Naval History in Newfoundland
St. John's Officers' Club Helped Win World War II
The Crow's Nest Officers' Club played a vital role in the victory of the Battle of the Atlantic during the Second World War.
Water Street, in St. John’s, Newfoundland, is home to the Crow’s Nest Officers’ Club. During the Second World War, Allied naval officers gathered there to have a drink, a meal, but more importantly to talk with other officers about their mission, to escort merchant ships across the Atlantic.
Their mission was dangerous but critical because German U-boats had been sinking Allied ships at a terrifying rate. The loss of life, and of supplies urgently needed by Britain, was numbing.
Between January 1942 and May 1945
According to the Heritage Newfoundland website, 545 escort ships were stationed in St. John’s, between January 1942 and May 1945. This meant that there were a lot of officers in need of a place where they could relax for a few hours.
On January 27, 1942, The Seagoing Officers’ Club opened. The Club’s name was later changed to the Crow’s Nest Officers’ Club because of the nerve-wracking, 59 step climb to the Clubroom.
According to Gary E.H. Green, Vice President of the Club and its Military Artifacts Association, the Crow’s Nest didn’t keep accurate records during the war, but it’s estimated that it hosted 60,000 visitors between its opening and May of 1945.
Military Artifacts and Gun Shield Art
The trek to the Clubroom is not as nerve-wracking as it was in wartime, but the climb is still worth the effort. This cozy gathering place is filled with military artifacts, including many pieces of gun shield art – identifying symbols painted on forward gun shields. For example, the HMCS Wetaskiwin’s symbol was a queen sitting in a puddle, while the HMCS Trillium had Donald Duck capturing a U-boat with a fishing net; both hang proudly in the Crow’s Nest.
Most Valued Memento a Spike
However, one of the Club’s most valued mementos is a spike that was driven into the floor by Lieutenant Commander Burt Shadforth, during a spike driving contest in 1942. Soon after, his ship joined a Newfoundland to Londonderry convoy, but, tragically, the HMCS Spikenard was sunk. All but 8 crew members were lost.
Today, Shadforth’s spike and part of the floorboard hang in a place of honour in the Club.
Club Celebrated its 65th Anniversary in 2007
The Crow’s Nest Officers’ Club celebrated its 65th anniversary in 2007. Membership has been opened up to civilians, but the Club remains a sanctuary for visiting officers and veterans. The bar is well-stocked, and hearty food is served at lunches, dinners, and Friday Weepers (when officers would ‘weep’ over their defeats).
British Admiral Sir Percy Noble Lauded the Crow’s Nest
The Crow’s Nest Officers' Club is known around the world. British Admiral Sir Percy Noble lauded it when he called the Club the repository of the legends and folklore of the men who saved the day for Britain, maybe freedom itself. Well-deserved praise, indeed.
Read more about Newfoundland and Labrador in Newfoundland Museum: The Rooms, and Newfoundland Pub Crawling.
