Skip to content

Memories of the cadillacs of the navy

I was posted to her after a year in Halifax in January 1964.
8184813_web1_letters-logo-1-660x440

Memories of the cadillacs of the navy

Re: T.W. Paterson’s articles on the cadillacs of the navy.

I really enjoyed them as I was involved with both ships. In January of 1957 I was awaiting a posting in HMCS Naden (now CFB Esquimalt) when I was sent temporary duty to work in the communications centre of HMCS Discovery as part of the pre-commissioning crew for HMCS Skeena being built in North Vancouver. The Skeena was the second of the cadillacs to be built. I stayed on her until May of 1959.

The second cadillac to be built on the West Coast was HMCS Fraser. I was posted to her after a year in Halifax in January 1964. We went through two blast tests in Hawaii and on our way back, we had the honour of being the last Canadian (Navy) to fly the white ensign.

In May of 1965 we sailed to Halifax and then on to Montreal to the Davey Shipyard where she was decommissioned. Thanks to the article I was able to get a half decent picture.

Thanks for the article. (I was born in Duncan a few years ago.)

Don Woolford

Mill Bay