NAC News – Edition 561 (HMCS Burrard)
Your weekly national and international naval news for the week of April 19th, 2024
Edition: 561 HMCS Burrard
Quote: “Former President Trump has made it very clear that he admires Vladimir Putin…He continues to really extol him, despite all of the evidence to the [contrary] for what his view should be here, that Putin is an avowed enemy at this particular point to the United States.” 25 February 2024, Fiona Hill, The Hill
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
14-16 May Mari-Tech 2024 St. John’s Convention Centre, St. John’s NFLD. Mari-Tech was created by the Canadian Institute of Marine Engineering (CIMarE) in 1976 and is the premier event for the marine engineering community in Canada. The conference has earned a respected position as a neutral, non-political event devoted to engaging the private sector, government, and academia. This year’s theme is “navigating sustainable marine transportation”.
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THIS WEEK’S SIGNIFICANT ARTICLES
Recent USNI Interview: A Conversation with Royal Canadian Navy Commander VADM Topshee (Editor – first-rate coverage in a 33:53 min video)
Shooting blanks: Why so many Canadian defence policies fail to launch
Naval And Military Rearmament To Face New Threats Could Cost $10 Trillion
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CANADA
New-era naval ship arrives at CFB Esquimalt on Monday and then First new west coast navy ship in 25 years arrives at CFB Esquimalt
HMCS Montréal sets sail for the Indo-Pacific under Operation HORIZON (Editor – as mentioned in Cdr RCN’s USNI interview linked above)
Critics attack long timelines in defence plan as military awaits a budget boost plus Demands of defence policy almost double military’s recruitment gap, top soldier warns
Canada looking to join AUKUS Pillar II
CDA Institute Strategic Outlook 2024 – Threat Assessment, 6 March 2024
Canadian Armed Forces weakened by resignations, low enlistment
As it turns 75, NATO is as vital as it has ever been: Richard Shimooka in the Hub
Naval Québec – A new identity for the group dedicated to the Quebec marine industry
Canada Raises Penalties for Maritime Violations
Canada’s Irving Shipbuilding Awards GEODIS Inbound Logistics Contract
Trans military chaplain suspended over alleged sexual groping comment
Navy leadership covered up for serial sexual offender, defence committee hears
The U-Boat Menace Returns: HMCS Esquimalt Sunk in Canadian Waters
A Sailor’s Life: Sidney loses Second World War veteran at 103 (Editor – long-time NAC member Peter Chance will be missed)
Editor – I received this email reference the House of Commons resolution for the first Sunday of May to become a national day of observance to be Battle of the Atlantic:
Hello Mr. Hughes, Thank you for your interest in the petitions of the House of Commons. Having gained over 500 valid signatures, petition e-4639 was certified by the Clerk of Petitions. The next step in the process is presentation in the House of Commons by a member of Parliament (this can be done by MP Peter Fragiskatos, who authorized the online publication of the petition, or any other MP). The petitioner, supporters and signatories of the petition will be notified by email after its presentation. The Standing Orders of the House of Commons require the government to respond to every petition presented to the House within 45 calendar days. The petitioner, supporters, signatories, and the member of Parliament who authorized the online publication of the e-petition will be notified by email when the response is tabled in the House….Kind regards, Clerk of Petitions. MP Peter Fragiskatos’s office subsequently informed me by email that he will be pushing the petition forward in Parliament.
NAC Children’s books are still available for sale
Lookout: Volume 69, Issue 15, April 15, 2024 with article”RCN introduces new unmanned aircraft” on page 3.
NAC Niobe paper No.9 Broad Area Maritime Surveillance – An Unmanned Solution for the Royal Canadian Air Force (Editor – An timely read given the recent RCAF acquisition of drones) (Editor – Please share with anyone you think may benefit from the knowledge, after all, that’s what our naval affairs programme is all about – enlightening Canadians)
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USA & AMERICAS
USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: April 15, 2024
Fear of China gnaws at summit in Washington
CIMSEC: Information Warfare is integrated warfare
HII delivers final San Antonio class LPD USS Richard M. McCool Jr.
Congressional Budget Office Estimates Higher Costs for New Navy Landing Ships
Navy Set to Miss Recruiting Goals by 6,700, Chief of Naval Personnel Tells House
Worker Shortage Hobbles Construction of U.S. Navy Frigates but SECNAV Del Toro Celebrates the Keel Laying of the Future USS Constellation (FFG 62)
Navy’s Single Sub Buy Plan Raises Concerns with Congress
Opinion: To expand the US Navy’s fleet, we must contract
In First, Drone Pilot is Marine Corps’ Top ‘Aviator of the Year’
Meet the USS Doris Miller (CVN-81): The Next Generation Aircraft Carrier After USS Enterprise CVN-80 (Editor – 4:36 min video)
Shippers In Baltimore Disaster Face ‘General Average,’ MSC Says and Maersk Gives Update Following Baltimore Key Bridge Collapse
Panama Canal to Add Back Daily Transits as Rainy Season Approaches
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INDO-PACIFIC
Dr. Jim Boutilier – United States Navy: Quo Vadis? (Editor – The presentation was given by NAC member Jim Boutilier at the RUSI of Vancouver Island luncheon on April 10, 2024. He covers the current challenges to the USN in the Indo-Pacific.1:03:39 hr video)
How China’s $100B+ Shipbuilding Empire Dominates the U.S.’s | WSJ U.S. vs. China (Editor – following the presentation above, a further explanation in a 8:28 min video)
Biden Affirms ‘Ironclad’ Commitment to Japan, Philippines; China Protests Multilateral Naval Drills
Japan Announces 7-Month, Dual Big Deck Deployment, USS Carl Vinson Heading to RIMPAC
Maritime Capabilities Take Lion’s Share Of Australia’s Future Defence Investment
Australian company integrates into US nuclear-powered submarine supply chain
China Criticizes U.S. P-8A Surveillance Flight Through Taiwan Strait
Anduril Industries delivers Ghost Shark Extra Large AUV to Australia Navy
US Air Force issues $409 million award for long-sought Pacific airfield
Indian Navy Carries Out First Drug Interdiction as CMF Member
South Korea’s Dokdo-class Amphibious Warfare Helicopter Carriers (Editor – similar in size to HMCS Bonaventure but much different impressive capabilities, a 4:16 min video)
Singapore remains world’s top maritime city, report says and a crack in the veneer Hong Kong Falls Out of Top 10 Busiest Port Rankings for First Time Ever
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EUROPE
Ukraine:
Ukraine could face defeat in 2024. Here’s how that might look
Russia’s meat grinder soldiers – 50,000 confirmed dead (Editor – for perspective)
Ukraine plans to expand Operational Range of Neptune Anti-Ship Missile System to 1000 km
Russian warships resupplying further from frontline amid Ukrainian attacks
Ukrainian Minehunters, Unable to Return Home, Face Indefinite Stay in the UK
Russia-Ukraine Black Sea shipping deal was almost reached last month, sources say
General:
Norway Unveils New Defence Plan, Commits To Frigate Program (Editor – perhaps another UK Type 26 variant?)
Russian Survey Platform Drifts Into Norwegian Territorial Waters
Type 26 frigate construction and shipyard investment – progress update
Damen Naval picks Dutch supplier for ASW frigates
Belgian Navy orders six Exail’s R7 ROVs
Keel laid for Finnish Navy’s first Squadron 2020 multi-role corvette
HMS Mersey emerges from dry dock with historic Western Approaches colour scheme
Port of Rotterdam’s Throughput Falls Amid Global Tensions
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MIDDLE EAST
Red Sea:
Iran navy escorting Iranian commercial ships to Red Sea, commander says
More Warships Needed to Boost Red Sea Cargo Traffic: EU Admiral
General:
Sirens, explosions heard over Israel as Iran launches retaliatory air attacks
U.S. Warships in Eastern Mediterranean Down Iranian Ballistic Missiles with SM-3 Ballistic Missile Interceptor Used for First Time in Combat, Officials Confirm
Iran Captures MV MSC Aries off the Straits of Hormuz | Shipping Under Attack (Editor – 11:46 min video) fortunately MSC Aries’ Crew Reported Safe
Royal Navy strikes £33m double drugs blow to Middle East traffickers in 24 hours
UAE built Kronos submarine currently undergoing tests
Navy Transport With Equipment, Personnel for Gaza Pier Back Home After Engine Fire
1941 Invasion of Iran – Regime Change WWII-Style (Editor – Scuttlebutt video perhaps, but its historical relevance with Iran today made me place it here – 18:17 min video)
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GLOBAL INTERESTS
Somali Pirates Claim MV Abdullah Was Released After $5 Million Ransom Was Paid but EU Naval Operation Warns Ransom Payments to Pirates Could Trigger More Attacks
The world’s coral reefs are facing another mass bleaching event — maybe the biggest ever
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SCUTTLEBUTT
Norway’s Canadian Islands (Editor – unexpected story in a 6:31 min video)
Amazing views of historic USS New Jersey battleship while in dry dock for maintenance (Editor – 2:17 min video)
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THIS WEEK IN RCN/MARITIME HISTORY
20 April 1942 In late 1941, the SS Vineland was pressed into wartime service to transport bauxite from St Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands to Portland, Maine. (Bauxite would then be transported by rail to aluminum smelters, including to the Alcan smelter in Arvida, Quebec.) The Vineland’s first delivery of bauxite to Portland occurred on 27 March 1942. On 12 April 1942, the SS Vineland departed Portland, Maine with no cargo and was in ballast. She was southbound for St Thomas. On 20 April, at about 2 pm local time, while steaming at 11 knots on a southeasterly course towards St Thomas, the unescorted Vineland was hit aft by a G7e torpedo from U-154. One minute later, a G7a surface runner torpedo missed the ship. A third torpedo then slammed into the engine room causing the stern section to break off. The forward section remained afloat and sank after being hit by a few rounds from the deck gun. The location of the sinking 77 nautical miles north of the Turks and Caicos Islands and 515 nautical miles northwest of St. Thomas. The master and 33 survivors abandoned ship in two lifeboats. They reached Turks Island after four days and they were towed in by a fishing boat. The lone casualty was 19 year-old engine room Oiler James Lawrence Hanson who had joined the Merchant Marine (and the SS Vineland) just 12 days earlier.
21 April 1943 The 133-foot auxiliary powered Nova Scotia fishing schooner, SV Flora Alberta (built 1941) departed Lunenburg and was bound for the Grand Banks. The schooner had been traveling through the dense fog at about nine knots and blowing her fog whistle at regular intervals. On a converging course a convoy of 8 ships in 3 columns was also steaming through the same dense fog to join a larger convoy (HX-235, from New York City, with one Royal Navy and five Royal Canadian Navy escorts). At about 05:22, the Flora Alberta was sliced in two (43°33’N 61°44’W) by the SS Fanad Head which was the lead ship in the port column. The fore and aft sections quickly sank with most of the crew, of which many had been asleep in their bunks. Of the crew of 28, only Captain Guy Tanner and six crew members were successfully rescued.
22 April 1943 – The cargo liner MV Amerika (a straggler from eastbound convoy HX-234) was sunk at 01:54 on 22 April 1943 by U-306, about 145 nautical miles south of Greenland. Fifty-three Royal Canadian Air Force personnel were the only passengers embarked during this eastbound crossing of the North Atlantic. Thirty-seven of the RCAF passengers were killed. Forty-two crew members and seven DEMS gunners were also lost. The master, twenty-nine crew members, eight gunners and the 16 RCAF survivors were rescued by HMS Asphodel and landed at Greenock, Scotland.
22 April 1944 HMCS Swansea commanded by A/Cdr Clarence A. King, DSO, DSC, RCNR with HMCS Matane commanded by A/Cdr A. Frank C. Layard, DSO, RN using depth charges sink U-311 south of Iceland. Cdr Kings third submarine in 7 weeks.
23 April 1947 HMCS Malahat re-commissioned as Victoria’s Naval Reserve Division; originally commissioned as naval recruiting centre January 15, 1944. They grew from the No.1 Half Company of the Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve (RNCVR) that was established 18 May 1914. HMCS Scotian was commissioned as Halifax’s Naval Reserve Division. The first reserve unit was the Halifax Half-Company, which operated from 1925 to 1935. From 1935 to 1939, the unit name was changed to Halifax Division. The two were the 14th and 15th of the 24 divisions commissioned. The remainder of the 24 Naval Reserve Divisions would be subsequently commissioned, with the last being HMCS Queen Charlotte (Charlottetown) in 1994.
25 April 1945 Canada, one of 50 nations attending founding United Nations Conference on International Organization, opening in San Francisco, California; eventually will approve United Nations Charter on June 26.
25 April 1967 Commons passes Bill C-243, “The Canadian Forces Reorganization Act,” unifying the RCN, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force into one service, the Canadian Armed Forces, with common uniform and rank designations; act comes into effect February 1, 1968.
26 April 1778 Captain James Cook sails from Nootka Sound, tracing the coast of British Columbia.
26 April 1944 HMCS Huron commanded by LCdr Herbert S. Rayner, DSC, RCN, with HMCS Haida commanded by Cdr Harry G. DeWolf, DSO, RCN, and HMCS Athabaskan commanded by A/LCdr John H. Stubbs, DSO, RCN fought two German destroyers off Ile de Bas, France, and drove a flaming German warship T-29 aground. The modern HMCS Harry DeWolf is named in VAdm DeWolf’s honour.
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)
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