All posts by Dinger

About Dinger

A sea cadet at RCSCC LION from 1963 to 1968, I joined the Naval Reserve at HMCS STAR in 1968 as a Bos'n. I was an Officer Cadet in the ROUTP, commissioned in 1971, and awarded my watchkeeping ticket in 1973. I served at sea, at one time or another, in all five Gate Vessels and HMCS FORT STEELE & CHAUDIERE as well as the Coast Guard icebreaker Louis St. Laurent and served as OIC of the patrol vessels RALLY and RAPID. At STAR from 1968 to 2007, I served as XO twice and then as CO from 2002 to 2005. I rounded out my career by serving as SSO Training at NAVRESHQ in Quebec City in 2008, retiring in 2009 as CO of HMCS HUNTER in Windsor. I was Executive Director for the Friends of HMCS HAIDA till 2011 and have been an active volunteer onboard HAIDA since she arrived in Hamilton in 2003.

William Millman McCulloch 1927-2019

What's New?
Bill at the Sir John A Macdonald statue in Gore Park in 2003

Bill joined the RCN(R) at HMCS STAR in 1946 as an Ordinary Seaman (Officer Candidate) at McMaster University. During his training, he sailed in the cruiser HMCS UGANDA in 1947. He eventually reached the rank of Lieutenant Commander (Supply) in 1958 before retiring. He served as a Hamilton City Councillor and Controller for over thirty years. He was instrumental in the acquisition of the HAMILTON & SCOURGE by the City of Hamilton as well as being involved in numerous other historical and heritage endeavours.

Some information courtesy of Mark McNeil of the Hamilton Spectator – https://www.wellandtribune.ca/opinion-story/9940586-flashbacks-remembering-hamilton-heritage-crusader-bill-mcculloch/

Bill McCulloch middle front as a UNTD cadet in May 1947 when STAR’s UNTDs left from the TH&B station to go to summer training in HMCS UGANDA on the west coast. LCdr S.F. Ross, CO, on the left and LCdr Boyd McLay, Staff Officer UNTD on the right. Picture from UNTiDy Tales by Cdr (Ret’d) Bob Williamson.
LCdr Jack Jamieson & LCdr Bill McCuloch as newly promoted Sub Lieutenants circa 1950. Pictures from UNTiDy Tales by Cdr (Ret’d) Bob Williamson

HMCS PATHFINDER

What's New?
A new picture of PATHFINDER donated by Lt(N)(Ret’d) Roy Morley. It is captioned “Alongside HMCS STAR, 17 February 1946” however it is likely Pier Ten directly to the east of STAR. Note brick warehouse in the background.
The uncropped picture shows the stern what is likely a Fairmile forward of PATHFINDER. The number on the transom seems to be “102” which was one of the boats bought by Francis Farwell of Canada Coach Lines / Hamilton Street Railway for his personal use.
From the Toronto Star Weekly of 8 November 1941 when PATHFINDER was used in Toronto. The guns pictured are unknown and do not appear in later pictures of the ship.

On This Date – 6 February 1810

What's New?

06 February 1810     Sailors from HMS STARR a 16 gun ship of the MERLIN class, form part of a Naval Brigade that establishes gun batteries to bombard the capital of Guadeloupe, the last French colony in the West Indies.  The surrender of Guadeloupe markedly diminishes the slave trade, made illegal by Britain in 1807.  In 1847, participants are eligible to apply for the Naval General Service Medal with the clasp, Guadeloupe, and STAR received the battle honour Guadeloupe. 

1847 Naval General Service Medal with Guadaloupe Clasp