HMCS ORKNEY (K448)

HMCS ORKNEY

HMCS ORKNEY

The History of HMCS ORKNEY

HMCS Orkney was a River-class frigate of the Royal Canadian Navy that served as a convoy escort during the Second World War. Named for Orkney, Saskatchewan, she was originally intended to be called Yorkton after the nearby city but was renamed to avoid confusion with the American aircraft carrier USS Yorktown.

Ordered in June 1942 as part of the 1942-1943 building program, she was constructed by Yarrows Ltd. at Esquimalt, British Columbia. Her keel was laid on 19 May 1943, she was launched on 18 September 1943, and she was commissioned on 18 April 1944 at Victoria, British Columbia. She displaced approximately 1,468 tonnes, measured 91.9 metres in length, and had a speed of 19 knots. Her armament included a twin 4-inch gun mount, a 12-pounder gun, eight 20-mm anti-aircraft guns, a Hedgehog anti-submarine mortar, and depth charges, with a complement of about 141 officers and ratings.

After commissioning, Orkney sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia, arriving on 8 June 1944. She completed working-up exercises in Bermuda before joining Escort Group 16 in August. She was soon transferred as Senior Officer's ship to Escort Group 25, based at Londonderry, Northern Ireland. In late October 1944 she sailed with eastbound convoy HX.317 and thereafter operated in British waters.

On 13 February 1945, while escorting shipping in the Irish Sea, Orkney collided with the merchant vessel SS Blairnevis. The merchant ship was lost, while Orkney sustained severe damage and required repairs at Dunstaffnage, Scotland, until mid-April. After a short work-up at Tobermory she returned briefly to Londonderry and then sailed for Canada in late May 1945.

HMCS Orkney underwent a tropicalization refit at Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, completed on 20 October 1945 in preparation for possible Pacific service. She performed local duties until being paid off into reserve on 22 January 1946 at Bedford Basin.

Sold in 1947, Orkney was renamed Violetta and used for a time as an Israeli immigrant ship. She later entered service with the Israeli Navy as Mivtakh. In 1959 she was sold to the navy of Ceylon (later Sri Lanka) and renamed Mahasena. She was broken up at Singapore in 1964.

HMCS ORKNEY Statistical Data

  • Pendant: K448
  • 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: 19-May-53
  • Date Launched: 18-Sep-43
  • Date Commissioned: 18-Apr-44
  • Paid off: 22-Jan-46

Photos

HMCS Orkney, Esquimalt, B.C., 27 April 1944. (Library and Archives Canada)

HMCS Orkney, Esquimalt, B.C., 27 April 1944. (Library and Archives Canada)

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