A picture of the Nootka and her bow damage brought back a pretty harrowing and comical memory for me. You see, I was aboard the Haida that day and as a signalman was assigned to hoist the Ensign at the bow. We were parked behind  HMS Birmingham a Royal Navy cruiser. (At least I think it was the Birmingham). When the Nootka hit the sea wall, she then went into reverse at full power and headed right for the Haida and Birmingham and of course at me.

I stood there wondering whether I should abandon my sea station and run like hell since  I wasn't receiving any sign from the bridge. They too were probably transfixed at the specter of the Haida getting dinged. I looked over at the Birmingham and their sigs was running for his life. Anyway, the Nootka stopped about 10 feet from us, swung her bow seaward and struggled to get out past the breakwater entrance so as not to block all of us in. She then dropped anchor and started damage control.

We were able to get out and head for the exercises. Unfortunately, the Iroquois was not so lucky and as the last ship to leave, was assigned the onerous task of escorting the Nootka back to Halifax at 3 knots. Anyway I guess that Haida lived a charmed life and I can assure you that I was very happy that she did.

Leo Sampson relates the incident from the Nootka. "I was manning of of the engine telegraphs. We were having problems with them and the result was the collision. Aside from almost hitting the Haida and the British Cruiser we also whacked into the Micmac and trashed her port guard rails and  cutter. They weren't too happy about that. We then proceed out of the harbour  and dropped anchors. That would cause an unforeseen problem.  When we were ready to set sail for Halifax, the stress of hoisting the anchors only served to put more stress on the bow and caused a bit more damage, therefore we had to drop the anchors where they were. I believe they were recovered later. We then proceeded to Halifax under our own steam at 3 knots accompanied by HMCS Buckingham".

One can almost tell the height of the sea wall from the caved in section of the bow. This was the view from HMCS Toronto. (Photo by L/S S. D. (Dan) Booker, 27013-H,  an electrical artificer)

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Contributors and Credits:

1) Andy Barber <andrew.barber(at)sympatico.ca>
2) Don Booker <Don(at)Booker.ca>

Last edited: May 27/12