Royal Canadian Navy Barracks, Halifax

This 1920s photograph shows how the history and traditions of Britain's Royal Navy continued to shape its Canadian counterpart in the early part of the twentieth century.

Although the barracks is located in a building on land, barrels on the deck and tables suspended from overhead mimic the mess decks of wooden sailing warships where sailors ate, lived, and slept. The radiators under the windows and the enclosure for the outside door (left) were both concessions to Halifax winters.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19750559-009_p20