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.

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	29 January 1912
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	2 × Thornycroft boilers 850 ihp (630 kW)
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	2 × 1-pounder (37 mm (1.46 in)) guns 2 × 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes (2x1)

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, Virginia and used as a target. On 24 September 1920 she was ordered sunk near Craney Island, an order carried out later that fall.