- Reaction score
- 2
- Points
- 280
Whenever the naming happens, I just hope they do it right. No matter, we will learn to live with them. I was at sea with HMCS YUKON the summer of 1983 when the CO came on the main broadcast to make the announcement that the contract for new frigates had been signed. There would be 6 in the initial batch with 12 to follow on and potentially 12 more (like that was EVER gonna happen!)
Anyway, the first 3 of the new CITY class would be HALIFAX, VANCOUVER and VILLE DE QUEBEC with potential follow on names CHARLOTTETOWN, ST JOHNS and FREDERICTON. In a navy (at that time) of ships named almost exclusively for rivers, these names sounded indeed odd.
Also, regarding FLOWER class corvettes, the first 10 Canadian built (which were supposed to go to the RN), were Windflower, Trillium, Hepatica, Arrowhead, Snowberry, Eyebright, Mayflower, Spikenard, Fennel and Bittersweet. As Canadian corvettes started leaving their shipyards, it was quickly decided to name them after communities (Thank God!!) and the first group of seven launched from Canadian yards became HMC Ships Chambly, Orillia, Collingwood, Cobalt, Wetaskiwin, Albernie and Agassiz.
Also, the story behind the naming of HMCS Dunver is quite interesting. If I remember where I have it, I will put it on here.
All this said, I think the naming process may be a classic case of jumping the gun a little. My suspicions are communities will be namesakes but that is my opinion only. All this big news makes me wish however that I wasn't on the downward side of my career.
Anyway, the first 3 of the new CITY class would be HALIFAX, VANCOUVER and VILLE DE QUEBEC with potential follow on names CHARLOTTETOWN, ST JOHNS and FREDERICTON. In a navy (at that time) of ships named almost exclusively for rivers, these names sounded indeed odd.
Also, regarding FLOWER class corvettes, the first 10 Canadian built (which were supposed to go to the RN), were Windflower, Trillium, Hepatica, Arrowhead, Snowberry, Eyebright, Mayflower, Spikenard, Fennel and Bittersweet. As Canadian corvettes started leaving their shipyards, it was quickly decided to name them after communities (Thank God!!) and the first group of seven launched from Canadian yards became HMC Ships Chambly, Orillia, Collingwood, Cobalt, Wetaskiwin, Albernie and Agassiz.
Also, the story behind the naming of HMCS Dunver is quite interesting. If I remember where I have it, I will put it on here.
All this said, I think the naming process may be a classic case of jumping the gun a little. My suspicions are communities will be namesakes but that is my opinion only. All this big news makes me wish however that I wasn't on the downward side of my career.
)
