HMS LOCH ACHANALT later to be re-named as HMNZS PUKAKI

The Loch Class Frigate-Anti Submarine were an innovative step forward from the previous River Class Frigate and they were to represent the pinnacle of Frigate development of this type, based on three years of hard submarine combat against the U-Boats of the North Atlantic battles.

They were designed to be mass produced in sections at dispersed sites and transported to an assembly point at a slipway. The Leith Shipyards of Henry Robb were instructed to build six of the ships, although three of the hulls were eventually to be completed as “Bay Class Anti Aircraft Frigates.
Welding and riveting were used to speed production and it was estimated that a team of 60 men could build a ship of this class. (Note: - This would only be to a launch condition; there would be a hell of a lot more work to be carried out by more than 60 men to complete a ship of this type)
With a single 4 in gun on the forecastle for surface action, the main weapons were beyond doubt the twin squid anti-submarine mortars, along with the high mounted rapid firing twin 20mm guns for anti-personnel work.
Only 28 Loch class ships were completed as Loch class frigates and a further 19 finished as the Bay class.
To speed construction curved structures were eliminated in the design and a noticeable result of this was the deck sheer was reduced to three straight lines.

Producing a noticeable kink in the main deck where the increased sheer forwards met the level abreast the bridge.

 To be continued.