HMCS HOCHELAGA Badge

HMCS HOCHELAGA Badge

Blazon

Azure upon a cross of silver birch logs pointed at the ends proper, between the arms of which in saltire, four tridents or, a roundel of the last charged with a log block-house or keep with gallery surrounded by a stockade of logs placed vertically and pointed at the top ends, gules.
(Glossary of Heraldic Terms)

Significance

There are two possible translations of the word Hochelaga, one from the Huron-Iroquoian language as place of beaver dam, the second is from the Iroquois as a place where one is surprised by an ambuscade. The birch logs with sharpened ends could be appropriate for either of these interpretations, in addition they serve as identifying the functions of Hochelaga as a supply centre - a storehouse. The four tridents are for naval affiliation and the gold roundel represents the Island of Montreal. Finally the blockhouse is also a symbol of Hochelaga's function as a supply centre.

Remarks

Former Royal Canadian Navy shore establishment near Montreal

Colours

Gold and blue

References

Badges Of The Canadian Navy by Arbuckle, J. Graeme. Halifax: Nimbus Publishing, 1987.