HMCS Haida: an irreplaceable historic artifact

HMCS Haida, a Tribal-class destroyer built in England, was commissioned into the RCN in 1943, serving in many theatres of operation through the Second World War. After a post-war refit, Haida continued in service through Korean War and Cold War until she was decommissioned in 1963.

For those who know little or nothing about the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), stumbling across a vintage warship on the waterfront in Hamilton, Ont., can be a revelation.

HMCS Haida, a Tribal-class destroyer built in England, was commissioned into the RCN in 1943, serving in many theatres of operation through the Second World War. After a post-war refit, Haida continued in service through Korean War and Cold War until she was decommissioned in 1963. That year a group of Toronto businessmen formed an organization called Haida Inc and saved her from the scrap yard. The ship was later acquired by the Province of Ontario and moved to Ontario Place in Toronto in 1971. She was designated as a national historic site in 1984 and ownership was transferred to Parks Canada in 2002. Haida was moved to Pier 9 in Hamilton on August 30, 2003, the 60th anniversary of her commissioning.

“In our experience, many people who visit the ship have minimal to zero knowledge of Haida or the navy,” says Darryl Jones, past president of Friends of Haida, an organization partnered with Parks Canada and devoted to the preservation of the ship. “When our volunteers inform the public about the history of the ship, her accomplishments and the living conditions aboard, they come away amazed and carry an appreciation of the ship and our navy that they never realized previously.”

Haida is now an “irreplaceable historic artifact” managed and presented as a living, operating ship, according to Mr. Jones. Visitors can enjoy the unique opportunity of exploring, experiencing and learning about the ship’s inner workings and what life must have been like aboard a Second World War-era naval vessel.

“Haida is a direct result of the navy’s ambitions when Canada’s tiny navy was struggling for existence,” says Mr. Jones. “No other warship has made a greater contribution to Canada’s naval traditions than Haida. With her unmatched war record (sinking more tonnage than any other ship in the Canadian navy), Haida is Canada’s ‘fightingest’ ship. Along with HMCS Sackville [a Second World War corvette located in Halifax], Haida represents the heritage of the navy.”

Mr. Jones adds that the Friends of Haida organization works to preserve naval traditions and build links between the current Canadian navy and its past through ship visits and outreach to the fleet.

“Its members and donors, some of them naval veterans and some with no naval experience at all, share a common belief that it is important to all Canadians, young and old, not only to preserve Canadian naval history and heritage, but to ensure that Canadians know about it.”

Friends of Haida is vital to the continued preservation of the ship and needs support from contributors and volunteers. The organization has a school visit program and volunteers can help on the ship, work in the gift shop, research information, or help develop new skills. To join Friends of Haida, make a contribution, or simply learn more about the ship, visit www.hmcshaida.com.

Darlene Blakeley, NDHQ PA