page_title: Annapolis-class destroyer
section_title: Service history
hierarchical_section_title: Annapolis-class destroyer / Service history
caption_attribution_description: English: HMCS Nipigon (DDH 266) sunk for an artificial reef north of Rimouski, Quebec in 2003. Français&#160;: HMCS Nipigon (DDH 266)
context_page_description: The Annapolis-class destroyer escort was a two-ship class of destroyer escorts that saw service with the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Forces from the 1960s to the 1990s. The final version of the St. Laurent-class design, the class was used extensively for anti-submarine warfare purposes. Both ships were sunk as artificial reefs after being retired, one on each coast of Canada.
context_section_description: Nipigon was laid down by Marine Industries Ltd on 5 August 1960 and Annapolis by  Halifax Shipyards on 2 September 1961. Both ships commissioned in 1964; Nipigon on 30 May and Annapolis on 19 December.
  Both ships spent the majority of their career split between Canada's Pacific and Atlantic coasts with the Annapolis being at Esquimalt and Nipigon at Halifax. They spent most of their careers participating in training exercises, such as Ocean Safari '87 or representing Canada at ceremonial situations, such as commemorating the Battle of the Atlantic in May 1993 at Liverpool.
  In 1994, Annapolis participated in Operation Forward Action off Haiti. In 1995, after illegal fishing had taken place in Canada's exclusive economic zone, Nipigon was sent to support Canadian Coast Guard and Fisheries vessels in apprehending the perpetrators, in what became called the Turbot War.
  Nipigon remained in the fleet until 1998 as a trials ship for the ETASS Mod 5 towed sonar system which was a precursor to the CANTASS  that is currently fitted on the Halifax class of frigates.  Both Annapolis and Nipigon were paid off on 1 July 1998. Nipigon was towed to Rimouski, Quebec and sunk as an artificial reef off the coast. After years of court battles, Annapolis was sunk as an artificial reef off Gambier Island, British Columbia in 2015.
caption: Nipigon awaiting her fate in Rimouski harbour
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