HMCS FRASER (2nd) (233)

HMCS FRASER (2nd)

The History of HMCS FRASER (2nd)

HMCS Fraser (DDH 233) is a St. Laurent-class destroyer that served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1957-1994.

HMCS Fraser (DDH 233) was the sixth of seven St. Laurent-class destroyer escorts built for the Royal Canadian Navy. These ships were the first major warships designed and built entirely in Canada. Named for the Fraser River, she was optimized for anti-submarine warfare in rough northern waters.

Her keel was laid down on 11 December 1951 by Burrard Dry Dock Co. Ltd. in North Vancouver, British Columbia. The incomplete hull was completed by Yarrows Ltd. at Esquimalt. She was launched on 19 February 1953 and commissioned on 28 June 1957 as DDE 233. Displacement was about 2,263 tonnes standard (rising to roughly 2,800 tonnes deep load), with dimensions of 111.6 metres in length, 12.8 metres beam, and a draught of about 4 metres. Powered by geared steam turbines delivering 30,000 shaft horsepower, she reached 28 knots. Armament as built included two twin 3-inch guns, two 40 mm guns, two Limbo anti-submarine mortars, and homing torpedoes. Crew numbered about 249.

After commissioning, Fraser joined the Second Canadian Escort Squadron at Esquimalt and served on the Pacific coast. Early duties included a Far Eastern training cruise in early 1958 with other RCN ships and routine operations. In November 1960, while en route to Pearl Harbor, she assisted the disabled yacht Red Witch until the United States Coast Guard arrived. In February and April 1965 she conducted successful shock trials off Hawaii. She also carried out ceremonial duties, including the consignment of naval officers' ashes at sea.

In mid-1965 Fraser transferred to the Atlantic for conversion. Work began on 2 July 1965 at Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal, making her the last St. Laurent to be rebuilt as a helicopter-carrying destroyer escort (DDH). The refit added a hangar, flight deck, and the Canadian-designed Beartrap helicopter haul-down and securing system, along with variable-depth sonar and other improvements. Now based at Halifax, her armament was changed to one twin 3-inch mount, one Limbo anti-submarine mortar launcher, torpedo launchers, and capacity for one CH-124 Sea King helicopter.

On 15 June 1967 Fraser recorded the first Sea King landings after conversion. In October 1967 she demonstrated the Beartrap system during a visit to Washington, D.C. The system allowed large helicopters to land and take off from small, rolling decks in poor weather and was later adopted by other navies. In May 1969 she represented Canada at the Spithead Review off Portsmouth.

Fraser was selected by the Canadian Forces for the Destroyer Life Extension (DELEX) project and completed this refit on 28 May 1982.

Fraser was decommissioned from active service on 5 October 1994 and placed in category C reserve. Later, she was given to the Artificial Reef Society of Nova Scotia. However, she was never considered as a candidate for an artificial reef but was towed to Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, where she was stored for possible use as a museum ship. She remained in Bridgwater until September 2010, when she was towed to be scrapped by Marine Recycling Corporation, in Port Colborne, Ontario.

HMCS FRASER (2nd) Statistical Data

Pendant: 233
Type: Destroyer Escort
Class: St. Laurent
Displacement: 2,263 tonnes
Length: 366 ft
Width: 42 ft
Draught: 13.2 ft
Speed: 28 kts
Compliment: 12 Officers and 237 Crew
Arms: 4 - 3" (2 X II), 2 - 40MM, 2 Limbo, Homing Torpedoes. After refit to DDH: 2 - 3" (1 x II), 1 Limbo, Homing Torpedoes, Helicopter
Builder: Burrard D.D. Co., Vancouver
Keel Laid: 11-Dec-51
Date Launched: 19-Feb-53
Date Commissioned: 28-Jun-57
Paid off: 05-Oct-94

Photos

HMCS Fraser in her original configuration, prior to refit as a helicopter destroyer.

Royal Canadian Navy St. Laurent-class destroyer HMCS Fraser (DDH 233) underway during exercise Distant Drum, 19 May 1983.

Keywords: HMCS FRASER (2nd), Royal Canadian Navy Ship, Destroyer Escort, St. Laurent Class