HMS Liverpool and HMS Sutherland

Photos from Royal Navy guided missile destroyer HMS Liverpool and frigate HMS Sutherland at the Tall Ships Quay in Halifax during International Fleet Review public tours.

1. HMS Sutherland (left) and HMS Liverpool (Right).


2. Royal Navy helicopter art.


3. Royal Navy helicopter artillery.


4. HMS Sutherland's 'Merlin' helicopter.


5.


6. American guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg and frigate USS Robert G. Bradley.


7. Sea Dart surface-to-air missiles aboard HMS Liverpool.


8. Sea Dart surface-to-air missile.


9. Anti-submarine torpedo.

Halifax International Fleet Review - Helicopter Fly-By

Tuesday, June 29, 4:45pm at Purdy's Wharf, Halifax.

Halifax International Fleet Review - QEII Motorcade

Monday, June 28, 4:15pm. Cogswell Street at North Park Street.

Halifax International Fleet Review Arrivals - HMCS Toronto

I've been following as much of the Halifax International Fleet Review (IRF) as I possibly can.

Ships are now arriving regularly. Many of them will be open for public tours beginning as soon as tomorrow at 10am.

At approximately the same time this morning the Canadian frigate HMCS Toronto came into port and moored at the Nova Scotia Power redevelopment. Like all the other IFR ships to come to port this week, HMCS Toronto was escorted into the harbour by half a dozen small crafts. The boat closest to me was occupied by two sailors - the pilot carried only a sidearm, the other an assault rifle.

Prior to the Toronto's arrival the Glen-class naval tugs were busy installing a temporary dock for the frigate.

HMCS Toronto is moored just south of two American ships, the USS Robert G. Bradley, a general purpose escort vessel and USS Gettysburg, a guided-missile cruiser.

At the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic the Canadian Navy's flag-ship HMCS Athabascan is awkwardly moored in front of HMCS Sackville, the last remaining corvette, and CSS Acadia, a refitted science vessel that served in both world wars.

Some photos from this morning's walk.

1. HMCS Toronto


2. HMCS Toronto


3. HMCS Toronto successfully moored.


4. HMCS Athabascan (and just a bit of CSS Acadia)


5. USS Robert G. Bradley and USS Gettysburg


6. CFAV Glenside

Update: Purcell's Cove Foundation

It turns out that the foundation in Purcell's Cove I wrote about on May 28 was a military installation as suspected.

Built in 1942 this foundation was once the 18th Anti-Aircraft Battery.

1.


2.

Theodore, Silva and MS Maasdam

While Theodore Too departed the harbour tall ship Silva arrived at the Nova Scotia Power redevelopment to meet passengers who arrived last night on the cruise ship MS Massdam.

Navy Vessels Leaving Port

Kingston-class Canadian Navy coastal defence vessel HMCS Moncton left port today just minutes after USS Boone, an American Perry-class guided missile frigate, departed at about 11am this morning.

USS Boone was in port with several other NATO ships and was one of the last to depart. Both vessels departed with small craft escorts.

1. HMCS Moncton


2. USS Boone


Link: CBC News: Major Naval Tests Planned for NB, NS

South Shore Trip

We traveled about 100km on Highway 103 to Bridgewater where we followed Nova Scotia's Lighthouse Route, Highway 331, to the ocean. Along the way we ventured back several unmarked back roads. We knew the road would lead us to the ocean or a gravel pit depending on the side of the road we picked.

After forty-five minutes of gravel pits we chose an ocean drive. The drive through the brush to the ocean was tedious at times but was easily accomplished in the Rav 4. The road ended at an intersection with an old trail called Bear Trap Road. The Bear Trap has not been maintained in many years and large portions of it have been reclaimed by the beach. It is nearly impassible.

At the Bear Trap Road we happened upon two significantly damaged cabins. Destruction can be attributed to major storms including 2003's Hurricane Juan, as well as significant damage done by vandals.

We weren't able to drive any distance on the Bear Trap Road so we turned back toward the 331. Shortly after returning to civilization we experienced car trouble resulting in the procurement of a new battery in nearby West Dublin.

On the return trip to Halifax we stopped at a former hydro electric power plant that has been dormant for decades. We discovered a hole in the front of the building large enough to poke our heads in. I was able to snap a few quick pictures of the interior for the first time.

As expected, the power plant is largely filled with stored lumber.

1. Bear Trap Road


2. Small Cabin - Exterior


3. Small Cabin - Interior


4. Large Cabin - Exterior


5. The former contents of the large cabin found outdoors.


6. Large Cabin - Interior


7. Hydro Electric Power Plant


8. No longer in operation, water now flows freely.


9. Lumber stored inside the power plant.


10. Looking up inside the power plant.

NS Power redevelopment, Seaport Farmers' Market + Boats!

Some brief updates on development (and redevelopment). The Nova Scotia Power (NSP) redevelopment of the former power station at Lower Water Street and Marginal Road remains on schedule for completion March 2011.

Next door to the NS Power construction is the new Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market, scheduled to open next month (July 2010).

Tall Ships.. Another tall ship is in port this week. The French schooner Rara-Avis is at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Like the Roald Amundsen earlier this month, the vessel is protected by a security perimeter and twenty-four hour guard.

I would imagine they are doing periodical public tours of the boat.

Some photos from the June 9th:

1. NSP's redevelopment of the former Lower Water Street thermal power station.


2. Glass now being installed on side facing Georges Island.


3. Glass on the north side of the build has been installed for several months.


4. Construction of the new Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market is progressing.


5. Rara-Avis and CSS Acadia.

Roald Amundsen

Brig Roald Amundsen is in port at Halifax this week near the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

The pier Roald Amundsen is moored to has been closed and is blocked by both temporary chain-link fence and two private security guards.

Roald Amundsen is here from Eckernförde, Germany on a scheduled stop before departing soon to central Canada, through the Great Lakes, to the United States and then back, first to Montreal and then Halifax by the end of September 2010.

1. Moored.


2. Guarded.



Link: Roald Amundsen