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HMCS Skeena (D59)

From Wikipedia, in a visual modern way
HMCS Skeena IKMD-04292.jpg
Skeena at sea
History
Canada
NameSkeena
NamesakeSkeena River
Ordered6 March 1928
BuilderJohn I. Thornycroft & Company, Woolston
Yard number1092
Laid down14 October 1929
Launched10 October 1930
Commissioned10 June 1931
Honours and
awards
  • Atlantic 1939–44
  • Normandy 1944
  • Biscay 1944[1]
FateWrecked 25 October 1944 during a storm off Reykjavík, Iceland.
BadgeBlazon Azure, out of a base invected argent, a salmon sinisterwise proper.
General characteristics
Class and type
Displacement1,337 long tons (1,358 t)
Length
  • 321 ft 3 in (97.92 m) o/a
  • 309 ft (94 m) p/p
Beam32 ft 9 in (9.98 m)
Draught10 ft (3.0 m)
Speed31 knots (57 km/h; 36 mph)
Complement181
Armament
For other ships with the same name, see HMCS Skeena.
Skeena alongside the CPR's Vancouver pier C in 1934
Skeena alongside the CPR's Vancouver pier C in 1934

HMCS Skeena was a River-class destroyer that served in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) from 1931 to 1944. She was similar to the Royal Navy's A class and wore initially the pennant D59, changed in 1940 to I59.

She was built by John I. Thornycroft & Company at Woolston, Hampshire and commissioned into the RCN on 10 June 1931 at Portsmouth, England. Skeena and her sister HMCS Saguenay were the first ships specifically built for the Royal Canadian Navy. She arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia on 3 July 1931.

Discover more about HMCS Skeena (D59) related topics

Canadian River-class destroyer

Canadian River-class destroyer

The River class was a class of fourteen destroyers of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) that served before and during the Second World War. They were named after Canadian rivers.

Royal Canadian Navy

Royal Canadian Navy

The Royal Canadian Navy is the naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental commands within the Canadian Armed Forces. As of 2021, the RCN operates 12 frigates, four attack submarines, 12 coastal defence vessels, eight patrol class training vessels, two offshore patrol vessels, and several auxiliary vessels. The RCN consists of 8,570 Regular Force and 4,111 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by 3,800 civilians. Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee is the current commander of the Royal Canadian Navy and chief of the Naval Staff.

Royal Navy

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against France. The modern Royal Navy traces its origins to the early 16th century; the oldest of the UK's armed services, it is consequently known as the Senior Service.

Pennant number

Pennant number

In the Royal Navy and other navies of Europe and the Commonwealth of Nations, ships are identified by pennant number. Historically, naval ships flew a flag that identified a flotilla or type of vessel. For example, the Royal Navy used a red burgee for torpedo boats and a pennant with an H for torpedo boat destroyers. Adding a number to the type-identifying flag uniquely identified each ship.

John I. Thornycroft & Company

John I. Thornycroft & Company

John I. Thornycroft & Company Limited, usually known simply as Thornycroft was a British shipbuilding firm founded by John Isaac Thornycroft in Chiswick in 1866. It moved to Woolston, Southampton, in 1908, merging in 1966 with Vosper & Company to form one organisation called Vosper Thornycroft. From 2002 to 2010 the company acquired several international and US based defence and services companies, and changed name to the VT Group. In 2008 VT's UK shipbuilding and support operations were merged with those of BAE Systems to create BVT Surface Fleet. In 2010 remaining parts of the company were absorbed by Babcock International who retained the UK and international operations, but sold the US based operations to the American Jordan Company, who took the name VT Group.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth

Portsmouth is a port and city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. The city of Portsmouth has been a unitary authority since 1 April 1997 and is administered by Portsmouth City Council.

England

England

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea area of the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe by the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south. The country covers five-eighths of the island of Great Britain, which lies in the North Atlantic, and includes over 100 smaller islands, such as the Isles of Scilly and the Isle of Wight.

HMCS Saguenay (D79)

HMCS Saguenay (D79)

HMCS Saguenay was a River-class destroyer that served in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) from 1931 to 1945.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Halifax is the capital and largest municipality of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, and the largest municipality in Atlantic Canada. Halifax is one of Canada's fastest growing municipalities, and as of 2022, it is estimated that the CMA population of Halifax was 480,582, with 348,634 people in its urban area. The regional municipality consists of four former municipalities that were amalgamated in 1996: Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, and Halifax County.

Second World War

Skeena rescued 65 survivors of the British merchant ship Manipur, sunk by U-57 off Cape Wrath on 17 July 1940. On 2 September 1940 she rescued 19 survivors of the British merchant ship Thornlea, sunk by U-46 in the North Atlantic. On 23 November 1940 she rescued 6 survivors of the Norwegian merchant ship Bruce, damaged by U-100 and 9 survivors of the Norwegian merchant ship Salonica, sunk by U-100 nearby.

Skeena was assigned to North Atlantic convoy Escort Group C-3 escorting convoys ON 93, HX 191, ONS 104, SC 90, ON 115, HX 202, ON 121, SC 98, ON 131, HX 210, ON 141, SC 109, ONS 152 prior to refit in January 1943.[2] On 31 July 1942, Skeena recorded her first victory with HMCS Wetaskiwin when they depth charged and sank U-588 while escorting ON 115 at 49°59′N 36°36′W / 49.983°N 36.600°W / 49.983; -36.600 (Sinking of U-588).

Trans-Atlantic convoys escorted

Convoy Escort Group Dates Notes
HX 141 30 July-6 Aug 1941[3] Newfoundland to Iceland
SC 42 2-17 Sept 1941[4] Newfoundland to Iceland
SC 54 12-22 Nov 1941[4] Newfoundland to Iceland
ON 40 30 Nov-4 Dec 1941[5] Iceland to Newfoundland
SC 63 5-10 Jan 1942[4] Newfoundland to Iceland
SC 79 MOEF group C3 19–27 April 1942[4] Newfoundland to Northern Ireland
ON 93 MOEF group C3 9–15 May 1942[5] Northern Ireland to Newfoundland
HX 191 MOEF group C3 28 May-5 June 1942[3] Newfoundland to Northern Ireland
ON 104 MOEF group C3 18–27 June 1942[5] Northern Ireland to Newfoundland
SC 90 MOEF group C3 6–16 July 1942[4] Newfoundland to Norther Ireland
ON 115 MOEF group C3 25–31 July 1942[5] Northern Ireland to Newfoundland
HX 202 MOEF group C3 12-17 Aug 1942[3] Newfoundland to Iceland
ON 121 MOEF group C3 17-20 Aug 1942[5] Iceland to Newfoundland
SC 98 MOEF group C3 2-12 Sept 1942[4] Newfoundland to Northern Ireland
ON 131 MOEF group C3 19-28 Sept 1942[5] Northern Ireland to Newfoundland
HX 210 MOEF group C3 7-15 Oct 1942[3] Newfoundland to Northern Ireland
ON 141 MOEF group C3 26 Oct-2 Nov 1942[5] Northern Ireland to Newfoundland
SC 109 MOEF group C3 16-25 Nov 1942[4] Newfoundland to Northern Ireland
ON 152 MOEF group C3 10-19 Dec 1942[5] Northern Ireland to Newfoundland
HX 233 MOEF group A3 12–20 April 1943[3] Newfoundland to Northern Ireland
ON 180 MOEF group C3 25 April-7 May 1943[5] Northern Ireland to Newfoundland
HX 238 MOEF group C3 13–20 May 1943[3] Newfoundland to Northern Ireland
ON 187 3–10 June 1943[5] Northern Ireland to Newfoundland
HX 244 20–29 June 1943[3] Newfoundland to Northern Ireland
ON 192 10–18 July 1943[5] Northern Ireland to Newfoundland
HX 249 29 July-5 Aug 1943[3] Newfoundland to Northern Ireland
HX 255 8-15 Sept 1943[3] Newfoundland to Northern Ireland
HX 261 17-25 Oct 1943[3] Newfoundland to Northern Ireland
ON 210 7-17 Nov 1943[5] Northern Ireland to Newfoundland
SC 147 23 Nov-3 Dec 1943[4] Newfoundland to Northern Ireland
ON 216 17-29 Dec 1943[5] Northern Ireland to Newfoundland

Discover more about Second World War related topics

German submarine U-57 (1938)

German submarine U-57 (1938)

German submarine U-57 was a Type IIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine that served in the Second World War. She was built by Deutsche Werke in Kiel as yard number 256. Ordered on 17 June 1937, she was laid down on 14 September, launched on 3 September 1938 and commissioned on 29 December under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Claus Korth.

Cape Wrath

Cape Wrath

Cape Wrath is a cape in the Durness parish of the county of Sutherland in the Highlands of Scotland. It is the most north-westerly point in mainland Britain.

German submarine U-46 (1938)

German submarine U-46 (1938)

German submarine U-46 was a Type VIIB U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She had a highly successful career during the war.

German submarine U-100 (1940)

German submarine U-100 (1940)

German submarine U-100 was a Type VIIB U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

Depth charge

Depth charge

A depth charge is an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) weapon. It is intended to destroy a submarine by being dropped into the water nearby and detonating, subjecting the target to a powerful and destructive hydraulic shock. Most depth charges use high explosive charges and a fuze set to detonate the charge, typically at a specific depth. Depth charges can be dropped by ships, patrol aircraft, and helicopters.

German submarine U-588

German submarine U-588

German submarine U-588 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

HX convoys

HX convoys

The HX convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys which ran during the Battle of the Atlantic in the Second World War. They were east-bound convoys and originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia from where they sailed to ports in the United Kingdom. They absorbed the BHX convoys from Bermuda en route. Later, after the United States entered the war, HX convoys began at New York.

Newfoundland (island)

Newfoundland (island)

Newfoundland is a large island off the east coast of the North American mainland and the most populous part of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It has 29 percent of the province's land area. The island is separated from the Labrador Peninsula by the Strait of Belle Isle and from Cape Breton Island by the Cabot Strait. It blocks the mouth of the Saint Lawrence River, creating the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the world's largest estuary. Newfoundland's nearest neighbour is the French overseas collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon.

Iceland

Iceland

Iceland is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic Ocean and in the Arctic Ocean. Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. Iceland's capital and largest city is Reykjavík, which is home to about 36% of the population. Iceland is the largest part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that rises above sea level, and its central volcanic plateau is erupting almost constantly. The interior consists of a plateau characterised by sand and lava fields, mountains, and glaciers, and many glacial rivers flow to the sea through the lowlands. Iceland is warmed by the Gulf Stream and has a temperate climate, despite a high latitude just outside the Arctic Circle. Its high latitude and marine influence keep summers chilly, and most of its islands have a polar climate.

ON convoys

ON convoys

The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic.

Mid-Ocean Escort Force

Mid-Ocean Escort Force

Mid-Ocean Escort Force (MOEF) referred to the organisation of anti-submarine escorts for World War II trade convoys between Canada and Newfoundland, and the British Isles. The allocation of United States, British, and Canadian escorts to these convoys reflected preferences of the United States upon their declaration of war, and the organisation persisted through the winter of 1942–43 despite withdrawal of United States ships from the escort groups. By the summer of 1943, United States Atlantic escorts were focused on the faster CU convoys and the UG convoys between Chesapeake Bay and the Mediterranean Sea; and only British and Canadian escorts remained on the HX, SC and ON convoys.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Northern Ireland shares an open border to the south and west with the Republic of Ireland. In 2021, its population was 1,903,100, making up about 27% of Ireland's population and about 3% of the UK's population. The Northern Ireland Assembly, established by the Northern Ireland Act 1998, holds responsibility for a range of devolved policy matters, while other areas are reserved for the UK Government. The government of Northern Ireland cooperates with the government of the Republic of Ireland in several areas agreed under the terms of the Belfast Agreement. The Republic of Ireland also has a consultative role on non-devolved governmental matters through the British-Irish Governmental Conference (BIIG).

Grounding

Skeena was lost in a storm on the night of 24 October 1944. She was anchored off Reykjavík, Iceland and dragged her anchor and grounded in 50-foot (15 m) waves off Viðey Island with the loss of 15 crewmembers.

Her hulk was paid off and sold to Iceland interests in June 1945; she was then raised and broken up. Her propeller was salvaged and used in a memorial near the Viðey Island ferry terminal.[6][7][8]

Source: "HMCS Skeena (D59)", Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, (2023, January 25th), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMCS_Skeena_(D59).

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Further Reading

USS Fairfax (DD-93)

Timeline of the Battle of the Atlantic

USS Bancroft (DD-256)

HMCS Alberni

HMCS Saguenay (D79)

Canadian River-class destroyer

HMS Kempenfelt (I18)

Convoy SC 118

Convoy SC 107

Convoy ON 154

Convoy SC 130

HMS Crusader (H60)

HMS Comet (H00)

HMS Cygnet (H83)

HMCS Rosthern

HMS Viscount (D92)
Notes
  1. ^ "Battle Honours". Britain's Navy. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  2. ^ North Atlantic Run, Marc Milner, 1985, Naval Institute Press ISBN 0-87021-450-0
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "HX convoys". Andrew Hague Convoy Database. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "SC convoys". Andrew Hague Convoy Database. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "ON convoys". Andrew Hague Convoy Database. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  6. ^ Remember the 24 Archived August 13, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Funds needed for HMCS Skeena memorial in Iceland Lookout, 23 Jan 2006 Archived August 24, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "HMCS Skeena (D 59)". uboat.net. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
References
  • English, John (1993). Amazon to Ivanhoe: British Standard Destroyers of the 1930s. Kendal, England: World Ship Society. ISBN 0-905617-64-9.
  • Friedman, Norman (2009). British Destroyers From Earliest Days to the Second World War. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-59114-081-8.
  • Lenton, H. T. (1998). British & Empire Warships of the Second World War. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-048-7.
  • March, Edgar J. (1966). British Destroyers: A History of Development, 1892–1953; Drawn by Admiralty Permission From Official Records & Returns, Ships' Covers & Building Plans. London: Seeley Service. OCLC 164893555.
  • Rohwer, Jürgen (2005). Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two (Third Revised ed.). Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-59114-119-2.
  • Whitley, M. J. (1988). Destroyers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-326-1.
  • Winser, John de D. (1999). B.E.F. Ships Before, At and After Dunkirk. Gravesend, Kent: World Ship Society. ISBN 0-905617-91-6.
External links
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