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HMCS GUELPH K687
Flower Class Corvette
Laid down as HMCS SEA CLIFF K687 on 29 May 1943, she was built by the Collingwood Shipyards, Collingwood, Ont. Renamed HMCS GUELPH on 15 Jul 1943, she was launched on 20 Dec 1943. GUELPH was commissioned at Toronto on 09 May 1944. She was presented with a black Cocker Spaniel from a local GUELPH, Ontario breeder. Their Mascot was named Rags. GUELPH arrived at Halifax early in Jun 1944 and left on 02 Jul 1944 escorting the ancient RN submarines P.553 and P.554 to Philadelphia. She then proceeded to Bermuda for workups, leaving there on 02 Aug 1944, for New York, where she joined EG W-3. She served with this group as a local escort until late Sep 1944 when she was transferred to EG C-8 which, although forming in Londonderry, was to be based at St. John's. She made her passage eastward as escort to convoy HFX.310. On her final transatlantic trip she left Belfast on 09 Apr 1945 to be based at Halifax until paid off on 27 Jun 1945 at Sorel. On 02 Oct 1945 she was sold to a New York buyer; retaining her name under Panamanian flag. She was last noted in Lloyd's Register for 1964-65 as Burfin, a name she had borne since 1956.
Photos and Documents Ship's company photos
Night Order Book - 15 May 1944 - 25 May 1945
Commanding Officers
Lt Godfrey Harry Hayes, DSC, RCN - 09 May 1944 - 14 May 1945
Lt Francis Dudley Wickett, RCNVR - 15 May 1945 - 20 May 1945
Lt Douglas Haig Smith, RCNVR - 15 Jun 1945 - 27 Jun 1945
They shall not be forgotten
Former Crew Members
Photos and Documents
The christening of HMCS GUELPH
David McLeod Melrose worked as a boilermaker in the Collingwood shipyards and had worked on the GUELPH. David's wife, Mary Melrose, was invited to christen the ship at the christening ceremony May 9th, 1944
(MM01) Mary Melrose with 3 officers of HMCS GUELPH and their wives. (MM02) Mary and David Melrose with the officers of HMCS GUELPH (MM03) Marry Melrose, ready to christen HMCS GUELPH (MM04) The words spoken by Mary Melrose during the christening (MM05) Silver platter present to Mary Melrose to thank and acknowledge her part in the christening of HMCS GUELPH (MM06) The rope that held the champagne bottle with the broken top part of the neck still tied in place
Note: the ship's 1st CO, Godfrey Hayes, is likely in photos MM01 and MM02 but he has not been identified
Courtesy of Stephen Brent
(GPH001) HMCS GUELPH K687 // From the collection of Lt Richard (Dick) Simon // Courtesy of Rick Simon (GPH002) Rags, beloved cocker spaniel mascot of HMCS GUELPH, enjoys a Coke with the help of his keeper, Captain Godfrey “Skinny” Hayes. // Rags, the mascot of HMCS GUELPH, enjoying a Coke with the help of his 'owner', Captain Godfrey “Skinny” Hayes. A GUELPH, Ontario dog breeder donated Rags to the ship as a mascot, which gave Captain Hayes cause for happiness: “After a short meeting of the men, I was informed that I had been elected as the dog's valet, since I had the least work to do in the ship! I pretended to be reluctant, but I was secretly delighted. The dog lived in my cabin, although he wandered around the ship at will. When I left the ship a year later, they gave him to me as a farewell gift.” Godfrey Harry Hayes, commanding officer of HMCS GUELPH in June 1944, from his reminiscences of “Three Corvettes.” // Courtesy of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum
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In memory of those who have crossed the bar 
