HMCS Carleton
Encyclopedia
HMCS Carleton is a unit of the Canadian Forces Naval Reserve
based in Ottawa, Ontario, with approximately 230 sailors who are part time, full time and work with the Chief of Maritime Staff.
In 1923, the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve
(RCNVR) was established. This Reserve Force was organized into companies and half companies located in fourteen cities across Canada. In 1935, the name of the Ottawa Half-Company was changed to the "Ottawa Division of the RCNVR".
Just prior to Canada's declaration of war on Germany, the government called the Reserve into active service. For the duration of hostilities, the Ottawa Division concentrated on the recruitment and basic training of seamen. By the end of the war some 4,620 officers and men had enlisted through the Ottawa Reserve Division.
On 1 November 1941, the Ottawa Division was commissioned as HMCS Carleton. It was named after , a schooner which took part in the Battle of Valcour Island
, in 1776, during the American War of Independence. The schooner was named after Governor Guy Carleton
.
On 17 December 1943 HMCS Carleton moved to its current facilities at Canadian Forces Reserve Barrack Dow's Lake
, when the new "stone frigate
" was inaugurated in the presence of Major General
Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone
, Governor General of Canada
. In 1944, a new type of naval presence was added to Carleton when the barracks blocks were occupied by the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service
(WRENS). New training facilities were then added to Carleton in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
Since its establishment, members of Carleton have played an active role in the National Capital Region. In recognition of its contribution to the community, Carleton was presented with the Key to the City of Ottawa in 1976.
On 19 March 2008 several main supports for the roof of the drill hall failed resulting in its closure, accelerating plans to replace the 65 year-old facilities at CFRB Dow's Lake. Temporary office and classroom spaces as well as a temporary parade structure have been installed on site. HMCS Carleton and its lodger units will continue to operate normally during the demolition and reconstruction period, which is scheduled to take three or four years. Until these events forced the closure of the drill hall, HMCS Carleton had the largest indoor parade facilities in the city of Ottawa. After the reconstruction HMCS Carleton will operate out of a modern, purpose built facility which will be ideally suited to its future operations.
Although most of the sailors who are part of Carleton work on a part-time basis through the training year (September to May), there is a staff of ten full-time members (five Class B Reservists and five Regular Force) who ensure the efficient operation and administration of the unit.
HMCS Carleton has administration nights every Tuesday, and training nights on Thursdays from mid-September through to early May. HMCS Carleton also has weekend training throughout the year in order to augment training.
Canadian Forces Naval Reserve
In the Canadian Forces, the Naval Reserve or NAVRES is the Primary Reserve component of the Royal Canadian Navy.Headquarters for the Naval Reserve is in Quebec City and it oversees the operation of 24 divisions in other cities across Canada....
based in Ottawa, Ontario, with approximately 230 sailors who are part time, full time and work with the Chief of Maritime Staff.
History
Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve
The Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve was a naval reserve force of the Royal Canadian Navy, which replaced the Royal Navy Canadian Volunteer Reserve .-Foundation:...
(RCNVR) was established. This Reserve Force was organized into companies and half companies located in fourteen cities across Canada. In 1935, the name of the Ottawa Half-Company was changed to the "Ottawa Division of the RCNVR".
Just prior to Canada's declaration of war on Germany, the government called the Reserve into active service. For the duration of hostilities, the Ottawa Division concentrated on the recruitment and basic training of seamen. By the end of the war some 4,620 officers and men had enlisted through the Ottawa Reserve Division.
On 1 November 1941, the Ottawa Division was commissioned as HMCS Carleton. It was named after , a schooner which took part in the Battle of Valcour Island
Battle of Valcour Island
The naval Battle of Valcour Island, also known as the Battle of Valcour Bay, took place on October 11, 1776, on Lake Champlain. The main action took place in Valcour Bay, a narrow strait between the New York mainland and Valcour Island...
, in 1776, during the American War of Independence. The schooner was named after Governor Guy Carleton
Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester
Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester, KB , known between 1776 and 1786 as Sir Guy Carleton, was an Irish-British soldier and administrator...
.
On 17 December 1943 HMCS Carleton moved to its current facilities at Canadian Forces Reserve Barrack Dow's Lake
Dow's Lake
Dow's Lake in Ottawa, Canada is a small man-made lake on the Rideau Canal, situated two kilometres north of Hog's Back Falls in the middle of Ottawa. It is at the south end of Preston Street, just south of Carling Avenue, and just to the west of Bronson Avenue...
, when the new "stone frigate
Stone frigate
Stone frigate is a nickname for a naval establishment on land. The term has its origin in Britain's Royal Navy after its use of Diamond Rock, off Martinique, as a 'sloop of war' to harass the French...
" was inaugurated in the presence of Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone
Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone
Major-General Alexander Augustus Frederick William Alfred George Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone , was a close relative of the shared British and Canadian royal family, as well as a British military commander and major-general who served as Governor-General of the Union of South Africa, the...
, Governor General of Canada
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
. In 1944, a new type of naval presence was added to Carleton when the barracks blocks were occupied by the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service
Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service
The Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service was an element of the Royal Canadian Navy that was active during the Second World War and post-war as part of the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve until unification in 1968....
(WRENS). New training facilities were then added to Carleton in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
Since its establishment, members of Carleton have played an active role in the National Capital Region. In recognition of its contribution to the community, Carleton was presented with the Key to the City of Ottawa in 1976.
Operations
HMCS Carleton operates continuously to provide employment and training for its sailors. The facility includes three principal buildings which house the unit's administration, logistical, training, and operational functions along with two smaller buildings and a large vehicle compound which provide areas for boat storage and operation as well as additional logistic areas.On 19 March 2008 several main supports for the roof of the drill hall failed resulting in its closure, accelerating plans to replace the 65 year-old facilities at CFRB Dow's Lake. Temporary office and classroom spaces as well as a temporary parade structure have been installed on site. HMCS Carleton and its lodger units will continue to operate normally during the demolition and reconstruction period, which is scheduled to take three or four years. Until these events forced the closure of the drill hall, HMCS Carleton had the largest indoor parade facilities in the city of Ottawa. After the reconstruction HMCS Carleton will operate out of a modern, purpose built facility which will be ideally suited to its future operations.
Although most of the sailors who are part of Carleton work on a part-time basis through the training year (September to May), there is a staff of ten full-time members (five Class B Reservists and five Regular Force) who ensure the efficient operation and administration of the unit.
HMCS Carleton has administration nights every Tuesday, and training nights on Thursdays from mid-September through to early May. HMCS Carleton also has weekend training throughout the year in order to augment training.
Lodger units
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