HMCS La Hulloise

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HMCS La Hulloise was a River-class frigate that served with the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II and later as a Prestonian-class training ship from 1957 to 1965. It was named for Hull, Quebec, but the spelling was changed to avoid confusion with a U.S. ship.

Ordered in October 1941, the ship was built by Canadian Vickers in Montreal. It was laid down on 10 August 1943, launched 29 October 1943, and commissioned on 20 May 1944 with the pennant K 668. River-class frigates were larger and more capable than corvettes, with better range, improved living quarters, and stronger anti-submarine gear.

After working up in Bermuda, La Hulloise escorted convoys and operated with various escort groups in the Atlantic and around Britain. On 7 March 1945, she helped sink the German submarine U-1302 in St George’s Channel.

Following the war, she served as an accommodation and training ship. In 1953 she began a conversion to the Prestonian class, which gave her a larger bridge and enclosed quarterdeck. She was recommissioned on 9 October 1957 with the pennant 305 and served in the Ninth Canadian Escort Squadron in 1961. La Hulloise was decommissioned for the last time on 16 July 1965, sold, and broken up in 1966 at La Spezia, Italy.