HMCS OTTAWA’s boat crew at work. During CARIBOPS, competitions among the RCN ships were common. In February 1981 the fleet came to a stop and each of the destroyers lowered their 27 foot whalers. Each boat crew had to pull their boat around the ship once and then return aboard into the davits. The first […]
TOWEX HMCS IROQUOIS
HMCS OTTAWA approaching HMCS IROQUOIS to take the destroyer in tow during working up excersises during CARIBOPS81 in January 1981. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL-RTL251115113)
CARIBOPS 1981
HMCS PROTECTEUR and HMCS IROQUOIS steaming for CARIBOPS in January 1981. Photo Taken from HMCS OTTAWA. Note: Scanned from original 110 Negative. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller.
HMCS OTTAWA Underway
Aft view of HMCS OTTAWA (3rd) while underway during CARIBOPS in January 1981. The hatch covers for the mortar well are open on deck. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller.
HMCS OTTAWA (3rd) St. Thomas, VI.
HMCS OTTAWA departing St. Thomas, VI following a few days of shore leave in Jan/Feb 1981. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL-RTL251115105)
HMCS PROTECTEUR Launching Sea King
HMCS PROTECTEUR launches a Sea King helicopter from her flight deck while sailing to the Caribbean in January 1981. Photo taken from HMCS OTTAWA with HMCS ATHABASKAN between. Note: Scanned from original 110 Negative. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL-RTL300416010)
HMCS PROTECTEUR
HMCS OTTAWA has joined HMCS PROTECTEUR’s fuel line and the two ships maintain an exact course and speed as fuel is pumped to the destroyer in February 1982 in the Caribbean. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL-RTL300416025)
RCN Fleet Operations
HMCS OTTAWA (foreground) steams with ASSINIBOINE, ATHABASKAN and NIPIGON in route to the Caribbean in January 1981. Photo taken from HMCS OTTAWA. Note: Scanned from original 110 Negative. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL-RTL300416016)
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 […]
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 […]









