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CSS Acadia: A Century of Maritime History

Explore the CSS Acadia, a floating museum in Halifax, and discover a century of maritime history, naval service, and scientific exploration.

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The CSS Acadia, a historic hydrographic and oceanographic research ship, is a must-see attraction at Halifax's Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Launched in 1913, she played a vital role in charting Canada's eastern coastline and served in both World Wars, surviving the Halifax Explosion of 1917.

A brief summary to CSS Acadia

Local tips

  • Visit between May and October when the ship is open to the public.
  • Combine your visit with a tour of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic to learn more about Halifax's maritime history.
  • Check the museum's website for information on guided tours and special events.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk, head towards the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. The CSS Acadia is docked adjacent to the museum on the waterfront. The walk is approximately 5-10 minutes from most points on the boardwalk.

  • Public Transport

    Take any Halifax Transit bus route that stops near the waterfront. Routes 1, 7, 9, and 14 all stop near the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. A single fare is approximately CAD 2.75.

  • Parking

    Several parking lots are available on Lower Water Street near the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Hourly parking rates are approximately CAD 3.00, with daily rates around CAD 16.00 and nightly rates around CAD 6.00. Pay-by-Plate parking is available at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic lot.

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Discover more about CSS Acadia

The CSS Acadia, a proud vessel with over a century of history, rests as a museum ship at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax. Launched in 1913 in Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, she was designed for hydrographic and oceanographic research, charting the coastline of Eastern Canada for 56 years. Acadia holds the distinction of being the only ship still afloat to have served in the Royal Canadian Navy during both World Wars. During World War I, she served as a patrol and escort vessel, and in World War II, she was recommissioned as a warship and later used as a training vessel. Acadia also remarkably survived the Halifax Explosion in 1917, sustaining only minor damage while serving as a guard ship. After her naval service, Acadia returned to hydrographic work, pioneering research in Canada's Arctic waters and charting the coast of Newfoundland after it joined Confederation in 1949. Decommissioned in 1969, she was later acquired by the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in 1980 and opened as a museum ship in 1982. Visitors can explore Acadia's decks and learn about her construction, the lives of her crew, and her many adventures. The ship showcases early 20th-century maritime engineering, with features like mahogany and oak paneling, a gyrocompass, and an echo sounder system. Acadia is a testament to Canada's maritime history, scientific pursuits, and naval activities, offering a glimpse into life at sea over a century ago.

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