Hadleigh Castle 1943
Hadleigh Castle 1945
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Allington Castle (ex-Amaryllis) | K689 - F89 | 598 | Fleming & Ferguson, Paisley | 7/1943 | 29.2.1944 | 6/1944 | BU 12.1958 |
| Alnwick Castle | K405 - F105 | 229 | George Brown, Greenock | 6/1943 | 23.5.1944 | 11/1944 | BU 12.1958 |
| Alton Castle | Fleming & Ferguson, Paisley | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 10.1943 | ||
| Amberley Castle | K386 - F286 | 377 | Austin, Sunderland | 5/1943 | 27.11.1943 | 11/1944 | meteorological vessel 1960 |
| Appleby Castle | 379 | Austin, Sunderland | 1943 | --- | --- | cancelled 10.1943 | |
| Arnprior (ex-Rising Castle) (RCN) | K494 | 1240 | Harland & Wolff, Belfast | 6.1943 | 8.2.1944 | 6.1944 | to Uruguay 1948 (Montevideo) |
| Avedon Castle | 33 | Kingston, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Bamborough Castle | K412 - F12 | 177 | Lewis, Aberdeen | 7.1943 | 11.1.1944 | 5.1944 | BU 5.1959 |
| Barnard Castle | K594 | 230 | George Brown, Greenock | 1943 | 3.10.1944 | 1945 // --- | completed as convoy rescue ship Empire Shelter |
| Barnwell Castle | 34 | Kingston, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Beeston Castle | 35 | Kingston, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Bere Castle | George Brown, Greenock | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 10.1943 | ||
| Berkeley Castle | K387 - F387 | 699 | Barclay Curle, Glasgow | 3.1943 | 19.8.1943 | 11.1943 | technical accident 2.1953, never repaired, BU 2.1956 |
| Bodiam Castle | 116 | Collingwood, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Bolton Castle | 117 | Collingwood, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Bowes Castle | 36 | Kingston, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Bowmanville (ex-Nunnery Castle) (RCN) | K493 | 263 | Pickersgill, Sunderland | 8.1943 | 26.1.1944 | 9.1944 | sold 1947 |
| Bramber Castle | 118 | Collingwood, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Bridgenorth Castle | 119 | Collingwood, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Brough Castle | 120 | Collingwood, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Caistor Castle | K690 - F690 | 178 | Lewis, Aberdeen | 8.1943 | 22.5.1944 | 9.1944 | BU 1956 |
| Caldecot Castle | George Brown, Greenock | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 10.1943 | ||
| Calshot Castle | Inglis, Glasgow | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 10.1943 | ||
| Canterbury Castle | 19 | Midland, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Carew Castle | 20 | Midland, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Carisbrooke Castle | K379 - F379 | 414 | Caledon, Dundee | 3.1943 | 31.7.1943 | 11.1943 | BU 6.1958 |
| Chepstow Castle | 121 | Collingwood, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Chester Castle | 122 | Collingwood, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Christchurch Castle | 21 | Midland, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Clare Castle | Collingwood, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | ||
| Clavering Castle | Collingwood, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | ||
| Clitheroe Castle | Collingwood, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | ||
| Clun Castle | 22 | Midland, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Colchester Castle | 23 | Midland, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Copper Cliff (ex-Hever Castle) (RCN) | K495 | Blyth | 6.1943 | 24.2.1944 | 7.1944 | sold 1947 | |
| Corfe Castle | Collingwood, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | ||
| Cornet Castle | Collingwood, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | ||
| Cowes Castle | Collingwood, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | ||
| Cowling Castle | 24 | Midland, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Criccieth Castle | 53 | Morton, Quebec City, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Cromer Castle | 25 | Midland, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Denbigh Castle | K696 | 179 | Lewis, Aberdeen | 9.1943 | 5.8.1944 | 12.1944 | sunk 13.2.1945 |
| Divizes Castle | 37 | Kingston, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Dhyfe Castle | Collingwood, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | ||
| Dover Castle | Inglis, Glasgow | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 10.1943 | ||
| Dudley Castle | Inglis, Glasgow | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 10.1943 | ||
| Dumbarton Castle | K388 - F388 | 415 | Caledon, Dundee | 5.1943 | 28.9.1943 | 2.1944 | BU 3.1961 |
| Dunster Castle | 26 | Midland, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Egremont Castle | 38 | Kingston, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Farnham Castle | K413 - F413 | 212 | Crown, Sunderland | 6.1943 | 25.4.1944 | 1.1945 | BU 10.1964 |
| Flint Castle | K383 - F383 | 343 | Robb, Leith | 4.1943 | 1.9.1943 | 12.1943 | BU 7.1958 |
| Fotheringay Castle | 54 | Morton, Quebec City, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Hadleigh Castle | K355 - F355 | 124 | Smiths Dock, South Bank | 4.1943 | 21.6.1943 | 9.1943 | BU 1.1959 |
| Hedingham Castle (ex-Gorey Castle) | K529 - F386 | 213 | Crown, Sunderland | 11.1943 | 30.10.1944 | 5.1945 | BU 4.1958 |
| Helmsley Castle | 55 | Morton, Quebec City, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Hespeler (ex-Guilford Castle) (RCN) | K489 | 344 | Robb, Leith | 5.1943 | 13.11.1943 | 2.1944 | sold 1947 |
| Humberstone (ex-Norham Castle, ex-Totnes Castle) (RCN) | K497 | 1235 | Inglis, Glasgow | 8.1943 | 12.4.1944 | 9.1944 | sold 1947 |
| Huntsville (ex-Wolvesey Castle) (RCN) | K499 | 451 | Ailsa, Troon | 6.1943 | 24.2.1944 | 6.1944 | sold 1947 |
| Hurst Castle | K416 | 416 | Caledon, Dundee | 8.1943 | 23.2.1944 | 6.1944 | sunk 1.9.1944 |
| Kenilworth Castle | K420 - F420 | 1125 | Smiths Dock, South Bank | 5.1943 | 17.8.1943 | 11.1943 | BU 6.1959 |
| Kincardine (ex-Tamworth Castle) (RCN) | K490 | 1127 | Smiths Dock, South Bank | 8.1943 | 26.1.1944 | 6.1944 | sold 1947 |
| Knaresborough Castle | K389 - F389 | Blyth | 4.1943 | 28.9.1943 | 4.1944 | BU 3.1956 | |
| Lancaster Castle | K691 - F691 | 653 | Fleming & Ferguson, Paisley | 9.1943 | 14.4.1944 | 9.1944 | BU 9.1960 |
| Launceston Castle | K397 - F397 | Blyth | 5.1943 | 27.11.1943 | 6.1944 | BU 8.1959 | |
| Leaside (ex-Walmer Castle) (RCN) | K492 | 1128 | Smiths Dock, South Bank | 9.1943 | 10.3.1944 | 8.1944 | sold 11.1946 |
| Leeds Castle | K384 - F384 | 261 | Pickersgill, Sunderland | 4.1943 | 12.10.1943 | 2.1944 | BU 6.1958 |
| Maiden Castle | K443 | 654 | Fleming & Ferguson, Paisley | 1943 | 8.6.1944 | 11.1944 // --- | completed as convoy rescue ship Empire Lifeguard |
| Malling Castle | 56 | Morton, Quebec City, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Malmesbury Castle | 57 | Morton, Quebec City, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Monmouth Castle | Lewis, Aberdeen | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 10.1943 | ||
| Morpeth Castle | K693 - F693 | 262 | Pickersgill, Sunderland | 6.1943 | 26.11.1943 | 7.1944 | BU 8.1960 |
| Norwich Castle | George Brown, Greenock | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 10.1943 | ||
| Oakham Castle | K530 - F530 | 1236 | Inglis, Glasgow | 11.1943 | 20.7.1944 | 12.1944 | meteorological vessel 1957 |
| Orangeville (ex-Hedingham Castle) (RCN) | K491 | 345 | Robb, Leith | 7.1943 | 26.1.1944 | 4.1944 | sold 1947 |
| Oswestry Castle | Crown, Sunderland | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 10.1943 | ||
| Oxford Castle | K692 - F692 | 1238 | Harland & Wolff, Belfast | 6.1943 | 11.12.1943 | 3.1944 | BU 9.1960 |
| Pendennis Castle | Crown, Sunderland | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 10.1943 | ||
| Petrolia (ex-Sherborne Castle) (RCN) | K498 | 1241 | Harland & Wolff, Belfast | 6.1943 | 24.2.1944 | 6.1944 | BU 1946 |
| Pevensey Castle | K449 - F449 | 1239 | Harland & Wolff, Belfast | 6.1943 | 11.1.1944 | 6.1944 | meteorological vessel 1959 |
| Portchester Castle | K362 - F362 | 1778 | Swan Hunter, Wallsend | 3.1943 | 21.6.1943 | 11.1943 | BU 5.1958 |
| Raby Castle | 58 | Morton, Quebec City, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Rayleigh Castle | K695 | 371 | Ferguson, Glasgow | 1943 | 19.6.1944 | 10.1944 // --- | completed as convoy rescue ship Empire Rest |
| Rhuddlan Castle | Crown, Sunderland | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 10.1943 | ||
| Rushen Castle | K372 - F372 | 1780 | Swan Hunter, Wallsend | 4.1943 | 16.7.1943 | 2.1944 | meteorological vessel 1960 |
| St. Thomas (ex-Sandgate Castle) (RCN) | K488 | 1126 | Smiths Dock, South Bank | 6.1943 | 28.12.1943 | 5.1944 | sold 1946 |
| Scarborough Castle | K536 | 665 | Fleming & Ferguson, Paisley | 1944 | 8.9.1944 | 1.1945 // --- | completed as convoy rescue ship Empire Peacemaker |
| Shrewsbury Castle | 1782 | Swan Hunter, Wallsend | 5.1943 | 16.8.1943 | 4.1944 // --- | to Norway at completion (Tunsberg Castle) | |
| Thornbury Castle | Ferguson, Glasgow | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 10.1943 | ||
| Tillsonburg (ex-Pembroke Castle) (RCN) | K496 | 370 | Ferguson, Glasgow | 6.1943 | 12.2.1944 | 6.1944 | sold 1947 |
| Tintagel Castle | K399 - F399 | 450 | Ailsa, Troon | 4.1943 | 13.12.1943 | 4.1944 | BU 6.1958 |
| Trematon Castle | 59 | Morton, Quebec City, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Tonbridge Castle | 378 | Austin, Sunderland | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 10.1943 | |
| Tutbury Castle | 60 | Morton, Quebec City, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| Warkworth Castle | Fleming & Ferguson, Paisley | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 10.1943 | ||
| Wigmore Castle | 27 | Midland, Canada | --- | --- | --- | cancelled 12.1943 | |
| York Castle | K537 | 372 | Ferguson, Glasgow | 1944 | 20.9.1944 | 2.1945 // --- | completed as convoy rescue ship Empire Comfort |
|
Displacement standard, t |
1010 - 1060 |
|
Displacement full, t |
1590 - 1630 |
|
Length, m |
68.6 pp 76.8 oa |
|
Breadth, m |
11.2 |
|
Draught, m |
4.11 - 4.19 deep load |
|
No of shafts |
1 |
|
Machinery |
1 VTE, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
2750 |
|
Max speed, kts |
16.5 |
|
Fuel, t |
oil 480 |
|
Endurance, nm(kts) |
6200(15) |
|
Armament |
1 x 1 - 102/40 QF Mk XIX, 2 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, (2 - 6) x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, 1 x 3 - 305 Squid ASWRL, 2 DCT, 1 DCR (15) |
|
Sensors |
British-built ships: type 271 or type 272 radar, type 144, type 147 sonars Canadian-built ships: type 271 or type 277 radar, type 144, type 147 sonars |
|
Complement |
120 |
Project history: The further development of successful "Flower" class. The dimensions of the hull have been increased for elimination of the basic lacks of a prototype: bad habitability and a small fuel stowage. Though machinery practically without changes copied previous class at the expense of increase in the L/B ratio, maximal speed remained practically the same. Larger dimensions allowed to place more powerful anti-submarine armament: "Castle" class corvettes became the first British ships carrying newest Squid ASWRL. In total under the 1942 and 1943 Programmes it was planned to built 59 ships, however only 39 entered service under an original design. 5 more (Empire Shelter, Empire Rest, Empire Lifeguard, Empire Peacemaker and Empire Comfort) have been completed as convoy rescue ships and carried a merchant flag, formally not being a part of the Royal Navy. Instead of regular armament they had 2 õ 1 76mm/40 guns and 4 õ 1 20mm Oerlikons. Remaining ships were cancelled, as well as on 36, planed to building in Canada.
Modernizations: None.
1/1946: 1 x 1 - 102/40 CP Mk XXIII, 2 x 2 - 20/70 Mk V, (2 - 6) x 1 - 20/70 Mk III, 1 x 3 - 305 Squid Mk III ASWRL, 2 DCT, 1 DCR (15), type 271 or type 272 or type 277 radar, type 144, type 147 sonars
Naval service: Hurst Castle 1.9.1944 was sunk by German submarine U482 W of Ireland, Denbigh Castle 13.2.1945 was sunk by U992 in Barents Sea. All were reclassified to frigates in 1947. Berkeley Castle was turned over in dock in February 1953 and never repaired. Meteorological vessels were armed by 1 40/60-mm Bofors gun and 1 Squid.
Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.
Flint Castle 1951
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-15