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HMCS FRÉDÉRICK ROLETTE 434
Harry DeWolf Class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel
The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence, announced July 16, 2015, in Québec City, that an Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) will be named in honour of Lieutenant Frédérick Rolette, a Canadian-born officer and naval hero of various actions, ashore and afloat, during the War of 1812, including command of the ship General Hunter. A parallel announcement was made in Windsor, Ontario, by Jeff Watson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport and Member of Parliament for Essex, close to the sites of many of Lieutenant Rolette’s heroic actions.
“Lt Rolette served our country with great distinction throughout the War of 1812,” said Minister Kenney. “Today’s announcement, that a Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ship will be named after him, honours the bravery and valour that he exhibited throughout his career. The Government of Canada remains committed to recognizing the service and sacrifice of all men and women in uniform, both past and present.”
“Throughout the War of 1812, Lt Frédérick Rolette’s decisive and daring actions served this country well,” said Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, Commander RCN. “As the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships are being named after Canadian naval heroes who displayed outstanding leadership and heroism while serving in the navy during wartime, Lt Rolette is an excellent choice. His leadership and courage model what it means to be a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.”
The Ship's Badge: Blazon - A plate charged with a sea-lion guardant Azure holding a sabre proper hilt and guard Or, all within the Badge Frame for Ships and Naval Reserve Divisions;
Symbolism: The lion is a reference to the ship’s namesake, Lieutenant Frédérick Rolette, who was said by Major-General Isaac Brock to have had the “gaze of a lion” while taking part in the capture of Detroit in 1812. The fish portion of the lion alludes to Lt. Rolette’s service in the Provincial Marine of Lower Canada (now Quebec). The sabre refers to the one presented to Lt. Rolette by friends and admirers in the city of Québec in honour of his service. Blue and white are the present colours of his home province, Quebec. The white background refers to the Arctic environment in which HMCS Frédérick Rolette will operate.
Motto: Blazon - LEONIS FORTITUDINE;
Symbolism: This Latin phrase, meaning “With the courage of a lion,” is another reference to Major-General Brock’s words to Lieutenant Rolette.
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.
On 25 May 2024 in Halifax, the future His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Frédérick Rolette was named in honour of the French-Canadian naval hero, First Lieutenant Frédérick Rolette, who served our country with great distinction throughout the War of 1812. The fifth of six Harry DeWolf-class vessels, this marks an important milestone for our Navy's future, with the naming of a ship steeped in history and naval tradition dating back centuries. The ceremony is believed to bring good luck and safe travel to the vessel and crew.
Photos and Documents Ship's company photos
Commanding Officers
They shall not be forgotten
Photos and Documents
(FRL001) The future HMCS FRÉDÉRICK ROLETTE 434 under construction at the Halifax Shipyards - 26 Aug 2023 // Courtesy of Barry Gerrard (FRL002) The future HMCS FRÉDÉRICK ROLETTE 434 being towed into Beford Basin to be floated up 09 Dec 2023 // Source: RCN official facebook page (FRL003) The future HMCS FRÉDÉRICK ROLETTE 434 under tow to Irving Shipyards, Halifax after being floated-up in Bedford Basin 09 Dec 2023 // Source: RCN official facebook page
(FRL004-FRL008) Naming Ceremony for the future HMCS FRÉDÉRICK ROLETTE 434 - 25 May 2024, Halifax, Nova Scotia // Photographer: Aviator Gregory Cole // Source: RCN official facebook page
(FRL009-FRL010) May 21 2025 HMCS FRÉDÉRICK ROLETTE 434 takes part in the 2025 Fleet Week parade of ships as she makes its way through New York harbor and up the Hudson River // Photo by K C Wilsey FEMA // Public Domain Photos
(FRL011-FRL014) The Commissioning Ceremony for HMCS FRÉDÉRICK ROLETTE 434 at Quebec City, Quebec - 13 Jun 2025
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In memory of those who have crossed the bar 
