CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent

Date of Issue: January 16, 2012

Many thanks for my friends, Emilia Moon De-Kemp for the postage paid card and Mr. Jack Dawn for the miniature sheet on First Day Cover.

Canada Post introduced set of five new definitive stamps on theme - Canadian Pride. On one stamp is depicted Canadian Coast Guard Ship and icebreaker - Louis S. St.Laurent. The year 2012 also marks the 50th Anniversary of the Canadian Coast Guard, which was formed on January 26, 1962.

Named after the 12th Prime Minister of Canada, The Right Honorable Louis St. Laurent, PC CC QC LLD DCL LLL BA. The vessel is classed a "Heavy Arctic Icebreaker" and is the largest icebreaker and flagship of the CCG.

Built in 1969 by Canadian Vickers Limited in Montreal, Quebec, CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent underwent an extensive and costly modernization at Halifax Shipyard Ltd. in Halifax, Nova Scotia between 1988-1993.

She was based at CCG Base Dartmouth in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia for a large majority of her career, but has recently been transferred to St. Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador.

On August 22, 1994, Louis S. St-Laurent and USCGC Polar Sea (WAGB-11) became the first North American surface vessels to reach the North Pole.

The vessel was originally scheduled to be decommissioned in 2000 however a refit extended the decommissioning date to 2017.

Source: Wikipedia