HMCS FORT ERIE (K670/312)

HMCS FORT ERIE

HMCS FORT ERIE

The History of HMCS FORT ERIE

HMCS FORT ERIE Badge

HMCS Fort Erie was a River-class frigate of the Royal Canadian Navy, later converted to a Prestonian-class ocean escort.

Named for Fort Erie, Ontario, she was ordered in June 1942 as part of the 1943-1944 building program. She was laid down as La Tuque on 3 November 1943 by George T. Davie & Sons Ltd. at Lauzon, Quebec, renamed Fort Erie in March 1944, and launched on 27 May 1944. She was commissioned at Quebec City on 27 October 1944 with the pennant number K670.

After arriving in Halifax in December 1944, Fort Erie worked up in Bermuda in mid-January 1945. She was then assigned to Escort Group 28, a Royal Canadian Navy support group based in Halifax, and remained with that unit for the rest of the European war.

On 2 June 1945, Fort Erie began a tropicalization refit at Pictou, Nova Scotia, in preparation for possible Pacific service. The refit was cancelled on 20 August 1945 following the end of the war. She was paid off on 22 November 1945 and laid up at Shelburne, Nova Scotia.

Sold to Marine Industries Ltd. in 1946, Fort Erie was later reacquired by the RCN amid concerns over the growing Soviet submarine threat. She was rebuilt between 1954 and 1955 as a Prestonian-class ocean escort and recommissioned on 17 April 1956 with the pennant number 312.

As a member of the Seventh Canadian Escort Squadron Fort Erie served primarily as a training ship. In February 1959 she returned to Halifax with other vessels after a five-week exercise in southern waters that included a port visit to Kingston, Jamaica. In March 1961 she took part in a combined exercise with the United States Navy off Nova Scotia.

HMCS Fort Erie was paid off for the final time on 26 March 1965 at Halifax. She was broken up at La Spezia, Italy, in 1966.

HMCS FORT ERIE Statistical Data

  • Pendant: K670/312
  • Type: Frigate
  • Class: RIVER Class 43-44 Programme
  • Displacement: 1445 tonnes
  • Length: 301.5 ft
  • Width: 36.6 ft
  • Draught: 9 ft
  • Speed: 19 kts
  • Compliment: 8 Officers and 133 Crew
  • Arms: 2-4" (1 x II), 4-20mm, Hedgehog
  • Builder: George T. Davie & Sons Ltd., Lauzon. Que.
  • Keel Laid: 03-Nov-43
  • Date Launched: 27-May-44
  • Date Commissioned: 27-Oct-44
  • Paid off: 22-Nov-45

Remarks

Recommissioned as a Prestonian Class on 17-Apr-56. Pendant Number 312. Finally Paid Off 26-Mar-65. Post War FORT ERIE Pictured.

Photos

HMCS Fort Erie, Prestonian Class frigate.

HMCS Fort Erie, Prestonian Class frigate.

HMCS Fort Erie K670

HMCS Fort Erie K670

Keywords: HMCS FORT ERIE, Royal Canadian Navy Ship, Frigate, RIVER Class 43-44 Programme Class