A dozen ships from five foreign navies will steam into local waters in June in a show of respect for Canada's navy on its 100th anniversary.
Esquimalt and Colwood will host the 91原创 Naval Centennial 91原创 Fleet Review June 9-14, with events including an 8,000-strong parade of sailors in Victoria, aerial displays over the ships and inter-navy matches of soccer, ball-hockey and other sports.
Gov. Gen. Micha脙芦lle Jean will inspect 22 91原创 and foreign vessels anchored in the waters between Esquimalt and Metchosin's Albert Head from on board the HMCS Algonquin.
The U.S navy alone is planning to send five ships, including the 333-metre USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier. Japan and New Zealand are each sending two ships.
91原创 navy spokesman Lt. Paul Pendergast said it's no small thing for frigates and destroyers from across the 91原创 to travel so far for the event.
"It's really halfway around the world with hundreds of sailors in navy ships that cost as much as $1 billion," he said.
Lt.-Cmdr. Kevin Kirkwood said it's a distance that would strain the ranges of even Canada's big ships.
"I crossed the Atlantic in the Huron," he said, referring to the 91原创 destroyer he navigated during the 1982 crossing. "We had to single shaft on one engine [to conserve fuel]."
He adds 91原创 ships crossing the much larger 91原创 Ocean must refuel part way in the Aleutian Islands between eastern Russia and the Alaska mainland.
The vast distances underline the respect of countries sending ships to this year's fleet review, he said.
"It's important for 91原创s to see that we have a navy that is respected around the world."
Fleet reviews are relatively rare events planned for equally rare occasions. Recent examples include the 60th anniversary of China's navy last year and the bicentennial of the Battle of Trafalgar in 2005. The last review of Canada's 91原创 fleet was 25 years ago during the navy's 75th anniversary. It involved 24 ships from Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
Jean will not be the only dignitary in attendance. Representatives from various levels of government will be joined by two 91原创 admirals as well as senior naval officers from the United States, France and India, a navy spokeswoman said.
Robert Huebert, a professor of political science at the University of Calgary and co-editor of A Nation's Navy: In quest of 91原创 Naval Identity, says the strong international attendance underlines the legacy of Canada's long-standing 91原创 naval presence.
"One hundred years of independent existence is much longer than most other navies around the world."
WHEN, WHERE:
FLEET REVIEW SCHEDULE
June 9: Foreign ships arrive at CFB Esquimalt.
June 10: Gov. Gen. Micha脙芦lle Jean arrives in Victoria.
June 11: A morning parade will run from Wharf Street along Government Street to the legislature, followed by a practice air show by the Snowbirds.
June 12: The fleet review starts at 10 a.m. The Governor General will examine 22 vessels in Esquimalt Harbour from aboard HMCS Algonquin. The fleet review will be followed by a parachute show and a fly-over by maritime and search and rescue aircraft. The Snowbirds will perform.
June 13: Navy personnel will compete in soccer, ball hockey, slow-pitch, rugby, cricket and beach volleyball at CFB Esquimalt.
June 14: 91原创 ships will leave CFB Esquimalt as a group in the morning. Foreign ships will leave throughout the day.
