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Shipwrecks of Nova Scotia
HMCS Esquimalt
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Wreck Chart #2
Halifax and ApproachesHMCS Esquimalt
(hazegray.org)The table below provides historical and statistical data on the vessel. Some of the information may be incomplete. If you have additions or corrections, please e-mail us at the address listed below.
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Shipwreck Data |
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| Vessel Name | HMCS Esquimalt (J272) |
| Other Names | |
| Vessel Type | Minesweeper |
| Owner | Royal Canadian Navy |
| Length / Beam / Draft (feet) | 162' / 28/ / 8' |
| Tonnage | 592 DT |
| Hull Construction | Steel |
| Propulsion | Diesel / Screw |
| Cargo | |
| Built | 1941 at Sorel, Quebec (Marine Industries Ltd.) |
| Date of Loss | April 16, 1945 |
| Reason for Loss | Torpedoed by German submarine U-190 - the Esquimalt reportedly sank in 4 minutes. |
| Fatalities | 44 (26 survived) - Most of the crew escaped from the sinking ship on floats, but died of exposure before other vessels discovered them several hours later. |
| Last Trip | |
| Wreck Location | Off Halifax - probably around 44°-26' N / 63°-10' W - about 20 miles due east of Sambro Island. Other sources say the wreck is located 5 miles off Chebucto Head. |
| Coordinates (Lat/Lon) | |
| Coordinates (Loran C) | |
| Water Depth (feet) | Probably over 300' deep |
| Typical Visibility (feet) | |
| Wreck Condition | |
| Diving Considerations | |
| Other Information | The
U-190 surrendered off Newfoundland several weeks later, at the
end of the war. For a while, it was used for testing by the Royal
Canadian Navy. Then on October 21, 1947, the U-190 was sunk by
the navy near the wreck site of the Escamalt, somewhere off
Halifax.
The Esquimalt was the last Canadian ship sunk by enemy action in World War II. |
Attention Divers The information on this page was obtained from a variety of sources. Although we have attempted to make it as accurate as possible, it may contain errors. For your personal safety, use extreme caution when diving on this wreck. For more information on this wreck's location and history, and water and diving conditions in the area, contact local dive shop personnel, dive charter boat operators and local fishermen. Also check out the other shipwreck sites listed on our Links page.
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