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HMCS STANDARD COASTER Z17 /J10
Built in Liverpool, NS in 1927. Hired on 31 Jul 1940, and commissioned on 11 Feb 1942, this wooden-hulled coaster was based at Halifax, functioning primarily as a coil skid towing vessel.
Sometime between 15 Jul 1945 and 13 Oct 1945 HMCS STANDARD COASTER was struck by another vessel in harbour during a heavy fog. The ship's deck log entry reads as follows: "0330 Unknown ship collide with Standard Coaster. 8" signal projector was used to identif ship but due to heavy go and darkness it was impossible to identify the ship"
Standard Coaster was paid off on 25 Mar 1946 and returned to merchant service. She was broken up at Saint John, N.B., and her register closed in 1957.
Commanding Officers
They shall not be forgotten
Former Crew Members
The photos below are from François Messier's time serving in HMCS STANDARD COASTER. Some are dated, some are not. Those that are undated are below in the first section and are in no particular date sequence and have been grouped by their content where possible.
Any info on the back of the photos is added with the photo captions - and additional info from known events is added as historical notes. Where no info is available on the back photo - a brief description of the contents has been added to aid those looking at the photo. It is possible that for the photos with dates, the dates on some of the photo are developer's dates and not the date of the event in the photo
The photos below were taken during François' time on HMCS STANDARD COASTER and include photos ashore with his shipmates up to and including V.E. Day.
There are an additional 360 photos on François Crossed the Bar entry that include merchant ships in Halifax Harbour, various warships, troopships, hospital ships, all taken during his time on HMCS STANDARD COASTER and, newspaper articles from the Second World War.
To view these additional photos and documents go to François' Crossed the Bar entry
(FM41) HMCS STANDARD COASTER with an underwater microphone ready to be lowered (FM42) François Messier on HMCS STANDARD COASTER, McNabb's Island, Halifax (FM43) François Messier on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM44) Unknown sailors on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM45) Unknown Petty Officer on HMCS STANDARD COASTER
(FM46) HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM47) HMCS STANDARD COASTER with crew fallen in for and aft heading out of harbour (FM48) HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM49) Harbour craft (in foreground) approaching HMCS STANDARD COASTER at her jetty on McNabb's Island
(FM50-FM51) HMCS STANDARD COASTER coming alongside the jetty on McNabb's Island (FM52) Harbour craft / duty boat approaching the jetty on McNabb's Island (FM53) Sunset at sea seen from HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM54) Unknown ship on fire in Halifax - seen from HMCS STANDARD COASTER
(FM55) Convoy departing Halifax (FM56) François Messier (left) and unknown shipmate on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM57) Unknown Petty Officer on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM58) Possibly the Halifax-Dartmouth Ferry seen from HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM59) George's Island with a covering of snow - the bow HMCS STANDARD COASTER in the foreground
(FM60-FM64) HMCS STANDARD COASTER in rough seas
(FM65) unknown sailors on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM66) Unknown Petty Officer on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM67) Lt Douglas Halford Bastin on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM68) Unknown sailors on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM69) François Messier in the wheelhouse of HMCS STANDARD COASTER as Quartermaster
(FM70) François Messier as lookout on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM71) François Messier by the signal lamp on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM72) Sailors on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - L-R: Unknown, François Messier, Gaumont, Unknown (FM73) François Messier (left) and Gaumont on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM74) François Messier by the binnacle on HMCS STANDARD COASTER
(FM75) François Messier on the bridge of HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM76) Officers on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM77) François Messier by the signal lamp on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM78-FM79) Ross in the "Dress of the Day" (Webmaster's note: It appears that the uniform he is wearing is that of his bride to be. Perhaps these two photos are leading up to a stag party)
Unknown officers on HMCS STANDARD COASTER
webmaster's note: for photo FM84 - an officer with a can of paint and a brush - we know that photo is staged
Wooden structure being built on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM85) Sig George Taylor (FM86) François Messier (left) and Sig George Taylor (FM87) François Messier (left) and Ross (FM88) François Messier on the funnel (its not known what he is doing)
(FM89-FM92) HMCS STANDARD COASTER approaches debris in the ocean - presumably from a torpedoed merchant ship
(FM93-FM96) HMCS STANDARD COASTER approaching and securing alongside an unknown minesweeper at sea (FM94) Sailor on HMCS STANDARD COASTER prepares to throw a heaving line (FM96) Minesweeper breaks away and departs
(FM97) HMCS STANDARD COASTER alongside unknown ship (FM98) Unknown sailor on the jetty at McNabb's Island with the catch-of-the-day. The bow of HMCS STANDARD COASTER is visible on the left (FM99) Puppy enjoying a rather large snack on the jetty. Ship's mascot?? (FM100) MacDonald (left) and K. Ross after a bit of fishing off McNabb's Island (FM101) "24 more like these in one hour" MacDonald on the jetty at McNabb's Island
(FM102) Buffet and MacDonald on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM103) The galley on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM104) Sig George Taylor and unknown shipmate relaxing on the fo'c's'le of HMCS STANDARD COASTER alongside McNabb's Island (FM105) Sig George Taylor relaxing on the fo'c's'le of HMCS STANDARD COASTER alongside McNabb's Island (...) Unknown sailor on HMCS STANDARD COASTER
A bit of swimming and water-skiing (FM107) Sig George Taylor front right and Cook Gaumont rear left (FM108) Cook Gaumont, front
Close in combat and weapons training on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (webmaster's note: it appears everyone is having a good time)
(FM114) Cook Gaumont, unknown, unknown and Ross
Sailors of HMCS STANDARD COASTER
Sailors of HMCS STANDARD COASTER
(FM120) Sig George Taylor (left) and Ross on HMCS STANDARD COASTER with an unknown 4-stacker in the background (FM121) PO Tracey on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM122) Ross, the ship's Cox'n and an unknown PO on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM123) Sailors on HMCS STANDARD COASTER having a beer in the mess. (note: they don't look overly excited) (FM124...) Sig George Taylor on HMCS STANDARD COASTER
(FM125) sunken tanker by McNabb's Island (FM126) Tug alongside bow section of the sunken tanker (FM127) John "Big John" Inglis on HMCS STANDARD COASTER taking his meal down to the mess deck (FM128-FM129) Naval Funeral in Halifax - photos developed 16 Oct 1944
(FM 130-FM135) Sextant training on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM134) Unknown 4-stacker destroyer passes by HMCS STANDARD COASTER during sextant training
(FM136) François Messier and unknown sailor on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Messier is working on a winch of some type. Webmaster's note: In photos FM136-FM138 it appears some type of device is being prepared to be lowered and trailed behind the ship. In FM138, the sailor right at the stern has some type of pipe in his hand, possibly a hydrophone. Sailor on right hand side of photo (port side of ship) possibly Raoul Belanger
Webmaster's note: In photos FM139-FM141 it appears some type of device is being prepared to be lowered and trailed behind the ship. In FM140, on of the sailors has something in his hand - those it is unclear what it could be
(FM142-FM144) Sailors on HMCS STANDARD COASTER putting out marker buoys
Webmaster's note: There are no notes to say what is happening in these photos, but something is being prepared and lowered over the side of HMCS STANDARD COASTER
(FM149) Sig George Taylor (left) and François Messier on the bridge of HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM149) Sig George Taylor (right) and two unknown sailors on the bridge of HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM150) L-R: AB François Messier, Cook Gaumont, unknown and Sig George Taylor on the bridge of HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM151) Unknown sailor on HMCS STANDARD COASTER
Webmaster's note: What is on that paper that they are reading in photo FM148 is unknown, but it made them all happy. Perhaps the message on Germany's Unconditional Surrender
(FM152-FM154) Recovering the small craft used by HMCS STANDARD COASTER from the ice after a storm
(FM155) HMCS STANDARD COASTER passing by HALIFAX LIGHTSHIP (FM156-FM157) HMCS STANDARD COASTER approaching SAMBRO LIGHTSHIP (FM158) HMCS STANDARD COASTER passing George's Island, Halifax harbour
(FM159-FM160) Officers and ratings relaxing on the quarterdeck of HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM161) Unknown craft - possibly gate vessels at Halifax (FM162) Mock-up of an aircraft on a raft - purpose unknown
(FM163) Sailors and Wrens aboard HMCS STANDARD COASTER, Halifax
(FM164-FM166) Stern section of a merchant ship being towed in Halifax harbour - undated
(FM167-FM168) Officers and ratings on HMCS STANDARD COASTER
The mast on HMCS STANDARD COASTER being re-rigged - 1942 (FM169) Unknown sailors climbing HMCS STANDARD COASTER'S mast (FM170) "Petit mousse reinturant le mât" (FM171) François Messier up top on the mast as it is being re-rigged (FM182-FM173) François Messier (left) on top of the mast with unknown shipmate .... rigging done - time for painting
(FM174) Convoy departing Halifax - 28 Feb 1942 (FM175) François Messier at work on HMCS STANDARD COASTER, Shelburne, NS - 12 Mar 1942 (FM176) François Messier getting out an Aldis Lamp on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 05 Apr 1942 (FM177) Unknown sailor on HMCS STANDARD COASTER
(FM179) Signalman Ross on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 05 Apr 1942 (FM180) Sig Ross on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 05 Apr 1942 (FM181) Unknown merchant ship sunk near off McNabb's Island, Halifax harbour - 08 Apr 1942 (FM182) Anti-Submarine Gates at the entrance of Halifax harbour (FM183) Liberty Boat - taking sailors ashore in Halifax - 24 Mar 1942
(FM184) Sig Ross aboard HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM185) François (right) and unknown sailor on a harbour craft in Halifax harbour (FM186) Sig Ross - 05 Apr 1942 (FM187) François Messier on the bridge of HMCS STANDARD COASTER, Halifax - 31 Mar 1942 (FM188) François Messier on HMCS STANDARD COASTER "par un gros frois", Shelburne, NS - 12 Mar 1942
(FM189-FM190) François Messier on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 1942 (FM191) Unknown PO and CPO on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM192) Ship on fire, Halifax Harbour - Apr 1942 (FM193) Unknown sailor on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1942
(FM194) Maring, Blair, McDonald on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 19 Feb 1942 (FM195) Unknown sailors on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 1942 (FM196) François Messier on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM197) Unknown Petty Officer on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM198) Unknown officers on HMCS STANDARD COASTER
(FM199) Unknown sailors in HMCS STANDARD COASTER'S boat (FM200) Unknown sailors on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM201) L-R: François Messier, Tony, John, Ross, Blair - 1942 (FM202) François Messier "Petite chaloupe voguant sur l'eau" (in a small boat sailing in the water) - 1942 (FM203) Tony, Blair and François Messier - 1942
(FM204) François Messier (right) and unknown shipmate on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1942 (FM205) Believed to be sailors of HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM206) Sailors going ashore on Liberty boat, Halifax - 22 Feb 1942 (FM207) HMCS STANDARD COASTER'S mascot (FM208) Cunningham in the engine room of HMCS STANDARD COASTER, Shelburne, NS - 22 Mar 1942
(FM209) Sig Ross on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 05 Apr 1942 (FM210) Sig Ross on the bridge of HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 05 Apr 1942 (FM211) George's Island, Halifax - 02 Apr 1942 (FM212) HMCS STANDARD COASTER encountering a destroyer - one of the lend lease 4 stackers - 05 Mar 1942 (FM213) Anti-Submarine Net at Mauger's Beach (McNabb's Island), Halifax - 04 Mar 1942
(FM214-FM215) Remnants of a burnt out tanker by McNabb's Island - 1942
(FM219) Frank Bennett onboard the remains of the burnt tanker - 1942
(FM220-FM221) HMCS STANDARD COASTER crew photo - 4th Victory Loan campaign - Apr/May 1943
(FM224-FM225) First glimpse of the German mine sighted off Halifax - 02 Jun 1943 (FM226-FM228) HMCS STANDARD COASTER recovers the first German magnetic mine found near Halifax - 02 Jun 1943
(FM229) German mine being landed from HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 02 Jun 1943 (FM230) Cadran with the magnetic detonator from the mine (FM231) Lt J.L. Cormier, CO of HMCS STANDARD COASTER examining the defused mine (FM232) Lt Cormier (left) and SLt Bedard by the defused mine (FM233) Defused and de-armed mines. It is not known if either of the two in the photo are of the one picked up by STANDARD COASTER
(FM234) Unknown device being secured to a kisbee ring (FM235) François Messier securing second kisbee ring to the unknown device (FM236) Unknown device being towed away from HMCS STANDARD COASTER
Webmaster's note: My guess is that it is the magnetic detonator from the mine they recovered - so I placed the 3 photos here
(FM237) Unknown sailor on the wheel of HMCS STANDARD COASTER as Quartermaster (FM238) HMCS STANDARD COASTER J10 - Oct 1943 (FM239-FM240) HMCS STANDARD COASTER recovering a torpedo. Note that the warhead had been removed - Oct 1943 (FM241) Sunken tanker near McNabb's Island. Believed to be the same ship in the 1942 photos.
(FM242) Martin Aircraft PBM Mariner in Halifax Harbour - Nov 1943 (FM243) François Messier (left) and shipmate on HMCS STANDARD COASTER looking too happy to be boxing for real (FM244) François Messier (left) and the ship's cox'n on HMCS STANDARD COASTER with a merchant ship passing in the background (FM245) Unknown Wren on HMCS STANDARD COASTER
Historical note on the PBM Mariner aircraft: the RAF had 28 of them, all operated by 524 Sqn, under No.15 Group Coastal Command. And only between Oct-Dec 1943.
(FM246) Unknown officer on HMCS STANDARD COASTER holding what appears to be some type of hydrophone (FM247) Unknown officers on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - one is holding some form of instrument/device (FM248) Unknown officers on HMCS STANDARD COASTER with a very large dog - Nov 1943
(FM249-FM250) The Cock-of-the-Walk pennant being hoisted on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Oct 1943. It is believed that this is for her achieving top ship in the Oct-Nov 1943 Victory Loan campaign
(FM251) Christmas message from the Board of Admiralty
(FM252-FM254) HMCS STANDARD COASTER trying to make passage through an ice covered Halifax harbour - Feb 1944
(FM255) François Messier writing a letter to his fiancée in the C.O.'s cabin on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 25 Feb 1944 (FM256) "Before becoming Captain, I was a sailor" - François Messier in the C.O.'s cabin on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 25 Feb 1944 (FM257) Sig George Taylor in the C.O.'s cabin on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 25 Feb 1944 (FM258) Coxswain Cookran of H.C. 48 in the C.O.'s cabin on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 25 Feb 1944 (FM259) Bernier, Tomlinson and Taylor in the C.O.'s cabin on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 25 Feb 1944
(FM260) George Taylor writing a letter in the C.O.'s cabin on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 25 Feb 1944 (FM261) François Messier "sleeping comfortably in my hammock" on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 25 Feb 1944 (FM262) Bernier, Morin, Child, Tomlinson, Martin, Ross, Inglis, Siwak on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 26 Feb 1944 (FM263) François Messier's with his photography equipment - 26 Feb 1944 (FM264) François Messier in his hammock on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 26 Feb 1944
(FM265) George Taylor in his hammock on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 26 Feb 1944 (FM266) Amédéee Morin in his hammock on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 26 Feb 1944 (FM267) Ross in his hammock with Prince on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 26 Feb 1944 (FM268) Tomlinson, Roberts and Bernier in the CO's cabin on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 27 Feb 1944 (FM269) Cook Gaumont and Seaman Bernier in the C.O.'s cabin on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 27 Feb 1944
(FM270) Améedée Morin pouring himself a drink in the C.O.'s cabin on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 27 Feb 1944 (FM271) "Ross Vn Stocher" in the C.O.'s cabin on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 27 Feb 1944 (FM272) Ross, Gaumont, Bernier, Child, Bélanger and Inglis in the C.O.'s cabin on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 27 Feb 1944 (FM273) Chief Jenkins, Sig George Taylor and Hanna in the C.O.'s cabin on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM274) Chief Jenkins, Tel Roberts and Hanna "They are not too affected by their tot" in the C.O.'s cabin on HMCS STANDARD COASTER
(FM275) Harbour craft departing HMCS STANDARD COASTER during a storm - Feb / Mar 1944 (FM276) On the point of McNabb's Island, NS after a storm - Feb / Mar 1944 (FM277-278) HMCS STANDARD COASTER covered in ice after the a storm - Feb / Mar 1944 (FM279) Ross working on the ice covered decks of HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Feb / Mar 1944
(FM280-FM283) HMCS STANDARD COASTER covered in ice after the a storm - Feb / Mar 1944 (FM284) "A pair of snowshoes would be going for walking to the bridge" - HMCS STANDARD COASTER after a storm - Feb 1944 (FM282) Maurice Gaumont (left) and Raoul Bélanger
(FM285) Bernier, Overall, Morin ,Child, Pastorius on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1944 (FM286) Gaumont, Morin and Bernier on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1944 (FM287) Gaumont on HMCS STANDARD COASTERS - Mar 1944 (FM288) Bernier at the wheel of HMCS STANDARD COASTER and Gaumont, Acting Captain - Mar 1944 (FM289) Ross, with the British Empire Medal and Amédée Morin on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1944
(FM290) Siwak, Morin and Gaumont on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1944 (FM291) Shorty Macfarlane on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1944 (FM292) Morin and Ross on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1944 (FM293) Tomlinson on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1944 (FM294) François Messier on HMCS STANDARD COASTER
(FM295) Bernier, Messier, Macfarlane, Morin, Siwak, Ross and Tomlinson on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Feb 1944 (FM296) Craddock playing the fool (dan ses folies) on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1944 (FM297) A nighttime photo on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1944 (FM298) HMCS STANDARD COASTER under sail - Mar 1944 (FM299) Pier 21 after a major fire that occurred on 05 Mar 1944 causing $250,000 in damage
(FM300-FM301) Ross practicing his boxing on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1944 (FM302) Siwak on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 06 Mar 1944 (FM303) Ross (left) and Macfarlane on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 06 Mar 1944 (FM304) L-R: Amédée Morin, Ross and Siwak on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 06 Mar 1944
(FM305) Chief Jenkins on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1944 (FM306) Maurice Gaumont on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1944 (FM307) John (Big John) Inglis on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1944 (FM308) George Taylor on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1944 (FM309) Roman Siwak on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1944
(FM310) François Messier on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1944 (FM311) Workers and watchers on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1944 (FM312) Curran, Ross, McRae on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1944 (FM313) Curran, Ross and mascot Prince on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Mar 1944
(FM314) Sig George Taylor by the sail on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM315) Craddock, Gaumont and Macfarlane by the sail on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Apr 1944 (FM316) Gaumont (left) and Tomlinson on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Apr 1944 (FM317) Gaumont (left) and Macfarlane on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Apr 1944 (FM318) Gaumont (left) and Amédée Morin on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Apr 1944
(FM319) Amédée Morin on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Apr 1944 (FM320) Sig Bob Curran on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Apr 1944 (FM321) George Taylor on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Apr 1944 (FM322) Sig Bob Curran on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Apr 1944 (FM323) François Messier on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Apr 1944
(FM324) Sig Geoge Taylor on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Apr 1944 (FM325) François Messier on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Apr 1944 (FM326) Sig George Taylor (left) and François Messier on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Apr 1944 (FM327) Tel Roberts on HMCS STANDARD COASTER Apr 1944 (FM328) Tel Roberts on HMCS STANDARD COASTER Apr 1944
(FM329) HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Apr 1944 (FM330) "Not very big but comfortable" HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Apr 1944 (FM331) HMCS STANDARD COASTER'S pendant number Z17 - Apr 1944 (FM332) Smith, Ross, McRae, Hanna, Douglas, Tracy, Tomlinson and Messier on the jetty at McNabb's Island - 1944
(FM333) In Bedford Basin - Apr 1944 (FM334-FM335) Kings Wharf, Dartmouth - Apr 1944 (FM336) Sunset, Halifax - Apr 1944 (FM337) A flying boat passes in front of the setting sun, Halifax Harbour - Apr 1944
(FM338) Ives Point, McNabb's Island - Apr 1944 (FM339-FM340) Messier (left) and McRae repairing the jetty on McNabb's Island - Apr 1944
(FM341) Amédée Morin with Ross in the background on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Apr 1944 (FM342) Macfarlane on HMCS STANDARD COASTER May 1944 (FM343) Craddock on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - May 1944 (FM344) Roberts on the signal lamp on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - May 1944 (FM345) Lt Carrett (Corrett?) on the signal lamp on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - May 1944
(FM346) Sig George Taylor on the signal lamp on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - May 1944 (FM 347) Sig George Taylor (left) and Tel Roberts on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM348-FM349) Tel Roberts scraping paint on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - May 1944 (FM350) Sig George Taylor painting ship on HMCS STANDARD COASTER May 1944
(FM351)
François Messier painting ship on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - May 1944
(FM352) Améedée Morin in the ship's dory of HMCS STANDARD COASTER - May
1944 (FM353) Amédée Morin, John Inglis and Pastorius painting ship
from the dory of HMCS STANDARD COASTER - May 1944 (FM354) Sailors on
HMCS STANDARD COASTER - May 1944 (FM355) François Messier by the engine
room skylights on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - May 1944
(FM456) "A hot summer day in the icy water - François Messier on a small harbour craft used by HMCS STANDARD COASTER after a swim, Halifax - 21 Jun 1944 (FM357) Vincent, Morin, Overall, Smith, Roberts on a small harbour craft used by HMCS STANDARD COASTER after a swim - 26 Jun 1944
(FM358-FM367) Diver coming out of the water and assisted aboard the diving tender. The tender is secured alongside HMCS STANDARD COASTER circa May-Jun 1944
(FM358-FM367) Diver coming out of the water and assisted aboard the diving tender. The tender is secured alongside HMCS STANDARD COASTER circa May-Jun 1944 (FM364) The diver sitting on the diving tender - with his diving helmet removed
(FM368) HMCS STANDARD COASTER coming alongside HMCS NIAGARA - Aug 1944 (FM369) HMCS STANDARD COASTER alongside at Ives Point, McNabb's Island, Halifax, with a view of Dartmouth in the background - fall 1944 (FM370) A view of Dartmouth from McNabb's Island - 1944
(FM371-FM374) Pin-ups on the bulkhead in the mess deck on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Sep 1944
(FM375-FM379) HMCS STANDARD COASTER in the Dartmouth Slips for repairs - Sep 1944
(FM380) HMCS STANDARD COASTER in the Dartmouth Slips for repairs - Sep 1944 (FM381) Martin and Ross looking out through a kick-out panel on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Sep 1944 (FM382) Battery banks on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Sep 1944 (FM383) Engine Room of HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Sep 1944
(FM384-FM387) PO Tracey (left) and Hanna in the Engine Room of HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Sep 1944 (FM388) Ross with no shirt and PO Tracey in the Engine Room of HMCS STANDARD COASTER
(FM389-FM393) PO Tracey and Ross (with no shirt) in the Engine Room of HMCS STANDARD COASTER
Fire on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 1944 (FM394) Crew members of HMCS STANDARD COASTER attacking a fire in the funnel (FM395-FM396) Chief Douglas inspecting the funnel after the fire was put out. Note the fire hose still on the deck (FM397) Fire damage to funnel of HMCS STANDARD COASTER
Fire at Piercey's Supply Ltd, Dartmouth, NS - 09 Sep 1944 - seen from HMCS STANDARD COASTER
Historical note on the Piercey's fire from the Nova Scotia Archives: Taken from Exhibition Grounds looking north. The most disastrous conflagration since the 1917 Halifax Explosion levelled the sprawling 8-acre Piercey's Supplies Limited buildings in 1944 and caused $450,000 worth of damage. Halifax's Air Raid Precautions (A.R.P.) force proved its mettle and worth after its volunteers donned their brown steel helmets, brown coveralls, Red Cross garb and other uniforms to fight the fire. A.R.P. firemen fought alongside permanent firemen; wardens supervised the safe evacuation of residents and their furnishings from neighbouring houses; and messengers scurried through the fire area to transport instructions and messages to their senior workers. Auxiliary police and wardens regulated traffic, guarded dangerous areas, and prevented looting. Sandwiches and coffee were distributed to weary fighters from the H.C.E.C. Red Cross Emergency Canteen. Major O.R. Crowell later praised the A.R.P. workers who had carried out their duties so effectively.
Click here to view a photo of the Piercey's fire - photo credit: Nova Scotia Archives John F. Rogers Nova Scotia Archives 1995-370 19
(FM401-FM405) Conducting trials with a new depth charge aboard HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Oct 1944
(FM407-FM410) Weapons experiments / trials on a barge, Halifax - 1944
(FM409) HC 285 approaching the barge (FM410) HC 295 alongside the barge where the weapon trials are being conducted
(FM411-FM414) Weapons experiments / trials on a barge, Halifax - 1944 (FM411) HMCS STANDARD COASTER (right, foreground) and HC 285 alongside the trials barge (FM412) Unknown PO off HMCS STANDARD COASTER on the trials barge among the rat's nest of wires and cables for the weapon trials (FM413) AB François Messier on the trails barge among the rat's nest of wires and cables for the weapon trials. The barge is secured alongside McNabb's Island. (FM414) Large spools of cabling on the trials barge.
(FM415-FM419) Weapons experiments / trials on a barge, Halifax - 1944 Setting up cameras to film the test firing of a rocket of the trials barge
(FM420) Unknown sailor setting up experimental equipment aboard HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 1944 (FM421) Experimental equipment on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 1944 (FM422) L-R: Vincent, Hanna (laying on settee), Messier and Gaumont - Oct 1944
(FM423) A sailor writing a letter, a Christmas tree in the mess deck, sailors in their hammock - and the pin-ups removed from the bulkhead (FM424-FM425) A Christmas tree in the mess deck on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 1944
Undated photo of the Halifax-Dartmouth Ferry GOVERNOR CORNWALLIS - before the fire
(FM427-FM429) HMCS STANDARD COASTER passes the burned out wreck of the Halifax-Dartmouth Ferry GOVERNOR CORNWALLIS - Jan 1945
Historical note on the GOVERNOR CORNWALLIS from the Nova Scotia Archives: 22 Dec 1944 - Ferry officials requested assistance from the Halifax Fire Department which sent a fire boat and a tug. The Governor Cornwallis was a mass of flames when towed from dock well down the harbour. Thousands of spectators watched from both Halifax and Dartmouth as flames rose high in the air and streams of water from the fire boats poured onto the ferry. The Halifax Mail, 23 December 1944, p. 5, reported "The complete loss of the Governor Cornwallis is a serious blow to ferry transportation, particularly at this time of year. Traffic will be tied up for an indefinite time with only two small boats in operation during the next week, perhaps longer."
(FM430) Manfils and François Messier on a harbour craft - Jan 1945 (FM431) Manfils from Granby (HMCS?) - Jan 1945 (FM432) Reception and dance on the 3rd anniversary of the commissioning of HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 19 Feb 1945 - Front: François Messier, Mrs. McLennan, Mr. & Mrs. Tracy, Mr. Craddock, Mr. Parent Back: men only, L-R: Pastorious, Martin, McRae, unknown (FM433) François Messier on HMCS STANDARD COASTER in Halifax 02 Apr 1945 (FM434) RMS AQUITANIA seen from HMCS STANDARD COASTER
(FM435-FM442) V.E. Day aboard HMCS STANDARD COASTER
HMCS U-889 - former German U-boat U-889 (FM443-FM445) HMCS U-889 arrives in Halifax, passing by HMCS STANDARD COASTER (FM446) HMCS U-889 tied up alongside HMCS FORT FRANCES J396 with HMCS STANDARD COASTER (foreground) approaching HMCS U-889 to secure alongside (FM447) Bow of HMCS U-889 - photo taken from her conning tower
HMCS U-889 - former German U-boat U-889 (FM448) HMCS U-889 (FM449) Taylor, Ross, Vincent, Gaumont, Pastorius and Smith on HMCS U-889 (FM450) Taylor, Gaumont, Ross and François Messier on HMCS U-889 (FM451) Ross, François Messier and Gaumont on HMCS U-889 (FM452) Skpr-Lt J. Lionel N. Cormier, CO HMCS STANDARD COASTER and Ross on HMCS U-889
HMCS U-889 - former German U-boat U-889 (FM453) Gaumont, François Messier, Ross and Taylor (with camera) on HMCS U-889 (FM454) Crew of HMCS FORT FRANCES on HMCS U-889 (FM455) Gaumont (left) and François Messier on the casing of HMCS U-889 (FM456) Gaumont (left) and Taylor on the casing of HMCS U-889 (FM457) Crew of HMCS STANDARD COASTER looking down at HMCS U-889 - François Messier looking up at the camera
(FM458) François Messier on McNabb's Island with HMCS STANDARD COASTER in the background. Photo printed Aug 1945
Skating on Chocolate Lake, Halifax (FM459) François Messier and shipmates (FM460) François Messier front, centre (FM461) François' friend/shipmate front, centre (FM462) Group of skaters posing for a photo. François and his friend / shipmate in the back row
(FM463) François Messier skating at an unknown location. The ships in the background makes it possible that this is a cove on McNabb's Island (FM464-FM465) Playing hockey - location unknown (FM466) White, Sig George Taylor (on skates) and Craddock - FEb 1944
(FM467) Signalman Ross ashore - location unknown - 05 Apr 1942 (FM468) François Messier (left) with unknown friend / shipmate (FM469) Unknown sailor with a couple ladies (FM470-FM471) Unknown sailor with his girlfriend
(FM472) François Messier (left) with unknown friend and friend's girlfriend (FM473) unknown friend/shipmate (FM474) Tower at the Northwest Arm, Halifax -20 Jun 1942 (FM475-FM476) The Northwest Arm, Halifax
(FM477) Homes on the Northwest Arm, Halifax (FM478) Lt Bastin from Vancouver - May 1944 (FM479-FM480) Macfarlane and George Taylor on a train. Photos printed Jun 1944
Public Gardens, Halifax (FM481) François Messier (left) and Sig George Taylor (FM482) Tel Roberts (left) and François Messier (...) Tel Roberts (left) and Sig George Taylor
Fall 1944 on McNabb's Island (FM483) Tel Roberts (FM484) Sig George Taylor (FM485) AB François Messier (FM486-FM487) Tel Roberts and Sig George Taylor
Fall 1944 on McNabb's Island (FM488-fm489) AB François Messier, Sig George Taylor and Tel Roberts (FM490) Sig George Taylor with camera and Tel Roberts (FM491) Tel Roberts and Sig George Taylor with camera (FM492) Tel Roberts and Sig George Taylor
Fall 1944 on McNabb's Island (FM493) Tel Roberts (FM494) Sig George Taylor (FM495) AB François Messier
(FM496-FM497) François Messier (right) and friend / shipmate touring Fort Ives on McNabb's Island (FM498-FM499) Friend / shipmate of François Messier on McNabb's Island
(FM500) François Messier (right) and friend / shipmate in an old gun tub on McNabb's Island (FM501) François Messier by cannon at Fort Ives, McNabb's Island (FM502) François Messier in a gun emplacement at Fort Ives, McNabb's Island (FM503) Friend / shipmate of François Messier in a gun emplacement at Fort Ives, McNabb's Island (FM504) Friend / shipmate of François Messier by a gun emplacement at Fort Ives, McNabb's Island * Note in FM 502-504 - the gun barrels appear to be fake
(FM505 - FM 507) Army barracks on McNabb's Island
(FM508) Tel Roberts on a cannon at Fort Ives, McNabb's Island (FM509) Sig George Taylor by a cannon at Fort Ives, McNabb's Island (FM510-FM511) Sig George Taylor at Fort Ives, McNabb's Island (FM512) Tel Roberts at Fort Ives, McNabb's Island
George Taylor and François Messier on McNabb's island (Webmaster's note: It looks like they are on a safari) (FM513-FM514) Sig George Taylor (FM515-FM516) François Messier (FM 517) Sig Gerorge Taylor and François Messier
(FM518) View of the entrance to Halifax Harbour from McNabb's Island - 1944 (FM519) "Magnificent autumn scene on McNabb's Island" - 1944 (FM520) "Scene along the road on McNabb's Island" - 1944
(FM521) Train Station at Grand Pré, NS - Fall 1944 (FM522) Road sign directions to Grand Pré, NS (FM523) Plaque honouring those who died during the Battle of Grand Pré which occurred 10-11 Feb 1747 (FM524) Cross erected at the Evangeline Memorial Park, Grand Pré, NS (FM525) In the orchard at the Evangeline Memorial Park, Grand Pré, NS
(FM526) François Messier by the memorial to the expulsion of the Acadian's (FM527) Memorial to the expulsion of the Acadian's in front of the Church at Grand Pré, NS (FM528) Church at Grand Pré, NS (FM529) Entrance to the Evangeline Memorial Park, Grand Pré, NS
(FM530) François Messier in Kentville, NS - Fall 1944 (FM531) OS Norman Pautler in Kentville, NS - Fall 1944 (FM532) Hotel Cornwallis in Kentville, NS (FM533) Sign at the entrance to the town of Wolfville, NS (FM534) Town hall, Wolfville, NS
(FM535-FM539) Sailors of HMCS STANDARD coaster celebrating Christmas at the home of an unknown officer (FM537) Sig George Taylor (right) (FM538) François Messier (right)
(FM540) Mr. & Mrs. McLennan, the two Cormier brothers, Buffett, Carriere and Tomlinson. Louis Cormier, standing 3rd from left. Normand Cormier, Merchant Marine standing, 2nd from right. Normand's wife, Margaret Dumont, sitting, 2nd from right (FM541) "The Lieutenants Ha Ha" - Messier (AB), McLennan and Taylor (Sig) (FM542) Lt McLennan and "Lt" George Taylor (Sig)
Photo FM540 - note: Margaret Dumont was a cook and served in a merchant ship during the war.
(FM543-FM553) The Wedding and Reception of Mr. and Mrs. Ross - Oct 1944
The newly weds leaving the church and arriving at the reception
(FM543-FM553) The Wedding and Reception of Mr. and Mrs. Ross - Oct 1944
(FM549) "One Wren, two sailors and a barrel of rum" - Oct 1944 (FM550) Gaumont, Macfarlane, Craddock and Overall - Oct 1944 (FM551) Tomlinson and his friend, Mr. & Mrs. Ross, Mr. & Mrs. Cunningham - Oct 1944 (FM552) McLennan, Keating, Douglas, Hanna and Messier at the reception after the wedding - Oct 1944 (FM553) Guests at the wedding reception. François Messier in the centre holding a sandwich
(FM554-FM563) Ship's Company Reception / Dance for HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Nov 1944
(FM564-FM563) Ship's Company Reception / dance for HMCS STANDARD COASTER - Nov 1944 (FM563) AB Messier and Lt Joseph Louis Cormier (C.O. of STANDARD COASTER)
(FM564-FM565) François Messier and friend posing with a newspaper for an "end of the war" photo
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(FM566-FM614) Civilians, sailors, soldiers and airmen alike watching parades, listening to music and dancing .......
and then the riots started .......
(FM615-FM620) - 3 photos and 3 newspaper articles on the riots
(JI06) HMCS STANDARD COASTER Z17 (JI07) Work crew on HMCS STANDARD COASTER. John Inglis, foreground, wearing fringed hat and back to the camera (JI08) John Inglis (right) with shipmate and the catch-of-the-day aboard HMCS STANDARD COASTER (JI09) Cliff (front) believed to be on board HMCS STANDARD COASTER (JI10) Sailors from HMCS STANDARD COASTER aboard surrendered German U-boat U-889. François Messier sitting directly below the 9 in U-899. Skpr/Lt Lionel Cormier standing in from of the U in U-889.
From the collection of John (Jack) Inglis, RCNVR
Courtesy of Susan Caldwell
(RB46) Stoker Belanger on a harbour craft heading to or from McNab's Island (RB47) Raoul Bélanger on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (RB48) Raoul Bélanger on the bridge of HMCS STANDARD COASTER (49) Raoul Bélanger up the mast on HMCS STANDARD COASTER (RB50) Ross, Gaumond, Bernier, Child, Bélanger and Inglis in the C.O.'s cabin on HMCS STANDARD COASTER - 27 Feb 1944
From the collection of ERA 4c Raoul Bélanger, RCNVR
Courtesy of Pierre Bélanger
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In memory of those who have crossed the bar 
