Paying Their Dues
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162997 Monday, January 28, 2019 Volume 53, Issue 2 www.tridentnewspaper.com Paying their dues During a port visit to London on Novem- ber 19, 2018, HMCS Halifax conducted the ceremony of Constable's Dues at the Tower of London. According to an an- cient Royal decree, any ship passing the Tower on the River Thames is required to pay the Constable’s Dues but in the mod- ern era it happens only once a year. This is the first time a Royal Canadian Navy ship had ever been given the honour. Members of the ship’s company, led by Cdr Scott Nelson, were escorted into the Tower by the Yeoman Warders and pre- sented to the Constable on Tower Green. The dues consisted of a barrel of rum, presented by the ship’s Executive Officer, LCdr Nicholas Buxton (third from left). SUBMITTED Sailor of the Quarter New faces at Naval Canada takes command PSP Winter Boot Camp Pg. 5 Museum Pg. 10 of CTF 150 Pg. 14 Challenge Pg. 20 We have all your shopping needs. VISIT WINDSOR PARK Now Open SUNDAYS 1200 - 1700 CANEX.ca 162998 2 TRIDENT NEWS JANUARY 28, 2019 OK, Blue Jays, let’s play ball Members of the Toronto Blue Jays, together with team mascot ACE, visit- ed CFB Halifax as part of their Winter Tour on Saturday, January 12. During their time in the city, the mascot and the players found time to visit HMC Ships Toronto and St John’s, as well as to see an Army display at HMCS Scotian. The Blue Jays, their mascot ACE, and HMCS Toronto’s Command Team dis- play the Blue Jays’ pennant. From left: ACE, Toronto Blue Jays Mascot; Ryan Borucki (Player); Devon Travis (Player); Cdr Martin Fluet, Commanding Officer, HMCS Toronto; CPO1 Alena Mondelli, Coxswain, HMCS Toronto; 2nd row, Luke Maile (Player); Dan Jansen (Player); back row: Kevin Pillar (Player) and LCdr Matthew Woodburn, Executive Officer, HMCS Toronto. MONA GHIZ, MARLANT PA Here, the Blue Jays players dress in fire suits. Following this, the HMCS Toronto fire 5th Canadian Division members and their families were thrilled to meet players from team conducted a live hose exercise on the flight deck. the Toronto Blue Jays and their mascot, ACE. A display set up at HMCS Scotian gave MONA GHIZ, MARLANT PA the Blue Jays a chance to learn about the Army. A member of Army Intelligence talks to the team members. MCPL BRIAN WATTERS, 5 CDN DIV PA From left: Toronto Blue Jays players Ryan Borucki and Dan Jansen take a turn steer- Toronto Blue Jays Mascot ACE strutted his stuff aboard HMC Ships Toronto and St ing the ship. John’s during the visit to CFB Halifax, during the Blue Jays Winter Tour in Halifax. MONA GHIZ, MARLANT PA MONA GHIZ, MARLANT PA JANUARY 28, 2019 TRIDENT NEWS 3 A shilling, some mussels, and a keg of rum: HMCS Halifax pays Constable’s Dues at Tower of London By SLt Jenn Grant, HMCS Halifax, Naval Warfare Officer On November 19, 2018 while along- side for a port visit, HMCS Halifax conducted the ceremony of Consta- ble's Dues at the Tower of London, in the United Kingdom. In medieval times the King or noble- man would appoint a constable to look after their castle’s affairs in their absence. Those constables were per- mitted to levy dues on travelers and merchants to improve their personal wealth. As a Royal Palace, the Tower of London’s Constable, normally a former military officer, is appointed by Her Majesty The Queen. The cur- rent Constable is General The Lord Nicholas Houghton, former Chief of Defence Staff of the British Armed Forces. According to ancient Royal decree, any ship passing the Tower on the River Thames is required to pay the Constable’s Dues. This once consist- ed of one shilling a year from each ship carrying herring to London, or a sample of the goods like pigs, sheep, mussels or wine depending with what the vessels were laden. Over time as river traffic on the Thames increased, such demands were even- tually foregone, except for a single ceremonial remnant: the annual Led by Cdr Scott Nelson, the ship’s company of HMCS Halifax is escorted by the Yeoman Warders into Tower Green to present the Ceremony of the Constable’s Dues. Constable’s Dues to the Constable of the Tower of London. In 2018, Halifax was permitted to SUBMITTED pay those dues, the first time a Royal Canadian Navy ship had ever been with the cask of rum suspended given the honour. from the spar. The old-fashioned and sophisti- After being escorted to Tower cated ritual of Constable’s Dues sees Green by the Yeoman Warders, an the crew of a visiting warship pres- ancient dialogue transpired between ent rum, brandy or fine wine to the the Tower’s Deputy Governor and Constable for payment of passage ship’s captain, after which the barrel and protection. The dues are trans- was presented by the ship’s Execu- ported to the Tower in a ceremonial tive Officer, LCdr Nicholas Buxton. wooden keg, suspended from an oar The bounty was graciously accepted that is carried on the shoulders of by the Constable who delivered a few two sailors from the ship’s company. words of thanks and invited all to The central task of transferring the tour the Tower surroundings be- dues was assigned to OS Bernard fore returning to the ship. The band and MS Milbury who carefully struck up Heart of Oak and led the managed the additional weight on ship’s company through the march the wet cobblestone pathways. The past. Upon dismissal, the crew toured parade commenced with the ship’s the UNESCO World Heritage Site captain, Cdr Scott Nelson, march- where they could stand on the site ing his crew to the outer gate of the of Anne Boleyn’s execution, observe Tower, which upon their arrival, the Crown Jewels, and most memo- was quickly slammed shut by an rably be hosted by the Beefeaters, all axe-wielding Yeoman Warder - more veterans themselves, in their private commonly known as Beefeater. Af- club to enjoy their hospitality and ter explaining to the guard that the fellowship. “It was a proud and emo- reason for their presence was that tional experience,” said AB Andrew they intended to present Constable’s Iddon. “It was a once in a lifetime The Constable’s Dues formerly consisted of one shilling a year from each ship sailing Dues, the gates swung open. Led opportunity to participate in such a on the Thames to London, or a sample of the ship’s cargo such as pigs, sheep, mussels, by the Beefeaters and a band from grand historical event, dating back to or wine. The ship’s company of HMCS Halifax paid the Constable’s Dues with a keg the Royal Marines, HMCS Halifax the Middle Ages,” added PO1 Darren of rum. marched into the Tower of London Clark. SUBMITTED 4 TRIDENT NEWS JANUARY 28, 2019 www.tridentnewspaper.com Community Calendar Publication Reunion and event notices must be submitted by email. Schedule [email protected] include the sender’s name and phone number. for 2019 A notice will not be published if the event is to happen more that one year from publication date. Submissions may be edited. January 14 — MFRC & Money Matters January 28 February 11 — MFRC February 25 CAF/DND Mental Health 2632 Royal Canadian Army tant artifacts from destruction from March 11 — MFRC & Posting Season March 25 Information Fair Cadet Corps anchors, dredging and infilling of the April 8 — MFRC & Spring Automotive Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Time: 6:30 p.m. harbour. Join local scuba diver Bob April 22 — Battle of the Atlantic May 6 — MFRC & Spring Home and Garden Location: Tribute Tower main Date: Mondays Chaulk, author of Time in a Bottle: May 21 lobby, Building S117, 2815 Pusser Location: Bayers Lake Historic Halifax Harbour from the Bot- June 3 — MFRC & Family Days June 17 Lane Join 2632 Royal Canadian Cadet tom Up, for this free museum talk. July 2 — MFRC On Bell Let’s Talk Day, January Corps in Bayers Lake. We provide the July 15 July 29 — MFRC 30, representatives from CAF/DND experience, you provide the memories. Food Demonstration & Tasting: August 12 — Back to School and affiliated organizations will be Find us at 6:30 p.m. on Mondays at 73 African Cuisine August 26 — MFRC September 9 at CFB Halifax for a Mental Health Hobsons Lake Drive in Bayers Lake. Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. September 23 — MFRC & DEFSEC Information Fair. Who? Canadian Date: Thursday, February 7 October 7 — Fall Home Improvement October 21 — MFRC Forces Health Services Centre The Golden Age of Ocean Liners Location: Halifax North November 4 — Remembrance Day (Atlantic), Canadian Forces Mem- Time: 7 p.m. Memorial Public Library November 18 — MFRC & Holiday Shopping December 2 ber Assistance Program, Employee Date: Tuesday, January 29 Discover the flavours of Africa with December 16 — MFRC & Year End Review Assistance Program & more. Come Location: Maritime Museum of Chef Mary Nkrumah of Mary's Afri- learn about the clinical and non- the Atlantic can Cuisine, just in time to celebrate Editor: Virginia Beaton clinical mental health supports, re- They were the largest, most power- African Heritage Month. This event [email protected] sources and referral services avail- ful and most luxurious vessels of their is presented by TD Bank as part of (902) 427-4235 able to our Defence Team members era, the “Floating Palaces” that repre- an African Heritage Month series at Journalist: Ryan Melanson and their families and stick around sented the maritime powers of nations Halifax Public Library branches.