The Rizal class was a ship class of two patrol corvettes formerly operated by the Philippine Navy. These ships were formerly used by the US Navy as Auk class minesweepers. Under the Philippine Navy, the two vessels have undergone upgrades and modification, and were categorized as corvettes.
Both ships have been retired from service by the Philippine Navy.
History The Auk class of naval ships were Allied minesweepers serving with the United States Navy and the British Royal Navy during the Second World War. In total, there were a recorded 95 Auk class minesweepers under Allied command during that time.
Thirty-two minesweepers were ordered by the US (as BAM-1 to 32) intending them to be supplied to the Royal Navy under Lend-lease but 12 were retained for USN use and given names and "AM" hull classification prefix. Those transferred were given "J" pennant number prefixes and formed the Catherine class
Eleven minesweepers of the Auk class were lost in World War II; only one (USS Skill) was sunk — by U-593.
Out of the reserved US Navy units, two were transferred to the Philippines as part of the US Military Assistance Program, these were USS Murrelet (renamed BRP Rizal) in 1965, and USS Vigilance (renamed BRP Quezon) in 1967.
Both ships were stricken in 1994, but were overhauled with assistance from Hatch & Kirk, Inc., and returned to service in 1995–1996. Recent upgrades include a satellite radio dish for communications.Jane's Fighting Ships 2002-2003. As of 2008, both ships are still on the active roster of the Philippine Navy, and are assigned with the Patrol Force.Hazegray online. World Navies: Philippines.Philippine Fleet Official Website. Commissioned ships and crafts .
With over 50 years of active duty with the Philippine Navy, both have been involved in local and international crisis, exercises, and incidents.BBC News 24 May 1999. Chinese boat sunk off disputed reef.Asia-Pacific Defense Forum. .
Technical details Although fairly armed for her size, her weapon systems are manually operated and are of World War II origin.
The two Mk24 3"/50 caliber guns, the ships' primary weapons, have a range of up to yards and are also capable of anti-aircraft warfare.
In addition to the above-mentioned guns, she also carries a total of two twin Mk1 Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft guns, two twin Mk4 20 mm Oerlikon cannons, and four 50 caliber machine guns.Naming and Code Designation of PN Ships. .
The ship is powered by two EMD 16-645E7 diesel engines with a combined power of around driving two propellers. The main engines can propel the 1,250 ton (full load) ship at a maximum speed of around . It has a maximum range of at a speed of .Naming and Code Designation of PN Ships. .Jane's Fighting Ships 2004-2005
Ships in Class Bow numberShip nameLaunchedCommissionedDecommissionedServiceStatusPS-70BRP Quezon5 April 194319 August 19671 March 2021Offshore Combat Force, Philippine NavyDecommissionedPS-74BRP Rizal29 December 194418 June 196529 January 2020Offshore Combat Force, Philippine NavyDecommissioned
Gallery
See also Philippine Navy Auk class minesweeper List of decommissioned ships of the Philippine Navy
References
External links Philippine Navy Official website Philippine Fleet Official Website Philippine Defense Forum Opus224's Unofficial Philippine Defense Page