RCN Corvettes (Flower class): Builder, Launch date, Completion date, Disposal date

RCN Flower class Corvettes

(DND Photo)

HMCS Regina (K234).

The Flower-class corvette was a British class of 294 corvettes used during the Second World War, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic. RN ships of this class were named after such as the lead ship HMS Gladiolus, hence the name of the class. Corvettes commissioned by the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War were named after communities for the most part, to better represent the people who took part in building them. This idea was put forth by Admiral Percy W. Nelles. Sponsors were commonly associated with the community for which the ship was named. Royal Navy corvettes were designed as open sea escorts, while Canadian corvettes were developed for coastal auxiliary roles which was exemplified by their minesweeping gear. Eventually the Canadian corvettes would be modified to allow them to perform better on the open seas.

The original Flower class were fitted with a 4-inch (102-mm) gun on the bow, depth charge racks carrying 40 charges on the stern, a minesweeping winch, and a 2-pounder (40-mm) pom-pom anti-aircraft gun mounted on a “bandstand” over the engine room. The long-range endurance of the vessels, coupled with early war-time shortages of larger escort warships, saw Flowers assigned to trans-Atlantic convoy escort where Luftwaffe fighter-bombers were rarely encountered. Vessels assigned to the Mediterranean Sea usually had their anti-aircraft capability significantly upgraded.

Underwater detection capability was provided by a fixed ASDIC dome; this was later modified to be retractable. Subsequent inventions such as the High Frequency Radio Detection Finder (Huff-Duff) were later added, along with various radar systems (such as the Type 271), which proved particularly effective in low-visibility conditions in the North Atlantic.

The majority served during the Second World War with the RN and RCN. Many of the corvettes were built in Canada, and a number were transferred from the RN to the USN under the lend-lease program, seeing service in both navies. Post war, many surplus Flower-class vessels saw worldwide use in other navies, as well as civilian use. HMCS Sackville (K181) is the only member of the class to be preserved as a museum ship at Halifax, Nova Scotia. (RCN)

36 Flower class were sunk during the war. 10 of these were Canadian. One, sunk in shallow water, was raised and repaired. Of the vessels lost to enemy action, 22 were torpedoed by U-boats, five were mined and four were sunk by aircraft. The Flower-class corvettes are credited with participating in the sinking of 47 German and four Italian submarines. (Ian Brannan)

RCN Corvettes (Flower class): Builder, Launch date, completion date, disposal date.

A total of 294 Flower-class corvettes were built during the Second World War for the Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, Free French Naval Forces, and several other Allied navies. The majority survived the war, although 36 were lost in combat or by accident. 64 vessels were built under the 1939-1940 Programme including 10 originally built for the Royal Navy, but transferred to the RCN on loan:

HMCS Agassiz (K129); built by Burrard Dry Dock, launched 15 August 1940 and completed 23 January 1941. Sold 1946.

‍HMCS Alberni (K103); built by Yarrows, Esquimalt, launched 22 August 1940 and completed 4 February 1941. Sunk by German submarine U-480 in the English Channel 21 August 1944.

‍HMCS Algoma (K127); built by Port Arthur Shipbuilding, launched 17 December 1940 and completed 11 July 1941. Transferred to Venezuelan Navy as Constitución in 1946.

‍HMCS Amherst (K148); built by St John Drydock, launched 4 December 1940 and completed 5 August 1941. Transferred to Venezuelan Navy as Federación in 1946.

‍HMCS Arrowhead (K145); ex-HMS Arrowhead, built by Marine Industries, Sorel, launched 8 August 1940 and completed 21 November 1940. Returned to Royal Navy June 1945. Sold for mercantile service May 1947, renamed Southern Larkspur whale catcher.

‍HMCS Arvida (K113); built by Morton, launched 21 September 1940 and completed 22 May 1941. Sold for mercantile service 1946, renamed La Ceiba.

‍HMCS Asbestos (K358); built by Morton, launched 22 November 1943 and completed 16 June 1944. Broken up March 1949.

HMCS Atholl (K15); built by Morton, launched 5 May 1943 and completed 14 October 1943. Broken up October 1952.

HMCS Baddeck (K147); built by Davie Shipbuilding, Quebec, launched 20 November 1940 and completed 18 May 1941. Sold for mercantile service 1946, renamed Efthalia.

HMCS Barrie (K138); built by Collingwood Shipyards, launched 23 November 1940 and completed 12 May 1941. Transferred to Argentina as Gasestado, 1946.

HMCS Battleford (K165); built by Collingwood Shipyards, launched 15 April 1941 and completed 31 July 1941. Transferred to Venezuelan Navy as Libertad, 1946

HMCS Beauharnois (K540); built by Morton, launched 11 May 1944 and completed 25 September 1944. Transferred to Israel as INS Wedgwood, 1950. Broken up 1956.

HMCS Belleville (K332); built by Kingston, launched 17 June 1944 and completed 19 October 1944. Transferred to the Dominican Navy as Juan Bautista Cambioso, 1947.

HMCS Bittersweet (K182); built by Marine Industries Ltd., Sorel for the RN. Launched 12 September 1940. Loaned to Canada 1941; Returned to RN on 22 June 1945; scrapped November 1950.

HMCS Brandon (K149); built by Davie, launched 20 April 1941 and completed 22 July 1941. Sold 1946.

HMCS Brantford (K218); built by Midland, launched 6 September 1941 and completed 15 May 1942. Sold for mercantile service 1945, whale catcher Olympic Arrow.

HMCS Buctouche (K179); built by Davie, launched 20 November 1940, and completed 5 June 1941. Sold 1946.

HMCS Calgary (K231); built by Marine Industries Ltd., Sorel. Launched 3 August 1941. Commissioned 16 December 1941. Decommissioned 19 June 1945. Scrapped 1951 at Hamilton, Ontario.

HMCS Camrose (K154); built by Marine Industries, launched 16 November 1940 and completed 30June 1941. Broken up June 1947.

HMCS Chambly (K116); built by Vickers, Montreal, launched 29 July 1940 and completed 18December 1940. Sold for mercantile service 1946, converted to whale catcher Sonjia Vinke, broken up 1966.

HMCS Charlottetown (K244); built by Kingston, launched 10 September 1941 and completed 13 December 1941. Sunk by German submarine U-517 in the Gulf of St Lawrence 11 September 1942

HMCS Chicoutimi (K156); built by Vickers, Montreal, launched 16 October 1940 and completed 12 May 1941. Broken up June 1946.

HMCS Chilliwack(K131); built by Burrard Dry Dock, launched 14 September 1940 and completed 8April 1941. Sold 1946.

HMCS Cobalt (K124); built by Port Arthur, launched 17 August 1940 and completed 25 November1940. Sold for mercantile service 1946, converted to whale catcher Johanna W. Vinke, broken up 1966.

HMCS Cobourg (K333); built by Midland, launched 14 July 1943 and completed 11 May 1944. Sold for mercantile service 1945, renamed Camso, then renamed Dundas Kent 1948 and Puerto del Sol 1951.

HMCS Collingwood (K180); built by Collingwood, launched 27 July 1940 and completed 9 November 1940. Broken up July 1950.

HMCS Dauphin (K157); built by Vickers, Montreal, launched 24 October 1940 and completed 17 May 1941. Sold for mercantile service 1947, renamed Cortés.

HMCS Dawson (K104); built by Victoria Machinery, launched 8 February 1941 and completed 6 October 1941. Foundered 22 March 1946 off Hamilton.

HMCS Drumheller(K167); built by Collingwood, launched 5 July 1941 and completed 13 September 1941. Sold 1946.

HMCS Dundas (K229); built by Victoria Machinery, launched 25 July 1941 and completed 1 April 1942. Sold 23 October 1945.

HMCS Dunvegan (K177); built at Marine Industries, launched 11 December 1940 and completed 9 September 1941. Transferred to Venezuelan Navy as Independencia, 1946.

HMCS Edmundston (K106); built by Yarrow, Vancouver, launched 22 February 1941 and completed 21 October 1941. Sold for mercantile service 1946, renamed Ampala.

HMCS Eyebright (K150); ex-HMS Eyebright, built by Vickers, Montreal, launched 22 July 1940 and completed 26 November 1940. Returned to Royal Navy 17 June 1945. Sold for mercantile service 17 May 1947, converted to whale catcher Albert W. Vinke.

HMCS Fennel (K194); ex-HMS Fennel, built by Marine Industries, launched 20 August 1940 and completed 15 January 1941. Returned to Royal Navy 12 June 1945. Sold for mercantile service 9 August 1946, renamed Milliam Kihl whale catcher.

HMCS Fergus (K686); built by Collingwood, launched 30 August 1944 and completed 18 November 1944. Sold for mercantile service 1945, renamed Camso II, then renamed Harcourt Kent 1948, lost 22 November 1949.

HMCS Forest Hill (K486); laid down by the RN as HMS Ceanothos, but was never commissioned into the RN, being transferred to the RCN before completion. She was paid off 9 July 1945 at Sorel, Quebec. She was transferred to the War Assets Corporation and sold for scrapping. She was broken up in 1948 at Hamilton, Ontairo.

HMCS Fredericton (K245); built by Marine Industries, launched 2 September 1941 and completed 8 December 1941. Sold for mercantile service 16 November 1945, renamed Tra Los Montes.

HMCS Frontenac (K335); built by Kingston, launched 2 June 1943 and completed 26 October 1943. Sold 2 October 1945.

HMCS Galt (K163); built by Collingwood, launched 28 December 1940 and completed 15 May1941. Sold 1946.

HMCS Giffard (K402);

HMCS Guelph (K687); built by Collingwood, launched 20 December 1943 and completed 9 May 1944. Sold for mercantile service 1946, with name unchanged, then renamed Josephine Lanasa 1955 and Burfin 1956.

HMCS Halifax (K237); built by Collingwood, launched 4 October 1941 and completed 26 November 1941. Sold for use as salvage vessel 1946.

HMCS Hawkesbury (K415); built by Morton, launched 16 November 1943 and completed 14 June 1944. Sold to Cambodia 1950, renamed Kampuchea, broken up 1956.

HMCS Hepatica (K159); ex-HMS Hepatica, built by Davie Shipbuilding, launched 6 July 1940 and completed 12 November 1940. Returned to Royal Navy 27 June 1945. Broken up January 1948.

HMCS Kamloops (K176); built by Victoria Machinery, launched 7 August 1940 and completed 17 March 1941. Sold 1946.

HMCS Kamsack (K171); built by Port Arthur, launched 5 May 1941 and completed 4 October 1941. Transferred to Venezuelan Navy as ARV Federación, 1946.

HMCS Kenogami(K125); built by Port Arthur, launched 5 September 1940 and completed 29 June 1941. Sold 1946 and broken up 1950.

HMCS Kitchener (K225); ex-Vancouver, built by G.T Davie, launched 18 November 1941 and completed 28 June 1942. Sold 1946 and broken up April 1949.

HMCS La Malbaie (K273); ex-Fort William, built by Kingston, launched 25 October 1941 and completed 28 April 1942. Sold 1946.

HMCS Lachute (K440); built by Morton, launched 9 June 1944 and completed 26 October 1944.Transferred to the Dominican Navy as Cristóbal Colón, 1947.

HMCS Lethbridge (K160); built by Vickers, Montreal, launched 21 November 1940 and completed 26 June 1941. Sold for mercantile service 1952, converted to whale catcher Nicolaas Vinke.

HMCS Levis (K115); built by G. T. Davie, launched 4 September 1940 and completed 16 May1941. Sunk by German submarine south of Greenland 19 September 1941.

HMCS Lindsay (K338); built by Midland, launched 4 June 1943 and completed 15 November 1943. Sold for mercantile service 1946, renamed North Shaw.

HMCS Long Branch (K487); built by A. & J. Inglis Ltd., Glasgow. Laid down as HMS Candytuft 27 February 1943, but was transferred to the RCN on 5 January 1944 before completion. Launched 28 September 1943. Decommissioned 17 June 1945. Sold in 1947 as mercantile Rexton Kent II. Scuttled off Canada’s Atlantic coast in 1966.

HMCS Louisburg (K143); built by Morton, launched 27 May 1941 and completed 29 September 1941. Sunk by torpedo from Italian aircraft off Oran 16 February 1943.

HMCS Louisburg (K401); built by Morton, launched 13 July 1943 and completed 13 December 1943. Transferred to the Dominican Navy as Juan Alejandro Acosta, 1947.

HMCS Lunenburg (K151); built by G. T. Davie, launched 10 July 1941 and completed 4 December 1941. Broken up June 1946.

HMCS Matapedia (K112); built by Morton Engineering & Drydock, launched 14 September 1940 and completed 9 May 1941. Broken up December 1950.

HMCS Mayflower (K191); ex-HMS Mayflower, built by Vickers, Montreal, launched 3 July 1940 and completed 9 November 1940. Broken up 1950.

HMCS Merrittonia (K688); built by Morton, launched 24 June 1944 and completed 10 October 1944. Wrecked on Nova Scotian coast on 30 November 1945.

HMCS Midland (K220); built by Midland, launched 25 June 1941 and completed 8 November 1941. Sold for mercantile service 1946.

HMCS Mimico (K485); built by John Crown & Sons Ltd. Sunderland. Laid down 22 February 1943 by the Royal Navy as HMS Bullrush but was never commissioned into the RN, being transferred to the RCN before completion. Launched 11 October 1943. Commissioned 8 February 1944. Decommissioned 18 July 1945. Sold for commercial use.

HMCS Moncton (K139); built by St John Drydock, launched 11 August 1941 and completed 24 April 1942. Sold 1951. Converted to whale catcher Willem W. Vinke, broken up 1966.

HMCS Moose Jaw (K164); built by Collingwood, launched 9 April 1941 and completed 19 June 1941. Broken up September 1949.

HMCS Morden (K170); built by Port Arthur, launched 5 April 1941 and completed 6 September1941. Broken up November 1956.

HMCS Nanaimo (K101); built by Yarrows, Esquimault, launched 28 October 1940 and completed 26 April 1941. Sold for mercantile service 1945, converted to whale catcher René W. Vinke.

HMCS Napanee (K118); built by Kingston, launched 31 August 1940 and completed 12 May 1941. Broken up June 1946.

HMCS New Westminster (K228); built by Victoria Machinery, launched 14 May 1941 and completed 31 January 1942. Sold for mercantile service 1947, renamed Elisa.

HMCS Norsyd (K520); built by Morton, launched 31 July 1943 and completed 22 December 1943. Sold for mercantile service 1948, renamed Balboa, then to Israel as INS Haganah, 1950, scrapped 1956.

HMCS North Bay (K339); built by Collingwood, launched 27 April 1943 and completed 25 October 1943. Sold for mercantile service 1946, renamed Kent County II, then renamed Galloway Kent 1950 and Bedford II 1951.

HMCS Oakville (K178); built at Port Arthur Shipyard, launched 21 June 1941 and completed 18 November 1941. Transferred to Venezuelan Navy as Patria 1946.

HMCS Orillia (K119); built by Collingwood, launched 15 September 1940 and completed 29 April 1941. Broken up January 1951.

HMCS Owen Sound (K340); built by Collingwood, launched 15 June 1943 and completed 17 November 1943. Sold for mercantile service 1946, renamed Cadio.

HMCS Parry Sound (K341); built by Midland, launched 13 November 1943 and completed 30 August 1944. Sold for mercantile service 1950, whale catcher Olympic Champion, then renamed Otori Maru No. 15 1956.

HMCS Peterborough (K342); built by Kingston, launched 15 January 1944 and completed 1 June 1944. Transferred to the Dominican Navy as Gerard Jansen, 1947.

HMCS Pictou (K146); built by Davie Shipbuilding, launched 5 October 1940 and completed 29 April 1941. Sold for mercantile service 1949, renamed Olympic Chaser.

HMCS Port Arthur (K233); built by Port Arthur, launched 18 September 1941 and completed 26 May 1942. Broken up 1946.

HMCS Prescott (K161); built by Kingston, launched 7 January 1941 and completed 26 June 1941. Sold 1946.

HMCS Quesnel (K133); built by Victoria Machinery, launched 12 November 1940 and completed 23 May 1941. Broken up 1946.

(DND Photo)

HMCS Regina (K234); built by Marine Industries, launched 14 October 1941 and completed 22 January 1942. Sunk by mine in the English Channel 8 August 1944.

HMCS Rimouski(K121); built by Davie Shipbuilding, launched 3 October 1940 and completed 26 April 1941. Broken up December 1950.

HMCS Rivière du Loup (K357); built by Morton, launched 2 July 1943 and completed 21 November 1943. Transferred to the Dominican Navy as Juan Bautista Maggiolo, 1947.

HMCS Rosthern (K169); built by Port Arthur, launched 30 November 1940 and completed 17 June 1941. Broken up June 1946.

HMCS St. Lambert (K343); built by Morton, launched 6 November 1943 and completed 27 May 1944. Sold for mercantile service 1946, renamed Chrysi Hondroulis, then renamed Loula 1955.

HMCS Sackville (K181); built by St John Drydock, launched 15 May 1941 and completed 30 December1941. Became cable vessel 1956, then survey vessel 1966. Paid off December 1982for conversion to Museum Ship at Halifax.

HMCS Saskatoon (K158); built by Vickers, Montreal, launched 7 November 1940 and completed 9 June 1941. Sold for mercantile service 1947, renamed Tra Los Montes, later whale catcher Olympic Fighter 1950, Otori Maru No. 6 1956, and Kyo Maru No. 201961.

HMCS Shawinigan (K136); built by G.T. Davie, launched 16 May 1941 and completed 19 September1941. Sunk by German submarine U-1228 in Cabot Strait 25 November 1944.

HMCS Shediac (K110); built by Davie Shipbuilding, launched 29 April 1941 and completed 8 July1941. Sold for commercial service 1951, converted to whale catcher Jooske W. Vinke. Broken up 1965.

HMCS Sherbrooke (K152); built by Marine Industries, launched 25 October 1940 and completed 5 June 1941. Broken up May 1947.

HMCS Smiths Falls (K345); built by Kingston, launched 19 August 1944 and completed 28 November 1944. Sold for mercantile service 1950, whale catcher Olympic Lightning, thenrenamed Otori Maru No. 16 1956.

HMCS Snowberry (K166); ex-HMS Snowberry, built by Davie Shipbuilding, launched 8 August 1940 and completed 30 November 1940. Returned to Royal Navy 8 June 1945. Broken up August 1947.

HMCS Sorel(K153); built by Marine Industries, launched 16 November 1940 and completed 19 August 1941. Sold 16 October 1945.

HMCS Spikenard (K198); ex-HMS Spikenard, built by Davie Shipbuilding, launched 10 August 1940 and completed 8 December 1940. Sunk by German submarine U-136 in the North Atlantic 10 February 1942.

HMCS Stellarton (K457); built by Morton, launched 27 April 1944 and completed 29 September 1944. Transferred to Chilean Navy as Casma, 1946.

HMCS Strathroy(K455); built by Midland, launched 30 August 1944 and completed 20 November 1944. Transferred to Chilean Navy as Chipana, 1946.

HMCS Sudbury (K162); built by Kingston, launched 31 May 1941 and completed 15 October 1941. Sold 1949 as a tug, name unaltered.

HMCS Summerside (K141); built by Morton, launched 7 May 1941 and completed 11 September 1941. Broken up June 1946.

HMCS The Pas (K168); built by Collingwood, launched 16 August 1941 and completed 21 October 1941. Broken up June 1946.

HMCS Thorlock (K394); built by Midland, launched 15 May 1944 and completed 6 October 1944. Transferred to Chilean Navy as Papudo, 1946.

HMCS Timmins (K223); built by Yarrows, Esquimalt, launched 26 June 1941 and completed 10 February 1942. Sold for mercantile service 1946, renamed Guayaquil.

HMCS Trail (K174); built by Burrard, launched 16 October 1940 and completed 30 April 1941. Broken up August 1950.

HMCS Trentonian (K368); built by Kingston, launched 1 September 1943 and completed 1 December 1943. Sunk by German submarine U-1004 off Falmouth 22 February 1945.

HMCS Trillium (K172); ex-HMS Trillium, launched 26 June 1940 and completed 22 October 1940. Sold for mercantile service 17 May 1947, whale catcher Olympic Runner, later renamed Otori Maru No. 10 1956, and Kyo Mary No. 16 1959.

HMCS Vancouver (K240); ex-Kitchener, built by Yarrows, Esquimalt, launched 26 August 1941 and completed 20 March 1942. Sold 1946.

HMCS Ville de Québec (K242); ex-Quebec, built by Morton, launched 12 November 1941 and completed 24 May 1942. Sold 1947.

HMCS Wetaskiwin (K175); ex-Banff, built at Burrard, launched 18 July 1940 and completed 16 December 1940. Transferred to Venezuelan Navy as Victoria, 1946.

HMCS Weyburn (K173); built by Port Arthur, launched 26 July 1941 and completed 26 November 1941. Sunk by mine off Gibraltar 22 February 1941.

HMCS West York (K369); built by Midland, launched 25 January 1944 and completed 6 October 1944. Sold for mercantile use 1946, renamed Guatemala, then renamed Moulay Bouchaib 1946, Expresso 1953 and Federal Express 1960, lost 5 May 1960.

HMCS Whitby (K346); built by Midland, launched 18 September 1943 and completed 6 June 1944. Sold to Portugal 1946.

HMCS Windflower (K155); ex-Windflower, built by Davie Shipbuilding, launched 4 July 1940 and completed 26 October 1940. Sunk in collision with SS Zypenberg in the North Atlantic 7 December 1941.

HMCS Woodstock (K238); built by Collingwood, launched 10 December 1941 and completed 1 May 1942. Sold for mercantile service 1 March 1948, whale catcher Olympic Winner, then renamed Otori Maru No.20 1956 and Akitsu Maru 1957, broken up 1975.

Brampton; cancelled December 1943.

Carleton; cancelled December 1943.

Ingersoll; cancelled December 1943.

Listowel; cancelled December 1943.

Meaford; cancelled December 1943.

Renfrew; cancelled December 1943.

Simcoe; cancelled December 1943.

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