The SS Caribou : Convoy Cup Foundation

About the SS Caribou

SS Caribou was a Newfoundland Railway passenger ferry that ran between Port aux Basques, in the Dominion of Newfoundland, and North Sydney, Nova Scotia between 1928 and 1942.

The sinking of SS Caribou and the loss of 137 lives perilously close to home caused alarm in the Canadian and Newfoundland public and galvanized support for the war domestically.

During the Battle of the St. Lawrence the ferry was attacked and sunk by the Nazi German submarine U-69 in October 1942, while traversing the Cabot Strait as part of her three weekly SPAB convoys. As a civilian vessel, she had women and children on board, and many of them were among the 137 who died. Her sinking, and large death toll, made it clear that the war had really arrived on Canada's and Newfoundland's home front, and is cited by many historians as the most significant sinking in Canadian-controlled waters during the Second World War.

A message from the captain:

My connection to the Caribou is a close personal one through my Grandmother on my Mother's side. She worked for many years as a Steward on the Newfoundland Ferries and Coastal Vessels. She had worked on the Caribou but was thankfully not aboard when it was sunk on October 14, 1942.

Jim has been a member of DYC since 1999. He was a member of the Management Committee for eight years and has held the positions of Fleet Captain Power, Vice Commodore and Commodore from 2007 to 2008. Jim has served on a number of committees including the 2003 Hurricane Juan Marina Reconstruction Committee. Jim is an avid boater and spends as much time on the water as he can, cruising on his power boat or crewing on a Wednesday night sailing race. He is a past president of the Nova Scotia Chapter of the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society and has served on the national board of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada.

2 donors have contributed $ 600.00 in support of the SS Caribou crew, and in recognition of veterans of naval & armed conflict.

$500
Tiller Engineering Inc.
$100
Anonymous

On September 14^th, the Cold Comfort will represent The SS Caribou in the 2014 Convoy Cup commemorative sailpast of HMCS Sackville.

Support the SS Caribou and the Convoy Cup Foundation. Your donation will help fund programs that support veterans, commemorate their sacrifices, and perpetuate their memory by educating future generations.

Commemorate the SS Caribou, and the Battle of the Atlantic.

Donation in support of:

SS Caribou

Cold Comfort
Jim Thomas

Amount: $

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About the Convoy Cup Foundation.

The Convoy Cup recognizes the historical contribution of the port of Halifax to the convoy lifeline to Europe during World War II, and perpetuates the memory of the courageous men and women of the merchant marine, navy and air force.

We continue to honour the sacrifices made by veterans of past and present conflicts, who contributed so much to the peace and security we enjoy today.

SS Caribou

About the SS Caribou

Commemorate the SS Caribou, and the Battle of the Atlantic.

About the Convoy Cup Foundation.

Past & present sponsors.