HMCS Suderoy

After the fall of Norway to Nazi Germany on April 9 1940, the Norwegian whale factory ship Suderøy and her whale catchers, "Suderøy IV." (J03), "Suderøy V." (J04), "Suderøy VI." (J05) and Star XVI. were ordered to sail to Halifax from Hampton Roads, were they had taken refuge. In June 1940, at Halifax, "Suderøy IV.", "V." and "VI." were chartered from the Norwegian government-in-exile by the RCN, converted and commissioned as Minesweepers.

"Suderøy IV" served with the Halifax Local Defence Force from June 1941 until paid off in August 1945, and returned to her former owners.

"Suderøy V." served with both the St. John's Local Defence Force and the Halifax Local Defence Force from June 1941 until paid off in August 1945, and returned to her former owners.

"Suderøy VI." served with the Halifax Local Defence Force from March 1941 until paid off in August 1945, and returned to her former owners to resume her occupation as whale catcher.

Published sources

* Macpherson, Ken and John Burgess. "The Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910 - 1985". Collins Publishers: ISBN 0-00-217469-3
* 1939 - 1945, Norwegian Merchant Fleet, web site. [http://www.warsailors.com/freefleet/index.html]