HMCS BELLECHASSE J170

Bangor Class Minesweeper

Jacket Patch

Click on the above photo to view a larger image

Laid down: 16 Apr 1941

Launched: 20 Oct 1941

Commissioned: 13 Dec 1941

Paid off: 23 Oct 1945

Fate: Sold in 1946. Final disposition unknown

Named for a county in Quebec, BELLECHASSE was built at Vancouver and commissioned there 23 Dec 1941. She spent her entire career on the west coast, alternating between Prince Rupert Force and Esquimalt Force. Paid off on 23 Oct 1945, at Esquimalt, she was sold the following year to the Union Steamship Co., Vancouver, but her intended conversion for mercantile service was not carried out.

Photos and Documents Ship's company photos The Ship's Bell

The Bellechase Incident - US Coast Guard Lightship Sailors Association

Commanding Officers

Lt Harold Heap Rankin, RCNR - 13 Dec 1941 - 02 May 1943

Lt Roland Joel Roberts, RCNR - 03 May 1943 - 16 Dec 1943

Lt Harold Heap Rankin, RCNR - 17 Dec 1943 - 05 Jan 1944

LCdr Walter Redford, RCNR - 06 Jan 1944 - 22 Mar 1945

LCdr John S. Cunningham, RCNVR - 23 Mar 1945 - 17 Apr 1945

Lt John Montye MacRae, RCNVR - 18 Apr 1945 - 24 Aug 1945

In memory of those who have crossed the bar

They shall not be forgotten

Stanbrook, Wilfred T.

Thomas, John C.D.

Turner, Kavel L.

Van Delinder, Thomas J.

Watt, Thomas

Former Crew Members

Allan, "Margaret"

Bailey, Bernard

Carmichael, Herbert Angus, SLt, RCNVR - 01 Apr 1943

Crawford, George Lyndon, Lt, RCNVR - 01 Mar 1943 / 09 Apr 1944

Cruickshank, Jean

Dempster, Wilfred John, SLt, RCNVR - 02 Apr 1945

Edwards, "Annie"

Edwards, Bill

Fleetwood, Pat

Gibson, Walter James, Skpr, RCNR - Jan 1944

Hulby, "Doreen"

Johnston, Kenneth Marsden, A/Lt, RCNVR - 10 May 1944

Kelly, Hugh C., RCNVR

Kendall, Jack

Langston, Ray

Laing, Gordon

Lefebvre, Pierre Adophe, Lt, RCNVR - 05 Jun 1944

Mackintosh, James Francis, A/Wt (E), RCN - 13 Mar 1944

Magnussen, Robert George, Lt, RCNVR - 22 Mar 1943

McMillan, "Amy"

Muir, Robert, Lt, RCNVR - 09 Apr 1944

Porter, Gordon Lewis, Lt, RCNVR - Jan 1944

Reber, Roy

Risler, Bill

Robertson, John Ralph, Lt, RCNVR - 01 Mar 1943

Scott, Geoffrey Newton Beresford, Lt, RCNVR - 01 Apr 1942

Soweby, Paul Quinton Roger, Lt, RCNVR - Jan 1945

Stanbridge, Thomas Montague, Skpr, RCNR - 20 Apr 1945

Stevens, John Clement, SLt (E), RCNVR - Jan 1945

Stevens, John Stewart, Lt, RCNVR - 06 Apr 1943

Thompson, "Audrie"

Wallace, "Margaret"

Photos and Documents

Ship's bell for HMCS BELLECHASSE J170

The bell is on display at NLCC Landymore/RCSCC Nelles in Brandford, ON.

Courtesy of Dale Robinson

Sailors on HMCS BELLECHASSE J170

Written on back of photo:

To George, From the Gang: Margaret Wallace, Jean Cruickshank, Doreen Hulby, Amy McMillan, Margaret Allan, Annie Edwards, Bill Risler, Audrie Thompson, Pat Fleetwood, Jack Kendall, Roy Reber, Gordon Laing, Bernard Bailey, Bill Edwards, Ray Langston

From the collection of George Crewe

Courtesy of Catherine Crewe

Front row: front, 1st on left, LR3c William Koruna