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FIGHTING SHIPS OF THE WORLD
UNITED KINGDOM
ESCORTS
"Modified RIVER" (Australian-built) frigates (CULGOA) (4(10), 1945 - 1947)


Photo



Murchison 1946

Ships


Name No Yard No Builder Laid down Launched Comp Fate
Balmaine (RAN)     Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia --- --- --- cancelled
Bogam (RAN)     Newcastle DYd, Australia --- --- --- cancelled
Campaspe (RAN)   170 Morts Dock, Sydney, Australia --- --- --- cancelled
Condamine (RAN) K698, 1948- F698   Newcastle DYd, Australia 10.1943 4.11.1944 2.1946 BU 9.1961
Culgoa (ex-Macquarie) (RAN) K408, 1948- F408   Williamstown DYd, Australia 7.1943 22.9.1944 4.1947 BU 2.1972
Murchison (RAN) K442, 1948- F442   Evans Deakin, Brisbane, Australia 6.1943 31.10.1944 12.1945 BU 9.1961
Murrumbidgee (RAN)     Melbourne DYd, Australia --- --- --- cancelled
Naomi (RAN)   168 Cockatoo DYd, Australia --- --- --- cancelled
Nepean (RAN)     Cockatoo DYd, Australia --- --- --- cancelled
Shoalhaven (RAN) K535, 1948- F535   Walkers, Maryborough, Australia 12.1943 14.12.1944 5.1946 BU 1.1962
Warburton (RAN)     Evans Deakin, Brisbane, Australia --- --- --- cancelled
Williamstown (RAN)     Williamstown DYd, Australia --- --- --- cancelled
Wimmera (RAN)   169 Cockatoo DYd, Australia --- --- --- cancelled
Wollondilly (RAN)   167 Cockatoo DYd, Australia --- --- --- 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 equipmentSC, type 285, type 293 radars, type 144 sonar
Complement

177



Standard scale images


<i>Condamine </i>1954
Condamine 1954
<i>Murchison</i> 1945
Murchison 1945


Graphics


<i>Murchison</i> 1946
Murchison 1946


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 7, 2 x 2 - 20/70 Mk 5

Naval service

No significant events.

Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.