HMS Tourmaline (J339)

Summary

HMS Tourmaline (J339) was a Catherine-class minesweeper of the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Originally planned as USS Usage (AM-130), of the United States Navy's Auk class, she was transferred to the United Kingdom under Lend-Lease.

History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Tourmaline (J339)
BuilderGulf Shipbuilding Corporation, Chickasaw, Alabama
Laid down1 January 1942, as Usage (AM-130)
Launched4 October 1942
Completed7 June 1943, and transferred to the UK under Lend-Lease
Fate
  • Returned to the US, January 1947
  • Transferred to the Foreign Liquidation Commission and sold to Turkey
History
Turkey
NameTCG Çardak (M507)
Decommissioned1974
FateUnknown
General characteristics
Class and typeCatherine-class minesweeper
Displacement890 long tons (904 t)
Length221 ft 3 in (67.44 m)
Beam32 ft (9.8 m)
Draught10 ft 9 in (3.28 m)
Speed18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph)
Complement100
Armament

Career edit

Usage was laid down on 1 January 1942 at Chickasaw, Alabama, by the Gulf Shipbuilding Corp.; launched on 4 October 1942; and transferred to the United Kingdom under lend-lease on 7 June 1943.

Usage served with the Royal Navy as HMS Tourmaline (J339) in the Atlantic Ocean in World War II. She was returned to United States custody in January 1947, struck from the Navy list, and transferred to the Foreign Liquidation Commission for disposition. Sold to Turkey, she served with the Turkish Navy under the name Çardak until 1974.

References edit

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.

External links edit

  • Photo gallery of Usage (AM 130)/HMS Tourmaline (J 339) at NavSource Naval History
  • U-boat.net - USS Usage (AM 130)