Naval Reserve Division Location

[Calvillo]

Looking at the 24 Naval Reserve Divisions (NRD) across Canada. It is interesting that all but 4 of them are located on waterfronts, next to a a body of water - sea, lake, or river. Makes sense, they are Navy units after all. Four of them are not. HMCS Donnacona, HMCS Tecumseh, HMCS Nonsuch, and HMCS Unicorn.

I am interested to see if there is any reason in history why the Donnacona - and formerly HMCS Montreal - is not located on a waterfront as well. The other 3 NRDs are in the Prairies and therefore perhaps their cities do not have ample waterfront locations. Montreal OTOH has no lack of river shores in which the Donnacona could have been located. Instead, she is located in the middle of residential-commercial area.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

You need people for a Reserve unit to function more than the water. The Prairie bases are built on the fact that in WWII, a significant number of personal came from the Prairies and likley it was felt a presence there would assist in the next conflict.

 

[Lumber]

Looking at the 24 Naval Reserve Divisions (NRD) across Canada. It is interesting that all but 4 of them are located on waterfronts, next to a a body of water - sea, lake, or river. Makes sense, they are Navy units after all. Four of them are not. HMCS Donnacona, HMCS Tecumseh, HMCS Nonsuch, and HMCS Unicorn.

I am interested to see if there is any reason in history why the Donnacona - and formerly HMCS Montreal - is not located on a waterfront as well. The other 3 NRDs are in the Prairies and therefore perhaps their cities do not have ample waterfront locations. Montreal OTOH has no lack of river shores in which the Donnacona could have been located. Instead, she is located in the middle of residential-commercial area.

Two things.

1. HMCS Prevost also isn't on the water (the Thames doesn't count).

2. Straight out of the mouth of SJS, the purpose of NRDs is not actually to provide any kind of "sea going" capability, nor is having ready access to water critical for the training of reservists. The purpose of NRDs is strategic outreach. Unlike army and air force bases, which are littered throughout Canada, the navy has but two actual bases. NRDs, and the activities they participate in, allow the CAF to remind every day Canadians a cross Canada that in fact, Canada has a navy.

 

[dapaterson]

A tin pot navy

 

[dimsum]

1. HMCS Prevost also isn't on the water (the Thames doesn't count).

I mean, it’s technically next to the water. If I fell in the Thames, I’d get at last half wet.

 

[FJAG]

I mean, it’s technically next to the water. If I fell in the Thames, I’d get at last half wet.

Oh! You are seriously underestimating the drownings that occasionally befalls London's Thames R.

There's the Victoria incident; little known to outsiders.

Victoria steamboat disaster - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Furniture]

The purpose of NRDs is strategic outreach. Unlike army and air force bases, which are littered throughout Canada, the navy has but two actual bases. NRDs, and the activities they participate in, allow the CAF to remind every day Canadians a cross Canada that in fact, Canada has a navy.

Sadly, even those on the coasts often forget we have a navy...

I grew up in a fishing village on the east coast, that had WWII RCN veterans, and I still knew nothing about the RCN I didn't choose to learn out of stubborn curiosity.

The best part of the navy is also the worst. We serve in far away places, so are never seen at home. @daftandbarmy Brings to mind spicy garlic smells, and tinkling temple bells...

 

[daftandbarmy]

Sadly, even those on the coasts often forget we have a navy...

I grew up in a fishing village on the east coast, that had WWII RCN veterans, and I still knew nothing about the RCN I didn't choose to learn out of stubborn curiosity.

The best part of the navy is also the worst. We serve in far away places, so are never seen at home. @daftandbarmy Brings to mind spicy garlic smells, and tinkling temple bells...

There used to be a word for that …

Oh yeah, exile

 

[daftandbarmy]

Looking at the 24 Naval Reserve Divisions (NRD) across Canada. It is interesting that all but 4 of them are located on waterfronts, next to a a body of water - sea, lake, or river. Makes sense, they are Navy units after all. Four of them are not. HMCS Donnacona, HMCS Tecumseh, HMCS Nonsuch, and HMCS Unicorn.

I am interested to see if there is any reason in history why the Donnacona - and formerly HMCS Montreal - is not located on a waterfront as well. The other 3 NRDs are in the Prairies and therefore perhaps their cities do not have ample waterfront locations. Montreal OTOH has no lack of river shores in which the Donnacona could have been located. Instead, she is located in the middle of residential-commercial area.

Recruiting to fill up ships is a whole on nation effort, especially during wartime when casualties can be enormous.

When a ship goes down, gawd forbid, you can lose a couple of hundred in a few minutes.

Diversifying the risk for your people supply chain is therefore important IMHO.

 

[GK .Dundas]

Recruiting to fill up ships is a whole on nation effort, especially during wartime when casualties can be enormous.

When a ship goes down, gawd forbid, you can lose a couple of hundred in a few minutes.

Diversifying the risk for your people supply chain is therefore important IMHO.

Given the nature of Canadian politics, there are days when I am amazed the we actually still have a Navy.
I believe when HMCS Warrior was brought along side for the first time in Halifax. While the News media marveled at our first real Canadian aircraft carrier.
All Mackenzie King could write about in his diary.about was worry about what would happen if there was some sort of accident or something there were well over a thousand men aboard.
If something happened the Government, his Government would be blamed.