Harry DeWolf Class AOPV Artist's Impression

Laid Down: 17 Feb 2021

Floated up: 28 Nov 2022

Commissioned: 

Paid off: 

Lieutenant Frédérick Rolette (23 Sep 1785 - 17 Mar 1831) - Just before the outbreak of the War of 1812, Lt Rolette was posted to Amherstburg, Ont., as a Lieutenant in charge of the brig General Hunter. When word of the outbreak of war reached Amherstburg on July 3, 1812, Lt Rolette acted immediately, capturing an American vessel, the Cuyahoga, before the crew became aware that their country had declared war on Britain. This was the first action of the War of 1812 and a significant prize, because on board the Cuyahoga were American commander General William Hull’s papers and dispatches, providing the British with a great deal of intelligence on American strengths and deployment.

Lt Rolette was active in the war, conducting several daring captures of American supply vessels and participating in land battles at the Capture of Detroit, the Battle of Frenchtown, and the skirmish at the Canard River. He was the First Lieutenant (second in command) of the British schooner Lady Prevost at the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813. When the captain was mortally wounded, he assumed command and fought the ship “with great skill and gallantry” until he himself was severely wounded, burned by an explosion and the ship was a broken unmanageable and sinking wreck.

When the war ended, Lt Rolette returned to Québec City to a hero’s welcome and was presented with a 50-guinea sword of honour by its citizens in recognition of his service. Through the research and efforts of the Naval Museum of Québec, the RCN was able to locate the whereabouts and current owner of this sword of honour in order to have it displayed to the public as part of the naming announcement.