This past week marked an incredible milestone in Canadian shipbuilding history. On 20 September 1943, twelve Canadian built ships were launched simultaneously from shipyards across the nation! During WWII, Canadian industry, mobilized to building for Victory. One of the largest and most important projects was a National Shipbuilding Program. Early in the war the enemy […]
USCGS EAGLE -Photo Series
Recently I had the good fortune to see the United States Coast Guard Ship EAGLE at the Tall Ships Rendezvous 2017 in Halifax, NS. During the course of the five days there were 45 Tall Ships in Halifax harbour. Â The rendezvous was part of the Canada 150 celebrations. I took many photos of the ships […]
MV Asterix -Why Not HMCS ASTERIX?
I have received several questions on social media, why is Asterix, MV and not HMCS or CNAV? First, lets look at what these abbreviations mean. MV stands for Motor Vessel and is a designation for any merchant ship owned by a civilian company with a motor/engine. Pretty simple. SS stands for Steam Ship and SV stands […]
Unveiling MV Asterix, Resolve Class AOR
On Thursday 20 July 2017, I had the privilege to attend the unveiling and christening ceremony of MV Asterix, Resolve class AOR, at the Shipyard of Chantier Davie Canada Inc. in Levis, Quebec. Asterix is owned by Federal Fleet Services of Ottawa and when complete, the ship will be leased to the Royal Canadian Navy as an […]
HMCS VILLE DE QUEBEC 2017 Great Lakes Tour
Now is your opportunity to see the Canadian Patrol Frigate, HMCS VILLE DE QUEBEC. She is on her way to tour the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes. Commonly referred to as “VDQ,” she is one of the Royal Canadian Navy’s most modern warships, having finished her modernization refit. VDQ will be visiting several ports […]
RCN Could Chase Subs Underwater!
We could take the fight to the enemy, no matter where he tried to hide. Our ships could hunt and kill enemy submarines underwater! At least that is what we told the American sailors making fun of our HMCS OTTAWA. It was a wonderful warm Caribbean night at the US Naval Base, Roosevelt Roads in […]
2016 -TOP 10 RCN PHOTOS
Personal Blog by Roger Litwiller This has been a very productive and fortunate year for me. I have had the good fortune to be able to attend Battle of Atlantic services in Halifax and Ottawa. I was honoured to attend the service and committal ceremony in HMCS MONTREAL off Halifax’s Point Pleasant Park on the […]
My Experience with a Rogue Wave on the High Seas
For many years the phrase Rogue Wave was considered a myth by scientists, but ask any sailor they are real, powerful and destructive. A rogue wave is an isolated wave that is larger than the current sea state and can be twice the size of the waves at the time, they happen fast and generally […]
The Canadian Navy Has Arrived!
For the next two weeks the Royal Canadian Navy ships, HMCS KINGSTON and HMCS GOOSE BAY will be sailing in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence Seaway. The tour is part of a Great Lakes deployment that brings together the Canada’s Navy and our sailors with Canadians, that normally would not have a chance to […]
When Did I Become An “OLD FART!”
Recently I came across an old picture at my Ambulance Base where I work. Â On seeing the photo I had to laugh. Â It was a picture of me when I first started working in 1983. Â I was giving a tour of the Ambulance base to a group of school children. Clean shaven, chestnut hair, baby […]