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 10/2/1942 #RememberRCN -M/V Victolite (Imperial Oil Ltd, Toronto) torpedoed and sunk by U 564, mid-Atlantic 250 miles NW of Bermuda . All 48 Merchant Sailors were killed. ImperialOil
February 10, 2026 at 11:01 AM
#OTD 10/2/1942 #RememberRCN -M/V Victolite (Imperial Oil Ltd, Toronto) torpedoed and sunk by U 564, mid-Atlantic 250 miles NW of Bermuda . All 48 Merchant Sailors were killed. ImperialOil
#OTD 10/2/1942 #RememberRCN -HMCS SPIKENARD while escorting Convoy SC-67 is torpedoed by U-136, mid-Atlantic, sinking in 5 minutes. Only 8 sailors survived, 57 RCN sailors are killed. Tragic story SEE ow.ly/QJb6308CC1T
February 10, 2026 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 10/2/1942 #RememberRCN -HMCS SPIKENARD while escorting Convoy SC-67 is torpedoed by U-136, mid-Atlantic, sinking in 5 minutes. Only 8 sailors survived, 57 RCN sailors are killed. Tragic story SEE ow.ly/QJb6308CC1T
#OTD 9/2/1941 #RememberRCN -HMCShips HEPATICA & MAYFLOWER (pic) depart for U.K. Due to weapon shortage, wood pole fitted in place of 4in guns, which warped in transit. On arrival, Senior Officer in UK remarked, "have you clubbed the enemy?" SEE MORE ow.ly/YZPY308CKFL
February 9, 2026 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 9/2/1941 #RememberRCN -HMCShips HEPATICA & MAYFLOWER (pic) depart for U.K. Due to weapon shortage, wood pole fitted in place of 4in guns, which warped in transit. On arrival, Senior Officer in UK remarked, "have you clubbed the enemy?" SEE MORE ow.ly/YZPY308CKFL
HMCS TRENTONIAN's entire crew is turned out on the fo'c'sle, in Number 1 uniforms for church parade in Milford Haven in November 1944. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
February 9, 2026 at 10:30 AM
HMCS TRENTONIAN's entire crew is turned out on the fo'c'sle, in Number 1 uniforms for church parade in Milford Haven in November 1944. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
#OTD 8/2/1952 #RememberRCN -HMCS SIOUX successfully lands a USAF Sikorsky H-5 helicopter on deck above the Squid-handling room. The Rescue helicopter was transporting a patient in immediate need of a surgeon. This is the first instance of a helicopter landing on a destroyer.
February 8, 2026 at 11:02 AM
#OTD 8/2/1952 #RememberRCN -HMCS SIOUX successfully lands a USAF Sikorsky H-5 helicopter on deck above the Squid-handling room. The Rescue helicopter was transporting a patient in immediate need of a surgeon. This is the first instance of a helicopter landing on a destroyer.
#OTD 8/2/1946 #RememberRCN -Vice-Admiral George C. Jones, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) dies of a heart attack. VAdm Jones is the only CNS to die while in office.
February 8, 2026 at 11:01 AM
#OTD 8/2/1946 #RememberRCN -Vice-Admiral George C. Jones, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) dies of a heart attack. VAdm Jones is the only CNS to die while in office.
#OTD 8/2/1943 #RememberRCN -While escorting #OpTORCH convoy KMS-8 off Algeria, HMCS REGINA spots Italian submarine AVORIO on the surface, engaging with guns, then drops depth charges as sub crash dives. AVARIO surfaces & REGINA boards & captures sub, which sinks before towing.
February 8, 2026 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 8/2/1943 #RememberRCN -While escorting #OpTORCH convoy KMS-8 off Algeria, HMCS REGINA spots Italian submarine AVORIO on the surface, engaging with guns, then drops depth charges as sub crash dives. AVARIO surfaces & REGINA boards & captures sub, which sinks before towing.
The 50th Anniversary Sea King fly's over Halifax Harbour at dusk on 27 August 2015. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
February 8, 2026 at 10:30 AM
The 50th Anniversary Sea King fly's over Halifax Harbour at dusk on 27 August 2015. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
#OTD 7/2/1957 #RememberRCN -HMCS MAGNIFICENT slips from Greenock, UK. with a load of fifty-nine Royal Canadian Air Force Sabres to return to Canada. Eleven stowed in the hangars and forty-eight on deck. Photo -Crowsnest Magazine
February 7, 2026 at 11:02 AM
#OTD 7/2/1957 #RememberRCN -HMCS MAGNIFICENT slips from Greenock, UK. with a load of fifty-nine Royal Canadian Air Force Sabres to return to Canada. Eleven stowed in the hangars and forty-eight on deck. Photo -Crowsnest Magazine
#OTD 7/2/1943 #RememberRCN -While escorting #OpTORCH Convoy KMS-8, HMCS CAMROSE sights Italian submarines ACCIAIO & PLATINO after the later torpedoed anti-submarine trawler HMS TERVANI. CAMROSE opened fire on one of the submarines, scoring at least one hit as they crashed dived.
February 7, 2026 at 11:01 AM
#OTD 7/2/1943 #RememberRCN -While escorting #OpTORCH Convoy KMS-8, HMCS CAMROSE sights Italian submarines ACCIAIO & PLATINO after the later torpedoed anti-submarine trawler HMS TERVANI. CAMROSE opened fire on one of the submarines, scoring at least one hit as they crashed dived.
#OTD 7/2/1942 #RememberRCN–The passenger liner SS Maurienne (Canadian Government) caught fire and capsized at Pier 27/28 in Halifax Harbour. Raised by Foundation Maritime, repaired and returned to service in 1943. Photo courtesy HazeGray
February 7, 2026 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 7/2/1942 #RememberRCN–The passenger liner SS Maurienne (Canadian Government) caught fire and capsized at Pier 27/28 in Halifax Harbour. Raised by Foundation Maritime, repaired and returned to service in 1943. Photo courtesy HazeGray
HMS MAYFLOWER Christmas Day 1944, Bill Paul, Doc. Elliot, Smitty, Melanson, Hurrie, Pete Rutledge. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
February 7, 2026 at 10:30 AM
HMS MAYFLOWER Christmas Day 1944, Bill Paul, Doc. Elliot, Smitty, Melanson, Hurrie, Pete Rutledge. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
#OTD 6/2/1943 #BattleOfAtlantic -Canso aircraft from 5 (BR) Squadron RCAF flying from Gander, NF, strafed and dropped three bombs on U-403 off Newfoundland, causing moderate damage to U-boat. Royal Canadian Air Force
February 6, 2026 at 11:02 AM
#OTD 6/2/1943 #BattleOfAtlantic -Canso aircraft from 5 (BR) Squadron RCAF flying from Gander, NF, strafed and dropped three bombs on U-403 off Newfoundland, causing moderate damage to U-boat. Royal Canadian Air Force
#OTD 6/2/1943 #RememberRCN -HMCS LOUISBURG bombed & sunk by Italian Aircraft east of Oran in the Mediterranean while escorting convoy from Gibraltar to Bône, Algeria. Of her ship's company of 84, forty were killed. SEE Details ow.ly/vTXy307ewaN
February 6, 2026 at 11:01 AM
#OTD 6/2/1943 #RememberRCN -HMCS LOUISBURG bombed & sunk by Italian Aircraft east of Oran in the Mediterranean while escorting convoy from Gibraltar to Bône, Algeria. Of her ship's company of 84, forty were killed. SEE Details ow.ly/vTXy307ewaN
#OTD 6/2/1941 #RememberRCN -MV Maplecourt (United Towing & Salvage Co, Montreal) while straggling behind convoy SC-20, is torpedoed by U-107, 250 miles W of Northern Ireland. There are no survivors from her crew of 35 merchant sailors & 2 DEMS gunners.
February 6, 2026 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 6/2/1941 #RememberRCN -MV Maplecourt (United Towing & Salvage Co, Montreal) while straggling behind convoy SC-20, is torpedoed by U-107, 250 miles W of Northern Ireland. There are no survivors from her crew of 35 merchant sailors & 2 DEMS gunners.
The RCN Sailors in HMCS VILLE DE QUEBEC have dressed their ship in preparation for the Commander Royal Canadian Navy Change-of-Command Ceremony at HMC Dockyard in Halifax on 12 June 2019. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
February 6, 2026 at 10:30 AM
The RCN Sailors in HMCS VILLE DE QUEBEC have dressed their ship in preparation for the Commander Royal Canadian Navy Change-of-Command Ceremony at HMC Dockyard in Halifax on 12 June 2019. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
#OTD 5/2/1944 #RememberRCN -HMS PUNCHER, escort aircraft carrier (CVE) commissioned & is 2nd carrier operated by RCN in WWII. Under Lend-Lease CVE could not be transferred to RCN as HMCS although PUNCHER is manned entirely by #RCN sailors, with RN aircrew. Photo -Vancouver 1944.
February 5, 2026 at 11:02 AM
#OTD 5/2/1944 #RememberRCN -HMS PUNCHER, escort aircraft carrier (CVE) commissioned & is 2nd carrier operated by RCN in WWII. Under Lend-Lease CVE could not be transferred to RCN as HMCS although PUNCHER is manned entirely by #RCN sailors, with RN aircrew. Photo -Vancouver 1944.
#OTD 5/2/1942 #RememberRCN -Canadian Pacific Railways passenger liner Empress Of Asia, bombed and sunk by Japanese aircraft, off Singapore. Of the 2651 passengers/crew on board, 16 were killed. CPKC @TORailwayMuseum
February 5, 2026 at 11:01 AM
#OTD 5/2/1942 #RememberRCN -Canadian Pacific Railways passenger liner Empress Of Asia, bombed and sunk by Japanese aircraft, off Singapore. Of the 2651 passengers/crew on board, 16 were killed. CPKC @TORailwayMuseum
#OTD 5/2/1940 #RememberRCN -SS Beaverburn (Canadian Pacific Ships) sunk by torpedo from U41 while in convoy OA84 in the North Atlantic, one merchant sailor killed and 76 rescued. CPKC
February 5, 2026 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 5/2/1940 #RememberRCN -SS Beaverburn (Canadian Pacific Ships) sunk by torpedo from U41 while in convoy OA84 in the North Atlantic, one merchant sailor killed and 76 rescued. CPKC
Ross Milligan, RCNR in HMCS WASAGA, Plymouth, UK in 1944. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
February 5, 2026 at 10:30 AM
Ross Milligan, RCNR in HMCS WASAGA, Plymouth, UK in 1944. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
#OTD 4/2/1953 #RememberRCN -The last Royal Canadian Navy Fairey Firefly is retired. A total of 64 of these aircraft operated from RCN aircraft carriers WARRIOR, MAGNIFICENT and Naval Air Stations. Photo courtesy Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
February 4, 2026 at 11:02 AM
#OTD 4/2/1953 #RememberRCN -The last Royal Canadian Navy Fairey Firefly is retired. A total of 64 of these aircraft operated from RCN aircraft carriers WARRIOR, MAGNIFICENT and Naval Air Stations. Photo courtesy Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
#OTD 4/2/1943 #BattleOfAtlantic -U414 is attacked by a Canso aircraft form 5 (BR) Squadron RCAF flying from Gander, NF in the North Atlantic, U-Boat severely damaged, forced to return to St. Nazaire. Royal Canadian Air Force
February 4, 2026 at 11:01 AM
#OTD 4/2/1943 #BattleOfAtlantic -U414 is attacked by a Canso aircraft form 5 (BR) Squadron RCAF flying from Gander, NF in the North Atlantic, U-Boat severely damaged, forced to return to St. Nazaire. Royal Canadian Air Force
#OTD 4/2/1942 #RememberRCN -M/V Montrolite, (Imperial Oil Ltd, Toronto) torpedoed by U-109, mid-Atlantic, NE of Bermuda. 28 merchant sailors are killed, 20 rescued. ImperialOil
February 4, 2026 at 11:00 AM
#OTD 4/2/1942 #RememberRCN -M/V Montrolite, (Imperial Oil Ltd, Toronto) torpedoed by U-109, mid-Atlantic, NE of Bermuda. 28 merchant sailors are killed, 20 rescued. ImperialOil
HMCS EDMONTON sits outboard of HMCS WHITEHORSE on the MCDV Jetty at HMC Dockyard in Esquimalt, BC. on 21 September 2019. The Victoria class submarine, HMCS CHICOUTIMI can be seen behind the crane on the right of the photo. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
February 4, 2026 at 10:30 AM
HMCS EDMONTON sits outboard of HMCS WHITEHORSE on the MCDV Jetty at HMC Dockyard in Esquimalt, BC. on 21 September 2019. The Victoria class submarine, HMCS CHICOUTIMI can be seen behind the crane on the right of the photo. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW
A very hearty THANK YOU to Stephen & an anonymous person for buying me 10 coffees! If you find value in my daily RCN history posts, please consider supporting my work and “Buy Me a Coffee,” or two or more. 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
February 3, 2026 at 4:40 PM
A very hearty THANK YOU to Stephen & an anonymous person for buying me 10 coffees! If you find value in my daily RCN history posts, please consider supporting my work and “Buy Me a Coffee,” or two or more. buymeacoffee.com/litwillerry