HMCS VANCOUVER F6A

Thornycroft S-class Destroyer

Initially named Toreador, Vancouver was originally commissioned in the RN in 1919.  She was leant to the RCN while replacements were being built for Patrician and Patriot.  She was transferred to the RCN on 01 Mar 1928.  In May 1928, she arrived in Esquimalt to provide reserve training.

On 24 Jan 1932 HMCS SKEENA and HMCS VANCOUVER provided protection to British assets and civilians in El Salvador at the request of the British Consul in San Salvador following the outbreak of a peasant uprising. A landing party was briefly sent ashore at Acajutla, but the situation there improved and the sailors saw no combat.  The two ships remained in the area until the end of the month. (click here to read an article on the deployment)

HMCS SKEENA and HMCS VANCOUVER conducted a southern training cruise Jan-Apr 1933.  During their port visit to Guaymas the ships baseball teams played against local team.

On 05 Jan 1935, HMCS SKEENA and HMCS VANCOUVER  departed Esquimalt for exercises in the Kingston, Jamaica area with HMCS CHAMPLAIN and HMCS SAGUENAY. She was paid off on 25 Nov 1936 and sold for scrap in 1937.

Photos and Documents

(VCV001) LCdr Frank Houghton, commanding officer of HMCS Vancouver, poses aboard his ship in the early 1930s.  //  Courtesy of Cluny Nichols

(VCV002) HMCS Vancouver F6A entering Willemstad Harbour, Netherlands Antilles, 1934  //  In 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  //  Courtesy of Bob Senior

(VCV003) HMCS VANCOUVER (former HMS TOREADOR)  //  Collection of Mr. Donald M. McPherson, Corte Madera, California  //  Copyright Owner: Naval History and Heritage Command. Catalog # NH 75586

(VCV004)HMCS VANCOUVER anchored off San Diego, California - 05 Mar 1929  //  Copyright Owner: US National Archives. Catalog #: 80-G-416377

(MW001) Article on the spring cruise of HMCS VANCOUVER and HMCS SKEENA and their port visit to Guaymas, Mazatlan and Manzanillo, Mexico  //  The Victoria Daily Times 20 Feb 1933

(MW002) Banner advertising a baseball game between a team from HMCS VANCOUVER and a local team from Guaymas 05 Feb 1933

(MW003) Article from a Guaymas newspaper 02 Feb 1933 on the visit of HMCS SKEENA and HMCS VANCOUVER

Article translation:  Two Canadian Destroyers in Guaymas - Guaymas, February 2 — By mail. 

Since yesterday, the Canadian destroyers “Skeena” and “Vancouver” have been in Guaymas Bay. They are making a tour of the Pacific Coast, stopping for courtesy visits at the ports they call on.

The crews of the two naval vessels total around three hundred men, who have gone ashore in order to get to know the town and its surroundings. They have received special attention from the residents of Guaymas. The ships’ officers have visited various port officials, accompanied by the British Vice-Consul, Mr. John Davidson.

A baseball game has been arranged for next Sunday between the teams from the Canadian ships and the Guaymas team, captained by Mr. Abelardo B. Rodríguez. The game will surely be very interesting.