HMCS Oriole makes historic visit to the Sault (8 photos)

HMCS Oriole crew members are available at the Roberta Bondar dock this weekend to provide tours and information on one of the country’s oldest and most historic vessels.

Originally built in 1921 for the Gooderham family in Toronto, the Oriole’s recreational role dramatically changed in the Second World War.

The family lent the ship to the Royal Canadian Navy In 1939 and was used as a training vessel until the war came to an end in 1945.

The Gooderham family took it back for a short time before selling it to the Navy for one dollar in 1947.

The ship was officially commissioned into the Royal Canadian Navy in 1954 and has served as a training vessel ever since.

The public is invited to explore the ship from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday before the Oriole heads out on Monday to continue its tour.

Scott Ferris, the public affairs officer for the HMCS Oriole, says they broke a single-day attendance record as more than 2100 people visited the ship on Canada Day, with hundreds more expected on Saturday and Sunday.