HMCS Donnacona

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The ship's crest of HMCS Donnacona (from DND).

For the fictional corvette featured in Corvette K-225, see HMCS Kitchener (K225)

Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Donnacona is a unit of the Canadian Naval Reserve based in Montreal, Quebec.

1 Summary
2 History
3 See Also
4 References
5 External Links

[edit] Summary

HMCS Donnacona has a total strength of approximately 190 men and women ^[1], with roughly one-quarter on full-time employment with the navy at any given time. As with all Naval Reserve Divisions, it specializes in Port Security, Port Inspection Diving, Maritime Intelligence, and the recruiting and retention of personnel who may supplement the Canadian Navy on a full-time basis on board ship or at shore establishments. Primary training of personnel is for the most part conducted at one of the Canadian Forces Fleet Schools in Halifax, Victoria and Quebec City.

[edit] History

In 1923, the Montreal Half-Company of the Royal Canadian Volunteer Naval Reserve was formed. At the outbreak of the Second World War the unit was split into two co-located divisions to accommodate the high recruiting intake: NCSM Cartier for francophones and HMCS Montreal for English speakers. In 1941 the units were merged again as HMCS Montreal and in 1943 this division was moved to 2055 Drummond Street (the building of the old Montreal Winter Club curling rink) and re-commissioned HMCS Donnacona.

In 1943, the name of the new naval reserve division was chosen to be used as the name of the ship featured in the film Corvette K-225, featuring Randolph Scott and Ella Raines.

In 1944, HMCS Donnacona's football team won the Grey Cup, beating the Hamilton Wildcats 7-6 at the Civic Stadium to bring the cup to Montreal for only the second time.

In the summer of 2007, HMCS Donnacona was moved to a new purpose-built facility at 3525 St-Jacques Street. This building is shared with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canada Border Services Agency.