Bridgman, A. Graham: my Navy recollections (June 3 - August 5, 1980)

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An interview/narrative of A. Graham Bridgman's experiences during World War II. Commodore Bridgman served with the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve and the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on June 3, July 4 and August 5, 1980.

ABSTRACT: Commodore A. Graham Bridgman Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve Royal Canadian Navy Bridgman_A_0025_01.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 1) Born on Nov. 4, 1917 in Wadena, Sask. While at the University of Saskatchewan he became a member of the 64th Field Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery at Yorkton. Rejected by the Canadian Officers Training Corps on physical grounds, he was able, before graduating in mechanical engineering, to join the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve through H.M.C.S. Unicorn as an acting probationary sub-lieutenant (temporary) and upon finishing his courses went "active" on May 1, 1941. He was a member of the first three-month class at H.M.C.S. Kings at Dalhousie University. Posted for training to H.M.S. Dispatch (cruiser) and qualified for his engine-room watchkeeping ticket. (20:00) Returned to Canada and joined H.M.C.S. Quinte (minesweeper). In hospital as a result of an auto accident, he missed the sailing and subsequent sinking of the Quinte. (William S. Thackray's note: the ship was not lost due to enemy action. H.M.C.S. Quinte ran aground at Cape Breton Nov. 30, 1942 and was beached. Later refloated and repaired). Posted to H.M.C.S. Stadacona as a lieutenant in 1943. Bridgman_A_0025_02.mp3 Appointed an engineer-officer aboard H.M.C.S. Stonetown, then under construction, and remained with her until after V-J Day. After working-up sent to Londonderry for convoy duty. Discusses boiler and reciprocating engine problems. Regrets political decision in 1945 to require volunteers for the Pacific War. Joined the Interim Navy as an acting lieutenant commander. Returned yachts on wartime loan to their previous owners. (20:00) In Feb. 1946 joined the Royal Canadian Navy and later H.M.C.S. Haida (Tribal class destroyer). Experiences in Haida. (30:00) Some comments on Canadian-made turbines. Ship construction problems at H.M.C. Dockyard. June 1950, second engineer in H.M.C.S. Ontario (cruiser) for two years. Promoted to commander in 1952 and senior engineer in Ontario the same year. (45:00) Describes accidental spill of fuel oil when carrying Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Ottawa: Assistant engineer-in-chief responsible for machinery design in the new St. Laurent class destroyers for the next three years. (55:00) Bridgman_A_0025_03.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 2) In Aug. 1952 arrived in Ottawa to serious staffing problems. C.D. Howe ordered civilian technicians be recruited in England. Had to construct Canadian factories to copy first engine (Y-100) and gears made in England and Switzerland. Necessary to develop new type of lubricating oil to prevent bearing failures. Canadian gear plant unfortunately later dismantled and sold. Lists some major contractors. Many problems involving the very high manufacturing specifications required. Describes main and cruising turbines. (20:00) Contractors given cost-plus contracts which may have been the only effective method of building the ships. Remarks on different shipyards. (30:00) Naval central drawing office established in Montreal. Chief Engineer in H.M.C.S. Bonaventure (aircraft carrier) building in Belfast, Ireland. Latest Canadian technology incorporated. Sailed for Halifax in the summer of 1957. (45:00) Bridgman_A_0025_04.mp3 Comments on the later famous refit of Bonaventure. Largely a media scandal: some government inefficiency had resulted in inaccurate cost estimates being submitted to the Treasury Board. Promoted to captain. Formed part of the nuclear submarine team in 1959. (20:00) National Defence College in 1960. Principal naval overseer in Montreal. In 1964 member of the study team on integration. (36:00) Idea not bad, but in practice was not as good; especially muddled were the technical services. Some danger of organizational breakdown was evident. Unification, as the next step, came as a shock. (45:00) Among other things, it caused a proliferation of high-ranking officers. Promoted to commodore in Aug. 1965 and was director general of maritime systems for five years. The DDH 280 class of destroyers was designed. Oberon class submarines authorized. (53:00) Bridgman_A_0025_05.mp3 (Reel 2, Side 1) Discusses DDH (Iroquois class destroyers). Financial constraints limited the number of changes permitted during construction. Very heavy lobbying, even to the Prime Minister's office, regarding the competing British and United States gas turbine engines. The American design was accepted because of more sophisticated controls. As part of unification, a new Defence Department broom caused the contract system to be changed to "fixed price". Some changes not always better than the status quo. The Restigouche class destroyers were modernized. Oberon subs built on target in England without difficulties. The FHE 400 (H.M.C.S. Bras d'Or) hydrofoil project was expensive, but finally successful, although the newly-built weapons system was not installed. The project was mothballed as additional ships were thought to be too expensive. (30:00) Mentions the operational purpose of Bras d'Or. Discusses future ship refit and modernization which have advantages. Acted as technical advisor for personnel. (45:00) Bridgman_A_0025_06.mp3 Tisdale Report recommended adoption of the American organizational system including dropping the departmental officer distinctions of coloured sleeve stripes. The report felt that more individuals could be "upper-deck" trained. Some confusion resulted from this. Integrated engineering services did not work particularly well, although supply services seemed to. On the whole unification caused too many well-qualified persons to leave the service. (20:00) Moved to the Defence Research Board and was acting chief for about one year. Retired in Aug. 1972. (34:00) Bridgman_A_0025_07.mp3 (Reel 2, Side 2) Ship construction: the most cost-effective shipyard could eventually get it all. From a defence production/wartime point of view, however, it is better, and certainly politically advantageous, to spread the business. High quality work obtainable for the west coast, but wages too high. Refits usually not competitive since specifications are firm. Dockyards are important construction facilities and require their share of business. Comments on the necessary position of civilians in the naval establishment; a dedicated group who thought of themselves as "Navy". Others, such as laundryman Suey Kee of Esquimalt, were included. (15:00) Bridgman_A_0025_08.mp3 Navy has always had a close attachment to royalty. Religion in the navy used to be emphasized more: "Cause the ship's company to worship Almighty God." Rear-Admiral Hugh Pullen captain of Ontario, used to read part of the Articles of War to the crew on Sunday. Initially Bridgman favoured the common uniform, but now realizes that was a mistake. Because of it the family spirit in the service was lacking. (30:00) New command structure not as centralized and causes fragmented responsibilities. Comments on old and new uniforms. (41:00)

Interviewer: Thackray, William S.

Rank: Commodore.

Interviewee: Bridgman, A. Graham (Arthur Graham), 1917-2004

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Keyword Date created Relation
  • Part of the Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 8 sound recordings (MP3)
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 60.10867, -113.64258
  • 52.16045, -0.70312
Additional physical characteristics
  • Two original sound tape reels (ca. 320 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 4 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
Physical repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • BAG_025
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • May 14, 2007
Technical note
  • Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 22 kHz. In .mp3 format at 64 kbps and 22 kHz. Digitized by AN, 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 2007. 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

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