home
Explore History

First World War (1914-1918)
The U-Boat Menace

The emergence of the submarine was a major development in naval warfare. German submarine - or U-Boat - attacks against Allied shipping in the Atlantic and in European waters posed a major threat to the Allied war effort.

First World War Atlantic Convoy
First World War Atlantic Convoy

This photograph shows six merchant ships in a First World War Atlantic convoy.

In response to increasing merchant ship losses caused by German U-Boats (submarines), the British Admiralty introduced convoys in 1917. By grouping together merchant ships and providing them with escorting warships, the U-Boats' task of finding and sinking ships was made much harder, and Allied shipping losses fell significantly. This photograph was likely taken by Sub-Lieutenant Arthur Rankin, the navigation officer aboard HMCS Canada, which helped escort convoys off Canada's east coast.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 20080041-027





The Return of U-9
U-Boat Deck Gun
Periscope Lens, U-117
U-Boat Signalling Lamp
Cut-Away German U-Boat Mine
German Naval Mine, U-153
SS Audax Sinking
Life Ring, SS Brussels
Life Ring, UC-77
"We risk our lives to bring you food. It's up to you not to waste it."
Porthole, RMS Lusitania
Qu'importe l'existence des Neutres! L'Allemagne est au dessus de tout! (Neutrality is irrelevant! Germany sees herself above all else!)
HMHS Llandovery Castle
Depth Charge, "Type G"
Model, U-27
First World War Atlantic Convoy
German Submarine U-118