# HMCS Tuna

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**HMCS *Tuna*** was a [steam yacht](/source/Steam_yacht) that was converted into a [Royal Canadian Navy](/source/Royal_Canadian_Navy) [torpedo boat](/source/Torpedo_boat). She was the first [turbine](/source/Steam_turbine)-powered steam yacht ever built. She was built in [London](/source/London), England in 1902 as ***Tarantula*** for Colonel [Harry McCalmont](/source/Harry_McCalmont). He died soon after she was completed, and in 1903 [William Kissam Vanderbilt II](/source/William_Kissam_Vanderbilt_II) acquired her. In 1914 [JKL "Jack" Ross](/source/J._K._L._Ross) bought her and transferred her to the [Minister of Naval Service for Canada](/source/Minister_of_the_Naval_Service_(Canada)), who had her converted into a torpedo boat. She served in the [First World War](/source/World_War_I) until 1917, when she became irreparably unfit for service. She was sold for scrap in 1918, and her [hulk](/source/Hulk_(ship_type)) survived in [Halifax](/source/Port_of_Halifax), [Nova Scotia](/source/Nova_Scotia) until the 1930s.

## Built for Harry McCalmont

[Cox & King](/source/Cox_%26_King) of [Pall Mall, London](/source/Pall_Mall,_London) designed the yacht.[1] [Yarrow Shipbuilders](/source/Yarrow_Shipbuilders) of [Poplar, London](/source/Poplar,_London) built her in 1902 for Harry McCalmont, who was a colonel in the [British Army](/source/British_Army); a [Conservative](/source/Conservative_Party_(UK)) Member of Parliament; and a member of the [Royal Yacht Squadron](/source/Royal_Yacht_Squadron). Her length was 152.7 ft (46.5 m), her [beam](/source/Beam_(nautical)) was 15.35 ft (4.68 m), and her depth was 8.7 ft (2.7 m). Her [tonnages](/source/Tonnage) were , , and 172 [Thames Measurement](/source/Thames_Measurement). Like [Charles Parsons](/source/Charles_Algernon_Parsons)' *[Turbinia](/source/Turbinia)*, she had three [drive shafts](/source/Drive_shaft), each driven by a steam turbine,[2] and with more than one [screw](/source/Propeller) on each shaft.[3] She was the first turbine-driven steam yacht ever built.[4][5] She was reputed to be capable of 24 knots (44 km/h). Her lines were similar to those of a [destroyer](/source/Destroyer) of her era, and quite unlike most steam yachts of the first decade of the 20th century.[6] She was [registered](/source/Ship_registration) in [London](/source/Port_of_London). Her [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom_of_Great_Britain_and_Ireland) [official number](/source/Official_number) was 115849, and by 1903 her [code letters](/source/Code_letters) were TLFR.[7]

## Bought by William K Vanderbilt

McCalmont died in December 1902. By March 1903 WK Vanderbilt II had acquired *Tarantula*.[1] He had her delivered from England to the United States that July and August. Her coal [bunkers](/source/Fuel_bunker) were too small for her to cross the North Atlantic entirely under her own power, so Vanderbilt had her towed as far as [Bermuda](/source/Bermuda). From there she steamed to [Newport News, Virginia](/source/Newport_News,_Virginia) under her own power. At times she developed up to 26.75 knots (49.5 km/h).[8] She reached Newport News on 5 August.[9] He registered her in [New York](/source/Port_of_New_York_and_New_Jersey).[10] By 1907 her code letters were KTQD.[11]

Experiments suggested that *Tarantula* would be just as swift without her middle turbine. Toward the end of 1903, Vanderbilt decided to have the middle turbine removed to save weight.[12] The work was undertaken at Tebo's Pier in [South Brooklyn](/source/South_Brooklyn) in January 1904.[13] At the same time, her forward deckhouse was converted into a dining saloon, and her after deckhouse was converted into a lounge.[14] On 7 May, *Tarantula* was at anchor off Robert Jacob's shipyard on [City Island, Bronx](/source/City_Island,_Bronx), being overhauled by a party of 32 men, when the [lead-acid batteries](/source/Lead-acid_battery) for her electric lighting system exploded. Her battery room was in her forward hold. The explosion injured three men, one with serious acid burns to his face. He was admitted to [Fordham Hospital](/source/Fordham_Hospital), where it was feared that he would lose his eyesight.[15] The explosion tore out the bulkheads of her battery room and [galley](/source/Galley_(kitchen)); caused a fire that burned for a few minutes; and caused damage worth an estimated $2,000.[16]

Some fast steam yachts would informally race fast coastal passenger steamships. On 18 May 1904, Vanderbilt tried to use *Tarantula* to race the [New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad](/source/New_York,_New_Haven_and_Hartford_Railroad) steamship *Richard Peck* in [Long Island Sound](/source/Long_Island_Sound). The two steamers were neck and neck until [Hart Island](/source/Hart_Island), where Vanderbilt broke off the race and turned *Tarantula* back toward his private anchorage in [Great Neck](/source/Great_Neck,_New_York), [Long Island](/source/Long_Island).[17] In June, Vanderbilt offered to sell *Tarantula* to the [United States Department of the Navy](/source/United_States_Department_of_the_Navy), for research into turbine propulsion.[18] His offer was declined. Opponents of the purchase noted that since *Tarantula* was built in 1902, turbine propulsion had been further developed. The department should therefore buy a brand new turbine craft, rather than one built two years ago.[19] On 28 September, [Howard Gould](/source/Howard_Gould)'s steam yacht [USS *Niagara*](/source/USS_Niagara_(SP-136)) *IV* raced *Tarantula* in a formal race over a 39-nautical mile (72-kilometre) course in Long Island Sound from [Stepping Stones Light](/source/Stepping_Stones_Light), turning at a buoy at [Eatons Neck Light](/source/Eatons_Neck_Light). *Niagara IV* had [triple-expansion reciprocating engines](/source/Marine_steam_engine#Triple_or_multiple_expansion), but beat the turbine steamer by 3 minutes and 50 seconds.[4][20]

In February 1905, the [Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club](/source/Seawanhaka_Corinthian_Yacht_Club) elected WK Vanderbilt Jr as its [Commodore](/source/Yacht_club#Organization). He made his [sloop](/source/Sloop) *Virginia* his [flagship](/source/Flagship), and *Tarantula* her tender.[21] In 1905 Vanderbilt had had *Tarantula'*s original [Yarrow boilers](/source/Yarrow_boiler) removed, and replaced with new ones with twice the heating capacity and furnace grate area.[22] On 9 May that year, *Tarantula* ran a set of [sea trials](/source/Sea_trial) over the Government course at Great Neck, on which she averaged 25 knots (46 km/h).[23]

Around the beginning of June 1905, *Tarantula* broke one of her propeller shafts while racing *Niagara IV*, which then took *Tarantula* in tow. When Vanderbilt had her middle turbine removed, he replaced the small screws on the port and starboard shafts with one large screw on each, contrary to Parsons' recommendation. This may have increased the strain on the shafts, and contributed to the breakage.[3] On 26 June, *Tarantula* accidentally collided with the yacht *Norman* in Long Island Channel. The collision stove in *Tarantula**s bow, deeply scored*****Norman**s hull, and tore a "naphtha launch" (i.e. [motorboat](/source/Motorboat)) from its davits aboard *Norman*. Both yachts remained afloat, and *Tarantula* went to Robert Jacob's shipyard on City Island for repair.[24][25] On 20 July, [Charles Ranlett Flint](/source/Charles_Ranlett_Flint)'s yacht *Arrow* beat *Tarantula* in an impromptu race from Great Neck to the [New York Yacht Club](/source/New_York_Yacht_Club) station at the foot of East 23rd Street.[26] On 15 September, *Niagara IV* and *Tarantula* raced each other in Long Island Sound again. The course was 40 nautical miles (74 km), from [Bridgeport](/source/Bridgeport,_Connecticut) to [New Haven](/source/New_Haven,_Connecticut) and back. Each owner staked $5,000 in a [sweepstake](/source/Sweepstake), and this time *Tarantula* won.[27]

On 21 May 1906, *Tarantula* was entering [Hampton Roads](/source/Hampton_Roads) when she suffered an accident to her machinery.[28] She limped into Newport News,[29] but was back in service by 6 July.[30] On 21 July, *Tarantula* broke one of her propeller shafts and lost two of her screws after colliding with an unidentified submerged object between [Point Judith Light](/source/Point_Judith_Light) and [Beavertail Lighthouse](/source/Beavertail_Lighthouse). She reached [Newport, Rhode Island](/source/Newport,_Rhode_Island) under her own power, but at reduced speed.[31][32]

On 1 January 1909, WK Vanderbilt and guests left either [Havana](/source/Havana) or [Cárdenas](/source/C%C3%A1rdenas,_Cuba) (reports differ), [Cuba](/source/Republic_of_Cuba_(1902%E2%80%931959)) aboard *Tarantula* for a fishing trip to [Nuevitas](/source/Nuevitas). On the trip, one of the yacht's boiler tubes failed, scalding two members of her crew. She returned to Havana on 4 January for repairs.[33][34]

By November 1912, Vanderbilt had ordered a new yacht, also to be named *Tarantula*. [George Lawley & Son](/source/George_Lawley_%26_Son) in [Neponset, Boston](/source/Neponset,_Boston) were building her, and she was to be a [motor yacht](/source/Motor_ship).[35][36] By May 1914, Vanderbilt had taken delivery of the new yacht, and had traded in the 1902 *Tarantula* to Lawley & Son.[37]

## Bought by Jack Ross

In August 1914, after the First World War began, the Canadian industrialist Jack Ross acquired the 1902 *Tarantula* from Lawley & Son. The United States, being [neutral](/source/Neutral_country), forbade the sale to any belligerent country in the war of any ship that could be adapted for naval use.[38] Ross circumvented this by having *Tarantula* fitted out in secret in the US, and delivered to Canada by a civilian crew. She reached Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 10 September 1914. Ross sold her to the [Canadian Naval Ministry](/source/Minister_of_the_Naval_Service_(Canada)) for $1, and offered to buy her back at the end of the war if she were still functional.[39] She was registered in [Montreal](/source/Port_of_Montreal) as a [merchant ship](/source/Merchant_ship), with the code letters TMJQ.[40]

The yacht was armed with two 14 in (360 mm) torpedo tubes and one [3-pounder gun](/source/3-pounder_gun), and [commissioned](/source/Ship_commissioning) on 5 December 1914 as HMCS *Tuna*,[41] with the [pennant number](/source/Pennant_number) QW-2,[42] and Ross as her commanding officer.[43][44] She was based at Halifax, and patrolled from there.[45]

In July 1916, *Tuna* was overhauled at [Sorel, Quebec](/source/Sorel,_Quebec).[46] On 10 May 1917,[41] she was [decommissioned](/source/Ship_commissioning#Decommissioning) due to an irreparable fracture in one of her engine mounts. In June 1918 she was sold for scrap, and hulked.[43] One shipping register continued to list Ross as her owner until 1921.[47] Her hulk remained in Halifax's [Northwest Arm](/source/Northwest_Arm_(Halifax)) until the 1930s.[42][43]

## References

1. ["Vanderbilt buys Tarantula."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1903-03-13/ed-1/seq-10/). *[The Sun](/source/The_Sun_(New_York_City))*. 13 March 1903. p. 10. – via [Chronicling America](/source/Chronicling_America)

1. *Yacht Register* 1904, TAR.

1. ["Accident to the Tarantula."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1905-06-07/ed-1/seq-5/). *The Sun*. 7 June 1905. p. 5. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["Howard Gould's steam yacht the winner."](https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/09/29/118948696.html?pageNumber=7). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. 29 September 1904. p. 7. – via Times Machine.

1. ["Vanderbilt buys yacht Tarantula."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn91070630/1903-03-12/ed-1/seq-2/). *The Providence News*. 12 March 1903. p. 2. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["Young Vanderbilt has a crack yacht."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn91070630/1903-04-02/ed-1/seq-7/). *The Providence News*. 2 April 1903. p. 7. – via Chronicling America.

1. *Mercantile Navy List* 1903, p. 385.

1. ["The Tarantula here."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1903-08-12/ed-1/seq-3/). *[New-York Tribune](/source/New-York_Tribune)*. 12 August 1903. p. 3. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["The Tarantula at Newport News."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1903-08-06/ed-1/seq-5/). *New-York Tribune*. 6 August 1903. p. 5. – via Chronicling America.

1. *Register of Yachts* 1906, TAM.

1. *Register of Yachts* 1907, TAR.

1. ["Vanderbilt's Turbine Tarantula Being Changed."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1903-12-19/ed-1/seq-13/). *The Sun*. 19 December 1903. p. 12. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["Of interest to yachtsmen."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1904-01-23/ed-1/seq-5/). *New-York Tribune*. 23 January 1904. p. 5. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["Changes on the Tarantula."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1904-01-27/ed-1/seq-10/). *The Sun*. 27 January 1904. p. 10. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["Blow-up on Tarantula."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1904-05-08/ed-1/seq-1/). *The Sun*. 8 May 1904. p. 1. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["Explosion on Tarantula"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1904-05-08/ed-1/seq-14/). *New-York Tribune*. 8 May 1904. p. 14. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["Tarantula Fails to Beat Richard Peck."](https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/05/19/101391887.html?pageNumber=12). *The New York Times*. 19 May 1904. p. 12. – via Times Machine.

1. ["Vanderbilt yacht for sale."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1904-06-25/ed-1/seq-4/). *New-York Tribune*. 25 June 1904. p. 4. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["Vanderbilt's offer not favored."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1904-06-28/ed-1/seq-10/). *New-York Tribune*. 28 June 1904. p. 10. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["Steam yacht beats turbine."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1904-09-29/ed-1/seq-10/). *The Sun*. 29 September 1904. p. 10. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["Virginian his flagship."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1905-02-25/ed-1/seq-5/). *New-York Tribune*. 25 February 1905. p. 5. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["Tarantula's fast trial."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1905-05-10/ed-1/seq-5/). *New-York Tribune*. 10 May 1905. p. 5. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["Tarantula in speed test."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1905-05-10/ed-1/seq-12/). *The Sun*. 10 May 1905. p. 11. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["Vanderbilt yacht hits Mr. Tilford's Norman"](https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1905/06/27/120277107.html?pageNumber=1). *The New York Times*. 27 June 1905. p. 1. – via Times Machine.

1. ["Tarantula in collision."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1905-06-27/ed-1/seq-1/). *The Sun*. 27 June 1905. p. 1. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["Arrow scoots by Tarantula."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1904-07-21/ed-1/seq-6/). *The Sun*. 21 July 1904. p. 6. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["Vanderbilt yacht beats Gould flier"](https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1905/09/16/101706592.html?pageNumber=7). *The New York Times*. 16 September 1905. p. 7. – via Times Machine.

1. ["Vanderbilt yacht injured."](https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/05/22/101712268.html?pageNumber=1). *The New York Times*. 22 May 1906. p. 1. – via Times Machine.

1. ["Vanderbilt yacht breaks down."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1906-05-22/ed-1/seq-7/). *New-York Tribune*. 22 May 1906. p. 7. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["Social notes from Newport."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1906-07-07/ed-1/seq-6/). *New-York Tribune*. 7 July 1906. p. 6. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["Vanderbilt yacht hit."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1906-07-22/ed-1/seq-1/). *New-York Tribune*. 22 July 1906. p. 1. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["Tarantula Breaks a Shaft."](https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/07/22/101844456.html?pageNumber=8). *The New York Times*. 22 July 1906. p. 8. – via Times Machine.

1. ["Accident to Vanderbilt's yacht."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1909-01-05/ed-1/seq-7/). *New-York Tribune*. 5 January 1909. p. 7. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["Vanderbilt cruise stops."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1909-01-10/ed-1/seq-6/). *New-York Tribune*. 10 January 1909. p. 6. – via Chronicling America.

1. ["New Vanderbilt yacht."](https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1912/11/11/100380514.html?pageNumber=1). *The New York Times*. 11 November 1912. p. 1. – via Times Machine.

1. ["Vanderbilt boat building."](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1912-12-02/ed-1/seq-9/). *New-York Tribune*. 2 December 1912. p. 9. – via Chronicling America.

1. *Register of Yachts* 1914, TAR.

1. Johnston et al. 2010, pp. 331–332.

1. Johnston et al. 2010, p. 332.

1. *Mercantile Navy List* 1916, p. 605.

1. ["Converted Civilian Vessels"](https://www.hazegray.org/navhist/canada/ww1/convert/). Naval History Information Center. Retrieved 2 October 2024.

1. ["Tuna"](http://www.navy.gc.ca/project_pride/ships/ship_e.asp?shipNumber=80). *Canadian Navy Heritage Project*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20111002013112/http://www.navy.gc.ca/project_pride/ships/ship_e.asp?shipNumber=80) 2 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2 October 2024.

1. Macpherson & Barrie 2002, p. 25.

1. Milner 2010, p. 47.

1. Johnston et al. 2010, p. 334.

1. Johnston et al. 2010, p. 369.

1. *Mercantile Navy List* 1921, p. 636.

## Bibliography

- Johnston, William; Rawling, William GP; Gimblett, Richard H; MacFarlane, John (2010). *The Seabound Coast: The Official History of the Royal Canadian Navy, 1867–1939*. Vol. 1. Toronto, ON: Dundurn Press. ISBN 978-1-55488-908-2.
- Macpherson, Ken & Barrie, Ron (2002). *The Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910–2002*. Third ed. St Catharines, ON: Vanwell Publishing. ISBN 1-55125-072-1.
- [*Mercantile Navy List*](https://www.crewlist.org.uk/data/viewimages?name=Tarantula&year=1903&submit=Enter). London. 1903. – via Crew List Index Project.
- [*Mercantile Navy List*](https://www.crewlist.org.uk/data/viewimages?name=Tuna&year=1916&submit=Enter). London. 1916. – via Crew List Index Project.
- [*Mercantile Navy List*](https://www.crewlist.org.uk/data/viewimages?&name=Tuna&steamsail=Steam&submit=Enter&year=1921). London. 1921. – via Crew List Index Project.
- Milner, Marc (2010). *Canada's Navy: The First Century*. Second ed. Toronto, ON: University of Toronto Press. ISBN 978-0-8020-9604-3.
- [*Register of Yachts*](https://archive.org/details/lloyds-register-of-yachts-1906/page/483/mode/1up). London: [Lloyd's Register](/source/Lloyd's_Register) of Shipping. 1906. – via [Internet Archive](/source/Internet_Archive)
- [*Register of Yachts*](https://archive.org/details/lloyds-register-of-yachts-1907/page/500/mode/1up). London: Lloyd's Register of Shipping. 1907. – via Internet Archive.
- [*Register of Yachts*](https://archive.org/details/lloyds-register-of-yachts-1914/page/557/mode/1up). London: Lloyd's Register of Shipping. 1914. – via Internet Archive.
- [*Yacht Register*](https://archive.org/details/lloyds-register-of-yachts-1904/page/711/mode/1up). London: Lloyd's Register of Shipping. 1904. – via Internet Archive.

## External links

- Grosjean, François. ["Cox & King Vessels"](http://www.francoisgrosjean.ch/cox_and_king/vessels.html). *The 1913 Cox & King Catalogue of Yachts and Motor Boats*

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [HMCS Tuna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMCS_Tuna) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMCS_Tuna?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.