Trentonian under construction at the Kingston Shipbuilding Company shipyards in Kingston, Ontario, August 1943.
Photo courtesy of the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes, neg. 1982_0019_0179.
On April 15, 1943, Trenton announced the name of the ship in the local newspaper. The following is an excerpt from the Trenton Courier Advocate:
Mayor H.R. Cory was advised this week that the Naval Branch of the Department of National Defence at Ottawa had christened a corvette Trentonian in honour of this town, and the department asks that the town adopt the new vessel as its very own.
Corvettes have been playing a big part in destroying submarines and convoying much larger ships in this war, so this town’s own Trentonian will soon be in there giving the enemy something to worry about.
It is now up to the citizens not only to adopt their own vessel, but to see that it is equipped with the things that are needed to make it more homelike, and above all to see that the crew of the Trenton vessel is kept in supplies and comforts of all kinds.[5]
The article mentions Trentonian had already been christened, but this ceremony would not take place until its launching. The citizens of Trenton rallied to the navy’s call for support. A few days later the newspaper reported on the town council meeting, the headline read “Trenton Ship Must Have Best Says Mayor.” The article went on to state that a special committee should be formed to work with council, to advise and purchase the items that the ship would need. The clerk was asked to write to the Honourable Angus MacDonald, minister of naval affairs, and ask what was needed for this new ship, when it was needed, and where it was to be launched.[6]
This began a flurry of correspondence between the RCN and Trenton starting with the community’s official reply to the navy on April 21, 1943, “The Council appreciates this gesture of naming the Corvette H.M.C.S. ‘Trentonian’ and has arranged to hold Saturday, June 19, 1943, a tag day for which the proceeds are to be spent for the comforts for the crew of Trentonian.” This was signed, “Yours Truly, W.J. Potts. Clerk-Treasurer.”[7]
The Corvette Committee of Trenton, Ontario, at the launching ceremony of Trentonian. Miss Hazel Farley, who was responsible for communications with the ship, is standing top right in the black hat.
Photo courtesy of the Quinte West Public Library, Hazel Farley Collection.
A second letter was sent to the navy on April 28 asking where the crew of Trentonian could be contacted and what items they would prefer.[8] Still under construction, a crew had not been assigned so the navy sent the following reply on April 30, “The compliment of this ship is six officers and seventy-nine ratings. Attached is a list of amenities for your guidance which the crews of most ships like to receive.” The letter ends, “It is desired to express the appreciation of the Department in anticipation of the many comforts which will be supplied to the crew of this ship as a result of your efforts.”[9]
As support for the ship grew, a Trenton branch of the Navy League of Canada was formed in May 1943. Their first ad in the newspapers requesting supplies for the crew was for magazines and ditty bags for sailors to keep their personal effects. An editorial in the same issue called for the formation of a Navy League Cadet Corps for Trenton, citing that the Sea Cadets could play a part in all ceremonies surrounding the ship.[10]
On June 3, 1943, Trenton sent a letter to the RCN requesting that once Trentonian was launched, it be moved to Trenton to finish construction.[11] The secretary of the Navy Board sent a reply to Trenton on June 15, “it is regretted that circumstances prevent this ship being fitted at Trenton, Ontario.”[12] Although Trenton’s Central Bridge Company was building tug boats, the water in the Bay of Quinte was not deep enough for a corvette. The empty hull could be floated into the bay, but once the engines, boilers, superstructure, weapons, and all other equipment were fitted into the ship, it would draw too deep to leave the shallow bay.
Also on June 3, the local newspaper reported an update on the ship and the committee that had formed. The article started with, “Trenton’s battle-wagon, HMCS Trentonian, is being built in Kingston and will be launched shortly at which time it may be possible that the townspeople in goodly numbers will be on hand.” Trenton was no different than any other community when it came to rumours and stories; anything with a bit of gossip was good news. The article went on to clarify a public announcement earlier, “Some time ago it was reported ... in public that this corvette was already in action on the high seas, but a letter received from the Department of Naval Affairs at Ottawa scotches all such reports.”[13]
A second article in the June 3 issue of the newspaper reported that $665.20 had been raised on the first tag day and several private donations had been received for the ship.[14] An editorial called for the navy to man Trentonian with sailors from Trenton. The article stated, “there have been enough local boys enlisted in the Navy that we should be able to man our own ship.”[15] This was not permitted as the Canadian Navy had a standing policy not to allow sailors to serve on the ships named after their home towns. The RCN knew the loss of a ship meant the loss of lives — sometimes the entire crew was killed with no survivors. Imagine the grief of a community that had just been informed that over one hundred of their young men had been killed in a single action. The loss would be devastating.
Construction on Trentonian continued during the summer of 1943 and the ship slowly took its shape. At the shipyard preparations began for a launching ceremony. T.G. Bishop, manager of the Kingston Shipbuilding Company, sent a letter to the secretary of the Navy Board on June 11 stating, “We shall be glad to arrange to have a launching ceremony for H.M.C.S. “TRENTONIAN,” CN443, and shall be glad to have you invite some lady designated by the mayor of Trenton to perform the christening ceremony. We expect this ship to be launched early in August but will advise you later on a more definite date.”[16]
A letter was sent to Trenton on July 2, 1943, with official notice of the upcoming launching ceremony:
The Minister of National defence for Naval services, the Honourable Angus L. MacDonald, has asked me to write to you to advise you that the launching of H.M.C.S. “Trentonian” will take place at Kingston Shipbuilding Company, Kingston, Ontario within a month.
The Shipbuilders have stated that they intend to have a launching ceremony and it occurred to the Minister that some lady designated by you would like to launch the ship.
The Shipbuilders will write you in connection and invite you also, specifying the time and date at which the ceremony will take place. The ceremonies are not elaborate in wartime in order that production may not be unduly held up.
Will you kindly advise me whether or not your appointee will be able to launch the ship? Travelling expenses are not provided by the department.[17]
The citizens of Trenton continued to raise funds and items for their ship with enthusiasm. By early July a sizeable collection had accumulated and the navy was asked where the items should be sent. On July 5 the navy responded that all comforts could be shipped directly to the “Resident Naval Overseer, c/o Kingston Shipbuilding Company in Kingston.”[18]
The construction of Trentonian had not proceeded as quickly as anticipated and the launching ceremony was officially delayed when the Kingston Shipbuilding Company sent a letter to the RCN on August 10, “Trentonian will be launched at 3 p.m. on September 1st.”[19]
A crowd gathers on the waterfront to witness the launching of Trentonian.
Photo courtesy of the Quinte West Public Library, Hazel Farley Collection.
On the night of August 26, security around Trentonian was increased after nineteen German prisoners of war escaped the POW camp located at Fort Henry, which was across the harbour from the Kingston Shipbuilding Company, by digging a tunnel under the walls of the 150-year-old fort.[20] This was the second-largest prisoner of war escape in Canada, and over one thousand military personnel, along with provincial and local police, were mobilized to track down the German prisoners. By noon the next day, twelve were recaptured. Three m
ore were caught on the twenty-eighth, leaving four POWs still at large.[21]
With the launching of Trentonian, only a few days away, the local newspaper reported the activities of the Trenton committee on August 27, 1943, “It is understood already some $1,100 has been raised for the purpose of buying comforts and equipment for the ship, and some of the suggested articles included radio, gramophone, records, sheet music, cards, games, knitted wear, electrical appliances, and numerous others. While many of these may be purchased with the sum already available, there is still a need for more money and for many articles not mentioned above to be donated by private individuals.” The article concluded with, “The ship is to be launched next week in Kingston and Trenton citizens are asked to avail themselves of the opportunity of seeing this corvette ‘Trentonian’ launched.”[22]
On September 1, 1943, Trentonian’s hull was complete and ready to have its first taste of fresh water. The launching ceremony took place that day amid great celebration, dampened only somewhat by the fact that the day was also the fourth anniversary of the start of the war.
A large delegation from the city was present for the christening ceremony. This included Mayor Cory and his wife, along with Councillor R. Whitley and Mrs. Whitley, Councillor Walter Gainforth and Mrs. Gainforth, Councillor H. LaFleur and Mrs. LaFleur, Councillor R. Burtt, Chief Constable W. Bain and Mrs. Bain, and several members of the local committee.[23]
The federal government was represented by the member of Parliament from Belleville, the Honourable George Stokes and his wife, and the province of Ontario by the member of provincial Parliament, R.D. Arnott and his wife. Other dignitaries included, Mr. Roy M. Wolvin, the Montreal president of the Kingston Shipbuilding Company, and his vice-president, Mr. J.F. Leitch.[24]
The dignitaries, guests, and members of the public were greeted by a contingent of sailors from the Naval Reserve Unit in Kingston, HMCS Cataraqui, as well as an honour guard of local Sea Cadets.[25]
With the four escaped German prisoners still at large (they would be captured the next day), the ceremonies began under tight security at 1500, with the general manager of the shipyard, Mr. T.G. Bishop, officiating. Several speeches were given. The Belleville Intelligencer reported Mayor Cory’s address, “Mayor Cory in a short but appropriate address spoke on behalf of the town of Trenton, expressing what a deep honour he felt along with Trenton citizens at the honour and privilege of having a Corvette named after his town, and said that he trusted God in his Great Mercy would guide the ship and the men who sailed in her, and that this worthy ship might participate in ultimate victory.”[26] He went on to state, “It was a pleasure for the citizens to sponsor the vessel. The achievements of Trentonian would be watched by every citizen of Trenton.”[27]
Also speaking at the ceremony was Lt. G.E. Kernohan, commanding officer of the Kingston Naval Reserve Unit, Cataraqui, and Alderman C.L. Boyd, representing the mayor of Kingston.[28] The dedication service and blessing of the ship was performed by Lt.-Col. H.A. Kent, principal of Queen’s Theological College.[29]
Mrs. Cory, the wife of the mayor, had been selected as the patron for the ship and given the honour of christening it. Mrs. Cory briefly thanked the Department of Naval Services and the management of the Kingston Shipbuilding Company for the honour which had been conferred upon the citizens of Trenton in being asked to sponsor the ship. Betty Rice, the daughter of William Rice, riveter at the shipyards, presented Mrs. Cory with a bouquet of roses.[30]
Mayor Cory of the City of Trenton addresses the crowd during the launch ceremony.
Photo courtesy of the Quinte West Public Library, Hazel Farley Collection.
Mrs. Cory released the bottle of champagne at the same time the final blocks holding the Trentonian to dry land were removed by the shipyard workers. The ship began to slide sideways off the ways and the crowd watched as the bottle swung out to the limits of the rope and then swung back again, not touching or breaking against the hull of the ship. Unfortunately, Mrs. Cory’s toss of the champagne bottle was not as fast as Trentonian’s slide to the water and the bottle stopped short of the ship. The all-important bottle of champagne briefly dangled from the ribbon-decorated line, until one of the workmen grabbed the bottle and threw it, breaking it across Trentonian’s bows, christening the ship.[31]
The deep-toned steam whistles from the dockyard were joined by those of the Canadian Locomotive Company and every factory within sight. Added to that, the whistles and horns of the ships in the harbour and the smaller boats gathered to witness this great event resounded across the water to signify the birth of a new warship.
Trentonian finally touched the water at exactly 1530 on September 1, 1943. The large crowd gathered along the shoreline cheered as it touched the water and sent a great wave across the harbour.
The ship sat bobbing in the water of Kingston Harbour getting a feel for its natural element. Once settled, it was taken in tow and secured to the dock. The festivities then moved to the Cataraqui Golf and Country Club. Mr. Roy M. Wolvin, Montreal president of the Kingston Shipbuilding Company, gave a short address. He paid tribute to the workmen for the splendid job which they had done in record time. He thanked the citizens of Trenton for sponsoring the ship, and then presented Mrs. Cory with a silver tray, engraved to commemorate the occasion.[32] The Belleville Intelligencer reported on the events of the reception, “Mrs. Cory graciously accepted the tray, thanking Mr. Wolvin, his company, and the citizens of Kingston for their kindness on this occasion. Mayor Cory thanked Mr. Wolvin, the members of the Kingston Shipbuilding Company and others for the great pains which they had taken in making it possible for Trentonians to be present at the launching of their ship and promised that he and his town would do everything in their power to provide comforts for its crew.”[33]
Trentonian sends a large wave across Kingston harbour as the ship enters the water for the first time.
Photo courtesy of the Naval Museum of Alberta.
As quickly as the celebrations ended, construction began again. The ship’s hull was complete, but now the rest of the work needed to be finished — and quickly. Trentonian had to be complete before the freezing of the St. Lawrence waterway or it would be trapped in the Great Lakes until spring. There was still a great deal of work to be done. The ship’s engines and boilers needed to be installed, the upperworks and superstructure had to be built, the miles of wires for the electronics had to be installed. All of the equipment — radios, radars, compasses, steering gear, repeaters — had to be outfitted. Finally, the weapons that would allow the Trentonian to engage the enemy — its four-inch gun, anti-aircraft guns, depth charge throwers, and hedgehog (a new weapon that launched forty mortars from the front of a ship directly over a submarine’s location) — needed to be installed.
On November 11, 1943, Trentonian was assigned its first crew member, William Edward Harrison, lieutenant, RCNVR. Harrison was a native of Ireland living in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and had joined the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve on May 29, 1941. Having a background with the merchant navy, he was given the rank of lieutenant (temporary).
Lieutenant Harrison’s first command was the armed yacht Husky from September 6 to October 18, 1941. He was then given command of the new corvette Lunenburg from December 4, 1941, to October 13, 1943. He commanded Lunenburg for almost two years on active duty, escorting convoys on the east coast of Canada, in the St. Lawrence, and around the United Kingdom.
Harrison and Lunenburg were one of the seventeen Canadian corvettes assigned to Operation Torch, the invasion of Sicily. During the operation, Harrison and his ship were under continuous threat by German aircraft, E-boats, and U-boats while escorting convoys in the Mediterranean. These experiences gave Trentonian an officer with a wealth of sea-time — adept in both command and the use of corvettes during war.
The commanding officer of Trentonian, Lt. William E. Harrison, RCNVR, from Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Photo courtesy of the Quinte West Public Library, Hazel Farley Collection.
Years later crew members from Trentonian would remember Harrison pacing the bridge in a turtleneck sweater and jacket, even in the coldest weather, rarely needing anything more. They describe him as a quiet and unassuming man, a dedicated seaman with a wealth of knowledge. He was honest, with a genuine concern for his men. When they occasionally ran afoul of some authority ashore or aboard ship, he could be relied upon to treat them fair and even, with a certain amount of fatherly protection.[34] When crew members described Harrison, there was always a sense of loyalty, respect, and devotion in their recollections.
As with all commanding officers in the navy, he was given typical slang names by the crew — things like “the old man” and “skipper.” They were always used as a term of endearment; sometimes near him, but never to his face.
Trentonian undergoing speed trials on Lake Ontario on November 20, 1943.
Photo courtesy of the Naval Museum of Alberta.
The first of Trentonian’s crew arrived with Harrison. These men would be the senior ratings and officers to learn their ship before commissioning. At this point the ship was almost ready, its appearance set, and most of the engineering complete. On November 17, Harrison received a message from the navy that he was to conduct full speed trials with Trentonian and the builders on the twentieth.[35]
Trentonian slipped its lines for the first time, at 0951 on the morning of November 20 and proceeded out to Lake Ontario under its own power. For the purpose of this voyage the ship was manned by a skeleton crew and workers from the Kingston Shipyards.
Speed trials are an opportunity to test the ship’s engines and performance. The ship is tested for speed and agility and how it will perform at in various conditions. Steering gear, anchors and winches, and emergency gear are all put through their paces as well.
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