German frigate Braunschweig (F225)

Braunschweig (F225) is the sixth ship of the Köln-class frigates of the German Navy.

Braunschweig in 1972
History
Germany
Name	Braunschweig
Namesake	Braunschweig
Builder	H. C. Stülcken Sohn
Laid down	28 July 1960
Launched	3 February 1962
Commissioned	16 June 1964
Decommissioned	4 July 1984
Homeport	Wilhelmshaven
Identification	Pennant number: F225
Fate	Sold to Turkish Navy
Badge
Turkey
Name	Gemlik
Namesake	Gemlik
Commissioned	16 July 1992
Decommissioned	July 1994
Identification	Pennant number: D-361
Fate	Scrapped
General characteristics
Type	Köln-class frigate
Displacement	2090 tons standard 2750 tons full load
Length	105 m (344 ft 6 in) waterline 109.80 m (360 ft 3 in) overall
Beam	11 m (36 ft 1 in)
Draught	4.60 m (15 ft 1 in)
Propulsion	2 shaft CODAG 2 Brown Boveri & Cie gas turbines, 8832 kilowatts each (24,000 hp total) 4 MAN 16-cylinder diesel engines, 2208 kilowatts each (12,000hp total)
Speed	32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph)
Range	3,450 nautical miles (6,390 km; 3,970 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph), 900 nautical miles (1,670 km; 1,040 mi) at 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)[1]
Endurance	Bunker: 360 t
Complement	238
Sensors & processing systems	Navigation radar KH14/9 Target designation radar DA-02 Surface search radar SGR103 Fire control radar M44, M45 Sonar PAE/CWE hull mounted medium frequency sonar
Armament	2 × single METL 100 mm guns 2 × dual Breda 40 mm/L70 guns 2 × single Bofors 40 mm/L70 guns 4 × single 533 mm torpedo tubes, 4 × quad 375 mm ASW rockets depth charges, mine-laying capacity

Design

Main article: Köln-class frigate

The Type 120 or Köln-class frigates were built as smooth-deckers and had very elegant lines. The very diagonally cut bow and the knuckle ribs in the foredeck made it easy to navigate. The hull and parts of the superstructure were made of shipbuilding steel, other superstructure parts were made of aluminum. Due to the installation of gas turbines, large side air inlets were necessary, which could be closed by lamellas. The stern was designed as a round stern. The large funnel was sloped and skirted. Behind the bridge superstructure stood the tall lattice mast with radar and other antennas. The hull was divided into 13 watertight compartments.^[2]

On the forecastle was a 10 cm gun, behind it, set higher, a 4 cm twin gun. Behind it stood two quadruple anti-submarine missile launchers 37.5 cm from Bofors. A 4 cm Bofors single gun on each side of the aft superstructure and another 4 cm double mount at the end of the superstructure. There was a second 10 cm gun on the quarterdeck. In addition, there were two 53.3 cm torpedo tubes behind the front superstructures. They were used to fire Mk-44 torpedoes. Mine rails were laid behind the torpedo tubes and ran to the stern.

Construction and career

Braunschweig was laid down on 28 July 1960 and launched on 3 February 1962 in Stülcken & Sohn, Germany. She was commissioned on 16 June 1964.^[3]

She was decommissioned in 1989 and handed over to the Turkish Navy as a spare parts supplier for two sister ships used there (ex-Emden and ex-Karlsruhe). After her sister ship Emden fell victim to a fire as Gemlik, the former Braunschweig was put into service under the name Gemlik for the Turkish Navy in 1992 and continued to do active service for a few years.

Gallery

• Braunschweig gallery
• 
  Braunschweig in 1964
• 
  Braunschweig in 1972
• 
  Braunschweig off Lisbon in 1972
• 
  Braunschweig in 1981