Naval History Homepage and Site Search

 

 

SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2

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

HMCS ST LAURENT  (H 83), ex-HMS CYGNET -  C-class Destroyer including Convoy Escort Movements

HMCS St Laurent  (Photo Ships/Ken Macpherson/Naval Museum of Alberta, click to enlarge)

return to Contents List 
 

C-Class Destroyer ordered from Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow under the revised 1930 Build Programme On 9th July 1930. This ship was laid down as Yard No 667 on 1st December 1930 and named HMS CYGNET on 29th September 1930 when launched on the same date as her sister ship HMS CRESCENT, also laid down on the same date in 1930. She was the 19th RN ship to carry this name, introduced for a Pinnace built in 1585 and which served in the engagement with the Spanish Armada  in 1588- Build was completed on 1st April 1932 and the ship was used for a series of propeller trials to compare the performance of an Aerofoil design propellers with that of the standard Admiralty design. The results showed that the Admiralty propellers gave a 2 knot advantage in speed during the six hour trial. The ship then joined the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla, Hone Fleet and visited the West Indies. Later in 1935 she was detached for duty in the Red Sea for six months after the Italian invasion of Abyssinia. The ship carried out Non-intervention patrol duty in the Bay of Biscay after return to UK and later was replaced in the Flotilla by the new destroyer HMS HUNTER. She was put in Reserve at the Nore on 30th September 1936. This destroyer was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy and commissioned as HMCS ST LAURENT on 17th February 1937 at Chatham after a refit. She arrived at Halifax on April 8th and remained there for a year until transferred to Esquimalt for service in the Pacific. In September 1939 she took up her war station at Halifax.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s   a s   H M S   C Y G N E T

CADIZ  1587 - ARMADA 1588 - PORTLAND 1653 - HAVANA   1762 - GUADALOUPE 1810 - ALEXANDRIA   1882 - SUAKIN 1884 -  SICILY 1943+ - ATLANTIC 1943-44+ - ARCTIC  1944-45+
(+ Awarded to HM Sloop CYGNET)

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a Field Black a Cygnet Silver on wavelets Gold and blue.

 

  

D e t a i l s   o f   W a r    S e r v i c e   a s   H  M C S    S T   L A U R E N T 

 

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

 

 

1 9 3 9

 

August

 

During deployment at Esquimalt nominated for war service at Halifax.

 

September

 

Passage to Halifax.

 

3rd - In transit of Panama Canal.

 

15th - Deployed at Halifax for convoy defence.

 

October

 

Local escort duties based at Halifax in continuation. Joined HM Battleship REVENGE, HM Cruisers EMERALD, ENTERPRISE and CARADOC during Atlantic passage for escort to Halifax. (Note: These British ships were carrying gold bullion to Canada for custody.)

 

November to December

 

Halifax deployment for Atlantic convoy defence in continuation.

 

 

1 9 4 0

 

January to April

 

Deployed at Halifax for Atlantic convoy defence.

 

May

 

Nominated for transfer to UK for service in Western Approaches.

 

24th - Took passage from Halifax to Plymouth.

 

31st - Joined Western Approaches Command at Plymouth.

 

June

 

Deployed for support of evacuation of British and allied troops and civilians from Bay of Biscay ports (Operation AERIAL). On release from AERIAL transferred to Clyde for Atlantic convoy defence in the NW Approaches and joined screen for HM Battleship NELSON.

 

July

 

Detached in response to SOS from mercantile.

 

2nd - Took part in rescue of 860 survivors from ss ARANDORA STAR torpedoed and sunk earlier by U47. (Note: U47 was commanded by Otto Prien who had sunk HM Battleship ROYAL OAK in a daring attack inside Scapa Flow on 14th October 1939.)

 

August

 

Atlantic convoy defence in continuation.

 

September

 

4th - Rescued survivors from ss TITAN torpedoed in NW Approaches.

 

October

 

Atlantic convoy defence in continuation.

 

6th - Deployed as Local Escort for military convoy WS3B (Fast) off Liverpool with HM Destroyer DOUGLAS for passage to assembly point in Clyde area.

 

18th - Part of Local Escort for military convoy WS4B with H M Destroyers HIGHLANDER, OTTAWA (RCN), SAGUENAY (RCN) and SKEENA (RCN) for passage in NW Approaches.

 

20th - Detached from WS4B with Local Escort and returned to Clyde.

 

November

 

 Atlantic convoy defence in continuation.

 

December

 

2nd - Rescued survivors from tanker CONCH (on charter to the Admiralty) and HM Armed Merchant Cruiser FORFAR both of which had been torpedoed by submarine attacks. (Note: Tanker had been with Convoy HX90. HM Destroyer VISCOUNT also took part in rescue work.)

 

19th - Joined HM Destroyers KELVIN, KIPLING, OTTAWA (RCN), Polish ORP PIORUN and Free French LE TRIOMPHANTE as Local Escort in during passage in N W Approaches for military convoy WS5A.

 

22nd - Detached from WS5A with Local Escort and returned to Clyde. (Note: This convoy came under attack on 25th by German commerce raider and had to disperse.)

 

 

1 9 4 1

 

January

 

Atlantic convoy defence in continuation.

 

February

 

Joined HM Destroyers ATHERSTONE, COTTESMORE and KEPPEL in Local Escort for WS6A military convoy with HM Destroyer RESTIGOUCHE (RCN). Detached from WS6A with Polish Destroyer, ORP PIORUN and above Local Escort. Returned to Clyde.

 

March

 

Taken in hand for refit at Halifax.

 

April to June

 

Under refit. Nominated for transfer to Newfoundland Escort Force on completion of refit.

 

July

 

Post refit trials and passage to St Johns.

 

14th - Joined 14th Escort Group for escort of convoys to and from Mid-Ocean Meeting Point.

 

August to November

 

Atlantic convoy defence based at St Johns. (For details of U-Boat deployments, weapons and tactics used in the Battle of the Atlantic see BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by D MacIntyre, SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackmann, U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMSO) and HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.)

 

December

 

Transferred to 2nd Canadian Escort Group in continuation.

 

 

1 9 4 2

 

January to March

 

Deployed with Group for Atlantic convoy defence.

 

April to July

 

Under refit at Halifax. (Note: Surface warning radar Type 271 was fitted. See RADAR AT SEA by D. Hawse for details of development and use of radar in RN. Fire-control Radar Type285 fitted for main armament.)

 

Transferred to 1st Canadian Escort Group.

 

August

 

9th - On completion of Post Refit Trials joined Group at St Johns, Newfoundland for defence of Atlantic convoys.

 

September to October

 

Atlantic convoy defence in continuation with Group. (Note: Convoys SC99, CN133 and HX211 were escorted by Group.)

 

November

 

Passage from Iceland with ships of Group tin convoy ONSS3 for escort from mid-Atlantic to Newfoundland. Sustained structural damage in heavy weather south of Iceland.

 

11th - Took over escort duty from British 4th Escort Group. (Note: Group escorted Convoys SC110 without loss and ON143 with 1 ship sunk.)

 

December

 

Part of escort for Convoy ONS154 from Mid Ocean Meeting Point with HM Canadian Corvettes BATTLEFORD, CHILLIWACK, KENOGAMI, NAPANEE and SHEDIAC. (Note: HM Special Service Ship FIDELITY (Ex French ss LE RHIN) was deployed as part of this convoy to act as a Decoy. See HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR Volume 2 by C Blair.)

 

26th - Convoy under attacks by U-Boats of SPITZ Group. Three mercantiles sunk and one damaged

 

28th - Further sustained U-Boat attacks by SPITZ and UNGSTEM Groups. Intercepted U356 on surface and attacked with depth charges. Submarine was sunk in position 45.30N 25.40W after two attacks. There were no survivors. (See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp. Note: Sinking of U356 was not firmly established until after May 1945. It was the only submarine sunk in defence of this convoy.)

 

29th - Escort reinforced by HM Destroyers MILNE and METEOR. U-Boat attacks continued.

 

30th - HM Destroyer FAME joined and took over command of the Escort. HMS FIDELITY sunk by U435 during the continued onslaught of the attacking U-Boat Groups. (Note: Commander G. Windmeyer, RCN had collapsed from exhaustion.)

 

31st - U-Boat Groups withdrew. (Note: 14 mercantiles were sunk during passage of ONS154. Following this disastrous episode three of the RCN Escort Groups were given training at Tobermory used for working-up all RN escorts.)

 

 

1 9 4 3

 

January to March

 

Deployment with Group for Atlantic convoy defence in continuation. Group escorted Convoy HX222 with loss of 1 ship.

 

April

 

Atlantic convoy defence in continuation including escort of Convoy SC127.

 

May

 

Deployed with HMCS ST CROIX, HM Frigate ITCHEN and three RCN corvettes for the escort of Convoy ON184.

 

21st - Convoy under attacks by MOSEL Group of U-Boats. Support for convoy was being provided by US aircraft carrier USS BOGUE and US Navy destroyers of 6th Support Group. Forced two submarines to submerge with USS OSMOND INGRAM.

 

22nd - Detached from ON184 after U569 had been attacked by US Navy aircraft. Found submarine sinking and rescued 24 German survivors. (See U-BOATS DESTROYED and HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR for details. Note: U569 was the first submarine to be sunk by aircraft from a USN Support Group CVE deployed in North Atlantic for convoy defence.)

 

June to July

 

Atlantic convoy escort in continuation.

 

August

 

Passage to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia for refit.

 

17th - Taken in hand for refit.

 

September to November

 

Under refit.

 

December

 

Passage to Londonderry after post refit trials. Resumed service with Group for Atlantic convoy defence.

 

 

1 9 4 4

 

January to February

 

Atlantic convoy defence in continuation.

  

March

 

Part of escort for Convoy SC154 with HM Destroyer FORESTER, HM Canadian Frigate SWANSEA, HM Canadian Corvette OWEN SOUND and three other RCN corvettes of 1st Canadian Escort Group.

 

10th - Detached from SC154 to assist mercantile and sighted U845 on surface. Carried out attacks on submerged submarine using depth charges and HEDGEHOG. Remained in immediate area as these were unsuccessful. When U845 finally surfaced, engaged with main and secondary armament. Submarine abandoned and sank before boarding possible. 34 of submarine crew were rescued by escorts. (Note: 119 rounds of 4in and over 2,000 rounds of smaller calibre were fired. Radar Type 285 outfit was used for main armament fire-control. See RADAR AT SEA and above references for details.)

 

April to May

 

Atlantic convoy defence deployment with Group in continuation. Nominated for transfer to 11th Escort Group for support of planned allied landings in Normandy. Joined Group based at Plymouth. (Operation NEPTUNE - See OPERATION NEPTUNE by K Edwards for details.)

 

June

 

Deployed with HM Canadian Destroyers CHAUDIERE, GATINEAU, KOOTENAY and OTTAWA in SW Approaches to prevent U-Boat attacks on Assault convoys to beachhead. (Note: Ten Support Groups with aircraft from RAF Coastal Command took part in this extensive deployment. See LANDINGS IN NORMANDY, JUNE 1944 (HMSO).)

 

July

 

Deployed with Group in Bay of Biscay for anti-submarine operations to support passage of convoys and prevent transit of U-Boats.

 

August

 

Bay of Biscay operations in continuation.

 

8th - Under attack by glider bomb which was unsuccessful.

 

13th - Rescued some of the 71 survivors from U270 sunk earlier in attack by depth charges from SUNDERLAND aircraft. (Note: Submarine was evacuating German personnel from Lorient. The survivors were rescued by this ship and HMCS OTTAWA. See above references.)

 

September to October

 

Western Approaches convoy support in continuation with Group. Incidence of defects increased and nominated for return to Canada for refit.

 

November

 

Took passage to Halifax for repair and refit. Taken in hand for repair at Shelburne, Nova Scotia.

 

December

 

Under repair.

 

 

1 9 4 5

 

January to February

 

Under repair. Nominated for Local Escort duty at Halifax on completion.

 

March

 

20th - Post Refit Trials.

 

April

 

Deployed with Halifax Escort Force for convoy defence off American East coast. Nominated for duty to carry returning Canadian servicemen from UK to Canada.

 

May

 

6th - Deployed as troop transport Trooping duties in continuation.

 

  

P o s t    W a r   N o t e s

 

HMCS ST LAURENT continued trooping duties until October 1945. She was paid off on 15th October 1945 at Sydney, NS and reduced to Reserve status. After being placed on the Disposal List in 1946 this ship was sold to International Iron and Metal. She was broken up at Levis, NS IN 1947. This name was carried forward in 1942 when given to the sloop HMS CYGNET sold in 1956 and later in 1976, it was again used for a Patrol Vessel deployed at Hong Kong.

 


 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMCS ST LAURENT

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

 

 

 

 

 

16/09/39

16/09/39

HX 001

17/09/39

30/09/39

23/09/39

23/09/39

HX 002

25/09/39

10/10/39

30/09/39

30/09/39

HX 003

02/10/39

14/10/39

08/10/39

08/10/39

HX 004

08/10/39

22/10/39

17/10/39

17/10/39

HX 005

19/10/39

29/10/39

25/10/39

25/10/39

HX 006

27/10/39

06/11/39

31/10/39

31/10/39

HXF 007

01/11/39

12/11/39

02/11/39

02/11/39

HX 007

03/11/39

17/11/39

08/11/39

08/11/39

HXF 008

10/11/39

21/11/39

10/11/39

10/11/39

HX 008

11/11/39

25/11/39

17/11/39

17/11/39

HXF 009

18/11/39

29/11/39

18/11/39

18/11/39

HX 009

20/11/39

02/12/39

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

TC 001

12/12/39

17/12/39

22/12/39

22/12/39

TC 002

24/12/39

30/12/39

30/01/40

30/01/40

TC 003

01/02/40

07/02/40

12/02/40

12/02/40

HXF 020

13/02/40

25/02/40

16/02/40

16/02/40

HX 020

17/02/40

04/03/40

26/02/40

26/02/40

HX 023

27/02/40

12/03/40

05/03/40

05/03/40

HX 025

06/03/40

20/03/40

13/03/40

13/03/40

HX 027

14/03/40

28/03/40

21/03/40

21/03/40

HX 029

22/03/40

04/04/40

29/03/40

29/03/40

HX 031

30/03/40

13/04/40

02/04/40

02/04/40

HX 032

03/04/40

17/04/40

14/04/40

14/04/40

HX 035

15/04/40

29/04/40

22/04/40

22/04/40

HX 037

23/04/40

07/05/40

30/04/40

30/04/40

HX 039

10/05/40

15/05/40

08/05/40

08/05/40

HX 041

09/05/40

23/05/40

12/05/40

12/05/40

HX 042

13/05/40

28/05/40

12/05/40

12/05/40

TC 004

14/05/40

21/05/40

24/05/40

24/05/40

HX 045

unknown

08/06/40

08/07/40

08/07/40

OA 179

13/07/40

13/07/40

06/07/40

15/07/40

BC A

16/07/40

16/07/40

30/07/40

30/07/40

OA 192

03/08/40

03/08/40

23/07/40

04/08/40

HX 060

07/08/40

07/08/40

31/08/40

31/08/40

OA 207

06/09/40

unknown

24/08/40

07/09/40

HX 068

08/09/40

08/09/40

12/09/40

12/09/40

OA 213

13/09/40

unknown

02/09/40

17/09/40

SC 003

18/09/40

18/09/40

07/10/40

07/10/40

WS 003B

12/10/40

28/10/40

24/10/40

05/11/40

SC 009

09/11/40

09/11/40

09/11/40

21/11/40

SC 011

24/11/40

26/11/40

21/06/41

21/06/41

TC 011

24/06/41

30/06/41

11/07/41

15/07/41

HX 138

23/07/41

27/07/41

21/07/41

26/07/41

OB 349

01/08/41

01/08/41

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

18/09/41

22/09/41

SC 045

29/09/41

04/10/41

28/09/41

05/10/41

ON 021

14/10/41

14/10/41

23/10/41

02/11/41

SC 051

04/11/41

09/11/41

03/11/41

10/11/41

ON 033

13/11/41

23/11/41

04/12/41

06/12/41

SC 058

15/12/41

21/12/41

19/12/41

26/12/41

ON 048

unknown

31/12/41

13/01/42

13/01/42

HX 170

16/01/42

28/01/42

17/01/42

20/01/42

SC 065

29/01/42

04/02/42

01/02/42

06/02/42

ON 062

15/02/42

15/02/42

28/02/42

07/03/42

SC 072

16/03/42

17/03/42

29/03/42

30/03/42

ON 081

09/04/42

09/04/42

06/08/42

15/08/42

ON 119

20/08/42

20/08/42

12/08/42

20/08/42

ON 121

22/08/42

27/08/42

16/08/42

26/08/42

ON 122

29/08/42

03/09/42

29/08/42

30/08/42

ON 126

13/09/42

18/09/42

25/09/42

26/09/42

ON 133

06/10/42

11/10/42

01/11/42

09/11/42

ON 143

13/11/42

16/11/42

17/11/42

24/11/42

SC 110

06/12/42

06/12/42

18/12/42

19/12/42

ON 154

unknown

12/01/43

18/02/43

24/02/43

HX 227

05/03/43

06/03/43

28/03/43

05/04/43

ONS 002

14/04/43

19/04/43

16/04/43

20/04/43

SC 127

02/05/43

03/05/43

15/05/43

16/05/43

ON 184

25/05/43

31/05/43

31/05/43

06/06/43

HX 242

14/06/43

15/06/43

24/06/43

25/06/43

ON 190

03/07/43

09/07/43

08/07/43

14/07/43

HX 247

21/07/43

22/07/43

31/07/43

03/08/43

ON 195

08/08/43

13/08/43

22/01/44

27/01/44

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

12/04/44

22/04/44

HX 287

25/04/44

26/04/44

18/11/44

19/11/44

ON 267

24/11/44

05/12/44

13/03/45

13/03/45

TA 193

14/03/45

19/03/45

 

 

 

 

 

(Note on Convoys)

 

back to Contents List
or Naval-History.Net

revised 25/6/11
further editing is required