RCN 1939–1945, Minesweepers (Lake Class)
Minesweepers (Lake Class): HMCS Alder Lake (J480), HMCS Ash Lake (J481), HMCS Beech Lake (J482), HMCS Birch Lake (J483), HMCS Cedar Lake (J484), HMCS Cherry Lake (J485), HMCS Elm Lake (J486), HMCS Fir Lake (J487), HMCS Hickory Lake (J488). HMCS Larch Lake (J489), HMCS Maple Lake (J490), HMCS Oak Lake (J491), HMCS Pine Lake (J492), HMCS Poplar Lake (J493), HMCS Spruce Lake (J494), HMCS Willow Lake(J495).
The Lake Class Minesweepers were copies of the Admiralty type, 126-foot wooden-hulled minesweepers, of which 24 were completed in east-coast yards for the RN. Of the 16 for which orders were placed by the RCN, only 10 were completed as warships, VJ-Day having intervened, and these were transferred to the USSR. The 3 on which work was stopped were completed for civilian use. The remaining 3 were apparently never begun. (Ken Macpherson and John Burgess, The Ships of Canada’s Naval Forces 1910-1981, Collins, Toronto, 1982, p.135)
Minesweepers (Lake Class): HMCS Alder Lake (J480), HMCS Ash Lake (J481), HMCS Beech Lake (J482), HMCS Birch Lake (J483), HMCS Cedar Lake (J484), HMCS Cherry Lake (J485), HMCS Elm Lake (J486), HMCS Fir Lake (J487), HMCS Hickory Lake (J488).
HMCS Alder Lake (J480)
(Midland and Area-Portraits of the Past Photos)
HMCS Alder Lake (J480). Transferred to USSR, 20 Sep1945 as T-196.
HMCS Ash Lake (J481). Transferred to the Department of Mines as Cartier.
HMCS Beech Lake (J482). Built at Vancouver Shipyards Ltd., she was launched on 31 May 1945. Transferred to USSR, 5 February 1946 as T-200. Re-named GRS-2 in 1956.
HMCS Birch Lake (J483). Completed as MV Aspy III.
HMCS Cedar Lake (J484). Transferred to USSR, 1 Nov 1945 as T-197.
HMCS Cherry Lake (J485). Cancelled 22 Oct 1945.
HMCS Elm Lake (J486). Transferred to USSR as T-193.
HMCS Fir Lake (J487). Completed as mission ship Regina Polaris.
(RCN Photo)
HMCS Hickory Lake (J488). Transferred to USSR 15 August 1945 as T-194.