Remembering HMCS Skeena: RCN Sailors Honour the Fallen in Iceland

On August 20, 2026, sailors from HMCS Ville de Québec and personnel from Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) gathered on Videy Island, Iceland, to commemorate the 15 crew members of HMCS Skeena who lost their lives when the destroyer ran aground during a violent storm in October 1944.

During the ceremony, participants assembled at the Skeena memorial, observed a moment of silence, and laid a wreath in honour of those who perished. Seeking shelter from severe weather on the night of October 24-25, 1944, the ship was driven onto the rocky shores of Videy Island in one of the Royal Canadian Navy's (RCN) most significant wartime tragedies.

For the crew of Ville de Québec, the visit offered a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the legacy of those who served before them. Standing at the site more than 80 years later, sailors took time to remember the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of the Skeena's crew.

Commissioned in 1931, Skeena was among the first destroyers built specifically for the RCN. During the Second World War, she escorted convoys across the North Atlantic, conducted anti-submarine operations, and supported Allied efforts related to the Normandy landings.

The ceremony also underscored the Navy's ongoing commitment to preserving its history and honouring those who served. By paying tribute to the crew of Skeena, those in attendance reaffirmed the values of duty, service, and remembrance that continue to guide Canadian sailors today.

More than eight decades after the tragedy, the story of HMCS Skeena continues to resonate within the RCN, ensuring the memory of her crew endures for future generations.

A commemorative wreath rests at the HMCS Skeena memorial site.

Photo: Captain Fahé, PAO.