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Historian Roger Litwiller with Cdr Jon Nicholson in HMCS HARRY DEWOLF on 21 October 2024. Keeping with the modified crewing arrangements in the Harry DeWolf class, everyone takes a turn for cleaning and maintaining their ship. Roger joined the Commanding Officer's turn to work the supper scullery duties. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (IMG_0065)

Dusk has come by the time HMCS HARRY DEWOLF reached Lock 8 at Port Colborne on 22 October 2024. The final lock in the Welland Canal is a control lock to match the height of Lake Erie and does not require securing the ship to the lock wall. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (IMG_0188)

HMCS HARRY DEWOLF has cleared the upper twin flight locks on the Welland Canal on 22 October 2024. Lake Ontario can be seen in the distance, showing the height of the Niagara Escarpment. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL05801)

HMCS HARRY DEWOLF has darkened ship now that the sun has set as the AOPS completes is transit of the Welland Canal on 22 October 2024. Cdr. Jon Nicholson continues to guide his ship through the narrow channel into Lake Erie. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (IMG_0191)

S1 Martindale holds the only casualty of the 12 hour transit of the Welland Canal on 22 October 2024. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (IMG_0199)

Master Seaman Justin Washuk calls to his sister, waving excitedly from Lock 2 on the Welland Canal on 22 October 2024. Never underestimate the importance of sailors and family connections. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. RTL05678)

Clear of the Burlington Ship Channel and in the open water of Lake Ontario, the local Pilot departs HMCS HARRY DEWOLF on 21 October 2024. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL05556)

Considered to be an engineering marvel, the Twin Flight Locks at Thorold will lift HMCS HARRY DEWOLF in three stepped lifts and Lock 7, a total of 57 metres (187 feet) to the top of the Niagara Escarpment. HMCS HARRY DEWOLF entering Lock 4 on 22 October 2024. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL05743)

The remainder of the day was spent sailing the western end of Lake Ontario. This allowed HARRY DEWOLF's ship's company some respite after a hectic schedule ashore with the Naval Marine Expo. HDW recovering port Side RHIB in Lake Ontario on 21 October 2024. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. RTL05608)

HMCS HARRY DEWOLF slips through the narrow channel between Hamilton's Pier 8 and 10 on 21 October 2024. HMCS HAIDA is permanently secured on Pier 9 at HMCS STAR. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL05465)

For most of the sailors in HARRY DEWOLF this was their first transit into the Great Lakes and the sights of sailing freshwater. HDW passing the lift bridge in the Burlington Ship Channel on 21 October 2024. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL05521)

HMCS HARRY DEWOLF has entered Lock 5 on 22 October 2024. The height of the lift to Lock 6 is evident as each of the three flight locks are stepped directly into the next. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL05756)

HMCS HARRY DEWOLF alongside Pier 8 in Hamilton, ON. on 21 October, 2024 Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (IMG_0042)

HMCS HARRY DEWOLF passing the bulk Carrier, MV Kom (Valetta) demonstrates the width of the canal on 22 October 2024. In other areas, ships will have to wait their turn for clearance to pass. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL05714)

HMCS HARRY DEWOLF enters the Burlington Ship Canal and pass beneath the lift bridge and Skyway bridges on 21 October 2024. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL05510)

HMCS HARRY DEWOLF approaches the Welland Canal Channel at Port Weller from Lake Ontario on 22 October 2024. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL05625)

HMCS HARRY DEWOLF is held close to the Lock 6 wall by the Hands Free Mooring System on 22 October 2024. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. RTL05782)

Ontario Shipyards, former Port Weller Dry Docks is located above Lock 1 on the Welland Canal. The facilities are busiest over winter with work on the merchant fleet. CCGS Terry Fox was in one of the two dry docks as HMCS HARRY DEWOLF passes on 22 October 2024. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL05679)

Hands Free Mooring units are installed in Locks 1 to 7. Utilizing suction, these units attach o the ships hull and hold the vessel securely in the lock. Alleviating the time required to secure a ship with lines. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL05790)

Commander Jon Nicholson, Commanding Officer, HMCS HARRY DEWOLF keeps a close eye on his ship as he guides the 108 metre AOPS into the first lock on 22 October 2024. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Roger Litwiller. (RTL05649)