HMCS LOCKEPORT J100
Bangor Class Minesweeper
Built for the RN by North Vancouver Ship Repairs Ltd., at Vancouver but transferred to the RCN for manning. She was commissioned on 27 May 1942, and served with Esquimalt Force until 17 March 1943, when she left for Halifax. On her arrival there on 30 Apr 1943 she was assigned briefly to WLEF and, in Jun 1943, to Halifax Force. In Nov and Dec 1943, she was lent to Newfoundland Force but was withdrawn owing to engine trouble. On 09 Jan 1944, while en route to Baltimore for refit, her engines broke down in a storm, and she made 190 miles under improvised sail before being towed the rest of the way to her destination.
The story of HMCS Lockport's miraculous trip under sail appears to be more of wartime propaganda than actual fact - at least according to one LOCKEPORT sailor, Bill Tom. You can read his version of events on The Memory Project
Upon her return to Halifax in Apr 1944, LOCKEPORT was ordered to Bermuda to work up, and on the homeward journey she escorted the boats of the 78th Motor Launch Flotilla. Returning to Sydney Force in May 1944, she was frequently an escort to the Port-aux-Basques/Sydney ferry. She left Canada on 27 May 1945, for the U.K., and was returned to the RN at Sheerness on 02 Jul 1945, to be broken up three years later at Dorkin, Gateshead.
Photos and Documents Ship's company photos
Commanding Officers
In memory of those who have crossed the bar They shall not be forgotten
Former Crew Members
Photos and Documents
(BH04) Newspaper article on minesweepers clearing the approaches to St. John's, Newfoundland. Ships mentioned: HMCS SARNIA, HMCS STRATFORD, HMCS LOCKEPORT, HMCS MEDICINE HAT, HMCS GRANDMERE, HMCS VEGREVILLE, HMCS CANSO, HMCS BURLINGTON, HMCS CARAQUET and ML Q091 is the Fairmile mentioned that towed in the mines.
Sailors mentioned: Lt George Rundle of Montreal, QC; PO J.W. Wells of Grand Bay, NFLD and Lt George Gordon McClelland ML Q091
(BH05) HMCS LOCKEPORT pennant (BH06) Sailors on HMCS LOCKEPORT. Bert Honer standing, 2nd from left (BH07) Sailors on HMCS LOCKEPORT. Bert Horner, 1st on right (BH08) Bert Horner on HMCS LOCKEPORT at St. John's, NFLD
(BH09) HMCS LOCKEPORT departing St. John's, NFLD (BH10) Unknown sailor on HMCS LOCKEPORT (BH11) Unknown sailor on HMCS LOCKEPORT (BH12) Bert Horner on HMCS LOCKEPORT (BH13) Unknown sailors on HMCS LOCKEPORT
(BH14) Unknown minesweeper seen from HMCS LOCKEPORT (BH15) Unknown CPO on HMCS LOCKEPORT (BH16) Unknown sailor on HMCS LOCKEPORT (BH17) Minesweeping gear on the sweep deck/quarterdeck of HMCS LOCKEPORT (BH18) Unknown sailor on HMCS LOCKEPORT
(BH19) Quarterdeck of HMCS LOCKPORT. Unknown vessel in drydock at St. John's, Nfld - Signal Hill in the background
From the collection of Bert Horner, RCNVR
Courtesy of Bruce Horner
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