HMCS BRAS D'OR 400

Hydrofoil

HMCS BRAS D'OR, named for the scene of the first tests (of a hydrofoil in 1919 on the Bras d'Or Lake) and designated a fast hydrofoil escort (FHE), was commissioned in 1968. When "hull-born" at low speeds, the craft was driven by a 2400-BHP diesel engine, but at about 23 knots the foils lift the hull clear of the water, and propulsion was taken over by a 30,000-SHP gas turbine engine powering twin screws. Trial speeds as great as 63 knots were attained. Despite the evident success of the prototype FHE, she was laid up in 1971. In 1982 she was transferred to the Marine Museum at L'Islet-sur-Mer, near Quebec City.

Photos and Documents          Ship's company photos

Youtube videos of HMCS BRAS D'OR -  Video 1     Video 2     Video 3

Commanding Officers

Cdr Constantine Cotaras, RCN - 19 Jul 68 - 06 Jul 1970

Cdr Gordon (Gordie) Lewis Edwards - 06 Jul 1970 - unk

LCdr Ian Aspinall Sturgess - unk - 01 May 1972

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

Former Crew Members

Rockwell, Rod L. (Rocky), MS.ET

Photos and Documents

(BRD001) HMCS BRAS D'OR 400

(BRD002) Series of 18 photos showing HMCS BRAS D'OR picking up speed and becoming foil-borne (pdf file)  //  Courtesy of Alain Roy

(BRD003 - BRD004) HMCS BRAS D'OR 400 entering Halifax harbour while foil-borne  //  Courtesy of Jean Viau

(BRD005) BRAS D'OR 400, Spring 1970  //  Courtesy of Richard Larcheveque

(BRD007 - BRD008) HMCS BRAS D'OR 400 being towed in her cradle out of Halifax to Quebec  //  Courtesy of Paul Smith

(BRD009) The hydrofoil HMCS BRAS D'OR, Musée maritime du Québec, l'Islet, Canada  //  Credit: Bernard Gagnon