Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian
@rogerlitwiller.bsky.social
Official Twitter page of Roger Litwiller -historian/lecturer of Canada’s Maritime & Naval heritage. Author of several books. Follow for daily history posts.
#OTD 13/12/1944 #RememberRCN -HMCS CARLPLACE commissions into Royal Canadian Navy named for #CarletonPlace, ON. and is the last of 60 Canadian built River class frigates to enter service during #WWII.
December 13, 2025 at 11:02 AM
#OTD 13/12/1944 #RememberRCN -HMCS CARLPLACE commissions into Royal Canadian Navy named for #CarletonPlace, ON. and is the last of 60 Canadian built River class frigates to enter service during #WWII.
#OTD 13/12/1941 #RememberRCN -HMCS RESTIGOUCHE (1st) severely damaged in North Atlantic gale while escorting Convoy ON44. Repairs at Grennock Scotland took until March 1942.
December 13, 2025 at 11:01 AM
#OTD 13/12/1941 #RememberRCN -HMCS RESTIGOUCHE (1st) severely damaged in North Atlantic gale while escorting Convoy ON44. Repairs at Grennock Scotland took until March 1942.
#OTD 13/12/1918 #RememberRCN -HMCS CC1 and HMCS CC2, paid off. The submarines were originally purchased by British Columbia at the outbreak of WWI and became the first submarines in service with the @RoyalCanNavy. Painting by Marc Magee
December 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 13/12/1918 #RememberRCN -HMCS CC1 and HMCS CC2, paid off. The submarines were originally purchased by British Columbia at the outbreak of WWI and became the first submarines in service with the @RoyalCanNavy. Painting by Marc Magee
HMCS ST. CATHARINES, River class frigate. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
December 13, 2025 at 10:30 AM
HMCS ST. CATHARINES, River class frigate. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
HMCS ATHABASKAN alongside in the RCN Dockyard in Halifax on 5 September 2015. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
December 12, 2025 at 10:30 AM
HMCS ATHABASKAN alongside in the RCN Dockyard in Halifax on 5 September 2015. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
#OTD 11/12/1941 #RememberRCN -SS Colborne (Canadian National Steamships) is damaged by bombs from Japanese aircraft off Penang, Malaysia. @shipCN @TORailwayMuseum
December 11, 2025 at 11:02 AM
#OTD 11/12/1941 #RememberRCN -SS Colborne (Canadian National Steamships) is damaged by bombs from Japanese aircraft off Penang, Malaysia. @shipCN @TORailwayMuseum
#OTD 11/12/1916 #RememberRCN -HMCS GRILSE (1st) sails for Bermuda & is later reported lost with all 50 sailors in a storm. Arrived 3 days later in Shelburne, NS. severely damaged, 6 RCN sailors were killed in the ordeal. 1st newspaper reports loss of ship & 2nd reports its arrival at Shelburne.
December 11, 2025 at 11:01 AM
#OTD 11/12/1916 #RememberRCN -HMCS GRILSE (1st) sails for Bermuda & is later reported lost with all 50 sailors in a storm. Arrived 3 days later in Shelburne, NS. severely damaged, 6 RCN sailors were killed in the ordeal. 1st newspaper reports loss of ship & 2nd reports its arrival at Shelburne.
#OTD 11/12/1895 #RememberRCN -First Navy League of Canada Branch is formed in Toronto, ON. The Navy League remains active, with branches across Canada promoting & supporting Maritime Affairs, Sea Cadets & Navy League Cadets.
December 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 11/12/1895 #RememberRCN -First Navy League of Canada Branch is formed in Toronto, ON. The Navy League remains active, with branches across Canada promoting & supporting Maritime Affairs, Sea Cadets & Navy League Cadets.
HMCS TRENTONIAN storing ammunition on 23 May 1944 in Londonderry prior to D-Day. Piled like cord wood, the gunners are storing the rounds in the ready use lockers on the 4 inch gun deck & the remainder will go below to the magazine. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
December 11, 2025 at 10:30 AM
HMCS TRENTONIAN storing ammunition on 23 May 1944 in Londonderry prior to D-Day. Piled like cord wood, the gunners are storing the rounds in the ready use lockers on the 4 inch gun deck & the remainder will go below to the magazine. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
#OTD 10/12/1958 #RememberRCN -The RCN's Banshee F2H-3 fighters are fitted with Sidewinder missiles, becoming the 1st Canadian Military aircraft to have air-to-air missiles. Photo -DND/LAC 4951335 Royal Canadian Navy Royal Canadian Air Force
December 10, 2025 at 11:04 AM
#OTD 10/12/1958 #RememberRCN -The RCN's Banshee F2H-3 fighters are fitted with Sidewinder missiles, becoming the 1st Canadian Military aircraft to have air-to-air missiles. Photo -DND/LAC 4951335 Royal Canadian Navy Royal Canadian Air Force
#OTD 10/12/1945 #RememberRCN -HMCS PRINCE ROBERT, Armed Merchant Cruiser is paid off. She is the last of the three Prince ships to be paid-off.
December 10, 2025 at 11:03 AM
#OTD 10/12/1945 #RememberRCN -HMCS PRINCE ROBERT, Armed Merchant Cruiser is paid off. She is the last of the three Prince ships to be paid-off.
#OTD 10/12/1945 #RememberRCN -HMCS VENTURE paid-off. She was the only sailing ship to serve in the RCN during #WWII, acting as a guard ship & accommodation ship. Photo -For Posterity's Sake
December 10, 2025 at 11:02 AM
#OTD 10/12/1945 #RememberRCN -HMCS VENTURE paid-off. She was the only sailing ship to serve in the RCN during #WWII, acting as a guard ship & accommodation ship. Photo -For Posterity's Sake
#OTD 10/12/1944 #RememberRCN -HMCS PRINCE DAVID is damaged after striking a mine off Aegina Is. Greece, during OpDRAGOON. Damage repaired at Ferryville, North Africa until 11 Jan 1945.
December 10, 2025 at 11:01 AM
#OTD 10/12/1944 #RememberRCN -HMCS PRINCE DAVID is damaged after striking a mine off Aegina Is. Greece, during OpDRAGOON. Damage repaired at Ferryville, North Africa until 11 Jan 1945.
#OTD 10/12/1939 #RememberRCN -HMCShips OTTAWA, RESTIGOUCHE, FRASER & ST LAURENT escort 1st Troop Convoy TC1, of #WWII, out of Halifax with 7400 soldiers from 1st Canadian Division. Photo -DND/LAC PA-104057
December 10, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 10/12/1939 #RememberRCN -HMCShips OTTAWA, RESTIGOUCHE, FRASER & ST LAURENT escort 1st Troop Convoy TC1, of #WWII, out of Halifax with 7400 soldiers from 1st Canadian Division. Photo -DND/LAC PA-104057
RCN Tug GLENSIDE holds the Canadian patrol frigate, HMCS VILLE DE QUEBEC in position during the Battle of Atlantic Ceremony off Point Pleasant Park in Halifax on 5 May 2019. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
December 10, 2025 at 10:30 AM
RCN Tug GLENSIDE holds the Canadian patrol frigate, HMCS VILLE DE QUEBEC in position during the Battle of Atlantic Ceremony off Point Pleasant Park in Halifax on 5 May 2019. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
#OTD 9/12/1949 #Remember -Royal Canadian Navy officially adopts the Red Maple Leaf on it's ships. Placing personalized Maple Leaves on RCN ships was 1st seen in 1918, revived in WWII, in various colours/designs. The green maple leaf was standardized in 1944. SEE zurl.co/pzHPE
December 9, 2025 at 11:01 AM
#OTD 9/12/1949 #Remember -Royal Canadian Navy officially adopts the Red Maple Leaf on it's ships. Placing personalized Maple Leaves on RCN ships was 1st seen in 1918, revived in WWII, in various colours/designs. The green maple leaf was standardized in 1944. SEE zurl.co/pzHPE
#OTD 9/12/1942 #RememberRCN -HMCS LOUISBURG (1st) accidentally rammed by HMS BIDEFORD while anchored at Londonderry, repairs took 5 weeks.
December 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 9/12/1942 #RememberRCN -HMCS LOUISBURG (1st) accidentally rammed by HMS BIDEFORD while anchored at Londonderry, repairs took 5 weeks.
Howard Abbott (front left) with shipmates in Canadian manned Escort Aircraft Carrier, HMS PUNCHER during Arctic Operations. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
December 9, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Howard Abbott (front left) with shipmates in Canadian manned Escort Aircraft Carrier, HMS PUNCHER during Arctic Operations. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
Bow Mega-Block of future HMCS MARGARET BROOKE is fully clear of the Assembly Hall doors, she will be guided through Irving Shipyard to be joined to the centre section of the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship in Halifax on 3 May 2019. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
December 8, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Bow Mega-Block of future HMCS MARGARET BROOKE is fully clear of the Assembly Hall doors, she will be guided through Irving Shipyard to be joined to the centre section of the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship in Halifax on 3 May 2019. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
#OTD 7/12/1964 in #RememberRCN -HMCS ASSINIBOINE, following a refit from DDE to DDH, becomes the first @RoyalCanNavy destroyer to embark a Sea King helicopter.
December 7, 2025 at 11:02 AM
#OTD 7/12/1964 in #RememberRCN -HMCS ASSINIBOINE, following a refit from DDE to DDH, becomes the first @RoyalCanNavy destroyer to embark a Sea King helicopter.
#OTD 7/12/1941 #RememberRCN -Pearl Harbour is attacked by Japanese naval forces in a surprise attack, 4 hrs later the Canadian Garrison in Hong Kong is also attacked. The next day Canada's Parliament is the first nation to declare war on Japan (7/12/41), one day before the US.
December 7, 2025 at 11:01 AM
#OTD 7/12/1941 #RememberRCN -Pearl Harbour is attacked by Japanese naval forces in a surprise attack, 4 hrs later the Canadian Garrison in Hong Kong is also attacked. The next day Canada's Parliament is the first nation to declare war on Japan (7/12/41), one day before the US.
#OTD 7/12/1941 #RememberRCN -HMCS WINDFLOWER lost in collision with SS Zypenberg in dense fog off St. John's NF, 23 Royal Canadian Navy sailors are killed. See DETAILS zurl.co/gPTqF
December 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 7/12/1941 #RememberRCN -HMCS WINDFLOWER lost in collision with SS Zypenberg in dense fog off St. John's NF, 23 Royal Canadian Navy sailors are killed. See DETAILS zurl.co/gPTqF
Convoy LC44 sailing from Sydney, NS to St John's, NF on 9 September 1942. The five ship convoy consisted of the merchant ships, Drumahoe, Connector, William Schupp, James Stuart and Charles Huntley, escorted by HMCS WASAGA. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
December 7, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Convoy LC44 sailing from Sydney, NS to St John's, NF on 9 September 1942. The five ship convoy consisted of the merchant ships, Drumahoe, Connector, William Schupp, James Stuart and Charles Huntley, escorted by HMCS WASAGA. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
Thank you Jim & Jessie for supporting my work and “Buying Me a Coffee!” Your generosity helps offset the expenses I incur researching, writing & posting our rich naval heritage.
If you enjoy my posts, please consider buying me a coffee or two or more. Click link. buymeacoffee.com/litwillerry
If you enjoy my posts, please consider buying me a coffee or two or more. Click link. buymeacoffee.com/litwillerry
Roger Litwiller is Writing Canada's Naval heritage, please support my work with a coffee!
As a freelance author and researcher of Canadian Naval History, I take great joy in telling the stories of Canada's sailors. Research, writing and posting these incredible stories daily on my we
buymeacoffee.com
December 6, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Thank you Jim & Jessie for supporting my work and “Buying Me a Coffee!” Your generosity helps offset the expenses I incur researching, writing & posting our rich naval heritage.
If you enjoy my posts, please consider buying me a coffee or two or more. Click link. buymeacoffee.com/litwillerry
If you enjoy my posts, please consider buying me a coffee or two or more. Click link. buymeacoffee.com/litwillerry
#OTD 6/12/1917 #RememberRCN -Halifax devastated when freighter Imo collides with munition ship Mont Blanc. Explosion kills 2K, wounds 9K & 25K homeless. RCN casualties include 22 dead/missing, 8 injured. 7 sailors are killed in NIOBE's boat, having just pulled alongside Mont Blanc when she exploded.
December 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 6/12/1917 #RememberRCN -Halifax devastated when freighter Imo collides with munition ship Mont Blanc. Explosion kills 2K, wounds 9K & 25K homeless. RCN casualties include 22 dead/missing, 8 injured. 7 sailors are killed in NIOBE's boat, having just pulled alongside Mont Blanc when she exploded.