Sweet-Tango: CANADA DAY ADMIRAL’S SAIL PAST

THE ADMIRAL’S SAIL PAST HISTORY

Each year, on Canada Day, an interesting event occurs in Halifax Harbour that has its roots in an old British tradition. It is the day when many private yachts from the local clubs sail past the Commander MARLANT in salute. Here is the history.

Early in his reign, King Henry VIII started a build up of the Royal Navy, but soon realized that the number of ships needed could not be paid for with the public purse. After consultation with his government, it was decided to offer a subsidy on newly built ships of private ship owners, in return for which the recipient would agree to make his vessel and crew available to the crown in time of war; an arrangement which is still in effect to this day. During the Falklands war many ships were Ships Taken Up From Trade, S.T.U.F.T.

As a means of reaffirming this contract and to show that these vessels were sound and in good operation, it was required that on a particular day each year, these vessels would sail past and salute the king on his Royal Barge moored on the Thames, while the Royal Secretary recorded the names of each vessel as they sailed past.
Since these were commercial vessels and could well be elsewhere on this appointed day, many ship owners petitioned for exclusion from this requirement. The king, fearing abuse of this exclusion, came up with a compromise, that these ships could sail past the Port Admiral of whatever Naval port they were nearest to, and the Admiral’s secretary could record the names and forward them to the Admiralty.

Soon, other ship owners, without subsidy, joined the Sail Past in an open demonstration of loyalty to the crown, and these vessels were included in the list of ships available during time of conflict. As the centuries rolled on, the tradition of the Admiral’s Sail Past grew and became an occasion of much festivity and colour, looked forward to each year by ship owners and the general public alike.
During the early and mid 19th century yachting became a popular pastime of the wealthy upper class and the aristocracy in Britain. Many people owned yachts of considerable size and potential to the Royal Navy, and because members of the Royal family were involved in yachting, many of these yachts started to take part in the Admiral’s Sail Past, adding much colour to the event.
As modern yachtsmen we should remember Dunkirk, where many small boats, including privately owned yachts, sailed to the shores of France to rescue the Army from certain death or imprisonment. Many of these vessels did not return from the mission.

Throughout the world, wherever traditions of the Royal Navy persist, this noble and worthwhile tradition continues. The event, as practiced in Halifax Harbour each year, is now carried out as an expression of respect and acknowledgement to the Navy for all they have done in the past and are prepared to do in the future.

Shearwater Yacht club hosts this event each year. This year the motor/sail past was received by a Reviewing Dignitary aboard HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN, who received the salute.

How to salute

Vessels shall salute two boat lengths before the reviewing stand.

The procedure for saluting is as follows:
A salute will consist of dipping the ensign, and
The crew will face the Reviewing Officer with caps removed.

Note: Boats without ensigns will salute by luffing the jib, or in the case of vessels under power, with enthusiastic (but polite) waves to the Reviewing Dignitary.