USS Kleinsmith (APD-134) - ROCS Tien Shan

ROCS Tien Shan

The ship served in the Republic of China Navy as ROCS Tien Shan (APD-315), (later renumbered 215, 615, and 815). In the early 1970s, Tien Shan was fitted with a second 5-inch/38 mount aft, a Sea Chapparal surface-to-air missile launcher, and ASW torpedo tubes. At this time, she was re-rated as a patrol frigate. In the 1980s, Tien Shan, and other surviving ships of her class which were also transferred to Taiwan, were assigned to the Customs Service Coastal Patrol command, where they patrolled the economic exclusion zone. In this role, their armament was reduced to just one twin 40 mm mount in front of the bridge. She was still active in this role in 1995. Her decommissioning year is variously reported as 1997 or 1998.