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Hunting New England Shipwrecks

HMCS Saint Francis

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 saintfrancis-wrc.JPG (17288 bytes)

stfran-lantern1.JPG (36671 bytes)

HMCS Saint Francis
(Bill Carter collection)

 Restored lantern
from Saint Francis
(Bill Carter collection)

The table below provides historical and statistical data on the vessel. Some of the information may be incomplete. If you have additions or corrections, please e-mail us at the address listed below.

Shipwreck Data

Vessel Name HMCS Saint Francis
Other Names Built as USS Bancroft (DD-256) and  mistakenly known by most divers as HMCS Saint Clair. Vessel was part of a lend-lease deal with Great Britain during World War II and was placed under the command of the Royal Canadian Navy. HMCS stands for "His/Her Majesty's Canadian Ship."
Vessel Type Destroyer (Clemson Class)
Owner Boston Metals Company
Length / Beam / Draft (feet) 314' / 31' / 9'
Tonnage 1,060
Hull Construction Steel
Propulsion Steam / Prop
Cargo  
Built 1919 at Quincy, MA
Date of Loss July 14, 1945
Reason for Loss Collision in fog with collier Windward Gulf. At the time of sinking, the Saint Francis was being towed away to be scrapped. The Windward Gulf did not sink.
Fatalities None
Location Inner Mayo Ledge, Buzzards Bay, off Westport, MA
Coordinates (Lat/Lon) 41-27-42N / 71-06-20W
Coordinates (Loran C)  
Water Depth (feet) 60'
Typical Visibility (feet) 10 - 20'
Wreck Condition After sinking, the wreck was blown up and flattened. Scattered wreckage remains.
Diving Considerations  
Other Information Wreck location is marked on NOAA chart as 
WK-5
Attention Divers
The information on this page was obtained from a variety of sources. Although we have attempted to make it as accurate as possible, it may contain errors.  For your personal safety, use extreme caution when diving on this wreck.

For more information on this wreck's location and history, and water and diving conditions in the area, contact local dive shop personnel, dive charter boat operators and local fishermen. Also check out the other shipwreck Websites listed on our Favorite Links page.


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