Whitby Class Anti Submarine Frigates (Type 12)

In the closing stages of the Second World War studies concerning the future frigate requirement were undertaken. These were further developed in the immediate post-war years and called for a basic design of frigate which would share the same hull and machinery, although differ in armament and electronics according to the specialised rôle the completed frigate would undertake. Whilst some would be completed as aircraft direction or anti-aircraft frigates most would be configured for anti-submarine warfare operations, designed to seek out and destroy enemy submarines and provide anti-submarine defence for a fleet, taskforce or merchant convoy. They would be built in prefabricated sections as, in the event of nuclear war, these could be transported to shipyards around the country and assembled quickly and in large numbers. This system was both flexible, as the basic hull could be laid down and the final specification chosen during construction, and economically worthwhile as a common design of frigate would be cheaper to produce.

The aircraft direction variant (Type 61) entered service in the shape of the four Salisbury Class Frigates whilst the anti-aircraft variant (Type 41) consisted of the four Leopard Class Frigates. Both classes were powered by diesel engines rather than a steam plant and it was planned to develop a similar diesel powered anti submarine variant, the Type 11. However for anti submarine operations speed was of paramount importance as successive German U-boats had been faster and faster during the War and it was thought Russian submarines would have just as high, if not greater, speeds. Ideally the new anti-submarine frigates would require a speed in the region of 30 knots and be fast enough to hunt enemy submarines in bad weather or heavy seas. The diesel powered Type 61 and Type 41 frigates could only travel at 24 knots so the diesel powered Type 11 was abandoned in favour of steam driven version, the Type 12. The inclusion of a steam plant not only increased the size of hull but it also added to the cost. Hence the Type 12 could not be produced in large numbers and as a result the Blackwood Class Utility frigate was also developed.

The Type 12 was conceived with Atlantic and Arctic operations in mind and hence the hull was designed to perform well in ice or heavy seas and became renowned for good seakeeping qualities. The hull featured a raised forecastle deck, recessed anchor housing and rounded deck edges which all helped to disperse water and prevent the formation of ice. It also made washing down easier in the event of Nuclear, Biological or Chemical attack.

The Type 12 was designed with a standard displacement of 2,150 tons, a length of 395ft, a beam of 41ft and a 17ft draught. The principle submarine armament would be the two Mk10 Limbo mortars and the twelve torpedo tubes. The Type 12 would also have a twin 4.5 inch gun turret and a twin 40mm STAAG (Stabilised Tachymetric Anti-Aircraft Gun) mounting. They would have a speed of 30 knots and a complement of 152 (although this later increased to 225).

Six vessels, all named after seaside resorts, were built for the Royal Navy: Whitby, Torquay, Scarborough, Tenby, Eastbourne and Blackpool. The lead ship, Whitby, was ordered in February 1951 and it was hoped she would be laid down soon afterwards in order to enter service as early as possible. However the Korean War and merchant fleet building programme delayed her construction and she was not laid down until September 1952 and did not enter service until 1956.

Whitby and Torquay were completed without torpedo tubes and these were added in the 1950s. However the torpedoes used by the Whitby Class proved too slow for anti-submarine operations and so the torpedo tubes were removed from all six vessels by the early 1960s. The funnel fitted to the first ships also proved unsuitable and so later ships were completed with a taller, thinner funnel and earlier ships were retrofitted.

The Whitby Class initially operated a system whereby four ships were on operational duties while two undertook training duties. However as they became older this was later reversed so that four were assigned training duties and two undertook operational requirements. For much of their careers they operated with the Dartmouth Training Squadron. In this capacity they would provide basic ship experience and training for new Royal Navy and Royal Marine officers and for engineering apprentices. As operational anti submarine frigates they made an important contribution to NATO forces and Britain’s Cold War defence.

With the introduction of the first nuclear submarines, the Whitby Class were deemed obsolete: to slow and ill equipped to counter this new threat. Four of the six ships were withdrawn from service the 1970s and sold for breaking up. Scarborough and Tenby were to have both been modernised and sold to Pakistan but the sale was cancelled. The last two vessels, Eastbourne and Torquay remained in training rôles into the 1980s, before being scrapped.

The basic Whitby Class design was later modified for the Rothesay Class and Leander Class Type 12 Frigates.

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© Written and researched by Jeremy Olver. First uploaded 26th December 2000. Updated 23rd January 2001. Disclaimer