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HMCS BONAVENTURE
Majestic Class Aircraft Carrier
Battle honours: Lowestoff 1665, Four days Battle 1666, Orfordness 1666, Sole bay 1672 Schooneveld 1673, Texel 1673, Barfleur 1892, Malta Convoys 1941
Built by Harland & Wolff Ltd., Belfast, Ireland, she was originally laid down as HMS POWERFUL. Construction on her had been suspended in 1946, but was restarted on 15 Jul 1952 and she was renamed HMCS BONAVENTURE after the bird sanctuary in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Work on this ship had stopped three months after her launching in Feb 1945, with the result that when construction resumed in 1952, improvements could be built into her. The most notable of these was the angled flight deck, which provided a longer landing run without sacrificing forward parking space, and permitted the removal of the unpopular crash barrier. Also noteworthy were a steam catapult and a mirror landing sight, the latter going far toward eliminating human error in landing.
"Bonnie" was commissioned at Belfast on 17 Jan 1957, and arrived at Halifax on 26 Jun 1957, carrying on deck an experimental hydrofoil craft that was to serve in the development of HMCS BRAS D'OR. Unlike her predecessors, BONAVENTURE had Banshee jet fighters and Tracker A/S aircraft as her complement. Like them, she enjoyed a busy career of flying training and participating in A/S and tactical exercises with ships of other NATO nations.
In Nov/Dec 1959, during a 6-week deployment that included a NATO Exercise, HMCS BONAVENTURE, in company with HMCS ALGONQUIN, HMCS IROQUOIS, HMCS SIOUX and HMCS ATHABASKAN encounter a major storm that battered the squadron on their return to Halifax. One day out of Halifax, a tracker crashed into the sea shortly after take-off with a loss of all 4 crew. During the storm the elevator got pushed down by a wave. Personnel were sent to the hanger to push water towards the drains with anything they could get their hands on.
Four newspaper articles on the Nov/Dec 1959 deployment during which 5 RCN sailors died.
On 11 Jun 1963, a Tracker from 880 Squadron, while performing operational training several miles from the aircraft carrier, inadvertently flew too low allowing the port wingtip to strike the ocean below. The aircraft immediately and violently cart wheeled over the surface of the water. The co-pilot managed to escape through the shattered cockpit side window and one of the crewmen exited using his overhead hatch. Although SIKORSKY 55877 quickly recovered the two survivors from the water there was no trace of the remaining two crew members. A search continued throughout the morning but was unsuccessful. (Click here to read news article on the lost tracker)
In the summer of 1963, BONAVENTURE was conducting exercises in the North Atlantic with ATHABASKAN as her plane guard. One one occasion, while conducting a RAS with ATHABASKAN, the two ships collided. The BONAVENTURE received some minor damage, while ATHABASKAN'S was more serious.
The following write-up on the collision was submitted by Donald (Bud) Rose, RCN(R): In 1962 when ships of the Destroyer Escort Squadrons were being re-assigned, HMCS ATHABASKAN proceeded to Marine Industries Ltd. at Sorel Quebec. There she would undergo a major refit which was completed by midsummer 1963, but her radar system was not. ATHABASKAN was one of only two ships with this type Radar System, (Cayuga was the other) and any repairs had to be carried out at Portsmouth England. Following her work-ups, ATHABASKAN was assigned as "plane guard' for the aircraft carrier HMCS BONAVENTURE, exercising in the North Atlantic. From there, ATHABASKAN was to proceed to Portsmouth England for radar refitting. During a refueling operation in mid Atlantic, the two ships struck each other with the ATHABASKAN receiving serious damage.
Following the collision, HMCS BONAVENTURE proceeded to Invergordon, Scotland to the former WW II Royal Naval Base and ship refueling facility. While damage to the Carrier's Hull was minimal, her fuel supply was below the accepted permissible level. Invergordon, Scotland was the nearest docking facility capable of docking an air craft carrier. HMCS ATHABASKAN received considerably more damage to her super structure and communication aerials than the "Bonnie". Without the required fuel she was to receive from the Carrier, ATHABASKAN had to make way to the nearest port which could facilitate her requirements. This port was the shipyards of Hartland and Wolff in Belfast - Northern Ireland. Having received temporary repairs, HMCS ATHABASKAN proceeded on her mission which was the overhaul of her radar system at Portsmouth England - a service not available in Canada. Permanent repairs necessitated by the collision with HMCS BONAVENTURE at sea, would now be carried out at Portsmouth. (click here to view photos taken during the collision)
On 08 Aug 1963, during flash-up in preparation for sailing, HMCS BONAVENTURE suffered an explosion which damaged the funnel uptakes and the top of one of the boilers resulting in 6-weeks repairs. The following is from "The Bonnie" by J. Allan Snowie. Quoted by Captain R.W. Timbrell. Pages 165 &166 - In flashing up the boilers in preparation for sailing, the engineering staff, unfortunately, had allowed sufficient gases to get up the uptakes towards the funnel, and they failed to carry out the procedures to clear it. An explosion took place and a fair amount of damage was done. It was all contained within the uptakes, but we were delayed sailing. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the engine-room accident, but extensive damage had been done to the top of the boilers and the funnel uptakes. Repair work kept BONAVENTURE out of action for some six weeks and necessitated the withdrawal from Exercise "Unison" in United Kingdom waters."
In Oct 1963, BONAVENTURE, ALGONQUIN, CAYUGA, MICMAC and SASKATCHEWAN took part in a NATO exercise in which all participating ships were battered by a severe North Atlantic storm.
What was expected to be her mid-life-refit, carried out from 1966 to 1967, took 16 months and cost over 11 million.
On Thursday, 30 Nov 1967, while operating in the North Atlantic, Sea King 402 off HMCS BONAVENTURE, crashed into the Atlantic. While the two pilots were ejected on impact and survived, 2 air crew died. Click here to read more on the crash of Sea King CHSS-12402
On 16 Feb 1969 a Grumman Tracker stalled on take-off and crashed. The following is from Chuck MacDonald who was the Nav Yeoman onboard BONAVENTURE at the time: I was LS NavYeoman for LCdr Scott-Montcrief the Navigator and had been stood down early for lunch. BONAVENTURE, in company with other ships for Exercise Maple Spring '69, was operating out of Roosevelt Road PR and in transit to Wilmsted Curaçao. We had ongoing air operations with catapult launches scheduled for 1100 hrs. Coincidentally, rum ration began on the cable at the same time. While standing around savouring my Tot and chatting in the background we could hear the normal activity from the flight deck. Suddenly the catapult accelerated and crashed into the stops. The noise immediately got everyone’s attention toward the stop which had us looking at the bow only to see the undercarriage of a tracker appear. The engine noises from the Tracker had the distinctive wallowing sound of a stall and it was clear it wasn’t gaining altitude. At that point I dropped my tot mug over the side as I left the cable deck on the way to my emergency station on the bridge. While I was running the aircraft had landed upright on the sea surface only to be immediately run over by BONAVENTURE with impact right on the bow. By the time I reached the Command Platform the impact site was astern of us. Above the site of the impact was the rescue helicopter Pedro hovering at about 75 feet. The Rescue Diver had already jumped into the water and fortunately landed in close proximity to the pilot Lt(N) Jack Flanagan. The pilot had lost a portion of one lower leg and was bleeding profusely into shark infested waters. The diver took quick action applying a tourniquet, Pedro hoisted the pilot and delivered him to the waiting medical staff on the flight deck , in two and a half minutes. By this time a destroyer in company had launched rescue boat and I believe BONAVENTURE had as well. The remaining crew were all safely returned to BONAVENTURE with their flight suits adorned with rust red of boot topping. Many stories of how they saw the various parts of the hull impact them and most notably the propellers slowing down but they had not stopped. All crew members survived and Lt(N) Flanagan continue to serve as a pilot.
On 23 Oct 1969, while operating in European waters off England, HMCS BONAVENTURE'S crew came to the aid of HMCS KOOTENAY which has suffered a catastrophic gear box failure and explosion - flying over fire fighters, medical staff, equipment and evacuating casualties.
On 03 Dec 1969, during her paying-off cruise, the aviation fuel tanks (AVGAS) on HMCS BONAVENTURE were required to be emptied and cleaned. Tragically, one fuel tank did not vent properly, and the first two sailors who entered the fuel tank were overcome by deadly fumes. A second pair of sailors lost their lives during the rescue attempt.
Only 3 years after her mid-life refit, she was incomprehensibly paid off on 03 July 1970, and sold for scrap.
From the notes of Heinz Gohlish, Lt, RCN / C.A.F. ret'd - BONAVENTURE was removed from operational duties in Dec 1969 and her compliment was reduced to about 800 consisting of the Engineer Dept, Deck Dept, Supply Dept and a much reduced Operations and Air Department. With that, there was a brief further life as a supply ship during Maple Spring 1970 as PROVIDER was transferred to the West Coast and PROTECTEUR was delayed, and also as a heavy equipment transporter for two army exercises - to Jamaica (Nimrod Capers) and to Northern Norway (Arctic Express). Between January and April 1970, BONAVENTURE had significant sea time.
A brief word on the Deck Department over the last year: This was led by LCdr Jim Murwin (who was succeeded by Lcdr Jim Bowen and became BONAVENTURE'S last XO), a gentleman who directed with a light touch and a paternal manner. This was appropriate for the mainly young boatswains. The Petty Officers however were very experienced indeed, one of whom was a WWII veteran. They were led by the estimable CPO John Newton, the carrier's last Buffer. Overall, it was a great team.
BONAVENTURE was officially decommissioned on 3rd July 1970 with VAdm J.C. O'Brien presiding. For the final three months, BONAVENTURE was banished from Jetty 4 to Pier 8 and only the Deck Dept remained to prepare the ship for final disposal. This was actually hard work with much equipment being shifted, immobilized or made safe. It fell to Slt Richard Neveu to turn off the last light.
What caused Sea King 4002 to crash? The following was submitted by David Wolfe, son of Lt L.M. Wolfe, pilot of Sea King 402 from information he (Lt L.M. Wolfe) had told his wife.
As recalled by Mrs. Carole Wolfe to her son: I believe the Sea King was doing a strange yaw-kick on its previous flight, and I believe your Dad said he had taken the chopper out right away again. I don't know that it was approved by the CO, or whether the previous crew okayed it. On the carrier they didn't necessarily shut the blades down as the crews changed, so it might even have still been running.
They had completed their mission and were coming in for their landing and had descended to 200 ft. with the Bonnie in sight. That was the last your Dad said he remembered. Radar said they just disappeared from the screen. Brian (co-pilot SLt B.E. Roberts) had told your father he remembered falling a long way down into the water and that he was no longer in his seat. I have never spoken to Brian, or the wives of his crew but I know that your Dad said they put themselves on his flight as they trusted him as a pilot who was as safe as any of them on board. There were some comments to me personally from other pilots in the squadron afterwards who said if this could happen to Leo, then they didn't trust the helicopter.
Your Dad did come to in the water, and when he realized he was still in his seat, he snapped out of his harness and got to the surface. Brian had already got the dinghy inflated and helped pull your Dad into it. Your Dad had blood all over his face from a slash across the bridge of his nose, which they later determined probably came from flying through the windshield and hitting the wiper arm. His appearance gave Brian quite a scare. When he was airlifted to Bermuda, they dropped him out of the sling onto the deck of the DDH. So, he wasn't too happy about that either.
When I picked him up at the airport when he came home, he was quite snippy. The CO was there to greet him, but Leo had already discovered that they were not going to support his claim that the chopper disintegrated through no fault of theirs. So he was less than happy to see him. I obviously wasn't there, so can only repeat what Leo told me. I don't think he ever forgave the investigation team, and he was certainly happy to move onto other aircraft.
Webmaster's Note: The official report mentions pilot distraction, however, the memories of Lt Wolfe seem to provide info to the contrary.
Engineering trivia: Due to size, HMCS BONAVENTURE'S propulsion machinery was divided into two major compartments located fore and aft, each having two boilers and one steam turbine engine. Each was configured with two boilers facing one another on one side of the ship and their associated main engine located on the other. Apparently, during builder's trials, excessive vibration was noted in the starboard shaft even though it was adequately supported with bearings (plummer blocks) throughout its length. The solution was to fit a four-bladed propeller on the shaft to dampen out over-all shaft harmonics. It worked!
Photos and Documents Ship's Books and Booklets Ship's company photos The Ship's Bell
External Links: Bonnie's Storm The Invisible Giant - The BONAVENTURE HMCS BONAVENTURE (Youtube video)
Commanding Officers
They shall not be forgotten A
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Former Crew Members
Ship's Books and Booklets
Photos and Documents
(BVN001) The Royal Navy Majestic-class aircraft carriers HMS MAGNIFICENT (left) and HMS POWERFUL under construction at Harland and Wolff's Musgrave shipyard, Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK). Both carriers would serve with the Royal Canadian Navy, Powerful as HMCS BONAVENTURE // Royal Navy Official Photograph // Imperial War Museum (BVN002) Battle Board for HMCS BONAVENTURE // Shearwater Aviation Museum // Courtesy of John Knudsen (BVN003-BVN004)HMCS BONAVENTURE - location unknown // From the collection of Robert Norris (BVN005) Everything is Here // Newspaper article on storeroom with equipment and supplied to be loaded on HMCS BONAVENTURE before commissioning in Belfast, Ireland // The Halifax Mail-Star 11 Aug 1956 // Researched by / Courtesy of George Newbury // Sailors in photo: Lt (S) Young, of Halifax; PO Angus McLeod, of Port Arthur, ON; and AB Bill Smith of Toronto, ON.
(BVN006-BVN007) HMCS BONAVENTURE celebrating the RCN'S 50th Anniversary // Courtesy of Dennis McGilivray // DND/RCN photo (BVN008-BVN010) HMCS BONAVENTURE circa 1958-60 // Courtesy of Dennis McGillivray // DND/RCN photo
(BVN011) HMCS BONAVENTURE conducting a RAS with unknown USN ship // Courtesy of Dennis McGillivray (BVN012) Lt Herb Addison on HMCS Bonavetnure circa 1958-1959 // From the collection of Herb Addison // Courtesy of Time Addison (BVN013) HMCS SWANSEA 305 fuelling from HMCS BONAVENTURE - 18 May 1959 // Source: laststandonzombieisland blog
(BVN014-BVN016) Trooper Bonnie - "In the late 1950's, early 1960's, a friendship had developed between the members of The Royal Canadian Dragoons in CFB Gagetown and the crew of the HMCS BONAVENTURE. On a visit to the Regiment in Gagetown, the crew of the BONAVENTURE transferred to the Regiment a member of their crew. Documents detailing the transfer are in the Regimental Archives, along with photos, of one of the first inter-service Occupational Transfers to take place, prior to Unification. The gaining unit, The Royal Canadian Dragoons now had a new member, 'Tpr Bonnie'; a horse, complete with Dog Tags, Attestation Papers, and Qualifications." // Photo Credit: Royal Canadian Dragoon's Archives // Webmaster's note: This apparently took place in the Jan-Mar 1960 time frame
(BVN017) HMCS BONAVENTURE 1961 // USN photo - public domain (BVN018) Banshees flying past HMCS BONAVENTURE (BVN019) Sunday Divisions on HMCS BONAVENTURE circa 1961 // "Capt. Fred Frewer inspecting Engineering Division I was an OSEM at time. LSER Danny MacDonld is the sailor that Capt. Frewer is speaking with." // Courtesy of David Bakody (BVN020) Carrier Group - Jun 1961 // Top to bottom - USS THE SULLIVANS 537, USS JONAS INGRAM 938, HMCS BONAVENTURE, USS ESSEX and HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 // Courtesy of Eric Ruff // From Al Snowie's "The Bonnie" page 138 - Bonnie, Sioux and AthaB (Plane guard) joined Essex and 5 USN destroyers in June 1961 for an ASWEX against 2 USN submarines. Bonnie's 12 Trackers flew as many hours as Essex's 36 Trackers! ( BVN021) LS Charles Wilkins is greeted by his family in Halifax after being rescued after a Tracker crash
(BVN022) Newspaper Article on HMCS BONAVENTURE (and the whole Atlantic Fleet of the RCN) taking part in the Cuban Missile Crisis // Courtesy of Byron Freeman (BVN023) HMCS BONAVENTURE at NAD - circa 1961-63 // Courtesy of Claus Mathes (BVN025) Ted Gibbons, John Thompson, AB Wilton and Larry Washbrook pose for a photo after Exercise Sharpsquall during which, on Oct 15, 1962, they made the 11,000th landing on BONAVENTURE // From the collection of Ted Gibbons // Courtesy of Charles (Chuck) O'Neill
(BVN025) Article on the Tracker that crashed on 11 Jun 1963 // The Halifax Chronicle Herald - 12 Jun 1963 (BVN026) Life on Aircraft Carrier Is Like Living in Small Town With Big Airport // From the Belleville Intelligencer, 27 Nov 1963 // Sailors listed in the photo: AB Doug Harvey of Ottawa; AB Les Fraize of St. John's; AB Wayne Sarrel of Hamilton; AB Sal Sarino of Toronto; and AB Wayne Harmer of Niagara Falls // Source: Belleville Public Library microfilm collection // Researched by / © 2019 John Lyons (BVN027) BONAVENTURE Adventure // From the Belleville Intelligencer, 28 Nov 1963 // Source: Belleville Public Library microfilm collection // Researched by / © 2015 John Lyons (BVN028) Life on the BONAVENTURE // From the Belleville Intelligencer, 29 Nov 1963 // Source: Belleville Public Library microfilm collection // Researched by / © 2019 John Lyons (BVN029) BONAVENTURE Adventure // NATO's War Languages Are English and French // From the Belleville Intelligencer, 29 Nov 1963 // Source: Belleville Public Library microfilm collection // Researched by / © 2015 John Lyons
(BVN030) Article on Seaman Stan Parsons who survived being thrown by a wave on HMCS BONAVENTURE // Halifax Mail-Star 24 Jan 1964 // Source: Facebook page - Friends of BONAVENTURE (BVN031) HMCS Provider conducting a RAS with HMCS BONAVENTURE and HMCS Cap de la Madeleine - Spring 1965 // Courtesy of Robert Norris (BVN032) UNTDs take the aircraft elevator down to the hangar deck during a tour of the Bonnie - summer 1965 // Courtesy of Gary Medford (BVN033) HMCS BONAVENTURE, Halifax, summer 1965 - Royal Navy Amphion class submarine in the foreground // Courtesy of Gary Medford
(BVN034) HMCS BONAVENTURE leading the Atlantic Fleet into Halifax for the 50th Anniversary of the RCN Courtesy of John Gabel
(BVN035-BVN039) Crossing the Line ceremony on HMCS BONAVENTURE 1966 // Courtesy of Keith McDougall
(BVN040) BONAVENTURE Arrives At Rio de Janeiro // Halifax Mail Star, Tue., 08 Feb 1966 pg 26 // Researched by George Newbury (BVN041-BVN042) HMCS BONAVENTURE in a storm - 1967 // Courtesy of John Hawley (BVN043) Article from the Sentinel magazine on HMCS BONAVENTURE'S 1967 refit (BVN044) HMCS BONAVENTURE'S downed CH-124 Sea King in February 1968. All crew was rescued, and the helicopter was recovered (note the Bonnie's crane wires at the photo's right). It took 3 or 4 divers, along with the crane of course, about 4 hours to attach the wires to the Sea King's upper parts, turn the helicopter over and hoist it onto the flight deck. It was dark for the latter part of the procedure. Source: Wikipedia Commons. Photographer: Brett Aubrey
(BVN045) HMCS BONAVENTURE - Maple Spring 1968. Photo taken from HMCS GATINEAU // Courtesy of Ron MacDonald (BVN046) Fourth Bedford Wolf Cub Pack Visits HMCS BONAVENTURE - LS Samuel Wiscombe gives tour of BONAVENTURE to Anthony Bremner (son of LS Reginald Bremner of HMCS BONAVENTURE) and Timothy Vondette (son of Cdr H. Vondette, CO of HMCS BONAVENTURE) // From the collection of PO2 Samuel Wiscombe (BVN047) LS.RP Wiscombe (left) on HMCS BONAVENTURE // From the collection of PO2 Samuel Wiscombe (BVN048) AA-gun on HMCS BONAVENTURE - 1969 // Courtesy of Jean-Marie Marion (BVN049) HMCS BONAVENTURE alongside Halifax - 1969 // Courtesy of Jean-Marie Marion
(BVN050) HMCS BONAVENTURE, Maple Spring 1970 // Photo taken from HMCS Annapolis by Jean Viau, NavSig (BVN051) "Working the flight deck on the Bonnie" // Courtesy of John Knudsen (BVN052) Visit to 2 Mess on BONAVENTURE by "the pig of the port" // Courtesy of John Knudsen (BVN053) HMCS BONAVENTURE - 1962 // Courtesy of Art Moore (BVN054) Stu Rodgers on HMCS BONAVENTURE // Courtesy of Kim Rodgers-Risi
(BVN055) Christmas dinner on HMCS BONAVENTURE circa 1968 // (L-R) LS George Haigh, LS Jimmy Westlake, LS Bob O'Hara , LS Harold Penny // Courtesy of Ronald Henry (BVN056) How the Bonnie cooks relaxed after long days at sea - on the beach in Trinidad (I think) 1969. Paul Wheeler, Shaky Eddy, myself (Ronald Henry) and Earl Sweeny (first army cook to go to sea). I see we are all having a wet or two: proud diplomats we are // Courtesy of Ronald Henry (BVN057) Newspaper article on HMCS BONAVENTURE coming out of refit // Courtesy of Mike Reynolds (BVN058) HMCS BONAVENTURE Arctic Circle Crossing the Line Certificate for Francis Dowdall - 21 Sep 1968 // Courtesy of Francis Dowdall (BVN059) HMCS BONAVENTURE undergoing inclination trials // Courtesy of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum
(BVN060) HMCS BONAVENTURE 1966 // Photo taken from HMCS OTTAWA 229 // Courtesy of / Photographer: Raymond Cumby (BVN061) OM's Course Nineteen - Author: John Thompson // Courtesy of Gerald Sullival, LS.AA. RCN (BVN062) Sea King on the flight deck of HMCS BONAVENTURE - 1970 // Photo taken from HMCS SKEENA 207 // Courtesy of / © John Hawley 1970 (BVN063) HMCS BONAVENTURE and HMCS FRASER 233 // Note that Fraser does not yet have her distinctive TACAN mast (BVN065) HMCS BONAVENTURE anchored off Cyprus // "We were in Cyprus anchored off and only had a few hours ashore split in two watches as the crew unloaded all the army gear .... the boys topped up big time and many could not climb back up the scramble nets so the Master at Arms ordered the cargo net lowered to the barge. That is a P2VS you see in the net I once knew his name but it has long been forgotten ..... those were days" // Courtesy of David Bakody
(BVN066) Helo rescues the pilot from a Tracker the ditched near the BONAVENTURE / From the collection of the late LCdr Larry Zbitnew, RCN // Courtesy of Dennis Cardy (BVN067) EA Donald Hunter on HMCS BONAVENTURE // From the collection of Donald Hunter // Courtesy of Jean Haverkate (BVN068) HMCS BONAVENTURE - date unknown // Courtesy of Jim Brannen (BVN069) Flight deck mirror landing system on the starboard side of HMCS BONAVENTURE // Courtesy of Hugh Muir (BVN070) Flight Deck diagram from HMCS BONAVENTURE // Courtesy of Hugh Muir
(BVN071-BVN073) HMCS BONAVENTURE, Halifax, Apr 1970 // Courtesy of Richard Larcheveque
(BVN074) HMCS BONAVENTURE flies her paying off pennant as she passes under the Angus L MacDonald Bridge in Halifax harbour // DND Photo. Courtesy Moe Beere (BVN075) HMCS BONAVENTURE flying her paying-off pennant // Courtesy of David Pattison (BVN076) LSEM2 Keith McDougall during the final shutdown of the BONAVENTURE // Courtesy of Keith McDougall
Two Valentines Cards sent from HMCS BONAVENTURE dated Feb 1957
From the collection of Alfred O. Pinnell, RCN
Courtesy of Terry Pinnell
(SM01) Pedro on the port side of HMCS BONAVENTURE (SM02) Land on - "Hopefully" - HMCS BONAVENTURE - 1960 (SM03) Launch Time - HMCS BONAVENTURE - 1960 (SM04) Flight deck ops - HMCS BONAVENTURE - 1960 (SM05) Bill McMullen ON HMCS BONAVENTURE - 1960
(SM06) Unknown sailor by a helo on HMCS BONAVENTURE - 1963 (SM07 Hangar deck HMCS BONAVENTURE ?? // SHEARWATER ?? (SM08-SM09) Article from the Trident magazine on "Angel" also known as "Pedro" // photo from the article - Front (L-R) AB William McMullen, LS David Harding, PO Joseph Carver, AB Sherwood McQueen, AB Noel Black // Back (L-R) AB Malcolm Marshall, Slt Wallace Morris, Lt Robin Watt, AB Edward Olliffe From the collection of Sherwood McQueen, PO2, Naval Air Courtesy of Robin McQueen
Collision between HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 and HMCS BONAVENTURE - Summer 1963 (BR17) Jackstay between ATHABASKAN and BONAVENTURE (BR18) ATHABASKAN receives fueling line from BONAVENTURE (BR19) Moments after the collision. Fuel line severed on both end. The haze in the photo is black smoke from ATHABASKAN's funnels (BR20) ATHABASKAN pulling away from BONAVENTURE. Haze caused by funnel smoke from ATHABASKAN (BR21) ATHABASKAN at Hartland and Wolff, Belfast, Northern Ireland, undergoing repairs Follow Up on collision with HMCS BONAVENTURE: The following account of what happened has been taken from a book by J Alan Snowie published in 1967. This account has now been included in an Internet history of Aircraft Carriers which formally served with the Royal Canadian Navy. It would appear that the information contained there - in, was based on hearsay and the memories of others not acquainted with the facts. A close friend of yours truly [# 49753H] who also served with HMCS Cabot, was serving onboard HMCS BONAVENTURE at the time of the incident, and is one of the sailors seen standing on the deck of the BONAVENTURE in the photos // Click here to read the excerpt referenced by Bud Courtesy of Donald ( Bud) Rose
Ship's company of HMCS BONAVENTURE fallen in for the ceremony changing the ship's ensign from the White Ensign to the Canadian flag on 15 Feb 1965 in San Juan harbor.
Courtesy of David Upright
(EM17-EM21) Flight deck operations on HMCS BONAVENTURE circa 1966
(EM22) HMCS BONAVENTURE post 1966-67 refit (EM23) Divisions on the flight deck of HMCS BONAVENTURE - circa 1966
On January 12th, Bonaventure departed Halifax as the flagship of the largest Canadian task group ever to sail for South America. Under the Command of Commodore J.C. O’Brien was the fleet replenishment ship Provider; the mobile repair ship Cape Scott; destroyers Nipigon, Saguenay, Kootenay, Skeena, Annapolis and Restigouche and the RN submarine Acheron. On the 21st they were joined by four West Coasters, the destroyer escort St. Croix; frigates Antigonish and Stettler; and submarine Grilse.
(EM24) HMCS BONAVENTURE with HMCS SKEENA 207 astern - circa 1966 (EM25) HMCS BONAVENTURE with HMCS SKEENA 207 and HMCS RESTIGOUCHE 257 as escorts(EM26) (EM26) “Enroute to Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, the new Canadian Replenishment Ship, HMCS PROVIDER tops up BONNIE and her destroyer screen”. (EM27) Canadian Task Group enroute to Brazil - 1966 From the collection of Eugene Miller, RCN Courtesy of Rene Miller
(RM05) HMCS BONAVENTURE Aug 1967 in a North Atlantic Hurricane - Force 10 (RM06) Refueling at sea - HMCS TERRA NOVA, HMCS PROVIDER, and HMCS BONAVENTURE (RM07) HMCS BONAVENTURE arriving in an unknown port (RM08) Canadian Task Group - Barber pole Squadron with HMCS PROVIDER, HMCS CAPE SCOTT and HMCS BONAVENTURE. Helos and planes from HMCS BONAVENTURE Courtesy of Robert Mundell, LS, RCN
(BL81) Tracker landing on the flight deck of HMCS BONAVENTURE -1967 (BL82) A Tracker taking off from HMCS BONAVENTURE - 1967 (BL83) A Huey and Sea King helicopter landing on the flight deck of HMCS BONAVENTURE - 1967 (BL84) Sea King 4002 on the flight deck of HMCS BONAVENTURE not long before she crashed into the Atlantic resulting in the loss of two air crew personnel (BL85) A Tracker being lowered on the elevator on HMCS BONAVENTURE - 1967 Courtesy of Brian Lapierre, CPO2 ET, RCN / C.A.F. (Navy) © Brian Lapierre 1967
(JS01) Helo landing on HMCS BONAVENTURE (JS02) Launching a Tracker from HMCS BONAVENTURE (JS03) HMCS BONVENTURE Recovering a downed helo (JS04) HMCS BONAVENTURE at New Orleans (JS05) One of Bonnie's Helo's circa 1967 /1968
(JS06-JS07) Crash on Deck (JS08) "Kootenay's Fallen" - The bodies of those who died in the Kootenay Explosion are being placed in a Helicopter to be taken ashore from HMCS BONAVENTURE (JS09-JS10) Landing Tracker 591
(JS11) Landing Tracker 590 (JS12) HMCS BONAVENTURE in drydock (JS13) Trackers on the deck of HMCS BONAVENTURE (JS14) Launching a Tracker - HMCS BONAVENTURE Courtesy of Jack Soble
(TP01) Farewell is bid to the Bonnie as she pulls away from the jetty bound for Cyprus (TP02) HMCS BONAVENTURE leaving for Cyprus. Armament laid out in from of aircraft (TP03) Flight deck of HMCS BONAVENTURE // This was the flight deck of the BONAVENTURE on way to Cyprus. I worked arrestor gear so it was not too bad of a trip. We even had a few Army stowaways who just wanted out of C.F.B Gagetown - they were found hiding in trucks, very seasick, and hungry. (TP04) Helo operations on HMCS BONAVENTURE. Front helo being refueled
(TP05) US Navy jet on HMCS BONAVENTURE (TP06) USN jet on HMCS BONAVENTURE ready for launching // Loaded with weapons, bridle gear hooked up for shot of deck, destroyer in back ground as plane guard, one of the few times ever had jet on deck Courtesy of Tom Price
(JM01-JM02) Launching a tracker off HMCS BONAVENTURE (JM03) Crossing the Line ceremony onboard HMCS BONAVENTURE (JM04) Planes secured on deck of HMCS BONAVENTURE in rough seas (JM05) Hockey game on the flight deck of HMCS BONAVENTURE
(JM06) Trackers on the fight deck of HMCS BONAVENTURE (JM07) Bud McLean, John Mcguire, Larry O'Brien and John Tang on board HMCS BONAVENTURE (JM08-JM10) Three photos of a Tracker launch on HMCS BONAVENTURE. Unbelievably, the Tracker was not lost and managed to get airborne
(11) Preparing to launch on HMCS BONAVENTURE (12) HMCS BONAVENTURE (13) HMCS BONAVENTURE 14) Cars secured on the flight deck of HMCS BONAVENTURE. "I think the bonnie was coming to slackers in this pic from Belfast in 1957. Note the newest car there is a 57 chev." Courtesy of John P. Mcguire
(RB01-RB02) Article on Bonnie Crossing the Arctic Circle. Pers in both articles: Lt Bingham, 1st Queen's Own Rifles of Canada (being initiated); Trusty Seals: AB R. Bramwell, AB Ouelette, and LS S. Wiscombe (RB03) Original photo used in the articles (RB04) Another initiate from the Queen's Own (name unknown) (RB05) Vice Admiral J.C. O’Brien inspecting Guard on HMCS BONAVENTURE // DND / RCN photo - Negative # BV-69-405 From the collection of Robert Bramwell Courtesy of Brian Lapierre
(TP01) Farewell is bid to the Bonnie as she pulls away from the jetty bound for Cyprus (TP02) HMCS BONAVENTURE leaving for Cyprus. Armament laid out in from of aircraft (TP03) Flight deck of HMCS BONAVENTURE // This was the flight deck of the BONAVENTURE on way to Cyprus. I worked arrestor gear so it was not too bad of a trip. We even had a few Army stowaways who just wanted out of C.F.B Gagetown - they were found hiding in trucks, very seasick, and hungry. (TP04) Helo operations on HMCS BONAVENTURE. Front helo being refueled
(TP05) US Navy jet on HMCS BONAVENTURE (TP06) USN jet on HMCS BONAVENTURE ready for launching // Loaded with weapons, bridle gear hooked up for shot of deck, destroyer in back ground as plane guard, one of the few times ever had jet on deck Courtesy of Tom Price
(HG26) HMCS BONAVENTURE at Jetty 4, Halifax - Aug 1969 (HG27) Working on the flight deck of HMCS BONAVENTURE (HG28) Forward El and Bridge - Flyco (HG29) Bridge of HMCS BONAVENTURE (HG30) VS-880 Last Carrier Deployment - 1969
(HG31) Passage to Europe - 9-17 Sep 1969 (HG32) HMCS BONAVENTURE conducting a RAS with HMCS PROVIDER (HG33) HMCS BONAVENTURE conducting a RAS with USS NEOSHO. HMS OLNA on stbd side of USS NEOSHO (HG35) Tracker on flight deck of HMCS BONAVENTURE during Exercise Peacekeeper 17-24 Sep 1969 (HG35) Tracker 540 taking off from HMCS BONAVENTURE during Exercise Peacekeeper 17-24 Sep 1969. Photo taken from the bridge
(HG36) Aircraft on the flight deck of HMCS BONAVENTURE during Exercise Peacekeeper 17-24 Sep 1969 (HG37) HMCS BONAVENTURE port visit Rotterdam - Oct 1969 (HG38) HMCS BONAVENTURE arriving for port visit in Oslo, Norway - 01 Oct 1969 (HG39-HG40) HMCS BONAVENTURE, Oslo Norway - 01-05 Oct 1969
(HG41-HG42) HMCS BONAVENTURE, Oslo Norway - 01-05 Oct 1969 (HG43) HMCS BONAVENTURE at the Shearwater Jetty - 30 Nov 1969 (HG44) HMCS OTTAWA 229 fueling from HMCS BONAVENTURE - 02 Dec 1969 (HG45) HMCS BONAVENTURE - operational entry into Halifax Harbour - 09 Dec 1969
(HG46) At Jetty 4 in Halifax - Army vehicles to be loaded on HMCS BONAVENTURE for Exercise Nimrod Capers in Jamaica - 13 Jan 1970 (HG47) Craning a duce and a half aboard HMCS BONAVENTURE - 13 Jan 1970 (HG48) HMCS ASSINIBOINE fueling from HMCS BONAVENTURE 24 Jan 1970 during passage south 21-25 Jan 1970 (HG49) Unloading in Kingston, Jamaica - 26-28 Jan 1970 (HG50) HMCS BONAVENTURE piping Diamond Rock, Island of Martinique. Pipers led by PO "Cappy" Shaw
(HG51) Day off in Roosevelt Road, Puerto Rico. Clockwise from left: Phil Kenny, Jerry Tannous, Rich Neveu, Dennis Jackson, John Anderson, Bill Colls (HG52) HMCS BONAVENTURE"S final departure San Juan. Taken from El Morro Castle by the ship's photographer (who rejoined by helo) - 27 Feb 1970 (HG53) HMCS BONAVENTURE alongside in Kingston, Jamaica - 06-08 Mar 1970 (HG54) Governor General of Jamaica, Sir Hugh Campbell, inspects the crew of HMCS BONAVENTURE - 06 Mar 1970 (HG55) HMCS SKEENA 207 fueling from HMCS BONAVENTURE during Exercise Maple Spring 1970
(HG56) HMCS ANNAPOLIS 265 fueling from HMCS BONAVENTURE during Exercise Maple Spring 1970 (HG57) HMCS MARGAREE 230, HMCS SKEENA 207 and HMCS ANNAPOLIS 265 conducting personnel transfers during Exercise Maple Spring 1970 while HMCS ANNAPOLIS was fueling from HMCS BONAVENTURE at the same time (HG58) HMCS BONAVENTURE at anchor off Narvik, Norway - 07-09 Apr 1970 during Exercise Arctic Express (HG59) A Soviet Riga Class Frigate - 11 Apr 1970 (HG60) HMCS BONAVENTURE loaded with Army vehicles for transit to Halifax - 23 Apr 1970
HMCS BONAVENTURE Final Sail Past - 03 Jul 1970
(HG63-66) Paying off ceremony on HMCS BONAVENTURE - 03 Jul 1970
(HG66) The ship's ensign lowered for the final time
(HG67) Former HMCS BONAVENTURE languishing at Pier 8, Halifax from Jul to Oct 1970 - photo taken 26 Jul 1970 (HG68) Former HMCS BONAVENTURE at pier 8 - Last day in Halifax - 28 Oct 1970. Photo taken from Citadel Hill just before the tugs arrives to tow her to the breaker's yard
HMCS BONAVENTURE - 1969-1970
Courtesy of Heinz Gohlish, Lt, RCN / C.A.F.
HMCS BONAVENTURE'S Final Sail past - 1970 Photos taken from HMCS Onondaga
HMCS BONAVENTURE'S Final Sail past - 1970 Photos taken from HMCS Onondaga
HMCS BONAVENTURE'S Final Sail past - 1970 Photos taken from HMCS Onondaga Courtesy of Brian Lapierre, CPO2 ET, RCN / C.A.F. (Navy) © Brian Lapierre 1970
The HMCS. BONAVENTURE anchor memorial in Halifax's Point Pleasant Park Credit:
Photo by John Gorman,
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In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice
Lest We Forget
