MURCHISON frigates (1945-1947)
Murchison 1945
Condamine 1954
Culgoa 1963
| 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 |
|
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) õ 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) õ 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 |
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.
Murchison 1946
© Ivan Gogin, 2015