Log Entry No 2 - 7th July 08. (Discoverer)

FROM THE CAPTAINS CABIN

Getting ready to celebrate.

Discoverer is now almost 24 hours out of Halifax on course to St John’s Newfoundland. Anyone who knows me personally or has had the misfortune to endure me waxing lyrical on the benefits of demanding Adventurous Training that develops people by taking them from their comfort zone (our normal state) into their stretch zone and then perhaps (intentionally or otherwise ) into the panic zone, will be surprised (or perhaps relieved) to learn that the our stay in Halifax was very much about redressing the balance of military life and in the jargon, “Retention Positive”. Wow!! What a place, what people and by arriving on 1 July, Canada’s National day or correctly just Canada Day, what a party!

On the afternoon of 30 June, it looked briefly as we might make an entry in to Halifax just after midnight, if so then our host Capt Mike Evans, a Canadian Forces helicopter and Hercules pilot, was willing to give up valuable drinking time in order to meet and drag us to the “Lower Deck”, a bar on the water front that occupied the buildings used by Privateers in days of yore. (Privateers were the private defence companies of yesteryear. Independently owned and funded ships operating (normally) within the law and doing the King’s business on the high seas with the associated risks but also having the potential to reap huge profit margins at the expense of the nation’s enemies!!) In the event though the wind dropped and “The Lower Deck” would have to wait.

The last Corvette HMCS Sack.

Discoverer groped her way in through thick fog. Those who know me as a traditionalist with Box compass (a compass marked in north, NNE, NE ENE etc, as opposed to modern degrees), led line ( a lead weight on a marked string as opposed to a depth sounder), a paper chart, dividers and plotter (dividers measure distance against a changing scale and plotters set course headings, as opposed to lap top, e-charts and a mouse!!) will be doubly surprised to learn that on this occasion VDU with radar and e-chart were most welcome!!! We passed through the relatively narrow channel between Halifax and St George’s Island as the shore lights struggled to illuminate the Dock Side. It took sharp eyes to pick up “Cable Wharf”, our prearranged berth in the very heart of the city and The Maritime Heritage Centre. By 0400 Discoverer was alongside and too late to celebrate with anything stronger, it was tea all round.

The original plan had been for a 0900 hrs breakfast but flexibility in planning allowed us to pursue an alternative option. A local tradition is pancakes, maple syrup and coffee served free in the Grand parade (Halifax’s historic town square). Did we want to join in? A no brainer, at 0830 dressed in crew tops (coincidently red with a bit of white (Canada’s national colours), we joined the party. Our arrival caused immediate interest with dignitaries and media as well as the general local population. Already we were experiencing genuine Canadian hospitality. After breakfast we split for the day and enjoyed a wonderful party atmosphere taking in the Tourist sites as well as the many additional celebratory activities, including a military Tattoo and other festivities.

Looking Across The City Before Departing.

The Tourist sites included the Maritime museum and the Citadel complete with its recreated British Regiments of the 1880s (Royal Garrison Artillery and the 78th of Foot or Rosshire Buffs). The Citadel is very much interwoven with the history of Halifax from the early discovery, wars with France and the birth of Canada as a nation. The later history includes a major explosion in 1917 when two ships collided in the harbour. One was carrying explosives which detonated when the ship caught fire. The result was the largest man made explosion until the atomic bomb. More recently Halifax was the major port of embarkation for Canadian soldiers bound for the UK during World War Two and the command centre for convoys in the Western Atlantic. One of the floating exhibits in the maritime Centre is HMCS Sackville the only surviving corvette from convey escort duty. Without the support and sacrifice of young Canadians protecting the convoys that ensured Britain’s survival from 1940-42, the Battle of The Atlantic and perhaps ultimately the war would have been lost.

A friend of mine, Tom Lewis (www.tomlewis.net) , served 22 years in The Royal Navy before emigrating and taking Canadian citizenship. Today he makes a leaving from singing and song writing. One of his songs is called “HMCS Sackville”. The song has many themes that resonate with the sea and servicemen. It talks of the unique bond between a ship’s company (and fighting men), of the bond men have with their ship. It speaks of duty, honour and pride and then the return home of fighting men. The words written some years ago have added meaning as today, once again, young Canadians and Brits stand shoulder to shoulder on the battlefield.

In the evening Mike invited us to his yacht rafted up with others after a day’s racing. There, he and his friends treated us to more Canadian hospitality as we watched fireworks over the city. We moved on to “The Lower Deck” where local bands ensured that the party carried on into the small hours and Canada Day will remain vivid for years to come!!

The following day we toped up our ships stores, said farewell and then shortly after midday slipped out of harbour bound for St John’s Newfoundland. It had been a brief but memorable visit. New ventures beckon and we have a timetable to keep if we are to collect Arctic stores and head off to explore southern Greenland. Leaving Halifax we were initially granted the views denied us on entry but about 10 miles out we were back in fog. So let’s get back out of that comfort zone . . . !

Richard Pattison
Expedition Leader

FROM THE CREW QUARTERS:

All the nice girls like a soldier.

Finally reached our warm welcome into Canada after our first tough few days at sea, we were greeted by the local people on a special day, Canada Day. Arriving nice and early to the bright docks of Halifax, we got a few hours sleep before the day ahead.

We woke to a pancake breakfast in the busy town square near the War Memorial, After breakfast we planed the day ahead. After eventually getting to grips with the motion of the yacht and getting our ‘sea legs’ we were back on land stumbling around. We watched some of the parades and events being held and enjoyed them while drinking coffees and iced espressos. It had only been a few days but as us young guys are like, we were straight on our mobiles calling the people we love at home to let them know how things are going.

Back on board leaving Halifax.

We spent some time searching the area for open shops but being Canada Day it proved to be quite useless. Most of the lads experienced some time in a nearby swimming pool, sauna and steam room, and making the most of warm, plentiful water. In the evening a few of the guys dressed up for a run ashore and headed out for a meal and some drinks in a local bars. Four of us searched around for the perfect locations to drink and relax, and watch a firework celebration. Rob, Bonz, Dan and I missed out on the yacht side party but heard all about Mickey’s little smooch! It was perfect time to arrive in Halifax and Canada day (and night) are sure to be remembered (well, by most), for a long time.

Morning again and party heads off, and on with the rest of the leg. A small amount of shopping was completed, and following pizzas for lunch we set sail for our next stop, St Johns.

(Pte) Leigh Higgins - Royal logistic Corps.