Not mentioned in the American Legion maganzine article but noted in this one, radio and fuel issues. Unless you're nuclear, a ship at sea better be certain of its fuel train.
"Her wireless set had a maximum night range of only 200 miles, though this defect her wireless operators were able to overcome at a later date. An almost incredible fact is that she had no high-explosive ammunition; all she had been able to obtain was old-fashioned shell filled with gunpowder.[23] She had no collier and no dependable coaling-station south of Esquimalt (Vancouver Island). "
I dunno, Jet. If we had Algerine and Shearwater in company for point defense I might feel better about a combat coastal patrol on our LCC. But I doubt that our detailers would have sent us to an LCC. They don't poach 1110 billets. Gratias Deo.
I thought this story was going to be a cliff-hanger or some old-timey Saturday matinée serial when I got to what I thought was the end of the story. But then I saw the "Great Story" link below the last picture of the deck gun and clicked it. Sicinnus' link was also helpful. I don't want to sound disrespectful, but what a plucky ship! Hats off to the Canadian Navy which has always seemed to make do with old ships and governmental neglect. And thanks to Canadians for the warm welcomes of my own DE and FFG in the 60s & 80s in Halifax, Vancouver and Victoria.
BZ the RCN. They are very lucky they did NOT find the Germans! Interesting side story about the two submarines mentioned. Due to US Neutrality laws, they ended up being purchased with private funds, then acquired by the RCN through a convoluted (and a little sleazy) process.
I've went through the whole story. I read these words about people from 100 years ago, sailing to meet the enemy without proper ammo, and I'm thinking of people ranting that their company doesn't provide anymore a specific candy that was oh so good. And many times I'm doing the same, too.
What the heck happened with (large parts of) society?
Not mentioned in the American Legion maganzine article but noted in this one, radio and fuel issues. Unless you're nuclear, a ship at sea better be certain of its fuel train.
https://hallmarkheritagesociety.ca/archives/history-articles/the-career-of-h-m-c-s-rainbow/
"Her wireless set had a maximum night range of only 200 miles, though this defect her wireless operators were able to overcome at a later date. An almost incredible fact is that she had no high-explosive ammunition; all she had been able to obtain was old-fashioned shell filled with gunpowder.[23] She had no collier and no dependable coaling-station south of Esquimalt (Vancouver Island). "
Brave Canuckistanis, to know what was probably waiting for them, but they sailed anyway.
Playing the run what you brung game in the first few days of a war is not the place you want to be on either the Rainbow or an LCS.
I dunno, Jet. If we had Algerine and Shearwater in company for point defense I might feel better about a combat coastal patrol on our LCC. But I doubt that our detailers would have sent us to an LCC. They don't poach 1110 billets. Gratias Deo.
Like a former boss said once: "You go to war with the army you have". Navy, Air Force, etc too.
I thought this story was going to be a cliff-hanger or some old-timey Saturday matinée serial when I got to what I thought was the end of the story. But then I saw the "Great Story" link below the last picture of the deck gun and clicked it. Sicinnus' link was also helpful. I don't want to sound disrespectful, but what a plucky ship! Hats off to the Canadian Navy which has always seemed to make do with old ships and governmental neglect. And thanks to Canadians for the warm welcomes of my own DE and FFG in the 60s & 80s in Halifax, Vancouver and Victoria.
BZ the RCN. They are very lucky they did NOT find the Germans! Interesting side story about the two submarines mentioned. Due to US Neutrality laws, they ended up being purchased with private funds, then acquired by the RCN through a convoluted (and a little sleazy) process.
As opposed to the current US Procurement regulations... (e.g. Fat Albert, 20-25 year time-lines, every congressional district get to make a part) etc.
Well. Private funds, reimbursed from Provincial funds plus a substantial reward to the person arranging the transfer?
Another example of "We have to do something, even if we know it will be ineffective."
A similar story of unsuitable ships asked to do a job they were manifestly unqualified for and the inevitable consequences. https://chuckhillscgblog.net/2017/02/05/convoy-sg-19-and-the-sinking-of-usat-dorchester-when-things-went-terribly-wrong/
I've went through the whole story. I read these words about people from 100 years ago, sailing to meet the enemy without proper ammo, and I'm thinking of people ranting that their company doesn't provide anymore a specific candy that was oh so good. And many times I'm doing the same, too.
What the heck happened with (large parts of) society?
Pvt. Cole: Why is it us? Why us?
Colour Sergeant Bourne: Because we're here, lad. Nobody else. Just us.