HMCS Unicorn
The official lineage of HMCS Unicorn extant commissioned ship.
Badge
Description
Azure awinged unicorn rampant Argent armed unguled crined and winged Or.
Significance
Named for the Royal Navy ship that explored Hudson's Bay in search of the Northwest Passage. This badge design was furnished by the Admiralty who have graciously granted its use as the ship's badge. The mythical animal shown in the badge is actually awinged horse or pegasus, but having the horn coming from its head it is considered to be a winged unicorn, rather than a horned pegasus.
It has been the custom to add wings to any figure held in veneration, from the angels of Christianity to Mercury and Pegasus. Because the name Unicorn is highly esteemed in British naval annals, the wings were added.
Motto
UNICUS EST (The only one of its kind; Unequalled)
Colours
Royal Blue and White
Battle Honours
Pre-The First World War
ARMADA, 1588; CADIZ, 1596; PORTO FARINA, 1655; SANTA CRUZ ,1657; LOWESTOFT, 1665; ORFORDNESS, 1666; SOLE BAY, 1672; SCHOONEVELD, 1673; TEXEL, 1673; "Vestale" ,1761; "Tribune", 1796; BASQUE ROADS, 1809.
The Second World War
SALERNO, 1943; OKINAWA, 1945.
United Nations Operation-Korea - 1950-1953
KOREA, 1950-53..
Perpetuates, by right of continuous unbroken service from the Royal Canadian Navy, eleven warships of the Royal Navy. This perpetuation cannot be passed on to a new construction.t
Lineage
First of Name
- Shore establishment.
- Naval Reserve Division, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
- Commissioned as a tender to HMCS Naden 1 November 1941.1
- Recommissioned as an independent shore establishment command 1 September 1942.2
Page details
- Date modified: