HMCS/M GRILSE

The GRILSE (SS-71) is the former United States Navy Submarine USS BURRFISH (SSR 312). She was loaned to Canada for five years and returned at that time. The GRILSE was commissioned into the RCN at Groton, Connecticut, 11 May 1961. The Submarine was originally commissioned on 13 September 1943 and conducted 6 War Patrols during World War II. After American and Canadian service she was sunk off San Clemente as a target on 19 November 1969

HMCS/M RAINBOW

The RAINBOW is the former United States Navy Submarine USS ARGONAUT (SS475), originally commissioned on the 15 January 1945. The ARGONAUT only conducted 1 war patrol during World War Two. On 2 December 1968, at Norfolk, Virginia she was transferred to the Canadian Navy and became HMCS RAINBOW (SS-75). The RAINBOW remained on the West Coast of Canada and conducted numerous exercises. On the 31 December, 1975 she was decommissioned and returned to the United States.

 

Commissioned Date: 2/12/68

Decommissioned Date: 31/12/1975

OBERON Class Patrol Submarines

After much ‘politicking’ and to the intense frustration of a few caring naval officers, in November of 1963, three OBERON class patrol submarines were purchased from Britain to replace older submarines borrowed from the US Navy. At the time, they were state of the art conventional subs, despite being based on a late-WWII German hull design. They were originally fitted with two stern-facing 'short' torpedo tubes, but the advent of reliable guided torpedos made these obsolete. In the early- to mid- 1980's, all three subs went through SOUP (Submarine Operational Update Program) refits, which updated various systems, including the sonar and the torpedos carried. A fourth O-boat (OLYMPUS) was later purchased (used) from the RN, to be used alongside for training purposes, and a fifth (HMS OSIRIS) was purchased and used for spare parts. One submarine was often kept in refit at any given time.  OKANAGAN's sailpast was delayed by the crash of Swissair Flight 111, and she was employed in searching for and finding the flight recorders from that plane.

“Upholder” Class Diesel Submarines

In 1998, the boats, all either approaching or over the age of 30, were decommissioned to make room for the four “Upholder” class diesel submarines that Canada purchased from the Royal Navy on April 6,