HMCS Blue Heron

The Bird class “seaward defence patrol craft” were launched between 1954 and 1956 at four Ontario boatyards. Intended to be the successors to the Fairmiles, they were born from a plan to have seaward defence patrol craft in case of war. Ninety vessels were considered but only four were built. Their principal peacetime functions were Reserve and cadet training and air/sea rescue.

HMCS Blue Heron was commissioned in July 1956 and supported training on the Great Lakes before going to Halifax.  She was then on loan to the RCMP from 1957-68.  In 1963, it became impossible to man the Birds and they had to be paid off and placed into reserve, before being sold in 1970-71.  None of these ever became tenders to Naval Reserve Divisions in true replacement of the Fairmiles.

• Builder: Hunter Boat Works, Orillia, ON
• Date launched: 7 May 1956
• Date commissioned: 30 July 1956
• Date paid off: 19 November 1956
• Displacement: 67.1 tonnes with full load
• Dimensions: 28 m x 5.2 m x 1.6 m  
• Speed: 14 knots
• Crew: 21
• Armament: 1-20 mm, Hedgehog