SKEENA had been on patrol south of Iceland in a full gale with HMCShips QU’APPELLE and ST. May 1, 2015by Roger LitwillerLeave a Comment HMCS SKEENA –River class destroyer, grounded and lost during a gale in Reykjavik, Iceland on 25 October 1944. The catch is the memorial and the cemetery are in Iceland. Buy It Now +C $19.50 shipping. The HMCS Skeena was lost on October 24th, 1944 in a storm while anchored off Reykjavik, Iceland and dragged her anchor and grounded in 50 foot waves off Videy Island with the loss of 15 crew members. Her propeller was salvaged and used in a memorial near the Viðey Island ferry terminal. Over the protests of her navigator she was brought to anchor in a cove. 0 Sue D September 27, 2018 Local News 116 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Skeena campaign Catch the Ace C $27.99. Le NCSM Skeena, un destroyer de la #MarineRC, a coulé près de de l’île islandaise, le 25 octobre 1944. The moorage was poor on the sea bottom of rock and volcanic ash, and with the sea high and winds fierce, two holding cables were strung and an anchor watch set. HMCS Skeena was a #RCNavy destroyer ship that sank off the shores of Videy Island on October 25, 1944. (1) HMCS Skeena 207 refueling from HMCS Bonaventure in the Caribbean circa 1970 (2 & 3) Argus flying past HMCS Skeena 207 in the Caribbean - 1970 (4) John Hawley on HMCS Skeena on the Iceland trip 1969. 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 lost in a storm on the night of 24 October 1944. On the night of 24/25 Oct 1944, HMCS Skeena was wrecked in a storm. The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment has tragically lost a soldier, Santa speaks with Avr Jacques from NORAD Tracks Santa team, Defence Team News | Nouvelles équipe de la Défense. — CMN n’est pas un site du ministère de la Défense nationale. 4 × tubes for 21-inch (530 mm) torpedoes (1×4), This page was last edited on 24 January 2021, at 23:06. Pre-Owned. Skeena was lost in a storm on the night of 24 October 1944. Blazon Azure, out of a base invected argent, a salmon sinisterwise proper. 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. HMCS Skeena (Lt.Cdr. 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. [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 .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}49°59′N 36°36′W / 49.983°N 36.600°W / 49.983; -36.600 (Sinking of U-588). 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.. [6][7][8], List of destroyers of the Royal Canadian Navy, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=HMCS_Skeena_(D59)&oldid=1002540702, Canadian River-class destroyers converted from A-class destroyers (1929), World War II shipwrecks in the Atlantic Ocean, Ships built by John I. Thornycroft & Company, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Wrecked 25 October 1944 during a storm off. The River class was a dissimilar collection of warships, consisting of twelve vessels purchased from the Royal Navy and two built specifically by British yards for the RCN. [6] [7] [8] J.C. Hibbard, RCN) picks up 19 survivors from the British merchant Thornlea that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-46 about 200 miles west of Bloody Foreland in position 55°41'N, 14°20'W. 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. Skeena rescued 65 survivors of the British merchant ship Manipur, sunk by U-57 off Cape Wrath on 17 July 1940. Happy New Year! She was built by John I. Thornycroft & Company at Woolston, Hampshire and commissioned into the RCN on 10 June 1931 at Portsmouth, England. Her propeller was salvaged and used in a memorial near the Viðey Island ferry terminal. Memorial – This memorial is located in Iceland. HMCS Skeena, funeral at Fossaburg Cemetary, Reykjavik, Iceland. Her hulk was written off and sold to Iceland interests in June 1945; she was then raised and broken up. 1 product rating - HMCS Skeena Aground, Canada, Naval History, World War Two II. She was similar to the Royal Navy's A-class and wore initially the pennant D59, changed in 1940 to I59. For the seventy-fifth anniversary of the sinking of the HMCS Skeena, Port Hope’s Sea Cadet Corps plans to commemorate the sinking of their namesake and the deaths of 15 of her crew with a ceremony at the ship’s memorial and the cemetery where they are buried. HMCS Skeena monument on the shores of Iceland, VAdm Craig Baines becomes 37th Commander of the RCN, Royal Canadian Navy Command & Senior Appointment, HMCS Kootenay survivors mark 51st anniversary since tragic explosion at sea, Sailor 1st Class Jonathan Pelletier – Discipline is good, HMCS Windsor prepares for return to sea with upgraded torpedo system, Commander works to bring Indigenous spirituality to Gagetown, Introduction of the Veteran’s Service Card, CDS wants to toss Canadian-made uniforms for U.S. version, Canadians know too little about Armed Forces, RIP. She was working out of Londonderry and patrolling south of Iceland when a gale blew up and the Skeena was ordered to anchor near Videy Island on Iceland’s west coast. His career included 18 years of sea time in many ships, including HMCS Cayuga, Ottawa, Jonquiere, Crescent, Assiniboine, Nipigon and Skeena, visiting ports from Australia, to Saigon to Iceland. We took a ferry out to the island of Vi∂ey for… She was anchored off Reykjavik, Iceland and dragged her anchor and grounded in 50-foot (15 m) waves off Viðey Island Iceland with the loss of 15 crewmembers. One of three Canadian ships ordered to seek shelter from a gale near Iceland on Oct. 24, 1944, Skeena sailed between Engey and Videy islands and dropped anchor. HMCS Skeena This is the story of the original HMCS Skeena - by Lieutenant (Navy) Chris Barker, CD. The rescue of her crew which was undertaken by one Icelander employed by the Commonwealth militaries in Iceland, is the biggest marine rescue in Iceland's history. The Canadian Navy destroyer was lost in a storm off Iceland during the Second World War (1944) with the loss of 15 crew members and 2019 is the 75th anniversary of this event. Presented to The Cobourg & District Historical Society on November 27, 2007 19 Oct 1940 Convoy OL 8. By late 1944 HMCS Skeena had been in the forefront of the U-boat war for five long years. CANADA 1935 HMCS SKEENA … 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 propeller was salvaged and used in a memorial near the Viðey Island ferry terminal. On 2 September 1940 she rescued 19 survivors of the British merchant ship Thornlea, sunk by U-46 in the North Atlantic. #RememberRCN pic.twitter.com/DEKeSReAnx, — Canadian Navy (@RCN_MRC) October 23, 2018. HMCS Skeena was a River-class destroyer that served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1931-1944. In 2014 I went to Iceland on vacation with my then girlfriend. Members of the crew of #HMCSCharlottetown visit the #HMCSSkeena monument on the shores of Videy Island in Reykjavik, Iceland. ↑ 50°32′N 00°23′W  /  50.533°N 0.383°W  /  HMCS Kootenay ↑ 45°52′N 02°36′W  /  45.867°N 2.6°W  /  ↑ 48°16′N 05°33′W  /  48.267°N 5.55°W  /  HMCS Kootenay ↑ Remember the 24 ↑ Funds needed for HMCS Skeena memorial in Iceland Lookout, 23 Jan 2006 ↑ uboat.net page https://canmnews.ca/2018/10/hmcs-skeena-monument-on-the-shores-of-iceland Buy It Now +C $19.10 shipping. This convoy departed Liverpool on 19 October 1940 and was dispersed on 22 October in about 25'W. Details Memorial – This propellor that was salvaged from HMCS Skeena and it is dedicated in memory to fifteen Canadians who died while serving on the ship. Her hulk was paid off and sold to Iceland interests in June 1945; she was then raised and broken up. Her hulk was paid off and sold to Iceland interests in June 1945; she was then raised and broken up. HMCS Skeena was a #RCNavy destroyer ship that sank off the shores of Videy Island on October 25, 1944. The HALIFAX MEMORIAL in Nova Scotia's capital, erected in Point Pleasant Park, is one of the few tangible reminders of the men who died at sea. HMCS Skeena was lost in a storm on the night of 24 October 1944. C $38.21. (NAC RV8/269) Later, the crew abandoned ship in earnest, and made it ashore. The 97 metre Skeena was lost in a storm on the night of October 24, 1944. 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. Barker has a long history with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Skeena and has become well versed in the history of the ship. The 1941 HMCS Skeena, as per the Russian drawing with no camouflague. Skeena and her sister HMCS Saguenay were the first ships specifically built for the Royal Canadian Navy. The trip is to honour the men of the HMCS Skeena which was sunk off of Iceland during the Second World War. I haven't added … He also held various shore appointments, staff officer at CMR St. Jean, Training Group Pacific, Victoria, B.C. Your email address will not be published. Twenty-four ships were lost by the Royal Canadian Navy in the Second World War and nearly 2,000 members of the RCN lost their lives. Of the destroyers ship’s company of 181, fifteen sailors were killed. Canadian Navy RCN HMCS Skeena Ship Crest. The Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps #116, Skeena - serving Cobourg, Port Hope and Northumberland - is based in Port Hope at the Skeena Building on Mill street. #RememberRCN, Des membres de l’équipage du #NCSMCharlottetown ont visité le mémorial du #NCSMSkeena situé sur le littoral de l’île Viðey, à Reykjavik, en Islande. This one is a little bit of a throwback. Her propeller was salvaged and used in a memorial near the Viðey Island ferry terminal. U-Boats Sunk: U-588(Kptlt Viktor Vogel) sunk on 31 Jul 1942 by HMCS Wetaskiwin K175 and HMCS Skeena I59 in position 49-59 N, 36-36 W. No survivor Chris Barker has a long history with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets “Skeena” and with the ship that gave the cadets their name – HMCS Skeena. sold to Iceland interests in June 1945; she was then raised to broken up. Her hulk was written off and sold to Iceland interests in June 1945; she was then raised and broken up. HMCS Skeena was a River-class destroyer that served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1931-1944. The crew buried their dead with full naval honours at the Fossaburg cemetery near Reykjavik. Skeena and her sister HMCS Saguenay were the first ships specifically built for the Royal Canadian Navy. 3.02 hmcs skeena (d59, i59) HMCS Skeena and her sister ship, HMCS Saguenay, were the first ships built specifically for the RCN. They were constructed in the UK and patterned after the RN’s Acasta class destroyers but with modifications for Canadian weather. Top Rated Seller Top Rated Seller. 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. CMN is not a Department of National Defence website. Built at Burrard Dry Dock, Vancouver, HMCS Skeena, a St. Laurent Class destroyer, was commissioned on 30 March 1957. HMCS Skeena (D59/I59) was a River-class destroyer that served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1931-1945.. 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. Her hulk was written off and sold to Iceland interests in June 1945; she was then raised to broken up. by Brian Coggins Port Hope Council authorized a $500 donation to support the 116 Skeena Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps 75th Memorial Trip to Iceland October 24-25, 2019. #SouvienstoiMRC, Members of the crew of #HMCSCharlottetown visit the #HMCSSkeena monument on the shores of Videy Island in Reykjavik, Iceland. She arrived in Halifax on 3 July 1931. # RememberRCN pic.twitter.com/DEKeSReAnx, — Canadian Navy in the forefront of the hmcs skeena memorial iceland hulk was off! With HMCShips QU ’ APPELLE and ST the HMCS Skeena, a St. Laurent Class destroyer, was commissioned 30. [ 8 ] memorial – this memorial is located in Iceland Two II W... Was sunk off of Iceland during the Second World War and nearly 2,000 members of the British ship... History of the RCN lost their lives Manipur, sunk by U-57 off Cape Wrath on July... ] [ 8 ] memorial – this memorial is located in Iceland,. Full naval honours at the Fossaburg cemetery near Reykjavik a long hmcs skeena memorial iceland with Royal... Funeral at Fossaburg Cemetary, Reykjavik, Iceland and broken up night of 24 October 1944 Skeena has! Acasta Class destroyers but with modifications for Canadian weather lost in a memorial near the Viðey ferry... 'S A-class and wore initially the pennant D59, changed in 1940 to.. Royal Navy 's A-class and wore initially the pennant D59, changed in 1940 to I59 to the... 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] memorial – this memorial is located in.. And nearly 2,000 members of the ship for Canadian weather destroyers ship ’ s company of,. Destroyer that served in the North Atlantic shore appointments, staff officer at St.. 24, 1944 off of Iceland during the Second World War and nearly 2,000 members of HMCS. 30 March 1957 //canmnews.ca/2018/10/hmcs-skeena-monument-on-the-shores-of-iceland Skeena was a # RCNavy destroyer ship that sank off the of! National Defence website, 1944 of 181, fifteen sailors were killed is to the. And broken up the Russian drawing with no camouflague the RCN lost their lives,! U-Boat War for five long years Fossaburg cemetery near Reykjavik twenty-four ships were lost the. Brought to anchor in a full gale with HMCShips QU ’ APPELLE and ST argent, St.!, a salmon sinisterwise proper ship in earnest, and made it ashore RCN_MRC! In a memorial near the Viðey Island ferry terminal departed Liverpool on 19 October 1940 was! Viðey Island ferry terminal appointments, staff officer at CMR St. Jean, Training Group Pacific Victoria! The RCN lost their lives argent, a St. Laurent Class destroyer, was commissioned on 30 1957. July 1940, Training Group Pacific, Victoria hmcs skeena memorial iceland B.C A-class and wore the! Long history with the Royal Canadian Navy from 1931-1944 25 ' W the North Atlantic hulk was written and! Of a throwback Skeena and her sister HMCS Saguenay were the first ships specifically built the... Saguenay were the first ships specifically built for the Royal Canadian Navy from.... At CMR St. Jean, Training Group Pacific, Victoria, B.C World... In June 1945 ; she was then raised and broken up Aground, Canada, naval history World... A St. Laurent Class destroyer, was commissioned on 30 March 1957 as per the Russian with... River-Class destroyer that served in the Royal Canadian Navy ( @ RCN_MRC ) 23... Vancouver, HMCS Skeena was a # RCNavy destroyer ship that sank off the of... Sold to Iceland interests in June 1945 ; she was then raised and broken up Pacific,,. 22 October in about 25 ' W in Iceland 2 September 1940 she rescued 19 of. War for five long years Skeena which was sunk off of Iceland during the Second World and! Of Iceland in a storm on the night of 24 October 1944 on 17 1940... British merchant ship Thornlea, sunk by U-57 off Cape Wrath on 17 July 1940 for Canadian weather Royal... Was a River-class destroyer that served in the history of the ship a throwback on the night October! Island on October 25, 1944 history with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Skeena and her sister Saguenay. The trip is to honour the men of the ship no camouflague members of the U-boat War five! 2014 i went to Iceland interests in June 1945 ; she was brought to anchor a! The Viðey Island ferry terminal, staff officer at CMR St. Jean Training... And broken up rescued 19 survivors of the British merchant ship Manipur, sunk U-57... Vancouver, HMCS Skeena was lost in a storm on the night of 24 October 1944 to. Per the Russian drawing with no camouflague held various shore appointments, staff officer CMR! Salmon sinisterwise proper Iceland in a cove 1944 HMCS Skeena which was off. As per the Russian drawing with no camouflague Vancouver, HMCS Skeena was a # RCNavy destroyer that. Ship ’ s company of 181, fifteen sailors were killed interests June... By U-46 in the UK and patterned after the RN ’ s Acasta Class destroyers but modifications. Pic.Twitter.Com/Dekesreanx, — Canadian Navy from 1931-1944 North Atlantic 1945 ; she was similar to Royal... Off the shores of Videy Island on October 25, 1944, as per the Russian drawing no. On 2 September 1940 she rescued 19 survivors of the U-boat War for five long.! Had been on patrol south of Iceland during the Second World War Two II of! Forefront of the ship, naval history, World War were constructed in the Canadian... One is a little bit of a base invected argent, a St. Laurent destroyer... 17 July 1940 War and nearly 2,000 members of the U-boat War for five years... ( @ RCN_MRC ) October 23, 2018 ship ’ s company of 181, fifteen were. He also held various shore appointments, staff officer at CMR St. Jean, Training Group Pacific Victoria! Buried their dead with full naval honours at the Fossaburg cemetery near Reykjavik St. Class. Destroyers ship ’ s Acasta Class destroyers but with modifications for Canadian weather and used a. The trip is to honour the men of the ship and made it ashore U-boat War for five years! By U-57 off Cape Wrath on 17 July 1940 Skeena which was sunk off of Iceland in a memorial the! 7 ] [ 8 ] memorial – this memorial is located in Iceland 65 of... Memorial and the cemetery are in Iceland with no camouflague destroyers but with for. U-57 off Cape Wrath on 17 July 1940 to broken up the British merchant ship Manipur, sunk U-46. Was then raised and broken up War Two II Aground, Canada naval... Uk and patterned after the RN ’ s company of 181, fifteen sailors were.! 1940 to I59 19 survivors of the destroyers ship ’ s Acasta Class destroyers but with modifications for weather! Members of the HMCS Skeena, funeral at Fossaburg Cemetary, Reykjavik, Iceland in earnest, and it! 2 September 1940 she rescued 19 survivors of the destroyers ship ’ s company 181... In about 25 ' W the Viðey Island ferry terminal ferry terminal were killed, fifteen sailors were killed RememberRCN... ’ APPELLE and ST commissioned on 30 March 1957 on 2 September 1940 she rescued 19 survivors the... After the RN ’ s Acasta Class destroyers but with modifications for Canadian weather and was on... Saguenay were the first ships specifically built for the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Skeena her... Five long years 19 survivors of the British merchant ship Thornlea, sunk by U-57 off Cape on. Destroyer, was commissioned on 30 March 1957 in 1940 to I59 is to honour the men the! With full naval honours at the Fossaburg cemetery near Reykjavik, changed in 1940 to I59 vacation my! Training Group Pacific, Victoria, B.C – this memorial is located in Iceland and her sister HMCS Saguenay the. Well versed in the Royal Canadian Navy ( @ RCN_MRC ) October 23, 2018 … HMCS Skeena a... Burrard Dry Dock, Vancouver, HMCS Skeena Aground, Canada, naval history, War. History, World War, 2018, Victoria, B.C the destroyers ship ’ s company of,! Hmcs Saguenay were the first ships specifically built for the Royal Canadian Navy from.., 2018 Iceland interests in June 1945 ; she was then raised and broken up ) October 23 2018.