Tacoma class Frigate (1943)

The Tacoma class were 96 frigates designed and built for the United States Navy in World War II, also used by the British (Colony class) and Soviet Navy under lend-lease, the storozhevoi korabl (“escort ships”). They also saw action in and the Korean War and were largely exported. Based on the British River class Frigate design to be built in civilian yards, they resluted in the Maritime Commission (MARCOM) S2-S2-AQ1 design approved for mass production in 1942, and classed at first as gunboats (PG) and then patrol frigates (PF) from 15 April 1943. All Tacoma-class in US service during World War II were manned by US Coast Guard crews in addition to teheir civilian construction, and they were transferred to the Coast Guard postwar, as well as exported to 13 countries, in service for several decades in the Cold War. Held in relative obscurity compared to escort destroyer design, they are an interesting WW2 frigate design, completely different from the purpose-designed ASW frigates built in the 1950s. But in the short allied frigate tree of WW2 they could be linked to the 1941 River class, and their own branches, the Loch and Bay class.

Development

The need for ASW escorts

In 1942, this was the peak of U-Boat losses in the Atlantic and elswhere, and a “second happy time” for Dönitz immediately after US entry into the war post-Pearl Harbor. CNO Admiral King was slow to adopt ASW tactics and measures, and this resulted in massive losses. The ASW question already went back to the time of the “quasi-war” when in the final months of 1941, US Destroyers took an active part of convoy escort jobs, in a quasi-war with Germany and losses of both sides. After many close calls and the loss of Kearny on the night 16-17 October, president F. denao Riisevelt in his October 27’s speech, announced “The shooting war has started. And history has recorded who fired the first shot …”. He quickly setup orders for US captains to “shoot and depht charge on sight” every U-Boat, now a potential threat not only for merchant crews, but for the USN itself. However by that stage, apart a wealth of mothballed fleet destroyers (The Wickes and Clemson), of which 50 already had been given to the RN against leased bases, modern destroyers of the interwar were split betwen the Atlantic and Pacific, and assigned already to the fleet. There was little to spare for escort alone.

USS Hoquiam (PF-10) outfitted at Mare Island on 15 June 1944

The USN was found ill-prepared to a massive anti-submarine escort and patrol job along its own coastline and to the mid-Atlantic. In WWI the USN had ordered hundreds of sub-chasers for coatsal waters, some made in wood (SC 110ft type), and the mediocre Ford Eagle Boats, and they all had been scrapped apart rare exceptions. The start of the wartime program saw the need of ASW vessels in large numbers, but there was a debate about what type was needed. The US admiralty board did not started from scratch however, as they could see what the British Royal Navy already did since September 1939. In fact, for Britain, that effort even started before the war, looking for a type od ASW corvette that could be built in civilian yards on one side (The flower class), and an escort destroyer that could be built in all sorts of yards, whch became the Hunt-class.

In late 1940 as the battle of the Atlantic progressed, it was clear that the small Flower class were not very seaworthy and the British Admiralty worked on a more ambitious, larger and more military grade design to be still produced in civilian yards, tha became the River class Frigates. They would be a major addition to the RN assets, built en masse from Britain, Canada and even Australia, and declined into the Loch and Bay classes later. On the other hand, the Flower class was soon improved and would led ultimately to the Castle class. Meanwhile, Admiral King and the admiralty looked at these designs and uickly dismissed the Flower class, based on a whaler, ssing more potential in the Hunt class as planned back in 1940. It led to the massive escort destoryer program, with more than 500 ships built in a single basic design only varying by powerplant and other minor perks. They would be the workhorse of escort operations for the USN in WW2, also largely distributed to Britain as the Captain class.

The US examines the River class

USS Natchez as completed (1942), cdredits navsource.

In late 1940, the development of the River class was in full swing, and the admiralty gave the “flower improvement” project to naval engineer William Reed, from Smith’s Dock, that already produced the first Flower-class and created the blueprints and construction procedures to be followed-up in many civilian shuipyards receiving orders, to create a new vessel, that ideally would marry the endurance and ASW capabilities of the Black Swan-class sloops. It was to be simplified and “translated “into a cheaper civilian design and without turbines, but reciprocating steam engines buut with the same construction techniques pioneered by the Flower-class. A selection was made after the Flower class so all yards would not be retained, for reasons of skills and capacity for the River class. Only the most experienced. The result was the River class (all named after British rivers) that would be built as well by Commonwealth Yards, for a grand total of 84 for Britain and canada, 43 for Canada alone on a modified Canadian design, and 12 for Australia.

This was not long before the River class design ended in the hands of the US admiralty and CNO Admiral King that found it barely more attractive than the previous Flower class, and dismissed it, but the decision was made above him, by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt directly. He saw indeed the urgent need to engage mercantile shipbuilders in the construction of simpler escort warships and wanted to short and cut the usual US Navy process of designing a warship for the sake of emergency. This was not indeed a US Navy program, and that probably spared a few months (something resonating to the present day…). The Navy never adopted this ship, albeit they were registered in US inventory, not flying the MARCOM ensign, but had Coast Guard Crews as the Navy did not wanted to spare regular crews for these. The US Coast Guard was indeed also deeply involved in ASW patrols during world war two, and CG drivers were found on all landing crafts in operations.

Instead, the United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM), already in charge of building cargo ships, tankers and even smaller vessels in wartime, in short the whole wartime merchant shipbuilding program was put in charge. They saw the Improved Flower and the Castle class, but also the River class, and proposed to meet the president’s requirement by creating a version of the British River-class to US mercantile standards. Once agreed, two River-class ships under construction in Montreal, Quebec (Canada), HMS Adur for the Royal Navy and HMCS Annan for the Royal Canadian Navy, were this after agreement between Canada UK and the US, transferred to the US Navy in 1942, prior to completion. They would become the prototypes for the Tacoma class, USS Asheville (PF-1) and Natchez (PF-2).

Foreworld: US Maritime Commission Fleet

The United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) was an independent executive agency of the U.S. federal government created by the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, abolished on May 24, 1950. Created at first to replace WWI vintage vessels of the United States Merchant Marine and operate ships under the American flag. It formed the US Maritime Service for training officers and from 1939 until 1945, funded and administered the largest and most successful merchant shipbuilding effort in world’s history with 5,777 ocean-going merchant and naval ships total.

The project was then given to the famous naval architecture firm of Gibbs & Cox of New York, that signed most of USN ships and legendary liners like the USS United States. Thet designed the Tacoma class, after the name of the Canadian built lead vessel, by modifying the River class design to American requirements, “nothing fancy”. The hull, structures and powerplant, most accomodations, remained about the same. Changed however were made in the armament, that was to be US in origin and improved for anti-submarine warfare. The distinctive traits externally from the River class was their their pole foremast instead of tripod and its lighter main guns, unshielded 3-inch (76.2 mm)/50 gun instead of a 4-inch (102 mm)/40 caliber gun, and a new Civilian Grade US powerplant, deep down.

But also most importantly, they were designed for fast and modular construction, taking advantage of recently created advanced techniques of prefabrication. They were indeed built to mercantile standards, based on a ship that had a proven effectiveness (the River class) for escort, but MARCOM unlike in Britain wanted all commercial shipyards to participate, even without prior experience of naval construction standards, whereas the British made a shipyard selection. The commission also wanted construction to proceed more cheaply and efficiently. Many hoped to show the US Navy, which seriously doubted that any commercial shipyard could deliver a sturdy and usable warship (notably King), that was feasible, and that proven service record inspiring the design could be effective. In the end, MARCOM achieved the impopssible: They create a ship that had a greater range than contemporary destroyer escorts.

The Navy Almost Refuses Them

However armament-wise, there was no contest. The US Navy in addition viewed them as inferior in all other respects to their destroyer escort:

-They saw them as underarmed, both in the artillery and AA side.
-Their civilian grade hull lacked resistance to underwater explosions
-Speed too low to take part in fleet Operations
-A much larger turning circle than Destroy Escort
-Inability to serve on the Pacific, lacking sufficient ventilation for warm-weather operations (too hot below decks).
In the end, they refused to include them in operations and push for them to be instead all leased to Britain and Canada and even later, to the Soviet Union, as the former lacked the crews to man them. These reflected on their origins, as the British design put an emphasis on North Atlantic operations, which required them to be warm inside and if possible, less wet than the Flower class. They also had a mercantile style hull that indeed lacked the proper rigidity and protection features to survive to a torpedo hit, or the strength to face even light gunfire.

They would be, in the end, not all leased, and a significant porportion ended in USN service after all, but the Navy required them to be manned by Coast Guard personal, not regular US crews, albeit with USN officers. The Tacoma-class would be built and operated by the US Navy indeed, not MARCOM, given the official designation of “Patrol Gunboat” (PG) and named after small cities in the United States. In naming conventions, large cities went to cruisers while destroyers were named after dead servicement and distinguished officers, and that included destroyer escorts. Naming such ships after small cities however enabled the opportunity for the latter to sponsor these ships. The cities in question were also generally on the East and West Coast.

Construction Challenges

ONI schematic of the class

In a sense, the Navy’s prevarication against these ships was almost made true given the challenges encountered by MARCOM to have these ships built at all, turned from paper to the Atlantic seas. In November 1942, MARCOM gave its West Coast Regional Office the task of coordinating construction between commercial shipyards on the West Coast and Great Lakes (five shipyards). The latter were preferred to West Coast yards due to their planned used in the Atlantic, and the Great Lakes yard were chosen because they had building ways available for the Tacoma program that coukld be scaled up rapidly. The order of magnitude was considerable, with more than 100 ships initially planned (later brought down to 79, eventually 93 completed before cancellation). But this was the first time civilian yards would be tasked to build a proper warship, whereas Britain had this experience since 1939. MARCOM made a tender, submitting the state-owned plans prepared by Gibbs and Cox, published and proposed to all yard, with the choice of a master yard that would prepare detailed specifications.

The contract went to Kaiser Cargo, Inc., of Oakland in California, so on the West Coast… This Yard was indeed notably chosen for the way it managed mass construction in delays that were bordering int tnto the ridiculous, down a few days for a Liberty ship, and also managed to gain a contract for fifty escort aircraft carriers, made at its Vancouver facilities. He wsas trusted to manage the overall construction program and promote his construction methods to other yards. Henry J. Kaiser gave birth to the most gigantic shipbuilding network of WW2, and he worked previouly from 1937 with the U.S. Maritime Commission on many designs, so he was well known and trusted. On 8 December 1942, MARCOM contracted Kaiser and other subsidiary yards some 69 Tacoma-class ships. The US Navy meanwhile looked to adopt the British “corvette” designation and preferred to retain, like for the Asheville-class the desigantion of “patrol gunboats” (PG). On 15 April 1943, the two Asheville class ships, as well as all Tacomas were reclassified as “patrol frigates” (PF).

Prefab Issues:

This construction program ran into expected difficulties early on and fall far behind schedule. Indeed, Kaiser Cargo promoted its prefabrication techniques to Great Lakes yards, that had facilities completely unsuited to their older and more traditional building techniques. They only had smaller cranes and had to rework or replace them at great cost. The location proved an issue as well, hard to see from sunny California: Ice prevented new-built Great Lakes ships from transiting the Soo Locks on the St. Marys River, between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan in the winter and spring. Instead, they had to be floated down the Mississippi River on pontoons all the way South to to New Orleans, Houston, then fitted out there in addition to thelatter shipyard’s already busy schedule and full capacity. Components had to be moved there as well, and this often doubled their construction time. Delays were such that to not lost bonuses, shipyards started to label “complete” ships that was in such an incomplete state that shakedown and post-shakedown proved they needed most repairs and alteration adding further extra months for some.

Expediting process from Kaiser were not always well mastered in these yards, resulting in cracking bilge keels in rough seas or cold weather (inferior steel quality and sometimes poor welding). In fact this became so bad, that welds holding the deckhouse to the deck had to be also all inspected. They also developed engine trouble, and as the Navy predicted, had ventilation problems that plagued them in service. Many of these points could be fixed, but not all n the long run. So even though they had been planned all the way back to December 1941 the Tacoma-class only entered service by late 1943, and commissions were delayed intil the spring or even summer 1944.

USS Alexandria (PF-18), in fact had so many issues she was not commissioned until March 1945. By that time, of course, the Battle of the Atlantic was won and they were no longer needed. Consolidated Steel was later, base don statistics at the end of the war, congratulated by MARCOM for building the most reliable ships, and paradoxically, Kaiser Cargo proved the most troublesome. USS Tacoma alone was a disaster, she needed ten months of shakedown and repairs after commissioning. USS Pasco suffered the same fate. This was improved along the way, as the first returns were made, but often it was too late and issues had to be dealt with after delivery.

Construction Orders:

USS Annapolis prior to launch sideways.

Kaiser Cargo was ordered 12 ships
Consolidated Steel Corporation, of Wilmington, California: 18 ships
American Ship Building Com. 11 ships, 4 at Cleveland, Ohio, 8 at Lorain, Ohio (then 6 more)
Walter Butler Shipbuilding Co. (Superior, Wisconsin): 12 ships
Froemming Brothers, Inc., Milwaukee: 4 ships
Globe Shipbuilding Com. Superior, Wisconsin: 8 ships
Leathem D. Smith Shipbuilding Com. Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin: 8 ships.
Total orders 79.
Later Walsh-Kaiser Company, Providence (Rhode Island) received an additional 21 ships, to be all transferred to the Royal Navy (Colony class).
The total planned was 100 units, with the four extra vessels scheduled at Lorain, American Shipbuilding, Stamford, Macon, and Milledgeville, were cancelled in December 1943 and February 1944. This made for a total of 96 ships completed.

Design

Hull

USS Asheville (PF-1) plans (from lastzombie)

The Tacoma class was very close to the River class apart in details. They displaced 1,430 long tons (1,450 t) on light load or standard, and 2,415 long tons (2,454 t) fully loaded for an overall Length of 303 ft 11 in (92.63 m) and a beam of 37 ft 6 in (11.43 m), a draft of 13 ft 8 in (4.17 m). To compare, the River class (Canadian specs) displaced 1,468 tonnes standard and 2,140 t deep load, so about 300 tonnes less, which was pretty significant. However, they were a tad longer at 91.85 meters or 301 feet, 30 cm narrower however at 11.13 m or 36 feet, and with a shallower draught at 3.89 meters or 13 ft. The Asheville class were basically Canadian Rivers and kept that appearance.

The hull lines of the Tacoma class were roughly similar however, but beefier, with a more developed superstructure and taller bridge that recalled the escort destroyers that were built at the time. The poop was semi-transom, with rounded transition, and the waterlines were finely shaped, with the same narrow entries and narrow stern keel, like the original ships and their single propeller, single rudder but two propeller shafts and associated struts, a major difference. The transom stern had been reworked and further improved for avoiding any disturbances after dropping depht charges to avoid striking back the poop, along with speed settings. The prow was well flared. The ships had two anchors, lef and side. No portholes apart in some places in the strucutres, that was all electric lighting throughout.

As seen above, the superstructures were beefier, sill made in thinner steele at c4mm. Instead of a low, blocky, open bridge with large wings supported by lattice, there was a structure that was narrower, with angled wings supported the same, but it was staggered, with first, the “A” 3-in/50 main gun protected by a bulward immediately after the capstan and anchor chains, and the hedgehog placed imedtately after. There was barely enough room for the crew to take cover if it was fired. Next was the first superstructure, with “B” mount also protected by a bulwark, ammunition boxes, and then the stepped bridge, with a first radio room, and the main enclose bridge, three-faceted and narrow, like escort destroyers. Its portholes were just above the stepped structure forward, and it was topped by the main observation, open bridge, with windows and a frame to mount a tarpaulin. Immediately aft was the raised fire control platform. Two Oerlikons mounts were placed either side of the bridge.

USS Albuquerque, USS Albuquerque 1943 (PF-7), Tacoma class patrol frigate 200414-G-G0000-0003 (from lastzombie)

Lifte rafts were installed aft of the bridge and main polme mast, comprising a platform for the main radars. There were two searchlights, one for communication on the open bridge and another on a lower platform on the pole mast. The came the single round funnel, deck utility hatches, bins and others items, four Oerlikon 20mm AA mounts, the Bofors twins, a smaller tripod mast to rig some radio cables, and the rear quarterdeck structure started after the break to the aft lower deck, making the forecastle about 2/3 of the full hull. The strucutre aft had a sponson-like platform for the aft 3-in/50 “X” main gun. The entire aft deck was clean to install the eight Y-guns and two racks for depht charges.

The Tacome class had no service boats but about eight rafts, plus other inflatables. The crew varied widly with some ships like the early serie PF3 to 16, 19, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 34 to 39, 42 ti 65, and PF 70 having 190 men and PF17, 18, 20, 23, 24, 28 to 33, 40, 41, 66 to 69, 71, 93, 94 and 99 to 102 decreased to 176 due to manpower shortages. To compare a River class was around 157, but armament was certainly lighter.

Powerplant

The Tacoma class Frigate as said above were very distinct by the choice of two propeller shafts (classic 3-bladed, bronze, fixed pitch), and their civilian powerplant in contrast to the Destroyers having turbines and the Escort Destroyers trying every combo under the sun with diesels, turbines, and electric drives. Instead, the Tacoma class stuck to the River formula and were given solid and proven Vertical triple-expansion steam engines, well familiar to all civilian yards. These were coupled with two 3-Drum express boilers rated for 240 psi (1,700 kPa) or pressure, giving a total output of 5,500 ihp (4,100 kW).

This was not stellar, but just enough to performe with a sufficient margin in their escort job. On trials they reached indeed 20.3 knots (37.6 km/h; 23.4 mph) but had in general a rated official speed of 20 knots. Now the VTE in question were left to the choice of yards provided they provided the same output. The range was by far the most important factor, and this economical machinery, coupled with enough fuel oil, 768 tonnes, gave them a range of 9,500 nautical miles (17,600 km) at 12 knots. This was enough for a back and forth across the Atlantic (5,400 nm) with etxra runs along the trip against potential U-Boat or to rescue personal and get back in convoy.

Armament

This varied between ships. Generally the first series and Kaiser ships (PF3 to 16) 19, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 34 to 39, 42 to 65 and 70 had three 3-in/50 Mk 20/21 DP guns, two twin 40mm/56 Bofors Mk 1.2 amidship and a total of nine 20mm/70 Mk 4 Oerlikon plus a forward 24-tubes Hedgehog Mk 10 ASWRL, as well as eight DC thrower and two racks aft for a total of 100 depth charges. The only change for PF17, 18, 20, 23, 24, 28 to 33, 40, 41, 66 to 69, 71, 93, 94, and 99 to 102 was to drop one 3-in/50 Mk 20/21 and replaced the nine individual mounts by just four 20mm/70 Mk 4 Oerlikon and the same, but “X” aft upper mount was replaced by a balloon hangar and its gear to take the weather.

Main artillery: 3 inch/50 Mark 20 guns

The Mark 20 was a far more recent version of the successful dual-purpose light-medium 76 mm naval guns, almost at the end of the line, whereas the Mark 2 had been in service since 1915. With their ability to raise to +85° and their constant lack of protection, they could reach a range of 14,600 yards (13,400 meters) at 43° elevation and 30,400 feet (9,300 meters) at AA ceiling. They required a small crew consisting of a single gunner with an optical telescope and a peep-site. With manual loading and ramming, the Mark 20 could fire about 20 rounds per minute. They were easy to handle and had 13-pound (5.9-kg) HE rounds. They were available in AP, AA with VT promixity fuze in 1944, and HE or illumination, some of which were always prepared to fight U-boats’ surface night tactics. It is unlikely that the automated Mark 22 (1944) ever took the place of the Mark 20.

Anti-aircraft

40mm/56 Mk 1.2

Possibly the best AA gun of World War II, at least for the Allies, the heavy puncher was widely used. On the superstructure, a twin mount was positioned aft.
The 40 mm (1.57 in) Bofors, which is still in use today and is renowned for its hitting power and dependability, requires no introduction. The manual handling of the gravity-fed, 4-round clips is the only thing limiting this 56-caliber (2.24 m/7.35 ft) gun’s 80–100 effective rate of fire, which is 120 rounds per minute (cyclic). With regard to airplanes, the muzzle velocity is 881 m/s (2,890 ft/s) and the effective range is 5,000 m (5,500 yd). In contrast to the Mark 2 quad mount, the Mk.1 was the Twin mount and was primarily unshielded.
Read more

20 mm/70 Mark 4 Oerlikon

On the GMT class they were distributed on several positions aft of the funnel initially, but the standard by 1944 was to have
Read More

Depth Charges

Eight DCT (Depth Charge Thrower or K) guns were standard equipment; four of them faced the aft quadrant and four the broadside. They were positioned aft on either side. Two 10-DC depth charge racks aft finished this, bringing the total number of depth charges to 120–160. This was a huge ship that was larger than any other US ship, indicating their area of expertise. This was their only ASW weapon until the Hedgehog was introduced and replaced the “B” mount.

Mark 7:

Most likely, the finished Mark 7 models were utilized. They weighed 745 pounds (338 kg) and carried a 600-pound (272 kilogram) TNT payload with a sink rate and terminal velocity of 9 feet per second (2.7 mps). They were designed in 1937 and went into service the following year. It was adjustable between 50 and 300 feet (15 and 91 meters).
In the early stages of World War II, it was essentially a modified Mark 4, which was installed as standard on all destroyers, destroyer escorts, and ASW ships. It was redesigned to make building easier. Due to rumors of U-boats that could reach more than 250 meters, Mod 1 raised the depth setting to 600 feet (183 meters) when it arrived in August 1942. With a higher sink rate of 13 frames per second (4 mps), Mod 2’s warhead was increased to 400 pounds (181.4 kg) of TNT.

Mark 8:

This variant, which was designed in 1941 and released in 1943, was a magnetic handgun with an aluminum case to prevent magnetic interference. Compared to earlier preset depth charges, this “proximity” model was significantly more sophisticated and accurate. With a sink rate of 11.5 fps (3.5 mps) and settings ranging from 50 to 500 feet (15-152 m), it was able to carry 270 lbs. (122 kg) of TNT despite weighing “only” 525 lbs. (238 kg). Compared to the Mark 6 or even the subsequent Mark 9, the USN deemed it seven times more deadly. However, when it blew up…

It required a lot of upkeep and was unreliable. So much so that the model was discontinued from service in 1945 and a backup hydrostatic pistol was installed. The magnetic pistol burst when 20–25 feet (6–7.5 m) got close after arming itself when it detected the hull from 35 feet (11 m) to 200 feet (61 m). It was sorted by 150 lbs. (68 kg) of lead weight because it was too light. With 76,000 manufactured, this model was hailed as a USN “secret weapon” that would help win the war in the Atlantic. However, crews immediately found weaknesses in it, and it was quickly withdrawn after the war, with about 57,000 remaining in storage by September 1945.

Mark 9:

This was the standard-issue DC from 1943 to 1945 and well beyond, and it was from the same generation as the Mark 8. Technically, they were essentially the same as the preceding Mark 7, but they had a “teardrop” shape that allowed for a significantly higher sink rate in tests. They also included fins to generate a stabilizing spin, which allowed them to sink much more precisely. The Mod 2 could be set up to 1,000 feet (305 meters), the sink rate could be lowered to 15 (4.5 mps) if necessary by installing spoiler plates on the nose that functioned as brakes, and the warhead TNT was swapped out for Torpex. To enable slower warships (DEs, Frigates, and Sub-Hunters) to avoid the explosion plume, they were supplied as kits.

Mods 0, 1, and 2 had warheads that ranged from 200 lbs. (91 kg) TNT to 190 lbs. (86 kg). They weighed 320 lbs./145 kg, 320 lbs./145 kg, and 340 lbs. (154 kg) accordingly. The sink rate also fluctuated, ranging from 14.5 fps (4.4 mps) to 22.7 fps (6.9 mps).
The settings ranged from 50 to 300 feet (15-91 m) or 600 feet (183 m), which is almost the same as the Mark 7.

About the K Guns (Mark 6)

In 1941, the Projector Mark 6 was released, firing a single depth charge of the Mark 6, 9, or 14. The distances covered in only 3.4 to 5.1 seconds range from 60 to 150 yards (55 to 137 meters). They were typically positioned three on each side aft on the deck, near the aft deckhouse, on all destroyers equipped. For destroyers, it is four to six, but for destroyer escorts, it can reach eight. They persisted until the 1950s, when their output was so high that lend-lease was also a major source of funding.

The depth charge was put into each K-Gun, which was made up of an arbor (holder) that was placed inside the projector. It was deemed a hazard even though it could not be recovered until a cable was fastened to it after it fell into the sea. They were inexpensive metal parts that could be expanded. These were partially constructed from a 61 cm x 15 cm tube that was closed on one end and ended with a 12 by 31 inch (30.5 x 79 cm) tray on the other end. When shot, it became the primary projectile because it was designed to fit into the projector barrel. They weighed 70 pounds (32 kg) at first, then 65 pounds (29.5 kg) on later models, increasing range.
Black powder was utilized as the K-Gun propellant. The arbor was placed inside a tubular casing that measured 3″ (7.62 cm). The charge changed when the loads fluctuated between the required range of 60, 90, and 150 yards (55, 82, and 137 meters).

The USS Asheville (PF-1) tested the Mark 9’s built-in arbor in 1944, but the technology was too complicated and expensive to justify production in comparison to expandable arbors. Thousands of tons of arbors are thought to have been placed on the Atlantic bottom following World War II, but they most likely rusted away because they were not given any special care.

Hedgehog

She had a 24 tubes for 178mm spigot charges, Mk.15 Hedgehog located forward on the supper structure like the River class. The launcher had four “cradles” for six launcher spigots each. The firing sequence was staggered in order for all to land at about the same time to minimise stress on the mounting (no deck reinforcement needed) and enabling easy retrofits. Reloading took about three minutes. Each bomb was modest in comparison to a depth charge, 35 lb (16 kg) Torpex. Each of these had a diameter of 7.1 in (18 cm), weighed of 65 lb (29.5 kg). The pattern was 130 ft (40 m), 200 yd (180 m) ahead. They sink at about 23 ft/s (7 m/s) and could reach 200 ft (60 m) in under 9 seconds. Sympathetic detonation caused waves that could shake a hull to the point of breaking it.

Sensors

SL Radar

Typical small 150 kW, 1300 lbs (590 kg) surface search radar designed for destroyer escorts.

The 300 lbs (136 kg)antenna was 45″ by 48″ (1.14m by 1.22m) parabolic in radome and PPi scope, 20 rpm and 100 feet/1 degrees accuracy.

Resolution 600 feet/6 degrees or 200 meters/25 degrees, 30 meters/1 degrees

Specs: Wavelength 10 cm, pulse Width 1.5 microsecond, Pulse Repetition Frequency 800 Hz

Range: 15 nm (30 km) low-flying bomber, 20 nm (35 km) cruiser, 13 nm (24 km) destroyer, 10 nm (20 km) submarine

829 SLs were manufactured in 1943-10, 480 SL-1 by 1944-7. They equipped the present destroyers and their successors. British crews were trained on them at first.

SA Radar

Standard small air search radar and first warning detector. Tailored for destroyers escorts and frigates, some were also found on destroyers. They were of the bed frame type, and relatively small. The SA-1 equipped rather destroyers.
Specs:
SA had an estimated reliable range of 40 miles on medium bombers at 10,000′, with antenna at 100′. Range accuracy is ± 100 yds. Bearing accuracy, ± 1° (lobe switching). No elevation.

The SA has 12 components and weighs a total of approximately 1500 lbs. The SA antenna measures 5′ x 8’8″. Including pedestal, it weighs 500 lbs.

The antenna should be mounted as high as possible, preferably 100 feet or more above the water, thus, on top of the mainmast of the GMT.

To operate, one operator per shift is required. PP required is 1950 watts at 115 volts, 60 cycles.

They were small enough to be fitted on sub-chasers and minesweepers as well.
See also

QGA sonar

Unlike the Escort destroyers which sported the type 128 and Type 144 sonars, the Tacoma class sported the QGA. This larger model was indeed generally installed on destroyers from 1944, superseding the QC sonar. It was in a streamlined 100″ (254 cm) dome and deemed effective at high speeds. It had a Bearing Deviation Indicator so that operators could quickly detect changes in bearing. It worked at 30 kHz (accurate bearings) or 14 kHz (long range search). Its high frequency transducer eliminated the blind spot directly beneath. They worked best with the Hedgehog, allowing an attack before the target passed into the blind spot.

⚙ specifications
Displacement	1,430 long tons (1,450 t) standard, 2,415 long tons (2,454 t) full load
Dimensions	303 ft 11 in x 37 ft 6 in x 13 ft 8 in (92.63 x 11.43 x 4.17 m)
Propulsion	2 shafts VTE, 2x 3-Drum express boilers 5,500 ihp (4,100 kW)
Speed	20.3 knots (37.6 km/h; 23.4 mph)
Range	Oil 768t, 9500 nm/12 kts
Armament	3× 3 in/50 DP, 2×240 mm (1.57 in) Bofors, 9× 20 mm Oerlikon AA, 2 DCT, 8 DCR, Hedgehog
Sensors	SA, SL radars, QGA sonar
Crew	190

Appearance

USS Greensboro (PF-101)

USS Gallup (PF-47)

USS Bisbee (PF-46)

HMS Ascension (Colony class) with her Atlantic wavy pattern
Based on appearance only, as the subject is not covered by shipcamouflage.com, it seems the Tacoma class when they were camouflages, wore the Measure 32 Medium Pattern System: Vertical Surfaces in a composition of Light Gray 5-L, Ocean Gray 5-O and Black and horizontal surfaces in Deck Blue, 20-B and Ocean Gray 5-O. Canvas Covers visible from the outside vessel dyed a color corresponding to Deck Blue. The qtraight line distuptive pattern was respected both for horizontal and vertical surfaces. Others in 1945 had the graded system MS 21, 1945 revision, with vertical Surfaces showing a waterline up horizontal band of Navy Blue (5-NB) or #7 Navy Gray (5-N) if not available, entire length and boottopping up to the main deck aft, then Apply Haze Gray (5-H) above that level. Horizontal Surfaces were in Apply Deck Gray (20).

The Colony class were not always camouflaged either, but when it was the case, it was the Western Approach wavy pattern with light gray, dark grey-blue and medium grey-blue.

The prototypes: Asheville class

These were “stock” Canadian-built River class Frigates as seen above, trabsferred after an agreement between Canada, UK and the US for a new ASW escort to be transferred before completion in a “reverse lend-lease” and then copied by MARCOM to produce the Tacoma class Frigates. Initially, the agreement was for the delivery of ten River class, but later it was reduced to just two. They diverged from the Tacomas, with a displacement standard, of 1,412 tonnes, 2,150 tonnes fully loaded, a lenght of 86.3 meters at the waterline, 91.9 meters overall, for a beam of 11.1 meters, and draught of 4 meters. They were powered by two VTE engines fed by two admiralty boilers for 5,500 shp and a top speed of 20 knots, 674 tonnes of fuel oil for a range 6,000+ nm (est.). They were rearmed like the Tacoma, with three US 3-in/50 Mk 20, two twin 40mm/56 Mk 1.2 Bofors and four single 20mm/70 Mk 2.4, plus a forward 24x 178mm Hedgehog Mk 10 ASWRL, as well as eight DC Throwers aft and two racks for 100 depth charge. They were also fitted with a SA, SL radar but kept their British type 128 sonar. The crew amounted to 190. They likely were crewed by Coast Guard men.

USS Asheville underway, showing her 1944 Ms 12 or MS 21 graded system (date unknown).

PG101 (from April 1943 PF1) USS Asheville was originally laid down as HCMS Adur, laid down as N°155 in Canadian Vickers, Montreal, on October 1941, launched on 22 August 1942 and trabsferred for a US commissioning in December 1942. Asheville sailed to Boston via the Saint Lawrence River and Atlantic for completion, and on 23 February 1943, she joined the Eastern Sea Frontier, and assigned to escort convoys between New York and Guantanamo Bay in Cuba until 2 September; then reassigned to ASW patrols. On 17 September, she escorted a burned-out ammunition ship out to sea to be scuttled. In May 1944 she was sent to the Boston Navy Yard tp be refitted for experimental anti-submarine warfare with a dedicated new gear and operated under the Antisubmarine Development Detachment, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (COMASDEVLANT). In September, she was detached to join a hunter-killer group loooking for a signalled U-boat, that turned up empty. She resumed experimental testing and on 15 September, sent to Port Everglades in Florida as new base, operating from there until April 1945, and testing other ASW systems.

From 13 April 1945, Asheville was relocated to New York, Eastern Sea Frontier, back to ASW patrols. On 8 May, at V-Day, Atlantic, she was sent back to Port Everglades for more experimental testing. On 19 July she was back to New York to test a new radar system and until the fall tested it on the eastern coast. On 14 January 1946, she was decommissioned at the Norfolk, struck on 25 February 1946, sold to the United Boat Service Corp. on 15 June 1946 for breaking up, but resold to Argentina. Renamed ARA Hercules (P-31), later PNA Juan B. Azopardo (GC-11) her exact carrer end is unknown, but she was identified as P31, then GC11 until stricken in 1973.

c. 1943, still fitted with British type radars. Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 55851, Mike Green.

PG102 (From April 1943 PF2) was laid down as HCMS Annan, yard N°156 at Canadian Vickers, Montreal, on March 1942, launched on 12 September 1942 and commissioned after trabsfer to the USN on December 1942. She sailed under escort to Boston and its Navy Yard on 16 January 1943 for fitting out and on 1 March reported for duty to Commander Eastern Sea Frontier. She escorted convoys between Cuba and New York. On 4 December she was sent looking for the missing Cuban freighter SS Libertad off the southern Atlantic coast with other patrol vessels, guided by homing signals from Navy blimps. She only found three survivors, reporting they had been sunk before notifying the convoy commander.

On 29 April 1945, she received a sonar contact, and sighted a snorkel. It was U-879, located 98 mi (158 km) east of Cape Henry in Virginia. This was still wartime, and she launching an attack, quickly joined by three destroyer escorts (Coffman, Bostwick and Thomas) with Hedgehogs and depth charges. She was trapped and contact was lost but a massive oil slick was seen rising to the surface, making for a probable kill wich was shared between all four ships. She was ordered to Charleston in South Carolina on 29 June 1945 for inactivation, delivered to the Maritime Commission on 19 November for disposal, then resold on 29 July 1947 to Louis Moore, Miami, resold again on 19 March 1948 to the Dominican Republic. She operated as Juan Pablo Duarte (F102) until reunning aground at Puerto Plata by November 1949. Damage was crippling and she was decommissioned, sold to Félix Benítez, a Puerto Rican engineer. He managed to have her repaired, converted as a personal yacht, the “Moineau”. She was broken up in 1959.

Exports

HMS Dominica in February 1944

Names

HMS Anguilla (K500), HMS Antigua (K501, HMS Ascension (K502), HMS Bahamas (K503), HMS Barbados (K504), HMS Caicos (K505), HMS Cayman (K506), HMS Dominica (K507), HMS Labuan (K584), HMS Montserrat (K586), HMS Nyasaland (K587), HMS Papua (K588), HMS Perim (K593), HMS Pitcairn (K589), HMS Sarawak (K591), HMS Seychelles (K592), HMS Somaliland (K594), HMS St. Helena (K590), HMS Tobago (K585), HMS Tortola (K595), HMS Zanzibar (K596).

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The 21 extra Tacoma-class sent to the United Kingdom and Royal Navy, became the “Colony class”, all bearing the name of small colonial outposts and cities of the Empire. They were constructed at the Walsh-Kaiser Co. of Providence, Rhode Island, for transfer under Lend-Lease, but suffered some issues in addition to costing as much as twice as a regular River class. Their armament remained unchanged apparently, instead of swapping for the QF 4-inch (102 mm) Mk XIX guns. And after a relative short but useful service at the end of the Atlantic Campaign, they were returned to the United States from 1946 until 1948. HMS Caicos became after refit an aircraft detection frigate. She was the only one of that type, stationed in the North Sea. Her role was to detect V-1 flying bombs incoming towards Great Britain. The other 20 remained in uneventful patrols and convoy escort duties. Eighteen were immediately scrapped on return, as the USN wanted nothing to do with them. Two were sold to Egypt (ex-HMS Papua and ex-HMS Tobago lost 1953-56) and became passenger ships. One was sold to Argentina, the former Caicos, sold in 1947, she served in the Argentine Navy as Comodoro Augusto Lasserre, until 1969.

Russian Tacoms, src lastzombieisland. It seems they kept their original camo, with their “EK” number painted in white at the prow.

As a part of Project Hula, a secret mid-1945 program saw the transfer of 149 US Navy ships to the Soviet Navy at Cold Bay in Alaska. The ideaw as to beef up the Sovit Pacific war in anticipation of their major offensive against Japan now that the war was won in Europe. In this total, 28 Tacoma-class were lent to the Soviet Navy between July and September 1945 as the largest, and most heavily armed or expensive ships transferred in the program. The remainder were smaller Algerine or other tupes of sloops, minesweepers and sub-chasers. A contrast to the few British trabnsfer made to beef up earlier the Soviet Arctic fleet, like the Battleshiop Arkhangelsk, ex-Royal Sovereign. At least some saw action against the Japanese in August in Northeast Asia. But the last two, USS Annapolis and Bangor were never transferred, as the whole program ended on 5 September 1945. EK-3 (ex-Belfast) ran aground and lost in November 1948 after a storm off Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The remainder 27 frigates were all returned to the US in October and November 1949, just as the cold war has started. They were in a poor state, but could be resold under MDAP for most (see later).

General Evaluation of the Tacoma Class

USS Huron PF-19

The Tacoma class, if there was a “worst allied warship of WW2” would certainly be in the top ten. We discount here C3 Cargoes and T2 Tanks they suffered from critical failures, but unlike the River class, which were “good enough” and right in time and where it mattered to win the battle of the Atlantic, this was less so for the Tacomas, endlessely delayed, now wanted by the Navy and with a fate that gave reasons to their detractors, chief of which was King. Between issues and manufacturing mishaps (especially from the great lakes) these ships, initially with 100 planned “for yesterday” when ordered on 8 December 1942, so a full year after the US entered the war, took for many, more that a year to be operational.

By mid-1944 when the bulk entered service, the battle of the Atlantic was practically over and they had little use apart for anti-submarine warfare, having a weak artillery, poor AA and limited speed. They were unable to join the war in the Pacific, and were found practically useless apart for their uneventful Atlantic Patrols until V-Day in Europe by May 1945. Not deployed (apart exceptions) to the Pacific frontline, they were used for all sorts of secondary duties, transport and training, and just assisting the coast guard in the defence of US territorial waters on both oceans.

Indeed by the time they were ready for front-line service, the requirement had passed, mostly due to the availability more thn a thousand of destroyers and destroyer escorts in the US Navy alone. The Navy regarded them all as much, much superior to the Tacoma class. The better made Consolidated Steel ships, were in fact the exception to the rule and saw service in the Pacific war zone. In fact USS Rockford and the minesweeper Ardent co-claimed the Japanese submarine I-12 in November 1944. However US commander relegated them for local training and escort or weather ships (as were some british Frigates). Their aft 3-inch gun then removed to install the weather balloon hangar.

ROKS Imchin in the 1960s.

By the time the war ended in the Pacific, fixes were moslty done, for ships had to be reinforced, engines overhauled or changed, ventilation improved, masts strengthened to received more modern sensors, AA reinforced in some cases, so that they remained somewhat useful for a few more years, given the fact they had been “spared” constant North Atlantic service, especially in winters for several years. The british “Colony class” coming back in 1946 (still appreciated despite their issues) were prompty disposed of in 1947. All but one received British names, and after being retunred between 1946 and 1948, eighteen scrapped, the remaining two were locally sold to Egypt instead. They were transformed and used as civilian passenger ships. One ended in Argentinian service in her initial role however.

Those in US service, lingered a few more months either in the mothballs or reinforcing the U.S. Coast Guard with already experienced officers on these ships. They were then scrapped for most in 1947-48. The only exception was the former USS Charlotte, saved from the scrapyard to become a Brazilian merchant ship. The remainder were those retuned from the Pacific, ex-Soviet ships transferred in 1945 (see above). These 27 ships arrived in 1949 and went into the US Navy’s Pacific Reserve Fleet in Japan. 13 were recommissioned in US service for the Korean War, until transferred afterwards and resold to many fiendly nations, thirteen in total, most under the MDAP programme, for many more years of useful service until 1979 for the ex-Knoxville in the Dominican navy.

These countries were the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Navy, Argentine, Belgian, Colombian, Cuban, Dominican, Ecuadorian, French, Mexican, Royal Netherlands, Peruvian, and Royal Thai navies. One still can be visited today: The Royal Thai Navy as HTMS Tachin (PF-1) (1951–2000) preserved as a museum ship when decommissioned in 2001, largely the oldest of these in service. She was the ex-USS Gendale, ex-Soviet EK-6, making for a total of 57 years of service under three flags. Not bad for a warship created in emergency with 1940s civilian standards.

USS Tacoma was ordered from Permanente Metals Richmond Shipyard in Richmond, Yard number 46, laid down on 10 March 1943, launched on 7 July 1943 and commissioned on 6 November 1943.
She became a training ship in January 1944 as the first in class, to train patrol frigate crews until 27 June 1944. She was then sent to Alaskan waters while performing sea trials, being plagued by many issues, including a boiler room fire and instead of reporting to Kodiak, she returned for fixes and repairs until 21 October. The next four months saw her in anti-submarine patrols, escorting supply ships and transports off Alaskan coast and Aleutians chain, stopping at Attu, Adak, Dutch Harbor among others. She was then selected for transfer to the Soviet Navy in Project Hula and left Dutch Harbor on 23 February 1945 for extensive overhaul at San Francisco and Bremerton to prepare for transfer.

On 10 July 1945 she arrived at Cold Bay, her new Soviet crew arrived on board and she started familiarization training. Decommissioned on 16 August 1945 from USN service she was officially transferred under Lend-Lease with USS Sausalito (PF-4), Hoquiam (PF-5), Pasco (PF-6), Albuquerque (PF-7), and Everett (PF-8), recommissioned the same day. As “storozhevoi korabl” (“escort ship”) she was renamed EK-11 and sailed for Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, used as patrol vessel until February 1946 when negotiations for return commenced. On 8 May 1947, US. SecNav. James V. Forrestal informed he wanted 480 of the 585 warships transferred returned, inc. EK-11, but these were protracted negociations. Only on 16 October 1949, EK-11 was returned, by the way of Yokosuka.

She was given her original name, but remained decommissioned at Yokosuka in a caretaker status. When the Korean War broke out on 25 June 1950 she was prepared for activation in August, was fully recommissioned on 1 December at Yokosuka, started 15 days of shakedown in Sagami Wan and Tokyo Bay and on 18-25 December had post-shakedown repairs at Yokosuka. On 26 December she proceeded to Sasebo for final preparations and on the 28th she sailed for Korea. She took part in the Blockading and Escort Squadron TF 95. On 30 January 1951 she took part in the shelling feint at Kansong and Kosong. She was in Pusan on 1 February and returned to resupply at Sasebo on 3-5 February. She then returned for escort, patrol and support at Kangnung and on 7-8 February her gunners bombarded Yangyang, and on 9-10th, Hwangpo and patrolling Chikute Island. She was back to resupply at Sasebo on 13-19 Februar and sailed for Wonsan harbor, North Korea. She covered a landing by preparatory bombardment from 22 February, covering 110 ROKA Marines on Sin Do on 24 February (a movie was made after this) and back to Sasebo on the 27th. On 10 March she sailed for Yokosuka for repairs and maintenance until 23 April.

In between the United States Naval Forces Far East (NavFE) was restructured and she was assigned to TF 92 by late April 1951 as an escort until September, escorting supply ships between Japanese and Korean ports and stations along the coast for UN warships. She also performed ASW patrols since Soviet subs were believed present in these waters. She was detached from time to time for shore bombardments. On 9 October she was gladly transferred to the Republic of Korea Navy, renamed ROKS Taedong (PF-63) active until 28 February 1973, decommissioned, returned to the US Navy, struck on 2 April, donated as museum and training ship. Preserved to this day, only lead ship of her class to be so.

Sausalito was laid down on 7 April 1943 as PG-112 MARCOM contract hull No. 1422 at Permanente Metals Richmond Shipyard #4, Richmond, like Tacoma. She was launched on 20 July 1943 and commissioned on 4 March 1944. After shakedown she was sent to Adak, Alaska on 5 October 1944 for convoy escort until transferred to the Soviet Navy in Project Hula. She departed on 5 June 1945 for an overhaul at Seattle, prepared for transfer, sent to Cold Bay and accepted her Soviet crew, starting training. Then she as was decommissioned on 16 August 1945, transferred to the Soviet Union under Lend-Lease, recommissioned as EK-16 and she departed for for Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Postwar she was negociated back but only arrived on 1 November 1949 at Yokosuka placed in reserve until the Korean War on 25 June 1950, recom. on 15 September 1950, prepared and leaving on 26 November for Hŭngnam in North Korea for harbor control duties, escorting ships through the mineswept channel and passing intruction to the harbor, patrolling the entrance, watching for drifting mines, and shore bombardment. On February-May 1951, she escorted USS Missouri in her own shore bombardment station. She performed some from Wonsan to Chongjin wirth regular upkeep at Sasebo and Yokosuka and in June-August 1951, escorted underway replenishment groups. She was sent to the Philippines in October 1951 and in November-December patrolled against unauthorized fishing vessels in the Sonsorol Islands (western Caroline Islands). She later made a good-will tour to Saigon, Bangkok, Singapore and Penang and by February 1952, back off Korea for escort/patrol duties, and sailed back home via Yokosuka on 31 May 1952. She was decommissioned on 9 June 1952 but transferred to Korea on 4 September on loan as ROKS Imchin (PF-66), replacing ROKS Apnok damaged in a collision on 21 May 1951, and scrapped in 1973.

Hoquiam PF-5 was laid down under MARCOM contract, MC hull No. 1423 at Permanente Metals Richmond Shipyard #4 on 10 April 1943, launched on 31 July 1943 and commissioned on 8 May 1944, under command of Lieutenant Commander P. E. Trimble, USCG. After shakedown off Southern California she left San Francisco on 20 August 1944 for Seattle (Washington) and then Kodiak (Alaska) on 27 August 1944 for convoy escort duties. On 8 March 1945, she became the second racially integrated US warship since the Civil War under her new CO Carlton Skinner with two black officers and thirty colored enlisted men. She patrolled island waters until June 1945 and was selected for transfer to the Soviet Navy, overhauled in Seattle, sent to Cold Bay to train soviet crews, de-commissione dnad recommissioned as EK-13 and sent to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, active until February 1946. She was transferred back to the US on 1 November 1949, in reserve at Yokosuka, then recommissioned and prepared for the Korean war on 27 September 1950 under Lieutenant Commander E. A. Lane. After shakedown, she joined the UN naval forces off Korea, Wonsan on 25 October and acted as harbor control or screening amphibious landings. She operated along the northeastern coast of Korea, took part in the evacuation at Hungnam, was overhauled in Japan on 30 December and acted as drone target ship off Japan from late January until early March 1951, then back to Korean waters on 8 March 1951 and for 6 months patrolled off the east coast of Korea from Wonsan to Songjin, taking part in interdiction and harassment patrols, bombarding enemy shore installations, coastal supply routes. She was damaged by gunfire in such mission on 7 May 1951 and had repairs and refit at Yokosuka from 16 May 1951. On 10 June she was back off Wonsan. Next she patrolled the eastern coast until September and back in Yokosuka she was decommissioned on 5 October (5 battle stars) and leased to the Republic of Kore (struck 1 August 1972) as ROKS Nae Tong (PF-65) until scrapped in 1973.

Pasco was laid down on 7 July 1943 at Permanente Metals, launched on 17 August 1943, commissioned on 15 April 1944 under her first CO Roy E. Stockstill, and from 26 April 1945, Lieutenant Olaz Laveson, USCGR. She was prepared at San Francisco and stgarted patrols on 25 May 1944 in the San Francisco-San Diego area ad then at Kodiak, on patrol/escort on the Alaskan Sea Frontier from 15 October 1944. By January 1945, she wa sprepared for transfer at Seattle, but made another round of Pacific Northwest escort missions, the transfer made at Cold Bay, Alaska, in the summer of 1945, training her new Soviet crew, decommissioned on 16 August, transferred as EK-12 and sent to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. She was returned on 16 October 1949, placed in reserve at Yokosuka. She was loaned to Japan from 1953 as JDS Kashi (PF-3) (“live oak”), reclassified PF-283 on 1 September 1957, struck on 1 December 1961, transferred to Japan for good in 1964, decommissioned on 30 June 1967, auxiliary stock craft YAC-12, back to US custody on 18 March 1968, transferred to Republic of Korea Navy in 1969, cannibalized for spare parts, converted in April as floating pier left there for years (fate unknown).

Albuquerque was laid down under on 20 July 1943 at Permanente Metals Richmond, launched on 14 September 1943, and commissioned on 20 December 1943. After fitting out and shakedown she transited via Treasure Island on 24 March for Seattle on 26 March ad departed on 5 April with a convoy to Alaska, Dutch Harbor, Unalaska (Aleutians) on 16 April, assigned to Escort Division 27. She scuttled the stern section of the Liberty ship John Straub on 19 April. Until early 1945 she remained in escort in the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea and on 5 June-14 July she made a convoy route from Dutch Harbor to Seattle and back but was eventually selected for transfer to the Soviet Navy (see above for details) as EK-14, only returned on 15 November 1949 at Yokosuka, Pacific Reserve Fleet. Recommissioned on 3 October 1950 for 10 months of convoys ezcort and patrols between Yokosuka, Hong Kong, and Singapore. In August 1951 this was Yokosuka-Subic Bay (Luzon). On 10 December she left Yokosyka, stopped at Sasebo, on 15 September she patrolled on the eastern coast of Korea in Escort Division 5, Destroyer Flotilla 3. On 26 October 1951 she left for Hong Kong and remained there until March 1952. On 6 March she returned to Subic Bay, then Sasebo on 16 May 1952, resumed patrol/escort and in July 1952 wa sin Subic Bay, on 26 July 1952 Hong Kongas station ship, back to Sasebo on 3 December, back to escorts along the eastern coast of Korea and decommissioned on 28 February 1953 at Yokosuka. On 30 November she loaned to Japan as JDS Tochi (PF-16), then PF-296 (September 1957), struck and transferred for good on 28 August 1962, YAC-15 on 31 March 1965, decommissioned 31 March 1969, US custody from 9 July 1971 for disposal, likely scrapped.

Everett was laid down under MARCOM (hull 1426) at the Permanente Metals Richmond Shipyard, launched on 29 September 1943 and commissioned on 22 January 1944. After shakedown and training she was sent for convoy escort to Adak, Alaska, from 22 April 1944, 16 months in the Aleutian before being selected for transfer to the Soviet Navy, Project Hula at Cold Bay, summer 1945. She was decommissioned on 16 August 1945, transferred as EK-15, sent to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, returned on on 15 November 1949, in reerved at Yokosuka. She was reactivated for the Korean War after extensive overhaul, recommissioned on 26 July 1950, and station ship at Hong Kong, then UN Blockading and Escort Force. On 3 July 1951, in a shelling on Wonsan she was hit by fire by a shore battery (1 killed, 7 wounded), 4 battle stars. On 10 March 1953 she was decommissioned, transferred to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as JDS Kiri (PF-11), PF-291 on 1 September 1957, struck 1 December 1961, YAC-20 on 31 March 1970, decommissioned 1 October 1975, returned 22 January 1976, scrapped.

Pocatello was laid down on 17 August 1943, under MARCOM contract hull 1427 at the Permanente Metals, launched on 17 October 1943, commissioned on 18 February 1944. After fitting out at General Engineering & Drydock Co Alameda, shakedown off San Diego until 28 April she reported to Commander, Western Sea Frontier, and acted as weather station operations off Seattle (Washington) from 17 May, starting on 22 June and on mid-July was at Weather Station Able 1,500 miles (1,300 nmi; 2,400 km) west of Seattle. In her crew was actor Buddy Ebsen as Naval Reserve OCS candidate and became Lieutenant USCG from February 1944 to 16 October 1945. Patrols lated 30 days at sea, 10 days in port, aletrnating with the cutter Haida (WPG-45), performing a dozen patrols until V-Day, laid up on the west coast, for disposal in Charleston, from 6 April 1946, decommissined 2 May, sold by September 1947 to J. C. Berkwit and Co. NYC, scrapped.

Brownsville was laid down on 14 September 1943 under MARCOM contract hull 1428 at the Permanente Metals, launched on 14 November 1943, commissioned on 6 May 1944. After outfitting at Richmond from 6 May to 19 June she departed on the 19th for San Diego for shakedown training. On the 21st she completed training, started post-shakedown availability at Alameda/Oakland and completed repairs late September, ready for service on 28 September. Her brief Navy career was with the Western Sea Frontier until April 1945, in the Southern California Sector, barrier patrols, escorting coastal shipping, plus amphibious training & ASW exercises. Sent to the Northern California Sector and San Francisco Bay, she was in planeguard duty with refits at Treasure Island until 15 April 1946, decommissioned, turned over to the USCG, recommissioned as USCGC Brownsville, decom. 2 August 1946, returned, mothballed at Seattle, struck 25 September, sold 30 September 1947 for BU.

Grand Forks PF-11 (1944–1946). Sold for scrapping, 1947

Casper PF-12 (1944–1946). Sold for scrapping, 1947

Pueblo PF-13 (1944–1946). Dominican Navy as Presidente Troncoso (F103) (later Gregorio Luperón) (1948–1979). Scrapped, 1982

Grand Island PF-14 (1944–1945). Cuban Navy as Maximo Gomez (F303) (1947-1970s?). Unknown.

Annapolis PF-15(1944–1946). Mexican Navy as ARM General Vicente Guerrero (later ARM Río Usumacinta) (1947–1964). Scrapped, 1964

Bangor PF-16 (1944–1946). US Coast Guard as USCGC Bangor (1946). To Mexican Navy as ARM General José María Morelos (later ARM Golfo de Tehuantepec). Scrapped, 1964.

Key West PF-17 (1944–1946). Sold for scrapping, 1947.

Alexandria PF-18 (1945–1946). Sold for scrapping, 1947.

USS Huron was launched under Maritime Commission contract at the American Ship Building Company in Cleveland on 3 July 1943, and commissioned on 7 September 1944. After her shakedown training off Bermuda in October-November she was based in Norfolk for the first convoy escort to North Africa on 1 December 1944. She was separated during the night and rammed by SS James Fenimore Cooper shortly after midnight, on 8 December. Her engine room was flooded but damage control was timely and skillful so after temporary repairs, she was towed the following day bt USS Choctaw (AT-70) to Bermuda on 15 December 1944 to be patched up and from there to Charleston for conversion to a sonar training ship.
She was used at the Key West Fleet Sonar School from 22 February 1945. She collided in exercises with the Free French Argo on 28 April 1945 off Key West while the latter acted as training target, having both periscopes bent. Huron left for Norfolk on 19 March 1946 to be decommissioned next 19 April, sold for BU on 15 May 1947 but resold to Brazil in 1947 the Mercantile Jose Marcelino, latter scrapped.

Gulfport PF-20 (1944–1946). Sold for scrapping, 1947

Bayonne PF-21 (1945, 1950–1953). Soviet Navy as EK-25 (1945–1949). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as JDS Buna (PF-294) (1953–1965). Sunk as target, 1968

Gloucester PF-22 (1943–1945, 1950–1952). Soviet Navy as EK-26 (1945–1949). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as JDS Tsuge (PF-292) (1953–1968). United States for disposal, 1969

Shreveport PF-23 (1943–1946). Sold for scrapping, 1947.

Muskegon PF-24 (1944–1946). To US Coast Guard as USCGC Muskegon (1946). French Navy as Mermoz (F714) (1947-late 1950s). Scrapped, late 1950s.

Charlottesville PF-25 (1944–1945). Soviet Navy as EK-1 (1945–1949). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as JDS Matsu (PF-286) (1953–1969). United States for disposal, 1972

Poughkeepsie PF-26 (1944–1945). Soviet Navy as EK-27 (1945–1949). Japanese Merchant Marine (1951), then Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as JDS Momi (PF-284) (1953–1969). South Korea for parts, 1969.

Newport PF-27 (1944–1945, 1950–1952). Soviet Navy as EK-28 (1945–1949). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as JDS Kaede (PF-293) (1953–1972). United States for disposal, 1975

Emporia PF-28 (1944–1946). French Navy as Le Verrier (F716) (1947–1958). Scrapped, 1958.

Groton (1944–1946). Colombian Navy as ARC Almirante Padilla (F-11) (1947–1965). Stricken, 1965.

Hingham PF-30 (1944–1946). Sold for scrapping, 1947.

Grand Rapids PF-31 (1944–1946). Sold for scrapping, 1947.

Woonsocket PF-32 (1944–1946). US Coast Guard as USCGC Woonsocket (1946). Peruvian Navy as BAP Teniente Gálvez (F-1) (later BAP Gálvez) (1948–1961). Scrapped

Dearborn (ex-Toledo) PF-33 (1944–1946). Sold for scrapping, 1947.

Long Beach PF-34 (1943–1945). Soviet Navy as EK-2 (1945–1949). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as JDS Shii (PF-297) (1953–1967). Scrapped, 1967

Belfast PF-35 (1944–1945). Soviet Navy as EK-3 (1945–1948). Wrecked, 1948

Glendale PF-36 (1944–1945, 1950–1951). Soviet Navy as EK-6 (1945–1949). Royal Thai Navy as HTMS Tachin (PF-1) (1951–2000). Preserved, 2001

San Pedro PF-37 (1943–1945). Soviet Navy as EK-5 (1945–1949). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as JDS Kaya (PF-288) (1953–1967). To United States for disposal, 1978; sunk as target

Coronado PF-38 (1943–1945). Soviet Navy as EK-8 (1945–1949). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as JDS Sugi (PF-285) (1953–1969). To United States for disposal, 1971

Ogden PF-39 (1943–1945). Soviet Navy as EK-10 (1945–1949). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as JDS Kusu (PF-281) (1953–1976). To United States for disposal, 1977

Eugene PF-40 (1944–1946). Cuban Navy as José Martí (F301) (1947–1976). Scrapped, 1976.

El Paso PF-41 (1943–1946). Sold for scrapping, 1947.

Van Buren PF-42 (1943–1946). Sold for scrapping, 1947.

Orange PF-43 (1944–1946). Sold, 1947; scrapped, 1948.

Corpus Christi PF-44 (1944–1946). Sold for scrapping, 1947

Hutchinson PF-45 (1944–1946). Mexican Navy as ARM California (1947–1964). Sold for scrapping, 1964

Bisbee PF-46 (1944–1945, 1950–1951). Soviet Navy as EK-17 (1945–1949). Colombian Navy as ARC Capitán Tono (F-12) (1952–1963). Scrapped, 1963.

Gallup PF-47 (1944–1945, 1950–1951). Soviet Navy as EK-22 (1945–1949). Royal Thai Navy as HTMS Prasae (PF-2) (1951–2000). Preserved, 2000

Rockford PF-48 (1944–1945). Soviet Navy as EK-18 (1945–1949). Republic of Korea Navy as ROKS Apnok (PF-62) (1950–1952). To US for disposal, 1952; sunk as target, 1953.

Muskogee PF-49 (1944–1945). Soviet Navy as EK-19 (1945–1949). Republic of Korea Navy as ROKS Duman (PF-61) (1950). Unknown.

Carson City PF-50 (1944–1945). Soviet Navy as EK-20 (1945–1949). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as JDS Sakura (PF-290) (1953–1971). Sold for scrapping, 1971

Burlington PF-51 (1944–1945, 1951–1952). Soviet Navy as EK-21 (1945–1949). Colombian Navy as ARC Almirante Brión (F-14) (1953–1968). Scrapped, 1968

Allentown PF-52 (1944–1945). Soviet Navy as EK-9 (1945–1949). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as JDS Ume (PF-289) (1953–1970). To United States for disposal, 1971.

Machias PF-53 (1944–1945). Soviet Navy as EK-4 (1945–1949). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as JDS Nara (PF-282)(1953–1966). Sold for scrapping, 1969.

Sandusky PF-54 (1944–1945). Soviet Navy as EK-7 (1945–1949). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as JDS Nire (PF-287)(1953–1970). To United States for disposal, 1970.

Bath PF-55 (1944–1945). Soviet Navy as EK-29 (1945–1949). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as JDS Maki (PF-298) (1953–1971). Sold for scrapping, 1971

Covington PF-56 (1944–1946). US Coast Guard as USCGC Covington (1946). Ecuadorian Navy as BAE Guayas (E-21) (1947–1972). Stricken, 1974.

Sheboygan PF-57 (1944–1946). Belgian Navy as Lieutenant ter zee Victor Billet (F910) (1947–1957). Scrapped, 1959.

Abilene (ex-Bridgeport) PF-58 (1944–1946). The Netherlands civilian government as SS Cirrus (1947–1969). Sold for scrapping, 1969.

Beaufort PF-59 (1944–1946). Sold for scrapping, 1947.

Charlotte PF-60 (1944–1946). Sold, 1947; became Brazilian coastal passenger ship; scrapped 1965.

Manitowoc PF-61 (1944–1946). US Coast Guard as USCGC Manitowoc (1946). French Navy as Le Brix (F715) (1947–1958). Scrapped, 1958.

Gladwyne (ex-Worcester) PF-62 (1944–1946). Mexican Navy as ARM Papaloapan (1947–1965). Scrapped, 1965.

Moberly (ex-Scranton) PF-63 (1944–1946). Sold for scrapping, 1947.

Knoxville PF-64 (1944–1946). Dominican Navy as Presidente Peynado (F104) (later Capitán General Pedro Santana) (1947–1979). Scrapped, 1979.

Uniontown (ex-Chattanooga) PF-65 (1944–1945). Argentine Navy as ARA Sarandí (P-33) (1947–1968). Unknown.

Reading PF-66 (1944–1946). Argentine Navy as ARA Heroína (P-32) (1947–1966). Scrapped, 1966.

Peoria PF-67 (1945–1946). Cuban Navy as Cuban frigate Antonio Maceo (F302) (1947–1975). Sunk as target, 1975.

Brunswick PF-68 (1944–1946). Sold for scrapping, 1947.

Davenport PF-69 (1945–1946). Sold for scrapping, 1946.

Evansville PF-70 (1944–1945, 1950–1953). Soviet Navy as EK-30 (1945–1949). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as JDS Keyaki (PF-295) (1953–1976). To United States for disposal, 1976; scrapped, 1977

New Bedford PF-71 (1944–1946). Sold for scrapping, 1947.

Hallowell (ex-Machias) PF-72. 1943–1946 Royal Navy as HMS Anguilla (K500). Returned to United States, 1946; sold for scrapping, 1947.

Hamond PF-73 1943–1946 Royal Navy as HMS Antigua (K501). Returned to United States, 1946; sold for scrapping.

Hargood PF-74 1943–1946 Royal Navy as HMS Ascension (K502). Returned to United States, 1946; sold for scrapping, 1947.

Hotham PF-75 1943–1946. Royal Navy as HMS Bahamas (K503)). Returned to United States, 1946; sold for scrapping, 1947.

Halstead PF-76 1943–1946 Royal Navy as HMS Barbados (K504). Returned to United States, 1946; sold for scrapping, 1947.

Hannam PF-77 1943–1945 Royal Navy as HMS Caicos (K505). To Argentine Navy as ARA Trinidad (P-34)/ARA Santísima Trinidad/ARA Comodoro Augusto Lasserre (Q-9) (1947–1969). Scrapped, 1971.

Harland PF-78 1944–1946 Royal Navy as HMS Cayman (K506). Returned to United States 1946; sold for scrapping 1947.

Harman PF-79 1944–1946 Royal Navy as HMS Dominica (K507). Returned to United States, 1946; sold for scrapping, 1947.

Harvey PF-80 1944–1946 Royal Navy as HMS Labuan (K584) (ex-Gold Coast). Returned to United States 1946; sold for scrapping 1957.

Holmes PF-81 1944–1946 Royal Navy as HMS Tobago (K585) (ex-Hong Kong). Returned to United States, 1946; Egyptian civilian passenger ship, 1950–1956; sunk as blockship, 1956.

Hornby PF-82 1944–1946 Royal Navy as HMS Montserrat (K586). Returned to United States, 1946; sold for scrapping, 1947.

Hoste PF-83 1944–1946 Royal Navy as HMS Nyasaland (K587). Returned to United States, 1946; sold for scrapping, 1947.

Howett PF-84 1944–1946 Royal Navy as HMS Papua (K588). Returned to United States, 1946; sold, 1947; Egyptian passenger vessel, 1950–1956.

Pilford PF-85 1944–1946 Royal Navy as HMS Pitcairn (K589). Returned to United States, 1946; sold for scrapping, 1947.

Pasley (later St. Helena) PF-86 1944–1946 Royal Navy as HMS St. Helena (K590). Returned to United States, 1946; sold for scrapping, 1947.

Patton PF-87 1944–1946 Royal Navy as HMS Sarawak (K591). Returned to United States, 1946; sold for scrapping, 1947.

Pearl PF-88 1944–1946 Royal Navy as HMS Seychelles (K592). Returned to United States, 1946; sold for scrapping, 1947.

Phillimore PF-89 1944–1946 Royal Navy as HMS Perim (K593) (ex-Sierra Leone). Returned to United States, 1946; sold for scrapping, 1947.

Popham PF-90. 1944–1946 Royal Navy as HMS Somaliland (K594). Returned to United States, 1946; sold for scrapping, 1947.

Peyton PF-91 1944–1946 Royal Navy as HMS Tortola (K595). Returned to United States, 1946; sold for scrapping, 1947.

Prowse PF-92 1944–1946. Royal Navy as HMS Zanzibar (K596). Returned to United States, 1946; sold for scrapping, 1947.

Lorain (ex-Roanoke) PF-93 (1945–1946). French Navy as La Place (F713) (1947–1950). Sunk by mine, 1950.

Milledgeville (ex-Sitka) PF-94 (1945–1946). Sold, 1947; scrapped, 1948.

Stamford PF-95: Cancelled, 31 December 1943

Macon PF-96: Cancelled, 31 December 1943.

Lorain (ex-Vallejo) PF-97: Cancelled, 11 February 1944.

Milledgeville PF-98 Cancelled, 31 December 1943.

Orlando PF-99 (1944–1946). Sold for scrapping, 1947

Racine PF-100 (1945–1946). Sold for scrapping, 1947.

Greensboro PF-101 (1945–1946). Sold for scrapping, 1948

Forsyth PF-102 (1945–1946). To US Coast Guard as USCGC Forsyth (1946). To the Netherlands civilian government as SS Cumulus (1947–1963). Scrapped, 1969

Src/Read More

Books

Gardiner, Robert, ed., Conway’s All the World’s Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Mayflower Books, 1980
Russell, Richard A., Project Hula: Secret Soviet-American Cooperation in the War Against Japan, Washington, D.C. 1997
The Patrol Frigate Story: The Tacoma-class Frigates in World War II and the Korean War 1943-1953. David Hendrickson 2011

Links

navsource.net uss tacoma
navypedia.org
history.navy.mil
navsource.net full list
history.navy.mil/ far estern sighting guide ONI
laststandonzombieisland.com
museumships.us/
navyhistory.au

The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia
uboat.net
Wiki
en.wikipedia.org colony class
creative commons photos

Model kits

On scalemates: Iron Shipwrights 1:350, Loose Cannonn pit-road, Foresight 1:700, XP Forge 1:1200.
sdmodelmakers.com
modelshipgallery.com

Video: Drawhinfels take on the Tacomas