HMCS NIPIGON (2nd) (266)
HMCS NIPIGON (2nd)
The History of HMCS NIPIGON (2nd)
HMCS Nipigon (DDH 266) was an Annapolis-class destroyer that served in the Royal Canadian Navy and later the Canadian Forces. She was the second Canadian naval unit to carry this name. She is named for the Nipigon River, Ontario.
Nipigon was laid down on 5 August 1960 at Marine Industries Ltd., Sorel and launched on 10 December 1961. Her construction was overseen by Cdr Donald Clark CD, who also oversaw the laying-down and commencement of HMCS Bras d Or. She was commissioned into the RCN on 30 May 1964 with pennant number 266 and with the wife of the then Governor-General Georges P Vanier DSO MC & Bar CD, Madame Pauline Vanier, as her sponsor.
A fire broke out aboard the ship at 8:25 p.m. on 18 October 18 1965, causing the death of three crew; no official cause for the explosion and subsequent fire has ever been given, although a leak in one of the fuel tanks of the on-board helicopter was though to be the cause.
Nipigon served most of her career with the RCN and later Canadian Forces' Atlantic Fleet. During her service with Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT), she was primarily used as a training ship.
She was decommissioned from the Canadian Forces on 2 July 1998 and sold for use as an artificial reef. She was sunk in the St. Lawrence River north of Rimouski, Quebec on 22 July 2003, using depth charges.
HMCS NIPIGON (2nd) Statistical Data
- Pendant: 266
- Type: Helicopter Destroyer
- Class: Annapolis
- Displacement: 2,400 tonnes
- Length: 371 ft
- Width: 42 ft
- Draught: 13.66 ft
- Speed: 28 kts
- Compliment: 12 Officers and 234 Crew
- Arms: 2 - 3" (1xII), 1 Limbo ASW Mortar, Homing Torpedos, 1 Sea King Helo.
- Builder: MARINE INDUSTRIES, SOREL, QUE
- Keel Laid: 05-Aug-60
- Date Launched: 10-Dec-61
- Date Commissioned: 30-May-64
- Paid off: 02-Jul-98
Remarks
Originally built as a helicopter destroyer. Major DELEX refit completed 22 Aug 84.