HMCS ST. CHARLES Badge

HMCS ST. CHARLES Badge

Blazon

Azure, upon two Indigenous tomahawks in saltire argent a chevron couped or, above which in the center chief mullet of the second.
(Glossary of Heraldic Terms)

Significance

This ship is named in memory of Charles Garnier, a Jesuit missionary to the Huron Indigenous people in the seventeenth century. During one of the Iroquois massacres, he fell a victim to a blow from a tomahawk. He died in 1649. With other Jesuits he had travelled to the new land armed with the strength of his convictions. For his heroic death he was canonized and is now referred to as Saint Charles. The design of this badge depicts the instrument of Garnier's death through the use of the two tomahawks. The golden chevron, silver star, and blue background are from his family arms.

Remarks

St. Charles is a Saint class tug, commissioned into the RCN in June 1957. Though no longer in commission, she continues to wear pennant 533 as a fleet auxiliary.

Colours

Gold and blue

References

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