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HMCS ONTARIO C32
Minotaur Class Light Cruiser
Laid down by Harland and Wolff, Belfast, as HMS Minotaur, she was presented to the RCN and, on 26 Apr 1945, commissioned at Belfast as HMCS ONTARIO. She was completed on 25 May 1945, and after trials and workups, left the Clyde River on 02 Jul 1945 for the Pacific via the Mediterranean and the Suez Canal. ONTARIO joined the 4th Cruiser Squadron, British Pacific Fleet, too late to see war service, but was employed in a variety of duties which took her to Hong Kong and Manila. She arrived at Esquimalt on 27 Nov 1945 for refit.
From the memoirs of Cdr Bernard Lake: When ONTARIO was still in the UK the crew wanted to put a maple leaf on her funnel but Capt. Grant would not allow it until after they joined the British Fleet in the Med and passed work-ups with them. On completion of WUPS, when ONTARIO departed Malta enroute to the Suez, she was sporting a maple leaf on her after funnel.
In Oct 1948, ONTARIO was joined by the destroyers CAYUGA, ATHABASKAN, CRESCENT and the frigate ANTIGONISH in sailing to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; the largest deployment of the Royal Canadian Navy following the war. In Jan 1949, ONTARIO took part in the largest training cruise by the Royal Canadian Navy to that date which included the aircraft carrier MAGNIFICENT, the destroyers HAIDA, ATHABASKAN and the frigate ANTIGONISH. The group, designated CTF 215, participated in naval exercises with US and British vessels in the Caribbean Sea. In Feb 1951, ONTARIO sailed to Australia, taking part in joint naval exercises with the Royal Australian Navy. On the way the ship made several port visits, returning to Canada in June. In Oct 1951, ONTARIO sailed to the east coast where after arrival, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh sailed on the cruiser from Sydney, Nova Scotia, through the Cabot Strait to Newfoundland during the Royal Visit. She returned to Esquimalt following the tour, arriving in December. From Sep to Dec 1952, ONTARIO sailed around South America on a training cruise, making several port visits. While entering the harbour at Buenos Aires, she was overtaken by the merchant vessel SS Arauco and struck amidships. The ship continued on her cruise until arriving at Rio de Janeiro on 6 November. There it was found that the starboard propellers were damaged. The outer propeller was removed and repairs were made to the inner one. After nearly two weeks at Rio de Janeiro, ONTARIO was forced to return to Esquimalt at a reduced speed.
On 15 Jun 1953 ONTARIO took part in the Fleet Review to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. In Jan 1954, ONTARIO began a training cruise across the Pacific, visiting Australia, New Zealand and Tonga before returning to Esquimalt in April. ONTARIO performed a three-month training cruise to Australia and New Zealand in early 1955, returning to Canada on 02 Apr 1955. She then departed on 25 Apr1955 for a four-month cruise of Europe. Late that year she departed Esquimalt for a 2-month summer training cruise along the coasts of North and South America, going as far south as Ecuador. She returned to port on 10 August after meeting the Second Canadian Escort Squadron off the coast of California.
ONTARIO was paid off on 15 October 1958. She was originally sold in 1959 to a west coast firm for conversion to a log barge. The project was abandoned and the ship was resold, along with HMCS QUEBEC to Mitsui and Co. of Japan. She arrived at Osaka for breaking up on 19 November 1960.
Ship's Books and Booklets Photos and Documents Ship's company photos
The Ship's Bell Former Crew Members
The paying-off of HMCS ONTARIO and HMCS QUEBEC - Minutes of the 564th Meeting of the Naval Board, 1 April, 1958, and Minutes of the 570th Meeting of the Naval Board, 4 June, 1958, fond of Peter Haydon at the Naval Museum of Halifax. // Courtesy of Colin Darlington, Naval Museum of Halifax Volunteer
Wartime dairy of Jim Silvester Personal photo gallery of Nick
King Neptune Boards HMCS ONTARIO 1952 (youtube video) A Tribute to HMCS ONTARIO (youtube video)
RCN Memories: A Princess was born A Whale's Tail An ONTARIO Christmas - 1950
First Breakfast at Sea Hide and Seek at Sea The Big "O's" Guns
Commanding Officers
They shall not be forgotten A
Ba-Bi
Bj-Br
Bu-Bz
Ca-Ch
Cl-Cz
Da-Di
Dj-Dz
E
F
G
Ha
He-Hu
I
J
K
L
Ma-Maz
Mc
Me-My
N
O
P
R
Sa-Sl
Sm-Sz
T
V
W
Y
Z
EL49 = Electrical Department, Spring Cruise, Jan 1949
Ship's Books and Booklets
Photos and Documents
(ONT001) HMCS ONTARIO silk napkin // Courtesy of Terry Gunn (ONT002) Newspaper article on HMCS ONTARIO joining the Royal Canadian Navy // From the collection of Jim Silvester, PO1, RCN (ONT003) ONTARIO Sail On Way To Join Pacific Fleet // Crow's Nest newspaper - Jul 1945 (ONT004) Fo'c's'le and forward triple 6-inch turrets of HMCS ONTARIO // From the collection of Jim Silvester, PO1, RCN (ONT005) HMCS ONTARIO at anchor in the Clyde, Greenock, Scotland // From the collection of Phyllis Meier (neé Friend), WRCNS // Courtesy Catherine Couture
(ONT006a) Photo used in the Crowsnest newspaper article on ONTARIO joining the Pacific Fleet (ONT003) Courtesy of the Naval Museum of Halifax
(ONT006b) HMCS ONTARIO in the Clyde, Greenock, Scotland
(ONT008) Royal Navy Drifter with libertymen from HMCS ONTARIO
(ONT013) Capt. Grant and Commander Tisdall on the bridge of HMCS ONTARIO 29 Apr 1945
Belfast, Northern Ireland (ONT014) Bellevue Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland // Courtesy of Jim Silvester, PO1, RCN (ONT015) Joining ship at Belfast // From the collection of Nick (ONT016 - ONT017) HMCS ONTARIO at Belfast // From the collection of Nick (ONT018) - Scenes around Belfast // From the collection of Nick
Belfast, Northern Ireland (ONT019 - ONT022) Scenes around Belfast // From the collection of Nick (ONT023) V.E. Day in Belfast // From the collection of Nick
Belfast, Northern Ireland (ONT024 - ONT028) V.E. Day in Belfast // From the collection of Nick
Greenock, Scotland (ONT029) HMCS ONTARIO at Greenock, Scotland // Courtesy of Edmund Ferris (ONT030) Wrens on ship at Greenock // From the collection of Nick (ONT031-ONT033) HMCS ONTARIO at Greenock, Scotland // From the collection of Nick
Greenock, Scotland (ONT034) Greenock, Scotland // From the collection of Nick (ONT035) RN Drifter loaded with Liberty men from HMCS ONTARIO, Greenock, Scotland - 25 Apr 1945 // Courtesy of Jim Silvester, PO1, RCN (ONT036) Greenock, Scotland // Courtesy of Jim Silvester, PO1, RCN (ONT037) Scotland // Courtesy of Edmund Ferris
(ONT038) Captain Grant taking salute Starboard QD Division 29 May 1945 - RCN photo (ONT039) Lt. O'Grady, Division Starboard Fo'c's'le - RCN photo (ONT040) Admiral Sir H.R. Moore C-in-C Home Fleet with Captain Grant on Quarterdeck. 23 Jun 1945 - RCN photo (ONT041) Captain Grant and Commander Tisdall on Quaterdeck 10 Jun 1945 - RCN photo (ONT042) Rigging the whaler and pinnace at lower boom, HMCS ONTARIO - RCN photo
(ONT043) H.M. Submarine Truncheon alongside at Scapa Flow 25 Jun 1945 - RCN photo (ONT044) Sunset at Scapa Flow - RCN photo (ONT045) Orkney Islands, Scapa Flow - RCN photo (ONT046) Church Service on the Quarterdeck of HMCS ONTARIO - 10 Jun 1945 - RCN photo (ONT047) Ship's band on the Quarterdeck of HMCS ONTARIO 10 Jun 1945 - RCN photo
ONT048 (ONT048) Souvenir map of the voyage of HMCS ONTARIO from the UK to Hong Kong then Esquimalt BC From the collection of Jerry Diggins, LR Courtesy of Jim Diggins
Liverpool, England (ONT040 - ONT050) Liverpool (ONT051) Entrance to Mersey Tunnel, Liverpool (ONT052) RMS Queen Mary at Liverpool From the collection of Nick
Liverpool, England (ONT053) Liverpool, England, Jun 1945 (ONT054) HMCS ONTARIO letting go starboard anchor in the Mersey River, England 10 Jun 1945 (ONT055) HMCS ONTARIO leavinge Liverpool England (looking aft) 17 Jun 1945 Courtesy of Jim Silvester, PO1, RCN
HMCS ONTARIO passing the Rock of Gibraltar - 14 Aug 1945 ONT056 from the collection of Jim Silvester, PO1, RCN ONT057 - ONT058 from the collection of Nick
ONT059 (ONT059) Cape Bon, Tunisia - "The German Dunkirk in Africa" From the collection of Nick
HMCS ONTARIO stops at Malta enroute to the Pacific (ONT060) HMCS ONTARIO arriving at Valetta, Malta 08 Aug 1945 (ONT061) Victoria Gate - Gate to the city of Valetta, Malta (ONT062 - ONT063) Valetta, Malta (ONT064) Two petty officers from HMCS ONTARIO, Valette, Malta
HMCS ONTARIO stops at Malta enroute to the Pacific (ONT065) Water taxi, Valetta Harbour, Malta (ONT066) HMCS ONTARIO, Malta (ONT067) HMCS ONTARIO in St. Paul's Bay, Malta From the collection of Jim Silvester, PO1, RCN
HMCS ONTARIO stops at Malta enroute to the Pacific (ONT068) HMCS ONTARIO arriving at MALTA From the collection of Terry Gunn
HMCS ONTARIO stops at Malta enroute to the Pacific (ONT069 - ONT073) Scenes around Malta
HMCS ONTARIO stops at Malta enroute to the Pacific (ONT074) Malta (ONT075) St Paul's Cathedral, Malta (ONT076) Stone dedicated to to spot where King George VI landed after the siege of Malta was won (ONT077) Grand Harbour, Malta (ONT078) Malta From the collection of Nick
HMCS ONTARIO stops at Malta enroute to the Pacific (ONT079) Edmund Ferris ashore in Malta (ONT080) Edmund Ferris (right) with shipmate ashore in Malta (ONT081) shipmate of Edmund Ferris ashore in Malta (ONT082) British destroyer HMS Gallant H59 at Malta
Historical note for HMS Gallant H59: On 10 January 1941, during Operation Excess, the Italian torpedo boats Circe and Vega attempted an attack on the Allied convoy off Pantellaria. Right after the engagement, in which Vega was sunk, Gallant struck a mine that detonated her forward magazine, because the Italian action pushed the British convoy too much south of their pre-established route. The explosion blew the bow off the ship, killing 65 and injuring 15 more of her crew. Her sister Griffin rescued most of the survivors and the destroyer HMS Mohawk towed her stern-first to Malta. The ship was slowly repaired and in October 1941 it was estimated that they would be completed in June 1942. However, on 5 April 1942, she was extensively damaged by bomb splinters by an air raid on Valletta and had to be beached at Pinto's Wharf to prevent her from sinking. She was judged to be a constructive total loss and any usable equipment was stripped from her hulk. Gallant was expended as a blockship at St Paul's Island in September 1943, with the wreck being broken up in 1953
Courtesy of Edmund Ferris.
(ONT083-ONT084) Mock air attack on HMCS ONTARIO and HMS Belfast (Belfast lead ship) Courtesy of Jim Silvester, PO1, RCN
Misc. photos Courtesy of Edmund Ferris Webmaster's note: These photos were taken during the trip from the England - to Hong Kong - to Esquimalt - but it is not known where in the trip they fit in.
(ONT089) Alexandria // Courtesy of Jim Silvester, PO1, RCN (ONT090) Tramway, Alexandria // Courtesy of Jim Silvester, PO1, RCN (ONT091) Cairo // Courtesy of Edmund Ferris (ONT092) Mausoleum in Cairo // Courtesy of Edmund Ferris
(ONT093 - ONT094) Alexandria Harbour (ONT095) Near Cairo (ONT096) Egypt (ONT097) Pyramid near Cairo From the collection of Nick
(ONT098) Entrance to pyramid near Cairo (ONT099) Kings Palace, Cairo (ONT100) Street car in Cairo (ONT101) Cairo From the collection of Nick
(ONT102 - ONT014) Transiting the Suez Canal Courtesy of Jim Silvester, PO1, RCN
(ONT105) Transiting the Suez Canal (ONT106 - ONT107) Entrance to the Red Sea From the collection of Nick
(ONT108 - ONT111) Aden, British Crown Colony, Gulf of Aden Photos ONT108-ONT110 are courtesy of Jim Silvester, PO1, RCN Photo ONT111 is from the collection of Nick
(ONT112 - ONT115) HMS BLEASDALE, a Hunt Class Destroyer, fuelling from HMCS ONTARIO Photos ONT112 and ONT115 were taken by an RCN photographer on HMCS ONTARIO Photos ONT113 and ONT114 were taken by Jim Silvester Courtesy of Jim Silvester, PO1, RCN
(ONT116 - ONT117) HMCS ONTARIO at Trincomalee, Ceylon - 22 Aug 1945 (Photo ONT116 - RCN photo) (ONT118) French battleship Richelieu (centre), unknown Aircraft Carrier (right) at Trincomalee, Ceylon - 22 Aug 1945 (ONT119) French battleship Richelieu at Trincomalee, Ceylon (ONT120) Allied warships at Trincomalle, Ceylon
(ONT121) Hospital ships at Trincomalee, Ceylon - 22 Aug 1945 (ONT122) Native Huts, Trincomalee, Ceylon (ONT123) Snake Charmeur, Trincomalee, Ceylon (ONT124 - ONT125) Trincomalle locals
(ONT126) Tincomalle (ONT127) Snake charmer Courtesy of Jim Silvester, PO1, RCN
ONT128 (ONT128) HMS SMITER D55 joined the British Fleet enroute to the Pacific at Trincomalee Courtesy of Edmund Ferris
(ONT129 - ONT130) Colombo, Ceylon Courtesy of Jim Silvester, PO1, RCN
(ONT131 - ONT134) Colombo, Ceylon (ONT132) "That is how they carry their babies around" (ONT134) "Street scene in Colombo. I took a ride in one of those street cars" Courtesy of Edmund Ferris Photo ONT131 - RCN photo
(ONT135) HMCS ONTARIO'S dentist at work (ONT137) HMCS ONTARIO'S "Y" gun crew (ONT138) HMCS ONTARIO'S Entertainment Broadcast Room
Hong Kong, Sep - Oct 1945
(ONT140) Unknown ship following astern of HMCS ONTARIO (ONT141) HMCS ONTARIO in the approaches to Hong Kong (ONT142) HMS SWIFTSURE at Hong Kong (ONT143) Hong Kong seen from HMCS ONTARIO (ONT144) HMS Anson at Hong Kong
(ONT145) Chinese Sam Pan passes by HMCS ONTARIO, Hong Kong, China (ONT146) Capt harold Grant, C.O. (left) with unknown officer on the quarterdeck of HMCS ONTARIO (ONT147) HMCS ONTARIO'S pinnance (ONT148) Sailors from HMCS ONTARIO being landed in Hong Kong (ONT149) HMCS ONTARIO'S landing party forming up for march to the ship's HQ
(ONT150) Platoon Marching into HMCS ONTARIO'S HQ (Tai Yan Club Hong Kong) - 13 Sep 1945 (ONT151) Hong Kong locals playing Mahjong (ONT152-ONT154) Hong Kong street scenes
(ONT161- ONT164) Ceremony at Government House 18 Sep 1945
(ONT165) Barracks at Tai Koo, Hong Kong, China (ONT166) Fort Stanley Area showing Prison and Internee Camp, Hong Kong, China (ONT167 - ONT168) WW2 POW in Hong Kong - Japanese atrocity (ONT169) RPC on HMCS ONTARIO for HMCS Prince Robert
(ONT170) HMCS Prince Robert at Hong Kong (ONT171) Kowloon Clock tower repaired by members of crew from HMCS ONTARIO (ONT174) Sunday Evening concert on HMCS ONTARIO 30 Sep 1945 (This is Goodsell's Orchestra)
(ONT175 - ONT179) HMCS ONTARIO departs Hong Kong to rescue the Admiralty Tanker Wave King
(ONT180 - ONT184) HMCS ONTARIO rescues the Admiralty Tanker Wave King
(ONT185 - ONT188) HMCS ONTARIO rescues the Admiralty Tanker Wave King (ONT189) Sailor on HMCS ONTARIO painting a gun barrel
(ONT190) HMS Anson at Hong Kong. HMCS ONTARIO in foreground
(ON195) Japanese monument at Hong Kong (ONT198 - ONT199) - Petty Officer Richard Bridges driving jeep
(ONT200) Petty Officer Richard Bridges on left
(ONT215) Street scene, Hong Kong (ONT216) Newspaper articles on HMCS ONTARIO rescuing the tanker Wave King and her arrival, stay and departure from Hong Kong (ONT217) Newspaper articles on HMCS ONTARIO'S time at Hong Kong
Hong Kong Sep-Oct 1945 (ONT218) HMCS ONTARIO'S Platoon "A" Landing Party - 13 Sep 1945 - RCN photo (ONT219) C&POs Mess in Tai Yan Club, Hong Kong. Jim Silvester first on left - RCN photo (ONT220) Barracks at Fort Stanley, Hong Kong, China - RCN photo (ONT221) Internee Camp Left, Civilian Prison, on Right, Fort Stanley, Hong Kong, China - RCN photo (ONT222) Barracks at Aberdeen, Hong Kong, China - RCN photo
Hong Kong Sep-Oct 1945 (ONT223) Motor Transport Commandeered. Used to move personnel around Hong Kong and other stations - RCN photo (ONT224) HMCS Prince Robert leaving Hong Kong - 27 Sep 1945 - RCN photo (ONT225) Rocket display by allied fleet at Hong Kong, China - Back of photo - RCN photo Courtesy of Jim Silvester, PO1, RCN
Hong Kong Sep-Oct 1945 (ONT227 - ONT228) Victory Day in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Sep-Oct 1945 (ONT233) Unveiling of war memorial at Hong Kong
Hong Kong Sep-Oct 1945 (ONT239) Japanese POWs (ONT240) Chinese Junk
Hong Kong Sep-Oct 1945 (ONT241) Chinese locals selling wares (ONT242) Chinese funeral From the collection of Nick
(ONT244) Major General S.K. Yee One of Chaing Kai Chek's Aides leaving HMCS ONTARIO. PO J. Fairhurst manning the gangway - RCN photo (ONT245) One of HMCS ONTARIO'S sail makers at work - RCN photo (ONT246) Japanese Destroyer - RCN photo
(ONT247 - ONT250) Edmund Ferris on HMCS ONTARIO
(ONT251 - ONT253) Unknown sailors on HMCS ONTARIO (ONT254) Part of ONTARIO'S crew formed up and being addressed - possibly Libertymen prior to being allowed ashore Webmaster's note: These photos were taken during the trip from the England - to Hong Kong - to Esquimalt - but it is not known where in the trip they fit in. Courtesy of Edmund Ferris
Currency from HMCS ONTARIO'S trip from England - to Hong Kong - to Esquimalt, BC Courtesy of Edmund Ferris
(ONT255 - ON256) Japanese destroyer at Guam. (ONT257) USS Gilbert Islands CVE-107 at Guam. She joined the fight in Okinawa on 21 May 45 and was decommissioned on 21 May 1946 and was placed in reserve. (ONT258 - ONT259) Maila * Note: it is not known if the photos in Manila and Guam were taken while ONTARIO was enroute to Hong Kong, or on her voyage from Hong Kong to Esquimalt via Pearl Harbor. From the collection of Nick
ONT260 (ONT260) "Y" Turret on HMCS ONTARIO. Sailors in photo unidentified From the collection of Nicholas Vukson Courtesy of John Vukson
(ONT261) Two newspaper articles on HMCS ONTARIO (ONT262) HMCS ONTARIO'S "A" Turret 6-inch triple gun turret - RCN photo (ONT263) Ramming home 4-inch shell on starboard #2, HMCS ONTARIO - RCN photo (ONT264) HMCS ONTARIO arriving at Pearl Harbor - RCN photo Courtesy of Jim Silvester, PO1, RCN
(ONT265 - ONT269) Port visit at Pearl Harbor - enroute to Esquimalt, BC - RCN photos (ONT265 - ONT266) Painting Ship at Pearl Harbor - 17 Nov 1945
(ONT270 - ONT271) Port visit at Pearl Harbor - enroute to Esquimalt, BC - RCN photos
(ONT272 - ONT275) Port visit at Pearl Harbor - enroute to Esquimalt, BC (ONT273) Kau Kau Korner - Crossroads of the Pacific From the collection of Nick
(ONT276 - ONT277)Liberty men from HMCS ONTARIO being inspected (ONT278) Capt Grant inspecting ship's company on HMCS ONTARIO. Paul St-Pierre is 3rd from left. This photo was taken at Pearl harbor in 1945 just before HMCS ONTARIO left Pearl to return to Esquimalt. Courtesy of Al Brosseau
HMCS ONTARIO enroute to Esquimalt (ONT279) Ship's baker at work (ONT280 - ONT281) Cooks at work - it appears to be a bit rough out - note the rope they are holding (ONT282 - ONT283) A bit rough out
HMCS ONTARIO arrives in Esquimalt after the end of the Pacific war
(ONT287) HMCS CRESCENT, manoeuvering in harbour, cuts off HMCS ONTARIO. Note ONTARIO'S wake as her engines were put full astern From the collection of Edmund Ferris Courtesy of Edmund Ferris
ONT291 (ONT191) HMCS ONTARIO in Esquimalt - 1945 From the collection of Robert Sauberli, RCNVR Courtesy of James Sauberli
(BL21) HMCS ONTARIO
(BL22) HMCS ONTARIO at anchor in the River Clyde. RCN neg # K-910 (BL23) HMCS ONTARIO steaming into Belfast Harbour. RCN neg # HN-2614
(BL24) HMCS IROQUOIS G53 at Greenock, Scotland. Photo from HMCS ONTARIO (BL26) HMS SEARCHER D40 loaded with aircraft to be ferried to the Pacifc. Photo from HMCS ONTARIO (BL26) Manning HMCS ONTARIO'S motor boat by the boom. Lamlash, Scotland. RCN neg # ON-0005 (BL27-BL28) HMCS ONTARIO at Lamlash, Scotland
Note: Lamlash is a village on the Isle of Arran, in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland. It lies three miles south of the island's main settlement and ferry port Brodick, in a sheltered bay on the island's east coast, facing the Holy Isle.
(BL29) HMCS ONTARIO, Liverpool, England - Jun 1945. RCN neg # ON-0009-5
Enroute to Hong Kong
Gibraltar - Mediterranean - Suez Canal - Red Sea - Malacca Strait
(BL30) HMCS ONTARIO approaching the Rock of Gibraltar. RCN neg # ON-0013 (BL31) HMCS ONTARIO entering Grand Harbour, Malta. HMS BELFAST (left) and Dido Class light cruiser HMS SIRIUS (right) ahead. RCN neg # ON-0015 (BL32) HMCS ONTARIO secured alongside Dido Class light cruiser HMS SIRIUS in Malta (BL33) HMCS ONTARIO oiling a Hunt Class destroyer HMS CHIDINGFOLD L31 in the Med. RCN neg # ON-0020 (BL34) HMCS ONTARIO oiling an unknown destroyer while in the Med.
(BL35) Malta (BL36) HMCS ONTARIO leaving Malta 23 Jul 1945. RCN neg # ON-0024 (BL37) HMCS ONTARIO leaving Malta 23 Jul 1945. RCN neg # ON-0024-1 (BL38) HMS BELFAST off Malta Jul 1945 (BL39) HMCS ONTARIO "X-Turret firing to port"
(BL40) "Torpedo away" HMCS ONTARIO fires practice torpedo. RCN neg # ON-0022 (BL41) HMCS ONTARIO Hoisting in torpedo after practice run. RCN neg # ON-0022-4 (BL42) Swimming in the Med off of HMCS ONTARIO (BL43) Lt Bernard Lake in front of a Sphinx somewhere in Egypt - Aug 1945 (BL44) "The Padre" in front of a Sphinx somewhere in Egypt
(BL45) HMCS ONTARIO Leaving Alexandria for Port Said with 2 destroyers in company. RCN neg # 0026 (BL46-BL49) HMCS ONTARIO transiting the Suez Canal (BL49) The French Suez Canal Defence Monumnet at Ismalia, Gebel Mariam
Historical note for the French Suez Canal Defence Monument: The memorial was constructed between 1926 and 1930. Architects were the French architect Michel Roux-Spitz and Raymond Delamarre. Some French troops supported the British/Allied effort to fight the Turkish forces attacking the Suez Canal in February 1915. The Allied forces comprising some 30,000 men defended successfully the unexpected Turkish army's advance which included approximately 20,000 Turkish troops including some German officers of the German Military Mission. The Turkish forces suffered under massive supply problems. In the end, they have lost 14 officers dead, among which was German captain von dem Hagen, 15 officers wounded, 15 MIA, 178 soldiers dead, 366 wounded, 712 MIA. The British lost some 150 soldiers.
(BL50-BL51) HMCS ONTARIO transiting the Suez Canal (BL52) "Red Sea Routine" - Sailors on HMCS ONTARIO hosing down to keep cool (BL53) HMCS ONTARIO Y-Turrent Triple 6" MK XXIII on HMCS ONTARIO. RCN neg # ON-0029 (BL54) HMCS ONTARIO departing Trincomalee, Ceylon on 31 Aug 1945. RCN neg # ON-0034
Historical note: On August 31, a convoy consisting of HMS Glengyle and HMS Smiter (carrying No. 132 Squadron RAF), HMIS Llanstephan Castle (carrying 3 Commando Brigade) and HMCS Ontario departed Trincomalee and headed for Hong Kong as part of Operation Armour - the reoccupation of Hong Kong.
(BL55) Pom-pom and Bofors on HMCS ONTARIO during practice firing. RCN neg # ON-0037-1 (BL56) HMIS Llanstephan Castle in Malacca Strait. RCN neg # ON-0039 (BL57) HMS SMITER D55 in convoy (BL58) 6" practice Y-Turret. Inserting cordite. RCN neg # ON-0043 (BL59) "Broadsides. Waiting for fire gong to ring." RCN neg # ON-0043-2
Note: In "BL58" you can see one gun labelled "Yolanda". The 3 guns in Y-turret were Yolanda, Yvette and Yvonne
Hong Kong
(BL60) Visiting officers greeted as they board HMCS ONTARIO (BL61) Hong Kong harbour. Kowloon mainland to right (BL62) Victoria, Hong Kong (BL63) Allied warships in Hong Kong harbour (BL64) HMS ANSON at anchor in Hong Kong harbour
(BL65) Allied warships in Hong Kong harbour (BL66) Sampans bartering alongside HMCS ONTARIO in Hong Kong Harbour (BL67-BL69) Haw Par Mansion Hong Kong (BL69) Tiger Pagoda, Haw Par Mansion, Hong Kong
(BL70) "My platoon" (Lt Bernard Lake) - One Platoon 'A' Company with PO Holmes on HMCS ONTARIO, Hong Kong - RCN neg # ON-0065 (BL71) HMCS ONTARIO'S pinnace loading platoons to go ashore. RCN neg # ON-0066 (BL72) HMCS ONTARIO'S motor cutter with tow awaiting to unload in Hong Kong. RCN neg # ON-0069 (BL73) Platoon landing in Honk Kong. 1/2 Lanchester, 1/2 Rifle. RCN neg # ON-0070 (BL74) Forming up just after landing "my platoon" (Lt Bernard Lake), Hong Kong. RCN neg # ON-0072
(BL75) Filing into our HQ ashore. RCN neg # ON-0073 (BL76) HMCS ONTARIO sailor on patrol in Hong Kong. RCN neg # ON-0078 (BL77) Victory celebrations in Hong Kong. Fireworks from ships in harbour. RCN neg # ON-0091-2 (BL78) Jenny's Side Party brought in to do officer laundry on HMCS ONTARIO. RCN neg # ON-0110-1 (BL79) Band concert on HMCS ONTARIO'S boat deck. RCN neg # ON-0111
(BL80) HMCS ONTARIO departed Hong Kong to rescue the Admiralty Tanker Wave King seen here taking her in tow. RCN neg # ON-0118-5 (BL81) Newspaper article on the rescue of the Admiral Tanker Tide King by HMCS ONTARIO (BL82) Part of Victory Celebrations, Hong Kong. RCN neg # ON-0123 (BL83) Victory Parade, Hong Kong - RCN neg # ON-0124-3 (BL84) Happy Valley, Hong Kong. Kowloon and mainland in background. RCN neg # ON-0143
(BL85) HMCS ONTARIO sailor armed with Lanchester SMG ashore in Hong Kong. RCN neg # ON-0162 (BL86) Adopted orphan, Aberdeen, Hong Kong - RCN neg # ON-0165-1 (BL87) Sampan Jenny's Side Party, Hong Kong. RCN neg # ON-0173-2 (BL88) HMCS ONTARIO departing Hong Kong. RCN neg # 0177
Enroute to Pearl Harbor from Hong Kong
(BL89) HMCS ONTARIO off Manila, Nov 1945. Note her paint scheme in this photo .... and then the all light grey after they painted ship while in Pearl Harbour. (BL90) Voluntary church service on the quarterdeck of HMCS ONTARIO. RCN neg # ON-0193 (BL91) HMCS ONTARIO'S ball team. RCN neg # ON-0205 (BL92) Officers on HMCS ONTARIO. Lt Bernard Lake, back row seated 2nd from left. RCN neg # ON-0226. This photo is also posted on the ship's company photo page for HMCS ONTARIO (BL93) Lt Bernard Lake in front of "Y" Turret on HMCS ONTARIO. Note the depression stops, rails and wheels to prevent the guns from firing at the deck
Pearl Harbour
(BL94) HMCS ONTARIO arriving at Pearl Harbor. RCN neg # ON-0250 (BL95) HMCS ONTARIO alongside at Pearl Harbor (BL96) Pali Road and Pass (BL97) Diamond Head, Oahu (BL98) Liberty men from HMCS ONTARIO being inspected before going ashore in Hawaii. RCN neg # ON-0214
Historical note: Pali Road and Pass is the site of the Battle of Nuuanu, where in 1795 "King Kamehameha I" won the struggle that finally united Oahu under his rule. This fierce battle claimed hundreds of soldiers' lives, many of which were forced off of the Pali's sheer cliffs.
(BL99) HMCS ONTARIO ship's company photo - Pearl Harbour. RCN neg # ON-0215. This photo is also posted on the ship's company photo page for HMCS ONTARIO (BL100-BL101) HMCS ONTARIO at Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor to Esquimalt
(BL102) HMCS ONTARIO "Taking them green" Pearl Harbor to Esquimalt. RCN neg # ON-0250 (BL103) HMCS ONTARIO experiencing a beam sea enroute Pearl Harbor to Esquimalt. RCN neg # ON-0253
Arrival Esquimalt
(BL104) HMCS ONTARIO arriving in Esquimalt - RCN neg # F-4760 (BL105) HMCS ONTARIO arriving in Esquimalt - RCN neg # F-4765 (BL106) HMCS ONTARIO passing Fizgard Lighthouse on her return to Esquimalt. RCN neg # F-4763 (BL107) "CRESCENT in the way! Capt Grant was angry." HMCS CRESCENT, manoeuvering in the harbour, blocks HMCS ONTARIO'S arrival in ESQUIMALT. Note the wake as ONTARIO'S engines are put astern. RCN neg # F-4764. HMCS UGANDA alongside at "C" jetty (BL108) With CRESCENT out of the way, HMCS ONTARIO manoeuvers to come alongside in Esquimalt
(BL109) HMCS ONTARIO approaching the jetty on her return from Hong Kong. RCN neg # F-4757 (BL110) HMCS ONTARIO coming alongside in Esquimalt with family waiting to greet them. RCN neg # F-4766 (BL111) Unknown dignitary addressing the crew of HMCS ONTARIO after her arrival in Esquimalt. Capt Grant standing to the left of the photo. RCN neg # F-4756 (BL112) Capt Grant address the ship's company of HMCS ONTARIO after her return to Esquimalt. RCN neg # F-4762 (BL113) Crew of HMCS ONTARIO mustered on the quarterdeck after arrival in Esquimalt. Capt Grant leading dignitaries forward. RCN neg # F-4755. The stern of HMCS GATINEAU H61 visible astern of ONTARIO
From the collection of Cdr Bernard Summers Lake, RCN
Courtesy of Barry Lake
(ONT291) The Captain's Gig being either brought onboard to or launched from HMCS ONTARIO - date unknown // From the collection of Harold Stevens // Courtesy of Rob Stevens (ONT292) Formal dinner in the wardroom of HMCS ONTARIO. First two officers from the left appear to be Hibbard and Budge - Photo circa 1947-1949 // Courtesy of Bill McRitchie / John Gabel
HMCS ONTARIO 1949-1950
(WP32) HMCS ONTARIO 1949-50 (WP33) #27 training Class on HMCS ONTARIO (WP34) A night of entertainment on HMCS ONTARIO while at Pearl Harbor (WP35) HMCS ONTARIO - date / location unknown (WP36) HMCS ONTARIO at San Diego - 1949
(WP37) HMCS ONTARIO entering Pearl Harbor - 1950 (WP38) HMCS ONTARIO leads HMCS ATHABASKAN, HMCS CAYUGA and HMCS SIOUX as the Canadian destroyers depart Esquimalt for the Korean War. ONTARIO sailed with the squadron until their arrival at Pearl Harbor (WP39) Painting ONTARIO'S yardarms (WP40) Ron Wood and Bill Paterson "in the clink" - 1949 (WP41) Powell River, BC
(WP42-WPWP43) HMCS ONTARIO anchored off of Powell River, BC (WP44) HMCS ONTARIO ship's company photo - Powell River, BC, Sunday, 26 Jun 1949 (WP45) Admiral's inspection of HMCS ONTARIO, Esquimalt, BC - 07 Jul 1949
(WP46-WP49) HMCS ONTARIO'S grapefruit gun - with pineapple ammo ...being loaded .... at the ready ..... Fire!!
(WP50-WP51) Mountains around Kodiak, Alaska (WP52) Kodiak, Alaska (WP53) Aerial view of Kodiak, Alask (WP54) Kodiak Bear that was shot in Alaska
(WP55) Private home in Kodiak, Alaska (WP56) "No pavement here" - Kodiak, Alaska (WP57) Main Street, Kodiak, Alaska (WP58) Glacier, possibly near Kodiak (WP59) Two ONTARIO sailors pose with Kodiak bear skin
(WP60) Four ONTARIO sailors pose with Kodiak bear skin. "$700.00 fur of Kodiak Bear, Kodiak, Alaska - 1949" (WP61) Aerial view of Juneau Alaska - HMCS ONTARIO alongside the jetty (WP62-WP63) Juneau, Alaska (WP64) HMCS ONTARIO at Juneau, Alaska - 1949
(WP65-WP66) HMCS ONTARIO at Juneau, Alaska - 1949 (WP67) Juneau, Alaska - 1949 (WP68) Dreamland Cocktail Bar - Juneau, Alaska (WP69) Main Street, Juneau, Alaska. The Arctic Bar is visible on the right of photo
(WP70) Mount Juneau - 1949 (WP71) HMCS ONTARIO arriving at San Diego, Calif - HMCS SIOUX 225 almost alongside. Unidentified Tribal further up jetty ahead of SIOUX (WP72) Mothballed USN ships at San Diego, Calif (WP73) ONTARIO sailors ashore in Long Beach, Calif (WP74) Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, Calif. Heartwell Bldg in distance
(WP75) Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles, Calif. Building on right has some type of confectionary stored named KELLER'S (WP76) Betty Gable's signature in the sidewalk by Grauman's Chinese Theather, Hollywood, Calif. - photo taken 1949 (WP77) CBS Building, Hollywood, Calif From the collection of William (Bill) Argyle Paterson, P1BN, RCN / C.A.F. Courtesy of Bruce Paterson
(TS01) American destroyer (pennant #33) - 1949 (TS02) American destroyer (pennant # 38) (TS03) American destroyers (TS04) HMCS ATHABASKAN (TS05) HMCS ONTARIO fueling HMCS ANTIGONISH
(TS06) HMCS ONTARIO fueling HMCS CRESCENT 226 (TS07) HMCS ONTARIO preparing to tow HMCS CRESCENT 226 (TS08) HMCS CRESCENT 226 (TS09 HMCS ONTARIO - refit fall 1949 (TS10) HMCS ONTARIO - winter 1949
(TS11) R.T.E. - Winter 1949. Tom Smith on right (TS12) View across the harbour from HMCS ONTARIO - 1949 (TS13) HMCS ONTARIO firing her 6-inch guns (TS14) HMCS ONTARIO lowering (possibly) a minesweeping paravane (TS15) HMCS ONTARIO firing a torpedo
(TS16) Tom Smith on HMCS ONTARIO (TS17) HMCS Cayuga (TS18) Unidentified sailors on HMCS ONTARIO, summer 1949 (TS19) Tom Smith (foreground) on HMCS ONTARIO, summer 1949 (TS20) "Ckrez" on HMCS ONTARIO, summer 1949
(TS21) Tom Smith (centre, leaning forward) and shipmates on HMCS ONTARIO, summer 1949 (TS22) Magdalena Bay, Mexico (TS23) Mexican escort in Gulf of California (TS24) Magdalena Bay, Mexico (TS25) Joe Baur
(TS26) Sid (TS27) Jim Frank and Sid (TS28) Mac, Jim, Sid & Oli (TS29) Mexican high-diver, Acapulco (TS30) Porteous (left) and Tom Smith
(TS31) Sid (TS32) Sid (TS33) American Oiler (TS34) Tom Smith on one of ONTARIO'S 6-inch guns (TS35) Pearl Harbor - 1950
(TS36) USS Valley Forge (TS37) Mothballed fleet, San Diego, CA (TS38-TS40) Destroyers in company with HMCS ONTARIO transiting the Panama Canal
From the collection of Tom Smith, C2.ET, RCN
A group of young sailors on their RP course just drafted to HMCS ONTARIO in front of "A" gun, Jul 1949 (9) ABRP Art Broster (10) ABRP David Burck Courtesy of Gordon Howard
(GB-ONT-001) G.A. Broster (right) sitting on the secondary armament of HMCS ONTARIO - 1949 (GB-ONT-002) G.A. Broster (right) on HMCS ONTARIO - date unknown (GB-ONT-003) G.A. Broster sitting on the secondary armament of HMCS ONTARIO - date unknown (GB-ONT-004) HMCS ONTARIO entering San Diego Harbor 15 Feb 1949. Unknown aircraft carrier on her port side (GB-ONT-005) Crew from HMCS ONTARIO going ashore as Magdalena, Mexico, Spring Cruise, Feb 1949
(GB-ONT-006) ONTARIO sailors (L-R) John Hodascek, Al Thompson, Stan Hill and George (Shorty) Seright at a market in Acapulco, Mexico 1949 (GB-ONT-007) G.A. Broste sitting in the Captain's chair on the bridge of HMCS ONTARIO, Acapulco, Mexico 1949 (GB-ONT-008) G.A. Broster on the bridge of HMCS ONTARIO, Acapulco, Mexico 1949 (GB-ONT-009) George (Shorty) Seright on the bridge of HMCS ONTARIO, Acapulco, Mexico 1949 (GB-ONT-010) HMCS ONTARIO passing under the St Johns Bridge, Portland, Oregon 08 Jun 1949
(GB-ONT-011) HMCS ONTARIO, Sydney, Australia (GB-ONT-012) Train to Guantanamo, Cuba, Spring Cruise, 1949 (GB-ONT-013) Drinking in the mess deck on HMCS ONTARIO before the Christmas dinner - 1950 (GB-ONT-014) Certificate of C. Bisset from the Pylon Look-Out, Sydney Harbour Bridge - 09 Apr 1951 (GB-ONT-015) Forward gun turrets of HMCS ONTARIO
(GB-ONT-016 - GB-ONT-017) HMCS ONTARIO in calm seas .... and then not so calm seas (GB-ONT-018) HMCS ONTARIO off-loading the ship's jeep - location unknown - 1949 (GB-ONT-019) A couple sailors painting the yardarm on HMCS ONTARIO - 1949 (GB-ONT-020) Sailors from HMCS ONTARIO shopping in Pago Pago - 1949
(GB-ONT-021) HMCS ONTARIO crew - Admiral's inspection - 07 Jul 1949
HMCS ONTARIO'S visit to the Portland, Oregon for the Rose Festival, June 1949 (GB-ONT-022) HMCS ONTARIO approaching the 3rd bridge on her passage to Portland (GB-ONT-023) HMCS ONTARIO arriving alongside Portland for the Rose Festival (GB-ONT-024) Staging area for the parade floats (GB-ONT-025) Butte Montana Band (GB-ONT-026) Frankin High School Marjorettes
HMCS ONTARIO'S visit to the Portland, Oregon for the Rose Festival, June 1949 (GB-ONT-027) HMCS ONTARIO Band (GB-ONT-028) Hollywood Float (GB-ONT-029) Laura Skelton Oshawa High School (GB-ONT-030) National Bank Float (GB-ONT-031) Sears Float
HMCS ONTARIO'S visit to the Portland, Oregon for the Rose Festival, June 1949 (GB-ONT-032) The Rose Queen (GB-ONT-033) The Sonnette Float (GB-ONT-034) Woody the Woodpecker float (GB-ONT-035) unknown float
(GB-ONT-036) "The Sea Witch". Winner of first prize for fancy boats at the Gorge Regatta held in Victoria May 24 was the entry from HMCS "Ontario." It was a scale replica of the famous clipper ship, the "Sea Witch." The powered model showed amazing workmanship and attention to detail. The little "Sea Witch" caught the fancy of the judges and the large crowd that thronged the sides of the Gorge waters during the naval regatta and Indian canoe races. (Caption from the Jul 1949 issue of the Crowsnest magazine) (GB-ONT-037) Souvenir Certificate for HMCS ONTARIO'S Cruise 26 Feb - 04 Ju1 1951 (GB-ONT-038) Crossing the Line (Equator) Certificate for Gordon Broster on 09 Mar 1951 while enroute to Australia
The visit of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh to HMCS ONTARIO - 03-05 Nov 1951
The visit of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh to HMCS ONTARIO - 03-05 Nov 1951
The visit of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh to HMCS ONTARIO - 03-05 Nov 1951
(GB-0NT-051) Article on HMCS ONTARIO bound for the breaker's yard The Lethbridge Herald, Monday, 13 Apr 1959 From the collection of Gordon Arnold (Art) Broster Courtesy of Cathy Robinson
(EC01) Ed Chadwick and "Swede" Hoiland, HMCS ONTARIO, Jan 1949 (EC02) Ed Chadwick on A turret, HMCS ONTARIO, Jan 1949 (EC03) Roy Duckworth and Swede Hoiland, HMCS ONTARIO, Jan 1949 (EC04) HMCS Crescent seen from HMCS ONTARIO, Jan 1949 (EC05) HMCS ONTARIO'S bridge, Jan 1949
(EC06) Magdalena Bay, Mexico, Spring Cruise, Feb 1949 (EC07) HMCS ONTARIO at San Diego, Spring Cruise, 1949 (EC08) HMCS ONTARIO at San Diego, Spring Cruise, 1949. Three names of those in photo - Hoiland, Costin, Ferguson (EC09) HMCS ONTARIO at San Diego, Spring Cruise, 1949. Three names of those in photo - Peterson, Carpenter, Porteous (EC10 HMCS ONTARIO at Broadway Pier, San Diego, Spring Cruise, 1949
(EC11-EC15) HMCS ONTARIO transiting the Panama Canal, Spring Cruise, 1949
(EC16-EC20) HMCS ONTARIO transiting the Panama Canal, Spring Cruise, 1949
(EC21-EC23) HMCS ONTARIO transiting the Panama Canal, Spring Cruise, 1949
(EC24) Unknown Petty Officer on HMCS ONTARIO, Spring Cruise, 1949 (EC25) Sing Song at night on HMCS ONTARIO, Spring Cruise, 1949. Cdr P.D. Budge entertaining (EC26)Back: R. Riguse, J. Dickson, J. Baur, L. Bre(??). Front: J. Evancio, MacDonald, Ed Chadwick, R. Churcher - HMCS ONTARIO, Spring Cruise, 1949 (EC27) Label from a bottle of Ron Anejo (Old Rum), from HMCS ONTARIO'S Spring Cruise, 1949 (EC28) Sailors from HMCS ONTARIO at a Panama City Bar, Spring Cruise, 1949
(EC29) Guantanamo City, Cuba, Spring Cruise, 1949 (EC30) Sid Bryndilsen and Elgin Oja, HMCS ONTARIO, Spring Cruise, 1949 (EC31) Elgin Oja, HMCS ONTARIO, Spring Cruise, 1949 (EC32) Unknown sailor on HMCS ONTARIO, Spring Cruise, 1949 (EC33) HMCS ONTARIO entering Portland, Oregon 08 Jun 1949
(EC34) HMCS ONTARIO returning to Esquimalt, 1949 (EC45) Invitation to a ship's company dance, 09 July 1949 (EC36-EC38) HMCS ONTARIO returning from Alaskan cruise From the collection of Ed Chadwick, C1ET, RCN
(BT138-BT142) HMCS ONTARIO
(BT143) HMCS ONTARIO (BT144) Birthday cake for an unknown sailor (BT145) Comm Rates, 4 Mess, HMCS ONTARIO (BT146) Sailors chipping paint (BT147) Bob Theriault in his mick
(BT148) Unknown shoreline (BT149) Captain's gig, HMCS ONTARIO (BT150) Yeoman of Signals Bill Howarth (BT151) Fo'c's'le of HMCS ONTARIO (BT152) Port visit at Mexican town in Gulf of California
(BT153) Port visit at Mexican town in Gulf of California (BT154) HMCS ONTARIO Comm Rates ashore on the beach. Note HMCS ONTARIO anchored off in the background (BT155) Mexican naval escort for HMCS ONTARIO while in the Gulf of California (BT156) Bob Theriault - 1st trip to Hawaii (BT157) American ships at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
(BT158-BT159) American ships at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (BT160-BT161) Hawaii (BT162) Exercises with USN off Hawaii
(BT163-BT167) Exercises with USN off Hawaii
(BT168 -BT169) Exercises with USN off Hawaii (BT170-BT171) HMCS ONTARIO putting out to sea passing by inward bound American carrier (BT172) Sailor on HMCS ONTARIO silhouetted against the dusk sky
(BT173-BT175) Bob Theriault on HMCS ONTARIO (BT176) John Budris on HMCS ONTARIO (BT177) Navy comic. Webmaster's note: It seems like a pretty reasonable question .....
(BT178) Freighter in the Canal Zone, Panama (BT179) tall ship at Valparaiso, Chile (BT180) Greeting card that was handed to sailors on the jetty in Valparaiso, Chile (BT181-182) Freighter overtaking and passing HMCS ONTARIO in the Rio de Plata
(BT183) Plaza Independencia, Montevideo (BT184) Corientas, Montevideo (BT185) Surgar Loaf Lountain, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (BT186-BT187) Freighter SS Arauco, Oct 1952, with a damaged bow after she attempted to overtake HMCS ONTARIO entering Buenos Aires and struck ONTARIO amidships
(BT188) AB.SG Bob Theriault on HMCS ONTARIO, Buenos Aires, Argentina (BT189) Buenos Aires, Argentina (BT190) President Juan Peron visiting HMCS ONTARIO while she was visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina (BT191) Local band, Aruba, Dutch Antillies (BT192) Bob Theriault on the bridge of HMCS ONTARIO
(BT193) Bob Theriault on the flag deck of HMCS ONTARIO (BT194) Bob Theriault by the flag locker on HMCS ONTARIO (BT195) Bob Theriault on the signal lamp on HMCS ONTARIO (BT196) HMCS ONTARIO - location unknown (BT197) RAS complete - ship pulls away from HMCS ONTARIO From the collection of Robert (Bob) Theriault, P1SG
(HS04) HMCS ONTARIO'S ship's band on HMCS CRUSADER (HS05) HMCS ONTARIO'S ship's band - 1951 (HS06) HMCS ONTARIO "receiving the mace" (HS07) Two HMCS ONTARIO sailors ashore - Gord Dickie (left) and Hugh Sangret (HS08) Four members of ONTARIO"s band getting their instruments ready for when the band performs in Australia. L-R: OS Jack Beatty (of Saskatoon), AB Robert Hughes (of Winnipeg), OS Edward ????? (of Regina) and OS Hugh Sangret (of North Battleford) From the collection of Hugh Sanget, P1BD
(JM172) PO.CK John McGowan, on HMCS ONTARIO, holding a tray of fresh pastries while AB Edward Linde looks on with anticipation - The Province 19 Jul 1950 (JM173) 2nd copy of above article - larger image from different periodical (JM174) The Navy Likes Its Food - PO.CK John McGowan (left) and LS.CK Dane Spittal making tarts onboard HMCS ONTARIO - Vancouver Herald 13 Jul 1950
(JM175) HMCS ONTARIO Crossing the Line Certificate (Equator) 09 Mar 1951 during the 1951 Australian Cruise (JM176) HMCS ONTARIO 1951 Australian Cruise Certificate (JM177) HMCS ONTARIO Crossing the Line Certificate (Equator) - 27 Sep 1952 (JM178) HMCS ONTARIO Crossing the Line booklet (Equator) - 27 Sep 1952
(JM179-JM181) HMCS CRESCENT coming alongside HMCS ONTARIO for a jackstay - "We had a line over to the Crescent just a practising of passing ammunition from one ship to another" (JM182) HMCS CRESCENT putting out a fire on a fishing boat (JM183) Crossing the Line (Equator) Ceremony on HMCS ONTARIO
(JM184) Cartoon caricature drawing of John McGowan during ONTARIO'S 1953 transit of the Panama Canal enroute to England for the Queen's Coronation (JM186) Juan Peron visits HMCS ONTARIO (JM187) Unknown cook on HMCS ONTARIO - it appears after arrival in Hawaii (JM188) Hula dancers in Hawaii From the collection of C1CK John McGowan Courtesy of Taryn McGowan
(WM44) USN aircraft carrier seen from HMCS ONTARIO while ONTARIO is entering San Diego Harbour 15 Feb 1949 (WM45) HMCS ONTARIO lowering the ship's jeep onto the pier in San Diego (WM440WM48) San Diego, Calif. Feb 1949
(WM49-WM52) Hollywood Burlesque Theatre - San Diego, Calif. - Feb 1949 (WM53) San Diego, Calif.
(WM54) Capt James Hibbard and Cdr Patrick Budge, CO and XO of HMCS ONTARIO (WM55) Painting the yardarm on HMCS ONTARIO (WM56) Longest Bar - Tijuana, Mexico - Feb 1949 (WM57) Street photographer - Tijuana, Mexico - Feb 1949 (WM58) TiJuana, Mexico - Feb 1949
(WM59) Sailors from HMCS ONTARIO going ashore at Magdalena Bay, Mexico - Feb 1949 (WM60) Magdalena Bay, Mexico - Feb 1949 (WM61) Ship's Doctor from HMCS ONTARIO giving check-up to the locals of Magdalena Bay, Mexico (WM62) 90% of the population of Magdalena Bay, Mexico (WM63) Local boy - Magdalena, Mexico
(WM64) Rear view - Magdalena Bay, Mexico - Feb 1949 (WM65-WM67) HMCS ONTARIO entering the locks of the Panama Canal at Balboa enroute to the Atlantic (WM68) HMCS ONTARIO transiting the Panama Canal
(WM69) Native hut - Panama (WM70) Ruins of old Panama (WM71) Golden Alar, Panama (WM72) Unknown location (WM73) Train to Guantanamo, Cuba - Spring 1949
(WM74) ONTARIO sailor talks to a local - location unknown (WM75) Local man in unknown location (WM76) Sailfish, Acapulco (WM77) Acapulco (WM78) Locals selling perfume filled eggs - Acapulco
(WM79) Water-skiing - Acapulco (WM80) Grounded pirate ship - Acapulco (WM81) Acapulco, Mexico
(WM82-WM86) Entertainers aboard HMCS ONTARIO - Acapulco
(WM86) Sing song at night aboard HMCS ONTARIO. Cdr Budge entertaining. Spring Cruise 1949 (WM87) Crossing the Line ceremony on HMCS ONTARIO (WM88) HMCS ONTARIO transiting the Straits of Magellan (WM89) Chilean battleship LA TORRE (former HMS CANADA) (WM90) Ship's company of HMCS ONTARIO taking part in some for of service at the monument of Arturo Prat Chachon - Placa de Sotomayor, Valparaiso, Chile
(WM90) Tom Beneman's Restaurant, Hollywood, Calif. (WM91) The Brown Derby, Hollywood, Calif. (WM92) Earl Carroll Theatre, Los Angeles, Calif. (WM93) NBC Radio, Sunset and Vine, Hollywood, Calif (WM94) Admiral's inspection of HMCS ONTARIO, Esquimalt, BC - 07 Jul 1949
From the collection of William (Bill) McNair
(ONT291) HMCS CRESCENT and HMCS ONTARIO, Esquimalt, BC circa 1950-1951 // Courtesy of Gordon Howard (ONT292) Sentries rest on arms reversed around the casket as HMCS ONTARIO steams seaward for the burial of the late Commodore George R. Miles
(RD12) HMCS ONTARIO - 1951 (RD14) Certificate / memento of HMCS ONTARIO'S 1951 Pacific cruise (RD15) Roy Dunbar's Crossing the line (Equator) Certificate onboard HMCS ONTARIO - 09 Mar 1951
From the collection of Roy Dunbar, CPO1, RCN
Courtesy of Dave Dunbar
In October 1951, ONTARIO sailed to the east coast where after arrival, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh sailed on the cruiser from Sydney, Nova Scotia, through the Cabot Strait to Newfoundland during the Royal Visit. The ship returned to Esquimalt following the tour, arriving in December.
(BR11-BR13) HMCS ONTARIO departing St John's, Newfoundland with Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (BR14) HMCS ONTARIO arriving at St. John's, NFLD on 11 Oct 1951 with the Duchess and Duke of Edinburgh
From the Rose family photo collection
Courtesy of Bud Rose
(ONT293) Crossing the Line Certificate for Midshipman Larry Zbitnew, 27 Sep 1952 // From the collection of Larry Zbitnew, LCdr, RCN (ONT294) HMCS ONTARIO in Milford Sound, New Zealand - 1953 // From the collection of Tom Estabrooks // Courtesy of Bill Gard (ONT295) HMCS ONTARIO // From the photo collection of Lt VS Curry, CD, RCN (Ret'd) // RCN Photo // Courtesy of Gerry Curry (ONT296) Crossing the Line certificate from HMCS ONTARIO, Australian Cruise, 25 Jan 1954 // Courtesy of Peter Manninen (ONT297) Article on two (of eleven) HMCS ONTARIO sailors who missed ship when ONTARIO departed Brisbane, Australia // Halifax Mail-Star 09 Apr 1954 // Researched by / Courtesy of George Newbury
Don McBride (with red bucket of water) on HMCS ONTARIO with unknown sailor "under punishement" being flogged From the collection of Donald McBride, C2WS, RCN Courtesy of Alan McBride
(GS01) The firing A and B turrets on HMCS ONTARIO - August 1950 - see also RCN Memories - The Big "O's" Guns (GS02) Ordinary Gerald Sullivan on the boat deck, starboard side, HMCS ONTARIO, August 1950 (GS03) Canteen card of OS Gerald Sullivan - 1950 (GS04) HMCS ONTARIO station card of OS Gerald Sullivan (GS05) HMCS ONTARIO in drydock in 1950 - Esquimalt, Yarrows Dry Dock, at that time one of the largest dry docks in the world. ONTARIO, AKA the “Big O” in dry dock, note the coastal vessel astern. When ship is secured the water is pumped out and braces placed as it lowers. When approximately 18 – 20 inches remain pumps stopped, dock yard workers done hip waders and descend into dock armed with pitch forks. North Pacific salmon some as long as your arm trapped in the dock. Sea birds, cormorants, gulls feasting on smaller fish while the dock yard workers spear the salmon. The ship is still, no fans, motors, systems running, no vibrations, nothing. An 11000 ton floating weapons platform with 800 crew - its as if she was dead with shore power for lights only. We used Heads ashore and meals in Naval base (Naden). Heads were very interesting for a 19 year old from the city; they were designed for Muslim crews using them. Never did see any of the salmon.
(GS06) HMCS ONTARIO Christmas card (GS07) HMCS ONTARIO
Courtesy of Gerald Sullivan
(ONT298) HMCS ONTARIO in drydock in Esquimalt, 1950 // Courtesy of Gordon Howard (ONT299) HMCS ONTARIO in Esquimalt circa 1950-1951 // From the collection of Norman Taggart // Courtesy of Erin Brownlee (ONT300) HMCS ONTARIO in drydock // Courtesy of Daniel Miller (ONT301) HMCS ONTARIO Christmas card // Courtesy of Daon Fairbax
(WM01) HMCS ONTARIO C32 and HMS Victory - dressed ship. Date unknown (WM02) HMCS ONTARIO C32 transiting the Kiel Canal, June 1955 From the collection of William (Bill) McCulley Courtesy of Linda Hibbert
ONT302 (ONT302) Undated newspaper article - Ontario Crew Glad To Be Home after 100-day South American Cruise Sailors mentioned in the article PO William Hoood, PO Orlando Maura and PO Harvey (Chops) O'Reilly
ONT303 (ONT303) Ordinary Seaman Paul St. Pierre with his training group out West OS Paul St. Pierre served on HMCS ONTARIO from 1944 to 1945 Front row (L to R): B. Holowaty, A. Brown, B. Monture, W. Hart, F. Gagnier, A. Dicy. Rear row (L to R): B. Kite, K. Campbell, E. Colburn, W. Boyd, P. St. Pierre, A. St. Pierre, J. Oberich (Oberick), A. Gray, Joe Hood Courtesy of Al Brosseau
(RS08) Hong Kong Harbour - HMS Renown (foreground) and HMCS Prince Robert (background) Photo taken from HMCS ONTARIO
(RS09) HMCS ONTARIO leaving Alexandria for Port Said. Two destroyers in company - RCN photo: ON-0026 (RS10 - RS11) HMCS ONTARIO conducting a RAS with an unknown ship From the collection of Robert Sauberli, RCNVR Courtesy of James Sauberli
(ONT304) HMCS ONTARIO // Courtesy of Erling Baldorf // Original source unknown (ONT305) Cleanest Junior NCO's Mess, HMCS ONTARIO - 24 Nov 1956 // From the collection of Terry Ingleson // Courtesy of Darren Ingleson (ONT305) HMCS ONTARIO, ship's company dance - 1957 // L-R: Russel, Murray, Joe Tanner // From the collection of Joe Tanner // Courtesy of Steve Hlasny
(RB14) HMCS ONTARIO - Crossing the Line (Equator) - c1957 (RB15) HMCS ONTARIO Chiefs and Petty Officers - 1957. This photo is posted on ONTARIO'S ship's company photo page with C&POs numbered for identification From the collection of Rick Bridges, C2.RPI, RCN
These photos were taken from Jan 1957 – Aug 1958. The ship’s compliment was about 800 plus 100 cadets which we carried during our training trips. We did three major trips during that time, Hawaii, Australia, NZ. Fiji, Philippines, Japan and small islands through the Pacific. Southern trip to the Panama, Mexico, California coast. In 1958 we did the triangle run, and in the latter part of 1958 we did the west coast of BC hitting all the small communities through out the west coast anchoring at the majority of them. Ending with our last trip to Vancouver for the Sea festival, an Princess Margaret’s visit. On one of our last trips from Hawaii we were to conduct an exercise , HMCS ONTARIO being the invading force to attack the west coast of Vancouver island, The defending force of the island included Comox air defence, Esquimalt Frigates and DDE,s. This was to take about a week to 10 days. Our speed at the time was roughly 18 – 20 knots as the ship was only using twin screws. The Captain at that time R.P. Welland and Navigator LCDR Judd, asked the Engineers if the they could connect the other twin screws which was “aye”. Four hours later we headed straight north at max speed and then down coast of Vancouver island to Barclay Sound, with a little camouflage we hid out for a few days basking in the sun and enjoying a little salmon fishing. We achieved our objective and to their embarrassment we let the defence force know where we were. BZ. It was one of my best two years on a ship of her size.
(SH89) Barclay Sound, Vancouver Island, 1958. Rest and relaxation, waiting out in hiding for the defensive establishment to find us. (SH90) HMCS ONTARIO, fueling exercise at sea (SH91) Steve Hlasny on the jetty at Pearl Harbour - the start of the Spring cruise (SH92) R&R at Pearl Harbour - Spring Cruise (SH93) Eugene Phillips, Ray Rees, HMCS ONTARIO, Pearl Harbour - Spring Cruise
(SH94) Gord (left) and Charlie, EM's Club, Pearl Harbour - Spring Cruise (SH95) LS.RP Steve Hlasny at the beer gardens in Pearl Harbor, HI, Jan 1957 (SH96) Frigates in company - HMCS STETTLER and HMCS NEW GLASGOW - Spring Cruise 1957 (SH97) Sailors of HMCS ONTARIO at Capt. Cook's monument, Kealakahua, HI (SH98) Crew watching Hula troupe on HMCS ONTARIO at Hilo, HI
(SH99) Hula troupe on HMCS ONTARIO at Hilo, Hawaii (SH100) Programme for "Showtime" on HMCS ONTARIO - 14 Apr 1957, Mid Pacific (SH101) Showtime on HMCS ONTARIO - Harvey Parsons (left) and Lt (G) H. Vondette (SH102) Showtime on HMCS ONTARIO - Bob Parsons (SH103) Showtime on HMCS ONTARIO - L-R - Harvey, Gerry McLean, Dinger Bell
(SH104) Showtime on HMCS ONTARIO - Colmer on stage (SH105) Showtime on HMCS ONTARIO (SH106) Showtime on HMCS ONTARIO (SH107) Relaxing on the gun deck of HMCS ONTARIO enroute to Guam
(SH107-SH111) HMCS ONTARIO beach party at Guam (SH109) Ron Simmons
(SH112) Film actress Rosa Rosal on board HMCS ONTARIO at Manila with crew members of HMCS JONQUIERE (SH113) Blood donor clinic on board HMCS ONTARIO at Manila (SH114) Henderson (left), Steve Hlasny (right) in Manila (SH115) Dinger Bell (left), Steve Hlasny (right) in Manila (SH116) LSRP Dinger Bell and LSrp Steve Hlasny, HMCS ONTARIO, with ABRP Gord Henderson, HMCS Stettler, Manila, 1957
(SH117) Crew members from HMCS ONTARIO taking part in a ceremony at Canadian cemetery in Hong Kong (SH118) Steve Hlasny, HMCS ONTARIO, takes one last rickshaw ride while at Hong Kong (SH119) Jackstay transfer between HMCS ONTARIO and HMCS JONQUIERE (SH120) Band greets HMCS ONTARIO, HMCS JONQUIERE and HMCS STETTLER on their arrival at Yokohama, Japan (SH121) Capt. Welland greets dignitaries at Yokohama, Japan
(SH122) Crew members of HMCS ONTARIO - April 1957. Cake for the cleanest mess - heading home to Esquimalt // (1) Fraser (2) Colmer (3) Tiger Fraser (4) Wyber (5) W. Ruffel (6) Verner Buz (7) unknown (8) Roy (9) Steve Hlasny (10) Jupp (11) Jones (12) Presian (13) W. Frame (14) Hutton (15) unknown (16) unknown // Click here to see the photo with everyone numbered (SH123) The Trillium Times - HMCS ONTARIO shipboard newspaper - Stats for the 1957 Spring Cruise (SH124) Crossing the Line wallet card - Steve Hlasny (SH125) Ma-Day, Fergy, Webster (SH126) Unknown sailor with Steve Hlasny (right) - July 1957
(SH127) Fleet Regatta, June 1957 - HMCS ATHABASKAN entry. Photo taken from HMCS ONTARIO (SH128) Fleet Regatta, June 1957. "Minesweeping Northern Ops". Minesweeping Squadron entry. Photo taken from HMCS ONTARIO (SH129) Steve Hlasny on HMCS ONTARIO - Jul 1957
Kailua-Kona, Hawaiian Islands - Jul 1957 (SH130) Nap Oopoo - Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii (Captain Cook - 1779) (SH131) Kailua Bay, Hawaii (SH132) Maalaea, Maui (SH133) "at Hilo"
Cadet Training Cruise to California and Hawaii - Summer 1957 (SH134) HMCS CAYUGA 218 conducting a RAS with HMCS ONTARIO (SH135) HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 conducting a RAS with HMCS ONTARIO (SH136) HMCS SKEENA 207 conducting a RAS with HMCS ONTARIO
(SH137) Jim Lyttle and Steve Hlasny (right), Acapulco - Feb 1958 (SH138) Relaxing at sea, B Gun Deck - Feb 1958 (SH139) Relaxing at sea, Saluting Gun Deck - Feb 1958 (SH140) Hula welcome for HMCS ONTARIO. Her last visit to Pearl Harbour, Mar 1958 (SH141) Hula welcome for HMCS ONTARIO. Her last visit to Pearl Harbour, Mar 1958
(SH142) Dave McKee, HMCS ONTARIO, Pearl Harbour, Hawaii - Mar 1958 (SH143) Steve Hlasny, HMCS ONTARIO, Pearl Harbour, Hawaii - Mar 1958 (SH144) The night before we "cross the line" on HMCS ONTARIO, 25 Feb 1957 (SH145) Crossing the Line, HMCS ONTARIO, March 1958 - Dramatis Personae (SH146) Crossing the Equator certificate, Steve Hlasny, HMCS ONTARIO, 12 March 1958
(SH147) HMCS ONTARIO, Sydney, Australia, 1-8 April 1958 (SH148) Steve Hlasny on HMCS ONTARIO, back in Esquimalt, Jun 1958 (SH149) Dave McKee and (SH150) Steve Hlasny set for shore leave - June 1958
"Big O's" last Banyan, Nanoose Bay, 1958 (SH151) Len Paquette (right) and unknown (SH152) L-R: Steve, Roy, ?? and Len (SH153) "George Sears set up shear legs" (SH154) Front, L-r: Steve, Len (SH155) L-R: Steve, Roy, Leonard and ??
"Big O's" last Banyan, Nanoose Bay, 1958 (SH156) unknown (SH157) unknown (SH158) Leonard Paquette (SH159) Leonard Paquette (SH160) no sailors identified in this photo
"Big O's" last Banyan, Nanoose Bay, 1958 (SH161) "Big eyes are on us"
(SH162) 1958 BC Centennial. HMCS ONTARIO crew members (L-R) ??, PO1 Tuttle and Alec McLean (SH162) Princess Margaret's sailpast - the Royal Salute, 1958. Gunner, CPO2 Bird (SH164) Princess Margaret's sail past, 1958. CPO Bird on right (SH165) Royal Roads - ships lit up at night during Princess Margaret's visit, 1958 (SH166) HMCS ONTARIO enroute to English Bay with destroyer escort. HMCS ATHABASKAN 219 lead destroyer. Photo taken from HMCS ONTARIO
(SH167) HMCS ATHABASKAN 219, HMCS CRESCENT, (3rd ship unknown) escorting HMCS ONTARIO enroute to English Bay. Photo taken from HMCS ONTARIO (SH168) Night Illumination - the fleet is setting off fireworks in English Bay. Photo taken from HMCS ONTARIO (SH169) Night Illumination - the fleet is setting off fireworks in English Bay. Photo taken from HMCS ONTARIO (SH170) L-R: Steve Hlasny (ONTARIO) and Quinn (JONQUIERE). A last run ashore in Vancouver (SH171) Steve Hlasny - "A last run ashore in Vancouver. Beard comes off and I go on leave and tie the old knot"
(SH172) "Big O's" last port visit, Vancouver, BC, Aug 1958 (SH173) HMCS ONTARIO, the "Big O", Vancouver, Aug 1958. "Sorry to see her go" (Webmaster's note: While the article is from Aug 1958, the photo appears to be a stock photo from the early 1950s.) From the collection of Steve Hlasny, CPO2.LT
Photo used in the newspaper article above (SH173) Courtesy of the Naval Museum of Halifax
(ONT306) HMCS ONTARIO - date unknown Source: State Library, Victoria, Australia - FL16017302 Courtesy of David Shirlaw
The End
(ONT-TE-001) The White Ensign is lower on HMCS ONTARIO after she is paid off Source: The Crowsnest Magazine
(ONT-TE-002) HMCS ONTARIO departs Vancouver for Esquimalt to be paid off - Courtesy of Gordon Howard (ONT-TE-003) Former HMCS ONTARIO "For Sale" - Courtesy of Gordon Howard (ONT-TE-004) Ad for Crown Assets sale of HMCS ONTARIO - Courtesy of Gordon Howard (ONT-TE-005) Former HMCS ONTARIO in drydock in North Vancouver being prepared to be towed to Japan to be broken up - The Crowsnest magazine Sep 1960 Vol. 12 No. 11 (ONT-TE-006) Long Journey to Death begins for the 9,000-ton cruiser HMCS ONTARIO - Newspaper article from a Vancouver paper - 26 Sep 1960 - Courtesy of Jim Silvester, PO1, RCN
HMCS ONTARIO REUNION
April 26, 27 and 28, 1996
Toronto, ON
(JS305) Article on the crew reunion of HMCS ONTARIO
(JS306) HMCS ONTARIO Reunion - Church and Parade Service - 28 Apr 1996
(JS307 - JS309) Photos of the HMCS ONTARIO 1996 Reunion (JS308) Photo album page 2 "Some of the crew member" - (2) Boots Green (6) Gord Mitchell (10) Jim Silvester Courtesy of Jim Silvester, PO1, RCN
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Lest We Forget
