H.M.S. ORANGVILLE

 

 

H.M.C.S.ORANGEVILLE

Ship No 345

Twin screw “Castle Class” Corvette.

The third of the class built at Leith, she was originally named H.M.S. HEDDINGHAM CASTLE
With a Speed of 16 knots she had a Compliment of 105 Crew and 7 Officers.

She was armed with 1-4" Gun, 6-20mm (2 x II, 2 x I), and a Squid for anti submarine attack.

She sailed under the Pendant: (K491)

Her Keel was laid down on 23rd of July 1943

And she was launched: on the 26th of January 1944, after her sea trials she was commissioned on 24th April 1944. H.M.C.S. ORANGEVILLE served in the North Atlantic shepherding many convoys across the dangerous seas between Halifax Nova Scotia and the British Isles.

She was sold into mercantile service in 1947 and she was re-named Ta Tung.

She was to go through a few names and ended up being the Chinese ship

Te An in 1951.

H.M.S.ORANGEVILLE

“Castle Class” Corvette.

Designed as an improved Flower Class Corvette with a strengthened bow to mount the Squid Anti Submarine Mortar and longer to accommodate the sonar’s and improve sea keeping. However the Castle used the same power plant as the Flower and being larger she was hopelessly under powered. Helmsmen found it difficult to hold the ship in heavy seas and at low revs they lacked manoeuvring ability, crucial for the Squid which could not be aimed, the ship had to turn onto the target.

Hotels in New York Despite the design difficulties their crew’s stuck to the job and were very successful in the battle of the Atlantic and they also fought in the bitter waters of the Artic Convoys to Russia.

These Castle Class Corvettes were a much improved vessel to the Flower class Corvettes The improved length designed by William Reed of Smith's Dock made these more suitable for Atlantic Weather conditions. With the Addition of Squid which improved its anti Submarine capabilities.