HMCS Fredericton

[EpicBeardedMan]

Anyone get to go down and take a tour of the ship? Went today, pretty impressive but hard to imagine what all the buttons and knobs do 

 

[Alea]

Anyone get to go down and take a tour of the ship? Went today, pretty impressive but hard to imagine what all the buttons and knobs do 

I did, the weekend it was in Montreal. I found it nice. I took quite a few pictures that I've tried to post onto the forum ever since and although they're not as many buttons on my computer and my camera as they're on HMCS Fredericton... it's just not working... False Brunette

Alea

 

[gszd55]

I took my son on Sept. 6th in Toronto.  There was a good turnout of visitors.  The crew was friendly and informative.  I was impressed with the array of weapon systems on board.  We were not allowed below deck, however, which was disappointing. But the bridge was very cool.  I suppose it must be hard to herd civvies beneath deck.  I would have liked to have seen the Operations Room.

 

[Calgore]

Does anyone know if there was a Seaking or aircrew attached with the ship?

 

[yoman]

Does anyone know if there was a Seaking or aircrew attached with the ship?

Well when it was in Kingston it had a big white tent on the flight deck for the reception so I doubt it.

 

[gszd55]

There was not a Sea King on board in Toronto, at least the day I toured the ship.

 

[EpicBeardedMan]

Yeah kinda wanted to see one in that little hangar haha, I agree it sucked not being able to go underneath..I think liability with the ladders and what not caused that. We all know how many stupid people there are in the world. Someone probably would of sued for not being able to use a ladder and falling on their ass.

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

Those that are wondering why you cannot go below decks. Don't forget this is where the ship's company lives when away from home and while we love showing off our ships and talking with you, we also need our space to relax and unwind as well. If you want a more in depth tour, crewmen have been known to do so but it should not be expected if its offered then don't pass up the chance, you will see a side that not a lot of people get to see of the Navy.

 

[EpicBeardedMan]

Those that are wondering why you cannot go below decks. Don't forget this is where the ship's company lives when away from home and while we love showing off our ships and talking with you, we also need our space to relax and unwind as well. If you want a more in depth tour, crewmen have been known to do so but it should not be expected if its offered then don't pass up the chance, you will see a side that not a lot of people get to see of the Navy.

Was interested in seeing the beds with "seatbelts" on them from what I've heard haha. It's hard to grasp how it looks underneath the deck, like the layout and what not. Was hoping to see the ops room too . Was really impressive though, pictures don't do it justice, was a lot bigger than I thought. How much bigger are destroyers in comparison?

 

[yoman]

Was interested in seeing the beds with "seatbelts" on them from what I've heard haha. It's hard to grasp how it looks underneath the deck, like the layout and what not. Was hoping to see the ops room too . Was really impressive though, pictures don't do it justice, was a lot bigger than I thought. How much bigger are destroyers in comparison?

I find the interior of the frigates more spacious as I'm not prone to hitting my head as often as on the 280's...

 

[EpicBeardedMan]

I find the interior of the frigates more spacious as I'm not prone to hitting my head as often as on the 280's...

How many of any given trade are there on a frigate or destroyer, like how many NESOPS would there be, or Naval Communicators?

 

[niceasdrhuxtable]

I find the interior of the frigates more spacious as I'm not prone to hitting my head as often as on the 280's...

The 12-man junior ranks mess decks are down right palatial, too.

 

[yoman]

The 12-man junior ranks mess decks are down right palatial, too.

No kidding. When I saw the JR Mess on the frigates for the first time I was pleasantly surprised to see how much larger they are.

How many of any given trade are there on a frigate or destroyer, like how many NESOPS would there be, or Naval Communicators?

I don't know.

 

[Neill McKay]

How much bigger are destroyers in comparison?

The usual measure of a ship's size it its displacement (in effect, weight), and by that measure a 280 is larger than a CFP by a little less than ten per cent.  In terms of length and width (beam, in nautical parlance), the frigates are slightly larger.

 

[EpicBeardedMan]

The usual measure of a ship's size it its displacement (in effect, weight), and by that measure a 280 is larger than a CFP by a little less than ten per cent.  In terms of length and width (beam, in nautical parlance), the frigates are slightly larger.

Wow, 10%? I would of thought they'd be huge! Interesting to know that Frigate's are larger.

 

[Neill McKay]

Wow, 10%? I would of thought they'd be huge! Interesting to know that Frigate's are larger.

The traditional hierarchy of "gun" warships (in place for most of the 20th century) goes, from largest to smallest:

battleship
cruiser
destroyer
frigate
corvette

with variations on type (e.g. different countries had different types of cruisers) and a few additions (the RN had sloops, the USN had "destroyer escorts").

Today, nobody has battleships and very few navies have cruisers.  Destroyers tend to be a bit larger than frigates but it's really up to each navy to call its ships what it wants to.  (The Royal Navy's aircraft carriers were originally called "through-deck cruisers" for what I assume were political reasons.)

 

[trigger324]

How many of any given trade are there on a frigate or destroyer, like how many NESOPS would there be, or Naval Communicators?

nesops I'd guess around 12

navcomms, sometimes as many as 15 I think i've seen, may have been more.

This is of course when the ship is full, and that is not always the case.

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

Wow, 10%? I would of thought they'd be huge! Interesting to know that Frigate's are larger.

When you are comparing the Halifax class frigates to the Iroquois class destroyers. If you compare the Halifax class to an American Arleigh Burke class destroyer then we are pretty small.

 

[old medic]

Ahoy! Hamilton on board the Fredericton
Calling at Hamilton pier 'to reconnect with Canadians'

http://www.thespec.com/feature/article/254147--ahoy-hamilton-on-board-the-fredericton

THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR

"Hi there," came the shaky voice over HMCS Fredericton's radio system. "Um, I just wanted to make sure you guys knew we were out here," continued the trembling captain of a sailboat. "Yes we are aware of your co-ordinates," said the bridge. "Don't worry."

That radio communication came soon after the Fredericton displayed its military might by blasting numerous shots from its 57-millimetre Bofors guns.

Apparently not all boats in range heard the 4,770-tonne ship's warning message that it would be unloading part of its arsenal into the middle of Lake Ontario prior to sailing into Hamilton Harbour.

That unscheduled incident attracted more than a few laughs from the crew and civilians who gathered, not only to witness the ship's booming exercises, but also to be able to say they sailed into Hamilton Harbour on a Canadian-built frigate.

The "stalker of the seas" cruised from Toronto's Queen's Quay past Niagara-on-the-Lake, Port Dalhousie and St Catharines, during the five-hour journey yesterday.

Travelling under the Skyway bridge and the Burlington Canal lift bridge, the more than 200 crew and guests waved at assembled crowds while catching a glimpse of the Hamilton skyline before unloading onto firm ground.

Piers 8 and 9 will now act as a three-day showcase for part of Canada's naval history, boasting both HMCS Haida, the World War II destroyer, and HMCS Fredericton, a currently serving frigate.

The Fredericton, which has most recently been battling Somali pirates, and previously spent time in the Arabian Sea searching for al- Qaeda, will remain in town until Friday.

According to officers, the purpose of the ship's trip through the St. Lawrence and some of the Great Lakes, is not only part of a recruiting drive, but also to "reconnect with Canadians" and celebrate the Canadian Navy's 100th anniversary.

Hamilton's own Jennifer Bennett, commodore of the Fredericton, (her rank equals a one-star general in army terms) said: "The rise of the Canadian Navy mirrored that of the nation in many ways.

"Hamilton will have the best of both worlds at its pier -- Canada's military past and present."

Bennett, who is also Canada's naval reserve commander, added: "As for me, it is just very cool to be sailing into Hamilton on this ship."

Among those taking shore leave over the next few days is able seaman Gary Koshowski.

The Hamilton-born cook, who has visited Dubai, Egypt, Haifa, Malta and Mombasa, as a result of working on the Fredericton, said it is a tough job but he doesn't regret joining the ranks.

"It's definitely intense and hot making food for 260 sailors five times a day," said the 30-year-old Ticat fan. "Some people say you have to be plain crazy to work in the galley, but I have to admit it, I love it because I guess we all are a bit crazy I guess.

"The great thing about this job is that no two days are alike."

As the ship sailed into Hamilton, Koshowski said his greatest thrill comes when witnessing a city for the first time from the Fredericton's deck.

He added: "I love the buzz of sailing into a city halfway around the world."

VISITORS

Visitors to HMCS Fredericton, which has five decks and a 50,000 shaft horsepower engine, can see the operation room complete with radar (right out of the Hunt For Red October or Das Boot), the bridge, a helicopter landing pad and much more.

The ship's schedule is as follows: Today: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Tomorrow: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.,

6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday: 10 a.m. -- ship departs

 

[WingsofFury]

I was lucky enough to be on the ship on Sunday while it participated in the Canadian International Air Show.  While we were permitted below decks with appropriate authorized personnel, I wasn't allowed to take pictures of most areas (OPSEC).  The OPS room totally kicks ass.  Here's a few pictures of the little and not so little parts of the ship that amazed me.