MTB 461

 

"G" Type Motor Torpedo Boat

 


 

 

This is a photo of a "G" Type MTB - but not MTB 461

If anyone has a photo of MTB 461 and would like to submit it to this site, please EMAIL the webmaster.  Thank you.

 

 

Transferred to the RCN: 28 Feb 1944

Fate: Destroyed by fire on 14 Feb 1945

 

MTB 461 was a "G" Type MTB, Displacement: 44 tons, Length: 71.75 ft, Beam: 20.6 ft, Draught: 5.6 ft, Speed: 39 kts, Complement: 3 officer, 14 men, Armament: 1-6pdr, 2-20mm (1xII) 4-18in TT. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Stadacona (tenders were not commissioned vessels). MTB 461 took part in the D-Day landings on 06 Jun 1944. She was destroyed by fire at Ostend, Belgium, 14 Feb 1945 with the loss of 9 of her crew.

 

"On the afternoon of February 14, 1945, disaster struck the Canadian 29th Motor Torpedo Boat flotilla during the Second World War. In advance of a patrol that night, many of the sailors were asleep on their boats docked in Ostend, Belgium (spelled ‘Oostende' in the local Flemish language). Spilled fuel that had ended up floating on the surface of the harbour suddenly ignited and, before an alarm could even be raised, a raging fire quickly spread amongst the closely-moored vessels. Fuel and ammunition supplies exploded as boat after boat caught fire. Many of the men were trapped on board and had no escape as even the water was aflame. By the time it was over, the 29th flotilla had lost 26 Canadian sailors and five of eight of its vessels were destroyed. An estimated 35 British sailors and seven Royal Navy vessels had also been lost." (Source: Veterans Affairs Canada)

 


 

Crew photos

 


 

Commanding Officers

 

Lt Charles Arthur Burk, RCNVR - 28 Feb 1944 - 17 Sep 1944

Lt T.K. Scobie, RCNVR - 28 Feb 1944 - 17 Sep 1944

Lt John Ritchie Cunningham, RCNVR - 04 Feb 1945 - 09 Feb 1945

Lt Clement Vernon Barlow, RCNVR - 10 Feb 1945 - 14 Feb 1945

 


 

     In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice    

     Lest We Forget     

 

JODOIN, Lawrence J.

AB AA3, RCNVR

killed - 09 Jul 1944

LONG, Charles W.

Sto 1c, RCNVR

killed - 14 Feb 1945

MACRAE, Ralph R.

LS, RCNVR

killed - 14 Feb 1945

 


 

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

 

 


 

Former Crew Members

 

Robertson, Ian William, A/Lt, RCNVR - 28 Jul 1944

 


 

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