Shortly after this the actual process of taking over the yachts from private owners, began. Duggan of Montreal, who purchased the American motor vessel, Wild Duck.Ī number of the yachts, including Wild Duck, were brought to Halifax in April, 1940, but, in order not to involve, openly, the Canadian Government in any way the strictest secrecy was maintained until 17 May when officers and ratings employed in the ships were allowed to wear uniforms. One of the patriotic yachtsmen involved in this scheme was Mr G. Once the craft were under Canadian registry and had arrived in Canada they were taken over for service with the RCN. As the US was neutral at this time the vessels could not be bought directly by the Canadian Government but, under an ingenious arrangement, were purchased by private yachtsmen, who received their instructions from Mr Lesslie Thomson of the Department of Transport. In December, 1939, it was decided to obtain yachts in the United States for anti-submarine duties, to fill the gap until new construction became available. More warships were urgently needed and to remedy this situation all available vessels, suitable for naval service, were requisitioned and a shipbuilding programme was started. As they relaxed in their oak-panelled saloons, sipping a pre-dinner glass of sherry after a pleasant day of sailing, the owners of this gilded fleet would have been startled to learn what fate had in store for some of their vessels, one of which, Wild Duck, later became HMCS HUSKY.Īt the beginning of the Second World War the Royal Canadian Navy was manning thirteen ships of which six were fairly modern destroyers, two were training vessels, and the remainder were small minesweepers. Large powered yachts, with their shining brass-work, scrubbed decks, and gleaming paintwork, added to the colourful scene at the various regattas held up and down the coasts. The United States luxury yachting world in the summer of 1939 seemed very remote from the warlike preparations being made in Europe for a conflict, which now appeared inevitable.
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