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List of Captain-class frigates

The Captain class was a designation given to 78 frigates of the Royal Navy, constructed in the United States, launched in 1942–1943 and delivered to the United Kingdom under the provisions of the Lend-Lease agreement, they were drawn from two subclasses of the American destroyer escort classification; 32 from the GMT type Evarts subclass and 46 from the TE type Buckley subclass.

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The Captain class was a designation given to 78 frigates of the Royal Navy, constructed in the United States, launched in 1942–1943 and delivered to the United Kingdom under the provisions of the Lend-Lease agreement (the program under which the United States supplied the United Kingdom and other Allied nations with materials between 1941 and 1945), they were drawn from two subclasses of the American destroyer escort (originally British destroyer escort) classification; 32 from the GMT type Evarts subclass and 46 from the TE type Buckley subclass.

Naming

It was the intention of the Admiralty that these ships were to be named after captains that served with Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar but as building continued, it became necessary to delve back further into history for names of admirals and captains of reputation.1

Sixty-six of the 78 frigates bear names that had not previously been allocated earlier Royal Navy ships. Lawford, Louis, Manners, Moorsom, Mounsey, Narborough, Pasley and Seymour had been previously used for destroyers during World War I.1 Rupert was the fifth of that name since 1666.1 Torrington was the fourth of that name since 1654.1 Holmes had been used once before in 16711 and Fitzroy, after Robert FitzRoy, the pioneering meteorologist, had previously been used for a survey vessel in 1919.1

Ships

Evarts group (diesel-electric machinery)

The Evarts subclass had diesel-electric machinery, based on an arrangement used for submarines.2 There were two shafts.2 Four Winton 278A 16-cylinder engines, with a combined rating of 7,040 bhp (5,250 kW), driving General Electric Company (GE) generators (4,800 kW) supplied power to two GE electric motors, with an output of 6,000 shp (4,500 kW), for 20 knots (37 km/h).2 For this reason they were referred to as the GMT (General Motors Tandem) type. It had been intended to provide a further set of this machinery, for an output of 12,000 shp (8,900 kW) to make the design speed of 24 knots (44 km/h), but hull production greatly outstripped that of the machinery, therefore only one set of machinery was used per ship.2 All the DE Captains were built by Boston Navy Yard. Except HMS Drury (K316) who appears to be the odd one out.

Ship Pennant U.S. hull no. Namesake Laid down Launched Commissioned Fate
Bayntun K3103 (B)DE-1 Henry William Bayntunnote 1 5 April 1942 27 June 1942 13 February 1943 Returned to US Navy 22 August 1945,3 sold for scrapping, 17 June 1947
Bazely K3113 (B)DE-2 John Bazely 5 April 1942 27 June 1942 18 February 1943 Returned to US Navy 20 August 1945,3 scrapped, 1946
Berry K3123 (B)DE-3 Edward Berrynote 1 22 September 1942 23 November 1942 15 February 1943 Returned to US Navy 15 February 1946,3 sold for scrapping, 9 November 1946
Blackwood K3133 (B)DE-4 Henry Blackwood 22 September 1942 23 November 1942 27 March 1943 Torpedoed on 15 June 1944 and foundered the next day3
Burges K3473 (B)DE-12 Richard Rundle Burges 8 December 1942 26 January 1943 2 June 1943 Returned to US Navy 27 February 1946,3 sold for scrapping, 14 November 1946
Capel K4703 DE-266 Thomas Bladen Capel 11 March 1943 22 April 1943 16 August 1943 Sunk on 26 December 19443
Cooke K4713 DE-267 John Cookenote 1 11 March 1943 22 April 1943 30 August 1943 Returned to US Navy 5 March 1946,3 sold, 1947
Dacres K4723 DE-268 James Richard Dacres 7 April 1943 19 May 1943 28 August 1943 Returned to US Navy 26 January 1946,3 sold for scrapping, 14 December 1946
Domett K4733 DE-269 William Domett 7 April 1943 19 May 1943 3 September 1943 Returned to US Navy 5 March 1946,3 sold, 3 June 1947
Drury K3163 (B)DE-46 Thomas Drury 12 February 1942 24 July 1942 12 April 1943 Returned to US Navy 20 August 1945,3 scrapped, June 1946
Foley K4743 DE-270 Thomas Foleynote 2 7 April 1943 19 May 1943 8 September 1943 Returned to US Navy 22 August 1945,3 scrapped, June 1946
Gardiner K4783 DE-274 Arthur Gardiner4 20 May 1943 8 July 1943 28 September 1943 Returned to US Navy 12 February 1946,3 scrapped, June 1947
Garlies K4753 DE-271 George Stewart, Viscount Garlies 7 April 1943 19 May 1943 13 September 1943 Returned to US Navy 20 August 1945, sold for scrapping, 18 July 1947
Goodall K4793 DE-275 Samuel Goodall 20 May 1943 8 July 1943 4 October 1943 Torpedoed on 29 April 1945;3 sunk by gunfire from HMS Anguilla (K500) 30 April 19455
Goodson K4806 DE-276 William Goodsonn 20 May 1943 8 July 1943 9 October 1943 Damaged on 26 June 19446 and declared a Constructive Total Loss,6 returned to US Navy in January 19476
Gore K4816 DE-277 John Gore 20 May 1943 8 July 1943 14 October 1943 Returned to US Navy 2 May 1946,6 sold for scrapping, 10 June 1947
Gould K4763 DE-272 Davidge Gouldnote 2 23 April 1942 4 June 1943 18 September 1943 Sunk on 1 March 19443
Grindall K4773 DE-273 Richard Grindallnote 1 23 April 1942 4 June 1943 23 September 1943 Returned to US Navy 20 August 1945,3 sold for scrapping, May 1946
Hoste K5666 DE-521 William Hoste 14 August 1943 24 September 1943 3 December 1943 Returned to US Navy 22 August 1945,6 sold for scrapping, May 1946
Inglis K5706 DE-525 Charles Inglis 25 September 1943 2 November 1943 12 January 1944 Returned to US Navy 20 March 1946,6 sold for scrapping, September 1947
Inman K5716 DE-526 Henry Inman 25 September 1943 2 November 1943 13 January 1944 Returned to US Navy 1 March 1946,6 sold for scrapping
Keats K4826 DE-278 Richard Goodwin Keats 5 June 1943 17 July 1943 19 October 1943 Returned to US Navy 27 February 1946,6 sold for scrapping, 19 November 1946
Kempthorne K4836 DE-279 John Kempthorne 5 June 1943 17 July 1943 23 October 1943 Returned to US Navy 20 August 1945,6 sold for scrapping, May 1946
Kingsmill K4846 DE-280 Robert Kingsmill 9 July 1943 13 August 1943 23 October 1943 Returned to US Navy 22 August 1945,6 sold for scrapping, 17 February 1947
Lawford K5146 DE-516 John Lawford 9 July 1943 13 August 1943 3 November 1943 Sunk on 8 June 19446
Lawson K5166 DE-518 John Lawson 15 July 1943 13 August 1943 25 November 1943 Returned to US Navy 20 March 1946,6 sold for scrapping, 31 January 1947
Loring K5656 DE-520 John Wentworth Loring 18 July 1943 13 August 1943 15 November 1943 Returned to US Navy 7 January 1947,6 sold for scrapping, 25 March 1947
Louis K5156 DE-517 Thomas Louis 9 July 1943 13 August 1943 9 November 1943 Returned to US Navy 20 March 1946,6 sold to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 17 June 1946
Manners K5686 DE-523 Robert Manners 14 August 1943 24 September 1943 16 December 1943 Damaged on 26 January 1945,6 declared a Constructive Total Loss6 and returned to US Navy 8 November 1945,6 scrapped 1947
Moorsom K5676 DE-522 Robert Moorsom 14 August 1943 24 September 1943 10 December 1943 Returned to US Navy 25 October 1945,6 sold for scrapping, July 1946
Mounsey K5696 DE-524 William Mounsey 14 August 1943 24 September 1943 23 December 1943 Returned to US Navy 27 February 1945,6 sold for scrapping, 8 November 1946
Pasley K5646 DE-519 Thomas Pasley 18 July 1943 30 August 1943 15 November 1943 Returned to US Navy 20 August 1945,6 sold for scrapping, 8 November 1946

Buckley group (turbo-electric machinery)

The Buckley subclass had turbo-electric machinery.2 Because of this they were referred to as the TE type. Two Foster Wheeler7 Express "D"-type water-tube boilers supplied steam to GE 13,500 shp (10,070 kW) steam turbines and generators (9,200 kW). Electric motors for 12,000 shp (8,900 kW)7 drove the two shafts each fitted with a three-bladed propeller of solid manganese-bronze that was 8.5 feet (2.6 m) in diameter.8 This all electric drive-train was considered particularly innovative at the time (although the Catherine-class minesweepers had a similar arrangement).

All the electric drive Captains were built by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation.

Ship Pennant U.S. hull no. Namesake Laid down Launched Commissioned Fate
Affleck K4629 DE-7110 Edmund Affleck 5 April 194310 30 June 194310 29 September 194310 Torpedoed on 26 December 1944 remained inactive until returned to US Navy 1 September 1946,9 sold for scrapping on 24 January 1947.10
Aylmer K4639 DE-7211 Matthew Aylmer 12 April 194311 10 July 194311 30 September 194311 Returned to US Navy 5 November 1945,9 sold for scrap, 9 June 194711
Balfour K4649 DE-7312 George Balfour 19 April 194312 10 July 194312 7 October 194312 Returned to US Navy 25 October 1945,9 sold to the State of New York for use by the New York Maritime Academy12
Bentinck K3149 DE-5213 John Bentinck 29 June 194213 3 February 194313 19 May 194313 Returned to US Navy 5 January 1946,9 sold to the Northern Metals Co., of Philadelphia, Pa., in June 1946, and scrapped13
Bentley K4659 DE-7414 John Bentley 26 April 194314 17 July 194314 14 October 194314 Returned to US Navy 5 November 1945,9 sold for scrap, 17 June 194714
Bickerton K4669 DE-7515 Richard Bickertonnote 3 3 May 194315 24 July 194315 17 October 194315 Torpedoed by U-354 on 22 August 1944; scuttled with torpedoes by the destroyer Vigilant16
Bligh K4679 DE-7617 William Bligh 10 May 194317 31 July 194317 22 October 194317 Returned to US Navy 12 November 1945,9 sold for scrap, 13 June 194617
Braithwaite K4689 DE-7718 Samuel Braithwaite 10 May 194318 31 July 194318 13 November 194318 Returned to US Navy 13 November 1945,9 sold for scrap in June 194618
Bullen K4699 DE-78 Charles Bullennote 1 17 May 1943 7 August 1943 25 October 1943 Sunk on 6 December 1944 by U-7759
Byard K3159 DE-55 Thomas Byard 15 October 1942 6 March 1943 18 June 1943 Returned to US Navy 12 February 1945,9 sold for scrap, 1946
Byron K5089 DE-79 John Byron 24 May 1943 14 August 1943 30 October 1943 Returned to US Navy 24 November 1945,9 sold for scrap, 25 October 1947
Calder K3499 DE-58 Robert Calder 11 December 1942 27 March 1943 15 July 1943 Returned to US Navy 19 October 1945,9 sold for scrap, 15 January 1948
Conn K5099 DE-80 John Connnote 1 2 June 1943 21 August 1943 31 October 1943 Returned to US Navy 26 November 1945,9 sold for scrap, 21 January 1948
Cosby K55919 DE-94 Phillips Cosby 11 August 1943 20 October 1943 20 December 1943 Returned to US Navy 4 March 1946,19 sold for scrap, 5 November 1946
Cotton K5109 DE-81 Charles Cotton 2 June 1943 21 August 1943 8 November 1943 Returned to US Navy 5 November 1956,9 sold for scrap
Cranstoun K5119 DE-82 James Cranstoun 9 June 1943 28 August 1943 13 November 1943 Returned to US Navy 3 December 1945,9 sold for scrap
Cubitt K5129 DE-83 J Cubitt 9 June 1943 11 September 1943 17 November 1943 Returned to US Navy 4 March 1946,9 sold for scrap, 4 March 1947
Curzon K5139 DE-84 Henry Curzon or Edward Curzon 23 June 1943 18 September 1943 20 November 1943 Returned to US Navy 27 March 1946,9 sold for scrap, 4 November 1946
Dakins K5509 DE-85 George Dakins 23 June 1943 18 September 1943 23 November 1943 Damaged by mine, 25 December 1944 and declared total loss, returned to US Navy in September 19469 and sold for scrap on 9 January 1947
Deane K5519 DE-86 Joseph Deane 30 June 1943 29 September 1943 26 November 1943 Returned to US Navy 4 March 1946,9 sold for scrap, 7 November 1946
Duckworth K3519 DE-61 John Duckworth 16 January 1943 1 May 1943 4 August 1943 Returned to US Navy 17 December 1945,9 sold for scrap, 29 May 1946
Duff K3529 DE-64 George Duffnote 1 22 February 1943 22 May 1943 23 August 1943 Constructive Total Loss after hitting a mine off the Dutch coast on 30 November 1944, returned to US Navy 1 November 1946,9 sold for scrap
Ekins K5529 DE-87 Charles Ekins 5 July 1943 2 October 1943 29 November 1943 Damaged by mine, 16 April 1945, declared total loss, returned to US Navy in July 19459 sold for scrap, March 1947
Essington K3539 DE-67 William Essington 15 March 1943 19 June 1943 7 September 1943 Returned to US Navy 19 October 1946,9 sold for scrap, 22 December 1947
Fitzroy K5539 DE-88 Robert FitzRoy 24 August 1943 1 September 1943 16 October 1943 Returned to US Navy 5 January 1946,9 sold for scrap, 23 May 1946
Halsted K55619 DE-91 Lawrence Halsted 28 July 1943 14 October 1943 3 November 1943 Damaged on 11 June 1944, declared a total loss, returned to US Navy September 194619 and scrapped from 28 March 1947
Hargood K58219 DE-573 William Hargood 27 October 1943 19 December 1943 7 February 1944 Returned to US Navy 23 February 1946,19 sold for scrap, March 1947
Holmes K58119 DE-572 Robert Holmes 27 October 1943 19 December 1943 31 January 1944 Returned to US Navy 3 December 1945,19 sold for scrap, October 1947
Hotham K58319 DE-57420 William Hotham 5 November 1943 21 December 194320 8 February 194420 Hotham was returned on 25 April 1952 to the US Navy and simultaneously transferred back to the United Kingdom under the Mutual Defence Assistance Program.20 The partially stripped vessel20 was later returned to United States custody on 13 March 1956.19
Narborough K57819 DE-569 John Narborough 6 October 1943 27 November 1943 21 January 1944 Returned to US Navy 4 February 1946,19 sold for scrap, 14 December 1946
Redmill K5549 DE-89 Robert Redmill 14 July 1943 2 October 1943 30 November 1943 Damaged on 27 April 1945, returned to US Navy on 20 January 19479 and scrapped
Retalick K5559 DE-90 Richard Retalick 21 July 1943 9 October 1943 8 December 1943 Returned to US Navy 25 October 1945,9 sold for scrap, 7 May 1946
Riou K55719 DE-92 Edward Riou 4 August 1943 23 October 1943 14 December 1943 Returned to US Navy 25 February 1946,19 sold for scrap, 21 April 1947
Rowley K56019 DE-95 Joshua Rowley 18 August 1943 30 October 1943 22 December 1943 Returned to US Navy 12 November 1945,19 sold for scrap, 14 June 1946
Rupert K56119 DE-96 Prince Rupert 25 August 1943 31 October 1943 24 December 1943 Returned to US Navy 20 March 1946,19 sold for scrap, 17 June 1946
Rutherford K55819 DE-93 William Gordon Rutherfurd 4 August 1943 23 October 1943 16 December 1943 Returned to US Navy 25 October 1945,19 sold for scrap, May 1946
Seymour K56319 DE-98 Lord Hugh Seymour 1 September 1943 1 November 1943 23 December 1943 Returned to US Navy 5 January 1946,19 sold for scrap, 10 December 1946
Spragge K57219 DE-563 Edward Spragge 15 September 1943 16 October 1943 14 January 1944 Returned to US Navy 28 February 1946,19 sold for scrap, 16 November 1947
Stayner K57319 DE-564 Richard Stayner 22 September 1943 6 November 1943 30 January 1944 Returned to US Navy 24 November 1945,19 sold for scrap, 14 November 1947
Stockham K56219 DE-97 John Stockham 25 August 1943 31 October 1943 28 December 1943 Returned to US Navy 15 February 1946,19 sold for scrap
Thornborough K57419 DE-565 Edward Thornbrough 22 September 1943 13 November 1943 31 December 1943 Returned to US Navy 29 April 1947,19 sold for scrap, 24 April 1947
Torrington K57719 DE-568 George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington 22 September 1943 27 November 1943 18 January 1944 Returned to US Navy 11 June 1946,19 sold for scrap, 26 September 1946
Trollope K57519 DE-566 Henry Trollope 29 September 1943 20 November 1943 10 January 1944 Damaged, 6 July 1944,19 declared total loss, sold for scrap, 1951
Tyler K57619 DE-567 Charles Tyler 6 October 1943 20 November 1943 14 January 1944 Returned to US Navy 12 November 1945,19 sold for scrap, 23 May 1946
Waldegrave K57919 DE-570 William Waldegrave 16 October 1943 4 December 1943 28 January 1944 Returned to US Navy 3 December 1945,19 sold for scrap, June 1948
Whitaker K58019 DE-571 Edward Whitaker 20 October 1943 12 December 1943 28 January 1944 Damaged, 1 November 1944,19 declared total loss, sold for scrap
See also

See also

Notes

Notes

  1. Served at Battle of Trafalgar under Nelson
  2. Was one of Nelson's band of brothers at the Battle of the Nile
  3. Captain at Battle of Ushant
References

References

Citations

  1. Collingwood 1998, p. 203
  2. Lenton 1998, pp. 198–199
  3. Lenton 1974, p. 12
  4. FRIGATES IN MIXED ESCORT GROUPS
  5. uboat.net Ships hit by U-boats HMS Goodall (K 479)
  6. Lenton 1974, p. 13
  7. Lenton 1974, p. 14
  8. Franklin 1999, p. 17
  9. Lenton 1974, p. 15
  10. "Affleck". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The Naval Historical Foundation. Retrieved 26 April 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  11. "Aylmer". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The Naval Historical Foundation. Archived from the original on 13 March 2004. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  12. "Balfour". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The Naval Historical Foundation. Archived from the original on 8 September 2006. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  13. "Bentinck". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The Naval Historical Foundation. Archived from the original on 14 September 2006. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  14. "Bentley". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The Naval Historical Foundation. Archived from the original on 5 September 2006. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  15. "Bickerton". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The Naval Historical Foundation. Archived from the original on 24 July 2006. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  16. HMS Bickerton (K 466) - Captain-class Frigate including Convoy Escort Movements
  17. "Bligh". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The Naval Historical Foundation. Archived from the original on 22 August 2007. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  18. "Braithwaite". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The Naval Historical Foundation. Archived from the original on 24 July 2006. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  19. Lenton 1974, p. 16
  20. "Hotham". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The Naval Historical Foundation. Archived from the original on 31 March 2004. Retrieved 26 April 2012.

Sources

 This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.