HMCS ROYALMOUNT (K677)

HMCS ROYALMOUNT

HMCS ROYALMOUNT

The History of HMCS ROYALMOUNT

HMCS Royalmount (K677) was a River-class frigate of the Royal Canadian Navy that served as a mid-ocean convoy escort in the final phase of the Battle of the Atlantic during the Second World War.

Built by Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal, Quebec, the ship was laid down on 7 January 1944 as Alvington, launched on 15 April 1944, and renamed Royalmount. The name, a reversal of "Mount Royal," honoured the town of Mount Royal, Quebec, after "Mount Royal" was judged too similar to the existing frigate HMCS Montreal. The town adopted the vessel and provided generous support throughout her service.

HMCS Royalmount was commissioned at Montreal on 25 August 1944. She arrived at Halifax on 8 September and carried out work-up exercises off Bermuda in October and early November. On 15 November she joined Escort Group C-1 at St. John's, Newfoundland, and spent the remainder of the war in Europe as a mid-ocean escort. She left Liverpool on 21 April 1945 with her final convoy (ONS.48) bound for a refit at Sydney, Nova Scotia, but detached to Halifax because of sonar problems.

While alongside in Halifax Dockyard in dense fog, her forecastle was holed by the port anchor of the sister ship HMCS Coaticook. After repairs she proceeded to Sydney for a full refit (roughly late May to early October 1945). The European war had ended, and she was prepared for possible Pacific service, but Japan's surrender on 14 August 1945 made this unnecessary; she was placed in reserve at Halifax.

Royalmount was paid off at Halifax on 17 November 1945 and laid up in Bedford Basin. On 16 February 1946, while at her mooring amid snow and a moderate northwest gale, she sheered into the ocean tug Clifton; the tug's starboard anchor holed her side amidships, requiring two days of repairs.

In June 1947 Royalmount's bell was presented to the town of Mount Royal in appreciation of its support. Later that year she was sold to a New York buyer and scrapped.

HMCS ROYALMOUNT Statistical Data

  • Pendant: K677
  • Type: Frigate
  • Class: RIVER Class 43-44 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: 07-Jan-44
  • Date Launched: 15-Apr-44
  • Date Commissioned: 25-Aug-44
  • Paid off: 17-Nov-45

Photos

"Here She Comes" (view from the bridge of H.M.C.S. ROYALMOUNT), 1944. (Library and Archives Canada)

"Here She Comes" (view from the bridge of H.M.C.S. ROYALMOUNT), 1944. (Library and Archives Canada)

Keywords: HMCS ROYALMOUNT, Royal Canadian Navy Ship, Frigate, RIVER Class 43-44 Programme Class