HMCS Newington was a commissioned patrol vessel of the Royal Canadian Navy that served in the First World War. Prior to the war, the ship served as a fishing trawler and lighthouse tender for the Canadian government. Following the war the vessel was returned to government service. Newington was converted to a tugboat in 1920. Sold to private interests in 1920 the ship sank on 26 August 1959 while laid up in Burrard Inlet, British Columbia.
 Newington while in government service
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
  Canada | |
| Name | Newington |
| Builder | Cook, Welton & Gemmell, Hull, England |
| Launched | 2 March 1899 |
| Completed | 1 April 1899 |
| Acquired | 1908 |
| Commissioned | 1914 |
| Decommissioned | 1918 |
| Fate | Sank 26 August 1959 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Patrol vessel |
| Tonnage | 193 GRT |
| Length | 115 ft (35.1 m) |
| Beam | 21 ft (6.4 m) |
| Draught | 11.5 ft (3.5 m) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 10.5 knots (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph) |
Description
editNewington had a tonnage of 193 gross register tons (GRT) and was 115 feet (35.1 m) long with a beam of 21 feet (6.4 m) and a draught of 11.5 feet (3.5 m). The ship was powered by a steam triple expansion engine, driving one screw creating 58 hp (43 kW) (nominal).[1] This gave the ship a maximum speed of 10.5 knots (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph).[2] The vessel could carry 85 long tons (86 t) of coal for fuel.[3]
Service history
editThe ship was built as an iron-hulled fishing trawler by Cook, Welton & Gemmell at Hull for City Steam Fishing Co Ltd.[1][2] Newington was launched on 2 March 1899 and completed on 1 April of that year.[2] Newington was purchased by the Canadian government in 1908 and converted to a lighthouse supply ship and buoy tender for use in British Columbia waters.[4]
Following the declaration of war by Canada the First World War in August 1914, Newington was taken over by the Royal Canadian Navy and fitted to lay naval mines.[1] Newington was kept on standby to lay minefields across the entrance to Johnstone Strait until December of that year when the German threat in the Pacific Ocean was nullified.[5] Newington had the minelaying equipment removed and was used as a patrol vessel along the West Coast of Canada for the rest of the war.[4][5] The ship returned to civilian service in 1920, sold to the Pacific Coyle Navigation Company. The vessel was converted to a tugboat and in 1956, was sold to Straits Towing Ltd.[2] On 26 August 1959 she sank in Burrard Inlet, British Columbia.[4][a]
Notes
edit- ^ The Miramar Ship Index states the vessel having sunk on 22 August 1959.[2]
Citations
edit- ^ a b c Maginley & Collin 2001, p. 64.
- ^ a b c d e Miramar Ship Index.
- ^ Jane's Fighting Ships of World War I 1990, p. 100.
- ^ a b c Macpherson & Barrie 2002, p. 23.
- ^ a b Tucker 1962, p. 237.
References
edit- Jane's Fighting Ships of World War I. New York: Military Press. 1990 [1919]. ISBN 0-517-03375-5.
- 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.
- Maginley, Charles D. & Collin, Bernard (2001). The Ships of Canada's Marine Services. St. Catharines, Ontario: Vanwell Publishing Limited. ISBN 1-55125-070-5.
- "Newington (1110697)". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
- Tucker, Gilbert Norman (1962). The Naval Service of Canada, Its Official History – Volume 1: Origins and Early Years. Ottawa: King's Printer. OCLC 840569671.