Barrie in Simcoe County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
HMCS Barrie
World War II
| | Barrie Waterfront Heritage Trail | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2024
1. HMCS Barrie Marker
His Majesty's Canadian Ship Barrie was a Flower-class corvette that served with the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. Named for the town of Barrie, Ontario, she was laid down by Collingwood Shipyards Ltd. at Collingwood, Ontario, launched on November 23, 1940 and commissioned on May 12, 1941.
Residents Sponsor the Ship
The HMCS Barrie was sponsored by the Town of Barrie, whose citizens sent comforts to improve the welfare of those who served on this ship. The Barrie Examiner listed a washing machine, electric irons, rugs and radios as some of the gifts in their November 21, 1946 issue.
Saving Lives in the Atlantic
Barrie served in the Battle of the Atlantic primarily as a convoy escort. Most of her wartime duty was in Canadian, Newfoundland and United States coastal waters. On her arrival in Halifax from overseas in February 1942, she brought with her the Master and 37 crew members of a merchant ship which had been torpedoed during the voyage.
Barrie came to the rescue again in 1944, spotting an open lifeboat containing 14 survivors of the torpedoed SS Livingstone. The survivors had been adrift for eight hours and five were badly injured.
Erected by Barrie Waterfront Heritage Trail.
Topics.
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Location. 44° 22.456′ N, 79° 40.761′ W. Marker is in Barrie, Ontario, in Simcoe County. It can be reached from Lakeshore Drive 0.9 kilometers west of Minet's Point Road, on the right when traveling west. The marker is on the Barrie Waterfront Heritage Trail, in Military Heritage Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 225 Lakeshore Drive, Barrie ON L4N 7Y9, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Ontario Cottage Country and specifically in Georgian Bay Country. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Merchant Navy (here, next to this marker); Dieppe (here, next to this marker); Juno Beach (here, next to this marker); Francis Pegahmagabow (within shouting distance of this marker); Tulips (within shouting distance of this marker); Military Heritage Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Barrie's Military Heritage Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Vimy Oaks (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Barrie.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Military Heritage Park
Also see . . . HMCS Barrie (Wikipedia).
Excerpt:(Submitted on June 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)In May 1942 Barrie was assigned to the Western Local Escort Force (WLEF), escorting convoys along the coast of North America. The corvette remained with the WLEF until near the end of the war. In June 1943 she was assigned to escort group W-1. Barrie stayed with W-1 for much of the war except for a short period in late 1944 where she was temporarily assigned to escort group W-8. Barrie's second refit began in mid-March 1944 at Thompson Brothers in Liverpool, Nova Scotia where her forecastle was extended. After trials off Bermuda, the corvette joined HX 357 for the ship's last convoy mission, leaving New York City for Europe on 19 May 1945. Upon Barrie's return to Canada, the ship was paid off on 26 June 1945 at Sorel, Quebec. For the vessel's service during the Second World War, Barrie was awarded the battle honours "Atlantic 193945" and "English Channel 1942".Simcoe County Archives and Beautiful Barrie: The City and its People2. Marker detail: HMCS BarrieIdentification: Pennant number K138Following the war, Barrie was sold to Argentinian commercial interests which converted the corvette to a cargo ship and renamed the vessel Gasestado. In 1957, Gasestado was acquired by the Argentinian Navy and converted to a survey ship and renamed ARA Capitαn Cαnepa. The Argentinian Navy discarded the ship in 1972.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2024
3. HMCS Barrie Marker
Looking north from Military Heritage Park across Kempenfelt Bay, Lake Simcoe. This is the 2nd from the left of four related markers at this location.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 183 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
