HMCS WASAGA steams out of St. John’s Harbour, NF in the spring of 1943. Excellent photo showing the harbour defences, Fort Amherst is on the left and the anti-submarine netting extends across the entrance. The granite cliffs on both sides have always provided a natural protection to St. John’s. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Ross Milligan, […]
Torpedoed Tanker St. John`s, NF.
Torpedoed Tanker in St. John’s Harbour, NF waiting for repairs, in 1942. The damage from the torpedo can be seen in the midships section of the merchant ship. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Ross Milligan, RCNR. (RTL-REM050)
Swim at HMC NAVAL CAMP
Wm Black, S. Morris, Wm. Weaver, Ross Milligan and J. Glass from HMCS WASAGA, enjoy a swim at HMC NAVAL CAMP outside of St. John’s, NF in 1942. The rest camp was provided to sailors from the escort ships to provide a break, away from normal ship board routine. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Ross Milligan, […]
Merchant Ship at Corner Brook
Merchant ship alongside the Bowater Pulp and Paper Mill in Corner Brook, NF in 1943, photo taken from HMCS WASAGA’s stern (foreground). Ross Milligan wrote SS South Brook on the face of the photo and SS North Brook on the back. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Ross Milligan, RCNR. (RTL-RM286)
Mail Call
Sailors from HMCS WASAGA arrive for Mail Call at HMC NAVAL CAMP outside St. John’s, NF in 1942. The rest camp was built to provide sailors from the escort ships a break from normal ship’s routine. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Ross Milligan, RCNR. (RTL-RM303)
Memorial Day Newfoundland
HMCS WASAGA’s ships company and the Newfoundland Home Guard march off from the ceremony commemorating Memorial Day in Curling NF on 4 July 1943. Memorial Day commemorates the sacrifice of the 1st Newfoundland Regiment during WWI at the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel and held on the anniversary of the first day of the Battle of the […]
Deep Sea Fishing the RCN Way
In March 1944, HMCS TRENTONIAN dropped a single depth charge while in the Grand Banks, off Newfoundland. Thomas Williams of Winnipeg, MB. inspects one of the larger fish caught. Once the fish were cleaned the cooks immediately cooked the fresh bounty in milk. The crew remember this as one of the best meals they had […]
HMC NAVAL CAMP St. John’s NF
Sailors from the escort groups could trade their shipboard hammocks for tents at the HMC NAVAL CAMP outside of St. John’s, NF. This photo taken while HMCS WASAGA sailors were at the camp in 1942. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Ross Milligan, RCNR. (RTL-RM292)
Busy St. John’s Harbour
St. John’s harbour in Newfoundland is bustling with activity in the spring of 1943. Three fishing vessels work alongside merchant ships and RCN and RN escort ships. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Ross Milligan, RCNR. (RTL-RM315)
HMCS ARVIDA Gunner
Howard Abbott poses with HMCS ARVIDA’s 20mm Oelikon in St. John’s Newfoundland, 1943. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Howard Abbott, RCNVR. (RTL-HA048)