All aboard: HMCS Sackville to open to visitors on Halifax waterfront

We visit HMCS Sackville to find out about the world's last remaining Corvette and the role she played in the Battle of the Atlantic

HMCS Sackville served as a convoy escort for merchant ships during the Battle of the Atlantic 80 years ago. Now, the historic vessel is set to open for visitors on the Halifax waterfront.

This Second World War ship is one of 368 Flower Class corvettes manufactured in the UK., Canada and Australia.

“This is the last one. The last to fight in the war, World War II, the Battle of the Atlantic, but she is also the last of her kind in the world,” said Lt. Rick Powell, with HMCS Sackville.

“She represents not only a fighter, not only the sailors that went to sea, but she represents the story of Canada at a very important time in our history and she is an historic icon here right on the Halifax waterfront.”

HMCS Sackville was built as an anti-submarine warfare escort to protect the convoys sailing across the north Atlantic.

“Initially during the war, convoy ships, they didn’t convoy and they were picked off quite severely. They came up with the convoy concept and that way, by sending them across in a group, you could then afford them protection with our anti-submarine warfare ships,” said Bill Woodburn, chair of the Canadian Navy Memorial Trust.

“Their job was to surround the main body, they basically would protect it, particularly when the submarines, the wolf pack, would attack the convoys.”

Powell says HMCS Sackville will eventually need a new hull, which means cutting off the existing one and putting on new steel. He says the move should buy the ship another 80 years of life.

“It’s a living memorial to all those who served at sea and sacrificed and continue to serve today,” he said.

HMCS Sackville is open for tours beginning June 26 until just after Remembrance Day.

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