Canada's Naval History

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Birth Of the Navy

First World War

Between the Wars

Second World War

Early Cold War

Later Cold War
- - From RCN to Maritime Command
  - A Changing Fleet

Navy Today
- - The Gulf War
  - Continuing Commitments

First World War (1914-1918)
Atlantic Theatre

In response to the threat of German naval activity, the east coast navy expanded from its tiny pre-war establishment to include a wide assortment of ships. Their range of duties included blockading, convoy escort and minesweeping.

Artifact Record

Olympic with Returned Soldiers

War artist Arthur Lismer captured the return of the troopship SS Olympic (centre) to Halifax harbour following the First World War.

Olympic's multi-coloured dazzle camouflage, added in 1917 at the height of the German U-Boat threat, was intended to make the ship more difficult to identify and target. The painting also provides a glimpse of the busy Halifax dockyard, Canada's principal wartime naval base. Pressed into service in 1915, Olympic became one of the war's most famous troop ships. Affectionately known as "Old Reliable," Olympic would carry over 200,000 British, American, and Canadian troops to and from the fighting fronts.

Olympic with Returned Soldiers
Painted by Arthur Lismer in 1919
Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
CWM 19710261-0343