HMS Pheasant

Vessel name on Arrival: HMS Pheasant

Original Builder: Yarrow Shipbuilders, Scotstoun, Glasgow

Original Yard No: 1780

Official Number:

Vessel Type: frigate

GRT: 1475

Year Built: 1942

Arrival Date: 15/01/1963

Breakup Started: 04/02/1963

Date First Beached: 19/06/1963

Date Breakup Completed: 12/09/1963

Draught For’d: 7' 3"

Draught Aft: 1-' 0"

Name Changes:

Other Information:

 

 

HMS Pheasant was a Modified Black Swan-class sloop of the Royal Navy.   Pennant No. U-49

 

15-07-1942  :   Laid Down

21-12-1942  :   Launched

12-05-1942  :   Completed

 

Tonnages  :   1,475 tons  /  1,925 tons                      Dimensions  :   91.3 metres  x   11.7 metres

 

Propulsion  :   Geared Steam Turbines developing 4,300 SHP giving vessel a speed of 20 knots

 

Complement  :   192 Officers and Ratings

 

Armaments

6   x  4 inch A.A. Guns

4   x  2-pounder A.A. Pom-Pom Guns

12 x  20mm Oerlikon A.A. Guns

Hedgehog Anit-Submarine Mortar

 

 

HMS Pheasant War Career

1943  –   Operation Husky (Invasion of Sicily)

1945  –   British Pacific Fleet

 

 

The Modified Black Swan-class sloops were specialised convoy-defence vessels, with anti-aircraft and anti-submarine capability. They were designed to have a longer range than a destroyer at the expense of a lower top speed, while remaining capable of out-running the German Type VII and Type IX U-boats when they were surfaced.

 

HMS Pheasant had a top speed of 20 knots – their prey, the German U-Boats, could only manage 18 knots (33 km/h) on the surface and no more than 8 knots (15 km/h) submerged.

 

In the latter part of the war she was sent to the Pacific theatre. There Pheasant served in a task force with the escort carriers HMS Striker and HMS Ruler from April to August 1945.

 

In 1947, HMS Pheasant was re-classified as a Patrol Frigate vessel.

 

The vessel was sold for breaking on 7th December 1962, for which purpose she arrived at the West of Scotland Shipbreaking Facility at Troon, South Ayrshire, on 15th January 1963.