HMCS CHAUDIERE (1st) (H99)

HMCS CHAUDIERE (1st)

HMCS CHAUDIERE (1st)

The History of HMCS CHAUDIERE (1st)

HMCS Chaudiere was a River-class destroyer that began life as the British H-class destroyer HMS Hero.

She was built by Vickers-Armstrong Ltd. at Newcastle-on-Tyne. Laid down on 28 February 1935 and launched on 10 March 1936, she was commissioned into the Royal Navy as HMS Hero on 23 October 1936. With a displacement of about 1,361.5 tonnes, dimensions of 98.45 m by 10 m by 3 m, a top speed of 31 knots, and a crew of around 181, her armament included three 4.7-inch guns, four 21-inch torpedo tubes, lighter anti-aircraft weapons, and later a Hedgehog anti-submarine mortar.

As HMS Hero she saw extensive service in the Second World War. This included the Second Battle of Narvik in April 1940, the evacuations from Greece and Crete in April and May 1941, and the Syrian campaign in June 1941. Serving with the Mediterranean Fleet, she took part in the Second Battle of Sirte in March 1942 and shared in the sinking of two German U-boats in May and October 1942 (U-568 and U-559).

In April 1943 she returned to the United Kingdom for a major refit at Portsmouth. There she was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy and commissioned as HMCS Chaudiere (H99) on 15 November 1943.

From January 1944 she served with Escort Group C-2 of the Mid Ocean Escort Force. On 6 March 1944 she shared in the destruction of U-744 in the North Atlantic. In May she was assigned to Escort Group 11 under Western Approaches Command for invasion support duties and was present on D-Day. On 20 and 28 August 1944 she assisted in the sinking of U-984 west of Brest and U-621 off La Rochelle. She then carried out patrol and support duties in the North Atlantic, Bay of Biscay, and English Channel.

Chaudiere returned to Halifax at the end of November 1944 for repairs. A major refit begun at Sydney, Nova Scotia, was still incomplete at the end of the war in Europe.

Chaudiere was paid off to reserve at Sydney on 17 August 1945 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

Photos

HMCS CHAUDIERE, 1944 (Library and Archives Canada)

HMCS CHAUDIERE, 1944 (Library and Archives Canada)

Keywords: HMCS CHAUDIERE (1st), Royal Canadian Navy Ship, Destroyer, RIVER Class British Class