HMCS SAGUENAY H03 / D79 / I79

River Class Destroyer

SAGUENAY and her sister, SKEENA, were the first ships built for the RCN. SAGUENAY was built by Thornycraft, England for the cost of £670,000. Her hull was strengthened to withstand ice pressure which made her ideal for deployments in Newfoundland waters. She was commissioned on 22 May 1931, at Portsmouth and made her maiden arrival at Halifax on 03 Jul 1931. On 05 Jan 1935, HMCS SKEENA and HMCS VANCOUVER departed Esquimalt for exercises in the Kingston, Jamaica area with HMCS CHAMPLAIN and HMCS SAGUENAY. In Jan 1938, SAGUENAY once again sailed south on a Spring Cruise with port visits at in Bermuda; Puerto Culebra, Costa Rica; Talara, Peru; Acapulco, Mexico; and Panama and San Diego, Calif. With the outbreak of the Second World War she escorted local convoys until late Sep 1939, when she was assigned to the America and West Indies Station, and based at Kingston, Jamaica. 

On 23 Oct 1939, in the Yucatan Channel, she intercepted the German tanker Emmy Friederich, which scuttled herself. She returned to Halifax in mid-Dec 1939 to resume local escort duty until 16 Oct 1940, when she sailed for the U.K. to join EG 10, Greenock.

On 01 Dec 1940, while escorting convoy HG.47, she was torpedoed by the Italian submarine Argo 300 miles west of Ireland. With her bows wrecked and 21 dead, SAGUENAY made Barrow-in-Furness largely under her own power, and was under repairs until 22 May 1941. She left Greenock on 23 May 1941, and arrived on 07 Jun 1941 at St. John's, where she joined the NEF, which was then forming. From Jun 1941 to Jan 1942 she escorted convoys to Iceland. From Jan 1942 to Jun 1942 she was assigned to WS convoys.

[Historical note: WS convoys were iron ore carriers traveling between Bell Island (located in Conception Bay Nfld - just north of St. John's) and Sydney, Nova Scotia. The Dominion Oil and Steel Company (DOSCO) at Sydney, Cape Breton, NS, owned the iron ore mines on Bell Island at Wabana, and the Steel Mills at Sydney NS. At that time they were producing one third of Canada's total steel output. Prior to the WW II, Germany was their biggest foreign customer for iron ore. The letters 'W' (for Wabana) and 'S' (for Sydney) were assigned to convoys between the two locations.]

From 19 Apr 1942 to 02 Nov 1942 she was assigned to the Newfie - Derry run (convoys from St. John's, NFLD to Londonderry, Ireland). During the months of Sep - Nov 1942, U-boat activity increased off Newfoundland. On 04 Sep 1942 a U-boat sank 2 ore carriers at their loading docks at Wabana. On 14 Oct 1942, the ferry Caribou was sunk with the loss of 137 lives. On 02 Nov 1942 (in broad daylight) 2 more ore carriers were sunk at the moorings at Bell Island and the ore carrier PML27 was torpedoed shortly after leaving Bell Island. With the increase in sinkings, an increase in escort vessels was made to the WB convoys and SAGUENAY was re-assigned to the WB convoys.

On 15 Nov 1942 HMCS SAGUENAY was escorting convoy WB13. At a distance of approximately 12 miles South of St. John's and 50 miles South East of Cape Spare, HMCS SAGUENAY was struck in the stern by the freighter SS Azra. Depth charges from HMCS SAGUENAY were dislodged overboard and exploded beneath both ships. The SAGUENAY had her stern blown off and the Azar her bow. Damage to the Azar was sufficient to cause her to sink at the site. The SAGUENAY stayed afloat and took Azar's crew members onboard. The collision occurred within sight of Cape Spear near the entrance to St. John's harbour and the naval command center at HMCS AVALON dispatched an RCN Tug (possibly W 47) to tow the damaged SAGUENAY to the graving dock in St. John's harbour. Once in the graving dock, the stern was sealed to enable the ship to be towed to the ship yards at Saint John, N.B.. After further repairs at Saint John, N.B., she was then taken to Cornwallis in Oct 1943, to serve as a training ship.

Paid off 30 Jul 1945, she was sold for scrap in 1945 to International Iron and Metal in Hamilton, Ontario and was broken up in 1946. (note: another ref has her sold on 17 Jul 1948 and broken up.)

RCN Memories:      In memory of a veteran - John Francis Lipton, DSM

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

* HMCS SAGUENAY provides the Royal Guard at the Unveiling of the Vimy Memorial, 1936

* The ramming of HMCS SAGUENAY by the SS AZRA - excerpt from the wartime diary of CPO Floyd Tufts

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 torpedoing of HMCS SAGUENAY on 01 Dec 1940

(r) Crew member when SAGUENAY was rammed by the SS AZRA

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Former Crew Members

Photos and Documents

(SAG001) The launching of HMCS SAGUENAY - 11 Jul 1930  //  Courtesy of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum

(SAG002) The Commander of Italy's Air Fleet is Welcomed to Canada - Shediac, New Brunswick. Making his first stop in Canada, General Italo Balbo (right), commander of the Italian Air Armada, is greeted by Capt. C. C. Murray of the H.M.S. SAGUENAY just after he had brought his fleet of twenty-four seaplanes down on Shediac Bay after a flight from Labrador. The flight started from Orbettelo, Italy and will end at the Worlds Fair in Chicago. July 14 1933.

Funeral service at sea for AB John Pulley - 04 Dec 1933

(SAG003-SAG004) Casket with the body of AB John Pulley with guard by the stern gun of HMCS SAGUENAY D79

(SAG005) Engines stopped - lower the ship's ensign - committal party assembled on lee side of quarter deck - committal service commences

(SAG006) The body of AB John Pulley is readied for committal to the deep

(SAG007) Casket sliding from "committal board" to sea from under ship's ensign. "Caps off" by crew. " Lord God, by the power of your Word you stilled the chaos of the primeval seas, you made the raging waters of the Flood subside, and you calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee. As we commit the earthly remains of our brother John Pulley to the deep, grant him peace and tranquility until that day when John and all who believe in you will be raised to the glory of new life promised in the waters of baptism. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen"

(SAG008) A wreath is laid on the ocean grave of AB John Pulley

(SAG009) Newspaper article on the burial at sea of AB John Pulley from the Montreal Gazette, 05 Dec 1933

From the collections of Herbert Edward Dowling, RCN & James A. Senior, RCN

Courtesy of Bill Cummins and Bob Senior

(SAG010) Invitation to the 4th Annual HMCS SAGUENAY Ship's Company Dance at the Nova Scotian Hotel - 27 Nov 1934  //  Courtesy of Mike O'Keefe

(SAG011) Enveloped addressed to Miss L. Matthews, 59 Cayuga St., Brantford, ON from F.G. Macklin, HMCS SAGUENAY - postmarked 15 Feb 1938  //  The following is from the RCN Ledger sheets:  Name: Macklin, Francklin George Date of Birth: 1914-01-01 Occupation: Brass Spinner Service Number: 2536 Place of Birth: Brantford, Ontario Religion: United Church Volume: 4 Reference: RG 150 1992-93/170 Item Number: 3485

(SAG012) Post Card with HMCS SAGUENAY ship's stamp dated 12 Apr 1938

(SAG013) LS Johnny Hann and AB Aubrey Redden (right), HMCS SAGUENAY 1938-39  //  From the collection of C. Aubrey Redden, CPO1, RCN  //  Courtesy of Sherri Redden

(SAG014) Thomas G. Mosher on HMCS SAGUENAY, date unknown  //  From the collection of Thomas Mosher  //  Courtesy of Gordon Rhymes

(SAG015) Personnel preparing to fire depth charges as the destroyer HMCS SAGUENAY attacks a submarine contact at sea, 30 Oct 1941  //  Source: Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-204329

(SAG016) HMCS SAGUENAY shortly after her collision with the SS AZAR  //  Courtesy of Roger Litwiller

(SAG017) Crew of HMCS SAGUENAY looking at what is left of her quarterdeck after being rammed by the SS AZAR  // Courtesy of the Naval Museum of Halifax

(SAG018) HMCS SAGUENAY I79 crew on the fo'c's'le preparing her to be towed after her collision with the SS Azra  // From the collection of Howard Finkbeiner, SBA, RCNVR  // Courtesy of Carol Finkbeiner Thomas

(SAG019) HMCS SAGUENAY I79 under tow by a tug //  Courtesy of Colin Litster

(SAG020) The Saguenay Song //  Source: The Crow's Nest Magazine Apr 1956

(SAG021) A song about HMCS SAGUENAY losing her bow to a torpedo  //  From the collection of Charles Branch, RCN  //  Webmaster's Note: This song has a few historical inaccuracies as it was an Italian submarine that torpedoed HMCS SAGUENAY, not a German U-boat and they were 300 miles west of Ireland) not 600.  However, it was wartime and the write when by either what he believed to be true or by what made the words flow a little smoother. We shall not drop him in the rattle for his transgressions.

(SAG022) HMCS SAGUENAY D79 Christmas card  //  From the collection of Archie Dowling, Stoker RCN  //  Courtesy of Bill Cummins

(SAG023) Ira Johnson and shipmate on HMCS SAGUENAY circa 1939  //  From the collection of Ira Johnson, CPO LR2, RCN  //  Courtesy of Marie Paulowich

(SAG024) HMCS SAGUENAY seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181  //  From the collection of Kenneth Medford, DSM  //  Courtesy of Gary Medford

(SAG025) HMCS SAGUENAY I79 with a disruptive paint scheme  //  From the collection of CPO Lloyd Wallace  //  Courtesy of Peter Hanlon

(SAG026) HMCS SAGUENAY  //  From the collection of Robert Macklem  //  Courtesy of Kelly Macklem

(SAG027) Article on 4 of SAGUENAY'S casualties and 4 of her survivors

(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)

(JS63) HMCS SAGUENAY entering Willemstad Harbour, Netherlands Antilles, 1934 - In the winter of 1934, HMCS SKEENA, HMCS SAGUENAY, HMCS CHAMPLAIN and HMCS VANCOUVER took part in Winter exercises off South America

(JS64) SAGUENAY sailors ashore - Front left, James A. Senior, front right believed to be Herbert E. Dowling. Sailors in back unknown

(JS65) SAGUENAY sailors ashore - James Senior, standing, left

(JS66) HMCS SAGUENAY D79 entering Miami, Florida, USA Apr 1935

(JS67) HMCS SAGUENAY and HMCS Champlain, Miami, Florida, USA

(JS68) HMCS SAGUENAY and HMCS Champlain, Miami, Florida, USA

(JS69) Sailors off HMCS SAGUENAY on the beach on Saint Lucia, Eastern Caribbean - 1935.  James Senior, back row, centre

(JS70) Sailors on HMCS SAGUENAY, Haiti, 1935

(JS71) Sailors on HMCS SAGUENAY pulling in a shark off Haiti - 1935

(JS72) Sailors off HMCS SAGUENAY enjoying a drink ashore - James Senior on the right

(JS73) James Senior on HMCS SAGUENAY - 1936. Note the iceberg in the background

(JS74) James Senior relaxing on the upper decks on HMCS SAGUENAY - 1936

(JS75) HMCS SAGUENAY 5-oared whaler crew, 1936 - James Senior front right

(JS76) HMCS SAGUENAY 5-oared whaler crew, 1936.  L-R: Senior, unknown, Glover, unknown, unknown, Racine

(JS77) HMCS SAGUENAY 5-oared whaler crew, 1936 - James Senior, front, left

(JS78) Ship's whaler taking crew from HMCS SAGUENAY ashore to the beach - 1936.  James senior 2nd row furthest right

(JS79-JS82) R&R on the beaches in the sunny south - 1936.  Sailors of HMCS SAGUENAY on the beaches

(JS79) SAGUENAY sailors on the beach - James Senior falling, location unknown

(JS80) at La Guaira, Venezuela

(JS81) at La Guaira, Venezuela - James Senior, foreground

(JS82) at La Guaira, Venezuela - James Senior, centre

(JS83-JS87) R&R on the beaches in the sunny south - 1936.  Sailors of HMCS SAGUENAY on the beaches

(JS83) Unknown sailor posing on the beach.  Location unknown

(JS84) James Senior posing on the beach. Location unknown

(JS85) sailor by ship's whaler at Saguramus Bay

(JS86) James Senior by ships boat with an armload of coconuts at Saguramus Bay

(JS87) James Senior, left - location unknown

Note:  Saguramus Bay is Chaguaramas Bay, Trinidad

(JS88-JS91) R&R on the beaches in the sunny south - 1936.  Sailors of HMCS SAGUENAY on the beaches

(JS88) at Saguramus Bay - James Senior, centre, anchor

(JS89) at Saguramus Bay

(JS90) Fresh Water Club, Barbados

(JS91) Barbados - James Senior, front, right

Note:  Saguramus Bay is Chaguaramas Bay, Trinidad

(JS92) Alongside somewhere down south - 1936.  Sailors on HMCS SAGUENAY under the ships awning, escaping the sun and heat - laundry hanging to the left of the gun turret

(JS93) Dhobey (laundry) day on HMCS SAGUENAY - James Senior on the right

(JS94) James Senior (standing) on HMCS SAGUENAY

(JS95) James Senior on HMCS SAGUENAY - 1936

(JS96) James Senior (front) hiking in Haiti circa 1936

(JS97) Catch-of-the-Day. HMCS SAGUENAY, Ecuador, 1936

(JS98) Unknown sailor off of HMCS SAGUENAY

(JS99) A couple sailors of HMCS SAGUENAY sight-seeing

(JS100) HMCS SAGUENAY alongside - date and location unknown

(JS101) Unknown sailors off HMCS SAGUENAY with young girl in front of house - date and location unknown

(JS102) The dedication of the Vimy Memorial.  HMCS SAGUENAY provided the Royal Guard - 1936

(JS103) Canadian Lines

(JS104) German Lines 09 Apr 1917

(JS105) Moroccan Memorial

(JS106) Vimy Ridge - with direction sign to Arras

(JS107) Vimy Ridge - No Man's Land

(JS108-JS109) Trenches at Vimy Ridge

(JS112) Unknown Petty Officer on HMCS SAGUENAY circa 1937-1938

(JS113) Unknown sailor on HMCS SAGUENAY

(JS114) Unknown sailor on HMCS SAGUENAY

(JS115) Unknown sailors on HMCS SAGUENAY

(JS116) Unknown sailors on HMCS SAGUENAY - one has an injured knee

(JS117) Unknown sailor from HMCS SAGUENAY - note the RCNVR cap tally

(JS118) Sailors off HMCS SAGUENAY - date and location unknown

(JS119) Sailor off HMCS SAGUENAY resting during maintenance of the graves at Croque, NFLD.  The French navy and RCN went there until the early 1970’s to do maintenance on the small French cemetery located there. The cemetery is still there but maintained by the local residents now.

(JS120) Unknown sailors from HMCS SAGUENAY ashore - date and location unknown

(JS121) Unknown HMCS SAGUENAY Stoker

(JS122) Newspaper article - HMCS SAGUENAY and HMCS SKEENA sail for the Coronation Review for King George the VI - 1937

(JS123) Crossing the Line Certificate - Equator - 1330 hrs 04 Feb 1938 - HMCS SAGUENAY D79 for James A. Senior, RCN

(JS124) King Neptune's Court

(JS125-JS127) Crossing the Line Ceremony on HMCS SAGUENAY

(JS127) Officers of HMCS SAGUENAY being initiated into King Neptune's Realm

(JS128-JS131) HMCS SAGUENAY D79 transiting the Panama Canal, Jan 1938

(JS132) Stoker Petty Officer James Senior in the Andes Mountains, Peru - 1938

(JS133) HMCS SAGUENAY at anchor off Paita, Peru - 1938

(JS134) Unknown River Class destroyer at anchor of Callao, Peru - 1938

(JS135) Sailors on HMCS SAGUENAY - possibly during the 1939 Spring Cruise

(JS136) Three Petty Officers on HMCS SAGUENAY - 1939.  James Senior - centre

(JS140) Unknown River Class destroyer - photo taken from HMCS SAGUENAY

(JS141) Unknown warship following astern of HMCS SAGUENAY

(JS142) Gun shoot - unknown ship firing forward guns - photo taken from HMCS SAGUENAY

(JS143) James Senior on HMCS SAGUENAY, Bermuda, date unknown

(JS144) PO James Senior on HMCS SAGUENAY

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

Courtesy of Bob Senior

(HD19) Herbert E. Dowling at Cape Haitian  //  HMCS SAGUENAY D79 - 1935 cruise to Jamaica and Haiti

(HD20) Herbert E. Dowling outside the tomb of King Henri Christophe at Cape Haitien, Haiti //  HMCS SAGUENAY D79 - 1935 cruise to Jamaica and Haiti

(HD21) Nelson Rutt and Herbert E. Dowling (right) posing in from of a pile of cannon balls at the Castle of Blood (Citadelle Laferriere), Cap Haitien, Haiti  //  HMCS SAGUENAY D79 - 1935 cruise to Jamaica and Haiti

(HD22) Herbert E. Dowling (left) and Jack Mackenzie on HMCS SAGUENAY in Kingston, Jamaica  //  HMCS SAGUENAY D79 - 1935 cruise to Jamaica and Haiti

(HD23) 1937 Coronation Fleet Review souvenir programme cover

(HD24) HMCS SAGUENAY D79 at the 1937 Coronation Fleet Review

(HD25) Crossing the Line Certficate - Equator for Herbert Dowling - 1330 hrs 04 Feb 1938 - HMCS SAGUENAY D79 // Ships on this deployment - HMCS SAGUENAY D79, HMCS SKEENA D59, HMCS ST LAURENT and HMCS FRASER H48

(HD26) Herbert Dowling (left) in Lima, Peru  //  HMCS SAGUENAY D59 - 1938 Cruise

(HD27) Herbert Dowling (left) part time ships barber on HMCS SAGUENAY D79

(HD28) Newspaper article from the Halifax Chronicle Herald about the 1938 cruise

(HD29) Herbert Edward Dowling, L/Sto, RCN on HMCS SAGUENAY

From the collection of Herbert Edward Dowling, Leading Stoker, RCN

Courtesy of Bill Cummins