NAC News – Edition 568 (HMCS Protector I/II)
Your weekly national and international naval news for the week of June 7th, 2024
Edition: 568 HMCS Protector I/II (Editor – not a typo) Quote: “Netanyahu believes an operation in Rafah is central to Israel’s overall goals – not merely in going after the remaining Hamas forces, but cutting off their ability to resupply via smuggling through the Egyptian border.” 8 May 2024, Natan Sachs, The New York Times
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
30 October 2024 Seaspan is pleased to announce their upcoming National Shipbuilding Strategy Industry Day, in partnership with the Association of British Columbia Marine Industries (ABCMI). It will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre. More details to come for those who register.
14 November 2024 Mark your calendars, here is the advanced notification for Vanguard Deep Blue Forum 2024 to be held at The National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa ON K1P 5W1.
________________________________________________________________
THIS WEEK’S SIGNIFICANT ARTICLES
CLaS is a Class Act: An Experience with Canadian Leaders at Sea
________________________________________________________________
D-Day
King pays tribute on 80th anniversary of D-Day
80th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings (D-DAY) (Editor – RCN 1:59 min video of a poem reading by NAC member and historian Roger Litwiller)
How D-Day unfolded: Newly restored, rare footage from the CBC archives (Editor – 11:33 min video. The video is focused on the army going ashore. Not to diminish the soldiers’ heroic efforts during the landing, but it would not have been possible but for the allied air forces achieving air dominance by D-Day, and the allied navies control of the Atlantic and specifically the English Channel.) hence D-Day 80 Special – The Last Surviving Warships (Editor – 26:08 min video) and The Shipping Behind D-Day | Battle of the Atlantic | Europe vs Pacific | Liberty Ships & LSTs (Editor – 34:15 min video)
D-Day 80: TV Presenter and Royal Navy Reservist Jules Hudson takes us on a tour of Southwick House (Editor – RN 4:59 min video. Amusingly, it was 1988 when I too first saw the map room at HMS Dryad when I was on exchange with the RN)
D-Day 80 Special – The Last Surviving Warships
CANADA
Canada sending naval ships to Pacific exercises as part of new strategic plan with HMCS Vancouver departs on deployment
Statement from Minister Blair on Canadian Armed Forces Day
What connects Canadian and German Joint Support Ships
L3Harris to provide communications system for Canada’s surface combatant
Hanwha Ocean Teams Up with Canadian Firms for Submarine Project
With so much to do, you might be surprised what your favourite experience would be! (Editor – 45 sec RCN recruiting video)
Prince Rupert port to get busier with $1.35B gas export plant
CNMT Campaign Launch (Editor – CNMT has launched their first branding campaign that will reach coast to coast. CNMT’s first ad)
I’m an army reservist and a nurse. I learned to keep the first job a secret (Editor – how did the CAF’s [perceived] reputation get so low)
Shark watchers off Nova Scotia are going to need a bigger boat (Editor – 6:17 min video)
Nautical Institute magazine The Navigator June 2024
NAC Children’s books are still available for sale
Lookout: Volume 69, Issue 22, June 3, 2024
NAC Niobe paper No.17 Does the RCN need Submarines? A Surface Naval Warfare Officer’s Wave-Top Perspective by Lieutenant-Commander Ryan deForest (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)
________________________________________________________________
USA & AMERICAS
USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: June 3, 2024
$476 Billion: U.S. Marine Economy Continues Upward Trend
Russian nuclear sub Kazan, frigate Admiral Gorshkov to arrive in Cuba next week
USCGC Munro Returns from Eastern Pacific Patrol; $500M Worth of Narcotics Seized
WASP ARG-24th MEU (SOC) Begin Deployment
Austal USA Wins $516 Million Contract to Construct Navy Ocean Surveillance Ship
Here’s Why the US Navy Needs More Virginia-Class Submarines Now but House Approps Bill Funds Single Virginia-class Sub, Cuts Landing Ship Medium in 4 Warship Buy
The US Navy has fallen victim to the British disease (Editor – 1:05 min BAE Type 26 video included)
The US and Royal Navies Have a Crewing Problem | Royal Fleet Auxiliary Begin Industrial Action
Navy Accepts Delivery of Ship to Shore Connector, Landing Craft, Air Cushion 109
CIMSEC: a concept of operations for the U.S. Navy’s hybrid fleet
Command senior chief busted for secretly setting up Wi-Fi on US Navy combat ship
Amphib Boxer soon to be sidelined again for 18 months of maintenance
June 5, 2024: Salvage Crews Clear Last Major Obstacle from Key Bridge Collapse Site coincidentally Boxship’s Engine Controls Get Stuck on Full Ahead, Forcing Bridge Closure
Biden Administration Buys Back 3 Million Barrels for Strategic Petroleum Reserve
Former Vice Chief of Naval Operations Robert Burke Arrested by Feds on Bribery Charges
Gulf of Mexico is August-Level Hot as Hurricane Season Nears `
________________________________________________________________
INDO-PACIFIC
Conflicting US-China Defense Strategies Dominate Singapore Forum not much of the Shangri-La paradise here U.S. SECDEF Austin, Chinese MoD Dong Present Divergent Visions of Pacific Security
South China Sea: Manila, Beijing tap backchannel efforts to resolve disputes while Philippine president warns China against ‘acts of war’
India making Bay of Bengal into a nuclear launchpad
North Korea jams GPS signals near sea border after denouncing ROK ‘intrusions’
The cost of Defence: ASPI Defence budget brief 2024-2025 (Editor – “Australia needs to spend more on defence—and it needs to do so immediately. The strategic imperative has been firmly established in the government’s own major defence documents.)
USS Shoup Changes Command from Commander to Captain
Government approves next phase of Collins Class life-of-type extension
U.S., Japan and Korea Commit to New Multi-Domain ‘Freedom Edge’ Exercise Series
Italian Carrier Strike Group Starts Five-Month Deployment To The Indo-Pacific and Italian aircraft carrier to make August port call in Japan
U.S. Marine MQ-9A Reapers Now Deployed to the Philippines
Fincantieri comments PPA contract with Indonesia (Editor – 4:57 min video)
How Advanced Is China’s Third Aircraft Carrier?
Japan’s new super battlewagons set to be the most powerful surface warships in the world
Navigating the Waves of Change: India’s Unmanned Revolution in Naval Warfare
Kiwis, Americans, British can apply for Australian Defence Force (Editor – the competition for labour heats up)
CGA launches new patrol ship to beef up security in south
The Achilles’ heel of a digital nation: Australia’s dependence on subsea cables
Turkish Navy Corvette Visits Hong Kong Ahead Of Goodwill Visit to Japan (Editor – a long way from Türkiye’s traditional area of operations)
Rafale M fighter deal: How navy’s Rafale will be different from air force’s
Singapore Reopens Defunct Container Terminals to Tackle Vessel Bunching
________________________________________________________________
EUROPE
Ukraine:
Breaking News: Using Magura V5 naval drones Ukrainian Special Forces struck four Russian Tunets-class boats in Crimea. and Ukraine Hits Russian Patrol Boats & Petroleum Tanks in Black Sea
Video: Ukraine Claims Sinking Russian Tug Used in Supply of Crimea
Netherlands Completes Secret Military Training for 300 Ukrainian Marines
We have no Plan B if Ukraine falls, says Estonia (Editor – Not to be an alarmist, but Canada watched cascading events in Europe but was unprepared for both world wars. Does this presage the future?)
Inside the Ukrainian Lab Exposing U.S. Chips in Russia’s Weapons | WSJ(Editor – not naval but with serious implications, a 5:41 min video)
General:
NATO to Kick Off Largest Baltic Operations Exercise to Date
Britain, France and Norway search for Russian sub off Ireland (Editor – “free” article not available elsewhere)
Type 212CD AIP Will Change Underwater Game For Norwegian Navy, Says Submarine CO
Germany launches naval project with keel laying of largest frigate (Editor – 10,000 ton Frigate!)
Russia Oil Revenue Rise as Nation Adapts to Sanctions however Novatek sends 200 engineers to shipyard due to urgent need for more Arctic tankers
The Controversial Chinese Firms That Will Build Georgia’s Black Sea Megaproject
Russia’s Rosatom and Chinese Firm to Establish Year-Round Arctic Shipping Route and Russia Predicts Record Cargo Volume on Arctic Route, Aims for Year-Round Container Shipping
________________________________________________________________
MIDDLE EAST
Red Sea:
Israelis Refute Houthi Claims of Joint Attack with Militia on Port of Haifa
Houthis Claim Strike on American Aircraft Carrier (Editor – debunked, a 3:40 min video)
Houthis Continue Attacking Greek Bulkers Accused of Calling in Israel
Navy’s Eisenhower carrier group’s deployment in the Red Sea extended
Ships Diverted From Red Sea Send Ripple Effects Across The Globe
General:
Royal Navy seizes 2.4 tonnes of drugs in the Indian Ocean
Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 154 Marks Productive First Year
In rare clash with Iran, China reaffirms solidarity with UAE over disputed islands and Wikipedia explanation Seizure of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs
________________________________________________________________
GLOBAL INTERESTS
Sudanese diplomat confirms commitment to Russian naval base on Red Sea
Russian Oil Finds New Site for Ship-to-Ship Transfers
Maersk Announces Delays and Blank Voyages Due to Severe Port Congestion
New SOLAS Regulations on Reporting Containers Lost at Sea
________________________________________________________________
SCUTTLEBUTT
CIMSEC: Sea Control 524 – the boats of Cherbourg with Abraham Rabinovitch (part 2) (Editor – part 2 following last week’s in a 30:39 min podcast)
HMS Canada / Almirante Latorre – Guide 389 (Editor – 6:57 min video)
The Wreck of Prinz Eugen – An Inverted Cruiser, Rusting Aground (Editor – 13:11 min video)
________________________________________________________________
THIS WEEK IN RCN/MARITIME HISTORY
8 June 1893 Steamship Mower arrives in Victoria B.C. from Sydney, Australia: first steamer of the Canadian Australian Line.
8 June 1944 RCAF Flying Officer Kenneth Owen (K.O.) Moore and his crew of 9 flying a B-25 Liberator of RAF Squadron 224 from St. Eval, Cornwall, England while patrolling after the D-Day landing in the English Channel depth-charged and sank U629, then went on to sink 10 minutes later in a similar attack U373. His concise report of the attacks “Sighted two subs, sank same” became famous.
9 June 1789 Spanish captain Estebán José Martínez captures trader John Meares’ schooner Northwest America in Nootka Sound near Vancouver Island.
9 June 1944 HMCS Haida commanded by Cdr Harry G. DeWolf, DSO, RCN, HMCS Huron commanded by LCdr Herbert S. Rayner, DSC, RCN, and other destroyers from the 10th Destroyer Flotilla sank the German destroyers ZH1 and Z32 in the English Channel.
10 June 1803 Warship HMS Dart carries the so-called Garrison clock (“old town clock”) to Halifax, N.S.; ordered by Prince Edward, it will be installed October 20 in a building built for it on the eastern slope of Citadel Hill.
10 June 1878 Fort Rodd Hill built to protect Esquimalt in the event of a war with Russia.
10 June 1910 Rear-Admiral Charles E. Kingsmill, RN (Retired), is appointed the Director of the Naval Service.
10 June 1931 HMCS SKEENA commissioned at Portsmouth-one of the first ships built for the RCN.
10 June 1940 The Canadian government declares war on Italy. The Italian owned S.S. Capo Noli, with Canada now at war with Italy, was trying to escape down the St. Lawrence river below Rimouski, pursued by the slower HMCS Bras d’Or (Lt. C S Hornsby, RCNR). She was sighted by Fl.Lt. Leonard J. Birchall (later Air Commodore) in his Stranraer, who threatened to bomb her. Her Master then ran her ashore and set fire to his ship. Shortly Bras d’Or caught up, told the crew to re-board & put out the fire and took command. Re-named Bic Island, the ship was later sunk in the Atlantic by U-224 on 28 Oct. 1942.
11 June 1813 Nova Scotia privateering vessel, Liverpool Packet, owned by Enos Collins and associates, is captured by American privateer schooner Thomas; the schooner is re-named the Portsmouth Packet, until it is regained by HMS Fantome and HMS Epervier after a 13-hour chase, in October 1813.
11 June 1940 While evacuating personnel from le Havre, France, destroyers HMCS St. Laurent and Restigouche engage German artillery and fire the first shots of the war by Canadian warships.
11 June 1944 A Canso from RCAF Squadron 162 sank U-980 southwest of Norway.
11 June 1944 HMCS Sioux commanded by A/LCdr Eric E.G. Boak, RCN with Polish destroyers sank (schnellboot) S-136 off Normandy.
11 June 1999 The United Nations set up peacekeeping mission, including 600 Canadians consisting of HMCS Protecteur, an infantry company, and transport planes to support the mission in East Timor. Operation Toucan helped organize elections, support the new government, and establish the rule of law; Canadian participation ends February 23, 2000.
13 June 1941 Newfoundland’s sea defences are brought under Canadian control with the appointment of Commodore L.W. Murray, RCN, as the commander of Newfoundland Force.
13 June 1944 A Canso from RCAF Squadron 162 sank U-715 east of the Faroes.
14 June 1941 Warships of the Newfoundland Escort Force begin convoy escort operations in the North Atlantic Ocean.
14 June 1957 HMCS Magnificent, Canada’s second aircraft carrier (if you don’t count Nabob and Puncher), was decommissioned and returned to the RN in Plymouth UK.
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.
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
Instagram – RoyalCanNavy | MarineRoyaleCan;
Flickr – RoyalCanadianNavy-MarineRoyaleCanadienne
YouTube – RoyalCanadianNavy | MarineRoyaleCanadienne
Vimeo – RoyalCanadianNavy-MarineRoyaleCanadienne
|
You are receiving this email because you are associated with NAC and have been receiving NAC News. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe by emailing executivedirector-nac@outlook.com
Copyright © 2024 Naval Association of Canada, all rights reserved.