HMCS Stadacona
Encyclopedia
HMCS Stadacona was a commissioned patrol boat of the Royal Canadian Navy
(RCN) that served in the First World War
and postwar until 1920.
Columbia, she was acquired by the RCN in 1915. Sources variously identify her builder as Crescent Shipyard
, in Elizabeth, New Jersey
, with a launch date of 1899, or William Cramp and Sons
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, with a launch date of 1893.
, Stadacona was also Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Kingsmill
's flagship
. In early 1919, Stadacona, accompanied by a number of Battle class trawlers, was sent to the west coast via the Panama Canal
. She served as a dispatch vessel until being paid off on 31 March 1920, and was then used for fisheries patrol and hydrographic work.
, Washington.
.
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
(RCN) that served in the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and postwar until 1920.
Origins
Launched as the American yachtYacht
A yacht is a recreational boat or ship. The term originated from the Dutch Jacht meaning "hunt". It was originally defined as a light fast sailing vessel used by the Dutch navy to pursue pirates and other transgressors around and into the shallow waters of the Low Countries...
Columbia, she was acquired by the RCN in 1915. Sources variously identify her builder as Crescent Shipyard
Crescent Shipyard
Crescent Shipyard, located in Elizabeth, New Jersey, built a number of ships for the United States Navy and allied nations as well during their production run, which lasted about ten years while under the Crescent name and banner. Production of these ships began before the Spanish-American war and...
, in Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
, with a launch date of 1899, or William Cramp and Sons
William Cramp and Sons
thumb | upright | 1899 advertisement for William Cramp & Sons William Cramp & Sons Shipbuilding Company of Philadelphia was founded in 1825 by William Cramp, and was the preeminent U.S. iron shipbuilder in the 19th century. The American Ship & Commerce Corporation bought the yard in 1919 but closed...
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, with a launch date of 1893.
Royal Canadian Navy Service
Stadacona was one of a number of American private yachts acquired by the RCN during the First World War. The date generally given for Stadaconas commissioning is August 1915, although she may have been commissioned as late as March 1916. Largely engaged in patrol duties out of Halifax, Nova ScotiaCity of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
, Stadacona was also Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Kingsmill
Charles Kingsmill
Admiral Sir Charles Edmund Kingsmill was the first Director of the Royal Canadian Navy.Charles Edmund Kingsmill was born at Guelph, Ontario in 1855 and educated at Upper Canada College in Toronto. He was the son of John Juchereau Kingsmill, Crown Attorney for Wellington County and Ellen Diana...
's flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
. In early 1919, Stadacona, accompanied by a number of Battle class trawlers, was sent to the west coast via the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
. She served as a dispatch vessel until being paid off on 31 March 1920, and was then used for fisheries patrol and hydrographic work.
Sale and subsequent career
Sold in 1924, Stadacona became the rum running depot ship Kuyakuzmt before being rebuilt in 1929 as the yacht Lady Stimson. At a later date, she was renamed Moonlight Maid, and in 1941 became a towboat. In 1948, she was burned for salvage at SeattleSeattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
, Washington.
See also
HMCS Stadacona was also the name of an RCN shore establishment in Halifax, Nova ScotiaCity of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
.