Restigouche class destroyers (1954)

The Restigouche-class destroyer were seven destroyer escorts built in Canada for the Royal Canadian Navy and later “Canadian Forces” in service from 1958 to 1998. All seven were named after rivers in Canada and derived from the St. Laurent-class destroyer which design was already planned in the late 1940s, originally for fourteen vessels. Delays in design and construction meant the St. Laurent design was limited to seven ships and the seven remaining were redesigned to take in consideration new problematics and became the Restigouche class, with many improvements. Commissioned between 1958 and 1959 they provided the bulk of early Cold War answer as part of NATO against incursion of Soviet Submarines from the Northern Fleet (on the west coast of Canada and Greenland) and those of the Pacific fleet on the British Columbia coast. #RCAN #canada #canadiannavy #canadianforces #restigouche #kootenay #terranova #gatineau #chaudiere #destroyer #coldwar

Design of the class

Hull and general design

Based on the preceding St. Laurent-class design there is no need t go through all the developmental process and thoughts which went with the class. It is fait to say that the St. laurent were needed fast, and the design was not as refined as it could. They notably appeared weak as ASW vessels. But they had the immense advantage of carrying an helicopter later in their career, the excellent Westland Sea King. The next batch of seven ship later to be called Restigouche based on the pennants orders (she was not the first laid down) shared the same hull, (well adapted to the rough conditions of the north atlantic) and propulsion, but the weaponry was completely redesigned as the previous ships looked underarmed.
The Restigouche class had a displacement of 2,000 tonnes (2,000 long tons) standard and 2,500 t (2,500 long tons) deep load, so a tad heavier, and with the same hull at 112 metres (366 ft) long for a beam of 13 metres (42 ft) making for a ratio of c1/10 anf for a draught of 4 metres (13 ft 2 in) plus a complement of 214. This seems “light” for destroyers but they always had been designed as ASW escorts (DDE) and closer in philosophy to frigates.

Powerplant

The Restigouche class destroyer had two English Electric geared steam turbines connected each to their own propeller shaft, with the steam coming from two Babcock & Wilcox boilers. This was the same arrangement as in the St Laurent, and generated some 22,000 kilowatts (30,000 shp) for a top speed of 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph). This was seen sufficient for the average diesel-electric submarines of the time, but the appearance of the Project 627 (November) SSNs changed the game. The next two Annapolis class did not rectified this speed issue, but the adoption of helicopters as completed allievtated this. At last the new Tribal class missile frigates (cancelled, 1963) were capable of 30 knots. The Iroquois class, post reforms, were also capable of 30 kts. But the criteria seemed to fade out due to better ASW helicopters for the 1988 “City” class helicopter frigates.

Armament

The Restigouche class had indeed a much beefed up weaponry, which added some top weight and raised concerns about stability, something that was to be avoided due to the near-constant heavy seas encountered on paper. The destroyers had a twin mount Vickers 3-inch (76 mm)/70 calibre Mk 6 which were dual-purpose guns forward. At the least these were turrets and protected their opertors from the elements unlike the previous simple shielded monunts. There was an additional twin mount 3-inch/50 calibre Mk 22 from the preceding class, now aft. Both were served by a Mk 69 fire control director. This was rounded up by two Limbo Mk 10 mortars, two single Bofors 40 mm guns for AA defence, until dropped in the final design. In addition to the Limbo they had from 1958 new US made homing torpedoes, launched by former depht charge throwers or “Y-gun” which was odd. Of course all this armament was modernized later (see below).

3-in/70 Mark 6 Vickers

The 3 in/70 Mk 6 gun was initially designed by Vickers for the Tiger-class cruisers and they were only used on the Restigouche and Mackenzie classes, placed in the “A” position. They were far more efficient than the US 3-in Mark.33. But this forward twin mount was beefier. Each gun weighed alone 1,200 kilograms (2,650 lb) with some 1,000 rounds in reserve. Rate of fire was 90 rounds per minute. Each shell weighted 16.4 kilograms (36 lb) and existed the barrel at muzzle velocity of 1,000 metres per second (3,400 ft/s). For memory 70 caliber was the same as the slender 20 mm Oerlikon. It was however 16.9 kilometres (10.5 mi) at 45° degrees with some accuracy.

⚙ specifications 3″/70 Mk.6 Vickers twin mount forward
Weight	2,650 lbs. (1,202 kg) per barrel, 83,150 lbs. (37 tons) total with 68 ready rounds
Barrel lenght	210 in (5.334 m)
Elevation/Traverse	−15° and 90° (30/s), 360° (60°/s)
Loading system	Semi-Auto, chain hoists, non-rotating structure 25 rpm, any angle
Muzzle velocity	1,000 fps
Range	38,000 feet (11,580 m)
Guidance	Radar
Crew	12
Round	16.4 kilograms (36 lb) HE, fuse
Rate of Fire	90 rpm

3 in (76 mm) Mk.33 FMC twin mount

The 3 in/50 Mk 22 dual-purpose gun was a 1942 developed caliber for destroyer escorts. Each gun weighed 800 kilograms (1,760 lb) and they fired a 10.9 kilograms (24 lb) shell at 820 metres per second (2,700 ft/s). Their Mk 33 twin mount capable of 360° and 85° elevation was semi-open and placed in the ‘Y’ position aft of the ship. Each had a rate of 50 rounds per minute with a useful range of 13 kilometres (8 mi). They were removed for an ASROC after modernization.

⚙ specifications 3-in Mk.33 FMC
Weight	800 kilograms (1,760 lb)
Elevation/Traverse	-10° – +85° and 360°
Muzzle velocity	820 mps
Range	13 kilometres (8 mi)
Guidance	Optical, FCS radar data
Crew	2
Round	10.9 kilograms (24 lb) HE, prox. fuse
Rate of Fire	50 rpm

Mk NC 10 Limbo ASW mortars

Like the previous class they had a Limbo triple ASW mortar installed in a recess at the aft of the hull. The Limbo was a British-designed three-barrel mortar capable of launching a projectile shell between 370–910 metres (400–1,000 yd). These used stabilized mountings, to always enter the water at the same angle. Total weight for each was 180 kilograms (390 lb).

⚙ specifications Limbo
Dimensions	12 inches (30 cm)
Range/speed setting	400 yards (366 m) to 1,000 yards (914 m)
Payload	400 lb depth charge
Warhead	94 kilograms (207 lb) Minol, Proximity/timer
Guidance	Direct target data from Type 170 sonar

Mk.2 “K-gun”

The Mk.2 “K-gun” launchers came out with homing torpedoes. They were located …
The destroyers were also equipped from 1958 on either beam, midship-aft by Mk 43 homing torpedoes to increase target reach. These US designed Mk 43 torpedo had a range of 4,100 metres (4,500 yd) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). They were launched by moduified depth charge thrower but were replaced after modernization by two triple torpedo tubes, less violent that the Y guns, albeit of lesser reach. Improved torpedoes were considered.

⚙ specifications Mk.43 TORPEDO
Weight	265 pounds (Mod 3)
Dimensions	91.5 inches x 10 inches
Propulsion	Electric
Range/speed setting	4,500 yards at 21 knots (Mod 3)
Warhead	54 pounds Mk 100, HBX, Mk 19 Mod 13 contact exploder
Max depth
Guidance	Helix, 6-minute search duration

103 mm Bofors illumination rocket launchers

These were similar to the ones fitted on Swedish ships, three rails installed on each turret. In the Canadian case, it’s not clear where they were placed. They were used of course to flare out any submarine at night, or any target at large, but better radars made these redundant and these were eliminated later.

Sensors

The Restigouches were originally equipped with SPS-10, SPS-12, Sperry Mk 2 and SPG-48 radar along with SQS-501 and SQS-503 sonar. They were installed on a staggered foremast, which was later modernized as a tall lattice mast.

Active Protection

Originally active electronic warfare was in its infancy and the Restigouche came out still with the state of the art DAU HF/DF high frequency direction finder, more to detect targets than to be usable as a jammer, but it wa spart of its attributions.

HCMS Kootenay (DDE 258) in Pearl harbor, 1990s.

⚙ specifications
Displacement	2,390 t (2,352.3 long tons) normal, 2,800 t (2,755.8 long tons) deep load
Dimensions	366wl/371oa x 42 x 14ft (113.1 x 12.8 x 4.3 m)
Propulsion	2 shafts English-Electric geared steam turbines, 2× Babcock & Wilcox boilers 30,000 shp (22,000 kW)
Speed	28 knots (52 km/h)
Range	4,750 nautical miles (8,800 km) at 14 knots (26 km/h)
Armament	1× 3″/70 Mk.6, 3 in Mk.33 FMC, 2×Mk NC 10 Limbo, 2× Mk.2 “K-gun”, 103 mm Bofors illum. RL
Sensors	SPS-12, SPS-10B, Sperry Mk.2, SQS-501, SQS-502, SQS-503, SQS-10, Mk.69 FCS, GUNAR Mk.64 GFCS
Active Protection	DAU HF/DF (high frequency direction finder)
Crew	249

Modernization

Improved Restigouche Escorts (IRE)

The 1964 naval program and string of reforms urged the RCN to improve the attack capabilities of its destroyers. Both the St Laurent and Restigouche class were modernized, the former obtaining an helideck and hangar, but the second were unable to be converted due to budget constraints so instead they would have their poop modified to operate a variable depth sonar (VDS) and increase massively their passive sonar range.
The second change was the replacement of Y DP Mark 33 mount by a RUR-5 anti-submarine rocket (ASROC).
The third change was a stepped lattice mast and new electronics. This upgrade was called the “Improved Restigouche Escorts” or IRE. Terra Nova was the conversion prototype starting by May 1965. Ten months were necessary, not including sea trials and batteries of tests, which delayed the conversion of the next ship for four years. In 1969, the budget was further been cut and three ships were to be modernized IRE: Restigouche, Gatineau and Kootenay.
The remaining three (Chaudière, Columbia, and St. Croix) were placed in reserve.
Each ASROC missile launch a 193 kilograms (425 lb), was 2.5 m (100 inches) Mk 44 torpedo at between 820 metres (900 yd) and 9,100 metres (10,000 yd), carrying a 34-kilogram (75 lb) warhead over 5,500 metres (6,000 yd) at 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph), acoustic. This ASROC had eight ready missiles and eight reloads.

⚙ specifications Mod IRE/DELEX/GW
Displacement	2,900 t (2,854.2 long tons) deep load
Armament	Mk.112 ASROC, 2×3 Mk.32 TTs, 1990 Harpoon SSM launchers, Javelin, Phalanx CIWS, 40 mm Bofors, 0.50 cal.
Sensors	SPS-12, SPS-10B, Sperry Mk.2, SQS-501, SQS-502, SQS-503, SQS-10, AQA-5, Mk.69 FCS
Active Protection	ULQ-6 jammer, WLR-1C, UPD-501, SRD-501 HF/DF, see notes
Crew

Destroyer Life Extension (DELEX)

The Destroyer Life Extension (DELEX) refit only concerned for the four surviving Restigouche class destroyers. It was announced in 1978. This was a last effort by the Maritime Command to update existing escorts instea dof retiring them. The DELEX program concerned 16 RCAN ships but adapted to each class in format. On average this was a package of $24 million per ship and the Restigouches were about the cheapest. On these, mostly the radar suite, fire control, and communications were updated.
-The New ADLIPS tactical data system was installed.
New radar and fire control system: SPS-502 and AN/SPG-515 fire control radar, Mk 69 gunnery control system.
Satellite navigation installed, with the Mk 127E navigational radar.
For this, the two stage forward mast was replaced by a single, very tall lattice last with a TACAN antenna on top
-The AN/SQS-505 C3 sonar dome was fared into the hull
The 103 mm (4 in) Bofors illumination rocket bank was removed and Super RBOC chaff system installed in plane on teh superstructure.
The Y-guns were replaced by two triple 533 mm (21 in) Mk 32 torpedo tube for the new Mk 46 torpedo on either side of the beam, past the ASROC and forward of the Limbo mortar. T
DELEX refits started in the early 1980s but the ships were obsolete post-1983. There was an ultimate refit though waiting them.

Gulf War refit

To prolongate their useful life pos-Falklands war there was the so-called “Gulf War upgrade” in August 1990. The Maritime Command wanted to do its share in the coalition present in the Persian Gulf and rotate three ships if possible. HCMS Athabaskan (Iroquois-class) sailed there with the oiler Protecteur as a task force, when all her sisters were in refit. The four Restigouche were still available though, unlike the St. Laurent, and were scheduled to be fitted with the best electronic countermeasures suite.
Terra Nova, lie for IRE, was the prototype again, first to be deployed with the task force.
This was a quick modernization programme, some alterations to make her immune to Iraqi missiles, notably their stock of Exocets as it was an active war zone.
-The ASROC system was deleted, but two quad Harpoon canisters installed in their place, angled forward either side.
-Antimissile capabilities were buffered up by the installation of the Mk 15 Phalanx close-in weapon system (CIWS) on the quarterdeck, replacing the Limbo
-Two 40 mm/60 Boffin guns were installed in single mounts in place of the former ship’s boats.
-New chaff, electronic and communications systems were also installed.
Restigouche was modernized also (not the remaining two) in order to relieve Terra Nova in 1991.

She was laid down at Canadian Vickers Ltd., Montreal, Quebec on 15 July 1953, launched 22 November 1954 completed on 7 June 1958, paid off 31 August 1994, Sunk off Mexico in 2001.
“Rusty Guts” was named for a river common to Quebec and New Brunswick. During yard sea trials, she collided with the freighter Manchestern 21 November 1957 in the Saint Lawrence. Her portside superstructure and hull needed repairs before she was commissioned at Montreal on 7 June 1958, taking part in the opening of the Saint Lawrence Seaway.
In 1961, she became flagship of the 5th Canadian Escort Squadron. In 10–18 April, she was in NATO exercises on the Canadian Atlantic coast and by February 1964, she was part of the “Matchmaker” squadron, ancestor of STANAVFORLANT and was in exercises off Gibraltar.
In 1966, the Maritime Command was created and the fleet reorganized, she ended in the 3rd Canadian Escort Squadron. She was selected for the IRE program in 1970 at Halifax Shipyards, operational from 12 May 1972, west coast, HP CFB Esquimalt on 2 August 1973.
In August 1984, she shadowed the Soviet spy ship Semen Chelyushkin stationed 100 kilometres (62 mi) of Cape Flattery but she had port turbine issues. Next she had her DELEX refit from 3 December 1984 to 29 November 1985.
By early 1991, she also had her Gulf War refit to reliev her sister Terra Nova in the Persian Gulf by March. The war ended before she arrived and she was redirected to the Atlantic and deployed in NATO’s Standing Naval Force Atlantic. On 24 February 1992 she was ordered to the Red Sea in case Iraq resumed hostilities, arriving on 18 April, inspecting all shipping in and out of Aqaba. She also was the first Canadian warship visiting Saudi Arabia and Israel. She left the area on 4 July to Esquimalt on 18 August.
She was was paid off on 31 August 1994. In November 2000 with Kootenay, was towed to Mexico and sunk as artificial reef. This still was a source of controversy in Mexico after they had been purchased by businessmen Carlos Estrabeau and Josefat Cortés in what was the “Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia”. The controversy came from investigation about the use of the anti-poverty fund and it became “Reefgate”. This was done without permits. Restigouche was sun 3.2 kilometres (2 mi) in Acapulco Bay on 11 June 2001 under 18 metres (60 ft).

She was laid down at Halifax Shipyards Ltd. in Nova Scotia on 30 July 1953, launched 13 November 1957, completed on 14 November 1959. She Donated part of her bow to Kootenay in 1989 and was Sunk as artificial reef off British Columbia in 1992. Chaudière (lit. “boiler”) was named for a river in Quebec, and last of her class completed. Under construction a fire broke out, causing $200,000 in damage by September 1958 and she was much delayed. When commissioned on 14 November 1959, PM John Diefenbaker was the guest of honour.
She went with the 5th Canadian Escort Squadron and by March 1961, took part in a combined naval exercise with the USN off Nova Scotia. She had shock testing off Florida in 1962. By February 1964, she took part in NATO “Magic Lantern” off Gibraltar.
After the unification of the Canadian Armed Forces and Maritime Command creation she was transferred to the west coast, 2nd Canadian Escort Squadron. On 2 October 1967, she left Halifax for Esquimalt, her new HP. Due to financial reasons, she was not modernized. Her IRE conversion was cancelled in 1970, she was used as a training ship, decom. paid off on 23 May 1974, used as a source for parts for the others and by 1989 with HCMS Kootenay she was rammed by a merchant vessel, mushing her bow. Kootenay’s damaged bow was removed and installed on Chaudière’s. By September 1991 she was sold to the Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia and sunk Sechelt Inlet, British Columbia on 5 December 1992.

She was laid down at Davie Shipbuilding Ltd. in Lauzon, Quebec on 30 April 1953, launched 3 June 1957 aznd completed on 17 February 1959. Decommissioned in July 1998, she was scrapped at Pictou, Nova Scotia. Named for a river in Quebec she was towed to Halifax by the tugboat “Foundation Vigilant” to be completed and avoid the St Lawrence River freeze. She joined the 5th Canadian Escort Squadron and by August 1960, with Terra Nova, St. Croix and Kootenay, she took part in the 500th anniversary of Prince Henry the Navigator’s death off Lisbon.
In March 1965, with Gatineau she search for the disappeared Canadair CP-107 Argus north of San Juan, Puerto Rico. In 1966, with St. Laurent she took part in the independence celebrations of the Bahamas. By March 1968, Gatineau was the first to join NATO STANAVFORLANT, for nine months.
In 1969, Gatineau was transferred to the west coast after the reorganization of 1968, like four of her sisters replacing the Mackenzie-class destroyers as the 2nd Canadian Escort Squadron. On 9 September 1969, she was elected for an IRE conversion until 14 April 1971. On 28 August 1972, with Qu’Appelle and Provider she was sent in the South Pacific for a four-month cruise with many port calls and three major naval exercises.
Gatineau her her DELEX refit from September 1981 to 12 November 1982. In 1987, she was retranferred to the east coast in exchange of the destroyer Huron and by July 1988, took her turn in STANAVFORLANT for five months.
In September 1992, she was in STANAVFORLANT patrolling the Adriatic Sea (Bosnia-Herzegovina conflict) armed with six .50 cal. HMGs and search lights plus night vision equipment, rigid-hulled inflatable boat.
In July 1993, she escorted three Soviet warships visiting Canada (notably the cruiser Marshal Ustinov) and she was deployed off Haiti on behalfo of UN, and back to Halifax on 23 November. In 1995, she took part in ex. Strong Resolve off Norway, as Canadian flagship. In April 1995, she supported the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard during a fishing dispute with Spain (the Turbot War). She was paid off on 1 July 1998, sold in October 2009 to Aecon Fabco for scrapping but towed to Pictou, Nova Scotia.

She was laid down at Marine Industries Ltd., Sorel, Quebec on 15 October 1954, launched 17 November 1956 and completed on 4 October 1958. She was sold for scrap in 1991. Named for a river in New Brunswick, she was assigned to the 3rd Canadian Escort Squadron and in 1959 the 5fth Canadian Escort Squadron, escorting the royal yacht HMY Britannia with Queen Elizabeth II for her visit to Canada. With Terra Nova, Kootenay and Gatineau she was aty the 500th anniversary of Prince Henry the Navigator’s death off Lisbon.
In August 1964, she was transferred to the west coast and along with Columbia and Chaudière not selected for modernization (IRE) but 1966 St. Croix she had shock testing off San Francisco.
In 1968, she was in the 2nd Canadian Escort Squadron after the unification and Maritime Command and in 1967-1969, she cruised across the Pacific (Hawaii, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand).
In 1973, she was reassigned to the east coast but was paid off on 15 November 1974 in Halifax, in reserve, then disarmed with her propellers removed, machinery spaces were converted into classrooms to become an engineering school ship from 1984 until 1990. She was sold in 1991 to Jacobson Metal in Virginia, towed there in April.

She was laid down at Burrard Dry Dock Ltd. in North Vancouver, British Columbia on 21 August 1952, launched 15 June 1954 and completed on 7 March 1959. Decomm. on 18 December 1996 she was sunk as an artificial reef off Mexico in 2001. Kootenay was transferred to the east coast and cbecame lead ship, escort, for the royal yacht HMY Britannia in 1959. She was assigned to the 5th Canadian Escort Squadron and by August 1960 took part in the 500th anniversary of Prince Henry the Navigator off Lisbon. In March 1961 she was in a combined ex. with the USN off Nova Scotia. In January 1966, she was assigned to the 1st Canadian Escort Squadron.
On 23 October 1969 while operating in European waters in a task group with the aircraft carrier Bonaventure and seven destroyer escort while returning to Canada via English Channel, Kootenay and Saguenay separated to perform sea trials 200 miles (320 km) off Plymouth. After Saguenay’s trials, Kootenay started hers at 08:10 at full speed but by 08:21, her starboard gearbox reached 650 °C (1,202 °F) and exploded. The while machinery space burst into flames, killing 7, injuring 53, then 2 more of these later died from burn injuries. The ship started to make large circles at full speed for 40 minutes. The heat deformed her palting and created a bulge in her starboard side and flares were fired. Saguenay and Bonaventure came to assist and airlifted supplies and personnel. The fire was brought under control at 10:10, fully extinguished at c11:00. She was towed to Plymouth by the tug Samsonia, propellers removed, then towed to Halifax by the salvage tug Elbe, on 16 November, arrived on the 27th for repairs. This became the Royal Canadian Navy’s worst peacetime accident. Policy was changed as well as damage control training, with a centre for Maritime Forces Atlantic called “Damage Control Training Facility Kootenay” created to train all NATO personal.

While under repairs she had her IRE conversion and was back in service on 7 January 1972. She was transferred to the west coast and based in Esquimalt from 12 February 1973. Later she sailed with Terra Nova off the coast of Vietnam as part of the Canadian contribution to the International Commission of Control and Supervision. By July 1978, she assisted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in defeating a traffic of marijuana off British Columbia. In October 1981, Kootenay and Provider, tracked a Soviet force in the Gulf of Alaska, later joined by USS Fife.

By November 1981, the inspection team discovered cracks in her superheater headers while in Ottawa. All Restigouche-class were inspected. She was repaired bu by 1st June 1989, collided with the merchant vessel MV Nord Pol in fog 28 miles off Cape Flattery. She had a 3 by 16 feet (0.91 m × 4.88 m) bow gash. In repairs, her bow was removed and replaced by the one from Chaudière on 6 June 1989. By June 1990 Kootenay she sailed with the Canadian task group to Vladivostok, on 3–7 June, a first since WW2. In 1994 she was deployed off Haiti (13 July-15 September).
Paid off on 18 December 1996, sold she was towed on 6 November 2000, sunk off Puerto Vallarta, Mexico as artificial reef.

She was laid down at Victoria Machinery Depot Ltd., in Victoria on 14 November 1952, launched on 21 June 1955, completed on 6 June 1959. Decommissioned on 1 July 1998 and scrapped at Pictou, Nova Scotia. After commissioning, Terra Nova joined the ceremonies for the opening of the Saint Lawrence Seaway (July 1959) and in August 1960 was for others off Lisbon. She was assigned the 5th Canadian Escort Squadron and by March 1961, took part in a USN-RCN combined naval exercise off Nova Scotia.
In March 1965 with Gatineau she searched for a missing Canadair CP-107 Argus off Puerto Rico. In May she started her IRE refit, first converted and to test the new SQS-505 sonar. She joined the 3rd Canadian Escort Squadron by January 1966 then, west coast but only fully active from 4 May 1971 at Esquimalt. From 29 January to 26 June 1973 with Kootenay she was deployed off the coast of Vietnam (see above).
Inspections for cracks in superheaters were ordered and she was repaired. By May 1983 she visited China for the MoFA. By 21 November 1983 she had her DELEX refit at Esquimalt, back on 9 November 1984. She visited Norfolk in 1995 and bether close to USS Enterprise.
On 12 December 1989, she was retransfered to the east coast in exchange for Annapolis and later sent to take part in Operation Desert Shield, after her Gulf War refit, joining the destroyer Athabaskan and oiler Preserver on 24 August 1990, on station from 27 September, first patrol on 1 October. Terra Nova was back to Halifax on 7 April 1991 and took part later in the international coalition maritime interdiction force in the central Persian Gulf, then escorted hospital ships.
In October 1992, she had her last refit at Port Weller Dry Dock in St. Catharines, Ontario until mid-1993. On 22 February 1994, she caught MV Pacifico and seized 5.9 tonnes (5.8 long tons; 6.5 short tons) of cocaine. She was par tof the UN embargo off Haiti from 28 April to 18 July and rescued refugees boats. On 11 July 1997 she was decommissioned, paid off on 1 July 1998 sold in October 2009 to Aecon Fabco for scrapping in Pictou, Nova Scotia but she sank at her moorings and was later raised by crane.

She was laid down at Burrard Dry Dock Ltd. in North Vancouver like Kootenay on 11 June 1953, launched on 1 November 1956 and completed on 7 November 1959. She ended sunk as an artificial reef off British Columbia in 1996. She was transferred to the east coast and assigned to the 5th Canadian Escort Squadron. In August 1960 she rescued the crew of a Tracker aircraft from Bonaventure that crashed at sea 180 nm (330 km; 210 mi) south of Halifax assisted by Chaudière. She was sent to assist Nigeria’s Independence ceremonies at Lagos, 1 November 1960. By March 1961, she took part in combined naval exercise off Nova Scotia. She was transferred back to the Pacific, 2nd Canadian Escort Squadron in Esquimalt from March 1967.
No records. No upgraded. She was was paid off on 18 February 1974, reserve, fitted to run her engines at dockside as training ship. She ended sold to the Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia sunk near Campbell River (British Columbia) in June 1996.

Read More/Src

Books

Barrie, Ron; Macpherson, Ken (1996). Cadillac of Destroyers: HMCS St. Laurent and Her Successors. St. Catharines, Ontario: Vanwell Publishing.
Blackman, Raymond V.B., ed. (1963). Jane’s Fighting Ships 1963–64. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co.
Boutiller, James A., ed. (1982). RCN in Retrospect, 1910–1968. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press.
Couhat, Jean Labayle (1978). Combat Fleets of the World 1978–79. Arms and Armour Press.
Friedman, Norman (1986). The Postwar Naval Revolution. Naval Institute Press.
Gardiner, Robert; Chumbley, Stephen; Budzbon, Przemysław, eds. (1995). Conway’s All the World’s Fighting Ships 1947–1995.
German, Tony (1990). The Sea is at our Gates: The History of the Canadian Navy. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart.
Hadley, Michael L.; Huebert, Rob; Crickard, Fred W., eds. (1992). A Nation’s Navy: In Quest of Canadian Naval Identity. McGill-Queen’s University Press.
Macpherson, Ken; Barrie, Ron (2002). The Ships of Canada’s Naval Forces 1910–2002 (Third ed.). St. Catharines, Ontario: Vanwell Publishing.
Milner, Marc (2010). Canada’s Navy: The First Century (Second ed.). Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

Links

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navweaps.com/ 3-in 70 mk6.php
seaforces.org/
canada.ca/
valourcanada.ca
warmuseum.ca
shipbucket.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restigouche-class_destroyer
commons.wikimedia.org/

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