HMS Somaliland (K594) 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 Popham (PF-90) and was transferred to the Royal Navy prior to completion.

HMS Somaliland (K594)
HMS Somaliland at Greenock, Scotland, on 21 September 1944.
History
United States
NameUSS Popham
NamesakeBritish name assigned in anticipation of ship's transfer to United Kingdom
ReclassifiedPatrol frigate, PF-90, 15 April 1943
BuilderWalsh-Kaiser Company, Providence, Rhode Island
Laid down11 October 1943[1]
RenamedSomaliland, 1943
NamesakeBritish Somaliland
Launched11 November 1943
Commissionednever
IdentificationPG-198
FateTransferred to United Kingdom 22 February 1944[1] or 24 July 1944[2]
AcquiredReturned by United Kingdom 22 May 1946
FateScrapped 1947
United Kingdom
NameHMS Somaliland
NamesakeBritish Somaliland
Acquired22 February 1944[1] or 24 July 1944[2]
Commissioned22 February 1944[1] or 24 July 1944[2]
IdentificationPennant number: K594
FateReturned to United States 22 May 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-198, was ordered by the United States Maritime Commission under a U.S. Navy contract as USS Popham. She was reclassified as a "patrol frigate," PF-90, on 15 April 1943 and laid down by the Walsh-Kaiser Company at Providence, Rhode Island, on 11 October 1943.[1] Intended for transfer to the United Kingdom, the ship was renamed Somaliland by the British prior to launching and was launched on 11 November 1943.

Service history

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Transferred to the United Kingdom under Lend-Lease on, according to different sources, either 22 February 1944[1] or 24 June 1944,[2] the ship served in the Royal Navy as HMS Somaliland (K594) on patrol and escort duty.

Disposal

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The United Kingdom returned Somaliland to the U.S. Navy on 22 May 1946. She was scrapped in 1947.

References

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Notes

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Bibliography

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