HMS Protector (A146)
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 HMS Protector in 1952, prior to be being refitted for Antarctic service | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMS Protector |
| Builder | Yarrow Shipbuilders, Glasgow |
| Laid down | August 1935 |
| Launched | 20 August 1936 |
| Commissioned | 30 December 1936 |
| Reclassified | Antarctic patrol ship in 1955 |
| Fate | Sold 10 February 1970 for breaking up |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 346 ft (105 m) |
| Beam | 50 ft (15 m) |
| Draught | 16 ft (4.9 m) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 19 knots |
| Complement |
|
| Armament |
|
| Aircraft carried | Two Westland Whirlwind helicopters |
HMS Protector was an Antarctic patrol vessel of the Royal Navy between 1955 and 1968. She was built in 1935 as a net laying ship.
Modifications
Protector was laid down as a fast net layer by Yarrow Shipbuilders at their Scotstoun, Glasgow shipyard on 15 August 1935, launched on 20 August 1936 and was completed in December 1936.[1] She was commissioned on 30 December 1936.[2] Her design was based on that of HMS Guardian, built in 1932, but with more powerful machinery and improved equipment for handling nets.[1][3]
Protector was 338 feet (103 m) long overall and 310 feet (94 m) between perpendiculars, with a beam of 53 feet (16 m) and a draught of 13 feet 9 inches (4.19 m) at deep load.[3][1] Displacement was 2,820 long tons (2,870 t) standard and 3,610 long tons (3,670 t) deep load. Two Admiralty three-drum boilers fed steam to Parsons geared steam turbines, which drove two propeller shafts. The ship's machinery was rated at 9,000 shaft horsepower (6,700 kW), giving a speed of 20 knots (23 mph; 37 km/h).[3] The turbines were replaced in 1945 by British Thompson-Houston geared turbines.[4]
The ship was initially armed with a single QF 4-inch (102 mm) naval gun Mk V gun on a low-angle mounting aft, with this was later replaced by a twin QF 4-inch naval gun Mk XVI anti-aircraft mount, while seven 20 mm Oerlikon cannon were added to provide a close-in anti aircraft defence. The ship had a crew of 190.[3]
Protector was modified in 1955 for service as a guardship for the Falkland Islands Dependencies and a survey vessel for Antarctic waters. The twin 4-inch gun mount was moved to a forward position, allowing a flight deck and hangar for a helicopter to be fitted aft, while the close-in armament was reduced to four 20 mm cannon (with four 3-pounder saluting guns also carried). The ship's bridge was enclosed and the hull ice strengthened. A further refit in 1957 saw Protector's bridge remodelled, while in 1958 a tripod mainmast was mounted on the ship's hangar, and a crane was fitted.[4]
