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 […]
How I became an “Accidental Archivist!”
I have always had an interest in history, especially the stories and history of our Royal Canadian Navy. But never in my dreams did I ever think I would be gathering a large collection of historical photos from veterans of the RCN. This unexpected journey began in 1997, as commanding officer of a cadet corps […]
RCN History Sealed with a Kiss!
This week the Canadian frigate, HMCS WINNIPEG returned to Esquimalt after a historic eight month deployment. During this time the ship and the 250 men and women of her ships’ company participated in two operations, Op CARRIBBE and Op REASURANCE. She also participated in three exercises, Ex TRIDENT JUNCTURE, Ex JOINT WARRIOR and Ex NORTHERN […]
“Crest is for Teeth, Ship’s Have Badges” and Other Poor Naval Grammar
As an author and historian of the Royal Canadian Navy I have experienced many examples of poor Naval grammar. One of my biggest pet peeves comes from the use of the word “crest,” when referring to a ship’s badge. When I hear this despicable word used, I explain “crest is for teeth, our ship’s have […]
First and last photos of HMCS TRENTONIAN
These two photos of HMCS TRENTONIAN tell an amazing story. They are the first and last photos of this historic Battle of Atlantic corvette. The first picture of TRENTONIAN was taken just before her commissioning on 1 December 1943, the Flower class corvette was newly built at Kingston, Ontario. She is finishing her acceptance trials […]
An Open Letter to Steven Harper, Justin Trudeau, Thomas Mulcair and Members of Parliament on Canada’s Maritime Affairs.
As fall comes to Canada, we find ourselves in another federal election and each of you is on the campaign trail, diligently working towards re-election or election to a seat in our House of Commons. The election will fall on 19 October; three days shy of the first anniversary of a horrific day in our […]
A Personal Milestone at The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Last night was an incredible milestone for me, as I spoke at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax. This world class museum located on the waterfront of Halifax is considered one of the foremost maritime museums in the world and has earned this reputation from the quality of the work that the wonderful […]
Sudbury Has Strong Ties to the Royal Canadian Navy
This Saturday, 11 July 2015, I have been invited by the Sudbury Chapters store on Kingsway to sign copies of my books, White Ensign Flying and Warships of the Bay of Quinte. When I travel around this country many ask, why should we be interested in the Canadian Navy? For many Canadians believe there is […]