HMCS WASKESIU K330

River Class Frigate

The first frigate completed on the west coast, WASKESIU was commissioned at Victoria on 16 Jun 1943, and left for Halifax on 08 Jul. She worked up in Bermuda the following month, returning to Halifax on 11 Sep 1943, and late in Oct 1943 left for Londonderry to join EG 5, re-numbered EG 6 on 21 Nov 1943. WASKESIU severed chiefly in U.K. waters, but early in 1944 supported Gibraltar and Sierra Leone convoys. On 24 Feb 1944, while escort to SC.153, she sank U 257, and in Apr 1944 made a trip to North Russia to bring back convoy RA.59. On 28 Apr 1944, WASKESIU , GROU K518, OUTREMONT K322 and CAPE BRETON K350 departed Kola Inlet with Convoy RA.59; arriving at Loch Ewe on 06 May 1944. She was present on D-Day. On 14 Sep 1944 she left 'Derry with ONF.253 for Canada, and soon after arriving began an extensive refit at Shelburne. On its completion in Mar 1945, she proceeded to Bermuda to work up, following which she sailed for Londonderry via Horta. She left 'Derry for Canada late in May 1945, proceeding to Esquimalt in Jun 1945 to commence tropicalization refit, but work suspended in Aug 1945 and she was paid off into reserve on 29 Jan 1946. She was sold to the Indian government in 1947 for conversion to a pilot vessel, and re-named Hooghly in 1950.

U-Boats Sunk:  U-257 (Kptlt Heinz Rahe) sunk on 24 Feb 1944 by HMCS WASKESIU K330 in position 47-19 N, 26-00 W. Of her crew of 51, there were 19 survivors. U-257 was a VIIC type U-boat built by Vegesacker Werft, Vegesack, launched 19 Nov 41, commissioned 14 Jan 42, in service 25 months, with no record of sinking any ships, operated with the Wolfpacks in 1942 with the "Luchs" group (1-7 Oct) & attacked convoy HX 209, the "Falke" group (31 Dec-22 Jan 43). Some survivors were picked up by HMCS NENE.

Photos and Documents

(WSK001) HMCS WASKESIU K330  //  RCN photo Negative # F835-R

(WSK002-WSK005) HMCS WASKESIU K330  //  Source: flickr photo collection of Ron Bell

(WSK006) Newspaper article from a Hamilton newspaper of HMCS WASKESIU sinking German sub  // Courtesy of Doug Benson

(WSK007) Newspaper article on HMCS WASKESIU K330  //  LIEUT. JAMES FARMER, RCNVR, of Windsor, (left) well known rugby star, is one of the officers aboard WASKESIU. The Number One Oerlikon gun crew is pictured at the right. A.B. THOMAS STEPHENSON, Mount Dennis, is at the gun while his loader, standing behind, is A.B. WILLIAM BOOTH, of Windsor.  //  Note: Written on article "Seaman Herbert Parker is a member of crew"  //  Source: City of Kawartha Lakes Digital Archives

(WASK008) Newspaper article on Herbert Parker, HMCS WASKESIU K330  //  Source: City of Kawartha Lakes Digital Archives

(WSK009) Oerlikon gun crew AB William Knox (left) and AB Arthur White - transcription of article that the photo came from:  19 Germans Rescued after Sub Polished Off - Globe & Mail, 05 Apr 1944 - Ottawa, April 4 (CP) - Nineteen days after leaving a fitting-out berth as the first Canadian frigate, HMCS WASKESIU -- pronounced Was-ka-sue -- recently destroyed a German U-boat involved in the north Atlantic and brought back nineteen survivors as evidence. If there were any "stars" in the grim game which the WASKESIU played and won they were the members of her No. 1 and No. 2 gun crews. Gunner on the No. 1 gun was AB Thomas Stevenson, Mount Dennis, Ont. His loader was AB William Booth, Windsor, Ont. On No. 2 gun were AB William Knox, Calgary and AB Arthur White, South Lancaster, Ont. (Transcription of article from the Globe & Mail)  //  Courtesy of Gavin Knox

(WSK010) Newest mascot on board frigate HMCS WASKESIU - this is pert parakeet, a small tropical parrot - but the bird will get some "leave" first before fighting the Japs. So will its "boss," Stoker Jack Finch of Winnipeg, shown here as he prepared to leave ship after her recent arrival at a B.C. port for pre Pacific refit. Finch picked up the parakeet in Panama while the ship was making a 7,000 mile trip through the Canal from Halifax to the west coast. The sailor took the bird home with him but said he intends to bring it back. Finch is a pacific volunteer.  //  The Crow's Nest newspaper - Aug 1945

(WSK011) (AD91) HMCS WASKESIU K330 - possibly during trials as the ensign she is flying is not a White Ensign  //  RCN neg # HN390-R  // edited / lightened copy of photo  //  From the collection of Allan Dougall, LCdr (E), RCN(R)  //  Courtesy of David Dougall

(WSK012) HMCS WASKESIU attacks U-257 with depth charges, forcing it to the surface  //  Credit: Painting by maritime artist Bo Hermanson, CSMA  //  Source: Canadian Virtual Military Museum (facebook page)