HMCS CHAMPLAIN - For Posterity's Sake

HMCS CHAMPLAIN

Thornycroft S-Class Destroyer

HMCS CHAMPLAIN circa 1932

Credit: Credit Ken Macpherson / Naval Museum of Alberta

Launched: 06 Mar 1919

Commissioned: 1919

Paid off: 1928

Transferred to RCN: 01 Mar 1928

Commissioned: 01 Mar 1928

Paid off: 25 Nov 1936

Fate: Sold for scrap in 1937

Initially named HMS TORBAY, she was commissioned in the RN in 1919. She was lent to the RCN while replacements for PATRICIAN and PATRIOT were being built in Britain. The transfer took place at Portsmouth on 01 Mar 1928. In May 1928, CHAMPLAIN arrived at Halifax to provide reserve training. On 05 Jan 1935, HMCS SKEENA and HMCS VANCOUVER departed Esquimalt for exercises in the Kingston, Jamaica area with HMCS CHAMPLAIN and HMCS SAGUENAY. She was paid off on 25 Nov 1936 and sold for scrap in 1937.

Photos and Documents Ship's company photos

Commanding Officers

Lt George Ralph Miles, RCN - 13 Feb 1928 - 28 Feb 1928

Cdr Charles Taschereau Beard, RCN - 01 Mar 1928 - 20 May 1928

LCdr John Crispo Inglis Edwards, RCN - 21 May 1928 - 26 Dec 1929

Cdr V.G. Brodeur, RCN - 27 Dec 1929 - 26 Dec 1930

LCdr A.R. Pressey, RCN - 27 Dec 1930 - 27 Aug 1931

LCdr G.B. Barnes, RCN - 28 Aug 1931 - 15 Oct 1931

LCdr A.R. Pressey, RCN - 16 Oct 1931 - 22 May 1932

LCdr Valentine Stuart Godfrey, RCN - 23 May 1932 - 23 May 1934

LCdr Wallace Bourchier Creery, RCN - 23 May 1934 - 10 Dec 1935

LCdr R.E.S. Bidwell, RCN - 11 Dec 1935 - 25 Nov 1936

In memory of those who have crossed the bar

They shall not be forgotten

Akam, Thomas

Beard, Charles T.

Bertrand, Laurent J. L.

Darveau, J. H. Maurice

Fenerty, Morris St. G.

Finch-Noyes, Edward

Godfrey, Valentine S.

Ship's Mascot

Former Crew Members

Donald, Colin Degge, LCdr, RCn - 21 Jun 1930

Freeman, Arthur George, Gnr (T), RCN - 16 May 1935

Gee, Edward, Gnr (T), RCN - 02 Jul 1930

Hill, Henry Algernon, Gnr (T), RN - 15 Apr 1929

Keohane, James William, Lt (E), RCN - 01 Jun 1933

Knowlton, John Grant, Lt (E), RCN - 12 Jul 1931

Lewis, Bernard Arthur, Gnr (T), RCN - 03 May 1932

Webber, Reginald Amand, Slt, RCN - 22 Feb 1935

Photos and Documents

HMCS CHAMPLAIN

DND / RCN Photo

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(JS53) HMCS CHAMPLAIN entering Willemstad Harbour, Netherlands Antilles, 1934. In the winder of 1934, HMCS SKEENA, HMCS SAGUENAY, HMCS CHAMPLAIN and HMCS Vancouver took part in Winter exercises off South America.

(JS54) HMCS CHAMPLAIN, Shelburne, Nova Scotia, 1928

(JS55) HMCS CHAMPLAIN - undated

(JS56) HMCS CHAMPLAIN - undated

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(JS57-JS58) HMCS CHAMPLAIN'S mascot circa 1930

(JS59) Onboard HMCS CHAMPLAIN circa 1928-1930

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( JS60) HMCS CHAMPLAIN (left) and HMCS SAGUENAY (right) in the graving dock, Saint John, NB - date unknown

(JS61-JS62) Graving dock view from stern - SAGUENAY (left), CHAMPLAIN (right)

From the collection of James A. Senior, Wt (E), RCN

Courtesy of Bob Senior

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(HD03) Crew members of HMCS CHAMPLAIN. Herbert Dowling 2nd from right

(HD04) "Sailor Daddie". Herbert Dowling on right // note: A "Sailor Daddie" is a qualified sailor who has been assigned to take a new sailor under his wing and show him what he need to know to become a qualified sailor. If this young sailor had any questions he would go to his "Sailor Daddie". This would also pertain to the do's and don'ts when in foreign ports to help prevent a new sailor from being arrested or dead

(HD05) Mess deck in HMCS CHAMPLAIN

(HD06) After gun turret on HMCS CHAMPLAIN

(HD07) Upper deck of HMCS CHAMPLAIN - port side looking aft