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HMCS ESQUIMALT
J272
Bangor
Class Minesweeper
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HMCS ESQUIMALT J272
RCN Neg # S-426-R
Courtesy of the Naval Museum of Halifax
Click on the above photo to view a larger
image
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Battle honours and awards: Atlantic
1943-44, Gulf of St. Lawrence 1942
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Laid down: 20
Dec
1940
Launched: 08
Aug 1941
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Commissioned: 26
Oct 1942
Fate: Sunk on 16
Apr 1945 by
U 190
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Commissioned at Sorel on
26 Oct 1942, ESQUIMALT arrived at Halifax on 21 Nov 1942. Chronically plagued by
mechanical troubles, she underwent repairs there until 27 Mar 1943, and again throughout most of
May 1943. She was then assigned to
Newfoundland Force until Sep 1944, when she was transferred
to Halifax Local Defence Force. Late in Sep 1944 she underwent a
three-month refit at Halifax. While on A/S patrol on 16 Apr 1945,
she was torpedoed and sunk by U 190 five miles off Chebucto Head,
near Halifax, with the loss of 44 of her ship's company. ESQUIMALT'S survivors were rescued
by HMCS SARNIA J309.
Historical note: U.190 was a IXC/40 type U-boat, built by Deutsche Schiff
und Machinenbau AG Weser, Bremen, launched 8 Jun 1942, commissioned 24
Sep 1942, in service 32 months, with a record of sinking 2 ships, for
a total of 7,605 tons.
Photos
and Documents Ship's
company photos
A
Memory Stirred - Story of HMCS ESQUIMALT 16 Apr 1945 HMCS
ESQUIMALT'S Final Survivor
Joe
Wilson - Last survivor of HMCS ESQUIMALT - Buried at Sea
Sailor
was a true comrade in arms - Frank William Smith
Sailor
was one of 27 saved from the ESQUIMALT - AB
Campbell
Commanding Officers
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Lt F. J.
L. Davis,
RCNR - 16 Oct 1942 - 05 Feb 1943
Lt Paul Dalrymple Taylor,
RCNVR - 06 Feb 1943 - 12 Mar 1944
Lt James Manley
S. Clark,
RCNVR - 13 Mar 1944 - 14 Dec 1944 |
LCdr
Wilfred J. McIsaac,
RCNVR - 29 Dec 1944 - 01 Feb 1945
Lt Robert
C. MacMillan, RCNVR - 02 Feb 1945 - 16 Apr 1945 |
In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice
Lest We Forget
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BELLAZZI,
Joseph O. F.
Skipper, RCNR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945
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BERGE,
Olaf E.
Sto 1c, RCNVR
killed - 16 Apr 1945
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BLAND,
John B.
Sto 1c, RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945
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CARLSEN,
Harvey M.
Sto, RCNVR
killed
- 16 Apr 1945
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CLANCY,
Gregory J.
Tel, RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945
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CONN,
James R.
L/Stwd, RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945 |
DEVINS,
James E.
Sto 1C, RCNR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945 |
DOWNIE,
Bryan R.
L/Tel, RCNVR
killed - 16 Apr 1945 |
DUCHARME,
Joseph
AB, RCNVR
killed - 16 Apr 1945 |
DUNLOP,
Ronald E.
MM, RCNVR
killed - 16 Apr 1945 |
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EADIE,
Clifford J.
AB Radar III, RCNVR
killed - 16 Apr 1945
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EDWARDS,
Charles
AB ST, RCNVR
killed - 16 Apr 1945 |
FANNING,
Huntley A.
EA 3c, RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945 |
FITZPATRICK,
William
AB LTO, RCNVR
MPK
- 16 Apr 1945 |
GALLAGHER,
Anthony
Sto 1c, RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945 |
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GRANAHAN,
E. John
L/Sig, RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945 |
HEDSTROM,
Arnold D.
L/SBA, RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945
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HUGHES,
David A.
L/SA, RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945 |
JACQUES,
Carlton J.
ERA 4c, RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945 |
JOHNSTON,
Howard
MM, RCNVR
killed - 16 Apr 1945 |
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KNIGHT, Herbert
R.
LS, RCNVR
killed - 16 Apr 1945 |
KNOWLES, John
C.
PO, RCN
MPK - 16 Apr 1945 |
KYNMAN,
Albert
CPO, RCNR
killed - 16 Apr 1945 |
LE
DREW, Frederick
L/Sto (M), RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945 |
LEROUX,
Leo J.
AB, RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945 |
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MCCONNELL,
Lawrence
LS, RCNVR
killed - 16 Apr 1945 |
MCINTYRE,
Thomas J.
L/Ck, RCNVR
killed - 16 Apr 1945 |
MONACHAN,
John M.
AB Radar III, RCNVR
killed - 16 Apr 1945 |
PARKER,
Jack R.
Lt, RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945
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PARTINGTON,
Richard
LS, RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945 |
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PEDDIE,
Roy N.
Stwd, RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945 |
POOL, Ralph
B.
Shpt 4c, RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945 |
PORTER,
John C.
Ch MM 3c, RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945 |
ROBERTS,
James E.
Wt (E), RCNR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945
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SHAVE,
Chesley N.
CERA, RCNR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945
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SMART,
John M. G.
Lt, RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945 |
SMITH,
Kenneth H.
AB, RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945 |
STAFFORD,
John H.
L/Coder, RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945 |
STANLEY,
James C.
AB, RCNVR
MPK
- 16 Apr 1945 |
TRUDEL,
Joseph M. R.
Sto 1c (M), RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945 |
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WARE,
William J.
Tel, RCNVR
MPK - 16 Apr 1945 |
WHITE, Donald
W.
AB, RCNVR
killed - 16 Apr 1945 |
WHITEHEAD, Bruce
M.
SLt, RCNVR
killed - 16 Apr 1945 |
ZBARSKY,
Ralph
AB, RCNVR
killed - 16 Apr 1945 |
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In memory of those who have crossed the bar
They shall not be
forgotten
(s)
- Survived the sinking of HMCS ESQUIMALT on 16 Apr 1945
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Aitkren, Robert (s)
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Barber, Glen T. (s) |
Bexrud,
Kenneth (s)
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Campbell,
Albert B. (s)
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Campbell,
Bruce M. (s)
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Dempster, Edward (s)
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Dickie,
William I.
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Gladwin,
Wynyard R.
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Halley,
Andrew F.
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Harrod, Frank
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Henderson,
William J. (s)
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Hillier, N. Harry (s)
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Hook,
William W. (s)
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Jones, Harold
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Kapasi,
Sandor Al
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Kazakoff,
Michael (s)
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Kidd, Thomas
G.
(s)
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Lamont,
William
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MacMillan,
Robert C. (s)
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Manuel,
Terrence C. (s)
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Marcelus, Allan R. (s)
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Matthews, James R.
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McDonald, Duncan T. (s)
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McDougall,
Leo S.
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McGrath, Edward (s)
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McIsaac, Wilfred J.
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Meyer,
Montague B. (s)
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Millier,
Pierre M.
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Mimee,
Frederick P. (s)
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Murphy, Herbert (s)
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Parnell,
Harold L.
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Peck,
Brendan
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Ramsey,
William
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Richard, Joseph
A.F. (s)
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Rowe,
Kenneth E.W. (s)
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Sargent,
Jack R. (s)
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Schwenger,
Arthur C. (s)
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Smith,
Frank W. (s)
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Taylor, Paul
D.
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Thomas,
Donald J. (s)
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Ware,
Jack E. (s)
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Wilson,
Joseph F. (s)
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Former Crew Members
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Ball,
Jordan Richard, SLt, RCNVR - 13 Mar 1944
Gilmour,
Douglas Wilson, SLt, RCNVR - 26 Feb 1943
Hatch,
William McLaren, SLt, RCNVR -21 Feb 1944
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Johnson,
Ernest Edward, SLt, RCNVR - 30 Jan 1943
Norton,
George R.W., Skpr, RCNR - 15 Mar 1944 |
Photos
and Documents
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Article for war stamps mentioning HMCS ESQUIMALT and
his Commanding Officer.
Courtesy of Dave Shirlaw
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Edward John "Jack" Granahan
Edward
John "Jack" Granahan was a leading signalman aboard the HMCS ESQUIMALT
when it was hit on the starboard side by a gnat torpedo on April 16,
1945. While he survived the initial sinking of the ESQUIMALT, my Uncle
Jack succumbed to the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean, within miles of
the Halifax shoreline.
Courtesy
of Sandra Granahan
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Anthony
Gallagher
This
is a photo of Stoker 3rd Class Anthony Gallagher(19 years old) who
perished in the sinking of HMCS ESQUIMALT, a Bangor class
minesweeper torpedoed in the approaches to Halifax Harbour in April
1945 with only 2 weeks left in the war. He was the middle son of
three boys born to Joe and Martha Gallagher. He also had two sisters
and the family hailed from Vancouver, BC.
Source:
HMCS
Prevost Reflections Project |
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Survivors
of the minesweeper HMCS ESQUIMALT, which was torpedoed by the German
submarine U-190 on 16 Apr 1945, disembarking from the rescue minesweeper
HMCS Sarnia, Halifax, NS on 16 Apr 1945.
Source: Lt Richard G. Arless / Canada. Dept. of
National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-157033
Click
here to view the photo with each sailor numbered
(3)
Ahern, Maurice F. (Moe) |
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Survivors
of the minesweeper HMCS ESQUIMALT, which was torpedoed by the German
submarine U-190 on 16 Apr 1945, disembarking from the rescue minesweeper
HMCS Sarnia, Halifax, NS on 16 Apr 1945.
Source:
Lt Richard G. Arless / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and
Archives Canada / PA-157021
Click
here to view the photo with each sailor numbered
(6) Burch, Robert Charles
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Article on the loss of HMCS ESQUIMALT with
photos of those from BC
Courtesy of Janice Wilkin |
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Newspaper article Stoker John Bland reported
missing after sinking of HMCS ESQUIMALT
Source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial |
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HK05 |
Newspaper article on LS Herbert Knight who left
his lifeboat to save others after HMCS ESQUIMALT was sunk
The Toronto Star, 10 May 1945
Courtesy of Carole Dibbley |
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HK06
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Article on the sinking of HMCS ESQUIMALT
The actions of LS
Herbert Knight, who died in the sinking, are mentioned in the
article
Courtesy of Carole Dibbley |
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Newspaper article on the death of L/Cook Thomas
McIntyre after the sinking of HMCS ESQUIMALT
The Globe and Mail, 09 May 1945 |
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Newspaper article - Survivor stories from the
sinking of HMCS ESQUIMALT
Courtesy of Geraldine Chase |
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Article on the loss of HMCS ESQUIMALT J272
From the collection of François
Messier, AB, RCNVR
Courtesy of Denis Messier |
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Survivors
of the minesweeper HMCS ESQUIMALT, awaiting rescue at sea off Halifax, NS, 16
Apr 1945
Source: Lt Richard G. Arless / Canada. Dept. of National Defence
/ Library and Archives Canada / PA-157029 |
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Funeral
of a victim of the sinking of the minesweeper HMCS ESQUIMALT, Halifax, NS,
Apr 1945
Source: Lt. Richard G. Arless / Canada. Dept. of
National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-157149 |
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AB
Don White died when HMCS ESQUIMALT was sunk by U-190. He
survived the sinking by died in the water of exposure while waiting
to be rescued. His shipmate and best-friend, Arthur Schwenger
left the Carley float he was on, swam to Don and held his head above
water. He kept him afloat even after he lost consciousness - not
letting him go until he died.
This
letter is from Henry White, Don's father to Arthur Schwenger,
thanking him for risking his own life to comfort his son during his
final hours.
From the collection of Arthur Schwenger
Courtesy of Kelley King
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Arthur Schwenger survived the sinking of HMCS ESQUIMALT. This is a telegram from Arthur Schwenger to his
wife letting her know that he was alright.
From the collection of Arthur Schwenger
Courtesy of Kelley King |
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Letter
from Art Schwenger that was written on Red Cross Hospital
stationary. He was writing to his "darling wife" and you
can see that it was censored with pieces cut out of it. In the
letter, he refers to "Moocher" which was his pet name for
his daughter Sharon.
From the collection of Arthur Schwenger
Courtesy of Kelley King |
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U-190 after it's surrender to Canada
after the war |
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Reunion of crew and survivors from HMCS Sarnia
and HMCS ESQUIMALT, 1996, Sarnia, Ont
(L-R)
Frank Smith (ESQUIMALT), Albert Campbell (ESQUIMALT), Joe Wilson (ESQUIMALT, , John Sargent
(ESQUIMALT), Ken Bexrud (ESQUIMALT), Lou
Howard (Sarnia), unknown, Howard (Doc) Finkbeiner (Sarnia)
Courtesy of Lou Howard, MID, RCNVR |
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Reunion of crew and survivors from HMCS Sarnia,
HMCS ESQUIMALT and U-190, 1996, Sarnia, Ont
Leslie Stemmler (Sarnia), Jack Ware (ESQUIMALT), Howard Finkbeiner (Sarnia), Werner Hirschmann, (U-190),
Leo McDougall (Sarnia), Lou Howard (Sarnia)
Courtesy of Lou Howard, MID, RCNVR |
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1/72
HMCS ESQUIMALT built by Ryan Cameron for the new permanent display at the CFB ESQUIMALT Naval and Military Museum in honour
of the crew of HMCS ESQUIMALT.
Courtesy
of Ryan Cameron |
(HF63) ESQUIMALT'S dead on the quarterdeck of HMCS SARNIA J309
(HF64) HMCS ESQUIMALT'S survivors on a raft (HF65)
HMCS
ESQUIMALT'S survivors on a raft. On the back of the photo - "I am
sitting in the middle, Joe Wilson on the stern, only six of us were alive
when the Sarnia came alongside and Joe and I told the Sarnia to get the
others first." (HF66)
survivors from ESQUIMALT being picked up by the ship's boat from East
Halifax Lightship (HF67)
Heading back into Halifax
HMCS
ESQUIMALT'S survivors being assisted or carried off HMCS SARNIA J309
(HF68) An ESQUIMALT survivor being carried off HMCS SARNIA in a stretcher.
SBA Howard Finkbeiner left hand side of photo. (HF72)
This is the same photo as HF71, but has 3 names - Mike Brisky, Maurice Ahern
and Andy Searles - listed on the bottom of the photo. It is not known
which 3 sailors they are. From
the collection of SBA Howard Finkbeiner,
RCNVR Courtesy
of Carol Finkbeiner Thomas
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