Canadian Navy welcomes 4th AOPS HMCS William Hall

Irving Shipbuilding has delivered HMCS William Hall, Canadian Navy’s fourth Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) in the new DeWolf class.

The 103.6 meter long ship was delivered on 31 August. The vessel was named after William Hall, the first Black person, the first Nova Scotian and one of the first Canadians to receive the British Empire’s highest award for bravery, the Victoria Cross.

Hall received this recognition for his service in the Royal Navy. The son of former American slaves, Hall was born in 1827 at Horton, Nova Scotia, where he also attended school.

He grew up during the age of wooden ships, when many boys dreamed of travelling the world in sailing vessels. As a young man, Hall worked in shipyards at Hantsport for several years, before going to sea on merchant ships and joining the Royal Navy in 1852.

The steel for HCMS William Hall was cut in 2019, while the keel-laying ceremony was held in February 2021. The AOPS was launched in November 2022.

The ship features:

• Integrated diesel-electric power and propulsion;
• Bow thruster for maneuvering and berthing without tug assistance;
• Retractable active fin stabilizers for roll reduction;
• Ability to operate and hangar a CH-148 Cyclone or small utility helicopter.

“The delivery of HMCS William Hall today, a full two months ahead of schedule, marks our most efficient production effort to date,” said Dirk Lesko, President, Irving Shipbuilding.

“These modern, ice-capable ships, built by Canadians, for Canadians, will bring advanced capabilities for our Navy to serve and protect our northern waters and beyond,” said Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy.