HMCS MICMAC R10 / 214

 

Tribal Class Destroyer

 


 

 

MELKEDAE

 

FEARLESS

HMCS MICMAC 214 circa 1954

"C/O at that time was Commander  George (Trigger) Wadds, a great skipper"

Courtesy of Gerald Sullivan

 

Laid down: 20 May 1942

Launched: 18 Sep 1943

Commissioned: 18 Sep 1945

Paid off: 30 Nov 1951

Re-commissioned: 14 Aug 1953

Paid off: 31 Mar 1964

Fate: Broken up in 1965

 

Built by Halifax Shipyards Ltd., MICMAC was commissioned at Halifax on 18 Sep 1945. Alone of her class, she never fired a shot in anger but spent her entire career as a training ship.

 

Built by Halifax Shipyards Ltd., HMCS MICMAC was commissioned at Halifax, NS on September 18, 1945, with Lieutenant Commander RL. Hennessy, DSC, RCN, in command. She was the first Tribal Class destroyer to be built in Canada - a sister ship to IROQUOIS, HAIDA and HURON, which had all been built in the United Kingdom. One other Tribal, HMCS ATHABASKAN, had been lost in World War Two. Three other Tribals later joined the fleet; NOOTKA, CAYUGA and ATHABASKAN (2nd of name).

 

On March 28, 1947 Commander J.C. Littler took command of the $8 million Micmac, which had just completed her first refit in the Halifax shipyards. Of the crew, although many were new recruits, quite a few on board were veterans who had served during the war. Most of the senior ratings were permanent force (RCN) or volunteer reserve (RCNVR), the latter having signed on to serve until September 1947, but the majority were post-war (RCN) and still under training.

 

On the morning of Wednesday, July 16, 1947, MICMAC left the Halifax dockyard to carry out full power trials to seaward of Sambro Light vessel. By noon, she had completed these trials and was turning toward harbour. The weather was clear, with visibility of about six miles. A note on weather conditions is important.

 

In the summer, along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, the fog creeps in from the sea in the evening and with the rising of the sun in the morning, the fog begins to burn off. As there was no fog, MICMAC was moving along at some 25 knots, but as she turned towards harbour a wisp of fog was sighted about four miles ahead. Commander Littler decided to work down to a more reasonable speed as quickly as possible and ordered revolutions reduced accordingly. He asked for and received radar ranges and bearing of Sambro Light vessel, as well as Sambro Island. They were plotted on the chart and MICMAC'S course was altered 20 degrees to starboard. The time was 12:51 hours. What was earlier thought to be a wisp, turned out to be a solid bank of fog.

 

Just as he gave the order to reduce speed, Commander Littler sighted a freighter. Collision was inevitable. Realizing the ship was still turning to starboard, but had not settled on the new course - way had been taken off and she had altered some 15° - Littler ordered "hard a 'starboard" with "engines full a 'stern" in hopes that the MICMAC would escape with no more than a glancing blow. It all happened so quickly that the final orders and the collision happened at the same time. From the moment the freighter was sighted, Commander Littler had time to give only two orders: "hard a 'starboard" and then "full a 'stern both engines." The logical third and fourth orders, namely "clear mess decks" and "one short blast on the whistle" were never made. The bluff bow of the Yarmouth County hit MICMAC just aft of the port anchor. With hard a 'starboard on, MICMAC was heeling outwards (to port) considerably, possibly affecting the seriousness of the damage to the ship's structure. Those on MICMAC'S bridge remember the huge bow of the freighter passing overhead and the impact. Others, away from the bridge, mentioned just "a bump" and feeling as though the ship had suddenly gone a 'stern. There was no apparent rebound. Contact lasted just seconds, but the damage was considerable to the ship's frame above and below the waterline, and both the forward and aft upper mess decks on the port side were smashed in. The force of the blow pushed "A" mounting right over, her guns pointing outward and upward into "B" guns flare, with one of the loading trays punching a hole in the shipwright shop. Just astern of the mounting, the two elevating arcs of "A" gun were stripped of their teeth like a cob of corn. Forty five feet of the bow had been destroyed.

 

The damage done to MICMAC, at this critical time with most hands at lunch in the for'd mess deck, was tragic. The port side from the bow to # 8 mess was torn out. Lockers, tables, benches, stanchions, large pieces of sheet steel, wiring, piping and bodies were all smashed. Some men died instantly, some were lost through the side of the ship, and others were pinned and badly injured.

 

One young civilian shipyard worker, believed to be on the upper deck and last seen on the fo'c's'le, was lost. He may have seen what was coming. It is believed he was thrown over the side on impact. Back on the mess deck, scalding steam from the capstan connection was escaping and hampering rescue efforts. With the ship's side plates gone, the deckhead near the paint locker had no support and was partly collapsed, so that when one entered the for'd mess deck from the starboard, the piping and valves where the capstan had been, were facing you. The ship's side was leaning inwards forward of #8 mess, blocking access to the dead and injured. Timbers were brought out and used to force the broken plating and other gear over the side, giving access to the people buried in the rubble. The dead were put in hammocks and laid aft by "Y" gun's mounting. There were many injured and those that could be moved were carried aft.

 

The port anchor cable had run out completely, along with the slips so the ship was in fact at anchor by the cable, now on the bottom. HMCS HAIDA had been dispatched to assist MICMAC and pick up any survivors. As HAIDA approached, smoke could be seen pouring from her funnel. She had flashed up her boilers from cold, hence the smoke. Also, a tug had been sent in case a tow was required. The chief stoker from the tug cut MICMAC'S hanging anchor cable with an acetylene torch and freed the ship. She slowly returned to Halifax under her own power. The crew of the Yarmouth County, like that of the MICMAC, had been at lunch. Those on her bridge had seen what had happened, but when others came on deck, not being able to see MICMAC in the fog, they were amazed to discover the port head of MICMAC'S capstan imbedded in their ship's side like a burr. Several of her sailors were thrown on impact, but none appeared to be injured. She circled around, but could not see the destroyer in the fog. Messages were exchanged between the two ships by wireless, concerning damage to their respective ships. Yarmouth County also returned to port at a reduced speed. At first, there was some doubt if MICMAC could be repaired, but it was soon decided that she could. It was a number of years before MICMAC was commissioned again. Ever after, if one was to look at her from straight ahead, a difference could be seen down the port side. She remained a training and weapons-trial ship - the only Tribal never to fire a shot in anger.

 

MICMAC'S damaged keel also prevented her from going to Korea.

 

At a subsequent inquiry, a medical officer who had been sent out in HAIDA reported that the preliminary first aid was excellent. Upon return to harbour, all the injured were sent ashore, the least injured first, to clear the decks of patients who did not need much attention, thus simplifying the removal of the more seriously injured. It was also reported to the inquiry that after the initial desire to get free of the mess decks, which couldn't have lasted more than 15 seconds on any man's part, the crew's conduct was exemplary. There was never any panic, undue shouting or hysterics. Crewmen did as they were told immediately and kept clear of the mess decks unless required. For every emergency job that was necessary that day, there were always hands ready to go anywhere and to do anything. Upon docking at "0" jetty in Halifax dockyard, a roll call was held to determine who was missing. Ten ratings and a civilian employee were killed and another 15 injured.

 

While under repair she was partially converted to a destroyer escort, returning to her duties early in 1950. 

 

On 23 Aug 1950 The Canadian Special Service Squadron, consisting of the MAGNIFICENT, Huron and MICMAC sailed from Halifax for a three-moth training cruise to Europe.  The Canadian Special Service Squadron arrived at Londonderry on 01 Sep 1950. For the next two weeks the ships carried out an intensive anti-submarine training program.  From 'Derry they went to Rosyth, Scotland, and then to Oslo, Norway.  Ships of the Special Service Squadron called at seven ports - Gothenburg, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Portsmouth and Cherbourg - within 22 Days.  The Special Service Squadron completed the continental phase of its training cruise with visits to Lisbon and Gibraltar. Following a strenuous exercise period with the British Home Fleet, the ships sailed westward for Bermuda. There the MAGNIFICENT, HURON and MICMAC were joined by the frigates LA HULLOSIE and SWANSEA and the five ships arrived at Halifax on 27 Nov 1950.

 

Paid off on 30 Nov 1951 for conversion to a destroyer escort, she was re-commissioned on 14 Aug 1953.

 

In Apr 1963, 12 RCN ships, ALGONQUIN, MICMAC, CAYUGA, ST CROIX, TERRA NOVA, KOOTENAY, SWANSEA, LA HULLOISE, BUCKINGHAM, CAPE SCOTT, CNAV BLUETHROAT and CNAV ST CHARLES, took part in NATO Exercise New Broom Eleven, an exercise designed to test convoy protection tactics. (click here to see the newspaper article).

 

In Oct 1963, BONAVENTURE, ALGONQUIN, CAYUGA, MICMAC and SASKATCHEWAN took part in a NATO exercise in which all participating ships were battered by a severe North Atlantic storm (click here to see the newspaper article).

 

At the end of 1963, after ten further strenuous years of training, NATO exercises, and "showing the flag", she was declared surplus and, on 31 Mar 1964, paid off at Halifax. Sold in 1964 to marine salvage Co., she was resold and in Oct 1964 she arrived at Faslane, Scotland and was broken up in 1965.

 


 

RCN Memories:     Mediterranean Mooring     Shore Patrol     The Battle of St. Margaret's Bay

 


 

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

 

Remembering R10 - The story of MICMAC and the collision with SS Yarmouth

 


 

Commanding Officers

 

LCdr Ralph Lucien Hennessy, RCN - 12 Sep 1945 - 27 Mar 1947

LCdr John Coldecott Littler, RCN - 28 Mar 1947 - 05 Sep 1947

LCdr Frederick C. Frewer, RCN - 16 Nov 1949 - 30 Nov 1951

Cdr George M. Wadds, RCN - 14 Aug 1953 - 26 Aug 1954

Cdr J.C. Smyth, RCN - 27 Aug 1954 - 01 Sep 1955

Cdr E.T.G. Madgwick, RCN - 02 Sep 1955 - 08 Jul 1956

Cdr Latham Brerton Jenson, RCN - 09 Jul 1956 - 04 Aug 1957

Cdr N. Cogdon, RCN - 05 Aug 1957 - 13 Jun 1958

Cdr Andrew Barry C. German, RCN - 10 Mar 1959 - 15 Dec 1959

Cdr G.R. Smith, RCN - 16 Dec 1959 - 09 Feb 1961

Cdr William James Stuart, RCN - 10 Feb 1961 - 14 Aug 1962

LCdr James Mortimer Cutts, RCN - 15 Aug 1962 - 31 Mar 1964

 


 

     In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice    

     Lest We Forget     

 

ACTON, Joseph W.J.

LS, RCN

killed - 16 Jul 1947

APPLEYARD, Richard

AB, RCN

killed - 16 Jul 1947

CARTER, Robert H.

OS, RCN

MPK - 16 Jul 1947

GAGNE, Gerard L.

LS, RCN

MPK - 16 Jul 1947

GOODLAD, Thomas 

AB, RCN

MPK - 16 Jul 1947

FERGUSON, Peter L.

ABAW1, RCN

MPK - 24 Nov 1957

JELINEK, Rudolph J.

 AB.SN, RCN

MPK - 18 Nov 1960

KENDRICKS, Peter R.

Civilian Dockyard Worker

MPK - 16 Jul 1947

MANSON, Donald S.

OS, RCN

MPK - 16 Jul 1947

MARTEL, Joseph G.B.

AB, RCN

MPK - 16 Jul 1947

 

MILLER, Lorne H.

AB, RCNVR

died - 16 Jul 1947

STEPHEN, Samuel S.

AB, RCN

killed - 16 Jul 1947

WARD, Howard H.

LSTD2, RCN

killed - 16 Jul 1947

 

 


 

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

A

 

Ash, Eldon J.

Ayer, John C.

 

 

 

 

B

 

Bays, Rodney

Bedell, Russell B.

Beecher, Scott E.

Berryman, Bryan J.

Bissell, Philip, G.

Blundell, Hugh G.

Bonner, Albert L.

Bonter, George M.

Bourgoin, Andre

Brooks, George S. W.

Brotzel, Eugene C.

Brown, Donald

Bruce, William E.

Burnett, Gerald C.

Burns, Pat

 

C

 

Chandler, Thomas H.

Chauvin, Guy H.

Cherrington, Keith

Clark, Donald S.

Cruickshank, Robert D.

Curry, Donald G.

 

 

 

 

 

D

 

 

E

 

 

F

 

 

G

 

 

H

 

 

I

 

Iorio, Richard

 

 

 

 

 

J

 

Jenson, Latham B.

 

 

 

 

 

K

 

 

L

 

 

M

 

 

N

 

 

O

 

 

P

 

 

R

 

 

S

 

 

T

 

 

V

 

Vondette, Henry W.

 

 

 

 

 

W

 

 


 

Former Crew Members

 

INJ = Injured when HMCS MICMAC collided with SS Yarmouth County on 16 Jul 1947

 

Angle, Walter H., 5887-H

 

Baker, John, AB, V26012 (INJ)

 

Bonner, Andrew, AB, 6441-H, RCN (INJ)

 

Brennen, Michael Francis, SLt, RCNVR - 16 Apr 1945

 

Boulton, Kenneth, Signalman, RCN - Oct 1956 - Jan 1957

 

Brookbanks, W.R., LS, 3891-H, RCN (INJ)

 

Campfield, Derek Oliver, Lt, RCNR - 09 Apr 1946

 

Cheriton, William Ross, Lt (El), RCNVR - 10 May 1945

 

Connors, Thomas Edward, A/Lt, RCNR - 08 Jul 1946 / Lt, RCN - 10 Jun 1947

 

Daschuk, Joseph, OS, 50553-H, RCN (INJ)

 

Davies, David Lloyd, Lt, RCNR - 10 Jul 1946

 

Dawson, Larry, Sonarman

 

Dear, Harold Claud, Wt (E), RCN - 01 Jul 1945

 

Eden, Lawrence Kenneth, Lt, RCNVR - 12 Mar 1945 (Stand by)

 

Eberlee, Vaughan, AB, 5743-H, RCN (INJ)

Evans, Roger Albert, A/SLt, RCN - 07 Jun 1950

 

Faulkner, Ralph, OS, 6356-H, RCN (INJ)

Geoghegan, Leo, OS, 6637-H, RCN (INJ)

 

Hatfield, Byron Maxwell, Paym/Lt, RCNVR - 12 Apr 1945 (Stand by)

 

Holstead, Gordon Ramsey, Able Seaman Layer Rating

 

Huculak, Walter, Lt (L), RCNR - 17 May 1946

 

Leblanc, Edgar; AB, 4600-H, RCN (INJ)

 

Liddle, Jack; AB, V86353 (INJ)

 

MacDonald, Robert Ross, Lt (L), RCN - 29 Jul 1950

 

Mandy, Lawrence, OS, 5993-H, RCN (INJ)

 

McClelland, Brian

 

McClung, Alan Russell, Gnr (T), RCN - 24 May 1946 / Gnr (TAS) (T), RCN - 24 May 1947

 

Middleton, Robert Earl

 

Moore, Art D. - 17 Dec 1961  

 

O'Brien, Gerald Patrick, Lt, RCNVR - 07 May 1945 (Stand by)

 

Richardson, Harry (Henry), 19096-H - 1956

Sharo, Henry, AB, V23689 (INJ)

 

Skelton, Peter Hamilton, Lt, RCNVR - 26 Mar 1945 (Stand by)

 

Silliphant, Donald, AB, 6077-H, RCN (INJ)

 

Slade, Stuart Leonard, Lt, RCN  01 Mar 1945

 

Smith, Malcolm Edward, Lt, RCNVR - 19 Mar 1945

 

Stapleton, Dennis, Gunner

 

Stewart, Gordon, ABTD3, RCN - Feb 1956 - Feb 1958 

 

Stonehouse, Llewellyn Owen, Lt, RCNVR - 01 Jun 1945 (Stand by)

 

Sullivan, Gerald (Jerry)

 

Tanner, George William, Gnr (T), RCN - 01 Feb 1945

 

Trottier, Fred, Sto 1c - Jul 1946 - Aug 1947 / PO2 - Apr 1950 - Aug 1950 / P1ER-C2ER - Sep 1962 - Mar 1964

 

Walton, David Martin, Lt (S), RCN - 15 May 1947

 


 

Photos and Documents

 


 

JVW250

JVW251

JVW252

JVW253

JVW254

Articles on the launching of HMCS MICMAC

 

From the collection of J. Vincent Wesley, CPO, RCNVR

 

Courtesy of Marilyn Taylor

 


 

HMCS MICMAC is Launched Today

 

From the collection of François Messier, AB, RCNVR

 

Courtesy of Denis Messier

Carved ship's badge from the Chiefs and Petty Officers Mess aboard MICMAC

From the collection of CPO Tom Elstone

Courtesy of Rick Elstone

HMCS MICMAC jacket patch

From the collection of CPO Tom Elstone

Courtesy of Rick Elstone

The Launching of HMCS MICMAC

The Winnipeg Evening Tribune 20 Sep 1943

Tribal class destroyer HMCS MICMAC launched from Halifax shipyards on 18 September 1943

Source John F. Rogers NSARM accession no. 1995-370 no. 13

Wartime ad - HMCS MICMAC

Source: Canada's War at Sea - published Montreal 1944

Courtesy of Dennis Cardy

HMCS MICMAC during builder's trials

From the collection of Harry Seright

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

HMCS MICMAC R10

Courtesy of Mike O'Keefe

HMCS MICMAC R10 c1945

 

From the collection of Daniel Armstrong, Sto 1c, RCNVR

 

Courtesy of Shaun Wallace

HMCS MICMAC in drydock at Halifax, June 1945

HMCS MICMAC - 1945

HMCS MICMAC R10

From the collection of William Connor

Courtesy of Jason Salter

HMCS MICMAC R10 circa 1946-1947

Photo taken from HMCS Warrior

From the collection of George Crewe

Courtesy of Catherine Crewe

Article on MICMAC'S casualties after the collision with SS Yarmouth County

 

Listed  in the article: J. C. Littler, Cdr, CO;  AB Thomas Goodlad;  AB Jack Liddle; LS Jos. Acton; LS W. Brookbanks;  AB R. Appleyard;  Lt Jas G. Mills

HMCS MICMAC under repair after being rammed by SS Yarmouth County on 16 Jul 1947. Photo taken from HMCS IROQUOIS

 

From the collection of CPO1 Archie MacArthur, RCN

 

Courtesy of Colleen Coons 

HMCS MICMAC 214, Hamburg, Germany, 1957

Photo by Bruce Drope from the Collection of John Rochon

HMCS MICMAC 214

From the photo collection of Lt VS Curry, CD, RCN (Ret'd)

Courtesy of Gerry Curry

EM15

HMCS MICMAC 214, Naples, Italy - 1951 during the 1951 Mediterranean cruise as escort for HMCS MAGNIFICENT

From the collection of Eugene Miller, RCN

 

Courtesy of Rene Miller

HMCS MICMAC 214 - taken from HMCS Magnificent

Courtesy of Gerald Sullivan

FD18

HMCS MICMAC 214 refueling from HMCS Magnificent. Francis Dowdall was a crane operator during this refueling

 

Courtesy of Francis (Frank) Dowdall, Lt (N), RCN / C.A.F. (Navy)

HMCS MICMAC sails on training trip

Halifax Chronicle-Herald, Tuesday, 27 Apr 1954

Researched by / Courtesy of George Newbury

HMCS MICMAC at San Miguel, Azores

Courtesy of Gordon Stewart

HMCS MICMAC 214 arriving at (what is believe to be) Belfast, Ireland

Courtesy of Gordon Stewart

Sailors off HMCS MICMAC ashore at US Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

Courtesy of Gordon Stewart

 

in photo:  Arthur Ingrey (of London, Ontario)

Art Moore (left) and shipmate Pat Moore, London, 1962

HMCS MICMAC 214

Courtesy of Art Moore

April/May 1951 - HMCS MICMAC 214 conducting a stern fueling with HMCS Magnificent in the Southern Caribbean Sea

"Fueling MICMAC in a way it is done in convoys. Hose capped, pumped full of air and floated astern, MICMAC picks up hose, secures it and pumping begins. Seems the hose had a small puncture in it."

Courtesy of Gerald Sullivan

Invitation for HMCS MICMAC ship's company dance - 25 Feb 1963

Courtesy of Art Moore

Invitation for HMCS MICMAC ship's company dance - 21 Nov 1963

Courtesy of Art Moore

HMCS MICMAC 214

Courtesy of Art Moore

Newspaper article, dated 26 Sep 1963, on Algonquin's and MICMAC's visit to Stockholm. The first RCN ship's to do so since 1957

Courtesy of Art Moore

MICMAC sailors at Art Moore's place circa 1963

Courtesy of Art Moore

 

If you can identify any of the people in this photo, please send me an EMAIL so I can add their names here

HMCS MICMAC 214 - 20 Dec  1962

HMCS MICMAC 214 - undated

 



 

SSS01

SSS02

SSS03

SSS04

Special Service Squadron Cruise - 1950

HMCS MAGNIFICENT, HMCS HURON, HMCS MICMAC

(SSS01) Special Service Squadron certificate - courtesy of John Hawley

(SSS02) Postcard showing the Canadian Special Service Squadron Cruise - courtesy of Francis Dowdall

(SSS03) HMCS HURON with HMCS MICMAC (outboard) at the Langeline pier, Copenhagen. The Trekroner seafort is visible in the background on the right - from the collection of Reg (Smokey) Rhymes - courtesy of Gordon Rhymes. Location identification by Erling Baldorf

(SSS04) HMCS Huron and HMCS Micmac arriving in Amsterdam, Oct 11, 1950 - courtesy of Erling Baldorf

 

SSS05

SSS06

SSS07

SSS08

Special Service Squadron Cruise - 1950

HMCS MAGNIFICENT, HMCS HURON, HMCS MICMAC

(SSS05) Article on the 1950 Special Service Squadron deployment from the Crowsnest magazine - courtesy of Erling Baldorf

(SSS06) HMCS MAGNIFICENT in Rotterdam during the Canadian Special Service Squadron Cruise - courtesy of Dennis Cardy

(SSS07-SSS08) HMCS MAGNIFICENT, flagship of the CSSS, visits Copenhagen; the largest warship to do so - Courtesy of Erling Baldorf

 



 

BMc001

BMc002

BMc003

BMc004

BMc005

(BMc001) Brian McClelland (left) lounging and enjoying a beer with and Pitt, maybe Snooks on HMCS MICMAC 214

(BMc002) Brian McClelland posing by the after funnel on HMCS MICMAC 214

(BMc003) Brian McClelland in the boiler room of HMCS MICMAC 214

(BMc004) Brian McClelland (wearing his chief's cap) by the engine room consol on HMCS MICMAC 214

(BMc005) Livery, Snooks, Pitt, and Brown by the brow on HMCS MICMAC 214 - Feb 1961

 

BMc006

BMc008

BMc008

BMc009

BMc010

(BMc006) Brian McClelland in his mic on HMCS MICMAC 214

(BMc007) HMCS MICMAC 214 on the slips in Darmouth, NS for work on the port screw

(BMc007) The standard bowl haircut - the barbershop is open on HMCS MICMAC 214

(BMc009-BMc010) A service at the site we lost AB Jelynek who fell overboard November 17, 1960 while steaming in the North Atlantic. I seem to remember he was carrying a full garbage can over his shoulder heading aft to the garbage chute when the ship rolled. We did not find him in spite of a search and considering the water was just above freezing at the time.

 

Courtesy of Brian McClelland, RCN

 


 

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