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HMCS SACKVILLE K181
Flower Class Corvette
Built by Saint John Dry Dock & Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Saint John, NB, she was launched on 15 May 1941. Commissioned on 30 Dec 1941, at Saint John, N.B., SACKVILLE arrived at Halifax on 12 Jan 1942. She joined NEF after working up, and on 26 May 1942 left St. John's to escort HX.191 as part of the newly formed EG C-3.
In early August 1942 HMCS SACKVILLE engaged three U-boats in a 24-hour period damaging two before they were able to escape. At the time Sackville was under the command of Lieutenant Commander Alan Easton, DSC. As part of a western bound convoy 250 miles east of Newfoundland, she encountered a U-boat on the surface. At a range of less than a quarter mile, she fired a starshell and forced the U-boat to crash-dive. She then steamed into the swirl of water left by the submerging U-boat and fired a pattern of depth charges. The powerful blast threw the U-boat to the surface before it slipped back into the water and disappeared. And 90 minutes later, SACKVILLE engaged another surfaced U-boat in a lethal ballet. When SACKVILLE zigged to ram, the U-boat zigged to avoid, but not before SACKVILLE fired a four-inch shell that punched a large hole in the base of the conning tower forcing the sub to return to port.
In Apr 1943, she transferred to C-1, and in Sep 1943 briefly joined EG 9 in support of the beleaguered combined convoy ONS.18 / ON.202, which lost six merchant vessels and three escorts. In Oct 1943 SACKVILLE transferred to C-2 for the balance of her war career.
She underwent two major refits: at Liverpool, N.S., and Halifax, from 14 Jan to 02 May 1943; and at Galveston, Texas, from late Feb to 07 May 1944, when her fo'c's'le was extended. Upon her return from working up in Bermuda, in Jun 1944, she made a crossing to Londonderry. Soon after leaving for the westward journey she split a boiler and had to return to 'Derry for repairs. She left again on 11 Aug 1944, to limp home as escort to ONS.248, refitted at Halifax and, in Sep 1944, briefly became a training ship at HMCS KINGS.
In Oct 1944 she began, at Halifax, refit and reconstruction to a loop-laying vessel, and work was still in progress by VE-Day. The ship was paid off on 08 Apr 1946, but re-commissioned 04 Aug 1950, as depot ship, reserve fleet.
She was refitted in 1950 but remained inactive until 1953, when, as a Canadian Naval Auxiliary Vessel (CNAV), she began a survey of the Gulf of St. Lawrence that was to last several years. She also carried out a number of cruises to the Baffin Island-Greenland area. Extensive modification in 1968 reflected SACKVILLE's new status as a research vessel. She was operated by the Department of National defence on behalf of the Bedford Institute of Oceanography.
In 1983, as the sole surviving corvette, she was transferred to the Canadian Naval Corvette Trust (now Canadian Naval Memorial Trust) and restored to her wartime appearance.
Photos and Documents Ship's company photos
HMCS SACKVILLE Deck Log - 24 Jul 1942 - 28 Sep 1942
Ref: LAC RG24 Vol. 7816 Deck Logs HMCS SACKVILLE
My Life Aboard HMCS SACKVILLE - by Patrick Onions A/B RCNVR Ret.
WW II veteran Larry Hartman visits HMCS SACKVILLE 71 years later
Canada's Naval Memorial (HMCS SACKVILLE)
Commanding Officers
Commanding Officers HMCS SACKVILLE - Canadian Naval Memorial Trust
AB, RCNVR MPK -14 Oct 1942
They shall not be forgotten
Former Crew Members
Photos and Documents
(SKV001) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 - Summer 1942 // From the collection of Joseph Henri Lionel Forget // Courtesy of Johnny Forget (SKV002) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 - summer 1942 // Source: Archival photo - Naval Museum of Alberta (SKV003) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 - 1942 // RCN Photo (SKV004) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 - summer 1943 // Source: Archival photo - Naval Museum of Alberta (SKV005) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 // From the collection of James Savas, AB SD, RCNVR // Courtesy of Rick Savas
(SKV006) Unknown sailor on the jetty by HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (SKV007-SKV008) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 - after 1944 refit and fo'c's'le extension // Source: Archival photo - Naval Museum of Alberta (SKV009) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 looking aft from the fo'c's'le // From the collection of François Messier, AB, RCNVR // Courtesy of Denis Messier (SKV010) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 firing a depth charge - Aug 1944 // From the collection of François Messier, AB, RCNVR // Courtesy of Denis Messier
(SKV011) CFAV SACKVILLE 113 // Courtesy of Gary Medford (SKV012) CFAV SACKVILLE at Jetty 5, Halifax, NS - 18 Sep 1981 // Courtesy of Hugh Muir (SKV013) CNAV SACKVILLE 113 flying her paying-off pennant - Dec 1982 (SKV014) This photo shows a mess deck on HMCS SACKVILLE, the last corvette, restored to her wartime configuration by the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust. The oilskin on the mannequin was donated by Catherine Crewe, daughter of the late George Crewe, RCN through For Posterity's Sake
(SKV014-SKV016) Newspaper articles on the preservation and restoration of HMCS SACKVILLE K181 // From the collection of Leonard Hare // Courtesy of Debbie King
(SKV017) HMCS SACKVILLE K181, Halifax 2014 // Photographer: John Floyd // © John Floyd 2014 / all rights reserved // Published here with permission of John Floyd. Do not reproduce, re-use or republish without permission of John Floyd (SKV018) Autographs from 2 of HMCS SACKVILLE's wartime crew members - Ken Medford and Arthur Murray // Courtesy of Bill Gard
(SKV020) HMCS SACKVILLE arriving in port #169 of a limited edition print. Artist Unknown Click on the above image to view the full print Courtesy of Bill Gard
If anyone has any information on who the artist is for this print, please email info@forposterityssake.ca
(DDDD57-DD59) HMCS SACKVILLE K181. PhotoS taken from HMCS OWEN SOUND K340 From the collection of Dan L. Dunbar, AB, RCNVR Courtesy of Dan Dunbar
(RK15) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (RK16) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 jacket patch (RK17) Off duty in a mess deck on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 in Halifax. Robert Knowles 2nd from right (RK18) ERA Robert Knowles by the depth charge rails on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 - 1943
(RK19-RK21) Unknown Chiefs and Petty Officers on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (RK22-RK23) Unknown sailor on HMCS SACKVILLE posing with the latest survival gear if one is washed overboard. The CPO in RK23 is also unknown
(RK24) Unknown sailor on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (RK25) A photograph of a photographer taking a photograph on HMCS SACKVILLE K181. All in the photo are unknown (RK26) Unknown Lt and rating in the Bandstand on HMCS SACKVILLE K181. Standing on the starboard raft is an unknown SLt with a camera (RK27) Unknown Lt in the Bandstand on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (RK27) Port side aft looking forward on HMCS SACKVILLE K181. All in the photo are unknown From the collection of Robert A. Knowles, A/Wt (Eng) Courtesy of George Knowles
(JR12) SS Belgian Soldier torpedoed and sunk by U-607 on 04 Aug 1942. Photo taken from HMCS SACKVILLE (JR13-JR14) Survivor of SS BELGIAN SOLDIER. He was knocked out by the blast, woke up alone and lowered himself into a lifeboat (JR15) Unidentified submarine and corvette outboard of HMCS COWICHAN J146 (JR16) Either raising or lowering SACKVILLE's workboat
(JR17) Joe Rolland on HMCS SACKVILLE (JR18) SACKVILLE crew members playing ball on the jetty (JR19) Closed up at action stations. U-boat contacted. Waiting for action (JR20) Joe Rolland (with X over his head) and shipmates on HMCS SACKVILLE 32 hour action against 3 subs with an "unofficial" fourth sub sighted. Captain Easton has ordered the crew to sleep with their clothes on (JR21) Sailors on HMCS SACKVILLE
(JR22) Sailors on the fo'c's'le of HMCS SACKVILLE at St. John's, NFLD. HMCS AVALON II in the background (JR23) Sailors on the quarterdeck of HMCS SACKVILLE (JR24) Sailors on HMCS SACKVILLE looking at convoy on the horizon (JR25) One of SACKVILLE'S CPO with Joe Rolland in background on right (JR26 ) Sailors on HMCS SACKVILLE. Ken Medford front, left
(JR27) Joe Rolland on HMCS SACKVILLE (J28) HMCS SACKVILLE icing up at sea (JR29-JR31) One of SACKVILLE'S CPOs
(JR32) HMCS SACKVILLE awash in rough seas (JR33) Joe Rolland in centre (JR34) Unknown sailor in crow's nest on HMCS SACKVILLE (JR35) Sailors on the quarterdeck on HMCS SACKVILLE (JR36) Unknown sailor washing down the decks on HMCS SACKVILLE
(JR37) Joe Rolland on HMCS SACKVILLE (JR38) Sailors heading up to the gun deck on HMCS SACKVILLE (JR39) Painting ship at sea on HMCS SACKVILLE (JR40) Joe Rolland (left) (JR41) Work party on HMCS SACKVILLE
(JR42) HMCS SACKVILLE Christmas card (JR43) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (JR44) Joe Rolland (right) and Bess (JR45) Joe Rolland (JR46) Ranson, Hickscock, Laviolette
(JR47) Joe Rolland (left) and McCoon on HMCS SACKVILLE (JR48) HMCS SACKVILLE - " some of the crew" (JR49) HMCS SACKVILLE - " some of the crew". Joe Rolland with "X"
(JR50) Bob Laderoute (JR51) Kelly (JR52) Capatula (JR53) McPherson (Note: above 4 sailors believed to be crew of HMCS SACKVILLE)
(JR54) Sailors on HMCS SACKVILLE circa Apr 1942 - Mar 1943
Standing L-R: Hick, Steve, Saunders, Harry, Dick, Cra..., Morris, Ciguer..., Rolland, Donsell, McLean, Medford
From the collection of Joseph W. Rolland, RCNVR
Courtesy of Jordan McCallum
(LH16) Gunnery drills on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 - 1942 (LH17-LH18) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (LH19) Larry Hartman on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 - 1942 (LH20) Larry Hartman on HMCS SACKVILLE K181
(LH21) Larry Hartman on the signal lamp on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (LH22-LH23) Depth charge launched ...... Depth charge detonated (LH24) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 at sea (LH25)Larry Hartman (left) and Arf Geldard on HMCS SACKVILLE K181
(LH26) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 as part of the Barber Pole Brigade - as designated by the barber pole on her funnel (LH27) Gordon Brinacomb on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (LH28) Alf Geldard on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (LH29) L-R: Alf Geldard, Larry Hartman, "Hot Dog", Phil and Eric on HMCS SACKVILLE K181, Greenock, Scotland, 1942. The gun shield of HMCS AGASSIZ is in the background (LH30) Unknown sailor up in SACKVILLE'S crow's nest
(LH31) Boarding party from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 preparing to go to a tanker (LH32) Depth charger thrower on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (LH33) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 rescuing U-boat survivors (LH34) Larry Hartman on HMCS SACKVILLE K181, his first trip arriving in Ireland
(LH35) Larry Hartman on HMCS SACKVILLE in 1944 and again, 71 years later, on HMCS SACKVILLE in Halifax
From the collection of Larry Hartman, Telegraphist, RCN
Courtesy of Ray Hartman
(PC01) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 at sea - 1942 (PC02) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 alongside in St. John's, Newfoundland - 1942 (PC03) The White Ensign flying on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (PC04) Gunshield art on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942
From the collection of Peter Cox Courtesy of Gary Medford
(KM29) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 - Photo taken from HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 while convoy escort for ONS.18 & ON.202, Sep 1943 (KM02) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (KM03) Floating mine seen just off HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM04) A flock of seagulls over HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM05) North Atlantic convoy seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942
(KM34) Unknown corvette seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM35) Kenneth Medford on the twin Lewis machine gun on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM36) Jetty 3 Halifax circa 1942 - The bow and forward gun of HMCS Ottawa H60 seen on the right of the photo (KM37-KM38) HMCS GALT K163 seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (foreground) circa 1942
(KM39) HMCS SKEENA I59 seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (foreground) circa 1942 (KM40-KM41) HMCS SACKVILLE'S whaler turned out and ready for use circa 1942 - Note convoy in the distance (KM42) Rough seas in the North Atlantic circa 1942 - HMCS SACKVILLE'S whaler turned out and ready for use (KM43) HMCS SACKVILLE K181, looking aft along the port side circa 1942
(KM44) North Atlantic convoy seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM45) Paddy's Milestone (Ailsa Craig), seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942. Ailsa Craig or in Scots Gaelic, Creag Ealasaid, is an island of 99 hectares (240 acres) in the outer Firth of Clyde, 16 kilometers (9.9 mi) from mainland Scotland which was formed from the volcanic plug of an extinct volcano (KM46) RMS Queen Elizabeth, seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM47) HMS BRAMHAM L51, seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM48) Seaplane base on the way to Greenock, Scotland circa 1942
(KM49) Depth charge thrower on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM50-KM52) Two unknown aircraft carriers and a County class cruiser on the River Clyde - photos taken from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM53) Catapult Aircraft Merchant Ship (CAM ship) seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942. The planes on these ships were one launch planes. Once launched, the pilot had to ditch the plane and hope he would be able to be picked up
(KM54-KM58) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 Iced-up, Winter 1942-1943. Note her gunshield art in photos 57 and 58
(KM59) Catalina Flying Boat seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM60) At sea on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942. "The Rev" Morris holding the ship's mascot Corky. Others in the picture ... Gordie Cartwright, Tom Stevenson, Claude Clow. Note submitted by Mary Gair - "The Rev" - Ashley Harl Morris was nicknamed Reverend due to his ability to tell lies (tall tales) (KM61) Jim Steele from Toronto, ON on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circ 1942 (KM62) Jack Wilcox from PEI and Kenneth Medford on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM63) Claude Ransom from Windsor, ON on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942
(KM64) Kenneth Medford on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM65) HMCS SACKVILLE K181, St. John's, NFLD circa 1942 (KM66-KM67) Unknown Allied sub alongside HMCS SACKVILLE K181 at St. John's NFLD circa 1942. Kenneth Medford standing on sub in photo 66 (KM68) Kenneth Medford on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 at St. John's NFLD circa 1942
(KM69) SS Belgian Soldier (4th ship 9th column of ON 115), torpedoed but still afloat, under tow by unknown corvette (not in photo). Convoy ON 115 departed Liverpool, England 24 Jul 1942, arrived Boston, Mass, 08 Aug 1942. Belgian Soldier was torpedoed and damaged by U-553. She straggled and was later sunk by U-607 on 4 Aug. Twenty-one dead (KM70) G S Waldren, ON 115, torpedoed but still afloat, under tow by HMCS Agassiz (not in photo). Convoy ON 115 departed Liverpool, England 24 Jul 1942, arrived Boston, Mass, 08 Aug 1942. G.S. Waldren was a tanker. She was torpedoed by U-552 on 03 Aug 1942, East of Cape Race. She was towed into St. John’s, NFLD. 1 Dead (KM71) Line ahead in Conception Bay, NFLD circa 1942 (KM72) Unknown freighter near St. John's, NFLD circa 1942
(KM73-KM75) Entering St. John's, NFLD circa 1942
(KM76) Kenneth Medford on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM77) Tom Stevenson of Toronto, ON on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM78) Claude Ransom (with rifle) on the jetty by HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM79) Cliff Aickens, SBA, HMCS SACKVILLE K181 at Trafalgar Square, London circa 1942
(KM80-KM84) Transiting the River Foyle enroute to Londonderry, Ireland
(KM85-KM89) Transiting the River Foyle enroute to Londonderry, Ireland (KM87) Wren's quarters
(KM90) Blue Watch, HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 - L-R: Tom Stevenson, Toronto, ON; Ashely Harl “The Rev” Morris, Chester, NS; Jim Steele, Toronto, ON; Hunter, Alberta; Claude Clow, Shelbourne, NS; Medford, Kenneth, Leading hand
(KM91) Blue Watch, HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 - Back Row: L-R: Kenneth Medford, Leading Hand; Ashely Harl "The Rev" Morris; Unknown Front Row: L-R: Jim Steele; Claude Clow; Tom Stevenson
(KM92) Blue Watch, HMCS SACKVILLE K181, in Newfoundland circa 1942 - Front: Kenneth Medford - Back Row: L-R: Jim Stevensen , Jim Steele, Hunter, Ashley Harl "The”Rev” Morris, Claude Clow
(KM93) White Watch, HMCS SACKVILLE K181, in Newfoundland circa 1942 - L-R: unknown; unknown; Jack Hickox, Leading Hand, Charlottetown, PEI; unknown; George Saunders, Montreal; unknown
(KM94) Ashley Harl "The Rev" Morris on a train in Scotland circa 1942 (KM95) An overturned lifeboat near HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM96) Unknown freighter in convoy carrying trucks circa 1942 (KM97) Unknown freighter in convoy circa 1942 (KM98)
(KM98) HMCS SACKVILLE biting in to a wave circa 1942 (KM99) Kenneth Medford standing by the port Engine room air intakes on HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1942 (KM100) HMCS SACKVILLE K181, starboard Engine room air intakes (foreground), starboard Boiler room air intake (background) circa 1942 (KM101)
(KM102-KM103) Fo'c's'le and 4-inch gun on HMCS SACKVILLE icing up - circa 1942 (KM104-KM106) Iceberg near HMCS SACKVILLE K181 - circa 1942
(KM107-KM110) Liverpool NS, during refit of HMCS SACKVILLE, K181 - Jan-Feb 1943
(KM111) HMCS SACKVILLE K181 circa 1943-1944 - Photo taken from HMCS KAMLOOPS K176 (KM112) Convoy seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (KM113) HMCS ROSTHERN K169 and (likely) HMCS GALT K163. Photo taken from HMCS SACKVILLE K181 (KM114) US gunboat arriving in Halifax. Photo taken from HMCS SACKVILLE K181. HMCS Galt K163 outboard of HMCS SACKVILLE (KM115) Newspaper article on how sailors (on HMCS SACKVILLE) pass time at sea
(KM116-KM118) Various newspaper articles on HMCS SACKVILLE action with U-boats
(KM119) Legion Newspaper Article mentioning Claude Clow, Sep 1995 (KM120) Article from the Trident magazine - Ken Medford visits HMCS SACKVILLE 60 years later
From the collection of Kenneth Medford, DSM
Courtesy of Gary Medford
(PT12) HMCS SACKVILLE Z62 after conversion to Cable Recovery ship (PT13) HMCS SACKVILLE Z62 alongside in Halifax (PT14) Unknown sailors on HMCS SACKVILLE Z62 (PT15) Pat Onions on the jetty in Halifax with an unknown CPO (PT16) Pat Onions climbing up the most on HMCS SACKVILLE Z62
(PT17) Unknown sailor on HMCS SACKVILLE Z62 (PT18) Unknown sailors on HMCS SACKVILLE Z62 (PT19-PT20) unknown sailors working on the fo'c's'le of HMCS SACKVILLE Z62
(PT22) Pat Onions on HMCS SACKVILLE Z62 (PT23) unknown sailor cutting bread in a mess deck on HMCS SACKVILEL Z62. The bread appears a tad hard. (PT24) Unknown sailor on HMCS SACKVILLE Z62
From the collection of LS Patrick Onions, RCNVR
Courtesy of Bill Gard
11 Feb 2018 - HMCS SACKVILLE is moved to the Syncrolift in Halifax for a refit. Her hull will be cleaned of algae and then there will be extensive plate repair/replacement done in the submarine shed.
Photographer / © 2018 Carl Anderson (1 - 4) and Bill Gard (5 - 13) Courtesy of Bill Gard
HMCS SACKVILLE on the syncrolift in Halifax - 11 Feb 2018 - being prepared for refit
Photographer / © 2018 - Doug Struthers Courtesy of Bill Gard
HMCS SACKVILLE's refit is progressing. Her hull has been scraped/sandblasted and primed.
Photographer / © 2018 - Bill Gard Courtesy of Bill Gard
HMCS SACKVILLE on the synchrolift at Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Scott, HMC Dockyard Halifax, for more hull work - 25 Sep 2020 - Photo source: Tweet by the CO FMFCS - Docking of HMCS SACKVILLE. A real privilege to have the opportunity to work on this fine WWII ship. Thank you @HMCSSACKVILLE1 for your trust and confidence!
Courtesy of Bill Gard
HMCS SACKVILLE decorated for the 2023 Christmas Season Source: CFB Halifax Formation Imaging Services
07 May 2000
06 May 2001
02 May 2002
04 May 2003
02 May 2004
07 May 2006
06 May 2007
04 May 2008
03 May 2009
02 May 2010
01 May 2011
06 May 2012
05 May 2013
04 May 2014
23 Jun 2020
18 Aug 2020
21 Sep 2020
HMCS SACKVILLE being brought alongside so that families may board for the committal service
08 Oct 2021
01 May 2022
22 Sep 2022
HMCS SACKVILLE, under command of Commander Gary Reddy (ret’d), carried out a committal of ashes of naval veterans and serving members off Point Pleasant Park in September. The ship’s crew was supported by CFB Halifax Base Chaplain office, Queen’s Harbour Master (tug service), fleet personnel and CNMT trustees. The committal service involving family members was conducted by Chaplain Andrew Cook. Among the guests attending the memorial service were Eamonn McKee, Ireland’s ambassador to Canada and the commanding officer of the Irish Naval Service offshore patrol vessel LE James Joyce visiting Halifax at the time.
07 May 2023
Photographer: Doug Struthers (on smugmug)
19 Sep 2023
21 Sep 2023
05 May 2024
19 Sep 2024
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In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice
Lest We Forget 
