Christening Ceremony of the future HMCS Frederick Rolette, the fifth Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) for the Royal Canadian Navy was held May 27 in Halifax. Dating back centuries, the naming of a ship is steeped in tradition and believed to bring good luck and safe travel to the vessel and crew.
The ship’s sponsor, Helene Chatillon, a descendant of Frederick Rolette, officially named the ship during a ceremony attended by Rear-Admiral Josee Kurtz and some local political figures as well as descendants of Rolette, the ship’s company, and Halifax Shipyard shipbuilders.
Lieutenant Fr3d3rick Rolette was a British Crown Colony of Quebec-born officer who served in the Provincial Marine of Upper Canada. He distinguished himself during the War of 1812, earning a reputation as a bold and quick-thinking officer. When the war ended, Rolette returned to a hero’s welcome in Quebec City and was presented a fifty-guinea sword of honor in recognition of his service. The historical Canton of Rolette, Quebec, located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, was established in 1868 in his honor.
The Halifax Shipyard will deliver one AOPS per year to the Royal Canadian Navy ending with the sixth ship in 2025. A further two AOPS variants are being built for the Canadian Coast Guard, with the first under construction at Halifax Shipyard and the second commencing construction in July. In June, Irving Shipbuilding will commence construction of a Production Test Module designed to test and prepare for construction of the first of 15 Canadian Surface Combatant ships.