VT-100 Shipwreck

This vessel originated as a World War II minesweeper.  She was built by the Burger Boat Company of Manitowoc, Wisconsin.  Her keel was laid in August 1942, she was launched at the start of 1943, and she was completed that June.

She was one of 481 Yardclass minesweepers.  U.S. Navy specifications listed her as 136 feet long overall, 22.9 feet in breadth, 6.3 feet deep, and 245 tons displacement.   Twin shaft diesel rated at 800 brake horsepower produced 15 knots and a cruising range of 1000 miles.  Her particular sub-class had one funnel; others had two or none.   Armaments typically were one 3.5 inch gun on the foredeck and two 20 mm machine guns behind the bridge.  The aft deck was occupied by sweeping gear.  Her crew numbered three officers and 24 listed men.

The Vancouver Tug Boat Company bought her on January 3, 1955.  She was registered in Vancouver as the barge V.T. No 100.  Her background was either unknown or deemed unimportant.

LOSS:
On April 22, 1956, the VT-100 was moored alongside some other hulks at Bedwell Bay.  Vandals apparently rowed out that afternoon, boarded, and set her afire.  Shore pumps and two fire-fighting tugs rushed to the scene but the VT-100 was a hopeless inferno.  Flames spread to a larger vessel alongside, the former passenger ship Victoria.  All efforts turned to save her.  The blaze on the Victoria took six hours to subdue.  Meanwhile, the VT-100 burned to the waterline and ask.  Her register was closed a week later.

For more information on the Nanette and other shipwrecks of Burrard Inlet and Howe Sound, go to: UASBC.Com. You can order the publication Historic Shipwrecks of Burrard Inlet and Howe Sound from the Underwater Archaeological Society of British Columbia publications.

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