Canada's Naval History

Second World War
Battle of the Atlantic - Sea Battle: HMCS Assiniboine vs. U-210

On 6 August 1942, the Canadian destroyer HMCS Assiniboine, escorting straggling ships at the rear of convoy SC 94, sighted German submarine U-210 on the horizon. In a pursuit that culminated in a running gun battle, Assiniboine, damaged and set on fire by U-210's guns, rammed and sank the submarine.

Ramming damage to HMCS Assiniboine

Taken in a drydock in St. John's, Newfoundland, this photograph shows how ramming the German submarine U-210 tore and crumpled the destroyer's bow.

A primitive tactic, ramming could sink submarines but risked severe damage to the attacking ship. In Assiniboine's case, underwater damage caused flooding in nearby compartments in the destroyer's hull. With the ship's radar and ASDIC (sonar) also out of action, along with other problems, the ship was no longer capable of escorting the convoy and made for St. John's for repairs.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19750559-009_p5c