of us returning in the near future.
— Lt. W.E. Harrison, RCNVR, Commanding Officer, HMCS Trentonian
The morning of October 28, 1944, Trentonian sailed from Milford Haven for Cardiff, Wales. The ship arrived there at 1720 and secured to the east dock for boiler cleaning and to touch up its paint.[1]
There had been a consensus among the crew that Trentonian would be returning to Canada for a refit in November. It is possible for rumours to be true, but plans change. The corvettes assigned to the invasion were in fact scheduled to begin refits in Canada starting in October,[2] but demands for escorts in the United Kingdom and delays at the Canadian shipyards postponed Trentonian’s refit.
This left the Canadian corvettes operating at less-than-peak efficiency. Lindsay had strong vibrations in its hull, which interfered with its asdic operations, Louisburg had boiler defects, and Port Arthur had some five thousand rivets loose in its hull that required replacement.[3]
The crew of Trentonian had done an exceptional job of keeping their ship maintained; therefore, the refit was scheduled after those for most of the other invasion corvettes, sometime after the New Year. This was confirmed to the men when word passed through the ship that Lt. Stephen’s Christmas wedding had been postponed to around Easter.[4]
While in Cardiff, repairs were performed to the ship. The sick bay was given an extensive renovation to store the medical equipment it required and to make it more practical to assess and treat the sick and injured.[5]
The petty officer’s mess, located in the stern of the ship, required better ventilation. A larger fan was installed, along with more air outlets in the ducting and new lining on the bulkheads to improve the temperature in the mess.[6]
Lieutenant Harrison took advantage of the boiler cleaning to give half the crew a seven day leave from the ship.[7] These men spent their extended leave visiting family or going to London. The remaining men were allowed short runs ashore in Cardiff.
Able Seaman Gordon Gibbons of Acton, Ontario, remembers one night when he was quartermaster posted on the gangway. One of his shipmates returned from leave very excited. The sailor had truly enjoyed his evening out and was “three sheets to the wind.” He wasted no time in showing Gibbons the gold ring he had pierced into his ear, just like a real pirate. All Gibbons could see was a trail of blood down the sailor’s neck and uniform collar — someone had stolen the large gold earring by pulling it from his ear on the sailors walk back to the ship.[8]
HMCS Trentonian in Cardiff for boiler cleaning, October 1944.
Photo credit: A. Singleton, courtesy of the Family of Maurice Campbell.
Cardiff was a much larger port than Milford Haven and afforded the crew more options for recreational facilities, shopping, and entertainment. Able Seaman Hayward recalled a shopping trip in Cardiff where he tried to find size twelve shoes for his friend AB Runtz. Runtz must have appeared as a giant to the local citizens; after a long search, only one store was found that carried shoes large enough to fit him.[9]
Another sailor recalls with some annoyance how his evening leave had been abruptly ended by a senior shipmate. Able Seaman Harold Salmon had been enjoying his evening at one of the local pubs in Cardiff. That enjoyment had been heightened by the beverages served at the pub. He was sitting contently at his table, considering himself to be a man of the world, even though he was only nineteen at the time, while entertaining two young ladies who listened attentively to his every word. Rosy-cheeked, he was considering his options for the rest of the evening. Several of his shipmates arrived at the pub and, after the bartender had a few words with the sailors, the leading seaman came over and forcibly removed the young ladies—not only from the table but straight out the door.
Bruce Keir wrote on this photo “HMS Pink, Cardiff, October 1944.” Pink was a Flower-class corvette damaged by a torpedo from U-988 on June 27, 1944 and declared a total loss. The charring from the fire is clearly visible on the hull. This picture demonstrates the size of the corvettes, on the dock beside Pink is a replacement gun barrel for the battleship HMS Rodney. Further perspective can be seen by the Trentonian crew member sitting behind the crates and beside the massive gun barrel.
Photo credit: A. Singleton, courtesy of Bruce Keir.
The rosy cheeks of the young sailor became red as he stood his ground and accused the leading sailor of spoiling his night. With that, his mates escorted him back to the ship. The next morning Salmon confronted his senior. The old sailor simply put a hand on the young man’s shoulder and explained, “I did it for your own good, to save you from a life of sin.” The two ladies enjoying the company of the naive young sailor were introduced to his shipmates by the bartender as very disreputable ladies of the evening.[10]
On November 7, 1944, Leading Seaman Aubrey Wells from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, was sent to the RN sick quarters at Cardiff. He had become very ill and was later transferred to the larger Royal Air Force Hospital at St. Athan for more definitive care.[11]
By November 11, boiler cleaning, maintenance, and painting were complete, and the men on extended leave had returned to the ship. Lieutenant Harrison took the time to update Miss Farley and the citizens of Trenton on how their ship was doing:
Thank you for your letter of Oct. 18th also card which arrived the same time. I’m glad that you got the photographs alright.
We are having a fairly agreeable time over here, the weather is a bit miserable at times but we can’t complain. The chief question now is, “How much longer”, of course, but there is not much indication of us returning in the near future.
Your list of things which are on our way to us sounds very generous indeed. You and your friends are spoiling us all.
As far as magazines are concerned the favorites are still such as “American Colliers,” “Red Book,” “Saturday Evening Post” and as there are five messes, five copies would be greatly appreciated. Half the ship’s company have had seven days leave recently and have spent it in different parts of this country. They are getting to know their way around now, and, I think, feel quite at home in Britain.
We have had the good fortune to spend a couple of weeks recently at a large seaport town where they all had a very good time.
Our regular base is only a small place and I think they have got a bit fed up with it. There are several other Canadian Corvettes with us and they see their friends on the other ships pretty frequently so that’s quite a break.
Here’s hoping you all enjoy a Very Happy Xmas and a good holiday at the end of the year.[12]
By the afternoon of November 12, Trentonian was once again looking like the fighting ship it was and was ready to get back to work. They left the dock at Cardiff at 1522 for the short sail to Barry Roads, arriving there at 1642.[13]
The next morning Trentonian sailed with the four-ship convoy BEC 35 at 0645.[14] They arrived at Cherbourg at 0515 on November 15 without incident.[15]
Trentonian’s duties had now become routine for the crew: pick up a convoy in the Bristol Channel, sail two days to Cherbourg, overnight in Cherbourg, and sail two days back to Bristol Channel with another convoy, followed by one or two nights rest in Milford Haven.
The Canadian hospital ship Lady Nelson leaving Cherbourg Harbour, October or November 1944.
Photo credit: A. Singleton, courtesy of the Family of Maurice Campbell.
This return from Cherbourg began just like the others. Trentonian departed at 0853 on the morning of November 16 with convoy EBC 38. The weather was ideal for sailing; Force 2 with winds from the west-northwest at six miles per hour and waves of half a foot.[16] Trentonian was the sole escort and the convoy consisted of ten vessels of various types, including tugs and a large floating crane. The convoy had a smooth crossing of the English Channel and arrived at The Solent by 1700. The weather remained a very comfortable Force 2.[17]
Four ships were detached from the convoy, including the floating crane. Eight ships, four LSTs, and one LCI joined the convoy from The Solent; the convoy was now
nineteen vessels. Assisting Trentonian with the escort was Motor Launch 1465.[18] The commodore of the convoy was in the US liberty ship Oliver Evans. The convoy continued on course for the Bristol Channel.
At 1745, Tug ST 696 reported to Trentonian that it was experiencing engine trouble and requested permission to detach from the convoy. Harrison ordered the tug to proceed to Weymouth and ST 696 followed astern of the convoy.[19]
During the evening the weather started to increase. By 1920, it was at a Force 5 and the winds had moved to south-southwest and increased to twenty-two miles per hour with waves now at six and a half feet.[20]
The convoy was off Portland Bill at 2100 when Trentonian received a radio signal from Tug ST 696. In plain language they stated that they were lost; the compass was not correct and the tug was taking on water and in danger of sinking. The master of the tug did not know his position and, with visibility now at one to two miles, a visual position could not be ascertained.[21]
Trentonian turned about to follow the convoy’s previous course and attempt to locate the distressed tug. At 2115, Harrison signalled for a pilot boat to be sent out from Weymouth to assist the tug with navigation. The master of Tug ST 696 was sending a constant stream of radio signals to the effect that he did know what direction to steer and that he was making water to a dangerous level.[22]
Contact was made with the tug at 2300; Harrison escorted ST 696 to Portland Harbour, as the master of the tug seemed incapable of following any navigational directions and a pilot boat had not been sent out to assist. Trentonian brought the tug to visual distance of the harbour[23] before leaving to rejoin the convoy at 0040 on November 17. Harrison noted in his report, “Proceeding to rejoin convoy. Wind southerly, Force 6, increasing. Moderate to rough seas, showery, visibility from two to ten miles. Passed several ships apparently straggling but could not establish visual signal contact.”[24]
The weather in the Channel continued to deteriorate, with wind speeds rising to twenty-seven miles per hour and waves as high as ten feet. At 2115, Trentonian came across the Royal Navy trawler Transvaal west-southwest of Portland Bill. The trawler had left the convoy and was heading in the direction of Portland Bill.[25] The two ships exchanged identities by visual signal and then the following by signal lamp:
Transvaal — I have serious trouble with engines. Where can I go for repairs? Are you an escort?
Trentonian — Yes
Transvaal — Were you with last convoy?
Trentonian — Yes. You should go to Portland for repairs.[26]
Harrison noted in his report after the brief conversation with the trawler, “Transvaal proceeded toward Portland Bill. Wind was then SSE, Force 6–7, sea rather rough. Portland Bill light could only be seen occasionally, as visibility varied owing to rain. Transvaal did not appear to be making exceptionally bad weather of it and was making fair speed.”[27]
Trentonian rejoined the convoy by 0255 and passed through it, noting that the ships were becoming widely scattered. Several were heaving to, to wait out the storm. The convoy commodore’s ship, Oliver Evans, was under-ballasted and having difficulties in the worsening weather. The weather was now at Force 8 with winds of forty-two miles per hour from the southeast and rolling waves of eighteen feet, visibility was reduced to two thousand feet and less. Trentonian hove to near the commodore’s ship to ride out the storm.[28]
At 0820, Trentonian’s radar broke down. With daylight, visibility had increased to six thousand feet. Harrison ordered the ship’s course towards land to verify their position. The storm continued at Force 8, with the winds moving to southwest by south with rough seas and heavy swell.[29]
Trentonian made land at 1145 near Dartmouth. Visibility had increased to one to two miles, but the weather had continued to deteriorate, now at Force 9, winds southwest by south at fifty miles per hour and waves at twenty-three feet with rough seas and heavy swell.[30]
Harrison altered course to the east to search Lyme Bay for convoy ships taking refuge there. Contact was made with two ships and two LSTs, including the commodore in Oliver Evans. Trentonian proceeded to lead them towards Torbay. Oliver Evans and the two LSTs were handling with difficulty and progress was very slow.[31]
The group of two ships, two LSTs, and Trentonian arrived at Torbay at 1527. They anchored in the shelter of the bay for the night.[32] While there, Harrison received word that a sailor in one of the merchant ships had become very sick. He ordered Trentonian’s boat crew to the merchant ship to offer assistance. The offer of medical help was curtly refused and Trentonian’s boat crew returned. Harrison was enraged at the master of the other ship — he had put his own men at risk for nothing.[33]
During the night the storm started to abate, and by 0750 on the morning of November 18, it had reduced to a Force 4-6[34] and visibility had increased substantially. Trentonian left Torbay to search to seaward for ships. There had been several convoys in the English Channel during the storm and many ships had been scattered, with the weather improving the escorts were now trying to locate their ships and re-establish the convoys.
Trentonian located one of the other ships and one more LST. Harrison ordered the ship they had found to join the convoy now leaving Torbay and the LST to proceed to Falmouth. Trentonian rejoined the convoy off Dartmouth at 1100. Weather was now at Force 4, with the winds still southwest by west and a heavy swell.[35]
At 1420, Trentonian’s convoy, now off Plymouth, detached one ship and one LST and was joined by a group of five ships under escort of RN trawler HMS Leeds United.[36]
The convoy was off Falmouth by 2005 and the weather was once again worsening. Now back to a Force 6 with a good forecast. The convoy commodore reported that his ship, Oliver Evans, was putting in to Falmouth for shelter. Harrison also detached the last LST to Falmouth and appointed the master of Ocean Gallant as convoy commodore. This left eight merchants ships under the escort of Leeds United and Trentonian.[37]
The convoy rounded Lizard Point into Mount’s Bay. The weather was at Force 8 once again, with rough seas, heavy swells, and visibility reduced to one to two miles. The smaller ships of the convoy detached to seek shelter in Mount’s Bay while the remainder continued on course and rounded Land’s End at 2355.[38]
At 0730 on the morning of November 19, Harrison left the convoy with Leeds United and swept astern one more time for stragglers. None were found and Trentonian rejoined the convoy by 1005.[39]
At 1305, the convoy was approaching Bristol Channel. Leeds United continued to the north with its convoy while Trentonian brought its ships into the channel, arriving at Milford Haven at 1750.[40] On arrival they discovered that the trawler Transvaal, which they had spoken to on the seventeenth, had foundered the next day during the height of the storm and had lost nineteen crew members.
Lieutenant Harrison received a message concerning Leading Seaman Aubrey Wells. The sailor’s condition had continued to deteriorate after he was transferred to the RAF hospital at St. Athan and he had died of unknown causes on November 16, 1944, at the age of twenty-nine, just four days short of his thirtieth birthday.[41] The skipper called his crew together for the distressing news.
Leading Seaman Wells had joined Trentonian in Halifax and had been with the ship continuously since then. He was buried at the Cardiff Western Cemetery and, because of distance, his friends and messmates could not attend the burial. A memorial service was conducted on the ship. Lieutenant Harrison said a few words of comfort to the men.
Leading Seaman Aubrey Wells, of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, died of unknown causes at RAF Hospital St. Athan on November 16, 1944, following a brief illness.
Photo credit: A. Singleton, courtesy of the Family of Maurice Campbell.
The news of Wells’s death hit the crew very hard; this was a young man in perfect health. He was also the first man the ship had lost. They had experienced death before — watching bodies of soldiers float past them off the beaches of Normandy and the Monarch incident after D-Day when several of that ship’s crew were k
illed — but this was different. Wells was one of their shipmates. Each man knew that death was always a possibility; most expected to have it come in a fight with the enemy. None would have imagined “death due to unknown causes.”
Wells’s personal effects were gathered and sorted and then boxed to be shipped to his wife in Dartmouth.
Many tried to decide what the meaning of “unknown causes” was. A great deal of discussion led his messmates to realize that, while painting the ship in Cardiff, Wells’s uniform had been covered in paint. He had used the old trick with the fire extinguisher chemical to clean his uniform. The paint mark had been large and a fair amount of the chemical ended up on his uniform. He hadn’t allowed time for it to dry or washed it before going on leave. They agreed that some of the chemical must have penetrated his skin.[42]
After a sombre two days, Trentonian received orders for its next convoy. Despite their loss, the war went on and there was work to be done. At 1646 on November 22, they sailed from Milford Haven and arrived in Swansea Bay at 2215[43] to await the next convoy.
The next day Trentonian sailed away with BEC 45 at 1208.[44] The convoy consisted of nine new liberty ships; the oldest was only two years old. The men enjoyed these convoys due to the speed the merchants ships could maintain. It was a nice change from the old merchant ships and Phoenix tows they had in the past.
The convoy arrived at Cherbourg at 1252 on November 25 without incident.[45] However, not all Canadian escorts returned safely to port that day. The corvette Shawinigan had been torpedoed by a German submarine. There were no survivors of Shawinigan’s crew of ninety-one.[46]
On November 26, Trentonian departed with EBC 48 at 0918.[47] This was a larger convoy of thirteen merchant ships, a mixed assortment — the oldest had been constructed in 1914. The convoy was joined by five new liberty ships while en route to Milford Haven. All eighteen ships arrived safely at Milford Haven on November 28 at 0905.[48]
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