NRP Gonçalo Velho

NRP Gonçalo Velho was a 2nd class sloop (aviso de 2ª classe) of the Portuguese Navy. She was designed to operate in the overseas territories of Portugal.

Gonçalo Velho in the 1940s
History
Portugal
Name: NRP Gonçalo Velho
Builder: Hawthorn-Leslie (UK)
Launched: 1932
Decommissioned: 1964
General characteristics
Class and type: Gonçalo Velho class
Displacement: 1,785 t
Length: 81.5 m (267 ft)
Beam: 10.8 m (35 ft)
Draught: 3.5 m (11 ft)
Propulsion: 2 turbines; 2,000 hp
Speed: 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h)
Complement: 140
Armament:
  • 3 × 120 mm guns,
  • 2 × 40 mm guns

Construction and design

In 1930, Portugal set up a 10-year plan to modernise its Navy. As part of this programme, a contract was placed with the British shipbuilder Hawthorn Leslie for two sloops, to be named Gonçalo Velho and Gonçalves Zarco. They were based on the Royal Navy's Bridgewater-class sloops, but with a heavier armament and omitting the minesweeping equipment of the British ships.[1]

Gonçalo Velho's hull was 81.69 metres (268 ft 0 in) long overall and 76.20 metres (250 ft 0 in) between perpendiculars, with a beam of 10.82 metres (35 ft 6 in) and a draught of 3.43 metres (11 ft 3 in). Two Yarrow boilers fed Parsons geared steam turbines, giving 2,000 shaft horsepower (1,500 kW) and driving two propeller shafts, with a design speed of 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph). 470 tons of oil were carried giving a range of 6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km; 6,900 mi) at 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph).[2]

Armament consisted of three 120 mm (4.7 in) guns in single mounts on the ship's centreline, with two forward and one aft. Four 2-pounder (40 mm) pom-pom anti aircraft guns were fitted, while four depth charge throwers provided an anti-submarine armament.[2]

Gonçalo Velho was laid down on 9 October 1931, and launched on 3 August 1932.[3]

References
  1. Gardiner and Chesneau 1980, pp. 396–397.
  2. Gardiner and Chesneau 1980, p. 397.
  3. Blackman 1960, p. 253.
  • Blackman, Raymond V. B. (1960). Jane's Fighting Ships 1960–61. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd.
  • Gardiner, Robert; Chesneau, Roger (1980). Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-146-7.
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