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Loch-class frigate

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Class overview
NameLoch class
Operators
Preceded byRiver class
Succeeded byBay class
Completed28
Cancelled54
General characteristics
TypeFrigate
Displacement1,435 long tons (1,458 t)
Length307 ft 9 in (93.8 m)
Beam38 ft 9 in (11.8 m)
Draught8 ft 9 in (2.7 m)
Installed power
Propulsion
Speed20knots(37 km/h; 23 mph)
Range9,500nmi(17,600 km; 10,900 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement114
Sensors and
processing systems
Armament
Anything but graceful: showing crude finish & boxy shapedesigned for warproduction, here is HMSLoch Fadain 1944.
Loch Fadaafter 1953 modernisation

TheLoch classwas aclassofanti-submarine(A/S)frigatebuilt for theRoyal Navyand herAlliesduringWorld War II.They were an innovative design based on the experience of three years of fighting in theBattle of the Atlanticand attendant technological advances. Some shipyards had trouble building these larger ships, which led to widespread use of theCastle-class corvette,introduced around the same time.

Design

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The Lochs were based upon the hull of the precedingRiver classwith increasedsheerandflareto improve seakeeping and modified to suit it to mass pre-fabrication, with sectionsrivetedorweldedtogether at the shipyard. Accordingly, as many curves as possible were eliminated, producing a noticeable kink in the main deck where the increased sheer forwards met the level abreast the bridge.

The fighting capability of the Loch class was a great jump forward, being based around the newSquidahead-throwingA/Smortar. Previously, escorts had attacked with depth charges, requiring the attacking vessel to pass over the submerged submarine and drop warheads over the stern. Consequently, the ahead-lookingASDIC(sonar) set lost contact at the vital moment before the weapons were launched, allowing a skilled submarine commander to take successful evasive action. Squid, however, lobbed three 12-inch (300 mm), 390 pound warheads up to 600 yards (550 m) ahead of the launching vessel falling in a triangular pattern with sides of 40 yards (37 m). As the clockwork fuses detonated the warheads at a depth determined by the ships' ASDIC set, the Squid therefore attacked in full ASDIC contact for greater accuracy and lethality. Two mortars were carried, with the bombs set to explode at different depths in order to create a convergent pressure wave to crush the hull of a submarine. The first successful "kill" was byLoch Killinon 31 July 1944, sinking theGerman submarineU-333.Such was the utility of Squid thatdepth chargecarriage was reduced to only 15, with a single rack and a pair of throwers being carried at the stern, resulting in a clear quarterdeck compared to the eight throwers, two racks and stowage for 100 plus charges in the Rivers.

The weapons outfit was completed with a single QF 4-inch (100 mm) Mark V gun forwards. An oversight in the River design had been to place the gun in the favourable position forward on the shelter deck, with the ahead throwingHedgehogon the main deck, exposed to the worst of the seas breaking over thefo'c'sle,consequently this was reversed in the Lochs; the Squids being on the shelter deck behind protective bulwarks. For anti-aircraft (A/A) defence, a quadruple mounting Mark VIIQF 2-pounderwas shipped aft along with up to 1220 mm Oerlikonguns, in 2 twin powered mounts Mark V in the bridge wings and 8 single pedestal mounts Mark III.Loch Arkaig,Loch Craggie,Loch Eck,Loch Glendhu,Loch Tralaigand theSouth African Navyships HMSASGood Hope,NatalandTransvaalcarried singleBofors 40 mm L/60 gunmounts in lieu of the twinOerlikons.

In addition to the new weaponry, the Lochs also carried new sensors, in the form of RadarType 277.This set utilised thecavity magnetronto transmit on centimetric wavelengths for target indication purposes, excelling at picking out small targets such as asubmarineperiscopeorsnorkelfrom the surface clutter. The increased weight of the stabilised antenna array and the carriage ofHF/DFat the masthead meant that a lattice mast was stepped in lieu of the traditional tripod or pole. Some vessels completed with RadarType 271or 272 and the associated "lantern"radomeuntil Type 277 became available. ASDIC Type 144 was carried for search and attack functions with Type 147B used for depth finding.

As with the previous wartime escort designs, mercantile machinery was adopted to speed construction, with a pair of 4-cylinder vertical triple-expansion reciprocating engines.Loch ArkaigandLoch Tralaigwere fitted withParsonssingle reductionsteam turbinesto establish the feasibility of such an installation, but it was not possible to provide enough sets of turbines for all vessels. One advantage of the use of mercantile machinery was that it was instantly familiar to the mainly reservist and volunteer (RNRandRNVR) crews who manned these ships.

Service

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Of the one hundred and ten vessels ordered, twenty-eight were built as frigates, entering service from 1944. Another two –Loch AssyntandLoch Torridon– were converted while building and completed as Coastal Forces Depot Ships, being renamedHMSDerby HavenandHMSWoodbridge Haven.Due to a need in 1944 for a version fitted as anti-aircraft vessels with the British Pacific Fleet, twenty-six units were authorised for completion to a modified design labelled theBay-class frigateand were renamed. A further fifty-four Loch-class vessels were cancelled in 1945.

Of the twenty-eight Loch-class frigates completed as such,Loch Achanalt,Loch AlvieandLoch Morlichwere transferred to Canada in 1943 but retained their Royal Navy names and were returned after the war; a fourth ship –Loch Fionn– was also earmarked for transfer but was retained by theRoyal Navyas a Bay-class frigate.Loch Ard,Loch BoisdaleandLoch Creewere transferred to South Africa asTransvaal,Good HopeandNatalrespectively on completion. In 1948, six vessels, including two of the ex-Royal Canadian Navy trio, were refitted from reserve and transferred to New Zealand. During theKorean War,the Royal Navy reactivated several vessels and transferred them to theMediterraneanwhere they releasedCh-classdestroyersfor war duties. In 1964Loch Inshwas transferred to Malaysia.

Modifications

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Loch AssyntandLoch Torridonwere modified whilst under construction to depot ships forcoastal forces,armed with a twin QF 4-inch (100 mm) Mark XVI on a single mounting Mark XIX forward and six single 20 mm Oerlikons. With the war in the Atlantic won by 1944, and a need forecast for additional fleet A/A escorts for the Royal Navy's increased Far Eastern commitments, twenty-six Loch class were redesigned and renamed (of which nineteen were completed) as Bay-class anti-aircraft frigates.

In 1953, seven vessels were modernised;Loch Alvie,Loch Fada,Loch Fyne,Loch Insh,Loch Killisport,Loch LomondandLoch Ruthven.The single 4-inch (100 mm) gun was replaced by the ubiquitous twin 4-inch (100 mm) mountingHA/LAMark XIX and the A/A weaponry was standardised as a single twin mounting Mark V and four single mounting Mark VII for the 40 mm Bofors gun, with a Simple Tachymetric Director shipped for the Mark V. Radar Type 277 was fitted with the new ANU antenna array.Loch Killisportsported a gunshield manufactured fromGRPto test this material for suitability of constructing the housing of the new4.5-inch gun Mark 8.Loch Fadapaid off in 1967 and was used to test an early vertical launch variant of the newSea Wolf missile.

Completed ships

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Royal Navy

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1942 War Programme (4 ships):

Name Pennant number Builder Ordered Laid down Launched Completed Fate
HMSLoch Achanalt(K424) K424 Henry RobbLimited,Leith 24 July 1942 14 September 1942 asRiver-class frigateNaver,later changed to Loch class 23 September 1943 11 August 1944 Transferred toRoyal Canadian Navyon completion, returned toRoyal Navyon 20 June 1945. Transferred toRoyal New Zealand Navyon 13 September 1948 as HMNZSPukaki.
HMSLoch Fada(K390) K390 John Brown & Company,Clydebank 19 January 1943 8 June 1943 14 December 1943 14 April 1944 Sold 21 May 1970 for breaking up at Faslane.
HMSLoch Dunvegan(K425) K425 Charles Hill & Sons,Bristol January 1943 29 September 1943 25 March 1944 30 June 1944 Broken up August 1960 at T. W. Ward, Briton Ferry.
HMSLoch Eck(K422) K422 Smith's Dock,South Bank, M'borough 25 January 1943 25 October 1943 25 April 1944 7 November 1944 Transferred toRoyal New Zealand Navyon 1 October 1948 as HMNZSHawea.Sold in September 1965 for breaking up in Hong Kong.

1943 War Programme (26 completed including 2 modified as Coastal Forces Depot Ships):

  • HMSLoch Achray(K426)– built by Smith's Dock, laid down 13 December 1943, launched 7 July 1944 and completed 1 February 1945. Transferred toRoyal New Zealand Navyon 28 September 1948 asKaniere.
  • HMSLoch Alvie(K428)– built by Barclay Curle, laid down 31 August 1943, launched 14 April 1944 and completed 21 August 1944; transferred toRoyal Canadian Navyon completion, returned toRoyal Navyin 1945. Sold 18 January 1965 in Singapore for breaking up.
  • HMSLoch Ard(K602)– built by Harland & Wolff, laid down 20 January 1944, launched 2 August 1944 and completed 21 May 1945; transferred to South African Navy on completion asSASTransvaal.
  • HMSLoch Arkaig(K603)– built by Caledon Shipbuilding, laid down 1 November 1944, launched 7 June 19445 and completed 17 November 1945.
  • HMSLoch Assynt(K438)– built by Swan Hunter, laid down 11 February 1944, launched 14 December 1944 and completed 2 August 1945 as Coastal Forcesdepot shipDerby Haven.Sold to Iranian Navy in July 1949 asBabr.
  • HMSLoch Boisdale(K432)– built by Blyth Dry Dock, laid down 8 November 1943, launched 5 July 1944 and completed 1 December 1944; transferred to South African Navy on completion asSASGood Hope.
  • HMSLoch Craggie(K609)– built by Harland & Wolff, laid down 28 December 1943, launched 23 May 1944 and completed 23 October 1944. Sold 8 July 1963 to break up at Lisbon.
  • HMSLoch Cree(K430)– built by Swan Hunter, laid down 18 October 1943, launched 19 June 1944 and completed 8 March 1945; transferred to South African Navy on completion asSASNatal.
  • HMSLoch Fyne(K429)– built by Burntisland Shipbuilding, laid down 8 December 1943, launched 24 May 1944 and completed 9 November 1944. Sold 7 July 1970 to break up at Newport.
  • HMSLoch Glendhu(K619)– built by Burntisland Shipbuilding, laid down 29 May 1944, launched 18 October 1944 and completed 23 February 1945. Broken up in November 1957 at Dunston.
  • HMSLoch Gorm(K620)– built by Harland & Wolff, laid down 28 December 1943, launched 8 June 1944 and completed 18 December 1944. Sold in September 1961, becoming mercantileOrion.
  • HMSLoch Insh(K433)– built by Henry Robb, laid down 17 November 1943, launched 10 May 1944 and completed 20 October 1944. Transferred to Malaysian Navy 2 October 1964 asHang Tuah.
  • HMSLoch Katrine(K625)– built by Henry Robb, laid down 31 December 1943, launched 21 August 1944 and completed 29 December 1944. Transferred toRoyal New Zealand Navyin 1949 asRotoiti.
  • HMSLoch Killin(K391)– built by Burntisland Shipbuilding, laid down 22 June 1943, launched 29 November 1943 and completed 12 April 1944. Broken up in August 1960 at Newport.
  • HMSLoch Killisport(K628)– built by Harland & Wolff, laid down 28 December 1943, launched 6 July 1944 and completed 9 July 1945. Sold 20 February 1970 to break up at Blyth.
  • HMSLoch Lomond(K437)– built by Caledon Shipbuilding, laid down 7 December 1943, launched 19 June 1944 and completed 16 November 1944. Sold 6 September 1968 to break up at Faslane.
  • HMSLoch More(K639)– built by Caledon Shipbuilding, laid down 16 March 1944, launched 3 October 1944 and completed 24 February 1945. Broken up in August 1963 at Inverkeithing.
  • HMSLoch Morlich(K517)– built by Swan Hunter, laid down 15 July 1943, launched 25 January 1944 and completed 2 August 1944; transferred toRoyal Canadian Navyon completion, returned toRoyal Navyin 1945. Transferred toRoyal New Zealand Navyon 11 April 1949 asTutira.
  • HMSLoch Quoich(K434)– built by Blyth Dry Dock, laid down 3 December 1943, launched 2 September 1944 and completed 11 January 1945. Broken up in November 1957 at Dunston.
  • HMSLoch Ruthven(K645)– built byCharles Hill & Sons,laid down 4 January 1944, launched 3 June 1944 and completed 6 October 1944. Broken up in 1966 at Plymouth.
  • HMSLoch Scavaig(K648)– built byCharles Hill & Sons,laid down 31 March 1944, launched 9 September 1944 and completed 22 December 1944. Broken up in September 1959 at Genoa.
  • HMSLoch Shin(K421)– built by Swan Hunter, laid down 6 September 1943, launched 23 February 1944 and completed 10 October 1944. Transferred toRoyal New Zealand Navyon 13 September 1948 asTaupo.
  • HMSLoch Tarbert(K431)– built by Ailsa Shipbuilding, laid down 30 November 1943, launched 19 October 1944 and completed 22 February 1945. Broken up in September 1959 at Genoa.
  • HMSLoch Torridon(K654)– built by Swan Hunter, launched 13 January 1945 and completed 19 October 1945 as Coastal Forcesdepot shipHMSWoodbridge Haven.Broken up August 1965 at Blyth.
  • HMSLoch Tralaig(K655)– built by Caledon Shipbuilding, laid down 26 June 1944, launched 12 February 1945 and completed 4 July 1945. Broken up in August 1963 at Bo'ness.
  • HMSLoch Veyatie(K658)– built by Ailsa Shipbuilding, laid down 30 March 1944, launched 8 October 1945 and completed 13 July 1946. Broken up in August 1965 at Dalmuir.

Transferred ships

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Royal Canadian Navy

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All three were returned to the Royal Navy in 1945.

South African Navy

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Royal New Zealand Navy

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  • HMNZSPukaki(ex- HMSLoch Achanalt). Broken up in January 1966 at Hong Kong.
  • HMNZSKaniere(ex- HMSLoch Achray). Sold in 1966 for breaking up at Hong Kong.
  • HMNZSRotoiti(ex- HMSLoch Katrine). Sold in November 1966 for breaking up at Hong Kong.
  • HMNZSHawea(ex- HMSLoch Eck). Sold in September 1965 for breaking up in Hong Kong.
  • HMNZSTaupo(ex- HMSLoch Shin). Sold 15 December 1961 for breaking up.
  • HMNZSTutira(ex- HMSLoch Morlich). Sold 15 December 1961 for breaking up.

Ex-Royal Navy vessels, transferred from 1948.

Royal Malaysian Navy

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  • Hang Tuah(ex- HMSLoch Insh). Retired and scrapped in 1977.

Cancelled 54 ships (Royal Navy)

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  • HMSLoch Affric(K 601) from Ailsa Shipbuilding, Troon.
  • HMSLoch Clunie(K 607) from Ailsa Shipbuilding, Troon.
  • HMSLoch Ericht(K 612) from Ailsa Shipbuilding, Troon.
  • HMSLoch Erisort(K 613) from Barclay Curle, Glasgow.
  • HMSLoch Garve(K 617) from Hall Russell.
  • HMSLoch Griam(K 621) from Swan Hunter.
  • HMSLoch Harray(K 623) from Smith's Dock.
  • HMSLoch Ken(K 626) from Smith's Dock.
  • HMSLoch Kirbister(K 629) from Swan Hunter.
  • HMSLoch Linfern(K 631) from Smith's Dock.
  • HMSLoch Linnhe(K 632) from William Pickersgill.
  • HMSLoch Lyon(K 635) from Swan Hunter.
  • HMSLoch Minnick(K 637) from Smith's Dock.
  • HMSLoch Nell(K 641) from Henry Robb.
  • HMSLoch Odairn(K 642) from Henry Robb.
  • HMSLoch Ossian(K 643) from Smith's Dock.
  • HMSLoch Ryan(K 646) from William Pickersgill.
  • HMSLoch Scrivain(K 649) from William Pickersgill.
  • HMSLoch Tanna(K 652) from Blyth Dry Dock.
  • HMSLoch Tilt(K 653) from William Pickersgill.
  • HMSLoch Urgill(K 656) from Blyth Dry Dock.
  • HMSLoch Vennacher(K 657) from Blyth Dry Dock.
  • HMSLoch Watten(K 659) from Blyth Dry Dock.
  • HMSLoch Awefrom Harland & Wolff.
  • HMSLoch Badcallfrom William Pickersgill.
  • HMSLoch Caroyfrom William Pickersgill.
  • HMSLoch Doinefrom Smith's Dock.
  • HMSLoch Creranfrom Smith's Dock.
  • HMSLoch EarnfromCharles Hill & Sons.
  • HMSLoch Enochfrom Harland & Wolff.
  • HMSLoch Eyefrom Harland & Wolff.
  • HMSLoch Eyenortfrom Harland & Wolff.
  • HMSLoch Glashanfrom Smith's Dock.
  • HMSLoch Goilfrom Harland & Wolff.
  • HMSLoch Hournfrom Harland & Wolff.
  • HMSLoch Inchardfrom Harland & Wolff.
  • HMSLoch Kirkaigfrom Harland & Wolff.
  • HMSLoch Kishornfrom Henry Robb.
  • HMSLoch Knochiefrom William Pickersgill.
  • HMSLoch Larofrom Harland & Wolff.
  • HMSLoch Lurganfrom Harland & Wolff.
  • HMSLoch Maberryfrom Hall Russell.
  • HMSLoch Ronaldfrom Harland & Wolff.
  • HMSLoch Sheallahfrom Harland & Wolff.
  • HMSLoch Shielfrom Harland & Wolff.
  • HMSLoch Skaigfrom Smith's Dock.
  • HMSLoch SkerrowfromCharles Hill & Sons.
  • HMSLoch Stemsterfrom Harland & Wolff.
  • HMSLoch Stennessfrom Smith's Dock.
  • HMSLoch Strivenfrom Harland & Wolff.
  • HMSLoch Sunartfrom Harland & Wolff.
  • HMSLoch Swinfrom Harland & Wolff.
  • HMSLoch Tummellfrom Harland & Wolff.
  • HMSLoch Vanaviefrom Harland & Wolff.

See also

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Bibliography

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  • Colledge, J. J.;Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969].Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy(Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing.ISBN978-1-86176-281-8.
  • British and Empire Warships of the Second World War,H T Lenton, Greenhill Books,ISBN1-85367-277-7
  • Royal Navy Frigates 1945–1983,Leo Marriott, Ian Allan, 1983,ISBN0-7110-1322-5
  • Uboat.net article on Loch class frigates

Further reading

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