|
HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 / 172
Algerine Class Minesweeper
Built by Port Arthur Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Port Arthur, she was commissioned at there on 18 Nov 1943. She arrived at Halifax on 13 Dec 1943, and after working up was assigned to EG W-8, Western Escort Force, in Feb 1944.
On 28 Jan 1944, the Empire Manor, part of convoy HX.276 enroute from New York to Liverpool, was rammed by the merchant ship Edward Kavagh which had veer sharply to port. The next day, with the rescue tug Tenacity standing by, the Empire Manor broke in with the stern sinking but the forward section remained afloat. At approx 1300 on the 29 Jan 1944, HMCS WALLACEBURG sank the forward section with gunfire and depth charges. Unbeknownst to the convoy escorts, there was approximately 1 ton of gold ingots onboard the Empire Manor. A coded signal was later received asking about the gold bullion that was onboard the Empire Manor. Long after the war the gold was recovered by Risdon Beazley and delivered to the Bank of England.
In Apr 1944, WALLACEBURG was transferred to EG W-6 as Senior Officer's ship but returned in December to W-8.
On 20 Jun 1944, HMCS WALLACEBURG, exiting Halifax Harbour at a speed of 10 knots in heavy fog, rammed HMCS TROIS RIVIERES in a head on collision putting both ships out of action for several weeks for repairs.
During Jul and Aug 1945, she was attached to HMCS CORNWALLIS for training, then placed in reserve, first at Sydney and then at Halifax. She was paid off on 07 Oct 1946, but re-commissioned on 01 Nov 1950 for cadet training. WALLACEBURG spent the summers of 1956 and 1957 on the Great Lakes and was paid off on 24 Sep 1957. On 31 July 1959, she was transferred to the Belgian Navy, to serve as Georges Lecointe until she was discarded in 1969.
RCN Memories: Last North Atlantic Convoy Steering a Zig Zag Course
Photos and Documents Ship's company photos The Ship's Bell
HMCS WALLACEBURG Deck Log 12 May 1944 - 07 Aug 1944
Board of Inquiry report into collision between WALLACEBURG and TROIS RIVIERES on 20 Jun 1944
WALLACEBURG Work-ups and State of Efficiency and Readiness Reports - 1944-1946
WALLACEBURG Work-ups Reports and Report on collision with tug GLENADA
Commanding Officers
They shall not be forgotten
Former Crew Members
Photos and Documents
Article on the Christening of HMCS WALLACEBURG The Windsor Star 22 Nov 1943
(JM01) Portrait of Surg-Lt John E. Mitchell (JM02-JM04) The launching of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 (JM05) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 - 1945
(JM06-JM07) The bridge of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 (JM08-JM09) HMCS BROCKVILLE J270 Approaches HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 and positions herself for what appears to be a towing exercise. Note the hawser placed on WALLACE BURG'S foc's'le
(JM11) HMCS PRESCOTT K161 photographed from HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 (JM12-JM13) Jim McAlister signalling USN Blimp (JM14-JM15) Depth charges exploding astern of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336
(JM16) Gunnery training on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 (JM17) Oerlikon crew on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336
From the collection of John E. (Jack) Mitchell, Surg-Lt, RCNVR
Courtesy of John Mitchell
(VS11) Victor Sipko peeling potatoes aboard HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 (VS12-VS15) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 at unknown location
(VS16-VS20) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 at unknown location
(VS21) Searchlight platform on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 (VS22) Forward gun with missile racks on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 (VS23) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 - boat deck just aft the funnel (VS24) HMCS WARRIOR and HMCS MICMAC (VS25) HMCS MICMAC Note: it is presumed VS24 and VS25 were taken from HMCS WALLACEBURG
From the collection of Victor Sipko, RCNVR
Courtesy of Linda and Ron Matshes
(JW01) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 (JW02) SD John Walsh painting ship on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 (JW03) John Walsh on HMCS WALLACEBURG with the ship's mascot
From the collection of John Walsh, SD, RCNVR
(WD61) HMCS WALLACEBURG J338 at anchor
(WD62) Gunshield art on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 (WD63) Bingo night on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 (WD64) Fire fighting (training??) aboard HMCS WALLACEBURG J336. The officer in the photo appears to be SLt Jarl Ketola (WD65) Signalmen on the bridge of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 (WD66) Unknown sailor climbing in/out the quarter deck hatch on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336. Note the convoy on the horizon
(WD67-WD68) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 in rough seas. View from beside the starboard side depth charge thrower (WD69-WD71) Officers on the bridge of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336
(WD72) The boat's crew of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 pose for a photo (WD73) Gunnery drills on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336. The gun crew looks pretty happy (WD74) The Doc and SBA on an AA mount on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 (WD75) Escorts at anchor. Believed to be in Bedford Basin, Halifax, NS (WD76) Boat crews get in place for a whaler race in Bedford Basin, Halifax, NS
(WD77-WD78) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 conducting a stern fueling from a tanker in convoy (WD79) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 conducting a stern fueling from a tanker in convoy (WD80) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 passing near the stern of a tanker in convoy - possibly after completion of a fueling (WD81) Sailors on WALLACEBURG J336 by the forward gun and below the carley floats
(WD82) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 transferring (receiving) depth charges at sea (WD83) Convoy seen from HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 (WD84) Looking aft down the port side of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336. Unknown sailor looking up at the camera (WD85) Stoker Petty Officer G.A. Jones in the boiler room - believed to be on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 (WD86) Unknown sailor in the engine room - believed to be on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336
(WD87) John Walsh onboard HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 with ship's mascot (WD88) Smith onboard HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 (WD89) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 digs in and shipping water over her bow (WD90) Unknown sailor by the signal lamp of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 (WD91) Three members of the gun's crew at the forward gun mount on HMCS WALLACEBURG K336
(WD92) Duty Quartermasters on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 during winter. HMCS MELVILLE J263 in the background (WD93) Duty Quartermasters on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336. Note: It is still during the period of winter dress, but at least there is no snow on the ship and it looks much warmer than in the previous photo (WD94) A not to well organized group photo by the after antenna mast on HMCS WALLACEBURG K337
Actress / Movie Star Gail Patrick visits HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 Royal Navy Photograph stamp on back of photos Passed by Naval Censor July 3, 1944
(WD95) LCdr Robert A.S. MacNeil, RCNVR, CO welcomes Gail Patrick aboard HMCS WALLACEBURG - RCN Neg # HN1110 (WD96) Gail Patrick and LCdr MacNeil hold the 6th Victory Loan pennant while a signalman prepares to hoist it. The 6th Victory Loan drive commenced Apr 1944 - RCN Neg # HN1109 (WD97) Gail Patrick visits the seaman's mess deck - RCN Neg # HN1108 (WD98) Gail Patrick signs the ship's guest book - RCN Neg # HN1112 (WD99) Gail Patrick with 2 unknown officers on the bridge of HMCS WALLACEBURG - RCN Neg # HN1113
Actress / Movie Star Gail Patrick visits HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 circa Jul 1944 Royal Navy Photograph stamp on back of photos Passed by Naval Censor July 3, 1944
(WD100) Visit over, Gail Patrick, with LCdr Roberts following behind, crosses the boat deck just aft of the bridge of HMCS WALLACEBURG, heading towards the brow by the searchlight platform - No Neg # on photo (WD101) LCdr Robert A.S. MacNeil, RCNVR, CO salutes Gail Patrick as she departs HMCS WALLACEBURG - RCN Neg # HN1111
(WD102) Boats crew from HMCS WALLACEBURG heading out to another ship in convoy to pick up a casualty (WD102-WD106) WALLACEBURG'S boat returns and is hoisted up
(WD107) Casualty being brought onboard HMCS WALLACEBURG J336
Christmas 1944 aboard HMCS WALLACEBURG J336
Historical note: It is a tradition in the RCN on Christmas day for the youngest sailor on the ship to trade places with the Commanding Officer and become CO for the day.
(WD108) The ship's cox'n (centre) addressing "OS" Lorne Main (left) while the CO of the day (right) looks on - RCN NEG # SY 132-12 (WD109) "OS" Main sweeping the seaman's mess while the crew looks on - RCN NEG # SY 132-13 (WD110) CO for the Day (left) and the newly demoted "OS" Main (Lt Lorne Main) - RCN NEG # SY 132-14 (WD111) Ratings in the seaman's mess on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 enjoying a few Christmas snacks - RCN NEG # SY 132-15 (WD112) Christmas ditty bags being handed out to the crew of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 - RCN NEG # SY 132-16
(WD113) The ships cook brings out the Christmas turkey - cooked to a golden brown - RCN NEG # SY 132-17 (WD114) A band for some Christmas music aboard HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 - RCN NEG # SY 132-18
Webmaster's note: The officer in photo WD75 photo has been identified as Lt Lorne Main, RCNVR. He was the 1st Lt (XO) of HMCS WALLACEBURG when LCdr Robert MacNeil was the CO. The Navy List for Jan 1945 Navy does not show LCdr MacNeil as CO of WALLACEBURG and his replacement, LCdr Freeman Burrows was not appointed CO until 10 Jan 1945 leaving Lt Main, XO as the senior officer. By the looks of the photos, it would appear that LCdr MacNeil left the ship early, perhaps for leave prior to his new appointment to NSHQ Ottawa and that Lt Lorne Main was the acting CO for the period of Christmas 1944.
Work-ups (WUPS) in Bermuda - circa Mar 1945
(WD115) Unknown evolution on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 The crew seem pretty relaxed - though all are wearing life jackets and carrying their gas masks. One sailor by the depth charge rails looks very fatigued (WD116) Two sailors wearing gas masks sitting at after gun on HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 (WD117) Three sailors by the after gun of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 - one looks like he is ready to hit the beach. WALLACEBURG appears to be moored alongside an island in the harbour (WD118) Robust Class dockyard paddle tug HMS SANDBOY W12 passing astern of HMCS WALLACEBURG J336
(WD119) HMCS BROCKVILLE J270 tied to a compass buoy, St. George's Harbour, Bermuda - Mar 1945. BROCKVILLE was in Bermuda for WUPS at the same time as WALLACEBURG
Touring Bermuda - likely after work-ups - Mar 1945
(WD120) Royal Navy Dockyard, Ireland Island, Bermuda with captured German U-boat U-505 secured alongside and a barge outboard of her (WD121) Sailors off HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 ashore in Bermuda. Bill Dougall is the (only) sailor in the photo wearing sunglasses (WD122) St. Peter's Church, St. George's, Bermuda (WD123) Figurehead from HMS IMAUM, Kings Wharf, Royal Navy Dockyard, Ireland Island, Bermuda (WD124) The Crystal Caves, Bermuda
Historical note U-505: Captured on 4 June 1944 off Mauritania, French West Africa by the warships of Task Force 22.3, consisting of the US escort carrier USS Guadalcanal and the US destroyer escorts USS Pillsbury, USS Chatelain, USS Flaherty, USS Jenks and USS Pope, after being badly damaged by depth charges from USS Chatelain and strafing by two Wildcat aircraft (VC-8 USN/F-1 & F-7). 1 dead and 59 survivors. U-505 arrived in Bermuda on 19 Jun 44. She was used for secret trials and training in Bermuda until May 45. The sub remained hidden in Bermuda for many months, with its capture remaining a secret from the world, and in 1945, the US Navy revealed the story of the capture of U-505 for the very first time, and the sub was moved from Bermuda to Philadelphia. Postwar she was gifted to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry and is on display in Chicago, USA.
Historical note HMS IMAUM: HMS IMAUM was a 72-gun third rate ship of the line that began life in Bombay 1826 as the Liverpool, built for the Imaum of Muscat. Ten years later, in 1936, she was sailed to England and presented to the Royal Navy as a gift from the Imaum of Muscat. She was re-named HMS IMAUM and served in the West Indies until she was retired in 1863. The figurehead came to Bermuda from the Jamaica Dockyard, and was transferred to Halifax when the Bermuda Dockyard closed. The figurehead is on display at the Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax.
(WD125-WD127) Touring Bermuda on the Bermuda Railway - likely after Work-Ups - Mar 1945 (WD127) Bermuda Sailors' Home, Hamilton, Bermuda
Historical note: The Bermuda Railway was a 21.7-mile (34.9 km) common carrier line that operated in Bermuda for a brief period (October 31, 1931 – May 1, 1948). In its 17 years of existence, the railway provided frequent passenger and freight service over its length spanning most of the archipelago from St. George's in the east to Somerset, Sandys Parish, in the west.
From the collection of William (Bill) Dougall, LTO LP, RCNVR
Courtesy of Grant Dougall
(SH06) L-R: Unknown, Daryl Kraft and Steve Hlasny on HMCS WALLACEBURG 172 circa 1951 (SH07) AB.RP Daryl Kraft on HMCS WALLACEBURG 172 circa 1951 (SH08) AB.RP Preston on HMCS WALLACEBURG 172 circa 1951 (SH09) HMCS WALLACEBURG 172, Halifax, 1951 (SH10) Station card for OS Steven Hlasny
(SH11) OSTR Steve Hlasny on HMCS WALLACEBURG 172, circa 1951 (SH12) AB.NQ Steve Hlasny onboard HMCS WALLACEBURG 172 - Oct 1951 (SH13 HMCS WALLACEBURG 172 at HMCS STAR, Hamilton, Jul 1955
From the collection of Steve Hlasny, CPO2, LT
(AD78) HMCS WALLACEBURG at Pictou, NS (AD79-AD80) HMCS WALLACEBURG J336 From the collection of Allan Dougall, LCdr (E), RCN(R) Courtesy of David Dougall
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In memory of those who have crossed the bar 
