During WWII the British Government requisitioned the building of 1,464 various ships for war service. Each of these vessels bore the 1st name “Empire” The Empire Sandy is the last of the “Empire” ships still in service.

The Empire Sandy was built throughout the World war ii in England (UK) at Willington Quay-On-Tyne and went into service on July 14, 1943. It had become one of eight sister ships with the Englishman Larch/class that is designated as “Deep Sea Tugs”. They're 145 feet in total that has a 30ft beam including a drew of 17ft water. On the list of one large steam boiler along with a 3 cylinder triple expansion steam engine. The ships were fitted with extra capacity oil tanks for long are employed in its northern border Atlantic. These folks were fitted with 3/8 steel plate armour with anti-aircraft guns and carried four Royal Navy Gunners. Naval records reveal that four of them ships were torpedoed or bombed.

The Empire Sandy’s logs (recently purchased from britain National Archive) show the ship serving from the North Atlantic, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean. The ship sailed as far north of Reykjavik, Iceland so when far east as Trincomalee, Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Following the war the ship was sold and her name was changed to Ashford. She worked as a tug and salvage vessel within the UK clearing the wreckage of war.

The Empire Sandy has within the year’s undergone substantial retrofits. Now it is 200 ft. long, weighs 740 tons & has 11,000 sq. feet .Today she actually is built with six leak-proof compartments, life boats for 350 people, one emergency launch, four audio radio transmitters, a satellite emergency location system and two Gps device systems. The ship is inspected annually by Transport Canada for compliance with existing marine safety regulations. As a licenced passenger vessel, The Empire Sandy is continuously upgraded while using latest safety equipment to ensure the highest a higher level passenger security and comfort.

As Canada’s largest sailing ship, the Empire Sandy is rather active in offering private group charters, public dinner dance cruises about the Toronto Harbour.It has been involved with day sailing excursions to key ports around the Great Lakes and St Lawrence Sea Way. Once the Empire Sandy arrives at the local port it always attracts a person's eye of your public and media.

The Empire Sandy can also be very active in charity work by offering fund raising dinners cruises to local charitable organizations. The ship’s crew & organization works together the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets (RCSC) @ HMCS York keeping them free use of gain experience on Canada’s largest Topsail Schooner.

The Empire Sandy, which can be managed by Nautical Adventure, in Toronto are going to be open for public tours on Saturday May 25 and Sunday May 26 from 10am to 5pm within Doors Open 2013. It becomes an annual architectural event with 100 public & private buildings which are open for tours while in the city.

Please come aboard Canada’s largest Topsail Schooner, tour the ship and speak to the officers and crew. Imagine what it’s like looking at when of your Tall Ship, a warm breeze on your face throughout the day or beneath a canopy of stars and billowing white sails in the evening. The event might be so enjoyable you perhaps family and friends might want to embark on a Toronto Harbour Cruises and Toronto Dinner Cruises or harbour cruise,around the ship august.

About the Author

Patrick Crawford For more information about Toronto Boat Cruises please visit the website.

Your Response