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Blazon

Gules, a bend wavy argent charged with two like cotises azure, debruised with a cross of the second charged with a penguin erect proper.
(Glossary of Heraldic Terms)

Significance

This ship is named for the Terra Nova River in Newfoundland. This is the first ship of either the RN or the RCN to bear the name, however, another ship named Terra Nova was built in 1884. She was the largest and stoutest of Scottish whalers. It was not until 1903 however that she became famous. She was chartered by Admiralty for service in the Antarctic, and for the next ten years was either associated with or was commanded by explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott, CVO,DSC,RN. In commemorating his gallant service, the Royal Navy named one of their ships HMS Scott, whose badge displays a penguin on a field of heraldic water. In the Canadian badge design, the white and blue diagonal is for the river while the white cross on the dark red background is from the arms of Newfoundland. The penguin is in tribute to Captain Scott's abilities, courage and leadership - all in the finest traditions of a naval service.

Remarks

Terra Nova is a member of the Restigouche class of destroyer escorts. She was commissioned in June 1959, and since then has undergone conversion to the Improved Restigouche configuration. She wears pennant 259.

Motto

Tenax propositi ("Do not falter")

Colours

White and dark red

Battle Honours

Gulf and Kuwait, 1991

References

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

CFP 267 - Badges of the Canadian Forces, Minister of Supply and Services Canada, 1977.