HMCS PROVIDER 508 - For Posterity's Sake

For Posterity's Sake

A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project

HMCS PROVIDER 508

READY TO SERVE

HMCS Provider 508 - 1972

Courtesy of Robert Berbeck

Click on the above photo to view a larger image

Laid down: 21 Jun 1961

Launched: 05 Jul 1962

Commissioned: 28 Sep 1963

Paid off: 24 Jun 1998

Fate: Broken up in 2003

Built by Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon, Que, she was commissioned there on 28 Sep 1963. She was the first Operational Support ship in the RCN and was designed with the capacity for the stowage of fuel, ammunition, supplies, provisions (dry and refrigerated) and replacement helicopters. She was also designed to transfer supplies and personnel underway and provided support to operational forces at sea. At the time, she was the largest ship built in Canada for the RCN. She had 26 fuel cargo tanks which held approximately 14,000 tons of FFO, 1,500 tons of diesel and 900 tons of aviation gas (JP5) along with 430 tons of ammunition, provisions and spare parts. HMCS Provider had the capability of replenished and refueling up to 4000 gals/min at 18 plus knots. Late in 1969, with the arrival of the two follow-on AORs, HMCS Preserver and HMCS Protecteur, she was transferred to the west coast. On 04 May 1970, HMCS Provider 508, HMCS Mackenzie 261, HMCS Yukon 263 and HMCS Terra Nova 259 departed Esquimalt for a Far East cruise. On 08 May 1986, HMCS Provider 508, HMCS Restigouche 257, HMCS Terra Nova 259 and HMCS Kootenay 258, departed Esquimalt for Exercise RIMPAC 86 and returned on 21 Jun 1986. In the spring of 1990 she took part in the Pacific Rim countries' exercise RIMPAC 90, along with units of the 2nd and 4th Destroyer Squadrons, which afterward visited Vladivostok, the first western warships to do so since 1939. Afterward, en route to visit Manila, she rescued a large number of Vietnamese boat people that had spent nine days without food or water after their boat had broken down. In late 1993 and early 1994 she took part in the UN embargo of Haiti. She returned to Halifax in June 1996. The ship was paid off 24 June 1998, two years later than originally planned, and remained in Halifax Harbour until 2002 while she awaited auction. She was sold to Greek interests and on 26 Jul 2002 left Halifax under tow for Greece, to become a water storage vessel. The following year she was towed to Turkey and broken up.

RCN Memories: Man Overboard!!

Photos and Documents Ship's company photos Commissioning Booklet Crossing the Line (Equator) - 02 Feb 1978

Commanding Officers

Capt Thomas Charles Pullen, RCN - 28 Sep 1963 - 08 Dec 1964

Capt Kai Hugh Boggild, RCN - 08 Dec 1964 - 24 Aug 1966

Capt D.W. Knox, RCN - 24 Aug 1966 - 16 Aug 1967

Capt W.J.H. Stuart, RCN - 16 Aug 1967 - 05 Sep 1969

Capt James Andrew Fulton - 05 Sep 1969 - 02 Aug 1972

Capt Frederick William Crickard - 02 Aug 1972 - 30 Sep 1974

Capt Colin Heggerston Purves Shaw - 30 Sep 1974 - 05 Aug 1976

Capt Keith Murray Young - 05 Aug 1976 - 21 Jul 1978

Capt Richmond (Rip) Hill Kirby - 21 Jul 1978 - 20 Jun 1980

Capt Richard Lockwood Donaldson - 20 Jun 1980 - 12 Apr 1982

Capt Jan Jansz Drent - 12 Apr 1982 - 09 Jul 1984

Capt Dale Edward Gibb - 09 Jul 1984 - 15 Jul 1986

Capt Russell Donald Moore - 15 Jul 1986 - 05 Dec 1988

Capt K.R. Scotten - 05 Dec 1988 - 13 Jul 1990

Capt I. Stephan Foldesi - 13 Jul 1990 - 27 Jul 1992

Capt M.B. McLean - 27 Jul 1992 - 05 Aug 1994

Cdr I.G. Parker - 05 Aug 1994 - 15 Dec 1995

Capt S.D. Andrews - 15 Dec 1995 - 25 Jun 1997

Cdr D.O. Thamer - 25 Jun 1997 - 24 Jun 1998

In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice

Lest We Forget

deBALINHARD, William Gordon

AB.SW, C.A.F.

Lost at sea - 22 Sep 1971

TRUDEL, René P.J.

PO1, 9833-H, RCN

killed - 25 Oct 1963

TURCOTTE, Bruno Joseph

PO1, 17419-H, RCN

died - 16 Jun 1964

URIE, Joseph Clifford

LS.BN, 44457-H, RCN

died - 11 Feb 1966

In memory of those who have crossed the bar

They shall not be forgotten

A-B

1940-2018

1932-2017

1968-2016

Bauer, William Harold

1925-2016

Baxter, Douglas

1944-2007

Beasley, Doug Harold

1948-2012

Served in Provider as an LSER and later as Cox'n

Beckett, Brian Harwood

1936-2013

Bédard, Cécilien

1937-2013

Bernays, Max Douglas

1936-2013

Beurling, Richard Frederick

____-2017

Biles, H.A.

1942-2016

Birch-Jones, Peter Meredith

1925-2009

Served in Provider 1972 - 1974 as Cdr, XO

Boggild, Kai Hugh

____-2002

2nd Commanding Officer

1935-2012

1971-2015

1941-2013

____-2007

1922-2009

C-D

Callaghan, Brian

1934-2013

Served in Provider approx 1972-76 as a P2HT

Clark, George

1936-1977

Coppard, John George

1966-2012

Cottenden, Harry Roland

1930-2016

Crickard, Frederick W.

Cuthbert, Lawrence J.

1933-2018

Dayton, Arthur David

1930-2005

Served in Provider 1972-1976 as P1ER

Desjardins, Robert

____-2018

Dibben, Basil John Clarke D.

1923-1971

Downie, Robert E.

____-2003

Draibye, Mark

1930-2014

Duncan, Michael John

1938-2012

Served in Provider as XO

Dzioba, Lawrence

1932-2007

Served in Provider in 1970 as XO

E-F

Edmundson, Kenneth D.

1945-1995

Edwards, Roland James

____-2003

Eldridge, Gareth J.

1931-2017

Farquharson, Kenneth Lionel

1924-2010

Fisher, George Maurice

1935-2004

Foster, Gordon Douglas

1927-2015

G-H

Gauthier, J.A. Claude

1952-2019

Geddes, Andre Jules

1929-2014

Gibb, Dale Edward

____-2002

12th Commanding Officer

Grant, Richard Ronald

1938-2014

Goldring, Gerald Allan

1931-2014

Good, Jack Williamson

1938-2018

Goronuk, William Andrew

____-1994

Graham, Stephen P.

1951-2015

Grover, Douglas Wayne

1949-2005

Gudbrand, David

1937-2018

Guilderson, Ron

1943-2001

Hendry, Ian G.

1932-2017

Hannem, Dallas Norris

1940-2016

Hanousek, Michael R.

1957-2018

Holland, Orville Derrick

1929-2016

Served in Provider approx 1972-76 as a P2ER

Hunter, Gerald K.

I-J

Jessop, Andrew James

1965-2016

Johnston, Gordon William

1947-2017

K-L

King, Herbert Frederick

1928-2014

King, Terry

____-2017

Kirby, Richmond Hill

1929-2006

9th Commanding Officer

M-N

MacIntyre, Norman Elwell

____-2015

Marsh, Ronald Thomas

1931-2007

Commissioning Crew as a PO

McCulley, Stanley James

1943-2018

McGowan, Harold Austad

1924-2010

1934-2016

1942-2013

____-2014

1948-2018

____-2008

Mondoux, Claude Denis

1950-2016

Served in Provider c1974-78

Morgan, Ernest

____-2018

Served in Provider as XO

Morgan, Philip Wade

1963-2019

Mulock, William Richard

1933-2018

Nagel, Thomas

____-2017

Nowle, Anthony

1930-2017

O-P

Parkinson, Colin

1919-2004

Pelletier, Roger Ivan

1934-2016

Parsons, Harvey

1936-2016

Phillips, Edward C.

1931-2018

Pomerleau, Rick

Proctor, Alan Franklin

____-2017

Served in Provider as POTEL

Prosser, Gilbert Walter

____-1984

Pullen, Thomas Charles

1918-1990

1st Commanding Officer

Q-R

Quick, Fred Albert

____-2016

Reding, Ronald Rex

____-1970

Reeves, Robert Michael

____-2011

Roberge, Joseph Wilfrid

1951-2019

Rombough, Wallace Ormand

1926-2006

Russell, William

1939-2014

S-T

Sailor, Frank

1928-2012

Sarkany, James Michael

1955-2018

Schmitke, Edmund G.

1926-2018

Sauer, Eugene Gilbert

1948-2015

Shaw, Colin Heggerston Purves

1925-2009

7th Commanding Officer

Silver, Fredie Gorman

1942-2003

Strum, Gordon Eugene

____-2012

Sunderland, Albert Eldon

____-2011

Drafted to Provider 508 in 1967, HS 50

Tait, Gregory J.

Taylor, Richard Keith

1954-2006

Thibault, Andre

____-2019

Todd, Richard G.

1937-2018

Served in Provider in 1979 as Buffer

U-V

Valiquette, Joseph B.

Vander-Hoek, Harry

1927-2015

W-X

Way, Clifford James

1922-2007

Served in Provider 1966-1969 as LCdr, Supply Officer

Webster, Ronald D.

1926-2016

Wondga, Arthur Frank

1945-2012

Served in Provider approx 1972-76 as a LSBN

Y-Z

Young, Keith Murray

1929-2019

Former Crew Members

SH - pers identified in photos from the collection of Steve Hlasny - 1972 to 1976

Abbott, Freeman, AB.BN - (SH)

Adamthwaite, Dave V., Slt/Lt (N), DeckO - Aug 1969 - Oct 1971

Akhurst, AB.BN - (SH)

Alexander, LS - (SH)

Alleyne, LS.BN - Nov 1967

Armstrong, Dave, LS.AW - (SH)

Badiuk, LS.ER - (SH)

Barlow, C1BN - (SH)

Baumann -

Becevel, Michael

Berbeck, Robert, LS - Aug 1969 - Jul 1972

Bertrand, Lou, P2HT - (SH)

Booth, Brian, P2BN - (SH)

Bone, Norman, P2BN - (SH)

Brain, LCdr - (SH)

Brydon, Glen, P2MET - (SH)

Cain, P2RP - (SH)

Catchpole, Eric, C2ER - (SH)

Chan, Victor, P2HT - (SH)

Chandler, CPO - Nov 1967

Charette, L., OSS, R-33052 - until 30 Oct 1967

Chenier, Allan, OS/AB.BN - (SH)

Clarabut, D.G., AB.HT, 59337-H - until 30 Oct 1967

Cooper, Mike, Lt (N) - (SH)

Cornell, B., P2 Cadet - until 30 Oct 1967

Cryer, John, LS.HT - (SH)

Davidson, AB.RM - Nov 1967

Davorin, P2HT - (SH)

Dennings, MS - 1985

Desroche, Mel, LS.BN - (SH)

Dickson, AB.SW - Nov 1967

Downing, J., AB.NQ, R-25801 - until 30 Oct 1967

Dunfield, LS.HT - Nov 1967

Eatmon, LS.ER - Nov 1967

Fast, Frank, P2ET - (SH)

Fenton, ABET - Nov 1967

Fitzsimonds, C1WS, Cox'n - (SH)

Gallagher, Jean, Cook

Gardner, AB.ER - Nov 1967

Gasse, AB.BN - Nov 1967

Gloor, R., C2TM, R-10185 - until 30 Oct 1967

Gosling, Steve, LS - 1985

Gravelle, AB.CK - Nov 1967

Gunther, Mel, P2ET - (SH)

Harris, B., P2 Cadet - until 30 Oct 1967

Hlasny, Stephen, P2RT - 1972 - 1976

Hunt, P2ER - (SH)

Hutchings, Steve - May 1974 - Jun 1978

James, G., P2 Cadet - until 30 Oct 1967

Jefferies, Al, PO1 - 1985

Jenkins - Nov 1967

Jolicoeur, LSST - Nov 1967

Johnson, Clair, P2ER - (SH)

Kelley, Clem, P2RM - (SH)

Kesler, LS - (SH)

Kinsey, David - 1969-1974

Knox, LS.BN - (SH)

Lance, Mark

Lascelle, Ed, P1BN - (SH)

Lefebvre, Pierre, LS.CK - 1984-1986

Lemier, P2 - (SH)

Little, Don, CPO2 - 1985

Lothian, P2 - (SH)

Lowrie, Lt (N) - (SH)

Lythall, R., LS.AW, R-22544 - until 30 Oct 1967

MacDonald, C., A Cadet - until 30 Oct 1967

MacLean, H., C2CV, R-12062 - until 30 Oct 1967

Maddeaux, AB.BN - Nov 1967

Malott, Fred

Marsh, P1ER - (SH)

McConnell, J., P2AW, R-8695 - until 30 Oct 1967

McCormick, K., P2WS, 10487-H - until 30 Oct 1967

McDougall, C1ER - (SH)

McDougall, Keith, P1ER, Dec 1983 - Jan 1988

McEvoy, Tom - 1969

McLellan, W, P2CK - (SH)

Mitchell, Mike, MS.HT - 1969-1974

Moore, Basil Patrick, Cdr, XO - 1974 - 1976

Montgomery, P1ER - Nov 1967

Murray, Lawrence Edward, Cdr, OpsO/Navo - 1974 - 1976

Negrich, Ray, C1SG, Cox'n - (SH)

Nowle, Tony, C2RT - (SH)

Oliver, L., P1HT, R-25957 - until 30 Oct 1967

Parenteau, Gerry, P2NS - (SH)

Parr, Westall H., AB 43164-H - 1957-1960

Parsons, Jim, P2NS - (SH)

Patterson, AB.ST - Nov 1967

Perry, J., Major, ZA-4987 - until 30 Oct 1967

Piel, P1AW - (SH)

Porter, LS.ST - Nov 1967

Potter, John, C2SW - (SH)

Reardon, P2CK - (SH)

Roberge, AB.BN - (SH)

Sailor, Frank, C1, Cox'n - (SH)

Sawatsky, Larry, P2HT - (SH)

Seddon, Nov 1967

Seminuk, Ben, PO1 - 1985

Senebald, Gordon, Bos'n - 1965 - 1968

Silcox, P2VS - (SH)

Spooner, Sydney, P2ER - (SH)

Stewart, Allen, LS, MS, PO2, Pay Writer - Feb 1973 - Aug 1978

Storey, Ed, C2RT - (SH)

Sullivan, Leo, P2ER - (SH)

Taylor, Barry, Slt - (SH)

Thibault, MS.BN - (SH)

Tiffin, Rick - 1988-1988

Torris, Ralph, P2ER - (SH)

Valleau, P2CK - Nov 1967

Verhuel, (Dutch), P2ER - (SH)

Voss, John, C1ET - (SH)

Vuillemin, Patrick, Leading Cadet - until 30 Oct 1967

White, AB.SG - (SH)

Wilkinson, G., Leading Cadet - until 30 Oct 1967

William, Brian L. - 1964-1967, 1979-1985, 1986-1988

Wilson, A., P2 Cadet - until 30 Oct 1967

Woychuk, PO.NS - (SH)

Yates, Andy (Amy), P2BN - (SH)

Yerrill, R., P1RM, 34257-H - until 30 Oct 1967

Younger, LS.SG - Nov 1967

Zwicker, R., LS.CO, R-26956 - until 30 Oct 1967

Photos and Documents

Basic diagram of Provider's layout

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Newspaper article dated 26 Sep 1963 on Capt. Pullen, HMCS Provider's soon to be Commanding Officer when she is commissioned on 28 Sep 1963

Courtesy of Art Moore

Routine Orders - 01 Nov 1967

HMCS Provider 508

Courtesy of Patrick Vuillemin

HMCS Provider at sea - 1967

Photo taken from HMCS Bonaventure

Courtesy of Brian Lapierre

HMCS Provider arrival in Esquimalt Dec 1969

Courtesy of Robert Berbeck.

Newspaper article on EX RIMPAC 72

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

EX RIMPAC 72

(1) HMCS Restigouche RAS with HMCS Provider (2) USS Ticonderoga (3) USS Morton coming along side HMCS Provider for a RAS (4) Dental truck on HMCS Provider for EX RIMPAC 72. PO1 Ed sitting on the back of the truck (5) Dolphins between HMCS Gatineau and HMCS Provider during a RAS (6) HMCS Qu'Appelle conducting RAS with HMCS Provider

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Crossing the Line on HMCS Provider, 25 Sep 1972 - EX RIMPAC 72

(1) Akhurst, John Potter, Marsh (2) Akhurst, Dauoren, Brane (3) Johnston (4) Steve Hlasny, Dauoren (5) Birch-Jones (XO), Crickard (CO) (6) Sailors getting dunked

(7 & 8) List of Neptune's Court and Tadpoles (9 & 10) Article from the Esquimalt LOOKOUT, 26 Oct 1972 on the Crossing the Line Ceremony on HMCS Provider during EX RIMPAC 72

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

HMCS Provider having a "No Day", crossing the International Date Line, EX RIMPAC 72

(1) White (2) Ackhurst and White (3) Frank Sailor, foreground, right, looking at camera (4) Birch-Jones (5) Silcon and Dick Story, front left (6) Two storesmen, foreground

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Bob Bader, Mel Gunther, Arny Yates, renting a car at Suva, Fiji and going on a tour

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Mel Gunther, Steve Hlasny, Arny Yates and Bob Bader, Suva, Fiji, 28 Sep 1972

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Steve Hlasny and Mel Gunther, Suva, Fiji, 28 Sep 1972

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

HMAS Stuart conducting RAS with HMCS Provider during LONGEX 72

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

HMAS Brisbane conducting RAS with HMCS Provider during LONGEX 72

HMCS Provider 508 entering Sydney, Australia, 1972

Courtesy of Don Little

HMCS Provider at Garden Island, Australia, 1972

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

EX RIMPAC 73

(1) Ed Lascelle (no shirt), on HMCS Provider, Sep 1973, USS Midway in the background (2) Provider's Helos, San Diego, Sep 1973 (3) HMCS Provider (4) Ralph Torris, Mel Gunther, HMCS Provider (5) PO2 Steve Hlasny receiving his first clasp to his CD at divisions on HMCS Provider during EX RIMPAC 73

One of the USN Helo crew members (and holder of the golden mattress award) on HMCS Provider, EX RIMPAC 73

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

USS Constellation with a flight deck area of 4 acres

Photo taken from HMCS Provider

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

HMCS Provider's boat crew bring over 2 injured crew from HMCS Rainbow, Mar 1974

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Helos joining HMCS Provider from North Island, Mar 1974

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Turkish sailors on board HMCS Provider for the day, Mar 1974

Also in photo - Frank Sailor, Jim Parson, Larry Sawatsky, Glen Brydon

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

RAS Teams Close Up - Mar 1974

(1) Guided missile cruiser USS Chicago coming along side HMCS Provider for fuel (2) USS Bradley conducting RAS with HMCS Provider (3) HMCS St Croix conducting a jackstay with HMCS Provider (4) HMCS Mackenzie pulls away after a RAS with HMCS Provider (5) HMCS Gatineau conducting a RAS with HMCS Provider

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Bridge on HMCS Provider

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Judy, standing on the jetty, waiting for HMCS Provider's arrival alongside, 07 Jun 1974

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

HMCS Provider's tour of Vancouver Island ports, Jun/Jul 1974

(1) Tahsis Sawmill (2) Crown Zellar, Elk Bay (3) Jervis Inlet (4) Halifax Range Inland Passage (5) Ripple Rock, Seymour Narrows (6) Tahsis, West Coast Vancouver Island

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

EX POTLACH, Aug-Sep 1974

(1) Jervis Bay (2) Kodiak, Alaska (3) USS Mount Vernon LSD 39 (4) LCM and troops alongside HMCS Provider (5) Labrador Air Sea Rescue Helicopter landing on HMCS Provider

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

EX RIMPAC 75

R & R before sea phase, Mar 1975

(1) Honolulu (2) Frank and Ralph (3) a blow hole (4) Steve and Frank (5) Lookout from the Pali (6) USS Arizona Memorial (7) USS Hancock enroute to Vietnam, Mar 1975

RIMPAC 75 - Sea phase

(1) USS Kitty Hawk and USS Ponchutla (2) HMAS Melbourne (3) USS Kirk conducting RAS with HMCS Provider (4) HMCS Kootenay (5) HMCS Kootenay personnel jackstay transfer - Tom Pleskivich (6) USS Albert David (7) USS Badger (8) USS Kiska (9) USS Reeves

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

WESTPLOY 75

(1) Map of WESTPLOY Far East port visits (2) Heavy jackstay - HMCS Provider (3) Light jackstay transfer of stretch patient from HMCS Qu'Appelle to HMCS Provider (4) HMCS Qu'Appelle, HMCS Mackenzie and HMCS Saskatchewan receive "Moon Shot" during their sail past prior to their departure to Japan (5) Capt Shaw's 50th Birthday - receiving his new bridge chair as a birthday gift from the Chief's and PO's Mess. (6) ROK Gunboat, Apr 1975 (7) Ship open to visitors, Pusan, Korea

(8) Old temple being restored (9) Steve Hlasny in front of temple (10) Steve and Frank (11 - 14) Information booklet on the UN Memorial Cemetery in Korea

(15 - 22) HMCS Provider conducts a Service of Remembrance for Canadian War Dead at the UN Cemetery, Pusan, Korean (18) Guard officer, Lt(N) Guy (20) Frank and Steve

(23) 500 Won, Korean currency (24) HMCS Provider entering Yokosuka, Japan, Apr 1975

No-Day at sea

(25) Frank (standing), Steve Hlasny to Frank's right (26) Steve, centre, moonlighting as a cook during the No-Day (27) CO Capt. Colin Shaw to the left of Miss Provider and to the right is the XO Cdr Moore (28) Volleyball cheerleaders - Lou, Max, Lt(N) Mike Cooper, CPO2 Bash Callaghan, unk (29) A No-Day At the horse races (30) Steve Hlasny - jockey (31) Ralph Torris - jockey

(32) 503 in holding position on HMCS Provider's flight deck (33) Preparing for a heavy jackstay (34) Heavy jackstay set-up on HMCS Provider (35 & 36) HMCS Provider conducting a heavy jackstay

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

HMCS Provider fueling an USN supply ship during Ex Valiant Heritage off San Diego, Mar 1976

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Storing beer on HMCS Provider 508 circa 1977

Courtesy of William Lepp

HMCS Provider refueling HMCS Restigouche on the left, HMCS Gatineau on the right with HMCS Terra Nova in the back in the Lifeguard Station. Photo was taken in May 1983, en route to Japan.

Courtesy of Robert Berbeck

HMCS Provider 508 - date unknown

From the collection of Sid Dobing

Courtesy of Brian Dobing

Crossing the Line Ceremony on HMCS Provider 508, 31 March 1981 The booklet has 28 March 1981 but the Op Sched changed after the booklet was printed off

Courtesy of Matthew McBride

HMCS Provider, MCR - 1985

(L-R) MS Dennings (Evaporator Watchkeeper), PO1 Ben Seminuk (Throttle Watchkeeper) PO1 Al Jefferies (Boiler Watchkeeper), LS Steve Gosling, CPO2 Don Little - Chief of the Watch, unknown

Courtesy of Don Little