My VAC Account
My VAC AccountOn June 14th, 1997 the HMCS Saskatchewan was sunk near Snake Island, just off Departure Bay, to start her new career as an artificial reef and dive spot. This mural, painted by Jeff King, is a tribute to the ship and the hard work put into the project by the Artificial Reef Society of BC.
The HMCS Saskatchewan was a Mackenzie-class Destroyer Escort, 366-feet long and 2900 tons. The ship/reef is located at 49° 12.96' N, 123° 53.070' W.
[inscription/inscription]
OPERATION GENESIS: THE FINAL COMMISSION
On June 14, 1997, the former Canadian Navy Vessel HMCS SASKATCHEWAN (DDE-262) began her new career as an artificial reef east of Nanaimo, off Snake Island. Project Reef was initiated by the Nanaimo Dive Association, the Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia, the Cousteau Society and the Citizens of Nanaimo. SASKATCHEWAN, a 366 foot, 2800 ton Destroyer Escort was launched February1, 1961 in Victoria and was commissioned February 16, 1963. In her career she sailed 740,000 nautical miles, equivalent to 21 trips around the world, and fired not a single shot in anger.
In the words of Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau “this (project) will allow this noble vessel to not only continue in service in her new career as an artificial reef, but proved an honourable legacy for future generations.”
Artist Jeff Kin and the Nanaimo Dive Association would like to gratefully acknowledge the contributors that made this mural possible:
|
Woodgrove Centre |
*unreadable* |
