CO of HMCS VICTORIA Speaks to RUSI

The commanding officer of HMCS VICTORIA, LCdr Scott McVicar, was guest speaker at the RUSI of VI luncheon Feb. 11. He substituted for RAdm Jean-Yves Forcier, commander Maritime Command Pacific, who was unavailable.

SSK 876 HMCS VICTORIA made the Halifax to Victoria trip last summer between June 29 and Aug 24 to join the MARPAC fleet. The boat is now in dry dock undergoing major refit. She is one of four British-built diesel-electric submarines acquired by the Canadian Navy. Two others are in Halifax. The fourth, HMCS CHICOUTIMI, is still in British hands until later this summer.

Replying to a question about the extreme interior heat when working in hot climates, LCdr McVicar confirmed that conditions were next to unbearable while transiting the Panama Canal.

Because of the interior 65°C temperature, the crew was down to wearing nothing more than bare essentials, for a part of the time. (Indeed, this could be a challenge for a mixed gender crew!)

Apparently the British-built boat was designed for the cold North Atlantic where it was normally expected to operate. The modifications and overhaul to bring the boats to operational standard is taking longer than originally anticipated.

Moreover, the original estimated cost of refit at the time of purchase was about $750 million. The total has since climbed to almost $900 million.

The first sub is expected to be ready for operations by 2005. Procured six years ago, the delay in bringing the boats into operation has caused crew frustration and impatience with the drawn-out process.

HMCS VICTORIA takes her name from the city of Victoria. Her crest is the crown of Queen Victoria that sits in a field of Royal Blue and Red, the colours of the city of Victoria that are surmounted by a white V to represent the VICTORIA class. Her motto is Expect No Warning.

The armament includes six weapon tubes with positive discharge, capable of deploying up to 18 Mark 48 Mod 4 heavyweight torpedoes and effective against surface and sub-surface targets.

The propulsion system consists of two electric motors on a common frame driving a single propeller. Two Paxman Valenta diesel generators are fitted each with 1.25MW of power or 5400 SHP.

VICTORIA is the first vessel in the Canadian Navy to bear that name. She is the first boat to be stationed in the Pacific since the de-commissioning of HMCS RAINBOW in 1972. HMCS VICTORIA is sponsored by Mrs. Jill Garnett. _

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