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SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2

by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 2004

HMCS SKEENA (D 59) -  A-class Destroyer
including Convoy Escort Movements

HMCS Skeena (Photo Ships/Ken Macpherson/

Naval Museum of Alberta, click to enlarge)

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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)

 

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revised 25/6/11
further editing is required