NAC News – Edition 608 (Naden)
Your weekly national and international naval news for the week of March 14th, 2025
Edition: 608 HMCS Naden Quotes: “2025 represents the 15th anniversary of the NSS, which plays a major role in strengthening Canada’s economy and has created or maintained over 20,400 good middle-class jobs per year. Since 2010, Canadian shipyards have delivered 8 large vessels and 34 small vessels to the RCN and the CCG, while supporting federal fleets with critical repair, refit and maintenance work.” PSPC News release 7 March 2025 – North Vancouver, BC
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 – NAC members (individuals) can attend the Innovation Forum using the ABCMI Member rate – Registration can be done at ABCMI & COAST Innovation 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.
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THIS WEEK’S SIGNIFICANT ARTICLES
Mark Norman: Canada faces a lonely future of isolation (Editor – blunt assessment from an NAC Member)
US Vetoes G-7 Shadow Fleet Task Force Plan, Signals More Change while this garbage comes out of Russia NATO plans new attacks on Russian pipelines — Patrushev (Editor – where is all this going?)
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CANADA
Editor – 🇨🇦 Last Friday was a great day for shipbuilding in Canada…first batch of destroyers and two ice breakers! Elbows up! 🇨🇦
Government of Canada announces contract award for the construction of the River-class destroyers for the Royal Canadian Navy & Le gouvernement du Canada annonce l’attribution d’un contrat pour la construction des destroyers de la classe Fleuves et rivières company background Irving Shipbuilding Shipyard Tour (Editor – 4:38 min video)
What $8B Irving ship deal means for Halifax (Editor – CBC News report 5:28 min video)
Government of Canada awards contract to Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards for construction of new polar icebreaker & Le gouvernement du Canada attribue un contrat au chantier naval Vancouver Shipyards de Seaspan pour la construction d’un nouveau brise-glace polaire and more details Seaspan to Build Made-In-Canada Heavy Polar Icebreaker
Government of Canada awards contract to Chantier Davie Canada Inc. for construction of new polar icebreaker & Le gouvernement du Canada attribue un contrat à Chantier Davie Canada Inc. pour la construction d’un nouveau brise-glace polaire and more details Davie Awarded Major Contract by Canada to Build Polar Icebreaker
Les nouveaux destroyers de la Marine, une manne attendue pour Halifax
Scorned by Trump, Canadian shipbuilders flash their icebreaker skills
Navy Commander Announces 2025 Navy Command and Senior Appointments (Editor – Of the 846 NAC members 57 (6.7%) are Serving CAF members. Cdr Darren Sleen (Current CO HMCS Venture) is the only one of these fine officers and Chief Petty Officers listed as going to Command Appointments who is a NAC member – something to ponder)
Antarctica belongs to no one. But many countries are angling for a piece (Editor – topical given HMCS Margaret Brooke’s voyage that is included in a 7:52 min video)
Submarine work means close quarters, no Internet — but smooth ride (Editor – HMCS Corner Brook returning to service)
French nuclear attack submarine docked in Halifax (Editor – CTV News 31 sec video)
Editor – I asked which of our members had been so honoured with the King Charles III Coronation medal and I was informed of eight who had. I have subsequently found out the that members Max Horton, David Collins, Richard Guitar, Harry Harsch, Tony Goode, Dr Heather MacKinnon, Laraine Orthlieb, and Scott Hausberg were also so recognized. Total 16 NAC members and counting! Congratulations to you all!
South Korea Offers Submarines, Military Systems to Canada and Royal Canadian Navy assesses submarine offers by Hanwha ocean amid tensions with the Trump admin (Editor – 2:20 min video)
Canada’s Most Decorated Soldier on a War with America | The Agenda (Editor – 22:04 min video TVO Today topical interview of Richard Rohmer, and three of his books)
Military planners map out restructuring the Canadian Army, says top soldier (Editor – not a maritime story but significant)
Get rid of it all at once with a big BANG! (Editor – RCN EOD 3:26 min video) aussi Débarrassez-vous-en d’un seul coup avec un grand BANG !
Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Fuels Export Boom at Port of Vancouver
MP Ryan Turnbull announces Veterans Affairs funding for Wounded Warriors Canada & Le député Ryan Turnbull annonce qu’Anciens Combattants Canada versera du financement à Wounded Warriors Canada
Defence Minister Bill Blair welcomes newly appointed DND/CAF Ombudsperson & Le ministre de la Défense Bill Blair accueille le nouvel Ombudsman du MDN et des FAC
Minister Blair welcomes report on the future of Canadian Military Colleges & Le ministre Blair accueille le rapport sur l’avenir des Collèges militaires canadiens
‘People just aren’t coming’: Courtenay war museum next to shelter in danger of closing (Editor – HMCS Alberni Museum and Memorial)
Le NCSM Harry DeWolf contribue à une importante saisie de stupéfiants
Governments of Canada and Quebec join forces to conserve more marine areas in Quebec & Les gouvernements du Canada et du Québec s’allient pour conserver plus d’aires marines sur le territoire québécois
MP Boissonnault announces support for Veterans and their families & Le député Randy Boissonnault annonce des soutiens aux vétérans et à leur famille and VAC Mental and physical health and NAC Veteran’s Corner
Reconnaître nos techniciens(es) de marine tout en regardant vers l’avenir
La MRC lance un concours d’innovation
More than 130 years after sinking in Lake Superior, this ship wreckage has been found
NAC Canadian Naval Encyclopedia (Editor – carried over from last week in case you missed it. A first-rate new Naval Affairs product that begs to be shared as widely as possible! BZ to the authors and their contributors/advisors)
Lookout: 10 March 2025, Volume 70, Issue 5 French and English versions available
Trident: 10 March 2025, Volume 59, Issue 05 (Bilingual)
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)
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USA & AMERICA
USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: March 10, 2025
CIMSEC: Sea Control 566: No One Should Think the War Will be Short with CDR Justin Cobb (Editor – 32:15 min podcast)
How the Navy SEALs Conquered Congress — And Became the Shock Troops of the MAGA Revolution (Editor – quirky sidenote indeed)
Department of the Navy Announces New Policy on Sailors with Gender Dysphoria
Other countries are TERRIFIED of the MANTA RAY drone submarine (Editor – 11:42 min video)
Sound-Absorbing Chamber Allows Navy to Test Torpedoes Indoors
REGENT’s Viceroy seaglider prototype embarks on sea trials (Video) (Editor – something novel with potential. Includes a 1 min video)
US can only build more ships if it abandons its zero-sum mentality (Editor – interesting article, note where it’s published) while U.S. to Levy Fees on China-Linked Ships, Push Allies to Do the Same, Draft Executive Order Says
Pay ‘Number One Issue’ in Growing U.S. Shipbuilding Workforce, Panel Tells HASC and Civilian Mariners, Public Shipyard Workers Exempt from DoD Hiring Freeze, Says VCNO Kilby
CMA CGM plans to pour $20 billion into US maritime sector in next four years
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INDO-PACIFIC
North Korea unveils nuclear-powered submarine for the first time
Carrier USS Carl Vinson Operating in Sea of Japan, Carrier Air Wing 5 Drills in Guam
USS America, 31st MEU Wrap Winter Western Pacific Patrol
French Carrier Charles de Gaulle Wraps First Pacific Deployment
China’s first Type 054B frigate makes training debut in Yellow Sea
Clemenceau 25 – le groupe aéronaval français fait escale à Singapour
MoU on Scorpene class Submarine maintenance between India and Brazil to be finalised soon
China is mapping the seabed to unlock a new edge in warfare
China extends warship service life with advanced anti-corrosion technologies (Editor – especially true if the ships don’t go to sea often. I wonder what their overall operational readiness is? Great modern kit, but can they fight it?)
India and France finalise Rafale-M fighter jet deal for the Indian Navy
India concludes massive naval combat exercise amid growing China-Pak maritime collusiveness
HMNZS Canterbury deploys to the Sub-Antarctic
China’s shipbuilding dominance a national security risk for US: Report as illustrated by China building 62% of new ships ordered globally in spite of looming US tariffs
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EUROPE
Ukraine:
Mystery Mines: State Actor Likely Targeting Tankers Calling at Russian Oil Ports, Ambrey Warns
Four Killed in Russian Strike on Grain Ship in Odessa Port
General:
Can Europe’s Navies Deter Russia Alone? and Is This the End of NATO as We Know It? (Editor – CDAI 1:18:01 hr podcast)
Royal Navy Wildcat flight Integrates with Norwegian allies ahead of carrier strike deployment
Cargo ship’s captain arrested over North Sea crash and suspiciously UK Ship Crash Captain is Russian National, Owner Says incident in chronological order Stricken Tanker Stena Immaculate was Moving Jet Fuel for Defense Logistics Agency with Update: Tanker Collision Off UK Coast Sparks Fire, Oil Spill Concerns; One Missing fires just smouldering, but extensive damage Watch: Charred cargo ship and oil tanker seen from above (Editor – 1:04 min video) plus Video Footage Reveals Critical Moments Before Ship Collision in Dense Fog Off UK Coast surprisingly Fire Contained, Most Jet Fuel Intact on Stena Immaculate and background Why was US Navy transporting 220,000 barrels of jet fuel in stricken tanker? eventually Oil tanker stays put as cargo ship gets a tow: US and Portugal let UK spearhead North Sea allision probe
Swedish Minesweeper Upgraded Ahead Of Historic NATO Deployment
Baltic Sea States Select Persistent Systems’ Coastline Surveillance Network
The Marshal Ustinov missile cruiser of the Northern Fleet conducted exercises in the Barents Sea
Turkish submarine test-fires ‘Atmaca’ anti-ship missile
New Chapter in Spanish Naval Power as S 81 Isaac Peral Begins National Journey
Greece to announce modernization of four Papanikolis-class submarines with new acquisitions under consideration and Greece to Buy Four New Submarines
Royal Netherlands Navy fires Tomahawk cruise missile for the first time
Russia’s Newest Arctic Oil Tanker Passes Through Suez Canal As US Mulls Easing of Sanctions
Russian Oil Flows Surge in Sign US Sanctions Starting to Crumble
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MIDDLE EAST
Red Sea:
Houthis Issue New Maritime Threat as Gaza Aid Deadline Passes
Photos: MT Sounion Transits Suez Canal Six Months After Houthi Attack
General:
High stakes as Iran nuclear issue reaches crunch moment
Multiple Vessels Report GPS Disruption in Strait of Hormuz
Royal Navy’s HMS Lancaster crew seizes 402kg of illegal narcotics in the Arabian Sea
China, Iran, Russia to hold joint naval drill, eye military cooperation boost: Chinese defense ministry then Russia, China and Iranian Warships Drilling Together in Gulf of Oman and China-Iran-Russia “Security Belt-2025” joint exercise kicks off
Exail partners with ADSB and TII on next-gen MCM capabilities in the UAE
Backgrounder: Additional sanctions against Iran
Israeli company unveils new counter-drone technology for naval ops
(Editor – EnforceAir2)
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GLOBAL INTERESTS
Editor – there is too much going on in the maritime world but to distill it all What the Ship (Ep119)| Office of Shipbuilding | CMA CGM | Panama Canal | Hong Kong | Everything Else (53:10 min video)
B.C. tech helping beam near-real-time data from Antarctic seafloor (Editor – not related to HMCS Margaret Brooke’s voyage, but world class Canadian Tech involved)
An Ocean in Motion: NASA’s Mesmerizing View of Earth’s Underwater Highways (Editor – amazing graphics!)
SA Navy frigate wraps two-month maritime protection tasking
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SCUTTLEBUTT
Type VII – Guide 430 (Editor – 7:39 min video) and Blohm & Voss – Germany’s LARGEST U-boat Factory (’40 – ’45) (Editor – 6:36 min video)
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THIS WEEK IN RCN/MARITIME HISTORY
16 March 1941 – SS J.B. White (Atlantic Transportation Company Ltd, Montreal), with a cargo of 2500 tons of steel and 4500 tons of newsprint, was one of 41 ships in the slow convoy HX-112, on route from Halifax to Liverpool. On the night of 15/16 March 1941 and about 215 nautical miles SE of Iceland, the convoy came under an attack by five U-boats. However, U-99, was the only U-boat to succeed in sinking any of the ships. U-99 sank the SS Venetia, Motor Tanker Ferm, Motor Tanker Beduin, MV Korshamn and the SS J.B. White. Two crew members from the J.B. White were killed. The 38 survivors were rescued by HMS Walker. The next day, on 17 March, HMS Walker and HMS Vanoc disabled and brought the U-99 to the surface. 39 of the crew surrendered and became POWs. The engineering officer and two of his men lost their lives when opening valves to scuttle their boat.
17 March 1945 HMCS Guysborough, a Bangor-class minesweeper, was sailing alone in the Bay of Biscay off Ushant when she was hit with an acoustic torpedo from U-868. It was early evening when she was hit, but Guysborough did not sink immediately and a second torpedo in the late afternoon sent Guysborough to the bottom. Two crew members were killed instantly in the explosions, the remaining crew abandoned ship onto five Carley floats because the ship’s motor cutter and the whaler were unusable. The survivors lashed four floats together and this became a temporary raft for 48 men. The fifth Carley float was overcrowded and drifted away. Guysborough was able to send a distress signal, but it took 19 hours for the frigate, HMS Inglis to arrive. In total, 49 men died of injuries or from exposure – 36 on the overcrowded raft. Two RCNVR sailors were recognized posthumously for their actions with Mentioned in Dispatches.
19 March 1941 Lt R.J.C. Pringle, RCNVR, appointed Captain of HMCS Suderöy V, the first RCNVR officer in command of an HMC Ship, a requisitioned Norwegian trawler.
20 March 1943 – World War II – UK destroyer commissioned into RCN as HMCS Griffin; 3 weeks later, renamed HMCS Ottawa; second of four now so named.
20 March 1945 HMCS New Glasgow commanded by LCDR Ross M. Hanbury, RCNVR was rammed by accident by U-1003 while snorkelling. The boat severely damaged her snort and conning tower, and part of New Glasgow’s hull plating and her port propeller. U-1003 limped seaward, but by the next morning of 21 March had to abandoned and the crew took to the life rafts, where they were found the next day.
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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