NAC News - Edition 515 - Naval Association of Canada

NAC News – Edition 515

Your weekly national and international naval news for the week of May 26th, 2023

Edition: 515 “[The less China sees an opportunity to work with the U.S.], the more likely they are to pursue…other avenues and options. And in many ways and places, that will mean trying to fray U.S. relationships with other countries.” 22 March 2023, Melanie W. Sisson, Bloomberg

Editor – I erred last edition when quoting friend and NAC member Paul Maddison. Sage words in the quote, but CRCN 33 retired as a VAdm not as a RAdm. Good thing he lives in Australia, or I’d be buying him a beer or four.

Rod Hughes: Editor NAC News rhughes@shaw.ca (Comments welcome to help improve this service.) Links to keep in touch with the NAC and RCN can be found at the bottom of this email. Contact Kevin Goheen executivedirector-nac@outlook.com if you wish someone to be added to the NAC News email distribution. (Influencer or good candidates to become a NAC member, and note the first year’s NAC/Branch membership dues are waived)

NOTICES

Navy Bike Ride 2023 (Editor – Navy Bike Ride 2023 is open to participants of any age and ability from across the country and the world, as well as sailors deployed around the globe. Four in-person events will take place throughout the month of June, spanning from both coasts: Ottawa | Saturday, June 17; Quebec | Saturday, June 3; Halifax | Saturday, June 3; and Colwood | Saturday, June 3. A virtual event has been made available for those unable to attend in-person to include as many remote riders as possible. This year you will see the return of our exclusively virtual Admiral’s Challenge in the form of a 100km ride that must be completed in one day.)

NEW 20 June 2023 at 1200 (Ottawa time) The NAC National 2023 AGM will be held electronically using GoToMeeting. To participate email the Executive Director and indicate your intent to participate and he will “invite” you (it’s a software thing!) – no need to inform him if you are not attending. (Email executivedirector-nac@outlook.com)

2 November 2023 Mark your calendars, the Deep Blue Forum 2023. Venue – The Westin Ottawa, 11 Colonel By Drive.

________________________________________________________________

THIS WEEK’S SIGNIFICANT ARTICLES

Ottawa to spend $2.5B on building dozens of new coast guard vessels and proceeding this BC Maritime sector (Editor – This page is a useful compendium of links to appreciate the rising West Coast marine industry. Of note, the BC government recently released its own Maritime Industries Strategy, only the second province (after Quebec) to have one. NAC remains a member of ABCMI which is a driving force in the expanding maritime sector and ably lead by their Executive Director Capt (RCN) Alex Rueben (Retd) who is a NAC member.

U.K. Royal Navy ‘Distressed and Concerned’ by Illegal Chinese Salvage of WWII Wrecks

________________________________________________________________

CANADA

Editor – get your hot off the press edition of the latest NAC graphic novel Hunter and Hunted: On Board a Canadian Corvette in the Battle of the Atlantic. Written by Ann Griffiths. Illustrated by C George-Hill

SCOTT TAYLOR: If submarines are replaced, who will serve on them?

CGAI: Assessing and Implementing the Indo-Pacific Strategy (Editor – 53:21 min podcast)

New Canadian multi-mission aircraft

INSIDE LOOK at a Operations Room Officer (Editor – RCN 5:53 min video)

Indigenous veteran honoured to serve Canada in both Second World War and Korean War

It’s that simple. What’s your why? #ytshorts (Editor – RCN recruiting/catchy short videos) Bonus points if you can remember why we named one of our ships HMCS Max Bernays. #ytshorts and Trades you can consider and apply for with NEP! #ytshorts

2023 Japan Training Squadron Visit to Victoria

The Arctic: a primary Canadian national interest

GDMS-C Launches Distributed Acoustics Processing Suite

CAF support at Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III

‘Last dance vibe’: After 100 years, the International Ice Patrol is winding down N.L. iceberg flights

Historic 127-year-old sailboat Dorothy set for relaunch

Watchdog to probe how military police handled case against Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin

Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst partners with Coding for Veterans to deliver cybersecurity training to Canadian veterans

Vancouver Increases Container Throughput at DP World Terminal yet Environmental alliance launches legal challenge against expansion of B.C. container port

Inside Canada’s first spill response organization on the west coast

Canadian Naval Tribute Project and importantly 29 April 2023 The Unveiling Ceremony (Editor – BZ to the Co-founders (both NAC members) and CNTP team that created this wonderful monument in front of HMCS York! Of note – they are still taking donations for upkeep and replacement RCN ensigns if you’d like to donate.)

Editor – For the last three and a half years I have been exchanging NAC News with MARNEWS editor Arne Sonderland who lives in SA. It’s to our mutual readers benefits as we ferret out and exchange noteworthy naval and maritime articles. Arne receives our NAC News Friday editions and Arne sends his similar email naval synopsis every few days – I have now received 1000+ editions from Arne. The fun thing is Arne is a retired South African Navy Rear-Admiral who visited Halifax years ago amusingly aboard the ARA Libertad, I remember this tall-ship’s visit when I was a lad living there. He’s a very interesting guy Rear Admiral Söderland: A collector of collections with an unconventional (to us) naval background as explained in his book Iron Fist From The Sea: South Africa’s Seaborne Raiders 1978 – 1988. BZ Arne for your distant friendship and sharing of articles.

Lookout: 23 May 2023 Volume 68 Number 20

NAC Naval Affairs Program Briefing Note #11 MV Asterix (Editor – please share to anyone you think may benefit from the knowledge)

________________________________________________________________

USA & AMERICAS

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: May 22, 2023

USS George Washington Leaves Newport News After Almost 6-Year-Long Refueling Overhaul

First woman to lead aircraft carrier completes command tour

USS John Finn’s second-in-command fired along with CO last week

Report on Virginia-class Attack Submarine Program

Navy Scaling Back Planned Triton Deployable Sites from Five to Three

Navy Orders Ninth John Lewis-Class Fleet Replenishment Oiler

Fincantieri to construct 4th Constellation-class frigate for US Navy

#USNavy could built more than 40 #ConstellationFrigates rapidly! (Editor – 8:10 min video)

#USNavy sends stark message to rivals through #USSMaine! (Editor – a follow up to an article from last week in a 8:38 min video)

Sealift or Sink: The Urgent Need to Renew U.S. Maritime Capacity and National Maritime Day Opinion: U.S. Must Maintain its Merchant Marine Fleet to Protect Our Sovereignty

Steel: Thinning Supply Lines (Editor – useful explanation in a 4:51 min video)

Panama Canal Imposes Additional Shipping Restrictions Amid Worsening Drought (Editor – an example of how climate change directly affects us)

________________________________________________________________

INDO-PACIFIC

US and Papua New Guinea sign defense pact as Washington, Beijing vie for influence in the Pacific

Sunak and Japanese PM sign deal on closer defence and security ties

Việt Nam demands China withdraw survey ship, vessels from Vietnamese waters

Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, Makin Island ARG on Call for Typhoon Mawar Disaster Relief Mission

Leaders Highlight AUKUS Benefits beyond Indo-Pacific SSN Operations

PLA Navy in second rescue operation in a month, reflecting rapid response capability

China’s Multipurpose FFG (Editor – 4:37 min video)

Ship Zhanjiang enhances interactions with foreign navies during LIMA 2023 trip

ROK Navy Commissions Seventh Daegu-Class FFX Batch II Frigate

After major refit INS Sindhuratna submarine reaches Mumbai from Russia after 97 days long voyage

Sea trials of sixth Kalvari-class submarine to boost India’s self-reliance in building maritime capabilities

The Limits on Australia’s Plans for a Nuclear Shipbuilding Industry

USS Canberra Will Join the U.S. Fleet in Australia to Honour Namesake

US Marines resupply Ohio class submarine USS Maine in Philippine Sea

Indian Navy Locates Capsized Chinese Fishing Vessel, Life Raft in Indian Ocean and Multiple Bodies Recovered from Chinese Fishing Capsized in Indian Ocean sadly Search of Capsized Chinese Fishing Boat Ends as Divers Find 14 Bodies

________________________________________________________________

EUROPE

Ukraine:

Russia: Warship Guarding Black Sea Pipelines Attacked by Unmanned Ukraine Craft and Video: Drone Boats Attack Russian Surveillance Ship in the Black Sea

Spoofed AIS Signals Form Symbol of Russian Invasion

Ukraine’s new Navy needs attention–or Russia will sink it again

UK and US Sanction More Elements of Russian Shipping

Russian Oil Exports By Sea Show No Sign of Cuts

General:

Moscow expels five Swedish diplomats, orders closure of Consulate General

VIDEO: USS Gerald R. Ford Makes Norwegian Port Call, Kremlin Calls Visit ‘Illogical, Harmful’ and U.S. carrier strike group makes ready for Arctic Circle mission

Russia’s new Navy icebreaker steers clear of Arctic waters but Russia Planing Year-Round Navigation of the Northern Sea Route in Early 2024

SNMG2 Demonstrates Flexibility and Strength in the Mediterranean Sea

Should the Royal Navy rebuild its minelaying capability?

War games take up 150,000 km2 of the Barents Sea

How will new Mk41 Vertical Launch missile systems change the Royal Navy’s capabilities?

Royal Navy divers help clear Baltic Sea of unexploded ordnance during Exercise Open Spirit

Will Romania Become The 3rd Submarine Operator In The Black Sea?

Royal Navy to Trial General Atomics STOL Drone on Aircraft Carrier

British assault ship launches forces to raid Estonian beach

Iron Duke to return to sea after five year refit

BAE, Iveco Introduce Amphibious Combat Vehicle to International Market

Record Commitment for the Italian Navy outside the Mare Nostrum

Navy struggling to keep RFA Fort Victoria operational

Submarine Masts By Hensoldt: Enabling 360 Surveillance

Royal Navy chief: AI is causing us to reimagine warfare

Irish Naval Service New Inshore Patrol Vessels Arrive in Cork Harbour

Putin Pledges More Backing for Arctic Shipping Route

French Arrest “Passengers” Smuggling 95kg of Cocaine on Costa Cruise

________________________________________________________________

MIDDLE EAST

Drugs worth $108m seized by French warship in Indian Ocean

US launches new task force in Middle East to train naval partners

Iran says possible to secure Gulf waters with neighbours

________________________________________________________________

GLOBAL INTERESTS

Next Destination for Iran’s Warships: Antarctica

The Map of Oil | Peter Zeihan (Editor – staggering global/maritime implications – wars have started for less – explained in a 18:45 min video) and Map of Oil PART 2 | Peter Zeihan (Editor – 9:54 min video)

WSC reports the lowest container losses on record

Defects, Names Changes: Here’s What a Dark Fleet Tanker Looks Like

Update: Kidnapped seafarers from Eagle Bulk’s vessel freed

Deep-sea mining hotspot teems with mystery animals

International Chamber of Shipping Urges Governments to Set Course for Net Zero Future and Clarksons: 65 pct of cruise industry’s orderbook to run on alternative fuels

Dutch Tall Ship Tips Over in Drydock

________________________________________________________________

SCUTTLEBUTT

The Longitude Problem – Improving Navigation with the Harrison Clocks (Editor – 1:06:55 hr video)

Best of the History Guy: Submarines (Editor – a repeat but such a good story. USS Barb story in a 57:38 min video)

Titanic: First ever full-sized scans reveal wreck as never seen before (Editor – amazing 58 sec video included)

CH-124 Sea King; Legendary ASW helicopter and example of a deeply flawed defense procurement process (Editor – 23:16 min video)

Royal Navy Museum buys Irishman Henry Kellett’s flag

________________________________________________________________

THIS WEEK IN RCN/MARITIME HISTORY

29 May 1982 The National War Memorial in Ottawa is rededicated to include dates of the Second World War and Korean War.

30 May 1939 King George VI presented his Color to the RCN in Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, BC

1 June 1758 Vice Admiral Edward Boscawen of the Royal Navy arrives at Gabarus Bay, 10 km west of Louisbourg, just after midnight in dense fog from Halifax, Nova Scotia; with thirty nine warships, supply ships and ten transports, crowded with 13,000 regular troops, Highlanders, light infantry, rangers, and colonial militia. The expedition is commanded by Maj Gan General Jeffery Amherst, with his field commander, Brig Gen James Wolfe; the British do not attempt to land troops until June 8 because of heavy surf.

1 June 1759 – A British fleet, under Admiral Saunders, leaves Louisbourg for Quebec carrying James Wolfe and his army.

1 June 1813 HMS Shannon, Captain Philip Broke, captures USS Chesapeake, Captain James Lawrence, in a 15 minute fire fight off Boston harbour; tows her to Halifax; naval battle sees 48 American sailors killed, 23 British. Boston, Massachusetts

1 June 1831 Sir James Ross first discovers the position of the North Magnetic Pole on the west coast of Boothia Peninsula; takes possession of the North Magnetic Pole and adjoining territory in the name of King William IV, and erects a cairn; spends his third Arctic winter in Victoria Harbour. Boothia, Nunavut

1 June 1840 Samuel Cunard navigates his 700 ton wooden paddlewheel steamer Unicorn to Halifax; after two week trip from Liverpool with 27 passengers. Halifax, Nova Scotia

1 June 1876 The Royal Military College of Canada opens in Kingston, Ontario, with a class of eighteen cadets.

1 June 1941 HMCS Bytown is commissioned as a depot ‘ship’ created to allow RCN personnel in Ottawa, to be paid. All uniformed personnel needed to be borne on the books of a ‘ship’ for accounting purposes, even if they were serving at a shore establishment. This is a tradition held over from the Royal Navy, and these ships are often referred to as “Stone Frigates”. Bytown served in this role for the Naval Service Headquarters (NSHQ), and the Ottawa Half-Company, the Naval Reserve Division that became HMCS Carleton on 1 November 1941. Two years after Bytown was established, the HMCS Bytown Naval Officer’s Mess would open. HMCS Bytown was paid off 7 December 1964.

1 June 1943 HMCS Conestoga is commissioned in Galt, Ontario, as the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service training establishment.

1 June 1943 The first German mines are swept in the approaches to Halifax harbour.

1 June 1968 Canada signs Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty along with the US, Britain, USSR and 57 other countries. United Nations, New York

2 June 1891 Shipping – RMS Empress of Japan is the second of the Canadian Pacific Steamships “Empress” ships to arrive at Vancouver harbour, via the Suez Canal and Hong Kong; Canadian Pacific Steamships had signed a contract for subsidized mail service between Britain and Hong Kong via Canada. Vancouver, BC

SIGNIFICANT RCN DATES – If you see any omissions or errors please inform me, and any more modern significant dates are also welcomed. The list draws primarily from the Directory of History and Heritage’s comprehensive “Significant Dates in Canadian Military History”, the now defunct “Canada Channel”, “Legion Magazine”, The Naval Service of Canada, Its Official History Vol 1-3, NAC member Roger Litwiller’s excellent web site, encyclopedic guidance from NAC member Fraser McKee, the Uboat.net site, and anywhere else I can find credible information. For the merchant ship history, a special thanks to NAC member Bill Dziadyk for his able assistance and detailed work. The RCN lost 1,965 men and 24 ships during the War, most of them in the Atlantic. A comprehensive list of the staggering merchant losses – sunk, damaged, or lost – Canadian Merchant Ship Losses of the Second World War, 1939-1945 by Rob Fisher {Revised June 2001}, and for the loss of individual personnel RCN Ship Histories, Convoy Escort Movements, Casualty Lists 1939-1947)

Keep in touch with the NAC

If you are receiving NAC News, consider friends joining NAC – Membership and Renewal plus NAC Naval Affairs Papers, Briefing Notes, Niobe Papers, and much more.

Link to Starshell Magazine

Other Interesting Web Sites

Archived weekly NAC New Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/navalassn/
Twitter: @navalassn

Should you wish to donate or leave a memorial: NAC Endowment Fund

NAC reference to assist veterans and/or seniors is located at Veteran’s Corner

Keep in touch with the RCN

Facebook – RoyalCanadianNavy | MarineRoyaleCanadienne;

Twitter – @RoyalCanNavy | @MarineRoyaleCan;

LinkedIn – RoyalCanadianNavy-MarineRoyaleCanadienne