National Defence and the preservation of HMCS Sackville

January 26, 2018 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

As Canada’s oldest warship and the sole remaining Flower-class corvette, HMCS Sackville is an important part of Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) history. Commissioned on December 30, 1941, Sackville served proudly through to the end of the Second World War.

The corvettes, which were built from 1939 through 1944, saw extensive service with the Royal Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy, and the U.S. Navy during the Second World War. Some historical sources note “orders” for the ships not all of which were built; 139 of the Flower- and Modified Flower-class were built in Canada.

Notably, HMCS Sackville received praise for its attack on a German U-boat (U 377) on September 22, 1943, which kept losses down and prevented the enemy from seizing the initiative.

HMCS Sackville served for the remainder of the war as an escort ship for the freighters, tankers and transport ships that sustained the United Kingdom’s war efforts in Europe, and which in turn helped ensure Allied victory in the war. Sackville was paid off (decommissioned) on April 8, 1946. It was then reactivated in the 1950s as a federal fisheries research vessel, painted black and refitted with an on-board laboratory. It served in this role until its last voyage in 1982.

In 1983, the Government of Canada transferred ownership of HMCS Sackville to the non-profit Canadian Naval Memorial Trust (then the Canadian Naval Corvette Trust). The Trust restored the ship to its 1944 colors and appearance, and in 1988 it was declared a National Historic Site.

The Trust has since operated HMCS Sackville seasonally on Halifax’s waterfront between June and October, as both a naval memorial and museum ship housing artifacts, displays, and exhibits. As well as hosting thousands of visitors each year – including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in 2010 – Sackville participates in many community events and commemorations.

During the winter months HMCS Sackville is sheltered at Her Majesty’s Canadian (HMC) Dockyard Halifax, where the Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Scott has provided technical support and annual maintenance over the years, with more extensive repair work conducted in dry dock every six years. Given the ship’s age and deterioration since the last docking work period, Sackville now requires more extensive repair work.

The Department of National Defence (DND) contribution of up to $3.5 million will make these repairs possible and ensure HMCS Sackville’s preservation for the next decade. The contribution includes a contingency of $1 million that may be provided following an assessment during which the hull is opened to determine the extent of the needed repairs.

Once a contribution agreement is in place between the RCN and the Trust, the work will begin. Under the agreement, the Trust and DND will jointly develop a long-term plan for the preservation of HMCS Sackville.

The RCN will manage the contribution agreement and will use the funds to cover repair costs including labour, materials and sub-contracting.

Pending the assessment, repairs are expected to be completed in summer 2018. No tours or visits to Sackville will take place until that time.

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Related Products

• Media Advisory - Government of Canada to make an important announcement on the future of HMCS Sackville
• News Release – Government of Canada announces funding for preservation of HMCS Sackville, Canada’s Naval Memorial

Associated Links

• HMCS Sackville
• Royal Canadian Navy - Maritime Forces Atlantic

Contacts

Jean-Luc Ferland
Press Secretary
Office of the President of the Treasury Board
Phone: 613-369-3163
Email: Jean-Luc.Ferland@tbs-sct.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca