Canadian War Museum lecture dives into Second World War mystery

May 8, 2007

Canadian War Museum lecture dives into Second World War mystery

Ottawa, Ontario, May 8, 2007 — Learn about the fate of one of Canada’s most important warships at the Canadian War Museum’s next Building Knowledge lecture. Professional scuba diver Mark Ward presents “Honouring an Unlucky Lady, HMCS Athabaskan” on May 10, 2007 at 7 p.m. in the Museum’s Barney Danson Theatre.

The Royal Canadian Navy destroyer HMCS Athabaskan patrolled the English Channel and supported mine-laying missions during the Second World War. The ship sank in action on the night of April 29, 1944, taking the lives of 128 of the 254 sailors on board — including Ward’s grandfather.

To honour the crew’s sacrifice, Ward coordinated a diving expedition to his grandfather’s submerged gravesite in 2003, and returned in 2005 to coordinate a multi-beam sonar survey that revealed new information about the wreck.

Join Ward to find out what he discovered 87 metres (285 feet) underwater off the northwest coast of France, and listen as he discusses his quest to find answers to one of the lasting mysteries of the Second World War: the sinking of Canada’s HMCS Athabaskan.

WHAT: “Honouring an Unlucky Lady, HMCS Athabaskan” – Building Knowledge Lecture by Mark Ward
WHERE: Barney Danson Theatre, Canadian War Museum
WHEN: Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 7 p.m. (English)
COST: Free admission

More information is available by calling 819 776-7600 or 1 800 555-5621.

Information (media):

Christina Selin
Manager, Communications
Canadian War Museum
Telephone: 819 776-8607
E-mail: christina.selin@warmuseum.ca.

Pierre Leduc
Media Relations Officer
Canadian War Museum
Telephone: 819 776-8608
E-mail: pierre.leduc@warmuseum.ca.

2007-05-08 00:00:00.000
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