HMCS Bras d'Or (FHE 400)

HMCSBras d'Or(FHE 400)was ahydrofoilthat served in theCanadian Forcesfrom 1968 to 1971. During sea trials in 1969, the vessel exceeded 63knots(117 km/h; 72 mph), making her the fastest unarmed warship in the world at the time.
The vessel was originally built from 1960 to 1967 for theRoyal Canadian Navy, as a project for the testing ofanti-submarine warfaretechnology on an ocean-going hydrofoil. The RCN was replaced on 1 February 1968 by the unified Canadian Armed Forces, andBras d'Orwas commissioned into that service several months later. Changes in priorities and cost overruns later led to the project's cancellation.
Bras d'Orwas named in honour ofBras d'Or LakeonNova Scotia'sCape Breton Island, where inventorAlexander Graham Bellperformed hydrofoil experiments in the early 20th century near his estate and new laboratory atBeinn Bhreagh, setting the world watercraft speed record in the process. In 1909 the lake was also the historic site of the first flight of an aircraft in Canada and the British Commonwealth; the airplane, named theSilver Dart, was built by theAerial Experiment Associationunder Dr. Bell's tutelage. The lake's name was thus fitting for a hydrofoil vessel which could 'fly' above an ocean's surface.
The RCN and British Admiralty studied the use of hydrofoils for anti-submarine work and coastal patrol craft began post Second World War. This led to a 17-tonne prototype, theR-103, built bySaunders-Roein the UK, and sea-trialled in Canada. That experimental craft resulted in the foil configuration used forBras d'Or.
Bras d'Orwas the third vessel to bear that name (see below + B-119 ex PT-3 during World War II under lend-lease) and was built atMarine Industries Limited(MIL) inSorel, Quebec, the primary contractor beingde Havilland Canada, an aircraft company. The Principal Naval Overseer was Commander Donald Clark,CD, RCN, who initiated the project on completion and launch ofHMCSNipigonin 1964. The hull was built upside down out ofaluminumand rotated on 22 January 1966 when it was complete. The foil system was constructed frommaraging steel.
Bras d'Orflew on a set of surface-piercing foils in acanardconfiguration (a small foil forward and a larger load-bearing foil aft). The foils were made of maraging steel coated inneopreneto prevent corrosion. However, the neoprene coating did not work adequately and the foils still suffered corrosion.
The main foils featured several parts: twoanhedralfoils, two anhedral tips, twodihedralfoils, and a centre high-speed foil. The steerable front foil featured two anhedral sections and two dihedral sections with a strut down the middle, resulting in a diamond shape.
The ship's helmsman had to be qualified as both a sea pilot and an aircraft pilot.Bras d'Orhad two propulsion systems: one for foilborne operation and one for hullborne operation, which included four engines. Foilborne power was provided by aFT4A-2gas turbinedeveloping 25,500 horsepower (19.0 MW) at 21,500 rpm throughGeneral Electricgearboxes to a pair of three-bladedsupercavitatingpropellers. Hullborne propulsion was driven by aPaxman Ventura16YJCM sixteen-cylinderdiesel engineto a pair ofvariable-pitch propellers. Auxiliary power and electrical power while foilborne was provided by anST6A-53gas turbine powering an auxiliary gearbox. Both of the P&W turbines were built byUnited Aircraft of Canada. There was also aGarrettGTCP85-291 gas turbine for essential ship electrical requirements in emergencies.
On 5 November 1966, a de Havilland employee was in the main engine room with the ST6 running when ahydraulic fluidleak ignited on a hot joint in the ST6's exhaust stack, resulting in a flash fire. The technician responsible for the fire-suppression system rescued the employee, but as a result did not have time to activate the fire-suppression system.
The fire was put out one and a half hours later by the Sorel fire department. This delayed the ship's launch to 12 July 1968 and cost $5.7 million.
Bras d'Orfirst flew on 9 April 1969 nearChebucto Headoff the entrance toHalifax Harbour. The vessel exhibited extraordinary stability in rough weather, frequently more stable at 40 knots (70 km/h; 50 mph) than a conventional ship at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph).Bras d'Orexceeded 63 knots (117 km/h; 72 mph) on trials, quite possibly making her the fastest warship ever built. It was however, never fitted with equipment for warfare (no weapons or weapons systems) and the title now lies with the NorwegianSkjold-classcorvettesthat do 60 knots (110 km/h; 70 mph), fully equipped.
Bras d'Or's trial program was abruptly cancelled on 2 November 1971 byMinister of National DefenceDonald S. Macdonald, attributing it to a change in defence priority (from anti-submarine warfare to sovereignty protection).The ship was laid up for five years, then the program was completely cancelled by Liberal Government underPierre Elliott Trudeau, with most of the valuable components either sold byCrown Assetsor scrapped.
The ship itself was saved and donated to theMusée Maritime du QuébecatL'Islet-sur-Mer, Quebecwhere it remains on display to this day.
47°07′46″N70°22′20″W﻿ / ﻿47.12943°N 70.37209°W﻿ /47.12943; -70.37209