NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Murchison 1946

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Balmaine			Morts Dock, Sydney	---	---	---	cancelled
Bogam			Newcastle DYd	---	---	---	cancelled
Campaspe			Morts Dock, Sydney	---	---	---	cancelled
Condamine	K698, 1950- F698		Newcastle DYd	10.1943	4.11.1944	2.1946	BU 9.1961
Culgoa (ex-Macquarie)	K408, 1950- F408, 1969- 408		Williamstown DYd	7.1943	22.9.1944	4.1947	BU 2.1972
Murchison	K442, 1950- F442		Evans Deakin, Brisbane	6.1943	31.10.1944	12.1945	BU 9.1961
Murrumbidgee			Melbourne DYd	---	---	---	cancelled
Naomi			Cockatoo DYd	---	---	---	cancelled
Nepean			Cockatoo DYd	---	---	---	cancelled
Shoalhaven	K535, 1950- F535		Walkers, Maryborough	12.1943	14.12.1944	5.1946	BU 1.1962
Warburton			Evans Deakin, Brisbane	---	---	---	cancelled
Williamstown			Williamstown DYd	---	---	---	cancelled
Wimmera			Cockatoo DYd	---	---	---	cancelled
Wollondilly			Cockatoo DYd	---	---	---	cancelled

Technical data

Displacement standard, t	1537
Displacement full, t	2187
Length, m	86.3 pp 91.7 oa
Breadth, m	11.1
Draught, m	3.89 deep load
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 VTE, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers
Power, h. p.	5500
Max speed, kts	19
Fuel, t	oil 610
Endurance, nm(kts)
Armament	Murchison: 2 x 2 - 102/45 QF Mk XVI, (3 - 5) х 1 - 40/56 Bofors Mk III, 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog Mk X ASWRL, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (50) others: 2 x 2 - 102/45 QF Mk XIX, (3 - 5) х 1 - 40/60 Mk VII, 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog Mk X ASWRL, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (50)
Electronic equipment	SC, type 285, type 293 radars, type 144 sonar
Complement	177

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 are required larger than "Flower" class corvettes. 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. An exception made 5 ships which have received more powerful turbine machinery. Originally known as "twin-screw corvettes", "River" class ships, as well as their predecessors, created on standards of merchant shipbuilding, but their hulls had outlines more habitual for a warship, and its slenderness has increased from 6 to 8. Thus the building technology, as well as  corvettes, as much as possible adapted for usage on the yards which do not have experience of construction of combat ships. The frigates were built also by Australia with a little differing from standard armament. Later Australian ships had improved armament. Order for 10 units cancelled.

Modernizations

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

Naval service

No significant events.