HMCS LASALLE (K519)

HMCS LASALLE

HMCS LASALLE

The History of HMCS LASALLE

HMCS Lasalle (K519) was a River-class frigate of the Royal Canadian Navy and the only vessel to bear that name. Named for Lasalle, Quebec, she served primarily as a convoy escort and anti-submarine vessel in the final year of the Second World War.

Built by Davie Shipbuilding and Repairing Co. Ltd. at Lauzon, Quebec, her keel was laid on June 4, 1943, and she was launched on November 12, 1943. She was commissioned on June 29, 1944, at Quebec City. After a brief stop in Halifax to complete equipment fitting, she sailed to Bermuda on August 31 for work-up exercises.

In early October 1944 Lasalle joined the newly formed Escort Group 27 and spent the remainder of the war in the Halifax area on anti-submarine patrol and support duties, including operations connected with the Battle of the St. Lawrence.

On January 12, 1945, while Escort Group 27 entered Halifax Harbour in dense fog, Lasalle grounded on Georges Island. The island's fog signal was not operating, which contributed to the incident.

Following Victory in Europe Day Lasalle was ordered to Esquimalt, British Columbia, for a planned refit ahead of operations against Japan. She left Halifax on June 7, 1945, transited the Panama Canal on June 14, and arrived at Esquimalt on June 30. Japan's surrender ended the war before the refit could begin. She was then used for several trips to dispose of surplus and obsolete ammunition at sea.

Lasalle was paid off on December 17, 1945, at Esquimalt. She was dismantled in 1947 and her hull was used as a breakwater at Kelsey Bay, British Columbia, in 1948.

HMCS LASALLE Statistical Data

  • Pendant: K519
  • 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: Davie Shipbuilding and Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon, Que.
  • Keel Laid: 04-Jun-43
  • Date Launched: 11-Dec-43
  • Date Commissioned: 29-Jun-44
  • Paid off: 17-Dec-45

Photos

Frigate HMCS Lasalle on 2500 ton Lifting Capacity Marine Railway Drydock, Esquimalt, B.C., 31 July 1945. (Library and Archives Canada)

Frigate HMCS Lasalle on 2500 ton Lifting Capacity Marine Railway Drydock, Esquimalt, B.C., 31 July 1945. (Library and Archives Canada)

A depth charge exploding astern of HMCS LASALLE K519. (Naval Museum of Halifax)

A depth charge exploding astern of HMCS LASALLE K519. (Naval Museum of Halifax)

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