HMCS Kootenay 1969

[OLd Naval Guard]

Hello ONG here, In Canada every Nov 11 we remember those who gave there lifes for Canada in the Two World Wars and the Korean Conflict. As well now we remember those that have fallen in the current war in Afganistan. I would like us to remember that some times service peronal are killed in times of peace. In 1969 Oct 25, HMCS Kootenay suffered a fire in the engine room. Nine seamen were killed and another 50 injured. The ship was taking part in a NATO exercise in UK home waters, when the fire happened. Lest we forget.

[Pat in Halifax]

I, unfortunatley missed the dedication ceremony at Point Pleasent Park (to peacetime losses) back on the 23rd of October (Got back from sea on the 22nd). From what I am hearing from people who were there, no article in any paper does the ceremony justice.
I do recall a couple years ago that we were observing TWO minutes of silence; one for those lost in wars and the other for those lost in peacetime (or that is the way I understood it). On my own, I still do this though the ceremonies no longer do. Anyone out there recall this and if so, what came of it?

[steve roberts]

Hello ONG. I was serving in the Royal Naval Hospital Stonehouse (Plymouth) at the time of this disastrous fire.I had the privilege of tending some of the injured who needed medical attention.It is a time that with many others will always stay in my mind.
Many Many Regards Steve.

[Blackfly]

Aren't we still doing two minutes on Nov 11th at the cenotaphs? I could swear that even the radio stations did it.

For those who don't know, the Damage Control Training Facility (DCTF) here in Halifax is named after the Kootenay. When you come in the main doors, there is a memorial to that event with pictures and write ups and dispatches from that day.

Kootenay's bell is also hanging on the bulkhead there.

[jim7966]

I was on the Terra Nova in the mid 80's and I went aboard Kootenay to visit a fellow stoker. I know it was only my imagination but I swear it still stank like fire down there.

[dpoidy]

I was on the Terra Nova in the mid 80's and I went aboard Kootenay to visit a fellow stoker. I know it was only my imagination but I swear it still stank like fire down there.


Not your imagination, my father took me aboard years ealier, he had mates there, and I could smell it, you never forget those smells

Very sad indeed

Good link to story

http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/canada/postwar/restigou/kootenay-explosion/

[Admhawk]

I work for Ontario Power Generation and we still observe 2 mins silences at 11 in the stations every year.

[Matelot]

I was there that day, serving in MARGAREE. We were all joining up, with some ships out of Portsmouth and others out of Plymouth, heading home. Every once in awhile I think of it and remember the men who died that day.

Not a good year for the Navy, 4 men died on the Bonnie as well, cleaning avgas tanks if I remember correctly. Around the same time (before or after, I can't recall) a sailor was lost overboard from PROVIDER and a Tracker went in killing 2 of the crew.

[EKenny]

I was also there that day in Terra Nova. In fact, the first word we got that morning was that a boiler had exploded. I guess in the first few minutes there was a lot of confusion. Turned out to be the starboard gear box. Couple of posts above is a link to the whole story. One sight I will never forget was Kootenay dead in the water with one helicopter hovering over the quarterdeck dropping extra fire fighting gear and another one over the focsle transferring the casualties to Bonnie.

[flythreestbd]

I was on the Bonnie when the Kootenay incident happened,I worked on the flight deck and can remember that day clearly.
In the late 90s a 'Wall of Honor',was dedicated at CFB Esquimalt,among the names engraved on the wall were,POs Partanen and Stringer both posthumously awarded the Cross of Valor.
Following the ceremony ' Up spirits' was held at the Chiefs and POs mess,I had my Bonnie tot mug filled by Admiral Buck and we briefly talked about Kootenay,on the way home later I visited the wall again,wet my finger with a bit of rum and gave them both a wet,I am sure they enjoyed it.
Rest in peace heroes.
ABAB Mackenzie

[EKenny]

Well done with the tot for the boys. I guess we weren't too far apart that day. If you were in Bonnie, we were in Oslo together that trip.