HMCS Suderoy explained
After the
fall of Norway to Nazi Germany on 10 June 1940, the Norwegian
whale factory ship Suderøy and her whale catchers,
Suderøy IV (J03),
Suderøy V (J04),
Suderøy VI (J05) and
Star XVI were ordered to sail to
Halifax from
Hampton Roads, where they had taken refuge. In June 1940, at Halifax,
Suderøy IV,
V and
VI were chartered from the Norwegian
government in exile by the
Royal Canadian Navy, converted and commissioned as
minesweepers.
Ships
- Suderøy IV was launched at Oslo, Norway, in 1930. Served with the Halifax Local Defence Force from June 1941 until paid off in August 1945, and returned to her former owners. Condemned and sunk October 1987.
- Suderøy V was launched at Oslo, Norway, in 1930. Served with both the St. John's Local Defence Force and the Halifax Local Defence Force from June 1941 until paid off in August 1945, and returned to her former owners. In use as of 2001.
- Suderøy VI was built in Middlesbrough, UK, and launched in 1929 as Southern Gem. Served with the Halifax Local Defence Force from March 1941 until paid off in August 1945, and returned to her former owners to resume her occupation as whale catcher. Sunk January 1983.
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