HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331)

The third HMCS "Vancouver" (FFH 331) is a sclass|Halifax|frigate|1, launched in July 1989 as the second vessel of her class. She is currently based at CFB Esquimalt.

Construction

The "Halifax"-class frigates of which "Vancouver" belongs to was ordered by the Canadian Forces Maritime Command in 1977 as a replacement for the aging "Saint Laurent," "Restigouche," "Mackenzie" and "Annapolis" classes of Destroyer Escorts (DDEs), which were all tasked with anti-submarine warfare.cite news | first=Jerry | last=Proc | coauthors= | title=RADIOS and SYSTEMS IN HALIFAX CLASS FRIGATES | date=2007-05-27 | publisher= | url =http://jproc.ca/rrp/halifax.html | work =RADIO COMMUNICATIONS AND SIGNALS INTELLIGENCE IN THE RCN | pages = | accessdate = 2008-04-13 | language = ] In 1983, the federal government approved the budget for the design and construction of the first batch of six new frigates of which "Vancouver" was a part of out of twelve that were eventually built. To reflect the changing long term strategy of Maritime Command during the 1980's and 1990's, the "Halifax"-class frigates was designed to be more of a general purpose warship with particular focus on anti-submarine capabilities.

The design of the "Halifax"-class frigates reflected many advances in ship construction, such as a move to a prefabricated unit construction method, where the ship, is assembled from prefabricated units in a drydock, instead of the traditional keel-laying. Furthermore, the design of "Halifax" class frigate incorporated many new technical improvements. For example, the "Halifax" class is first to be equipped with the Integrated Machinery Control System(IMCS), which allows for a very high degree of computer control for the machinery plant.

"Vancouver" was 'laid down' on 19 May 1988 at Saint John Shipbuilding in New Brunswick, the second ship of her class. She was launched on 8 July 1989. After trials, she then was commissioned on 23 August 1993 in her namesake city of Vancouver alongside Canada Place, third ship of the class, as sister ship HMCS "Toronto" commissioned almost a month before her. After commissioning, she was assigned CFB Esquimalt, British Columbia on Vancouver Island as the first "Halifax"-class frigate to be based out of CFB Esquimalt.

Career

The end of the Cold War before she was commissioned meant that "Vancouver"'s abilities against submarines were less valuable than when she was designed, however, she has served Canada in good stead since her launch, and recently has formed an important part of Canada's contribution to the 'War on Terror'.

War On Terror

In the last few years, "Vancouver" has been a primary part of Canada's anti-terrorism naval forces in the Middle East. For instance, "Vancouver" has been integrated part of an American carrier battle group, led by the warship|USS|John C. Stennis|CVN-74 in 2002. Because of the similarities between the Canadian and American navies, especially in terms of rules of engagement and communications equipment, it is relatively easy for a "Halifax"-class frigate such as "Vancouver" to serve with her American counterparts. Unlike her sister ships such as HMCS "Halifax", "Vancouver" seldom serves as part of a Canadian-led battle group.

Operation Apollo

During Operation Apollo, "Vancouver" had been used to intercept suspicious and unknown vessels at sea, and had on occasion boarded vessels to prevent the escape of fugitives onboard ships, and the transit of contraband. After a distinguished but unremarkable tour of service in the Arabian Sea, her role in Apollo ended. She was replaced by another "Halifax"-class frigate to serve much the same role. "Vancouver" has also spent time carrying the Canadian flag more locally, including a trip to Oregon in 2003 and a visit to her namesake city of Vancouver to celebrate the tenth anniversary of her being commissioned.

Crest

The ship's crest of the "Vancouver" depicts a square-rigged, Royal Navy ship of the line sailing west along the ocean. The vessel in the crest is intended to represent HMS "Discovery", which, under the command of Captain George Vancouver, mapped much of North America's north-western coast and learned more about the area than had hereto been discovered. Among the geographical locations named after Vancouver is the city Vancouver, British Columbia, the namesake of Vancouver. The crest has been maintained through the history of all three Canadian vessels named "Vancouver", right up until the most recent "Halifax"-class frigate, HMCS "Vancouver".

Heritage

The modern "Vancouver" is the third Canadian ship to bear the name. The first HMCS "Vancouver" was a destroyer, among the earliest ships delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy. Formerly the HMS "Toreador" of the Royal Navy, "Vancouver" was paid off in November 1936. Less than six years later, the second "Vancouver" was commissioned for the Second World War. A "Flower"-class corvette, "Vancouver" served until the end of the war, until it was paid off in late June, 1945. It would be another forty years until the name "Vancouver" was once again active in the Canadian navy, when the modern "Vancouver" was planned as part of the "Halifax"-class. "Vancouver" is one of the most often used names in Canadian naval history, with only HMCS "Ottawa" having been used more frequently.

References

* [http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/vancouver/home/index_e.asp HMCS "Vancouver" (FFH 331) - official website]