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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 3h

#OTD 17/10/2001 #RememberRCN -HMCS IROQUOIS as flagship departed Halifax with HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN and HMCS PRESERVER to the Arabian Sea for #OpAPOLLO. The Canadian Task Group was supporting the US lead coalition against international terrorism in Afghanistan.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 3h

#OTD 17/10/1943 #BattleOfAtlantic -U448 severely damaged by Sunderland from 422 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force Attacked 2 U-Boats running together, taking heavy fire from both, killing 2 aircrew. Aircraft ditched near convoy, killing A/C Commander, survivors rescued by HMS DRURY.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 3h

#OTD 17/10/1941 #RememberRCN -While escorting Convoy SC-48, HMCS PICTOU attacks U-568. U-boat attempts to escape on the surface, PICTOU evades a torpedo fired from U-boat, returning fire with forward gun, drops depth charges when sub dives. U-568 losses contact with the convoy.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 3h

#OTD 17/10/1918 #RememberRCN -SS Lucia (American) torpedoed and sunk by U155, 550 miles south of Newfoundland, four casualties. Photo courtesy -Naval History and Heritage Command

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 16/10/2026

#OTD 16/10/1954 #RememberRCN -200 sailors from HMCS York / NCSM York with Cadets from RCSCC Ark Royal, Illustrious & Haida, mobilize 12 whalers & dinghies in support of rescue operations following the devastation of Cat1 Hurricane Hazel & credited with saving 175 victims, 81 people are killed.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 16/10/2026

#OTD 16/10/1954 #RememberRCN -HMCS QUINTE (2nd) experiences its first severe weather as the newly commissioned Bay class minesweeper passes through Hurricane Hazel (Cat 1) while transiting the Great Lakes after commissioning in Thunder Bay, ON.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 16/10/2026

#OTD 16/10/1944 #RememberRCN -HMCShips PRINCE HENRY & PRINCE DAVID arrive Greek seaport of Piraeus off Athens, landing liberation forces. PRINCE DAVID carried the Prime Minister, Georgios Papandreou & Government officials. LAC Photo -Greek Prime Minister thanking RCN. #OpManna

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 16/10/2026

#OTD 16/10/1944 #RememberRCN -HMCShips ANNAN & LOCH ACHANALT attack U-1006 on the surface south of Faeroes Islands. Following a running gun battle and dropping depth charges, the RCN ships sink the U-Boat & rescue 46 German survivors. Eight sailors in ANNAN are wounded.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 16/10/2026

#OTD 16/10/1942 #RememberRCN -U609 is attacked by HMCShips ST CROIX, AMHERST and HMS CELANDINE while escorting ON-137, severely damaging the U-boat and forcing U609 to return to base.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 16/10/2026

#OTD 16/10/1940 #RememberRCN -SS Trevisa (Canadian Lake Carriers Ltd) torpedoed by U-124 mid-North Atlantic, south of Iceland while in convoy SC-7, seven merchant sailors killed. Pressed into ocean service, this was the first Atlantic Convoy for this Great Lakes merchant ship.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

#OTD 15/10/1958 #RememberRCN -HMCS ONTARIO (ex-HMS MINOTAUR) paid-off and is the last cruiser to serve in the #RCNavy. Photo LAC PA-136814 Ship's Company 1945.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

#OTD 15/10/1941 #RememberRCN -Racing to join Convoy SC-48, HMCS COLUMBIA (ex-USS Haraden) spots U-553 as sub dives. COLUMBIA evades torpedo fired by U-553 & drops depth charges, damaging U-boat & forcing it to break off its attack on convoy. Photo courtesy -For Posterity's Sake.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

#OTD 15/10/1941#RememberRCN -SS Vancouver Island (captured ex-German Weser) torpedoed by U558, mid-NorthAtlantic. There were no survivors of the 102 souls on board. Weser was renamed and placed under Canadian registry after being captured by HMCS PRINCE ROBERT on 25 Sept 1940.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

#OTD 15/10/1941 #RememberRCN -Battle for Convoy SC-48 begins, 9 U-boats attack 53 merchant ships escorted by HMCShips BADDECK, SHEDIAC joined by COLUMBIA, WETASKIWIN, ROSTHERN, PICTOU, HMS GLADIOLUS & FFS MINOSA. Nine merchant ships/2 escorts sunk. 5 U-boats attacked/3 damaged.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

#OTD 15/10/1918 #RememberRCN -SS Messina (British) damaged by gunfire from U-152, 100 miles ESE of Halifax. Sixty rounds were fired by the submarine, the freighter made her escape after transmitting, "Help, For God's Sake, Help!"

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

#OTD 14/10/1944 #RememberRCN -Landing Craft from the 529th Canadian Landing Craft Flotilla are the first allies to arrive in Athens thru the Greek seaport of Piraeus. The seven landing craft are swarmed with local citizens and swamped with flowers and palm leaves. #OpManna

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

#OTD 10/14/1944 #RememberRCN -HMCS MAGOG is torpedoed by U1223, losing 60 ft of her stern, near Pointe des Monts, St. Lawrence River. Three RCN sailors are killed & three wounded. Effective damage control saves the frigate, she was towed to Quebec City and declared a total loss.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

#OTD 14/10/1942 #RememberRCN -SLt Margaret Brooke, RCN Nursing Sister appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire "For Gallantry & Courage," for her actions to save SLt Wilkie during sinking of SS Caribou. HMCS MARGARET BROOKE named in her honour. zurl.co/JE5cF

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

#OTD 14/10/1942 #RememberRCN -SLt Agnes Wilkie & SLt Margaret Brook, survive torpedoing of SS Caribou. Brooke clings onto a wrecked lifeboat while holding unconscious Wilkie. Eventually Wilkie is swept away by a wave and becomes the 1st RCN Nursing Sister to be killed in WWII.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

#OTD 14/10/1942 #RememberRCN -SS Caribou (Newfoundland Government) torpedoed by U-69 in the Cabot Strait. The Newfoundland ferry was travelling from Sydney, Cape Breton to Port Aux Basques. HMCS GRANDMÈRE rescues 101 survivors, sadly 137 passengers and crew are killed.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

#OTD 14/10/1940 #RememberRCN -HMCS SKEENA rescues 220 survivors from HMS CHESHIRE, Armed Merchant Cruiser torpedoed in the North Atlantic. SKEENA then puts a steaming party aboard who keep the crippled ex-passenger liner underway & escorts her to Belfast.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

#OTD 14/10/1918 #RememberRCN -Sailing Vessel Stifinder (Norwegian) sunk by U152, 540 miles ESE of Sable Island, no casualties.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

#OTD 14/10/1917 #RememberRCN -HMCSubmarines CC1, CC2 & HMCS SHEARWATER arrive Halifax after transiting from Esquimalt, BC. Fighting severe weather and multiple breakdowns the 11,200 km journey took four months. Marc Magee painting

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

#OTD 13/10/1910 #RememberRCN -Established in 1759, the Royal Navy Dockyard in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is officially transferred to Canadian control. Taken over by the RCN and becomes the east coast base of Naval Operations. Painting -LAC Halifax 1796. Photo -HMCDockyard 2017.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

#OTD 12/10/1956 #RememberRCN -First of 100 Grumman CS2F Trackers accepted by Royal Canadian Navy from DeHavilland Aircraft, Canada.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

#OTD 12/10/1940 #RememberRCN -SS St. Malo ( ex-French freighter transferred to Canadian Government), torpedoed by U-101 in the mid-Atlantic, south of Iceland while in convoy HX-77, 29 killed. She was one of six merchant ships lost in the convoy.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

#OTD 11/10/1963 #RememberRCN -HMCS HAIDA paid-off, to become floating Memorial in Toronto, ON. The last remaining Tribal Class Destroyer was moved to Hamilton, ON in 2004. Parks Canada

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

#OTD 11/10/1942 #RememberRCN -SS Waterton (Bowater, NF) sunk by U-106 in the Cabot Strait. A 117 Sqn RCAF Canso was directly overhead when 2nd torp struck, dousing aircraft in water & debris. HMCS VISON made several unsuccessful attacks on U-boat, then rescued all 27 crew.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

#OTD 10/10/2004 #RememberRCN -HMCS ST JOHNS arrived Faslane from Halifax to support the sailors in HMCS CHICOUTIMI after deadly fire in the submarine. Travelling at best possible speed, ST JOHNS made the crossing in roughly 3.5 days.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

#OTD 10/10/1950 #RememberRCN -HMCS ATHABASKAN takes part in the invasion of the Korean east coast port of Wonsan. OpWONSAN. Photo ATHABASKAN underway off Korea, courtesy For Posterity's Sake

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

#OTD 9/10/1943 #RememberRCN -U220 lays a minefield of 66 magnetic mines off St. John’s, NF. Mines were moored in clusters between 5 and 13 miles from the harbour entrance. The minefield will claim two ships on 19 October.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

#OTD 9/10/1942 #RememberRCN -U69 torpedoes SS Carolus (Merchant Marine Ltd, Ottawa), off Metis-sur-Mer, St. Lawrence, while in convoy NL-9. 11 sailors killed & 19 survivors rescued by HMCShips HEPATICA & ARROWHEAD. This attack is the furthest west in the Battle of St. Lawrence.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

#OTD 8/10/1996 #RememberRCN -Vice-Admiral Lawrence Edward Murray appointed as Acting Chief of Defence Staff, commanding the Canadian Forces. Murray is the third Canadian Sailor to hold the position of CDS.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

#OTD 8/10/1944 #RememberRCN -HMCS MULGRAVE is severely damaged by a mine & is beached near LaHavre, France. She is taken in tow on 3 November for Portsmouth, where she is declared a total constructive loss.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

#OTD 8/10/1943 #BattleoftheAtlantic -U610 Sunk by Sunderland from 423 Sqn RCAF in the Western Approaches. Four depth charges were dropped, lifting the sub 15 to 20 ft breaking her in two. Sunderland reported seeing 15 submariners amongst an extensive debris field. No survivors were rescued.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

#OTD 8/10/1942 #RememberRCN -U69 penetrates the St. Lawrence River to Pointe-au-Père just east of Rimouski, Quebec. This marks the furthest west any U-boat patrolled during the Battle of St. Lawrence in the Second World War.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

#OTD 8/10/1880 #RememberRCN -In a first attempt to create a Canadian Naval service, the Governor General of Canada on behalf of the Government requests RN provide a naval ship for the purpose of training Canadian sailors. HMS CHARYBDIS, corvette will be transferred to Canada.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

#OTD 6/10/1962 #RememberRCN -HMCS MACKENZIE, Mackenzie class destroyer escort, commissioned and is the first of it's class of four DDE’s to enter service with the RCN. DND Photo

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

#OTD 6/10/1914 #RememberRCN -HMCS NIOBE departs on first operational cruise of #WWI. Joining the RN's 4th Cruiser Squadron on contraband patrol off New York City. The RCN Cruiser stops and boards several suspicious vessels.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

#OTD 5/10/2004 #RememberRCN -HMCS CHICOUTIMI suffers a major electrical fire, a rogue wave had entered the sub the day before. Power/propulsion was shutdown, effective firefighting/damage control saved the sub. 9 sailors were wounded, tragically Lt(N) Chris Saunders dies later.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

#OTD 5/10/1994 #RememberRCN -HMCS FRASER (2nd) is paid-off and is the last of the St. Laurent class destroyers.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

#OTD 4/10/1944 #RememberRCN -HMCS CHEBOGUE torpedoed in stern by U1227 mid-Atlantic while escorting convoy ONS-33, 7 sailors are killed. She is successfully towed 800 miles to port. Considered a Total Constructive Loss CHEBOGUE is not repaired. Photo HazeGray

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

#OTD 3/10/1914 #RememberRCN -1st troop convoy of #WWI departs Quebec City with the 1st Canadian Expeditionary Force, 31 ships escorted by RN. Consisting of; -30K soldiers -7.6K horses -70 guns -110 motor & 705 horsed vehicles CGS Canada, Fisheries protection cruiser was part of the escort.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

#OTD 2/10/2004 #RememberRCN -Former HMSubmarine UPHOLDER accepted by the RCN, renamed CHICOUTIMI at Faslane, Scotland and is the last of four Victoria class submarines accepted by the RCN. (RCN Photo)

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

#OTD 2/10/1952 #RememberRCN -HMCS IROQUOIS engaged Chinese shore batteries off Korea & is struck by shell aft of “B” Gun, killing 3 sailors & wounding 11. IROQUIOUS broke off to tend wounded & repair damage, returning the next day, destroying the enemy guns. Photo -For Posterity's Sake

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

#OTD 2/10/1951 #RememberRCN -1st post-war course of 25 Wrens begins at HMCS Cornwallis for the Naval Reserve. Trades include stores women, administrative writers, medical, naval air-women, harbour craft operators, communicators, radio technicians, electrical technicians, & ordnance.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

#OTD 2/10/1939 #RememberRCN -The Canadian Survey Ship Acadia recommissioned in RCN as HMCS ACADIA. This historic Canadian hydrographic ship 1st entered naval service during First World War & is now a museum ship at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax. Photo -ACADIA w/ HMSub SEAWOLF -1943.

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Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

#OTD 1/10/2007 #RememberRCN -HMCS TORONTO operating as part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 in the Red Sea rescues 1 of 8 Yemini soldiers, forced into the water by an erupting volcano from the island of Jazirt Atta-Ir.

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