HMCS ST. CROIX (1st) (I81)
HMCS ST. CROIX (1st)
The History of HMCS ST. CROIX (1st)
Completed in 1919, she operated with the Atlantic Fleet as USS McCook until placed in reserve at Philadelphia in 1922. Re-commissioned in December 1939, she again served with the Atlantic Fleet prior to being transferred to the RCN at Halifax as HMCS St. Croix on September 24, 1940. She sailed for the U.K. via St. John's, 1940. She sailed for the U.K. via St. John's on November 30, but ran into a hurricane and had to return. Arriving at Halifax on December 18, she remained under repair until mid-March 1941, when she took up the role of local escort. In August, 1941, she joined NEF, escorting convoys to Iceland. In May, 1942, following six months' refit at Saint John, N.B., she escorted her first convoy, SC.84, to the U.K., and was thereafter employed constantly on the "Newfie-Derry" run. In April, 1943, she was assigned to EG C-1, and in June to C-5. During this period she sank U 90 while escorting convoy ON.113 on July 24, 1942, and on March 4, 1943, while accompanying convoy KMS.10 from Britain to Algeria, she assisted HMCS Shediac in destroying U 87. In August, 1943, St. Croix was allocated to support group EG 9 for an offensive against U-boats crossing the Bay of Biscay, but the group was diverted to the assistance of a series of convoys beset by U-boats in the Atlantic. While thus engaged, with convoy in the Atlantic. While thus engaged, with convoy ON.202, St. Croix was torpedoed and sunk by U 305 on September 20, south of Iceland. Five officers and 76 men were rescued by HMS Itchen, but only one of these survived the loss of Itchen two days later.
HMCS ST. CROIX (1st) Statistical Data
- Pendant: I81
- Type: Destroyer
- Class: TOWN
- Displacement: 1190 tonnes
- Length: 314.3 ft
- Width: 30.8 ft
- Draught: 9.3 ft
- Speed: 28 kts
- Compliment: 10 Officers and 143 Crew
- Arms: 4-4", 12-21" Torpedo Tubes (4 x III)
- Builder: Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp. Ltd.. Quincy, Mass.
- Keel Laid: 11-Sep-18
- Date Launched: 31-Jan-19
- Date Commissioned: 24-Sep-40
- Paid off: 20-Sep-43
Remarks
Ex USS McCOOK. Torpedoed and sunk by U305, south of Iceland, while escorting convoy ON.202. Five officers and 76 men were rescued by HMS ITCHEN, but only one of these survived the loss of the ITCHEN two days later."
More Images
ST. CROIX Coming Alongside with Storm Damage.