The RAN destroyer escort HMAS Stuart (DE A48), at Hong Kong in 1989.
The River-class was a class of six destroyer escorts operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Plans to acquire four vessels, based on the British Type 12M (or Rothesay-class) frigate, began in the 1950s. The first two vessels had some slight modifications to the design, while the next two underwent further changes. Two more ships were ordered in 1964; these were based on the Type 12I (or Leander-class) frigate.
By the 1990s, all six ships had left service. Two were sunk as part of tests, and a third was scutted as an artificial reef, while the other three ships were scrapped.
Unit Run[]
Type 12M[]
- HMAS Yarra (DE A45)
- HMAS Parramatta (DE A46)
- HMAS Ashburton (DE A47)
- HMAS Stuart (DE A48)
- HMAS Derwent (DE A49)
Type 12I[]
- HMAS Swan (DE A50)
- HMAS Murchison (DE A51)
- HMAS Lachlan (DE A52)
- HMAS Torrens (DE A53)
- HMAS Alberga (DE A54)