Volume 36 - Issue 3 Fall 2017 ACTION STATIONS! CANADA’S NAVAL MEMORIAL MAGAZINE

Action Stations! Fall 2017 1 ACTION STATIONS! Issue 3 - Volume 36 Fall 2017 Features THIS ISSUE: Editor and design: Shortly after 9 a.m. on Dec. 6, 1917, in the last year of LCdr Pat Jessup, RCN ret’d the First World War, the largest man-made explosion 11 The Last Post Fund, a History of Service and Dedication prior to the atomic bomb was set off when the munitions Chair - Public Relations, CNMT by Rear-Admiral Barry Keeler (ret’d), National President, Last Post Fund ship Mont Blanc and the steamer Imo collided in Halifax [email protected] harbour. Editorial Committee 12 Naval Heroes by John Boileau The explosion had a catastrophic effect on Halifax, Cdr Len Canfield, RCN ret’d - Public Affairs killing as many as 1,600 people instantly and destroying an area of 2.59 square kilometres including 1,630 LCdr Doug Thomas, RCN ret’d - Executive Director buildings and 7 ships. 12,000 buildings were damaged.. Debbie Findlay - Financial Officer 16 Commemorating Historical Figures by Len Canfield But, as the Manitoba Free Press told its readers in the Leading Seaman Steve Rowland, RCN ret’d following days, “the calamity was a national one.” 20 Wreck Discovered on Rockall Bank Likely to be Steamship SS Athenia Editorial Associates by Carl Anderson This issue of Action Stations! is dedicated to the First Major Peter Holmes, RCAF ret’d Responders on that terrible day. 22 Visit to HMCS Sackville by Bev Lundahl Photography and Images: Lt(N) Ian Urquhart, RCN ret’d, Halifax 24 HMCS Niobe – Protected Cruiser and UK Manning Depot Cdr Bill Gard, RCN ret’d, Halifax by Doug Thomas

Ron Harrison, Vancouver 26 75th Anniversary of the Crow’s Nest by Margaret Morris Clarence Hemeon, Halifax 28 Touring Sackville’s Engine Room by Sandy McClearn, P.Eng., PMP Formation Imagery Services, Maritime Forces Atlantic 32 Corvettes by Ted Letreille

Roger Litwiller: 33 6•12•17 The Halifax Explosion review by Doug Thomas http://www.rogerlitwiller.com/

Sandy McClearn, Smugmug: http://smcclearn.smugmug.com/

Garry Weir http://www.forposterityssake.ca/

HMCS SACKVILLE PO Box 99000 Station Forces Departments Halifax, NS B3K 5X5 In the horrific aftermath, the response of the military was immediate and swift. Thousands of soldiers and sailors took to 04 Executive Reports the streets rescuing the buried and tending to the wounded. Summer phone number downtown berth: Photo credit: DND/ Library and Archives Canada / 902-429-2132 07 Crossed the Bar PA-022744 18 Honours and Awards Winter phone in the Dockyard: 902-427-2837

Website: www.HMCSSACKVILLE.ca

2 Action Stations! Fall 2017 Action Stations! Fall 2017 3 From the Chair by Commander ret’d Wendall Brown Captain’s Cabin by Lieutenant Commander ret’d Jim Reddy younger team was our recently established Duty Trustee rotation which provides real depth and background to our “visitor experience”. Thanks to Bert Walker for establishing this program last year and for hosting the two winter training sessions. Steve Rowland has very successfully taken this on from Bert.

While the ship internally and externally looks the best she has in years, there are very serious concerns with condition of the deeper hull. The Chair’s column outlines the current situation with funding for a much anticipated docking Cold Move - Clarence Hemeon work package this winter. HMCS Sackvlle, HMS Dockyard, Halifax, April 2008 After a highly successful summer season, which The result of this status is that the Navy can not Finally, I would like to note that it is an ongoing I am sure the Captain, Jim Reddy, will give you legally fund Sackville as has been done in the With a shift into our Dockyard winter berth on challenge to present the ship and her story in full details in his report, HMCS Sackville has past. When the Navy was advised of this legal Wednesday October 25, HMCS Sackville finished a professional and polished way, given our returned to her winter berth in HMC Dockyard. decision the Commander of the RCN and his a very successful 2017 summer season on the limited resources in the curatorial department. staff sought, without success, options within the Halifax waterfront. Visitor numbers were up That is an area where we are aiming to address The retrospect from the position of the Chair of Department to fund Sackville’s refit. about 20% over last year. Most of our partners over the winter months when the ship isn’t on the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust (CNMT) on the waterfront reported similar results. display. With the closing of the Cornwallis is more complex than the successful summer The Commander of the RCN, Vice-Admiral Ron Underlying this busy season were Canada 150 Naval Museum, we acquired many significant programme of the ship. In the Trust, we have Lloyd, is not abandoning Sackville. As Action activities, the late July Tall Ships event, and the and beautiful artefacts that will surely enhance been becoming increasingly more anxious as Stations goes to press, he is in negotiations weak Canadian dollar which kept locals at home our onboard experience next summer. our refit which has been scheduled at six year to find a Federal Department whose mandate and enticed our southern neighbours northward. intervals since the ship’s designation as the is more closely associated with heritage and Certainly the numerous greenbacks in the Naval Association of Canada (NAC) AGM, Canadian Naval Memorial in 1985, continued memorials to take responsibility for HMCS donation box were evidence of the latter. St. John’s, Newfoundland. to slip to the right. The refit slippage was the Sackville, Canada’s Naval Memorial. I was very pleased to represent Sackville at the result of both syncrolift availability and issues The July Tall Ships event bears special mention. NAC AGM, along with the Editor Pat Jessup of authorization and resource commitment from It is seldom that there are simple solutions to This grand assembly of sailing vessels occurs in and Past Captain Sherry Richardson. NAC, NDHQ. There are some areas of the hull that complex issues, Sackville is not the exception. Halifax and in other Nova Scotia ports every 3-5 formerly NOAC was the force behind Sackville we can examine with the ship in the water that The search for a solution continues, as Chair of years. This year’s program started in Quebec and being acquired and restored in the early 1980s. are showing the 77 year age of the ship. There the CNMT, I recognize with appreciation the was linked to Canada 150. Because Sackville is NAC continues to actively support the ship and are other areas that we need to have the ship out time and effort already committed by VAdm physically located in the centre of the waterfront notably this year has allocated a significant grant of the water to examine thoroughly. The Trust, Lloyd at National Defence in Ottawa and Rear- action and surrounded by these magnificent to provide us with a modern public address considering what we know, and what we don’t Admiral Craig Baines and his predecessor vessels, we traditionally offer assistance to the “piping” system to replace our old, unreliable know, about the hull condition determined that Rear-Admiral John Newton, Maritime Forces administration of the event. Specifically, we patchwork setup. the prudent sailor would not return Sackville to Atlantic/Joint Task Force Atlantic and their provide our “conference room” as a headquarters her summer berth at Sackville Landing until she staffs. The CNMT Board has been diligent and for the liaison officer team and we provide The weekend AGM events in historic St. John’s has a thorough hull refit. committed in struggling with difficult decisions. support to the opening ceremony and the were memorable. Gatherings in the Crow’s We can expect many more meetings and complex signature departure ceremony, both of which Nest are a treasure for anyone connected to the The complexity in managing Sackville arises alternatives to test our wisdom and resolve this year took place on our jetty. Our Tall Ships Battle of the Atlantic. On the current professional from an evolution of changes in the mandate before we secure the solution to the permanent participation goes a long way to firming up our knowledge side, a full day was spent attending of the RCN and in the Federal Government preservation of this Canadian icon. place as a working Halifax waterfront partner. research briefings and simulator demonstrations financial management regulations, and more at the world class Marine Institute at Memorial stringent adherence to and application of It is possible the CNMT may have to conduct a Internally, much credit for the successful season University. The working meeting on Saturday financial regulations as resources diminish. fund raising drive to raise funds to secure the must go to the robust “ship’s company” of hired was held at HMCS Cabot. The magnificent 75th Sackville, when she was turned over to the Naval future of the ship, the Canadian Naval Memorial. students and attached naval personnel, ably led Anniversary Mess Dinner for the Crow’s Nest Officer’s Association of Canada, ceased to be by Chief Boatswain’s Mate (CBM) Danny Rowe is reported later in this issue. All in all, the either a commissioned ship or a naval auxiliary. Thank you to all. We will keep you posted. and A/CBM Kevin Waterman. Supporting the AGM was busy, many-sided, and remarkably rewarding. 4 Action Stations! Fall 2017 Action Stations! Fall 2017 5 Joseph A. (Joe) Carbury, who was one of five Win- Executive Director’s Report Crossed the Bar nipeg brothers to serve in the Do You Hear There? RCNVR during the Second Alexis Andre Bakeeff, a World War and would go cruise ships visit Halifax to sample our hospital- 1952 graduate of the US on to an extensive career as ity and autumn colours. 4 large ships with a total Merchant Marine Academy, a sports announcer passed of 11,000 passengers were here on 3 October for Kings Point, NY who would away in Calgary Oct 17 at example. Sackville is a must-see for quite a few spend much of his career age 91. He joined the Navy British and American visitors – on 29 September as a teacher passed away in at 17 and served in DEMS we hosted two groups at lunch whose father / Halifax Sept 22 at age 89. His (defensively equipped mer- grandfather had commanded British Corvettes in early career at sea included chant ships) as a convoy sig- the Second World War. They were amazed that delivering supplies and aid nalman. Following the end of Sackville had been preserved and that they could to Europe as part of the post hostilities he commenced his broadcasting career visualize their relatives’ experience by walk- WW ll relief effort followed in Medicine Hat, later announcing football games ing her decks and viewing spaces and displays. by service in USS Randolph in Edmonton, Hamilton and Calgary before being Joel Rogers from Port Townsend, Washington and USS Mattabesset (executive officer/naviga- hired by the Calgary Stampede to call the chuck- visited for several days and took many photos tor). Later he worked as a computer programmer wagon races and other events. He was inducted inside and out: his father had served in one of the at Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cam- into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. He USN’s Flower Class corvettes. bridge, Mass and in 1964 commenced his teaching was predeceased by his wife Rose; survivors in- Life Members Doug Thomas and Stephen Knowles of career in Massachusetts before moving his family clude daughters Colleen and Kathleen, several DEFSEC 2017 – we were at the Cunard Centre at Aylmer, Quebec, first met in September 1958 as Sea to Canning, NS in 1969; he retired from teaching grandchildren and a brother Tom. Cadets in RCSCC Chebogue in Yarmouth, NS and Pier 23 5-7 September as in past years, and it was in 1990 after 13 years as a professor at the former another successful event with quite a lot of inter- have stayed in contact ever since. During visits to NS Teachers College, Truro, NS. Survivors include Brigadier General Colin M. Curleigh (ret’d) est in Sackville – awareness of our unique ship Halifax Stephen acts as a Duty Trustee onboard. wife Jean Elizabeth, children Graham Alexis, Greg OMM CD, who com- and what she means is a good thing. Several re- Alexis and Natalie Alexis, several grandchildren menced his career in the ceptions were held onboard, attendees toured the On the Waterfront: We had an excellent season, and other family members in Europe and Russia. RCN, and following flight ship, and business meetings were held in some of with 2511 visitors on Canada Day and a total of training in 1963 flew the our spaces, such as the Trustees’ Mess and Con- over 25,000 by the end of September – appar- Gerald Brushett, who joined the Canadian Army first Sea King helicopter ference Room (in what had been #1 Boiler Room). ently a record! There were many activities to in 1944 and following the to Shearwater and would attract locals and tourists alike to the Halifax and end of hostilities transferred go on to hold a number Website: The new website is now up and run- the Boardwalk: it was the 150th Anniversary of to the Navy where he served of senior appointments ning, and I believe you will be impressed with Confederation, many Canadians wanted to tour for 32 years passed away during his military career the result. We are currently working out a few their own Country, and there were inducements in Dartmouth Oct 12 at age passed away in Parrsboro, glitches to make it as user-friendly as possible. from Parks Canada through free admission to 90. During his naval career NS Aug 9 at age 81. He was born Aklavik, NWT, their sites. The Canada Day weekend included he served in a number of son of the late Assistant Commissioner (RCMP) the visit of one of the USN’s Aircraft Carriers, the ships and shore establish- George Curleigh and Jean Curleigh. A graduate UpcomingActivities: USS Eisenhower (known as the Ike to American ments including HMC Ships of College Militaire Royale de St Jean, he served sailors) and her Task Group were in Halifax for Magnificent, Bonaventure, in several ships prior to qualifying as a helicopter Battle of the Atlantic Concert – Central Library a week and some of her sailors participated in Shearwater and Stadaco- pilot. He served in four Sea King squadrons, flew from 1400-1600 Sunday 29 April 2018 the Nova Scotia Tattoo. Our Duty Trustees did a na along with undergoing training in air frames from HMCS Bonaventure and destroyers and had great job, and enjoyed the experience. Steve Row- and instruments/electrical in the United King- a posting to the US flying off several US aircraft Battle of the Atlantic Dinner – CFB Halifax land, our “Senior Watchkeeper” and Duty Trust- dom. His last posting was as a commissioned of- carriers. His appointments included the Cana- Stadacona Wardroom – 1830-2030 Wednesday 02 ee organizer, ensured that ran smoothly. Our ficer in charge of the aviation electronics section dian Liaison Staff, Washington; directing staff of May 2018 Interpretive Guides, Nicole Cameron and Helen of HU-21 Squadron at CFB Shearwater. Follow- the Canadian Forces Staff College, Toronto; Com- Hillis, were terrific and became key members of ing retirement he worked as a civilian computer mander of Maritime Air Group, Halifax and de- AGM 2018 – at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia our team. In addition, we had two Officer Cadets programmer at Maritime Command Headquar- fence attache to the Canadian High Commissioner (AGNS) 1316-1600 28 June; Evening reception fol- and a number of sailors from the Fleet who were ters and later as a computer systems analyst with at the Defence Liaison Staff, London, England. He lowing, onboard Sackville 1700-2000. available to us between training serials. An “Ap- the NS Department of Social Services. He was an was a board member and active in a number of preciation Barbeque” was held onboard for our avid walker,active in the local music community organizations and community groups including Yours aye, summer staffon 10 October, taking advantage of and a volunteer guide at the Shearwater Aviation the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Aero- the splendid weather. Museum. He was predeceased by his wife Doro- nautical Institute of Nova Scotia, Parrsboro Shore Doug Thomas thy; survivors include sons Timothy and Paul and Historical Society/Ottawa House, Parrsboro Band [email protected] Contacts from abroad: The cruise ship season ex- daughters Julie, Angela and Jane. Association/The Hall, Fundy Geological Muse- tends to the end of October when multiple large 902-721-1206 (weekday mornings)

6 Action Stations! Fall 2017 Action Stations! Fall 2017 7 um, RCMP Advisory Board and the Royal United Larry Hartman. Word has been received of the Commander James Chapman Walter (Jim) He- tendent with Fundy Gypsum Company, followed Services Institute-NS. Survivors include his wife passing of Larry seltine (ret’d), who joined the by senior positions with Minas Basin Pulp and Nancy, children George, Jon, James and Sara; a Hartman,93, one of RCN in 1952 and would have Power Company Ltd and Canadian Keyes Fibre number of grandchildren; sisters Mary and Sue the early crew mem- a lengthy career in the public Company in Hantsport. He served as chair of the and brother Alan. bers of HMCS Sack- service and private industry Halifax District Personnel Association and was ac- ville during the Bat- following retirement from the tive in the community, including church warden Sage (Ley) German, who joined the Navy in 1944 tle of the Atlantic. Navy passed away in Ottawa at St Andrew’s Anglican Church, president of the and after Womens Royal Canadian Naval Ser- A Prairie youth, he Sept 21 at age 91. Following his Hantsport Memorial Community Centre and the vice (WRCNS) training at joined the Navy at 17 20 year naval career he served Navy League of Canada. Survivors include wife HMCS Conestoga, Galt, and trained as a sig- with the Treasury Board secretariat and National Hilary, children Elizabeth, Katharine and Gillian ON and at St Hyacinthe, nalman. After first Research Council and later worked in the private and several grandchildren. QC served on the West being posted to HMCS Baddeck he joined Sackville sector, including shipbuilding, the Canada arm Coast as a telegraphist in- in 1942 and served during eight of the corvette’s project and anti-counterfeiting technologies. Sur- Master Warrant Officer John H. Smith, MMM, tercepting encrypted Japa- convoy escorts across the U-boat infested North vivors include his wife Inez, former wife Pauline, CD (ret’d), a 30 year veter- nese radio messages in Atlantic. In 2015 during events marking the 70th sons Nigel, John and Nicholas and granddaughter an of the Canadian Armed Morse Code passed away anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic in Halifax Julia. Forces and brother of CNMT in Toronto Sept 10 at age he travelled from Vancouver with family mem- trustee Don Smith passed 91. For her wartime service bers to return to Sackville for the first time in 71 Chief Petty Officer Ronald Albert Robertson away at Cold Lake, Alberta at in Victoria, BC and Bain- years and to share his experiences with fellow vet- (ret’d), who served in the age 59. He joined the CAF in bridge Island off Seattle, erans, serving members and the media. Following Navy from 1947 to 1983 1977, completed basic train- Wash she was one of 50 Canadian and American hostilities he commenced a career with CBC in and was a duty Trustee in ing at CFB Cornwallis and telegraphists awarded the Bletchley Badge (named western Canada. HMCS Sackville for a num- qualified as a radio techni- for Bletchley Park (England) that housed the Gov- ber of years passed away cian at the CF School of Com- ernment Code and Cypher School). Following Diana Eloise Hennessy, who along with her late in Halifax Aug 6 at age 88. munications and Electronics, hostilities she married the late Commander Tony husband Vice Admiral During his naval career he Kingston, ON. During his ca- German, naval historian and author including The Ralph L. Hennessy was served in a number of ships reer he served at a number of wings and stations Sea is at our Gates The History of the Canadian a strong supporter of the and shore establishments in- across the country, including CFS Debert, 8 Wing Navy. She was involved in a number of business Canadian Naval Memorial cluding HMCS Naden, Stad- Trenton, 5 Wing Goose Bay, 4 Wing Cold Lake and community undertakings over the years, in- Trust/HMCS Sackville and acona, Portage, Micmac, Hunter, Magnificent, Quinte, and did a tour at CFS Alert in far Arctic. He was cluding marketing research, assisting the Cana- active in a number of mili- D’Iberville, Haida, Algonquin, Margaree, Scotian and appointed to the Order of Military Merit in 2005 dian Ski Museum and managing several family tary support and commu- Nipigon. In civilian life he was a supervisor with and finished his career as squadron warrant offi- businesses (hovercraft operation at Expo 67 and nity organizations passed several shopping centres in the metro area. He cer (SWO) for 12 Radar unit at Cold Lake; he was house boating in the Virgin Islands). Survivors in- away in Ottawa Sept 5 at was a charter member of the Atlantic Chief and active in the RCAF Association. Survivors include clude children Rick, Kiloran, Sarah and Andrew age 77. A graduate of Tra- Petty Officers Association and active in StMi- his wife, daughters and brothers. and a number of grandchildren and great-grand- falgar School for Girls and chael’s Church, Spryfield. Survivors include Fran- children. the University of Toronto ces (Pat), sons Mark, Lance, Sidney and daughters Sidney Wallace, a naval veteran of the Second where she received her Bernice, Nancy, a number of grandchildren and World War, Life member Commander James Bernard Grover (ret’d), a bachelor and master’s degrees in education, she great-grandchildren, brother Douglas and sisters of the Canadian Naval Me- career naval logistics officer served as a program director at Ryerson Univer- Lavena, Ella and Patricia. morial Trust and a strong passed away in Ottawa Aug 24 sity, Toronto from 1971 to 1995. In 1996 she and supporter of advancing the at age 74. His career included her husband moved to Ottawa where she was George Robert Churchill (Bob) Sircom, who health and welfare of for- serving in HMCS Ships Iroquois active in the Royal Ottawa Golf Club, Church of commenced his na- mer service members passed and Nipigon and postings in St Bartholomew, Perley Rideau Veterans Health val career at Royal away in Calgary Aug 21 at Lahr, Germany and Washing- Centre, the Navy League of Canada and other na- Roads Naval Col- age 96. He is remembered ton, DC; while serving at the val organizations including the Canadian Naval lege, served in by friends and associates as latter he lectured at the Nation- Memorial Trust as an associate editor of Action HMCS Magnificent a strong supporter of HMCS al Defense University special- Stations. Survivors include sister Deidre, step- and in the Naval Sackville and all things Navy. He was very active in izing in acquisition reform and children Diana and Michael, step-grandmother Reserve, followed the Calgary naval community as well as the medi- shipbuilding. In retirement he was active in the of Brendan and Twyla and a number of extended by a lengthy career cal community and in particular the establishment Logistics Branch Association and an endurance family members. In addition to her husband, she in corporate human of the Colonel Belcher Society and the Belcher walker. Survivors include wife Christine, children was predeceased by stepchildren Terence and resources, passed Veterans Care Centre to serve veterans. He also Heather Diane and Christopher Bruce and broth- Timothy. away in Wolfville, NS July 4 at age 88. His civil- served on the boards of the Naval Officers Asso- ers Leo, Ira, Melvin, Brian and Nicky. ian career included assistant personnel superin- ciation of Canada and the Royal Alberta United

8 Action Stations! Fall 2017 Action Stations! Fall 2017 9 Services Institute and was active in the Calgary the Second World War Naval Veterans Association (RCNA) and the Na- passed away April 28 val Museum of Alberta Society. Survivors include at age 95. After training his wife Beverley, sons Bob and Laurie, daughter at Royal Roads in early Carolyn, several grandchildren and stepson Scott. 1942 he was loaned to His ashes will be scattered at sea (Halifax) in 2018. the Royal Navy , serving in Canadian combined Meredith Tilton Westlake, a member of a well- operation flotillas, on known naval family, Life landing craft in amphibi- Member of the Canadian ous assault and support Naval Memorial Trust and landings in North Africa, described by family and Sicily, Straits of Messina THE LAST POST FUND, A HISTORY OF SERVICE AND DEDICATION friends as a lifelong caregiv- and Salerno. In January by Rear-Admiral Barry Keeler (ret’d), National President, Last Post Fund er passed away in Ottawa 1944 he was appointed in command of HMCS LCI This national not-for-profit organization origi- Eligible Veterans Include: Oct 16 at age 71.She was the 310 of the 264th Canadian Landing Craft Flotilla nates from an act of compassion and respect. On • A former member of the Canadian Forces daughter of the late Lieu- that was assigned to the British sector of the D- a cold night in December 1908, an unconscious • A Canadian Merchant Navy Veteran tenant Commander Mur- Day landing at Gold Beach. Following hostilities homeless man is taken by two police officers to • An Allied Veteran who meets certain condi- ray Knowles and Josephine he became president of the BC Rugby Association the Montreal General Hospital. Allegedly inebri- tions Knowles (Tilton) and was and later was inducted into the BC Rugby Hall ated, he is left in a room to sleep it off. Later on, part of the Centennial Year graduating class of the of Fame. He joined NOABC in 1946 and served the Head Orderly Arthur Hair – a Veteran of the In addition, the LPF owns and operates the Na- IWK Hospital for Children, Halifax. She married on various committees over the years and in 2015 South African War – noticed an envelope sticking tional Field of Honour located in Pointe-Claire, naval officer John Westlake in 1970 and was active was awarded the French Government Legion of out of the poor man’s coat pocket. It contained an Quebec. Established in 1930, this beautiful mili- in community and social groups in Halifax and Honour. honourable discharge certificate issued to Trooper tary cemetery, the first of its kind in Canada, Ottawa as well as three years in England during James Daly by the Great Britain War Office. Daly has become the final resting place for more her husband’s posting in the United Kingdom in Warrant Officer Electrician Ernest Wooding GC, had served for 21 years under the British flag and than 22,000 Veterans and loved ones. The Field the 1980s. In addition to her husband, survivors a native of Toronto who was this document was his sole possession. of Honour is available to Veterans from across include sons Scott and Craig, several grandchil- awarded the Albert Medal Canada. dren and brother Stephen (later converted to a George Trooper Daly was not drunk but suffering from Cross) for rescuing two men malnutrition and hypothermia. He died two days In 1996, the LPF created a program mandated Jane Lee Westropp, an educator and wife of Com- during an explosion in the later at age 53. His unclaimed body would be to place a military headstone on the gravesite of modore Charles Westropp, engine room of a Fairmile turned over to medical researchers before dis- Veterans who do not have a marker. It is esti- a past chair of the Cana- motor launch at a boat yard posal in a pauper’s field. Deeply shocked by the mated that there remains some 4000 unmarked dian Naval Memorial Trust in Orillia, Ontario in October, Empire’s disregard for its Veterans, Hair raised graves in Canada. It is a huge challenge to find passed away in Halifax Sept 1943 has passed away at age money from friends and colleagues to give the these sites and the Fund looks to everyone for 26 after a short illness. She 99. The citation for the award soldier a dignified burial worthy of his many help in making their discovery and reporting attended the Halifax Ladies noted that Wooding entered years of patriotic service. This was the catalyst for their whereabouts. College and Queen Eliza- the burning motor launch and demonstrated out- the creation of the Last Post Fund (LPF) in 1909. beth High School and was a standing courage and presence of mind in saving Please do whatever you are able to ensure Veter- graduate of Dalhousie, Mc- the two lives. After training as an electrician he The early work of the LPF was exclusively sup- ans and their families are aware of the LPF. After Gill and Mount Saint Vin- joined the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve in Hali- ported by private donations. Then in 1921, it was all, “To honour and protect in death seems but cent Universities. She taught fax during the Second World War and progressed federally incorporated and began receiving regu- a small return to those who have protected their in the Halifax school system and at the Trafalgar to warrant officer in charge of the installation of lar financial support from the Canadian Govern- country in life”, wrote Arthur Hair, founder of School for Girls, Montreal. During her early years electrical equipment in the Fairmiles, some 80 of ment. the LPF. she was an equestrian specializing in dressage and which were built in Ontario and other provinces. an active skier and later sailing with her husband. In civilian life he was employed with Honeywell Since its humble beginnings, the LPF has ensured You are invited to visit: www.lastpostfund.ca or She worshiped at St George’s Round Church, Hal- as a technical services manager. He was prede- that no eligible Veteran is deprived of a dignified call 1-800-465-7113 for additional program de- ifax. In addition to her husband, survivors include ceased by his first wife and remarried in 1995. funeral, burial and headstone for lack of financial tails and informationon how to make a charitable children Amos and Rachel and five grandchildren. resources. Its primary mandate is to deliver the donation. A memorial service is planned for June, 2018. Funeral and Burial Program on behalf of Veterans Affairs Canada. To date, over 160,000 Veterans Lieutenant Commander Lloyd Williams, who from across Canada have received financial as- enlisted in the RCNVR in Vancouver in 1941 and sistance under this Program. served in different theatres of operations during

10 Action Stations! Fall 2017 Action Stations! Fall 2017 11 It proved useless. Minutes after the fire started on Mont-Blanc, Captain Fred Pasco, temporary Captain Naval Heroes by John Boileau Then the tide came in and forced Mont-Blanc’s Superintendent of the Dockyard in the absence of stern against the pier as well. Even then, a con- Captain Edward Martin, was called at Martin’s siderable length of the ship projected beyond the home in the Dockyard, where he was living end of the pier, maybe “a quarter of the ship,” temporarily, and informed of the blaze. He according to Stella Maris’s Second Mate William immediately tried to telephone Lieutenant James Nickerson. Murray, the Sea Transport Officer, but instead As Stella Maris reversed, Triggs came alongside made contact with Lieutenant Poole, Murray’s in Highflyer’s whaler and boarded the tug to second-in-command. confer with Brannen for about “four or five min- With the Dockyard and all its resources under utes.” What they said to each other is unknown, his temporary command, Pasco ordered Poole to but in the end, they must have decided that noth- HMCS Niobe post explosion send the tugs W.H. Lee, Gopher, Musquash and any ing could be done to fight the fire, as the next other available ones with pumps to the burning Many city residents blamed the fledgling RCN Tom Triggs and Lieutenant James Ruffles—both action saw Stella Maris tow the whaler—back- vessel as quickly as possible. for the Halifax Explosion of December 6, 1917, volunteers—in Highflyer’s whaler to see if any- wards—about halfway to Imo, likely so Triggs believing it had failed to adequately control ship- thing could be done to assist. could assess the damage to that ship. At 9:04:35 a.m., Mont-Blanc blew up. ping in the harbour. Yet, at the individual level, There were five sailors in the whaler with Triggs When Stella Maris was on her way back to Mont- several sailors—Canadian and British—per- and Ruffles. They pulled with a will toward Blanc, Niobe’s steam pinnace came out from Pier formed acts of heroism immediately before and Mont-Blanc, at the time drifting helplessly about 6 and hailed the tug. Mattison had already sent after the devastating explosion. 1,200 metres away. two of his sailors aboard Mont-Blanc. Due to the HMCS Niobe, seen raising steam in the above scorching heat emanating from the burning ves- photo, was permanently moored in the Dockyard sel’s metal hull, they had climbed slowly up the about 640 metres away from Pier 6—where the port ladder—left dangling when Mont-Blanc’s abandoned and burning French munitions ship crew abandoned their ship—to avoid touching Mont-Blanc drifted after her collision with the the hot steel. Belgian relief vessel Imo in the Narrows at 8:45 that morning. Niobe was the first ship to raise the alarm after collision. First officer Lieutenant- Commander Allan Baddeley sent Niobe’s steam pinnace with six volunteers—Stoker Petty Officer Edward Beard and five seamen—under Acting Bosun Albert Mattison, to see if they could help the stricken vessel.

The Mont Blanc’s deadly cargo included 2,300 tons of wet As Brannen and Mattison conferred, the Niobe and dry picric acid, 200 tons of TNT, 10 tons of gun cotton sailor suggested the best they could hope to do and 35 tons of benzol. would be to pull Mont-Blanc’s stern away from By the time the whaler got near Mont-Blanc, now the pier. That way, the fire department could engulfed in 30-metre-high flames, the ship had handle the now-burning pier, while other ships grounded onto the harbour bottom on south with proper fire-fighting equipment could deal side of Pier 6. Only the forward part of the vessel with the burning vessel. Mattison’s two sailors al- touched the pier, leaving a gap between the stern ready aboard Mont-Blanc would be able to secure and the wharf. the hawser to her stern so Stella Maris could pull her away from the pier. HMCS Niobe - Recruits The RCN-contracted tug Stella Maris was already Aboard the protected cruiser HMS Highflyer an- there and had tried to squeeze into the space be- Brannen agreed, but after the five-inch cable was Photograph taken by Royal Navy Lieutenant Victor Mag- chored in mid-stream, Captain Herbert Garnett tween the stern and pier, but backed off due to passed up, the two seamen decided it would not nus show the moment the Imo and Mont Blanc collide 6 saw the fire from the bridge of his ship. Although the intensity of the fire. Captain Horatio Brannen be strong enough to do the job; they needed the Decembe 1917. unaware of the burning ship’s cargo, he inherent- and his crew valiantly—and vainly—played their heavier 10-inch one. Brannen sent Nickerson be- The explosion tore through the ship and her car- ly knew the situation could quickly become ex- small, single hose on the roaring flames from low to get the thicker cable. go at speeds of approximately 7,600 metres per tremely dangerous. He sent Acting Commander what Brannen’s son estimated was 45 metres second, created temperatures in excess of 3,000C away. 12 Action Stations! Fall 2017 Action Stations! Fall 2017 13 Stella Maris wrecked Rows of army canvas tents on the Commons provided emergency shelter from the blizzard. People who still had their and vapourized the water surrounding the ship. Aboard the tug, Second Mate Nickerson was just homes, covered broken windows with anything they could find. Photo credit: Nova Scotia Archives V/F vol. 243 no.18 The vessel simply disappeared. about to come up from below with the 10-inch The first victims were those closest to the burning hawser when Mont-Blanc exploded. Brannen Meanwhile, the surviving and uninjured crews lief operations, as well as devastated area access vessel: crews of Highflyer, Niobe and Stella Maris. and 18 of his 24-man crew were killed. The five of Canadian, British and American warships in control and guarding against looting. Highflyer’s whaler was lifted into the air and injured survivors were below deck or shielded harbour—and those that arrived in port shortly The crucial role naval and army personnel played propelled towards the Dartmouth shore before by the funnel, although two of them died of their afterward—went ashore to render any assistance in the immediate aftermath of the Halifax Ex- crashing down onto the water. Only Able Sea- injuries a few days later. Nickerson survived. they could to the citizens of the now-devastated plosion has never been formally or properly ac- man William Becker survived, although he nearly The explosion also set afire the ocean-going tug city. knowledged and recognized, an oversight that drowned before struggling ashore through icy Musquash, which carried ammunition. High Fly- Besides these sailors, about 5,000 Canadian sol- has gone on far too long. water. er’s captain asked another tug to take Musquash diers—plus a few British ones—as well as some 600 army doctors, nursing sisters, orderlies and Mont-Blanc exploded as Niobe’s whaler pulled Editor’s Note: The material in this article was ex- towards Imo, about 275 metres away. The force of their treatment facilities provided immediate, or- ganized and disciplined rescue, recovery and re- cerpted from various chapters of John Boileau’s latest the explosion blew Niobe’s pinnace and its crew book, 6•12•17: The Halifax Explosion. to pieces. Half a second During a 37-year career in the Canadian Army, Hearts: Atlantic Canada and the Victoria Cross, Old Colonel John Boileau Enough to Fight: Canada’s Boy Soldiers in the First Although these seamen were the first to die, the time between their deaths and 1,600 others was served across Canada, World War and a companion volume, Too Young imperceptible.It only took half a second for the in the United States, the to Die: Canada’s Boy Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen blast wave to reach its maximum destructive United Kingdom, Germa- in the Second World War. He is active in a number power. ny and Cyprus, in various of community and military support organiza- command, staff and train- tions including a governor and past chair of the Some of the crew of Highflyer’s whaler received posthumous awards. Acting Commander Triggs ing appointments. He is Nova Scotia Division of the Canadian Corps of received the Albert Medal in Gold, while Beck- a graduate of the Univer- Commissionaires, the Royal Nova Scotia Inter- er—the lone survivor aboard the whaler—re- sity of New Brunswick, national Tattoo Society, the Nova Scotia Army ceived the Albert Medal in Bronze. the United States Army Cadet League, Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal armour officer advanced Canadians) Regimental Society, a life member of Similarly, for their actions that morning, the crew Niobe divers suiting up before the explosion course, the Canadian Forces Command and Staff the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps Associa- of Niobe’s pinnace also received posthumous in tow, but the crew were unwilling to board College, the British Army Staff College and the tion (Cavalry) and the Halifax Rifles Armoury awards. Acting Boatswain Mattison and Stoker the disabled vessel. Two British sailors, Leading Petty Officer Beard received the Albert Medal in Seaman Thomas Davis and Able Seaman Rob- British Royal College of Defence Studies. During Association, the Royal United Services Institute Bronze, while the five other sailors with them re- ert Stones, volunteered to board Musquash, now his last five years of service he was military atta- of Nova Scotia, Halifax Military Heritage Preser- ceived letters of appreciation. broken loose from her moorings. They secured a ché at the Canadian High Commission, London, vation Society and the Titanic Society of Atlantic The citation for the Albert Medal in Bronze for line and the tug towed Musquash into the middle Eng, and accredited as Canada’s first military Canada. He is currently the honorary colonel of Mattison and Beard reads in part: “The boat’s of the harbour. Then they went forward, pulled attaché to the Republic of Ireland. the Halifax Rifles. In 2012, he received the Queen crew were fully aware of the desperate nature of the ammunition—by now badly scorched—away Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his con- the work they were engaged on, and by their gal- from the flames and threw it overboard. In his second career as a writer he has authored tributions to the history and heritage of Nova lantry and devotion to duty they sacrificed their The tender W.H. Lee arrived and Davis and several hundred magazine and newspaper ar- Scotia. lives in the endeavour to save the lives of others.” Stones broke down doors to allow Lee’s fire hoses ticles, as well as 11 books, including Valiant

14 Action Stations! Fall 2017 Action Stations! Fall 2017 15 Commemorating Historical Figures At the same time, recent events in Canada, the by Len Canfield US and elsewhere have thrown a controversial (if not sometimes violent) light on how communi- When the settlers arrived in late June 1749 they ties commemorate military and other historical found pristine forests and no other permanent figures whose legacy, in the minds of some, is settlements in the area. Governor Cornwallis not in keeping with current values. Halifax and selected a protected site for the town close to the its founder Edward Cornwallis have not escaped harbour shores, below Citadel Hill; over time the controversy. during war and peace the well-defended town would come to be known as ‘the Warden of the The situation in Halifax centres on Cornwal- Honour of the North.’ Almost three centuries later lis issuing a proclamation placing a bounty on the military continues to be an integral part of the Mi’kmaw warriors (in October 1749) to protect daily life of Halifax and adjacent communities. the newly arrived settlers after the Mi’kmaq had declared war on the British (over the settlement The development of the extensive Halifax de- at Halifax) and carried out several raids on the fence complex on both sides of the harbour that mainland in August and September. During a started during the Cornwallis era to protect set- raid at Dartmouth four woodcutters were killed tlers and port facilities from land and sea attack and a fifth taken prisoner. Some Mi’kmaw lead- carried on through to the 20th century. A number ers label the bounty as genocide. However, there of the former defence installations are designated Lord Gillford with Lord and Lady Clanwilliam at Admiralty House, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1885. is little verifiable documentation to show the National Historic Sites, including The Citadel number of Mi’kmaw scalps turned in at Halifax (dating to 1749), Georges Island (Fort Charlotte), Members of the Halifax Military Heritage Pres- during Cornwallis’s three years as Governor (he Prince of Wales Tower in Point Pleasant Park, ervation Society, a volunteer educational society rescinded the bounty in 1752); some research- York Redoubt and McNabs Island (Fort Ives, Fort that researches, documents and promotes Hali- ers feel the number could be as few as one. The Edward Cornwallis by Joshua Reynolds (1756) McNab and Fort Hugonin). The gleaming glass and steel structures rising in fax’s extensive military heritage, feel the military Mi’kmaq want the Cornwallis Statue in Corn- downtown Halifax overlooking the world-recog- aspect of Halifax’s heritage offers an opportunity wallis Park in downtown Halifax removed and nized port would not have been envisioned by for greater recognition and support by the public Cornwallis Street renamed. After several protests British authorities when they dispatched Colonel and private sectors, including the tourism indus- at the statue this past summer Halifax Council Edward Cornwallis and 2,500 settlers to establish try. As part of its activities, members have pre- voted October 3 to establish a “special advisory a fortified town at Chebucto/Kipuktuk (the big pared several research papers that are available committee to advise Council on proposed chang- harbour) in 1749. The settlement occurred during on its website: www.hmhps.ca, including “Histori- es in the commemoration of Edward Cornwallis an uneasy peace between the British and French cal Paper No 1: Edward Cornwallis” and “Early on municipal assets, including Cornwallis Park and the lead up to the Seven Years War (also Settlements and Settler Experiences in Nova and Cornwallis Street, and recognizing and com- known as the French and Indian Wars). Scotia, 1605-1763” (including Halifax, Dartmouth memorating the indigenous history... in HRM.” While many view Halifax’s building boom as and Lunenburg). Four of the eight member committee and the progress others want to ensure the high-rise co-chair will be appointed from a slate of nomi- structures in the historic downtown area will not nations put forward by the Assembly of Nova ‘overshadow’ the city’s multi-faceted heritage Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs; Council will appoint the including a military presence dating back to the other four members. city’s founding. Martello Tower, Point Pleasant Park Reference no Not- man Studio Nova Scotia Archives accession no. 1983-310 In 1974 Edward Cornwallis was recognized as number A-120 a “national historic person” under the Historic The naval influence over the years (starting with Sites and Monuments Act; a Historic Sites and the Royal Navy and later the Royal Canadian Monuments Board of Canada plaque on the Navy) is much in evidence in Canada’s famous statue’s podium recognizes Cornwallis as the wartime “East Coast port.” The naval sites in- “Founder of Halifax.” clude the Royal Naval Dockyard (1759) that continues as HMC Dockyard; Admiralty House As Canadians progress reconciliation and seek (1819), now the Naval Museum of Halifax; the meaningful/factual accounts of our shared and early Naval Burial Ground (1783) at Stadacona sometimes turbulent history, one question we and the iconic HMCS Sackville, the last of the to need to weigh carefully when deciding which historical figures to commemorate –who stays, Allies 269 corvettes that played a pivotal role in Eastern Battery, Fort Clarence under constuction on winning the Battle of the Atlantic (1939-1945). promontory in Dartmouth overlooking George’s Island, who goes-- is whether today’s values and stan- 1749 dards trump those of the past. 16 Action Stations! Fall 2017 Commander (ret’d) Heather J. Armstrong Honoured by Alma Mater Encounter 150 Canada and MAIL BAG World Conference for youth and active community volunteer. In 2012 she was in Montreal. His presentation Your summer issue of Action Stations (page 36) awarded the Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee centered around “what role was particularly interesting to me as it mentions Medal and in 2014 Prince Charles presented her Canada has to play in the world, my brother. He passed a few years ago but was with the Spirit of Military Families Coin Award our responsibilities to others a veteran of Dieppe and every major invasion for her “significant contribution to the well being and diversity.” Rhys’s essay can after that including D-Day and southern France. of military families.” be read on his Linkedin site at: https://www. He shot down a Ju 88 (Junkers: Luftwaffe twin- linkedin.com/pulse/my-opinion-essay-diversity- engined multirole combat aircraft) at Dieppe Dr. Armstrong, a graduate of the CF Command canadas-national-identity-watson/ and was Mentioned in Dispatches. I am the and Staff College, Toronto and the NATO De- youngest of 4 brothers all of whom served in the fense College, Rome commenced her career in This was followed in June during the cadet corps navy during the Second World War. My wife 1978 serving in both the regular and reserve annual ceremonial review when RCMP Chief Su- Helen was also a Wren serving in Vancouver components of the personnel administration and perintendent Scott Sheppard, CO of ‘M’ Division and several other posts before ending up in logistics branches in Halifax, Shearwater, Cold presented Master Warrant Cadet Watson with Dartmouth. Her sister was also a Wren. Lake and Ottawa. This was followed by senior ci- the Major General W.A. Howard medal which is vilian leadership positions with DND, including awarded annually to 13 outstanding army cadets You have our station cards on display aboard director of quality of life and director of military across the country. Sackville or at least they were at one time. Check personnel structures and co-ordination for the page 36 and the quote from the Naval Service Chief of Military Personnel. Rhys through his commitment to the well being Commander (ret’d) Heather J. Armstrong, Ham- of Canada 1910 to 2010 the centennial story for of others truly demonstrates his motto facta non monds Plains, NS, a Life Member of the Cana- mention of my brother Norm. Helen and I are 92 In addition to actively supporting the CNMT, she verba (action not words) by serving others before dian Naval Memorial Trust (CNMT) has been and then some and I have trouble typing this so I is a governor of Commissionaires Nova Scotia, a self. awarded a Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa will say good bye and good luck., member of the Veterans Ombudsman Advisory by Saint Mary’s University, Halifax in recogni- Council, Naval Association of Canada and a tion of “dedicating her life to serving Canadians.” Jack and Helen Mitchinson Dame of the Order of St George. This is the second article in what we feel is an im- The awarding of the honorary degree by her Commemorative Bottling Pictured with Dr. Armstrong is Dr Robert Summer- portant contribution to our alma mater (BComm ‘83) at the Fall convocation by-Murray, President of Saint Mary’s University (L) magazine. As Senator Art HMCS Sackville follows earlier awards and recognition during and Dr .Paul Sobey, Chancellor (R). Eggleton, Former Minister of National Defence her career as a Canadian Armed Forces officer remarked: “Many people think of Cadets as Glenora Distillers International Limited preparation for a career in the military, but it is (Glenora) has joined together with the Canadian Looking to the Future really about preparing for life; about developing Naval Memorial Trust (the Trust) to offer a Life Member Master Warrant Officer Gordon Rhys Watson, Corps Sergeant Major skills, the qualities and the confidence that will commemorative bottling of an eighteen year 2685 The Yukon Regiment Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, Whitehorse, Yukon old single malt whisky in a tribute to the HMCS allow these young people to prosper and contrib- Sackville. The bottling is cask specific, with the ute to the Canada of tomorrow”. Seventeen year-old Rhys Before leaving Nova Scotia he had graduated to casks hand-selected by Glenora owners. The Watson has achieved a great bottling will be initially available to Trustees sea cadets and later joined air cadets while in- The Army Cadet League of Canada was officially deal since he joined Navy and the general public from Glenora Distillery. creasing his volunteer activities with the Navy formed in 1971 to work with the Department of The price will be $125.00 (tax included) for a League cadets in Halifax at League, HMCS Sackville, Canadian Hemophilia National Defence in support of Army cadets and 750 ml bottle. For each bottle sold, Glenora will age nine, became a commu- Society and other community organizations. In has a branch office in each of the provinces and donate $25 to the Trust. Anyone wishing to order nity volunteer and saved 2014 he was recognized with the Provincial Vol- the territories. can do so by calling Glenora at 902-468-6516. up $1,000 to become the unteer Award and a Halifax Regional Municipal- Major credit cards accepted. Shipping charges if youngest Life Member of applicable) will be extra. ity Volunteer Award (youth category). The League is the supervisory sponsor for more the Canadian Naval Memo- In Whitehorse he joined the 2685 Yukon Regi- than 400 cadet corps across Canada. With the aid rial Trust/HMCS Sackville in ment Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (his of each branch office, the League ensures finan- 2010. He is one of six mem- third cadet organization) and is now serving as cial, accommodations and transportation support bers of his family to hold life the corps sergeant major while continuing his for programs and services not provided by the membership in the CNMT. school and community involvement. And 2017 Department of National Defence to more than Three years ago Rhys and his family moved to has been an exciting and rewarding year for the 18,000 Army cadets. Whitehorse, Yukon where he has actively contin- very engaged teenager. ued his self-professed “passion for citizenship, volunteering and music.” Earlier this year Rhys was selected (representing the Yukon) to attend and present at the

Action Stations! Fall 2017 19 WRECK DISCOVERED ON ROCKALL BANK Duchess of Richmond made an uneventful trans- Atlantic passage. Passengers were mystified by LIKELY TO BE STEAMSHIP SS ATHENIA by Carl Anderson an unscheduled stop in Halifax during which On 5 October 2017 BBC News reported that a passengers were confined to their cabins without U.K.-based professional shipwreck-hunter, David explanation. Don Wilcox only unravelled the Mearns, had obtained sonar imagery of what ap- mystery of the ships’ stop at Halifax nearly fifty peared to be a wreck lying on Rockall Bank WNW years later. of Ireland. The location of the sonar target and its shape and dimensions strongly suggest to Mearns Don Wilcox was a member of the Canadian that he has discovered the hulk of the passenger Naval Memorial Trust and an active volunteer in liner S.S. Athenia. HMCS Sackville. He died in 2013. Read the whole story of the Wilcox’s ordeal aboard the Athenia and their subsequent return to Canada in Inter- rupted Voyage, published in two parts in Action Stations! for Fall 2016 (pgs 9-12) and Spring 2017. See them at https://hmcssackville.ca/resources/action- stations-magazine/archive.

The sonar imagery corresponds to the overall dimensions of the Athenia. BBC The Donaldson Line trans-Atlantic steamship departed Liverpool for Montreal on 2 Septem- passengers and 297 crew. The German torpedo ber 1939 filled to capacity with 1,103 passengers, attack on the Athenia was the opening of what including about 500 Jewish refugees, 469 Canadi- would become the longest battle of the war just ans, 311 US citizens and 72 UK subjects, and 315 beginning- the Battle of the Atlantic. crew. Earlier the same day the German Luftwaffe had carried out its first air raids on Poland, and Two of the survivors of the Athenia sinking were shortly before noon the next day, September 3rd, fourteen-year-old Don Wilcox and his mother Athenia’s passengers were informed that Britain Dorothy, homeward bound for Canada. After had declared war on Germany. Some passengers their rescue by the Norwegian freighter Knute were comforted by their belief that British-flagged Nelson, Don and Dorothy returned to Wales merchant ships such as Athenia, already at sea be- where they had spent the summer visiting rela- fore the declaration of war, would be permitted to tives. Dorothy was reluctant to set out again for proceed unmolested to its destination. That was Canada by sea, so she and Don settled down tem- not to be the case, however. porarily in Cardiff. By the spring of 1940 Britain faced a solid wall of German-occupied territory In the evening of 3 September, her second day out across the English Channel and North Sea. It be- of Liverpool, the liner was steaming WNW across came clear to Dorothy Wilcox that if she and Don For Posterity’s Sake Rockall Bank approximately 210 nautical miles did not soon take passage to Canada, they might NW of Ireland. At 7:40 p.m., without warning, be stranded in Wales until the end of the war. Dedicated to the men and women of the S.S. Athenia was torpedoed by the German U-boat Royal Canadian Navy U-30 and began to sink. She managed transmit The Wilcoxes set out again by sea for Montreal and the ships they served and lived in a distress message which by the next morning on 30 May 1940 aboard the Cunard-White Star brought six vessels to her aid- three Royal Navy liner S.S. Antonia. In an anonymous three-ship Survivors from the British liner SS Athenia are brought http://wwwforposterityssake.ca/ convoy escorted by the Royal Navy battleship ashore from the Norwegian cargo ship MS Knute Nelson warships, two merchant ships, and a large steam at Galway, Ireland. Credit: Hulton Archive yacht. In all, 1,306 souls were rescued- 1,009 HMS Revenge, Antonia and the fast troopship

20 Action Stations! Fall 2017 Action Stations! Fall 2017 21 Visit to HMCS Sackville by Bev Lundahl Sackville three times and climbed up and down HMCS QUESNEL On 13 Sep 1942, HMCS Quesnel, in company throughout the interior. Especially interesting for with HMC Ships Timmins, Dundas, Edmundston In 2004 my dad and I, us was the engine room where Dad had worked, and New Westminster departed for Halifax via the in his Care Home, spent and the tiller flats. The tiller flats were where the Panama Canal. Quesnel was initially assigned to an afternoon leafing sailors back in 1942 had hidden the thunderbird Western Local Escort Force until June 1944. Dur- through his war memo- when they first scrambled aboard the Quesnel ing this period she underwent a refit, including rabilia and reminisc- with it at Alert Bay B.C. foc’sle-extension, at Pictou. In June 1944 Quesnel ing. My curiosity was joined Quebec Force and spent five months es- piqued when I noticed a corting Labrador-Quebec convoys. In November picture of the thunder- 1944 she was transferred to Halifax Force, going bird mascot of HMCS to Sydney for refit and, on completion late in Quesnel, the ship where Jan 1945, to Bermuda for workups. She resumed he had served as an escort duty late in Mar 1945 until the end of the Engine Room Artificer,. war. While escorting her final convoy, HX-335, Where did they get this Quesnel alongside in Sorel after being paid off. Of note is HMCS Quesnel rescued 17 of the crew from the that the thunderbird is already missing from her mast. damaged Esso Pittsburg after VE Day, on 12 May CTB000839 thunderbird totem that Len Edward Lundahl had perched up in the A Flower-Class Corvette, she was named for the 1945, arriving at Halifax on 25 May 1945. On 07 mast of the ship for town of Quesnel, BC, built by Victoria Machinery Jun 1945, she landed her ammunition at Shel- the duration of the war? That moment was the Deport Co., Ltd, Victoria, BC and commissioned burne, NS and two days later arrived at Sydney, beginning of a fifteen year quest to ferret out the 23 May 1941 at Esquimalt. Her war was typical NS to de-store. Quesnel then proceeded to Sorel, story behind the thunderbird. I didn’t know it of many Canadian corvettes. After her “shake Quebec where she was paid off on 03 Jul 1945, then, but this search would eventually culminate Bev Lundahl (R) and her sister Carol Turcanik on their down” cruise to Prince Rupert in June 1941, the sold to the United Steel and Metal Company, in a book to be published in 2018. The search has recent visit which included at tour of the Engine Room. remainder of the year was spent performing Hamilton, Ont., and was broken-up there in 1946. taken me across Canada – to Vancouver Island We were privileged to have lunch aboard the various duties such as ASW training, towing During her time escorting convoys in the Atlan- and Alert Bay, to the war museum in Ontario Sackville with Captain Jim Reddy and others in gunnery targets and providing sea training to tic, HMCS Quesnel participated in 48 convoys. and to Halifax to visit the Sackville. Along the the Trustees’ Mess and to attend the Convoy Cup junior officers from Royal Roads. Shortly after the way I was able to meet with some veterans of the event the next day. This visit to Halifax and the attack on Pearl Harbor, Quesnel was part of the Editor’s note: Quesnel and the people of the Kwakwaka’wkaw Sackville has become part of my upcoming book, rounding-up of Japanese fishing vessels on the First Nation on Vancouver Island to whom the Thunderbird, the Quesnel and the Sea. west coast of Vancouver Island. She also acted as Upon her return to Saskatchewan, Bev visited thunderbird had originally belonged. a tender to the battleship HMS Warspite, which Trustee and Battle of the Atlantic Veteran Don That day back in 2004 Dad also showed me the had been repaired at the Bremerton Navy Yard in Bowman, who at one time was her neighbour in program he had saved from the December 1945 Washington, after being heavily damaged dur- Regina. ``He laughed when I told him we had to reception held in Macoun, SK for the 70 veter- ing the Battle for Crete in the Mediterranean and go all the way to Halifax to find out he was in the ans who had returned home from the war. My conducted trials and workups in the Esquimalt Wascana. ” Don, the author of My Battle of the grade 12 graduating class of 1964 was planning a area prior to returning to the Mediterranean. She Atlantic, served in HMCS Edmunston during the 40 year class reunion in Macoun that same sum- also provided protection to individual ships from war. mer of 2004, where I shared this program with US ports to Alaska, such as to the transport RMS my fellow classmates and others in the commu- Queen Elizabeth while she waited off Esquimalt nity. One of them, Mary Rose Boyer, a history for ideal tidal conditions to be dry-docked in buff was so intrigued with this program that she Feb 1942. Returning to Esquimalt on 20 Jun 1942, initiated a class project to have all the Macoun she intercepted a message requiring immediate veterans’ names engraved on a memorial cairn. It assistance for the Fort Camosun, torpedoed by a was installed in Macoun and the dedication took Japanese submarine, about 70 miles south-west place in 2008. of cape Flattery. Several Canadian and US ships responded but Quesnel was first on the scene. On Dad also explained to me that day that the last re- Every Remembrance Day now I am with my late approaching Fort Camosun, HMCS Quesnel picked maining corvette was HMCS Sackville in Halifax father (1921-2010) on the Quesnel, a memory that up a contact and delivered a depth charge attack: harbour. It wasn’t until 2017 that my sister and my visit to the Sackville has reinforced. And I visible results were negative and contact was not I finally made the journey from Regina, Sas- remember Mary Rose Boyer (1946-2012), whose regained. The entire crew of Fort Camosun, 51 katchewan to Halifax to experience firsthand the enthusiasm for honouring our veterans spurred men, were rescued by HMCS Quesnel. With the conditions under which Dad had worked during me on to further explore my dad’s story, a small assistance of two other corvettes, Fort Camosun World War II; and to see the second home of the slice of WW II history that has grown to be a was brought to anchor in Neah Bay for pumping thunderbird. That week in Halifax, we boarded broader Canadian story. out before eventually making it to Esquimalt for repairs. 22 Action Stations! Fall 2017 Action Stations! Fall 2017 23 NAMESAKE SHIPS by Doug Thomas manning depot in London, Plymouth and Scot- land during World War II – primarily for admin- istrative support for personnel on loan to RN or training in UK such as for Combined Operations stood up for the Landings at Normandy and locations in Italy, France, and Greece. By the end of the war, 503 Wrens (WRCNS: Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service) were serving in HMCS Niobe).

Vice-Admiral Nelles was in London for the last half of 1944 and until retirement in January 1945 as SCFO (O) (Senior Canadian Flag Officer (Over- gent of 107 Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve seas): a position with no power or influence)for a sailors to complete her complement. time after being relieved of his position as Chief of Naval Staff (CNS, 1934-1944) in Ottawa. After returning to operational status, Niobe patrolled the Gulf of St. Lawrence, escorted the As the first large ship in the Royal Canadian Niobe at Daybreak - Peter Rindisbacher Royal Canadian Regiment to Bermuda for garri- Navy, Niobe’s name has considerable symbolic son duties, and then joined the Royal Navy’s 4th importance in the Canadian navy, being used Cruiser Squadron on the North Atlantic and West among other things as the title of a series of Indies Station. She was engaged in intercepting scholarly papers. Models and collections of arti- German ships along the American coast until July facts of Niobe can be found at several Canadian HMCS NIOBE – PROTECTED CRUISER Navy arose and prevented the ships from leaving 1915. As the patrol work continued Niobe began museums including the Maritime Museum of the AND UK MANNING DEPOT coastal waters until the matter was settled. This to wear out. Her final patrol was 4–17 July 1915, Atlantic, and the Naval Museum of Halifax in initially limited Niobe to training duties in Hali- after which the cruiser returned to Halifax. Her Stadacona which devotes a room to Niobe. There fax and prevented her from making a tour of the is also a Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps located This issue’s namesake ship is HMCS Niobe, the funnels were found to be rapidly deteriorating, Caribbean Sea. her boilers were worn and her bulkheads were in in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia that carries her name 11,000 ton cruiser which arrived in Halifax on as RCSCC 62 NIOBE. Trafalgar Day, 1910; and HMCS Niobe, the shore poor shape. As a result, Niobe was paid off on 6 After departing on a training cruise, Niobe ran establishment in the UK during World War II. September 1915 to become a depot ship in Hali- aground in fog off Cape Sable, Nova Scotia, on On 14 October 2014, an anchor believed to have After a series of negotiations between Canada fax Dockyard. the night of 30–31 July 1911. Damage control belonged to Niobe was unearthed at HMC Dock- and the Admiralty over the composition of the saved the ship. The repairs took six months, yard in Halifax. The particular anchor, and the lo- newly formed Canadian Navy, the protected On 6 December 1917, the ammunition ship SS completing in January 1912 and she had a per- cation it was discovered, is consistent with being cruiser (armour protection over vital spaces, such Mont-Blanc was rammed by the SS Imo in the manently reduced maximum speed as a result. from Niobe. The anchor is believed to be one of as machinery) HMS Niobe was acquired to form Narrows of Halifax Harbour, causing Mont-Blanc The resulting court martial found that the navi- her three bow anchors used to secure her in her the nucleus of the east coast fleet – her main at- to catch fire. Laden with huge quantities of ex- gating officer had not been on the bridge when new position following the Halifax Explosion. tribute was size, enabling her accommodate and plosives, the ship was abandoned by her crew he should have been, and also found the captain On 17 October 2014, it was announced that 21 Oc- train many junior officers and men. The newly and left to drift through the harbour. Niobe was negligent in not ensuring his officers were per- tober will be recognized annually as “Niobe Day” renamed HMCS Niobe was transferred to Canada laid up in harbour at the time and the alarm forming their duties properly. was raised aboard the ship once the danger was to commemorate the ship’s arrival in Halifax in on 6 September 1910, after commissioning at 1910. Devonport Dockyard. Before departing Great known. Warrant Officer Albert Mattison and six Having been laid up after repair, Niobe’s condi- Britain, Niobe and the smaller cruiser Rainbow men sailed to Mont-Blanc in Niobe’s steam pin- tion gradually deteriorated. She was effectively were modified in order to meet the requirement nace and boarded the ammunition ship in an ef- rotting at her berth in 1913. However, with the of training vessels for the embryonic Canadian fort to scuttle her. However, while the group was outbreak of war, she was ordered to be brought navy. This required the installation of new heat- boarding, Mont-Blanc exploded, killing the seven up to an acceptable state of readiness for combat ing systems, an up-to-date galley and the latest men instantly.The explosion caused serious dam- purposes. This was difficult as her crew had been in Marconi wireless radio. age to Niobe’s upper works, and the deaths of sent west when she was laid up. In order to fill several of her crew. Niobe remained in use as a out its crew, the sloops Shearwater and Algerine, Niobe reached Halifax, Nova Scotia on 21 October depot ship until disposed of in 1920, and sold for which had passed into Canadian control, were 1910, her entry into the harbour timed to coin- scrap. She was broken up in 1922 in Philadelphia. paid off at Esquimalt, BC and their crews sent to cide with Trafalgar Day. After commissioning, Halifax. In September 1914, Niobe travelled to the the status of the new Canadian vessels and their HMCS Niobe – Headquarters for Senior Canadian Dominion of Newfoundland to pick up a contin- ability to operate independently of the Royal Naval Representative in the UK, and Canadian 24 Action Stations! Fall 2017 Action Stations! Fall 2017 25 75th ANNIVERSARY of the CROW’S NEST by Lieutenant Commander ret’d Margaret Morris remaining pennant from HMCS Sarnia - the sister ship of the ill fated HMCS Esquimalt, lost in the It was literally a dark & stormy night when the The Crow’s Nest was probably intended to oper- Halifax Approaches on 16 April 1945. Esquimalt Sea-Going Officers’ Club (now known as the ate for the duration of the war only. However, was the last Canadian warship lost during the Crow’s Nest) first opened. The Evening Tele- the Outerbridge family demonstrated their gen- Battle of the Atlantic. Lou was Mentioned in gram, the local newspaper, reported on the erosity a second time when they donated the Despatches for his efforts that day. implementation of black-out regulations and the space again in the establishment of a post-war, treacherous weather on that icy evening in Janu- all-services officers’ club. Perhaps Sir Leonard In addition to Lou was Arthur Barrett, from St. ary 1942. realized that mutual support amongst veterans John’s who flew bombers with 420 Squadron after the fight is as important as the mutual sup- over Germany; Sam Huntington from Cambridge It was Rollo Mainguy, Captain (D) at the time, port during the fight. If so, he too was ahead of Ontario, a Bridge Watch keeper on Minesweepers who had the vision for the Crow’s Nest. He his time. and Bob Watkins who joined the Navy at the age had determined that, for the convoy system to of 18 and was one of those famous prairie sailors. work more effectively, the sea-going officers of The island of Newfoundland was of huge strate- Also attending were RMC naval cadets Monika the Allied navies and the merchant fleets had to gic importance during WWII. The iron ore mines Pinto Lee and Gavin Ormand splendid in a uni- have trust and confidence in each other. Long of Bell Island were among the richest in the form that is not often seen in St. John’s. before MBAs and Human Relations specialists world, we had the largest sea-plane base in the Commander Steve Archer, Commanding Office of HMCS were around to tell us how to run a workplace, world in Botwood and the largest airport in the Coincidentally this dinner was held on Trafalgar world at Gander. International communications Toronto presents memento to Margaret Morris to add to Mainguy understood the importance of personal Day, a special day for the RN, not so much for Crow’s Nest collection of head dress. relationships in getting the job done. was largely by undersea cable and many of the the French & Spanish navies. It was also Niobe trans-Atlantic cables landed in Newfoundland. If Night for the RCN. This year is Canada 150 and Hitler had gotten a toe-hold on Newfoundland, we are all grateful for this great nation of ours. he would have had an incredible position to However, instead of these occasions, I would like launch an attack on the rest of North America. to remind you all of a dark time in Newfound- land history. This fact was quickly realized by both Canada and the United States. The “friendly invasion” of On Sept 4th, 1942, U-boats conducted a bold, military personnel from both countries soon fol- daylight attack on ships at anchor off Bell Is- lowed. Among the many bases and military in- land, sinking two ore carriers. On Oct 14th, the stallations rapidly constructed was Fort Pepperell Sydney-Port Aux Basques ferry, the Caribou, was which was located on this very site. There was torpedoed and sunk - resulting in a heavy loss also US Naval Station Argentia, located about 90 of life. On Nov 2nd, two more ships were lost at minutes from St. John’s. Bell Island. On Dec 12th, 1942, there was a sus- picious fire at the Knights of Columbus hostel. Captain E.R. Mainguy, (Captain D - In command of all On October 21 we celebrated the 75th Anniver- Escort Forces operating from St. John’s) in the Crow’s Nest, In all of these events, over 300 people lost their Michael Hoare, London Ontario, King Wan, Vancouver, Sept 1942. Photo: Lt Gerald M. Moses, LAC, PA-204634 sary of the Crow’s Nest with a well-attended lives: military personnel from all services, mer- BC and past Commanding Officer, HMCS Sackville Sherry Richardson sharing a glass at the dinner. mess dinner held in the Paddon Building, CFS St. chant navy personnel, civilian men, women and Equally important, long before PTSD was recog- John’s. children. nized as a legitimate condition, he understood the value of having a safe secure environment where We were especially pleased to host Sackville’s The Navy was heavily criticized, especially after people who have had a difficult experience can Captain, Jim Reddy who brought greetings to our the daylight attacks on Bell Island. However, talk it out with their peers. Again, Mainguy was dinner from Canada’s Naval Memorial in Hali- what the Canadian Navy accomplished during ahead of his time. fax. WWII was remarkable. It went from about 3000 personnel and a dozen ships in 1939 to 100,000 Colonel Sir Leonard Outerbridge (knighted Among our guests we were honoured to include men and women and 400 ships in the space of six in 1946 and later Lieutenant-Governor of four WWII veterans. Lou Howard made ten port years. That is essentially doubling in size every Newfoundland) and his good wife Dorothy also visits to St. John’s in the latter part of the war as year! Imagine a large high school or a small are an important part of the founding of the an officer on board HMCSSarnia, but he never college of 3000 students. Then make it 6000 one wartime Crow’s Nest. Sir Leonard agreed with once got to the Crow’s Nest! He was the young- year later, then 12000, 24000, 48000 and suddenly Captain (D) Mainguy on the need for the Club est officer on board and he was also the only one 96000! Imagine building classrooms, hiring staff and donated the space. In a busy and over- that was married, so he was on duty every time. and teaching all at the same time. The war- L-R: Vancouver attendees Ron Harrison, Brian Cook and crowded war-time city, space was at a premium. John MacLean admiring the Crow’s Nest gunshield art He visited St. John’s last summer with his wife time RCN did something much more complex: Making the loft of a warehouse available was uniquely produced by wartime artists for the collection. Hyacinthe and he finally saw the Club! Dur- building ships, training and crewing ships - and very generous indeed. ing dinner Lou presented the Club with the last fighting a war! 26 Action Stations! Fall 2017 Action Stations! Fall 2017 27 TOURING SACKVILLE’S ENGINE ROOM by Sandy McClearn, P.Eng., PMP Looking aft from the port side. The ladder seen in the Looking forward and to port, the condenser is in the generator photo can be seen to the left of the image. foreground. The pipes feeding into the top of the con- Unlike today, where ships are typically powered black catwalk, which brings you to the level of The light grey object to the bottom right of the image denser come from the two cylinders on each end of the by diesel or gas turbines, steam was the order of the cylinder heads and the original diesel genera- is the condenser. The catwalk at the rear of the photo is engine. Steam driven bilge pumps are in the back- the day during the Second World War. Destroy- tor and main switchboard. Below that, Level 1 is from where visitors view the engine room, as the rest ground. I was standing on a Level 2 catwalk for this ers, cruisers, and battleships built during that down beside the crank shaft and connecting rods. of the space is not currently open to the general public. photo, looking down into Level 1. time were fitted with steam turbines to provide To the left, the curved Aiton bend in the main steam better efficiency and higher speeds. Steam tur- Level 2 supply line from the boiler to the main engine allowed Level 1 bines are more expensive and are best fitted with for expansion in the line and prevented stressing at gearboxes, so when it came time for emergency the engine and steam throttle valve. Just out of view, war-built convoy escorts - the Flower class cor- at the bottom of the Aiton bend, is the main steam vette, for instance - the Royal Navy decided to isolation valve. go with simple, reliable, triple expansion recip- rocating steam engines. The last of this particular Steam engines are “external combustion” en- powerplant in existence (of which I am aware) is gines, where the energy comes from an external the one in HMCS Sackville. source – in this case, the boilers. A triple expan- sion steam engine is a compound engine, in Since my last visit in 2005, the condition of the which steam is exhausted “…in to successively engine room interior deteriorated somewhat. Pat larger cylinders to accommodate the higher Devenish, CNMT trustee and former East Coast volumes at reduced pressures, giving improved Fleet Chief ERA, has therefore led a clean-up ef- efficiency.”1 Each stage was called an expan- fort to return the engine room to its former glory. sion, hence the name. The steam is first fed to An original diesel generator, starboard side aft. The Looking aft along the starboard side of the engine, the Pat was kind enough to walk me through the en- the smallest cylinder in the middle of the steam main switchboard is behind and to the right. The lad- throttle handwheel is in the left foreground. gine room in October 2017 so I could get a fresh der descends from the catwalk over the aft end of the engine, and then passes to the mid-sized cylin- set of photos for my records. engine room. The genset's radiator is to the left of the der, followed by the two larger cylinders on the photo, the alternator to the right. ends (losing pressure through each stage). While a triple-expansion steam engine only needs three The diesel generator provided electrical power cylinders, the final cylinder would have been too for lights and other equipment requiring electric- large for this installation, and therefore it was ity, like radios and ASDIC (sonar). Diesel genera- split into two cylinders and Sackville's engine has tors are still the method of choice for providing a total of four cylinders. Once the steam leaves backup electrical power for modern facilities, the last two cylinders, it passes through the con- with hospitals and sewage pumping stations as denser which returns the steam to a liquid state, only two examples. after which it returns to the boiler via some feed pumps, a feed-water heater, and a de-aerating It is doubtful the electrical switchboard would tank. meet modern safety standards, and the crew would have had to operate it in lively sea states Ever wonder why railways were once littered with water towers? Many steam railway locomo- Looking forward and to port, the engine cylinder in a type of ship that was itself known to be quite tives didn't have condensers, and needed to refill tops reside under the grey covers. The red objects are lively, and to "roll on wet grass". their tanks. pressure relief valves and upper valve rod guides. Piston heads can be seen on the port wall over the engine, giving an idea of the cylinder diameters. The blue plaque would not have been seen here during the war, but is currently fitted within the engine rooms of HMC Ships.Just below and to the left of the blue plaque, the grey object is the main steam chest and throttle valve. The hatchway in the background leads to a space over No. 2 boiler.

The engine room has what I will refer to as three levels, the highest being the catwalk from which Closeup of the connection between the piston rod the above photo was taken. Level 2 is on the above, the connecting rod, and the crank shaft below.

28 Action Stations! Fall 2017 Action Stations! Fall 2017 29 Where steam once powered the engine to turn Apart from a mild rounding, rivets are supposed the propeller shaft, Sackville's propeller shaft is to be flush with the inside of the hull plating, currently fitted with a hydraulic motor that when and these rivets are somewhat proud of the plate activated, turns the shaft and allows the engine to – suggesting erosion of the plating. Eventually, operate so that visitors can see it turn over. the plate will thin to the point that it is no longer structurally sound, assuming some of it isn't al- ready there. The necessary maintenance is tenta- tively scheduled for the winter of 2017/2018, but funding has not been finalized.

In the writing of this article, I owe much to the kindness of Pat Devenish, as well as Ian Urqu- hart, Neil Goodwill, and Keith Allen – the latter trio proof read and contributed to my original article on the Haze Gray and Underway website (http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/canada/ systems/propulsion/Sackville/ ). All errors are my own.

Adjacent to the throttle handwheel is the engine room 100th Anniversary telegraph, which relayed orders from the wheelhouse. Halifax Explosion Memorial Service December 6, 2017 Corvettes didn't exactly provide direct throttle control from the bridge to the engine room. Fort Needham Memorial Park, Throttle settings and helm directions were re- 3340 Union Street, Halifax layed to the wheelhouse via voice pipes, one Ten years later, I was present to see Charlie's ashes piped over the side of HMCS Halifax off for each purpose (there was a voice pipe for the 8:45 am helmsman, one for the telegraph operator, and Point Pleasant Park. Looking forward along the starboard side of the en- one for the throttle operator). While the helms- gine. There was not a lot of elbow room here. man turned the wheel based on the directions from the bridge, another crewman listening to a The Halifax and Regiojal Municipality’s separate voice pipe relayed throttle directions to 100th Anniversary of the Halifax Explo- the engine room via the wheelhouse telegraph, sion official commemoration ceremony will which in turn was registered on the engine room be held at the recently reconstructed Fort telegraph in the photo above. With no less than 3 Needham Memorial Park which overlooks crew members involved in this chain, everyone the former neighbourhood of Richmond – had to be alert to ensure that throttle commands an area virtually flattened by the explosion. were relayed and obeyed in good order. Presum- The event will be on December 6, 2017 at ably this made coming alongside the jetty even 8:45 am. more exciting than it is today. The 100th Anniversary Memorial Service Looking through my older set of photos, I see will follow the annual event program that the last time I stood in this particular loca- with additional guest speakers and spe- tion, I was the guest of former stoker Charles cial guests. Music will be provided by the Dunbar. Charlie served in corvettes during the Royal Canadian Navy Stadacona Band and Second World War, and later went on to work for the event will take place in the new Memo- Foundation Maritime, where he joined Founda- rial Plaza in the Park. tion Josephine in 1947. A closeup of the reversing engine, with the throttle handwheel to the right. The throttle handwheel con- For updates on local events see: Charlie Dunbar in the engine room in 2005, https://100years100stories.ca/ trols a valve at the base of the Aiton bend that regu- standing in front of the same electrical distribu- lates the supply of steam to the engine. tion panel as the photo on the next page. The ashes of Charlie Dunbar are piped over the side of HMCS Halifax.

30 Action Stations! Fall 2017 Action Stations! Fall 2017 31 The wounded were lowered into a boat, sion flattened many buildings in the north end of CORVETTES by Ted Letreille Others were placed in a Carley float, Book Review the city, which then caught fire from their coal- Some dived in to swim to our side, by Doug Thomas and wood-stoves. To add insult to injury, a major Come all you boys come into the pub, Many made it; others died. 6•12•17: The Halifax snowstorm hit the area the next day and many I’ll tell you how, we sank the sub, Explosion, homeless people sought. Before one line, you ever hear, They were brought to the Sick-Bay, by John Boileau, Set up four quarts of Molson’s beer. To be treated by our “Doc”, HMCS Niobe, the elderly cruiser being employed None were badly wounded, MacIntyre Purcell Publishing, as a depot ship in the north end of the Dockyard, We were only a short way out of Algiers, But all were suffering from shock. Inc., Lunenburg, NS 2017. received serious damage from the blast. Some of The sea was calm, and the sky was clear, Many colour and B&W il- her ship’s company were killed, including the A better setting could ne’er been laid, After a change of clothing, lustrations and bibliography. 7-man crew of her steam pinnace which had been For a sub-attack or a bombing raid. And a cup of tea, Hard cover 9” x 12”, 106 sent to help put out the fire onboard Mont-Blanc. You’d never have thought, pages, $35.95 Similarly, a whaler from the cruiser HMS High- We knew they were waiting down the line, They had been in the ice-cold sea. flyer on a similar mission was lost with all but one A plane, a sub, or a floating mine; John Boileau, a retired of her crew. My mate remarked as he passed his pack, Our boys were still aboard the sub, Army Colonel and ardent amateur historian, Don’t be surprised, if you hear Ack-Ack. They tried their best to keep her above. has written many books – most with a Halifax 6-12-17 has a great deal of information about Their efforts were futile;it was no use, connection. This book describes the Halifax many aspects of the Explosion: the contribution I scarcely had time to light my smoke, Her hull had taken too much abuse. Explosion of 1917: the largest man-made explo- of the many soldiers and sailors who helped to When the Action bell, its warning spoke, sion before the atomic bombs dropped in Japan alleviate suffering, searched for survivors, set up Then over the pipe came the oilers yell, They waited too long to take their leave, in 1945 to end the Second World War. This is a emergency housing and rendered medical as- “Full ahead boys; give her hell.” As the bow took a dive and the stern a heave, very timely book, with many commemorations sistance. Halifax was a major staging point for She started down on her last long dive, planned for the coming months to mark the cen- transportation of army units to Europe: among If you’ve never been down there it’s hard to They were lucky they all got off alive. tennial of a seminal event in the history of Hali- the 5000 soldiers in Halifax on that fateful day know, fax, and the nation. were 600 medical personnel along with military Of the crash and roar when the depth charges go You must admit she’d have been a prize, treatment facilities which made a huge contribu- Over the side and off the stern To be brought in by a ship our size, Boileau sets the scene with a brief history of Hali- tion in the immediate aftermath. Sailors from the You feel her list as she makes the turn. But after all, who are we to say, fax and what it was like to live in those times, British, American and Canadian ships in harbour We may get a chance some other day. and then describes the events leading up to the participated as well, although Canadian sailors The deck plates bounce, the gauge glasses blow, fateful morning of 06 December 1917. The Brit- ashore were rightly most concerned with the Asbestos lugging comes down like snow; Let’s drink a toast to Canada’s fleet; ish Empire, which included Canada, was at war welfare of their own families, many of whom had We would like to see what goes on up top, We know it’s small, but hard to beat. with Germany and its Allies. By this stage of the suffered in the explosion and subsequent fire. Where would we be if our steam should drop? Her men, no doubt, you allhave met, war, the Canadian army was a seasoned, well- The ones who man our small corvettes. led force and had several recent and significant The book goes on to describe the relief commit- From up on deck, we hear the shout, victories under its belt: Vimy Ridge and Hill 70, “She’s come to the surface” the guns let out, near Lens, France. A stalemate between the war- Over the din the clatter and roar, ring armies on the Western Front would soon be Comes the heavy thunder of the B.L.4. broken with the infusion of fresh troops coming from the United States which had declared war Out on deck, they come on the run, in April 1917. Trying to reach their forward gun, With machine gun bullets they sprayed our side, There is a very good recounting of the events But again our Gunners opened wide. leading up to the explosion, including how an American vessel, the SS (Steam Ship) Clara, “Cease fire; came the Captain’s order, proceeding up the harbour enroute to the Basin “They’ve given up; prepare to board her.” on the wrong side, played a role in complicat- Over the side went the boarding crew, ing the movements of Imo and Mont-Blanc in the Each man knew what he had to do. Narrows. Maps, details of the vessels, statements of the participants, and discussion of the efforts As they smartly went aboard her, HMCS Ville de Québec Gets a Sub to move the damaged vessels and put out the George Arthur, wounded in the explosion, with nurse Not knowing what was in store, Painting by: Commander Thomas H. Beament flames are described in detail, as are the horrific Elizabeth Choate, A.C. Ratshesky and an unnamed man. They knew our Gunners wanted Canadian War Museum 10043 Photographer: Richard W. Sears, Boston. From the Papers events ashore. About 2000 people were killed by of Abraham C. Ratshesky, Jewish Heritage Center at New To give her plenty more. the explosion and 8000 were injured. The explo- England Historic Genealogical Society

32 Action Stations! Fall 2017 Action Stations! Fall 2017 33 tees, American aid, recovery of the dead and Robertson had previously distinguished himself burials, and housing construction including the in the 1943 incident described previously. Once Hydrostone district in north Halifax – now a again, after several days of hot and dangerous highly sought location for young professionals. work, the fire was extinguished. There was only The Inquiry into what caused the accident, and one casualty, a sailor who first spotted the fire.

There is one vessel still afloat that survived the explosion. That is the ex-Hydrographic Service and CGS (Coast Guard Ship) Acadia, commis- sioned into the Royal Canadian Navy in both World Wars and now part of the Maritime Muse- um of the Atlantic. On 06 December 1917, HMCS Acadia was acting as the Bedford Basin Guard Ship, and she was located on the east side of the Harbour near the entrance to Bedford Basin. Acadia received minor damage – there were no injuries or fatalities. Every year on the 6th of De- cember, Acadia hoists the same signal flags that she flew on the day of the explosion.

This is a very attractive book: it is colourful in The Relief Fund from Massachusetts contributed $750,000 spite of the many black and white photos, with in goods, furniture and assistance. Photo: Nova Scotia large clear images – some in sepia tones; co- Archives, Halifax NS (negative: N-7012) loured maps and paintings, and side-bar snippets the subsequent trials of three individuals: the sur- which provide details about some of the people viving captain and pilot of the Mont-Blanc, and involved in the accident and afterwards in the re- the Navy’s King’s Harbour-Master Commander covery of survivors and bodies, and the rebuild- Evan Wyatt, will be of interest to the reader. ing of the area of devastation near the Narrows.

There was definitely a concerted attempt by au- Although the Halifax Explosion and its aftermath thorities to find scapegoats and the pilot Francis were dark days in Halifax’s history, there were Mackey and Cdr. Evan Wyatt bore the brunt of it. many note-worthy incidents of bravery and kind- The captain of Mont-Blanc was back at sea and in ness which are well-worth remembering. command by the summer after the conclusion of legal proceedings. Editor’s Note: Following the publication of John’s John Boileau also relates events in and around book he came across this passage from the Book of Revelation: 6: 12–17. the harbour during World War II. Again thou- sands of ships loaded with explosives and muni- “12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There tions assembled in Halifax awaiting convoys to was a great earthquake. The sun turned black the UK. Inevitably there were problems: a ship like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and the stars in the sky fell with an explosive cargo caught fire in 1942 and to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken another in 1943. On both occasions, RCN per- by a strong wind. 14 The heavens receded like sonnel successfully intervened and catastrophe a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and was averted. Later, two months after the war in island was removed from its place. 15 Then the Europe ended, ammunition stacked on a barge kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave at the naval magazine on the shores of Bedford and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the Basin caught fire and started to explode. The fire mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and quickly spread, and there were many who feared the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face a repetition of the 1917 disaster. Evacuation of of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their wrath exposed areas took place, and a fire-fighting team has come, and who can withstand it?” formed under the leadership of Commander Owen Robertson, the King’s Harbour Master.

34 Action Stations! Fall 2017 Action Stations! Fall 2017 35 36 Action Stations! Fall 2017