Operated by the Park Steamship Company, Nipiwan Park (sometimes spelled Nipawan Park, although the park after which she was named was apparently called "Nipawin Park") was a Great Lakes type tanker that was torpedoed off Halifax on January 4, 1945. Two of her 31 crew were killed when she was hit just forward of the bridge, and the bow (which sank) was separated from the rest of the ship. The bulkhead below the bridge held, and the stern portion of the ship stayed afloat long enough to be rescued and towed to port by Foundation Maritime Limited. The remaining 29 crew were rescued by HMCS KENTVILLE.
While I have photos from the Foundation Maritime collection indicating she was salvaged, I don't know which tug brought her in.
While I have photos from the Foundation Maritime collection indicating she was salvaged, I don't know which tug brought her in.
Nipiwan Park carried a gun for self defence. It looks to be a 3"/40 (12 Pdr) Mk.V QF HA. |
A shot of the all-important bulkhead that kept the ship afloat. |
Nipiwan Park's engine room. |
Bibliography & Acknowledgements:
Fisher, Robert C. Downloaded 2002. "Canadian Merchant Ship Losses of the Second World War, 1939-1945". http://familyheritage.ca/Articles/merchant1.html
Heal, S.C. (1999) "A Great Fleet of Ships - The Canadian Forts and Parks". Vanwell Publishing Limited, St. Catharines, ON.
Photos displayed here were scanned from the files of AECON, the successor firm to the Foundation Company of Canada.
My grand father's brother was one of the two people that were killed in this attack. Thanks for posting this information.
ReplyDelete