Part of the Mulberry Harbour known as a Spud Pierhead is being towed to Normandy, under the close escort of HMCS TRENTONIAN, in June 1944. The four pilings were secured to the sea bed allowing the deck to rise and fall with the tides, the merchant ships and LST’s could then discharge their cargo onto […]
HMCS HAIDA Flagship Ceremony
Combined Naval Band from HMCS STAR and HMCS YORK during the ceremony on 26 May 2018 in Hamilton, ON dedicating HMCS HAIDA as the Ceremonial Flagship of the Royal Canadian Navy. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy of Roger Litwiller. (RTL67566)
“Needles Parade” HMCS TRENTONIAN
The entire ship’s company of HMCS TRENTONIAN is lined up in September 1944, for “needles parade” prior to steaming to Cherbourg, and their first shore leave in France. LS Aubrey Wells (right) is in charge of the group. Roger Litwiller Collection, Allen E. Singleton, RCNVR photo, courtesy Bruce Keir, RCNVR. (RTL-BK168) This photo and collection […]
RN Landing Ship
RN Landing Ship off Normandy in June 1944. Photo taken from HMCS WASAGA. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Ross Milligan, RCNR. (RTL-REM143)
HMS CRANE
HMS CRANE, a modified Black Swan class sloop at anchor in Portsmouth, July 1944. Photo taken from HMCS TRENTONIAN. Roger Litwiller Collection, Allen E. Singleton, RCNVR photo, courtesy Bruce Keir, RCNVR. (RTL-BK111)
HMS ROBERTS -Normandy
HMS ROBERTS, classed as a Monitor, passing HMCS TRENTONIAN on 7 June 1944 off the Normandy Beachhead. She has the size of a cruiser but mounted with a battleship turret. She is designed to anchor off shore and bombard enemy positions in shore with her two heavy 15 inch guns. Anchored close, the concussion from […]
HMCS MULGRAVE
HMCS MULGRAVE, Bangor class minesweeper assigned to the 31st Minesweeping Flotilla for mine sweeping operations during Operation NEPTUNE. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Ross Milligan, RCNR. (RTL-REM011)
Mulberry Tow -Normandy
The Mulberry Harbours were reinforced with large floating cement caissons code-named Phoenix’s. Prefabricated in the UK, each had to be towed to Normandy and then sunk in place. Roger Litwiller Collection, Allen E. Singleton, RCNVR photo, courtesy Bruce Keir, RCNVR. (RTL-BK171) This photo and collection have been gathered from the crew of HMCS TRENTONIAN and […]
HMCS WASAGA Collision
Using the ship’s whaler, HMCS WASAGA’s damage control parties are able to inspect shoring and emergency repairs to the minesweepers hull after a collision with the danlayer HMS SURSAY on 11 April 1945. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Ross Milligan, RCNR. (RTL-REM133)
HMS COTSWOLD
HMS COTSWOLD, Type I -Hunt class destroyer escort, departs Portsmouth for a patrol in the English Channel in July 1944. Photo taken from HMCS TRENTONIAN. Roger Litwiller Collection, Allen E. Singleton, RCNVR photo, courtesy Bruce Keir, RCNVR. (RTL-BK113)