HMS Barbados was a Colony-class frigate of the United Kingdom that served during World War II. She originally was ordered by the United States Navy as the Tacoma-class patrol frigate USS Halsted (PF-76) – sometimes spelled Halstead – and was transferred to the Royal Navy prior to completion.

History
United States
NameUSS Halsted (PG-184)
NamesakeRoyal Navy Captain Sir Lawrence Halsted (1764-1841), commanding officer of HMS Namur at the Battle of Cape Ortegal in 1805 (British name assigned in anticipation of ship's transfer to United Kingdom)
ReclassifiedPatrol frigate, PF-76, 15 April 1943
BuilderWalsh-Kaiser Company, Providence, Rhode Island
Laid down11 May 1943[1]
RenamedBarbados, 1943
NamesakeBarbados (British name assigned in anticipation of ship's transfer to United Kingdom)
Launched27 August 1943
Sponsored byMiss Anna M. Pacheco
Commissionednever
FateTransferred to United Kingdom 18 December 1943
AcquiredReturned by United Kingdom 15 April 1946
FateSold for scrapping 30 October 1947
United Kingdom
NameHMS Barbados
NamesakeBarbados
Acquired18 December 1943
Commissioned18 December 1943[1]
IdentificationPennant number: K504
FateReturned to United States, 15 April 1946
General characteristics
Class and typeColony-class frigate/Tacoma-class patrol frigate
Displacement1,264 long tons (1,284 t)
Length303 ft 11 in (92.63 m)
Beam37 ft 6 in (11.43 m)
Draft13 ft 8 in (4.17 m)
Propulsion
  • 3 × boilers
  • 2 × turbines, 5,500 shp (4,100 kW) each
  • 2 shafts
Speed20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement190
Armament

Construction and acquisition

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The ship, originally designated a "patrol gunboat," PG-184, was ordered by the United States Maritime Commission under a United States Navy contract as USS Halsted. She was reclassified as a "patrol frigate," PF-76, on 15 April 1943 and laid down by the Walsh-Kaiser Company at Providence, Rhode Island, on 11 May 1943.[1] Intended for transfer to the United Kingdom, the ship was renamed Barbados by the British prior to launching and was launched on 27 August 1943, sponsored by Miss Anna M. Pacheco.

Service history

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Transferred to the United Kingdom under Lend-Lease on 18 December 1943, the ship served in the Royal Navy as HMS Barbados (K504) on patrol and escort duty.

Disposal

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The United Kingdom returned Barbados to the U.S. Navy on 15 April 1946. She was sold to the Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock Company of Chester, Pennsylvania, on 30 October 1947 for scrapping.

References

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Notes
Bibliography