It’s funny how things happen sometimes. I was on assignment down on the waterfront for next week’s Go Local Shoptalk, when I ran into a gentleman of my acquaintance who invited me to join him to view the fleet review and potential Snowbird flyby from Georges Island. Jumping into his speedboat, it took no time at all to boot over to Georges, and we had no hassle from local constabulary. It appears that the Canada Parks regulations governing uninhabited islands are a bit foggy, or perhaps the harbour patrol had better things to do today than bother with us. Whichever, we explored the island and all its treasures (kind of like Citadel Hill, but overgrown. We saw no snakes.) and had a wonderful and unimpeded view of the ships in the harbour, the USS Wasp, the HMS Arc Royal, the HCMS Toronto, the HCMS Athabaskan—which shot off its guns in salute—a Canadian submarine and the Danish warship Absalon. Queen Elizabeth passed aboard the HCMS St. John’s, which circled Georges and docked near the Maritime Museum.
And no, I didn’t actually see her aboard the St. John’s, and the Snowbirds didn’t appear… maybe too foggy? Still, quite the spectacle.
This article appears in Jun 24-30, 2010.
” the HCMS Toronto, the HCMS Athabaskan” …. please.. if your going to publish a story which includes our Canadian Navy.. At least Spell the name right.. its HMCS.. HER MAJESTY’S CANADIAN SHIP not.. HER CANADIAN MAJESTYS SHIP… take the time to proof read your work you idiots! take pride in your Navy… as much as this city mistreats it
The “Canadian Submarine” is HMCS Corner Brook.