FAQ’s on HMCS haida

What about the depth charge on the jetty?

What about the depth charge on the jetty? It’s an American Mk 6 depth charge made in Beatrice, Nebraska, but it is essentially similar to the British Mk VII which HAIDA carried.

How deep could depth charges go?

They could be set to explode at varying depths up to 385’. If they were set too shallow they would explode too soon and could damage the ship.

How big were depth charges?

They weighed 420 lbs and were 28” x 18”

How many depth charges did HAIDA carry?

It varied but probably around 46 (8 on stern rail, 2 on throwers, 22 on deck & 24 in the torpedo warhead magazine).

Did HAIDA ever shoot down any aircraft?

Likely not, as there is no record of it. Bofors guns from HMS FEARLESS & INTREPID shot down an Argentinian A-4B Skyhawk I 1982 during the Falklands War.

How far could the guns shoot?

4.7” – 15.5 km / 15,000’
4” – 18 km / 39,000’
3”/50 – 7.3 nmi / 30,000’
Boffin – 3 km / 12,500’
20mm – 1.5 km / 10,000’

For reference:

Burlington Skyway – 5.3 km
High Level Bridge – 2.9 km
La Salle Towers – 3 km
Hamilton Mountain – 3.25 km
Mount Hope Airport – 14 km

Do the guns really work?

Yes, with some maintenance and the right ammunition

Did HAIDA carry a Hedgehog?

No. A hedgehog was an anti-submarine spigot mortar with 24 bombs each weighing 65 lbs, which were fired to land in an ellipse about 250 yards ahead of the ship. Only exploding if they hit a submarine, they were much more effective than depth charges. HAIDA never carried one but many Canadian ships did.

How much ammunition did HAIDA carry?

Ammunition is heavy, takes up a lot of space and is, of course, dangerous, so not as much as you might think:

#1 mag – 584 rounds 4”
#2 mag – 537 rounds 4” & 214 boxes 40mm (214 x 24 = 5,136)
Torpedo Warhead – 4 warheads & 24 depth charges
#3 mag – 1,518 rounds 3” & 92 boxes 40mm (92 x 24 = 2,208)

#4 mag – 96 Squid projectiles

What about the danger of fire & explosion in the magazines?

Each magazine had both a flooding and a spraying valve close by as well as lazy rods remotely located.

How many Canadian ships were sunk by mines?

The corvette WEYBURN was sunk by a mine off Gibraltar and two MTBs were sunk by mines in the English Channel. Four Canadian merchant ships were also sunk by mines.

Did HAIDA carry mines?

No. Minelaying required lots of storage space and special rails built into the deck for the mines to run on. HAIDA frequently worked with the Abdiel class minelayer HMS APOLLO.

How did HAIDA protect herself from mines?

To counter magnetic mines, HAIDA had two large electrical cables running around the hull which carried high voltage and altered the magnetic signature of the ship. This system, called degaussing, was invented by a Canadian. She also had two oscillators (noisemakers) in a flooded forepeak to set off acoustic mines.

What is the mine on the jetty?

It is the standard British contact mine of WWII, Mk XVII, one of millions made during WWII. It is 48” high by 40” diameter and could be laid in up to 500 fathoms of water with a charge of either 320 or 450 lbs. It would normally have been attached to a sinker which served as an anchor when laid.

Why are the props on the jetty?

If the props were not removed, galvanic action between the alloy in the props and the steel hull, would erode the prop blades (10’3” diameter, manganese bronze – 88% copper & 12% manganese).

What happened to the empty cartridge cases from the guns?

If they were in the way during action, they were kicked over the side but generally they were collected to be recycled. The 3|/50 has a cage on each side of the after superstructure where the cases could be kicked out of the way till afterwards.

How did CAT gear work?

In September 1943, the German navy introduced an acoustic homing torpedo called the T5, nicknamed by the Allies GNAT (German Naval Acoustic Torpedo).

HMCS ST CROIX was sunk by a GNAT on 20 September 1943. The CAT gear was a noisemaker (iron bars banging together) that was towed 150 to 200 yards behind the ship. The torpedo was attracted to the louder noise and made repeated passes at the CAT gear till it ran out of fuel. Two CAATs were more effective than one.

How much armour did HAIDA have?

None. Armour is very heavy and slows a ship down, so destroyers don’t carry it. There was light protective plating on the gun shields (1/8”) and wheelhouse for protection against shell fragments

How much did the ammunition weigh?

4.7” – 50 lb shell & 30 lb cartridge
4” – 67 lbs
3”/50 – 24 lbs
40mm Boffin – 4.88 lbs (4 round clip weighed 19 lbs, 24 round box weighed 120 lbs)
2 pdr Pom Pom – 2.95 lbs
20mm Oerlikon – 0.5 lbs
Torpedoes, mines & depth charges – see respective entries

How were they fired?

They were fired automatically from the sonar room underneath the bridge.

How deep could a Squid bomb go?

They could be set to explode as deep as 900’.

How big was a Squid bomb?

Squid bombs were 12” in diameter and weighed 390 lbs.

How many Squid did HAIDA carry?

96 in the magazine plus 12 more in the handling room and 6 on the mount, enough for 19 salvos

Did HAIDA ever sink anything with torpedoes?

No. Though surface torpedoes were still used during WWII, the advent of radar had made them obsolescent. They were effective as a scare tactic

How were the torpedoes fired?

The tubes were rotated 90° to port or starboard and the guardrails are lowered. Two turbo air compressors in boiler room #3 provide compressed air to charge the torpedo air vessels to 3,000 psi. The compressed air and the expanding gas from a percussion charge push the torpedo about ten feet over the side of the ship. As it leaves the tube, a catch on the top of the torpedo engages with a fitting in the tube and starts the torpedo engine. They are normally aimed and fired from the bridge but there are sights and local control on the tubes as well.

How fast were the torpedoes and how far did they travel?

The torpedoes could travel 5.5 nm at 45 knots.

How many torpedoes did HAIDA carry?

Only four. At over 21’ long and weighing over 1.5 tonnes, more than an average car, they were too big & heavy to store and too difficult to load into the tubes at sea.

Does the ship have a cathodic protection system?

There was one in Toronto but not here in Hamilton. There are passive sacrificial anodes fastened to the hull and there an air bubbling system used during the winter months which prevents an ice buildup against the hull.

Does the ship leak?

Yes. Leaks, both below and above the waterline are inevitable, particularly through the propeller shafting (now sealed off). There are flood sensors in the bilges

What happened if you were killed at sea?

If the ship was close to port, the body would be taken ashore but otherwise you would be sewed up in your hammock and buried at sea.

How many Canadian sailors were killed during WWII?

In total, 2,024 Canadian sailors died during WWII. 1,146 Canadian merchant sailors lost their lives.

Was anyone killed on her?

HAIDA was a lucky ship. There were two men killed and eight wounded in an accidental explosion in Y gun on 6 August 1944. See the plaque on the stbd side aft. A sailor was injured by a 20mm round in February 1945.

What are the red & blue terminals on the bulkheads?

Connections for emergency electrical cables. If a section of the ship was damaged, electrical power could be restored by bypassing the damaged section

Who was in charge of Damage Control?

The Engineer’s Office just forward of the after funnel was Damage Control HQ. The forward section base was in the cross passage fwd (yellow damage control locker & red firefighting locker at frames 70-73) and after section base at the aft end of the after canopy (yellow damage control locker & red firefighting locker at frames 164- 165)

What are the pieces of lumber for?

In the event of damage from a collision or an explosion, the crew had to be able to make repairs. Look for the yellow damage control lockers that contained hammers, saws, wooden hole plugs, pipe repair kits, etc.

Were any Tribal Class destroyers sunk?

12 of the 16 British Tribals were sunk during the war: 5 by air attack, 4 by torpedo, 1 by surface gunfire, 1 by shore batteries & 1 in collision. HAIDA’s sister ship ATHABASKAN was torpedoed & sunk by a German destroyer. HAIDA came close many times: Battle of North Cape with German battlecruiser SCHARNHORST (11 inch guns); shot at by submarines while escorting RA-66 from Vaenga (Severomorsk) in 1945; when ATHABASKAN was sunk. The RCN lost thirty-eight warships sunk or damaged beyond repair and 72 Canadian (including Nfld) merchant ships were sunk during WWII.

What role did HAIDA play in the Korean War?

HAIDA did two tours in Korean waters: the first of ten months in 1952/53, when she joined The Train Busters Club; and the second in 1953/54 after the armistice. Each time she sailed west and circumnavigated the globe.

How many submarines did HAIDA sink?

One, U-971 on 24 June 1944. Even though the submarine was brought to the surface with depth charges, it was a 4.7’ shell from “B” gun that sank her. The RCN sank 32 submarines during WWII.

How many submarines did HAIDA sink?

One, U-971 on 24 June 1944. Even though the submarine was brought to the surface with depth charges, it was a 4.7’ shell from “B” gun that sank her. The RCN sank 32 submarines during WWII.

How many ships did HAIDA sink?

Nine.

26 April 1944 T29 Torpedo boat
29 April 1944 T27 torpedo boat
9 June 1944 ZH1 destroyer & Z32 destroyer
24 June 1944 U971 U-boat
15 July 1944 UJ1420 or UJ1421 trawler
6 August 1944 M486 minesweeper & SC-3 escort vessel
6 September 1944 vedette patrol vessel

Why is the bridge open to the elements?

Radar was in its infancy and most observation was visual. To deal with aircraft attacks you had to be able to see the aircraft without obstructions. HAIDA sometimes had a canvas awning over the bridge.

What is the electricity supply?

Two steam turbo-generators in the engine room produce 200 kW of 225 volts direct current each while diesel generators in the gearing room and #1 boiler room can produce another 100 kW each when needed. Two 50kW motor alternators in the fwd and aft KVA rooms produce 440 volt ac and motor generators in the Low Power Room produce 22 volts dc.

What kind of radar did HAIDA carry?

Originally, she had 271Q back by the emergency conning position but that was short range because it was sited low and was “wooded” (obstructed) by the forward superstructure. It could detect a surface target at nine miles, a trimmed submarine at 3,500 yards and a periscope at 900 yards. The range varied with the size of the target. HAIDA also had a type 291 radar fitted to the foremast.

In late 1944, the Type 293 air search radar was added. It was characterized by the “cheesecake” shape of the antenna. It was probably not used by the late 1950s but is mounted on the foremast as an artifact.

What kind of radar did HAIDA carry?

Originally, she had 271Q back by the emergency conning position but that was short range because it was sited low and was “wooded” (obstructed) by the forward superstructure – surface target at nine miles. In late 1944, the Type 293 “cheesecake” was added on foremast. Prior to her first Korean trip in 1953, the Sperry (solid antenna) was added to the foremast for surface search & navigation. Prior to her second Korean trip in 1954, the SPS6C (large lattice antenna) was added for air search.

How far can HAIDA go?

At 15 knots she can go 5,200 nm, or about ¼ the way around the earth, without refuelling (1.5 tons per hour) At 20 knots she can only go 1,700 nm (6.1 tons per hour).

How fast did HAIDA go?

She could exceed 36.5 knots or about 68 kmh. This was fast for a destroyer but not the fastest: the French destroyer Le Terrible reached 42.25 knots in 1935.

Where was the ship steered from? Why is there a steering wheel in the middle of the ship? Why can’t the helmsman see where he is going?

The helmsman steered by following a compass course, so he didn’t need to see where he was going. The wheelhouse is forward of the bridge rather than underneath to lower the ship’s silhouette. The Emergency Conning Position is amidships in the event the bridge and wheelhouse were put out of action by enemy fire. If all else failed, the ship could also be steered from tiller flats right at the stern of the ship or by using the engines.

How much do the anchors weigh?

The anchors weigh 36 cwt (cwt = 112 lbs) or 2 tons each but it is the anchor cable, not the anchor, that holds the ship in place. Each link of the cable weighs about 4.2 lbs and the whole stbd cable of 9 shackles (810’) weighs almost 5 tons. There is also a much smaller kedge anchor by the torpedo tubes that weighs only 560 lbs.

Why can’t the boiler room hatches be opened under steam?

Because the boiler rooms are pressurized, opening a hatch while the boilers were working would cause an explosive decompression. The only access when the boiler is working is through an air lock.

What are the big gratings on the upper deck?

Air vents for the boilers. Powerful Sirocco or centrifugal fans pulled air into the boiler rooms to allow more efficient combustion in the boilers.

How much feed water was there?

21 tons in the reserve feed tank under the engine room gratings & almost 10 tons in the feed tank & preheater on the fwd bulkhead of the engine room. (1 ton of water = 220 Imp gallons or 1000 litres).

What did they do in the event of fire?

There is a fire-main running throughout the ship with hydrants, hoses, nozzles, extinguishers (both modern and original) and breathing apparatus (Chemox) in all compartments. Everyone was training in firefighting.

Was the food good?

Not by today’s standards but it was adequate and there was plenty of it.

How much fresh water did she carry?

46 tons in 3 tanks fwd and 2 in #2 boiler room. (1 ton of water = 220 Imp gallons or 1000 litres).

How did they dispose of garbage while at sea?

Check the break of the focsle on both sides and the quarterdeck for a metal bar with two pegs – this was the connection for a canvas chute which went below the water, so garbage could be thrown overboard and carried below the water, so it didn’t float.

Where hammocks comfortable?

Opinions differ. Some swear by them, but other sailors were happy to get bunks instead. HAIDA was the last Canadian ship to have hammocks.

How did they deal with sewage at sea?

The urinals & toilets were flushed with sea water & discharged directly overboard.

How many lifeboats did HAIDA carry?

None. Carley floats and later inflatable life rafts were for lifesaving, but the two motor cutters were work boats, used to transport men and material when the ship was anchored or moored. The whaler could be used to recover a man overboard.

How was laundry done before the laundry was added to HAIDA after WWII?

Sailors did their own laundry in a bucket with salt water, a scrub board and brush, and seawater soap.
Everything was air dried.

How much rum was in grog?

Originally it was 5 ounces of rum with 20 ounces of water twice a day, reduced overtime to 2 ½ ounces of rum to 5 ounces of water once a day at noon.
Canadian sailors liked to take the rum mixed with coke instead of water

What was HAIDA’s voice call sign?

From 1943 to 1946, it was the unflattering “Idiot”, and subsequently “King Cobra”.

Why were there only two showers for all those men?

Showering was considered a luxury. Since fresh water was strictly rationed (boiler feed water & water for cooking & drinking came first), most washing was “birdbath” style – water in a basin and splashed on the body. “Pusser showers” were the rule: water on for a few seconds, water off, soap up, water on for a few more seconds to rinse off.

The Sick Bay is very small. How could the doctor operate in there?

The Captain’s Day Cabin was used as the surgery. In November 1943, while returning from Murmansk, HAIDA’s doctor, Surgeon LCdr Samuel MacDonald performed an appendectomy at sea on AB Andy Gillespie who had concealed his symptoms for three days so that he would not be sent to the hospital in Murmansk. The SBA (Tiffy) acted as scrub nurse & the Ship’s Writer & Paymaster were attendants. The patient made a full recovery. Others weren’t so lucky: a Hamilton sailor, Coder James Ralph Freure, V-38509, RCNVR, died in 1943 after an emergency appendectomy on board HMCS DRUMHELLER.

Do I have to request permission to come aboard? Should I salute?

What about being piped aboard? In Canada, a person in uniform comes to attention at the brow and salutes in the direction of the ensign while a person in civilian clothes comes to attention and removes a hat if wearing one. Requesting permission to come aboard and double salutes (the flag and the quartermaster) are done in the United States Navy and not in Canada. The side is piped for the Governor General or Lieutenant Governor, Flag & General officers, and Captains of Commissioned vessels.

How long was HAIDA at sea at a time?

It varied widely. The Russian convoys could take three or more weeks for a round trip while in early 1944, HAIDA rarely spent more than half a day at sea. Her two Korean deployments average almost nine months each but not all of that time was at sea.

Did HAIDA escort convoys in the North Atlantic?

No. HAIDA did escort several convoys to Northern Russia but she never did the traditional back and forth across the Atlantic that so many Canadian ships were involved in

What is a corvette?

During WWII, it was a ship smaller than a frigate, 205 feet long. Canada built 123 during WWI and there were 146 built elsewhere, mostly in the UK.

What is a destroyer?

Originally, it was a type of ship that was designed to destroy torpedo boats although it carried torpedoes itself. Modern destroyers are bigger than frigates and carry area defence or long-range anti-aircraft missiles.

What is a frigate?

Originally a ship smaller than a destroyer, now it refers to a general- purpose ship with local defence anti-aircraft missiles. The modern Royal Canadian Navy is equipped with 12 Halifax class frigates. During WWII, Canada built 67 River Class frigates and there were 84 built in the UK.

Is HAIDA floating?

Yes. This is the best way to preserve the ship as the force of water buoyancy is distributed evenly across the length of the hull.

Could the navy fix HAIDA up and put her back in service if needed?

No. She would need completely new engines, communications & weapons systems. It would be much cheaper to build a new ship

What does HMCS mean?

Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (NCSM – Navire candien de sa Majesté in French). Most countries use some sort of prefix before ships’ names. The United States uses USS, Portugal uses NRP, etc. HAIDA was originally His Majesty’s Canadian Ship and then became the first ship in the Commonwealth to become Her Majesty’s when recommissioned in 1952, a month after Elizabeth was proclaimed Queen.

Where did the name HAIDA come from?

All of Canada’s Tribal Class destroyers were named after First Nations peoples in Canada. The Haida, a seafaring people, live in Haida Gwai, also known as The Queen Charlottes, an archipelago off the west coast of British Columbia. HAIDA flies the flag of Haida Gwai on her port halyards.

What does the number “215” on the hull mean?

All naval ships carry an identifying hull number or pennant number. HAIDA’s original number was G63 which she carried until 1952

What ships is the modern Royal Canadian Navy composed of?

• 12 Halifax class frigates – armed with surface to surface and surface to air missiles and carrying a helicopter. 15 new Canadian Surface Combatants in the planning stages to replace them.
• 4 Victoria Class submarines – diesel powered submarines, not as fast as nuclear powered but much stealthier
• 12 Kingston Class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels – corvette sized, although called coastal, they have deployed to Europe and Africa.
• 1 interim leased supply ship with 2 building

Why did you join the navy?

Obviously, reasons vary. Adventure, a steady job, the desire to “do your bit”, camaraderie & friendship, see the world, etc.

Is HAIDA still part of the Navy?

No. She was paid off in 1963. In May 2018 she was commissioned as the ceremonial flagship of the RCN, but the designation is purely ceremonial

Where was HAIDA built?

Traditionally, when a ship crosses the equator or the arctic circle, the bullring is painted either red or blue for a while to mark the occasion. HAIDA crossed both during her service. A recent Canadian

innovation is painting the bullring green when a ship visits Churchill, Manitoba on Hudson’s Bay. The first Canadian ship to visit the Black Sea also painted her bullring blue since black is the normal colour. The painting is done by the youngest officer and non-commissioned member.

How much does HAIDA weigh?

Her standard displacement is 1,990 tonnes. 520 tons of fuel & 21 tons of reserve boiler fed water brings her full load displacement up to around 2,559 tonnes.

What do the letters on doors and hatches mean?

They are watertight control markings. Normally Z openings can be left open, Y openings can be opened to pass through while X openings are not opened without permission.

Do all the flags mean something?

No. There is a specific order designed to look good.

What do the four flags on the stbd side mean?

HAIDA’s IRCS (International Radio Call Sign) CGJD, flown when entering or leaving harbour (from 1943 to 1946, it was CGDK).

What is a flagship?

Admirals have personal flags which are flown in any ship that they are in. Flagship is a senior ship in a fleet.

What does HAIDA use for fuel?

he carries 520 long tons of Bunker C, a heavy residual fuel oil, stored in 8 fuel tanks fwd & aft of the engineering spaces. It is highly viscous (resistant to flow) and must be heated to 65° C/150°F so it could be pumped and 107°C/225°F before it could be sprayed into the boilers. Notice the filler plates on the focsle, either side of the focsle deck and on the upper deck aft as well as the sections of the large fuel hose.

What is the significance of the symbol on the mainmast?

The two-headed Thunderbird is an important symbol of the Haida people, often carved on the top of totem poles. Thunder was created by the flapping of his wings and lightning flashed from his eyes.

How did they dispose of the garbage while at sea?

Check the break of the focsle on both sides and the quarterdeck for a metal bar with two pegs – this was the connection for a canvas chute which went below the water, so garbage could be thrown overboard and carried below the water, so it didn’t float.

Where was the ship steered from? Why is there a steering wheel in the middle of the ship? Why can’t the helmsman see where he is going?

The helmsman steered by following a compass course, so he didn’t need to see where he was going. The wheelhouse is forward of the bridge rather than underneath to lower the ship’s silhouette. The Emergency Conning Position is amidships in the event the bridge and wheelhouse were put out of action by enemy fire. If all else failed, the ship could also be steered from tiller flats right at the stern of the ship or by using the engines.The helmsman steered by following a compass course, so he didn’t need to see where he was going. The wheelhouse is forward of the bridge rather than underneath to lower the ship’s silhouette. The Emergency Conning Position is amidships in the event the bridge and wheelhouse were put out of action by enemy fire. If all else failed, the ship could also be steered from tiller flats right at the stern of the ship or by using the engines.

Why are there little railway locomotives painted on the side of B gun?

During the Korean War, the Allies tried to stop the flow of supplies by the North Koreans by destroying trains that ran along the coast. HAIDA was credited with destroying 2 ½ locomotives and thus became a member of The Train Busters Club.

Are you the captain?

The Commanding Officer of HMCS STAR, Hamilton’s Naval Reserve Division, is designated as the Honorary Captain of HMCS HAIDA.

How many men did she carry?

It varied but between 225 & 245:

• 14 officers (possibly plus 4 Midshipmen/Naval cadets in training)
• 11 Chief Petty Officers & ERAs
• 20 Petty Officers
• Approximately 200 Men

How many people worked in the engine room?

Four per shift: a Chief ERA, a PO ERA and two stokers.

How many people in the gun’s crews?

• 4” –
• 3|/50 – 11 (7 on the mount & 4 shell passers) plus others in the RU magazine, ammunition hoist and magazine
• Boffin – 2 on the mount plus ammunition passers
• 20 mm – 3 (1 to fire & 2 to load & change barrels when they overheated)

Why does Prince Charles look annoyed in the gun firing picture?

When they visited in 2009 to dedicate the DeWolfe Pavilion, Prince Charles fired the port gun which went “pfft…………….. “, a misfire. Camilla fired the stbd gun and it went off with a huge bang which echoed around the harbour and produced 8′ of flame and black smoke. She teased him unmercifully all the way down the receiving line – but he took it in fine form.

Were there women aboard?

No. Almost seven thousand women did serve in the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS) at various places ashore and overseas, but women did not serve at sea submarine in the RCN till 1980. Now they make up about 20% of the RCN.