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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
GOURDEAU, Jean Claude - Claude passed away peacefully on September 13 with his only son Denis and daughter-in-law Julie by his side. Claude was known by many to have a strong character. He had a unique wit about him. He was known for his work ethic and story telling. He also had a talent for woodworking. Claude was born in Quebec City. He is predeceased by sister Claire, brothers Fernand and Denis, and loving wife Liesel. Claude was a WWII Merchant Navy veteran serving in the Battle of the Atlantic. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy after the war and volunteered for the Silent Service and was posted to the Royal Navy Submarines. His final career he rose to the rank of Chief Engineer, Canadian Coast Guard and Superintendent of AIDS to Navigation, on Canada's west coast. Claude leaves behind his son Denis Karl and daughter-in-law Julie of High River, AB and granddaughters Karla (Calgary) and Jenna (Toronto). "Of all the branches of men in the Forces, there is none which shows more devotion and faces grimmer perils than the Submariner." - Sir Winston Churchill. Special thanks to the wonderful care and attention from the staff at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital over the years and especially the PCU. We wish to give heartfelt thanks to Dr. Peter Innes for his never ending support and superior care for Claude and Liesel over many years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Royal Canadian Legion, Esquimalt Dockyard Branch 172. (Victoria Times Colonist 26 Sep 2020)
Ships served in: HMS/m SOLENT - 1954-1955 HMS/m SIDON - 1955. Claude survived the sinking of HMS SIDON HMS/m SCORCHER - 1955-1956 HMS/m SOLENE - 1956-1957
Historical note: The sinking of HMS SIDON
On the morning of 16 June 1955, Sidon was moored alongside the depot ship HMS Maidstone in Portland Harbour. Two 21-inch (533 mm) Mark 12 high test peroxide-powered torpedoes, code-named "Fancy", had been loaded aboard for testing. Fifty-six officers and crewmen were aboard.
At 08:25, an explosion in one of the "Fancy" torpedoes (but not the warhead) burst the number-three torpedo tube into which it had been loaded and ruptured the two forward-most watertight bulkheads. Fire, toxic gases, and smoke accompanied the blast. Twelve men in the forward compartments died instantly and seven others were seriously injured.
The submarine started to settle by the bows with a list to starboard, and her commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Verry, ordered the submarine evacuated from the engine room and aft escape hatches. Thanks to a rescue party from Maidstone, everyone not immediately killed escaped, except Maidstone's medical officer, Temporary Surgeon Lieutenant Charles Eric Rhodes. He had gone aboard with the rescue party, assisted several survivors, and suffocated because he was using a DSEA set that he had not been trained to use. At about 08:50 Sidon sank to the bottom of the harbour. On 1 November 1955 Rhodes was posthumously awarded the Albert Medal for putting his life in danger to save others.
One week later the wreck was raised and towed into a causeway on Chesil Beach. The bodies of the 13 casualties were removed and buried with full honours in the Portland Royal Naval Cemetery overlooking the harbour.
Sidon was re-floated, then sunk to act as an ASDIC target on 14 June 1957 at 50°32.780'N 02°38.400'W, off the coast of Chickerell in Dorset.
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