USS Fox (TB-13)
 | |
| Career (U.S.) |  |
|---|---|
| Namesake: | Gustavus Vasa Fox |
| Ordered: | 10 June 1896 (authorised) |
| Builder: | Wolff & Zwicker, Portland, OR |
| Laid down: | 4 March 1897 |
| Launched: | 4 July 1898 |
| Commissioned: | 8 July 1899 |
| Decommissioned: | 1913 |
| Fate: | sold, 27 October 1916 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Davis (TB-12) |
| Displacement: | 155 tons |
| Length: | 148 ft (45.11 m) |
| Beam: | 15 ft 4 in (4.67 m) |
| Draft: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Propulsion: | 2 Thornycroft boilers, 2-shaft vertical triple expansion engines, 1,750 ihp (1,288 kW) |
| Speed: | 23 kn |
| Complement: | 24 officers and enlisted |
| Armament: | 3 × 1-pounder guns 3 × 18 in (457 mm) torpedo tubes |
The third USS Fox (Torpedo Boat No. 13/TB-13), was launched 4 July 1898 by Wolff and Zwicker, Portland, Oregon.; sponsored by Miss V. Patterson; and commissioned 8 July 1899, Lieutenant Commander K. F. Nicholson in command.
Based at Mare Island Navy Yard, the pioneer group of torpedo boats, which included Fox, cruised during 1900 only in the immediate area, conducting trials of engines and equipment, and in general, developing their type both in terms of construction and equipment, and tactics. Between 1901 and 1906, Fox was in the yard for installation of torpedo-firing circuits and other work designed to enhance her capabilities. After 2 years in reserve, she was recommissioned 23 March 1908, and based at San Diego for intensive training operations with the Pacific Fleet.
Out of commission between 7 January 1909 and 17 October 1910, when she was commissioned in reserve, Fox returned to full commission between 1 November 1910 and 5 July 1913, although for much of 1911 and 1912 she lay in reserve. While active, she continued her training and experimental operations out of SanDiego. From 1913 to 1916, Fox was on loan to the Washington State Naval Militia, based at Aberdeen, Washington. She was sold 27 October 1916.
References
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
- Technical data from Gardiner, Robert (1979). Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1860-1905. Conway Maritime Press. p. 160. ISBN 0-85177-133-5.