NAC News – Edition 607 (Mill Cove)
Your weekly national and international naval news for the week of March 7th, 2025
Edition: 607 NRS/CFS Mill Cove Quotes: “It is possible that 2025 may be regarded by future generation as one of the most transformational periods for Canadian security. There are two massive shifts that are driving these changes. First, the bedrock of Canadian defence – the Canada-U.S. relationship – is being challenged in ways that were deemed to be unimaginable just months ago. The idea that the first course of action for an American President would be to openly talk about the annexation of Canada as the 51st state seemed unthinkable.” CDAI: Strategic Outlook 2025 – Canada in Dangerous Times, Rob Huebert in collaboration with Dr. Philippe Lagassé, Univ of Calgary, March 2025 (Editor – link to full publication available below in “This Week’s Significant Articles”)
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@navalassoc.ca if you wish someone to be added to the NAC News email distribution. (Influencer, or good candidates to become a NAC member – note, the first year’s NAC/Branch membership dues are waived)
NOTICES
25-26 March 2025 Symposium canadien sur la maintenance navale – Canadian Naval Maintenance Symposium Hôtel Mortagne 1228 Rue Nobel, Boucherville, QC
15-16 April ABCMI & Coast Innovation Forum, Vancouver Convention
Centre – Registration can be done at ABCMI & COAST Innovations Forum
3 May 2025 Battle of the Atlantic 80th Anniversary Gala, London ON. The Gala will be hosted at the beautiful Hellenic Centre (133 Southdale Rd, London, ON) on Sat 03 May and the unveiling of the Wall of Honour at the Battle of the Atlantic Memorial will be held the next afternoon (Sun 04 May) at HMCS Prevost, during their annual Battle of the Atlantic Parade. Gala Tickets are sold online through “Ticket Tailor” and can only be purchased through that site by clicking the link below (you cannot “search” for the event on Ticket Tailor, or “Google it”, you can only get to the purchase point through these two links.) https://buytickets.at/boagala2025 The BOAM Website under the “event page”
15–18 May 2025 CNMT has graciously extended the invitation to all NAC members who may not be CNMT trustees to join them for the 80th Anniversary of VE Day & Battle of the Atlantic Commemoration at Londonderry. There are events and activities planned for each day. If you plan to attend, please reach out to Gary Reddy at co@cnmt.ca. He will point you in the right direction for further details. The City Hotel Derry is offering special rates for attendees: Double/Twin B&B: £159 per night or Single B&B: £149 per night. To book your room, please call the hotel.
________________________________________________________________
THIS WEEK’S SIGNIFICANT ARTICLES
NAC Canadian Naval Encyclopedia (Editor – A lengthy and first-rate new Naval Affairs product that begs to be shared as widely as possible! BZ to the authors and their contributors/advisors)
CDAI: Strategic Outlook 2025 – Canada in Dangerous Times
________________________________________________________________
CANADA
Editor – Last NAC News edition I asked which of our members had been so honoured with the King Charles III Coronation medal and I was informed that so far the following members have been so recognized: Steven Dieter, Al Munroe, Dean McFadden, Gary Garnett, Teri K. McKinnon, Stewart Alsgard, Wayne Reardon, and last but and far from least our new centenarian Fraser McKee! Congratulations to you all!
Canadian, U.S. Coast Guards Team on Caribbean Sea Drug Bust
Canada Transfers Command of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two
Could YOU be a sailor? & Pourriez-VOUS être marin? (Editor – 46 sec videos RCN recruiting …sign me up!)
Quebec Premier François Legault urges Trudeau to “accelerate” building of polar icebreakers
Le Canada et les Philippines sont en négociations finales pour un pacte de défense
Les Septiliens invités aux portes ouvertes de la réserve navale
This is the first all-Canadian Antarctic expedition (Editor – CBC 2:25 min video) and Scientists launch ‘Argo float’ to gather ocean data in Antarctica (Editor – 2:21 min video)
Port of Churchill to double its critical mineral shipment capacity this year
Niobe Papers, No. 22 A New Defence Policy Vision The Case for Shifting Focus to the Pacific by Commander Matthew Hardy 2024, Joint Command and Staff Programme 49 (JCSP) Service Paper at the Canadian Forces College (CFC), Toronto
CDR Radio Episode 49 – Bill Blair (Editor – serious subjects discussed in a 25:46 min podcast)
Interview with the Commander, Royal Canadian Navy (Editor – the video wasn’t widely distrusted at the time in Nov…now for your enjoyment a NAC 1:12:13 hr video) and the written transcript if you’d prefer Transcript of Interview with Commander RCN, Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee
BRIX Marine delivers new Bridge Cat 49 (Editor – nice, but we build boats like this in Canada)
Naval Reserve Association of Canada & Association de la Réserve navale du Canada
(Editor – AGM is scheduled for 24 March 2025 in person in Hamilton at HMCS Star (beginning at 18:30 Eastern Time) and by video conference. Find the Agenda and Meeting Materials here & Retrouvez ici l’ordre du jour et les documents de la réunion
Many public servants in biggest federal departments breaking remote work rules
Canada’s military should fix white supremacy problem before it starts: analyst
Tankers: Canada’s Crude Exports Surge as US Implements New Tariffs
Disney ship’s arrival marks early start to cruise season
Seaspan Energy completes first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering in Canada
CDAI: Now Accepting: Submissions for Publication (Editor – The CDA Institute is opening submissions from experts, scholars, military professionals, and students to contribute to our Op-Ed and Policy Paper series.)
Friends of the Canadian War Museum: The Good Allies – Dr Tim Cook – Friends Forum, Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 (Editor – 1:03:33 min presetation)
VAC Salute February 2025 & Salut Février 2025
NAC Naval Affairs The Law of the Sea and Canadian Maritime Security (Editor – NAC Naval Affairs Papers, Briefing Notes, Niobe Papers, and much more. 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 & AMERICA
USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: March 3, 2025
‘What the hell is happening to your country?’ and Trump is making the mistake that FDR shunned (Editor – thought-provoking analogy)
“Bring it back to America”: Trump unveils plan to rejuvenate US shipbuilding while GAO Report on Naval Shipbuilding, Ship Repair
Scorned by Trump, Canadian shipbuilders flash their icebreaker skills
Elon Musk backs US withdrawal from NATO alliance
GAO: USCG’s Shore Maintenance Infrastructure Backlog Has Ballooned to $7B
Finally! Watch the US Navy’s Laser Weapon in Action (Editor – useful 11:28 min video…probably a big part of the future!)
U.S. TRANSCOM Wants Authority to Buy 10 Used Cargo Ships
Sailors Not Required: DARPA Launches Fully Unmanned Warship Prototype
USS Nimitz, More than 3,000 Sailors Will Move to Norfolk in 2026
Hong Kong billionaire to sell Panama Canal ports to US firm and The Art of the Canal Deal: How BlackRock Brokered Trump Win in Panama
________________________________________________________________
INDO-PACIFIC
China says it is ready for ‘any type of war’ with US
US Navy Carl Vinson Aircraft Carrier Arrives in South Korea to Safeguard Security in Northeast Asia
Brookings Institute: Commentary – Will 2027 invite conflict for Taiwan and China?
China Demonstrated Its Capabilities to Conduct Large-Scale Amphibious Operations During February 2025 Exercise and China’s vertical naval growth
China’s defense budget stays under 1.5% of GDP for years, below global average: spokesperson but China plans 7.2% defense budget rise, marking 10th consecutive year of single-digit growth
Singapore to buy new submarines, infantry fighting vehicles and maritime patrol aircraft for the SAF
Japan Commissions Fourth Taigei-class Submarine
CIMSEC: On Wider Seas: Italian Naval Deployments and Maritime Outreach to the Indo-Pacific
Taiwan indigenous submarine to go on sea trials as scheduled and Taiwan’s First Indigenous Defense Submarine Hai Kun-class Narwhal Advances to Next Testing Phase
Taiwan Seeks Supplier for Six More Mine-Laying Vessels
CLEMENCEAU 25 – Coopération du groupe aéronaval avec les Philippines
China asks Australia for advance notice China operations (Editor – war of words continues)
Dropping the act: China’s militia in 2024
India achieves milestone in Naval Defence with successful trial of indigenous HEAUV
JFD to offer submarine rescue services for Australian Collins-class
China Starts Construction on Deep-Diving Manned “Subsea Lab”
U.S. and Philippine Forces Practice Seizing Gas Platform in South China Sea Exercise
First Sanctioned Ship Gets Scrapped in Watershed for Dark Fleet
________________________________________________________________
EUROPE
Ukraine:
Russia won’t tolerate NATO contingents in Ukraine, Lavrov says
Ukraine has ‘significantly degraded’ Russian Black Sea fleet
Russian Hits Port Infrastructure, Vessel In Ukraine’s Odesa while Russia Says Sank Cargo Ship Carrying British Weapons for Ukraine
Black Sea Conflict Informing U.S. Navy Unmanned Systems, Says Admiral
US spy plane makes flight over Black Sea — Flightradar
General:
King Charles pays a flying visit to Royal Navy’s flagship HMS Prince of Wales
EU help key to French and British nukes keeping Russia at bay
Royal Navy shadows another Russian convoy in the English Channel
NVL lays keel of Germany’s first Type 424 SIGINT ship
German P-8A Poseidon Takes Off For First Flight
Entraînement mutuel Morskoul 25.1
Further decline in ‘militarily useful’ British vessels
Six allied submarines to join Nato exercise in Italy
CETUS – the Royal Navy’s first uncrewed submarine launched
Denmark selects Atlas Elektronik for ASW towed array sonar for frigates
Turkiye’s Anadolu Shipyard launches first vessel of New Type LCT project
First Type 31 Frigate now due to enter the water soon
The AGM-119 ‘Penguin’ Anti-ship Missile | DEADLY INFRARED SHIP KILLER (Editor – 12:45 min video)
OCCAR Delivers First MMCM System to the United Kingdom
Belgian, Dutch and French ink agreement to adjust rMCM vessel to French needs
Russia Shipped Record 22 Million Tonnes of LNG Through Arctic in 2024 and China Drives 10-Fold Increase in Container Shipping at Russian Arctic Port
White House Draws Up List of Sanctions Relief Measures for Russia
Planes are having their GPS hacked. Could new clocks keep them safe? and significantly Polish Researchers Detect Ship-Based GPS Jammers in Baltic Sea (Editor – OMG)
Finland Ends Seizure Of Shadow Fleet Ship Held For Cable Damage
US Ships 80 Percent of LNG Exports to Europe During February
________________________________________________________________
MIDDLE EAST
Red Sea:
US re-designates Houthis as Foreign Terrorist Organization, sanctions leaders
Editorial: Risks of Houthi Attacks on Shipping Increase
OFAC Sanctions Reveal Houthis Coordinated Safe Passage for Russian and Chinese Ships Through Red Sea
General:
Japan’s ASEV Super Destroyer: Fresh Details Unveiled
Russian Operator Denies Losing Tartous Port Contract and Russia Clings On in a Divided Syria
________________________________________________________________
GLOBAL INTERESTS
World’s biggest iceberg appears to have run aground near remote British island
Nigeria’s second Turkish-made OPV-76 offshore patrol vessel completes sea trials
Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Sachet’ departs for Sudan with over 2 tons of life-saving medicinesUSNI: Slicing and Dicing the Mercator Projection (Editor – 43:39 min podcast)
________________________________________________________________
SCUTTLEBUTT
Mariner’s Mirror: I Sank the Lusitania: The War Diary of Kapitänleutnant Walther Schwieger, May 1915, Commander, U-20, 1915 (Editor – 29 min podcast)
1968: The Year of Lost Submarines
The Development of ASDIC/Sonar – Seeking Submarines with Sound (Editor – 31:54 min video)
Tour of USS Monitor’s drained gun turret tank (Editor – 2:04 min video)
HMS General Wolfe: The LARGEST Royal Navy Gun Ever Fired (Editor 30 sec video)
SSV-33 Ural – Bizarre Failure of A Soviet Spy Ship (Editor – strange ship in a 10:07 min video)
________________________________________________________________
THIS WEEK IN RCN/MARITIME HISTORY
9 March 2001 RCN authorizes women to serve in submarines.
9 March 1945 HMCS Uganda arrives in Sydney, Australia, to join the British Pacific Fleet.
10 March 1944 A Sunderland from RCAF Squadron 422 sank U-625 west of Ireland. The U-Boat’s crew abandons ship, but before leaving the enemy crew signals “Fine Bombish” to the Sunderland’s crew. The entire crew of 53 hands were on their 11th day of patrolling when they perished in the attack, but not before they struck back with fierce flak that damaged the port front hull of the Sunderland.
10 March 1944 HMC Ships St. Laurent commanded by LCdr George H. Stephen, OBE, DSC, RCNR with HMCS Owen Sound commanded by A/LCdr John M. Watson, RCNR and HMCS Swansea commanded by A/CDR Clarence A. King, DSO, DSC, RCNR assisted RN warships sink the German submarine U-845 in the North Atlantic.
12 March 1918 Lieutenant (RCN) William McKinstry Heriot-Maitland-Dougall (RCNC 1911–1914) at age of 23 years of age was in command of HMS D3 and was killed with his submarine’s crew of 29 off Le Havre, France. HMS D3 was sunk in error by French dirigible AT-9, which could not see D3’s insignia because of the sub’s reflection off the waves and took her to be a U-boat firing upon it. The French hadn’t been informed that D3 was assigned to their waters in the English Channel and were not aware that British submarines were identifying themselves with rockets as opposed to flashing lights. Lt Heriot-Maitland-Dougall was another ex-cadet from the nascent Royal Naval College of Canada who was killed after those who died aboard HMS Good Hope at the outbreak of WWI.
13 March 1943 HMCS Prescott commanded by LCdr Wilfred McIsaac, RCNVR sank U163 off Cape Finisterre, the kill was originally credited to the submarine USS Herring.
13 March 1944 HMCS Prince Rupert commanded by LCDR Robert W. Draney, RCNR in a combined efforts of multiple allied ships and aircraft sank U575 off Cape Finisterre.
13 March 1945 – The SS Taber Park (a coal-fired steamship) was built in Pictou, Nova Scotia and was delivered to the Government of Canada (Park Steamship Company) on 28 August 1944. With a British crew and a cargo of softwood lumber, her first sailing was in the eastbound convoy HX-309, which departed Halifax on 18 Sep 1944. Shortly after her arrival in Grangemouth, Scotland, the ownership of the ship was officially transferred to the United Kingdom government “C + S.S. Division”. The SS Taber Park had become a Collier, delivering coal (the life blood of coal-fired steamships in the Battle of the Atlantic) to ports in Northern Ireland, England, Wales, and Scotland. On 13 March 1945, the SS Taber Park, with a cargo of coal, was in convoy FS-1753 southbound in coastal waters from the Port of Tyne to the Thames estuary. She was sunk about 7 nautical miles SE of Lowestoft, England, where the ocean depth was about 22 meters. The historical records indicate some uncertainty regarding the cause. The SS Taber Park might have hit a mine or have been torpedoed by midget submarine. There were 28 casualties (including four DEMS gunners). The only survivors were the Master and two crew members.
14 Mar 1923 Lt Frank Meade appointed C.O. of English Half Company in Montreal, the first RCNVR unit appointment; also A/Lt Alexandre Brodeur for the French Half Company, and on 15 Mar. Lt R.H. Yeates for the Hamilton Half Company. During 1923 & ’24, 11 Units had C.O.’s appointed, although it took a while to establish the actual units in some cases.
14 March 1942 – SS Sarniadoc (Paterson Steamships Ltd, Fort William, Ontario), a Great Lakes ore carrier departed Georgetown, British Guiana (now Guyana) on 9 March with a cargo of high value bauxite to be used in aluminum production for various weapons systems. She briefly stopped in Port of Spain, Trinidad for fuel and provisions. On 11 March, the ship continued to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands with her cargo of bauxite. She would be refueling in St. Thomas and continuing to a North American port. The U-161 log entry for 13 March records the first sighting of the Sarniadoc which was on a northern course at 6 knots. The surfaced U-boat then maneuvered ahead for a night attack. Four hours later with the target at range 1000 meters, the surfaced U-161 fired a single torpedo which “hit just before the aft smokestack, high water column with small fiery glow, apparently a boiler explosion… the tanker sank immediately after the hit. No lifeboats.” The master and 20 crew members went down with their ship, approximately 318 nautical miles due south of St Thomas.
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, consider donating to the NAC, its Branches or the NAC Endowment Fund. Donations to the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Education Foundation should be made through its website.
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@navalassoc.ca
Copyright © 2025 Naval Association of Canada, all rights reserved.