HMIS Investigator

For other ships with the same name, see INS Investigator.
History
NameCS Patrick Stewart
NamesakePatrick Stewart, the first Director-General of the Indian Telegraph Service
OwnerBritish Raj Government of India (1925-1930)
OperatorIndo-European Telegraph Company (1925-1930), Eastern Telegraph Company (1930-1934)
Port of registryBritish Raj Bombay (1925-1930), United Kingdom London (1930-1934)
BuilderWilliam Simons and Co. Ltd., Renfrew
Yard number670
Laid down1924
Launched13 March 1925
CompletedMay 1925
In service1925
Out of service1934
IdentificationOfficial Number 5606405
FateSold to the Royal Indian Marine
India
NameHMIS Investigator
OwnerBritish Raj Royal Indian Navy, India Indian Navy
Acquired1934
Out of service1951
RenamedINS Investigator
Stricken19 June 1951
FateSold for breaking at Bombay[1]
General characteristics
Tonnage1,572 GRT
Length233 ft 6 in (71.17 m)
Beam37 ft 6 in (11.43 m)
Draught13 ft 3 in (4.04 m) mean
Propulsion2x triple expansion engines (W. Simons)
ArmamentNone

HMIS Investigator (known as INS Investigator after independence) was a survey ship of the Royal Indian Navy. Launched as the cable layer Patrick Stewart in 1925, she was acquired by the RIN in 1934, serving in the surveying role until 1951, when she was sold.[2]

History

The cable ship CS Patrick Stewart was built by W. Simons of Renfrew in 1925 for the government-owned Indo-European Telegraph Company to replace an earlier ship of the same name, built in 1879.[3] The cable laying equipment was supplied by Clarke, Chapman and Company. Patrick Stewart continued to serve with the IETC maintaining the Persian Gulf submarine cables until 1930, when the she was sold by the struggling IETC to the Eastern Telegraph Company amid serious financial problems.[4]

After four years' service with the ETC, Patrick Stewart was sold to the Royal Indian Navy, converted to a survey ship, and renamed HMIS Investigator. Investigator served throughout the Second World War, being based at Calcutta in 1940 under the command of Martin Henry St. Leger Nott from 2 February 1940 to April of that year.[5]

From 1941 onwards, she served as an anti-submarine patrol sloop.[6] For this role, armament, including a 4.7 inch gun, was installed.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Patrick Stewart (17050)". Scottish Built Ships database. Caledonian Maritime Research Trust. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  2. ^ Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II. Jane's Publishing Company. p. 94. ISBN 185170194X.
  3. ^ Glover, Bill. "CS Patrick Stewart". atlantic-cable.com. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  4. ^ Harris, Christina Phelps. "The Persian Gulf Submarine Telegraph of 1864". The Geographical Journal. 135 (2). The Royal Geographical Society: 169–190.
  5. ^ "Navy Lists > Bimonthly> 1940> October".
  6. ^ "Caledonian Maritime Research Trust - Screw Steamer Patrick Stewart". clydeships.co.uk. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  7. ^ "HMIS Investigator". uboat.net.