Costin, Frank William: my Navy recollections (November 29, 1985 - January 27, 1986)
ABSTRACT: Lieut.-Cdr. Frank William Costin Royal Canadian Navy Costin_F_0165_01.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 1) Born on June 17, 1928 in Duncan, B.C. Lived in Westholme, educated in Duncan. At the age of fourteen and one-half he joined the Canadian Scottish Regiment (militia). Training schedule consisted of as many as three nights per week; weekend exercises every three weeks. Armed with the Enfield 30.06 American-manufactured rifle. Conditions of service. (20:00) Completed high school in 1945. Joined the Royal Canadian Naval College at Royal Roads in Sept. 1946 in a class of fifty cadets of whom thirty-five graduated. (32:00) (Reel 1, Side 2) The early days at naval college were a shock: heavy schedule of academics, naval training, and sports. Promoted to midshipman upon graduation and posted to H.M.S. Triumph (light fleet carrier) to learn the "naval trade". Explains the choice of naval branches available to midshipmen. (30:00) Costin_F_0165_02.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 1, channel 2) Transferred to H.M.S. Newcastle (cruiser) commanded by Lord Louis Mountbatten. Both Newcastle and Triumph were engaged in patrols to attempt to prevent Jewish immigration to Israel. Promoted to acting sub-lieutenant and sent to the naval college at Greenwich. For a short time posted to H.M.S. Finisterre (destroyer) used as a gunnery training ship. Lieutenants' qualifying course. Returned to appointment in Canada in H.M.C.S. Antigonish (frigate) where he obtained his watch keeping ticket. (30:00) (Reel 1, Side 2) Exercises with the United States Navy. Mainguy Report. Decision made to train junior officers in Canada. Selected to go to Britain in 1953 as part of the marching component of the Coronation parade. Appointed to H.M.C.S. Athabaskan in the Far East. Made one patrol off the Korean coast before the war ended. Navigation course in England. In 1956 joined H.M.C.S. Magnificent (light fleet carrier). (35:00) Costin_F_0165_03.mp3 (Reel 2, Side 1) Recaps boat-running experiences as a midshipman. Explains tasks. As a divisional officer in Magnificent he acquired eighteen months of valuable man-management experience. Discusses configuration of Magnificent, training role, NATO responsibilities. As the new Canadian destroyers were commissioned the Navy had difficulty training junior officers in the only ships available, the operational ones. Comments on the anti-submarine role of the Royal Canadian Navy and the difficulty in attempting to keep up with submarine development. Engaged, as part of the Flag Officer's staff, in sea trials of the new destroyers. Explains civilian control and post-acceptance trials. Much effort required to get the sophisticated equipment to work properly. (32:00) Costin_F_0165_04.mp3 (Reel 2, Side 1, channel 2) Appointed to H.M.C.S. Algonquin (a former Fleet class destroyer). Discusses modernization, armament, early aluminium superstructure. Together with H.M.C.S. Crescent she formed the basis for future ship improvement. Squadron navigator. Explains problems, particularly in far northern waters. Favourable comment on the unflappable Capt. Tony Pickard. (45:00) New and sophisticated equipment brought forward many unfamiliar problems. High requirement for intensive training and frequent maintenance. Training and maintenance schedules cut into time allocated for operational exercises. Refers to naval wives and their necessary attitude toward the absence of their husbands. Captains' wives were always concerned with family problems that might occur. Describes severe weather conditions in the Atlantic. (27:00)
Interviewer: Cafferky, Shawn
Interviewee: Costin, Frank William, b. 1928
Rank: Lieutenant-Commander.
An interview/narrative of Frank William Costin's experiences during World War II. Lieutenant-Commander Costin served with the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on November 29, December 9 and 23, 1985 and January 27, 1986.
- In Collection:
- 4 sound recordings (MP3)
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- 51.45, 0.05
- Two original sound tape reels (ca. 255 min.) : 3 3/4 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 3 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- CFW_165
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- February 10, 2009
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 32 kHz. Digitized by QL, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Transferred from audio reel to audio cassette between 1987-1997. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2009. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
- Rights
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- DOI
| Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SC141_MilitaryOralHistory_GenericThumbnail |
|
|
|
Costin_F_0165_01.mp3 |
|
|
|
|
Costin_F_0165_02.mp3 |
|
|
|
|
Costin_F_0165_03.mp3 |
|
|
|
|
Costin_F_0165_04.mp3 |
|