CSS (Canadian Survey Ship) Acadia was launched in 1913 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in England. She was the first vessel specifically designed to survey Canada's northern waters, the only ship to serve in the Royal Canadian Navy during both World Wars, and only vessel still afloat to have survived the Halifax Explosion in 1917. She was retired in 1969 after 56 years of service, and in 1982 became a floating museum ship, part of the collection at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic on the Halifax waterfront. In the photo below, the stern of the Acadia may be seen at lower right.

On July 1, 2006 the HMCS (Her Majesty's Canadian Ship) Halifax was moored at the waterfront and open to the public. The Halifax is a "City Class" Multi-Role Patrol Frigate. Twelve of these helicopter-carrying frigates were launched in the early-to-mid 1990s. They combine anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air systems to deal with threats below, on and above the sea surface. They are named after Canadian cities: HALIFAX (330), VANCOUVER (331), VILLE DE QUÉBEC (332), TORONTO (333), REGINA (334), CALGARY (335), MONTREAL (336), FREDERICTON (337), WINNIPEG (338), CHARLOTTETOWN (339), ST. JOHN'S (340), OTTAWA (341).

Looking at Halifax from the bridge of the HMCS Halifax gives a unique perspective! For a great view of Canada's East Coast Naval Shipyards, just walk out a short way on the pedestrian walkway of the MacDonald Bridge.

July 1, 2006: Canada Day crowds on the waterfront with HMCS Halifax and CSS Acadia in background.