HMS Cayman

History
United States
NameUSS Harland (PG-186)
NamesakeBritish name assigned in anticipation of ship's transfer to United Kingdom
ReclassifiedPatrol frigate, PF-78, 15 April 1943
BuilderWalsh-Kaiser Company, Providence, Rhode Island
Laid down15 July 1943[1]
RenamedCayman, 1943
NamesakeThe Cayman Islands
Launched6 September 1943
Commissionednever
FateTransferred to United Kingdom, 20 January 1944
AcquiredReturned by United Kingdom 23 April 1946
FateSold for scrapping 1 July 1947
United Kingdom
NameHMS Cayman (K506)
NamesakeThe Cayman Islands
Acquired20 January 1944
Commissioned20 January 1944[1]
FateReturned to United States 23 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

HMS Cayman (K506) 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 Harland (PF-78) and was transferred to the Royal Navy prior to completion.

Construction and acquisition

The ship, originally designated a "patrol gunboat," PG-186, was ordered by the United States Maritime Commission under a United States Navy contract as USS Harland. She was reclassified as a "patrol frigate," PF-78, on 15 April 1943 and laid down by the Walsh-Kaiser Company at Providence, Rhode Island, on 15 July 1943.[1] Intended for transfer to the United Kingdom, the ship was renamed Cayman by the British prior to launching and was launched on 6 September 1943.

Service history

Transferred to the United Kingdom under Lend-Lease on 20 January 1944, the ship served in the Royal Navy as HMS Cayman (K506) on patrol and escort duty.

Disposal

The United Kingdom returned Cayman to the U.S. Navy on 23 April 1946. She was sold to the United Dock Corporation of New York, New York, on 1 July 1947 for scrapping.

References

Notes
Bibliography