Uniformed in naval blue, a gold braid over her shoulder, Gov. Gen. Micha脙芦lle Jean lifted her right hand to the brow of her cap.
A deck below her, officers on the bridge of HMCS Algonquin gave the order and a bosun's whistle echoed across the water.
Two hundred metres away, the flight deck of the American aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan, loomed 30 metres above the water.
Against a cloudless sky, the carrier's crew were in silhouette as they stood at attention returning the salute.
The carrier was the largest of 20 ships in the 91原创 Naval Centennial 91原创 Fleet Review. Jean took centre stage atop HMCS Algonquin's bridge as the destroyer wove through the fleet.
As the Algonquin neared the New Zealand ship Te Kaha, Jean lifted a spyglass for a closer inspection.
"Three cheers for Her Excellency the Governor General," the Te Kaha's announcer bellowed over the heads of crew lining the deck.
"Hip-hip hooray! Hip-hip hooray! Hip-hip hooray!" the crew cheered, raising their hats in a circular wave.
That earned a grin from Jean, matched only by the joy on the face of Eileen Pile, mother of the rear admiral rubbing shoulders with Canada's commander-in-chief.
"I'm a very proud mother," the Geraldton, Ont., native said.
A deck below, the Algonquin's bridge bustled as the ship snaked along its route.
"Amidships," one officer bellowed as they neared HMCS Winnipeg.
"Amidships," the helmsman replied.
"Steer 116."
"Steer 116."
The Winnipeg filled the square glass windows on the port side of the bridge as the Algonquin slid past. The ship's commander, Cmdr. Angus Topshee, stepped in from the side deck with a wide smile and shook his head. They'd passed within 30 metres.
Excitement like that captivated Alex Webb, 14, a sea cadet brought aboard by his father, senior protocol officer James Webb, one of the organizers of the fleet review.
"It was just amazing seeing that this is basically the place where all the commands are made. Where the control of the ship is," said Alex, standing straight as an arrow in his sea cadet's uniform on the Algonquin's flight deck
The steel-grey flight deck and hangar are usually home to the ship's Sea King helicopter.
Yesterday, though, a canopy hung over half the deck, where the white hats of officers mingled with civilian guests.
Among them, retired commander Walter Blandy remembered the first time a helicopter came aboard a 91原创 ship. In the early 1960s, Blandy commanded HMCS Beacon Hill, on which the 91原创 navy tested the idea of basing helicopters on a frigate. He said technology has moved forward and helicopters have become commonplace, but sailors are still much the same.
"They have a job to do, they're trained for it, and they do it."
For Blandy, who retired in the early 1980s after 39 years at sea, the fleet review was a time to reminisce. "I have a lot of memories on ships like this."
Further forward on the ship, a small port-side deck lay calm and all but empty until a voice crackled over the ship's PA: The Snowbirds aerial team was nearing. With that, a dozen sailors in steely blue shirts flooded onto the deck and looked skyward.
Before the Snowbirds, though, a single CF18 fighter jet banked and wove over the fleet, the roar of its jets cracking seconds behind.
"I've seen F18s tons of times but it's always exciting," said Leading Seaman Pierre Ouellet. "It never gets old."
Next, the Snowbirds came in tight formation, trailing white and red smoke. They beat a straight line from the American carrier toward HMCS Algonquin, showing their bellies to the ship before banking hard around. Ouellet and others craned their necks to keep up with the fast-moving jets as they streaked down the side of the ship.
Several decks above them, Jean signed her name to an order that only she or another royal representative can give: Splice the mainbrace -- break out the rum.
Half an hour later, as guests filed off the Algonquin, the flight deck was given over to preparations for the 2 1/2-ounce ration of rum each of the sailors is served.
Mention of a box of Captain Morgan's Dark Rum waiting for the crew brought a grin to Leading Seaman Dan Johnston's face.
"That's my drink."
