H.M.S. Denbigh Castle
K.696
1944
(SeaVee SV-544a)
- Class: Castle class - 39 corvettes of 1942-43
- Displacement: 1,060 tons light / 1,580 tons full load
- Dimensions: 252 (oa) x 36.75 x 10 ft
- Machinery: 1-shaft reciprocating, S.H.P. 2,750 = 16.5 knots
- Armament: 1-4in Mk XIX, 6-20mm (2x1+2x2), 1 Squid ASW mortar, 1 DCR
- Complement: 99
- Builder: Lewis, Aberdeen
- Laid Down: 30 Sep 1943
- Launched: 5 Aug 1944
- Completed: 30 Dec 1944
- Notes: The Castles were replacements for the Flowers with 50' greater length, an improved hull shape, more modern weapons, and better accommodation. Although considered inferior to the new frigates, they could be built in the smaller shipyards. Twelve were transferred to the RCN and one to the RNN; five additional ones were completed as mercantile convoy rescue ships with "Empire" names.
Denbigh Castle had a brief life, serving as an escort to Russian Convoy JW64 after working up in Jan 1945. She shot down one attacking torpedo bomber, but then was mined or torpedoed (possibly by U-992) at the entrance to Kola Inlet 13 Feb 1945. Capsized while being towed into Bolshaya Volkovaya Bay and written off as a constructive total loss.
Previous
Up
Next