NAVYPEDIA

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Loch Achanalt (ex-Naver)	K424		Robb, Leith, UK	9.1943	23.3.1944	8.1944	to UK 6.1945
Loch Alvie	K428		Barclay Curle, Glasgow, UK	8.1943	14.4.1944	8.1944	to UK 6.1945
Loch Morlich	K517		Swan Hunter, Wallsend, UK	7.1943	25.1.1944	8.1944	to UK 6.1945

Technical data

Displacement standard, t	1435
Displacement full, t	2260
Length, m	87.2 pp 93.6 oa
Breadth, m	11.8
Draught, m	3.76 deep load
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 VTE, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers
Power, h. p.	5500
Max speed, kts	19.5
Fuel, t	oil 724
Endurance, nm(kts)	7000(15)
Armament	1 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk V, 1 x 4 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk VIII, 4 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, 2 x 3 - 305 Squid Mk 4 ASWRL, 2 DCT, 1 DCR (15)
Electronic equipment	type 277 radar, type 144, type 147B sonars
Complement	177

Standard scale images

Project history

War on Atlantic demanded the increasing number of escorts. For reduction of terms of building the design of "River" class frigate has been modified under a section method of building. Now shipbuilding yards only assembled the ships from already ready sections several tens tons weight made at the inland plants. At designing the basic thrust became on adaptability to manufacture of production, frequently even to the detriment of other qualities. Transition to a longitudinal hull framing system and wide use of welding became basic difference from "River" class. For building simplification the unprecedented decision, forbidding to bring in the design after completing of a lead frigate any changes which could influence rates of building of the subsequent ships of a class was accepted. As well as "River", these ships first of all formed as anti-submarine, but them it was possible to equip with more perfect Squid ASW rocket launcher. Air defence possibilities have simultaneously considerably improved also by installing of the quadruple 40mm pom-pom. Only 28 ships were completed from 110 ordered frigates of "Loch" class on an original design. Besides, two more, Loch Assynt and Loch Torridon were completed as a depot ships Derby Haven and Woodbridge Haven respectively, 26 ships were completed as AA frigates of "Bay" class. The order for building of 54 more units has been cancelled.

Modernizations

None.

Naval service

No significant events.

© Ivan Gogin, 2015