HMCS ATHABASKAN R79 / 219

Tribal Class Destroyer

The last of her class to be completed, "Athabee" was commissioned at Halifax on 20 Jan 1948, and sailed in mid-May 1948 for the west coast, where she trained new entries and officer cadets until the outbreak of the Korean War. She sailed from Esquimalt on 05 Jul 1950, for the first of three tours of duty in Korean waters, returning 11 Dec 1953, from the last of them. 

HMCS ATHABASKAN'S tours in Korea:

1st Tour: Departed Esquimalt: 05 Jul 1950  //  Arrived in Op Area: 30 Jul 50  //  Departed Op Area: 03 May 51  //  Arrived in Esquimalt: 17 May 51

2nd Tour: Departed Esquimalt: 02 Aug 1951  //  Arrived in Op Area: 01 Sep 51  //  Departed Op Area: 21 Jun 52  //  Arrived Esquimalt: 09 Jul 1952

3rd Tour: Departed Esquimalt: 29 Oct 1952  //  Arrived in Op Area: 26 Nov 52  //  Departed Op Area: 18 Nov 53  //  Arrived in Esquimalt: 11 Dec 1953

In Oct 1954, she emerged from an extensive conversion classed as a destroyer escort, and resumed her training role.  On 07 Aug 1955, while on a Pacific Training Cruise with HMCS CAYUGA, HMCS ATHABASKAN docked at Long Beach, California, with a stowaway on board. Joycelyn Joan Pilapil, a 16 year old Hawaiian girl, had hid in the after awning stores and was discovered there the day after the ship sailed from Hilo. She was turned over to authorities in Long Beach and was eventually returned to Hilo.

Click here to read a newspaper article on Joycelyn Pilipil

In Jan 1959, HMCS ATHABASKAN left for the east coast to become part of a homogeneous Tribal class squadron. On 16 Feb 1959, HMCS ATHABASKAN and HMCS CAYUGA arrived in Halifax. Their west coast crews returned to BC with HMCS ST LAURENT and HMCS SAGUENAY.

In Nov/Dec 1959, during a 6-week deployment that included a NATO Exercise, HMCS BONAVENTURE, in company with HMCS ALGONQUIN, HMCS IROQUOIS, HMCS SIOUX and HMCS ATHABASKAN encounter a major storm that battered the squadron.

Four newspaper articles on the Nov/Dec 1959 deployment during which 5 RCN sailors died.

In the summer of 1963, BONAVENTURE was conducting exercises in the North Atlantic with ATHABASKAN as her plane guard. One one occasion, while conducting a RAS with ATHABASKAN, the two ships collided. The BONAVENTURE received some minor damage, while ATHABASKAN'S was more serious.

The following write-up on the collision was submitted by Donald (Bud) Rose, RCN(R): In 1962 when ships of the Destroyer Escort Squadrons were being re-assigned, HMCS ATHABASKAN proceeded to Marine Industries Ltd. at Sorel Quebec. There she would undergo a major refit which was completed by midsummer 1963, but her radar system was not. ATHABASKAN was one of only two ships with this type Radar System, (Cayuga was the other) and any repairs had to be carried out at Portsmouth England. Following her work-ups, ATHABASKAN was assigned as "plane guard' for the aircraft carrier HMCS BONAVENTURE, exercising in the North Atlantic. From there, ATHABASKAN was to proceed to Portsmouth England for radar refitting. During a refueling operation in mid Atlantic, the two ships struck each other with the ATHABASKAN receiving serious damage.

Following the collision, HMCS BONAVENTURE proceeded to Invergordon, Scotland to the former WW II Royal Naval Base and ship refueling facility. While damage to the Carrier's Hull was minimal, her fuel supply was below the accepted permissible level. Invergordon, Scotland was the nearest docking facility capable of docking an air craft carrier. HMCS ATHABASKAN received considerably more damage to her super structure and communication aerials than the "Bonnie". Without the required fuel she was to receive from the Carrier, ATHABASKAN had to make way to the nearest port which could facilitate her requirements. This port was the shipyards of Hartland and Wolff in Belfast - Northern Ireland. Having received temporary repairs, HMCS ATHABASKAN proceeded on her mission which was the overhaul of her radar system at Portsmouth England - a service not available in Canada. Permanent repairs necessitated by the collision with HMCS BONAVENTURE at sea, would now be carried out at Portsmouth. (click here to view 4 photos taken during the collision)

On 01 Mar 1964, ATHABASKAN rescued 34 of 36 crew members from the Liberian tanker Amphialos which broke up and sank approx 250 nautical miles south of Liverpool, NS. After 2 more years of service she was placed in reserve at Halifax and, on 21 Apr 1966, paid off for disposal. She was broken up at La Spezia, Italy, in 1970.  (Click here to read the article from The Crowsnest Magazine on the rescue)

RCN Memories:     Trials and Tribulations

Photos and Documents          Ship's company photos          The Ship's Bell

Don Russell recalls life aboard Athabaskan during the Korean War

Commanding Officers

     In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice    

     Lest We Forget     

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

T

V

W

Y

Z

Former Crew Members

Photos and Documents

Shipboard Newspaper

Christmas Edition - Dec 1951

(ABKN001 - ABKN003) The launching of HMCS ATHABASKAN (R79) at Halifax shipyards on 04 May 1946  //  Courtesy of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum

(ABKN004 - ABKN006) Newspaper articles on the mutiny onboard HMCS ATHABASKAN on 26 Feb 1949  //  Courtesy of Bill Kelleramn

(ABKN007) HMCS ATHABASKAN completes trials after refit  //  The Daily Colonist, Victoria, BC, 12 Apr 1950

(ABKN008) Cordite smoke drifts from HMCS ATHABASKAN as she bombards targets on an island in the Taechon approaches. The destroyer, battered gun emplacements and destroyed warehouses and barracks  //  CROWSNEST Magazine Vol. 3, No. 1, November, 1950

(ABKN009) ATHABASKAN Bombards Military Targets  //  Newspaper article from the Belleville Intelligencer, 02 Oct 1950  //  Source: Belleville Public Library microfilm collection  //  Researched and complied by: © John Lyons 2018

(ABKN010) Harry Driemel on HMCS ATHABASKAN - 1950  //  From the collection of Harry Driemel  //  Courtesy of Daryl Driemel

(ABKN011) Richard Bridges (left) on HMCS ATHABASKAN  //  From the collection of Richard Bridges, C2RPI, RCN

(ABKN012) HMCS ATHABASKAN coming alongside while escorting HMAS SYDNEY off Korea - Aug 1951  //  Photo credit: Alan Wallace White of the Department of Information. Photo held in the Argus Collection of Newspaper Photographs, State Library of Victoria [La Trobe Library] image NO. an005745

(ABKN013) HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 photographed from HMAS SYDNEY R17 in Korean waters between Aug 1951 and Feb 1952.  //  Credit: Australian War Memorial ID # P05890.060  //  Public domain photo

(ABKN014) HMCS ATHABASKAN 219

(ABKN015) Len B. (left) and Howard MacMillan (right) on HMCS ATHABASKAN during a Korean war tour  //  From the collection of Howard MacMillan  //  Courtesy of Eric Colaris

(ABKN016) HMCS ATHABASKAN off Inchon, Korea - 1952

ABKN016

ABKN017

ABKN018

(ABKN017) LCdr C.E. Richardson, RCN, Commanding Officer HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 - 25 Oct 1954 - 15 Jan 1956  //  Courtesy of Christopher Richardson

(ABKN018) Newspaper article on Joycelyn Joan Pilapil who was a stowaway on HMCS ATHABASKAN in 1955  //  Jacksonville daily Gazette, Monday 08 Aug 1955

(ABKN019) Train Busters Club Certificate  //  Presented to HMCS ATHABASKAN 219  //  Source: Newspaper article in the Rocky Mountain Outlook - Canadian navy excelled at 'train busting'

(ABKN020) HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 RASing from HMCS Ontario - 1957  //  From the collection of Steve Hlasny

(ABKN021) HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 - date unknown  //  DND-RCN photo  //  Courtesy of Dennis McGillivray

(ABKN021 - ABKN022) HMCS ATHABASKAN arrived in St. John's on Friday 13th September for a one night stay. On the morning of the 14th Sept, members of the ship's company from HMCS Cabot - HMCS Avalon and RCSCC Terra Nova were taken onboard and the ship sailed for Harbour Grace. The ships company of HMCS ATHABASKAN, HMCS CABOT and RCSCC TERRA NOVA formed the Canadian Naval contingent for the annual "Armed Forces Day Ceremonies" in Harbour Grace Nfld. A contingent from the U S Naval Base - Argentia, represented the U S Navy.  In all, over 2000 military personnel took part in this parade, which way out numbered the total population of the town, and its capacity to host such a long parade. The final result for the RCN which was being led by the HMCS ATHABASKAN with the Navy Band and Colour Party in the lead, was that they were misdirected up the wrong road. This road (Gravel) began to narrow in width and then finally terminated all together in a farmer's field. There was no dismissal of ship's company as everyone simply broke away as if it was a route.  The ATHABASKAN sailed for Halifax straight from Harbour Grace, and HMCS CABOT and RCSCC TERRA NOVA returned to St. John's by military convoy.  //  Courtesy of Donald C. (Bud) Rose, RCN(R)

(GH01) Daily Orders - HMCS ATHABASKAN, Sasebo, Japan, Christmas Day, 25 Dec 1950

"HMCS ATHABASKAN Dec. 1950 - We were not going to be in port for X-mas but something happened and we had to go into dry dock for repairs. This resulted in a wild party as the rum for that few days that was left over from the issue instead of being tipped over the side was split to the crew; plus what was smuggled aboard was mixed in mess deck buckets. That's the way I remember it. I do not remember what happened to the turkey."

(GH02) A "Korean" Christmas Card HMCS ATHABASKAN

(GH03) HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 TAS dept. - 1950

(GH04) Sailors from ATHABASKAN at a British canteen, Sasebo, Japan, 1950 - Bill Dziadyk (1st on left), Gordon Howard (1st on right)

Courtesy of Gordon Howard

(WD03) Last five minute ashore ..... HMCS ATHABASKAN readies to depart for her 1st Korean War tour  //  Newspaper article from the Victoria Daily Times - 06 Jul 1950  //  Crew listed in the article: Cook William Dziadyk; Cdr R.P. Welland, CO; CPO Charles N. Stroud; and, AB David Burke

(WD04-WD07) Cooks on HMCS ATHABASKAN during her 1st Korean War Tour

(WD07) Cook Bill Dziadyk

(WD08) Ed Melenka and Bill Dziadyk (right), Sasebo, Japan

(WD09) Bill Dziadyk on HMCS ATHABASKAN

(WD10) Bill Dziadyk on guard duty

(WD11 - WD12) Bill Dziadyk touring Sasebo, Japan

(WD13 - WD17) Bill Dziadyk touring Sasebo, Japan

 (WD18) Bill and unknown friend/shipmate - location unknown

(WD19) Landing party returning to HMCS ATHABASKAN

(WD20) Unknown sailors on HMCS ATHABASKAN  

(WD21-WD24) Harbour scenes - location unknown

(WD25) Unknown warship at sea

From the collection of William (Bill) C. Dziadyk

Courtesy of Bill Dziakyk

(NCEM002) Gunnery practice on HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 - AB Nelson May on the trigger with OS William Morgan as loader

(NCEM003) Three sailors standing on the side of the graving dock with HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 in the background

(NCEM004) Tot time in a mess deck on HMCS ATHABASKAN 219

(NCEM005) Poem on HMCS ATHABASKAN'S departure from Esquimalt on 02 Aug 1951 for her Korean War Deployment

(NCEM006) AB Robin Skavberg Lost Overboard during HMCS ATHABASKAN'S Korean War Deployment

(NCEM007) Athabaskan Hits Red Installations - Article dated 10 Dec 1951

(NCEM008) HMCS ATHABASKAN sailors want new type of hat - Article dated 13 Jun 1952

(NCEM006) Athabaskan's Guns Lambast Coast - Article dated 13 Jun 1952

(NCEM009) HMCS ATHABASKAN Receives Presidential Citation from South Korean President - Article dated 21 Dec 1951

From the collection of Nelson May, LSAA3, RCN

Courtesy of Nelson's son Nelson May

(SH62) Station card of Steve Hlasny on HMCS ATHABASKAN

(SH63) HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 departing Pearl Harbour for Korea - 1952

(SH127) Fleet Regatta, June 1957 - HMCS ATHABASKAN entry. Photo taken from HMCS ONTARIO

From the collection of Steve Hlasny, CPO2.LT

(DEG002) Pay parade of HMCS ATHABASKAN during her second Korean War Tour.  PO David Glover, seated beside the officer

(DEG003) "Itchy" - Mascot of HMCS ATHABASKAN.  Owner, LCdr Robing Haward, Os Keith Kellicut (left) and PO David Glover (right)  //  Article from The Daily Colonist, Victoria, BC 10 Jul 1952

From the collection of David Glover, Petty Officer Pay Writer, RCN

Courtesy of Steven Glover

Ed Chadwick's photos from HMCS ATHABASKAN'S 1st Korean War tour

(EC39) Ed Chadwick on HMCS ATHABASKAN

(EC40) Jim MacKenzie on HMCS ATHABASKAN

(EC41) Unknown Chief on HMCS ATHABASKAN

(EC42) Harling and Harrah on HMCS ATHABASKAN

(EC43) HMCS ATHABASKAN in drydock at Sasebo, Japan

(EC44) Ed Chadwick with Peatman and Colley

(EC45) Ed Chadwick, HMCS ATHABASKAN, Christmas 1950

(EC46) Cdr Welland (right), Commanding Officer HMCS ATHABASKAN 13 Mar 1950 - 02 Jul 1951

(EC47) Electricians and Comm Rates on HMCS ATHABASKAN

(EC48) Ed Chadwick with Peatman and Klause on HMCS ATHABASKAN

(EC49) Ed Chadwick on HMCS ATHABASKAN, Kure, Japan - 1951

(EC50) Harrah, Peatman, Harling, Ledingham

(EC51) Electrical Party, HMCS ATHABASKAN, Feb 1951.  Front (L-R) C2 John Knox;  C2. Charlie Moser;  C2 Jim Sharpe;  C2 Gordon Taylor;  P1 Ron Emmerson;  C2 Jim Cottrell  C2 John Rogers; P1 Len Jackson; Back, 1st on right), Mahduik, John

(EC52) Newton, Harrah, Latimer, Maduik, Rennie & Chadwick, HMCS ATHABASKAN

(EC53) Slinging a clean hammock, HMCS ATHABASKAN

(EC54) Electricians on HMCS ATHABASKAN - 1950

(EC55) At the brow of HMCS ATHABASKAN - 1950

(EC56) Ledingham and Harling, Kure, Japan - 1950

(EC57) Gordon Berry, Kure, Japan - 1950

(EC58) Gordon Berry, Kure, Japan - 1950

(EC59) Dick Pollock on HMCS ATHABASKAN, Kure, Japan - 1950

(EC60) Peatman and MacKenzie on HMCS ATHABASKAN, Kure, Japan - 1950

(EC61) Ed Dalton and John Corbett on HMCS ATHABASKAN, Kure, Japan - 1950

(EC62) On Patrol, Jan 1951 - taking on supplies

(EC63) On Patrol 1951- Bofor taking aim

(EC64) On Patrol 1951 - Top, port side forward

(EC65) On Patrol 1951 - HMNZS TUTIRA approaching HMCS ATHABASKAN

(EC66) On Patrol 1951 - HMCS ATHABASKAN following astern of HMS THESEUS

(EC67) On Patrol 1951 - HMS COMUS coming alongside HMCS ATHABASKAN

(EC68) On Patrol 1951 - HMCS HURON 216 astern of HMCS ATHABASKAN in Rescue Station position

(EC69) On Patrol 1951 - HMCS ATHABASKAN transferring mail to HMCS CAYUGA 218

(EC70) On Patrol, Jan 1951 - South Korean refugees escaping down the coast

(EC71) On Patrol 1951 - Interrogating Korean Fishermen

(EC72) On Patrol 1951 - Korean Fishermen on their way

(EC73) HMCS ATHABASKAN Fo'c's'le Party

(EC74) Yokusuka visit - Midget submarine - Feb 1951

(EC75) Don Lory and Jake Ellis, Imperial Palace, Japan - Feb 1951

(EC76) Yokusuka visit - Imperial Palace - Feb 1951

(EC77) HMCS ATHABASKAN in Kure Drydock, Mar 1951

(EC78) HMCS ATHABASKAN alongside Sasebo, Japan, 1951

(EC79) HMCS ATHABASKAN alongside Sasebo, Japan, 1951

(EC80) Ed Chadwick on HMCS ATHABASKAN, Sasebo, Japan, 1951

(EC81) Kure, Japan - 1951

(EC82) Sasebo Harbour, Japan - 1951

(EC83) John Peatman, HMCS ATHABASKAN -1951

(EC84) Ed Chadwick (right), HMCS ATHABASKAN - 1951

(EC85) Lt Olsen, John Peatman, Lt Clarence Alfred Sturgeon, Ordnance Officer

(EC86) MacArthur, Klause, HMCS ATHABASKAN - 1951

(EC87) Ed Chadwick looking a little under the weather - 1951

(EC88) Sasebo, Japan - 1951

(EC89 - EC93) Ed Chadwick, Lory Ledingham and others hiking in the hills around Sasebo, Japan - 1951

(EC94) Hong Kong - 1951

(EC95 - EC97) HMCS NOOTKA, HMCS CAYUGA, HMCS ATHABASKAN at a buoy, Sasebo, Japan, Mar 1951

(EC98) Award of Korean Presidential Citation to HMCS ATHABASKAN

(EC99) Nute Harrah and Ed Chadwick flying back to Canada via CP Air, Apr 1951

From the collection of Ed Chadwick, CPO, LM / ET, RCN, ret'd

Courtesy of Ed Chadwick

William (Bill) Paterson's photos from ATHABASKAN'S 1st Korean War Tour

(WP78) British Forces Identity Certificate for ABAAS Paterson - with instructions on what to do if you become a POW

(WP79) ABAAS Paterson, Hong Kong - 1950

(WP80) Bill Paterson's station card from HMCS ATHABASKAN

(WP81) Certificate - Korean War service

(WP82) Currency kept as a souvenir

(WP83) HMCS ATHABASKAN - date unknown

(WP84) HMCS ATHABASKAN 1969 Reunion certificate

(WP85) document commemorating some type of event that HMCS ATHABASKAN excelled in on 26 Mar 1951 while on her Korean War tour

(WP86-WP89) Postcards of Sasebo, Japan 1950-51

WP86) Centre Park overlooking Sasebo city

(WP87) American built PX  (WP88) Enjoyment centre (nightclub) at Sasebo, Japan

(WP89) Sasebo habour and shipyard

(WP90) Adak in the Aleutian Islands

(WP91-WP92) Adak in the Aleutian Islands - May 1951

(WP93) HMCS ATHABASKAN transiting the Yalu River, Korea - the ship's wake is visible in the bottom right of the photo

(WP94) Hong Kong

(WP95) Unknown carrier off Inchon, Korea  

(WP96) Aircraft flying past HMCS ATHABASKAN as she enters Sasebo, Japan

(WP97) Sasebo, Japan

(WP98) Unidentified ATHABASKAN sailor at the Queen's Tavern, Hiroshima, Japan

(WP99) HMCS SIOUX 225 - 1951

(WP100-WP101) Ice on HMCS ATHABASKAN just after a storm on the Yalu River, 20 degrees below

(WP102) Ice on HMCS ATHABASKAN just after a storm on the Yalu River - looking down from the bridge

(WP103) Hong Kong postcards

From the collection of William (Bill) Argyle Paterson, P1BN, RCN / C.A.F.

Courtesy of Bruce Paterson

(RCMO001) "Smoke Break"  //  Gun crew on HMCS ATHABASKAN R79 circa 1952

(RCMO002) Unknown crew member on gun turret of HMCS ATHABASKAN R79

(RCMO003) Fo'c's'le part ship hands on HMCS ATHABASKAN R79 circa 1952

(RCMO004) Commanding officer of HMCS ATHABASKAN R79 and gunnery officer with Chinese "Burp" gun

(RCMO005) HMCS ATHABASKAN R79 in ice off Korea - 1952

(RCMO006) HMCS ATHABASKAN R79 in ice off Korea - 1952

(RCMO007) Admiral Mainguy in seaman's mess on HMCS ATHABASKAN R79 circa 1952

(RCMO008) Crewmen on HMCS ATHABASKAN R79 circa 1952

(RCMO009) Polishing brass voice pipe on HMCS ATHABASKAN R79 circa 1952

(RCMO010) Signalmen on HMCS ATHABASKAN R79 circa 1952

(RCMO011) HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 doing full power trials

(RCMO012) Agenda for HMCS ATHABASKAN Reunion - 1972

From the collection of Robert (Bob) Orrick, Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Signalman, RCN

Courtesy of Bob Orrick

NBB001

NBB002

NBB003

NBB004

(NBB001 - NBB004) Sea Training make-up artists apply their trade for a casualty exercise on HMCS ATHABASKAN

NBB005

NBB006

NBB007

NBB008

HMCS ATHABASKAN rescues downed American pilot off Korea - who apparently was worth his weight in ice cream

(NBB005) US aircraft marks position of down's pilot for HMCS ATHABASKAN'S whaler

(NBB006) US pilot being brought aboard HMCS ATHABASKAN

(NBB007 - NBB008) American pilot being jack-stayed back to his carrier

NBB009

NBB010

NBB011

NBB012

NBB013

(NBB009 - NBB010) HMCS ATHABASKAN in dry dock at Sasebo, Japan

(NBB011 - NBB013) Jackstay between HMCS ATHABASKAN and unknown ship - personnel transfer and bringing mail on board

NBB014

NBB015

NBB016

NBB017

NBB018

(NBB014) HMCS ATHABASKAN in ice of Chodo, Korea, winter 1952-1953

(NBB015) Freighter off the Korean coast

(NBB016) Admiral Maingay on HMCS ATHABASKAN

(NBB017) "One of our guns" - HMCS ATHABASKAN

(NBB018) Unknown sailor as jetty sentry for HMCS ATHABASKAN

NBB019

(NBB019) Unknown officer and rating on HMCS ATHABASKAN

Poetry written by unknown sailors on HMCS ATHABASKAN during one of her Korean War tours.  Norman transcribed (printed) the majority of the poems to make them easier to read . If the original was still in his collection it was added below the transcribed copy.  Three of the poems are original written copies that were not transcribed.

From the collection of Norman Bowers

Courtesy of Geoff Gambee

(DCL002) Beer and Cigarette Issue Card for Donald Lory

(DCL003) Newspaper article reporting on HMCS ATHABASKAN'S newspaper writers / reporters - 14 May 1951

(DCL004) Jake Ellis and Harry Snaith at Cleaning Stations on HMCS ATHABASKAN circa Aug 1955

(DCL005) "Side by side at a jetty in Kure, Japan, are HMC Ships ATHABASKAN (left) and Crusader, while their ship's companies unite in divisions alongside. The Crusader, a Crescent class destroyer, has been in Korean waters for eight months, while the ATHABASKAN, Canadian-built Tribal class destroyer, is on her third tour of Korean duty."   //  Click here to view the associated newspaper article (Photo from the collection of Bob Orrick. Newspaper article from the collection of Gordon Arnold (Art) Broster)

(DCL006) Shipboard Newspaper - Christmas Edition - Dec 1951

From the collection of Donald Lory, Signalman, RCN

Courtesy of Stuart Lory

(TRI003) A couple ATHABASKAN sailors ashore - location unknown - between Nov 1954 - Jul 1955  //  OS Terry Ingleson on right

(TRI004) Terry Ingleson by the Squid launcher on HMCS ATHABASKAN between Nov 1954 - Jul 1955

From the collection of Terry Ingleson, Petty Officer 2nd Class Engineering Mechanic, RCN

Courtesy of Darren Ingleson

(PF001) ABFC B.J. MacNeil, LSFC George Day and OSFC Pemberton in 7 Mess, HMCS ATHABASKAN in 1961

(PF002) LS Ivan Corkum and OS Gallagher in 7 mess on HMCS ATHABASKAN in 1961

(PF003) "The Captain's Toy" being brought on board HMCS ATHABASKAN in 1962

(PF004) Ruddy, MacNeil, Pemberton and Hick in front of  "A" gun on ATHABASKAN, 1962

Courtesy of Patrick Fusk

(AM001) HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 - 1961

(AM002) HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 "Iced up"

Courtesy of Art Moore

(BK001) 6 or 8 Mess on HMCS ATHABASKAN in 1963  //  Photographer: Ben Kalkman

(BK002 - BK003) The Liberian tanker Amphialos broke up and sank approx 250 nautical miles south east of Liverpool, Nova Scotia on 01 Mar 1964.  34 of the 36 crew members were saved by HMCS ATHABASKAN 219.  One crewman drowned and one died on board HMCS ATHABASKAN. The ATHABASKAN tried to take the tanker in tow but was not able to.  After she broke apart, the stern sank but the forward part stayed afloat.  It was sunk by gunfire as it was a hazard to navigation.  //  Click here to read the article from The Crowsnest Magazine on the rescue

Courtesy of Ben Kalkman

(RM001) Richard Miess by the forward gun of HMCS ATHABASKAN 219, Halifax, Jan 1964

(RM002) HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 all iced up after returning from sea, Halifax, Jan 1964

(RM003) Stoker Mess, names unknown, HMCS ATHABASKAN 219, 1964

(RM004) Stoker Mess, HMCS ATHABASKAN 219, 1964  //  Front left: Richard Miess, Centre left: unknown Rear left: Owen Jenkins  //  Front right: unknown, Centre right: Bill Dice

(RM005) Stoker Mess, HMCS ATHABASKAN 219, 1964  //  L-R: Richard Miess, Bill Dice and Don Patterson

Courtesy of Richard Miess