HMCS Lady Nelson

HMCS Lady Nelson was a Royal Canadian Navy hospital ship during the Second World War. On March 22, 1942 Lady Nelson was torpedoed by GS U-161 (1941) while alongside at Castries, St. Lucia. Lady Nelson sank immediately and 15 passengers were killed and three crewmen died. The ship was refloated and repaired. In April 1943, Lady Nelson’s conversion to a Canadian hospital ship. HMCS Lady Nelson carried 515 beds and completed 30 voyages by Feb. 1946, bringing home 25,000 wounded men.

Legacy

 * Namesake of Lady Nelson Road, CFB Halifax.
 * Subject of painting by Wilfred Leonard Whitern (1944) - print hung in Health Centre, Stadcona, CFB Halifax

Also see

 * CFB Halifax
 * Military history of Canada