Bittern-class sloop
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 HMS BITTERN ablaze in Namsos Fjord after having suffered a direct hit in the stern by a bomb.
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | list error: <br /> list (help) William Denny & Brothers, Dumbarton, United Kingdom John Brown Shipbuilding & Engineering Company Limited, Clyde, UK J S White & Company, Cowes, UK |
| Operators | Royal Navy |
| Lost | One, HMS Bittern |
| Retired | Two |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Sloop-of-war |
| Displacement | 1190 Template:Ton |
| Length | 266 ft (81 m) |
| Beam | 37 ft (11 m) |
| Propulsion | list error: <br /> list (help) Geared steam turbines on two shafts 3,300 hp |
| Speed | 18.75 kt |
| Complement | 125 |
| Armament | list error: <br /> list (help) Six 4" AA guns (3x2) Four .5" AA guns (1x4) Enchantress (as designed): Four 4.7" guns (4x1) Four .5" AA guns (1x4) Depth charges |
The Bittern class sloop was a long-range escort vessel used in the Second World War by the Royal Navy. They were built as light, long-range escort ships with little anti-air capability. Three were built: HMS Enchantress, HMS Bittern and HMS Stork. Enchantress was the first in the class, and was built as an unarmed Admiral's yacht. Armament was restored at the outbreak of war, however the aft turret was originally replaced with accommodation and was never replaced.
HMS Stork was completed as an unarmed survey vessel, and was only armed after the outbreak of war. The third ship in the class was named HMS Bittern, and completed as designed, but was lost to air attacks in the Norwegian campaign.