HMCS Loon (PCS 780)

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History
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svgCanada
NameLoon
Namesake Loon
BuilderTaylor Boat Works, Toronto
Launched4 October 1954
Commissioned30 November 1955
Decommissioned30 August 1965
IdentificationPCS 780
BadgeOr, a loon proper, upon a base barry wavy of six azure and or [1]
General characteristics
Class and type Bird-class patrol vessel
Displacement66 long tons (67 t)
Length92 ft (28 m) o/a
Beam17 ft (5.2 m)
Draught5.3 ft (1.6 m)
Propulsion2 shaft diesel engines, 1200 bhp
Speed14 kn (26 km/h; 16 mph)
Complement2 officers, 19 ratings
Armament

HMCS Loon was a Bird-class patrol vessel of the Royal Canadian Navy. The ship served from 1955 to 1965 before being discarded. The class was designed for harbour patrol.

Contents

Design

Bird-class patrol vessels were designed for harbour patrol, training and anti-submarine warfare. Constructed of wood and aluminum, Loon displaced 66 long tons (67 t). She was 92 ft (28.0 m) long overall, with a beam of 17 ft (5.2 m) and a draught of 5.3 ft (1.6 m). [2]

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] Loon was armed with one 20 mm gun and a Hedgehog anti-submarine mortar. [3]

Service

Loon's keel was laid down by Taylor Boat Works at their yard in Toronto and the vessel was launched on 4 October 1954. The ship was commissioned into the Royal Canadian Navy on 30 November 1955 with the pennant number PCS 780. [3] After commissioning, Loon was used for training purposes. In 1961, Loon was assigned to Atlantic Command as a harbour patrol craft. [4] She was used for air/sea rescue along the west coast of Canada. She was paid off on 30 August 1965. [3]

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References

Notes

  1. ↑ Arbuckle, p. 61
  2. 1 2 Gardiner and Chumbley, p. 49
  3. 1 2 3 Macpherson and Barrie, p. 278
  4. ↑ "Composition of the Fleet". The Crowsnest. Vol. 13, no. 8. Ottawa: Queen's Printer. June 1961. p. 10.

Sources

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