HMCS Reo II

HMCS Reo II (A33) was a former rum-running vessel turned military vessel from Meteghan, Nova Scotia. Built in 1931, The ship was used for rum running for five years until prohibition ended, and was turned into a coastal freighter. She was commissioned during World War II by the Canadian Navy as an auxiliary minesweeper. Declared surplus in 1945, she was sold off in 1946. The Reo II ended up in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia under the care of the Lunenburg Marine Museum Society. In 1984 the Reo II was deemed unfit for repair, and was scuttled off Halifax in 1985.

Design
The Reo II was designed specifically with rum running in mind. The ship was built with a low silhouette and was painted grey in order to avoid detection from the US and Canadian Coast Guard. The ship was 96'1" long, and could hold 129 tonnes of cargo.

Rum Running
During Prohibition, the Reo II was used for five years as a supply vessel for illegal liquor and spirits. Under direction of its captain, Aubrey Blackburn, the ship made countless trips along the North Atlantic Coast. The usual trip saw the Reo II leave Nova Scotia for St. Pierre, where she would load up on goods. She then travelled down the United States to various drop off points, and returned to Nova Scotia. The "Reo II" often visited other ports in Nova Scotia, such as Halifax and Lunenburg. After Prohibition ended, the Reo II was used as a coastal freighter.

War
The Reo II was chartered by the Canadian Navy on July 30, 1940, but wasn't commissioned until January 23, 1941. Identified under the pennant number A33, She served the Navy mainly as an auxiliary minesweeper in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, but also as an examination vessel and coil skid towing vessel. She ended her Naval duties on October 19, 1945, when she was declared surplus and was then sold in 1946.

Post War
In 1970, the Reo II was purchased by the Lunenburg Marine Museum Society, who placed her on display at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. She remained there until 1984, when marine architects determined that the boat was not fit for repair. The Reo II was taken from its mooring at the museum on February 24, 1985, and was towed out to sea roughly 35 miles northeast of Halifax where it was scuttled at an explosive dumping ground.