HMCS SKIDEGATE  FY20

 

Fishermen's Reserve Vessel

 


 

HMCS SKIDEGATE

Source: The Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910-1981 by Ken Macpherson & John Burgess

 

Launched: 1927

Commissioned: 25 Jul 1938

Paid off: 26 Feb 1946

Fate: Final disposition unknown

 

Built in 1927, she was owned by Packers Steamship Co., Ltd., Vancouver BC, from 1927 to 1931. Later owned by J. Dutton of Vancouver then J.J. Cross Marine Supplies. Named Ochecac, she was purchased in 1938 and commissioned on 25 Jul 1938, for training purposes in connection with the Fishermen's Reserve, formed that year on the west coast. SKIDEGATE was paid off on 26 Feb 1946. Sold in 1946 to John Steffich (MO), Vancouver BC. In 1946 she was renamed as the Santa Rosa. In 1949 she was owned by John Steffich (MO), Vancouver BC. In 1961 she was owned by Peter Washinski, Vancouver BC. In 1989 she was owned by James Walkus, Nanoose Bay BC. In 2004-2012 she was owned by Inar Jager, Minstrel Island BC. 

 

From the research of Bryon Taylor:  SKIDEGATE was the original Fishermen's Reserve vessel. She was purchased 23 July 1938. She was commissioned 25 July 1938 as tender to HMCS NADEN for duty with RCN(R) Special Section (Fishermen's Reserve). She travelled to West Coast recruiting Fishermen for the new Fishermen's Reserve. From 1939, she was used as a Patrol Vessel at Prince Rupert. On 18 Feb 1942 she was officially transferred to the newly reorganized Fishermen's Reserve

 


 

Photos and Documents

 


 

Commanding Officers

 

LCdr Colin Degge Donald, RCN - 26 Jul 1938 - unk

 

Cox'n Carl Gustafson (FR), RCNVR - 21 May 1942 - unk

 

Cox'n Thor Sollier (FR), RCNR - 26 Jul 1943 - unk

 


 

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

 

 

  


 

Former Crew Members

 

Morrison, John Murdock, Cox'n, RCNR -1 Mar 1943 / SLt, RCNVR - 10 Feb 1944

 

Richardson, James McNeil, RCNR - 28 Mar 1940

 

Veitch, Laurence Stanley, Cox'n, RCNR - 01 Apr 1942

 


 

Photos and Documents

 

Russell Edwin Bower holding the Kisby ring of HMCS SKIDEGATE

Source: The obituary of Russell Bower

 


 

Ref - A

Ref - B

Ref - C

References:  a) DSC_0778.JPG: RG24Vol 11898 File N.S. 1-56-1 Fisherman's Reserve General

b) DSC_1017.JPG: RG24 Volume 6743File N.S. 8000-496/22 General Information H.M.C.S. SKIDGATE

c) DSC_0477.JPG: DHHBox 289 File 008 General information HMCS SKIDGATE

 


 

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