Summer Honorary President Rear-Admiral John F. Newton, O.M.M., M.S.M., C.D. Patron-in-Chief - - Mrs. Anne Baker

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1 `` Summer 2017 Honorary President Rear-Admiral John F. Newton, O.M.M., M.S.M., C.D. Patron-in-Chief - - Mrs. Anne Baker Admiral Desmond Naval Association 450 LaHave St. Unit 17, Suite 121 Bridgewater, N.S. B4V 4A3 FROM THE BRIDGE Well shipmates we have come to that time of the year to take a summer break. I would like to thank the executive for their hard work over the past six months; they have achieved all objectives presented to them in a timely and effective manner. We now look forward to our break that is well deserved. Our summer banyan will be held August 19 at S/M Steve Daubs property (map attached). Further details for the event will be

2 promulgated as the date nears. Steve is the OPI for this and any inquiries can be directed to him or As usual those attending are asked to bring sweets or salads. Also if you could bring along a lawn or folding chair. Have a safe, happy and healthy summer. See you in September. S/M Ivan Foote President ADPNA S/M Gordon Steward was selected to join HMCS Athabaskan for her last sail. Here are his comments and photos. Thanks to Gordon for this submission. I was picked to attend the last sailing March 8 th aboard HMCS ATHABASKAN, It was a great honor to be given, I was surprised that I was recognized by Rear Admiral David Gardam who ask that a picture be taken of us together, He recognized me from the ADPNA and our Candle Light Ceremony Well it s been some week looking back it should have been call Athabaskan Week, A week filled with memories, Friendship, Pride and honor. To me to be chosen as one to make the last sail was an honor that I would never dream would happen to me. Working up to that day March 8 I was nervous that I could handle this, Yes I had knots in my stomach as the day got close, What to wear,stay warm & dry footwear do not want to slip, keep your head warm, Oh yes will I get sea sick. Now how to get to Halifax on the morning of sail, wouldn t you know to help the stomach calling for snow, freezing rain That morning, being in my 80s will I know anyone? Now it's over we have said our goodbye to our last Destroyer the HMCS ATHABASKAN, A day that was full of love, laughing, friendship, memories, And the Making of new friends (Shipmates) Peter Rigby came to my aid to offer the ride to Halifax. A new friend I have found, He not only got me there but made sure that all my dreams came true for that day The shipmates that I met that day I will never forget, some moved about full of life laughing with friends, others sat just lost in their memories of the days long ago Myself I was Interviewed by a few reporters, I tried to tell my stories of memories that I served in the 50s aboard the Tribals We had to laugh at some others brought tears to my eyes,at all time I had to remember that I had the honor to speak for the hundreds of Shipmates that were not with us now, I wondered the ship throughout up and down ladders and through hatches plus the flats On the way made some new friends, Too my surprise I was approached by a few of our RCN Officers, serving and retired, one.

3 Being Rear Admiral Dave Gardam who asked to have our picture taken together What a honor and to be told that he recognized me from being a member of ADPNA, Like I said it was great day that I will remember for the years to come with pride that I was there. I could go on and on but I think I have got my point across to ALL that made this day happen thank you, to you who are still serving stay safe, my old shipmates enjoy the years we have been given And once again thank you Peter Rigby and the Officers & Crew of HMCS ATHABASKAN Gordon Stewart PS----A wonderful dinner was served that I skipped that there was so much to see in a short time, did have Clam Chowder, Yes let's not forget thousands of donuts Tims, HMCS ATHABASKAN, She is a great lady Stand Proud for her & keep her memories alive.

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7 A submission by S/M Martin Field on the Tradition of colors and sunset. This is the Australian version, however very similar to the RCN.

8 The Tradition of Colours and Sunset All Royal Australian Navy (RAN) commissioned ships and shore establishments wear a suit of colours which normally comprises the Australian National Flag (ANF), the Australian White Ensign (AWE) and a commissioning pennant. In a warship the ANF is flown from a jackstaff situated in the bows of the ship. The AWE, colloquially referred to as simply the ensign is flown from an ensign staff located on the quarterdeck or at the aft end of a ship s flight deck. A commissioning pennant is flown continuously from the masthead throughout a ships commission. A ship wearing this suit of colours is referred to as being a private ship. When a senior naval officer, who is entitled to fly a distinguishing flag or broad pennant, is present in an official capacity, or exercising command in a RAN ship or establishment, the commissioning pennant is displaced. On those occasions, that personage s broad pennant or distinguishing flag is flown in lieu. A warship wearing this suit of colours is referred to as a flagship. Left: The Chief of Navy's flag flying in lieu of a commissioning pennant to denote his presence while seariding in an Armidale class patrol boat.

9 Right: A commodore's broad pennant denoting the presence of Commodore Warfare (COMWAR) at sea. Again the commissioning pennant has been displaced. Traditionally the practice of hoisting and lowering the ANF and AWE is conducted in ceremonies known as morning Colours or evening Sunset. The ceremonies are conducted in commissioned shore establishments, in ships alongside in harbour and by those moored to a buoy or at anchor. Ships at sea do not observe the custom. Instead, they continuously fly the AWE from a gaff on the mainmast. Colours

10 The preparative pennant, often referred to as the 'prep'. In Australia the ceremony of Colours takes place at 0800 daily and involves marks of respect being accorded to the raising and lowering of the ANF and AWE by designated duty personnel. Five minutes before 0800 a pennant, known as the preparative is hoisted on the foremast to indicate five minutes to 8 o clock. On observing this, a report to that effect is made to the Officer-of-the-Day (OOD) by duty watch personnel. At one minute before 0800 the preparative pennant is shaken to alert those involved in the ceremony to come to attention. At 0800 the preparative pennant is dipped and the report 8 o clock Sir/Maam! is made to the OOD who responds with the order Make it so! The ships bell is then rung eight times in a cadence of 4 x 2 strikes and the still piped on a boatswain s call. The ANF and AWE are then raised before the carry on is piped and the ceremony completed. Sunset The time of sunset is determined by the setting of the sun as promulgated in the Nautical Almanac. The ceremony is similar to that of colours although the ship s bell does not feature in proceedings. Five minutes before sunset the preparative pennant, is hoisted on the foremast to indicate five minutes to sunset. On observing this, a report to that effect is made to the Officer-of-the-Day (OOD) by duty watch personnel. At one minute before sunset the preparative pennant is shaken to alert those involved in the ceremony to come to attention. At sunset the preparative pennant is dipped and the report Sunset Sir/Maam! is made to the OOD who responds with the order Pipe the still! The still is duly piped on a boatswain s call and the ANF and AWE lowered. On completion of the ceremony the carry on is piped and duty personnel dismissed. On special occasions the ceremonies of colours and sunset may be conducted in the presence of a naval guard and band. When this occurs the guard is brought to attention and the general salute made while morning colours are raised to the musical

11 accompaniment of the first verse of the Australian Nation Anthem, Advance Australia Fair. The AWE and ANF are raised in time with this musical score. When full ceremonial is accorded for the lowering of colours it is known as Ceremonial Sunset. In shore establishments, and those ships fitted with flight decks, it is often preceded by a 'Beat to Quarters', a practice that dates back centuries to the age of sail when a ship s drums were beaten to summon men to quarters or action stations when battle was imminent. Today the inclusion of Beat to Quarters honours the courage and sacrifice of the men and women of the Royal Australian Navy through more than a century of service during war and peace. Following Beat to Quarters the drummers retire to the band and the guard advances to commence the age old naval tradition of saluting the lowering of the Ensign at sunset each day. At five minutes to Sunset, the Evening Hymn, `The Day thou Gavest Lord is Ended is played. A volley of shots is fired by the guard during the rendering of this hymn which echoes a very old practice of saluting the knell of parting day.

12 BOA Dinner Our Battle of the Atlantic Dinner was again another success. Total attendance was 94 including guests. The meal was A-1 and BZ to the Legion staff and to the Cadets who served. Here are a few pictures.

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24 To all Shipmates, Executive, those both in province and out of province and especially to our infirm members, have a safe and prosperous summer. See you all in September. S/M Andy Caines Secretary ADPNA