Fish-class torpedo recovery vessel
The Fish class was a ship class of three torpedo recovery vessels previously operated by Defence Maritime Services (DMS).
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Williamstown Dockyard, Williamstown, Victoria |
| Operators: |
 Royal Australian Navy/Defence Maritime Services |
| Built: | January 1970 – April 1971 |
| Active: | None |
| Retired: | 3 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Torpedo Recovery Vessel |
| Displacement: | 94 long tons (96 t) full load |
| Length: | 26.8 metres (88 ft) |
| Beam: | 6.1 metres (20 ft) |
| Draught: | 1.1 metres (3 ft 7 in) |
| Propulsion: | 3 x V8 GM diesels, 890 horsepower (660 kW), 3 shafts |
| Speed: | 9.5 knots (17.6 km/h; 10.9 mph) |
| Endurance: | 63 hours at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) |
| Crew: | 9 |
| Sensors and processing systems: | I-band navigational radar |
Design and construction
The class was ordered in 1969 as replacements for World War II-era torpedo recovery vessels.[1]
The vessels each had a full load displacement of 94 long tons (96 t), a length of 26.8 metres (88 ft), a beam of 6.1 metres (20 ft), and a draught of 1.1 metres (3 ft 7 in).[2] Propulsion machinery consisted of three GM V8 diesels, which supplied 890 horsepower (660 kW) to the three propeller shafts.[2][1] Top speed was 9.5 knots (17.6 km/h; 10.9 mph), and the vessels had an endurance of 63 hours at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph).[1][2] Each Fish-class vessel could recover up to eight torpedoes via a watertight stern gate.[2][1] They were unarmed, and their sensor suite was limited to an I-band navigational radar.[2] Nine personnel made up the crew.[2]
All three vessels were built at Williamstown Dockyard for the Royal Australian Navy between January 1970 and April 1971.[3][2]
Operational history
Originally identified only by the numbers 253–255, the vessels were named in 1983 and renumbered 801–803.[1]
On entering service, TRV 253 was assigned to the target range at Jervis Bay, while the other two vessels were attached to HMAS Waterhen in Sydney.[1] In addition to torpedo recovery, the boats were used as dive tenders and as training vessels for the Royal Australian Naval Reserve.[1]
In 1988, the three vessels were sold to DMS.[4] As part of the company's role in providing maritime support for the RAN, the vessels were assigned to various bases: Tuna to nearby HMAS Creswell, Trevally remaining at Waterhen, while Tailor sailed to HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.[3]
As of 2012, only Tailor remained in service.[2]
As of 2018, Tailor was decommissioned and put up for sale to the public effectively ending the service of this class[5]
Ships
- TRV Tuna (801), originally TRV 253.[1]
- TRV Trevally (802), originally TRV 254.[1]
- TRV Tailor (803) , originally TRV 255.[1]
Citations
- Gillett, 'Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946, pp. 104–5
- Saunders (ed.), IHS Jane's Fighting Ships 2012–2013, p. 36
- Wertheim, The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World, p. 32
- Saunders (ed.), IHS Jane's Fighting Ships 2012–2013, p. 35
- "Unreserved Ex-Navy - 27m Torpedo Recovery Vessel "Tailor"". www.graysonline.com. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
References
- Gillett, Ross (1988). Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946. Brookvale, NSW: Child & Associates. ISBN 0867772190. OCLC 23470364.
- Saunders, Stephen, ed. (2012). IHS Jane's Fighting Ships 2012–2013. Jane's Fighting Ships. Coulsdon: IHS Jane's. ISBN 9780710630087. OCLC 793688752.
- Wertheim, Eric (2007). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-59114-955-X.