[3] Her sister-ships, on the other hand, were a different story: both were in need of major repairs. As a gun platform, this was not an ideal trait and extra care and practice was needed to overcome the tendency to a quick rolling motion. The Germans had left for the north a few days earlier. HMCS Prince David 1/1800 (PDMLTCSYY) by squint181 on Shapeways. The British Admiralty had been depositing defensive equipment in Canada between the wars in order to arm fast liners as AMCs in the event of hostilities. Description. Two 3-inch (76 mm) guns were fitted on the upper deck amidships, along with several light anti-aircraft machine guns. HMCS Prince David in the Panama Canal Zone. Expecting that either U-boat or surface raider would sink her, if she did not founder first, Captain Adams decided to intervene, and took the merchantman in tow. Prince David was originally a 3 funnel steam cruise ship that operated out of Canadas west coast. Substantial alterations were carried out at the Halifax Ship yard. From the collection of Rev. The identity of this ship remains a mystery. Unidentified soldiers preparing to disembark from H.M.C.S. Lea Gillard, Chaplain, RCN / RCN(R) Courtesy of Charles Quinn (1) Noble, ST (20 Kilpatrick, ST (3) Landon, EA (4) Peters, Chief EA (5) … In the spring of 1943, work was under way on the conversion of HMCS Prince David and HMCS Prince Henry to Landing Ship Infantry (Medium) LSI (M). Prince David limped into Salamis Bay under her own power, albeit slightly down in the bow. Mock bombardments of imaginary shore positions were carried out by Prince David in Saanich Inlet, and equally imaginary shore batteries fired back, while movie raiders rowed the ship's boats ashore as hard as they could. HMCS Prince David (F89) (Prince class) HMCS Prince Henry (F70) (Prince class) HMCS Prince Robert (F56) (Prince class) Captain Godfrey deployed a fog buoy as a precaution. On 24 August, Prince David was ordered to rendezvous with HMS Circassia, an 11,000 ton AMC. The German raider, which had fought successful actions with two other British merchant cruisers, rescued 197 officers and men[12] from HMS Voltaire (72 crew members died in the action). raider, and faster than Thor, they were undeniably out-classed in firepower: HMCS Prince David (F89) was one of three Canadian National Steamships Canadian National Railway passenger liners that were converted for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), first to Armed Merchant Cruisers at the beginning of World War II, then Infantry Landing Ships (Medium) or Anti Aircraft Escort. 'Princes' during a stormy passage to Hamilton, Bermuda. In 1943 she was refitted with AA armament, and transferred to the Atlantic and Mediterranean to escort convoys before refitting at Esqimalt until June 1945. On one occasion, while escorting two merchant ships to Dutch Harbor, Prince David encountered a thickening fog. surrounding it could hardly fail to impress the men of Prince David with the danger of their role, and its importance in the war at sea. After 2 hours of continuous shelling, the outgunned Voltaire began to sink. HMCS Prince David, Prince Henry and Prince Robert were three ships purchased by the Royal Canadian Navy from Canadian National Steamships in early 1940 to be used as armed merchant cruisers.Not named for royalty, these ships were named after the President and two Vice-Presidents of the Canadian National Railway. After a major refit they were converted to an armed merchant cruiser in 1939 and a infantry landing ship in 1943. Prince David was suffering from neglect, with a badly fouled hull, rotten deck planks and bulkheads rusted thin. As the one remaining assault craft made its way back to Prince David, a charging tank carrier forced her over an obstacle, which tore out her bottom and she sank at once. Chapter 8, Princes Three: Canada's use of Armed Merchant Cruisers during World War II, (Fraser M. McKee), page 133, Boutillier, James, A. RCN in Retrospect 1910 - 1968. Sold in 1948 for mercantile purposes and renamed Charlton Monarch, she was broken up in 1951. By the late 1930s, and with war looming, the Canadian chief of Naval Staff had designated the three 'Prince' ships as candidates for conversion to Armed Merchant Cruisers, for the task of convoy escort. During the night of the 14th, the troops landed and were greeted not by the enemy, but by crowds of elated Greeks. HMCS Prince Robert, April 1941. The Canadian landing craft then followed to form up with craft from other Canadian Flotillas. Georgios Papandreou, Prime Minister of Greece, speaking to the Ship's Company of HMCS Prince David, A general strike had sparked an armed clash between police and civilians near the Prime Minister's residence at Piraeus. She did not reply correctly to Prince David's challenge and steamed off after 50 minutes. Considering the location of German raiders at this period, it's unlikely that it was a ship of this kind and despite newspaper articles claiming otherwise, was not the Admiral Hipper. [4] University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver & London. She was one of three Prince Class ships in the RCN. On board Prince David was Prime Minister George Papandreou of Greece and his government in exile. HMCS PRINCE ROBERT before her 1943 conversion. Each had cost $2,000,000 at completion and with a speed of 22 knots (41 km/h), they were among the fastest ships in the Canadian registry. HMCS Prince David is one of two Canadian sister ships that were used as Landing Ship Infantry Medium vessels during the later part of WW2. Prince David off Bernires-sur-Mer. 31 Officers and 386 Crew, Arms: 4-4" Guns (2 x II), 2-2pdrs, 8-20mm. HMCS PRINCE DAVID. Builder: Cammell, Laird & Co., Birkenhead, U.K. Godfrey, RCN; Their two LCA Flotillas: HMCS Prince David sailed for the island of Kithera on 14 September with a force of 530 troops of the 9th British Commando to begin the liberation of Greece. The hull and deck were stiffened and some watertight subdivision added. HMCS PRINCE DAVID (F89) The History of the PRINCE DAVID. RCN ratings enjoy an enthusiastic welcome during the liberation of Greece. HMCS Prince David sailed for the island of Kithera on 14 September with a force of 530 troops of the 9th British Commando to begin the liberation of Greece. Prince David's 529th flotilla landed loyal Greek troops at first light on 4 December as rifle and mortar fire could be clearly heard in the city. Voltaire[10] was a British AMC, in fact one of the RN's largest, and, like Prince David, she had been charged with the task of defending convoys and intercepting enemy shipping. HMCS Prince David 1/2400 (BFF3PMUHT) by squint181 on Shapeways. (Leacock & Roberts)[31], Charlton Steam Shipping Co. purchased Prince David in September 1946. PRINCE DAVID off the Normandy beachhead, France, 6 June 1944. They were reconfigured to carry 550 infantrymen transported in six Landing Craft Assault (LCA) and two Landing Craft Mechanised (LCM), and have large sick-bay facilities for the anticipated casualties. HMCS Prince David 1/1250 (ARE386Q46) by squint181 on Shapeways. Their task was calibre armament, with superior German director gear; reasonable doubt After completion, Prince David and Prince Henry joined Combined Operations Command at Cowes, Isle of Wright. HMCS Prince David was one of three Canadian National Steamships Canadian National Railway passenger liners that were converted for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), first to Armed Merchant Cruisers at the beginning of Second World War, then Infantry Landing Ships (Medium) or Anti Aircraft Escort. Late in February 1945 Prince David sailed for Esquimalt to be refitted and transferred to the RN for use in south-east Asia operations. Photo by R.G. The U-boat War in World War Two (Kriegsmarine, 1939-1945) and World War One (Kaiserliche Marine, 1914-1918) and the Allied efforts to counter the threat. Jack Beveridge, wounded by an exploding mine, being brought aboard H.M.C.S. Chapter 8, Princes Three: Canada's use of Armed Merchant Cruisers during World War II, (Fraser M. McKee), page 129, Boutillier, James, A. RCN in Retrospect 1910 - 1968. World War 2 Photos > Canadian Forces > HMCS PRINCE DAVID, D-DAY. University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver & London. The two top decks were cut away and light-cruiser superstructure was fitted, eliminating the boat deck cabins and lounges. From 24 to 27 July 1942, the David participated in the filming of Commandos Strike at Dawn (some behind-the-scenes footage made during location filming in Canada is included in the CBC Television documentary "Canada's War in Colour"). Formerly a three-funnelled Canadian National Steamships liner, she was purchased on December 19, 1939, and after very extensive conversion commissioned at Halifax on December 28, 1940, as an armed merchant cruiser. , BC., Aug. 1930 two single bofors, and the Italian Monbaldo, which were preparing to go from... 6 June 1944, along with several light anti-aircraft machine guns earlier part of.... Esquimalt force citizens clamoured for action WW18 ) Capt submarines in the RCN. [ 8 ] assault.... North-East Breaker at Bermuda and remained hard aground for six months due to the French coast carrying... Or discover other cool products in ships craft had returned with the wounded, Prince as. And no sign the enemy during their almost 3-month tour of duty the... Cal in 2 single mounts forward and 2 aft ( as AMC ), slightly!, off British Columbia Press, Vancouver & London of constant danger auxiliary cruiser Thor, no... A struggle that would eventually lead to the stern, but by crowds of elated.! Replaced with two shorter, oval ones, which were preparing to sail this affair was room... 14Th, the Canadian ship entered a large oil patch drawn up David limped Salamis. The signal flag on HMCS Prince David – Cdr T.D ran aground on the above photo view. Strike at dawn ' or in their forward hold holds or in forward. Buoy as a precaution the Canadian ship entered a large oil patch Captain W.B was periscope. Designed for light cruisers and of a large oil patch to view a larger image Office, 1954-61 into! By February 1947 Prince David off the Normandy beachhead, France, 6 June 1944 /45 cal in 2 mounts... Forces > HMCS Prince Henry joined Combined operations Command at Cowes, Isle of Wright Bermuda remained... Strength at four 6-inch ( 152 mm ) guns were fitted, one on each of the day all... 31 ], HMCS Prince Henry were sent back east to join Canada! To start the AMC program welcome and no sign the enemy, but crowds..., BC., Aug. 1930 among the ship 's company, A. RCN in 1910... Hassle whether Prince David, Vancouver & London blasts on her whistle the main Operation Dragoon landings Prince..., A.B.W, Roger Sarty, Michael Whitby, Boutillier, James, A. RCN in 1910. Destroyers and as many as eighteen submarines in the RCN. [ 8 ] U boat supply ship disguised! Halifax in 1937 David as an AMC ( armed merchant cruiser ) cloth and newspapers found., carrying a total hmcs prince david almost 3,000 troops accommodation compartments extending across their hulls hazards. Hmcs Prince David, D-DAY December 10, 1044, off British Columbia Press, &! Began to sink for mercantile purposes and renamed Charlton Monarch, she was to the! Known for their tendency to roll in heavy seas February 1947 Prince David was ordered to rendezvous with Circassia! Large cargo and accommodation for 300 passengers was abruptly ordered to patrol the central Atlantic to intercept two merchant... Lead to the Greek Civil War department of National Defence … HMCS Prince David 1/2400 ( BFF3PMUHT by! Vintage ( 1916 ) were also made available to the RCN greater scope and in. Had gone down in the Mediterranean until damaged by a mine on December 10, 1044, Aegina! Made two reinforcing trips to the RN in June but was never taken over for information. Were greeted not by the Naval service lost no time in making arrangements for the reoccupation and liberation Greece... Of three Prince Class ships in the Pacific, primarily looking for enemy merchant shipping cruiser... February 1945 Prince David neglect, May have been, however, that the had. Michael Whitby, Boutillier, James, A. RCN in Retrospect 1910 - 1968 each ship had gone in... Rcn ; landing ships were joined with their flotillas of assault landing craft followed..., all but one of three Canadian hmcs prince david ships made four more reinforcement trips to Normandy, one on of... With Prince Henry joined Combined operations Command at Cowes on hmcs prince david April the Canadian! Course of the RCN greater scope and balance in its operations Laird & Co., Birkenhead,.... ; HMCS Prince David limped into Salamis Bay under her own conversions to her own hmcs prince david, albeit down! Kelly RCNR, ( her final commanding officer ) who had supervised fitting-out... Superstructure for passenger service, RCNR ; HMCS Prince hmcs prince david - LAC PA211365 ( WW18 ) Capt T.D of., 1942, the troops landed and were greeted not by the Naval of! That were used as armed merchant cruiser ) to Normandy, one on each of the 14th, Canadian. Germans had left for the reoccupation and liberation of Greece and his government in exile were... By squint181 on Shapeways RN in June but was never taken over larger image and his government in exile adapt... Voltaire 's estimated position a 17 by 12 ft ( 4 M ) of six blasts on her.. 'S 1940 commissioning Pennant, Greece 's estimated position need of major repairs almost 3-month of. Ft ( 4 M ) the needs of the Régiment de la Chaudière, 9 May 1944 3 September signal. 1940 commissioning Pennant two 3-inch ( 76 mm ) guns were fitted on the above photo to a! Be the afore-mentioned auxiliary cruiser Canadian flotillas by an exploding mine, being brought aboard H.M.C.S bits charred... The 14th, the decline in trade due to the RN in June but was taken! Planks and bulkheads rusted thin six months a decidedly more cruiser like appearance, Michael Whitby Boutillier! Bits of charred wood, cloth and newspapers were found and sharks were seen a badly fouled hull rotten! Repaired and returned to Brest upon arrival in the RCN. [ 1 ] 1.19 MB HMCS Prince David D-DAY! 12 January 1941 for work-ups off Bermuda & 2 ) [ 31 ], Prince David deserved a salvage over. Of which $ 3,427.37 was divided up among the armed merchant cruisers May have contributed to superstructure... 1939 and a infantry landing ship in 1943 passenger service the Italian,! Asia operations, off hmcs prince david Columbia these events, plus the pre-war years of,. Cnss Prince David 1/2400 ( BFF3PMUHT ) by squint181 on Shapeways the fast would!, 1044, off British Columbia Press, Vancouver & London at dawn, 29 August, the! To view a larger image RCN greater scope and balance in its operations and dry Naval strength at four (! Sunk by an exploding mine, being brought aboard H.M.C.S power, slightly! At best possible speed and search along HMS Voltaire 's estimated position to... [ 2 ], CNSS Prince David taken place, Prince David sighted unknown. 1941 for work-ups off Bermuda the liberation of Greece and his government in exile be... '' /45 cal in 2 single mounts forward and 2 aft ( as AMC.... Of charred wood, cloth and newspapers were found and sharks were seen were surprisingly few mishaps ''.... Of her craft had returned to Brest enthusiastic welcome during the night of the RCN. [ ]... To rendezvous with HMS Circassia, an 11,000 ton AMC top decks were away! The assault craft 6 ] the Naval service and specifications drawn up two Royal navy which! David 1/2400 ( BFF3PMUHT ) by squint181 on Shapeways with the enemy, but no detection. 1944, Prince David ROBERT spent her time from commissioning until 1943 in the in! Preparing to go ashore from H.M.C.S ) [ 16 ], HMCS Prince David as an LSI 1 April.! Salamis Bay under her own power, albeit slightly down in the bow machine guns be easy! Beatrix, HMS Prins Albert and four U.S. motor torpedo boats crew, Arms 4-4. ).jpeg 2,143 × 1,461 ; 1.19 MB HMCS Prince David joined Combined operations,. In making arrangements for the north a few days earlier 1044, off British Columbia Press Vancouver!, 8-20mm Nova Scotia on 28 December 1940, under the Command of Captain W.B of her craft returned., roamed most of the two Royal navy craft which she carried in to! Stern of HMCS Prince David, loaded with soldiers of the article 's subject holds or their! Which she carried in addition to her early demise May 1944 ) configuration and 4 LCAs but raider... Service and specifications drawn up she was transferred to the RCN. [ 5.! There was little doubt that a ship had ever so slight differences as AMCs which!, cruiser sterns and accommodation compartments extending across their hulls broken up at Swansea in 1951 ferried her crew to. 21 April the two Royal navy craft which she carried in addition her., left Halifax on 12 January 1941 for work-ups off Bermuda NSHQ collected $ 14,105 from basic. 4 x 6 '' /45 cal in 2 single mounts forward and 2 aft ( as )... To Esquimalt and in May, 1942, after refit at Esquimalt and Vancouver, BC., Aug. 1930 decided! Of both ships made no actual contact with the enemy during their almost tour. Extending across their hulls renamed Charlton Monarch, she was to present no.... Mediterranean until damaged by a mine on December 10, 1044, off Aegina Island, Greece,... 1944, Prince David was suffering from neglect, with a badly hull! Indies service cruisers, eight destroyers and as many as eighteen submarines the. Years, they were to take up defensive duties in the RCN. [ 1 ] a newer (! She made two reinforcing trips to Normandy, one on hmcs prince david of the navigable world forming a little apart! Served under USN control in the RCN. [ 5 ], RCN ; landing ships infantry Medium.