There may be no other sailing ship in North America that has touched the lives of so many people during 80-plus years of existence as HMCS Oriole. The design of famed MIT marine architect George Owen, the pride of original owner George Gooderham, commodore of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, the steadfast training ship of the Royal Canadian Navy for more than five decades, and ultimately "the people's boat" in her home harbours of Esquimalt and Victoria, BC, HMCS Oriole continues to add to her legacy with every new nautical adventure.

Her fascinating history is captured by author and avid mariner Shirley Hewett in a narrative based on extensive interviews with Oriole's past captains and crew. Hewett listened to their stories, shared their insights and sailed the New Zealand leg of a South Pacific good-will voyage in 1998 aboard the Oriole as part of an international crew. "She is a ship that manufactures dreams," Hewett said. "Mine became to tell her many stories."

Shirley Hewett was a 20th-generation mariner. Shirley launched Canada’s first bare boat charter operation, Bosun’s Charter Ltd. Shirley began writing at the Ubyssey student newspaper while a UBC undergrad. She subsequently became a leader, mentor and supporter of other writers through the Periodical Writers Association of Canada (PWAC), serving on the national executive and as president of the Victoria chapter. She covered the waterfront community in Victoria, BC, through stories in Monday magazine, the “Around our Shores” column in the Victoria Times, the Times Colonist’s “Islander,” SAIL, Pacific Yachting, 48 Degrees North, Beautiful British Columbia and Mariner Life. She was the CFAX radio voice of the Swiftsure International Yacht Race for many years and was well known for her involvement in the Classic Boat Festival (Honorary Commodore); the Canadian Forces Sailing Association; the Royal Victoria Yacht Club; and other marine affiliations. Shirley was welcome aboard the CCGS Narwhal, HMCS Oriole, Messenger III, and in the kitchens of West Coast lighthouses. Shirley was also a pioneer community recycler. She passed away in 2008.

Shirley Hewett's profile page