I attended the decommissioning ceremony for another ship I served on. We took a day sail, disembarked on a jetty in three ranks. . . not a dry eye on the rock. It was like a funeral. I imagine watching the Yukon going down would be the same feeling. She was a good ship, but I can't think of a better way for a warship to end her life (above water). Nice to know it'll be a place for fish to grow.

I took my first big trip in the Navy aboard 263. I liked the job I was doing (Weaponsman), but there were too many rules-too many outdated traditions. Everybody's favorite, certainly, was the Crossing the Line ceremony (crossing the equator). We were called tadpoles, and tried to escape King Neptune's pill by hiding in the ship someplace. the pill was a mix of whatever rotten stuff the shell backs could find-I remember old putrified canned fish. We had to put our whole bodies in buckets of the stuff. Once you crossed the equator, you were known as a shell back. I still carry my card in my wallet. Ah, the Yukon. Great ship, great crew, great trip.

Paul "Cheve" Cheverie

Michael L. Becevel

I was one of King Neptune's mermaids. I went to a second hand store to buy a bra that would fit me. My wife sewed a port and starboard nipple on me with red and green sequins. She sewed a tail from waist down and I had to be carried to the stage. When the sun came down I had a sunburn outlining the bra straps.

If the bulkheads could talk, they would tell the stories about our trips up the Columbia River to the Portland Rose Festival. It was a long haul, but residents there put in for a draw who would go for the ride. There was lots of cold beer and patronizing. In 1972 they got rid of the Tot of Rum-a British tradition and carry over from the Royal Navy. We used to get a daily ration of two beers, and two and a half ounces of really dark rum. It was good stuff. But then they put bars on the ships and we were rationed just two cans of beer instead-except when we went up the Columbia to the Rose Festival!

I made two trips to Australia, one to South America, Peru, and to Skagway and White Horse, Alaska. We made numerous trips to San Diego. In fact, all of our Victorian fleet used to tie up at the foot of Broadway. We would go to a neighborhood bar called Bernie's for a last wet before leaving port. When they leveled the bar, the Bernie's sign found its way on board the Yukon. We hung it at the stern for Christmas decoration. Our electricians wired up the lights.

One time while tied up in Victoria, we watched a farmer tear down a cedar fence. We put all those boards on the walls in 3 mess lounge on 2 deck. It looked like the inside of a log cabin down there. Cook gave us his pastry bags and we put plaster in them to caulk the logs. We painted a false window with a snow scene, had a wolf skin, snow shoe, moccasins, deer antlers. . . even had an outhouse door and blue moon painted on the bulkhead. We got away with that for two years before an inspection.

On long cruises, we'd have the great beer can races. Had to build a car using a beer can, with wheels and stuff. A machinist would round aluminum stock to a two-inch diameter for those wheels.

We had a lot of good times on the Yukon, and some not-so-good ones. When a sailor lost a relative while on board the ship, I would run phone patches through the radio circuits for people to call home. This was in the day before staellite communications.

I was a sparker, or radioman-and a barber. I had the best time in my whole naval career aboard the Yukon-the best of shipmates. I still work in the Navy Dock Yards, and run into old ship mates all the time. We feel sad thinking about the ship going under, but her life isn't over.

Michael L. Becevel
Petty Officer and Radioman aboard HMCS Yukon from December 1981 - December 1983 and again in 1985 - June 1988

Just short note to add to YUKON'S history.She saved the James Sinclair from sinking off Vancouver Island in 1985 (can't remember the date) it was quite a scarry nite as I recall. The Sinclair was a brand new Canadian Fisheries patrol boat at the time, and named after X Prime minister Trudeaus wifes(Margaret) father. She went aground and Yukon was called to the rescue, we used divers with matresses to plug the holes in her side and sent people over with pumps to keep her afloat until she got to a port not far away(can't remember which one BAMFIELD maybe).Ironically a few months later Yukon went a ground off the San Juan Islands @0400 one morning enroute to Seattle.(the officer of the watch got us offcourse and wouldn't listen to the radar people so we grazed a reef and tore off the sonar dome.

Anyway she was a GREAT SHIP and I have may happy memories (and some I don't remember after a nite on the town at Bernies). Losing a ship you sailed on for so long is like losing a loved one, and you actually cry a little knowing she's gone for good. But the bright side is that she will be used for something good and not razorblades. I actually have an original commisioning book of her from 1963.


Sincerely

ALEX BADIUK
840 JASMINE AVE.
VICTORIA B.C.

From Reg & Fran Todd

April 7, 1999

Hi Gang, well I hope this reaches everyone, anyway I have been informed by Ian Williams, (604) 869-9890 that April 17th the Yukon will be open all day to visitors and there will be a Reunion of all past crew members at HMCS Discovery in Vancouver with a Buffet Dinner starting at 1800 hrs. and April 18th the Yukon will be open to visitors again. I don't believe I can make it even though it's only a ferrie ride for me as I live in Victoria,but I'm going to try my best! Hope to hear from all of you on the old "E" mail,keep in touch.

toddrf@pacificcoast.net

April 07, 1999

I was with Yukon from '82 - 84 and again from '89 - 92. I served as a
stoker and although I am nowhere near the longest serving member I was wondering who might be. Frank Coveney told me he was with 10 years. CPO2 (Paddy) Dunn who is still serving (possibly in Fleet School Esquimalt Damage Control Division) may also be a candidate. If any one has thoughts on that please drop a line.

Dave Tomblin P1ER (retd)

cvolks@bcsupernet.com

My brother served on Yukon in the late 60's as a Sonarman. He recalled that while on patrol in the North Pacific with the U.S. 7th fleet, and the Canadian warships Mackenzie and Qu'appelle they had caught a Soviet submarine in American waters and had chased it all the way into Soviet territorial waters. The Soviets came out to "meet" them and it got pretty tense - such were the "battles" of the Cold War!

Another incident happened while showing the flag. Yukon was in El Salvador when a military coupe of the government occurred. All crew returned to the ship and were put on alert - weapons issued from the armoury stores in case the locals attempted to storm the ship for weapons. The ship quietly left port, armed.

Regards,
Brendan Coyle

I was onboard when the USS Kitty Hawk just about rammed us off the coast of Vancouver. I would like to know if you have any information on the results of the inquiry, and what happened to our captain, Commander Crow.

Brent Cawley

b_cawley@hotmail.com

My time spent in Yukon was probably the best period of my Naval career. The ship's company both Officers and Men was by far the most friendly that I had the pleasure to serve with during my 35 years in the Navy. Participated in Expo 70 in Japan. Not only did I serve in Her but my daughter Francine was baptized in Her and had her name inscribed on the Bell. Wouldn'y mind being brought to San Diego for Her sinking in 99.

Lieutenant Commander Allard

allardb.s@intranet.ca

I, and my fellow officers who served in her in her final days in active service, are very much interested in acquiring more details of this project so that we can all plan to be in San Diego for it.

Sandy Chess

kimtuk@sprint.ca

Following refit fall 1969 worked up in San Diego area early 1970. Yukon was 1 of 3 ship Canadian group visit to Japan for Expo 70. During return voyage, took part in RIMPAC out of Pearl Hbr. Took Yukon to San Diego several times. My ship's company always enjoyed a SD port visit.

Shaw H. Collin

union@vanisle.net

This will be approximately the third destroyer I have served on that's become a reef. Fortunately this has occurred only after the vessel has been retired. I will look forward to hearing from those I have served with but lost touch with over the years.

Cheers!!!

George Cormier

cpo2et@hotmail.com

The crew was great and we had lots of great times on board her. We spent lots of time out at sea training the young officers coming on board. Needless to say we played a lot of prankes on the officers. I got to see her go out for her last trip while still commitioned and she had one long ships penant flying off the mast head that trailed aft and out onto the water, it was that long.

G. Johnson

sjhono@infinet.net

I served aboard from April 1988 to June 1988. I was billeted out for Yukons deployment overseas, to Japan, Korea, and Hawaii. It was a short stay with her, but exceptionally enjoyable. I served in the capacity of a Seapup. That is, I was in the Sea Cadets, like the kind you have there. I was just shy of 18 when we went to sea. Eye opening. I decided then, that I was grateful for the opportunity to serve, but also decided against a full military career, though I did join the Reserves. While aboard for the deployment, I kept a journal for the entire cruise, and have many pictures. I also have a fair list of the crew at the time, if you are interested. I am also in the process of obtaining some of the Ship's Log from that time, to round out my "collection". Originally, I was dismayed at the thought of scuttling her, but, better that than cutting her into razor blades... So, let me know if you are interested in anything I have, from photos, to architectural drawings, to whatever.

Ian MacIver

shwing@shaw.wave.ca

Memories…Ausie cruise in 1967. Have super 8 video and black and white snapshots of crossing the line ceremonies

Art Peters

s_peters@bc.sympatico.ca

Supervisor in charge of operations room, crew on Yukon's final cruise to Hawaii in 1993

Tom Pilcher

jamesllewellyn@home.com

I traveled to San Diego many times on the Yukon for joint operations with the U.S.A. fleet.

Richard Sanborn

asanborn@island.net

I was with the crew that took her to the west coast in the 70's. One of the best ships I've ever served on

Rick Shirran

rshirran@oxford.net

Welcomed back on board for final sail and decommissioning on Dec. 1993

Reginald T.Todd Sr. CD,UNFICYP (retrd.)

toddrf@pacificcoast.net

The Yukon was a great ship with a great crew. Known in navy circles as a happy ship.

Tommy Thomas

tthomas@direct.ca

We have fond memory of her and we would like more information on the sinking and maybe we would be able to attend the ceremony and see her for the last time in Sep 99.

Gerry Van Doorn

van_doorn@email.msn.com

I got into the fleet as a young OS Signalman. I decommisioned her as well. I do know alot of people that have sailed in Yukon and I would be happy to pass on information that you have. It is nice to see that people still remember that ship.

Only the strong shall survive.

Lee Westwood

westburg@sprint.ca

It always seemed to me that whenever we travelled anywhere it was always in circles.  I trust it had nothing to do with the MARS IV navigational styles. For a while I was bunked in Mess 34 and then for some strange reason the Stores Branch and the other support services branches were moved into Mess 3 2. In typical style the stewards always seemed to know before it became official.

Ken Cossey

kcossey@seaside.net

Of all the ships I served in during my 26 year career Yukon was one of the most enjoyable. For some reason she was always a happy ship with a good crew. I am left with many fond memories of her.I noticed many names on the crew list of many old friends & aquaintances. Good luck in all your endeavours.

ALEXANDER L. Ross

My first ship and the best, isn't the first always. My first time away from home, off to San Francisco diego, Hawaii and many places in between.

Keith Macfarlane

Only sailed a few times on her as I was on special duty as the 1984 Olympic Archery Coach

Al Wills

alwills@home.com