HMCS Vancouver

There have been 3 vessels named HMCS Vancouver in the Royal Canadian Navy.

HMCS Vancouver (1st of name) (D05 / F6A / H55) / S-class destroyer

Initially named HMS Toreador, this ship was originally commissioned in the Royal Navy in 1919. She was loaned to the Royal Canadian Navy that was awaiting the completion of new ships ordered to replenish its aging fleet. Her transfer took place at Portsmouth, England, on March 1, 1928, and the ship was re-named HMCS Vancouver in honour of the explorer.

In May 1928, HMCS Vancouver arrived at Esquimalt, British Columbia, and was utilized to provide reserve training on the west coast. She was paid off on November 25, 1936, and sold for scrap the following year.

HMCS Vancouver (2nd of name) (K240) / Flower-class corvette

Commissioned at Esquimalt on March 20, 1942, and named in honour of the city, HMCS Vancouver joined Esquimalt Force and, on June 20, escorted the torpedo-damaged freighter SS Fort Camosun to Victoria, British Columbia. Later that summer, she left for Kodiak, Alaska, to perform escort service in support of the Aleutian Campaign. For the rest of the hostilities, she was used as an escort with the Western Local Escort Force in Halifax, Nova Scotia, as well as serving with the Quebec Force on convoy missions between Québec City, Quebec, and Goose Bay, Labrador. She was paid off June 26, 1945, at Sorel, Quebec, and broken up at Hamilton, Ontario, a year later.

HMCS Vancouver (3rd of name) (331) / Halifax-class frigate

HMCS Vancouver was commissioned at Vancouver, British Columbia, on August 23, 1993; she is stationed in Esquimalt. In May to July 1994, she took part in Exercise RIMPAC 94 off Hawaii before making courtesy visits to ports in Japan and South Korea. In 1995, she left Esquimalt for visits to several ports in Southeast Asia, making calls in Australia and New Zealand. In 1997 and 1998, she again visited several Southeast Asian ports, making calls in Japan, China, Russia and South Korea. On October 29, 2001, HMCS Vancouver sailed from Esquimalt to become a part of the American USS John C. Stennis’ Carrier Battle Group, as part of the American-led coalition against terrorist forces in Afghanistan. The following years saw her participate in various training exercises and sovereignty patrols, as well as search and rescue missions. HMCS Vancouver continues to conduct operations in support of Canada’s domestic and international policies.

Motto:Semper Vigilans” (Ever On Guard)

Battle honours

  • Aleutians 1942-1943
  • Atlantic 1944-1945
  • Arabian Sea

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