HMCS CLAYOQUOT J174

Bangor Class Minesweeper

Laid down as HMS Esperanza, she was renamed CLAYOQUOT J174 in 1940. Named after Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island, she was commissioned at Prince Rupert on 02 Aug 1941. After working up, she left Esquimalt on 10 Oct 1941 for Halifax, arriving 14 Nov 1941. Initially assigned to Halifax Local Defence Force, she was transferred in Mar 1942, to WLEF and in May 1942 to Gulf Escort Force. While serving with Gulf Escort Force she rescued 55 survivors of HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN, torpedoed and sunk near Cap Chat on 11 Sep 1942. In Oct 1942 CLAYOQUOT joined Sydney Force. She arrived at Halifax on 29 Dec 1942 for a major refit, which was progressively carried out there and at Liverpool and Pictou, N.S. Completing her refit in May 1943, she re-joined Sydney Force in Jul 1943 after working up. In Jan 1944, she was transferred to HMCS CORNWALLIS for officers' training in A/S warfare, and in Oct 1944 was re-assigned to Halifax Force. On 24 Dec 1944, while taking station on convoy XB.139, she was torpedoed and sunk three miles from Sambro Light Vessel by U- 806, losing eight of her crew.

The following is from McLean, Douglas M. (1994) "A Loss of the HMCS CLAYOQUOT," Canadian Military History: Vol. 3: Iss. 2, Article 4 - The torpedo struck without warning. HMCS CLAYOQUOT was returning from an anti-submarine sweep in the approaches to Halifax harbour when its stern rose into the air, mangled by the detonation of a German T-5 acoustic homing torpedo. The men aboard felt two concussions, the second likely being depth charges stored on CLAYOQUOT'S stern set off by the torpedo. Whatever the details, the explosions were devastating for the small Bangor class minesweeper. A grainy photograph of the doomed ship shows the stern blasted vertical, the ship listing to starboard. CLAYOQUOT lasted barely ten minutes after being hit, just long enough for all but eight of her crew to escape. The worst fate befell two young officers trapped in the port forward-cabin. These men called out through a port hole for axes to chop their way to freedom, but all the axes were underwater. The merciless sea closed around them as the ship vanished.

Photos and Documents

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

(s) - Survived the sinking of HMCS CLAYOQUOT

Former Crew Members

(s) - Survived the sinking of HMCS CLAYOQUOT

Photos and Documents

(CLQ001) HMCS CLAYOQUOT J174 circa 1941-42  //  Photo taken from HMCS QUINTE J166  //  From the collection of George Crewe, Leading Telegraphist, RCN  //  Courtesy of Catherine Crewe

(CLQ002) HMCS CLAYOQUOT J174 c1941  //  LAC # a162177

(CLQ003 - CLQ004)  HMCS CLAYOQUOT J174 in the Halifax approaches - 09 Jul 1941

(CLQ005) HMCS CLAYOQUOT J174

(CLQ006) Christmas Card  //  HMCS CLAYOQUOT J174 - 1942  //  Courtesy of Gerald Sullivan

(CLQ007) Christmas Card  //  The Last Patrol of CLAYOQUOT, Christmas Eve 1944  //  Courtesy of Gerald Sullivan

(CLQ008) HMCS CLAYOQUOT J174  //  From the collection of François Messier, AB, RCNVR  //  Courtesy of Denis Messier

(CLQ009) Survivors from HMCS CLAYOQUOT being brought aboard HMCS FENNEL K194  //  Courtesy of the Naval Museum of Halifax

(CLQ010) Newspaper article on the sinking of HMCS CLAYOQUOT  //  Montreal Daily Star 31 Jan 1945  //  Courtesy of Peggy Higginson

(CLQ011) Jack Maloney on HMCS CLAYOQUOT J174 - starboard side, forward by the bridge  //  Courtesy of David Hamilton

(CLQ012) HMCS  CLAYOQUOT J174  //  Courtesy of David Hamilton

(WM25-WM27) HMCS CLAYOQUOT - Immediately after being hit by acoustics torpedo at No. 1 Buoy, Halifax Approaches, 24 Dec 1944, 1042 P.  Ships in Company - HMCS KIRKLAND LAKE, HMCS TRANSCONA

From the collection of Lt William J. Miller, RCNVR 

Courtesy of Heather Edwards

(CLQ013) Newspaper article on Jack Maloney home on survivors leave after the sinking of HMCS CLAYOQUOT J174  //  The Harrow Sentinel, Amherstburg, ON, 01 Feb 1945

(CLQ014) Newspaper article on survivors of HMCS CLAYOQUOT J174 being landed from HMCS FENNEL  //  The Harrow Sentinel, Amherstburg, ON, 01 Feb 1945

(CLQ015) Article on Casualties and Ottawa district survivors of the sinking of HMCS CLAYOQUOT  //  The Ottawa Evening Citizen 31 Jan 1945  //  Courtesy of "Operation Picture Me"

(CLQ016) Survivors of the sinking of HMCS CLAYOQUOT from the province of Quebec

(CLQ017) Survivors of the sinking of HMCS CLAYOQUOT from the province of Ontario  //  From the collection of J. Vincent Wesley, CPO, RCNVR  //  Courtesy of Marilynn Taylor