In December 1943, two newly constructed corvettes, HMCS TRENTONIAN foreground and HMCS NORSYD are attempting to leave Quebec City in route to Halifax. During a short layover in the Quebec port, the harbour has frozen over.  TRENTONIAN has moved only a few feet away from the wall despite repeated attempts by the harbour pilot to use the […]
Shore Leave
Dressed in their best Blue uniform, a group of RCN sailors from HMCS TRENTONIAN ready for shore leave in Milford Haven in 1942. Roger Litwiller Collection, Allen E. Singleton, RCNVR photo, courtesy Tom Farrell, RCNVR. (RTL-TF087)
Crossing the Atlantic
An unidentified member from HMCS TRENTONIAN enjoys a free moment on deck while crossing the Atlantic in April 1944. While at sea, sailors would wear whatever clothing was warm and dry, saving their uniforms for port. Roger Litwiller Collection, Allen E. Singleton, RCNVR photo, courtesy Jack Harold, RCNVR. (RTL-JH066)
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 […]
HMCS TRENTONIAN -Cardiff
HMCS TRENTONIAN in Cardiff, Wales for boiler cleaning, October 1944.  The corvette has been given a fresh coat of paint, changing the camouflage scheme to the “False Hull” pattern from the Western Approaches Disruptive. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Douglas Campbell, RCNVR. (RTL-DC038) This photo and collection have been gathered from the crew of HMCS TRENTONIAN and have […]
TRENTONIAN Smoke Screen
HMCS TRENTONIAN laying a smoke screen in the Straits of Dover. The thick black smoke is produced from the ship’s boilers and would help conceal the convoy as they pass near the occupied French coast, in sight of the enemy’s guns. Roger Litwiller Collection, Allen E. Singleton, RCNVR photo, courtesy Bruce Keir, RCNVR. (RTL-BK170)
Corvette in Winter Storm Quebec City
Quebec is hit by a early winter storm, blanketing HMCS TRENTONIAN in snow in December 1943. Â Newly constructed in Kingston the corvette is making her way to Halifax. Â Due to a construction problem, it is as cold in the ship as it is outside and TRENTONIAN’s ship’s company threaten to walk off the ship when […]
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 […]
HMCS TRENTONIAN
The hull of HMCS TRENTONIAN is dressed and ready for launching on 1 September 1943 at Kingston Shipbuilding, Kingston, Ontario. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Hank Winsor. (RTL-HW006)
First and last photos of HMCS TRENTONIAN
These two photos of HMCS TRENTONIAN tell an amazing story. They are the first and last photos of this historic Battle of Atlantic corvette. The first picture of TRENTONIAN was taken just before her commissioning on 1 December 1943, the Flower class corvette was newly built at Kingston, Ontario. She is finishing her acceptance trials […]