Report on Previous Activities

HMCS Toronto Day's Sail

When HMCS TORONTO was visiting its namesake city, in early July, she was regularly available to the public for tours. The Wrens were fortunate however in having several other opportunities to take advantage of her crew's hospitality. On of these occasions was on July 3rd when we were privileged to join a group invited to 'go to sea' for the day. 

Although the day began with heavy rain in some parts of Toronto, it was dry down by the lake, but just a little misty. However, that did not dampen our enthusiasm for the trip. About a dozen Wrens showed up with no regard for the poor conditions, and no one regretted having come. 

As always, when leaving port, we the passengers watched with interest the procedures that accomplished our safe departure. By the time we reached open water it was really quite foggy though, and demonstrations of the ship's manoeuverability and the helicopter rescue-at-sea operations were postponed until visibility improved. If you think this was a disappointment you would be mistaken. The need to adapt to weather conditions made the experience seem all the more authentic. 

We were kept well occupied in the interim. It seemed that all personnel not presently employed in the operation of the ship were there to chat with us and answer questions. Guided tours were organized by which we could see the crew at work and learn about the technical equipment on board. Various drills practiced in preparation for emergencies were described as well. A new crewmember who had joined our group told us how these practices were a part of the basic training required before joining a ship. 

We arrived back on deck just in time for a chili and BBQ lunch. When all was safely cleared away, the ship was put through her paces at last. The commentary was very interesting and well delivered throughout the whole operation.

There were some of us who were most grateful that so many of the crew were there to help us keep our footing. This became particularly necessary when we returned to recover 'Oscar' the dummy who 'fell' overboard and was being rescued by helicopter. During some of the turns the deck reached a fifteen to twenty-degree incline. Meanwhile the ship was moving quite fast through the water, making it quite difficult to keep one's balance. 

Well, finally, with all the excitement over, we returned to dock once more at Maple-leaf Quay, a little tired from the unaccustomed fresh air but exhilarated by the experience.

Oh yes, I nearly forgot to mention, throughout all of this we were accompanied by one of Mayor Lastman's mooses. It stood at the stern of the ship, patriotically painted with the Maple-leaf flag surveying the proceedings.

By Julie Hallett

Excerpts from The Jenny Wren Times, with permission from the Wren Association of Toronto