Second World War
Battle of the Atlantic  - Lost at Sea: HMCS St. Croix

In September 1943, in a battle surrounding two convoys in the North Atlantic, German submarines sank the Canadian destroyer HMCS St. Croix and eight other Allied warships and merchant vessels. The loss of St. Croix, like the loss of many Canadian ships during the battle of the Atlantic was felt across the country.

HMCS St. Croix in Halifax Harbour, December 1940

A battered HMCS St. Croix enters Halifax Harbour after enduring a powerful North Atlantic storm.

This photograph shows some of the damage inflicted on St. Croix, including guardrails hanging over the ship's side (centre) and broken windows on the ship's bridge (top centre). Less visible but more serious storm damage included bent steel plating on the bridge and below-decks flooding caused by massive waves. The photograph also emphasizes the ship's narrow hull, which contributed to its instability in heavy seas and to poor handling.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19900085-1040