The Sea Trials of the DDH 280 Class Destroyers

The first of a class of all-gas-turbine-powered warships was delivered to the Canadian Armed Forces in July of 1972. These ships are unique in that they represent the first warships built with this type of propulsion in the western world. This paper reviews the major design features of the plant and discusses in detail the dockside and sea trials of the 4400-ton vessels. The problems and successes of the trials in HMCS Iroquois are presented as this vessel was the first of the class.