HMCS Long Branch (K487)

HMCS "Long Branch" (K487) was a Flower-class corvette that served in the Royal Canadian Navy.

She was formerly warship|HMS|Candytuff|K487 and was transferred to the RCN on 5 January 1944.

Wartime service

Upon commisioning to the RCN she was tasked to join escort group C-5 at Londonderry Port in April 1944 following a 1 month work up period at Tobermory, Mull. C-5 sailed with the convoy ONS 233. "Long Branch" developed mechanical problems during the crossing and underwent a 6-week repair at the Newfoundland Drydock upon her arrival at St. John's.

She departed St. John's on 14 June to resume duties but returned for further repairs with the assistance of HM Tug "Tenacity". Once repaired, she left St. John's a week later to join convoy HXS 300, the largest convoy of the war.

She continued as an ocean escort until her final departure from Londonderry on 27 January 1945. She arrived at Halifax under the command of A/Lt.Cdr. J.B. O'Brien, RCNVR on 11 February and commenced a refit. In April she was assigned to Halifax for local duties.

She was paid off and decommissioned from the RCN on 17 June 1945 at Sorel, Quebec.

Civilian service

"Long Branch" was sold for commercial use in 1947 and renamed "Rexton Kent II". She was later renamed "Rexton Kent". She was scuttled off Canada's Atlantic coast in 1966.

References

*cite web | url= http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/hague/search3.php?query=Longbranch&Submit=Find+Vessel |title = HMCS "Long Branch" (K 487) | work = Arnold Hague database at convoyweb.org.uk | accessdate=2008-06-08