H.M.C.S. Trois Rivieres 1943

[squbrigg]

Just finished this relief carving of one of my fathers ships that he served on during the war. H.M.C.S. Trois Rivieres was a Bangor Class minesweeper that acted as a convoy escort from 1942 to 1945. They were not very big, just 162' long and were only 590 tons, so were among the smallest ocean going escorts in use. They would do 15.5 knots, with a good wind behind them and mounted a 4" gun, a pair of 20mm aa guns and some .303" machine guns and depth charges. They were very manuverable, thank goodness, but were said to roll on wet grass, or wallow in any kind of seas. LOL They were what was available during the war, so they had to serve. Canada had scores of them for conoy escorts, and they were easy and cheap to build. Unfortunately, they were also easy to sink, as several were torpedoed here in home waters.

Pop was only 15 when he joined up in 1941, and served most of his time in this ship, but he also served in a corvette, H.M.C.S. Louisburg and later in a frigate, H.M.C.S. St. Catherines. Louisburg was sunk off North Africa, but he had been transfeered off two weeks before, so was lucky. He served till the wars end in 1945 and confessed his true age during discharge.

I think he'll like this carving, he is getting up there now, 84 last birthday, but remembers his war time service very well. When I look at 15 year olds now a day, I just can't imagine them in uniform, defending our counrty, so times have changed. But you never know, and I try not to judge too harshly our younger generation, they often surprise us.

The carving is done in Basswood, and measures 18" x 12".

Enjoy,

Bob

[Claude]

Nice work, Bob! I'm sure he'll love it.

Claude

[Eddy-Smiles]

Beautiful job Bob! I'll bet he'll have blue water in his eyes as he remembers the green water that went over her bridge! You're a very lucky man to still have that old sea dog with you!

[CarverRog]

Bob, this is one fantastic carving! I must say that I enjoyed the background also.

[Bill V]

Great job Bob.

Bill

[tnartist05]

Excellent work Bob and I love how you created the waves and all of it with the nice cuts. Super neat work on your behalf!!

Forrest

[Nancy-G]

Very beautiful. Thanks for showing us something so nice ..... what a way to start the day.

[jimmy joe]

Real nice job all around and great story !

[uvawyo]

Beautiful , awesome carving, Bob

[KeithC]

Really liked the carving and the background story!
KeithC