Navy deep-sixes War of 1812 names for ships

New vessels to be to Preserver, Protecteur

The Royal Canadian Navy has jettisoned the War of 1812-inspired names selected by the previous Conservative government for its new joint support ships and will revert to calling the vessels by the names of the service’s previous supply ships.

The new ships will be called HMCS Protecteur and HMCS Preserver, to honour the service of those two Canadian ships over the years.

The Conservative government’s decision to name the new ships after War of 1812 battles never sat well with navy officers, according to defence sources.

Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd, commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, said many sailors — both serving and retired — have strong bonds to the former HMC Ships Protecteur and Preserver. “As we move forward with the future fleet of the Royal Canadian Navy, we will do so without forgetting where we come from and where we have been,” he said in a statement. “This renaming serves as a tribute to the dedication and sacrifices of the generations of sailors who have served in the past ships of the Protecteur-class.”

As part of its efforts to promote the bicentennial of the War of 1812, the Conservative government announced the ships would be named the Queenston and Chateauguay, in recognition of the land battles of Queenston Heights and Chateauguay.

Canadian military personnel were also instructed to wear a War of 1812 commemorative pin. Then-defence minister Peter MacKay said the efforts were to show Canadians that their country was “born out of conflict” and that they should appreciate their history.

But Conservative efforts to highlight the anniversary of a war between Britain and the U.S., which saw Canada invaded by American forces, didn’t seem to resonate with Canadians. Despite the government spending $30 million on bicentennial celebrations, various opinion polls showed the public had little interest.

Retired Canadian navy Capt. Kevin Carle said the new names are a welcome change. “Naming the ships after War of 1812 battles was not something many in the navy could relate to,” said Carle. “The change is great news.”

The recommendation to the Liberal government on the new names was made by the Ships Naming Committee, which consists of a small group of senior RCN personnel, naval historians and veterans.

“The renaming perpetuates the Battle Honours awarded to the forbearers of these ships and allows the future ships to add their own Battle Honours to the Preserver and Protecteur legacy,” the navy said in a news release.

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said many Canadians in the navy community have pride in the names Protecteur and Preserver. “I have no doubt that the future Protecteur and Preserver will continue to serve Canadians with distinction,” he said in a statement.

ANDREW VAUGHAN / THE CANADIAN PRESS Navy head Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd, seen earlier this month, said the new supply ships’ names serve as “a tribute to the dedication and sacrifices of the generations of sailors who have served in the past ships of the Protecteur-class.”