HMCS ATHABASKAN R79 / 219

 

Tribal Class Destroyer

 


 

 

WE FIGHT AS ONE

HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 - 1952

RCN photo

Courtesy of Steven Hlasny

Click on the above photo to view a large image

 

Battle honours and awards:  Arctic 1943-44,  English Channel 1944,  Korea 1950-53

 

 

Laid down: 15 May 1944

Launched: 04 May 1945

Commissioned: 20 Jan 1948

Paid off: 1954

Re-commissioned: Oct 1954

Paid off: 21 Apr 1966

Fate: Broken up in 1970

 

The last of her class to be completed, "Athabee" was commissioned at Halifax on 20 Jan 1948, and sailed in mid-May 1948 for the west coast, where she trained new entries and officer cadets until the outbreak of the Korean War. She sailed from Esquimalt on 05 Jul 1950, for the first of three tours of duty in Korean waters, returning 11 Dec 1953, from the last of them. 

 

HMCS ATHABASKAN'S tours in Korea:

 

1st Tour: Departed Esquimalt: 05 Jul 1950  //  Arrived in Op Area: 30 Jul 50  //  Departed Op Area: 03 May 51  //  Arrived in Esquimalt: 17 May 51

2nd Tour: Departed Esquimalt: 02 Aug 1951  //  Arrived in Op Area: 01 Sep 51  //  Departed Op Area: 21 Jun 52  //  Arrived Esquimalt: 09 Jul 1952

3rd Tour: Departed Esquimalt: 29 Oct 1952  //  Arrived in Op Area: 26 Nov 52  //  Departed Op Area: 18 Nov 53  //  Arrived in Esquimalt: 11 Dec 1953

 

In Oct 1954, she emerged from an extensive conversion classed as a destroyer escort, and resumed her training role.  On 07 Aug 1955, while on a Pacific Training Cruise with HMCS CAYUGA, HMCS ATHABASKAN docked at Long Beach, California, with a stowaway on board. Joycelyn Joan Pilapil, a 16 year old Hawaiian girl, had hid in the after awning stores and was discovered there the day after the ship sailed from Hilo. She was turned over to authorities in Long Beach and was eventually returned to Hilo.

 

Click here to read a newspaper article on Joycelyn Pilipil

 

In Jan 1959, HMCS ATHABASKAN left for the east coast to become part of a homogeneous Tribal class squadron. On 16 Feb 1959, HMCS ATHABASKAN and HMCS CAYUGA arrived in Halifax. Their west coast crews returned to BC with HMCS ST LAURENT and HMCS SAGUENAY.

 

In Nov/Dec 1959, during a 6-week deployment that included a NATO Exercise, HMCS BONAVENTURE, in company with HMCS ALGONQUIN, HMCS IROQUOIS, HMCS SIOUX and HMCS ATHABASKAN encounter a major storm that battered the squadron.

 

        

Four newspaper articles on the Nov/Dec 1959 deployment during which 5 RCN sailors died.

 

In the summer of 1963, BONAVENTURE was conducting exercises in the North Atlantic with ATHABASKAN as her plane guard. One one occasion, while conducting a RAS with ATHABASKAN, the two ships collided. The BONAVENTURE received some minor damage, while ATHABASKAN'S was more serious.

 

The following write-up on the collision was submitted by Donald (Bud) Rose, RCN(R): In 1962 when ships of the Destroyer Escort Squadrons were being re-assigned, HMCS ATHABASKAN proceeded to Marine Industries Ltd. at Sorel Quebec. There she would undergo a major refit which was completed by midsummer 1963, but her radar system was not. ATHABASKAN was one of only two ships with this type Radar System, (Cayuga was the other) and any repairs had to be carried out at Portsmouth England. Following her work-ups, ATHABASKAN was assigned as "plane guard' for the aircraft carrier HMCS BONAVENTURE, exercising in the North Atlantic. From there, ATHABASKAN was to proceed to Portsmouth England for radar refitting. During a refueling operation in mid Atlantic, the two ships struck each other with the ATHABASKAN receiving serious damage.

 

Following the collision, HMCS BONAVENTURE proceeded to Invergordon, Scotland to the former WW II Royal Naval Base and ship refueling facility. While damage to the Carrier's Hull was minimal, her fuel supply was below the accepted permissible level. Invergordon, Scotland was the nearest docking facility capable of docking an air craft carrier. HMCS ATHABASKAN received considerably more damage to her super structure and communication aerials than the "Bonnie". Without the required fuel she was to receive from the Carrier, ATHABASKAN had to make way to the nearest port which could facilitate her requirements. This port was the shipyards of Hartland and Wolff in Belfast - Northern Ireland. Having received temporary repairs, HMCS ATHABASKAN proceeded on her mission which was the overhaul of her radar system at Portsmouth England - a service not available in Canada. Permanent repairs necessitated by the collision with HMCS BONAVENTURE at sea, would now be carried out at Portsmouth. (click here to view 4 photos taken during the collision)

 

On 01 Mar 1964, ATHABASKAN rescued 34 of 36 crew members from the Liberian tanker Amphialos which broke up and sank approx 250 nautical miles south of Liverpool, NS. After 2 more years of service she was placed in reserve at Halifax and, on 21 Apr 1966, paid off for disposal. She was broken up at La Spezia, Italy, in 1970.

 


 

RCN Memories:     Trials and Tribulations

 

Photos and Documents          Ship's company photos          The Ship's Bell

 

Shipboard Newspaper - Christmas Edition - Dec 1951

 


 

Commanding Officers

 

Cdr James Sinclair Davis, RCN - 20 Jan 1948 - 28 Oct 1948

LCdr G.H. Davidson, RCN - 29 Oct 1948 - 25 Nov 1948

Cdr Morson Alexander Medland, RCN - 26 Nov 1948 - 14 Sep 1949

LCdr G.A. Powell, RCNR - 15 Sep 1949 - 14 Jan 1950

LCdr Thomas S. R. Peacocke, RCN - 15 Jan 1950 - 12 Mar 1950

Cdr Robert Phillip Welland, RCN - 13 Mar 1950 - 02 Jul 1951

Cdr Dudley Gawen King, RCN - 03 Jul 1951 - 23 Jul 1952

LCdr Harry Shorten, RCN - 24 Jul 1952 - 24 Sep 1952

Cdr J.C. Reed, RCN - 25 Sep 1952 - 20 Dec 1953

LCdr Harry Shorten, RCN - 21 Dec 1953 - 15 Feb 1954

LCdr Charles Edward Richardson, RCN - 25 Oct 1954 - 15 Jan 1956

Cdr Philip Sydney Booth, RCN - 16 Jan 1956 - 05 Sep 1957

Cdr Douglas Seaman Boyle, RCN - 06 Sep 1957 - 01 Mar 1959

Cdr John Henry G. Bovey, RCN - 02 Mar 1959 - 10 Aug 1959

Cdr D.R. Saxon, RCN - 11 Aug 1959 - 25 May 1961

Capt Gordon C. Edwards, RCN - 25 May 1961 - 15 Mar 1962

Cdr Alexander Edward Fox, RCN - 16 Mar 1962 - 03 Jan 1963

Cdr Peter Robert Hinton, RCN - 04 Jan 1963 - 11 Aug 1964

Cdr James Young Clarke, RCN - 12 Aug 1964 - 21 Apr 1966

 


 

     In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice    

     Lest We Forget     

SKAVBERG, Robin J.

AB, RCN

Lost at sea - 27 Nov 1951

ZIMMERMAN, Edward M.

EA2c, RCN

died - 28 Jun 1948


 

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

A

 

 

B

 

 

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Zerbin, Helmut

 

 

 

 

 


 

Former Crew Members

 

Abs, Harold, RP

 

Berry, Gordon - 1950-1951

 

Edgar, Frank, LS, RCN - 1964

 

Carling, John B.C., Lt (C)

 

Clarke, P2AA2, RCN - 1950 - 1951

 

Claxton, Darryl, AB.CK - 1962-1964

 

Colley, George, P1ET - c 1950 - 1952

 

Corbett, Ed - 1950 - 1951

 

Corkum, Ivan, LS - 1961

 

Dalton, John - 1950 - 1951

 

Day, George, LSFC - 1961

 

Dice, Bill, Stoker, RCN - 1964

 

Edison, William GH. (Bill), AB.LM 

 

Ellis, Jake - 1950 - 1951 / 1955

 

Emmerson, Ron, CPO, RCN - 1951

 

Evans, Roger Albert, A/Lt, RCN - 31 Jul 1951

 

Fitzgerald, Michael John, Lt

 

Gabel, William (Butch), Stoker - 1st Korean Tour 

 

Gallagher, (??), OS - 1961

 

Griffon, Richard, AB, RCN - 1951

 

Hamilton, John William, Lt (E), RCN - 16 Jul 1951

Harling, E., LM - c 1950-1952

 

Harrah, Nute - 1950 - 1951

 

Hill, Bill, RM

 

Hlasny, Steve, AB(NQ)1

 

Hodgkin, William Leonard, Cd/Gnr, RCN - 21 Jul 1948

 

Hopkins, Ted

 

Hornosty, P1GA3, RCN - 1950 - 1951

 

Howard, Gordon - 1950 - 1951

 

Hutcheson, James Gordon Rodgers - 1949 as Electrical Officers (temp)

 

Jackson, P1ET4, RCN - 1950 - 1951

 

Jenkins, Owen, Stoker, RCN - 1964

 

Klause, L.J., LM - c 1950- 1952

 

Knipstrom, Ed, AB - 1953

 

Kullman, Leroy, AB - 1953

 

Lecuyer, P1QR2, RCN - 1950 - 1951

 

MacMillan, Howard - Korean war

 

MacNeil, B.J., ABFC - 1961

 

Madiuk, J., RT - c 1950 - 1952

 

Manore, John Irwin, A/SLt, RCN - 14 May 1948

 

McNevin, Sidney, PO, RCN - 1964

 

Miess, Richard, Stoker, RCN - 1964

Moore, Art D. - 22 Dec 1961

 

Newton, LM - c 1950-1952

 

Olsen, Lt - 1950 - 1951

 

Peatman, John - 1950 - 1951

 

Pemberton, (??), OSFC - 1961

 

Perry, Kenneth, PO, RCN - 1951

 

Pollock, Dick - 1950-1951

 

Ramsey, Robert Bruce, Surg/Lt, RCN(R) - 02 Jul 1950

 

Rennnie, G.C., ET - c 1950 - 1952

 

Revfem, Erik, LCdr (E), RCN - 11 Jul 1949

 

Scott, Cam, RCN - 1964

 

Smythies, Dudley Raymond, Lt, RCN -01 Apr 1947 (Stand by) XO

 

Snaith, Harry - 1955

 

Stewart, Gordon, LSTD2, RCN - 06 Jun 1959 - 06 Jan 1960 

 

Stroud, Charles N., CPO - 1950

 

Sturgeon, Clarence Alfred, Lt, Ordnance Officer - 1950-1951

 

Taylor, Gerald (Gerry), CR

 

West, Chris Alfred, Surg Lt, RCN - 30 Jul 1951

 


 

Photos and Documents

 

The launching of HMCS ATHABASKAN (R79) at Halifax shipyards on 04 May 1946

Courtesy of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum

 


 

Newspaper articles on the mutiny onboard HMCS ATHABASKAN on 26 Feb 1949

 

     

 

Courtesy of Bill Kelleramn

 


 

HMCS ATHABASKAN completes trials after refit

 

The Daily Colonist, Victoria, BC, 12 Apr 1950

 


 

Cordite smoke drifts from HMCS ATHABASKAN as she bombards targets on an island in the Taechon approaches. The destroyer, battered gun emplacements and destroyed warehouses and barracks. Photo originally published in CROWSNEST Magazine Vol. 3, No. 1, November, 1950

 


ATHABASKAN Bombards Military Targets

Newspaper article from the Belleville Intelligencer, 02 Oct 1950

Source: Belleville Public Library microfilm collection

Researched and complied by: © John Lyons 2018

 


 

Harry Driemel on HMCS ATHABASKAN - 1950

From the collection of Harry Driemel

Courtesy of Daryl Driemel

 


 

  

GH01

(GH01) Daily Orders - HMCS ATHABASKAN, Sasebo, Japan, Christmas Day, 25 Dec 1950

"HMCS ATHABASKAN Dec. 1950 - We were not going to be in port for X-mas but something happened and we had to go into dry dock for repairs. This resulted in a wild party as the rum for that few days that was left over from the issue instead of being tipped over the side was split to the crew; plus what was smuggled aboard was mixed in mess deck buckets. That's the way I remember it. I do not remember what happened to the turkey."

 

GH02

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(GH02) A "Korean" Christmas Card HMCS ATHABASKAN

(GH03) HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 TAS dept. - 1950

(GH04) Sailors from ATHABASKAN at a British canteen, Sasebo, Japan, 1950 - Bill Dziadyk (1st on left), Gordon Howard (1st on right)

 

Courtesy of Gordon Howard

 


 

WD03

(WD03) Last five minute ashore ..... HMCS ATHABASKAN readies to depart for her 1st Korean War tour

Newspaper article from the Victoria Daily Times - 06 Jul 1950

Crew listed in the article: Cook William Dziadyk; Cdr R.P. Welland, CO; CPO Charles N. Stroud; and, AB David Burke

 

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(WD04-WD07) Cooks on HMCS ATHABASKAN during her 1st Korean War Tour

 

(WD07) Cook Bill Dziadyk

 

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(WD08) Ed Melenka and Bill Dziadyk (right), Sasebo, Japan

(WD09) Bill Dziadyk on HMCS ATHABASKAN

(WD10) Bill Dziadyk on guard duty

 

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(WD11-WD15) Bill Dziadyk touring Sasebo, Japan

 

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  (WD16-WD17) Bill Dziadyk touring Sasebo, Japan

 

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 (WWD18) Bill and unknown friend/shipmate - location unknown

(WD19) Landing party returning to HMCS ATHABASKAN

(WD20) Unknown sailors on HMCS ATHABASKAN  

 

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(WD21-WD24) Harbour scenes - location unknown

 

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(WD25) Unknown warship at sea

 

From the collection of William (Bill) C. Dziadyk

 

Courtesy of Bill Dziakyk

 


 

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SH127

(SH62) Station card of Steve Hlasny on HMCS ATHABASKAN

(SH63) HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 departing Pearl Harbour for Korea - 1952

(SH127) Fleet Regatta, June 1957 - HMCS ATHABASKAN entry. Photo taken from HMCS ONTARIO

From the collection of Steve Hlasny, CPO2.LT

 


 

Ed Chadwick's photos from HMCS ATHABASKAN'S 1st Korean War tour

 

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(1) Ed Chadwick on HMCS ATHABASKAN  (2) Jim MacKenzie on HMCS ATHABASKAN  (3) Unknown Chief on HMCS ATHABASKAN  (4) Harling and Harrah on HMCS ATHABASKAN  (5) HMCS ATHABASKAN in drydock at Sasebo, Japan  (6) Ed Chadwick with Peatman and Colley  (7) Ed Chadwick, HMCS ATHABASKAN, Christmas 1950  (8) Cdr Welland (right), Commanding Officer HMCS ATHABASKAN 13 Mar 1950 - 02 Jul 1951  (9) Electricians and Comm Rates on HMCS ATHABASKAN  (10) Ed Chadwick with Peatman and Klause on HMCS ATHABASKAN  (11) Ed Chadwick on HMCS ATHABASKAN, Kure, Japan - 1951  (12) Harrah, Peatman, Harling, Ledingham  (13) Electrical Party, HMCS ATHABASKAN, Feb 1951.  Front (L-R) C2 John Knox;  C2. Charlie Moser;  C2 Jim Sharpe;  C2 Gordon Taylor;  P1 Ron Emmerson;  C2 Jim Cottrell  C2 John Rogers; P1 Len Jackson; Back, 1st on right), Mahduik, John.  (this photo is also posted on ship's company photo page)  (14) Newton, Harrah, Latimer, Maduik, Rennie & Chadwick, HMCS ATHABASKAN

 

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(15) Slinging a clean hammock, HMCS ATHABASKAN  (16) Electricians on HMCS ATHABASKAN - 1950  (17) At the brow of HMCS ATHABASKAN - 1950  (18) Ledingham and Harling, Kure, Japan - 1950  (19) Gordon Berry, Kure, Japan - 1950  (20) Gordon Berry, Kure, Japan - 1950  (21) Dick Pollock on HMCS ATHABASKAN, Kure, Japan - 1950  (22) Peatman and MacKenzie on HMCS ATHABASKAN, Kure, Japan - 1950  (23) Ed Dalton and John Corbett on HMCS ATHABASKAN, Kure, Japan - 1950  (24) On Patrol, Jan 1951 - taking on supplies  (25) On Patrol 1951- Bofor taking aim  (26) On Patrol 1951 - Top, port side forward  (27) On Patrol 1951 - HMNZS Tutira approaching HMCS ATHABASKAN  (28) On Patrol 1951 - HMCS ATHABASKAN following astern of HMS Theseus

 

 

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(29) On Patrol 1951 - HMS Comus coming alongside HMCS ATHABASKAN  (30) On Patrol 1951 - HMCS Huron Astern - Rescue Station  (31) On Patrol 1951 - HMCS ATHABASKAN transferring mail to HMCS Cayuga 218  (32) On Patrol, Jan 1951 - South Korean refugees escaping down the coast  (33) On Patrol 1951 - Interrogating Korean Fishermen  (34) On Patrol 1951 - Korean Fishermen on their way  (35) HMCS ATHABASKAN Fo'c's'le Party  (36) Yokusuka visit - Midget submarine - Feb 1951  (37) Don Lory and Jake Ellis, Imperial Palace, Japan - Feb 1951  (38) Yokusuka visit - Imperial Palace - Feb 195  (39) HMCS ATHABASKAN in Kure Drydock, Mar 1951  (40) HMCS ATHABASKAN alongside Sasebo, Japan, 1951  (41) HMCS ATHABASKAN alongside Sasebo, Japan, 1951  (42) Ed Chadwick on HMCS ATHABASKAN, Sasebo, Japan, 1951

 

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(43) Kure, Japan - 1951  (44) Sasebo Harbour, Japan - 1951  (45) John Peatman, HMCS ATHABASKAN -1951  (46) Ed Chadwick (right), HMCS ATHABASKAN - 1951  (47) Lt Olsen, John Peatman, Lt Clarence Alfred Sturgeon, Ordnance Officer  (48) MacArthur, Klause, HMCS ATHABASKAN - 1951 (49) Ed Chadwick looking a little under the weather - 1951  (50-55) Ed Chadwick, Lory Ledingham and others hiking in the Sasebo Hills - 1951  (56) Hong Kong - 1951

 

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(57-59) HMCS Nootka, HMCS Cayuga, HMCS ATHABASKAN at a buoy, Sasebo, Japan, Mar 1951  (60) Award of Korean Presidential Citation to HMCS ATHABASKAN  (61) Nute Harrah and Ed Chadwick flying back to Canada via CP Air, Apr 1951

 

From the collection of Ed Chadwick, CPO, LM / ET, RCN, ret'd

Ed served in HMCS ATHABASKAN 1950 - 1951

Courtesy of Ed Chadwick

 


 

 

William (Bill) Paterson's photos from ATHABASKAN'S 1st Korean War Tour

 

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(WP78) British Forces Identity Certificate for ABAAS Paterson - with instructions on what to do if you become a POW  (WP79) ABAAS Paterson, Hong Kong - 1950  (WP80) Bill Paterson's station card from HMCS ATHABASKAN  (WP81) Certificate - Korean War service  (WP82) Currency kept as a souvenir

 

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(WP83) HMCS ATHABASKAN - date unknown  (WP84) HMCS ATHABASKAN 1969 Reunion certificate  (WP85) document commemorating some type of event that HMCS ATHABASKAN excelled in on 26 Mar 1951 while on her Korean War tour

 

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  (WP86-WP89) Postcards of Sasebo, Japan 1950-51 (WP86) Centre Park overlooking Sasebo city  (WP87) American built PX  (WP88) Enjoyment centre (nightclub) at Sasebo, Japan  (WP89) Sasebo habour and shipyard  (WP90) Adak in the Aleutian Islands

 

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(WP91-WP92) Adak in the Aleutian Islands - May 1951  (WP93) HMCS ATHABASKAN transiting the Yalu River, Korea - the ship's wake is visible in the bottom right of the photo  (WP94) Hong Kong  (WP95) Unknown carrier off Inchon, Korea  

 

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(WP96) Aircraft flying past HMCS ATHABASKAN as she enters Sasebo, Japan  (WP97) Sasebo, Japan  (WP98) Unidentified ATHABASKAN sailor at the Queen's Tavern, Hiroshima, Japan

 

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(WP99) HMCS SIOUX 225 - 1951  (WP100-WP101) Ice on HMCS ATHABASKAN just after a storm on the Yalu River, 20 degrees below  (WP102) Ice on HMCS ATHABASKAN just after a storm on the Yalu River - looking down from the bridge  (WP103) Hong Kong postcards

 

From the collection of William (Bill) Argyle Paterson, P1BN, RCN / C.A.F.

 

Courtesy of Bruce Paterson

 

HMCS ATHABASKAN coming alongside while escorting HMAS SYDNEY off Korea - Aug 1951

 

Photo credit: Alan Wallace White of the Department of Information. Photo held in the Argus Collection of Newspaper Photographs, State Library of Victoria [La Trobe Library] image NO. an005745.

HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 photographed from HMAS SYDNEY R17 in Korean waters between Aug 1951 and Feb 1952.

Credit: Australian War Memorial ID # P05890.060

Public domain photo

Richard Bridges (left) on HMCS ATHABASKAN

 

From the collection of Richard Bridges, C2RPI, RCN

HMCS ATHABASKAN 219

Beer and Cigarette Issue Card for Donald Lory

From the collection of Donald Lory

Courtesy of Stuart Lory

Newspaper article reporting on HMCS ATHABASKAN'S newspaper writers / reporters - 14 May 1951

From the collection of Donald Lory

Courtesy of Stuart Lory

Len B. (left) and Howard MacMillan (right) on HMCS ATHABASKAN during a Korean war tour

From the collection of Howard MacMillan

Courtesy of Eric Colaris

"Smoke Break"

Gun crew on HMCS ATHABASKAN R79 circa 1952

Courtesy of Bob Orrick

Unknown crew member on gun turret of HMCS ATHABASKAN R79

Courtesy of Bob Orrick

Fo'c's'le part ship hands on HMCS ATHABASKAN R79 circa 1952

Courtesy of Bob Orrick

Commanding officer of HMCS ATHABASKAN R79 and gunnery officer with Chinese "Burp" gun

Courtesy of Bob Orrick

HMCS ATHABASKAN R79 in ice off Korea - 1952

Courtesy of Bob Orrick

HMCS ATHABASKAN R79 in ice off Korea - 1952

Courtesy of Bob Orrick

Admiral Mainguy in seaman's mess on HMCS ATHABASKAN R79 circa 1952

Courtesy of Bob Orrick

Crewmen on HMCS ATHABASKAN R79 circa 1952

Courtesy of Bob Orrick

Polishing brass voice pipe on HMCS ATHABASKAN R79 circa 1952

Courtesy of Bob Orrick

Signalmen on HMCS ATHABASKAN R79 circa 1952

Courtesy of Bob Orrick

HMCS ATHABASKAN off Inchon, Korea - 1952

From the collection of Sid Dobing

Courtesy of Brian Dobing

Gunnery practice on HMCS ATHABASKAN - AB Nelson May on the trigger with OS William Morgan as loader

 

From the collection of LS.AA Nelson C. E. May

 

Courtesy of  Nelson May

Sea Training make-up artists apply their trade for a casualty exercise on HMCS ATHABASKAN

 

        

 

From the collection of Norman Bowers

Courtesy of Geoff Gambee

HMCS ATHABASKAN rescues downed American pilot off Korea - who apparently was worth his weight in ice cream

 

        

 

(1) US aircraft marks position of down's pilot for HMCS ATHABASKAN'S whaler  (2) US pilot being brought aboard HMCS ATHABASKAN (3 & 4) American pilot being jack-stayed back to his carrier

From the collection of Norman Bowers

Courtesy of Geoff Gambee

HMCS ATHABASKAN in ice of Chodo, Korea, winter 1952-1953

From the collection of Norman Bowers

Courtesy of Geoff Gambee

 

HMCS ATHABASKAN in dry dock at Sasebo, Japan

From the collection of Norman Bowers

Courtesy of Geoff Gambee

Jackstay between HMCS ATHABASKAN and unknown ship - personnel transfer and bringing mail on board

 

     

 

From the collection of Norman Bowers

Courtesy of Geoff Gambee

Freighter off the Korean coast

From the collection of Norman Bowers

Courtesy of Geoff Gambee

Admiral Maingay on HMCS ATHABASKAN

From the collection of Norman Bowers

Courtesy of Geoff Gambee

"One of our guns"

HMCS ATHABASKAN

From the collection of Norman Bowers

Courtesy of Geoff Gambee

Unknown sailor as jetty sentry for HMCS ATHABASKAN

From the collection of Norman Bowers

Courtesy of Geoff Gambee

Unknown officer and sailors on HMCS ATHABASKAN

From the collection of Norman Bowers

Courtesy of Geoff Gambee

 

Poetry written by unknown sailors on HMCS ATHABASKAN during one of her Korean War tours.

 

Norman transcribed/printed the majority of the poems to make them easier to read. If the original was still in his collection it was added below the transcribed copy.

 

Atha-b

original

Navy Blue

original

When I Get Home

original

A Mother's Love

original

Ode to a Hunted Train

Korean Blues

A Sailor

A Mother's Letter

A Hitch in Hell

original

The Rocket

(Chief Wadell)

Swede

(not transcribed)

untitled

(not transcribed)

Why Is It

(not transcribed)

 

 

 

From the collection of Norman Bowers

Courtesy of Geoff Gambee

 

 

 

"Side by side at a jetty in Kure, Japan, are HMC Ships ATHABASKAN (left) and Crusader, while their ship's companies unite in divisions alongside. The Crusader, a Crescent class destroyer, has been in Korean waters for eight months, while the ATHABASKAN, Canadian-built Tribal class destroyer, is on her third tour of Korean duty."

 

DND / RCN photo

From the collection of Donald Lory

Courtesy of Stuart Lory

 

Click here to view the associated newspaper article

 

From the collection of Gordon Arnold (Art) Broster

Courtesy of Cathy Robinson

LCdr C.E. Richardson, RCN, Commanding Officer HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 - 25 Oct 1954 - 15 Jan 1956

 

Courtesy of Christopher Richardson

Newspaper article on Joycelyn Joan Pilapil who was a stowaway on HMCS ATHABASKAN in 1955

Jacksonville daily Gazette, Monday 08 Aug 1955

A couple ATHABASKAN sailors ashore - location unknown - between Nov 1954 - Jul 1955

OS Terry Ingleson on right

From the collection of Terry Ingleson

Courtesy of Darren Ingleson

Terry Ingleson by the Squid launcher on HMCS ATHABASKAN between Nov 1954 - Jul 1955

From the collection of Terry Ingleson

Courtesy of Darren Ingleson

Jake Ellis and Harry Snaith at Cleaning Stations on HMCS ATHABASKAN circa Aug 1955

From the collection of Donald Lory

Courtesy of Stuart Lory

DND / RCN Photo

ABFC B.J. MacNeil, LSFC George Day and OSFC Pemberton in 7 Mess, HMCS ATHABASKAN in 1961

Courtesy of Patrick Fusk

LS Ivan Corkum and OS Gallagher in 7 mess on HMCS ATHABASKAN in 1961

Courtesy of Patrick Fusk

"The Captain's Toy" being brought on board HMCS ATHABASKAN in 1962

Courtesy of Patrick Fusk

Ruddy, MacNeil, Pemberton and Hick in front of  "A" gun on ATHABASKAN, 1962

Courtesy of Patrick Fusk

6-8 Mess on HMCS ATHABASKAN in 1963

Courtesy of Ben Kalkman

Photographer Ben Kalkman

Richard Miess by the forward gun of HMCS ATHABASKAN 219, Halifax, Jan 1964

Courtesy of Richard Miess

HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 all iced up after returning from sea, Halifax, Jan 1964

Courtesy of Richard Miess

Stoker Mess, names unknown, HMCS ATHABASKAN 219, 1964

Courtesy of Richard Miess

Stoker Mess, HMCS ATHABASKAN 219, 1964

Front left: Richard Miess, Centre left: unknown Rear left: Owen Jenkins

Front right: unknown, Centre right: Bill Dice

Courtesy of Richard Miess

Stoker Mess, HMCS ATHABASKAN 219, 1964

L-R: Richard Miess, Bill Dice and Don Patterson

Courtesy of Richard Miess

 

The Liberian tanker Amphialos broke up and sank approx 250 nautical miles south east of Liverpool, Nova Scotia on 01 Mar 1964.  34 of the 36 crew members were saved by HMCS ATHABASKAN 219.  One crewman drowned and one died on board HMCS ATHABASKAN. The ATHABASKAN tried to take the tanker in tow but was not able to.  After she broke apart, the stern sank but the forward part stayed afloat.  It was sunk by gunfire as it was a hazard to navigation.

Courtesy of Ben Kalkman

 

Click here to read the article from The Crowsnest Magazine on the rescue

Train Busters Club Certificate

Presented to HMCS ATHABASKAN 219

(Source: Newspaper article in the Rocky Mountain Outlook - Canadian navy excelled at 'train busting' 

HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 doing full power trials

Courtesy of Bob Orrick

Agenda for HMCS ATHABASKAN Reunion - 1972

Courtesy of Bob Orrick

HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 - 1961

Courtesy of Art Moore

HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 "Iced up"

Courtesy of Art Moore

 


 

Collision between HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 and HMCS BONAVENTURE

 

In midsummer 1962 when ships of the Destroyer Escort Squadrons were being re-assigned, HMCS ATHABASKAN proceeded to Marine Industries Ltd. at Sorel Quebec. There she would undergo a major refit which was completed by midsummer 1963, but her radar system was not. ATHABASKAN was one of only two ships with this type Radar System, (Cayuga was the other) and any repairs had to be carried out at Portsmouth England. Following her work-ups, ATHABASKAN was assigned as "plane guard' for the aircraft carrier HMCS BONAVENTURE, exercising in the North Atlantic. From there, ATHABASKAN was to proceed to Portsmouth England for radar refitting. During a refueling operation in mid Atlantic, the two ships struck each other with the ATHABASKAN receiving serious damage.

 

Following the collision, HMCS BONAVENTURE proceeded to Invergordon, Scotland to the former WW II Royal Naval Base and ship refueling facility. While damage to the Carrier's Hull was minimal, her fuel supply was below the accepted permissible level. Invergordon, Scotland was the nearest docking facility capable of docking an air craft carrier. HMCS ATHABASKAN received considerably more damage to her super structure and commutation aerials than the "Bonnie". Without the required fuel she was to receive from the Carrier, ATHABASKAN had to make way to the nearest port which could facilitate her requirements. This port was the shipyards of Hartland and Wolff in Belfast - Northern Ireland. Having received temporary repairs, HMCS ATHABASKAN proceeded on her mission which was the overhaul of her radar system at Portsmouth England - a service not available in Canada. Permanent repairs necessitated by the collision with HMCS BONAVENTURE at sea, would now be carried out at Portsmouth.

 

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Collision between HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 and HMCS BONAVENTURE - Summer 1963

(BR17) Jackstay between ATHABASKAN and BONAVENTURE

(BR18) ATHABASKAN receives fueling line from BONAVENTURE

(BR19) Moments after the collision. Fuel line severed on both end. The haze in the photo is black smoke from ATHABASKAN's funnels

(BR20) ATHABASKAN pulling away from BONAVENTURE. Haze caused by funnel smoke from ATHABASKAN

(BR21) ATHABASKAN at Hartland and Wolff, Belfast, Northern Ireland, undergoing repairs

 

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(BR23) ATHABASKAN at Portsmouth, England. Radar domes removed for servicing; new aerials installed. Note; the ‘Radar Domes’ were located aft of the flying bridge and looked like two large spot lights.

(BR24) Photo of ATHABASKAN showing the radar domes aft of the flying bridge

Courtesy of Donald (Bud) Rose

 



 

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(GB-ATH-001) Article on HMCS ATHABASKAN and HMCS CRUSADER in Kure, Japan - 02 Apr 1953

(GB-ATH-002) HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 - 1952

(GB-ATH-003) Jacket patches from HMCS ATHABASKAN'S 1952-53 Korean War Tour

(GB-ATH-004) US 7th Fleet of Korea during HMCS ATHABASKAN'S 3rd Korean Tour - 1952-1953

(GB-ATH-005) Coast of Korea - circa Jan-Mar 1953

 

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(GBATH-006) HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 off Chodo, Korea 1952-1953

(GB-ATH-007) HMCS ATHABASKAN in ice off Chodo winter 1952-1953

(GB-ATH-008) US Fleet Sasebo Harbour, Nagasaki, Japan

(GB-ATH-009) USS Badoeng Strait  //  Photo taken from HMCS ATHABASKAN 219

(GB-ATH-010) HMCS ATHABASKAN 219  //  DND / RCN photo

 

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(GB-ATH-011) Newspaper article on 700 lbs of ice cream owed to HMCS ATHABASKAN by the Yanks

(GB-ATH-012) Newspaper article on ATHABASKAN joining the Train Buster Club

(GB-ATH-013) Newspaper article on HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 completing her 3rd Korean War tour

(GB-ATH-014) Newspaper article on ATHABASKAN'S visit to Tokyo

(GB-ATH-015) Invitation to HMCS ATHABASKAN'S ship's dance - 14 Dec 1953

 

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(GB-ATH-016) HMCS ATHABASKAN'S Return to Esquimalt - 16 Dec 1953  //  L-R: AB Ed Knipstrom, AB Leroy Kullman, LS Art Broster

(GB-ATH-017) HMCS ATHABASKAN fueling from (believed to be) HMCS Ontario

(GB-ATH-018) ROK soldiers alongside Paenyang-Do

(GB-ATH-019) Helicopter from USS Bataan delivering mail

(GB-ATH-020) Newspaper article on HMCS ATHABASKAN'S Korean War ship's Company Reunion - 1973  //  Newspaper: Victoria Times 28 Jul 1973

 

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(GB-ATH-021) HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 - 1956

(GB-ATH-022) HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 - undated

 

 

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Souvenir pamphlet with autographs from HMCS ATHABASKAN'S Jul 1973 crew reunion

From the collection of Gordon Arnold (Art) Broster

Courtesy of Cathy Robinson

 



 

 

HMCS ATHABASKAN arrived in St. John's on Friday 13th September for a one night stay. On the morning of the 14th Sept, members of the ship's company from HMCS Cabot - HMCS Avalon and RCSCC Terra Nova were taken onboard and the ship sailed for Harbour Grace. The ships company of HMCS ATHABASKAN, HMCS CABOT and RCSCC TERRA NOVA formed the Canadian Naval contingent for the annual "Armed Forces Day Ceremonies" in Harbour Grace Nfld. A contingent from the U S Naval Base - Argentia, represented the U S Navy.

 

In all, over 2000 military personnel took part in this parade, which way out numbered the total population of the town, and its capacity to host such a long parade. The final result for the RCN which was being led by the HMCS ATHABASKAN with the Navy Band and Colour Party in the lead, was that they were misdirected up the wrong road. This road (Gravel) began to narrow in width and then finally terminated all together in a farmer's field. There was no dismissal of ship's company as everyone simply broke away as if it was a route.

 

The ATHABASKAN sailed for Halifax straight from Harbour Grace, and HMCS CABOT and RCSCC TERRA NOVA returned to St. John's by military convoy.

 

Courtesy of Bud Rose, HMCS ATHABASKAN 219

HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 RASing from HMCS Ontario - 1957

 

From the collection of Steve Hlasny

HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 - date unknown

Courtesy of Dennis McGillivray

DND/RCN photo

HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 - date unknown

Courtesy of Dave Shirlaw

 


 

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