Эскадренные миноносцы типа Acre
Эскадренные миноносцы типа Acre
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Бразилия
Общие сведения
In short, the Acre class were the first modern destroyers built in Brazil. Initially a modified British design with U.S. equipment to replace the six H-class destroyers (called in Brazil the Jurua class) ordered from Britain but requisitioned as WW2 broke out. The design shifted towards a Sims class instead and between complications and relative inexperience of Ilha da Cobras arsenal, multiple delays led to a construction spanning from 1943 to 1949 or even, 1951. They were ready in time when Brazil acquired two ex-Brooklyn class cruisers, diligently escorted until their retirement. Modernized in the early 1960s they were were decommissioned in 1964 and 1973-1974 with a relatively uneventful career. They replaced the 1937 Marcílio Dias-class destroyer and were replaced themselves by modernized Fletcher class ships, the Pará-class destroyers.
История создания
Предшественники
Основная статья: Эскадренные миноносцы типа Jurua
Предпосылки к созданию
Проектирование
The Acre class were ordered after the war broke out in 1939. At first, a 1938 naval plan asked for six destroyers to be built at the usual supplier, Britain, and an agreement was reached with the British government. Six “J-class” (no relation with the actual British J class) destroyers (Juruá, Javary, Jutahy, Juruena, Jaguaribe and Japurá) were ordered to be built in the United Kingdom. Initially these were earlier H class destroyers. These were an earlier 1934 design, still relatively close to the E-F class.
These were Jurua (later HMS Handy, then Harvester) laid down at Vickers Armstrongs, Barrow on 3 June 1938, launched on 29 September 1939, Javary (later HMS Havant) at J. Samuel White in Cowes, laid down on 30 March 1938, launched prewar on 17 July 1939, Jutahy (later HMS Havelock) laid down on 31 May 1938, launched on 16 October 1939, Juruena (later HMS, Hearty then Hesperus) at John I. Thornycroft & Company, Woolston on 6 July 1938 and launched on 1 August 1939, Jaguaribe (later HMS Highlander) same yard on 28 September 1938 (launched 19 October 1939), Japura (later HMS Hurricane) maid down at Vickers Armstrongs, Barrow on 3 June 1938, launched on 29 September 1939.
In September 1939, the British government requisitioned these submarines and started discussions with the Brazilian Navy. The latter wanted to try and build these in house, with British assistance and weaponry, equipments, and this was accepted. The greatest unknown was if British technical support could be obtained at all and if equipment could be spared from wartime production. However the year 1939 ended as preparations were made, then by mid-1940 it was clear this assistance did not came forward. Eventually, the Brazilian government became weary these destroyers would be built at all, and ceased discussions, turning instead to the US, still neutral in 1940, for assistance.
Engineers at Ilha da Cobras naval arsenal in Rio, the planned builder, wanted to start from the experience gained on the Marcilio Dias class destroyers, loosely based on the Mahan class. They wanted an updated design to start with and obtained an agreement for the plans and details, as well as equipments to build a very different Sims class destroyer class. This implied a complete change from British to American technical support and also meant the new ships would have had different characteristics to the initial British design, leading to many redesigns.
This was the start of new delays, wherea the keels were laid down as planned at the arsenal, the first of which being Amazonas on 20 July 1940 and Araguaya the same day. These new ships collectively were called the “A” class, to mark a real difference with the now cancelled J-class. The Sims were obviously completely new animals compared to the previous H-class, but the Brazilian Navy at least gained greater standardization with the Marcilio Dias class (M class), notably for armament, US supplied, and later sensors. The first two M class indeed were launched in July and December 1940, freeing slipways for the new A class. However the new A-class were smaller and had a single funnel, and like the Marcilio Dias class they lacked torpedoes, being pure “gunships”.
Eventually, the new A class were launched in November 1943 (Amazonas and Araguaya) and 30 May 1945 for the remainder three (Acre sub-class) and Araguari on 14 July 1946. They were commissioned in September and November 1949 for the first two and June 1951 for Araguari while the other three Acre class were in December 1951. The elephant in the room to explain delays here, is after the redesign time, by December 1941 the US were at war in turn, and support and parts delivery took a backseat practically all the way to 1946. Starting new ships while depending on foreign suppliers when international tensions are high is never a good idea…
Their career was not very long also. Being essentially 1930s designs they were hopelessely obsolete in 1959. Two were discarded already in 1964 and the remainder four in 1973-74, despite their upgrades. They were replaced by the new P class (Para), essentially modernized Fletcher DDE. Authors are divided about the class names, and thus, “A” is more convenient. Indeed, many authors called these the “Acre” class based on the alphabetical order whereas Brazil call them, rightly so, the “Amazonas class”. The reason was the first pair was laid down first, launched first and completed first. However iuf based on the launch date alone, it’s Araguaya that should be the class namesake. She was launched on the 24th of November, versus 29 for Amazonas. Overall, the redesign from an H-class to a Sims class created design complications and redesigns and led to severe limitations. These were considered as hybrid ships, with a reduced available space, radius of action and stability, unlike the better, larger previous Marcilio Dias class, explaining their relatively short service between 13 and 23 years.
Постройка и испытания
Описание конструкции
Корпус
The A class were built with different types of steel. Galvanized steel was used for parts most subjects to corrosion, and medium black steel in common parts and superstructures, as well as high-tensile steel for the structural parts subject to greater stresses. This was the first time in Brazil, and added complexity and delays in cosntruction. The general hull construction called for transverse sections for the main structure with longitudinal reinforcements distributed between various decks, and divided into watertight compartments.
The A class displaced 2,102 tons at full load, 1,805 tons at normal load, and down 1,516 tons if drained and emptied completely. They measured 98.5 meters in total overall, 95.04 meters between perpendiculars, for an, extreme beam rear amidship of 10.06 meters, 10.5 meters at their “molded beam”. They had a decreased waterline beam of 6.096 meters amidships, down to 5.864 meters aft. Mean draught was 2.80 meters at maximum displacement, 2.54 meters at normal displacement and 2.28 meters at very light displacement. Let’s recall there the original Sims class were longer and larger (348 ft 3 in x 36 ft 1 in).
Энергетическая установка и ходовые качества
Amazonas, the first in class, was also the only one equipped with two Westinghouse Electric & MFG Co. geared steam turbines, each rated for 17,300 hp, totaling 34,600 hp. Installed port and starboard each consisted of a high-pressure 10-stage action stage and a low-pressure turbine for cruising. The latter was also used for reversing. These drove two 3.126-meter diameter propellers, with a constant pitch at 3.927 meters.
The transmission comprised double-acting reduction gears from General Electric. Like the Sims class, they had three Babcock and Wilcox three-tube express boilers, each with a double smokebox and single firebox, burning standard fuel oil. Amazonas was considered a sub-class, together with the remaing three ships for her class, Apa, Araguari, and Araguaya. Acre is the other sub-class as with Ajuricaba, they were equipped with more powerful 45,000 hp Westinghouse turbines instead. This made also a difference in speed. Acre and Ajuricaba were rated for 45,000 shp and the Amazonas cub-class were rated for 34,600 shp total for a top speed of of 33.5 knots for the Acre class and 36 knots for the Amazonas sub-class. Each of the three B&W boiler was located in its own boiler room. Exhasustw were truncated into a single funnel. These were double-effect boilerts with a low-pressure distillation unit (capacity 45,500 liters per day). These were completed by two high-pressure compressors, driven by the steam turbines, with a capacity of 560 dm³/hour and a pressure of 210 kg/cm². These gave the ships an economic speed of 13.5 knots, standard speed of 20 knots and maximum speed of 33.5 knots. For control and maneuvering, the Acre/Amazona class came up with an hydroelectric rudder that could be operated from the bridge, but also as backup from the aft steering station with repeaters from the bridge, and the steering gear compartment as second backup, independently.
Operational range was 3,800 miles at high cruise speed (25 kts), 6000 nm at 15 knots economical speed and 900 miles at top speed of 36 knots. Power generation when the boilers were cold, was provided by two Westinghouse turbo generators rated for 450 volts, capable of 60 cycles per second, three phases, with 240 amps and a power output of 150 kW each, plus a Cummins emergency diesel generator using the same electrical specifications. Being tropical climate operating ships, the Acre class destroyers also received two York Corp. refrigerating machines for the provisions storerooms and two York Corp. refrigerating machines for the ammunitions storage rooms, each forward and aft. The Acre/Amazonas class also had a crew of 150, and camed equipped with a 26-foot launch powered by a 31 HP diesel engine (capacity 22) and 12 life rafts (capacity 16 men each) plus a 3-meter long rowing barge for supply to shore. There were also life vests storages.
Экипаж и обитаемость
Вооружение
Главный калибр
Original Armament 1949 Originally, the Amazonas class was armed with four 127 mm (5 inches/38) guns of the same type as the M class, as well as four 20 mm/70 Mark 4 machine guns. But new 5-inch/38 were provided in 1944. They were excellent guns for which large ammunition supplies could be procured, long after WW2. Like the M class, the A class lacked torpedo tubes. They were more like gunboats essentially dedicated to escort missions. The 20 mm Oerlikon were considered enough in 1945, but this quickly changed. As completed, they obtained a twin mount, while keeping their four single mounts. They also had two depth charge racks aft at the poop and four depht charge launchers aft on either sizen eight total with circa 60 depth charges in all.
| Характеристика | 127-мм Mark 12 |
|---|---|
| Калибр | 38 |
| Длина ствола, мм | 5 683 |
| Масса АУ, кг | 1 810 |
| Скорострельность, выстр./мин. | 12-15 |
| Начальная скорость снаряда, м/с | 762-792 |
| Угол возвышения | -15° до +85° |
| Масса снаряда, кг | 25 |
| Максимальная дальность стрельбы, км | 15,6 |
Upgraded armament 1954 The ships were modernized and overhauled between May and July 1954. Their final armament configuration was changed to three 127 mm, 38-caliber but with new dual-purpose NGF guns. These were now two aft Mk 21 open mounts and one forward turreted Mk 30 mount, but also the addition of two automatic twin mounts for 40 mm/60 Mk 1 Mod 6 Bofors, one forward superfiring at “B” position and one aft on the quartederck house. The noverlty was their installation of two triple MK14 Model 12 torpedo tubes banks firing the infamous but now fixed US 21-inch torpedoes. Two MK6 anti-submarine mortar mounts model 1, one on each side were also mounted in place of the former eight DCTs, and two MK3 depth charge launchers, with capacity for seven DCs, and local or remote control.
Зенитная артиллерия
| Характеристика | 40-мм Bofors Mk 1 | 20-мм Oerlikon Mk 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Калибр | 60 | 70 |
| Длина ствола, мм | 2250 | 2210 |
| Масса АУ, кг | 1981 | 21,8 |
| Скорострельность, выстр./мин. | 120 | 450 |
| Начальная скорость снаряда, м/с | 881 | 844 |
| Угол возвышения | -15° до +90° | -10° до + 87° |
| Масса снаряда, кг | 0,9 | 0,123 |
| Максимальная дальность стрельбы, км по наземным/воздушным целям |
10,1 / 7 | 4,4 / 3 |
Минно-торпедное вооружение
Противолодочное и противоминное вооружение
Средства связи, обнаружения, вспомогательное оборудование
As completed the ships came with the standard US MK33 fire director model 38, and a MK28 radar model 3 as well as a MK41 rangefinder model 8 and a MK10 calculator model 66B. They had in 1954 a MK2 stabilizing element model 15, and the MKT maneuvering panel model 2 (5-in guns), and two MK51 directors model 2 with two MK14 gyroscopic handles model 8 (for the Bofors AA battery. They also carried two MKT directors model 2, and a MK-T calculator model 2 with two MK5 handles for torpedo control. The mounts hydraulic system were containerized, with local and remote control amidships, one either side.
The Amazonas also had a Combat Information Center (CIC) buried below the bridge. Among others, the mounting of an AN-SPS-4 surface search radar was completed by the AN-SPS-6C air search radar and the AN-SPA-4B air search radar master repeater as well as the VJ-1 surface radar repeater. There was a range indicator and IFF coordinator associated with the air search radar. The UHF transceivers were remotelly controlled. Transmission comprised two radio stations with emitter/receivers working in several frequency bands (medium, high, very high and ultra-high).
Other systems included the QCR-1 sonar, with the BDI-CQA 55098 bearing deviation indicator for ASW combat, and the CAN 55134-A range finder, ET-SQN1 echo sounder. The mast mounted also a RCA DP12 radio direction finder, a surface odometer repeater and Degauss control as well as a gyro repeater, a magnetic steering needle, bottom odometer repeater plus the AN-SPA-4A radar repeater. They could comminucated by flag, and had a main searchlight and two morse lights on the bridge. So to resume: In 1947-51 from the start they were completed with the SF-1 radar and QCR-1 sonar. After 1955, they had the SPS-4 and SPS-10 radars but kept the QCR-1 sonar.
Модернизации и переоборудования
Построенные корабли
| Эскадренные миноносцы типа Acre | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Название | Бортовые обозначения |
Верфь | Дата закладки |
Дата спуска на воду |
Дата вступления в состав флота |
Судьба |
| Amazonas | A1, позже - D12 | Arsenal de Marinha, Ilha das Cobras, Rio de Janeiro |
20.07.1940 | 29.11.1943 | 10.11.1949 | Исключён 1973 |
| Araguaya | A5, позже - D14 | Arsenal de Marinha, Ilha das Cobras, Rio de Janeiro |
20.07.1940 | 24.11.1943 | 03.09.1949 | Исключён 1974 |
| Ajuricaba | A3, позже - D11 | Arsenal de Marinha, Ilha das Cobras, Rio de Janeiro |
28.12.1940 | 30.05.1945 | 12.1951 | Исключён 07.1964 |
Acre  |
A4, позже - D10 | Arsenal de Marinha, Ilha das Cobras, Rio de Janeiro |
28.12.1940 | 30.05.1945 | 10.12.1951 | Исключён 7.1974 |
| Apa | A6, позже - D13 | Arsenal de Marinha, Ilha das Cobras, Rio de Janeiro |
28.12.1940 | 30.05.1945 | 12.1951 | Исключён 1964 |
| Araguari | A2, позже - D15 | Arsenal de Marinha, Ilha das Cobras, Rio de Janeiro |
28.12.1940 | 14.07.1946 | 23.06.1951 | Исключён 1974 |
См. также
Литература и источники информации
Литература
Патянин С.В., Барабанов М.С., Митюков Н.В. Корабли Второй мировой войны. ВМС стран Латинской Америки и Азии. — «Морская кампания». — Москва: 2008.
Ссылки
- www.navypedia.org
- www.navweaps.com
- https://www.naval.com.br/ngb/A/A005/A005.htm
- https://naval-encyclopedia.com/cold-war/brazil/amazonas-class-destroyers.php