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HMCS Mackenzie (DDE 261)
Encyclopedia
HMCS Mackenzie (DDE 261) was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy
and later the Canadian Forces
.
She was the lead ship
of her class and is the first Canadian naval unit to carry this name.
Mackenzie was laid down on 15 December 1958 at Canadian Vickers Ltd., Montreal
and launched on 25 May 1961. She was commissioned into the RCN on 6 October 1962.
She was assigned to the Pacific Fleet and served largely as a training ship with the RCN and later in the CF under Maritime Forces Pacific
(MARPAC). She underwent the Destroyer Life Extension Project (DELEX) in 1985.
She was decommissioned from Maritime Command
on 3 August 1993.
Mackenzies hulk was purchased by the Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia
in March 1995. She was stripped in spring/summer 1995 of environmental contaminants and scuttled on 16 September 1995 near Isle-de-Lis and Gooch Island, in the Georgia Strait off Sidney
, British Columbia
. She rests on clay and rock with a 20 degree list to port.
As a dive site, the location of Mackenzie experiences strong currents during large ebbs. Diving during these conditions is not recommended by the ARSBC. The average visibility in the area is 25 feet (7.6 m) and there is a multitude of sea life in and around the ship. Above 60 feet (18.3 m), divers can explore the bow and deck guns, superstructure, radar mast, and exhaust stacks. Below 60 feet (18.3 m), divers can explore 5 decks with access portals cut into the ship at various levels. The sea floor meets the bow at 90–100 feet and the stern at 95–105 feet.
of babies onboard ship 1963 - 1980. The bell is currently held by the CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum, Esquimalt, BC.
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
and later the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
.
She was the lead ship
Lead ship
The lead ship or class leader is the first of a series or class of ships all constructed according to the same general design. The term is applicable military ships and larger civilian craft.-Overview:...
of her class and is the first Canadian naval unit to carry this name.
Mackenzie was laid down on 15 December 1958 at Canadian Vickers Ltd., Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
and launched on 25 May 1961. She was commissioned into the RCN on 6 October 1962.
She was assigned to the Pacific Fleet and served largely as a training ship with the RCN and later in the CF under Maritime Forces Pacific
Maritime Forces Pacific
In the Canadian Forces, Maritime Forces Pacific is responsible for the fleet and operations of the Royal Canadian Navy in the Pacific Ocean...
(MARPAC). She underwent the Destroyer Life Extension Project (DELEX) in 1985.
She was decommissioned from Maritime Command
Canadian Forces Maritime Command
The Royal Canadian Navy , is the naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental commands within the unified Canadian Forces. Operating 33 warships and several auxiliary vessels, the Royal Canadian Navy consists of 8,500 Regular Force and 5,100 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by...
on 3 August 1993.
Mackenzies hulk was purchased by the Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia
Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia
The Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia is a registered non-profit organization based in Vancouver, British Columbia. They began operations in 1989, with the G.B. Church project, and have since sunk 7 ships and 1 Boeing 737...
in March 1995. She was stripped in spring/summer 1995 of environmental contaminants and scuttled on 16 September 1995 near Isle-de-Lis and Gooch Island, in the Georgia Strait off Sidney
Sidney, British Columbia
Sidney is a town located at the northern end of the Saanich Peninsula, on Vancouver Island in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It is one of the 13 Greater Victoria municipalities. It has a population of approximately 11,300. Sidney is located just east of Victoria International Airport,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. She rests on clay and rock with a 20 degree list to port.
As a dive site, the location of Mackenzie experiences strong currents during large ebbs. Diving during these conditions is not recommended by the ARSBC. The average visibility in the area is 25 feet (7.6 m) and there is a multitude of sea life in and around the ship. Above 60 feet (18.3 m), divers can explore the bow and deck guns, superstructure, radar mast, and exhaust stacks. Below 60 feet (18.3 m), divers can explore 5 decks with access portals cut into the ship at various levels. The sea floor meets the bow at 90–100 feet and the stern at 95–105 feet.
Ship's Bell
The Christening Bells Project at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum includes information from the ship's bell of HMCS Mackenzie 1962 - 1993, which was used for baptismBaptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
of babies onboard ship 1963 - 1980. The bell is currently held by the CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum, Esquimalt, BC.