Editing Flower-class corvette (section)

==Design==
[[File:80-G-289820 HMCS Riviere du Loup (K 357).jpg|thumb|left|{{HMCS|Riviere du Loup|K357|6}}]]
In early 1939, with the risk of war with [[Nazi Germany]] increasing, it was clear to the Royal Navy that it needed more escort ships to counter the threat from [[Kriegsmarine]] [[U-boat]]s. One particular concern was the need to protect shipping off the east coast of Britain. What was needed was something larger and faster than [[Naval trawler|trawlers]], but still cheap enough to be built in large numbers, preferably at small merchant shipyards, as larger yards were already busy. To meet this requirement, the [[Smiths Dock Company]] of [[South Bank, Redcar and Cleveland|South Bank -on-Tees]], a specialist in the design and build of fishing vessels, offered a development of its 700-ton, {{convert|16|knot|mph km/h}} [[whaler]] (whale catcher) ''[[Southern Pride]]''.<ref name="brown atlantic p41-3">Brown 2007, pp. 41–43.</ref><ref name="shipcraft p3">Lambert and Brown 2008, p. 3.</ref> They were intended as small convoy escort ships that could be produced quickly and cheaply in large numbers. Despite naval planners' intentions that they be deployed for coastal convoys, their long range meant that they became the mainstay of [[Mid-Ocean Escort Force]] convoy protection during the first half of the war.

The Flower class became an essential resource for North Atlantic convoy protection until larger vessels such as [[destroyer escort]]s and [[frigate]]s could be produced in sufficient quantities. The simple design of the Flower class using parts and techniques ([[scantling]]s) common to merchant shipping meant they could be constructed in small commercial shipyards all over the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Canada]], where larger (or more sophisticated) warships<ref>Canadian yards, for instance, could not build destroyer hulls.</ref> could not be built. Additionally, the use of commercial [[triple expansion]] machinery instead of [[steam turbine]]s meant the largely [[Royal Naval Reserve]] and [[Royal Naval Reserve|Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve]] crews that were manning the corvettes would be familiar with their operation.

[[File:HMCS Trillium Bridge JT-159.jpg|thumb|left|Officers on the open bridge of {{HMCS|Trillium|K172|6}}]]
Flower-class vessels were slow for a warship, with maximum speed of {{convert|16|kn|mph+km/h|abbr=on}}. They were also very lightly armed as they were intended solely for [[anti-submarine warfare]]; many of the RCN's original Flower-class ships were initially fitted with [[Demining|minesweeping]] equipment, while virtually all of the modified Flowers were fitted with a limited [[anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] capability. The original Flowers had the standard RN layout, consisting of a raised [[forecastle]], a [[well deck]], then the [[bridge (nautical)|bridge]] or wheelhouse and a continuous deck running aft. The crew quarters were in the forecastle while the galley was at the rear, making for poor messing arrangements.<ref name="Brown D K, Nelson to Vanguard">Brown D K, ''Nelson to Vanguard''</ref> The modified Flowers saw the forecastle extended aft past the bridge to the aft end of the [[funnel]], a variation known as the "long forecastle" design. Apart from providing a very useful space where the whole crew could gather out of the weather, the added weight improved the ships' stability and speed and was applied to a number of the original Flower-class vessels during the mid and latter years of the war. The original Flowers had a [[mast (sailing)|mast]] located immediately forward the bridge, a notable exception to naval practice at that time. The modified Flowers saw the mast returned to the normal position immediately aft of the bridge; this does not seem to have been done in all of the modified builds or conversions of the original vessels. A [[Stern#Cruiser|cruiser stern]] finished the appearance for all vessels in the class.