Flotilla Leader for C-Class Destroyers ordered from
J S White at Cowes, IoW under the1929
Build Programme and laid down in October 1930. The ship was launched on 29th October 1931 as the 2nd RN ship to carry the name,
previously used by a Flotilla Leader sold in
1921. Build was completed on 30th
May 1932 and the ship served continuously until the outbreak of war in September 1939 when she began war service
in the Plymouth Local Flotilla. Transferred to RCN in October 1939 and
renamed HMCS ASSINIBOINE.
B a t t l e H o n o u r s
JUTLAND
1916
H e r a l d i c D a t a
B a d g e: On a field Black a Sword proper between two wings green
over two wavelets Silver and Blue.
M o t t o
Fideliter: 'Faithfully'
D e t a
i l s o f W a r
S e r v i c e
(for more ship information,
go
to
Naval History Homepage
and type name in Site Search)
1 9 3 9
September
Took up war station at Plymouth with 18th Destroyer Flotilla for convoy defence and anti-submarine patrol in Channel and SW
Approaches.
3rd - Deployed with HM Destroyers ACASTA, ACHERON, ANTELOPE and ARDENT
based at Portland.
9th - Escorted HM Aircraft Carrier COURAGEOUS with HMS
ARDENT and HM Destroyer ECHO during anti-submarine operation (Operation AS2).
14th - Returned to Plymouth to prepare for transfer to
Royal Canadian Navy.
October
Transfer to RCN approved.
19th - Formal transfer at Devonport and renamed HMCS
ASSINIBOINE.
S e r v i c e a s H M C S A S
S I N I B O I N E
B a t t l e H o n o u r s a s H M C S A S S I N I B O I N E
ATLANTIC 1939-45 - NORMANDY 1944
November
Passage to Canada from Plymouth.
17th - Arrived at Halifax and nominated for service in
West Indies.
18th - Sailed for convoy defence
of east coast of Canada.
December
Convoy defence deployment in continuation.
5th - Took passage to Bermuda from Halifax.
Deployed in Caribbean area for
convoy defence and interception patrol to enforce
blockade.
1 9 4 0
January to February
West Indies deployment in continuation. (Note: German
ships in US ports were targeted for interception and capture as part of the
blockade.)
March
8th - Assisted HM Cruiser DUNEDIN which had
intercepted German freighter HANNOVER in Mona Passage off Dominica. Took burning
enemy ship in tow to open sea and provided fire-fighting party whilst tow taken
over by HMS DUNEDIN.
9th - Passage to Kingston with captured ship. (Note: This
Prize was later converted for use as a prototype Escort Aircraft Carrier and
renamed HMS AUDACITY. She was sunk in defence of a
convoy off Spain in December 1941.)
13th - Arrived at Kingston and despite lack of assistance from tugs ship
was taken safely into harbour.
Released from Caribbean duty and
took passage to Halifax.
31st - Arrived at Halifax.
April
Deployed for convoy defence at Halifax.
May to June
Taken in hand for refit at Halifax. Pennant Number for visual signalling purposes changed to I18.
July to November
On completion of post refit trials resumed convoy defence
duties off eastern coast of North America including traffic to and from Bermuda.
December
Nominated for transfer to UK for convoy defence
in NW Approaches.
1 9 4 1
January
Passage to join Western Approaches Command.
31st - Arrived in UK.
February
Deployed in NW Approaches for convoy defence.
28th - Rescued survivors from ss ANCHISES
which had sunk after air attacks.
March
Deployed at Greenock with 10th Escort Group for Atlantic convoy defence.
April
5th - Involved in collision with ss
LAIRDSWOOD.
7th - Taken in hand for damage repair in Clyde
shipyard.
May
Under repair. (Note: Two 20mm Oerlikon guns fitted to improve AA defence. Warning Radar
Type 286 fitted (Modified RAF Outfit) - See RADAR AT SEA by D Howse. Degaussing cables installed to provide
protection against magnetic mines.)
22nd - Rejoined Group on completion of repair and deployed with HM
Destroyers LEGION and SAGUENAY (RCN) as screen for HM Battlecruiser
REPULSE during passage from Clyde to join Home Fleet ships prior to search for the
German battleship BISMARCK.
23rd - Joined screen for HM Battleship KING GEORGE V in Butt of Lewis.
24th - Detached from Home Fleet screen to refuel in
Iceland. Transferred to Newfoundland Escort Force and took passage to join RCN Group at
St Johns.
June to July
Deployed for convoy defence based in
Newfoundland.
August
6th - Passage to join HM Battleship PRINCE OF WALES
with HM Destroyer RIPLEY. (Note: HMS PRINCE OF WALES was taking Prime Minister
to Argentia Bay for meeting with US
President.)
7th - Relieved HM Destroyers HARVESTER, HESPERUS and
HAVELOCK as screen during passage to Newfoundland for Atlantic Charter Meeting.
12th - Deployed with HMS RIPLEY, HM Destroyers RESTIGOUCHE (RCN) and READING,
US destroyers MAYRANT and RHIND as screen for HMS PRINCE OF WALES during
passage to Iceland after meeting.
September to December
Deployed with 14th Escort Group of Newfoundland Escort Force for convoy defence. (For details of Atlantic convoy defence
and enemy tactics see HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair, THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by
D. Macintyre and U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMSO).)
1 9 4 2
January to April
Atlantic deployment with 1st Canadian Escort Group.
May
Deployed with HM Canadian Destroyer ST CROIX ,
HM Canadian Corvettes CHAMBLY and BUCTOUCHE, HM Corvettes DIANTHUS and
NASTURTIUM, Free French Corvettes ACONIT and MIMOSE as escort for Convoy HX189 during
Atlantic passage.
10th - Under sustained attacks by HECHT Group of
U-Boats.
June
Escorted Convoy ONS100 with HMCS BUCHTOUCHE ,
HMCS CHAMBLY, FS ACONIT and FS MIMOSE.
9th - Convoy under attack by HECHT Group during which
FS MIMOSE was sunk by torpedo from U124.
July
Atlantic convoy defence with
1st Canadian Escort Group in continuation.
August
Deployed with HM Corvettes CHILLIWACK (RCN), HMCS ORILLIA, HMS DIANTHUS,
HMS NASTURTIUM and HMS PRIMROSE of Group for escort of Convoy SC94.
5th - Under sustained attacks by STEINBRINK Group of
U-Boats.
6th - Took part in search with HMS DIANTHUS for submarine after radar
contact in poor visibility. After search lasting over five hours sighted surfaced
U210 and engaged with 4.7in armament before ramming the submarine. Despite damage
from return fire made second ramming and sank U210 by depth charge attacks in position
40.15N 39.37W. 37 survivors from U210 were rescued. (For details see HITLER'S U-BOAT
WAR by C Blair and U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.)
Withdrew from escort and took
passage to Canada for repair.
29th - Taken in hand for repair.
September to November
Under repair.
December
On completion of post repair trials prepared for
work-up.
1 9 4 3
January
Worked-up for operational service.
February
Resumed convoy escort duty with Group. Nominated for transfer to
Western Approaches Command and took passage to UK as part of escort for Atlantic
convoy.
March
3rd - Sustained serious damage to stern structure when
carrying out depth charge attack during defence of convoy. (Note: This
was caused by incorrect setting of depth charges which
exploded near surface.)
7th - Taken in hand for repair at Liverpool shipyard.
April to June
Under repair.
July
Post repair trials.
13th - Rejoined 1st Canadian Escort Group to resume Atlantic convoy
escort duty. (Note: Group comprised HM Destroyer SKEENA (RCN), HM Destroyer BURNHAM and
five FLOWER Class Corvettes.)
August to December
Atlantic convoy escort with Group in continuation.
1 9 4 4
January to February
Atlantic deployment in continuation. (Note: For
details of development of new tactics for attack and defence
of Atlantic convoys see SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackmann
and above references.)
Nominated for refit in Canada.
March
Deployed with HM Destroyers FORESTER, ST LAURENT (RCN), HM Canadian
Frigates SWANSEA, VALLEYFIELD and five RCN Corvettes as escort for Convoy SC154.
10th - Convoy under threat from U485 which was located after making
radio transmissions and attacked away from convoy by HMCS ST LAURENT. (Note:
Remained with convoy and did not take part in later sinking of this
submarine. See above references.)
April
Deployed in Canadian waters and prepared for refit.
May to June
Under refit at Shelburne, Nova Scotia. Nominated for
service in 12th Escort Group deployed at Londonderry.
July
Post refit trials and passage to
Londonderry to join Group.
August
1st - Arrived at Londonderry for service in SW Approaches and Channel. for anti-submarine operations and interception of coastal
convoys.
8th - In action with trawlers in Audierne
Bay south of Brest.
12th - Damaged by return fire from shore battery.
September
Channel deployment with Group in continuation.
October
Transferred to 11th Canadian Escort Group in continuation. (Note: Increased
activity by SCHNORKEL fitted U-Boats required the reinforcement of convoy escorts
and patrols in Channel and SW Approaches. See references.)
November
Channel deployment in continuation.
December
Transferred to 14th Canadian Escort Group based at Liverpool for
Atlantic convoy defence.
1 9 4 5
January
Deployed with Group in UK coastal waters for convoy defence
against increased use of SCHNORKEL-fitted submarines.
February
14th - Involved in collision with ss
EMPIRE BOND in English Channel. Taken in hand for repair.
March
Resumed duty with Group on completion of repair.
April
Coastal convoy escort and patrol in continuation.
May
8th - Nominated for duty as a troop transport.
June to July
Deployed to carry returning Canadian service personnel back to Canada.
August
Nominated for disposal and to be paid-off.
8th - Paid-off and destored. Placed on the
Disposal List
P o s t W a
r N o t
e s
HMCS ASSINIBOINE was sold for
demolition at Baltimore USA in November 1945 and taken in tow to breakers yard. The ship broke from tow
during passage on 10th November and was driven ashore. She was wrecked near East
Point, Prince Edward Island. The hulk was later sold to Guard Salvage Co of Halifax and
broken up in situ during 1952.
Addendum
CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of
HMS
KEMPENFELT
by Don Kindell
These convoy lists have not been cross-checked with the text above
|
|
|
|
|
Date convoy
sailed
|
Joined convoy as escort
|
Convoy No.
|
Left convoy
|
Date convoy
arrived
|
|
|
|
|
|
27/09/39
|
27/09/39
|
OA 011
|
28/09/39
|
30/09/39
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
as HMCS ASSINIBOINE
|
|
|
|
|
|
18/11/39
|
18/11/39
|
HX 009
|
20/11/39
|
02/12/39
|
26/11/39
|
26/11/39
|
HX 010
|
28/11/39
|
10/12/39
|
09/06/40
|
09/06/40
|
HX 049
|
10/06/40
|
24/06/40
|
11/06/40
|
11/06/40
|
TC 005
|
13/06/40
|
21/06/40
|
13/06/40
|
13/06/40
|
HX 050
|
14/06/40
|
30/06/40
|
25/06/40
|
25/06/40
|
HX 053
|
26/06/40
|
10/07/40
|
29/06/40
|
29/06/40
|
HX 054
|
30/06/40
|
14/07/40
|
03/07/40
|
03/07/40
|
HX 055
|
04/07/40
|
18/07/40
|
11/07/40
|
11/07/40
|
HX 057
|
12/07/40
|
26/07/40
|
15/07/40
|
15/07/40
|
HX 058
|
16/07/40
|
31/07/40
|
04/08/40
|
04/08/40
|
HX 063
|
05/08/40
|
19/08/40
|
08/08/40
|
08/08/40
|
HX 064
|
09/08/40
|
23/08/40
|
12/08/40
|
12/08/40
|
HX 065
|
13/08/40
|
27/08/40
|
16/08/40
|
16/08/40
|
HX 066
|
17/08/40
|
31/08/40
|
20/08/40
|
20/08/40
|
HX 067
|
20/08/40
|
04/09/40
|
24/08/40
|
24/08/40
|
HX 068
|
25/08/40
|
08/09/40
|
27/08/40
|
27/08/40
|
TC 007
|
28/08/40
|
04/09/40
|
28/08/40
|
28/08/40
|
HX 069
|
29/08/40
|
12/09/40
|
05/09/40
|
05/09/40
|
HX 071
|
06/09/40
|
20/09/40
|
01/09/40
|
10/09/40
|
HX 070
|
02/09/40
|
16/09/40
|
13/09/40
|
13/09/40
|
HX 073
|
14/09/40
|
28/09/40
|
17/09/40
|
17/09/40
|
HX 074
|
18/09/40
|
02/10/40
|
21/09/40
|
21/09/40
|
HX 075
|
22/09/40
|
07/10/40
|
30/09/40
|
30/09/40
|
HX 077
|
01/10/40
|
15/10/40
|
04/10/40
|
04/10/40
|
HX 078
|
05/10/40
|
18/10/40
|
24/10/40
|
24/10/40
|
HX 083
|
25/10/40
|
07/11/40
|
01/11/40
|
01/11/40
|
HX 085
|
02/11/40
|
06/11/40
|
11/11/40
|
11/11/40
|
HX 086
|
11/11/40
|
26/11/40
|
14/11/40
|
14/11/40
|
HX 088
|
15/11/40
|
30/11/40
|
21/11/40
|
21/11/40
|
HX 090
|
22/11/40
|
05/12/40
|
25/11/40
|
25/11/40
|
HX 091
|
26/11/40
|
11/12/40
|
06/12/40
|
06/12/40
|
HX 094
|
07/12/40
|
22/12/40
|
03/12/40
|
13/12/40
|
HX 093
|
04/12/40
|
18/12/40
|
16/12/40
|
16/12/40
|
TC 008
|
21/12/40
|
25/12/40
|
22/12/40
|
22/12/40
|
HX 098
|
23/12/40
|
29/12/40
|
17/02/41
|
24/02/41
|
TC 009
|
26/02/41
|
27/02/41
|
22/05/41
|
23/05/41
|
OB 326
|
26/05/41
|
29/05/41
|
08/06/41
|
08/06/41
|
OB 331
|
18/06/41
|
19/06/41
|
21/06/41
|
21/06/41
|
TC 011
|
24/06/41
|
30/06/41
|
27/06/41
|
03/07/41
|
OB 340
|
13/07/41
|
13/07/41
|
07/07/41
|
15/07/41
|
OB 344
|
17/07/41
|
16/07/41
|
21/07/41
|
21/07/41
|
TC 012
|
23/07/41
|
29/07/41
|
26/08/41
|
27/08/41
|
TC 012B
|
01/09/41
|
01/09/41
|
08/09/41
|
08/09/41
|
CT 002
|
14/09/41
|
14/09/41
|
27/12/41
|
30/12/41
|
SC 062
|
08/01/42
|
12/01/42
|
10/02/42
|
13/02/42
|
SC 069
|
23/02/42
|
27/02/42
|
09/03/42
|
10/03/42
|
ON 074
|
20/03/42
|
25/03/42
|
30/03/42
|
03/04/42
|
SC 077
|
12/04/42
|
16/04/42
|
21/04/42
|
22/04/42
|
ON 088
|
03/05/42
|
08/05/42
|
10/05/42
|
14/05/42
|
HX 189
|
20/05/42
|
20/05/42
|
02/06/42
|
03/06/42
|
ON 100
|
13/06/42
|
19/06/42
|
21/06/42
|
24/06/42
|
HX 195
|
01/07/42
|
02/07/42
|
13/07/42
|
14/07/42
|
ON 112
|
25/07/42
|
30/07/42
|
31/07/42
|
02/08/42
|
SC 094
|
06/08/42
|
13/08/42
|
29/12/42
|
05/01/43
|
HX 221
|
13/01/43
|
14/01/43
|
24/01/43
|
25/01/43
|
ON 163
|
08/02/43
|
16/02/43
|
31/07/43
|
01/08/43
|
ON 195
|
08/08/43
|
13/08/43
|
14/08/43
|
20/08/43
|
HX 252
|
27/08/43
|
28/08/43
|
08/09/43
|
10/09/43
|
ON 201
|
18/09/43
|
24/09/43
|
22/09/43
|
28/09/43
|
HX 258
|
05/10/43
|
06/10/43
|
18/10/43
|
19/10/43
|
ON 207
|
28/10/43
|
04/11/43
|
31/10/43
|
06/11/43
|
HX 264
|
16/11/43
|
17/11/43
|
26/11/43
|
28/11/43
|
ON 213
|
07/12/43
|
14/12/43
|
10/12/43
|
15/12/43
|
HX 270
|
25/12/43
|
26/12/43
|
08/01/44
|
09/01/44
|
ON 219
|
20/01/44
|
27/01/44
|
22/01/44
|
28/01/44
|
HX 276
|
06/02/44
|
07/02/44
|
14/02/44
|
15/02/44
|
ON 224
|
26/02/44
|
02/03/44
|
28/02/44
|
02/03/44
|
SC 154
|
15/03/44
|
15/03/44
|
28/03/44
|
29/03/44
|
ONS 032
|
13/04/44
|
18/04/44
|
10/09/44
|
15/09/44
|
SL 169MK
|
16/09/44
|
17/09/44
|
08/01/45
|
unknown
|
HX 331
|
unknown
|
22/01/45
|
23/01/45
|
unknown
|
HX 334
|
unknown
|
06/02/45
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note on Convoys)