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FIGHTING SHIPS OF THE WORLD
CANADA
ESCORTS
Castle corvettes (HESPELER) (1944)
Ships
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnprior (ex-Rising Castle) | K494 | Harland & Wolff, Belfast, UK | 6.1943 | 8.2.1944 | 6.1944 | to Uruguay 1948 (Montevideo) | |
| Bowmanville (ex-Nunnery Castle) | K493 | Pickersgill, Sunderland, UK | 8.1943 | 26.1.1944 | 9.1944 | sold 1947 | |
| Copper Cliff (ex-Hever Castle) | K495 | Blyth, UK | 6.1943 | 24.2.1944 | 7.1944 | sold 1947 | |
| Hespeler (ex-Guilford Castle) | K489 | Robb, Leith, UK | 5.1943 | 13.11.1943 | 2.1944 | sold 1947 | |
| Humberstone (ex-Norham Castle, ex-Totnes Castle) | K497 | Inglis, Glasgow, UK | 8.1943 | 12.4.1944 | 9.1944 | sold 1947 | |
| Huntsville (ex-Wolvesey Castle) | K499 | Ailsa, Troon, UK | 6.1943 | 24.2.1944 | 6.1944 | sold 1947 | |
| Kincardine (ex-Tamworth Castle) | K490 | Smiths Dock, South Bank, UK | 8.1943 | 26.1.1944 | 6.1944 | sold 1947 | |
| Leaside (ex-Walmer Castle) | K492 | Smiths Dock, South Bank, UK | 9.1943 | 10.3.1944 | 8.1944 | sold 11.1946 | |
| Orangeville (ex-Hedingham Castle) | K491 | Robb, Leith, UK | 7.1943 | 26.1.1944 | 4.1944 | sold 1947 | |
| Petrolia (ex-Sherborne Castle) | K498 | Harland & Wolff, Belfast, UK | 6.1943 | 24.2.1944 | 6.1944 | BU 1946 | |
| St. Thomas (ex-Sandgate Castle) | K488 | Smiths Dock, South Bank, UK | 6.1943 | 28.12.1943 | 5.1944 | sold 1946 | |
| Tillsonburg (ex-Pembroke Castle) | K496 | Ferguson, Glasgow, UK | 6.1943 | 12.2.1944 | 6.1944 | sold 1947 |
Technical data
| Displacement standard, t | 1010 - 1060 |
|---|---|
| Displacement full, t | 1590 - 1630 |
| Length, m | 68.6 pp 76.8 oa |
| Breadth, m | 11.2 |
| Draught, m | 4.11 - 4.19 deep load |
| No of shafts | 1 |
| Machinery | 1 VTE, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers |
| Power, h. p. | 2750 |
| Max speed, kts | 16.5 |
| Fuel, t | oil 480 |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 6200(15) |
| Armament | 1 x 1 - 102/40 QF Mk XIX, 2 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, (2 - 6) x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, 1 x 3 - 305 Squid Mk 4 ASWRL, 2 DCT, 1 DCR (15) |
| Electronic equipment | type 271 or type 272 radar, type 144, type 147 sonars |
| Complement | 120 |
Project history
The further development of successful "Flower" class. The dimensions of the hull have been increased for elimination of the basic lacks of a prototype: bad habitability and a small fuel stowage. Though machinery practically without changes copied previous class at the expense of increase in the L/B relation, maximal speed remained practically same. Larger dimensions have allowed to place more powerful anti-submarine weapon: "Castle" class corvettes became the first British ships carrying newest Squid. In total under 1942 and 1943 programs it was planed to built 59 ships, however only 39 entered service on an original design. 5 More (Empire Shelter, Empire Rest, Empire Lifeguard, Empire Peacemaker and Empire Comfort) have been completed as convoy rescue ships and carried a merchant flag, formally not being a part of the Royal Navy. Instead of regular armament they had 2 х 1 76mm/40 guns and 4 х 1 20mm Oerlikons. The order for the remaining have cancelled, as well as on 36, planed to a building in Canada.
Modernizations
None.
Naval service
No significant events.
© Ivan Gogin, 2015
