Kittiwake 1939
Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
Kingfisher | L70 - K70 | 650 | Fairfield, Govan | 6.1934 | 14.2.1935 | 6.1935 | sold 4.1947 |
Kittiwake | L30 - K30 | 1152 | Thornycroft, Woolston | 4.1936 | 30.11.1936 | 4.1937 | sold mercantile 9.1946 |
Mallard | L42 - K42 | 547 | A. Stephens, Linthouse | 6.1935 | 26.3.1936 | 7.1936 | sold 4.1947 |
Puffin | L52 - K52 | 548 | A. Stephens, Linthouse | 6.1935 | 5.5.1936 | 8.1936 | CTL 26.3.1945 |
Sheldrake | L06 - K06 | 1153 | Thornycroft, Woolston | 6.1936 | 28.1.1937 | 7.1937 | sold mercantile 8.1946 |
Widgeon | L62 - K62 | 1701 | Yarrow, Scotstoun | 3.1937 | 2.2.1938 | 6.1938 | sold 4.1947 |
Displacement standard, t |
510 - 530 |
Displacement full, t |
740 - 745 |
Length, m |
74.1 |
Breadth, m |
8.08 |
Draught, m |
2.44 deep load |
No of shafts |
2 |
Machinery |
2 sets Parsons geared steam turbines, 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers |
Power, h. p. |
3600 |
Max speed, kts |
20 |
Fuel, t |
oil 160 - 172 |
Endurance, nm(kts) | |
Armament |
1 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk V, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (30) |
Sensors | presumably type 121 sonar |
Complement |
60 |
Project history: Initially classified as coastal sloops. As well as their direct predecessors of "Ð" class intended, first of all, for ASW service. The beautiful ships, but very poorly adapted to the basic purpose. Their shallow draught was, more likely, a lack, than advantage as overall sonar performance directly depends on depth of its placement. Besides, the ships had no reserve of displacement for serious strengthening of AA armament. Last circumstance would be not so important, if endurance of these ships would sufficient for their usage somewhere outside of an inshore British waters. Alas, as a result of a small fuel stowage low endurance and seaworthiness have limited their usage in those places where the greatest threat from air first of all was expected.
Modernizations: late 1930s, all: - 1 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk V; + 1 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk V (HA)
1940, all: + 1 x 4 - 12.7/62, DC stowage was increased up to 60.
1941-1943, almost all: + type 286 or type 271 radar
1942, all: + - 1 x 4 - 12.7/62; 2 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV
1/1946: 1 x 1 - 102/45 HA Mk III, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Mk III, 4 DCT, 2 DCR (60), type 271 radar, type 121 sonar
Naval service: Puffin was badly damaged 26.3.1945 by torpedo explosion on German midget submarine which she has rammed. She was not repaired and stricken.
Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.
Kingfisher 1935
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-15