The Project
To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy,
the Elgin Military Museum is proud to obtain, preserve and operate
HMCS Ojibwa, a cold war Oberon Class submarine, as a
Museum - reflecting our naval heritage for the benefit of future
generations. HMCS Ojibwa was the first submarine built
expressly for the Royal Canadian Navy (although there were
submarines in the Canadian navy since the Great War).
Moving a submarine from Halifax to Port Burwell in southwestern
Ontario is a tremendous challenge but one we willingly accept.
There are still negotiations to complete and funds to be raised to
build out the project over the next few years; but with a steady
hand on the helm and a lot of hard work, we are confident of
success. We are grateful to have the support of so many Canadians
across the country and individuals from around the world.
How and perhaps more to the point, why did The Elgin Military
Museum located in St. Thomas, a small, land-locked city in rural
Elgin County in south western Ontario, come to acquire a submarine
- the two hundred and ninety five foot long and five storeys high
Oberon Class submarine, HMCS Ojibwa? The answer is opportunity
knocked, the potential was analysed and the challenge was
accepted.
It is more than a measured can do attitude that drives this
endeavour; it is the conviction that saving an important piece of
Canadian heritage from the wrecker's ball is worthwhile and if
doing so helps to regenerate the north shore of Lake Erie so much
the better. Because we firmly believe that is what it will
accomplish with an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 visitors annually.
We look to Project Ojibwa being a tremendous success which will
enable us to distribute a portion of the surplus accrued to
charitable organizations benefiting veterans and their families as
well as local museums and cultural organizations. (As a registered
charity, The Elgin Military Museum is a not-for-profit entity) We
can't do this on our own. You can help.