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/2000 in #RCNHistory -HMCS VICTORIA (former HMS UNSEEN), commissions into the @RoyalCanNavy & is the first of four Victoria class submarines. Photo: LS Zachariah Stopa, MARPAC Imaging Services (ET2015-0051-03)
December 2, 2025 at 11:03 AM
#OTD/2000 in #RCNHistory -HMCS VICTORIA (former HMS UNSEEN), commissions into the @RoyalCanNavy & is the first of four Victoria class submarines. Photo: LS Zachariah Stopa, MARPAC Imaging Services (ET2015-0051-03)
#OTD 2/12/1968 #RememberRCN -HMCS RAINBOW (2nd), submarine (ex-USS ARGONAUT) commissioned and is the second of two former USN submarines to enter service with the RCN. Painting by Marc Magee.
December 2, 2025 at 11:02 AM
#OTD 2/12/1968 #RememberRCN -HMCS RAINBOW (2nd), submarine (ex-USS ARGONAUT) commissioned and is the second of two former USN submarines to enter service with the RCN. Painting by Marc Magee.
#OTD 2/12/1946 #RememberRCN -HMCS MIDDLESEX ran aground on Half Island Point, near Halifax enroute to assist the fishing vessel Ohio. The Algerine class minesweeper is declared a total loss. Photo -For Posterity's Sake
December 2, 2025 at 11:01 AM
#OTD 2/12/1946 #RememberRCN -HMCS MIDDLESEX ran aground on Half Island Point, near Halifax enroute to assist the fishing vessel Ohio. The Algerine class minesweeper is declared a total loss. Photo -For Posterity's Sake
#OTD 2/12/1943 #RememberRCN -SS Fort Athabaska (Canadian Government) is lost when ammunition ship near her explodes, while being bombed by Italian aircraft in Bari Harbour, Italy, 39 are killed.
December 2, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 2/12/1943 #RememberRCN -SS Fort Athabaska (Canadian Government) is lost when ammunition ship near her explodes, while being bombed by Italian aircraft in Bari Harbour, Italy, 39 are killed.
HMCTug GLENBROOK passes HMCS FREDERICTON in Halifax, 26 June 2011. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
December 2, 2025 at 10:30 AM
HMCTug GLENBROOK passes HMCS FREDERICTON in Halifax, 26 June 2011. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
#OTD 1/12/2018 #RememberRCN -Sea King CH-124 helicopter is retired from service. Originally acquired in 1963 by the RCN for anti-submarine warfare. The Sea Kings were later transferred to the RCAF. @RoyalCanNavy @RCAF_ARC
December 1, 2025 at 11:08 AM
#OTD 1/12/2018 #RememberRCN -Sea King CH-124 helicopter is retired from service. Originally acquired in 1963 by the RCN for anti-submarine warfare. The Sea Kings were later transferred to the RCAF. @RoyalCanNavy @RCAF_ARC
#OTD 1/12/2007 #RememberRCN -Commodore Jennifer Bennett becomes the first female Commander of the Naval Reserve and the first woman to command a naval formation.
December 1, 2025 at 11:07 AM
#OTD 1/12/2007 #RememberRCN -Commodore Jennifer Bennett becomes the first female Commander of the Naval Reserve and the first woman to command a naval formation.
#OTD 1/12/1995 #RememberRCN -HMCS CALGARY (2nd) responds to a distress call from the Greek owned MV Mount Olympus. CALGARY's Sea King rescues all 30 sailors from sinking bulk carrier in the North Atlantic off Nova Scotia. @HMCSNCSMCalgary @RoyalCanNavy
December 1, 2025 at 11:06 AM
#OTD 1/12/1995 #RememberRCN -HMCS CALGARY (2nd) responds to a distress call from the Greek owned MV Mount Olympus. CALGARY's Sea King rescues all 30 sailors from sinking bulk carrier in the North Atlantic off Nova Scotia. @HMCSNCSMCalgary @RoyalCanNavy
#OTD 1/12/1953 #RememberRCN -The third Royal Canadian Navy Reserve Squadron, VC 922 is formed in Victoria, BC. Squadron is tendered to HMCS MALAHAT, flying Harvard aircraft. @NAVRESNAV @YAWMuseum @MARPAC_FMARP @CFBEsqMuseum
December 1, 2025 at 11:05 AM
#OTD 1/12/1953 #RememberRCN -The third Royal Canadian Navy Reserve Squadron, VC 922 is formed in Victoria, BC. Squadron is tendered to HMCS MALAHAT, flying Harvard aircraft. @NAVRESNAV @YAWMuseum @MARPAC_FMARP @CFBEsqMuseum
#OTD 1/12/1953 #RememberRCN -HMCS CHIGNECTO (2nd), Bay class minesweeper, commissioned. She is the first of her class of twenty minesweepers, later transferred to French Navy. (Six transferred to France and one to Turkey). Photo -For Posterity’s Sake
December 1, 2025 at 11:04 AM
#OTD 1/12/1953 #RememberRCN -HMCS CHIGNECTO (2nd), Bay class minesweeper, commissioned. She is the first of her class of twenty minesweepers, later transferred to French Navy. (Six transferred to France and one to Turkey). Photo -For Posterity’s Sake
#OTD 1/12/1951 #RememberRCN -Vice-Admiral E. Rollo Mainguy becomes the 7th person to command the RCN as Chief of the Maritime Staff (CNS), replacing Vice-Admiral Harold T.W. Grant.
December 1, 2025 at 11:03 AM
#OTD 1/12/1951 #RememberRCN -Vice-Admiral E. Rollo Mainguy becomes the 7th person to command the RCN as Chief of the Maritime Staff (CNS), replacing Vice-Admiral Harold T.W. Grant.
#OTD 1/12/1948 #RememberRCN -RCAF Air Station Dartmouth turned over to RCN and commissioned HMCS SHEARWATER. @YAWMuseum @RCAF_ARC @RoyalCanNavy
December 1, 2025 at 11:02 AM
#OTD 1/12/1948 #RememberRCN -RCAF Air Station Dartmouth turned over to RCN and commissioned HMCS SHEARWATER. @YAWMuseum @RCAF_ARC @RoyalCanNavy
#OTD 1/12/1941 #RememberRCN -After the RCN announced positions to join as Nursing Sisters in November, Evelyn Isabell Stibbard is the 1st RCN Nursing Sister to Attest, with seniority dated 1 Dec 1941. By the end of the war, over 300 Nursing Sisters had joined, serving in seven RCN hospitals.
December 1, 2025 at 11:01 AM
#OTD 1/12/1941 #RememberRCN -After the RCN announced positions to join as Nursing Sisters in November, Evelyn Isabell Stibbard is the 1st RCN Nursing Sister to Attest, with seniority dated 1 Dec 1941. By the end of the war, over 300 Nursing Sisters had joined, serving in seven RCN hospitals.
#OTD 1/12/1940 #RememberRCN -HMCS SAGUENAY torpedoed by Italian submarine ARGO, 300 miles west of Ireland while escorting convoy HG-47. 21 RCN sailors are killed and 18 wounded. It's bow wrecked, SAGUENAY made Barrow-in-Furness, mostly under her own power. Photo -For Posterity's Sake
December 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 1/12/1940 #RememberRCN -HMCS SAGUENAY torpedoed by Italian submarine ARGO, 300 miles west of Ireland while escorting convoy HG-47. 21 RCN sailors are killed and 18 wounded. It's bow wrecked, SAGUENAY made Barrow-in-Furness, mostly under her own power. Photo -For Posterity's Sake
HMCS NAPANEE almost complete, is undergoing sea trials at Kingston Shipbuilding Yards in Kingston, Ontario in March 1941. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
December 1, 2025 at 10:30 AM
HMCS NAPANEE almost complete, is undergoing sea trials at Kingston Shipbuilding Yards in Kingston, Ontario in March 1941. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
#OTD 30/11/1955 #RememberRCN -HMCS LOON, commissioned and is the first of four Bird class seaward defence patrol craft to enter service with the RCN. Photo courtesy -For Posterity's Sake
November 30, 2025 at 11:04 AM
#OTD 30/11/1955 #RememberRCN -HMCS LOON, commissioned and is the first of four Bird class seaward defence patrol craft to enter service with the RCN. Photo courtesy -For Posterity's Sake
#OTD 30/11/1951 #RememberRCN -HMCS ATHABASKAN comes under fire from Chinese artillery unit on the beach of Taewha-Do. The island was in a heated battle as enemy forces invaded, ATHABASKAN’s “A” and “B” guns silence the Chinese gun in a single salvo and then sank a large junk.
November 30, 2025 at 11:03 AM
#OTD 30/11/1951 #RememberRCN -HMCS ATHABASKAN comes under fire from Chinese artillery unit on the beach of Taewha-Do. The island was in a heated battle as enemy forces invaded, ATHABASKAN’s “A” and “B” guns silence the Chinese gun in a single salvo and then sank a large junk.
#OTD 30/11/1942 #RememberRCN -HMCS QUINTE grounds on Horsehead Rock #CapeBreton, sinking minesweeper is beached. Patched/refloated by Foundation Maritime, QUINTE moved to the wall at St Peters Canal -10 days later capsizes, blocking canal. Only @RoyalCanNavy ship to sink twice!
November 30, 2025 at 11:02 AM
#OTD 30/11/1942 #RememberRCN -HMCS QUINTE grounds on Horsehead Rock #CapeBreton, sinking minesweeper is beached. Patched/refloated by Foundation Maritime, QUINTE moved to the wall at St Peters Canal -10 days later capsizes, blocking canal. Only @RoyalCanNavy ship to sink twice!
#OTD 30/11/1942 #RememberRCN -HMCS IROQUOIS, Tribal Class destroyer commissioned and is the first of four wartime Tribal class destroyers to enter service with the @RoyalCanNavy.
November 30, 2025 at 11:01 AM
#OTD 30/11/1942 #RememberRCN -HMCS IROQUOIS, Tribal Class destroyer commissioned and is the first of four wartime Tribal class destroyers to enter service with the @RoyalCanNavy.
#OTD 30/11/1940 #RememberRCN -HMCS NAPANEE departs Kingston Shipyards to avoid winter freeze on Great Lakes, for completion in Montreal. In a blinding snowstorm, corvette grounds at Morrisburg Canal & returns to Kingston for repairs, delaying its commissioning until 1941. @MMGLK
November 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 30/11/1940 #RememberRCN -HMCS NAPANEE departs Kingston Shipyards to avoid winter freeze on Great Lakes, for completion in Montreal. In a blinding snowstorm, corvette grounds at Morrisburg Canal & returns to Kingston for repairs, delaying its commissioning until 1941. @MMGLK
Victoria class submarine, HMCS CHICOUTIMI alongside in Esquimalt, BC. on 19 September 2019. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
November 30, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Victoria class submarine, HMCS CHICOUTIMI alongside in Esquimalt, BC. on 19 September 2019. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
HMCS TRENTONIAN's sailors in Halifax in March 1944. Pictured: George Hayward, Robert Powell, Maurice Cochran, Darcy Graham, Gordon Harley, Lawrence Brako, Moyle Beck, Frank Barron, Eric Muff, N. Tarasick and Raymond Lounsbury. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
November 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM
HMCS TRENTONIAN's sailors in Halifax in March 1944. Pictured: George Hayward, Robert Powell, Maurice Cochran, Darcy Graham, Gordon Harley, Lawrence Brako, Moyle Beck, Frank Barron, Eric Muff, N. Tarasick and Raymond Lounsbury. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
#OTD 28/11/1944 #RememberRCN -HMCS SMITHS FALLS, Flower class corvette commissioned at Kingston, ON. and is the last of 123 @RoyalCanNavy corvettes to enter service in #WWII!
November 28, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 28/11/1944 #RememberRCN -HMCS SMITHS FALLS, Flower class corvette commissioned at Kingston, ON. and is the last of 123 @RoyalCanNavy corvettes to enter service in #WWII!
HMCS OTTAWA's boat crew, CARIBOPS Feb 1981. Fleet competition, each destroyer lowered their whalers & had to pull their boat around the ship once & return aboard into the davits. The 1st ship to complete the full evolution won. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
November 28, 2025 at 10:30 AM
HMCS OTTAWA's boat crew, CARIBOPS Feb 1981. Fleet competition, each destroyer lowered their whalers & had to pull their boat around the ship once & return aboard into the davits. The 1st ship to complete the full evolution won. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
HMCS OTTAWA's boat crew, CARIBOPS Feb 1981. Fleet competition, each destroyer lowered their whalers & had to pull their boat around the ship once & return aboard into the davits. The 1st ship to complete the full evolution won. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
November 28, 2025 at 10:30 AM
HMCS OTTAWA's boat crew, CARIBOPS Feb 1981. Fleet competition, each destroyer lowered their whalers & had to pull their boat around the ship once & return aboard into the davits. The 1st ship to complete the full evolution won. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW