HMCS GUYSBOROUGH -Bangor class minesweeper, was sunk by two torpedoes fired by U-878 in the Bay of Biscay on 17 March 1945. Of the ninety-two sailors in her ship’s company , fifty-one were killed. GUYSBOROUGH was returning to the UK after a refit at Lunenburg, NS, sailing alone the minesweeper was off the coast of […]
RCN History Sealed with a Kiss!
This week the Canadian frigate, HMCS WINNIPEG returned to Esquimalt after a historic eight month deployment. During this time the ship and the 250 men and women of her ships’ company participated in two operations, Op CARRIBBE and Op REASURANCE. She also participated in three exercises, Ex TRIDENT JUNCTURE, Ex JOINT WARRIOR and Ex NORTHERN […]
HMCS TRENTONIAN -The Last Corvette Lost in the Battle of the Atlantic.
On 22 February 1945, HMCS TRENTONIAN, Flower class corvette became the last corvette to be lost in the Battle of the Atlantic. TRENTONIAN departed on 21 February as sole escort for convoy BTC-76, consisting of ten ships from Milford Haven to the Thames, then on to Antwerp. Â The next morning BTC-76 had entered the English […]
29th Canadian Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla Destroyed by Fire
On 14 February 1945 the 29th Canadian Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla was destroyed by fire when 100 Octane fuel leaked into the protected basin at Ostende, Belgium where many RCN and RN torpedo boats were preparing for patrols that night.  The flash fire ignited many of the wooden hull boats, detonating depth charges and torpedoes on […]
HMCS SPIKENARD
HMCS SPIKENARD, Flower class corvette, was torpedoed and sunk by U-136 in the mid North Atlantic, during the night of 10 February 1942, while escorting convoy SC-67. Â Of her crew of sixty-five RCN sailors, fifty-seven were killed. SC-67 departed from Sydney, NS on 2 February 1942 with twenty-two merchant ships. Â The convoy had an all […]
Mulberry Caisson Sinking
On 19 October 1944, HMCS TRENTONIAN was escorting two Mulberry caissons and their respective tugs, to Normandy.  Towing of Phoenix 194 but had to be suspended when it was realized that the caisson was filling with water. She had a developed a large hole in the concrete and was now sinking. TRENTONIAN’s boats crew is […]
Royal Canadian Navy Pennant Numbers World War II
Destroyers, Frigates, Corvettes, Convoy Escorts, Minesweepers and Armed Yachts. Click on camera icon for photo of ship. Contact me to add your photos litwillerroger@gmail.com F Ships Name Type Class Remarks F56 PRINCE ROBERT Anti-Aircraft Ship Prince Ex-CNR passenger ship Prince Robert, taken over by RCN as an Armed Merchant Cruiser F70 PRINCE HENRY Landing Ship […]
Salvaging HMCS QUINTE
HMCS QUINTE, Bangor class minesweeper, had grounded on Horse Head Shoal on 30 Novemeber 1942. She quickly began to take on water and was beached near St. Peter’s, Cape Breton. Salvage operations on QUINTE were begun by the Foundation Maritime Ltd’s ship Foundation Aranmore. She was re-floated ten days later and moved to the wall […]
“Crest is for Teeth, Ship’s Have Badges” and Other Poor Naval Grammar
As an author and historian of the Royal Canadian Navy I have experienced many examples of poor Naval grammar. One of my biggest pet peeves comes from the use of the word “crest,” when referring to a ship’s badge. When I hear this despicable word used, I explain “crest is for teeth, our ship’s have […]
PIPE THE SIDE -Admirals Arriving
Rear-Admiral Fairbain, RN (FOIC) Milford Haven arrives to inspect HMCS TRENTONIAN in October 1944. The navy, stooped in traditions has a ceremony when receiving an Admiral aboard. The side is piped, orders called out and the ship’s officers stand ready. With all the ceremony the Admiral still has to climb the rope ladder up TRENTONIAN’s […]