The Grimsby class continued the small sloop line while retaining considerable flexibility in peacetime fittings and wartime refits. Equipment for changing roles could be held at overseas bases, allowing a ship to switch duties without remaining tied to one armament layout. The Kingfisher class tested how small a practical naval anti-submarine vessel could be. It was a useful design experiment even though it was not the final wartime answer. The associated Halcyon minesweepers show how closely related small-ship requirements could overlap.
Chapter · 51:07-57:24
Grimsby and Kingfisher adaptability
The Grimsby and Kingfisher classes demonstrate how small ships could be re-equipped for minesweeping, minelaying, escort, and experiments in economical anti-submarine vessels.