French frigate Marocain

Marocain, was a frigate in the Free French Naval Forces during World War II and the French Navy post-war. The ship was originally built as USS Marocain (DE-109), an American Cannon-class destroyer escort.

Port side view of Free French Destroyer Escort Marocain (F-705).
Port side view of Free French Destroyer Escort Marocain (F-705).
History
United States
NameUSS Marocain (DE-109)
BuilderDravo Corporation, Wilmington, Delaware
Laid down7 September 1943
Launched1 January 1944
Commissioned29 February 1944
FateTransferred to Free France, 29 February 1944
Stricken14 May 1952
History
Free France
NameMarocain (F-705)
NamesakeMoroccan
Acquired29 February 1944
History
France
NameMarocain (F-705)
Acquired14 October 1946
Stricken1960
FateReturned to USN May 1964
General characteristics [1]
Class and typeCannon-class destroyer escort
Displacement
  • 1,240 long tons (1,260 t) standard
  • 1,620 long tons (1,646 t) full
Length
  • 306 ft (93 m) o/a
  • 300 ft (91 m) w/l
Beam36 ft 10 in (11.23 m)
Draft8 ft 9 in (2.67 m)
Propulsion4 × GM Mod. 16-278A diesel engines with electric drive, 6,000 shp (4,474 kW), 2 screws
Speed21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph)
Range10,800 nmi (20,000 km) at 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement15 officers and 201 enlisted
Armament

History edit

World War II edit

During World War II, Marocain was transferred to the Free French Naval Forces under lend lease on 29 February 1944, and retained the name Marocain.

Marocain participated in Operation Anvil-Dragoon on 15 August 1944.[2]

Ownership of the vessel was transferred to France on 21 April 1952 under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "ex-Marocain (DE 109)". Navsource.org. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  2. ^ "MAROCAIN - destroyer d'escorte - Classe "CANNON (États Unis d'Amérique)"". Alamer.fr. Retrieved 25 April 2015.

External links edit