Burma Star Association - B.C. Chapter
Captain Kurt Salchert and his ship HMCS Vancouver
Since this has been designated as the "year of the veteran", our respective governments have been inaugurating many worthwhile projects in their honor and this was certainly a highlight.
Invitations were sent out to almost all veterans associations and to members of forces who had recently served in Afghanistan and other peace keeping venues. On a 'first-come-first served' basis 150 guests were chosen. This number represented the maximum that could be accommodated safely and comfortably on a reasonably small ship. HMCS Vancouver is one of our latest and very high tech., high speed frigates - even the US Navy is impressed with its capabilities.
Our day began early since we had to be assembled at HMCS Discovery at 8am. HMCS Discovery is a land based naval station. It occupies a small island in Vancouver Harbour and is only accessible by road from our world famous Stanley Park. After parking our cars we grouped in a large drill hall where we were treated to a buffet breakfast followed by an orientation of the forthcoming events plus a slide show of our navy; its ships and their recent duties around the world.
At the appointed time we were taken in a fleet of coaches to Vancouver's cruise ship pier at Canada Place where our frigate was berthed. As we boarded we took in the wonder of the day. The sun shone magnificently in a cloudless sky on one of the worlds most beautiful harbours. The temperature was about 70 degrees F. and the air was absolutely crystal clear. The high rise buildings of the city, the harbour itself, the skyscrapers across the harbor and the mountains beyond were etched vividly against a dark blue sky. It was the kind of day I always call a "Picture Postcard Day".
Our ship cast off shortly after 9AM and headed out majestically beneath the gracefully arched Lions Gate Bridge. We cruised gently around and between a multitude of small coastal islands while we were given escorted group tours of the most important sections of the ship. The bridge proved to be a bee-hive of activity, largely due to 'leaving port' procedures and the fact that there were many new navigators in training receiving "hands-on" experience. Navy personnel were huddled around their respective instruments in three bridge-width ranks and in the rearmost rank I was intrigued by a sailor sitting comfortably at a console. He was perfectly relaxed as he voiced digital information to the up front navigator while he maneuvered a small, divided hand wheel measuring about 8 inches in diameter. He was steering the ship! - and I thought it was a Nintendo joystick! It was a sight far removed from the ship's wheel of Nelson's day.
Returning from our various tours of the ship we returned to the after deck (which is actually the landing pad for the ship's helicopter - now safely based ashore.) The adjacent hangar now housed a terrific buffet lunch which had been prepared in our absence, and our collective ooh's and aah's must have been heard onshore! Drinks were offered at Navy prices as a Navy musical foursome delighted us with tunes of our era. Adjacent tables, manned by informed Navy personnel, held a range of unbelievablye ferocious weaponry plus a miscellany of diving gear. Not to miss out on a chance to refurbish the Navy's coffers we were offered an array of appropriate caps, T-shirts, coffee mugs and the like - but all at very reasonable prices.
Having now developed a hearty appetite we took our loaded plates back onto the flight deck to sit and enjoy our meal in a truly fabulous al fresco style. I couldn't imagine any other al fresco dining that could match this 'Supernatural B.C.' setting. When all had finished eating, a message came down from the bridge telling us to 'hang on to our hats' and hold on to any secure part of the ship because we were going to be shown 'just what this baby can do'.
It is an amazing vessel which can reach speeds of 34 knots (perhaps plus) in 90 seconds which I find very difficult to do with my own car! However, in the interests of saving fuel and for the safety of it's 'passengers' the speed was to be held at around 26 knots. Diesel engines provide propulsion for this speed - anything higher requires the turbines to kick in. Even so, maneuvering at this speed in the confines of a rather small bay was mightily impressive.
The ship accelerated to 26 knots then performed a tight (very tight) figure eight, creating a mammoth wake and huge waves. The dipped, lower inside deckrail came so close to the water that I'm sure we could have stretched out our arms and caught fish with bare hands. Almost instantly the ship tilted in the opposite direction as it completed its figure of eight. After straightening out, still doing 26 knots the warship hit the brakes as it were. The twin screws went into full reverse mode, changing pitch on the fly and created a boiling turbulent wake which appeared to be about 15 feet high above the level of the ocean. It was an amazing demonstration of the ship's technical excellence, and the seamanship involved, to bring this vessel to a compete stop from full speed ahead to a dead stop in only one and a half times the length of the ship. Once stopped, it can even travel in reverse at 10 knots.
Now that we were standing still in the water we were again told to hang on as the captain put the pedal to the metal for full thrust ahead (you already know, the vessel can accelerate from 0 to 34 knots in 90 seconds!) It is a ship I would hate to cross paths with - especially in unfriendly waters.
This virtually concluded our day sail. We now leisurely sailed under the Lions Gate Bridge to approach our berth in Vancouver harbour. The weather was still as perfect as ever as we left the ship and re-boarded our coaches back to HMCS Discovery to pick up our cars and drivc home. Even fighting the rush hour traffic home did not take anything away from this marvelous day.
We say thanks to Captain Kurt Sachert and all the crew of this outstanding ship, and kudos also to the Royal Canadian Navy, for giving so much pleasure to so many appreciative veterans.
Lasting memories of Joe Arblaster
Webmaster
Many of the above photographs are my own, but others were taken by Mr. Patrick Tam (Flunging Pictures) and are reproduced with his kind permission. If you would like to see more of his work please go this web site at:
http://www.flungingpictures.com