HMCS / CFAV CLIFTON W36 / ATA-529

 

Norton Class Tugboat

 

 


HMCS Clifton W22 circa 1945

Source: A History of the West Coast Canadian Forces Auxiliary Fleet

Credit: CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum photo no. VR991.148.8

 

Entered Service: 21 Nov 1944

Re-designated: as CNAV in 1946

Removed from service: 1975

Fate: Sold in 1977. Final disposition unknown

 

Though of the same class as HEATHERTON, CLIFTON'S hull, which was built by Canadian Bridge Co., Walkerville, Ont, was welded where HEATHERTON'S hull was riveted.  CLIFTON operated out of Halifax during the Second World War, carrying out tug and salvage operations. After the war she transferred to the Auxiliary Fleet and departed Halifax and arrived in Esquimalt on 22 Jul 1946. After the war ended and the RCN began downsizing, HEATHERTON, along with her sister CLIFTON and CNAV KUITAN, towed the demobilized vessels to their their temporary mothball positions at Indian Arm in Vancouver. CLIFTON operated as a tug performing many duties until removed from service approx 1975.She was sold in 1977 to commercial interests and was last seen towing a barge in the Fraser River. Her Transport Canada file was closed in 1985.

 

 

Photos and Documents

 

 

Commanding Officers

 

Skpr/Lt George Yarn, RCNR - 02 Feb 1945 - unk 

 

 

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

 

 

 

Former Crew Members

 

 

Buckley, Lloyd Hall, A/Wt (E), RCN(R) - 22 Jul 1946

 

Osborne, Fred Francis, LCdr, RCN(R) - 22 Jul 1946

Parent, Joseph Theodule, Skpr, RCNR - 21 May 1945

Smith, Victor Coates, A/Wt (E), RCNR - 03 Apr 1944 (Stand by)

 

 

Photos and Documents

 

Tug Clifton W36

From the collection of Wilfred Bowen

Courtesy of Abbie Gourgon

Note: Wilfred is on the stern of the Clifton indicated by the pen mark

 

 

Tug Clifton W36

From the collection of Wilfred Bowen

Courtesy of Abbie Gourgon

 

 

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