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HMCS FRÉDÉRICK ROLETTE 434
Harry DeWolf Class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel
The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence, announced July 16, 2015, in Québec City, that an Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) will be named in honour of Lieutenant Frédérick Rolette, a Canadian-born officer and naval hero of various actions, ashore and afloat, during the War of 1812, including command of the ship General Hunter. The naming ceremony took place place on 25 Jun 2024 at Halifax, NS.
Lieutenant Frédérick Rolette (23 Sep 1785 - 17 Mar 1831) - Just before the outbreak of the War of 1812, Lt Rolette was posted to Amherstburg, Ont., as a Lieutenant in charge of the brig General Hunter. When word of the outbreak of war reached Amherstburg on July 3, 1812, Lt Rolette acted immediately, capturing an American vessel, the Cuyahoga, before the crew became aware that their country had declared war on Britain. This was the first action of the War of 1812 and a significant prize, because on board the Cuyahoga were American commander General William Hull’s papers and dispatches, providing the British with a great deal of intelligence on American strengths and deployment.
Lt Rolette was active in the war, conducting several daring captures of American supply vessels and participating in land battles at the Capture of Detroit, the Battle of Frenchtown, and the skirmish at the Canard River. He was the First Lieutenant (second in command) of the British schooner Lady Prevost at the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813. When the captain was mortally wounded, he assumed command and fought the ship “with great skill and gallantry” until he himself was severely wounded, burned by an explosion and the ship was a broken unmanageable and sinking wreck.
When the war ended, Lt Rolette returned to Québec City to a hero’s welcome and was presented with a 50-guinea sword of honour by its citizens in recognition of his service. Through the research and efforts of the Naval Museum of Québec, the RCN was able to locate the whereabouts and current owner of this sword of honour in order to have it displayed to the public as part of the naming announcement.
Photos and Documents Ship's company photos
Commanding Officers
Photos and Documents
(FRL001) The official lineage of HMCS FRÉDÉRICK ROLETTE
The official keel laying of HMCS FRÉDÉRICK ROLETTE - 29 Jun 2022 (FRL002) The silver $5 coin to be placed on the ship's keel. (FRL003) Rear Admiral Santarpia placing the coin to be welded on the keel of HMCS Frédérick Rolette – the 5th Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship for the Royal Canadian Navy (FRL004) Keel of the future HMCS Frédérick Rolette (AOPS 5) immediately behind the group. In the background is the bow of the future HMCS William Hall (AOPS 4) L to R: Ross Langley, Vice Chairman of Irving Shipbuilding Eric Theriault, Welder at Halifax Shipyard Rear Admiral Brian Santarpia CPO1 Alena Mondelli
(FRL005) The future HMCS FRÉDÉRICK ROLETTE 434 under construction at the Halifax Shipyards - 26 Aug 2023 // Courtesy of Barry Gerrard (FRL006) The future HMCS FRÉDÉRICK ROLETTE 434 being towed into Beford Basin to be floated up 09 Dec 2023 // Source: RCN official facebook page (FRL007) The future HMCS FRÉDÉRICK ROLETTE 434 under tow to Irving Shipyards, Halifax after being floated-up in Bedford Basin 09 Dec 2023 // Source: RCN official facebook page
(FRL008-FRL012) Naming Ceremony for the future HMCS FRÉDÉRICK ROLETTE 434 - 25 May 2024, Halifax, Nova Scotia // Photographer: Aviator Gregory Cole // Source: RCN official facebook page
(FRL013-FRL014) 21 May 2025 HMCS FRÉDÉRICK ROLETTE 434 takes part in the 2025 Fleet Week parade of ships as she makes its way through New York harbor and up the Hudson River // Photo by K C Wilsey FEMA // Public Domain Photos
(FRL015-FRL018) The Commissioning Ceremony for HMCS FRÉDÉRICK ROLETTE 434 at Quebec City, Quebec - 13 Jun 2025
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