Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian
@rogerlitwiller.bsky.social
Official Twitter page of Roger Litwiller -historian/lecturer of Canada’s Maritime & Naval heritage. Author of several books. Follow for daily history posts.
#OTD 26/11/1981 #RememberRCN –HMCShips ATHABASKAN, ALGONQUIN & PRESERVER sent to aid MV Euro Princess, badly holed & drifting towards oil rig Rowan Juneau off Sable Island. ATHABASKAN’s helicopters evacuated 44 from the rig, in 60 kt winds. ALG pic -For Posterity's Sake
November 26, 2025 at 11:03 AM
#OTD 26/11/1981 #RememberRCN –HMCShips ATHABASKAN, ALGONQUIN & PRESERVER sent to aid MV Euro Princess, badly holed & drifting towards oil rig Rowan Juneau off Sable Island. ATHABASKAN’s helicopters evacuated 44 from the rig, in 60 kt winds. ALG pic -For Posterity's Sake
#OTD 26/11/1981 #RememberRCN -16 RCN DDH/DDE's temporarily taken out of service after cracks found in parts of the propulsion system in HMCShips OTTAWA & SAGUENAY. Potential release high pressure steam at 420° C. Classes affected include 4 MacKenzie, 4 Restigouche, 2 Annapolis & 6 St. Laurent.
November 26, 2025 at 11:02 AM
#OTD 26/11/1981 #RememberRCN -16 RCN DDH/DDE's temporarily taken out of service after cracks found in parts of the propulsion system in HMCShips OTTAWA & SAGUENAY. Potential release high pressure steam at 420° C. Classes affected include 4 MacKenzie, 4 Restigouche, 2 Annapolis & 6 St. Laurent.
#OTD 26/11/1955 #RememberRCN –First of 39 McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee jet fighters accepted by the Royal Canadian Navy, flown by VF870 Squadron and will fly from HMCS BONVENTURE. @RoyalCanNavy @RCAF_ARC @YAWMuseum
November 26, 2025 at 11:01 AM
#OTD 26/11/1955 #RememberRCN –First of 39 McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee jet fighters accepted by the Royal Canadian Navy, flown by VF870 Squadron and will fly from HMCS BONVENTURE. @RoyalCanNavy @RCAF_ARC @YAWMuseum
#OTD 26/11/1939 #RememberRCN –The Royal Canadian Navy begins converting two Canadian National Steamship liners into armed merchant cruisers, starting with Prince Robert and followed by Prince David. Work on a 3rd vessel, Prince Henry begins in March 1940. Canadian National Railway Company
November 26, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 26/11/1939 #RememberRCN –The Royal Canadian Navy begins converting two Canadian National Steamship liners into armed merchant cruisers, starting with Prince Robert and followed by Prince David. Work on a 3rd vessel, Prince Henry begins in March 1940. Canadian National Railway Company
#OTD 25/11/1944 #RememberRCN -RCN sailors win the #GreyCup. Sailors from HMCS DONNACONNA in Montreal & Naval Communication School, HMCS ST. HYACINTHE formed the Navy Combined Team, beating the Hamilton Flying Wildcats 7-6. Photo- Grey Cup Ring given to RCN players.
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November 25, 2025 at 11:03 AM
#OTD 25/11/1944 #RememberRCN -RCN sailors win the #GreyCup. Sailors from HMCS DONNACONNA in Montreal & Naval Communication School, HMCS ST. HYACINTHE formed the Navy Combined Team, beating the Hamilton Flying Wildcats 7-6. Photo- Grey Cup Ring given to RCN players.
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#OTD 25/11/1942 #RememberRCN -HMCS TRANSCONA commissioned and is the last of 54 Bangor Class, minesweepers to enter service with the @RoyalCanNavy. Photos courtesy -For Posterity's Sake
November 25, 2025 at 11:02 AM
#OTD 25/11/1942 #RememberRCN -HMCS TRANSCONA commissioned and is the last of 54 Bangor Class, minesweepers to enter service with the @RoyalCanNavy. Photos courtesy -For Posterity's Sake
#OTD 25/11/1937 #RememberRCN -HMCS VENTURE (2nd) commissioned. VENTURE was a three-masted schooner & only sailing ship in service with the @RoyalCanNavy on the eve of the Second World War.
November 25, 2025 at 11:01 AM
#OTD 25/11/1937 #RememberRCN -HMCS VENTURE (2nd) commissioned. VENTURE was a three-masted schooner & only sailing ship in service with the @RoyalCanNavy on the eve of the Second World War.
#OTD 25/11/1936 #RememberRCN -S class destroyers HMCS CHAMPLAIN (1st) ex-HMS TORBAY and HMCS VANCOUVER (1st) ex-HMS TOREADOR, are paid off in separate ceremony's in Esquimalt and Halifax. Both former RN ships are sold for scrap a year later.
November 25, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 25/11/1936 #RememberRCN -S class destroyers HMCS CHAMPLAIN (1st) ex-HMS TORBAY and HMCS VANCOUVER (1st) ex-HMS TOREADOR, are paid off in separate ceremony's in Esquimalt and Halifax. Both former RN ships are sold for scrap a year later.
#OTD 24/11/1944 #RememberRCN -HMCS SHAWINIGAN torpedoed by U-1228 in Cabot Strait, off Port-aux-Basques, NF. Tragically there were no survivors from her ships company of 91. SEE Details zurl.co/p4SOJ
November 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 24/11/1944 #RememberRCN -HMCS SHAWINIGAN torpedoed by U-1228 in Cabot Strait, off Port-aux-Basques, NF. Tragically there were no survivors from her ships company of 91. SEE Details zurl.co/p4SOJ
#OTD 23/11/1940 #RememberRCN -HMCS SKEENA rescues five survivors from SS Bruse (Norway), torpedoed by U-100 while in convoy SC-11. Sixteen Merchant Sailors were killed.
November 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 23/11/1940 #RememberRCN -HMCS SKEENA rescues five survivors from SS Bruse (Norway), torpedoed by U-100 while in convoy SC-11. Sixteen Merchant Sailors were killed.
#OTD 22/11/1957 #RememberRCN -HMCS LABRADOR, Royal Canadian Navy's Icebreaker and Arctic patrol vessel paid-off for transfer to the Department of Transport and later transferred to Canadian Coast Guard. @CCG_GCC
November 22, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 22/11/1957 #RememberRCN -HMCS LABRADOR, Royal Canadian Navy's Icebreaker and Arctic patrol vessel paid-off for transfer to the Department of Transport and later transferred to Canadian Coast Guard. @CCG_GCC
Sea King 414 flies past HMCS SACKVILLE in Halifax, NS during the Tall Ships Rendezvous for the Canada 150 Celebrations on 1 August 2017. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
November 22, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Sea King 414 flies past HMCS SACKVILLE in Halifax, NS during the Tall Ships Rendezvous for the Canada 150 Celebrations on 1 August 2017. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
#OTD 21/11/2022 #RememberRCN - Rear Admiral Rebecca Patterson, RCN is appointed as an independent Senator to the Senate of Canada. She joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a critical care Nursing Officer in 1989, Senator Patterson is the 1st CAF woman to be appointed the the Senate.
November 21, 2025 at 11:04 AM
#OTD 21/11/2022 #RememberRCN - Rear Admiral Rebecca Patterson, RCN is appointed as an independent Senator to the Senate of Canada. She joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a critical care Nursing Officer in 1989, Senator Patterson is the 1st CAF woman to be appointed the the Senate.
#OTD 21/11/1954 #RememberRCN -HMCS Labrador arrived Halifax, having transited the North West Passage to the Pacific, returned via Panama Canal. LABRADOR is the 1st RCN ship to circumnavigate North America. HMCS Harry DeWolf / NCSM Harry DeWolf repeated this voyage in 2021.
November 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
#OTD 21/11/1954 #RememberRCN -HMCS Labrador arrived Halifax, having transited the North West Passage to the Pacific, returned via Panama Canal. LABRADOR is the 1st RCN ship to circumnavigate North America. HMCS Harry DeWolf / NCSM Harry DeWolf repeated this voyage in 2021.
#OTD 21/11/1944 #RememberRCN -HMCS NEW LISKEARD commissioned and is the last of twelve Algerine Class minesweepers to enter service with the RCN. Photo courtesy For Posterity's Sake.
November 21, 2025 at 11:02 AM
#OTD 21/11/1944 #RememberRCN -HMCS NEW LISKEARD commissioned and is the last of twelve Algerine Class minesweepers to enter service with the RCN. Photo courtesy For Posterity's Sake.
#OTD 21/11/1942 #RememberRCN -HMCShips TIMMINS & MINAS rescue 60 sailors from MV Empire Sailor (UK), torpedoed by U-518 while in Convoy ON-145. Loaded with phosgene bombs, mustard gas & cyanide, crew abandoned freighter immediately. 20 survivors later succumbed to the phosgene gas.
November 21, 2025 at 11:01 AM
#OTD 21/11/1942 #RememberRCN -HMCShips TIMMINS & MINAS rescue 60 sailors from MV Empire Sailor (UK), torpedoed by U-518 while in Convoy ON-145. Loaded with phosgene bombs, mustard gas & cyanide, crew abandoned freighter immediately. 20 survivors later succumbed to the phosgene gas.
#OTD 21/11/1942 #RememberRCN -HMCS BUCTOUCHE attacks U-518 with depth charges following the U-boat's attack on Convoy ON-145, 200 miles SE of Sydney, NS. U-518 was severely damaged, unable to close #3 torpedo tube, flooding torpedo room & forcing U-boat to return to base.
November 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 21/11/1942 #RememberRCN -HMCS BUCTOUCHE attacks U-518 with depth charges following the U-boat's attack on Convoy ON-145, 200 miles SE of Sydney, NS. U-518 was severely damaged, unable to close #3 torpedo tube, flooding torpedo room & forcing U-boat to return to base.
The Smoke Shack on the Assault (Obstacle) Course at HMCS CORNWALIS in October 1956. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
November 21, 2025 at 10:30 AM
The Smoke Shack on the Assault (Obstacle) Course at HMCS CORNWALIS in October 1956. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
#OTD 20/11/1943 #RememberRCN –HMCShips CALGARY (1st), SNOWBERRY & HMS NENE attack and sink German submarine U536 with Depth Charges & gunfire, north of the Azores. (NENE transferred to RCN 6 months later) HMCS Calgary / NCSM Calgary
November 20, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 20/11/1943 #RememberRCN –HMCShips CALGARY (1st), SNOWBERRY & HMS NENE attack and sink German submarine U536 with Depth Charges & gunfire, north of the Azores. (NENE transferred to RCN 6 months later) HMCS Calgary / NCSM Calgary
HMCS IROQUOIS returns to Halifax harbour on 6 July 2012. The destroyer has turned towards Shearwater while the ship's company is extracting a Sea King from the hangar to disembark the helicopter on the jetty. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
November 20, 2025 at 10:30 AM
HMCS IROQUOIS returns to Halifax harbour on 6 July 2012. The destroyer has turned towards Shearwater while the ship's company is extracting a Sea King from the hangar to disembark the helicopter on the jetty. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
#OTD 19/11/1957 #RememberRCN –The last bi-plane in service with the Royal Canadian Navy, DeHavilland Tiger Moth is struck off strength. Royal Canadian Navy had acquired three from Royal Canadian Air Force for training. LAC Photo Shearwater Aviation Museum
November 19, 2025 at 11:02 AM
#OTD 19/11/1957 #RememberRCN –The last bi-plane in service with the Royal Canadian Navy, DeHavilland Tiger Moth is struck off strength. Royal Canadian Navy had acquired three from Royal Canadian Air Force for training. LAC Photo Shearwater Aviation Museum
#OTD 19/11/1943 #BattleOfAtlantic -U648 Attacked by a Sunderland from 422 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force mid-Atlantic. Aircraft severely damaged by return fire from U-Boat and messaged they were going to ditch an hour later. No trace of the Sunderland or its 11 aircrew was found.
November 19, 2025 at 11:01 AM
#OTD 19/11/1943 #BattleOfAtlantic -U648 Attacked by a Sunderland from 422 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force mid-Atlantic. Aircraft severely damaged by return fire from U-Boat and messaged they were going to ditch an hour later. No trace of the Sunderland or its 11 aircrew was found.
#OTD 19/11/1941 #RememberRCN -HMCS CARIBOU, Armed yacht, is damaged by a severe fire in the galley and is not repaired until February the following year.
November 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 19/11/1941 #RememberRCN -HMCS CARIBOU, Armed yacht, is damaged by a severe fire in the galley and is not repaired until February the following year.
AB Robert Powell and LS John Founier from HMCS TRENTONIAN, assist a "sick" friend from HMCS Moose Jaw back to his ship in August 1944. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
November 19, 2025 at 10:30 AM
AB Robert Powell and LS John Founier from HMCS TRENTONIAN, assist a "sick" friend from HMCS Moose Jaw back to his ship in August 1944. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
HMCS KINGSTON at the RCN Dockyard in Halifax on 6 July 2005. The former auxiliary supply ship, HMCS Provider is in the background, awaiting disposal. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
November 18, 2025 at 3:34 PM
HMCS KINGSTON at the RCN Dockyard in Halifax on 6 July 2005. The former auxiliary supply ship, HMCS Provider is in the background, awaiting disposal. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW