Canadian Naval Memorial Trust

10/12/2026

A celebration of life will be held for LCdr (ret’d) Pat Jessup at Juno Tower in Halifax on October 24, 2026.

10/09/2026

This week, Frank took a bit of a detour from his usual exploring and discovered something very important, HMCS Sackville's gift shop. We have to say, he spent a considerable amount of time in there. We’re not sure if he was browsing or just enjoying the air conditioning, but either way he looked very at home.

The gift shop is a great way to show your support for Canada’s Naval Memorial and take a little piece of history home with you. From books and apparel to unique nautical keepsakes, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a lifelong naval history enthusiast or just discovering HMCS Sackville for the first time.

Every purchase directly supports the preservation of HMCS Sackville and the important work of the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust in keeping this piece of Canadian history alive for future generations.

HMCS Sackville is open for tours this fall at Sackville Landing, 1675 Lower Water Street on the Halifax waterfront. Come explore the ship, visit the gift shop, and maybe — just maybe — you’ll run into Frank.

Follow along next Friday to see what else Frank uncovers aboard Canada’s Naval Memorial!

10/07/2026

During the Battle of the Atlantic there were more sailors than bunks. When one man went on watch, another crawled into his still-warm hammock or bunk.

Condensation dripped from the deckhead, and wet clothes never dried.

This was daily life for the crews of HMCS Sackville in the Battle of the Atlantic. Come aboard and see how they lived.

10/02/2026

For this week's fieldtrip, Frank came back to the fo'c'sle and discovered one of HMCS Sackville's most fascinating weapons, the Hedgehog. Don't let the name fool you, this was a serious piece of kit. The Hedgehog was a forward-firing anti-submarine mortar that could launch 24 contact-fused projectiles in an elliptical pattern ahead of the ship, allowing the crew to attack a submarine while maintaining their ASDIC sonar contact. Unlike traditional depth charges, which required the ship to pass directly over its target, the Hedgehog was a game changer, giving corvette crews a critical edge in the Battle of the Atlantic.

Follow along next Friday to see what else Frank uncovers aboard Canada's Naval Memorial!

09/28/2026

Why "Sackville"

The British named their corvettes after flowers, Snowdrop, Larkspur, Bluebell. Beautiful names for the small ships that would take on one of the most brutal campaigns of the Second World War. But when Canada took on the design, they made it their own: Canadian corvettes were named after towns and cities back home.

Every ship carried a community with it into the North Atlantic. The men who crewed her often came from those same towns; farmers, fishermen, and factory workers turned sailors, crossing some of the most dangerous waters in the world in a ship no bigger than a tugboat by modern standards.

HMCS Sackville. HMCS Trillium. HMCS Snowberry. HMCS Moose Jaw. The names weren't interchangeable, they were a promise. A thread connecting the convoy routes of the Atlantic to the streets, churches, and kitchens of home.

And that connection hasn't faded. Sackville, New Brunswick still claims her. The ship that bore their town's name through the fog and the U-boats and the long North Atlantic winters is still afloat, still cared for, still remembered.

Photos By: Douglas Struthers

09/25/2026

Frank's Friday Field Trip is back for another week!

This week, Frank made his way to the fo'c'sle and came face to face with HMCS Sackville's 4-inch QF gun, the same type of weapon that helped protect Allied convoys during some of the fiercest fighting of the Battle of the Atlantic.

The 4-inch QF, or Quick Firing gun, was the primary armament of Flower-class corvettes and could fire a 31-pound shell at targets up to several miles away. It was used against both enemy surface vessels and German U-boats caught on the surface, a common enough occurrence in the early years of the war before submarines learned to stay submerged. Operating the gun in the heaving North Atlantic swells took a well-drilled crew and no small amount of nerve. Flower-class corvettes like Sackville weren't just submarine hunters, they were armed and ready for whatever the North Atlantic threw at them.

Frank came with questions and left with answers. That's what we're here for!

Follow along next Friday to see what else Frank uncovers aboard Canada's Naval Memorial!

09/23/2026

HMCS Sackville on the day of the Committal of The Ashes.

Looking beautiful at Sunset!

Photo By: Douglas Struthers

09/21/2026

On Thursday, September 17th, HMCS Sackville left Halifax Harbour and was tugged out to Point Pleasant for a deeply meaningful occasion, the Committal of Ashes ceremony.

Thirteen committals were honoured on the water that day, each a final farewell carried out aboard Canada's Naval Memorial in the tradition and dignity these individuals deserved.

It is a privilege to serve as the vessel where so many families find closure and connection to Canada's naval heritage.

Photos by: Doug Struthers

09/18/2026

After spotting HMCS Sackville from the boardwalk last week, Frank wasted no time. This week he came back, walked up the gangway, and made himself right at home. Here he taking a moment to inspect the steam winch, the mechanical system responsible for raising and lowering HMCS Sackville's anchor. Frank seemed satisfied with what he found. We'll take that as a good sign. He also made sure to keep a close eye on the Jack making sure it's flying just as it should be in the Halifax breeze.

Someone has to do it, and Frank takes his duties very seriously. HMCS Sackville's bow has seen some of the fiercest waters of the North Atlantic, we have a feeling Frank would've kept watch out there just fine too. Good instincts, Frank.

Follow along every Friday as Frank explores more of Canada's Naval Memorial, there's plenty of ship left to discover, and he's just getting started.

09/17/2026