HMCS GIVENCHY

HMCS GIVENCHY

The first GIVENCHY was a 130-foot Patrol Trawler built for the RCN at Montreal in 1918.  This ship had various functions, in the RCN and as a Canadian Government Ship, from that time and survived through the Second World War.

Late in 1939, the naval organization at Esquimalt was altered to include a command for all ships and vessels based on Esquimalt.  This officer was known as “Commanding Officer Auxiliary Vessels, Esquimalt.”

On 8 June 1940, Commodore Brodeur (COPC) proposed that, in order to simplify disciplinary matters, accounting procedure, manning, etc., a Depot Ship for Auxiliary Vessels on the West Coast be established.  As the trawler GIVENCHY was no longer a sea-going ship, he suggested GIVENCHY be the Depot Ship.  By N.M.O. No. 978, HMCS GIVENCHY was duly commissioned 25 June 1940.  Pay accounts were carried in RCN Barracks (NADEN) until April 1941, when GIVENCHY carried her own accounts.

In COPC’s Report of Proceedings for October 1940, it is stated that HMCS GIVENCHY was commissioned 21 October 1940, the ship’s company of 63 being brought on board from Lodging and Compensation ashore.  This, apparently, is where GIVENCHY became a shore establishment.  From here on, the trawler is referred to as Givenchy hulk.  The building is not specifically designated, but appears to have been in the vicinity of the Dockyard Jetty beyond the Administration Building.  In November 1940, there is a reference to alterations being made to the Galley Annex to Bldg. 124 on the Dockyard Jetty, used as “Mess Deck for Givenchy” and “about 50% completed.”  This building has since been torn down.  By January 1941, these alterations had been completed and the barracks fully occupied by 101 personnel.

In the Report of Proceedings for January 1942, there is a reference to a shortage of office accommodation in “the present GIVENCHY building No. 77”.  This was the old Royal Naval College of Canada premises across from the Admiral’s House, occupied in 1918 by the College after being forced out of Halifax by the explosion which occurred in December 1917.  This report also states that plans have been drawn up for new quarters.

In June 1942, the new quarters were begun and were completed by July 1943.  The Barracks portion of the establishment, “C” Block, (Bldg. 29), was officially opened 9 August 1943, having accommodation for 480 ratings.  The dormitories were named after old flagships that had served on the Pacific Station.

These buildings served as a demobilization centre after the war.  HMCS GIVENCHY was finally paid off 3 March 1947.  Subsequently, the establishment was employed as the Reserve Training Establishment, reserve officers and men serving in NADEN and ships afloat while the Cadets of the UNTD were quartered in “C” Block.

With regard to the construction of the GIVENCHY barracks, it was noted in the minutes of a meeting held 14 December 1941 that, “present Wardroom facilities in part of Bldg. 38 (“Stone Frigate”) are totally inadequate for the 125 officers (GIVENCHY and others) at present in Dockyard.”  It is not known, then, when the shift was made from the old college building.

In a booklet entitled “Esquimalt Naval Base Who’s Who” (1944), GIVENCHY’s Executive Officer Manual and Regulating Offices, Wardroom and Officer’s cabins are shown as being in Bldg. 49.  On the other hand, a wardroom was definitely built into “A” Block in 1943.  At the moment, the relationship is not understood.

With reference to Bldg. 188, this was a part of GIVENCHY until it became the offices of HMCS MALAHAT commissioned in January 1944.

Concerning Building 38, the 2-storey stone building high on the hill, known locally as the “Stone Frigate”, the date of its construction has not yet been uncovered.  It probably got its name from being a barracks ashore.  A map dated November 1941 has it marked “HMCS NADEN II”, this being stroked out and re-marked “Mechanical Training Establishment Barracks”.  In December 1943, the MTE, “formally NADEN II was taken over by GIVENCHY… with no disruption in normal training activities.”  On 19 February 1944, these premises were vacated and the MTE returned to NADEN.

SUMMARY OF HMCS GIVENCHY

Summary of documentary evidence re the rather confused picture with regard to commissioning and paying off of GIVENCHY (Trawler), GIVENCHY (Base), GIVENCHY II and GIVENCHY III.