Bras d'Or (R-103)

Bras d'Or (R-103) was a small experimental hydrofoil built for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) during the 1950s. It led to the development of HMCS Bras d'Or (FHE 400) in the late 1960s.

For other ships with the same name, see HMCS Bras d'Or.
History
Canada
Name: Bras d'Or
Namesake: Bras d'Or Lake, Nova Scotia
Ordered: September 1953
Builder: Saunders-Roe, United Kingdom
Launched: 22 May 1957
In service: 26 June 1957
Out of service: 1973
Homeport: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Fate: Stored Museum ship at the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa
Notes: Renamed Baddeck 1962
General characteristics
Type: Hydrofoil
Displacement: 17 t (17 long tons)
Length: 18.00 m (59 ft 1 in)
Propulsion: 2 Rolls Royce Griffon gasoline engines 1,500 hp @ 3000 rpm [1]
Speed: 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Complement: approx. 2+
Armament: None

Built by Saunders-Roe from either a Saunder-Roe motor boat or Vosper PT boat hull, the Bras d'Or was built based on the prototype R-101 in service with the Royal Navy.[2] Launched in 1957, it underwent trials off Wales in May and arrived in Canada in July.[3] Acquired by the Royal Canadian Navy, it was never commissioned as a warship.

Bras d'Or (R-103) was renamed Baddeck in 1962 as the name "Bras d'Or" was to be provided to HMCS Bras d'Or (FHE 400). Baddeck retired from the Canadian Forces in 1973 and later acquired by the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa, Ontario.[3] Baddeck remains in storage with her three foils detached and stored separately.

Notes
  1. Dixon, Malin. "1950's -- A Decade of Experimental Progress". The International Hydrofoil Society. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  2. Boileau, p.49
  3. Boileau, p.53

References
  • Boileau, John (2004). Fastest in the World: The Saga of Canada's Revolutionary Hydrofoils. Halifax: Formac. ISBN 0-88780-621-X.
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