HMCS SKEENA (1st) (D/I59)
HMCS SKEENA (1st)
The History of HMCS SKEENA (1st)
The SAGUENAY and the SKEENA were the first warships, other than auxiliaries, which were built expressly for the RCN.
Patterned on the RN Acasta or "A"-class destroyers, they incorporated certain "changes and additions considered necessary for service in Canadian waters."
Weighing in at 1,320 tons, both ships had a length of 322', a beam of 32.5' and a draught of 12'. Here boilers and engines developed 34,000 hp, and the ships design speed was 35 knots. She mounted 4-4.7" guns, 2-2 pounders, 5 machine guns and 8-21" torpedo tubes in two quad mountings. He crew complement was 138 all ranks.
To make them suitable for 'Canadian waters', they were given additional strengthening against floating ice, a larger than normal margin of stability (to counter icing on the upper decks, superstructure and rigging), steam-heat, ice cupboards, shower-baths and a special ventilation system.
HMCS SKEENA (1st) Statistical Data
- Pendant: D/I59
- Type: Destroyer
- Class: RIVER Class British
- Displacement: 1337 tonnes
- Length: 320 ft
- Width: 32.5 ft
- Draught: 10 ft
- Speed: 31 kts
- Compliment: 10 Officers and 171 Crew
- Arms: 4-4.7", 8-21" Torpedo Tube (2 x IV), 2-2 pdrs. Modified to 2-4.7", 1-3", 4-21" Torpedo Tubes (I x IV), 6-20mm and Hedgehog as war began.
- Builder: John I. Thornycroft & Co. Ltd., Southampton, U.K.
- Keel Laid: 14-Oct-29
- Date Launched: 10-Oct-30
- Date Commissioned: 10-Jun-31
- Paid off: 25-Oct-44
Remarks
Wrecked in a storm, and grounded near Reykjavik, Iceland, 25 Oct 44.