OVERVIEW: The Restigouche-class escort destroyer (DELEX) is a steam-powered vessel intended as an ASW escort ship.  

DETAILS:  The Restigouche-class is derived from the St. Laurent class.  Five ships of this class were later refitted to what is known as the Improved RESTIGOUCHE (IRE) class, which replaced the aft 3"/50 gun with an octuple ASROC launcher and the old mast with a new, taller lattice mast. The stern was also altered to accommodate a new VDS. The design for the Restigouche-class incorporated several innovative concepts, including a flush upper deck and well-rounded deck edges to facilitate de-icing at sea and decontamination of nuclear fallout.

The Destroyer Life Extension (DELEX) refit for four surviving Restigouches updated their sensor, weapon and communications systems. The class received the new ADLIPS tactical data system, new radar and fire control systems and satellite navigation. The 103 mm (4 in) Bofors illumination rocket system was removed, replaced by a Super RBOC chaff system. The class were also fitted with two triple 533-millimetre (21 in) Mk 32 torpedo tube mounting, allowing it to use the Mk 46 torpedo.

For the Gulf War, TERRA NOVA and RESTIGOUCHE were modified by removing the ASROC system and installing two quad Harpoon surface-to-surface missile systems. A Mk 15 Phalanx CWIS system replaced the Limbo ASW mortar, and two single mount 40 mm/60 calibre Boffin guns were installed, as well as  Blowpipe  and Javelin MANPADs. The ship was also fitted with new chaff, electronic and communications systems.  

SPECIFICATIONS:
Displacement: 	2,900t after IRE
Length: 	111.6m
Beam: 		12.8m
Draught: 	4.3m
Propulsion: 	2 × English-Electric  geared steam turbines
		2 × Babcock & Wilcox boilers @615 psi, 2 shafts
Complement: 	214 after IRE/DELEX
Speed: 		28kts
Range: 		8,800km @ 14kts

NOTES: In service: 1958-1998.  Vessels are named after rivers in Canada. Units in class: Restigouche (257); Terra Nova (259).   In August 1990, TERRA NOVA and RESTIGOUCHE were re-equipped and deployed as part of Canada's contribution for the Gulf War. TERRA NOVA's refit completing in September 1990 and RESTIGOUCHE refit completing in early 1991.

 

SOURCES: 
HMCS RESTIGOUCHE (2nd) Ships of the Royal Canadian navy. (n.d.). ReadyAyeReady.com - The Royal Canadian Navy. https://readyayeready.com/ships/shipview.php?id=1355&ship=RESTIGOUCHE%20(2nd) ; Restigouche class destroyer escort DDE royal Canadian navy. (n.d.). Seaforces Online - Naval Information. https://www.seaforces.org/marint/Canadian-Navy/Destroyer/Restigouche-class.htm ; Restigouche class. (n.d.). Haze Gray & Underway - Naval History and Photography. https://www.hazegray.org/navhist/canada/postwar/restigou/ ; Restigouche-class destroyer. (2021, October 6). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved October 21, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restigouche-class_destroyer; Pike, J. (2011, November 7). St. Laurent / Restigouche / Mackenzie destroyer escorts (DDE). GlobalSecurity.org. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/canada/hmcs-st-laurent.htm; Restigouche-class ; Prezelin, Bernard. The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World, 1990-1991. US Naval Institute Press, 1990., pg. 56