The Bittern class supplied a hull template for the Egret and Black Swan sloops and Hunt-class escort destroyers. Its intended anti-submarine equipment also helped define the requirements for the smaller escort that became the Flower class. A sloop did not necessarily carry that full outfit during peacetime. Presence visits to small ports and gunboat duties overseas called for different equipment from submarine hunting. Sloops also supported anti-submarine training, minelaying, mine recovery, and torpedo recovery, so their observed outfit depended on the task.
Notable Point · 20:18-22:07
Why a sloop's peacetime outfit could conceal its wartime role
Bittern's intended anti-submarine fit helped define Flower requirements, although peacetime sloops often carried equipment for quite different duties.