On December 21, 1944, U-806 sank a merchant vessel in the approaches to Halifax Harbour. HMCS Clayoquot (a Minesweeper) was searching for this U-boat in the company of HMCS Transcona and HMCS Kirkland Lake when she was struck aft by a German T5 acoustic homing torpedo from U-806. She went down in less than 10 minutes, however 73 of the 81 man crew escaped by life raft and were picked up by HMCS Fennel shortly thereafter. Although U-806 was pursued by the other escorts, she got away and returned to Germany.
The exact location of HMCS Clayoquot remained a mystery until 1994 when she was detected by members of the Geological Survey of Canada that were field testing side scan sonar equipment. HMCS Clayoquot was positively identified in September of 1996 at which time HMCS Cormorant's manned submersible dove to the site. On board was retired Petty Officer Ernie White, a survivor of the sinking, who confirmed the identity of the vessel.
HMCS Clayoquot is located approximately 13 miles off of Chebucto Head and currently sits upright in 330 FSW. The vessel is mainly intact with obvious torpedo damage to the starboard aft quarter. The steam reciprocating engines appear to be largely undamaged. The vessel is 180 feet long with a 28 foot beam. Armament was one 4 inch main gun and one 2 ponder aft and was equipped with 2 depth charge throwers, 4 depth charge chutes and 40 depth charges.
The area around Halifax Harbor and its approaches has a great number of shipwrecks to explore. Unfortunately, loss of life has often occurred in many of these. I was unaware of the circumstances surrounding this particular vessel until after my dive. I won't be back and pray that the eight souls who lost their lives in this action rest-in-peace. May we never forget the sacrifices of so many who have made the ultimate sacrifice and continue to do so for our freedom.
The exact location of HMCS Clayoquot remained a mystery until 1994 when she was detected by members of the Geological Survey of Canada that were field testing side scan sonar equipment. HMCS Clayoquot was positively identified in September of 1996 at which time HMCS Cormorant's manned submersible dove to the site. On board was retired Petty Officer Ernie White, a survivor of the sinking, who confirmed the identity of the vessel.
HMCS Clayoquot is located approximately 13 miles off of Chebucto Head and currently sits upright in 330 FSW. The vessel is mainly intact with obvious torpedo damage to the starboard aft quarter. The steam reciprocating engines appear to be largely undamaged. The vessel is 180 feet long with a 28 foot beam. Armament was one 4 inch main gun and one 2 ponder aft and was equipped with 2 depth charge throwers, 4 depth charge chutes and 40 depth charges.
The area around Halifax Harbor and its approaches has a great number of shipwrecks to explore. Unfortunately, loss of life has often occurred in many of these. I was unaware of the circumstances surrounding this particular vessel until after my dive. I won't be back and pray that the eight souls who lost their lives in this action rest-in-peace. May we never forget the sacrifices of so many who have made the ultimate sacrifice and continue to do so for our freedom.
