Royal Canadian Navy Fairmile Motor Launch: ML Q050 to ML Q100

Fairmile Motor Launch

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4950863)

Fairmile Motor Launch, with an RCN Rating using a Signal lamp, 1943.

The Fairmile Type B and D motor torpedo boats were designed to combat the known advantages of the German E-boats over previous British coastal craft designs.  At 112 feet, they were bigger than earlier MTB or MGB designs (which were typically around 70 feet) but slower, at 30 knots compared to 40 knots.  229 boats were built between 1942 and 1945.

Many versions were produced or converted from existing MGB and MTBs.  Since the Fairmile B and D could be fitted out with a mix of armament that gave it the capabilities of both a Motor Gun Boat and a Motor Torpedo boat, the MGB designation was dropped.

88 Fairmile B motor launches, with slight modifications for Canadian climatic and operational conditions, were built in Canada for service with the RCN in home waters.. The first thirty-six Canadian Fairmile B type were designated and painted up as CML 01-36 (coastal motor launch). Eight Canadian Fairmiles (Q 392-Q 399) were built by Le Blanc for the RN and were transferred under Lend-Lease to the US, as coastal protection had been depleted by transferring ships to the Royal Navy for convoy work. The US Navy used the Canadian-built Fairmiles as submarine chasers (SC1466-1473).

The Canadian Fairmiles were built in 13 different boatyards to slightly different specifications and used as escort vessels.  59 of them were built in Great Lakes boat yards.  Fourteen of the remainder were built on the west coast and seven at Weymouth, Nova Scotia.  They were numbered Q 050 to Q129.  Eight of these (ML 392- ML 399) were built by Le Blanc for the Royal Navy.  These eight boats were transferred under Lend-Lease to the USN, because US coastal protection had been depleted by transferring ships to the Royal Navy for convoy work.  The USN used them as submarine chasers (SC1466- SC1473) until their forces could be built up.  There are two surviving examples on the west coast of Canada serving as party charter vessels.

The Fairmiles played a vital role as escorts in the St. Lawrence River and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and as escorts to convoys between Newfoundland and the mainland.  They also carried out A/S patrol, port defence and rescue duties, releasing larger escort craft urgently needed elsewhere.  In 1942 two flotillas were sent to the Caribbean for the winter, because German U-boats were enjoying great success there owing to a shortage of US escorts.

The 72nd and 73rd Flotillas, of six boats each, left Halifax in mid-December for Trinidad via Boston and other east coast ports.  Stress of weather en route forced the 73rd Flotilla to return home after reaching Savannah, Georgia, but the boats of the 73rd Flotilla operated until the following spring out of Miami and Key West under the (US) Commander, Gulf Sea Frontier.  Their support ship, HMCS Provider was stationed at Key West.  She also acted as the base ship for the 70th and 78th Flotillas in Bermuda during the winter of 1943-44.

(CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum Photo)

Fairmile Support Ship HMCS Provider (F100), 17 Jan 1943.

On 1 June 1943, ML Q053 distinguished herself by recovering, intact, two mines of a barrage laid by U-119 in the Halifax approaches.  ML Q052, Q062, and Q063 were transferred to the Free French Forces in February 1943, and stationed at St. Pierre and Miquelon under the operational control of the Flag Officer, Newfoundland.

Most of the Fairmiles were sold at the end of the war, but half a dozen remained in service as training ships on the Great Lakes in the 1960s, including HMCS Beaver (ML Q106), HMCS Cougar (ML Q104), HMCS Moose (ML Q111), HMCS Raccoon (ML Q079), HMCS Reindeer (ML Q116), and HMCS Wolf (ML Q062). A seventh, HMCS Elk (ML Q124) served on the west coast.  The animal names recalling those of the armed yachts whose duties the Fairmiles had taken over, were bestowed in 1954.

The first group of 115 ft Fairmile D’s (600-700) were built as MGBs, most were changed to MTBs in 1943. RCN D type MTBs were 726, 727, 735, 736, 743 – 748 & 797. The 71 ft-6-in G type were also changed to MTBs in 1943, RCN MTBs 459 - 466, 485, 486, 491. The 112 ft Fairmile B’s were designated as Motor Launches. RCN Numbers Q 050 to Q 129. (Darren Scannell)

ML Q050

(DND Photo)

HMC ML Q050 sails past an iceberg, 1 Aug 1945.

(RCN Photo)

ML Q050 Fairmile Type B Motor Launch. The large black flag indicates Q050 is conducting radio asdic contact training during anti-submarine exercises in May 1943.

ML Q050 was delivered to the RCN on 18 Nov 1941. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels).  In Jan & Apr 1944, Q050 was listed as part of the 71st ML Flotilla.  Her CO, Lt Beardmore, was listed as the SO 71st ML Flotilla on 10 Jan 1944.  After the war, Q050 was turned over to Marine Industries Limited, Montreal and became STANBA 1. She was later sold to Standard Oil of New Jersey.

(RCN Photo)

ML Q050 off St-Margaret’s Bay, Nova Scotia, Spring 1943. The Fairmile was one of the smallest warships used by the RCN. Her wooden hull measured 34 metres; propelled by two 630hp-gas engines she could reach a speed of 22 knots. The Fairmile was commonly armed with a three-pound (1.36 kg) gun at the fore and .303-in machine-guns at the aft, although this varied. She carried some 20 depth charges. The RCN used flotillas of six Fairmiles for anti-submarine patrols in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and along the shores. Fairmiles were also used to supply arms to Greek partisans conducting resistance warfare on islands under German control.

(RCN Photo)

ML Q050 off Gaspé, July 1942.

ML Q051

(Scott Wilson McMurdo Photo)

HMCS ML Q051 Fairmile Type B Motor Launch.

ML Q051 was delivered to the RCN on 24 Nov 1941.  In Feb 1944 and Jan 1945, Q051 was listed as part of the 77th ML Flotilla, St. John's, Newfoundland.   On 3 Mar 1944, Q051's CO, LCDR Thomason was listed as the SO for the 77th ML Flotilla.  After the Second World War Q051 was registered as Radel II (RAD- stood for Radio, and EL- stood for Electronics.  The National Research Council used former Q051 as research vessel.  She designed and tested Great Lakes freighter radar, the radar reflecting buoy system and was the first boat in the world to have underwater television.  Information about her experiments, remains classified.  She was later sold to Commander C. H. Hudson, Vancouver when she left government service.

(RCN Photo)

ML Q051, 30 June 1942.

ML Q052

(Don Gorham Photo)

HMCS ML Q052 Fairmile Type B Motor Launch.

ML Q052, delivered to the RCN on 31 Oct 1941.  Q052 served with the free French Navy of St. Pierre et Miquelon on the South Coast of Newfoundland from 15 Jan 1943 until the end of the war.  After the war, Q052 was sold to General J. C. Escobar, Montreal and was later renamed Cyrius and La Marie-Jo.

ML Q053

(DND Photo)

ML Q050 Fairmile Type B Motor Launch, 5 January 1943.

ML Q053 was delivered to the RCN on 17 Nov 1941. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels).  In Jun 1943, ML 053 distinguished herself by recovering, intact, two mines of a barrage laid by U-119 in the Halifax approaches.  On 8 Jun 1943, Q053, following the minesweeper HMS Byms 989, at 1815hrs, she observed a floating mine.  A tow line 90 yards long was attached to the mine and the mine was towed to Ketch Harbour.  At 1930hrs the tow line was passed to a shore party and the mine was then hauled to the beach.  At this point Lt George Henry Olaf Rundle, RCNR, assisted by OS John Gordon Lancien, RCNVR, removed the cover plate, the wiring was cut, and the detonator removed.  At 2052hrs, once the mine was declared safe, the shore party returned and  removed the mine & detonator.  In Jan 1944, Q053 was listed as part of the 71st ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force.

(DND Photo)

ML Q053.

(DND Photo)

ML Q053.

(DND Photo)

ML Q053.

ML Q054

(DND Photo)

ML Q054 was delivered to the RCN on 17 Oct 1941.  While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels).  In Jan 1944, Q054 was listed as part of the 71st ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force.  This was the second Fairmile to terminate her naval service.  The last commanding officer left this one on 6 Dec 1944.  Q082 was first and Q108 was third.  The rest were terminated in the summer of 1945.

(Jeffrey Read Photo)

ML Q054.

ML Q055

(RCN Photo)

ML Q055 was delivered to the RCN on 06 Nov 1941.  While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels).  In Jan 1944 and Apr 1945, Q055 was listed as part of the 71st ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force.  She was sold in 1945.

ML Q056

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q056 was delivered to the RCN on 23 Nov 1941. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels).  Q055 was listed as part of the 71st ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force.  Q056 was sold to Creole Petroleum Corporation, Venezuela in 1945 and renamed Esso Ayacucho.  She was broken up in 1957.

ML Q057

(DND Photo)

Built by Minett-Shields Ltd., Bracebridge, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 28 Oct 1941. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels).  Q057  was listed as part of the 71st ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force.  She was paid off on 5 Jun 1945 and sold in 1957.

(DND Photo)

ML Q057.

(DND Photo)

ML Q057.

ML Q058

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q058.  Built by Minett-Shields Ltd., Bracebridge, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 24 Nov 1941. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels).  In Jan 1944, Q058 was listed as part of the 72nd ML Flotilla, Halifax M.L. Force.  After the war she was sold to private interests in Toronto and renamed Katherine G.  She destroyed in a fire in 1949.

ML Q059

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q059.  Built by Minett-Shields Ltd., Bracebridge, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 26 May 1942.  While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels). In Jan 1945, Q059 was listed as part of the 72nd ML Flotilla, Halifax M.L. Force.  She was a "B" Type ML, Length: 112 ft, Beam: 17.9 ft, Draught: 4.9 ft, Complement: 3 officers, 14 men, Armament: three 20-mm.  In 1946 she was sold to Consolidated Shipbuilding Corp., New York and renamed Rodco.

ML Q060

(Library and ArchivesCanada Photo, MIKAN No.011213817)

Royal Canadian Navy Fairmile Motor Launch Q-060 in Job’s Cove, Conception Bay in 1942. Fairmile Motor Launches patrolled Conception Bay and Bell Island Tickle to defend against German U-boat attacks. Fairmiles were often called Q-boats by Newfoundlanders. A shortage of larger steel warships, such as minesweepers and corvettes, forced the Royal Canadian Navy to use smaller wooden Fairmile Motor Launches to escort coastal convoys and patrol for German U-boats on the Atlantic coast of Canada and Newfoundland.

(Scott Wilson McMurdo Photo)

ML Q060.  Built by Hunter Boats, Orillia, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 1 Nov 1941.  While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels).  In Feb 1944 and Jan 1945, Q060 was part of the 72nd ML Flotilla, Halifax M.L. Force.  Paid off on 20 Jun 1945, she was sold the same year to B. O. Bissette, St. John, Quebec.  The crew called ML Q060 the Mariposa Belle after a fictional Canadian town setting created by writer Stephen Leacock for a series of short stories.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 5102277)

ML Q060 at the Wabana Iron Ore Mines ore loading pier, Bell Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, c944-1945.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4950984)

ML Q060, off the coast of Newfoundland, 1944.

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ML Q061

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q061.  Built by Hunter Boats, Orillia, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 11 Nov 1941.  While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels).  In Jan 1945, Q061 was listed as part of the 72nd ML Flotilla, Halifax M.L. Force.  Paid off on 19 Jun 1945, she was sold to Creole Petroleum Corp., Venezuela, and renamed Esso Concordia.

(Kevin Joynt Photo)

Fairmiles Q093 (76th Fl), Q061 (72nd Fl), Q056 (71st Fl) and sub HMS Seawolf N47 and other ships at Halifax, c 1944-1945.

ML Q062

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q062.  Built by Mac-Craft Ltd., Sarnia, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 18 Apr 1942.  Q062 was a  "B" Type ML.  She served with the free French Navy out of St. Pierre et Miquelon (renamed Langlade V112) on the South Coast of Newfoundland from 15 Jan 1943, until the end of the war.  After the war she was sold to Consolidated Shipbuilding Corp., New York.  Q062 was re-acquired by the navy and became HMCS Wolf 762 in 1954.  She was purchased by Orrville Gold in 1964 and was used as a break wall behind the Gold residence on the north shore of Lake Eire where it was destroyed by winter ice in the 1970s.

(Robbie Robertson Photo)

ML Q062, as HMCS Wolf 762 at Windsor, Ontario, with Detroit, Michigan in the background, ca. 1953.  HMCS Wolf was a tender to HMCS Hunter.

ML Q063

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q063.  Built at Mac-Craft Ltd., Sarnia, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 18 Apr 1942.  Q063 was a  "B" Type ML.  On 15 Jan 1943, she was transferred to the Free French Navy and renamed Columbier V113.  She served with the Free French Navy out of St. Pierre et Miquelon on the South Coast of Newfoundland until the end of the war.  After the war she was sold to General J.C. Escobar, Montreal and renamed Cumbrae II.  Her final disposition is unknown.

ML Q064

(William (Bill) Carey and Jeff Tripp Photo)

ML Q064.  Built by LeBlanc Shipbuilding Co., J.H., Weymouth, NS, she was delivered to the RCN on 18 Apr 1942.  While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels).  In Mar 1943, Q064 rescued the flight crew of a Catalina flying boat that had crashed one mile offshore and was on fire.  In Mar 1944 and  Jan 1945, ML Q064 was part of the 72 ML Flotilla, Halifax M.L. Force.  On 6 Mar 1944, her CO, Lt Jarvis was listed as the SO of the 72 ML Flotilla.  In 1947, she was sold and renamed Six-Four.   She foundered in 1952.

(E.A. Bollinger Photo)

ML Q064.

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q064.

ML Q065

 (Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q065.  Built by LeBlanc Shipbuilding Co., J.H., Weymouth, NS, she was delivered to the RCN on 15 May 1942.  While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels).  Q065 was a "B" Type ML, Displacement 79 tons, Length: 112 ft, Beam, 17.9 ft, Draught: 4.9 ft, Speed: 20 kts, Complement: 3 officers, 14 men, Armament: 3-20mm.  In Jan 1944 and Mar 1945, Q065 was listed as part of the 72nd ML Flotilla, Halifax M.L. Force.  She was sold in 1946 to Eric W. Phillips, Toronto and renamed the Audrey A and then Nadine II.  She caught fire in 1978 and was destroyed.

(Kevin Joynt Photo)

ML Q065.

ML Q066

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q066.  Built at Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd., she was delivered to the RCN on 6 Mar 1942.  Q066 was a "B" Type ML.  In Apr 1943 and Jan 1944 Q066 was listed as part of the 75th ML Flotilla, British Columbia.  Sold after the war to Finning Tractor & Equipment Company, Vancouver, she was renamed Earlmar.  No longer on registers in 2010, her final disposition is unknown.

ML Q067

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q067.  Built by Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd., she was delivered to the RCN on 27 Mar 1942.  Q067was a "B" Type ML. In Jan 1944 and Mar 1945, Q067 was listed as part of the 75th ML Flotilla, British Columbia.  Sold in 1946 to Coal Island Limited, Vancouver, she was renamed Stranger II.  In 1966 she was destroyed by fire.

ML Q068

(RCN Photo No. E-2536, via Comox Air Force Museum)

HMCS Q-068, a Fairmile Type B Motor Launch, profile view.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3205782)

HMCS Q-068, a Fairmile Type B Motor Launch, 45 degrees on the bow, 23 March 1942.

ML Q068.  Built at A.C. Benson Shipyard, Vancouver, B.C., she was delivered to the RCN on 07 Aug 1942.  Q068 was a "B" Type ML.  Sold in 1956 to Straits Towing & Salvage Company, Vancouver, Q068 was renamed many times as Marine Freight No. 1, Miss Linda, Salvor, Sechelt Narrows and ST & S.

ML Q069

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q069.  Built by A.C. Benson Shipyard, Vancouver, B.C., she was delivered to the RCN on 28 Mar 1942.  She was a "B" Type ML.  In Jan 1944, Q069 was listed as part of the 76 ML Flotilla, British Columbia.  Sold in 1946 to Willard G. Weston, Vancouver, she was renamed Casa Mila and later Harwood.  She foundered in a hurricane in 1978.

ML Q070

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3524563)

HMCS ML Q-070 Fairmile Type B Motor Launch, 23 March 1942.

ML Q070.  Built at Star Shipyards (Mercer's) Ltd., New Westminster, BC, she was delivered to the RCN on 19 Mar 1942.  In Jan 1944, Q070 was listed part of the 75th ML Flotilla, British Columbia.  Sold in 1945 to Marine Manufacturing Ltd., Vancouver, she was renamed many times as Coast Ranger, Gulf Ranger, Lachaina Lady, Machigonne, Noble Lady and Saracen III.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3524562)

HMCS ML Q-070 Fairmile Type B Motor Launch, 23 March 1942.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3524564)

HMCS ML Q-070 Fairmile Type B Motor Launch, 23 March 1942.

(John Renforth Photo)

ML Q070.

ML Q071

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q071.  Built at Star Shipyards (Mercer's) Ltd., New Westminster, B.C., she was delivered to the RCN on 15 Apr 1942.  Q071 was a "B" Type ML.  In Jan 1944, Q071 was listed as part of the 75th ML Flotilla, British Columbia.  Paid off on 11 Jul 1945, she was sold in 1946 to Gulf Lines Ltd., Vancouver.  She was renamed Gulf Wing, later Troubadour III, Nimpkish Princess, Northland Princess, Kona Winds, Knight Time II and Troubadour III.

ML Q072

 (Kevin Joynt Photo)

ML Q072.  Built by Grew Boats Ltd., Penetanguishene, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 24 Nov 1941. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels).  In Apr 1944 and Mar 1945, Q072 was listed as part of the 73rd Ml Flotilla, Saint John, NB.  In Oct 1944, she had an explosion in her engine room.  She was repaired and then later sold in 1945 to Acme Boat and Salvage Company, New York, USA.

(David Jamieson Photo)

ML Q072.

ML Q073

(Kevin Joynt Photo)

ML Q073.  Built by Grew Boats Ltd., Penetanguishene, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 24 Nov 1941. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels).  In Feb 1944 and Mar 1945, Q073 was listed a part of the 73rd FL Flotilla, Saint John, NB.  She was sold in 1945 to ACME Boat and Salvage Company, New York, USA.

ML Q074

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q074.  Built by Minett-Shields Ltd., Bracebridge, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 26 May 1942.  Q074 was a "B" Type ML.  In Jun 1944 and Jan 1945, Q074 was listed as part of the 77 ML Flotilla, St. Newfoundland.  Paid off on 1 Jul 1945, she was sold later that year to George B. Burchell, Sydney, Nova Scotia, and renamed Aloma III.

ML Q075

(Kevin Joynt Photo)

ML Q075.  Built by Minett-Shields Ltd., Bracebridge, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 22 Jun 1942.  While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels).  Q075 was a "B" Type ML, Displacement: 79 tons, Length: 112 ft, Beam: 17.9 ft, Draught: 4.9 ft, Speed: 20 kts, Complement: 3 officers, 14 men, Armament: 3-20mm.  In Jan 1944 and 1945, Q075 was listed as part of the 73rd ML Flotilla, Saint John, NB.  After the war she was sold to ACME Boat and Salvage Company, New York, USA.

ML Q076

(Kevin Joynt Photo)

ML Q076.  Built by Minett-Shields Ltd., Bracebridge, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 13 Jul 1942. She was a type "B" ML.  In Feb 1944 and Mar 1945, Q076 was listed as part of the 73rd ML Flotilla, Saint John, NB.  Sold in 1945 to ACME Boat and Salvage Company, New York, USA., her final disposition is unknown.

(Kevin Joynt Photo)

ML Q076.

ML Q077

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q077.  Built by Greavette Boats Ltd., Gravenhurst, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 02 Jun 1942. Q077 was a "B" Type ML In Jan 1944 and Feb 1945, Q077 was listed a part of the 73rd ML Flotilla, Saint John, NB.  Sold in 1947 to Consolidated Shipping Corp., Sorel, Quebec, she was renamed Coastal Queen.

ML Q078

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q078.  Built by Graevette Boats Ltd., Gravenhurst, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 2 Jun 1942.  In Feb 1945, Q078 was listed a part of the 73rd ML Flotilla, Saint John, NB.  Sold in 1945 to George Elie Transport Tanker Company, Montreal, she was renamed Esso Cardinal.  Her final disposition is unknown.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3238928)

Sailors playing cards aboard the Fairmile Motor Launch ML Q078 of the RCN, St. John's, Newfoundland, 10 June 1943.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3575335)

Signaler aboard the Fairmile Motor Launch ML Q078 at sea, 10 May 1943.

ML Q079

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q079.  Built by Taylor and Sons, J.J., Toronto, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 27 May 1942.  Q079 was a "B" Type ML. In Apr 1945, Q079 was listed as part of the 79th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force.  She was sold 24 Oct 1945 by WAC to James L. Gillanders, Toronto and then in 1946 to Herbert E. Corbett, mining engineer, Oakville, Ontario, where she was renamed Lady Enit and Nancy Grace.  Re-acquired by the RCN on 19 May 1949, she became PTC 779 and then later HMCS Raccoon 1954, international call sign CYQT, pendant 779 and radiotelephone “Incident M”.  Her final disposition is unknown.

ML Q080

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q080.  Built by Taylor and Sons, J.J., Toronto, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 17 Jun 1942.  Q080 was a "B" Type ML . In Apr 1944 and 1945, Q080 was listed as part of the 79th ML Flotilla,  Halifax L.D. Force.  She was sold in 1945 to to United Boat Service Corp., New York, USA, and re-named Quarterdeck, later Almeta Queen, and Cosa Grande.  She was found abandoned 2007.

(Harold Moore Photo)

ML Q080.

ML Q081

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q081.  Built by Honey Harbour Nav Co. Ltd., Midland, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 17 May 27 1942.  Q081 was a "B" Type ML.  In Mar 1944, Q081 was listed as part of the 79th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force.  Her CO, Lt Stairs was listed as the SO of the 79th ML Flotilla in Apr 1944.  Removed from service on 21 Jun 1945, she was sold in 1947 to Louis Levin, Montreal, Quebec.  Renamed Esso Taparita, she was destroyed by fire in 1948.

ML Q082

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q082.  Built by Honey Harbour Nav. Co. Ltd., Midland, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 27 May 1942.  Q082 was a "B" Type ML.  In Jan & Mar 1944, Q082 was listed as part of the 79th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force.  She was removed from service after having caught fire in 1944.

(Ross Craik Photo)

ML Q082, pushed ashore in a December storm, aground on Prince Edward Island, Dec 1942.

ML Q083

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3205336)

RCN Fairmile Q-083 escorting a submarine, c1945.

(Kevin Joynt Photo)

ML Q083.  Built by LeBlanc Shipbuilding Co., J.H., Weymouth, NS, she was delivered to the RCN on 25 May 1942. Q083 was a "B" Type ML. In Apr 1944,  Q083 was listed as part of the 79th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force.  She was sold in 1945 to Lorne Johnson, Montague, Prince Edward Island  and renamed Lazy Mariner.

(Robyn Barker Photo)

ML Q083.

ML Q084

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, PA 134191)

ML Q084.  Built by LeBlanc Shipbuilding Co. J.H., Weymouth, N.S., she was delivered to the RCN on 18 Jun 1942.  Q084 was a Type "B" ML.  In Jan 1944, Q084 was listed as part of the 79th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force.  She was sold in 1946 to R. E. Gamble, Toronto and was renamed Nelvana.

ML Q085

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q085.  Built by Hunter Boats, Orillia, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 13 Jun 1942.  Q085 was a "B" Type ML. In Mar 1944 and May 1945, Q085 was listed as part of the 79th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force.  She was sold in 1951 to United Boat Service Corp., New York, USA, and renamed Suzette No. 1.

HMCS Fort Ramsay (Base)

(DND Photo)

ML Q085 with other MLs at HMCS Fort Ramsay, Québec, ca 1944-1945.

HMCS Fort Ramsay

In 1940, the town of Gaspé, Québec, was designated a naval base in order to provide an operational base for naval forces engaged in the defence of the St. Lawrence, capable of supplying these forces and carrying out necessary running repairs. The “base” commenced operations in a small wooden building in the lower town, “sans jetties, sans ships, sans everything” and was named for Fort Ramsay House. In June 1940, the patrol vessel HMCS Eileen,a 65-foot motor launch converted for river patrol duties, entered Gaspé. However, the Commanding Officer was unable to locate the base and the ship proceeded to patrol. In 1941, an anti-submarine net and gate vessels were installed and patrols of the area were established with 4 armed yachts, HMCS Reindeer, HMCS Raccoon, HMCS Lynx and HMCS Vison.

May 1, 1942 marked the official inauguration and commission of the HMCS Fort Ramsay naval base. The naval base was an entirely self-contained affair and provided its own electricity, water supply, sewage system, and fire department and did not rely on public utilities for any of these essential services. Its main tasks included providing facilities for refitting the Fairmile-B motor launches, protecting sea communications in adjacent coastal waters, detecting and destroying enemy submarine and surface craft in adjacent coastal waters as well as providing a defended anchorage.

In May 1945, at the end of the war in Europe, the decision was taken to close HMCS Fort Ramsay and dissolve its assets. The facilities were not capable of carrying out refits for ships larger than motor launches and due to its isolated location and lack of storage accommodation; it would be of no value in the post-war de-storing programme. It was considered advisable that the Communications Department remain operative until the movement of Royal Canadian Navy ships up the river had been completed. The establishment was paid off on July 31, 1945 and its assets disposed off. (https://www.canada.ca/en/navy/services/history/ships-histories/fort-ramsay.html)

‍ML Q086

(Assiginack Museum Photo)

ML Q086.  Built by Taylor and Sons, J.J., Toronto, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 26 Oct 1942.  In Apr 1944 and Mar 1945, Q086 was listed as part of the 76th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force.  Sold in 1946 to K.U. Gamble, Toronto, she was re-named Montery.

ML Q087.  Built by Taylor and Sons, J.J., Toronto, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 9 Nov 1942.  In Jan 1944 and Feb 1945, Q087 was part of the 76th Ml Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force.  Sold in 1948 to J.R. Trembly, Toronto, she was renamed Tzigane and Chief Tek8erimat.

ML Q088

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q088. Built by Taylor and Sons, J.J., Toronto, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 5 Oct 1943.  Q088 was a "B" Type ML.  In Feb 1945, Q088 was listed as part of the 77th ML Flotilla, St. Johns, Newfoundland.  irst CO served from 19 May 1943, and the last departed on 25 Jun 1945.  After the war Q088 was sold to W. F. Christie, Toronto and was renamed Eighty-Eight, Penetang Eighty-Eight, Midland Penetang Eighty-Eight and Olympia III.   Reported burned.

ML Q089

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q089.  Built by Greavette Boats Ltd., Gravenhurst, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 14 Oct 1942.  In Jan 1944 and Mar 1945, Q089 was listed as part of the 76th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force.  Sold in 1949 to Northern Engineering and Supply Company, Fort William, Ontario, she was renamed Coastal Queen, and later Grand Commander and Corniche.

ML Q090

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q090.  Built by Greavette Boats Ltd., Gravenhurst, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 19 Nov 1942.  In May 1944 and Jan 1945, Q090 was listed as part of the 78th ML Flotilla, Bermuda.  She was sold in 1945 to Brian Newkirk in Toronto and renamed Louvicourt and Rosal.

ML Q091

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q091.  Built by Greavette Boats Ltd., Gravenhurst, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 17 May 1943.  Q091 was a "B" Type ML. In Jan 1944, Q091 was listed as part of the 77th ML Flotilla, St. Johns, Newfoundland.  Sold in 1946 to Wendel Graham, PEI, and re-named Nine-One.

ML Q092

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q092.  Built by Hunter Boats, Orillia, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 1 Nov 1942.  In Feb 1944 and Jan 1945, Q092 was listed a part of the 77th ML Flotilla, St. Johns, Newfoundland.  Sold in 1947 possibly to Radium Chemicals of Vancouver and re-named Suzette No. 1.

ML Q093

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q093.  Built by Hunter Boats, Orilla, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 2 Nov 1942.  In Jan 1944 and Apr 1945, Q093 was listed as part of the 76th Ml Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force.  Sold in 1945, her final disposition is unknown.

ML Q094

(Paul Van Tighem Photo)

ML Q094.  Built by Midland Boat Works, Midland, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 19 Nov 1942.  In Feb 1944 and Feb 1945, Q094 was listed a part of the 77th ML Flotilla, St. Johns, Newfoundland.  She was sold in 1945 to G. A. Griffen, PEI, and renamed Ernest G.  On 13 Aug 1948, Ernest G. caught fire, beached and became a total loss at North Sydney, Nova Scotia.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4950983)

ML Q094, bow Oerlikon 20-mm AA Gun, off the coast of Newfoundland, 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4950982)

ML Q094, off the coast of Newfoundland, 1944.

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q094.

ML Q095

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, PA 141636)

ML Q095 escorting U-190, May 1945.  Built by Midland Boat Works, Midland, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 12 May 1943.  Q095 was a "B" Type ML. In Feb 1944 & 1945, Q095 was listed a part of the 76th ML Flotilla. In Feb 1944, her CO, Lt Williams, was SO of the 76th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force.  Paid off on 1 Jul 1945, she was sold later that year to Rudolphe Corbeil and was re-named renamed Rodco.  She operated out of West Pubnico, Nova Scotia and was used to haul lobsters from Western Nova Scotia to Rockland, Maine.

ML Q096

(Anthony Sharp Photo)

ML Q096.  Built by Minett-Shields Ltd., Bracebridge, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 9 Nov 1942. While she flew the White Ensign, she was not commissioned into the RCN but instead was listed as a tender to HMCS Sambro, the depot ship for escorts (tenders were not commissioned vessels).  In Apr 1945, Q096 was listed as part of the 76th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force.  Removed from service on 30 Jun 1945, she was later sold for civilian use.

(Anthony Sharp Photo)

ML Q096.

ML Q097

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q097.  Built by Minett-Shields Ltd., Bracebridge, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 9 Nov 1942.  In Jan 1944, Q097 was listed as part of the 76th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force.  Sold in 1945 to Gen Escobar, but as a re-sale when the boat returned to M.I.L Industries.

ML Q098

(Martime Museum of the Great Lakes Photo)

ML Q098.  Built by Grew Boats Ltd., Penetanguishene, Ont., she was delivered to the RCN on 7 Nov1942.  In Jan 1944, Q098 was listed as part of the 76th ML Flotilla, Halifax L.D. Force.  Sold to Irene Sicard of Montreal, she was renamed Corite then Bic.  In Jun 1947, former Q098 was purchased by the Navire école de l’Institut maritime du Québec, fully equipped with radio, radar, sonar in interior communications equipment, for $25,000.  On 28 Oct 1948 she was renamed Saint-Barnabé.  She served the marine training school until Dec 1958.  Her disposition after 1958 is unknown.

ML Q099

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q099.  Built by Grew Boats Ltd., Penetanguishene, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 7 Nov 1942.  Q099 was a "B" Type ML. In Feb 1944 and Mar 1945, Q099 was listed as part of the 77th ML Flotilla, St. Johns, Newfoundland.  Sold in 1948 to Joe Dunkleman, Tip-Top Tailors of Toronto, she was renamed Dipedon and later Donarvie II.

ML Q100

(Don Gorham Photo)

ML Q100.  Built by Grew Boats Ltd., Penetanguishene, Ontario, she was delivered to the RCN on 7 Nov 1942.  In Jan 1945, Q100 was part of the 78th ML Flotilla, Bermuda.  On 8 Apr 1945, Q100's CO, Lt Dobson was listed as SO of the 78th ML Flotilla.  She was sold in 1945 to Francis Farwell, Hamilton, Ontario.

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