HMCS Cataraqui

HMCS Cataraqui is a Canadian Forces Naval Reserve Division (NRD) located in Kingston, Ontario. Dubbed a stone frigate, HMCS Cataraqui is a land-based naval establishment for part-time sailors as well as a local recruitment centre for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). It is one of 24 naval reserve divisions located in major cities across Canada.[1]

HMCS Cataraqui
Active1939 to present
Country Canada
Branch Royal Canadian Navy
Part ofCanadian Forces Naval Reserve
Garrison/HQ24 Navy Way Kingston, Ontario
Motto(s)Porta Lacuum, Portus Classis
(Gate of the lakes, port of the fleet)
ColoursAzure Blue and Gold
EquipmentVarious types of inboard and outboard rigid-hull inflatable boats
Battle honoursNone

History

Established on the site of the old Feed Mill at the foot of Princess Street in 1939, HMCS Cataraqui was first commissioned as a tender to HMCS Stadacona on 1 November 1941 and then recommissioned as an independent shore establishment on 1 September 1942.[2][3] From 1943 to 1959, Cataraqui occupied a former school on 47 Wellington Street that also served as the Kingston Badminton Club.[4]

After the Second World War, apart from recruiting and training naval reservists in Kingston with its "fleet" of two harbour craft and a Ville class tug, the unit also undertook training of sailors in Brockville, Gananoque, Napanee, Bellville and Picton.[5] The unit also housed a University Naval Training Division (UNTD), a program that aimed to secure recruits who will otherwise enter the army's COTC Canadian Officers Training Corps or the air force's University Air Training Plan (UATP).[6]  

In 1954, naval air squadron VC 921 was formed under the command of Lieutenant-Commander (Pilot) Allen Burgham in Kingston. As a tender to Cataraqui, the naval air squadron maintained a facility at Norman Rogers airfield operating Harvards and one C-45D Expeditor until it was disbanded in 1959.[7] As a result of clocking 1,092 accident-free flying hours in its inaugural year, the squadron was the first to win the Naval Reserve Safe Flying Award presented by Commodore K.F. Adams CD, RCN, Commanding Officer Naval Reserve Divisions.[8]

In 1959, the unit moved into a new facility located across from the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) campus until 1972 when the building was transferred to the RMC. Needing a new home, Cataraqui moved to the Kingston Armoury located at 100 Montréal Street.[4] In 1992, the unit once again moved into its new building at 24 Navy Way, where today naval reservists train towards contributing to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations, including: domestic safety operations as well as security and defence missions, while at the same time supporting the Navy's efforts in connecting with Canadians.[4]

Tenders
  • HMC "PTC 721" - Fairmile B motor launch (1948-1950)[9]
  • HMCS Loganville - Ville Class Tug (1948-1956)[10]
  • PB 192 Detector - ex-RCMP patrol boat
  • YMU-116 / Crossbow 197 (1969-1995)[11]

References
  1. Personnel, Government of Canada, National Defence, Chief Military. "HMCS Cataraqui". www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved 2018-10-18.
  2. Defence, National (2018-11-27). "HMCS Cataraqui". aem. Retrieved 2019-11-25.
  3. Gimblett, Richard H.; Hadley, Michael L. (2010-11-16). Citizen Sailors: Chronicles of Canada's Naval Reserve, 1910-2010. Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-4597-0533-3.
  4. Kingston, The City of. "Explore Naval Historic Sites: Kingston". The City of Kingston. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  5. The Crowsnest. The Royal Canadian Navy's Magazine. https://cold-war.muninn-project.org/crowsnest/Crowsnest-1950_1.pdf: Royal Canadian Navy. 1949. p. 18.CS1 maint: location (link)
  6. "A Short History of the University Naval Training Division (UNTD)". www.nauticapedia.ca. Retrieved 2019-11-25.
  7. Gimblett, Richard H.; Hadley, Michael L. (2010-11-16). Citizen Sailors: Chronicles of Canada's Naval Reserve, 1910-2010. Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-4597-0533-3.
  8. Kealy and Russell, J.D.F. and E.C. (1965). A History of Canadian Naval Aviation 1918-1962. https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/themes/defence/caf/militaryhistory/dhh/official/book-1965-naval-aviation-en.pdf: Department of National Defence. p. 61.CS1 maint: location (link)
  9. "Where Did the RCN Motor Launches Get To?". www.nauticapedia.ca. Retrieved 2019-11-25.
  10. "HMCS Loganville". www.nauticapedia.ca. Retrieved 2019-11-25.
  11. "RUSSEL BROTHERS Ltd. Steelcraft winch boat and warping tug builders from Owen Sound, Ontario". stevebriggs.netfirms.com. Retrieved 2019-11-25.
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