An item reported that the Indian navy leased for the period of three years the 1,050 tons frigates HMS Bedale, Hidingfold and Lamerton of the British Royal navy. The ships were needing for the training of Indian marines.(1)
Note
1. The Bedale became in Indian service the Godavari, the Lamerton the Gomati and the Chiddingfold (not Hidingfold as the Dutch newspaper called her) the Ganga. There were former escort destroyers of the Hunt-class now called Type II frigates with a displacement of 1,050 (standard)-1,610 (full load) tons and as dimensions 264¼ (between perpendiculars)-280 (over all) x 31½ x 7 5/8 feet. The armament consisted of 6-4” anti aircraft guns, 4-2pdr pompons and between 2 and 4 2cm anti aircraft guns. The Bedale was laid down on 29 May 1940, the Chiddingfold on 1 March 1940 and the Lamerton on 10 April 1940.
