Rizal class corvette
Encyclopedia
The Rizal class is a ship class of two patrol corvette
s currently in service of the Philippine Navy
, and are currently its largest class of corvettes. These ships were formerly used by the US Navy as Auk class minesweeper
s. Under the Philippine Navy
, the two vessels have undergone upgrades and modification, and were categorized as corvettes.
serving with the United States Navy and the British Royal Navy
during the Second World War. In total, there were a recorded 95 Auk class minesweepers under Allied command during that time.
Thirty-two minesweepers were ordered by the US (as BAM-1 to 32) intending them to be supplied to the Royal Navy under Lend-lease but 12 were retained for USN use and given names and "AM" hull classification prefix. Those transferred were given "J" pennant number prefixs and formed the Catherine class
Eleven minesweepers of the Auk class were lost in World War II; only one (USS Skill) was sunk — by U-593.
Out of the reserved US Navy units, two were transferred to the Philippines
as part of the US Military Assistance Program, these were USS Murrelet
(renamed BRP Rizal
) in 1965, and USS Vigilance
(renamed BRP Quezon
) in 1967.
Both ships were stricken in 1994, but were overhauled with assistance from Hatch & Kirk, Inc., and returned to service in 1995-1996. Recent upgrades includes a satellite radio dish for communications. As of 2008, both ships are still on the active roster of the Philippine Navy
, and are assigned with the Patrol Force.
With 40 years of active duty with the Philippine Navy, both have been involved local and international crisis, exercises, and incidents.
The two Mk24 3"/50 caliber guns, the ships' primary weapons, have a range of up to 14600 yards (13,350.2 m) yards and are also capable of anti-aircraft warfare.
In addition to the above mentioned guns, she also carries a total of two twin Mk1 Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft guns, two twin Mk4 20 mm Oerlikon
cannons, and four 50 caliber machine guns.
The ship is powered by two EMD
16-645E7 diesel engines with a combined power of around 5800 bhp driving two propeller
s. The main engines can propel the 1,250 ton (full load) ship at a maximum speed of around 18 knots (35 km/h). It has a maximum range of 5000 nautical miles (9,260 km) at a speed of 12 knots (24 km/h).
Corvette
A corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, originally smaller than a frigate and larger than a coastal patrol craft or fast attack craft , although many recent designs resemble frigates in size and role...
s currently in service of the Philippine Navy
Philippine Navy
The Philippine Navy is the naval arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas, literally, "Sea Force of the Philippines"....
, and are currently its largest class of corvettes. These ships were formerly used by the US Navy as Auk class minesweeper
Auk class minesweeper
The Auk class were Allied minesweepers serving with the United States Navy and the British Royal Navy during the Second World War. In total, there were 95 Auks built.-Design and development:...
s. Under the Philippine Navy
Philippine Navy
The Philippine Navy is the naval arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas, literally, "Sea Force of the Philippines"....
, the two vessels have undergone upgrades and modification, and were categorized as corvettes.
History
The Auk class of naval ships were Allied minesweepersMinesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
serving with the United States Navy and the British Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
during the Second World War. In total, there were a recorded 95 Auk class minesweepers under Allied command during that time.
Thirty-two minesweepers were ordered by the US (as BAM-1 to 32) intending them to be supplied to the Royal Navy under Lend-lease but 12 were retained for USN use and given names and "AM" hull classification prefix. Those transferred were given "J" pennant number prefixs and formed the Catherine class
Eleven minesweepers of the Auk class were lost in World War II; only one (USS Skill) was sunk — by U-593.
Out of the reserved US Navy units, two were transferred to the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
as part of the US Military Assistance Program, these were USS Murrelet
USS Murrelet (AM-372)
USS Murrelet was an acquired by the United States Navy to removed mines from minefields laid to prevent ships from passing. She was the only U.S...
(renamed BRP Rizal
BRP Rizal (PS-74)
The BRP Rizal is the first of two Rizal class ships in service with the Philippine Navy. She is formerly an ex-USN Auk class minesweeper that were produced during World War II, and is now classified as a patrol corvette protecting the vast waters of the Philippines...
) in 1965, and USS Vigilance
USS Vigilance (AM-324)
USS Vigilance was an acquired by the United States Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing....
(renamed BRP Quezon
BRP Quezon (PS-70)
The BRP Quezon is one of two Rizal class ships in service with the Philippine Navy. She is formerly an ex-USN Auk class minesweeper that were produced during World War II, and is now classified as a patrol corvette protecting the vast waters of the Philippines...
) in 1967.
Both ships were stricken in 1994, but were overhauled with assistance from Hatch & Kirk, Inc., and returned to service in 1995-1996. Recent upgrades includes a satellite radio dish for communications. As of 2008, both ships are still on the active roster of the Philippine Navy
Philippine Navy
The Philippine Navy is the naval arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas, literally, "Sea Force of the Philippines"....
, and are assigned with the Patrol Force.
With 40 years of active duty with the Philippine Navy, both have been involved local and international crisis, exercises, and incidents.
Technical details
Although fairly armed for her size, her weapon systems are manually operated and are of World War II origin.The two Mk24 3"/50 caliber guns, the ships' primary weapons, have a range of up to 14600 yards (13,350.2 m) yards and are also capable of anti-aircraft warfare.
In addition to the above mentioned guns, she also carries a total of two twin Mk1 Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft guns, two twin Mk4 20 mm Oerlikon
Oerlikon Contraves
Rheinmetall Air Defence AG is a division of German armament manufacturer Rheinmetall, created when the company's Oerlikon Contraves unit was renamed on 1 January 2009 and integrated with Rheinmetall's other air-defence products...
cannons, and four 50 caliber machine guns.
The ship is powered by two EMD
EMD
- Music :* E.M.D., a Swedish band* The Explorations in Music and Dance / EMD Network, represents diverse higher education institutions of dance and music in Greenland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania with additional institutional partners in the European...
16-645E7 diesel engines with a combined power of around 5800 bhp driving two propeller
Propeller
A propeller is a type of fan that transmits power by converting rotational motion into thrust. A pressure difference is produced between the forward and rear surfaces of the airfoil-shaped blade, and a fluid is accelerated behind the blade. Propeller dynamics can be modeled by both Bernoulli's...
s. The main engines can propel the 1,250 ton (full load) ship at a maximum speed of around 18 knots (35 km/h). It has a maximum range of 5000 nautical miles (9,260 km) at a speed of 12 knots (24 km/h).
Ships in Class
| Bow number | Ship name | Launched | Commissioned | Service | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS-70 | BRP Quezon BRP Quezon (PS-70) The BRP Quezon is one of two Rizal class ships in service with the Philippine Navy. She is formerly an ex-USN Auk class minesweeper that were produced during World War II, and is now classified as a patrol corvette protecting the vast waters of the Philippines... |
5 April 1943 | 19 August 1967 | Philippine Navy Philippine Navy The Philippine Navy is the naval arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas, literally, "Sea Force of the Philippines".... Patrol Force |
Active |
| PS-74 | BRP Rizal BRP Rizal (PS-74) The BRP Rizal is the first of two Rizal class ships in service with the Philippine Navy. She is formerly an ex-USN Auk class minesweeper that were produced during World War II, and is now classified as a patrol corvette protecting the vast waters of the Philippines... |
29 December 1944 | 18 June 1965 | Philippine Navy Philippine Navy The Philippine Navy is the naval arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas, literally, "Sea Force of the Philippines".... Patrol Force |
Active |
External links
- Philippine Navy Official website
- Philippine Fleet Official Website
- Philippine Defense Forum
- Opus224's Unofficial Philippine Defense Page
See also
- Philippine NavyPhilippine NavyThe Philippine Navy is the naval arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas, literally, "Sea Force of the Philippines"....
- Auk class minesweeperAuk class minesweeperThe Auk class were Allied minesweepers serving with the United States Navy and the British Royal Navy during the Second World War. In total, there were 95 Auks built.-Design and development:...