naval affairs

NAC News – Edition 571 (HMCS Dominion/HMCS Niobe)

NAC News – Edition 571 (HMCS Dominion/HMCS Niobe)

Your weekly national and international naval news for the week of June 28th, 2024

Edition: 571  HMCS Dominion/HMCS Niobe   Quote:  “What we have done, we have done…in the plenitude, in the majority of our colonial dependence…I claim for Canada this, that, in the future, Canada shall be at liberty to act or not to act, to interfere or not to interfere, to do just as she pleases, and she shall reserve for herself the right to judge whether or not there is cause for her to act.” , PM Laurier.  Canada’s Soldiers 1604-1954  The Military History of An Unmilitary People, pg. 288, George F.G. Stanley, 1954

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 Oct/1 Nov 2024  Seaspan announced 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  Super Early Bird Registration is open for the Vanguard Deep Blue Forum 2024 to be held at The National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa.

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THIS WEEK’S SIGNIFICANT ARTICLES

A time for change: Reforming defence procurement in Canada.  Report of the Standing Committee on National Defence Honourable John McKay, Chair (Editor – 36 recommendations listed  page1 to 6…IF accepted, a multi-year implementation plan that will need to be created and monitored)

Minister Blair to visit Halifax, Nova Scotia to discuss Our North, Strong and Free and launch construction on the Canadian Surface Combatant fleet and from a year ago a refresher Preliminary design review of Canadian Navy’s new surface combat ship to be completed later this year (Editor – 2:05 min video)

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CANADA

Gen. Wayne Eyre says he has no idea who’s replacing him as top military commander

Largest ship built in Canada will be based on this German design with Seaspan Shipyards: Building on a legacy more than 100 years in the making (Editor – HMCS Protecteur just had her first 31 metric tonne port tail shaft installed)

The second year of the Naval Experience Program has BEGUN! (Editor – RCN 1:52 min video)

Canadian Coast Guard Long-Term Strategy Discussion Paper (Editor – Take the survey)

Canadian Armed Forces – Military Police – English (Editor – diverse duties in a CAF 4:33 min video)

CANADIAN ARMED FORCES: Rethinking NATO (Editor – Esprit de Corps 6:08 min video…sarcasm is back J)

Canada Finds It’s Cheaper to Ship Oil Via Stop in California

Long-awaited Arctic port and road project restarts with regulatory filings (Editor – Grays Bay Nunavut useful map/explanation I found)

Tang.ɢwan – ḥačxwiqak – Tsig̱is Marine Protected Area established off BC Coast (Editor – at 133,017 sq km a bit bigger than Newfoundland)

Pembina, Haisla First Nation greenlight proposed LNG project (Editor – Cedar LNG is the third LNG export facility in Canada to receive the go-ahead.  Construction of the Shell-led LNG Canada facility, with an export capacity of 14 million tonnes per year, is currently nearing completion near Kitimat.  A smaller facility, Woodfibre LNG, is under construction near Squamish, B.C.)

Lookout: Volume 69, Issue 25, June 24, 2024

Trident:  24 Jun 2024 Volume 58, Issue 13 (Editor – note HMCS Charlottetown to join SNMG2 as flagship article.)

NAC Research paper Submarine Procurement – Widening the Aperture of Options

(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: June 24, 2024

Report to Congress on Hypersonic Missile Defense

Brazil, Not Australia, Could be the Next Nation to Have Nuclear-Powered Submarines

U.S. Navy Loosens Physical Fitness Rules, Giving Flexibility to COs

US Congress Proposes Hull Coating Upgrades for Navy Fleet

CIMSEC: Homeport strike: a decisive tactic in Fleet warfare

Lasers and Museum Ships – Modern Preservation Solutions! (Editor – once you get past the ad (2 min in), the use of a laser in restoration is intriguing)

Sailors head home months after Baltimore bridge crash

Coast Guard accepts 57th fast response cutter

Venezuela Resorts to Dark Fleet to Transport Oil to Cuba

Panama Canal Boosts Capacity on Eighth Anniversary of Expansion Project

Crowley Christens America’s First All-Electric Tug, eWolf

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INDO-PACIFIC

China Cracks Down on Shipping of Illicit Drugs at Ports

U.S. and Canadian Naval Forces Conduct Bilateral Operations

US carrier makes port call ahead of summer exercise in South Korea

Carrier USS Carl Vinson, International Warships Arrive in Hawaii for RIMPAC 2024 and US-led RIMPAC drill kicks off, ‘with PLA amphibious assault ship in mind’ (Editor – ex-USS Tarawa sinkex)

China says its Fujian carrier is world’s largest conventionally powered warship (Editor – sure is pretty)

China’s Type 041 Mini Nuclear Attack Sub is Unlike Any Other Submarines (Editor – something new…gamechanger?)

China Coast Guard initiates new enforcement model in waters near Kinmen

Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark sets out for Mission Harmony-2024

India, France, Australia reaffirm commitment to free rules-based Indo-Pacific

China protests Philippines’ claim of extended continental shelf

High Noon at Second Thomas Shoal

Alert: Japan Defense Minister Calls for Action After Video of Warship Posted on Chinese Social Media (Editor – 2:51 min video)

South China Sea: PLA tests its landing ships amid tension with Philippines over islands

Japan Commissions Sixth Mogami-Class Frigate ‘Agano’ 「あがの」

India could be a hub for making Submarines in the APAC Region: thyssenkrupp Marine Systems

Shaping a nuclear-powered culture within the Royal Australian Navy

Australia orders two additional Guardian-class patrol boats from Austal (Editor – Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (PPB-R) Project well done Australia for doing something really tangible for Pacific security)

HMS Tamar scores a first as she successfully links up with US submarine support ship

Behind the Scenes with HMAS Dechaineux (Editor – RAN 19:50 min video)

Philippine Navy’s growing ASW capability

First Robert Allan Ltd. Tugs Delivered In The Philippines

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EUROPE

Ukraine:

Russia blames US for Crimea deaths and vows response

Ukraine Deploys High-Speed Armored CB90 Boats to Counter Russian Forces in the Black Sea.

What a Night! Ukraine DESTROYED another Russian ship near Crimean Island with surprise single shot! (Editor – 11:20 min video.  I’d still like to have some reliable second source authentication for this type of event)

Why did Nikita Khrushchev Give Crimea to Ukraine? (Editor – background in a 12:41 min video)

European Council approves new sanctions against Russia and EU sanctions commander-in-chief of Russian Navy, number of defense industry enterprises

Mounting Evidence Shows Russia Assembling Pieces for Potential LNG ‘Dark Fleet’

General:

U.S. Navy in nuclear show of force to Russia

NATO Allies select Mark Rutte as next Secretary General

USS Wasp Now in the Mediterranean Sea

UPDATED: USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Now in the Med, USS Theodore Roosevelt Heads to the Middle East

A more lethal Royal Navy is needed says new report

MEGA BUILD! The Royal Navy creates New 2nd Largest Warships after its Aircraft carriers (Editor – 8:04 min video)

The Royal Navy wants three new-build mine hunting motherships

NATO and Ukrainian warships begin arriving in Glasgow (Editor – Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1)) with Ukraine Demonstrates Developing MCM Capability At Sea Breeze Exercise plus a 4:49 min video Royal Navy prepares Ukrainians to clear Black Sea of Russian mines

EM&E new naval rocket launcher and Thales new counter drone rocket

Russian Spy Ships Likely Gathering Intelligence on Israel’s Newest Submarine

Opens New Missile Factory in Norway

The German robots hunting the sea for WW2 bombs (Editor – fascinating)

Russia Launches Second Gremyashchy-Class Corvette

Britain ‘should lease or buy’ more fleet support ships

French Navy transition from ageing mine-hunters to AUVs

Video: Suspects Narrowly Escape From Sinking Narco-Sub off Spain (Editor – includes a short video)

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MIDDLE EAST

Red Sea:

Video: Houthis Claim First Launch of Hypersonic Missile Targeting MSC Ship

A US carrier has repelled Houthi attacks for months. Will it hold up?

Fending Off Houthis Requires Double the Fleet, EU Force Says and Stavridis: Red Sea Response Is Anemic And Indecisive

Unions Seek Immediate Action to Protect Seafarers in the Red Sea and Philippines Says 78 Crew Refused to Sail Red Sea as it Increases Ban

Aerial Drone launched by Houthi Rebels hits Ship in Red Sea causing Damage and Injuries and Bulker’s Crew Abandons Ship after Severe Flooding off Yemen

US Military Says It Destroyed Three Houthi Vessels In Red Sea

Rare LNG Vessel Sails Through Red Sea Amid Houthi Attacks

General:

As Israel and Hezbollah inch toward war, Canada braces for a repeat of the 2006 evacuation

Maritime Aid Pier Installed in Gaza for the Third Time

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GLOBAL INTERESTS

International Day of the Seafarer

Maersk Charters Newbuild for Record $150,000 Per Day

Are ‘green’ cruise ships good for the climate?

How the Moon is making days longer on Earth

Bigger Ships, Bigger Risks: Navigating the Challenges of Modern Maritime Safety

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SCUTTLEBUTT

Genius Design: How the Tugboat Was Invented (Editor – 12:15 min video)

The magnificent inland voyage of an Edwardian-era steamship (Editor – SS Keewatin now moored in Kingston, Ont.)

Inside Super Advanced $300 Million Ship Scanning Deep Oceans (Editor – 15:14 min video)

Titanic’s Fascinating Construction Photos (Editor – 37:56 mi video)

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THIS WEEK IN RCN/MARITIME HISTORY

29 June 1992  HMCS Halifax is commissioned as the first of the new Canadian Patrol Frigates

30 June 1921  HMC Submarines CH-14 and CH-15 are paid off.

30 June 1941  HMCS Wasaga is commissioned, becoming the first Canadian-built Bangor-class minesweeper.

30 June 1944 A Canso from RCAF Squadron 162 sank U-478 north of the Shetlands.

30 June 1950  The Canadian Parliament supports the government motion to assist the United Nations in its position on the Korean situation.

1 July 1923  The RCN barracks in Halifax, known as HMCS Stadacona, is commissioned.

1 July 1934  Commodore Percy W. Nelles becomes the first Canadian-born and Canadian-trained Chief of the Naval Staff.

1 July 1954  The destroyer HMCS Iroquois sailed for her third and final tour of duty in United Nations Korean operations.

2 July 1931 The first ships built for the Royal Canadian Navy, Saguenay and Skeena, complete their maiden voyage to Halifax.2 July 1944  Canadian MTB 460 (Canadian Motor Torpedo Boat) struck a mine in the English Channel.  The commanding officer and 10 men of a crew of 17 were lost.

2 July 1940  861 German and Italian prisoners of war are rescued by HMCS St. Laurent after their transport ship was torpedoed on its way to Canada.

3 July 1944  Four Canadian motor torpedo boats sink two German merchant ships and damage other vessels in the English Channel.

3 July 1970  Bonaventure was decommissioned at Halifax and sold for disposal.  The vessel was purchased by Tung Chen S Steel Company of Taiwan for scrap and broken up in 1971. Components from Bonaventure’s steam catapult were used to rebuild the catapult aboard Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne, another Majestic-class carrier.  One anchor is preserved at Point Pleasant Park in Halifax as the Bonaventure Anchor Memorial.  The monument was dedicated in 1973 initially to aircrew lost at sea, but later to all naval personnel who died in service.  The monument consists of the anchor and chains, along with a small chain running from the monument into the water to make the connection between monument and the sea.  The anchor faces the mouth of the harbour.  The names of navy and air force personnel who died during peacetime are etched into plaques beside the anchor.  Her starboard anchor, donated by Maritime Command on 6 May 1998, is on display at Royal Military College Saint-Jean.  Her two saluting guns are mounted at HMCS Discovery in Vancouver’s Stanley Park.  The ship’s bell is preserved at the Shearwater Aviation Museum in Dartmouth, which also hosts a large model and exhibit about the carrier.

4 July 1943  Canadian vessels of the 29th and 65th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotillas conduct raids on the French coast near Cherbourg.

5 July 1940  First Canadian registered merchant ship sunk in Battle of the Atlantic, CSL’s S.S. Magog, by U-99 SW of Ireland.  No casualties.

5 July 1950  HMC Ships Athabaskan, Cayuga, and Sioux sail from Esquimalt, BC, to join the United Nations naval forces operating in Korean waters.

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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