The ''PGM-39''-class gunboats, designated Patrol Gunboat, Motor by the
United States Navy were a class of fifty nine gunboats constructed in various shipyards from 1959–1970. The design was based on the
United States Coast Guard design with a hull extension. It was specifically designed for the
U.S. Military Assistance Program and was used by the navies of The Philippines, Indonesia, South Vietnam, Thailand, Burma, Ethiopia, and Ecuador.
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 vessel (''PGM-39'') of the class was used by the Philippine Navy as 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).
The ''PGM-39'' class has varied weapons mix of 40 mm and 20 mm cannon, 12.7 mm machine guns, and 81mm mortar.
Status of remaining ships
BRP ''Palawan'' (PG 64) and
BAP Río Chira (PC 12) are still in operation with the
Philippine Coast Guard and
Peruvian Coast Guard, respectively. Other PGMs are still in service in various capacities. However, the galvanic reaction between the steel hull and aluminum
superstructure
A superstructure is an upward extension of an existing structure above a baseline. This term is applied to various kinds of physical structures such as buildings, bridges, or ships.
Aboard ships and large boats
On water craft, the superstruct ...
of the boats in seawater creates maintenance problems which significantly shorten their careers as military vessels.
Successor
The resulted from modification studies of the ''PGM-39'' class.
See also
*
Notes
{{reflist
Sources
NAVSOURCE Motor Gunboat (PGM) Index
Gunboats of the United States Navy
Ships of the Vietnam People's Navy
Gunboat classes