USS McKee (TB-18)

The first USS McKee (Torpedo Boat No. 18/TB-18) was laid down on 11 September 1897 by Columbian Iron Works, Baltimore, Maryland, United States, launched 5 March 1898; sponsored by Mrs. William H. Humrichouse; and commissioned 16 May 1898, Lt. C. M. Knepper in command.

For other ships with the same name, see USS McKee.

History
United States
Name: McKee
Namesake: Lieutenant Hugh W. McKee
Ordered: 10 June 1896 (authorised)
Builder: Columbian Iron Works, Baltimore, MD
Laid down: 11 September 1897
Launched: 5 March 1898
Sponsored by: Mrs. William H. Humrichouse
Commissioned: 16 May 1898
Decommissioned: 10 March 1916
Stricken: 6 April 1912
Identification: TB-18
Fate: sunk as target ship, fall 1920
General characteristics [1]
Class and type: MacKenzie-class torpedo boat
Displacement: 65 long tons (66 t)[2]
Length: 99 ft 3 in (30.25 m)
Beam: 12 ft 9 in (3.89 m)
Draft: 4 ft 3 in (1.30 m) (mean)[2]
Installed power:
Propulsion:
  • vertical triple expansion engine
  • 1 × screw propellers
Speed:
  • 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
  • 19.82 kn (22.81 mph; 36.71 km/h) (Speed on Trial)[2]
Complement: 12 officers and enlisted
Armament:

McKee underwent sea trials in Chesapeake Bay and then sailed to New York to assume coastal defense duties during Spanish–American War. Reassigned to Torpedo Station Newport, R.I., the coal‑burning torpedo boat operated along the New England coast until returning to New York 13 December 1903, where she decommissioned 22 December 1903.

Eight months later, 6 August 1904, she recommissioned and steamed back to Newport. From 1907 to 1910 she operated from New York, then was assigned special duty in the reserve at Newport. On 29 January 1912 she arrived New York and decommissioned. Struck from the Navy list 6 April 1912, McKee was towed to Norfolk and used as a target. On 24 September 1920 she was ordered sunk near Craney Island, an order carried out later that fall.

References
  1. "USS McKee (TB-18)". Navsource.org. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  2. "Table 11 - Ships on Navy List June 30, 1919". Congressional Serial Set. U.S. Government Printing Office: 725. 1921.
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