HMCS William Hall

{{Short description|Royal Canadian Navy offshore patrol vessel}}

{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}

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| Ship image = 2022-08-14 01 HMCS WILLIAM HALL (AOPV 433) - IMO 4702539 - under construction.jpg

| Ship caption = HMCS William Hall under construction in Halifax, Canada

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{{Infobox ship career

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| Ship country = Canada

| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Canada|naval}}

| Ship name = William Hall

| Ship namesake = William Hall

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| Ship builder = Irving Shipbuilding, Halifax, Nova Scotia

| Ship laid down = 17 February 2021

| Ship launched = 27 November 2022

| Ship completed = 31 August 2023{{cite press release|url=https://shipsforcanada.ca/our-stories/hmcs-william-hall-canadas-fourth-arctic-and-offshore-patrol-ship-aops-in-the-new-dewolf-class-is-delivered-to-the-royal-canadian-navy|title=HMCS William Hall, Canada's Fourth Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) in the new DeWolf Class is Delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy|publisher=Irving Shipbuilding|date=31 August 2023|access-date=31 August 2023}}

| Ship commissioned = 16 May 2024{{cite press release|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2024/05/hmcs-william-hall-commissioned-into-service-in-halifax-ns.html|title=HMCS William Hall Commissioned into Service in Halifax, N.S.|publisher=Government of Canada|date=16 May 2024|accessdate=16 May 2024}}

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| Ship Homeport = Halifax

| Ship identification = * Hull number: AOPV 433

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| Ship status = In service

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| Ship motto = {{langnf|la|Nec timemus nec vacillamus|We do not fear or falter}}{{cite web |url=https://www.gg.ca/en/heraldry/public-register/project/3540 |title=HMCS William Hall |publisher=Governor General of Canada |access-date=23 July 2024}}

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{{Infobox ship characteristics

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| Ship type = {{sclass|Harry DeWolf|offshore patrol vessel}}

| Ship displacement = {{convert|6,615|MT|LT|lk=on|abbr=on|0}}

| Ship length = {{convert|103.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

| Ship beam = {{convert|19.0|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

| Ship draught = {{convert|5.7|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

| Ship ice class = Polar Class 5

| Ship power = 4{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}MAN 6L32/44CR (4{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}3.6{{nbsp}}MW){{csr|register=SEAWEB|id=4702503|shipname=Harry DeWolf|accessdate=22 October 2022}}

| Ship propulsion = *Diesel-electric

  • Two shafts (2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}4.5{{nbsp}}MW)
  • Bow thruster{{Cite web |date=18 April 2024 |title=Harry DeWolf class fact sheet |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/navy/corporate/fleet-units/surface/harry-dewolf-class/fact-sheet.html |access-date=23 July 2024 |publisher=Government of Canada}}

| Ship speed = * {{convert|17|kn|lk=in|abbr=on}} (open water)

  • {{convert|3|kn|abbr=on}} in {{convert|1|m|ftin|abbr=on}} ice{{cite web|url=https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2022/july/11975-royal-canadian-navy-s-opv-hmcs-max-bernays-starts-sea-trials.html|title=Royal Canadian Navy's OPV HMCS Max Bernays starts sea trials |work=Navy Recognition |date=26 July 2022|accessdate=23 October 2022}}

| Ship range = {{convert|6800|nmi|lk=on|abbr=on}} at {{convert|14|kn|abbr=on}}{{Cite journal |journal=Maritime Engineering Journal |title=AOPS Concept of Operations |last1=Malek |first1=Aaron |last2=Francis |first2=Morgan |date=Fall 2022 |number=102 |url=https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/dnd-mdn/documents/mej/42-071-maritime-engineering-journal-102.pdf |issn=0713-0058 |p=13}}

| Ship complement = 65

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| Ship armament = * 1 × BAE Mk 38 {{cvt|25|mm}} gun

| Ship boats = * 2 × {{convert|8.5|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} multi-role rescue boats

  • {{convert|12|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} landing craft{{cite web |url=https://shipsforcanada.ca/our-stories/irving-shipbuilding-selects-rosborough-boats-to-supply-multi-role-rescue-boats-for-aops-vessels |title=Irving Shipbuilding Selects Rosborough Boats to supply Multi-Role Rescue Boats for AOPS vessels |publisher=Irving Shipbuilding |date=13 March 2017 |access-date=17 May 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bairdmaritime.com/work-boat-world/maritime-security-world/naval/ships-naval/abco-industries-to-build-12m-landing-craft-for-royal-canadian-navy/ |title=ABCO Industries to Build 12m Landing Craft for Royal Canadian Navy |work=Baird Maritime |date=17 October 2018 |access-date=11 August 2020 |archive-date=11 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011023414/https://www.bairdmaritime.com/work-boat-world/maritime-security-world/naval/ships-naval/abco-industries-to-build-12m-landing-craft-for-royal-canadian-navy/ |url-status=live}}

| Ship armour =

| Ship aircraft = Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone or other helicopters/CU-176 Gargoyle UAV

| Ship aircraft facilities = Hangar and flight deck

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HMCS William Hall (AOPV 433) {{Cite web|url=https://www.jdirving.com/Newsroom-William-Hall-Keel-Laying.aspx|access-date=24 October 2021|title=Official Keel Laying Ceremony At Halifax Shipyard For The Future HMCS William Hall, Canada'S Fourth Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship|publisher=J.D. Irving, Limited|archive-date=24 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024175528/https://www.jdirving.com/Newsroom-William-Hall-Keel-Laying.aspx|url-status=dead}} is the fourth {{sclass|Harry DeWolf|offshore patrol vessel}} for the Royal Canadian Navy. The class was derived from the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship project as part of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy and is primarily designed for the patrol and support of Canada's Arctic regions. Named after Quartermaster William Nelson Edward Hall,{{cite web|date=19 April 2013|title=Name of HMCS William Hall announced {{!}} Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ship {{!}} Fleet & Units {{!}} Royal Canadian Navy|url=http://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/en/fleet-units/aops-hall.page|access-date=24 October 2021|publisher=Royal Canadian Navy|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022235511/http://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/en/fleet-units/aops-hall.page|url-status=dead}} who was the first African Canadian to receive the Victoria Cross. He received the medal for his actions in the 1857 Siege of Lucknow during the Indian Rebellion.

Design and description

The {{sclass|Harry DeWolf|offshore patrol vessel}}s are designed for use in the Arctic regions of Canada for patrol and support within Canada's exclusive economic zone. The vessel is {{convert|103.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}} long overall with a beam of {{convert|19.0|m|ftin|abbr=on}}. The ship will have a displacement of {{convert|6615|MT|LT|lk=in}}. The ship has an enclosed foredeck that protects machinery and work spaces from Arctic climates. The vessel will be powered by a diesel-electric system composed of four {{convert|3.6|MW|adj=on}} MAN 6L32/44CR four-stroke medium-speed diesel generators and two electric propulsion motors rated at {{convert|4.5|MW}} driving two shafts. William Hall will be capable of {{convert|17|kn|lk=in}} in open water and {{convert|3|kn}} in {{convert|1|m|adj=on}} first-year sea ice. The ship will also be equipped with a bow thruster to aid during manoeuvres and docking procedures without requiring tugboat assistance. The ship will have a range of {{convert|6800|nmi|lk=in}} and an endurance of 120 days with 65 personnel. William Hall will be equipped with fin stabilizers to decrease roll in open water but can be retracted during icebreaking.{{cite web|last=Pugliese|first=David|date=16 January 2015|title=Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships to be constructed in three "mega blocks"|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/arctic-offshore-patrol-ships-to-be-constructed-in-three-mega-blocks|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031161918/https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/arctic-offshore-patrol-ships-to-be-constructed-in-three-mega-blocks|archive-date=31 October 2018|access-date=31 October 2018|work=Ottawa Citizen}}{{cite web|date=January 2015|title=Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships|url=http://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/en/fleet-units/aops-home.page|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031161651/http://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/en/fleet-units/aops-home.page|archive-date=31 October 2018|access-date=31 October 2018|publisher=Royal Canadian Navy}}{{cite web|date=January 2015|title=Harry DeWolf-class Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ship Factsheet|url=http://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/assets/NAVY_Internet/docs/en/aops_factsheet_rv-e.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031161434/http://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/assets/NAVY_Internet/docs/en/aops_factsheet_rv-e.pdf|archive-date=31 October 2018|access-date=31 October 2018|publisher=Department of National Defence of Canada}}

William Hall will be able to deploy with multiple payloads, including shipping containers, underwater survey equipment or landing craft. Payload operations are aided by a {{convert|20|MT|adj=on}} crane for loading and unloading. The ship is equipped with a vehicle bay which can hold pickup trucks, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. The ship will also have two {{convert|8.5|m|ftin|adj=on}} multi-role rescue boats capable of over {{convert|35|kn}}. The ship will be armed with one BAE Mk 38 {{convert|25|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} gun and two M2 Browning machine guns. The patrol ship has an onboard hangar and flight deck for helicopters up to the size of a Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone. William Hall will have a complement of 65 and accommodation for 85 or 87.{{cite press release|publisher=Irving Shipbuilding|title=Largest Active Combat Ship Built in Canada - HMCS Harry Dewolf- Commissioned Today|date=26 June 2021}}

Construction and career

The keel for William Hall was laid on 17 February 2021 and the hull floated-out on 27 November 2022.{{Cite web |last=Sword |first=Pam |title=Photos: It's a bouncing baby patrol ship! Future HMCS William Hall launched in Halifax |url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/photos-its-a-bouncing-baby-patrol-ship-future-hmcs-william-hall-launched-in-halifax-100799975/ |access-date=29 November 2022 |work=Saltwire |date=28 November 2022}} The ship was formally named on 28 April 2023{{cite web |publisher=Irving Shipbuilding |title=The Future HMCS William Hall Officially Named Today |url=https://shipsforcanada.ca/our-stories/the-future-hmcs-william-hall-officially-named-today |date=28 April 2023 |access-date=1 May 2023}} and began sea trials in July. On 31 August 2023, the Royal Canadian Navy took possession of William Hall to begin post-acceptance trials.

William Hall was in St. John’s Harbour during the first week of March 2024 while on cold weather training exercises.{{Cite web |title=Brand new navy ship visits St. John’s Harbour |url=https://ntv.ca/brand-new-navy-ship-visits-st-johns-harbour/ |date=5 March 2024 |access-date=23 July 2024 |work=NTV |last=Daley |first=Becky}} Post-delivery work on William Hall concluded early in 2024 and was followed by readiness training and operational test and evaluation activities assessing class-wide capabilities.{{Cite magazine |date=15 February 2024 |magazine=Our Navy Today |volume=7 |issue=1 |title=2024 on the horizon –platforms |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/navy/corporate/navy-news/our-navy-today/volume-7-issue-1.html |access-date=23 July 2024 |publisher=Government of Canada}} The ship was commissioned on 16 May 2024 at Halifax.{{cite web |url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/hmcs-william-hall-commissioned-in-halifax-1.6890134 |title=HMCS William Hall commissioned in Halifax |work=CTV News |last=Price |first=Melanie |date=16 May 2024 |access-date=23 July 2024}}

References