HMCS MARGAREE (1st) (H49)
HMCS MARGAREE (1st)
The History of HMCS MARGAREE (1st)
Completed in 1932 at HMS Diana, she was serving on the China Station when the war broke out, and transferred to the Mediterranean for a short time before returning to Britain to join the Home Fleet. In May, 1940, she took part briefly in the Norwegian campaign and in mid-July commenced refit at Albert Docks, London. There she was transferred to the RCN to replace the lost Fraser, commissioning as Margaree on September 6, 1940. On October 20 she left Londonderry for Canada with a five-ship convoy, OL.8, and two days later was lost in collision with the freighter Port Fairy. 142 of her ship's company were lost, many of them survivors of Fraser.
HMCS MARGAREE (1st) Statistical Data
- Pendant: H49
- Type: Destroyer
- Class: RIVER Class British
- Displacement: 1375 tonnes
- Length: 329 ft
- Width: 33 ft
- Draught: 10.2 ft
- Speed: 31 kts
- Compliment: 10 Officers and 171 Crew
- Arms: 4-4.7", 8-21" Torpedo Tube (2 x IV), 2-2 pdrs. Modified to 2-4.7", 1-3", 4-21" Torpedo Tubes (I x IV), 6-20mm and Hedgehog as war began.
- Builder: Palmers Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Hebburn-on-Tyne, U.K.
- Keel Laid: 12-Jun-31
- Date Launched: 16-Jun-32
- Date Commissioned: 06-Sep-40
- Paid off: 22-Oct-40
Remarks
Ex HMS DIANA. Lost in the North Atlantic, after collision with the freighter PORT FAIRY, while escorting the five ship convoy OL.8. 142 of her ship's company were lost, many of which were survivor's of FRASER's tragic sinking.