Residents along Walpole Island waters will have the chance to witness a piece of Canadian naval history on Wednesday as the Royal Canadian Navy’s HMCS Margaret Brooke passes through the area.
The Walpole Island Fire Department announced that the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) is expected to pass by around 3:30 p.m. on October 8, 2025, though timing may vary by about 30 minutes depending on navigation and shipping lane conditions.
“If you’re near the water, take a moment to watch this impressive Royal Canadian Navy vessel as it makes its way through our area — a great opportunity to witness Canadian maritime excellence in action,” Walpole Island firefighter officials said on social media.
Named in honour of Lieutenant-Commander Margaret Brooke, a Royal Canadian Navy Nursing Sister decorated for gallantry during the Second World War, the vessel pays tribute to one of Canada’s most heroic naval figures.
On October 14, 1942, Brooke was serving as a Sub-Lieutenant aboard the Newfoundland ferry SS Caribou when it was torpedoed by a German submarine in the Cabot Strait off Newfoundland. The ship sank within five minutes. Clinging to a capsized lifeboat in the frigid water, Brooke did everything possible to save her friend and fellow Nursing Sister, Sub-Lieutenant Agnes Wilkie. Despite her efforts, Wilkie succumbed to the cold. For her bravery and self-sacrifice, Brooke was appointed a Member (Military Division) of the Order of the British Empire.
“I am amazed that my actions as a survivor of the sinking of the SS Caribou led the Royal Canadian Navy to my door,” she once said. “I was honoured to learn … that a new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel will carry my name and be known as His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Margaret Brooke.”
The Margaret Brooke is part of the Harry DeWolf-class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, named after Canadian naval heroes recognized for exceptional leadership and courage. These vessels are designed to conduct sovereignty and surveillance operations in Canada’s Arctic and coastal waters, and to support other government departments and Canadian Armed Forces units in maritime operations.
