HMCS MACKENZIE 261

Mackenzie Class Destroyer

BY VIRTUE AND VALOUR

HMCS Mackenzie 261, Glacier Bay, Alaska, Jul 1982

Courtesy of Peter Manninen

Laid down: 16 Dec 1958

Launched: 25 May 1961

Commissioned: 06 Oct 1962

Paid off for DELEX refit: 26 May 1986

DELEX refit completed: 16 Jan 1987

Re-commissioned: 16 Jan 1987

Paid off: 03 Aug 1993

Fate: Sunk as an artificial reef on 16 Sep 1995

First of her class, Mackenzie, built by Canadian Vickers, Montreal, was commissioned there on 06 Oct 1962. As with the other destroyer-escorts of her class, she is named after a famous Canadian river - the Mackenzie River in the North West Territories. Initially based at Halifax, she sailed for the west coast on 02 Mar 1963. Arriving in Esquimalt on 06 May 1963, she spent the remainder of her service life in Pacific waters. In April 1964, HMCS Qu'appelle (call sign CYQD) transferred from the East to the West coast and became the 2nd Squadron Senior ship. To avoid confusion with similar call signs - HMCS Mackenzie's was CGQD - HMCS Mackenzie, being the junior ship, had her call sign changed to CGYZ on 01 Aug 1964. On 02-05 June 1967, Mackenzie had a port visit in Powell River, BC. From 05-07 June 1967 she visited Sechelt, BC. On 04 May 1970, HMCS Provider 508, HMCS Mackenzie 261, HMCS Yukon 263 and HMCS Terra Nova 259 departed Esquimalt for a Far East cruise. On 30 Jun 1973, crew members of HMCS Mackenzie boarded and seized MV Marysville in a reported million dollar drug seizure. Between 26 May 1986, and 16 Jan 1987, she received her DELEX refit at SRU(P). After 30 years of service, in the course of which she visited 96 foreign ports and steamed 845,640 nautical miles either as a unit of the 4th Canadian Destroyer Squadron or of Training Group Pacific, Mackenzie was paid off on 03 Aug 1993. On 16 Sep 1995, like several of her sisters, she was sunk off Rum Island, near Sidney, B.C., as a sport-divers' venue.

Historical note: Mackenzie was commissioned in Montreal with a West coast crew and had a port visit in Halifax enroute to Esquimalt. This was her first trip through the Panama Canal and other than one exercise in the Caribbean after which she returned directly to Esquimalt she never returned to the Atlantic. She never had an East coast crew and other than her stop in Halifax after her commissioning in Montreal, she never returned to Halifax - the only one of the Cadillacs to do so.

RCN Memories: Radio Check - Over Yes, we have ducks in the Canadian Navy

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

HMCS MACKENZIE Crew List - 11 Jul 1987

Commanding Officers

Cdr Andrew Barry Crafurd German, RCN - 06 Oct 1962 - 29 May 1964

Cdr Henry John Wade, RCN - 29 May 1964 - 17 Jan 1966

LCdr Richard Dezso Okros, RCN - 17 Jan 1966 - 07 Mar 1966

LCdr Glen Michael De Rosenroll, RCN - 07 Mar 1966 - 11 Aug 1967

LCdr W.J. Draper, RCN - 11 Aug 1967 - 22 Nov 1967

Cdr O.J. Cavenagh, RCN - 22 Nov 1967 - 24 Jul 1969

Cdr Robert Cowie McLean - 24 Jul 1969 - 20 Jan 1971

Cdr George Gordon Armstrong - 20 Jan 1971 - 06 Aug 1972

LCdr Robert James Deluca - 06 Aug 1972 - 11 Sep 1972

Cdr R.H. Kirby - 11 Sep 1972 - 23 Jan 1973

Cdr Roger Douglas C. Sweeny - 23 Jan 1973 - 17 Sep 1974

Cdr R.L. Donaldson - 17 Sep 1974 - 21 May 1976

Cdr Jacques Joseph Chouinard - 21 May 1976 - 14 Jan 1977

Cdr John W. McIntosh - 14 Jan 1977 - 31 Dec 1978

Cdr H.R. Waddell - 31 Dec 1978 - 27 Aug 1981

Cdr T.C. Milne - 27 Aug 1981 - 19 Dec 1983

Cdr J. Nethercott - 19 Dec 1983 - 01 Aug 1985

Cdr K.A. Nason - 01 Aug 1985 - 25 Apr 1986

Cdr A.J. Hollington-Sawyer - 15 Sep 1986 - 09 Jul 1988

Cdr R.W. Bowers - 09 Jul 1988 - 20 Jul 1990

Cdr R.P. Harrison - 20 Jul 1990 - 04 Jan 1993

Cdr J.H.A.P. Lebel - 04 Jan 1993 - 03 Aug 1993

Captain for the day

Captain for the day is a tradition in the RCN where during the ship's Christmas celebrations, the Commanding Officer changes places with the youngest member of the ship's company.

Raymond Johnson, OS.CK - 1973

David E. Baldwin, OSER - 1977

Kevin Smith - 1991

In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice

Lest We Forget

BROUSE, Walter Harding

LS, RCN

died - 05 Jun 1966

In memory of those who have crossed the bar

They shall not be forgotten

Bassingthwaite, James H.

Cavenagh, Orfeur J.A.

Critchlow, C. Richard G.

Curell, Randy

Cuthbert, Lawrence J.

Edmundson, Kenneth D.

Houghton, Lawrence N.

McArdle, Christopher C.

McBride, Donald K.

McCallum, Roy

McCormick, Peter K.

McLuskie, Reginald V.

Warneken, Edward V.N.

Former Crew Members

Note: entries c1976-1979 were from a ships recall list date 1976-1979

Abbott, PO2, BN - 1978-1979

Adams, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Albrecht, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Anderson, PO2 - c1976-1979

Andrews, S.D., Lt - c1976-1979

Badger, CPO2, WS

Baldwin, David E., OSER - Nov 1977 - 1979

Batcheleor, Bert, PO1, ET - 1979

Baxter, LS - c1976-1979

Beaudoin, LS - c1976-1979

Bennett, PO2 - 1979

Berbeck, Robert, Jul 1974 - Jul 1978

Best, MS - c1976-1979

Bokor, Kenneth, OS/ABRP - Jul 1982 - Feb 1985

Bolton, J., MS, ER

Booth, PO1, BN - c1976-1979

Boucher, Butch, PO2, HT

Boudreau, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Boulter, PO2, ER - 1979

Bowden, PO1 - c1976-1979

Boyle, LS/MS, BN - c1976-1979

Brand, Max, PO2, FC - 1979

Brown, Gerry, P1RM (POTEL) - 1990 - 1992

Brown, Rob, LS, NCIOP, 1989 - 03 Aug 1993

Brinacomb, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Campbell, PO2 - 1979

Campbell, OS/AB - c1979-1979

Clattenburg, PO2, ER - 1979

Cook, AB, RP

Corrigal, PO2 - c1976-1979

Coughlin, D., CPO1, WU, Cox'n - 1978-1979

Cram, LS - c1976-1979

DeCosta, MS - c1976-1979

Denney, J., PO2, RP - c1976-1979

Dennis, WO - 1979

Desroches, J., PO2, BN

Dodkin, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Duncan, PO1 - c1976-1979

Dunn, PO2 - c1976-1979

Dzeoba, S., PO1, FC - c1976-1979

Erhardt, PO2, Pay Writer - 1979

Fletcher, PO1, RM - 1978

Fowler, R., PO2, ER

Francis, D., Lt, EO

Frank, R., AB, BN

Franken, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Fredericks, W.J., Lt - c1976-1979

Gear, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Gerein, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Gillatley, LS - c1976-1979

Gray, D, PO1, ER - 1979

Gruben, PO2, RP - 1979

Gunderson, CPO2, WS - 1979

Gunsnowski, Edward, AB - 1964

Hall, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Hamm, PO1, ER - 1979

Hanlan, LS - c1976-1979

Harman-Wood, MS - c1979-1979

Harrison, D., P1. LT - 1979

Hartley, PO2 - 1979

Hill, B., PO1, RP - c1979-1979

Hemstreet, Peter, ABCK - 1965

Hillaby, Bruce, 62019-E, RCN

Hlasny, Stephen, CPO2, LT - 1976-1979

Hodgkins, W.B., LCdr, XO - c1976-1979

Holcombe, LS - c1976-1979

Howie, AB

Humphrey, J., PO2, ER

Illien, PO1, HT - 1979

Job, A., PO2, RP - 1979

Jacobson, LS - c1976-1979

Johansen, Larry, ABCK - 1965

Johns, AB, Sig

Johnson, PO1 - c1976-1979

Johnson, H., LS, ER

Johnson, Raymond, OS.CK - 1973

Johnston, R.J., P2NWT - Apr 1992 - Aug 1993

Kennedy, R., PO2, ER -1979

Kennedy, LS - c1976-1979

Kern, WO, MedA, Air Force - 1979

Kewin, MS - c1976-1979

Kimm, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Kolson, Howie, PO1, BN - 1979

Kupitz, MS - c1976-1979

Labbe, MS - c1976-1979

Leblanc, OS - 1987

Leclerc, PO2 - c1976-1979

Lefebvre, Pierre, P2CK, 1989-1992

Lesperance, J., PO1, RP - 1979

Livernoche, P., PO2, ER - c1976-1979

Love, D., LS, ER

Lysell, R.I., Lt - c1976-1979

MacCallum, MS - c1976-1979

Mackie, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Manz, AB, Sig

Marchand, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Marginet, PO2, SN - 1979

Marsh - 1978

Martin, LS - c1976-1979

May, MS - c1976-1979

McCraken, D., LCdr, EO - c1976-1979

McKinney

Miller, D., CPO1, ERA

Milligan, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Mills, R., CPO2, ER - 1979

Mitchell, PO2 - c1976-1979

Moller, PO2, RP

Mollison, D., PO2, BN

Montheit, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Morgan, LS - c1976-1979

Morin, PO2 - c1976-1979

Morrison, Lt, DeckO

Moses, PO1 - c1976-1979

Murray, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Oakley, LCdr, XO

Okros, Richard Dennis, LCdr, RCN, XO (and temp C.O.) - 1966

Otis, MS - cv197601979

Pinnell, Terry, Lt - Jan 1980 - Jun 1981

Pinvidick, MS - c1976-1979

Plumb, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Plume, PO2 - c1976-1979

Polden, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Pottery, Roy, RP, Ship's Diver - 1969-1972

Provencher, L., MS, ER

Ragosnig, R., AB, ER

Randall, M., PO1, FC - 1978-1979

Rankin, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Raymond, L., P1SG

Reddick, PO2 - 1979

Richardson, PO1 - 1979

Riggs, B., CPO2, NS - 1979

Robertson, J., CPO1, ERA

Robinson-Vincent, LS - c1976-1979

Rogers, Reg - 1978 - 1980, 1984 - 1986, 1989 - 1992

Rumble, PO2 - c1976-1979

Schofield, R., PO1, ER - 1979

Sharp, MS - c1976-1979

Sheppard, LS - c1976-1979

Shewan, PO2 - 1979

Sittler, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Skales, LS - c1976-1979

Smeeth, Donald, OS.ER / AB.ER - Sep 1977 - Mar 1980

Smith, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Smorong, OS/AB - c1976-1979

St Pierre, LS - c1976-1979

Stelwagen, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Stennes, CPO2, ER - 1979

Stewart, Barry, PO1, RM - 1979

Stow, Peter, XO - 1975-1976

Stranburg, PO1, WU - 1978

Stuart, Bob, 1981-1983

Sullivan, Phil, ABCK - 1965

Tanguay, PO2, RM - 1979

Tanner, CPO2, ER - 1979

Taylor, LS - c1976-1979

Taylor, PO2 - c1976-1979

Thibault, OS/AB - c1976-1979

Towns, D.B., Lt - c1976-1979

Tremblay, LS - c1976-1979

Trotter, PO1, ET - 1979

Tyre, Dave, PO2, SG - 1979

Vincent, LS, NS

Vowels, Gerry

Watson, Bryan, FC Tech - 1978 - 1981

White, G., WO, Army Writer - 1979

Wickett, L., LS, ER

Wildin, Matthew R., MS.PW

Windle, D., PO2, WS - 1979

Workman, T., PO1, ER - 1979

Wozny, WO, Air Force - 1979

Young, PO2 - 1979

Young, Gordon, LSCK - 1962-1965

Zbitnew, PO2, SN - 1978-1979

Photos and Documents

HMCS Mackenzie 261 - date unknown

From the collection of Sid Dobing

Courtesy of Brian Dobing

HMCS Mackenzie 261, Hong Kong - 1964 Far East Cruise

From the collection of Gordon Arnold (Art) Broster

Courtesy of Cathy Robinson

HMCS Mackenzie 261 departing Vancouver - Jul 1964

Note that she is flying her original call sign CGQD. In April 1964, HMCS Qu'Appelle (call sign CYQD) was brought around from Halifax to Esquimalt and became 2nd Squadron Senior ship. To avoid confusion between the call signs, and with Mackenzie being the junior ship to Qu'Appelle, her (Mackenzie's) call sign was changed on 01 Aug 1964 to CGYZ.

Courtesy of Robert Berbeck

Cooks off HMCS Mackenzie in Japan, 1965

L-R: LS Gordon Young, AB Peter Hemstreet, AB Larry Johansen, AB Phil Sullivan

Photo of Gordon Young 52 years later Photo of Peter Hemstreet 52 years later

Courtesy of Gordon Young

HMCS Mackenzie - 29 Sep 1965

Photographer Walter E. Frost

Source: City of Vancouver Archives

HMCS Mackenzie on SEATO Exercise Jet64 in Indian Ocean.

HMCS Mackenzie circa 1977-78

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Signalmen Johns, Manz and unknown on HMCS Mackenzie

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

HMCS Mackenzie circa 1977

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

On the occasion of Badger leaving the ship at the entrance to Esquimalt Harbour for Release Centre, Feb 1978

2nd photo Honour Guard - C2 Irving, P1 Strandbur, C2 Hlasny, C2 Woychuk, P1 Fletcher

3rd photo - On left of photo, Cox'n - D. Coughlin and XO - B. Hodgkins

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Milt, Marsh, Nester on HMCS Mackenzie, Nov 1978

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Captain Book Bi-Centennial, Apr 1978

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Lieut. Governor of BC invitation to HMCS Mackenzie's ship's company

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

OS Don SMeeth on HMCS MACKENZIE - entering San Francisco - 1978

Courtesy of Don Smeeth

Christmas dinner aboard HMCS MACKENZIE 1979

L-R: CPO2 Dick Mills, unknown, Don Smeeth, AB Stinson, unknown

Courtesy of Don Smeeth

HMCS Mackenzie Christmas card - 1979

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Old Sailors Night on HMCS Mackenzie, 24 Jan 1979

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Old Sailors Night on HMCS Mackenzie, 24 Jan 1979

(1) Gunderson, Zbitnew, Abbott, Riggs, Batchelor (2) Ken Irvine, Freeman Abbott (3) Bruce Riggs, Ken Irvine (4) Cdr H.R. Waddell, C.O., Freeman Abbott, Ken Irvine (5) Stennes, Tanner, Windle, Mills (6) WO White, our Army Writer (7) Irvine, Lesperance, Marsh, Hlasny

(8) group photo (9) Windle, Mills, Marginet, Boucher, Riggs (10) group photo (11) Dave Windle, Freeman Abbott (12) Steve Hlasny, Ken Irvine (13) Dave Windle, Steve Hlasny, Ken Irvine, Freeman Abbott, Ray Marginet (14) Bart Batcheleor, Steve Hlasny

(15) The boys are starting to feel mellow (16) The boys are starting to feel mellow (17) Freeman Abbott, Steve Hlasny (18) The Engineers (19) Old Sailors night at it's close (20) Grant, Nestor, Ken Irvine, Steve Hlasny (21) Running mates - Steve Hlasny, Ken Irvine, Freeman Abbott

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

HMCS Mackenzie rescues two fishermen off Cape Flattery, May, 1979

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Mortar instruction on HMCS Mackenzie, May 1979

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

"They Work!"

HMCS Mackenzie firing her mortars, May 1979

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Mortars Bombs Exploding

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Committal ceremony for the ashes of a Chief Gunner

Piping party - CPO1 Coughlin, CPO2 Gunderson

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

At sea on HMCS Mackenzie

Lt Morrison, Ken Irvine, Howie Kolson

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

At sea on HMCS Mackenzie

Barry Stewart, Ken Irvine

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

HMCS Mackenzie (foreground) going up the Sacramento River. Max at the hatch

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Ken Irvine receiving his C1s. HMCS Mackenzie - at sea

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Doug Miller receiving his C1s. HMCS Mackenzie - at sea

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

BBQ on HMCS Mackenzie at sea

Richardson, Howie Kolson

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

BBQ on HMCS Mackenzie at sea

Freeman Abbott, Marsh, Bert Batcheleor

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Dave Windle on HMCS Mackenzie (foreground, centre)

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

"Beauty Contest" during a Banyan on HMCS Mackenzie

The contestant all in white with the black hat is Donald Smeeth

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

HMCS Mackenzie entering Peurto Vallarta, Mexico

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Coming alongside Peurto Vallarta - the Love Boat had just left

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Some recreational sailing - Ken Irvine, Freeman Abbott

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Recreations sailing - Heading for the beach - Steve Hlasny

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Recreational sailing - Freeman Abbott, Ken Irvine, D. Molson

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Steve Hlasny para-sailing in Puerto Vallarty ... and coming in for a landing on the beach

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Freeman Abbott having a swinging time ashore

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

RPs bash ashore at Long Beach, Calif. Lesperance (centre)

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Max Brand cooking our steaks

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Freeman, Moller, Dennet, Raymond and Irvine

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

HMCS Mackenzie entering Esquimalt Harbour

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Looking astern on HMCS Mackenzie, one last look at the Strait of Juan de Fuca

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

HMCS Mackenzie passing Duntz Head

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Coming alongside C Jetty - was to be my last trip

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Old Sailors Night on HMCS Mackenzie, Apr 1980 - to help the CP

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Old Sailors Night on HMCS Mackenzie, Apr 1980 - to help the CP

"Some new, some old"

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Old Sailors Night on HMCS Mackenzie, Apr 1980 - to help the CP

Ken Irvine and Freeman Abbott

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

Old Sailors Night on HMCS Mackenzie, Apr 1980 - to help the CP

Norm Bone, Steve Hlasny

Courtesy of Steve Hlasny

HMCS Mackenzie 261 enroute to San Diego and the gunnery range at San Clemente Island circa 1980-1981

Not for commercial use without permission of Brad Stewart

Boiler room consol of HMCS Mackenzie 261

Courtesy of Garth Davies

Boiler room of HMCS Mackenzie 261

Courtesy of Garth Davies

Boiler room of HMCS Mackenzie 261

Courtesy of Garth Davies

HMCS Mackenzie - Burma Road

Courtesy of Bruce Roper

HMCS Mackenzie - 4 Mess

Courtesy of Bruce Roper

HMCS Mackenzie - Burma Road just outside Sickbay

Courtesy of Bruce Roper

HMCS Mackenzie - Bridge (view from Port side)

Courtesy of Bruce Roper

Tadpole Breakfast Menu on HMCS Mackenzie

Exercise Soploy '82

Courtesy of Bruce Roper

OSBN Bruce Roper enjoying his tadpole breakfast.

Exercise Soploy '82

Courtesy of Bruce Roper

Crossing the Line ceremony on board HMCS Mackenzie during exercise SOPLOY 82

Courtesy of Peter Manninen

Crossing the Line ceremony on board HMCS Mackenzie during exercise SAMPLOY 83

Courtesy of Peter Manninen

Freedom of the City of Victoria is bestowed upon the crew of HMCS Mackenzie in 1985 for the Navy's 75th anniversary. Admiral Thomas, LCdr Redman is the guard officer, and the Mayor (Peter Pollen)

Courtesy of Brian Forsyth