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A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project Wartime Diary of Jim Silvester While serving in HMCS Quesnel, HMCS Inch Arran, HMCS Ontario Courtesy of Jim Silvester
13 Sep 1942 - On Sunday, 5 corvettes steamed out of Esquimalt harbour - Timmins, Quesnel, Dundas, Edmundston and New Westminster. Timmins being senior ship, took the lead with Quesnel behind. Proceeded down the Straits of Juan de Fuca in line ahead. I had middle watch. Steamed in line ahead all night. Sky - clear. Sea - calm.
14 Sep 1942 - Steaming south at 10 knots. Dundas had a little engine trouble and lagged behind. A few hours later the New Westminster broke down and we had to circle it for 6 hours. Continued on course at approx 1830. Turkey supper. Sky - clear. Sea - calm, light winds.
15 Sep 1942 - Still heading south in line abreast. Increase speed from 115 revs to 135 revs. Sea fairly calm. Started to get rougher around 1200. By 1600 we had a very heavy and rough following sea. Wind getting stronger. Sky - clear.
16 Sep 1942 - Heading S by E at 8.5 knots. Still have rough seas following. Everything appeared to run smoothly.
17 Sep 1942 - Still the same old pounding and still heading south at 8.5 knots. Sky - clear.
18 Sep 1942 - Pulled into San Diego, California at approx 0800. Tanker alongside. Fuelled up. Ships company given all night leave. i was on duty. One sentry dropped his rifle overboard. Few of the boys came back battered up, due to a run in with some yanks. Nice cool evening.
19 Sep 1942 - Alongside jetty at San Diego. Given leave at 1000. Returned aboard Timmins at 2345. Quesnel had sailed at 1900. Proceeded ashore again.
20 Sep 1942 - Hospitality of Americans really appreciated as Lucas and I were invited to a home for a home cooked meal, then to a Fair. reported back aboard Timmins at 0535. Flood, Hayes, McDonald, Donnet and Matheson reported aboard Timmins at 0600. Timmins left San Diego at 0800.
21 Sep 1942 0 At sea on Timmins. Lucas and Donnet put on watch. Flood made Capt. of Heads, Hayes, Matt and I spliced wire and made awning. Still heading south. Weather gradually getting warmer.
22 Sep 1942 - Heading south. Cool breeze. Nothing exciting happening.
23 Sep 1942 - Still heading south on Timmins. Weather really getting warm. Large school of porpoise off Stbd beam. Heavy following sea. Sky - clear. Speed 12 knots.
24 Sep 1942Pulled into Manzanillo, Mexico at about 0800. Lowered sea boat from Timmins. Put us aboard Quesnel. patrolled around outside Manzanillo for a while, then went in to pick up supplies. Anchored ship at 2330. Remained at anchor all night.
25 Sep 1942 - Swimming over the side practically all day. Sun was hot. Light cool breeze. Pulled out of Manzanillo at 1845.
26 Sep 1942 - Proceeded in southerly direction at 9 knots, due to New Westminster having engine trouble. Went below to see Jimmy about missing ship in San Diego. Same old B.S. Heavy quartering swell. Sun was bright and hot.
27 Sep 1942 - Started raining about 0200 this AM. Practically everybody that slept on deck, headed back into the mess. Ran into a bit of rough stuff about 1300. Still proceeding at 9 knots. Sky - cloudy. A bit cooler out due to the rain. Wind approx. 70 mph.
28 Sep 1942 - Still pounding into heavy seas at 9 knots. Didn't feel so well. Felt better after supper. Sea gradually quieting down.
29 Sep 1942 - Sea a lot quieter today, but it's damn hot. Doc aboard to give everybody a short arm inspection. I had middle watch again. Sky - clear. Wind - calm. Course - 097. Speed - 12 knots.
30 Sep 1942 - Both AA and 4" gun's crews had a bit of practice. Fired 360 rounds of Oerlikon and 3 rounds of 4". Other ships carried out shoot as well. Used barrel as target. Quesnel's shoot was best. One of our AA guns stopped in run out position. Got a bit of sun burn due to working in the sun all afternoon, cleaning breach of 4" gun. Sea - calm. Sky -partly cloudy. Wind - light. Course - 085. Speed approx 12.5 knots.
01 Oct 1942 - Fired the Lewis gun today. Started to rain. I got soaked. Seas - calm. Sky - clear. Wind - light. Course - 014. Speed approx 10 knots.
02 Oct 1942 - Pulled into Balboa, Panama at approx 0800. Shifted berth to Pier 18. Shore leave granted to Port watch., Stbd watch on duty. Put provisions aboard. All leave expired at 2300. Boys came tighter than drums. Carried Coder Healy aboard. Slept on gun platform. Sea - calm. Sky - Partly cloudy. Wind - calm.
03 Oct 1942 - Still in Balboa. Timmins and Edmundston pulled out for D/G run. We pulled out for D/G run at 1015. Returned to pier 18 at approx 1445. All cars in Panama drive on left side. Went ashore. Reported back aboard at 2215. No excitement ashore.
04 Oct 1942 - Edmundston and Timmins pulled out at 0930. Dundas and New Westminster pulled out at 1030. We pulled out at 1130. Entered Mire Flores Locks at 1315. 110 feet wide, it took 15 minutes to fill. Emerged at 1420. Entered Pedro Miguel Locks at 1500. Started to pour rain. Emerged at 1550. Proceed through Gaillard Cut. Entered Gatun Locks at 1930. Emerged at 2000. Anchored in Bay, Colon and Christobal astern.
05 Oct 1942 - Hands called at 0530. Hoisted anchor at 0600. Proceeded out to sea. Edmundston smashed her A/S dome. Had to stop and give her our spare. Proceeded again at 0725. Convoy of 8 American tankers pulled out the same time as us. Sea - fairly rough. Sky - Partly cloudy. Wind - light. Course - 014. Speed approx 12.5 knots. Little rain during night. Standing 2 watches.
06 Oct 1942 - Sea - fairly rough. Sky - clear. Wind - light. Course - 003. Speed - 11 knots. Hot as hell today. Same old routine.
07 Oct 1942 - Sea - calm. Sky - clear. Wind - light. Course - 033. Speed between 12.5 and 13 knots. Passed between two small islands at approx 1400. No excitement
08 Oct 1942 - Sea - calm. Sky - clear. Wind - light. Course due North. Speed - 13 knots. Fire 5 rounds out of Stbd Oerlikon to check her firing. Nothing much to do.
09 Oct 1942 - Sea - heavy swell. Sky - partly cloudy. Wind - light. Course due North. Speed 13 knots. Heading into heavy swell. Picked up echo on asdic, went to stations. Mad scramble to get to positions. Fire 4 depth charges. Weather gradually getting colder.
10 Oct 1942 - Sea - heavy swell. Sky - cloudy. Wind - light. Course - 026. Speed - 13 knots. Still nosing into the heavy swell. Had a shower of rain today. Stowed tropical gear and #5s. Stoker Robinson caught arm in telemotor gear. If helm had been turned another 5 degrees to Stbd Robbie would possibly have lost his arm. Brought Doc on board to check out Robbie's arm.
11 Oct 1942 - Sea - rough. Sky - cloudy. Wind - 30 mph. Course - 026. Speed - 13 knots. Seas starting to get pretty choppy. Wind whipping up. Went to action stations at 2150, H.S.D. had picked up echo. Lost same. Getting much cooler.
12 Oct 1942 - Sea - rough. Sky - cloudy. Wind - 60 mph. Course - 029. Speed - 10 knots. Ship bouncing around like a cork. A couple of seasick ratings. wind very much cooler. Wearing long blue pants and jersey. Went to action stations when Lt Douty leaned on bell. Got soaked. About ½ inch of water in mess deck.
13 Oct 1942 - Sea - rough. Sky - partly cloudy. Wind - 20 mph. Course - various. Speed 10 knots. Sighted land 0915 Passed East Coast Sweeper. Advanced all clocks 1 hr. Anchored in Halifax harbour at approx 1320. Assigned to local escort group EGW-1
14-20 Oct 1942 - Halifax
21 Oct 1942 - Left Halifax with draft
22 Oct 1942 - At sea
23 - 26 Oct 1942 - At St. John's, Newfoundland
27 Oct 1942 - Left St. John's at 0700
28 Oct 1942 - Met convoy. 34 ships. main convoy split. 4 escorts
29 Oct 1942 - Attacked sub approx 2100. Dropped 2 - 10 charge patterns.
30 Oct 1942 - at sea with convoy.
31 Oct 1942 - Arrived Halifax 2145
01 Nov 1942 - At Halifax
02 Nov 1942 - Left Halifax with convoy of 10 ships. Speed 6 knots
03 Nov 1942 - Met another convoy with 20 ships at approx 1230
04 Nov 1942 - At sea with convoy
05 Nov 1942 - Attacked sub at 0645. No results
06 Nov 1942 - Attacked sub at 1150. No results
07 Nov 1942 - Arrived New York, Staten Island Pier 10
08 - 10 Nov 1942 - At New York waiting for convoy.
11 Nov 1942 - Left N.Y. at 0500. Picked up convoy.
12 Nov 1942 - At sea with convoy of 41 ships. Fort Camosun with us.
13 Nov 1942 - At sea with convoy. Speed 10 knots
14 Nov 1942 - At sea with convoy. Left same at 1100
15 Nov 1942 - Arrived Halifax at 0300
16 - 17 Nov 1942 - At Halifax
18 Nov 1942 - At Halifax. Degaussing run in Bedford Basin.
19 Nov 1942 - At Halifax
20 Nov 1942 - Left Halifax. First we were swinging compass, then proceeded to sea for gunnery shoot. Fired 8 rounds from 4". Shoot VG. Port and aft A.A. guns also fired. Evolutions - Fire, Collision, Minesweeping, Gun trials.
21 Nov 1942 - At sea with minesweeper Brockville and British sub
22 Nov 1942 - Arrived Pictou, NS 1645. Snow
23 Nov 1942 - Left Pictou 0800. Evolutions - Fire - my crew first hose out, Towing ship. Returned and anchored at 1745.
24 Nov 1942 - Left Pictou at 0800. Close range shoot. Two hits on target, at second run, both A.A. and Lewis guns fired at target. Returned and anchored at 1700.
25 Nov 1942 - Left Pictou at 0800. A/S run, boarding party. Boarded sub. Returned and anchored 1930.
26 Nov 1942 - left Pictou at 0800. A/S run. Returned and anchored 1800
27 Nov 1942 - Left Pictou at 0830. Fleet maneuvers
28 Nov 1942 - Arrived Halifax 1230. Heavy seas. Strong and cold winds.
29 Nov 1942 - At Halifax
30 Nov 1942 - Anchored to buoy at Halifax.
01 Dec 1942 - Anchored to buoy. Left Halifax 1600. A/S Sweep. returned 1900. Duty ship.
02 Dec 1942 - At Halifax. Rough weather in harbour. Waves came over the side while we were tied up. calmed down by 1600. Left Halifax at 2000. Rough seas outside harbour.
03 Dec 1942 - At sea. Started out with convoy of 40 ships. Convoy got scatted due to heavy fog. Convoy #ON146.
04 Dec 1942 - At sea. Picked up 3 ships with escort
05 Dec 1942 - At sea. Degaussing gear shorted. Fire stations. Picked up 3 more ships.
06 Dec 1942 - At sea. Ran into 7 more ships and 2 escorts. Total 10 ships and 4 escorts.
07 Dec 1942 - At sea with convoy.
08 Dec 1942 - At sea with convoy. Got perfect echo. Dropped 1 charge.
09 Dec 1942 - Arrived N.Y. 0515 Berth 9
10 Dec 1942 - At N.Y. 2400 Leave.
11 Dec 1942 - Left N.Y. at 0800. Rounding up convoy. Carried out A/S sweep.
12 Dec 1942 - Convoy anchored. Carried out A/S sweep on Port side of convoy.
13 Dec 1942 - Convoy underway by 0730. Seas gradually getting rough. Second convoy pulled out. 84 ships in two convoys. Our convoy consisted of 45 ships. Speed - 7 knots.
14 Dec 1942 - At sea with convoy. Heavy following seas.
15 Dec 1942 - At sea with convoy
16 Dec 1942 - Picked up second convoy on RDF at 2300
17 Dec 1942 - Relieved duty as escort. Pounding into heavy seas. Ship coated with 6" of ice. Arrived Halifax 2245
18 - 21 Dec 1942 - At Halifax
22 Dec 1942 - Left Halifax at 0700
23 Dec 1942 - Picked up convoy of 35 ships at 1500. Convoy #ON155
24 Dec 1942 - At sea with convoy
25 Dec 1942 - At sea with convoy. Some stokers drunk. Seamen fairly quiet.
26 Dec 1942 - Left convoy at 1400
27 Dec 1942 - Arrived St. John's, Newfoundland 0230
28 Dec 1942 - At .St. John's. Had a Christmas dinner.
29 Dec 1942 - Left St. John's at 1100 with 4 ships.
30 Dec 1942 - Met another convoy at 1550. Speed - 9 knots.
31 Dec 1942 - At sea with convoy of 35 ships.
01 Jan 1943 - At sea with convoy
02 Jan 1943 - Met relief escorts at 0800
03 Jan 1943 - Arrived Halifax 0100
04 Jan 1943 - Halifax
05 Jan 1943 - Left Halifax at 0830. Returned at 1800 due to convoy not being ready.
06 Jan 1943 - Left Halifax at 1130 with convoy of 6 ships
07 Jan 1943 - At sea with convoy. Speed - 7 knots
08 Jan 1943 - At sea with convoy
09 Jan 1943 - Second convoy joined us. Now 40 ships in convoy
10 Jan 1943 - At sea with convoy
11 Jan 1943 - At sea with convoy
12 Jan 1943 - Arrived N.Y. 0830 Pier 8
13 Jan 1943 - At N.Y. Shore leave 1815 to 2030
14 Jan 1943 - Left N.Y. at 0830
15 Jan 1943 - At sea with convoy. 43 ships. Speed approx 10 knots.
16 Jan 1943 - At sea with convoy
17 Jan 1943 - Relieved duty as escort 0900. Arrived Halifax 2100
18 - 25 Jan 1943 - At Halifax
26 Jan 1943 - At Halifax. Degaussing Gear run in Bedford Basin
27 Jan 1943 - At Halifax. Swinging compass
28 Jan 1943 - Left Halifax 1830
29 Jan 1943 - At sea with convoy. 45 ships. Speed - 8.75 knots
30 Jan 1943 - At sea with convoy
31 Jan 1943 - Arrived N.Y. 1500
01 Feb 1943 - At N.Y.
02 Feb 1943 - At N.Y. Shore leave from 1800 to 0200
03 Feb 1943 - Leave N.Y. 0600
04 - 07 Feb 1943 At sea with convoy of 45 ships. Speed - 7.5 knots
08 Feb 1943 - At sea with convoy. relieved duty as escort. Hit speed of 196 rpm.
09 Feb 1943 - Arrived Halifax approx 1800
10 Feb 1943 - Left Halifax 1500
11 - 13 Feb 1943 - At sea with convoy of 45 ships. Speed - 8.5 knots
14 Feb 1943 - Relieved duty as escort. Arrived St. John's 2145
15 - 23 Feb 1943 - At St. John's
24 Feb 1943 - left St. John's at 0800
25 Feb 1943 - met convoy at 1400. Convoy $ON166
26 Feb 1943 - At sea with convoy of 40 ships. Speed - 9 knots
27 Feb 1943 - At sea with convoy
28 Feb 1943 - Left main convoy 1000 with 7 ships. One ship broke down, so we had to escort her alone. Action stations - submarine. Dropped 3 charges.
01 Mar 1943 - Arrived Halifax 1630
02 - 03 Mar 1943 - At Halifax
04 Mar 1943 - At Halifax. Duty ship 1600 to 0800
05 Mar 1943 - At Halifax - D.G. run in Bedford Basin
06 Mar 1943 - At Halifax - 4" gun shoot. 20 rounds. Swinging compass
07 - 08 Mar 1943 - At Halifax
09 Mar 1943 - Left Halifax at 1330. Met convoy at 1600
10 Mar 1943 - At sea with convoy of 7 ships. Speed - 8 knots
11 Mar 1943 - left convoy 1300. Anchored outside Cape Cod Canal at 1500. up anchor 1700. Dropped anchor again 1900.
12 Mar 1943 - Up anchor 1500, Proceed through canal
13 Mar 1943 - Arrived N.Y. 0600. Pier 8 Shore leave 1300 to 2300
14 Mar 1943 - Left N.Y. 0130. Convoy under way at 1100. Actions stations - submarine 1920. Dropped 5 charges
15 - 17 Mar 1943 - At sea with convoy of 45 ships. Speed - 7.5 knots
18 Mar 1943 - Relieved duty as escort. 1400
19 Mar 1943 - At Halifax 0900
20 Mar 1943 - At Halifax
21 Mar 1943 - At Halifax. Shore leave to 2000. Leave Halifax at 2330 with 1 ship. Speed - 11 knots
22 Mar 1943 - Left ship at 1920. Proceeded alone at 16 knots.
23 Mar 1943 - Arrived Cape Cod 0800. Pilot aboard. Started through Cape Cod Canal 0930. Started up East River 2200.
24 Mar 1943 - Arrived N.Y. 0600 Pier 8 Shore leave 1300 to 1700 and 1730 to 0300.
25 Mar 1943 - Left N.Y. at 0800 with 40 ships. Speed - 9 knots
26 - 28 Mar 1943 - At sea with convoy
29 Mar 1943 - Relieved HMCS Saskatoon and HMCS Kenora at 1200. HMCS Buxton, Chicoutimi and Milltown joined convoy with 16 ships. Total convoy 56 ships.
30 Mar 1943 - Relieved duty as escort 2330
31 Mar 1943 - At sea with HMCS Buxton and Lady Rodney.
01 Apr 1943 - Arrived St. John's 1630
02 Apr 1943 - At St. John's
03 Apr 1943 - At St. John's - Basketball game with crew from HMCS Milltown. Quesnel 33 Milltown 16
04 - 05 Apr 1943 - At St. John's
06 Apr 1943 - Left St. John's 0830 with HMCS Chicoutimi and HMCS Nanaimo
07 Apr 1943 - At sea. 20 years old today
08 Apr 1943 - Met convoy at 1600. 30 ships. Speed - 8 knots
09 Apr 1943 - At sea with convoy
10 Apr 1943 - At sea with convoy. Rough seas.
11 Apr 1943 - Left main convoy with 7 ships
12 Apr 1943 - Arrived Halifax 1130
13 - 22 Apr 1943 - At Halifax
23 Apr 1943 - Anchored to buoy. Emergency ship. Left buoy 1830. Proceeded to sea. Did asdic sweep outside of harbour.
24 Apr 1943 - Returned to Halifax
25 Apr 1943 - At Halifax
26 Apr 1943 - Left Halifax at 1330 with convoy of11 ships. Speed - 9.5 knots
27 Apr 1943 - Met main convoy of 40 ships at 1100. Total 51 ships
28 - 29 Apr 1943 - At sea with convoy
30 Apr 1943 - Relieved duty as escort
01 May 1943 - At sea. Fired 2 star shells, 6 snowflake rockets, 4 signal rockets and 2 varies lights. Misfire on 4". Arrived St. John's 1230
02 - 05 May 1943 - At St. John's
06 May 1943 - Left St. John's 1700
07 May 1943 - At sea. Heavy fog
08 May 1943 - Met convoy 1300. 50 ships. Speed - 9.5 knots
09 - 10 May 1943 - At sea with convoy
11 May 1943 - Action stations - submarine. Dropped 26 charges. Lots of air bubbles
12 May 1943 - At sea with convoy
13 May 1943 - At sea with convoy. Arrived N.Y. 2330 Pier 8
14 May 1943 - At N.Y. Shore leave to 0700
15 May 1943 - At N.Y. Week end leave for Blue watch
16 - 17 May 1943 - At N.Y.
18 May 1943 - At N.Y. Shore leave to 2400
19 May 1943 - Left N.Y. at 0630. Convoy of 35 ships. Speed - 9.5 knots
20 May 1943 - At sea with convoy
21 May 1943 - At sea with convoy. Sighted reliefs at 1230. Arrive at Halifax 2330
22 - 24 May 1943 - At Halifax
25 May 1943 - At Halifax. Emergency ship. Anchored to buoy.
26 May 1943 - At Halifax
27 May 1943 - Left Halifax 1220 with 14 ships. Speed - 9 knots
28 May 1943 - Met second convoy with 21 ships
29 - 30 May 1943 - At sea with convoy
31 May 1943 - Arrived St. John's 2000
01 Jun 1943 - At. St. John's
02 Jun 1943 - Left St. John's 0800. Met convoy at 1200. 33 Ships. Speed 9 - knots
03 - 04 Jun 1943 - At sea with convoy
05 Jun 1943 - At sea with convoy. Reduced speed to 7.5 knots
06 Jun 1943 - At sea with convoy. One ship had engine trouble and we had to screen it.
07 Jun 1943 - At sea with freighter. Arrived N.Y. 1800
08 Jun - 14 Jun 1943 - At N.Y.
15 Jun 1943 - Left N.Y. 0330 with 75 ships. Speed - 10 knots.
16 - 17 Jun 1943 - At sea with convoy
18 Jun 1943 - At sea with convoy. HMS Chelsea and HMCS Shawinigan relieved
19 Jun 1943 - At sea with convoy
20 Jun 1943 - At sea with convoy. Relived duty as escort 1400
21 Jun 1943 - Arrived at St. John's 0800
22 Jun 1943 - At St. John's
23 Jun 1943 - Left St. John's 1415
24 Jun 1943 - Met convoy 1000. 47 Ships. Speed - 9 knots
25 -26 Jun 1943 - At sea with convoy
27 Jun 1943 - Detached from main convoy with 10 ships 1845. Speed - 9.5 knots
28 Jun 1943 - Left convoy 1400 just outside of Halifax. Returned to sea.
29 Jun 1943 - Arrived Saint John, New Brunswick. Shore leave to 1900. Remained at sea watches. Left Saint John 2130 with 5 ships. Speed - 4.5 knots.
30 Jun 1943 - At sea with convoy
01 Jul 1943 - Arrived Halifax. Oiled up at French cable wharf. Tied up alongside jetty 5 at 2300
02 - 09 Jul 1943 - At Halifax. Degaussing, swing compass and D.F. trials.
10 Jul 1943 - Left Halifax 0400 with HMCS Buctouche, Nipigon, Barrie. Returned to Halifax 1600.
11 Jul 1943 - Left Halifax at 1600.
12 Jul 1943 - Met convoy at 1300. 45 ships. Speed - 9 knots
13 - 14 Jul 1943 - At sea with convoy
15 Jul 1943 - Arrived N.Y. 1215
16 - 22 Jul 1943 - At N.Y. Spent weekend at Rockaway beach.
23 Jul 1943 - Left N.Y. at 0100 with 57 ships. Speed - 10 knots
24 Jul 1943 - At sea with convoy. 2 ships collided
25 Jul 1943 - At sea with convoy
26 Jul 1943 - At sea with convoy. 18 more ships joined convoy. Now 75 ships
27 Jul 1943 - At sea with convoy. Freighter and tanker collide.
28 Jul 1943 - At sea with convoy.
29 Jul 1943 - Relieved duty as escort. Proceeded to St. John's with 2 ships. Very foggy weather. Pretty near ran up on a reef, also nearly rammed a freighter. Arrived St. John's 1400.
31 Jul 1943 -At St. John's
01 Aug1943 - Left St. John's 2100. Retarded clocks 1.5 hrs.
02 Aug 1943 - Met convoy 0545 with 77 ships. Speed - 10.5 knots.
03 Aug 1943 - At sea with convoy
04 Aug 1943 - Left main convoy at 1730. Proceeded to Halifax with 7 ships
05 Aug 1943 - Arrived Halifax 1600
06 - 08 Aug 1943 - At Halifax
09 Aug 1943 - Left Halifax 1130 with 12 ships. Speed - 6 knots. HMCS Lethbridge with us.
10 Aug 1943 - At sea. Took stowaway off freighter. Met another convoy 1730. Our convoy joined 2nd convoy. Left convoy 2345 with tanker.
11 Aug 1943 - Arrived Halifax 1600
12 - 16 Aug 1943 - At Halifax
17 Aug 1943 - Duty ship. Left Halifax as 1145
18 Aug 1943 - Returned to Halifax 1000
19 - 20 Aug 1943 - At Halifax
21 Aug 1943 - Left Halifax 0930. Joined convoy at 1300. 50 ships. Speed - 6.5 knots
22 Aug 1943 - Second convoy joined us at 1645. 28 ships. Speed - 7.5 knots.
23 - 24 Aug 1943 - At sea with convoy
25 Aug 1943 - Relieved duty as escort 0515. Dropped one defective charge. Arrived St. John's. Advanced all clocks 1.5 hrs.
26 - 28 Aug 1943. At St. John's. Baseball games against crew from HMCS Barrie. Quesnel 8 Barrie 7. Shore leave to 2400
29 Aug 1943 - Left St. John's 0800. Retarded all clocks 1.5 hours. Met convoy at 1600. 30 ships. Speed - 7.7 knots
30 - 31 Aug 1943 - At sea with convoy
01 Sep 1943 - At sea with convoy. Another part of convoy detached for Halifax at 0630.
02 Sep 1943 - At sea with convoy
03 Sep 1943 - Third section of convoy detached for Boston 0630. Left convoy at Cape Cod. Arrived Boston, Mass. 1430. Retard all clocks 1 hr.
04 Sep 1943 - At Boston
05 Sep 1943 - Left Boston 1330. Advanced all clocks 1 hr. 20 ships. Speed - 8 knots.
06 Sep 1943 - At sea with convoy. heavy fog.
07 Sep 1943 - Arrived Halifax 2100. Visibility about 20 yards. Dropped anchor.
08 Sep 1943 - Shifted to buoy #5. Tied up at jetty 4 at 1600
09 Sep 1943 - Started refit. Spliced the Main Brace. removed Mine sweeping gear and winches.
10 Sep 1943 - De ammunitioned ship. 70% of ammunition. Sailed for Pictou. N.S. 1630
11 Sep 1943 - Arrived Pictou, N.S. 1930
12 Sep 1943 - At Pictou. De ammunitioned remainder of ammo.
13 Sep 1943 - Started my leave 1350. Arrived Oxford Junction. Changed trains. Changed again at Truro.
14 Sep 1943 - Arrived Montreal, PQ 1930. Arrived Ottawa 2130
15 Sep 1943 - At Ottawa
16 Sep 1943 - Left Ottawa 2340
17 Sep 1943 - On train
18 Sep - 12 Oct 1943 - On Leave
13 Oct 1943 - Back on train
14 Oct 1943 - At Ottawa. Stayed at Alexandra Hotel
15 Oct 1943 - Left Ottawa 0915
16 Oct 1943 - Arrived Pictou 1835
17 Oct - 20 Dec 1943 - At Pictou. Stationed in barracks.
21 Dec 1943 - Left Pictou 0900. Trial runs. Fired 4 rounds from 4". Also fired Pom Poms and Oerlikons. Returned Pictou 1445
22 Dec 1943 - At Pictou. Had fo'c's'le extended during refit
23 Dec 1943 - Left Pictou 0900
24 Dec 1943 - Arrived Halifax 1100. Tied up at jetty #1
25 Dec 1943 - 18 Jan 1944 - At Halifax
19 Jan 1944 - At Halifax. Degaussing run in Bedford Basin. Put more ammunitions aboard. Oiled up.
20 Jan 1944 - Left jetty 1, tied up at gun wharf. Changed Pom Pom. Loaded Hedgehog. Left Halifax 1500. Speed trails. Returned and tied up at jetty 5 and 1630.
21 Jan 1944 - At Halifax. D/G run and deperming in Beford basin.
22 Jan 1944 - At Halifax. Swinging compass. Fired 1 salvo from A.D.B.D. (Hedgehog) Left harbour 1330. Tested Pom Pom firing. Returned 1630
23 Jan 1944 - At Halifax. D/G run
24 Jan 1944 - Left Halifax with British sub P553 at 0930. Arrived St. Margaret's Bay 1530. Anchored.
25 Jan 1943 - Anchored in St. Margaret's Bay. Started Evolutions. General AA Stations.
26 Jan 1944 - Anchored in St. Margaret's Bay . Fire Stations. Coat of ice on water.
27 Jan 1944 - Anchored in St. Margaret's Bay. Tied up alongside HMCS Montreal K319. Took on oil. Cox'n put ashore. Slipped from HMCS Montreal 1915. Proceeded to sea.
28 Jan 1944 - At sea. Watch on duty. Action stations 0930. Fired Oerlikons, Pom Pom and 1 round HE from 4"
30 Jan 1944 - Arrived Bermuda. Dropped anchor 2000. Retarded all clocks 1 hr. P.O.O.W. standing officers watch.
31 Jan 1944 - Anchored in Great Sound. Lying 2 cables west of Boaz Island. Harbour evolutions. Action stations. Liberty boat shore leave from 2000 to 2300
01 Feb 1944 - Anchored in Great Sound. Harbour evolutions. Action stations. AA Stations. Test deep sea sounding machine. Emergency and abandon ship stations. Liberty boat sailed ashore by captain.
02 Feb 1944 - Hoisted anchor 0915. Left Great Sound. Started to get ready for tow forward. Rough seas. Arrived St. Georges Bay 1400. Tied up to buoy.
03 Feb 1944 - Hosted anchor 0830. Left St. George's Bay. Tied up alongside jetty in south basin. repairs made to A/S dome. Sent diver down. Shore leave from 1845 to 2400
05 Feb 1944 - Left jetty. Proceeded to sea. Fire Pom Pom. Returned and dropped anchor in Great Sound 1300. Harbour evolutions. Dropped Port anchor. AA stations. Hands fall in on fo'c's'le. Clear decks. Run pudding fender to yard. General action stations. Hoist anchor by hand. Fire stations. Unload depth charges. Hands fall in on Fo'c's'le for P.T. Third best ship in corvettes. No leave.
06 Feb 1944 - Anchored in Great Sound. Church on fo'c's'le. Shore leave from 1245 to 2300. Hands swimming over side.
07 Feb 1944 - Hoisted anchor. Proceeded to sea. Captain rang action stations 9 times. Fired Oerlikon. 2 rounds of HE and snowflake from 4". Hooper hurt when thrown against D/C rails by wave.
08 Feb 1944 - At sea. Had action stations in afternoon. Fired 10 rounds from 4". Fired Oerlikons and Pom Poms. Dropped 4 charges. Good shoot. Dropped smoke float.
09 Feb 1944 - At sea. Action stations. Fired 6 depth charges. Ship coated with about 1" ice. Dropped anchor in St. Margaret's Bay. Advanced all clocks 1 hr. Log reading 735.8 miles.
10 Feb 1944 - Hoisted anchor 1200. Fired Oerlikons and Pom Poms at sleeve target. Target shot down. Fired 1 round from Hedgehog. returned to St. Margaret's Bay. Dropped anchor 1715.
11 Feb 1944 - Hoisted anchor 0900. Proceeded to sea. A/S run A.A. shoot at sleeve target with Oerlikons. 4" shoot, 17 rounds, misfiire. Fired 2 depth charges from after throwers. Picked up fish. Stayed out for night shoot at 1945 with HMCS Valleyfield. 20 rounds from 4", misfire, hang fire, tube jammed in vent, ice in breach threads. Secured to emergency buoy at 2130.
12 Feb 1944 - Slipped from buoy 0830. Zig zag through harbour to break up ice. returned to buoy. Slipped from buoy 1200. Dropped anchor abeam of Acadia.
13 Feb 1944 - Hoisted anchor 1230. A/S run with submarine. Fired 4 rounds from A.D.B.D. (Hedgehog) as sub. Entered harbour. dropped anchor 1715.
14 Feb 1944 - At anchor in St. Margaret's Bay. Cleaned up mess decks for Commander's rounds. No rounds. Rig of day #3's \. General and AA Stations. Evening quarters on fo'c's'le with respirators.
15 Feb 1944 - Hoisted anchor 2400. Proceeded to sea. Met convoy 0800. Lost same. Arrived Halifax 2000. Tied alongside south end jetty #4
16 Feb 1944 - Slipped from jetty 0700. Tied up at buoy #5. Commanders inspection. Slipped from buoy 1630. Tied up oiling jetty. Slipped from oiling jetty 2015. Tied up south end of jetty # 1.
17 Feb 1944 - At Halifax
18 Feb 1944 - At Halifax. Fraser to cells for sleeping on watch
19 Feb 1944 - Slipped from jetty 1015. Proceed to area "A". Fired 3 practice and 2 rounds of HE from Hedgehog. Returned and tied up at jetty # 1.
20 Feb 1944 - At Halifax
21 Feb 1944 - Left Halifax with 7 ships. Speed - 8 knots
22 Feb 1944 - At sea with convoy. Fired 10 rounds practice at smoke float.
23 Feb 1944 - Convoy split at 0200 on to Cape Cod Canal, 0545. Proceed to Boston. Arrived Boston 1000. Shifted ship to oil jetty. Shore leave from 1300 to 0400.
24 Feb 1944 - Left Boston 1100 with 22 ships. Speed - 7.5 knots
25 Feb 1944 - At sea with convoy
26 Feb 1944 - Arrived Halifax 1930. Tied up centre jetty # 5. 48 hr leave for Port watch.
27 Feb 1944 - At Halifax
28 Feb 1944 - At Halifax. 48 hr leave for Stbd watch
01 - 05 Mar 1944 - At Halifax
06 Mar 1944 - Left Halifax 730 with 2 ships. Speed - 8 knots
07 Mar 1944 - At sea with convoy. Fired 2 rounds HE fused from 4". Fired Pom Pom and Oerlikons. Fired 10 charge pattern with depth charges.
08 Mar 1944 - Arrived Cape Cod 0700. Proceed to Boston. Arrived Boston 1330. Retarded all clocks 1 hr. Shore leave from 1615 to 0200.
09 Mar 1944 - At Boston
10 Mar1944 - Left Boston 0930 with 49 ships 14 L.S.T.s with convoy. Speed - 7.5 knots.
11 Mar 1944 - At sea with convoy
12 Mar 1944 - Arrived Halifax 1745. Tied up at oiling jetty 1900. Shifted ship. Tied up at #0 jetty 2015
13 Mar 1944 - At Halifax. Shore leave to 0200
14 Mar 1944 - left Halifax 0830. HMCS Quesnel, Buctouche, Arrowhead and Chicoutimi formed outer screen for convoy of 70 ships. Speed - 5 knots.
15 Mar 1944 - At sea with convoy. Left convoy 1950. Proceeded to Halifax. Speed -13 knots
16 Mar 1944 - Arrived Halifax 1045. Tied up south end jetty #5. Duty ship
17 - 20 Mar 1944 - At Halifax
21 Mar 1944 - Left Halifax 0730 with 5 ships. Speed - 8.5 knots
22 Mar 1944 - At sea with convoy
23 Mar 1944 - Left convoy at 0300 with 1 ship. HMCS Chicoutimi and Arrowhead proceeded to Cape Cod. Arrived Boston 0400. Shore leave from 1230 to 0700. Retarded all clocks 1 hr.
24 Mar 1944 - At Boston. Shore leave from 1600 to 0400
25 Mar 1944 - Left Boston 0800 with 40 ships. Speed - 7.5 knots. Advanced all clocks 1 hr.
26 Mar 1944 - At sea with convoy
27 Mar 1944 - Arrived Halifax 1430. Tied up at oiling jetty 1600. Moved to Jetty # 0
28 Mar 1944 - At Halifax
29 Mar 1944 - At Halifax. Shore leave to 0400
30 Mar 1944 - Left Halifax 0900. 9 ships. Speed - 8.5 knots. Seen Sid Newing on HMCS Winnipeg. 1100 action stations - submarine. Non sub. Salvaged gear from abandoned sea boat.
31 Mar 1944 - St sea. Sighted another convoy 1000. Quesnel joined convoy. Transferred mail to Noranda 1200
01 Apr 1944 - Arrived Halifax. Tied up at oiling jetty 0900. Slipped from oiling jetty 1020. Tied up at jetty # 1 at 1100
02 Apr 1944 - At Halifax
03 Apr 1944 - Left Halifax 11 with 1 ship. Speed 11 knots
04 Apr 1944 - Joined convoy 1000. 63 ships. Speed - 9.5 knots
05 Apr 1944 - At sea with convoy. Action stations. 1700 Non sub
06 Apr 1944 - At sea with convoy
07 Apr 1944 - Arrived N.Y. 1230. Retarded all clocks 1 hr. Tied up at pier 10. Happy Birthday. 21 today.
08 Apr 1944 - At N.Y. Weekend leave for Red watch.
09 - 11 Apr 1944 - at N.Y.
12 Apr 1944 - Leave N.Y. 1130. Carried out A/S sweep because of heave fog. Convoy under way 1700
13 Apr 1944 - At sea with convoy. 62 ships. Speed - 9.5 knots
14 Apr 1944 - At sea with convoy
15 Apr 1944 - At sea with convoy. 1100 Transferred 20 bags of mail from HMCS The Pas. Joined 2nd convoy of 11 ships.
16 Apr 1944 - At sea with convoy
17 Apr 1944 - At sea with convoy. Relieved duty as escort 1200
18 Apr 1944 - At sea. Fired 10 rounds HE at iceberg. 7 hits. Arrived St. John's 1245. Advanced all clocks ½ hr.
19 Apr 1944 - At St. John's Newfoundland. Shore leave to 2400
20 Apr 1944 - Leave St. John's 0830. Duty ship. patrolled outside of harbour. 10 round shoot at iceberg.
21 Apr 1944 - Returned to St. John's 0900. Shore leave to 2400
22 Apr 1944 - Leave St. John's 0600. Retard all clocks ½ hr. Escort group W2 joined us. Timmins, Brantford and Brockville.
23 Apr 1944 - At sea. Joined convoy 1630. 93ships. Speed - 9 knots
24 Apr 1944 - At sea with convoy. Passed RMS Queen Mary
25 Apr 1944 - At sea with convoy
26 Apr 1944 - At sea with convoy. Left convoy to escort straggler
27 Apr 1944 - At sea. left straggler. Proceeded along. Speed - 1 - 15 knots
28 Apr 1944 - At sea. Dropped 10 charge pattern. Arrived Halifax 1100. Tied up at oiling jetty. Slipped from oiling jetty 1315. Tied up at North end Jetty #5
29 Apr 1944 - At Halifax. Ernie Knott married in naval chapel
30 Apr 1944 - At Halifax
01 May 1944 - At Halifax. Duty ship
02 May 1944 - At Halifax. Slipped 0845. Swing compass. Returned and tied up North end Jetty #5.
03 May 1944 - Left Halifax 0900. A.A. shoot. 4" shoot. Got 6 rounds away. Breech threads damaged. Evolutions. Dropped smoke float. Dropped 1 charge. Fired 1 snowflake and 1 - 11 lb signal rocket. Away sea boats crew. Ended up close second. Buctouche 1st. Chicoutimi last. Tied up at jetty # 1 at 1800.
04 May 1944 - Left Halifax 1845
05 May 1944 - At sea. Actions stations 0020. Non sub. Met convoy 0700. 97 ships. Speed - 9 knots
06 May 1944 - At sea with convoy. HMCS Valleyfield sunk off Newfoundland.
07 May 1944 - At sea with convoy. church services 1000
08 May 1944 - Arrived N.Y. 1700. Retard all clocks 1 hr. jetty # 9
09 May 1944 - At N.Y. 48 hr leave for Port watch.
10 - 18 May 1944 - At N.Y.
19 may 1944 - Left N.Y. 0200. Carried out A/S sweep. 7 escorts. W1 and W3, HMCS Portage, Vancouver, Kamsack, The Pas, Buctouche, Chicoutimi and Quesnel. Convoy underway 1800. Very large convoy. 140 ships. Speed - 9 knots
20 May 1944 - At sea with convoy
21 May 1944 - At sea with convoy. Church service
22 May 1944 - At sea with convoy. 0800 action stations. Non sub. Left convoy with Buctouche and Vancouver at 1530. Transferred signal bo'sun to The Pas. 1600 Fired 6 rounds practice from 4". 1 snowflake. Fired Oerlikons and Pom Poms. Ship's birthday. A/S Sweep
23 May 1944 - Joined escort group W2 at 1130
24 May 1944 - Action stations 0200. Lost contact. Action stations 1930 and 2030. Non sub.
25 May 1944 - Arrived Halifax 0500. Tied up at oiling jetty. Left Halifax 1040 carried out A/S sweep.
26 - 28 May 1944 - As sea carrying out A/S sweep.
29 May 1944 - At sea. Joined up with convoy 0800. 6 ships. Speed - 9.5 knots. Actions stations 1715. Dropped 10 charges. No results.
30 May 1944 - At sea. Left convoy 1045. Carried out A/S Sweep. Joined convoy from Newfoundland 2100. 42 ships. Speed - 10 knots.
31 May 1944 - At sea with convoy. Oiling ship at sea. 1800. Rough seas. Fuel line broke.
01 Jun 1944 - Left convoy at 0950. Carried out A/S sweep.
02 Jun 1944 - At sea. Carrying out A/S sweep.
03 Jun 1944 - Arrive Halifax 1545. Tied up centre jetty # 5. Pay $31.00
04 Jun 1944 - At Halifax. 48 hr leave for Stbd watch.
05 Jun 1944 - As Halifax
06 Jun 1944 - At Halifax. 48 hr leave for Port watch
07 - 09 Jun 1944 - At Halifax
10 Jun 1944 - Slipped at 0930. D/G run in Bedford Basin. Swing compass. Left Halifax 1700
11-12 Jun 1944 - At sea
13 Jun 1944 - Arrived Quebec. 0530. Oiled up. Shifted to berth #27
14 Jun 1944 - At Quebec. Shifted to berth #25
15 Jun 1944 - At Quebec - Shore leave to 2300
16 Jun 1944 - Left Quebec 0900 with tanker. Speed - 9 knots.
17 - 18 Jun 1944 - At sea
19 Jun 1944 - At sea. Joined Vancouver, Buctouche and convoy. Ice fields too heavy. Returned and anchored in Forteau Bay 1930
20 Jun 1944 - Hoisted anchor 1600. Proceeded to Red Bay. Couldn't get through due to ice floes too heavy. Returned and anchored in Forteau Bay.
21 Jun 1944 - Hoisted anchor. 1400 Tied up alongside Preserver in Red Bay. Took on food and oil. Slipped at 1515. returned and anchored in Forteau Bay. Shifted ship due to iceberg up against bow.
22 Jun 1944 - Hoisted anchor 0500. Proceeded out with convoy of 7 ships. Speed - 7 knots.
23 Jun 1944 - At sea with convoy. Heavy fog and icebergs prevent us from entering harbour.
24 Jun 1944 - At sea with convoy
25 Jun 1944 - At sea with convoy. Stopped engines and drifted around for a while
26 Jun 1944 - At sea with convoy. gave tanker 40 tons of water
27 Jun 1944 - At sea with convoy. Convoy under way again 1900
28 Jun 1944 - At sea with convoy. Sighted land 1300. Arrived Rigolet dropped anchor 1350. Took on provisions.
29 Jun 1944 - Hoisted anchor 1610. Tied up alongside Buctouche. Took on oil from Buctouche
30 Jun 1944 - Slipped from Buctouche 1115. returned and tied up alongside again 1230. Gunners party took sea boat ashore for shoot. Hayes, Kett, Hewlko, Wollison, Mr. Milledge and Mr. Kitchener and me. 1 Bren, 1 Sten, 3 revolvers and 3 rifles. A tracer set fire to brush on other side of stream. Ran along shore to find narrow crossing. Swan stream. Lost my sea boots. Fire out of control by time we got there. Returned to ship. Took fire fighting party ashore. Fought flames until 2145. Most of fire under control. received tot of rum from officers. Slipped from Buctouche 2400. Anchored astern.
01 Jul 1944 - Hoisted anchor 0400. Put to sea with 1 ship. Speed - 11 knots
02 - 03 Jul 1944 - At sea
04 Jul 1944 - Fired 5 charges and 1 pattern A.D.B.D. (Hedgehog) Arrived Quebec 2000. Retarded all clocks 1 hr.
05 - 16 Jul 1944 - At Quebec. Patrolling St. Lawrence seaway.
17 Jul 1944 - Shifted ship 030. Fuelled up. left Quebec 1130 with 2 ships. Speed - 7 knots.
18 - 19 Jul 1944 - At sea
20 Jul 1944 - At sea. Dropped off Cox'n
21 Jul 1944 - At sea. Gunnery shoot at iceberg. 5 hits out of 7
22 Jul 1944 - At sea
23 Jul 1944 - Arrived Cullingham Sound. Dropped anchor 1930
24 - 28 Jul 1944 - At Cullingham Sound
29 Jul 1944 - Left Cullingham Sound 0415 with 2 ships. Speed - 7 knots
30 Jul 1944 - At sea
31 Jul 1944 - At sea. Dropped 10 charges
01 - 02 Aug 1944 - At sea
03 Aug 1944 - Arrived Quebec 0330. Tied up at oiling jetty. Retarded all clocks 1 hr. Shifted ship 0930. tied up at pier #18. 48 hr leave for Port watch.
04 Aug 1944 - At Quebec. Started P.O.'s board
05 Aug 1944 - At Quebec. Passed for P.O.
06 Aug 1944 - At Quebec. 48 Hr leave for Stbd watch
07 Aug 1944 - At Quebec
08 Aug 1944 - At Quebec. Leave to 2400
09 Aug 1944 - left Quebec 0700 with 2 ships. Speed - 9 knots
10 - 11 Aug 1944 - At sea
12 Aug 1944 - At sea. Fired 3 star shells. 5 Practice, 2 S.A.P. and 1 HE at iceberg
13 Aug 1944 - Arrived Cullingham Sound 1530. Dropped anchor.
14 - 16 Aug 1944 - at Cullingham Sound.
17 Aug 1944 - Hoisted anchor. Left Cullingham Sound 1145 with 2 ships. Speed - 10 knots
18-20 Aug 1944 - At sea
21 Aug 1944 - Arrived Quebec 0200. Tied up at oil jetty. Shifted to jetty #27 at 0800
22 Aug 1944 - At Quebec
23 Aug 1944 - At Quebec. Lifted 4" gun mounting. Cleaned same
24 - 25 Aug 1944 - At Quebec
26 Aug 1944 - Left Quebec with Arrowhead and 3 ships. Speed - 9 knots
27 - 28 Aug 1944 - At sea
29 Aug 1944 - At sea. Fired 2 HE fused, Oerlikon and Pom Poms
30 Aug 1944 - Dropped anchor in Cullingham Sound 1755.
31 Aug 1944 - Hoisted anchor 0830. Arrived Goose Bay, Labrador 1700
01 Sep 1944 - At Goose Bay
02 Sep 1944 - Leave Goose Bay 1615. Return and drop anchor 1745.
03 Sep 1944 - Hoisted anchor. Leave Goose Bay 0530 with 3 ships. Speed - 9.5 knots
04 - 06 Sep 1944 - At sea
07 Sep 1944 - Arrived Quebec 1630. retarded all clocks 1 hr. Blowdown
08 Sep 1944 - On draft. Left Quebec and Quesnel 1145 after 2 years and 11 months aboard
09 Sep 1944 Left Levis P.Q. 0020
10 Sep 1944 - Arrived Halifax 0045. To Stadacona II
12 - 28 Sep 1944 - At Stadacona II, Halifax
29 - 30 Sep 1944 - On train
01 - 14 Oct 1944 - In Winnipeg on 14 days leave
16 Oct 1944 - Arrive Hochelaga II in Longueuil, PQ
17 Oct - 16 Nov 1944 - At Hochelaga II. Met Gwen at a dance.
17 Nov 1944 - Left Hochelaga II
18 Nov 1944 - Arrived Quebec. Went aboard HMCS Inch Arran as Buffer. 0830 trial runs. Commissioned ship 1130.
19 - 27 Nov 1944 - At Quebec
28 Nov 1944 - left Quebec. Gun trials. 18 rounds, 2 misfires. returned to oil jetty 1830
29 Nov 1944 - At Quebec. Shifted berth to ammunition jetty at Levis
30 Nov 1944 - At Levis, P.Q.
01 Dec 1944 - At Levis. Storm broke 3 wires. Anchored in river all night
02 Dec 1944 - At Levis. Ammunitioned ship. Leave 0230
03 Dec 1944 - Left Levis 0500
04 Dec 1944 - Arrived Dalhousie. Visitors aboard from 1000 to 1200
06 Dec 1944 - At Dalhousie. Visitors aboard from 1000 to 1200. Advanced all clocks 1 hr. Leave Dalhousie 1315.
07 Dec 1944 - Arrived Halifax 2000. Tied up at Gun wharf
08 - 09 Dec 1944 - At Halifax
10 Dec 1944 - At Halifax. Sunday divisions
11 Dec 1944 - At Halifax. Shifted to jetty #3. Started harbour evolutions.
12 - 22 Dec 1944 - At Halifax
23 Dec 1944 - At Halifax. Load more ammunition aboard
24 Dec 1944 - At Halifax D/G run and deperming in Bedford Basin. Tied up at jetty #0
25 Dec 1944 - At Halifax. Had small party in mess celebrating Christmas
26 Dec 1944 - At Halifax. Swinging compass. Fuelled up. Tied up at French cable wharf
27 Dec 1944 - Left Halifax 1100. Arrived St. Margaret's Bay 1630. Dropped anchor
28 Dec 1944 - At St. Margaret's Bay. H.F.D.F. Calibrations
29 Dec 1944 - In St. Margaret's Bay. Had a fouled hook. Worked 3 hours to clear it. Left St. Margaret's Bay 1600. Arrived Halifax 2200. Tied up at jetty #3
30 - 31 Dec 1944
01 - 04 Jan 1945 - At Halifax. Drafted to Military Hospital. Forbes Annex 2200
05 Jan - 17 Jan 1945 - In Military hospital. X-rays and blood tests.
18 Jan 1945 - Drafted to HMCS Peregrine 1200. 2 inoculations
19 - 22 Jan 1945 - At Peregrine
23 Jan 1945 - Granted 7 days leave
24 - 29 Jan 1945 - At Montreal. Spend time with Gwen
30 - 31 Jan 1945 - At Peregrine
01 Feb - 18 Mar 1945 - At Pergrine on Emergency draft pool
19 Mar 1945 - Left Peregrine. Went aboard HM troopship Aquitania 1900
20 Mar 1945 - Left Halifax 0400 with 2 destroyer escorts
21 Mar 1945 - At Sea. Advanced clocks 1 hr
22 Mar 1945 - At Sea. Advanced clocks 1 hr
23 Mar 1945 - At Sea. Advanced clocks 1 hr. Dropped escort
24 Mar 1945 - At sea
25 Mar 1945 - At sea. Picked up 2 more escorts
26 Mar 1945 - Dropped anchor off Gourock, Scotland. Disembarked 1400. Arrived Niobe 1600. Barracks routine. Shifted to Larkfield 1800
27 - 29 Mar 1945 - At Larkfield
30 Mar 1945 - At Larkfield. 48 hrs leave. Went to Edinburgh. Visited with Uncle Robert and Aunt Jessie.
31 Mar 1945 - At Edinburgh
01 - 23 Apr 1945 - At Larkfield
24 Apr 1945 - Left Larkfield 1030. Left Niobe 1500. Boarded trooper 1645. Left Scotland 2400.
25 Apr 1945 - Arrived Belfast, Ireland 0900. Disembark from trooper. Went aboard HMCS Ontario 1700
26 Apr 1945 - Commissioned ship
27 Apr - 07 May 1945 - At Belfast
08 May 1945 - At Belfast. V.E. Day. Ammunitioned ship
09 May 1945 - Still loading ammunition
10 - 15 May 1945 - At Belfast
16 May 1945 - Slipped at 0700 D/G run. Swing compass. P.V. trials, Anchor trials. Tested firing circuits on 4" and 6" guns
17 May 1945 - Slipped at 0700. Anchor and D/F trials. Preliminary speed trials. Returned 1930
18 May 1945 - Secured alongside jetty at Belfast
19 May 1945 - Slipped at 0900. Close range weapons, 4" and 6" gun trials. Returned 2200
20 May 1945 - Slipped 0800. Pipe down. Maneuver trials. Returned 2200
21 May 1945 - Secured alongside Dolphin 2
22 - 25 May 1945 - At Belfast
26 May 1945 - Left Belfast 1200. Dropped anchor off Gourock 1900
27 May 1945 - At anchor off Gourock
28 May 1945 - Hoisted anchor 0800. Dropped anchor off Lamlash 1215
29 May - 01 Jun 1945 - At anchor off Lamlash
02 Jun 1945 - Hoisted anchor 0630. D/F calibrations. Dropped anchor off Gourock 1030
03 Jun 1945 - Wrens aboard as visitors
04 - 10 Jun 1945 - Anchored off Gourock
11 Jun 1945 - Hoisted anchor. 0900 Torpedo trials. Dropped anchor off Lamlash
12 Jun 1945 - Hoisted anchor 0900. Trial run. Returned and anchored off Lamlash
13 Jun 1945 - Hoisted anchor2000
14 Jun 1945 - At sea. A.A. shoot with all close range Weapons. Tied up at Strachan pier. Liverpool. England.
15 Jun 1945 - Slipped at 0830. Shifted to drydock. Secured at 1115
16 Jun 1945 - In Breakenhead graving docks. Liverpool
17 Jun 1945 - Left docks 1420. Dropped anchor in Mersey River 1815. Fuelled up, hoisted anchor 2130
18 Jun 1945 - At sea. 6" shoot. B and Y turrets. Testing 711 gear
19 Jun 1945 - Secured to buoy at Scapa Flow (Flotta) 0615
20 - 23 Jun 1945 - Secured to buoy at Scapa Flow
24 Jun 1945 - Slipped from buoy 0900. A.A shoot. Returned and secured to buoy 1430.
25 - 26 Jun 1945 - Secured to buoy at Scapa Flow
27 Jun 1945 - Slipped from buoy 0830. 6" sub caliber shoot. returned and secured to buoy 1930
28 Jun 1945 - Secured to buoy at Scapa
29 Jun 1945 - Slipped from buoy 1700
30 Jun 1945 - Secured alongside Princes wharf, Liverpool 0700. Shifted blue director. Slipped at 1130. Dropped anchor off Greenock 2100
01 Jul 1945 - Anchored off Greenock
02 Jul 1945 - Hoisted anchor 2130
03 Jul 1945 At sea 6" sub caliber and full caliber shoot
04 Jul 1945 -At sea. A.A. shoot
05 Jul 1945 - At sea A.A. shoot. Stopped at Gibraltar 10 min. Dispatched mail. Received inoculation
06 Jul 1945 - At sea A.A. shoot. Changed to tropical rig
07 Jul 1945 - At sea. 4" shoot. Stopped ship for approx ½ hr. Hands to bathe on Port side. 6" sub caliber shoot. Ship travelled 1724.4 miles in June, and 2775.4 since commissioning
08 Jul 1945 - Arrived Malta. Secured alongside HMS Belfast 1000. Shifted berth, secured alongside HMS Sirius at Valetta
09 Jul 1945 - At Malta. Shifted berth. Secured astern of HMS Sirius
10 Jul 1945 - At Malta
11 Jul 1945 - Slipped at 1500. A.A. shoot. Cut down sleeve target. 6" sub caliber shoot and 4" shoot. Night shoot with 4"
12 Jul 1945 - Dropped anchor 0100. Hoisted anchor 0800. A.A. shoot. Cut down sleeve target. 6" sub caliber and 4" shoot. Night shoot using HMS Belfast as target. 4" star shells
13 Jul 1945 - At sea. Oiling by trough method. Evolutions. Mock air attack 5 planes. 2 Spitfires and 3 Corsairs. 4" full caliber shoot. Dropped anchor in St. Paul's bay
14 Jul 1945 - Hoisted anchor 0830. Secured alongside Parlatoria Wharf 1100
15 - 16 Jul 1945 -Secured alongside
17 Jul 1945 - Slipped at 0800. 4" and A.A. shoot. Cruising stations from 1800 to 0800.
18 Jul 1945 - Tow forward 0600. 4" L.A. and H.A. shoot. Close weapon shoot. Cut down sleeve target. Dropped anchor in St. Paul's Bay
19 Jul 1945 - Hoisted anchor 0830. Close range weapon shoot. Cut down sleeve target. 6" full caliber shoot. 12 hits out of 15. Dropped anchor in St. paul's Bay 1900
20 Jul 1945 - Hoisted anchor 0815. Towed destroyer aft and fuelled another alongside at same time. Torpedo runs. Secured to buoys in Grand harbour 1800
21 - 22 Jul 1945 - Secured to buoys
23 Jul 1945 - Slipped from buoys 0800. 6" sub caliber shoot and full caliber shoot. Dropped anchor in St. Paul's Bay 2000
24 Jul 1945 - Hoisted anchor 0820. 6" shoot 1000. Battle stations 2115. 4" and Pom Pom shoot. 9 Star shells, 6 TB's for dummy torpedo runs. 4" and 6" shoot as B.P. target. Secure at 2350. Remained at sea.
25 Jul 1945 - 4" shoot. Dropped anchor in St. Paul's Bay. Abandon ship. Over the side with life belts.
26 Jul 1945 - Hoisted anchor 0800. 4" and close range weapon shoot. A.A. shoot. Cut sleeve target in half. 6" full caliber shoot. 2 misfires on my gun. Secured alongside Parlatoria Wharf 1930
27 Jul 1945 - Secured alongside. Washed down paintwork
28 Jul 1945 - Secured alongside. Started painting ship
29 Jul 1945 - Secured alongside. Removed single Oerlikon and replaced with Bofors.
30 - 31 Jul 1945 - Secured alongside
01 Aug 1945 - Secured alongside. Leave to 2300
02 Aug 1945 - Slipped 0900. Vice Admiral aboard. 6" shoot with 711 gear at barrage balloon. Bofors shoot. Dropped anchor in St. Paul's Bay 1745
03 Aug 1945 - Hoisted anchor 0830. 6" / 711 shoot at barrage balloon. 6" bombardment. Dropped anchor outside Grand Harbour
04 Aug 1945 - At sea. Started tropical routine
05 Aug1945 - At sea. 6" bombardment. Dropped anchor 1600
06 Aug 1945 - Hoisted anchor 0730. 6" bombardment. Secured to buoy at Alexandria, Egypt
07 - 08 Aug 1945 - At Alexandria, Egypt.
09 Aug 1945 - Slipped at 1530. 6" shoot at B.P.T. 4" and 6" close weapons shoot at sleeve target. 2 destroyers as escort.
10 Aug 1945 - Started through Suez Canal 0530. Dropped anchor off Suez 1700. Hoisted anchor 1800. 4" and close range weapon shoot
11 Aug 1945 - At sea in Read Sea. battle stations 2045. 4" star shell shoot with destroyer
12 Au 1945 - At sea. Fuelled up destroyers
13 Aug 1945 At sea. 6" throw off shoot
14 Aug 1945 - Arrived Aden, Arabia, dropped anchor. Secured to buoys. Fuelled up. Slipped from buoys 1500. Vaccinations
15 Aug 1945 - At sea. V.J. Day. Pipe down 0900. Confirmed P.O.
16 Aug 1945 - At Sea. Advanced all clocks 1 hr at 2359
17 Aug 1945 - At Sea. Advanced all clocks 1 hr at 2359
18 Aug 1945 - At Sea. Advanced all clocks 1 hr at 2359
19 Aug 1945 - Arrived Colombo, Ceylon 0600. Secured to buoys. Fuelled up. A turret won efficiency trophy. Advanced all clocks ½ at 1030 and ½ hr at 2359
20 Aug 1945 - At Colombo, Ceylon
21 Aug 1945 - Left Colombo 1600. 4" close range and 6" / 711 shoot at glider target
22 Aug 1945 - Arrived Trincomalee, Ceylon 1100. Secured to buoys
23 Aug 1945 - At Trincomalee. Midshipman accidentally shot in back by crew member
24 - 30 Aug 1945 - At Trincomalee, Ceylon
31 Aug 1945 - Left Trincomalee 0900 D/G runs. Dropped anchor 1200. Hoisted anchor 1600. Escorting 2 troopships
01 Sep 1945 - At sea. Inoculations
02 Sep 1945 - At sea
03 Sep 1945 - Close range weapon shoot at falling target. Several men hit with shrapnel when Pom Pom shell hit stanchion. Nothing serious
04 - 05 Sep 1945 - At sea in Malacca Straits
06 Sep 1945 - At sea. Passed Singapore 1200
07 Sep 1945 - At sea. Distance travelled in August 4942.9 miles. Total since commissioning - 12,636.4 miles. Joined aircraft carrier. Advanced all clocks 1 hr at 2359
08 - 09 Sep 1945 - At sea
10 Sep 1945 - At sea. Advanced all clocks 1 hr at 2359
11 Sep 1945 - Arrived Hong Kong, China 1000. Dropped anchor. Advanced all clocks 1 hr at 1200
12 Sep 1945 - At Hong Kong
13 Sep 1945 - At Hong Kong. Landing party ashore
14 Sep 1945 - At Hong Kong
15 Sep 1945 - At Hong Kong. 2nd landing party ashore
16 Sep 1945 - At Hong Kong. Visited HMCS prince Robert. Japanese surrender. Fired 21 gun salute 1600. Fireworks and searchlight display at 2100
17 Sep 1945 - At Hong Kong
18 Sep 1945 - At Hong Kong. Landed at 1430 to do R.P.O. duties
19 Sep - 09 Oct 1945 - At Hong Kong
10 Oct 1945 - At Hong Kong. Chinese celebrate double 10th. Ontario fired 21 gun salute. Searchlight and fireworks display 1900
11 - 19 Oct 1945 - At Hong Kong
20 Oct 1945 - P.O. Orton injured by Japanese aerial shell that exploded while he was trying to disarm it.
21 Oct 1945 - At Hong Kong
22 Oct 1945 - Shoo Shon and Aberdeen camps returned to HMCS Ontario
23 Oct 1945 - Remainder of Landing parties return to HMCS Ontario. Given Q.M. job 4 hrs on 8 hjrs off.
24 - 27 Oct 1945 - At Hong Kong
28 Oct 1945 - Hoisted anchor 0900. Secured alongside tanker. Fuelled up. Left Hong Kong 1300.
29 Oct 1945 - At Sea
30 Oct 1945 - Arrived Manila 1030
31 Oct 1945 - Arrived manila
01 Nov 1945 - Hoisted anchor 1700. Secured alongside tanker. Fuelled up 1800. Left manila 2200
02 - 05 Nov 1945 - At sea. Heading home
06 Nov 1945 - Arrived Guam 0800. Fuelled up. Left Guam 1430. 6 yrs service in RCNVR today.
07 Nov 1945 - At Sea. Advanced all clocks ½ hr at 2300 and ½ hr at 0030
08 Nov 1945 - At Sea. Advanced all clocks ½ hr at 2300 and ½ hr at 0030
09 - 10 Nov 1945 - At sea
11 Nov 1945 - At Sea. Advanced all clocks ½ hr at 2300 and ½ hr at 0030
12 Nov 1945 - At sea
13 Nov 1945 - Crossed International date line. No Day
14 Nov 1945 - At sea. Advanced all clocks ½ hr at 2300 and ½ hr at 0030
15 Nov 1945 - At sea
16 Nov 1945 - At sea. Advanced all clocks ½ hr at 0030. Arrived Pearl Harbour 1000
17 - 19 Nov 1945 - At Pearl Harbour
20 Nov 1945 - Left Pearl Harbour. Started daily routine
21 Nov 1945 - At Sea. Advanced all clocks ½ hr at 0030
22 - 24 Nov 1945 - At sea heading home
25 Nov 1945 - At Sea. Advanced all clocks ½ hr at 2300 and ½ hr at 0030
26 Nov 1945 - At sea. 1 frigate and 1 destroyer as escorts
27 Nov 1945 - Arrived Esquimalt, BC 1030
28 Nov 1945 - At Esquimalt. 1300 Started discharge routine.
29 Nov 1945 - At Esquimalt. Finished discharge routine
30 Nov 1945 - At Esquimalt
31 Nov 1945 - Left Esquimalt. BC 1320. Arrived Vancouver via Ferry 1830. Left Vancouver 1945 via CPR
01 Dec 1945 - On train
02 Dec 1945 - Arrived at Winnipeg
03 Dec 1945 - 30 Jan 1946 - At Winnipeg
31 Jan 1945 - Discharged from RCNVR at HMCS Chippawa
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For
Posterity's Sake
