For many years the phrase Rogue Wave was considered a myth by scientists, but ask any sailor they are real, powerful and destructive. A rogue wave is an isolated wave that is larger than the current sea state and can be twice the size of the waves at the time, they happen fast and generally […]
How I became an “Accidental Archivist!”
I have always had an interest in history, especially the stories and history of our Royal Canadian Navy. But never in my dreams did I ever think I would be gathering a large collection of historical photos from veterans of the RCN. This unexpected journey began in 1997, as commanding officer of a cadet corps […]
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 […]
HMCS TRENTONIAN
HMCS TRENTONIAN at Halifax in April 1944, sporting a fresh coat of dark and light grey paint. Her pennant number was not fully painted at the time of the photo so Bruce Keir added the “K†in ink.  See my webpage for the different camouflage schemes that TRENTONIAN received during her service. Roger Litwiller Collection, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Veterans of the Battle of the Atlantic Lecture -Probus Club of Trent Hills
Join Roger at the Trent Hills Probus Club in Campbellford as he discusses the Veterans of the Battle of the Atlantic during WWII. Â Roger will describe many of the stories told to him by the men who served in HMCS TRENTONIAN, the subject of his book, White Ensign Flying.
Listen to Roger Litwiller Interview on Northumberland Radio 89.7 “Words on The Hills”
Tune into Northumberland Radio 89.7 on Sunday September 20 at 1 pm for Roger Litwiller’s interview on the radio show, Words On The Hills. This is a wonderful weekly program with hosts Felicity Sidnell and Gwynn Scheltema with local authors from the Northumberland area of Ontario. Roger will be discussing the stories he has gathered […]
A Personal Milestone at The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Last night was an incredible milestone for me, as I spoke at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax. This world class museum located on the waterfront of Halifax is considered one of the foremost maritime museums in the world and has earned this reputation from the quality of the work that the wonderful […]