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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
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{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2017}}
⚫
{|{{Infobox ship begin |sclass=2}}
{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image=[[image:HMS Kildangan IWM Q 043387.jpg|250px]]
| Ship image=HMS Kildangan IWM Q 043387.jpg
| Ship image size=250px
| Ship caption=HMS ''Kildangan'', pictured in 1918 with dazzle camouflage
| Ship caption=HMS ''Kildangan'', pictured in 1918 with dazzle camouflage
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Builders=George Brown; Hall Russell; Smiths Dock; Cochrane; Cook, Welton & Gemmell
| Builders=George Brown; Hall Russell; Smiths Dock; Cochrane; Cook, Welton & Gemmell
| Operators={{navy|UK|naval}}
| Operators={{navy|United Kingdom|naval}}
| Class before=[[P class sloop]]
| Class before={{sclass2|P|sloop|0}} [[sloop of war|sloop]]
| Class after=
| Class after=
| Subclasses=
| Subclasses=
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| Ship beam= {{convert|30|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam= {{convert|30|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship draught= {{convert|10|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship draught= {{convert|10|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship propulsion= Machinery: 1400 IHP to 1 shaft
| Ship power={{convert|1400|ihp|kW|abbr=on|lk=in}}
| Ship propulsion=*Single shaft
*Reciprocating steam engine
| Ship speed= 13 knots
| Ship speed= 13 knots
| Ship range=
| Ship range=
| Ship complement= 57
| Ship complement= 57
⚫
| Ship armament=*1 × [[BL 4 inch Mk IX naval gun|QF 4-inch (102 mm) gun]]
| Ship sensors=
| Ship EW=
⚫
| Ship armament=*1 x [[QF 4 inch gun|4-inch]] (102 mm)<br>
*Up to 12 [[depth charges]]
*Up to 12 [[depth charges]]
| Ship armour=
| Ship armor=
| Ship notes=
| Ship notes=
}}
}}
|}
|}
The '''Kil class''' were a class of [[Sloop-of-war|sloops]], also referred to as gunboats, built for the [[Royal Navy]] during the [[First World War]]. They were designed for anti-submarine warfare, but were completed too late in the war to be used extensively in that role. They were designed to be double-ended to confuse submarine observers, and were painted in [[dazzle camouflage]]. Following the war, the majority of the class were sold off and converted to coastal cargo vessels.
The '''Kil class''' was a class of [[Sloop-of-war|sloops]], {{Citation needed span|text=also referred to as gunboats|date=March 2021|reason=Needs cite for claim not in rest of article. referred to by who and when as "gunboats"}}, built for the [[Royal Navy during the First World War]]. They were designed for anti-submarine warfare, but were completed too late in the war to be used extensively in that role. They were designed to be double-ended to confuse submarine observers, and were painted in [[dazzle camouflage]]. Following the war, the majority of the class were sold off and converted to coastal cargo vessels.


==Design and description==
==Design and description==
The Kil class were designed to counter the [[U-boat]] threat posed by the [[Imperial German Navy]] during the [[First World War]]. They were designed to be equipped with [[hydrophone]]s and [[depth charges]] to detect and destroy enemy submarines before they posed a threat to allied convoys.<ref name="rice7">[[#rice1991|Rice (1991)]]: p. 7</ref> The class began to be launched towards the end of 1917. So they could be constructed, an order for 85 anti-submarine [[naval trawler|trawler]]s was cancelled across six shipyards in order to free up enough berths for the building of the Kil class. Each ship took around six months to be constructed. Ships in the class were named after villages in Scotland and Ireland beginning with "Kil".<ref name="rice7"/>
The Kil class were designed to counter the [[U-boat]] threat posed by the [[Imperial German Navy]] during the [[First World War]]. They were designed to be equipped with [[hydrophone]]s and [[depth charges]] to detect and destroy enemy submarines before they posed a threat to allied convoys.<ref name="rice7">[[#rice1991|Rice (1991)]]: p. 7</ref> The class began to be launched towards the end of 1917. So they could be constructed, an order for 85 anti-submarine [[naval trawler|trawler]]s was cancelled across six shipyards in order to free up enough berths for the building of the Kil class. Each ship took around six months to be constructed. Ships in the class were named after villages in Scotland and Ireland beginning with "Kil".<ref name="rice7"/>


Similar to the [[24 class sloop]], the ships were built with a double ended design in order to confuse enemy submarine observers who were trying to work out which direction the ships were due to travel in.<ref name="cocker27">[[#cocker1985|Cocker (1985)]]: p. 27</ref> They had a single central funnel, and deckhouses both fore and aft were designed to be similar in order to enhance the effect. The class were painted in [[dazzle camouflage]].<ref name="rice7"/>
Similar to the {{sclass2|24|sloop|2}}, the ships were built with a double ended design in order to confuse enemy submarine observers who were trying to work out which direction the ships were due to travel in.<ref name="cocker27">[[#cocker1985|Cocker (1985)]]: p. 27</ref> They had a single central funnel, and deckhouses both fore and aft were designed to be similar in order to enhance the effect. The class were painted in [[dazzle camouflage]].<ref name="rice7"/>


The class entered service after the main threat of the U-boats had passed, and so their effectiveness in anti-submarine warfare is not known. Only 38 of the 85 ships ordered were completed by the time the [[Armistice with Germany]] was signed on 11 November 1918. The ships were put into reserve following the war, and were put up for sale by the [[Admiralty]] after the subject of their post-war use was brought up in the [[House of Commons]].<ref name="rice7"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Patrol Gunboats ("Kil" Class)|url=http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1919/nov/05/patrol-gunboats-kil-class|publisher=Hansard|accessdate=16 June 2012|date=5 November 1919}}</ref> On 14 February 1920, 48 ships of the Kil class were sold to two different civilian owners for conversion to cargo carriers.<ref name="rice7"/> Some ships were used as [[Whaling ship|whalers]], while others were used as coastal cargo vessels around the United Kingdom.<ref name="rice8">[[#rice1991|Rice (1991)]]: p. 8</ref>
The class entered service after the main threat of the U-boats had passed, and therefore their effectiveness in anti-submarine warfare cannot be determined. Only 38 of the 85 ships ordered were completed by the time the [[Armistice with Germany]] was signed on 11 November 1918. The ships were put into reserve following the war, and were put up for sale by the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] after the subject of their post-war use was brought up in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]].<ref name="rice7"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Patrol Gunboats ("Kil" Class)|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1919/nov/05/patrol-gunboats-kil-class|work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|access-date=16 June 2012|date=5 November 1919}}</ref> On 14 February 1920, 48 ships of the Kil class were sold to two different civilian owners for conversion to cargo carriers.<ref name="rice7"/> Some ships were used as [[Whaling ship|whalers]], while others were used as coastal cargo vessels around the United Kingdom.<ref name="rice8">[[#rice1991|Rice (1991)]]: p. 8</ref>


==Ships==
==Ships==
*[[HMS Kilbeggan|''Kilbeggan'']] - built by George Brown, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilbeggan||2}} - built by [[George Brown & Company]], launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilberry|''Kilberry'']] - built by George Brown, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilberry||2}} - built by George Brown, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilbirnie|''Kilbirnie'']] - built by George Brown, launched 1919. Floundered on 6 September 1920 on [[Seven Stones reef]].<ref name="cocker27"/>
* {{HMS|Kilbirnie||2}} - built by George Brown, launched 1919. Foundered on 6 September 1920 on [[Seven Stones reef]].<ref name="cocker27"/>
*[[HMS Kilbride|''Kilbride'']] - built by Hall Russell, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilbride||2}} - built by [[Hall, Russell & Company]], launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilburn|''Kilburn'']] - built by Hall Russell, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilburn||2}} - built by Hall Russell, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilcavan|''Kilcavan'']] - built by Hall Russell, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilcavan||2}} - built by Hall Russell, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilchattan|''Kilchattan'']] - built by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilchattan||2}} - built by [[Cook, Welton & Gemmell]], launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilchreest|''Kilchreest'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilchreest||2}} - built by [[Smiths Dock Company|Smiths Dock]], launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilchrenan (1918)|''Kilchrenan'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilchrenan|1918|2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilchvan|''Kilchvan'']] - built by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilchvan||2}} - built by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilclaire|''Kilclaire'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilclaire||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilclief|''Kilclief'']] - built by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilclief||2}} - built by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilclogher|''Kilclogher'']] - built by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilclogher||2}} - built by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilcock|''Kilcock'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilcock||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kildalkey|''Kildalkey'']] - built by Cochrane, launched 1918. Sold to Robinson, Brown & Joplin on 14 February 1920, and resold in the same year to Kerguelen Sealing and Whaling. Wrecked in 1937 in [[Saldanha Bay]], South Africa.<ref name="rice11"/>
* {{HMS|Kildalkey||2}} - built by [[Cochrane Shipbuilders|Cochrane & Sons]], launched 1918. Sold to Robinson, Brown & Joplin on 14 February 1920, and resold in the same year to Kerguelen Sealing and Whaling. Wrecked in 1937 in [[Saldanha Bay]], South Africa.<ref name="rice11"/>
*[[HMS Kildangan|''Kildangan'']] - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kildangan||2}} - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kildare|''Kildare'']] - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kildare||2}} - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kildary|''Kildary'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1917
* {{HMS|Kildary||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1917
*[[HMS Kildavin|''Kildavin'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kildavin||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kildimo|''Kildimo'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kildimo||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kildonan|''Kildonan'']] - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kildonan||2}} - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kildorough|''Kildorough'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1917
* {{HMS|Kildorough||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1917
*[[HMS Kildorrey|''Kildorrey'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kildorrey||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kildress|''Kildress'']] - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kildress||2}} - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kildwick|''Kildwick'']] - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kildwick||2}} - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kildysart|''Kildysart'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kildysart||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilfenora|''Kilfenora'']] - built by Cochrane, launched 1917. Sold to Robinson, Brown & Joplin on 14 February 1920, and resold in the same year to Kerguelen Sealing and Whaling. Wrecked in 1940 in Saldanha Bay, South Africa.<ref name="rice11">[[#rice1991|Rice (1991)]]: p. 11</ref>
* {{HMS|Kilfenora||2}} - built by Cochrane, launched 1917. Sold to Robinson, Brown & Joplin on 14 February 1920, and resold in the same year to Kerguelen Sealing and Whaling. Wrecked in 1940 in Saldanha Bay, South Africa.<ref name="rice11">[[#rice1991|Rice (1991)]]: p. 11</ref>
*[[HMS Kilfinny|''Kilfinny'']] - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilfinny||2}} - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilfree|''Kilfree'']] - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilfree||2}} - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilfullert|''Kilfullert'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilfullert||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilgarvin|''Kilgarvin'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilgarvin||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilgobnet|''Kilgobnet'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1917
* {{HMS|Kilgobnet||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1917
*[[HMS Kilham|''Kilham'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilham||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilkeel|''Kilkeel'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilkeel||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Killena|''Killena'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Killena||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Killerig|''Killerig'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Killerig||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Killeney|''Killeney'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Killeney||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Killour|''Killour'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Killour||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Killowen|''Killowen'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Killowen||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilybegs|''Killybegs'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilybegs||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Killygordon|''Killygordon'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918. Sold to Robinson, Brown & Joplin on 14 February 1920, and resold in the same year to Homeland SS Company, renamed ''Homeland''. Subsequently sold to Beadon Line and then to J. Crass. Sold again in 1946 to Gilbert Vallance Webb, and resold in 1947 to Arden Hall Steamship Company, being renamed ''Laevald''. Sold to Dent and Goodwin in 1951, and in 1952 to B. Nikolou and was renamed ''Eleoussa'' with registry in Panama. Registry changed to Costa Rica in 1955, and in 1958 it was sold to S. Yianniouli and renamed to ''Panaghia Tinou''. In 1961, she was renamed to ''Panaghia Odohitria'', and again in 1963 back to ''Panaghia Tinou''. In 1964 she ran aground near [[Trieste]], Italy, with the hull splitting in two.<ref name="rice11"/>
* {{HMS|Killygordon||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918. Sold to Robinson, Brown & Joplin on 14 February 1920, and resold in the same year to Homeland SS Company, renamed ''Homeland''. Subsequently sold to Beadon Line and then to J. Crass. Sold again in 1946 to Gilbert Vallance Webb, and resold in 1947 to Arden Hall Steamship Company, being renamed ''Laevald''. Sold to Dent and Goodwin in 1951, and in 1952 to B. Nikolou and was renamed ''Eleoussa'' with registry in Panama. Registry changed to Costa Rica in 1955, and in 1958 it was sold to S. Yianniouli and renamed to ''Panaghia Tinou''. In 1961, she was renamed to ''Panaghia Odohitria'', and again in 1963 back to ''Panaghia Tinou''. In 1964 she ran aground near [[Trieste]], Italy, with the hull splitting in two.<ref name="rice11"/>
*[[HMS Kilmalcolm|''Kilmalcolm'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilmalcolm||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilmacrennan|''Kilmacrennan'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilmacrennan||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilmaine|''Kilmaine'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilmaine||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilmallock|''Kilmallock'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilmallock||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
*[[HMS Kilmanahan|''Kilmanahan'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilmanahan||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
* {{HMS|Kilmarnock||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919. Renamed ''Chelsea'' after being sold to a private firm. Purchased by United States Rear-Admiral [[Richard Evelyn Byrd|Richard Byrd]] in 1928 for his first [[Antarctica]] expedition. He renamed the ship the ''Eleanor Bolling'', in honor of his mother, Eleanor Bolling Byrd. Sold in 1930 to a [[seal hunting]] company, and resold in 1933 to the Vamar Shipping Company and named ''Vamar''. [[Vamar Shipwreck Site|Sank]] 21 March 1942, while leaving [[Port St. Joe, Florida]] carrying a load of lumber to Cuba.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mbara.org/vamar.cfm|title=Eleanor Boling-Vamar-Lumbership Wreck|website=Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association|access-date=October 10, 2018}}</ref>
*[[HMS Kilmarnock|''Kilmarnock'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919
*[[HMS Killmartin|''Killmartin'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919
* {{HMS|Killmartin||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919
*[[HMS Kilmead|''Kilmead'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919. Sold to L. Gueret & Co on 14 February 1920 and renamed to ''Mead''. Sold to Charles Louis Storm in 1927, and resold during the same year to Smiths' Coasters. She was acquired by the Royal Navy in 1942 and converted to a [[cable ship]], transferred to the [[South African Navy]] as HMSAS ''Mead''. Returned to coastal shipping in 1947, and sold to Point Shipping Company in 1957 as ''Komati''. Sold to Durban Lines in 1959, and to K. Nathan in 1960 for deconstruction.<ref name="rice11"/>
* {{HMS|Kilmead||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919. Sold to L. Gueret & Co on 14 February 1920 and renamed to ''Mead''. Sold to Charles Louis Storm in 1927, and resold during the same year to Smiths' Coasters. She was acquired by the Royal Navy in 1942 and converted to a [[cable ship]], transferred to the [[South African Navy]] as {{ship|HMSAS|Mead}}. Returned to coastal shipping in 1947, and sold to Point Shipping Company in 1957 as ''Komati''. Sold to Durban Lines in 1959, and to K. Nathan in 1960 for deconstruction.<ref name="rice11"/>
*[[HMS Kilmelford|''Kilmelford'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919
* {{HMS|Kilmelford||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919
*[[HMS Kilmersdon|''Kilmersdon'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919
* {{HMS|Kilmersdon||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919
*[[HMS Kilmington|''Kilmington'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919
* {{HMS|Kilmington||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919
*[[HMS Kilmore|''Kilmore'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919
* {{HMS|Kilmore||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919
*[[HMS Kilmuckridge|''Kilmuckridge'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919
* {{HMS|Kilmuckridge||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919
*[[HMS Kilmun|''Kilmun'']] - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918. Completed as a cable ship and renamed ''Rask'', sank on 31 January 1950.<ref name="cocker27"/>
* {{HMS|Kilmun||2}} - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918. Completed as a cable ship and renamed ''Rask'', sank on 31 January 1950.<ref name="cocker27"/>


Thirty other ships were cancelled, fourteen were to be built by Cochrane, eleven by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, three by Hall Russell and two by Hawthorn Leslie.<ref name="cocker27"/>
Thirty other ships were cancelled, fourteen were to be built by Cochrane, eleven by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, three by Hall Russell and two by [[Hawthorn Leslie]].<ref name="cocker27"/>


==References==
==Notes==
;Notes
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}


==References==
;Bibliography
⚫
{{commons category|Kil class gunboat}}
{{refbegin}}
⚫
*{{cite book|last=Cocker|first=Maurice|title=Frigates, Sloops and Patrol Vessels of the Royal Navy (1900 to date)|year=1985|publisher=Westmorland Gazette|location=Kendal, England|isbn=9780902272521|pages=26-27|ref=cocker1985}}
⚫
*{{cite journal|last=Rice|first=W. H.|title=South African Owned "Kil" Class Ships|journal=Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies|date=1991|year=1991|volume=21|issue=4|url=http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/335|accessdate=16 June 2012|ref=rice1991}}
{{refend}}


⚫
*{{cite book|last=Cocker|first=Maurice|title=Frigates, Sloops and Patrol Vessels of the Royal Navy (1900 to date)|year=1985|publisher=Westmorland Gazette|location=Kendal, England|isbn=9780902272521|pages=26–27|ref=cocker1985}}
==Extended links==
⚫
*{{cite journal|last=Rice|first=W. H.|title=South African Owned "Kil" Class Ships|journal=Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies|date=1991|volume=21|issue=4|url=http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/335|accessdate=16 June 2012|ref=rice1991}}
⚫
{{commonscat|Kil class gunboat}}


⚫
[[Category:Gunboats of the Royal Navy]]
⚫
[[Category:Gunboats of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Ship classes of the Royal Navy]]
[[Category:Sloop classes]]
[[Category:Sloop classes]]
[[Category:Sloops of the Royal Navy]]
[[Category:Sloops of the Royal Navy]]
[[Category:Sloops of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Sloops of the United Kingdom]]
⚫
[[Category:Gunboats of the Royal Navy]]
⚫
[[Category:Gunboats of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1910s ships]]

Latest revision as of 20:49, 22 October 2024

HMS Kildangan, pictured in 1918 with dazzle camouflage
Class overview
BuildersGeorge Brown; Hall Russell; Smiths Dock; Cochrane; Cook, Welton & Gemmell
Operators Royal Navy
Preceded byP-class sloop
Built1917-1919
Planned85
Completed55
Cancelled30
General characteristics
TypeSloop
Displacement895 tons
Length182 ft (55 m)
Beam30 ft (9.1 m)
Draught10 ft 6 in (3.20 m)
Installed power1,400 ihp (1,000 kW)
Propulsion
  • Single shaft
  • Reciprocating steam engine
Speed13 knots
Complement57
Armament

The Kil class was a class of sloops, also referred to as gunboats[citation needed], built for the Royal Navy during the First World War. They were designed for anti-submarine warfare, but were completed too late in the war to be used extensively in that role. They were designed to be double-ended to confuse submarine observers, and were painted in dazzle camouflage. Following the war, the majority of the class were sold off and converted to coastal cargo vessels.

Design and description

[edit]

The Kil class were designed to counter the U-boat threat posed by the Imperial German Navy during the First World War. They were designed to be equipped with hydrophones and depth charges to detect and destroy enemy submarines before they posed a threat to allied convoys.[1] The class began to be launched towards the end of 1917. So they could be constructed, an order for 85 anti-submarine trawlers was cancelled across six shipyards in order to free up enough berths for the building of the Kil class. Each ship took around six months to be constructed. Ships in the class were named after villages in Scotland and Ireland beginning with "Kil".[1]

Similar to the 24-class sloop, the ships were built with a double ended design in order to confuse enemy submarine observers who were trying to work out which direction the ships were due to travel in.[2] They had a single central funnel, and deckhouses both fore and aft were designed to be similar in order to enhance the effect. The class were painted in dazzle camouflage.[1]

The class entered service after the main threat of the U-boats had passed, and therefore their effectiveness in anti-submarine warfare cannot be determined. Only 38 of the 85 ships ordered were completed by the time the Armistice with Germany was signed on 11 November 1918. The ships were put into reserve following the war, and were put up for sale by the Admiralty after the subject of their post-war use was brought up in the House of Commons.[1][3] On 14 February 1920, 48 ships of the Kil class were sold to two different civilian owners for conversion to cargo carriers.[1] Some ships were used as whalers, while others were used as coastal cargo vessels around the United Kingdom.[4]

Ships

[edit]
  • Kilbeggan - built by George Brown & Company, launched 1918
  • Kilberry - built by George Brown, launched 1918
  • Kilbirnie - built by George Brown, launched 1919. Foundered on 6 September 1920 on Seven Stones reef.[2]
  • Kilbride - built by Hall, Russell & Company, launched 1918
  • Kilburn - built by Hall Russell, launched 1918
  • Kilcavan - built by Hall Russell, launched 1918
  • Kilchattan - built by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, launched 1918
  • Kilchreest - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Kilchrenan - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Kilchvan - built by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, launched 1918
  • Kilclaire - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Kilclief - built by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, launched 1918
  • Kilclogher - built by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, launched 1918
  • Kilcock - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Kildalkey - built by Cochrane & Sons, launched 1918. Sold to Robinson, Brown & Joplin on 14 February 1920, and resold in the same year to Kerguelen Sealing and Whaling. Wrecked in 1937 in Saldanha Bay, South Africa.[5]
  • Kildangan - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
  • Kildare - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
  • Kildary - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1917
  • Kildavin - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Kildimo - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Kildonan - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
  • Kildorough - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1917
  • Kildorrey - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Kildress - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
  • Kildwick - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
  • Kildysart - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Kilfenora - built by Cochrane, launched 1917. Sold to Robinson, Brown & Joplin on 14 February 1920, and resold in the same year to Kerguelen Sealing and Whaling. Wrecked in 1940 in Saldanha Bay, South Africa.[5]
  • Kilfinny - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
  • Kilfree - built by Cochrane, launched 1918
  • Kilfullert - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Kilgarvin - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Kilgobnet - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1917
  • Kilham - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Kilkeel - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Killena - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Killerig - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Killeney - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Killour - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Killowen - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Kilybegs - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Killygordon - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918. Sold to Robinson, Brown & Joplin on 14 February 1920, and resold in the same year to Homeland SS Company, renamed Homeland. Subsequently sold to Beadon Line and then to J. Crass. Sold again in 1946 to Gilbert Vallance Webb, and resold in 1947 to Arden Hall Steamship Company, being renamed Laevald. Sold to Dent and Goodwin in 1951, and in 1952 to B. Nikolou and was renamed Eleoussa with registry in Panama. Registry changed to Costa Rica in 1955, and in 1958 it was sold to S. Yianniouli and renamed to Panaghia Tinou. In 1961, she was renamed to Panaghia Odohitria, and again in 1963 back to Panaghia Tinou. In 1964 she ran aground near Trieste, Italy, with the hull splitting in two.[5]
  • Kilmalcolm - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Kilmacrennan - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Kilmaine - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Kilmallock - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Kilmanahan - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918
  • Kilmarnock - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919. Renamed Chelsea after being sold to a private firm. Purchased by United States Rear-Admiral Richard Byrd in 1928 for his first Antarctica expedition. He renamed the ship the Eleanor Bolling, in honor of his mother, Eleanor Bolling Byrd. Sold in 1930 to a seal hunting company, and resold in 1933 to the Vamar Shipping Company and named Vamar. Sank 21 March 1942, while leaving Port St. Joe, Florida carrying a load of lumber to Cuba.[6]
  • Killmartin - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919
  • Kilmead - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919. Sold to L. Gueret & Co on 14 February 1920 and renamed to Mead. Sold to Charles Louis Storm in 1927, and resold during the same year to Smiths' Coasters. She was acquired by the Royal Navy in 1942 and converted to a cable ship, transferred to the South African Navy as HMSAS Mead. Returned to coastal shipping in 1947, and sold to Point Shipping Company in 1957 as Komati. Sold to Durban Lines in 1959, and to K. Nathan in 1960 for deconstruction.[5]
  • Kilmelford - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919
  • Kilmersdon - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919
  • Kilmington - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919
  • Kilmore - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919
  • Kilmuckridge - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1919
  • Kilmun - built by Smiths Dock, launched 1918. Completed as a cable ship and renamed Rask, sank on 31 January 1950.[2]

Thirty other ships were cancelled, fourteen were to be built by Cochrane, eleven by Cook, Welton & Gemmell, three by Hall Russell and two by Hawthorn Leslie.[2]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Rice (1991): p. 7
  2. ^ a b c d Cocker (1985): p. 27
  3. ^ "Patrol Gunboats ("Kil" Class)". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 5 November 1919. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  4. ^ Rice (1991): p. 8
  5. ^ a b c d Rice (1991): p. 11
  6. ^ "Eleanor Boling-Vamar-Lumbership Wreck". Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association. Retrieved 10 October 2018.

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kil class gunboat.
  • Cocker, Maurice (1985). Frigates, Sloops and Patrol Vessels of the Royal Navy (1900 to date). Kendal, England: Westmorland Gazette. pp. 26–27. ISBN 9780902272521.
  • Rice, W. H. (1991). "South African Owned "Kil" Class Ships". Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies. 21 (4). Retrieved 16 June 2012.
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