Shkval class
1922 and received a fourth name -Voikov - in 1928. The T ype V s were re-armed LENIN (ex- Shtorm) 1909-10 950t Discarded 1950s
similarly by 1941, although they were fitted with only 6-450mm TT (2 x 3) and SVERDLOV {ex-Vyuga) 1909-10 950t Discarded 1950s
could carry 60 mines. Desna, Zabiyaka and Zinovyev were renamed Engels TROCKIY (ex-Uragan) 1909-10 950t Discarded 1950s
(1923), Urickiy (1923) and Artiom (1937) respectively. The three Type Vis were
all completed in 1925, their original names being changed: Zante was commis¬ Shkval class
sioned as Nyezamozhnyi, Levkas as Shaumyan and Korfu as Petrovskiy. They In addition to the above, Dalnevostochnoi Komsomolec (ex-Amur, ex-Vikhr)
were joined by a fourth unit,Dzerzhinskiy {ex-Kaliakriya), which was raised and Dzherzinskiy {ex-Vostretsov ,ex-Taifun),Kirov (ex-TriandaFilov, ex-Smerch) and
repaired in 1928. This vessel was mined off Sevastopol 13.5.42. By 1941 the Sun Yat-Sen {ex-Shkval) were recommissioned 1927-34 and were discarded in
ships were armed with 4—4in/45 (4x1), 2-3in/55 AA (2x1), 2-37mm/67 AA the 1950s. One of the three ships in commission in 1922 was soon renamed -
(2x 1), 3-0.Sin MG (3x1), 6-450mm TT (2x1) and 60 mines, augmented by Trockiy became Krasnyi Vostok. This vessel, together with Lenin and Sverdlov,
3- 37mm/67 and 2-20mm on Nyesamozhnyi and Petrovskiy later in the war. was modernised in the 1930s, and all were used on the Amur. At the outbreak of
war the armament consisted of 6 to 8-120mm {Sverdlov 4—6in), 2-37mm/67 AA,
4 to 5-0.5in MG and 2 to 4—0.3in MG.
|
TORPEDO-BOATS
Name Launched Disp (std) Fate

Prytkiy type
BADINA (ex-Strogiy) 1901 240t Discarded 1930s
LEYTENANT SHMIDT1901 240t Discarded 1930s
(cx-Svirepyi)
TOCHNYI 1906 297t Discarded 1930s
TVIORDYI 1906 297t Discarded 1930s In 1922 the Soviet Navy also had in commission the guardships Kobchik
Besstrashnyi type (discarded c 1940) and Korshun (renamed Pionyer, lost 1941); the Mandzhur class
ARTIEMYEV 1906 355t Discarded late gunboats Rubanec (BU 1925), and Znamya Socyalizma {ex-Tyeryec, auxiliary
{ex-Vynoslivyi) 1930s 1930s), the Grozyashchiy class gunboat Krasnoye Znamya {ex-Khrabryi, modern¬
MARTYNOV 1906 355t Discarded late ised 1944-45 with 5-130mm/55 and 8-37mm /67, BU 1960s), and the Chivinec
(ex-Vnushityelnyi) 1930s class gunboat Krasnaya Zvezda {ex-Chivinec, converted to gunnery training ship
ROSHAL (ex-Inzhener- 1906 355t Discarded late with 4—130mm, 2-47mm AA, 4 MGs, discarded 1930s); the minelayers 25
mekhanik Dimitriyev) 1930s Oktyabrya {ex-Narova, ex-General Admiral, hulked cl937), 9 Yanvarga {ex-
ZHEMCHUZHNYI 1906 355t Discarded late Volga, hulked cl937) and Amur (lost 27.8.41); the minesweepers Minrep (dis¬
{ex-Inzhener- carded 1940s), Zapal (lost Aug 1940), Patron (discarded 1930s), Plamya (dis¬
mekhanik Zvieriev) 1930s carded 1930s, Gruz, Kapsiui and Krambol (all discarded ?1930s), Kluz (lost
Zavidnyi class 24.11.41) and Udamik (lost 2.10.42); about 9 river/lake gunboats and 16
MARTI (ex-Zavidnyi) 1903 350t Discarded late Elpidiofor class landing ships. The two battleships, two cruisers, seven des¬
1930s troyers, three tofpedo-boats, four submarines, three landing ships and two
gunboats interned at Bizerta in 1920 were sold for scrapping in 1924.

324
 Capital Ships

CAPITAL SHIPS

Four ships of this class were author¬

ised on 21.1.1938 by the Council for
Work and Defence, despite the fact
that their displacement exceeded the
limit allowed by the 1936 London
Naval Conference. Commissioning
was scheduled for 1941. The general
characteristics were sketched by
Admiral I S Isakov; the design, which
was influenced by the Ansaldo project
supplied in 1936 and was known as
‘Project 23’, was modified several
times after the keels had been laid
down. The Pugliese system was cho¬
sen for underwater protection as well
as a triple bottom. The heavy AA
armament was a remarkable feature
for its time but it seems to reflect the
lack of air cover that could be
expected for these ships.
Only 3 units were laid down -
Sovyetskiy Soyuz for the Baltic Fleet,
Sovyetskaya Ukraina for the Black Sea
Fleet, and Sovyetskaya Byelorussiya
for the Northern Fleet. The fourth
ship, Sovyetskaya Rossiya, was plan¬
ned for the Molotovsk 402 Yd but
construction advanced no further
than the partial gathering of material
at the Marti Yd in Nikolayev; con¬
struction was cancelled in 1940, the
material being used to build the
SOVYETSKIY SOYUZ class
Displacement: 59,150t standard; 65,150t deep load
Dimensions: 889ft lin oa x 127ft 7in x 33ft 6in
271.00 x 38.90 x 10.20m
Machinery: 3-shaft turbo-electric drive, 231,000shp = 28kts
Armour: Belt 16ifin, deck 8fin, turret faces 19jin
Armament: 9-16in/50 (3x3), 12-150mm/50 (6x2), 8-100mm/56 (4x2), 32-37mm/67 (8x4), 8-0.5in MG, 4
aircraft
Complement:
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
SOVYETSKAYA 402 Yd 28.11.1939 - BU 1940s
BYELORUSSIYA
SOVYETSKIY Ordzhonikidze Yd 28.8.1938 BU 1949
SOYUZ
SOVYETSKAYA Marti Yd, 28.11.1938 - BU 1946
UKRAINA Nikolayev
experimental hull section which was captured by the Germans at Nikolayev, and all three hulls were
commissioned during the war as the Nikolayev, only having been slightly dismantled on the slipways during the
floating AA battery Ne Tron Meniya. damaged by the withdrawing Soviet late 1940s.
Material for Sovyetskaya Byelorus¬ forces. The Germans considered the
siya had been supplied by the Baltic launching of the hull but this plan was
Works in Leningrad. Construction abandoned, and some of the material
work on the three hulls was practically and that from two destroyer hulls was
halted late in 1940, despite the fact used to build the troopships Tolita
that the hulls for the first pair were and Teja. The slip, with the remains
approximately 75 per cent complete. of the hull, was damaged by the Ger¬
The hull of Sovyetskaya Ukraina was mans when they evacuated

Incomplete hull of Sovyetskaya Ukraina Jerzy Micinski Collection

ARKHANGELSK
The British battleship Royal
Sovereign was temporarily transferred
to the Soviet Union in order to fulfil
the Soviet’s claim for a share of the
Italian Navy. Handed over on 30 June
1944 in UK and officially commis¬
sioned with the Northern Fleet on 29
August 1944, she found herself the
primary target for German U-boats
and midget submarines and did not
venture out of the Kola Inlet until the
end of hostilities in Europe. She was
returned to the Royal Navy on 4 Feb¬
ruary 1949 as the Italian battleship
Giulio Cesare had been delivered
instead.

325
SOVIET UNION

CRUISERS
These ships were authorised by the KRONSHTADT class large cruisers
Council for Work and Defence on 21
January 1938. The preliminary Displacement: 35,240t standard; 38,360t deep load
design, disregarding the Washington Dimensions: 816ft 8in x 103ft x 29ft lOin
Treaty, called for a displacement of 248.00 x 31.40 X 9.10m
22,000t, a speed of 33kts, a main Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 231,000shp = 33kts
armament of 9-10in guns, and a belt Armour: Belt 9in, deck 3Jin, turrets 12in
5Jin thick. However, the Defence Armament: 9-12in (3x3), 8-150mm/50 (4x2), 8-100mm/56 (4x2), 24-37mm/67 (6x4), 8-0.5in MG, 4 aircraft
Committee put forward a new Complement: ?
requirement on 29 July 1938, pre¬
sumably affected by the German Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
Schamhorst class battlecruisers. The
new design was approved 12.4.40, KRONSHTADT Marti Yd, 15.7.1939 BU 1950s
eight months after the keel of the first Leningrad
unit had been laid down. Only two SEVASTOPOL Marti Yd, 1939 BU 1940s
ships were in fact laid down; the Nikolayev
incomplete hull of Sevastopol was cap¬
tured by the Germans at Nikolayev
and scrapped.

Of the six Svetlana class cruisers

authorised under the 1912 Pro¬ PROFINTERN class
gramme all were launched during the Displacement: 6833t (Chervona Ukraina 6934t) standard; 8000t deep load
First World War but none was com¬
Dimensions: 506ft llin (Chervona Ukraina 518ft 8in) x 50ft 5in x 18ft 6in
pleted prior to the Bolshevik Revolu¬ 154.50 (158.40) x 15.36 x 5.65m
tion. After the Civil War only the two
Machinery: 2-shaft Brown-Curtis (Chervona Ukraina Parsons) turbines, 12 Yarrow boilers, 46,300shp = 22kts.
most advanced units - Svetlana Coal 540t, oil 690t
(renamed Profintern ?c 1924) and
Armour: Belt 3in-ljin, main deck lin, casemates and gunshields lfin, CT 3in
Admiral Nakhimov (renamed Cher-
Armament: 15-130mm/55 (15x 1), 4—2.Sin (4x 1), 4—13.2mm MG, 6-21in TT (Chervona Ukraina 12—2lin TT), 1
vona Ukraina c 1922) - were consi¬
aircraft, clOO mines
dered possible to complete. Profintern
Complement: 684
was ready in 1925 but after her sea
trials spent the next two years under¬
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
going necessary alterations. Chervona
Ukraina (almost ready in 1918) took CHERVONA UKRAINA Russud SB 31.10.1913 6.11.15 27.2.27 Foundered 13.11.41
four years to complete. Both cruisers (ex-Admiral Nakhimov)
were utterly outdated when finally PROFINTERN (ex-Svetlana) Baltic SB 24.11.1913 21.11.15 1.7.28 BU 1960
commissioned: the guns were carried
low at main deck level and were dif¬ slowly filled with water and sank the
ficult to operate in a rough sea; and next day. The wreck was raised
the machinery was old-fashioned, the 1946-48 and scrapped. Krasnyi Krym
designed speed of 29.5kts being quite was evacuated to Poti after the fall of
unattainable. Between 22.11.29 and Sevastopol and operated from this
14.1.30 Profintern and the battleship base. During the war her A A arma¬
Parizhskaya Kommuna were transfer¬ ment was augmented with 2 single 3in
red to the Black Sea. guns, and by 1945 she was equipped
During the mid-1930s the A A with Type 291 air warning radar. She
armament was augmented on both served as a training cruiser from
ships to 6—3in/55 and 12 MGs. Profin- 7.3.45 and was decommissioned in
tem was renamed Krasnyi Krym on 1958.
5.11.39 and by this time she had com¬
pleted a major overhaul. She was
equipped with modern fire control Chervona Ukraina about 1930
arrangements and new AA armament Boris Lemachko Collection
consisting of 6-100mm/56,
10-37mm/67 and 7-0.5in MG. The
seaplane and cranes were removed.
The complement was increased to
852. Chervona Ukraina underwent
similar reconstruction during
1939-41. Both cruisers were busy
during the defence of Odessa and
Sevastopol where Chervona Ukraina
was heavily damaged by the bombers
of I Stukageschwader 77 on 12.11.41
and in spite of measures to save her,

Krasnyi Kavkaz after the war

Boris Lemachko Collection

326
 Cruisers
Begun as the light cruiser Admiral
Lazarev (.Svetlana class), this ship was
resumed in September 1927 under the
1926 Programme. Renamed Krasnyi
Kavkaz in 1926, she was completed to
a modified design nearly 20 years after
being laid down. She was lengthened
by some 30ft, and the upper deck side
plating was carried further aft. The KRASNYI KAVKAZ
main armament comprised experi¬
Displacement: 7650t standard; 9030t deep load
mental 180mm/57 guns in enclosed
centreline turrets, and the disposition Dimensions: 169.50 x 15.70 x 6.20m
of the main armament, her large Machinery: 2-shaft turbines, 12 Yarrow boilers, 55,000shp = 29kts. Oil 1600t
bridge, 2 funnels and the lattice Armour: Belt 3in-liin, deck ljin-lin, turrets 3in, CT 3in
mainmast made her considerably dif¬ Armament: 4-180mm/57 (4x1), 4-100mm/47 (4x1), 4-45mm/46 (4x1), 4-0.5in MG, 12-21in TT (4x3), 1
ferent in appearance from her sisters. aircraft, 100 mines
By the outbreak of war her AA Complement: 850
armament comprised 6-100mm/47,
4-45mm/46, 8-37mm/67 and 6-0.5in Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
MG. The cruiser took part in defen¬
KRASNYI KAVKAZ Nikolayev DYd 31.10.1913 21.6.16 25.1.32 Sunk as target
sive operations during 1941, being
(ex-Admiral Lazarev) late 1950s
badly damaged by German shore
artillery at Feodosiya on 29.12.41.
She was again heavily damaged by air¬ this wreck. By 1944 Krasnyi Kavkaz the autumn of 1944 she began a major sets of TT, and the light A A guns
craft from Stukageschwader 77 on had 4-180mm/57 (4x1), overhaul and the rudder provisionally were reduced or eliminated entirely.
4.1.42 off Tuapse, and was repaired in 12-100mm/57 (6x2), 2-3in/45 repaired in 1943 was replaced. This She served as a training ship from
Poti by October of that year. Her A A (2x1), 4-45mm/46 (4x1), work was completed in 1945, but the 12.5.47, was decommissioned in the
armament was augmented with guns 10-37mm/67 (10x 1) and 6-0.5in MG ship was later refitted for further ser¬ early 1950s, and was expended as a
taken from the sunken Chervona but no catapult or seaplane. Quadru¬ vice as a training cruiser. The middle target during the trials of the SSN-1
Ukraina, and her damaged propellers ple Vickers 0.5in MG mounts were pair of twin 100mm A A guns were missile around 1956.
were replaced by ones removed from also placed atop ‘B’ and ‘X’ turrets. In removed, together with the two after

The last four ships of these classes

were authorised under the second KIROV class
five-year programme for deployment
Displacement: 7880t (Voroshilov 7970t) standard; 9436t (Voroshilov 9950t) deep load
with the Baltic Fleet (Kirov, Maxim
Gorkiy) and the Black Sea Fleet (Vor¬ Dimensions: 584ft pp, 626ft 8in oa x 57ft llin x 23ft 9in max
178.00, 191.00 x 17.66 x 7.23m
oshilov, Molotov)-, the last pair were
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines (diesels for cruising), 6 Yarrow-Normand boilers, 113,000shp = 36kts
begun during the third five-year plan
(Voroshilov 122,500shp = 34kts). Oil 1280t
for the Pacific Fleet. The design was
Armour: Belt 2in, main deck 2in, turrets 3in, barbettes 2in, CT 6in
prepared with the assistance of the
Italian Ansaldo Yd, Genoa, and there¬ Armament: 9-180mm/57 (3x3), 6-100mm/56 (6x1), 6-45mm /46 (6x1), 4-0.5in MG, 6-2lin TT (2x3), 2
aircraft, 100 mines
fore the Kirovs bore a striking resemb¬
Complement: 734
lance to Italian cruisers. Two prelimi¬
nary designs of these ships are known,
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
the first one of 7000t standard, the
second one of 7250t and showing KIROV Ordzhonikidze Yd 22.10.1935 30.11.36 26.9.38 Deleted late 1970s
9-180mm/57 guns in triple turrets. VOROSHILOV Marti Yd, 15.10.1935 28.6.35 15.6.40 BU 1960s
However, the hull design of the latter, Nikolayev
prepared by the Italian engineers, was
regarded by the Russians as too light bombers late in 1941 and again in barded German positions during the and supported Soviet ground opera¬
and the hull was considerably streng¬ April 1942. She was repaired and back early stages of the war but was heavily tions. She was mined 20.11.42 whilst
thened, increasing designed standard in service early in 1943, and sup¬ damaged by bombs at Novorossisk transporting supplies to Sevastopol,
displacement to 7700t. The final ported the Soviet offensive near 31.10.41. Repaired at Poti, she was but reached Batum where she was
design, known as ‘Project 26’, was Leningrad in 1944. Voroshilov bom¬ operational again by February 1942 repaired by the end of 1944.
approved by the Council for Work
Voroshilov about 1946 Boris Lemachko Collection
and Defence on 29.12.34. After the
intitial pair had been laid down in
1935 the design was improved in
order to increase protection, A A
armament and range. Kirov was ready
for trials on 7.8.37, although modifi¬
cations delayed her commissioning
for a year; for the same reasons, pre¬
sumably, the construction of Vor¬
oshilov was suspended for some time,
and her main characteristics differed
slightly from those of Kirov. On the
last two ships, 10-37mm (10x1)
replaced the 45mm weapons.
Kirov was employed during the
Winter War with Finland for shore
bombardment. After the outbreak of
war with Germany she took part in the
Soviet defence of Tallin, and was then
evacuated to Kronshtadt and em¬
ployed in defence of Leningrad,
where she was damaged by German
 The prototype vessel of the second
group, Maxim Gorkiy, lost her bow
MAXIM GORKIY class_____
through striking a mine 23.6.41 but Displacement: 8177t standard; 9792t deep load
was temporarily repaired and emp¬ Dimensions: 626ft 8in X 58ft lin x 20ft 9in
loyed in the defence of Leningrad. 191.00 x 17.70 x 6.33m
She was heavily damaged by the Ger¬ Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines (diesels for cruising), 6 Yarrow-Normand boilers, 129,500shp — 35kts
man bombers and artillery in April
Armour: As Kirov class
1942, but was repaired and service¬ 9-180mm/57 (3x3), 6-100mm/56 (6x1), 10-45mm/46 (10x1), 4-0.5in MG, 6-2lin TT (2x3), 2
Armament:
able the same summer. In 1944 she aircraft, 100 mines
was used as a support ship for the
Complement: 963
Leningrad offensive. Molotov was
involved in Soviet defensive opera¬ Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
Name
tions off Sevastopol, and though tor¬
pedoed by the Italian ,AS56£ on MAXIM GORKIY Ordzhonikidze Yd 20.12.1936 30.4.38 12.11.40 BU 1958
3.8.42, losing 65ft of stern, she was MOLOTOV Marti Yd, Nov 1936 23.2.39 14.6.41 Discarded 1970s
able to return to port. The damaged Nikolayev
stern was replaced by a section from KAGANOVICH Komsomolsk Yd 1939 Oct 1943 June 1944 BU 1960s
the incomplete cruiser Frunze, and KALININ Komsomolsk Yd 1939 Apr 1943 1943 Discarded 1960s
the ship was back in service by late
1944. Kaganovich and Kalinin were erations - intitially the AA armament 3-45mm/46 (3x 1), 14-37mm/67 topf directors (either Molotov or Vor¬
launched at Komsomolsk but had to was increased, then the catapult and (14x1) and 8-0.5in MG, plus 2 oshilov had one by April 1944) and
be towed to Vladivostok for fitting out seaplanes were removed in order to DCTs, with a complement of 882. Type 285 gunnery and Type 279 air
because their draught was too great mount additional light guns. Shortly Maxim Gorkiy received an extra warning sets as well. Kirov became a
for the Amur. Although both com¬ before the war Kirov received an addi¬ 3-37mm/67 A A and 2-0. Sin MG by headquarters and training ship;
missioned a long time before the tional 5-37mm/67 AA guns instead of 1943. Molotov was renamed Slava in 1958,
Soviet Union declared war on Japan, her 3-45mm, and in 1943 her AA Shortly after the war all the Kirovs and was used as a training cruiser
they remained inactive during hos¬ armament consisted of 8-100mm/56 were probably armed with from the 1960s; Kaganovich was
tilities. (8x1), 10-37mm/67 (10x1) and 18-37mm/67 guns. Fire control had renamed Petropavlovsk in 1958.
During the war all four ships in 4-0.5in MG, and 4 DCTs were fitted. also been improved - some of the
European waters underwent some alt- Voroshilov had 6-100mm/56 (6x1), units had received the German Wackel-

Molotov shortly after completion

Boris Lemachko Collection

Approved and laid down under the

third five-year plan for deployment
with the Baltic and the Black Sea
Fleets, these units were larger than
Kirov s and were lengthened in order
to accommodate a fourth triple turret
aft. Compared with the Kirovs they
had greater freeboard and, with their
extra length, were probably better
seaboats. The widely spaced, tall fun¬
CHAPAYEV class
nels with the catapult between gave Displacement: 11,300t standard; 15,000t deep load
them a striking resemblance to Italian Dimensions: 659ft 5in pp X 64ft 8in x 21ft
treaty cruisers. During the early 201.00 x 19.70 x 6.40m
stages of design, 180mm/57 guns were Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines (diesels for cruising), 6 watertube boilers, 130,000shp = 34kts. Oil 3500t
probably decided upon as the main
Armour: Improved as compared with Kirov class
armament. The construction of these
Armament: 12-150mm/50 (4x3), 8-100mm/56 (8x1), 24—37mm/67, 6-21in TT (2x3), 2? aircraft, 200 mines
ships was slowed in 1940, but all
except the two captured by the Ger¬ Complement: 840
mans at Nikolayev were completed
Name Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
during the late 1940s to the improved
design. The hulls of Frunze and CHAPAYEV Ordzhonikidze Yd 1938 1940 1949 BU 1961
Kuibyshev were taken to Caucasian CHKALOV Ordzhonikidze Yd 1939 1948 1950 Training ship
ports in 1941 and the stern of the ZHELEZNIAKOV Marti Yd, 1938 1940 1949 Training ship
former was used to repair the dam¬ Leningrad
aged cruiser Molotov. Chkalov was FRUNZE Marti Yd, 1939 31.12.40 1950 BU 1960s
renamed Komsomolec in 1960. Nikolayev
Chapayev and Zheleznyakov were KUIBYSHEV 61 Kommunar Yd 1939 31.1.41 1950 Discarded 1960s
transferred to the Northern Fleet in ORDZHONIKIDZE Marti Yd, 1940 - - BU 1940s
1950. Komsomolec and Zhelezniakov Nikolayev
are still in existence as training cruis¬ ‘VIP 61 Kommunar Yd 1940 - - BU 1940s
ers.

TALLIN
As a result of the German-Soviet pact
of 1939 the Germans sold to the Soviet
Union the incomplete Flipper class
cruiser Liitzow. She was renamed Pet¬
ropavlovsk but had still not been com¬
pleted by the middle of the war. How¬
ever, she was commissioned as a float¬
ing battery by August 1941, armed
provisionally with 3-8in and some
light AA guns. Sunk by German artil¬
lery fire on 17.9.41 at Leningrad, she
was raised and towed to Kronshtadt
for repairs. She was renamed Tallin in
1943 and took part in the Soviet offen¬
sive off Leningrad in 1944. She was
employed as a stationary training unit
after the war and scrapped, still
incomplete, in 1958-59. For further
details see under Germany.
der of war in the Arctic, but was
MURMANSK returned to the US Navy on 8.3.49 as
the Italian cruiser Duca d’Aosta had
The US light cruiser Milwaukee of the been delivered instead. See under
Omaha class was temporarily trans¬ USA.
ferred to the Soviet Navy to fulfill the
Russian claim for their share of the
Italian Fleet. She arrived at the Kola
Inlet on 5.4.44, and was handed over
and commissioned with the Northern
Fleet 20.4.44. She spent the remain¬

328
Komsomolec (ex-Chakbv) in May 1964

FLOTILLA LEADERS

The first three units of this class (laid down 1932) were authorised under the first
LENINGRAD class five-year programme and built to the design known as ‘Project 1’; they were
Displacement: 2150t standard; 2582t (last three 2680t) deep load followed by a further three to an improved design (‘Project 38’), authorised
under the second five-year plan and laid down 1934—36. They were inspired by
Dimensions: 418ft 4in oa X 38ft 5in X 13ft 4in, 13ft 9in max
127.5U x 11.70 x 4.06, 4.18m the French contre-torpilleurs, but did not earn the high opinion of their counter¬
parts. Top-heavy and poor seaboats these leaders faced numerous technical
Machinery: 3-shaft geared turbines, 3 watertube boilers, 66,000shp =
36kts shortcomings since they were the first large modern surface warships designed
and built in the Soviet Union. Construction took, on average, 5 years. During
Armament: 5-130mm/55 (5x1), 2—3in/55 (2x1), 2-45mm/46 (2x1),
8-2 lin TT (2x4), 70 to 80 mines the war the AA armament was augmented - Baku had 2—3in/55 (2x1),
6-37mm/67 (6x 1) and 6-0.5in MGs with a complement of 311. The midships
Complement: 250
130mm gun was removed from some ships in order to accommodate additional
Name Builder light guns. DCTs were also added. Late in the war Baku received a British-made
Launched Fate
Type 285 gunnery radar set, asdic, and probably a US-made SG type surface
KHARKOV Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1936 Bombed 6.10.43 warning set. Possibly some of the other ships received these systems too.
LENINGRAD Zhdanov Yd 1933 Discarded ? 1960s Kharkov was sunk by bombers from Stukageschwader 77 off the Crimean
MOSKVA Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1935 Mined 26.6.41 coast, together with destroyers Besposhchadnyi and Sposobnyi. Moskva was lost
MINSK Zhdanov Yd 6.11.1935 Auxiliary 1959 on mines off Constanza. Minsk was sunk by bombers from Stukageschwader 2 off
BAKU (ex-Kiev) Komsomolsk Yd 25.7.1938 Discarded ? 1960s Kronshtadt on 23.9.41, but was refloated and recommissioned in November
TBILISI Dalzavod Yd 1938 Discarded ? 1960s 1942. She was used as a target-towing vessel from 1959, and transferred to the
Northern Fleet. Baku was laid down as Kiev, but was renamed Sergyei Ord¬
zhonikidze on 25.7.39, Ordzhonikidze on 27.12.39, and finally Baku on 25.9.40.
She was transferred to the Northern Fleet via the Siberian sea route between 15
July and 14 October 1942. Material for Baku and Tbilisi had been assembled at

Ordered in Italy under the second five-year programme, this vessel was of
TASHKENT exceptionally sound design and construction and made 44.2kts on trials,
Displacement: 2893t standard; 3200t deep load although she was unarmed at the time. She was laid down in January 1937 and
delivered in February 1939, provisionally armed with 3-130mm/55 in single
Dimensions: 458ft 6in X 44ft 1 lin X 12ft 2in
139.75 x 13.70 x 3.70m mounts as her twin turrets had not been made ready. She received her designed
armament in 1940-41. During the war 2-3in A A guns were added in place of one
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 2 Yarrow boilers, 110,000shp =
39kts bank of torpedo tubes. Her handsome lines and unusual sky blue paint scheme
earned her the nicknames ‘Blue Beauty’ and ‘Blue Cruiser’. She entered service
Armament: 6-130mm/50 (3x2), 6-45mm/46 (6x 1), 6-0.5in MG, 9-21in
with the Black Sea Fleet, but was heavily damaged by German bombers of
TT (3x3), 80 mines
Sevastopol and towed, with 1900t of water in the hull, by the destroyer Bditelnyi
Complement: 250
to Novorossisk where she foundered. The twin turrets were salved and two of
Builder Launched Fate them were later used on the destroyer Ognevoi. The wreck was partially scrap¬
Name
ped by the Germans during 1942 and finally by the Soviets when the port was
TASHKENT OTO Yd, Livorno 21.11.1937 Foundered 2.7.42 recaptured in 1943.

329
 KIEV class flotilla leaders
Displacement: 2600t
Dimensions: ?
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 2 Yarrow boilers, 381<ls
Armament: 6— 130mm/50 (3x2), 2—3in/55 (2x1), 3—45mm/46 (3x1),
8-5in MG, 8 or 10-2 lin TT (2x4 or 5), 80 mines
Complement: ?

Name Builder Launched Fate

KIEV Marti Yd, Nikolayev 12.12.1940 BU 1940s

OCHAKOV 61 Kommunar Yd - Damaged Aug 1941
PEREKOP 61 Kommunar Yd - Damaged Aug 1941
YEREVAN Marti Yd, Nikolayev 26.6.1941 BU 1940s

Possibly about 12 units of this class had been authorised under the third
five-year plan. The design, known as ‘Project B-T was prepared by the Soviets
as an improved Tashkent, and the reduction in displacement seems to be a result
of the requirement for a smaller radius of action. Only four vessels (for the Black
Sea Fleet) had been laid down (in 1939-40) prior to the German invasion, the
others being subsequently cancelled. The hulls of Kiev and Yerevan were
evacuated to Poti in August 1941 and scrapped after the war. Two others were
demolished on the slipways.

Minsk shortly after the war Boris Lemachko Collection

DESTROYERS !

GNEVNYI class
Displacement: 1855t standard, 2380t deep load
Dimensions: 370ft 7in oa X 22ft 6in x 13ft 5in max
112.80 x 10.20 x 4.10m
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 3 watertube boilers, 48,000shp =
37kts. Oil 540t
Armament: 4—130mm/50 (4x1), 2-3in/55 (2x1), 2-45mm/46 (2x1),
4—0.5in MG, 6-2lin TT (2x3), 56 mines
Complement: 246

Name Builder Launched Fate

BDITELNYI 61 Kommunar Yd 1936 Bombed 2.7.42

BESPOSHCHADNYI Sevastopol DYd 1937 Bombed 6.10.43
BEZUPRECHNYI 61 Kommunar Yd 1936 Bombed 26.6.42
BODRYI Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1936 Discarded ? 1950s
BOIKIY Marti Yd, Nikolayev 29.10.1936 Discarded ? 1950s
BYSTRYI Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1936 Mined June 1941
GNEVNYI Zhdanov Yd 17.7.1936 Mined 23.6.41
GORDYI Ordzhonikidze Yd 1936 Mined 14.11.41
GREMYASHCHIY Zhdanov Yd 12.3.1937 Discarded 1958
GROMKIY Ordzhonikidze Yd 6.12.1937 Discarded ? 1950s
GROZYASHCHIY Zhdanov Yd 18.8.1936 Discarded ? 1950s
GROZNYI Zhdanov Yd Gnevnyi during the war. Note the Type 286 radar aerial Jerzy Micinski Collection
31.7.1936 Discarded ? 1950s
RASTROPNYI Komsomolsk Yd 1939 Discarded ? 1950s
RAZIASHCHIY Dalzavod Yd 1938 ?To China 1955
RESHITELNYI Komsomolsk Yd Oct 1938 Beached 7.11.38 Forty-eight units of this class, known as the Type 7, were authorised under the
(■ex-Prytkiy) second five-year plan. Work on the design began in 1932 after the ‘Project 1’ of
REZKIY Komsomolsk Yd 1939 To China 1955 tht Leningrad class flotilla leaders had been completed. Assistance from Italian
('?cx-Pospyeshnyi) engineers had been provided during the process of design and construction, so
REZVYI Dalzavod Yd June 1937 Discarded ? 1950s the destroyers bore a striking resemblance to the Italian single-funnelled boats.
RYANIY Dalzavod Yd Oct 1937 Discarded ? 1950s (The Italian influence is more apparent if one compares the Type 7 destroyers
RAZYARYONNYI Komsomolsk Yd 1940 Discarded 1950s with the Kondouriotis class built in Italy for Greece.) Consequently the boats
RAZUMNYI Dalzavod Yd 1940 Foundered cl960 incorporated some faults inherent in the Italian design - structural weakness and
REDKIY Komsomolsk Yd 1940 Lost ? 1940s limited seaworthiness, the latter being additionally affected by a heavier arma¬
RESHITELNYI Dalzavod Yd 1939 To China 1955 ment than that installed on the Italian vessels. The machinery layout was
(?ex-Rekordnyi) conventional, with all the engine rooms placed abaft the boiler rooms. The early
RETIVYI Komsomolsk Yd 1940 To China 1955 ships were faced with serious turbine problems. After the first 30 units had been
REVNOSTNYI Komsomolsk Yd 1940 Discarded 1950s laid down, a modified design was introduced by the end of 1936. Thus the Type
SILNYI Zhdanov Yd - Converted into 7 boats would have comprised five flotillas distributed among the Black Sea (‘B’
Type 7U flotilla), the Baltic (‘G’ and ‘S’ flotillas) and the Pacific (‘P’ and ‘R’ flotilla)
SMETLIVYI Ordzhonikidze Yd 1937 Mined 4.11.41 Fleets. Although two hulls of the ‘S’ flotilla boats were in the early stages of
SOKRUSHITELNYI Zhdanov Yd 15.8.1936 Foundered construction it proved possible to convert them into Type 7U units of the
20.11.42 modified design. Material for the Pacific Fleet destroyers had been assembled in
STEREGUSHCHIY Zhdanov Yd 1937 Bombed 23.9.41 Nikolayev during 1935—36. Destroyers built in the Komsomolsk Yd had to be
STREMITELNYI Zhdanov Yd 1936 Bombed 20.7.41 towed to Vladivostok after launched because of the draught limitations of the
STOROZHEVOI Zhdanov Yd - Converted into Amur. AA armament was augmented during the war to 2-3in/55, 3 to
Type 7U 4—37mm/67 and 2 to 8-0.5in MGs, and 2 DCTs were installed. Late in the war
REKORDNYI Dalzavod Yd 1941 Discarded ?1950s some of this class were fitted with asdic, radar and other electronic systems made
available from Allied sources.

330
 Destroyers
Bditelnyi was sunk by bombers from Kampfgeschwader 100 in Novorossisk Modifications and alterations introduced to the Type 7 design resulted at the
and was refloated in 1948 and scrapped; Besposhchadnyi was also sunk by end of 1936 in the Type 7U. The hull was strengthened, more powerful
German bombers off Crimea. Bystryi was lost on mines dropped by German machinery was installed, and two funnels were fitted. All possible efforts were
aircraft from Kampfgeschwader 4 off Sevastopol, but was salvaged and cannibal¬ made to compensate for the additional weight of the hull and machinery; in
ised for spares. Gnevnyi was a constructive total loss on the ‘Apolda’ mine particular the oil fuel capacity was reduced to 500t which, together with
barrage off the Oleg Bank, being torpedoed subsequently by Gordyi. Gordyi increased output of the turbines, resulted in a decrease in radius to 1380nm at
herself was lost on the ‘Corbetha’ mine barrage off Naisaari. Gremyashchiy, 20kts. Full load displacement was increased only by 24t. The armament
Gromkiy and Groznyi were transferred to the Arctic in 1939. Smetlivyi was also remained the same, but the 3in AA guns were resited on the stern to overcome
sunk on the Corbetha’ mine barrage. Sokrushilelnyi andStremitelnyi were trans¬ the restricted arcs of fire imposed by the additional funnel. It seems that the GM
ferred to the Arctic in 1939 and 1940 respectively: the former foundered during was lowered despite the heavy second funnel structure, because of the increased
a storm in the Barents Sea, the latter was sunk by bombers of Kampfgeschwader weight of the machinery. With the freeboard only slightly reduced all the
30 in Ekaterinski Gavan. Steregushchiy was sunk at Kronshtadt by bombers of improvements brought better seaworthiness as compared with the original
5tukageschwader 2, but was refloated in 1944 and recommissioned autumn 1945. design. Before the first Type 7U unit was completed, the new pattern light A A
The first six boats of the Pacific Fleet were initially given names beginning guns had been introduced and the new destroyers were equipped with 37mm/67
with letter P but were renamed c 1940-41. Reshitelnyi was lost incomplete instead of 45mm/46 guns. Eighteen units were laid down (Spokoinyi,Strogiy and
through stranding on Cape Zolotoi during a towing operation from Kom- Stroinyi were begun under the third five-year plan), which would make up three
somolsk to Vladivostok and her name passed to another unit of the class. flotillas distributed between the Baltic (‘S’ and ‘L’ flotillas) and the Black Sea
Razyaryonnyi and Razumnyi were transferred in July 1942 to the Arctic via the (‘P’ flotilla) Fleets. However, two boats of the Type 7 (‘S’ flotilla) were con¬
Siberian sea route; the latter served as an electronic survey vessel from 1959, but verted into the 7U, while one Type 7U (‘P’ flotilla) was converted back into a
was beached during a storm off Murmansk. Redkiy was probably lost acciden¬ Type 7, shifted to Vladivostok in sections and assembled at the Dalzavod Yard
tally during the war. Revnostnyi sailed to the Arctic with the two previously in order to utilise equipment that had been assembled for the lost Reshitelnyi.
mentioned boats but was damaged in a collision 18.7.42 and had to return to During the war the AA armament was augmented and finally comprised 2 to
Vladivostok. Rekordnyi was converted from the Type 7U destroyer under 3-3in/55, 6 to 7-37mm/67 and 4 to 8-0.5in MG. The complement rose to 271.
construction for the Black Sea Fleet in order to utilise the equipment that had Late in the war some boats were fitted with asdic and other electronic equipment
been assembled in Vladivostok for the lost Reshitelnyi. The boats transferred to delivered under Lend-Lease.
China in 1955 were renamed An Shan, Chang Chun, Chi Lin and Fu Chun. Silnyi and Storozhevoi were converted from Type 7 destroyers whilst under
construction. The latter was struck by a torpedo from S31 in the Irben Straits on
27.6.41 and lost her bow, but she was rebuilt with an Ognevoi class bow section
and fitted with one twin turret instead of the two single mounts; she was
recommissioned in 1943.
The first batch of original Type 7U boats for the Baltic Fleet - probably the
first six - were intially given names beginning with the letter L but were soon
renamed. Smelyi was either torpedoed (by 554?) or mined in the Gulf of Riga.
Sorovyi was lost on mines off Hango, Skoryi was lost on the ‘Juminda’ mine
barrage, and Statnyi struck a mine off Saaremaa Island. Spokoinyi was taken
STOROZHEVOI class incomplete from Leningrad to Molotovsk in June 1941, but owing to damage
was never finished and was scrapped after the war. Slavnyi was discarded in the
Displacement: 2192t normal; 2404t deep load 1960s.
Dimensions: 370ft lin oa x33ft 6in x 13ft lin mean Most if not all the Black Sea Fleet boats were originally given names begin¬
112.80 x 10.20 x 4.00m ning with the letter P but these were also quickly renamed. Smyshlonnyi was
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 4 watertube boilers, 54,000shp (?first mined off Crimea. Soobrazitelnyi survived the war and it seems likely that she
pair 48,000shp) = 36kts. Oil 500t was used for training duties up to the early 1960s. Soversheennyi was hit by a
Armament: 4—130mm/50 (4x1), 2-3in/55 (2x1), 3-37mm/67 (3x1), mine during trials on 30.9.41, was drydocked in Sevastopol but was again
4—0.Sin MG, 6-2lin TT (2x3), 60 mines damaged by bombers from IV Fliegerkorps on 12.11.41 and capsized; although
Complement: 207 righted, she was destroyed by artillery fire in April 1942. Sposobnyi was sunk by
bombers from Stukageschwader 77 off Crimea during attempts to tow the
Name Builder Launched Fate destroyers Kharkov and Besposhchadnyi which had been damaged by the bom¬
SILNYI Zhdanov Yd bers. Svobodnyi was sunk by German bombers off Sevastopol.
Oct 1938
Discarded ? 1960s
STOROZHEVOI Zhdanov Yd 2.10.1938
BU 1959
SERDITYI Zhdanov Yd 1939
Lost 19.7.41
SLAVNYI Ordzhonikidze Yd 1939
Training ship
c 1958
SMELYI (ex-Letuchiy) Ordzhonikidze Yd 1939 Lost 27.7.41
STOIKIY (ex-Likhoi) Ordzhonikidze Yd 26.12.1938 BU cl959
STRASHNYI Zhdanov Yd 1939 Discarded ? 1950s
SUROVYI Zhdanov Yd 1939 Mined 13.11.41
SKORYI Ordzhonikidze Yd 1939 Mined 28.8.41
STATNYI Ordzhonikidze Yd 1939 Mined J8.8.41
STROGIY Zhdanov Yd 1939 Deleted ? 1950s
STROINYI Zhdanov Yd 1940 BU 1959
SVIREPYI Ordzhonikidze Yd 1940 Deleted ? 1950s
SPOKOINYI Zhdanov Yd 1940 BU 1940s
} ?Marti Yd, Nikolayevr? Type 7 Rekordnyi Displacement: 1670t standard; 1870t deep load
SMYSHLONNYI 61 Kommunar Yd 1939 Mined 23.6.42 Dimensions: 387ft 2in oa x 38ft x 13ft 9in max
SOOBRAZITELNYI 61 Kommunar Yd 1939 Museum ship 1966 118.00 x 11.60 x 4.20m
(iex-Prozorlivyi) Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 4 Ramsin boilers, 70,000shp = 42kts.
SOVERSHENNYI Sevastopol DYd 1939 Lost 12.11.41 Oil 400t
SPOSOBNYI Sevastopol DYd 1939 Bombed 6.10.43 Armament: 3-130mm/50 (3x 1), 4-45mm/46 (4x 1), 3-37mm/67 (3x1),
SVOBODNYI Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1939 Bombed 10.6.42 8-21 in TT (2x4), 60 mines
Complement: 197

Name Builder Launched Fate

OPYTNYI (ex- Sergei Zhdanov Yd, Dec 1935 BU c!950

Ordzhonikidze) Leningrad

This experimental destroyer, the first to be produced without direct assistance

from abroad, was built to test new machinery arrangements for the Soviet
destroyer programme, and represented an attempt to produce an especially light
and fast boat. The fact that only one gun was mounted on the forecastle and the
fitting of one boiler room forward and two aft indicated the desire to minimise
weight forward in order not to restrict the lift of the bow at top speed. Opytnyi
reached 41.6kts on trials, but was not commissioned until late 1941 because of
continued experiments. Stresses and vibration at high speed prevented the guns
from being worked properly.

Slavni after the war

Boris Lemachko Collection

 GM. Fuel capacity was also probably increased. After the war all the completed
boats had 2-85mm/55 and 6-37mm/67 fitted instead of the AA armament
previously planned.
At least 24 units were ordered during 1938-40 and all but one were laid down
prior to the German invasion. Material for the boats allocated to the Northern
and Pacific Fleets had been assembled at Leningrad and Nikolayev.
Only Ognevoi and Vnushitelnyi were completed and commissioned by the end
of hostilities; 12 others were completed between 1945 and 1949. The hulls of two
OGNEVOI class
units were captured by the Germans at Nikolayev and scrapped, while a further
Displacement: 2240t standard; 2950t deep load seven were demolished after the war. The unnamed vessel laid down at the 402
Dimensions: 383ft lOin x 36ft lin X 13ft 9in Yd, Molotovsk, was eventually commissioned as Stalin. Ozomoi was transferred
117.00 x 11.00 x 4.20m to Bulgaria 1956 and renamed Georgi Dymitrov, she was returned by the end
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 3 watertube boilers, 54,000shp = 1960s for scrapping.
37kts The first postwar Soviet standard destroyer design - ‘Project 30bis’, the
Armament: 4—130mm/50 (2x2), 2-3in/55 (2x1), 3-37mm/67 (3x1), Skoryi class - was developed directly from the Ognevoi class.
4—0.5in MG, 6-21in TT (2x3), 96 mines
Complement: 250

Name Builder Launched Fate

DOSTOINYI class
OBRAZCOVYI Zhdanov Yd 1940 Discarded ? 1960s
ODARYONNYI Zhdanov Yd Jan 1941 Discarded ? 1960s Class (former names, commissioned, retroceded/fate): Derzkiy {ex-Chelsea,
ODVAZHNYI Zhdanov Yd 1940 Discarded ? 1960s ex-Crowninshield, 16.7.44, 23.6.49), Deyatelnyi {ex-Churchill, ex-Herndon,
OTLICHNYI Zhdanov Yd 1940 Discarded ? 1960s 16.7.44, sunk by U997 off Kola 16.1.45), Doblestnyi {ex-Roxburgh, ex-Foote,
OGNEVOI 61 Kommunar Yd 1940 Discarded ? 1960s 10.8.44.4.2.49) , Dostoinyi {ex-St Albans, ex-Thomas, 16.7.44, 28.2.49),Zharkiy
OPASNYI 61 Kommunar Yd — BU 1940s {ex-Brighton, ex-Cowell, 16.7.44, 28.2.49), Zhguchiy {ex-Leamington, ex-
OTVERZHD Y ONN YI Sevastopol DYd 1940 Discarded ? 1960s Twiggs, 16.7.44, 30.1.50), Zhivuchiy {ex-Richmond, ex-Fairfax, 16.7.44,
OZORNOI 61 Kommunar Yd 1941 To Bulgaria 1956 23.6.49) , Zhostkiy {ex-Georgetown, ex-Maddox, 10.8.44, 8.9.52), Druzhnyi {ex-
? 61 Kommunar Yd — BU 1940s Lincoln, ex-Yamall, 26.8.44, 23.8.52).
OSMOTRITELNYI 402 Yd, Molotovsk Aug 1944 Discarded ? 1960s Eight British (formerly US) flush-decked destroyers were temporarily trans¬
OTCHOTLIVYI 402 Yd, Molotovsk 1947 Discarded ? 1960s ferred to the Soviet Union on 30.5.44 in order to meet the Soviet claim for their
? 402 Yd, Molotovsk 1947 Discarded 1960s share of the Italian Fleet which had surrendered to the Allies in 1943. All were
VLASTNYI Komsomolsk Yd 1947 Discarded ? 1960s commissioned with the Northern Fleet. Lincoln was handed over on 26.8.44 as a
VNIMATELNYI Komsomolsk Yd cl 944 Discarded ? 1960s source of spares but was also commissioned by the Soviets. All but the sunken
VNUSHITELNYI Komsomolsk Yd 1944 Discarded ? 1960s Churchill were returned to the RN when the Italian boats were delivered.
VYNOSLIVYI Komsomolsk Yd 1947 Discarded ? 1960s
The following destroyers of the Royal Romanian Navy were seized by the
This design, known as ‘Project 30’, was begun in 1937 as the standard destroyer Soviet troops in August 1944 at Constanza and commissioned with the Black Sea
type for the third five-year programme and was developed from the Type 7U. Fleet: Letuchyi {ex-Regina Maria, returned 1953), Likhoi {ex-Regele Ferdinand,
Efforts had been made to improve seaworthiness, the main armament being returned 1953), Logkiy {ex-Marasesti, returned 1946), Lovkiy {ex-Marasti,
grouped in the two twin turrets on the main and forecastle decks to lower the returned 1946). For further details see under Romania.

SUBMARINES
D class, Series I, 1940 the early diving trials. There was also a good deal of trouble with the venting of
the ballast tanks which had to be resolved in order to reduce diving time from 3
minutes to 30 seconds.
These vessels were said, however, to be good seaboats, and they reached
15.3kts/8.7kts on trials. The double hull had 8 compartments, and the diving
limit was 300ft. Radius was 7500nm at 9kts/132nm at 2kts. The 45mm/46 AA
Series I gun was introduced on these boats when available. All underwent numerous
repairs and alterations, the last major refit taking place in 1940.
Displacement: 933t/1354t
D1-D3 were transferred to the Arctic in 1933, returning in 1940 to Leningrad
Dimensions: 249ft 4in oa x 21ft 4in x 12ft 6in max
for refit; all but D2 were redeployed with the Northern Fleet in 1940. D1 was
76.00 x 6.50 x 3.80m
lost in a diving accident in Molotovska Bay, D3 was lost during patrol off
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels plus electric motors, 2600bhp/1600shp =
14kts/9kts. Norway, probably mined; D4 was sunk off Yevpatoria by UJ102 and UJ103;
and D6, damaged by German aircraft off Sevastopol on 18.8.41, was drydocked
Armament: 8-21in TT (6 bow, 2 stern; 14 torpedoes), l-100mm/52,
at Sevastopol but destroyed there by bombing.
l-45mm/46, 1-0.3in MG
Complement: 53
Yacobinec (D6) as completed Boris Lemachko Collection
No. Name Builder Launched Fate

D1 DEKABRIST Ordzhonikidze 3.11.1928 Lost Nov 1940

Yd
D2 NARODOVOLEC Ordzhonikidze 1929 Stationary
Yd training unit
1958
D3 KRASNOGVARDEYEC Ordzhonikidze 12.7.1929 Lost July 1942
Yd
D4 REVOLUCYONER Marti Yd, 1929 Sunk 4.12.43
Nikolayev
D5 SPARTAKOVEC Marti Yd, 1929 Discarded
Nikolayev ?1950s
D6 YAKOBINEC Marti Yd, 1929 Lost 12.11.41
Nikolayev

The six Series I boats were authorised under the 1926 Naval Programme and
were the first submarines entirely designed and built in the Soviet Union. They
were generally of inferior quality, incorporating a number of technical short¬
comings caused by the low quality of Soviet industrial products, but there were
also design faults, for example the adoption of high battery cells in closed
compartments which consumed much space and complicated maintenance.
Kingston valves were inter-connected and the boats listed considerably during
BEZBOZHNIK
The British submarine L55, sunk 4.6.19 off Kronshtadt by Soviet destroyers,
was raised by the Russians in 1928, repaired, and commissioned in October 1931
as L55, later renamed Bezbozhnik. She served as a model for early Soviet
submarine designs - the ‘L’ class in particular. Damaged accidentally in autumn
1941, she served as a charging plant during the war and was scrapped c 1960.

332
 Submarines
L class, Series II mid 1930s

, .
Series XIHbis
Displacement: 1123t/1416t
Dimensions: 273ft 3in oa x 23ft x 13ft 5in
Series II 83.30 x 7.00 x 4.08m
Displacement: 105 lt/1327t Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels plus electric motors, 4200bhp/2400shp =
18kts/10kts
Dimensions: 265ft 9in oa x 21ft 8in X 13ft 9in
81.00 x 6.60 x 4.18m Armament: 8-21in TT (6 bow, 2 stern), l-100mm/56, l-45mm/46,
2-0.3in MG, 20 mines
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels plus 2 electric motors, 2200bhp/1050shp =
14kts/9kts. Oil 98.6t Complement: 55
Armament: 6-2 lin TT (bow; 12 torpedoes), l-100mm/52, l-45mm/46,
Number Builder Launched Fate
20 mines
Complement: 54 L20 Ordzhonikidze Yd 1940 Deleted ? 1950s
L21 Ordzhonikidze Yd Apr 1941 Deleted ? 1950s
No. Name Builder Launched Fate L22 Ordzhonikidze Yd 25.9.1939 Deleted ? 1950s
L23 Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1940 Sunk 17.1.1944
LI LENINEC Ordzhonikidze Yd 28.2.1931 Sunk Oct. 1941 L24 Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1940 Lost 24.12.1942
L2 STALINEC Ordzhonikidze Yd 1931 Mined 14.11.41
L25 Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1941 Mined 1944
(ex- Marxist)
L3 FRUNZOVEC Ordzhonikidze Yd 8.7.1931 BU 1959
These minelaying submarines, consisting of the Series II authorised under the
(ex-Bolshevik)
L4 GARIBALDYEC 1926 Naval Programme, the Series XI and XIII built during the second five-year
Marti Yd, Nikolayev 31.8.1931 Discarded 1958
plan and the Series XIHbis built under the third five-year programme, were
L5 CHARIST Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1931 Discarded ?1950s
designed after the thorough examination of the British submarine L55 which
L6 KARBONARIY Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1931 Sunk 18.4.44
was refloated by the Soviets in 1928. Experience gained during the design work
on the ‘D’ class boats was also utilised, which led to an improved ballasting
L class, Series XI as completed system and the abandoning of closed battery compartments. However, the boats
of Series II were poorly ventilated and the three 112-cell batteries overheated.
t ------t:.~~~ The hull featured saddle ballast tanks, with the outer hull covering the full
length of the boat. Maximum operating depth was 300ft. Mines were carried in
two horizontal stern tubes; the laying arrangement was presumably developed
from that installed in the world’s first minelaying submarine Krab, built for the
Series XI Imperial Russian Navy.
Displacement: 1100t/1400t The boats were not particularly well constructed, but improvements were
Dimensions: 265ft 9in oa x 21ft 8in x 14ft 5in gradually introduced in the later series. With the Series XII boats, installed
81.00 x 6.60 x 4.40m power was doubled, 2 stern TT were added, and a new model of main gun was
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels plus 2 electric motors, 2200bhp/1450shp = mounted. The radius of action for the Series II and XI boats was 6000nm at
9kts/135nm at 2kts submerged; for Series XIHbis submarines the figures were
Armament: 6-21in TT (bow; 12 torpedoes), l-100mm/52, l-45mm/46, 14,000nm/130nm. Material for the Vladivostock-built boats was assembled at
20 mines the Ordzhonikidze Yard at Leningrad (L7-L/6), the Marti Yard at Nikolayev
Complement: c55 (L17 and L18) and at Sevastapol Dockyard (LI9).
LI was sunk by German artillery fire on the Neva at Leningrad; L2 was lost on
No. Name Builder Launched Fate mines off Keri Isle; and L6 was sunk by UJ104 off Constanza. L3’s conning
tower is now a memorial. L7 was probably lost in the Pacific, cause unknown, as
L7 VOROSHILOVEC Dalzavod Yd, 1935 ?Lost 1941-42 was L13. LI5 transferred to the Northern Fleet via the Panama Canal during
L8 DZHERZHINEC Dalzavod Yd, 1935 Discarded ? 1950s 25.9.42 - May 1943, and transferred again to the Baltic Fleet in 1948. L16 was
L9 KIROVEC Dalzavod Yd, 1935 Discarded ? 1950s torpedoed in error by the Japanese submarine 125 off the US coast while en route
L10 - Dalzavod Yd, 1936 Discarded ? 1950s to the Arctic with L15.L21 commissioned on 31.8.43. L20 and L22 were moved
Lll - Dalzavod Yd, 1936 Discarded ? 1950s incomplete to Molotovsk in August 1941; they completed there and were
L12 - Dalzavod Yd, 1936 Discarded ? 1950s commissioned with the Northern Fleet on 24.9.42 and 31.8.43 respectively. L23
was transferred incomplete to Poti in August 1941, and completed and commis¬
L class, Series XIII as completed sioned there in October 1941; she was sunk by the German corvette UJ106 off

£ &
Cape Tarhancut. L24 was transferred in an unfinished state to a Caucasian port
in August 1941, and completed and commissioned there in April 1942; she was
lost off Cape Kaliakra, presumably mined. The hull of L25 was moved to the
Khopi estuary in August 1941, but was sunk by a mine whilst under tow.
Series XIII
Displacement:
Dimensions:
1123t/1416t
273ft 3in oa x 23ft x 13ft 5in
_rHrW:_0 . TTT
83.30 x 7.00 x 4.08m
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels plus electric motors, 4200bhp/2400shp =
18kts/10kts
Series III
Armament: 8-2 lin TT (6 bow, 2 stern), l-100mm/56, l-45mm/46, Displacement: 578t/704t
2-0.3in MG, 20 mines Dimensions: 187ft x 20ft 4in x 12ft 5in
Complement: 55 57.00 x 6.20 x 3.78m
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels plus 2 electric motors, 1370bhp/800shp =
No. Builder Launched Fate 12.5kts/8.5kts
Armament: 6-21in TT (4 bow, 2 stern; 10 torpedoes), l-45mm/46,
L13 Dalzavod Yd 1937 PLost 1941-42
2-0.3in MG
L14 Dalzavod Yd 1937 Discarded ?1950s
Complement: 35
L15 Dalzavod Yd 1938 Discarded ? 1950s
L16 Dalzavod Yd 1938 Sunk 11.10.42
Number Name Builder Launched Fate
L17 Dalzavod Yd 1938 Discarded ? 1950s
L18 Dalzavod Yd 1938 Discarded ? 1950s SHCH301 SHCHUKA Ordzhonikidze Yd 1.12.1930 Lost 27.8.41
L19 Dalzavod Yd 1938 Discarded ? 1950s (ex-Shch31,
ex-Shchl)
SHCH302 OKUN Ordzhonikidze Yd 1931 Mined 13.10.42
(ex-Shch32,
ex-Shch2)
SHCH303 YORSH Ordzhonikidze Yd 6.11.1931 BU 1958
(ex-Shch33,
ex-Shch3)
SHCH304 KOMSO- Ordzhonikidze Yd 2.5.1931 Mined Dec 1942
(ex-Shch34, MOLEC
ex-Shch4)

L18 about 1943

Boris Lemachko Collection

333
SOVIET UNION

Shch class, Series V late 1930s Series Vbis-2

Displacement: 617t surfaced/721t submerged
Series V Dimensions: 192ft 9in x 20ft 4in x 14ft lin
58.75 x 6.20 x 4.30m
Displacement: 589t/708t Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels plus 2 electric motors, 1370bhp/800shp =
Dimensions: 191ft 1 lin x 20ft 4in x 14ft lin 12kts/6.7kts
58.50 x 6.20 x 4.30m Armament: 6—2lin TT (4 bow, 2 stern; 10 torpedoes), 2—45mm/46 (2x1),
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels plus 2 electric motors, 1600bhp/800shp = 1-0.3in MG
14kts/8kts. Oil 58t Complement: 40
Armament: 6-21inTT (4 bow, 2 stern; 10 torpedoes), 2-45mm/46 (2x1),
1-0.3in MG Number Name Builder Launched Fate
Complement: 40
SHCH122 SAYDA Dalzavod Yd 1935 Discarded ? 1950s
Number Name Builder Launched Fate SHCH 123 UGOR Dalzavod Yd 1935 Discarded Z 1950s
SHCH 124 - Dalzavod Yd 1935 Discarded ? 1950s
SHCH101 LOSOS Dalzavod Yd 1933 BU 1958 SHCH 125 - Dalzavod Yd 1935 Discarded ? 1950s
(ex-Shchll) SHCH204 - Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1935 Lost Dec. 1941
SHCH 102 LESHCH Dalzavod Yd 1933 BU 1958 SHCH205 NERPA Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1.2.1935 BU 1958
(ex-Shchl2) SHCH206 - Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1935 Mined Sept. 1941
SHCH 103 ?KARP Dalzavod Yd 1933 BU 1958 SHCH207 - 61 Kommunar Yd 1935 Discarded ? 1950s
(exShchl3) SHCH208 - 61 Kommunar Yd 1935 Lost Aug 1942
SHCH 104 Dalzavod Yd 1933 BU 1958
- (exShch!4) The ‘Shch’ class medium submarines comprised 3 Series III boats authorised
SHCH 105 Dalzavod Yd 1933 BU 1958 under the first five-year programme (one additional boat of this series was built
- (ex-Shchl5) by public subscription; 12 Series V (supplementary), authorised during the first
SHCH 106 Dalzavod Yd 1933 BU 1958 five-year plan for the Pacific Fleet and modified versions of Series III; and 12
- (ex-Shch!6) Series Vbis (originally designated Series VIII). There were also 7 Series V begun
SHCH 107 Dalzavod Yd 1933 BU 1958 during the early years of the second five-year plan for the Baltic Fleet. These
- (ex-Shchl7) submarines were followed in 1934—38 by 33 Series X and 20 Series Xbis,
SHCH 108 Dalzavod Yd 1933 BU 1958
authorised under the third five-year programme.
- (ex-Shch!8) The first original Soviet submarine design had been developed during the late
SHCH 109 Dalzavod Yd 1933 BU 1958 1920s and was in production from 1930 until the end of the war. The design
- (tx-Shch!9) faults apparent with the Series III boats were gradually ironed out with subse¬
SHCH 110 Dalzabod Yd 1934 BU 1958 quent series, which continued to be built in large numbers. The hull was fitted
- (ex-Shch20) with saddle tanks, the outer hull covering two-thirds the length of the boat;
SHCH111 KARAS Dalzavod Yd 1934 BU 1958
maximum operating depth was 300ft. The pressure hull had 7 compartments (6
- (ex-Shch21)
in Series III), and the Series V boats had two 56-cell batteries. The radius for
SHCH 112 Dalzavod Yd 1934 BU 1958 each type was: Series III 6000nm at 8kts/123nm at 1.75kts; Series V 5750nm at
- (ex-Shch22)
8.5kts/125nm at 2kts; Series Vbis 9300nm at 8.5kts/125nm at 2kts; and Series
SHCH305 LIN Marti Yd, Leningrad 31.12.1933 Sunk 5.11.42
Vbis-2 7150nm at 8.5kts/110nm at 2kts.
SHCH306 PIKSHA Marti Yd, Leningrad 1934 Lost Nov 1942 Shch30, begun as Shchl and redesignated Shch31 c 1931, was sunk on the
SHCH307 TRESKA Marti Yd, Leningrad 1.8.1934 BU 1958 ‘Juminda’ mine barrage; Shch302 was mined off Someri Island. Shch303’s
SHCH308 SYOMGA Ordzhonikidze Yd 1934 Mined Oct 1942 conning tower is now a memorial. Shch304 was built by public subscription, and
SHCH309 DELFIN Ordzhonikidze Yd 10.4.1935 Discarded 1950s
her conning tower was similar to those of the Series II after modification; she was
SHCH310 BIELUKHA Ordzhonikidze Yd 10.4.1935 BU 1958
mined in the Gulf of Finland.
SHCH311 KUMZHA Ordzhonikidze Yd 1935 Sunk 15.10.42
Material for Shchl01-Shcbll2 was assembled at the Marti Yd, Leningrad.
Shchl03 was wrecked accidentally in 1939, but was rebuilt and recommissioned
after the outbreak of war with Germany. Shch305 was rammed and sunk by the
Series Vbis
Finnish submarine Vethinen off the Aland Islands. Shch307’s conning tower is
Displacement: 607t/749t now a memorial. Shch308 was mined in the Gulf of Finland some time after
Dimensions: 192ft 9in x 20ft 4in x 14ft lin 20.10A2.Sh.ch311 wassunkby the Finnish sub-chasersVMV13 and VMV15 off
58.75 X 6.20 x 4.30m Porkkala.
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels plus 2 electric motors, 1370bhp/800shp = Material for Shchl 13-Shchl21 was assembled at the 61 Kommunar Yd in
12kts/7.5kts Nikolayev. Shch201 is believed to have been wrecked accidentally at Poti in
Armament: 6-21in TT (4 bow, 1 stern; 10 torpedoes), 2-45 mm/46 (2x1) 1950s. Shch203 was lost on mines off Cape Tarkhancut or sunk by the German
Complement: 40 Schiff 19 on 16.10.43.
Material for Shchl22-Shchl25 was assembled at the 61 Kommunar Yd in
Number Name Builder Launched Fate Nikolayev. Shch204 was lost off the Bulgarian coast, presumably mined.
Shch206 was lost on the mine barrage off Sulina. Shch208 was lost, presumably
SHCH113 STRELAD Dalzavod Yd 1934 Discarded ? 1950s
mined, after 23.8.42.
SHCH 114 - Dalzavod Yd 1934 Discarded ? 1950s
SHCH 115 - Dalzavod Yd 1934 Discarded ? 1950s
SHCH 116 - Dalzavod Yd 1934 Discarded ? 1950s
SHCH117 MAKREL Dalzavod Yd 1934 Discarded ? 1950s
SHCH118 KEFAL Dalzavod Yd 1934 Discarded ? 1950s
SHCH 119 BIELUGA Dalzavod Yd 1934 Discarded ? 1950s
SHCH120 - Dalzavod Yd 1934 Discarded ? 1950s
SHCH121 ZUBATKA Dalzavod Yd 1934 Discarded ?1950s
SHCH201 SAZAN Marti Yd, Nikolayev 3.4.1934 ?Lost 1956
SHCH202 SELD Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1934 Discarded ? 1950s
SHCH203 KAMBALA Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1934 Lost Nov 1943
Shch 324 about 1940 Boris Lemachko Collection
 Submarines

The Series X and Xbis submarines were generally similar to the preceding
‘Shch’ class vessels, but particular care was taken to reduce submerged noise
Shch class, Series X as completed levels. The Series Xbis boats benefited from improved technology which per¬
mitted faster building times compared with earlier series. Radius for the Series
Series X X was 6500nm at 8kts/108nm at 2.5kts and for Series Xbis 3650nm at
8kts/122nm at Pkts.
Displacement: 590t/708t Shch.210 was sunk by German aircraft off Crimea; Shch211 was lost on mines
Dimensions: 192ft 9in x 20ft 4in x 14ft lin off Cape Schabla, and Shch212 was lost on or after 11.12.42, presumed sunk by
58.75 x 6.20 x 4.30m German surface craft off Sulina. Shch213 was presumed destroyed by German
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels plus 2 electric motors, 1600bhp/800shp = aircraft while stranded off Sochi; Shch214 was sunk by the Italian MTB
13.6kts/8.7kts. Oil 58t MAS571 off Sevastopol. Shch216-Shch2l9 were dismantled and transferred to
Armament: 6-2lin TT (4 bow, 2 stern; 10 torpedoes), 2-45mm/46 (2 X 1), the Pacific Fleet cl938 and commissioned as Shchl31-Shchl34.
2-0.3in MG Shch312 was transferred to the Pacific Fleet c 1940 and possibly renumbered
Complement: 40 ShchI40. Shch313-Shch316 were transferred to the Northern Fleet between
28.5 and 27.6.37 and renumbered Shch401-Shch404. Shch3l7 is believed to
Name Builder Launched Fate have been lost on mines in the Gulf of Finland, as is Shch319 some time after
20.9.1941. Shch320 was sunk by the Finnish submarine Iku Turso off the Aland
SHCH126 Dalzavod Yd 1936 Discarded PI950s Islands. Shch321 transferred to the Pacific Fleet in 1940 and was possibly
SHCH 127 Dalzavod Yd 1936 Discarded PI950s renumbered Shchl41. Shch322 was lost in the Gulf of Finland, presumed
SHCH128 Dalzavod Yd 1936 Discarded PI950s mined. Shch323 was mined off Kronshtadt, refloated in 1944 and scrapped.
SHCH 129 Dalzavod Yd 1936 Discarded ? 1950s Shch324 was lost (presumably mined) in the Gulf of Finland. Shch325-Shch328
SHCH130 Dalzavod Yd 1936 Discarded PI950s were renumbered Shch313-Shch316 (though not respectively) in 1937, commis¬
SHCH131 (■tx-Shch216) Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1937 Discarded PI950s sioned with the Baltic Fleet, then transferred to the Northern Fleet in June 1939
SHCH132 (■ex-Shch217) Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1937 Discarded PI950s and again renumbered Shch412-Shch424 (not in the same order).
SHCH133 (ex-Shch218) Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1937 Discarded PI950s Shch401-Shch404 (cx-Shch3l3Shch3I6) arrived in the Arctic from the Baltic
SHCH 134 (iex-Shch219) Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1937 Discarded PI950s Fleet in 1937. Shch401 was lost off Norway, possibly sunk by German surface
SHCH 139 (ex-Shch423) Marti Yd, Leningrad cl936 Discarded PI950s craft off Tanafjord 24.4.42. Shch402 was sunk in error by Soviet aircraft in the
SHCH140 (7ex-Shch312) Ordzhonikidze Yd 1935 Discarded PI950s Barents Sea. Shch403 was lost off Norway, and Shch404 returned to Leningrad
SHCH 141 (■ex-Shch321) Marti Yd, Leningrad 1936 Discarded PI950s in 1948.
SHCH209 61 Kommunar Yd 2.3.1936 BU 1958 Shch 412-Shch424 (zx-Shch313-Shch316, not respectively) arrived from the
SHCH210 Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1936 Sunk 13.3.43 Baltic Fleet in the Arctic in June 1939. Shch421 was damaged on a mine off
SHCH211 Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1936 Mined 16.11.41 Porsanger Fjord on 8.4.42, and was abandoned; she was sunk by the Soviet
SHCH212 Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1936 Lost 17.12.42 submarine K22. Shch422 was lost off Norway. Shch423 was transferred to the
SHCH213 61 Kommunar Yd 1936 Lost 12.7.42 Pacific Fleet via the Siberian sea route in 1940 and renumbered Shchl39.
SHCH214 61 Kommunar Yd 1936 Sunk 19.6.42 Shch424 was accidentally rammed and sunk by a Soviet fishing trawler off the
SHCH215 61 Kommunar Yd 11.1.1937 BU 1958 Kola Inlet.
SHCH317 Marti Yd, Leningrad 25.9.1935 Lost 8.7.42 Material for Shch 135-Shch 139 (Series Xbis) was assembled at the Marti Yd in
SHCH318 Marti Yd, Leningrad 1935 Discarded PI950s Leningrad. Shch216 was sunk by the German UJ104 and UJ106 off Cape
SHCH319 Marti Yd, Leningrad 1935 Lost c20.9.41 Tarkhancut. Shch405 was lost on mines off Someri Island; Shch406 was sunk
SHCH320 Marti Yd, Leningrad 12.2.1935 Sunk 27.10.42 by German aircraft off Vaindlo Island; and Ahch408 was sunk by German vessels
SHCH322 Ordzhonikidze Yd 1935 Lost Nov 1941 of the 31st Flotilla after being damaged 22-24.5.1943 by Finnish VMV boats
SHCH323 Ordzhonikidze Yd 10.4.1935 Mined 1.5.43 and the minelayers Riilahd and Ruotsinsalmi. Shch409Shch4ll were accepted
SHCH324 Ordzhonikidze Yd 1935 Lost Nov 1941 incomplete by the Navy and commissioned after the war, although Shch410 was
SHCH401 (■ex-Shch313) Ordzhonikidze Yd 12.4.1935 Lost 24.4.42 possibly lost during trials. Shch412Shch415,Shch417 and Shch419 were com¬
SHCH402 (■ex-Shch314) Ordzhonikidze Yd 28.6.1935 Sunk 21.9.44 pleted postwar. Shch416 and Shch418 were damaged on slip and scrapped after
SHCH403 (■ex-Shch315) Zhdanov Yd, 31.12.1935 Lost Oct 1943 the war.
Leningrad
SHCH404 (cx-Shch316) Zhdanov Yd, 27.12.1935 Discarded ? 1950s
Leningrad P class, Series IV as completed
SHCH421 (■ex-Shch.313) Marti Yd, Leningrad 12.5.1937 Lost 9.4.42
SHCH422 (■ex-Shch316) PMarti Yd, Leningrad 1937 Lost July 1943
SHCH424 (ex-Shch325) PMarti Yd, Leningrad 1937 Lost Oct 1939

Series IV
Displacement: 1200t/1870t
Series Xbis
Dimensions: 295ft 3in oa x26ft 3in X 10ft 2in
Displacement: 587t/705t 90.00 x 8.00 x 3.10m
Dimensions: 192ft 9in x 20ft 4in x 14ft lin Machinery: 2 shafts. MAN diesels plus 2 electric motors,
58.75 x 6.20 x 4.20m 5400bhp/1 OOOshp = 18.5kts/7.7kts
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels plus 2 electric motors, 1600bhp/800shp = Armament: 6-2lin TT (4 bow, 1 stern; 10 torpedoes), 2-100mm/52
13.6kts/8kts (2xl), l-45mm/46
Armament: 6-21in TT (4 bow, 2 stern; 10 torpedoes), 2-45mm/46 (2x1) Complement: 54
Complement: 39
No Name Builder Launched Fate
Name Builder Launched Fate PI PRAVDA Ordzhonikidze Yd 3.1.1934 Lost 17.9.41
SHCH 135 Dalzavod Yd 1940 Discarded ? 1960s P2 ZVEZDA Ordzhonikidze Yd 1934 BU 1956
SHCH 136 Dalzavod Yd 1940 Discarded ? 1960s P3 ISKRA Ordzhonikidze Yd 1934 BU ? 1950s
SHCH 137 Dalzavod Yd 1940 Discarded ? 1960s
SHCH 138 Dalzavod Yd 1940 Discarded ? 1960s The three Series IV boats were authorised under the first five-year programme
SHCH216 61 Kommunar Yd 1940 Lost 17.2.44 and were intended to operate with the surface fleet but in the event proved a
SHCH405 Marti Yd, Leningrad 1939 Lost 21.8.42 complete failure. The double hull featured a pressure hull with 8 compartments,
SHCH406 Marti Yd, Leningrad 17.12.1939 Lost 1.6.43 externally stiffened. The maximum operating depth, designed to be 165ft, was
SHCH407 Marti Yd, Leningrad 1941 BU 1958 increased during construction to 250ft, which necessitated additional stiffening.
SHCH408 Marti Yd, Leningrad 1941 Lost 26.5.43 A buoyancy coefficient of 80 per cent resulted in a long diving time. The ‘P’ class
SHCH409 Marti Yd, Leningrad 1941 Discarded ? 1950s were poor seaboats: they drew only 10ft and the least swell exposed the screws.
SHCH410 Marti Yd, Leningrad 1941 PLost 1945 The designed speed of 20kts/10kts was never achieved, and the boats took five
SHCH411 Marti Yd, Leningrad July 1941 Discarded ? 1960s years to build. Despite their large dimensions they carried 4 torpedoes fewer
SHCH412 Marti Yd, Leningrad July 1941 Discarded ? 1960s than the Series I submarines and also had a smaller radius of action - 5700nm at
SHCH413 Marti Yd, Leningrad ? 1946 Discarded ? 1960s lOkts surfaced and 105nm at 4kts submerged. It took 20 hours to charge the
SHCH414 Marti Yd, Leningrad ? 1946 Discarded ? 1960s batteries.
SHCH415 Marti Yd, Leningrad ? 1946 Discarded ? 1960s None was fully operational apart from being used as transports in 1941. PI
SHCH416 Marti Yd, Leningrad - BU 1940s was struck by a mine off Hango; P3 and P2 were damaged in Leningrad, the
SHCH417 Marti Yd, Leningrad ? 1947 Discarded ? 1960s former by German bombers on 23.9.1941 and the latter by German artillery fire
SHCH418 Marti Yd, Leningrad - BU 1940s in December 1941. The boats were repaired and refitted postwar with conning
SHCH419 Marti Yd, Leningrad ? 1947 Discarded ? 1960s towers similar to those of the ‘K’ class submarines (as which they were errone¬
ously identified after the war).

335
SOVIET UNION
Class: M87-M90
M class, Series VI as completed
Built at the Sudomekh Wks, Leningrad, to an improved design, power,
endurance and operating depth being considerably increased: radius, for exam¬
Series VI (launched 1933-34) ple, was more than doubled to 1880nm at 8kts/107nm at 2kts. Streamlined
conning towers were fitted after commissioning. M90 was rammed and sunk
Displacement: cl60t/c200t
during her acceptance trials in 1938 but was refloated the following year,
Dimensions: 124ft x 10ft 3in x 8ft 6in
repaired and recommissioned in late 1941 or early 1942. The other three units
37.81 x 3.13 x 2.S8m
were transferred to the Arctic in 1939 and renumbered M171,M172 and M401.
Machinery: 1-shaft diesel plus 1 PG60 electric motor, 685bhp =
Mill (ex-M87) was converted into a minelayer in 1944; M172 (ex-M88) was
13kts/6kts. Oil 5.5t
lost, probably mined, in the Barents Sea in October 1943; and M401(ex-M89)
Armament: 2-2in TT (bow), l-45mm/46
was completed to the standard Series Xllbis design in 1942. The two surviving
Complement: 16 boats were discarded in the 1950s.

Class: M1-M28, MSI, MS2

The ‘M’ class small submarines comprised 4 Series VI boats authorised under
the first five-year programme supplemented by 26 additional units of this series
authorised during the first five-year plan for the Pacific Fleet (2 of them
remained with the Black Sea Fleet, however). The initial series was followed by
20 Series VIbis boats, 4 Series XII and 24 Series Xllbis under the second
five-year plan. In addition, 19 Series Xllbis and 7 Series XV submarines were
laid down under the third five-year programme.
The design of these boats, which had been drawn up during the early 1930s,
called for a submarine which could be easily transported by rail in an assembled
condition. To fulfil these requirements 18 rail wagons with a lifting capacity of
120t had been constructed, so the dry weight of planned submarines could not
exceed this figure. With such a limited displacement, these boats had poor
fighting qualities and were not suited for open sea warfare. Despite the obvious
shortcomings, however, a large order was placed with the Ural Machine Wks,
where all the Series VI boats were built. After completion, the submarines ran
trials on the Black Sea and were transported by rail to Vladivostok. This system
enabled the Pacific Fleet to be strengthened without any additional burden on
the naval yards, albeit with boats of dubious fighting value.
All the Series VI boats ran trials on the Black Sea 1933-34; M1-M28 were
transported by rail to the Pacific, M26 and four others being transferred back to
the Black Sea in 1944. MSI and MS2 were originally commissioned with the
Black Sea Fleet but were transferred by rail to the Caspian in August 1942,
returning to the Black Sea in 1943. MSI was accidentally sunk off Ochemire
23.9.43 but was refloated 1.10.43 and recommissioned. One unit from the
Pacific Fleet was sold to China in the 1950s; the rest were discarded and
presumably scrapped in the 1940s and 1950s.
M class, Series VIbis as completed
Series VIbis (launched 1934—35)
Displacement: 161t/201t
Dimensions: 124ft x 10ft 3in x 8ft 6in
37.81 x 3.13 x 2.58m
Machinery: 1-shaft diesel plus 1 electric motor, 685bhp = 13kts/6kts. Oil
5.5t
Armament: 2-21in TT (bow), l-45mm/46
Complement: 16
M class. Series Xllbis as completed
Series Xllbis (launched 1937-41)
Displacement: 210t/261t
Dimensions: 146ft X 10ft lOin x 10ft lin
44.50 x 3.30 x 3.07m
Machinery: 1-shaft diesel plus 1 electric motor, 800bhp/400shp =
13.5kts/7.7kts
Armament: 2-2lin TT (bow), l-45mm/46, 1-0.3in MG
Complement: 20
Class: M30-M36, M57-M62, M91-M122
Improved Series XII boats with streamlined conning towers and enlarged fuel
capacity. Radius 3020nm at 8kts/94nm at 2kts. Built by the Marti Yard,
Nikolayev (M30-M36, MS7-M62), the Sudomekh Works, Leningrad
(.M91-M103), the 402 Yard, Molotovsk (M104-M110, last pair cancelled), and
the Krasnaya Sormovo Yard, Gorki (Ml 11-M122). M57,M61 ,M91 ,M92 and
Ml 00 were later renumbered M41, M42, }M100 (\ateiM176),M174 andM/76
respectively; M91 was sunk accidentally on trials (November 1938) but was
raised and repaired. RenumberedM173, she was sunk by the German UJ1101,
UJ1108 and UJ1112 off Baasfjord, 24.8A2.M104-M108, as they were funded
by public subscription, were allocated the names Yaroslavskiy Komsomolec,
Chelabinskiy Komsomolec, Leninskiy Komsomol and Novosibirskiy Komsomolec.
M31, M33, M34, MS8-M60, M91-M103, M106, M108, M118 and
M120-M122 were war casualties.
In 1937 it was decided to fit some ‘M’ class submarines experimentally with
the Regenerativnyi Yedinyi Dvigatiel Osobovo Naznacheniya (Special Purpose
Regenerating Power Unit) for operating diesels when submerged. Two boats
were chosen: M89 and Redo (yd no 592, under construction). The latter was
placed ashore and sealed for the duration of hostilities, but the experiments,
though continuing for a short period after the war, were abandoned, and the
boat was commissioned under the number M92. An additional unit of the series
-M401 - was designated for similar experiments but the project was cancelled
after the outbreak of war and the boat was completed to the standard design,
being commissioned probably under another number.
Of the 19 survivors, three were transferred to Bulgaria (becoming Ml -M3)
and one to China; the rest were discarded in the 1950s.
M30 after the war Boris Lemachko Collection

Class: MS3-M56, M71-M86

By the beginning of the second five-year plan the initial ‘M’ class design had
been modified in order to improve its hydrodynamic qualities - the conning
tower was streamlined and a casing was added aft - and to achieve better
standards of construction orders had been placed with the experienced naval
yards in Leningrad and Nikolayev. Experiments were conducted with all-
welded sections on one of the early Series VIbis boats built at Leningrad.
M53-MS6 were built at the Marti Yard (Nikolayev), M11-M80 at the
Zhdanov Yard (Leningrad) and M81-M86 at the Sudomekh Works (Lening¬
rad). M53, M82 and M84-M86 were transferred to the Pacific, being renum¬
bered M29, M43 amdM44—M46 respctively. MS4-MS6 served on the Caspian
Sea 1942-43. M71, M80 and M83 were blown up 24.6.41 to prevent their
capture. M72 was mined in the Gulf of Finland in June 1941 and subsequently
hulked; M73 and M75 were hulked in early 1941. M74 was sunk by German '■i -------.a ..... 1 __ M class, Series XV about 1945
bombers at Kronshtadt 23.9.41, but was later refloated and eventually scrap¬
ped. M76, M77 and M79 served on Lake Ladoga 1943-44. M78 was sunk by
U144 off the Latvian coast 24.6.41, and M81 was mined off the Laine Bank
Series XV (launched 1940 and 1946-47)
1.7.41. All surviving boats were discarded in the 1940s and 1950s, two of the Displacement: 281t/35 It
Pacific Fleet units being transferred to North Korea. Dimensions: 162ft 5in X 14ft 5in X 9ft mean
49.SO x 4.40 x 2.75m
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels plus 2 electric motors, 1600bhp/875shp =
Series XII (launched 1936-37) 15.7kts/7.8kts
Armament: 4-2lin TT (bow), l-45mm/46, 2-0.3in MG
Displacement: 206t/218t
Complement: 24
Dimensions: 146ft x 10ft lOin x 9ft lOin
44.50 x 3.30 x 3.00m
Machinery: 1-shaft diesel plus 1 electric motor, 800bhp/400shp = Class: M200-M213
14kts/8kts. Oil 17.2t An entirely new design, with 2-shaft machinery, 4 TT and welded hulls. As
Armament: 2-21in TT (bow), l-45mm/46, 2-0.3in MG with other ‘M’ class boats, the hull was of the single type, but in Series XV of
Complement: 20 seven instead of six sections. Maximum operating depth was 260ft and radius
3000nm at 8kts/90nm at 2kts.
 The Series XV boats were built at the Sudomekh Works, Leningrad. M200,
M202 and M203 received the namesMest,Rybnik Donbasa and Irkuckiy Rybmk.
M204-M206 were launched after the war and scrapped in the 1960s;
M207-M213 were ordered but their keels had not been laid by June 1941 and
they were cancelled, only to be re-ordered and supplemented by about 30 others
after the war.
5 class, Series IX as completed
1 -

Series IX
Displacement: 840t/1070t
Dimensions: 255ft lin x 21ft X 13ft 3in
77.75 x 6.40 x 4.04m S9 before the war Boris Lemachko Collection
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels plus 2 electric motors, 4000bhp/llOOshp =
19.5kts/9kts. Oil lOOt
Armament: 6-2lin TT (4 bow, 2 stern;, 12 torpedoes), l-100mm/56,
l-45mm/46 M400 experimental submarine
Complement: 46
Built by the Sudomekh Works, Leningrad, during 1940-41 to a special NKVD
Number Name Builder Launched Fate design with aluminium casing and conning tower. Length about 65ft (20m); 2
diesel engines; 2-21in TT (bow), l-45mm/46. Launched 1941, damaged before
51 (ex-Nl) NALIM Ordzhonikidze Yd 8.8.1935 Blown up 24.6.41 completion by German artillery fire 1942.
52 (ex-A/2) - Ordzhonikidze Yd 7.11.1935 Mined 2.1.40
53 (ex-A/3) - Ordzhonikidze Yd Feb 1936 Sunk 24.6.41

S56 as completed
Series XVI
L .—r~ " yrr"—
Displacement: 856t/1090t
Dimensions: 255ft lin x 21ft x 13ft 4in
Series IXbis 77.75 x 6.40 X 4.06m
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels plus 2 electric motors, 4000bhp/l lOOshp =
Displacement: 856t/1090t 18.85kts/8.8kts
Dimensions: 255ft lin x 21ft x 13ft 4in Armament: 6-21in TT (4 bow, 2 stern; 12 torpedoes), l-100mm/56,
77.75 x 6.40 x 4.06m l-45mm/46, 1-0.3in MG
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels plus 2 electric motors, 4000bhp/1100shp = Complement: 45
18.85kts/8.8kts
Armament: 6-21in TT (4 bow, 2 stern; 12 torpedoes), l-100mm/56, Name Builder Launched Fate
l-45mm/46, 1-0.3in MG
S46 Krasnaya Sormovo Yd 1947 Discarded PI960s
Complement: 45
S47 Krasnaya Sormovo Yd PI 947 Discarded PI960s
Number Builder Launched Fate S48 Krasnaya Sormovo Yd 1947 Discarded PI960s
PS25 (ex.-549)402 Yd 1945 Discarded PI960s
S4 Ordzhonikidze Yd Nov 1936 Lost 6.1.45 PS52 (ex-559)402 Yd 1946 Discarded PI960s
S5 Ordzhonikidze Yd 1937 Lost 28.8.41 PS27 (ex -566)402 Yd 1946 Discarded ? 1960s
S6 Ordzhonikidze Yd 1937 Lost 30.8.41
S7 Krasnaya Sormovo Yd 1939 Lost 21.10.42 The ‘S’ class medium submarines comprised 3 Series IX boats and 17 Series
S8 Krasnaya Sormovo Yd 1939 Lost 21.10.41 IXbis authorised under the second five-year plan, followed by 27 Series IXbis
S9 Krasnaya Sormovo Yd 1939 Lost 5.9.43 and 6 Series XVI begun during the third five-year plan. Approximately 10 more
S10 Krasnaya Sormovo Yd 1939 Lost 27.6.41 Series XVI had been ordered but the keels had not been laid down prior to the
Sll Krasnaya Sormovo Yd 1939 Lost 2.8.41 outbreak of hostilities and these boats were cancelled.
S12 Krasnaya Sormovo Yd 1939 Lost Aug 1943 The design of the Series IX was drawn up at the Ingenieurskantoor voor
S13 Krasnaya Sormovo Yd 25.4.1939 BU 1958 Scheepsbouw in The Hague during 1933-34 and consequently the boats bore a
S14 Krasnaya Sormovo Yd 1941 Discarded PI960s striking resemblance to the Turkish submarine Giir designed by the same office
S15 Krasnaya Sormovo Yd 1941 Discarded PI960s and the German Type IA submarines belonging to the same development line.
S16 Krasnaya Sormovo Yd 1941 BU cl962 The design of the Series IX was subsequently modified, first by abandoning the
S17 Krasnaya Sormovo Yd 1941 Discarded PI960s large gunshield and later by improving the lines of the conning tower. The Series
S18 Krasnaya Sormovo Yd 1941 Discarded PI960s XVI boats incorporated many more improvements, including the use of high
S19 Krasnaya Sormovo Yd 1941 Discarded PI960s tensile steel and welded hulls, and showed better flow characteristics when
S20 (ex-544) Krasnaya Sormovo Yd 1941 Discarded PI960s submerged since the deck gun was moved to a position abaft the conning tower.
S21 Sudomekh Wks 1941 Discarded PI960s They were good, seaworthy boats - in fact the best prewar Soviet submarine
S22 Sudomekh Wks 1941 Discarded ? 1960s type - but took a long time to build. They were the first Soviet vessels to receive
Discarded PI960s degaussing equipment, about 1942.
S23 Sudomekh Wks 1947
S24 Sudomekh Wks 1947 Discarded PI960s The hull was of the saddle-tank type, the pressure hull having 7 compart¬
S31 Marti Yd, Nikolayev 22.2.1939 Discarded ?1950s ments. Maximum operating depth was 260ft, and radius was 9500nm at
S32 Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1939 Lost June 1942 10kts/135nm at 3kts. The hulls of some boats were subcontracted to the Kras¬
S33 Marti Yd, Nikolayev 30.5.1939 Training unit naya Sormovo Yd in Gorki, near Moscow, and were towed to Leningrad,
S34 Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1939 Lost 12.11.41 Molotovsk or Nikolayev to be fitted out. Four series IXbis boats were paid for
Marti Yd, Nikolayev 1940 Discarded PI960s by public subscription and consequently carried names as well as numbers: S14
S35
Marti Yd, Nikolayev Destroyed 16.8.41 (Geroicheskiy Sevastopol), SIS (Kolkhoznica), S16 (Geroi Sovyetskovo Soyuza
S36 -

Marti Yd, Nikolayev Destroyed 16.8.41 Nurseitov), and S17 (Sovyetskaya Svanetiya).
S37 -

? PConstruction abandoned SI was blown up at Liepaja to prevent her capture; S2 was lost on mines off
S45 Krasnaya Sormovo Yd
Dalzavod Yd 30.8.1940 To China 1955 Marked Island during the Winter War; and S3 was sunk by the German MTB
S51
Dalzavod Yd 1939 To China 1955 S35 off Steinort. S4 was rammed and sunk by the German torpedo-boat T33 off
S52
To China 1955 Danzig. S5 and S6 were lost on the ‘Juminda’ mine barrage.
S53 Dalzavod Yd 1939
1939 Lost May 1943 57-5/6 were transferred via inland waterways to Leningrad for fitting out. 57
S54 Dalzavod Yd
1939 Lost Dec 1943 was sunk by the Finnish submarine Vesihiisi off Soderarm; S8 was lost on mines
S55 Dalzavod Yd
Dalzavod Yd 25.12.1939 Preserved off Suursaari Isle; 59 was sunk by German surface craft off Porkkala; and S10
S56
cl 940 To China 1955 was sunk by the German S-boats off Danzig. Sll was mined off Sodavain Bay,
S57 Dalzavod Yd
20.4.1938 Discarded ? 1950s but the wreck was refloated and scrapped after the war. S12 was lost in the Gulf
S101 Sudomekh Wks
Discarded ? 1950s of Finland. SI3 gained the most spectacular success of any Soviet submarine.
S102 Sudomekh Wks 1939
1939 Discarded ? 1950s During a single patrol she sank the liners Wilhelm Gustloff (25,484grt) and
S103 Sudomekh Wks
25.4.1939 Discarded ? 1950s General Steuben (14,660grt) with heavy loss of life; however, whether the 7900 or
S104 Sudomekh Wks
PBU incomplete so refugees were civilian or military is a matter over which Soviet and German
S105 PSudomekh Wks ? 1939
historians still quarrel to this day. S14-S16 were evacuated incomplete from
S106 PSudomekh Wks PI 939 PBU incomplete
PBU incomplete Leningrad in July 1941 to Baku (S14) and Astrakhan (the others). The boats
S107 PSudomekh Wks ? 1939
? 1939 PBU incomplete were completed and transferred to the Arctic via inland waterways in April 1943
S108 PSudomekh Wks
and (5/6) in 1945.
SOVIET UNION
S17 was transferred via inland waterways to Molotovsk for completion in
1943 and commissioned with the Northern Fleet in April 1945. SI8 and 579
completed at Astrakhan, and were transferred to the Baltic in 1946 and to the
Arctic in 1944 respectively. S20 was originally destined for the Black Sea Fleet
as S44, but was towed to Leningrad for completion and evacuated from this city
in July 1941. She was completed at Astrakhan and transferred to the Arctic in
1945.
S21 and S22 were taken incomplete from Leningrad in June 1941, completed
at Astrakhan and transferred to the Arctic during 1945. The construction oLS23
and S24 was suspended for the duration of the war. S32 was sunk by the Italian
midget submarine CB3 off Feodosiya; S34 was lost on mines in Burgas Bay; and
S3S was towed incomplete to Tuapse in August 1941 and laid up in the Khopi
estuary, being completed only after the war. 536 and S36 were destroyed on
their slipways by retreating Soviet troops. S44 was intended for the Black Sea
Fleet but was moved to the Baltic Fleet and renumbered S20. The construction
of S4S was halted during the war, and possibly cancelled afterwards.
Material for the Pacific Fleet boats had been assembled at the Leningrad
yards: Ordzhonikidze (S51S53), Zhdanov (S54-556) and Sudomekh (S57).
S51 was transferred to the Northern Fleet via the Panama Canal
28.10.42-24.1.43, returning presumably via the Siberian sea route in 1950. S54
was transferred to the Northern Fleet via the Panama Canal 18.10.42-7.6.43,
but was lost in the Barents Sea. S5S were transferred to the Arctic together with
556; the former was lost in Barents Sea but the latter returned via Siberia in
1950, becoming a stationary training unit at Vladivostok from the end of the
1950s, and subsequently a memorial.
S101 and S102 transferred to the Arctic in August 1941. S103-^S108 were
taken incomplete from Leningrad to Astrakhan in July 1941, but of these only
S103 and S104 were completed by the end of hostilities; they were allocated to
the Northern Fleet in June 1943.
Nine of these large ocean-going submarines were authorised under the second
five-year programme and three were begun under the third five-year plan. Laid
down 1936-38 and completed 1939-1945, they were the biggest and undoub¬
tedly the best Soviet wartime submarine type, and were designed especially for
Arctic conditions. Design work started in 1934 and, to avoid the deficiencies
experienced with the Series IV boats, large scale experiments were made with
the hull section of the old submarine Forel. The class had originally been
intended to carry a small dismantled reconnaissance floatplane, known as the
SPL, in a special hangar, but this project was abandoned.
There was a double hull with seven compartments; the maximum operating
depth was 230ft and the diving time 50 seconds. 24 torpedoes were carried,
together with 20 Type EM mines in the middle ballast tank. A surface speed of
22.5kts was called for but this was seldom attained in practice. The radius was
14,000nm at 9kts on the surface or 160 miles at 2.9kts submerged. Four 60-cell
batteries were fitted.
K1 and K2 were transferred to the Northern Fleet in 1940, followed by K3,
K21-K23 in August 1941. It was planned to transfer all the ‘K’ class boats to the
Arctic but after the German and Finnish troops cut the Stalin Canal link in
September 1941 the other boats had to remain with the Baltic Fleet for the
duration of hostilities. K1 was lost in the Kara Sea, presumably on mines, K2
failed to return from patrol off northern Norway, and K3 was sunk by UJ1102,
UJ1106 and UJ1111 off Batsfjord. K21 made as unsuccessful attack on Tirpitz
during the PQ-17 operation 5.7.42. K22 was mined off Cape Harbaken, and
K23 was sunk by UJ1101, UJ1109 and UJ1110 off Olesa Fjord. K53-K56 were
accepted incomplete by the Navy in 1942, and were completed and commis¬
sioned by the end of 1945. KS1-K56 were transferred to the Northern Fleet via
the Great Belt in August 1948.
RONIS class
Class: Ronis, Spidola
Built in 1927 for the Latvian Navy and seized in 1940 by the Soviets during
the annexation of Latvia. Commissioned with the Baltic Fleet. Both scuttled off
Liepaja to prevent capture on 24.6.41. For further details see under Latvia.

Series XIV KALEV class

Displacement: 1490t/2104t (2600t full load)
Dimensions: 320ft 4in x 24ft 3in x 14ft lOin Class: Kalev, Lembit
97.65 x 7.40 x 4.51m Minelaying submarines built in 1937 in Britain for the Estonian Navy and
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels plus electric motors, 8400bhp/2400shp = seized by the Soviets during the annexation of Estonia in 1940. Commissioned
21 kts/1 Okts. Oil 250t with the Baltic Fleet. Kalev was lost November 1941; Lembit survived the war
Armament: 10-21in TT (6 bow, 2 stern, 2 trainable on pressure hull), and was renamed Ul and then 535 in 1949. Discarded 1956. For further details
2-100mmx56 (2x 1), 2-45mm/46 (2x 1), 20 mines see under Estonia.
Complement: 60

No Builder Launched Fate V1-V4

K1 Marti Yd, Leningrad 4.5.1938 Lost Oct 1943 Class: V7 (ex-Sunfish), V2 (ex-Unbroken), V3 (ex-Unison), V4 (ex-Ursula)
K2 Marti Yd, Leningrad 4.5.1938 Lost Aug/Sept 1942 These four British submarines were temporarily transferred to the Soviet
K3 Marti Yd, Leningrad 1938 Sunk 21.3.43 Union in lieu of Italian vessels claimed by the Russians after the surrender of the
K21 Ordzhonikidze Yd 1.8.1938 Stationary training unit 1959 Italian fleet. Sunfish was sunk in error by British aircraft off Norway en route to
K22 Ordzhonikidze Yd 1939 Mined 7.2.43 the USSR; the remaining three were handed back 10.2.49. See under Great
K23 Ordzhonikidze Yd 1938 Sunk 12.5.42 Britain.
K51 Ordzhonikidze Yd 1940 Discarded ? 1950s
K52 Ordzhonikidze Yd 5.7.1939 Discarded ? 1950s
K53 Ordzhonikidze Yd 1940 Discarded ? 1950s
S3, S4, TS4
K54 Marti Yd, Leningrad Mar 1941 Discarded ? 1950s
K55 Marti Yd, Leningrad Mar 1941 Discarded ? 1950s
These three submarines were seized by the Soviet Union from Romania in
K56 Marti Yd, Leningrad 1940 Discarded ? 1950s
August 1944 and put into service with the Black Sea Fleet. S3 (ex-Requinul) and
S4 (ex-Marsuinul) were discarded in the late 1950s and scrapped; TS4 (ex-
Delfinul) was returned in 1945. See under Romania.
K class, Series XIV boat in the Arctic Boris Lemachko Collection

ESCORTS
EK1 class

Class: EK1 (ex-Charlottesville), EK2 (ex-Long Beach), EK3 (ex-Belfast), EK4

{ex-Glendale), EK5 (ex-San Pedro), EK6 (ex-Coronada), EK7 {ex-Ogden), EK8
(ex-Allentown), EK9 (ex-Machias), EK10 (ex-Sandusky), EK11 (ex-Bath),
EK12 (ex-Tacoma), EK13 (ex-Sausalito), EK14 (ex-Hoquiam), EK1S (ex-
Pasco), EK16 (ex-Albuquerque), EK17 (ex-Everett), EK18 (ex-Bisbee), EK19
(ex-Gallup),EK20 (ex-Rockford), EK21 (ex-Muskogee),EK22 (ex-Carson City),
EK23 (ex-Burlington), EK24 (ex-Bayonne), EK25 (ex-Poughkeepsie), EK26
(ex-Gloucester), EK27 (ex-Newport), EK28 (ex-Evansville).
These US Tacoma class frigates were transferred to the Soviet Union to assist
with the war against Japan. They were commissioned with the Pacific Fleet,
EK1-EK11 in mid-July 1945, EK12-EK23 by the end of August 1945 and
EK24-EK28 during September/October 1945. All but EK3 (foundered off
Petropavlovsk 17.11.48) were returned in 1949. See under USA.

338
 Guardships

GUARDSHIPS
DZERZHINSKIY class (launched 1934)
Displacement: 8 lOt standard; 1161t deep load
Dimensions: 262ft 6in x 27ft 3in x 12ft 4in
80.00 x 8.30 x 3.75m
Machinery: 3 shafts. Tosi diesels, 4500bhp = 18.5kts. Oil 80t
Armament: 3-4in/60 (3x1), 4-45mm/46 (4x1), 3-0.5in MG, 3-0.3in
MG, 24 mines
YASTREB class (launched 1940-41) Complement: 121
Displacement: 906t standard; 1059t deep load
Dimensions: 275ft 7in oa x 27ft 3in x 9ft lOin Class: Dzerzhinskiy, Kirov
84.00 x 8.30 x 3.00m Ordered from Ansaldo, Genoa, for service with the Far East Coast Guard of
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 4 watertube boilers, 23,000shp = the NKVD. Delivered without armament and transferred to Vladivostok via the
31 kts Suez Canal. In service with the NKVD until the outbreak of war with Japan,
Armament: when both were commissioned with the Pacific Fleet.
3-100mm/56 (3x1), 4-37mm/67 (4x 1), 6-0.5in MG (3x2),
3-450mm TT (1x2), 20 mines
Complement: 148
Kirov as completed Boris Lemachko Collection

Class: Berkut, Gryf, Kondor, Korshun, Oryol, Sokol, Voron, Yastreb

Begun under the third five-year programme for deployment with the Baltic
Fleet, these vessels were developed from the Uragan class but built to a better
all-round design. However, they experienced the same stability problems as
their predecessors, and to lower the centre of gravity as much as possible, ‘X’
mount was placed on the main deck instead of in a superfiring position over ‘Y’
mount. Their designed armament was 3-85mm, 4-37mm, 3-0.5in MG and
3-450mm TT.
All eight were launched before the outbreak of hostilities at the Zhdanov
Yard, Leningrad, and the hulls of Berkut, Gryf, Kondor, Sokol and Voron were
evacuated to Gorki in 1941, one later reportedly serving as a depot ship at
Astrakhan. Sokol is believed to have been scrapped incomplete. Work on the
three remaining boats was suspended because of a shortage of manpower;
Yastreb was resumed in June 1943 and the boat was commissioned about 1944,
followed by Korshun and Oryol in 1945. Another seven vessels were reportedly
completed after the war, although the exact number of boats finally commis¬
sioned is not known.
Mielel as completed
One ‘modified Yastreb’-Zorkiy - was under construction in the Zhdanov Yd
for the NKVD; the hull was launched prior to the German invasion and
remained at Neva. The fate of this ship is unknown - possibly she was never
commissioned owing to war damage or perhaps she was commissioned after the
war under another name.

Yastreb class boat after the war Boris Lemachko Collection URAGAN class (launched 1929-35)
Displacement: 450t standard; 619t deep load
Dimensions: 234ft 7in oa x 24ft 3in x 8ft 6in
71.SO x 7.40 x 2.58m
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 2 watertube boilers, 6300shp =
23kts. Oil 125t
Armament: 2-4in/60 (2x1) (Burya, Purga, Snieg, Tucha and Pacific Fleet
boats 2-100mm/56), 3-13.2mm MG (3x1), 3-450mm TT
(1x3), 48 mines
Complement: 72

Class: Smerch, Taifun, Uragan, Ciklon, Groza, Vikhr, Burya, Purga, Snieg,
Tucha, Shkval, Shtorm, Burun, Grom, Mietel, Vyuga, Molnya, Zamica
Eighteen of this class were authorised under the 1926 Naval Programme to
replace the few still serviceable Tsarist-built torpedo-boats that had been used
for coastal patrol duties. They were the first surface warships built by the Soviets
and not surprisingly incorporated many design and construction faults. Only 12
ships were laid down on schedule and the last six were carried over to the second
ALBATROS class (launched 1943-44)
five-year plan. Shkval and Shtorm were built at the Marti Yard, Nikolayev,
Displacement: 920t Burim, Grom, Mietel, Vyuga, Molnya and Zamica at the Dalzavod Yard, Vla¬
Dimensions: 278ft lOin x 27ft 6in x 9ft lOin divostok, and the rest at the Zhdanov Yard, Leningrad. Material for the Pacific
85.00 X 8.40 x 3.00m Fleet boats was assembled at the Zhandanov Yard.
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 2 watertube boilers, 12,300shp = The results of the first trials of Uragan and others were deplorable - none of
25kts them exceeded 23-24kts in a calm sea although 29kts had been contracted. Thus
Armament: 3-100mm/56 (3x1), 6-37mm/67 (6x 1), 8-0.5in MG (4x2), the guardships proved to be a complete failure - too slow for use as torpedo-
3-450mm TT (1x3), 20 mines boats and of no value as ASW vessels because of their lack of depth-charge
Complement: 92 handling equipment and underwater detection devices. They were generally of
poor construction and top-heavy.
Class: Albatros, Chaika, F regal, Krechet, Orlan, ‘ VI’, Kaguar, Leopard, P antera, Prior to the war AA armament was augmented by adding 3-45mm/46 guns.
Bys, Tigr, Yaguar During the war some of the class were re-armed with 2-100mm/56 guns instead
Authorised under the third five-year programme, at least 12 of this class had of the 4in weapons and 37mm/67 guns instead of or in addition to the 45mm
been laid down before the war, to be distributed between the Pacific and the pieces. Two DCTs were added and the complement rose to 108. The class was
Black Sea Fleets. The incomplete hulls of the last six were captured by the nicknamed ‘the bad weather flotilla’ because of their individual names - ‘hur¬
Germans at Nikolayev and subsequently scrapped. Only Albatros and Chaika, ricane’, ‘storm’ etc.
built by the Komsomolsk Yard, were commissioned by the end of 1945, Ciklon and Snieg were mined 28.8.41; Purga was bombed and sunk on Lake
provisionally armed with 3-85mm (3x1), 4—0.5in MG and 3-450mm TT (1x3). Ladoga 1.9.42; Vikhr was bombed and sunk at Kronshtadt 23.9.41 but was
Fregat, Krechet and Orlan were laid down at the Dalzarod Yard, Vladivostock, subsequently refloated and repaired with the turbines salved from the wreck of
but only Krechet (launched after the war) was completed. The vessel numbered Purga', and Burya was mined 24.8.42. The surviving vessels were discarded in
‘VI’ is believed to have been laid down at the Komsomolsk Yard. the 1950s.

339
SOVIET UNION

RUBIN class (launched 1936-39) GANGUTYEC

Displacement: 550t The former Russian despatch vessel Sputnik was captured by the German
Dimensions: 203ft 5in pp x 23ft 7in x 8ft 6in auxiliary cruiser Mowe in 1918, handed over to the Estonian Navy and commis¬
62.00 x 7.20 x 2.60m sioned as Laine. Seized by the Soviet Navy during annexation of Estonia in 1940,
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels, 2300bhp = 17kts. Oil 85t she was commissioned as the minesweeper T49. She was reclassified as the
Armament: l-4in/60, 2-37mm/67 (2x1), 2-0.5in MG guardship Gangutyec in 1941, but was lost on mines off Hango 2.12.41. For
Complement: ? further details see under Estonia.

Class: Brilliant, Rubin, Saphir, Zhemchug

Built in the Zhdanov Yard, Leningrad, for the Northern Coast Guard of the Two Romanian escort vessels, Sborul (ex-Austro-Hungarian torpedo-boat
NKVD, and commissioned with the Northern Fleet after the outbreak of war 8IT) and Smeul (ex-83F), were seized by the Soviets in Constanza in August
with Germany. Of similar construction and appearance to the Tral class mines¬ 1944 and commissioned with the Black Sea Fleet as Musson and Toros respec¬
weepers. Brilliant and Zhemchug were war losses. tively. They were returned in 1945. For further details see under Romania.

AMETIST
The Estonian torpedo-boat Sulev (ex-German A32) was seized by the Soviets
during the annexation of Estonia in 1940 and commissioned with the Baltic
Fleet. Relegated to auxiliary duties in 1942 and scrapped cl955. For further
details see under Estonia.

MINESWEEPERS
Vladimir Polukhin as completed

VLADIMIR POLUKHIN class fleet minesweepers
(launched 1940-41, ?1946)
Displacement: 700t (7T250-T254 600t) standard; 900t (7T250-T2S4 800t)
deep load
Dimensions: 249ft 4in pp x 26ft 3in x 7ft 5in
76.00 x 8.00 x 2.26m
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 2 boilers, 8000shp = 24kts
QT250-T2S4 = 18kts). Oil 190t
Armament: 2-100mm/56(2x l)or2-3in/55, 3-37mm/67 (3x l),2-20mm
(2x1), 15 mines
Complement: 120
Class: T2S0 (Vladimir Polukhin), 725/ (Pavel Khokhryanov), T252 (Alexandr
Petrov), T253 (Karl Zedin), 7254 (Vasiliy Gromov), T2S5 (Adrian Zosimov),
T256 (yiadimir Trefolyev), T2S7 (Timofyei Ulyancev), T258 (MikhailMartynov),
T2S9 (Fiodor Mitrofanov), T260 (Luka Pankov), T261 (Pavlik Vinogradov),
T262 (Styepan Gredyushko), T263 (Semion Paleikov), T264, 7T265 ,T4S0 (Pavel
Golovin), T4S1 (Ivan Borisov), T452 (Sergei Shuvalov), T453 (Semion Roshal),
T4S4 (Ivan Sladkov), T455 (Nikolai Markin), YT456, 7T457
Fast fleet minesweepers developed from the Tral class, built at the Petrozavod
Works, Shipbuilding Works and Izhora Shipbuilding Works in Leningrad and
at Sevastopol Dockyard; at least 24 were probably laid down during the third
five-year plan - 16 in the Baltic and 8 in the Black Sea. During 1940-41 about 15
hulls were launched and all from Sevastopol and about 5 from Leningrad were
evacuated either to Poti and the Khopi estuary (the former) or to various inland
harbours (the latter). Of those remaining in Leningrad, the prototype boat
Vladimir Polukhin was completed and commissioned 6.11.42, while Vasiliy
Gromov enetered service in 1943. A further four - Pavel Khokhryanov, Fiodor
Mitrofanov, Luka Pankov and Pavlik Vinogradov - were ready between 1944 and
1945. Most of the others entered service during the late 1940s. T264 and 7265
were probably scrapped incomplete 1946—■47, Pavel Golovin and Nikolai Markin
were destroyed incomplete in June 1942 and Semion Roshal, 7T456 and ?T457
were also probably lost before completion. The remaining vessels were dis¬
carded in the 1960s.
STARSHYI LEYTENANT LEKARYEV class fleet
minesweepers
Class: Till IStarshyi Ley tenant Lekaryev (ex-Advocate), T112/Starshyi Leytenant
Vladimirov (ex-Agent), T113 (ex-Alarm), T114 (ex-Alchemy), 77/5 (ex-Apex),
T116 (ex-Arcade), 77/7 (ex-Arch), T118 (ex-Armada), T119 (ex-Aspire), T120
(ex-Assail), T271 (ex-Fancy), T272 (ex-Marvel), 7273 (ex-Measure), T274 (ex-
Method), T275 (ex-Mirth), T276 (ex-Nucleus), T277 (ex-Disdain), T278 (ex-
Palisade), T279 (ex-indicative), T280 (ex-Penetrate), T281 (ex-Peril), T282
(ex-Rampart), TS21 (ex-Admirable), T522 (ex-Adopt), T523 (ex-Astute), TS24
(ex-Augury), T52S (ex-Barrier), T526 (ex-Bombard), TS93 (ex-Bond), T594
(ex-Candid), T595 (ex-Capable), T596 (ex-Captivate), T597 (ex-Caravan), T598
(ex-Caution)
Thirty-four US Admirable class minesweepers were loaned to the Soviet
Union under Lend-Lease, the first 10 units being handed over in 1943 and
commissioned with the Northern Fleet (T111-T120) followed by a further 24
for the Pacific Fleet in 1945. T114, T118 and T120 were sunk by U-boats in the
Kara Sea in 1944, T278 was lost in the Pacific, T279 was mined off Korea
10.8.45, and 77/6, T117 and T522 were scrapped after the war. T281, T521,
T523-TS26 and TS93-TS98 were stricken in 1954; T111-T113,77/5 and 77/9
were scuttled in 1956; and the remaining boats were purchased by the USSR in
the 1950s.
DOROTEYA coastal minesweeper (built 1924)
Displacement: 443t standard; 500t deep load
Dimensions: 151ft 7in x 21ft 4in x 13ft lin
46.20 x 6.50 x 4.00m
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 2 cyl boilers, 400ihp = 8kts
Armament: 2-45mm/46
Complement: ?

DZHALITA coastal minesweeper built 1926)

Displacement: 470t
Dimensions: 132ft lOin x 20ft 8in X 9ft 6in
40.50 x 6.30 x 2.90m
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 2 cyl boilers, 300ihp = 8kts
Armament: 2-45mm/46
Complement: ?
Vladimir Polukhin about 1945 Boris Lemachko Collection

340
 Minesweepers/Motor torpedo-boats

Tral as completed

TRAL class coastal minesweepers (launched 1935-40)

Displacement: 434t standard; 490t deep load
Dimensions: 203ft 5in oa X 25ft x 7ft 9in
62.00 x 7.62 x 2.37m
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels, 2800bhp = 18kts
Armament: l-100mm/56, l-45mm/46, 30 mines
Complement: 52

Class: T201 (Zaryad), T202 (Bui), T203 (Patron), T204 (Fugas), Tl (Stryela),
T2 (Tros), T3 (Provodnik), T4 (Podsekatyel), T20S (Gafel), T206 (Verp), T207
(Shpil), T208 (Shkiv), T209 (Knekht), T210 (Gak), T211 (Rym), T212 (Shtag),
T213 (Krambol), T214 (Bugel), T215, T216, T217, T218, T219 (Kontradmiral T442, T446 and others of the T371 class Jerzy Micinski Collection
Khoroshkin), T220, T221-T224, T401 (Tral), T402 (Minrep), T403 (Gruz, ex-
T371 class
Elling), T404 (Shchit), T40S (Vzryvatyel), T406 (Iskatyel), T407 (Mina), TS
(Paravan), T6 (Kapsul), T7 (Viekha), T8 (Cheka), T408 (Yakor), T309 (Gar-
pun), T410 (Vzryv), T411 (Zashchitnik), T412 (Arseniy Raskin), T413, r-JL*

T414-T416.
This, the first Soviet-built class of minesweepers, was intended as the stan¬
dard medium minesweeper type for the second and third five-year plans. Design T371 class
work started in 1933; the prototype boat was laid down in 1934 and this was
followed by a further 26 under the second five-year plan. A total of 48 had been Displacement: 150t standard; 180t deep load
laid down prior to the German invasion, and possibly a further 8 were planned, Dimensions: 127ft 1 lin x 18ft x 4ft 1 lin
to give seven 8-boat flotillas distributed two each among the Baltic, Black Sea 39.00 x 5.50 x 1.50m
and Pacific Fleets, and one for the Northern Fleet. During the war A A arma¬ Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels, 1440bhp = 14kts
ment was augmented on some boats by adding 1 to 3-37mm/67 and 3 to 6-0.5in Armament: 2-45mm/46 (2x1), 4—0.5in MG (2x2), 18 mines
MG, as well as 20mm and 0.3in MGs. The complement reached 60. Built at the Complement: 32
Zhdanov Yard (T201-T208, T1-T4) and at the Izhora Works (T209-T224) in
Leningrad, and at Sevastopol Dockyard (T401-T416, TS-T8). Small steel minesweepers were designed during the war for mass production in
T201-T203, T206, T208, T209, T212-T214, T216 and T402 were lost by the small yards. To simplify construction as much as possible, straight hull lines
mining, T219 was sunk during fitting out but refloated and commissioned were adopted, which allowed use of flat sections only. The protoype boat was
8.5.45, T403 was sunk by an S-boat 28.2.43, T40S was damaged by German laid down in 1942 and from 1943 onwards five were delivered monthly. In 1944
coastal batteries off Yevpatoria 7.1.42 and was stranded, T410 and T411 were the new enlarged version - T371 class - was introduced. Built in Leningrad,
sunk by U-boats, and T413 was sunk by German aircraft off Sevastopol. about 145 units were completed during the war, followed by a large number
T414-T416 were unfinished, their hulls presumably being captured by the after the war, the type continuing in production until 1955 or 1956. Approxi¬
Germans; T221-T224 had their construction suspended but were possibly mately 250 were built by this date. Nine were delivered to Poland in 1946, and
completed after the war. TI-T8 were sold to North Korea around 1955. many others were sold or loaned to satellite navies during the 1950s.

T297-T299 T108 class

Class: T297 (ex-Virsaitis), T298 (ex-Viesturs), T299 (ex-Imanta).
The former Latvian gunboat and two minesweepers were seized by the
Soviets in 1940 and commissioned with the Baltic Fleet as minesweepers. T297
was mined 2.12.41 and T299 on 1.7.41. T298 was renumbered T5I (June 1940)
and T57 (September 1941). For further details see under Latvia.
Fifteen RN and RCN motor minesweepers were handed over to the Soviet
Union in 1944—45 and commissioned with the Northern Fleet as T108-T110,
T121-T122 and with the Black Sea Fleet as T193-T202. They were returned
after the war.

T151 class
T301 class Forty-three US ‘YMS’ class minesweepers were handed over to the Soviet Navy
Displacement: 130t standard; 155t deep load in May-September 1945 under Lend-Lease. Of these, 31 were commissioned
Dimensions: 101ft 8in x 16ft lin x 4ft 7in with the Pacific Fleet as T151-T1S6, T581-TS92 and T599-T611 and 6 each
31.00 x 4.90 x 1.40m with the Baltic and the Black Sea Fleets as T181-T186 and T187-T192 respec¬
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels, 960bhp = 12.5kts tively. Two became war losses, 7 were scrapped by the Soviets by 1954 and a
Armament: 2-20mm (2x1), 4-0.5in MG (2x2), ? mines further 11 by about 1956, 12 were declared unseaworthy by the Soviets in 1954
and scrapped afterwards, and 11 were scuttled in the Barents Sea under USN
Complement: 32
supervision.

MOTORTORPEDO-BOATS
ANT1-ANT4 experimental MTBs Sh4 type (built 1928-32)
Displacement: 10.9t standard; 12.8t full load
This group of MTBs comprised four vessels of differing characteristics. ANTI, Dimensions: 59ft 4in x 10ft llin X c3ft 3in
built in 1921, was powered by a 160hp Isotta-Fraschini petrol engine, giving a 18.08 x 3.33 x c 1.00m
speed of 40kts; she was unarmed. The second boat, believed numbered ANT2 Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 Wright Typhoon (later boats Isotta-Fraschini)
and probably also unarmed, was built around 1925; her petrol engine gave her a petrol engines, 1050bhp = 44kts (later boats 1600bhp =
50kts)
speed of 35kts. ANT3 (Pervenec) displaced 8.9t and was armed with 1—18in
torpedo and 2 MGs; built in 1927, she was fitted with 2 Wright Cyclones Armament: 2-18in torpedoes, 1-0.3in MG
delivering 1050bhp = 54kts. ANT4 (Tupolev), slightly bigger at lOt, had the Complement: 6
same machinery, giving 50kts, and was armed with 2—18in torpedoes and 1 MG;
she was built in 1928. Pervenec and Tupolev were designed at the Central The first series MTBs of the Soviet Navy. 36 were authorized under the 1926
Aero-Hydrodynamic Institute under Ing A N Tupolev and served as prototypes Naval Programme, followed by about 16 more under the first five-year prog¬
for the Sh4 type MTBs. ramme. The design was developed from British CMBs, a few of which remained

341
SOVIET UNION

G8 experimental MTB
A 26t design armed with 2-2lin torpedoes and 3 MGs, built in 1938. Her four
petrol engines developed 3200bhp = 47kts.

D2 experimental MTB
This 17t MTB was built in 1939 and was powered by 2 GAM-34FN petrol
engines with an output of 2200bhp. She was armed, however, as a submarine-
chaser with 2 MGs and 52 depth charges.

SH4 type boat Author’s Collection

in Soviet hands after the Civil War. The hull was of aluminium alloy. Approxi¬
mately 55 were commissioned, serving in the Baltic, Black Sea and Pacific.
Careless treatment and lack of maintenance caused the rapid wearing out of all
the boats of this class, and by the end of 1930s they were used as sub-chasers,
guardships of the NKVD, training units or naval harbour launches.

SMI, SM2 experimental MTBs (built 1931)

25t MTBs powered by 3 GAM-34 petrol engines (1540bhp = 30kts), built under
the designation Stalnoi.
TKA116 of the D3 type in 1944 Boris Lemachko Collection

D3 type
Displacement: 32t standard; 35t full load
Dimensions: 71ft x 13ft x 4ft 4in
21.63 x 3.96 x 1.33m
Machinery: 3 shafts. See notes
Armament: See notes
Complement: 9-14

A large MTB type developed during the third five-year plan and a radical
departure from the ‘small MTB’ policy. Of wooden construction, these boats
had more satisfactory living accommodation compared with earlier types, and
their ability to stay at sea in Force 6 conditions and an improved torpedo
launching system increased their fighting efficiency.
Because of engine shortages many of the early boats received powerplants not
called for in the original design - installations included GAM-34FN (3600bhp =
■\ T-* -V * ■
39kts), GAM-34 (2025bhp = 32kts) and 2 GAM-34BS + GAM-34 (2375bhp =
35kts). Some were completed as sub-chasers by installing one engine less. AA
TKA12S of the G5 type, Series 10 Jerzy Micihski Collection
armament varied, some boats carrying between 1 and 4-0.5in and others 1 or
2-20mm. Only 3 boats were in commission at the beginning of the war (2 of
them with the Northern Fleet) but 12 more were running trials in the Baltic. A
G5 type total of about 130 boats were constructed during 1939—45 for deployment with
Displacement: 14.03t (Series 9 14.8t, Series 10, 11 16.25t) the Baltic Fleet (about 110), the Northern Fleet (about 16) and the Black Sea
Fleet (the rest). Only about 10 were lost during the war, and a considerable
Dimensions: 56ft 9in wl x 10ft 1 lin (Series 10, 11 lift 2in) x 1ft 1 lin
(Series 9 2ft 2in, Series 10, 11 2ft 8in) number were reclassified as sub-chasers. Two transferred to Poland in 1946; the
17.30 x 3.33 (3.40) x 0.60 (0.65, 0.82)m others were stricken during the 1950s.
Machinery: 2 shafts. GAM-34 (Series 9 GAM-34B, Series 10
GAM-34BS, Series 11 GAM-34BS-F) petrol engines,
1250bhp = 45kts (Series 9 1600bhp = 49kts, Series 10 SM3 experimental MTB
1700bhp = 53kts, Series 11 2000bhp = 56kts)
Armament: 2-21in torpedoes, 1 to 2 MG. See notes A 26t design built in 1940 and armed with 2-21in torpedoes and 2 MGs. 3
Complement: 6 or 7 GAM-34FN petrol engines, 3300bhp = 45kts.

Improved version of the standard Sh4 type and intended as the standard MTB
for the second five-year programme. Production of these boats was continued D4 experimental MTB
during the third five-year plan however, simply because there was no good
design for the replacement type available before 1940. Approximately 253 boats Built in 1940, this boat was powered by 3 GAM-34FN petrol engines (3300bhp
were completed before the war, followed by 39 built during hostilities. Possibly = 39kts) and armed with 2-21in torpedoes and 12 MGs. She displaced 22t. An
some others were commissioned after the war, and 4 boats were sold to the unnamed boat, powered by 2 diesel engines (2400bhp = 56kts) and displacing
Republican Forces during the Spanish Civil War. 15t, was also built in 1940.
The G5 class comprised about 152 Series 7, 8 and 9 boats completed in
1934—36, about 20 Series 10 boats produced in 1937 and about 120 Series 11
which completed the class in 1945. Machine gun armament varied: Series 7 KOMSOMOLEC class
boats carried 1-0.3in MG, Series 8-10 1-0.5in, and Series 11 1-0.3in and
1-0.5in, or just 1 or 2-0. Sin. ROFS-82 or ROFS-132 rocket launchers were also Displacement: ?15t
fitted to late production versions. Of 42 boats of this class in commission with Dimensions: ?
the Baltic Fleet, 77 with the Black Sea and 135 with the Pacific Fleet on 22.6.41, Machinery: 3 shafts. GAM-34FN petrol engines, 3300bhp = 57kts
73 were lost and 31 discarded or decommissioned, which, together with war Armament: 2-2lin TT, 4-0.5in MG (2x2)
production and the two boats refloated and recommissioned with the Finnish Complement: ?
Navy and returned in 1944, gave about 191 boats in commission after the war.
This figure was almost instantly reduced by discarding boats of earlier series; This new design of small MTB was presumably intended to replace the G5 type
others were discarded during 1950s, some being transferred to North Korea. boats under the third five-year plan. The hull was of aluminium construction,
and TT were installed instead of launching or dropping gear as in earlier types.
The prototype boat ran trials in the Baltic in 1940 but series production of these
G6 experimental MTB boats had not been introduced before the German invasion and the programme
was suspended until the end of 1944. The first series Komsomolec class MTBs
Built 1935 and displacing 70t, this experimental boat was powered by 8 GAM- entered service with the Baltic Fleet in 1945 and were followed by at least 12
34BS petrol engines developing 6800bhp = 42kts. Armament consisted of more transferred to the Pacific Fleet before the Soviet Union declared war on
3-2lin TT, l-45mm/46 and 3 MGs. Japan.
 Submarine-chasers

A Komsomolec class boat in 1948

Boris Lemachko Collection

A1 class
US Vosper 70ft type transferred to the Soviet Union 1944-45. A total of 140
boats of this type were intended for transfer but only 90 were actually shipped,
whilst delivery of a further 50 was cancelled after the end of the war with Japan.
All but one reached Soviet ports; of these 2 were lost during the war.
A2 class
US Higgins 78ft type transferred to the Soviet Union 1943-45. 59 units were
scheduled for transfer, and all but 4 cancelled in 1945 and 2 lost during transfer
were commissioned with the Soviet Navy. Seven were war casualties.
A3 class
US Elco 80ft type delivered to the Soviet Navy 1944-45. 60 boats were
scheduled and actually delivered. All survived the war.
Altogether, 259 US-built MTBs were scheduled for transfer to the Soviet
Union under Lend-Lease; of these, 205 were shipped and 202 actually reached
Soviet ports and were commissioned with the Soviet Navy. 53 were shipped in
‘knocked-down’ condition and assembled in Russia. 9 were war losses, 76 were
returned to the USN 1954-55, 26 were scrapped by the Soviets after the war, 66
were declared unseaworthy in 1954 and presumably scrapped afterwards, and
25 were scuttled in the Barents Sea under USN supervision in 1956.
The Soviets seized 12 MTBs from the Romanian and Bulgarian Navies in
August and September 1944 respectively. All were commissioned with the
Black Sea Fleet, being designated TKA9S1-TKA95S and TKA958-TKA964.
They were returned in 1945. For further details see under Romania and Bul¬
garia.

SUBMARINE-CHASERS
M02 type
Displacement: 5 It
Dimensions: 85ft 4in x 13ft lin x 4ft 3in
26.00 x 4.00 x 1.30m
Machinery: 2 shafts. GAM-34 petrol engines, 1350bhp = 14kts. Petrol 5t
Armament: 2^45mm/46 (2x 1), 2-0.5in MG (2x1)
Complement: 14

The first Soviet-built sub-chasers, the design for which was authorised under
the second five-year programme both as a coast guard launch for the NKVD and
submarine-chaser for the Navy in the event of war. Of wooden construction,
these were not a successful design since they did not achieve their designed
speed of 25kts, they lacked manoeuvrability and stability, and the fuel system
was unreliable. Only one series (76—?12) of this type was built, in 1935, and the
construction of the others was cancelled in favour of a new design following
petrol explosions on one boat.

M04 type
Displacement: 50.5t standard; 56.5t full load
Dimensions: 88ft 3in x 13ft lin x 4ft lOin
26.90 x 4.00 x 1.48m
Machinery: 3 shafts. 3 GAM-34 (later boats GAM-34BS) petrol engines
2025bhp = 24kts (later boats 2550bhp = 26kts)
Armament: 2-45mm/46 (2x 1), 2-0.5in MG (2x 1), 3-0.3in MG (3x1)
Complement: 24
B02 type
This design was prepared in 1936 as an improvement of the ill-fated M02 type.
Displacement: 240t
A third engine was added and a new gearing system gave reverse thrust.
Seakeeping qualities, manoeuvrability and stability were improved as compared Dimensions: 160ft 9in x 19ft x 6ft 7in
49.00 x 5.80 x 2.00m
with the earlier design; however, owing to their rudimentary equipment they
were not efficient ASW units and served more frequently as patrol craft. Four Machinery: 3 shafts. Diesels, 330(b-3600shp = 22kts. Oil 18t
large mines could be carried. Armament: l-3in/55, 2-37mm/67 (2x1), 3-0.5in MG (3x1)
Two prototypes were built in 1936 and mass production was begun under Complement: 30
the third five-year programme. At least 80 vessels of this type were commis¬
sioned with the Soviet N avy before the war, followed by a large number of others These, the largest of the Soviet sub-chasers, entered production during the third
during hostilities. They were used before the war as patrol launches with the five-year plan after a considerable delay - at least 11 were planned for service by
NKVD (PK designation), or sea-going sub-chasers (MO) or guardboats (SKA) 1 January 1939. Seventeen had been laid down before the German invasion; of
during the war. these only 2 were commissioned before the war, and a further 15 were completed

343
SOVIET UNION
during hostilities. The first five units had diesels of Soviet design, whilst the
others were powered by General Motors diesels. A large number of this type
were, however, laid down during the war, entering service in the post-war years;
some of these had Soviet-designed machinery. The B02s were built at the
Krasnaya Sormovo Yard, Gorki, the Zelyenodolsk Yard on the Volga, the 402
Yard, Molotovsk, and the Diomedes Inlet Yard near Vladivostok.

.......
M0328 of the TK type Jerzy Micinski Collection

TK type
Displacement: About 32t
Dimensions: 71ft x 13ft x 4ft 4in
21.63 x 3.96 x 1.33m
Machinery: 2 shafts. GAM-34BS petrol engines, 1700bhp = 24kts
Armament: l-37mm/67, 2-0.5in MG (2x1)
Complement: 12

Sub-chasers or guardboats based on the D3 MTB design, some of these MTBs

were built entirely for this purpose, whilst others were adapted to this role
BM0622 about 1947 Boris Lemachko Collection because they proved too slow for MTB duties.

BMO type BO201 class

Displacement: 74t US sub-chasers of the ‘SC’ type. 12 were delivered to the Northern Fleet in 1943
Dimensions: 82ft X 14ft lin x 3ft llin followed by 34 more in 1944; 32 were allocated to the Pacific Fleet. 4 were lost
25.00 x 4.30 x 1.20m during the war, 10 were returned to the USN in 1955, and 29 were scuttled in the
Machinery: 3 shafts. 2 M-50 plus 1 auxiliary diesel, 2000 bhp + 400bhp = Barents Sea in 1955 followed by 10 more in the Pacific 1955-56. The remainder
20kts were purchased by the Russians.
Armament: 1^45mm/46, l-37mm/67, 1-0.5in MG AA; or l-37mm/67, A total of 138 US-built sub-chasers were transferred to the Soviet Union
4-0.5in MG (2x2) under Lend-Lease between 1943 and 1945; 78 ‘SC’ type, 26 ‘OTC’ type and 36
Complement: 24 ‘RPC’ type. All but 9, which were war losses, were returned to the USN,
scuttled under US supervision, purchased by the Soviets, or scrapped by them
Could carry mines. by the mid-1950s.

MISCELLANEOUS
VESSELS
SUUROP class minelayers
The former Estonian minelayers Ristna and Suurop were seized by the Soviets in
1940 and commissioned with the Baltic Fleet. Suurop was sunk by German
aircraft in autumn 1941; Ristna became training ship postwar and was scrapped
in 1960. For further details see under Estonia.
MARTI minelayer
Displacement: 5665t standard; 6198t deep load
Dimensions: 401ft 3in x 50ft 6in x 22ft 4in DON minelayer
122.30 x 15.40 x 6.80m
Machinery: 2- shaft VTE, 4 boilers, ll,500shp = 14kts The Romanian minelayer Admiral Murgescu was seized by the Soviets in August
Armament: 4—130mm/50 (4x1), 7-3in/55 (7x1), 3-45mm/46 (3x1), 1944 at Constanza and commissioned with the Black Sea Fleet as Don. She was
3- 0.Sin MG AA, c320 mines returned after the war. See under Romania.
Complement: 400

Name Converted by Date of Fate ONYEGA class netlayers

conversion Displacement: 530t
MARTI (ex-5hlandart) Marti Yd, Leningrad 1932-25.12.36 BU cl960 Dimensions: 186ft 8in x 30ft 6in x 1ft
56.90 x 9.30 x 0.30m
The former Imperial yacht Shtandart, built during 1893-96 by the Burmeister & Machinery: 1-shaft VTE, 1 boiler, 330ihp = 8kts
Wain Yard, Copenhagen, was converted into minelayer and commissioned with Armament: 3^t5mm/46 (3x1)
the Baltic Fleet. This conversion was not an outstanding success: only 320 mines Complement: 50
were carried on 6000t displacement and Marti proved to be too slow for efficient
minelaying. After sustaining minor damage in 1941—42 she was repaired in Class: Onyega, Vyatka
1943, and then used as a floating battery during the defence of Leningrad. Two steam barges under construction in Krasnaya Sormovo Yd, Gorki were
Overhauled and re-engined at Rostock during the late 1940s, she was used as a converted in 1941 into netlayers and commissioned with the Baltic Fleet. They
training ship, and was renamed Oka in 1957. had a minelaying capability.

344
 Miscellaneous vessels

KORALL gunboat Type 1125BKA armoured motor gunboats

The Lithuanian gunboat Primunas was seized by the Soviets in 1940 and Displacement: 29t
commissioned as an NKVD guardship; she was incorporated into the Soviet Dimensions: 74ft 2in x 11ft 6in x 1ft 8in
Navy in June 1941. Re-armed and reclassified as a gunboat, she was lost in 1944. 22.60 x 3.50 x 0.5m
See under Lithuania. Machinery: 1 shaft. Petrol engine, 720bhp = 20kts. Petrol It
Armour: Turret faces 2in. Light plating on CT and sides
Two Romanian gunboats, Locotenant-Comandor Stihi Eugen and Sublocoten- Armament: 1-3in/41.2, 1-0.Sin MG, 2-0.3in MG (2x1)
ant Ghilescu, were taken over by the Soviets in August 1944 at Constanza and Complement: 10
commissioned with the Black Sea Fleet as Achtuba and Angara respectively.
They were returned in 1948. For further details see under Romania.

MBK type armoured motor gunboats

UDARNYI class river monitors (built 1932)
Displacement: 150t
Displacement: 385t
Dimensions: 118ft lin x 17ft 9in X 4ft llin
Dimensions: 167ft 4in x 26ft llin x 2ft 8in 36.00 x 5.40 x 1.50m
51.00 x 8.20 x 0.82m
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels, lOOObhp = 18kts
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels, 1600bhp = 13kts. Oil 20t Armour: Turrets ljin-2in, CT lfin-2in
Armament: 2-130mm/50, 4-45mm/46, 6 MG Armament: 2-85mm (2x1), l-37mm/67, 4-0.5in MG (2x2). See notes
Complement: 70
Complement: 38 to 42

Class: Aktivnyi, Udamyi

These ships were widely used during the Civil War in the large land areas where
Built at the Leninskaya Kuznica Yard, Kiev. Aktivnyi served with the Amur the rivers and lakes were the best and most reliable means of communication and
Flotilla and was discarded in the 1950s; Udamyi served with the Dniepr and defence. Utilising their experience in this type of warfare the Soviets developed,
Danube flotillas and was sunk 18.9.41 by German aircraft.
under the second five-year programme, two basic types of small armoured
motor gunboats. These types were preceded by the experimental ‘N’ and ‘K’
types armed with 1-16mm MG and 2-3in guns respectively.
Mass production of the Type 1124 and the Type 1125 boats was begun around
.a Zheleznyakov 1945
1935 mainly in the small inland yards. The early boats were armed with the Type
L-20 3in gun in the turret used on the T-28 and T-35 tanks (turret armour fin).
After the 3in/30.5 turret of the famous T-34 tank was made available around
ZHELEZNYAKOV class river monitors (built 1934—39) 1939, the new AMGs received this installation. War production boats had
Model 1940 3in/41.2 guns as they were introduced on T-34 tanks. ROFS-82
Displacement: 263t
rocket launchers were fitted on some boats during the war.
Dimensions: 157ft 6in X 24ft llin X 2ft 6in By the time of the German invasion 85 boats of these two types had been
48.00 x 7.60 x 0.75m
commissioned and 68 were under construction. On 18.8.41 a further 110 units
Machinery: 2 shafts. Diesels, 300bhp = 7.6kts were ordered and all were completed during hostilities.
Armament: 2-4in (1x2), 4-45mm/46 (2x2), 4 MG A third type of (sea-going) AMG was developed during the war. The design
Complement: 70 for this was drawn up shortly before the outbreak of war as an enlarged version
of the Type 1124. The construction of the prototype was begun in Leningrad in
Class: Flyagin, Levachev, Martynov, Rostovtsev, Zheleznyakov, Zhemchuzhin 1941 and this was completed in 1943. Further units were delivered in 1944.
Built at the Leninskaya Kuznica Yard at Kiev for service with the Dniepr Intended for use in the shallow waters of the Baltic, they were in the event
Flotilla. All were lost except Zheleznyakov, which has been preserved at Kiev. employed fox a wide range of duties. Later units were fitted with 2-100mm
instead of 2-85mm.
Five Polish river monitors scuttled by the Poles on Prypec in September 1939 All three types were very successful vessels. At least 270 of them were built
were refloated by the Soviets and commissioned with the Soviet Pinsk Flotilla: between 1935 and 1945, and of these around 90 were lost.
Bobruisk (ex-Krakow), Smolensk (ex-Horodyszcze), Vinnica (ex-Warszawa), Vit¬
ebsk (ex-Torun) and Zhitomir (ex-Pinsk). All were lost in 1941, Bobruisk possibly
being bombed but the rest blown up to prevent their falling into enemy hands.
For further details see under Poland.
R type minesweeping launches
Five Romanian river monitors -Ardeal, Ion C Bratianu, Alexandru Lahovari,
Besarabia and Bukovina - were seized by the Soviets in August 1944 and Displacement: 30t
commissioned with the Soviet Danube Flotilla as Azov, Mariupol, Berdyansk, Dimensions: 68ft llin x 10ft lOin x 3ft 7in
Kerch and Izmail respectively. All survived the war. 21.00 x 3.30 x 1.10m
Machinery: 2 shafts. Petrol engines, 140bhp = 9kts
Armament: 1 to 2-0.5in MG
Type 1124BKA armoured motor gunboats Complement: 11
Displacement: 421
Dimensions: 82ft x 12ft 6in x 2ft 7in
25.00 x 3.80 x 0.80
K type minesweeping launches
Machinery: 2 shafts. Petrol engines, 1600hp = 28kts. Petrol 4t Displacement: 16t
Armour: Belt Jin, turret faces 2in, CT Jin Dimensions: 51ft 2in x 9ft lOin x 2ft lOin
Armament: 2-3in/41.2 (2x1), 2-0.5in MG (1x2) 15.60 x 3.00 x 0.70m

Complement: 17 Machinery: 1 shaft. Petrol engine, lOkts

Armament: 2-0.5in MG
Complement: 7

MSV type minesweeping launches

Displacement: 13t
Dimensions: 45ft llin x 9ft lOin x 2ft lOin
14.00 x 3.00 x 0.70m
Machinery: 1 shaft. Petrol engine, lOkts
Armament: 1-0.5in MG
Complement: 6

Small boats of wooden construction built during the war in large numbers by
various yards, most of them for the Baltic Fleet. Their size restricted their use to
shallow, inland and harbour waters only.

Type 1125BKA boats in March 1945

Boris Lemachko Collection

345
SOVIET UNION
The PK and MKM type small motor launches were built before and during the
KM4 type minesweeping launches war and were used in civilian service and as the NKVD guard launches. Because
of their high speed it was intended that they be employed on ASW duties but in
Displacement: 9t
the event they were used for a wide range of different tasks.
Dimensions: 45ft llin X 10ft 6in X 2ft 7in
14.00 x 3.20 x 0.80m
Machinery: 2 shafts. Petrol engines, 146bhp = lOkts
YOSIF STALIN class naval icebreakers
Displacement: ll,000t
KM 5 type minesweeping launches Dimensions: 349ft 9in x 92ft 2in x 30ft 2in
106.60 x 28.10 x 9.20m
Displacement: lOt
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE,9 watertube boilers, 10,500shp = 15.5kts. Coal-
Dimensions: 45ft llin x 10in lOin x 2ft llin
/oil 3000t
14.00 x 3.30 x 0.90m
Armament: 2-100mm/56 (2x 1), 4—3in/55, 2 MG, 3 aircraft
Machinery: 1 shaft. Petrol engine, 170bhp = 10.5kts
Complement: 142
Minesweeping launches of almost identical appearance, armed with 1-0.5in MG
Name Builder Launched Fate
and carrying a crew of 10, which were employed with river and lake flotillas and
on other shallow waters. ANASTAS MIKOYAN Marti Yd, 1938 Discarded 1970s
Nikolayev
LAZAR KAGANOVICH Marti Yd, 30.4.1937 Discarded 1970s
PK type motor launches (ex-Otto Shmidt) Nikolayev
VIACHESLAV Ordzhonikidze Yd 8.8.1939 Sold for BU 1967
Displacement: 23t MOLOTOV
Dimensions: 73ft lOin x 13ft 1 in x 4ft 3in YOSIF STALIN Ordzhonikidze Yd 14.8.1937 Discarded 1970s
22.50 x 4.00 x 1.30m
Machinery: 2 shafts. Petrol engines, 1650bhp = 27kts These large vessels were authorised under the second five-year programme and
Armament: 1-0.5in MG, 2-0.3in MG were the first ships of their type built by the Soviets. Yosef Stalin, completed in
Complement: 23 1939, was transferred to the Arctic bfore the war, renamed Admiral Lazareyev in
1953 then Sibir in 1960. Lazar Kaganovich, completed in 1938, was also trans¬
ferred to the Arctic before the war; she was renamed Admiral Lazareyev in 1960.
MKM type Anastas Mikoyan was almost complete when she was transferred to the Pacific
Fleet via the Mediterranean (aided by British pilots), the USA and Montevideo
Displacement: 18t
during 1941-42. She was refitted by the Todd Dry Dock Corp at Seattle.
Dimensions: 53ft 2in x 10ft 6in x 3ft llin
Viacheslav Molotov remained incomplete at Leningrad, but was commissioned
16.20 x 3.20 x 1.20m
in 1945 or 1946; she was renamed Admiral Makarov in 1957.
Machinery: 2 shafts. Petrol engines, 1650bhp = 27kts
Armament: 1-0.Sin MG, 1-0.3in MG
Complement: 9

Admiral Lazareyev (ex-Lazar Kaganovich) in the 1960s Jerzy Micihski Collection


Poland
The early 1920s spelt the end of the ambitious Polish naval programmes
worked out in 1920, and settled the composition of the Polish Navy for
the next decade, a force of 6 torpedo-boats, 2 gunboats, 4 minesweepers
and 6 river monitors. Such divergence between early projects and hard
reality was not entirely due to economic and industrial problems: the
country had almost 2000 miles of land border but only 90 miles of
coastline.
THE ‘SMALL PROGRAMME’
The considerable investments made by the Polish Government in
Gdynia and the gradual stabilisation of Poland’s economy brought
about the possibility of additional military expenditure, and in 1924 the
KMW (Kierownictwo Marynarki Wojennej = Directorate of the Navy)
drew up a so-called ‘small programme’ which envisaged the building of
2 cruisers, 6 destroyers, 12 torpedo-boats and 12 submarines over a
period of twelve years. A naval base would have to be built at Gdynia to
house and supply the Polish ships as well as those of the French Navy
which, according to the 1921 alliance, could be expected in case of war
with Russia. In 1925 the KMW asked for the authorisation of 9
submarines (3 minelaying) and the necessary shore facilities as well, but
by mid-1925 the Polish currency was in serious trouble and all but the
minelaying submarines fell victim to budget cuts. Quite unexpectedly,
however, the KMW received from the War Ministry permission to
order two additional destroyers from France. In fact, as there were no
naval yards on Polish soil all five ships were ordered in 1926 from
French yards. Delivery was only concluded in 1932: Wicker, the fastest
built, was delivered 20 months late andBurza took 6 years to build. The
ships had many design and construction faults, which discouraged the
KMW from placing orders with French yards for some time. The Great
Depression buried any hopes of completing the ‘small programme’ and
by the mid-1930s no new ships had been laid down. In 1933 the
economic situation improved and new orders were possible. Four
replacement minesweepers were ordered from Polish yards, which
produced quite satisfactory boats in a reasonable time - a notable
achievement for the Polish shipbuilding industry which proved its
ability to produce warships. The bigger ships had to be ordered abroad,
however. In 1934 an order for a minelayer was placed in France, but
this vessel was widely criticised for its poor fighting qualities and its
high cost, which was equivalent to that of a large destroyer. A much
better bargain was obtained from Britain. Two ‘super-destroyers’ were
ordered from Samuel White, resulting in a pair of splendid boats which
were far in advance of other designs at the time.
SHIPS BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION
By the end of the 1920s the Polish community had become widely
interested in maritime affairs, thanks to the development of Gdynia:
spontaneous local action had produced funds for the expansion of the
Navy. In 1930 the Reichsminister Treviranus questioned the legality of
the Polish possession of Pomerania, and thereupon the Polish public
organisations arranged a nationwide subscription for the building of a
submarine. By the middle of 1935 the equivalent of £200,000 had been
raised from voluntary contributions, and with this money the KMW
ordered a submarine from the Koninklijke Maatschappij de Schelde,
adding another boat from its own funds. The Dutch yard had been
chosen because of a distrust of French yards and because of the out¬
standing reputation of the Dutch shipbuilding industry. Both ships
were delivered in 1939 and proved to be exceptionally successful. It was
also planned to build 17 MTBs from public subscription - one from
each of the Polish provinces.
Poland
THE SIX-YEAR RE ARMAMENT PROGRAMME
The introduction of national service in Germany in 1935 and the
militarisation of the Rhineland posed problems for the defence of
Poland. Steady economic growth and political changes had made Polish
military planning receptive to new ideas. The six-year re-armament
programme authorised in 1936 promised a thorough modernisation of
the Polish armed forces, based mainly on the country’s own industrial
capability. A large industrial complex, located between the Vistula and
San rivers (far from both the German and Russian borders) had been
planned in the late 1930s, but unfortunately little had been completed
before the outbreak of war.
The preliminary programme worked out by the KMW in 1936 called
for the expansion of the Navy to a force of 8 destroyers, 12 submarines,
1 minelayer, 12 minesweepers and 10 MTBs during the six-year pro¬
gramme. However, this was not approved in its entirety, and reduc¬
tions were made in all categories of ships. A total of 2 destroyers, 2
submarines, 2 minesweepers and 2 MTBs had been ordered before the
war, and a pair of 300t minesweepers and 5 MTBs (2 built from public
subscriptions) were envisaged, together with the modernisation of the
Wicker class destroyers. The destroyers, minesweepers and three of the
MTBs had to be built in Poland. Only 2 minesweepers of this pro¬
gramme had been delivered before the war.
WORLD WAR II
On 1 September 1939, when the Germans invaded Poland, the Polish
Navy consisted of 4 destroyers, 5 submarines, 1 minelayer and 6
minesweepers, as well as 2 gunboats and several other old or auxiliary
vessels. Of these scant forces, the destroyers Blyskawica, Burza and
Grom were on their way to the British Isles under Operation ‘Pekin’.
This hard decision of depriving the home waters of the major part of
their defence had been made because of the hopeless position of these
precious ships in the face of an overwhelming German superiority both
on the sea and in the air. Of the remaining vessels, Wicker and Gryf were
destroyed by German bombers during the third day of the war, and the
minesweepers, having operated successfully from Jastarnia for a while,
were totally destroyed by German bombers on 14.9.39.
The Polish submarines employed for the defence of Hela had no
targets for their torpedoes, as the Germans planned no landings on the
Peninsula. All were shifted to patrol duty in the central Baltic on 8.9.39
but again had no targets. Because of German air supremacy the Polish
submarines were not able to enter Gdynia or Hela, but had to use
neutral harbours, where all but Wilk were interned by the end of
September; of these, Orzel escaped from Tallin and after a lone patrol
in the Baltic she sailed for Britain.
Some minor boats of the Pinsk Flotilla had been transferred to the
Vistula in spring 1939 and they fought the Germans briefly until
paralysed by shallows and damaged bridges; they were subsequently
scuttled. The bulk of the Pinsk Flotilla (6 monitors and 3 armoured
motor gunboats) remained on the Prypec, however, and the ships were
scuttled there when the Soviets invaded the eastern provinces of Poland
on 17.9.39.
By mid-October 1939 the Polish Flotilla in Britain consisted of 3
destroyers and 2 submarines which had been operating with the Royal
Navy. On 18.11.39 Count E Raczynski, the Polish Ambassador in
London, and Mr Cadogan signed an agreement to form the Polish
Naval Detachment in Great Britain. According to this agreement the
Polish warships came under the operational control of the Admiralty,
while administration, command and regulation would remain in Polish
hands. The agreement also embraced the conditions by which British
347
Blyskawica and Grom at a British port after Operation ‘Pekin’

ships would be loaned to the Polish Navy. A total of 2 cruisers, 6 and the sub-chasers BM0552, M0325-M0329, M0368-M0372 and
destroyers, 3 submarines and 9 MTBs were transferred to the Poles M0546 of the TK class (commissioned as Blyskawiczny, Bezwzgledny,
during hostilities. Bystry, Dziarski, Dzielny, Kamy, Niedoscigly, Nieuchwytny, Odwazny,
The Polish Navy in exile performed gallantly, participating in all Smialy, Sprawny and Szybki respectively).
major Allied operations in the Atlantic as well as in the Mediterranean
and Arctic. The Polish ships took part in 1949 convoys, patrols and
operations, in which they sank 7 surface warships, damaged 11 others,
sank 2 submarines (3 others unconfirmed) and destroyed 39 enemy
transports. In these actions 1 cruiser, 3 destroyers and 2 submarines
were lost. To quote the British professor Brian Tunstall, ‘Of all the THE POLISH NAVY IN 1922
navies of the United Nations, none has fought better under circum¬
stances of extreme operational difficulty than the navy of Poland’.
By May 1945 the Polish Navy consisted of 1 cruiser, 6 destroyers (1 TORPEDO-BOATS
in reserve), 3 submarines (1 in reserve) and 5 MTBs. All these ships
Disp
were handed over to the Royal Navy between July and September
Name Launched (full load) Fate
1946, and those belonging to Poland were retroceded to the new Polish
Government. Ex-German ‘A’ class
GORAL (ex-A80) 1917-18 381t See notes
KRAKOWIAK (ex-A64) 1917-18 381t See notes
THE NEW NAVY KUJAWIAK (ex-A68) 1917-18 38 It See notes
In 1944 part of the Polish territories west of the Curzon Line were freed SLAZAK (ex-A59) 1917-18 38 It See notes
from German control and power was seized by the Communist Ex-German V105 class
administration there. To secure the areas around Gdansk and Gdynia, KASZUB (ex-Vl08, 1914 412t Lost 20.7.25
c.x-Z4)
whose liberation was soon expected, it was decided to organise the
MAZUR (ex-V705, ex-Z/)1914 412t Sunk 1.9.39
Naval Reserve Batallion. This unit was the first in the People’s Navy,
which was officially founded on 7.7.45, after the Polish Provisional
Government of National Unity had been recognised de jure by the
western powers. The new naval authority at once began efforts to Mazur in 1935 x-

recover vessels belonging to Poland, and by the end of 1945 three

submarines had returned from Sweden, followed in 1946 by the four
minesweepers seized by the Germans in 1939. On 5.4.46 the Polish
Navy received 9 minesweepers, 2 MTBs and 12 sub-chasers as its quota
of German ships seized by the Allies. The Soviet Union, obliged at
Potsdam to do so, began to build up the Polish Navy with production
from Russian yards.
The following Soviet warships were transferred to Poland in place of
the German units allocated as war reparations: the minesweepers T225,
T228, T232, T243, T244 and T4S6, plus 3 others all of the T371 class
(these were commissioned as Albatros, Czapla, Jaskolka, Jastrzab,
Kania, Kondor, Kormoran, Krogulec and Orlik); the MTBs TKA76 and
TKA116 of the D3 class (commissioned as Tpl and Tp2 respectively);
Ex-German ‘A’ class
With the exception of Krakowiak, which was scrapped in 1937, these vessels
were all captured by the Germans in 1939; their ultimate fates are unknown.
Goral was renamed Podhalanin in 1922.
Ex-German V105 class
Originally ordered for the Royal Netherlands Navy. Mazur was rebuilt as a
gunnery training ship from 1931: her forecastle was extended, her TT were
removed and 2—75mm were added. In 1935 one boiler room and one funnel were
removed and the bridge was remodelled. She became the first warship to be lost
in World War II, sunk by German bombers on 1.9.39. The wreck was raised by
the Germans and scrapped.

348
 Poland

Wicher was sunk at Hela by bombers, but the wreck was raised by the
GUNBOATS Germans and sunk in the shallows of the Gulf of Gdansk. It was expended in the
1950s as a target. Burza sailed to Britain with the ‘Pekin’ flotilla, and by mid -
Disp 1940 she carried l-3in A A in place of the after TT bank as well as 8-0.5in MG
Name Launched (full load) Fate additionally. Modernised for escort duties in 1942 at Portsmouth, she carried
Ex-Russian Golub class
2-130mm (2x1), l-3in AA, 4-40mm AA(1x4), 4—20mm AA (4x 1), 3-550mm
TT (1x3) and Hedgehog, together with Type 271 and Type 292 radar. Used as a
GENERAL HALLER 1918-19 441t Sunk 6.9.39
(ex-Turunmaa, ex-Vodorez) stationary training unit and submarine depot ship from 1944, she was towed to
Poland in 1951, modernised 1952-55 as an AA frigate, and became a museum
KOMENDANT 1918—19 441t See notes
PILSUDSKI ship at Gdynia in 1960. She was scrapped at Szczecin in 1977.
(ex-Karjakla, ex-Lun)

Komendant Pilsudski was scuttled 1.10.39 following the invasion of Poland but
was raised by the Germans and recommissioned as Heistemest. Redesignated
M3109, she was finally lost 16.9.44.

Warszawa class river gunboat

Other units in the Polish fleet in 1922 consisted of the ex-German ‘FM’ class GROM class destroyers
minesweepers Czaika (ex-FM27),Jaskolka (ex-FM2), Mewa (ex-FM31), and Displacement: 201 It standard; 3383t full load
Rybitwa (ex-FM28), and the Warszawa clss river monitors Horodyszcze,
Dimensions: 374ft oa x 36ft lin x 10ft lOin mean
Mozyrz, Pinsk and Warszawa. The latter were modernised during the 1930s, 114.00 x 11.00 x 3.30m
when their draught was reduced; Mozyrz was renamed Torun.
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 3-drum boilers, 54,500shp
= 39kts. Oil 130—350t
Armament: 7-120mm/50 (1 x 1,3 x 2), 4-40mm/60 (2 x 2), 8-13.2mm MG
Ex-British ‘D’ class cruisers (4x2), 6-550mm TT (2x3), 44 mines
Complement: 180
The British cruiser Dragon was loaned to the Polish Navy on 15.1.43. The first
cruiser operated by the Polish Navy, she served (under her old name) until Name Builder Launched Fate
8.7.44 when she was torpedoed off Normandy by a German one-man torpedo of BLYSKAWICA White, Cowes 1.10.1936 Preserved 1976
the Neger type. A constructive total loss, she was expended as a breakwater for GROM White, Cowes 20.7.1936 Lost 5.5.40
the ‘Mulberry’ harbours. The replacement unit - HMS Danae - was handed
over to the Poles 4.10.44 and renamed Conrad. She survived the war and was
These ships, ordered 29.3.35 and laid down in the autumn of that year, were the
returned to the RN 28.9.46.
best and fastest destroyers in the world when built. They sailed to Britain with
the ‘Pekin’ flotilla and underwent minor refits to suit them to Atlantic sea
Wicher 1932 conditions and were re-armed with 1^4in AA gun in place of the after bank of
TT. Grom was sunk by bombers from Kampfgeschwader 100 in Rombaksfjord
off Narvik. Blyskawica received four twin 4in AA guns and 4-20mm AA in lieu
of her 120mm weapons and MGs in December 1941. The single 4in A A gun was
removed and both sets of TT were installed again by 1941-42, and she carried
Type 271 radar. Having an A A armament equivalent to that of the ‘C’ class
cruisers, she was often regarded as an A A cruiser. By the end of the war both the
fore set of TT and the Type 271 radar had been removed. Her electronic
WICHER class destroyers equipment consisted then of Type 291, Type 284 gunnery, and Type 293 radar.
Displacement: 1540t normal; 1920t full load She returned to Gdynia in 1947 and was flagship of the Polish Navy until the late
Dimensions: 351ft 8in oa X 33ft 2in X 10ft lOin mean 1960s. Two additional units of this class - Huragan and Orkan - were ordered
107.20 x 10.10 x 3.30m 1.5.39 at the Naval Workshops in Gdynia for delivery in 1942, but the materials
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 3-drum boilers, 35,OOOshp were only partly assembled before the German invasion.
= 33kts. Oil 330t max
Armament: 4—130mm/40 (4x1), 2^tt)mm/40 (2x1), 4-13.2mm MG
(2x2), 6-550mm TT (2x3), 60 mines GARLAND destroyer
Complement: 155
This British ‘G’ class destroyer was transferred to the Polish Navy 3.5.40, the
Name Builder Launched Fate first ship loaned to the Poles by the Royal Navy during the war. Her name was
not changed, and she was returned 24.9.46. See under Great Britain.
BURZA CNF 16.4.1929 BU 1977
WICHER CNF 8.7.1928 Sunk 3.9.39

The first large, modern ships of the Polish Navy. The design was based on that
OUR A GAN destroyer
of the French torpilleurs d’escadre of the Bourrasque class, extensively improved,
The former French destroyer Ouragan was seized by the Royal Navy after the
however, according to the requirements of the Poles. The ships were ordered
fall of France in 1940 and transferred to the Polish Navy 18.7.40. She was
2.4.26 from an inexperienced yard (for political reasons), Wicher being laid
commissioned under the same name, and returned to the RN 30.4.41. See under
down 19.2.27 and Burza 11.11.27, but they were delivered 20 (Wicher) and 32
France.
months late because of numerous defects and the bankruptcy of the yard;
despite many improvements to the original design, they still had a number of
shortcomings. The most significant alteration made before the war was the
removal of the mainmast. It was planned to modernise the ships during the early
PIORUN destroyer
1940s in order to standardise gunnery, improve the AA defence and standardise
The British ‘N’ class destroyer Nerissa was transferred to the Polish Navy
the silhouettes with that of the Grom class.
5.11.40 to compensate for Grom which had been lost off Narvik. Renamed
Burza with postwar modifications as a museum ship at Gdynia Antoni Ratajczak Collection Piorun, she was returned 28.9.46. See under Great Britain.

ORKAN destroyer
The British destroyer Myrmidon (‘M’ class) was transferred to Poland 18.11.42
and renamed Orkan. She was sunk whilst covering the SC-143 convoy by a
‘Gnat’ acoustic torpedo from the German submarine U378, 8.10.43. 178 lives
were lost - the heaviest blow for the Polish Navy during the war. See under
Great Britain.

Three British ‘Hunt’ (Type 2) escort destroyers were also handed over to the
Polish Navy: Silverton on 20.4.41, Oakley on 30.5.41 and Bedale on 17.4.42.
They were renamed Krakowiak, Kujawiak and Slazak respectively. Kujawiak
was mined off Malta 16.6.42; the others were returned 28.9.46. See under Great
Britain.

349
EASTERN EUROPE
Ordered 29.1.35, Orzel being built by public subscription, these large ocean¬

- ...
Wilk 1939
going submarines proved to have excellent fighting qualities. They were of
‘double hull’ type, with a pressure hull of 5 compartments. Diving limit was
260ft, and radius 7000nm at lOkts/lOOnm at 5kts. Orzel commissioned 2.2.39;
Sep arrived at Gdynia in April 1939 before builder’s trials had been concluded,
WILK class submarines to avoid the danger of German sabotage. Sep was interned at Stavnas (Sweden)
Displacement: 980t/1250t 17.9.39. Orzel arrived at Tallin 15.9.39 on account of mechanical problems and
her commander’s illness. Against international law, she was interned there the
Dimensions: 257ft 6in oa x 19ft 4in x 13ft 9in
78.50 x 5.90 x 4.20m same day, presumably under pressure from the Germans. Charts, navigation
Machinery: equipment and part of the armament were confiscated. Despite all this, and
2-shaft Normand-Vickers diesels plus 2 electric motors,
1800bhp/1200shp = 14kts/9kts under the nose of an Estonian gunboat, Orzel broke out from T allin 18.9.39, and
Armament: 6-550mm TT (4 bow, 1x2 trainable on pressure hull; 10 after a lonely Baltic patrol she entered the Sund Narrows 8.11.39, the last Polish
torpedoes), l-100mm/40, l-40mm/40, 40 mines warship operating in home waters during the war. She arrived at Rosyth
Complement: 54 14.10.39, evading minefields and the air and naval patrols of the Kriegsmarine.
She was lost, from an unknown cause but probably mined, in the North Sea .Sep
Name Builder Launched Fate was returned to Poland 25.10.45.
Modified Orzel class design
RYS A C de la Loire, 22.4.1929 BU 1954 £ -■-- -
Nantes
WILK A C Augustin- 12.4.1929 BU 1951
Normand ORZEL (modified) class submarines
ZBIK CNF 14.6.1931 BU 1954
Displacement: 1175t/1550t
Minelaying submarines of the ‘Normand-Fenaux’ type ordered 1.12.26. Dimensions: 285ft oa x 26ft 3in x 17ft
Enlarged versions of the French Saphir class, their diving limit was 260ft and 86.87 x 8.00 x 5.18m
their radius 2500nm at lOkts/lOOnm at 5kts. The were of ‘double hull’ config¬ Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus 2 Brown-Boveri electric motors,
uration. These vessels were good sea boats but they were noisy, their external 20kts/9kts
fuel tanks gave off oil leakages even with slight damage, and their minelaying Armament: 12-550mm TT (4 bow, 4 stern, 2x2 trainable on pressure
system was unreliable. They were delivered 27, 38 and 32 months late respec¬ hull; 20 torpedoes), 4-^10mm/60 (2x2), ?MG
tively. The 40mm AA gun was replaced by 2-13.2mm MG (1x2) during 1930s. Complement: p
Rys and Zbik were interned in Stavnas (Sweden) on 17.9.39 and 27.9.39.
Together with Sep, they were transferred to Loch Malar to prevent them Name Builder Launched Fate
escaping. Wilk sailed to Britain through the Sund Narrows and arrived at
I A C Augustin- - BU 1940
Rosyth 20.9.39. She was used as a training ship from September 1940, but
Normand
because of her poor condition was decommissioned 2.4.42. She was towed to
II A C de la Loire, - BU 1940
Poland in 1951 and subsequently scrapped. Rys and Zbik returned to Gdynia
Nantes
25.10.45 and served with the Polish Navy until the early 1950s.
Two ocean-going submarines ordered in 1938 and laid down the following year
as a modified version of the Orzel class, with delivery scheduled for 1940-41.
‘Double hull’ type. The absence of a medium calibre gun and the heavy AA
armament were remarkable for the time. Work on both vessels was suspended
22.4.39, and the hulls were destroyed on the slipways by the Germans.
Orzel as completed

JASTRZAB submarine
The former US S25 was scheduled for delivery to the RN together with R3 to
investigate the usefulness of these old types to the RN. However, the Polish
ORZEL class submarines
crew of the non-operational Wilk was chosen to man S2S, and for propaganda
Displacement: 1100t/1473t (1650t full load) reasons she was commissioned directly as the Polish Jastrzaf), flying the White
Dimensions: 275ft 7in oa x 22ft x 13ft 8in Ensign as well as the flag of Poland. Despite the fact that ‘S’ class submarines
84.00 x 6.70 x 4.17m had been allocated for training duties in the RN, Jastrzab was sent to screen the
Machinery: 2-shaft Sulzer diesels plus 2 Brown-Boveri electric motors, PQ15 Russian convoy, because her crew was clamouring to go into action. She
4740bhp/1100shp = 20kts/9kts. Oil 76.5m3 was sunk in error by the Norwegian destroyer St Albans and the British
Armament: 12-550mm TT (4 bow, 4 stern, 2 x 2 trainable on pressure minesweeper Seagull in the Norwegian Sea 2.5.42.
hull; 20 torpedoes), l-105mm/41, 2-40mm/60 (1x2),
2-13.2mm MG (1x2)
Complement: 60 Ex-British ‘U’ class submarines
Name Builder Launched Fate Two submarines of this class were transferred to the Polish Navy during
ORZEL De Schelde 15.1.1938 Lost 8.6.1940 construction: Urchin on 19.1.41 (commissioned as Sokol) and PS2 on 11.10.42
NYd, Vlissingen (Dzik). Their brief service in the Mediterranean earned them the nickname
SEP Rotterdam DYd 17.10.1938 Discarded 1970 ‘Terrible Twins’. Dzik was a training vessel from 15.12.44. Both were returned
to the RN, Dzik on 25.8.46 and Sokol 2 days later.

Orzel at a British port in 1940

GRYF minelayer
Displacement: 2250t normal
Dimensions: 338ft 7in oa X 43ft X lift lOin
103.20 x 13.10 x 3.60m
Machinery: 2-shaft Sulzer diesels, 6000bhp = 20kts. Oil 100-3lOt
Armament: 6-120mm/50 (2 x 1,2 x 2), 4-40mm/60 (2x2), 4-13,2mm MG
(2x2), 600 mines
Complement: 205

Name Builder Launched Fate

GRYF A C Augustin- 29.11.1936 Sunk 3.9.1939
Normand

350

Gryf in 1938
Antoni Ratajczak Collection
Ordered in 1934, this ship was designed by the KMW for a variety of tasks -
none of which she was able to fulfil very effectively. Her primary role was
minelaying, but she had to be used as a training ship for cadets and as a state
yacht as well. She was overgunned, and had too small an area allocated for her
machinery as her displacement was restricted owing to a shortage of available
funds. She was laid down 14.11.34 and completed 27.2.38. After receiving
slight damage on 1.9.39, she was docked and sunk (together with the floating
dock) to serve as a battery at Hela. She was destroyed by German bombers on
3.9.39, but both ‘X’ and ‘Y’ 120mm guns, together with her twin 40mms, were
removed from the wreck to augment the defence of the Hela Peninsula. The
wreck was raised by the Germans and sunk in the shallows of the Gulf of
Gdansk. Used as a target after the war, she was partially raised and scrapped by
the 1960s.
Jaskolka as completed
JASKOLKA class minesweepers (launched 1934—38)
Displacement: 183t (last two 185t)
Dimensions: 147ft 8in oa x 18ft x 5ft lin moulded
45.00 x 5.50 x 1.55m
Machinery: 2-shaft Nohab diesels, 1040bhp = 17.5kts
Armament: l-75mm/35 (last two 1-13.2mm MG), 2-0.3in MG (2x 1), 20
Complement: 30
Class: Czajka, Jaskolka, Mewa, Rybitwa, Czapla, Zuraw
Built at the PZInz Yard, Modlin {Czajka,Rybitwa), the Gdynia Yard {Mewa)
and Warsztaty Portowe Mar Waj, Gdynia (the rest). All were sunk or damaged
in September 1939, but Czajka, Mewa, Rybitwa smdZuraw were repaired by the
Germans and recommissioned as Westerplatte {TFA1 l),Putzig {TFA7),Rixhoft
{TFA8) and Oxhoft, being returned to Poland 12.3.46 and not discarded until
1960.
SI class MTBs (built 1939-40)
Displacement: 39t full load
Dimensions: 75ft oa x 16ft 8in x 4ft 6in max
22.86 x 5.08 x 1.37m
Machinery: 3-shafts. Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines, 3450bhp = 45kts.
Petrol 5t
Armament: 2-2lin TT (2x1), l-40mm/60, 2-0.3in MG (1x2)
Complement:
These two boats were ordered 24.1.39 from funds made available by public
subscription, and were scheduled for delivery from Whites, Cowes, in March
1940. They were completed asMGB47 andMGB48 with l-20mm AA, 2-0.5in
Estonia
Although in 1922 Estonia had been independent for only three years,
her navy presented a strong and balanced force. At sea two destroyers,
two gunboats and two minelayers were supported by a number of
auxiliaries, while on the Pejpus (or Chudskoye) Lake, Estonia operated
a force of about three gunboats.
All Estonian ships were of Russian origin, belonging previously to
the Tsarist Imperial Navy; most of them were found in Estonian
harbours in 1918, the noteworthy exceptions being the two destroyers,
which were captured in 1918 by British destroyers operating off the
Estonian coast and promptly presented to Estonia.
Poland/Estonia
MG (1x2) and 4—0.3in MG (2x2). The former was ceded to the Polish Navy
17.8.40 as SI {Chart), re-armed with 8-0.3in MG (4x2) instead of the original
MGs. Decommissioned 21.2.44.
S2, S3 MGBs (built 1939-40)
British Power Boat vessels intended as submarine-chasers for the Royal Nor¬
wegian Navy, but commissioned into the RN as MGB44 and MGB4S, later
renumbered MGB204 and MGB205. They were transferred to the Polish Navy
19.7.40 and 28.7.40 and commissioned asS2 {Wilczur) and S3 (Wyzel) respec¬
tively. S3 was discarded 20.5.43 because of hull damage; S2 was discarded
5.7.44.
S4 MTB (built 1942-43)
The Briush Power Boat MGB113 was transferred to the Polish Navy 5.7.43. In
1944 she was re-armed as an MTB, and on 18.4.44 was returned.
S5-S10 MTBs (built 1944)
The British MTB424-MTB429 were transferred to the Polish Navy between
May and October 1944 and commissioned as S5-S10 respectively. SS was
returned 15.10.44, the others on 8.5.45.
CH11, CHI5 submarine-chasers
These former French sub-chasers were seized by the Briush on 3.7.40 and
transferred to the Polish Navy 19.7.40. They were commissioned under the
same names, and were returned to Britain 5.2.41.
A.
.i‘T* Krakow as completed
KRAKOW class river monitors
Displacement: 70.3t normal
Dimensions: 114ft lOin oa x 19ft 8in x 1ft 3in
35.00 x 6.00 x 0.39m
Machinery: 2 shafts. Perkun-Kromhout diesels, 120bhp = 7.5kts. Oil
1.6-3.5t
Armour: Belt 6mm, deck (above machinery spaces) 5mm, CT and
turrets 5mm-8mm
Armament: 2-75mm (1x2), l-100mm howitzer, 4—0.3in MG (4x1),
miiics
Complement: 29
Class: Krakow, Wilno
Ordered 31.12.23 from the Zelniewskiego Yard in Krakow, these were the
First warships designed and built entirely in Poland. The propellers were placed
in tunnels, and the 75mm turret was built around the small CT, which gave a
360° arc of fire. Both vessels commissioned with the Pinsk Flotilla in 1926.
About 1932 they were re-armed with 3-100mm howitzers of the new pattern in
place of the guns quoted above. By the end of the 1930s the AA armament had
been augmented by 2 or 4 twin 13.2mm MGs.
Krakow was scuttled on the Prypec off Kuzliczyn 21.9.41, but raised by the
Russians and commissioned with the Soviet Pinsk Flotilla as Bobruisk (see under
Soviet Union); Wilno was blown up near Osobowicze 19.9.39.
The only Estonian acquisition during the 1920s was a former Ger¬
man torpedo-boat raised from the Moonsound shores and repaired.
This was done owing to circumstances rather than to any need and
Estonia concentrated upon maintaining her navy and not expanding it.
A strong naval force was undoubtedly a serious financial strain for a
small country, even if the Estonian economy was growing in the
pre-depression period.
The early 1930s brought a notable change in fleet composition: the
destroyers Lennuk and Wambola were sold to Peru since they were
unsuited to local conditions. With the money received and the funds
351
EASTERN EUROPE

Estonian warships about 1930: torpedo-boat

Sulev and destroyer Lennuk; the funnel with
one band belongs to the minelayer Suurop
Boris Lemachko Collection

spared on ship’s maintenance, a fleet expansion programme was drawn

up, wherein the construction of submarines, torpedo-boats and MTBs SULEV torpedo-boat (launched 1916)
was contemplated. Of these, only the submarines were built, arriving Displacement: 227t normal; 286t full load
in Estonia from British yards in 1937. In the same year Estonia under¬ Dimensions: 164ft oa x 17ft 5in x 7ft 8in, 9ft 6in max
50.00 x 5.32 x 2.34, 2.90m
took warship construction in her own yards and the fleet was streng¬
Machinery: 1-shaft Schichau geared turbines, 1 Navy boiler, 3500shp =
thened two years later with the commissioning of the gunboat Pikkeri, 24kts. Oil 53t
which also served as a Presidential yacht. One more gunboat for the Armament: 2-450mm TT (1x2), 2-75mm (2x 1), 10 mines
Coast Guard was probably built to replace the obsolete Kou, and two Complement: 35
minelayers were reported building to replace the old paddle vessels of
the Ristna class. Whatever the designs were, they were interrupted by The former German torpedo-boat A32, with minesweeping capabilities. On 25
October, 1917 she was stranded on the Moonsound. Salved in 1923 by Estonia,
the outbreak of the Second World War and subsequent events.
she was subsequently overhauled and in 1924 entered service in the Estonian
The Soviet Union, aiming at strengthening her western borders, Navy. She was taken over by the Soviets on 13 August 1940, renamed Ametist
concluded a treaty of mutual assistance between herself and Estonia on and employed as an NKVD guard vessel. In 1942 she was relegated to auxiliary
28 September 1939. According to this treaty small detachments of the duties (transport and tender); after the war she was used as a training ship for the
Soviet Army had to be stationed on Estonian territory for defence NKVD Coast Guard School. Her final years (1952-54) were spent as a blockship
at Leningrad. She was scrapped in 1955.
purposes. The Estonian regime remained the same. On 16 June 1940 a
note was sent to Estonia (and also Latvia) by the Soviets, complaining
about provocations taking place on Estonian territory against the Soviet
Kalev as completed
Army and asking for the setting up of a government able to guarantee
the carrying out of the terms of the 1939 treaty. The USSR asked also
for a strengthening of Soviet military detachments stationed in Estonia. KALEV class submarines
Five days later the new Estonian government was established and the Displacement: 620t/850t
Communist Party of Estonia was able to emerge and increase its influ¬ Dimensions: 190ft 3in x 23ft llin X 10ft lOin
ence. Exactly a month later Estonia was proclaimed a Soviet Socialist 58.00 x 7.30 x 3.30m

Republic. The Estonian Parliament accepted this proposition; a deleg¬ Machinery: 2-shaft Vickers diesels plus electric motors, 1200bhp/790shp
= 13.5kts/8.5kts
ation went to Moscow at the end of July 1940 and the amalgamation was
Armament: 4-533mm TT (bow), l^f5mm AA, l-20mm AA, 20 mines
finalised on 6 August 1940. All ships in the Estonian Navy were Complement: 38
henceforth incorporated into the Soviet Baltic Fleet.
Name Builder Launched Fate
KALEV Vickers- 1937 Sunk Nov. 1941

THE ESTONIAN LEMBIT

Armstrong,
Barrow
Vickers- 7.7.1936 Preserved 1979
NAVY IN 1922 Armstrong,
Barrow

DESTROYERS
Name
LENNUK (ex-Avtroil) 1917
WAMBOLA (ex-Spartak, 1917
ex-Kapitan I Ranga
Miklucha Maklaj)
Built in Great Britain, these ships were undoubtedly the most valuable fighting
units in the Estonian Navy. On 13 August 1940 they were taken over by the
Launched Disp Fate Soviets, although their names remained unchanged. Kalev was sunk in
November 1941 by mines off Hango while serving as transport submarine.
1350t To Peru 1933
Lembit survived the war and was renamed Ul in 1945. Renamed S85 in 1949,
1200t To Peru 1933
she was transferred in 1956 to a naval shipyard and used for experimental
purposes. In 1979 she became a memorial at Tallin.

4
Pikkeri approximate appearance
Wambola in the late 1920s
when in Soviet service

PIKKERI gunboat (launched 1939)

1 * ft JS. . “|
Displacement: 500t standard; 540t full load
Dimensions: 187ft oa x 24ft lin x 8ft 6in
There were also the gunboats Lembit (tx-Bieber, ex-Bobr, BU 1925), Laine
57.00 x 7.35m x 2.60m
(ex-Sputnik, sunk 24.7.41) and Wanemune (ex-Imperator, scuttled 1941) and the
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels, 1900bhp = 18kts
minelayers Ristna (ex-18, ex-Apostol Piotr, BU 1960) and Suurop (ex-79, ex-
Armament: 2-75mm (2x 1), 2 MG
Apostol Pavel, Psunk August 1941).
Complement: ?43

352
Kalev in May 1939
P A Vicary

This, the most modern Estonian surface vessel, was built at Tallin and was also
the Presidential Yacht. On 13 August 1940 she became a Soviet staff vessel with
her name unchanged. From 2.12.1941 she served as the aviso and staff vessel
Kiev, and was renamed Luga on 15 March 1942. After the war she was relegated
to auxiliary duties and from 1946 to 1955 served as a tender under the name
Rioti. In 1955 she was sold to the Moscow State University and rebuilt as a
research vessel with the name Moskovskoi Universitet. Transferred to the Black
Sea, she remained in commission until the late 1960s, when she was scrapped.
In addition to the above, the Estonian Navy had the following minor vessels: 6
gunboats of under 200t (Mardus, Taara, Uku, Tartu, Ahti and Ilmatar, the last
three on Lake Pejpus); 3 minesweepers of under 50t (Kalev, Olev and Tahkona);
8 motorboats of under 50t (MPS, MP8, MP10, MP14,MP23, Sakala, Delta
and Erilane); 3 icebreakers (Suur Toll, Tasuja and Juri Vilms)', 2 auxiliaries of
over 200t (Kalewipoeg and Kajak); and 4 tugs (Tallin, Merikaru, Heino and
Leiger). There was also the frontier guard gunboat Kou, built 1909, displacing
lOOt, with a speed of 12kts and an armament of l-?57mm and 2 MGs. She was
probably deleted before the war and replaced by a vessel of the same name, built
1938-39 in Tallin. This vessel was presumably seized by the Soviets in 1940, but
her ultimate fate is unknown.

Latvia
The Latvian Navy was formed in 1918, when a small number of former Both these units were ordered in France in 1925. Their diving depth was about
Tsarist vessels were found in harbours taken over by the Latvian 160ft. In August 1940 they were incorporated into the Soviet Navy, retaining
administration; these were augmented in 1921 by an ex-German their original names. Both were overhauled in July 1941 at Liepaja, where they
were blown up and scuttled on 24.6.41 to avoid their falling into German hands.
minesweeper, salvaged and repaired by the Latvians.
The economic situation of Latvia was much more healthy than that
of other Baltic States, since she was much more industrialised. This,
and need to secure her coastal defences, enabled funds to be found in
the mid-1920s for the expansion of the Navy, but two submarines and
two minesweepers were the only fighting ships Latvia built either
abroad or at home. With the Depression in the 1930s the possibilities to
expand the Navy disappeared.
Like other Balkan states, Latvia became a Soviet Socialist Republic
IMANTA class minesweepers (launched 1926)
in 1940. The conduct of the Latvian government between the wars, Displacement: 256t standard; 310t full load
Latvian foreign policy, and the existence of strong Communist Party, Dimensions: 160ft 9in pp x 21ft x 4ft llin, 5ft llin max
49.00 x 6.40 x 1.50, 1.80m
made the process of joining the USSR identical to that followed by
Machinery: 2-shaft TE, 2 boilers, 750ihp = 14kts. Oil 30t
Estonia and Lithuania. Latvian warships became units of the Soviet Armament: l-75mm AA, 4 MG, 30 mines
Baltic Fleet in August 1940. During the war they fought in the Baltic, Complement: 39
where almost all were lost during 1941.
Class: I manta, Viesturs.
In 1922 the Latvian Navy possessed only one fighting vessel, the Built by A C Augustin-Normand {Imanta) and A C de la Loire, Nantes. Both
were seized by the Soviets in 1940, Viesturs being redesignated T298 and Imanta
guardship Virsaitis (the former German minesweeper M68). This unit T299. The former was again redesignated in June 1941 (TS1) and yet again in
was sunk 2.12.41. September that year (T57); she survived the war and was scrapped in the 1950s.
Her sister was mined 1.7.41.

Other Latvian naval vessels comprised the coast guardship Erglis-, 3 motor-
Ronis as completed
boats (Artilerists,Bulta andLidaka)-, 3 icebreakers (Krisjans Valdemars,Lacplesis
and Varonis)-, the survey ship Hidrografs-, and the training ship Svejenecks.
RONIS class submarines Spidola about 1939 Boris Lemachko Collection

Displacement: 390t/514t
Dimensions: 180ft 5in oa x 15ft 9in x lift lOin
55.00 x 4.80 x 3.60m
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 Sulzer diesels plus 2 electric motors,
1300bhp/700shp = 14kts/9kts. Oil 19t
Armament: 6-450mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern), l~75mm AA, 2 MG
Complement: 27

Name Builder Launched Fate

RONIS A C de la Loire, 1.7.1926 Scuttled 24.6.41

Nantes
SPIDOLA A C Augustin- 6.10.1926 Scuttled 24.6.41
Normand
EASTERN EUROPE

Lithuania
Unlike the other two Balkan States, Lithuania did not emerge in 1919
with even a small navy, and this factor undoubtedly influenced the
future development of Lithuanian naval forces. Another important
factor, limiting Lithuania’s interest in the sea, was her very short
coastline of only about 22 miles, although in 1924 the Klaipeda region
was added to Lithuanian territory as an autonomous province. At this
time only a few small motorboats existed for coastal patrol duties. In
1927 the only Lithuanian warship was bought - an ex-German mines¬
weeper; further acquisitions were limited to motorboats for the coast
guard service.
1939 was a significant year for Lithuania. In March the Klaipeda
region was seized by the Germans and became part of East Prussia. Six
months later a treaty of mutual assistance with the USSR was con¬
cluded according to which small detachments of the Soviet Army were
stationed in Lithuania. In June 1940 the USSR demanded the creation
of new government in Lithuania; after this government was estab¬
lished, it proclaimed the country a Soviet Socialist Republic in July
1940, and on 3.8.40 Lithuania joined the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics. The Lithuanian Navy, small as it was, was taken over by
Soviets and incorporated into the Baltic Fleet.
PRESIDENTAS SMETONA patrol vessel (launched
31.10.17)
Displacement: 500t normal
Dimensions: 183ft 9in wl, 194ft 6in oa x 24ft 3in x 7ft
56.00, 59.30 x 7.40 x 2.15m
Machinery: 2-shaft TE, 1 Navy boiler, 1850ihp = 16kts. Coal 120t
Armament: 2-105mm (2x 1)
Complement: ?40

The former German minesweeper M59, bought in 1927. Under the name
Presidentas Smetona she served as a patrol vessel. The name was changed to
Antanas Smetona about 1934 and then once again, on 22.6.40, to Primunas. In
August 1940 she fell into Soviet hands, was probably renamed Otlichnik, and
then became the NKVD guardship Korall. During the war she served as an
escort ship. She was sunk in 1944.

The Lithuanian naval forces also operated 6 motorboats (Aitvaras, Saulys,

Zaibas,Praschama ,Partizanas and Savanoris) and 1 icebreaking tug (Perkunas).

Presidentas Smetona in the late 1930s

Jerzy Miciitski Collection

Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia, being a small, landlocked country, maintained only
token riverine detachments on the Danube and Elbe rivers. The first THE CZECHOSLOVAKIAN
vessels were former Austro-Hungarian boats and these formed the
nucleus of the Czechoslovakian ‘navy’ for about ten years. NAVY IN 1922
The weakness of the Danube flotilla was recognised early on, but
only at the end of the 1920s were the first steps taken to supplement the
flotilla with modern vessels. Two big monitor-type patrol ships were
planned, but only one was built and this entered service in early 1930s.
In 1922 Czechoslovakian river detachments possessed 7 boats of under 35 tons
Two river minesweepers were begun in 1937, and two gunboats of and 8 motorboats of 8 tons.
modern design were also planned, but these were not begun.
The Anschluss in Austria created new problems for the Czecho¬
slovakian defences. Recognising the danger of German aggression and
PRESIDENT MASARYK river patrol vessel (launched
seeking a swift way to build up their forces, the Czechs tried to obtain
new vessels from foreign yards. The designs received were disappoint¬
1931)
ing - they were either obsolete colonial gunboats or ships unsuited for Displacement: 230t full load
riverine warfare. Finally, it was decided to buy ten MTBs of Higgins Dimensions: 160ft 9in X 19ft 8in X 3ft 7in
49.00 x 6.00 x 1.10m
design in the USA, for service as police motorboats in peacetime and
Machinery: 2 sets Skoda geared turbines, 2300hp = 16ikts
reconnaissance duties in the war. The Munich decisions prevented Armament: 4-66mm, 4 MG, 10 mines
these boats being delivered. Complement: 50
The political changes of 1938-39 spelt the end of the small Czecho¬
slovakian river flotilla. After the German occupation in December 1938 The largest ship of the Czechoslovakian Danube Floulla. In 1939 she was
the older ships were scrapped. The more modern ones were to be sold pressed into German service on the Danube under the name Bechalaren and in
1944 was redesignated GB1. Captured by the US Army in April 1944, she was
to Yugoslavia, but nothing came of these plans since the Germans
returned to Czechoslovakia in 1950 and hulked in 1955. The building of a
impressed them into their Donau Flotilla in April 1939. sister-ship was contemplated.

354
 Czechoslovakia/Hungary/Yugoslavia
These boats were incorporated into the German Danube Flotilla in 1939 and
OMm35 class river patrol boats (launched 1939) reclassified as river minesweepers under the names FM1 and FM2. Both were
Displacement: 60t transferred to Romania in 1941.
Dimensions: 105ft x 13ft lin x 3ft 3in
32.00 x 4.00 x 1.00m
Machinery: Other vessels in Czecholsovakian service (including those in service in 1922)
2 diesel engines, 900hp = 19|kts
comprised 2 motorboats of 35t, OMdl and 2; 2 motorboats of 30t, OMm33 and
Armament: 2 MG, 22 mines
34; 4 motorboats of 26t, OMvt29-32; 3 motorboats of 25t, OMh3, 4 and 5; 5
Complement: ?
motorboats of 12t, OMvl24-28; 10 motorboats of lOt, OMsl2,13 and 15-22 (on
the Elbe); 8 motorboats of 8t,OMsl 1-18; and 2 mine vessels of 1 ljt,MiPI and
Class: OMm3S, OMm36. II.

Hungary
SOPRON river patrol boat
Displacement: 140t normal
Dimensions: 149ft 3in x 19ft 8in x 3ft 3in
45.50 x 6.00 x 1.00m
Machinery: 2 sets AEG geared turbines, 2 Yarrow boilers, 1400shp =
18.6kts. Oil 18t
Armour: Side 10mm, deck 6mm, CT 10mm
Armament: 2-75mm (2x1), 6 MG
Complement: 42

Sister-vessel to Komarom, purchased from Austria in October 1927 and previ¬

The Danube, which flows through several European countries, plays a ously named Stor.
great part in the life of Hungary. Its role was recognised to greater
extent after the First World War, when Hungary lost access to the
Adriatic, and the Danube became the most important route connecting KECSKEMET class river patrol boats
landlocked Hungary with the sea. Displacement: 133t normal
As one of the defeated powers, Hungary was allowed to keep only a Dimensions: 144ft 4in x 19ft 8in X 3ft 3in
44.00 X 6.00 x 1.00m
small force of eight patrol boats, augmented by two launches and ten
Machinery: 2 sets AEG geared turbines, 2 Yarrow boilers, 1200shp =
motorboats, for police duties on the Danube. The terms allowed the 17.3kts. Oil 18t
Hungarian ‘navy’ to expand, as the first Hungarian ships were four Armour: Side 8mm, deck 6mm, CT 10mm
relatively modern patrol boats (belonging previously to the Austro- Armament: 4—66mm AA, 4 MG
Hungarian monarchy) and four small river minesweepers. Economic Complement: 40
recovery enabled the purchase in Austria of three vessels, sister-ships to
Class: Baja, Gyor
the boats already possessed, to go ahead in 1927; two years later the
The former Austrian Barsch and Compo, these craft were sister-vessels to the
next boat was bought from the same country, while one of the Hun¬ Kecskemet and Szeged and were obtained in 1929 and 1927 respectively, Compo
garian ships was transferred to Austria. being purchased and Barsch being received in exchange for Siofok.
During the Second World War Hungarian vessels operated with the
German Danube Flotilla. When the war ended, a new Hungarian
GODOLO river patrol boat
Danube Flotilla was created in 1945, equipped with wooden mine¬
sweeping boats. Displacement: 60t normal
Dimensions: 118ft lin x 15ft lin x 2ft 1 lin
36.00 x 4.60 x 0.90m
Machinery: 2 sets TE, 800ihp = 13.8kts
Armour: Side 5mm, deck 4mm, CT 5mm
Armament: l-66mm, 2 MG

THE HUNGARIAN Complement: 27

Sister-ship of Siofok, purchased from Austria in August 1927.

NAVY IN 1922
On strength in 1922 were the 140t river patrol boat Komarom (ex-Lachs, sunk
25.11.44), the 133t patrol boats Kecskemet (ex-Viza) and Szeged (ex-Bregalnica,
ex-Wels) and the 60t river craft Siofok (ex-Csuka, deleted 1944). These were all
launched between 1915 and 1918.
The Hungarian river forces also operated a number of small auxiliary vessels,
among them the armoured motor patrol boats/minesweepers Honved, Hiiszar
and Tuzer (former Austro-Hungarian); the supply vessel Csobanc; the staff
vessel Biik; and the training vessel B adacsony. During the war a number of other
ships were pressed into naval service as minesweepers.

Yugoslavia
THE ROYAL YUGOSLAVIAN NAVY
The Yugoslavian Navy experienced a sudden boom immediately after
the First World War, when the former Austro-Hungarian fleet was
transferred to the Yugoslavian flag. However, the Italians were
extremely uneasy about the rise of new naval power in the Adriatic area
and pressed the Allies to distribute the Austro-Hungarian fleet among
the victors. This was done, and only scraps of the former navy were
allocated to Yugoslavia. The ships received were twelve modern
torpedo-boats, four obsolete minesweepers, four river monitors and a
number of auxiliaries. The fleet was further strengthened during the
1920s, when six minesweepers of the German ‘M’ class and the old
cruiser Niobe were bought.
During the early 1920s the young kingdom was in a bad way both
politically and economically. The state was a multi-national one and the
Serbian part of the population dominated the Croatian and Slovenic

355
EASTERN EUROPE
The largest ship in the Yugoslavian
Navy, the cruiser Dalmacija (ex-German
Niobe)
Jerzy Micinski Collection
people. This led to constant unrest and was one of the factors in the
country’s very slow economic development. The year 1922 brought a
change for better. The economy was revived when foreign capital
began to flow into Yugoslavia, attracted by a stabilisation in both
domestic and foreign affairs. This situation, however, proved to be
temporary and worsened again when the world recession came.
It is small wonder that the Yugoslavian shipbuilding industry did not
build any new warships for the Navy for a long time. The first vessels
were five small mine tenders, left over on the stocks by the Austro-
Hungarians and completed by Yugoslavia in the early 1930s. Mean¬
while, other ships were ordered in foreign yards and the Royal Yugo¬
slavian Navy was strengthened by one destroyer, four submarines, two
CMBs and a number of auxiliaries. Any further expansion of the Navy
was prevented by lack of funds.
The end of the recession was marked by political unrest in Yugos¬
lavia that led to King Alexander’s assassination in Marseille in 1934.
The new government enabled German capital to penetrate the Yugos¬
lavian economy. This led also to a change in political orientation: the
links with Czechoslovakia, France and Great Britain were breached
and support was sought in Germany and Italy. In the naval field this
attitude was reflected in the ordering of a series of MTBs from Liirssen
(eight of this class were completed); in addition, the building of two
German Type II submarines for Yugoslavia was reported. German
shipyards were also considered when the building of two destroyers of
the improved Beograd class were discussed.
The situation lasted until the end of March 1941, when Yugoslavia
decided to turn her back on the Axis powers. Less than two weeks later
she was attacked by the Germans and Italians, with little chance of
survival. Her navy was bombed and later overrun by the Italians,
almost all the ships being incorporated into the Italian Navy with new
names. Only four ships escaped this fate: the destroyer Zagreb was
blown up in harbour, whilst the submarine Nebojsa and the MTBs
Durmitor and Kajmakcalan escaped to the Allies. These units formed
the nucleus of the Royal Yugoslavian Navy in exile. The riverine
forces, after putting up some resistance, were either scuttled or sunk by
bombs during the first days of the Yugoslavian campaign.
The Royal Yugoslavian Navy in exile was strengthened in 1943 by
one corvette, and then by the ships returned by Italy after that coun¬
try’s surrender. Further, in mid-1944, eight MGBs were transferred to
Yugoslavia under Lend-Lease. They remained under the Royal flag for
about a year, as on 29 November 1945 the Federal Republic of Yugos¬
lavia was proclaimed.
NAVAL FORCES OF THE YUGOSLAVIAN PEOPLE’S LIBER¬
ATION ARMY
The so-called ‘Tito’s Navy’ was borfi on 18 December 1942 as a part of
Yugoslavian People’s Liberation Army and its first ships were the
former fishing boats Partizan and Pionir. However, naval activities off
the Yugoslavian coast were underway even earlier, when fishermen
were busy fishing both the fish for food and mines for explosives. Their
boats were used also for transport duties.
The vessels used by the partisans were small boats armed with
captured Italian guns; weapons of US and British origin were later
made available. Some of the vessels were equipped with grenade
356
throwers. Almost all the ships had their command posts and gun
platforms protected with sandbags, wooden planks and steel sheets.
In mid-1944 the whole partisan fleet was reorganised under the
categories NB (Naoruzani Brod = armed ships), PC (Patrolni Camac =
patrol boats), MC (Molomi Camac = motor boats), B (Barkas —
launches) and BB (Bolnicki Brod = hospital ships). When in August
1944 twelve LCTs arrived, they received the designation MS (Motomi
Splavi = motor craft).
With the fall of Italy the Germans tried to take over the control of the
Adriatic, and to fight the partisans they equipped and armed six ships
of c200t each. However, their attempts were thwarted, when one of
them -Anton - was captured by partisans on 30 April 1944 and became
the biggest ship of‘Tito’s Navy’, with the nam eCrvena Zvezda (= Red
Star), her previous, Italian, name being Stella Blanca (= White Star).
Apart from the captured ships, other units joined the partisans: some
were transferred from the Allies, and some even escaped the puppet
Croadan Navy - as did one MTB of the former German KS class.
During the war nearly ninety small boats served the partisans as
warships, while over 200 ships were used as transports. After the war
these ships were returned to their previous owners, while the Navy
took over the ships belonging to the former Royal Yugoslavian Navy.
Some ex-Italian units were also taken over. However, only seven small,
old minesweepers and a midget submarine entered service before 1946;
further ships (torpedo-boats, submarines, etc) entered Yugoslavian
service after this date, but they fall outside the scope of this book.
THE NAVY OF THE INDEPENDENT CROATIAN STATE
The Croadan population did not relish the Serbian dominadon of
prewar Yugoslavia. This could clearly be seen when in 1941 the Croa¬
tian detachments were leaving the battlefields and refused to fight.
When Yugoslavia was occupied, the so-called Independent Croatian
State was created. Despite its name, the state was heavily dependent on
Germany and Italy both in domestic and external affairs. The Axis
powers allows the Croatians to have an army, but as the Italians decreed
the Mediterranean ‘Mare Nostrum’, they opposed to formation of a
Croatian Navy.
Although the Germans went along with the Italians, they did help the
Croatians create a ‘Black Sea Detachment’, composed of minesweeping
boats with Croatian crews and based at Varna. This was the first step
towards setting up of the Croadan Navy. The next was taken after
Italy’s surrender. The Germans, no longer restricted by any treaties
with the Italians and short of manpower, were eager to have Croatian
crews man the ships fighting the partisans. Thus some old ships
belonging previously to the Royal Yugoslavian Navy, as well as some
small German craft, were given to the Croatians.
German influence and Tito’s victories were the main reasons for the
gradual change of allegiance among the Croatian crews. A few small
boats escaped to the partisans and the crew of the torpedo-boat T7
proclaimed itself ready to mutiny and flee together with the boat. The
Germans anticipated events and changed the crew.
The Croadan Navy was short-lived. The remaining ships were sunk
and the organisers captured by the liberating forces in 1945 - and a few
months later tried.
 Yugoslavia

THE YUGOSLAVIAN repaired by Royal Yugoslavian Navy and served postwar); Drava (ex-Enns,
sunk by German bombers 12.4.41, raised by Hungary and scrapped); and

NAVY IN 1922 Vardar (ex-Bosna, scuttled 11/12.4.41). The cruiser Dalmacija (ex-German
Niobe) was also purchased in 1925. She was refitted as a gunnery training ship in
1926-27 and in April 1941 was taken overby the Italians as CaKaro. Captured by
the Germans and renamed Niobe once more on 11.9.43, she was soon
TORPEDO-BOATS transferred to Croatia as Zniam. She was stranded 19.12.43 and torpedoed by
Name British MTBs two days later.
Launched Disp Fate
77 class
Tl (ex-767) 15.12.1913 262t Deleted early 1960s
T2 (ex-777) 30.1.1914 262t BU 1939
T3 (ex-78T) 4.3.1914 262t Sunk 20.2.45
T4 (ex-797) 30.4.1914 262t Deleted 1932
T5 class
T5 (ex-87F) 20.3.1915 266t Deleted early 1960s
T6 (ex-93F) 25.11.1915 266t Scuttled 11.9.43
T7 (ex-96F) 7.7.1916 266t Sunk 25.6.44
T8 (ex-97F) 20.8.1916 266t Sunk 10.9.44
T9 class
T9 (ex-60T) 8.4.1907 2 lOt Deleted late 1920s Displacement: 1880t standard
T10 (ex-6IT) 18.4.1907 210t Deleted late 1920s Dimensions: 348ft 6inpp, 371ft 5inoa x 35ft x 11ft 9in mean, 13ft 5in max
Til (ex-697) 17.4.1909 2 lOt Deleted late 1920s 105.23, 113.20 x 10.67 x 3.58, 4.10m
T12 (ex-547) 10.9.1906 2 lOt Deleted late 1920s Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Yarrow boilers, 48,000shp
= 37kts. Oil 470t
T1 class Armament: 4—140mm (4x1), 2-84mm AA (1x2), 6-40mm AA (2x2,
Former Austro-Hungarian 74 class, T group torpedo-boats, allocated to Yugos¬ 2x1), 2 MG, 6-533mm TT (2x3), mines
lavia in 1920. T4 ran aground in 1932 and was deleted; Tl and T3 became Italian Complement: 220
prizes in April 1941 and served with their names unchanged. After the Italian
capitulation Tl was returned to the Royal Yugoslavian Navy and served as Name Builder Launched Fate
Golesnica during the postwar years until deleted in the early 1960s. T3 fell into
DUBROVNIK Yarrow 11.10.1931 Sunk 24.4.45
German hands at Rijeka on 16.9.1943 and was renamed TA48. She was sunk at
Trieste by British aircraft.
Built in Great Britain, Dubrovnik was one of the largest destroyers of her time. In
T5 class 1934 she took King Alexander on his visit to France and had the melancholy task
of conveying his body home after the King was assassinated. In April 1941 she
These former Austro-Hungarian 74 class, F group torpedo-boats were also
fell into Italian hands and was renamed Premuda and re-armed with 4—140mm,
allocated to Yugoslavia in 1920. All were taken over by the Italians in April 1941
l-120mm starshell, 4—20mm AA, 2-37mm AA (later 2-37mm AA extra instead
and served with their names unchanged. T6 was scuttled north-west of Rimini
of l-120mm) and 6-533mm TT. She was captured by the Germans at Genoa
and T8 was sunk by German aircraft; both were in Italian hands at that time. T5
8.9.43 and renamed TA32, being refitted by them with 4-105mm, 4-37mm AA,
was returned to the Royal Yugoslavian Navy on 7.12.1943. After the war she
36-20mm AA, 3-533mm TT and electronic equipment, and serving as a night
was renamed Cer and was deleted in the early 1960s. T7 was taken over by the
action leader. She took part in an action in the Ligurian Sea and was scuttled a
Germans in September 1943 and then presented to the Croatian Navy (her name
month later, at Genoa, on 24.4.45.
probably still unchanged). She served there until destroyed by the British
MTB6S9, MTB662 amd MTB670 off Murter Island.

T9 class
Four boats of the former Austro-Hungarian Kaiman class were transferred to
Yugoslavia in 1920. Their former names were 60T (ex-Schwalbe), 61T (ex-
Pinguin), 69T (ex-Polyp) and 54T (ex-Wal). All were discarded and broken up
between 1928 and 1930.

MINELAYERS
Name Launched Disp Fate
Galeb class
GALEB (ex-MlOO) 23.5.1918 330t Sunk 6.11.42
JASTREB (ex-M112) 12.11.1918 330t Beached
24/25.11.41
KOBAC (ex-M121) 10.9.1918 330t Sunk 30.1.43
GAVRAN (ex-M106) 8.7.1918 330t Sunk 10.7.43
ORAO (ex-M97) 23.3.1918 330t Deleted 1955
SOKOL (ex-M114) 19.3.1919 330t Sunk 19.1.43

BEOGRAD class destroyers

Displacement: 12lOt standard; 1655t full load
Sokol in the early 1930s
Dimensions: 321ft 6in oa x 31ft x 10ft 5in mean
Galeb class 98.00 x 9.45 X 3.18m
Six German ‘M’ class minesweepers were bought by the Yugolavians on 20 July Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons (Beograd Curtis) geared turbines, 3 Yarrow
1921 as ‘tugs’, for 1,400,000 marks each. In 1923 Gavran was renamedIabud. In boilers, 40,000shp = 38kts. Oil 120t
1938-39^0:^6 was refitted for oil firing only. In April 1941 all were captured Armament: 4-120mm (4x 1), 4-40mm AA (2x2), 2 MG, 6-550mm TT
by the Italians and renamed: Selve (ex-Galeb), Jirona (ex-Jastreb), Unie (ex- (2x3), 30 mines
Kobac), Oriole (ex-Iabud), Vergada (ex-Orao) and Eso (cx-Sokol). Vergada was Complement: 145
returned to the Royal Yugoslavian Navy 7.12.43; after the war she was renamed
Pionir, then Zelengora, and was deleted in 1955. The remaining vessels were Name Builder Launched Fate
destroyed while in Italian hands: Selve was bombed by British aircraft at
BEOGRAD A C de la Loire, 23.12.1937 Sunk 30.4.45
Benghazi; Zirona was beached near Benghazi after a British air raid and on
Nantes
28.11.41 the wreck was destroyed by the Italians; Unie was sunk by British
LJUBLJANA Jadranske 28.6.1938 Sunk 1.4.43
aircraft at Bizerta; Oriole was scuttled in Port Augusta before British forces
Brodogaliste,
entered the town; and Eso was sunk at Djerba Island by British aircraft.
Split
ZAGREB Jadranske 30.3.1938 Blown up 17.4.41
There were also the river monitors Morava (ex-Koros, scuttled 11/12.4.41,
Brodogaliste,
raised and repaired by Croatia, mined June 1944); Sava (ex-Bodrog, scuttled
Split
11/12.4.41, raised and repaired by Croatia, scuttled 8/9.9.44, raised again and

357
 EASTERN EUROPE

John

Beogard in 1939 Bell Orao

These ships were a development of the French Simoun class destroyers. One of
the class was built in France, while the remaining two were constructed in BELI ORAO gunboat (launched 3.6.39)
Yugoslavia, under French supervision. Two further units of this class were
Displacement: 567t standard; 660t full load
planned. Their careers in the Yugoslavian Navy were short. In April 1941
Dimensions: 197ft lin pp, 213ft 3in oa x 26ft 6in x 9ft 4in
Beograd and Ljubljana were captured by Italians, while Zagreb was blown up in
60.08, 65.00 x 8.08 x 2.84m
Kotor by two of her officers to prevent her falling into enemy hands. Ljubljana
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 Sulzer diesels, 1900bhp = 18kts
was renamed Lubiana by Italians and was sunk 1.4.43 off the Tunisian coast by
British aircraft. Beograd bore the nameSebenico until taken over by the Germans Armament: 2-40mm AA, 2 MG
at Venice on 11.9.43 and was renamed TA43 by them. She was sunk at Trieste Complement:
by artillery fire from advancing Yugoslavian Army units. After the war, in June
1946, she was raised, probably to clear harbour waters of obstacles, and scuttled Ordered from Adriatico, Trieste, for service as a Royal yacht during peacetime
a month later. and as an escort during war, Beli Orao was captured by the Italians at Boka
Kotorska in April 1941 and renamed Alba. She was renamed once again Zagab-
ria, then returned to the Royal Yugoslavian Navy 7.12.43. After the war her
name was changed to Biokovo and later to Jadranka. In 1978 she was still in
service as a yacht.

V Osvetnik in the early 1930s

NAD A corvette
At the beginning of 1944 the British ‘Flower’ class corvettt Mallow was transfer¬
OSVETNIK class submarines red to Yugoslavia, receiving the name. Nada. After the end of the war she was
Displacement: 630t/809t renamed Partizanka .Ini 949 she was returned to Great Briain and then transfer¬
Dimensions: 218ft 2in oa x 17ft 9in x 12ft 6in red to Egypt with the new name Solium. For further details see under Great
66.SO x 5.40 x 3.80m Britain.
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 MAN diesels plus 2 Nancy electric motors,
1480bhp/1000shp = 14.5kts/9.2kts. Oil 25t
Armament: 6-550mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern), l-100mm, l-40mm AA
Complement: 43

Name Malinska 1939

Builder Launched Fate

OSVETNIK A C de la Loire, 14.1.1929 Scuttled 18.9.43

Nantes MALINSKA class mining tenders (launched 1931)
SMELI A C de la Loire, 1.12.1928 Scuttled 9.9.43
Nantes Displacement: 130t
Dimensions: 96ft 5in pp, 102ft oa x 22ft x 4ft 7in
Two boats of this class were built to the Simonot design in France. Their diving 29.40, 31.10 x 6.70 x 1.40m
depth was 260ft. In April 1941 they were taken over by the Italians; Osvetnik was Machinery: 2 sets TE, 1 Yarrow boiler, 280ihp = 9kts
renamed Francesco Rismondo, while Smeli became Antonio Baiamonti. On Armament: l-66mm
14.9.43 the former was captured by the Germans at Bonifacio and scuttled by Complement: ?
them four days later .Baiamonti was scuttled by the Italians themselves on 9.9.43
at La Spezia. Class: Malinska, Marjan, Meljine, Mljet, Mosor
These five ships were laid down for the Austro-Hungarian Navy at the
Yarrow yard at Kraljevica as MT130 class mining tenders. Three others of the
class were completed in 1920 for Italy as the Albona class. The five Yugoslavian
units were previously designated MT133-MT137. In April 1941 all were cap¬
tured by the Italians and entered their service as Arbe (ex-Malinska, sunk by the
Hrabri in the late 1930s crew and raised by the Italians), Ugliano (ex-Marjan), Solta (ex-Meljine),Meleda
(ex-Mljet) and Pasman (ex-Mosor). Arbe was returned to the Royal Yugoslavian
Navy on 16.2.44 and reverted to her previous name. After the war she was
HRABRI class submarines renamed M2, then Af32; in 1978 she was still in service. Ugliano was taken over
by Germans in September 1943 and probably sunk while in their hands. Solta
Displacement: 975t/1164t was returned to the Yugoslavian Navy on 7 December 1943, reverted to her
Dimensions: 236ft Sin oa x 24ft x Oft previous name and after the war became Ml then M31 and was subsequently
72.05 x 7.32 x 3.96m
deleted. Meleda was returned together with Solta; after the war her name was
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 diesel engines plus 2 electric motors, changed to AO, then toAOJ, and she also was deleted afterwards. Pasman was
2400bhp/1600shp = 15.7kts/10kts
captured in September 1943 by the Germans, who gave her to the Croatians.
Armament: 6-533mm TT (bow), 2-102mm, 1 MG While manned by them, she was stranded 31.12.44 on Istu Island; the remains
Complement: 45 were scrapped in 1954.

Name Builder Launched Fate

HRABRI Vickers- 1927 BU 1941

Armstrong, Tyne
NEBOJSA Vickers- 1927 Deleted 1958 CETNIK class MTBs (launched May 1927)
Armstrong, Tyne Displacement: 15t standard
Dimensions: 55ft x lift x 4ft 3in
These boats were modified British ‘L’ class submarines, the design of which 16.77 x 3.35 x 1.30m
dated back to World War I. Hrabri was captured by the Italians in April 1941 Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 Thornycroft petrol engines, 750hp = 37kts. Petrol
and renumbered N3, but was not commissioned due to her poor condition and 1.6t
was later scrapped. Nebojsa fled to Alexandria in April 1941 and operated Armament: 2-456mm TT (2x1), 2 MG
together with Second (1942) and Third (1943) Submarine Flotillas. After the
Complement: 5
war she served in the Yugoslavian Navy as Tara, until stricken in 1954.

358

Class: Cetnik, Uskok
A version of Thornycroft’s 55ft CMBs, this class at first bore the names TCI
and TC2. Both were captured by the Italians in April 1941. Uskok became
MAS ID CD’ standing for Dalmatia) and was sunk on 19 April 1942 by accident.
Cetnik becameMAS2D until July 1942, when renamedMS47; she was stricken
from the MTB list 1.9.43 and renumbered ME43. After the war she was found
at Taranto in very bad shape.
ORJEN class MTBs (launched 1936-39)
Displacement:
61.7t full load
Dimensions: 90ft lOin wl, 91ft lOin oa X 14ft lin X 4ft llin max
27.70, 28.00 x 4.30 x I.Sim
Machinery: 3 shafts. 3 Daimler-Benz petrol engines, 3300hp = 31kts. Oil
9m3.
Armament: 2-550mm TT, l-40mm AA
Complement: 16
Class: Orjen, Durmitor, Suvobor, Kajmakcalan, Velebit, Dinaira, Rudnik, Trig-
lav
Much more seaworthy than the Cetnik class, these boats were ordered from
the well-known Liirssen yard. Two of the class, Kajmakcalan and Durmitor,
escaped to Alexandria in April 1941 and served with the Allies. After the war
both were renamed: Kajmakcalan became TC6, then TC392-, Durmitor became
TC5, then TC391. Both were deleted in 1962. The others fell into Italian hands
and were renamed, and in July 1942 their numbers were changed once again to:
Ms41 (ex-MAS3D, ex-Orjen); Ms42 (ex-MAS4D, ex-Velebit); Ms43 (ex-
MASSD, ex-Dinara)-, Ms44 (ex-MAS6D, ex-Tnglav); Ms4S {ex-MAS7D, ex-
Suvobor); and Ms46 {ex-MAS8D, ex-Rudnik). Ms41 was scuttled on 9.9.43 at
Monfalcone. Afterwards she was probably raised by Germans and mined while
in their hands. Ms45 was also scuttled, on 18.9.43 at Cattolica. The remaining
boats were captured by the Germans and renamed S2 to55 in the above order.
All were scuttled by the Germans in October 1944 at Salonika.
MT class MTBs
In mid-1944 eight boats were transferred to the Royal Yugoslavian Navy at
Malta. These former US PT boats bore the numbers PT201, PT204,
PT207-PT211, PT213 and PT217; their Yugoslavian numbers were Af 77 to
MT8. All were deleted postwar, MT8 in 1955, the rest in 1966. Details of these
boats can be found in the US section.
Other vessels to serve with the Yugoslavian Navy during World War II were
the submarine tender Hvar (3600t, BU 1953), the seaplane tender Zmaj (1870t,
sunk 22.12.43), the oiler Perun (4500t, sunk 17.3.43), the water carrier Lovcen
(561t, deleted 1945) and the sail training ship Jadran (720t). Other auxiliaries
included tugs, tenders and yachts; all were captured in April 1941 by the
Italians. In 1943 some fell into German hands, and several of these were
returned to the Yugoslavians after the war.
Romania
The development of the Romanian Navy in the 1922-45 period can be
easily divided into three distinct stages, each separated by eight-year
periods of inactivity, associated with the economic difficulties of an
underdeveloped country.
When the First World War ended in 1918, Romania emerged as the
biggest multi-national Balkan state. Although encircled by enemy
countries during the war, she managed to retain her navy and in 1920,
with her coastline doubled, she took the opportunity to strengthen her
naval forces. Thus, in the first period of development, the division of
former Austro-Hungarian tonnage brought in seven modern torpedo-
boats (of which only six reached Romania, one being sunk on passage)
and three heavily armed gunboats, or monitors, for service on the
Danube. Two of four destroyers ordered before the war in Italy were
returned to Romania after wartime service under the Italian flag.
Finally, ‘shopping around’ resulted in the acquisition of four big and
modern anti-submarine escorts from France and six former VAS boats
from Italy. These units were added to the tiny fleet of mostly obsolete
ships already in service.
Y ugoslavia/Romania
NAVAL FORCES OF THE YUGOSLAVIAN PEOPLE S LIBERATION
ARMY
Although almost all the ships belonging to the Yugoslavian partisans were
former civilian vessels and thus fall outside the scope of this volume, a brief
outline of their technical data is given here.
Armed ships. The biggest vessels used by the partisans. At least seventeen flew
their ensign. NB11 (Crvena Zvijezda), the former German anti-insurgent vessel
Anton and former Italian lugger Stella Blanca, was captured by the Yugoslavians
30.4.44; she was mined near Suska Island 1.4.45. She displaced 180t and was
armed with l-40mm, l-37mm, 7-20mm and 1 light and 1 heavy mortar, and in
1945 with 2—37mm, 6—20mm, and 4—12.7mm MGs. NB8 (Komal) was a former
tuna boat. She displaced 90t and was armed with 1^40mm, 3-20mm and 3-8mm
MGs. There were five more armed ships of c80t (NB1-NB3,NB6 and NB13),
all former fishing boats and armed with at least l^lOmm, 2-20mm and two or
more MGs; five ships of c70t, armed along similar lines to the 80t ships, though
some lacked 40mm guns; two boats of 20t, one of them being NB9 (Biokovac),
the former Yugoslavian customs vessel, which was sunk in error by British
destroyers; and NB5 {Ivan), of unknown tonnage, armed with 2-20mm and
6-8mm MGs only.
Patrol boats. At least 56 patrol boats were used by the Yugoslavians. Twelve of
them were of over 15t, armed with 40mm and 20mm guns and MGs. Nine were
under 15t, all armed with l-8mm MG. The remaining boats were of unknown
tonnage, though judging from their armament thirteen must have been under
lOt, while eight were rather larger. Fourteen boats were lost during the war. One
of the patrol boats was PC79, which escaped from the Croatian Navy: she was a
former German KM-boot of 19t and armed with l-20mm A A gun.
Auxiliary vessels. The names of three motor boats, six launches and one
hospital ship are known. Twelve LCTs were also transferred to the partisan fleet
in August 1944.
Transports. The names of 214 transports are known. Of these, one was of
2819grt (the steamship Dubac), 17 ships were over lOOgrt, 84 ships were
between lOgrt and lOOgrt, and 13 ships were under lOgrt. The rest of the ships
were of unknown tonnage. It should be noted that although all the above ships
were on the ‘fleet lists’, about 50 per cent were inoperative.
Riverine forces. The first riverine detachment of the partisan forces was created
on 15 September 1944. On 1 February 1954 the riverine forces consisted of 17
patrol boats, five of which had escaped from the Croatians.
THE NAVY OF THE INDEPENDENT CROATIAN STATE
The Croatian Navy was equipped with ships supplied by the Germans. Some of
the ships were of German origin, while most of them were former Yugoslavian
ships, captured by Italians in April 1941, and then captured again by the
Germans after Italy’s surrender. Croatian crews served on German ships as well
- for example, twenty Croatians served on the minelayer Kiebitz (ex-Italian
Ramb III). The following ships were exclusively Croatian-manned: the
torpedo-boat TA48 (former Yugoslavian T3), the armed steamers G102 and
G104, and 8 KM class torpedo-boats (one of which escaped to the partisans).
Three further ships were transferred to the Croatians and did not carry German
names; the torpedo-boat T7 (former Yugoslavian 77), the training cruiser
Zniam (former Yugoslavian Dalmacija), and the mine tender Mosor (former
Yugoslavian Mosor).
A river police force was also operated by the Croatians. It consisted of the two
river monitors Bosna and Sava (former Yugoslavian Morava and Sava), six
motorboats, at least three of which escaped to the partisans, and more than ten
auxiliary vessels.
During the early 1920s Romania took steps to improve her economy
- an ambitious goal and one difficult to achieve for an agricultural
country. However, a steady increase in prosperity could be observed
during the 1923-28 period of stabilisation, which enabled funds to be
set aside for the realisation of the 1927 Programme, when two des¬
troyers, a submarine and a submarine depot ship were ordered in Italy.
These vessels entered service in the 1930s. The Danube and Dnestr
flotillas were strengthened with twelve small motorboats. The prog¬
ramme called also for a further two destroyers and one submarine, but
none was begun.
In 1929 the world recession struck. The small, agrarian countries
were the most heavily affected and the impact of the crisis could be felt
until 1935. Romania was not able to afford to build new warships until
1937, and was then willing to do so, as they were to be built in
Romanian yards.
The financial situation was strengthened in 1936 with the estab¬
lishment of the Romanian Navy Ministry. Up till then the fleet con¬
sisted of four destroyers, six torpedo-boats and a submarine depot ship
359
 Ik m yVjJi ] SJf I i f , i w "9%
.m\M f sM

Hwvif k'fWL

Marasesti at Constanza, 1944

Boris Lemachko Collection

(not counting the obsolete nineteenth century warships). The new

Ministry took the opportunity to build up the Navy on more reasonable THE ROMANIAN
lines. The programme of 1937 called for a cruiser, four small des¬
troyers, three submarines, two minelayers and ten MTBs, plus aux¬ NAVY IN 1922
iliaries. This programme was only partially realised, since only one
minelayer and two submarines were completed by Romanian yards, DESTROYERS
while three MTBs and two auxiliaries were purchased abroad.
Name Launched Disp Fate
During the war Romania became an ally of Germany. Her navy’s
operational areas were the Danube and Black Sea, where the respon¬ Marasti class
sibilities were shared with the tiny Bulgarian fleet and a number of MARASTI (exSparviero, 26.3.1917 1391t Stricken cl963
ex-Vartej)
German warships, either transferred via inland waterways, pressed into
MARASESTI (ex-Nibbio,30.1.1918 1391t Stricken cl963
service, or built in the Black Sea yards. While the war lasted, some
additions were made to the fleet, and thus the third period of fleet
expansion was the longest and most significant. This period ended in
1944, when two submarines were accepted from the yards. Meanwhile
the Romanians assisted with convoy escort and minelaying operations.
The latter created an urgent need for more minelayers and to save time
two passenger ships were converted. The offensive capabilities of
Romanian Navy were greatly enhanced with the arrival of four MTBs,
Black Sea Fleet. Re-armed in 1925-26 with 5-120mm replacing the original
received from the Germans, who themselves had captured the boats in 3- 152mm. Employed during World War II in escort duties with 4— 120mm,
occupied Holland. The last acquisitions were three KFK patrol boats, 4— 37mm AA and 4—20mm AA fitted. Taken over by the Soviets in August 1944,
received from Germany. Marasti being renamed Lovky and Marasesti becoming Logkij. Returned to
The rapid worsening of the German military situation in 1944 and Romania 1946 and redesignated Dll and D12.

strains put on the country by ‘total war’ were the direct causes of the
dictator Antonescu’s overthrow on 23 August 1944, in a coup d’etat in TORPEDO-BOATS
which all Romanians, from King Mihail I to the Communist Party, Name Launched Disp Fate
collaborated. On the same day Romania accepted the terms of an
Sborul class
agreement with the Soviet Union and the next day the Romanians took SBORUL (ex-8IT) 6.8.1914 257t BU cl960
the offensive against German units. This change of sides did not, VARTEJUL (ex-7ST) 20.11.1913 237t Stricken 1932
however, prevent the Romanian warships falling into Soviet hands: all VIFORUL (ex-74T) 28.8.1913 257t Stricken 1932
were incorporated into the Soviet Black Sea Fleet or into the newly VIJELIA (ex-80T) 3.8.1914 257t Stricken 1932
Naluca class
created Danube Flotilla. They served in these capacities for more than 11.8.1914 Sunk 20.8.44
NALUCA 262t
a year, until in September 1945 the majority of ships were returned to SMEUL 7.11.1914 262t BU 1960
Romania.
The last part of the war saw the Romanians fighting the Germans on
both land and water. Romanian crews manned several river mine¬
sweepers on the Danube and participated in minesweeping and assault
Sborul in the early 1920s
operations, under the operational command of the Soviet Navy. In
1945 some ships were returned by the USSR, mostly the older ones.
Thus in 1946 the Romanian Navy had to start once again, with ships
that had for the most part first entered service over twenty years earlier. Naluca in the mid 1920s
Sborul class
Ion Bratianu as Soviet Mariupol Boris Lemachko Collection Black Sea Fleet. Sborul served during WWII as an escort vessel, armed with
2-88mm AA and 2-20mm AA, plus depth charges. In August 1944 she became
the Soviet SKR (Storozhevoi Korabl = escort ship) Musson. Returned to
Romania 22.9.45.

Naluca class
Black Sea Fleet. Three boats of this class were allocated to Romania in 1920, but
Fulgerul was sunk en route from Austria-Hungary in the Bosphorus. The two
vessels that entered service were employed as escorts during WWII and fitted
with 2—88mm and 2—20mm, depth charges being added later. Naluca was sunk
in an air raid on Constanza, but Smeul survived, to be incorportated into the
Soviet Fleet as SKR Toros. Returned to Romania 22.9.45.
 Romania
Although completed in 1931, this unit was not accepted by Romanian Navy
-2^. until five years later, in April 1936, after a large number of modifications had
Capitan Nicolae Lascar Bogdan class in the early 1920s
been carried out. Diving depth was 260ft. Her only war success was sinking a
Other units of the Black Sea Fleet in 1922 comprised the gunboats Capitan ship on 6.11.41 (probably the Soviet Urales, 1975grt). In July 1942 she began a
Dumistrescu (ex-Mignonne, BU 1946), Locotenant-Commandor Stihi Eugen (ex- refit, and for the rest of the war she remained inoperadonal, due in some
Friponne, BU c 1960), Locotenant Lepri Remus (ex-Chiffonne, sunk 11.1.40) and measure to sabotage by the Romanian underground movement. In spite of her
Sublocotenant Ghigulescu (ex-Impatiente, BU cl960). There were also the sail condiuon she was taken over by the Soviets and unul 22.9.45 she bore the name
training ship Mircea and the training ship Elisabeta. The Danube Division in TS4. She was returned later and deleted in 1957. A second boat of this class was
1922 consisted of the river monitors Ion Bratianu, Alexandra Lahovari, Lascar planned in 1927-28, but not begun.
Catorgiu, Mihail Kogalniteanu, Ardeal (ex-Temes), Basarabia (ex-inn) and
Bucovina (ex-Sava), and eight Capitan Nicolae Lascar Bogdan class and 6 ‘M’
class (ex-Italian) river patrol boats. MARSUINUL submarine
Displacement: 620t surfaced
Regele Ferdinand as Soviet Likhoi Boris Lemachko Collection
Dimensions: 190ft 3in x 18ft 4in X lift lOin
58.00 x 5.60 x 3.60m
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 MAN diesels plus 2 electric motors, 1840bhp/?shp
= 16kts/9kts
Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stem), l-105mm, l-37mm
Complement: ?

Name Builder Launched Fate

MARSUINUL Santieri Galati, 4.5.1941 ?

Galatz

This submarine was designed by the Ingenieurskantoor voor Scheepsbouw in The

Hague; her construcdon was supervised by German technicians from
Deschimag, and at that time she bore the number S2. She entered service in
1944 and made only one war patrol. In August 1944 she became the Soviet S4.

Requinul (probable appearance)

REQUINUL submarine
Displacement: 585t surfaced
Dimensions: 216ft 8in oa x 19ft 4in x lift lOin
66.00 x 5.90 x 3.60m
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 MAN diesels plus 2 electric motors, 1840bhp/?shp
= 17kts/9kts
Displacement: 1400t standard; 1850t full load
Armament: 4-533mm TT (bow), l-20mm AA, 40 mines
Dimensions: 334ft 4in oa x 31ft 6in X lift 6in
Complement: 5
101.90 x 9.60 x 3.51m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Thornycroft boilers,
Name Builder Launched Fate
48,000shp = 35kts. Oil 480t
Armament: 5-120mm (5x1), l-76mm, 2-40mm AA (2x1), 2 MG (2x 1), REQUINUL Santieri Galati, 22.5.1941 ?
6-533mm TT (2x3), 50 mines Galatz
Complement: 212
This boat, also designed by the Ingenieurskantoor voor Scheepsbouw, was built as
Name Builder Launched Fate S2 in Romania under German supervision. She entered service in 1944 and
made only two patrols. After August 1944 she was incorporated into the Soviet
REGELE FERDINAND Pattison, Naples 2.12.1928 Deleted late 1960s
Navy, receiving the designation .S3. A third boat, probably of a design similar to
REGINA MARIA Pattison, Naples 2.3.1929 Deleted late 1960s
the Requinul and Marsuinul, was planned, but not laid down.
Designed in Britain, built in Italy and equipped by Germans and Swedes, these
ships were similar to British Shakespeare class destroyers although their internal
arrangement was different due to an en echelon layout of turbines. During the
Ex-Italian CB class midget submarines
war both were employed mainly on escort dudes and their armament was Displacement: 36t/45t
altered: one 120mm gun was landed, 2-20mm AA guns replaced the 76mm Dimensions: 49ft 3in x 9ft lOin x 6ft 1 lin
weapon (two more 20mm were added later) and finally two 40mm AA guns were 15.00 x 3.00 x 2.10m
mounted. Probably one Soviet submarine (M54) was sunk by Regele Ferdinand Machinery: 1-shaft. 1 diesel engine plus 1 electric motor, 90bhp/100shp =
at the end of November 1941. After Soviet troops occupied Romania both ships 7.5kts/7kts
were incorporated into the Soviet Black Sea Fleet and renamed Likhoi (ex-Regele Armament: 2-456mm torpedoes
Ferdinand) andLetuchy (ex-Regina Maria). They were returned later than other Complement: 4
Romanian warships - in 1953 - and again renamed: Likhoi became D22 (later
DIO) and Letuchy became D21 (later D9). In the late 1960s both ships were Five Italian Costiero B class midget submarines were transferred in somewhat
deleted from the lists and scrapped. This class was to number four ships, but the poor condition to Romania after 8.9.43. Their Italian designations were
second pair were not begun. CB1-CB4 and CB6. In August 1944 all were transferred again, this time to the
Soviet Union, they were scrapped by the Russians in 1955.

Amiral Murgescu as Soviet Don in 1945 Boris Lemachko Collection

Delfinul 1936

DELFINUL submarine 1
Displacement: 650t/900t
Dimensions: 223ft lin x 19ft 4in x lift lOin
68.00 x 5.90 x 3.60m
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 Sulzer diesels plus 2 electric motors,
800bhp/800shp = 14kts/9kts
Armament: 8-533mm TT (4 bow, 4 stern), l-102mm
Complement: ?

Name Builder Launched Fate

DELFINUL Quarnaro, 22.6.1930 Deleted 1957

Fiume

361
EASTERN EUROPE
Class: Vantul, Vartejul, Vedenia, Vulcanul.
These boats belonged to the Dutch TM52 class, which were based on the
British Power Boat design. They fell into German hands and were subsequently
completed with engines coming from RAF aircraft shot down over Europe.
They did not reach their designed speed because of weight problems. Three
were transferred to Bulgaria and the other four to Romania. Captured by the
Soviets, they became TKA951 - TKA954; all were returned 22.9.45.

Displacement: 812t standard

Dimensions: 252ft 8in x 29ft lOin x 8ft 2in
77.00 x 9.10 x 2.50m
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 Krupp diesel engines, 2100bhp = 16kts
Armament: 2-105mm AA (2x1), 2-37mm AA (2x1), 4-20mm, 135
mines
Complement: 79 (135 in wartime)

Class: Amiral Murgescu, Cetetea Alba.

Two vessels of this class were begun before the war, but only one was
completed; a second pair was planned, but neither was begun. Amiral Murgescu,
launched 14.6.34, served during the war as a minelayer and an escort ship. In
August 1944 she became the Soviet Don. She was later returned, and in about
1967 was deleted.

VIFORUL class MTBs (launched 1939)

Displacement: 32t
Dimensions: 72ft x 16ft 5in x 3ft 7in
21.95 x 5.00 x 1.10m
Machinery: 2 shafts. 3 Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines, 3450hp = 40kts Viforul class MTB
Armament: 2-533mm TT, 2 MG, depth charges Jerzy Micinski Collection
Complement: 12

Class: Viforul, Vijelia, Viscolul. Ex-German FM class river minelayers

These three boats of Vosper design were bought in 1940 from Great Britain,
their respective numbers in the Royal Navy being MTB20, MTB21 and In 1941 two river minelayers of modern design were transferred to Romania by
MTB23. A further seven of this type were to be built in Romania, but none was the Germans. These ships were the former Czechoslovakian river minelayers
begun. Viforul and Vijelia were sunk by debris from the mined Hungarian ship OMm35 and OMm36. For further details see under Czechoslovakia.
Ungvar while escorting her. Viscolul was incorporated into the Soviet Black Sea
Fleet in August 1944 and was renamed TKA955. She was returned 22.9.45. The submarine depot ship/training ship Constanta, the patrol vessel
Luceafarul (ex-Royal yacht Nahlin) and the sail training ship Mircea (built 1938)
also served in the Black Sea Division during World War II. The Romanian Navy
VANTUL class MTBs (built 1940) also had at least eight tugs, two hydrographic boats and one small sail training
ship. The two passenger ships Dacia (3418grt) and Riegele Carol I (2369grt)
Displacement: 32t
were impressed as minelayers, and three KFK class patrol boats were transfer¬
Dimensions: 70ft x 13ft 5in x 4ft 7in
red from Germany.
21.34 x 4.10 x 1.40m
Of the small boats used on the Danube for patrol work and minesweeping,
Machinery: 3 shafts. 3 Rolls-Royce Merlin petrol engines, 2850hp = 30kts
eleven were pressed into Soviet service in 1944, together with the staff vessel
(full load)
Macin and three tugs. Two of the latter were returned on 27.9.45 to Greece,
Armament: 2-533mm TT, l-37mm, 2-20mm
from where they were seized during the war. The third tug was returned on the
Complement: ? same day to Romania.

Bulgaria
During the First World War Bulgaria joined the Central Powers.
Therefore, when the Treaty of Neuilly was signed on 27 July 1919, her
armed forces had to be drastically reduced. The naval clauses obliged
the Bulgarians to hand over their ships to the Allied Powers or to scrap
them. Only a small force - four torpedo-boats and a number of patrol
boats - was allowed for police and patrol duties. This substitute of a
Navy had to be organised on a civilian basis and had to be directed by
the Ministry of Commerce. The only Bulgarian acquisitions in the early
1920s were two former submarine-chasers, purchased in France in
1922.
Until the mid-1930s neither the political nor the economical situation
allowed the Navy to expand. Bulgaria, probably the poorest of the
Balkan countries, was busy building up her economy; however,
although this preoccupied the minds of the Bulgarian leaders, they did
not forget the humiliating terms of the Neuilly treaty and in 1938 they
signed a further treaty wherein all armament clauses were repudiated.
This treaty (signed between Bulgaria and the Balkan Treaty states, ie
Greece, Yugoslavia, Romania and Turkey) came about when the re¬
armament programme had already started. In 1937 the mutual agree¬
ment was signed by Bulgaria and Germany, and this enabled the former
to receive from Germany military hardware worth 30 million marks.
German help enabled the Bulgarians to strengthen their fleet with five
modern MTBs of Liirssen design. However, only four reached Bul¬
garia; the fifth was finished after the outbreak of the war and remained
in Germany.
In March 1941 Bulgaria joined the Axis countries and German
military assistance brought in three more MTBs. Meanwhile a number
of Bulgarian merchant ships were pressed into German service as
auxiliaries.

362
 Bulgaria/Finland
On 8 September 1944 Soviet troops crossed the Bulgarian border and
with no resistance they occupied the whole country; the Bulgarian
army changed sides and began to fight the Germans. Bulgarians served
in the Soviet Danube Flotilla too, where some small river vessels acted
as minesweepers and assault craft. The Soviets did not miss the chance
of strengthening, if only in numbers, their Black Sea Fleet, and a few
Bulgarian warships went under the Soviet flag. Their service there was
short - mainly from September 1944 to April 1945 - and the ships were
soon retroceded.

THE BULGARIAN
NAVY IN 1922
TORPEDO-BOATS
Name Launched Disp Fate
Drski Jerzy Micinski Collection
Drski class
DRSKI 1907 98t Museum 1955
KHRABRY 1907 98t BU 1952-55
SMELY 1907 98t Sunk 19.5.43
STROGI 1907 98t BU 1952-55

PATROL BOATS Ex-Dutch MTBs (launched cl941)

Name Launched Disp Fate Displacement: 30t designed; 37.4t full load
Dimensions: 64ft 7in wl, 70ft 2in oa x 19ft lOin x 3ft 9in forward
Belmorec class 19.68, 21.40 x 6.05 x 1.14m
BELOMOREC (ex-C27) 1917 77t ?
Machinery: 3 shafts. 3 Rolls-Royce Merlin petrol engines, 2850hp = 34kts
CHERNOMOREC 1917 77t >
Armament: l-37mm, 2-20mm, 2-533mm TT (2x1)
(.tx-C80)
Complement: 16

Class: /-///.
S2 type MTBs (launched 1939) Former Dutch MTBs of the T52 class, built by Gusto Werf, Schiedam and
seized by Germans in the occupied Netherlands. Based on a British Power Boat
Displacement: 47.8t designed; 57.6t full load design, two of them were completed by the Germans and served as experimental
Dimensions: 90ft lOin wl, 91ft lOin oa x 14ft 8in x 4ft 1 lin forward, 4ft lin boats under the names S201 and S202. Both were deleted from German Navy in
aft 1942 and transferred to Bulgaria; a third boat soon followed, and four more of
27.7, 28.00 x 4.46 x 1.51, 1.25m this class went to Romania. Their engines were reported to be taken from RAF
Machinery: 3 shafts. 3 Daimler-Benz petrol engines, 2850hp = 37.1kts aircraft shot down over Europe. In September 1944 all three were taken over by
Armament: l-20mm AA, 2-533mm TT (2x1) Soviet Navy and renamed TKA962-TKA964. On 2 April 1945 all were
Complement: 18 returned.

Class: F1-F4.
Four MTBs ordered before the war from Liirssen, Vegesack. A fifth boat of
this class remained in Germany and was renamed SI. Further boats were to be
built in Bulgaria, but none was begun. In September 1944 all were taken over by
Soviet Navy and redesignated TKA958-TKA961; all were returned to Bulgaria
on 2 April 1945.
In addition, the Bulgarian Navy had a few small patrol boats, yachts, tugs and
other auxiliaries. Some of them (the small training ships Assart and Kamicia, the
tug Voievoda, and the personnel boat Ganekura) were taken over by the Russians
in October 1944, to be returned in 1945 to Bulgaria, except for the tug Voievoda,
which went to Yugoslavia in 1945 since it originally belonged to that navy.

Finland
Finland had been a grand duchy of Russia since the Napoleonic Wars,
but during the Bolshevik revolution of 1917 she had seized the oppor¬
The flagship of the Finnish Navy, the Vaindmoinen, in 1944 By courtesy of K-E Westerlund

tunity to assert her independence. By 1918 Finalnd was an independent

kingdom (later a republic) and the basis of a navy was to be found in the
numerous ex-Russian warships abandoned in Finnish ports, although
fully operational vessels were few.
At first the Soviet Union was concerned with its internal problems
but gradually the old Czarist expansionist ambitions seemed to re-
emerge. Finland had a population of only 3 million and any defence
effort had to be concentrated on the Army. Even the modest naval
proposals of the 1920s - a scheme for small destroyers, for example -
had no chance of success, given the poor state of the economy. How¬
ever, at the end of the decade the parliament voted for a modernisation
programme which included the construction of 2 novel coast defence
ships, 4 submarines and some MTBs and small craft. The naval interest
was short-lived and the Army once more gained precedence from 1933,
the only warship building of the late 1930s being 2 minelayers and some
small craft.
In 1939 the Soviet Union forced Estonia and Latvia to allow her
forces to use their territory and eventually the Baltic republics were
363
 *■ »
SCANDINAVIA
incorporated into the Soviet Union. Finland was ‘invited’ to join simi¬ Hameenmaa class
lar negotiations, but many of the Soviet demands could not be met. These vessels were building at Helsinki as the Russian Pingvin and Golub
respectively when the Germans entered the city in April 1918. They were
Without warning the Soviet Union attacked Finland on 30.11.39. The
commandeered as the German Wulf and Bear, but later were taken over by the
land campaigns of Finland’s heroic 3| month defence are most widely
Finnish Navy.
known but the Navy also made its contribution to the ‘Winter War’.
The minelayers and submarines were particularly active, but the two
coast defence ships acted as a miniature ‘fleet in being’ to ward off the
threat of amphibious attacks.
The Moscow peace treaty of March 1940 was harsh, and included the
‘leasing’ to the USSR of the strategic naval facilities of the Hango area.
In this context it is understandable that when Germany invaded the
Soviet Union in June 1941, Finland should decide to continue the war.
Finnish naval activity was mainly concerned with mining the entrance
to the Gulf of Finland, in which the Finns were initially very successful.
A further armistice and peace treaty followed in 1944 whereby the
Soviets once again took a strategic naval base between Helsinki and the
Baltic, this time at Porkkala. As part of the reparations Finland gave up
the remaining coast defence ship which became the Soviet Vyborg, and
Finland was allowed only 10,000 tons of naval vessels and 4500 person¬
nel, and submarines and torpedo-craft were prohibited. Karjala By courtesy of K-E Westerlund

Since 1945 relations between the two countries have improved and
Karjala class
Porkkala has been returned, but Finland is still dependent on the Taken over while building as the Russian Filin and Orland at Aabo.
USSR. The Finnish Navy operates a few Soviet frigates and missile
boats, but the ban on submarines and MTBs conunues. Klas Horn class
Both built at Elbing as the Russian torpedo-boats Voievoda and Posadnik.

MINELAYERS
THE FINNISH Name Launched Disp Fate

NAVY IN 1922 LOUHI 1916 776t Mined 21.1.45

Louhi was the ex-Russian Voin. There were also the small minelayers Pommi,
TORPEDO-BOATS Miina (ex-Russian M7, T17, launched 1916-17, 80t, stricken 1953), Paukko,
Lieska, Loimu (ex-Russian 775, T16, T21, launched 1915-16, 60t, stricken
Name Launched Disp Fate 1953).

SI (ex-Rjanyi) 1900 260t Stricken 1930

S2 (ex-Prozorlivyi) 1899 260t Foundered 2.10.25 MINESWEEPERS
S5 (ex-Podvizhnyi) 1900 260t Stricken 1930
Name Launched Disp Fate
In the war of liberation war a further 7 torpedo-boats were taken over from the Stricken 1950
RAUTU 1917 165t
Russian Navy: S3 (ex-Poslusnyi), S4 (cx-Rezvyi) and 56 (cx-No2l2) of the 57 VILPPULA 1916 165t Lost during
class and C1-C4 (ex-A7o2/5, No216, No217, No219), built 1902, 150t. World War II
These were later returned to Russia.
Rantu and Vilppula were the ex-Russian Murman and T2. There were also the
ex-Russian inshore minesweepers MT1-MT4, MT12 (1916, 20t, all stricken
c 1925) and A 37, A38, A40, A42-A45, AF2 ,BVA,BVD and Haukka (1915-17),
12t, two or three lost during the war and the remainder stricken cl947).

MOTOR TORPEDO-BOATS
Name Launched Disp Fate

SISU (ex-MTVl) 1916 13t Stricken in WWII

HURJA (ex-M7V2) 1916 13t Stricken in WWII

Ex-Italian MAS220 and MAS221 purchased in 1920.

LJusimaa By courtesy of K-E Westerlund

SLOOPS
Apu postwar By courtesy of K-E Westerlund
Name Launched Disp Fate

Hameenmaa class
HAMEENMAA 1917 400t Stricken 1953 ICEBREAKERS
UUSIMAA 1917 400t Stricken 1953
Name Launched Disp Fate
Karjala class
KARJALA 1918 342t Stricken 1953 MURTAJA 1890 815t Stricken 1958
TURUNMAA 1918 342t Stricken 1953 SAMPO 1898 1850t Stricken 1958
Klas Horn class APU 1899 800t Stricken 1958
KLAS HORN 1891 420t Stricken 1937 TARMO 1907 2300t Stricken 1970
MATTI KURKI 1891 420t Stricken 1937 VOIMA 1917 2070t Lost in WWII

364
 Finland

Laid down between Sept 1926 and early 1927, and completed 1930-31, these
submarines were German-designed although built in Finland. While Germany
was adhering to the ‘no submarines’ provision of the Versailles Treaty, the
German Navy built up its design expertise with commissions such as this one
from foreign navies.
Consequently this class, which was itself developed from the German UBIII
Type from the First World War, became the ancestor of the Type VII which
bore the brunt of German submarine effort in the Second War. Radius was
1500nm at 10kts/75nm at 5kts, and the driving limit was about 240ft (75m). All
were sold 2.12.52 and scrapped in Belgium.

Displacement: 3900t standard

Dimensions: 305ft lin pp x 55ft 5in x 14ft 9in
93.00 x 16.90 x 4.50m Vesikko as completed

Machinery: 2 shafts. Germania diesels with Leonard electric drive,

6000bhp = 16kts. Oil 93t
VESIKKO submarine
Armour: Belt 50mm-55mm, deck 20mm, turrets 100mm, CT 120mm
Armament: 4—254mm/45, 8-105mm/50 AA, 4-40mm AA, 2-20mm AA Displacement: 250t standard; 300t submerged
Complement: 411 Dimensions: 134ft 2in pp x 13ft 6in X 13ft 9in
40.90 y.4.10 x 4.20m
Name Builder Launched Fate Machinery: 2 shafts. MAN diesels plus electric motors, 700bhp/360shp =
13kts/7kts. Oil 9t
vAinAmoinen Crichton-Vulcan, 28.12.1930 To USSR 1947 Armament: 5-533mm TT (3 bow, 2 stern), l-20mm, 1 MG
Aabo
Complement: 16
ILMARINEN Crichton-Vulkan, 9.7.1931 Sunk 13.9.41
Aabo Name Builder Launched Fate

Laid down in August and September of 1929 respectively, they were completed VESIKKO Crichton-Vulcan, 1932 Stricken 1947,
in 1932 and 1933. A novel Finnish variant of the ‘coastal battleship’ type, these Aabo preserved
vessels were armed with guns of Bofors manufacture. The main armament had
an elevation of 50° and fired a 4951b shell. Vainamoinen was ceded to the Soviet Another German-designed boat, built at the secret request of the German Navy
Union as reparations and renamed Vyborg-, she was stricken about 1958. Ilmari- and although completed in 1933 not purchased undl January 1936. She was used
nen was lost off Hango, probably as the result of a mine. for trials and training German officers in the interim. Again based on a First
World War German design - Type UBII - and a prototype for the coastal Type
II. Radius was 1500nm at 13kts/50nm at 5kts, and operational maximum depth
was 300ft (90m).

SAUKKO submarine
Displacement: 114t standard; 142t submerged
Dimensions: 106ft 4in pp x 13ft 6in x 9ft 6in
32.40 x 4.10 x 2.90m
Machinery: 1 shaft. Krupp-Germania diesel plus electric motors,
170bhp/120shp = 7kts/5.7kts
Armament: 2-450mm TT bow, 1-12.7mm MG, 9 mines
Complement: 15

Name Builder Launched Fate

SAUKKO Hietalahden 2.7.1930 Stricken 1947,

Laivatelakka BU 1952

The smallest genuine submarine in the world at the time, Saukko was designed
and intended for service on Lake Ladoga. For this purpose she could be
dismantled into two rail-portable sections. The 1920 Treaty of Dorpat between
Finland and the USSR stipulated that no warship on the lake should exceed
lOOt, and Saukko was designed to be 99t. However, this was exceeded as built
and she was never used on Lake Ladoga. Range was 375nm at 9kts/45nm at
4kts.

Ruotsinsalmi postwar By courtesy of K—E Westerlund

RUOTSINSALMI class minelayers

Displacement: 3 lOt standard
Iku-Tursu 1932 Dimensions: 50.00 x 7.90 x 1.50m
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 Rateau diesels, 1120bhp = 15kts
Armament: l-75mm/50, 2-20mm AA, 2 DC racks and 2 throwers,
VETEHINEN class submarines 100 mines
Complement: 60
Displacement: 493t standard; 716t submerged
Dimensions: 208ft 4in oa x 20ft 4in x 11ft lOin Name Builder Launched Fate
63.50 x 6.20 x 3.60m
Machinery: 2 shafts. Atlas diesels plus electric motors, 1160bhp/600shp = RUOTSINSALMI Crichton-Vulcan, May 1940 Stricken 1977
12.6kts/8.5kts. Oil 20t Aabo
Armament: 6-533mm TT, l-76mm/48, l-20mm AA, 20 mines RIILAHTI Crichton-Vulcan, 1940 Sunk 23.8.43
Complement: 30 Aabo

Name Builder Launched Fate Laid down in 1938 and completed in 1941. Riilahti was sunk by a Soviet
submarine in the Gulf of Finland.
VETEHINEN Crichton-Vulcan, 1.6.1930 Stricken 1947
Aabo OTHER MINELAYERS
VESIHIISI Crichton-Vulcan, 1930 Stricken 1947
During the war four merchant vessels were also fitted out as minelayers: Baltic
Aabo (launched 1898, 1096brt, lOkts, l-75mm, 60 mines), Frej (launched 1900,
IKU-TURSU Crichton-Vulcan, 1931 Stricken 1947
561brt, lOkts, l-75mm, 50 mines), Poseidon (launched 1899, 804brt, lOkts,
Aabo 1—75mm, 60 mines),Suomi launched 1910, 659brt, 12kts, l-75mm, 60 mines).
SCANDINAVIA

KUHA class minesweepers (launched 1941-45)

Displacement: 17t
Dimensions: 56ft 5in x 12ft 6in X 4ft 1 lin
17.20 x 3.80 x 1.50m
Machinery: 1 Lister diesel, 70bhp = 9kts
Armament: l-20mm

Class: Kuha 1-Kuha 8

Kuha 1 was mined 3.11.1941 at Bjorko in the Gulf of Finland, Kuha 3
30.9.44 at Hogland, and Kuha 4 23.7.42 at Hango; Kuha 6 was mined and
sunk off Kotka, 15.9.44. All the rest were stricken, the last in 1961.
Ahven 2 about 1948 By courtesy of K-E Westerlund

AHVEN class minesweepers (launched 1936-37) NARVI class minesweepers (launched 1944)
Displacement: 17t standard Displacement: 400t standard
Dimensions: 56ft 5in x 12ft lin x 4ft 3in Dimensions: 129ft pp x 27ft 1 lin x 10ft 6in
17.20 X 3.80 x 1.30m 39.30 x 8.50 x 2.30m
Machinery: 1 diesel, 65bhp = 10.5kts Machinery: 2 reciprocating engines, 2 boilers, 400ihp = lOkts
Armament: l-20mm Armament: l-45mm/47, 3-20mm AA, 40 mines
Complement: 8
Class: Jurmo, Narvi
Class: Ahven, Kiiski, Kuore, Lahna, Muikko, Sarki Ordered in 1940 by the USSR as river tugs; both handed over to the Soviet
Built at Turun Veneveistamo, later renamed Ahven 1-6, stricken 1961. Union 1944.

OTHER MINESWEEPERS
In the Second World War some tugs were equipped as minesweepers, with
l-20mm. After the war four remained in the Navy as A5 , DR2, DR 7 and DR 11;
SMI class minesweepers
they were stricken in 1954.
Displacement: 20t standard
Dimensions: 59ft X 12ft 6in x 5ft 7in
18.00 x 3.80 x 1.70m
Machinery: 1 Wickstrom engine, 80hp = 9kts NUOLI class MTBs (launched 1928-29)
Armament: l-20mm Displacement: 13t standard
Dimensions: 55ft lin x lift 2in x 4ft 4in
Class: SM1-SM4 16.80 x 3.40 x 1.30m
The first pair were launched in 1939 and the others in 1940. SM3 was mined
Machinery: 2 gas engines, 750bhp = 40kts
5.10.44 at Hogland in the Gulf of Finland; the remainder were stricken
Armament: 2-450mm TT, 1 MG
1951-54.
Complement: 7

Class: Nuoli (zx-MTV5), Syoksy (ex-MTV4), Raju (ex-M7V7), Vinha (ex-

MTV6)
The first pair were built by Thornycroft 1928 and the others at Borgaa and
Aabo respectively. A 20mm AA replaced the MG in 1942. Nuoli was stricken
tj Aug T942 and Syoksy in 1944; Raju was sunk 16.5.43; and Vinka, reclas¬
sified as a patrol boat with TT removed from 1943, was stricken in 1945.

ISKU MTB (launched 1926)

Displacement: lit standard
Dimensions: 54ft 2in X lift 2in X 3ft 7in
16.50 x 3.40 x 1.10m
Machinery: 2 Rolls-Royce petrol engines, 650bhp = 31kts
Armament: 2-450mm TT, 2 MG
Porkkala about 1939 By courtesy of K-E Westerlund
Ex-M7V3 built in Borgaa, Finland; stricken during World War II.

PUKKIO class minesweepers (launched 1939-40)

JYMY class MTBs (launched 1939)
Displacement: 162t standard
Dimensions: 88ft 6in pp x 22ft x 8ft 3in Displacement: 25t
27.00 x 6.70 X 2.50m Dimensions: 61ft 5in x 15ft 5in x 4ft 1 lin
Machinery: 1 diesel, 300bhp = lOkts 18.70 x 4.70 x 1.50m
Armament: l-45mm/47, l-20mm AA, 20 mines Machinery: Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines, 2000bhp = 42kts
Armament: 2-450mm TT, l-20mm, 1-12.7mm
Class: Pukkio, Porkkala
Tug-type, general purpose vessels. Porkkala was mined and sunk 28.11.41 at Class: J(Jymy)l-J4
Bjorko in the Gulf of Finland. A further vessel, Pansio, was launched in 1947. Ex-Italian MAS526-MAS529, purchased 5.6.43. According to 1944 peace
treaty, TT removed and reclassified as MGBs; stricken 1961.

AJONPAA class minesweepers (launched 1941-42) HURJA class MTBs (launched 1941)
Displacement: 52t Displacement: 20t
Dimensions: 65ft 7in x 17ft Sin X 5ft 7in Dimensions: 54ft 2in x 14ft lin x 4ft 1 lin
20.00 x 5.30 x 1.70m 16.50 x 4.30 x 1.50m
Machinery: 1-shaft diesel, 200bhp = lOktss Machinery: 2 petrol engines, 1600bhp = 36kts
Armament: l-20mm Armament: 2^!50mm TT, l-20mm, 2-13mm, 2 DC racks

Class: Ajonpaa, Kallanpaa Class: H(Hurja)l-H5

Danish-built wooden minesweepers for use against magnetic mines, acquired Ex-Italian, Baglietto-built. TT removed 1949, reclassified as MGBs, arma
in 1942. Stricken 1960 and 1962 respectively. ment changed to 2-20mm and 2-13mm, stricken 1963.

366
 Finland
OTHER MOTOR LAUNCHES
T class MTBs (launched 1942-43) VMV3 launched 1930 at Helsingfors, was burned out in 1931; VMV4 built in
Norway in 1916 was stricken in 1939; VMV5 and VMV6 launched 1933 at
Displacement: 22t
Nystad were stricken in 1959 and 1960; VMV7 launched 1932 at Aabo was
Dimensions: 58ft 5in x 14ft lin x 3ft llin
wrecked after an internal explosion 1933; VMV18 (ex-SPl, a 72ft, llkt Home
17.80 x 4.30 x 1.20m
Guard vessel) launched 1935 was stricken 1958; VMV19 and VMV20 (ex-SP41
Machinery: 2 Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines, 2300bhp = 48kts
and SP42) launched 1943 are still extant 1980.
Armament: 2-450mm TT, l-20mm

Class: T1-T8
An Italian design built under licence by Turun Veneveistamo. T1-T6 were
JAAKARHU icebreaker (launched 1926)
named Tarmo,Taisto,Tyrsky, Tuima,Tuisku and Tuuli respectively; the last two Displacement: 4825t standard
were not named. In accordance with the peace treaty the TT were removed after Dimensions: 257ft 2in x 63ft 4in x 18ft
1945 and the boats renamed Taisto 1-8 and reclassified as MGBs, armament 78.45 x 19.30 x 6.40m
being changed to l-40mm and 2-13mm; all were stricken by 1964. Machinery: 2-shaft (plus 1 bow-thruster) VTE, 8 boilers, 9800ihp = 18kts
Armament: 4—102mm/60, 2-20mm AA
EX-SOVIET MTBs
During the war 4 Soviet MTBs were captured and used in the Finnish Navy: Built by Smit, Rotterdam. Handed over to the Soviet Union after 1945 and
(V7) Vasama (captured 1941, 35t, 2-450mm TT, l-20mm and 2-12.7mm); renamed Sibiryakov.
Vihuri (V2), Viima (V3) and a second V3 (16t, 2-533mm TT, 1-12.7mm), the
first two being captured in 1941 and the last salved in 1944. They were ex-Soviet
TKA52,TKA141 and TKA64 respectively, although the origin of the second V3
is unknown. Viima became VI in the summer of 1943, Vasoma dropping
the number designation. All were returned to the Soviet Union in the OTSO icebreaker (launched 1936)
autumn of 1944.
Displacement: 900t standard
Dimensions: 147ft x 38ft 9in x 10ft 9in
44.81 x 11.80 x 3.25m
Machinery: 1-shaft (plus 1 bow-thruster) TE, 1945ihp = 13kts. Oil 60t
Armament: l-75mm/50
VMV1 class motor launches (launched 1931)
Displacement: 30t Stricken 1967.
Dimensions: 82ft 2in x 13ft 6in x 3ft 4in
25.00 x 4.10 x 1.00m
Machinery: Petrol engines, 1220bhp = 25kts
Armament: l-20mm
Complement: 8

Class: VMV1, VMV2

Built in Germany; stricken in 1951

Sisu about 1939 By courtesy of K-E Westerlund

SISU icebreaker (launched 24.9.38)

Displacement: 2000t standard
Dimensions: 210ft 7in oa x 46ft llin X 16ft 8in
64.20 x 14.30 x 5.10m
VMV16 postwar By courtesy of K-E Westerlund Machinery: 2 shafts (plus 1 bow-thruster). 3 Atlas diesels (electric drive),
4000bhp = 15.8kts
Armament: 2-102mm/60, 2-40mm AA
VMV8 class motor launches (launched 1935) Complement: 100

Displacement: 33t Built by Sandvikens. Also served as a submarine depot ship. The armament was
Dimensions: 86ft x 13ft 6in x 3ft 2in altered in 1944 to 2-102mm/45, 3-20mm AA. Stricken 1974.
25.00 x 4.10 x 1.00m
Machinery: Semi-diesels, 1220bhp = 22kts OTHER VESSELS
Armament: l-20mm During the war the following served as gunboats: Aunus (ex-Kingston Emerald,
Complement: 8 launched 1927, 310brt, l-130mm/50, l-40mm and 2-20mm AA) and Viena
(ex-Conan Doyle, launched 1915, 303brt, l-130mm/50, 3-20mm AA). There
Class: VMV8-VMV17 was also the Coast Guard patrol vessel Tursas (launched 1933, 360t l-76mm,
Built in Aabo. VMV12 and VMV17 were sunk by bombs 26.2.1944, l-40mm, 2-20mm AA, 12kts).
6.2.44 and 18.6.44 respectively. VMV10 was sunk by German attack 15.9.44 at Among escorts used in the Second World War was the presidential yacht Aura
Hogland in the Gulf of Finland. The remainder were stricken successively, the (launched 1884, 563t, l-75mm and 2-20mm, sunk 13.1.40 by Soviet submarine
last in 1970, although VMVII has been preserved at Sandhamn. Shch.324).

By courtesy of K-E Westerlund

Saukko as completed
SCANDINAVIA
Baltic states, and was in alliance with Finland. The German Navy was

Sweden
still an important factor, but by 1943 Sweden had reached her highest
degree of readiness for hundreds of years.
As the Second World War ended, Sweden again had the good fortune
to stand neutral, one of only four such nations in Europe. The Navy
was again the strongest in the Baltic, although soon overtaken by the
Soviet Union. In 1946 the Swedish Navy consisted of 7 coastal battle¬
Sweden had been neutral in the First World War and was never directly ships, 2 cruisers (undergoing trials), 1 AA cruiser (ex-‘aircraft cruiser’),
threatened. The Army had been expanded but the Navy had experi¬ 1 old armoured cruiser, 29 destroyers (2 under construction), 26 sub¬
enced difficulties in building even those ships which parliament had marines, 21 MTBs, 21 escort and patrol boats, 2 large minelayers and
voted, due to a lack of strategic materials. 42 minesweepers. Hundreds of civilian ships and boats, from auxiliary
Three coast defence battleships had been ordered, but only Sverige cruisers to minesweepers and patrol boats had sailed under the Swedish
had entered service, in 1918. The other two, Drottning Victoria and ensign during the war, but by 1946 they had been paid off. Many of the
Gustaf V, ran trials in 1921 and 1922 respectively. In 1922 the Navy older vessels were scrapped.
also possessed nine smaller coastal battleships, launched between 1897 Sweden was one of the few countries west of the Iron Curtain
and 1905. Officially there were six cruisers but only Fylgia, launched in (perhaps the only one) that did not reduce its forces in the 1940s and
1905, could be considered as such by international standards. Only two 1950s. New destroyers, large torpedo-boats, small MTBs and sub¬
destroyers were built during the First World War, and these were not marines were constructed and joined the Navy; war-built ships were
much bigger than the eight older boats. No torpedo-boats had been modernised and rebuilt. A well-trained conscript army of 500,000 and
built since 1910 but 62 were operational during the war, about half of an air force of more than 700 combat aircraft, together with the Navy,
them as patrol boats with a reduced torpedo armament. The sub¬ were of great value in the years of the Cold War.
marines increased from the five active in 1914 to twelve in 1918
In 1914 Russia was the most likely enemy, followed by Germany, but Note: From 1902 the Swedish Navy (.Marinen) has consisted of two
by 1919 both these countries had lost the bulk of their navies. In 1922 branches: the Fleet and the Coastal Artillery. The latter has its own
the Swedish Navy was the strongest in the Baltic, but the majority of vessels, coastal minelayers, patrol boats, landing craft, etc.
the people, and the government, dismissed the idea of another war as
impossible and placed their confidence in the League of Nations.
Defence expenditure was cut and in 1925 the Swedish parliament
decided on a reduction of the armed forces to 50 per cent or less. Only a
few ships were to be built - the projected 5 Sverige class were reduced to
THE SWEDISH
1 - although the coastal battleships were to be modernised. NAVY IN 1922
After 1930 more and more people understood that ‘the era of ever¬
lasting peace’ had not arrived. The rise of the Nazi regime south of the
Baltic increased the willingness to spend more on defence: the Navy got
new ships, including the aircraft-carrying cruiser Gotland - very much
studied in naval circles - and new and better destroyers, submarines
and patrol boats.
A new defence law of 1936 meant more money for material, warships
and aircraft, expanded numbers of regulars and conscripts, and longer
and better training. Even plans for new coastal battleships were
accepted, although the latter were never built. In 1937, 1938 and 1939
new ships (including 2 coastal battleships) were voted, but to recon¬
COASTAL BATTLESHIPS
struct a navy takes a long time and when the Second World War broke Name Launched Disp (std) Fate
out the Swedish Navy had received only a few of the ships. Sverige class
From the moment the Soviet Union attacked Finland in November GUSTAF V 31.1.1918 7900t Sold 16.6.70, BU
1939, the Swedish people were united as never before in their defence DROTTNING 15.9.1917 7900t Sold 20.3.59, BU
efforts. Hitler’s attack on Denmark and Norway in April 1940 VICTORIA
SVERIGE 3.5.1915 7600t Sold 15.9.58, BU
increased the enthusiasm - every conscript was in arms, industry
Oscar II class
produced war material and the shipyards built warships. Warships OSCAR II 6.6.1905 3800t Sold 11.9.74, BU
were also obtained from abroad, including destroyers and MTBs from Aran class
Italy. The coalition government - and especially the Social Democratic MANLIGHETEN 1.12.1903 3800t Pontoon 1956
defence minister - pressed for increased defence efforts. By about 1943 TAPPERHETEN 7.11.1901 3800t Sold 1952, BU
WASA 29.5.1901 3800t Sold 9.11.60
Sweden felt able to resist Nazi pressure, although Germany had encir¬ Aran 14.8.1901 3800t Sold 1951,
cled the country by occupying Denmark, Norway, Poland and the sunk 1.11.68
Dristigheten class
Manligheten in April 1943 Author’s Collection DRISTIGHETEN 28.4.1900 3700t Sold 19.1.61, BU
Oden class
NIORD 31.3.1898 3700t Sold 1945, BU
THOR 7.3.1898 3700t BU 1942
ODEN 9.3.1896 3700t BU 1943
Svea class
THULE 4.3.1893 3300t Target 1928
GOTA 30.9.1889 3400t BU 1942

MONITORS
Name Launched Disp (std) Fate
Thordon class
TIRFING 1.8.1866 1524t Sold 1923
THORDON 1.12.1865 1505t Sold 1923
Gerda class
BJORN 1874 459t Sold 1933
GERDA 1872 459t To Denmark
1938

368
 Sweden
Oden class
Originally had two funnels and two masts, the fore a heavy military mast;
modernised during the First World War with one broad funnel and one mast
with light top, Niord in 1917, Thor in 1916 and Oden in 1915. They were stricken
in 1937 (last pair) and 1928 (Niord — but used as barrack ship until 1944).

Svea class
Svea was rebuilt as submarine depot ship in 1920 and stricken 1941. All three
originally had 2—254mm/34mm and 4—152mm/28mm guns. Completely recon¬
structed, Thule in 1903, Goto in 1901 and Svea in 1904, with 1-210mm and
7-152mm guns. Thule, stricken 1923, became a target ship for artillery and
bombers and was sold in the 1930s. Gota was stricken in 1923, but used as a
barrack ship until 1938.

Thordon class
Originally 2-240mm/19. Tirfing rebuilt 1903, Thordon in 1905 with
Gustav V about 1943 Author’s Collection
2-120mm/45 and 8-57mm and -47mm respectively.

The coastal battleships were originally classified as first class armoured ships,
Gerda class
the bigger monitors second class armoured ships and the smaller monitors third
Remaining two of seven small monitors. Originally l-240mm/19. Bjorn rebuilt
class armoured ships (respectively lkl,2kl and3klpansarbaatar). From 1926 the
1909, Gerda in 1910 with l-120mm/45 and 3-57mm. Both were stricken in
remaining coastal battleships were classified as armoured ships (pansarskepp).
1922.
Sverige class
All three ships were modernised, refitted and rebuilt several times; modifica¬
tions included a new control top, a tripod mast with director and enlarged
bridgework, oil-firing and the famous 40mm Bofors A A guns. To allow space
for the 40mm AA guns two 152mm guns were removed. GustafV was moder¬
nised in 1930 and 1938 with her funnels trunked into one; Drottning Victoria was
modernised in 1927, 1935 and 1941 with her funnels remaining upright; and
Sverige was modernised in 1926,1933 and 1939 with her forefunnel curved back
in an ‘S’ form. All three differed in appearance from the mid-1930s. They were
stricken on 1.4.57 (first two) and 30.1.53 (Sverige).

Fylgia as rebuilt, 1941

ARMOURED CRUISER
Name Launched Disp (std) Fate

FYLGIA 20.12.1905 43 lOt Sold 1957, BU

Fylgia was the world’s smallest genuine armoured cruiser , built as flagship of
the scouting flotilla and to be stronger than all light cruisers in the Baltic. As the
‘white swan of Sweden’ she sailed for 25 years as a cadet training ship. Moder¬
nised in 1939-40 with two instead of three funnels, modern fire control and A A
guns. Stricken on 30.1.53, she was used in experiments 1954—55.

TORPEDO-CRUISERS
Name Launched Disp (std) Fate
Oscar 11 in 1940 Author’s Collection ORNEN 6.8.1896 844t Sunk as target
1950
Oscar II JACOB BAGGE 30.4.1898 835t Sold 1949, BU 1951
Modernised in 1939 with a light tripod mast and stronger AA. Served from this CLAS HORN 9.2.1898 846t Sold for BU 1924
time as cadet training ship and was stricken 24.2.50 but survived as a training PSILANDER 25.11.1899 814t Sunk as target
hulk. 3.8.39

Division or flotilla leaders for torpedo-boats. Jacob Bagge served from 1925 to
1935 as a seaplane tender. and from 1936 as a cadet training ship. Psilander from
1928 and Omen from 1920 served as cadet training ships

DESTROYERS
Name Launched Disp (std) Fate

MODE 22.7.1902 453t Sunk as target

1936
MAGNE 2.8.1905 460t BU 1944
WALE 21.9.1907 46 It Sunk as target
1946
Sigurd class
SIGURD 19.9.1908 462t Sold 1961, BU
RAGNAR 30.5.1908 460t Sold 1951, BU
Tapperheten in 1941 Author’s Collection
VIDAR 9.6.1909 460t Sunk as target
Aran class 1961
Manligheten was modernised in 1941 with a light tripod mast, stronger AA and a Hugin class
cruiser bow. Tapperheten and Aran were modernised 1939-40 with light tripod HUGIN 10.12.1910 460t BU 1949
and stronger AA. Wasa was rebuilt as a dummy ship for the Drottning Victoria MUNIN 5.12.1911 460t Sold 1944, BU
during the Second World War. They were stricken on 24.2.50, 13.6.47,15.3.40 Wrangel class
and 13.6.47 (in the order given in the table). WRANGEL 25.9.1917 498t Sunk in experi-
ments 1960
Dristigheten WACHT MEISTER 19.12.1917 498t Sold 1950
Altered to a seaplane tender in 1927-29 with two aircraft and associated work¬
shops and only 4-75mm and 2-25mm AA guns. Stricken 13.6.47. Destroyers which survived the war were all stricken on 13.6.47.

369
SCANDINAVIA

Clas Fleming in 1940, as rebuilt. She later A uthor’s Collection

received a third funnel amidships

MINELAYERS
Name Launched Disp (std) Fate
V47 (ex-Polaris) during the war Author’s Collection
CLAS FLEMING 14.12.1912 1748t Sold 9.11.60, BU

Officially classified as a ‘mine cruiser’. Totally rebuilt 1939-40, lengthened and

TORPEDO-BOATS (FIRST CLASS) fitted with diesels producing compressed and heated air for the propeller
machinery, known as the Gotaverken ‘Warm Air Machinery System’.
Name Launched Disp (std) Fate

Plejad class There was also thtEdda of 1881, the youngest of a series of gunboats of 662t
PLEJAD (V38) 19.6.1905 106t Target 1942 rebuilt as a minelayer in 1907 and sold in 1924; and the coastal minelayers
SPICA (V41) 22.10.1908 115t BU 1951 (minutlaggare): Mul3, launched 19.4.1879, 99t, 6.55kts, stricken 1956; Mul5,
ASTREA (V42) 1.10.1908 122t Sunk as target launched 1885, and Mul6, launched 1893, 108t, 6.5kts, both stricken 1952;
1953 Mul7, launched 1902, and Mul8, launched 12.7.1904, 109t, 7.5kts, stricken
THETIS (V40) 19.9.1908 117t BU 1951 1953, BU 1955 and 1959 respectively; and Mul9, launched 1912, 120t, 9.1kts,
IRIS ZV39) 31.10.1908 124t BU 1951 stricken 1956.
POLLUX (V52) 3.5.1909 115t BU 1947
CASTOR (V51)
ARGO (V46)
ALTAIR (V4S)
24.4.1909
19.9.1909
5.6.1909
115t
120t
115t
BU 1947
BU 1951
BU c 1951
1;
i*

ARCTURUS (V44) 26.7.1909 112t BU c 1951 .

ANTARES (V43) 11.6.1909 119t BU 1951 '. & < |
RIGEL (V50) 10.6.1910 115t BU 1949
REGULUS (V49) 20.5.1910 115t BU 1957
'-y -—“ ■ '■.--'■'f-— ■~ ' _•
PERSEUS (V48) 6.4.1910 115t BU 1957
Utlern about 1928 Author’s Collection
POLARIS (V47) 1.12.1909 115t BU c 1951
VESTA (V54) 24.11.1910 120t BU 1947
VEGA (V53) 17.11.1910 120t BU 1948
SUBMARINES
Komet class Name Launched Disp Fate
KOMET (V20) 4.6.1896 104t Stricken 1925
BLIXT (V27) 26.7.1898 107t Stricken 13.6.47 UB Nol (tx-Hajen) 16.7.1904 11 lt/127t Stricken 1922,
METEOR (V28) 28.9.1898 116t Stricken 13.6.47 preserved
STJERNA (V29) 21.3.1899 102t Stricken 1937 HVALEN 16.2.1909 186t/230t Sunk as target
ORKAN (V30) 24.4.1900 102t Stricken 13.6.47 1924
BRIS (V31) 5.5.1900 94t Sunk as target UB No2 class
1938 UB No2 25.2.1909 138t/230t Stricken 1929
VIND (V32) 16.5.1900 lOOt Stricken 1937 UB No3 14.4.1909 138t/230t Stricken 1930
VIRGO (V33) 9.9.1902 98t Stricken 30.12.41 UB No4 16.10.1909 138t/230t Stricken 1929
MIRA (V34) 26.4.1902 lOlt Stricken 17.12.43 Svardfisken class
ORION (V35) 5.9.1903 116t Stricken 13.6.47 svArdfisken 30.8.1914 252/370t Stricken 1936
SIRIUS (V36) 12.9.1903 117t Stricken 24.7.42 TUMLAREN 14.10.1914 252t/370t Stricken 1936
KAPELLA (V37) 14.4.1904 96t Stricken 1937 Delfinen class
DELFINEN 1914 260t/370t Stricken 1930
Plejad class Laxen class
Plejad was built by Normand as a prototype boat. The other 16 were reclassified LAXEN 1914 140t/? Stricken 1935
in 1928 as patrol boats with minesweeping capability, with TT removed. V44, gAddan 1915 140t/? Stricken 1935
V46, V51 and V52 were stricken on 18.10.40, V53 and V54 on 30.12.41, V49 Abborren class
and V50 in 1944 and the remainder on 13.6.47. ABBORREN 25.5.1916 174t/? Stricken 1937
BRAXEN 5.5.1916 174t/? Stricken 1937
Komet class Hajen class
Komet was built by Schichau as a prototype boat. All were reclassified in 1921 as HAJEN 8.11.1917 422t/? Stricken 19.3.43
patrol boats with minesweeping capability and no TT. They were numbered as sAlen 31.1.1918 422t/? Stricken 24.7.42
above. VALROSSEN 16.4.1918 422t/? Stricken 19.3.43
Bavem class
There were also lOsecond class TBs numbered 5-/5, but No 13 never existed bAvern 5.3.1921 472t/? Stricken 6.10.44,
owing to superstition; launched in 1906-1908, they displaced 60t. All were BU 1956
reclassified in 1928 as patrol boats with minesweeping capability and no TT. ILLERN 30.6.1921 472t/? BU 1944
They were transferred to Coastal Artillery during World War 2, and apart from UTTERN 25.7.1921 472t/? Stricken 6.10.44
No 6 (sunk 14.12.44) they were stricken between 1946 and 1954.
UB Nol-4, Laxen class and Abborren class were designated second class sub¬
MAS type marines , all others first class. Illern was lost in a collision 12.8.42 but was salved.
Two 11.3t boats built in 1918 (MTB1 ex-MAS231 and MTB2 e.x-MAS232) were
acquired from the Italian Navy in 1921. Both were stricken in 1927 and sold in
1929.
MINESWEEPERS, PATROL BOATS
Sprdngaren class minesweepers: Sokaren (16.8.17),Sveparen (19.2.18),Sprdnga-
ren 12.6.18), 185t, lOkts, l-57mm, 1 MG, minesweepers and tenders. Sokaren
sunk 3.10.53, Sveparen stricken 1964, Sprdngaren stricken 1961.
V11-V14, V23-V26, launched 1884—1902, 53—60t, patrol boats, ex-torpedo-
SLOOP boats, stricken 1923-26.
V/9, launched 1914, 55t, ex-searchlight boat.
Name Launched Disp (std) Fate
V7-V10, launched 1883-86, 45-49t, patrol boats, ex-torpedo-boats, 1907-09
SVENSKSUND 30.9.1891 415t Sold 1962 transferred to Coastal Artillery, all stricken 1923.
V1-V5, launched 1879-80, 23t, patrol boats, ex-torpedo-boats, 1899 transfer¬
Served as a survey vessel from 1942 until stricken in 1957. red to Coastal Artillery, stricken 1921-30.

370
 Sweden

Gotland was originally projected (in 1926) as a small aircraft carrier of 4500t with
hangar capacity for 12 floatplanes launched by two catapults but with no
recovery facilities. In 1927 the concept was altered to an ‘aircraft cruiser’ of
4800t with 3 twin 152mm mountings, and two catapults aft, the 12 floatplanes
being carried on deck. However, this design could not be built within the budget
limits and the plans were recast once again: the hull was shortened, 2-152mm
guns were placed in casemates and stability dictated the fitting of only one
catapult. For recovering her aircraft Gotland had a drag sail which was towed at
speed against the wind, and a heavy-duty crane aft. Gotland usually carried 6
Hawker Ospreys although there was capacity for 8 on deck and 3 below. The
floatplanes were manoeuvred on the aircraft deck by means of wheeled trolleys
running on a system of rails. Endurance was 4000nm at 12kts.
This unique hybrid provoked considerable foreign interest and was widely
used as a training ship. However, the design was overtaken by developments in
aviation and since no suitable new floatplane was available, the ship was con¬
verted in 1943-44 to an AA cruiser, with 4—75mm/60, 8-40mm (4x2), and
Tre Kronor on trials, 1947 Author’s Collection eventually 16-25mm AA. In 1954—55 a further modernisation standardised the
AA armament to 13-40mm (4x2, 5x 1) and 2-25mm (1 x2), with the casemate
152mm guns removed. She was sold for scrapping 4.1.62.
TRE KRONOR class cruisers
Displacement: 8200t standard; 9200t full load
Dimensions: 570ft lOin pp, 597ft lin oa x54ft 9in X 21ft 4in max
174.00, 182.00 x 6.70 x 6.50m
Machinery: 2-shaft de Laval geared turbines, 4 4-drum boilers, 90,000shp
= 33kts
Armour: Belt 20mm-25mm plus vitals 70mm-80mm, decks 30 + 30 +
20mm-50mm + 20 = 100mm-130mm, turret front 125mm,
sides 30mm, back 80mm, roof 50mm, turret magazines
30mm, CT 20mm-25mm
Armament: 7-152mm/53 (1x3, 2x2), 27-40mm Bofors AA, 6-533mm
TT (2x3), 160 mines
Complement: 610

Name Builder Launched Fate

Ehrenskold as completed Author’s Collection
TRE KRONOR Gotaverken 16.12.1944 Stricken 1.1.64
GOTA LEJON Eriksberg 17.11.1945 Sold to Chile 1971
EHRENSKOLD class destroyers
Laid down on 27 and 22 September 1943 respectively, they were completed on
18 October and 15 December 1947. The 152mm guns were fully automatic and Displacement: 974t standard
with an elevation of 70° had full AA capability. Armour weight totalled 2lOOt. Dimensions: 292ft pp x 29ft 2in x 12ft 6in max
Tre Kronor was modernised 1952-53 and Gota Lejon 1950-52. Goto Lejon was 89.00 x 8.88 x 3.80m
modernised and partially rebuilt 1957-58 with new bridge tower, A A changed to Machinery: 2- shaft de Laval geared turbines, 3 Penhoet boilers,
4—57mm and ll-40mm Bofors, new radar and other electronics. A similar 34,000shp = 36kts
rebuilding of Tre Kronor was stopped for economic reasons, and she was eventu¬ Armament: 3- 120mm/46 (3x7), 2^10mm (Vickers, later Bofors) AA,
ally sold to become a pontoon bridge. 6-533mm TT (2x3), 2 DC throwers, 20 mines
Complement: 120

Laid down in 1924 and completed in December and September of 1927, they
GOTLAND cruiser were first named Nils Ehrenskold and O H Nordenskjold. During the war the AA
armament was changed to 4-25mm. In 1950-51 they were rebuilt as fast
Displacement: 4700t standard; 5550t full load
frigates: 1080t, 30kts, l-120mm, 4-40mm, l-20mm and AS weapons. Both
Dimensions: 426ft 6in wl, 442ft 3in oa x 50ft 7in x 18ft max
were used as targets until sold and scrapped in 1974 and 1964 respectively.
130.00, 134.80 x 15.40 x 5.50m
Psilander leaving Naples en route to Sweden, 18.4.1940 Author’s Collection
Machinery: 2-shaft de Laval geared turbines, 4 Penhoet boilers,
33,000shp = 28kts. Oil 800t
Armour: Bulkheads 29mm-51mm, deck 51mm, turrets 29mm-51mm,
CT 51mm
Armament: 6-152mm/55 (2x2, 2x1), 4-75mm/60 AA, 4-25mm AA,
4—8mm MG, 6-533mm TT (2x3), 80-100 mines, 6 aircraft
Complement: 467

Name Builder Launched Fate

GOTLAND Lindholmen & 14.9.1933 Stricken 17.7.60

Gotaverken

Gotland as an AA cruiser, 1944 Author’s Collection

371
SCANDINAVIA v

PSILANDER class destroyers ROMULUS class destroyers

Displacement: 1250t standard Displacement: 870t standard
Dimensions: 275ft 7in pp x 28ft 3in x 8ft 6in mean Dimensions: 255ft llin pp, 267ft oa x 26ft x 10ft 6in
84.00 x 8.60 x 2.60m 18.00, 81.40 x 7.90 x 3.20m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Thornycroft boilers, Machinery: 2-shaft Tosi geared turbines, 2 boilers, 19,000shp = 34kts
36,000shp = 35kts Armament: 3-100mm/47(3x 1) AA,6-20mm AA,4-450mmTT (2x2),2
Armament: 4-120mm/45 (2x2), 2-40mm (Terni, later Bofors) AA, DC throwers, mines
2-13mm AA, 4-533mm TT (2x2), 10 mines Complement: 100
Complement: 106
Name Builder Launched Fate
Name Builder Launched Fate
ROMULUS (ex- Bacini e Scali, 11.3.1934 Stricken 15.8.58
PSILANDER (ex- Pattison, Naples 24.6.1926 stricken 13.6.47 Spica) Naples
Giovanni Nicotera) REMUS (ex-Astore) Bacini e Scali, 22.4.1934 Stricken 15.8.58
PUKE (ex- Bettino Pattison, Naples 29.1.1926 Stricken 13.6.47 Naples
Ricasoli)
Italian Spica class torpedo-boats purchased together with Psilander and Puke
Italian Sella class destroyers purchased together with Romulus and Remus and and four MTBs in March 1940. They were seized by order of the British
four MTBs in March 1940. They were seized by order of the British government government 20.6.40 in Skaalefjord, Faroe Isles, and taken to Kirkwall, being
on 20.6.40 in Skaalefjord, Faeroe Isles, and taken to Kirkwall. They were returned 1.7.40 and altered for northern conditions. In 1953 they were reclass¬
returned 1.7.40, to Goteborg (Gothenburg). Extensive repairs and alterations ified as frigates, l-100mm being removed and AS weapons installed. Both were
for northern conditions were carried out but they experienced difficulties sold on 5.8.59 and scrapped in 1961.
throughout the war. They were sold for scrapping in 1949.

GOTEBORG class destroyers

Displacement: 1040t standard; 1200t full load
Dimensions: 305ft lin pp, 310ft 4in oa x 29ft 6in x 12ft 6in max
93.00, 94.60 x 9.00 x 3.80m
Machinery: 2-shaft de Laval geared turbines, 3 Penhoet boilers,
32,000shp = 39kts. Oil 150t
Armament: 3-120mm/46 (3x1), 6-25mm AA, 2 MG, 6-533mm TT
(2x3), 2 DC throwers, 20 mines
Complement: 135
Klas Uggla as completed Author’s Collection
Name Builder Launched Fate

GOTEBORG Gotaverken 14.10.1935 Stricken 15.8.58

STOCKHOLM Karlskrona N Yd 24.3.1936 Stricken 1.1.64
KLAS HORN class destroyers MALMO Eriksberg 22.9.1938 Stricken 1.1.64
Displacement: 1020t standard KARLSKRONA Karlskrona N Yd 16.6.1939 Stricken 1.7.74
Dimensions: 298ft 7in pp x 29ft 2in x 12ft 2in max NORRKOPING Eriksberg 5.9.1940 Stricken 1.2.65
91.00 x 8.90 x 3.70m gAvle Gotaverken 25.9.1940 Stricken 6.12.68
Machinery: 2-shaft de Laval geared turbines, 3 Penhoet boilers,
26,000shp = 36kts. Oil 150t Laid down in pairs in 1934, 1937 and 1939 they were completed in 1936, 1937,
Armament: 3-120mm/46 (3x 1), 2-40mm Vickers (later 4-25mm Bofors) 1939, 1940 and 1941 (last pair). Very fast, all exceeding 40kts, and some 41kts.
AA, 6-533mm TT (2x3), 2 DC throwers, 20 mines Goteborg was sunk 17.9.41 (see Klas Horn), but salvaged, repaired and moder¬
Complement: 130 nised. Stockholm, Karlskrona,Norrkoping andGdvle were rebuilt 1948-54, their
beam being increased for better stability to 31ft lOin (9.70m). In all six AA
Name Builder Launched Fate changed to 4-40mm, and displacement to 1140t. Last five reclassified as frigates
in 1961 without rebuilding. Goteborg and Norrkoping were used as targets, the
KLAS HORN Kockums 13.6.1931 Stricken 15.8.58 former being sunk 14.8.62.
KLAS UGGLA Karlskrona N Yd 18.6.1931 Sunk 17.9.41

Laid down in 1929 and completed in 1932. Improved Ehrenskold class. Both
sunk by unsolved explosion at Haarsfjarden naval base, south of Stockholm,
17.9.41 (along with the destroyer Goteborg). After salvage, parts of Klas Uggla
were used for repairing Klas Horn, at the same time increasing AA to 6-25mm.
Radius was 600nm/ 1600nm at 36kts/20kts. Klas Horn was a training hulk from
1958 until sold for scrapping on 14.11.67.

MODE class destroyers

Romulus in 1941 Author’s Collection
Displacement: 750t standard; 960t full load
Dimensions: 255ft llin oa x 26ft 7in x 8ft lOin max
78.00 x 8.10 x 2.70m
Machinery: 2-shaft de Laval geared turbines, 2 3-drum boilers, 16,000shp
= 30kts. Oil 190t
Armament: 3-105mm/50 (3x1) AA, 2-40mm Bofors AA, 2-20mm AA,
3-533mm TT (1x3), 2 DC throwers, mines
Complement: 100

Name Builder Launched Fate

MODE Gotaverken 11.4.1942 Stricken 1.7.70
MAGNE Gotaverken 25.4.1942 Stricken 1.1.66
MJOLNER Eriksberg 9.4.1942 Stricken 1.4.66
MUNIN Oresundsvarvet 27.5.1942 Stricken 6.12.68

Laid down in 1940 and completed in 1942 (except Munin, in 1943). Originally
classified as coastal destroyers, with a radius of 1260nm at 20kts. In 1953 they
were reclassified as frigates, l-105mm removed, AS weapons installed. The first
pair were scrapped in 1973, Munin in 1970 and Mjolner was sold on 3.11.69.

372
 i Sweden

Valen about 1935 Author’s Collection

VALEN submarine
Displacement: 548t standard; 730t submerged
Dimensions: 187ft 4in oa X 23ft 4in x 10ft 2in
57.10 x 7.10 x 3.10m
Machinery: 2-shafts. 2 Atlas diesels plus 2 electric motors. 1340bhp/
700shp = 14.8kts/7.4kts
Armament: 4-450mm TT, l-75mm/42.5 AA, l-25mm AA, 20 mines
Halsingborg 3.12.1943, as completed Author’s Collection Complement: 31

Name Builder Launched Fate

VISBY class destroyers VALEN Karlskrona N Yd 5.5.1925 Stricken 6.10.44
Displacement: 1135t standard; 1320t full load
Dimensions: A minelaying submarine utilising the Normand-Fenaux system, laid down in
311ft 2in pp, 321ft 6in oa x 29ft 6in x 12ft 6in
95.00, 98.00 x 9.00 x 3.80m 1923 and commisioned 4.9.25.
Machinery: 2- shaft de Laval geared turbines, 3 3-drum boilers, 36,000shp 1 fiT,
= 39kts. Oil 150t
Y-.
Armament: J_ Draken 1929
3- 120mm/46 (3x1), 4-40mm Bofors AA, 3-20mm AA,
6-533mm TT (2x3), 4 DC throwers, 20 mines
Complement: 140
DRAKEN class submarines
Name Builder Launched Fate Displacement: 667t standard; 850t submerged
VISBY Dimensions: 216ft lOin oa X 21ft x 10ft lOin
Gotaverken 16.10.1942 Extant 1980
66.10 x 6.40 x 3.30m
SUNDSVALL Eriksberg 20.10.1942 Extant 1980
HALSINGBORG Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 Gotaverken diesels plus 2 electric motors,
Gotaverken 23.3.1943 Stricken 1.7.78
KALMAR 1920bhp/1000shp = 13.8kts/8.3kts
Eriksberg 20.7.1943 Stricken 1.7.78
Armament: 4-533mm TT, l-105mm/41, l-25mm AA
Laid down in 1942 and completed respectively on 10.8.42, 17.9.43, 17.9.43 and Complement: 35
3.2.44. Improved Goteborg class. Two voted as replacements for Klas Horn and
Klas Uggla, sunk 17.9.41. All reclassified as frigates from 1.1.1965. Vis by and Name Builder Launched Fate
Sundsvall were rebuilt 1964-66: 1200t, 311ft 2in x 30ft 2in x 12ft 6in (95.00 x DRAKEN Karlskrona N Yd 21.10.1926 Stricken 28.10.48
9.20 x 3.80m), 2-57mm Bofors AA, l-375mm Bofors, quad AS rocket GRIPEN Karlskrona N Yd 21.8.1928 Stricken 18.6.47
launcher, 1 helicopter, mines. Kalmar was used as a target ship,Halsingborg was ULVEN Karlskrona N Yd 6.3.1930 Mined 16.4.1943
scrapped in 1979, and the remaining two were in material reserve in 1980.
Laid down in 1925, 1926 and 1928 and commissioned respectively on 25.2.29,
11.3.29 and 16.2.31. Surface radius was 5600nm at lOkts. Draken was scrapped
in 1951 ,Gripen was sold for scrap in 1957, and t/foe«-sunkby a German mine-
was raised and broken up.

Uppland before her 1954 refit Author’s Collection

Delfinen 1937, as completed Author’s Collection

OLAND class destroyers
Displacement: 1880t standard
Dimensions: 351ft pp, 367ft 6in oa X 36ft 9in x lift 2in DELFINEN class submarines
107.00, 112.00 x 11.20 x 3.40m
Machinery: Displacement: 540t standard; 720t submerged
2-shaft de Laval geared turbines, 2 Penhoet boilers,
44,000shp = 35kts. Oil 300t Dimensions: 207ft oa x 21ft x lift 2in
Armament: 4— 120mm/45 (2x2) DP, 6-40mm (Uppland 7^10mm) Bofors 63.10 x 6.40 x 3.40m
AA, 8-25mm AA, 6-533mm TT (2x3), l-375mm Bofors Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 MAN diesels plus 2 electric motors,
quad AS rocket launcher, 60 mines 1200bhp/800shp = 15kts/9kts
Complement: 210 Armament: 4—533mm TT (3 bow, 1 stern), l-57mm, l-25mm AA, 20
mines
Name Builder Launched Fate Complement: 34

OLAND Kockums 15.12.1945 Stricken 1.7.78 Name Builder Launched Fate

UPPLAND Karlskrona N Yd 15.11.1946 Stricken 1.7.78
DELFINEN Kockums 20.12.1934 Sold 1957, BU
Laid down in 1943 and commissioned on 5.12.47 and 31.1.48 respectively. NORDKAPAREN Kockums 9.2.1935 Sold 1958, BU
Radius of action was 2500nm at 20kts. Oland modernised 1949, 1953, 1960 and SPRINGAREN Kockums 27.4.1935 Sold 1956, BU
1969, Uppland 1954 and 1963. Both reclassified in 1974 as frigates, without
alterations. The 120mm guns were semi-automatic with 80° elevation, and Minelaying submarines laid down in 1933 and completed respectively on
superstructure and machinery spaces had light protective plating. 22.4.36, 16.10.36 and 3.8.37. They were all stricken 24.2.53.

373
 \s -
SCANDINAVIA

Sjolejonei in 1945 Author’s Collection U4 as completed, 1944 Author’s Collection

SJOLEJONET class submarines U1 class submarines

Displacement: 580t standard; 760t submerged Displacement: 367t standard; 450t submerged
Dimensions: 210ft 8in oa x 21ft x 11ft 2in Dimensions: 162ft 9in pp x 15ft Sin x: 12ft 6in
64.20 x 6.40 x 3.40m 49.60 x 4.70 x 3.80m
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 MAN diesels plus 2 electric motors. Machinery: 2 shafts. 1 MAN diesel-electric motor plus 2 drive motors,
2100bhp/1000shp = 16.2kts/10kts 1350shp/?shp = 13.8kts/7.5kts
Armament: 6-533mm TT, 2-40mm Bofors AA Armament: 4—533mm TT, l-20mm
Complement: 38 Complement: 23

Name Builder Launched Fate Name Builder Launched Fate

SJOLEJONET Kockums 25.7.1936 Stricken 15.5.59 Ul Kockums 14.6.1941 Stricken 1.7.60

SJOBJORNEN Kockums 15.1.1937 Stricken 1.11.64 U2 Karlskrona N Yd 16.5.1942 Stricken 1960
SJOHUNDEN Kockums 26.11.1938 Stricken 1.7.60 U3 Karlskrona N Yd 11.6.1942 Stricken 1.11.64
SVARDFISKEN Kockums 18.5.1940 Stricken 15.5.59 U4 Kockums 5.6.1943 Stricken 1.7.70
TUMLAREN Kockums 8.9.1940 Stricken 1.1.64 U5 Kockums 8.7.1943 Stricken 1976
DYKAREN Kockums 17.12.1940 Stricken 1.12.59 U6 Kockums 18.8.1943 Stricken 1.7.74
sjohAsten Kockums 19.10.1940 Stricken 1.4.63 U7 Kockums 25.11.1943 Stricken 1.7.73
SJOORMEN Kockums 5.4.1941 Stricken 1.1.64 U8 Karlskrona N Yd 25.4.1944 Stricken 1976
SJOBORREN Kockums 14.6.1941 Stricken 15.6.59 U9 Karlskrona N Yd 23.5.1944 Stricken 1976

The first 4 were laid down 1935-39 (one in each year except 1938), the next 4 in
1940 and the last boat in 1941. In the above order, they ■were commissioned on
21.9.38, 20.3.38, 18.12.39, 26.4.41, 19.7.41, 18.10.41, 16.7.41, 3.12.41,
20.5.42. Two of the TT were in a traversing deck mounting, three in the bow
and one in the stern, and the 40mm guns were on disappearing mountings. All
were reconstructed in the 1950s, the guns and deck TT being removed and the
conning tower streamlined. Sjoborren was sunk in a collision 4.9.42, but raised
and repaired. All were sold for scrapping between 1961 and 1967.
The first 3 were laid down in 1940 and the remainder in 1943, the first 3 being
completed between June 1942 and Nov 1943, U4-U8 in 1944 and U9 in 1945.
One of the TT was on a swivelling mounting on deck. During 1961-64 the last
six were completely rebuilt as AS submarines, being renamedForellen (ex-U4),
Abborren (ex-U5),Siken (ex-U6),Gaddan (ex-U7j,Laxen (ex-U8) andMakrillen
(ex-179). Ul was used in experiments before being sold for scrapping on
25.11.63, U2 was sold for scrapping on 9.6.65, and U3 is preserved as a museum
at Malmo.

4} \ **

ALVSNABBEN minelayer
Displacement: 4250t standard
Dimensions: 317ft 7in wl, 334ft 8in oa x 44ft 7in x 16ft
96.80, 102.00 x 13.60 x 4.90m
Neptun about 1942 Author’s Collection
Machinery: 1 shaft. 1 Burmeister & Wain diesel, 3000bhp = 14kts
Armament: 4-152mm/44, 8-40mm Bofors AA, 6-20mm AA, mines
NEPTUN class submarines Complement: 255

Displacement: 550t standard; 730t submerged Name Builder Launched Fate

Dimensions: 205ft 5in oa x 21ft x lift 2in
ALVSNABBEN Eriksberg 19.1.1943 To be stricken
62.60 x 6.40 x 3.40m
1981
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 MAN diesels plus 2 electric motors,
1800bhp/1000shp = 15kts/10kts
Mercantile hull purchased on slipway. Modernised 1951, 1961, 1966 and 1972.
Armament: 5-533mm TT, l-40mm Bofors AA, l-20mm AA, 20 mines
Last armament 2-152mm, 2-57mm Bofors AA, mines. Relieved Gotland as
Complement: 35
sea-going cadet training ship in 1959 although she had been employed in a
training role from 1953.
Name Builder Launched Fate

NEPTUN Kockums 17.11.1942 Stricken 1.4.66 COASTAL MINELAYERS

NAJAD Kockums 26.9.1942 Stricken 1.4.66 There were also the coastal minelayers, or mining tenders, MullO and Mull 1.
nAcken Kockums 26.9.1942 Stricken 1.4.66 The former, launched in 1939, 166t, 90ft x 18ft 6in x 7ft 6in (27.43 x 5.64 x
2.30m), 9.5kts, 4 MG, was stricken 1.10.70. Mull 1, launched in 1946, 200t,
Minelaying submarines laid down in 1942 and commissioned respectively on 98ft 9in x 23ft 8in X lift lOin (30.00 x 7.21 x 3.60m), lOkts, 2-20mm, was
26.8.43, 15.7.43 and 12.6.43. All were sold for scrapping on 11.11.70. still in service in 1980.

374
 Sweden

MTB4 as completed Author’s Collection T16 probably running trials Author’s Collection

MTB3 class MTBs (built 1925) T15 class MTBs (built 1941)
Displacement: 12.5t Displacement: 22.5t standard
Dimensions: 53ft 2in pp x 11ft 2in X 3ft 7in Dimensions: 61ft 4in x 15ft lin x 4ft 1 lin
16.20 x 3.40 x 1.10m 18.70 x 4.60 x 1.50m
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 petrol engines, 750bhp = 40kts Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 Isotta-Fraschini 183 petrol engines, 2300bhp =
Armament: 2-450mm TT, 1 MG 45kts
Complement: 7 Armament: 2-450mm TT, l-20mm
Complement: 11
Class: MTB3, MTB4
Thornycroft 55ft CMBs launched on 5.6.25 and 14.9.25 respectively. Both Class: T1S-T18.
were stricken 1.8.40. Built by Kockums. All stricken 1.10.56.

T4 in 1940 Author’s Collection T25 date unknown Author’s Collection

T3 class MTBs (built 1940) T21 class MTBs (built 1942-43)

Displacement: 20t standard Displacement: 27t standard
Dimensions: 60ft x 15ft 5in x 4ft llin Dimensions: 65ft 7in x 16ft 5in x 4ft 1 lin
18.30 x 4.70 x 1.50m 20.00 x 5.00 x 1.50m
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 Isotta-Fraschini 183 petrol engines, 2300bhp = Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines, 3000bhp = 49kts
40kts Armament: 2-533mm TT, l-20mm
Armament: 2-450mm TT, 2 MG Complement: 11
Complement: 8
Class: T21-T31
Class: T3, T4 All built by Kockums. All reached 5 lkts and one 52.7kts. T21-T24 were
Vosper-built wooden-hulled craft. T1 and T2, ordered from the British Power stricken 1.1.59; T25-T27, T29 and T30 were stricken 10.10.57; T28 and T31
Boat Co, were commandeered and never delivered to Sweden. Both were were stricken on 15.5.59. T25, T26, T29, T30 and T31 later transferred to
stricken on 1.4.49 but T3 was used for gas turbine experiments between 1952 Missile Experimental Central as target towing boats and T27 as a missile target.
and 1959 and both were eventually sunk as targets in 1963.

STYRBJORN type patrol vessels

Til class MTBs (purchased 29.2.40) Displacement: 300-440t standard
Displacement: 17t Dimensions: 98ft 5in— 121ft 4in x 13ft 2in-23ft x 13ft 9in-14ft lin
Dimensions: 55ft 9in x 14.9in x 4ft llin 30.00-37.00 x 4.00-7.00 x 4.20-4.30m
17.00 x 4.50 x 1.50m Machinery: 1-shaft VTE, 700-800ihp = lOkts
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 Isotta-Fraschini 181 petrol engines, 2000bhp = Armament: l-57mm or l-37mm, 1 MG
47kts
Armament: 2-450mm TT, 1-13.2mm MG, 6 DC Not a class, but three pairs of similar vessels, all Norwegian-built whale-
Complement: 10 catchers. They were: Styrbjdm, launched 1923 as Klo, bought 31.8.35, stricken
1.12.59, sold 17.1.61 to tug firm; Kanon andKrut, launched 1924, bought 1940,
Class (fate): Til, tx-MAS506 (stricken 28.6.46); T12, ex-MAS508 (stricken stricken 20.12.58, sold 14.5.59; Granat and Harpun, launched 1925, bought
1.4.49); T13, ex-MAS511 (stricken 28.6.46); T14, ex-MAS524 (stricken 1935, stricken 5.11.63 and 21.1.65 respectively, sold 1964 and 1965, Harpun
28.6.46). B\J ■, S tarkodder, launched 1925 as Graham, bought 1935, stricken 1.12.59, sold
All built by Baglietto in 1936 and sold to Sweden by the Italian Navy in 17.1.61, BU; Styrbjdm and Starkodder were fitted for minelaying and Granat,
February 1940. Harpun, Kanon and Kmt belonged to the Coastal Artillery.

375
 % •

SCANDINAVIA
L

ASKOFjARD class patrol boats

Displacement: 25t standard
Dimensions: 63ft 4in x 12ft 6in x 4ft llin
19.30 x 3.80 x 1.50m
Machinery: 1 shaft. 1 diesel, 92bhp = 11.5kts
Armament: l-37mm
Complement: 7

Class: Askofjard, Baggensfjard, Namdofjard

Launched 1931, 1932 and 1932 respectively as V71, V12 and V73. Belonged
to Coastal Artillery. Stricken 1954.

Sandon about 1943 Author's Collection

EDOFjARD class patrol boats
Displacement: 28t standard
Dimensions: 69ft 7in x 12ft 6in x 4ft llin ARHOLMA class minesweepers
21.20 x 3.80 x 1.50m
Displacement: 365t standard; 442t full load
Machinery: 1 shaft. 1 diesel, 92bhp = 11.5kts
Dimensions: 180ft 5in pp, 186ft oa x 24ft llin x 6ft llin
Armament: l-37mm
55.00, 56.70 x 7.60 x 2.10m
Complement: 7 2-shaft de Laval geared turbines, 2 boilers, 3200shp = 17kts.
Machinery:
Oil 60t
Class: Eddfjard, Kanholmsfjdrd, Lidofjard 2-105mm/41 AA, 2 MG, 2 DC throwers, mines
Armament:
Launched 1933 as V76,V74 and V75. Belonged to Coastal Artillery. Stricken
Complement: 37
1954.
Class (launched, builder, fate): Arholma (27.4.37, Karlskrona N Yd, stricken
4 1.4.60, sunk as target), Landsort (26.11.37, Karlskrona N Yd, stricken 1.1.64),
Bredskar (12.12.40, Eriksberg, stricken 1.4.66, sunk as target), Bremon
(18.6.40, Eriksberg, stricken 1.4.66, training hulk); Gronskar (30.10.40, Finn-
boda Varv, Stockholm, stricken 1.4.63), Holmon (5.9.40, Eriksberg, stricken
1.1.64, target), Koster (10.10.40, Oresundsvarvet, Landskrona, stricken
1.1.64), Kullen (29.10.40, Oresundsvarvet, Landskrona, stricken 1.4.66),
Ramskdr (28.10.40, Lindholmen, Goteborg, stricken 1.4.66),Sandon (15.8.40,
Oskarshamns Varv, stricken 1.1.64), Ulvon (29.4.41, Oskarshamns Varv,
camouflage experiment vessel, stricken 1.1.68), Ven (7.10.40, Gotaverken,
stricken 1.12.59, sunk as target), Vinga (7.10.40, Gotaverken, stricken 1.1.64),
sunk as target), Orskar 31.3.40, Lindholmen, Goteborg, stricken 1.4.66, target,
sold).
*
Voktaren about 1944 Author’s Collection

jAGAREN class patrol boats Ml class minesweepers

Displacement: 3 lOt standard Displacement: 6It standard; 64t full load
Dimensions: 170ft 3in pp x 19ft 7in x 9ft 2in Dimensions: 98ft 5in pp x 14ft lin x 3ft 3in
51.90 x 6.00 x 2.80m 30.00 x 4.30 x 1.00m
Machinery: 2 shafts, 1 de Laval geared turbine, 2 Vanson boilers, 3600shp Machinery: 3 shafts. 3 engines, 630bhp = 17kts. Oil 3t
= 23kts. Oil 50t Armament: l-20mm
Armament: 2-75mm, 2-25mm AA, 2 DC throwers Complement: 11
Complement: 41
Class (launched): Ml (12.8.1937), M2 (3.10.1937).
Class (service): Jagaren (launched 1.12.1932, stricken 1.1.59, target ship, sold Built at Ekensbergs Varv, Stockholm. Steel hulls. Ml Bolinder hot-bulb
17.10.61), Kaparen (launched 3.3.1933, stricken 1.1.59, training hulk, sold engine, M2 Nohab diesels. Stricken 4.4.52 and 4.3.53 respectively, surveying
10.3.69),Snapphanen (launched 2.11.1934, stricken 1.1.59, sold 1959, modern¬ vessels, later BU.
ised and rebuilt, to Guatemala as Jose Francisco Barrundia), Vaktaren (launched
25.4.1934, stricken 1.1.59, target ship, later BU).
All built at Karlskrona N Yd.

SVK1 class patrol boats

Displacement: 19t standard
Dimensions: 54ft 2in x 12ft 2in x 3ft llin
16.50 x 3.70 x 1.20m
Machinery: 1 shaft. 1 diesel, lOObhp = 10.5kts
Armament: l-20mm

Class SVK1-SVKS
Coastal patrol boats for the volunteer naval corps (Sjovamskaaren), all built by
Br Larsson, Kristinehamn and launched 1944.

V51 class patrol boats

Displacement: 145t standard
Dimensions: 105ft x 17ft 4in x 7ft 3in
32.00 x 5.30 x 2.20m M5 about 1950 Author’s Collection
Machinery: 1 shaft TE, 400ihp = llkts
Armament: l-20mm, 1 MG
Complement: 12
M3 class minesweepers (launched 1940-41)
Displacement: 50t standard
Class: V51-V56 Dimensions: 82ft Oin x 16ft 9in X 4ft 7in
Launched 1944-45, V51 and V56 at Oskarshamns Varv, V52 and V54 at 25.00 x 5.10 x 1.40m
Finnboda Varv, Stockholm, V53 and V55 at Stockholm N Yd. All belonged to Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 diesels, 400bhp = 13kts
Coastal Artillery. V51-V53 and V56 stricken 16.11.66, V54 and V55 stricken Armament: l-20mm
17.6.65.

376
 Sweden/Norway
Class: M3-M14
Built at various small yards. Mahogany hulls. Scania, Ellwe or Bolinder ATLE icebreaker (launched 1925)
diesels. Six redesignated surveying vessels and named: M3 (Maasen,
Displacement: 1725t standard; 2630t full load
2.12.55), M4 (Taman, 2.12.55), M5 (Svartan, 2.12.55),M6 (Grisslan, 4.3.55),
Dimensions: 204ft lin x 55ft 9in x 20ft 8in
M9(Anden, 1.1.60 ),M10 (Viggen, 1.11.60). Successively stricken, the last one
62.20 x 11.00 x 6.30m
in 1971. Ml andMS stricken 1.2.59, training vessels for volunteer naval corps
Machinery: 6000shp = 14kts
(Sjovarnskaaren), sold 1968. Mil and M12 stricken 22.11.57 and M14 stricken
15.5.59, all three transferred to Central Customs Authority. M13 stricken Armament: 4—57mm AA, 4 MG
1.12.59, transferred to Royal Science Academy as research vessel Sagitta. Complement: 44

Built at Lindholmen, Gothenburg as Statsibrytaren. Stricken 23.9.66 and

sold 11.10.67.

M25 postwar Author's Collection

Ymer in 1949 Author’s Collection

M15 class minesweepers (launched 1941)
Displacement: 70t standard
Dimensions: 90ft 1 lin X 16ft 5in x 4ft 1 lin YMER icebreaker (launched 1932)
21.10 x 5.00 x 1.50m
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 Scania Vabis diesels, 410bhp = 13kts Displacement: 3465t standard; 4545t full load
Armament: l-20mm Dimensions: 257ft lOin x 63ft 4in x 22ft 4in
18.60 x 19.30 x 6.80m
Class: M1S-M26 Machinery: 6 diesels, electric drive, 9000bhp = 15.9kts
Built at various small yards. Wooden hulls. M15 and M16 became clearance Armament: 4—75mm A A, 2-40mm Bofors A A, 4—25mm A A
diving tenders in 1976; Mil and M18 on 1.11.61 became tenders and were Complement: 44
named Lommen and Spoven; M19 transferred on 1.2.65 to Central Torpedo
Manufacturing Industry as tender; M20 was rebuilt in 1969 as a mine research The first diesel-electric engined icebreaker in the world. Built by Kockums.
vessel, named Skuld. M21-M26 became clearance diving tenders in 1976. Stricken 15.2.76.

(ex-Bjorgvin) and Gorgon (ex-Nidaros); neither ever entered Norwegian

Norway
During the First World War the Norwegian Navy - consisting of 4 old
coast defence ships, some 40 torpedo-boats and a few submarines and
sloops - had carried out neutrality patrols without any serious chal¬
lenge. Two coast defence ships building in Britain in 1914 were com¬
mandeered by the Royal Navy and completed as the monitors Glatton
service.
As with other Scandinavian countries, defence effort and expendi¬
ture was drastically cut back after the Versailles Treaty. The first
postwar surface warship, the minelayer Olav Tryggvason, was not
launched until 1932, previous naval construction being limited to 6 ,
small submarines. Even the rise of Nazi Germany did not alter defence
policy: nobody, it seems, read Vice Admiral Wegener’s 1929 book in
which he advocated German occupation of Denmark and Norway in
any future war.
During the 1930s many of the oldest vessels were scrapped, but
replacements were few. By 1939 the only new vessels were 4 coastal
destroyers or torpedo-boats of the Sleipner and Odin classes (with 2
 * •
SCANDINAVIA
more building), 2 minesweepers and 2 patrol craft; 2 larger destroyers TORPEDO-BOATS
had been laid down. When war broke out every available ship was fitted
Name Launched Disp Fate
out for neutrality patrols, the age record being held by 7 small
minelayers originally built between 1874 and 1887. Many were in very Snogg class

poor condition: for example, the coast defence ships of 1897 had their SNOGG 2.9.1920 198t Retroceded May
1945, BU
guns removed for use as coastal artillery and the 40-year-old torpedo-
STEGG 16.6.1921 198t Sunk 20.4.40
boats could only serve as patrol craft. Excepting about 10 ships, the TRYGG 31.5.1919 198t Sunk 1944
German invasion of 9 April 1940 was met with a navy of museum Teist class
pieces. TEIST 18.2.1907 92t Scuttled 14.4.40
SKARV 14.12.1906 92t Captured 9.4.40
The naval side of the fighting was a disaster. Destroyers torpedoed
KJELL 1912 941 Retroceded 1945,
the coastal battleships Norge and Eidsvold at Narvik within minutes of stricken, BU
the outbreak of hostiliues; torpedo-boats, submarines and other vessels Ravn class
were not properly scuttled, or fell into German hands undamaged. RAVN 18.12.1903 70t Scuttled 17.4.40
ORN 18.12.1903 70t Sold 1946
Only the torpedo-boatsSleipner and Draug, the submarineBl, 2 patrol
LOM 14.9.1905 70t Sold 1946
craft and 6 whale-catchers fitted for minesweeping escaped to Britain. 10.7.1905 70t Scuttled 17.4.40
JO
However, once established, the Norwegian King and government in GRIB 26.1.1905 70t Scuttled 17.4.40
exile organised a very active war effort from the UK. The Norwegian Hval class
merchant marine was one of the world’s largest and its revenue and HVAL 1896 84t Stricken 1931
DELFIN 1896 84t Stricken 1927
personnel formed the basis of a new navy. British warships were leased
TRODS 1899 84t Stricken cl933
or purchased, and an initial force of MTBs and MLs grew to include BRAND 1899 84t ?BU 1940s
fleet destroyers and submarines. Transfers included 5 of the ex-US STORM 1899 84t Sunk 13.4.40
‘flush-deckers’, 3 ‘Hunt’ class escort destroyers, 2 ‘S’ class destroyers, SKREI 31.10.1901 84t Scuttled 8.5.40
SAEL 25.9.1901 84t Damaged 18.4.40,
6 ‘U’ class submarines and 7 corvettes. The USA supplied 4
lost
submarine-chasers and 4 ‘YMS’ type minesweepers, while the coastal 30.7.1900 84t Scuttled 5.5.40
SILD
forces of the new Norwegian Navy totalled 29 MTBs and 9 MLs, with LAKS 12.7.1900 84t Stricken and
39 whale-catcher type vessels and 2 ex-British motor minesweepers for sold 1945
patrol and mine-warfare duties. Hvas class
HVAS 1898 641 Stricken,
The Norwegian Navy fought with distinction in northern waters and
sold 1946
the Mediterranean. Stord was involved in the Scharnhorst action and KJAEK 1899 641 Stricken,
Svenner was lost during the Normandy invasion. Other losses included sold 1946
a ‘flush-decker’ torpedoed on convoy duty, one of the ‘Hunts’, a FALK 26.6.1902 64t Stricken,
submarine, 7 MTBs, 4 minesweepers and an ML. At the end of the war sold 1946
HAUK 1903 641 Stricken 1945
some ships were returned but the Norwegian Navy of 1945 was still
Varg class
stronger and more modern than it had been in 1940. VARG 1894 45t Stricken cl923
Since the war Norway has built new surface ships, submarines and RAKET 1894 45t Stricken cl923
fast attack craft, and with its new duties including the protection of GLIMT 1896 45t Stricken c 1923
BLINK 1896 45t Retroceded
North Sea oil interests the Navy is the most powerful in Scandinavia.
May 1945, BU

THE NORWEGIAN LYN 1896 45t Retroceded

May 1945, BU

NAVY IN 1922 DJERV

KVIK
1897
1898
45t
45t
Scuttled 3.5.40
Stricken,
sold 1947
COASTAL BATTLESHIPS DRISTIG 1898 45t Scuttled 3.5.40
Name Launched Disp (std) Fate
Snogg class
Norge class Snogg, abandoned with Troll, was taken over 18.5.40 and became the patrol
NORGE 31.3.1900 3645t Sunk 9.4.40 vesselZack, laterV5504; beached 6.9.43 at Bergen, she was later salvaged. Stegg
EIDSVOLD 14.6.1900 3645t Sunk 9.4.40 was sunk when, under fire fromBremse at Heroysund in Hardangerfjord, one of
Haarfagre class her torpedoes exploded. Trygg was bombed at Aandalsnes 25.4.40, but salvaged
HARALD HAAR- 4.1.1897 3380t BU 1947 by the Germans to become the patrol vessel V5503; she was finally sunk by
FAGRE Allied bombing in Hjeltefjord.
TORDENSKJOLD 18.3.1897 3380t BU 1948
Teist class
Norge class Teist was blown up by her crew at Drange. Skarv was captured at Egersund by
Both vessels were torpedoed during the occupation of Narvik, Norge by Anton the German minesweepers Ml and M2, but was later seriously damaged and
Schmitt (Z22) and her sister by Wilhelm Heidkamp (Z21). broken up. Kjell was captured while under repair at Kristiansand, and used as
the German patrol boat KT1, Grenadier (1941) and finally V5512.
Haarfagre class
Both these units were captured at Horten 9.4.40 and were rebuilt as the German Ravn class
A A guard ships Thetis and Nymphe respectively. They were re-armed with Ravn Jo and Grib were blown up by their crews south of Lyngor. Om and Lorn
7-102mm (7x1), 2-40mm (2x1) and 9-20mm (2x4, lxl) AA. Thetis was were captured while under repair at Horten 17.4.40. They were renamed
retroceded in May 1945, but Nymphe was bombed and beached at Svolvaer also Schlange and Eidechse respecitvely, and returned in May 1945.
in May 1945, the wreck being broken up postwar.
Hval class
DESTROYERS Although already stricken, Hval and Delfin were put into service by the Ger¬
mans after their capture 9.4.40: both were returned in May 1945 and sold. Brand
Name Launched Disp Fate was captured at Laksevaag 11.4.40, renamed Tarantel, later NB19, and finally
VS519, returned May 1945 and BU. Sael was attacked by two S-boats at
Draug class
DRAUG 18.3.1908 540t ?BU in England Lukksund and beached at Aanuglo where she later sank. Laks was captured
1940s while under repair at Trondheim 9.4.40 but was not used by the Germans.
TROLL 7.7.1909 540t Sold 1947, BU
Hvas class
GARM 27.5.1913 540t Sunk 26.4.40
Valkyrien class
All were fitted as minesweepers when captured (12-17 April), and served as the
VALKYRIEN 1896 4 lOt BU cl923 German patrol boats N02S (Seestem), N024 (Schildkrote), N026 (Qualle) and
N023 (.Krokodil) respectively. All were retroceded in 1945.

Draug class Varg class

The name-ship escaped from Haugesund to Britain 10.4.40. Troll was aban¬ Blink, Lyn and Kvik were operating as patrol craft when captured (between 9
doned at Floro 4.5.40 and taken over by the Germans 14 days later; she was and 11 April), becoming the German KT4, KT3 and KT2 respectively in 1941,
retroceded in 1945; Garm was bombed and set on fire at Bjordal. being renamed Kiirassier, Musketier and Dragoner, and were finally renumbered

378
 Norway
as NK04, NK03 and NK02. Djerv and Dristig were fitted as minesweepers when
scuttled; German sources say they were salvaged and returned in May 1945. Name Builder Launched Fate
AALESUND (ex-ZA/4) Horten N Yd 1941
Odd class
ZN5 Horten N Yd ? 1941
The 7 boats of this 36t class — Odd, Springer, Rask, Pil, Snar, Oter and Orm,
launched 1882-91 - were all stricken about 1923.
Laid down in April 1939, both were captured on the stocks by the Germans who
SUBMARINES intended to complete them as TA7 and TA8, but were prevented from doing so
by sabotage. ZN4 was renamed Aalesund in 1945 but her construction was
Name Launched Disp Fate abandoned in 1950. The hulls of both units were broken up. In German service
they would have displaced 1694t full load and been armed with 3-120mm (3x1),
A class
2-37mm AA (2x1), 6-20mm AA (1x4, 2x 1) and 4-533mm TT (1x4), with a
A2 1913 260t/340t BU after 1940
complement of 162. Radius would have been 3100nm at 19kts.
A3 1913 260t/340t Scuttled 16.4.40
A4 1913 260t/340t Scuttled 16.4.40

A class
A2 was captured in Oslofjord 9.4.40, retaken by the Norwegians and abandoned
damaged at Teie submarine base 12.4.40. The wreck was later broken up.

SLOOPS Sleipner as completed

Name Launched Disp Fate

SLEIPNER class torpedo-boats
ORKLA 1917 270t Stricken c 1923
RAUMA 1917 270t Stricken c 1923 Displacement: 597t standard; 708t full load
MICHAEL SARS 1900 300t Sunk 13.4.40 Dimensions: 236ft 3in pp, 243ft 9in oa X 25ft 7in x 6ft llin
FRITHIOF 1895 1380t Stricken cl927 72.00, 74.30 x 7.80 X 2.10m
AEGIR 1893 380t Stricken 1934 Machinery: 2-shaft de Laval geared turbines, 3 Yarrow boilers, 12,500shp
HEIMDAL 1892 640t Bombed 12.4.40, = 30kts. Oil lOOt
sank later Armament: 3-102mm/40 (3x 1), l-40mm Bofors AA, 2 MG, 2-533mm
TT (1x2)
Michael Sars and Hetmdal were fishery protection vessels. Both had surrendered Complement: 75
to the Germans 9.4.40 before being sunk. Frithiof, nominally a cruiser, was used
as a cadet training ship. Name Builder Launched Fate

SLEIPNER Horten N Yd 7.5.1936 Stricken 1956

MINELAYERS
AEGER Horten N Yd 25.8.1936 Bombed 9.4.40
Name Launched Disp Fate GYLLER Horten N Yd 7.7.1938 Stricken 1959

FROYA 1916 595t Beached 13.4.40 Laid down in 1934, 1935 and 1937 and completed 1937-39. Fitted for minelay¬
Glommen class ing, they also carried 4 DC throwers; Gyller had 4 TT (2x2). Radius was
GLOMMEN 1916 330t Sunk 1944 3500nm at 15kts. Sleipner was the only modern Norwegian warship to escape to
LAUGEN 1916 330t Sold 1950 Britain in 1940. Gyller surrendered at Kristiansand 11.4.1940 and served as the
German Lowe until May 1945. Rebuilt as frigates c 1953, their armament was
Glommen class
changed to 3-76mm, 2-40mm and 2-20mm AA, no TT, but fitted for minelay¬
Both surrendered at Melsomvik 14.4.40, and were used in their original role by ing.
the Germans as theNKiOl and the NKiOS (later/Vf 22). Laugen was retroceded in
Sleipner in 1948 By courtesy of K-E Westerlund
1945. Frdya was run ashore by her own crew, and later wrecked by a torpedo
from a U-boat.
Seven old gunboats also served as minelayers: Vale (1874, 250t), Uller (1876,
250t),Brage, Nor and Vidar (1878,236t), Gor (1885,290t), and Tyr (1887,290t).
Vale was abandoned 5.5.40 at Kjelkenes in Sogn, captured by the Germans,
returned May 1945 and scrapped. Uller was captured 9.4.40 by the Germans at
Kvarven in Bergen; under the German flag she was attacked by Norwegian
aircraft 30.5.40 and sunk in Sognefjord. .Brage, out of commission at Melsomvik
naval depot, Oslofjord, was captured by the Germans 9.4.40, returned May
1945 and scrapped. Nor was as Brage, stricken 1945 and sold 1950; Vidar was
also as Brage, stricken, and sold 1947. Gor was abandoned 5.5.40 at Kjelkenes in
Sogn and captured by the Germans; she became a submarine supply boat, was
returned May 1945, stricken, and sold 1946 as an oil barge. Tyr was abandoned
20.4.1940 at Skorpo in Hardangerfjord, captured by the Germans, returned
May 1945, and stricken.
, t

Ex-British ‘S’ class destroyers

The British destroyers Success and Shark were transferred to the Norwegian
Navy in 1943 and 1944 as xheStord andSvenner respectively. Svenner was sunk Balder as a frigate in the 1950s By courtesy of K-E Westerlund
off Normandy 6.6.1944 by a German S-boat, and Stord was stricken about 1957.

Aalesund class as designed

\ _n
-A_____

AALESUND class destroyers

Displacement: 1220t standard
Dimensions: 311ft 8in pp, 328ft oa x 32ft 6in x 9ft 2in
95.00, 100.00 x 9.90 x 2.80m
Machinery: 2-shaft de Laval geared turbines, 2 Yarrow boilers, 30,000shp
= 34kts. Oil 300t
Armament: 4—120mm (1x2, 2x 1), 2-40mm Bofors AA (1x2), 2-13mm
AA (2x 1), 4-533mm TT (2x2)
Complement: 130

379
SCANDINAVIA

ODIN class torpedo-boats Ex-British corvettes

Displacement: 632t standard
Class (transferred, fate): Eglatine (14.8.41, stricken 1956), Montbretia
Dimensions: 242ft 9in pp x 25ft 7in x 9ft lOin (16.9.41, sunk 18.11.42), Acanthus (26.9.41, stricken 1957), Rose (23.10.41,
74.00 x 7.80 x 3.00m
sunk in collision 26.10 AA),Potendlla (16.1.42, returned to RN \2> AAA), Butter¬
Machinery: 2-shaft de Laval geared turbines, 3 Yarrow boilers, 12,500shp cup (20.12.44, stricken 1957), Tunsberg, ex-Shrewsbury Castle (17.4.44, mined
= 30kts. Oil lOOt
12.12.44).
Armament: 2-102mm/40 (2x 1), l-40mm Bofors AA, 2 MG, 2-533mm
Six British ‘Flower’ class and one ‘Castle’ class corvettes were transferred to
TT (1x2)
Norwegian control during the war. Eglantine, Acanthus and Buttercup were
Complement: 75
renamed Soroy, Andenes and Nordkyn respectively. See under Great Britain
for further details.
Name Builder Launched Fate

ODIN Horten N Yd 17.1.1939 Stricken 1959

BALDER Horten N Yd 11.10.1939 Stricken 1959 Ex-US submarine-chasers
TOR Fredrikstad 9.9.1939 Stricken 1959
Mek Verkstad One ex-US PC type and three SC type sub-chasers were transferred to the
Norwegian Navy. PC467 was completed on 16.9.42 and renamed King Haakon
Improved versions of the previous class, all were laid down in 1938. Only Odin, VII (stricken 1955); the SC boats were taken over 26.10.43 and renamed Hessa
which surrendered at Kristiansand 11.4.40, was completed at the time of the (exSC683), Hitra (ex-SC718) and Vigra (ex-SC106) (all stricken 1958).
German invasion. She served as the Panther, and Balder and Tor were completed
by the Germans as the Leopard and Tiger respectively. In German service they-
and Gyller of the previous class - were armed with l-102mm, 2 to 4—20mm,
2-8mm MG and 2-533mm TT; the TT were later removed. Retroceded in May
1945, they all underwent the same frigate conversion as the Sleipner class
about 1953.

Ex-British HUNT class escort destroyers

The Type 3 ‘Hunts’ Eskdale and Glaisdale were Norwegian-manned from 1942.
The former was torpedoed and sunk by S-boats 14.4.43, but the latter was sold
to Norway and renamed Narvik in 1946; she was stricken in 1962 and scrapped
in Denmark. The Type 2 Badsworth was transferred 16.11.44 and renamed
Arendal in 1946; she was stricken in 1961. For further details see under Great
Britain.

MTBS running trials, 1940

Ex-US destroyers
Class (transferred, fate): Mansfield (16.12.40, returned 11.2.42), Newport
(1.10.41, returned 15.6.42), Bath (9.4.41, sunk 19.8.41), St Albans (14.4.41, Ex-British MTBs
returned 4.2.44), Lincoln (1.6.42, returned 8.2.44).
Five of these ex-US ‘flush-deckers’ were transferred to Norwegian control in Class (transferred, fate): MTB5 (May 1940, lost in accidental explosion
1940-42. See under Great Britain and USA for further details. 1.7.41), MTB6 (May 1940, abandoned 26.9.40), MTB50 (6.12.41, returned
18.6.42), MTB51 (24.1.42, returned 28.6.42), MTBS2 (1.12.41, returned
18.6.42) , MTBS4 (6.2.42, returned 28.5.42), MTB56 (28.7.41, returned
29.6.42) , MTB71 (10.11.41, returned 4.2.42), MTB345 (16.3.43, captured
28.7 A3),MTB618 (18.6.42, stricken after weather damage 10.11.44),AfTB679
(23.8.42, returned 6.7.44), MTB620 (11.11.42, returned 20.8.43), MTB623
B4 1929
(27.8.42, returned 19.1.45), MTB625 (4.9.42, wrecked 8.2.44), MTB626
(13.11.42, scuttled after a fire 22.11.43),MTB627 (20.9.42), returned 31.1.45),
MTB631 (22.8.42, beached and captured \A.3A3),MTB653 (22.3.43, returned
B class submarines
18.1.45) , MTB688 (23.8.43, returned 22.1.45), MTB712 (30.12.43, lost
Displacement: 420t standard; 545t submerged 26.1.45) .
Dimensions: 167ft 4in pp X 17ft 6in x lift 6in The above were Norwegian-manned or controlled during the war. A further
51.00 x 5.33 x 3.50m 10 boats were retained after 194 5 and were renamed (with their original numbers
Machinery: 2 shafts. Sulzer diesels plus electric motors, 900bhp/700shp = and transfer dates): Falk {ex-MTB711,8AAA),Hauk (ex-MTB713, 21.2.45),
14kts/l lkts Jo (ex-MTB722, 26.1.44), Kjeld {ex-MTB723, 22.1.45), Lom (ex-MTB709,
Armament: 4—456mm TT (bow), l-76mm AA 24.12.43), Ravn (ex-MTB716, 2.12.44), Skarv (ex-MTB719, 16.1.45), Stegg
Complement: 23 {ex-MTB717, 1.9.44), Teist (ex-MTS775,4.12.43), Orn (ex-MTB704,6.3.45).
Hauk was stricken 1949, Om in 1951, and the remainder in 1959. See under
Name Builder Launched Fate Great Britain for further details.

Bl Horten N Yd 1.8.1922 Sold 1946, BU

B2 Horten N Yd 15.8.1923 Surrendered
11.4.40
B3 Horten N Yd 25.1.1924 Scuttled 9.6.40
B4 Horten N Yd 19.12.1923 Abandoned 10.4.40 Ex-British FAIRMILE ‘B’ type motor launches
B5 Horten N Yd 17.6.1929 Stricken 1942, BU
Class (transferred, fate): ML122 (13.12.1940, returned 12.6.42), ML124
B6 Horten N Yd 4.9.1929 Stricken Oct 1944
(22.12.40, returned 12.6.42), ML12S (23.12.40, returned 13.3.45, transferred
Laid down between 1915 and 1925 (last pair) to an Electric Boat Co design, they again, stricken 1949), ML128 (13.12.40, returned 11.3.45), ML208 (28.4.41,
returned 30.5.42),ML210 (5.5.41, mined 15.2.44),ML213 (30.4.41), stricken
were completed between 1923 and 1930. Bl escaped to Britain in June 1940 and
joined the 7th Submarine Flotilla as an asdic training and target boat until paid 1949), ML233 (30.4.41, returned 31.5.42), ML573 (6.2.43, stricken 1949).
off 24.4.1944. B2 and B4 were captured but never used by the Germans; their
ultimate fate is unknown. B5 and B6 were captured 11.4.40 and 18.5.40 and
were put into service as the German UC1 and UC2 respectively until being
stricken. OLAV TRYGGVASON minelayer
Displacement: 1596t standard; 1924t full load
Ex-British ‘U’ class submarines Dimensions: 305ft lin pp, 318ft 3in oa x 37ft 9in x lift lOin
93.00, 97.00 x 11.50 x 3.60m
Of the ‘short hull’ type, Uredd (ex-P41) was transferred in 1941 and Vame in Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 de Laval geared turbines plus 2 8cyl diesels (2 X
700bhp), 6000hp = 23kts. Oil 200t
1943, the latter being renamed Ula. Uredd was sunk off Norway 24.2.43.
Armament: 4-120mm/45, l-76mm AA, 2-47mm AA, 2 MG, 4-456mm
Four of the ‘long hull’ type were also transferred, Variance in 1944 to become
TT (2x2), 250 mines
Utsira and Venturer, Viking and Votary in 1946, becoming Utstein, Utvaer and
Complement: 132
Uthaug respectively. The surviving 5 were sold for scrapping in 1965-66.

380

Olav Tryggvason as completed
Name Builder Launched Fate
OLAV TRYGGVASON Horten N Yd 27.12.1932 Scuttled 1945
Laid down in 1931 and completed in 1934; with diesel electric drive for cruising,
radius was 3000nm at 14kts. Surrendered at Horten 9.4.40, she was taken into
German service as the Albatros, to commemorate the torpedo-boat she had sunk.
Renamed Brummer in 1941 she became a gunnery training ship and was badly
damaged by US bombing at Kiel 3.5.45 and later scuttled in dock. See also
under Germany.
OTRA class minesweepers (launched 1939)
Displacement: 370t standard
Dimensions: 167ft 4in pp x 23ft x 6ft 3in
51.00 x 7.00 x 1.90m
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 900ihp = 13.5kts
Armament: l-40mm Bofors AA, 2-20mm AA, 2-13mm AA, mines.
Complement: 25
Class (fate): Otra (captured by the Germans 9.4.40 at Horten, German mine¬
sweeper Togo, returned 1945, stricken 1963), Rauma (captured by the Germans
9.4.40 at Horten, German minesweeper Kamerun, returned May 1945, stricken
1963)
Laid down 1939, completed 1940. Built by Nyland, Oslo.
MINESWEEPERS (CONVERTED WHALE-CATCHERS)
In June 1940 six minesweepers (converted whale-catchers) escaped from Nor¬
way: Syrian, Borlind, Nordhav II (sunk 10.3.45), Thorodd,Hval V and Bjerk.
During the rest of the war 22 whale-catchers and similar vessels were equip¬
ped as minesweepers: Alcmaria,Polar VI,Mandal, Vardo,Drobak,Kos 16 (sunk
in accident 25.8.41), Harsiad (ex-Kos 17, sunk 27.2.43), Brevik, Grimstad,
Transvalia, John Williamson, Noble Nora, Egeland (wrecked 29.11.41) Karmoy
(cx-Globe 5), Oksoy (ex-Pol 6), Snowdrift, Silhouette, Tromoy (ex-British Eday,
returned 19.10.44), Oksoy, Karmoy ,Jeldy (last three ex-British, returned 1945),
Tromoy (ex-Mincarlo, from 24.10.44).
Of all the above-mentioned 28 minesweepers, 11 were retained by the postwar
Norwegian Navy: Bortind (launched 1912, 3281), Bjerk (1912, 182t), Thorodd
(1919,4220),Syrian (1919,298brt),PolarVI (1925,263brt),Drobak andHvalS
(1929, 248brt), Brevik, Grimstad, Mandal and Vardo (1939, 258brt). All were
stricken 1946-47.
Denmark
Like other Scandinavian countries, Denmark had been neutral during
the First World War, although her neutrality was sometimes precari¬
ous. As the guardian of the entrance to the Baltic, Denmark was subject
to conflicting pressure from Britain and Germany respectively to close
or keep open the Belts. Britain went so far as to construct the ‘large light
cruisers’ Courageous, Glorious and Furious for possible operations in the
Baltic.
After the war parts of Slesvig which had been annexed by Prussia in
1864 were returned to Denmark following a referendum. The peace
provisions also included the setting up of the League of Nations, in
which Denmark was to place considerable faith. The interest in defence
was so low that from 1924 proposals were put forward to reduce the
armed forces to the level of a simple defence/coastguard organisation.
Even after the rise of the Nazi regime in Germany little was done, the
premier Stauning proclaiming, apropos re-armament, ‘Vad kan det
nytte?’ (what is the point?) As a result very few new vessels were built
before war broke out. The coast defence sh.ig> Niels Juel, laid down in
1914, was completed in 1923 without the designed 2—12in and 8-4.7in
guns, mounting 10-5.9in and 12 smaller weapons instead, but with a
speed of 16kts she was not even the equal of a cruiser. Only six 290t
torpedo-boats and five submarines joined the fleet by 1939, when one
Norway/Denmark
Ex-British MMS II type minesweepers
Class (transferred, fate): Orkla, ex-MMS1085 (27.7.44, from 1957 research
vessel, stricken 1962), Vefsna, ex-MMS1086 (30.10.44, from 1957 research
vessel, stricken 1962).
Ex-US YMS type minesweepers
Four US minesweepers (ex-YMS379-YMS382) were transferred on 22.3.45.
YMS382 was sunk 8.5.45, and the remainder were stricken 1958. Further
vessels of this type were transferred postwar.
FRIDTJOF NANSEN patrol vessel (launched 1930)
Displacement: 1275t standard
Dimensions: 239ft 6in pp x 34ft 9in x 16ft 5in
73.00 x 10.60 x 5.00m
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 2000ihp = 15kts
Armament: 2-102mm/40, 2-47mm AA, 1 aircraft
Complement: 70
Laid down 1928 at Horten N Yd, launched 5.11.30, completed 1931. Grounded
8.11.40 in Redvedbukta, Jan Mayen, sunk.
NORDKAPP class patrol vessels (launched 1937)
Displacement: 266t standard
Dimensions: 124ft 8in pp x 21ft 8in x 9ft 2in
38.00 x 6.60 x 2.80m
Machinery: 1 shaft. 2 Sulzer diesels, electric drive, 580bhp = 13.7kts
Armament: l-47mm
Complement: 22
Class (builder, fate): Nordkapp (Horten N Yd, escaped April 1940 to Great
Britain, stricken 1956),Senja (Horten N Yd, captured 9.4.40, became German
patrol craft Lowe, later H2, DW, V6735 and V6315, returned 1945, stricken
1956).
Both these vessels were also equipped as minesweepers.
OTHER VESSELS
During 1940-45 10 whale-catchers and similar vessels were equipped as patrol
craft: Honningsvaag, Namsos, Svolvaer, Horten, Farsund, Risor, Moss, Molde,
Narvik andfiodo. Bodo (ex-Gos 8) was mined 4.1.43 and sunk in the North Sea.
The remaining 9 were retained in the postwar Norwegian Navy for one or two
years.
additional submarine and a minelayer were under construction.
Germany invaded Denmark on 9 April 1940 and since no resistance
was offered at first the occupation was not particularly onerous. The
Navy remained nominally independent but German pressure on the
Danish government was gradually stepped up, and in January 1941 the
Danes were forced to give up the six newest torpedo-boats, although
officially these were ‘leased’ by the German Navy. Friction between the
occupation forces and the Danish government increased until it
reached a flashpoint in August 1943 when the Danes refused to turn
over captured resistance fighters to the German authorities. On 29
August the Germans moved to disarm all Danish forces, but the Danes
had already decided to scuttle all possible warships in such an event.
Therefore as the Germans entered the naval dockyard at Copenhagen a
total of 27 warships were blown up or sunk. Elsewhere the Danes were
less well prepared and no orders ever reached the remaining ships, but
many were scuttled on the initiative of their crews. The Niels Juel was
attacked by German aircraft and later beached at full speed, although
she did not become a total loss as intended.
A few vessels escaped to Sweden (the torpedo-boat Havkatten, the
minesweepers MS 1, MS7 and MS8, and the patrol boats K3,K6,K8,
KI0-KI3 ,K15 and K17) but some of the remainder were salvaged by
381
 SCANDINAVIA
the Germans. In May 1945 those that survived were returned to
Denmark, but few were fit for service. Therefore after 1945 the Danish
Navy was rebuilt around ex-British frigates and submarines, although
some German torpedo-boats and minesweepers were also transferred to
Denmark by the victorious Allies.

THE DANISH
NAVY IN 1922
Narhvalen operating as a minesweeper, after 1930 Danish Navy

TORPEDO-BOATS
Name Launched Disp (std) Fate

Springeren class
SAELEN 1919 108t Scuttled 29.8.43
HAVKATTEN 1919 108t Stricken Nov 1948
NORDKAPEREN 1918 108t Scuttled 29.8.43
MAKRELEN 1918 108t Scuttled 29.8.43
COASTAL BATTLESHIPS NARHVALEN 1917 108t Stricken 1949
HAVHESTEN 1917 108t Wrecked 29.8.43
Name Launched Disp (std) Fate SOHUNDEN 1917 108t BU after 1946
SOLOVEN 1916 108t Captured 29.8.43
NIELS JUEL 3.7.1918 4 lOOt Beached 29.8.43
STOREN 1916 108t Stricken 1940
Herluf Trolle class
SPRINGEREN 1916 108t Captured 29.8.43
PEDER SKRAM 2.5.1908 3785t Scuttled 29.8.43
Hvalrossen class
OLFERT FISCHER 9.5.1903 3700t Sold Oct 1936
SVAERDFISKEN 1913 108t Stricken 1932
HERLUF TROLLE 2.9.1899 3650t Sold for BU
DELFINEN 1913 108t Stricken 1932
30.4.32
HVALROSSEN 1913 108t Scuttled 29.8.43
Skjold class
Soridderen class
SKJOLD 8.5.1896 2195t Stricken 21.5.29
SOULVEN 1911 270t Stricken 1937
FLYVEFISKEN 1911 270t Stricken 1937
Niels Juel was refitted in 1936. After being beached she was refloated by the
SORIDDEREN 1911 270t Stricken 1937
Germans, and served as the cadet training ship Nordland from the summer of
Tumleren class
1944. She was bombed at Eckenforde 3.5.45, and the wreck was broken up in
SPAEKHUGGEREN 1911 295t Stricken 1935
1952.
VINDHUNDEN 1911 295t Stricken 1935
TUMLEREN 1911 295t Stricken 1935
Herluf Trolle class
Ormen class
Peder Skram was raised and served as the German training ship and AA battery
ORMEN 1907 97t Stricken 1932
Adler. Bombed in April 1945 she was again salvaged and towed to Denmark
Hajen class
where she was sold for breaking up at Odense 1.5.49. Olfert Fischer served as a
SOBJORNEN 1898 142t Stricken 1928
target ship with specially armoured superstructure until sold.
HAVORNEN 1897 142t Stricken 1928
HAJEN 1896 142t Stricken 1928

Springeren class
The last 6 were refitted as minesweepers with deck TT removed about 1923.
Narhvalen was under repair on 29.8.43 and so could not be scuttled, but was
damaged beyond use. Havhesten was renamed Havomen in 1938. Sohunden was
stricken in 1940, but was scuttled 29.8.43. Soloven was renamed Soridderen in
1937 and Hajen in 1943 serving with Springer en as German minesweepers until
June 1945 when both were returned and stricken.

SUBMARINES
Name Launched Disp (std) Fate
Rota class
FLORA 23.4.1920 301t/369t Scuttled 29.8.43
BELLONA 14.3.1919 301t/369t Scuttled 29.8.43
ROTA 16.8.1918 30 lt/369t Scuttled 29.8.43
Aegir class
GALATHEA 15.4.1916 185t/235t Stricken 1940
NEPTON 22.12.1915 185t/235t Stricken 26.4.33
a A *'

TRITON 29.7.1915 185t/235t Stricken 1940

RAN 30.3.1915 185t/235t Stricken 1940
Niels Juel in 1937 By courtesy of K-E Westerlund AEGIR 8.12.1914 185t/235t Stricken 26.4.33
Havmanden class
NYMFEN 10.2.1914 164t/204t Stricken 11.3.32
CRUISERS NAJADEN 9.7.1913 164t/204t Stricken 9.9.31
2den APRIL 31.3.1913 164t/204t Stricken 15.1.29,
Name Launched Disp (std) Fate (ex-Triton) target, sold 1932
Hekla class HAVFRUEN 31.8.1912 164t/204t Stricken 3.5.32
HEIMDAL 30.8.1894 1342t Stricken 22.10.30 THETIS 19.6.1912 164t/204t Stricken 26.4.28
GEISER 5.7.1892 1282t Stricken 29.3.28 HAVMANDEN 23.12.1911 164t/204t Stricken 26.4.28
Valkyrien class
VALKYRIEN 8.9.1888 3020t Stricken 5.10.23 Rota class
All 3 were sold in 1952 and scrapped.

382
MINELAYERS
Name Launched Disp (std) Fate
SIXTUS 21.12.1918 186t Scuttled 29.8.43
KVINTUS 1917 186t Scuttled 29.8.43
LOSSEN 5.10.1910 628t Scuttled 29.8.43
HJAELPEREN 1890 280t ?

The first 3 were salvaged by the Germans. Sixtus and Lossen were sunk off
Rostock in 1945, although the latter was later raised; Kvintus finished the war as
the guardship Fiirstenburg at Warnemiinde. *=a&. -— Mi**- * -
Hbgen prewar By courtesy of K-E Westerlund
Also operated in 1922 were the Fishery Inspection Ships Diana (1916, 260t),
Fenris (1915, 190t),Islands Falk (1906,760t),Beskytteren (1900, 4471), Saltholm
(1892, 300t) and Absalon (1877, 300t); the gunboats Guldborgsund (1884, 270t), GLENTEN class torpedo-boats
Grdnsund (1883,260t), Lille Belt (1875,250t) and Falster (1873,380t); the patrol
boats No1-15 (1879-95, 16—50t); and the training ship Ingolf (ex-cruiser, Displacement: 290t standard; 335t full load
1.9.76, 1012t). There was also the Royal Yacht Dannebrog (1879, 1190t). Dimensions: 200ft 2in oa X 19ft 8in x 7ft 6in
61.00 x 6.00 x 2.30m
Machinery: 2-shaft Atlas geared turbines, 2 Thornycroft boilers, 6000shp
= 27.5kts. Oil 40t
Armament: 2-87mm/50, 2-20mm AA, 2-8mm MG, 6-456mm TT (2
bow, 2x2 deck), 2 DC throwers, mines
Complement: 51

Name Builder Launched Fate

GLENTEN Copenhagen 5.1.1933 Disabled 14.6.45

N Yd
HOGEN Copenhagen 20.10.1933 Disabled 14.6.45
N Yd
NAJADEN class torpedo-boats ORNEN Copenhagen 19.10.1934 Disabled 14.6.45
Displacement: 782t standard; 890t full load N Yd
Dimensions: 279ft pp, 283ft oa x 27ft 4in x lift 6in
86.00 x 8.40 x 3.40m The first 2 were completed in 1934 and the last in 1935. According to a
Machinery: 2-shaft Atlas geared turbines, 24,000shp = 35kts government decision of 22.1.41 they were handed over disarmed to the Germans
5.2.41. Rebuilt in Germany, they were officially rated as torpedo recovery
Armament: 2-105mm, 3-40mm, 6-20mm AA, 6-533mm TT, 2 DC
throwers, 60 mines vessels, but were also used as targets for training sumbarines of the 26th U-Boat
Flotilla. In spring 1942 they were designated TFA {Torpedofangboote Ausland),
Complement: 100
and numbered TFA4, TFAl and TFA2 respectively. They were all disabled at
Name Builder Launched Flensburg when the depot ship Donau blew up, the hulk of the TFA4 being
Fate
sunk the following month; the wrecks of the other pair were broken up in 1949.
NAJADEN Copenhagen 17.3.1943 Stricken 1966
N Yd
NYMFEN Copenhagen 22.6.1943 Stricken 1966 ["ll Ll, ,
N Yd K

Ordered in 1939 but because of the German invasion not laid down until July
1942, with completion delayed until 1947 .In 1945 they were renamed Willemoes DAPHNE class submarines
and Huitfeld respectively. As completed they were equipped with 450mm TT
from Dragen and Glenten class torpedo-boats. In 1951 they were reclassified as Displacement: 308t standard; 38 It submerged
coastal destroyers and in 1958 as patrol vessels. The Madsen 20mm guns were Dimensions: 160ft 9in oa x 17ft lin x 8ft 2in
removed in 1961.
49.00 x 5.20 x 2.50m
Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 Burmeister & Wain diesels plus 2 Titan electric
motors, 1200bhp/400shp = 13.4kts/6.8kts
Armament: 6-456mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern), l-75mm/35, l-20mm AA
Complement: 25

Name Builder Launched Fate

DAPHNE Copenhagen Dec 1925 Scuttled 29.8.43

N Yd
Laxen 1932 DRYADEN Copenhagen 3.6.1926 Scuttled 29.8.43
N Yd

DRAGEN class torpedo-boats Both laid down in 1924 and completed in 1926 and Sept 1927 respectively. Both
were sold in 1946 and broken up.
Displacement: 290t standard; 335t full load
Dimensions: 200ft 2in oa x 19ft 8in x 7ft 6in
61.00 x 6.00 x 2.30m
Machinery: 2-shaft Brown-Boveri (Laxen Atlas) geared turbines, 2
HAVMANDEN class submarines
Thornycroft boilers, 6000shp = 27.5kts. Oil 40t Displacement: 320t standard; 402t submerged
Armament: 2-75mm/40, 2-20mm AA, 2-8mm MG, 8-456mm TT (2 Dimensions: 157ft 6in oa x 15ft 5in x 9ft 2in
bow, 2x3 deck), 2 DC throwers, mines 48.00 x 4.70 x 2.80m
Complement: 51 Machinery: 2 shafts. 2 Burmeister & Wain diesels plus 2 Brown-Boveri
electric motors, 1200bhp/450shp = 15kts/8kts
Name Builder Launched Fate Armament: 5-456mm TT (3 bow, 2 stern), 2-40mm AA, 2-8mm MG
DRAGEN Copenhagen Dec 1929 Mined 14.5.45 Complement: 20
N Yd
Copenhagen 1930 Disabled 14.6.45 Name Builder Launched Fate
HVALEN
N Yd HAVMANDEN Copenhagen 19.6.1937 Scuttled 29.8.43
LAXEN Copenhagen 1930 Disabled 14.6.45 N Yd
N Yd HAVFRUEN Copenhagen 6.11.1937 Scuttled 29.8.43
N Yd
Turned over to Germany 5.2.41 and served like the Glenten class as torpedo HAVKALEN Copenhagen 3.3.1938 Scuttled 29.8.43
recovery vessels, renamed TFA3, TFA5 and TFA6 respectively. TFA3 was N Yd
sunk in the Geltinger Bight, but the other 2 were disabled at Flensburg from the HAVHESTEN Copenhagen 11.7.1940 Scuttled 29.8.43
same cause as the Glenten class. The wrecks of TFAS was broken up in 1950 and N Yd
TFA6 in 1952.

383
SCANDINAVIA

HVIDBJORNEN fishery protection vessel (launched 1928)

Displacement: 1050t standard
Dimensions: 196ft lOin x 32ft 2in x 13ft lin
60.00 x 9.80 x 4.00m
Machinery: VTE, 2 boilers, 1800ihp = 14.5kts
Armament: 2-87mm/40, 2 MG, 1 aircraft
Complement: 61
Havmanden as completed Danish Navy
Built at Copenhagen N Yd. Scuttled in the Great Belt 29.8.43, salvaged by the
Completion dates in the above order were: 8.10.38,6.5.39, 18.7.39, 13.10.42. A Germans and used as a patrol vessel (Vs number unknown). According to West
fifth unit, referred to as ‘H5’, was cancelled after the German invasion. The German sources, taken over by East German Navy as corvette Ernst Thalmann
hulks of the scuttled boats were sold for breaking up in 1950. (ex-Dorsch), later training ship after rebuilding 1950-53, renamed Albin Kobis,
stricken c 1965.

LINDORMEN minelayer (launched 30.3.40)

Displacement: 614t standard
Dimensions: 173ft llin x 28ft lOin x 7ft lOin
53.00 x 8.80 x 2.40m
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 2 Thornycroft boilers, 1200ihp = 14kts. Oil 35t
Armament: 2-75mm, 3-20mm A A, 150 mines
Complement: 58

Built at Copenhagen N Yd. Scuttled 29.8.43, salvaged by the Germans and

served as Vsl401, and later V1601. Retroceded in 1945 and stricken 1969.

There were also the smaller minelayers Laaland and Lougen, both launched
1941 at Copenhagen N Yd. Details were: 350t standard, 111ft 6in x 21ft 7in x
6ft 7in(34.00 x 6.60 x 2.00m), 2-20mmAA, lOkts. Scuttled 29.8.43, salvaged
Ingolf a* completed By courtesy K-E Westerlund
by the Germans, retroceded 1945, stricken 1974.

The coastal minelayer Lougen in 1941 By courtesy ofK-E Westerlund

INGOLF fishery protection vessel (launched 1933)

Displacement: 1180t standard
Dimensions: 213ft 3in x 35ft 5in X 16ft lin
65.00 x 10.80 x 4.90m
Machinery: VTE, 2 Thornycroft boilers, 2950ihp = 16.5kts
Armament: 2-120mm/55, 2-57mm/44, 2-20mm AA, 2 MG, 1 aircraft
Complement: 66

Built at Copenhagen N Yd. Scuttled in the Great Belt 29.9.43, salvaged by the
Germans, patrol vessel from 1942, fleet tender (renamed Sleipnir?) from
1.11.43, fate unknown.

HEJMDAL fishery protection vessel (launched 1.2.35)

Displacement: 705t standard
Dimensions: 175ft oa x 30ft x 12ft
53.34 x 9.14 x 3.66m
Machinery: 1-shaft VTE, 2 boilers, 800ihp = 13kts. Oil lOOt
Armament: 2-75mm, 2-40mm, 2-8mm MG
Soloven 1943 Complement: 40

Built at Copenhagen N Yd. Range4000nm at 12kts. Scuttled 29.8.43 but salved

SOBJORNEN class minesweepers (launched 1938-42) to become the German patrol vessel Nerger. Retroceded 1945.

Displacement: 270t standard; 304t full load

Dimensions: 177ft 2in oa x 20ft 8in x 6ft 7in FREJA fishery protection vessel (launched 22.12.38)
54.00 x 6.30 x 2.00m
Machinery: 1-shaft Atlas geared turbines, 1 Thornycroft boiler, 2200shp Displacement: 322t standard
= 18kts. Oil 30t Dimensions: 124ft 8in pp, 175ft 6in oa x 25ft 3in x 7ft 3in
Armament: 2-75mm, 2-20mm AA, 4—8mm MG 38.00, 53.50 x 7.70 x 2.20m
Complement: 48 Machinery: 1-shaft VTE, 1 boiler, 300ihp = 10.5kts. Oil 15t
Armament: 2-75mm, 2-20mm AA
Class: Soloven, Sdbjomen, Soulven, Soridderen, Sohesten, Sohunden Complement: 40
All built by Copenhagen N Yd and renamed MA1-MA6 respectively. Fitted
for minelaying. All were scuttled 29.8.43 in various ports, but all except MA2 Built by Copenhagen N Yd. Scuttled 29.8.43 but salved to become the German
and MA3 were salved and served as German minesweepers Vs61-Vs64 respec¬ Siidpol. Became the navigation training tender Freya in 1944, and was
tively. They were retroceded in 1945 and stricken 1959—62. retroceded 1945.

There were also the motor minesweepers MS 1-MS 10, launched in 1941. PATROL BOATS
Details were: 70t,78ft9in x 15ft lin x 4ft llin(24.00 x 4.60 x 1.50m), 1 diesel Maagen, llOt standard, 8kts, l-37mm/38, 11 men, launched 1930,
250bhp = 10.5kts, l-20mm, 2 MG. Three escaped to Sweden (see Introduc¬ stationed in Greenland.
tion), MS4,MS8 and MS10 were scuttled 28.9.43 and MS2, MS3, MS5 and P1-P38, small patrol boats varying in size. All 38 captured by the Germans
MS6 were captured by the Germans. MS4 was totally destroyed, but the rest 29.8.43.
returned to service in 1945 and were renamed Sorte Sara, Asko, Baago, End, K1-K18, small patrol boats, also fitted for minesweeping. Nine escaped to
Fand, Hjorto, Lyo, Mano and S try no. Sorte Sara and Stryno were stricken in Sweden (see Introduction); the remaining vessels were captured by the Germans
1956, Fand in 1960 and the remainder 1968-71. 29.8.43.

Belgium
A few days after the end of the First World War the Belgian authorities
took over control of 14 torpedo-boats abandoned by the Germans when
the latter evacuated Flanders. The boats concerned -A 14, A12, A4,
AS, A8, A9, All, A16 and A20 (launched 1915, displacement 109t),
and A30, A40, A42, A43 and A47 (launched 1916, displacement 23Ot),
were renumbered A3PC-A9PC and A21PC-A25PC respectively.
Belgium up to this time had no true navy and it was decided to use
these vessels to provide the basis of a coast defence force, to administer
which a naval commission was formed in 1919. On 19 April 1920 they
purchased the British ‘Flower’ class sloop Zinnia (name not changed,
lauched 12.8.15, displacement 1200t), but after this interest in the new
force gradually diminished and in March 1927 it was disbanded as a
military organisation. In 1926 the ‘PC’ was dropped from the names of
the torpedo-boats and A1, A2, A3 ,A9 and A24 were renamed Prince
Leopold, Prince Charles, Prinzesse Marie Jose, West Diep and Wielingen
respectively, but when the naval force was disbanded all the torpedo-
boats except the last two named were sold for scrapping. Zinnia was
also retained for service as a fishery protection vessel and she and the
two torpedo-boats were henceforward manned by civilians. The only
vessel added to this group was the sail triaining ship Mercator built by
Ramage & Ferguson at Leith and launched in 1931. She was a barquen-
tine of 1200t with a sail area of 13,500 sq ft, an auxiliary diesel engine
(500bhp = llkts) and a complement of 80.
In 1940 Zinnia, Wielingen and West Diep were captured by the
Germans. Zinnia was rebuilt by Cockerill at Antwerp for service with
the Kriegsmarine under the name Barbara. The foward well deck was
plated-in, giving a flush forecastle as far as the mainmast, the two
funnels replaced by a single capped uptake, the superstructure rebuilt
and an armament of 3-105mm (3x 1), 8-37mm (4x2) and 12-20mm
A A (6 x 2) fitted. She was returned to Belgian control in 1945, renamed
Breydel and scrapped in 1952. West Diep was employed as an auxiliary
training vessel, first under the name Reiher and then as Warendorp; she
was captured by US forces in 1945 and broken up in 1948. Wielingen
The Netherlands
The major part of Holland’s naval strength was intended to provide
defence for the principle part of her colonial empire - the Dutch East
Indies. This collection of large and small islands was rich in raw
materials and, in particular, a major supplier of the world’s oil
resources. In the 1920s the East Indies was about seventh in the world'
league of oil producing countries, at an average 20 million barrels a
year, which was ten times that produced in the homelands of their most
likely aggressor - the Japanese. The Dutch naval authorities were well
aware of the threat from Japanese expansionism but Holland had
neither the finance nor the political will to build a major fleet capable of
matching that of the Japanese. In the face of these considerations the
policy adopted was to build a small but quality fleet capable of carrying
out delaying and harassing actions until reinforced by an ally, it being
realised that a war in the Fat East was extemely unlikely to involve only
the Dutch. Given their obvious inferior position the provision of a good
submarine and minelaying force played an important part in this
strategy, these being weapons with which an inferior force could inflict
considerable damage on a more powerful enemy.
Holland itself had only minor need of naval defence, as the most
likely form of attack would come from land and not the sea, and the
European naval force was limited to the provision of minelayers and
coast defence torpedo craft and gunboats. Small short-range sub¬
marines were also constructed until the 1930s when it was decided to
provide larger submarines, partly to increase their striking abilities in
Belgium/The Netherlands
was not taken into German service and was scrapped by them in 1943.
During the war 9 British MMSs (43,75,79,112,182,187,188,189 and
193) and a number of small auxiliary vessels were manned by Belgian
personnel.
ARTEVELDE fishery protection vessel/Royal Yacht
Displacement: 1640t standard; 2270t full load
Dimensions: 292ft pp, 323ft 2in oa x 34ft 5in x 10ft lOin
89.00, 98.50 x 10.50 x 3.30m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons-Rateau geared turbines, 2 Babcock & Wilcox
boilers, 21,700shp = 28.5kts. Oil 680t
Armament: 4-105mm, 2-40mm AA, 120 mines, 30 DC
Complement: 180
Name Builder Launched Fate
ARTEVELDE Cockerill 28.8.1940 BU 1954-55
Laid down at Antwerp in 1939 as a replacement for Zinnia and, although
intended primarily as a fishery protection vessel, she was to have doubled as the
Royal Yacht. She was also well-armed and could carry out minelaying and
minesweeping duties in the event of war. She was captured on the stocks in May
1940 and launched by the Germans who completed her in the Dutch yard of
Wilton-Fijenoord in 1943 as the Lorelei (she was named K4 when launched).
The Germans modified the original design and as completed the vessel resem¬
bled the rebuilt Zinnia and was armed with 3-105mm(3x 1), 4—37mm AA (2x2)
and 10-20mm (2x4, 1x2), together with the intended minelaying and mine¬
sweeping gear. She was recaptured at Cuxhaven at the end of the war and
returned to Belgium.
home waters (possibly including long range Atlantic patrols) and partly
to make them interchangeable with the larger East Indies boats.
CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMMES
The Dutch, although neutral, were substantially affected by the
wholesale destruction that took place in the First World War, a large
part of which occurred close to their own borders. As a result they felt
strongly the anti-war euphoria that followed the Armistice and any
attempt to obtain funds for re-armament met with strong opposition.
At the beginning of the 1920s the Navy consisted mainly of old and
obsolescent vessels apart from two new cruisers (Sumatra and Java)
laid down in 1916 and a moderate programme of submarine construc¬
tion. In 1920 a committee recommended the provision of 4 cruisers, 24
destroyers and 32 submarines for the East Indies Fleet, which was far
beyond the available financial rescources, but even a reduced prog¬
ramme for 12 destroyers and 16 submarines proposed in 1923 met
strong opposition in the Dutch Parliament and was rejected. Later,
however, the construction of 8 destroyers, the Van Ghent and Van
Galen classes, was approved and the ships were laid down at the rate of
two per year from 1925 onwards. In 1930 another committee recom¬
mended that the strength of the East Indies Fleet should be 3 cruisers,
12 destroyers and 18 submarines, which necessitated the construction
of one more cruiser, 4 destroyers and 6 submarines. The cruiser, De
Ruyter, and 5 submarines, the KXIV class, were authorised, but not
385

The Netherlands East Indies Fleet off Java before the war
Tromp in 1939 as completed
the four additional destroyers. In the late 1930s there was a general
increase in the awareness of the threat from the Japanese and a prog¬
ramme of naval re-armament, unfortunately too late to come to full
fruiuon, was begun. In 1936 Tromp and a submarine, 016, were laid
down and these were followed during 1938-41 by 3 cruisers, 4 des¬
troyers, 9 submarines and 3 proposed battlecruisers but of those only 1
cruiser, 1 destroyer and 6 submarines were to serve with the Dutch
Navy during the war, a large part of the remainder being destroyed or
captured while under construction, while the battlecruisers were never
laid down.
WARSHIP DESIGN
The Dutch had and have a substantial shipbuilding industry of high
quality and all their major warships were built in home yards. They
were able in most instances to provide their own design expertise for
these vessels but in the case of their first modern destroyers (Van Ghent
class) and the proposed battlecruisers of 1939 they were wise enough to
seek design assistance from abroad, thereby ensuring a degree of
previous experience which they did not possess themselves. They were
unusual among the smaller navies in providing well-balanced and
modern warships of which any of the major navies would have been
proud. The only aspect in which they did not entirely match foreign
contemporaries was in the rather poor protection of their cruisers but
this was largely the result of the limitation of the size of such ships by
financial considerations and not one of design weaknesses.
Dutch warships were also exceptionally well equipped and the
degree of sophistication involved not only equalled but in some cases
exceeded that of the major navies. The prime example is that of
gunnery and fire control gear, in which they had developed advanced
equipment incorporating 3-axis stabilisation, remote control and a
certain amount of automation. Perhaps the most famous example of
this equipment is the twin 40mm Hazemeyer AA mounting - which so
impressed the British that they copied it, added radar, and mounted it
on a considerable number of RN ships. Less well known is the Dutch
development of the submarine snorkel which, although it made little
impact on the British, was quickly adopted by the Germans to become
standard equipment in their U-boats.
In addition to that carried out at home a certain amount of construc¬
tion was undertaken in East Indies - mainly small vessels for the East
Indies Marine and Gouvernementsmarine. It should be mentioned that
there were three forces operating in the East Indies: firstly the East
Indies Squadron which consisted of the major Dutch warships in the
area; secondly the East Indies Marine which included all the coast
defence vessels (gunboats, minelayers, minesweepers, torpedo-boats,
386
etc) and the submarines; and thirdly the East Indies Gouvernement¬
smarine which was owned and run by the East Indies government for
local customs and police work and consisted of a variety of small patrol
vessels, survey ships, etc.
WORLD WAR II
The outbreak of war in Europe brought no immediate problem for
Holland but when the German invasion did come, on 10 May 1940, the
complete occupation of the country was accomplished in five days. Of
the naval forces present 2 cruisers, 1 destroyer, 9 submarines, 2 gun¬
boats, 1 sloop and 6 torpedo-boats escaped to Britain, the remaining
vessels being destroyed or captured. On the 20 May the Dutch Gov¬
ernment was re-established in London, while their surviving European
naval force was placed under the operational control of the Royal Navy
and continued to operate in conjuction with Allied units until the end of
the war. Curiously, the Netherlands did not declare war on Italy until
11 December 1941, three days after declaring war on Japan.
When war in the Far East broke out the East Indies Squadron
consisted of 4 cruisers and 7 destroyers backed up by the 15 submarines
of the East Indies Marine. The submarines began operations immedi¬
ately but in the first month of the war 4 were lost. The Japanese began
their invasion of the East Indies by landing on the Celebes on 11
January 1942 and rapidly followed up by landing in Borneo, Amboina,
Sumatra, Bali, Timor and finally Java, the whole undertaking being
complete by the end of March. The hoped-for allies were present but
were hard pressed themselves and could only provide a token rein¬
forcement of British, US and Australian ships to the East Indies
Squadron. Ill-prepared and ill-organised, this force could do little to
prevent the Japanese onslaught and the Battle of the Java Sea, together
with the minor actions which followed it, saw the virtual annihilation of
Allied naval power in the Far East. The Dutch lost all their cruisers and
destroyers except Sumatra and the majority of the remaining vessels
were scuttled, lost or captured except for the gunboat Soemba and 7
submarines which, with the Sumatra, escaped to Australia. Like their
European counterparts these vessels continued to operate under the
control of the Royal Navy until the end of the war.
Many of these Dutch ships caused supply problems due to the fact
that their ammunition and equipment was, obviously, not standard
with British or US vessels, and they were therefore laid up or, in the
case of some of the older ships, scrapped. Replacements and additional
ships were provided by the RN and USN; some of these were returned
at the end of the war but others were retained for the postwar Dutch
Navy. Besides these latter units the Dutch acquired the following
vessels from the British during 1945-46: the escort carrier Karel Door¬
man .(ex-Nairana); the destroyers Evertsen (tx-S courge), Kortenaer (ex-
Scorpion), and Banckert (ex-Quilliam); and the minesweepers Ambon
(ex-Cairns), Banda (ex-Wollongong), Batjan (ex-Lismore), Boeroe (ex-
Toowomba), Ceram (ex-Burnie), Moratai (ex-Ipswich), Temate (ex-
Tamworth) and Tidore (ex-Kalgoorlie).
THE DUTCH NAVY IN 1922
COAST DEFENCE SHIPS
Name Launched Disp Fate
HERTOG HENDRIK 1902 5000t Hulk 1945
MARTIN HARPERT- 1904 5216t Stricken 1930s
ZOON TROMP
JACOB VAN 1906 4920t Hulk 1948
HEEMSKERK
DE ZEVEN 1909 6426t Scuttled 1942
PROVINCIEN
Hertog Hendrik was converted to a TS in 1924, having her after turret removed,
and, in 1928, was fitted to carry 2 seaplanes. In 1939 she became a coast guard
battery at Vlieereede and was renamed Vlieereede. Armament was l-240mm,
4-150mm, 2-75mm, 4— 37mm AA, 2-40mm AA and 2-12.7mm AA. In
November 1939 she was laid up for disposal but was captured by the Germans in
May 1940. Sunk in an air raid in June 1940, she was salvaged in October and
taken to Antwerp for conversion into a floating AA battery under the name
Ariadne. She served in this role at Wilhelmshaven, was recaptured in 1945 and
served as the accommodation ship Hertog Hendrik from 1947 until sold for scrap
in 1972.
 The Netherlands
Jacob van Heemskerk was fitted to carry 2 seaplanes in 1929. In 1939 she
became the guardship 1jmaiden with an armament of 2-240mm and 2-40mm AA Name Launched Disp Fate
guns. Scuttled in May 1940, she was later raised by the Germans and laid up at
SPHINX 1902-03 103t Stricken 1920s
Antwerp until towed to Keil in 1941 for conversion to a floating AA battery. She
Gardeyn class
entered service in 1944 as Undine and was recaptured at Wilhelmshaven in 1945.
MICHEL GARDEYN 1904-06 48t Stricken 1920s
She was converted to an accommodation ship and re-entered Dutch service as
CHRISTIAAN 1904-06 48t BU 1940
Neptums in 1948, surviving at least until the mid-1970s.
CORNELIS
De Zeven Provincien was refitted as a gunnery TS 1935-36, for service in the
WILLEM WARMONT 1904-06 48t Stricken 1920s
East Indies, her armament being reduced, 5 boilers removed and the remaining
Draak class
3 converted to oil fuel. She was renamed Soerabaia in 1936. Scuttled at
DRAAK 1906-07 103t Stricken 1930s
Sourabaya following bomb damage, her wreck was raised by the Japanese and
KROKODIL 1906-07 103t Stricken 1930s
used as a blockship.
ZEESLANG 1906-07 103t Stricken 1930s
G1 class
CRUISERS Gl-10, G12 1903-08 140t Stricken prewar
except G2
Name Launched Disp Fate G13 class
G13, 15, 16 1912-14 180t BU 1943-46
Holland class
Zl class
GELDERLAND 1898 3970t Sunk 16.7.44
Zl-4 1915-19 277t BU c 1938-40
NOORDBRABANT 1899 3970t Lost 17.5.40
Z5 class
Sumatra class
Z5-8 1914-16 263t BU 1943-48
JAVA 9.8.1921 6670t Sunk 27.2.42
SUMATRA 20.12.1920 6670t Scuttled 9.6.44
G2 became the German TFA10 in 1940 but was returned to the Dutch in 1945
CELEBES - 5570t Cancelled 1919
and broken up. G13 and 15 were broken up in the UK in 1943-44, G16 became
the German TFA9'm 1940 but was returned in 1945and then scrappped.Z5 was
Holland, class
refitted as a patrol vessel in 1932 having her TT and one boiler removed, her
Gelderland served as a gunnery TS 1920-39 and then became an accommodation
forecastle lengthened and the remaining boiler converted to oil firing. She
ship. She was converted to a floating AA battery by the Germans 1943-44 and
transferred to the UK in 1940 and became HMS Blade in March 1942, serving as
renamed Niobe. Sunk by Russian aircraft in the Gulf of Finalnd, she was raised
a submarine tender until scrapped in 1945-46. The remainder also sailed to the
and scrapped by the Finns 1952-53. Noordbrabant was employed as an accom¬
UK in 1940, Z6 and Z8 being broken up 1943-45 and Z7 1947-48.
modation ship from 1920, she was lost in a fire and the wreck is believed to have
been refloated and broken up by the Germans.

.:) -~r—— 1
n*-* J KVIII as completed

SUBMARINES
Name Launched Disp Fate
(surface)

02 class
02-05 1911-13 13 It Stricken 1930s
Java as completed Hay-Whitehead type
K1 1913 330t Stricken 1920s
Sumatra class
Holland type
Laid down in 1916 (Celebes 1917), these vessels were much delayed and they did
06 1916 190t Stricken 1930s
not enter service until 1924—25. Shortly after completion they were fitted to
Hay-Denny type
carry two seaplanes (Fairey HID) and during 1934-35 the foremast was replaced
07 1916 180t Stricken 1930s
by a thin lower summounted by a director, the mainmast was shortened, and 6
Holland type
(Java 8) single 40mm A A replaced their original 4—13pdr AA guns. Java was
08 1915 343t Scuttled May 1945
sunk by the Japanese cruisers Haguro and Nachi. Sumatra was laid up in 1944
Hay-Denny type
and sunk as part of the Normandy breakwater.
Kl! 1917 560t Stricken 1930s
Kill class
Kill, KIV 1919-20 560t Stricken 1930s
DESTROYERS KV class
Name Launched Disp Fate KV-KVII 1920-21 507t Stricken 1930s
except KVII
Fret class sunk 18.2.42
BULHOUND 1911 5 lOt Stricken 1927 KVIII class
FRET 1910 5 lOt Stricken 1922 KVIII-KX 1922-23 520t Lost or laid
JAKHALS 1911 5 lOt Stricken 1928 up 1942
WOLF 1910 5 lOt Stricken 1922 Ex-German
Lynx class Ml (ex-UC8) 1915 160t Stricken 1930s
HERMELIJN 1913 5 lOt Stricken 1925
LYNX 1913 5 lOt Stricken 1928 08 was the ex-British H6, interned by the Dutch in 1916 and later purchased.
Panter class Captured by the Germans in 1940 she was renamed UD1 and used for training
PANTER 1913 5 lOt Stricken 1934 U-boat personnel. KVIII and IX were laid up in Australia in August 1942 and
VOS 1913 5 lOt Stricken 1928 later scrapped. KX was damaged by Japanese patrol vessels and later scuttled at
Sourabaya on 2.3.42. Ml was interned by Dutch 1915 and purchased 1917.
Panter was converted to a despatch vessel in 1928.
ARMOURED GUNBOATS
TORPEDO-BOATS Name Launched Disp Fate

Name Launched Disp Fate BRINIO 12.8.1912 540t Sunk 14.5.40

FRISO 29.8.1912 530t Sunk 12.5.40
Hydra class GRUNO 26.5.1913 540t ?
HYDRA 1900 103t Stricken 1920s
SCYLLA 1900 103t Stricken 1920s
Re-engined 1934-35 with diesel engines (1500bhp = 14kts). Brinio and Friso
Sphinx class were sunk by German aircraft but both were later raised and broken up by the
MINOTAURUS 1902-03 103t Stricken 1920s
Germans. Gruno served with the RN from 1940 and had 2-2pdr A A (2 x 1) added
PYTHON 1902-03 103t Stricken 1920s
to her armament.

387
WESTERN EUROPE
MINELAYERS Woden class
The first three were serving as minelayers in 1922 andBalder, Bulgia and Vidar
Name Launched Disp Fate were converted to minelayers in 1923, 1925 and 1928 respectively. Braga was
converted to a minesweeper, and Freijr, Hefring, Tyr and Njord continued to
Hydra class (ex-gunboats) serve as gunboats to the end of their careers. Njord was scrapped in 1925. Bulgia
DAS 1875 2 lOt Sold 1925 and Thor were sunk 12.5.40. Balder,Hadda, Tyr and Vidar were captured by the
HAVIK 1875 2 lOt BU 1936 Germans in May 1940 and broken up by them. Braga, Hefring and Freijr were
Woden class (ex-gunboats) scutded in May 1940 but the latter pair were raised, Hefring being scrapped
HADDA, THOR, 1877-79 280t Lost or BU while Freijr was again scuttled in September 1944 (raised and scrapped
BULGIA, BALDER, during WWII 1947-48).
BRAGA, FREIJR,
HEFRING, TYR, Aukes class
NJORD, VIDAR Aukes was converted to a convoy leader in 1941 and armed with l-75mm AA,
2-2pdr AA (2x 1) and 2-20mm AA (2x 1).
Koetei class (ex-gunboats)
ASSAHAN, SERDANG, 1897-1900 780t Stricken 1930s
SIBOGA MINESWEEPERS
Hydra class Name Launched Disp Fate
HYDRA 1911 593t Sunk 15.5.40
M1-M4 1916 (M2 1918) 230t See notes
MEDUSA 1913 593t Depot ship 1946

Ml was captured by the Germans in May 1940 and successively renamed

Aukes class
? Sold for BU LAZ46,ZRD5 andBSX. She was returned in 1945 and became the tugRS21 in
DOUWE AUKES 23.2.1922
1961 1946. M2 was mined 13.5.40. M3 was used as blockship. M4 was scuttled on
? 14.5.1940 but later salvaged by the Germans and employed as a tug. She was
VAN MEERLIANT 24.11.1920 Mined 4.6.41
returned in 1945 and became the tug RS23 in 1946.

existing Dutch cruisers. They were to have been completed in 1944 but the
Projected battlecruisers German invasion halted all further development of the class. German assistance
Displacement: 27,950t standard was initially sought for design work and the first proposal was for ships very
Dimensions: 777ft 8in wl x 98ft 5in x 25ft 7in similar to the Schamhorst class and armed with the same 280mm guns in three
237.10 x 30.00 x 7.80m triple turrets. Displacement was 27,500t standard, speed 33kts with 155,OOOshp
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, 8 Werkspoor boilers, 180,000shp = and secondary armament 8-120mm (4x2). Subsequently the design was
34kts. Oil 2900t enlarged (with the particulars given above) to include more powerful machinery
Armour: Belt 225mm, bulkheads 225mm, barbettes 250mm, turrets arranged on the unit system, necessitating two funnels instead of one, and two
250mm-100mm, torpedo bulkheads 40mm, decks 100mm, more twin 120mm mountings; the German main armament was retained. The
30mm side armour was sloped to increase its angle of impact with projectiles. A 100mm
Armament: 9-280mm/45 (3x3), 12-120mm/45 (6x2), 14—40mm AA main deck joined the tops of the side armour while a 30mm splinter deck, sloped
(7x2), 8-20mm AA (8x 1) at the sides to join the bottom of the belt, was provided below it. Underwater
Complement: 1050 protection was provided by wing compartments divided longitudinally and
bounded on the inboard side by a 40mm bulkhead. The outboard side extended
Three battlecruisers were proposed for the reinforcement of the East Indies beyond the base of the belt to form a slight bulge giving a hull section reminis¬
Squadron in 1939 and authorised in February 1940. They were intended to cent of the British Repulse and Renown. In general the ships, if built, would have
strengthen the cruiser and destroyer force and support them against the more been contemporaries of the US Alaska class which they resembled in size, speed
powerful and numerous Japanese cruisers which, in particular, outclassed the armament and concept.

De Ruyter as commissioned

Authorised in 1930 to replace the cancelled Celebes and provide the third cruiser
DE RUYTER cruiser considered necessary on the East Indies station. The design was severely
restricted by monetary considerations and was initially limited to 5250t dis¬
Displacement: c6000t standard; 6442t load; 7548t full load
placement and 6-150mm guns (2 x 2 aft, 1 x 2 forward) which allowed for a speed
Dimensions: 552ft 2in wl, 560ft 4in oa x 51ft 6in x 16ft 9in of 32kts and light protection equal to that of the Sumatra class. This design was
168.30, 170.80 x 15.70 x 5.10m heavily criticised, principally due to its small size and limited armament,
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 6 Yarrow boilers, 66,000shp 8-150mm or 6-203mm guns being regarded as more suitable. Subsequently the
= 32kts. Oil 1300t
hull was lengthened to improve the lines, and hence speed, and the additional
Armour: Belt 50-30mm, barbettes 30mm, turrets 30mm, bulkheads space and volume obtained were utilised to fit a single 150mm gun in a superfir¬
30mm, decks 30mm, CT 30mm
ing position forward and an aircraft catapult abaft the funnel. Some weight
Armament: 7-150mm/50 (3x2, lxl), 10-40mm AA (5x2), 8-12.7mm saving was made possible by careful design and the adoption of welding,
A A (4x2)
aluminium, etc. The ship was ordered to this enlarged design in August 1932.
Complement: 435 Protection consisted of a waterline belt extending from the forward edge of‘A’
magazine to the after end of the steering compartment, covered by a 30mm
Name Builder Launched Fate
protective deck and closed with 30mm end bulkheads. The main control tower,
DE RUYTER Wilton- 11.3.35 Sunk 28.2.42 mounted at the top of a tower-type bridge, after control tower, turrets, barbettes
Fijenoord and communication trunks were fitted with 30mm armour. Revolving weight of
the twin Mk 9 turrets was 70t while the single Mk 10 mounting, which was

388
equipped for firing starshell, weighed 25t. The 120mm guns were high-velocity
weapons of 2950fs firing a 101.51b shell. The close-range AA armament of five
40mm twin Hazemeyer mountings was grouped close together on the after
superstructure - an odd arrangement which limited arcs of fire and made them
vulnerable to destruction by a single hit. The fire control systems were very
advanced for the period and included remote controls, stabilisation and a fair
degree of automation. The 18m Heinkel catapult carried a Fokker CX1W
aircraft for spotting and reconnaissance and a second aircraft could be stowed
between it and the after superstructure. The boilers were equally disposed in
three rooms, the pair in the foremost being slightly smaller than the others. The
turbines were designed to accept a 15 per cent overload for short periods, giving
76,000shp for a speed of 33.5kts. Cruising turbines were fitted to both shafts for
economic cruising at 17kts and endurance at 12kts with 750t oil was 6800nm
(ll,000nm approx with full 1300t oil).
De Ruyter was the flagship of the ABDA squadron at the Battle of the Java Sea De Ruyter during trials, with experimental funnel cap
in 1942. During the battle she was hit by gunfire and a ‘Long Lance’ torpedo
fired by the Japanese cruiserHaguro, and sank two hours later with heavy loss of
life.

Tromp as designed

Jacob van Heemskerck about 1942 as refitted by the British Netherlands Navy
TROMP class cruisers
Displacement: 3787t standard; c4800t full load PROVINCIEN class cruisers
Dimensions: 410ft lin pp, 433ft oa x 40ft 8in x 13ft 9in Displacement: 8350t standard; 10,800t full load
125.00, 132.00 x 12.40 x 4.20m
Dimensions: 598ft 5in pp, 613ft 6in oa x 56ft 7in x 18ft 6in
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Yarrow boilers, 56,000shp 182.40, 187.00 x 17.25 x 5.60m
= 33.5kts. Oil 860t
Machinery: 3-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 6 Yarrow boilers, 78,000shp
Armour: Belt 15mm, bulkheads 30-20mm, decks 25mm-15mm, gun- = 32kts. Oil 1750t
shields 15mm, CT 12mm, communication tube 25mm Armour: Belt 100mm-75mm, decks 25mm-20mm, turrets
Armament: 6-150mm/50 (3x2), 8-40mm AA (4x2), 4-12.7mm AA 100mm-50mm
(2x2), 6-533mm TT (2x3) Armament: 10-150mm/50 (2x3, 2x2), 14-40mm AA (7x2), 8-12.7mm
Complement: 309 AA (4x2), 6-533mm TT (2x3)
Complement: 700
Name Builder Launched Fate

JACOB VAN Nederlandse 16.9.39 Stricken 1958 Name Builder Launched Fate
HEEMSKERCK DE ZEVEN Wilton- 24.12.44 Completed as
TROMP Nederlandse 24.5.37 Stricken 1958 PROVINCIEN Fijenoord De Ruyter, to
Peru 1973
Authorised in 1935 but originally conceived in 1931 as large 2500t flotilla leaders EENDRACHT Rotterdam se 22.8.50 Completed as
and later expanded into light cruisers of the classic scout type. Their primary De Zeven
purpose was to strengthen the Dutch destroyer force in the East Indies and Provincien, to
counterbalance, to some extent, the greater strength of the Japanese destroyer Peru 1976
fleet. On a comparatively small displacement they provided a heavy armament
with a speed sufficient to keep station with their destroyers under normal Authorised in 1938 as replacements for th tjava and Sumatra. Initially designed
sea-going conditions, but sacrificed armour to do so. In this respect they were as enlarged versions of De Ruyter with 8-150mm guns (4x2) instead of six and
vulnerable to destroyer fire but the splinter protection provided was sufficient to much improved protection but later modified to incorporate triple mountings in
limit the area of damage. An external belt of 15mm plating was backed up ‘A’ and ‘Y’ positions. Eendracht was to have been named Kijkduin. Construction
internally by longitudinal 30mm bulkheads covered by 25mm deck and closed was not far advanced when the German invasion brought a halt to proceedings
by 30mm bulkheads, forming a complete internal box. Splinter protection was and although their new owners carried out some work on the ships very little
also provided for the guns, fire control gear and communication and ammuni¬ further was accomplished until after the war. Provincien was launched by the
tion trunks. The armament included provision for carrying a seaplane on the Germans to clear the building slip and then laid up. After the war the design was
superstructure amidships but no catapult. The 120mm guns were fitted in Mk modified to incorporate new equipment and the results of war experience,
11 twin mountings capable of 60° elevation. The twin 40mm Hazemeyer A A including the provision of more powerful machinery, improved sub-division
guns were again grouped together, as in De Ruyter, on the after shelter deck in a and remodelled superstructure. Work recommenced in 1947 when Eendracht
four-cornered arrangement, but the main armament was concentrated forward was renamed De Zeven Provincien and Provincien was renamed De Ruyter.
instead of aft, emphasising their intended role as a spearhead to a destroyer Provincien was converted to a guided missile cruiser 1952-54. Both were sold to
force. The four boilers were fitted fore and aft and equally disposed between two Peru, De Ruyter in 1973 and Provincien in 1976, being renamed Almirante Grau
boiler rooms abaft which were two engine rooms, that forward containing the and Aguirre respectively. Both are still (1980) in service.
starboard and that aft the port turbine.
Both ships transferred to the UK after the German invasion of the Low
Countries but Heemskerck had not completed fitting out. Principally she lacked
her armament and fire control gear so she was completed at Portsmouth DYd
with a British armament of 10-4in HA/LA (5x2), 4^2pdr pompoms (1x4) and VAN GHENT class destroyers
6-20mm (6x 1). Three of the twin 4in mounts replaced the 150mm mountings
Displacement: 1316t standard; 1640t full load
and the remaining pair were placed on each side of the after shelter deck while
the quadruple pomp.om was fitted at the after end of the shelter deck. Two HA Dimensions: 307ft pp, 322ft oa x 31ft 2in x 9ft 9in
93.57, 98.15 x 9.53 x 2.97m
directors were fitted, on the bridge and after superstructure, each carrying the
aerials of radar Type 285. In addition the forecastle and side plating were Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Yarrow boilers, 31,000shp
= 36kts. Oil 300t
extended further aft and the rig modified to include a tripod mainmast to carry
the second aerial of air-warning radar Type 279, the first being on a modified Armament: 4—120mm/50 (4x 1), 2-75mm AA (2x1), 4-12.7mm AA
(4x 1), 6-533mm TT (2x3), 24 mines
foremast. TT were not fitted. Later in the war her 2pdr mounting was removed
and the intended armament of 8-40mm A A (4x2) on Hazemeyer mountings Complement: 129
fitted, while the single 20mm AA were replaced by 8-20mm AA (4x2). In
Name Builder Launched Fate
addition the mainmast was removed when a single aerial air-warning radar set
was fitted; a surface warning set was also added. Tromp was modified to a lesser EVERTSEN Burgerhouts 29.12.1926 Lost 29.2.42
extent, initially having 4—20mm (4x 1) added and later 4—3in AA (4x 1) and KORTENAER Burgerhouts 30.6.1927 Sunk 27.2.42
another 2-20mm (2 x 1) together with air-warning, surface-warning and gun¬ PIET HEIN Burgerhouts 2.4.1927 Sunk 19.2.42
nery radar sets. Both units saw extensive war service with the Allies and survived VAN GHENT De Schelde 23.10.1926 Wrecked 15.2.42
to form part of the postwar fleet. After being stricken both were employed as (ex- De Ruyter)
accommodation ships.

389
 f

Name Builder Launched Fate

GERARD Rotterdamse 12.10.1939 Sunk 9.6.44

CALLENBURGH
ISAAC SWEERS De Schelde 16.3.1940 Sunk 13.11.42
PHILIPS VAN De Schelde - BU on slip
ALMONDE
TJERK HIDDES Rotterdamse 12.10.1939 BU 1942-43

Konenaer as completed By courtesy of John Roberts
Designed by Yarrow, these ships were modified versions of HMS Ambuscade
from which they differed very little in specification. They did however differ in
having funnels of equal section, the mainmast stepped between the TT instead
of against the after superstructure and in variations of equipment to meet Dutch
requirements. These latter included the carrying of mines, a seaplane stowed
above the after TT and the omission of shields on the guns in ‘B’ and ‘Y’
positions. Speed at deep load was 34kts. All were built in Dutch yards with
assistance from Yarrow. Van Ghent was wrecked and abandoned after running
aground in Banka Strait. Piet Hein was sunk by gunfire from the Japanese
destroyers Asashio and Oshio in the Bandoeng Strait. Kortenaer was torpedoed
and sunk by Japanese destroyers during the Battle of the Java Sea. Evertsen was
heavily damaged and set on fire in action with Japanese cruisers and destroyers
on 28 February 1942, and beached and abandoned the following day.
In these vessels, designed with the assistance of Yarrow, size was substantially
increased over that of earlier classes to provide a higher speed, greater endurance
and heavier armament, bringing them more into line with contemporary Japan¬
ese vessels. The twin 120mm mountings were placed in ‘A’ and ‘ Y’ positions and
the single in ‘X’ position, while the twin Hazemeyer Bofors were fitted in ‘B’
position and on a platform between the TT. They were also to carry a seaplane,
stowed between the funnels. The boilers were disposed in two rooms w>th a
single unit in the forward compartment and two in the second, while the
turbines were fitted in a single engine room. Range was 5400nm at 19kts. None
had been completed when the Germans invaded but Isaac Sweers was towed to
the UK minus most of her armament and fire control gear. She was completed
with British equipment and entered service in May 1941 with 6-4in HA/LA
(3x2), 4—40mm and 8-0.5in A A (2x4), 2-20mm AA (2 x 1) replacing the 0.5in
cl942. In addition a British HA director (radar Type 285 added later) was fitted
on the bridge and the rig altered to a tripod foremast, carrying a D/F aerial (later
replaced by an air-warning radar aerial) and pole mainmast abaft the second
funnel. She was torpedoed off Algiers by the German submarine U431. The
remaining three were scuttled or, in the case of Almonde, wrecked on the slip.
Callenburgh was salvaged by the Germans and completed as ZH1 in 1942; she
was sunk by the British destroyers Ashanti and Tartar (see under Germany).
Hiddes was also salvaged but, being irreparable, was scrapped, while the wreck
of Almonde was broken up on the slip.

Ex-British ‘N’ class destroyers

Two British destroyers of the ‘N’ class. Noble and Nonpareil, were purchased by
the Royal Netherlands Navy while under construction and renamed Van Galen
Displacement: 1316t standard; 1650t full load
and Tjerk Hiddes respecitvely. For further details see under Great Britain.
Dimensions: 307ft pp, 322ft oa x 31ft 2in x 9ft lOin
93.57, 98.15 x 9.53 x 2.97m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Yarrow boilers, 31,000shp
= 36kts. Oil 330t
Armament: 4—120mm/50 (4x1), l-75mm AA, 4—40mm AA (2x2),
4—12.7mm AA (4x1), 6-533mm TT (2x3)
Complement: 120
KXI class submarines
Name Builder Launched Fate
Displacement: 670t/815t
BANCKERT Burgerhouts 14.11.1929 Sunk Sept 1949 Dimensions: 218ft lOin oa x 20ft 2in X 12ft 2in
VAN GALEN Fijenoord 28.6.1928 BU 1942 66.90 x 6.15 x 3.70m
VAN NES Burgerhouts 20.3.1930 Sunk 17.2.42 Machinery: 2-shaft MAN diesels plus 2 electric motors, 2400bhp/725shp
WITTE DE WITH Fijenoord 11.9.1928 Scuttled 2.3.42 = 15kts/8kts. Oil 45t
Armament: 2-530mm TT (bow), 4-450mm TT (2 bow, 1 stern; 12 tor¬
Slightly modified versions of the Van Ghent class, fitted for minesweeping pedoes), l-88mm AA, 1-12.7mm AA
instead of minelaying, and with an improved AA armament of twin 40mm Complement: 31
mountings. They also mounted one less 75mm gun and carried 30t more fuel,
giving a range of 3300nm at 15kts compared with 3200nm in Van Ghent. Van Name Builder Launched Fate
Galen was bombed and sunk 10.5.40 at Rotterdam by German aircraft but was
raised by the Germans in October and later broken up. Van Nes was bombed and KXI Fijenoord 24.4.1924 BU 1945
sunk in the Banka Strait by Japanese aircraft and Witte de With was scuttled at KXII Fijenoord 15.7.1924 Sunk 18.2.42
Sourabaya following bomb damage. Banckert was also damaged in Japanese air KXIII Fijenoord 23.12.1924 BU 1945
attacks and was under repair in drydock on 2.3.42 when both dock and ship
were scuttled with a torpedo. She was salvaged by the Japanese and renamed Originally authorised in 1918, these boats were of Dutch design and were larger
patrol boat No 106 but repairs were not completed. She was surrendered to than earlier types with a heavier torpedo armament and stronger hull. Diving
Allied forces in 1945 and returned to the Dutch who sank her as a target in the limit was about 200ft (60m) and range 3500nm at llkts/13nm at 8kts. The
Madura Strait in September 1949. torpedoes provided one reload for each tube. The ‘K’ and roman numeral
designation indicated that they were sea-going types intended for service in the
East Indies, the ‘O’ and arabic numeral designation being used for coastal boats
intended for service in home waters. KXII was sunk by Japanese aircraft at
Sourabaya on 18.2.42 and the wreck was blown up in the following month to
prevent her salvage by the Japanese. The remaining pair were paid off in
Australia 1944 45.

OlO 1926

09 class submarines
Displacement: 1604t standard; 2228t full load Displacement: 515t/647t
Dimensions: 344ft 6in wl, 351ft oa x 34ft 9in x 9ft 2in Dimensions: 179ft 6in oa x 18ft 8in x lift 6in
105.00, 107.00 x 10.60 x 2.80m 54.70 x 5.70 x 2.50m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Yarrow boilers, 45,000shp Machinery: 2-shaft Sulzer diesels plus 2 electric motors, 900bhp/610shp
= 37.5kts. Oil 560t = 12kts/8kts. Oil 2It
Armament: 5-120mm/ 50 (2 x 2, 1 x 1), 4-40mm A A (2 X 2) 4-12.7mm A A Armament: 2-530mm TT (bow), 3-450mm TT (2 bow, 1 stern; 10 tor¬
(4x 1), 8-533mm TT (2x4), 24 mines pedoes) l-88mm AA, 1-12.7mm AA
Complement: 158 Complement: 29

390
 The Netherlands
Name Builder Launched sunk the following day by the Japanese submarine/66 off Kuching. KXVI I was
Fate
sunk by Japanese destroyers off Malaya and KXVIII, heavily damaged in a DC
09 De Schelde 7.4.1925 BU 1945 attack and non-operational at Sourabaya, was scuttled to prevent her use by the
010 Nederlandse 30.7.1925 BU 1945 Japanese. She was however salvaged by the Japanese in 1944 and repaired to
Oil Fijenoord 19.3.1925 Scuttled serve as a radar picket hulk in the Madura Strait where she was sunk by the
Sept 1944 British submarine Taciturn in July 1945. The remaining pair continued to
operate in the Far East and Indian Ocean against Japanese shipping until the end
Originally authorised in 1917, these boats were smaller versions of theKXI class of the war.
designed for service in home waters. Diving limit was 200ft (60m) and range
3500nm at 1 lkts/8nm at 7|kts. The torpedoes gave one reload for each tube. 09
and 0/0 escaped to Britain in 1940 and operated with the RN until laid up at the 016 submarine
end of 1944. 011 was captured by the Germans and scuttled as a blockship. The
wreck was raised in 1947 and scrapped. Displacement: 896t/1170t
Dimensions: 254ft 3in x 21ft 9in x 13ft 3in
77.50 x 6.63 x 4.04m
Machinery: 2-shaft MAN diesels plus 2 electric motors, 3200bhp/lOOOshp
= 18kts/9kts
Armament: 8-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern, 2 amidships) 1 -88mm AA,
2-40mm AA (2x 1)
015 as completed Complement: 38

Name Builder Launched Fate

012 class submarines
016 De Schelde 27.1.1936 Mined 16.12.41
Displacement: 568t/715t
Dimensions: 198ft 6in oa x 18ft 4in x lift 10in With this boat the policy of providing smaller vessels for home service was
60.50 x 5.60 x 3.60m abandoned and she was actually larger than any of the preceding ‘K’ boats.
Machinery: 2-shaft Sulzer (0/2 MAN) diesels plus 2 electric motors, Subsequently the distinction between the overseas and home types was aban¬
1800bhp/620shp = 15kts/8kts. Oil 93t doned and all later submarines were designated with numbers prefixed ‘O’. In
Armament: 5-533mm TT (4 bow, 1 stern), 2-40mm AA (2x1) effect the Dutch Navy recognised that the larger sea-going type would provide
Complement: 31 greater operational flexibility for home operations and, if required, could be
transferred to the Far East. 016 was virtually a slightly enlarged version of the
Name Builder Launched Fate KXIV class with the hull form modified to provide a lkt improvement in surface
speed. Her machinery and armament were identical to that of the earlier class.
012 De Schelde 1.11.1930 Scuttled
She was lost in a British minefield off Singapore while returning from patrol.
May 1945
013 De Schelde 8.11.1930 Sunk 20.6.40
014 De Schelde 3.10/1931 BU 1943-44
015 Fijenoord 17.5.1931 BU 1946-47

Ordered during 1927-29, these vessels were a substantial improvement on the

previous ‘O’ class. For a relatively small increase in displacement they possessed
a uniform armament of 533mm TT, a stronger, mainly welded hull of improved
form giving a deeper diving limit of 280ft (85m) and an increase in submerged
endurance to 26nm at 8kts. They also had more powerful diesels for a higher
surface speed and greater oil fuel stowage to compensate for the higher con¬
sumption; surface range was 3500nm at lOkts. The armament included 2-40mm
AA guns on disappearing mountings which shows an early appreciation by the
Dutch of the vulnerability of submarines to air attack. They were carried in fore
and aft, watertight extensions to the conning tower. This arrangment was
repeated in all subsequent boats up to the 021 class. 013,14 and 15 escaped to
Britain in 1940 but shortly afterwards 013 was sunk in error by the Polish
submarine Wilk in the North Sea. 014 was paid off in September 1943.012 was
captured by the Germans at Den Helder; renamed UD2, she served with the
German Navy until scuttled at Kiel at the end of the war.

- -- nn...2Z? KXIV as completed

- -

KXIV class submarines 016 as completed By courtesy of John Roberts

Displacement: 77 It/ 1008t

Dimensions: 242ft 9in oa x 25ft x 12ft lOin 019 class submarines
74.00 x 7.60 x 3.90m
Machinery: 2-shaft MAN diesels plus 2 electric motors, 3200bhp/lOOOshp Displacement: 998t/1536t
= 17kts/9kts Dimensions: 265ft 9in oa x 24ft 7in x 13ft lin
Armament: 8-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern, 2 amidships; 14 torpedoes), 81.00 x 7.50 x 4.00m
l-88mm AA, 2-40mm AA (2x 1) Machinery: 2-shaft Sulzer diesels plus 2 electric motors, 5200bhp/
Complement: 38 lOOOshp = 19.25kts/9kts
Armament: 8-530mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern, 2 amidships), l-88mm AA,
Name Builder Launched Fate 2-40mm AA (2x 1), 1-12.7mm AA, 40 mines
Complement: 55
KXIV Rotterdamse 11.7.1932 Laid up June
1946
Name Builder Launched Fate
KXV Rotterdamse Dec 1932 Laid up June
1946 019 Wilton-Fijenoord 22.9.1938 Wrecked 8.7.45
KXVI Rotterdamse Apr 1933 Sunk 25.12.41 020 Wilton-Fijenoord 31.1.1939 Sunk 20.12.41
KXVII Fijenoord July 1932 Sunk 24.12.41
KXVIII Fijenoord July 1932 Sunk 24.12.41 Originally designated KXIX and XX, these boats were given ‘O’ designations
when it was decided to abandon the distinction between home and overseas
Enlarged versions of the 012 class, for service in the East Indies, with heavier types. They were the Dutch Navy’s first minelaying submarines but the design
torpedo armament and higher speed. One of the additional tubes was mounted was based on that of the Polish Orzel and Sep which were designed and built in
in the stern and the others in an external revolving mounting forming part of the Holland in the late 1930s. The mines were carried in vertical tubes, 10 on each
casing forward of the CT; the torpedo complement provided one reload for each side within the saddle tanks, each tube containing 2 mines. In other respects the
of the internal tubes only. Diving limit was 260ft (80m) and endurance 3500nm boats carried the same armament as the earlier units but the diesel engines were
at 1 lkts/26nm at 8.5kts. KXIV-XVI were ordered in 1929 and KXVI1-XVIII of much higher power - mainly due to the hull’s larger size but also to give a
in 1930. KXVI sank the Japanese destroyerSagiri on 24.12.1941 but was herself substantial surface speed. They were also fitted with experimental air-breathing

391
WESTERN EUROPE
masts to allow the diesels to be run at periscope depth - a novel idea that in 1940 Launched Fate
Name Builder
inspired the German development of the ‘snorkel’. Diving limit was deeper than
in earlier vessels at 320ft (100m). 020 was sunk by the Japanese destroyer FLORES Fijenoord 15.8.1925 Sold for BU
Uranami but 019 continued to operate in the East Indies and Indian Ocean until 1968
wrecked in the China Sea at the end of the war. SOEMBA Wilton 24.8.1925 Stricken 1956

019 in 1941 Netherlands Navy

Local defence vessels intended to guard the approaches to important bases and
the defensive minefields thereof. For reconnaissance, principally the early
warning of an approaching enemy, they were equipped to carry a seaplane.
Flores escaped to Britain in 1940, while Soemba was operating in the Far East.
Both later served in the Mediterranean and Atlantic. During the war the 75mm
gun was removed and 4—20mm AA (4x 1) (Flores 2—2pdr and 2-20mm) were
fitted and the aircraft facilities removed. In 1945 Soemba was disarmed and
converted into a radar TS; she survived into the late 1970s as a repair barge.

JOHAN MAURITS VAN NASSAU gunboat

Displacement: 1520t standard; 1795t full load
Dimensions: 259ft 3in pp x 37ft 9in x 12ft 3in
79.00 x 11.50 x 3.73m
Machinery: 2- shaft TE, 4 Yarrow boilers, 2100ihp = 15kts. Oil 273t
Armour: Deck 25mm, CT 25mm
Armament: 3- 150mm (3x 1), 2-40mm AA (2x 1), 4-12.7mm AA (2x2)
3Zz'
021 as completed Complement: 124

Name Builder Launched Fate

021 class submarines
JOHAN MAURITS De Schelde 20.8.1932 Sunk 14.5.1940
Displacement: 934t/1350t VAN NASSAU
Dimensions: 255ft llin oa x 21ft 4in x 12ft 6in
78.00 x 6.56 x 3.80m A repeat of the Flores class but slightly longer and heavier and carrying a
Machinery: 2-shaft Sulzer diesels plus 2 electric motors, 5200bhp/ different light AA armament. She was sunk by German bombs off Callantsoog.
lOOOshp = 19.5kts/9kts. Oil 135t
Armament: 8-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern, 2 amidships), l-88mm AA, Johan Mounts van Nassau about 1937
2-40mm AA (2x 1), 1-12.7mm AA
Complement: 55

Name Builder Launched Fate

021 De Schelde 21.10.1939 Sold for BU

24.1.58
022 De Schelde 20.1.1940 Sunk 8.11.40
023 Rotterdamse 5.12.1939 BU 1949
024 Rotterdamse 18.3.1940 Stricken 1956
025 Wilton-Fijenoord 1.5.1940 Scuttled May 1945
026 Rotterdamse 23.11.1940 Scuttled 3.5.45
027 Rotterdamse 26.9.1941 Stricken Dec 1959

Virtually repeats of the 019 with the minelaying capability omitted allowing for
a smaller and more streamlined hull giving a slighdy higher surface speed.
Diving limit was again 320ft (100m) and surface range 7100nm at lOkts.
021-024 escaped to Britain on the German invasion; 022 and 023 were
incomplete and were given their final fitting-out at Portsmouth DYd; shortly
afterwards 022 was sunk by the German minesweeper M144 and the patrol boat
Ujl77 off Lindenses. The remaining three were captured incomplete by the
Germans in May 1940. 025, which had been scuttled, was raised and renamed
UD3, while 026 and 027, still on the building slips, were completed as UD4
and UD5 in 1941. UD3 and UD4 were scuttled at the end of the war at Kiel but
UD5 was returned to the Dutch. The three German boats were fitted with
2-20mm A A in place of the 40mm guns and UD4 and UD5 (and possibly UD3)
were completed with German type conning towers.

Ex-British submarines

The following submarines were transferred to the Dutch by the British Admir¬
alty: Zeehond (ex-Sturgeon), Zwaardvisch (ex-Talent), Tijjerhai (ex-Tam) and Displacement: 1760t standard; c2350t full load
Dolfijn (ex-P47). Sturgeon was returned in 1945 but the two ‘T’ class boats were
Dimensions: 328ft pp, 338ft 6in oa x 38ft x 10ft 3in
purchased for the postwar fleet and P47 was scrapped in Holland 1947-48. See 99.98, 103.18 x 11.58 x 3.12m
Machinery: 2-shaft Werkspoor geared turbines, 2 Yarrow boilers,
16,000shp = 25.5kts. Oil 128t
Armour: Deck 20mm-12mm
Armament: 4—120mm (4x 1), 4-40mm AA (2x2)
Complement: 190

Flores 1953 Name Builder Launched Fate

VAN KINSBERGAN Rotterdamse 5.1.1939 Discarded cl959

FLORES class gunboats
Designed to serve as a TS in peacetime and as an escort in wartime. Ordered in
Displacement: 1457t standard November 1936, this was a sophisticated ship largely due to the need to provide
Dimensions: 249ft 3in pp x 37ft 9in x 11ft 9in extensive armament and fire control gear for training purposes. In 1940 she
45.50 x 11.50 x 3.58m escaped to Britain and spent the rest of the war engaged in escort and patrol work
Machinery: 2- shaft TE, 4 Yarrow boilers, 2000ihp = 15kts. Oil 285t until laid up in January 1945. During the war the twin 40mm mounting on the
Armour: Deck 25mm, CT 25mm bridge was removed and 6-20mm AA (2x2, 2x 1) guns, asdic and radar were
Armament: 3- 150mm (3x 1), l-75mm AA, 4-12.7mm AA (2x2) added. By 1946 her displacement had risen to 2095t standard, 2703t full load. In
1951 she was reclassified as a frigate and in 1955 she was converted to a depot
Complement: 132
ship.

392
1938 Programme gunboats
Displacement: 1180t standard; 1400t full load
Dimensions: 246ft lin pp, 255ft llin oa x 33ft 6in x 9ft 6in
75.00, 78.00 x 10.20 x 2.90m
Machinery: 2-shaft Babcock & Wilcox diesels, 3500bhp = 18kts. Oil 157t
Armour: Belt 60mm, deck 35mm-20mm, turrets 60mm, CT 20mm
Armament: 4—120mm (2x2), 4-40mm AA (2x2), 4-12.7mm AA (2x2),
2 DC throwers
Complement: 106

Name Builder Launched Fate

‘A’ P Smit 23.11.1940 Sunk 5.5.45 Rigel in 1931 Netherlands Navy

Gusto 28.6.1941 Sunk 28.9.44
‘C P Smit 22.3.1941 BU 1960
RIGEL minelayer
Low-freeboard coastal escort vessels of which 7 were projected but only 3 laid Displacement: 163 It
down. They were captured by the Germans in May 1940 and completed by them
Dimensions: 228ft 4in pp, 242ft 9in x 36ft lin x 9ft lOin
as K1, K2 and K3 respectively, being fitted with a German close range AA
69.60, 74.00 X 11.00 X 3.00m
armament of 4-37mm (2x2) and 12-20mm (2x4, 2x2) and less powerful
Machinery: 2-shaft TE, 1400ihp = 12.5kts
diesels giving a speed of 15.5kts. K1 was sunk by Allied aircraft in the Kattegat.
Armament: 2-76mm (2x 1), 2-12.7mm AA (2x 1), 150 mines
K2, sunk by an aerial torpedo, was salvaged in 1945 but foundered under tow
Complement: 63
and in 1946 was salvaged again to be scrapped during 1946-48. JO was returned
to the Dutch, renamed Van Speyk in 1946 and re-engined in 1953.
Built at Nederlandse Dok for East Indies station and launched on 7.3.31, being
EX-ALLIED ESCORT VESSELS intended to serve as the Governor’s yacht in peacetime. Sunk as a blockship at
The ‘Flower’ class corvette Carnation and the ‘River’ class frigate Ribble were Tandjong Priok on 2.3.42 but salvaged by the Japanese in March 1944, she was
returned to the Dutch in 1945 and sold to Indonesia in 1951 and renamed
transferred to the Dutch in 1943 and renamed Friso and Johan Maurits van
Dewakambar.
Nassau respecitvely. Friso was returned in February 1945 but Nassau was
retained in the Dutch Navy until scrapped in 1959. For full details see under
Great Britain. The US PC468 was transferred to the Dutch Navy in 1942 and
renamed Queen Wilhelmina. She remained in service postwar and was finally VAN ORANJE class minelayers
sold to the Nigerian Navy in 1962. Displacement: 129It standard
Dimensions: 215ft lOin pp, 229ft 8in oa x 36ft X 10ft 9in
SUBMARINE-CHASERS 65.80, 70.00 x 11.00 x 3.28m
Two classes of sub-chasers were to have been built by the Dutch. The first was to
Machinery: 2-shaft TE, 1750ihp = 15kts
consist of four vessels of 328t and 24kts speed, armed with l-76mm and
Armament: 2-75mm AA (2x1), 2-40mm AA (2x1), 2-12.7mm AA
4—40mm guns. They were laid down in 1939 by Sourabaya Droogdok but three
(2x1)
were later cancelled and the fourth was destroyed on the stocks in 1942. The
Complement: 121
second class was to have consisted of 18 vessels built in home yards for the East
Indies station. Six were ordered in 1940, 3 from Nederlandse Dok and 3 from
Class: Gouden Leeuw, Prins van Oranje.
J & K Smit, but all further development was halted by the German invasion.
Two pure minelayers built for the East Indies station by De Maas and
They were to have displaced 395t, been fitted with steam turbines for a speed of
launched in 1931. The former was scuttled at Souabaya on 7.3.42 and the latter
24kts and have had an armament of 4-40mm guns.
was sunk by Japanese ships off Tarakan on 12.1.42.

PRO PATRIA minelayer

Displacement: 537t standard; 612t full load
Dimensions: 154ft 3in pp x 28ft 3in x 7ft 7in
47.00 x 8.60 x 2.30m
Machinery: TE engines, 650ihp = lOkts
Armament: l-75mm AA, 2-12.7mm AA (2x1), 80 mines
Complement: 61

Small coastal minelayer launched by Sourabaya Droogdok on 21.7.1922 and

scuttled on 15.2.42 in the River Musi.

KRAKATAU minelayer
Displacement: 982t
Dimensions: 213ft 3in pp x 32ft lOin x 10ft 6in
65.00 x 10.00 x 3.20m
Machinery: TE engines, coal-fired boilers, 2500ihp = 15.5kts
Armament: 2-75mm AA (2x 1), 4—12.7mm AA (4x 1), 150 mines
Complement: 91
Gouden Leeuw in 1932 Netherlands Navy
Built at Sourabaya Droogdok, launched in 1924 and scuttled off Madura on
8.3.42.
JAN VAN BRAKEL minelayer
Displacement: 740t standard; 955t full load
NAUTILUS minelayer
Dimensions: 181ft 5in pp, 193ft 7in x 32ft lOin x 9ft lOin
Displacement: 800t standard 55.30, 59.00 x 10.00 x 3.00m
Dimensions: 180ft 5in pp, 192ft 7in oa x 31ft 2in x lift 6in Machinery: 2-shaft TE, 2 Yarrow boilers, 1600ihp = 15kts. Oil 72t
55.00, 58.70 x 9.50 x 3.50m Armament: 2-75mm (2x1), l-37mm AA, 4— 12.7mm AA (2x2), 80
Machinery: TE engines, 3 boilers, 1350ihp = 15kts. Oil 138t mines
Armament: 2-75mm AA (2x 1), 2-40mm AA (2x 1), 1-12.7mm AA, 40 Complement: 65
mines
Complement: 50 Similar to Nautilus and also designed to operate as a fishery protection vessel in
peacetime. Launched by K M de Schelde on 8.2.36, she served in home waters
Constructed by Rotterdamse Droogdok for service in home waters and launched and was employed as an escort while operating with the Allies during World War
on 30.10.29. She was designed to carry out fishery protection work in II. Initial war modifications included replacing the 12.7mm AA with 2-20mm
peacetime. Lost in an accidental collision in the Humber Estuary on 22.5.41. AA (2x 1); by 1945 a further 4-20mm were added. She was scrapped in 1956.

393
WESTERN EUROPE

Pieter Florisz as the German MSS I

WILLEM VAN DE ZAAN minelayer JAN VAN AMSTEL class minesweepers

Displacement: 1267t standard Displacement: 450t standard; 585t full load
Dimensions: 229ft 8in pp, 246ft 9in oa X 36ft 9in X 10ft 9in Dimensions: 183ft pp, 186ft oa x 25ft 7in x 6ft 7in
70.00, 75.20 x 11.20 x 3.28m SS.80, 56.70 x 7.80 x 2.00m
Machinery: 2-shaft TE, 2 Yarrow boilers, 2300ihp = 15.5kts. Oil 225t Machinery: 2-shaft TE, 2 Yarrow boilers, 1690ihp = 15kts. Oil llOt
Armament: 2-120mm/50 (2x1), 4-40mm AA (2x2), 4—12.7mm AA Armament: l-75mm, 4—12.7mm AA (2x2)
(2x2), 92 mines Complement: 46
Complement: 120
Name Builder Launched Fate
Built by Nederlandse Dok and launched on 15.12.38 this vessel had a fully
JAN VAN AMSTEL P Smit 27.8.1936 Sunk 8.3.42
enclosed minedeck and a heavier armament than earlier minelayers. She was
PIETER DE P Smit 29.10.1936 Scuttled 6.3.42
intended to serve as a cadet TS in peacetime which would in part account for the
BITTER
comparatively sophisticated armament. She was also fitted to carry a seaplane
ABRAHAM Gusto 22.9.1936 BU 1961
amidships, to handle which a crane was fitted abaft the funnel. She escaped to
CRIJNSSEN
Britain in 1940 and served alongside the Allies until the end of the war. During
ELAND DUBOIS Gusto 24.10.1936 Scuttled 8.3.42
this time her 40mm guns were replaced by a quadruple 2pdr pompom and the
WILLEM VAN P Smit 22.2.1937 Mined 8.9.39
12.7mm guns by 4-20mm AA (4x 1).
EWIJCK
WILLEM VAN P Smit 18.4.1940 BU 1961
EWIJCK
RAM class minelayers PIETER FLORISZ P Smit 11.5.1937 BU 1961
Displacement: 2400t standard JAN VAN GELDER Gusto 17.4.1937 BU 1961
Dimensions: 253ft 3in pp, 281ft 6in oa x 36ft lin x 12ft 6in ABRAHAM VAN DER Gusto 27.5.1937 BU 1946
77.20, 85.80 x 11.00 x 3.80m HULST
Machinery: 2-shaft diesel engines, 4800bhp = 18kts
Armament: 3-75mm A A Three further vessels of this class. ordered from P Smit, were cancelled.
together with the two projected for 1940. The first Ewijck was lost off Terschel-
Complement: 120
ling and the second, captured incomplete in April 1940, was completed by the
Germans asM553. She was mined on 21.4.44 but salvaged on 20.7.44; returned
Class: Ram, Regulus
to the Dutch in 1945, she was renamed Abraham van derHulst it being thought
Two large minelayers laid down for the East Indies Marine, the Ram at
that this was her original name. The actualHulst was scuttled along with F/orisa
Tandjorg Priok Droogdok and the Regulus at Sourabaya Droogdok, were still
at Enkuizen on 14.5.40 but both were salvaged by the Germans and renamed
under construction when Japan invaded the Dutch East Indies. Ram, which had
M552 and M551 respectively; both were returned in 1945, the Florisz being
been launched in 10.12.41 was towed to Tjilatjap and scuttled there on 2.3.42.
given her original name while Hulst became a third Ewijck. Amstel was sunk by
She was later raised by the Japanese and renamed Nanshin for conversion to a
Japanese destroyers in the Madura Strait. Bitter was scuttled at Sourabaya and
gunboat, but never entered service. She was surrendered in 1945 and later
Dubois at Gili Genteng. The survivors served as BDVs in the postwar fleet.
broken up. Regulus was damaged on the slip but was repaired by the Japanese,
launched on 21.4.43 as the gunboat Nankai and completed in June 1944. She
was torpedoed and sunk by a submarine on 16.7.45.

COASTAL MINESWEEPERS
Name Builder Launched Disp (std) Length (pp) hp/speed (kts) Armament

A, B, C, D Willemsoord 1929-30 179t 140ft 5in (42.80m) 700ihp/14.5 2 MG

MERBABOE class Priok 1937 80t 74ft 6in (22.70m) 135hp/10 1-12.7mm AA

ALOR class Priok 1938 13 It 96ft 2in (29.30m) 300bhp/12 2 MG

MERAPI class Priok 1942 80t 68ft 1 lin (21.00m) 135bhp/10 2-12.7mm AA

DJEMBER class Priok 1940-43 175t 106ft 9in (32.50m) 360bhp/12.5 2 MG

ARDJOENO class Priok 1937 75t 86ft llin (wl) (26.50m) 1000bhp/15 2 MG

MvI-MvVI Gusto 1940 123t 72ft 3in (37.80m) 1800bhp/20 l-40mm AA, 1-12.7mm AA

A,B,C and D were all sunk in 1942 in the Far East but the first three were later
salvaged by the Japanese and served as their sub-chasers Nos 113,112,116, until
lost in 1944 45. The Merbaboe class consisted of Merbaboe, Rindjani and
Smeroe\ all three were captured by Japanese in March 1942, returned in 1945
and transferred to Indonesia in 1951.
The Alor class consisted of A lor, Aroe, Bantam, Boeroe, Bogor, Ceram and
Cheribon. All were scuttled at Tandjong Priok on 2.3.42 but Bantam was
salvaged by the Japanese and became their patrol boat No 117; she was tor¬
pedoed by the US submarine Hardhead off Bah on 23.7.45.
The Aferupt class consisted ofMerapi,Slamat and Tjerimei; all were destroyed
incomplete at Tandjong Priok in March 1942 but the last named was salvaged by
Japanese and renamed ChalOl and finally sunk by US aircraft on 8.4.45.
The Djember class consisted of Djember, Djombangh, Djampea, Enggano,
Endeh, Flores, Fak-Fak, Garoet and Grissee. Endeh was sunk by a Japanese
destroyer in the Java Sea on 2.3.42. The first four were scuttled at Tandjong
Priok on 2.3.42 but all except Djember were salvaged by the Japanese, returned
1945 and transferred to Indonesia in 1951. The remainder were destroyed
incomplete at Tandjong Priok but Flores was repaired by the Japanese, returned
1945 and transferred to Indonesia in 1951.
The Ardjoeno class comprised Ardjoeno, Gedeh, Kawi, Lawoe and Salak; all
were scuttled at Sourabaya on 2.3.42 but later salvaged by the Japanese becom¬
ing their patrol boats Nos 102, 104, 109, 110 and 118 respectively. All were
returned in 1945 except 104 (ex-Gedeh) which was lost in August 1943.
MvI-VI were captured incomplete by the Germans on 19.6.40 and completed
by them as RA51-54,56 and 55 respectively. TA53 and 55 were lost in August
1941 and the remainder scuttled in August 1944.
In addition to the above the following British MMSs were transferred to the
Dutch during the war: Admiralty Type I - Ameland (ex-MMS231), Beveland
(ex-MMS237), Marken (ex-MMS227, lost May 1944), Marken (ex-MMS34),
Putten (ex-MMS 138), Rozenburg (ex-MMS292), Terschelling (ex-MMS 174, lost
July 1942), Terschelling (ex-MMS234), Texel (ex-MMS73) and Vlieland (ex-
MMS226); Admiralty Type II - Duiveland (ex-MMS 1044), Overflakkee (ex-
MMS1046), Schokland (ex-MMS 1082), Tholen (ex-MMS 1014), Voome (ex-
MMS1043), Walcheren (ex-MMS 1042), Wieringen (ex-MMS1025) and Ijssel-
monde (ex-MMS1026). All the above vessels, apart from the two lost, were
retained in the postwar Dutch Navy.

394
 The Netherlands

EAST INDIES GOUVERNEMENTSMARINE PATROL VESSELS

Name Builder Launched Disp Speed (kts) Armament Fate
SIRIUS, WEGA Y selwerf 1922 936t 12.25 l-76mm Scuttled 28.2.42/Sunk 26.1.42
FOMALHOUT Sourabaya 1923 800t 13.5 - Scuttled 2.3.42
MEREL Sourabaya 1928 592t 12 - Scuttled 2.3.42
AREND, VALK Fijenoord 1929 775t 15 2-76mm, 2-12.7 AA Scuttled Mar 1942
FAZANT, REIGER Sourabaya 1930 623t 12 l-76mm Scuttled 1.3.42./Wrecked 28.2.42

Besides the above, Albatros, Aldebaren, Bellatrix, Canopus, Beneb, Gemma and
Eridanus, constructed 1911-18, were still in service. All were scuttled in March
1942 except Canopus and Deneb which were sunk by Japanese aircraft early in
1942. All were salvaged by the Japanese except Alderbaren and Deneb and were
recaptured at the end of the war. The Japanese also salvaged A rend, Valk and
Frazant and employed them as patrol boats Nos 108,104 and 109 respectively.
108 and 104 were sunk by aircraft in 1945 but 109 was returned in 1945 and later
became the Indonesian Kartika (BU 1954).
The Gouvemementsmarine also included a large number of survey vessels,
harbour tenders and auxiliaries.

*#"*»** #

Reiger in 1932 Netherlands Navy Valk in 1938 Netherlands Navy

MTBs
Name Builder Built Disp Length bhp/speed (kts) Armament
TM1-TM4 Thornycroft 1927-28 ? 55ft (16.76m) 375/37 2-450mm TT, 2 MG, 4 DC
TM3 Sourabaya 1938 13t 61ft (18.60m) 1260/32 2-450mm TT, 2 MG (2x1)
TM4-TM21 Sourabaya 1940-42 174t 63ft (19.20m) 1350/33.25 2-450mm TT, 2-7.7mm MG
(2xl), 4 DCs
TM51-TM53 BPB (5/)/Gusto 1939-40 32t 70ft (21.30m) 3300/40 2-533mm TT, 2-20mm AA
(52-53) (2xl)
TM54-TM61 Gusto 1940-41 57t 91ft 9in (28.00m) 2850/34 2-533mm TT, 2-20mm AA (2x 1)

TMl-4 were Thornycroft 55ft wooden hull CMBs stricken in the early 1930s.
The second TM3 was an experimental vessel fitted with an aircraft engine; she
was not a success, never became fully operational and was scuttled on 2.3.42.
TM4-21 were steel-hulled vessels propelled by aircraft engines; TM4-15 were
scuttled at Sourabaya in March 1942, and the incomplete TM16-21 were blown
up at the same time. Some of these vessels or parts of them are believed to have
been used by the Japanese to construct new MTBs but there is much confusion
over this point. TM51 was purchased from British Power Boats and TMS2-S3
were Dutch copies. TM51 served with the RN from 1940, successively becom¬
ing MA/SB46, MGB46 and MTB433. She was returned in 1945 and renamed
RJ2. TM52 and53 were captured by the Germans while building and completed
as S201 and S202; similarly, all the TM54-61 group were captured incomplete,
the design was modified by the Germans and they were completed asS 151-158.
For further details see under Germany. (Material for TM62-70, also of this
class, had been collected but the group was not laid down and they were
cancelled in May 1940.)
EX-ALLIED MTBs
Sixteen US Vosper-type PT boats were constructed for the Dutch at Fyffs
shipyard in New York and Canadian Power Boats in Montreal and numbered
TM22-37. However, TM32, 35, 36 and 37 were retained by the USN as
PT368-371. TM 23,24,25,27 and 37 were lost during 1943-44. TM28-30 were
taken over by the RN as target boats in 1943. Apart from those lost all were
returned to the USA in 1945.
The following British MTBs were loaned to the Dutch during 1942-44:
White type MTB202, 203 (renamed Arend) and 204; Vosper type - MTB222
(renamed Speruoer), 229 (renamed Gier), 231 (renamed Siromvogel), 235
(renamed Sperwer following loss of MTB222), 236 (renamed Havik) and 240
(renamed Buizerd); BPB type - MTB418, 436 and 453. Arend was mined off
Boulogne 18.5.44 and Sperwer (ex-MTB222) was sunk 10.11.43 after heavy
damage in collision with MTB230. The remainder were returned to the RN in
1946.

MA/SBs
Name Built Launched Disp hp/speed (kts) Armament

SI, S2 Far East 1941 ? 28kts 1 MG

S3-S6 Far East 1942 26t 32kts 4 MG

S7, S8 USA 1942 45t 30kts l-20mm AA

OJR 1-6 USA 1942 48t 32kts 2 MG

H7, H8 USA 1940 ? ? p

S2 was lost and SI and the OJR class were scuttled in February-March 1942.
The fate of the S7 and H7 groups is unknown.

395
 %
WESTERN EUROPE
MOTOR LAUNCHES
Name Builder Built Disp Length (pp) hp/speed (kts) Armament

P1-P8 * 1939-40 23t 62ft (18.90m) 165bhp/9 2 MG

P9-16 Priok 1941 26t 62ft (18.90m) 300bhp/14.5 2 MG

P17-22 * 1941-42 32t 78ft 9in (24.00m) ?/18 2 MG

P37-40 * 1942 } 72ft (22.00m) 165bhp/10 2—40mm AA, 2 MG

B1—16 Sourabaya or 1942 130t 139ft lin (42.40m) 1500bhp/18 l-76mm, l-40mm AA
Palembang

* Constructed in the East Indies
The majority of the above vessels were scuttled or destroyed in Far East in 1942.
PI ,P4,P 11 ,P12,P 13 orP14,P 15 andP16 were salvaged by the Japanese but
returned to the Dutch in 1945, except P13 (or 14), taken into service as Challl,
which was lost in 1943. Seven of the B class were also salvaged (original names
unknown) and renamed Chal03,105-108,114 and 115. All were recovered after
the war, exceptChalOS (sunk by US submarine Hardhead on 16.6.45), but only
ChalOl and ChallS were returned to the Dutch. The British Fairmile ‘B’ MLs
138,143,162 and 164 were transferred to the Dutch in 1942; except for ML 138,
which was retained for service as a minesweeper in the post warfleet, they were
returned in 1946.

Portugal
The Portuguese Navy was maintained principally for coast defence and DESTROYERS
for police dudes both in home waters and around the country’s exten¬
Name Launched Disp Fate
sive colonial possessions. The latter included Angola, Portuguese East
Africa and a large number of islands and small coastal territories in the TEJO 1901 522t Discarded cl929

Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean and Far East. The fleet was only suffi¬ Guadiana class
DOURO 1913 660t Discarded cl929
cient to deal with small local conflicts and in the event of a major war GUADIANA 1911 660t Discarded 1930s
could not have defended the extensive lines of communicadon with this TAMEGA 1922 660t Discarded cl943
widely dispersed empire. In 1922 it consisted largely of old and obsolete
vessels but in 1930 a ten-year Programme for the provision of new ships
TORPEDO-BOATS
to revitalise the fleet was authorised. Two destroyers were ordered
from Yarrow and 3 more, of the same design, were laid down in the Name Launched Disp Fate
Naval Yard at Lisbon together with 2 sloops (Nunes and Lisboa)-, a No 2 1886 65t Discarded 1930s
51 lOt seaplane tender (to be named Sacadura Cabral), 4 submarines No 3 1886 65t Discarded 1920s
and 2 sloops were ordered from Italy, and 2 more sloops (Velho and AVE (ex-86F) 1913-15 266t Stricken 1940
SADO (ex-89F) 1913-15 266t Stricken 1940
Zarco) from the British firm Hawthorn Leslie. In 1931, however, the
LIS (ex-90F) 1913-15 266t Stricken 1934
Italian orders were cancelled, the contract for the two sloops (the MONDEGO (ex-9/F) 1913-15 266t Stricken 1938
Albuquerque class) being transferred to Hawthorn Leslie and that for
Nos 2 and 3 were ex-Austrian vessels transferred to Portugal in 1920
the submarines replaced by an order for 3 boats (theDelfim class) with
Vickers-Armstrong (the seaplane tender was not re-ordered while the
original submarine contracts were later taken over by the Italian Gov¬ SUBMARINES
ernment and the 4 vessels completed for the Italian Navy). These ships Name Launched Disp Fate
entered service during 1933-36 and formed the main strength of the
ESPADARTE 1912 245t Discarded cl930
Portuguese Navy until the end of the 1940s when the Government
FOCA class 1916-17 260t Discarded 1930s
began purchasing foreign vessels to strengthen the fleet. Portugal was
not directly involved in the Second World War except for the invasion The Foca class consisted of Foca, Golginho and Hidra.
of her Timor colony by the Japanese in 1942 and an agreement to allow
Britain to use base facilities in the Azores in 1943. GUNBOATS
Name Launched Disp Fate

CHAIMITE 1898 335t Discarded by 1930

PATRIA 1903 626t Discarded by 1930
LURIO class 1907-08 305t Discarded by 1930
THE PORTUGUESE NAVY IN 1922 BEIRA class 1910-18 463t Discarded 1935-50
REPUBLICA 1915 1250t Discarded cl943
(ex-Gladiolus)
CARVALHO ARAUJO 1915 1200t Discarded 1959
(■ex-Jonquil)
COAST DEFENCE SHIP
The Lurio class also included Save and theBeira class Bengo ,Ibo, Mandovi and
Name Launched Disp Fate
Quanza. Republica and Araujo were ex-British ‘Flower’ class sloops purchased
VASCO DA GAMA 1876 2982t BU 1935 in 1920. Araujo was converted to a survey vessel in 1937.
Besides the above there were the old gunboats Limpopo (launched 1890),
Zambezi (1886), Sado I (1886) and Acor (1874); the river gunboats Tete (1918),
CRUISERS Macau (1909), Flecha (1909) and Rio Minho; and the minelayers Vulcano (1910),
Sado II (1905) and Mineiro (1892). The majority of these vessels were deleted in
Name Launched Disp Fate the 1920s and 1930s but Limpopo and Mineiro survived until about 1943, Macaw
ADAMASTOR 1896 1729t Sold mid-1930s until about 1945,Rio Minho and Vulvano into the late 1940s and Tele until the
SAO GABRIEL 1898 1809t Discarded by 1928 early 1970s. There were also two patrol vessels, Dili (495t) and Lince (1911,75t),
ALMIRANTE CLASS 5.5.1898 4186t Discarded 1923 the despatch vessel Cinco de Outubro (1900, 1343t) and the fishery protection
vessel Carregado (1912, 105t).

396
 Portugal

Modified versions of the British Bridgewater class minesweeping sloops,

designed by Hawthorn Leslie and laid down 9.10.31. They were not, however,
fitted for minelaying, and carried a heavier armament and more oil fuel than
their British counterparts. They also had a forward shelter deck, to carry the
superfiring gun in ‘B’ position, which raised the bridge by one deck, and to
compensate for this additional topweight the beam was increased by 18in.
Endurance was 6000nm at lOkts and on full power trials both exceeded 17kts. In
1943 the 40mm pompoms were replaced by 5-20mm AA (5x 1).
Vouga on 23.7.1933

DOURO class destroyers

Displacement: 1219t standard; 1563t full load
Dimensions: 307ft pp, 323ft oa x 31ft x lift
93.57, 98.45 x 9.45 x 3.35m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Yarrow boilers, 33,000shp
= 36kts. Oil 345t
Armament: 4-120mm (4x 1), 3-40mm A A (3x 1), 8-533mm TT (2x4), 2
DC throwers, 20 mines
Complement: 184

Name Builder Launched * Fate

DAO Lisbon DYd 27.7.1934 Discarded 29.11.60

DOURO Lisbon DYd 9.6.1932 Sold 1934
DOURO Lisbon DYd 16.8.1935 Discarded Dec
1959
LIMA Yarrow 29.5.1933 Discarded early
1960s
TEJO Lisbon DYd 9.6.1932 Sold 1934 Alfonso de Albuquerque as completed By courtesy of John Roberts
TEJO Lisbon DYd 4.5.1935 Discarded 9.2.65
VOUGA Yarrow 25.1.1933 Discarded early
1960s ALBUQUERQUE class sloops
Displacement: 1780t standard; 2440t full load
Modified versions of the British Ambuscade, designed by Yarrow who con¬
Dimensions: 326ft 9in x 44ft 3in x 12ft 6in
structed the machinery for all the vessels of the class. The original Douro and
99.60 x 13.49 x 3.81m
Tejo were sold to Colombia, being renamed Annoqma and Caldas respectively,
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Yarrow boilers, 8000shp =
and were replaced by two new vessels of the same names. All comfortably 21kts. Oil 580t
reached their design speed on trial; maximum speed at full load was 32kts and
Armament: 4—120mm (4x1), 2-76mm (2x1), 4-40mm AA (4x1), 2 DC
endurance about 3500nm at 15kts. In about 1942-43 the 40mm pompoms were
throwers, 40 mines
replaced by 6-20mm (6x 1) A A and the forward TT mounting was removed.
Complement: 189

Name Builder Launched Fate

Delfim as completed
ALFONSO DE Hawthorn Leslie 28.5.1934 Sunk 13.12.61
ALBUQUERQUE
DELFIM class submarines BARTOLOMEU DIAS Hawthorn Leslie 10.10.1934 Hulked cl965

Displacement: 800t/1092t
The contract for these two ships was originally placed with the Italian OTO
Dimensions: 227ft 2in x 21ft 4in x 12ft 8in company in 1931 but was cancelled in the following year and replaced with the
69.23 x 6.50 x 3.86m
British shipbuilders Hawthorn Leslie who provided a new design (the Italian
Machinery: 2-shaft Vickers diesels plus 2 electric motors, 2300bhp/ design was for 2 lOOt, two-funnelled ships). They were intended for colonial
lOOOshp = 16.5kts/9.25kts
service and were equipped to operate as general-purpose vessels, being well-
Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern), l-4in, 2 MG armed and equipped for minelaying and anti-submarine work. They were also
Complement: 36 designed to carry a seaplane on the forecastle deck just forward of the mainmast
but this feature appears to have been discontinued not long after they com¬
Name Builder Launched Fate pleted. Endurance was 10,000nm at lOkts, a high figure well suited to their
DELFIM Vickers 1.5.1934 Discarded ? 1950s intended employment. In the mid-1940s the 40mm guns were replaced by
ESPARDARTE Vickers 30.5.1934 Discarded ? 1950s 8-20mm AA (8x1). Albuquerque was sunk 13.12.61 by Indian naval forces. Dias
GOLGINHO Vickers 30.5.1934 Discarded ? 1950s was hulked in about 1965 and renamed Sao Cristovao.

Medium-sized patrol submarines designed by Vickers, laid down at Barrow on

9.3.33 and completed in 1935. Smaller than contemporary British boats but
otherwise of similar design and appearance except that the deck gun was in a
fully enclosed shield. Twelve torpedoes were carried, providing one reload for
each tube. Endurance was 5000nmat lOkts/llOnmat 4kts; equivalent distances
at full speed were 2000nm/8nm.
Joao de Lisboa 1941
GoncaloVelho 1933
t
NUNES class sloops
-- 7 Displacement: 1090t standard; 1220t full load
Dimensions: 223ft pp, 234ft 4in oa x 32ft 9in x 9ft 4in
67.96, 71.42 x 9.98 x 2.84m
VELHO class sloops Machinery: 2-shaft MAN diesels, 2400bhp = 16.5kts. Oil llOt
Armament: 2-120mm (2x 1), 4—40mm AA (4x 1), 2 DC throwers
Displacement: 950t standard; 1414t full load
Complement: 138
Dimensions: 250ft pp, 268ft oa x 35ft 6in x lift 3in
76.20, 81.69 x 10.82 x 3.43m
Name Builder Launched Fate
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Yarrow boilers, 2000shp =
16.5kts. Oil 470t PEDRO NUNES Lisbon DYd 17.3.1934 Discarded cl978
Armament: 3-120mm (3x 1), 4-40mm AA (4x 1), 4 DC throwers JOAO DE LISBOA Lisbon DYd 21.5.1936 Discarded by 1970
Complement: 142
Diesel-driven sloops designed and constructed in Portugal and laid down in
Name Builder Launched Fate 1930. Lisboa was originally to have been named Infante D Henrique. Endurance
was 6000nmat 13kts. In the mid-1940s their 40mm pompoms were replaced by
GONCALVES ZARCO Hawthorn Leslie 28.11.1932 Discarded 1960s
4-20mm AA (4x 1). Both were converted to survey ships, Nunes in 1956 and
GONCALO VELHO Hawthorn Leslie 3.8.1932 Discarded 1960s
Lisboa in 1961.

397
WESTERN EUROPE/THE MEDITERRANEAN
GUNBOATS AND PATROL VESSELS
Name Type Builder Launched
ZAIRE class Gunboats Lisbon DYd 1925-29
TORRES GARCIA Coastguard patrol Vigo 1928
vessel
FARO class Fishery protection Lisbon DYd 1927-30
vessels
AZEVIA class Fishery protection ? 1941-42
vessels
The Zaire class also included Damao and Dio and were slightly modified
versions of the Beira class fitted with coal-fired boilers and TE engines. In the
mid-1940s Zaire was re-armed with 2-20mm AA (2x 1) and 2 DC throwers.
The Faro class also included Lagos. The Azevia class consisted of Azevia,
Bicuda, Corvina, Dourada, Fataca and Espadilha; they were diesel-propelled.
Spain
The Spanish Navy’s primary functions were the defence of the Span¬
ish coast and the Balearic and Canary Islands, trade protection, and
commerce raiding. Cruisers and destroyers were provided to fulfil all
these requirements and were backed up by gunboats, for coast
defence and escort duty, and submarines, for commerce raiding. Pro¬
viding a balanced and modern force was however hampered by
Spain’s weak financial position, and the considerable disruption of a
civil war, which both limited the number of ships that could be built
and resulted in extended construction times. The latter, of course,
meant that even though ships might be fully up-to-date when author¬
ised they were often out-of-date when actually commissioned.
In 1908 the Spanish Government set up the shipbuilding and
armaments company Sociedad Espanola de Construcion Naval
(SECN) with the primary purpose of reconstructing the Navy after its
heavy losses in the Spanish-American War of 1898. To provide
finance and expertise a 24.5 per cent share of this company was sold to
the three British firms of Vickers, Armstrong and John Brown, who
provided not only modern designs but also skilled overseers for the
Spanish yards. Shipbuilding facilities were provided at Ferrol and
Cartagena, and all subsequent major Spanish warships were built in
these two yards except for the destroyer Churruca, launched in 1925 at
a new yard in Cadiz. The rebuilding programme began slowly, but
between 1922 and 1930 8 cruisers, 16 destroyers and 12 submarines
were either completed or put in hand. The world depression brought
a halt to further plans and greatly delayed the completion of those
ships still under construction; before the Spanish economy had recov¬
ered from this setback the Civil War brought a complete halt to further
naval expansion.
On the outbreak of the Civil War on 17 July 1936 the major part of
the Navy was under the control of the Republican Government but, as
the majority of naval officers supported the Nationalist cause, the
command and organisation of the ships fell mainly to lower deck
personnel, considerably weakening its effectiveness. Early in the war
the Nationalists captured the naval bases at Ferrol and Vigo together
with the battleship Espana and the cruisers Cervera, Canarias and
Baleares, the last two being incomplete.
The Republican fleet took the logical step of blockading the Straits
of Gibraltar to prevent the transport of General Franco’s army by sea
from Morocco to the Spanish mainland. However, for some inexplic¬
able reason they departed for the Bay of Biscay in September 1936
Disp (std) Length hp/speed (kts) Armament
397t 147ft 8in (45.00m) 700/13 2-76mm, 2-47mm
250t 91ft lOin (28.00m) ? ?
295t 120ft (36.58m) 650/13 2^17mm
230t 134ft 6in (41.00m) 2600/17 2-20mm, 2 MG
Azevia as completed
leaving only two destroyers on patrol. In the following month
Canarias and Cervera cleared the Straits by sinking Ferrandiz and
damaging Gravina, allowing Franco to transport 8000 troops by sea
for the assault on Madrid; this was the only major effort involving
warships during the Civil War, and neither this nor subsequent naval
events were particularly spectacular. Both sides concentrated their
naval energies on protecting their seaborne lines of supply, with sec¬
ondary duties directed towards attacks on commerce (usually with
submarines) and bombardments and other harassing tactics along the
coast. The only naval battle of any note, which took place on the night
of 5/6 March 1938, was short and indecisive and occurred only
because the two forces involved had run into each other accidentally.
The only concrete result of the Battle of Cape Palos was the sinking of
the cruiser Baleares.
The Civil War ended on 28 March 1939 with Spain in a disrupted
and greatly depleted condition. Financially she was very weak and
subsequent plans to reinforce the Navy were hampered by consider¬
able delays in the provision and construction of new ships, due not
only to limited funds but also to fluctuations in the availability of
those funds. This situation was to continue with but little improve¬
ment until Spain received US assistance in the 1960s.
THE BASQUE NAVY
During the Civil War the Basque Government, which was allied to the
Republican cause, ran its own small naval force. It was completely
independent of the main Spanish Fleet and consisted entirely of small
mercantile conversions, mostly armed trawlers and coastal fishing
vessels, employed as gunboats and minesweepers. One of these ves¬
sels, Donostia (ex-mercantile Virgen del Carmen), was originally a
purpose-built British naval trawler, George Darby of the Castle class
built in 1918. The largest ships in the force were the auxiliary vessels
Guernica and Galdemes (3717t), and the deep-sea trawlers Araba and
Bizkaya (both 1190t), Nabarra (1204t) and Guipozcoa (1252t). Araba
was sunk by aircraft in 1937 but was salvaged by the Nationalists and
served as Alava until the end of the war; Nabarra was sunk and
Galdemes captured by the cruiser Canarias in Mary 1937; Guemia was
sunk by a Nationalist auxiliary warship in 1938. There were about 35
other vessels of less than 400t, of which about 7 were lost from various
causes.
 Spain

THE SPANISH NAVY IN 1922 destroyers

BATTLESHIPS Name Launched Disp (load) Fate
Audaz class
Name Launched Disp (load) Fate AUDAZ 6.2.1897 430t BU 1925
PELAYO 5.2.1887 9745t BU 1925 OSADO 16.3.1897 430t BU 1925
Espana class PROSERPINA 25.10.1897 457t BU 1931
ESPANA 5.2.1912 15,450t Wrecked 26.8.23 TERROR 28.8.1896 450t BU 1924
ALFONSO XIII 7.5.1913 15,450t Mined 30.4.37 Bustamante class
JAIME PRIMERO 21.9.1914 15,450t Lost 17.6.37 BUSTAMANTE 1913 530t BU 1931
CARDARSO 1914 530t BU 1930
Pelayo served as a gunnery TS until discarded in October 1922. Espana was lost VILLAAMIL 1913 530t BU 1932
off Cape Tres, Morocco. Alfonso XIII, renamed Espana in April 1931, was sunk Alsedo class
off Cape Penas after drifting on toa mine. Jaime Primero (or Jaime I) suffered an ALSEDO 26.10.1922 1145t Stricken 1957
accidental magazine explosion and caught fire while under repair (following JUAN LAZAGA Mar 1924 1145t Stricken 1961
bomb damage) at Cartagena and was scuttled; she was refloated in 1938 and VELASCO June 1923 1145t Stricken 1957
broken up 1939-40.
The Audaz class were fitted for minelaying
CRUISERS
Name Launched Disp (load) Fate
EMPERADOR 13.3.1895 9090t BU 1933
CARLOS V
Cataluna class TORPEDO-BOATS
PRINCESA DE 17.10.1896 7524t Discarded 1929
Name Launched Disp Fate
ASTURIAS
CATALUNA 24.9.1900 7524t Discarded 1929 1 1912 177t BU 1931
Plata class 2 1911 177t Discarded cl939
RIO DE LA PLATA 17.9.1898 1875t Discarded 1929 3 1912 177t Lost Sept 1936
Eslramadura class 4 1912 177t Scuttled Apr 1939
ESTRAMADURA 1900 2030t Discarded 1930 5 1912 177t BU 1931
Reina Regente class 6 1912 177t BU 1932
REINA REGENTE 1906 5287t Discarded by 1929 7 1914 177t BU cl944
Eugenia class 8 1914 177t BU 1932
REINA VICTORIA 21.4.1920 5500t Stricken 1956 9 1915 177t Discarded cl943
EUGENIA 10 1916 177t BU 1932
Nunez class 11 1915 177t BU 1931
BLAS DE LEZO 3.3.1923 4650t Wrecked 11.7.32 12 1915 177t BU 1932
MENDEZ NUNEZ 27.7.1922 4650t Discarded 1960s 13 1914 177t BU late 1940s
14 1915 177t Discarded 1943
Rio de la Plata was fitted for minelaying. Reina Victoria Eugenia was renamed 15 1916 177t BU 1935
Republica in 1931 and then Navarra after her 1937-38 reconstruction. During 16 1916 177t Discarded cl943
this reconstruction, which was carried out at Cadiz, she was fitted with 8 new 17 1918 177t BU late 1940s
oil-fired Yarrow boilers trunked into two new vertical funnels and the super¬ 18 1918 177t Discarded cl939
structure was rebuilt to include a new streamlined bridge and small vertical fore 19 1918 177t Discarded cl943
and mainmasts. The main armament was reduced to 6 of the original 9-150mm 20 1918 177t Scuttled Apr 1939
guns repositioned on the centreline (‘Y’ mounting was retained in its original 21 1919 177t Scuttled Apr 1939
position while the remaining five were arranged two forward, one abaft the 22 1919 177t Scuttled Apr 1939
bridge, one abaft the second funnel and one superfiring in ‘X’ position). A new
A A armament of 4—88mm and 4-20mm was also fitted. On completion dis¬ 3 was wrecked in the Bidosoa river; 4 was scuttled at Cartagena but salvaged for
placement was 4857t standard, 6500t full load; oil stowage was 1200t giving an BU in 1940; and 14 was gutted by fire at Cartagena in March 1939 but later
endurance of 4500m at 15kts. repaired. 20, 21 and 33 were scuttled at Porman and later broken up.

Mendez Nunez was reconstructed as a AA cruiser 1944-47 with a new arma¬ SUBMARINES
ment of 8-120mm AA (10x1), 10-37mm (5x2) AA, 8-20mm AA and
6-533mm TT (2x3). The superstructure was completely rebuilt, the boilers Name Launched Disp Fate
retrunked into two new funnels and a new rig fitted. The 120mm guns were (surface)
arranged in similar fashion to the guns of the US Atlanta class with three
mountings on the centreline both fore and aft and one on each beam abreast the Holland type
after superstructure. She also had her bow modified into a more exaggerated ISAAC PERAL July 1916 488t Hulked 1930,
clipper form, increasing the overall length by about 7ft. After reconstruction renamed A0
displacement was 4680t standard, 6045t full load. - Laurenti-Fiat type
NARCISO 1917 260t Discarded 1930s
Alsedo on 3.8.1926 By courtesy of John Roberts
MONTURIOL
COSMO GARCIA 1917 260t Discarded 1930s
A3 1917 260t Discarded 1930s
Holland type
B1 1921 4911 Scuttled Apr 1939
B2 1922 491t BU 1948

1 B3
B4
1922
1922
491t
4911
Scuttled Apr 1939
Scuttled Apr 1939
B5 1923 491t Sunk 12.10.36
B6 1923 4911 Sunk 19.9.36

B1 and B2, scuttled at Cartagena, were raised in 1940: B1 was scrapped butB2
was used as a generator plant until broken up in 1948. B3 and B4, scuttled at
Porman, were raised and scrapped in 1939. B5 was sunk by aircraft off Malaga
and B6 by the destroyer Velasco and auxiliaries off Cabo Penas.

399
THE MEDITERRANEAN
GUNBOATS
Name Launched Disp Fate Besides the above Spain still had a few old gunboats built during 1885-97, all
Recalde class except one of which (the 1 Ht Macmahon) were discarded in the 1920s, and two
BONIFAZ 1911 81 It Discarded 1930s old river gunboats,Perla (1887,42t) and Cartagener (1908,27t). There were also
LAURIA 1912 81 It Discarded 1930s eleven purpose-built armed trawlers purchased in 1922 - the ‘Castle’ class Uad
LAYA 1910 81 It Sunk 15.6.38 Lucas (ex-HMS Ness), Uad Muluya (ex-HMS Waveney), Uad Ras (ex-HMS
RECALDE 1910 81 It Discarded 1930s Wear), Uad Martin (ex-HMS Erne) and Uad Targa (ex-HMS Test); the Mersey
Castillo class class Uad Quert (ex-HMS Rother),Xauen (ex-HMS Henry Cromwell) and Arcilla
ANTONIO CANOVAS 21.1.1922 1314t Stricken 1959 (ex-HMS William Doak); the Briscard class Tetuan (ex-French Grognard),
DEL CASTILLO Larache (ex-French Poilu) and Alcazar (ex-French Rengage). Uad Targa was
JOSE CANALEJAS 1.12.1922 1314t Stricken ? 1950s wrecked 1.9.31 and Uad Ras was lost in 1933, whilst Uad Lucas and Uad
EDUARDO DATO 1923 1314t Sunk 11.8.36 Muluya were sunk by the cruiser Cervera on 10.11.36. The remainder were
discarded between 1944 and 1965. There were also three coastguard/fishery
Laya, sunk by Nationalist aircraft at Valencia, was salvaged in 1940 and scrap¬ protection vessels, Delfin, Dorado and Gaviota built 1910-11, of 158t, armed
ped. The names of the Castillo class ships were shortened after completion by with l-57mm gun and with a speed of 1 lkts, and an ocean-going tug, Antelo,
the omission of the first word. Dato was sunk by the battleship^mfne Primero at equipped for minelaying and minesweeping. Delfin and Dorado were discarded
Algeciras. in the 1920s and Gaviota and Antelo in the 1930s.

Libertad 1929

All three ships were refitted 1940-46; Cervera having her 102mm and 3 pdr AA
ALFONSO class cruisers replaced by 4-105mm (4x 1), 8-37mm (4x2) and 4—20mm (4x 1) AA, her after
control and bridge structure enlarged and a short pole mast fitted in place of her
Displacement: 7475t standard; 9237t full load
tripod mainmast. These modifications increased displacement to 7976t stan¬
Dimensions: 545ft pp, 579ft 6in oa x 54ft x 16ft 6in
dard, 9660t full load. Galicia and Cervantes had their midships 6in gun mount¬
166.12, 176.63 x 16.46 x 5.03m
ing replaced by an aircraft catapult and crane; the single 6in mountings replaced
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 8 Yarrow boilers, 80,000shp
= 33kts. Oil 1680t by twins to give the same eight-gun main armament, eight 90mm (4x2) and
20-20mm (5x4) AA in place of the original AA armament; the TT removed;
Armour: Belt 75mm-40mm, decks 50mm-25mm, CT 150mm
and the superstructure and rig modified as in the Cervera. With these alterations
Armament: 8-150mm/50 (4x2), 4-102mm/45 AA (4x1), 2-3pdr AA,
displacement was 8250t standard, 9900t full load. Cervantes was torpedoed and
12-533mm TT (4x3)
damaged by an unidentified Italian submarine off Cartagena, 23.11.36.
Complement: 564

Name Builder Launched Fate

PRINCIPE ALFONSO Ferrol 23.1.25 Stricken 2.2.70 Miguel de Cervantes about 1946
ALMIRANTE Ferrol 16.10.25 Stricken 1960s
CERVERA
MIGUEL DE Ferrol 19.5.28 Stricken 1960s
CERVANTES

Provided under the 1915 Navy Law, these vessels were designed by Sir Phillip
Watts and were based on the British ‘E’ class light cruisers. The main differ¬
ences from the British vessels were the grouping of all the boilers forward of the
engine rooms, allowing for two funnels rather than the three oddly spaced
uptakes of the ‘Es’, and the provision of eight rather than seven 6in guns which
were carried on three twin and two single mountings, all fitted on the centreline.
The twin mountings were fitted amidships and in ‘B’ and ‘X’ positions and the
single mountings in ‘A’ and ‘Y’ positions. The dimensions were also slightly
modified, the ships being narrower and longer, an additional 4in AA gun was
fitted and the superstructure was modified. Protection and machinery were
virtually the same as those of the British ships. On trials Alfonso achieved
34.7kts with 83,000shp; she was renamed Libertad on 1931 and Galicia in 1939.

Baleares as completed without ‘Y’ turret By courtesy of John Roberts

 Spain

Baleares 1938

in the centre room. With this arrangement two vertical funnels were originally
CANARIAS class cruisers intended but while under construction the design was altered to trunk both into
Displacement: 10,113t standard; 13,070t full load (designed) a single large funnel. At the same time a streamlined tower bridge structure was
Dimensions: 600ft pp, 635ft 9in oa x 64ft x 17ft 4in designed to replace the standard platform type originally specified. The main
182.90, 193.55 x 19.50 x 5.21m armament was the same as in the Kent class but the A A and torpedo armament as
Machinery: finally designed (which is that given in the above table) showed a substantial
4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 8 Yarrow boilers, 90,000shp
= 33kts. Oil 2588t increase on the original. They were also to have mounted an aircraft and catapult
Armour: but these were never fitted.
Belt 2in, magazine box protection 4Jin sides, 2in-lin bulk¬
heads, 3in crowns, decks ljin-lin, turrets lin, CT lin Candidas ran preliminary trials in 1934 and achieved 33.7kts with 91,299shp
Armament: on four-hour full-power. She was still fitting-out on the outbreak of the Civil
8-203mm (4x2), 8-120mm AA (8x 1), 8-40mm AA (4x2),
4-12.5mm MG (2x2), 12-533mm TT (4x3) War and lacked her secondary armament and fire control gear. She was hur¬
Complement: 780 riedly completed by the Nationalists with 4-102mm and 2-57mm A A guns from
the battleship Espana and an improvised fire control system, but by February
Name Builder Launched Fate 1937 the 102mm guns had been replaced by the intended 8-120mm AA, and
4—40mm AA and 4—37mm AA (2x2) of German origin had also been added. In
BALEARES Ferrol 20.4.32 Sunk 6.3.38 1939-40 shields were added to her 120mm guns, the 37mm AA were increased
CANARIAS Ferrol 28.5.31 Stricken 17.12.75 to 12 (6x2) and the 40mm removed. The 57mm guns were retained for saluting.
Her fire control gear was gradually modified to its designed form during the
Ordered on 31.3.1928 under the 1926 Programme, these vessels were modified early 1940s. Baleares was completed minus ‘Y’ turret (fitted by June 1937) and
versions of the British Kent class designed by Sir Phillip Watts. Their basic form with a mixed secondary armament of 120mm LA, Italian 100mm AA and 40mm
was the same as that of the Kents and included the external bulges, which the A A guns. She was sunk by the Republican destroyers Barcaiztegui,Lepanto and
British abandoned in the later ‘County’ classes to secure a higher speed; Watts Artequera off Cabo Palos when a torpedo detonated the forward magazines.
also aimed for a higher speed but achieved this by reducing the beam by 4ft, Canadas had her TT removed in the late 1940s and was refitted 1952-53 when
increasing the length slightly and raising the machinery power by 10,000shp, her AA battery was modernised and her funnel split into two vertical uptakes as
which added 1.5kts to the designed speed at standard displacement. He also originally designed. Various other minor improvements were made during the
increased the subdivision of the boilers by separating them into three, instead of 1950s and 1960s and she eventually received modern electronic gear before
two, compartments, two boilers being placed in the fore and aft rooms and four being scrapped in 1978.

CHURRUCA class destroyers

Displacement: 1st group 1536t standard; 2087t full load
2nd group cl590t standard; 2175t full load
Dimensions: 320ft pp, 333ft oa x 31ft 9in x 10ft 6in
97.52, 101.50 x 9.68 x 3.20m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Yarrow boilers, 42,000shp
= 36kts. Oil 500t (2nd group 540t)
Armament: 5-120mm (5x1), l-76mm AA, 6-533mm AA (2x3), 2 DC
throwers
Complement: 175

Name Builder Launched Fate

1st group
SANCHEZ Cartegena 24.7.1926 Stricken 1960s
BARCAIZTEGUI
ALMIRANTE JUAN Cartegena 21.5.1928 Sunk 29.9.36
FERRANDIZ
JOSE LUIS DIEZ Cartegena 25.8.1928 Stricken 1960s
LEPANTO Cartegena 7.11.1928 Stricken Aug 1957
ALCALA galiano Cartegena 3.11.1925 Sold 1927
alcalA galiano Cartegena 12.4.1930 Stricken 1957 Almirante Antequera in 1937 By courtesy of John Roberts
ALIMIRANTE Cartegena 8.9.1930 Stricken 1957
VALDES
CHURRUCA Cadiz 26.6.1925 Sold 1927
CHURRUCA Cartegena 1929 Stricken 1960s
2nd group Provided under the 1915 Navy Law, these vessels were virtually repeats of the
ALMIRANTE Cartegena 29.12.1930 Stricken 1960s
BritishScott class flotilla leaders. The second group varied only in detail, having
ANTEQUERA a greater oil fuel stowage and modified gun mountings with larger shields. The
ALMIRANTE Cartegena 20.6.1931 Stricken 2.3.70
original Alcala Galiano and Churruca, sold to Argentina and renamed Juan de
MIRANDA Garay and Cervantes respectively, were replaced by two new vessels of the same
GRAVINA Cartegena 24.12.1931 Stricken 1960s
name laid down in 1929. Ferrandiz was sunk by the cruiser Canadas in the
ESCANO Cartegena 28.6.1932 Stricken 1960s
Straits of Gibraltar. Ciscar was sunk by Nationalist aircraft at Gijon 21.10.37 but
ULLOA Cartegena 24.7.1933 Stricken 1960s
was later salvaged by the Nationalists and repaired 1938-39. Diez, disabled by
JORGE JUAN Cartegena 28.3.1933 Stricken 1959
the Canadas and beached at Catalon Bay 30.12.38, was refloated the same day
CISCAR Cartegena 26.10.1933 Wrecked 17.10.57
and towed to Gibraltar where she was interned until the end of the Civil War.

401
THE MEDITERRANEAN ~

Calvo Sotelo 1940

ALAVA class destroyers CALVO SOTELO gunboat

Displacement: 1650t standard; 2170t full load Displacement: 1600t standard; 2000t full load
Dimensions: 320ft pp, 333ft oa x 31ft 9in x 10ft 6in Dimensions: 282ft pp, 303ft oa x 40ft x 10ft
91.52, 101.50 x 9.68 x 3.20m 86.00, 92.35 x 12.20 X 3.05m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Yarrow boilers, 42,000shp Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Yarrow boilers, 6500shp =
= 36kts. Oil 540t 20kts. Oil 400t
Armament: 4-120mm (4x 1), 6-37mm AA (3x2), 3-20mm AA (3x 1), Armament: 4-102mm (4x 1), 2-75mm AA (2x 1), 3-20mm AA
6-533mm TT (2x3) Complement: 141
Complement: 224
Name Builder Launched Fate
Name Builder Launched Fate
CALVO SOTELO Echavarrieta y 27.8.1934 Stricken 1957
ALAVA Cartegena 19.6.1947 Stricken 1978 (iex-Zacatecas) Larrinaga
LINIERS Cartegena 1.5.1946 Extant 1980
Zacatecas was built for the Mexican Navy at Cadiz but was taken over by the
These ships formed the 3rd group of the Churruca class and were originally laid Spanish Government on the outbreak of the Civil War in 1936, when she was
down in 1936 but construction was suspended on the outbreak of the Civil War. almost complete. A sister-ship, Durango, was delivered to the Mexican Navy.
They were restarted in 1939 but suspended again in the following year while the
design underwent some minor modifications, and they were eventually laid
down again in December 1944 and January 1945 respectively, Alava finally
completing in December 1950 and Liniers in January 1951. As originally
designed they were to have been the same as the 2nd group of the Churruca class
but they omitted the midships 120mm gun in favour of a heavier torpedo
armament of 8-533mm TT (2x4), and were to have carried 4—25mm (2 x 2) A A.
The 120mm guns were new models with 45° DP mountings. The 1944 design
reverted to triple tubes, and the light AA armament was altered to 2-37mm and
3-20mm. By the time of their completion a further 4-37mm AA had been
JUPITER class gunboat-minelayers
added. They differed little in appearance from the earlier groups until recon¬ Displacement: 2 lOOt standard; 2600t full load
structed as AS frigates 1961-62. Liniers was still in service in 1980. Dimensions: 302f lOin pp, 320ft oa x 41ft 6in X lift 6in
92.30, 100.00 x 12.65 X 3.50m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Yarrow boilers, 5000shp =
18.5kts. Oil 280t
Armament: 4—120mm (4x 1), 2-75mm AA (2x 1), 4—20mm AA (2x2), 2
DC throwers, 264 mines
Complement: 123

OQUENDO class destroyers Name Builder Launched Fate

JUPITER Ferrol 14.9.1935 Stricken 1974

Nine vessels of this class were authorized in the mid-1940s but they were not
MARTE Ferrol 19.6.1936 Stricken 1972
ordered unul 1947-48. Six were cancelled in 1953 and the remaining three
NEPTUNO Ferrol 19.12.1937 Stricken 1970
completed in the early 1960s. As originally envisaged they were to have been of
VULCANO Ferrol 12.10.1935 Stricken 1977
1940t, armed with 8-105mm (4x2) DP guns and 7-533mm TT, and capable of a
speed of 39kts. They were completed to a modified design, with a different
These dual-purpose vessels, completed in 1937 (Neptuno 1938), provided a
armament, as AS destroyers. means of reducing costs by combining the features of an escort vessel and a
sea-going minelayer, thus avoiding the need to provide specialised ships for the
latter function. They had a fully enclosed mine deck with loading doors in the
ships’ sides and carried their mines on four rails with discharge doors in the
transom. Endurance was 3700m at 12kts. Vulcano and Jupiter were modernised
1959-61 and in the latter year all were reclassified as frigates.

Ex-Italian destroyers Eolo as completed

During 1938-39 four old Italian destroyers, Aquila, Falco, Guglielmo Pepe and
Alessandro Poerio were transferred to the Nationalists and renamed Melilla,
Ceuta, Huesca and Temel (or Reruel?) respectively. All four were dicarded
1947-50.

Displacement: 1500t standard; 1900t full load

Dimensions: 278ft pp, 292ft oa x 38ft 6in x 10ft
84.73, 89.00 x 11.73 X 3.05m
AUDAZ class torpedo-boats (launched 1951-61) Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Yarrow boilers, 5000shp =
19.5kts. Oil 340t
Class: Ariete, Atrevido, Audaz, Furor, Intrepido, Osado, Rayo, Relampago,
Armament: 4-102mm (4x1), 4-37mm AA (4x 1), 4-13mm AA (4x 1),
Temerario. 170 mines, 2 DC throwers
The design of this class was based on the French Le Fier class from which they
Complement: 219
originally differed only in detail except that the armament consisted of standard
Spanish weapons. Three 105mm guns, all of which were fitted aft, were carried
Name Builder Launched Fate
on DP mountings capable of 90° elevation, and the machinery was arranged on
the unit system with alternate boiler and engine rooms. They were laid down in EOLO Ferrol 30.8.1939 Stricken 1972
1945 but were extensively delayed by financial problems. Audaz, Atrevido, TRITON Ferrol 24.2.1940 Stricken 1972
Osado and Rayo, launched in 1951, were completed 1953-56 to the original
design and the class were reclassified as frigates in 1955. The remaining vessels Reduced editions of the Jupiter class with a tighter armament but the same
were completed 1960-65 to a modified design, and the earlier units were machinery and greater oil fuel stowage. Speed was lkt higher, due to the smaller
modernised to the same standard at the same time, all being reclassified as AS hull, and endurance increased to 5500m at 12kts. The mine deck was retained at
destroyers. Atrevido was renamed Meteoro while under construction. Ariete ran main deck level but not fully enclosed, the structure being stepped down abreast
aground in the River Muros and became a total loss. Intrepido was still in service the after superstructure to provide a low quarterdeck. Eolo completed in 1942
in 1980. and Triton in 1943.

402
 Spain
Pizarro as completed
D3 as completed

‘D’ class submarines

Displacement: 1065/ 1480t
PIZARRO class gunboats
Dimensions: 275ft 6in oa x 21ft 9in X 13ft 2in
Displacement: 17 lOt standard; 2246t full load 84.00 x 6.63 x 4.00m
Dimensions: 279ft pp, 312ft 4in oa x 39ft 6in X lift Machinery: 2-shaft Sulzer diesels plus 2 electric motors, 5000bhp/
87.54 , 95.20 x 12.15 x 3.40m 1350shp = 20.5kts/9.5kts
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Yarrow boilers, 5000shp = Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern), l-120mm, 4-37mm AA
18.5kts. Oil 402t Complement: 60
Armament: 6-120mm (3x2), 8-37mm AA, 6-20mm A A, 4 DC throwers,
40 mines Name Builder Launched Fate
Complement: 250
Dl Cartagena 11.5.1944 Stricken 1960s
D2 Cartagena 21.12.1944 Stricken 1971
Name Builder Launched Fate
D3 Cartagena 20.2.1952 Stricken 1971
HERNAN CORTES Ferrol 3.8.1944 Stricken 1971
MARTIN ALONSO Ferrol 3.8.1944 Stricken late 1960s Long-range patrol submarines with a high surface speed and a heavy deck gun
PINZON but a comparatively light torpedo armament for their size. Diving limit was
PIZARRO Ferrol 3.8.1944 Stricken late 1960s 300ft (90m) and surface endurance 9000nm at lOkts. Provided under the 1926
VESCO NUNEZ DE Ferrol 3.8.1944 Stricken 1972 Programme, DI and D2 were laid down in 1933 and 1934 respectively but
BALBOA construction stopped on the outbreak of the Civil War and they did not complete
LEGAZPI Ferrol 8.8.1944 Stricken 1978 until 1947 and 1951. D3 was laid down in 1945 and completed in 1954.
MAGALLANES Ferrol 8.8.1944 Stricken 1972
SARMIENTO DE Ferrol 8.8.1944 Stricken 1973 EX-FOREIGN SUBMARINES
GAMBOA In April 1937 the Italian submarines Evangelista Torricelli and Archimede were
VICENTE YANEZ Ferrol 3.8.1944 Extant 1980 secretly transferred to the Nationalists and renamed General Mola and General
PINZON Sanjurjo respectively; they were stricken in 1959. Ferraris, Galilei, Iride and
Onice were also transferred, the latter pair being renamed Gonzalez Lopez and
Slow but well-armed and seaworthy escort vessels developed from the Eolo Aguilar Tablada, but they remained under control of their Italian crews and
class. Construction was delayed by financial problems and they did not complete returned to Italy shortly afterwards. For full details of these vessels see under
until 1947-51. They were reclassified as frigates in 1958 and four, Vicente Yanez Italy.
Pinzon, Legazpi, Hernan Cortes and Sarmiento de Gamboa were modernised In 1942 the German Type VIIC submarine US73 was interned at Cartagena
1959-60. Vicente Yanez Pinzon was still service in 1980. where she had sought refuge after being damaged by British aircraft. In 1943 she
was purchased by the Spanish Government and incorporated in the Spanish
Navy as G7; she was stricken 2.5.1970. For full particulars see under Germany.
‘C’ class submarines
Displacement: 916t/1290t
Dimensions: 247ft oa x 20ft lOin x 13ft 6in
75.30 x 63.40 x 4.10m
Machinery: 2-shaft Vickers diesels plus 2 electric motors, 2000bhp/
750shp = 16kts/8.5kts
Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern), l-75mm AA
Complement: 46

Name Builder Launched Fate

BIDASOA class minesweepers
Cl Cartagena 28.3.1927 Sunk 9.10.38
C2 Cartagena 4.5.1928 Discarded 1952 Displacement: 550t standard; 775t full load
C3 Cartagena 20.2.1929 Sunk 21.12.36 Dimensions: 189ft pp, 210ft oa x 28ft x 7ft 3in
6.7.1929 Lost June 1946 57.61, 64.00 x 8.53 x 2.21m
C4 Cartagena
C5 Cartagena 28.12.1929 Lost Dec 1936 Machinery: 2-shaft TE plus auxiliary turbine, 2 boilers, 2400ihp =
C6 Cartagena 1928 Scuttled 20.10.37 16.5kts. Coal 192t
Armament: l-105mm, 2-37mm AA (2x 1), 2-20mm AA (2x 1)
A Holland-type design, built in Spain under licence from the Electric Boat Co. Complement: 65
Enlarged and improved versions of the ‘B’ class with 533mm instead of 450mm
TT and two more bow tubes but lower submerged speed. Diving limit was 260ft Name Builder Launched Fate
(80m) and endurance 4000nm surface and 125nm at 4|kts submerged. Cl was BIDASOA Cartagena 15.9.1943 Stricken 1972
renamaed Isaac Peral in 1930 but the number was retained. She was sunk by GUADALETE Ferrol 18.10.1944 Foundered 25.3.54
Nationalist aircraft at Barcelona but was raised in 1938; she was not repaired, LEREZ Cartagena 21.12.1944 Stricken 1971
however, and after being employed as a target was broken up in 1948. C3 was NERVION Cartagena 15.4.1944 Stricken 1972
torpedoed and sunk by an Italian submarine off Malaga, and C5 was lost from an SEGURA Cartagena 15.5.1945 Stricken 1972
unknown cause in the Bay of Biscay. C6 was scuttled at Gijon after receiving TAMBRE Ferrol 18.10.1944 Stricken 1972
bomb damage; the wreck was salvaged in 1947 but foundered in tow to the TER Cartagena 15.4.1945 Stricken 1972
breakers. C2 and C4, under refit in France 1937-39, were surrendered to the
Nationalists 7.3.39. Based on German 1940 type M-boat minesweepers and completed during
C2 as completed 1946_49. The auxiliary turbine utilised the exhaust steam from the main
engines. Guadalete was lost in a gale 20nm east of Gibraltar.

DEDALO seaplane tender

Displacement: 10,800t
Dimensions: 420ft x 55ft x 20ft 6in
128.02 x 16.76 x 6.25m
Machinery: TE, 3 SE boilers, 3000ihp = 12.5kts. Coal 940t
Armament: 2-105mm (2x1), 2-lpdr (2x1)
Complement: 324

Name Builder Launched Fate

DEDALO (ex-■Neuenfels) Swan Hunter 1901 Sunk cl936

A former merchant vessel converted in 1922 to accommodate an airship, 2

balloons and a number of seaplanes. A mooring mast was provided at the
forward end of the forecastle for the airship. She was laid up for disposal at
Sagunto in 1935 where she was sunk by Nationalist aircraft. The wreck was
salvaged in 1940 and scrapped at Valencia.

403
THE MEDITERRANEAN
OTHER VESSELS
M1-M6 were Thornycroft 40ft CMBs built in 1922, 250bhp = 30kts.
DAR1-DAR4 were ex-Russian G5 class MTBs sold to the Republicans in 1937.
DAR3 was heavily damaged by aircraft in November 1937 and became a total
loss, DAR4 as sunk by aircraft near Barcelona on 30.7.39. For full details see
under USSR.
The ex-Italian MTBs Af/LS'435 and MAS437 were transferred to the National¬
ists on 10.3.37. The name given to the former vessel is not known but that of the
latter was Javier Quirogo; she was lost off Gibraltar on 7.5.37. For full details see
under Italy. LT1I-14 were the ex-German 52-5 sold to Spain in 1936 and also
given the namesFalange, Oviedo, Requite and Toledo; Falange was lost 18.6.37,
the rest discarded in the 1940s. Sicilia (ex-MAS223) and Napolis (ex-MAS 100)
were Italian vessels transferred to the Nationalists 26.4.37; they were redesig¬
nated LT18 and LT17 respectively cl929and discarded 1931. L21 -26 were the
ex-GermanS73, 78,124,125,126 and 134 transferred to Spain in 1943. All were
discarded during 1955-58. For full particulars see under Germany. The
German-designed S-boat LT27-32 were built at La Carraca, Cadiz. Displace¬
ment was 120t standard and dimensions 114ft x 16ft 8in x 5ft (34.75 x 5.08 x
1.52m); 3-shaft diesels gave 7500bhp = 41kts and armament was 2-533mm TT
and 2-20mm AA. Construction was greatly delayed and extended over
1945-1959, and later vessels were of modified design. LT27, 28 and 29 were
stricken during 1963-64 and the remaining three in the late 1970s.
Spain also possessed a large number of small motor launches and patrol craft
which were used mainly for customs and coast guard work.

Greece
The traditional enemy of Greece was Turkey and the size and composi¬ CRUISERS
tion of both fleets was to a large extent governed by attempts to match
Name Launched Disp Fate
new construction on a ship-for-ship basis. Fortunately neither country
could afford to generate a major naval race and the only important GIORGIOS AVEROFF Mar 1910 9956t Discarded cl945
HELLE (ex-Fei Hung) Mar 1912 2600t Sunk 15.8.40
vessels ordered by Greece between the wars were 6 submarines from
France in 1925-26, 4 destroyers from Italy in 1930 and 2 destroyers
Averoff was refitted at La Seyne 1925-27 and received new fire control gear,
from Britain in 1937. Although ahead of Turkey initially, the Greek including a main director mounted on a new, heavier, tripod foremast. Helle was
position deteriorated in the late 1930s when Turkey ordered 4 sub¬ reconstructed as a cruiser/minelayer at La Seyne 1925-28, having her machin¬
marines and 4 destroyers, but by this time Italy was a much greater ery renewed, superstructure rebuilt and armament modified. Her poop and the
original secondary armament were removed and a third 6in gun was added
threat. From the time he came to power Mussolini attempted to extend
amidships. The thickness of the flat of the protective deck was increased to 2in,
Italy’s influence over the Balkan states and clashed with Greece as early new fire control and minelaying gear were fitted and, to clear the latter, the TT
as 1923 when Corfu was bombarded by the Italian fleet as a reprisal for were resited further forward. Particulars as modified were:
an incident on the Albanian border. Matters remained fairly quiet, Displacement: 2083t standard
however, until Italy consolidated her hold over Albania by annexing Machinery: 3-shaft Parsons geared turbines, Yarrow boilers, 7500shp =
20.5kts. Oil 600t
the country in April 1939 and from there invaded Greece in October
Armament: 3-6in (3x1), 2-3in AA (2x1), 4—6pdr (4x1), 2-18in TT
1940. Unexpectedly the Greeks pushed the Italian army back into (2x 1), 1 lOmines
Albania and the situation stagnated until Germany intervened in April Complement: 232
1941. Supported by overwhelming air power the Germans had overrun Helle was torpedoed by the Italian submarine Delfino off Tinos before Greece
the country by the end of the month and the Greek islands by the end of entered the war.
May.
A large section of the fleet was sunk during German air attacks in DESTROYERS
April and it had little opportunity to interfere with what was mainly a Name Launched Disp
land campaign, while the battle for command of the sea around the
NIKI class 1905-06 350t
islands in the Aegean, the primary purpose of the Greek Navy, largely THYELLA class 1906-07 350t
fell to the British Mediterranean Fleet. It was not a form of warfare for AETOS class 1911 980t
which the Greek Navy was prepared as, like many others, it was KERAVNOS class 1912 562t
designed for traditional surface action and not defence against massed SMYRUE (ex-Ulau) 1907 400t
air attacks. The surviving ships retired to join the British under whose
The Niki class also included Aspis and Velos.Velos was sold in 1931 but the other
operational control they remained until the end of the war. During two were refitted during 1928-29 and survived until scrapped cl946. The
1943-44 2 destroyers, 6 escort destroyers, 4 corvettes, 4 submarines Thyella class also included Sphendoni and Lonkhi. Lonkhi was sold in 1931; the
and several minor vessels were loaned to the exiled Greek Navy and remaining pair were refitted during 1926-28, Thyella subsequently being sunk
operated by them in the Mediterranean. After the war Greece was by German aircraft in April 1941 and Sphendoni discarded c 1945. Keravnos, her
sister-ship Nea Genea, and the ex- Austrian Smyrue had been discarded by 1928.
allowed to retain these vessels, and was loaned several more, to re¬
The Aetos class also included Lerax, Leon and Panther. Completely recon¬
establish her fleet. structed by White at Cowes 1924—25, they were reboilered with 4 Yarrow
oil-fired boilers and had the original 5 funnels replaced by 2; a forward shelter
THE GREEK NAVY IN 1922 deck was added to accommodate a gun (moved from forward of the original
mainmast) in ‘B’ position, a new bridge was fitted, the TT increased from
4-2lin (4x 1) to 6-2 lin (2x3) and 2-2pdr AA added. Displacement as modified
BATTLESHIPS was 1050t standard, 1300t full load, and maximum speed 34kts. Aetos and
Panther were also fitted for minelaying and could each carry 40 mines. Leon was
Name Launched Disp Fate damaged by German aircraft in Suda Bay 22.4.41 and was sunk 15.5.41. The
KILKIS (ex-USS 30.9.1905 12,500t Sunk 23.4.41 remaining three served under RN control for the remainder of the war and in
Mississippi) 1941 had their after TT mounting replaced by a 3in AA gun, the after 4in gun
LEMNOS (ex-USS 9.12.1905 12,500t Sunk 23.4.41 removed and 4 DC throwers added. They were discarded cl945.
Idaho)
TORPEDO-BOATS
Lemnos was discarded in 1932 and, in 1937, hulked and disarmed for use as an
accommodation ship. Kilkis was placed in reserve in 1932 and was used as a TS Name Launched Disp
from 1935. Both were sunk by German dive-bombers off Salamis. The wreck of
AIGLI class 1913 120t
Kilkis was raised in 1951 and broken up.
‘P’ class 1914-15 24 It
‘K’ class 1914 241t
COAST DEFENCE VESSEL
TheAigli class also included Alkyone, Arethousa, Dafni, Doris and Thetis .Dafni
Name Launched Disp Fate and Thetis were sold in 1931 and the remainder were sunk by German aircraft in
SPETSAI 1889 4808t Discarded 1929 the Gulf of Athens during 22-25 April 1941. The ‘P’ and ‘K’ classes were
ex-Austrian vessels transferred to Greece in 1920. The ‘P’ class consisted of
Employed as TS. Pergamos, (ex-95F),Panormos (ex-94F) and Proussa (ex-92F) and the ‘K’ class
 Greece

of Kyzikos (ex-98M), Kios (ex-99M) and Kydonia (ex-lOOM). Panormos was repaired was sunk by a bomb. She was raised and repaired at Piraeus by the
wrecked off Cape Tourlos in March 1938 and the remainder were sunk by Germans who added 4-20mm AA (4x 1) to the armament and incorporated her
aircraft, Kios in the Gulf of Athens on 22.4.1941, Kyzikos and Pergamos at into the Kriegsmarine on 21.3.42 asZGJ (she was also given the name Hermes).
Salamis on 24 and 25.4.41 and Kydonia off Morea on 26.4.41 by the Germans, She was damaged by Allied aircraft on 30.4.43 and towed to La Goulette where
and Proussa off Corfu by the Italians on 4.4.41. she was scuttled on 7.5.43. Olga served under the operational control of the RN
from mid-1941 in the Mediterranean and Red Sea. She had her after TT
SUBMARINES mounting replaced by a 3in AA gun, ‘Y’ gun removed to provide space for an
increased DC armament and the mainmast removed. She was sunk by German
Name Launched Disp Fate aircraft in Leros harbour.

DELFIN 1911-12 295t BU 1920s

XIPHIAS 1911-12 295t BU 1920s
Papamicolis as completed

There were also the minelayers Monemassia, Aigialia and Nauplia (1881,29t)
all discarded 1920s; the gunboats Aktion and Ambrakia (1881, 433t), Achelaos, KATSONIS class submarines
Alphios, Peneios and Eurotas (1884, 404t), all discarded 1920s, and Kissa and
Kichle (1884, 86t) discarded 1930s; and one 45ft Thornycroft-typeCMB built in Displacement: 595t/778t
1920 and discarded in the 1930s. Dimensions: 204ft 9in pp x 17ft 6in x lift
62.40 x 5.30 x 3.40m
Machinery: 2-shaft Schneider-Carels diesels plus 2 electric motors,
1300bhp/1000shp = 14kts/9.5kts
Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern) l-100mm, l-3pdr AA
Complement: 39

Name Builder Launched Fate

KATSONIS F C de la 20.3.1926 Sunk 14.9.43

Gironde
PAPAMICOLIS F C de la 19.11.1926 Discarded 1945
Loire

Displacement: 1389t standard; 2050t full load French-designed and -built submarines of the Schneider-Laubeuf type, gener¬
Dimensions: 303ft pp x 32ft x 10ft lOin ally similar to the French Navy’s 600t Circe class. Only two of the bow tubes
92.35 x 9.75 x 3.30m were fitted internally, the remaining bow and stern tubes being fitted in the
2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Thornycroft boilers, casing. The conning tower was larger than that in contemporary French boats as
Machinery:
44,000shp = 38kts. Oil 650t the 100mm gun was incorporated, in a raised position, at its forward end on a
4—120mm/50 (4x1), l-75mm AA, 3-40mm AA (3x1), rotating platform/shield similar to that later employed in British types. Diving
Armament:
6-533mm TT (2x3) limit was 260ft (80m) and endurance 3500nm at lOkts/lOOnm at 5kts. Both
served under RN control 1941-45. Katsonis was rammed and sunk by the
Complement: 156
German sub-chaser Uj2101 in the Aegean.
Name Builder Launched Fate Katsonis in June 1928, as completed By courtesy of John Roberts

CONDOURIOTIS Odero 28.8.1931 Discarded cl946

PSARA Odero 1932 Sunk 13.4.41
SPETSAI Odero 1932 Discarded c 1946
YDRA Odero 21.10.1931 Sunk 22.4.41

Italian-designed and -built destroyers based on the Italian Freccia class but with
guns mounted singly instead of in pairs, necessitating a redesigned superstruc¬
ture with a smaller bridge. All were equipped for minelaying and each could
carry 40 mines. On trials they exceeded 40kts with 50,000shp but, as with most
Italian ships, this was achieved by heavy forcing and could not be maintained
under service conditions. Endurance was 5800m at 20kts. Psara and Ydra were
sunk by German aircraft. The remaining pair served with the RN for the rest of
the war with the pendant numbers H07 and H38 and were modified for escort
work having their after TT mounting replaced by a 3in A A gun and ‘Y’ gun
removed to provide space for a heavy DC armament including 8 throwers.

Glavkos as completed

PROTEUS class submarines

VASILEFS GEORGIOS class destroyers_ Displacement: 750t/960t
Dimensions: 225ft pp x 18ft lOin x 13ft 8in
Displacement: 1350t standard; 1850t full load
68.60 x 5.73 x 4.18m
Dimensions: 312ft pp, 323ft oa x 33ft 6in x 8ft 6in
Machinery: 2-shaft Sulzer diesels plus 2 electric motors,
95.10, 98.45 x 10.21 x 2.59m
1420bhp/1200shp = 14kts/9.5kts. Oil 105t
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Yarrow boilers, 34,000shp
Armament: 8-533mm TT (6 bow, 2 stern), 1-100mm, l-3pdr AA
= 36kts. Oil 450t
Armament: 4-5in (4x1), 4-37mm AA (4x1), 8-2lin TT (2x4), 4 DC Complement: 41
throwers
Name Builder Launched Fate
Complement: 150
GLAVKOS CNF 1928 Lost 4.4.42
Name Builder Launched Fate NEREUS A C de la Loire Dec 1927 Discarded 1945
PROTEUS A C de la Loire 24.10.1927 Sunk 19.12.40
VASILEFS GEORGIOS Yarrow 3.3.1938 Scuttled 7.5.43
TRITON A C de la Loire 4.4.1928 Sunk 16.11.42
VASILISSA OLGA Yarrow_2.6.1938 Sunk 26.9.43

A Loire-Simonot type similar to the Katsonis class but enlarged to allow all the
Laid down at Scotstoun in 1937 and completed in 1939 as modified versions of
tubes to be positioned internally. The 100mm gun was fitted on the same
the British ‘G’ class with torpedo armament reduced to eight tubes, main
platform/shield arrangement at the forward end of the conning tower as Kat¬
armament increased from 4.7in to 5in calibre and minor variations incorporated
sonis, but at casing level instead of flush with the top of the superstructure. This
by the builders such as the substitution of Yarrow for Admiralty boilers. The
and the lack of external tubes served to distinguish the class from the earlier pair.
37mm AA guns were mounted on platforms between the funnels and abreast the
Proteus was rammed and sunk by the Italian torpedo-boat Antares off Valona.
after funnel but in other respects they were of almost identical appearance to
Triton was sunk by the German patrol craft Uj2102 between Andos and Euboea.
their British counterparts. Georgios was damaged by aircraft on 13.4.41 and was
All except Proteus served under RN control during the war.
lost seven days later at Salamis when the floating dock in which she was being
405
THE MEDITERRANEAN
MINELAYERS
Name Launched Builder Disp Length ihp/speed (kts) Mines

TENEDOS 1906 Glasgow 460t 142ft (43.28m) 560/13 40

KORGIALENIOS 1916 Rotterdam 380t 150ft (45.72m) 550/13.5 50
PARALOS 1925 Rotterdam 395t 150ft (45.72m) 550/13 52
PLEIAS 28.4.1926 Breda, Venice 520t 162ft (49.4m) 1000/14 50

In peacetime Pleias served as a lighthouse tender and the remainder as despatch
vessels. All four were sunk by German aircraft in April 1941 but Paralos,
Korgialenios and Tenedos were salvaged by the Germans and incorporated in the
Kriegsmarine as Uj2103, Uj2110 and Uj2106. 2103 was lost in 1943, 2106 was
torpedoed by a submarine on 21.6.44 and 2110 was scuttled at Salonika on
25.10.44.
MOTOR TORPEDO-BOATS
Tl, T2
55ft Thornycroft CMBs built in 1929. Displacement lit, petrol engines,
750bhp = 37kts; armament 2— 18in TT, 2 MG, 4 DCs. Both sunk by German
aircraft April 1941.
T3, T4 and T3-6
The first two, ordered from Vosper and built in 1940, were requisitioned by
the RN and became MTB69 and 70. T3-6, of the same design, were ordered
partly to replace the early vessels but these too were taken over by the RN after
Greece was overrun and became MTB 218-221. For details see under Great
Britain.
EX-BRITISH VESSELS
The following RN warships were loaned to Greece 1942-45 and formed the basis
for the rebuilding of the postwar Greek Navy although all were eventually
returned.
Destroyers: Navarinon (ex-Echo, transferred \944),Salarms (ex-Boreas, 1944)
Escort destroyers: Adrias (ex-Border, 1942, constructive total loss 22.10.43),
Krite (ex-Hursley, 1943), Miaoulis (ex-Modbury, 1942), Pindos (ex-Bolebroke,
1942) Kanaris (ex-Hatherleigh, 1942), Themistocles (ex-Bramham, 1943)
Corvettes: Apostolis (ex-Hyacinih, 1943), Kriezis (ex-Coreopsis, 1943), Sakh-
touris (ex-Peony, 1943), Tompazis (ex-Tamarisk, 1943)
Submarines: Amfitriti (ex-Untiring, 1945), Xifias (ex-Upstart, 1945), Pipinos
(ex-Veldt, 1943), Delfin (ex-Vengeful, 1944)
BYMS: (ex-RN, ex-US): Afroessa (ex-2185, 1944), Kassos (ex-2074, 1944,
mined off Piraeus 15.10.44), ACos (ex-2191, 1944, mined off Piraeus 15.10.44),
Kalymnos (ex-2033, 1945), Ithaki (ex-2240, 1945), Paralos (ex-2066, 1943),
Lefkas (ex-2068, 1944), Leros (ex-2186, 1944), Patmos (ex-2229, 1944),
Salaminia (ex-2065, 1944), Symi (ex-2190, 1945), ? (ex-2054, 1944)
MMS: Tinos (ex-144, 1944)
Besides the above, Greek seamen manned a large number of small British
auxiliaries (drifters, trawlers, whalers, etc.)
EX-US VESSELS
Sub-chaser: Vasilefs Georgios II (ex-PC622)
LST: Khios (ex-LST37), Lemnos (ex-LST35), Lesvos (ex-LST33), Samos (ex-
LST36).
All the above were transferred to Greece 1943. Lesvos was lost at Bizerta in
1944.

Turkey
Under the terms of the Treaty of Sevres, concluded by the Allies, THE TURKISH NAVY IN 1922
Greece and Turkey, the Turkish Navy was to be reduced to a coast
defence force; this, among other things, required the surrender of the
battlecruiser Yavuz to Britain for breaking up. Turkey was, however,
in considerable state of turmoil as a result of the rise of the Natioanlists BATTLECRUISER
under Mustapha Kernel who was intent on replacing the Ottoman Name Builder Launched Fate
dynasty and ejecting all foreigners from Turkish soil, particularly the
YAVUZ SULTAN 23.3.1911 22,980t BU 1971
Greeks. During this period of civil war, which involved a conflict with
SELIM (ex-Goeben)
Greece and much external intervention by the British, French and
Americans, the Fleet remained interned under Allied control awaiting Overhauled, repaired and refitted at Ismid 1927-30 and equipped with French
the outcome of the struggle. The Sultan eventually gave up his position fire control system by A C de St-Nazaire-Penhoet. On 4-hour full-power trial in
of authority, leaving Turkey in November 1922, and in the following 1930 she averaged 27kts. She was renamed Yavuz in 1936 and received a short
refit in 1938. In 1941 she was again refitted, having her mainmast removed and
July the Allies and the new Turkish Government signed a peace treaty
12-40mm AA (12x 1) and 4—20mm AA (4x 1) added.
at Lausanne. Kernel had rejected the original Treaty of Sevres and
gained many concessions from the Allies including the right to keep the COAST DEFENCE SHIP
fleet intact. Turkey had, however, been considerably weakened in her
recent struggles and initially there were no funds available for either Name Builder Launched Fate

new ships or the maintenance of the old. TOORGOOD REIS 1891 10,500t Hulked 1924,
In 1926 a programme of refit and repair work was begun and two (ex-Weissenburg) BU 1938
submarines were ordered from the Netherlands. Thereafter a slow but
steady improvement was made in the quality and condition of the Fleet CRUISERS
and the training of its personnel. In 1929 a construction programme of
6 destroyers and 12 submarines was proposed, indicating an intention Name Launched Disp Fate
to concentrate on undersea warfare. Initially 4 destroyers and 2 sub¬ MEDJIDIEH 1903 3330t Discarded cl947
marines were ordered from Italy but, apart from the purchase of HAMIDIEH 1903 3830t Discarded cl947
another submarine from Spain in 1934, funds were not made available
for further new ships until 1937 when 4 submarines were ordered from Both were mainly employed as training ships but Hamidieh was equipped for
minelaying (70 mines). Medjidieh was refitted and reboilered in 1930 with
Gemany. This signalled the beginning of a new phase of expansion, a Babcock & Wilcox boilers.
further 4 submarines and 4 destroyers being ordered in Britain in 1939,
but the outbreak of the Second World War, and the consequent loss of DESTROYERS
access to most of the major European building yards, brought it to a
Name Launched Disp Fate
premature end. In addition one of the German-built submarines and all
of the British-built vessels were taken over by the countries concerned BERK-EFSHAN 1894 270t Discarded 1920s
after the outbreak of war, although the British did deliver half their SAMSOUN class 1907 290t Discarded 1930s
MUVANET-I-MILET 1909 6071 Discarded 1920s
order in 1942 and return the remainder in 1946. Turkey severed
class
relations with Germany on 2.8.44 and with Japan on 6.1.45, declaring
war on Germany on 23.2.45, but her naval forces had neither the time The Samsoun class included Samsoun, Bassra and Tashoz; the Milet class also
nor the opportunity to become involved in hostilities. included Noumoune-i-Hamiyet.

406
 Turkey

TORPEDO-BOATS
GAYRET class destroyers
Name Launched Disp Fate Displacement: 1360t standard; 1880t full load
YOUNOUS 1902-1904 145t Discarded c 1928 Dimensions: 312ft pp, 323ft oa x 33ft x 8ft 6in
DRACH class 1905 160t Discarded cl928 95.10, 98.45 x 10.06 x 2.59m
SIVRIHISAR class 1906 98t Discarded 1930, Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared mrbines, 3 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
BU 34,000shp = 35.5kts. Oil 455t
Armament: 4—120mm (4x 1), 4-20mm AA (4x1), 8-2lin TT (2x4)
The Younous class also included Ack-Hissar, the Drach class, the Moussoul and Complement: 145
the Sivrihisar class Sultanhisar.
Name Builder Launched Fate
The Turkish Navy also operated the torpedo-gunboats Berkistavet and DEMIRHISAR Denny Discarded 1960
1941
Peykisevket (1906, 1014t, reconstructed 1937-38, with modified superstructure
GAYRET Vickers- 15.12.1940 BU 1946-47
and raked stem, and fitted to carry 25 mines, both discarded late 1940s); and the
Armstrong
gunboats Barik-i-Zaffer (1908, 198t); Malatia (1907, 2lOt); Kemal Reis, Hizar 24.2.1941 Discarded 1960
MUAVENET Vickers-
Reis and/sa Reis (1911-12, 413t); Aldan Reis, Burak Reis, Sakiz andPrevesah
Armstrong
(1912, 502t). Kemal Reis, Hizar Reis and/sa Reis were converted to minesweep¬ SULTANHISAR Denny 1941 Discarded 1960
ers and Aiden Reis to a survey ship in the late 1930s, and all four were discarded
in the late 1940s. The others were discarded in the 1920s. There were also the Ordered in 1939 from British firms and of identical design to the Royal Navy ‘H’
minelayersKiresund (1877, 3056t gross, discarded in 1920s),Nusrat (1912, 364t, class destroyers. Gayret and Muavenet were taken over by the RN on completion
discarded 1957), and Intibah (1886, 616t, salvage tug fitted for minelaying, and served as HMS Ithuriel and Inconstant, but the other two were delivered to
renamed Uyanik by 1942 and discarded 1957). Turkey in 1942. The two RN vessels had the after TT mounting replaced by a
12pdr AA gun and later Inconstant also had ‘Y’ gun and the 12pdr removed (to
provide space for additional DC stowage), 2 more 20mm A A fitted and the
director tower and rangefinder on the bridge replaced by surface warning radar.
The Ithuriel was heavily damaged by aircraft off Bone in 1942 and became a
constructive total loss. Inconstant was returned to Turkey in 1945 and reverted
to her original name, while her sister was replaced by the destroyer Oribi which
was renamed Gayret. See also under Great Britain.

Birindci Inonii 1936

BIRINDCI INONU class submarines

Displacement: 505t/620t
Kocatepe as completed By courtesy of John Roberts Dimensions: 192ft 6in oa x 19ft x lift 6in
58.68 x 5.80 x 3.50m
Machinery: 2-shaft MAN diesels plus 2 electric motors, 1100bhp/700shp
= 13.5kts/8.5kts
KOCATEPE class destroyers
Armament: 6-450mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern), l-75mm, l-20mm AA
Displacement: 1250t standard; 1650t full load Complement: 29
Dimensions: 321ft 6in pp, 328ft 8in oa x 30ft 9in x 9ft 6in
98.00, 100.20 x 9.37 x 2.90m Name Builder Launched Fate
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Thornycroft boilers,
40,000shp = 36kts. Oil 360t BIRINDCI INONU Fijenoord 1.2.1927 Discarded cl950
IKINDCI INONU Fijenoord 12.3.1927 Discarded cl950
Armament: 4— 120mm/50 (4x 1), 2-40mm AA (2x 1), 2-20mm AA (2x 1),
6-533mm TT (2x3)
Small coastal submarines of German design laid down in the Netherlands in
Complement: 149
1926 and completed in 1928. These were the first vessels to be built for the
Builder Launched Fate Turkish Navy since before the First World War. The literal translation of the
Name
names is ‘Number 1’ and ‘Number 2’.
ADATEPE Ansaldo, Genoa 19.3.1931 Discarded cl950
KOCATEPE Ansaldo, Genoa 7.2.1931 Discarded cl950
Dumlupynar 1936
Italian-designed vessels laid down in 1930 and completed in 1932. They were of
similar general design to contemporary Italian Navy destroyers except that the DUMLUPYNAR submarine
120mm guns were mounted singly and that the boiler uptakes were trunked into
Displacement: 920t/1150t
Dimensions: 223ft x 19ft x 14ft
68.00 x 5.80 x 4.27m
Machinery: 2-shaft MAN diesels plus 2 electric motors, 3000bhp/ 1400shp
= 17.5kts/9kts
Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern), l-100mm, 1 MG
Complement: 47

Name Builder Launched Fate

DUMLUPYNAR CNT 4.3.1931 Discarded cl950

Displacement: 1206t standard; 1610t full load A Bernardis-designed submarine laid down at Monfalcone in 1929 and com¬
Dimensions: 307ft pp, 315ft oa x 30ft 6in x 10ft 9in pleted in 1931. Similar to the Italian Pisani class but with an improved hull form
93.57, 96.00 x 9.30 x 3.28m and higher speed.
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Thornycroft boilers,
35,OOOshp = 36kts. Oil 350t
Armament: 4—120mm/50 (2x2), 2—40mm A A (2x 1), 2—20mm A A (2x1), SAKARYA submarine
6-633mm TT (2x3)
Complement: 149 Displacement: 710t/940t
Dimensions: 196ft pp x 22ft 4in x 13ft
Name Builder Launched Fate 59.74 x 6.80 x 3.96m
Machinery: 2-shaft MAN diesels plus electric motors, 1600bhp/l lOOshp
TINAZTEPE CT, Riva 27.7.1931 Discarded 1957
= 16.9kts/9.5kts
Trigoso
Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern), l-100mm, l-20mm AA
ZAFER CT, Riva 20.9.1931 Discarded 1957
Complement: 41
Trigoso
Name Builder Launched Fate
)rdered in 1930 and completed in 1932. An Italian design similar toFreccia type
iut with machinery power reduced and two funnels instead of a single uptake, SAKARYA CNT 2.2.1931 Discarded cl950
.ike contemporary Italian Navy destroyers they were equipped for minelaying.

407
THE MEDITERRANEAN
A small sea-going submarine designed by Bernardis, laid down at Monfalcone in
1929 and completed in 1931. Similar to the Italian Argonauto class but slightly
larger to accommodate more powerful machinery for higher surface and sub¬
merged speeds.

Gur 1935

GUR submarine
Displacement: 750t/960t
Dimensions: 237ft 6in X 20ft 4in x 13ft 6in
72.42 x 6.19 x 4.11m
Machinery: 2-shaft MAN diesels plus 2 electric motors, 2800bhp/1000shp
= 20kts/9kts
Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern; 14 torpedoes), l-100mm,
l-20mm AA
Complement: 42 Sakarya in 1933 By courtesy of John Roberts

Name Builder Launched Fate

GUR Echovarrieta y 1932 Discarded cl950

Larringa

A German-designed submarine laid down at Cadiz in 1930, purchased by BATIRAY submarine

Turkey in 1934 and delivered in January 1935. She was a medium-sized sea¬
Displacement: 1044/ 1375t
going vessel of high speed, fitted with standard Turkish armament. The torpedo
complement provided a reload for each bow tube, and endurance was 6400nm at Dimensions: 284ft 5in x 22ft 3in x 13ft 5in
86.70 x 6.80 x 4.10m
9kts/101nm at 4kts. Diving limit was 260ft (80m). Experience gained with this
vessel was utilised by the Germans in the design of the Type IA U-boats. Machinery: 2-shaft Burmeister & Wain diesels plus Brown-Boveri electric
motors, 4600bhp/1300shp = 18kts/8.4kts. Oil 250t
Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern), l-105mm, l-20mm AA, 40
mines
Saldiray 1940
Complement: 47

Name Builder Launched Fate

‘AY’ class submarines
BATIRAY Germaniawerft, 28.8.1938 Scuttled 3.5.45
Displacement: 934t/121 Ot
Kiel
Dimnsions: 262ft 6in x 21ft x 14ft
80.00 x 6.40 x 4.26m
A German-designed and -built ocean-going minelaying submarine ordered with
Machinery: 2-shaft Burmeister & Wain diesels plus 2 electric motors, the ‘Ay’ class in 1937 and completed in 1939. Taken over by the German Navy
3500bhp/1000shp = 20kts/9kts
on the outbreak of war and renamed UA, she was scuttled at Kiel and later
Armament: 6-533mm TT (4 bow, 2 stern), l-100mm, l-20mm AA broken up.
Complement: 44

Name Builder Launched Fate

ORUC REIS class submarines
ATILAY Germaniawerft, 1938 Lost 14.7.42
Displacement: 624t/861t
Kiel
Dimensions: 193ft pp, 201ft 6in oa x 22ft 3in x 10ft 6in
YILDIRAY Istanbul 26.8.1939 Discarded 1957
58.83, 61.42 x 6.78 x 3.20m
SALDIRAY Germaniawerf, 23.7.1938 Discarded 1957
Machinery: 2-shaft Vickers diesels plus 2 electric motors,
Kiel
1550bhp/1300shp = 13.75kts/lOkts. Oil 38t
Armament: 5-21in TT (4 bow, 1 stern; 9 torpedoes), l-3in, l-20mm AA
High-speed seagoing submarines designed by Germaniawerft, two being built in
Complement: 40
Germany and one locally under German supervision. Similar to the Type IXA
U-boats but differing substantially in detail to meet Turkish requirements, the
Name Builder Launched Fate
more obvious external difference from standard German practice being the
conning tower which, like that in Gur, incorporated the 100mm gun on a raised BURAC REIS Vickers- 19.10.1940 Discarded 1957
platform with a low shield at its forward end. Diving limit was 330ft (100m). Armstrong
Atilay was lost during exercises off Canakkale. MURAT REIS Vickers- 20.7.1940 Discarded 1957
Armstrong
ORUC REIS Vickers- 19.7.1940 Discarded 1957
Armstrong
ULAC ALI REIS Vickers- 1.11.1940 Sunk 18.4.43
Armstrong

Ordered in 1939 and laid down at Barrow. Of similar design to the Royal Navy’s
‘S’ class, having the same machinery but being slightly smaller and with one less
TT. The bow tubes were internal and the stern tube external; one reload for each
bow tube was provided. Endurance was 2500m at lOkts. All four were taken
over by Great Britain after the outbreak of war and becameP614, 612, 611 and
615 respectively but it was subsequently decided to deliver half the order and
Oruc and Murat were taken to Turkey by British crews in 1942. P615 was
torpedoed by the German submarine U123 in the Atlantic and P614 was
returned to Turkey in 1945, reverting to her original name of Burak Reis.
Marti in the mid 1930s By courtesy of A Ido Fraccaroli

COASTAL CRAFT
Name Type Built Builder Disp Length bhp/speed (kts) Armament

DOGAN class MAS 1926 SVAN 32t 69ft (21.03m) 1500/34 2-450mm TT, l-75mm, 8 DC
ATAK Minelayer 1938 Goldik 500t 144ft 4in (43.99m) 1025/13 40 mines
SIVRIHISAR class Minelayer 1940 Thornycroft 350t 172ft (52.46m) 1200/15 40 mines, l-75mm
KAVAK class MMS 1937 Thornycroft 32t 75ft (22.86m) 1500/15 None
MTB1-10 MTB 1942 Turkey 70t 71ft 6in (21.79m) 2000/10 2-533mm TT

The Dogan class also included Marti and Denizkusu. They were purchased from included Canak; both vessels were purchased in 1939 and discarded in the
Italy in 1931 and discarded in the late 1940s. The Sivrihisar class also included 1950s. In addition to the above, 7 HDMLs, renamed ML1—7, and 8 Fairmile
Torgud Reis (ex-Yuzbasi Hakki), discarded in 1960. The Kavak class also MLs, renamed AB1—8, were acquired from Britain during 1944-45.

408
 Egypt/Persia

Egypt
THE EGYPTIAN NAVY IN 1922
El Amir Faroug as completed

In 1922 the Egyptian naval force consisted of two vessels purchased in

1920, the P-boat Raqib (ex-British PS7, 1917, 613t) and the sloop EL AMIR FAROUG sloop
Solium (ex-HMS Syringa, 1917, 1290t); ten old river gunboats (Melik, Displacement: 144 It
Sheik, Sultan, Fateh, Nasir, Zafir, Abuklea, Hifer, Metemmeh and Dimensions: 247ft x 34ft x 13ft 3in
75.29 x 10.36 x 4.04m
Tamai) all of which had been discarded by 1930; the royal yacht
Machinery: 2-shaft TE, 2 boilers, 2800ihp = 17kts
Mahroussa (1865, 3417t); 2 transports; and a large number of small
Armament: l-6pdr, 4 MG
auxiliaries and river craft. Raqib was discarded in the 1930s and Solium
Complement: 70
was lost when she ran aground at Sidi Barrani in January 1941 while
under attack by German aircraft. Few ships were added to this force Name Builder Launched Fate
until after 1946, the largest vessel taken into service being the transport EL AMIR FAROUG Hawthorn Leslie 1926 Discarded postwar
ElAmira Fawzia (1929,2640t, 2-3pdr guns) which remained in service
until the 1960s and the most important the small sloop El Amir Faroug.

MOTOR BOATS
Name Builder Built Disp Length hp/speed (kts) Armament

DARFEEL, NOOR EL BAHR Thornycroft 1925 20t 56ft (17.07m) 330/17 l-37mm
AL SAREA White 1936 20t 55ft (16.76m 900/35 l-37mm
RAQIB Alexandria 1938 66ft (20.12m) 540/15 l-37mm

All the above served with the RN during the Second World War as harbour
defence vessels. Besides the above there were two slow coastal motor boats
(Qamar and El Hoot of 24t) and the trawler Mabahiss (1930, 618t) which served
as a patrol vessel.

1 .....:_Palana as completed

In 1922 Persia possessed two warships, the gunvesselsPersepolis (1885,

1200t) and Mazaffir (1899, 379t), both of which were discarded by
BABR class sloops
1939. The latter vessel had served with the Royal Navy during 1914-18 Displacement: 950t
and was refitted by the British at Bombay prior to her return to Persia. Dimensions: 204ft 8in pp x 29ft 6in x 9ft lOin
62.38 x 9.00 x 3.00m
In addition to these ships Persia purchased the German minesweeper
Machinery: 2- shaft Fiat diesels, 1900bhp = 15kts. Oil 120t
FM24 (1918, 170t) in 1922 and renamed her Fatiya, then Pahlavi in 3- 102mm (3x1), 2 MG (2x1)
Armament:
1926 and finally Shahan in 1935; the last was discarded in the early Complement: 85
1940s.
During the 1930s, 2 sloops, 4 motor patrol boats and 6 small motor Name Builder Launched Fate

gunboats were ordered from Italian yards together with a royal yacht, BABR CNR, Palermo 2.8.1931 Sunk 25.8.41
Chahsever (1936, 350t), and a tug,Neyrou (1934,226t). During 1940-41 PALANG CNR, Palermo Nov 1931 Sunk 25.8.41
Germany attempted to bring Persia into its sphere of influence, large
Palang was sunk by the British sloop Shoreham at Abadan and Babr by the
numbers of German ‘tourists’ entered the country and Persian ports Australian sloop Yana in Khorramshahr. Babr was later refloated and towed up
were regularly visited by German and Italian merchant vessels. On 25 the Koran river but foundered during the process.
August 1941 the country was invaded by British and Russian troops
and during the following few weeks a large part of the Navy was either
captured or sunk. An armistice was signed on 1 September and the CHAROGH class motor patrol boats
German nationals surrendered at Tehran two weeks later. Thereafter Displacement: 33 It
Persia remained under Allied influence, declaring war on Germany on Dimensions: 170ft pp x 22ft x 6ft
51.80 x 6.70 x 1.83m
9 September 1943 and on Japan on 1 March 1945.
Machinery: 2-shaft Fiat diesels, 900bhp = 15.5kts
Armament: 2-75mm (2x 1), 2-37mm AA (2x 1)

Name Builder Launched Fate

AZERBAIJAN class motor launches
CHAROGH CNR, Palermo 26.7.1931 Discarded 1950s
Displacement: 30t CHANBAAZ OCP, Naples 12.9.1931 Discarded 1950s
Dimensions: 68ft 6in x 12ft 6in x 3ft 6in KARKASS CNR, Palermo 24.8.1931 Discarded 1946
20.88 x 3.81 x 1.07m SIMORGH CNR, Palermo 3.8.1931 Discarded 1950s
Machinery: 2-shaft Krupp diesels, 300bhp = 14kts
Complement: ? All four vessels were captured by British forces on 25.8.41, and subsequently
incorporated in the RIN as Nilam, Hira, Mod and Lai respectively. They were
Class (fate): Azerbaijan, Gehlani, Mazendem (all scuttled or sunk in August rearmed with l-12pdr and l-20mm A A and employed as harbour defence and
1941), Babolsar, Gorgan, Sef Indreude (discarded 1970s) training vessels at Bombay until returned to Persia in 1946 when they reverted to
Built by CNR, Palermo, in 1935. their original names.

409
THE MIDDLE A&D FAR EAST

Siam
In 1922 the Siamese Navy consisted of old and obsolete vessels apart
from a destroyer purchased from the Royal Navy in 1920 and 5 new
CMBs constructed by Thornycroft. In 1923 a sloop was purchased
from the Royal Navy and shortly afterwards 2 new coast defence vessels
were ordered in Britain but little else was done to expand the fleet until
the 1930s. In 1934 9 torpedo-boats and 2 minelayers were ordered from
Italy and in the following year 2 coast defence ships, 3 torpedo-boats, 2
sloops and 4 submarines from the Japanese. Two cruisers, which were
never delivered, were ordered from Italy in 1938 but the outbreak of
the Second World War brought a halt to further plans for new ships.
Siam attempted to take advantage of French weakness in Europe by
invading French Indo-China in November 1940 but achieved little, lost
four of her ships and signed an armistice on 29 January 1941. On 7
December 1941 she was invaded by Japan but signed a peace treaty
with that country on 21 December and a month later declared war on
Britain and the USA. Her naval forces however, took little part in the
conflict and she lost no more of her ships during the remainder of the
war.
THE SIAMESE NAVY IN 1922
DESTROYERS
RATANAKOSINDRA class armoured gunboats
Displacement: 886t standard; lOOOt full load
Dimensions: 160ft pp, 174ft oa x 37ft lin x 10ft 9in
48.78, 53.04 x 11.30 x 3.28m
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 2 Yarrow boilers, 850ihp = 12kts. Oil 96t
Armour: Belt 2i-l{in, barbettes 2iin, turrets 2Jin, CT 4|in, decks
li-fin
Armament: 2-6in (2xl), 4-3in AA (4x1)
Complement: 103
The small armoured coast defence ship Ratanakosindra was ordered from the
British Armstrong company and laid down at Elswick on 29.9.24. She was
launched on 21.4.25 and completed in August 1925. A second vessel of identical
design, the Sukhothai, was ordered in 1928 from Vickers Armstrongs (the two
companies having amalgamated) and laid down in December 1928. She was
launched on 19.11.29 and completed in December 1930. They were unusual
vessels with a somewhat cramped appearance, being short and broad beamed,
with a high superstructure. In many ways they resembled coastal monitors
having armoured turrets fore and aft, a conning tower and a fire control top,
with 9ft rangefinder, on the foremast but, although having a low freeboard
armoured hull, they also had a raised forecastle for seaworthiness, a feature not
normally found in the monitor type. They were successful and long lived ships,
the Ratanakosindra surviving until discarded in the 1960s and the Sukhothai
until discarded in the early 1970s.

Name Launched Disp Fate

SUA-TAYANCHUOU 1908 375t Discarded 1930s

SUA-KHAMRONS 1912 385t Discarded 1930s
INDHU
PHRA RUANG 1916 1035t Discarded 1959
(ex-Radiant)

Phra Ruang was a British ‘R’ class destroyer purchased in 1920. Dhonburi 1938

TORPEDO-BOATS
SRI AYUTHIA class coast defence ships
Name Launched Disp Fate
Displacement: 2265t
1-3 1908 120t Discarded 1930s Dimensions: 252ft 8in x 47ft 4in x 13ft 8in
4 1913 120t Discarded 1930s 76.50 x 14.43 x 4.17m
Machinery: 2 shafts, MAN diesels, 5200bhp = 15.5kts. Oil 150t
Armour: Belt 2Jin, turrets 4in, barbettes 4in, decks ljin-lin
GUNBOATS Armament: 4-8in (2x 1), 4-3in AA (4x 1), 4-40mm AA (4x 1)
Complement: 155
Name Launched Disp Fate

MONGKUT 1887 700t Discarded 1930s Name Builder Launched Fate

RUJAKUMARN
SRI AYUTHIA Kawasaki 21.7.37 Sunk 3.7.51
MURATHA 1898 530t Discarded cl930
DHONBURI Kawasaki 31.1.38 Sunk 17.1.41
BHALI, SUGRIB 1901 580t Discarded 1930
CHOW PHRAYA 1918 840t Stricken 24.8.71
Designed and built in Japan these ships were similar in principle to the
(■ex-Havant)
Ratanakosindra class but were much larger, more powerful, vessels. Laid down
in 1936 they were completed 16.6.38 and 5.8.38 respectively. Side armour was
Chow Phraya was a British ‘Hunt’ class sloop purchased in 1923.
fitted abreast the machinery compartments only and the barbettes extended
down to the lower deck. A complete main armament control system was
In addition to the above there was the Royal yachtMaha Chakri (1918, 2400t)
provided with a DCT mounted on a tower above the bridge. The 3in AA guns
the coastguard vessel Sriya Monthon (1908, 225t) the 55ft Thornycroft CMBs 1
were mounted on the forward shelter deck. Both were heavily damaged and
to 5 (1922, lit) and a few auxiliaries and small craft.
beached in action with the French cruiser Lamotte Picquet and other French
vessels in the Gulf of Siam on the night of 16/17 January 1941. Ayuthia was later
refloated and repaired in Japan by the end of 1941, but Dhonburi capsized and
sank while under tow after being refloated. The Ayuthia was later sunk by
Siamese Army artillery on 3.7.51 during a revolution and the wrecks of both
vessels were later raised and scrapped.

2_ Taksin class (original design)

TAKSIN class cruisers

Displacement: 5500t standard
Dimensions: 504ft 7in x 47ft 6in x 17ft 3in
153.8 x 14.47 x 5.25m
Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 3 boilers, 4500shp = 30kts
Armour: Belt 60mm, deck 30mm Two cruisers, Taksin and Naresuan, were ordered from Cantieri Riuniti Dell’
Armament: Adriatico in 1938 and laid down at Trieste in 1939. Construction worked
6-152mm (3x2), 6-76mm AA (6x 1), 8-13.2mm MG (8x 1),
6-533mm TT stopped in 1941 and they were later taken over by the Italian Navy, redesigned
and completed as the Etna and Vesuvio. For further details see under Italy.

410
 Siam/China

KANTAN class torpedo-boats

Displacement: llOt standard; 135t full load
Dimensions: 131ft 6in pp, 138ft oa x 15ft lin x 5ft
PUKET class torpedo-boats 40.00, 42.00 x 4.S9 x 1.52m
Displacement: Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, 2 boilers, lOOOshp = 19kts. Oil 18t
318t standard; 470t full load
Dimensions: Armament: l-3in AA, 2-20mm AA (2x 1), 2-18in TT
219ft pp, 223ft oa x 21ft x 7ft
66.75, 68.00 x 6.40 x 2.13m Complement: 31
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Yarrow boilers, 900shp =
31kts. Oil 102t Three small, low freeboard torpedo-boats, Kantan, Kylongyai and Takbai all
Armament: 3-3in AA (3x1), 2-20mm A A (2x 1), 6-18in TT (2x 1,2x2) launched by the Ishikawajima Co on 26.3.37. They were discarded in the 1970s
Complement: 70 but a fourth vessel of this class, the Sattahip, was built at Bangkok during
1956-58 and was still in service in 1980.
Name (launched): Chandrabun (18.1.37), Chonbun (1937), Chunphorn
(18.1.37), Patam (16.10.36), Puket (28.9.35), Rayong (11.1.37), Songhkli
(1937), Surasdra (28.11.36) and Trad (26.10.35). BANGRACHAN class minelayers
Ordered from Cantieri Navali Riuniti deH’Adriatico in 1934 and laid down at
Monfalcone during 1935-36. The armament was ordered from Vickers- Displacement: 368t standard; 408t full load
Armstrongs, presumably to keep to the gun and ammunition type already in Dimensions: 160ft 9in pp x 25ft 3in x 7ft 3in
service with the Siamese Navy and avoid complex supply and storage arrange¬ 50.00 x 1.69 x 2.20m
ments. On trials the Puket achieved 32.34kts with 10,000shp. Chonburi, Son¬ Machinery: 2 shafts, Burmeister and Wain diesels, 540bhp = 13kts. Oil
ghkli and Trad were sunk in action with French warships in the Gulf of Siam on 33.5t
17.1.41 but Trad was later salvaged and repaired. The Trad, Puket and Chun¬ Armament: 2-3in AA (2x 1), 2-20mm AA (2x 1), 142 mines
phorn were discarded cl976 but the remainder were still in service in 1980. Complement: 55

Bangrachan and Nhongarhai were small minelayers ordered from Cantieri Nav¬
ali Riuniti deH’Adriatico and launched at Monfalcone in 1936. They had a short
forecastle and the mines were carried on two sets of rails fitted abreast the
superstructure on the upper deck. Both vessels were still in service in 1980.

Machanu

SINSAMUDAR class submarines

Displacement: 370t/430t
Displacement: 1400t standard; 2000t full load Dimensions: 167ft 4in x 13ft 6in x 12ft
Dimensions: 269ft x 34ft x 10ft 4in 51.00 x 4.11 x 3.65m
82.00 x 10.36 x 3.14m Machinery: 2 shafts, diesel engines plus 2 electric motors, 1000bhp/
Machinery: 2-shaft VTE engines, 2 boilers, 25000ihp = 17kts 540shp = 14.5kts/8kts. Oil 27t
Armament: 4-4.7in (4xl), 2-20mm AA (2x1), 4-18in TT (2x2) Armement: 5-2in TT (4 bow, 1 stern), 1 MG
Complement: 155 (as TS) Complement: 24

Name Builder Launched Fate Name Builder Launched Fate

TACHIN Uraga Dock 24.7.1936 BU 1945-46 BLAJUNBOL Mitsubishi 14.5.1936 Discarded cl950
MEKLONG Uraga Dock 27.11.1936 Discarded cl976 MACHANU Mitsubishi 24.12.1936 Discarded cl950
SINSAMUDAR Mitsubishi 14.5.1936 Discarded cl950
Designed and built in Japan these vessels were intended to combine the roles of VILUN Mitsubishi 24.12.1936 Discarded cl950
sloop and training ship, and were also equipped for minesweeping. Both were
laid down in 1936 and completed in June 1937. Two more vessels of the class Four small coastal submarines designed and built in Japan and completed in
were projected but neither was built. 1938. A further 4 were projected but never ordered.

COASTAL CRAFT
Name Type Built Builder Disp Length bhp/speed Armament

CMB6-9 MTB 1935 Thornycroft 16t 55ft (16.76m) 950/40kts 2 torpedoes, 2 MG, 2 DC
SARASINDHU Fishery 1936 Bangkok DYd 50t 72ft (21.94m) 150/9kts l-37:nm
class protection
vessels

Sarasindhu class also included Thiew Uthock and Travane Vari; they were of
Italian design. Besides the above there was the unarmed despatch vessel Samet
(tx-Pi Sua Nan, 165t)

China
Although nominally under the Peking Government, China was a
divided country in the 1920s being controlled by various provincial
warlords and political factions. Her Navy was however concentrated
mainly in the southern provinces and was for the most part under the
control of the central Government. In 1922 it consisted of a few obsolete
cruisers and torpedo craft, of the old seagoing coast defence fleet, and a
large number of gunboats and river patrol craft. Its principal area of
operations was the Yangtze Kiang which was navigable by seagoing
ships as far as Hankow, 600 miles from the sea, and by smaller vessels
for a further 1000 miles. In peacetime the Navy served as a police force,
as crime in general and piracy in particular was rife on the river and
along the coast. In war it was intended to defend the coast and prevent
the penetration of the country via the Yangtze which extended into the
heart of Southern China. This and other rivers in China also acted as
natural obstacles on which a naval force could do much to hold-up and
harass an advancing army.
By 1929 the internal struggles of China appeared to be over when the
country was united by the Nationalist Kuomintang under Chiang
Kai-shek but his failure to bring the communists under control was to
result first in rebellion and later in full civil war which lasted off and on
THE MIDDLE AND FAR EAST
until 1949 and even continued while both sides were fighting the GUNBOATS
Japanese. The new central Government had started to rebuild the river
Name Builder Launched
Navy in 1926 when a programme of new construction was begun. Six
heavily armed, shallow draught gunboats and two smaller gunboats FEI YING 1895 837t
CHIEN WEI 1902 861t
were laid down at Shanghai between 1926 and 1931 and during 1930-31
CHIEN AN 1900 8611
two Japanese designed ‘light cruisers’ were begun, one at home and one HOI FU 1904 680t
in Japan. Shortly after this however Japan occupied Manchuria and the FU YU 1904 750t
communists broke away from the central Government bringing naval CHU class 1906-07 740t
KIANG class 1906-07 550t
expansion to a virtual halt. A few patrol vessels were built in the early
YUNG FENG class 1912-13 830t
1930s and attempts were made to obtain warships from Europe, princi¬ 1915 860t
YUNG CHIEN class
pally Germany, but, although several vessels were ordered, only a few WEI SHENG class 1922 932t
MTBs were ever delivered. In 1937 Japan invaded southern China and
by the end of 1938 had occupied the eastern area of the country which Fei Ying had been reclassified as a destroyer by 1930 but her subsequent fate is
unknown. The next pair were reconstructed 1930-31 and renamed Tse Chiang
included all the main seaports and therefore the means for China to
and Ta Tung. They were reboilered and fitted with two new (larger) funnels, the
obtain naval assistance from abroad. Apart from a few vessels the poop and waist bulwarks were removed and a new rig was fitted. As rebuilt the
Chinese fleet was either sunk (mainly by aircraft) scuttled or captured displacement was 900t and the armament 2-120mm (2x 1), l-76mm, 2-57mm
during 1937-38 but some of the latter vessels were transferred to the (2x1) and l-20mm AA. Speed was 20kts with 6000hp. Both were scuttled
puppet Nanking Government set up by the Japanese in March 1940. 11.8.37 as blockships in the Yangtze.
Hoi Fu and Fu Yu were sunk by Japanese aircraft at Canton in September and
Apart from the transfer of some British and American gunboats to
October 1937 respectively. Th eChu class consisted of C/m Chien (scuttled in the
China in 1942 there does not appear to have been any further develop¬ Yangtze 11.8.37), Chu Kuan (in Taiwan fleet after 1949, discarded 1960s), Chu
ment of naval forces unul after the communists gained control of the Tai (sunk by Japanese aircraft in the Yangtze 1.6.38), Chu Tung (in Chinese
country in 1949. Japan surrendered her Chinese territories on 14 Republic fleet after 1949, discarded ?1960s), Chu Yu (sunk by Japanese aircraft
in the Yangtze 2.10.37, later raised and scrapped) and Chu Yew (scuttled at
August 1945 and some of the vessels she had captured were returned to
Tsingtau August 1937). The Kiang class consisted of Kiang Chen (sunk by
China but the fates of many vessels are still uncertain or unknown due Japanese aircraft in the Yangtze 20.7.38, later salvaged, subsequent fate
to the confused state of the country during 1937-49 and the secretive unknown), Kiang Heng and Kiang Li (both captured by the Japanese September
nature of the Peoples Republic of China. 1937, subsequent fate unknown) and Kiang Yuan (in Chinese Republican Fleet
after 1949, discarded ? 1960s). The Yung Feng class consisted of Yung Feng (lost
1937 or 1938) and Yung Hsiang (scuttled at Tsingtau August 1937, later raised,
and stricken cl959). The Yung Chien class comprise Yung Chien (sunk by
Japanese aircraft at Shanghai 25.8.37, wreck captured November 1937, sal¬
vaged and repaired as Japanese depot ship Asuka 1938, AA ship 1945, sunk
THE CHINESE NAVY IN 1922 7.5.45 in Huangpo Estuary by US aircraft, possibly refloated but fate uncertain)
and Yung Chi (sunk by Japanese aircraft in the Yangtze 21.10.38, captured
8.11.38, relfoated and repaired, transferred to Nanking Government as Hai
CRUISERS Hsing May 1940, recaptured by Chinese September 1945 and reverted to Yung
Chi, served with Nationalist forces until sunk by Communists in Yangtze April
Name Launched Disp Fate
1949). The Wei Sheng class consisted of Wei Sheng and Teh Sheng which during
Fu An class the late 1920s were converted to seaplane tenders, the after section of the vessels
FU AN 1894 1900t Discarded ? 1930s being cleared to accommodate 2 aircraft (as modified, armament was 1-120mm,
TUNG CHI 1895 1900t Scuttled 11.8.37 l-75mm, 4 MG); both were scuttled as blockships in the Yangtze on 11.8.37.
Hai Yung class
HAI YUNG 1897 2954t Scuttled 11.8.37 There were also the small gunboats Yt Shen (1911, 350t) and Shu Shen (1911,
HAI CHOU 1897 2954t Scuttled 11.8.37 380t, both scuttled in 1937 or 1938) and We Feng (1912, 200t, fate unknown).
HAI CHEN 1898 2954t Scuttled 11.8.37 River gunboats comprised Chen Shen (1899, 275t, captured by the Japanese
Hai Chi class c 1937); Li Chieh (tx-V aterland, 1903, 266t, became Manchukuo Navy Lisui
HAI CHI 1898 4300t Scuttled 11.8.37 1932); Li Sui (ex-Otter, 1909, 170t, scrapped 1932); Kiang Hsi and Kiang Kun
Ying Swei class (1911 and 1912, 150t, captured by the Japanese cl937); Hai Ou and Hai Fu
YING SWEI 1911 2750t Sunk 25.10.37 (1916—17, 150t, in service 1930, subsequent fate unknown); Hai Hung and Hai
CHAO HO 1911 2600t Lost 28.9.37 Ku (1916 and 1919, 190t, in service in 1930, subsequent fate unknown); and
Kung Sheng (later Chien Tien, 1922, 279t, in service 1930, subsequent fate
Ying Swei was sunk by the Japanese aircraft in the Yangtze and Chao Ho, unknown). In addition there were the coastal cvzhKuai 1 and Kuai 2 (ex-Italian
disabled by Japanese warships at Canton, was run aground and abandoned. MAS226 and 227, purchased in 1921 and discarded early 1930s).
With the exception of Fu An whose fate is uncertain, the rest were laid up in the
mid-1930s and later sunk as blockships in the Yangtze.

DESTROYERS
Name Launched Disp Fate

CHIEN KANG 1912 390t Sunk 27.9.37

TUNG AN 1912 390t Scuttled Aug 1937
YU CHANG 1912 390t ?

Tung An was scuttled at Tsingtau. Chien Kang was sunk by Japanese aircraft in
the Yangtze; she was later refloated but her subsequent fate and that of Yu
Chang is unkwn.

TORPEDO-BOATS NING HAI class light cruisers

Displacement: 2500t normal
Name Launched Disp Fate Dimensions: 350ft pp, 360ft oa x 39ft x 13ft
CHANG 1895 90t } 106.68, 109.73 x 11.89 x 3.96m
LIEH 1895 90t ? Machinery: 2-shaft geared turbines, coal-fired boilers, 9500shp =
SU 1895 120t ? 22.25kts
CHEN 1895 120t ? Armour: Deck lin, turrets lin
HU PENG c1907-08 97t Sunk 1.10.37 Armament: 6-140mm (3x2), 6-76mm AA (6x 1) (PingHai 3-88mm AA
HU OAH c1907-08 97t Sunk 8.10.37 (3X1)), 4—533mm TT (2x2)
HU YING c1907-08 971 Sunk 8.8.37 Complement: 320
HU TSUIN c1907-08 971 Lost cl937
Name Builder Launched Fate
The fate of the first four is unknown but they were still in service in 1930 and it Sunk 19.9.44
NING HAI Harima 1.10.31
seems likely they were discarded shortly afterwards. The three vessels sunk Kiangnan Dock 29.9.35 Sunk 25.11.44
PING HAI
were lost in the Yangtze to Japanese aircraft.

412
 China
Although nominally classed as light cruisers these unusual vessels could better being moved aft to the quarterdeck where it replaced the 100mm gun of the
be described as large coast defence gunboats. They were of Japanese design, well earlier ships. In other respects the layout was basically the same although there
armed but lightly protected and comparatively slow. Apart from the deck and was some slight variations in the superstructure and the boilers and funnels were
turret plating the only protection was bullet proof plaung on the sides abreast positioned relatively further aft. The machinery power was increased and the
the machinery. They carried two aircraft, one of which was accommodated in a hull form made finer than in the earlier ships to maintain, and fractionally
hangar at the base of the mainmast, and on trials NingHai averaged 24kts with increase, the required speed. She was sunk in 1949 but was later salvaged by the
10,500shp. Ning Hai was laid down in 1930 and completed in 1932. However, Republicans and is reported to have served in the Chinese Fleet until the 1970s.
PingHai was laid down on 9.7.31 in China under Japanese supervision but the
Japanese withdrew their personnel in 1933 and construction came to a standstill.
The project was taken over by a German naval mission in 1935 and the vessel was
completed on 18.6.36 with a German AA armament (the original weapons not
Yat Sen as completed
having been delivered by the Japanese) and some minor variations in superstruc¬
ture design. Both were sunk in shallow water in the Yangtze by Japanese aircraft
on 23.9.37, were later captured by the Japanese, raised, repaired and transferred 3
to the Nanking Government Fleet in 1939. In 1943 they were taken over by the
Japanese Navy, and in June 1944 NingHai was renamed Ioshima and Ping Hai
became Yasoshima. Ioshima was torpedoed by the US submarine Shad south of
Honshu and Yasoshima was sunk by US aircraft in Santa Cruz Bay, Luzon. The
wreck of the latter vessel was raised in 1946 and returned to China for scrapping.
YAT SEN gunboat
SUBMARINES Displacement: 1520t standard
Two coastal submarines were ordered from Germany in 1938 but were taken Dimensions: 256ft 7in pp, 270ft oa x 34ft 5in x lift 2in
over by the German Navy in 1939 and completed in 1940 as the U120 and (7727. 78.20, 82.30 x 10.SO x 3.40m
For full details see under Germany. Machinery: 2-shaft VTE, 3 Yarrow boilers, c6000ihp = 20kts. Coal 280t
Armament: l-152mm, l-140mm, 4— 76mm AA (4x 1), 2-47mm (2x 1)
Complement: 173

HSIEN NING gunboat Yat Sen was generally similar in layout to the earlier gunboats but was much
larger and has often been classified by Western references as a sloop. She was
Displacement: 418t standard
launched at Kiangnan Dock on 12.11.30. The 152mm gun was mounted on the
Dimensions: 170ft pp, 180ft oa x 24ft x 6ft 6in forecastle, the 140mm gun on the quarterdeck and the 76mm AA guns on the
51.82, 54.86 x 7.32 x 1.98m
centre line (in ‘B’ and ‘X’ positions, between the funnels and between the after
Machinery: 2-shaft TE, 2 Yarrow boilers, 2500ihp = 17kts funnel and mainmast). She was damaged in Japanese air attacks and beached at
Armament: l-120mm, l-100mm, 3-57mm (3x1) Nangking on 25.9.37 but was salvaged by the Japanese and reconstructed as a
Complement: 115 TS. Renamed A tada, she was fitted with 3-80mm A A (3x 1) guns, poop deck, a
new rig and a modified bridge structure. She was captured by the Allies in
Launched 16.8.28, Hsien Ning was the first of a series of generally similar August 1945, returned to China on 25.8.46 and renamed Yi Hsien. She remained
gunboats built by the Kiangnan Dock Co, Shanghai and designed to operate in in service with the Nationalist Navy until the 1960s.
the lower, deep-water reaches of the main Chinese rivers and along the coast.
Draught was therefore comparatively shallow although not equal to that of the
type normally classified as river gunboats. She was sunk by Japanese aircraft in
the Yangtze river 1.7.38.
NING class patrol boats
Displacement: 400t standard
Dimensions: 142ft 9in pp x 22ft llin x 6ft 7in
43.50 x 7.00 x 2.00m
Machinery: 1- shaft TE, 1 coal-fired boiler, 600ihp = lOkts
Armament: 2- 57mm (2x1)
Ming Chuen in the 1930s Complement: 44

Class: Chang Ning, Cheng Ning, Chung Ning, Kiang Ning, Wei Ning, Yun Ning,
MING CHEUN class gunboats Fu Ning, Hai Ning, Sui Ning, Suh Ning and Tai Ning.
All built at Shanghai DYd 1932-36. The first six were captured by the
Displacement: 460t standard
Japanese 1937-38 but subsequent fates are unknown except for Wei Ning and
Dimensions: 176ft 9in pp x 26ft x 6ft 6in Yun Ning which became the Japanese Navy Bunsei and Unsei respectively. Both
53.87 x 7.92 x 1.98m
were recaptured by the Allies but only Wei Ning was returned to China - she was
Machinery: 2-shaft TE, 2 Yarrow boilers, 3600ihp = 18kts sunk in 1949 but later salvaged, forming part of the Republican Fleet until the
Armament: l-120mm, l-100mm, l-76mm, 2-57mm (2x1), l-20mm 1960s. The remaining five vessels were scuttled 1937-38.
Complement: 115

Ming Cheun and Ming Sen were built by Kiangnan Dock and launched in 1929 MINELAYERS
and 1931 respectively. In design they were slightly enlarged versions of the TungHsin and Tung Teh (built at Foochow Arsenal 1935; 500t; 12kts; l-76mm,
Hsien Ning with more powerful machinery, giving a lkt increase in speed, and 4—47mm) were both captured by the Japanese September 1937. Their subse¬
with a 76mm gun in place of one of the 57mm weapons. In appearance they were quent fate is unknown
almost identical to the earlier ship. Ming Cheun became the Republican Chang
Chiang after 1949 and is reported to have survived into the late 1970s. Ming Sen
was sunk at Hankow by Japanese aircraft on 3.10.37 but was salvaged by them
and repaired in 1939. She was commissioned in the Japanese Navy as the repair
shipHitonose and was lost 21.12.44 in collision with the merchant vesselKosho.
She was salvaged but subsequently struck a mine and sank.

SMALL GUNBOATS
YUNG SUI gunboat Yung Shen (1928; 300t; 500hp = lOkts; l-76mm, l-57mm), and Jen Shen
(1931; 300t; 500hp = lOkts; l-80mm, l-57mm) were both scuttled c 1937.
Displacement: 650t standard
Dimensions: 223ft pp x 29ft 1 lin X 6ft
67.97 x 9.72 x 1.83m
Machinery: 2-shaft TE, 2 Yarrow boilers, 4000ihp = 18.5kts EX-FOREIGN VESSELS
Armament: l-150mm, l-120mm, 3-76mm (3x1), 4—57mm (4x1), The corvettes Fu Po (ex-HMS Petunia, ‘Flower’ class), was purchased in 1945
l-20mm AA and lost in a collision 19.3.47. For particulars see under Great Britain. The river
Complement: 100 gunboats Ying Shan (ex-HMS Gannet), Ying Hao (ex-HMS Sandpiper), Lung
Huan (ex-HMS Falcon) and Met Yuan (ex-USS Tutuila) were presented to China
Built by Kiangnan Dock and launched in 1929, this vessel was an enlarged by the British and US Governments in February 1942. Ying Hao was scuttled in
version of the Ming Cheun class designed to accommodate a heavier armament. the Yangtze in April 1949 and the remainder, captured by the Communists,
A 150mm gun replaced the 120mm gun on the forecastle, the latter weapon were still in service with the Republican Fleet in the early 1960s.

413
 '*• —J— ~ - ___ *

THE MIDDLE AND FAR EAST/LATIN AMERICA

MTBs
Name Built Builder Disp Length bhp/speed (kts) Armament

KUAI 3-4 1931 Baglietto 18t 52ft 6in (16.00m) 1500/40 2-450mm TT, 2 MG
KUAI 1-2 1934 Thornycroft 14t 55ft (16.76m) 1500/38 2-450mm TT, 2 MG
KUAI 5-8 1936 Thornycroft 14t 55ft (16.76m) 2400/40 2-450mm TT, 2 MG
KUAI 101-103 1937 Lurssen, Vegesack 49t 92ft (28.00m) 3300/36 2-533m TT, l-20mm AA

1 and 2 were purchased to replace the original 1 and 2 discarded in the early
1930s; interned at Hong Kong in 1938, they were purchased by Britain in 1939
and became MTB26 and 27 (both lost 1941). The remainder were probably
destroyed during 1937-38 except 102 which survived to be captured by the
Communists after the war and served in the Republican Navy until the 1960s. In
1936 China ordered a MTB depot ship and several MTBs from Germany but
only 101-103 were delivered. The remaining order (which included purchasing
the existing German S-boats 52-5) was cancelled on the outbreak of the Sino-
Japanese war. The depot ship was completed in 1938 as the German Tanga.

Manchukuo
On 18 September 1931 Japan began to occupy Manchuria and soon gained
control of China’s eastern provinces which she declared an independent state in
1932. The country, of course, remained under Japanese influence although
provided with its own government organisation and armed forces. A number of
gunboats and patrol craft were specially built in Japan to form a Manchukuo
river flotilla, most of which was based on the Amur and its tributaries and these,
together with an ex-Japanese destroyer and a large number of small craft,
formed the independent naval force of the new country. It was to see little
fighting until August 1945 when the Soviet Amur flotilla, in support of the
invading Soviet Army, entered Manchuria from the east. The Manchukuo fleet
is reported to have been captured without a fight and to have been incorporated
in the Soviet force but its fate is by no means certain. The Russians handed over
considerable quantities of arms, captured from the Japanese, to communist
Chinese forces but whether these included any of the river vessels is not known.
RIVER GUNBOATS
Shun Tien and Yang Min (270t, 1934), Ting Pien and Chin Yen (20t, 1935).
These four vessels, specially built by Harima in Japan, were of shallow draught
and heavily armed for their size. Dimensions were 183ft (second pair 195ft) x
29ft x 3ft (55.78 (59.44) x 8.84 x 0.91m). Armament consisted of a twin
120mm DP mounting forward, a single 120mm DP mounting aft and 3 MG
fitted on a lattice tower amidships. They were propelled by diesel engines, the
first pair being designed for 12.5kts with 680bhp and the second pair 13kts with
750bhp; complement 70. Lisui (266t, 1903) ex-Chinese Li Chieh captured by
Japan in 1932 and transferred to Manchukuo. Tatung andLimin (65t, 1933) built
by Mitsubishi, dimensions 100ft x 16ft x 2ft 6in (30.48 x 4.88 x 0.76m) diesel
engines, 240bhp = 10.5kts; armament l-57mm howitzer, 3 MG; complement
20. In addition to the above there were a large number of small patrol vessels,
motor launches, patrol craft and a few ex-Russian vessels operated as gunboats.

DESTROYERS
Hai Wei (ex-Kasi) was transferred from the Japanese Navy in 1937 but returned
in 1943, for full details see under Japan.

Mexico
Although one of the wealthiest nations in Latin America, Mexico has
never developed a substantial navy. She supported the Republican
cause during the Spanish Civil War and purchased three destroyer¬
sized vessels and ten gunboats from that source. During World War II,
she was an active member of the Allied Powers and sustained signifi¬
cant losses to her merchant marine fleet.
In 1922, the Mexican Navy consisted of the cruiser transport Pro¬
greso (launched 1907, 1590t, discarded 1947) and General Guerrero
(1908, 1880t, discarded 1924); the Bravo class gunboat Blanquet (ex-
Morales, 1903, 1200t, discarded 1924) and Bravo (name also cited as
Nicolas Bravo, 1903, 1200t, discarded 1945); the Tampico class gun¬
boats Tampico and Vera Cruz (1902, 980t, discarded 1924); and the
gunboatsP/an de Guadalupe (1892, 824t, discarded 1924), Agua Prieta Durango By courtesy of Robert L Scheina
(1891, purchased 1921, 1200t, discarded 1935) and Zaragoza (1891,
1200t, discarded 1924). ANAHUAC coast defence ship
Querelaro postwer By courtesy of Robert L Scheina
Anahuac (ex-Deodoro) was purchased from Brazil in 1924. She was not modern¬
ised while in Mexican service and was discarded in 1938. See under Brazil.

GUANAJUATO class patrol sloops (launched 1934)

Displacement: 1300t
Dimensions: 260ft pp x 37ft 9in x 10ft
7.92 x 11.51 x 3.05m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 5000shp = 29kts
Armament: 3-4in (3x 1), 4-25mm AA (2x2), 4—13mm AA (2x2)
Complement: 140

Class: Guanajuato, Querelaro, Potosi

Built by Societa Espanol, Ferrol, entered service in 1935 and discarded 1975.
 Mexico/ Colombia/V enezuela

Class: G20-G29
DURANGO class gunboat-transports (launched 1934-35) Constructed by Euskalduna, Bilbao, these ships were of British design, with
Displacement: 1600t German engines and French guns. G24 was discarded in 1945, G20,21,23,26
and 27 in 1954, G22 and 25 in 1956 and G28 in 1963.
Dimensions: 282ft pp x 40ft x 10ft
85.95x12.19x3.05m G25 postwar USN
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, Yarrow boilers, 6500shp =
20kts
Armament: 2-4in (2x 1), 4-25mm AA (2x2), 4-13mm AA (2x2)
Complement: 141

Class (builder, fate): Durango (Levante, Valencia, active 1980), Zacatecas

(Echevarrieta & Larringaga, Cadiz, retained by Spain, never entered Mexican
service).
Accommodation for 490 troops plus 80 horses.

‘G’ class gunboats (launched 1934—35)

Displacement: 130t; 180t full load
Dimensions: 147ft 6in pp, 153ft wl x 16ft 6in x 5ft 3in
44.96, 46.63 x 5.03 x 1.59m
Machinery: 2-shaft MAN diesels, 3000bhp = 26kts
Armament: 2-25mm AA (2x1), 4-13mm AA (2x 1)
Complement: 21

Colombia
Colombia possessed no significant fleet units in 1922. In 1933 a terri¬
torial dispute erupted with Peru in the Amazon Basin, and Colombia
CARTEGENA class river gunboats (launched 1930)
purchased two destroyers from Portugal in an attempt to reinforce her Displacement: 142t
river flotilla; however, the dispute cooled before the units arrived. Only Dimensions: 130ft pp, 137ft 3in oa x 23ft 6in x 2ft 9in
39.62, 41.83 X 7.16 x 0.84m
minor combatants and riverine craft were added to the fleet throughout
Machinery: 2 Gardner semi-diesels, 600bhp = 15.5kts
this period. .
Armament: l-3in, 4 MG
Complement: }

Class (fate): Barranquilla (discarded 1970), Cartagena (active 1980), Santa

Maria (discarded Dec 1962)
A very successful design, built by Yarrow. Hull was galvanised steel and
machinery and magazine areas were fitted with bullet-proof plating. Armament
after 1962 comprised 2-3in, l-20mm, 4 MG.

In 1933 Colombia purchased Antiquois (ex-Douro) and Caldas (ex-Tejo) from

Portugal. These ships were a Yarrow design. Both units were completely
refitted 1954—55, and both were discarded in 1961.

Venezuela
From 1922 to 1946 Venezuela was a ‘gunboat navy’; the nation had not
yet developed her vast natural resources. On strength in 1922 were the General Soublette 1939
gunboats Mariscal Sucre (launched 1886, purchased 1912, 1125t, dis¬
carded 1941), General Salom (1884, 1900, 750t, discarded 1946) and
Miranda (1895, 1898, 200t, discarded 1945). Ex-Italian gunboats (purchased 1938)
Displacement: 615t; 850t full load
Dimensions: 204ft pp x 28ft 6in x 8ft 6in
62.18 x 1.39 x 2.59m
Ex-FLOWER class corvettes (transferred 1946)
Machinery: Reciprocating, 1500ihp = 15kts. Fuel 850t
Class (former name, fate): Carabobo (Kamsack, lost 1946), Constitucion Armament: 2—4in (2xl), l-3in, 2 MG
(Algoma, discarded 1962), Feberacion (Amherst, discarded 1956), Independencia
(.Dunvegan, discarded 1953), Libertad (.Battleford, grounded and discarded Class: General Soublette, General Urdaneta
12.4.1949),Patria (Oakville, discarded 1962), Victoria (Westaskawin, discarded Launched in 1925, both theseDardanelli class units were purchased from the
Italian Navy. Discarded in 1950.
1962).

415
LATIN AMERICA

Brazil
Naval acquisitions lingered from 1922 until the eve of World War II. CRUISERS
Brazil’s resources were taxed by social and political challenges, and
Name Launched Disp Fate
these even manifested themselves in the fleet. Four submarines were
acquired - the ‘poor man’s’ answer to redressing the imbalance of naval BARROSO 1895 3450t Discarded 1931
power vis a vis Argentina. In the Pacific, Peru was opting for the same Rio Grande do Sul class
BAHIA 20.1.1909 3000t Sank 4.7.45
solution vis a vis Chile.
RIO GRANDE 20.4.1909 3000t Discarded 1948
The Navy had become a focal point for social unrest. Leftists were DO SUL
achieving colossal successes in Mexico, Russia and elsewhere. Sailors
were among the best travelled, and thus most exposed to new Bahia and Rio Grande do Sul were completely refitted in Rio de Janeiro 1925-26,
ideologies, and many had been abroad due to ship construction in new engines and boilers being installed by Thornycroft.

foreign yards and for World War I. There had already been a fleet
mutiny in 1910, and fourteen years later Sao Paulo hoisted the red flag DESTROYERS
of rebellion. She prowled Rio de Janeiro’s harbour and fired a six- Name Launched Disp Fate
pound shot into Minas Gerais - but could win no converts. Finally the
Para class
mutineers received asylum in Uruguay and Sao Paulo was returned. 560t Discarded 1939
ALAGOAS 1909
During the early 1930s, the Navy was employed against the Paulist AMAZONAS 1908 560t Discarded 1931
revolutionaries. MATO-GROSSO 23.1.1909 560t Discarded 1945
In 1918 a US naval mission arrived in Brazil and continued to exert PARA 11.7.1908 560t Discarded 1933
PARAIBA 1908 560t Discarded 1944
considerable influence throughout this era. The Naval War College was
PARANA 1910 560t Discarded 20.10.33
dominated by Americans and the organisation of the dreadnoughts was PIAUI 1908 560t Discarded 1944
patterned on the US system. In 1937 the United States attempted to RIO GRANDE DO 1909 560t Discarded 1944
lease six destroyers to Brazil, but the outcry in Argentina was deafen¬ NORTE
ing, the southern neighbour claiming that this would destroy the arms SANTA- 27.10.1909 560t Discarded 1944
CATHARINA
balance between the two nations. Moreover, many in Great Britain saw
SERGIPE 20.5.1910 560t Discarded 1944
this as a threat to a traditional British sales market. The United States Porpoise class
succumbed to the pressure. MARANHAO 1913 934t Discarded 1945
As in World War I, Brazil was an active Allied power in the Second
Maranahao was acquired by Brazil in 1920.
World War. The Navy’s primary duty was patrolling and escorting
convoys in the South Atlantic, but its vessels also took part in the
African and Italian campaigns. The cruiser Bahia was the most signif¬ SUBMARINES
icant war loss; she exploded in 1945 while serving as a guard ship, Name Launched Disp Fate
stationed to provide a rescue site for distressed American pilots.
F class
Brazil began indigenous warship construction during this period. FI 11.6.1913 250t/305t Discarded 18.11.33
She built three Marcilio Dias class destroyers, six Acre class destroyers, F3 9.11.1913 250t/305t Discarded 18.11.33
six Henrique Dias class trawlers and six Carioca class minelayers, plus F5 1913 250t/305t Discarded 18.11.33
small units, although admittedly the destroyers were based on the US
In 1922 the Brazilian Navy also had in commission the submarine tender Ceara
Mahan design and the Royal Navy Hero design respectively. These
(launched 1915, 4100t, discarded 1946); the training ship Benjamin Constant
ships took an exceedingly long time to build, yet they represented an (launched 1892, 2750t, disarmed 2.3.26); the torpedo-boat tender Belmonte
impressive beginning for a new industry. (e.x-Palmares, ex-Valesia, launched 1912, 5227t, discarded 1961); and the river
gunboat Pernambuco (launched 1910, 470t, discarded 1948). There were also

THE BRAZILIAN NAVY IN 1922 numerous minor river gunboats.

Minas Gerais 1940

BATTLESHIPS
Name Launched Disp Fate
JURUENA class destroyers
Deodoro class
DEODORO 18.6.1898 3162t Sold 1924 The Brazilian Navy ordered six ‘H’ class destroyers from Great Britain in 1938.
FLORIANO 6.7.1899 3162t Discarded 1936 While under construction, five (the sixth was not yet begun) were appropriated
Minas Gerais class by the Royal Navy at the outbreak of the war. The units were to be named
MINAS GERAIS 10.9.1908 19,200t Discarded 1953 Jaguaribe ,Japura ,Javary ,Jurua ,Juruena and Jutahy. For full details see under
SAO PAULO 19.4.1909 19,200t Discarded 1951 Great Britain.

Minas Gerais class

Minas Gerais was reconstructed between 1931 and 1935. She was converted to
burn oil, new turbo-generators replaced the dynamos, and 2-4.7in AA guns
were added. The two funnels were trunked into one. Sao Paulo was to have
received a similar refit; however, this was not executed due to the poor condition
of her hull and machinery.

416
 Brazil

Timbira 1952

TUPI class submarines

Displacement: 620t/853t
Dimensions: 196ft 9in oa x 21ft X 15ft
60.00 x 6.40 x 4.60m
MARCILIO DIAS class destroyers Machinery: 2-shaft Fiat diesels, plus electric motor, 1350bhp/800hp =
Displacement: 1500t; 2200t full load 14kts/7.5kts
Dimensions: 341ft pp, 357ft oa x 34ft lOin x 9ft lOin Armament: 6-21in TT (4 bow, 2 stern), 1-3.9in, 2-13mm
103.94, 108.81 x 10.61 x 2.99m Complement: 42
Machinery: 2-shaft General Electric geared turbines, 4 boilers, 42,800shp
= 36.5kts. Oil 550t Name Builder Launched Fate
Armament: 4—5in (4x 1), 4-40mm, 4—20mm, 4-21in (1x4) TAMOIO OTO, Muggiano 14.2.1937 Discarded 1960
Complement: 190 TIMBIRA OTO, Muggiano 30.12.1936 Discarded 1960
TUPI OTO, Muggiano 28.11.1936 Discarded 1960
Name Builder Launched Fate
Formerly the Italian submarines Ascianghi, Gondar and Neghelli respectively.
GREENHALGH Ilha das Cobras 8.7.1941 Discarded 1966
Designed for a diving limit of 165ft. Entered service 14.3.38.
MARCILIO DIAS Ilha das Cobras 20.7.1940 Discarded 1966
MARIZ E BARROS Ilha das Cobras 28.12.1940 Discarded 1972

These ships, which commissioned late 1943-44, were based on the US Mahan
design and were also known as the ‘M’ class.

Ex-US destroyer escorts

Class (former name, transferred, fate): Babitonga (DE101 Alger, 10.3.45,
discarded 1964), Baependi (DE99 Cannon, 19.12.44, discarded 1974), Bauru
(DE177 Reybold, 15.8.44, discarded 1975), Beberibe (DE178 Herzog, 1.8.44,
discarded 1968), Benevente (DE100 Christopher, 19.12.44, discarded 1975),
Bertioga (DE175 Pennewill, 1.8.44, discarded 1964), Bocaina (DE174Afam,
20.3.45, discarded 1975), Bracui (DE179 McAnn, 15.8.44, discarded 1974).
Ex-‘DET’ class destroyer escorts.
Displacement: 1340t; 1800t full load
Dimensions: 323ft oa x 35ft x 8ft 6in
98.45 x 10.67 x 2.59m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 boilers, 34,000shp =
35.5kts. Oil 450t
Armament: 4—5in (4x 1), 2-40mm (1x2), 4-20mm (4x 1), 8 DC throw¬
ers, 2 DC racks
Complement: 150

Name Builder Launched Fate

ACRE Ilha das Cobras 30.5.1945 Discarded 1974

AJURICABA Ilha das Cobras 30.5.1945 Discarded 1964 Henrique Dias 1946
AMAZONAS Ilha das Cobras 20.11.1943 Discarded 1973
APA Ilha das Cobras 30.5.1945 Discarded 1964
ARAGUARY Ilha das Cobras 14.7.1946 Discarded 1974 HENRIQUE DIAS class trawlers (corvettes) (launched
ARAGUAYA Ilha das Cobras 20.11.1943 Discarded 1974
1942-43)
This class was built to replace six ‘H’ class units requisitioned by Great Britain at Displacement: 813t; 920t full load
the outbreak of World War II. They were basically ‘H’ class destroyers modified Dimensions: 160ft pp,
dd, 176ft 6in oa x 28ft x 16ft
with American equipment. The first to complete, Araguaya, was not commis¬ 48.77, 53.80 x 8.53 x 4.88m
sioned until 3.9.49; the last,Ajuricaba, entered service in December 1951. Machinery: TE, lOOOihp = 12.5kts. Coal
Armament: 2-76mm (2x 1), 4 DC throwers

Class (former name, launched, fate): Barreto de Menezes (Paru, Feb 1945,
discarded 1960), Felipe Camarao (.Papaterra, July 1942, discarded 1960), Fer¬
nandes Vieira (Parati, 11.6.42, discarded 1953), Henrique Dias (Pargo, 26.8.42,
discarded 1960), Mathias de Albuquerque (Pampano, 11.6.42, discarded 1952),
Vidal de Negreiros (Pelegnme, 1942, discarded 1951).
All units were built by Henrique Lage, Uha do Viana. Laid down in 1941 for
Humaita 1939 the Royal Navy and transferred to the Brazilian Navy 24.8.42 while under
construction.

HUM AIT A submarine

Displacement: 1390t/1884t
Dimensions: 285ft 5in oa x 25ft 7in x 13ft 2in
87.00 x 7.80 x 4.00m
Machinery: 2-shaft Ansaldo diesels, plus electric motor, 4900bhp/900hp
= 18.5kts/9.5kts
6-21 in TT (4bow, 2 stern), l-4in, 16 mines
RIO PARDO submarine-chaser (launched 1943)
Armament:
Complement: 61 Displacement: 132t
Dimensions: 120ft pp, 128ft oa x 21ft x 5ft 9in
Name Builder Launched Fate 36.58, 39.01 x 6.40 x 1.75m

OTO, Muggiano 11.6.1927 Discarded 1951 Machinery: 3 diesels, 1890bhp = 20kts

HUMAITA
Armament: 20mm
This boat, a modified Balilla, was designed for deep diving and commissioned
25.3.29. Innovations included placing the diesel and electric motors well for¬ Rio Pardo, launched 29.11.43, was converted to a transport in 1952. Built by
ward, elimination of bow planes, and novel distribution of ballast tanks. Uha das Cobras, Rio de Janeiro; designed indigenously.

417
 {PC605, 14.6.43, discarded 1952), Gurupi {PC547, 26.9.42, discarded 1960);
Jacui (SC1288,19.5.43, discarded 1951 ),Jaguarao {SC765, 16.2.43, discarded
1951), Jaguaribe (SC767, 16.2.43, discarded 1951), Javari {SC763, 7.12.42,
discarded 1951), Judiai (SC1289, 26.4.43, discarded 1951), Jurua {SC764,
31.12.44, discarded 1951), Juruena (SC766, 31.12.42, discarded 1951), Jutai
(.SC762, 31.12.42, discarded 1951).

PARNAIBA. river gunboat (launched 2.9.37)

Displacement: 595t
Dimensions: 178ft 3in wl, 180ft 6in oa x 33ft 6in x 5ft
54.33, 55.02 x 10.21 x 1.52m
The launching ceremony of the Camaqua, 16.9.1939 By courtesy of Robert L Scheina Machinery: 2 sets Thornycroft TE, 1300ihp = 12kts
Armour: See notes
CARIOCA class minelayers (launched 1938-39) Armament: 1-4.7in, 2^17mm, 6-20mm
Complement: ?
Displacement: 552t
Dimensions: 188ft 9in pp x 25ft x 8ft Built by the Uha das Cobras, Rio de Janeiro; currently in service. Sides and deck
57.50 x 7.62 x 2.44m partially armoured, but excessive draught causes her to be inactive for part of the
Machinery: 2 shafts, 2 sets TE, 2200ihp = 14kts. Fuel 70t year. Re-armed 1960 with l-3in, 2^17mm, 2-40mm, 6-20mm.
Armament: 2-4in (2x 1), 4—20mm, 50 mines
Complement: 97

Class (launched, fate): Cabedelo (16.9.39, discarded 1960), Camaqua (16.9.39,

lost 21.7.44), Camocim (28.10.39, discarded 1960), Cananela (22.10.38, dis¬
carded 1960),Caravelas (14.9.39, discarded 1960),Carioca (22.10.38, discarded
PARAGUACU river gunboat (launched 22.12.38)
1960). Displacement: 430t
Dimensions: 146ft 4in oa x 34ft 9in wl x 5ft
44.60 x 10.58 x 1.52m
Machinery: 2 sets reciprocating engines, llOOihp = 13kts
Armour: See notes
Ex-US submarine chasers Armament: l-47in, 2^17mm, 6-20mm
Complement: ?
Class (former number, transferred, fate): Goiana {PC554 2.5.42, discarded
1952), Grajau (PC1236, 17.11.43, discarded 1960), Grauna (PCS61, 6.12.43, Built by Ilha das Cobras, Rio de Janeiro; discarded 1972. Re-armed 1960 with
discarded 1960), Guaiba (PC604, 14.6.43, discarded 1952), Guajara {PC607, l-3in, 2-47mm, 2^40mm, 6-20mm. Sides and deck partially armoured. Acuve
22.10.43, discarded 1960), Guapore {PC544,26.9.42, discarded 1958), Gurupa only at certain times of year owing to deep draught.

Paraguay
Humaita C W Beilstein Collection

Paraguay is one of two South American nations without a coastline.

However, navigable rivers form much of her international boundaries
and penetrate deep into her interior. Between 1933 and 1935 Paraguay
and Bolivia fought the Chaco War, during which Humaita and Para¬
guay were employed as transports. Paraguay succeeded in capturing
about three-quarters of the disputed territory.

PARAGUAY class armoured river gunboats

Displacement: 745t; 865t full load
Dimensions: 231ft 6in oa x 35ft x 7ft 6in
70.56 x 10.67 x 22.86m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 2 Thornycroft boilers,
6000shp = 17kts. Oil 150t
Armour: Deck 0.33in, sides 0.5in, CT 0.75in
Armament: 2-4.7in (2x 1), 3-3in AA (3x 1), 2—40mm AA
Complement: 86

Class: Humaita, Paraguay

Built by Odero, Sestri Ponente, launched 1930, commissioned May 1931 and
still (1980) active.

418
 Uruguay/Argentina

Uruguay
Rio Negro 1939

PAYSANDU class patrol craft (launched 1935)

Displacement: 180t
Dimensions: 137ft 6in x 19ft X 5ft 4in
41.90 x 5.80 x 1.65m
Machinery: 2 Germania diesels, lOOObhp = 17kts
Armament: See notes
Complement: ?
Uruguay has traditionally possessed no more than a modest harbour
Class (fate): Paysandu (discarded 1963), Rio Negro (discarded 1969), Salto
protection force. In 1922 the Navy consisted of the cruiser Montevideo
(active 1980)
(launched 1885, purchased 1908, 2050t, discarded 1932) and the tor¬ Built by CNR, Ancona. Typical armament was 2-20mm (2x1), l-37mm,
pedo gunboat Uruguay (12.4.1910, 1150t, discarded 1953). 1 MG, but this varied. Used for training as well as patrol.

Argentina
Throughout the first half of the twentieth century, Argentina possessed
the strongest navy in Latin America. During the first decade, she had
Almirante Brown class
been unsuccessfully challenged for fleet superiority by her principal ALMIRANTE BROWN 6.10.1880 4300t Discarded 17.11.32
rivals, Brazil and Chile. This superiority continued until the final years Lihertad class
of World War II. At that time, the Argentine position vis a vis Brazil INDEPENDENCE 26.2.1891 2300t Discarded 1951
LIBERTAD 11.12.1890 2300t Discarded 16.12.46
began to deteriorate; Brazil was reaping the rewards of being an active
(ex-Nueve de Julio)
Allied power.
Rivadavia class
During its period of superiority, the Argentine fleet was maintained MORENO 23.9.1911 27,700t Sold 8.2.56
only through considerable national sacrifice. By the mid- 1920s the fleet RIVADAVIA 26.8.1911 27,700t Sold 8.2.56
had become almost totally obsolete; most first-line units had been built
Rivadavia class
in the 1880s and 1890s, the only significant exceptions being the two
Both ships were modernised 1924—26, being converted to oil-firing and having a
dreadnoughts, Moreno and Rivadavia. Argentina undertook a massive new fire control system installed.
programme to revitalise her navy. From 1924 until 1926, battleships
were reconstructed along the lines of their American near-sisters, and CRUISERS
in 1926 Argentina authorised an expenditure of 75 million gold pesos to
be apportioned over 10 years for a naval programme. Remarkably, this Name Launched Disp Fate

programme survived almost intact. Argentina purchased two heavy PATAGONIA 1885 1400t Discarded 16.11.27
cruisers, a light cruiser, twelve destroyers, and three submarines, so, as NUEVE DE JULIO 26.7.1892 3500t Discarded 23.10.30
BUENOS AIRES 10.5.1895 4500t Discarded 17.5.32
World War II began, Argentina possessed a moderately sized modern
Garibaldi class
fleet. GARIBALDI 27.5.1895 6700t Discarded 20.3.34
Argentina was the last of the ‘ABC’ powers to join the submarine GENERAL 1896 7 lOOt Discarded 8.5.47
race. The method of acquisition was no less controversial than when BELGRANO
PUEYRREDON 25.7.1898 6800t Discarded 2.8.54
Argentina had obtained her dreadnoughts. A naval commission headed
SAN MARTIN 25.5.1896 6700t Discarded 18.12.35
by Rear-Admiral Galindez travelled throughout Europe requesting
bids. Desired qualities were selected from competing firms, and Patagonia was transformed into a hydrographic ship in 1905 and a transport in
revised bids sought, but firms believed that trade secrets had been 1917.
compromised. After considerable controversy, Galindez selected Can-
tiere Navale Franco Tosi of Taranto, Italy, to construct Argentina’s DESTROYERS
first submarine.
Name Launched Disp Fate
Argentina, like the remainder of Latin America, did not have the
capacity to build warships of destroyer size or larger, yet a significant Corrientes class (modified RN ‘A’ class)
CORRIENTES 1896 280t Discarded 23.10.30
beginning was made to develop an indigenous shipbuilding capability.
ENTRE RIOS 11.7.1896 280t Discarded 23.10.30
Nine Bouchard class minesweepers were built during the late 1930s and 1897 280t Discarded 23.10.30
MISIONES
these were followed up by two King class patrol vessels. Admittedly, La Plata class
these programmes were small and suffered from long delays; however, CORDOBA 1911 890t Discarded 10.1.56
LA PLATA 1911 890t Discarded 10.1.57
they did contribute to an industrial base needed to build larger war¬
Jujuy class
ships. CATAMARCA 1911 10101 Discarded 10.1.56
JUJUY 15.4.1912 lOlOt Discarded 10.1.56

In addition to the above, the Argentine Navy in 1922 also operated 4 Bathurst
THE ARGENTINE NAVY IN 1922 class (modified RN Type 79) coastal torpedo-boats, Bathurst, Buchardo, Jorge
and Thome (launched 1890, 90t, discarded 1926-27); 2 Comodoro Py class
(modified Ariete class) coastal torpedo-boats, Comodaro Py and Comodaro Mura-
ture (launched 1891, llOt, discarded 1926-27); the sea-going torpedo gunboat
BATTLESHIPS _ Patria (launched 1893, llOOt, discarded 1927); the coastal gunboat Uruguay
Name Launched Disp Fate (launched 6.3.1874, 550t, converted to hydrographic ship 1903, decommis¬
sioned 16.11.27 and now preserved); the Rosario class river gunboats Rosario
El Plata class and Parana (launched 1908, 1050t, sold 23.7.59 and 14.9.56 respectively); and
EL PLATA 29.8.1874 1500t Discarded 16.11.27 the training ship Presidente Sarmiento (launched 31.8.1897, 2733t, decommis¬
LOS ANDES 29.10.1875 1500t Discarded 16.11.27 sioned 1961, preserved).

419
LATIN AMERICA

Almirante Brown 1931

VEINTICINCO DE MAYO class cruisers

Displacement: 6800t; 9000t full load
Dimensions: 560ft 4in oa x 58ft 6in x 15ft 4in
170.80 x 17.82 x 17.40m
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 6 Yarrow boilers, 85,OOOshp
= 32kts. Oil 180t
Armour: Deck lin, sides 2.75in, CT 2.33in, turrets 2in
Armament: 6-7.5in (3x2), 12-3.9in (6x2), 6-40mm (6x1), 6-21in TT
(2x3)
Complement: 600

Name Builder Launched Fate

ALMIRANTE BROWN OTO, Sestri 28.9.1929 Discarded 27.6.61

VEINTICINCO OTO, Leghorn 11.8.1929 Discarded 24.3.60
DE MAYO

Modified Trento class vessels which entered service 5.7.31 and were widely
employed. Although often criticised in naval publications as attempting too
much for their displacement, these cruisers were very popular in the Argentine
Navy.
Veinticinco de Mayo prewar USN

- La Argentina 1946

LA ARGENTINA cruiser BUENOS AIRES class destroyers

Displacement: 6500t; 7500t (full load) Displacement: 1375t
Dimensions: 510ft pp, 541ft 2in oa x 56ft 6in x 16ft 6in Dimensions: 320ft wl, 323ft oa x 34ft 8in x 10ft 6in
155.45, 164.93 x 17.22 x 5.03m 97.54, 98.45 x 10.58 x 3.20m
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 Yarrow boilers, 54,000shp Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 boilers, 34,000shp =
= 30kts. Oil 1500t 35.5kts. Oil 450t
Armour: Deck 2in, sides 3in, CT 3in, turrets 2in Armament: 4-4.7in (4x 1), 8-2pdr, 8-21 in TT (2x4)
Armament: 9-6in (3x3), 4—4in (4x 1), 8-2pdr (8x1), 6-21in TT (2x3) Complement: 130
Complement: 556 + 60 cadets
Name Builder Launched Fate
Name Builder Launched Fate
BUENOS AIRES Vickers- 21.9.1937 Discarded 1971
LA ARGENTINA ’ ’ickers- 16.4.1937 Discarded 1974 Armstrong,
Armstrong, Barrow
Barrow CORRIENTES Vickers- 21.9.1937 Collision 3.10.41
Armstrong,
A modified Arethusa class ship specifically designed as a training cruiser to Barrow
replace the old training ship Presidente Sarmiento. Scheduled to be delivered in ENTRE RIOS Vickers- 21.9.1937 Discarded 1973
early 1938, she was delayed due to British re-armament and did not enter service Armstrong,
until 31.1.39. Barrow
MISIONES Cammell Laird 23.9.1937 Discarded 3.5.71
San Luis postwar By courtesy of Robert L Scheina SAN JUAN John Brown 24.6.1937 Discarded 1973
SAN LUIS John Brown 23.8.1937 Discarded 3.5.71
SANTA CRUZ Cammell Laird 3.11.1937 Discarded 1973

Modified British ‘G’ class destroyers, commissioned 1937-38. Corrientes was

lost in a collision with Almirante Brown. One set of quad TT was removed in
1956.
La Argentina as completed

420
Cervantes as completed
Salta 1936

SANTA FE class submarines

Displacement: 775t/920t
Dimensions: 227ft lin oa x 21ft 8in x 16ft 6in
CHURUCCA class destroyers 69.24 x 6.68 x S.OSm
Displacement: 1522t; 2087t full load Machinery: 2-shaft Tosi diesels, plus electric motors, 3000bhp/1400hp =
Dimensions: 318ft 3in oa x 31ft 6in x 10ft 6in 17.5kts/9kts
97.00 x 9.60 x 3.20m Armament: 8-2lin TT (4 bow, 4 stern), l-4in, l-37mm
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 boilers, 42,000shp Complement: 40

Armament: 5-4.7in (5xl), l-3in, 4 MG, 6-2lin TT (2x3) Name Builder Launched Fate
Complement: 160 SALTA Tosi 17.1.1932 Discarded 5.4.61
SANTA FE Tosi 28.7.1931 Discarded 23.4.59
Name Builder Launched Fate
SANTIAGO Tosi 28.3.1932 Discarded 23.4.59
CERVANTES La Carraca, June 1925 Discarded 24.6.61 DEL ESTERO

JUAN DE GARRAY La Carraca, 2.11.1925 Discarded 25.3.60 The agreement to build these submarines included an Italian understanding to
Cartagena purchase agricultural products from Argentina; in addition, Argentina had to
purchase aircraft from France in order to compensate that country for the
Originally intended for the Spanish Navy but purchased by Argentina while withdrawal from an earlier order for submarines. The boats entered service
under construction, entering service in 1926-27. 1932-33.

BOUCHARD class minesweepers (launched 1936-39)

Displacement: 450t; 520t full load
Dimensions: 193ft 6in oa x 23ft 1 lin x 7ft 5in
59.00 x 7.30 x 2.27m
Machinery: 2-shaft MAN diesels, 2000bhp = 16kts. Oil 50t
Armament: 2-3.9in (2x1), 2-40mm (2x 1), 2 MG
Complement: 62

Class (builder, fate): Bouchard (Rio Santiago, to Paraguay Feb 1964), Drum¬
mond (Rio Santiago, discarded 28.3.64),Fournier (Sanchez, San Fernando, lost
22.9.49), Granville (Rio Santiago, discarded 19.12.67), Parker (Sanchez, San
Fernando, discarded 23.7.63),Py (Rio Santiago, discarded 20.11.67),Robinson
(Hansen y Puccini, San Fernando, discarded 19.12.67), Seaver (Hansen y
La Rioja before 1952 G von Rauch Collection Puccini, San Fernando, discarded 20.11.67), Spiro (Rio Santiago, discarded
14.3.62).
These were the first modern warships built in Argentina. Fournier struck an
MENDOZA class destroyers uncharted rock at the entrance of the San Gabriel Channel and sank.

Displacement: 1570t; 2120t full load

Dimensions: 332ft 3in wl, 335ft oa X 31ft 9in x 12ft 6in
101.27, 102.11 x 9.68 x 3.81m
KING class patrol vessels (launched 1943-45)
Machinery: 2-shaft Parsons geared turbines, 4 boilers, 42,000shp =
36kts. Oil 540t Displacement: 900t; 1030t full load
Armament: 5-4.7in (5x1), l-3in, 2-2pdr, 6-2lin TT (2x3) Dimensions: 252ft 7in oa x 29ft 6in X 13ft 2in
Complement: 160 77.00 x 9.00 x 4.00m
Machinery: 2-shaft Werkspoor diesels, 2500bhp = 18kts. Oil 90t
Name Builder Launched Fate Armament: 3-3.9in (3x1), 4-40m
White 26.1.1929 Discarded 30.4.62 Complement: 130
LA RIOJA
MENDOZA White 13.7.1928 Discarded 30.4.62
White 10.10.1928 Discarded 30.4.62 Class (builder, fate): King (Rio Santiago, extant 1980),Murature (Rio Santiago,
TUCUMAN
extant 1980).
Modified ‘Scott’ class vessels, commissioned September 1929. 38kts were main¬ These units were begun as minelayers, of which there were to have been four.
tained for 6 hours on trials of Mendoza and Tucuman; La Rioja touched 39.4kts The other two units were completed as anti-submarine frigates Piedra Buena
without running machinery in excess of designed power. and Azopardo some years later.
LATIN AMERICA

Nationally and internationally, the Chilean Navy has been reputed to Name Launched Disp Fate
be a first class fighting force; only in this Latin American republic has
Capitan O’Brien class
the Navy had more prestige than the Army. The fleet’s victory in the 1898 350t Discarded 1924
CAPITAN O’BRIEN
War of the Pacific (1879-83), followed by its spectacular success in the Capitan Thompson class
Revolution of 1891, created a reputation of invincibility, which lasted CAPITAN THOMPSON 1898 480t Discarded 1924
until 1931. Almirante Lynch class
ALMIRANTE 1913 1430t Discarded 1945
From August until November 1931, the fleet was in a state of
CONDELL
mutiny. The causes were the complex political, social and economic ALMIRANTE LYNCH 1912 1430t Discarded 1945
problems which confronted the nation. On 6 September 1931 a Almirante Williams class
‘hotch-potch’ of 22 aircraft attacked the fleet. Although little damage ALMIRANTE RIVEROS 1914 1700t Discarded 1933
ALMIRANTE 1914 1700t Discarded 1933
was done, the impact of the air raid was devastating. The mutiny,
WILLIAMS
which was more a protest, was broken and, more importantly, the 1700t Discarded 1933
ALMIRANTE URIBE 1914
prestige of the fleet nationally was degraded. The dreadnought
Almirante Latorre, which had just been modernised with a new anti¬ Guardiamarine Riquelme was renamed Lientur in 1928.
aircraft armament, was ineffective. It took years to rebuild public
confidence in the fleet. SUBMARINES
The Chilean Navy has had a long kinship with the Royal Navy. A
Name Launched Disp Fate
British naval mission was established in 1923 and survived until 1932.
During this period, Chile purchased British-built destroyers and sub¬ FRESIA 1915 364t/435t Discarded 1953
GUACOLDA 1915 364t/435t Discarded 1949
marines; unlike Argentina and Brazil, Chile made no attempt to estab¬
GUALA 1915 364t/435t Discarded 1953
lish significant indigenous warship construction during 1922-46. QUIDORA 1915 364t/435t Discarded 1945
Throughout its history, the Chilean Navy has been credited with RUCUMILLA 1915 364t/435t Discarded 1945
maintaining its ships in first-class order, often in spite of age. Testify¬ TEGUALDA 1915 364t/435t Discarded 1945
ing to this, the United States attempted unsuccessfully to obtain
In addiuon to the above, the Chilean Navy in 1922 also operated the Injeniero
Almirante Latorre, some destroyers, and a submarine tender shortly
class torpedo-boats Capitan Manuel Thompson, Cirujano Videla, Guardiamarina
after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Contreras, Injeniero Hyatt, Injeniero Mutilla and Teniente Rodriguez (launched
1896-98, 140t, discarded 1922-27); the training ship Baquedano (1898, 2500t,

THE CHILEAN NAVY IN 1922 sold 1955; often referred to incorrectly as General Baquedano)-, the transports
Maipo (ex-Manitoba, 1901,6600t, retired 1929) andRancagua (ex-Idaho, 1898,
8600t, discarded 1931); and the collier Angamos (ex-Citta di Venezia, 1890,
BATTLESHIPS 5975t, lost 6.7.28).

Name Launched Disp Fate

HUASCAR 1865 1130t Extant 1980 as

museum
ALMIRANTE 1874 3500t Discarded 1933
COCHRANE
CAPITAN PRAT Sept 1890 690 It Discarded 1936
ALMIRANTE 17.11.1913 28,000t Discarded 1959
LATORRE

Almirante Latorre was modernised 1929-31 in Britain: her machinery was con-
verted to burri oil, new fire control equipment was installed, anti-torpedo bulges
were added, and the main armament elevation was increased.

CRUISERS
Name Launched Disp Fate
In
Serrano on builder’s trials
PRESIDENTE 1890 2 lOOt Discarded 1930
ERRAZURIZ
SERRANO class destroyers
BLANCO ENCALADA 1893 4420t Discarded 1945
MINISTRO ZENTENO 1896 3600t Discarded 1930 Displacement: 1090t; 1430t full load
CHACABUCO 1898 4300t Discarded 1959 Dimensions: 288ft 3in pp, 300ft oa x 29ft x 12ft 8in
ESMERALDA 1896 7000t Discarded 1930 87.86, 91.44 x 8.84 x 3.86m
O’HIGGINS 1898 8500t Discarded 1958 Machinery: 2- shaft Parsons geared turbines, 3 Thornycroft boilers,
28,000shp = 35kts. Oil 320t
Armament: 3- 4.7in (3x 1), l-3in AA, 3 MG, 2 DC throwers, 6-2 lin TT
(2x3), mines
DESTROYERS Complement: 130
Name Launched Disp Fate
Name Builder Launched Fate
Capitan Orella class
ALDEA Thornycroft 29.11.1928 Discarded 1957
CAPITAN MUNOZ 1896 300t Discarded 1924
HYATT Thornycroft 21.7.1928 Discarded 1963
GAMERO
ORELLA Thornycroft 8.3.1928 Discarded 1967
CAPITAN ORELLA 1896 300t Discarded 1924
RIQUELME Thornycroft 28.5.1928 Discarded 1963
GUARDIAMARINE 1896 300t Discarded 1924
SERRANO Thornycroft 25.1.1928 Discarded 1967
RIQUELME
VIDELA Thornycroft 16.10.1928 Discarded 1960
TENIENTE SERRANO 1896 300t Discarded 1924
Capitan Merino Jarpa class
Units were fitted for service in a wide range of climates. All exceeded their
CAPITAN MERINO 1898 32 It Discarded 1924
contracted speed on trials. Entered service Sept 1928 (Serrano) and 1929 (the
JARPA
rest).

422
Almirame Simpson as completed By courtesy of Robert L Scheina

CAPITAN O’BRIEN class submarines Ex-FLOWER class corvettes (transferred 1946)

Displacement: 1540t/2020t
Class (former name, fate): Casma (Stellanton, discarded 1969), Chipana
Dimensions: 260ft pp x 28ft x 13ft 6in (,Strathroy, discarded 1969), Papudo (Thorlock, discarded 1967)
79.25 x 8.53 x 4.15m
Purchased from the RCN.
Machinery: 2-shaft diesels plus electric motors, 2750bhp/1300hp =
15kts/9kts Araucano as completed
Armament: 8-21in TT (6 bow, 2 stern), 1-4.7in
Complement: 54

Name Builder Launched Fate

ALMIRANTE Vickers- 15.1.1929 Discarded 1957

SIMPSON Armstrong,
Barrow
CAPITAN O’BRIEN Vickers- 2.10.1928 Discarded 1957
Armstrong,
Barrow
CAPITAN THOMPSON Vickers- 15.1.1929 Discarded 1958
Armstrong,
Barrow ARAUCANO depot ship (launched 22.10.29)
Modified British ‘O’ class. Recognition feature was large conning tower, Displacement: 9000t
encompassing one-third of the deck and mounting a Vickers 4.7in gun in a Dimensions: 390ft x 55ft x 16ft 6in
118.87 x 16.76 x 5.03m
turret. Entered service May-September 1929.
Machinery: Parsons geared turbines, 2400shp = 13kts
Armament: 2-4.7in, 5-20mm
?
Ex-RIVER class frigates Complement:

Class (former name, fate): Covadonga (Sea Cliff, discarded 1967), Esmeralda Built by Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow. Designed as submarine depot ship but
(Glace Bay, discarded 1968), Iquique (Joliette, discarded 1968) used as flagship and training vessel. Carried a seaplane for a while. Discarded
Purchased from the RCN. 1958.

Peru
For the Peruvian Navy, the period 1922-46 was one of continuing
border disputes, centred mostly in the Amazon Basin. In 1933 a
class warships purchased, and Peru had not developed any basis for
indigenous construction.
struggle with Colombia was renewed, last having flared up in 1910. The
old cruiser Lima, along with destroyer Rodriguez, was rushed from
Callao, through the Panama Canal, and up the Amazon. The destroyers THE PERUVIAN NAVY IN 1922
Guise and Villar were purchased from Estonia and hurried directly to
the Amazon. To support this makeshift river flotilla, the Peruvian
flagship Almirante Grau and two ‘R’ class submarines were sent to CRUISERS
Belem do Para, Brazil, to control the mouth of the Amazon. Learning Launched Disp Fate
Name
that Colombia had purchased two Portuguese destroyers, Guise and
LIMA 1881 1790t Discarded 1940,
Villar were despatched to the Caribbean to patrol the Colombian coast, hulked
but they failed to intercept their prey. The situation stabilised, and the Almirante Grau class
fleet was withdrawn to Callao and Iquitos. In 1941 the Peruvian Navy ALMIRANTE GRAU 1906 3200t Discarded 1958
had a similar confrontation with Ecuador. CORONEL 1906 3200t Discarded 1958
Administratively, the Peruvian Navy was much influenced by US BOLOGNESI

naval missions at this time. North Americans dominated fleet com¬

Almirante Grau class
mands from 1920 until 1933 and, to a much lesser extent, from 1937 to Both ships were extensively overhauled in 1924: this included conversion from
1946. During the early period, Americans held key positions such as coal to oil and the installation of Italian fire-control systems.
Chief of Naval General Staff; Director, Naval Academy; Commander,
Naval Station; Chief of Staff, Naval Squadron, and Director of
DESTROYER
Administration. In 1924 an American was even commander of Peru¬ Name Launched Disp Fate
vian forces afloat, flying his flag on board Almirante Grau. 1909 490t Discarded 1939,
RODRIGUEZ
Ship acquisitions were very modest. The War of the Pacific hulked
(1879-83) had devastated Peru, and the economic repercussions
extended through the 1922-46 period. Submarines were the only first- Often incorrectly cited as Teniente Rodriguez.

423
LATIN AMERICA/MINOR NAVAL FORCES
There was also the river gunboat America (launched 1904, 240t) which
currently (1980) lies at Iquitos; there are plans to retain her as a museum ship.
Peru also operated numerous small river craft in 1922.

Ex-Estonian destroyers
In 1933 Peru purchased two much-travelled destroyers from Estonia, Guise
(■ex-Lennuk) and Villar (ex-Vambola). They were rushed from the Baltic to the
Peruvian Amazon where they served out their careers. Guise was discarded
c 1947 and Villar c 1954. The ships are often incorrectly referred to as Almirante R2 postwar Author’s Collection
Guise and Almirante Villar. See under USSR and Estonia.
Commissioned 12.12.26 (Rl, R2) and in 1928 (R3, R4). R5 and R6 were
projected in 1926 but never funded. All received major refits 1935-36 and
1955-56. The boats were renamed Islay, Casma, Pacocha and Arica, respec¬
‘R’ class submarines
tively, in 1957.
Displacement: 576t/755t
Dimensions: 178ft 6in pp, 186ft 3in oa x 17ft 6in X 15ft
54.41, 56.77 x 5.33 x 4.57m LORETA class river gunboats (launched 1934)
Machinery: 2-shaft Nelseco diesels plus electric motors, 800bhp/1000hp
= 14.5kts/9.5kts Displacement: 250t
Armament: 4—21in TT (bow), l-3in Dimensions: 153ft x 22ft x 4ft 6in
46.33 x 6.71 x 1.37m
Complement: 30
Machinery: 2 diesels, 700bhp = 15kts
Name Builder Launched Fate Armament: 4—3in, 2-20mm, 2 MG
Complement: ?
R1 Electric Boat 12.7.1926 Discarded 1960
R2 Electric Boat 29.3.1926 Discarded 1960
Class: Amazonas, Lor eta
R3 Electric Boat 21.4.1928 Discarded 1960
Built by Electric Boat. Armament from 1960 comprised 2-3in and 2-40mm.
R4 Electric Boat 10.5.1928 Discarded 1960
The boats are currently (1980) active and are based at Iquitos.

Minor Naval Forces

MINESWEEPERS

ALBANIA Skenerbeg (ex-FM23), Squipnia (ex-AM 16) ex-German minesweepers buili

1917-18, 141ft x 19ft 9in x 4ft 9in (42.98 x 6.02 x 1.45m); 2-shaft VTE;
600ihp = 14kts; l-88mm gun; discarded 1935.

MOTOR BOATS
Tirane, Saranda, Dunes, Vlore built by SVAN Venice 1926; 46t; 80ft (24.38m)
450bhp = 17kts; l-76mm, 2 MG; fate unknown.

AUSTRIA After the First World War the Austro-Hungarian empire was divided
up and the new state of Austria lost its access to the sea. Therefore the
only naval vessels retained were a number of river patrol boats for use
on the Danube. Three were sold to Hungary in 1927, and one was
exchanged for the Hungarian Siofok in 1929. See under Hungary foi
further details. The only new construction undertaken before German
annexation in 1938 was a programme of small patrol and minesweeping
launches.

CUBA Cuba in the late 1930s

Throughout the 1922-46 period, Cuba possessed only a ‘gunboat

navy’. Units operated comprised the sloops Cuba (launched 10.8.1911,
2055t, discarded 1971) and Patna (10.8.1911, 1200t, discarded 1955);
the Diez de Octubre class gunboats Diez de Octubre (1911, 208t, dis¬
carded 1946) and Veinte y Cuarto de Febrero (1911, 208t, discarded
1946); and the gunboat Baire (1906, 500t, discarded 1948).

424
DOMINICAN The Dominican Navy began to emerge only towards the end of the
1922-46 period.

REPUBLIC Ex-RIVER class frigate (transferred 1946)

Presidente Trujillo (ex-Car Ip lace) was acquired from Canada in 1946, and she was
converted to a presidential yacht. Renamed Mello in 1962, she is still (1980)
active.

Ex-FLOWER class corvette (transferred 1946)

Colon (cx-Lachute), also cited as Cristobal Colon, was acquired from Canada in
1946. Active 1980.

ECUADOR Throughout this period, Ecuador’s tiny navy was allied with that of
Chile. Naval officers were trained in Chile and their most significant
ship, a torpedo gunboat, had been acquired in 1907 from that country.
Ecuador did possess riverine forces, which were stationed in the Ama¬
zon Basin. From 1932 to the close of the period, Ecuador did not
possess a significant warship.
The Ecuador Navy in 1922 operated the torpedo gunboat Libertudor
Bolivar (ex-Almirante Simpson, launched 1896, 750t, discarded 1932)
and the gunboat Cotopaxi (1884, 300t, discarded 1932).

EIRE The Republic of Ireland started a small naval force between the wars for
fishery protection and coastguard duties.

FISHERY PROTECTION VESSELS

Muircha (ex-Helga, 1908, 323t gross) and Fort Rannoch (1936, 258t gross).
Muircha was discarded by 1946.

MTBs
Ml-MS. Built by Thornycroft 1939- 32t; 72ft (21,95m); 4-shaft petrol engines,
2600bhp = 40kts; 2-2lin TT, 2 MG.

ICELAND The Icelandic naval force consisted entirely of fishery protection ves¬
sels, converted from merchant types and was set up about 1930. The
vessels taken into service up to 1946 wereEsja (1939, 1347t gross); the
armed trawlers Aegir (1929, 497t gross) and Thor (ex-German Senator
Shafer purchased 1930, built 1922, 226t gross) both with one 57mm
gun; the MFVOdinn (1938, 72t gross) armed with one 47mm gun; and
the Sudin (ex-Cambria, ex-Gotha, 1895, 81 It gross). Thor and Sudin
were discarded in the 1940s, the Esja in the 1950s and the Aegir and
Odinn (renamed Gauter cl959) in the 1960s.

"W" The only true naval vessels possessed by Iraq were four patrol boats
{1-4) built by Thornycroft in 1937. They were of 67t displacement,
100ft X 17ft x 3ft (30.48 X 5.18 x 0.91m), propelled by 2-shaft
Thornycroft diesels of 280bhp = 12kts and armed with 1-3.7in how¬
itzer, 2-3in mortars and 2 MG. There was also the tug Alarm (ex-
British Admiralty ‘Saint’ class St Ewe, 1919, 820t, purchased in 1926)
and the royal yacht Faisal I (ex-San Pew, ex-Restless, 1923, 1025t).
Faisal I became a lighthouse tender in the 1940s. All the above vessels
were discarded c 1977-79.

425
 ^ »

A, Argentina; Al, Albania; Be, Belgium; Br, Brazil; Bu, Bulgaria; Ca, China;

Index
Ce, Chile; Col, Colombia; Cu, Cuba; Cz, Czechoslovakia; Dk, Denmark;
DR, Dominican Republic; Ec, Ecuador; Eg, Egypt; Ei, Eire; Es, Estonia;
F, France; Fi, Finland; G, Germany; GB, Great Britain (including Empire forces);
Gr, Greece; Hu, Hungary; I, Italy; Ic, Iceland; Ir, Iraq;J, Japan; La, Latvia;
Li, Lithuania; Ma, Manchukuo; Mex, Mexico; Ne, The Netherlands; No, Norway;
Pa, Paraguay; Pe, Persia; PI, Poland; Po, Portugal; Pu, Peru; Ro, Romania;
Si, Siam; Sp, Spain; Sw, Sweden; Tu, Turkey; Ur, Uruguay; USA, United States of
America; USSR, Soviet Union; Ve, Venezuela; Yu, Yugoslavia.

Aalesund (No/1941) 379 Admiral Graf Spee (G/1934) 227 Ajonpaa (Fi/1941) 366 Aldebaran (F/1916) 259
Aaron Ward (USA/1919) 94 Admiral Hipper (G/1937) 228 Ajuricaba (Br/1945) 417 Aldebaran (1/1936) 302
Aaron Ward (USA/1941) 128 Admiral Scheer (G/1931) 227 Akagi (J/1927) 179 Aldebaren (Ne/extant 1922) 395
Aaron Ward (USA/1944) 150 Admiralty Islands (USA/1944) 110 Akagi Maru (J/c 1936) 215 Alden (USA/1919) 94
Abastro (1/1918) 289 Adolf Luderitz (G/1939) 253 Akatsuki (J/1932) 193 Aldenham (GB/1941) 46
Abborren (Sw/1916) 370 Adopt (USA/1942) 151 Akebono (J/1930) 193 Alder Lake (GB/1944) 72
Abbot (USA/1918) 94 Adrian Zosimov (USSR/1941) 340 Aki (J/1907) 171 Alderney (GB/1945) 54
Abbot (USA/1943) 131 Adrias (Gr/1942) 406 Akigumo (J/1941) 195 Alders (G/1918) 253
Abdiel (GB/1915) 11 Adua (1/1936) 309 Akikaze (J/1920) 176 Alert (F/c 1916) 259
Abdiel (GB/1940) 37 Adula (GB/1937) 26 Akishimo (J/1943) 195 Alert (GB/1945) 61
Abel P Upshur (USA/1920) 94 Adventure (GB/1924) 36 Akitsu Maru (J/1941) 213 Alert (USA/1926) 166
Abelard (GB/-) 55 Adversary (GB/-) 55 Akitsuki (J/1941) 195 Alessandro Malaspina (1/1940) 306
Abelia (GB/1940) 62 Advocate (U SA/1942) 151 Akitsushima (J/1941) 213 Alessandro Poerio (1/1914) 286
Abercrombie (GB/1915) 9 Adzuma (J/1899) 173 Aktion (Gr/1881) 405 Alessandro Vitturi (1/1922) 288
Abercrombie (GB/1942) 17 Aegir (Dk/1914) 382 Aktivnyi (USSR/1932) 345 Alexander Hamilton (USA/1936) 165
Abercrombie (USA/1944) 137 Aegir (Ic/1929) 425 Al Sarea (Eg/1936) 409 Alexander J Luke (USA/1943) 136
Aberdeen (GB/1936) 56 Aegir (No/1893) 379 Alabama (USA/1942) 98 Alexandr Petrov (USSR/cl946) 340
Abilene (USA/1943) 149 Aegir (No/1936) 379 Alabarda (1/1944) 303 Alexandria (GB/-) 60
Abner Read (USA/1942) 130 Aeneas (GB/1945) 54 Alabastro (1/1941) 310 Alexandria (USA/1944) 148
Abner Read (USA/-) 133 Aetos (Gr/1911) 404 Alacrity (GB/1944) 57 Alexandra Lahovari (Ro/extant
Abraham Crijnssen (Ne/1936) 394 Affleck (GB/1943) 61 Alacrity (USA/1942) 156 1922) 361
Abraham van de Hulst (Ne/1937) 394 Affray (GB/1945) 54 Aladdin (GB/-) 55 Alexia (GB/1934) 26
Absalon (Dk/1877) 383 Africa (GB/-) 21 Alagi (1/1936) 309 Alfonso XIII (Sp/1913) 399
Absecon (USA/1942) 157 Afridi (GB/1937) 40 Alagoas (Br/1909) 416 Alfonso de Albuquerque
Abuklea (Eg/extant 1922) 409 Afroessa (Gr/?) 406 Alamance (USA/c 1943) 160 (Po/1934) 397
Abukuma (J/1923) 174 Agamemnon (GB/1906) 7 Alamein (GB/1945) 44 Alfred A Cunningham
Acacia (GB/1940) 66 Agamemnon (GB/1929) 85 Alaric (GB/1946) 54 (USA/1944) 132
Acanthus (GB/1941) 62 Agano (J/1941) 191 Alarm (GB/1942) 65 Alfred Wolf (USA/1944) 138
Acasta (GB/1929) 38 Agassiz (GB/1940) 62 Alarm (Ir/1919) 425 Alfredo Oriani (1/1936) 300
Acasta (GB/-) 55 Agassiz (USA/1926) 166 Alarm (USA/1942) 151 Alger (USA/1943) 139
Acavus (GB/1934) 26 Agate (GB/-) 55 Alaska (USA/1943) 122 Algerie (F/1932) 264
Acciaio (1/1941) 310 Agent (USA/1942) 151 Alaunia (GB/1925) 81 Algerien (F/1917) 258
Ace (GB/1945) 55 Agerholm (USA/1946) 133 Alava (Sp/1947) 402 Algerien (F/1943) 272
Achates (GB/1929) 38 Aggressor (GB/-) 55 Alba (I/?) 317 Algerine (GB/1941) 65
Achates (GB/1945) 55 Agile (F/cl916) 259 Albacore (GB/1942) 65 Algol (F/1916) 259
Achelaos (Gr/1884) 405 Agile (GB/-) 55 Albacore (USA/1942) 145 Algol (USA/c 1943) 160
Achernar (USA/c 1943) 160 Agincourt (GB/1945) 44 Albany (USA/1899) 93 Algoma (GB/1940) 62
Acheron (F/1929) 273 Agordat (1/1899) 285 Albany (USA/1945) 121 Algonquin (USA/1898) 96
Acheron (GB/1930) 38 Agosta (F/1934) 273 Albatros (F/1930) 268 Algonquin (USA/1934) 166
Acheron (GB/1947) 54 Agostino Barbarigo (1/1917) 288 Albatros (G/1926) 237 Aliseo (1/1942) 303
Achille (F/1930) 273 Agra (GB/1942) 65 Albatros (1/1907) 287 Alisma (GB/1940) 62
Achilles (GB/1932) 30 Agua Prieta (Mex/1891) 414 Albatros (1/1934) 302 Alkyone (Gr/1913) 404
Ack-Hissar (Tu/cI902) 407 Aguni (J/1944) 206 Albatros (Ne/extant 1922) 395 Allen (USA/1916) 93
Aconit (F/1941) 277 Ahmedabad (GB/1943) 65 Albatros (USSR/1944) 339 Allen M Sumner (USA/1943) 132
Aconite (GB/1941) 62 Ahrens (USA/1943) 136 Albatross (GB/1928) 78 Allendale (USA/c 1943) 160
Acor (Po/1874) 396 Ahu (Es/extant 1922) 353 Albemarle (USA/1940) 157 Allentown (USA/1943) 149
Acre (Br/1945) 417 Ahven (Fi/cl936) 366 Albercio da Barbiano (1/1930) 293 Alliance (GB/1945) 54
Acree (USA/1943) 139 Aidan Reis (Tu/1912) 407 Alberni (GB/1940) 62 Allington Castle (GB/1944) 63
Actaeon (GB/1945) 57 Aigialia (Gr/1881) 405 Albert T Harris (USA/1944) 138 Alluminio (I/-) 310
Acteon (F/1929) 273 Aigle (F/1931) 268 Albert W Grant (USA/1943) 131 Almirante Antequera (Sp/1930) 401
Action (USA/1942) 156 Aigli (Gr/1931) 404 Albion (GB/1947) 23 Almirante Brown (A/1880) 419
Active (GB/1929) 38 Aikoku Maru (J/c 1939) 215 Albona (1/1918) 289 Almirante Brown (A/1929) 420
Active (U S A/1926) 166 Ailette (F/1918) 259 Albrighton (GB/1941) 46 Almirante Cervera (Sp/1925) 400
Activity (GB/1942) 23 Ailette (F/1940) 277 Albuera (GB/1945) 44 Almirante Class (Po/1898) 396
Acushnet (U SA/1908) 96 Ailsa Craig (GB/1943) 66 Albuquerque (USA/1943) 148 Almirante Cochrane (Ce/1874) 422
Acute (GB/1942) 65 Aire (GB/1943) 58 Alcala Galiano (Sp/1925) 401 Almirante Condell (Ce/1913) 422
Adair (USA/c 1943) 159 Airedale (GB/1941) 46 Alcala Galiano (Sp/1930) 401 Almirante Juan Ferrandiz
Adamant (GB/1940) 81 Airone (1/1907) 287 Alcantara (GB/1926) 81 (Sp/1928) 401
Adamastor (Po/1896) 396 Airone (1/1938) 302 Alcazar (Sp/extant 1922) 400 Almirante Latorre (Ce/1913) 422
Adams (USA/1944) 149 Aisne (F/1917) 259 Alee (1/1942) 316 Almirante Lynch (Ce/1912) 422
Adatepe (Tu/1931) 407 Aisne (F/1942) 277 Alcestis (GB/-) 55 Almirante Riveros (Ce/1914) 422
Adelaide (GB/1918) 10 Aisne (GB/1945) 44 Alchemy (USA/1942) 151 Almirante Simpson (Ce/1929) 423
Adept (GB/-) 55 Aitvaras (Li/extant 1922) 354 Alcide (GB/1945) 54 Almirante Uribe (Ce/1914) 422
Adirondack (USA/1945) 159 Ajax (F/1930) 273 Alcione (1/1906) 287 Almirante Valdes (Sp/1930) 401
Adjutant (USA/1944) 151 Ajax (GB/1912) 7 Alcione (1/1937) 302 Almirante Williams (Ce/1914) 422
Admirable (GB/-) 55 Ajax (GB/1934) 30 Alcmaria (No/?) 381 Almond (GB/1940) 66
Admirable (USA/1942) 151 Ajiro (J/1943) 209 Aldea (Ce/1928) 422 Alnwick Castle (GB/1944) 63

426
Alor (Ne/1938) 394 Andania (GB/1921) 81 Apollo (GB/1943) 37 Argus (GB/1917) 10
Alphios (Gr/1884) 405 Andelle (GB/1922) 85 Apostolis (Gr/1940) 406 Arholma (Sw/1937) 376
Alpine (USA/c 1943) 159 Anden (Sw/cl940) 377 Appalachian (USA/1943) 159 Ariadne (GB/1943) 37
Alpino (1/1909) 286 Andenes (No/1941) 380 Appleby Castle (GB/-) 63 Ariadne (USA/1934) 166
Alpino (1/1938) 301 Anderson (USA/1939) 127 Appling (US A/c 1943) 160 Ariake (J/1934) 193
Alpino Bagnolini (1/1939) 306 Andrea Bafile (1/1922) 288 Approach (GB/-) 55 Ariane (F/1925) 273
Alsacien (F/1941) 272 Andrea Doria (1/1913) 284 Apu (Fi/1899) 364 Arica (Pu/1928) 424
Alsedo (Sp/1922) 399 Andrea Provana (1/1918) 288 Aquarius (US A/c 1943) 160 Ariel (1/1938) 302
Alshain (USA/c 1943) 160 Andrei Pervoswanni Aquila (1/1916) 286 Aries (GB/1942) 65
Altair (F/1916) 259 (US SR/1906) 322 Aquila (1/1926) Ariete (1/1943)
290 303
Altair (1/1936) 302 Andres (USA/1942) 135 Aquilar Tablada (Sp/1935) 403 Ariete (Sp/cl960) 402
Altair (Sw/1909) 370 Andrew (GB/1946) 55 Aquilone (1/1902) 286 Ariguani (GB/1926) 83
Altamaha (USA/1942) 108 Andromache (GB/-) 55 Aquilone (1/1927) 299 Aristocrat (GB/1935) 84
Alton Castle (GB/-) 63 Andromaque (F/1915) 258 Arabe (F/1917) 258 Arizona (USA/1915) 90
Alvin C Cockrell (USA/1944) 138 Andromeda (1/1936) 302 Arabis (GB/1940) 62 Ark Royal (GB/1914) 10
Alvise da Mosto (1/1929) 299 Andromeda (US A/c 1943) 160 Arabis (GB/1943) 63 Ark Royal (GB/1937) 18
Alvsnabben (Sw/1943) 374 Androscoggin (USA/1945) 165 Aradam (1/1936) 309 Ark Royal (GB/1950) 21
Alynbank (GB/1925) 84 Anemone (GB/1940) 62 Araguary (Br/1946) 417 Arkansas (USA/1911) 90
Alysse (F/1941) 277 Anfitrite (1/1933) 309 Araguaya (Br/1943) 417 Arkhangelsk (USSR/1915) 325
Alyssum (GB/1941) 62 Angamos (Ce/1890) 422 Aramis (F/1932) 279 Armada (GB/1943) 44
Amagi (J/1943) 184 Angelo Bassini (1/1918) 287 Aran (Sw/1901) 368 Armada (USA/1942) 151
Amagi (J/-) 173 Angelo Emo (1/1919) 288 Ararante (F/1915) 258 Armando Diaz (1/1932) 294
Amagiri (J/1930) 193 Angler (USA/1943) 145 Ararat (GB/1943) 64 Armeria (GB/1941) 62
Amakusa (J/1943) 205 Anguilla (GB/1943) 62 Arare (J/1937) 194 Armidale (GB/1942) 65
Amami (J/1944) 206 Animoso (1/1913) 286 Arashi (J/1940) 194 Armide (F/1915) 258
Amaranthus (GB/1940) 62 Animoso (1/1942) 303 Arashio (J/1937) 194 Arneb (USA/c 1943) 160
Amastra (GB/1934) 26 Annamite (F/1917) 258 Araucano (Ce/1929) 423 Arnold J Isbell (USA/1945) 134
Amatsukaze (J/1916) 176 Annamite (F/1939) 277 Arawa (GB/1922) 81 Arnprior (GB/1944) 63
Amatsukaze (J/1939) 194 Annan (GB/1942) 59 Arbiter (GB/1943) 26 Aroe (Ne/1938) 394
Amazon (GB/1926) 37 Annan (GB/1943) 58 Arbutus (GB/1940) 62 Aroha (GB/1942) 67
Amazonas (Br/1908) 416 Annapolis (GB/1918) 47 Arbutus (GB/1944) 63 Arpia (1/1907) 287
Amazonas (Br/1943) 417 Annapolis (USA/1943) 148 Arcade (USA/1942) 151 Arran (GB/1940) 66
Amazonas (Pu/1934) 424 Annet (GB/1943) 66 Arcadian (GB/-) 55 Arras (F/1918) 259
Amazone (F/1916) 258 Anson (GB/1940) 15 Arch (USA/1942) 151 Arrogant (GB/-) 23
Amazone (F/1931) 275 Answer (GB/-) 55 Archer (GB/1939) 24 Arromanches (F/1943) 262
Amazone (G/1900) 222 Antaeus (GB/-) 55 Archerfish (USA/1943) 146 Arrow (GB/1929) 38
Ambassador (GB/1911) 84 Antagonist (GB/-) 55 Archimede (F/1930) 273 Arrowhead (GB/1940) 62
Amber jack (US A/1942) 145 Antares (F/1916) 259 Archimede (1/1933) 304 Arseniy Raskin (USSR/1940) 341
Amberjack (USA/1944) 147 Antares (GB/1942) 65 Archimede (1/1939) 306 Artemide (1/1942) 316
Amberley Castle (GB/1943) 63 Antares (1/1936) 302 Arcilla (Sp/extant 1922) 400 Artemis (F/1914) 258
Amberto di Giussano (1/1930) 293 Antares (Sw/1909) 370 Arcona (G/1902) 222 Artemis (GB/1946) 55
Ambra (1/1936) 309 Antelo (Sp/extant 1922) 400 Arcturus (GB/1942) 65 Artemis (USA/c 1943) 160
Ambrakia (Gr/1881) 405 Antelope (GB/1929) 38 Arcturus (Sw/1909) 370 Artevelde (Be/1940) 385
Ambuscade (GB/1926) 37 Antenor (GB/1925) 81 Ard Patrick (GB/1939) 72 Artful (GB/1947) 55
Ambush (GB/1945) 54 Anthony (GB/1929) 38 Ardea (1/1907) 287 Arthur L Bristol (USA/1944) 161
Ameer (GB/1942) 26 Anthony (USA/1918) 94 Ardea (I/-) 316 Artiemyev (USSR/1906) 324
Ameland (Ne/cl942) 394 Anthony (USA/1942) 130 Ardeal (Ro/extant 1922) 361 Artigliere (1/1907) 286
America (Pu/1904) 424 Anticosti (GB/1942) 66 Ardent (F/cl916) 259 Artigliere (1/1937) 301
American Legion (USA/1941) 159 AnUetam (USA/1926) 166 Ardent (GB/1929) 38 Artilerists (La/extant 1922) 353
Amesbury (USA/1943) 136 Anuetam (USA/1944) 104 Ardent (GB/-) 55 Arturo (1/1943) 303
Amethyst (GB/1943) 57 Anugone(F/1916) 258 Ardent (USA/1943) 150 Arunta (GB/1940) 40
Ametist (USSR/1916) 340 Antigonish (GB/1944) 59 Ardente (1/1912) 286 Arvida (GB/1940) 62
Ametista (1/1933) 309 Anugua (GB/1943) 62 Ardente (1/1942) 303 Asagao (J/1922) 175
Amfitriti (Gr/1943) 406 Anulope (1/1942) 316 Ardimentoso (1/1916) 287 Asagiri (J/1929) 193
Amherst (GB/1940) 62 Antimonuo (I/-) 310 Ardimentoso (1/1942) 303 Asagumo (J/1937) 194
Amick (USA/1943) 139 Anuope(F/1930) 275 Ardito (1/1912) 286 Asahi (J/1899) 171
Amiens (F/1919) 259 Anuquois (Col/1913) 415 Ardito (1/1942) 303 Asaka Maru (J/c 1937) 215
Amiral Charner (F/1932) 276 Antoine (GB/c 1930) 84 Ardjoeno (Ne/1937) 394 Asakaze (J/1905) 175
Amiral Murgescu (Ro/1934) 344,362 Anton Schmitt (G/1937) 233 Ardrossan (GB/1941) 64 Asakaze (J/1922) 176
Amiral Senes (F/1918) 258 Antonio Bajamonti (1/1928) 312 Arenac (US A/c 1943) 160 Asama (J/1898) 173
Amiral Senes (F/1942) 277 Antonio Canovas del Casullo Arend (Ne/1929) 395 Asanagi (J/1924) 176
Ammen (USA/1910) 93 (Sp/1922) 400 Arend (Ne/cl941) 395 Asashimo (J/1943) 195
Ammen (U SA/1942) 130 Antonio da Noli (1/1929) 299 Arendal (No/1942) 380 Asashio (J/1936) 194
Ammiraglio Cagni (1/1940) 306 Antonio Mosto (1/1915) 286 Arethousa (Gr/1913) 404 Asbestos (GB/1943) 63
Ammiraglio Caracciolo (1/1940) 306 Antonio Pigafetta (1/1929) 299 Arethusa (GB/1934) 31 Ascania (GB/1925) 81
Ammiraglio Millo (1/1940) 306 Antonio Sciesa (1/1928) 304 Arethuse (F/1916) 258 Ascari (1/1938) 301
Ammiraglio Saint-Bon (1/1940) 306 Antoniotto Usodimare (1/1929) 299 Arethuse (F/1929) 274 Ascaro (1/1912) 286
Amphion (GB/1944) 54 Antwerp (GB/1919) 75 Aretusa (1/1938) 302 Ascension (GB/1943) 62
Amphitrite (F/1914) 258 Antwerp (GB/1920) 83 Argento (1/1942) 310 Ascianchi (1/1937) 309
Amphitrite (F/1930) 275 Anzac (GB/1917) 11 Argo (F/1929) 273 Asgard (GB/-) 55
Amritsar (GB/1941) 65 Anzac (GB/1948) 44 Argo (1/1936) 308 Ash (GB/1939) 66
Amsterdam (USA/1942) 119 Anzac (GB/-) 55 Argo (Sw/1909) 370 Ash Lake (GB/1945) 72
Amsterdam (USA/1944) 120 Anzio (USA/1943) 109 Argo (USA/1932) 166 Ashanti (GB/1937) 40
Amur (USSR/extant 1922) 324 Aoba (J/1926) 188 Argonaut (GB/1941) 33 Asheville (USA/1918) 96
Anahuac (Mex/1898) 414 Aoi (J/1920) 175 Argonaut (USA/1927) 142 Asheville (USA/,1942) 148
Anastas Mikoyan (USSR/1938) 346 Aotaka (J/1940) 209 Argonaut (USA/1944) 147 Ashi (J/1921) 175
Anchorite (GB/1946) 54 Apa (Br/1945) 417 Argonaute (F/1929) 274 Ashigara (J/1928) 188
Anchusa (GB/1941) 62 Ape (1/1942) 316 Argonautia (1/1914) 288 Ashikazi (J/1915) 177
Ancona (1/1913) 286 Apex (USA/1942) 151 Argonauta (1/1931) 309 Ashland (USA/1942) 161
Ancre (F/1918) 259 Aphrodite (GB/-) 55 Argosy (GB/-) 55 Asko (Dk/1941) 384
Ancylus (GB/1934) 26 Apogon (USA/1943) 146 Argus (F/1922) 279 Askofjard (Sw/1931) 376

427
Aso (J/1900) 177 Aurochs (GB/1945) 55 Balfour (GB/1943) 61 Basset (GB/1935) 65
Aso (J/1944) 184 Aurora (GB/1913) 10 Balilla (1/1927) 304 Bassett (USA/1944) 161
Asperity (GB/-) 55 Aurora (GB/1936) 31 Baliste (F/1937) 271 Bassra (Tu/1907) 406
Asphodel (GB/1940) 62 Aurora (USA/1931) 166 Ballarat (GB/1940) 65 Bastogne (USA/-) 111
Aspirant Herber (F/1912) 258 Aurora (USSR/1900) 323 Ballard (USA/1918) 95 Bataan (GB/1944) 40
Aspire (USA/1942) 151 Aurore (F/1939) 275 Ballinderry (GB/1942) 58 Bataan (USA/1943) 105
Aspis (Gr/cl905) 404 Ausonia (GB/1921) 82 Balm (GB/-) 63 Batailleuse (F/cl916) 259
Aspro (USA/1943) 146 Austere (GB/-) 55 Balmain (GB/-) 60 Bates (USA/1943) 136
Assahan (Ne/c 1897) 388 Austin (USA/1942) 135 Balmoral (GB/1900) 84 Batfish (USA/1943) 146
Assail (USA/1942) 151 Australia (GB/1911) 9 Balsam (GB/1942) 62 Bath (GB/1918) 47
Assam (GB/-) 65 Australia (GB/1927) 26 Balta (GB/1940) 66 Bath (USA/1943) 149
Assan (Bu/?) 363 Ave (Po/cl913) 396 Baltic (Fi/1898) 365 Bathurst (A/1890) 419
Assiniboine (GB/1931) 38 Avenger (GB/1940) 25 Baltimore (U S A/1942) 121 Bathurst (GB/1940) 64
Assurance (GB/-) 55 Aventurier (F/1911) 258 Bambara (F/1917) 258 Batiray (Tu/1938) 408
Astarte (GB/-) 55 Avere (F/1940) 277 Bamborough Castle (GB/1944) 63 Batrak (USSR/cl915) 324
Aster (GB/1941) 62 Aviere (1/1937) 301 Ban Hong Liong (GB/1908) 83 Battleaxe (GB/1945) 44
Asteria (1/1941) 310 Avon (GB/1943) 58 Banckert (Ne/1929) 390 Battleford (GB/1941) 62
Astore (1/1907) 287 Avon Vale (GB/1940) 46 Bancroft (USA/1919) 95 Battler (GB/1942) 25
Astore (1/1934) 302 Avorio (1/1941) 310 Bancroft (USA/1941) 128 Bauru (Br/1943) 417
Astoria (USA/1933) 115 Awaji (J/1943) 206 Bandera (U S A/c 1943) 160 Baussell (USA/1945) 134
Astoria (USA/1943) 120 Awake (GB/-) 55 Banff (GB/1930) 58 Bavern (Sw/1921) 370
Astrea (Sw/1909) 370 Awashima (J/1945) 209 Bang (USA/1943) 146 Bayfield (USA/c 1943) 159
Astree(F/1915) 258 Awata Maru (J/c 1937) 215 Bangkok Maju (J/c 1937) 215 Baxter (USA/c 1943) 159
Asturias (GB/1925) 81 Awatere (GB/1942) 67 Bangor (GB/1940) 64 Bay (GB/1939) 66
Astute (GB/1945) 55 Awe (GB/1943) 58 Bangor (USA/1943) 148 Baya (USA/1944) 146
Astute (USA/1943) 151 Axum (1/1936) 309 Bangrachan (Si/1936) 44 Bayfield (GB/1941) 64
Atago (J/1930) 189 Ayanami (J/1909) 175 Bangust (USA/1943) 139 Bayntun (GB/1942) 61
Atago (J/-) 173 Ayanami (J/1929) 193 Bann (GB/1942) 58 Bayonne (USA/1943) 148
Atak (Tu/cl938) 408 Aydon Castle (GB/-) 63 Banner (U S A/c 1943) 160 Bazely (GB/1942) 61
Ataka (J/1922) 177 Aylmer (GB/1943) 61 Bantam (Ne/1938) 394 Bditelnyi (USSR/1936) 330
Atalanta (U S A /1934) 166 Aylwin (USA/1912) 93 Bapaume (F/1919) 259 Beacon (USA/1942) 156
Atalante (F/1915) 258 Aylwin (USA/1934) 125 Bapaume (F/1940) 277 Beacon Hill (GB/1943) 59
Atalante (F/1930) 274 Azalea (GB/1940) 62 Baquedano (Ce/1898) 422 Beagle (GB/1930) 38
Atami (J/1929) 211 Azerbaijan (Pe/1935) 409 Barataria (USA/1942) 157 Beale (USA/1912) 93
Athabaskan (GB/1941) 40 Azevia(Po/cl941) 398 Barb (USA/1942) 145 Beale (USA/1942) 130
Athabaskan (GB/1946) 40 Azio (1/1927) 317 Barbarigo (1/1938) 305 Bearn (F/1920) 261
Atheling (GB/1942) 26 Azov (USSR/extant 1922) 345 Barbel (USA/1943) 146 Bearss (USA/1943) 131
Athene (GB/1940) 81 Aztec (GB/-) 55 Barber (USA/1943) 136 Beatty (USA/1941) 129
Athene (USA/c 1943) 160 Azusa (J/-) 196 Barbero (US A/1943) 146 Beatty (USA/1944) 132
Atherstone (GB/cl916) 84 Barcoo (GB/1943) 60 Beaufort (GB/1941) 46
Atherstone (GB/1939) 45 Baago (Dk/1941) 384 Bardsey (GB/1943) 66 Beaufort (USA/1943) 149
Atherton (USA/1943) 139 Babbitt (USA/1918) 94 Bari (1/1914) 286 Beauharnois (GB/1944) 63
Atholl (GB/1943) 63 Babitonga (Br/1943) 417 Barle (GB/1942) 58 Beauly (GB/1924) 84
Atilay (Tu/1938) 408 Babolsar (Pe/1935) 409 Barnard Castle (GB/1944) 63 Beaumaris (GB/1940) 64
Atlanta (USA/1941) 118 Babr (Pe/1931) 409 Barnstable (USA/c 1943) 159 Beautemps Beaupre (F/1939) 277
Atlanta (USA/1944) 120 Baccarat (F/1921) 259 Barnwell Castle (GB/-) 63 Beautemps Beaupre (F/1941) 279
Atlantis (G/c 1939) 246 Baccarat (F/1941) 272 Baroda (GB/1941) 65 Bebas (USA/1943) 135
Atlantis (GB/-) 55 Bachaquero (GB/1937) 74 Baron (USA/1943) 139 Beberibe (Br/1943) 417
Atle (Sw/1935) 377 Bache (USA/1942) 130 Bartolomeo Colleoni (1/1930) 293 Beckham (USA/c 1943) 160
Atrevido (Sp/1951) 403 Badacsony (Hu/extant 1922) 355 Barton (USA/1942) 128 Becuna (USA/1944) 146
Atropo (1/1938) 305 Baddeck (GB/1940) 62 Barwon (GB/1944) 60 Bedale (GB/1941) 46
Attacker (GB/1941) 25 Badger (USA/1918) 94 Barbados (GB/1943) 62 Bedouin (GB/1937) 40
Attala (USA/c 1943) 160 Badina (USSR/1901) 324 Barfleur (F/1938) 279 Bee (GB/-) 79
Attilio Regolo (1/1940) 297 Badoeng Strait (USA/1945) 111 Barfleur (GB/1943) 44 Beech Lake (GB/1945) 72
Atm (USA/1944) 110 Badsworth (GB/1941) 46 Barham (GB/1914) 7 Beeston Castle (GB/-) 63
Atule (USA/1944) 146 Baependi (Br/1943) 417 Barik-i-Zaffer (Tu/1908) 407 Begonia (GB/1940) 62
Aubrietia (GB/1940) 62 Baffin (GB/1942) 66 Bario (1/1944) 310 Begor (USA/1944) 161
Auburn (USA/1943) 159 Baggensfjard (Sw/1932) 376 Barker (USA/1919) 94 Begum (GB/1942) 26
Auckland (GB/1938) 57 Bagley (USA/1918) 94 Barnegat (USA/1941) 157 Beilul (1/1938) 309
Audace (1/1916) 287 Bagley (USA/1936) 126 Barnes (USA/1942) 108 Beira (Po/cl910) 396
Audacieux (F/1900) 258 Bahamas (GB/1943) 62 Barnett (GB/1937) 67 Belet (USA/1944) 161
Audacieux (F/cl916) 259 Bahia (Br/1909) 416 Barney (USA/1918) 94 Belfast (GB/1938) 32
Audacity (GB/1939) 23 Bailey (USA/1919) 95 Barnwell (USA/c 1943) 160 Belfast (USA/1943) 148
Audaz (Sp/1897) 399 Bailey (USA/1941) 128 Barr (USA/1943) 136 Belfort (F/1919) 259
Audaz (Sp/1951) 402 Bainbridge (U S A/1920) 94 Barracuda (USA/1924) 141 Belfort (F/1941) 277
Audrain (USA/c 1943) 160 Baionetta (1/1942) 316 Barranquilla (Col/1930) 415 Beli Orao (Yu/1939) 358
Audubon (USA/c 1943) 160 Baire (Cu/1906) 424 Barreto de Menezes (Br/1945) 417 Belknap (USA/1919) 95
Augury (USA/1943) 151 Bairoko (USA/1945) 111 Barrie (GB/1940) 62 Bell (USA/1918) 94
Augusta (USA/1930) 114 Baja (Hu/-) 355 Barrier (USA/1943) 151 Bell (USA/1942) 131
Augusto Riboty (1/1916) 286 Baker (USA/1943) 139 Barrosa (GB/1945) 44 Bellatrix (F/1916) 259
Auk (USA/1941) 150 Baku (USSR/1938) 329 Barroso (Br/1895) 416 Bellatrix (Ne/extant 1922) 395
Aulick (USA/1919) 95 Balao (USA/1942) 145 Barrow (USA/c 1943) 160 Belle Grove (USA/1943) 161
Aulick (USA/1942) 130 Balch (USA/1912) 93 Barry (USA/1920) 95 Belleau Wood (USA/1942) 105
Ault (USA/1944) 132 Balch (USA/1936) 125 Bartolomeu Dias (Po/1934) 397 Bellechasse (GB/1941) 64
Aunus (Fi/1927) 367 Balder (Ne/c 1878) 388 Barton (U S A/1943) 132 Belleisle (GB/1946) 44
Aura (Fi/1884) 367 Balder (No/1939) 380 Basarabia (Ro/extant 1922) 361 Bellerophon (GB/-) 35
Aurania (GB/1924) 82 Balduck (USA/1944) 161 Bashaw (USA/1943) 145 Belleville (GB/1944) 63
Aureha (USA/c 1943) 160 Baldwin (USA/1942) 129 Basilisk (GB/1930) 38 Belliqueuse (F/c 1916) 259
Auricula (GB/1940) 62 Baleares (Sp/1932) 401 Basilone (USA/1945) 133 Bellona (Dk/1919) 382
Auriga (GB/1945) 55 Baleno (1/1931) 300 Basque (F/1929) 270 Bellona (GB/1942) 35
Auriga (1/1943) 303 Balestra (1/1947) 303 Bass (USA/1924) 141 Bellone (F/1914) 258

428
Belmonte (Br/1912) 416 Birch Lake (GB/1945) 72 Boise (USA/1936) 116 Braunschweig (G/1902) 222
Bellwort (GB/1940) 62 Bird class (US A/1918-19) 96 Bolebroke (GB/1941) 46 Brave (GB/1943) 65
Belmont (GB/1918) 47 Birdlip (GB/1941) 67 Bolivar (USA/c 1943) 159 Bravo (Mex/1903) 414
Belomorec (Bu/1917) 363 Birgit (USA/c 1943) 160 Bollinger (U S A/c 1943) 160 Braxen (Sw/1916) 370
Belvoir (GB/1941) 46 Birhakeim (F/1939) 272 Bolshevik (USSR/c 1915) 324 Braxton (USA/c 1943) 160
Benalla (GB/1942) 65 Birindci Inonii (Tu/1927) 407 Bolton Castle (GB/-) 63 Bray (USA/1944) 137
Benbecula (GB/1943) 66 Birmingham (GB/1913) 10 Bolzano (1/1932) 293 Brazen (GB/1930) 38
Benbow (GB/1913) 7 Birmingham (GB/1936) 31 Bombard (USA/1943) 151 Breakhorn (USA/1944) 151
Bendigo (GB/1941) 64 Birmingham (USA/1907) 93 Bombarda (1/1942) 316 Bream (GB/1942) 67
Beneb (Ne/extant 1922) 395 Birmingham (USA/1942) 119 Bombarde (F/1936) 271 Bream (USA/1943) 145
Benevente (Br/1943) 417 Bisbee (USA/1943) 148 Bombardier (GB/1943) 67 Breck (USA/1919) 95
Bengal (GB/1942) 64 Biscayne (USA/1941) 157 Bombardiere (1/1942) 301 Breckenridge (US A/1918) 94
Bengo (Po/cl910) 396 Bismarck (G/1939) 224 Bombay (GB/1941) Brecon (GB/1942)
65 47
Benham (USA/1913) 93 Bismarck Sea (USA/1944) 110 Bon Homme Richard Bredon (GB/1941) 67
Benham (USA/1938) 127 Bison (F/1912) 258 (US A/1944) 104 Bredskar (Sw/1940) 376
Benham (USA/1943) 131 Bison (F/1928) 267 Bonaventure (GB/1939) 33 Breeman (USA/1943) 139
Benjamin Constant (Br/1892) 416 Bison (F/1939) 270 Bond (USA/1942) 151 Breese (USA/1918) 94
Benner (USA/1944) 133 Biter (GB/1940) 25 Bonefish (USA/1943) 145 Bremerton (USA/1944) 121
Benner (USA/-) 138 Bittern (GB/1937) 57 Bonham (USA/1926) 166 Bremon (Sw/1940) 376
Bennett (USA/1942) 130 Bittern (USA/1944) 151 Bonifaz (Sp/1911) 400 Bremse (G/1931) 252
Bennington (USA/1944) 104 Bittersweet (GB/1940) 62 Bonita (USA/1925) 141 Brennan (USA/1942) 135
Bennion (USA/1943) 131 Bivin (USA/1943) 138 Bonito (GB/1941) 67 Brentford (GB/1941) 62
Benson (USA/1939) 128 Bjerk (No/1912) 381 Booth (USA/1943) 139 Bressay (GB/1942) 66
Bentinck (GB/1943) 61 Bjorn (Sw/1874) 368 Bootle (GB/1941) 64 Brestois (F/1927) 270
Bentley (GB/1943) 61 Black (USA/1943) 131 Borage (GB/1941) 62 Bretagne (F/1913) 257
Beograd (Yu/1937) 357 Black Prince (GB/1942) 35 Borde (GB/1921) 85 Breton (USA/1942) 108
Berar (GB/1942) 65 Black Swan (GB/1939) 57 Bordelais (F/1927) 270 Brevik (No/?) 381
Berdyansk (USSR/extant 1922) 345 Blackbird (GB/1943) 66 Bordelon (USA/1945) 134 Breydel (Be/1915) 385
Bere Castle (GB/-) 63 Blackfin (USA/1944) 146 Border (GB/1942) 46 Bridgeport (USA/-) 121
Berenice (1/1943) 316 Blackfish (USA/1942) 145 Border Ciues (GB/1943) 65 Bridgewater (GB/1928) 55
Bergall (USA/1944) 146 Blackmore (GB/1941) 46 Borea (1/1927) 299 Bridgnorth Castle (GB/-) 63
Bergamot (GB/1941) 62 Blackpool (GB/1940) 64 Boreas (GB/1930) 38 Bridlington (GB/1940) 64
Bergen (USA/c 1943) 160 Blackthorn (GB/1939) 66 Borie (USA/1919) 94 Bridport (GB/1940) 64
Berillo (1/1936) 309 Blackwood (GB/1942) 61 Borie (USA/1944) 132 Brigadier (GB/1928) 73
Bering Strait (USA/1944) 157 Bladen (USA/c 1943) 160 Bortind (No/1912) 381 Bright (USA/1943) 139
Berk-Efshan (Tu/1894) 406 Blair (USA/1943) 140 Borum (USA/1943) 137 Brighton (GB/1918) 47
Berkeley (GB/1940) 45 Blairmore (GB/1942) 64 Bosque (USA/c 1943) 160 Brighton Belle (GB/1900) 84
Berkeley Castle (GB/1943) 63 Blajunbol (Si/1936) 411 Boston (GB/1940) 64 Brighton Queen (GB/1905) 84
Berkistavet (Tu/1906) 407 Blake (GB/1945) 35 Boston (USA/1942) 121 Brill (USA/1944) 146
Berkut (USSR/1940) 339 Blakely (USA/1918) 94 Bostwick (USA/1943) 139 Brilliant (GB/1930) 38
Berlin (G/1903) 222 Blanche (GB/1930) 38 Botetourt (USA/c 1943) 160 Brilliant (USSR/c 1936) 340
Bermuda (GB/1941) 34 Blanco Encalada (Ce/1893) 422 Bodea (GB/1917) 84 Brin (1/1938) 306
Bern (GB/1942) 66 Bland (USA/c 1943) 160 BotUneau (USA/c 1943) 160 Brindisi (1/1912) 286
Bernadou (USA/1918) 94 Blankney (GB/1940) 46 Bouchard (A/c 1936) 421 Brinio (Ne/1912) 387
Bernd von Amim (G/1936) 233 Blanquet (Mex/1903) 414 Bouclier (F/1911) 258 Brinkley Bass (USA/1945) 134
Berrien (USA/c 1943) 160 Bias de Lezo (Sp/1923) 399 Bouclier (F/1937) 271 Bris (Sw/1900) 370
Berry (GB/1942) 61 Blean (GB/1942) 46 Bougainville (F/1931) 276 Brisbane (GB/1915) 10
Bersagliere (1/1906) 286 Bleasdale (GB/1941) 46 Bougainville (USA/1944) 110 Briscoe (USA/c 1943) 160
Bersagliere (1/1938) 301 Blencathra (GB/1940) 45 Boulonnais (F/1927) 270 Brisk (USA/1942) 156
Bertioga (Br/1943) 417 Blenny (USA/1944) 146 Bournemouth Queen (GB/1908) 84 Brissenden (GB/1942) 47
Berwick (GB/1926) 26 Blessman (USA/1943) 136 Bourrasque (F/1925) 269 Brister (US A/1943) 140
Beskytleren (Dk/1900) 383 Bligh (GB/1943) 61 Boutwell (USA/1927) 166 Bristol (USA/1941) 128
Besposhchadnyi (USSR/1937) 330 Blink (No/1896) 378 Bowen (GB/1942) 65 Bristol (USA/1944) 132
Besugo (USA/1944) 146 Blixt (Sw/1898) 370 Bowers (USA/1943) 136 Britomart (GB/1938) 63
Bethune (F/1921) 259 Block Island (USA/1942) 108 Bowes Castle (GB/-) 63 Brixham (GB/1941) 64
Betony (GB/1943) 63 Block Island (USA/1944) 111 Bowfin (USA/1942) 145 Broadbill (USA/1942) 150
Bettino Ricasoli (1/1926) 298 Blower (USA/1944) 146 Bowie (U S A/c 1943) 160 Broadsword (GB/1946) 44
Beveland (Ne/cl942) 394 Bliicher (G/1937) 228 Bowmanville (GB/1944) 63 Broadwater (GB/1919) 47
Beverley (GB/1919) 47 Blue (USA/1937) 126 Boyd (USA/1942) 130 Broadwater (USA/c 1943) 160
Beverly W Reid (USA/1944) 161 Blue (USA/1943) 132 Boyle (USA/1942) 128 Broadway (GB/1920) 47
Beveziers (F/1935) 273 Blue Ridge (USA/1943) 159 Boxer (GB/1942) 74,75 Brock (USA/1944) 161
Bexar (USA/c 1943) 160 Blueback (USA/1944) 146 Boxer (USA/1944) 104 Brocklesby (GB/1940) 45
Bezbozhnik (USSR/1918) 332 Bluebell (GB/1915) 13 Bracken (USA/c 1943) 160 Brockville (GB/1941) 64
Bezuprechnyi (USSR/1936) 330 Bluebell (GB/1940) 62 Brackett (USA/1943) 135 Broke (GB/1920) 11
Bhadravati (GB/1932) 83 Bluefish (USA/1943) 145 Bracui (Br/1943) 417 Brommy (G/1916) 253
Bhali (Si/1901) 410 Bluegill (USA/1943) 145 Bradford (GB/1918) 47 Brondolo (1/1909) 288,289
Bibb (USA/1937) 165 Blyskawica (PI/1936) 349 Bradford (USA/1942) 130 Bronstein (USA/1943) 139
Bicester (GB/1941) 46 Blyth (GB/1940) 64 Braga (Ne/cl878) 388 Bronx (U S A/c 1943) 160
Bickerton (GB/1943) 61 Boadicea (GB/1908) 10 Brage (No/1878) 379 Bronzo (1/1941) 310
Bicuda (Po/cl941) 398 Boadicea (GB/1930) 38 Braid (GB/1943) 58 Brookings (USA/c 1943) 160
Bidasoa (Sp/1943) 403 Boarfish (USA/1944) 146 Braine (USA/1943) 131 Brooklyn (USA/1936) 116
Biddle (USA/1918) 94 Bobruisk (USSR/c 1925) 345 Braith waite (GB/1943) 61 Brooks (USA/1919) 94
Bideford (GB/1931) 56 Bocaina (Br/1943) 417 Bramber Castle (GB/-) 63 Broome (GB/1941) 64
Bigbury Bay (GB/1944) 61 Bodiam Castle (GB/-) 63 Bramble (GB/1938) 63 Broome (U S A/1919) 94
Biggal (GB/1944) 66 Bodo (No/?) 381 Bramble (GB/1945) 65 Brora (GB/1940) 66
Bihar (GB/1942) 64 Bodryi (USSR/1936) 330 Bramham (GB/1942) 46 Brough (USA/1943) 140
Billflsh (USA/1942) 145 Bogam (GB/-) 60 Brampton (GB/-) 63 Brough Castle (GB/-) 63
Billingsley (USA/1919) 95 Boggs (USA/1918) 94 Branch (USA/1919) 94 Brown (USA/1943) 130
Biloxi (USA/1943) 119 Bogor (Ne/1938) 394 Brand (No/1899) 378 Brownson (USA/1942) 130
Bingham (USA/c 1943) 160 Bogue (USA/1942) 108 Brandon (GB/1941) 62 Brownson (USA/1945) 134
Birch (GB/1939) 66 Boikiy (USSR/1936) 330 Branlebas (F/1937) 271 Brownsville (USA/1943) 148

429
Bruce (GB/1918) 11 Burun (USSR/1934) 339 Cameron (GB/1919) 47 Card (USA/1942) 108
Bruce (USA/1920) 95 Burwell (GB/1918) 47 Camicia Nera (1/1937) 301 Cardarso (Sp/1914) 399
Bruiser (GB/1942) 74 Burya (USSR/1933) 339 Camito (GB/1915) 83 Cardiff (GB/1917) 10
Brule (USA/cl943) 160 Burza (PI/1929) 349 Camocim (Br/1939) 418 Cardigan Bay (GB/1944) 61
Bruleson (USA/c 1943) 160 Bush (USA/1918) 94 Camoscio (1/1942) 316 Carew Castle (GB/-) 63
Brumaire (F/1911) 258 Bush (USA/1942) 130 Camp (USA/1943) 140 Carfavelas (Br/1939) 418
Brummer (G/1932) 252 Bushwood (GB/1930) 85 Campania (GB/1943) 24 Cariama (F/1944) 151
Brummer (G/1935) 252 Bustamante (Sp/1913) 399 Campania (1/1914) 285 Carinthia (GB/1925) 82
Bruno Heinemann (G/1936) 233 Bute (GB/1941) 66 Campanula (GB/1940) 62 Carioca (Br/1938) 418
Brunswick (U S A /1943) 149 Butler (USA/1942) 129 Campaspe (GB/-) 60 Carisbrooke Castle (GB/1943) 63
Bruray (GB/1942) 66 Butser (GB/1941) 67 Campbell (GB/1918) 11 Carissan (F/1918) 258
Brush (USA/1943) 132 Butte (USA/c 1943) 160 Campbell (USA/1936) 165 Carl Peters (G/193 9) 253
Brutus (GB/c 1921) 84 Buttercup (GB/1941) 62 Campbeltown (GB/1919) 47 Carlisle (GB/1918) 10
Bryant (USA/1943) 131 Buxton (GB/1918) 47 Camperdown (GB/1944) 44 Carlisle (USA/c 1943) 160
Bryher (GB/1943) 66 Byard (GB/1943) 61 Campion (GB/1941) 62 Carlo del Greco (1/1922) 288
Bryony (GB/1917) 13 Byron (GB/1943) 61 Campobello (GB/1942) 66 Carlo Mirabello (1/1915) 286
Bryony (GB/1941) 62 Bys (USSR/-) 339 Camrose (GB/1940) 62 Carlplace (GB/1944) 59
Buccari (1/1926) 317 Bystryi (USSR/1914) 323 Canak (Tu/cl937) 408 Carlson (USA/1943) 135
Buchanan (US A/1919) 94 Bystryi (USSR/1936) 330 Cananela (Br/1938) 418 Carmick (USA/1942) 128
Buchanan (US A/1941) 128 Canaries (Sp/1931) 401 Carnarvon Bay (GB/1945) 61
Buchardo (A/1890) 419 Cabana (USA/1943) 135 Canberra (GB/1927) 26 Carnarvon Castle (GB/1926) 82
Buck (US A/1939) 127 Cabedelo (Br/1939) 418 Canberra (USA/1943) 121 Carnation (GB/1940) 62
Buck (USA/1945) 132 Cabezon (USA/1944) 146 Candid (USA/1942) 151 Caroline (GB/1914) 10
Buckingham (GB/1944) 59 Cabildo (USA/1944) 161 Candytuft (GB/1940) 62 Carp (US A/1944) 146
Buckingham (U S A/c 1943) 160 Cabot (USA/1943) 105 Canfield (USA/1943) 135 Carpellotti (USA/1945) 161
Buckley (USA/1943) 136 Cabrilla (USA/1942) 145 Canna (GB/1940) 66 Carpellotti (U SA/-) 138
Bucovina (Ro/extant 1922) 361 Cachalot (GB/1937) 49 Cannon (US A/1943) 139 Carpenter (USA/1945) 133
Buctouche (GB/1940) 62 Cachalot (USA/1933) 143 Canopo (1/1907) 287 Carquois (F/1907) 258
Bude (GB/1940) 64 Cadiz (GB/1944) 44 Canopo (1/1936) 302 Carregado (Po/1912) 396
Buenos Aires (A/1895) 419 Cadmus (GB/1942) 65 Canopus (Ne/extent 1922) 395 Carrista (I/-) 301
Buenos Aires (A/1937) 420 Caesar (GB/1944) 43 Canso (GB/1941) 64 Carroll (USA/1943) 139
Buffalo (USA/1943) 120 Cahoone (USA/1927) 166 Canterbury (GB/1915) 10 Carron (GB/1944) 43
Buffalo (CL84) (USA/-) 120 Caicos (GB/1943) 62 Canterbury Castle (GB/-) 63 Carronade (GB/1946) 44
Buffalo (CL110) (USA/-) 120 Cailiff (GB/1942) 66 Canton (GB/1938) 82 Carson City (USA/1943) 149
Bugara (USA/1944) 146 Caiman (F/1927) 272 Cap de la Madeleine (GB/1944) 59 Cartagena (Col/1930) 415
Bugel (USSR/1939) 341 Caiman (USA/1944) 146 Cap des Palmes (F/1935) 279 Cartagener (Sp/1908) 400
Bugloss (GB/1943) 63 Caio Duilio (1/1919) 284 Capable (USA/1942) 151 Carter (USA/1944) 139
Bui (USSR/1936) 341 Caio Mario (1/1941) 297 Cape Breton (GB/1942) 59 Carter Hall (USA/1943) 161
Buino (F/1917) 258 Cairns (GB/1941) 65 Cape Esperance (USA/1944) 110 Carteret (USA/c 1943) 160
Buizerd (Ne/1942) 395 Cairo (GB/1918) 10 Cape Gloucester (USA/1944) 111 Carthage (GB/1931) 82
Biik (Hu/extant 1922) 355 Caistor Castle (GB/1944) 63 Cape Howe (GB/1930) 84 Cartigan (USA/1927) 166
Bulhound (Ne/1911) 387 Calabria (1/1894) 285 Cape Sable (GB/1936) 84 Carvalho Araujo (Po/1915) 396
Bulgia (Ne/cl878) 388 Calabrone (1/1943) 316 Capel (GB/1943) 61 Carysfort (GB/1914) 10
Bull (USA/1943) 137 Calais (F/1919) 259 Capelin (USA/1943) 145 Carysfort (GB/1944) 43
Bullard (USA/1943) 131 Calatafimi (1/1923) 287 Caperton (USA/1943) 131 Casa Grande (U S A/1944) 161
Bulldog (GB/1930) 38 Calcaterra (USA/1943) 140 Capetown (GB/1919) 10 Casabianca (F/1935) 273
Bullen (GB/1943) 61 Calcutta (GB/1918) 10 Capilano (GB/1944) 59 Casablanca (USA/1943) 109
Bullhead (USA/1944) 146 Calcutta (GB/1943) 65 Capitaine (USA/1944) 146 Casco (USA/1941) 157
Bulmer (USA/1920) 94 Caldas (Col/1901) 415 Capitaine Mehl (F/1912) 258 Case (USA/1919) 95
Bulolo (GB/1938) 75,82 Caldecot Castle (GB/-) 63 Capitan Dumistrescu (Ro/extant Case (USA/1935) 125
Bulta (La/extant 1922) 353 Caldwell (GB/1919) 47 1922) 361 Casma (Ce/1944) 423
Bulwark (GB/1948) 23 Caldwell (USA/1917) 93 Capitan Manuel Thompson Casma (Pu/1926) 424
Bumper (USA/1944) 146 Caldwell (USA/1942) 128 (Ce/c 1896) 422 Casper (USA/1943) 148
Bunbury (GB/1942) 64 Caldy (GB/1943) 66 Capitan Merino Jarpa (Ce/1898) 422 Casque (F/1910) 258
Bunch (USA/1943) 137 Caledon (GB/1916) 10 Capitan Munoz Gamero Casque (F/1938) 270
Bundaberg (GB/1941) 64 Calendula (GB/1940) 62 (Ce/1896) 422 Cassandra (GB/1943) 43
Bungaree (GB/1937) 85 Calgary (GB/1941) 62 Capitan Nicolae Lascar Bogdan Cassard (F/1896) 257
Bunker Hill (USA/1942) 104 Calibogue (USA/-) 158 (Ro/extant 1922) 361 Cassard (F/1931) 268
Buoyant (USA/1942) 151 California (GB/1923) 82 Capitan O’Brien (Ce/1898) 422 Cassin (US A/1913) 93
Burak Reis (Tu/1912) 407 California (USA/1919) 90 Capitan O’Brien (Ce/1928) 423 Cassin (USA/1935) 125
Burak Reis (Tu/1940) 408 Calipso (1/1909) 287 Capitan Orella (Ce/1896) 422 Cassin (USA/1943) 131
Burdekin (GB/1943) 60 Calipso (1/1937) 302 Capitan Prat (Ce/1890) 422 Cassiopea (1/1906) 287
Burden R Hastings (USA/1942) 135 Callaghan (USA/1943) 131 Capitano Tarantini (1/1940) 306 Cassiopea (1/1936) 302
Burdo (USA/1944) 161 Callaway (U S A/c 1943) 159 Capitan Thompson (Ce/1898) 422 Cassiopee (F/1917) 259
Burdock (GB/1940) 62 Calliope (GB/1914) 10 Capitan Thompson (Ce/1929) 423 Castelfidaro (1/1922) 287
Burfin (GB/?) 72 Calliope (1/1906) 287 Capps (USA/1942) 130 Castle (USA/1946) 133
Burges (GB/1943) 61 Calliope (1/1938) 302 Caprice (GB/1943) 43 Castle Rock (USA/1944) 157
Burghead Bay (GB/1945) 61 Calpe (GB/1941) 46 Caprice (USA/1942) 156 Castlemaine (GB/1941) 65
Burke (US A/1943) 136 Calshot Castle (GB/-) 63 Capricieuse (F/cl916) 259 Castleton (GB/1919) 47
Burleigh (USA/c 1943) 159 Calvay (GB/1943) 66 Capricornus (USA/c 1943) 160 Castor (G/1940) 253
Burlington (GB/1940) 64, 85 Calvo Sotelo (Sp/1934) 402 Capriolo (1/1942) 316 Castor (GB/1915) 10
Burlington (USA/1943) 149 Calypso (F/1926) 273 Capuvate (USA/1942) 151 Castor (Sw/1909) 370
Burnet (GB/1943) 63 Calypso (GB/1917) 10 Carabiniere (F/1944) 278 Castore (1/1936) 302
Burnham (GB/1919) 47 Calypso (USA/1932) 166 Carabiniere (1/1909) 286 Caswell (USA/c 1943) 160
Burnie (GB/1940) 65 Cam (GB/1943) 58 Carabiniere (1/1938) 301 Cataluna (Sp/1900) 399
Burns (USA/1918) 94 Camaqua (Br/1939) 418 Carabina (1/1943) 316 Catamarca (A/1911) 419
Burns (USA/1942) 131 Cambria (USA/c 1943) 159 Carabobo (Ve/1941) 415 Catamount (USA/1945) 161
Burra (GB/1941) 66 Cambrian (GB/1916) 10 Caradoc (GB/1916) 10 Cates (USA/1943) 139
Burrfish (USA/1943) 146 Cambrian (GB/1943) 43 Caraquet (GB/1941) 64 Catfish (U S A/1944) 146
Burrows (USA/1910) 93 Cambridge (USA/-) 121 Caravan (USA/1942) 151 Cathay (GB/1925) 82
Burrows (USA/1943) 139 Camellia (GB/1940) 62 Carbonero (USA/1944) 146 Catoctin (USA/1943) 159

430
Catron (USA/c 1943) 160 Charles Ausburne (USA/1942) 130 Chien An (Ca/1900) 412 Clas Horn (Sw/1898) 369
Catskill (USA/1942) 161 Charles E Brannon (USA/1944) 138 Chien Kang (Ca/1912) 412 Clash (USA/1942) 156
Catterick (GB/1941) 46 Charles F Hughes (USA/1940) 128 Chien Wei (Ca/1902) 412 Claudio Druso (I/-) 297
Cattistock (GB/1940) 45 Charles H Roan (USA/1946) 134 Chignecto (GB/1940) 64 Claudio Tiberio (I/-) 297
Caution (USA/1942) 151 Charles J Badger (USA/1943) 131 Chigusa Maru (J/1944) 213 Clava (I/-) 316
Cauvery (GB/1943) 58 Charles ] Kimmel (USA/1944) 137 Chihaya (J/1900) 177 Clavering Castle (GB/-) 63
Cava (GB/1941) 66 Charles Lawrence (USA/1943) 136 Chikubu (J/1944) 206 Claxton (USA/1919) 94
Cavalier (F/1910) 258 Charles P Cecil (USA/1945) 133 Chikuma (J/1911) 174 Claxton (USA/1942) 130
Cavalier (F/1944) 278 Charles Plunder (F/1939) 279 Chikuma (J/1938) 190 Clay (USA/c 1943) 159
Cavalier (GB/1944) 43 Charles R Greer (USA/1943) 135 Childers (GB/1945) 43 Claymore (F/1906) 258
Cavalier (USA/c 1943) 159 Charles R Ware (USA/1945) 134 Childs (USA/1920) 94 Claymore (GB/-) 44
Cavalla (USA/1943) 145 Charles R Ware (USA/-) 138 Chilliwack (GB/1940) 62 Clayoquot (GB/1940) 64
Cavallaro (U S A /1944) 161 Charles S Sperry (USA/1944) 132 Chilton (USA/c 1943) 159 Clearfield (USA/c 1943) 160
Cavalletta (1/1942) 316 Charleston (USA/1904) 93 Chimera (1/1943) 316 Cleburne (USA/c 1943) 160
Cavendish (GB/1944) 43 Charleston (USA/1936) 155 Chin Yen (Ma/1935) 414 Clematis (GB/1915) 13
Cavina (GB/1924) 83 Charlestown (GB/1918) 47 Chincoteague (USA/1942) 157 Clematis (GB/1940) 62
Cawsand Bay (GB/1945) 61 Charlock (GB/1943) 63 Chipana (Ce/1944) 423 Clemenceau (F/1943) 260
Cayman (GB/1943) 62 Charlotte (USA/1906) 93 Chipper (USA/1945) 146 Clemson (USA/1918) 94
Cayuga (GB/1945) 40 Charlotte (USA/1943) 149 Chitose (J/1898) 174 Cleopatra (GB/1915) 10
Cayuga (USA/1931) 164 Charlottesville (USA/1943) 148 Chitose (J/1936) 184,212 Cleopatra (GB/1940) 33
Ceara (Br/1915) 416 Charlottetown (GB/1941) 62 Chitral (GB/1925) 82 Clermont (USA/c 1943) 160
Cecil (USA/c 1943) 159 Charlottetown (GB/1943) 59 Chivalrous (GB/1945) 43 Cleveland (GB/1940) 45
Cecil J Doyle (USA/1944) 138 Charogh (Pe/1931) 409 Chivo (USA/1945) 146 Cleveland (USA/1901) 93
Cedar Lake (GB/1945) 72 Charr (USA/1944) 146 Chiyoda (J/1937) 183, 212 Cleveland (USA/1941) 119
Celandine (GB/1940) 62 Charrette (USA/1942) 131 Chkalov (USSR/1948) 328 Climax (USA/1943) 151
Celebes (Ne/-) 387 Charybdis (GB/1940) 33 Chokai (J/1931) 189 Climene (1/1909) 287
Celia (GB/1940) 66 Chase (USA/1919) 95 Chonburi (Si/1937) 411 Climene (1/1936) 302
Centaur (GB/1916) 10 Chase (USA/1943) 136 Chow Phraya (Si/1918) 410 Clinton (USA/c 1943) 160
Centaur (GB/1947) 23 Chaser (GB/1942) 25 Christchurch Castle (GB/-) 63 Clio (1/1906) 287
Centauro (1/1936) 302 Chastang (F/1917) 258 Christiaan Cornelis (Ne/cl905) 387 Clio (1/1938) 302
Centaurus (USA/c 1943) 160 Chateaurenault (F/-) 266 Christopher (USA/1943) 139 Clitheroe Castle (GB/-) 63
Centurion (GB/1911) 7 Chatelaine (USA/1943) 140 Chrysanthemum (GB/1917) 13 Clive (GB/extant 1922) 13
Centurion (GB/-) 36 Chatham (GB/1911) 10 Chrysanthemum (GB/1941) 62 Clorinde (F/1913) 258
Cepheus (USA/c 1943) 160 Chattanooga (USA/1903) 93 Chu Chien (Ca/c 1906) 412 Cloues (USA/1943) 135
Ceram (Ne/1938) 394 Chattanooga (USA/-) 120 Chu Kuan (Ca/c 1906) 412 Clover (GB/1941) 62
Ceres (F/1938) 275 Chaudiere (GB/1936) 39 Chu Tai (Ca/c 1906) 412 Clun Castle (GB/-) 63
Ceres (GB/1917) 10 Chauncey (USA/1918) 95 Chu Tung (Ca/c 1906) 412 Clyde (GB/1934) 49
Cernia (I/-) 310 Chauncey (USA/1943) 131 Chu Yew (Ca/c 1906) 412 Clydebank (GB/1941) 64
Cero (USA/1943) 145 Chautequa (USA/1944) 165 Chu Yu (Ca/c 1906) 412 Coates (USA/1943) 137
Cervantes (A/1925) 421 Chebogue(GB/1943) 59 Chub (USA/1944) 146 Coaticook (GB/1943) 59
Cervo (I/-) 316 Chedobucto (GB/1941) 64 Chukor (USA/1944) 151 Cobalt (GB/1940) 62
Cesare Battisti (1/1926) 298 Cheerful (GB/1944) 65 Chung Ning (Ca/c 1936) 413 Cobalto (1/1941) 310
Cesare Rossarol (1/1914) 287 Cheka (USSR/1937) 341 Chunphorn (Si/1937) 411 Cobbler (USA/1945) 146
Cessnock (GB/1941) 64 Chelan (USA/1928) 164 Churchill (GB/1919) 47 Cobia (USA/1943) 145
Cetetea Alba (Ro/-) 362 Chelmer (GB/1943) 58 Churruca (Sp/1925) 401 Cobourg (GB/1943) 63
Cetnik (Yu/1927) 359 Chelsea (GB/1919) 47 Churruca (Sp/1929) 401 Cocciniglia (I/-) 316
Ceuta (Sp/1919) 402 Chen (Ca/1895) 412 Chuyo (J/1939) 185 Cochin (GB/1943) 65
Ceylon (GB/1942) 34 Chen Shen (Ca/1899) 412 Cicala (1/1943) 316 Cochino (USA/1945) 146
Chacabuco (Ce/1898) 422 Chenango (USA/1939) 108 Cicero (GB/1943) 72 Cockade (GB/1944) 43
Chacal (F/1924) 267 Cheng Ning (Ca/cl936) 413 Ciclone (1/1942) 303 Cockatrice (GB/1942) 65
Chaffee (USA/1943) 137 Chepstow Castle (GB/-) 63 Cicogna (1/1942) 316 Cockrill (USA/1943) 140
Chahsever (Pe/1936) 409 Chequers (GB/1944) 43 Cigno (1/1906) 287 Cod (USA/1943) 145
Chaika (USSR/1943) 339 Cheribon (Ne/1938) 394 Cigno (1/1936) 302 Codrington (GB/1929) 58
Chaimite (Po/1898) 396 Chernomorec (Bu/1917) 363 Ciklon (USSR/1930) 339 Cofer (USA/1943) 136
Chakdina (GB/1914) 83 Cherry Lake (GB/1945) 72 Cilicia (GB/1938) 82 Coffman (USA/1943) 139
Chakla (GB/1914) 83 Chervona Ukraina (USSR/1915) 326 Cimeterre (F/1911) 258 Coghlan (USA/1920) 95
Chamaeleon (GB/1944) 65 Cheshire (GB/1927) 82 Cimeterre (F/1944) 278 Coghlan (USA/1942) 128
Chambers (USA/1943) 140 Chesma (USSR/1886) 322 Cincinatti (USA/1921) 93 Cogswell (USA/1943) 131
Chambly (GB/1940) 62 Chester (USA/1907) 93 Cinco de Outubro (Po/1900) 396 Colac (GB/1941) 65
Chamois (F/1938) 277 Chester (USA/1929) 114 Circassia (GB/1937) 82 Colahan (USA/1943) 131
Champion (GB/1915) 10 Chester Castle (GB/-) 63 Circe (F/1925) 273 Colbert (F/1928) 263
Champion (USA/1942) 150 Chester T O’Brien (USA/1944) 138 Circe (GB/1942) 65 Colbert (USA/c 1943) 160
Champlain (USA/1928) 164 Chesterfield (GB/1920) 47 Circe (1/1938) 302 Colchester Castle (GB/-) 63
Champlin (USA/1918) 94 Chestnut (GB/1940) 66 Circe (USA/c 1943) 160 Coldstreamer (GB/1942) 67
Champlin (USA/1942) 128 Chevalier (USA/1942) 130 Ciro Menotti (1/1929) 307 Cole (USA/1919) 94
Chanbaaz (Pe/1931) 409 Chevalier (USA/1944) 133 Cirujano Videla (Ce/c 1896) 422 Colfax (USA/1927) 166
Chandeleur (US A/1941) 158 Chevalier Paul (F/1932) 268 Ciscar (Sp/1933) 401 Colhoun (U S A/1918) 93
Chandler (USA/1919) 94 Cheviot (GB/1944) 43 Cisco (USA/1942) 145 Colhoun (USA/1944) 132
Chandraburi (Si/1937) 411 Chevreuil (F/1939) 277 City of Durban (GB/1921) 84 Coll (GB/1942) 66
Chang (Ca/1895) 412 Chevron (GB/1944) 43 City of Rochester (GB/1904) 84 Collett (USA/1944) 132
Chang Ning (Ca/cl936) 413 Chew (USA/1918) 94 Clacton (GB/1941) 64 Collingsworth (USA/c 1943) 160
Change (USA/1942) 151 Cheyenne (USA/-) 120 Clamagore (USA/1945) 146 Collingwood (GB/1940) 62
Chantala (GB/1920) 83 Chiburi (J/1943) 206 Clamour (USA/1942) 151 Colmar (F/1908) 257
Chanticleer (GB/1942) 57 Chicago (USA/1930) 114 Clare (GB/1920) 47 Colombie (F/1931) 279
Chao Ho (Ca/1911) 412 Chicago (USA/1944) 121 Clare Castle (GB/-) 63 Colombier (F/c 1942) 278
Chapayev (USSR/1940) 328 Chickadee (U S A /1942) 150 Clarence K Bronson (USA/1943) 131 Colombo (GB/1918) 10
Chaplet (GB/1944) 43 Chicoutimi (GB/1940) 62 Clarence L Evans (USA/1944) 139 Colon (DR/1944) 425
Chara (USA/c 1943) 160 Chiddingfold (GB/1941) 46 Clarendon (USA/c 1943) 160 Colonial (USA/1945) 161
Charger (USA/1941) 107 Chidori (J/1933) 197 Clark (USA/1935) 125 Colorado (USA/1921) 90
Charity (GB/1944) 43 Chief (USA/1943) 150 Clarkia (GB/1940) 62 Colossus (GB/1910) 7
Charles Ausburn (USA/1919) 95 Chieftain (GB/1945) 43 Clas Fleming (Sw/1912) 370 Colossus (GB/1943) 22

431
 ■^jr

Colsay (GB/1943) 66 Constance (GB/1944) 43 Cotopaxi (Ec/1884) 425 Cuba (Cu/1911) 424
Coltsfoot (GB/1941) 62 Constanta (Ro/extant 1922) 362 Cotswold (GB/1940) 45 Cubera (USA/1945) 146
Columbia (GB/1918) 47 Constitucion (Ve/1940) 415 Cottel (GB/?) 72 Cubitt (GB/1943) 61
Columbia (USA/1941) 119 Conte di Cavour (1/1911) 284 Cotten (USA/1943) 131 Cuckmere (GB/1942) 58
Columbine (GB/1940) 62 Contest (GB/1944) 43 Cottesmore (GB/1940) 45 Culgoa (GB/1944) 60
Columbrina (1/1942) 317 Control (USA/1943) 151 Cottle (USA/c 1943) 160 Cullman (USA/c 1943) 160
Columbus (USA/1944) 121 Converse (USA/1919) 95 Cotton (GB/1943) 61 Culver (GB/1928) 58
Colusa (USA/c 1943) 160 Converse (U S A/1942) 130 Coucy (F/1919) 259 Culverin (GB/1946) 44
Comanche (USA/1934) 166 Convolvulus (GB/1940) 62 Counsel (USA/1943) 151 Cumberland (GB/1926) 26
Comandante Baroni (I/-) 301 Conway (USA/1942) 130 Courage (US A/1940) 156 Cumberland Sound (USA/1944) 158
Comandante Borsini (I/-) 301 Cony (USA/1942) 130 Courageous (GB/1916) 9,18 Cumbrae (GB/1940) 66
Comandante Botti (I/-) 301 Conyngham (USA/1915) 93 Courbet (F/1911) 257 Cummings (USA/1913) 93
Comandante Cappellini (1/1939) 305 Conyngham (USA/193 5) 125 Courier (GB/1943) 65 Cummings (USA/1935) 125
Comandante Casana (I/-) 301 Cook (GB/1945) 61 Courtenay (GB/1941) 64 Curacoa (GB/1917) 10
Comandante Corsi (I/-) 301 Cook (USA/1944) 161 Coutelas (F/1944) 278 Curie (F/1912) 258
Comandante Dell’Anno (I/-) 301 Cook Inlet (USA/1944) 157 Covadonga (Ce/1944) 423 Curie (F/1943) 276
Comandante di Cristofaro (I/-) 301 Cooke (GB/1943) 61 Coventry (GB/1917) 10 Curieuse (F/cl916) 259
Comandante Espoisito (I/-) 301 Coolbaugh (USA/1943) 136 Coverley (GB/1941) 66 Curlew (GB/1917) 10
Comandante Faa di Bruno (1/1939) Cooner (USA/1943) 139 Covington (USA/1943) 149 Currier (USA/1943) 137
305 Cooper (USA/1944) 132 Cowdray (GB/1941) 46 Currituck (USA/1943) 157
Comandante Fiorello (I/-) 301 Coos Bay (USA/1942) 157 Cowell (USA/1918) 94 Curtatone (1/1922) 287
Comandante Fontana (I/-) 301 Cootamundra (GB/1942) 65 Cowell (USA/1943) 130 Curtis W Howard (USA/1943) 139
Comandante Giannattasio (I/-) 301 Copahee (US A/1941) 108 Cowes Castle (GB/-) 63 Curtiss (USA/1940) 157
Comandante Giobbe (I/-) 301 Copinsay (GB/1940) 66 Cowichan (GB/1940) 64 Curzon (GB/1943) 61
Comandante Giorgis (I/-) 301 Coppercliff (GB/1944) 63 Cowie (USA/1941) 129 Cushing (USA/1915) 93
Comandante Margottini (I/-) 301 Coquette (GB/1943) 65 Cowling Castle (GB/-) 63 Cushing (USA/193 5) 125
Comandante Milano (I/-) 301 Coquitlam (GB/1944) 72 Cowpens (US A/1943) 105 Cushing (USA/1943) 131
Comandante Novara (I/-) 301 Coral Sea (USA/1946) 106 Cowra (GB/1943) 65 Cusk (USA/1945) 146
Comandante Rodocanacchi (I/-) 301 Corallo (1/1936) 309 Cowslip (GB/1941) 62 Custer (USA/c 1943) 159
Comandante Roscana (I/-) 301 Corazziere (1/1909) 286 Crag (USA/1943) 151 Cutlass (GB/1946) 44
Comandante Ruta (I/-) 301 Corazziere (1/1938) 301 Cranbrook (GB/1943) 72 Cutlass (USA/1944) 147
Comber (USA/-) 147 Corbesier (USA/1944) 138 Crane (GB/1942) 57 Cuttack (GB/1943) 65
Comet (GB/1931) 38 Corbrae (GB/1912) 85 Crane (USA/1918) 94 Cuttlefish (USA/1933) 143
Comet (GB/1944) 43 Corburn (GB/1936) 85 Cranstoun (GB/1943) 61 Cuyahoga (USA/1927) 166
Comfrey (GB/1942) 63 Cordelia (GB/1914) 10 Craonne (F/1919) 259 Cyane (USA/1934) 166
Commandant Bory (F/1912) 258 Cordoba (A/1911) 419 Craonne (F/1940) 277 Cybele (GB/1944) 85
Commandant Bory (F/1939) 277 Core (USA/1942) 108 Craven (USA/1918) 93 Cyclamen (GB/1916) 13
Commandant Delage (F/1939) 277 Coreopsis (GB/1940) 62 Craven (USA/1937) 126 Cyclamen (GB/1940) 62
Commandant Detroyer (F/1941) 277 Corfe Castle (GB/-) 63 Crawford (USA/i 927) 166 Cyclone (F/1925) 269
Commandant Domine (F/1939) 277 Corfield (GB/1937) 85 Cread (USA/1944) 161 Cygnet (GB/1931) 38
Commandant Drogou (F/1941) 277 Corfu (GB/1931) 82 Creamer (US A/1944) 135 Cygnet (GB/1942) 57
Commandant Duboc (F/1939) 277 Coriander (GB/1941) 62 Creddock (USA/1944) 151 Cyprus (GB/c 1936) 84
Commandant Lucas (F/1914) 258 Corinthian (GB/1938) 83 Crenshaw (USA/c 1943) 160 Cyrus (GB/1944) 85
Commandant Riviere (F/1912) 258 Coriolanus (GB/1940) 66 Creole (GB/1945) 43 Czajka (Pl/extant 1922) 349
Commandant Riviere (F/1939) 277 Cormorano (1/1942) 317 Crescent (GB/1931) 38 Czajka (Pl/cl936) 351
Commandant Teste (F/1929) 261 Corncrake (1/1942) 67 Crescent (GB/1944) 43 Czapla (Pl/c 1936) 351
Commencement Bay (USA/1944) 111 Cornel (GB/1942) 63 Crested Eagle (GB/1935) 84
Comodoro Marature (A/1891) 419 Cornelie (F/1913) 258 Crevalle (USA/1943) 145 D’Entrecasteaux (F/1931) 276
Comodoro Py (A/1891) 419 Cornelio Silla (1/1941) 297 Criccieth Castle (GB/-) 63 D’Iberville (F/1934) 276
Comorin (GB/1924) 82 Cornet Castle (GB/-) 63 Crisalide (1/1947) 317 Dabchick (GB/1943) 66
Comox (GB/1938) 65 Cornflower (GB/1916) 13 Crispin (GB/1935) 83 Dace (USA/1943) 145
Compel (USA/1943) 151 Cornwall (GB/1926) 26 Crispin (GB/1945) 43 Dacia (Ro/extant 1922) 362
Competent (USA/1943) 150 Cornwallis (GB/1917) 13 Crittenden (USA/c 1943) 160 Dacres (GB/1943) 61
Compton (U S A /1944) 132 Coronado (USA/1943) 148 Croaker (USA/1943) 145 Dade (USA/c 1943) 159
Comstock (USA/1945) 161 Coronation (GB/1902) 84 Croaten (USA/1942) 108 Daerwood (GB/1943) 72
Comus (GB/1914) 10 Coronel (G/cl938) 248 Crockett (USA/c 1943) 160 Daffodil (GB/1915) 13
Comus (GB/1945) 43 Coronel Bolognesi (Pu/1906) 423 Crocus (GB/1915) 13 Daffodil (GB/1917) 73
Concise (US A/1943) 151 Corporal (USA/1945) 146 Crocus (GB/1940) 62 Dafni (Gr/1913) 404
Concord (GB/1916) 10 Corpus Christie (USA/1943) 148 Croix de Lorraine (F/1943) 277 Daga (1/1943) 303
Concord (USA/1921) 93 Corregidor (USA/1943) 109 Cromarty (GB/1941) 64 Dagabur (1/1936) 309
Concord (GB/1945) 43 Corrientes (A/1896) 419 Cromer (GB/1940) 64 Dagger (GB/-) 44
Condamine (GB/1944) 60 Corrientes (A/1937) 420 Cromer Castle (GB/-) 63 Dague (F/1944) 278
Conde (F/1901) 257 Corry (USA/1921) 95 Cromo (I/-) 310 Dahlgren (USA/1918) 94
Condorcet (F/1909) 257 Corry (USA/1941) 128 Cromwell (GB/1945) 43 Dahlia (GB/1915) 13
Condouriotis (Gr/1931) 405 Corry (USA/1945) 133 Cronin (USA/1944) 137 Dahlia (GB/1940) 62
Cone (USA/1945) 134 Corsair (USA/1946) 147 Croome (GB/1941) 46 Dainty (GB/1932) 38
Confienza (1/1920) 287 Corsaro (G/1942) 254 Crosby (USA/1918) 94 Dainty (GB/1950) 45
Conger (USA/1944) 147 Corsaro (1/1941) 301 Crosley (USA/1944) 161 Daito (J/1944) 206
Conklin (USA/1944) 138 Corson (U S A/1944) 157 Cross (USA/1944) 138 Dakins (GB/1943) 61
Conn (GB/1943) 61 Cortellazzo (1/1917) 287 Crossbow (GB/1945) 44 Dale (USA/1919) 95
Conner (USA/1917) 93 Cortland (USA/c 1943) 160 Crouter (USA/1943) 135 Dale (USA/1935) 125
Conner (USA/1942) 131 Corunna (GB/1945) 44 Crowley (USA/1943) 135 Dale W Peterson (USA/1943) 140
Connolly (USA/1944) 135 Corvina (Po/cl941) 398 Crowlin (GB/1943) 66 Dallas (USA/1919) 94
Conquerante (F/1917) 259 Corvina (USA/1943) 145 Crown (GB/1945) 43 Dallas (USA/-) 123
Conqueror (GB/1911) 84,85 Corvus (USA/c 1943) 160 Crowninshield (USA/1919) 94 Dalmacija (Yu/extant 1922) 357
Conqueror (GB/-) 16 Cosby (GB/1943) 61 Croziers (GB/1944) 43 Dalnevostochnoi Komsomolec
Conquest (GB/1915) 10 Cosmo Garcia (Sp/1917) 399 Cruise (USA/1943) 151 (USSR/extant 1922) 324
Conrad (PI/1918) 349 Cossack (GB/1937) 40 Crusader (GB/1931) 38 Dalrymple (GB/1945) 61
Console Generale Liuzzi (1/1939) 306 Cossack (GB/1944) 43 Crusader (GB/1944) 43 Daly (USA/1942) 130
Consort (GB/1944) 43 Costanzo Ciano (I/-) 297 Crystal (GB/1945) 43 Damao (Po/cl925) 397
Constance (GB/1915) 10 Cotillion (GB/1940) 66 Csobanc (Hu/extant 1922) 355 Damato (USA/1945) 134

432
Damon M Cummings (USA/1944) Delfinen (Sw/1914) 370 Diaspro (1/1936) 309 Drach (Tu/1905) 407
136 Delfinen (Sw/1934) 373 Dickens (USA/c 1943) 160 Dragen (Dk/1929) 383
Dampier (GB/1945) 61 Delfino (1/1930) 308 Dickerson (USA/1919) 94 Dragon (F/1944) 278
Damsay (GB/1942) 66 Delfinul (Ro/1930) 361 Diderot (F/1909) 257 Dragon (GB/1917) 10
Danae (F/1927) 273 Delhi (GB/1918) 10 Dido (GB/1939) 33 Dragon (PI/1917) 349
Danae (GB/1918) 10 Delight (GB/1932) 38 Diether von Roeder (G/1937) 233 Dragone (1/1943) 303
Danae (GB/-) 45 Delight (GB/1950) 45 Diez de Octubre (Cu/1911) 424 Dragonet (USA/1943) 145
Danaide (1/1942) 317 Delight (GB/-) 45 Digby (GB/1942) 64 Dragonfly (GB/1938) 79
Dandolo (1/1937) 305 Deligny (F/1917) 258 Dili (Po/extant 1922) 396 Drake (USA/1944) 151
Dane (USA/c 1943) 160 Deloraine (GB/1941) 65 Diligence (USA/1927) 166 Draken (Sw/1926) 373
Daniel (USA/1943) 140 Delphinium (GB/1915) 13 Diligente (F/c 1916) 259 Draug (No/1908) 378
Daniel A Joy (USA/1944) 137 Delphinium (GB/1940) 62 Dinaira (Yu/c 1936) 359 Drava (Yu/extant 1922) 357
Daniel T Griffin (USA/1943) 136 Delphy (USA/1918) 95 Dio (Po/cl925) 397 Drayton (USA/1910) 93
Daniele Manin (1/1925) 298 Delta (Es/extant 1922) 353 Diodon (USA/1945) 146 Drayton (USA/1936) 125
Dannebrog (Dk/1879) 383 Demirhisar (Tu/1941) 407 Diomede (GB/1919) 10 Drew (USA/c 1943) 160
Dante Alighieri (1/1910) 284 Demon (GB/-) 45 Dione (USA/1934) 166 Drexler (USA/1944) 132
Dao (Po/1934) 397 Dempsey (USA/1943) 135 Dionne (USA/1943) 135 Driade (1/1942) 317
Daphne (Dk/1925) 383 Denbigh Castle (GB/1944) 63 Diphda (USA/c 1943) 160 Dristig (No/1898) 378
Daphne (F/1915) 258 Denizkusu (Tu/cl926) 408 Diploma (USA/1944) 151 Dristigheten (Sw/1900) 368
Daphne (USA/1932) 166 Dennis (USA/1943) 138 Dipper (USA/1944) 151 Driver (USA/1944) 151
Darby (USA/1943) 136 Dennis J Buckley (USA/1944) 133 Dirk (GB/-) 44 Drobak (No/?) 381
Dardanelli (1/1925) 317 Dennis J Buckley (USA/-) 138 Discovery (GB/1929) 83 Drottning Victoria (Sw/1917) 368
Dardo (1/1930) 299 Density (USA/1944) 151 Disdain (USA/1944) 151 Drski (Bu/1907) 363
Darfeel (Eg/1925) 409 Dent (USA/1918) 94 Dittany (GB/1942) 63 Drum (USA/1941) 145
Daring (GB/1932) 38 Dentice (I/-) 310 Dix (USA/1927) 166 Drumheller (GB/1941) 62
Daring (GB/1949) 45 Dentuda (USA/1944) 146 Dixmude (F/1940) 262 Drummond (A/c 1936) 421
Darke (USA/c 1943) 160 Denver (USA/1902) 93 Djampea (Ne/cl940) 394 Drummondville (GB/1941) 64
Dart (GB/1942) 58 Denver (USA/1942) 119 Djember (Ne/c 1940) 394 Drury (GB/1943) 61
Darter (USA/1943) 145 Deodar (GB/1940) 66 Djerv (No/1897) 378 Dryaden (Dk/1926) 383
Dartmouth (GB/1910) J 10 Deodoro (Br/1898) 416 Djombangh (Ne/c 1940) 394 Du Chaffault (F/1918) 259
Das (Ne/1875) 388 Deptford (GB/1935) 56 Dobler (USA/1942) 135 Du Couedic (F/1919) 259
Dasher (GB/1941) 25 Derby Haven (GB/1944) 60 Dochet (GB/1942) 66 Du Page (USA/c 1943) 159
Dashiell (USA/1943) 131 Derbyshire (GB/1935) 82 Dogan (Tu/c 1926) 408 Duane (USA/1936) 165
Dauntless (GB/1918) 10 Derg (GB/1943) 58 Dogfish (USA/1945) 146 Dubbo (GB/1942) 65
Dauphin (F/1925) 272 Dervish (GB/-) 45 Doherty (USA/1942) 135 Dublin (GB/1912) 10
Dauphin (GB/1940) 62 Derwent (GB/1941) 46 Dolfijn (Ne/1942) 392 Dubourdieu (F/1918) 259
Dauphin (USA/c 1943) 159 Derwentdale (GB/1941) 74 Dolphin (USA/1932) 142 Dubrovnik (Yu/1931) 357
Davenport (USA/1943) 149 Des Geneys (1/1928) 307 Domenico Millelire (1/1927) 304 Duchess (GB/1932) 38
David W Taylor (USA/1942) 130 Des Moines (USA/1902) 93 Domett (GB/1943) 61 Duchess (GB/1951) 45
Davis (USA/1916) 93 Des Moines (USA/1946) 123 Dominica (GB/1943) 62 Duchess of Fife (GB/1903) 84
Davis (USA/1938) 127 Desaix (F/1901) 257 Don (USSR/1934) 344 Duchess of Rothesay (GB/1894) 84
Davison (USA/1942) 129 Desaix (F/1936) 269 Don O Woods (USA/1944) 161 Duckworth (GB/1943) 61
Dawson (GB/1941) 62 Design (USA/1944) 151 Donald W Wolf (USA/1944) 161 Dudley Castle (GB/-) 63
Dawson (USA/c 1943) 160 Desire (GB/-) 45 Donaldson (USA/1943) 135 Duff (GB/1943) 61
Day (USA/1943) 137 Desna (USSR/1915) 323 Donau (G/1921) 252 Duffy (USA/1943) 135
Dayton (USA/1943) 119 Despatch (GB/1919) 10 Doneff (USA/1942) 135 Dufilho (USA/1944) 138
Dayton (USA/1944) 120 Desperate (GB/-) 45 Donnell (USA/1943) 136 Dugong (USA/-) 146
De Grasse (F/1946) 266 Dessie (1/1936) 309 Donner (US A/1945) 161 Duguay Trouin (F/1923) 262
De Haven (USA/1942) 130 Detroit (USA/1922) 93 Donovan (GB/1943) 72 Duiveland (Ne/c 1943) 394
De Haven (USA/1944) 132 Deuel (USA/c 1943) 160 Doomba (GB/1919) 84 Duke of Wellington (GB/1935) 73
De Long (USA/1943) 137 Deutschland (G/1931) 227 Dorado (Sp/c 1910) 400 Duke of York (GB/1940) 15
De Ruyter (Ne/1935) 388 Devastator (U S A/1943) 150 Dorado (USA/1943) 145 Duluth (USA/1944) 120
De Zeven Provincien (Ne/1909) 386 Deveron (GB/1942) 58 Dorado (USA/-) 147 Dulverton (GB/1941) 46
De Zeven Provincien (Ne/1944) 388 Device (USA/1944) 151 Doran (USA/1941) 129 Dumbarton Castle (GB/1943) 63
Deane (GB/1943) 61 Devilfish (USA/1943) 145 Doris (F/1927) 273 Dumlupynar (Tu/1931) 407
Dearborn (USA/1943) 148 Devizes Castle (GB/-) 63 Doris (F/1944) 276 Dumont D’Urville (F/1918) 259
Decatur (U SA/1921) 95 Devonia (GB/1905) 84 Dornoch (GB/1942) 64 Dumont D’Urville (F/1931) 276
Deccan (GB/1944) 64 Devonshire (GB/1927) 27 Doroteya (USSR/1924) 340 Dunbar (GB/1941) 64
Decker (USA/1942) 135 Devosa (USA/c 1943) 160 Dorsetshire (GB/1929) 28 Duncan (GB/1932) 38
Decoy (GB/1932) 38 Dewdale (GB/1941) 74 Dorsey (USA/1918) 94 Duncan(USA/1913) 93
Decoy (GB/1949) 45 Dewey (USA/1934) 125 Dortch (USA/1943) 131 Duncan (USA/1942) 128
Decoy (GB/-) 45 Dextrous (USA/1943) 151 Dotterel (USA/1944) 151 Duncan (USA/1944) 134
Dedaigneuse (F/c 1916) 259 Dhyfe Castle (GB/-) 63 Douglas (GB/1918) 11 Duncton (GB/1941) 67
Dedalo (Sp/1901) 403 Dhonburi (Si/1938) 410 Douglas A Munro (USA/1944) 138 Dundas (GB/1941) 62
Deede (USA/1943) 135 Diablo (USA/1944) 147 Douglas H Fox (USA/1944) 132 Dundee (GB/1932) 56
Defence (GB/1944) 35 Diachenko (USA/1944) 161 Douglas L Howard (USA/1943) 140 Dunedin (GB/1918) 10
Defender (GB/1932) 38 Diadem (GB/1942) 35 Dour (USA/1944) 151 Dunkerque (F/1935) 259
Defender (GB/1950) 45 Diamant (F/1933) 274 Dourada (Po/c 1941) 398 Dunkery (GB/1941) 67
Defense (USA/1943) 150 Diamante (1/1933) 309 Douro (Po/1913) 396 Dunkirk (GB/1945) 44
Deft (US A/1943) 151 Diamantina (GB/1944) 60 Douro (Po/1932) 397 Dunlap (USA/1936) 126
Dehorter (F/1912) 258 Diamond (GB/1932) 38 Douro (Po/1935) 397 Dunlin (USA/1943) 151
Dekabrist (USSR/1928) 332 Diamond (GB/1950) 45 Douwe Aukes (Ne/1922) 388 Dunottar Castle (GB/1936) 82
Delage (F/1918) 258 Diana (Dk/1916) 383 Dover Castle (GB/-) 63 Dunster Castle (GB/-) 63
Delbert W Halsey (USA/1944) 135 Diana (GB/1932) 38 Dovey (GB/1943) 58 Dunvegan (GB/1940) 62
Delegate (USA/1943) 151 Diana (GB/1952) 45 Downes (USA/1913) 93 Dunver (GB/1942) 59
Delfim (Po/1934) 397 Diana (GB/-) 45 Downes (USA/1936) 125 Duperre (F/1918) 259
Delfin (Gr/cl911) 405 Diana (1/1940) 316 Doyen (USA/1919) 95 Dupleix (F/1930) 263
Delfin (Gr/1944) 406 Diane (F/1930) 275 Doyen (USA/1942) 159 Duplin (USA/c 1943) 160
Delfin (No/1896) 378 Dianella (GB/1940) 62 Doyle (USA/1942) 128 Dupont (USA/1918) 94
Delfin (Sp/c 1910) 400 Diano (I/-) 317 Doyle C Barnes (USA/1944) 137 Dupuy de Lome (F/1915) 258
Delfinen (Dk/1913) 382 Dianthus (GB/1940) 62 Draak (Ne/c 1906) 387 Duquesne (F/1925) 263

433
Durango (Mex/c 1934) 415 El Amir Faroug (Eg/1926) 409 Enoki (J/1945) 196 Ettrick (GB/1943) 58
Durant (USA/1943) 140 El Amira Fawzia (Eg/1929) 409 Enrico Cosenz (1/1919) 287 Eugene (USA/1943) 148
Durazzo (1/1926) 317 El Djezair (F/1934) 279 Enrico Tazzoli (1/1935) 305 Eugene A Greene (USA/1945) 133
Durban (GB/1919) 10 El Hind (GB/1938) 72 Enrico Toti (1/1928) 304 Eugene A Greene (US A/-) 138
Durbo (1/1938) 309 El Hoot (Eg/?) 409 Enright (US A/1943) 136 Eugene E Elmore (US A/1943) 137
Durik (USA/1943) 136 El Kantara (F/1932) 279 Ensay (GB/1942) 66 Eugenio di Savoia (1/193 5) 295
Durmitor (Yu/cl936) 359 El Mansour (F/1933) 279 Enseigne Ballande (F/1942) 277 Euler (F/1912) 258
Durres (Al/1926) 424 El Paso (USA/1943) 148 Enseigne Gabolde (F/1921) 258 Euridice (1/1944) 317
Dutchess (USA/c 1943) 159 El Plata (A/1874) 419 Enseigne Henry (F/1911) 258 Euro (1/1900) 286
Duxbury Bay (USA/1944) 157 Elan (F/1938) 277 Enseigne Roux (F/1915) 258 Euro (1/1927) 299.
Dwarf (GB/extant 1922) 13 Eland Dubois (Ne/1936) 394 Entemedor (US A/1944) 146 Eurotas (Gr/1884) 405
Dyer (USA/1918) 93 Elcano (USA/1884) 96 Enterprise (GB/1919) 10 Euryalus (GB/1939) 33
Dyess (USA/1945) 134 Elden (USA/1943) 135 Enterprise (USA/1936) 102 Eurydice (F/1927) 273
Dykaren (Sw/1940) 374 Eldorado (USA/1943) 159 Ento (J/1917) 177 Euterpe (1/1942) 317
Dyson (USA/1942) 131 Eldridge (USA/1943) 139 Entre Rios (A/1896) 419 Evangelista Torricelli (1/1934) 304
Dzhalita (USSR/1926) 340 Electra (GB/1934) 38 Entre Rios (A/1937) 420 Evans (USA/1918) 93
Dzherzinskiy Elisabeta (Ro/extant 1922) 361 Eolo (Sp/1939) 402 Evans (US A/1942) 130
(USSR/extant 1922) 324 Elkheart (USA/c 1943) 160 Epernay (F/1919) 259 Evansville (US A/1943) 149
Dzherzinskiy (USSR/1934) 339 Ellet (USA/1938) 127 Epervier (F/1931) 268 Evans (USA/1942) 135
Dzik (PI/1942) 350 Elliot (US A/1918) 94 Epinal (F/1919) 259 Eveille (F/c 1916) 259
Ellis (USA/1918) 94 Epperson (USA/1945) 133 Evenlode (GB/1942) 58
Eager (USA/1944) 151 Ellyson (USA/1941) 128 Epping Forest (USA/1943) 161 Event (USA/-) 151
Eagle (GB/1918) 10 Elm (GB/1939) 66 Equity (USA/-) 151 Everett (USA/1945) 148
Eagle (GB/1946) 21 Elm Lake (GB/1945) 72 Erben (USA/1943) 131 Everett F Larson (USA/1945) 133
Eagle (GB/-) 21 Elmore (USA/c 1943) 159 Erebus (GB/1916) 9 Everett F Larson (USA/-) 138
Earhart (USA/1945) 161 Elphinstone (GB/1917) 13 Erglis (La/extant 1922) 353 Eversole (USA/1944) 138
Earl K Olsen (US A/1944) 139 Elpidiofor (US SR/extant 1922) 324 Erica (GB/1940) 62 Eversole (USA/1946) 133
Earl V Johnson (USA/1943) 137 Elsass (G/1903) 222 Erich Giese(G/1937) 233 Evertsen (Ne/1926) 389
Earle (USA/1941) 129 Elusive (USA/1944) 151 Erich Koellner (G/1937) 233 Ewing (USA/1927) 166
Earle B Hall (USA/1944) 161 Ely (US A/1944) 135 Erich Steinbrinck (G/1936) 233 Exe (GB/1942) 58
Earraid (GB/1941) 66 Emanuelle Filiberto Duca d’Aosta Ericsson (USA/1914) 93 Execute (USA/1944) 151
Eastbourne (GB/1940) 64 (1/1934) 295 Ericsson (US A/1940) 128 Exeter (GB/1929) 29
Eastland (USA/cl943) 160 Emanuele Pessagno (1/1929) 299 Eridano (1/1943) 303 Exmoor (GB/1940) 45
Easton (GB/1942) 46 Emanuele Russo (1922) 288 Eridanus (Ne/extant 1922) 395 Exmoor (GB/1941) 46
Eastview (GB/1943) 59 Embattle (USA/1944) 151 Eridge (GB/1940) 46 Exmouth (GB/1934) 39
Eastway (GB/1943) 74 Emberley (GB/cl941) 72 Erie (USA/1936) 155 Express (GB/1934) 38
Eastwind (U SA/1943) 166 Embroil (U S A/-) 151 Erilane (Es/extant 1922) 353 Eyebright (GB/1940) 62
Eaton (USA/1942) 130 Emden (G/1925) 229 Eriskay (GB/1942) 66
Eberle (USA/1940) 128 Emerald (GB/1920) 10 Eritrea (1/1936) 316 Faadi Bruno (1/1916) 289
Ebert (USA/1944) 139 Emeraude (F/-) 276 Ermanno Carlotto (1/1918) 288 Facility (USA/1944) 151
Echo (GB/1934) 38 Emery (USA/1943) 135 Erne (GB/1939) 57 Fair (USA/1943) 135
Echuca (GB/1942) 65 Emile Benin (F/1933) 265 Ernest G Small (US A/1945) 134 Fairfax (USA/1917) 94
Eclipse (GB/1934) 38 Emmons (US A/1941) 128 Ernest Renan (F/1906) 257 Faisal I (Ir/1923) 425
Eday (GB/1941) 66 Emo (1/1938) 305 Ernesto Giovannini (1/1922) 288 Fak-Fak (Ne/c 1940) 394
Edda (Sw/1881) 370 Emperador Carlos V (Sp/1895) 399 Erwin Wassner (G/1938) 252 Fal (GB/1942) 58
Edgar (GB/-) 36 Emperor (GB/1942) 26 Escanaba (US A/1932) 166 Falange (Sp/1932) 404
Edgar G Chase (USA/1942) 135 Emperor of India (GB/1906) 84 Escanaba (USA/1945) 165 Falco (1/1919) 286
Edgar Quinet (F/1908) 257 Emperor of India (GB/1913) 7 Escano (Sp/1932) 401 Falcon (GB/1931) 78
Edgecombe (USA/c 1943) 160 Empire Broadsword (GB/1943) 72 Escapade (GB/1934) 38 Falgout (USA/1943) 140
Edgehill (GB/1928) 84 Empire Charmian (GB/1942) 74 Escaut (F/1918) 259 Falk (No/1902) 378
Edinburgh (GB/1938) 32 Empire Elaine (GB/1942) 74 Escolar (USA/1943) 145 Falk (No/c 1943) 380
Edison (USA/1940) 128 Empire Javelin (GB/1943) 72 Escort (GB/1934) 38 Falke (G/1926) 237
Edmonds (USA/1943) 138 Empire MacAlpine (GB/1942) 26 Esja (Ic/1939) 425 Fall River (USA/1944) 121
Edmundston (GB/1941) 62 Empire Mac Andrew (GB/1943) 26 Esk (GB/1934) 38 Fallon (USA/c 1943) 160
Edofjard (Sw/1933) 376 Empire MacCabe (GB/1943) 26 Eskdale (GB/1942) 46 Falmouth (GB/1932) 56
Edsall (USA/1920) 94 Empire MacCallum (GB/1943) 26 Eskimo (GB/1937) 40 Falster (Dk/1873) 383
Edsall (USA/1942) 140 Empire MacColl (GB/1943) 26 Esmeralda (Ce/1896) 422 Fame (GB/1934) 38
Eduarto Dato (Sp/1923) 400 Empire MacDermott (GB/1944) 26 Esmeralda (Ce/1944) 423 Fancy (GB/1943) 65
Edward C Daly (USA/1942) 135 Empire Mackay (GB/1943) 26 Espada (USA/-) 146 Fancy (US A/1944) 151
Edward H Allen (USA/1943) 138 Empire MacKendrick (GB/1943) 26 Espadilha (Po/cl941) 398 Fandango (GB/1940) 66
Edwards (USA/1918) 95 Empire MacMahon (GB/1943) 26 Espadon (F/1926) 272 Fanfare (F/1907) 258
Edwards (USA/1942) 129 Empire MacRae (GB/1943) 26 Espana (Sp/1912) 399 Fanning (USA/1912) 93
Edwin A Howard (USA/1944) 137 Emporia (USA/1943) 148 Espadarte (Po/1912) 396 Fanning (USA/1936) 126
Eel (USA/-) 146 Emporte (F/cl916) 259 Espardarte (Po/1934) 397 Fano (Dk/1941) 384
Eendracht (Ne/1950) 389 Empress (GB/1942) 26 Esperance Bay (GB/1922) 82 Fanshaw Bay (USA/1943) 109
Effingham (GB/1921) 10 Enard Bay (GB/1944) 61 Espero (1/1904) 286 Fantassin (F/1944) 278
Effingham (U S A/c 1943) 160 Enchantress (GB/1934) 57 Espero (1/1927) 299 Fantome (GB/1942) 65
Egeland (No/?) 381 Encounter (GB/1934) 38 Espiegle (GB/extant 1922) 13 Fara (GB/1941) 66
Egeria (I/-) 317 Endeh (Ne/c 1940) 394 Espiegle (GB/1942) 65 Farenholt (USA/1921) 95
Eggesford (GB/1942) 46 Endicott (U S A/1942) 128 Esquimalt (GB/1941) 64 Farenholt (USA/1941) 128
Egilsay (GB/1942) 66 Engadine (GB/1941) 81 Essex (US A/1942) 104 Farfalla (1/1948) 317
Eglantine (GB/1941) 62 Engageante (F/c 1916) 259 Essex Queen (GB/1897) 84 Fargo (USA/1943) 120
Eglinton (GB/1939) 45 Enggano (Ne/c 1940) 394 Essington (GB/1943) 61 Fargo (US A/1945) 120
Egremont Castle (GB/-) 63 England (USA/1943) 136 Esteem (USA/-) 151 Farndale (GB/1940) 46
Egret (GB/1938) 57 English (US A/1944) 132 Esterel (F/1938) 279 Fame (GB/1943) 66
Ehrenskold (Sw/1926) 371 Engstrom (USA/1942) 135 Estes (US A/1943) 159 Farnham Castle (GB/1944) 63
Eichenberger (US A/1943) 136 Enhance (USA/-) 151 Estramadura (Sp/1900) 399 Faro (Po/c 1927) 398
Eidsvoid (No/1900) 378 Eniwetok (U S A/-) 111 Etna (1/1942) 298 Farquhar (USA/1919) 95
Eisele (USA/1943) 135 Ennerdale (GB/1941) 74 Etorofu (J/1943) 205 Farquhar (USA/1943) 140
Eisner (USA/1943) 139 Eno (Dk/1941) 384 Etourdi (F/cl916) 259 Farragut (USA/1918) 95
Ekins (GB/1943) 61 Enoki (J/1918) 175 Ettore Fieramosca (1/1929) 304 Farragut (U SA/1934) 125

434
Farsund (No/?) 381 Flounder (USA/1943) 145 Frankford (USA/1942) Gabbard (GB/1945) 44
128
Fasana (1/1924) 317 Floyd B Parks (USA/1945) 134 Franklin (GB/1937) 63 Gabbiano (1/1942) 317
Fasano (1/1912) 287 Floyds Bay (USA/1945) 157 Franklin (USA/1943) 104 Gabilan (USA/1943) 145
Fataca (Pl/cl940) 398 Fluellen (GB/1940) 66 Franklin D Roosevelt Gabriel (GB/-) 65
Fateh (Eg/extant 1922) 409 Flusser (USA/1919) 95 (USA/1945) 106 Gadden(Sw/1915) 370
Fatiya (Pe/1918) 409 Flusser (USA/1935) 125 Francovich (USA/-) 138 Gadila (GB/1934) 26
Faulknor (GB/1934) 39 Flutto (1/1942) 310 Franks (USA/1942) 130 Gadwall (USA/1943) 151
Faunce (USA/1927) 166 Fly (GB/1942) 65 Fraser (GB/1931) 38 Gael (GB/-) 45
Fayette (USA/cl943) 159 Flyagin (USSR/cl935) 345 Fraserburgh (GB/1941) 64 Gafel (USSR/1938) 341
Fazant (Ne/1930) 395 Flying Fish (GB/1944) 65 Fratelli Bandiera (1/1929) 307 Gage (USA/c 1943) 160
Fearless (GB/1934) 38 Flying Fish (USA/1941) 145 Fratelli Cairoli (1/1914) 286 Gainard (USA/1944) 132
Feberacion (Ve/1940) 415 Flyvefisken (Dk/1911) 382 Fratton (GB/1925) 83 Gairsay (GB/1942) 66
Fechteler (USA/1943) 136 Foca (1/1937) 305 Frazier (US A/1942) 128 Gak (USSR/1938) 341
Fechteler (USA/1945) 134 Foca (Po/cl916) 396 Freccia (1/1930) 299 Galantry (F/cl942) 278
Fei Ying (Ca/1895) 412 Foch (F/1929) 263 Fred T Berry (USA/1945) 134 Galatea (GB/1934) 31
Feland (USA/1942) 159 Fogg (USA/1943) 136 Frederick (USA/1903) 93 Galatea (1/1933) 309
Felicity (GB/1944) 65 Folaga (1/1942) 317 Frederick C Davis (USA/1943) 140 Galatea (USA/1932) 166
Felipe Camarao (Br/1942) 417 Foley (GB/1943) 61 Frederick Funston (USA/c 1943) 159 Galatee (F/1925) 272
Felixstowe (GB/1941) 64 Folgore (1/1931) 300 Frederick Lee (USA/1927) 166 Galathea (Dk/1916) 382
Fencer (GB/1942) 25 Folkestone (GB/1930) 56 Fredericton (GB/1941) 62 Galeb (Yu/1918) 357
Fenice (1/1943) 317 Fomalhout (Ne/1923) 395 Freestone (USA/c 1943) 160 Galilei (Sp/1934) 403
Fennel (GB/1940) 62 Fond du Lac (USA/c 1943) 160 Fregat (USSR/c 1943) 339 Galileo Ferraris (1/1934) 304
Fenris (Dk/1915) 383 Foote (USA/1918) 94 Freesia (GB/1940) 62 Galileo Galilei (1/1934) 304
Fergus (GB/1944) 63 Foote (USA/1942) 130 Freijr (Ne/cl878) 388 Gallant (GB/1935) 39
Fergus (USA/c 1943) 160 Forbin (F/1928) 270 Frej (Fi/1900) 365 Gallant (GB/-) 45
Fernandes Vieira (Br/1942) 417 Ford (USA/1920) 94 Freja (Dk/1938) 384 Gallatin (USA/c 1943) 160
Fernie (GB/1940) 45 Foreman (USA/1943) 136 Fremantle (GB/1942) 64 Gallup (USA/1943) 148
Ferraris (Sp/1934) 403 Foresight (GB/1934) 39 Fremont (USA/c 1943) 159 Galt (GB/1940) 62
Ferro (I/-) 310 Forester (GB/1934) 39 French (USA/1944) 138 Galteemore (GB/1943) 72
Fessenden (USA/1943) 140 Forfar (GB/1920) 82 Fresia (Ce/1915) 422 Galvani (1/1938) 306
Fetlar (GB/1941) 66 Formidable (GB/1939) 19 Fresnel (F/1929) 273 Galveston (USA/1903) 93
Fiaray (GB/1942) 66 Formoe (USA/1944) 138 Fresno (USA/1946) 118 Galveston (USA/1945) 120
Fichot (GB/cl943) 72 Forrest (USA/1941) 128 Fret (Ne/1910) 387 Gambia (GB/1940) 34
Fieberling (USA/1944) 136 Forrest Hill (GB/1943) 63 Fridtjof Nansen (No/1930) 381 GambierBay (USA/1943) 109
Fierce (GB/1945) 65 Forrest Royal (USA/1946) 134 Friedrich Eckoldt (G/1937) 233 Gamble (USA/1918) 94
Fiji (GB/1939) 34 Forster (USA/1943) 140 Friedrich Ihn (G/1935) 233 Gananoque (GB/1941) 64
Filippo Corridoni (1/1930) 308 Forsyth (USA/1944) 149 Friendship (GB/1942) 65 Gandy (USA/1943) 139
Filla (GB/1942) 66 Fort Erie (GB/1944) 59 Friso (Ne/1912) 387 Ganekura (Bu/?) 363
Fillmore (USA/c 1943) 160 Fort Francis (GB/1943) 65 Friso (Ne/1940) 393 Gangut (USSR/1911) 322
Finback (USA/1941) 145 Fort Mandan (USA/1945) 161 Frithiof (No/1895) 379 Gangutyec (USSR/1922) 340
Finch (US A/1943) 140 Fort Marion (USA/1945) 161 Fritillary (GB/1941) 62 Ganilly (GB/1943) 66
Findhorn (GB/1942) 58 Fort Rannoch (Ei/1936) 425 Frobisher (GB/1920) 10 Gannet (GB/1927) 78
Finisterre (GB/1944) 44 Fort Snelling (USA/1946) 161 Frame (GB/1943) 58 Gansevoort (USA/1942) 128
Finnegan (USA/1944) 135 Fort William (GB/1941) 64 Frondeur (F/1929) 279 Gantner (USA/1943) 136
Fiodor Mitrofanov (USSR/1941) 340 Fort York (GB/1941) 64 Frontenac (GB/1943) 63 Gar (USA/1940) 144
Fiona (GB/1927) 83 Forth (GB/1938) 80 Frost (USA/1943) 140 Gardenia (GB/1940) 62
Fionda (1/1943) 303 Fortify (USA/-) 151 Froya (No/1916) 379 Gardiner (GB/1943) 61
Fir (GB/1940) 66 Fortunale (1/1942) 303 Frunze (USSR/1940) 328 Gardiners Bay (USA/1944) 157
Fir Lake (GB/1945) 72 Fortune (GB/1934) 39 Frybarger (USA/1944) 137 Garfield Thomas (USA/1943) 139
Fireball (GB/-) 65 Foss (USA/1943) 136 Fu An (Ca/1894) 412 Garibaldi (A/1895) 419
Firedrake (GB/1934) 39 Foster (GB/-) 60 Fu Ning (Ca/cl936) 413 Garibaldi (USSR/1914) 323
Fisalia (1/1931) 309 Fotheringay Castle (GB/-) 63 Fu Po (Ca/1940) 413 Garland (GB/1935) 39
Fishguard (GB/1927) 58 Foudroyant (F/1929) 270 Fu Yu (Ca/1904) 412 Garland (PI/1935) 349
Fiske (USA/1943) 140 Foudroyant (F/1938) 270 Fubuki (J/1927) 193 Garland (USA/1944) 151
Fiske (USA/1945) 134 Foula (GB/1941) 66 Fuciliere (1/1909) 286 Garlies (GB/1943) 61
Fitch (USA/1941) 128 Foulness (GB/1942) 66 Fuciliere (1/1938) 301 Garlopa (USA/-) 146
Fitzroy (GB/1943) 61 Fourgueux (F/1928) 270 Fuday (GB/1944) 66 Garm (No/1913) 378
Fiume (1/1930) 292 Fournier (A/c 1936) 421 Fugas (USSR/1935) 341 Garoet (Ne/c 1940) 394
Fixity (USA/1944) 151 Fowey (GB/1930) 56 Fuji (J/1896) 171 Garpun (USSR/1939) 341
Flaherty (USA/1943) 140 Fowler (USA/1943) 136 Fuji (J/1920) 175 Garrard (USA/c 1943) 160
Flame (USA/-) 151 Fox (USA/1919) 94 Fujinami (J/1943) 195 Garrupa (USA/-) 146
Flamingo (GB/1940) 57 Foxglove (GB/1915) 13 Fukue (J/1943) 205 Garth (GB/1940) 45
Flasher (USA/1943) 145 Foxhound (GB/1934) 39 Fullam (USA/1942) 130 Gary (USA/-) 123
Flatholm (GB/1943) 66 Foxtrot (GB/1940) 66 Fuller (USA/1918) 95 Gascogne (F/-) 260
Flax (GB/1942) 63 Foylebank (GB/1930) 84 Fulmine (1/1931) 300 Gasconade (U S A/c 1943) 160
Flecha (Po/1909) 396 Frament (USA/1943) 137 Fulton (F/1919) 258 Gascoyne (GB/1943) 60
Fleetwood (GB/1936) 56 Franc Tireur (F/1944) 278 Fumidsuki (J/1926) 192 Gaspe (GB/1938) 65
Fleming (USA/1943) 135 France (F/1912) 257 Fundy (GB/1938) 65 Gateshead (GB/V942) 66
Fletcher (USA/1942) 130 Francesco Crispi (1/1925) 298 Furious (GB/1916) 17 Gatineau (GB/1934) 39
Fleur de Lys (GB/1940) 62 Francesco Ferruccio (1/1902) 285 Furse (USA/1945) 134 Gatling (USA/1943) 131
Flier (USA/1943) 145 Francesco Nullo (1/1925) 298 Furutaka (J/1925) 187 Gato (USA/1941) 145
Flint (GB/1942) 66 Francesco Rismondo (1/1910) 288 Fury (GB/1934) 39 Gauntlet (GB/-) 45
Flint (USA/1944) 118 Francesco Rismondo (1/1929) 312 Fury (USA/1940) 156 Gavia (USA/1943) 151
Flint Castle (GB/1943) 63 Francesco Stocco (1/1917) 287 Fushimi (J/1906) 177 Gaviota (Sp/c 1910) 400
Flora (Dk/1920) 382 Francis Garnier (F/1912) 258 Fushimi (J/1939) 212 Gavle (Sw/1940) 372
Flora (1/1942) 317 Francis Garnier (F/1927) 279 Fusilier (GB/1942) 67 Gavotte (GB/1940) 66
Flores (Ne/1925) 392 Francis M Robinson Fuso (J/1914) 171 Gavran (Yu/1918) 357
Flores (Ne/cl940) 394 (USA/1943) 136 Futami (J/1929) 211 Gawler (GB/1941) 64
Floriano (Br/1899) 416 Francovich (USA/1945) 161 Fuyo (J/1922) 175 Gaydamak (US SR/1905) 323
Florida (USA/1910) 90 Frank E Evans (USA/1944) 132 Fuyutsuki (J/1944) 195 Gayety (USA/1944) 151
Fiona (GB/1941) 66 Frank Knox (USA/1944) 133 Fylgia (Sw/1905) 369 Gaynier (U S A/1943) 139

435
 *

Gayret (T u/1940) 407 Giovanni delle Bande Nere Goodhue (USA/c 1943) 159 Grenade (GB/1935) 39
Gazelle (F/1939) 111 (1/1930) 293 Goodrich (USA/1945) 133 Grenade (GB/-) 44
Gazzella (1/1942) 317 Giovanni di Verazzano (1/1928) 299 Goodson (GB/1943) 61 Grenadier (F/1944) 278
Gearing (USA/1945) 133 Giovanni Nicotera (1/1926) 298 Goodwin (GB/1917) 83,84 Grenadier (GB/1942) 67
Gedeh (Ne/1937) 394 Gipsy (GB/1935) 39 Gor (No/1885) 379 Grenadier (USA/1940) 144
Geelong (GB/1941) 65 Giulio Cesare (1/1911) 284 Goral (Pl/c 1917) 348 Grenadier (USA/1944) 147
Geenling (U S A/1941) 145 Giulio Germanico (1/1941) 297 Gordyi (US SR/1936) 330 Grenville (GB/1916) 11
Gehlani (Pe/1935) 409 Giuseppe Cesare Abba (1/1915) 286 Gore (GB/1943) 61 Grenville (GB/1935) 40
Geiser (Dk/1892) 382 Giuseppe Dezza (1/1915) 286 Gorgan (Pe/1935) 409 Grenville (GB/1942) 43
Gelderland (Ne/1898) 387 Giuseppe Finzi (1/1935) 305 Gorgo (1/1942) 310 Gresham (US A/1897) 96
Gemma (1/1936) 309 Giuseppe Garibaldi (1/1936) 296 Gorgon (GB/1914) 9 Grey Fox (GB/1941) 71
Gemma (Ne/extant 1922) 395 Giuseppe la Farina (1/1919) 287 Gorgone (F/1915) 258 Grey Goose (GB/1942) 71
Gendreau (USA/1943) 136 Giuseppe la Masa (1/1917) 287 Gorizia (1/1930) 292 Grey Owl (GB/1941) 71
General Belgrano( A/1896) 419 Giuseppe Miraglia (1/1923) 316 Gorleston (GB/1929) 58 Grey Seal (GB/1941) 71
General Greene (USA/1927) 166 Giuseppe Missori (1/1915) 286 Gorregan (GB/1943) 66 Grey Shark (GB/1941) 71
General Guerrero (Mex/1908) 414 Giuseppe Sirtori (1/1916) 287 Goshen (USA/c 1943) 159 Grey Wolf (GB/1941) 71
General Haller (Pl/c 1918) 349 Glace Bay (GB/1944) 59 Gosper (USA/c 1943) 160 Greyhound (GB/1935) 39
General Mola (Sp/1934) 403 Gladiator (USA/1943) 150 Goss (USA/1944) 138 Greyhound (GB/-) 45
General Salom (Ve/1884) 415 Gladio (1/1943) 303 Gossamer (GB/1937) 64 Grib (No/1905) 378
General Sanjurjo (Sp/1933) 403 Gladiolus (GB/1940) 62 Gosselin (USA/1944) 161 Gridley (USA/1918) 94
General Soublette (Ve/1925) 415 Gladstone (GB/1942) 65 Gota (Sw/1889) 368 Gridley (USA/1936) 126
General Urdaneta (Ve/1925) 415 Gladwyne (USA/1944) 149 Gota Lejon (Sw/1945) 371 Griffin (GB/1935) 39
Generale Achille Papa (1/1919) 287 Glaisdale (GB/1942) 46 Goteborg (Sw/1935) 372 Griggs (USA/c 1943) 159
Generale Antonio Cantore Glaive (F/1908) 258 Gotland (Sw/1933) 371 Grille (G/1934) 253
(1/1921) 287 Glasgow (GB/1909) 10 Gouden Leeuw (Ne/1931) 393 Grillo (1/1943) 317
Generale Antonio Cascino Glasgow (GB/193 6) 31 Goulburn (GB/1940) 64 Grilse (GB/1943) 67
(1/1922) 287 Glauco (1/1935) 305 Gould (GB/1943) 61 Grimes (USA/cl943) 160
Generale Antonio Chinotto Glavkos (Gr/1928) 405 Goumier (F/1944) 278 Grimsby (GB/1933) 356
(1/1921) 287 Gleaner (GB/1937) 64 Gozo (GB/1943) 365 Grimstad (No/?) 381
Generale Carlo Montanari Gleaves (USA/1939) 128 Gracie Fields (GB/1936) 84 GrindaU (GB/1943) 61
(1/1922) 287 Glen Avon (GB/1912) 84 Gracieuse (F/c 1916) 259 Gripen (Sw/1928) 373
Generale Marcllo Prestinari Glen More (GB/1922) 84 Grado (1/1917) 287 Grissee (N e/c 1940) 394
(1/1921) 287 Glen Usk (GB/1914) 84 Grady (USA/1944) 138 Grisslan (Sw/c 1940) 377
Geneva (USA/c 1943) 160 Glendale (US A/1943) 148 Graemsay (GB/1942) 66 Griswold (USA/1943) 135
Geniere (1/1938) 301 Glenearn (GB/1938) 72 Graf Zeppelin (G/1938) 226 Grom (PI/1936) 349
Genista (GB/1941) 62 Glenelg (GB/1942) 64 Grafton (GB/1935) 39 Grom (USSR/1934) 339
Gentian (GB/1940) 62 Glengyle (GB/1939) 72 Grafton (GB/-) 45 Gromkiy (USSR/1937) 330
Gentry (US A/1944) 137 Glennon (USA/1942) 129 Grafton (USA/c 1943) 159 Grandeur(F/1892) 258
Georg Thiele (G/1935) 232 Glennon (USA/1945) 134 Grain (GB/1943) 66 Grongo (1/1943) 310
George (USA/1943) 137 Glenroy (GB/1938) 72 Grajau (Br/?) 418 Gronskar (Sw/1940) 376
George A Johnson (USA/1944) 137 Glenten (Dk/1933) 383 Grampus (GB/1936) 49 Gronsund (Dk/1883) 383
George E Badger (U SA/1920) 94 Glimt (No/1896) 378 Grampus (USA/1940) 144 Groppo (1/1942) 303
George E Davis (USA/1944) 137 Gloire (F/1935) 265 Grampus (USA/1944) 147 Groton (USA/1943) 148
George K Mackenzie (USA/1945) Glommen (No/1916) 379 Granat (Sw/1925) 375 Grou (GB/1943) 59
134 Gloriosa (GB/1940) 62 Granatiere (1/1906) 286 Grouper (USA/1941) 145
George M Campbell (USA/1944) 139 Glorious (GB/1916) 9,18 Granatiere (1/1938) 301 Grove (GB/1941) 46
George W Ingram (US A/1943) 136 Glory (GB/1943) 22 Granby (GB/1941) 64 Groves (USA/1944) 138
Georges Leygues (F/1936) 265 Gloucester (GB/1937) 32 Grand Forks (USA/1943) 148 Growler (USA/1941) 145
Georgetown (GB/1918) 47 Gloucester (U S A /1943) 148 Grand Island (USA/1944) 148 Groza (USSR/1930) 339
Georgian (GB/1941) 64 Glowworm (GB/1935) 39 Grand Rapids (USA/1943) 148 Groznyi (USSR/1936) 330
Gerald ton (GB/1941) 65 Glowworm (GB/-) 45 Grandmere (GB/1941) 64 Grozyashchiy (USSR/1936) 330
Geranium (GB/1915) 13 Gloxinia (GB/1940) 62 Granit (F/c 1918) 259 Gru (1/1942) 317
Geranium (GB/1940) 62 Glynn (USA/c 1943) 160 Gran to (1/1941) 310 Gruinard (GB/1942) 66
Gerard Callenburgh (Ne/1939) 390 Gneisenau (G/1936) 225 Granville (A/cl936) 421 Grundy (USA/c 1943) 159
Gerda (Sw/1872) 368 Gnevnyi (USSR/1936) 330 Granville (USA/c 1943) 160 Grunion (USA/1941) 145
Gerfaut (F/1930) 268 Goatfell (GB/1934) 84 Graph (GB/1941) 55 Gruno (Ne/1913) 387
Gherardi (USA/1942) 129 Goathland (GB/1942) 46 Grassholm (GB/1943) 66 Gruz (USSR/extant 1922) 324
Ghibli (1/1943) 303 Godavari (GB/1943) 57 Grasshopper (GB/1939) 79 Gruz (USSR/1936) 341
Giacinto Carini (1/1917) 287 Goderich (GB/1941) 64 Grauna (Br/?) 418 Gryf (PI/1936) 350
Giocomo Medici (1/1918) 287 Godeua (GB/1916) 13 Gravelines (GB/1944) 44 Gryf (USSR/1940) 339
Giacomo Nani (1/1918) 288 Godeua (GB/1940) 62 Gravina (Sp/1931) 401 Guacolda (Ce/1915) 422
Giada (1/1941) 310 Godeua (GB/1941) 62 Grayback (U S A/1941) 144 Guadalcanal (USA/1943) 109
Giang Bee (GB/1908) 83 Godolo(Hu/-) 355 Graylag (U S A /1943) 151 Guadalete (Sp/1944) 403
Gibraltar (GB/-) 21 Goff (USA/1920) 95 Grayling (GB/1942) 67 Guadiana (Po/1911) 396
Gier (Ne/1942) 395 Goffredo Mameli (1/1926) 307 Grayling (USA/1940) 144 Guaiba(Br/?) 418
Giffard (GB/1943) 63 Goiana (Br/?) 418 Grayling (USA/-) 147 Guajara (Br/?) 418
Gift (GB/-) 45 Gokoku Maru (J/c 1941) 215 Grayson (USA/1940) 128 Guala (Ce/1915) 422
Gilbert Islands (USA/1944) 111 Golden Eagle (GB/1909) 84 Grecale (1/1934) 300 Guam (USA/1943) 122
Gillespie (USA/1942) 128 Golden Fleece (GB/1944) 65 Greene (USA/1918) 95 Guanajuato (Mex/1934) 414
Gillette (USA/1943) 137 Goldring (USA/-) 146 Greenfish (USA/1945) 146 Guapore (Br/?) 418
Gilliam (USA/c 1943) 160 Goldsborough (US A/1918) 94 Greenhalgh (Br/1941) 417 Guardfish (U S A/1942) 145
Gilligan (USA/1944) 138 Golet (USA/1943) 146 Greenock (GB/1942) 64 Guardiamarina Contreras
Gillis (USA/1919) 95 Golginho (Po/c 1916) 396 Greensboro (USA/1944) 149 (Ce/cl896) 422
Gillstone (GB/1943) 66 Golginho (Po/1934) 397 Greenwich Bay (USA/1945) 157 Guardiamarine Riquelme
Gilmer (USA/1919) 94 Goncalo Velho (Po/1932) 397 Greenwood (USA/1943) 137 (Ce/1896) 422
Gilmore (USA/1942) 135 Goncalves Zarco (Po/1932) 397 Greer (USA/1918) 94 Guardian (GB/1932) 79
Giorgios Averoff (Gr/1910) 404 Gondar (1/1937) 309 Gregory (USA/1918) 93 Guardsman (GB/1944) 67
Giosue Carducci (1/1936) 300 Gondwhana (GB/-) 65 Gregory (USA/1944) 132 Guavina (US A/1943) 146
Giovanni Acerbi (1/1917) 287 Gonzalez Lopez (Sp/1935) 403 Greif (G/1926) 237 Gudgeon (USA/1941) 144
Giovanni Bausan (1/1928) 307 Good Hope (GB/1944) 60 Greiner (USA/1943) 135 Guelph (GB/1943) 63
Giovanni da Procida (1/1928) 307 GoodaU (GB/1943) 61 Gremyashchiy (USSR/1937) 330 Guepard (F/1928) 267

436
Guernsey (GB/-) 45 Halford (USA/1942) 130 Harusame (J/1935) 194 Hecla (GB/1940) 81
Guest (USA/1942) 130 Halibut (USA/1941) 145 Harutsuki (J/1944) 195 Hector (GB/1924) 82
Gueydon (F/1899) 257 Halifax (GB/1941) 62 Harvester (GB/1939) 40 Hedingham Castle (GB/1944) 63
Guglielmo Marconi (1/1939) 306 Hall (USA/1942) 131 Harveston (USA/1943) 140 Heed (USA/1942) 150
Guglielmo Pepe (1/1914) 286 Halladale (GB/1944) 58 Harwich (GB/1942) 64 Heermann (USA/1942) 130
Gugliemotti (1/1939) 306 Halligan (USA/1943) 131 Harwood (USA/1945) 134 Hefring (Ne/c 1878) 388
Guichen (F/-) 266 Halloran (USA/1944) 135 Hascosay (GB/1944) 66 Heimdal (Dk/1894) 382
Guilford (USA/c 1943) 159 Hallowell (GB/1944) 59 Hashemi (GB/1918) 83 Heimdal (No/1892) 379
Guillemot (GB/1939) 62 Halsey Powell (USA/1943) 131 Hashidate (J/1939) 211 Heino (Es/extant 1922) 353
Guise (Pu/1917) 424 Halsingborg (Sw/1943) 373 Haskell (USA/c 1943) 160 Hejmdal (Dk/1935) 384
Guitarro (U S A/1943) 146 Halsted (GB/1943) 61 Haste (USA/1942) 156 Hela (G/1939) 253
Guldborgsund (Dk/1884) 383 Hamakaze (J/1916) 176 Hastings (GB/1930) 56 Helena (USA/1896) 96
Gulfoss (GB/1929) 67 Hamakaze (J/1940) 194 Hasty (GB/1936) 39 Helana (USA/1938) 116
Gulfport (USA/1943) 148 Hamanami (J/1943) 195 Hasu (J/1921) 175 Helena (USA/1945) 121
Gulland (GB/1943) 66 Hambledon (GB/1939) 45 Hatakaze (J/1924) 176 Helena (USA/-) 120
Gunason (USA/1943) 137 Hamblen (U S A/c 1943) 159 Hatfield (USA/1919) 94 Helford (GB/1943) 58
Gunnel (USA/1942) 145 Hambleton (U S A/1941) 128 Hatherleigh (GB/1941) 46 Heliotrope (GB/1915) 13
Gunston Hall (USA/1943) 161 Hamburg (G/1903) 222 Hato (J/1937) 197 Heliotrope (GB/1940) 62
Gur (Tu/1932) 408 Hameenmaa (Fi/1917) 364 Hatsuharu (J/1906) 175 Helle (Gr/1912) 404
Gurke (USA/1945) 133 Hamidieh (Tu/1903) 406 Hatsuharu (J/1933) 193 Hellisay (GB/1944) 66
Gurkha (GB/1937) 40 Hamilton (GB/1918) 47 Hatsukari (J/1933) 197 Helm (USA/1937) 126
Gurkha (GB/1940) 41 Hamilton (USA/1919) 94 Hatsukaze (J/1939) 194 Helmsdale (GB/1943) 58
Gurnard (U SA/1942) 145 Hamlet (GB/1940) 66 Hatsushima (J/1940) 209 Helmsley Castle (GB/-) 63
Gurupa (Br/?) 418 Hamlin (USA/1944) 158 Hatsushimo (J/1905) 175 Helvellyn (GB/1937) 84
Gurupi (Br/?) 418 Hammann (USA/1939) 127 Hatsushimo (J/1933) 193 Hemlock (GB/1940) 62
Gustafson (USA/1943) 139 Hammann (USA/1942) 140 Hatsusuki (J/1942) 195 Hemminger (USA/1943) 139
Gustaf V (Sw/1918) 368 Hammerhead (USA/1943) 146 Hatsutaka (J/1939) 209 Hempstead (USA/-) 157
Gustav Nachtigal (G/1940) 253 Hamner (USA/1945) 133 Hatsuyuki (J/1906) 175 Henderson (USA/1945) 133
Gustave Zede (F/1913) 258 Hampton (GB/1934) 85 Hatsuyuki (J/1927) 193 Hendry (USA/c 1943) 160
Guysborough (GB/1941) 64 Hampton (USA/c 1943) 159 Hatsuyume (J/1945) 196 Henley (USA/1912) 93
Gweal (GB/1942) 66 Hanatsuki (J/1944) 195 Hatsuzakura (J/1945) 196 Henley (USA/1937) 126
Gwin (USA/1917) 93 Hancock (USA/1943) 104 Hatteras (USA/-) 157 Henley (USA/1945) 132
Gwin (USA/1940) 128 Hank (USA/1944) 132 Hauk (No/1903) 378 Henri Fournier (F/1919) 258
Gwin (USA/1944) 149 Hanna (USA/1944) 138 Hauk (No/cl943) 380 Henri Poincare (F/1929) 273
Gyatt (USA/1945) 133 Hanneray (GB/1944) 66 Haukka (Fi/c 1916) 364 Henrico (USA/c 1943) 159
Gyatt (USA/-) 138 Hannover (G/1905) 222 Hautapu (GB/1942) 67 Henrique Dias (Br/1942) 417
Gyller (No/1938) 379 Hannover (USA/c 1943) 159 Haval (No/1896) 378 Henry A Wiley (USA/1944) 149
Gympie (GB/1942) 64 Hans Lody (G/1936) 233 Havant (GB/1939) 40 Henry R Kenyon (USA/1943) 137
Gyor (Hu/-) 355 Hans Liidemann (G/1937) 233 Havelock (GB/1915) 9 Henry T Allen (USA/1941) 159
Hansford (USA/c 1943) 159 Havelock (GB/1939) 40 Henry W Tucker (USA/1944) 134
Haas (USA/1944) 138 Hanson (USA/1945) 133 Haverfield (USA/1943) 140 Henry W Tucker (USA/-) 138
Habushi (J/1944) 206 Happy Return (GB/-) 65 Havfruen (Dk/1912) 382 Henryville (GB/-) 60
Habuto (J/1945) 206 Haraden (USA/1918) 94 Havfruen (Dk/1937) 383 Henshaw (USA/1919) 95
Hachijo (J/1940) 205 Haraden (USA/1943) 131 Havhesten (Dk/1917) 382 Hepatica (GB/1940) 62
Hackleback (USA/1943) 145 Harald Haarfagre (No/1897) 378 Havhesten (Dk/1940) 383 Herald (USA/1942) 150
Hadda (Ne/c 1878) 388 Harder (USA/1942) 145 Havik (Ne/1875) 388 Herbert (USA/1919) 94
Haddo (USA/1942) 145 Hardhead (USA/1943) 146 Havik (Ne/1942) 395 Herbert C Jones (USA/1943) 140
Haddock (USA/1941) 145 Harding (USA/1918) 94 Havkalen (Dk/1938) 383 Herbert J Thomas (USA/1945) 133
Hadleigh Castle (GB/1943) 63 Harding (USA/1942) 129 Havkatten (Dk/1919) 382 Hercules (GB/1945) 22
Hagi (J/1944) 196 Hardrock (GB/-) 60 Havmanden (Dk/1911) 382 Hereward (GB/1936) 39
Haggard (USA/1943) 130 Hardy (GB/1936) 40 Havmanden (Dk/1937) 383 Herluf Trolle (Dk/1899) 382
Hagi (J/1920) 175 Hardy (GB/1943) 43 Havock (GB/1936) 39 Hermann Kiinne (G/1937) 233
Hagikaze (J/1940) 194 Hare (GB/1942) 65 Havornen (Dk/1897) 382 Hermann Schoemann (G/1936) 233
Haguro (J/1928) 188 Harebell (GB/1918) 13 Hawaii (USA/1945) 122 Hermann von Wissmann
Hai Chen (Ca/1898) 412 Harebell (GB/1940) 62 Hawke (GB/-) 35 (G/1940) 253
Hai Chi (Ca/1898) 412 Hargood (GB/1943) 61 Hawkesbury (RAN) (GB/1943) 60 Hermelijn (Ne/1913) 387
Hai Chou (Ca/1897) 412 Harlan R Dickson (USA/1944) 132 Hawkesbury (RCN) (GB/1943) 63 Hermes (G/1938) 236
Hai Fu (Ca/cl916) 412 Harlequin (USA/1944) 151 Hawkins (GB/1917) 10 Hermes (GB/1919) 10
Hai Hung (Ca/1916) 412 Harmon (USA/1943) 137 Hawkins (USA/1944) 134 Hermes (GB/1953) 23
Hai Ku (Ca/1919) 412 Harold C Thomas (USA/1942) 135 Hawksbill (USA/1944) 146 Hermes (GB/-) 23
Hai Ning (Ca/cl936) 413 Harold J Ellison (USA/1945) 134 Hayabusa (J/1935) 197 Hermes (USA/1932) 166
Hai Ou (Ca/cl916) 412 Harold J Ellison (USA/-) 138 Hayakaze (J/1906) 175 Hermetray (GB/1944) 66
Hai Wei (Ma/1916) 414 Harpun (Sw/1925) 375 Hayanami (J/1942) 195 Hermione (F/1917) 258
Hai Yung (Ca/1897) 412 Harrier (GB/1934) 63 Hayashimo (J/1943) 195 Hermione (GB/1939) 33
Haida (USA/1921) 96 Harrier (USA/1944) 151 Hayashio (J/1939) 194 Hernan Cortes (Sp/1944) 403
Haida (GB/1942) 40 Harriet Lane (USA/1926) 166 Hayate (J/1906) 175 Herndon (USA/1919) 94
Haideri (GB/1920) 83 Harris (GB/1944) 66 Hayate (J/1925) 176 Herndon (USA/1942) 129
Hailey (USA/1943) 130 Harris (USA/1940) 159 Haydon (GB/1942) 46 Hero (GB/1936) 39
Haines (USA/1943) 137 Harrison (USA/1942) 131 Hayling (GB/1942) 66 Herring (GB/1942) 67
Hajen (Dk/1896) 382 Harry E Hubbard (USA/1944) 132 Haynsworth (USA/1944) 132 Herring (USA/1942) 145
Hajen (Sw/1917) 370 Harry F Bauer (USA/1944) 149 Hayter (USA/1943) 136 Herschell (GB/1942) 66
Hakaze (J/1920) 176 Harry L Corl (USA/1944) 161 Hazard (GB/1937) 64 Hertog Hendrik (Ne/1902) 386
Hake (USA/1942) 145 Harstad (No/?) 381 Hazard (USA/1944) 151 Herzog (USA/1943) 139
Halberd (GB/-) 44 Hart (GB/1943) 57 Hazel (GB/1939) 66 Hespeler (GB/1943) 63
Halbronn (F/1917) 258 Hart (USA/1918) 94 Hazelwood (USA/1918) 94 Hesperus (GB/1939) 40
Halcyon (GB/1933) 63 Hart (USA/1944) 131 Hazelwood (USA/1942) 130 Hessa (No/?) 380
Haldon (GB/1942) 46 Hartland (GB/1928) 58 Healy (USA/1943) 131 Hessen (G/1903) 222
Hale (USA/1919) 94 Hartlepool (GB/1942) 64 Heartsease (GB/1940) 62 Heyliger (USA/1944) 138
Hale (USA/1943) 131 Harukaze (J/1905) 175 Heather (GB/1916) 13 Heythrop (GB/1940) 46
Half Moon (USA/1942) 157 Harukaze (J/1922) 176 Heather (GB/1940) 62 Heywood L Edwards
Halfbeak (USA/1946) 146 Haruna (J/1913) 173 Hebe (GB/1936) 63 (USA/1943) 131

437
Hibiki (J/1906) 175 Honesty (GB/1942) 63 Hurst (USA/1943) 140 Incharron (GB/1944) 59
Hibiki (J/1932) 193 Honeysuckle (GB/1940) 62 Hurst Castle (GB/1944) 63 Inchcolm (GB/1941) 66
Hibicus (GB/1940) 62 Honningsvaag (No/?) 381 Hurworth (GB/1941) 46 Inchkeith (GB/1941) 66
Hiburi (J/1944) 206 Honolulu (USA/1937) 116 Huse (USA/1943) 140 Inchmarnock (GB/1941) 66
Hickory (GB/1940) 66 Honved (Hu/extant 1922) 355 Hussar (GB/1934) 64 Inconstant (F/c 1916) 259
Hickory Lake (GB/1944) 72 Hood (GB/1918) 9 Hussard (F/1944) 278 Inconstant (GB/1941) 39
Hickox (USA/1943) 131 Hopewell (USA/1918) 94 Htiszar (Hu/extant 1922) 355 Incredible (USA/1943) 151
Hidra (Po/cl916) 396 Hopewell (USA/1943) 131 Hutchins (USA/1942) 130 Indefatigable (GB/1942) 20
Hidrografs (La/extant 1922) 353 Hopkins (USA/1920) 95 Hutchinson (USA/1943) 148 Independence (USA/1942) 105
Hiei (J/1912) 173 Hopping (USA/1943) 136 Hval V (No/1929) 381 Independencia (A/1891) 419
Hifer (Eg/extant 1922) 409 Hoquiam (USA/1943) 148 Hvalen (Dk/1930) 383 Independencia (Ve/1940) 415
Higbee (USA/1944) 133 HoaceABass (USA/1944) 161 Hvalen (Sw/1909) 370 Indiana (USA/1941) 98
Highlander (GB/1939) 40 Horatio (GB/1940) 66 Hvalrossen (Dk/1913) 382 Indianapolis (USA/1931) 114
Highlands (USA/c 1943) 160 Hornet (USA/1940) 102 Hvar (Yu/extant 1922) 359 Indicative (USA/1943) 151
Highway (GB/1943) 74 Honet (USA/1943) 104 Hvas (No/1898) 378 Indira (GB/1918) 83
Hilarity (USA/1944) 151 Hornpipe (GB/1940) 66 Hyatt (Ce/1928) 422 Indomitable (GB/1940) 20
Hilary (GB/1931) 83 Horodyszcze (PI/extant 1922) 349 Hvidbjornen (Dk/1928) 384 Indomito (1/1912) 286
Hilary (GB/1938) 75 Horsham (GB/1942) 65 Hyacinth (GB/1940) 62 Indomito (1/1943) 303
Hilary P Jones (USA/1939) 128 Horten (No/?) 381 Hyde (USA/c 1943) 160 Indus (GB/1934) 56
Hilbert (USA/1943) 139 Hosho (J/1921) 179 Hyderabad (GB/1941) 62 Infante D Henrique (Po/1936) 397
Hildasay (GB/1941) 66 Hoste (GB/1943) 61 Hydra (GB/1942) 65 Inflict (USA/1944) 151
Hill (USA/1943) 140 Hostile (GB/1936) 39 Hydra (Ne/1900) 387 Ingersoll (GB/-) 63
Hille (G/1917) 253 Hotham (GB/1943) 61 Hydra (Ne/1911) 388 Ingersoll (USA/1943) 131
Hinau (GB/1941) 67 Hotspur (GB/1936) 39 Hydrangea (GB/1940) 62 Ingham (USA/1936) 165
Hind (GB/1943) 57 Hound (GB/1942) 65 Hydrus (USA/c 1943) 160 Inglefield (GB/1936) 40
Hindustan (GB/1930) 56 Houston (USA/1929) 114 Hyman (USA/1944) 132 Inglis (GB/1943) 61
Hingham (USA/1943) 148 Houston (USA/1943) 119 Hyperion (GB/1936) 39 Ingolt (Dk/1876) 383
Hinoki (J/1916) 175 Hova (F/1917) 258 Hythe (GB/1941) 64 Ingolf (Dk/1933) 384
Hinoki (J/1944) 196 Hova (F/1944) 272 Hyuga (J/1917) 171 Ingonish (GB/1941) 64
Hinsdale (USA/c 1943) 160 Hovey (USA/1919) 94 Hyuga Maru (J/1944) 215 Ingraham (USA/1918) 94
Hira (GB/1941) 79 Howard (USA/1919) 94 Ingraham (USA/1941) 128
Hira (J/1923) 177 Howard D Crow (USA/1943) 140 Ibis (GB/1940) 57 Ingraham (USA/1944) 132
Hirado (J/1911) 174 Howard F Clark (USA/1943) 138 Ibis (1/1942) 317 Injeniero Hyatt (Ce/c 1896) 422
Hirado (J/1943) 205 Howe (GB/1940) 15 Ibo (Po/cl910) 396 Injeniero Mutilla (Ce/c 1896) 422
Hirashima (J/1940) 209 Howitzer (GB/-) 44 Ibuki (J/1907) 173 Inkpen (GB/1941) 167
Hiryu (J/1937) 181 Howorth (USA/1943) 131 Ibuki (J/1943) 185 Inman (GB/1943) 61
Hishi (J/1921) 175 Hoxa (GB/1941) 66 Icarus (GB/1936) 39 Insidioso (1/1913) 286
Hishi (J/-) 196 Hoy (GB/1941) 66 Icarus (USA/1932) 166 Instill (USA/1944) 151
Hissem (USA/1943) 140 Hozu (J/1923) 177 Icefish (USA/1944) 146 Intensity (U S A/1942) 156
Hitachi (J/1943) 207 Hrabri (Yu/1927) 358 Idaho (USA/1917) 90 Intibah (Tu/1886) 407
Hitra (No/?) 380 Hsien Ning (Ca/1928) 413 Ijsselmonde (Ne/cl943) 394 Intrepid (GB/1936) 39
Hiyo (J/1941) 183 Hu Oah (Ca/cl907) 412 Ikara (J/1945) 206 Intrepid (USA/1943) 104
Hiyodori (J/1935) 197 Hu Peng (Ca/cl907) 412 Ikazuchi (J/1931) 193 Intrepide (F/1911) 258
Hizar Reis (Tu/cl911) 407 Hu Tsuin (Ca/cl907) 412 Iki (J/1943) 205 Intrepido (1/1943) 303
Hizen (J/1900) 171 Hu Ying (Ca/cl907) 412 Ikindci Inonu (Tu/1927) 407 Intrepido (Sp/cl960) 402
Hjaelperen (Dk/1890) 383 Huascar (Ce/1865) 422 Ikino (J/1945) 206 Intrigue (USA/1944) 151
Hjorto (Dk/1941) 384 Hudson (USA/1942) 130 Ikoma (J/1906) 173 Invade (USA/1944) 151
Hobart (GB/1934) 30 Huesca (Sp/1914) 402 Ikoma (J/1944) 184 Inver (GB/1942) 58
Hobby (USA/1942) 128 Hugh L Scott (USA/1942) 159 Iku-Tursu (Fi/1931) 365 Inverell (GB/1942) 65
Hobe Sound (USA/-) 158 Hugh Purvis (USA/1944) 132 Ikuna (J/1944) 206 Invicta (GB/1939) 73
Hobson (USA/1941) 128 Hugh W Hadley (USA/1944) 132 Ilex (GB/1937) 39 Ion Bratianu (Ro/extant 1922) 361
Hoche (F/1940) 269 Hughes (USA/1939) 127 Ilfracombe (GB/1941) 64 Ioshima (J/1931) 192
Hocking (USA/c 1943) 160 Hugin (Sw/1910) 369 Illern (Sw/1921) 370 Iowa (USA/1942) 99
Hodaka (J/1945) 206 Hulbert (USA/1919) 95 Illinois (USA/-) 99 Ippolito Nievo (1/1915) 286
Hodges (USA/1943) 137 Hull (USA/1921) 95 Illusive (USA/-) 151 Ipswich (GB/1941) 64
Hoe (USA/1942) 145 Hull (USA/1934) 125 Illustrious (GB/1939) 19 Iquique (Ce/1943) 423
Hoel (USA/1942) 130 Humaita (Br/1927) 417 Ilmarinen (Fi/1931) 365 I ra Jeffery (U SA/1943) 136
Hoel (USA/-) 133 Humaita (Pa/1930) 418 Ilmatar (Es/extant 1922) 353 Irex (USA/1945) 147
Hogan (USA/1919) 94 Humberstone (GB/1944) 63 litis (G/1927) 237 Iride (1/1936) 309
Hogen (Dk/1933) 383 Humboldt (USA/1941) 157 Imanta (La/1926) 353 Iris (F/1934) 275
Hoggatt Bay (USA/1943) 109 Hummer (USA/-) 151 Imbue (USA/-) 151 Iris (Sw/1908) 370
Hogue (GB/1944) 44 Humphreys (U S A/1919) 94 Imersay (GB/1944) 66 Iron Duke (GB/1912) 7
Hoi Fu (Ca/1904) 412 Hunda (GB/1942) 66 Imogen (GB/1936) 39 Ironbound (GB/1942) 66
Hokaze (J/1921) 176 Hunt (USA/1920) 94 Impavido (1/1913) 286 Iroquois (GB/1941) 40
Hoko (J/1941) 209 Hunt (USA/1943) 131 Impavido (1/1943) 303 Iroquois (USA/1944) 165
Hokoku Maru (J/c 1939) 215 Hunter (GB/1936) 39 Impeccable (USA/1943) 150 Irrawadi (GB/1913) 83
Holcombe (GB/1942) 46 Hunter (GB/1942) 25 Imperial (GB/1936) 39 Irrequieto (1/1931) 286
Holder (USA/1943) 140 Hunter Liggett (USA/1941) 159 Impero (1/1939) 289 Irwin (USA/1943) 131
Holder (USA/1945) 133 Hunter Marshall (USA/1945) 161 Impervious (USA/-) 151 Isa Reis (Tu/cl911) 407
Holderness (USA/1940) 45 Huntington (USA/1903) 93 Impetueuse (F/c 1916) 259 Isaac Peral (Sp/1916) 399
Hollandia (USA/1944) 110 Huntington (USA/1943) 119 Impetuoso (1/1943) 303 Isaac Sweers (Ne/1940) 390
Hollesley Bay (GB/-) 61 Huntington (USA/194 5) 120 Implacable (GB/1942) 20 Isar (G/1930) 252
Hollis (USA/1943) 137 Huntsville (GB/1944) 63 Implicit (USA/1943) 151 Ise (J/1916) 171
Hollister (USA/1945) 133 Huon (GB/1914) 11 Improve (USA/1943) 151 Isherwood (USA/1919) 95
Hollyhock (GB/1915) 13 Huragan (PI/—) 349 Impulse (U S A/1940) 156 Isherwood (USA/1942) 130
Hollyhock (GB/1940) 62 Hurja (Fi/1916) 364 Impulsive (GB/1937) 39 Ishigaki (J/1940) 205
Holmes (GB/1943) 61 Huron (GB/1942) 40 Inagi (J/1944) 206 Ishikazi (J/1941) 209
Holmon (Sw/1940) 376 Huron (USA/1904) 93 Inaugural (USA/1944) 151 Isis (GB/1936) 39
Holt (USA/1944) 137 Huron (USA/1943) 148 Inazuma (J/1932) 193 Iskatyel (USSR/1938) 341
Holton (USA/1943) 137 Hurricane (GB/1939) 40 Incessant (USA/1943) 151 Iskra (USSR/1934) 335
Home Guard (GB/1944) 67 Hursley (GB/1941) 46 Inch (USA/1943) 140 Isku (Fi/1926) 366

438
Islands Falk (Dk/1906) 383 Jaskolka (Pl/c 1934) 351 Jouett (USA/1912) 93 Kamsack (GB/1941) 62
Islay (GB/1941) 66 Jasmine (GB/1941) 62 Jouett (USA/1938) 127 Kanaris (Gr/1941) 406
Islay (Pu/1926) 424 Jason (GB/1937) 63 Joyce (USA/1943) 140 Kantan (Si/1937) 411
Isle of Guernsey (GB/1929) 73 Jastreb (Yu/1918) 357 Juan de Garray (A/1925) 421 Kanawa (J/1944) 206
Isle of Thanet (GB/1925) 73 Jastrzab (Pl/1922) 350 Juan Lazaga (Sp/1924) 399 Kandahar (GB/1939) 41
Isokaze (J/1916) 176 Java (Ne/1921) 387 Jubilant (USA/1943) 151 Kane (USA/1919) 94
Isokaze (J/1939) 194 Javari (Br/?) 418 Jude (GB/?) 72 Kanholmsfjard (Sw/1933) 376
Isonami (J/1908) 175 Javary (Br/1939) 416 Judiai (Br/?) 418 Kanimbla (GB/1936) 72, 82
Isonami (J/1927) 193 Javelin (GB/1938) 41 Jujuy (A/1912) 419 Kanju (J/1943) _ 205
Israel (USA/1918) 94 Javelot (F/1944) 278 Jules Ferry (F/1902) 257 Kanon (Sw/1924) 375
Isuzu (J/1921) 174 Javier Quirogo (Sp/1934) 404 Jules Michelet (F/1905) 257 Kansas City (USA/-) 121
Itasca (USA/1929) 164 Jawfish (USA/-) 146 Juliet (GB/1940) 66 Kaparen (Sw/1933) 376
Itchen (GB/1942) 58 Jean Autric (F/1917) 258 Julius A Raven (USA/1944) 161 Kapella (Sw/1904) 370
Ithaki (Gr/?) 406 Jean Bart (F/1940) 260 Jumna (GB/1940) 57 Kapitan Belli (USSR/1915) 323
Ithuriel (GB/1940) 39 Jean Corre (F/1918) 258 Juneau (USA/1941) 118 Kapitan Kern (USSR/1915) 323
Itsukushima (J/1929) 208 Jean de Vienne (F/1935) 265 Juneau (USA/1945) 118 Kapsiui (USSR/extant 1922) 324
Ivan Borisov (USSR/1941) 340 Jean Roulier (F/1918) 258 Junee (GB/1943) 65 Kapsul (USSR/1937) 341
Ivan Sladkov (USSR/1941) 340 Jeanne d’Arc (F/1899) 257 J ungingen (G/1919) 253 Kapunda (GB/1942) 65
Ivanhoe (GB/1937) 39 Jeanne d’ Arc (F/1930) 264 Juniper (GB/1939) 66 Kapukasing (GB/1943) 65
Ivy (GB/1940) 62 Jeannie Deans (GB/1931) 84 Juno (GB/1938) 41 Karachi (GB/1941) 65
Iwami (J/1902) 171 Jed (GB/1942) 58 Junon (F/1935) 275 Karanja (GB/1930) 72
Iwate (J/1900) 173 Jeffers (USA/1942) 129 Junyo (J/1941) 183 Karatsu (J/1927) 212
Iwo (J/1945) 206 Jeloy (No/?) 381 Jupiter (GB/1938) 41 Kari (J/1937) 197
Iwo Jima (USA/-) 104 Jen Shen (Ca/1931) 413 Jupiter (Sp/1935) 402 Karjala (Fi/1918) 364
Izard (USA/1942) 131 Jenkins (USA/1912) 93 Jura (GB/1941) 66 Karkass (Pe/1931) 409
Iziaslav (USSR/1914) 323 Jenkins (USA/1942) 130 JuriVilms (Es/extant 1922) 353 Karl Galster(G/1938) 233
Izmail (USSR/extant 1922) 345 Jenks (USA/1943) 136 Jurmo (Fi/1944) 366 Karl Zedin (USSR/c 1946) 340
Izumo (J/1899) 173 Jerauld (USA/c 1943) 160 Jurua (Br/1939) 416 Karlskrona (Sw/1939) 372
Jersey (GB/1938) 41 Jurua (Br/?) 418 Karlsruhe (G/1927) 230
J Douglas Blackwood (USA/1943) Jervis (GB/1938) 41 Juruena (Br/1939) 416 Karmoy(No/?) 381
136 Jervis Bay (GB/1922) 82 Juruena (Br/?) 418 Karmoy (ex-Globe 5) (No/?) 381
J Franklin Bell (USA/1941) 159 Jesse Rutherford (USA/1944) 137 Jutahy (Br/1939) 316 Karnes (USA/c 1943) 160
J Fred Talbott (USA/1918) 94 Jewel (GB/1944) 65 Jutai (Br/?) 418 Kasaan Bay (USA/1943) 109
J R Y Blakely (USA/1943) 140 Jintsu (J/1923) 186 Jutland (GB/1945) 44 Kasado (J/1943) 205
J Richard Ward (USA/1943) 140 Jo (No/1905) 378 Jutland (GB/1946) 44 Kasagi (J/1944) 184
J William Ditter (USA/1944) 149 Jo (No/cl943) 380 Kasasagi (J/1935) 197
Jaakarhu (Fi/1926) 367 Joao de Lisboa (Po/1936) 397 Kaba (J/1915) 175 Kashi (J/1916) 175
Jaccard (USA/1944) 137 Jobb (USA/1943) 137 Kaba (J/1945) 196 Kashi (J/1944) 196
Jack (USA/1942) 145 Joessel (F/1919) 258 Kabyle (F/1917) 258 Kashii (J/1941) 191
Jack C Robinson (USA/1944) 161 Joffre(F/-) 261 Kadashan Bay (USA/1943) 109 Kashima (J/1905) 171
Jack Miller (USA/1944) 138 Johan Maurits van Nassau (Ne/1932) Kaede (J/1915) 175 Kashima (J/1939) 191
Jack W Wilke (US A/1943) 137 392 Kaede (J/1944) 196 Kashiwa (J/1915) 175
Jackal (GB/1938) 41 Johan Maurits van Nassau (Ne/1943) Kaga (J/1921) 171,180 Kashiwara (J/-) 191
Jackdaw (USA/-) 151 393 Kaganovich (USSR/1939) 328 Kashmir (GB/1939) 41
Jackson (USA/1927) 166 John A Bole (USA/1944) 132 Kagero (J/1938) 194 Kassos (Gr/?) 406
Jacob Bagge (Sw/1898) 369 John C Butler (USA/1943) 137 Kagu Maru (J/c 1936) 213 Kasuga (J/1902) 173
Jacob Jones (USA/1918) 94 JohnDEdwards(USA/1919) 94 Kaguar (USSR/-) 339 Kaszub (PI/1914) 348
Jacob Jones (USA/1942) 140 John D Henley (USA/1942) 130 Kai (GB/1921) 84 Katashima (J/1917) 177
Jacob van Heemskerck (Ne/1939) John Francis Burnes (USA/1918) 95 Kaiyo (J/1938) 185 Katata (J/1922) 177
389 John Hood (USA/1943) 131 Kajak (Es/extant 1922) 353 Katoku (J/1915) 177
Jacui (Br/?) 418 John J Powers (USA/1943) 135 Kajmakcalan (Yu/1936-39) 359 Katoomba (GB/1941) 65
Jagaren (Sw/1932) 376 John J van Buren (USA/1943) 139 Kaki (J/1919) 175 Katori (J/1905) 171
Jadran (Yu/extant 1922) 359 John L Williamson (USA/1944) 138 Kaki (J/1944) 196 Katori (J/1939) 191
Jaguar(F/1923) 267 John M Bermingham (USA/1943) Kako (J/1923) 186 Katsonis (Gr/1926) 405
J aguar(G/1928) 237 135 Kako (J/1925) 187 Katsura (J/1915) 175
Jaguar (GB/1938) 41 J ohn P Gray (US A/1944) 161 Kalamalka (GB/1943) 72 Katsura (J/1945) 196
Jaguarao (Br/ ?) 418 John Q Roberts (USA/1944) 161 Kalavati (GB/1928) 84 Katsuragi (J/1944) 184
J aguaribe (Br/1939) 416 John R Craig (USA/1945) 134 Kale (GB/1942) 59 Katsuriki (J/1916) 177
Jaguaribe (Br/?) 418 John R Pierce (USA/1944) 132 Kalev (Es/extant 1922) 353 Kavak (T u/c 1937) 408
Jaime Primero (Sp/1914) 399 John Rodgers (USA/1942) 131 Kalev (Es/1937) 352 Kawakaze (J/1917) 176
Jakhals (Ne/1911) 387 John W Thomason (USA/1944) 132 Kalev (USSR/1937) 338 Kawakaze (J/1936) 194
Jalae (1/1932) 309 John W Weeks (USA/1944) 132 Kalewipoeg (Es/extant 1922) 353 Kawi (Ne/193 7) 394
Jallao (USA/1944) 146 John Williamson (No/?) 381 Kalgoorlie (GB/1941) 64 Kaya (J/1919) 175
Jamaica (GB/1940) 34 Johnnie Hutchins (USA/1944) 137 Kalinin (USSR/1939) 328 Kaya (J/1944) 196
James C Owens (USA/1944) 132 Johnston (USA/1943) 130 Kalinin Bay (USA/1943) 109 Kazekumo (J/1941) 195
James E Craig (USA/1943) 136 Johnston (USA/1945) 133 Kalk (USA/1918) 94 Kearny (USA/1940) 128
James EKyes (USA/1945) 133 Joliette (GB/1943) 59 Kalk (USA/1942) 128 Kearsarge (USA/1945) 104
James K Paulding (USA/1920) 94 Jonquiere (GB/1943) 59 Kallanpaa (Fi/1942) 366 Keats (GB/1943) 61
James O’Hara (USA/cl943) 159 Jonquil (GB/1940) 62 Kalmar (Sw/1943) 373 Kecskemet (Hu/extant 1922) 355
Jan van Amstel (Ne/1936) 394 Jordan (US A/1943) 136 Kalymos (Gr/?) 406 Kedah (GB/1927) 83
Jan van Brakel (Ne/1936) 393 Jorge (A/1890) 419 Kamanev (USSR/c 1916) 324 Keith (GB/1930) 38
Jan van Gelder (Ne/1937) 394 Jorge Juan (Sp/1933) 401 Kamicia (Bu/?) 363 Keith (USA/1942) 140
Janssen (USA/1943) 140 Jose Canalejas (Sp/1922) 400 Kamikawa Maru (j/c 1937) 213 Kelanan (GB/1921) 83
Jantina (1/1932) 309 Jose Luis Diez (Sp/1928) 401 Kamikaze (J/1905) 175 Kelly (GB/1938) 41
Janus (GB/1938) 41 Joseph C Hubbard (USA/1943) 136 Kamikaze (J/1922) 176 Kelowna (GB/1941) 64
Japura (Br/1939) 416 Joseph E Campbell (USA/1943) 136 Kamishak (USA/-) 157 Kelvin (GB/1939) 41
Jarvis (USA/1912) 93 Joseph E Connolly (US A/1944) 138 Kamishima (J/1945) 209 Kemal Reis (Tu/c 1911) 407
Jarvis (USA/1937) 126 Joseph M Auman (US A/1944) 161 Kamloops (GB/1940) 62 Kempenfelt (GB/1931) 38
Jarvis (USA/1944) 131 Joseph P Kennedy Jr (USA/1945) Kamoi (J/1922) 212 Kempenfelt (GB/1943) 43
Jaseur (GB/1944) 65 134 Kamome (J/1929) 208 Kempthorne (GB/1943) 61
Jaskolka (Pl/extant 1922) 349 Joseph TDickman (USA/1941) 159 Kampar (GB/1915) 84 Kendall C Campbell (USA/1944) 138

439
Kendrick (USA/1942) 129 King George V (GB/1939) 15 Kondor(G/1926) 237 Kvik (No/1898) 378
Kenilworth Castle (GB/1943) 63 King Gruffyd (GB/1919) 84 Kondor (USSR/1941) 339 Kvintus (Dk/1917) 383
Kennedy (USA/1919) 95 King Haakon VII (No/1942) 380 Kongo (J/1912) 173 Kwajalein (USA/1944) 110
Kenneth D Bailey (USA/1945) 133 King Orry (GB/1913) 83 Kongo Maru (J/c 1935) 215 Kydonia (Gr/1914) 405
Kenneth D Bailey (USA/-) 138 Kingcup (GB/1940) 62 Konigsberg (G/1927) 230 Kylemore (GB/1897) 84
Kenneth M Willett (USA/1944) 137 Kingfish (USA/1942) 145 Konstruktor (USSR/1905) 323 Kylongyai (Si/1937) 411
Kenneth Whiting (USA/1943) 158 Kingfisher (GB/1935) 62 Kontradmiral Khoroshkin Kyne (USA/1943) 139
Kennison (U S A /1918) 94 Kingsbury (USA/c 1943) 160 (USSR/1940) 341 Kyosai (J/1939) 209
Kenogami (GB/1940) 62 Kingsmill (GB/1943) 61 Kootenay (GB/1932) 38 Kyzikos (Gr/1914) 405
Kenora (GB/1941) 64 Kingston (GB/1939) 41 Korall (USSR/c 1916) 345
Kent (GB/1926) 26 Kinryu Maru (J/c 1938) 215 Korfu (USSR/1916) 323 L’ Adroit (F/1927) 270
Kenton (USA/c 1943) 160 Kin tyre (GB/1941) 66 Korgialenios (Gr/1916) 406 V Adroit (F/1938) 270
Kentucky (USA/1950) 99 Kinu (J/1922) 174 Kormoran (G/c 1938) 248 L’Africaine (F/1946) 275
Kentville (GB/1942) 64 Kinugasa (J/1926) 188 Korshun (USSR/extant 1922) 324 L’Agile (F/1940) 272
Kenya (GB/1939) 34 Kinugasa Maru (J/c 1936) 213 Kortenaer (Ne/1927) 389 L’Alcyon (F/1926) 270
Kephart (USA/1943) 136 Kinzer (USA/1943) 161 Kos (Gr /?) 406 L’Alsacien (F/1942) 272
Keppel (GB/1920) 11 Kios (Gr/1914) 405 Kos 16 (No/?) 381 L’Andromede (F/1949) 275
Keppler (USA/1946) 133 Kipling (GB/1939) 41 Koster (Sw/1940) 376 L’Ardent (F/1944) 278
Keppler (USA/-) 135,138 Kiresund (Tu/1877) 407 Kotaka (J/1930) 212 L’Artemis (F/1942) 275
Keravnos (Gr/1912) 404 Kiri (J/1915) 175 Kou (Es/extant 1922) 353 L’Astree (F/1946) 275
Kerch (USSR/extant 1922) 345 Kiri (J/1944) 196 Kou (Es/cl939) 353 L’Attentif (F/1944) 278
Keren (GB/1930) 72,75 Kirishima (J/1913) 173 Koutoubia (F/1931) 279 L’Audacieux (F/1934) 268
Kerrera (GB/1941) 66 Kirkland Lake (GB/1944) 59 Kozu (J/1944) 206 L’ A venture (F/1943) 277
Kersaint (F/1931) 268 Kirkpatrick (USA/1943) 140 Krakatau (Ne/1924) 393 L’Aventurier (F/1947) 270
Kershaw (USA/c 1943) 160 Kirov (USSR/extant 1922) 324 Kraken (USA/1944) 146 L’Effronte (F/1944) 278
Kete (USA/1944) 146 Kirov (USSR/1934) 339 Krakowiak (Pl/c 1917) 348 L’Emporte (F/1944) 278
Key (USA/1944) 137 Kirov (USSR/1936) 327 Krakiwiak (PI/1940) 349 L’Enjoue (F/1944) 278
Key West (USA/1943) 148 Kirwin (USA/1944) 161 Krakow (Pl/c 1926) 351 L’Entreprenant (F/1940) 272
Keyaki (J/1918) 175 Kisaragi (J/1905) 175 Krambol (USSR/extant 1922) 324 L’Escarmouch (F/1943) 277
Keyaki (J/1944) 196 Kisaragi (J/1925) 192 Krambol (USSR/1938) 341 L’Espoire (F/1931) 273
Kharkov (USSR/1936) 329 Kishinami (J/1943) 195 Krasnaya Zvezda (USSR/extant L’Eveille (F/1944) 278
Khartoum (GB/1939) 41 Kiso (J/1920) 174 1922) 324 L’Imperieuse (F/1939) 277
Khedive (GB/1942) 26 Kissa (Gr/1884) 405 Krasni Vostok (USSR/c 1909) 324 L’Incomprise (F/1936) 271
Khios (Gr/cl942) 406 Kistna (GB/1943) 58 Krasnoarmeyec (USSR/c 1915) 324 L’Indiscret (F/1944) 278
Khrabry (Bu/1907) 363 Kisumi (J/1937) 194 Krasnoflotyec (USSR/cl915) 324 L’Indomptable (F/1933) 268
Kiama (GB/1943) 64 Kitakami (J/1920) 174 Krasnogvardeyec (USSR/1929) 332 L’Intrepide (F/1941) 270
Kiang Chen (Ca/cl906) 412 Kitchener (GB/1941) 62 Krasnoye Znamya (USSR/extant L’lphigenie (F/1935) 271
Kiang Heng (Ca/cl906) 412 Kite (GB/1942) 57 1922) 324 L’Opiniatre (F/-) 270
Kiang Hsi (Ca/1911) 412 Kitkun Bay (USA/1943) 109 Krasnyi Kavraz (USSR/1916) 327 La Argentina (A/1937) 420
Kiang Kun (Ca/1912) 412 Kittern (GB/1943) 66 Krasnyi Krym (USSR/1915) 326 La Bastiase (F/1940) 277
Kiang Li (Ca/cl906) 412 Kittiwake (GB/1936) 62 Krechet (USSR/c 1946) 339 La Bastiase (GB/1940) 62
Kiang Ning (Ca/c 1936) 413 Kittson (USA/cl943) 160 Kreta (G/?) 254 La Batailleuse (F/1939) 277
Kiang Yuan (Ca/c 1906) 412 Kiwi (GB/1941) 66 Kretchmer (USA/1943) 140 La Bayadere (F/-) 275
Kibitsu Maru (J/1943) 215 Kiyokawa Maru (J/c 1942) 213 Kriezis (Gr/1940) 406 La Bayonnaise (F/1936) 271
Kichle (Gr/1884) 405 Kiyonami (J/1942) 195 Krisjans Valdemars (La/extant 1922) La Boudeuse (F/1939) 277
Kidd (USA/1943) 131 Kiyoshimo (J/1944) 195 353 La Capricieuse (F/1939) 277
Kidder (USA/1919) 95 Kiyozumi Maru (J/c 1934) 215 Krite (Gr/1941) 406 La Combattante (F/1942) 272
Kiev (USSR/1940) 330 Kjaek (No/1899) 378 Krokodil (Ne/c 1906) 387 La Cordeliere (F/1936) 271
Kiiski (Fi/cl936) 366 Kjeld (No/cl943) 380 Kronshtadt (USSR/c 1939) 326 La Creole (F/1940) 275
Kiji (J/1937) 197 Kjell (No/1912) 378 Krut (Sw/1924) 375 La Curieuse (F/1939) 277
Kiku (J/1920) 175 Klamath (USA/1945) 165 Kudat (GB/1914) 83 La Decouverte (F/1943) 277
Kikudsuki (J/1926) 192 Klas Horn (Fi/1891) 364 Kuga (J/1944) 206 La Dieppoise (F/1940) 277
Kikuzuki (J/1902) 175 Klas Horn (Sw/1931) 372 Kuibyshev (USSR/1941) 328 La Fantasque (F/1934) 268
Kilbirnie (GB/1943) 62 Klas Uggla (Sw/1931) 372 Kujawiak (Pl/c 1917) 348 La Favorite (F/1942) 275
Kilbride (GB/1943) 62 Kleber (F/1936) 269 Kujawiak (PI/1940) 349 La Flore (F/1935) 271
Kilchattan (GB/1943) 62 Kleinsmith (USA/1945) 161 Kula Gulf (USA/1944) 111 La Galissonniere (F/1933) 265
Kilchrenan (GB/1943) 62 Kleinsmith (USA/-) 138 Kullen (Sw/1940) 376 La Gracieuse (F/1939) 277
Kildary (GB/1943) 62 Kline (USA/1944) 161 Kuma (J/1919) 174 La Grandiere (F/1939) 277
Kildwick (GB/1943) 62 Kluz (USSR/extant 1922) 324 Kumano (J/1936) 190 La Grange (USA/c 1943) 160
Kilham (GB/1943) 62 Knapp (USA/1943) 131 Kumano Maru (J/1944) 214 La Hulloise (GB/1943) 59
Kilkenzie (GB/1943) 62 Knaresborough Castle (GB/1943) 63 Kume (J/1944) 206 La Malbaie (GB/1941) 62
Kilkhampton (GB/1943) 62 Knave (USA/1943) 151 Kunashiri (J/1940) 205 La Malouine (F/1940) 277
Kilkis (Gr/1905) 404 Knekht (USSR/1938) 341 Kung Sheng (Ca/1922) 412 La Malouine (GB/1940) 62
Killegray (GB/1941) 66 Knight (USA/1941) 129 Kung Wo (GB/1921) 85 La Martinique (F/-) 276
Killen (USA/1943) 131 Knox (USA/c 1943) 159 Kunikawa Maru (J/c 1937) 213 La Melpomene (F/1935) 271
Kilmalcolm (GB/1943) 62 Knoxville (USA/1943) 149 Kuore (Fi/c 1936) 366 La Moquese (F/1940) 277
Kilmarnock (GB/1943) 62 Knudson (USA/1944) 161 Kurahashi (J/1943) 206 La Paimpolaise (F/1940) 277
Kilmartin (GB/1943) 62 Kobac (Yu/1918) 357 Kurama (J/1907) 173 La Palme (F/1926) 270
Kilmelford (GB/1943) 62 Kobchik (USSR/extant 1922) 324 Kuretake (J/1922) 175 La Perouse (F/1941) 279
Kilmington (GB/1943) 62 Kocatepe (Tu/1931) 407 Kuri (J/1920) 175 La Perouse (F/-) 277
Kilmore (GB/1943) 62 Koiner (USA/1943) 140 Kurokami (J/1917) 177 La Plata (A/1911) 419
Kilty (USA/1918) 91 Kokanee (GB/1943) 59 Kurosaki (J/1918) 177 La Pomone (F/1935) 271
Kimball (USA/1927) 166 Koln (G/1928) 230 Kuroshima (J/1914) 177 La Porte (USA/c 1943) 160
Kimberley (GB/1939) 41 Komarom (Hu/extant 1922) 355 Kuroshio (J/1938) 194 La Poursuivante (F/1936) 271
Kimberly (USA/1917) 93 Komendant Pilsudski (Pl/c 1918) 349 Kurukaya (J/1923) 175 La Prade (U S A/1943) 138
Kimberly (USA/1942) 130 Komet (G/cl937) 247 Kusagaki (J/1944) 206 La Praya (F/-) 276
Kimikawa Maru (J/c 1937) 213 Komet (Sw/1896) 370 Kusunoki (J/1915) 175 La Psyche (F/1932) 275
Kincardine (GB/1944) 63 Komissar (USSR/cl915) 324 Kusunoki (J/1945) 196 La Railleuse (F/1926) 270
King (A/cl943) 421 Kommunar (USSR/cl915) 324 Kuwa (J/1918) 175 La Rioja (A/1929) 421
King (USA/1920) 94 Kommunist (USSR/c 1920) 324 Kuwa (J/1944) 196 La Salle (GB/1943) 59
King George V (GB/1911) 7 Komsomolecclass (USSR/cl945) 342 Kuzu (J/-) 196 La Sultane (F/1932) 274

440
La Surprise (F/1939) 277 Lapwing (GB/1943) 57 Lefkas (Gr/?) 406 Lightning (GB/1940) 41
La Surprise (F/1943) 277 Larache (Sp/extant 1922) 400 Legate (USA/1927) 166 Lille Belt (Dk/1875) 383
La Sybille (F/1932) 275 Larch Lake (GB/1945) 72 Legazpi (Sp/1944) 403 Lily (GB/1915) 13
La V allee (GB/1943) 72 Lardner (USA/1919) 95 Legion (GB/1939) 41 Lima (Po/1933) 397
La Vallette (USA/1919) 95 Lardner (USA/1942) 128 Legionario (1/1941) 301 Lima (Pu/1881) 423
La Vallette (USA/1942) 130 Largo Bay (GB/1944) 61 Legionnaire (F/1944) 278 Limbourne (GB/1942) 46
La Vestale (F/1932) 274 Largs (GB/1938) 75,83 Legnano (1/1926) 317 Limin (Ma/1933) 414
Laaland (Dk/1941) 384 Lark (GB/1943) 57 Leiger (Es/extant 1922) 353 Limpopo (Po/1890) 396
Labuan (GB/1943) 62 Larkspur (GB/1940) 62 Leipzig (G/1929) 231 Linaria (GB/1942) 63
Laburnum (GB/1915) 13 Larne (GB/1943) 65 Leith (GB/1933) 56 Lince (1/1938) 302
Lacerta (U S A/c 1943) 160 Larne (GB/-) 65 Leland E Thomas (USA/1944) 138 Lince (Po/1911) 396
Lachine (GB/1941) 63 Lascar Catorgiu (Ro/extant 1922) 361 Lembit (Es/extant 1922) 352 Lincoln (GB/1918) 47
Lachlan (GB/1944) 60 Lassigny (F/1919) 259 Lembit (Es/1936) 352 Lindenwald (USA/1943) 161
Lachute (GB/1944) 63 Latimer (USA/c 1943) 160 Lembit (USSR/1937) 338 Lindisfarne (GB/1943) 66
Laconia (GB/1922) 82 Latona (GB/1940) 37 Lemnos (Gr/1905) 404 Lindormen (Dk/1940) 384
Lacplesis (La/extant 1922) 353 Latouche Treville (F/1892) 257 Lemnos (Gr/c 1942) 406 Lindsay (GB/1943) 63
Lady Somers (GB/1929) 83 Latrobe (GB/1942) 65 Lenawee (USA/c 1943) 160 Lindsey (USA/1944) 149
Laertes (GB/1940) 66 Laub (USA/1918) 95 Lenin (USSR/c 1909) 324 Ling (GB/1940) 62
Laertes (GB/1944) 65 Laub (US A/1942) 129 Lenin (USSR/1914) 323 Ling (USA/1943) 145
Laffaux (F/1918) 259 Lauderdale (GB/1941) 46 Leningrad (USSR/1933) 329 Lingabar (GB/-) 60
Laffey (USA/1941) 128 Lauderdale (USA/c 1943) 160 Lennox (GB/1943) 65 Lingay (GB/1944) 66
Laffey (USA/1943) 132 Laugen (No/1916) 379 Lennox (GB/-) 65 Lingayen (USA/-) 111
Lafole (1/1938) 309 Launceston (GB/1941) 64 Lennuk (Es/1917) 352 Liniers (Sp/1946) 402
Laforey (GB/1941) 41 Launceston Castle (GB/1943) 63 Lenoir (USA/c 1943) 160 Linnet (GB/1938) 79
Lafraux (F/1940) 277 Laurana (1/1918) 289 Leo (USA/c 1943) 160 Lion (F/1929) 267
Lagan (GB/1942) 59 Laurens (USA/c 1943) 160 Leon (Gr/1911) 404 Lion (GB/1910) 9
Lagarto (U S A/1944) 146 Lauren tic (GB/1927) 82 Leon (USA/c 1943) 159 Lion (GB/-) 16
Lagos (GB/1944) 44 Lauria (Sp/1912) 400 Leon Mignot (F/1917) 258 Lioness (GB/1944) 65
Lagos (Po/c 1927) 398 Lauzon (GB/1944) 59 Leonard F Mason (USA/1946) 134 Lionfish (USA/1943) 145
Lagrange (F/1917) 258 Lavaca (US A/c 1943) 160 Leonardo da Vinci (1/1911) 284 Lira (1/1937) 302
Laguna Belle (GB/1896) 84 Lavender (GB/1941) 62 Leonardo da Vinci (1/1939) 306 Lis (Po/c 1913) 396
Lahna (Fi/cl936) 366 Lawford (GB/1943) 61 Leone (1/1923) 286 Liscomb (GB/1942) 66
Lahore (GB/1941) 65 Lawoe (Ne/1937) 394 Leone Pancaldo (1/1929) 299 Liscombe Bay (USA/1943) 109
Laine (Es/extant 1922) 352 Lawrence (GB/extant 1922) 13 Leopard (F/1924) 267 Lismore (GB/1940) 65
Lairds Isle (GB/1911) 73,83 Lawrence (USA/1920) 95 Leopard (G/1928) 237 Listowel (GB/-) 63
Lake (USA/1943) 135 Lawrence C T aylor (US A/1944) 138 Leopard (USSR/cl915) 324 Lisui (Ma/1903) 414
Lake Champlain (USA/1944) 104 Laws (US A/1943) 130 Leopard (USSR/-) 339 Litchfield (USA/1919) 95
Laks (No/1900) 378 Lawson (GB/1943) 61 Leopold (USA/1943) 140 Lithgow (GB/1940) 65 '
Lai (GB/1941) 79 Laxen (Dk/1930) 383 Lepanto (1/1927) 317 Litio (1/1944) 311
Lamar (USA/c 1943) 159 Laxen (Sw/1914) 370 Lepanto (Sp/1928) 401 Little (USA/1917) 93
Lamberton (USA/1918) 94 Laya (Sp/1910) 400 Lerax(Gr/1911) 404 Little (USA/1944) 132
Lambrey (USA/1944) 146 Lazar Kaganovich (USSR/1937) 346 Lerez (Sp/1944) 403 Little Rock (USA/1944) 120
Lambridge (GB/1917) 84 Lazzaro Mocenigo (1/1919) 288 Leros (Gr/?) 406 Littorio (1/1937) 289
Lamerton (GB/1940) 46 Le Breton (F/-) 272 Les Eparges (F/1919) 259 Lively (GB/1941) 41
Lamons (USA/1943) 139 Le Centaure (F/1932) 273 Leslie L B Knox (USA/1944) 137 Livermore (USA/1940) 128
Lamotte Picquet (F/1924) 262 Le Conquerant (F/1934) 273 Lesvos (Gr/c 1942) 406 Liverpool (GB/1937) 32
Lampo (1/1931) 300 Le Corse (F/1942) 272 Lethbridge (GB/1940) 62 Lizardfish (USA/1944) 146
Lamson (USA/1920) 95 Le Farouche (F/1940) 272 Letitia (GB/1925) 82 Ljubljana (Yu/1938) 357
Lamson (USA/1936) 125 Le Fier (F/1940) 272 Leutze (U S A/1942) 130 Llandudno (GB/1941) 64
Lanark (GB/1943) 59 Le Fortune (F/1926) 270 Levachev (USSR/c 1935) 345 Llewellyn (GB/1942) 72
Lancaster (GB/1918) 47 Le Glorieux (F/1931) 273 Leviathan (GB/1945) 22 Lloyd (USA/1943) 136
Lancaster Castle (GB/1944) 63 Le Hardi (F/1938) 270 Levis (GB/1940) 62 Lloyd EAcree (USA/1944) 137
Lance (GB/1940) 41 Le Hardy (USA/1942) 135 Levis (GB/1943) 59 Lloyd George (GB/1942) 72
Lance (USA/1943) 151 Le Harve (GB/-) 60 Levkas (USSR/1916) 323 Lloyd Thomas (USA/1945) 133
Lancer (GB/1942) 67 LeHeros (F/1932) 273 Levy (USA/1943) 139 Lloyd Thomas (USA/-) 135
Lancetfish (USA/1943) 145 Le Mars (F/1926) 270 Lewes (GB/1918) 47 Lloyd Thomas (USA/-) 138
Lancia (1/1944) 303 Le Malin (F/1933) 268 Lewis (USA/1943) 138 Lobelia (F/1941) 277
Lander (F/1944) 278 Le Ray Wilson (USA/1944) 138 Lewis Hancock (USA/1943) 131 Lobelia (GB/1916) 13
Lanciere (1/1907) 286 Le Resolu (F/1944) 278 Lexington (USA/1925) 101 Lobelia (GB/1941) 62
Lanciere (1/1938) 301 Le Ruse (F/1944) 278 Lexington (USA/1942) 104 Loch Affric (GB/-) 60
Lander (USA/c 1943) 160 Le Temeraire (F/1941) 270 Leyte (USA/1945) 104 Loch Arkaig(GB/1945) 60
Landguard (GB/1930) 58 Le Terrible (F/1933) 268 Leytenant Shmidt (USSR/1901) 324 Loch Achanalt (GB/1944) 60
Landsort (Sw/1937) 376 Le Tonnant (F/1934) 273 Li Chieh (Ca/1903) 412 Loch Achray (GB/1944) 60
Lang (USA/1938) 127 Le Triomphant (F/1934) 268 Li Sui (Ca/1909) 412 Loch Alvie (GB/1944) 60
Langlade (F/c 1942) 278 Le Verrier (F/1912) 258 Libeccio (1/1934) 300 Loch Awe (GB/-) 60
Langley (USA/1912) 93 Le Vigilant (F/1944) 278 Libellula (I/-) 317 Loch Badcall (GB/-) 60
Langley (USA/1943) 105 Le Vontaire (F/1944) 278 Libertad (A/1890) 419 Loch Caroy (GB/-) 60
Lanier (USA/c 1943) 160 Lea (USA/1918) 94 Libertad (Ve/1941) 415 Loch Clunie (GB/-) 60
Laning (USA/1943) 136 Leamington (GB/1918) 47 Libertudor Bolivar (Ec/1896) 425 Loch Craggie (GB/1944) 60
Lansdale (USA/1918) 94 Leander (GB/1931) 30 Liberty (GB/1944) 65 Loch Creran (GB/-) 60
Lansdale (USA/1939) 128 Leary (USA/1918) 94 Libia (1/1912) 285 Loch Doine (GB/-) 60
Lansdale (USA/1946) 133 Leary (USA/1945) 134 Libra (1/1938) 302 Loch Dunvegan (GB/1944) 60
Lansdowne (USA/1942) 128 Leaside (GB/1944) 63 Lidaka (La/extant 1922) 353 Loch Earn (GB/-) 60
Lansing (US A/1943) 140 Leberecht Maass (G/1935) 232 Liddesdale (GB/1940) 45 Loch Eck (GB/1944) 60
Lansquenet (F/1909) 258 Lech (G/1930) 252 Liddle (USA/1943) 136 Loch Enock (GB/-) 60
Lansquenet (F/1939) 270 Leda (GB/1937) 63 Lidofjard (Sw/1933) 376 Loch Ericht (GB/-) 60
Lansquenet (F/1944) 278 Ledbury (GB/1941) 46 Lieh (Ca/1895) 412 Loch Erisort (GB/-) 60
Lantan (GB/1941) 64 Lee Fox (USA/1943) 136 Lientur (Ce/1896) 422 Loch Eye (GB/-) 60
Lanzerotto Malocello (1/1929) 299 Leeds (GB/1917) 47 Lieska (Fi/cl915) 364 Loch Eynort (GB/-) 60
Laplace (F/1919) 258 Leeds Castle (GB/1943) 63 Lievin (F/1920) 259 Loch Fada (GB/1943) 60
Lapon (USA/1942) 145 Leedstown (USA/c 1943) 159 Lightfoot (GB/1942) 65 Loch Fyne (GB/1944) 60

441
Loch Garve (GB/-) 60 Longueuil (GB/1943) 59 Lyman K Swenson (USA/1944) 132 Magnet (USA/1943) 151
Loch Glashan (GB/-) 60 Longshaw (USA/1943) 130 Lyme Regis (GB/1941) 64 Magnificent (GB/1944) 22
Loch Glendhu (GB/1944) 60 Lonkhi (Gr/cl906) 404 Lyme Regis (GB/1942) 64 Magnolia (GB/1915) 13
Loch Goil (GB/-) 60 Looe (GB/1924) 84 Lyn (No/1896) 378 Magoffin (USA/c 1943) 160
Loch Gorm (GB/1944) 60 Lookout (GB/1940) 41 Lynx (F/1924) 267 Magog (GB/1943) 59
Loch Griam (GB/-) 60 Loosestrife (GB/1941) 62 Lynx (Ne/1913) 387 Magon (F/1913) 258
Loch Harray (GB/-) 60 Lorain (USA/1944) 149 Lyo (Dk/1941) 384 Magothy (USA/-) 157
Loch Hourn (GB/-) 60 Lorain (USA/-) 149 Lysander (GB/1943) 65 Magpie (GB/1943) 57
Loch Inchard (GB/-) 60 Lord Clive (GB/1915) 9 Maha Chakri (Si/1918) 410
Loch Insh (GB/1944) 60 Lorenzo Marcello (1/1918) 288 Maagen (Dk/1930) 384 Mahan (USA/1918) 94
Loch Katrine (GB/1944) 60 Loreta (Pu/1934) 424 Maasen (Sw/cl940) 377 Mahan (USA/1935) 125
Loch Ken (GB/-) 60 Loring (GB/1943) 61 Mabahiss (Eg/1930) 409 Mahone (GB/1940) 64
Loch Killin(GB/1943) 60 Lorna Doone (GB/1891) 84 Macabi (USA/1944) 146 Mahratta (GB/1942) 41
Loch Killisport (GB/1944) 60 Lorraine (F/1913) 257 Macalle (1/1936) 310 Mahroussa (Eg/1865) 409
Loch Kirbister (GB/-) 60 Lorraine (F/1941) 272 McAnn (USA/1943) 139 Maiden Castle (GB/1944) 63
Loch Kirkaig (GB/-) 60 Los Andes (A/1875) 419 Macau (Po/1909) 396 Maidstone (GB/1937) 80
Loch Kishorn (GB/-) 60 Los Angeles (USA/1944) 121 Macbeth (GB/1940) 66 Maidstone (GB/-) 79
Loch Knockie (GB/-) 60 Lossen (Dk/1910) 383 McCaffery (USA/1945) 134 Maikaze (J/1941) 194
Loch Laro (GB/-) 60 Lossie (GB/1943) 59 McCall (USA/1910) 93 Maiko (J/1909) 212
Loch Linfern (GB/-) 60 Lothian (GB/1938) 75 McCall (USA/1937) 126 Maille Breze (F/1931) 268
Loch Linnhe (GB/-) 60 Lothringen (G/1904) 222 McCalla (USA/1919) 95 Maimai (GB/1943) 67
Loch Lomond (GB/1944) 60 Lotus (i)(GB/1942) 62 McCalla (USA/1942) 128 Maine (USA/-) 100
Loch Lurgain (GB/-) 60 Lotus (ii) (GB/1942) 63 McCawley (US A/1919) 95 Mainstay (USA/1943) 151
Loch Lyon (GB/-) 60 Lougen (Dk/1941) 384 McClelland (USA/1943) 139 Maipo (Ce/1901) 422
Loch Maberry (GB/-) 60 Lough (USA/1944) 137 McConnell (USA/1943) 139 Majestic (GB/1945) 22
Loch Minnick (GB/-) 60 Louhi (Fi/1916) 364 McCook (USA/1919) 95 Major (USA/1943) 137
Loch More (GB/1944) 60 Louis (GB/1943) 61 McCook (USA/1942) 128 Makassar Strait (USA/1944) 110
Loch Morlich (GB/1944) 60 Louisburg (GB/1941) 62 McCord (USA/1943) 130 Maki (J/1917) 175
Loch Nell (GB/-) 60 Louisburg (GB/1943) 63 McCormick (USA/1920) 94 Maki (J/1944) 196
Loch Odairn (GB/-) 60 Louis-Dupetit-Thouars (F/1915) 258 McCoy Reynolds (USA/1944) 138 Makikumo (J/1941) 195
Loch C 'sian (GB/-) 60 Louisiana (USA/-) 100 McCracken (USA/c 1943) 160 Makin Island (USA/1944) 110
Loch Quoich (GB/1944) 60 Louisville (USA/1930) 114 McDermut (USA/1918) 95 Makinami (J/1941) 195
Loch Ronald (GB/-) 60 Lovcen (Yu/extant 1922) 359 McDermut (USA/1943) 131 Makrelen (Dk/1918) 382
Loch Ruthven (GB/1944) 60 Lovelace (USA/1943) 136 MacDonough (USA/1920) 95 Malachite (1/1936) 309
Loch Ryan (GB/-) 60 Lovering (USA/1943) 135 MacDonough (USA/1934) 125 Malatia (Tu/1907) 407
Loch Scavaig (GB/1944) 60 Lowe (USA/1943) 140 McDougal (USA/1914) 93 Malaya (GB/1915) 7
Loch Scridain (GB/-) 60 Lowestoft (GB/1913) 10 McDougal (USA/1936) 125 Malcolm (GB/1919) 11
Loch Sheallag (GB/-) 60 Lowestoft (GB/1934) 56 McFarland (USA/1920) 94 Malicieuse (F/cl916) 259
Loch Shiel (GB/-) 60 Lowndes (USA/c 1943) 160 McGinty (USA/1944) 138 Malines (GB/1921) 83
Loch Shin (GB/1944) 60 Lowry (USA/1944) 132 McGowan (USA/1943) 131 Malinska (Yu/1931) 358
Loch Skaig (GB/-) 60 Loy (USA/1943) 136 Machanu (Si/1936) 411 Mallard (GB/1936) 62
Loch Skerrow (GB/-) 60 Loyal (GB/1941) 41 Machias (USA/1943) 149 Mailing Castle (GB/-) 63
Loch Stemster (GB/-) 60 Loyalty (GB/1944) 65 Macin (Ro/extant 1922) 362 Mallow (GB/1915) 13
Loch Stenness (GB/-) 60 Lubbock (USA/c 1943) 160 Mack (USA/1944) 137 Mallow (GB/1940) 62
Loch Striven (GB/-) 60 Lubiana (1/1938) 301 Mackay (GB/1918) 11 Malmesbury Castle (GB/-) 63
Loch Sunart (GB/-) 60 Luca Tarigo (1/1928) 299 McKean (USA/1918) 94 Malmo (Sw/1938) 372
Loch Swin (GB/-) 60 Lucciola (1/1943) 317 McKean (USA/1945) 133 Maloja (GB/1923) 82
Loch Tanna (GB/-) 60 Luce (USA/1918) 94 McKee (USA/1918) 94 Maloy (USA/1943) 137
Loch Tarbert (GB/1944) 60 Luce (USA/1943) 130 McKee (USA/1942) 131 Malpeque (GB/1940) 64
Loch Tilt (GB/-) 60 Luceafarul (Ro/extant 1922) 362 Mackenzie (US A/1918) 94 Malvernian (GB/1937) 83
Loch Tralaig(GB/1945) 60 Luchs (G/1928) 237 Mackenzie (USA/1942) 129 Malwa (GB/1944) 64
Loch Tummel (GB/-) 60 Luciano Manara (1/1929) 307 Mackerel (USA/1940) 144 Mameluck (F/1909) 258
Loch Urigill (GB/-) 60 Lucid (USA/1943) 151 Mackinac (USA/1941) 157 Mameluck (F/1939) 270
Loch Veyatie (GB/1945) 60 Lucknow (GB/1942) 65 McLanahan (USA/1918) 95 Mameluck (F/1944) 278
Loch Vanavie (GB/-) 60 Ludlow (GB/1917) 47 McLanahan (USA/1942) 129 Mameluke (GB/1944) 65
Loch Vennachar (GB/-) 60 Ludlow (USA/1918) 94 McLane (USA/1927) 166 Manazuru (J/1933) 197
Loch W;atten (GB/-) 60 Ludlow (USA/1940) 128 MacLeish (USA/1919) 94 Mandal (No/?) 381
Lochy (GB/1943) 59 Luigi Cadorna (1/1931) 294 Macmahon (Sp/cl890) 400 Mandovi (Po/c 1910) 396
Lockeport (GB/1941) 64 Luigi di Savoia Duca Degli McNair (USA/1943) 131 Manley (USA/1917) 93
Locotenant-Commandor Stihi Abruzzi (1/1936) 296 McNulty (USA/1944) 137 Mansfield ((GB/1918) 47
Eugen (Ro/extant 1922) 361 Luigi Galvani (1/1918) 288 Macoma (GB/1935) 26 Malta (GB/-) 21
Locotenant Lepri Remus Luigi Settembrini (1/1930) 308 Macomb (USA/1941) 128 Manchester (GB/1937) 32
(Ro/extant 1922) 361 Luigi Torelli (1/1940) 306 Macon (USA/1944) 121 Manchester (USA/1946) 120
Locust (GB/1939) 79 Luka Pankov (USSR/1941) 340 Macon (USA/-) 149 Mandate (GB/1944) 65
Loeser (USA/1943) 137 Lulworth (GB/1928) 58 Macquarie (GB/1945) 60 Mandrake (GB/1942) 63
Lofbert (USA/1944) 132 Lumen (U SA/c 1943) 160 Maddox (USA/1918) 94 Mangini (F/1913) 258
Logan (USA/c 1943) 160 Lunakharskiy (USSR/c 1916) 324 Maddox (USA/1942) 129 Mangrove (GB/1940) 66
Loggerhead (USA/1944) 146 Lundy (GB/1942) 66 Maddox (USA/1944) 132 Manila Bay (USA/1943) 109
Logic (US A/1943) 151 Lunenberg (GB/1941) 62 Madison (USA/1939) 128 Manistee (GB/1920) 83
Loimu (Fi/c 1915) 364 Luneville (F/1920) 259 Madras (GB/1942) 64 Manitoulin (GB/1942) 66
Lom (No/1905) 378 Lung Huan (Ca/1931) 413 Madura (GB/1942) 65 Manitowoc (USA/1943) 149
Lorn (No/c 1943) 380 Lunga Point (USA/1944) 110 Maenad (GB/1944) 65 Manju (J/1943) 205
Lommen (Sw/1941) 377 Lupin (GB/1916) 13 Maeshima (J/1943) 209 Manligheten (Sw/1903) 368
London (GB/1927) 27 Lupo (1/1937) 302 Maestrale (1/1934) 300 Manlove (USA/1943) 135
Londonderry (GB/1935) 56 Lurio (Po/cl907) 396 Magallanes (Sp/1944) 403 Manners (GB/1943) 61
Long (USA/1919) 94 Luronne (F/1917) 259 Magdalen (GB/1942) 66 Mannert L Abele (USA/1944) 132
Long Beach (US A/1943) 148 Ltitzow (G/1931) 228 Maggiolino (I/-) 317 Manning (USA/1897) 96
Long Island (USA/1940) 107 Luzon (USA/1927) 156 Maggiore Baracca (1/1940) 306 Manning (U S A/1943) 136
Longa (GB/1943) 66 Lycoming (USA/c 1943) 160 Magicienne (GB/1944) 65 Mano (Dk/1941) 384
Longbow (GB/-) 44 Lyemun (GB/1942) 64 Magne (Sw/1905) 369 Manoora (GB/1935) 72,82
Longbranch (GB/1943) 63 Lyman (USA/1943) 135 Magne (Sw/1942) 372 Mansfield (USA/1944) 132

442
Manta (USA/1943) 145 Mary Rose (GB/1943) 65 Melville (GB/1941) 64 Mikazuki (J/1906) 175
Manuka (GB/1941) 67 Maryborough (GB/1940) 65 Melvin (USA/1921) 95 Mikhail Martynov (USSR/c 1946) 340
Manxman (GB/1940) 37 Maryland (USA/1920) 90 Melvin (USA/1943) 131 Mikuma (J/1934) 190
Maori (GB/1937) 40 Mashona (GB/1937) 40 Melvin R Nawman (USA/1944) 138 Mikura (J/1943) 206
Mapiro (USA/1944) 146 Mason (USA/1919) 94 Memphis (USA/1924) 93 Milan (F/1931) 268
Maple Lake (GB/-) 72 Mason (USA/1943) 135 Menard (USA/c 1943) 160 Milazzo (I/c 1925) 317
Maplin (GB/1932) 83 Massachusettes (USA/1941) 98 Mendez Nunez (Sp/1922) 399 Mildura (GB/1941) 65
Marakumo (J/1898) 177 Massey (U S A/1944) 132 Mendip (GB/1940) 45 Milfoil (GB/1942) 63
Marangone (1/1943) 317 Massue (F/1908) 258 Mendota (USA/1928) 164 Milford (GB/1932) 56
Maranhao (Br/1913) 416 Mastiff (GB/1938) 65 Mendota (U S A /1944) 165 Milledgeville (US A/1944) 149
Marasesti (Ro/1918) 360 MatiHari (GB/1915) 83 Mendoza (A/1928) 421 Miller (USA/1943) 130
Marasti (Ro/1917) 360 Matabele (GB/1937) 40 Menestheus (GB/1929) 85 Mills (USA/1943) 140
Marat (USSR/1911) 322 Matagorda (USA/1941) 157 Menges (U S A /1943) 140 Mill town (GB/1942) 64
Marathon (U S A/c 1943) 160 Matane (GB/1943) 59 Menhaden (USA/1944) 146 Milne (GB/1941) 41
Marblehead (USA/1923) 93 Matanikau (U SA/1944) 110 Menifee (U S A/c 1943) 160 Milton Lewis (USA/1944) 139
Marcantonio Bragadin (1/1929) 308 Matanzas (USA/-) 157 Meon (GB/1943) 59 Milwaukee (USA/1921) 93
Marcantonio Colonna (1/1927) 307 Matapan (GB/1945) 44 Merapi (Ne/1942) 394 Mimico (GB/1943) 63
Marceau (F/1941) 269 Matapedia (GB/1940) 62 Merasheen GB/c 1942) 72 Mimosa (F/1941) 277
Marcello (1/1937) 305 Matchless (GB/1941) 41 Merbaboe (Ne/1937) 394 Mimosa (GB/1941) 62
Marchand (USA/1943) 140 Matelot Leblanc (F/1916) 258 Mercator (Be/1931) 385, Mina (USSR/1937) 341
Marcilio Dias (Br/1940) 417 Matelot (F /1942) 277 Mercury (GB/1934) 84 Minadsuki (J/1926) 192
Marcus (USA/1919) 95 Mathews (USA/c 1943) 160 Meredith (USA/1918) 94 Minah(USA/~) 151
Marcus Island (USA/1943) 109 Mathias de Albuquerque Meredith (USA/1940) 128 Minalto (GB/1943) 66
Mardus (Es/extant 1922) 353 (Br/1942) 417 Meredith (USA/1943) 132 Minas (GB/1941) 64
Marea (1/1942) 310 Mato-Grosso (Br/1909) 416 Meredith (USA/1945) 134 Minas Gerais (Br/1908) 416
Marechiaro (1/1904) 288 Matsu (J/1915) 175 Merel (Ne/1928) 395 Minazuki (J/1906) 175
Margaree (GB/1932) 38 Matsu (J/1944) 196 Merikaru (Es/extant 1922) 353 Mincarlo (GB/1944) 66
Marghera (1/1909) 289 Matsukaze (J/1906) 175 Meriwether (USA/c 1943) 160 Mindanao (USA/1927) 156
Marguerite (GB/1915) 13 Matsukaze (J/1923) 176 Mermaid (GB/1943) 58 Mindoro (USA/1945) 111
Marguerite (GB/1940) 62 Matsuwa (J/1942) 205 Mero (USA/1945) 146 Minegumo (J/1937) 194
Marigold (GB/1940) 62 Matti Kurki (Fi/1891) 364 Merrick (US A/c 1943) 160 Mineiro (Po/1892) 396
Mariner (GB/1944) 65 Maunder (GB/1919) 84 Merrill (USA/1943) 140 Minekaze (J/1919) 176
Marion (USA/1927) 166 Maurice Callot (F/1921) 258 Merrittonia (GB/1944) 63 Minerva (1/1942) 317
Mariscal Sucre (Ve/1886) 415 Maurice J Manuel (USA/1944) 137 Merrittonia (GB/-) 60 Minerve (F/1934) 275
Mariupol (USSR/extant 1922) 345 Mauritius (GB/1939) 34 Mertz (GB/1943) 131 Ming Chuen(Ca/1929) 413
Mariz e Barros (Br/1940) 417 Maury (USA/1918) 94 Mervine (U S A/1919) 95 Ming Sen (Ca/1931) 413
Marjan (Yu/1931) 358 Maury (USA/1938) 126 Mervine (USA/1942) 128 Mingo (USA/1942) 145
Marjoram (GB/1940) 62 Max Schultz (G/1935) 232 Metallist (USSR/c 1916) 324 Ministro Zenteno (Br/1896) 422
Marken (i) (Ne/c 1942) 394 Maxim Gorkiy (USSR/1938) 328 Metcalfe (USA/1944) 131 Minivet (USA/1944) 150
Marken (ii) (Ne/c 1942) 394 Maya (J/1930) 189 Metemmeh (Eg/extant 1922) 409 Minneapolis (USA/1933) 115
Marlborough (GB/1912) 7 Mayason Maru (J/1942) 215 Meteo (1/1918) 289 Minnetonka (US A/1945) 165
Marlin (USA/1941) 144 Mayflower (GB/1940) 62 Meteor (GB/1941) 41 Minotaur (GB/-) 36
Marmion (GB/1906) 84 Mayo (USA/1940) 128 Meteor (Sw/1898) 370 Minotaurus (Ne/c 1902) 387
Marmion (GB/1944) 65 Mayrant (USA/1910) 93 Method (USA/1943) 151 Minrep (USSR/extant 1922) 324
Marmion (GB/-) 65 Mayrant (USA/1938) 127 Metivier (US A/1944) 137 Minrep (USSR/1936) 341
Marne (F/1916) 259 Mazaffir (Pe/1899) 409 Metomkin (U S A/-) 157 Minsk (USSR/1935) 329
Marne (F/1942) 277 Mazare (F/1917) 258 Metz (F/1915) 257 Minstrel (GB/1944) 65
Marne (GB/1940) 41 Mazendern (Pe/1935) 409 Meulieure (F/1919) 259 Minuet (GB/1941) 66
Marocain (F/1917) 258 Mazur (PI/1914) 348 Meuse (F/1917) 259 Mira (Sw/1902) 370
Marocain (F/1944) 272 Mazurka (GB/1940) 66 Meuse (F/1940) 277 Miralda (GB/1936) 26
Maron (GB/1930) 83 Meade (USA/1919) 95 Mewa (PI/extant 1922) 349 Miramichi (GB/1944) 64
Marquette (USA/c 1943) 160 Meade (USA/1942) 128 Mewa (Pl/c 1936) 351 Miranda (Ve/1895) 415
Mars (GB/-) 36 Meadowsweet (GB/1942) 62 Mewstone (GB/1943) 66 Mircea (Ro/extant 1922) 361
Marsala (1/1912) 285 Meaford (GB/-) 63 Meyer (USA/1919) 95 Mircea (Ro/c 1938) 362
Marsdale (GB/1940) 83 Measure (USA/1943) 151 Meynell (GB/1940) 45 Mirth (USA/1943) 151
Marseillaise (F/1900) 257 Mecanicien Principal Lestin Miami (USA/1942) 120 Miscou (GB/1942) 66
Marseillaise (F/1935) 265 (F/1915) 258 Miaoulis (Gr/1942) 406 Mishima (J/1894) 171
Marsh (US A/1943) 137 Medea (USA/c 1943) 160 Mica (F/c 1918) 259 Misiones (A/1897) 419
Marshal Soult (GB/1915) 9 Medicine Hat (GB/1941) 64 Michael (GB/1944) 65 Misiones (A/1937) 420
Marshall (USA/1943) 131 Medjidieh (Tu/1903) 406 Michael Sars (No/1900) 379 Misoa (GB/1937) 74
Marsouin (F/1924) 272 Medocino (USA/c 1943) 159 Michel (G/c 1939) 247 Mission Bay (USA/1943) 109
Marsuinul (Ro/1941) 361 Medregal (USA/1944) 147 Michel Gardeyn (Ne/c 1905) 387 Mississippi (USA/1917) 90
Marte (Sp/1936) 402 Medrick (USA/-) 151 Michele Bianchi (1/1939) 306 Missoula (USA/1906) 93
Marti (Tu/c 1926) 408 Medusa (G/1900) 222 Michishio (J/1937) 194 Missoula (USA/c 1943) 160
Marti (USSR/c 1895) 344 Medusa (1/1931) 309 Micka (USA/1943) 139 Missouri (USA/1944) 99
Marti (USSR/1903) 324 Medusa (Ne/1913) 388 Mikadsuki (J/1926) 192 Mistral (F/1901) 258
Marticot (GB/cl941) 72 Meduse (F/1930) 275 Micmac (GB/1943) 40 Mistral (F/1925) 269
Martin (GB/1940) 41 Medway (GB/1928) 79 Middlesborough (GB/1942) 64 Mitchell (USA/1943) 135
Martin (USA/1943) 135 Medway Queen (GB/1924) 84 Middlesex (GB/1943) 65 Mitragliere (1/1941) 301
Martin Alonso Pinzon (Sp/1944) 403 Mei Yuan (Ca/1927) 413 Middleton (GB/1941) 46 Miyake (J/1943) 206
Martin H Ray (USA/1943) 140 Meklong (Si/1936) 411 Midland (GB/1941) 62 Miyuki (J/1928) 193
Martin Harpertzoon Tromp Melbourne (GB/1912) 10 Midway (U S A/1945) 106 Mizuho (J/1938) 213
(Ne/1904) 386 Melbreak (GB/1942) 46 Mietel (USSR/1934) 339 M joiner (Sw/1942) 372
Marts (USA/1943) 139 Melik (Eg/extant 1922) 409 Mifflin (USA/c 1943) 160 Mljet (Yu/1931) 358
Martynov (USSR/1906) 324 Melilla (Sp/1916) 402 Might (USA/1942) 156 Moa (GB/1941) 66
Martynov (USSR/c 1935) 345 Mehta (GB/1942) 65 Mignonette (GB/1941) 62 Moale (USA/1944) 132
Meljine (Yu/1931) 358 Mguel de Cervantes (Sp/1928) 400 Moberly (USA/1944) 149
Marvel (GB/1944) 65
Mellena (USA/c 1943) 160 Mihail Kogalniteanu (Ro/extant Mobile (USA/1942) 119
Marvel (USA/1943) 151
Mellette (USA/c 1943) 160 1922) 361 Mocenigo (1/1937) 305
Marvin H McIntyre
Melpomene (1/1943) 317 Miina (Fi/c 1916) 364 Mochidsuki (J/1927) 192
(USA/c 1943) 160
Melton (GB/1916) 84 Mikasa (J/1900) 171 Mochitsuki (J/-) 195
Marxist (U S SR/c 1916) 324

443
Mod bury (GB/1942) 46 Morris (USA/1927) 166 Nabob (GB/1943) 26 Nea Genea (Gr/1912) 404
Mode (Sw/1902) 369 Morris (USA/1939) 127 Nachi (J/1927) 188 Neal A Scott (USA/1944) 139
Mode (Sw/1942) 372 Morris Dance (GB/1940) 66 Nacken (Sw/1942) 374 Neave (GB/1942) 66
Modeste (GB/1944) 58 Morrison (USA/1943) 130 Nada (Yu/1940) 358 Nebojsa (Yu/1927) 358
Modoc (USA/1921) 96 Morse (F/1925) 272 Nadakaze (J/1920) 176 Needlefish (i) (USA/-) 146
Moffett (USA/1935) 125 Morse (F/1944) 276 Nadder (GB/1943) 59 Needlefish (ii) (USA/-) 147
Mogador (F/1937) 269 Mortier (F/1906) 258 Nadur (GB/1942) 59 Neghello (1/1937) 310
Mogami (J/1908) 177 Moskva (USSR/1935) 329 Naganami (J/1942) 195 Nehenta Bay (USA/1943) 109
Mogami (J/1934) 190 Mosley (USA/1943) 140 Nagara (J/1921) 174 Nelson (GB/1925) 14
Mohawk (GB/1937) 40 Mosor (Yu/1931) 358 Nagato (J/1919) 171 Nelson (USA/1942) 129
Mohawk (USA/1934) 166 Mosquito (GB/1939) 79 Nagatsuki (J/1906) 175 Nemaha (U SA/1927) 166
Mojave (USA/1921) 96 Moss (No/?) 381 Nagatsuki (J/1926) 192 Nembo (1/1927) 299
Mokuto (J/1945) 206 Mosyrz (PI/ extant 1922) 349 Naiad (GB/1939) 33 Nemesis (USA/1934) 166
Molde (No/?) 381 Moti (GB/1941) 79 Naiade (F/1925) 272 Nene (GB/1942) 59
Molnya (USSR/1935) 339 Motive (USA/1942) 150 Naiade (1/1933) 309 Nenohi (J/1905) 175
Molotov (USSR/1939) 328 Mounsey (GB/1943) 61 Naifeh (USA/1944) 137 Nenohi (J/1932) 193
Momi (J/1919) 175 Mount McKinley (USA/1943) 159 Nairana (GB/1943) 24 Nepal (GB/1941) 41
Momi (J/1944) 196 Mount Olympus (USA/1943) 159 Najad (Sw/1942) 374 Nepean (GB/-) 60
Momo (J/1916) 175 Mountrail (USA/c 1943) 160 Najaden (Dk/1913) 382 Nepeta (GB/1942) 63
Momo (J/1944) 196 Mounts Bay (GB/1945) 61 Najaden (Dk/1943) 383 Nepton (Dk/1915) 382
Monaghan (USA/1911) 93 Mourne (GB/1942) 59 Naka (J/1925) 186 Neptun (Sw/1942) 374
Monaghan (USA/1935) 125 Mousa (GB/1942) 66 Naluca (Ro/1914) 360 Neptune (GB/1933) 30
Mona’s Isle (GB/1905) 83,84 Moussoul (Tu/1905) 407 Namdofjard (Sw/1932) 376 Neptune (GB/-) 36
Monarch (GB/1911) 7 Mowe (G/1926) 237 Namikaze (J/1922) 176 Neptuno (Sp/1937) 402
Moncton (GB/1941) 62 Moyola (GB/1942) 59 Namsos (No/?) 381 Nereide (GB/1944) 58
Mondego (Po/c 1913) 396 Muavenet (Tu/1941) 407 Namur (GB/1945) 44 Nereide (1/1933) 309
Monemassia (Gr/1881) 405 Mugford (USA/1918) 94 Nanaimo (GB/1940) 62 Nereus (Gr/1927) 405
Monfalcone (1/1917) 287 Mugford (USA/1936) 126 Nancy (F/1919) 259 Neriede (F/1914) 258
Monge (F/1929) 273 Muggia (1/1912) 287 Nani (1/1938) 305 Nerissa (GB/1944) 65
Mongkut Rujakumarn (Si/1887) 410 Muikko (Fi/c 1936) 366 Nanoose (GB/1938) 65 Nerka (USA/-) 146
Monitor (USA/1943) 161 Muir (USA/1944) 139 Naomi (GB/-) 60 Nervion (Sp/1944) 403
Monkshood (GB/1941) 62 Muircha (Ei/1908) 425 Napa (USA/c 1943) 160 Neshoba (USA/c 1943) 160
Monmouth (GB/-) 23 Mulgrave (GB/1942) 64 N apanee (GB/1940) 62 Ness (GB/1942) 59
Monmouth Castle (GB/-) 63 Mulhouse (F/1911) 257 Napier (GB/1940) 41 Nestor (GB/1940) 41
Monnow (GB/1943) 59 Muliphen (USA/c 1943) 160 Napoli (1/1905) 284 Nettelbeck (G/1919) 253
Monocacy (U S A/1914) 96 Mull (GB/1941) 66 Nara (J/1918) 175 Netravari (GB/1909) 83
Monowai (GB/1924) 82 Mullany (USA/1920) 95 Nara (J/1944) 196 Neuendorf (USA/1943) 136
Mons (GB/-) 44 Mullany (USA/1942) 130 Narbada (GB/1942) 57 Neunzer (USA/1943) 140
Monsone (1/1942) 303 Mullet (GB/1942) 67 Narbrough (GB/1943) 61 Nevada (USA/1914) 90
Monssen (U S A/1940) 128 Multan (GB/1944) 65 Narciso Monturiol (Sp/1917) 399 New (USA/1945) 133
Monssen (USA/1943) 131 Munda (USA/1944) 110 Narcissus (GB/1941) 62 New Bedford (USA/1943) 149
Montague (USA/c 1943) 160 Munin (Sw/1911) 369 Naresuan (Si/-) 410 New Glasgow (GB/1943) 59
Montana (U S A/-) 100 Munin (Sw/1942) 372 Narhvalen (Dk/1917) 382 New Hampshire (USA/-) 100
Montauk (USA/1943) 161 Murakumo (J/1927) 193 Narodovolec (USSR/1929) 332 New Hanover (USA/c 1943) 160
Montbretia (GB/1941) 62 Murasame (J/1935) 194 Narumi (J/1921) 212 New Haven (USA/1942) 119
Montbretia (No/1941) 380 Murat Reis (Tu/1940) 408 Narval (F/1925) 272 New Haven (USA/-) 120
Montcalm (F/1900) 257 Muratha (Si/1898) 410 Narval (F/1941) 276 New Jersey (USA/1942) 99
Montcalm (F/1935) 265 Murature (A/c 1943) 421 Narvalo (1/1930) 308 New Kent (USA/c 1943) 160
Montclare (GB/1922) 82 Murchison (GB/1944) 60 Narvi (Fi/1944) 366 New Liskeard (GB/1944) 65
Montdement (F/1920) 259 Murena (1/1943) 310 Narvik (No/1942) 380 New Mexicd (USA/1917) 90
Monterey (USA/1943) 105 Murmansk (USSR/1921) 328 Narvik (No/?) 381 New Orleans (USA/1896) 93
Montevideo (Ur/1890) 419 Murotsu (J/1945) 206 Narwhal (GB/1935) 49 New Orleans (USA/1933) 115
Montgomery (GB/1918) 47 Murphy (US A/1942) 128 Narwhal (USA/1927) 142 New Waterford (GB/1943) 59
Montgomery (US A/1918) 94 Murray (USA/1918) 94 Naryu (J/1939) 209 New W estminster (GB/1941) 62
Montmirail (F/1920) 259 Murray (USA/1942) 131 Nasami (J/1934) 208 New York (USA/1912) 90
Montour (USA/c 1943) 159 Murrelet (USA/1944) 150 Nashi (J/1919) 175 New Zealand (GB/-) 21
Montpelier (USA/1942) 119 Murrumbidgee (GB/-) 60 Nashi (J/1945) 196 Newark (GB/1918) 47
Montreal (GB/1943) 59 Murtaja (Fi/1890) 364 Nashville (USA/1937) 116 Newark (USA/1943) 120
Montrose (GB/1918) 11 Musashi (J/1940) 178 Nasik (GB/1944) 65 Newark (USA/-) 120
Montrose (USA/c 1943) 160 Musk (GB/1942) 63 Nasir (Eg/extant 1922) 409 Newberry (USA/c 1943) 160
Montserrat (GB/1943) 62 Muskallunge (USA/1942) 145 Nassau (USA/1942) 108 Newcastle (GB/1936) 31
Monzambano (1/1923) 287 Muskegon (USA/1943) 148 Nasturtium (GB/1940) 62 Newcomb (USA/1943) 131
Moody (USA/1919) 95 Musket (GB/-) 44 Natal (GB/1944) 60 Newell (USA/1943) 140
Mooltan (GB/1923) 82 Musketeer (GB/1941) 41 Natchez (USA/1942) 148 Newfoundland (GB/1941) 34
Moon (GB/1943) 65 Muskogee (USA/1943) 149 Natoma Bay (USA/1943) 109 Newhaven (GB/1942) 64
Moon (GB/-) 65 Mustin (USA/1938) 127 Natori (J/1922) 174 Newman (USA/1943) 136
Moore (USA/1942) 140 Murine (GB/1942) 65 Natrona (USA/c 1943) 160 Newman K Perry (USA/1945) 134
Moorsom (GB/1943) 61 Mutsu (J/1920) 171 Natsugumo (J/1937) 194 Newmarket(GB/1918) 47
Moose-Jaw (GB/1941) 62 Mutsuki (J/1925) 192 Natsushima (J/1911) 177 Newport (GB/1917) 47
Moqueuse (F/c 1916) 259 Mutsure (J/1943) 205 Natsushima (J/1933) 208 Newport (USA/1943) 148
Morales (Mex/1903) 414 Muvanet-i-Milet (Tu/1909) 406 Natsushio (J/1939) 194 Newport News (USA/1947) 123
Morava (Yu/extant 1922) 357 Muzio Attendolo (1/1934) 295 Natsutsuki (J/1944) 195 Newton (F/1912) 258
Moray (USA/1944) 145 Myers (USA/1944) 161 Nauplia (Gr/1881) 405 Neyrou (Pe/1934) 409
Morcambe Bay (GB/1944) 61 Myles C Fox (USA/1945) 133 Nautilo (1/1943) 310 Nhongarhai (Si/1936) 411
Morden (GB/1941) 62 Myles C Fox (USA/-) 138 Nautilus (F/1930) 274 Niagara (GB/1918) 47
Moreno (A/1911) 419 Myngs (GB/1943) 43 Nautilus (Ne/1929) 393 Niagara (USA/c 1943) 160
Moreton Bay (GB/1921) 82 Myoko (J/1927) 188 Nautilus (USA/1930) 142 Niblack (USA/1940) 128
Moroshima (J/-) 209 Myosoris (GB/1941) 62 Navarino (GB/1945) 44 Nicator (GB/-) 65
Morosini (1/1938) 305 Myrmidon (GB/1944) 65 Navarinon (Gr/1934) 406 Nichelio (1/1942) 310
Morpeth Castle (GB/1943) 63 Mystic (GB/1944) 65 Navarro (USA/c 1943) 160 Nicholas (USA/1919) 95
Morris (USA/1919) 95 Mytho (F/1933) 279 Nazario Sauro (1/1926) 298 Nicholas (USA/1942) 130

444
Nicholson (USA/1914) 93 Notoro (J/1920) 212 Oite (J/1924) 176 Orkan (Sw/1900) 370
Nicholson (USA/1940) 128 Noumoune-i-Hamiyet (Tu/1909) 406 Okaloosa (USA/c 1943) 160 Orkla (No/1917) 379
Nicola Fabrizi (1/1918) 287 Novik (USSR/1911) 323 Okanogan (USA/c 1943) 160 Orkla (No/1944) 381
Nicolas Bravo (Mex/1903) 414 Nowaki (J/1906) 175 Oki (J/1942) 205 Orkney (GB/1943) 59
Nocolo Zeno (1/1928) 299 Novaki (J/1940) 194 Okikaze (J/1919) 176 Orlan (USSR/-) 339
Nicoloso da Recco (1/1930) 299 Nox (GB/-) 65 Okinami (J/1943) 195 Orlando (USA/1943) 149
Nields (USA/1942) 129 Nubian (GB/1937) 40 Okinawa (J/1944) 206 Orleck (USA/1945) 134
Niels Juel (Dk/1918) 382 Nucleus (USA/1943) 151 Okinawa (USA/-) 111 Orm (No/?) 379
Nigella (GB/1940) 62 Nueve de Julio (A/1892) 419 Okinoshima (J/1896) 171 Ormen (Dk/1907) 382
Niger (GB/1936) 64 Numakaze (J/1922) 176 Okinoshima (J/1935) 208 Ormonde (GB/1943) 72
Niger (GB/1945) 65 Nuoli (Fi/cl928) 366 Oklahoma (USA/1914) 90 Ormsby (USA/c 1943) 159
Niger (GB/-) 65 Niirnberg (G/1934) 231 Oklahoma City (USA/1944) 120 Orn (No/1903) 378
Nigeria (GB/1939) 34 Nusrat (Tu/1912) 407 Oksoy (No/?) 381 Orn (No/cl943) 380
Nigitsu Maru (J/1942) 213 Nuthatch (USA/1942) 150 Oksoy (ex-Pol 6) (No/?) 381 Ornen (Dk/1934) 383
Niitaka (J/1902) 174 Nuwashima (J/1942) 209 Oktyabrya (USSR/extant 1922) 324 Ornen (Sw/1896) 369
Niitsuki (J/1942) 195 Nyasaland (GB/1943) 62 Oland (Sw/1945) 373 Oronsay (GB/1943) 66
Niizaki (J/1942) 209 Nyezamozhnyi (USSR/c 1920) 324 Olav Tryggvason (No/1932) 381 Orphee (F/1931) 275
Nike (USA/1934) 166 Nymfen (Dk/1914) 382 Olev (Es/extant 1922) 353 Orpheus (GB/1929) 48
Niki (Gr/cl905) 404 Nymfen (Dk/1943) 383 Olfert Fischer (Dk/1903) 382 Orsa (1/1937) 302
Nikolai Markin (USSR/1941) 340 Nymphe (F/1926) 272 Olive (GB/1940) 66 Orsay (GB/1945) 66
Nilam (GB/1941) 79 Nymphe (G/1899) 222 Oliver Mitchell (USA/1944) 138 Orskar (Sw/1940) 376
Nimble (USA/1943) 151 Nymphe (GB/-) 58 Olmsted (USA/c 1943) 160 Oruc Reis (Tu/1940) 408
Nimrod (GB/1915) 11 Olympia (USA/1892) 93 Orwell (GB/1942) 42
Ning Hai (Ca/1931) 413 O’Bannon (USA/1919) 94 Olympus (GB/1928) 48 Oryol (USSR/1941) 339
Nino Bixio (1/1911) 285 O’Bannon (USA/1942) 130 Omaha (USA/1920) 93 Orzel (PI/1938) 350
Ninoshima (J/1918) 177 O’Brien (USA/1914) 93 Omdurman (GB/-) 44 Osado(Sp/1897) 399
Niobe (G/1899) 222 O’Brien (USA/1939) 127 Ommaney Bay (USA/1943) 109 Osado (Sp/1951) 402
Niord (Sw/1898) 368 O’Brien (USA/1943) 132 Onami (J/1942) 195 Osage (USA/1943) 161
Nipigon (GB/1940) 64 O’Byrne (F/1919) 258 Ondina (1/1933) 309 Osberg (USA/1943) 138
Nire (J/1919) 175 O’Flaherty (USA/1943) 137 Ondine (F/1925) 273 Osborne (USA/1919) 95
Nire (J/1944) 196 O’Hare (USA/1945) 134 Ondine (F/1931) 275 Oscar II (Sw/1905) 368
Nisshin (J/1903) 173 O’Higgins (Ce/1898) 422 Oneida (USA/c 1943) 160 Oshawa (GB/1943) 65
Nisshin (J/1939) 213 O’Neill (USA/1943) 139 Onice (1/1936) 309 Oshio (J/1937) 194
Nith (GB/1942) 59 O’Reilly (USA/1943) 140 Ono (USA/-) 146 Osiris (GB/1928) 48
Nizam (GB/1940) 41 O’Toole (USA/1943) 135 Onondaga (USA/1898) 96 Osmond Ingram (USA/1919) 95
Njord (Ne/cl878) 388 Oahu (USA/1927) 156 Onondaga (USA/1934) 166 Osmotritelnyi (USSR/1944) 332
Noa (USA/1919) 95 Oak Hill (USA/1943) 161 Onslaught (GB/1941) 41 Osmus (USA/1943) 137
Noa (USA/1945) 134 Oak Lake (GB/-) 72 Onslow (GB/1941) 41 Osprey (USA/1940) 150
Noble (GB/1940) 41 Oakham Castle (GB/1944) 63 Onslow (USA/1942) 157 Ossipee (U S A/1915) 96
Noble (GB/1941) 41 Oakland (USA/1942) 118 Ontario (GB/1943) 35 Ossory (GB/1944) 65
Noble (USA/c 1943) 160 Oakley (GB/1940) 56 Ony ega (U S SR/c 1941) 344 Ostara (USA/c 1943) 160
Noble Nora (No/?) 381 Oakley (GB/1942) 46 Onyx (GB/1942) 65 Osterhaus (USA/1943) 139
Nokaze (J/1921) 176 Oakville (GB/1941) 62 Opasnyi (USSR/-) 332 Ostro (1/1928) 299
Nomi (J/1943) 206 Obdurate (GB/1942) 42 Ophelia (GB/1940) 66 Osvetnik (Yu/1929) 358
Nonpareil (GB/1941) 41 Obedient (GB/1942) 42 Opiniatre (F/1911) 258 Oswald (GB/1928) 48
Nonpareil (GB/-) 65 Oberon (GB/1926) 47 Opossum (GB/1944) 58 Oswald (USA/1944) 139
Nonsuch (GB/-) 58 Oberrender (USA/1944) 137 Opponent (USA/1943) 151 Oswald A Powers (USA/1943) 138
Noor el Bahr (Eg/1925) 409 Oboro (J/1930) 193 Opportune (GB/1942) 42 Oswestry Castle (GB/-) 63
Noordbrabant (Ne/1899) 387 Obrazcovyi (USSR/1940) 332 Opytnyi (USSR/1935) 331 Otakisan Maru (J/1945) 213
Nootka (GB/1944) 40 Ocean (F/1911) 257 Oracle (USA/1942) 150 Otaria (1/1935) 305
Nor (No/1878) 179 Ocean (GB/1944) 22 Orage (F/1924) 269 Otchotlivyi (US SR/1947) 332
Noranda (GB/1941) 64 Oceanway (GB/1943) 74 Orange (USA/1943) 148 Oter (No/19?) 379
Nordenskjold (Sw/1926) 371 Ochakov (USSR/-) 330 Orangeville (GB/1944) 63 Othello (GB/1941) 66
Nordhav II (No/?) 381 Oconto (USA/c 1943) 160 Orao (Yu/1918) 357 Otlichnyi (USSR/1940) 332
Nordkaperen (Dk/1928) 382 Octavia (GB/1942) 65 Orara (GB/1907) 84 Otori (J/1935) 197
Nordkaparen (Sw/1935) 373 Odake (J/1945) 196 Orca (USA/1942) 157 Otra (No/1939) 381
Nordkapp (No/1937) 381 Odaryonnyi (USSR/1941) 332 Orcadia (GB/1944) 65 Otso (Fi/1936) 367
Nordkyn (No/1941) 380 Odate (J/1940) 209 Orchis (GB/1940) 62 Otsu (J/1945) 206
Norfolk (GB/1928) 28 Odax (USA/1945) 147 Orchy (GB/1930) 84 Ottaviano Augusto (1/1941) 297
Norfolk (USA/-) 121 Odd (No/19?) 379 Ordronaux (USA/1942) 129 Ottawa (GB/1931) 38
Norge (No/1900) 378 Oden (Sw/1896) 368 Ordzhonikidze (USSR/-) 328 Ottawa (GB/1935) 39
Norman (GB/1940) 41 Oderin (GB/cl941) 72 Oreade (F/1932) 275 Ottawa (USA/c 1943) 160
Norman Scott (USA/1943) 131 Odin (GB/1928) 48 Oregon City (USA/1945) 121 Otter (USA/1943) 136
Norris (USA/1945) 134 Odin (GB/-) 65 Orella (Ce/1928) 422 Otterstetter (USA/1943) 140
Norrkoping (Sw/1940) 372 Odin (No/1939) 380 Orestes (GB/1942) 65 Otto Wiinsche (G/1940) 252
Norsyd (GB/1943) 63 Odinn (Ic/1938) 425 Orfasy (GB/1942) 66 Otus (GB/1928) 48
North Bay (GB/1943) 63 Odum (USA/1944) 161 Orfeo (1/1907) 287 Otverzhdyonnyi (USSR/1940) 332
North Carolina (USA/1940) 97 Odvazhnyo (USSR/1940) 332 Oribi (GB/1941) 42 Otway (GB/1926) 47
Northampton (USA/1929) 114 Odysseus (G/?) 254 Orillia (GB/1940) 62 Oudenarde (GB/1945) 44
Northampton (USA/1951) 121 Odzani (GB/1943) 59 Oriole (GB/1910) 84 Oudh (GB/1942) 64
Northland (USA/1927) 164 Offa (GB/1941) 42 Orion (F/1931) 275 Ouessant (F/1936) 273
Northumberland (i) (GB/-) 29 Oga (J/1944) 206 Orion (G/c 1930) 246 Ouragan (F/1924) 269
Northumberland (ii) (GB/-) 60 Ogden (USA/1943) 148 Orion (GB/1932) 30 Ouragan (PI/1924) 349
Northway (GB/1943) 74 Ogelthorpe (USA/c 1943) 160 Orion (Sw/1903) 370 Outarde (GB/1941) 64
North wind (USA/1942) 166 Ognevoi (US SR/1940) 332 Orione (1/1906) 287 Outremont (GB/1943) 59
166 Ohama (J/1944) 207 Orione (1/1937) 302 Overflakkee (Ne/cl943) 394
Northwind (USA/1945)
Norton Sound (USA/1943) 157 Ohio (USA/-) 100 Oriskany (USA/1945) 104 Overseer (USA/1943) 151
63 Oi (J/1920) 174 Orjen (Yu/cl937) 359 Overton (US A/1919) 94
Norwich Castle (GB/-)
191 Oise (F/1917) 259 Orkan (GB/1942) 41 O wasco (USA/1944) 165
Noshiro (J/1942)
215 Oise (F/1941) 277 Orkan (PI/1942) 349 Owen (GB/1945) 61
Noshiro Maru (J/c 1934)
151 Oite (J/1906) 175 Orkan (PI/-) 349 Owen (USA/1943) 130
Notable (USA/1943)

445
Owen Sound (GB/1943) 63 Partenope (1/1937) 302 Periwinkle (GB/1940) 62 Pillsbury (USA/1920) 94
Oxford (USA/c 1943) 160 Parthian (GB/1929) 48 Perkins (USA/1910) 93 Pillsbury (USA/1943) 140
Oxford Castle (GB/1943) 63 Partizanas (Li/extant 1922) 354 Perkins (USA/1935) 125 Pilot (USA/1942) 150
Oxley (GB/1926) 47 Partridge (GB/1941) 42 Perkins (USA/1944) 134 Pilotfish (USA/1943) 146
Oxlip (GB/1941) 62 Partridge (GB/-) 58 Perkunas (Li/extant 1922) 354 Pimpernel (GB/1940) 62
Oxna (GB/1943) 66 Parvati (GB/1927) 83 Perla (1/1936) 309 Pincher (GB/1943) 65
Oyahio (J/1938) 194 Pasadena (USA/1943) 119 Perla (Sp/1887) 400 Pindos (Gr/1941) 406
Oyodo (J/1942) 192 Pascal (F/1928) 273 Perle (F/1935) 274 Pine (GB/1940) 66
Ozark (USA/1942) 161 Pasco (USA/1943) 148 Permit (USA/1936) 143 Pine Island (USA/1944) 157
Ozbourn (USA/1945) 134 Pasley (GB/1943) 61 Peronne (F/1920) 259 Pine Lake (GB/1945) 72
Ozornoi (USSR/1941) 332 Pasteur (F/1928) 273 Peronne (F/1940) 277 Ping Hai (Ca/1935) 413
Patagonia (A/1885) 419 Perry (USA/1921) 95 Pinguin (G/cl936) 247
Pacocha (Pu/1928) 424 Patani (Si/1936) 411 Perry (USA/1945) 134 Pink (GB/1942) 62
Paddle (USA/1942) 145 Pathfinder (GB/1941) 42 Persee (F/1931) 273 Pinnacle (USA/1943) 151
Padstow (GB/1942) 64 Patia (GB/1922) 83 Persefone (1/1942) 317 Pinsk (PI/extant 1922) 349
Padstow Bay (GB/1945) 61 Patmos (Gr/?) 406 Perseo (1/1935) 302 Pintado (USA/1943) 146
Pahau (GB/1943) 67 Patna (GB/1942) 65 Persepolis (Pe/1885) 409 Pintail (GB/1939) 62
Pahlavi (Pe/1918) 409 Patria (A/1893) 419 Perseus (GB/1929) 48 Pioneer (GB/1944) 22
Painleve (F/-) 261 Patria (Cu/1911) 424 Perseus (GB/1944) 22 Pioneer (USA/1942) 150
Pakenham (GB/1941) 42 Patria (Po/1903) 396 Perseus (Sw/1910) 390 Pionyer (USSR/extant 1922) 324
Paladin (GB/1941) 42 Patria (Ve/1941) 415 Perseus (USA/1932) 166 Piorun (PI/1940) 349
Palang (Pe/1931) 409 Patrician (GB/1916) 11 Persian (GB/1943) 65 Pipefish (USA/1943) 146
Palau (USA/1945) 111 Patrie (F/1903) 257 Persimmon (GB/1943) 72 Piper (USA/1944) 146
Palestro (1/1919) 287 Patriot (GB/1916) 11 Pert (USA/1942) 156 Pipinos (Gr/1943) 406
Palisade (USA/1943) 151 Patroclus (GB/1923) 82 Perth (GB/1934) 30 Pique (F/1944) 278
Pallade (1/1906) 287 Patroller (GB/1943) 26 Perun (Yu/extant 1922) 359 Piranha (USA/1943) 146
Pallade (1/1937) 302 Patron (USSR/extant 1922) 324 Pesaquid (GB/-) 60 Pirate (USA/1943) 151
Pallas (F/1938) 275 Patron (USSR/1936) 341 Petard (GB/1941) 42 Pirie (GB/1941) 64
Palmer (USA/1918) 94 Patterson (USA/1911) 93 Peterborough (GB/1944) 63 Pirouette (GB/1940) 66
Palomares (GB/1930) 84 Patterson (USA/1937) 126 Peterel (GB/1927) 78 Pisa (1/1907) 285
Palomares (GB/1937) 75 Paukko (Fi/c 1915) 364 Peterhead (GB/1940) 64 Pitcairn (GB/1943) 62
Palos (USA/1914) 96 Paul G Baker (USA/1944) 136 Peterson (USA/1943) 140 Pitt (USA/c 1943) 160
Pamiat Merkuriya (USSR/1903) 323 Paul Hamilton (USA/1919) 95 Peto (USA/1942) 145 Pittsburgh (USA/1903) 93
Pamina (USA/c 1943) 160 Paul Hamilton (USA/1943) 131 Petrof Bay (USA/1944) 109 Pittsburgh (USA/1944) 121
Pampanga (USA/1888) 96 Paul Jacobi (G/1936) 233 Petrolia (GB/1944) 63 Pivot (USA/1943) 151
Pampanito (USA/1943) 146 Paul Jones (USA/1920) 94 Pettit (USA/1943) 140 Pizarro (Sp/1944) 403
Panamint (USA/1943) 159 Paulding (U S A/1910) 93 Petunia (GB/1940) 62 Pladda (GB/1941) 66
Panay (USA/1927) 156 Pavel Golovin (USSR/-) 340 Pevensey Castle (GB/1944) 63 Plaice (USA/1943) 146
Pandora (GB/1929) 48 Pavel Khokhryanov Peykisevket (Tu/1906) 407 Plamya (USSR/extant 1922) 324
Pandora (USA/1934) 166 (USSR/1941) 340 Phantom (USA/1943) 151 Plan de Guadalupe (Mex/1892) 414
Pangkor (GB/1929) 84 Pavlic (USA/1943) 161 Pheasant (GB/1942) 58 Plauno (1/1941) 310
Panormos (Gr/cl914) 404 Pavlik Vingradov (USSR/1941) 340 Pheasant (USA/1942) 150 Pledge (USA/1943) 151
Pansio (Fi/1947) 366 Paysandu (Ur/1935) 419 Phelps (USA/1935) 125 Pleias (Gr/1926) 406
Pansy (GB/1916) 83 Peacock (GB/1943) 58 Phenix (F/1930) 273 Pleiadi (1/1937) 302
Panter (Ne/1913) 387 Peary (USA/1920) 94 Phenix (F/-) 276 Plejad (Sw/1905) 370
Pantera (1/1923) 286 Peder Skram (Dk/1908) 382 Philadelphia (USA/1936) 116 Plessiville (GB/-) 60
Pantera (USSR/-) 339 Pedro Nunes (Po/1934) 397 Philip (USA/1918) 93 Plinlimmon (GB/1895) 84
Panther (GB/1941) 42 Pegase (F/1930) 273 Philip (USA/1942) 130 Plover (GB/1937) 79
Panther (Gr/1911) 404 Pegaso (1/1905) 287 Philippine Sea (USA/1945) 104 Plucky (GB/1943) 65
Panthere (F/1924) 267 Pegaso (1/1936) 302 Philippines (USA/-) 122 Plunger (USA/1936) 143
Pantiera (USSR/c 1915) 324 Pegasus (GB/1917) 10 Philips van Almonde (Ne/-) 390 Plunkett (USA/1940) 128
Papamicolis (Gr/1926) 405 Peiffer (USA/1944) 137 Phoebe (GB/1939) 33 Pluto (GB/1944) 65
Papua (GB/1943) 62 Pelagosa (1/1924) 317 Phoenix (GB/1929) 48 Pluton (F/1929) 264
Papudo (Ce/1944) 423 Pelayo (Sp/1887) 399 Phoenix (USA/1938) 116 Plym (GB/1943) 59
Para (Br/1908) 416 Pelican (GB/1938) 57 Phoque (F/1926) 272 Pocatello (USA/1943) 148
Paraguacu (Br/1938) 418 Pelorus (GB/1943) 65 Phra Ruang (Si/1916) 410 Pochard (USA/1944) 150
Paraguay (Pa/1930) 418 Pendennis Castle (GB/-) 63 Piaui (Br/1908) 416 Pocomoke (U S A /1940) 158
Paraiba (Br/1908) 416 Peneios (Gr/1884) 405 Pickaway (USA/c 1943) 160 Pocono (USA/1945) 159
Paralos (Gr/1925) 406 Penelope (GB/1914) 10 Pickens (USA/c 1943) 160 Podsekatyel (USSR/1937) 341
Paralos (Gr/?) 406 Penelope (GB/1935) 31 Pickerel (USA/1936) 143 Pogranichnik (USSR/1905) 323
Parana (A/1908) 419 Penetang (GB/1944) 59 Pickerel (USA/1944) 147 Pogy (USA/1942) 145
Parana (Br/1910) 416 Penetrate (USA/1943) 151 Picking (USA/1943) 131 Poictiers (GB/1946) 44
Paravan (USSR/1937) 341 Penn (GB/1941) 42 Pickle (GB/1943) 65 Poignard (F/1909) 258
Parche (USA/1943) 146 Pennewille (USA/1943) 139 Picotee (GB/1940) 62 Point Cruz (USA/1945) 111
Pargo (USA/1943) 145 Pennsylvania (USA/1915) 90 Pictou (GB/1940) 62 Point Defiance (USA/-) 161
Paris (F/1912) 257 Pennywort (GB/1941) 62 Picuda (USA/1943) 146 Pola (1/1913) 287
Parizhskaya Kommuna Pensacola (USA/1929) 113 Pier Capponi (1/1927) 307 Pola (1/1931) 292
(USSR/1911) 322, 326 Pentstemon (GB/1941) 62 Pierce (USA/c 1943) 159 Polana (USA/c 1943) 160
Parker (A/cl936) 421 Penylan (GB/1942) 46 Pierre Chailley (F/1922) 258 Polar VI (No/?) 381
Parker (USA/1913) 93 Penzance (GB/1930) 56 Pierre Durand (F/1916) 258 Polaris (GB/1944) 65
Parker (USA/1942) 128 Peony (GB/1940) 62 Pierre Marrast (F/1918) 258 Polaris (Sw/1909) 370
Parkes (GB/1943) 64 Peoria (USA/1943) 149 Piet Hein (Ne/1927) 389 Polirabotnik (USSR/c 1920) 324
Parks (USA/1943) 139 Perch (USA/1936) 143 Pieter de Bitter (Ne/1936) 394 Politruk (USSR/1913) 324
Parle (USA/1944) 137 Perch (USA/1943) 146 Pieter Florisz (Ne/1937) 394 Polka (GB/1941) 66
Parnaiba (Br/1937) 418 Percival (USA/1918) 95 Pietro Calvi (1/1935) 305 Pollack (GB/1943) 67
Parramatta (GB/1910) 11 Percival (USA/-) 130 Pietro Micca (1/1917) 288 Pollack (USA/1936) 143
Parramatta (GB/1939) 56 Peregrine (USA/1945) 150 Pietro Micca (1/1935) 305 Polluce (1/1937) 302
Parret (GB/1943) 59 Perekop (USSR/-) 330 Pigeon (USA/1945) 150 Pollux (Sw/1909) 370
Parrott (USA/1919) 94 Pergamos (Gr/cl914) 404 Pike (USA/1935) 143 Polruan (GB/1940) 64
Parrsborough (GB/1941) 64 Peril (USA/1943) 151 Pikkeri (Es/1939) 352 Poltava (USSR/1911) 322
Parry Sound (GB/1943) 63 Perim (GB/1943) 62 Pil (No/?) 379 Polyanthus (GB/1940) 62

446
Polyphemus (GB/-) 23 Prevail (USA/1942) 150 Prunelle (GB/1930) 84 Rabaul (USA/1945) 111
Pomfret (USA/1943) 146 Prevesah (Tu/1912) 407 Psara (Gr/1932) 405 Rabochiy (USSR/c 1910) 324
Pommi (Fi/c 1916) 364 Priamyslav (U SSR/1915) 323 Psilander (Sw/1899) 369 Raby (USA/1943) 137
Pomodon (USA/1945) 147 Price (USA/1943) 140 Psilander (Sw/1926) 372 Raby Castle (GB/-) 63
Pomona (1/1942) 317 Prichett (USA/1943) 130 Ptarmigan (U S A /1944) 150 Racehorse (GB/1942) 42
Pompano (USA/1937) 143 Pride (USA/1943) 140 Puckeridge (GB/1941) 46 Racine (USA/1944) 149
Pompano (USA/-) 147 Primaguet (F/1924) 262 Pueblo (USA/1903) 93 Radford (USA/1918) 94
Pompeo Magno (1/1941) 297 Prime (USA/1944) 151 Pueblo (USA/1944) 148 Radford (USA/1942) 130
Pompon (USA/1942) 145 Primrose (GB/1940) 62 Puerto Rico (USA/-) 122 Radstock (GB/1916) 12
Poncelet (F/1929) 273 Primula (GB/1940) 62 Pueyrredon (A/1898) 419 Rageot de la Touche (F/1918) 258
Pondera (USA/c 1943) 160 Prince Baudouin (GB/1943) 73 Puffer (USA/1942) 145 Rageot de la Touche (F/1942) 277
Poniard (GB/-) 44 Prince Charles (Be/cl915) 385 Puffin (GB/1936) 62 Ragnar (Sw/1908) 369
Pontchartrain (USA/1928) 164 Prince Charles (GB/1930) 73 Puget Sound (USA/1944) 111 Raider (GB/1916) 12
Pontchartrain (USA/1944) 165 Prince David (GB/1930) 73,82 Puglia (1/1898) 285 Raider (GB/1942) 42
Pontiere (1/1910) 286 Prince Henry (GB/1930) 73,82 Pugnale (1/1943) 303 Raimondo Montecuccoli (1/1934) 295
Poole (GB/1941) 64 Prince Leopard (Be/cl915) 385 Puke(Sw/1926) 372 Rainbow (GB/1930) 48
Poole (USA/1943) 140 Prince Leopold (GB/1929) 73 Puket (Si/1935) 411 Rajah (GB/1943) 26
Poona (GB/1942) 65 Prince of Wales (GB/1939) 15 Pukkio (Fi/c 1939) 366 Raju (Fi/c 1929) 366
Pope (USA/1920) 94 Prince Phillipe (GB/1939) 73 Pulaski (USA/1927) 166 Rajputana (GB/1925) 82
Pope (USA/1943) 140 Prince Robert (GB/1930) 82,84 Puncher (GB/1943) 26 Raket (No/1894) 378
Poplar Lake (GB/1945) 72 Prince Rupert (GB/1943) 59 Punjab (GB/1941) 65 Raleigh (USA/1922) 93
Poppy (GB/1941) 62 Prince William (USA/1942) 108 Punjabi (GB/1937) 40 Rail (USA/1943) 135
Porcher (GB/1942) 66 Princesa de Asturias (Sp/1896) 399 Purdy (USA/1944) 132 Ralph Talbot (USA/1936) 126
Porcupine (GB/1941) 42 Princess Elizabeth (GB/1927) 84 Purga (USSR/1933) 339 Ram (Ne/1941) 394
Porfido (1/1941) 310 Princess Iris (GB/1917) 73 Puriri (GB/cl941) 67 Rame (I/-) 310
Porkkala (Fi/c 1939) 366 Princess Margaret Pursuer (GB/1942) 25 Ramiilies (GB/1916) 7
Porlock Bay (GB/1945) 61 (GB/extant 1922) 13 Pursuit (USA/1942) 150 Rampart (USA/1944) 151
Porphyre (F/c 1918) 259 Princess Marie Jose (GB/1922) 83 Putnam (USA/1919) 95 Rampur (GB/1941) 65
Porpoise (GB/1932) 49 Princess Victoria (GB/1939) 85 Putnam (USA/1944) 132 Ramsay (USA/1918) 94
Porpoise (USA/1935) 143 Princeton (USA/1942) 105 Putten (Ne/cl942) 394 Ramsden (USA/1943) 140
Port Arthur (GB/1941) 62 Princeton (USA/1945) 104 Py (A/cl 936) 421 Ramsey (GB/1919) 47
Port Colborne (GB/1943) 59 Principe Alfonso (Sp/1925) 400 Pyrrhus (GB/1945) 65 Ramskar (Sw/1940) 376
Port Hope (GB/1941) 64 Pringle (USA/1942) 130 Pyrite (F/1919) 259 Ran (Dk/1915) 382
Port Napier (GB/1940) 85 Prins Albert (GB/1937) 73 Pytchley (GB/1940) 45 Rancagua (Ce/1898) 422
Port Quebec (GB/1939) 85 Prinses Beatrix (GB/1939) 73 Python (Ne/cl902) 387 Ranchi (GB/1925) 82
Portage (GB/1942) 65 Prinses Astrid (GB/1929) 73 Randall (USA/c 1943) 160
Porch ester Castle (GB/1943) 63 Prinses Josephine Charlotte Qamar (Eg/?) 409 Randolph (USA/1944) 104
Portent (USA/1942) 150 (GB/1930) 73 Qu’Appelle (GB/1934) 39 Ranee (GB/1943) 26
Porter (USA/1915) 93 Prins van Oranje (Ne/1931) 393 Quadrant (GB/1942) 42 Ranger (USA/1933) 102
Porter (USA/1935) 125 Prinz Eugen (G/1938) 228 Quadrille (GB/1941) 66 Rankin (USA/c 1943) 160
Porter (USA/1944) 132 Prinzess Marie Jose (Ne/cl915) 385 Quail (GB/1942) 42 Ranney Falls (GB/-) 60
Porterfield (USA/1943) 131 Privet (GB/1942) 63 Quail (USA/1944) 150 Ranpura (GB/1925) 82
Portland (USA/1932) 114 Pro Patria (Ne/1922) 393 Qualicum (GB/1941) 64 Ransom (USA/1943) 151
Portsdown (GB/1941) 67 Probe (GB/1942) 66 Quality (GB/1941) 42 Ranunculus (GB/1941) 62
Portsmouth (USA/1944) 120 Procellaria (1/1942) 317 Quantock (GB/1940) 45 Rapana (GB/1935) 26
Poseidon (Fi/1899) 365 Procione (1/1905) 287 Quanza (Po/cl910) 396 Rapid (GB/1916) 11
Poseidon (GB/1929) 48 Procione (1/1937) 302 Quarto (1/1911) 285 Rapid (GB/1942) 42
Postillion (GB/1943) 65 Proctor (GB/1942) 66 Quartz (F/1919) 259 Raqib (Eg/1917) 409
Potassio (I/-) 310 Prodigal (GB/1941) 66 Quatsino (GB/1941) 64 Raqib (Eg/1938) 409
Potentilla (GB/1941) 62 Product (GB/1941) 66 Queen (GB/1943) 26 Rasher (USA/1942) 145
Potentilla (No/1941) 380 Professor (GB/1942) 66 Queen Eagle (GB/1940) 84 Rask (No/?) 379
Pothuau (F/1895) 257 Profintern (USSR/1915) 326 Queen Elizabeth (GB/1913) 7 Rastropnyi (USSR/1939) 330
Potosi (Mex/1934) 414 Progreso (Mex/1907) 414 Queen Emma (GB/1939) 73 Ratanakosindra (Si/1925) 410
Poughkeepsie (USA/1943) 148 Project (USA/1943) 151 Queen Empress (GB/1912) 84 Rathburne (U S A/1917) 94
Poundmaker (GB/1944) 59 Proletariy (USSR/c 1915) 324 Queen of Kent (GB/1916) 84 Raton (USA/1943) 145
Power (USA/1945) 134 Promethee (F/1930) 273 Queen of Thanet (GB/1916) 84 Ratdesnake (GB/1943) 65
Powerful (GB/1945) 22 Promise (GB/1941) 66 Queen of Bermuda (GB/1933) 82 Raub (GB/1926) 83
Pozarica (GB/1937) 84 Prompt (GB/1944) 65 Queen Wilhelmina (Ne/cl942) 393 Raule (G/1919) 253
Praschama (Li/extant 1922) 354 Prong (GB/1942) 66 Queenborough (GB/1942) 42 Rautu (Fi/1917) 364
Pratt (USA/1944) 138 Proof (GB/1942) 66 Queenfish (USA/1943) 146 Rauma (No/1917) 379
Pravda (USSR/1934) 335 Property (GB/1942) 66 Queens (USA/c 1943) 159 Rauma (No/1939) 381
Preble (USA/1920) 95 Prophet (GB/1942) 66 Queenworth (GB/1924) 85 Ravager (GB/1942) 25
Premier (GB/1943) 26 Proserpina (Sp/1897) 399 Quentin (GB/1941) 42 Raven (USA/1940) 150
Premuda (G/1931) 254 Prospect (GB/1942) 66 Quentin Roosevelt (F/1916) 259 Ravenswood (GB/1891) 84
Premuda (1/1918) 287 Protector (GB/1936) 79 Quercy (F/1937) 279 Ravn (No/1903) 378
Premuda (1/1931) 301 Protee (F/1930) 273 Queretaro (Mex/1934) 414 Ravn (No/cl943) 380
Prentiss (USA/c 1943) 160 Protest (GB/1941) 66 Quesnell (GB/1940) 62 Rawalpindi (GB/1925) 82
Prescott (GB/1941) 62 Protet (F/1913) 258 Quest (USA/1944) 151 Rayleigh Castle (GB/1944) 63
President Masaryk (Cz/1931) 354 Proteus (Gr/1927) 405 Quiberon (GB/1942) 42 Rawlins (USA/c 1943) 160
Presidentas Smetona (Li/1917) 354 Proteus (GB/1929) 48 Quick (USA/1942) 128 Ray (USA/1943) 145
Presidente Errazuriz (Br/1890) 422 Proussa (Gr/c 1914) 404 Quickmatch (GB/1942) 42 Ray K Edwards (USA/1944) 161
Presidente Sarmiento (A/1897) 419 Provana (1/1938) 305 Quidora (Ce/1915) 422 Raymond (USA/1944) 137
Presidente Trujillo (DR/1944) 425 Provence(F/1913) 257 Quillback (USA/1944) 147 Raymond W Herndon
Presidio (USA/c 1943) 160 Providence (GB/1943) 65 Quilliam (GB/1941) 42 (USA/1944) 161
Presley (USA/'1944) 138 Providence (USA/1944) 120 Quincy (USA/1935) 115 Rayo (Sp/1951) 402
Preston (USA/1920) 95 Provodnik (USSR/1937) 341 Quincy (U S A/1943) 121 Rayong (Si/1937) 411
Preston (USA/1936) 126 Provost (GB/1943) 66 Quinte (GB/1941) 64 Raziashchiy (USSR/1938) 330
Preston (USA/1943) 131 Prowess (GB/1943) 66 Quintino Sella (1/1925) 298 Razorback (U S A/1944) 146
Prestonian (GB/1944) 59 Prowess (USA/1944) 151 Quiros (USA/1895) 96 Razumnyi (USSR/1940) 330
Pretoria Castle (GB/1938) 24,82 Prudent (USA/1942) 156 Quirpon (GB/?) 72 Razyaryonnyi (USSR/1940) 330
Preussen (G/1903) 222 Pruitt (USA/1920) 95 Quorn (GB/1940) 45 Reading (GB/1919) 47

447
 V .
Reading (USA/1943) 149 Reshitelnyi (USSR/1939) 330 Riviere du Loup (GB/1943) 63 Rosario (A/1908) 419
Ready (GB/1916) 11 Resolution (GB/1915) 7 Rizal (USA/1918) 94 Rosario (GB/1943) 65
Ready (GB/1943) 65 Resource (GB/1928) 80 Rizzi (USA/1943) 138 Rose (GB/1941) 62
Ready (USA/1940) 156 Respublika (USSR/1907) 322 Roanoke (USA/1947) 123 Rose (No/1941) 380
Reaper (GB/1943) 26 Restigouche (GB/1931) 38 Roanoke (USA/-) 120 Rosebay (GB/1943) 63
Rebel (USA/1943) 151 Restless (GB/1916) 12 Rob Roy (GB/1916) 12 Roselle (USA/1944) 151
Recalde (Sp/1910) 400 Restless (USA/1940) 156 Robalo (USA/1943) 145 Roselys (F/1941) 277
Recruit (GB/1943) 65 Retalick (GB/1943) 61 Robert A Owens (USA/1946) 133 Rosemary (GB/1915) 13
Recruit (USA/1943) 151 Retivyi (USSR/1940) 330 Robert Brazier (USA/1944) 137 Rosevean (GB/1943) 66
Red Deer (GB/1941) 64 Retriever (GB/1917) 12 Robert E Peary (USA/1943) 140 Roshal (USSR/1906) 324
Redfin (USA/1943) 145 Reuben James (USA/1919) 94 Robert F Keller (USA/1944) 138 Rosolino Pilo (1/1915) 286
Redfish (USA/1944) 146 Reuben James (USA/1943) 136 Robert H McHard (USA/1945) 133 Ross (USA/1943) 130
Redgauntlet (GB/1916) 12 Revelstoke (GB/1943) 72 Robert H Smith (USA/1944) 149 Rossland (GB/1943) 72
Redkiy (USSR/1940) 330 Revenge (GB/1915) 7 Robert I Paine (USA/1943) 136 Rostovtsev (USSR) 345
Redmill (GB/1943) 61 Revenge (USA/1942) 150 Robert K Huntington Rota (Dk/1918) 382
Rednour (U S A/1944) 161 Revigny (F/1920) 259 (USA/1944) 132 Rother (GB/1941) 59
Redoubt (GB/1916) 12 Revnostnyi (USSR/1940) 330 Robert L Wilson (USA/1946) 134 Rotherham (GB/1942) 42
Redoubt (GB/1942) 42 Revolucyoner (USSR/1929) 332 Robert Smith (USA/1919) 95 Rothesay (GB/1941) 64
Redoutable (F/1928) 273 Reybold (USA/1943) 139 Roberts (GB/1915) 9 Rousay (GB/1941) 66
Redpole (GB/1943) 58 Reynolds (USA/1943) 135 Roberts (GB/1941) 17 Rover (GB/1930) 48
Redshank (GB/1942) 67 Rezkiy (USSR/1939) 330 Roberts (USA/1943) 139 Rovigno (1/1918) 289
Redstart (GB/1938) 79 Rezvyi (USSR/1937) 330 Robin (GB/1934) 78 Rowan (GB/1939) 66
Redstart (USA/1944) 150 Rhind (USA/1938) 127 Robinson (A/cl936) 421 Rowan (USA/1916) 93
Reeves (USA/1943) 136 Rhodes (USA/1943) 140 Robinson (USA/1918) 94 Rowan (USA/1938) 127
Reform (U S A/1944) 151 Rhododendron (GB/1940) 62 Robinson (USA/1943) 130 Rowan (USA/1944) 133
Refresh (USA/1944) 151 Rhuddlan Castle (GB/-) 63 Roche (USA/1944) 139 Rowe (USA/1943) 130
Regele Ferdinand (Ro/1928) 361 Rhyl (GB/1940) 64 Rochester (GB/1931) 56 Rowena (GB/1916) 12
Regent (GB/1930) 48 Ribble (GB/1943) 59 Rochester (USA/1891) 93 Rowena (GB/1944) 65
Regina (GB/1941) 62 Ribble (ex-Dudden) (GB/1943) 59 Rochester (USA/1945) 121 Rowley (GB/1943) 61
Regina Elena (1/1904) 284 Rich (USA/1943) 137 Rock (USA/1943) 145 Roxane (USA/c 1943) 160
Regina Maria (Ro/1929) 361 Rich (USA/1945) 133 Rockaway (U S A /1942) 157 Roxburgh (GB/1918) 47
Reginaldo Giuliani (1/1939) 306 Richard B Anderson (USA/1945) 133 Rockbridge (USA/c 1943) 160 Roy O Hale (USA/1943) 140
Registan (GB/1930) 83 Richard Beitzen (G/1935) 232 Rockcliff (GB/1943) 65 Royal Eagle (GB/1932) 84
Register (USA/1944) 161 Richard E Kraus (USA/1946) 134 Rocket (GB/1916) 12 Royal Marine (GB/1944) 67
Regnault (F/1924) 258 Richard M Rowell (USA/1943) 138 Rocket (GB/1942) 42 Royal Mount (GB/1944) 59
Regulus (F/1917) 259 Richard P Leary (USA/1943) 131 Rockford (USA/1943) 148 Royal Oak (GB/1914) 7
Regulus (GB/1930) 48 RichardS Bull (USA/1943) 138 Rockhampton (GB/1941) 65 Royal Scotsman (GB/1936) 73
Regulus (GB/1943) 65 Richard W Suesens (USA/1944) 137 Rockingham (GB/1919) 47 Royal Sovereign (GB/1915) 7
Regulus (Ne/1943) 394 Richelieu (F/1939) 260 Rockingham (USA/c 1943) 160 Royal Ulsterman (GB/1936) 73
Regulus (Sw/1910) 370 Richey (USA/1943) 140 Rockrose (GB/1941) 62 Royalist (GB/1942) 35
Rehoboth (USA/1942) 157 Richmond (GB/1917) 47 Rocksand (GB/1943) 72 Rozenburg (Ne/c 1942) 394
Reid (USA/1919) 95 Richmond (USA/1921) 93 Rockwell (USA/c 1943) 160 Rubanec (USSR/extant 1922) 324
Reid (USA/1936) 125 Ricketts (USA/1943) 140 Rockwood (GB/1942) 46 Rubin (USSR/1936-39) 340
Reiger (Ne/1930) 395 Riddle (USA/1943) 139 Rocky Mount (USA/1943) 159 Rubino (1/1933) 309
Reign (USA/1944) 151 Riegele Carol I (Ro/extant 1922) 362 Rodgers (USA/1919) 95 Rubis (F/1931) 274
Reims (F/1918) 259 Rifle (GB/-) 44 Rodman (USA/1941) 128 Ruchamkin (USA/1944) 161
Reina Regente (Sp/1906) 399 Rifleman (GB/1943) 65 Rodney (GB/1925) 14 Rucumilla (Ce/1915) 422
Reina Victoria Eugenia Rigault de Genouilly (F/1932) 276 Rodriguez (Pu/1909) 423 Rudderow (USA/1943) 137
(Sp/1920) 399 Rigel (1/1943) 303 Roe (USA/1909) 93 Ruddy (US A/1944) 151
Rekordnyi (USSR/1941) 330 Rigel (Ne/1931) 393 Roe (USA/1939) 127 Rudnik (Yu/?) 359
Relampago (Sp/cl960) 402 Rigel (Sw/1910) 370 Roebuck (GB/1942) 42 Rudyerd Bay (USA/1944) 109
Relentless (GB/1916) 12 Rigorous (GB/1916) 12 Rogers (USA/1944) 13 Ruggiero Settimo (1/1931) 308
Relentless (GB/1942) 42 Riilahti (Fi/1940) 365 Rogers Blood (USA/1945) 161 Ruler (GB/1943) 26
Reliance (USA/1927) 166 Riley (USA/1943) 137 Roi (USA/1944) 110 Rumba (GB/1940) 66
Remey (USA/1943) 131 Rimouski (GB/1940) 62 Roland Morillot (F/1915) 258 Runels (USA/1943) 137
Remiremont (F/1920) 259 Rimu (GB/1941) 67 Roland Morillot (F/1945) 276 Runner (USA/1942) 145
Remo (1/1943) 307 Rinaldo (GB/1943) 65 Roland Morillot (F/-) 276 Runner (USA/1944) 147
Remora (USA/1945) 147 Rindjani (Ne/1937) 394 Rolette (USA/c 1943) 160 Runnymede (GB/1943) 59
Remus (Sw/1934) 372 Rinehart (USA/1944) 139 Rolf (USA/1944) 138 Ruotsinsalmi (Fi/1940) 365
Renate (USA/c 1943) 160 Ringdove (GB/1938) 79 Roma (1/1907) 284 Rupert (GB/1943) 61
Rendova (USA/1944) 111 Ringgold (USA/1918) 94 Roma (1/1940) 289 Rupertus (USA/1945) 134
Rene Audry (F/1918) 258 Ringgold (USA/1942) 130 Romazotti (F/1918) 258 Rurik (USSR/1906) 323
Renfrew (GB/-) 63 Ringness (USA/1944) 161 Rombach (USA/1944) 138 Rush (USA/1927) 166
Renna (1/1942) 317 Rio de la Plata (Sp/1898) 399 Romeo (GB/1941) 66 Rushal (USSR/1905) 323
Reno (USA/1919) 95 Rio Grande do Norte (Br/1909) 416 Romney (GB/1940) 64 Rushen Castle (GB/1943) 63
Reno (USA/1912) 118 Rio Grande do Sul (Br/1909) 416 Romola (GB/1944) 65 Rushmore (USA/1944) 161
Renoncule (F/1941) 277 Rio Minho (Po/extant 1922) 396 Romola (GB/1916) 12 Ruskholm (GB/1942) 66
Renown (GB/1916) 9 Rio Negro (Ur/193 5) 419 Romolo (1/1943) 307 Russell (USA/1938) 127
Renshaw (USA/1918) 94 Rio Pardo (Br/1943) 417 Romulus (Sw/1934) 372 Russell M Cox (USA/1944) 140
Renshaw (USA/1942) 130 Riou (GB/1943) 61 Ronaldsay (GB/1941) 66 Rutherford (GB/1943) 61
Renville (USA/c 1943) 160 Ripley (GB/1918) 47 Ronay (GB/1945) 66 Rutland (USA/c 1943) 160
Report (USA/1944) 151 Riquelme (Ce/1928) 422 Roncador (USA/1944) 145 Ryaniy (USSR/1937) 330
Reproof (USA/1944) 151 Risk (US A/1944) 151 Ronis (La/1926) 353 Rybitwa (Pl/extant 1922) 349
Reprisal (USA/-) 104 Risor (No/?) 381 Ronis (USSR/1927) 338 Rybitwa (Pl/c 1934) 351
Republica (Po/1915) 396 Ristna (Es/extant 1922) 352 Ronquil (USA/1944) 146 Ryde (GB/1937) 84
Repulse (GB/1916) 9 Ristna (USSR/1922) 344 Rooks (USA/1944) 132 Rye (GB/1940) 64
Requin (F/1924) 272 Rivadavia (A/1911) 419 Roper (USA/1918) 94 Rym (USSR/1938) 341
Requin (USA/1945) 147 Rival (GB/1916) 12 Rorqual (GB/1936) 49 Rys (PI/1929) 350
Requinul (Ro/1941) 361 Rival (USA/-) 151 Rosalind (GB/1916) 12 Rys (USSR/cl915) 324
Requisite (USA/1942) 150 River Plate (GB/-) 44 Rosalind (GB/1941) 66 Rysa (GB/1941) 66
Reshitelnyi (USSR/1938) 330 Riverside (USA/c 1943) 159 Rosamund (GB/1944) 65 Ryujo (J/1931) 180

448
Ryuho (J/1933) 183 Sakalave (F/1917) 258 Sans Souci (F/c 1916) 259 Scawfell (GB/1937) 84
Sakarya (Tu/1937) 407 Sans Souci (F/1941) 279 Sceptre (GB/1917) 12
SPLee (USA/1919) 95 Sakawa (J/1944) 191 Sansovino (GB/1943) 72 Sceptre (GB/1943) 52
Saar (G/1934) 252 Sakhtouris (Gr/1940) 406 Santa-Catharina (Br/1909) 416 Scharnhorst (G/1936) 225
Sabalo (USA/1944) 145 Sakito (J/1944) 206 Santa Cruz (A/1937) 420 Schenck (USA/1919) 94
Sable (GB/1916) 12 Sakiz (Tu/1912) 407 Santa Fe (A/1931) 421 ‘Schiffe 5’ (G/cl939) 248
Sable (ex-Salmon (GB/1916) 12 Sakura (J/1911) 175 Santa Fe (USA/1942) 119 Schlesien (G/1906) 222
Sablefish (USA/1944) 145 Sakura (J/1944) 196 Santa Maria (Col/1930) 415 Schleswig-Holstein (G/1906) 222
Sabre(F/1944) 278 Saladin (GB/1919) 12 Santee (USA/1939) 108 Schley (USA/1918) 94
Sabre (GB/1918) 12 Salak (Ne/1937) 394 Santiago del Estero (A/1932) 421 Schmitt (USA/1943) 136
Sackville (GB/1941) 62 Salamander (GB/1936) 64 Santorre Santarosa (1/1929) 307 Schokland (Ne/c 1943) 394
Sacramento (USA/1914) 96 Salamaua (USA/1944) 110 Sanuki Maru (J/c 1939) 213 Schroeder (U SA/1942) 130
Sado (J/1942) 205 Salaminia (Gr/?) 406 Sanyo Maru (J/c 1930) 213 Scimitar (GB/1918) 12
Sado (Po/cl913) 396 Salamis (Gr/1930) 406 Sao Gabriel (Po/1898) 396 Scimitarra (1/1942) 317
Sado I (Po/1886) 396 Saldiray (Tu/1938) 408 Sao Paulo (Br/1909) 416 Scipione Africano (1/1941) 297
Sado II (Po/1905) 396 Salem (USA/1907) 93 Sape(F/1907) 258 Scire (1/1938) 310
Sael (No/1901) 378 Salem (USA/1947) 123 Saphir (F/1928) 274 Scirocco (1/1934) 300
Saelen (Dk/1919) 382 Salen (Sw/1918) 370 Saphir (USSR/c 1936) 340 Scorcher (GB/1944) 52
Saetta (1/1932) 299 Salerno Bay (USA/1944) 111 Sapper (GB/1942) 67 Scorpion (GB/1937) 79
Safari (GB/1941) 52 Salisbury (GB/1910) 47 Sappho (USA/c 1943) 160 Scorpion (GB/1942) 42
Saga (GB/1945) 52 Salisbury Sound (USA/1944) 157 Sarabande (GB/1940) 66 Scorpion (GB/1946) 44
Saga (J/1912) 177 Salmon (GB/1934) 49 Saracen (GB/1942) 52 Scorpion (USA/1942) 145
Sagacity (U SA/-) 151 Salmon (USA/1937) 144 Saranac (USA/1930) 164 Scoter (USA/1944) 151
Sagara Maru (J/c 1940) 213 Salopian (GB/1926) 82 Saranda (Al/1926) 424 Scotsman (GB/1918) 12
Sage (USA/1942) 150 Salpa (1/1932) 309 Sarasindhu (Si/cl936) 411 Scotsman (GB/1944) 52
Sagi (J/1937) 197 Salt Lake City (USA/1929) 113 Sarasota (U S A/c 1943) 160 Scotstoun (GB/1925) 82
Saginaw Bay (USA/1944) 109 Salta (A/1932) 421 Saratoga (USA/1925) 101 Scott (GB/1938) 63
Sagiri (J/1929) 193 Saltarelo (GB/1940) 66 Sarawak (GB/1943) 62 Scott (US A/1943) 136
Sagittario (1/1905) 287 Saltholm (Dk/1892) 383 Sarda (USA/1945) 147 Scourge (GB/1942) 42
Sagittario (1/1936) 302 Salto (Ur/1935) 419 Sardonyx (GB/1919) 12 Scout (GB/1918) 12
Saguenay (GB/1930) 38 Salute (USA/1943) 151 Sargent Bay (USA/1944) 109 Scout (USA/1943) 151
Sahib (GB/1942) 52 Salvia (GB/1940) 62 Sargo (USA/1938) 144 Scranton (USA/-) 121
Saidor (USA/1945) 111 Samet (Si/?) 411 Sarita (USA/c 1943) 160 Scribner (USA/1944) 161
Saigon Maru (J/c 1937) 215 Samidare (J/1935) 194 Sarki (Fi/c 1936) 366 Scrimmage (USA/1943) 151
Sainfoin (GB/1943) 72 Samoa (USA/-) 122 Sarmiento de Gamboa (Sp/1944) 403 Scroggins (USA/1943) 137
St Agathe (GB/-) 60 Samos (Gr/cl942) 406 Sarnia (GB/1942) 64 Scuffle (USA/1943) 151
St Agnes (GB/1943) 66 Samphire (GB/1941) 62 Sarpedon (GB/1916) 12 Sculpin (USA/1938) 144
St Alain (F/c 1942) 278 Sampo (Fi/1898) 364 Sarsfield (USA/1945) 134 Sculpin (USA/-) 147
St Albans (GB/1918) 47 Sampson (USA/1916) 93 Sarushima (J/1933) 208 Scure (I/-) 317
St Austell Bay (GB/1944) 61 Sampson (USA/1937) 127 Saskatchewan (GB/1934) 39 Scurry (USA/1943) 151
St Barbe (GB/?) 72 Samsoun (Tu/1907) 406 Saskatoon (GB/1940) 62 Scylla (GB/1940) 33
St Boniface (GB/1942) 65 Samuel B Roberts (USA/1944) 138 Satsuki (J/1925) 192 Scylla (Ne/1900) 387
St Brides Bay (GB/1945) 61 Samuel B Roberts (USA/1945) 133 Satsuma (J/1906) 171 Scythe (GB/1918) 12
St Catherine’s (GB/1942) 59 Samuel N Moore (USA/1944) 132 Satterlee (USA/1918) 94 Scythian (GB/1944) 52
St Clair (GB/1918) 47 Samuel S Miles (USA/1943) 139 Satterlee (USA/1942) 129 Sea Cat (USA/1944) 146
St Croix (GB/1919) 47 San Carlos (USA/1942) 157 Satyr (GB/1916) 12 Sea Cliff (GB/1944) 39
Saint Croix (USA/c 1943) 160 San Diego (USA/1941) 118 Satyr (GB/1942) 52 Sea Devil (GB/1945) 52
St Edouard (GB/-) 60 San Domingo (GB/-) 44 Saucy (USA/1940) 156 Sea Devil (USA/1944) 146
St Francis (GB/1919) 47 San Francisco (USA/1933) 115 Saufley (U SA/1942) 130 Sea Dog (USA/1944) 146
St George (USA/1944) 158 San Giorgio (1/1908) 285 Saugus (USA/1943) 161 Sea Fox (USA/1944) 146
St Guer.ole (F/c 1942) 278 San Jacinto (USA/1943) 105 Saukko (Fi/1930) 365 Sea Leopard (USA/1945) 147
St Helena (GB/1943) 62 San Juan (A/1937) 420 Sault Ste Marie (GB/1942) 65 Sea Nymph (GB/1942) 52
StHelier (GB/1925) 73 San Juan (USA/1941) 118 Saulys (Li/extant 1922) 354 Sea Owl (USA/1944) 146
St James (GB/1945) 44 San Luis (A/1937) 420 Saumarez (GB/1916) 11 Sea Panther (USA/-) 147
St John (GB/1943) 59 San Marco (1/1908) 285 Saumarez (GB/1942) 42 Sea Poacher (USA/1944) 146
St Joseph (GB/1943) 72 San Marcos (USA/1945) 161 Saunter (USA/1943) 151 Sea Robin (USA/1944) 146
St Kilda (GB/1942) 66 San Martin (A/1896) 419 Saury (USA/1938) 144 Sea Rover (GB/1943) 52
St Kitts (GB/1944) 44 San Martino (1/1920) 287 Sausalito (USA/1943) 148 Sea Scout (GB/1944) 52
St Lambert (GB/1943) 63 San Pablo (USA/1942) 157 Sava (Yu/extant 1922) 357 Seabear (GB/1918) 12
St Laurent (GB/1931) 38 San Pedro (USA/1943) 148 Savage (GB/1942) 42 Seabear (GB/1943) 65
St Lo (USA/1943) 109 San Saba (USA/c 1943) 160 Savage (USA/1943) 140 Seadog (GB/1942) 52
St Louis (USA/1905) 93 Sanae (J/1923) 175 Savannah (USA/1937) 116 Seadragon (USA/1939) 144
St Louis (USA/1938) 116 Sanborn (USA/c 1943) 160 Savanoris (Li/extant 1922) 354 Seafire (GB/1918) 12
St Lucia (GB/-) 44 Sanchez Barcaiztegui (Sp/1926) 401 Save (Po/cl907) 396 Seagull (GB/1937) 63
St Mary’s (GB/1918) 47 Sand Lance (USA/1943) 146 Savo Island (USA/1943) 109 Seaham (GB/1941) 64
St Mary’s (USA/c 1943) 160 Sanda (GB/1941) 66 Savorgnan de Brazza (F/1931) 276 Seahorse (GB/1932) 49
St Paul (USA/1944) 121 Sanders (USA/1943) 135 Sawakaze (J/1919) 176 Seahorse (USA/1943) 145
St Pierre (GB/1943) 59 Sandon (Sw/1940) 376 Sawarabi (J/1923) 175 Seal (GB/1938) 49
St Romauld (GB/-) 60 Sandoval (USA/c 1943) 160 Sawfish (USA/1942) 145 Seal (USA/1937) 144
St Rowan (F/c 1942) 278 Sandown (GB/1934) 84 Saxifrage (GB/1941) 62 Sealion (GB/1934) 49
St Stephen (GB/1944) 59 Sandpiper (GB/1933) 78 Sazanami (J/1931) 193 Sealion (USA/1939) 144
St Thomas (GB/1943) 63 Sandray (GB/1944) 66 Sborul (Ro/1914) 360 Sealion (USA/1943) 146
StTudho (GB/1926) 83 Sands (USA/1919) 94 Scabbardfish (USA/1944) 146 Seaman (USA/1946) 133
St Yves (F/c 1942) 278 Sandusky (USA/1943) 149 Scalpay (GB/1942) 66 Seamew (GB/1928) 78
Ste Therese (GB/1943) 59 Sandwich (GB/1928) 55 Scamp (USA/1942) 145 Searaven (USA/193 9) 144
Saintes (GB/1944) 44 Sane(F/1916) 258 Scania (USA/c 1943) 160 Searcher (GB/1918) 12
Saipan (USA/1945) 107 Sangamon (USA/1939) 108 Scaravay (GB/1944) 66 Searcher (GB/1942) 25
Saishu (J/1941) 209 Sanguine (GB/1945) 52 Scarba (GB/1941) 66 Seattle (USA/1905) 93
Sakaki (J/1915) 175 Sans Pareil (F/1940) 279 Scarborough (GB/1930) 56 Seaver (A/c 1936) 421
Sakaki (J/-) 196 Sans Peur (F/1941) 279 Scarborough Castle (GB/1944) 63 Seawolf (GB/1918) 12
Sakala (Es/extant 1922) 353 Sans Reproche (F/1940) 279 Scarpe (F/1917) 259 Seawolf (GB/1935) 49

449
Seawolf (USA/1939) 144 Shark (GB/1918) 12 Shreveport (USA/1943) 148 Sixtus (Dk/1918) 383
Sebago (USA/1930) 164 Shark (GB/1934) 49 Shrewsbury Castle (GB/1943) 63 Sjobjornen (Sw/1937) 374
Sebago (USA/1944) 165 Shark (GB/1943) 42 Shropshire (GB/1928) 27 Sjoborren (Sw/1941) 374
Sebastiano Caboto (gunboat) Shark (USA/1935) 143 Shtag (USSR/1938) 341 Sjohasten (Sw/1940) 374
(1/1912) 317 Shark (USA/1943) 146 Shtorm (GB/1930) 339 Sjohunden (Sw/1938) 374
Sebastiano Caboto (submarine) Sharkey (USA/1919) 95 Shu Shen (Ca/1911) 412 Sjolejonet (Sw/1936) 374
(1/1912) 288 Sharpshooter (GB/1917) 12 Shubrick (USA/1918) 95 Sjoormen (Sw/1941) 374
Sebastiano Veniero (1/1918) 288 Sharpshooter (GB/1936) 63 Shubrick (USA/1942) 129 Skagit (USA/c 1943) 160
Sebenico (1/1937) 301 Shaw (USA/1916) 93 Shun Tien (Ma/1934) 414 Skarv (No/1906) 378
Sederstrom (USA/1943) 135 Shaw (USA/1935) 125 Siang Wo (GB/1926) 83 Skarv (No/cl943) 380
Seeadler (G/1926) 237 Shawinigan (GB/1941) 62 Sibilla (1/1943) 317 Skate (GB/1917) 12
Seer (USA/1942) 150 Shchit (USSR/1938) 341 Sibley (USA/c 1943) 160 Skate (USA/1943) 145
Sef Indreude (Pe/1935) 409 Shea (USA/1944) 149 Siboga (Ne/cl897) 388 Skeena (GB/1930) 38
Sefton (GB/1943) 72 Shearwater (GB/1939) 62 Siboney (USA/1944) 111 Skenerbeg (Al/c 1917) 424
Segundo (USA/1944) 146 Sheboygan (USA/1943) 149 Sibyl (GB/1942) 52 Skiddaw (GB/189(j) 84
Segura (Sp/1945) 403 Shediac (GB/1944) 62 Sicard (USA/1920) 95 Skilful (GB/1917) 12
Seid (USA/1943) 135 Sheehan (USA/1943) 138 Sicily (USA/1945) 111 Skill (USA/1942) 150
Selene (GB/1944) 52 Sheffield (GB/1936) 31 Sickle (GB/1942) 52 Skipjack (GB/1934) 63
Selfridge (USA/1919) 95 Sheik (Eg/extant 1922) 409 Sidi Ferruch (F/1937) 273 Skipjack (GB/1943) 65
Selfridge (USA/1936) 125 Shelby (USA/c 1943) 159 Sidmouth (GB/1941) 64 Skipjack (USA/1937) 144
Selinur (USA/c 1943) 160 Sheldrake (GB/1937) 62 Sidon (GB/1944) 52 Skirmish (USA/1943) 151
Sellstrom (USA/1943) 140 Sheldrake (USA/1942) 150 Sidonia (USA/c 1943) 160 Skjold (Dk/1896) 382
Seminole (USA/1899) 96 Sheliak (USA/c 1943) 160 Signet (USA/1943) 151 Skokholm (GB/1943) 66
Seminole (USA/c 1943) 160 Shelikof (USA/1943) 157 Sigourney (USA/1917) 93 Skomer (GB/1943) 66
Semion Paleikov (USSR/1941) 340 Shelter (USA/1943) 151 Sigourney (USA/1943) 131 Skoryi (USSR/1939) 331
Semion Roshal (USSR/1941) 340 Shelton (USA/1943) 138 Sigsbee (USA/1942) 130 Skrei (No/1901) 378
Semmes (USA/1918) 94 Shelton (USA/1946) 133 Sigurd (Sw/1908) 369 Skye (GB/1942) 66
Senator (GB/1918) 12 Shepparton (GB/1942) 65 Sikh (GB/1918) 12 Skylard (USA/1942) 150
Sendai (J/1923) 186 Shepperton (GB/1935) 85 Sikh (GB/1937) 40 Sladkov (USSR/1905) 323
Seneca (USA/1908) 96 Sheppey (GB/1942) 66 Sild (No/1900) 378 Slamat (Ne/1942) 394
Senegalais (F/1917) 258 Sherbrooke (GB/1940) 62 Silhouette (No/?) 381 Slater (USA/1944) 139
Senegalais (F/1943) 272 Sherburne (USA/c 1943) 160 Silicio (I/-) 311 Slavnyi (USSR/1939) 331
Seneschal (GB/1945) 52 Sheridan (USA/c 1943) 159 Silnyi (USSR/1938) 331 Slazak (Pl/c 1917) 348
Senja (No/1937) 381 Sherwood (GB/1919) 47 Silnyi (USSR/-) 330 Slazak (PI/1941) 349
Sennen (GB/1928) 58 Shiant (GB/1941) 66 Silversides (U S A/1941) 145 Sleipnir (No/1936) 379
Sennet (USA/1944) 146 Shi el (GB/1943) 59 Silverstein (USA/1943) 138 Sleuth (GB/1944) 52
Sentinel (GB/1945) 52 Shields (USA/1944) 131 Silverton (GB/1940) 46 Slinger (GB/1942) 26
Senunel (USA/1942) 150 Shiga (J/1944) 206 Silvio (GB/1943) 72 Sloat (USA/1919) 95
Sentry (USA/1943) 151 Shigure (J/1906) 175 Simcoe (GB/-) 63 Sloat (USA/1943) 140
Sep (PI/1938) 350 Shigure (J/1935) 194 Simone Schiaffmo (1/1915) 286 Sluna (GB/1941) 66
Sepoy (GB/1918) 12 Shii (J/1945) 196 Simoom (GB/1918) 12 Sluys (GB/1945) 44
Seraph (GB/1918) 12 Shikari (GB/1919) 12 Simoom (GB/1942) 52 Smalley (USA/1943) 130
Seraph (GB/1941) 52 Shikinami (J/1929) 193 Simorgh (Pe/1931) 409 Smartt (USA/1943) 135
Serapis (GB/1918) 12 Shikishima (J/1898) 171 Simoun (F/1901) 258 Smeli (Yu/1928) 358
Serapis (GB/1943) 42 Shillay (GB/1944) 66 Simoun (F/1924) 269 Smely (Bu/1907) 363
Serdang (Ne/cl897) 388 Shimakaze (J/1920) 176 Simpson (USA/1920) 94 Smelyi (USSR/1939) 331
Serdityi (USSR/1939) 331 Shimakaze (J/1942) 195 Sims (USA/1938) 127 Smeraldo (1/1933) 309
Serene (GB/1918) 12 Shimane Maru (J/1944) 213 Sims (USA/1943) 136 Smerch (USSR/1929) 339
Serene (GB/1943) 65 Shimotsuki (J/1943) 195 Sinclair (USA/1919) 95 Smeroe (Ne/1937) 394
Serene (USA/1943) 151 Shimushu (J/1939) 205 Sind (GB/-) 65 Smetlivyi (USSR/1937) 330
Sergei Shuvalov (USSR/1941) 340 Shinano (J/1944) 178 184 Sinsamudar (Si/1936) 411 Smeul (Ro/1914) 360
Sergipe (Br/1910) 416 Shinnan (J/1944) 206 Siofok (Hu/extant 1922) 355 Smilax (GB/1942) 63
Serpente (1/1932) 309 Shinonome (J/1927) 193 Sir Agravaine (GB/1942) 67 Smiter (GB/1943) 26
Serrano (Ce/1928) 422 Shinshu Maru (J/1935) 214 Sir Galahad (GB/1941) 67 Smith (USA/1936) 125
Sesame (GB/1918) 12 Shinyo (J/1934) 186 Sir Gareth (GB/1942) 67 Smith Thompson (USA/1919) 94
Seta (J/1922) 177 Shinyo suicide craft (J/1944-45) 217 Sir Geraint (GB/1942) 67 Smiths Falls (GB/1944) 63
Settsu (J/1911) 171 Shiokaze (J/1920) 176 Sir Hugo (GB/1943) 72 Smolensk (USSR/extant 1922) 345
Settsu Maru (J/1944) 215 Shipley Bay (USA/1944) 110 Sir Kay (GB/1942) 67 Smyrue (Gr/1907) 404
Sevastopol (USSR/c 1939) 326 Shippigan (GB/1941) 64 Sir Lamorack (GB/1942) 67 Smyshlonnyi (USSR/1939) 331
Severn (GB/1934) 49 Shipton (GB/-) 60 Sir Lancelot (GB/1941) 67 Snaefell (GB/1907) 84
Sevier (USA/c 1943) 160 Shirakami (J/1938) 209 Sir Tristram (GB/1942) 67 Snapdragon (GB/1915) 13
Seychelles (GB/1943) 62 Shirakumo (J/1927) 193 Sir Visto (GB/1943) 72 Snapdragon (GB/1940) 62
Seydlitz (G/1939) 227,228 Shiranui (J/1938) 194 Sirago (USA/1945) 147 Snapper (GB/1934) 49
Seymour (GB/1916) 11 Shirataka (J/1929) 207 Sirdar (GB/1918) 12 Snapper (USA/1937) 144
Seymour (GB/1943) 61 Shiratsuyu (J/1906) 175 Sirdar (GB/1943) 52 Snapphanen (Sw/1934) 376
Seymour D Owens (USA/1947) 133 Shiratsuyu (J/1935) 194 Sirena (1/1933) 309 Snar (No/?) 379
Sfax (F/1934) 273 Shirayuki (J/1906) 175 Sirene (F/1925) 272 Snieg (USSR/1935) 339
Sfinge (1/1943) 317 Shirayuki (J/1928) 193 Sirio (1/1905) 287 Snipe (GB/1945) 58
Shad (USA/1942) 145 Shirk (USA/1919) 95 Sirio (1/1935) 302 Snogg (No/1920) 378
Shadwell (USA/1944) 161 Shisaka (J/1944) 206 Sirius (GB/1940) 33 Snohomish (USA/1908) 96
Shah (GB/1943) 26 Shkiv (USSR/1938) 341 Sirius (Ne/1922) 395 Snook (USA/1942) 145
Shahan (Pe/1918) 409 Shkval (USSR/1930) 339 Sirius (Sw/1903) 370 Snowberry (GB/1940) 62
Shakespeare (GB/1917) 11 Shoalhaven (GB/1944) 60 Sirocco (F/1901) 258 Snowden (USA/1943) 140
Shakespeare (GB/1941) 52 Shoho (J/1935) 182 Sirocco (F/1925) 269 Snowdrop (GB/1940) 62
Shakhtior (USSR/1916-23) 324 Shokaku (J/1939) 181 Sirocco (F/1939) 270 Snowdrift (No/?) 381
Shalimar (GB/1943) 52 Shonan (J/1944) 206 Sirona (USA/c 1943) 160 Snowflake (GB/1941) 62
Shamrock (GB/1918) 12 Shoreham (GB/1930) 56 Sisu (Fi/1916) 364 Snyder (USA/1943) 139
Shamrock Bay (USA/1944) 109 Shoshone (USA/1930) 164 Sisu (Fi/1938) 367 Sobjornen (Dk/cl938) 384
ShangriLa (USA/1944) 104 Shoshone (USA/c 1943) 160 Sitkoh Bay (USA/1944) 110 Sodio (1/1944) 311
Shannon (USA/1944) 149 Shoveller (USA/1944) 151 Si vrihisar (Tu/1906) 407 Soemba (Ne/1925) 392
Shapinsay (GB/1941) 66 Shpil (USSR/1938) 341 Sivrihisar (T u/c 1940) 408 Sohesten (Dk/cl941) 384

450
Sohunden (Dk/1917) 382 Spearhead (GB/1944) 52 Stanton (USA/1943) 140 Stormont (GB/1943) 59
Sohunden (Dk/c 1942) 384 Spectacle (USA/1943) 151 Star of Orkney (GB/1936) 67 Stornaway (GB/1941) 64
Sokaren (Sw/1917) 370 Specter (USA/1944) 151 Starfish (GB/1916) 12 Storozhevoi (USSR/1938) 331
Sokol (PI/1940) 350 Speed (GB/1942) 150 Starfish (GB/1933) 49 Storozhevoi (USSR/-) 330
Sokol (USSR/1941) 339 Speedwell (GB/1935) 64 Starkodder (Sw/1925) 375 Strahan (GB/1943) 65
Sokol (Yu/1919) 357 Speedy (GB/1938) 64 Starling (GB/1942) 58 Strale (1/1900) 286
Sokrushitelnyi (USSR/1936) 330 Spence (USA/1942) 130 Starling (USA/1942) 150 Strale (1/1931) 299
Sokuten (J/1913) 177 Spencer (USA/1937) 165 Starr (USA/c 1943) 160 Strasbourg (F/1914) 257
Sokuten (J/1938) 209 Spenser (GB/1917) 11 Starshyi Leytenant Lekaryev Strasbourg (F/1936) 259
Solar (USA/1943) 136 Sperwer (i) (Ne/1912) 395 (USSR/1943) 340 Strashnyi (USSR/1939) 331
Solebay (GB/1944) 44 Sperwer (ii) (Ne/1942) 395 Starshyi Leytenant Vladimirov Strategem (GB/1943) 52
Soley (USA/1944) 132 Spetsai (Gr/1889) 404 (USSR/1943) 340 Strategy (USA/1944) 151
Solferino (1/1920) 287 Spetsai (Gr/1932) 405 Start Bay (GB/1945) 61 Stratford (GB/1942) 64
Solium (Eg/1917) 409 Spey (GB/1941) 59 Starwort (GB/1941) 62 Strathadam (GB/1944) 60
Solomons (USA/1943) 109 Sphendoni (Gr/cl906) 404 Statesman (GB/1943) 52 Strathroy (GB/1944) 63
Soloven (Dk/1916) 382 Sphinx (GB/1939) 4 Statice (GB/1943) 63 Straub (USA/1943) 139
Soloven (Dk/1938) 383 Sphinx (Ne/cl902) 387 Statnyi (USSR/1939) 331 Straus (USA/1943) 138
Somali (F/1917) 258 Spica (1/1905) 287 Statsibrytaren (Sw/1926) 377 Stremitelnyi (USSR/1936) 330
Somali (F/1944) 272 Spica (1/1934) 302 Staunch (USA/1944) 151 S trength (U SA/1944) 151
Somali (GB/1937) 40 Spica (1/1944) 303 Stawell (GB/1943) 65 Strenuous (GB/1918) 12
Somaliland (GB/1943) 62 Spica (Sw/1908) 370 Stayner (GB/1943) 61 Stribling (USA/1918) 94
Somers (U S A/1918) 95 Spidola (PI/1926) 353 Steadfast (GB/1918) 12 Stribling (USA/1945) 134
Somers (USA/1937) 127 Spidola (USSR/1927) 338 Steady (USA/1942) 150 Strickland (USA/1943) 140
Somme (1/1917) 259 Spikefish (USA/1944) 146 Steamer Bay (USA/1944) 110 Striker (GB/1942) 25
Somme (F/1937) 277 Spikenard (GB/1940) 62 Steele (USA/1943) 135 Stringham (USA/1918) 93
Somme (GB/1918) 12 Spinax (USA/1945) 147 Steelhead (USA/1942) 145 Strive (USA/1942) 150
Somme (GB/-) 44 Spindrift (GB/1918) 12 Steepholm (GB/1943) 66 Strogi (Bu/1907) 363
Sonavati (GB/1936) 83 Spingarda (1/1943) 317 StefanoTurr (1/1936) 312 Strogiy (USSR/1939) 331
Songhkli (Si/1937) 411 Spiraea (GB/1940) 62 Stegg (No/1921) 378 Stroinyi (USSR/1940) 331
Soobrazitelnyi (USSR/1939) 331 Spirit (GB/1943) 52 Stegg (No/cl 943) 380 Strolaga (I/-) 317
Sophie Marie (GB/1923) 83 Spiro (A/c 1936) 421 Steinaker (USA/1945) 134 Stroma (GB/1941) 66
Sopron(Hu/-) 355 Spiteful (GB/1943) 52 Steinaker (USA/-) 138 Stromvogel (Ne/1942) 395
Sorceress (GB/1916) 12 Splendid (GB/1918) 12 Stella Polare (1/1944) 303 Strong (USA/1942) 130
Sorel (GB/1940) 62 Splendid (GB/1942) 52 Stellarton (GB/1944) 63 Strong (USA/1944) 132
Soridderen (Dk/1911) 382 Splendor (USA/1943) 156 Stembel (USA/1943) 131 Strongbow (GB/1943) 52
Soridderen (Dk/c 1940) 384 Spokane (USA/1945) 118 Stephen Potter (USA/1943) 130 Stronghold (GB/1919) 12
Sorjornen (Dk/1898) 382 Spokoinyi (USSR/1940) 331 Steregushchiy (USSR/1937) 330 Stronsay (GB/1942) 66
Soroy (No/1941) 380 Spoven (Sw/1941) 377 Sterett (USA/1910) 93 Strale (GB/1943) 59
Sorte Sara (Dk/1941) 384 Sportive (GB/1918) 12 Sterett (USA/1938) 127 Stryela (USSR/1937) 341
Soryu (J/1935) 181 Sportsman (GB/1942) 52 Sterlet (GB/1937) 49 Stryno (Dk/1941) 384
Souffleur (F/1924) 272 Sposobnyi (USSR/1939) 331 Sterlet (USA/1943) 146 Stuart (GB/1918) 11
Soulven (Dk/1911) 382 Spot (USA/1944) 146 Sterling (GB/1918) 12 Stuart Prince (GB/1940) 75
Soulven (Dk/c 1940) 384 Spragge (GB/1943) 61 Stern (USA/1943) 139 Stubborn (GB/1942) 52
South Dakota (USA/1941) 98 Sprangaren (S w/1918) 370 Stettler (GB/1943) 60 Sturdy (GB/1919) 12
Southampton (GB/1912) 10 Sprig (USA/1944) 150 Stevens (USA/1918) 93 Sturdy (GB/1943) 52
Southampton (GB/1936) 31 Springaren (Sw/1935) 373 Stevens (USA/1942) 130 Sturgeon (GB/1917) 12
Southampton (U S A/c 1943) 160 Springbank (GB/1926) 84 Stevenson (USA/1941) 129 Sturgeon (GB/1932) 49
Southard (USA/1919) 94 Springbok (GB/1917) 12 Stevenson (USA/-) 130 Sturgeon (USA/1938) 144
Southdown (GB/1940) 45 Springdale (GB/1937) 85 Stevenstone (GB/1942) 46 Sturtevant (USA/1920) 94
Southerland (USA/1944) 133 Springer (GB/1945) 52 Stewart (USA/1920) 94 Sturtevant (USA/1942) 140
Southern Prince (GB/1929) 85 Springer (No/?) 379 Stewart (USA/1942) 140 Styepan Gredyushko
Sou thsea(GB/1930) 84 Springer (USA/1944) 146 Stickell (USA/1945) 134 (USSR/1941) 340
Southwind (USA/1943) 166 Springeren (Dk/1916) 382 Stickleback (USA/1945) 147 Stygian (GB/1943) 52
Southwold (GB/1941) 46 Springfield (USA/1944) 119 Stier (G/cl936) 247 Styrbjorn (Sw/1923) 375
Sovershennyi (USSR/1939) 331 Springhill (GB/1943) 60 Stingray (USA/1937) 144 Styx (GB/-) 65
Sovyetskaya Byelorussiya Springtide (GB/1937) 85 Stjerna (Sw/1899) 370 Su (Ca/1895) 412
(USSR/c 1938) 325 Sproston (U S A/1918) 94 Stockdale (USA/1943) 140 Sua-Khamronsindhu (Si/1912) 410
Sovyetskaya Ukraina Sproston (USA/1942) 131 Stockham (GB/1943) 61 Sua-Tayanchuou (Si/1908) 410
(USSR/c 1938) 325 Spruce Lake (GB/1945) 72 Stockham (U SA/1943) 131 Sublocotenant Ghigulescu
Sovyetskiy Soyuz (USSR/c 1938) 325 Spry (USA/1940) 156 Stockholm (Sw/1936) 372 (Ro/extant 1922) 361
Spada (1/1943) 303 Spur (GB/1944) 52 Stockton (USA/1917) 93 Subtle (GB/1944) 52
Spadefish (USA/1944) 146 Squadrista (1/1942) 301 Stockton (USA/1941) 129 Success (GB/1918) 12
Spaekhuggeren (Dk/1911) 382 Squalo (1/1930) 308 Stockton (USA/-) 130 Success (GB/1943) 42
Spahi (F/1908) 258 Squalus (USA/1938) 144 Stoddard (USA/1943) 130 Success (USA/1944) 151
Spahi (F/1944) 278 Squipnia (Al/c 1917) 424 Stoddert (USA/1919) 95 Sudbury (GB/1941) 62
Spangenberg (USA/1943) 13 Squirrel (GB/1944) 65 Stoic (GB/1943) 52 Sudin (Ic/1895) 425
Spangler (U S A /1943) 137 Sri Ayuthia (Si/1937) 410 Stoikiy (USSR/1938) 331 Suffolk (GB/1926) 26
Spanker (GB/1943) 65 Sriya Monthon (Si/1908) 410 Stokes (USA/c 1943) 160 Suffolk (USA/c 1943) 160
Sparide (1/1943) 310 Stack (USA/1938) 127 Stonechat (GB/1944) 66 Suffren (F/1927) 263
Spark (GB/1943) 52 Stadtfield (USA/1943) 135 Stonecrop (GB/1941) 62 Sugi (J/1915) 175
Sparrow (GB/1946) 58 Staff (USA/1942) 150 Stonehenge (GB/1943) 52 Sugi (J/1944) 196
Sparrowhawk (GB/1918) 12 Staffa (GB/1942) 66 Stonetown (GB/1944) 60 Sugrib (Si/1901) 410
Spartakovec (USSR/1929) 332 Stafford (USA/1944) 138 Stord (No/1943) 379 Suh Ning (Ca/cl936) 413
Spartan (GB/1942) 35 Stalin (USSR/1915) 323 Storen (Dk/1916) 382 Sui Ning (Ca/cl936) 413
Sparviero (1/1927) 291 Stalker (GB/1942) 25 Stork (GB/1916) 12 Suippe (F/1918) 259
Speaker (GB/1943) 26 Stalwart (GB/1918) 12 Stork (GB/1936) 57 Suippe (F/1942) 277
Spear (GB/1918) 12 Stambecco (I/-) 317 Storm (GB/1943) 52 Suisun (USA/1943) 157
Spear (GB/-) 44 Stamford (USA/-) 149 Storm (No/1899) 378 Suka (USA/c 1943) 159
Spear (USA/1943) 151 Stanley (GB/1919) 47 Stormcloud (GB/1919) 12 Sukhothai (Si/1929) 410
Spearfish (GB/1936) 49 Stanly (U S A /1942) 130 Stormcloud (GB/1943) 65 Sulev (Es/1916) 352
Spearfish (USA/1938) 144 Stansbury (USA/1919) 94 Stormes (USA/1944) 132 Sultan (Eg/extant 1922) 409

451
 * •

Sultanhisar (Tu/1941) 407 Switha (GB/1942) 66 T ambre (Sp/1944) 403 Tempete (F/1925) 269
Sultanthisar (Tu/1906) 407 Sword (GB/-) 44 Tamega (Po/1922) 396 T emplar (GB/1942) 51
Suma (J/1915) 212 Sword Dance (GB/1940) 66 Tamoio (Br/1937) 417 Temptress (USA/1940) 156
Sumatra (Ne/1920) 387 Swordfish (GB/1931) 49 Tampa (USA/1921) 96 T enacious (GB/1917) 12
Sumida (J/1903) 177 Swordfish (USA/1939) 144 Tampico (Mex/1902) 414 Tenacious (GB/1943) 43
Sumida (J/1939) 212 Swordsman (GB/1918) 12 Tam worth (GB/1942) 65 Tenacity (USA/1940) 156
Sumire (J/1921) 175 Sybille (GB/1917) 12 Tanager (USA/1944) 150 Tench (US A/1944) 147
Sumire (J/1944) 196 Sydney (GB/1912) 10 Tanatside (GB/1942) 46 Tenedos (GB/1918) 12
Summerside (GB/1941) 62 Sydney (GB/1934) 30 T ancred (GB/1917) 12 Tenedos (Gr/1906) 406
Summer (USA/1920) 95 Sylph (GB/1916) 12 Taney (USA/1936) 165 Teniente Rodriguez (Ce/c 1896) 422
Sumter (USA/c 1943) 159 Sylvania (USA/c 1943) 160 Tang (USA/1943) 145 Teniente Serrano (Ce/1896) 422
Sun Yat-Sen (USSR/extant 1922) 324 Sylvia (GB/1944) 65 Tanga (G/1937) 253 T ennessee (US A/1919) 90
Sundew (GB/1941) 62 Symbol (USA/1942) 150 T anganyika (GB/1944) 65 Tenryu (J/1918) 174
Sundsvall (Sw/1942) 373 Symi (Gr/?) 406 Tangier (USA/1939) 158 Ter (Sp/1945) 403
Sunfish (GB/1936) 49 Syrian (No/1919) 381 Tango (GB/1940) 66 Tercel (USA/1944) 150
Sunfish (USA/1942) 145 Syoksy (Fi/c 1928) 366 Tanikaze (J/1918) 176 Teredo (GB/1945) 51
Sunflower(GB/1940) 62 Syrtis (GB/1943) 52 Tanikaze (J/1940) 194 Termagant (GB/1943) 43
Suomi (Fi/1910) 365 Szeged (Hu/extant 1922) 355 Tantalus (GB/1943) 50 Tern (GB/1927) 78
Superb (GB/1943) 35 Tantivy (GB/1943) 51 Ternel (Sp/1914) 402
Superior (USA/1944) 151 Taara (Es/extant 1922) 353 T apageuse (F/cl916) 259 T erpsichore (GB/1943) 43
Supreme (GB/1944) 52 Tabard (GB/1945) 51 Tapir (GB/1944) 51 Terrapin (GB/1943) 51
Surasdra (Si/1936) 411 Tabberer (USA/1944) 138 Tapperheten (Sw/1901) 368 Terrible (GB/1944) 22
Surcouf(F/1929) 274 T abora (USA/c 1943) 160 Tara (GB/1918) 12 Terror (GB/1916) 9
Surf (GB/1942) 52 Tachibana (J/1912) 175 Taranto (1/1911) 286 Terror (Sp/1896) 399
Surfbird (USA/1944) 150 Tachibana (J/1944) 196 Tarawa (US A/1945) 104 Terror (USA/1941) 149
.Surovyi (USSR/1939) 331 Tachikaze (J/1921) 176 Tarbell (USA/1918) 94 Terry (USA/1909) 93
Surprise (GB/1896) 85 Tachin (Si/1936) 411 T armo (Fi/1907) 364 Terry (US A/1942) 130
Surprise (GB/1945) 61 Taciturn (GB/1944) 51 Tarmo (Fi/cl942) 367 Terschelling (i) (Ne/c 1942) 394
Surprise (U S A/1940) 156 Tacoma (USA/1903) 93 Tarn (GB/1944) 51 Terschelling (ii) (Ne/c 1942) 394
Surrey (GB/-) 29 Tacoma (USA/1943) 148 Tarnan (Sw/cl940) 377 Tersicore (1/1943) 317
Sursay (GB/1944) 66 Taconic (USA/1945) 159 Tarpon (GB/1917) 12 Terutsuki (J/1941) 195
Surveillante (F/cl916) 259 Tact (USA/1942) 156 Tarpon (GB/1939) 50 Test (GB/1942) 59
Sussex (GB/1928) 27 Tactician (GB/1918) 12 Tarpon (USA/1935) 143 Tetcott (GB/1941) 46
Sussexvale (GB/1944) 60 Tactician (GB/1942) 50 Tartar (GB/1937) 40 Tete (Po/1918) 396
Sussexvale (GB/-) 60 Tade (J/1922) 175 Tartu (F/1931) 268 Teton (USA/1944) 159
Sustain (USA/1942) 150 Tadoussac (GB/1941) 64 Tartu (Pl/extant 1922) 353 Tetrach (GB/1917) 12
Susuki (J/1921) 175 Taff (GB/1943) 59 Tasajera (GB/1938) 74 Tetrarch (GB/1939) 50
Sutlej (GB/1940) 57 Tahay (GB/1944) 66 Tashkent (USSR/1937) 329 Tetuan (Sp/extant 1922) 400
Sutton (USA/1944) 139 Tahkona (Es/extant 1922) 353 Tashoz (Tu/1907) 406 Teviotbank (GB/1938) 85
Suur Toll (Es/extant 1922) 353 Tahoe (USA/1928) 164 Tasker H Bliss (USA/1942) 159 Tevoit (GB/1942) 59
Suurop (Es/extant 1922) 352 Tahoma (USA/1934) 166 Tasmania (GB/1918) 12 T exada (GB/1942) 66
Suurop (USSR/1922) 344 Tahure (F/1918) 259 Tasuja (Es/extant 1922) 353 Texas (USA/1912) 90
Suvohor (Yu/?) 359 Tai Ning (Ca/cl936) 413 Tatara (J/1927) 212 Texel (Ne/c 1942) 394
Suwannee (U S A/1939) 108 Taifun (USSR/1929) 339 Tate (USA/c 1943) 160 Thaddeus Parker (USA/1944) 138
Suwo (J/1900) 171 Taiho (J/1943) 183 Tateishi (J/1941) 209 Thames (GB/1932) 49
Suzanami (J/1943) 195 Taisto (Fi/c 1942) 367 Tatnall (USA/1918) 94 Thames Queen (GB/1898) 84
Suzukaze (J/1937) 194 Tai tarn (GB/1943) 64 Tatsuta (J/1918) 174 Thatcher (U S A /1942) 130
Suzutsuki (J/1942) 195 Taiyo (J/1940) 185 Tattoo (GB/1918) 12 Thane (GB/1943) 26
Suzuya (J/1934) 190 Takanami (J/1942) 195 Tatum (USA/1943) 137 Thanet (GB/1918) 12
Svaerdfisken (Dk/1913) 382 Takane (J/1945) 206 Tatung (Ma/1933) 414 Thatcher (U S A/1918) 94
Svardfisken (Sw/1914) 370 Takanis Bay (USA/1944) 110 Taurus (GB/1917) 12 The Pas (GB/1941) 62
Svardfisken (Sw/1940) 374 Takao (J/1930) 189 Taurus (GB/1942) 51 The Sullivans (USA/1943) 130
Svartan (Sw/cl940) 377 Takao (J/-) 173 Taussig (USA/1944) 132 Theban (GB/-) 51
Svejenecks (La/extant 1922) 353 T akashima (J/1941) 209 Tautog (USA/1940) 144 Theenim (USA/c 1943) 160
Svenner (No/1943) 379 Takatsu Maru (J/1943) 215 Tavy (GB/1943) 59 Themistocles (Gr/1942) 406
Svensksund (Sw/1891) 370 Takbai (Si/1937) 411 Tawhai (GB/1943) 67 Theodor Riedel (G/1936) 233
Sveparen (Sw/1918) 370 Take (J/1919) 175 Tay (GB/1942) 59 Theodore E Chandler
Sverdlov (USSR/1909-10) 324 Take (J/194-4) 196 Taylor (USA/1918) 94 (USA/1945) 133
Sverige (Sw /1915) 368 Taksin (Si/-) 410 Taylor (U S A/1942) 130 Thermopylae (GB/1945) 51
Svirepyi (USSR/1940) 331 Taku (GB/1939) 50 Tazewell (USA/c 1943) 160 Theseus (GB/1944) 22
Svobodnyi (USSR/1939) 331 Talavera (GB/1945) 44 Tbilisi (USSR/1938) 329 Thetford Mines (GB/1943) 60
Svolvaer (No/?) 381 Talbot (USA/1918) 94 Teazer (GB/1917) 12 Thetis (Dk/1912) 382
Swale (GB/1942) 59 Talent (GB/1943) 51 T eazer (GB/1943) 43 Thetis (F/1927) 273
Swallow (GB/1918) 12 Talent (GB/1945) 51 Tees (GB/1943) 59 Thetis (G/1900) 222
Swallow (U S A/1942) 150 Talent (GB/-) 51 Tegualda (Ce/1915) 422 Thetis (Gr /1913) 404
Swan (GB/1915) 11 Talisman (GB/1940) 50 Teh Sheng(Ca/1922) 412 Thetis (USA/1931) 166
Swan (GB/1936) 56 Talladega (USA/c 1943) 160 Teist (No/1907) 378 Thetis (Sw/1908) 370
Swansea (GB/1942) 59 Tallahassee (USA/1942) 119 Teist(No/cl943) 380 Thetis Bay (USA/1944) 110
Swanson (USA/1940) 128 Tallahassee (USA/-) 120 Tejo (Po/1901) 396 Thiew Uthock (Si/c 1936) 411
Swasey (USA/1919) 95 T allapoosa (US A/1915) 96 Tejo (Po/1932) 397 Thionville (F/1913) 257
Swasey (USA/1943) 140 Tallin (Es/extant 1922) 353 Tejo (Po/1935) 397 Thisbe (GB/1917) 12
Sway (USA/1942) 150 Tallin (USSR/1939) 328 T elemachus (GB/1917) 12 Thisbe (GB/1943) 65
Swearer (USA/1943) 139 Tally Ho (GB/1942) 50 Telemachus (GB/1943) 51 Thistle (GB/extant 1922) 13
S weetbriar (GB/1917) 13 Talybont (GB/1943) 46 T elfair (USA/c 1943) 160 Thistle (GB/1938) 50
Sweetbriar(GB/1941) 62 Tama (J/1920) 174 Tembien (1/1938) 310 Tholen (Ne/c 1943) 394
S wenning (U S A/1943) 140 Tamai (Eg/extant 1922) 409 Teme (GB/1943) 59 Thomas (US A/1918) 94
Swerve (USA/1943) 150 Tamanami (J/1942) 195 Temeraire(F/1911) 258 Thomas (U S A/1943) 139
Swift (GB/1943) 42 Tamar (GB/1943) 58 T emeraire (GB/-) 16 Thomas E Fraser (USA/1944) 149
Swift (USA/1942) 150 Tamarisk (GB/1941) 62 T emerario (Sp/c 1960) 402 Thomas F Nickel (USA/1944) 137
Swift Current (GB/1941) 64 Tamatsu Maru (J/1943) 215 Tempest (GB/1917) 12 Thomas J Gary (USA/1943) 140
S wiftsure (GB/1943) 35 Tambor (USA/1939) 144 Tempest (GB/1941) 50 Thomason (US A/1943) 136

452
Thompson (USA/1919) 95 Tireless (GB/1943) 51 Townsend (USA/-) 158 Trout (USA/1940) 144
Thompson (USA/1942) 129 Tirfmg (Sw/1866) 368 Townsville (GB/1941) 64 Truant (GB/1918) 12
Thor (G/cl938) 247 Tirpitz (G/1939) 224 Towy (GB/1943) 59 Truant (GB/1939) 50
Thor (GB/1944) 51 Tiru (USA/1947) 147 Tracker (GB/1942) 25 Truculent (GB/1917) 12
Thor (Ic/1922) 425 Tisdale (GB/-) 60 Tracy (USA/1919) 94 Truculent (GB/1942) 51
Thor (Ne/cl878) 388 Tisdale (USA/1943) 135 Trad (Si/1935) 411 Truelove (GB/1943) 65
Thor (Sw/1898) 368 Tito Speri (1/1928) 307 Tradewind (GB/1942) 51 Trump (GB/1944) 51
Thordon (Sw/1865) 368 Tjerimei (Ne/1942) 394 Trafalgar (GB/1944) 44 Trumpeter (GB/1942) 26
Thorlock (GB/1944) 63 Tjerk Hiddes (Ne/1939) 390 Trail (GB/1940) 62 T rumpeter (U S A /1943) 139
Thorn (GB/1941) 50 Tjerk Hiddes (Ne/1941) 390 Tral (USSR/1936) 341 Trumpetfish (USA/1945) 147
Thorn (USA/1943) 129 Toba (J/1911) 177 Tramontane (F/1924) 269 T runcheon (GB/1944) 51
Thorn (USA/-) 130 Tobago (GB/1943) 62 Transcona (GB/1941) 64 Truro (GB/1942) 64
Thornback (USA/1944) 147 Tobruk (GB/1947) 44 Transvaal (GB/1944) 60 Trusty (GB/1918) 12
Thornbrough (GB/1943) 61 Tochi (J/1945) 196 Transvalia (No/?) 381 Trusty (GB/1941) 50
Thornbury Castle (GB/-) 43 Tochnyi (USSR/1906) 324 Transylvania (GB/1925) 82 Trutta (USA/1944) 147
Thorne (A/1890) 419 Tocogay (GB/1945) 66 Trathen (USA/1942) 130 T ruxton (U S A /1920) 94
Thornhill (USA/1943) 139 Todd (USA/c 1943) 160 Travancore (GB/1941) 65 Truxtun (USA/1944) 161
Thornton (USA/1919) 95 Togo (G/cl938) 254 Travane Vari (Si/c 1936) 411 Trygg (No/1919) 378
Thorodd (No/1919) 381 Token (GB/1943) 51 T raveller (GB/1941) 50 Tsingtau (G/1934) 253
Thorough (GB/1943) 51 T oken (US A/1942) 151 Travis (USA/1927) 166 Tsubaki (J/1918) 175
Thracian (GB/1920) 12 Tokitsu Maru (J/1946) 215 Traw (USA/1944) 137 Tsubaki (J/1944) 196
Thrasher (GB/1940) 50 T okitsukaze (J/1916) 176 Tre Kronor (Sw/1944) 371 Tsubame (J/1929) 208
Threadfm (USA/1944) 146 Tokitsukaze (J/1935) 194 T rego (U S A/c 1943) 160 Tsuga (J/1920) 175
Threat (GB/-) 51 Tokiwa (J/1898) 173,207 Tremadoc Bay (GB/1945) 61 Tsugaru (J/1899) 177
Threat (USA/1942) 150 Toledo (USA/1945) 121 Trematon Castle (GB/-) 63 Tsugaru (J/1940) 208
Thresher (U S A/1940) 144 Tolland (USA/c 1943) 160 Trenchant (GB/1916) 12 Tsukushi (J/1941) 212
Thruster (GB/1917) 12 Tollberg (USA/1944) 161 Trenchant (GB/1943) 51 Tsurushima (J/1940) 209
Thruster (GB/1942) 74 T olman (US A/1944) 149 Trent (GB/1942) 59 Tsushima (J/1902) 174
Thuban (USA/c 1943) 160 Tolosetto Farinati (1/1922) 288 Trento (1/1927) 291 Tsushima (J/1943) 205
Thule (GB/1942) 51 Tomahawk(GB/1918) 12 Trenton (USA/1923) 93 Tsuta (J/1921) 175
Thule (Sw/1893) 368 Tomich (USA/1942) 140 Trentonian (GB/1943) 63 Tsuta (J/1944) 196
Thunder (GB/1941) 64 Tomoshiri (J/1945) 206 Trepang (USA/1944) 146 Tucha (USSR/1935) 339
Thunderbolt (GB/1938) 50 Tomozuru (J/1933) 197 Trespasser (GB/1942) 51 Tucker (USA/1915) 93
Thunderer (GB/1911) 7 Tompazis (Gr/1941) 406 Trever (USA/1920) 95 Tucker (USA/1936) 125
Thunderer (GB/-) 16 Tonbridge Castle (GB/-) 63 Triad (GB/1939) 50 Tucson (USA/1944) 118
Thyella (Gr/cl906) 404 Tone (J/1937) 190 Tribune (GB/1918) 12 Tucuman (A/1928) 421
Thyme (GB/1941) 62 Tone (J/1904) 174 Tribune (GB/1938) 50 Tudor (GB/1942) 51
Tiara (GB/1944) 51 Tonkinois (F/1917) 258 Tricheco (1/1930) 308 Tuffetto (1/1943) 317
Tiburon (USA/-) 147 Tonkinois (F/1943) 277 Trident (F/1907) 258 Tui (GB/1941) 66
Ticonderoga (USA/1944) 104 Toorgood Reis (Tu/1891) 406 Trident (GB/1938) 50 Tuima (Fi/cl942) 367
Tide (USA/1942) 150 Toowoomba (GB/1941) 65 Trieste (1/1926) 291 Tuisku (Fi/cl942) 367
Tifone (1/1942) 303 Topazio (1/1933) 309 Trigger (USA/1941) 145 Tulagi (USA/1943) 109
Tiger (G/1928) 239 Topeka (USA/1944) 119 Triglav (Yu/cl936) 359 Tulip (GB/1940) 62
Tiger (GB/1913) 9 Tor (No/1939) 380 Trillium (GB/1940) 62 Tullibee (USA/1942) 145
Tiger (GB/1945) 35 Torbay (GB/1919) 12 Trincomalee (GB/1946) 44 Tulsa (USA/1922) 96
Tiger (US A/1927) 166 Torbay (GB/1940) 50 Trinidad (GB/1918) 12 Tulsa (USA/-) 121
Tigr (USSR/c 1915) 324 Torch (GB/1918) 12 Trinidad (GB/1940) 34 Tumlaren (Sw/1914) 370
Tigr (USSR/-) 339 T oreador (GB/1918) 12 Trinite-Schillemans (F/1918) 258 Tumlaren (Sw/1940) 374
Tigrante (USA/1944) 147 Torgud Reis (Tu/c 1940) 408 Tripoli (1/1886) 285 T umleren (Dk/1911) 382
Tigre (F/1924) 267 Tormentor (GB/1917) 12 Tripoli (USA/1943) 109 Tumult (GB/1918) 12
Tigre (1/1923) 286 Toro (USA/1944) 147 Trippe (USA/1910) 93 Tumult (GB/1942) 43
Tigris (GB/1939) 50 Toronto (GB/1943) 60 Trippe (USA/1938) 127 Tumult (USA/1942) 151
Tigrone (USA/1944) 147 Tornade (F/1925) 269 Triton (Dk/1915) 382 Tuna (GB/1940) 50
Tijjerhai (Ne/1944) 392 Torrance (USA/c 1943) 160 Triton (GB/1937) 50 Tuna (USA/1940) 144
Tilbury (GB/1918) 12 Torrens (GB/1915) 11 Triton (Gr/1928) 405 Tung An (Ca/1912) 412
Tilbury (GB/1942) 64 Torres Garcia (Po/1928) 398 Triton (Sp/1940) 402 Tung Chi (Ca/1895) 412
Tilefish (USA/1943) 145 Torricelli (1/1918) 288 Triton (USA/1934) 166 Tung Hsin (Ca/c 1935) 413
Tillman (USA/1919) 94 Torricelli (1/1939) 306 Triton (USA/1940) 144 Tung Teh (Ca/c 1935) 413
Tillman (USA/1941) 129 Torridge (GB/1943) 59 Tritone (1/1942) 310 Tung Wo (GB/1914) 83
Tills (USA/1943) 139 Torrid (GB/1917) 12 Triumph (GB/1938) 50 Tunisien (F/1943) 272
Tillsonburg (GB/1944) 63 Torrington (GB/1943) 61 Triumph (GB/1944) 22 Tunny (USA/1942) 145
Timbalier (USA/1943) 157 Torsenskjold (No/1897) 378 Triumph (USA/1943) 151 Tunsberg (No/1943) 380
Timbira (Br/1936) 417 Torsk (USA/1944) 147 Trockiy (USSR/c 1909) 324 Tupi (Br/1936) 417
Timmerman (USA/1951) 133 Tortola (GB/1943) 62 Trockiy (USSR/c 1916) 324 Tur (USSR/c 1915) 324
Timmins (GB/1941) 62 Tortuga (USA/1945) 161 Trodday (GB/1945) 66 Turandot (USA/c 1943) 160
Timofyei Ulyancev Tortuguero (USA/1921) 83 Trods (No/1899) 378 Turbine (1/1927) 299
(USSR/c 1941) 340 Tosa (J/1921) 171 Troilus (USA/c 1943) 160 Turbot (USA/-) 147
Tinaztepe (Tu/1931) 407 Toshima (J/1914) 177 Trois Rivieres (GB/1941) 64 Turbulent (GB/1919) 12
Ting Pien (Ma/1935) 414 Totem (GB/1943) 51 Trojan (GB/1918) 12 Turbulent (GB/1941) 50
Tingey (USA/1919) 95 Totland (GB/1931) 58 Troll (No/1909) 378 Turchese (1/1936) 309
Tingey (USA/1943) 130 Touareg (F/1917) 258 Trollope (GB/1943) 61 Turkmenec Stavropolskiy
Tinian (USA/1945) 111 Toucan (USA/1944) 150 Trombe (F/1925) 269 (USSR/1905) 323
Tinos (Gr/cl944) 406 Toucey (USA/1919) 95 Tromoy (ex-Eday) (No/?) 381 Turner (USA/1919) 95
Tinosa (USA/1942) 145 Toul (F/1919) 259 Tromoy (ex-Mincarlo) (No/?) 381 Turner (USA/1943) 129
Tinsman (USA/1944) 137 Tourane (F/1936) 279 Tromp (Ne/1937) 380 Turner (USA/1945) 133
Tintagel (GB/1918) 12 Tourmaline (GB/1919) 12 Trondra (GB/1941) 66 Turner (USA/-) 130
Tintagel Castle (GB/1943) 63 Tourville (F/1926) 263 Trooper (GB/1942) 50 Turpin (GB/1944) 51
Tiptoe (GB/1944) 51 Tovarishch (USSR/cl915) 324 Tros (USSR/1937) 341 Turquoise (F/1929) 274
Tirailleur (F/1944) 278 Tower (GB/1917) 12 Troubridge (GB/1942) 42 Turquoise (GB/1918) 12
Tirar.e (Al/1926) 424 Towhee (USA/1945) 150 Trouncer (GB/1943) 26 Tursas (Fi/1933) 367
Tiree (GB/1941) 66 Towner (USA/c 1943) 160 Trousdale (USA/c 1943) 160 Turunmaa (Fi/1918) 364

453
 ' W»—

% .
Tuscaloosa (USA/1933) 115 Unbroken (GB/1941) 53 Uvlade (USA/c 1943) 160 Vauquois (F/1919) 259
Tuscan (GB/1919) 12 Undaunted (GB/1940) 53 Uyanik (Tu/1886) 407 Vautour (F/1930) 268
Tuscan (GB/1942) 43 Undaunted (GB/1943) 43 Uzuki (J/1906) 175 Vayne (USA/c 1943) 159
Tuscarora (USA/1902) 96 Underhill (USA/1943) 137 Vectis (GB/1917) 12
Tusk (USA/1945) 147 Undine (GB/1917) 12 Vaceasay (GB/1945) 66 Vedenia (Ro/c 1940) 362
Tutbury Castle (GB/-) 63 Undine (GB/1937) 50 Vagabond (GB/1944) 54 Vedetta (1/1937) 317
Tutuila (USA/1927) 156 Undine (GB/1943) 43 Vaillante (F/1917) 259 Vefsna (No/1944) 381
Tuuli (Fi/c 1942) 367 Ungava (GB/1940) 64 Vainamoinen (Fi/1930) 365 Vega (GB/1917) 12
Tuzer (Hu/extant 1922) 355 Unicorn (GB/1941) 21 Vaktaren (Sw/1934) 376 Vega (1/1936) 302
Tviordyi (USSR/1906) 324 Unicorn (USA/1946) 147 Valcour (USA/1943) 157 Vega (Sw/1910) 370
Tweed (GB/1942) 59 Unicorn (USA/-) 147 Vale (No/1874) 379 V egreville (GB/1941) 64
T weedy (U S A/1943) 138 Unimak (USA/1942) 157 Valen (Sw/1925) 373 Vehement (GB/-) 54
T wiggs (US A/1918) 94 Union (GB/1940) 53 Valencia (USA/c 1943) 160 Veinte Cuarto de Febrero
Twiggs (USA/1943) 131 Union (USA/c 1943) 160 Valentine (GB/1917) 12 (Cu/1911) 424
Twining (USA/1943) 130 Uniontown (USA/1943) 149 Valentine (GB/1943) 43 Veinticinco de Mayo (A/1929) 420
Two Step (GB/1941) 66 Unique (GB/1940) 53 Valeria (USA/c 1943) 160 Velasco (Sp/1923) 399
Tyler (GB/1943) 61 Unison (GB/1941) 53 Valerian (GB/1916) 13 Veldt (GB/1943) 54
Tyne (GB/1940) 81 United (GB/1941) 53 Valhalla (GB/1917) 12 Velebit (Yu/cl936) 359
Tynedale (GB/1940) 45 Unity (GB/1938) 50 Valiant (GB/1914) 7 Vellella (1/1936) 308
Tynwald (GB/1936) 84 Universal (GB/1942) 53 Valk (Ne /1929) 395 Veleta (GB/1941) 66
Typhon (F/1924) 269 Unrivalled (GB/1942) 53 Valkyrie (GB/1917) 12 Velite (1/1941) 301
Tyr (Ne/cl878) 388 Unruffled (GB/1941) 53 Valkyrien (Dk/1888) 382 Vella Gulf (USA/1944) 111
Tyr (No/18 87) 379 Unruly (GB/1942) 53 Valkyrien (No/1896) 378 Velocity (US A/1942) 151
Tyrant (GB/1917) 12 Unryu (J/1943) 184 Vallay (GB/1945) 66 Velos (Gr/cl905) 404
Tyrian (GB/1919) 12 Unseen (GB/1942) 53 Vallejo (i) (USA/-) 120 Velox (GB/1917) 12
Tyrian (GB/1942) 43 Unshaken (GB/1942) 53 Vallejo (ii) (USA/-) 123 Ven (Sw/1940) 376
Tyrrell (USA/c 1943) 160 Unsparing (GB/1942) 53 Vallejo (iii) (USA/-) 149 V enango (USA/cl 943) 160
Tyrsky (Fi/c 1942) 367 Unst (GB/1942) 66 Valley Forge (USA/1945) 104 Vendetta (GB/1917) 12
Unswerving (GB/1943) 53 Velleyfield (GB/1943) 39 Vendetta (GB/1954) 45
Uad Lucas (Sp/extant 1922) 400 Untiring (GB/1943) 53 Velmy (F/1928) 267 Venerable (GB/1943) 22
Uad Martin (Sp/extant 1922) 400 Unyo (J/1939) 185 Valorous (GB/1917) 12 Venetia (GB/1917) 12
Uad Muluya (Sp/extant 1922) 400 Upas (GB/-) 54 Valrossen (Sw/1918) 370 Venezia (1/1912) 286
Uad Quert (Sp/extant 1922) 400 Upham (USA/1944) 161 Valse (GB/1941) 66 Venezia (I/-) 297
Uad Ras (Sp/extant 1922) 400 Upholder (GB/1940) 53 Vammen (USA/1944) 136 Vengeance (GB/1944) 22
Uad Targa (Sp/extant 1922) 400 Uppland (Sw/1946) 373 Vampire (GB/1917) 12 Vengeful (GB/1944) 54
Uarsciek (1/1937) 310 Upright (GB/1940) 53 Vampire (GB/1943) 54 Vengeur (F/1928) 273
Udarnik (USSR/extant 1922) 324 Uproar (GB/1940) 53 Vampire (GB/1956) 45 Veniero (1/1938) 305
Udarnyi (USSR/1932) 345 Upshot (GB/1944) 54 Van Buren (USA/1943) 148 Venom (GB/-) 54
Udzuki (J/1925) 192 Upshur (USA/1918) 94 Van Galen (Ne/1928) 390 Venomous (GB/1918) 12
Uebi Scebeli (1/1937) 310 Upstart (GB/1942) 53 Van Galen (Ne/1941) 390 Venturer (GB/1943) 54
Uganda (GB/1941) 34 Upward (GB/-) 54 Van Ghent (Ne/1926) 389 Venturous (GB/1917) 12
Ugolini Vivaldi (1/1929) 299 Uragan (USSR/1929) 339 Van Kinsbergan (Ne/1939) 392 Venus (F/1935) 275
Uhlmann (USA/1943) 131 Uragano (1/1942) 303 Van Meerliant (Ne/1920) 388 Venus (GB/1943) 43
Uji (J/1903) 177 Urakaze (J/1915) 176 Van Nes (Ne/1930) 390 Vera Cruz (Mex/1902) 414
Uji (J/1940) 211 Urakaze (J/1940) 194 Van Valkenburgh (USA/1943) 131 Verbena (GB/1915) 13
Ukishima (J/1939) 209 Uranami (J/1907) 175 Vanadis (USA/c 1943) 160 Verbena (GB/1940) 62
Ukraina (USSR/1904) 323 Uranami (J/1928) 193 Vance (USA/1943) 140 Verdun (GB/1917) 12
Uku (Es/extant 1922) 353 Urania (GB/1943) 43 Vancouver (GB/1941) 62 Verdun (F/1928) 267
Uku (J/1944) 206 Urania (1/1943) 317 Vandace (USA/-) 147 Veritas (USA/c 1943) 160
Ukuru (J/1944) 206 Urchin (GB/1917) 12. Vandal (GB/1942) 53 Verity (GB/1919) 12
Ukushima Maru (J/c 1936) 215 Urchin (GB/1940) 53 Vandivier (U S A /1943) 138 Vermilion (USA/c 1943) 160
Ula (No/1943) 380 Urchin (GB/1943) 43 Vandyck (GB/1921) 83 Veronica (GB/1915) 13
Ulac Ali Reis (Tu/1940) 408 Uredd (GB/1941) 53 Vanessa (GB/1918) 12 Veronica (GB/1940) 62
Ulex (GB/-) 54 Uredd (No/1941) 380 Vanguard (GB/1944) 16 Verp (USSR/c 1935) 341
Ulipio Traiano (1/1942) 297 Urge (GB/1940) 53 Vanity (GB/1918) 12 Versatile (GB/1917) 12
Uller (No/1876) 379 Ursa (GB/1917) 12 Vanoc (GB/1917) 12 Verulam (GB/1943) 43
Ulloa (Sp/1933) 401 Ursa (GB/1943) 43 Vanquisher (GB/1917) 12 Vervain (GB/1941) 62
Ulster (GB/1917) 12 Ursula (GB/1917) 12 Vansittart (GB/1919) 12 Verve (GB/-) 54
Ulster (GB/1942) 43 Ursula (GB/1938) 50 Vantage (GB/-) 54 Veryan Bay (GB/1944) 61
Ulster Monarch (GB/1929) 73 Urtica (GB/1944) 54 Varangian (GB/1943) 53 Vesco (F/1917) 258
Ulster Queen (GB/1929) 75,84 Uruguay (A/1874) 419 Vardar (Yu/extant 1922) 357 Vesco Nunez de Balboa
Ultimatum (GB/1941) 53 Uruguay (Ur/1910) 419 Vardo (No/?) 381 (Sp/1944) 403
Ultor (GB/1942) 53 Urumi (J/1945) 206 Varese (1/1899) 285 Vesihiisi (Fi/1930) 365
Ulua (USA/-) 147 Usage (USA/1942) 151 Varg (No/1894) 378 Vesikko (Fi/1932) 365
Ulva (GB/1942) 66 Ushio (J/1905) 175 Varian (USA/1943) 137 V esole (U S A/1944) 134
Ulven (Sw/1930) 373 Ushio (J/1930) 193 Variance (GB/1944) 54 Vespa (1/1942) 317
Ulvert M Moore (USA/1944) 138 Usk (GB/1940) 53 Varne (GB/1943) 53 Vesper (GB/1917) 12
Ulvon (Sw/1941) 376 Usk (GB/1943) 59 Varne (GB/1944) 54 Vesta (Sw/1910) 370
Ulysses (GB/1943) 43 Uskok (Yu/1927) 359 Varonis (La/extant 1922) 353 Vestal (GB/1943) 65
Umbra (GB/1941) 53 Usugumo (J/1927) 193 Vartejul (Ro/1913) 360 Vesuvio (1/1941) 298
Ume (J/1915) 175 Usurper (GB/1942) 53 Vartejul Ro/cl940) 362 Vetch (GB/1941) 62
Ume (J/1944) 196 Utah (USA/1909) 90 Vantul (Ro/cl940) 362 Vetehinen (Fi/1930) 365
Umikaze (J/1910) 176 Uthaug (No/1944) 380 Vasama (Fi/?) 367 Veteran (GB/1919) 12
Umikaze (J/1936) 194 Uther (GB/1943) 53 Vasco da Gama (Po/1876) 396 Veto (GB/-) 54
Umpire (GB/1917) 12 Utmost (GB/1940) 53 Vasilefs Georgios (Gr/1938) 405 Vettor Pisani (1/1927) 307
Umpire (GB/1940) 53 Utopia (GB/-) 54 Vasilefs Georgios II (Gr/?) 406 Viacheslav Molotov
Una (GB/1941) 53 Utsira (No/1944) 380 Vasilissa Olga (Gr/1938) 405 (USSR/1939) 346
Unalga (USA/1912) 96 Utstein (No/1943) 380 Vasiliy Gromov (USSR/1940) 340 Viceroy (GB/1917) 12
Unbeaten (GB/1940) 53 Uttern (Sw/1921) 370 Vatersay (GB/1943) 66 Vicksburg (U S A /1943) 120
Unbending (GB/1941) 53 Utvaer (No/1943) 380 Vauban (F/1930) 267 Victor Hugo (F/1904) 257
Unbridled (GB/-) 54 Uusimaa (Fi/1917) 364 Vauquelin (F/1931) 268 Victor Reveille (F/1916) 258

454
Victor Schoelcher (F/1939) 279 Vittorio Veneto (1/1937) 289 Wakatsuki (J/1942) 195 Wave (GB/1944) 65
Victoria (Ve/1940) 415 Vivacious (GB/1917) 12 Wake (USA/1927) 156 Waveney (GB/1942) 59
Victoria Marie (GB/1927) 83 Vivid (GB/1943) 54 Wake Island (USA/1943) 109 Waverley (GB/1899) 84
Victoriaville (GB/1944) 60 Vivien (GB/1918) 12 Wakeful (GB/1917) 12 Waxwing (USA/1945) 150
Victorious (GB/1939) 19 Vixen (GB/1943) 43 Wakeful (GB/1943) 43 We Feng (Ca/1912) 412
Vidal de Negreiros (Br/1942) 417 Vladimir Polukhin (USSR/1940) 340 Walcheren (Ne/cl943) 394 Wear (GB/1942) 59
Vidar (Ne/cl878) 388 Vladimir Trefolyev (USSR/1941) 340 Waldeck Rousseau (F/1908) 257 Weaver (USA/1943) 139
Vidar (No/1878) 379 Vlastnyi (USSR/1947) 332 Waldegrave (GB/1943) 61 Weber (USA/1943) 136
Vidar (Sw/1909) 369 Vlieland (Ne/cl942) 394 Waldemar Kophamel (G/1939) 252 Wedderburn (USA/1943) 131
Videla (Ce/1928) 422 Vlore (Al/1926) 424 Waldron (USA/1944) 132 Wedgeport (GB/1941) 64
Vidette (GB/1918) 12 Vnimatelnyi (USSR/c 1944) 332 Wale (Sw/1907) 369 Weeden (USA/1943) 137
Viekha (US SR/1937) 341 Vnushitelnyi (USSR/1944) 332 Walke (USA/1910) 93 Wega (Ne/1922) 395
Viena (Fi/1915) 367 Vogelgesang (USA/1945) 134 Walke (USA/1939) 127 Wei Ning (Ca/cl936) 413
Viesturs (La/1926) 353 Voievoda (Bu/?) 363 Walke (USA/1943) 132 Wei Sheng (Ca/1922) 412
Viforul (Ro/1913) 360 Voima (Fi/1917) 364 Walker (GB/1917) 12 Weichsel (G/1923) 252
Viforul (Ro/1939) 362 Voiskovoi (USSR/1904) 323 Walker (USA/1918) 94 Weiss (USA/1945) 161
Viggen (Sw/c 1940) 377 Volador (USA/1946) 147 Walker (USA/1943) 130 Weiss (USA/-) 138
Vigilance (USA/1943) 151 Volage (GB/1943) 43 Wallace (GB/1918) 11 Wei born C Wood (USA/1920) 94
Vigilant (GB/1942) 43 Volatile (GB/1944) 54 Wallace L Lind (USA/1944) 132 Welcome (GB/1941) 65
Vigilant (USA/1927) 166 Volframio (1/1941) 310 Wallaceberg (GB/1942) 65 Welfare (GB/1943) 65
Vigilante (F/1922) 279 Volk (USSR/c 1915) 324 Wallaroo (GB/1942) 65 Welles (USA/1919) 95
Vigilante (1/1937) 317 Volodarskiy (USSR/1915) 323 Wallasea (GB/1943) 66 Welles (USA/1942) 129
Vigo (GB/1945) 44 Volta (F/1936) 269 Waller (USA/1942) 130 Wellington (GB/1934) 56
Vigorous (GB/1943) 54 Voltaire (F/1909) 257 Wallflower (GB/1915) 13 Wells (GB/1919) 47
Vigra (No/?) 380 Voltaire (GB/1923) 82 Wallflower (GB/1940) 62 Welshman (GB/1940) 37
Vihun (Fi/?) 367 Volugeur (F/1944) 278 Walney (GB/1930) 58 Wensleydale (GB/1942) 46
Viima (Fi/?) 367 Volunteer (GB/1919) 12 Walnut (GB/1939) 66 Wentworth (GB/1943) 59
Vijelia (Ro/1914) 360 Von der Groeben (G/1918) 253 Walpole (GB/1918) 12 Wessex (GB/1918) 12
Vijelia (Ro/1939) 362 Von der Lippe (G/1918) 253 Walrus (GB/1917) 12 Wessex (GB/1943) 43
Vikhr (USSR/1930) 339 Voorne (Ne/cl943) 394 Wanderer (GB/1919) 12 Wesson (USA/1943) 139
Viking (GB/1943) 54 Voracious (GB/1943) 54 Walrus (USA/1946) 147 West Diep (Be/cl915) 385
Villaamil (Sp/1913) 399 Voron (USSR/1941) 339 Walrus (USA/-) 147 West Virginia (USA/1921) 90
Villalobos (USA/1896) 96 Voroshilov (USSR/1935) 327 Walsh (USA/1945) 161 West York (GB/1944) 63
Villar (Pu/1917) 424 Vortex (GB/1944) 54 Walter B Cobb (USA/1944) 161 Westbury (GB/-) 60
Ville d’Oran (F/1936) 279 Vortice (1/1943) 310 Walter C Wann (USA/1944) 138 Westcott (GB/1918) 12
Ville d’Ys (F/1917) 259 Vortigern (GB/1917) 12 Walter S Brown (USA/1943) 135 Westminster (GB/1918) 12
Ville de Quebec (GB/1941) 62 Vos (Ne/1913) 387 Walter S Gorka (USA/1945) 161 Westmorland (USA/c 1943) 159
Vilppula (Fi/1916) 364 Votary (GB/1944) 54 Walter X Young (USA/1944) 161 Westmount (GB/1942) 64
Vilun (Si/1936) 411 Vouga (Po/1933) 397 Walton (USA/1944) 137 Weston (GB/1932) 56
Vim (USA/1943) 156 Vox (i) (GB/1943) 53 Wambola (Es/1917) 352 Westralia (GB/1929) 72,82
Vimiera (GB/1917) 12 Vox (ii) (GB/1943) 54 Wanemune (Es/extant 1922) 352 Westray (GB/1941) 66
Vimy (F/1919) 259 Voyager (GB/1918) 12 Wantuck (USA/1944) 161 Westville (GB/-) 60
Vimy (F/1940) 277 Voyager (GB/1952) 45 Warabi (J/1921) 175 Westward Ho!(GB/1894) 84
Vimy (GB/1918) 12 Vulcano (Po/1910) 396 Warburton (GB/-) 60 Westwind (USA/1943) 166
Vincennes (USA/1936) 115 Vulcano (Sp/1935) 402 Ward (USA/1918) 94 Wetaskiwin (GB/1940) 62
Vincennes (USA/1943) 119 Vulcanul (Ro/cl940) 362 Warkworth Castle (GB/-) 63 Wexford (GB/1919) 84
Vincente Yanez Pinzon Vulpine (GB/1943) 54 Warramunga (GB/1942) 40 Weymouth (GB/1910) 10
Sp/1944) 403 Vyatka (USSR/c 1941) 344 Warrego (GB/1911) 11 Whaddon (GB/1940) 45
Vincenzo Gioberti (1/1936) 300 Vyner Brooke (GB/1928) 83 Warrego (GB/1940) 56 Whale (USA/1942) 145
Vincenzo Giordano Orsini Vynoslivyi (USSR/1947) 332 Warren (USA/c 1943) 159 Whalsay (GB/1942) 66
(1/1917) 287 Vyuga (USSR/1934) 339 Warrick (USA/c 1943) 160 Wheatwear (USA/1945) 150
Vind (Sw/1900) 370 Vzryatyel (USSR/1938) 341 Warrington (USA/1910) 93 Wheatland (GB/1941) 46
Vindex (GB/1943) 24 Vzryv (USSR/1939) 341 Warrington (USA/1937) 127 Wheatland (USA/c 1943) 160
Vindhunden (Dk/1911) 382 Warrington (USA/1945) 134 Whelp (GB/1943) 43
Vindictive (GB/1918) 10 Wachusett (USA/1944) 165 Warrior (GB/1944) 22 Whetstone (USA/1945) 161
Vineyard (GB/1944) 54 Wachtmeister (Sw/1917) 369 Warrnambool (GB/1941) 65 Whimbrel (GB/1942) 58
Vinga (Sw/1940) 376 Wadleigh (USA/1943) 131 Warspite (GB/1913) 7 Whippingham (GB/1930) 84
Vinha (Fi/c 1929) 366 Wadsworth (USA/1915) 93 Warszawa (Pl/extant 1922) 349 Whipple (USA/1919) 94
Vinnica (USSR/extant 1922) 345 Wadsworth (USA/1943) 130 Warwick (GB/1917) 12 Whirlwind (GB/1917) 12
Vinton (USA/c 1943) 160 Wagga (GB/1942) 65 Wasa (Sw/1901) 368 Whirlwind (GB/1943) 43
Violet (GB/1940) 62 Wager (GB/1943) 43 Wasaga (GB/1940) 64 Whitby (GB/1943) 63
Violent (GB/1917) 12 Waglan (GB/1943) 64 Wasatch (USA/1943) 159 White Marsh (USA/1943) 161
Vipsanio Agrippa (I/-) 297 Wagner (USA/1943) 138 Washburn (USA/c 1943) 160 White Plains (USA/1943) 109
Virago (GB/1943) 43 Wahoo (USA/1942) 145 Washington (USA/1921) 90 Whitefish (USA/-) 147
Virgo (Sw/1902) 370 Wahoo (USA/-) 147 Washington (USA/1940) 97 Whitehall (GB/1919) 12
Virgo (USA/c 1943) 160 Waiau (GB/-) 67 Washizaki (J/1920) 177 Whitehaven (GB/1941) 64
Virile (GB/-) 54 Waiho (GB/1944) 67 Waskesiu (GB/1942) 59 Whitehurst (USA/1943) 136
Virtue (GB/1943) 54 Waiiti (GB/-) 67 Wasmuth (USA/1920) 95 Whitesand Bay (GB/1944) 61
Virulent (GB/1944) 54 Waikaka (GB/-) 67 Wasp (USA/1939) 103 Whiteside (USA/c 1943) 160
Visby (Sw/1942) 373 Waikanae (GB/-) 67 Wasp (USA/1943) 104 Whitethorn (GB/1939) 66
Viscolul (Ro/1939) 362 Waikato (GB/1943) 67 Watchman (GB/1917) 12 Whitethroat (GB/1944) 66
Viscount (GB/1917) 12 Waima (GB/1943) 67 Waterhen (i) (GB/1918) 12 Whiting (GB/1941) 67
Visigoth (GB/1943) 54 Wainwright (U S A /1915) 93 Waterhen (ii) (GB/-) 45 Whiting (USA/-) 147
Visitant (GB/-) 54 Wainwright (USA/1939) 127 Waterhen (iii) (GB/-) 58 Whitley (GB/1918) 12
Vital (USA/1942) 151 Waipu (GB/1943) 67 Waterloo (GB/-) 44 Whitley (USA/c 1943) 160
Vitality (GB/1942) 53 Wakaba (J/1905) 175 Waterman (USA/1943) 139 Whitman (USA/1943) 135
Vitality (USA/1943) 156 Wakaba (J/1934) 193 Waters (USA/1918) 94 Whitshed (GB/1919) 12
Vitebsk (USSR/extant 1922) 345 Wakamija (J/1943) 205 Waterwitch (GB/1943) 65 Whittaker (GB/1943) 61
Vitry le Francois (F/1920) 259 Wakarakura (J/-) 196 Watson (USA/-) 130 Whyalla (GB/1941) 64
Vittorio Alfieri (1/1936) 300 Wakatake (J/1922) 175 Watts (USA/1943) 130 Wiay (GB/1945) 66
Vittorio Emanuele (1/1904) 284 Wakatake (J/1941) 209 Waukesha (USA/c 1943) 160 Wicher (PI/1928) 349

455
Wichita (USA/1937) 117 Witherington (GB/1919) 12 Yanagi (J/1917) 175 Zambezi (Po/1886) 396
Wickes (USA/1918) 93 Witte de With (Ne/1928) 390 Yancey (USA/c 1943) 160 Zane (USA/1919) 95
Wickes (USA/1942) 131 Witter (USA/1943) 136 Yang Min (Ma/1934) 414 Zante (USSR/1916) 323
Widder (G/cl929) 247 Wivern (GB/1919) 12 Yanvarga (USSR/extant 1922) 324 Zanzibar (GB/1943) 62
Widemouth Bay (GB/1944) 61 Wizard (GB/1943) 43 Yarborough (US A/1919) 95 Zapal (USSR/extant 1922) 324
Widgeon (GB/1938) 62 Wolf (G/1927) 237 Yarmouth (GB/1911) 10 Zara (1/1930) 292
Wielingen (Be/cl915) 385 Wolf (Ne/1910) 387 Yarnall (USA/1918) 94 Zaragoza (Mex/1891) 414
Wieringen (Ne/c 1943) 394 Wolfe (GB/1921) 82 Yarnall (USA/1943) 130 Zaria Svobody (USSR/1887) 322
Wigmore Castle (GB/-) 63 Wolffish (USA/-) 147 Yarra (GB/1910) 11 Zarnica (USSR/1935) 339
Wigtown Bay (GB/1945) 61 Wolfgang Zenker (G/1936) 233 Yarra (GB/1935) 56 Zaryad (USSR/1936) 341
Wilcania (GB/1934) 83 Wolfhound (GB/1918) 12 Yashiro (J/1944) 206 Zashchitnik (USSR/1940) 341
Wild Goose (GB/1942) 58 Wollondilly (GB/-) 60 Yasoshima (J/1935) 192 Zbik (PI/1931) 350
Wild Swan (GB/1919) 12 Wollongong (GB/1941) 64 Yastreb (USSR/1940) 339 Zeal (USA/1942) 151
Wileman (USA/1942) 135 Wolsey (GB/1918) 12 Yat Sen (Ca/1930) 413 Zealous (GB/1944) 43
Wiley (USA/1944) 131 Wolverine (GB/1919) 12 Yavuz Sultan Selim (Tu/1911) 406 Zebra (GB/1944) 43
Wilhelm Bauer (G/1938) 252 Wood (USA/1919) 95 Yayoi (J/1905) 175 Zeehond (Ne/1932) 392
Wilhelm Heidkamp (G/1938) 233 Woodbridge Haven (GB/1945) 60 Yayoi (J/1925) 192 Zeeslang (Ne/c 1906) 387
Wilhoite (USA/1943) 140 Woodbury (USA/1919) 95 Ydra (Gr/1931) 405 Zeffiro (1/1904) 286
Wilk (PI/1929) 350 Woodbury (USA/1927) 166 Yeaton (USA/1927) 166 Zeffiro (1/1927) 299
Wilkes (USA/1916) 93 Woodcock (GB/1942) 58 Yerevan (USSR/1941) 330 Zeilin (USA/1919) 95
Wilkes (US A/1940) 128 Woodford (USA/c 1943) 160 Yestor (GB/1941) 67 Zellars (USA/1944) 132
Wilkes-Barre (USA/1943) 120 Woodpecker (GB/1942) 58 Yi Shen (Ca/1911) 412 Zenith (GB/1944) 43
Willamette Valley (GB/1928) 84 Woodrow R Thompson Ying Hao (Ca/1933) 413 Zenobia (USA/c 1943) 160
Willard Keith (USA/1944) 132 (USA/1946) 133 Ying Shan (Ca/1927) 413 Zenson (1/1912) 287
Willard Keith (USA/-) 135 Woodrow R Thompson (USA/-) 138 Ying Swei (Ca/1911) 412 Zephyr (GB/1943) 43
Willem van Ewijck (Ne/1937) 394 Woodruff (GB/1941) 62 Yildiray (Tu/1939) 408 Zest (GB/1943) 43
Willem van Ewijck (Ne/1940) 394 Woodson (USA/1944) 137 Ymer (Sw/1932) 377 Zetland (GB/1942) 46
Willem van de Zaan (Ne/1938) 394 Woodstock (GB/1941) 62 Yodo (J/1907) 177 Zheleznyakov (USSR/c 1936) 345
Willem Warmont (Ne/c 1905) 387 Woodworth (USA/1941) 128 Yoitsuki (J/1944) 195 Zheleznyakov (USSR/1940) 328
William B Preston (U SA/1919) 95 Woolsey (USA/1941) 128 Yokes (US A/1943) 161 Zhemchug (USSR/c 1936) 340
William C Cole (USA/1943) 136 Woolston (GB/1918) 12 Yomogi (J/1922) 175 Zhemchuzhin (USSR/c 1936) 345
William C Lawe (i) (USA/1945) 133 Woonsocket (USA/1943) 148 York (GB/1928) 28 Zhemchuzhnyi (USSR/1906) 324
William C Lawe (ii) (USA/-) 135 Woolwich (GB/1934) 80 York (USA/1907) 93 Zhitomir (USSR/extant 1922) 345
William C Lawe (iii) (U SA/-) 138 Worcester (GB/1919) 12 York Castle (GB/1944) 63 Zinco (I/-) 311
William C Miller (USA/1943) 135 Worcester (USA/1947) 123 Yorktown (USA/1936) 102 Zinnia (Be/1915) 385
William D Porter (USA/1942) 131 Worcestershire (GB/1931) 82 Yorktown (USA/1943) 104 Zinnia (GB/1940) 62
William ] Pattison (US A/1944) 161 Worden (USA/1919) 95 Yorsh (USSR/c 1916) 324 Zinovyev (USSR/1916) 323
William Jones (USA/1919) 95 Worden (USA/1934) 125 Yosif Stalin (USSR/1937) 346 Zmaj (Yu/extant 1922) 359
William M Hobby (US A/1944) 161 Worthing (GB/1941) 64 Young (USA/1919) 95 Zmieya (USSR/c 1915) 324
William M Wood (USA/1945) 133 Wrangler (GB/1943) 43 Young (USA/1942) 131 Znamya Socyalizma
William R Rush (USA/1945) 133 Wrangel (Sw/1917) 369 Youngstown (USA/-) 120 (USSR/extant 1922) 324
William Seiverling (USA/1944) 138 Wren (GB/1918) 12 Younous (Tu/cl902) 407 Zodiac (GB/1944) 43
William T Powell (USA/1943) 136 Wren (GB/1942) 58 Ypres (F/1918) 259 Zoea (1/1937) 305
Williams (USA/1918) 94 Wren (USA/1944) 130 Yser (F/1917) 259 Zolfo (I/-) 311
Williams (USA/1944) 138 Wrestler (GB/1918) 12 Yser (F/1941) 277 Zuiho (J/1936) 182
Williamson (U SA/1919) 94 Wright (USA/1945) 107 Yu Chang (Ca/1912) 412 Zuikaku (J/1939) 181
Williamstown (GB/-) 60 Wryneck (GB/1918) 12 Yubari (J/1923) 187 Zulu (GB/1937) 40
Willis (US A/1943) 140 Wryneck (GB/-) 58 Yudachi (J/1906) 175 Zuraw (Pl/c 1934) 3 51
Willmarth (USA/1943) 136 Wulastock (GB/-) 60 Yudachi (J/1936) 194 Zvezda (USSR/1934) 335
Willow Lake (GB/1945) 72 Wyandot (USA/c 1943) 160 Yudsuki (J/1927) 192 Zwaardvisch (Ne/1943) 392
Willowherb (GB/1943) 63 Wye (GB/1943) 59 Yugao (J/1923) 175
Wilmington (US A/1943) 119 Wyffels (USA/1942) 135 Yugiri (J/1930) 193 2den April (Dk/1913) 382
Wilmington (USA/-) 120 Wyman (USA/1943) 135 Yugumo (J/1941) 195
Wilno (Pl/cl926) 351 Wyoming (USA/1911) 90 Yugure (J/1899) 177
Wilson (USA/1939) 127 Yugure (J/1905) 175
Wilton (GB/1941) 46 Xauen (Sp/extant 1922) 400 Yugure (J/1934) 193
Wiltsie (USA/1945) 133 Xenia (USA/c 1943) 160 Yukaze (J/1921) 176
Wimmera (GB/-) 60 Xifias (Gr/cl911) 405 Y ukikaze (J/1939) 194
Winchelsea (GB/1917) 12 Xifias (Gr/1942) 406 Yun Ning (Ca/cl936) 413
Winchester (GB/1918) 12 Yunagi (J/1906) 175
Windflower (GB/1918) 13 Yadake (J/1945) 196 Yunagi (J/1924) 176
Windflower (GB/1940) 62 Yaeyama (J/1931) 208 Yunagi (J/1944) 196
Windham Bay (USA/1944) 110 Yaezakura (J/1945) 196 Yung Chi (Ca/1915) 412
Windrish (GB/1943) 59 Yaguar (USSR/cl915) 324 Yung Chien (Ca/1915) 412
Windsor (GB/1918) 12 Y aguar (US SR/-) 339 Yung Feng (Ca/c 1912) 412
Windsor (USA/c 1943) 159 Yahagi (J/1911) 174 Yung Hsiang Ca/c 1912) 412
Wingfield (USA/1943) 139 Yahagi (J/1942) 191 Yung Shen (Ca/1928) 413
Winnebago (USA/1944) 165 Yakaze (J/1920) 176 Yung Sui (Ca/1929) 413
Winnipeg (GB/1942) 65 Yakobinec (USSR/1929) 332 Yurijima (J/1942) 209
Winoma (USA/1945) 165 Yakor (USSR/1939) 341 Yuru (J/1922) 174
Winslow (USA/1915) 93 Yakov Sverdlov (USSR/1905) 323
Winslow (USA/1936) 125 Yaku (J/1944) 206 Zabiyaka (USSR/1915) 323
Winston (USA/c 1943) 160 Yakumo (J/1899) 173 Zacatecas (Mex/c 1934) 415
Wintle (USA/1943) 135 Yakutat (USA/1942) 157 Zafer (Tu/1931) 407
Wisconsin (USA/1943) 99 Y amacrew (US A/1908) 96 Zaffiro (1/1933) 309
Wiseman (USA/1943) 136 Yamagumo (J/1937) 194 Zafir (Eg/extant 1922) 409
Wishart (GB/1919) 12 Yamakaze (J/1911) 176 Zagaglia (I/-) 317
Wistaria (GB/1915) 13 Yamakaze (J/1936) 194 Zagreb (Yu/1938) 357
Wistaria (GB/1939) 66 Yamashiro (J/1915) 171 Zaibas (Li/extant 1922) 354
Witch (GB/1919) 12 Yamashiro Maru (J/1944) 213 Zaire (Po/c 1925) 397
Witak (USA/1946) 134 Yamato (J/1940) 178 Zambesi (GB/1943) 43

456
CONTRIBUTORS
PRZEMYSLAW BUDZBON, a Polish naval
architect, is a frequent contributor to Western as
well as Polish shipping magazines. He is also a fine
draughtsman, and produced many of the drawings
for this book.
N J M CAMPBELL is a naval writer of
wide-ranging interests. He made the largest
contribution to the 1860-1905 volume in this series,
and his other published works include The Queen
Elizabeth Class and Battlecruisers as well as
numerous articles for the journal Warship.
NORMAN FRIEDMAN works as a naval analyst
at the Hudson Institute in New York. His books
include Battleship Design and Development, Modem
Warship Design and Development and Destroyer
Weapons of World War II, with a history of carrier
air-power in preparation. He has also written a
number of classified studies for the US Navy.
PIERRE HERVIEUX is a French warship
enthusiast, who has written for a number of naval
journals including Warship.
JOHN ROBERTS, the editor of Warship, is as
well-known for his ship-plans as for his numerous
published works. His most important book to date
is British Battleships of World War II, and the
companion volume on cruisers has just been
published.
ROBERT L SCHEINA, a professional naval
analyst and historian, has worked for the US Navy
and is currently the official historian of the Coast
Guard. However, he is also a specialist in South
American naval affairs, about which he has written
extensively.
ERWIN SIECHE is an Austrian naval writer and
translator. He is a prominent member of the
organisation that promotes naval research in
Austria, and works on its journal Marine, Gestern
und Heute
IAN STURTON, a chemist by profession, has
„contributed drawings to Jane’s and has written
articles for a number of naval publications.
MAREK TWARDOWSKI is a Polish naval
architect and writer, specialising in Eastern Bloc
navies. For this volume he worked in conjunction
with Boris Lemachko, a Soviet naval authority who
also supplied many of the photos for the USSR and
Eastern European sections.
KARL-ERIK WESTERLUND, a retired Swedisl
naval officer, is a prominent writer on Scandinaviai
naval affairs. He has an extensive photo library and
has contributed photos and articles to naval
publications since before the war.

OTHER VOLUMES
1860-1905 - Published 1979, £24.00
1906-1921 - In preparation
1947 to the present day - For publication 1981

For an illustrated catalogue giving details of this and

other naval titles, including the journal Warship, write t

Conway Maritime Press Ltd

/I Nelson Road
Greenwich
London SE10 9JB
 CONWAY’S
ALL THE WORLD'S
FIGHTING
SHIPS
1922-1946
This volume of the Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships series
lists all significant warships built between the Washington Treaty
and the end of the wartime construction programmes.
Contemporary reference books before, and during, the war were
subject to both security restrictions and intentionally misleading
information, but this work is based on reliable modern sources
and contains much information that has never been published
before. It is organised by country, ship type and class, with a
design-history and career summary, plus extensive tabular data,
for each. The countries are introduced by background articles
covering important political and technical developments,
concluding with a detailed statement of the strength of each navy
in 1922. The class lists are illustrated with a total of over 1000
photographs and specially commissioned line drawings.

ISBN 0 85177 146 7