Canada's Naval History

Home > Explore History > First World War (1914-1918) > Atlantic Theatre

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

The Little Drifter and the Big Freighter

In this print, war artist Arthur Lismer depicts two ships in the waters off Halifax.

Canada built over 100 small drifters (foreground) during the war to help protect against German submarine attack. Wooden-hulled, lacking experienced sailors, and outgunned by German U-Boats, the drifters still offered some protection to the east coast. Their very presence convinced some U-Boats to hunt in safer waters to the south after the United States entered the war in April 1917. The big freighter (background) wears dazzle paint, a type of camouflage.

The Little Drifter and the Big Freighter
Print by Arthur Lismer
Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
CWM 19710261-0353