Merchant Mariner monument unveiled on the Sydney boardwalk - Sydney, Nova Scotia - News Article Locations on Waymarking.com

The article reads: "SYDNEY — Ships of every kind jammed Sydney harbour awaiting transit across the Atlantic, but the journey was a perilous one.

That was the reality for those in the merchant navy transporting supplies in convoys during the Battle of the Atlantic, Canada’s longest military engagement that lasted from Sept. 1939 to May 1945. German U-boats patrolled the waters in an attempt to cut off much-needed supplies overseas.

Eighty-nine-year-old Martin MacKinnon of South Bar was only 17 when he signed up. He’d watch the scores of vessels leave the harbour and dream of a life at sea.

“No wonder I had trouble passing any grades, watching the ships go out and wishing I was there. That’s the way it was.”

On Sunday, a monument honouring those merchant mariners was unveiled on the Sydney boardwalk. MacKinnon, who worked in the engine room in smaller convoys, said he was one of the lucky ones, although hearing a depth charge in the engine room “makes you think a little bit.”

According to Veterans Affairs Canada’s website, some 12,000 men and women served in Canada’s Merchant Navy. The casualty rate was one in seven. Over 25,000 merchant ship voyages were made during the Second World War.

“It’s a testament to any merchant seaman who went to sea,” said MacKinnon, who serves as president of the Cape Breton Naval Veterans Association. “Just looking at that statue alone, it tells the story itself.”

Eighty-eight-year-old Stan MacPhail of Sydney was only 16 when he joined the Merchant Navy. He said a trip to England took 22 days.

“There was action all around you,” said MacPhail, who worked as a stoker in the engine room. “You knew there were subs lurking around the convoy and sometimes, you heard a few bangs, but you didn’t know what it was.”

MacPhail said it was important to include the young cadets in Sunday’s ceremony.

“To see it all fall in place like it did (Sunday) was very gratifying.”

Sunday’s ceremony included Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, the Glace Bay High School band and a number of dignitaries and politicians, while the HMCS Shawinigan served as a fitting backdrop in the harbour. About 400 people were on hand to witness the unveiling. The monument depicts four mariners and a life raft, with one of the men being rescued.

Mayor Cecil Clarke praised the local naval veterans association for their work on bringing the monument to life.

“This truly is a recognition of sacrifice, service and valiant efforts,” he said during the ceremony. “There are only a few hundred veterans left, thus our reason to commemorate and celebrate this occasion.”

Following the ceremony on the boardwalk, a Battle of the Atlantic memorial service was held at the Victoria Park Armoury."

Type of publication: Newspaper When was the article reported?: 05/01/2017 Publication: SaltWire Article Url: [Web Link] Is Registration Required?: no How widespread was the article reported?: international News Category: Arts/Culture

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