HG&UW Photo Feature S.S. Sudbury Warship to Salvage Tug

Originally HMCS SUDBURY , a corvette commissioned into the Royal Canadian Navy in 1941, she was launched in Kingston, Ontario. SUDBURY served in the North Atlantic during the Second World War, and made two trips across the Atlantic during that time. She also escorted ships to and from the Carribean, before being sent to Vancouver for a major refit during which her foc'st'le was extended. Once she returned to service, SUDBURY joined the Esqimalt Force and remained on the West Coast until she paid off in August, 1945. Unlike many of her sisterships that ended up as scrap, SUDBURY was sold and converted into a deep sea salvage tug. And unlike many of her sisters that escaped the scrap yard, she retained her name until the end of her days. In 1949 she entered service as the S.S. Sudbury, and in 1954 was purchased by Island Tug & Barge . In her new guise she served with distinction carrying out long-distance tows and the occasional deep-sea rescue. She was scrapped in Victoria in 1967. The photos in this feature were kindly sent to me by John Nunes of Seaspan International Ltd . Some more information, and pictures of a model of S.S. Sudbury, can be seen here (off-site link).

S.S. Sudbury - Warship to Salvage Tug

(click on the thumbnails to view larger pictures)  This cut-away view of Sudbury shows her corvette origins to good effect. Although she underwent extensive alterations during her conversion to a salvage tug, her machinery was original. The most noticeable differences would have been the alterations to the superstructure and the forward end of the ship, where a new hold was required to carry salvage gear. Courtesy of Seaspan International Ltd. Sudbury from her port bow. Courtesy of Seaspan International Ltd. Sudbury, this time from the starboard bow. As is evident from the smoke pouring forth from her funnel, she was powered by a steam engine. In this case, it was the original 2,750 hp triple expansion steam engine that she was built with, which would have made her a bit of an oddity as salvage tugs of her era were more and more likely to depend on diesel engines. Courtesy of Seaspan International Ltd. Taken from an Island Tug & Barge information pamphlet, these photos detail some of the salvage projects undertaken by the company. Courtesy of Seaspan International Ltd. Sudbury stands by the barge Island Maple which appears to have broken in half. Courtesy of Seaspan International Ltd. Sudbury tows the Liberty ship Andros Legend. Courtesy of Seaspan International Ltd. Sudbury stands by the Andros Legend. Courtesy of Seaspan International Ltd. Sudbury, and Sudbury II with towline attached, stand by a listing freighter. Courtesy of Seaspan International Ltd. Sudbury towed a number of surplus US Navy light aircraft carriers, like this one, for scrapping in Japan. Courtesy of Seaspan International Ltd. Sudbury and a surplus aircraft carrier. Courtesy of Seaspan International Ltd.