NAVYPEDIA

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

Graphics

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.