HMCS QU'APPELLE (2nd) (264)

HMCS QU'APPELLE (2nd)

The History of HMCS QU'APPELLE (2nd)

The second ship named HMCS Qu'Appelle was a Mackenzie-class destroyer escort that served the Royal Canadian Navy.

Built by Davie Shipbuilding in Lauzon, Quebec, she was ordered in 1957, laid down on 14 January 1960, and launched on 2 May 1962. She was commissioned on 14 September 1963 with the pennant number DDE 264. Named for the Qu'Appelle River in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, she became a unit of Pacific Command in 1964 and was based primarily at Esquimalt, British Columbia. She served largely as a training ship throughout her career under Maritime Forces Pacific.

Qu'Appelle was unique among the Mackenzie class. The intended forward twin 3-inch/70 calibre guns were unavailable, so she was fitted instead with twin 3-inch/50 calibre guns in that position. Like her sisters, she carried additional 3-inch guns aft, Limbo anti-submarine mortars, and torpedo launchers. She had a displacement of roughly 2,880 tonnes fully loaded, a length of 366 feet, and a top speed of 28 knots from steam turbines.

Her operational highlights included shadowing a Soviet task force near the Aleutian Islands in 1971 alongside HMCS Provider and the submarine HMCS Rainbow. In 1972 she joined HMCS Gatineau and Provider for a four-month South Pacific training cruise involving multi-country exercises.

She underwent the Destroyer Life Extension (DELEX) refit at Burrard Yarrow in Esquimalt between 25 May 1983 and 13 January 1984, receiving updated sensors, fire control, and torpedo systems.

In the summer of 1986 she sailed with HMCS Yukon and HMCS Saskatchewan to Australia for ceremonies marking the 75th anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy. She continued in the Training Group Pacific until the end of her service.

HMCS Qu'Appelle was paid off on 31 July 1992. She was sold to a Chinese firm in 1994 and broken up. The ship's bell is currently held by the CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum, in Esquimalt, British Columbia. One of Qu'Appelle's 3-inch/50 caliber guns is held by the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario.

HMCS QU'APPELLE (2nd) Statistical Data

Pendant: 264
Type: Destroyer Escort
Class: Mackenzie
Displacement: 2,380 tonnes
Length: 366 ft
Width: 42 ft
Draught: 13.5 ft
Speed: 28 kts
Compliment: 12 Officers and 233 Crew
Arms: 4 - 3" (2 x II), 2 Limbo, Homing Torpedoes.
Builder: Davie Shipbuilding, Lauzon Quebec
Keel Laid: 14-Jan-60
Date Launched: 02-May-62
Date Commissioned: 14-Sep-63
Paid off: 28-Mar-94

Remarks

Major refit (DELEX) in 1982.

Photos

HMCS Qu'Appelle leaving Esquimalt Harbour.

HMCS Qu'Appelle at sea.

Keywords: HMCS QU'APPELLE (2nd), Royal Canadian Navy Ship, Destroyer Escort, Mackenzie Class