PGM-39-class gunboat
 PGM-63 on 9 May 1963 trials - J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: |
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| Preceded by: | Cape class cutter |
| Succeeded by: | Asheville class gunboat |
| Built: | 1959-1970 |
| Completed: | 59 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Patrol Gunboat, Motor (PGM) |
| Displacement: | 118 tons |
| Length: | 101 feet |
| Beam: | 21 feet |
| Draft: | 6.8 - 9 feet on various units |
| Propulsion: |
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| Speed: | 17 knots |
| Complement: | 17 |
| Armament: | one 40mm mount, two 20mm mounts, two 12.7mm machine guns, 81mm mortar (some units) |
The PGM-39 class Patrol Gunboat, Motor were a class of fifty nine gunboats constructed in various shipyards for the United States Navy from 1959-1970. The design was based on the United States Coast Guard Cape-class cutter design with a five-foot hull extension. It was specifically designed for the U.S. Military Assistance Program and was used by the Philippine, Indonesia, South Vietnam, Thailand, Burma, Ethiopia, and Ecuador navies.
The members of this class of gunboats are:
PGM-39 to PGM-46
PGM-51 to PGM-83
PGM-91
PGM-102 to PGM-108
PGM-111 to PGM-117
PGM-122 to PGM-124
The first (PGM-39) of the class was used by the Philippine Navy as the BRP Agusan (PG 61). The other Philippine Navy units were PGM-40 as BRP Catanduanes (PG 62), PGM-41 as BRP Romblon (PG 63), PGM-42 as BRP Palawan (PG 64), and PGM-83 as BRP Basilan (PG 60)ex-RVN Hon Troc (HQ 618). Only BRP Palawan (PG 64) is still in operation now but with the Philippine Coast Guard.
The PGM-39 class has varied weapons mix of 40mm and 20mm cannons, 12.7mm machine guns, and 81mm mortar.
Some of these PGM's are still in service in various capacities. However, the galvanic reaction between the steel hull and aluminum superstructure of the boat in seawater creates maintenance problems.
The Asheville class gunboat resulted from modification studies of the PGM-39 class.