John Gilinsky Posted 1 December , 2006 Share Posted 1 December , 2006 Sydney Nova Scotia became both a naval and a naval/air base during World War I. Does anyone know where any original port records for the war years, local records that relate to World War I might be found? Does Sydney Nova Scotia have any reference local libraries or archives that have interesting materials on its port duties during ww1? Tx, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamclan Posted 6 December , 2006 Share Posted 6 December , 2006 John There is an excellent maritime museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia which has many exhibits on the war years amongst others. You could get in touch with them. See: http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mma/index.html Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.S.Regt. Posted 10 December , 2006 Share Posted 10 December , 2006 John Never heard of Sydney as a naval base in WW1 Sydney does have a few musems a very few like the Cape Breton Highlanders Museum do have military connections not sure if there is anything on the navy. Most of the Museums in the area would have a connection to mining which was the biggest employer at the time. The Nova Scotia Archives in Halifax may have something if you are going to be in the area but uncertain what would be there. I would think it could not been of any great size could not imangine many ships there. Regards Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 10 December , 2006 Share Posted 10 December , 2006 Can some-one tell me who "Sydney" was named after? was it is Sir Philip Sydney and if so , why - did he visit? Stephen (origins of place name are aother of my interest) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gilinsky Posted 10 December , 2006 Author Share Posted 10 December , 2006 John Never heard of Sydney as a naval base in WW1 Sydney does have a few musems a very few like the Cape Breton Highlanders Museum do have military connections not sure if there is anything on the navy. Most of the Museums in the area would have a connection to mining which was the biggest employer at the time. The Nova Scotia Archives in Halifax may have something if you are going to be in the area but uncertain what would be there. I would think it could not been of any great size could not imangine many ships there. Regards Stephen Yes Sydney was a very important significant air and sea base by 1918. American destroyers and planes were stationed there for anti-submarine/escort duties and coastal patrols. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gilinsky Posted 17 December , 2006 Author Share Posted 17 December , 2006 In fact the Royal Canadian Naval Air Service that was formed officialy on September 5, 1918 and bases were formed at Dartmouth (across from Halifax,N.S.) and SYDNEY, Nova Scotia. The first aerial convoy escort flew out of Halifax, N.S. on August 25,1918 accompanied by 2 US flying boats. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.S.Regt. Posted 11 January , 2007 Share Posted 11 January , 2007 In fact the Royal Canadian Naval Air Service that was formed officialy on September 5, 1918 and bases were formed at Dartmouth (across from Halifax,N.S.) and SYDNEY, Nova Scotia. The first aerial convoy escort flew out of Halifax, N.S. on August 25,1918 accompanied by 2 US flying boats. John John I know of the base in Dartmouth it came to be CFB Shearwater and yes it was originally run by the Americans. There was a museum on the base I am not sure is there now as it has been many years since I have been down. they do have a website there maybe the curator there may know more about the base in Sydney link here Regards Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERITAGE PLUS Posted 11 January , 2007 Share Posted 11 January , 2007 Can some-one tell me who "Sydney" was named after? was it is Sir Philip Sydney and if so , why - did he visit Stephen Sydney was founded by Col. Joseph Frederick Wallet DesBarres in 1785, and named in honour of Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney (also the Home Secretary in the British cabinet at the time). Lord Sydney appointed Col. DesBarres governor of the new colony of Cape Breton Island. John See: http://www.navy.dnd.ca/protecteur/about/sh...asp?category=92 Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonmate Posted 11 January , 2007 Share Posted 11 January , 2007 John Have you tried the Memorial University of Newfoundland,they go a bundle on maritime stuff ? Sotonmate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caper Posted 29 January , 2007 Share Posted 29 January , 2007 John Never heard of Sydney as a naval base in WW1 Sydney does have a few musems a very few like the Cape Breton Highlanders Museum do have military connections not sure if there is anything on the navy. Most of the Museums in the area would have a connection to mining which was the biggest employer at the time. The Nova Scotia Archives in Halifax may have something if you are going to be in the area but uncertain what would be there. I would think it could not been of any great size could not imangine many ships there. Regards Stephen For a Nova Scotian, you should know better. In the early war years, during the warmer months, Sydney was a busier port than Halifax. It was the gathering point for ships coming from the St. Lawrence and the New York area. It is geographically better suited tha Halifax. The use thereof declined as the war went on. It was not an ice free harbor and the entrance of the US in the war lead to more American traffic. Read the book, Gaurdian of the Gulf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caper Posted 29 January , 2007 Share Posted 29 January , 2007 Sydney Nova Scotia became both a naval and a naval/air base during World War I. Does anyone know where any original port records for the war years, local records that relate to World War I might be found? Does Sydney Nova Scotia have any reference local libraries or archives that have interesting materials on its port duties during ww1? Tx, John The local University, Cape Breton University has a great collection of archives in the Beaton Institute. If what you are looking for exists, that's where it will be. The local Library is the McConnell but I'd bet on the Beaton Institute. There is a book, Sydney, The Gaurdian of the Gulf I believe is the name. You may like that. http://beaton.uccb.ns.ca/ http://faculty.uccb.ns.ca/highlanders/CBH%20Museum.htm Caper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gilinsky Posted 29 January , 2007 Author Share Posted 29 January , 2007 Thank you. Guardians of the Gulf is pretty good if still somewhat confusing over the 1918-1919 period. The book states Kelly Beach and Indian Beach but doesn't specify the latter's location. I suppose the local newspaper(s) might help if they have been preserved. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caper Posted 29 January , 2007 Share Posted 29 January , 2007 Thank you. Guardians of the Gulf is pretty good if still somewhat confusing over the 1918-1919 period. The book states Kelly Beach and Indian Beach but doesn't specify the latter's location. I suppose the local newspaper(s) might help if they have been preserved. John Kellys Beach is just past North Sydney heading inland. At the entrance to the North West Arm. Indian Beach is on the other side of the arm...I think. I can find out. They are older names not used much these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caper Posted 29 January , 2007 Share Posted 29 January , 2007 Thank you. Guardians of the Gulf is pretty good if still somewhat confusing over the 1918-1919 period. The book states Kelly Beach and Indian Beach but doesn't specify the latter's location. I suppose the local newspaper(s) might help if they have been preserved. John My brain just cut in. Indian Beach is in North Sydney. Next to the Nfld. ferry terminal on the Sydney Mines side of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter E. Lawson Posted 28 February , 2009 Share Posted 28 February , 2009 Sydney Nova Scotia became both a naval and a naval/air base during World War I. Does anyone know where any original port records for the war years, local records that relate to World War I might be found? Does Sydney Nova Scotia have any reference local libraries or archives that have interesting materials on its port duties during ww1? Tx, John I wrote a book about NAS North Sydney. It is the story of the USN-operated naval air station at Indian Point in North Sydney, Nova Scotia. It operated from August 31, 1918 to January 5, 1919 at the request of the Canadian Government. In the book there are many references to the Port Authorities in Sydney and Halifax. The best source of information for the book was the Beaton Institute at Cape Breton University in Sydney, and the Museum in North Sydney. Both of their e-mail addresses are to be found in the book. You may read the book by going to the US Coast Guard Web Site. Once there you will see a scrolling notice board. Wait about 30 seconds and my book will come up. By putting your curser on the roll-up you automatically stop the rolling action. Click on the yellow colored icon, NAS NORTH SYDNEY, and the book will appear. Read it and you will have obtained most of the information you are looking for. Good Luck, Peter Lawson, Halifax, N.S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter E. Lawson Posted 28 February , 2009 Share Posted 28 February , 2009 Sydney Nova Scotia became both a naval and a naval/air base during World War I. Does anyone know where any original port records for the war years, local records that relate to World War I might be found? Does Sydney Nova Scotia have any reference local libraries or archives that have interesting materials on its port duties during ww1? Tx, John John, I should have mentionned that you can go directly to the history section of the USCG by going to: www.uscgaviationhistory.aoptero.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter E. Lawson Posted 28 February , 2009 Share Posted 28 February , 2009 Sydney Nova Scotia became both a naval and a naval/air base during World War I. Does anyone know where any original port records for the war years, local records that relate to World War I might be found? Does Sydney Nova Scotia have any reference local libraries or archives that have interesting materials on its port duties during ww1? Tx, John Woops. John, one more thing. If you want to know all about the Port of Sydney during the First World War it is imperative that you obtain THE definitive book: Tennyson, Brian, and Sarty,Roger. GUARDIAN OF THE GULF. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. 2000. You will truly amazed at the details available about the Navy in Sydney Harbor between 1912 and 1920 in this book. Cheers. Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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