HNoMS Tyr (1887)

HNoMS Tyr was a Gor-class Rendel gunboat built for the Royal Norwegian Navy at Karljohansverns Verft Naval Yard in Horten. She was laid down in 1884 and launched in 1887 with build number 67.Tyr was one of a class of two gunboats - the other ship in her class being HNoMS Gor. Gor and Tyr can be seen as improved Vale-class gunboats, of 290 tons instead of the 250 tons standard for that class.

Captured during the German invasion of Norway, she was pressed into service in an attempt to mine Sognefjord. After attacks by Norwegian aircraft and ships she took no further part in the conflict. After the war she was returned briefly to the Royal Norwegian Navy then entered civilian service in a number of roles over the years.

Characteristics

The main gun of the ship was 7.8m meters long, or about a quarter of the length of the whole vessel. In addition she was armed with three revolving guns for closer ranges.

Shortly before the First World War, Tyr was rebuilt as a minelayer. During this rebuild, the heavy gun was replaced with a more modern 12 cm breech-loader, and one of the 37 mm guns was replaced with a more potent 76 mm gun. After the heavy gun and ammunition were removed, she could carry 55 mines.

HNoMS Tyr

Three ships of the Royal Norwegian Navy have borne the name HNoMS Tyr, after the Old Norse god of single combat, victory and heroic glory Týr:

HNoMS Tyr (N50)

HNoMS Tyr is a mine control vessel used for underwater search and recovery by the Royal Norwegian Navy.

History

Tyr was built at Voldnes Skipsverft in 1981 and was used as an offshore standby-ship in the North Sea under the name MS Sandby Master. The Royal Norwegian Navy took her over in 1993, and Tyr went through a comprehensive rebuilding and modernization program between 1994 and February, 1995 at the Mjellem & Karlsen shipyard in Bergen. Under the rebuilding Tyr was equipped with new thrusters, the bridge was expanded and a mine hangar was built on the aft-deck, and new hydraulic equipment was installed on the work-deck. Tyr was fitted with tactical systems, and was equipped with an Scorpio 21 ROV. The furnishings were also modernized.

In 2014, Tyr was put up for sale by the Norwegian Armed Forces, with an estimated price of NOK 15-20 million.

Wreck discoveries and recoveries

HNoMS Tyr has discovered and/or recovered several wrecks:

USS Sustain (AM-119)

USS Sustain (AM-119) was an Auk-class minesweeper acquired by the United States Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.

Sustain was laid down on 17 November 1941 by the American Ship Building Company, Cleveland, Ohio; launched on 23 June 1942; sponsored by Mrs. L. L. Dean; and commissioned on 9 November 1942, Lt. Comdr. M. H. Harris, USNR, in command.

Sustain departed Cleveland, Ohio on 15 November and headed for Quebec to await the forming of a convoy which she was to escort. The convoy sailed on the 25th for Halifax, Nova Scotia. She departed there on 4 December 1942 with another convoy bound for Boston. After a six-week yard period, the minesweeper performed coastal convoy duty until 19 March 1943. On that date, Sustain got underway with a Bermuda-bound convoy which, upon arrival, joined other ships there destined for North Africa.

World War II North African operations