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HMCS QUINTE J166
Bangor Class Minesweeper
Commissioned at Vancouver on 30 Aug 1941, QUINTE left Esquimalt 10 Oct 1941 for Halifax, arriving on 14 Nov 1941. She was assigned at first to WLEF, and then, in Jun 1942, to Halifax Force. On 28 Nov 1942, after completing a six-week refit at Lunenburg, she grounded, causing extensive damage to her bottom and had to be beached.
In the memoirs of L/Tel George Crewe, the CO had him send a message requesting permission to enter Halifax to oil as the ship was low on oil. Permission was denied and QUINTE was ordered to proceed without stopping at Halifax. As a result, she ran out of fuel oil, drifted and was driven ashore in a storm, grounding on 28 Nov 1942 on Horse Head Shoal and was beached near St. Peter’s, Cape Breton.
QUINTE was re-floated ten days later and moved to the wall at St. Peter’s Canal to continue pumping operations. The next day she took an unexpected list, rolling on her side and sank making her the only ship in the RCN to sink twice in 10 days.
Salvage work continued throughout most of the winter, and on 25 Apr 1943, she arrived at Pictou in tow for repairs, which were not completed until Jun 1944. She was then sent to HMCS CORNWALLIS as a training ship, arriving at Digby on 21 Aug 1944, and remained there until the end of 1945. In 1946 she was employed with the Naval Research Establishment at Halifax until paid off on 25 Oct 1946.
While HMCS QUINTE was employed with the NRE, Lt Beatrice Helen Worsley, WRCNS (WREN), was assigned to a research project on hull corrosion. In 1946 she spent 150 days at sea, the majority on HMCS QUINTE, setting a sea time record for a WREN that was never broken.
In August 1947, QUINTE sold to the Steel Co. of Canada, Hamilton, ON and was broken up at Sydney, NS, later that year.
Photos and Documents Ship's company photos The Ship's Bell
Commanding Officers
They shall not be forgotten
Former Crew Members
Photos and Documents
HMCS QUINTE J166 - RCN negative # NP1013 From the collection of Cdr Bernard Summers Lake, RCN Courtesy of Barry Lake
(GEC026) "Shower time" // Sailors on HMCS QUINTE getting hosed down // George Crewe standing, 1st on right (GEC027) Three sailors in tropical rig on HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC028) Unknown sailor scrubbing the deck by the depth charge thrower on HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC029) Unknown sailor posing with the kisby ring that is mounted on the Ensign Staff on HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC030) Unknown sailors on the quarterdeck of HMCS QUINTE J166
(GEC031) Unknown sailors scrubbing and hosing down the quarterdeck of HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC032) Unknown sailor off HMCS QUINTE J166 ashore in an unknown location (GEC033) Unknown sailors by the minesweeping davits on HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC034) Aircraft Carrier USS WASP (GEC035) Unknown Town class destroyer - an old USN 4 stacker
(GEC036) Unknown Allied sub in harbour at St. John's, Nfld (GEC037) Unknown sailor on HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC038) George Crewe (centre) with two unknown shipmates on HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC039) Unknown sailors on HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC040) Unknown sailor on HMCS QUINTE J166
(GEC041) Unknown sailor behind the Vickers twin .50 cal machine gun on HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC042) Unknown sailor by the Vickers twin .50 cal machine gun on HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC043) Crutch wearing the gunnery headset and voice tube for the 4-inch gun on HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC044) Unknown sailor on the quarterdeck of HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC045) Unknown sailors on HMCS QUINTE J166
(GEC046) Unknown sailors by an ice encased depth charge thrower on HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC047) 4-inch gun mount on HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC048) Unknown Allied submarine seen from HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC049) Unknown sailor with a machine gun on the quarterdeck of HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC050) RCAF Crash boat. Photo taken from HMCS QUINTE J166
(GEC051) A convoy seen from HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC052) A convoy seen from HMCS QUINTE J166 - Webmaster's note: This convoy appears to have a battleship or battle-cruiser escort. Note the 5th ship from the right in the photo. (GEC053) Unknown battleship or battle-cruiser in photo GEC059 (GEC054) Gunnery drills on HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC055) Leading Telegraphist "Mac" on HMCS QUINTE J166
(GEC056) The fo'c's'le of HMCS QUINTE J166 encased in ice (GEC057) Unknown sailor amongst the ice on HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC058) Three sailors chipping ice off the fo'c's'le of HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC059) Same Three sailors chipping ice on the fo'c's'le of HMCS QUINTE J166. Note the spray from the wave about to hit them. * Webmaster's Note: Life in the North Atlantic was hard at the best of times. U-boats were not the only enemy in the North Atlantic. Ice made life for the sailors difficult to say the least. If too much ice built up, the ship would become top heavy and capsize.
(GEC060) Unknown sailor in his hammock on HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC061) Five unknown sailors on HMCS QUINTE J166. By the looks of it, the sailor on the hatch cover is dancing a jig (GEC062) Two unknown sailors by the 4-inch gun mount on HMCS QUINTE J166 (GEC063) HMCS QUINTE J166 sailors ashore - location unknown. Ross (Sandy) Somerville 2nd from left
Sailors from QUINTE enjoying some time ashore at St. John's, Nfld - 1942 Note: These five photos of "Sailors from QUINTE enjoying some time ashore" series were all taken within 1/2 mile of the RCN Dockyard. (GEC064) Submitted by Bud Rose - This photo taken as the boys commenced their ride down Church Hill in the Donkey Cart towards Duckworth Street (GEC065) Submitted by Bud Rose - This photo taken on Church Hill also - in the same vicinity as the photo above. Note: Vehicles driving on ‘Left’ hand side of the road. Nfld did not switch to the ‘Right’ until 1947. (GEC066) George Crewe is holding the reigns. Submitted by Bud Rose - This photo was taken on Church Hill in St. John's Nfld. They are heading down towards Duckworth Street where photo below was taken. The large building in the background is the Methodist United Church; which was rebuilt after the original structure was destroyed in the great fire of 1892. (GEC067) Submitted by Bud Rose - This photo was taken on the South side of Duckworth St. in St. John's Nfld. The metal structure which the two sailors have climbed upon to mug for the camera, is a war time telephone wire support tower. These towers were installed between the Telephone exchange (located just behind the person who took the picture) and the Admiralty Building at the RCN Dockyard. (GEC068) Submitted by Bud Rose - In this photo the boys are having their picture taken with a constable of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. (Note the original policemen's fur hat and "Great Coat") The RNC is now the oldest police force in Canada, having been established prior to the Dominion Police in Ottawa and the RCMP. The building next to them is the original "Government Bond Store" where all the liquor was stored - hence the steel bars for the doors and windows. This building still stands today with bars removed.
HMCS QUINTE J166 after grounding on Horse Head Shoal near St. Peter's, NS (GEC069) Unknown sailor on deck of HMCS QUINTE J166 as she she lists to starboard (GEC070) Unknown sailors on deck of HMCS QUINTE J166 as she lists to starboard (GEC071) HMCS QUINTE J116 listing to Starboard with ML Q090 alongside her (GEC072-GEC073) HMCS QUINTE J166 grounded after hitting Horse Head Shoal
HMCS QUINTE J166 The photos above show HMCS QUINTE J166 sinking at the entrance to St. Peter's Channel. The final photo on the right shows her submerged, on her side. These photos are have been added here based on the number of the writing on the back of each photo, but it appears the the 3rd and 4th photo were taken during the salvage operations to raise the QUINTE.
This is a transcription of the notes on the back of each of the above photo: HMCS QUINTE - Named after Bay of QUINTE in Ontario. Built by Burrard Dry Dock Vancouver in 1941. Commissioned on August 29, 1941 at Vancouver. Went on trial run to Prince Rupert. Left Esquimalt October 10, 1941 and arrived in Halifax Nov 15, 1941. Commenced convoy duty Jan 1942 and continued till October 1942 when she went to Lunenburg for refit. Left Lunenburg Nov 27 and headed for Pictou. On night of 27th we got in storm and trouble began. Galley stove was wrecked and then the L/F aerials were broken. About midnight Gyro compass blew out and fun commenced. Fog closed in and we became lost. Saturday we lost all boat oars and also 2 depth charges. Oil fuel ran low on Sunday and at 1830 we struck a reef and then jumped four more before finally stopping. A hole was torn in both boiler rooms and engine room. Number 1 room filled first but we used 2 until the engine room was abandoned. In meantime distress message was sent and we waited patiently for help. The Q090 received our distress and came to our rescue at 2330 on the night of 28th. The ship was sinking rapidly and at 2345 orders were given to get ready to abandon ship. The Q090 however managed to pass a rope and they started in tow us. At 0630 on 29th they beached us on a ledge at St. Peters, N.S. Everyone was so tired we just slept where it was dry. In the afternoon of 29th she began to settle and on the following day she began rolling over. Nearly everyone's gear was lost but no lives. On the Tuesday she sank, rolling completely over to port side.
Historical Note: QUINTE was salvaged over the winter of 1942 / 1943 and then repaired at Pictou from Apr 1943 - Jun 1944. She was then transferred to HMCS Cornwallis to serve as a training ship.
(GEC079- GEC080) Salvage operations to raise HMCS QUINTE J166
(GEC081) HMCS QUINTE J166 - after being salvaged. She no longer has an enclosed bridge. Her 4-inch gun turret has been changed and now has rocket launcher cages and her after mast is gone. From the collection of George Crewe Courtesy of Catherine Crewe
(RTL-WG003) The salvaging of HMCS QUINTE J166 by the Foundation Maritime Ltd’s ship Foundation Aranmore Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Walter Gregory
(RAS052) George Crewe (left) and unknown shipmate on HMCS QUINTE J166 in tropical rig. Believed to be during WUPS in Bermuda sometime after her initial arrival in Halifax. (RAS053) Sailors off HMCS QUINTE J166 at the Public Gardens in Halifax, NS (RAS054) Life aboard HMCS QUINTE J166 // The Star Weekly, Toronto, 25 Jul 1942 (RAS055) National Geographic Feb 1943 - Article "Convoy to Victory" pages 193-216
(RAS056) HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS057) Ross Somerville sitting on HMCS QUINTE'S 4-inch gun (RAS058) Halifax harbour. Photo taken from HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS059) Fo'c's'le and 4-inch gun on HMCS QUINTE J166. Photo taken from the bridge (RAS060) Looking aft from the bridge towards HMCS QUINTE'S quarterdeck. The ship's funnel is on the left hand side of the photo
(RAS061) Ronnie in the crow's nest on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS062) North Atlantic convoy seen from HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS063) North Atlantic convoy astern of HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS064) Depth Charge Thrower on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS065) HMCS QUINTE J166 at anchor at Sydney, Cape Breton, NS.
(RAS066) Sailors chipping ice chipping ice off the port side of the bridge on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS067) "A wet one." Sailors on the fo'c's'le of HMCS QUINTE J166 chipping ice while shipping seas over the bow (RAS068) "Chippin the deck." Sailors on HMCS QUINTE J166 breaking ice off the deck around the base of the bridge and on the fo'c's'le (RAS069) "another!" Spray for waves encasing HMCS QUINTE J166 in ice (RAS070) "Gordie on the starboard rail" on HMCS QUINTE J166
(RAS071) Convoy see from HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS072) unknown destroyers - appears to be 2 River Class and 1 Town Class - photo taken from HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS073) "Sunset on the Atlantic" Unknown ship following astern of HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS074) Sailors on HMCS QUINTE J166 receive letters from home (RAS075) Sailors "Spinning Dips" on HMCS QUINTE J166. Note that this is in the same spot as the 'sailors receive letter from home' photo
(RAS076) HMCS QUINTE J166 at anchor. Location unknown (RAS077) HMCS QUINTE J166 at Lunenburg, NS (RAS078) Tot time on HMCS QUINTE J166. The Rum Bos'ns are lining up.
(RAS079) British Submarine (RAS080) Dutch Submarine (RAS081) Dutch Submarine (RAS082) Unknown ship pendant # S03 (RAS083) "What am I looking at?" Seen from HMCS QUINTE - The first ship is a Town Class destroyer; then with 17P is the French Submarine Surcouf; followed by the funnel of an unknown ship; and finally what appears to be 3 more town class destroyers. As the Surcouf disappears 18 Feb 1942, this photo was taken before that point.
(RAS084) A Battle Class trawler as a gate vessel at the Halifax harbour entrance at Mauger's beach (RAS085) A Battle Class trawler as a gate vessel at the Halifax harbour entrance at Mauger's beach. Mauger's Beach lighthouse in the background. (RAS086) HMCS ST LAURENT H83 secured to a buoy (RAS087) Fairmile Motor Launch ML Q058 "Bill's Skiff" (RAS088) HMS INDOMITABLE
(RAS089) HMCS QUINTE J166 at sea. Starboard side aft looking forward up to the boat deck (RAS090) A twin .50 calibre Vickers machine gun mount on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS091) "A Beauty!" HMCS QUINTE J166 in heavy seas (RAS092-RAS093) A North Atlantic convoy seen from HMCS QUINTE J166
(RAS094) A merchant ship that appears to be heading out to sea (RAS095) The ship's bell of HMCS QUINTE J166 . . . with ships of a convoy in the back ground
(RAS096) A Battle Class trawler used as a Gate Vessel at the entrance to Halifax Harbour (RAS097) Unknown vessel - possibly a landing craft - in the approaches to Halifax harbour (RAS098-RAS099) HNoMS LINCOLN G42 at St. John's, Nfld (RAS100) A barge being moved by several tugs in Halifax, NS
(RAS101) A Town class 4-stacker destroyers seen from HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS102-103) Two Town Class destroyers (RAS104) An unknown warship barely visible on the horizon directly above the right hand side of the fire hose on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS105) HMCS HAMILTON I24 seen through a port hole on HMCS QUINTE J166
(RAS106-RAS107) An unknown corvette seen off the port bow of HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS108) A convoy in the fog. Depth charge thrower on HMCS QUINTE J166 in the foreground (RAS109) Merchant ships in harbour at St. John's, Nfld awaiting a convoy (RAS110) Look aft from the bridge on HMCS QUINTE J166 down the port side
(RAS111)
HMCS RESTIGOUCHE H00 at Halifax, NS (RAS113) Buildings in HMC Dockyard Halifax c1941/42 (RAS114) Looking forward from just aft the gun deck on HMCS QUINTE J166, starboard side
(RAS115) Unknown sailor getting a haircut on HMCS QUINTE J166. The sailor on the right looks like L/Tel Mac. (RAS116) Leading Telegraphist Mac on HMCS QUINTE J166. This sailor looks like L/Tel Mac. (RAS117) Leading Telegraphist "Mac" on the quarterdeck of HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS118) The Cox'n "working out" on the quarterdeck of HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS119) Aircraft Carrier USS WASP
(RAS120) Harry (left) and Hammy by one of the minesweeping davits on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS121) Ross (Sandy) Somerville by one of the minesweeping davits on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS122) Ross (Sandy) Somerville (left) and Cush by a minesweeping paravane on the quarterdeck of HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS123) Harry by one of the minesweeping davits on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS124) Ross (Sandy) Somerville by one of the minesweeping davits on HMCS QUINTE J166
(RAS125-RAS126) Ross (Sandy) Somerville just aft the funnel on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS127) Unknown sailor standing just aft the funnel on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS128) Unknown sailor dumping "Gannet bait" over the side of HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS129) Unknown sailor dumping "Slops" bucket over the side of HMCS QUINTE J166
(RAS130) Gunner Crutch on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS131) Unknown sailors on the aft end of the bridge, starboard side, on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS132) "The Gang" posing by the Vicker's Twin .50 cal machine gun on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS133-RAS134) Unknown sailor "on the receiving end" of the gunnery control headset on HMCS QUINTE J166 AT St. John's, Nfld
(RAS135) Unknown sailor on the Vickers twin .50 cal machine gun on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS136) Ross (Sandy) Somerville on the Vickers twin .50 cal machine gun on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS137) Ross (Sandy) Somerville on the Vickers twin .50 cal machine gun on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS138) Unknown sailors on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS139) Alex on HMCS QUINTE J166
(RAS140) Unknown sailors on the quarterdeck of HMCS QUINTEJ166 at St. John's, Nfld (RAS141) George (Georgie) Crewe painting the ship's side of HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS142) QUINTE'S Cox'n skipping rope on the quarterdeck of HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS143) Flag deck area behind the bridge on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS144) Sailors on HMCS QUINTE J166 relaxing on the canvas cover that protects the winch and cables for minesweeping
View of the waterfront at St. John's, Newfoundland from HMCS QUINTE J166
(RAS149) St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, St. John's, Nfld (RAS150) "and this is the main one, too!" Gower Street United Church, St. John's, Nfld (RAS151) Two sailors off HMCS QUINTE J166 getting a ride in a donkey cart at St. John's, Nfld - George Crew holding the reigns, the other is unknown (RAS152) Two unknown sailors off HMCS QUINTE J166 climbing a lattice structure ashore at St. John's, Nfld. // This photo was taken on the South side of Duckworth St. in St. John's Nfld. The metal structure which the two sailors have climbed upon to mug for the camera, is a war time telephone wire support tower. These towers were installed between the Telephone exchange (located just behind the person who took the picture) and the Admiralty Building at the RCN Dockyard. (Submitted by Bud Rose)
(RAS152) Ronnie with a bandolier of .50 cal ammo on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS153) Ronnie (left) and Lewie warped up in a bandolier of .50 cal ammo on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS154) Ronnie (right) feeding the ammo into the box for the Vicker's twin .50 cal machine gun on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS155) Crutch (right) feeding the ammo into the box for the Vicker's twin .50 cal machine gun on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS156) Crutch with a bandolier of .50 cal ammo on HMCS QUINTE J166
(RAS157) Lewis with a bandolier of .50 cal ammo on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS158) Unknown sailors on HMCS QUINTE J166. By the looks of it, the sailor on the hatch cover is dancing a jig (RAS159) George Crewe sitting in an air intake on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS160) Ross (Sandy) Somerville by the 4-inch gun on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS161) Ross (Sandy) Somerville posing with a machine gun on the quarterdeck of HMCS QUINTE J166
(RAS162) Sailors off HMCS QUINTE J166 in Lunenburg, NS - circa Oct/Nov 1942 when QUINTE was in Lunenburg for refit. Ross (Sandy) Somerville 2nd from left. (RAS163) The White Ensign and the Norwegian flag fly above Camp Norway at Lunenburg, NS (RAS164) Ross (Sandy) Somerville (left) and George Crewe on the quarterdeck of the RCMP vessel St. Roch at Lunenburg, NS. The buildings of Camp Norway are in the background (RAS165) Unknown sailors off HMCS QUINTE on the quarterdeck of the RCMP vessel St. Roch at Lunenburg, NS. The buildings of Camp Norway are in the background (RAS166) Unknown person - either a St. Roch crew member or a HMCS QUINTE crew member wearing a fur coat on the St. Roch at Lunenburg, NS
(RAS167) Article on St. Roch transiting the North West Passage in under 3 months // The Globe and Mail 20 Oct 1944
(RAS168-RAS169) HMCS QUINTE J166 aground after hitting Horse Head Shoal near St. Peter's, NS with ML Q090 secured to her starboard quarter
HMCS QUINTE J166 aground after hitting Horse Head Shoal near St. Peter's, NS (RAS170) George Crewe by the 4-inch gun on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS171) Unknown sailor by the 4-inch gun on HMCS QUINTE J166 (RAS172) Sailors on the quarterdeck of HMCS QUINTE J166. Ronnie front right - remainder unknown (RAS173) Unknown sailors on the quarterdeck of HMCS QUINTE J166
(RAS174) St. Peter's, NS postcard that Ross sent to his mother's while QUINTE was at St. Peter's, NS dated 01 Dec 1942 (RAS175) Postcard of the Radio Hotel in St. Peter's, NS that Ross sent to his mother's while QUINTE was at St. Peter's, NS dated 01 Dec 1942 (RAS176) George Crewe in the countryside around St. Peter's, NS (RAS177) Ross (Sandy) Somerville (left) and shipmate off HMCS QUINTE J166 in the countryside around St. Peter's, NS
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In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice
Lest We Forget
