German warships

The frigate Sachsen is seen here sailing Friday morning May 22. She is a new "Stealth" design intended to reduce her radar image to enemy ships. As we have heard with submarines, that are invisisible to each other - this can lead to collisions! Let's hope she has a safe trip.

German warships

Two German warships visisted Halifax this week. FRANKFURT AM MAIN is a supply vessel - just what Canada needs, but can't make up its mind to build. Here she is leaving port on Friday.

Busy, busy week

The week of May 18-22 was a very busy week in Halifax harbour. The number of ships arriving and departing was well above average, and many of the ships were unique or of special interest.

Three visiting naval vessels were among the highlights. The Chilean sail training vessel ESMERELDA arrived from Quebec City and remained alongside most of the week. The cadets were kept busy with sailor work and were overside hull painting on Friday. The boat sailed on Saturday, and despite her lofty masts was not the tallest ship in port!

The oil rig Rowan Gortilla III in the background was certainly taller, but not nearly as graceful.

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While prowling about the harbour on Saturday April 4 I came across the veteran workboat Halmar back in the water at Dartmouth Cove after several years on land. Her owners, Dominion Diving, have been working away on her for some time, and she is now showing signs of returning to service.

The boat was built by Halifax Shipyards back in 1960 as a general purpose workboat. She sometimes assisted ships in the Dartmouth Marine Slip, but more often she worked around the Halifax installations.

Dominion Diving took over ownership about 1992 and did a major refit on her at that time. However her cabin was very small, she was underpowered and had many other deficiencies. (Rumour has that she was built by apprentices at the shipyard.)

In the photos above, you will see her as she appeared March 2, 1996 and today (on the left.)

Alongside in the contemporary photo is fleet mate Big Steel, the former navy launch YFU 116, YMU 116, built in 1955 by Russel Brothers of Owen Sound, ON. Dominion Diving also rebuilt her back in 1992.

Tern again

The heavy lift ship Tern moved to anchorage late this afternoon. With HMCS Chicoutimi securely cradled on deck, the ship is ready for sea. However she will wait in port until the predicted gales pass by. She will then begin the long trek to Esquimalt.

Banner Day

April 1 was a banner day for shipwatching in Halifax. In addition to the submarine loading, and the visit of Raold Amundsen, there were great opportunities for shots of the autocarrier Don Carlos leaving Autoport. Because Atlantic Compass was leaving at the same time, Don Carlos held off and made a wide turn to fall in behind Compass . She heeled over a bit, making for a more interesting shot than the standard autocarrier view.