NAC News - Edition MTB 463 - Naval Association of Canada

NAC News – Edition MTB 463

Your weekly national and international naval news for the week of May 27th, 2022

Edition HMCS MTB 463 (72 feet-type “G” class Motor Torpedo Boat – MTB 463 Sunk!)

Quote of the week: “Past predictions of war offer a rich history of people getting it wrong. Military planners thought the First World War would be a war of movement and offensive and that the Second World War would be defensive one. Naval experts in both wars looked for the decisive battle where great navies clashed and underestimated the submarine, the torpedo and the humble mine.” Margaret McMillian: War, How conflicts shape us, Penguin Canada 2020 pg. 267

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 David Soule 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

NEW Dr Barry Gough was presented with ” The Admirals’ Medal “ by NAC member John Anderson on behalf of the NAC at the monthly luncheon of the Vancouver Island branch held at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club on Thursday 26 May 2022. The awarding of the medal recognizes Dr Gough’s outstanding contributions over his long academic career in highlighting naval history.

Job Posting – Executive Director NAC

Naval Reserve 100th Anniversary 2023. There are celebrations either planned, proposed, or yet to be considered for the 100th anniversary of the Naval Reserve in 2023. If you are aware of any such event, please let the ED know so he can develop a list.

Time to Get Involved in Your National and Branch Organizations. If you have an interest in becoming more involved with your Branch or with National level programmes either as a potential member for the Board of Directors, part of our naval affairs team or can offer other talents such marketing our “products” and brand to increase our membership numbers please contact me or your branch president/representative. We need your talent and NAC always needs a fresh pool of willing volunteers. So why not step forward and get more involved in some very worthwhile endeavours. We need you!

16 June 2022 NAC on-line conference 09:00-15:00 (Ottawa time) Submarines: Canada’s Strategic Requirement. The conference will examine the strategic factors influencing a future Canadian submarine procurement project. This event is open to the public and NAC welcomes everyone with an interest in maritime security. Registration is limited to 240 participants, filling fast. For NAC members to register.

Monday 27 June – 1200 (Ottawa) NAC National AGM – postponed from 15 Jun. Details to be posted by 11 June.

Navy Bike Ride 2022 (Editor – Great Jerseys! This virtual edition is open to all. Registration is open for this free event, which will run from 12 June – 7 August. If you’re keen, the “Naval Association of Canada” Bike Team is reforming under Barry Walker’s direction. All events are available at early bird rates until midnight 30 April 2022.

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THIS WEEK’S SIGNIFICANT ARTICLES

CGAI A Little More Spending and an Unnecessary Defence Review

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CANADA

Maritime Forces Pacific Leadership Command Change

Two warships come home from Operation Caribbe

Canada should rethink relationship with U.S. as democratic ‘backsliding’ worsens: security experts

Congratulations to Roger Girouard, winner of the 2022 APEX Career Contribution award sponsored by Federal Retirees. Girouard served for more than 40 years in the RCN and CCG. His impressive career of increasingly responsible positions and commands both at sea and ashore exemplifies leadership excellence, a strong commitment to team building and is a testament to personal sacrifice by placing service before self. BZ from your fellow NAC members!

Beautiful badge of HMCS Margaret Brooke (Editor – The badge of the future HMCS Margaret Brooke, to be officially named May 29, features a rearing caribou symbolizing the sinking of the ferry SS Caribou, the wartime event during which LCdr Brooke displayed the courage for which she was decorated.)

Major military sexual misconduct report will be public ‘in the coming days’ (Editor – 2:24 min video)

Royal Canadian Navy launches Mentorship Program

VAC: What is the Education and Training Benefit? and Disability Benefits Application Process Consultation

Introduction to Trauma Exposed Professionals

Canadian military members told Habitat for Humanity is an option amid housing crunch and background Housing Market 2022: what you need to know

HMCS Cabot wharf collapsing into sink holes, set for demolition next year

Awesome Cadet: Amelia Monteith

BCIT welcomes new welding technologies director

On our Forum: Canadian Port Authorities look to Port Modernization

Great Lakes Shipping Sees Strong Start to the Season Led by Grain Exports

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USA & AMERICAS

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: May 23, 2022

The Navy doesn’t want nukes on ships, despite interest from some combatant commanders

Rare access inside US ballistic missile submarine | ABCNL (Editor – 7:49 min news video)

Italian destroyer joins Norfolk-based strike group in final deployment preps

Command Investigation into USS Connecticut’s South China Sea Seamount Grounding (Editor – “don’t drive Dad’s car fast down country roads at night with the lights off”)

US Navy awards $217.1m multi-service contract for Tomahawk missiles

One Ocean, One War: By Norman Friedman, May 23, 2022

Navy’s Orca XLUUV Will Carry 34-Foot Payload Module for Mine Laying

Littoral Combat Ship USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul Commissioned and US Navy Updates Ship Retirement Schedule and Navy Could Transfer Decommissioned Littoral Combat Ships to Allies, Says CNO

Navy: Mine Countermeasures Mission Packages to Be Available for Vessels of Opportunity

Austal launches Independence-class LCS USS Augusta for US Navy

Navy Separates More Than a 1,000 Sailors for COVID-19 Vaccine Refusal

US Navy to name future DDG 139 destroyer as Telesforo Trinidad

World’s largest cruise company comes on board zero-carbon shipping centre

Whitepaper: AI-Powered Computer Vision (Editor – form required if you’re interested)

Expanding Container Shipping Along the Great Lakes and Seaway

Bulk Carrier Chief Engineer Pleads Guilty to Ilegal Discharges, Cover-Up (Editor – needed a “sneaky Pete”)

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INDO-PACIFIC

Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group deploys from Yokosuka and Chinese, Russian Navies Remain Active Near Japan; Carrier USS Ronald Reagan Begins Spring Patrol and Chinese navy launches South China Sea drills as Biden visits Asia then PLA Navy’s Liaoning carrier group returns from West Pacific after ‘longest, most sortie-intensive’ exercise plus Chinese Carrier Strike Group Now Operating in East China Sea

Philippine Coast Guard Stakes Out “Sovereign Markers” in S. China Sea

China’s new Pacific push sparks fear of ‘Cold War’

Three submarines to join the Pacific Fleet of Russian Navy in 2022

How Powerful China Type 055 Destroyer #Shorts (Editor – short video, with eye candy)

US Navy and Royal Thai Navy conduct CARAT exercise

China launches an autonomous mothership full of autonomous drones

Photos show China has fielded another semi-submersible transport ship

Saab Australia launches joint SEA 1905 bid

World’s Biggest Port is Returning to Normal, but Supply Chains Will Get Worse Before They Get Better

Captain Arrested in Australia Smuggling Cocaine Faces Life in Prison

Maersk supply vessels to continue ocean plastic clean-up work

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EUROPE

Ukraine:

Ukraine: What is Russia’s next maritime move? (Editor – 2:46 min video)

Russia halts gas supplies to Finland but New LNG Deal Will Allow Finland, Estonia to End Russian Gas Imports

Denmark Sending Ukraine Anti-Ship Harpoon Missiles To Take on Russian Ships in Black Sea

Russia’s dreaded cyberwarriors seem to be struggling in Ukraine

The fatal failure of Russia’s ERA cryptophone system (Editor – Secure, reliable, and timely comms is critical to all forms of warfare…oops)

A naval corridor for Ukraine cargo ships? Easier said than done so United Kingdom could send warships to Black Sea to protect Ukrainian civilian ships

Russian top brass confirms Mariupol seaport cleared of mines and back in business (Editor – TASS article) and Russian investigators to look into mine threat near port of Kherson and Russia Blames Ukraine: “They Mined the Ports, Not Us”

Russian Oil Producers Snap Up Sovcomflot Tankers Shunned By Rest of the World and China Quietly Ramping Up Purchases of Cheap Russian Oil

Europe:

UK’s HMS Prince of Wales heads on Atlantic and Mediterranean mission

US and French Navies send warships to Finland amid Ukraine crisis and Finland and Germany train together in international waters

Russia outlines militarization of fishing fleet and icebreakers

Autonomous Nuclear Torpedoes Usher in a Dangerous Future

Albania offers ex-Soviet built naval base to NATO

How Russia Stole and Ruined its Only Aircraft Carrier (Editor – a sage of stunning incompetence in a 14:03 min video) and again A photo has emerged online showing oil film on the water shortly after the Admiral Kuznetsov was moved into the dock at shipyard No. 35 in Murmansk. but Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov to complete repairs in September 2022

Arctic Council chairman warns against Nordic NATO expansion

UK retires two hunter-killer submarines on the same day

UK Remembers Merchant Navy Sailors Lost In Falklands War and Lima Charlie: What is the future of the Royal Navy’s anti-ship capabilities?

Second Type 26 Frigate begins to take shape on the Clyde

UK XLUUV trials demonstrate towed array sonar deployment (Editor – truncated article)

NATO forces participate in Spanish Mine Exercise 22

Forbin Deploys to the Central and Eastern Mediterranean

A guide to Britain’s new frigate types

Launch of the Jacques Chevallier, first BRF supply ship for the French Navy

Russia’s newest strategic sub shoots torpedos through Arctic ice (Editor – interesting 3:15 min video of boats surfacing through ice)

UK’s Type 45 destroyers to receive major weapon system upgrades and Royal Navy to be the first European force to field maritime ballistic missile defence capability

Turkish Navy’s second Reis-class submarine hits the water

BAE to construct new shipbuilding facility in Glasgow

UK gov’t urged to act and drive adoption of shore power for ports (Editor – Canada should be getting on with this)

New monument to Royal Navy submariners unveiled

SOS (Save our Shipbuilding): Germany’s VSM Calls for Reduction of Dependence on China

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MIDDLE EAST

India to Join 34 Nation Baharain-based Naval Force

Suez Canal Revenues Set To Reach $7 Billion By End Of Fiscal Year

Operation Atalanta Updates Red Sea Transit Recommendation

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GLOBAL INTERESTS

Exercise Phoenix Express 2022 set to begin in Tunisia

Dozens of migrants missing off Tunisia’s coast after boat capsized

French authorities seize 6 tons of cocaine in the Gulf of Guinea with the support of MAOC-N

Women Seafarers Report 2022 – Beyond the 2%, Women Seafarers and their Lives at Sea: Reflecting on Our Call to Care

China’s PLA Navy sends destroyer and frigate on first escort mission, targeting pirates off Somalia

Damen Shipyards delivers first MMIPV King Sekhukhune to South Africa

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SCUTTLEBUTT

Aboard HMS Warrior | The Most Advanced Battleship Of The Victorian Era (Editor – a fascinating piece of history showcased in a 25:57 min video)

US Navy Fleet Problems – Taking the ships out for exercise (I-VII) (Editor – interwar wargaming 38:01 min video)

The U-Boat War: 1939-1945 (Editor – interesting perspective and details in a 39 min podcast)

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THIS WEEK IN RCN/MARITIME HISTORY

29 May 1982 The National War Memorial in Ottawa is rededicated to include dates of the Second World War and Korean War.
30 May 1939 King George VI presented his Color to the RCN in Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, BC
30 May 1942 – The freighter SS Liverpool Packet (Markland Shipping Co Ltd, Liverpool, NS) departed New York on 28 April 1942. She was sailing without escort and was northbound for St. John’s Newfoundland via Halifax with a cargo of US government supplies needed by US bases in Newfoundland. On 30 April, at about 7:45 pm local time, the freighter was torpedoed and sunk by U-432 (Heinz-Otto Schultze). The sinking occurred about 15 nautical miles west of Seal Island near the southern tip of Nova Scotia. Two crew members were killed and nineteen (including the Master) abandoned ship in a lifeboat and landed at Seal Island.
1 June 1758 Vice Admiral Edward Boscawen of the Royal Navy arrives at Gabarus Bay, 10 km west of Louisbourg, just after midnight in dense fog from Halifax, Nova Scotia; with thirty nine warships, supply ships and ten transports, crowded with 13,000 regular troops, Highlanders, light infantry, rangers, and colonial militia. The expedition is commanded by Maj Gan General Jeffery Amherst, with his field commander, Brig Gen James Wolfe; the British do not attempt to land troops until June 8 because of heavy surf.
1 June 1759 – A British fleet, under Admiral Saunders, leaves Louisbourg for Quebec carrying James Wolfe and his army.
1 June 1813 HMS Shannon, Captain Philip Broke, captures USS Chesapeake, Captain James Lawrence, in a 15 minute fire fight off Boston harbour; tows her to Halifax; naval battle sees 48 American sailors killed, 23 British. Boston, Massachusetts
1 June 1831 Sir James Ross first discovers the position of the North Magnetic Pole on the west coast of Boothia Peninsula; takes possession of the North Magnetic Pole and adjoining territory in the name of King William IV, and erects a cairn; spends his third Arctic winter in Victoria Harbour. Boothia, Nunavut
1 June 1840 Samuel Cunard navigates his 700 ton wooden paddlewheel steamer Unicorn to Halifax; after two week trip from Liverpool with 27 passengers. Halifax, Nova Scotia
1 June 1876 The Royal Military College of Canada opens in Kingston, Ontario, with a class of eighteen cadets.
1 June 1941 HMCS Bytown is commissioned as a depot ‘ship’ created to allow RCN personnel in Ottawa, to be paid. All uniformed personnel needed to be borne on the books of a ‘ship’ for accounting purposes, even if they were serving at a shore establishment. This is a tradition held over from the Royal Navy, and these ships are often referred to as “Stone Frigates”. Bytown served in this role for the Naval Service Headquarters (NSHQ), and the Ottawa Half-Company, the Naval Reserve Division that became HMCS Carleton on 1 November 1941. Two years after Bytown was established, the HMCS Bytown Naval Officer’s Mess would open. HMCS Bytown was paid off 7 December 1964.
1 June 1943 HMCS Conestoga is commissioned in Galt, Ontario, as the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service training establishment.
1 June 1943 The first German mines are swept in the approaches to Halifax harbour.
1 June 1968 Canada signs Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty along with the US, Britain, USSR and 57 other countries. United Nations, New York
1 June 2004 United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti assumes responsibility for supporting transitional government and reforming national police force; Canadian police and military personnel to play a major role. Port-au-Prince, Haiti
2 June 1891 Shipping – RMS Empress of Japan is the second of the Canadian Pacific Steamships “Empress” ships to arrive at Vancouver harbour, via the Suez Canal and Hong Kong; Canadian Pacific Steamships had signed a contract for subsidized mail service between Britain and Hong Kong via Canada. Vancouver, BC
3 June 1910 The Honourable Louis P. Brodeur is appointed the first Minister of the Naval Service.
3 June 1944 Flight Lieutenant R.E. McBride, flying an RCAF Canso aircraft, sinks U-477 with four depth charges.
3 June 1963 Canada declares 12 Mile Limit; (19.3 km) exclusive fisheries zone off the Canadian coast; effective May, 1964. Ottawa, Ontario
3 June 1991 Letters Patents are published for an insignia denoting Mentions in Despatches.

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, I thank NAC member Bill Dziadyk for his able assistance and detailed work. 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)