Ships and Harbours Photos

My first Ship. I was onboard in 1960.

Added by Ken Chisholm on 29 June 2007.

served on lanark 1960-1962 ABSN1- was part of focsle crew

Added by Jim Mullarky on 20 December 2007.

Lanark, my first ship, reported aboard 1956-1957, ABEM1,


Added by Kent Malo on 18 January 2008.

Hello Kent: Glad U found Lanark, nice to here from you again after Shipspotting, Cheers, Ken

Added by Ken Watson on 18 January 2008.

I served on Lanark from January 1960 to August 1963 as ABEM1 Steamed boiler and engine room and as upper deck stoker. Did a three month cruise up the Great Lakes and two refits in Sydney N.S. My first ship Sioux 1959-60.
Lots of pleasant memories.

Added by Peter Schenk on 10 February 2008.

Great stuff Peter, at the rate were going here we should get the full crew, Cheers Ken LSER3 1961-68.

Added by Ken Watson on 11 February 2008.

I sailed or served on Lanark K669 from 1944 to 1946 on north atlantic convoy ECG-7

Added by Hugh Bell Shea. HUGH BELL SHEA on 19 October 2008.

Hello Hugh Bell Shea: God Bless you sir. 44-45May? ( War ended in Europe May 45, Typo no doubt) Your post very welcome. Take care. Cheers, Ken.

Added by Ken Watson on 19 October 2008.

served on lanark 1962 1964

Added by Bill Dewland on 20 October 2008.

I served on the HMCS Lanark from 1957 to 1959 and took it into refit in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia at the Lunenburg Foundry in September 0f 1957. I was in the electrical branch. Good ship!

Added by Larry Thivierge on 25 November 2008.

Hello to all members and family members from the nephew of CPO Howard Hicks. Glad to see this site, and that people remember this fine ship. All the best you and and yours. I wish well.

Added by Steve Fleming on 01 February 2009.

Thanks for your comments Steve, Best wishes, Ken Watson

Added by Ken Watson on 01 February 2009.

My grandfather served on the Lanark in WW11 on the North Atlantic convoy. His name was Frank Doran.

Added by Jeff Doran on 14 March 2009.

Thanks Jeff, our Lanark Family is growing.Cheers, Ken

Added by Ken Watson on 14 March 2009.

i served on HMCS Lanark sept 59 to aug 62 also took her into refit in sydney and sailed her up the great lakes for three months for seacadet training good to see jim mullarky on line and also peter schenk all the best.added by bob braund april 13 2009

Added by Bob Braund on 13 April 2009.

if anyone served with Thomas radford on the lanark during ww2 please email me his grandson radford.jeremy@gmail.com

Added by Jeremy Radford on 05 July 2009.

Served as ABEM1 on HMCS Lanark, from March 59 to Aug. 61

Added by Doug Burke on 12 July 2009.

I served on Lanark from august 61 thru december 63
at the time of leaving was senior hand on ship. lotsof good memories and ports. went thru refit
in sidney in 62.

Added by ABRM1 RON SEEKINGS 45851-H on 28 July 2009.

My father served on the Lanark around 1959-1960. He was a radio operator, His name was Jim Kirk. I was wondering if anyone has any good quality photo's of the Lanark?

Added by Sgt Dave Kirk on 04 November 2009.

My uncle, George Shiels, served on the K669 during 1944-45, and his brother, my father, served on her sister ship, HMCS Glace Bay during the same period

Added by Lindsay Shiels on 10 November 2009.

H.M.C.S. LANARK K669 FRIGATE { RIVER CLASS] Launched IO th Dec. I943. Commissioned 6 th julyI944 End of service and decommissioned 24 Oct. I945 .Active service I6 months .Sorry ken about typo erro in my comment on 19 Oct 2008.

Added by Hugh Bell Shea. on 11 November 2009.

Good to hear from you again Hugh,Take Care,Ken

Added by Ken Watson on 11 November 2009.

My Dad was on the HMCS Lanark 1944-1945 Lyle Bussey

Added by L Bussey on 11 November 2009.

My first ship I was a 17 years old OSLM and served as Captain for a day on Christmas day 1959. Stayed for the Great Lakes cruise, and the retrofit in Sydney, NS. I can't remember the date I left for Avionics training Shearwater but stayed there until leaving the Navy as a LSRA in 1966.

Added by Doug Morley on 16 November 2009.

Hi there. My father served briefly on the Lanark between the years 1959-1961 ( roughly... ). He's been looking to reconnect with a shipmate with the last name Gillis ( Charlie or Johnny ??? ) Any suggestions as to where he might be found, or how I can get hold of him ? Any help would be greatly appreciated ! Thanks !

Added by Jamie Duffe on 07 December 2009.

It was our Granny Mrs J D Clark who launched the ship on the 10th December 1943. We still have the silver tray and the scissors made by Birks of Montreal and photos of the occasion. Granpa was the chief carpenter at Vickers and was so highly respected that the honour of the launch was given to his wife.
It was lovely to read of the fond memories of the ships history and to know that it was a lucky ship that returned from the war.
My brother & I have been living in the UK since the 60's but are interested to keep in contact.

Added by Anne Bell & Ken Lloyds on 26 December 2009.

Thanks for that bit of Lanark's History Anne and Ken,have a Happy Christmas,All the Best in 2009. Ken Watson,Halifax,N.S.

Added by Ken Watson on 26 December 2009.

Jim Gillis was a signalman on Lanark in 61 - 62.
Have not seen him in years, but he came from Dominion in Cape Breton, which was just outside of Sydney. Hope this helps.

Added by Ron Seekings,abrm1 on 20 January 2010.

Can someone help me to find out if there were lapel pins issued when you served on a ship. I have a veteran asking, I am from the Orillia Legion.

Added by Cindy Cassels on 13 May 2010.

Not as I can recall Cindy. Rgds,Ken

Added by Ken Watson on 14 May 2010.

I still have my father's lapel pin from the Glace Bay...he got it when he was mustered out. Looks like a provincial shield, with a three branch maple leaf on it.

Added by Lindsay Shiels on 14 May 2010.

With regards to the lapel pin, we never had any when I was on the HMCS Lanark, 1957-59. The lapel pin with the provincial shield and the three branch maple leaf looks like the veterans' discharge pin.

Added by Larry Thivierge, ABLM1 on 14 May 2010.

served in lanark in 62-63.she was my first of five ships,and the best.
vic cummins.

Added by Vic Cummins on 18 June 2010.

I served on Lanark just out of Cornwallis '63 -'64. Her name is tatooed on my left shoulder done by Wendy just outside main gates of pompey. I was a stoker and loved the ship and her ships company at the time.

Added by Geoff Hughes on 23 July 2010.

Does anyone have any good pictures of the Lanark? My father served on her and I would like to get some good photos for him.

Added by Dave Kirk on 26 July 2010.

I served on Lanark from recommissioning in 1959 until after her refit in Sydney in 1961 when I was posted ti Stad, I was a signalman and went to Sydney to train Sea Cadets when Lanard sailed to the Great Lakes. Good memories from from that ship. Like to see some of the comms names posted here. I am originally fro C ape Breton but now live in Ennismore , Ontario which is northwest of Peterborough

Added by Ken MacLeod on 17 August 2010.

Came off the Haida in 63 drafted to Lanark .Did a Great Lakes trip , then posted to ST.Laurent . Did 30 years .Presently Sgt. at Arms Halifax N.S

Added by Harry Carrigan on 31 August 2010.

Good to hear from you Harry, all best wishes, Ken (Halifax).

Added by Ken Watson on 01 September 2010.

Served on Lanark from end of Sydney refit in Oct 1962 after decommissioning Iroquois and departed for my TG2 course in Jun 1964. Fred Pegley was the buffer, other Bosn's were Shannon Allison, Bart Nutall, Blenis Blois, Roy Paterson, Claude Michaud, Len Boucher and Jim Burke.

Added by George Henry on 17 September 2010.

My Grandpa was on this ship in WW11. He was a stoker. His name was Frank Beecher Doran, does anyone recognize this name?

Added by Jeff Doran on 18 September 2010.

I'm Jack Archambault. I served in summer of 1963 as a U.N.T.D. Cadet. HMCS Lanark took 14 cadets for 1 month tours of duty and we slept in the Gyro Compass room. We were excercising with USA Subs off coast of Fla. when the USA fleet all sailed to Cuba one night (to confront Russian ships intending to install missiles on the island).
We had a Cadet that I used to replace in the engine room for his watch, and so served 2 hours of my watch there in temps of 105F to 120F. It was quite exhausting. One night when it was very hot, I slept behind the smoke stack to wake up full of bunker fuel particles. And water was rationed so one couldn't just go and have a shower. Then I understood why guys slept IN FRONT of the smoke stack. We had triple bunks in the Gyro room and when I hung my dungarees on the top bunk, and they dried overnite, the next morning I could pick them up from the bottom and they would stay straight they were so stiff.
My short tour of duty was really the event of my life.
We'd get in the galley and had to chase away the cockroaches from the bread and toaster to make toast with our breakfast. Officer cadets had access to the Boardroom and were considered as officers in training, but had the status, and had to do the work of Seamen. We had a Lt. who was responsible for us scoffed at us and derided us when we were sea sick coming through the Grand Banks, When we crossed the Gulfstream going south HE got quite sea sick.
The land lubbers among us were quite vindicated.
The waves were very high and the hydraulic rudder broke down. I was picked to go astern with a seaman in a small room just over the rudder to steer with the mechanical (chain) steering. Soon after the hydraulic was fixed, I was called upon to accompany a seaman to tie cases of canned foods in the galley stores in the hold down below, which were falling and breaking open. Seeing the vegetables floating in the bilge water was not a sight to help relieve the sea sickness I felt coming on.
We had exercises in operating lifeboats. The experience of being in a 30 foot or so lifeboat with an 18HP Gale outboard engine which could not even take us over a swell and seeing water all around us was unforgettable.
Another exercise which was unforgettable was transferring personnel from our ship to a "Cadillac" Destroyer in a basket. The "Cadillac" rolled easily and the basket went up and down a little too much for comfort.
We had anti-submarine equipment and the ship was not exactly the latest technology, yet the Subs were amazed at our skill in detecting and "hitting" them. The ship was built to go at 21 knots but by 1963 the engineer didn't want to run her a knot over 17, and preferred 16 as a max speed.
We were a few days at Port Everglades Fla. I got a permission to go ashore, and at 17, you couldn't do much in USA. However, there was a typewriter in the communications room which was exactly the same as the one used to type my driver's permit in Hawkesbury Ont. So I was able to change the year of birth on the permit and in spite of the safety paper, it worked because the plastic cover over my permit had a stain from a snap button in the wallet, and nobody questioned the info on the permit. So I was able to rent a car (a Corvair) and re-visit South Beach where we had stayed with my parents in the winter of '54. On the way back to return the car before getting back to the ship, I stopped to have a drink in a deserted bar and the Greek owner served me, then proceeded to call police because he didn't trust my uniform. He thought I might be part of an invading foreign force or something. The Officer who arrested me and I had a good laugh when he saw CANADA on my cap and shoulders.
If the Russians had not turned around that month, we would have seen active duty in a theatre of war within 2 months of bootcamp (HMCS Cornwallis).

Added by Jack Archambault on 25 October 2010.

I think you have your facts wrong about the Russian ships going to Cuba. In fact. I sailed on the Lanark when the Cuban Blockade occurred and we just happened to be duty ship in Halifax Harbour when we got the call to sail to join US ships off the coast of Florida to assist with the blockade and believe me, if the Russian ships had not turned back, we wouldn't be in a theatre of war but most likely would have seen nukes used. Kennedy was ready to do that. By the way, that wasn't in 1963 but 1962.

Added by Ken MacLeod on 05 November 2010.

I sailed in Lanark during the summer of 1956 for a brief trip to England, France and back to Halifax in company with Outremont and Fort Erie.....Good ship to live and work in, seaworthy but slow. Later drafted to Huron and Haida.

Added by ABCS2 Ken Harman k97t@mts.net on 30 November 2010.

Well hello there - really glad to have found this site. Bob Burch here ABRM1 and CD(S) - joined Lanark spring of 62 and went straight to Sydney for refit. Myself and Hartnet Streu came together and left together in the spring of 64 just before the England/France trip. Met some of the comm guys in Hamilton the next summer. I also remember such names as Harry Moore, Bill Strader, Holly Baxter - (he was senior signalman), Herbie Gibson. The names Seekings and Gillis are coming back to me know. Seem to remember that the comm chief was a RM and really good guy named Roberts - correct me if I am wrong. Living in Barrie ON for the last 40 years

Added by Bob Burch on 09 December 2010.

correction to last post - CPO Roberts taught RM123 in Cornwallis winter of 61-62. Senior Communicator on the Lanark during my stint was Buck Taylor - he was promoted to CPO early in 63 I think

Added by Bob Burch on 10 December 2010.

I would like to respond to Jack Archambault's comments about his time he spent on the "Lanark." The Gyro room was #7 mess, it not only housed the main Gyro, but also the bilge pump, fresh water pressure system, plus access to the diesel fuel tanks. As I was on the Lanark from Jan/60 to Aug/63 and a good part of that as upper deck stoker, I was very familiar with all the lower deck spaces. As for food floating in the bilges, to my knowledge the only open access to the bilges was in the engine room and both boiler rooms [maybe Doug Burke can help me refresh my memory]. Being a twenty-year-old ship, the main engines, boilers and all auxiliary equipment was still in excellent condition. Our top [safe] speed was 120 revs on both main engines, which gave her a speed of approx. 16-17 knots [design speed was approx. 20 knots]. At no time do I remember having any concern about steaming at that speed.

I do not recall a 30 ft. boat with [14 HP] engine, although we did carry a whaler [port side] which was oar-powered, and a motor boat [starboard side] which was diesel-powered [spent many hours on it as motor boat stoker]. I do hope you enjoyed your time on "the Lanark" as she was a good ship and I have many pleasant memories of my time on her.

Added by Peter Schenk on 14 December 2010.

Hi Peter Schenk, Doug Burke here. I have to agree with you. I can, t recall any open bilges where food would be floating around. As for a 30 ft. boat I can, t remember that. I don, t know where it would have been stowed. One more comment he made about having to go back aft when the hydraulic steering broke down. My memory is old but I don, t recall the main steering be hydraulic but steam driven, and the place he would be refering to was called the Tiller Flats. Also there would should have been a stoker with them to change over from main to after steering.

Added by Doug Burke on 14 December 2010.

Bob Burch told me about this site, and we chatted on the phone, after 50 years. Great memories. I was a radio man on the Lanark 62-64. I am now semi-retired and living in rural manitoba, and have a flooring business in Selkirk, Man.

Added by Hart Streu - (Known as Hartnet) on 14 December 2010.

Hello to all Lanarks: The response to my picture post so far has been beyond all expectations, All have a Safe and Happy Christmas and a Prosperous 2011. Yours, Aye Ken Watson ex LSER3 (1961-68).

Added by Ken Watson on 15 December 2010.

I'm not sure if I'm missing something here but I'm not quite sure where the picture post is that you refer to. Is it on this site or some where else. Thanks!

Added by Larry Thivierge on 15 December 2010.

Hi Larry, I think Ken means that he is pleased with all the comments posted with this picture (that he posted in the first place).

Added by Marcel Gommers on 15 December 2010.

Thanks for that Marcel.Have a Happy Christmas and a great New Year.Yours, Ken

Added by Ken Watson on 15 December 2010.

Thanks Marcel, I'm assuming then it's the picture of the Lanark itself posted above. I have a picture of the entire Lanark's ship's company of 1956-57 here that if I can find it, I'll see if I will be able to post it here.

Added by Larry Thivierge on 15 December 2010.

Did anyone serve on the Lanark from 58-61? My dad was a radio operator in that time frame.

Added by Dave Kirk (Father Jim Kirk) on 16 December 2010.

Hello Doug Burke, and thanks for your response. I know what you mean when you say our memory is getting a little vague, to say the least. After all it's been fifty years or so, and we're all getting a little long in the tooth. There are a few things that do stick out in your mind, never to be forgotten. For instance doing Newfie patrols in the winter, or standing middle watches [drinking horrible coffee and trying to stay awake]. Or hoisting a few in the "Gag and Spew" in Bermuda. Sitting on a beach in Trinidad having a cold beer, or cranking on a few "home revs" going back to "Slackers." I want to wish all my old shipmates a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Ken, you're doing a teriffic job, keep up the good works.

Added by Peter Schenk on 17 December 2010.

I remember Halifax, 1956, helping the cook make log cabin potatoes for Xmas dinner, I think his last name was Clarke, we called him Dusty. I, being a stoker at the time, I was a long way from my regular duties, but I did wash my hands first, I think. Log cabin potatoes consisted of cold mashed potatoes rolled into little logs, dipped in an egg wash, and rolled in bread crumbs, heated in the oven, very tasty, I still make them here sometimes. That Xmas I was invited to my aunts mothers home in Lower Sackville, My aunts mother's first husband had passed away and she remarried a Lt Crd Harding, RCN, who at that time was captain for Imperial Oil. Lanark was a very good ship, it being my first in the Navy, did bring up a lot of memories. 56 years ago is a long time to try and remember who the crew were, I have a few photos one was a stoker named Monast from Sherbrooke, Quebec, went ashore with him in Bermuda, fall of 56, Marcel Provost another stoker, he was on the Cape Scott with me later. I want to wish you all a Happy Holidays and a super New Year.

Added by Kent Malo ABEM 1 b_malo01@sympatico.ca on 17 December 2010.

To Dave Kirk:
I seem to remember someone named Kirk in the radio branch on the Lanark however I believe he was what they called a communicator visual, in other words using the various types of visual communications such as flags, etc.

Added by Larry Thivierge on 18 December 2010.

To Larry Thivierge:
I will have to ask him. I know he still remembers Morse code.

Added by Dave Kirk (Father Jim Kirk) on 20 December 2010.

To Dave & Larry - I seem to remember a Tom Kerr who was a signalman on the Lanark - Used to be known as TK - I remember partying with him a couple of times in TO after he got out

Added by Bob Burch on 21 December 2010.

I have a picture of Lanark leaving port at Hamilton Ont. during a Great Lakes training cruise.Also have a picture of the ships crew, some of who I remember, Dave Tost, PO2 Pegley, LS Owen Dash, AB Peter Shenk, LCDR Colin Shaw, AB Jerry Kennedy, LS Lemire, LS Al Chaisson. If any of the crew would like copies, I'll have them sent to you. Merry Christmas , Happy New Year.

Added by Jim Mullarky on 23 December 2010.

I to did The Great Lakes Cruise .Stopped at Thunder Bay .Then we went to Chicago . Had a ships guard .We were dressed in whites and carrying rifles , remember it was a long march because we had to change arms . I was weapons underwater .There was Ed Morgan, Dennis Norquay Nick Garrom and a chap by the name of Young , he was killed in a car crash when he was on the Lanark . I believe the CO French or perhaps Reid was still the CO . Anyhow all you chaps have a Merry Christmas .Great weather here in Halifax , may have to cut the grass in a couple of days .

Added by Harry Carrigan on 24 December 2010.

Some additional comments:
When I was on the Lanark, 1957 and 1958, the commanding officer was Lt-Cdr Peter Caley and the XO was Lt-Cdr Fraser and the communications officer was a Lt. MacCrae. I hung around with Bill Grosart, ABCR and Chuck Leach, ABER.

When we took the ship into refit at the Lunenburg Foundry in September of 1958. The following were the refit crew, from memory:

Lt. (eng) Satchwell
C1ERA C(K)ramer
C1ET Vince Ryan (Deceased)
P1ERA Frank Tinline (Deceased)
ABLM1 Colin (Dink) Moore
ABLM1 Larry Thivierge
ABER Rodney Dickenson
ABER Frank Marinucci
P1?? Harris (Shipwright)

They made us honourary members of the Lunenburg Legion! And I think that's about all I can remember!

Added by Larry Thivierge on 27 December 2010.

I joined HMCS LANARK at Sydney Cape Breton in April 1956 and transfer to HMCS Star in May 1957 to finish my term of 5 years January 7th 1958.Prior to the Lanark I was on the HMCS Prestonian from January 31 1955 to April 25 1956. Both were good frigates.I was made LSQR1 on the Lanark in January 11 1957 before my transfer to HMCS Star in May 1957.

Added by LSQR1 Paul Plante on 01 January 2011.

Paul,
I forgot to mention we had a CDR Kidd as commander, April 26, 56, - November 9, 1956, Cayley took over from him in November, November 10, 56. CDR Kidd flew the Jolly Roger on the mast when entering Halifax, was told to remove it from the yardarm by the higher echelon.

Added by Kent Malo on 01 January 2011.

Yes Kent I remember CDR kidd he was the captain of HMCS Prestonian when I serve on that ship and he had hoisted the cross bones or jolly roger.I served under both Kidd and Caley because I look at my discharged paper and I saw both their names.

Added by LSQR1 Paul Plante on 02 January 2011.

1957 Spring cruise we went to Savannah, Georgia, Charleston, S.C., Bermuda, HMCS Lauzon was with us amongst others.

Added by Kent Malo ABEM 1 on 02 January 2011.

Ken,
thanks for all information that you have posted on the Lanark site. I have finally found my picture of the HMCS Lanark's ships' company taken in either late 1956 or sometime in 1957 perhaps. I can recognize quite a few of the crew, the captain was Lt. Cdr. Peter Caley. Chief Radio tech was McNeil, the Swain was someone named Lane and the boxer, Bob Hesson, an ad writer is in it as well. I could go on and on.

Would you be able to post or upload the picture to the site if I was able to get a copy to you. The picture is an 8 x 10 landscape. Oh yes, the number on the back of the picture is HS 49277.

Thanks!
larryt@sympatico.ca

Added by Larry Thivierge on 08 January 2011.

Larry, if Lt CDR Caley is in the photo the photo had to be taken between November 10 1956, June 11, 1958 as Lt CDR Caley served there until the latter date.I don't remember a photo being taken while I was aboard, then again, its been a long time since 1956, and when I left the Lanark in 1957.

Added by Kent Malo ABEM 1 on 08 January 2011.

Hi Larry:Email me a copy and I will post here.I believe there is a way to connect both pics on this site. Marcel can probably arrange it. Cheers, Ken

Added by Ken Watson on 09 January 2011.

Kent,
I agree with you and it is definitely Caley. Standing right behind him is an very blond English P1ER named Stevens or Stevenson. The supply officer is Lt. Perrin, Com Officer Lt. MacCrae and a Sub Lt. named Peden. I have to check my discharge papers for my dates again.
Cheers!

Added by Larry Thivierge on 09 January 2011.

Ken,
I have a scanner here so I will try and scan the picture and send it to you as an e-mail attachment. We can try that, if not I can have one made and send it to you, it that's all right.
Cheers!

Added by Larry Thivierge on 09 January 2011.

See picture #16298 for the crew photo submitted by Larry / Ken.

Added by Marcel Gommers on 10 January 2011.

great old girl, sailed on her back in 62-63 was on her the day kennedy was assinated, would love to hear from old shipmates, this was my first ship and also best memories, I was always in trouble, my fault too ha ha .

Added by Abem1 Humer Later Adoptive Name Manuel on 10 January 2011.

Thank you Larry and Marcel for the picture #16298. Its a great picture of the crew of the Lanark I dont remember ever seeing this picture before and it brought some old memories of that ship since it was my last ship that I had the plaisure to served on. If I can get a copy of this picture I would appreciate it. Thanks again.

Added by Paul Plante on 11 January 2011.

To Jim Kirk's son,
I served at Albrolake radio stn with your Dad from July 60 thru July 61. Then I went to the Lanark. Took a draft for Neil Parent as he had a young family and didn't want to go to Sea. I played fast ball with your father on the Albro team. He was the only guy I have ever seen who could throw the ball on a rope from Centre field to home plate. Say hello for me and if he wants toget in touch, my email is proving@telus.net

Added by ABRM1 RON SEEKINGS on 19 January 2011.

January 25, 2011 - I was about to look up the history of HMS Discovery - my model of it prompted the search - when I thought I'd see if I could find HMCS Lanark. Why? I served aboard her as an Able Seaman in 1959-1960. I joined the RCN in 1958, as a high school drop out. My goal was to make my own way in life. After my five months' basic training, I had a two week leave. Then I returned to the base for 7 months of arduous training at Comm School as a Radio Operator. By now I was ready for sea duty and so upon my arrival in Halifax, I joined HMCS Lanark. We had some wonderful cruises over the next year. Our first trip was to the outports in Newfoundland. En route, I vividly recall standing at the rail gazing in awe at the gigantic, magnificent iceberg that floated on our starboard. When we arrived at one of the outports, I remember standing at attention on deck as we quietly glided to a stop beside the wooden quay. Incredibly, the hamlet had declared a day off. All the school children were at the quay looking delighted but orderly and transfixed by the scene before them. I have so many wonderful memories of our other cruises - to Bermuda (we used to go to the Gag and Spew, an aptly-named beer hall), Puerto Rico etc. During the latter cruise, the four ships in our squadron came to a stop a high noon one day. The order was that we might go swimming in the blue/green waters far beyond the sight of any land. So moments later, I dived off the ship - a long way down - and began swimming. The water soon felt very comfortable and so I kept swimming straight ahead. Then I heard a muffled sound. I raised my head and turned toward the ship now some distance away. I strained to hear what was being said to the few of us in the water. But I soon realized the message was GET OUT NOW. Naturally, I swam as hard and as fast as I could until I reached the rope ladder hanging down over the side of the ship. it was hard to grasp it because of course the ship kept rising in falling in the gentle, but imperceptible swell. Once on deck, I quickly learned why we were ordered out of the water. An officer stood on the bridge with a rifle across his arms. Then he shouted angrily that there had been sharks very close to us! My career in the RCN was short - just over two years. I had decided to return to school. After much difficulty, I was permitted to leave. My principal refused my request to return to school in the fall of 1960. Finally, he made me a deal: I would have to pass each subject in the Christmas exams. Otherwise, I'd be out on my ear. Well - I passed everything and went on to earn two university degrees. I'll always remember the RCN and my time aboard. It's so very good to have found this website. I'd be glad to hear from any of you. Best wishes to one and all.

Added by Ron Beveridge on 25 January 2011.

I think its wonderful to have this site so we can reminisce and share some of our experiences while on the Lanark. For most of us our time in the Navy was only a matter of a few years, but [as it did for me] it had a big impact on our lives.

Here is a list of the captains from 1956 till decommissioning in 1965:

WM Kidd 26/04/56 until 9/11/56
PH Cayley 10/11/56 until 11/06/58
WLD Farrel 12/06/58 until 11/07/58
RW Leslie 12/07/58 until 15/09/60
CHP Shaw 16/09/60 until 28/08/62
JM Reid 29/08/62 until 22/04/64
FJP French 23/04/64 until 26/11/64
RL Clark 27/11/64 until 15/12/64
DM Swim 16/12/64 until 15/01/65
JT Stuart 16/01/65 until 19/03/65

For any who are interested in a crew photo, I have a photograph of the Lanark ships' company taken in the winter months of early 1962 or early 1963. It was taken during Wintex exercises alongside in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I can send it to anyone who is interested. Just email me: schenkpeter@gmail.com

Added by Peter Schenk on 05 February 2011.

Reference Peter Schenk's post above and photo 62/63 crew at San Juan, if you want a copy send me an eMail. Regards, Ken Watson capnkelley@hotmail.com

Added by Ken Watson on 05 February 2011.

My father Bruce W Reed served on the Lanark in the north Atlantic 44-45. We found an old picture of the ship on the net and had it mounted and it's hanging in his room at retirement home. He still enjoys talking about stories on board the ship, lots of memories for him.

Added by Jeanette Maynard on 08 August 2011.

I served on the Lanark from May of 1959, and left In January of 1960 to go on my Trade Group One course. I was an OSEMS. This was my first ship and loved the old up and downers. I will always remember the trip home from Bermuda in December of 1959. Severe storms and we had some waves that were 80 feet high. The greenies were coming over the bridge, and even took some green water down the funnel. We lived on sandwiches and coffee made in the big steam kettle for 3 days because it was so rough. I remember as a new kid, being quite impressed with being able to bring home a duty free bottle from Bermuda. I had bought a 40 ouncer of Cockspur Rum which cost a whopping 70 cents. In the fall of 1959 I met my dear wife and we celebrated our 51st anniversary in July of 2011. I retired in 1994 after 36 years of service, was a C1ERA, and then took my commission and served 14 years as a Lieutenant.

Added by Bernie Klashinsky on 23 September 2011.

I served on HMCS Lanark in 1957 as an able seaman electrical fitter too. I remember great times aboard that ship especially when we did the Russian sub scare patrols off Newfoundland.

Added by Carl S. Linkletter on 21 November 2011.

Remember doing the fishery patrol in winter . I believe it was called checker board patrol . It woud be I belive six weeks at a time . She was rough . The Russian factory ships were three times our size . They were still the good old day far as I'm concern .Reid was the CO at the time .

Added by Harry Carrigan on 21 November 2011.

Just last week, I was looking at some pictures I took of those trawlers and factory ships. Reid (and I guess the other CO's) used to enjoy switching on the Russians in the middle of the night. We used to sit on the bridge during morning watch with binoculars and watch the surprise on their boats the next morning. When the first guy came up with his coffee and noticed, he would be yelling below decks and they would all be topside in 2 minutes wondering how that happened.


Added by Bob Burch on 22 November 2011.

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