SILVIO sloop (1918/1924)
Silvio 1924
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Silvio, 4.1925- Moresby | T05 | Barclay Curle, Glasgow, UK | 11/1917 | 12.4.1918 | 6.1918 // 12.1924 | survey ship Moresby 4.1925, escort 1940, BU 1946 |
|
Displacement normal, t |
1320 |
|
Displacement full, t |
1493 |
|
Length, m |
81.5 |
|
Breadth, m |
10.7 |
|
Draught, m |
3.20 |
|
No of shafts |
1 |
|
Machinery |
1 VTE, 2 cylindrical boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
2500 |
|
Max speed, kts |
17 |
|
Fuel, t |
coal 260 |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | |
|
Armament |
2 x 1 - 102/40 QF Mk IV or 2 x 1 - 102/44 BL Mk IX or 2 x 1 - 102/45 BL Mk X, 2 DCT, 2 DCR (39 DC), mechanical minesweeping gear |
|
Complement |
82 |
Project history: A further class of 24 escort sloops was ordered between December 1916 and April 1917, modelled on the 'Flower' class but carrying the decoy principle to the ultimate, being double-ended, with identical deckhouses and gunshields forward and aft. Although named after famous racehorses they could easily be confused with the 'Racecourse' class minesweepers and so they became known officially as the '24' class, from the number planned. They proved indifferent seaboats, being inclined to roll, and were not rated as highly as the 'Flowers'. When dazzle-painted their course was extremely hard to determine, especially as Ormonde, Iroquois, Silvio and Sir Bevis had the mast abaft the funnel, whereas the others had it before. Ten were completed by the Armistice.
Modernizations: None.
Naval service: Silvio transferred to Australia in December 1924 for conversion to survey ship; recommissioned as HMAS Moresby in April 1925; rearmed 1940.
© Ivan Gogin, 2015