Lead Line Naval Association of Island Newsletter

September 2018 • Volume 33, Issue 5 HMCS ORIOLE'S EARLY HISTORY Read the story on pages 10-11

INSIDE President's Message...... 2 New patch reminiscent of 1940s war art...... 7 Letter to the Editor...... 3 In Brief...... 8 Veterans' Corner...... 4-5 Kayak trip supports HMCS Sackville...... 9 HMCS tests new freshwater ballast...... 6 HMCS Oriole's early history...... 10 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD As our fall program gets One of the first is a serious information on upcoming underway, your Executive look at this publication. This luncheons and our special is dealing with a number of assessment is not limited to Rainbow Dinner. Both are ex- challenges, challenges not NAC-VI but also to Starshell cellent opportunities to share confined to NAC-VI but ones and the many small newslet- and celebrate what we do. felt by NAC branches across ters produced by branches I also recommend you go the country. Put simply, these across the country. Our Na- online and check out www. are the ones brought on by a tional Executive Director is SKR18.ca, an excellent web- diminishing member base working with our Editor to site that shares information brought on by attrition. find ways to create synergy on the Sea King Retirement New members and the new with our efforts and to build celebrations scheduled for energy they bring are not re- value in our product. Look Bill Conconi this fall. All are welcome to placing those of us aging out. for more on this as the fall become involved. Further We are rich in experience and unfolds. stands out that the best way information is available from wisdom but poor in our abili- Our Membership Director, to build our membership is Director Peter Bey if the web- ty to actively take on the many Bill Macdonald is working still through personal contact. site doesn't answer all your opportunities that come our with Bill Thomas, NAC-T The math is simple; if each of questions. way to educate the public and National Membership us brings in one new member, Finally, as we consider our about and support our navy. Director, to build new tools we double our membership. challenges, we also celebrate This reality is leading your and new approaches to help Invite someone to a lunch or the many opportunities com- Executive to examine many with the challenge of declin- share NAC News with them. ing our way, I look forward to options to build our mem- ing membership. As we have Talk with your friends. We all sharing this voyage with you. bership and expand our base surveyed NAC members have it in us. Your Aye, while controlling our costs. from across the country it See elsewhere in this issue Bill

UPCOMING LUNCHEONS

September 27 - $30 Commodore Angus Topshee, MARPAC Fleet Commander, will speak. October 25 - $30 Speaker TBD. All luncheons are at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, 3475 Ripon Road (Cadboro Bay) Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Lunch is served at 12:15 p.m. Confirm your attendance and convey any dietary concerns to Diana Dewar, [email protected] or 250-655-6788.

2 • LEAD LINE & LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, early to mid-1960s (approx) the Seaman ing Seamen and 2 and 3 badge Leading I was attracted to your article ‘Stripey’ Branch included the following trades: Seamen became Petty Officers 2nd Class by Dr. Bonar A. Gow found on page 10 Gunnery, Torpedo, ASW/Asdic/Sonar, and 2 and 3 badge Petty Officers became and 11 of the latest Lead & Line, July Radar, Physical Training Instructors—my Petty Officers 1st Class or Chief Petty Offi- 2018 edition. I would like to add to the trade at the time—and when it was creat- cers 2nd Class and the Chief Petty Officers information provided by the author. ed, the Quartermasters. became Chief Petty Officers 1st Class. In the picture it shows a 3 badge AB, I joined the Canadian Navy in 1951 With the unification of the Canadi- affectionately known as ‘Stripey’, opening and although there were still 3 badge ABs an Forces in 1968, the Canadian Army the breach of the ’s main weap- around, they were few and far between. pushed to have its honorary Master Cor- on. The caption under the picture says it They had been disappearing rather rapidly, poral rank become a substantive rank was a gunner or possibly a torpedo man, due in part to the post WWII rank chang- with the appropriate pay incentive; DND —those trades were not interchangeable. es. Prior to 1947, there was only one level of concurred. Keeping with the Canadian This person would have been a gunner, Petty Officer and Chief Petty Officer. The Armed Forces policy, where all branches of which there was an abundance. The Department of National Defence decreed of the CAF would all have the same num- gunners of the day were the foundation that each arm of the Canadian Armed ber of paid substantive ranks, the Master members of the Seaman branch. When Forces would have the same number of Seaman rank was born. the Quartermaster branch was formed in ranks. This, in turn, equalized the rank Little known fact: many of the two and approximately 1947, the structure of the and pay levels for enlisted personnel in the three badge ABs coming out of WWII seaman branch changed. Many gunnery Navy, Army and Air force. This resulted in were AB(NT). The NT meant they had no personnel became corner-stone members the creation of ranks Petty Officer 1st and assigned trade, and a person could not be of the new Quartermaster branch. The au- 2nd Class and Chief Petty Officer 1st and promoted without a trade. Most of these thor refers to the Boatswain trade, which 2nd Class. This initiative brought about seamen automatically became part of the came about as a result of renaming the the end of the three badge ABs. There were Quartermaster trade when it was created. Quartermaster trade in the early-1960s exceptions of course, but almost overnight, Yours aye, (approx). From prior to WWII until the 2 and 3 badge Able Seamen became Lead- J P Hugh Sproule

NAC-VI Executive Committee

President Bill Conconi [email protected] 250-652-1634 Past President Michael Morres [email protected] 250-592-8897 Vice President Rod Hughes [email protected] 250-472-8905 Secretary Mike Brossard [email protected] 250-544-1425 Treasurer Diana Dewar [email protected] 250-655-6788 Membership Services Bill Macdonald [email protected] 250-661-3731 Director at Large Peter Bey [email protected] 250-652-2225 Director at Large David Cooper [email protected] 250-472-8905 Director at Large Patrick Hunt [email protected] 250-384-2930 Director at Large Steve White [email protected] 250-652-8215 Director at Large Al Kennedy [email protected] 778-440-3930

special appointments

Editor Carmel Ecker [email protected] 250-661-1269 Historian Stan Parker [email protected] 250-734-3360 Webmaster Eric Griffiths [email protected] 250-537-0608

Naval Association of Canada – (NAC-VI) mailing address: P.O. Box 5221, Victoria, BC, Canada V8R 6N4

LEAD LINE • 3 & VETERANS' CORNER KEY RESOLUTIONS AFFECTING VETERANS FROM 2018 LEGION NATIONAL CONVENTION

New ideas and new resolutions mark Veteran Family Resource Centres. until the survivor requires them. the outcome of the 2018 Royal Cana- • Directive for the president of The • The Junior Canadian Ranger pro- dian Legion’s 47th Dominion Conven- Royal Canadian Legion to call upon gram will be recognized as being el- tion, which wrapped up in Winnipeg, the government to make the position igible for financial support from the Manitoba, at the end of August. of the VAC Ombudsman a permanent Poppy Funds of The Royal Canadian “I am pleased with the level of discus- and independent position, enshrined Legion. sion we’ve had on issues related to our in law and reporting directly to • Recommendation that the Legion veterans’ best interests,” said outgoing Parliament. strongly urge the federal govern- President Dave Flannigan. “We have ment to legally recognize Ocean passed several resolutions that we hope War Graves that would put the loss will help move things forward.” of a sailor on the same standing as Some of the key resolutions affecting the loss of soldiers and airmen and veterans carried at this meeting include: women. • Recommendation that Veterans Af- Passed resolutions will appear at fairs Canada (VAC) enact legislation Legion.ca in the weeks to come. to open Military Family Resource • Recommendation that VAC enact The Legion’s Dominion Convention Centres to all veterans and their legislation that would result in VIP is held every two years at varying lo- families, not just medically released benefits being offered to the survivor cations across the country. During the veterans; and that the centres be after a veteran’s death; and that these event, the organization’s policies and renamed the Military Family and benefits could be held in suspension programs are determined.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE RAINBOW DINNER This formal naval dinner will commemorate the arrival of HMCS Rainbow in on Nov. 7, 1910, the first ship in the to serve on the west coast. During dinner, a brief history of Rainbow will be given. Following dinner Bob McDonald, presenter and writer of CBC's Quirks & Quarks, will speak. The talented Tom Vickery, former member of several CAF Saturday, October 20 Bands, will play the piano during the reception and dinner. Tickets are $100 each. Reserve your seat via email to 1730 – 1000 [email protected]. Payment can be made during Royal Victoria Yacht Club the September NAC-VI luncheon or by cheque made Only 100 tickets available! out to "NAC-VI" and mailed to NAC-VI Treasurer, 1621 Barkley Place, North Saanich, BC V8L 5V6. If you wish to sit Reception with appetizers and punch. Cash bar. with specific friends, please indicate their names with your Dinner: mushroom soup, roasted striploin, ticket request. white chocolate raspberry desert and wine. Dress for the occasion for men is mess dress/dinner jacket/ Port will be served for the traditional naval toasts. lounge suit with medals and decorations.

4 • LEAD LINE & VETERANS' CORNER MARKING MERCHANT ASSOCATION ADVOCATING NAVY VETERANS DAY It doesn't draw the same crowds as FOR FEDERAL RETIREES Rememberance Day, but Merchant Navy Veterans Day instills plenty of pride in By Rod Hughes those who served. The National Association of Fed- Established by an Act of Parliament in eral Retirees is a great organization 2003, Sept. 3 recognizes the thousands of that helps advocate for us retirees. Canadian men and women who served on If you’re not a member already, the merchant ships during war years. These Federal Retirees provides services brave men and women kept the critical flow to some 176,000 members who be- of supplies going between North America long to one of 79 branches located and Europe. throughout Canada. Each branch To mark both Merchant Navy Veterans is operated by a group of volunteers Day and the anniversary of the start of the who are members of the Association. , Minister of Veter- To find out more about branches in ans Affairs, Seamus O'Regan and Minister your area, please select your Province of National Defence Harjit Sajjan issued a Rod Hughes from this web page: https://federal joint statement: retirees.ca/en/Branches/Welcome and support for veterans and their "In flammable tankers and slow-moving One activity I think may be of par- families, and to signal the positive freighters laden with food, ammunition ticular interest to NAC members is experiences veterans have had in and other important supplies, the sailors their Veterans Outreach Initiative. accessing care. Online feedback was of the Merchant Navy put their lives on In 2017 they developed a Veterans also available to participants and the line sailing across the Atlantic Ocean. Outreach initiative to listen to vet- those who couldn’t attend. By the end of the Second World War, more erans and better understand what is Confidentiality was key in en- than 25,000 merchant ship voyages had and isn’t working for them as they abling participants to respond freely. been made from North America to British transition out of service and be- And veterans responded: nearly 500 ports under the escort of Canadian forces. yond. On behalf of their members, in person and 150 online participants These ships delivered roughly 165 million of whom about 60,000 are veterans shared frank and constructive feed- tonnes of supplies, providing a vital lifeline of the CAF and RCMP, they want- back that will help make supports and for Great Britain and fuelling the eventual ed to understand how to best serve services for veterans better. liberation of Western Europe. the needs of veterans and their fam- The Federal Retirees’s goal in gath- "Providing these supplies was a perilous ilies in an evolving policy environ- ering this information was simple: task. Enemy U-boats often attacked allied ment with many other government to listen to veterans and then share convoys in 'wolf-packs', surfacing when it and non-government agencies also that information and support an was dark to torpedo merchant ships in a working on their behalf. environment of collaboration and coordinated attack. At their peak, the Ger- As a neutral organization, the communication among veteran-fo- mans had some 300 submarines to turn Federal Retirees is in a unique posi- cused agencies so we can all better against Allied shipping. tion to elicit responses from a broad advocate for and serve the veteran "The courage of the Canadians and New- range of veterans regardless of their community. Have a look at what foundlanders who braved the North Atlan- existing relationship with other or- they found out https://federalretir- tic to help ensure Great Britain remained ganizations. Twelve town halls were ees.ca/en/Advocacy/Veterans-Out- supplied throughout the war is reflected in conducted coast to coast, close to reach-Initiative/What-We-Learned the continued tradition of service by today's large military bases with presence of and you may consider joining this . We will continue all branches of the CAF, in accessible great organization. to honour those who have served, both past community locations. I thank the National Association and present. At these town halls, veterans fo- of Federal Retirees for their great "Lest we forget." cused on their experiences in tran- work and for the information that I Statement edited for length. Full copy sitioning to life out of uniform. have shamelessly plagiarized from available at www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/news Questions were posed by facilitators their very useful web site to create under "Statements". to explore perceived gaps in service this article. LEAD LINE • 5 & FLEET NEWS HMCS CALGARY FIRST TO USE FRESHWATER BALLAST

By Lt(N) Paul LePrieur, HMCS Calgary HMCS Calgary is leading the way on environmental protection. It became the first ship in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) to install an en- gineering change for use of fresh water as their ballasting medium to achieve compliance with the recently ratified International Maritime Organizations Ballast Water Management Conven- tion. Fresh water is generated from the ship’s reverse osmosis desalination units and eliminates the threat of transferring aquatic invasive species in the ship’s ballast water. Ballasting is necessary for ship sta- bility to adjust for varying sea states and loads. Traditionally, this has been accomplished by pumping in sea water directly from the environment. How- Severe economic impacts occur consultation with RCN stakeholders, ever, this can be a transport mecha- through the clogging of water intakes reviewed the Convention, legislation, nism for thousands of species, includ- and fouling in-water structures and policies and ballast water practices to ing hard to detect life such as larva of vessels. It has been speculated the first determine the best way to meet the up- aquatic animals, or microbes. These wave of the invasion was started by coming regulations for existing and fu- non-native species can overrun local ballast water released into the Great ture navy vessels. The use of fresh water ecosystems without the checks and bal- Lakes in the late 1980s from a vessel ballast in the Halifax class was selected ances of predators, or the natural com- originating in the mussel’s native Black as the most effective method to meet petition of their original environment. Sea habitat. the new environmental requirements. Many invasive species to Canada In 2004, the International Maritime The Halifax class is equipped with four have the potential to be carried in bal- Organizations introduced the Ballast ballast water tanks that were originally last water, such as the Zebra Mussel, Water Management Convention to ad- configured to use untreated saltwater European Green Crab and Japanese dress the threat presented by invasive ballast or diesel fuel oil as their ballast- Skeleton Shrimp. Reports indicate species found in ballast water. Canada ing mediums. To maintain the ship’s these invasions have caused approxi- has ratified the Ballast Water Man- operational capabilities, the ballast mately $54 billion in damage world- agement Convention, which recently tanks remain available as reserve fuel wide in the last five years alone. entered into force, commencing a five- capacity if required. Zebra mussel is a well-known exam- year grace period for ballast water sys- In 2017, HMCS Calgary became the ple, having colonized many of North tem upgrades for existing vessels. first ship to install the new fresh water America’s inland water ways, now DND’s environmental policy DAOD ballasting system. Calgary was chosen, reaching as far west as California and 4003 meets or exceeds the spirit of all in part, because it is also one of the being detected on recreational craft en- federal laws, and beyond that, sets its first ships, along with HMCS Halifax to tering B.C. Zebra mussels completely own environmental baselines for ships upgrade to the latest Mk IV SROD cover surfaces in newly established wa- based on the most stringent standards systems for producing fresh water. ters, suffocating native mussels, clams likely to be encountered during inter- Calgary’s first fresh water ballasting and plants, altering the food chain, and national deployments. operation took place April 10. Using even the water composition through its The Director General Maritime water from the fresh water storage filter feeding. Equipment Program Management, in tanks, number one Ballast Tank was 6 • LEAD LINE & FLEET NEWS NEW PATCH REMINISCENT OF 1940S WARSHIP ART

By Peter Mallett The sailor who created the Patrol Craft Training Unit’s (PCTU) first mo- rale patch admits the words colourful or cartoonish often come to mind when people first see his design. Leading Seaman Nicholas Dipersio purposely chose a cartoon-style por- trayal of an Orca whale at the helm of a PCTU vessel as a nod to bygone days of naval art. “The whole intent was to be cartoon- ish and represent the old school ways that morale patches used to look,” said LS Dipersio. “The idea to make the patch less rigid and more light-heart- ed in nature came from naval tradition and some of the older design ideas that were painted on the side of Canadi- an warships during the Second World LS Nicholas Dipersio (centre) presents the unit’s new morale War.” patch that he designed to LCdr Tyson Bergmann, Patrol Craft He was presented the first patch by Training Unit (PCTU) Commanding Officer, and CPO2 Eric Pohoney, PCTU Coxswain. Lieutenant-Commander Tyson Berg- mann, PCTU’s Commanding Officer, ing an inscription that trumpets the CPO2 Pohoney says the design has and Chief Petty Officer Second Class unit’s motto: Training Leaders Building achieved its goal and gives sailors in his Eric Pohoney, PCTU Coxswain, on Confidence. unit a sense of pride. Aug. 10. The embroidered patches will LS Dipersio, 35, has served eight years “The intention is to boost morale, cre- be worn on the naval combat jackets in the Royal Canadian Navy, and stud- ate uniqueness, and give our personnel of the 70 men and women who work ied graphic design. The concept behind a sense of belonging. It’s not meant to be aboard the unit’s eight Orca-class Patrol the logo was developed in early June aggressive, serious or overpowering, but Vessels, which are used to train person- with his co-worker LS James Hopper. rather colourful and inviting, so peo- nel from Naval Fleet School Pacific and He then put pencil to paper and came ple in our unit and those onboard our the Naval Officer Training Centre. up with the design. After getting ap- vessels have a safe and enjoyable Historically, patches boost morale proval he made a digital rendering, so experience.” and build unit pride. PCTU’s patch the image could be embroidered onto a Article courtesy of Lookout also has two red maple leafs border- cloth patch. Newspaper

Continued from page 6 time number two and number three system, and the lessons learned will be filled in one hour. The ballasting oper- ballast tanks were filled directly from used to develop ballasting guidance for ation decreased the Storage Tank lev- the RODs over a 14-hour period. The the rest of the fleet. While further tri- el from 90 per cent to 40 per cent and fresh water storage tanks were used to als will need to be done to ensure fresh replenishment of the fresh water tanks provide domestic consumption during water ballast is achievable under less was completed over an 18-hour period this period, again with no water re- than ideal conditions, this evolution with no water restrictions being placed strictions being placed on the ship’s marks another step in environmen- on the ship’s crew. crew. tal stewardship and signals the navy’s The second fresh water ballast- Calgary will continue to explore the continued commitment to progressive ing operation took place Aug. 5. This limitations and capabilities of this new environmental leadership. LEAD LINE • 7 & IN BRIEF

Trial of Vice Admiral Mark Norman RCN ship’s class designation will be Arc- the system remains relevant and capa- set for August 2019 tic and Offshore Patrol Vessel or AOPV. ble for the remaining service life of the Vice Admiral Mark Norman appeared The AOPV will be capable of armed Halifax-class frigates. The contract also at the Ottawa courthouse on Sept. 4 and- sea-borne surveillance of Canada’s wa- secures repair, overhaul, engineering learned that his trial date would be set for ters, including the Arctic, providing changes, and ongoing support services. Aug. 19, 2019. government situational awareness of ac- Under a separate $21.1 million con- Norman was suspended from duty as tivities and events in these regions, and tract, Rheinmetall will deliver a third vice-chief of the defence staff in January cooperating with other government de- MASS decoy launcher to improve over- 2017, and earlier this year the RCMP partments to assert and enforce Canadi- all coverage and reduce non-firing arcs. charged him with one count of breach of an sovereignty, according to the DND. All 12 frigates are already fitted with two trust. Construction of the first AOPV began MASS launcher systems (installed on the The trial was set to give time for sever- in 2015 with Harry DeWolf. bridge wings port and starboard) under al pre-trial motions due to take place at -David Pugliese, Ottawa Citizen a contract placed with Rheinmetall in shorter hearings in December 2018 and 2009. The RCN has specified a custom March 2019. MASS-DUERAS variant combining the The trial, expected to last six to eight standard trainable launcher (firing 81 weeks, will run concurrently with the mm Omni-Trap spin-stabilised multi- 2019 federal election campaign and could spectral decoys) with additional barrels last through the entire campaign. for DUERAS distraction chaff rockets. The case will proceed in the Ontar- -Janes Navy International, www.janes. io Court of Justice, the lower provincial com court. Read the full article: http://bit. Lee-Enfield being retired ly/2wOrks9 After 114 years, the Canadian Armed Forces is the last national military in the Canada’s first Arctic Offshore Patrol world to retire the Lee-Enfield rifle from Ship expected in October front-line service. The first Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship is The last military entity to carry the gun, expected to be delivered the first week the , have been using HMCS VANCOUVER fires its Multi Ammo of October, according to Department of the Lee-Enfield as their service weapon Soft-kill System (MASS) during Exercise National Defence officials. Rim of the Pacific 2018. since 1947. In August, they replaced the The ship was originally supposed to be guns with the Colt Canada C19. delivered this summer. Canada invests in upgraded soft-kill In a National Post article, Tristin Hop- The ship will undergo various tests in defences for Halifax-class frigates per writes, “The Lee-Enfield’s powerful the months following delivery. The for- The Department of National Defence .303 was famous for killing ene- mal acceptance of the vessel by the Roy- has confirmed two contracts worth more my soldiers with one shot, and it’s equally al Canadian Navy won’t take place until than $115 million for the upgrade of soft- good at stopping a charging polar bear. early next year. The first vessel, HMCS kill anti-ship missile defence (ASMD) “Its wood stock makes it uniquely re- Harry DeWolf, is expected to be ready systems fitted to the RCN’s 12 Hali- sistant to cracking or splitting in extreme for operations starting in the summer of fax-class frigates. cold. The rifle is also bolt-, mean- 2019, according to DND officials. The awards cover the sustainment ing that every shot must be manually Subsequent ships are to be delivered and upgrade of the legacy AN/SLQ-503 pushed into place by the shooter. This approximately every nine months, ac- Reprogrammable Advance Multimode makes for slower firing, but it also leaves cording to documents obtained by Post- Shipboard Electronic Countermeasures the Lee-Enfield with as few moving parts media using the Access to Information System (RAMSES) jammer and the in- as possible.” law. troduction of an additional Rheinmetall The Rangers new weapon, the Colt The Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship Multi-Ammunition Soft-kill SystemCanada C19, is lighter, shorter, more pre- project will deliver five ships, with an op- (MASS) decoy launcher. cise and more reliable in below-freezing tion for a sixth, if affordable. The ships Under a $94.2 million contract, Lock- temperatures. are designated as the Harry DeWolf heed Martin Canada will deliver a com- To read the full article about the his- Class, after Canadian wartime naval hero prehensive technology refresh for key tory of the Lee-Enfield, visit: http://bit. Vice-Admiral Harry DeWolf. The official parts of the RAMSES system to ensure ly/2oHSsEX 8 • LEAD LINE & NATIONAL NEWS KAYAK TRIP WILL SUPPORT HMCS SACKVILLE

A veteran is using his ad- venturous spirit to support a series of charities including HMCS Sackville. Steve Chard is currently on a 15-month kayak trip of The Great Loop that will end in Halifax next August, which is also where his journey began on June 1. In addition to raising money for Sack- ville's restoration, Chard is ambitiously fundraising for eight other charities— four British, three American and one Canadian. The journey was inspired by Chard’s 60th birthday. He wanted to do something big, other than marathons, long-distance cycling and open water lake swimming (he’s already done all that). So he decided to Photo by Clifford Skarstedt, Peterborough Examiner Steve Chard arrives at Lock 19 below Lansdowne St. before staying overnight at the plan a kayak trip. Peterborough Naval Association on Wednesday August 22, 2018 in Peterborough, Initially, he set out to do a 193-kilo- Ont. Chard is kayaking The Great Loop over the next year, taking a nearly 10,000 metre canoe trip in England, where he’s km route. He started in Halifax in June and will end his journey there in August 2019. from, but a book about the Great Loop altered his plans. The biggest challenge to date, though, “It’s all equal...I’m going to be seeing so Chard read about a couple who trav- has been the wind. many different things, it’s unbelievable.” elled The Great Loop in their boat, later “You cannot paddle into a strong Chard has a Facebook page for peo- creating The Great Loop Cruisers Asso- wind,” he said, adding it’s set him back ple to follow his journey: Kayak ‘The ciation. The Great Loop is a system of 14 days. Great Loop’ – paddle with Steve. You waterways that covers the eastern por- But that hasn’t dampened Chard’s can donate to Steve's Sackville fundrais- tion of Canada and the United States. spirits, he’s eager to experience every ing through Canadahelps.org: http://bit. “I decided that if they can do it in a kilometre of the trip. So much so, that ly/2PEPEUs boat, I can do it in a kayak,” Chard said. he doesn’t have a favourite destination Article courtesy of the Peterborough Ex- At the time, Chard only kayaked for picked out. aminer, thepeterboroughexaminer.com leisure, so he had to step up his game. He bought a sea kayak and trained for two years before flying over the pond to NAC NEWS: READ ALL ABOUT IT! start his adventure this year. For the past few years NAC has generated a weekly Naval and Maritime news The retired health care worker is trav- compendium of article links and important relevant documents that aims to elling in an 18-foot explorer sea kayak, keep our members current on global nautical news events. Many of these day-to- packed with his tent, supplies and safety day events shape the future of RCN and its operations around the world. gear. The NAC News is emailed out on a weekly basis using the MailChimp app to So far, Chard has paddled more than many of our members. If you wish to join the ranks please email the Executive 2,400 km of his nearly 10,000 km trip. Director Dave Soule, [email protected], or the Editor Rod How’s he feeling? Hughes, [email protected], and they will add you to the distribution. “Better than I should be, I think.” If, as a member, you believe you have a good candidate to potentially join NAC That said, the England native said he and would like to set the hook by showing them the NAC News, please contact realizes he needs to increase his calo- the ED or the Editor. rie intake—he’s already lost 46 pounds Past editions of the NAC News may be viewed at http://nac-vi.ca/news/ since June. LEAD LINE • 9 & EARLY HISTORY OF HMCS ORIOLE By Sybil Butterfield crew of this magnificent sailing vessel and situation became serious as the river was In 1948 William Gooderham, a British took many photos of what turned out to be beginning to ice up. Fortunately, Oriole, immigrant and successful businessman a challenging and historic voyage. These being a heavy boat, was able to force her in Toronto, presented his sailing ketch to important photos are now in the hands way through the freezing Seaway, often the Royal Canadian Navy. This beautiful of John Agnew’s son, Commander Jeffery with the aid of an axe to crack ice off the “tall ship” was promptly commissioned Agnew CD OMM, RCN, in Ottawa. boat. as HMCS Oriole and ordered to sail to Oriole’s first port of call after leaving To- Finally, she made her way to the Atlan- Halifax, a major challenge. ronto was Kingston, where she anchored tic. This destination in itself was a mighty The Skipper appointed to command off the Royal Military College. In the Ca- achievement. Oriole was Lieutenant-Commander Tub- dets’ mess the crew enjoyed a much ap- Unfortunately, the crew was under the by Coggins, who had grown up in fishing preciated hot dinner, and later took show- gun tackling the next crisis: fog and the in Newfoundland, and was to- ers in the historic dormitory, the Stone equinoctial gales. To determine their po- tally at home in all conditions of the sea. Frigate. sition under such demanding conditions, Joining the crew of eight was a young When leaving Kingston, the navigator the Skipper, a Newfoundlander, licked Naval Supply Officer, Lieutenant John Ag- was kept busy cruising through the Thou- his finger, stuck it up into the air, and an- new. Being an experienced small boat sail- sand Islands in this large yacht. When nounced that they were off a certain Baie or, he was an enthusiastic member of the entering the Saint Lawrence Seaway, the known to him. 10 • LEAD LINE & To determine their position ...the Skipper...licked his finger, stuck it up into the air, and announced that they were off a certain Baie known to him.

To avoid a disaster as she approached Halifax, Oriole was tracked down by a Bangor mine- sweeper and taken in tow off the coast to a safe mooring in the Halifax Dockyard. In 1950 Oriole sailed her way from Halifax to Victoria, which became her home port for the next 60 years, during which she became the love-boat of local Victorians. Annually, she presided in the Classic Boat Show, the Opening of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, the Swiftsure Yacht Race, and frequent ocean races on the west coast with significant “tall ships” from the Cruising Club of America. Being a member of the RCN Pacific Fleet with a working crew of six seaman, Oriole’s main role was the training of young Naval Officers—20 at a time—in the handling of a sailing vessel at sea and perfecting their knowledge of navigation with the use of the sextant. In 1958 Oriole was listed in a programme published in honour of Princess Margaret’s at- tendance at the local Fleet Review. In this publi- cation all ships involved were listed by name— , frigates and algerines. Oriole was listed as “Yacht Oriole”. Her Skipper at the time was Lieutenant Com- mander Joe Prosser, another experienced New- foundland seaman able to handle the boat up and down the west coast in all weather condi- tions. This included the notorious seas created where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean when the crew braved to attend the fa- mous Rose Bowl Festival at the invitation of the . In the next 10 years, sailing in and out of Vic- toria, many captains took command of “Yacht Oriole”, including Bill Walker, James Butterfield, and Jeff Hilliard. As time went by younger officers and men were appointed to crew Oriole as she made more exotic training trips, recorded in her his- toric log. Sybil Butterfield is an associate-member of the NAC, widow of Lieut. Commander James Butterfield, RCN, Ret. LEAD LINE • 11 & EXHIBITS HIGHLIGHT LOCAL WARTIME ACTIVITIES

by Jan Drent seum is a record of messages exchanged members may be able to provide more A new temporary exhibit at the Mar- by light between the two ships early details about their kin. itime Museumcalled “Hometown He- in the operation. This includes mun- Galiano was officially an “Armed Pa- roes” focuses on World Wars I and II. dane reminders of mundane problems. trol Vessel” and is referred to that way Provided in part by Parks Canada, Those who recall problems afloat with in the navy list and on a contemporary it covers wartime merchant shipping keys will chuckle on seeing how Prince plaque on St. Paul’s Church in Esquim- and shipbuilding in Victoria and fea- Robert twice prodded the prize crew alt. However, she is described as HMCS tures static displays and video displays in Weser, which included a Sub-Lieu- Galiano by Admiral Kingsmill in a letter of WWII National Film Board docu- tenant Dundas to get this officer to re- to a court after the war. The impressive mentaries. As part of the Second World turn missing keys to the warship. modern damage control facility in Col- War theme, the capture of the German Weser would be refitted extensive- wood was named for Galiano when it freighter Weser by HMCS Prince Robert ly by Yarrows to become the Canadi- opened in 2003. off Mexico in 1940 is included. Finally, an Vancouver Island. She was so much The Commonwealth War Graves there is coverage organized by MMBC faster than most merchant ships that Commission erected a monument to of the loss 100 years ago off our coast she was routed independently across those lost in Ross Bay Cemetery in Oc- of the Armed Patrol Vessel Galiano on the Atlantic from Montreal several tober 1995. NAC-VI old timers will re- Oct. 30, 1918. The museum holds First times instead of being sailed in convoy. call the appropriately miserable weather World War records about the ship. Ironically, Vancouver Island would be when the monument was unveiled by Weser captured lost with all on board after being tor- Admiral Buck. The display on the Prince Robert and pedoed in the mid-Atlantic by a U-boat Galiano vanished while on a resupply Weser shows items in the MMBC col- in October 1941. voyage for radio and lighthouse stations. lection seized from Weser almost 80 Galiano vanishes Her wartime taskings had included in- years ago. Prince Robert had only re- Galiano vanished in darkness in hur- tercepting incoming merchant ships cently commissioned with a west coast ricane force winds between Vancouver and practising minesweeping with her crew as an armed merchant cruiser af- Island and Haida Gwaii in the ear- sister APV Malaspina. It’s sometimes ter conversion by Burrard Dry Dock ly hours of Oct. 30, 1918, short days forgotten that German warships were from her CN passenger liner role. before the armistice. All 40 people on active in the Pacific early in the Great The diesel-powered Weser had been board—39 naval personnel who were War and that armed raiders operated in caught by the outbreak of war in 1939 members of the Royal Naval Canadian the Pacific until 1917. Mines dropped on a routine voyage to the west coast Volunteer Reserve and a female civilian from one of these raiders on the other and interned off neutral Mexico. At passenger— perished. Only three bod- side of the ocean sank allied ships and 9,100 tons and with a speed of 17 knots, ies and a wooden skylight were ever prompted renewed interest in mine- she was large and fast for the time—i.e. found by search vessels, which were sweeping off the west coast. a valuable capture when Allied mer- hampered by continuing mountainous Galiano’s loss, the RCN’s only one in chant ships were being steadily sunk. seas and high winds. the First World War, was due to a ma- Her arrival with a prize crew in Esqui- The museum exhibit talks about the rine disaster, but it’s also often forgotten malt under escort by Prince Robert in crew, the wartime role of Galiano, the that more than 9,600 Canadians eventu- September 1940 was a big event in Vic- ill-fated voyage and the official inqui- ally served in the RCN during the war, toria. ry. Only seven of the 39 crew members many of whom operated in Royal Navy Canada was one year into the Sec- were married. (RN) surface ships, submarines and na- ond World War, which was going bad- The tragedy happened just as the val air squadrons well as in the Cana- ly. France had capitulated only three “Spanish Influenzas”—a little-remem- dian anti-submarine flotillas that had to months earlier, the RAF was battling bered pandemic that would kill far be improvised on the east coast when the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain, more people worldwide than the Great U-boats came to the northwestern At- the USSR was supplying Germany with War—had reached Victoria. It had been lantic in 1917. An unknown number of vital raw materials, and the USA would brought home by soldiers returning other Canadians were recruited directly remain neutral for a further 15 months. from France. Several of Galiano’s nor- into the RN during the war. Local newspapers published dramat- mal crew were knocked out by the flu so The temporary exhibits run until ic pictures of German sailors being she sailed hurriedly with replacements. Dec. 30 at the museum: 634 Humboldt marched off the Weser in Esquimalt on A binder is available for viewing, (next to Union Club and opposite their way to internment. which has information about those Miniature World). It's open Tuesday to One of the items on display in the mu- lost. The museum hopes that family Saturday, 1000-1600. 12 • LEAD LINE &