Cold fresh water meeting seawater made submarine detection in the St. Lawrence unusually difficult. Merchant ships still had to pass through the area, giving U-boats opportunities to exploit those conditions. Escorts gained demanding anti-submarine experience there or risked being sunk. Springhill's service in the area made her a strong candidate for Far Eastern duties in this assessment. In March 1945 she was ordered to Derry for conversion, with protection of assault convoys against submarines and possible suicide craft in view. Those duties anticipated an invasion of Japan.
Chapter · 39:49-41:17
The Battle of the St. Lawrence forged ASW skill
Springhill's experience in difficult St. Lawrence conditions helps explain her selection to protect assault convoys in the planned invasion of Japan.