Tacoma-class frigate
USS Peoria (PF-67) in June 1945.
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Class overview | |
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Operators | list error: <br /> list (help) United States Navy Royal Navy Soviet Navy Argentine Navy Belgian Navy Colombian National Navy Cuban Revolutionary Navy Dominican Navy Ecuadorian Navy French Navy Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Republic of Korea Navy Mexican Navy Royal Netherlands Navy Peruvian Navy Royal Thai Navy |
Built | 1943–1945 |
In commission | 1943–1953 |
Completed | 96 |
General characteristics | |
Type | Frigate |
Displacement | 1,264 long tons (1,284 t) |
Length | 303 ft 11 in (92.63 m) |
Beam | 37 ft 6 in (11.43 m) |
Draft | 13 ft 8 in (4.17 m) |
Propulsion | list error: <br /> list (help) 2 × boilers 2 × reciprocating steam engines, 2 shafts |
Speed | 20 knots (37 km/h) |
Complement | 190 |
Armament | list error: <br /> list (help) • 3 × 3 inch/50 AA guns (3x1) • 4 × 40 mm guns (2x2) • 9 × 20 mm (9x1) • 1 × Hedgehog projector • 8 × Y gun depth charge projectors • 2 × Depth charge racks |
The Tacoma class of patrol frigates served in the US Navy during World War II. Named for Tacoma, Washington, the Tacoma class design was based on the British River class frigates, primarily distinguished by the pole foremast (instead of the British tripod) and lighter main guns (3" instead of the British 4"). Unlike most other types of warships, the Tacomas were built to mercantile standards, which resulted in weaker vessels but enabled them to be built quickly, and in Maritime Commission shipyards rather than the Navy's own yards. Many of these ships were commanded by U.S. Coast Guard officer teams.
These ships were designed and armed mostly as anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships.
96 were built, of which 21 were lent to the Royal Navy. The Royal Navy Tacomas were renamed after British colonies and were known collectively as Colony class frigates.
Late in the war, another 28 were lent to the Soviet Navy in preparation for the possible invasion of Japan, which was cancelled by the Japanese surrender on 14 August 1945. In the postwar era, many Tacoma class frigates were sold to friendly nations such as Mexico, Peru, South Korea, France, Greece, Cuba, and Taiwan.
External links
Media related to Tacoma class frigates at Wikimedia Commons
- "PF-1 Tacoma" at GlobalSecurity.org
- "PG-111/PF-3 Tacoma" at NavSource Online
- history.navy.mil: USS Tacoma
Gallery
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USS Covington (PF-56) (left) and the USS Lorain (PF-93)