# HMCS Chilliwack

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Flower-class corvette

HMCS Chilliwack, circa 1942. History Canada Name Chilliwack Namesake Chilliwack, British Columbia Ordered 14 February 1940 Builder Burrard Dry Dock, North Vancouver Laid down 3 July 1940 Launched 14 September 1940 Commissioned 8 April 1941 Out of service Paid off 14 July 1945 Identification Pennant number: K131 Honours and awards Atlantic 1941-45[1] Fate Scrapped 1946. General characteristics Class & type Flower-class corvette (original)[2] Displacement 925 long tons (940 t; 1,036 short tons) Length 205 ft (62.48 m)o/a Beam 33 ft (10.06 m) Draught 11.5 ft (3.51 m) Propulsion single shaft 2 × fire tube Scotch boilers 1 × 4-cycle triple-expansion reciprocating steam engine 2,750 ihp (2,050 kW) Speed 16 knots (29.6 km/h) Range 3,500 nautical miles (6,482 km) at 12 knots (22.2 km/h) Complement 85 Sensors & processing systems 1 × SW1C or 2C radar 1 × Type 123A or Type 127DV sonar Armament 1 × BL 4 in (102 mm) Mk.IX single gun 2 × .50 cal machine gun (twin) 2 × Lewis .303 cal machine gun (twin) 2 × Mk.II depth charge throwers 2 × depth charge rails with 40 depth charges originally fitted with minesweeping gear, later removed

**HMCS *Chilliwack*** was a [Flower-class](/source/Flower-class_corvette) [corvette](/source/Corvette) who served with the [Royal Canadian Navy](/source/Royal_Canadian_Navy) during the [Second World War](/source/World_War_II). She saw action primarily in the [Battle of the Atlantic](/source/Battle_of_the_Atlantic) as a convoy escort. She was named for [Chilliwack, British Columbia](/source/Chilliwack).

## Background

Main article: [Flower-class corvette](/source/Flower-class_corvette)

Flower-class corvettes like *Chilliwack* serving with the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War were different from earlier and more traditional sail-driven corvettes.[3][4][5] The "corvette" designation was created by the French as a class of small warships; the Royal Navy borrowed the term for a period but discontinued its use in 1877.[6] During the hurried preparations for war in the late 1930s, [Winston Churchill](/source/Winston_Churchill) reactivated the corvette class, needing a name for smaller ships used in an escort capacity, in this case based on a [whaling ship](/source/Whaling_ship) design.[7] The generic name "flower" was used to designate the class of these ships, which – in the Royal Navy – were named after flowering plants.[8]

Corvettes commissioned by the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War were named after communities for the most part, to better represent the people who took part in building them. This idea was put forth by Admiral [Percy W. Nelles](/source/Percy_W._Nelles). Sponsors were commonly associated with the community for which the ship was named. Royal Navy corvettes were designed as open sea escorts, while Canadian corvettes were developed for coastal auxiliary roles which was exemplified by their minesweeping gear. Eventually the Canadian corvettes would be modified to allow them to perform better on the open seas.[9]

## Construction

*Chilliwack* was ordered on 14 February 1940 as part of the 1939-1940 Flower-class building program. At [Burrard Dry Dock](/source/Burrard_Dry_Dock) in [North Vancouver, British Columbia](/source/North_Vancouver_(city)) she was laid down on 3 July 1940. *Chilliwack* was [launched](/source/Ship_naming_and_launching) on 14 September 1940 and commissioned on 8 April 1941 at [Vancouver](/source/Vancouver).[10] She is named after the city of [Chilliwack, British Columbia](/source/Chilliwack%2C_British_Columbia). In April 1943 until October 1943, *Chilliwack* was refitting at [Dartmouth](/source/Dartmouth%2C_Nova_Scotia), where her [fo'c'sle](/source/Fo'c'sle) was extended.[11]

## War service

Bell from HMCS *Chilliwack* at the Chilliwack Military Museum, 2019

After commissioning she was sent to [Halifax](/source/Halifax%2C_Nova_Scotia), arriving on 19 June 1941. She was assigned to Newfoundland Command in July and spent the rest of the year escorting convoys between [St. John's](/source/St._John's%2C_Newfoundland_and_Labrador) and [Iceland](/source/Iceland). In February 1942 she began work as an ocean escort, a position she continued with few interruptions until November 1944.[11]

*Chilliwack* participated in the battle for convoy SC 67 before assignment to [Mid-Ocean Escort Force](/source/Mid-Ocean_Escort_Force) (MOEF) group C1 in June 1942. With group C1, she shared credit for sinking [*U-356*](/source/German_submarine_U-356) during the battle for [convoy ON 154](/source/Convoy_ON_154), and participated in the battles for [convoy SC 94](/source/Convoy_SC_94) and convoy [HX 222](/source/HX_convoys). *Chilliwack* then joined MOEF group A3 in the battle for [convoy ON 166](/source/Convoy_ON_166). In December 1943 after completing her refit and work up, *Chilliwack* joined escort group W-8 of Western Escort Force. In March 1944, she assisted in the sinking of [*U-744*](/source/German_submarine_U-744) along with several other escorts while escorting [convoy HX 280](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Convoy_HX_280&action=edit&redlink=1).[11] *Chilliwack* escorted fourteen trans-Atlantic convoys without loss in 1944 and spent 1945 escorting North American coastal convoys with the [Western Local Escort Force](/source/Western_Local_Escort_Force).[12]

In April 1945 she was reassigned to Halifax Force before being lent to escort group C-1 again for one round trip in May. *Chilliwack* was [paid off](/source/Paid_off) on 14 July 1945 at [Sorel, Quebec](/source/Sorel%2C_Quebec).[11] The ship was sold after the war and [scrapped](/source/Ship_breaking) in 1946.[2]

### Trans-Atlantic convoys escorted

Convoy Escort Group Dates Notes HX 145 20–25 August 1941[13] 83 ships escorted without loss from Newfoundland to Iceland ON 11 4–11 September 1941[14] 63 ships escorted without loss from Iceland to Newfoundland SC 45 21–30 September 1941[15] 58 ships escorted without loss from Newfoundland to Iceland ON 21 5–14 October 1941[14] 30 ships escorted without loss from Iceland to Newfoundland SC 51 25 October – 4 November 1941[15] 38 ships escorted without loss from Newfoundland to Iceland ON 33 11–19 November 1941[14] 49 ships escorted without loss from Iceland to Newfoundland SC 59 14–21 December 1941[15] 39 ships escorted without loss from Newfoundland to Iceland ON 50 28 December 1941 – 3 January 1942[14] 35 ships escorted without loss from Iceland to Newfoundland SC 67 30 January – 11 February 1942[15] Newfoundland to Iceland; 1 ship torpedoed & sunk ON 66 18–25 February 1942[14] 19 ships escorted without loss from Iceland to Newfoundland HX 178 6–16 March 1942[13] 22 ships escorted without loss from Newfoundland to Iceland ON 79 24 March – 1 April 1942[14] 29 ships escorted without loss from Iceland to Newfoundland HX 195 MOEF group C1 24 June – 1 July 1942[13] 30 ships escorted without loss from Newfoundland to Iceland ON 112 MOEF group C1 14–25 July 1942[14] 36 ships escorted without loss from Northern Ireland to Newfoundland SC 94 MOEF group C1 2–8 August 1942[13] Newfoundland to Northern Ireland; 10 ships torpedoed & sunk ON 123 MOEF group C1 22–31 August 1942[14] 39 ships escorted without loss from Northern Ireland to Newfoundland SC 99 MOEF group C1 9–19 September 1942[15] 59 ships escorted without loss from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland ON 133 MOEF group C1 26 September – 5 Oct 1942[14] 35 ships escorted without loss from Northern Ireland to Newfoundland HX 211 MOEF group C1 13–20 October 1942[13] 29 ships escorted without loss from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland ON 143 MOEF group C1 2–11 November 1942[14] 26 ships escorted without loss from Northern Ireland to Newfoundland SC 110 MOEF group C1 24 November – 5 December 1942[15] 33 ships escorted without loss from Halifax to Newfoundland ON 154 MOEF group C1 19–30 December 1942[14] Northern Ireland to Newfoundland; 14 ships torpedoed (13 sank) HX 222 MOEF group C1 11–22 January 1943[13] Newfoundland to Northern Ireland; 1 ship torpedoed & sunk ON 166 MOEF group A3 12–25 February 1943[14] Northern Ireland to Newfoundland; 12 ships torpedoed (11 sank) HX 265 11–20 November 1943[13] 51 ships escorted without loss from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland ONS 24 1–13 December 1943[14] 29 ships escorted without loss from Northern Ireland to Newfoundland HX 271 20–29 December 1943[13] 53 ships escorted without loss from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland ON 221 25 January – 6 February 1944[14] 63 ships escorted without loss from Northern Ireland to Newfoundland HX 280 2–5 March 1944[13] 63 ships escorted without loss from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland ON 230 31 March – 9 April 1944[14] 66 ships escorted without loss from Northern Ireland to Newfoundland HX 287 12–17 April 1944[13] 71 ships escorted without loss from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland ON 235 5–14 May 1944[14] 65 ships escorted without loss from Northern Ireland to Newfoundland HX 292 19–22 May 1944[13] 128 ships escorted without loss from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland ON 240 11–22 June 1944[14] 85 ships escorted without loss from Northern Ireland to Newfoundland HX 297 30 June – 10 July 1944[13] 116 ships escorted without loss from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland ON 245 19–28 July 1944[14] 101 ships escorted without loss from Northern Ireland to Newfoundland HX 302 8–16 August 1944[13] 96 ships escorted without loss from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland ON 250 25 August – 4 September 1944[14] 76 ships escorted without loss from Northern Ireland to Newfoundland

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Britain_1-0)** ["Battle Honours"](http://www.britainsnavy.co.uk/Battle%20Honours/A%20Battle%20Honour%20Date.htm#1900). *Britain's Navy*. Retrieved 4 August 2013.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-lenton_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-lenton_2-1) Lenton, H.T.; Colledge, J.J (1968). *British and Dominion Warships of World War II*. Doubleday & Company. pp. 201, 212.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Ossian, Robert. ["Complete List of Sailing Vessels"](http://www.thepirateking.com/ships/ship_types.htm). *The Pirate King*. Retrieved 13 April 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. (1978). *The Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons & Warfare*. Vol. 11. London: Phoebus. pp. 1137–1142.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Jane_5-0)** [*Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II*](https://archive.org/details/janesfightingshi00fran/page/68). New Jersey: Random House. 1996. p. [68](https://archive.org/details/janesfightingshi00fran/page/68). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-517-67963-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-517-67963-9).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Blake, Nicholas; Lawrence, Richard (2005). [*The Illustrated Companion to Nelson's Navy*](https://books.google.com/books?id=I59v6rkg8egC&pg=PA39). Stackpole Books. pp. 39–63. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-8117-3275-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8117-3275-4).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Chesneau, Roger; Gardiner, Robert (June 1980). [*Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922-1946*](https://books.google.com/books?id=bJBMBvyQ83EC&pg=PA62). Naval Institute Press. p. 62. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-87021-913-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-87021-913-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Milner_8-0)** Milner, Marc (1985). *North Atlantic Run*. Naval Institute Press. pp. 117–119, 142–145, 158, 175–176, 226, 235, 285–291. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-87021-450-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-87021-450-0).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Macpherson2_9-0)** Macpherson, Ken; Milner, Marc (1993). *Corvettes of the Royal Canadian Navy 1939-1945*. St. Catherines: Vanwell Publishing. p. 117. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-55125-052-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-55125-052-7).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-uboat_10-0)** ["HMCS *Chilliwack* (K131)"](http://www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/810.html). *Uboat.net*. Retrieved 4 August 2013.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Macpherson_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Macpherson_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Macpherson_11-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Macpherson_11-3) Macpherson, Ken; Burgess, John (1981). *The ships of Canada's naval forces 1910-1981 : a complete pictorial history of Canadian warships*. Toronto: Collins. p. 72. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-00216-856-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-00216-856-1).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-hague_12-0)** ["Convoy Web"](http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/hague/index.html). Andrew Hague Convoy Database. Retrieved 27 June 2011.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-hxconvoy_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-hxconvoy_13-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-hxconvoy_13-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-hxconvoy_13-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-hxconvoy_13-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-hxconvoy_13-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-hxconvoy_13-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-hxconvoy_13-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-hxconvoy_13-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-hxconvoy_13-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-hxconvoy_13-10) [***l***](#cite_ref-hxconvoy_13-11) [***m***](#cite_ref-hxconvoy_13-12) ["HX convoys"](http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/hx/index.html). Andrew Hague Convoy Database. Retrieved 19 June 2011.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-onconvoy_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-onconvoy_14-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-onconvoy_14-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-onconvoy_14-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-onconvoy_14-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-onconvoy_14-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-onconvoy_14-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-onconvoy_14-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-onconvoy_14-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-onconvoy_14-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-onconvoy_14-10) [***l***](#cite_ref-onconvoy_14-11) [***m***](#cite_ref-onconvoy_14-12) [***n***](#cite_ref-onconvoy_14-13) [***o***](#cite_ref-onconvoy_14-14) [***p***](#cite_ref-onconvoy_14-15) [***q***](#cite_ref-onconvoy_14-16) [***r***](#cite_ref-onconvoy_14-17) [***s***](#cite_ref-onconvoy_14-18) ["ON convoys"](http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/on/index.html). Andrew Hague Convoy Database. Retrieved 19 June 2011.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-scconvoy_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-scconvoy_15-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-scconvoy_15-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-scconvoy_15-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-scconvoy_15-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-scconvoy_15-5) ["SC convoys"](http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/sc/index.html). Andrew Hague Convoy Database. Retrieved 19 June 2011.

v t e Flower-class corvettes Original ships Free French Naval Forces Aconit Alysse Commandant d'Estienne d'Orves Commandant Detroyat Commandant Drogou La Bastiaise Lobelia Mimosa Renoncule Roselys Royal Canadian Navy Agassiz Alberni Algoma Amherst Arrowhead Arvida Baddeck Barrie Battleford Bittersweet Brandon Brantford Buctouche Calgary Camrose Chambly Chicoutimi Chilliwack Cobalt Collingwood Dauphin Dawson Drumheller Dundas Dunvegan Edmundston Eyebright Fennel Fredericton Galt Halifax Hepatica Kamloops Kamsack Kenogami Kitchener La Malbaie Lethbridge Lévis Louisburg Lunenburg Matapedia Mayflower Midland Moncton Moose Jaw Morden Nanaimo Napanee New Westminster Oakville Orillia Pictou Port Arthur Prescott Quesnel Regina Rimouski Rosthern Sackville Saskatoon Shawinigan Shediac Sherbrooke Snowberry Sorel Spikenard Sudbury Summerside The Pas Timmins Trail Trillium Vancouver Ville de Québec Wetaskiwin Weyburn Windflower Woodstock Hellenic Navy Apostolis Kriezis Sachtouris Tombazis Royal Navy Abelia Acanthus Aconite Alisma Alyssum Amaranthus Anchusa Anemone Arabis Arbutus Armeria Arrowhead Asphodel Aster Aubrietia Auricula Azalea Balsam Begonia Bellwort Bergamot Bittersweet Bluebell Borage Bryony Burdock Buttercup Calendula Camellia Campanula Campion Candytuft Carnation Celandine Chrysanthemum Clarkia Clematis Clover Coltsfoot Columbine Convolvulus Coreopsis Coriander Cowslip Crocus Cyclamen Dahlia Delphinium Dianella Dianthus Eglantine Erica Eyebright Fennel Fleur de Lys Freesia Fritillary Gardenia Genista Gentian Geranium Gladiolus Gloriosa Gloxinia Godetia Godetia Harebell Heartsease Heather Heliotrope Hemlock Hepatica Hibiscus Hollyhock Honeysuckle Hyacinth Hyderabad Hydrangea Ivy Jasmine Jonquil Kingcup La Malouine Larkspur Lavender Ling Lobelia Loosestrife Lotus Lotus Mallow Marguerite Marigold Marjoram Mayflower Meadowsweet Mignonette Mimosa Monkshood Montbretia Myosotis Narcissus Nasturtium Nigella Orchis Oxlip Pennywort Pentstemon Peony Periwinkle Petunia Picotee Pimpernel Pink Polyanthus Poppy Potentilla Primrose Primula Ranonculus Rhododendron Rockrose Rose Salvia Samphire Saxifrage Snapdragon Snowberry Snowdrop Snowflake Spikenard Spiraea Starwort Stonecrop Sundew Sunflower Sweetbriar Tamarisk Thyme Trillium Tulip Verbena Veronica Vervain Vetch Violet Wallflower Windflower Woodruff Zinnia Royal Netherlands Navy Friso Royal Norwegian Navy Andenes Nordkyn Eglantine Montbretia Polarfront II Potentilla Rose South African Navy Protea United States Navy Temptress class Courage Fury Impulse Ready Restless Saucy Spry Surprise Temptress Tenacity Royal Navy Belgian Section Godetia Buttercup Kriegsmarine PA 1 PA 2 PA 3 PA 4 Modified ships Royal Canadian Navy Asbestos Atholl Beauharnois Belleville Brampton Charlottetown Cobourg Fergus Forest Hill Frontenac Giffard Guelph Hawkesbury Ingersoll Lachute Lindsay Listowel Long Branch Louisburg Meaford Merrittonia Mimico Norsyd North Bay Owen Sound Parry Sound Peterborough Renfrew Riviere du Loup Smiths Falls St. Lambert Stellarton Strathroy Thorlock Trentonian West York Whitby Royal Indian Navy Assam Gondwana Sind Royal Navy Arabis Arbutus Balm Betony Buddleia Bugloss Bullrush Burnet Candytuft Ceanothos Charlock Comfrey Cornel Dittany Flax Honesty Linaria Mandrake Milfoil Musk Nepeta Privet Rosebay Smilax Statice Willowherb Royal New Zealand Navy Arabis Arbutus United States Navy Action class Action Alacrity Beacon Brisk Caprice Clash Haste Intensity Might Pert Prudent Splendor Tact Vim Vitality Argentine Navy Capitán Cánepa República

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [HMCS Chilliwack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMCS_Chilliwack) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMCS_Chilliwack?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.