Canada's Naval History

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Birth Of the Navy

First World War

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Second World War

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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

Sketch of a Seaplane Taking Off

Arthur Lismer depicts an American flying boat taking off from Halifax on an aerial patrol to search for German U-Boats.

Following America's entry into the war in April 1917, the United States Navy established bases in Halifax and North Sydney in 1918 to fly patrols against U-Boats and to assist in convoy escort. Anxious over Canada's reliance on US air protection, Sir Robert Borden's Unionist government created in 1918 a Royal Canadian Naval Air Service to carry out such operations. The war ended before it could become operational.

Sketch of a Seaplane Taking Off
Sketch by Arthur Lismer around 1918
Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
CWM 19770224-008