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German submarines in the Saint-Lawrence river?

Discussion in 'Atlantic Naval Conflict' started by SniperSquad, Dec 27, 2020.

  1. SniperSquad

    SniperSquad Member

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    Hello everyone.

    I live in Quebec, Canada and I heard, a few times, that german submarines came in the Saint-Lawrence river in Québec, Canada. I would like to know more about these episodes.

    What were they doing there? Where they spying, destroying merchant ships?
     
  2. George Patton

    George Patton Canadian Refugee

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  3. HESH

    HESH Member

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    Sorry don't know much about it but the u boats sank 23 merchant and naval ships. So I'd say creating havoc
     
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  4. SniperSquad

    SniperSquad Member

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    Thanks for the link.

    About the 23 merchant and naval ships sank by uboats, do you know if they were really in the Saint-Lawrence or in the Atlantic? Since I try not to spend more on books, if you find infos or links about that I would be very interested to know.
     
  5. Carronade

    Carronade Ace

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    I believe most of them were in the Gulf of St. Lawrence rather than the river: Battle of the St. Lawrence - Wikipedia

    Sinkings averaged about one per month, but they forced the Allies to corral merchant ships into convoys and to provide escorts for them. Many of these were Canadian-built minesweepers, but there were also frigates and corvettes that could otherwise have served on the Atlantic convoy routes.

    WWII minesweepers commonly carried asdic and at least a few depth charges; some dispensed with minesweeping gear entirely in order to carry depth charge tracks and throwers and served as antisubmarine escorts. The open quarterdeck could accommodate either configuration.
     
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  6. SniperSquad

    SniperSquad Member

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    Very interesting.

    Question: What does "asdic" means exactly?
     
  7. George Patton

    George Patton Canadian Refugee

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    Early form of sonar, named for the "Anti-Submarine Detection Investigation Committee"
     
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