HMCS BUXTON (H96)

HMCS BUXTON

HMCS BUXTON

The History of HMCS BUXTON

HMCS Buxton was a Town-class destroyer, originally built as the Clemson-class USS Edwards (DD-265) by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp. Ltd. at Squantum, Massachusetts. Her keel was laid on 20 April 1918, she was launched on 10 October 1918, and she was commissioned in the United States Navy on 24 April 1919.

After brief service with the US Navy in Europe, Edwards was placed in reserve at San Diego in 1922. She was recommissioned in December 1939, overhauled, and conducted Neutrality Patrols in the Gulf of Mexico and off the US east coast from April to September 1940.

Under the Destroyers for Bases Agreement she was transferred to the Royal Navy and commissioned as HMS Buxton (H96) at Halifax on 8 October 1940. Serious defects limited her to local duties at first. After a major refit at Boston from July to September 1941 she made her first Atlantic crossing in October, but further repairs at Chatham kept her idle from December 1941 to April 1942. She then served briefly with the 6th Escort Group in the Western Approaches before returning to Canadian waters in August 1942 and joining the Western Local Escort Force. Persistent mechanical problems required another Boston refit from December 1942 to March 1943. She rejoined the force at St. John's on 30 March 1943 and later formed part of Escort Group W-1, escorting convoys between New York, Halifax and the Western Ocean Meeting Point.

Because of ongoing defects she was offered to the Royal Canadian Navy for training. Commissioned as HMCS Buxton at Halifax on 4 November 1943, she arrived at Digby, Nova Scotia, in December and served as a stationary training ship.

She was paid off after VE-Day on 2 June 1945 at Sydney, Nova Scotia, and broken up the same year at Boston, Massachusetts.

HMCS BUXTON Statistical Data

  • Pendant: H96
  • Type: Destroyer
  • Class: TOWN
  • Displacement: 1190 tonnes
  • Length: 314.3 ft
  • Width: 30.8 ft
  • Draught: 9.3 ft
  • Speed: 28 kts
  • Compliment: 10 Officers and 143 Crew
  • Arms: 4-4", 12-21" Torpedo Tubes (4 x III)
  • Builder: Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp. Ltd., Squantum. Mass.
  • Keel Laid: 20-Apr-18
  • Date Launched: 10-Oct-18
  • Date Commissioned: 04-Nov-43
  • Paid off: 02-Jun-45

Remarks

Ex USS EDWARDS and later HMS Buxton

Photos

HMCS Buxton as USS Edwards in New York City August 3, 1940. Naval Historical Center photo NH66796.

HMCS Buxton as USS Edwards in New York City August 3, 1940. Naval Historical Center photo NH66796.

Keywords: HMCS BUXTON, Royal Canadian Navy Ship, Destroyer, TOWN Class