The federal government today put a brand new Coast Guard vesssel, the CCGS Private Robertson V.C. (handout pic above) into service in Sarnia, today.
From the press release announcing her service:
CCGS Private Robertson V.C. is the first of nine new Hero Class vessels – built at a Canadian shipyard for the Canadian Coast Guard – to be officially welcomed to the Coast Guard fleet. It will enhance maritime security throughout the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway and will be used in the joint Marine Security Enforcement Teams program, a partnership between the Canadian Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Built at the Irving Shipyard in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Private Robertson V.C. is 43 metres in length, has a top speed of 25 knots and a range of 2000 nautical miles, and will be able to stay at sea for up to two weeks without re-provisioning. The Coast Guard Hero class vessels are named after Canadian heroes who have given the ultimate sacrifice for Canada. The first vessel of the class is named for Victoria Cross recipient Private James Peter Robertson.
Private James Peter Robertson, V.C., was born in Albion Mines (now Stellarton), Pictou County Nova Scotia and enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Medicine Hat, Alberta in 1915. He was killed in action on November 6, 1917 while rescuing two badly wounded fellow soldiers under severe fire. He is buried at Passchendaele in Belgium. Private Robertson was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery and outstanding devotion to duty. The grand-niece of Private Robertson, Lynn Tebay, traveled to Sarnia for the ceremony and served as the ship’s sponsor, breaking a bottle of Ontario sparkling wine over the bow of the ship.