
HMCS
SAGUENAY H03 / D79 / I79
River
Class Destroyer

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HMCS SAGUENAY D79
Source:
Flickr photo collection of Ron Bell |
Battle honours and awards: Atlantic
1939-45
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Launched: 11
Jul 1930
Commissioned: 21 May 1931
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Paid off: 30
Jul 1945
Fate: Broken
in
1946
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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
Commanding Officers
Cdr Percy Walter Nelles,
RCN - 22 May 1931 - 06 Jun 1932
Cdr Leonard Warren Murray,
RCN - 07 Jun 1932 - 22 May 1934 (D79)
Cdr Ronald Ian Agnew,
RCN - 23 May 1934 - 05 May 1936
Cdr William James Robert Beech,
RCN - 06 May 1936 - 29 Jun 1938
LCdr Frank Llewellyn Houghton,
RCN - 30 Jun 1938 - 07 Jul 1939
LCdr G.R. Miles,
RCN - 08 Jul 1939 - 21 Apr 1941
Lt Phillip Edwin Haddon,
RCN - 22 Apr 1941 - 07 Apr 1942 |
A/Cdr Dickson Carlisle Wallace,
RCNR - 08 Apr 1942 - 14 Jan 1943
Lt John William McDowall,
RCN - 15 Jan 1943 - 11 Mar 1943
Lt J.H. Ewart,
RCNVR - 14 Oct 1943 - 17 May 1944
Lt Wesley Coburn Hawkins,
RCNVR - 18 May 1944 - 06 Oct 1944 (I79)
A/Lt William Errol Hughson,
RCNVR - 07 Oct 1944 - 15 Apr 1945
Lt Kenneth Peter Blanche,
RCNVR - 16 Apr 1945 - 30 Jul 1945 |
In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice
Lest We Forget

BAKER,
William S.
OS, RCNVR
killed - 01 Dec 1940
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BENNETT,
Harry M.
AB, RCN
killed - 01 Dec 1940
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BROWN,
Paul A.
AB, RCN
killed - 01 Dec 1940 |

COOK,
Albert C.
OS, RCNVR
killed - 01 Dec 1940 |

COWLING,
Oliver
OS, RCNVR
killed - 01 Dec 1940 |

DOIRON,
Elmer J.
OS, RCNVR
killed - 01 Dec 1940 |

DOUGAN,
Harold E.
OS, RCNVR
killed - 01 Dec 1940 |

GORING,
William A.
AB, RCNVR
killed - 01 Dec 1940 |

GOUGEON,
Joseph R.
AB, RCN
killed - 01 Dec 1940 |

HARE,
Harvey W.
AB, RCNVR
killed - 01 Dec 1940 |

LE GARE, Hector
AB, RCNR
killed - 01 Dec 1940 |

LYNCH,
Budd F.
VA, RCN
killed - 01 Dec 1940 |

MAZIERE,
George
AB, RCNVR
killed - 01 Dec 1940 |

MORRISON,
David A.
OS, RCNVR
killed - 01 Dec 1940 |

PURVIS,
Henry
OS, RCN
killed - 01 Dec 1940 |

ROSS,
Duncan B.
Lt (E), RCNVR
MPK - 15 Nov 1942 |

SHEPPARD,
Henry J.
AB, RCN
killed - 01 Dec 1940 |

SPENCER,
Frederick
OS, RCNVR
killed - 01 Dec 1940 |

STRICKLAND,
Stanley
AB, RCNR
killed - 01 Dec 1940 |

SWEENEY,
Charles H.
LS LR2, RCN
killed - 01 Dec 1940 |

TWEEDIE,
John S.D.D.
AB ST, RCNVR
killed -
01 Dec 1940 |

TYNDALL,
William D.
OS, RCN
killed - 01 Dec 1940 |
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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
A
B

Baker, Albert
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Bennett,
George M.
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Bernard, Pierre Y.
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Blanche,
Kenneth P. |

Bertrand,
Laurent J.L.
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Blinkhorn,
William
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Bond,
Walter D.
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Bowering,
Albert
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Branch,
Charles
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Brown,
Kenneth C.
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Brown,
Douglas M.
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Browne,
Randall W.
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Bryson,
Weldon P.
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Budge,
Patrick D.
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C
D
D'Eon,
Gerald J.
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Dafoe,
Clarence F. (s)
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Darveau, J.H.
Maurice |

Dennison,
Foster K.
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Déry,
Stanislas
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Devine, Charles D.
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Dowling,
Archibald W.
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Dowling,
Herbert E.
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Doyle,
Donald F.
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Doyle, Henry
H.G.
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Drake,
Bert
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Draper,
Herbert L.
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Dunbar,
Hugh C.
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Dyer,
Kenneth L.
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E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
Laidlaw, Basil M.
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Lambert,
Joseph F. (s)
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Lane,
Robert L.
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Lawrence
Frank W.
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Levens, Reginald
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Ley, James E.
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Lindsay, James
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Lipscombe,
George
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Lipton,
John F. (s)
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Little, Vernon
E.
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Lovat, Peter K.
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M

MacKenzie, Colin R.
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Macklin, Franklin
G.
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Mainguy, Edmond
R.
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Marlin,
Cassam M.
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Marryatt,
Ralph E.
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McDowell,
John W.
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McGee,
Aubrey F.
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McMahon,
Johnston A.
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McMurdo,
Stephen B.
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Melanson,
Louis M. (s)
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Miles,
George R.
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Moen, Arlo M. M.
(s)
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Mosher,
Thomas G.
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Murray, Leonard W.
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N
O
P
R
S
Saxby,
Arthur E.
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Schryburt,
Edward A.
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Senior,
James A.
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Shellnutt,
Ernest G.
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Short,
Gilbert E.
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Short,
Samuel
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Smith, John
N.
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Spencer,
Brian R.
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Stevenson,
James C.R.
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Stone,
George A.
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Strugnell,
Roger W.
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T
V
W
Y
Former Crew Members
(s) -
survived the torpedoing of HMCS SAGUENAY on 01 Dec 1940
Allen,
Douglas Haig, Sto - 1940 (s)
Archibald,,
Godfrey Thomas Alfred Sissener, Lt, RCNVR - 26 May 1942
Beck,
William, War (E), RCNR - 05 Feb 1945
Bidwell,
Rogeer Edward Shelford, LCdr (T), RCN - 23 May 1932
Blais,
Joseph Daniel Albert, A/Paym/Lt, RCNVR - 08 Jul 1940
Branch,
Charles C/Sto - 1940 (s)
Brooking,
William, CERA - 1940 (s)
Browne,
Lt, Submarine Detecting Officer - 1940 (s)
Buckley,
AB - 1940 (s)
Campbell,
Torpedoman - 1940 (s)
Carson,
William, Sto PO - 1940 (s)
Clarke,
Herbert - 1940 (s)
Cooper,
Rex Harrop, Lt, RCNVR - 02 Jul 1942
Curry,
Angus Downey Mathwin, Cdr, RCN - Jan 1933
Davidson,
Geoffrey Huntley, Lt, RCN - 17 Apr 1940 Dryer,
Kenneth (Ken) Lloyd, SLt, RCN - 01 Jun 1938 Finter,
Lloyd - 1940 (s)
Francois,
John Eugene, Lt, RCNR - 26 May 1942
Gardiner,
William Douglas Haig, SLt, RCNVR - 10 Apr 1942
Gearing,
Dan, Torpedoman - 1940 (s)
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Godfrey,
Valentine (Val) Stuart, LCdr, RCN - 22 May 1931
Hancock,
John, LS - 1940 (s)
Hansen,
Jack Henry, Midshipman, RCNR - 23 May 1940
Hart,
Robert Shaw, Lt, RCNVR - 05 Mar 1942
Hope,
Adrian Mitchell (Bommer), LCdr, RCN - 03 Apr 1931 (Stand by) / 22
May 1931
Howe,
Lawrence, L/Sto - 1940 (s)
Jefferson,
Frank Harvey, Cdr (E), RCN - 22 May 1931
Leal,
Reginald, PO - 1940 (s)
Learmonth,
Charles Mohn, Surg/Lt, RCNVR - 06 Apr 1942
MacDonnell,
Malcolm M. - 1940 (s)
Martin,
Victor
McCullough,
Eddie, Sto - 1940 (s)
McEuen,
Charles Stuart, Surg LCdr, RCNVR - 28 Jul 1941
Moffat,
William Purves, Lt, RCNVR - 12 Mar 1940
Moore,
Dinty - 1938
Myers,
J.F., LS - 1940 (s)
Nieuwstad,
Pieter Cornelius, Lt (E), RCNR - Jan 1942
Owsianski,
C., Sto - 1940 (s)
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Paterson,
George Alexander, A/Wt (E), RCN - 16 Apr 1943
Pierce,
D., AB - Dec 1940
Protheroe,
George Edward, Gnr (T), RCN - 27 May 1940
Robbins,
Joseph C (Ginger), PO - 1940 (s)
Roberts,
John (Johnny) William, SLt, RCN - Jan 1942
Rye,
Harold, PO (s)
Saunders,
Cook's Assistant - 1940 (s)
Savory,
John Alfred, Lt (E), RCNVR - 05 Feb 1943
Schurman,
Percy (Tiny), Sto PO - 1940 (s)
Sherlock,
F.M. - 1940 (s)
Shilston,
George, Gnr (T), RCN - 22 May 1931
Tisdale,
Ernest Patrick (Pat), Lt (G), RCN - 20 Jun 1934
Tulk,
Augustus, Lt (E), RCNR - 14 Feb 1944
Uss,
L/Tel - 1940 (s)
Walkley,
James, Sto PO - 1940 (s)
Warwick,
Ralph Berton, Lt, RCNVR - 15 Feb 1940
Williams,
Richard, PO, RCN - 1940
Wright,
Harold Hutchins, Lt (E), RCNVR - 07 May 1940 (s)
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Photos
and Documents
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SAG001 |

SAG002 |
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(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 |

SAG005 |

SAG006 |

SAG007 |
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SAG008 |
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SAG009 |
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(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

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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
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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

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SAGUENAY sailors ashore
Front left, James A. Senior, front right believed to be
Herbert E. Dowling. Sailors in back unknown
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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SAGUENAY sailors ashore - James Senior, standing, left
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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HMCS SAGUENAY D79 entering Miami, Fla, Apr 1935
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |


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HMCS SAGUENAY and HMCS Champlain, Miami, Fla
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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Sailors off HMCS SAGUENAY on the beach on Saint Lucia,
Eastern Caribbean - 1935
James Senior, back row, centre
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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Sailors on HMCS SAGUENAY, Haiti, 1935
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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Crew of HMCS SAGUENAY pulling in a shark off Haiti -
1935
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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Herbert E. Dowling at Cape Haitian
HMCS SAGUENAY D79 - 1935 cruise to Jamaica and
Haiti
From the collection of Herbert Dowling
Courtesy of Bill Cummins |

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H.E. Dowling outside the tomb of
King Henri Christophe at Cape Haitien, Haiti
HMCS SAGUENAY D79 - 1935 cruise to Jamaica and
Haiti
From the collection of Herbert Dowling
Courtesy of Bill Cummins |

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Nelson Rutt and H.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
From the collection of Herbert Dowling
Courtesy of Bill Cummins |

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H.E. Dowling (left) and Jack
Mackenzie on HMCS SAGUENAY in Kingston, Jamaica
HMCS SAGUENAY D79 - 1935 cruise to Jamaica and
Haiti
From the collection of Herbert Dowling
Courtesy of Bill Cummins |

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Sailors off HMCS SAGUENAY enjoying a drink ashore - James Senior on the right
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

HMCS Champlain (left) and HMCS SAGUENAY (right) in the
graving dock, Saint John, NB - date unknown
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior
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James Senior on HMCS SAGUENAY - 1936. Note the iceberg
in the background
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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James Senior relaxing on the upper decks on HMCS SAGUENAY
- 1936
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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HMCS SAGUENAY 5-oared whaler crew, 1936 - James Senior front right
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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HMCS SAGUENAY 5-oared whaler crew, 1936
L-R: Senior, unknown, Glover, unknown, unknown, Racine
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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HMCS SAGUENAY 5-oared whaler crew, 1936 - James Senior,
front, left
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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Ship's whaler taking crew from HMCS SAGUENAY ashore to
the beach - 1936
James senior 2nd row furthest right
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |
R&R on the beaches in the sunny south - 1936
Photos of sailors off HMCS SAGUENAY on
the beaches


(1)
SAGUENAY sailors on the beach - James Senior
falling, location unknown (2) at La Guaira, Venezuela (3) at La
Guaira, Venezuela - James Senior, foreground (4) at La Guaira,
Venezuela (5) Location unknown (6) James Senior,
location unknown (7) sailor by ship's whaler at
Saguramus (?sp) Bay (8) James Senior by ships boat with
coconuts at
Saguramus (?sp) Bay (9) James Senior, left - location unknown
(10) at
Saguramus (?sp) Bay - James Senior, centre, anchor (11)
location unknown (12) Fresh Water Club, Barbados (13)
Barbados
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior
Webmaster's note:
Saguramus Bay is actually Chaguaramas Bay, Trinidad |

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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
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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Laundry day on HMCS SAGUENAY - James Senior on the right
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior
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James Senior (standing) on HMCS SAGUENAY
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior
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James Senior on HMCS SAGUENAY - 1936
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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James Senior (front) hiking in Haiti circa 1936
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior
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HMCS SAGUENAY, Ecuador, 1936
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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Unknown sailor off of HMCS SAGUENAY
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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A couple sailors of HMCS SAGUENAY sight-seeing
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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HMCS SAGUENAY alongside - date and location unknown
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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Unknown sailors off HMCS SAGUENAY with young girl in
front of house - date and location unknown
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |
The dedication of the Vimy Memorial. HMCS SAGUENAY
provided the Royal Guard - 1936

Photos of Vimy Ridge - 1936


From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior
|

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Unknown Petty Officer on HMCS SAGUENAY circa 1937-1938
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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Unknown sailor on HMCS SAGUENAY
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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Unknown sailor on HMCS SAGUENAY
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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Unknown sailors on HMCS SAGUENAY
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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Unknown sailors on HMCS SAGUENAY - one has an injured
knee
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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Unknown sailor from HMCS SAGUENAY - note the RCNVR cap
tally
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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Sailors off HMCS SAGUENAY - date and location unknown
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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Sailor off HMCS SAGUENAY resting during maintenance of
the grave 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 locate residence now.
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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Unknown sailors from HMCS SAGUENAY ashore - date and
location unknown
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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Unknown HMCS SAGUENAY sailor
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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HMCS SAGUENAY and HMCS Skeena sail for the Coronation
Review for King George the VI - 1937
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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1937 Coronation Fleet Review souvenir programme cover
From the collection of Herbert Edward Dowling, RCN
Courtesy of Bill Cummins |

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HMCS SAGUENAY D79 at the 1937 Coronation Fleet Review
From the collection of Herbert Edward Dowling, RCN
Courtesy of Bill Cummins |
Crossing the Line - Equator - 1330 hrs 04 Feb 1938
- HMCS SAGUENAY D79
Ships on this deployment - HMCS SAGUENAY D79, HMCS
Skeena D59, HMCS St. Laurent H83 and HMCS Fraser H48

(Above) Crossing the Line certificates of Herbert
Dowling and James Senior
From the collection of Herbert Edward Dowling, RCN
// James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bill Cummins // Bob Senior

(1) King Neptune's Court (2 & 3) Crossing the
Line (4) Officers Crossing the Line
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior
Note: In 2017, 79 years after the event, the
families of Herbert Dowling and James Senior are comparing notes about Herbert's
and James' time on HMCS SAGUENAY.
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HMCS SAGUENAY D79 transiting the Panama Canal, Jan
1938

From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior
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HMCS SAGUENAY transiting the Panama Canal
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior
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Herbert Dowling (left) in Lima, Peru
HMCS SAGUENAY D59 - 1938 Cruise
From the collection of Herbert Edward Dowling, RCN
Courtesy of Bill Cummins |

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James Senior in the Andes Mountains, Peru - 1938
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior
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HMCS SAGUENAY at anchor off Paita, Peru - 1938
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior
|

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Unknown River Class destroyer at anchor of Callao, Peru
- 1938
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior
|

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Herbert Dowling (left) part time ships barber on HMCS
SAGUENAY D79
From the collection of Herbert Edward Dowling, RCN
Courtesy of Bill Cummins |


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HMCS SAGUENAY D79 Christmas card
From the collection of Archie Dowling, RCN
Courtesy of Bill Cummins
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Newspaper article from the Halifax Chronicle Herald
about the 1938 cruise
From the collection of Herbert Edward Dowling, RCN
Courtesy of Bill Cummins |

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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 |

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Post Card with HMCS SAGUENAY ship's stamp dated 12 Apr
1938 |

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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 |

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Herbert Edward Dowling, L/Sto, RCN on HMCS SAGUENAY
From the collection of Herbert Edward Dowling, RCN
Courtesy of Bill Cummins
|

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Archibald William "Archie" Dowling, Stoker,
RCN, HMCS SAGUENAY
From the collection of Archie Dowling
Courtesy of Bill Cummins
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Sailors on HMCS SAGUENAY - possibly during the 1939
Spring Cruise
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior
|

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Three Petty Officers on HMCS SAGUENAY - 1939
James Senior - centre
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior
|

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Unknown River Class destroyer - photo taken from HMCS
SAGUENAY
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior
|

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Unknown warship following astern of HMCS SAGUENAY
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior
|

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Gun shoot - unknown ship firing forward guns - photo
taken from HMCS SAGUENAY
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior
|

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HMCS
SAGUENAY after being rammed by SS Azra 12 miles South of St. John’s and 50 miles South
East of Cape Spare,15 Nov 1942, and lost her stern when her
depth charges exploded
From the Rose family collection
Courtesy of Bud Rose |

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HMCS
SAGUENAY in the graving dock - location unknown
From the Rose family collection
Courtesy of Bud Rose |

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James Senior on HMCS SAGUENAY, Bermuda, date unknown
Courtesy of Bob Senior |

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Five crew of HMCS SAGUENAY, 09 Jan 1938,
Bermuda
Fred Rowe standing, 2nd from left
From the collection of Jean Martin
Courtesy of Jean Martin via Vignettes of Reta |

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Meisner and Fred Rowe (right), HMCS SAGUENAY,
Puerto Culebra, Costa Rica 1938
From the collection of Jean Martin
Courtesy of Jean Martin via Vignettes of Reta |

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Fred Rowe (right) and shipmate, Panama, HMCS
SAGUENAY, 1938
From the collection of Jean Martin
Courtesy of Jean Martin via Vignettes of Reta |

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Fred Rowe on HMCS SAGUENAY, Acapulco, Mexico,
1938
From the collection of Jean Martin
Courtesy of Jean Martin via Vignettes of Reta |

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Fred Rowe (left) and Dinty Moore on HMCS
SAGUENAY, Acapulco, Mexico, 1938
From the collection of Jean Martin
Courtesy of Jean Martin via Vignettes of Reta |
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PO James Senior on HMCS SAGUENAY
From the collection of James A. Senior, RCN
Courtesy of Bob Senior
|

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Ira Johnson and shipmate on HMCS SAGUENAY circa
1939
From the collection of Ira Johnson
Courtesy of Marie Paulowich |

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Thomas G. Mosher on HMCS SAGUENAY, date unknown
From the collection of Thomas Mosher
Courtesy of Gordon Rhymes |

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HMCS SAGUENAY I79 under tow - date unknown
Courtesy of Colin Litster |

CM01 |

CM02
|
(CM01)
Colin MacKenzie on HMCS SAGUENAY
(CM02)
Colin MacKenzie on HMCS SAGUENAY // back
of photo
HMCS SAGUENAY - South Cruise - Jan-Mar -
1939
(LN01)
Unknown sailor on the flag deck of HMCS SAGUENAY (LN02) Unknown
sailors on the flag deck of HMCS SAGUENAY (LN03) Chief Yeoman of
Signals Pritchard (LN04) Supermarine Walrus Mk I K8343 - appears to be taking off
near HMCS SAGUENAY (LN05) HMCS SAGUENAY'S boat crew "Going out
the boom and into the whaler for a pull"
Historical
note for photo LN04: 718 Sqn. FAA Royal Navy, Supermarine Walrus K8343,
shipborne on the heavy cruiser HMS Exeter, was damaged beyond repair by
shelling from the German pocket battleship Graf Spee during the Battle of
the River Plate, South America and was jettisoned overboard on 13th December
1939 (together with HMS Exeter's second Walrus K8341)
(LN06)
McIntyre on HMCS SAGUENAY (LN07) Unknown sailor on HMCS SAGUENAY
(LN08) Unknown sailor on HMCS SAGUENAY in Jamaica (LN09) US Flagship
entering harbour, Kingston, Jamaica, Mar 1939. Photo taken from HMCS
SAGUENAY (LN10) Andy Greer on the flag deck of HMCS SAGUENAY
(LN11)
HMCS SKEENA anchored off Saba Island. Photo taken from HMCS SAGUENAY
(LN12) Unknown sailor on HMCS SAGUENAY, Barbados, 11 Feb 1939 (LN13)
Unknown sailors on HMCS SKEENA. One of the sailors is named Don (LN14)
Unknown sailor on HMCS SAGUENAY (LN15) Unknown sailor on the flag deck
of HMCS SAGUENAY, Grenada, 28 Jan 1939, South Cruise
|
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LN16 |
|
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(LN16)
McIntrye (left) & Sutherland on HMCS SAGUENAY
Courtesy of Luc Normand
Second World War

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HMCS SAGUENAY seen from HMCS SACKVILLE K181
From the collection of Kenneth Medford, DSM
Courtesy of Gary Medford |

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HMCS SAGUENAY I79 with a disruption paint
scheme
From the collection of CPO Lloyd Wallace
Courtesy of Peter Hanlon |

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HMCS SAGUENAY
From the collection of Robert Macklem
Courtesy of Kelly Macklem |

AB14
RCN Neg # SY-161-7 |

AB15
RCN Neg # SY-161-6 |
HMCS SAGUENAY
From the collection of ERA
Albert Baker, RCNVR
Courtesy of Anne Baker
|
Front pages from the Halifax Herald on the
torpedoing of HMCS SAGUENAY

Individual articles below |

|
Heroism Prevents Loss of Canadian Destroyer
Halifax Star, 11 Dec 1940
Newspaper article on the actions of CERA
William Brooking, Chief Stoker Charles Branch and LT Engineer Harold
Hutching Wright
Courtesy of Jim Courchene |

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Repair SAGUENAY
Newspaper article on the actions of Lt. G.
Huntley Davidson and Joseph C. Robbins
Courtesy of Jim Courchene |

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Helped Bring The SAGUENAY To Port
Newspaper article on L/Sto Lawrence How and Sto
PO Percy Schurman
Courtesy of Jim Courchene |


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Newspaper article on the torpedoing of HMCS SAGUENAY
Courtesy of Jim Courchene |

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Newspaper clipping of CERA William Brooking
Courtesy of Jim Courchene |

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Newspaper clipping of LS John E. Lipton
Courtesy of Jim Courchene
Note: name should read John F. (Francis) Lipton |


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Nova Scotia Heros in Saving SAGUENAY (2
articles)
The Halifax Herald
Courtesy of Jim Courchene |

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HMCS SAGUENAY Casualty List
The Halifax Herald
Courtesy of Jim Courchene |

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Newspaper article on HMCS SAGUENAY
The Halifax Herald
Courtesy of Jim Courchene |

|
Nova Scotian sailors who were wounded when HMCS
SAGUENAY was torpedoed
Herbert Clarke, J.F. Myers, Lloyd Finter and
F.M. Sherlock
Courtesy of Jim Courchene |

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Newspaper article on the torpedoing of HMCS SAGUENAY
Courtesy of Jim Courchene |

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Newspaper article on the torpedoing of HMCS SAGUENAY
Courtesy of Jim Courchene |

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Newspaper article on the torpedoing of HMCS SAGUENAY
Courtesy of Jim Courchene |

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Tribute to those lost when HMCS SAGUENAY was
torpedoed
Courtesy of Jim Courchene |

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Three Westerners Aboard the Torpedoed Saguenay
Article on SAGUENAY'S Casualty and Survivors
The Toronto Star Dec 1940
Mentioned
in the article: Sto PO William James Carson - survivor;
Richard (Dick) Williams - survivor, injured; AB Harry Benny -
killed
|

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Article on SAGUENAY'S Casualties and Survivors
The Toronto Telegram Nov 1940
Mentioned
in article: OS A.C. Cook - Killed; AB S.D. D. Tweedie -
Killed; OS T.W. Young - Wounded; OS V.R. Osborne -
Wounded; Lt G. Davidson - unhurt |

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Article on SAGUENAY'S casualties and survivors
from the Montreal area
The Toronto Star Dec 1940
Mentioned
in the article: F.E. Ross - survivor; PO Harold Rye -
presumed safe; R.R. Sylvester - wounded; W.A. Goring -
missing; Henry Sheppard - missing; George Maziere -
missing |

|
HMCS SAGUENAY Casualties from the Toronto Area
Mentioned
in the article: OS A.C. Cook - missing; AB J.S.D.D.
Tweedie - missing; OS T.W. Young - wounder; OS V.R.
Osborne - wounded |

|
Newspaper article on PO Richard Williams who
was injured when HMCS SAGUENAY was torpedoed
The Daily Colonist, Victoria, BC 27 Jan 1945 |

|
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 |
The Saguenay Song
Newfoundland
songs, unknown in Canada before the Second World War, were on the
lips of thousands of Canadian sailors once RCN warships began
operating from St. John's and other ports of the Old Colony. When
the River class destroyer SAGUENAY acquired her own song, the words
were set to the Newfoundland tune "The Ryans and the Pittmans",
more often known by the first line of the chorus: "We'll rant
and we'll roar like true Newfoundlanders". The SAGUENAY's song
tells of ·the ship's torpedoing. Later she had her stern blown off
by her own depth charges in a convoy collision and ended her service
career as a training ship at Cornwallis.
Oh, the Saguenay sailed through the blue
Caribbean,
The Saguenay sailed o’er the old Spanish Main,
From Dutch Curacao to misty Balboa
Through the Yucatan passage and right back again.
Chorus: We’ll zig and we’ll zag all over
the ocean,
We’ll zig and we’ll zag all over the sea,
Until we strike soundings in Halifax Harbour;
From Sambro to Sable in thirty-five leagues.
And then one dark night, while out on the
ocean,
A speeding torpedo crashed into our bow,
Through luck and fair weather she held us together,
And kept us all safe till we got alongside.
Chorus
Source:
The Crow's Nest Magazine Apr 1956

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.
|

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HMCS SAGUENAY shortly after her collision with
the SS AZAR
Courtesy of Roger Litwiller
|

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Battered Veteran Is Still Serving Canada
Article on HMCS SAGUENAY after her collision
with SS AZAR
From the collection of François
Messier, AB, RCNVR
Courtesy of Denis Messier
|

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Battered SAGUENAY Is New Training Vessel
Article on HMCS SAGUENAY after her collision
with SS AZAR
From the collection of François
Messier, AB, RCNVR
Courtesy of Denis Messier
|
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