Submarine HMCS OKANAGAN

 

January to April 1971.... To be continued....

 

Submarine HMCS OJIBWA

My third submarine

 

26 April 1971 - HMCS OJIBWA departed Halifax and headed for the waters around Bermuda.

 

29 April 1971 - I was promoted to the rank of Master Seaman ( Master Corporal ).

 

1 May to  2 May 1971 - HMCS OJIBWA in St. Georges, Bermuda for the weekend. I spent most of my time at the Pub on the Square. I also shaved my beard.

 

3 May 1971 - HMCS OJIBWA departed St. Georges, Bermuda.

 

5 May 1971 - While at periscope depth, I was able to obtain the hockey score for the first game of the Stanley Cup Finals: Montreal 1 Chicago 2.

 

6 May 1971 - At 0400, HMCS OJIBWA was 50 miles south of Bermuda, at a depth of 290 feet when the order came to go up and charge our batteries. As soon as we reached periscope depth, I received the OK to raise the radio mast and to send radio traffic, including the Check Report. We went back down to 290 feet at 0900 to continue the exercise with other ships south of Bermuda.

 

8 May to 9 May 1971 - HMCS OJIBWA in St. Georges, Bermuda for the weekend. On Sunday evening, I picked up Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals on shortwave radio and put the signal on the intercom system so everyone onboard coud follow the game. Final score: Chicago 2 Montreal 4. Chicago is now leading the series 2 to 1.

 

15 May to 16 May 1971 - HMCS OJIBWA in St. Georges, Bermuda for the weekend. Again, I was able to pick up Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals on shortwave radio and put the signal on the intercom system. Final score: Chicago 3 Montreal 4. The series now tied 3 to 3.

 

18 May 1971 - Exercise over. HMCS OJIBWA transiting back to Halifax on the surface. The highlight of the evening was Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals picked up on shortwave. Final score: Montreal 3 Chicago 2. The Montreal Canadiens win the Stanley Cup !

 

20 May 1971 - HMCS OJIBWA back in Halifax.

 

21 May to 6 June 1971 - HMCS OJIBWA tied up in Halifax.

 

7 June 1971 - HMCS OJIBWA departed Halifax.

 

14 June to 25 June 1971 - HMCS OJIBWA participated in NATO exercise ROUGH RIDE which was taking place between Norfolk, Virginia and the Virgin Islands. The exercise also involved ships from five countries.