HMCS LONGUEUIL (K672)

HMCS LONGUEUIL

HMCS LONGUEUIL

The History of HMCS LONGUEUIL

HMCS Longueuil (K672) was a River-class frigate of the Royal Canadian Navy and the only vessel to bear that name. Named for the city of Longueuil, Quebec, she served primarily as a convoy escort during the Battle of the Atlantic in the Second World War and earned the battle honour Atlantic 1944-1945.

Ordered in October 1941 as part of the 1942-1943 building program, Longueuil was constructed by Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal, Quebec. Her keel was laid on 17 July 1943, she was launched on 30 October 1943, and she was commissioned on 18 May 1944 at Montreal.

As a River-class frigate, she was larger, faster, and more habitable than the earlier corvettes, with greater endurance for ocean escort work. Longueuil displaced 1,445 tons, measured roughly 91.9 metres in length, 11.1 metres in beam and 2.7 metres in draught, and could reach 19 knots. Her complement was about 141 officers and ratings. Armament included a twin 4-inch gun mount, a 12-pounder gun, eight 20 mm guns in twin mounts, a Hedgehog anti-submarine mortar, and depth charges.

After commissioning Longueuil proceeded to Bermuda, arriving on 30 June 1944 for work-up training under her only commanding officer, Lieutenant-Commander M.J. Woods, RCNVR. In July she joined Escort Group C-2. On 7 August 1944 she left St. John's, Newfoundland, for Londonderry, Northern Ireland, with convoy HXF.302. She spent the remainder of the war on North Atlantic convoy duty and at times served as the senior officer's ship of her group.

In June 1945, with the end of the war in Europe, Longueuil returned to Canada and sailed to Vancouver for a planned tropicalization refit in preparation for possible Pacific service against Japan. The refit was cancelled after Japan's surrender.

Longueuil was paid off on 31 December 1945 at Esquimalt, British Columbia. Sold in 1947, she was expended as part of a breakwater at Kelsey Bay, British Columbia, in 1948.

HMCS LONGUEUIL Statistical Data

  • Pendant: K672
  • 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: Canadian Vickers Ltd., Montreal. Que.
  • Keel Laid: 17-Jul-43
  • Date Launched: 30-Oct-43
  • Date Commissioned: 18-May-44
  • Paid off: 31-Dec-45

Photos

HMCS Longueuil K672.(RCN Photo)

HMCS Longueuil K672.(RCN Photo)

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