HMCS Skeena Memorial Plaque

This memorial is dedicated to those seamen who lost their lives in HMCS Skeena on October 25, 1944. It was erected by the Skeena survivors, their families and Northumberland Branch, Navy League of Canada. A Skeena Reunion and Dedication was held in Port Hope, October 20 to 23, 2000. Most veterans of Skeena I-59, Skeena 2nd and some from Port Hope and Cobourg attended. Ted Maidman, the veterans' representative on the Reunion Committee, enrolled a number of veterans to march with the Cadet Corps on the Saturday. The weather was warm and sunny with cloudless skies and lovely autumn colours. The last of the chinook salmon were working their up the Ganaraska River. It runs right through the middle of Port Hope. On its west side are the Town Hall and Cenotaph, and a four minute stroll via a footbridge takes you to the Skeena Building on the east. All gathered at the Town Hall on the Saturday to look at photographs and memorabilia that attendees brought. Mayor Ron Smith joined the reunion. RAdm David Morse arrived from RMC, where he is Commandant. He had very fond memories of his time in command of Skeena 2nd. At 11:00 the Cadet Corps with band and colour party marched over to the Town Hall via a road bridge. The CO hammered thrice on the door with the hilt of her sword. The Mayor emerged and inspected the Corps. All gathered at the Cenotaph where old Skeenas Don German and Ted Maidman laid a wreath. Then the approximately 30 veterans fell in with the Corps for a rousing march through the centre of Town, to the Skeena Building. After lunch, the Town blocked off the street and seating was arranged for three hundred on the roadway for the Dedication Ceremony. Among Skeena veterans the earliest was David Freeman of Victoria who served her in 1934, the most recent was Chief Petty Officer David Brennan, the last Cox'n of Skeena 2nd (1993) and still in the Navy, who came from Halifax. The Band of the Royal Marine Association of Ontario from Cobourg played splendidly through the afternoon. The Admiral, exchanging his brass hat for his CO Skeena 207 peaked cap, spoke exceptionally well. The senior Cadet made a presentation to him from the Corps. He responded by giving his cap and a copy of the ship's commissioning booklet. Then Max Ferguson continued as master of ceremonies. O Canada was sung and the Memorials were dedicated. The first, a family memorial to Commander F.W.R. Angus OBE RCNVR, was dedicated by his son Ian Angus. Next came the two large front windows which the towns of Port Hope and Cobourg had restored in memory of the Bangor 'sweeper and the corvette of the same names. Mayors Joan Chalovich and Ron Smith, unveiled plaques secured to the brick beneath each window. Then the Skeena Memorial Plaque, covered by the White Ensign which had flown in the ship in 1944, was unveiled by Dorothy Watson French, sister of Leonard Watson, and Ritchie Seath brother of Andrew Seath, who were among those lost. Their shipmate, Ed Parsons read out the inscription with each name marked by the toll of the Corps' bell. The Last Post sounded, a long silence, and Reveille. Reverend Richard Davidson then led the prayers. As the Chaplain of 162 Squadron RCAF stationed in Iceland he had buried Skeena's dead in Fossvogur Cemetery on 28th October 1944. He recalled that time, evoking the scene with profound personal emotion and he then led the prayers concluding with the Naval Prayer and Eternal Father. Presentation to the Corps of significant items from the ship by those who had retrieved them 56 years ago followed: the White Ensign from Al Lake of Edmonton; the commissioning pennant from Ted Maidman which he had beautifully framed; and the ship's wheel from Bill McPhillips of London, Ontario. Bill Brown of Ottawa, who commanded Skeena 2nd in 1967-69 and had taken her to Iceland for a memorial service, unveiled the stained glass window over the entrance depicting RCSCC Skeena's badge and the motto "Go Forth". It was created by Port Hope stained glass artist Chris Montgomery. It is identical to Skeena's 2nd badge and motto except, in accordance with the sealed pattern, the maple leaves are red versus green and the name Skeena is black on gold rather than in the ship's colours which were blue on white.