HMCS CHAUDIERE (1st) (H99)
HMCS CHAUDIERE (1st)
The History of HMCS CHAUDIERE (1st)
Completed in 1936 as HMS Hero, she was extensive service in the Second World War, including the second Battle of Narvik, April 1940; the evacuation of Greece and Crete, April and May, 1941; and the Syrian invasion, June, 1941. As a unit of the Mediterranean Fleet, she also took part in the second Battle of Sirte in March, 1942, and, in May and October of the same year, shared in the sinking of two U-boats. In April, 1943, she returned to the U.K. for a major refit at Portsmouth, and there was transferred to the RCN on November 15, 1943, becoming HMCS Chaudiere. In January, 1944, she became a member of EG C-2, MOEF, and on March 6, shared in the destruction of U 744. In May she was assigned to EG 11, Western Approaches Command, for invasion support duty, and was present on D-Day. On August 20 and 28, respectively, she assisted in the sinking of U 984, west of Brest, and of U 621 off La Rochelle. During the next three months she was employed in patrol and support duties in the North Atlantic, Bay of Biscay, and English Channel. She returned to Halifax at the end of November for repairs, and a major refit begun at Sydney two months later was still incomplete on VE-Day. Chaudiere was paid off August 17, 1945 to reserve at Sydney, and broken up there in 1950.
HMCS CHAUDIERE (1st) Statistical Data
- Pendant: H99
- Type: Destroyer
- Class: RIVER Class British
- Displacement: 1340 tonnes
- Length: 323 ft
- Width: 33 ft
- Draught: 9.9 ft
- Speed: 31 kts
- Compliment: 10 Officers and 171 Crew
- Arms: 2-4.7", 4-21" Torpedo Tubes (1 xIV), 2-6 pdrs., 6-20mm, Hedgehog
- Builder: Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd., Newcastle-on-Tyne. U.K.
- Keel Laid: 28-Feb-35
- Date Launched: 10-Mar-36
- Date Commissioned: 15-Nov-43
- Paid off: 17-Aug-45
Remarks
Ex HMS HERO