Remembrance Day 2024 - Natural Hazards of the Battle of the Atlantic

Eighty years ago the Second World War was still in full swing, and the Port of Halifax was humming with wartime activity as convoys and their escorts came and went during their efforts to supply Europe in the face of attacks by U-boats. The enemy wasn't the only hazard, as the North Atlantic had a few tricks up its sleeve as well. 

These photos of HMS Leamington entering what I believe is Halifax Harbour illustrate the natural hazards that the ships were subjected to. These photos were scanned and supplied to me probably 20 years ago by Bill Croshaw, and we believe they were all taken by Gord Condie who provided them to Bill. Gord served in HMCS Gananoque, which coincidentally was commanded for a time during the war by a relative of mine. 

HMS Leamington returning to port covered in ice. The rail of another ship is visible in the bottom of the image.

Ice build up on warships in the North Atlantic was a serious problem, as it could lead to stability problems, and sometimes the capsize of the ship. Leamington was one of the First World War era "flush deck" destroyers given to the RN and RCN under the US Lend/Lease program, similar to the ships of the RCN Town-class, and these ships already suffered from stability shortfalls especially after some of the new equipment (like radar) was installed to modernize these ships for service in the Second World War. The Type 271 radar especially would have contributed to the added topweight issues where it was installed so high in the ship, above and behind the bridge and just ahead of the mast.

Closeup of Leamington's bridge superstructure covered in ice.

As Leamington pulls alongside the jetty you can see that the entire bridge superstructure is encased in ice, and presumably the crew have been active with axes to keep the bridge itself habitable. The 4" gun on the foc'st'le is rendered unserviceable by ice, sections of railing have collapsed due to the weight of the ice, and the cable running from the deck up to the bridge has greatly increased in diameter through ice buildup. The RDF antenna on the front of the bridge is also encased in ice, and even the lantern of the Type 271 radar above and behind the bridge is encased. All of this would have impacted the operational readiness and effectiveness of Leamington as a warship trying to defend a convoy against Uboats. 

The crew works to remove ice from the foc'st'le of Leamington while preparing to secure lines as the ship comes alongside the jetty. 

The view of the bow shows more damage to the railing from the weight of the ice and possibly the action of the seas. Interestingly, the lantern for the Type 271 radar above the bridge and just forward of the mast appears to be most heavily encased in ice on the forward 180 degrees with less buildup on the aft 180 degrees - and the cables behind the bridge are protected and bare. The North Atlantic could be unkind to ships in various ways as the rust and paint issues around the bow indicate. 

Just image trying to shepherd a convoy of freighters and tankers across the Atlantic and trying to keep them safe from Uboats while also battling elements that are simultaneously trying to sink the ship. 

Lest we forget.