BRP Quezon (PS-70)
| File:PS-70 Quezon 1.jpg BRP Quezon (PS-70)
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States of America | |
| Name | USS Vigilance (AM-324) |
| Ordered | 1942 |
| Builder | Associated Shipbuilding Corp. |
| Laid down | 28 November 1942 as HMS Exploit (BAM-24) |
| Launched | 5 April 1943 |
| Commissioned | 28 February 1944 |
| Decommissioned | 30 January 1947 |
| Stricken | 1 December 1966 |
| Fate | Transferred to Philippine Navy in 1967, in active service as of 2008. |
| History | |
 Philippines | |
| Name | BRP Quezon (PS-70) |
| Namesake | Manuel Quezon y Molina (1878 - 1944) was the first Filipino president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines under U.S. occupation rule in the early period of the 20th century. |
| Operator | Philippine Navy |
| Commissioned | 19 August 1967 |
| Fate | In service with the Philippine Navy |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Rizal class |
| Type | Patrol Corvette |
| Displacement | 890 tons standard, 1,250 tons full load |
| Length | 221.67 ft (67.57 m) |
| Beam | 32.67 ft (9.96 m) |
| Draft | 10.75 ft (3.28 m) |
| Installed power | 3,530 shp |
| Propulsion | 2 x EMP 16-645 Diesel Engines |
| Speed | 18 knots (maximum) |
| Range | 5,000 mi at 12 knots |
| Armament | list error: <br /> list (help) 2 × 3"/50 caliber gun Mk22 dual purpose guns 2 × Twin Bofors 40 mm gun 2 x Single 20 mm Oerlikon guns 2 x Twin 20 mm Oerlikon guns 4 x 50 caliber machine guns |
The BRP Quezon (PS-70) is one of two Rizal class ships in service with in service with the Philippine Navy. She is formerly an ex-USN Auk class minesweeper that were produced during World War II, and is now classified as a patrol corvette protecting the vast waters of the Philippines. Along with other ex-World War II veteran ships of the Philippine Navy, she is considered as one of the oldest active fighting ships in the world today.
History
USS Vigilance (AM-324) was originally laid down for the Royal Navy under the lend-lease program as HMS Exploit (BAM-24). However the United States Navy decided to keep the ship and renamed her Vigilance (AM-324) on 23 January 1943.
Commissioned in the US Navy in 1944, she was first duties included screening of transport convoys between Pearl Harbor and the Marshall Islands and local escort duties between Guam, Peleliu, and Ulithiat. She also did minesweeping duties and anti-submarine patrols near Okinawa, was able to assist in anti-aircraft duties with other vessels, and assisting in firefighting and treatment of wounded from USS Whitehurst (DE-634) and USS England (DE-635). She was able to shoot a number of attacking Japanese aircraft during this period. She continued on minesweeping and patrol duties in Leyte, Philippine Islands, and in the Japanese home islands before and after Japan surrendered. With her service during World War II, she was awarded with three battle stars.[1]
She was then transferred to the Philippines in 19 August 1967 and was commissioned to the Philippine Navy as the RPS (now BRP) Quezon (PS-70), and together with her sister ship, was one of the Navy's main warships during the 1960s up to the present.
Further minor refits were made between 1995 and 1996. Some of her weapons were also removed, mainly its anti-submarine equipments. This includes the five Mk6 depth charge projectors and two depth charge racks. This move totally removed her anti-submarine warfare capabilities, which is in fact outdated at present conditions.
Present Status
Her current classification is Patrol Corvette. She is currently assigned to the Patrol Force of the Philippine Fleet.[2]
References
- ^ Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Vigilance page.
- ^ Philippine Fleet Official Website. Commissioned ships and crafts.
External links
- Philippine Navy Official website
- Philippine Fleet Official Website
- Philippine Defense Forum
- Hazegray World Navies Today: Philippines
- Naming and Code Designation of PN Ships
- USS England DE-635 OfficiaL Website
| This Philippines-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |