P class sloop
Encyclopedia
The P class, nominally described as "patrol boats", was in effect a class
of coastal sloops
. Twenty-four ships to this design were ordered in May 1915 (numbered P.11 to P.34) and another thirty between February and June 1916 (numbered P.35 to P.64) under the Emergency War Programme for the Royal Navy
in the First World War
, although ten of the latter group were in December 1916 altered on the stocks before launch for use as decoy Q-ship
s and were renumbered as PC-class sloops. None were named, although in 1925 P.38 was given the name Spey.
These vessels were designed to replace destroyers in coastal operations, but had twin screws, a very low freeboard, ram bows of hardened steel, a sharply cutaway funnel and a small turning circle. Clearly seen as the linear descendants of the late 19th century steam torpedo boat
s and coastal destroyer
s, many were actally fitted with the 14 in torpedo tubes removed from old torpedo boats.
in May 1922.
The PC-class sloops were completed with slight enlargement from the standard P-class sloops. They were 247 ft (overall) long and 25½ ft in breadth, although they had similar machinery. Displacement varied from 682 tons in PC.42, PC.43, PC.44, PC.51, PC.55 and PC.56 to 694 tons in PC.60 to PC.63 and in PC.65 to PC.74. They carried one 4-inch and two 12-pounder guns, and no torpedo tubes.
1916 batch:
1917 batch:
Ship class
A ship class is a group of ships of a similar design. This is distinct from a ship-type, which might reflect a similarity of tonnage or intended use. For example, the is a nuclear aircraft carrier of the Nimitz class....
of coastal sloops
Sloop-of-war
In the 18th and most of the 19th centuries, a sloop-of-war was a warship with a single gun deck that carried up to eighteen guns. As the rating system covered all vessels with 20 guns and above, this meant that the term sloop-of-war actually encompassed all the unrated combat vessels including the...
. Twenty-four ships to this design were ordered in May 1915 (numbered P.11 to P.34) and another thirty between February and June 1916 (numbered P.35 to P.64) under the Emergency War Programme for the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
in the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, although ten of the latter group were in December 1916 altered on the stocks before launch for use as decoy Q-ship
Q-ship
Q-ships, also known as Q-boats, Decoy Vessels, Special Service Ships, or Mystery Ships, were heavily armed merchant ships with concealed weaponry, designed to lure submarines into making surface attacks. This gave Q-ships the chance to open fire and sink them...
s and were renumbered as PC-class sloops. None were named, although in 1925 P.38 was given the name Spey.
These vessels were designed to replace destroyers in coastal operations, but had twin screws, a very low freeboard, ram bows of hardened steel, a sharply cutaway funnel and a small turning circle. Clearly seen as the linear descendants of the late 19th century steam torpedo boat
Torpedo boat
A torpedo boat is a relatively small and fast naval vessel designed to carry torpedoes into battle. The first designs rammed enemy ships with explosive spar torpedoes, and later designs launched self-propelled Whitehead torpedoes. They were created to counter battleships and other large, slow and...
s and coastal destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
s, many were actally fitted with the 14 in torpedo tubes removed from old torpedo boats.
PC class sloops
Ten of these ships were completed as Q-ships, with their numbers being altered by the addition of a "C" after the "P". These were termed the PC class sloops. A further batch of ten ships were ordered in 1917 (PC.65 to PC.70 in January, and PC.71 to PC.74 in June) as PC class sloops. These were built to resemble small merchant vessels for use as decoy (Q) ships, and were alternatively known as "PQ" boats. Again, none were named, although in 1925 PC.73 was given the name Dart, while PC.55 and PC.69 were named Baluchi and Pathan respectively upon transfer to the Royal Indian NavyRoyal Indian Navy
The Royal Indian Navy was the naval force of British India. Along with the Presidency armies and the later British Indian Army it comprised the Armed Forces of British India....
in May 1922.
The PC-class sloops were completed with slight enlargement from the standard P-class sloops. They were 247 ft (overall) long and 25½ ft in breadth, although they had similar machinery. Displacement varied from 682 tons in PC.42, PC.43, PC.44, PC.51, PC.55 and PC.56 to 694 tons in PC.60 to PC.63 and in PC.65 to PC.74. They carried one 4-inch and two 12-pounder guns, and no torpedo tubes.
Ships
1915 batch:- P.11 — built by J. Samuel White & Company, CowesCowesCowes is an English seaport town and civil parish on the Isle of Wight. Cowes is located on the west bank of the estuary of the River Medina facing the smaller town of East Cowes on the east Bank...
, launched 14 October 1915. Sold for breaking up 1 December 1921. - P.12 — built by White, launched 4 December 1918. Sunk in collision in the Channel 4 November 1918.
- P.13 — built by William Hamilton and CompanyWilliam Hamilton and CompanyWilliam Hamilton and Company was a British shipyard located in Port Glasgow, Scotland. The company was purchased by Lithgow Ltd., later to become Scott Lithgow which was nationalised into British Shipbuilders in 1977....
, Port GlasgowPort GlasgowPort Glasgow is the second largest town in the Inverclyde council area of Scotland. The population according to the 1991 census for Port Glasgow was 19426 persons and in the 2001 census was 16617 persons...
, launched 7 June 1916. Renumbered P.75 on 31 July 1917. Sold for breaking up 31 July 1923. - P.14 — built by Charles Connell & Company, ScotstounScotstounScotstoun is a historic district of Glasgow, Scotland, west of Glasgow City Centre. It is bounded by Yoker and Knightswood to the west, Victoria Park, Broomhill and Whiteinch to the east, Jordanhill to the north and the River Clyde to the south...
, launched 4 July 1916. Sold for breaking up 31 July 1923. - P.15 — built by Workman Clark & Company, BelfastBelfastBelfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, launched 24 January 1916. Sold on 26 November 1921. - P.16 — built by Workman Clark, launched 23 March 1916. Sold on 26 November 1921.
- P.17 — built by Workman Clark, launched 21 October 1915. Sold on 26 November 1921.
- P.18 — built by A. & J. Inglis, GlasgowGlasgowGlasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, launched 20 April 1916. Sold 26 November 1921. - P.19 — built by Northumberland Shipbuilding Company, Howden on Tyne, launched 21 February 1916. Sold 24 July 1923.
- P.20 — built Northumberland Shipbuilding, launched 3 April 1916. Sold for breaking up in May 1923.
- P.21 — built by Russell & CompanyRussell & CompanyRussell & Company was the largest and most important American trading house in China from 1842 to its closing in 1891.Samuel Russell founded Russell & Company in Canton, China, in 1824. Dealing mostly in silks, teas and opium, Russell & Company prospered, and by 1842, it had become the largest...
, Port GlasgowPort GlasgowPort Glasgow is the second largest town in the Inverclyde council area of Scotland. The population according to the 1991 census for Port Glasgow was 19426 persons and in the 2001 census was 16617 persons...
, launched 31 March 1916. Sold 26 November 1921. - P.22 — built by Caird & CompanyCaird & CompanyCaird & Company was a Scottish shipbuilding and engineering firm based in Greenock. The company was established in 1828 by John Caird when he received an order to re-engine Clyde paddle-tugs....
, GreenockGreenockGreenock is a town and administrative centre in the Inverclyde council area in United Kingdom, and a former burgh within the historic county of Renfrewshire, located in the west central Lowlands of Scotland...
, launched 22 February 1916. Sold for breaking up 12 December 1923. - P.23 — built by Bartram & Sons, Sunderland, launched 5 March 1916. Sold 24 July 1923.
- P.24 — built by Harland & Wolff, GovanGovanGovan is a district and former burgh now part of southwest City of Glasgow, Scotland. It is situated west of Glasgow city centre, on the south bank of the River Clyde, opposite the mouth of the River Kelvin and the district of Partick....
, launched 23 November 1915. Sold for breaking up 1 December 1921. - P.25 — built by Harland & Wolff, Govan, launched 15 January 1916. Sold for breaking up 1 December 1921.
- P.26 — built by Tyne Iron Shipbuilding Company, Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, launched 22 December 1915. Mined off Le Havre 10 April 1917. - P.27 — built by Joseph T. Eltringham & Company, South ShieldsSouth ShieldsSouth Shields is a coastal town in Tyne and Wear, England, located at the mouth of the River Tyne to Tyne Dock, and about downstream from Newcastle upon Tyne...
, launched 21 December 1915. Sold 24 July 1923. - P.28 — built by Robert Thompson & Sons, Sunderland, launched 6 March 1916. Sold 24 July 1923.
- P.29 — built by W. Gray & Company, West HartlepoolWest HartlepoolThis article refers to the place; for the Rugby Football Club see West Hartlepool R.F.C.West Hartlepool refers to the western part of the what has since the 1960s been known as the borough of Hartlepool in North East England...
, launched 6 December 1915. Sold 24 July 1923. - P.30 — built by W. Gray, launched 5 February 1916. Sold 24 July 1923.
- P.31 — built by J. Readhead & Sons, South ShieldsSouth ShieldsSouth Shields is a coastal town in Tyne and Wear, England, located at the mouth of the River Tyne to Tyne Dock, and about downstream from Newcastle upon Tyne...
, launched 5 February 1916. Sold for breaking up 16 December 1926. - P.32 — built by W. Harkess & Sons, MiddlesbroughMiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough is a large town situated on the south bank of the River Tees in north east England, that sits within the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire...
, launched 20 January 1916. Sold for breaking up 1 December 1921. - P.33 — built by Napier & Miller, Old KilpatrickOld KilpatrickOld Kilpatrick is a village in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland.The village is on the north bank of the River Clyde immediately to the north of the Forth and Clyde Canal, three miles from Clydebank on the road to Dumbarton. The Great Western Road runs through Old Kilpatrick, and the next village to...
(GlasgowGlasgowGlasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
), launched 8 June 1916. Sold for breaking up 1 December 1921. - P.34 — built by Barclay Curle & Company, WhiteinchWhiteinchWhiteinch is a district in the Scottish city of Glasgow. It is situated north of the River Clyde between the Partick and Scotstoun areas of the city...
, launched 22 March 1916. Sold for breaking up 1 December 1921.
1916 batch:
- P.35 — built by Caird & CompanyCaird & CompanyCaird & Company was a Scottish shipbuilding and engineering firm based in Greenock. The company was established in 1828 by John Caird when he received an order to re-engine Clyde paddle-tugs....
, launched 29 January 1917. Sold for breaking up 15 January 1923. - P.36 — built by Eltringham, launched 25 October 1916. Sold for breaking up in May 1923.
- P.37 — built by W. Gray, launched 28 October 1916. Sold 18 February 1924.
- P.38 — built by William Hamilton, launched 10 February 1917. Sold for breaking up 7 December 1937.
- P.39 — built by Inglis, launched 1 March 1917. Sold for breaking up 6 September 1922.
- P.40 — built by White, launched 12 July 1916. Sold for breaking up 1937.
- P.41 — built by Bartram, launched 23 March 1917. Sold for breaking up 6 September 1922.
- P.42 — built by Caird & Company, renumbered PC.42 before being launched 7 June 1917, and completed as PC class sloop. Sold for breaking up 1 December 1921.
- P.43 — built by Caird & Company, renumbered PC.43 before being launched 14 August 1917, and completed as PC class sloop. Sold for breaking up 20 January 1923.
- P.44 — built by Eltringham, renumbered PC.44 before being launched 25 April 1917, and completed as PC class sloop. Sold for breaking up 9 April 1923.
- P.45 — built by W. Gray, launched 24 January 1917. Sold for breaking up 15 January 1923.
- P.46 — built by Harkess, launched 7 February 1917. Sold for breaking up 28 October 1925.
- P.47 — built by Readhead, launched 9 July 1917. Sold for breaking up 28 October 1923.
- P.48 — built by Readhead, launched 5 September 1917. Sold for breaking up May 1923.
- P.49 — built by Thompson, launched 19 April 1917. Sold for breaking up 15 January 1923.
- P.50 — built by Tyne Iron, launched 25 November 1916. Sold for breaking up 1 December 1921.
- P.51 — built by Tyne Iron, renumbered PC.51 before being launched 25 November 1916, and completed as PC class sloop. Sold for breaking up 18 January 1923,
- P.52 — built by White, launched 28 September 1916. Sold for breaking up May 1923.
- P.53 — built by Barclay Curle, launched 8 February 1917. Sold 18 February 1924.
- P.54 — built by Barclay Curle, launched 25 April 1917. Sold 18 February 1924.
- P.55 — built by Barclay Curle, renumbered PC.55 before being launched 5 May 1917, and completed as PC class sloop. Transferred to Royal Indian Navy February 1922, renamed Baluchi in May 1922; sold 1935.
- P.56 — built by Barclay Curle, renumbered PC.56 before being launched 2 June 1917, and completed as PC class sloop. Sold for breaking up 31 July 1923.
- P.57 — built by Hamilton, launched 6 August 1917. Sold to Egypt 21 May 1920 and renamed El Raqib.
- P.58 — built by Hamilton, launched 9 May 1918. Sold for breaking up 1 December 1921.
- P.59 — built by White, launched 2 November 1917. Sold for breaking up 16 June 1938.
- P.60 — built by Workman Clark, renumbered PC.60 before being launched 4 June 1917, and completed as PC class sloop. Sold 18 February 1924.
- P.61 — built by Workman Clark, renumbered PC.61 before being launched 19 June 1917, and completed as PC class sloop. Sold for breaking uo 9 April 1923.
- P.62 — built by Harland & Wolff, GovanGovanGovan is a district and former burgh now part of southwest City of Glasgow, Scotland. It is situated west of Glasgow city centre, on the south bank of the River Clyde, opposite the mouth of the River Kelvin and the district of Partick....
, renumbered PC.62 before being launched 7 June 1917, and completed as PC class sloop. Sold for breaking up 1 December 1921. - P.63 — built by Connell, renumbered PC.63 before being launched 2 October 1917, and completed as PC class sloop. Sold for breaking up May 1923.
- P.64 — built by Inglis, launched 30 August 1917. Sold for breaking up 9 April 1923.
1917 batch:
- PC.65 — built by Eltringham, launched 5 September 1917. Sold for breaking up 8 January 1923.
- PC.66 — built by Harkess, launched 12 February 1918. Sold for breaking up 31 July 1923.
- PC.67 — built by White, Cowes, launched 7 May 1917. Sold for breaking up 1 December 1921.
- PC.68 — built by White, Cowes, launched 29 June 1917. Sold for breaking up 1 December 1921.
- PC.69 — built by Workman Clark, Belfast, launched 11 March 1918. Transferred to Royal Indian Navy 5 August 1921, and renamed Pathan 30 May 1922; sunk by explosion off Bombay 23 June 1940.
- PC.70 — built by Workman Clark, Belfast, launched 12 April 1918. Sold for breaking up 3 September 1926.
- PC.71 — built by White, Cowes, launched 18 March 1918. Sold for breaking up 28 October 1925.
- PC.72 — built by White, Cowes, launched 8 June 1918. Sold for breaking up 28 October 1925.
- PC.73 — built by White, Cowes, launched 1 August 1918. Renamed Dart in April 1925. Sold for breaking up 16 June 1938.
- PC.74 — built by White, Cowes, launched 4 October 1918. Operated as Q-ship Chatsgrove during WW2 (from September to October 1929). Sold for breaking up 19 July 1948.