Canada's Naval History

Second World War
Battle of the Atlantic - U-Boats and Convoys

The struggle between German U-Boats (submarines) and Allied convoys was the core of the battle of the Atlantic. U-Boats sought to destroy Allied merchant vessels and warships, while Allied convoys sought to transport food, supplies, weapons, and personnel across the Atlantic.

HMCS Trillium Crowded with Survivors

In addition to fighting the enemy, Canadian ships escorting convoys also rescued sailors from ships torpedoed by German submarines.

On 22-23 February 1943, the corvette HMCS Trillium rescued around 160 survivors from three merchant ships torpedoed during the battle for westbound convoy ON 166. This view of Trillium, taken from the United States Coast Guard Cutter Spencer, shows the corvette crowded with a total of some 250 crew and survivors. In the foreground, one of Spencer's boats carries that ship's doctor across to Trillium to help tend to wounded mariners.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19780328-001

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