Royal Canadian Navy :
Damaged Ships, HMCS Saguenay & HMS Nabob.
The following information is from a detailed history of HMCS Saguenay on the For Posterity's Sake website. " On 15 Nov 1942 HMCS Saguenay was escorting convoy WS13. At a distance of approximately 12 miles south of St. John's and 50 miles south east of Cape Spare, HMCS Saguenay was struck in the stern by the freighter SS Azra. Depth charges from HMCS Saguenay were dislodged overboard and exploded beneath both ships. The Saguenay had her stern blown off and the Azra her bow. Damage to the Azra was sufficient to cause her to sink at the site. The Saguenay stayed afloat and took Azra's crew members onboard. The collision occurred within sight of Cape Spear near the entrance to St. John's harbour and the naval command center at HMCS Avalon dispatched an RCN Tug . . . . to tow the damaged Saguenay to the graving dock in St. John's harbour. Once in the graving dock, the stern was sealed to enable the ship to be towed to the ship yards at Saint John, N.B. After further repairs at Saint John, N.B., she was then taken to Cornwallis in Oct 1943, to serve as a training ship."
The photos below were probably taken in Saint John, N.B.
Deck damage on HMCS Saguenay. Lettering on paintwork at left says "Ex Orillia".
Unidentified standing on HMCS Saguenay.
Sheared deck of HMCS Saguenay.
Sheared deck of HMCS Saguenay.
Sheared deck of HMCS Saguenay.
Sheared deck of HMCS Saguenay.
On the back of the photo is hand-written: "H.M.C.S. Nabob torpedoed and damaged severely by sub 115 miles from Sioux at 10:30 pm. Sioux displatched to rescue survivors". Editor's note: The aircraft carrier HMS Nabob was on loan to the RCN but was never officially given the "HMCS" designation. It had a mixed British (airmen) and Canadian (seamen) crew. It was torpedoed by a U-boat on August 22, 1944, with the loss of 11 RCN and 10 RN lives, but was able to slowly limp 1,600 km back home to safety. See The Legion Magazine for a more complete story.
Can you provide names, comments or corrections?
Please email Charlie Dobie.