A-Class destroyer modified to suit RCN requirements
and ordered by the Canadian Government from John I
Thornycroft at Woolston
on 29th February 1929 with HMCS SAGUENAY. The ship was laid down as Yard No. 1092 on 14 October 1929 and launched on 10th October
1930. Build was completed on 10th June 1931 and she was commissioned for service in the Royal Canadian
Navy at Portsmouth that day. Until 1938 this destroyer was deployed with the Western Division of the RCN based at
Esquimalt but then was transferred to Halifax
B a t t
l e H o n o u r s
As this ship belonged to the
Royal Canadian Navy there is no record
H e r a l d i
c D a t a
Similarly details are not
available in the Admiralty Record of Ships Badges.
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
3rd - Embarked CinC
West Indies Station at Halifax for passage to Bermuda.
10th - Canada declared war on Germany during return passage to Halifax
11th - On arrival at Halifax joined Halifax Escort Force for deployment
as Local Escort for
Atlantic convoys to and from Newfoundland.
October to December
Local Escort deployment in continuation.
1 9 4 0
January to April
Halifax deployment for Local Escort in continuation.
May
Transferred to Western Approaches Command for Atlantic convoy escort
based in UK.
Took passage to Plymouth.
31st - Arrived at Plymouth and joined Western Approaches Command.
June
Deployed for escort of evacuation convoys from ports in Brittany and Bay
of Biscay.
(Operation AERIAL - Allied troops, Diplomatic personnel and civilians
taken to Channel
ports in UK after fall of France. See EVACUATION OPERATIONS by J De Winser, Naval Staff History, HOLD THE NARROW SEA by P Smith
and ENGAGE THE
ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by Corelli Barnett.)
July
On release from AERIAL commenced Atlantic convoy defence
duties.
(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) for
details.)
August to September
Atlantic convoy defence in NW Approaches
continued.
October
14th - Took part in rescue work after HM Armed Merchant Cruiser CHESHIRE
was torpedoed
in NW approaches. Embarked 230 survivors and put party on board to
maintain steam until tug arrived to take
stricken ship in tow for repair.
November to December
Atlantic convoy escort duties in continuation.
1 9 4 1
January to February
Atlantic convoy defence duties in continued. Nominated for
return to Canada for refit.
March
3rd - Took passage to Halifax. Taken in hand for refit on
arrival.
April to May
Under refit.
Nominated for service with
Newfoundland Escort Force on completion.
June
On completion of post refit trials carried out work-up prior to resuming
operational
service with newly formed Escort Force.
Deployed for Ocean Escort to and
from Mid-Ocean Meeting Point.
July to August
Deployed for Atlantic convoy escort with Group.
(See HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR, THE
BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC and U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC for further details.)
September
Part of escort for Convoy SC42.
October to December
Ocean Escort for Atlantic convoys in continuation.
1 9 4 2
January to April
Transferred to 3rd Canadian Escort Group and joined HM Canadian
Destroyer
SAGUENAY, HM Canadian Corvettes WETASKIWIN, SACKVILLE, GALT and CAMROSE
for Ocean Escort of Atlantic convoys.
May
Part of escort for Convoy HX119 with ships of Group.
June
Atlantic convoy defence with
Group in continuation.
July
Deployed with HM Canadian Destroyers SAGUENAY and HAMILTON, HM Canadian
Corvettes AGASSIZ, SACKVILLE and WETASKIWIN
as escort for Convoy HX115
31st - Shared credit for sinking U588 with HMCS WETASKIWIN during defence of HX115 against attacks by TIGER Group of U-BOATS. (See HITLER'S
U-BOAT WAR.)
August to December
Mid Ocean escort duties with Group in continuation. (For
development of new weapons and changes in U-Boat deployments see U-BOAT WAR IN
THE ATLANTIC (HMSO) and SEEK & STRIKE by
W Hackmann.
For information relating to development and use of radar in the Royal Navy
see RADAR AT SEA by D Howse.)
1 9 4 3
January to March
Under refit.
April
On completion of post refit trials prepared for return to operational
duties with
3rd Canadian Escort Group.
16th - Part of escort for Convoy HX223 with US Coastguard Cutters
SPENCER and
DUANE, HM Canadian Corvettes WETASKIWIN and ARVIDA, HM Corvettes DIANTHUS,
BERGAMOT and BRYONY.
17th - Carried out anti-submarine operations in defence of convoy during intensive attacks by U-Boat
Groups. Escort reinforced by 3rd British Support Group which
reduced
scale of attack after series of depth charge operations.
May
Deployed as escort for Convoy HX238.
17th - Threat of attacks by U-Boat Groups did not materialise
after extensive air operations using depth charges from LIBERATOR aircraft of Coastal
Command.
(See above references and BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by Costello and
Hughes.)
June to December
Atlantic convoy escort duties in continuation.
1 9 4 4
January
Atlantic convoy defence in
continuation.
February
Nominated for support of planned allied invasion (Operation NEPTUNE). Taken in hand
for refit to prepare for service prior to passage to UK.
March
Under refit.
April
Carried out post refit trials and prepared for passage.
May
Joined escort for Convoy SC157 for passage to UK to join 12th Escort
Group.
Detached from SC157 on arrival in Home waters and took passage to join
HM
Canadian Destroyers QU'APPELLE, RESTIGOUCHE and SASKATCHEWAN of Group at
Plymouth.
June
Deployed with Group for ant-submarine operations in Bay of Biscay. (Note: These
were intended to deny access to English Channel for attacks on invasion
convoys and assemblies. For details of naval activities prior to and during
NEPTUNE, see
OPERATION NEPTUNE by K Edwards, LANDINGS IN NORMANDY June 1944 and
INVASION FLEETS by J de Winser.)
July
On completion of NEPTUNE deployed with Group for interception patrol in
French
coastal waters to prevent use of ports for support of enemy military
operations
including use as submarine bases.
5th - Carried out attack on U-Boat escorts sinking
three patrol vessels.
11th - In collision with HMCS QU'APPELLE during
engagement with enemy ships in Audierne Bay. 14 of the ship's company were
injured.
Sustained some structural damage.
Taken in hand for repair.
August
On completion rejoined Group for deployment in Channel and SW
Approaches.
12th - During interception patrol with HMCS QU'APPELLE, HMCS RESTIGOUCHE
and
HM Escort Destroyer ALBRIGHTON engaged and sank three trawlers south of
Brest.
September
Released from deployment at Plymouth and transferred to 11th Escort
Group in
Western Approaches Command. Deployed for ant-submarine
operations to intercept U-Boats in transit through NW
Approaches to and from bases in
Norway.
October
NW Approaches deployment in continuation.
24th - Dragged anchor at Hvalfjord whilst
taking shelter adverse weather.
25th - Stranded on Videy Island and salvage
impossible due to weather,
November
Ship remained stranded and further
salvage attempts not feasible.
December
Ship declared Constructive Total Loss.
F i n a l P h
a s e
HMCS SKEENA was placed on Disposal List and sold for
demolition in June 1945.
Addendum
CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of
HMCS SKEENA
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
23/09/39
|
23/09/39
|
HX 002
|
25/09/39
|
10/10/39
|
26/11/39
|
26/11/39
|
HX 010
|
28/11/39
|
10/12/39
|
02/12/39
|
02/12/39
|
HXF 011
|
03/12/39
|
15/12/39
|
04/12/39
|
04/12/39
|
HX 011
|
05/12/39
|
18/12/39
|
10/12/39
|
10/12/39
|
HXF 012
|
12/12/39
|
24/12/39
|
12/12/39
|
12/12/39
|
HX 012
|
13/12/39
|
27/12/39
|
19/12/39
|
19/12/39
|
HXF 013
|
20/12/39
|
30/12/39
|
20/12/39
|
20/12/39
|
HX 013
|
22/12/39
|
04/01/40
|
27/12/39
|
27/12/39
|
HXF 014
|
29/12/39
|
08/01/40
|
29/12/39
|
29/12/39
|
HX 014
|
30/12/39
|
12/01/40
|
28/01/40
|
28/01/40
|
HXF 018
|
29/01/40
|
08/02/40
|
31/01/40
|
31/01/40
|
HX 018
|
10/02/40
|
16/02/40
|
04/02/40
|
04/02/40
|
HXF 019
|
05/02/40
|
17/02/40
|
07/02/40
|
07/02/40
|
HX 019
|
08/02/40
|
22/02/40
|
22/02/40
|
22/02/40
|
HX 022
|
23/02/40
|
09/03/40
|
02/03/40
|
02/03/40
|
HX 024
|
03/03/40
|
17/03/40
|
10/03/40
|
10/03/40
|
HX 026
|
11/03/40
|
26/03/40
|
18/03/40
|
18/03/40
|
HX 028
|
19/03/40
|
02/04/40
|
25/03/40
|
25/03/40
|
HX 030
|
26/03/40
|
09/04/40
|
06/04/40
|
06/04/40
|
HX 033
|
07/04/40
|
20/04/40
|
18/04/40
|
18/04/40
|
HX 036
|
19/04/40
|
03/05/40
|
26/04/40
|
26/04/40
|
HX 038
|
27/04/40
|
12/05/40
|
04/05/40
|
04/05/40
|
HX 040
|
05/05/40
|
19/05/40
|
16/05/40
|
16/05/40
|
HX 043
|
17/05/40
|
31/05/40
|
20/05/40
|
20/05/40
|
HX 044
|
21/05/40
|
03/06/40
|
24/05/40
|
24/05/40
|
HX 045
|
25/05/40
|
08/06/40
|
10/07/40
|
10/07/40
|
OA 182
|
14/07/40
|
14/07/40
|
03/07/40
|
15/07/40
|
HX 055
|
unknown
|
18/07/40
|
15/07/40
|
27/07/40
|
HX 058
|
31/07/40
|
31/07/40
|
28/07/40
|
10/08/40
|
SL 041F
|
14/08/40
|
14/08/40
|
12/08/40
|
24/08/40
|
HX 065
|
27/08/40
|
27/08/40
|
18/08/40
|
unknown
|
OA 201
|
unknown
|
unknown
|
02/09/40
|
02/09/40
|
OA 208
|
unknown
|
unknown
|
25/08/40
|
07/09/40
|
SC 002
|
08/09/40
|
10/09/40
|
12/09/40
|
12/09/40
|
LG 001
|
15/09/40
|
15/09/40
|
02/09/40
|
15/09/40
|
SC 003
|
18/09/40
|
18/09/40
|
11/10/40
|
11/10/40
|
OG 044
|
14/10/40
|
24/10/40
|
19/10/40
|
19/10/40
|
OL 008
|
21/10/40
|
22/10/40
|
09/10/40
|
22/10/40
|
HG 045
|
27/10/40
|
27/10/40
|
24/10/40
|
04/11/40
|
HX 083
|
05/11/40
|
07/11/40
|
24/10/40
|
05/11/40
|
SC 009
|
09/11/40
|
09/11/40
|
09/11/40
|
21/11/40
|
SC 011
|
26/11/40
|
26/11/40
|
08/01/41
|
21/01/41
|
HG 050
|
26/01/41
|
26/01/41
|
21/06/41
|
21/06/41
|
TC 011
|
24/06/41
|
30/06/41
|
27/07/41
|
30/07/41
|
HX 141
|
06/08/41
|
11/08/41
|
06/08/41
|
11/08/41
|
ON 005
|
14/08/41
|
14/08/41
|
30/08/41
|
02/09/41
|
SC 042
|
17/09/41
|
20/09/41
|
13/09/41
|
20/09/41
|
ON 016
|
26/09/41
|
27/09/41
|
09/10/41
|
11/10/41
|
TC 014
|
15/10/41
|
17/10/41
|
16/10/41
|
23/10/41
|
ON 027
|
02/11/41
|
02/11/41
|
10/11/41
|
12/11/41
|
SC 054
|
22/11/41
|
26/11/41
|
25/11/41
|
30/11/41
|
ON 040
|
04/12/41
|
04/12/41
|
03/01/42
|
05/01/42
|
SC 063
|
10/01/42
|
13/01/42
|
11/04/42
|
19/04/42
|
SC 079
|
27/04/42
|
27/04/42
|
08/05/42
|
09/05/42
|
ON 093
|
16/05/42
|
17/05/42
|
24/05/42
|
28/05/42
|
HX 191
|
05/06/42
|
06/06/42
|
16/06/42
|
18/06/42
|
ON 104
|
27/06/42
|
02/07/42
|
03/07/42
|
06/07/42
|
SC 090
|
16/07/42
|
16/07/42
|
24/07/42
|
25/07/42
|
ON 115
|
31/07/42
|
08/08/42
|
09/08/42
|
12/08/42
|
HX 202
|
17/08/42
|
21/08/42
|
12/08/42
|
17/08/42
|
ON 121
|
20/08/42
|
27/08/42
|
29/08/42
|
02/09/42
|
SC 098
|
12/09/42
|
13/09/42
|
18/09/42
|
19/09/42
|
ON 131
|
25/09/42
|
04/10/42
|
01/10/42
|
07/10/42
|
HX 210
|
15/10/42
|
16/10/42
|
25/10/42
|
26/10/42
|
ON 141
|
31/10/42
|
10/11/42
|
09/11/42
|
16/11/42
|
SC 109
|
25/11/42
|
30/11/42
|
09/12/42
|
10/12/42
|
ON 152
|
19/12/42
|
31/12/42
|
06/04/43
|
12/04/43
|
HX 233
|
20/04/43
|
21/04/43
|
24/04/43
|
25/04/43
|
ON 180
|
07/05/43
|
14/05/43
|
07/05/43
|
13/05/43
|
HX 238
|
20/05/43
|
22/05/43
|
01/06/43
|
03/06/43
|
ON 187
|
10/06/43
|
15/06/43
|
15/06/43
|
20/06/43
|
HX 244
|
29/06/43
|
30/06/43
|
09/07/43
|
10/07/43
|
ON 192
|
18/07/43
|
22/07/43
|
23/07/43
|
29/07/43
|
HX 249
|
05/08/43
|
06/08/43
|
20/08/43
|
23/08/43
|
ONS 016
|
29/08/43
|
01/09/43
|
02/09/43
|
08/09/43
|
HX 255
|
15/09/43
|
16/09/43
|
26/09/43
|
27/09/43
|
ONS 019
|
09/10/43
|
14/10/43
|
11/10/43
|
17/10/43
|
HX 261
|
25/10/43
|
26/10/43
|
06/11/43
|
07/11/43
|
ON 210
|
17/11/43
|
23/11/43
|
19/11/43
|
23/11/43
|
SC 147
|
03/12/43
|
04/12/43
|
16/12/43
|
17/12/43
|
ON 216
|
29/12/43
|
03/01/44
|
28/01/44
|
29/01/44
|
ONS 028
|
11/02/44
|
15/02/44
|
17/04/44
|
27/04/44
|
SC 157
|
28/04/44
|
01/05/44
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note
on Convoys)