Horizon Information Portal

e-branch

Home

My Account/Renew Loans

Find Magazine Articles & more

Fastest in the world : the saga of Canada's revolutionary hydrofoils / John Boileau.

by Boileau, John.

View full image

Formac Pub., c2004.

Bras d'Or (Ship) -- History.

Hydrofoil boats -- Design and construction -- Canada -- History.

Anti-submarine warfare equipment industry -- Canada -- History.

Canada -- Military policy.

9780887806216 (pbk.)

96 p. : ill., ports. ; 24 cm.

Some copies may be permabound.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Like the builders of the Avro Arrow, the pioneers of hydrofoils are celebrated in this book for their world-class accomplishments. When Alexander Graham Bell was experimenting with flying machines, he developed hydrofoils as a means of getting airborne from water. In 1919, on the Bras d'Or lakes in Cape Breton, Bell and his collaborator Casey Baldwin broke a world speed record when their prototype HD-4 skimmed across the waves at 61.5 knots. Fifty years later, the Canadian navy set a record for the fastest speed of any warship with their hydrofoil craft, HMCS Bras d'Or. John Boileau tells the story of the naval architects and engineers, excited by the prospect of developing high-speed submarine chasers, who built this experimental world-class vessel. During sea trials in 1969, the vessel exceeded 63 knots (72 mph), making her the fastest unarmed warship in the world. It was however, never fitted with equipment for warfare (no weapons or weapon systems). And, just when Canada was on the brink of taking a unique role in anti-submarine warfare, the government withdrew support for the Bras d'Or in 1971. The orphaned vessel is now on view at the Maritime Museum of Quebec at l'Islet near Quebec City.

Horizon Information Portal 3.24_8902M

© 2001-2013 SirsiDynix All rights reserved.

Horizon Information Portal