HMS Pitcairn (K589) 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 Pilford (PF-85) and was transferred to the Royal Navy prior to completion.

History
United States
NameUSS Piflord
NamesakeBritish name assigned in anticipation of ship's transfer to United Kingdom
ReclassifiedPatrol frigate, PF-85, 15 April 1943
BuilderWalsh-Kaiser Company, Providence, Rhode Island
Laid down14 September 1943[1]
RenamedPitcairn, 1943
NamesakeThe Pitcairn Islands
Launched15 October 1943
Commissionednever
IdentificationPG-193
FateTransferred to United Kingdom 6 July 1944
AcquiredReturned by United Kingdom 11 June 1946
Stricken3 July 1946
FateSold for scrapping 5 November 1947
United Kingdom
NameHMS Pitcairn
NamesakePitcairn Island
Acquired6 July 1944
Commissioned7 July 1944[1]
IdentificationPennant number: K589
FateReturned to United States 11 June 1946
General characteristics
Class and typeColony/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-193, was ordered by the United States Maritime Commission under a U.S. Navy contract as USS Pilford. She was reclassified as a "patrol frigate," PF-85, on 15 April 1943 and laid down by the Walsh-Kaiser Company at Providence, Rhode Island, on 14 September 1943.[1] Intended for transfer to the United Kingdom, the ship was renamed Pitcairn by the British prior to launching and was launched on 15 October 1943.

Service history

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Transferred to the United Kingdom under Lend-Lease on 6 July 1944, the ship was commissioned by the Royal Navy on 7 July 1944[1] as HMS Pitcairn (K589). She served on patrol and escort duty.

Disposal

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The United Kingdom returned Pitcairn to the U.S. Navy on 11 June 1946. She was stricken from the U.S. Naval Vessel Register on 3 July 1946 and transferred for disposal to the U.S. Maritime Commission, which sold her to the John J. Duane Company of Quincy, Massachusetts, on 5 November 1947 for scrapping.

References

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Notes

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Bibliography

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