Profile

Specifications

Links



The hydrofoil project dates back in Canadian history to Alexander Graham Bell's 1919 hydrofoil the HD4 which reached 60 knots during testing on Bras d'Or Lake in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.



The RCN became interested in hydrofoils in the 1950s and in 1957 a small hydrofoil arrived in Halifax aboard the HMCS Bonaventure.



The Bras d'Or was constructed and named after the Lake where Bell tested his HD4 but was unable to interest the Navy at the time.



This was the second Bras D'Or, the first built at Sorel Quebec in 1918 and employed as a Naval Service Trawler, Lightship #25 and then as a minesweeper. On the night of Oct 18-19 1940, while keeping the freighter Ingener N. Vlasspol (Romanian) under surveillance in the Gulf of St Lawrence she disappeared with all 30 crewmembers.



The Bras d'Or programme was cancelled in 1972 due to costs over runs and a change in Navy priorities.



When scrapped she was laid up on a barge to rust.

In 1982 she became an exhibit at the Musee maritime du Quebec at L'Islet, Quebec.





Profile

Specifications

Bras d'OrFHE Fast Hydrofoil EscortBras d'Or180 tons46 metres - 151 feet6.4 metres - 21 feet7 metres - 23 feet2 Pratt & Whitney FT4A turbinesTurbines - 22,000 shp - 63+ knots; Diesel - 2000 hp - 15 knots4 Officers, 25 menNone fitted400Marine Industries Ltd., (MIL), Sorel Quebec19 July 19681 May 1972Project canceled in 1972Musee maritime du Quebec at L'Islet, QuebecPhotos Click here to see my photos of the Bras d'Or.