Bonaventure Avenue

Edmonton, Alberta
Type
Other

Bonaventure Avenue was dedicated to the men and women who served on the last Canada's aircraft carrier, HMCS Bonaventure, by the Canada Lands Company on January 16, 2008, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).

The ship was a Majestic class light fleet carrier, originally to have been HMS Powerfulbut the Royal Canadian Navy decided to name her HMCS Bonaventure after the bird sanctuary in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. She served in the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Forces Maritime Command from 1957 to 1970. It carried a crew of 1,200, and a force of Banshee jet fighters, Tracker anti-submarine warfare aircraft and Sikorsky helicopters. The Royal Canadian Navy was the only navy in the world at the time, other than the United States Navy, capable of conducting around-the-clock air operations for sustained periods. The Bonaventure was based in Halifax, served primarily in the North Atlantic and was decommissioned in Halifax on 3 July 1970.

The HMCS Bonaventure plaque was unveiled on June 6, 2010.

Inscription

BONAVENTURE
AV

[plaque]

THE VILLAGE AT
GRIESBACH

HMCS BONAVENTURE

HMCS Bonaventure (the Bonnie) was a Majestic class 19,000 ton light aircraft carrier, originally
laid down for the Royal Navy as HMS Powerful. She was obtained by the Royal Canadian Navy
(RCN) after the aircraft carriers Magnificent (Maggie) and Warrior, and served in the RCN and
Canadian Forces maritime Command from 1957 to 1970. the Bonnie was Canada's last aircraft carrier.
As the Canadian Navy's flagship, the Bonnie carried a crew of 1,200, and a force of Banshee
jet fighters, Tracker anti-submarine warfare aircraft and Sikorsky helicopters. Because of the
hard work and dedication of her crew, the Bonaventure was able to conduct around-the -clock
operations, with anti-submarine aircraft. This made the RCN the only navy in the world at the
time, other than the US Navy, capable of conducting around-the-clock air operations for
sustained periods. The Bonaventure was based in Halifax and served primarily in the North
Atlantic.
In 1964 new Sea King helicopters were added to Bonaventure's complement, enhancing its
anti-submarine capability. The Bonaventure was decommissioned, in Halifax, on 3 July 1970.

NCSM BONAVENTURE

Le NCSM Bonaventure (surnommé le Bonnie) est un porte-avoins de 19,000 tonnes, de classe
Majestic. Il est d`abord construit sous le nom de HMS Powerful pour la Royal Navy britannique
et ensuite acheté par la Marine royale canadienne (MRC) et ce après l`acquisition des
porte-avions Magnificent (Maggie) et Warrior. Le Bonnie est au service de la MRC et du
Commandement maritime des Forces canadiennes de 1957 à 1970. Il est le dernier porte-avions
du Canada.
En tant que Navire amiral de la marine canadienne, le Bonnie est doté d`un équipage de 1,200
marins et d`une force aéronavale composée d`avions de chasse à réaction Banshee, d`avions de
lutte anti-sous-marine Tracker et d`hélicoptères Sikorsky. Grâce au dur travail et à la ténacité
de son équipage, le Bonnie est capable de mener des opérations soutenues 24 heures sur 24
avec ses avions de lutte anti-sous-marine. À l`exception de la US Navy, la MRC est la seule
marine au monde capable de maintenir un porte-avions en opérations 24 heures sur 24 de
façon prolongée. Halifax est le port d`attache du Bonaventure qui est en service surtout dans le nord de l`Atlantique.
En 1964, les nouveaux hélicoptères Sea king viennent améliorer l`arsenal du Bonaventure, ce qui rehausse son efficacité dans la lutte anti-sous-marine. Le 3 juillet 1970, le Bonaventure est
désarmé à Halifax.

Canadian Naval Centennial 1910-2010
Centenaire de la marine Canadienne 1910-2010

Canada Lands Company Limited
Société immobilière du Canada limitée

Location
Bonaventure Avenue

Bonaventure Avenue
Edmonton
Alberta
GPS Coordinates
Lat. 53.6008328
Long. -113.504372

plaque

Don Stewart
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surroundings

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