HMCS OAKVILLE (K178)
HMCS OAKVILLE
The History of HMCS OAKVILLE
Commissioned at Montreal on November 18, 1941, she arrived at Halifax ten days later and joined Halifax Force on her arrival. On its formation in March, 1942, she transferred to WLEF. In July she returned to Halifax Force to escort Halifax-Aruba convoys and, on her second arrival at Aruba late in August, was diverted to reinforce convoy TAW.15 (Aruba-Key West section). The convoy was attacked August 28 in the Windward Passage, losing four ships, but Oakville sank the seasoned U 94, in part by ramming. After temporary repairs at Guantanamo she arrived at Halifax on September 16 and there completed repairs on December 1. She then joined the U.S. Eastern Sea Frontier Command to escort New York-Guantanamo convoys until March 22, 1943, when she arrived at Halifax to join WLEF. She served with three of its escort groups: W-7 from June, 1943; W-8 from December, 1943; and W-6 from April, 1944. After minor repairs at Halifax, she proceeded to Bermuda for workups in May, thereafter returning to her duties with EG W-6. A refit begun at Lunenburg early in April, 1945, was discontinued in June and the ship was paid off at Sorel on July 20. She was sold to the Venezuelan Navy in 1946 and renamed Patria, serving until 1962.
HMCS OAKVILLE Statistical Data
- Pendant: K178
- Type: Corvette
- Class: FLOWER Class 1939-1940
- Displacement: 950 tonnes
- Length: 205.1 ft
- Width: 33.1 ft
- Draught: 11.5 ft
- Speed: 16 kts
- Compliment: 6 Officers and 79 Crew
- Arms: 1-4" Gun, 1-2 pdr, 2-20mm, Hedgehog
- Builder: Port Arthur Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Port Arthur, Ont.
- Keel Laid: 21-Dec-40
- Date Launched: 21-Jun-41
- Date Commissioned: 18-Nov-41
- Paid off: 20-Jul-45
Remarks
Focsle Extended, Galveston, TX, 29 Mar 44
Additional Information
The "Men of Valour" war poster was based
on the OAKVILLE's action with U-94.