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HMCS Loon (PCS 780)

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History
Canada
NameLoon
NamesakeLoon
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
General characteristics
Class and typeBird-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.

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).

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

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. After commissioning, Loon was used for training purposes. In 1961, Loon was assigned to Atlantic Command as a harbour patrol craft. She was used for air/sea rescue along the west coast of Canada. She was paid off on 30 August 1965.

References

Notes

  1. Arbuckle, p. 61
  2. ^ Gardiner and Chumbley, p. 49
  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

  • Arbuckle, J. Graeme (1987). Badges of the Canadian Navy. Halifax, Nova Scotia: Nimbus Publishing. ISBN 0-920852-49-1.
  • Gardiner, Robert; Chumbley, Stephen; Budzbon, Przemysław, eds. (1995). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-132-7.
  • Macpherson, Ken; Barrie, Ron (2002). The Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910–2002 (Third ed.). St. Catharines, Ontario: Vanwell Publishing. ISBN 1-55125-072-1.

External links

Bird-class patrol vessels
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