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- HMCS HAIDA is a 2,745 ton Tribal class destroyer of the Royal Canadian Navy that began his life in 1943 escorting convoys from the British naval port of Scapa Flow on the dreaded Murmansk Run to Russia.
- In 1944, HMCS HAIDA joined the 10th Destroyer Flotilla, a mixed force of British, Canadian and Polish warships operating out of Plymouth England to clear enemy shipping off the French coast in anticipation of the D-Day landings. During this period, HMCS HAIDA achieved lasting fame by destroying more enemy tonnage than any other warship in the Royal Canadian Navy.
- He then returned to the frigid North Atlantic protecting supply ships en route to Russian Arctic ports. In 1945 he participated in his final World War Two mission the liberation of Norway.
- During the Korean War, HMCS HAIDA enhanced an already proud history with two tours of duty off the Korean Peninsula blockading Communist supply lines, protecting aircraft carriers and train busting destroying enemy supply trains and being credited with destroying two and a half locomotives.
- Named after the Haida First Nation of British Columbia, HMCS HAIDA continued in faithful service to Canada until 1963 when he became what he is today, a living memorial to all who served on his and to Canada’s naval ships and sailors everywhere.
- Thirteen of his sisters were sunk during the Second World War and today only HMCS HAIDA remains- the last of the original twenty-seven Tribal class destroyers left in the world.
The Legacy of HMCS HAIDA, National Historic Site
- HMCS HAIDA is a Tribal class destroyer built in late 1942 in England (maximum speed up to 36.5 knots).
- Total of 27 Tribal Class destroyers were built between 1937 to 1945 (Other destroyers were scraped).
- HMCS HAIDA is the only tribal class destroyer left in the world.
- Served during the WWII, the Korean War and tour of NATO keeping peace in the World.
- The most decorated Canadian ship (1943-1963) receiving many awards and decorations.
- Two tours of Korea in 1952-1954 as a fighting destroyer (he is known as a train buster).
- Designated as the National Historic Site of Canada operated by Parks Canada (Hamilton, Ontario).
On April 29, 1944, HMCS HAIDA (G63) and HMCS ATHABASKAN (G07) were patrolling the English Channel preparation for the D-Day Landings.
HMCS ATHABASKAN (G07) was struck by enemy torpedoes and sank with the loss of 128 sailors. HMCS HAIDA (G63) pursued and destroyed the enemy ship and returned to rescue 47 of Athabaskan’s crew. An additional 85 Athabaskan crew were rescued by the enemy and were liberated from a POW camp in May, 1945.
HMCS HAIDA became the first Canadian (and the first in the Commonwealth) Warship to be commissioned by our new Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth ll on March 1952 and became HMCS HAIDA (215).
HMCS HAIDA (215) served two tours on duty in the Korean War before being retired from service in 1963 and being placed on public display in Toronto, Ontario and relocated to Hamilton in 2003 near HMCS STAR.
Each year, on April 29th, HMCS HAIDA ASSOCIATION; HMCS ATHABASKAN (G07) ASSOCIATION and Friends of HMCS HAIDA hold a solemn Memorial Service to remember those lost at sea on April 29, 1944.
From G63 to 215: The Story Behind HMCS Haida’s
The numbers painted on the side of Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ships are commonly known as hull numbers or pennant numbers. They act like a ship’s visible identification number, helping distinguish one vessel from another, especially when ships of the same class look similar from a distance.
A ship identifier often includes both letters and numbers. The letters usually indicate the type or role of the vessel, while the number identifies the specific ship. In Haida’s case, two numbers are especially important: G63 and 215.
During the Second World War, HMCS Haida carried the pennant number G63. The “G” prefix was used for destroyers, and this was Haida’s original wartime identifier. It was under this number that she earned her reputation as the “Fightingest Ship in the Royal Canadian Navy,” sinking more enemy surface tonnage than any other Canadian warship.
After the war, Haida underwent a major modernization and was converted into a destroyer escort. When she returned to service in the early 1950s, her designation changed to DDE 215, often displayed simply as 215. Under this number, Haida served during the Korean War and continued in active service until she was decommissioned in 1963.
Today, HMCS Haida displays 215 because she is preserved largely in her later service configuration, reflecting the final chapter of her active naval career. Both G63 and 215 remain important parts of her story, representing her Second World War service, post-war modernization, Korean War service, and Cold War-era role.
Awards and Decorations
| HMCS HAIDA 1944 | |
|---|---|
| Distinguished Service Order: | Commander H.G. DeWolf |
| Distinguished Service Cross: | Commander H.G. DeWolf Captain H,G. DeWolf Lieutenant R.M. Hesslam, RCNVR Lieutenant C. Mawer, RCNVR |
| Conspicuous Gallantry Medal | Able Seaman M. Kerwin, RCNVR |
| Distinguished Service Medal | Chief Petty Officer G/M. D. Abbolt Chief Petty Officer D. Moon Chief Ordinance Artificer M. Pederson Stoker Petty Officer H.d. Richards Leading Seaman M. White Able Seaman P.P. Wispinski |
| Mention in Despatches | Commander H.G. DeWolf Lieutenant J.C.L. Annesley Lieutenant (E) H.B. Bolus A/Lieutenant J.Coates Lieutenant P. Frewer, RCNVR Lieutenant R.M. Heslam, RCNVR Lieutenant D. Jefferys, RCNVR Lieutenant C. Mawer, RCNVR Lieutenant R. Phillips Gunner T.L.T. Jones Yeoman of Signals A.J. Andrews Petty Officer R.E. Armstrong Chief Petty Officer C. Aveling Chief Petty Officer R.A. Barker Engine Room Artificer C. Boutilier Leading Seaman J.L. Brechan Stoker First Class T.f. Cuthbert, RCNVR Able Seaman J.W. Dance Leading Seaman J.R. Finch Chief Petty Officer R.C. Hockley Able Seaman R.H. MacLeod Able Seaman K.G. MacWhrter Able Seaman J. Manning Signalman G.H. Mannix Leading Radar Mechanic J.L. Taylor, RNVR Able Seaman M. Williams, RCNVR Petty Officer Telegraphist W.J.H. Wilson Acting Petty Officer A.J. Worall |
| HMCS Commanding Officers | |
|---|---|
| 1. Commander H.G. DeWolf , C.B.E., D.S.O. D.S.C., R.C.N. 30 August, 1943 to 18 December, 1944 | |
| 2. Lieutenant-Commander R.P. Welland , D.S.C., R.C.N. 19 December, 1944 to 2 September, 1945 | |
| 3. Lieutenant-Commander F.B. Caldwell, R.C.N. March, 1947 to 11 December, 1947 | |
| 4. Lieutenant-Commander A.F. Pickard, O.B.E., R.C.N. 12 December, 1947 to 15 May, 1949 | |
| 5. Lieutenant- Commander E.T.G. Madgwick, R.C.N. 16 May, 1949 to 12 January, 1950 | |
| 6. Commander R.A. Webber, D.S.C., R.C.N. 13 January, 1950 to 31 December, 1951 | |
| 7. Commander Dunn Lantier, R.C.N. January, 1952 to 28 October, 1953 | |
| 8. Captain J.A. Charles , C.D., R.C.N. 29 October, 1953 – 15 December, 1954 | |
| 9. Commander Victor Browne, C.D., R.C.N. 16 December, 1954 to 10 July, 1956 | |
| 10. Commander H.R. Beck, C.D., R.C.N.11 July, 1956 to 6 April, 1958 | |
| 11. Commander John Husher, C.D., R.C.N. 7 April, 1958 to 2 September, 1960 | |
| 12. Commander G.S. Clark, C.D., R.C.N. September, 1960 to 2 August, 1961 | |
| 13. Commander D.C. Rutherford, C.D., R.C.N. 3 August, 1961 to 19 July, 1962 | |
| 14. Commander W.H. Atkinson, D.S.C., C.D., R.C.N. 20 July, 1962 to 22 September, 1963 | |
| 15. Lieutenant-Commander D.K. Gamblin, C.D., R.C.N. 23 September, 1963 to 11 October, 1963 | |
| Korea 1952 | |
|---|---|
| Distinguished Service Cross | Commander D. Lantier |
| Mention in Despatches | Petty Officer R. Smith |