Wow. What a powerful story. I was a child on a school trip to the Toronto Islands the spring after HMCS Haida docked at York Street. I’d never seen anything that big that could move before, and assumed she was a battleship! I’m looking forward to seeing her this June when Dr. Alexander Clarke, a naval historian from England is planning on visiting her.
My Father was aboard Haida as a Gun layer in Korea, many years later when I was a Sea Cadet I had spent 3 different weekends aboard Haida laying the noon day Gun at the same turret my Father did. Though I'm sure my Fathers level of intensity far outweighed mine, the nearness I felt towards my Father grew exponentially.
I had the honour of serving on the Haida in the early 60's. She was a happy ship, much respected by her crew, which included me. We were all very aware and proud of her war record. She was very much a WWII warship. She had the battle profile and weapons to prove it. She was partly surface and partly submarine. She plowed through the waves and not over them. She also had the crew accommodations to prove it as well. We slung micks and drew our meals broadside. For breakfast we had red lead and bacon at least twice a week and kippered herring the rest of the week., We got our rum ration on the quarter deck in the traditional tot server and poured into your mug. If you drew it neat, you had to down it in front of the rum bosun. If you mixed it, you could and sit with your mates and enjoy it. This was in the days when the new Cadillac's, modern warships, with modern accommodations and cafeteria messing, were coming on line. It never once occurred to me to seek a transfer. I was proud to serve on the Haida. I went to visit her when she was tied up in Toronto. The names of some of my shipmates were still on their lockers. I had the pleasure of serving on two or three Tribals, but Haida will stay in my heart forever..
Perhaps I should explain some of the old Navy expressions. Drawing meals Broadside - every Tribal had a central island which, among other units, contained the central galley (kitchen) for the Tribal. Access to this galley was by an open deck, exposed to the elements. Serving broadside mean that every sailor had to bring a plate to the galley access, weather elements not considered, then take it back to their mess for consumption. Red Lead and bacon - stewed tomatoes with bacon, Red lead - colour of primer for ship's painting. Kippered herring - a salt preserved small fish also cooked in a tomato sauce. It was a great favourite in the Royal Navy. Micks-hammocks slung on special hooks in each mess deck.
Lt(N) Ward, what a fantastic video of Haida's journey and survival for all of Canada to remember and pay respects to one of Canada's greatest warships. My Father In Law (Murray Graves) served on the Haida either at commissioning, or very shortly after commissioning. On behalf of him, all mates who sailed and fought on Her, and all Canadians, we thank you immensely for your work and devotion to Canada and her Haida, and telling your story on how it was all done! Well done Sir! BZ!
A very well done and moving documentary. Kudos to a small number of visionaries willing to put up the money to make it happen with no guarantees. And to do it while many WW 2 sailors were still alive to see it was a special reward for them.
My father is one of the "Friends of Haida" and although I have visited him in Hamilton many times over the years, every time I pop down to the dock to visit HMCS Haida, it seems to be the wrong time of year! Looking forward to one day setting foot aboard this great ship & soaking up her memories.
Nicely done! I was aboard while at Ontario Place as a kid… somehow my uncle got hold of a hat box while aboard complete with a new blue top seaman’s cap and a Haida cap tally.
So touching to hear the story directly from the voice of someone who's life has been so touched and integral to this fair lady of a ship. Thank you for sharing it with us all and I look forward to a visit hopefully this year.
i have a RCSC news mag from back id the day of cadets i know that were in part of HMCS Haida coming to ontario place . i was also a cadet in 1973 on the Haida for summer tours . canadas most fighting ship ....
My Grandfather worked alongside Her with in the RCN, His Name? Leonard W. Murray, I believe he was an Admiral? But He worked throughout the war in the Canadian Northwestern Atlantic (Fleet Command).
Really need to move it back to Ontario Place. It's silly to hide it in Hamilton, away from the large population and tourist market of Toronto. Terrible politics.
Thank-you! My father served aboard her from 1943 to 1945..Thank-you again❤
Wow. What a powerful story.
I was a child on a school trip to the Toronto Islands the spring after HMCS Haida docked at York Street. I’d never seen anything that big that could move before, and assumed she was a battleship! I’m looking forward to seeing her this June when Dr. Alexander Clarke, a naval historian from England is planning on visiting her.
My Father was aboard Haida as a Gun layer in Korea, many years later when I was a Sea Cadet I had spent 3 different weekends aboard Haida laying the noon day Gun at the same turret my Father did.
Though I'm sure my Fathers level of intensity far outweighed mine, the nearness I felt towards my Father grew exponentially.
I Was a Sea Cadet from RCSCC Scarborough that spent three summers showing tours about my ship Thank you grsrted on lifeiong love of the ship (26 years
I had the honour of serving on the Haida in the early 60's. She was a happy ship, much respected by her crew, which included me. We were all very aware and proud of her war record. She was very much a WWII warship. She had the battle profile and weapons to prove it. She was partly surface and partly submarine. She plowed through the waves and not over them. She also had the crew accommodations to prove it as well. We slung micks and drew our meals broadside. For breakfast we had red lead and bacon at least twice a week and kippered herring the rest of the week., We got our rum ration on the quarter deck in the traditional tot server and poured into your mug. If you drew it neat, you had to down it in front of the rum bosun. If you mixed it, you could and sit with your mates and enjoy it. This was in the days when the new Cadillac's, modern warships, with modern accommodations and cafeteria messing, were coming on line. It never once occurred to me to seek a transfer. I was proud to serve on the Haida. I went to visit her when she was tied up in Toronto. The names of some of my shipmates were still on their lockers. I had the pleasure of serving on two or three Tribals, but Haida will stay in my heart forever..
Awesome! Thank you! Would you be of chance one of the crew in the photos of that era that are posted on ship now?
@@Niagara716 I would have to check. I was a Leading Seaman, EW Operator
Perhaps I should explain some of the old Navy expressions. Drawing meals Broadside - every Tribal had a central island which, among other units, contained the central galley (kitchen) for the Tribal. Access to this galley was by an open deck, exposed to the elements. Serving broadside mean that every sailor had to bring a plate to the galley access, weather elements not considered, then take it back to their mess for consumption. Red Lead and bacon - stewed tomatoes with bacon, Red lead - colour of primer for ship's painting. Kippered herring - a salt preserved small fish also cooked in a tomato sauce. It was a great favourite in the Royal Navy. Micks-hammocks slung on special hooks in each mess deck.
Lt(N) Ward, what a fantastic video of Haida's journey and survival for all of Canada to remember and pay respects to one of Canada's greatest warships. My Father In Law (Murray Graves) served on the Haida either at commissioning, or very shortly after commissioning. On behalf of him, all mates who sailed and fought on Her, and all Canadians, we thank you immensely for your work and devotion to Canada and her Haida, and telling your story on how it was all done! Well done Sir! BZ!
A very well done and moving documentary. Kudos to a small number of visionaries willing to put up the money to make it happen with no guarantees. And to do it while many WW 2 sailors were still alive to see it was a special reward for them.
My father is one of the "Friends of Haida" and although I have visited him in Hamilton many times over the years, every time I pop down to the dock to visit HMCS Haida, it seems to be the wrong time of year! Looking forward to one day setting foot aboard this great ship & soaking up her memories.
Nicely done! I was aboard while at Ontario Place as a kid… somehow my uncle got hold of a hat box while aboard complete with a new blue top seaman’s cap and a Haida cap tally.
Bravo, well done to all who participated in the making of this video and the event in Hamilton.
Thank you to all involved in saving her and keeping her going. Me and mine have toured her, truly an amazing ship and crews served on her! 🇺🇲🇨🇦😎🍻!!
Brilliant account. Thanks very much for putting this together!
So touching to hear the story directly from the voice of someone who's life has been so touched and integral to this fair lady of a ship. Thank you for sharing it with us all and I look forward to a visit hopefully this year.
Positively delightful tale. Today, not so proud to be Canadian. This does give me pride being so.
Moving beautiful story of perseverance
Beautiful. Thank you very much for telling this wonderful story.
Good to see this again. A reminder of the way individual efforts can achieve great things.
thank you for saving the Haida as i was a sea cadet back in the 90s and really enjoyed spending a weekend on her and learning alot about her
i have a RCSC news mag from back id the day of cadets i know that were in part of HMCS Haida coming to ontario place . i was also a cadet in 1973 on the Haida for summer tours . canadas most fighting ship ....
Marvellous, simply marvellous
Speechless, so beautiful . Thank you.
My Uncle Don Charles served as a wireless operator on Haida during WWll and was wounded in action.
Wonderful!
My Grandfather worked alongside Her with in the RCN, His Name? Leonard W. Murray, I believe he was an Admiral? But He worked throughout the war in the Canadian Northwestern Atlantic (Fleet Command).
Amazing story
Isnt HMS Cossack either in Hartlepool or Portsmouth??
Thanks so much, Peter. This was fascinating. Do you know anything about the Ottawa.
Made my eyes water for some reason, sniff sniff.
weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee stopped it---from being scapped
Really need to move it back to Ontario Place. It's silly to hide it in Hamilton, away from the large population and tourist market of Toronto. Terrible politics.
actually the Province was indeed about to get her moved away so moving to Hamilt
now its in fed hands , hopefully they never forget , copps did it for a publicity act
Using Native names and imaginary with a Title of Destroyer.