Thorold Historical Museum

On July 3, 1959, the Royal Yacht HMY Britannia made her majestic journey through the Welland Canal, drawing many spectators along the shoreline.

It was built by John Brown & Company in Scotland, launched in 1953, and commissioned the following year. Designed as both a state vessel and a private royal residence, Britannia carried the Royal Family on over 900 state visits, sailing more than 1,000,000 nautical miles during her 44 years of service. Today, Britannia is permanently berthed in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she serves as a museum ship visited by hundreds of thousands each year.

Part of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s Royal Tour, the passage marked a proud moment in Canadian maritime history — a meeting of tradition, engineering, and national excitement.
A day when the City of Thorold felt just a little more regal.