Edward Cornwallis

CCGS Edward Cornwallis sails this morning for navaids duties. The ship is one of two light icebreaking/ buoy tenders of the 1100 class operated from Halifax. They were both built by Marine Industiries Ltd (MIL) at their Tracy, Quebec yard. They were the last ships built in the yard, with Edward Cornwallis bearing hull number 450 and sister Sir William Alexander number 451. Cornwallis was delivered in August 1986 and Alexander in 1987.

Edward Cornwallis has recently come out of a refit at Newdock in St.John's and is looking quite sharp, despite her age. Plans to replace these ships are in talking stage, but no word yet on when or how.

As the Coast Guard prepares to vacate it traditional base in Dartmouth, these ships are now based at the Bedford Institute, which certainly allows for better picture taking opportunities from the Halifax side of the harbour.

.