Bill Alexander saw a warship at the Thunder Bay harbour 20 years ago.
“It was one of the older ones and it was nothing like this,” he said Thursday afternoon aboard HMCS Ville de Quebec.
Alexander brought his grandson Payton to see the frigate at the Pool 6 dock and said it’s great to be able to see a warship like the Ville de Quebec every so often.
“We like to see the guns,” he said.
The last time Alexander was on a ship like the Ville de Quebec, it had the old, big cannons on the front and none of the modern electronics.
The weapons were also the favourite part of the ship for Kelly McGuire, who checked out the harpoon gun and missiles.
McGuire was impressed by the size of the vessel and said it was a great day to come see ship despite the strong winds down on the waterfront.
“I haven’t lost anything over the edge. Although I think if you had a hat and you weren’t holding onto it, it would be part of Lake Superior by now,” he said.
For James Fimognari, touring a warship like this one was something he always wanted to do.
He also thought it was a great way to get people interested in a career in the navy.
Karl Dahl also thought having HMCS Ville de Quebec in Thunder Bay was a great way for the Canadian navy to show what they’re all about.
“It gives the navy the chance to show what they are, what they do, to people in Thunder Bay, where I guess the navy isn’t a large part of our lives,” he said.
Dahl enjoyed having access to a vessel like this and said he just enjoyed having the opportunity to roam freely on the ship.
“It’s huge. There’s so much going on with it. There’s all the things you see on the Discovery Channel,” he said. “It’s cool to see in person.”
Justice Jarvela was also impressed to see a ship of this size in person.
He came with his parents and brother and sister to see the frigate and was blown away just by its size.
“It’s something you would see on TV and never think of going to. It’s amazing,” he said.
Jarvela and his family also saw where the captain sits and steers the boat.
“(The steering wheel) was really small and he doesn’t even get to see the water,” he said.
But Jarvela’s favourite part was the upper decks of the ship.
“You can see all the water and how high you really are,” he said.
HMCS Ville de Quebec is open to the public at the Pool 6 dock Aug. 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Aug. 17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Aug. 18-19 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
