Five years after HMCS Halifax visited Thunder Bay, the Royal Canadian Navy is headed back to the Lakehead.
TB Newswatch has learned the frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec will be in the city from Aug. 15 to 20, open to the public for four days of tours.
HMCS Griffon executive director Lt.-Cmdr. Les Newman on Saturday said it’s part of an awareness program put on by the seafaring branch of Canada's military.
“Over the last few years the Canadian military has conducted what they’ve affectionately called the Great Lakes deployment where they send one or more of their ships up the Great Lakes. It’s a reaching out to the Canadian citizenry,” Newman said Saturday at the annual blessing of the fleets ceremony.
“It’s a recruiting tool. This year they’ve expanded the program and I believe there are four Canadian ships and two American ships involved.”
Only one of the ships will make it to Thunder Bay, because of the city’s relative isolation.
The visit will also commemorate the War of 1812 and act as a belated celebration of HMSC Griffon’s centennial celebration in 2010.
“It’s a chance for the Canadian Navy to reach out to the Canadian public and show them what we’re all about,” Newman said.
The Ville de Quebec will be docked at the city's cruise-ship terminal at the former Pool 6 property.
The Ville de Quebec is a Halifax-class frigate that carries more than 260 crew members.
“The ship will be open for public tours on Aug. 16, 17, 18 and 19th, roughly from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. each day. “
They’ll also use the occasion to raise funds for flood relief in Thunder Bay.
“There will be a barbecue at the site on the Saturday and Sunday, providing some food for the people who are waiting to get onboard for the tours,” Newman said. “But it will be a fundraiser, with most of the funds going to the flood relief fund.”
