A new addition to Canada’s Pacific Fleet is expected to arrive in Greater Victoria this Friday, following a historic journey through the Arctic.
HMCS Robert Hampton Gray, the Royal Canadian Navy’s newest Arctic and offshore patrol ship, is scheduled to arrive at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt on Friday, November 6th.
The vessel departed Halifax on August 16th, travelling through the Northwest Passage on a journey that marks the first time a Royal Canadian Navy ship has used the Arctic route specifically to transfer from one coast to the other.
The voyage is also just the third complete transit of the Northwest Passage by a Royal Canadian Navy warship.
Along the way, the ship participated in Arctic operations, including surveillance, sovereignty patrols and cooperation with international partners.
The vessel also made naval history by operating with a Canadian Coast Guard helicopter embarked during its deployment.
HMCS Robert Hampton Gray is the sixth and final Arctic and offshore patrol vessel built under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy.
The nearly 400 foot vessel was delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy in August 2025 and is designed to operate in some of Canada’s most challenging maritime environments.
The ship is capable of conducting Arctic patrols, surveillance operations, search and rescue support and humanitarian assistance missions.
It can also carry small vehicles, deployable boats and a helicopter, allowing it to support a wide range of military and emergency operations.
Once commissioned, the ship will join HMCS Max Bernays at CFB Esquimalt, giving Canada’s Pacific Fleet a second Arctic and offshore patrol vessel.
The arrival represents another step in the Navy’s efforts to expand its ability to operate in northern waters from both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
The ship carries the name of Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray, a Canadian naval aviator who served during the Second World War.
Gray was killed on August 9th, 1945, while attacking a Japanese warship in Onagawa Bay, Japan.
Despite his aircraft being struck by enemy fire, Gray continued his attack and successfully struck the vessel before crashing into the sea.
He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, becoming the only member of the Royal Canadian Navy to receive the honour during the Second World War.
The Navy has previously indicated that an official commissioning ceremony is planned for November, following the ship’s arrival.
An exact arrival time and details of any public viewing opportunities have not yet been officially confirmed.
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