DEEPLY CANADIAN

In her earlier book, Through A Canadian Periscope, published in 1995, Ms. Ferguson traced the historical development of the use of submarines in and by the Canadian Navy. Deeply Canadian is the sequel and completes the story to the end of the 20th century. When the earlier book was published, there was a heated and very public debate under way as to whether Canada even needed submarines. NOAC, through its Branches and some dedicated individual members, played a significant role behind the scenes in advocating support for the position of the Navy that submarines were indeed needed as an essential component of a balanced naval force. The Navy eventually got surplus British submarines, and they are now entering service as the Victoria-class.

Deeply Canadian examines all aspects of the tortuous route that led to the acquisition of these submarines and explains why it was such a difficult project to complete. Considering that the planning process for the replacement of the Oberon-class formally began in the early 1980s, the time taken in finally making it happen must be some kind of record in project management circles! The reasons behind this extraordinary apparent foot-dragging are fully addressed in the book, and the author does not hesitate to express her views as to why it happened.

The British Ministry of Defence and the shipbuilder in Barrow gave Ms. Ferguson remarkable access to visit the submarines in the UK while they were awaiting their fate. Devoting a whole chapter to the subject, she provides a unique look at the submarines themselves, and into the workings of the unusual deal that was struck in order that Canada could obtain these vessels. This is perhaps the most comprehensive explanation yet published of how the arrangement is structured-far more lucidly stated than that produced by the national media.

The book puts the whole issue of why submarines are needed by the Navy into the proper context of Canadian geography, government policy, and the current world reality. NOAC members will be familiar with the type of argument used by the author in making the case for the submarines as it uses a similar logical process to that developed in the NOAC publication, "Why Canada Needs Maritime Forces." There is also a refresher on the historical aspects of submarines in Canadian naval service and the antipathy towards them that has long been a fact of life in the Canadian Navy. According to the author this has meant, "… [that] the submariners have had to fight for recognition and understanding from within the Navy, successive governments, and the population as a whole."

Deeply Canadian is not arguing for the acquisition of submarines, but it does make the case for their retention within the Task Group organization. It is an interesting read and the author has done her research well. Her arguments are balanced and documented. This is an important contribution to the naval historical record and I highly recommend it.

(Mike Young is a former editor STARSHELL and a retired Commander. He is a member of Ottawa Br. Ed.)

(Originally Published in Vol. VII, No. 13 Winter 2000/2001 issue of Starshell)