The Type 14 Blackwood class were a ship class of minimal "second-rate" anti-submarine warfare frigates. Built for the Royal Navy during the 1950s at a time of increasing threat from the Soviet Union's submarine fleet, they served until the late 1970s. Twelve ships of this class served with the Royal Navy and a further three were built for the Indian Navy.[1][2]
HMS Exmouth (1972) – following conversion to gas turbine propulsion
The Type 14 frigates were designed to be cheaper and smaller than the expensive Type 12 frigates. Although they lacked gun armament, their anti-submarine armament of two Limbo mortars, Mk 20 torpedoes and sonar fit equalled the larger Type 12, and as the crews of the Type 14 concentrated almost entirely on practising anti-submarine warfare, they were often the most effective frigates in anti-submarine exercises until the mid 1960s. The class were entirely specialised for the anti-submarine role and hence had little capability in any other, though they did perform fishery protection duties during the confrontations with Iceland over fishing rights.
In the late 1950s, during their time on patrols around Iceland to ensure that Iceland did not interfere with British fishermen's attempts to fish, problems were found with the hulls of the Type 14s in such heavy waters, so that their hulls had to be strengthened to cope with these patrols. However, they proved to be good sea boats throughout the dispute, which continued into the mid-1970s. The low profile of the superstructure was a deliberate design feature to confuse enemy attackers.[3] The Type 14 design was flawed by the lack of a gun, and also by general lack of space. After experience with these frigates, the Admiralty decided that quality was the top priority of all ships, even though it meant having a smaller fleet.[citation needed]
One of the ships, Exmouth, was later converted 1966–1968 to act as experimental trials vessel for gas turbine propulsion, becoming the first major warship of the Royal Navy to be entirely powered by gas turbines. In this configuration she was easily distinguishable from other members of the class due to her larger (non-cylindrical, streamlined) funnel and large air intakes sited immediately fore and aft of the funnel. The success of these trials led to the adoption of all-gas turbine propulsion as standard on subsequent Royal Navy warship designs (Type 21 & 22 Frigates, Type 42 destroyers, 'Invincible' class carriers).[1]
Service
The Type 14s' limited size, at just 310 feet (94 m), restricted them from operating past the 1970s as anti-submarine ships. Their small hull limited the extent of modifications and upgrades possible, preventing the Type 14s from being armed with more effective weapons, effectively rendering them obsolete. All were decommissioned in the 1970s. The last operational were the gas powered Exmouth in 1977 and Hardy which attended the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 1977 and deployed again from the standby squadron in 1978.
In film
The 1960 Norman Wisdom film The Bulldog Breed was made in Portland harbour with co-operation from the Royal Navy, and features several of the Blackwood-class frigates. An early scene shows a flotilla of Type 14s led by Murray. The 1958 British comedy "Further Up The Creek" features the fictional HMS Aristotle, a type 14 frigate. HMS Pellew (F62) appeared in 1961 British monster movie "Gorgo". HMS Dundas appeared in the Ava Gardner film The Little Hut in 1957.
Ships
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy ships were all named after British captains. Many had been in the Napoleonic wars and some were present at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Transferred to Coast Guard Service 1978.[12] Decommissioned September 1988.[14]
Footnotes
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Blackwood class frigates.
^ abcMarriott,Leo, 'Royal Navy Frigates Since 1945', Second Edition, ISBN0-7110-1915-0, Published by Ian Allan Ltd (Surrey, UK), 1990
^Purvis,M.K., 'Post War RN Frigate and Guided Missile Destroyer Design 1944–1969', Transactions, Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA), 1974
^Freidman, Norman (2006). British Frigates and Destroyers: The Second World War and After. p. 236.
^"Unit cost, i.e. excluding cost of certain items (e.g. aircraft, First Outfits)." Text from Defences Estimates
^ abcdefNavy Estimates, 1956–57, pages 238–9, List and particulars of new ships which have been accepted or are expected to be accepted into HM service during the Financial Year ended 31 March 1956
^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwBlackman, Raymond VB Jane's Fighting Ships, 1961–62 pub Sampson Low, Marston & Co Ltd, page 270.
^ abcdefghijklmnoNavy Estimates, 1957-8, pages 234–5, List and particulars of new ships which have been accepted or are expected to be accepted into HM service during the Financial Year ended 31 March 1957
^ abcdefghijklNavy Estimates, 1958–59, pages 234–5, List and particulars of new ships which have been accepted or are expected to be accepted into HM service during the Financial Year ended 31 March 1958
^ abcNavy Estimates, 1959–60, pages 230–1, List and particulars of new ships which have been accepted or are expected to be accepted into HM service during the Financial Year ended 31 March 1959
^ abcdefghijBlackman, Raymond VB Jane's Fighting Ships, 1961–62 pub Sampson Low, Marston & Co Ltd, page 114.
^ abcdefghGardiner, Robert Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995, pub Conway Maritime Press, 1995, ISBN0-85177-605-1 page 173.
^Prezelin, Bernard Combat Fleets of the World 1990, pub Naval Institute Press, 1990, page 245.
^Ministry of Defence Annual Report 1988, pub Government of India, 1988, page 7.
Publications
Purvis, M.K., 'Post War RN Frigate and Guided Missile Destroyer Design 1944–1969', Transactions, Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA), 1974
Marriott, Leo, 'Royal Navy Frigates Since 1945', Second Edition, ISBN0-7110-1915-0, Published by Ian Allan Ltd (Surrey, UK), 1990
"Indian Navy - Blackwood Class Type 14 Frigates". Marine News Supplement: Warships. 76 (5): S277–S281. May 2022. ISSN 0966-6958.
August 24, 2023
blackwood, class, frigate, type, blackwood, class, were, ship, class, minimal, second, rate, anti, submarine, warfare, frigates, built, royal, navy, during, 1950s, time, increasing, threat, from, soviet, union, submarine, fleet, they, served, until, late, 1970. The Type 14 Blackwood class were a ship class of minimal second rate anti submarine warfare frigates Built for the Royal Navy during the 1950s at a time of increasing threat from the Soviet Union s submarine fleet they served until the late 1970s Twelve ships of this class served with the Royal Navy and a further three were built for the Indian Navy 1 2 HMS Exmouth 1972 following conversion to gas turbine propulsionClass overviewNameType 14 or Blackwood classBuildersSwan Hunter Wallsend Yarrow Shipbuilders Scotstoun John I Thornycroft amp Co Woolston Alexander Stephen and Sons Govan J Samuel White CowesOperators Royal Navy Indian Navy Indian Coast GuardIn service1955 RN 1988 ICG Completed15Lost1 1 as target General characteristicsTypeAnti submarine frigateDisplacement1 456 long tons 1 479 t full loadLength310 ft 94 5 m Beam33 ft 10 1 m Draught15 ft 4 6 m Installed power2 Babcock amp Wilcox boilers 15 000 shp 11 MW Propulsion1 shaft 1 steam turbine set Exmouth from 1966 COGOG 1 Rolls Royce Olympus boost and 2 Rolls Royce Proteus cruise gas turbines 1 Speed27 knots 50 km h 31 mph Range5 200 nmi 9 600 km 6 000 mi at 12 knots 22 km h 14 mph Complement112Sensors and processing systemsRadar Type 974 navigation Sonar Type 174 search Sonar Type 162 target classification Sonar Type 170 targetingArmament3 40 mm Bofors gun Mark 7 quarterdeck mount later removed 2 Limbo Mark 10 anti submarine mortars 2 twin 21 inch 533 mm deck mounted tubes for anti submarine homing torpedoes Blackwood Exmouth Malcolm and Palliser only later removed Contents 1 Design 2 Service 2 1 In film 3 Ships 3 1 Royal Navy 3 2 Indian Navy 4 Construction programme 5 Footnotes 6 PublicationsDesign Edit HMS MalcolmThe Type 14 frigates were designed to be cheaper and smaller than the expensive Type 12 frigates Although they lacked gun armament their anti submarine armament of two Limbo mortars Mk 20 torpedoes and sonar fit equalled the larger Type 12 and as the crews of the Type 14 concentrated almost entirely on practising anti submarine warfare they were often the most effective frigates in anti submarine exercises until the mid 1960s The class were entirely specialised for the anti submarine role and hence had little capability in any other though they did perform fishery protection duties during the confrontations with Iceland over fishing rights In the late 1950s during their time on patrols around Iceland to ensure that Iceland did not interfere with British fishermen s attempts to fish problems were found with the hulls of the Type 14s in such heavy waters so that their hulls had to be strengthened to cope with these patrols However they proved to be good sea boats throughout the dispute which continued into the mid 1970s The low profile of the superstructure was a deliberate design feature to confuse enemy attackers 3 The Type 14 design was flawed by the lack of a gun and also by general lack of space After experience with these frigates the Admiralty decided that quality was the top priority of all ships even though it meant having a smaller fleet citation needed One of the ships Exmouth was later converted 1966 1968 to act as experimental trials vessel for gas turbine propulsion becoming the first major warship of the Royal Navy to be entirely powered by gas turbines In this configuration she was easily distinguishable from other members of the class due to her larger non cylindrical streamlined funnel and large air intakes sited immediately fore and aft of the funnel The success of these trials led to the adoption of all gas turbine propulsion as standard on subsequent Royal Navy warship designs Type 21 amp 22 Frigates Type 42 destroyers Invincible class carriers 1 Service EditThe Type 14s limited size at just 310 feet 94 m restricted them from operating past the 1970s as anti submarine ships Their small hull limited the extent of modifications and upgrades possible preventing the Type 14s from being armed with more effective weapons effectively rendering them obsolete All were decommissioned in the 1970s The last operational were the gas powered Exmouth in 1977 and Hardy which attended the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 1977 and deployed again from the standby squadron in 1978 In film Edit The 1960 Norman Wisdom film The Bulldog Breed was made in Portland harbour with co operation from the Royal Navy and features several of the Blackwood class frigates An early scene shows a flotilla of Type 14s led by Murray The 1958 British comedy Further Up The Creek features the fictional HMS Aristotle a type 14 frigate HMS Pellew F62 appeared in 1961 British monster movie Gorgo HMS Dundas appeared in the Ava Gardner film The Little Hut in 1957 Ships EditRoyal Navy Edit The Royal Navy ships were all named after British captains Many had been in the Napoleonic wars and some were present at the Battle of Trafalgar Blackwood Henry Blackwood Duncan Adam Duncan Dundas James Whitley Deans Dundas Exmouth Edward Pellew 1st Viscount Exmouth Grafton Henry FitzRoy 1st Duke of Grafton Hardy Thomas Hardy Keppel Augustus Keppel Malcolm Pulteney Malcolm Murray George Murray Palliser Hugh Palliser Pellew Israel Pellew Russell Thomas McNamara RussellIndian Navy Edit Three ships were built for the Indian Navy in the late 1950s Khukri sunk by the Pakistani submarine PNS Hangor on 8 December 1971 during the Indo Pakistani War of 1971 Kirpan KutharConstruction programme EditNavy Pennant Name a Hull builder b Main machinery manufacturers Laid down Launched Accepted into service Commissioned Estimated building cost 4 FateRoyal Navy F54 Hardy a amp b Yarrow and Co Ltd Scotstoun Glasgow 5 4 February 1953 6 25 November 1953 7 8 December 1955 5 15 December 1955 7 1 449 000 5 Operational to 1977 final active deployment from standby squadron in 1978 sunk as target 1983 6 F48 Dundas a amp b JS White and Co Ltd Cowes Isle of Wight 5 17 October 1952 6 25 September 1953 7 March 1956 5 16 March 1956 7 1 434 000 5 Broken up 1983 6 F91 Murray a amp b Alexander Stephen and Sons Ltd Glasgow 8 30 November 1953 6 22 February 1955 7 5 June 1956 8 5 June 1956 7 1 625 000 8 Broken up 1970 6 F85 Keppel a amp b Yarrow and Co Ltd Scotstoun Glasgow 8 27 March 1953 6 31 August 1954 7 6 July 1956 8 6 July 1956 7 1 506 000 8 Broken up 1979 6 F62 Pellew a Swan Hunter amp Wigham Richardson Ltd Wallsend on Tyne b The Wallsend Slipway amp Engineering Co Ltd Wallsend on Tyne 8 5 November 1953 6 29 September 1954 7 26 July 1956 8 26 July 1956 7 1 548 000 8 Broken up 1971 6 F51 Grafton a amp b JS White and Co Ltd Cowes Isle of Wight 8 25 February 1953 6 13 February 1954 8 January 1957 8 8 January 1957 7 1 411 000 8 Broken up 1971 6 F97 Russell a Swan Hunter amp Wigham Richardson Ltd Wallsend on Tyne b The Wallsend Slipway amp Engineering Co Ltd Wallsend on Tyne 8 11 November 1953 6 10 December 1954 7 7 February 1957 8 7 February 1957 7 1 581 000 8 Broken up 1985 6 F78 Blackwood a amp b JI Thornycroft and Co Ltd Woolston Southampton 9 14 September 1953 6 4 October 1955 7 August 1957 9 22 August 1957 7 1 769 000 9 Broken up 1976 6 F88 Malcolm a Yarrow and Co Ltd Scotstoun Glasgow b Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Co Wallsend on Tyne 9 1 February 1954 6 18 October 1955 7 December 1957 9 12 December 1957 7 1 582 000 9 Broken up 1978 6 F94 Palliser a amp b Alexander Stephen and Sons Ltd Glasgow 9 15 March 1955 6 10 May 1956 7 December 1957 9 13 December 1957 7 1 620 000 9 Broken up 1983 6 F84 Exmouth a amp b JS White and Co Ltd Cowes Isle of Wight 9 24 March 1954 6 16 November 1955 7 December 1957 9 20 December 1957 7 1 422 000 9 Broken up 1979 6 F80 Duncan a amp b JI Thornycroft and Co Ltd Woolston Southampton 10 17 December 1953 6 30 May 1957 7 October 1958 10 21 October 1958 7 1 960 000 10 Broken up 1985 6 Indian Navy F149 11 Khukri a amp b JS White and Co Ltd Cowes Isle of Wight 11 29 December 1955 12 20 November 1956 11 16 July 1958 11 Torpedoed and sunk by the Pakistan submarine Hangor 9 December 1971 12 F144 11 Kirpan a amp b Alexander Stephen and Sons Ltd Glasgow 11 5 November 1956 12 19 August 1958 11 July 1959 12 Transferred to Coast Guard Service 1978 12 Decommissioned 1987 13 F146 11 Kuthar a amp b JS White and Co Ltd Cowes Isle of Wight 11 19 September 1957 12 14 October 1958 11 November 1959 12 Transferred to Coast Guard Service 1978 12 Decommissioned September 1988 14 Footnotes Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Blackwood class frigates a b c Marriott Leo Royal Navy Frigates Since 1945 Second Edition ISBN 0 7110 1915 0 Published by Ian Allan Ltd Surrey UK 1990 Purvis M K Post War RN Frigate and Guided Missile Destroyer Design 1944 1969 Transactions Royal Institution of Naval Architects RINA 1974 Freidman Norman 2006 British Frigates and Destroyers The Second World War and After p 236 Unit cost i e excluding cost of certain items e g aircraft First Outfits Text from Defences Estimates a b c d e f Navy Estimates 1956 57 pages 238 9 List and particulars of new ships which have been accepted or are expected to be accepted into HM service during the Financial Year ended 31 March 1956 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Gardiner Robert Conway s All the World s Fighting Ships 1947 1995 pub Conway Maritime Press 1995 ISBN 0 85177 605 1 page 515 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Blackman Raymond VB Jane s Fighting Ships 1961 62 pub Sampson Low Marston amp Co Ltd page 270 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Navy Estimates 1957 8 pages 234 5 List and particulars of new ships which have been accepted or are expected to be accepted into HM service during the Financial Year ended 31 March 1957 a b c d e f g h i j k l Navy Estimates 1958 59 pages 234 5 List and particulars of new ships which have been accepted or are expected to be accepted into HM service during the Financial Year ended 31 March 1958 a b c Navy Estimates 1959 60 pages 230 1 List and particulars of new ships which have been accepted or are expected to be accepted into HM service during the Financial Year ended 31 March 1959 a b c d e f g h i j Blackman Raymond VB Jane s Fighting Ships 1961 62 pub Sampson Low Marston amp Co Ltd page 114 a b c d e f g h Gardiner Robert Conway s All the World s Fighting Ships 1947 1995 pub Conway Maritime Press 1995 ISBN 0 85177 605 1 page 173 Prezelin Bernard Combat Fleets of the World 1990 pub Naval Institute Press 1990 page 245 Ministry of Defence Annual Report 1988 pub Government of India 1988 page 7 Publications EditPurvis M K Post War RN Frigate and Guided Missile Destroyer Design 1944 1969 Transactions Royal Institution of Naval Architects RINA 1974 Marriott Leo Royal Navy Frigates Since 1945 Second Edition ISBN 0 7110 1915 0 Published by Ian Allan Ltd Surrey UK 1990 Colledge J J Warlow Ben 2006 1969 Ships of the Royal Navy The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy Rev ed London Chatham Publishing ISBN 978 1 86176 281 8 Indian Navy Blackwood Class Type 14 Frigates Marine News Supplement Warships 76 5 S277 S281 May 2022 ISSN 0966 6958 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Blackwood class frigate amp oldid 1117385885, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
