HMCS Tuna

HMCS Tuna was a commissioned Torpedo Boat of the Royal Canadian Navy and was one of many ships to serve in World War I.

History Prior to RCN Service

HMCS Tuna was originally built as the private high speed luxury yacht Tarantula for W.K. Vanderbilt, Jr.. She was built by Yarrow & Co. in 1902 in the United Kingdom.

Royal Canadian Navy Service

The Tarantula was purchased by the RCN in 1914 and immediately commissioned HMCS Tuna. She was designated as a Torpedo boat after the installation of two Torpedo Tubes. She was also fitted with self defense guns, and was assigned to patrol duties. She was based out of Halifax, and was a common site in Bedford Basin.

In the spring of 1917, the Tuna was Paid Off due to an irreparable engine mount fracture. She was sold for salvage in June, 1918, and stripped. Her hull was left in Halifax's Northwest Arm until the 1930s.

pecifications

* Commissioned: December 5, 1914
* Launched: 1902
* Paid Off: May 10, 1917
* Displacement: 124 tons
* Length: 153 feet
* Width: 15 feet
* Draught: 5 feet
* Speed: 24 knots
* Crew: 19-32 Officers and Other Ranks
* Armament: 1 X 3 Pounder (Naval gun capable of firing a 3 pound shot) and 2 X 14 inch TT (TorpedoTubes)

References

* [http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/canada/ww1/convert/ Converted civilian vessels] Macpherson, Keneth R. and Burgess, John. (1982)(Second Printing)The Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910-1981. Collins Publishers. ISBN 0-00-216856-1