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December 2008 to June 2009

Home at Last !!! - Getting Ready to Open as a Submarine Museum

News Release from Site Historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père

Rimouski, 1 December 2008

Last week's efforts have made it possible to haul the submarine over an extra 30 metres, for a total distance of 80 metres. However, through the last portion of the haul, one of the three dollies supporting the submarine on the ramp slipped out of position, about ten meters before reaching the intended final destination. Therefore, the leaders of the "Site Historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père" have decided to put a final stop to the hauling operations. "We are very satisfied with its position" said director Serge Guay, adding that it would be technically very complicated and too costly to continue the operation now that harsh winter conditions prevail. The remaining distance of about 10 metres is not significant enough to justify taking such important risks.

Through the coming weeks, a protective dike will be raised and permanent supports installed to hold the submarine on its final site. The visiting concept is already on the drawing board and the adapted interior set up will be completed through the winter months.

Let's remember that "former" HMCS Onondaga and its crew of 70 have served Canada from 1967 through the year 2000. The 90 metre long ship will become the only submarine accessible to the public in Canada. Its opening to visitors is planned for the middle of May 2009.

1 December 2008 - Finally out of the water ( Photo from Roland Thériault )

11 December 2008 - Getting ready for Christmas ( Photo from Serge Guay )

Getting ready for visitors ! ! !

JANUARY 2009 TO MAY 2009

24 February 2009 - The first access door ( Photo from Onondaga on Facebook )

6 April 2009 - Jacques St-Pierre, Owner of Multi-électronique and Serge Guay, Museum Director in front of the sonar screens

Translation of a message from Serge Guay, Director, Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père

Rimouski, 6 April 2009

Submarine Onondaga is coming back to life again !

Many things have been happening at Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père since last fall.

Preparations are going well to ready the submarine/museum for the public by the month of June. About twenty pieces of equipment have been reactivated, such as radar and sonar screens as well as control boards to launch torpedos. Technicians from the company Multi-électronique have responded to our invitation and have been brilliant in reviving the equipment. It will add realism and provide animation as the visitors proceed on their journey of discovery throughout of the submarine.

As well, we were able to count on the professionalism of electrician Pierre Roy and his colleagues at Wesco Distributions. Their work made it possible to install heat and lights in all of the submarine compartments while respecting the integrity of the environment and of the appearance onboard the submarine.

Click here to continue on the Onondaga Project