100th Anniversary of the Canadian Navy facts for kids
View of the memorial (2018)
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 Location in British Columbia
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| Coordinates | 48°25′24″N 123°22′09″W / 48.4232°N 123.3693°W |
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| Location | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada |
| Designer | Nathan Scott |
| Opening date | 4 May 2010 |
| Dedicated to | Royal Canadian Navy |
The 100th Anniversary of the Canadian Navy is a special outdoor monument in Victoria, British Columbia. It was built to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Royal Canadian Navy. This monument opened exactly 100 years after the navy was first created.
The main part of the monument is a bronze statue called The Homecoming. A local artist named Nathan Scott created it. The statue shows a Canadian sailor meeting his daughter again after being away. The monument also has special tributes to Canadian ships and sailors.
Contents
This monument was put up on May 4, 2010. It marked 100 years since the Royal Canadian Navy was officially started. The navy began with a law called the Naval Service Act in 1910.
The monument shows Canada's thanks to all the sailors. Tens of thousands of people have served in the navy. They have been on more than 850 Canadian ships since 1910.
Who Helped Build It?
A local helper and Navy Captain, Cedric Steele, really pushed for this project. He was inspired by a similar statue in Halifax, Nova Scotia. That statue celebrated the Navy's 75th anniversary.
The land for the monument was given by Bill Wellburn. He was the head of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.
Important People and Funding
The monument had a special supporter, Steven Point. He was the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia at the time. He was helped by retired Vice-Admiral Nigel Brodeur. Rear Admiral Tyrone Pile, who led the Pacific Navy forces, also supported the project.
The monument cost about $150,000 to build. Money was raised by selling small copies of the statue. People could also buy special paving stones. These stones now surround the monument. When the monument was revealed, the ship Brandon was there. Many navy veterans also attended the event.
What the Monument Looks Like
The monument is located on Wharf Street in Victoria, British Columbia. It has a few main parts.
The Homecoming Statue
The bronze Homecoming statue is the main feature. It shows a sailor reuniting with his daughter and their dog. This happens after he returns from being away on duty. Nathan Scott, a local artist from Victoria, sculpted The Homecoming.
Stone Markers and Plaques
There are two stone markers at the monument. One marker tells the story of the Canadian Navy. It also shows the date the monument was opened.
The second stone marker has symbols of Navy veteran groups. It also lists the names of people who supported the project. This marker also shows the English meaning of the Navy motto: "Parati vero parati" ("Ready aye ready").
On the back of both stone markers, you can see the fouled anchor symbol of the Royal Canadian Navy. This symbol is made of bronze.
Special Details
The dark marble base of Homecoming has the statue's name in gold letters. On the other three sides of the base, there are plaques. These plaques remember individual Canadian ships. Light-grey granite stones sit on top of the base.
The paved area around the monument has special stones. These are the commemorative stones that were sold to raise money. They are engraved with the names of service members. These stones are still being sold and added to the site. The money raised helps the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre.
