HMCS Buctouche (K179)

HMCS "Buctouche" (K179) was a "Flower"-class corvette that served in the Royal Canadian Navy.

Construction

She was ordered on 22 January 1940 from Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon, Quebec and laid down on 14 August 1940. She was launched on 20 November 1940 and commissioned into the RCN on 5 June 1941. She is named after Bouctouche.

Wartime service

"Buctouche" (Lt. W.W. Hackney, RCNR) rescued 43 survivors from the British merchant ship "Empire Gemsbuck" that was torpedoed and sunk on 3 November 1941 by U-203 northeast of Cape Charles, Labrador at 52-18N, 53-05W.

On 7 July 1942, "Buctouche" (Skr. Lt. G.N. Downey, RCNR) rescued 15 survivors from the Norwegian merchant ship "Moldanger" that was torpedoed and sunk by U-404 on 27 June at 30-03N, 70-52W.

Her forecastle was extended at Saint John Dry Dock & Shipbuilding Ltd. on 29 January 1944.

Trivia

The ship's badge depicted Hitler being tossed off a bucking bronco, a play being made both on the name "Buctouche" and the rolling pitching motion which "Flower"-class corvettes were renowned for.

External links

* [http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/hague/search3.php?query=Buctouche&Submit=Find+Vessel HMCS "Buctouche" on the Arnold Hague database at convoyweb.org.uk.]