HMCS SKEENA Badge

HMCS SKEENA Badge

Blazon

Azure, out of a base invected argent, a salmon sinisterwise proper.
(Glossary of Heraldic Terms)

Significance

GH Armstrong in 'The Origin and Meaning of Place Names in Canada' says the word skeena is derived from the Indigenous 'iksh' meaning 'out of' and 'shean' or 'sh yen', the clouds. As the Skeena, like most of the rivers along the coast of British Columbia, finds its source far inland among the mountains whose tops are so often shrouded in clouds and mists, it is but natural that this name meaning 'Out of the Clouds' should be given to this great river. Hence, for the badge of HMCS SKEENA a base suggesting clouds has been made in heraldic manner out of which there rises a fine salmon, which is here used in honour of the original ship of that name which used the salmon as its unofficial badge.

Remarks

Skeena (I) was commissioned into the RCN in June 1931. A member of the River class of destroyers, she wore pennants D59 and then 159 until she was lost in a grounding in October 1944. Skeena (II) was a member of the St. Laurent class of destroyers. She was commissioned in March 1957. She underwent the conversion to an Improved St. Laurent class DOH, and recom­missioned in August 1965, wearing pennant 207 until she was paid off in 1993.

Motto

"En Avant"

Colours

White and blue

Battle Honours

Atlantic 1939–44, Normandy 1944, Biscay 1944

References

Badges Of The Canadian Navy by Arbuckle, J. Graeme. Halifax: Nimbus Publishing, 1987.

CFP 267 - Badges of the Canadian Forces, Minister of Supply and Services Canada, 1977.