HMCS ATHABASKAN (2nd) (R79 / Postwar-219)
HMCS ATHABASKAN (2nd)
The History of HMCS ATHABASKAN (2nd)
HMCS Athabaskan (R79) was the second destroyer of the Royal Canadian Navy to bear the name Athabaskan, after the many tribes throughout western Canada that speak Athabaskan family languages. Its pennant was later changed to DDE219. Both this ship and the original Athabaskan were Tribal class destroyers and thus this one became known as Athabaskan II.
Built too late to see action in the North Atlantic, Athabaskan served in the Korean War and played an important role in Canadian postwar naval reform following a crew protest in 1949.
HMCS ATHABASKAN (2nd) Statistical Data
- Pendant: R79 / Postwar-219
- Type: Destroyer
- Class: TRIBAL 1940s
- Displacement: 2,200 tonnes
- Length: 355.5 ft
- Width: 37.5 ft
- Draught: 11.2 ft
- Speed: 32 kts
- Compliment: 14 Officers and 245 Crew
- Arms: 6 - 4.7" (3XII), 2 - 4" (IxII), 4 - 2 pdrs (1xIV), 6 - 20mm, 4 - 21" TT (1xIV). Revised: 4 - 4" (2xII), 2 - 3" (1xII), 4 - 40mm, 4 - 21"TT (1XIV), 2 x Squid.
- Builder: Halifax Shipyards Ltd., Halifax, NS
- Keel Laid: 15-May-43
- Date Launched: 04-May-46
- Date Commissioned: 20-Jan-48
- Paid off: 21-Apr-66
Remarks
The 2nd ship to be named ATHABASKAN. Athabaskan operated during the Korean War, earning the battle honour "Korea 1950-53".
Additional Information
Athabaskan was sold for scrap in 1969.