HMCS Swansea

HMCS Swansea was a Canadian River-class frigate that was the most successful U-boat hunter in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War, having a hand in the destruction of four of them. She saw service in the Battle of the Atlantic from 1943 to 1945. Following the war she was refit as a Prestonian-class frigate. She is named for Swansea, Ontario.

Petty Officer G Ardy, of London, Ontario, standing by the gun-shield on which are painted symbols indicating Swansea's U-boat kills.
History
Canada
NameSwansea
NamesakeSwansea, Ontario
OrderedOctober 1941
BuilderYarrows Ltd., Esquimalt
Yard number83
Laid down15 July 1942
Launched19 December 1942
Commissioned4 October 1943
Decommissioned2 November 1945
IdentificationPennant number: K328
Recommissioned12 April 1948
Decommissioned14 October 1966
ReclassifiedPrestonian-class frigate
IdentificationPennant number: 328
MottoFloreat Swansea (Let Swansea flourish)
Honours and
awards		Atlantic 1943–44, Normandy 1944, English Channel 1944
FateSold August 1967, broken up Savona, Italy 1967
BadgeAzure in a base barry wavy of four argent and azure out of which a swan with wings displayed argent and holding in its beak or a maple leaf gules.
General characteristics
Class and typeRiver-class frigate
Displacement
  • 1,445 long tons (1,468 t; 1,618 short tons)
  • 2,110 long tons (2,140 t; 2,360 short tons) (deep load)
Length
  • 283 ft (86.26 m) p/p
  • 301.25 ft (91.82 m)o/a
Beam36.5 ft (11.13 m)
Draught9 ft (2.74 m); 13 ft (3.96 m) (deep load)
Propulsion2 x Admiralty 3-drum boilers, 2 shafts, reciprocating vertical triple expansion, 5,500 ihp (4,100 kW)
Speed
  • 20 knots (37.0 km/h)
  • 20.5 knots (38.0 km/h) (turbine ships)
Range646 long tons (656 t; 724 short tons) oil fuel; 7,500 nautical miles (13,890 km) at 15 knots (27.8 km/h)
Complement157
Armament
  • 2 × QF 4 in (102 mm)/45 Mk. XVI on twin mount HA/LA Mk.XIX
  • 1 × QF 12 pdr (3 in (76 mm)) 12 cwt /40 Mk. V on mounting HA/LA Mk.IX (not all ships)
  • 8 × 20 mm QF Oerlikon A/A on twin mounts Mk.V
  • 1 × Hedgehog 24 spigot A/S projector
  • up to 150 depth charges

Swansea was ordered in October 1941 as part of the 1942–1943 building program. She was laid down on 15 July 1942 by Yarrows Ltd. at Esquimalt and launched 19 December 1942. Swansea was commissioned into the RCN at Victoria, British Columbia, on 4 October 1943 with the pennant K328.

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