This past year has been very interesting. I have had several opportunities to visit and record our Canadian Sailors at work, on current taskings, preparing for deployment and building our future Navy.
HMCS TORONTO’s ship’s company has closed up to prepare their ship to enter the St. Lawrence Seaway Lock at Iroquois, Ontario on 8 July 2017. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller (RTL82255)
Below are some of my favourite photos from 2017, Canada’s 150th Anniversary!
All the photos are available to view in my Flickr Album, 2017 RCN Photos.
Great Lakes Tour
Canadian Navy ships and sailors across the nation have taken part in the celebrations this year, visiting many ports and opening their ships to tours. Introducing thousands of Canadians to the men and women that serve in our Navy.
Two ships were sent into the Great Lakes, HMCS GOOSE BAY, Kingston class maritime coastal defence vessel and HMCS TORONTO, Halifax class patrol frigate. Together these two ships visited ports along the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario.
HMCS TORONTO in the Iroquois Lock on the St. Lawrence Seaway on 8 August 2017. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller (RTL82338)
HMCS TORONTO passes MV Sichem Defiance after clearing Iroquois Lock on 8 July 2017 . Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller (RTL82358)
HMCS TORONTO has two saluting guns installed on her stern for use during the Canada 150 Celebrations. Here the frigate is passing through the Iroquois Lock in the St. Lawrence River, retuning to Halifax on 8 July 2017. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller (RTL82331)
HMCS GOOSE BAY underway in the St. Lawrence River on 29 May 2017. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL91732)
HMCS GOOSE BAY’s weapons systems include the Nanuk 50 cal. Remote Weapons System and two 12.7 machine guns. Photo taken while GOOSE BAY transiting the St. Lawrence River near Prescott, Ontario on 29 May 2017. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL91744)
Full bow view of MV ASTERIX in Champlain Dry Dock, the largest dry dock in Canada at Davie Shipyard in Levis, PQ. Photo taken during the christening ceremony on 20 July 2017. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL-IMG_3018)
MV ASTERIX –Unveiling
On 20 July 2017, Rhonda and I were invited to the unveiling ceremony of MV ASTERIX, Interim AOR for the RCN. This was an incredible experience, being able to watch history being made.
I have written several blog posts on ASTERIX.
Unveiling MV Asterix, Resolve Class AOR
MV Asterix -Why Not HMCS ASTERIX?
MV ASTERIX -Exterior Tour of RCN’s Interim AOR
MV Asterix in drydock at Chantier Davie Shipyards in Levis, PQ on 20 July 2017. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL02794)
Speeches were given praising the accomplishments of Davie Shipyard and the many men and women working on this project. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (IMG_3003)
HMCS ORIOLE
I was excited to finally step aboard HMCS ORIOLE in Halifax. Having followed the RCN’s only tall ship; epic voyage from Esquimalt to Halifax early in the year. While in the ship, I presented the ship’s company with a complete set of my RCN books as a thank you for their service. In return, I am honoured to have an official ships cap. Photo taken in Halifax on 28 July 2017. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL83296)
In the spring of 2017, the RCN’s only tall ship, HMCS ORIOLE made an epic journey from Esquimalt, BC to Halifax, to take part in the Tall Ships Rendezvous on the east coast. Fortunately the ships company was very active on social media and many people, including myself were able to follow ORIOLE’s passage.
I was able to catch up with the ship in Quebec City, but only had enough time to see her magnificent Ketch rig from a distance. Fortunately, I did meet up with her in Halifax and was able to visit this historic Canadian ship. I was honoured to present the ship with a complete collection of my RCN history books for the ship’s library.
HMCS ORIOLE’s ship’s company secure their sailing ship as they get underway to join the Parade of Tall Ships in Halifax on 1 August 2017. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL13760)
HMCS ORIOLE’s ship’s company ready to pass the review area during the Tall Ships Parade at Halifax on 1 August 2017. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL14399)
HMCS ORIOLE’s ships company stands at attention as the tall ship salutes HMCS SACKVILLE and the reviewing stand for the Parade of Sail at Halifax on 1 August 2017. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL14427)
Halifax -Tall Ships Rendezvous/ Canada 150
HMCS ORIOLE underway in Halifax Harbour for the Parade of Sail during the Tallships Rendezvous for the Canada 150 Celebrations on 1 August 2017. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL13767 )
Halifax was the place to be this summer!
The largest gathering of sailing ships in many years took place on the magnificent waterfront and the RCN played an active role in the activities.
Bluenose led the sail past, while HMCS ORIOLE took up the final position.
Here a few pics of the RCN at work during the Tall Ship festival.
RCN Ville class tugs MERRICKVILLE and LISTERVILLE have draped white canvas on their bows to assist US Coast Guard Ship EAGLE alongside in Halifax on 28 July 2017. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL83345)
Ville Class Tugs MERRICKVILLE (right) and LISTERVILLE have draped white canvas on their bows while assisting several Tall Ships arriving in Halifax on 28 July 2017, for the Canada 150 Celebrations. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL83350)
Brigantine St. Lawrence II and RCN Tug MERRICKVILLE in Halifax Harbour for the Tall Ships Rendezvous for Canada 150 Celebrations on 28 July 2017. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL83357)
RCN and HMC Dockyard Operations
HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN has her NATO shield on the bridge, as the frigate is readied for her six month deployment on 4 August 2017. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL44719)
Even with many thousands of visitors on the Halifax waterfront, Canada’s Navy remained operational. Dockyard activities continued as if “just another day.” Few of the visitors noticed, HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN preparing for her six month NATO deployment.
Sadly, there has been a few changes in the Dockyard, I was able to capture a few shots of ex-HMCS ATHABASKAN during a cold move. The historic Iroquois class destroyer is destined to join her sisters at the breakers, ending an important era in Canada’s Maritime History.
Two RCN Tugs move a mighty Iroquois class destroyer in Halifax Harbour on 28 July 2017. Once a common scene in HMC Dockyard, this is now history. Tugs GLENSIDE and LISTERVILLE move ex-HMCS ATHABASKAN. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL )
Sea King 414 fly’s past HMCS SACKVILLE in Halifax, NS during the Tall Ships Rendezvous for the Canada 150 Celebrations on 1 August 2017. Roger Litwiller Collection, Courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL13717)
CNAV SECHELT, dive tender, underway in Halifax on 1 August 2017 in support of the Tall Ships Parade of Sail. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL14442)
CH-148 Cyclone flying over Halifax Harbour on 1 August 2017. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL13801)
This is a few of the pictures I was able to get in 2017. All the photos are available to view in my Flickr Album, 2017 RCN Photos.
Related Link: 2017 The Year in Review
HMC Dockyard in Halifax on 4 August 2017. HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN is getting ready to deploy for NATO and the shield has already been installed under her bridge. Ex-HMCS ATHABASKAN is in the background. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL44717)
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