HMCS KOKANEE (K419)

HMCS KOKANEE

The History of HMCS KOKANEE

HMCS Kokanee (K419) was a River-class frigate of the Royal Canadian Navy that served briefly but actively during the final year of the Second World War.

Built by Yarrows Ltd. at Esquimalt, British Columbia, Kokanee was ordered in October 1941 as part of the 1942-43 building program. Laid down on 25 August 1943 and launched on 27 November 1943, she was commissioned on 6 June 1944. The name honoured Kokanee Lake in southeastern British Columbia, and alternatively the town of Nelson, British Columbia, as the preferred name was already in use by another Allied vessel. She displaced about 1,445 tons, measured roughly 91.9 metres in length, achieved 19 knots, and carried a crew of 141. Armament included a twin 4-inch gun mount, a 12-pounder gun, 20 mm guns, a Hedgehog anti-submarine mortar, and depth charges.

After commissioning, Kokanee sailed for the Atlantic coast, arriving at Halifax on 24 July 1944, via the Panama Canal. She worked up off Bermuda in August and, in September, joined Escort Group C-3 of the Mid-Ocean Escort Force at St. John's, Newfoundland, as the Senior Officer's ship. She spent the remainder of the European war on North Atlantic convoy duty between Canadian ports and Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

One notable action occurred during the escort of eastbound convoy HX-327 in late December 1944, when ships of the group, including HMCS St. Thomas, sank the German submarine U-877 with no loss of life among its 54-man crew. Kokanee left Londonderry for the last time on 25 May 1945 with westbound convoy ON.304.

With the war in Europe over, Kokanee returned to the West Coast in June 1945 for a tropicalization refit at Yarrows in preparation for possible Pacific service. The refit finished on 4 October 1945, after Japan's surrender.

Kokanee was paid off into reserve on 21 December 1945. In 1947 she was sold to Canadian brokers and the following year to the Indian government. Converted into a pilot vessel for the Hooghly River, she was renamed Bengal in 1950 (later P.V. Bengal) and was scrapped in India in 1965.

HMCS KOKANEE Statistical Data

• Pendant: K419
• Type: Frigate
• Class: RIVER Class 42-43 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: Yarrows Ltd.. Esquimalt, B.C.
• Keel Laid: 25-Aug-43
• Date Launched: 27-Nov-43
• Date Commissioned: 6-Jun-44
• Paid off: 21-Dec-45

Photos

HMCS Kokanee, K419. (Naval Museum of Manitoba)

HMCS Kokanee, Aug or Sep 1944 off Bermuda (RCN Photo)

Keywords: HMCS KOKANEE, Royal Canadian Navy Ship, Frigate, RIVER Class 42-43 Programme Class