The newspaper article reads: “Canada’s pride, the ‘HMCS Margaret Brooke’ is visiting Owen Sound, Ontario, and will be open for public viewing.”
Well, folks… I’ve been looking for some interesting places to visit and add to my bucket list, and this one fits the bill nicely.
I’ve started a bucket list of places to visit in Canada. Somewhere close to home, and places I’ve never been before. During my research (but not amazement), I discovered there are hundreds of options for interesting day-trippin’ adventures in our area that I’ve not seen.
While reading a newspaper article that mentioned the HMCS ‘Margaret Brooke’, a Canadian Arctic Patrol Ship, was visiting Owen Sound between October 3–5, 2025, I thought, “It’s official, that’s going on my bucket list!”
And the bonus part is? This Canadian Arctic offshore patrol vessel was offering public tours during its short stay.
**** I don’t mean to brag but, this year I’ve visited the Haida, the Cold War Submarine in Port Burwell, the Avro Arrow Museum, and now, the Canadian Arctic Patrol Ship HMCS ‘Margaret Brooke’ in Owen Sound. ****
And as it turns out, this state-of-the-art warship was making its rounds through the Great Lakes and stopping at different Canadian ports along the way. Lucky me, I planned to put my name on the list to board the Margaret Brooke in Own Sound… or maybe, I’ll just show up.
Behind the sceens the Navy’s likely intent in touring the Great Lakes was to show off Canada’s pride and contribution to NATO, and or, ‘maybe just to show the public that their tax dollars are being well spent.’
Who knows? Perhaps a secondary goal was to entice the younger generation to join the Royal Canadian Navy.
*** Either way, I was going. ***
As I read the article, I figured this would be another check mark off my Ontario bucket list, and I even packed my bags and birth certificate, ‘just in case’ they decided to sign me up!
However, after looking in the mirror, I realized those days of me joining the Navy are long gone, but it’s never too late to take an open-to-the-public tour.
A few weeks earlier, I had toured a Canadian Cold War Submarine in Port Burwell. That was a fascinating visit, and now, it was time for the HMCS ‘Margaret Brooke’.
However, I found something unusual: there was no online sign-up for the tour. My conclusion it was “first-come, first-served.” No problem, I’d just show up.
However, standing at the dock, waiting to be ferried out to the ‘HMCS Margaret Brooke’, I quickly realized … I didn’t see my name on the visitors list.
The bottom line, folks: I should have signed us up online (which I didn’t see at first glance), and … no … there were no more available spots for the boat tour.
Adding insult to injury, I had assumed the HMCS Margaret Brooke would be docking “downtown Owen Sound”, where I could at least snap a few good photos. But no-can-do, she was anchored way out in the harbour!
So folks, we did go to see the HMCS Margaret Brooke in Owen Sound, and I did scratch that adventure off my bucket list of “things to do in Ontario.”
The end result of my day-trippin’ adventure wasn’t a total loss. It was a bright fall day with not a cloud in the sky. I saw the ‘Margaret Brooke Arctic Patrol Ship,” even if it was from a long distance away.
I did get several award-worthy photos of beautiful Owen Sound. The ship, however, was well out in the middle of the harbour, as seen in the featured photo.
And no, they wouldn’t have signed up this old dog anyway.
*** Still, it was a great fall adventure visiting Owen Sound and catching a glimpse of Canada’s HMCS Margaret Brooke. So, in the end, it wasn’t about missing the tour, it was about the adventure, the drive, and the story that came with it and …. the memorable photos.
*** Enjoy! ***
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