The 'Type' Ship Designation System
When a large number of new escort ships were planned in the 1950's a system was created to allow easy identification of a ships role by its designation. This 'Type' system was originally intended only for frigates but as the difference between frigates and destroyers lessened the system was applied to both.
The numbers were allocated as follows:
1-40 Anti-Submarine Escorts
41-60 Anti-Aircraft Escorts
61-80 Aircraft Direction Escorts
81-99 General Purpose Escorts
The following Type numbers are known to have been used:
Type 11 Anti-submarine version of Type 41 and 61 - not built
Type 12 Whitby class frigates
Type 12I Rothesay class frigates
Type 12M Leander class frigates
Type 14 Blackwood class 2nd-class frigates
Type 15 Frigate conversion of destroyers
Type 16 Partial frigate conversion of destroyers
Type 17 Limited capability frigate, cut down Type 14 - not built
Type 18 Lesser frigate conversion, between Types 15 & 16 - not built
Type 19 High speed frigate based on Type 12 armament - not built
Type 21 Amazon class frigates
Type 22 Broadsword & Cornwall class frigates/destroyers
Type 23 Duke class frigates
Type 24 Yarrow private frigate design, competitor to Type 23 - not built
Type 41 Leopard class frigates
Type 42 Sheffield & Manchester class destroyers
Type 43 Large 'double-ended' destroyer/cruiser - not built
Type 44 Project Horizon destroyer?
Type 61 Sailsbury class frigates
Type 62 Frigate conversion of destroyers - not built
Type 81 Tribal class frigates
Type 82 Bristol class destroyer/cruiser
In the above listing, where two ship designations are given ie. destroyer/cruiser the first is the official and the second is the the more likely name by international standards.
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