Canadian Navy Sank Foundering Boat, Fisherman Says

HALIFAX, Canada —  A Nova Scotia fisherman says a Canadian navy destroyer fired on his $1-million fishing boat, needlessly sending it to the bottom and putting 30 jobs in jeopardy.

Walter Theriault, owner of the 65-foot Lady Marjorie, said the destroyer Nipigon opened fire and sank his foundering boat shortly after the crew abandoned it Sunday off Halifax. He said the navy, which officially refuses to confirm or deny whether the Nipigon’s guns sank the ship, has been trying to cover up the event.

“I’ve never been so angry or frustrated in my life,” he said in an interview. “My livelihood has been destroyed by my own navy. . . . If the Russian navy was there, they would have salvaged the boat, but the Canadians attacked it.”

A National Defense Department spokesman said the navy is investigating.