Anyone know anything about HMCS Saskatchewan

[direwolf_13]

 

Hi everyone.  I build 1/700 scale models from time to time and am right now converting an E-Class destroyer kit into HMCS Saskatchewan (formally HMS Fortune).  Shortly before this ship was gifted to Canada from the UK it underwent a conversion in which some of the weapon layouts changed.  Unfortunately I’m having difficulty finding the details of the change.

 

I know the aft torpedo tubes were removed and I know the aft most turret was removed.  My problem is that I can’t figure out what was put in their place.

 

I would really appreciate it if anyone with any knowledge of this conversion would help me out.  Even information on similar conversions to other British destroyers would be a big help.

[1Sherman]

HMCS Saskatchewan, according to a quick Google search, was a Mackenzie-class destroyer, designation DDE 262. Launched in 1959 and commissioned in 1961, she mainly served as a training ship out in B.C. In 1994, she was decommissioned and sunk in 1997 off of B.C. as an artificial reef.

[direwolf_13]

Hi Sherman,

 

Thanks for the reply, but I'm looking for the older F-Class destroyer from WW2.  Originally built as HMS Fortune and gifted to Canada (and renamed) in 1943.

[1Sherman]

Hi Sherman,

 

Thanks for the reply, but I'm looking for the older F-Class destroyer from WW2.  Originally built as HMS Fortune and gifted to Canada (and renamed) in 1943.

 

My mistake.

 

According to another quick Google search, HMS Fortune was an F-class destroyer launched in 1934 and commissioned in 1935. When WWII began, she was serving in the 8th Flotilla and helped to sink U-Boats in Norway and Iceland. In 1941, she was bombed while on escort duty in Malta. She was repaired and refitted, with her new armament consisting of 3 4.7 inch guns, a single quad torp launcher, 6 20mm AA guns, and a Hedgehog launcher. were completed in 1943, she was given to the RCN as HMCS Saskatchewan, where she was first assigned to EG C-3, MOEF, before being transferred to EG 12 in May 1944 to help clear German ships out of the Channel. On June 7, 1944, she survived an attack by U-984 and on the night of July 5/6, she and the 3 other ships of EG 12 attacked 3 German patrol boats. Damaged in this engagement, Saskatchewan was repaired and refitted in Shelburne, Nova Scotia during August of 1944. When she returned to England, she served as part of EG 14 and EG 11. She returned to Canada in the month after Germany's surrender and after seeing usage as a troop transport, was paid off in 1946 and broken up in Sydney.

[direwolf_13]

Thanks again Sherman.  I wonder if that hedgehog launcher was fitted in place of the 4th 4.7inch gun.  That's the part that's really in the way of completing this build.  All the photos I found are too grainy to make out that section of the ship.

[MaliceA4Thought]

Best I can do for you is this.. 1941/43 conversion just before transfer to Canada...

 

Fortune had her rear torpedo tubes replaced by a 12pdr (76mm) AA gun by April 1941. In February–May 1943, she was converted into an escort destroyer. A type 286 short-range surface search radar was fitted and a Type 271 target indication radar was installed above the bridge, replacing the dct and rangefinder. The ship also received a radio detection finder mounted on a pole mainmast. Her short-range AA armament was augmented by four 20mm Oerlikon guns and the .50-calibre machine guns were replaced by a pair of Oerlikons. A split Hedgehog anti-submarine spigot mortar was installed abreast 'A' gun and stowage for a total of 70 depth charges meant that 'Y' gun, the 12-pounder and her Two-Speed Destroyer Sweep (TSDS) minesweeping gear had to be removed to compensate for their weight.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Info from Royal Naval Destroyers 1939 - 1945.

 

M

[direwolf_13]

Thanks M, that's a lot of good specific information.  I should be able to finish her with that info!

[Swine_007]

What Malice mentions above is pretty much what Wikipedia has as text for her as well.  

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Fortune_(H70)

 

As well there are a couple pictures that show the aft turret (Y) removed and the new AAA gun tubs at the rear here... 

 

http://www.forposterityssake.ca/GALLERIES/SASKATCHEWAN_H70.htm