Type 139 patrol trawler

HMT Ailsa Craig
Class overview
BuildersG.T. Davie yard
Operators German Navy
Built1942 (Royal Navy)
In service1956 – mid 1970s (Federal German Navy)
Completed2
Retired2
General characteristics
TypeNaval trawler
Displacement545 tons
Length164 ft (50.0 m)
Beam27 ft 8 in (8.4 m)
Draught11 ft 1 in (3.4 m) (mean)
PropulsionOne triple expansion reciprocating engine, 1 shaft, 850 ihp (630 kW)
Speed12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement40
ArmamentVarious light guns for training purposes

The Type 139 patrol trawler was a class of vessel used as a training ship by the Federal German Navy. Both vessels in the class were originally built for the Royal Navy in 1942 as Isles-class naval trawlers.

History

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The trawlers HMT Dochet and HMT Flint were launched in 1942 at the G.T. Davie & Sons yard in Lauzon, Quebec,[1][2] and served in the anti-submarine warfare role to the end of World War II. Placed on the postwar disposal list, they were sold for mercantile use.

When the Federal German Navy was established in 1956, Dochet and Flint were acquired and classified as Type 139 patrol trawlers. Dochet was named Eider (A50) while Flint became Trave (A51).[2] As operated by Germany, both ships were 54.00 metres (177 ft 2 in) long overall and 50 metres (164 ft) between perpendiculars, with a beam of 8.38 metres (27 ft 6 in) and a draught of 4.3 metres (14 ft).[2]

Since the days of World War I, Germany had had a tradition of employing patrol trawlers. The type was classified before 1945 as a Vorpostenboot (literally, "outpost boat"). In the Federal German Navy, Eider and Trave were employed as fishery protection vessels and for training with light-caliber guns. Later they were used in radar instruction.

After two decades of service in the West German navy, Eider and Trave were discarded in the mid-1970s. Both Eider and Trave were sold for scrap.

References

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  1. ^ Lenton & Colledge 1973, p. 451
  2. ^ a b c Blackman 1971, p. 137
  • Blackman, Raymond V. B. (1971). Jane's Fighting Ships 1971–72. London: Sampson Low Marston & Co. Ltd.
  • Lenton, H.T.; Colledge, J.J. (1973). Warships of World War II. London: Ian Allan. ISBN 0-7110-0403-X.