Dates: 1943 - 1947

CAPTAIN Class Turbo-Electric BUCKLEY Type Frigate ordered under the UK/US Lease-Lend Agreement on 10th January 1942 and laid down on 15th March 1943 by Bethlehem Steel Shipyard at Hingham, Mass. USA The ship was launched on 19th June1943 as the first RN ship to carry the name of William Essington who was captain of the 3rdc Rate TRIUMPH at the Battle of Camperdown in 1797. Build completion date was 7th Sept. 1943. This ship was not adopted by a civil community in UK in 1941-42 after a National Savings WARSHIP WEEK campaign. The original ship selected for transfer was laid down at Mare Island in April 1942 but retained by the US Navy and was named HAROLD C THOMAS. Details of arrangements made for manning this Class of warship in the USA are given in THE CAPTAIN CLASS FRIGATES IN WW2 by D Collingwood.

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