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HMCS MARGARET BROOKE 431
Harry DeWolf Class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel
HMCS MARGARET BROOKE was named after LCdr Margaret Brooke, Nursing Sister, RCN, decorated for gallantry during the Second World War. The actions followed the torpedoing and subsequent sinking of the Newfoundland ferry SS Caribou on October 14, 1942, in the Cabot Strait off Newfoundland.
On October 14, 1942, during a crossing of the Cabot Strait off the coast of Newfoundland, the ferry SS Caribou was torpedoed by the German submarine U-69. The ferry sank in five minutes. Fighting for her own survival, Lieutenant-Commander Brooke (who was a Sub-Lieutenant at the time) did everything humanly possible to save the life of her colleague and friend, Nursing Sister Sub-Lieutenant Agnes Wilkie, while both women clung to ropes on a capsized lifeboat. In spite of LCdr Brooke’s heroic efforts to hang on to her with one arm, her friend succumbed to the frigid water.
For this selfless act, LCdr Brooke was named a Member (Military Division) of the Order of the British Empire.
“I am amazed that my actions as a survivor of the sinking of the SS Caribou led the Royal Canadian Navy to my door,” said LCdr Brooke. “I was honoured to learn during a telephone conversation with the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence, on April 10, 2015, that a new Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ship will carry my name and be known as Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Margaret Brooke.”
HMCS MARGARET BROOKE was commissioned in Halifax, NS on 28 Oct 2022.
On 09 Mar 2024 MARGARET BROOK returned to Halifax after an 8-week deployment on Op Caribbe, supporting the U.S. Coast Guard in seizing 510 kg of illicit drugs in the Caribbean region. She sailed 11,150 NM and spent 48 days at sea.
On 18 Apr 2024 MARGARET BROOK departed Halifax for a 9-week deployment on Operation Caribbe, where they will work alongside the U.S-led Enhanced Counternarcotics Ops and mission to suppress drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
Photos and Documents The Ship's Bell
They shall not be forgotten
Photos and Documents
(MBK001) Sailor 1st Class Celine Dorion stops for a wave on sea ice flow as she makes her way through the snow while the future HMCS MARGARET BROOKE is parked for ice sampling in Labrador sea during ice trials on 27 Feb 2022. Photographer: S2 Taylor Congdon
(MBK002-MBK004) The future HMCS MARGARET BROOKE conducting cold weather / ice trials - Feb / Mar 2022
(MBK005) The Future HMCS Margaret Brooke conducting ice trials in the Arctic - Mar 2022 Photographer: S2 Bryan Fraser
MBK006 (MBK006) HMCS MARGARET BROOKE 431 and her 3 sister ships decorated for the 2023 Christmas Season Source: RCN Facebook page Photographer: Mona Ghiz
(MBK007-MBK011) Following the successful interception of narcotics on Op CARIBBE, the crew of HMCS Margaret Brooke used the 25 millimetre Mk 38 machine gun system to sink the smuggling vessel. This is standard procedure to avoid leaving a navigational hazard to other mariners in international waters. Source: RCN official Facebook page - posted 22 Feb 2024
(MBK012) Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov as it enters Havana’s bay, Cuba 12 Jun 2024. The Russian navy ships are expected to remain in Havana until 17 Jun 2024 (Source: Reuters / Stringer) (MBK013) Russian nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine Kazan enters Havana’s bay, Cuba 12 Jun 2024 (Source: Reuters / Alexandre Meneghini) (MBK014) HMCS MARGARET BROOKE passes by Russian nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine Kazan and frigate Admiral Gorshkov, as it enters Havana’s bay, Cuba 14 Jun 2024 (Source: Reuters / Alexandre Meneghini) (MBK015) The crew of the Russian nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine Kazan watch the Canadian navy patrol boat HMCS Margaret Brooke passing by as it enters Havana’s bay, Cuba 14 Jun 2024 (Source: REUTERS / Stringer)
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In memory of those who have crossed the bar 
