HMCS Huron was one of four Tribal class destroyer built for the Canadian Navy in the early 1970s. Her name is derived from an old French word that was applied by the European settlers in 1534 to an Iroquois-speaking tribe who resided in the St. Lawrence River Valley and the Simcoe regions. The Huron were settled in agricultural villages where they raised tobacco for barter. Despite sharing a common language, the Huron were bitter enemies of the Iroquois. This rivalry finally culminated in a bloody conflict in 1648, when the Iroquois, equipped with modern European rifles, destroyed a Huron nation already decimated by disease.

Our ship’s crest, that of the nicotine bloom, pays tribute to the Huron culture. Our ship’s colours are gold and crimson, and our motto is "Ready the brave". HMCS Huron was, according to the media, christened and commissioned Dec. 16, 1972, in the Shipyard of Marine Industries Limited of Sorel Quebec. However, the officers and crew will tell you differently. She was actually commissioned two days prior due to a forecasted weather front moving in the St-Lawrence River at the time. To alleviate the inclement weather, ceremonies were moved to the left to ensure the day was as respectable as possible for that time of year.

In 1997, Huron was honoured as the Canadian representative to England for the Silver Jubilee Review in Portsmouth, England. Once disengaged from the Task Force the ship entered the waters of "Sir Francis Drake" and "Lord Nelson". With more than 50 major warships from as many countries already in place, and more arriving daily, Huron took up her spot at Spithead for anchorage.

After a sleepless and busy crossing, Huron required some much-needed attention. She was awoken early daily and laboured well past secure as the crew armed with buckets, paint, mops and  gallons and gallons of brass polish were put through their paces. Just as Huron became "ship-shape Bristol fashion", she was ordered to take up her position for Reviewing Order.

Three, seven-mile long columns of more than 130 ships from half the world's navies awaited the arrival of Her Majesty. Then a movement was visible in the mouth of the harbour some three miles distant. Every eye strained to see the distinctive blue hull and three towering masts. Then there she was, the Royal Yacht Britannia, sliding gracefully to her anchorage only 400 short yards from Huron. The warships surged to life as an estimated 30,000 sailors of all nationalities rang out the "Cheers" over the green waters of Spithead.

It was a spectacle that made every heart on board proud that we were not just Huron, but at this Review, we were Canada. Huron continued numerous patrols and exercises for many years in and out of her homeport of Halifax. Then she sailed west, arriving in Esquimalt July 27, 1987.

Joining the Second Canadian Destroyer Squadron, she was the first Tribal class to be based out of British Columbia and assigned the duty of Flagship for her five year West Coast attachment. Making several major deployments, including visits to the communist ports of Tsing Tao, China, in 1988, then Vladivastok, Russia, in 1990, Huron was also part of Canada's contribution to the RIMPAC and WESTPLOY exercises.

In January 1991, Huron was tasked to go to the Arabian Gulf during the war. As Huron departed on that cool January morning, leaving her familiar waters and the safety of her harbours for transit to the Middle East, thousands upon thousands of Victorians crowded the waterfront of Dallas Road and the breakwater off Victoria. En route, Huron tested her firepower as the newly fitted Sea Sparrow was to be trialed for use, if need be, in theatre. Once completing her tour, she proceeded to Esquimalt via the Pacific (thus circumnavigating the globe). This was truly the highlight of her West Coast service.

February 1992 saw another coastal transfer. Huron as D2 Flagship in company with HMC Ships Restigouche, Kootenay and Qu’appelle sailed out of Esquimalt to Halifax, arriving March 30. Huron spent the next month and a half de-storing and conducting prep work for her TRUMP turnover. She sailed back to Esquimalt in 1995.

In the fall of 1998, working with Aurora aircraft from 19 Wing’s 407 Maritime Patrol Squadron, Huron provided surveillance for the RCMP. The aircrew and ship’s company tracked suspected drug smuggling vessels 24 hours a day, for a period of almost two weeks. The operation resulted in the interception of more than 14 tons of hashish - the largest seizure of its kind ever made on the West Coast. The confiscated hashish had a street value of more than $128 million.

Then, in late summer of 1999, on patrol off the waters of British Columbia in Nootka Sound, Huron conducted her final gallant duty. Under the authority of the RCMP, Huron pulled over a Chinese migrant smuggling ship. Conducting on site surveys and rendering first aid to the occupants, the ship then took the migrants and smugglers on board and sailed to Esquimalt harbour where they were turned over to Immigration Department officials.

Huron last sailed Oct. 23, 2000, when she embarked about 200 mayors and councillors, who were attending a municipal convention in Victoria for a day sail. For every ship, a paying off ceremony is inevitable, and this final good bye to Huron is from all those who served in her. Reminisce of days gone by, but do not forget her.

She may be going, but she will never be gone! Ready the Brave.