The HMCS Prescott was a Canadian ship that rescued many of the survivors from the Partridge after it was sunk on June 11, 1944. The ship doesn’t look that much larger than the Partridge in this photo:
From uboat.net:
The German submarine U-163 was sunk in the North Atlantic north-west of Cape Finisterre in position 45º05′N, 15º00′W by depth charges from the Canadian corvette HMCS Prescott (Lt. W. McIsaac, RCNVR).
Read more about the Prescott and her history here: Link
My grandfather Robert Ainslie was on the HMCS Prescott during WW2 and was one of the people that helped to rescue the men from the partridge. He is now 86.
By: Katie on June 7, 2008
at 4:22 pm
My grandfather was Lt. Commander Wilfred Joseph McIsaac, who commanded the Prescott. He also received the distinguished service medal for sinking U-boat 163 in the N.Atlantic off Cape Finesterre.Passed away several years ago. Always loved and remembered
By: B.McIsaac on June 28, 2008
at 5:55 am
My Father Colin Richard Mullens was the Wireless Mechanic in charge of the Radar (Type 271) which picked up the U-163. He was one of 4 RN seamen in a ship full of Canadians, but it was clear to me that these were the happiest times he had at sea, even if life in a Flower was extremely uncomfortable.
He recounted a number of things about the U-163 action including that both McIsaac and he were adamant that there were 2 U-boats – facts that have subsequently been discounted by others but he remained absolutely convinced. He had apparently just been fixing the radar (which kept blowing vacuum tubes) and switched it on in what were ideal conditions and for once it worked like a dream and picked up the first U-boat within minutes.
He also recalled being sent up the mast in a Biscay gale after advising the Captain that that was the only way to get the radar (? not the 271) working.
He was delighted when he discovered that the U163 had been credited to Prescott. He never forgave the Germans for the war (post WW1 generation never really did) and for the lives they caused to be lost. In particular he recalled having a survivor from a sunken ship dying in his arms on deck (I am uncertain if this was the Partridge – possibly not), certainly he was on-board to escort Mulberry across the Channel so was present at the loss of the Partridge.
His experience at sea with Radar stood him in good stead as he was recruited by EMI Ltd on being demobbed and worked for most of his career in the design of military Radar systems. He passed away in 2001.
By: David Mullens on September 26, 2008
at 10:25 pm
David, your dad Colin may have held Lloyd Beal in his arms when he died. I was holding on to Beal when we were picked up by the Prescott. The crew of the lifeboat thought he was already dead. I told them he was passing out on me in the water. The boat pulled us both out of the water. I saw Beal on the deck of the Prescott just before I passed out. I don’t remember much after that, but commiing to once in awhile. I don’t remember how I got off the Prescott, but came to on the beach. but from then on I was in and out until some time in July when I finnaly woke up for good.
Joe Shannon
By: jJoe Shannon on November 7, 2008
at 10:16 pm
My Father was the Telecommunications officer aboard the Prescott, I believe, according to his Service Records, at the time of the Partridge recovery. I have a photo of that era, I would like to share with you. Please let me know how to add this to this forum.
By: John Martin on January 4, 2009
at 1:43 am
My wife and I are doing a book on Rev. Paul and Helen Moulton who where missionaries to the country of Peru and the Amazon river area….Rev Moulton served on the Prescott march 1943 to the end of the war…we are looking for a good photo or high resolution scan or other photos of interest.. of the Prescott …could anyone help us …Thanking in advance for your help!
Terry and Peggy Milton
Whitby Ontario
Canada
By: tery Milton on April 12, 2009
at 3:36 pm
My Father, George Kroitor, served on the Prescott from late 1941 to until the end of 1944 after which he was stationed in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia until the end of the war. I have looked at his photos from on board which document some of the events in the ship’s service during that time. He is now 87 years of age and keeps a Flower class Corvette model on his mantel as a reminder of the ship on which he served.
By: Scott Lawson on May 4, 2009
at 5:13 pm
My father, Colin Mullens, served on board HMCS Prescott from November 1942 until October 1944. He was a wireless mechanic with the Royal Navy and seconded to the Canadian Navy which had recently been equipped with new British anti-submarine radar units because they were short of personel trained to use this equipment.
The following link, http://usseriepg50.org/attacker/attacker.htm, details the loss of the u-boat U-163 which Mr Kroitor may remember. Almost certainly he would have met my father who died in 2001 but would be 89 if alive today – a little older than Mr Kroitor. There is a picture of my father on the site – I wonder if Mr Kroitor would recognise and remember him?
By: Eleanor Mullens on June 22, 2009
at 10:12 am
Although I am uncertain of the exact dates, my great-grandfather, Stanley Chant, served on the Prescott. I would greatly appreciate any information or photos you might have regarding his service on the ship.
With thanks,
Colin Chant
Windsor, Ontario
By: Colin Chant on June 12, 2009
at 12:58 am
My name is prescott krous and i believe i am family of thurman krouse, a crewman, and was named after the ship that saved him.
By: P Krouse on June 12, 2009
at 7:18 pm
My father was Edwin Mathews, who was a Ham Operator on the Prescott and I was wondering it there is any site I may look up to find more information about him, if there is anything about him written up. He talked about the war, but not to much about the battles or the Prescott. Any help would greatly be appreciated.
By: robert mathews on June 29, 2009
at 1:39 pm