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FIGHTING SHIPS OF THE WORLD
AUSTRALIA
ESCORTS
GASCOYNE frigates (1943-1946)


Photo



Burdekin 1946

Ships


Name No Yard No Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
Barcoo K375, 1950- F174, 1969- 174   Cockatoo DYd 10.1942 26.8.1943 1.1944 BU 2.1972
Barwon K406, 1950- F402   Cockatoo DYd 5.1943 3.8.1944 1.1946 BU 8.1962
Burdekin K376, 1950- F403   Walkers, Maryborough 1.1942 30.6.1943 6.1944 BU 9.1961
Diamantina K377, 1950- F377   Walkers, Maryborough 4.1943 6.4.1944 4.1945 survey vessel 1959, preserved 2.1980
Gascoyne K354, 1950- F354   Morts Dock, Sydney 7.1942 20.2.1943 11.1943 survey vessel 1959, BU 2.1972
Hawkesbury K363, 1950- F363, 1969- 363   Morts Dock, Sydney 8.1942 24.7.1943 7.1944 BU 2.1972
Lachlan K364, 1950- F364   Morts Dock, Sydney 3.1943 25.3.1944 2.1945 to New Zealand 10.1949 (Lachlan)
Macquarie (ex-Culgoa) K532, 1950- F532, 1969- 532   Morts Dock, Sydney 12.1943 3.3.1945 12.1945 BU 7.1972


Technical data


Displacement standard, t

1310 - 1460

Displacement full, t

1920 - 2180

Length, m

86.3 pp 91.8 oa

Breadth, m

11.2

Draught, m

3.61 - 3.89 deep load

No of shafts

2

Machinery

2 VTE, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers

Power, h. p.

5500

Max speed, kts

20

Fuel, t

oil 646

Endurance, nm(kts) 
Armament

Burdekin: 2 x 1 - 102/40 QF Mk XIX, 2 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, (2 - 4) x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog ASWRL, 8 DCT, 2 DCR (150)

Barcoo, Gascoyne, Hawkesbury: 2 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk XVI, 2 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, (2 - 4) x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog ASWRL, 8 DCT, 2 DCR (150)

Barwon, Diamantina, Lachlan: 2 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk XVI, (1 - 3) х 1 - 40/56 Bofors Mk III, 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog ASWRL, 8 DCT, 2 DCR (150)

Macquarie: 1 x 2 - 102/45 QF Mk XVI HA, 2 x 3 - 305 Squid ASWRL, 8 DCT, 2 DCR (54)

Electronic equipment

type 271, A272 Mk II or SC-1 radars, type 144 sonar

Macquarie: type 271, A272 Mk II or SC-1 radars, type 144, type 147 sonars

Complement

140



Standard scale images


<i>nearly sister-ship Jed</i> 1944
nearly sister-ship Jed 1944
<i>Barcoo </i>1963
Barcoo 1963


Graphics


<i>Burdekin</i> 1946
Burdekin 1946


Project history

Design of "River" class frigate was developed in 1941 when it became clear, that for service in Atlantic escorts larger than "Flower" class corvettes are required. Significantly increased dimensions have allowed to improve seaworthiness and habitability, to place additional armament and to fit twin-shaft machinery (actually doubled machinery of "Flower" class corvettes) and to increase speed to 20kts. Originally known as "twin-screw corvettes", "River" class ships, as well as their predecessors, created on standards of merchant shipbuilding, but their hulls had outlines more habitual for a warship, and its slenderness has increased from 6 to 8. Thus the building technology, as well as  corvettes, as much as possible adapted for usage on the yards which do not have experience of construction of combat ships.     Frigates were built also by Australia with a little differing from standard armament, consisting of two single 102mm. Later Australian ships had improved armament. Order for 10 units cancelled.

Modernizations

1944, Burdekin: - 2 x 1 - 102/40; + 2 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk XVI

1945, Barcoo, Hawkesbury: - 2 x 1 - 102/45, 2 x 2 - 20/70, (2 - 4) x 1 - 20/70, 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog ASWRL; + 1 x 2 - 102/45 QF Mk XVI, 1 x 1 - 40/56 Bofors Mk III, 2 x 3 - 305 Squid Mk 4 ASWRL, type 275 radar, type 147 sonar. DC stowage was decreased to 54.

Naval service

Diamantina was preserved in Brisbane.