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.

Fire-fighting, HMCS Assiniboine

Taken during the pursuit, while Assiniboine was still under enemy fire, this photograph shows the fire-fighting party putting out the blaze started by U-210's guns.

The blaze, fed by gasoline stored on deck, threatened to consume the bridge from which the ship's officers directed the combat. This photograph shows a fire hose on deck while the fire-fighting party (centre) moves forward past the torpedo tubes (left) and the ship's whaler (right). Lieutenant Ralph Hennessy, Assiniboine's first officer, commanded the fire-fighting party and was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his role in the action.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 20000224-028_6