Editing HMCS Buctouche

{{Short description|Flower-class corvette}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=HMCS Buctouche K179 O-741-31.jpg
|Ship caption=HMCS ''Buctouche'', {{circa|1944–1945}}
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=Canada
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Canada|naval-1911}}
|Ship name= ''Buctouche''
|Ship namesake=[[Bouctouche, New Brunswick]]
|Ship ordered=22 January 1940
|Ship awarded=
|Ship builder=[[Davie Shipbuilding]], [[Lauzon, Quebec|Lauzon]]
|Ship original cost=
|Ship yard number=
|Ship way number=
|Ship laid down=14 August 1940
|Ship launched=20 November 1940
|Ship sponsor=
|Ship christened=
|Ship completed=
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned= 5 June 1941
|Ship recommissioned=
|Ship decommissioned= 15 June 1945
|Ship renamed=
|Ship reclassified=
|Ship refit=
|Ship struck=
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship homeport=
|Ship identification=[[Pennant number]]: K179
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship honours= Atlantic 1941–45
|Ship fate= Scrapped in 1949
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class={{sclass2|Flower|corvette}} (original)
|Ship displacement={{convert|925|LT|t|lk=on}}
|Ship length={{convert|205|ft|m|2|abbr=on}}[[Length overall|o/a]]
|Ship beam={{convert|33|ft|m|2|abbr=on}}
|Ship height=
|Ship draught={{convert|11.5|ft|m|2|abbr=on}}
|Ship power=
|Ship propulsion=*1 × shaft
*2 × firetube Scotch boilers
*1 × 4-cylinder triple-expansion reciprocating steam engine
*{{cvt|2750|ihp}}
|Ship speed={{convert|16|kn}}
|Ship range={{cvt|3500|nmi}} at {{convert|12|kn}}
|Ship endurance=
|Ship complement=85
|Ship sensors=*1 × SW1 Cor 2C radar
*1 × Type 123A or Type 127DV sonar
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=*1 × single [[BL 4 inch Mk IX naval gun|BL {{convert|4|in|mm|abbr=on|0}} Mk.IX]] gun
*2 × twin [[Vickers .50 machine gun|.50 cal machine guns]]
*2 × twin [[Lewis gun|Lewis .303 cal machine guns]]
*2 × Mk.II depth charge throwers
*2 × depth charge rails with 40 depth charges
*originally fitted with minesweeping gear, later removed
|Ship armour=
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

'''HMCS ''Buctouche''''' was a {{sclass2|Flower|corvette}} that served in the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] (RCN) during the [[World War II|Second World War]].  She served primarily in the [[Battle of the Atlantic]] escorting merchant ship [[convoy]]s. Constructed by [[Davie Shipbuilding]] at [[Lauzon, Quebec]], the vessel was [[Keel laying|laid down]] 14 August 1940 and was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 20 November that year. The corvette was named for [[Bouctouche, New Brunswick]] and was [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 5 June 1941. ''Buctouche'' successfully damaged a [[U-boat]] during an engagement off the [[Avalon Peninsula]]. In 1944, the vessel went aground at [[Hamilton Inlet]], [[Labrador]]. Following the war, the ship was decommissioned on 23 October 1945 and was sold for [[Ship breaking|scrap]] in 1949.

==Design and description==
{{main|Flower-class corvette}}
Flower-class [[corvette]]s such as ''Buctouche'' serving with the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] (RCN) in the Second World War were different from earlier and more traditional sail-driven corvettes.{{sfn|Fitzsimons|1978|pp=1137–1142}}{{sfn|''Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II''|page=[https://archive.org/details/janesfightingshi00fran/page/68 68]}} The Flower-class corvettes originated from a need that arose in 1938 to expand the [[Royal Navy]] following the [[Munich Crisis]].{{sfn|Preston|Raven|1973|p=1}} A design request went out for a small escort for coastal [[convoy]]s.{{sfn|McKay|Harland|1993|p=8}} Based on a traditional [[Whaling ship|whaler]]-type design, the initial Canadian ships of the Flower class had a [[Displacement (ship)|standard displacement]] of {{convert|950|LT|t|lk=on}}. They were {{convert|205|ft|1|in|m}} [[Length overall|long overall]] with a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|33|ft|1|in|m}} and a maximum [[Draft (hull)|draught]] of {{convert|13|ft|5|in|m}}. The initial 1939–1940 corvettes were powered by a four-cylinder [[vertical triple expansion]] engine powered by steam from two [[Scotch boiler]]s turning one three-bladed [[propeller]] rated at {{convert|2800|ihp|lk=on}}. The Scotch boilers were replaced with [[water-tube boiler]]s in later 1939–1940 and 1940–1941 Programme ships. The corvettes had a maximum speed of {{convert|16|kn|lk=in}}. This gave them a range of {{convert|3450|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|12|kn}}.{{sfn|Lynch|1981|p=66}} The vessels were extremely wet.{{sfn|McKay|Harland|1993|p=11}}

The Canadian Flower-class vessels were initially armed with a [[BL 4-inch Mk IX naval gun|Mk IX BL {{convert|4|in|mm|adj=on|0}} gun]] forward on a CP 1 mounting and carried 100 rounds per gun. The corvettes were also armed with a [[QF 2-pounder naval gun|QF Vickers 2-pounder ({{convert|40|mm|in|disp=comma|abbr=on|1}}) gun]] on a bandstand aft, two single-mounted [[Vickers machine gun|.303 Vickers machine guns]] or [[M2 Browning|Browning 0.5-calibre machine guns]] for [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] defence and two twin-mounted [[Lewis gun|.303 Lewis machine guns]], usually sited on bridge wings.{{sfn|Preston|Raven|1973|p=1}}{{sfn|Lynch|1981|p=66}}{{sfn|McKay|Harland|1993|p=14}} For [[anti-submarine warfare]], they mounted two [[depth charge]] throwers and initially carried 25 depth charges. The corvettes were designed with a [[Type 123 sonar|Type 123]] [[ASDIC]] sonar set installed. The Flower-class ships had a complement of 47 officers and [[Naval rating|ratings]].{{sfn|Preston|Raven|1973|p=1}} The Royal Canadian Navy initially ordered 54 corvettes in 1940 and these were fitted with Mark II Oropesa [[minesweeping]] gear used for destroying [[Naval mine|contact mines]].{{sfn|McKay|Harland|1993|p=12}} Part of the depth charge rails were made portable so the minesweeping gear could be utilised.{{sfn|Preston|Raven|1973|pp=3–4}}

===Modifications===
In Canadian service the vessels were altered due to experience with the design's deficiencies. The [[Galley (kitchen)|galley]] was moved further back in the ship and the mess and sleeping quarters combined. A wireless [[direction finding]] set was installed, and enlarged [[bilge]] keels were installed to reduce rolling.{{sfn|Preston|Raven|1973|p=4}} After the first 35–40 corvettes had been constructed, the foremast was shifted aft of the [[bridge (nautical)|bridge]] and the mainmast was eliminated. Corvettes were first fitted with basic [[Radar in World War II#Canada|SW-1 and SW-2 CQ]] surface warning [[radar]], notable for their fishbone-like antenna and reputation for failure in poor weather or in the dark. The compass house was moved further aft and the open-type bridge was situated in front of it. The ASDIC hut was moved in front and to a lower position on the bridge. The improved [[Type 271 radar]] was placed aft, with some units receiving [[Type 291 radar]] for air search. The minesweeping gear, a feature of the first 54 corvettes, was removed.{{sfn|Lynch|1981|p=12}} Most Canadian Flower-class corvettes had their [[forecastle]]s extended which improved crew accommodation and seakeeping. Furthermore, the sheer and flare of the [[Bow (ship)|bow]] was increased, which led to an enlarged bridge. This allowed for the installation of [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|Oerlikon {{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} cannon]], replacing the Browning and Vickers machine guns.{{sfn|Lynch|1981|pp=10, 12}} Some of the corvettes were rearmed with [[Hedgehog (weapon)|Hedgehog]] anti-submarine [[Mortar (weapon)|mortars]].{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=103}} The complements of the ships grew throughout the war rising from the initial 47 to as many as 104.{{sfn|Lynch|1981|pp=10, 12}}

==Construction and career==
The corvette was ordered as part of the 1939–1940 Flower-class building programme. The vessel was [[Keel laying|laid down]] by [[Davie Shipbuilding|Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd.]] at their yard in [[Lauzon, Quebec|Lauzon]], [[Quebec]] on 14 August 1940 and was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 20 November that year. ''Buctouche'', named for the [[Bouctouche, New Brunswick|community]] in [[New Brunswick]], was [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] into the RCN on 5 June 1941 at [[Quebec City]].{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=111}}

After working up, ''Buctouche'' joined the [[Newfoundland Escort Force]] in July 1941. She escorted merchant ship [[convoy]]s through the [[Battle of the Atlantic]] from [[St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador|St. John's]] to Iceland beginning August 1941 with Escort Group (EG) 21.{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=111}}{{sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=96}} On her first convoy mission with convoy [[SC convoys|SC 41]], the group was rerouted around a German [[U-boat]] [[Wolfpack (naval tactic)|wolfpack]].{{sfn|Rohwer|2005|p=97}} The following escort mission for the convoy [[ON convoys|ONS 36]] went untroubled. However, SC 52, which departed [[Sydney, Nova Scotia]] on 29 October, which was escorted by ''Buctouche''{{'}}s escort group had to change course due to U-boat wolfpacks before they had left North American coastal waters. The convoy was discovered by the wolfpacks on 1 November and the first defence of the convoy began that night by the Free French corvette {{ship|French corvette|Aconit||2}}. The first merchant ship victims were sunk on 2 November. The number of attacks on the convoy before it had got to open sea forced the [[British Admiralty]] to turn the convoy back on 3 November, the only convoy to be forced to return to base in the entire war. Two more merchants were sunk and ''Buctouche'' and {{HMS|Nasturtium|K107|6}} recovered the crews of {{ship||Empire Gemsbuck}} and {{ship||Everoja}}. With the strength of the attacks worsening, the convoy commander ordered it to scatter and the battle ended with seven merchant ships lost and no U-boats.{{sfn|Douglas|Sarty|Whitby|2002|pp=287–288, 290–292}}  ''Buctouche''{{'}}s following convoy assignments, SC 58, ONS 48, SC 64, and ONS 60 went undisturbed by German attacks.{{sfn|Rohwer|2005|pp=115, 117, 131–132}}

In June 1942 ''Buctouche'' transferred to the [[Western Local Escort Force]] (WLEF) escorting convoys mainly in North American waters.{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=111}} In June 1943, new escort groups were formed and ''Buctouche'' was assigned to EG W-1.{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=111}} On 21 November 1943, ''Buctouche'', now a part of EG W-2, was escorting the outbound convoy ON 145 off the [[Avalon Peninsula]] when it came under attack by U-boats. Three vessels were hit, but only one, {{ship||Empire Sailor}}, sank. ''Buctouche'' attacked {{GS|U-518||2}} after the submarine had been spotted by the merchant ships. The corvette's attack seriously damaged the U-boat and forced ''U-518'' to break off and return to base.{{sfn|Douglas|Sarty|Whitby|2002|p=558}} ''Buctouche'' underwent a refit at the end of 1943 that was completed on 29 January 1944 that extended the ship's forecastle. In mid-1944 ''Buctouche'' was assigned to Quebec Force for two month. On 28 June 1944, the corvette went aground at [[Hamilton Inlet]], [[Labrador]], but was freed and sailed for [[Pictou, Nova Scotia]] where the vessel spent the next two months under repair. ''Buctouche'' was [[paid off]] on 23 October 1945 at [[Sorel, Quebec]]. The corvette was sold for scrap and [[Ship breaking|broken up]] in 1949 at [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]].{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=111}} For service during the Second World War, the ship was given the [[battle honour]] "Atlantic 1939–45".{{sfn|Thomas|1998|p=33}}

==Citations==
{{reflist}}

==References==
* {{cite book |last1=Douglas |first1=W.A.B. |last2=Sarty |first2=Roger |last3=Whitby |first3=Michael |name-list-style=amp |year=2002 |title=No Higher Purpose: The Official Operational History of the Royal Canadian Navy in the Second World War, 1939–1943 Volume II, Part I |publisher=Vanwell Publishing |location=St. Catharines, Ontario  |isbn=1-55125-061-6}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Fitzsimons |editor-first=Bernard |date=1978 |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons & Warfare |volume=11 |publisher=Phoebus |location=London |oclc=8842839}}
* {{cite book |date=1996 |title=Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II |url=https://archive.org/details/janesfightingshi00fran/page/68  |location=New Jersey |publisher=Random House |isbn=0-517-67963-9 |url-access=registration |ref={{sfnref|''Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II''}}}}
* {{cite book |last=Lynch |first=Thomas G. |year=1981  |title=Canada's Flowers, History of the Corvettes of Canada |publisher=Nimbus Publishing |location=Halifax, Nova Scotia |isbn=0-920852-15-7}}
* {{cite book |last1=Macpherson |first1=Ken |last2=Barrie |first2=Ron |name-list-style=amp |year=2002 |title=The Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910–2002  |edition=Third |publisher=Vanwell Publishing |location=St. Catharines, Ontario |isbn=1-55125-072-1}}
* {{cite book |last1=McKay |first1=John |last2=Harland |first2=John |name-list-style=amp |year=1993 |title=Anatomy of the Ship: The Flower Class Corvette Agassiz |publisher=Vanwell Publishing |location=St. Catharines, Ontario |isbn=1-55068-084-6}}
* {{cite book |last1=Preston |first1=Antony |last2=Raven |first2=Alan |name-list-style=amp |year=1973 |title=Flower Class Corvettes |series=Signal |number=3 |publisher=Bivouac Books |location=London |isbn=0-85680-004-X}}
* {{cite book |last=Rohwer |first=Jürgen |year=2005 |title=Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two |edition=Revised & Expanded |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=1-59114-119-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Thomas |first=David A. |year=1998 |title=Battles and Honours of the Royal Navy |publisher=Leo Cooper |location=Barnsley, UK |isbn=085052-623-X}}

==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.]

{{Flower class corvette|original}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Buctouche, HMCS}}
[[Category:Flower-class corvettes of the Royal Canadian Navy]]
[[Category:1940 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built in Lévis]]