HMS Smilax was originally launched as Tact (PG-98), an Action-class gunboat built for the United States Navy by Collingwood Shipyards, Ltd., Collingwood, Ontario, Canada

ARA República (P-10)
History
United States
NameTact
BuilderCollingwood Shipyards Ltd., Collingwood
Laid downin 1942 as Tact (PG 98)
Launched19 November 1942
FateTransferred to the Royal Navy 21 June 1943
United Kingdom
NameSmilax
Commissioned15 July 1942
Decommissioned9 October 1945
Stricken24 October 1945
IdentificationPennant number: K280
FateUS Navy custody, 18 October 1946
General characteristics
Class and typeAction-class patrol boat
Displacement1,375 long tons (1,397 t)
Length205 ft (62 m)
Beam33 ft (10 m)
Draft14 ft 7 in (4.45 m)
Propulsiontwo 3-drum express boilers, 2,750ihp vertical triple expansion Port Arthur Shipbuilding Co. engine, one shaft.
Speed16.5 kn (19.0 mph; 30.6 km/h)
Complement90
Armament

War service

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Tact was launched on 14 November 1942. However, before seeing any service in the United States Navy, the ship was transferred to the United Kingdom under the Lend-Lease program on 21 June 1943 and served the Royal Navy as HMS Smilax until after the end of hostilities in Europe.

Argentine service

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Tact was returned to the United States on 18 October 1946 and sold by the Maritime Commission to the Argentine Navy, where she served ARA República until her decommissioning in 1966. She saw some action during the 1955 Revolución Libertadora, when the República defended the rebel naval base at Mar del Plata.

References

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

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