PRINCE Class

armed merchant cruiser

Originally liners for Canadian National Steamships, these formerly 3-funnelled ships were purchased in 1939-40 and extensively converted. All three spent some time intercepting merchant traffic, and PRINCE DAVID and PRINCE ROBERT were put under US command for operations in the Aleutians. DAVID and HENRY were converted to Troop Landing Ships and served on D-Day and the invasion of Southern France, as well as additional service in the Mediterranean. ROBERT was converted to an AA ship, and escorted convoys in the Mediterranean. In July, 1945, she went to join the British Pacific Fleet, and in August arrived in Hong Kong in order for her Captain to represent Canada at the surrender ceremonies. DAVID hit a mine off Greece ending her wartime service, HENRY (as a British ship) and ROBERT repatriated soldiers, and DAVID and ROBERT were sold back into mercantile service.

PRINCE Class
Characteristics:

Original:

Displacement: 5,736 (5,675; PRINCE ROBERT) tons full load 
Dimensions: 117.3 x 17.4 x 6.4 meters (385 x 57 x 21 feet) 
Propulsion: 22 knots 
Crew: 417  (438; PRINCE ROBERT) 
Aviation: none 
Hangar: none 
Radar:
Sonar: none 
Fire Control:
EW: none 
Armament:  4 6" single, 2 3" guns 

As Troop Landing Ship (PRINCE DAVID and PRINCE HENRY):

Radar:
Sonar: none 
Fire Control:
EW: none 
Armament: 2 4" dual, 2 2 Pdr, 8 20mm guns 

As AA Ship (PRINCE ROBERT):

Radar:
Sonar: none 
Fire Control:
EW: none 
Armament: 5 4" dual AA, 2 2 Pdr AA, 6 20mm AA guns 

Ships:
 
Name
Pendant
Commissioned
Paid Off
PRINCE ROBERT
F56
31/7/40
10/12/45
PRINCE HENRY
F70
4/12/40
15/4/45
PRINCE DAVID
F89
28/12/40
11/6/45

Photos:
 
 
HMCS PRINCE ROBERT before her 1943 conversion. PRINCE ROBERT spent her time from commissioning until 1943 in the Pacific, primarily looking for enemy merchant shipping. In 1943 she was refitted with AA armament, and transferred to the Atlantic and Mediterranean to escort convoys before refitting at Esqimalt until June 1945. She was then assigned to the British Pacific Fleet until the end of the war. DND photo, Courtesy of Bill Croshaw. 
 

Back to the Canadian Navy - WW2 Fleet

This section of the HG&UW site created and maintained by Sandy McClearn.
Copyright © 1997-2001, Sandy McClearn. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction, reuse, or distribution without permission is prohibited.