HMS Blackwood was the lead vessel of the Blackwood class, also known as the Type 14-class frigates, built for the Royal Navy in the 1950s. Designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, this class represented a second-rate frigate with specific specifications tailored for maritime defense during the Cold War era. The ship had a standard displacement of 1,180 long tons (1,200 tonnes) and a deep load displacement of approximately 1,456 long tons (1,479 tonnes). Its overall length measured 310 feet (94.5 meters), with a beam of 33 feet (10.1 meters) and a draught of 15 feet (4.6 meters). Power was provided by a single English Electric geared steam turbine, which drove one propeller shaft using steam generated by two Babcock & Wilcox boilers. This propulsion system delivered 15,000 shaft horsepower (11,000 kW), enabling the vessel to reach a maximum speed of 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph). The Blackwood-class ships boasted a range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km; 5,200 miles) at a cruising speed of 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph). The crew complement comprised approximately 140 officers and ratings. Armament on HMS Blackwood included three single-mounted Bofors 40 mm guns; however, the quarterdeck-mounted gun was later removed due to its ineffectiveness in heavy seas. Initially, the ship was equipped with two above-water twin mounts for 21-inch (533 mm) anti-submarine homing torpedoes, but these were removed in the early 1960s. The primary anti-submarine weaponry consisted of two triple-barrelled Limbo Mark 10 anti-submarine mortars. The vessel's sonar suite was comparable to larger Whitby-class frigates, featuring three sonar systems: Type 174 search set, Type 162 target-classification set, and Type 170 'pencil beam' targeting set. These systems allowed the ship to detect, track, and target submarines effectively. HMS Blackwood's service history reflects its role as a dedicated anti-submarine platform during the Cold War, with a focus on maritime patrol and submarine detection. Its design and equipment made it a significant component of the Royal Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities during its operational period.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.