HMCS SMITHS FALLS K345

Flower Class Corvette

Commissioned at Kingston on 28 Nov 1944, she was the last RCN corvette to enter service. She arrived at Halifax late in Dec 1944 and remained there fitting out until 10 Feb 1945, then proceeded to Bermuda for work-ups. On her return SMITHS FALLS was assigned to EG C-2, Londonderry, and made her passage there as escort to convoy SC.171 early in Apr 1945, the first of three crossing before the end of hostilities. She left Londonderry early in Jun 1945 for the last time, and was paid off 08 Jul 1945 and placed in reserve at Sorel for disposal. Sold for conversion to a whale-catcher, she entered service in 1950 as the Honduran-flag Olympic Lightning, but was sold to Japanese owners in 1956 and renamed Otori Maru No. 16 then, Kyo Maru No. 23 from 1961 until 1978.

Photos and Documents          The Ship's Bell

Commanding Officers

A/LCdr Philip Taber Byers, RCNR - 28 Nov 1944 - 08 Jul 1945

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

Former Crew Members

Anderson, Ainsley Thomas, SLt, RCNVR - 26 Jan 1945

Millar, James Francis, SLt, RCNVR - 10 Feb 1945

Thomson, Robert Kidd, Skipper Lt, RCNR - 1944-1945

Photos and Documents

(SFL001) HMCS SMITHS FALLS during christening ceremony at Kingston Shipbuilding  on 19 Aug 1944  //  From the collection of Henry J. (Hank) Winsor, RCNVR  //  Courtesy of Roger Litwiller

(SFL002) The launching of HMCS SMITHS FALLS at the Kingston Shipbuilding Company, 19 Aug 1944  //  Source: Maritime History of the Great Lakes Digital Archives

(SFL003) HMCS Smith Falls K345  //  Source: Bowling Green State University

(SFL004) Christening on HMCS SMITHS FALLS - Bonny Lynn Thomson, daughter of Lt and Mrs. Robert Thomson  //  Crow's Nest newspaper - Feb 1945