HMCS KOOTENAY 258 - For Posterity's Sake

HMCS KOOTENAY 258

Restigouche Class Destroyer

WE ARE AS ONE

HMCS KOOTENAY post IRE conversion

DND / RCN photo

Battle honours and awards: Atlantic 1943-45, Normandy 1944, English Channel 1944, Biscay 1944

Laid down: 21 Aug 1952

Launched: 15 Jun 1954

Commissioned: 07 Mar 1959

Paid off IRE Refit: 14 Jan 1970

Re-commissioned: 07 Jan 1972

Paid off for DELEX refit:

DELEX Refit completed: 21 Oct 1983

Paid off: 18 Dec 1995

Fate: Broken up at Manzanillo, Mexico circa 2003/2004

First of her class to be launched, KOOTENAY was built at Burrard Dry Dock, Vancouver, and commissioned there on 07 Mar 1959. In Jul 1959, GATINEAU, KOOTENAY and HMS ULSTER shared close consort duties for the Royal Yacht BRITANNIA during Great Lakes and St Lawrence Seaway portion of the 1959 Royal Tour. After working up, she was transferred to the east coast.

In Apr 1963, 12 RCN ships, ALGONQUIN, MICMAC, CAYUGA, ST CROIX, TERRA NOVA, KOOTENAY, SWANSEA, LA HULLOISE, BUCKINGHAM, CAPE SCOTT, CNAV BLUETHROAT and CNAV ST CHARLES, took part in NATO Exercise New Broom Eleven, an exercise designed to test convoy protection tactics (click here to see the newspaper article).

On 23 Oct 1969, while in European waters, she suffered a gearbox explosion that killed 9 crewmen and injured 53 others. She was towed to Plymouth - part of the way by SAGUENAY and then to Halifax by a salvage tug. It was the RCN's worst-ever peacetime accident. While she was under repairs, it was decided to convert her to an IRE. She was re-commissioned on 07 Jan 1972.

Transferred to the west coast, she departed Halifax on 23 Jan 1973 and arrived in Esquimalt on 12 Feb 1973. HMCS KOOTENAY had left Esquimalt on 14 May 1973 on Westploy 2/73. KOOTENAY’s routine was similar to that of TERRA NOVA, exercising with American and Australian naval vessels, and assisting broken-down fishermen. When the Canadian continent left Saigon on 31 July 1973, she was just fifty miles off the coast, the closest either ship was allowed to approach Vietnam. KOOTENAY then proceeded home to Esquimalt.

On 08 May 1986, HMCS PROVIDER, HMCS RESTIGOUCHE, HMCS TERRA NOVA and HMCS KOOTENAY, departed Esquimalt for Exercise RIMPAC 86 and returned on 21 Jun 1986.

On 01 Jun 1989, KOOTENAY collided in fog off Cape Flattery with the M.V. Nord Pol, sustaining a sizeable gash in her bow, which was replaced with a matching section from Chaudiere.

From 03 to 07 Jun 1990, KOOTENAY visited Vladivostok as part of a Canadian Task Group, the first to do so since World War II.

On 16 May 1994, HMCS KOOTENAY 258 departed Esquimalt, BC for Exercise RIMPAC. She departed Hawaiian waters and the exercise on 21 Jun 1994, for Operation Forward Action, Haiti, arriving in the Op Area on 13 Jul 1994. She returned to Esquimalt on 10 Oct 1994.

In 1995, KOOTENAY participated in EX UNITAS off the coast of Chile. During that deployment, on 15 Oct 1995, she Rounded the Horn - the second ship of the RCN to do so. Returning home, she made a final port visit at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; departing there on 16 Nov 1995.

KOOTENAY's boilers were shut down for the final time on 05 Dec 1995 after she returned from de-ammunitioning at Rocky Point. On 18 Dec 1995, she was paid off and, on 06 Nov 2000, towed out of Esquimalt with RESTIGOUCHE to be sunk as an artificial reef off Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The RESTIGOUCHE was sunk off Acapulco, but KOOTENAY was not. She was later towed to Manzanillo, Mexico where she was last photographed in 2003. The KOOTENAY ended up under arrest as the purchasers didn't pay some kind of import fee and it ended up in a proverbial Mexican mess between the Mexican federal government and the harbour authorities and the owners. Last seen she was being scrapped at the dock and they later ran the remaining part of the hull up on the beach and took her right down to the keel. Sad ending for a great ship.

In 2019 and 2020, fourteen members of her crew were recognized with the Wound Stripe for injuries received 23 Oct 1969 during the explosion and ensuing fire onboard. They were : Allan Bell, Al Kennedy, Clem Bussiere, Brian Galletly, Hugh MacPhee, John Roy, Kenneth McEachern, John MacEachern, Garry Hadden, Paul Millar, David Ashley, John Judd, Al Peers and John Gregory

Photos and Documents Former Crew Members Ship's company photos The Ship's Bell

Commissioning Booklet Acceptance Programme after IRE conversion 1972

KOOTENAY Memories

HMCS KOOTENAY - Dedicated to those who were on HMCS KOOTENAY on the day of the explosion, 23 Oct 1969

Once Upon the Brine - Life at Sea and Ashore in the Canadian Navy during the Cold War (1946-1989)

HMCS KOOTENAY 1969 Fact Sheet - updated Nov 2020

RCN Memories: A West Coast Drug Bust The Final Shutdown

Commanding Officers

Cdr Reginald John Pickford, RCN - 07 Mar 1959 - 11 Jul 1960

Cdr Harry Shorten, RCN - 11 Jul 1960 - 19 Sep 1962

Cdr David Hugh P. Ryan, RCN - 19 Sep 1962 - Sep 1964 (approx)

LCdr Frank Costin, Sep 1964 (approx) - 15 Jan 1965

Cdr Christopher Gratrix Pratt, RCN - 15 Jan 1965 - 01 Jun 1966

Cdr William P. Rikely, RCN - 01 Jun 1966 - 01 Jul 1967

Cdr George Coulson McMorris, RCN - 01 Jul 1967 - Oct 1968

LCdr Maurice H. Tremblay, RCN - Oct 1968 - 21 Mar 1969 (Note 1)

Cdr Neil St. Clair Norton - 21 Mar 1969 - 14 Jan 1970

Cdr James Lewis Creech - 12 Jan 1972 - 17 Feb 1973

Cdr Richmond Hill Kirby - 17 Feb 1973 - 14 Jun 1974

Cdr James Dixon Spalding - 14 Jun 1974 - 16 Jul 1976

Cdr Basil Patrick Moore - 16 Jul 1976 - 27 Jun 1978

Cdr Bruce Johnston - 27 Jun 1978 - 11 Aug 1980

Cdr Brian Harwood Beckett - 11 Aug 1980 - 28 Jun 1982

Cdr Steen Kais Jessen - 28 Jun 1982 - 09 Jan 1983

Cdr P.C. Young - 24 Jan 1984 - 05 Jul 1985

Cdr B.R. Melville - 05 Jul 1985 - 30 Jul 1987

Cdr J. Dickson - 30 Jul 1987 - 21 Jul 1989

Cdr G.V. Davidson - 27 Aug 1989 - 21 Jul 1991

Cdr James D. Fraser - 21 Jul 1991 - 29 May 1992

LCdr M.R. Bellows - 29 May 1992 - 31 Jul 1992

Cdr D.J. Kyle - 31 Jul 1992 - 21 Jun 1994

Cdr R.H. Dawe - 21 Jun 1994 - 18 Dec 1995

Note 1: Ken Mcpherson's "The Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910 - 1981" has Cdr McMorris' end date as command of HMCS KOOTENAY as 15 Nov 1968. However, according to Cdr Rutherford (Lt at the time) LCdr Temblay, XO, was appointed CO in Oct 1968 and took the ship into refit. Lt Rutherford was appointed XO from Oct till Dec 1968.

In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice

Lest We Forget

BOUDREAU, William A.

C2ER, RCN

died - 23 Oct 1969

BOURRET, Pierre S.J.

LS, RCN

died - 23 Oct 1969

CRABBE, Thomas Gordon

LS, RCN

died - 23 Oct 1969

GALLOWAY, Nelson M.

AB, RCN

died - 23 Oct 1969

HARDY, Michael A.

AB, RCN

died - 23 Oct 1969

HARMAN, Eric G.

PO1, RCN

died - 23 Oct 1969

HUTTON, Gary W.

LS, RCN

died - 23 Oct 1959

PARTANEN, Vaino O.

CPO1, RCN

died - 23 Oct 1969

Rieffenstein, Clark E.

SLt, RCN

died - 19 Nov 1969

STRINGER, Lewis J.

PO2, RCN

died - 25 Oct 1969

The KOOTENAY ribbon: The ribbon is dark blue representing the dark blue of the Royal Canadian Navy; the letters are capitalized representing a “shout out” to those that use social media to convey the message; the letters are white representing the sacrifice of those lives lost on October 23rd, 1969; the rest of the ribbon is blank representing the lives unlived; the pin is straight representing those that unselfishly went to the aid of their comrades in arms; and the ribbon itself is curved and folded representing the timeliness of Remembrance. It is to be worn on the collar nearest the heart; commencing sunrise the first Thursday in October and removed at sunset on October 23rd.

Three ships in evening's misty dusk
Helm down and pointed away
Behind them, in Neptune's arms
They leave a man to stay

Like most of us, he was not great
No King would know his name
His pride of ship and honour
Were all that he could claim

He did his job, he fought, he won
He followed nature's whim
Yet, in the fleet
Eight hundred men reflect and think of him

Dear God, accept this man, our friend
Who we leave here today
And grant us the strength to carry on
With one less light to guide the way

October 23, 1969

In memory of those who have crossed the bar

They shall not be forgotten

(c) - crew member on the day of the KOOTENAY Explosion, 23 Oct 1969

Adderson, John W.

Anderson, Sam (c)

Arsenault, Gary J.

Ash, Eldon J.

Atkins, Thomas G. (c)

Babin, Gordon (c)

Baker, Carl R.

Barber, Alfred L. (c)

Barber, Boyd (c)

Barfoot, Clayton G. C. (c)

Barnes, Cyril

Barnett, Alex (c)

Bassingthwaite, James H.

Bates, Alan W.

Baxter, Earl R.

Beacock, N. Ronald (c)

Beaudoin, Donald T.

Beckett, Brian H.

Beckett, Rex (c)

Belisle, Daniel (c)

Blandin, Guilluame F.

Boisvert, Jean P. (c)

Bourque, Donald J.

Bourque, Gil (c)

Boyd, Richard M. (c)

Boyles, Alex F. (c)

Bradley, William D. (c)

Bramwell, Paul (c)

Brett, Patrick W.

Brideau, David G.

Brown, Ernest (c)

Brown, K. T. (c)

Brooks, Robert E.

Brunt, Alan R.

Bull, William F.

Burlingham, Garry I. (c)

Cheeseman, Ashley D. (c)

Christie, Robert W. (c)

Church, Daniel (c)

Clark, Matthew E.

Cooper, William G.

Corcoran, Gerald

Constantine, Gordie (c)

Crocket, Harold C. (c)

Croucher, Selby C.

Cryer, John (c)

Curry, Donald G.

Cuthbert, Lawrence J.

Dean, James K. (c)

Drapeau, Guy (c)

Duckworth, Joe (c)

Exley, Earl William (c)

Fahey, Robert G.

Falk, Alan D.

Freeman, Keith I.

Fancy, Fraser G. (c)

Fletcher, Doug

Forsyth, William R.

Gadd, Jeremy S. H. (c)

Gallant, Ronald E.

Gallant, Wayne (c)

Gault, John E.

Gauthier, J. A. Claude

Gammie, Wayne (c)

Gardner, Raymond A.

George, Robert

1936-2005 (c)

C2HT at the time of the explosion

Gillingham, Gerald J. (c)

Giroux, Gord (c)

Godin, Jacques C. (c)

Gold, Gregory D. (c)

Goldie, John T.

Good, Jack W.

Grant, Gary

____-1970 (c)

OS.SG at the time of the explosion

Grant, Richard R.

Gray, Archibald A. (c)

Griffin, Edward J. (c)

Grove, Rodger W.

Haggett, Winston (c)

Halderson, James

Hall, John D.

Hall, Russ (c)

P2RM at the time of the explosion

Hanlon, Bruce E. (c)

Harrison, D. Larry (c)

Harrison, Jean-Guy

Hart, William E. (c)

Harwood, John

Hauch, Raymond

Hawkins, Clifford R. (c)

Henderson, Leslie F. M.

Hewens, Kenneth R.

Hill, Peter E.

Holm, David J. (c)

Holmes, Douglas (c)

Horncastle, Bob (c)

Jefferson, William J. (c)

Johnson, James R.

Johnson, Wallace B.

Johnston, David T. J. (c)

Kain, Ronald J. (c)

Kelly, Leonard J.

Kennedy, Don (c)

Cpl CK at the time of the explosion

Lalonde, Maurice J. A. (c)

Larone, Ronald T.

Lebrun, Joseph E. G.

Lelonde, Richard C. (c)

Leonard, Serge (c)

Ma-Mc

Mac Innis, Alexander J.

MacGregor, Joseph E. (c)

MacGregor, Ron (c)

C2WS at the time of the explosion

Mack, Andrew L.

MacKinnon, John R. (c)

MacKnight, Wayne (c)

Mainguy, Daniel N.

Marshall, Alexander (c)

McDonald, David W. (c)

McDougall, David W. (c)

McIntyre, Earl L.

McLean, John (c)

P1LT at the time of the explosion

McLeod, Ernie (c)

P1ER at the time of the explosion

McLeod, Robert W. (c)

McMorris, George C.

McNaughton, George (c)

McOnie, Dave

Me-Mu

Melville, Wayne R.

Millar, Paul E. (c)

Mitchell, Earl C.

Moffat, Ernest Leon (c)

Moffat, Glen E.

Moore, Daniel G. (c)

Mosley, James (c)

Muise, Peter K. (c)

Mulock, William R.

Munday, Robert W. (c)

Murray, Allan L.

Nelson, Raymond G.

Nieforth, Angus W.

Norton, Neil St. C. (c)

Nutley, Robert G. (c)

Ovens, John J.

Palmer, Jim (c)

Parent, Neil

____-2006 (c)

LS.RM at the time of the explosion

Parkin, George T. R.

Parry, Alan (c)

Pearce, Harvey C.

Perreault, Marcel (c)

AB.WU at the time of the explosion

Pickford, Reginald J.

Pilcher, Thomas J.

Pirie, Edward D.

Pitre, Ralph J. (c)

Plourd, Lindy M. (c)

Preece, Raymond G.

Purvis, Lawrence (c)

Quinn, Richard B. (c)

Ranger, Kevin J.

Reamsbottom, A. Lee

Reid, Edward F. (c)

Reid, William G. (c)

Reid, John M.

Reilly, Harold W. (c)

Rikely, William P.

Robertson, Douglas W.

Richard, Égide

Ring, Gordon R. (c)

Robichaud, Edgar J. (c)

Saab, Don (c)

Seifried, Terrance H.

Shillington, Clifford T.

Shimansky, John T. (c)

Shorten, Harry

Siggers, John (c)

LS.BN at the time of the explosion

Sinyerd, Vincent O. (c)

Slater, Herbie (c)

AB.RP at the time of the explosion

Snow, James

Sorensen, Wendell C. (c)

Spalding, James D.

Starkey, Brian H.

Steeves, Robert D.

Stutely, James D. (c)

Swan, Douglas W. G.

Switzer, Jerry (c)

Sykes, Douglas R. M.

Taggart, Rod (c)

P1ST at the time of the explosion

Tay, Karl A.

Taylor, Douglas A. (c)

Teepell, Theodore M. (c)

P2ER at the time of the explosion

Taylor, Richard K.

Tessier, Yves G.

Thomas, Gary J.

Tiffin, Burton (c)

Theriault, Roger (c)

Tremblay, Maurice H. (c)

Turnbull, Roderick G.

Vallillee, Ronald R.

Viney, James (c)

Vrooman, David G.

Walker, Herman (c)

Walsh, Gerald F.

Warren, Willie (c)

Watson, Joseph R. (c)

Wavryk, Walter L.

Weisgerber, Ron (c)

Williams, Reginald K. (c)

Williams, William R.

Wiscombe, Samuel A.

Zabok, Ronald

In memory of those who have crossed the bar

They shall not be forgotten

Personnel also on board 23 Oct 1969

Those listed here were on board HMCS KOOTENAY on 23 Oct 1969. This includes Squadron staff that were attached to HMCS KOOTENAY at the time of the explosion and crew from HMCS BONAVENTURE and HMCS SAGUENAY that were transferred to assist in fire fighting on this day.

Ching, George

C2SG, SQN Chief Yeoman

Finlay, Ferguson

1929-2008

LCdr, Squadron officer

Henderson, Douglas A.

Jones, David B.

Lt, E.O., HMCS Bonaventure

Lynch, Grant E.

P2ET, HMCS Saguenay

Morres, Michael F.

LCdr, Sqn Weapons Officer

Perry, George J.

LS Squadron Steward

Walton, Wally

____-____

Cdr, Squadron Officer

Former Crew Members

- crew member on the day of the KOOTENAY Explosion, 23 Oct 1969

Abraham, John M.

Adams, Lloyd, ABFC

Allen, George, P2ET

Arimare, Joe, ABRP

Aris, Michael (Mike), ABSN

Armstrong, Jack, LSWS

Armstrong, Walter, ABER

Arnott, Gary, LSSG

Ashley, David, ABRM

Atkinson, Richard, ABRP

Baillargeon, Dennis, SLt

Baird, Lorne, OSRM

Barkhouse, Ray, ABBN

Bauer, Wilfred A. (Wilf), Radar Plotter

Bell, Allan (Dinger), ABER

Bellefeuille, Michael Joseph, OSER

Berbeck, Robert - Jul 1986 - Apr 1987

Biccum, Terry

Billard, George, LSER

Binette, Ronald Robert (Ron), Ordinary Seaman Weaponman Surface

Boucher, Butch, Hull Technician

Boutin, (??) (Boots), OSER

Brayshaw, Ray, ABET

Breen, Randy, AB

Briggs, Pat, OSSN

Bronson, Roger, P2FC

Brown, Gerry, LSRM - 1979 / MSRM - 1981 - 1982

Bushell, David J., ABFC

Bussiere, Clement, P2ER

Cameron, Dave Dan, OSSN

Carter, Ken, LSWS

Chamberlain, Jack, LSSG

Cholette, Frank - 1965-1967

Clark, Wayne, LSSN

Constantine, Goldwin (Connie), ABER

Cormier, (??), OSER

Corr, Jerry, P1SG

Cosens, James Victor, LSSN

Cottrell, Allan, ABBN

Couvrette, Denis, P1RM

Cully, Dan, P1FC

Dandy, Dave, OSWU

Davidson, Gus, 1st posting OS & AB, 2nd posting LS

Desrosiers, Ray (Dez), LSFC

Dooling, Larry, ABBM

Duhamel, Alfe, Chief Petty Officer Signalman

Elford, John (Jack), ABBN

Evans, David John - 1984 - 1986

Finnamore, Russel, LSET

Fisher, Kenneth G., ABWS

Flett, Victor, SN/WU

Forbes, Gordon, LT Weapons Officer

Forbes, Lance, ABSG

Fox, Francis (Frank) J., ABRP

Freeborn, Larry, P2RP

Freisen, Stoney, LSET

Galletly, Brian, LSER

Gard, William (Bill)

Garneau, Claude, OSSN

Gordon, Bob, Pte, SW (Airforce)

Gourley, David W., LSRP

Gowin, Lindsay, Radar Plotter

Gratton, Bob (Charlie), ABER

Gregory, John H., P2ER

Hadden, Garry, OSBN

Halsall, Shawn Dennis, ABSG

Hawse, Donald (Paul), ABRM

Hazel, K.W., P1AW

Helpert, David, ABRP

Hildebrand, Ron, ABST

Hodder, Peter, OSSG

Hopper, Warren, ABFC

Howell, Jerry, ABSW

Hughes, Brian, ABBN

Hughes, Robert (Bob), SLt

Hutchinson, Jack, LSRP

Inman, Dave, ABSN

Johnston, Cyril, SLt

Johnston, Jimmy, Commissioning crew as a LS.ER

Judd, John, OSER

Keenliside, John, SLt

Kelso, Donald, ABWU

Kennedy, Allan F., Lt, Engineering Officer

Kloosterman, Jim

LaCroix, Janel (PJ), OSER

Langevin, OS.SN

LaPage, C.J. (Joe), LSSW

Larcheveque, Richard, Sig - Sep 1972 - Mar 1973

Larocque, Ray, ABSN

LeGier, Chris, LSSN

Logan, Don, Sig - 01 Aug 1961 - 14 Jun 1962

MacDonald

MacDonald, Dave, ABBN

MacDonald, Jim, ABCK

MacEachern, John, ABFC

McEachern, Ken, OSSW

MacKenzie, Brian (Oily), ABER

MacPhee, Hugh, P2WU

Martell, Bill, LSSW

Martens, Rick, ABRM

McCann, Jim, ABRP

McGuire, Gary, ABRP

McLeod, Doug, CERA - Paying off crew

McLeod, Ken, Radioman

Miller, Gord (Dusty), Lt, Supply Officer

Mitchell, Mike

Montague, John, SLt

Moore, Lee, LSSN

Morgan, Grenfell (Gary), OSSN

Morris, Mike, LSWS

Newbury, George

O'Sullivan, Harold (Sully), P1ER

Palbom, John, ABSN

Pascall, Luke, Stwd

Patrick, Thomas, OSSG

Peers, Al, LSFC

Penny, Les, P2CK

Prince, Réjean, ABSN

Pye, Eric, AB.SG - 1973

Reid, Ed, LSSN

Reimer, Tom, ABFC

Richard, Andrew, LSCK

Rockwood, Gerry - 1981

Rogers, Reg - 1976 - 1978, 1980 - 1981

Rowland, Steve, ABHT

Roy, John Robert, C2ET

Russell, Bob, P2PW

Rutherford, Robert (Bob), Lt, RCN, Weapons O - Jan 1967 - Sep 1968 / Lt, RCN, XO - Oct 1967 - Dec 1967

Salt, Brian, OSRM

Saunders, Earle, P1WS

Saunders, Russel W., CPL Engineer (Airforce)

Savery, Robert, ABET

Secord

Schwartz, Art, Lt, CommO

Sharp, Randy

Sorhus, Al, OSRM

Specht, Tony - paying off crew

St-Amour, Michel, OSER

Steele, John, ABWU

Stewart, Brian, ABWU

Stewart, Dave, SG

Stuart, Bob - 1983 - 1986

Swan, Steve, LSWU

Swire(s), Al, ABAW

Tanner, Gerald (Gerry), RM - 1965 - 1968

Tanner, Joe, Cook, RCN

Tremblay, Gilbert (Gigi), LS-MS, EW - 02 May 1983 - 16 Jul 1984

Tymchuk, Wayne, ABSG

Vansickle, Don, P1WU

Wardell, Ken

Weber, Brian, ABWU

Webster, John, OSSG

White, Ron, P2ET

Wickens, Tom, OSHT

Williams, Brian L.

Williams, Fritz, ABER

Wills, Al, FC - Apr 1978 - Jul 1979

Winters, Gerald, LSSN

Womack, John, ABWS

Young, Tom, ABRP

Personnel also on board 23 Oct 1969

Cormier, Rene - LS, Air Bosn/Firefighter, HMCS BONAVENTURE	Malloy, John - HMCS BONAVENTURE
Gadbois, Ed - LS Air Bosn/Firefighter, HMCS BONAVENTURE	Moore, Doug H. - LS, Squadron Signalman
Homer, Joe (Doc) - SLt, Squadron Medical Officer	Oliver, James B. (Jim) - LS, Squadron Signalman
Malasgar, Moe/Mac - P2 Air Bosn/Firefighter, HMCS BONAVENTURE	Swiss, John - HMCS BONAVENTURE

Photos and Documents

HMCS KOOTENAY 258 - undated

RCN photo

HMCS KOOTENAY 258 - undated

RCN photo

KOOTENAY'S commanding officer cutting the 1st anniversary cake with his sword

Courtesy of Steve Rowland

Cake celebrating HMCS KOOTENAY'S 1st Anniversary

Courtesy of Steve Rowland

HMCS KOOTENAY 258 during Maple Spring 1966

Note the dark grey USN paint colour on the hull

Courtesy of Ed Paquette

ROUTINE ORDERS - HMCS KOOTENAY

Saturday 18 Oct 1969

Courtesy of Patti Christie

The KOOTENAY Explosion - October 23, 1969

At 6:05 AM KOOTENAY and Saguenay were ordered to separate from the task force and carry out a routine full-power trial. Saguenay completed her trial at 8:00 AM and KOOTENAY started her trial at 8:10 AM. At 8:21 AM KOOTENAY suffered the worst peacetime accident in the history of the RCN when her starboard gearbox reached an estimated temperature of 650 °C (1,202 °F) and exploded. The explosion and the ensuing fire killed 9 crew members and injured at least 53 others. The fire was brought under control by 10:10 AM and was extinguished between 10:30 and 11:00 AM. KOOTENAY was badly damaged but was kept afloat by the actions of her crew.

These ten pages record what happened that fatal day onboard HMCS KOOTENAY

HMCS KOOTENAY photographed from a CS2F Tracker 1546 off HMCS BONAVENTURE 23 Oct 1969

Crew: Lt. Snowie, SLt Dan Elder, PO Monty Montgomery, LS Scottie Mills.

Photo taken by Lt. Allan Snowie

The bodies of those who died in the KOOTENAY explosion are being placed in a helicopter to be taken ashore from HMCS BONAVENTURE

Courtesy of Jack Soble

Remembering KOOTENAY's Fallen

Funeral service being conducted for those who died as a result of the gearbox explosion on HMCS KOOTENAY, 23 Oct 1969

HMCS SAGUENAY leaves Plymouth, England for the burial at sea of three of KOOTENAY's sailors who died as a result of the gearbox explosion on HMCS KOOTENAY, 23 Oct 1969

From the collection of CPO Gord Giroux, Chief Steward

Courtesy of Debbie (Giroux) Graham

HMCS SAGUENAY leaves Plymouth, England for the burial at sea of three of KOOTENAY's sailors who died as a result of the gearbox explosion on HMCS KOOTENAY, 23 Oct 1969

Courtesy of George Damczyk. George was an OSER on HMCS SAGUENAY at the time of the KOOTENAY explosion

Bryan, Harry - LS Air Bosn / Bugler, HMCS SAGUENAY. Volunteer bugler at KOOTENAY burial services and at KOOTENAY Memorial reunions

Funeral Service pamphlet for those who died in the KOOTENAY Explosion

Courtesy of Grant Reid

(01) Page 3 of a Summary of the KOOTENAY Explosion and Fire from HMCS BONAVENTURE. Credit: Naval Museum of Halifax. Courtesy of Brian Lapierre

(02) Newspaper article on the memorial service for HMCS KOOTENAY's fallen

(03) All crew members that were on HMCS KOOTENAY during the explosion in 1969 were given one of these certificates by the Navy in Oct 2011. Courtesy of Grant Reid

(04) Newspaper article on the first 20 crewmen from HMCS KOOTENAY arriving back in Nova Scotia - dated 07 Nov 1969. Courtesy of Patti Christie

HMCS KOOTENAY 258 - Welcome aboard booklet (prior to 1970)

Courtesy of Grant Reid

The Last Tot on board HMCS KOOTENAY 258

HMCS KOOTENAY 258 undergoing post-conversion sea trials - Oct 1972

Courtesy of Richard Larcheveque

KOOTENAY Kommandoes flag - created during during the return from Westploy '73

When we were returning from duty off Vietnam, an RP named Mike Caine helped me make a flag to fly off the mast to add a little extra colour for the occasion. It was flag “Quebec”, being an overall yellow, on which we caricatured a warrior, the “KOOTENAY Commando”

Courtesy of James Pye, LS.SG

Kevin Kirk standing in HMCS KOOTENAY's rope stores after her collision with the bulk carrier Nordpol

Courtesy of Kevin Kirk

HMCS KOOTENAY after her collision with the bulk carrier Nordpol

A certificate issued to PO1 NavSig Andre Sheppard after HMCS KOOTENAY rounded Cape Horn on 10 Oct 1995

Courtesy of Andre Sheppard

Series of photos showing the replacement of KOOTENAY's bow from Chaudiere after her collision with bulk carrier Nordpol.

Credit: Ian Ball, PO1, ERA, Ret'd

Photo 1) both ships with their bow sections removed

Photo 2) KOOTENAY has her new nose job and her damaged bow is on Chaudiere

Gerry Rockwood on HMCS KOOTENAY during Ex Horizon View 81

Courtesy of Mike Engeland

HMCS KOOTENAY going through the locks on the Welland Canal during the Great Lakes Cruise, 1967

Courtesy of David Stewart

photo 1

photo 2

photo 3

photo 4

photo 5

photo 6

photo 7

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(1) Mike Aris (left) and Égide Richard (the Pocket Rocket) in 1 Mess, HMCS KOOTENAY (2) # 1 Mess, HMCS KOOTENAY, LS.SN Lee More, Capt. Jack and OS.SN Pat Briggs (3) # 1 Mess, HMCS KOOTENAY, OS.SN Alan Parry on the right. (4) HMCS KOOTENAY transiting locks during Centennial events (5 & 6) Paint ship on HMCS KOOTENAY (7 & 8) The bridge of HMCS KOOTENAY

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(9) Burma road on HMCS KOOTENAY (10) Cable deck of HMCS KOOTENAY (11) Main cafeteria of HMCS KOOTENAY (12) Bunks in 1 Mess - HMCS KOOTENAY (13) 1 Mess settee area - HMCS KOOTENAY (14) HMCS KOOTENAY's Wheelhouse (15) (L-R) OS.SN Mike Aris, OS.SN Pat Briggs, OSSN Jack Kilbourn, OS.SN Égide Richard (Pocket Rocket) (front) (16) (L-R) Jack Kilbourn and Pat Briggs

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(17) KOOTENAY's Counter Terrorist Group - Chris Legier, Rocky, Mosley (18) Mike Aris at the Fortress of san Felipe Del Morro, San Juan (19) Mike Aris and OS Alan Parry's hand relaxing on HMCS KOOTENAY in Bermuda, Maple Spring '67 (20) Playing crib in 1 Mess on HMCS KOOTENAY (21) OS.SN Dave Dan Cameron (right) and OS.SN Alan Parry (left) in the Torpedo House during action stations (22) HMCS KOOTENAY at Expo '67. The Bluenose is in the foreground (23) Mike Aris and Al Parry in San Juan

Courtesy of Mike Aris

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(1) Rick Boyd, Rick Lalonde and Tom Atkins on HMCS KOOTENAY 258 (2) Begley and Boyd (3) Begley and ?? (4) "Happy 21st Birthday" (5) Begley and Boyd (6) Lalonde, Begley, Hildebrand and ?? (7)

Courtesy of Rick Boyd

Tot time on KOOTENAY - 1966

21st birthday celebration for HMCS KOOTENAY 258 at sea

Courtesy of Peter Ware

21st birthday celebration for HMCS KOOTENAY 258 at sea

The Buffer is presenting a carving of the ship to the CO

Courtesy of Peter Ware

21st birthday celebration for HMCS KOOTENAY 258 at sea

Horse races on the quarterdeck

Courtesy of Peter Ware

Crossing the Line - Equator on HMCS KOOTENAY 258

Courtesy of Peter Ware

HMCS KOOTENAY 258 firing an ASROC

Courtesy of Peter Ware

HMCS KOOTENAY 258 firing a CHAFF rocket

Courtesy of Peter Ware

Certificate issued to KOOTENAY crew members who were on her when she transited the Panama Canal on 20 Jan 1973 while transferring coasts from Halifax to Esquimalt.

Courtesy of Grant Reid

Ron Hildebrand on HMCS KOOTENAY 258

Courtesy of Ron Hildebrand