Columbia  

Haze Gray and Underway
Photo Feature

Battle of the Atlantic

HMCS COLUMBIA Photos
HMCS COLUMBIA (ex-USS HARADEN) was one of a group of seven First World War USN destroyers that were loaned to the RN, and in turn the RCN, for use during the Second World War. Upon arriving in new hands, crews were delighted to find that the Americans had fully provisioned the ships with food and other necessities. Although not particularly favoured by their crews, for they were uncomfortable ships, they nonetheless came at a time when ships were at a premium and they were soon put to use. COLUMBIA was handed to the RCN in 1940 as a member of the TOWN class (consisting of similar, though not identical, ex-USN destroyers), saw active service in the North Atlantic, and was refitted in 1943. In February 1944, she rammed a cliff in Newfoundland killing two crew members. Deemed not worth repairing, COLUMBIA was sent to Liverpool, NS, as an ammunition storage hulk. The photos here were kindly contributed by Mr. John Sadler.
 

HMCS COLUMBIA
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HMCS COLUMBIA. Photo courtesy John Sadler.
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Looking aft towards the aft 12 pounder gun. Photo courtesy John Sadler.
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A crew member holds COLUMBIA's two mascots, JoeMoe and Jeep. Photo courtesy John Sadler.
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COLUMBIA's Red Watch in March, 1942. Photo courtesy John Sadler.
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COLUMBIA's Blue Watch in March, 1942. Photo courtesy John Sadler.
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COLUMBIA's White Watch in March, 1942. Photo courtesy John Sadler.
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COLUMBIA lies at anchor after her collision with the cliff. She appears partly stripped, high in the bow, and is missing her pendant number. Two crew members, POs Feldman and Campbell, were killed and more were injured. Photo courtesy John Sadler.
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COLUMBIA lies decommissioned  in early 1944, missing 14 feet off her bow. When she hit the cliff, she did so while failing to hit bottom, so the tip of the bow was the only part of the ship to suffer serious damage. Photo courtesy John Sadler.
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Photo courtesy John Sadler.

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