Santa surprises children onboard warship

Esquimalt school children gather with crew of HMCS Calgary and members of the Esquimalt Lions Club aboard HMCS Calgary, Dec. 8 2016. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

Twenty-four children from Esquimalt area schools got into the holiday spirit early with a Christmas-themed, three-hour tour of HMCS Calgary on Dec. 8.

The annual visit facilitated by the Esquimalt Lions Club and PO2 Brad Warford, a weapons engineering technician from Calgary, enabled the children, ages eight to 11, to get a first-hand look at the inner workings of the Halifax-class frigate. They were given guided tours of the vessel’s machinery control room, and the bridge, and also a look at the Bofors 57 mm rapid-fire main gun.

After their walkabout, the children then enjoyed lunch in the ship’s cafeteria where they also watched Christmas movies and played games with members of the crew and Lions Club. Then, towards the end of their lunch came the biggest thrill of their day as the Jolly Old One, Santa Claus made a surprise appearance in the cafeteria, sharing warm embraces and high fives with the children. One by one they sat on Santa’s lap and he handed each child a present, laughing with great delight as each gift was handed out.

“This year’s tour was an overwhelming success and the ship’s staff were very excited to have the children on board with us today,” said PO2 Warford. “HMCS Calgary is very proud to host this event again this year, and is happy to carry on a tradition that was originally started by the Esquimalt Lions Club and the former HMCS Protecteur.”

Protecteur and members of the Lions Club began the annual Christmas Tour 31 years ago, but since the supply ship’s decommissioning three years ago, Calgary has taken over as host.