E-Class Fleet Destroyer ordered from Swan Hunter at Wallsend under 1931 Programme on 1st November 1932 and laid down on 4th March 1933. The ship was launched on 29th May 1934 as the 8th RN ship to carry the name, introduced in 1695 and previously borne by a destroyer built in 1897 and sold in 1921. Ships of this Class ware designed for use as minelayers and could easily be converted to that role from Fleet duties. Her build completed on 2nd November 1934 and she commissioned for service in the Home Fleet with the 5th Destroyer Flotilla four days later. Before the outbreak of war the ship spent some periods on detached service in the Mediterranean because of the Abyssinian crisis and an outbreak of fire in a Boiler Room resulted in two months repair during October 1937. Although she was intended for use as a Boys training ship in 1939 this was not implemented because of a lack of personnel. She attended the Review of the Reserve Fleet in August 1939. In 1943 this destroyer was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy and renamed HMCS GATINEAU.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

DESIRAOE 1806 - GUADALOUPE 1808 - MARTINIQUE 1809 - DUNKIRK 1940

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a Field Blue, a figure of Mercury Gold

 

M o t t o

Celeriter: ‘ I strike quickly’

 

 

D e t a i l s   o f   W a r   S e r v i c e   a s   H M S   E X P R E S S

 

(for more ship information,  go to Naval History Homepage and type name in Site Search)

 

 

1 9 3 9

 

September

 

Converted for minelaying duties at Portsmouth and war complement joined.

 

7th - Worked up for operation as a minelayer.

 

9th - Passage to Immingham to take-up war station. Embarked mines.

 

10th - Laid minefield in Heligoland Bight with sister destroyer HMS ESK (Operation AA).

 

12th - Laid further minefield with HMS ESK in Heligoland Bight (Operation QQ).

 

October

 

Minelay operations off Dutch coast suspended. Paravanes fitted.

 

November

 

17th - Deployed for minelay in East Coast Barrier (Operation RG).

 

29th - Completed Operation RG.

 

December

 

12th - Joined 20th Destroyer Flotilla on formation. Based at Harwich with mines to be embarked at Immingham.

 

15th - Escorted HM Auxiliary Minelayer PRINCESS VICTORIA during minelay in the East Coast Barrier off Harwich (Operation OF). HM Destroyers ESK, BRAZEN and BOREAS deployed to provide cover.

 

22nd - Escorted HMS PRINCESS VICTORIA for second part of Operation GF with HM Destroyers ESK, CODRINGTON and BRAZEN.

 

 

1 9 4 0

 

January

 

Deployed with Flotilla at Harwich.

 

February

 

9th - Escorted HMS PRINCESS VICTORIA during lay of dummy mines along East Coast Barrier (Operation LD2 and LD3).

 

12th - Operations LD2 and LD3 completed.

 

18th - Escorted HM Auxiliary Minelayer TEVIOT BANK during lay of Deep minefield in Galloper area (Operation DML8).

 

March

 

3rd - Laid minefield near Horns Reef, Heligoland Bight with HM Destroyers ESK, IMPULSIVE and ICARUS (Operation IE1).

 

5th - Deployed for anti-submarine patrol in Moray Firth area.

 

21st - Escorted HMS TEVIOT BANK and HMS PRINCESS VICTORIA during laying of deep field in Moray Firth with Flotilla (Operation PA4).

 

22nd - Damaged in collision with trawler and taken in hand at Hartlepool for repair.

 

April

 

Under repair.

 

24th - On completion rejoined Flotilla.

 

27th - Nominated with HMS ESK and HMS INTREPID to extend Vast Fjord minefield. Narrow gauge mine rails and H2/VHI mine units to be used.

 

28th - Changed mine rails and embarked mines at Immingham for Operation ZMB.

 

30th - Rejoined Home Fleet when Operation ZMB cancelled. Returned to Immingham to revert to broad gauge rails.

 

May

 

6th - Returned to Scapa Flow for minelaying duty off Norway. Operation cancelled for lack of air cover.

 

10th - Laid minefield in Heligoland Bight (Operation ZMC). On arrival in Humber escorted HMS PRINCESS VICTORIA during laying of minefield off Dutch coast (Operation CBX1).

 

12th - Laid Shallow minefields in East Coast Barrier with HM Destroyers ESK and INTREPID (Operation BS3).

 

14th - Continued East Coast Barrier minelay (Operation BS4).

 

16th - Deployed with Flotilla to laid minefield off Dutch coast (Operation CBX3). (Note: In July 1940 this claimed sinking of three German minesweepers.).

 

18th - Joined HMS PRINCESS VICTORIA with Flotilla to continue East Coast Barrier lay (Operation BS5). Escorted PRINCESS VICTORIA to south of Humber on return passage. After HMS PRINCESS VICTORIA hit a mine and sank off estuary, remained in area to warn shipping of new mine danger.

 

21st - East Coast Barrier minelaying continued with Flotilla (Operation BS series - Operation BS6.)

 

23rd - Operation BS7.

 

25th - Operation BS8

 

27th - Operation BS9 (excluding HMS IMPULSIVE). Despatched to assist in Dunkirk evacuation (Operation DYNAMO). Passage to Dover.

 

29th - Towed French destroyer JAGUAR to Dover.

 

30th - Wore flag of Admiral Hyde-Walker and carried 1,431 troops to Dover during two trips.

 

31st - Made three more trips to Dunkirk. Under attack by German aircraft and sustained serious damage. (Note: In all carried 3,491 troops to Dover. See BEF SHIPS by J de Winser and Naval Staff History (HMSO-2002).)

 

June

 

2nd - Under repair.

 

15th - Rejoined Flotilla on completion.

 

16th - Escorted HMS TEVIOT BANK, HM Coastal Minelayer PLOVER and ships of Flotilla during East Coast Barrier minelaying Operation (Operation BS15).

 

29th - Deployed for East Coast Barrier minelay (Operation BS19).

 

July

 

2nd - Deployed for East Coast Barrier minelay (Operation BS20).

 

11th - Deployed for East Coast Barrier minelay (Operation BS23).

 

17th - Laid experimental field with HMS IMPULSIVE to test operation of MK XX mine. (Operation BS24).

 

18th - Repeated Operation BS24 (Operation BS25).

 

21st - Laid minefield in Galloper area with Flotilla, except HMS IVANHOE (Operation BS26).

 

27th - Continuation lay of BS26 with Flotilla ,except HMS IVANHOE (Operation BS28).

 

August

 

2nd - Laid extension of East Coast Barrier with HMS PLOVER, Dutch minelayer VAN DER ZAAN and HM Destroyers ESK, ICARUS, INTREPID and IMPULSIVE (Operation BS30).

 

6th - Laid minefield off Belgian coast with ships of Flotilla escorted by MTB's (Operation CBX4).

 

9th - Laid anti-invasion minefield in Straits of Dover with ships of Flotilla (Operation MP(a)).

 

11th - Continuation of anti-invasion Minefield (Operation MP(b)).

 

27th - Escorted HMS TEVIOT BANK for lay in East Coast Barrier with HMS ESK and HMS ICARUS (Operation BS35).

 

31st - With Senior Officer of 20th Flotilla embarked sailed with HM Destroyers IVANHOE, INTREPID, ICARUS and ESK for minelaying off Belgian coast (Operation CBX5). After enemy report, CinC Nore ordered ships to engage after jettison of mines. Entered German minefield and exploded mine in position 53.25N 3-48E. Forward structure completely destroyed. HMS IVANHOE went alongside and was disabled after detonating another mine Ship able to make sternway under own power until taken in tow by HM Destroyer KELVIN. Tow fouled and re-established by HM Destroyer JUPITER until tugs arrived to complete towing operation to Hull. (Note: 57 of ships company were lost and a further 9 were captured and became POW. Captain J Bickford (Captain D20) died later in hospital and was buried at sea. See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett and Naval Staff History (MINING). HMS ESK sank and HMS IVANHOE had to be scuttled following this disastrous operation which claimed nearly 300 lives. The subsequent Board of Inquiry at Hull concluded that it was unavoidable. See THE BATTLE OF THE EAST COAST (1939 -1945) by JP Foynes.)

 

September

 

3rd - Arrived at Hull in tow. Tow to Chatham for repair including rebuilding forward structure.

 

October to December

 

Under repair by HM Dockyard, Chatham.

 

 

1 9 4 1

 

January to August

 

Under repair.

 

September

 

Re-commissioned and carried out post refit trials.

 

October

 

3rd - Refit completion date. Passage to Scapa Flow to rejoined Home Fleet and allocated for service with Force Z in Singapore.

 

25th - Sailed from Clyde as escort for HM Battleship PRINCE OF WALES with HMS ELECTRA.

 

November

 

5th - At Freetown.

 

18th - Sailed from Capetown.

 

28th - Arrived at Colombo after calls at Mauritius and Gan for fuel.

 

29th - Joined by HM Battlecruiser REPULSE and HM Destroyers ENCOUNTER and JUPITER. Took passage from Colombo to Singapore with ships of Force Z.

 

December

 

3rd - Arrived at Singapore.

 

8th - Sailed from Singapore to attack Japanese warships reported off Kota Baru.

 

10th - In action with Japanese aircraft during attacks on Force Z in Gulf of Thailand. Took part in rescue of 1,000 survivors from HMS REPULSE and HMS PRINCE OF WALES. (For details see WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO) and THE HUNTING OF FORCE Z by R Hough).

 

11th - Returned to Singapore and deployed on local convoy defence.

 

24th - Carried out lay of 18 ground mines in approaches to Penang.

 

 

1 9 4 2

 

January

 

Deployed with China Force at Singapore for escort of convoys.

 

February

 

6th - Fire in boiler room caused damage to services.

 

Repair undertaken at Singapore. (Note: This repair prevented deployment with allied fleet in Java Sea. See above references.)

 

On completion continued convoy defence work until capture of Singapore. Escorted evacuation convoy SU1 to Fremantle with HM Australian Destroyers NIZAM and VAMPIRE.

 

March

 

Transferred to East Indies Fleet based in Ceylon. (Note: During this period ship operated despite condition of the Boiler Room due to earlier fire damage which was not completely repaired).

 

Nominated for completion of repair in South Africa.

 

April

 

Passage to Simonstown. Taken in hand by HM Dockyard, Simonstown for repair and refit.

 

May

 

Under repair.

 

June

 

26th - On completion resumed duties with Eastern Fleet.

 

27th - Joined 12th Destroyer Flotilla for Indian Ocean convoy defence and screening duty.

 

July to August

 

Indian Ocean deployment in continuation.

 

 

September

 

Nominated for support of planned landings to complete occupation of Madagascar.

 

10th - Escorted HM Aircraft Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS during final phase of allied occupation of Madagascar (Operation STREAM).

 

On release from STREAM resumed Flotilla convoy defence duties

 

October to December

 

Indian Ocean deployment in continuation.

 

 

1 9 4 3

 

January

 

Indian Ocean deployment in continuation. Nominated for return to UK. Future deployment after refit under consideration.

 

February

 

Passage to Liverpool from Simonstown for refit.

 

March

 

Paid off and prepared for refit in commercial shipyard. Nominated for transfer to Royal Canadian Navy on completion.

 

12th - Taken in hand for refit.

 

April to May

 

Under refit.

 

June

 

2nd - Refit completion date.

 

3rd - Transferred to RCN and re-commissioned as HMCS GATINEAU for convoy defence duties.

 

15th - Formally presented to Canada as a gift.

 

 

S e r v i c e   a s   H M C S   G A T I N E A U

 

 Took passage for work-up.

 

July

 

On completion of work-up joined 2nd Canadian Escort Group for Atlantic convoy defence.

 

August

 

Deployed in NW Approaches for convoy defence with Group. (For details of weapons and tactics used in Battle of the Atlantic see U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMSO), SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackmann and THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by D MacIntyre.)

 

September

 

Deployed with HM Destroyer ICARUS, HM Frigate LAGAN, three corvettes and a trawler as escort for convoy ON202 during Atlantic passage. Merged with convoy ONS18 on Admiralty diversion to avoid U-Boat attacks. (Note: Combined escort then also included HM Destroyers ESCAPADE, KEPPEL and ST CROIX (RCN), HM Frigates TOWEY and ITCHEN, eight Corvettes and a trawler from Escort Groups B3 and C9 of ONS18.)

 

19th - Under attacks by LEUTHEN U-Boat Group during which HMS LAGAN was damaged beyond economic repair by an acoustic homing torpedo (T5).

 

20th - HMCS ST CROIX and HMS ITCHEN were sunk as well as major damage to HMS ESCAPADE after accidental explosion of mortar bombs from the HEDGEHOG mounting. (Note: For details see HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR Volume 2 by C Blair.)

 

October to December

 

Atlantic deployment with Group in continuation.

 

 

1 9 4 4

 

January to February

 

Atlantic convoy defence in continuation.

 

March

 

Deployed with HM Destroyer ICARUS, HM Canadian Destroyer CHAUDIERE, HM Canadian Frigate ST CATHERINES, HM Canadian Corvettes FENNEL, CHILLIWACK and HM Corvette KENILWORTH CASTLE in support of passage of Convoy HX280.

 

4th - Convoy under threat of attack by U-Boats. After radio transmissions intercepted by HMS ICARUS obtained ASDIC contact and began submarine search operation with ships of Support Group.

 

5th - Search operation continued with depth charge and HEDGEHOG attacks by ships of the escort and Support Group.

 

6th - U774 surfaced after being dived for over 24 hours. HMCS CHILLIWACK and HMCS FENNEL attempted to board submarine but whaler capsized. Took part in rescue of whalers crew and survivors from U744 which scuttled. Submarine sank in position 52.01N 22.37W. 40 of her crew survived.

 

April

 

Atlantic deployment in continuation.

 

May

 

Transferred to 11th Escort Group based at Londonderry for support of the planned allied landings in Normandy (Operation NEPTUNE).

 

June

 

Transferred to Plymouth for anti-submarine operations in Bay of Biscay and English Channel.

 

26th - In action with E-Boats off Selsey Bill in defence of coastal convoy. On release from NEPTUNE resumed Atlantic convoy defence with Group.

 

July

 

Atlantic convoy escort in continuation. Nominated for refit in Canada and took passage to Halifax.

 

August

 

3rd - Taken in hand for refit at Halifax.

 

September to December

 

Under refit.

 

 

1 9 4 5

 

January

 

Under refit.

 

February

 

Post refit trials.

 

16th - On completion prepared for return passage to UK for work-up.

 

 Passage to Tobermory.

 

March

 

On completion of work-up deployed on convoy defence in UK coastal waters. (Note: Increased U-Boat attacks were being carried out by SCHNORKEL fitted submarines in UK coastal waters and Atlantic convoys were re-routed via English Channel after removal of air threat from French airfields. See HOLD THE NARROW SEAS by P Smith.)

 

April

 

Coastal convoy defence in continuation.

 

May

 

Returned to Canada after VE Day.

 

June

 

Deployed locally based at Halifax.

 

July

 

11th - Taken in hand for repair at Halifax.

 

19th - Resumed duties at Halifax.

 

August

 

Transferred to Esquimault on West coast of Canada.

 

 

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMCS GATINEAU was paid off on 10th January 1946 and placed in Reserve at Esquimault. The ship was put on the Disposal List in April 1947 and sold to Capital Iron and Steel Metals, Victoria, British Columbia. She was scuttled in 1956 at Royston, BC for use as part of a breakwater.

 

---

 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS EXPRESS

by Don Kindell

 

This convoy list has not been cross-checked with the text above

(Note on Convoys)