HMCS Barrie

Last updated

HMCS Barrie at sea.jpg
HMCS Barrie
History
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svgCanada
NameBarrie
Namesake Barrie, Ontario
Ordered1 February 1940
Builder Collingwood Shipyards Ltd., Collingwood
Laid down4 April 1940
Launched23 November 1940
Commissioned12 May 1941
Decommissioned26 June 1945
Identification Pennant number: K138
Honours and
awards		Atlantic 1941–45, English Channel 1942
FateSold for mercantile use 1947; purchased by Argentine Navy 1957
Flag of Argentina.svgArgentina
NameARA Capitán Cánepa
Acquiredtaken over from mercantile interests
Commissioned1957
Out of service1972
FateBroken up 1972
General characteristics
Class and type Flower-class corvette (original)
Displacement950 long tons (970  t)
Length205 ft 1 in (62.51 m) o/a
Beam33 ft 1 in (10.08 m)
Draught13 ft 5 in (4.09 m)
Propulsion
  • single shaft
  • 2 × Scotch boilers
  • 1 × 4-cylinder triple-expansion reciprocating steam engine
  • 2,750 ihp (2,050 kW)
Speed16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Range3,450  nmi (6,390 km; 3,970 mi) at 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement47
Sensors and
processing systems
  • 1 × SW1C or 2C radar
  • 1 × Type 123A or Type 127DV sonar
Armament

HMCS Barrie was a Flower-class corvette that served with the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. The ship was constructed by Collingwood Shipyards Ltd. at Collingwood, Ontario, laid down on 4 April 1940. The ship was launched on 23 November 1940 and commissioned on 12 May 1941. The corvette was named for the city of Barrie, Ontario. Barrie served primarily in the Battle of the Atlantic as a convoy escort. Following the war, Barrie was sold to Argentinian commercial interests which converted the corvette to a cargo ship and renamed the vessel Gasestado. In 1957, Gasestado was acquired by the Argentinian Navy and converted to a survey ship and renamed ARA Capitán Cánepa. The Argentinian Navy discarded the ship in 1972.

Contents

Design and description

Flower-class corvettes such as Barrie serving with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) in the Second World War were different from earlier and more traditional sail-driven corvettes. [1] [2] The Flower-class corvettes originated from a need that arose in 1938 to expand the Royal Navy following the Munich Crisis. [3] A design request went out for a small escort for coastal convoys. [4] Based on a traditional whaler-type design, the initial Canadian ships of the Flower class had a standard displacement of 950 long tons (970  t ). They were 205 feet 1 inch (62.51 m) long overall with a beam of 33 feet 1 inch (10.08 m) and a maximum draught of 13 feet 5 inches (4.09 m). The initial 1939–1940 corvettes were powered by a four-cylinder vertical triple expansion engine powered by steam from two Scotch boilers turning one three-bladed propeller rated at 2,800 indicated horsepower (2,100  kW ). The Scotch boilers were replaced with water-tube boilers in later 1939–1940 and 1940–1941 Programme ships. The corvettes had a maximum speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph). This gave them a range of 3,450 nautical miles (6,390 km; 3,970 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph). [5] The vessels were extremely wet. [6]

The Canadian Flower-class vessels were initially armed with a Mk IX BL 4-inch (102 mm) gun forward on a CP 1 mounting and carried 100 rounds per gun. The corvettes were also armed with a QF Vickers 2-pounder (40 mm, 1.6 in) gun on a bandstand aft, two single-mounted .303 Vickers machine guns or Browning 0.5-calibre machine guns for anti-aircraft defence and two twin-mounted .303 Lewis machine guns, usually sited on bridge wings. [3] [5] [7] For anti-submarine warfare, they mounted two depth charge throwers and initially carried 25 depth charges. The corvettes were designed with a Type 123 ASDIC sonar set installed. The Flower-class ships had a complement of 47 officers and ratings. [3] The Royal Canadian Navy initially ordered 54 corvettes in 1940 and these were fitted with Mark II Oropesa minesweeping gear used for destroying contact mines. [8] Part of the depth charge rails were made portable so the minesweeping gear could be utilised. [9]

Modifications

In Canadian service the vessels were altered due to experience with the design's deficiencies. The galley was moved further back in the ship and the mess and sleeping quarters combined. A wireless direction finding set was installed, and enlarged bilge keels were installed to reduce rolling. [10] After the first 35–40 corvettes had been constructed, the foremast was shifted aft of the bridge and the mainmast was eliminated. Corvettes were first fitted with basic SW-1 and SW-2 CQ surface warning radar, notable for their fishbone-like antenna and reputation for failure in poor weather or in the dark. The compass house was moved further aft and the open-type bridge was situated in front of it. The ASDIC hut was moved in front and to a lower position on the bridge. The improved Type 271 radar was placed aft, with some units receiving Type 291 radar for air search. The minesweeping gear, a feature of the first 54 corvettes, was removed. [11] Most Canadian Flower-class corvettes had their forecastles extended which improved crew accommodation and seakeeping. Furthermore, the sheer and flare of the bow was increased, which led to an enlarged bridge. This allowed for the installation of Oerlikon 20 mm (0.8 in) cannon, replacing the Browning and Vickers machine guns. [12] Some of the corvettes were rearmed with Hedgehog anti-submarine mortars. [13] The complements of the ships grew throughout the war rising from the initial 47 to as many as 104. [12]

Construction and career

Canadian service

Ordered as part of the 1939–1940 Flower-class building program, Barrie was laid down by Collingwood Shipyards Ltd. at Collingwood, Ontario on 4 April 1940. The corvette was launched on 23 November 1940 and commissioned on 12 May 1941 at Montreal, Quebec. Named for the community in Ontario, the ship was given the pennant number K138. [14] After commissioning Barrie was assigned to Sydney Force, operating as a local anti-submarine escort out of Sydney, Nova Scotia in the Battle of the Atlantic. The corvette left Sydney Force in September and joined the transatlantic convoy SC 43 en route to Iceland. However, the ship left the convoy early due to defects and sailed for Belfast, Northern Ireland, for repairs. [14] While alongside in Belfast, Barrie was the first Canadian corvette to have a Type 271 radar installed. [15] After returning to operations, Barrie was assigned to the escort group 6 and escorted the convoys ONS 50 and SC 51 across the Atlantic without incident between December 1941 and January 1942. [16] In February 1942, with the withdrawal of American ships from convoy escort duties, Barrie was re-assigned to escort group A2. [17] On 9 February 1942, the corvette rescued 38 survivors from the British merchant ship Empire Fusilier which had been torpedoed and sunk south east of St John's, Newfoundland by U-85. [18]

In May 1942 Barrie was assigned to the Western Local Escort Force (WLEF), escorting convoys along the coast of North America. The corvette remained with the WLEF until near the end of the war. In June 1943 she was assigned to escort group W-1. Barrie stayed with W-1 for much of the war except for a short period in late 1944 where she was temporarily assigned to escort group W-8. Barrie's second refit began in mid-March 1944 at Thompson Brothers in Liverpool, Nova Scotia where her forecastle was extended. After trials off Bermuda, the corvette joined HX 357 for the ship's last convoy mission, leaving New York City for Europe on 19 May 1945. Upon Barrie's return to Canada, the ship was paid off on 26 June 1945 at Sorel, Quebec. [14] For the vessel's service during the Second World War, Barrie was awarded the battle honours "Atlantic 1939–45" and "English Channel 1942". [19] [20]

Argentinian service

The corvette was sold to Argentine mercantile interests in 1947. The ship was renamed Gasestado. In 1957 Gasestado was taken over by the Argentine Navy and renamed Capitán Cánepa. Capitán Cánepa was used as a survey vessel until being broken up in 1972. [14] [21]

Citations

  1. ↑ Fitzsimons 1978, pp. 1137–1142.
  2. ↑ Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II, p.  68.
  3. 1 2 3 Preston & Raven 1973, p. 1.
  4. ↑ McKay & Harland 1993, p. 8.
  5. 1 2 Lynch 1981, p. 66.
  6. ↑ McKay & Harland 1993, p. 11.
  7. ↑ McKay & Harland 1993, p. 14.
  8. ↑ McKay & Harland 1993, p. 12.
  9. ↑ Preston & Raven 1973, pp. 3–4.
  10. ↑ Preston & Raven 1973, p. 4.
  11. ↑ Lynch 1981, p. 12.
  12. 1 2 Lynch 1981, pp. 10, 12.
  13. ↑ Macpherson & Barrie 2002, p. 103.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Macpherson & Barrie 2002, p. 109.
  15. ↑ Douglas, Sarty & Whitby 2002, p. 305.
  16. ↑ Rohwer 2005, p. 124.
  17. ↑ Rohwer 2005, p. 145.
  18. ↑ "Empire Fusilier". Uboat.net. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  19. ↑ "HMCS Barrie". Government of Canada. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  20. ↑ Thomas 1998, pp. 33, 89.
  21. ↑ "Barrie (6111648)" . Miramar Ship Index . Retrieved 13 July 2016.

Related Research Articles

HMCS <i>Buctouche</i> Flower-class corvette

HMCS Buctouche was a Flower-class corvette that served in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) during the Second World War. She served primarily in the Battle of the Atlantic escorting merchant ship convoys. Constructed by Davie Shipbuilding at Lauzon, Quebec, the vessel was laid down 14 August 1940 and was launched on 20 November that year. The corvette was named for Bouctouche, New Brunswick and was commissioned on 5 June 1941. Buctouche successfully damaged a U-boat during an engagement off the Avalon Peninsula. In 1944, the vessel went aground at Hamilton Inlet, Labrador. Following the war, the ship was decommissioned on 23 October 1945 and was sold for scrap in 1949.

HMCS <i>Alberni</i> Flower-class corvette

HMCS Alberni was a Flower-class corvette that served in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) during the Second World War. The Flower-class corvettes were warships designed for anti-submarine warfare. The ship was constructed by Yarrows Ltd. in Esquimalt, British Columbia, laid down on 19 April 1940, launched on 22 August and commissioned on 4 February 1941. The corvette sailed east to join the RCN's fleet in the Atlantic via the Panama Canal, where upon arrival, the vessel began escorting trans-atlantic convoys in the Battle of the Atlantic. Alberni took part in the key convoy battle of Convoy SC 42. In 1942, the corvette was transferred to Allied convoy assignments associated with Operation Torch in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1944, Alberni was among the Canadian naval vessels assigned to Operation Neptune, the naval component of the invasion of Normandy and escorted support ships to and from the United Kingdom on D-day.

HMCS <i>Brantford</i> Flower-class corvette

HMCS Brantford was a Flower-class corvette that served in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. The corvette was named for Brantford, Ontario. She served primarily as a convoy escort in the Battle of the Atlantic until 1944 when the vessel became a training ship attached to HMCS Cornwallis. Following the war, the ship was converted into a whaling ship and renamed Olympic Arrow in 1950. In 1956, the ship was sold and renamed Otori Maru No.14 and again in 1961 as Kyo Maru No.21. In 1972, the vessel was converted to a tugboat and renamed Daito Maru No.71. The vessel was broken up for scrap in 1976.

HMCS <i>Bittersweet</i> Flower-class corvette

HMCS Bittersweet was a Flower-class corvette that served with the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. Ordered by the Royal Navy at the beginning of the war, the ship was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy who had an excess of personnel and not enough ships. Laid down and Launched in 1940, the corvette fought as an ocean convoy escort in the Battle of the Atlantic. The vessel was named for the flowering vine solanum dulcamara. Since the vessel was owned by the British, it kept its flower name. Following the war, Bittersweet was returned to the Royal Navy and was broken up for scrap in 1950.

HMCS <i>Galt</i> Flower-class corvette

HMCS Galt was a Flower-class corvette of the Royal Canadian Navy that served during the Second World War. She saw action primarily in the Battle of the Atlantic. She was named after the city of Galt, Ontario.

HMCS <i>Agassiz</i> Flower-class corvette

HMCS Agassiz was a Flower-class corvette of the Royal Canadian Navy. Named after the community of Agassiz, British Columbia, the ship was constructed by Burrard Dry Dock Co. Ltd. in North Vancouver, British Columbia and was launched on 15 August 1940. The corvette was commissioned on 23 January 1941 in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Flower class were initially designed for coastal service during the Second World War, but due to the demands of the Battle of the Atlantic, Agassiz was used primarily as an ocean escort for convoys crossing the Atlantic Ocean in engagements with German submarines. Following the war, the corvette was sold for scrap.

HMCS <i>Battleford</i> Flower-class corvette

HMCS Battleford was a Flower-class corvette of the Royal Canadian Navy launched on 15 April 1940 and commissioned on 31 July 1941 during the Second World War. The corvette served primarily in the Battle of the Atlantic, escorting convoys of merchant ships. After the war she was sold to the Venezuelan Navy and renamed Libertad. Libertad was wrecked on 12 April 1949.

HMCS <i>Amherst</i> Flower-class corvette

HMCS Amherst was a Flower-class corvette of the Royal Canadian Navy. She served primarily in the Battle of the Atlantic on convoy protection duty during the Second World War. She was named for Amherst, Nova Scotia. The ship was laid down at Saint John Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. in Saint John, New Brunswick, on 23 May 1940 and launched on 3 December later that year. Amherst was commissioned on 5 August 1941 and served in the Battle of the Atlantic and Battle of the St. Lawrence, earning battle honours for both actions. After the war, the ship was decommissioned and sold to Venezuelan Navy in 1945 and renamed Carabobo. However, while en route to Venezuela, the ship was wrecked in the Gulf of St. Lawrence that same year.

HMCS <i>Algoma</i> Flower-class corvette

HMCS Algoma was a Flower-class corvette that served with the Royal Canadian Navy in the Second World War. Named for the Algoma District of Ontario, it served primarily in the Battle of the Atlantic. After the war it was sold to the Venezuelan Navy and renamed Constitución.

HMCS <i>Orillia</i> Flower-class corvette of the Royal Canadian Navy

HMCS Orillia was a Flower-class corvette that served with the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. She fought primarily in the Battle of the Atlantic. She was named for Orillia, Ontario.

HMCS <i>Arrowhead</i> Flower-class corvette

HMCS Arrowhead was a Flower-class corvette that was originally commissioned by the Royal Navy but served primarily with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) during the Second World War. She fought in the Battle of the Atlantic and the Battle of the St. Lawrence as a convoy escort. The vessel was named for sagittaria, which is an aquatic water plant that is sometimes known as arrowhead. Following the war, the ship was sold for mercantile use as a whaling ship and renamed Southern Larkspur. The vessel was broken up for scrap in 1959.

HMCS <i>Arvida</i> Flower-class corvette

HMCS Arvida was a Flower-class corvette that served with the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. She served primarily in the Battle of the Atlantic from 1941 to 1945 as a convoy escort. She was named for Arvida, Quebec. The vessel took part in three significant convoy battles ONS 92 in May 1942, ON 127 in September 1942 and SC 107 in November 1942, the last of which saw the removal of Canadian escorts from convoy duty for retraining. Following the war, the vessel was converted into a cargo ship and renamed La Ceiba and then Rio Samo. The ship was last registered in 1954 and was sold for scrap in 1987 in Spain.

HMCS <i>Collingwood</i> Flower-class corvette

HMCS Collingwood was a Flower-class corvette that served with the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. She served primarily in the Battle of the Atlantic though also saw service as a training vessel. She was named for Collingwood, Ontario.

HMCS <i>Owen Sound</i> Modified Flower-class corvette that served with the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War

HMCS Owen Sound was a modified Flower-class corvette that served with the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. She fought primarily in the Battle of the Atlantic as a convoy escort. She was named for Owen Sound, Ontario.

HMCS Lachine was a Bangor-class minesweeper of the Royal Canadian Navy that served during the Second World War. Following the war a proposed transfer to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as Starnes was cancelled, and the ship was instead sold for conversion to a salvage tug in 1945. The ship was broken up in the United Kingdom in 1955.

HMCS Noranda was a Canadian Bangor-class minesweeper built for the Royal Canadian Navy in 1940. She was launched on 13 June 1941 and escorted convoys for the rest of the war. After the war the minesweeper was refitted and was transferred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as Irvine. In 1962, the ship was sold and was turned into the yacht Miriana. Renamed Marijana and Viking L&R in 1969, the yacht sank in May 1971 off the coast of Jamaica.

HMCS Transcona was a Bangor-class minesweeper built for the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. She was launched on 26 April 1941. After the war, she was transferred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police under the name French. The vessel served until 1961 before being sold for scrap and broken up later that year.

HMCS Gananoque was a Bangor-class minesweeper constructed for the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. Named for the town of Gananoque, Ontario situated on the Saint Lawrence River, the minesweeper entered service in 1941 and participated in the Battle of the Atlantic and the Battle of the Saint Lawrence, mainly as a convoy escort. Following the end of the war in 1945 Gananoque was decommissioned and placed in reserve. The vessel was reacquired in 1952, but never reentered service and was sold for scrap in 1959 and broken up.

HMCS <i>Kenora</i>

HMCS Kenora was a Bangor-class minesweeper that served with the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. Entering service in 1942, the minesweeper took part in the Battle of the Atlantic as a convoy escort and in the invasion of Normandy. Following the war, the vessel was laid up until reacquired in 1952 during the Korean War. Never re-entering service with the Royal Canadian Navy, Kenora was sold to the Turkish Navy in 1957. Renamed Bandirma by the Turkish Navy, the vessel was discarded in 1972.

HMCS Truro was a Bangor-class minesweeper that served with the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. The minesweeper entered service in 1942 and took part in the Battle of the Atlantic and the Battle of the St. Lawrence. Following the war, the vessel was transferred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and renamed Herchmer. In 1946, Herchmer was sold for mercantile conversion and reappeared as Gulf Mariner. The ship was abandoned in 1964 on the Fraser River shore after plans for conversion to a suction dredger failed. The abandoned hulk was broken up.

References

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.