HMCS Ojibwa - in Port Burwell

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Robert H. Wilkinson

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One of the most interesting things I learned at the London/Ont. boat show was that the HMCS Ojibwa now calls Port Burwell, Ontario home.

This is a Canadian cold war era submarine that is now being turned into a museum. She is a Oberon Class sub recognized for her astonishing capacity for stealth. She was brought from Halifax to Port Burwell on a ocean going dry dock.

The whole story can be found at www.projectojibwa.ca

Outside tours start in March - inside the sub tours start in July.

I was through a German sub. in Chicago about 35 years ago. Can't wait to see this one. Her other 2 sisters were sent to the breakers years ago - it is good to see interest in saving this one.

Regards, Rob
 
Finally made the tour last Sept. Pictures were not allowed inside the sub, but I took some outside which I've added to my album.

Don't know if there are any submariners in the Brats or not but I found this very interesting.

Regards, Rob
 
Thanks for posting Rob. Looks like some special coating on the hull to deflect/absorb sonar signals. Those are unusual props too, never saw any like them. Have been underway on a nuke but not on a conventional sub.

They wouldn't let me serve on one, I like to sleep with the windows open! :lol: all my sea time was spent, as Don (Sneaks) was always reminding me, on a Target! :mrgreen:

Charlie
 
Charlie, you are correct this sub did receive special paint that allowed it greater stealth capability. However as part of the agreement between the Museum and the Navy - all of the original paint had to be stripped off, boxed and returned to the Navy. We were told that the Navy even weighed it to make sure that they got it all!! The Museum then had to paint it themselves with some commercial paint. They said the original paint was more of a matte finish.

The props as well were a high tech design for stealth purposes. They were not only quiet but apparently produced less bubbles - which could be a tell-tale. When they came into port they sent down divers to cover the props.

It was also one of the first subs to have both forward and aft facing torpedo tubes which increased her offensive capability.

The tour was a eye opener for the conditions these submariners lived in.

Regards, Rob
 
A very sad update on the state of this piece of history. Due to a downturn in admissions to this museum last year(its second season) it has defaulted on its loan. They claim their budget did not allow them to advertise it effectively and even with lots of volunteer labour the interest on the loan was overwhelming. The bank has now recalled the $6,000,000. loan.

Don't know what will happen to it now, but it would be a :cry shame if it is scrapped after all the work that has been put into it. I love touring old ships.

Regards, Rob
 
We decided to take our granddaughters for a tour of the sub and do our small part to help their admission numbers. When we suggested it the girls looked at us like "is that the most fun thing you can think of doing today?" But once inside the sub they became very interested and they talked about it most of the way home. I think the clincher for my youngest was when the guide got her to help push the button to sound the emergency dive claxon. The subs pilot(helmsman) could "fly" it down to 500ft. in 45seconds.

The day of our visit happened to be a special day. The Navy had just declassified(not sure if that's the right terminology) the forward torpedo room and pictures are now allowed. After going aft through the first hatch pictures are not allowed in the remaining portion of the sub. I have added some of these pictures in my album if interested.

Regards, Rob
 
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