Remnants of HMCS Prince David's 1940 Commissioning Pennant. ", Roskill, S.W., The War at Sea, four volumes, London: Her concerning the result of an engagement between them could be entertained only Their mission was to provide supporting small-arms fire and to clear mines and obstacles in advance of the assault craft. The specifications for all three ships had been identical: three decks, three funnels, cruiser sterns and accommodation for 300 passengers. [4] Renamed Charlton Monarch, she entered the immigrant trade and ran from Britain to Australia, enjoying the freedom of the sea which she helped to secure. Jack Beveridge, wounded by an exploding mine, being brought aboard H.M.C.S. Acting as command ship for Operation Romeo she carried French commandos of Le 1er Commando Français de l'Afrique du Nord, (English: First French Commando of North Africa) whose task it was to take the gun batteries at Cap Nègre as a prelude to the main action. In 1943 she was refitted with AA armament, and transferred to the Atlantic and Mediterranean to escort convoys before refitting at Esqimalt until June 1945. Kelly, RCNR; HMCS Prince Henry – Cdr V.S. She made two reinforcing trips to the French coast, carrying a total of almost 3,000 troops. Prince David limped into Salamis Bay under her own power, albeit slightly down in the bow. than their British counterparts, indeed, faster than the average disguised The ship's arrival during the Great Depression led to the vessel's financial failure and by 1935, the ship was in limited use. Two depth charge chutes were added to the stern, but no anti-submarine detection equipment was supplied. Godfrey, RCN; Their two LCA Flotillas: HMCS Uganda (C66) (Crown Colony class, later renamed HMCS Quebec (C66)) HMCS Ontario (C53) (Minotaur class) Armed merchant cruisers. Learn more before you buy, or discover other cool products in Ships. The three 'Prince' ships were a unique … Prince David found herself involved in a struggle that would eventually lead to the Greek Civil War. For three years, they were the largest ships in the RCN.[1]. While on a voyage south, Prince David ran aground on the North-East Breaker at Bermuda and remained hard aground for six months. raider, and faster than Thor, they were undeniably out-classed in firepower: By February 1947 Prince David was in Britain undergoing conversions to her superstructure for passenger service. She was extensive service in the Mediterranean until damaged by a mine on December 10, 1044, off Aegina Island, Greece. A ship-handling problem peculiar to this operation was that in every scene where Prince David was to appear herself, she could present only her starboard side to the camera. HMCS Prince David was one of three Canadian National Steamships Canadian National Railway passenger liners that were converted for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), first to Armed Merchant Cruisers at the beginning of Second World War, then Infantry Landing Ships (Medium) or Anti Aircraft Escort. The identity of this ship remains a mystery. She was transferred to the RN in June but was never taken over. A hassle whether Prince David deserved a salvage payment over this affair was no short one: it went on almost seven years. HMCS Prince David sailed for the island of Kithera on 14 September with a force of 530 troops of the 9th British Commando to begin the liberation of Greece. Once again the British Columbia coastline was largely undefended, and the province’s citizens clamoured for action. Their task was the same as that of their British comrades--the protection of trade routes--and they shared the same hazards. From the collection of Rev. Prince David off Bernires-sur-Mer. HMCS Prince David, seen here, carried more than 400 troops to Normandy, including members of the Quebec-based Le Régiment de la Chaudière. LCA 1050 leaving side of HMCS Prince David, loaded with soldiers of the Régiment de la Chaudière, 9 May 1944. On 1 April 1941, Prince David was ordered to patrol off of the Para River. The rebuilding, which took place at Esquimalt and Vancouver, was completed in December 1943 and shortly after re-commissioning, she left for the U.K. via Cristobal and New York, under Captain T.D. the same as that of their British comrades--the protection of trade Fog gave way to gales which gave way to fog. Majesty's Stationery Office, 1954-61. The British Admiralty had been depositing defensive equipment in Canada between the wars in order to arm fast liners as AMCs in the event of hostilities. Ship's Bells Index page HOME PAGE SHIP INDEX CONTACT This page was last updated on 04 Sep 2019 CNSS Prince David arrived on the West Coast in the summer of 1930 and was put on the Vancouver - Victoria - Seattle daily service. Georgios Papandreou, Prime Minister of Greece, speaking to the Ship's Company of HMCS Prince David, A general strike had sparked an armed clash between police and civilians near the Prime Minister's residence at Piraeus. HMCS PRINCE ROBERT before her 1943 conversion. hmcs prince david Description Lieut. HMCS Prince David (F89) was one of three Canadian National Steamships Canadian National Railway passenger liners that were converted for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), first to Armed Merchant Cruisers at the beginning of World War II, then Infantry Landing Ships (Medium) or Anti Aircraft Escort. routes--and they shared the same hazards. Late August 1942, the Prince David, Prince Henry, Prince Robert and the corvettes HMCS Dawson and HMCS Vancouver, were ordered to co-operate with American forces being transported to Kodiak. HMCS PRINCE DAVID. University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver & London. hmcs prince david "HMCS Prince David (F89) was one of three Canadian National Railway passenger liners (sister ships were HMCS Prince Henry and HMCS Prince Robert ) that were converted for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), first to Armed Merchant Cruisers at the beginning of World War II, then Infantry Landing Ships (Medium) or Anti Aircraft Escort. Landing craft from HMCS Prince David (Photo from Wikipedia) Destroyers: HMCS Algonquin – LCdr D.W. Piers, RCN ; HMCS Sioux – LCdr E.E.G. Prince David and her sister ships made no actual contact with the enemy during their almost 3-month tour of duty in the northern waters. Torpedo / Electrical Branch. HMCS Prince David was one of three Canadian National Steamships Canadian National Railway passenger liners that were converted for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), first to Armed Merchant Cruisers at the beginning of Second World War, then Infantry Landing Ships (Medium) or Anti Aircraft Escort. After completion, Prince David and Prince Henry joined Combined Operations Command at Cowes, Isle of Wright. Repaired at Ferryville, North Africa, she left in March, 1945, to refit at Esquimalt, but saw no further service was was paid off in June. This is Prince David as an LSI M after she was converted from an AMC (armed merchant cruiser). PRINCE DAVID off Bernières-sur-Mer, France, 6 June 1944. Her sister-ships, on the other hand, were a different story: both were in need of major repairs. Unidentified soldiers preparing to disembark from H.M.C.S. Compliment: A second section of infantrymen preparing to go ashore from H.M.C.S. The Canadian landing craft then followed to form up with craft from other Canadian Flotillas. After 2 hours of continuous shelling, the outgunned Voltaire began to sink. This is Prince David as an AMC before she was converted to an LSI. HMCS Uganda (C66) (Crown Colony class, later renamed HMCS Quebec (C66)) HMCS Ontario (C53) (Minotaur class) Armed merchant cruisers. On 7 April, the Canadian ship entered a large oil patch. Photo by R.G. That December she was transferred to Esquimalt and in May, 1942, after refit at Esquimalt and Vancouver, joined Esquimalt Force. Prince David, in company with Prince Henry, left Halifax on 12 January 1941 for work-ups off Bermuda. From the collection of Rev. HMCS Prince David, seen here, carried more than 400 troops to Normandy, including members of the Quebec-based Le Régiment de la Chaudière. On 15 August, the French commandos from Prince David were put ashore, some six hours before the main Operation Dragoon landings. Upon arrival in the Clyde in February 1944, Prince David was taken to Clydebank for a final fitting out. As Prince David steamed south, she was abruptly ordered to steer 025° at best possible speed and search along HMS Voltaire's track. HMCS Prince David sailed for the island of Kithera on 14 September with a force of 530 troops of the 9th British Commando to begin the liberation of Greece. As the one remaining assault craft made its way back to Prince David, a charging tank carrier forced her over an obstacle, which tore out her bottom and she sank at once. Some estimates had put the Japanese naval strength at four 6-inch cruisers, eight destroyers and as many as eighteen submarines in the Aleutians. Lea Gillard, Chaplain, RCN / RCN(R) Courtesy of Charles Quinn (1) Noble, ST (20 Kilpatrick, ST (3) Landon, EA (4) Peters, Chief EA (5) … In the early part of the war, as Armed Merchant Cruisers equipped with antique guns and very little armour, Prince David and her sisters were sent to hunt enemy submarines and surface ships, tasks better suited to warships. On board Prince David was Prime Minister George Papandreou of Greece and his government in exile. From August to November she served under USN control in the Aleutian campaign. Specialist. Instead she was paid off, and by January 1946, both Prince David and her sister ship Prince Robert had been towed to and laid up in Lynn Creek, North Vancouver.[30]. Substantial alterations were carried out at the Halifax Ship yard. countries have almost invariably gone to war unprepared, and the Allies had, been forced to "make do"[13] with the equipment and ships at their disposal[14], HMCS Prince David in the Panama Canal Zone. University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver & London. As the landing craft entered Piraeus, they were again met with a tumultuous welcome and no sign the enemy. Some rather fanciful stories arose from this brief encounter, and authorities were hard pressed to counter newspaper reports that Prince David had forced the Admiral Hipper to turn tail and run; some even classified the encounter as a shooting engagement. David increased her speed to 20 knots (40 km/h) and headed for Voltaire's estimated position. On 9 February 1940, work commenced on Prince David at Halifax Ship Yards from plans prepared by Messrs. Lambert, German and Milne of Montreal.[7]. PHOTO: DND/LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA—PA151740 The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, turned a European conflict into a global war. Salvagers determined that the cheapest course was to turn her back to her owners, Canadian National Steamships, who eventually got her off, refitted her and sent her back for another four years' service. Some 3-inch (76 mm) guns designed for light cruisers and of a newer vintage (1916) were also made available. University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver & London. Each ship had ever so slight differences as AMCs, which are reflected in this model for Prince David. There was little doubt that a ship had gone down in the area. Jack Beveridge, wounded by an exploding mine, being brought aboard H.M.C.S. Alex Colville-On the Bridge (CWM 19820303-252).jpeg 2,143 × 1,461; 1.19 MB For three years, they were the largest ships in the RCN. When Canada officially declared war on Nazi Germany, 10 September 1939, the Royal Canadian Navy consisted of six destroyers, five minesweepers, two training ships and a mobilized strength of 366 officers and 3,477 ratings including reservists. Four 6-inch (152 mm) guns were fitted, one on each of the two decks forward and aft. On 24 August, Prince David was ordered to rendezvous with HMS Circassia, an 11,000 ton AMC. This section includes over 21.000 Allied Warships and over 11.000 Allied Commanders of WWII, from the US Navy, Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Australian Navy, The Polish Navy and others. Crews of both ships were given a good introduction to the quick rolling characteristics of the HMCS Prince David 1/1250 (ARE386Q46) by squint181 on Shapeways. waters. Over the course of the day, all but one of her craft had been crippled, sunk or beached high and dry. After an underwater inspection confirmed that the explosion had opened a 17 by 12 ft (4 m). 1&2)[16], 1942 movie poster, 'Commandos Strike at Dawn'. Regrettable They did not function as did the bulk of the Canadian fleet: no rushing back and forth across the ocean, cold and damp, chained to 50 degrees North. Prince David was originally a 3 funnel steam cruise ship that operated out of Canadas west coast. As a gun platform, this was not an ideal trait and extra care and practice was needed to overcome the tendency to a quick rolling motion. Learn more before you buy, or discover other cool products in Ships. During November and with public order deteriorating in Athens, Prince David was required to help concentrate forces there for a test of strength between the government and the opposition. Chapter 8, Princes Three: Canada's use of Armed Merchant Cruisers during World War II, (Fraser M. McKee), page 136, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, Canada Science and Technology Museum, CN - Images of Canada Gallery, https://military.wikia.org/wiki/HMCS_Prince_David_(F89)?oldid=5119194, Pages using duplicate arguments in template calls, Atlantic 1941, Aleutians 1942, Aegean 1943-44, Normandy 1944, South France 1944, 3,500 nautical miles (6,500 km) at 20 knots (40 km/h). though the casualties among the armed merchant cruisers may have been, On D-Day, 6 June 1944, Prince David embarked 418 troops, including elements of Le Régiment de la Chaudière, Royal Marines and a detachment of British pioneers on the Mike and Nan beaches in the Juno sector. 6 June 1944. Media in category "HMCS Prince David (ship, 1930)" The following 15 files are in this category, out of 15 total. By the late 1930s, and with war looming, the Canadian chief of Naval Staff had designated the three 'Prince' ships as candidates for conversion to Armed Merchant Cruisers, for the task of convoy escort. In 1932, Prince David and Prince Henry were sent back east to join the Canada - West Indies service. next. Kelly, RCNR, CO, HMCS PRINCE DAVID - LAC PA211365 (WW18) Capt. Armit, RCNR. Holes in the deck plating, crystallized valves and decrepit auxiliary engines augured an expensive refit as well as conversion.[5]. Chapter 8, Princes Three: Canada's use of Armed Merchant Cruisers during World War II, (Fraser M. McKee), page 129, Boutillier, James, A. RCN in Retrospect 1910 - 1968. The ship's company co-operated heartily, and kept up a high standard of discipline and war-readiness despite the distractions of this fling with film fame, and the glitter of hob-nobbing with the film famous.[17]. The Admiralty considered that she might be the afore-mentioned auxiliary cruiser Thor, but this raider had returned to Brest. Many of the convoy ships, who could not exceed 6 knots (11 km/h), battled a 4-knot (7 km/h) current and, when hit with such a gale, often force 10, frequently had to disperse and find shelter as best they could. Put new text under old text. Photo Details. in conditions that put a little extra speed at a high premium. The rebuilding, which took place at Esquimalt and Vancouver, was completed that December, and shortly after re-commissioning she left for the U.K. via Cristobal and New York. With the vacuum created by the hasty retreat of Nazi forces, the returning Greek government in exile clashed with left-wing resistance leaders, who now had military control over much of Greece. Despite these extreme conditions, there were surprisingly few mishaps. Twelve 6-inch (152 mm) guns were made available to the RCN to start the AMC program. Arless. Prince David and her sisters, each with two separate employments, roamed most of the navigable world forming a little navy apart. [20] Mock bombardments of imaginary shore positions were carried out by Prince David in Saanich Inlet, and equally imaginary shore batteries fired back, while movie raiders rowed the ship's boats ashore as hard as they could. Builder: Cammell, Laird & Co., Birkenhead, U.K. Chapter 8, Princes Three: Canada's use of Armed Merchant Cruisers during World War II, (Fraser M. McKee), page 133, Boutillier, James, A. RCN in Retrospect 1910 - 1968. A torpedo in their forward hold holds or in their large undivided engine rooms would probably have been disastrous.[8]. 4 x 6"/45 cal in 2 single mounts forward and 2 aft (as AMC). You need to register to add commments. On June 6, 1944, now known to history as D-Day, Operation Overlord, the long-awaited invasion of Northwest Europe, began with Allied landings on the coast of Normandy. HMCS Prince David 1/2400 (BFF3PMUHT) by squint181 on Shapeways. Torpedo / Electrical Branch. Two 3-inch (76 mm) guns were fitted on the upper deck amidships, along with several light anti-aircraft machine guns. [6] The Naval Service lost no time in making arrangements for the conversion of the 'Princes'. Viewed: 2081 times. The three 'Prince' ships were a unique part of Canada's war effort: taken out of mercantile service, converted to Armed Merchant Cruisers, reconfigured to Infantry Landing Ships and Anti Aircraft Escort, paid off at war's end and then returned to mercantile service. World War 2 Photos > Canadian Forces > HMCS PRINCE DAVID, D-DAY. All three ships suffered from the basic weakness of large cargo and accommodation compartments extending across their hulls. Three ships, the Prince David, Prince Henry and Prince Robert were ordered in 1929 from Cammell Laird & Co. by the Canadian National Railways subsidiary CN Steamships to operate as small luxury liners on the West Coast of Canada. Known as the Aleutian "Williwaw", violent winds born in the "storm factory" of the Bering Sea roared down the narrow mountain passes to challenge labouring convoys with little sea room to begin with. Prince David's 6-inch (152 mm) guns would be a poor match for the enemy's 5.9-inch At Cowes on 21 April the two Canadian Landing ships were joined with their flotillas of assault landing craft. Formerly a three-funnelled Canadian National Steamships liner, she was purchased on December 19, 1939, and after very extensive conversion commissioned at Halifax on December 28, 1940, as an armed merchant cruiser. HMCS Prince David in Bermuda, circa 1941. The St. Margaret was brought into Bermuda safely on 3 September. 31 Officers and 386 Crew, Arms: 4-4" Guns (2 x II), 2-2pdrs, 8-20mm. Their flexibility offered the RCN greater scope and balance in its operations. Click on the above photo to view a larger image . Following this appointment, Captain Godfrey served in Washington, first as Chief of Staff to the Naval Member, Canadian joint Staff and latterly as Naval Member Canadian Joint Staff. Kelly, RCNR; HMCS Prince Henry – Cdr V.S. Click here for more information on HMCS PRINCE DAVID . Both ships made four more reinforcement trips to Normandy, one on 18 June and three in July. however, there was no room for self-recriminations in 1941. The vessel, which was seen stern on, in poor visibility, at a range of 12,000 yards (11,000 m), was reported by Prince David to be a heavy cruiser, steering south-east at 25 knots (46 km/h). HMCS Prince David's vintage "A" & "B" Guns. In early 1942, Japanese citizens were stripped of their possessions and […] HMCS Prince David probably sighted the U Boat supply ship Python or a supply ship for disguised raiders. These ships are now the most heavily armed of their kind and size in the world and have made a name for themselves on the invasion beaches of Europe. In early 1942, Japanese citizens were stripped of their possessions and […] After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Prince David was transferred to Canada's West Coast to join her sister ships for a refit and upgrade of weapons. [24] After the action and her landing craft had returned with the wounded, Prince David sailed for Corsica. The U-boat War in World War Two (Kriegsmarine, 1939-1945) and World War One (Kaiserliche Marine, 1914-1918) and the Allied efforts to counter the threat. The 'Princes' themselves were not known for their manoeuvrability; heavy and blocky, when forced to keep pace with a slow convoy and in order to maintain steerage, the ships often ran with the leeward shaft at twice the speed of the other. HMCS Prince David is one of two Canadian sister ships that were used as Landing Ship Infantry Medium vessels during the later part of WW2. HMCS Prince Robert, April 1941. LCA 1050 leaving side of HMCS Prince David, loaded with soldiers of the Régiment de la Chaudière, 9 May 1944. 'Princes' during a stormy passage to Hamilton, Bermuda. Equipped with new landing craft and in the company of Prince Henry, Prince David, sailed on 24 July for Naples to take part in Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France by the US 7th Army and troops from Canada, France and Britain. DAVID hit a mine off Greece ending her wartime service, HENRY (as a British ship) and ROBERT repatriated soldiers, and DAVID and ROBERT were sold back into mercantile service. Late in February 1945 Prince David sailed for Esquimalt to be refitted and transferred to the RN for use in south-east Asia operations. At the end of August Prince David came upon the 4000 ton British merchantman St. Margaret wallowing towards Trinidad at 5 knots (9 km/h), with engine trouble. Each had cost $2,000,000 at completion and with a speed of 22 knots (41 km/h), they were among the fastest ships in the Canadian registry. PRINCE ROBERT spent her time from commissioning until 1943 in the Pacific, primarily looking for enemy merchant shipping. Voltaire[10] was a British AMC, in fact one of the RN's largest, and, like Prince David, she had been charged with the task of defending convoys and intercepting enemy shipping. HMCS PRINCE ROBERT before her 1943 conversion. [32], Landing Ship Infantry Medium (1943 - 1945), Weekly Intelligence Report #40, page 27, (held Naval Historical Section (Ottawa) now CFHQ Directorate of History) "THOR--ex-SS SANTA CRUZ, 3144 tons, six-5.9" guns, 18 knots (33 km/h). HMCS PRINCE DAVID, D-DAY. Boak, RCN; Landing Ships Infantry (Medium): HMCS Prince David – Cdr T.D. HMCS Prince Robert, April 1941. Credit: royalmarine1. After the Japanese occupation of Attu and Kiska in the Aleutian Islands, and fearing their attack posed a serious threat to the Northwest, a strong American naval force was deployed in Alaskan waters. Prince David off Bernires-sur-Mer. In mid-1948, NSHQ collected $14,105 from the owners, of which $3,427.37 was divided up among the ship's company. Two years later it was learned that the German auxiliary cruiser (Hilfskreuzer) HSK Thor[11] had attacked Voltaire and Thor's first salvo from 2 miles (3 km) outside of Voltaire's gun range had knocked out one of the British AMC's 6-inch (152 mm) gun mounts, destroyed the bridge and put the wireless room out of action. PRINCE ROBERT spent her time from commissioning until 1943 in the Pacific, primarily looking for enemy merchant shipping. Landing craft from HMCS Prince David (Photo from Wikipedia) Destroyers: HMCS Algonquin – LCdr D.W. Piers, RCN ; HMCS Sioux – LCdr E.E.G. After the event Prince David's commanding officer' with commendable objectivity, complimented Elias Howe on her "fine degree of alertness".[21]. calibre armament, with superior German director gear; reasonable doubt danger of their role, and its importance in the war at sea. Their task was Now based in Esquimalt, they were to take up defensive duties in the Pacific Northeast, off British Columbia. (Leacock & Roberts)[31], Charlton Steam Shipping Co. purchased Prince David in September 1946. During May, a series of intense, large-scale training exercises took place combining the Canadian craft with many more from the Royal Navy and the United States Navy. HMCS Prince David in the Panama Canal Zone. Prince David loaned the commandos her flotilla of landing craft to facilitate a series of attacks and reoccupation designed to take control of the inner islands of the Aegean. On 24 August, Prince David was ordered to rendezvous with HMS Circassia, an 11,000 ton AMC. previous. Their hulls and engines were basically sound. Credit: royalmarine1. [27] On 9 December and with Greek hostilities expanded, Prince David sailed again for Piraeus, this time heavily laden with ammunition and a contingent of 311 troops of the British 2nd Parachute Brigade. The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) deployed 61 warships of varying sizes — including minesweepers, corvettes, frigates, destroyers, and landing ships — and 46 landing craft. As the needs of the RCN changed, so were the 'Prince' ships able to adapt to new roles. Boak, RCN; Landing Ships Infantry (Medium): HMCS Prince David – Cdr T.D. Content HMCS Prince David: Base type : Prince David class : Kit manufacturer : Shapeways COB (Shapeways:) http://www.shapeways.com Material Viewed: 2081 times. Lea Gillard, Chaplain, RCN / RCN(R) Courtesy of Charles Quinn (1) Noble, ST (20 Kilpatrick, ST (3) Landon, EA (4) Peters, Chief EA (5) … When Prince David closed, the vessel's Master asked for the Canadian's Engineer Officer to come over to have a look, which he did, and reported he did not believe the St. Margaret could make it. While the Prince ships were faster Department of National Defence … Large infantry landing craft off the stern of HMCS Prince David, D-Day. There she was to intercept two enemy merchant ships, the German Norderney and the Italian Monbaldo, which were preparing to sail. Click on the above photo to view a larger image . You need to register to add commments. [25], Prince David set sail on 15 October as part of a large force for the reoccupation and liberation of Greece. PRINCE DAVID off the Normandy beachhead, France, 6 June 1944. Learn more before you buy, or discover other cool products in Ships. H-hour was set for 7.25, and after a delay of twenty minutes for a more favourable tide in the Juno sector, Prince David's landing craft started their hour-long trip to the beaches. CNSS Prince David was laid up at Halifax in 1937. As Charlton Monarch, she once broke down off the coast of Brazil, and on June 11, 1948, SS John Biscoe towed her for twelve hours into Pernambuco. She was one of three Prince Class ships in the RCN. On one occasion, while escorting two merchant ships to Dutch Harbor, Prince David encountered a thickening fog. [2], CNSS Prince David, Vancouver, BC., Aug. 1930. After working up at Bermuda in January and February, 1941 Prince David was assigned to the RN's America and West Indies Station for the rest of the year. Prince David was suffering from neglect, with a badly fouled hull, rotten deck planks and bulkheads rusted thin. surrounding it could hardly fail to impress the men of Prince David with the danger of their role, and its importance in the war at sea. 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