New Royal Canadian Navy ship to be named after naval hero of SS Caribou sinking

News Release

April 13, 2015

OTTAWA – Defence Minister Jason Kenney today announced that an Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) will be named after Margaret Brooke, a Royal Canadian Navy Nursing Sister decorated for gallantry (courage in combat) during the Second World War. The actions followed the torpedoing and subsequent sinking of the Newfoundland Ferry SS Caribou on October 14, 1942, in the Cabot Strait off Newfoundland.

This is the first time a vessel in the Royal Canadian Navy has been named after a living Canadian woman, as Margaret Brooke turned 100 years old last Friday.

Quick Facts

On October 14, 1942, during a crossing of the Cabot Strait off the coast of Newfoundland, the ferry SS Caribou was torpedoed by the German submarine U-69. The ferry sank in five minutes. Fighting for her own survival, Lieutenant-Commander (LCdr) Brooke did everything humanly possible to save the life of her colleague and friend, Nursing Sister Sub-Lieutenant Agnes Wilkie, while both women clung to ropes on a capsized lifeboat. In spite of LCdr Brooke’s heroic efforts to hang on to her with one arm, her friend succumbed to the frigid water.
For this selfless act, LCdr Brooke was named a Member (Military Division) of the Order of the British Empire.
In September 2014 Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that the forthcoming AOPS will be named to honour prominent Canadians who served with the highest distinction and conspicuous gallantry in the Navy. The lead ship was named HMCS Harry DeWolf and the class is known as the Harry DeWolf-class. A second ship will be known as HMCS Margaret Brooke. The other four AOPS names will be announced in the near future.
On January 23, 2015, the Government of Canada announced the awarding of the build contract with Irving Shipbuilding Inc. for the construction of six Harry DeWolf-class AOPS as part of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS). This contract, valued at $2.3 billion, marks the start of the construction phase under the NSPS. Construction is set to begin in the fall of this year.
The RCN will employ the AOPS to conduct sovereignty and surveillance operations in Canadian waters on all three coasts, including in the Arctic. The AOPS will also be used to support other units of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in the conduct of maritime-related operations, and to support other government departments in carrying out their mandates, as required.
The AOPS are key to the Government of Canada’s ability to deliver on three of our guiding strategies – the Canada First Defence Strategy, the Northern Strategy, and the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy.
The NSPS – the largest procurement sourcing arrangement in Canadian history – is expected to create thousands of high-value jobs in shipbuilding and related industries across the country. The Strategy is about undertaking major ship procurements in a smarter, more effective way – a way that sustains Canadian jobs, strengthens the marine sector and provides the best value for Canadian taxpayers.

Quotes

“Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships are being named after Canadian naval heroes who displayed outstanding leadership and heroism while serving in the Navy during wartime. It is in fact a privilege for our country that Margaret Brooke will lend her name to one of our naval ships, as her courage and self-sacrifice have inspired, and will continue to inspire, generations of Canadian Naval personnel for years to come.”
Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence

“By naming one of our naval ships after retired Lieutenant-Commander Brooke, who served our country with great distinction during the Second World War, we are showing our Canadian Armed Forces personnel that we will always stand behind them. Our Government is proud of our men and women in uniform, both past and present, and are eternally grateful for their service to our country.”
Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence

Associated links

AOPS naming biographies – HMCS Margaret Brooke

Harper Government Awards Shipbuilding Contract that Supports Jobs Across Canada
http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?mthd=tp&crtr.page=1&nid=924929

PM announces the name of the first of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships
http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2014/09/18/pm-announces-name-first-royal-canadian-navys-arcticoffshore-patrol-ships

The amendments in the statement correct the omission of information. The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces strive to provide factual, accurate and timely information concerning their operations and deeply regret any inconvenience caused.

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Contacts

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Department of National Defence
Phone: (613) 996-2353
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New Royal Canadian Navy ship to be named after naval hero of SS Caribou sinking

News Release

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