Naval  Association  of  Canada


Association navale du Canada 

OTTAWA BRANCH

News

  • 18 Mar 2020 10:30 | Barry Walker (Administrator)


    COVID-19 Update - 18 March 2020

    In view of the state of emergency declared by the Province of Ontario on 17 March,  and the apparently worsening situation across the country, the Directors  of the Naval Association of Canada have assessed that it is unlikely that we will be able to hold the BOA Gala, Conference and AGM at this time.   We recognize that the current state of emergency in Ontario is announced to exist until 31 March, but other indicators suggest that the situation may endure for several months.

    We have therefore decided to postpone this year’s gala and conference at this time. While this decision is personally disappointing to many of us, we believe that it is the correct thing to do to reduce the risk to both NAC and CF members who planned to attend the event.

    In the next few days, we will be working with our sponsors and venue partners to determine an alternate date for the events. As previsoulsy stated, we will aim to reschedule for the month of October, subect to the availability of our venues.

    The organizing committee will also begin refunding existing ticket purchases, a process which may take several days to complete.

  • 27 Nov 2019 11:44 | Barry Walker (Administrator)

    NAC-O member Bill Dziadyk has written and published on 11 November 2019 (Remembrance Day) an historical nonfiction book “S.S. Nerissa, the Final Crossing: The Amazing True Story of the Loss of a Canadian Troopship in the North Atlantic”.  The S.S. Nerissa was the only ship transporting Canadian troops which was lost to enemy action during the entire war. The details were highly classified until almost 50 years after the sinking. The tragic loss of this ship on 30 April 1941, resulted in the third largest loss of life for a ship sunk by U-boats in the approaches to the British Isles. The deaths of 81 Merchant Navy seamen, 100 Canadian, British and Norwegian forces, 9 American Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) pilots and 17 civilian passengers touched not only Canadian families at the time, but also many families in the allied nations and the neutral United States. This book focuses on  the events which led up to the sinking by U-552 (Erich Topp) and the resulting public relations dilemma on the Canadian Homefront. Also included are eye witness accounts from many of those that survived and some stories of those that perished. Much of the material is based on the analysis of: testimony, recollections and/or official reports taken from survivors; and Canadian, British and German source documents which have since been declassified. The book is available via Amazon.ca.

  • 14 Oct 2019 18:50 | Barry Walker (Administrator)


    The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is preparing to honour the 75th anniversary of the end of the Battle of the Atlantic which will be commemorated throughout 2020 by painting Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Moncton and Regina in a Second World War Admiralty disruptive paint scheme. This scheme is sometimes colloquially referred to as ‘dazzle’ paint.

    The Battle of the Atlantic (BOA) was the longest battle of the Second World War and one in which Canada played a central role. The heritage paint scheme is just one way the RCN will commemorate its legacy, pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and celebrate those who continue to serve today.

    HMCS Moncton recently returned to the Halifax waterfront painted in a retro white and blue wave pattern, following the ship’s recently completed planned docking period at the Shelburne Ship Repair yard. Work on HMCS Regina, which will be painted in a white and blue geometric scheme, is currently underway at CFB Esquimalt, and is expected to be complete by mid-October. Both ships will remain in their retro paint schemes for approximately one year and will showcase this important chapter in Canada’s naval history to Canadians and the world alike.

    HMCS Moncton will proudly showcase its dazzle paint to Canadians when it participates in next year’s Great Lakes Deployment. The public will have the opportunity to see the ship up close, meet with sailors and tour the vessel when it visits communities along the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes.

    Next summer HMCS Regina is set to participate in Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2020 (RIMPAC) and will make a dramatic entrance into Pearl Harbor for the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise.

    During the Second World War, these unique and unusual paint schemes were used as a form of camouflage. The unusual patterns made targeting more difficult and disrupted our enemy’s ability, particularly the ability of enemy submarines, to accurately track ships. Each ship had its own unique pattern, making it harder for enemies to identify classes of ships based on physical markings.


  • 8 Oct 2019 11:17 | Barry Walker (Administrator)

    The latest edition of Your Navy Today is now available on the RCN's website at http://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/en/news-ynt/2019/09-your-navy-today.page?

  • 29 Jun 2019 07:03 | Barry Walker (Administrator)

    The latest news update from the Commander of the RCN is available at http://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/en/news-ynt/2019/06-your-navy-today.page?

  • 29 Apr 2019 09:43 | Barry Walker (Administrator)

    NAC Ottawa Branch Member Tim Kerr survived a major stroke incident while service at CO of HMCS Algonquin in 2012.  Here is his story and request for help in raising funds for the Elizabeth Bruyere Hospital which helped him recover:


    My name is Tim Kerr. I am a 28-year veteran of the Royal Canadian Navy and a stroke survivor.

    I am writing to you to ask that you please sponsor me in the 2019 Scotiabank Charity Challenge at the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend! I'm racing a total of 59.2 km during the race weekend May 25-26, 2019 to raise raising support and awareness for the Bruyère Foundation, which supports the Elizabeth Bruyere Hospital Stroke Rehabilitation Unit and other critical health service facilities in the Ottawa region.

    Like all of you, I want to make a difference!

    Please help support me by clicking on the link below to make a secure online donation:

    https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=4381081&langPref=en-CA#&panel1-3

    Like all of you, I aspire to lead a life of purpose – to work hard, to do my best, to pick myself up when life throws an obstacle in my way, to start again, and to always move forward. More importantly, like all of you I believe in doing what I can to help others to do the same!

    This past year has been a hard one for our community, especially with the impact of last September’s tornado on our city and many of our homes (mine included), and the devastating flooding that is currently affecting so many. 

    And so why am I fundraising for Bruyère? For the simple reason that it is because of Bruyère that I, and so many others, have been able to move forward with our lives after devastating injuries and illnesses, so that we are in a much better place to effectively cope with whatever life throws at us. For me, the men and women at Bruyère were so critical to my recovery and rehabilitation from a devastating stroke, and with their support I was able to return to my life and family, and today I am able to continue to serve others when help is needed. 

    Because of the support I received from Bruyère I am able to do this race every year, and give back to the community. Here is a link to a past Ottawa Citizen article that describes how critical Bruyère was to my recovery:

    https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ottawa-race-weekend-former-naval-officer-and-stroke-victim-back-on-his-feet-and-raising-money-for-hospital

    If you do not wish to click on the link, let me tell you my story…

    In 2012, I was Commanding Officer of HMCS ALGONQUIN. It was a dark June night, and we were at sea, over 150 miles off the coast of California, 150 miles from the nearest land and ICU in San Diego, flagship of a multinational Task Group of 10 ships on our way to Hawaii for RIMPAC 2012 and a two month deployment. After a long day of training, I headed back to the ship`s gymnasium for my regular work-out.  I remember putting my headphones on, and turning on my iPod. The next thing I remember is waking up in the US Navy hospital in San Diego, having suffered a severe brain hemorrhage and serious stroke. I was 43 years old. 

    I was found at the foot of the treadmill, the alarm was raised and my crew provided the critical initial treatment and made the life-saving decisions and actions to get me to the nearest hospital in San Diego as soon as possible. I will always be grateful to my ship`s company for their actions that night. I truly owe them my life.

    After being stabilized in San Diego and then the Ottawa Civic Hospital, I was ready to begin my rehabilitation, and I was privileged to be admitted as a stroke rehabilitation patient at Elizabeth Bruyère Hospital in Ottawa.

    With the stroke I had lost the use of my left side and balance, and couldn`t even sit up straight.   I was a patient on the 4th floor of Bruyère for over three months. My recovery was slow and very hard, and there were some very low times. But I wasn`t alone. I had the support of many people – my family, friends, and the team at Bruyère – all of who pushed me, motivated me, and reminded me just how important it was for me to recover.

    I owe a great debt to the nurses, doctors, physio and occupational therapists of Elizabeth Bruyère Hospital, who worked with me and for me to enable me to get to where I am today, who gave me my life back, and changed it for the better.

    Bruyère is so important to our community! The services and staff at Bruyère help us move forward with our lives, no matter what circumstances we may find ourselves. We likely all know someone who has benefited from the exceptional care provided by Bruyère – stroke and other rehabilitation, the exceptional complex continuing care at St. Vincent’s Hospital and the essential palliative care at Elizabeth Bruyère Hospital. As well, Bruyère’s Research Institute supports researchers and students striving to improve the health and care of aging people, with a particular focus on cognition and mobility, equity, health systems and services, primary and community care, and promising practices.

    Until I started to volunteer and raise awareness for Bruyère, I had no idea that government funding for hospitals is only for staffing and infrastructure. Facilities like Bruyère rely on donor dollars to purchase necessary equipment like vital signs monitors, diagnostic imaging machines, rehab equipment and other critical tools.

    And so, please help me to support Bruyère by clicking on the link below to make a secure online donation:

    https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=4381081&langPref=en-CA#&panel1-3

    It’s supporters like you who actually fund the purchase of vital hospital equipment and tools. It’s donors like you who invest in lifesaving research, and improve quality of life for everyone who walks through Bruyère’s doors.

    By supporting Bruyère, by helping to make sure that this facility and community of dedicated professionals are able to continue to offer first-rate, innovative and life-changing care and research, we are ensuring such support is available when we, our children and future generations may need it.

    So, HERE WE GO!!!! Full Speed Ahead in our quest to support Bruyère and our community!!!

    Thank you so much for listening to my story and for your support!

    Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for Canada and Ottawa!

    I wish you all fair winds and following seas! 

  • 13 Apr 2019 07:44 | Barry Walker (Administrator)

    It is with great sadness that I note the passing of RAdm(Retired) Bill Christie this week.  

    William Borden (R/Adm) Christie

    Passed away suddenly on April 10, 2019, in Ottawa, Ont., aged 99. Son of the late Wilmot and Ruby Christie (Digby), he was predeceased by his loving wife, Maxine (Bailey). Survived by children, Peter (Susan Fitzgerald), Andrew (Maria) of Ottawa; and Susan (Robert) Boulerice of Aurora, Ont. He leaves much-loved grandchildren, Kim (James Cameron) and David of Ottawa; Kieran (Vanessa Crooker) McManus of Toronto; Jeffrey (Jenn) McManus of London, Ont.; and Kyle and Ryan of Ottawa; also great-grandchildren, Asha and Malcolm Cameron, Emily, Lauren, Kaitlin, Elise and Will McManus, Ayva, Kassia and London Christie; as well as his only sister, Dorothy (Jack) O'Connor of Toronto; ex daughter-in-law, Debbie (Rick) Nystedt of Sault Ste. Marie; and a number of nieces of nephews. Born in 1919 in Calais, Me., U.S.A. and raised in Digby, he went off to sea in the Merchant Navy in 1936 until joining the Canadian Navy in 1941, serving in several ships in the Atlantic and in Korea (1950-51). He was much involved with ship system design and construction, particularly the aircraft carrier Bonaventure and "O" Class submarines in the United Kingdom, and went on to positions of increasing responsibility in that field. In the latter 60's he was in command of HMC Dockyard Halifax and CF Base Halifax, later became Chief of Engineering for the Armed Forces in Defence Headquarters, Ottawa, and then Associate ADM (Materiel). He retired from the RCN in 1974 as Rear Admiral and then served as Director General of the Shipbuilding Branch of DSS Ottawa for five years. After leaving Government service, he was president, successively, of three companies: Versatile Systems Engineering Inc., YARD Inc. and VSEL Defence Systems Canada, all in Ottawa. He was a graduate of Dalhousie University and the Nova Scotia Technical College in Halifax and the Imperial Defence College of London, England. He was an avid sailor all his life and a past Commodore of the Britannia Yacht Club. He chaired area chapters of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, the Engineering Institute of Canada and the Naval Officers Association of Canada. A private interment in Beechwood Cemetery will be held at a later date. In his memory, donations to the Ottawa Heart Institute or the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.

  • 30 Mar 2019 17:28 | Barry Walker (Administrator)


    The March 2019 Edition of "Your Navy Today" is available on the RCN's website at http://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/en/news-ynt/2019/03-your-navy-today.page?


  • 14 Mar 2019 22:26 | Barry Walker (Administrator)

    This communiqué is being forwarded on behalf of HMCS Bytown, Inc. regarding the upcoming AGM that will include discussions regarding the future options of the Naval Officers’ Mess.

    Major issues are of concern to the NAC-Ottawa branch include:

    1.     The potential termination of the current arrangement with the mess in terms of holding our various meetings and social events. The costs of another venue or venues is very likely to be higher than we have enjoyed to date, which will have a financial impact; 

    2.    The potential loss of a venue with such a strong naval atmosphere will impact negatively on the NAC objectives to recognize and preserve Canada’s maritime heritage, and the expression of naval camaraderie and mutual assistance; and

    3.    The need either to find another location for the MacK Lynch Library or to dispose of this unique collection of naval history.

    I encourage all who enjoy the mess and camaraderie it affords to make their opinions known either by email or in person at the HMCS Bytown Inc. Annual General Meeting as the outcome has the potential to significantly impact on NAC Ottawa Branch’s operations.  Questions or concerns as they pertain to the status update of Bytown are to be directed to the following: Scott Healey: scottellen_ottawa@hotmail.comor Nick Leak: n.leak@rogers.com

    HMCS Bytown Update 

    Purpose 

    1.         To provide the membership with an update on the current status of discussions with DND;

    2.         To provide the membership with the options available to Bytown; and 

    3.         To seek opinions from the membership on how the Board might consider proceeding.  

    Background

    78 Lisgar and the Naval Officers’ Mess (Mess) have been the principal gathering place for naval officers in the NCRfor over 75 years. However, the property at 78 Lisgar is not aDND asset, but wholly independent entity separate from the Naval OfficersMess.The property at 78 Lisgar is legally owned by HMCS Bytown Incorporated (Bytown),a not-for-profit Ontario registered corporation incorporated in 1943, and is leased by the Mess. 

    The relationship between the Mess and Bytown has benefitted both parties over the years.The lease between the Naval Officers’ Mess and Bytown has been in effect since 1986; asmall amendment was made in 1991. The Mess subsequently has a MOU with DND to deal with the funding necessary to operate and maintain the Mess as per the lease conditions. However, as a result of changing circumstances the relationship in its current structure is not sustainable to all parties and will need to be resolved. Subsequently, Bytown informally approached DND with the following:

    1.         Negotiate a new lease; and 

    2.         Purchase 78 Lisgar for fair market value.

    DND would neitherenter into negotiations nor accept either of the above.

    Bytown submitted a proposal to DND in June 2018 to Deed to Gift the property with conditionsinserted to ensure that the Mess could remain at 78 Lisgar for a period of time. Additionally, specific expenses were to be reimbursed that would allow Bytown to dissolve as a corporation. DND refused to accept the majority of the conditions.

    Options

    Bytown, the Messand DND have continued with subsequent discussions. The result has been to refine Bytown’s available options to:

    1.             Deed to Gift 78 Lisgar to DND with no conditions. 

    ·      With the transfer of 78 Lisgar to DND with no conditions Bytown will receive no financial benefit from this transaction

    ·      While Bytown will have no mandate nor reason to remain active, and could then be dissolved as a corporationif all debts are cleared

    2.             Terminate the Naval Officers’ Mess lease and sell the property outright. 

    ·      DND will be required to secure a new location for the Naval Officers’Mess. 

    ·      Assets from the sale of the property will be dispersed at the discretion of the Board in accordance with the Bytown by-laws; and  

    3.             Terminate the Naval Officers’ Mess lease and negotiate a joint developmentarrangement with a developer.

    ·      78 Lisgar will be developed in partnership with Bytown.

    ·      Bytown will have an option of maintainingan equity position in the property. 

    Way Ahead

    Bytown wants to keep the Naval Officers’ Mess at 78 Lisgar in a manner that is financially responsible and respects the extant heritage represented by the property. 

    All opinions from the membership with respects to this issue will be taken with the utmost consideration and respect by the board. Note that in accordance with the Act, resolutions and motions from the membership are not binding on the Board. 

    The Bytown Board will meet within two weeks on the conclusion of the AGM to consider the opinions of the members and the facts at hand to determine a way ahead

  • 13 Mar 2019 12:12 | Barry Walker (Administrator)

    Bill C-64: the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act received Royal Assent.  The Act promotes the protection of the public, of the environment, including coastlines and shorelines, and of infrastructure by regulating abandoned or hazardous vessels and wrecks in Canadian waters and, in certain cases, Canada’s exclusive economic zone, and by recognizing the responsibility and liability of owners for their vessels.

    One of the provisions contained in the act allows for the designation of Ocean War Graves which are defined as places "at the bottom of the ocean where lie human remains and, for greater certainty, includes the personal possessions of the deceased, which are entombed in the abandoned wreckage of a warship or an aircraft in military service or a merchant ship in military service that were wrecked in consequence of hostilities or warlike operations and which is recognized and acknowledged for the purpose of according respect to the dead and protecting the sanctity of human remains."

    The passage of this act represents the culmination of a multi-year effort by retired Merchant Navy Captain Paul Bender.  Captain Bender joined the Merchant Navy in 1943, just before his 16th birthday.

    You can read the Government of Canada Press Release here.

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