REMEMBERING THE SINKING OF THE NEWFOUNDLAND FERRY S.S. CARIBOU, THE ALLIED MERCHANT NAVY/AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINE, THE ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY, AND THE RCMP MARINE SERVICE, OCTOBER 14TH, 2021
REMEMBERING THE SINKING OF THE NEWFOUNDLAND FERRY S.S. CARIBOU, THE ALLIED MERCHANT NAVY/AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINE, THE ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY, AND THE RCMP MARINE SERVICE
OCTOBER 14TH, 2021
“We owe so much to our veterans and our men and women in uniform. We must always remain grateful and remember the purpose for which they served and continue to serve. In this way, it is our duty to defend the principles, values, and ideals enshrined in our Charter of Rights and Freedoms for which they fought and died to protect. Indeed, we must preserve their legacy forevermore.”
– The Honourable Senator Joseph A. Day, Chair, Honorary Board of Governors, MNCTP
“Every day at sea presented great risk to the sailors in ships like the S.S. Caribou as they were not simply caught in the crossfire, they were the prime targets.”
– RAdm Brian Santarpia, Commander, Maritime Forces Atlantic
“The RCMP Marine Services has a long proud record of service patrolling Canada’s coastal waterways along the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans. Members serving aboard RCMP patrol vessels supported and protected communities, delivered services on behalf of the federal government to villages, hamlets and outposts, and affirmed Canada’s sovereignty over the remote north regions, most famously through the voyages of the RCMP schooner, St. Roch; the first vessel to traverse the Northwest Passage from west to east (1940 – 1942).
“During peace and war, over the course of its formal existence from the 1930’s to the 1970’s, hundreds of members of the RCMP Marine Services sailed aboard a large fleet of RCMP vessels of varying size, capability and purpose remaining vigilant and active in performing their essential duties. Members of the RCMP serving aboard RCMP patrol vessels today under respective division commands continue in the tradition of these veteran mariners. Their example and commitment to service endures to this day.
“The RCMP Veterans’ Association is grateful for the acknowledgement of the contributions of the RCMP Marine Service by the Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project and its President & CEO, Mr. Stéphane Ouellette.
“On this solemn anniversary of the sinking of the SS Caribou off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador by enemy action on October 14, 1942, the RCMP Veterans’ Association respectfully remembers the tragic loss of life of 136 souls, including civilian passengers, military personnel and 31 crewmembers of Canada’s Merchant Navy. We honour the courageous contributions of the Merchant Navy throughout their own proud history and are proud to stand on parade today at the Royal Canadian Navy Monument to commemorate their service. We will remember them.”
– Alexander P. (Sandy) Glenn, National President, RCMP Veterans’ Association
OTTAWA, TODAY – Mr. Stéphane Ouellette, President and Chief Executive Officer, Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project (MNCTP), was joined by Rear-Admiral Chris Sutherland Deputy Commander, Royal Canadian Navy, at the Royal Canadian Navy Monument (Ottawa) to remember the sinking of the Newfoundland Ferry
S.S. Caribou, the Allied Merchant Navy/American Merchant Marine, the Royal Canadian Navy, and the RCMP Marine Service. Also, Rear–Admiral Brian Santarpia, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic, and Captain (Rtr’d) Earle Wagner, Merchant Navy Veteran, and Honorary Governor of the MNCTP, laid a wreath at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. To view the live–streamed event, please select: facebook/Maritime Forces Atlantic
October 14, 2021, marks the 79th Anniversary of the sinking of the Newfoundland ferry S.S. Caribou that was torpedoed in the Cabot Strait on her way to Port aux Basques, Newfoundland: 136 of the 237 souls on board perished. The year 2021 also marks the 76th Anniversary of the end of the Battle of the Atlantic, and the 111th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy.
During the Second World War, a total of 25,343 merchant ships, with 164,783,921 tons of cargo on board, sailed from North America to Britain. The Royal Canadian Navy gave to the struggle over 2, 000 dead and 24 warships. More than 900 RCAF and Canadian Army personnel were also lost. Over 2,199 Canadian Merchant Navy Seaman were killed in both World Wars. Moreover, more than 250,000 American Merchant Marine sailed the treacherous oceans of the globe. Over 6,835 American Merchant Marine were killed and over 11,000 wounded. In addition, 604 Merchant Mariners were taken prisoners of war, resulting in 61 casualties within POW camps.
While the RCMP has employed watercraft for duties since 1890, as a dedicated entity, the RCMP Marine Service was formally established on April 1, 1932. Its mission was to eliminate smuggling on the St. Lawrence River, the Great Lakes, East and West Coasts and to enforce the Excise Act. The Marine Service, later designated the Marine Division, continued to operate until its termination on April 1, 1970. Over several decades, the RCMP Marine Service fulfilled its responsibilities and enforcement duties under relevant federal statutes, patrolled coastal waterways, and conducted Search and Rescue operations. During its tenure, five (5) serving or former members of the RCMP Marine Service died in the line of duty; two in 1890 engaged in inland water patrol; three during the Second World War as a result of hostile enemy action. RCMP Marine Service achievements include the historic first west to east traverse of the North West Passage (1940 – 1942) by a crew led by RCMP Sgt. Henry Larsen.
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Associated Links
Contact Info
Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project (MNCTP)
Stéphane Ouellette
President and Chief Executive Officer
E-mail: ouellettes@rogers.com
Website: www.alliedmerchantnavy.com
