HMCS Charlottetown departure for Operations HORIZON and NEON

Halifax-class frigate HMCS Charlottetown (FFH 339) departed Halifax on Sunday morning and an RCAF Cyclone helicopter performed several flypasts of the Halifax and Dartmouth waterfronts. 

Per the DND press release:

"Today, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Charlottetown set sail from its home port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, for a six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region in support of Operations HORIZON and NEON.

Operation HORIZON is Canada’s comprehensive military approach to promote peace and stability in support of an international system based on international law in the Indo-Pacific region. Operation NEON is Canada’s contribution to a coordinated multinational effort to support the implementation of United Nations Security Council sanctions imposed against North Korea. Both operations demonstrate an enduring defence commitment to the Indo-Pacific region and enhance Canada’s role as a trusted international partner.

During this deployment, HMCS Charlottetown will showcase the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN)’s operational excellence and ability to project power across vast ocean spaces while working alongside Canada’s allies and partners through multinational exercises and cooperative engagements. By maintaining a near persistent naval presence with consistent engagement, the RCN strengthens regional security and stability in the region as part of Canada’s commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific."

It was a very grey morning, so black and white seemed to suit the subject matter. 

The Harbour & Coastal Tugs of Foundation Maritime

In addition to the salvage fleet, Foundation Maritime operated a number of harbour and coastal tugs. According to a 1950s company publication, "Harbour docking is a major part of Foundation Maritime Limited operations. Tugs operate in Halifax the year 'round. During the shipping season Foundation tugs are in service in Port Alfred on the Saguenay, Seven Islands and Baie Comeau on the St. Lawrence River." It further stated that the base in Halifax "...consists of company owned wharves, storage buildings, repair facilities, portable salvage equipment and permanent salvage personnel." 

This is by no means an exhaustive listing of the smaller tugs and other vessels that have served Foundation Maritime over the years, but rather a collection of available photos and information. The tugs for which I have photos will be listed below more or less in alphabetical order. 

Foundation Alice

Foundation Alice

Foundation Alice was built as TANAC-V-262 by Smith & Rhuland in Lunenburg, NS, in 1945. She was taken up by Foundation Maritime after the war but was sold in 1948 and renamed Marny M., and finally broken up in 1962.  

Construction: Copper sheathed wooden hull.

Displacement: 68 gross tons

Dimensions: 71 x 17.5 x 8.5 ft.

Propulsion:  6-cylinder 9x12 Vivian diesel, 240 bhp; 8 knots.

Foundation Alice with Foundation Wallace to the right.

 

Bansaga (II), Bansturdy, and Banswift

Bansaga (II)

These were diesel tugs for harbour and coastal use and members of the RCN's Glen class.

Displacement: 97 gross tons.
Dimensions: 73 x 20 x 10.5 ft.
Diesel propulsion, 600 bhp., 10 knots.

Bansaga.

Bansturdy.

Banswift.

Banswift.

Banscot and Banshee

Banshee.

Banscot and Banshee were harbour and coastal tugs built in the UK in 1934 and operated out of Halifax Harbour. They were purchased by Foundation Maritime in the late 1930s. 

Displacement: 215 gross tons
Dimensions: 97.5 x 30 x 14.5 ft.
Oil-fired steam powerplant, 900 hp., 11 knots.

Banscot.

Banscot in sea smoke.

Banscot bringing RMS Aquitania alongside

Bansun and Banstar

Bansun towing a concrete caisson for wharf construction. In the background is probably Banstar (left).

Bansun (ex-Milwaukie) and Banstar (ex-Sandusky) were small harbour tugs with a displacement of 85 gross tons and dimensions of 78 x 17 x 10 feet. Originally fitted with non-condensing steam propulsion, they were converted to diesel propulsion with 400 bhp. that provided a speed of 10 knots.

Banstar.

Foundation Valiant

Foundation Valiant in Halifax Harbour with the Dartmouth shore in the background.

Designed for salvage and ocean towing, Foundation Valiant was built in 1963. Renamed Point Valiant in 1973, and Andre H. in 1995 when she was sold to Trois-Rivieres Remorqueurs Ltd., she displaced 317 gross tons with dimensions of 117 x 28 x 13 ft, and was propelled by twin screw diesels producing 2100 bhp.

Foundation Valour, Vibert, & Victor

All three sisters at the beginning of a long towing job.

Foundation Valour

Foundation Valour was built in 1958 and renamed Point Valour in 1973.

All three tugs had roughly the following characteristics:

Displacement: 247 gross tons

Dimensions: 98 x 29 x 13.5 ft.

Single screw, diesel, 1280 bhp., 13 knots.

Foundation Vibert

Foundation Victor

Foundation Victor was built in 1956, renamed Point Victor in 1973.

Foundation Vanguard, Viceroy, Viking, Viscount, Vim & Vigour

Foundation Viceroy and Vanguard before launch.

This group of harbour tugs were built 1962.

Displacement: 207 tons

Dimensions: 90.5 x 27 x 12 ft.

Single screw, diesel, 1200 bhp.

Foundation Viceroy.

Point Vim and Point Vigour in their Eastern Canada Towing colours.

Foundation Wallace

Foundation Wallace with Foundation Alice in the background.

Built 1916 as the fire fighting tug George A. Wallace. Converted to a tug in 1936, she was purchased by Foundation Maritime in 1946, and renamed Foundation Wallace. Possibly scrapped in 1953.

Displacement: 112 gross tons.

Dimensions: 77 x 20.5 x 12 ft.

Propulsion: Steam

Details and information related to the various vessels is collected from numerous sources, and is correct to the best of my knowledge. Comments and corrections are welcome!