After the fall of Norway to Nazi Germany on 10 June 1940, the Norwegian whale factory ship Suderøy and her whale catchers, Suderøy IV (J03), Suderøy V (J04), Suderøy VI (J05) and Star XVI were ordered to sail to Halifax from Hampton Roads, where they had taken refuge. In June 1940, at Halifax, Suderøy IV, V and VI were chartered from the Norwegian government in exile by the Royal Canadian Navy, converted and commissioned as minesweepers.
 HMCS Suderöy VI (foreground) and HMCS Llewllyn, 1944
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Canada | |
| Name | HMCS Suderöy VI |
| Launched | 1929 & 1930 |
| Commissioned | June 1941 |
| Decommissioned | August 1945 |
| Fate | Returned to owners, October 1945 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Minesweeper |
| Tonnage | 252 GRT |
| Length | 115 ft (35 m) |
| Beam | 24 ft (7.3 m) |
| Draught | 13 ft (4.0 m) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 9 knots (10 mph; 17 km/h) |
| Complement | 4 officers & 25 crew |
Ships
edit- Suderøy IV was launched at Oslo, Norway, in 1930. Served with the Halifax Local Defence Force from June 1941 until paid off in August 1945, and returned to her former owners. Condemned and sunk October 1987.
- Suderøy V was launched at Oslo, Norway, in 1930. Served with both the St. John's Local Defence Force and the Halifax Local Defence Force from June 1941 until paid off in August 1945, and returned to her former owners. In use as of 2001.
- Suderøy VI was built in Middlesbrough, UK, and launched in 1929 as Southern Gem. Served with the Halifax Local Defence Force from March 1941 until paid off in August 1945, and returned to her former owners to resume her occupation as whale catcher. Sunk January 1983.
References
edit- Macpherson, Ken and John Burgess, The Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910–1985. Collins Publishers: ISBN 0-00-217469-3
- Norwegian Merchant Fleet 1939–1945