Elite Canadian ship anchored at Dieppe Park in Windsor, Ont.
The Provincial Marine of Amherstburg Re-enactment Unit welcomed the His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Harry DeWolf with a cannon blast Tuesday morning at Dieppe Park.
“I've been in this group now for the past four years, and doing historical re-enacting has been a lot of fun but to actually get to come and see such a glorious thing like this is quite an honor,” said Terry MacEachern, a member of the unit.
Named after a naval hero, the HMCS Harry DeWolf is an arctic offshore patrol vessel, now docked along Riverside Drive at Ouellette Avenue for the next few days.
“What that means is that we are effectively a Swiss Army knife for the government of Canada,” said Commander John Nicholson, referring to the meaning of “arctic offshore patrol vessel.”
The ship doesn’t enter combat but has many functions. The Harry DeWolf was part of a search and rescue that saved the lives of eight people in the northwest passage near the arctic this summer.
Following its visit to Windsor, the vessel will be heading down south.
“We're heading back to get ready for our next mission in the Caribbean, looking for illicit drugs.” Nicholson said.
Three people with connections to Windsor will be part of that mission.
Belle River's James Van Vessem said a coast guard vessel that docked up in the same spot as the Harry DeWolf inspired his life path years ago.
“I was really intrigued by the technical equipment that was spinning on the mast, which was the radar system that got me interested in remote sensing and geographical information systems at the university,” said Van Vessem, who is happy to be home and share the boat with visitors.
“The Navy has new platforms too, that welcome the next generation. I feel very honored to be a part of that, to be specialized in this, to then be able to introduce them about the way of life that is provided here.”
Lisa Jansen travelled from Sudbury to take political science at the University of Windsor in the late 1990's and went straight to the recruiting centre to become a reservist.
She has relished the opportunity to see the world.
“I've been all over the Mediterranean, I've been to Europe, I've been to Central and South America and, of course, I've been through the Great Lakes into the Arctic and so I think it's an incredible experience,” she said.
A cook onboard the Harry DeWolf, Blake Blanchard said life on a ship can be a grind, but the missions and adventures are rewarding, especially this one, which brings the 23-year-old home.
“Here I am looking at the Detroit skyline outside of my ship like I used to all the time, just down the riverfront,” said Blanchard.
“Super exciting. I got to see my whole family coming in, so it's awesome to just be home again.”
A marine expo has been held in seven other Canadian cities during this tour, allowing potential recruits a firsthand glimpse into life on the water.
“We're interested in trying to find more recruits to do this noble service that we do in the Royal Navy,” said Nicholson, who pointed out the availability of the Naval Experience Program.
“You get to see what the Navy's like and if it's something you're interested in, you sign the dotted line, you move on from there with a full knowledge of what you're getting into. It's been such a successful program for us that we have an uptake of around 87 per cent of people who enter the program.”
Tours of the HMCS Harry DeWolf are available Friday and Saturday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., free of charge.
Visitors will be able to learn how the ship operates, see the flight deck and bridge, and get a glimpse into the living accommodations.
“Canada has a Navy and we're proud of it,” Nicholson said.
“We think there is a pride that's there but it's not every day a ship like this comes all the way to Windsor. This is a great opportunity for us to have that dialogue that is so important.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police find bag carried by gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, say he likely fled NYC on bus
Investigators found a backpack in Central Park that was carried by the shooter, police said Friday, following a massive sweep to find it in a vast area with lakes and ponds, meadows, playgrounds and a densely wooded section called 'The Ramble.'
A police photographer recounts the harrowing day of the Polytechnique massacre
Montreal crime scene photographer Harold Rosenberg witnessed a lot of horror over his 30 years on the job, though nothing of the magnitude of what he captured with his lens at the Polytechnique on Dec. 6, 1989. He described the day of the Montreal massacre to CTV Quebec Bureau Chief Genevieve Beauchemin.
Quebec premier wants to ban praying in public
Premier François Legault took advantage of the last day of the parliamentary session on Friday to announce to 'Islamists' that he will 'fight' for Quebec values and possibly use the notwithstanding clause to ban prayer in public places such as parks.
Northern Ontario man sentenced for killing his dog
WARNING: This article contains graphic details of animal abuse which may be upsetting to some readers. A 40-year-old northern Ontario man is avoiding prison after pleading guilty to killing his dog earlier this year.
'Home Alone' house up for sale for US$3.8 million in Chicago suburb – but not the one you're thinking of
Social media sleuths noticed that the house next door to the iconic 'Home Alone' house in Winnetka is now up for sale.
Purolator, UPS pause shipments from couriers amid Canada Post strike
Purolator and UPS have paused shipments from some courier companies as they try to work through a deluge of deliveries brought on by the Canada Post strike.
NDP's Singh forces debate on $250 cheques for more Canadians; Conservatives cut it short
With the fate of the federal government's promised $250 cheques for 18.7 million workers hanging in the balance, the NDP forced a debate Friday on a motion pushing for the prime minister to expand eligibility. The conversation was cut short, though, by Conservative MPs' interventions.
Sask. father who kept daughter from mom to prevent COVID-19 vaccine free from additional prison time
Michael Gordon Jackson, the Saskatchewan father who withheld his then seven-year-old daughter from her mom for nearly 100 days to prevent the girl from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, was handed a 12-month prison sentence and 200 days probation on Friday, but credited with time served.
Did daily cannabis use go up after Canada legalized it?
Health Canada says daily cannabis use has remained stable since it was legalized in 2018.