Battle of the Atlantic Sunday 2019

As a trustee with the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust (CNMT), the group that looks after HMCS SACKVILLE, I try to head out each year for the service and committal ceremony on the first Sunday in May. Although partly out of self interest because of the different perspective on the harbour, I am ostensibly there to take photos of the service and ceremony for the Trust, in particular to ensure that families unable to make it for the committal have some photos of the event. This year we were hosted by HMCS VILLE DE QUEBEC.

Padres giving the service.

The ship's Executive Officer (XO), LCDR Hodgson, stands on the flight deck during the service.

Crew "fall in" on the flight deck during the service.

A bell is rung as the name of each ship lost during the Battle of the Atlantic is read.

The ship's Cox'n, CPO1 Dan Savard, and CO Michael Eelhart salute during the service.

The ship's Cox'n, CPO1 Dan Savard, and CO Michael Eelhart throw a wreath over the side during the service.

During the service, we received a flypast by one of the new CH-148 Cyclone helicopters based out of CFB Shearwater. 

In the foreground is the wreath thrown over a few minutes before by the CO and Cox'n.

The Cyclone flies in front of the lighthouse on McNab's Island.

The Cyclone hovers in front of the sailor's memorial in Point Pleasant Park and the Battle of the Atlantic service being held there in order to drop a wreath.

After the service, the ashes of veteran's are brought out onto the flight deck for the committal ceremony.

The containers of ashes are placed on a board under the flag of their service, and slid over the side.

The first container of ashes slide over the side.

Ashes and a wreath just after hitting the water.

The monkey's fist and messenger line are thrown to the jetty in order to pull across the larger mooring line.

Two messenger lines have made it to the jetty.

VILLE DE QUEBEC's ensign.

The service and ceremony were once held onboard SACKVILLE herself, but in recent years the Navy has provided a frigate for this event, which provides much more space for families, catering facilities, the availability of medical staff if necessary, and generally greater flexibility in the event of poor weather. This has been much appreciated over the last five events.

The 2019 event benefited from beautiful sunny weather, and I left with a considerable sunburn on my neck and face. I'll never learn, it appears.

The entire gallery can be found here. 

Battle of the Atlantic Sunday 2018

This is the 5th year that I have photographed the Battle of the Atlantic service and committal ceremony, so I will not go on at length about this year's edition, except to post the photos - especially where it is more than a week later and I have not even completed processing the photos yet!

This year, HMCS HALIFAX was assigned to take the families out for the service and committal ceremony off Point Pleasant Park.

A Glen tug approaches as we prepare to depart the jetty.

Sailors lined up on the quarterdeck with the ship's ensign flying.

Once HMCS HALIFAX was away from the jetty, the two Glen tugs dropped their lines and headed out to the west of George's Island while HALIFAX headed out on the eastern side.

As we approached the designated spot off Point Pleasant Park, the crew brought up the containers of ashes of those to be committed later in the morning, so that they could be arranged in order.

Trustees of HMCS SACKVILLE organizing the containers of ashes.

Trustees of HMCS SACKVILLE organizing the containers of ashes.

Commander Scott Nelson, CO of HMCS HALIFAX, stands in the centre of the flight deck during the service.

Battle of the Atlantic Service.

Battle of the Atlantic Service.

Commander Nelson and the ship's cox'n, CPO1 Gerry Doutre, prepare to deposit a wreath in the harbour.

It is difficult to find unique angles and images from year to year, but each ship does things slightly differently. This was something new that I didn't capture in years previous.

Saluting as ashes are committed over the side of the ship.

Committal of ashes.

A CH-148 Cyclone helicopter drops a wreath off the sailors memorial in Point Pleasant Park where another service was taking place. 

Piping of ashes during the committal ceremony.

Crew preparing lines prior to our return to the Dockyard.

The Canadian Coast Guard's Cape Roger heading out with an RCN sailor silhouetted in the foreground.

HMCS HALIFAX upon our return to the jetty.

The entire gallery of photos can be found here.

For previous years, please see the following:

Battle of the Atlantic Sunday 2017

Battle of the Atlantic Sunday 2016

Battle of the Atlantic Sunday 2015

Battle of the Atlantic Sunday 2013

Battle of the Atlantic Sunday - 2017

After several years of sunny weather on the first Sunday in May, I suppose it was time for some typically Nova Scotian weather to accompany the Battle of the Atlantic Sunday service. Halifax Harbour was socked in with thick fog, lifting only occasionally to reveal other ships in the Dockyard and the Macdonald Bridge.

HMCS MONTREAL in the fog.

As with last year, the service was held onboard HMCS MONTREAL, but unlike last year, the attendees were crammed like sardines into MONTREAL's helicopter hangar. Because of the wind, rain, and limited visibility, MONTREAL remained alongside for the entire service. Although the ashes of those to be committed were present for the service, the committal itself will occur at a later date, and the families of the deceased may or may not have the opportunity to be present depending on what arrangements are made at the time. The ashes of veterans are sometimes committed to the sea when the opportunity arises (and a ship is available) and it is not always possible to have the families present.

With the hangar so crowded, it was not possible to move around easily taking photos, without getting in the way of family members attending the service (or smacking them in the head with my camera bag, which is apparently bad form). Those of us photographers present spent most of our time just outside the hangar shooting the service from the front, trying to stay out of each other's way, while aiming for good angles of the proceedings.

Due to time constraints, I will largely present the photos of the service without further commentary:

The command staff salute during the singing of 'O Canada'.

The hangar was very crowded, making it difficult to move around.

Cdr. Chris Sherban addresses the attendees. 

LCdr. (Ret'd) Jim Reddy.

MONTREAL's kisbee ring, with the ensign at half-mast.

CNMT member Graham McBride stands by the ashes of veterans to be committed. 

Padre singing a hymn.

Raindrops on MONTREAL's bell.

Command staff of HMCS MONTREAL, from left to right: CPO1 Stan Ryan, LCdr Kevin Nolan, and Cdr Chris Sherban.

After the service, the ensign was hauled all the way back up.