Flower-class corvettes such as Calgary 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 plans for Canadian ships were augmented after the first building programme vessels saw action at sea. No longer used just for coastal protection operations, the Flower class were being used for transatlantic escort and required larger crews and better seakeeping qualities. As such, the new revised Flower-class design had an extended forecastle to make space for the larger crews, larger bilge keels to reduce rolling, more sheer and flare to the hull to improve seaworthiness and bridge one deck higher for better views over the main gun forward.[5] The revised version of the Flower class had a standard displacement of 1,015 long tons (1,031t). They were 208feet 4inches (63.50m)long overall, with a beam of 33feet 1inch (10.08m) and a maximum draught of 13feet 6inches (4.11m) at full load. The revised 1940–1941 corvettes were propelled by a four-cylinder vertical triple expansion engine powered by steam from two water-tube boilers turning one three-bladed propeller rated at 2,800 indicated horsepower (2,100kW).[6] The corvettes had a maximum speed of 16 knots (30km/h; 18mph). This gave them a range of 3,450 nautical miles (6,390km; 3,970mi) at 12 knots (22km/h; 14mph).[7] The vessels were extremely wet.[8]
The design underwent further modifications and upgrades. A wireless direction finding set was installed and they 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 improved Type 271 radar was placed aft, with some units receiving Type 291 radar for air search.[11][12] The enlarged bridge, which had given extra room to operators of the .303 Vickers AA guns, allowed for the installation of Oerlikon 20mm (0.8in) cannon, replacing the Browning and Vickers machine guns.[13] Up to six additional 20 mm cannon were added, placed in sites all over the ship, mostly on the engine room casing.[14] Some of the corvettes were rearmed with Hedgehog anti-submarine mortars and the Type 145 sonar that operated it.[15][16] The complements of the ships grew throughout the war rising from the initial 47 to as many as 104.[13]
Construction and career
The corvette was ordered 20 February 1941 as part of the Revised 1940–41 Flower class building programme. The ship was laid down by Marine Industries Ltd. at Sorel, Quebec, on 22 March 1941 and launched on 23 August of that year. Named for the city in Alberta, Calgary was commissioned into the RCN on 16 December 1941 at Sorel with the pennant number K231.[10] After arriving at Halifax, Nova Scotia on 28 December 1941, she was initially assigned to the Western Local Escort Force (WLEF). Calgary remained with that force until November 1942.[10] During that period, on 30 July 1942 Calgary rescued 71 survivors from the crew of the British merchant ship Pacific Pioneer that was sunk by U-132 southwest of Sable Island. In November 1942 Calgary was deployed to assist in Operation Torch, the amphibious invasion of French North Africa as part of the North African campaign. However, after arrival in the United Kingdom she developed severe mechanical problems which led to an extensive refit. She only returned to service in April 1943, having never taken part in any duties connected to Operation Torch.
Upon resumption of her duties she sailed back to Canada and rejoined WLEF in April 1943. In June 1943 she transferred to escort group 5, also known as the 5th Support Group, under Western Approaches Command. On 23 August 1943 Calgary, as part of the 5th Support Group, was deployed to relieve the 40th Escort Group which was undertaking a U-boat hunt off Cape Ortegal. The warships of both groups were attacked by 14 Dornier Do 217 and 7 Junkers Ju 87 aircraft that were carrying a new weapon, the Henschel Hs 293 anti-ship guided missile. Several sailors were killed and injured on HMSBideford (40th EG) but Calgary escaped damage. Two days later, the 5th SG was relieved by the 1st Support Group and the warships of both groups were again attacked by 18 Dornier Do 217 aircraft also carrying Hs 293s. HMCSAthabaskan was heavily damaged and HMSEgret was sunk but Calgary again escaped damage. Later that year on 20 November 1943 Calgary, along with Nene and Snowberry, depth charged and sank U-536 northeast of the Azores. In December 1943, she transferred to the 6th Support Group, before departing for refit in January 1944.
In May 1944, Calgary, after completing workups was ordered to the United Kingdom and in June 1944 was deployed to assist in Operation Neptune, the amphibious invasion of Normandy, France known as D-Day (Operation Overlord). In September 1944, she was reassigned to Nore Command and remained with them for the remained of the war. On 29 December 1944 Calgary depth charged and sank U-322 in the English Channel south of Weymouth. Calgary returned to Canada in May 1945 and was paid off from the RCN on 19 June 1945 at Sorel. She was sold for scrap on 30 August 1946 and broken up in 1951 at Hamilton, Ontario.[10] For service in the Second World War, the vessel was awarded the battle honours "Atlantic 1942–45", "Biscay 1943", "Normandy 1944", "English Channel 1944–45", and "North Sea 1945".[17]
Douglas, W.A.B.; Sarty, Roger & Whitby, Michael (2002). No Higher Purpose: The Official Operational History of the Royal Canadian Navy in the Second World War, 1939–1943 Volume II, Part I. St. Catharines, Ontario: Vanwell Publishing. ISBN1-55125-061-6.
Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. (1978). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons & Warfare. Vol.11. London: Phoebus. OCLC8842839.
Lynch, Thomas G. (1981). Canada's Flowers, History of the Corvettes of Canada. Halifax, Nova Scotia: Nimbus Publishing. ISBN0-920852-15-7.
Macpherson, Ken & Barrie, Ron (2002). The Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910–2002 (Thirded.). St. Catharines, Ontario: Vanwell Publishing. ISBN1-55125-072-1.
Macpherson, Ken & Milner, Marc (2000). Corvettes of the Royal Canadian Navy 1939–1945. St. Catharines, Ontario: Vanwell Publishing. ISBN0-920277-83-7.
McKay, John & Harland, John (1993). Anatomy of the Ship: The Flower Class Corvette Agassiz. St. Catharines, Ontario: Vanwell Publishing. ISBN1-55068-084-6.
Preston, Antony & Raven, Alan (1973). Flower Class Corvettes. Signal. London: Bivouac Books. ISBN0-85680-004-X.
Thomas, David A. (1998). Battles and Honours of the Royal Navy. Barnsley, UK: Leo Cooper. ISBN085052-623-X.
External links
Hazegray. "Flower Class". Canadian Navy of Yesterday and Today.
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