Canadian Bird-class patrol vessel

Last updated
Class overview
NameBird class
BuildersVarious Ontario boatyards
OperatorsNaval ensign of Canada.svg  Royal Canadian Navy
Preceded by Fairmile B motor launch
In commission30 November 1955 – 2 September 1965
Planned8
Completed4
Cancelled4
Retired4
General characteristics
Type Patrol vessel
Displacement66 long tons (67 t)
Length92 ft (28 m) o/a
Beam17 ft (5.2 m)
Draught5.3 ft (1.6 m)
Complement2 officers, 19 ratings
Armament

The Bird-class patrol vessels were a class of seaward patrol vessels operated by the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) during the Cold War. The class derives its name from large birds found in Canada and was designed by the RCN as a replacement for the remaining Second World War-era Fairmile motor launches used for coastal patrol. [1]

Contents

Design

Bird-class patrol vessels were designed for harbour patrol, training and anti-submarine warfare. Constructed of wood and aluminum, the Bird class displaced 66 long tons (67 t). The vessels were 92 ft (28 m) long overall, with a beam of 17 ft (5.2 m) and a draught of 5.3 ft (1.6 m). [2] They had a complement of two officers and nineteen ratings. [3]

The Bird class were powered by diesel engines creating 1,200 brake horsepower (890 kW) connected to two shafts. This gave the ships a maximum speed of 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph). [2] The vessels were armed with one 20 mm gun and a Hedgehog anti-submarine mortar. [1]

Ships

Bird class construction data
ShipPennant numberBuilderCommissionedPaid offFate
Loon PCS 780 Taylor Boat Works, Toronto 30 November 195530 August 1965Sold around 1970.
Cormorant PCS 781 Birdland Boat Works, Midland 16 July 195623 May 1963Sold around 1970.
Blue Heron PCS 782 Hunter Boat Works, Orillia 30 July 195619 November 1956Transferred to the RCMP.
Mallard PCS 783 Grew Boat Works, Penetanguishene 16 July 19562 September 1965Sold around 1970.
Arctic TernPCS 784Planned but never built.
SandpiperPCS 785
Herring GullPCS 786
KingfisherPCS 787

Service history

Loon was the first to commission, on 30 November 1955 at Toronto, Ontario. The vessel sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia in December through treacherous ice conditions. Cormorant and Mallard were commissioned on 16 July 1956 at Midland, Ontario and Penetang, Ontario respectively. Blue Heron commissioned on 30 July 1956 at Orillia, Ontario and was allocated to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Marine Division based at Halifax. [3]

In 1961, Cormorant, Mallard and Loon were assigned to Atlantic Command as harbour patrol craft. [4] In April 1961, Mallard was deployed to rescue the crew of the fishing vessel Ocean Wave which had run aground off Nova Scotia. The heavy seas prevented rescue by ship and the crew were taken off by helicopter. [5]

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References

Notes

  1. 1 2 Macpherson & Barrie 2002, p. 278.
  2. 1 2 Gardiner, Chumbley & Budzbon 1995, p. 49.
  3. 1 2 "Three New Patrol Craft in Service". The Crowsnest. Vol. 8, no. 10. Ottawa: Queen's Printer. p. 3.
  4. ↑ "Composition of the Fleet". The Crowsnest. Vol. 13, no. 8. Ottawa: Queen's Printer. June 1961. p. 10.
  5. ↑ "The Navy to the Rescue". The Crowsnest. Vol. 13, no. 8. Ottawa: Queen's Printer. June 1961. p. 25.

Sources

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