Canadian warship docks in the Great Lakes in historic Sault Ste. Marie visit

The HMCS Margaret Brooke docks off Gros Cap in Sault Ste. Marie this weekend, a homecoming for its honorary captain from Batchewana First Nation.

The Royal Canadian Navy’s HMCS Margaret Brooke has arrived off the shores of Sault Ste. Marie as part of a five-city tour of the Great Lakes. Due to the shallow waters of the St. Mary’s River, the large vessel is unable to proceed further and is docked off Gros Cap, where it will remain for the weekend.

A homecoming for honorary captain

The ship’s presence represents a significant homecoming for its Honorary Captain, Debbie Eisan, a member of Batchewana First Nation who retired from the Navy in 2011 after a 36-year career.

Eisan expressed profound pride in the vessel’s visit to her home community.

“To see HMCS Margaret Brooke here alongside by my community, my heart swells with pride because, you know, to have a ship here, where I come from, it’s not a normal thing,” she said.

Rear admiral returns to naval roots

The visit also marks a return to roots for Rear Admiral Jason Armstrong, the Director of General Naval Force Development, who has deep family ties to the Sault.

Armstrong eagerly seized the opportunity to visit his home community aboard the warship.

“It’s fantastic, Sault Ste. Marie has a great Naval history, the HMCS Sault Ste. Marie fought in the Second World War, defending convoy lines and protecting our freedom,” he said, highlighting a personal connection to that history.

“I had four great uncles that served in the Second World War, all from Sault Ste. Marie, the Armstrong brothers.”

Armstrong said those familial ties also brought him home, saying he is glad to see his mother and a number of friends who will tour the ship over the weekend.

Public tours at capacity

Public access to the ship is exclusively through pre-registered tours, for which demand was exceptionally high. Navy officials confirmed they reached capacity in less than a single day. The planned tours, running from Friday to Sunday, were scheduled to accommodate four to six groups of approximately 36 visitors each. Attendees include a diverse range of groups from Sea Cadets and Legion members to students from Algoma University and Sault College.

Recruitment and retention challenges

While Rear Admiral Armstrong emphasized that the tour is not solely for recruitment, he acknowledged that the increased visibility assists the Navy in addressing critical personnel shortages.

“We do have some stress trades in the Navy. You know, really in the mechanical engineering section, electronics section, combat systems,” Armstrong said, noting personnel shortcomings of up to 20 per cent across the navy.

“There is some targeted recruitment that we’re trying to do while we’re here, just off Sault Ste. Marie, to engage with Sault College and the technical studies there and to invite them to look at the Navy as an option.”

Captain’s testament to naval career

HMCS Margaret Brooke’s Captain, Commander Teri Share, serves as a prime example of a successful naval career.

She told CTV News that she joined the military to have her schooling paid for, which resulted in an undergraduate degree in civil engineering. After five years of obligatory service, she chose to remain and is now in her 23rd year with the Navy.

“In that time, they said, ‘sign the paper and see the world’. That’s exactly what I’ve done. I’ve been across all seven continents. I’ve sailed every single sea that there is to sail and it’s just been an amazing experience,” Share said.

She described the Arctic and offshore patrol vessel as one of Canada’s naval gems, noting its versatile capabilities.

“That this warship can do everything from science to narcotics (interdiction) to Arctic sovereignty is just such an incredible feat and the fact that there are six of this class of ship now within the Royal Canadian Navy, it’s just amazing.”

Alternative viewing opportunities

For those unable to secure a tour, the HMCS Margaret Brooke remains visible from a distance, particularly from the end of Second Line West at Gros Cap. The Navy is also offering an alternative, first-come, first-served opportunity to view the ship up close from the water via boat tours.

These tours will be available between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. this weekend, with hopeful participants asked to park at the Gros Cap loop.

Additionally, navy officials are stationed at the Roberta Bondar Pavilion, providing information about the ship and the Royal Canadian Navy.