Canada’s “Tall Ship” Still Pulling Duty After a Century

The elegant and storied HMCS Oriole served as a training ship in the Second World War and still sails today as a shining, timeless symbol for the Royal Canadian Navy.

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HMCS Oriole sails under the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge in 2021. (Photo courtesy of Government of Canada)
HMCS Oriole sails under the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge in 2021. (Photo courtesy of Government of Canada)

It is not often that one can say a navy ship is pretty or beautiful. But the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) actually does have one such vessel and her name is Oriole. Actually, her formal name is HMCS Oriole, where a few years ago the acronym HMCS meant "Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship." Of course, it is now "His Majesty’s Canadian Ship." She is a tall ship, currently in service and used by the RCN for training and public tours and events.

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Marc caught his love of sailing and all things water from his father from a very young age. He has owned many sailboats in his 40+ years of sailing. An avid do-it-yourselfer and handyman, he builds, modifies, improves and executes all his own repairs. He also enjoys testing, documenting & sharing products and how-to methods with other sailors and boaters. Posting many how to videos on his YouTube channel and Facebook page. He is a member of the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron. Currently, he sails his Catalina 270, Aquaholic 3, out of the Ile-Perrot Yacht Club in Montreal, where Marc spent 16 years as Harbour Master. He is also a regular bareboat yacht charterer, having sailed most of the Caribbean islands. In the winter months, Marc regularly hand builds exact scale models of friends’ boats to give them away in the spring.